That night, the Sect Master's chambers were silent. The cold moonlight fell across the room, catching the pale frost lingering along the windowsill — the remnants of her breakthrough still saturating the air.
Yinxue sat alone at her dressing table, robe wrapped tightly around her shoulders. She stared into the bronze mirror before her, though her reflection blurred as her mind wandered back again and again.
The blindfold.
The moment his eyes had opened.
The stunned look on his face as he realized.
Her chest tightened, her ears burned hot even now. She pressed her hands against her cheeks, willing the heat to subside, but it only grew worse as she recalled the shock in his voice.
"I—I thought— you had already—"
Mortifying. Absolutely mortifying. She, the Sect Master of the Moon Lotus Sect, revered as untouchable, unshakable, unyielding… had sat bare-backed before him, her skin pressed to his, moaning under the flood of chi like some inexperienced disciple.
And then he had seen.
Her hands clenched in her lap. The shame should have been unbearable. Yet beneath it was something else — something that frightened her far more.
That moment hadn't felt like humiliation.
It had felt… vulnerable. Exposed. Seen in a way no one else had ever seen her before.
And the worst part?
Her heart hadn't recoiled.
It had raced.
She drew in a shaky breath, closing her eyes, but her mind betrayed her. She remembered the heat of his back against hers, the strength in his grip when their hands locked, the way his chi had poured into her body — scouring her, filling her, overwhelming her until pleasure spilled from her lips no matter how hard she tried to hold it back.
She bit her lower lip, trembling. How could I… lose control like that?
The rational part of her whispered the truth: dual cultivation, even in this altered form, was always said to skirt the line between righteousness and corruption for this very reason. The mingling of yin and yang touched not only the spirit but the body — awakening sensations that even the strongest heart could not easily resist.
And yet… with him, it had been more than just chi.
Her fingers trailed absently over her sleeve, clutching it tighter. "Haotian…" she whispered softly, then shook her head violently as if to banish the thought.
But it lingered.
The way he had looked at her — not with lust, not with ridicule, but with that same steady calm he gave the world. As though even in that humiliating moment, she was still someone he respected, someone worth protecting.
That made it worse.
So much worse.
For the first time in decades, Sect Master Yinxue felt the ground beneath her composure shift. Not from the burden of leadership, not from the threat of demons — but from a man who had seen her at her most vulnerable.
She shut her eyes, hugging her knees to her chest like a girl again. "…I cannot allow this. I must not."
And yet her heart, traitorous and unyielding, whispered the truth she could not speak aloud.
You want him to look at you that way again.
The silence of the night answered her, cold and unforgiving.
As the chamber finally stilled, Yinxue's robe clutched tight around her trembling frame, one detail went unnoticed.
Neither Haotian — steadying his breath as he removed the blindfold — nor Ziyue — still flustered from laughter — saw what lingered beneath where Yinxue had sat.
The moment of her breakthrough, when the yin–yang chi had surged to its peak and her aura had burst outward… her body had not only trembled from power. The flooding of chi through every channel, brushing across even her most hidden places, had pushed her past a line she had never crossed before. Her breathless cry had not been just from cultivation — it had been the helpless release of a woman overwhelmed by pleasure and power in the same instant.
The floor where she sat bore the silent evidence of that moment.
But Yinxue, Sect Master of the Moon Lotus Sect, would never admit it — not even to herself. In a blur of panic and shame, she had pulled on her robe, masking her face, her trembling, and that truth. The frost chi in the air quickly crystallized, concealing all trace of what had happened.
To Haotian, she had only broken through to Late Soul Transformation.
To Ziyue, she had only moaned too much.
To herself, she had only lost composure for a breath too long.
The secret remained sealed in the frozen boards of the floor — unspoken, unacknowledged.
But the method was proven. And one day, when Haotian gathered other disciples within the bathhouse to attempt the same chi-only dual cultivation, the echoes of this moment — and what had truly occurred to Yinxue — would resurface in the most unexpected way.
