With Elara now officially his first Harem member, Rylan felt a strange mix of triumph and unease. The raw power surging through his Dantian was exhilarating, a stark contrast to the decades of weakness he had endured. He was Foundation Establishment—a genuine cultivator, no longer a mere mortal. But Elara was still just a terrified, starving girl. The System's rules were clear, and the hint for "fastest path to power" echoed in his mind.
He looked at Elara, who was cautiously nibbling on the last of the dried bread, her eyes still darting nervously around the ruined garden. "Come," he said, his voice surprisingly firm. "This garden is exposed. We need to find a more secure place for the night."
Elara nodded, quickly rising. She seemed less frightened now, her hunger temporarily appeased, replaced by a cautious obedience. The System had categorized her as "Desperate," and desperation often trumped fear.
Rylan led her back through the crumbling mansion. He sought a part of the ruin that offered some semblance of protection from the elements and potential intruders. He found a room on what was once the second floor, its ceiling still largely intact, and a wall that provided a solid barrier. It had a relatively clean corner, away from the drafts and debris.
"This will do for now," Rylan stated, gesturing to the space. He took out the remaining dried rations from his pouch and handed them to her. "Eat slowly. You need your strength."
Elara gratefully accepted, her movements still hesitant but less frantic. As she ate, Rylan sat opposite her, his mind buzzing. He was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but he was still fundamentally ignorant of this world's current state, its dangers, and the full scope of his System.
He needed information. And he needed to understand the "dual cultivation" aspect more fully. The System had implied passion, not violence. But how exactly did it work?
As if sensing his thoughts, the blue screen flickered with a new message:
[Harem Member: Elara][Cultivation Aptitude: Minor (Latent)][Dual Cultivation Recommended: The Art of Veiled Desire (Chapter 1)]
Below this, a new option appeared: [Initiate Dual Cultivation].
Rylan's heart quickened. This was it. The practical application of the System. He looked at Elara. She was still eating, but glanced up at him, her large eyes curious.
"Elara," he began, trying to keep his voice even. "I need you to listen carefully. There is a way for both of us to become stronger, to protect ourselves in this dangerous world. It is... a special method of cultivation. One that involves a unique bond."
He watched her reaction. Her eyes widened slightly, a flicker of understanding mixed with confusion. In this world of cultivators, many unique and often intimate methods of power were rumored, especially for those connected to powerful clans.
"A bond?" she whispered, her voice still soft.
"Yes," Rylan affirmed. He needed to be convincing, to maintain his "dominance," but also to alleviate her fear. "It is a path to strength. For both of us. It will give you power you never dreamed of, and it will bind you to me, ensuring your safety under my protection."
He could see the calculation in her eyes. Safety. Power. These were alluring promises to a starving, vulnerable girl. Her latent cultivation aptitude, noted by the system, suggested she might instinctively grasp the potential.
He reached out a hand, not to grab, but to offer. "Do you trust me?"
Elara hesitated, then slowly, tentatively, placed her small hand in his. Her palm was rough, calloused, but there was a faint warmth that resonated with the nascent spiritual energy within him.
As their skin touched, the Harem System exploded with light.
[Ding! Dual Cultivation Initiated with Elara!][The Art of Veiled Desire (Chapter 1) Activated!]
A rush of knowledge flooded Rylan's mind – not just theoretical understanding, but an innate, physical comprehension of the Art of Veiled Desire. It was a method that channeled spiritual energy not just through conventional meridians, but through the very conduits of emotion and sensation. It required physical intimacy, a merging of essences, to unlock and accelerate cultivation. For the partner, it wasn't just about giving energy; it was about awakening their own dormant potential through the shared connection.
He also understood the System's true purpose now. It wasn't just about taking strength. It was about maximizing it through a synergistic bond, a true dual cultivation. The more willing and receptive the partner, the greater the mutual benefit.
He gently pulled Elara closer. Her eyes fluttered, a blush rising on her dirt-smudged cheeks, but she didn't resist. She seemed to instinctively trust him, or perhaps, simply had no other choice.
"Close your eyes, Elara," Rylan whispered, his voice deeper than he intended, a ripple of excitement and anticipation running through him. "And focus on the warmth."
He leaned in, his lips finding hers. It was an awkward, hesitant kiss at first, but as their spirits and nascent energies began to intertwine through the physical contact, a powerful current sparked between them. The System pulsed, guiding the flow, connecting their cultivation cores.
A wave of intense pleasure, unlike anything Rylan had ever known, surged through him, accompanied by a torrent of spiritual energy. He felt his Dantian expanding, solidifying. Elara, too, trembled in his arms, a soft gasp escaping her lips as a faint, ethereal glow emanated from her body, her latent cultivation aptitude finally awakened.
The first night was not just about the act; it was about the awakening. The Lustful Emperor was truly beginning his ascent.
End of chapter 4