Since that deep conversation with Yu Qing that day, Dugu Bo had indeed restrained himself a lot, no longer spending all day in his poison herb garden tinkering with those intimidating "treasures."
However, having suddenly left the research he had loved his entire life, he appeared somewhat absent-minded and distracted, often staring blankly toward the empty medicinal garden with a look of profound loss.
Seeing this, Yu Qing simply handed over the heavy responsibility of "supervising" Dugu Bo to Little Dugu Yan. The little girl was more than happy to carry out her master's orders, acting like a little housekeeper every day, following her grandfather step by step, dragging him along to play with Xiao Wu or wandering around the valley.
Thus, an interesting scene often appeared within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well: a prestigious Poison Douluo, like an old child, being led by the nose by his own granddaughter, looking helpless yet content as he mingled with a group of actual children, listening to their chatter and watching them play childish games.
Although he felt a bit awkward at first, as time went on, Dugu Bo gradually began to savor the taste of family happiness, and the anxiety in his heart was slowly smoothed away.
Yu Qing, on the other hand, locked himself in his study, devoting his heart and Soul to the deduction and perfection of the "Poison Pill Method." He flipped through several pill-forming methods he had scavenged from the System Mall, combining them with his understanding of energy control and Medicinal Pill theory to constantly construct, simulate, and correct every step of condensing the poison pill. He knew this matter concerned Dugu Bo's life and allowed for no negligence; it had to be foolproof.
The days passed quietly in this seemingly peaceful atmosphere.
However, three nights later, this peace was quietly broken.
As usual, Yu Qing ended his day of busy work and research and pushed open the door to his residence.
Inside the room, the Soul-Guided Lamp emitted a soft glow. However, Yu Qing's footsteps abruptly stopped the moment he stepped into the room, an expression of unbelievable shock appearing on his face.
He saw a slender figure sitting quietly on the edge of his bed.
It wasn't A Rou.
Instead, it was Fox Consort, dressed in a pale purple dress, not wearing a veil, completely revealing that naturally charming and peerlessly beautiful face!
She seemed to have dressed up carefully; her smooth silver long hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, and her narrow fox eyes shimmered with light, carrying a hint of unavoidable nervousness and shyness. Her fair skin seemed to glow under the light.
She just sat there quietly, yet she seemed to embody all the world's enchanting allure, making the entire room feel romantic and intimate.
Yu Qing froze for a good while before coming to his senses. He had been busy with various affairs and research lately, and Fox Consort always stayed quietly in her own small cottage, rarely going out. If not for the occasional glimpse of her figure every day, he would have almost forgotten this Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast that A Rou had "abducted."
"Miss Fox Consort?" Yu Qing spoke somewhat uncertainly, his tone filled with confusion, "You... why are you here?"
Hearing his voice, Fox Consort's delicate body seemed to tremble slightly. She raised those Soul-snatching charming eyes to look at Yu Qing, her gaze complex, containing both resolution and a maidenly shyness.
She took a deep breath, as if gathering immense courage, before saying in a voice with a slight tremor: "I... I am here to... fulfill... fulfill the bet with A Rou."
"The bet?" Yu Qing was stunned for a moment, then immediately recalled the agreement between A Rou and Fox Consort that night regarding "body and heart." He couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. "Miss Fox Consort, that was just A Rou's momentary jest; it shouldn't be taken seriously. How can you sacrifice your own body over a joke of a bet? It's not worth it."
He thought Fox Consort would take the Opportunity to leave, but to his surprise, after hearing his words, she didn't leave. Instead, as if a certain stubbornness had been provoked, she suddenly looked up, her silver teeth biting her lower lip. Her fox eyes flashed with a determined light as she looked directly at Yu Qing and said clearly, word by word:
"I... I'm not doing this just for the bet... I... I want to... with you... Harmonize!"
"Pfft—!"
Yu Qing almost choked on his own saliva; he was completely stunned! He stared wide-eyed at this peerless fox woman who had spoken such shocking words, her cheeks flushed yet her gaze stubborn, his brain momentarily stalling.
"You... where did you learn about 'Harmonization'?!" Yu Qing finally caught his breath and asked in disbelief. He didn't recall mentioning this to Fox Consort.
Being stared at by him made Fox Consort even more shy. She lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet she persisted in answering: "It was... it was A Rou... she told me... she said... it's very good... one can become strong very quickly..."
Yu Qing immediately facepalmed, feeling speechless. A Rou, oh A Rou, you're being far too diligent in your role as a "matchmaker"! You even gave someone a tutorial on such private matters in advance?!