The cold sun rose over the Moon Lotus Sect, casting pale light across the peaks dusted in frost. In the grand assembly hall, disciples gathered in rows, their breaths misting in the chill morning air. Murmurs swept through the crowd long before the elders arrived — rumors of the Sect Master's breakthrough had already spread like wildfire.
When Sect Master Yinxue finally appeared, her aura alone silenced the hall. It was different now — sharper, heavier, more overwhelming. Her eyes carried the calm of someone who had walked further into the Soul Transformation Realm.
Late Soul Transformation… in a single night.
The disciples bowed in unison, but their gazes could not hide their awe. Whispers slipped out despite their attempts to remain composed.
"She was only mid stage last month… how is this possible?"
"The sect master has truly reached another height…"
"…Could it be connected to Senior Brother Haotian?"
Haotian stood at Yinxue's side, calm and composed. Ziyue was just behind him, her expression guarded, though her eyes kept flicking toward him with unspoken weight.
When the murmurs had settled, Yinxue raised her hand.
"Disciples of the Moon Lotus Sect. What you sense is real. I have advanced to Late Soul Transformation Realm. But this was not by my own effort alone. It was the result of a new cultivation method — one created by Haotian."
The hall stirred again, eyes turning toward him, incredulous and expectant.
Haotian stepped forward, his voice steady, carrying easily through the icy air.
"What you saw in your Sect Master is proof. I have designed a new dual cultivation method, one unlike any other. It does not require intimacy, nor does it damage a woman's yin essence. Instead, it exchanges pure chi between cultivators — merging yin and yang to elevate both sides."
The words fell like thunder.
The disciples gasped. Some looked at each other in shock, others in disbelief. The elders whispered among themselves, their expressions shifting between awe and caution.
Dual cultivation was notorious throughout the cultivation world — a path seen as half-corrupt, half-sacred, tainted by indulgence. But what Haotian described… was something else entirely.
Yinxue continued, her voice firmer now, though her cheeks faintly flushed at the memory of the trial.
"To avoid impropriety, these sessions will take place in the cultivation bathhouse. The waters, rich with frost chi, will amplify the effect. A separate section has been prepared where Haotian will sit, blindfolded, his back facing the pool. The disciples will sit behind him in the waters, their backs against his. Skin contact is necessary for the chi to flow, but there will be no intimacy. Only cultivation."
The disciples were stunned silent.
One finally whispered, "Skin… contact… with Senior Brother Haotian…" which set off a chain of hushed voices rippling like wildfire.
But another disciple, more clear-eyed, breathed out, "If this is true… then every one of us could rise. We… we could all reach realms that once seemed impossible."
The hall trembled with restrained excitement.
Haotian's gaze swept across the disciples, calm but resolute.
"The demon seal will not hold forever. In three years, it will break. If we are to stand against them, every one of you must rise. This method is not for indulgence, but for survival. Remember that."
The weight of his words pressed against every heart.
At last, Yinxue raised her hand again.
"Prepare yourselves. Tomorrow, the first session will begin."
The disciples bowed as one, their voices rising together.
"Yes, Sect Master!"
But even as the hall filled with resolve, whispers of excitement and jealousy lingered, especially among the younger disciples. Many could not help but wonder what it would feel like — the warmth of Haotian's chi, the rush of yang fire coursing through their bodies, the possibility of soaring realms.
Ziyue stood silently at Haotian's side, her eyes half-lidded. They have no idea… she thought, her heart pounding with memory.
The cultivation bathhouse steamed with frost chi, the air thick with a crisp, invigorating chill. The crystal-clear waters rippled faintly as disciples stepped in, their robes folded neatly to the side. Mist clung to the curved stone walls, glowing faintly with etched runes that stabilized the frost vein below.
On one side of the pool, a dais had been prepared. Haotian sat cross-legged upon it, bare-chested but blindfolded, his posture unshakable. His robe lay neatly to one side, his back facing the pool, his aura steady yet contained.
