Day after day went by like that, and soon Paul's ladies emerged from their seclusion.
It took a moment to explain everything to them, but since they had previously agreed to everything, they didn't complain and just joined everyone.
Paul also decided to take a break once every three days for a whole day, to sleep and cultivate the Yin Qi that was gathered by the array.
Additionally, more and more women trickled in to cultivate with Paul as the rumors about his great progress spread.
In only one week, he reached level 95 of the beginning stage, while the two ladies who were the closest to entering the ascension realm gained a level at most and had dozens of levels to go before they could escape, which didn't bode well, as it was evident that they would not be able to reach the ascension realm before the crystals shattered.
Then came the biggest surprise, as the Ice twins came to Paul's mansion on his day off to discuss some matters with him.
As soon as they stood before him and his ladies, they both bowed deeply.
-Thank you for saving us back then.
They both said at the same time.
-We were planning to come thank you earlier, but got caught up in a discussion of great importance for us.
Bing Mei explained the delay.
-No problem, and you should be thanking Sei, not me.
In the end, it was he who asked me to go and save you.
Paul answered with a smile.
-That may be so, but you did risk your life for us, so it's you who deserves our thanks.
Bing Xin smiled slightly.
-Now, for the reason we came to look for you.
The older twin said.
-After discussing it at length, we found you worthy, and we would like to ask you to undergo the trial of taming ice.
Bing Mei stated solemnly, surprising Paul.
-You two can't be serious.
Sei materialized, and his ghost-like face had a shocked expression painted all over it.
-What about your reincarnation souls?
Did they agree to it as well?
He asked.
-What reincarnation souls?
Both of them asked in surprise.
-Sei, we never became reincarnation souls; these two were dead before they were even born, and the heavens gave us a choice to change their destiny and our own by becoming their souls and staying together, or be reincarnated and most likely be separated.
It went without saying that they chose to stay together.
-Well, good for you, but why are you trying to undergo the Ice taming with Paul, since you two are still my women and I will come back to life soon enough.
Moreover, it doesn't look like you are members of your previous clan.
-Have you forgotten that you failed the ice taming trial?
Bing Mei asked after hearing him out.
-We also refuse to be your women after all that you put us through.
Do you know how it felt to see my sister die in front of my eyes?
Bing Xin looked at Sei with anger burning in her cold blue eyes.
-Besides, we only agreed to stay with you because you were the only one back then who could somewhat satisfy us; we never became your wives.
She added, making Lord Sei speechless.
-Now, you are dead, and we were reincarnated, so shut the hell up and don't interfere when we finally found a man who we both deem worthy of undergoing the trial.
Bing Mei scolded him.
The worst part of it all for Sei was that he could not refute even one word of what they said just now.
He messed up big time, and he knew it.
-Calm down, ladies.
Paul tried to hide his amusement, seeing Sei land himself in hot water.
-I'm honored that the two of you deem me worthy, but it's the first time I've even heard of the Ice taming trial.
-Oh, that's easy to rectify.
Bing Mei smiled.
-All females of our clan perform the Ice taming trial, and despite what that ghost said, even if we were not born back into our clan, our cultivation method turned us back into what we were before, so the trial is still valid for us.
As for what the trial is about, it's simple.
You will need to cultivate with us and tame us without breaking our minds.
It does not matter if we go at it both or one at a time.
If you succeed, we are both yours forever, and you will earn the right to impregnate us whenever you wish to have children.
However, if you fail, then there won't be a second chance, and at most, we will become your cultivation partners until we find another man worthy of undergoing a trial with.
She explained, making everyone present speechless.
-Slow down, ladies.
Paul said after assimilating the information he had just received.
-First of all, to even join my family, you would need the approval of all my ladies, and my own.
Additionally, I barely know a thing about you, and you know next to nothing about me, so why would you present yourselves to me like that, not knowing what you're getting yourselves into?
-Sorry, Paul, but you are mistaken about the latter part.
Lady Peacock materialized, with an apologetic expression, similar to Xiao Su, who was sitting there and looked like a naughty child caught causing mischief.
-Please elaborate.
Paul narrowed his eyes, and his voice turned calm, indicating that he was getting angry.
- Su and I told them some things about you when we visited them earlier.
So it's not like they don't know anything about you.
Lady Peacock admitted, looking at the ground.
-Didn't I tell you not to disclose my information to anyone?
Paul asked, and his tone assured the two of them that he was seriously pissed right now.
-Paul, we didn't tell them anything about your past, or anything like that.
They simply wanted to know how you treat your partners, and if you're reliable, that's all.
Xiao Su immediately explained in a panicked voice.
-That's all?
Paul's anger evaporated immediately, replaced by surprise and then laughter.
-Hey, bird brain, you might want to explain things more clearly next time.
He scolded Lady Peacock while shaking his head in disbelief.
She pouted at being called Bird brain, since everyone called her that whenever she messed up in the past, and she hated it.
Paul ignored her and thought about the situation clearly.
If that was all they shared about him, then there was no reason for him to be angry, but right now, he thought that they had revealed everything about him to strangers, which he forbade all his ladies from doing.
And Peacock's words led him to misunderstand and get angry at the two of them.
Seeing his anger vanish, Xiao Su sighed in relief.
She knew that Paul was not the type of person who forgave easily.
-Also, in the future, you might want to ask me first, or even better, tell the person asking to come to me directly.
He added to end this matter.
-Alright, so you know a bit about me, but still, there is the small matter of gaining the approval of my ladies to join the family, and that's if I can even tame you, which, honestly speaking, I have no idea how to do, since the information you shared is more than just vague.
Paul turned to the twins.
-Oh, there is more information on that, but it's meant to be heard only by the one attempting the trial, and even then, you would be required to swear not to reveal it to anyone for as long as you live, if you fail the trial.
Bing Xin said.
-As for the approval of your ladies, that's a bit tricky, since it won't mean anything if you fail, and it would be problematic if you succeed and they refuse.
Bing Mei said with a troubled expression.
-You see, when I said that if you manage to tame us, we will be yours forever, I meant it literally.
-Let me get this straight.
Anna finally chimed in, unable to stay quiet any longer.
-If he fails, then you won't have anything to do with him when we leave this city, but if he tames the two of you, then no matter what, you will follow him all your lives?
She asked, just to be sure she understood it all correctly.
-Yes, that's the deal with the trial.
The twins said simultaneously.
-If that's the case, then I propose to give them our temporary agreement, for now, and see if Paul can truly tame them.
In the end, Lord Sei had failed, so it's clearly not as easy as it seems.
She turned to her sisters, who were quietly enjoying the drama before them.
-I agree.
Natalie was the first to speak up.
-Me too.
Elaina was the second one, surprising everyone.
After that, all the ladies agreed to this proposition.
-There, problem solved.
Anna grinned, seeing the twins' stunned expressions.
They never expected to gain the approval this easily.