He took a deep breath and walked over to Fox Consort, his expression becoming exceptionally serious and solemn, his gaze burning as he stared at her: "Fox Consort, you must think this through. Yin-Yang Harmonization is no child's play. Once it begins, you and I will no longer be simple friends or fellow disciples. From then on, you can only be my woman, your body and Soul tied to me alone. Are you... truly willing?"
Facing his oppressive gaze, Fox Consort's heart pounded wildly, almost leaping out of her chest. She fell silent for a moment, her mind flashing through A Rou's daily advancing cultivation and her happy, satisfied appearance, then thinking of her own weak strength after transforming and her confusion about the future... Finally, she suddenly looked up, all the hesitation and shyness in her eyes replaced by a resolution like burning one's bridges.
"As long as... as long as it's truly as A Rou said, and it can make me strong quickly, giving me the power to protect myself and my clan... I, Fox Consort, am willing to accompany you with this body, never to leave in this lifetime!" Her voice no longer trembled; instead, it carried the weight of a solemn promise.
Seeing the unquestionable determination in her eyes, Yu Qing knew she had made up her mind. He no longer acted coy or made excuses; with such a peerless beauty actively throwing herself into his arms and with such a firm will, if he refused again, it would instead seem hypocritical.
With a thought, he reached out his finger and lightly tapped the void.
Hum!
A mysterious contract scroll, emitting a soft golden light and covered in profound runes, emerged out of thin air, floating in front of Fox Consort. The contract exuded a holy, solemn, and inviolable aura.
"This is a Sacred Contract." Yu Qing's voice was low and solemn. "Only by signing this contract, where our hearts are connected and our Spirits and flesh merge, can we perform the deepest level of Dual Cultivation and obtain the greatest benefits. Once signed, our fates will be linked, sharing both fortune and misfortune. Are you... willing to sign it?"
Fox Consort looked at the golden contract that emitted a heart-palpitating power; she could feel the binding force of the Law contained within. Once signed, there would be no possibility of regret. But she didn't hesitate for a moment, nodding her head firmly: "I am willing!"
Having said that, she extended her slender jade finger, lightly circulating her spirit power to force out a drop of crimson essence blood. With a flick of her finger, that drop of essence blood accurately merged into the golden contract.
The contract immediately burst with golden light, countless runes flowing, and an invisible bond was instantly established in the depths of Yu Qing and Fox Consort's Souls.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully contracting a four-star Dao Companion—Fox Consort! Reward: dao companion treasure chest x1, yin yang points +500!]
[Dao Companion Panel Updated:]
[Dao Companion: Fox Consort]
[Age: 18 (Psychological age, actual age???)]
[Spirit: Three-Eyed Demon Fox]
[Soul Power Rank: Rank 13 Spirit Master]
[spirit ring Configuration: Yellow (420 years)]
[Beauty: 97 (Naturally charming, capable of toppling nations)]
[innate Soul Power: Rank 10 (Foundation of a transformed Spirit Beast)]
[Comprehensive Star Rating: ★★★★]
[Favorability: 60 (Favorable impression, willing to entrust her life)]
"Four stars?" Yu Qing looked at the System prompt, slightly surprised. He thought that as a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast transformation, Fox Consort should have been at least five stars. It seemed the System rating focused more on potential and current strength; Fox Consort, who had just transformed and had low strength, indeed appeared inferior to A Rou for now.
However, Yu Qing didn't think much of it; the star rating was just a reference, and future achievements ultimately depended on personal Opportunity and effort.
He dismissed the golden contract, took a step forward, and gently pulled Fox Consort—who was slightly dazed and had a flushed face from signing the contract—into his arms.
Fox Consort's delicate body instantly stiffened, then began to tremble slightly. Her gaze drifted, and even her breathing became rapid. Clearly, even though she had lived through long years, in terms of emotion and desire, she was likely a pure and untainted "maiden fox" before her transformation.
"Relax a bit," Yu Qing gently stroked her back, his voice gentle and carrying a soothing power. "The way of Yin-Yang Harmonization emphasizes the union of Spirit and desire, the merging of body and Soul, to maximize the effects."
Feeling the warmth from Yu Qing's palm and the gentle whispers in her ear, Fox Consort's tense nerves gradually relaxed.
She looked up, gazing at Yu Qing's handsome face and deep eyes, taking a deep breath as if she had made a certain decision.
In the next moment, under Yu Qing's stunned gaze, a flash of mixed cunning and resolution appeared in Fox Consort's eyes. She actually took the initiative, suddenly flipping over and pinning Yu Qing down onto the bed!