The disciples filed in nervously, whispers passing between them.
"…We're really going to touch backs with him…"
"Shhh! The Sect Master said this is cultivation, not anything improper.""
But still… just to feel his chi…"
Elder Ziyue stood at the edge, her expression calm, though her hands were clasped tightly behind her back. She watched every movement, her eyes lingering on Haotian with something more than professional concern.
Sect Master Yinxue was also present, silent and composed, though her faint blush betrayed memories of her own trial the night before.
"Form a circle," Haotian instructed, his voice calm and commanding. "Sit close enough for your backs to touch mine, one at a time. We will begin with six of you. The rest will rotate afterward."
The chosen disciples moved forward hesitantly, lowering themselves into the steaming waters. One by one, they aligned themselves against him, their shoulders trembling as their bare backs brushed against his.
At the first contact, a jolt ran through them. Warmth unlike anything they had felt before pulsed from Haotian's body into theirs, filling their channels.
"Relax. Breathe. Focus on your chi. Send it through your left hand into the flow, and receive through your right," Haotian said softly.
The disciples obeyed, their hands resting on the water's surface, forming a subtle chain of connection.
Then it began.
Golden yang threads unfurled from Haotian, seeping into their bodies like sunfire. In return, silver-blue yin threads pulsed from the disciples, entering him. Slowly, the streams twined together, merging into rainbow streaks that cycled through all of them.
At once, the disciples gasped.
"It's… it's moving through me…""So warm… so cold… so—ahh—!"
Their moans echoed faintly through the chamber as the chi brushed across every meridian, flooding even the places untouched by their own cultivation. The pleasure was undeniable, leaving them flushed and trembling.
From the side, other disciples watched, stunned by their seniors' reactions. A few exchanged knowing glances — they had heard the Sect Master moan the night before. Now they saw the same thing unfolding here.
And then it happened.
One of the disciples seated against Haotian suddenly arched back, water splashing as her body trembled violently. Her aura burst outward in a brilliant flare of light, the frost chi in the pool freezing solid for an instant.
"She… she broke through!" someone shouted.
"Yes… to Core Formation! In one session!"
The bathhouse erupted in gasps.
But as the disciple slumped back into the water, dazed and trembling, others began whispering in hushed tones.
"…Did you hear her cry? It was just like the Sect Master's yesterday…"
"…Don't tell me… does this method… also…?"
The whispers spread like wildfire. The connection was made. What had happened privately in Yinxue's chambers was no longer invisible — it lived now in the trembling bodies of disciples, in the memory of the Sect Master's cries.
Yinxue's face stiffened, her heart pounding as she heard the comparisons. She clenched her sleeve tight, trying to mask the burning shame — and the terrifying truth.
Ziyue's expression darkened, her lips pressed tight. She knew exactly what they were thinking. And she knew that only Haotian and she herself had been present that night. The Sect Master's secret was no longer fully safe.
Haotian, however, remained composed, his blindfold still in place, his voice calm as he continued guiding the flow of chi.
"Focus. Do not lose control. We will repeat the cycles until your foundations are solid."
But beneath the water, the disciples' flushed faces told the truth:
This was not just cultivation. It was something more.
And the Sect Master's hidden moment from last night… was beginning to unravel.
The bathhouse steamed faintly, mist curling in the cold air. Disciples stood in a half-circle at the water's edge, their robes folded neatly away, their faces flushed not from the frost chi but from what was about to happen.
Haotian sat already in place, blindfolded, bare-backed, cross-legged on the dais prepared for him. His voice was calm, steady, carrying no hint of the fluster buzzing through the young women before him."One at a time," he said. "To avoid imbalance, we will begin with only one disciple per session. The rest will follow in sequence."
Silence followed. The disciples looked at each other, some biting their lips, others fidgeting, a few trying and failing to hide their blushes.
Finally, one muttered, "So… who goes first?"
That simple question nearly caused an uproar.
"I— I don't mind waiting, maybe it's better if a senior tries first…""No, no, we should give this opportunity fairly—""Fairly? Then who decides what's fair?"
Yinxue pinched her forehead, sighing faintly. Ziyue folded her arms, amused at how quickly the sect's most disciplined disciples had turned into flustered girls.
To settle the matter, one of the elders quickly returned with a bundle of thin straws. The end of one was painted red.
"Draw lots," Ziyue declared. "Whoever pulls the red straw goes first. Then repeat until everyone has their place."
The disciples groaned, shifting nervously.
One by one, they reached into the bundle. Each time someone pulled a plain straw, relieved laughter broke out, along with the occasional teasing jab."Hah! Not me!""You're sweating more than when you fought in the tournament last year!"
Finally, a disciple drew the short straw with the red tip. She froze, her mouth opening soundlessly as the others erupted into squeals and laughter.
"Ahhh! It's you, Mei'er!""Congratulations— you're the brave one!""Poor Mei'er, she looks like she's about to faint!"
Mei'er's face turned scarlet, her hands trembling as she held the straw like it might bite her. She shot pleading looks at her sisters, but they only pushed her forward, their laughter mixing with nervous anticipation.
Ziyue smirked from the side. "You drew it. You can't go back on it now."
Sect Master Yinxue coughed softly, though the corners of her lips twitched as if she were suppressing a smile. "Compose yourself, disciple. Remember, this is cultivation. Nothing more."
Mei'er shuffled forward into the water, muttering under her breath, "I'd rather fight ten peak Nascent beasts than do this…" Her words set off another round of chuckles among the disciples.
Haotian, blindfolded and calm, said only, "Sit. Place your back against mine. Breathe deeply, and focus."
The laughter died down as curiosity and awe returned. The first draw had been made — and soon, every disciple would have their turn.
But the bathhouse walls still carried the sound of giggles, and more than one girl whispered, "I hope I don't get the red straw next…" even as their eyes shone with barely concealed excitement.
The disciples watched with bated breath as Mei'er slipped behind the curtain. Her silhouette trembled as she sat behind Haotian, bare back brushing against his broad frame. The lantern light painted their outlines onto the fabric for all to see — faint, but unmistakable.
"Relax," Haotian said calmly. "Let the chi flow."
Golden yang threads spilled from him, rushing into her meridians. In return, her yin chi seeped into him, blending into shimmering streams of rainbow light that cycled between their bodies.
Mei'er gasped sharply, her silhouette jolting, her fingers digging into the water's edge."A-ahhh—!"
Her cry echoed across the chamber. The disciples outside stiffened.
Inside, Mei'er's silhouette writhed, her head tilting back as the chi swept through her channels, brushing against every hidden place. The sensation was unbearable, a blend of power and pleasure, and soon her moans filled the bathhouse.
"Haotian—! It's—ahhh!"
The disciples outside exchanged stunned looks."…That's just like the Sect Master yesterday…""…No… could it really be…?"
Then it happened.
Mei'er's aura surged violently, bursting outward in a shimmering frost-white wave. The water around her steamed, then froze in patches before shattering.
"Breakthrough!" an elder exclaimed, her voice full of awe. "She advanced from Mid Nascent Realm to Late Nascent Realm!"
The bathhouse rippled with gasps.
Behind the curtain, Mei'er's silhouette slumped against Haotian's back, chest rising and falling rapidly, her body trembling. She whispered faintly, her voice cracking, "So warm… so good…"
Outside, disciples blushed furiously, covering their mouths. Their gazes flicked toward Yinxue — and suspicion burned brighter.
The Sect Master's cries the night before… Mei'er's cries now… both during Haotian's dual cultivation. The connection could no longer be ignored.
Inside the curtain, Mei'er's body trembled as the rainbow chi spiraled endlessly between her and Haotian. Every cycle brushed across her meridians, flooding her with a heat and cold that blended into unbearable pleasure. Her breath came in sharp gasps, her fingers clawing faintly at the water's edge.