Yu Qing: "???"
Before Yu Qing could react, Fox Consort followed the "theoretical knowledge" A Rou had instilled in her mind as well as a certain natural instinct, awkwardly yet boldly launching an "offensive"... Yu Qing completely gave up thinking, immersing himself in the unprecedentedly wonderful experience brought by this peerless Charming Fox. That perfect body, that naturally charming face now covered in a rosy flush, and that active initiative within her awkwardness... made this night infinitely beautiful.
After the Yin-Yang Harmonization, Yu Qing guided Fox Consort through two sessions of Yin Yang Conjunction and deep cultivation. Because of the harmonization and conjunction, Fox Consort felt double pleasure in both mind and body, causing her favorability to surge.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing one Yin Yang Conjunction. spirit power and mental force have merged, the Soul is sublimated, +500 yin yang points, a small amount of spirit power, a small amount of Yin-Yang Power.]
...[Ding! Fox Consort's favorability +20, current favorability 80 (Deeply in love, body and Soul fully committed).]
As the dawn light broke, Yu Qing looked at Fox Consort, who was sleeping exhaustedly in his arms with tear marks at the corners of her eyes but a smile on her lips, and couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.
He gently scratched her exquisite, upturned nose, his tone filled with doting and teasing: "Let's see if you dare to act so recklessly and provoke me next time..."
Fox Consort couldn't even open her eyes; she just subconsciously shrunk into his arms, muttering in a sleep-induced mumble: "No... I don't dare... Husband... spare Fox-er..." Her voice was lazy and seductive, bone-meltingly Soul-stirring.
Yu Qing smiled and carefully tucked her in. After this night of deep cultivation, Fox Consort's Soul power Rank had actually skyrocketed like a rocket, going directly from Rank thirteen to the Rank twenty Bottleneck! This speed of improvement was simply unheard of!
Is this the terrifying effect of Yin Yang Conjunction with a high-level Spirit Master?
He transmitted the Soul Power Compression Method to the sleeping Fox Consort through their mental connection and whispered in her ear: "The spirit power obtained from Yin Yang Conjunction is too superficial; you need to compress and refine it well to solidify your Foundation. With this method, you don't have to worry about an unstable Foundation."
Fox Consort seemed to sense something in her dream, giving an unconscious "Mhm" before falling into a deep sleep again; she was truly too tired.
When Yu Qing stepped out of the room lightly and closed the door, he turned around only to almost bump into a pink figure standing silently outside the door.
It was A Rou.
She was looking at Yu Qing with a half-smile, an expression of slight teasing and mysterious profound meaning. Her gaze sized him up from top to bottom, then she leaned in close and whispered into his ear: "How was it? Fox Consort... how was the taste? Was it... a different kind of flavor? Very 'comfortable,' right?"
Yu Qing's old face immediately turned red. He awkwardly rubbed his nose and coughed twice, but ultimately nodded honestly: "...Indeed... very good." He couldn't deny Fox Consort's unique, almost Prodigy-like Charm.
Hearing this, A Rou didn't show the slightest hint of jealousy. Instead, she seemed relieved, a satisfied smile appearing on her face. She even hummed an unknown little tune and left in a good mood, leaving Yu Qing standing there alone, looking at her slender back with mixed emotions, unable to guess the truest thoughts deep within his "wife's" heart.
Fox Consort slept until the evening of the next day before slowly waking up. After waking, she kept Yu Qing's instructions in mind and immediately began to operate the Soul Power Compression Method, repeatedly tempering and refining the spirit power that had exploded overnight.
Ultimately, her Rank remained stable at Rank twenty. She only needed to condense a spirit ring to officially become a Spirit Grandmaster.
Yu Qing also instructed her to temporarily use all the energy obtained from refining Yin-Yang Power to improve her Soul power cultivation, raising her strength as quickly as possible to have a certain degree of self-protection.
On the night six days later.
Yu Qing came to A Rou's room and said to her with a solemn expression: "A Rou, after tonight's Yin Yang Conjunction, do not refine or absorb the generated Yin-Yang Power for now. Keep your spirit power in its most full and active state."
Hearing this, a brilliant light instantly erupted in A Rou's pink eyes. she immediately understood Yu Qing's intention, her voice carrying a hint of excitement and nervousness: "Husband... you mean..."
Yu Qing nodded affirmatively, his gaze full of encouragement and trust: "Mhm! Tomorrow, I will be your Protector and help you condense the Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Soul Cores at the center of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!"
A Rou took a deep breath and nodded heavily, her eyes filled with determination and expectation.
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