Her silhouette twisted on the curtain, her head thrown back."A-ahhh…! I—I can't— it's too much…!"
Haotian, calm but focused, guided the flow steadily, careful not to overwhelm her. "Steady your breathing. Hold the chi, let it circulate—"
But she suddenly clutched at him from behind, pressing closer, her voice breaking in a desperate moan."Don't stop—! Haotian, please— don't stop! It's too good— I can't lose it now!"
Her words sent ripples of shock through the disciples outside. Many covered their mouths, their eyes wide. The whispers grew louder, tinged with scandal.
"…D-Don't stop?!""…She sounds… exactly like…""…The Sect Master that night…"
Behind the curtain, Haotian's brows furrowed beneath the blindfold. Mei'er's chi was surging wildly, threatening to break balance. He focused harder, stabilizing the yang fire threads to temper her yin flood.
Then, with one last cry, her aura burst outward — a brilliant frost-white wave that shook the waters and cracked the surface with ice.
"Breakthrough!" an elder exclaimed. "She's advanced from Mid Nascent Realm to Late Nascent Realm!"
Gasps filled the bathhouse.
Inside, Mei'er collapsed against Haotian's back, trembling, her breath ragged. Her lips trembled as she whispered, barely audible:"…so warm… so good… please… more…"
Haotian sighed softly, steadying her with his chi before gently ending the cycle. "Enough for today. Rest and stabilize your foundation."
But outside, the disciples had already seen enough. Between her moans, her pleas, and the breakthrough, the comparison to Sect Master Yinxue's cries the night before became undeniable.
Whispers spread like wildfire.The Sect Master… Mei'er… both of them with Haotian…
And in the back, Yinxue clenched her sleeve, her expression calm, but her heart pounding with the weight of the truth.
Inside the curtain, Haotian's voice remained calm and steady."Enough, Mei'er. Your foundation has shifted — you've broken through. Any more and your realm will become unstable. Go and consolidate your strength."
Mei'er clung faintly to his arm from behind, her breath ragged, her voice a soft whimper."…But it feels… so good… I don't want it to end…"
Haotian sighed, his tone firm but not unkind."Cultivation requires patience. If you want more, then stabilize yourself first. Otherwise, today's gain will become tomorrow's weakness."
Reluctantly, Mei'er withdrew. The sound of water rippling accompanied her as she reached for her towel, wrapping it hurriedly around her trembling frame.
Then, with slow, uneven steps, she pushed past the curtain and emerged before the waiting disciples.
The sight made the entire bathhouse go silent.
Mei'er's hair clung wet to her flushed cheeks, her chest rising and falling in heavy breaths. Her legs wobbled beneath her as if she had just run a battle to exhaustion. One hand clutched her towel desperately, the other braced against the wall for support.
Her eyes were dazed, unfocused, glowing faintly with new cultivation. Her aura shimmered unsteadily — unmistakably Late Nascent Realm.
She looked at her sisters — and froze. Every pair of eyes was locked on her.
The disciples burst into whispers.
"She's… she's glowing…""Her face— it's so red! What happened in there?""Don't tell me… she actually…"
An elder cleared her throat, trying to restore composure. "Enough. Mei'er has broken through. She must go and consolidate her realm immediately."
Mei'er nodded faintly, wobbling toward the side door. But as she passed the crowd, her sisters leaned closer, whispering in half-teasing, half-scandalized tones.
"Don't stop, Haotian…? Really, Mei'er?""Look at her, she can barely walk straight!""She sounds just like…"
The words trailed off, but the implication hung heavy in the mist-filled air.
Sect Master Yinxue stood at the side, her expression serene, but her nails dug into her sleeve. Beside her, Elder Ziyue's lips pressed tight, her eyes lingering on Haotian's silhouette behind the curtain.
Mei'er disappeared into the side passage, her footsteps weak, her aura unsteady. But the whispers she left behind burned brighter than her breakthrough.
The straw bundle was lifted again. The next disciple would soon be chosen.