I woke to warmth on both sides.
Meiyun lay curled against my right, her arms wrapped tightly around me as if afraid I might disappear. Her head rested on my shoulder, dark hair spilling across my chest, her breathing slow and peaceful. On my left, Lingyu and Lingxue slept close, each holding one of my hands, their fingers intertwined with mine. Thin, translucent robes barely covered their bodies, rising and falling softly with each breath.
For a moment, I simply watched them.
Then I lowered my head and pressed a gentle kiss to Meiyun's hair. She stirred faintly but did not wake, tightening her hold instead. I leaned left next, kissing Lingyu's crown, then Lingxue's, both of them murmuring softly in their sleep, instinctively drawing closer.
Satisfied, I carefully eased myself free and rose from the bed. The moment I stepped out of the master room, I was met by familiar figures.
My five wives stood together in the corridor, already dressed, their expressions bright and unmistakably pleased. There was no jealousy in their eyes, only satisfaction, pride, and a quiet sense of completion. One of them laughed softly, another covered her smile with a sleeve.
"You should decide on a good date soon," one of them said lightly. "Bring the three of them into the family properly," another added, eyes warm. "It will strengthen the bond."
I smile and told my five wives, that I would marry the three girls properly, taking them in as concubines and bringing them fully into the family. There was no surprise, no objection. One by one, they nodded, their smiles calm and approving, as if this outcome had already been decided long ago.
Once the matter was settled, I turned inward, checking my own cultivation before examining theirs. My qi was surging, dense and stable, I had reached 9th Stage Body Tempering, standing at the absolute peak. My foundation felt complete, pressure building naturally, as though a single step would be enough to push me into the next realm.
Then I examined Meiyun, Lingyu, and Lingxue.
The result made my breath still for a moment.
All three had broken through to 4th Stage Mortal Awakening. Their meridians were clear, widened, and resilient, far beyond what ordinary cultivation methods could achieve. For mortals, such a leap would normally take years. They had accomplished it in a single night.
A realization slowly formed in my mind. Perhaps the higher my own cultivation climbed, the more overwhelming the effects of dual cultivation would become.
For an ordinary mortal, sharing cultivation with me might no longer mean slow progress, but multiple breakthroughs at once.
I realize then my path forward would not only elevate myself, but also reshape the fate of anyone bound to me.
I got to my feet and stepped out, deciding to take a slow stroll through Xuanlian City. Today, I would rest, truly rest, and simply enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.
The past thirty days had been relentless, spent in near-constant cultivation with my five wives, refining qi and stabilizing foundations without pause. Even last night had pushed the limits, an intense session of dual cultivation with the three who would soon join the family.
I walked through the city and quickly realized that Xuanlian City was far livelier than I had imagined. The streets were crowded with people from all walks of life, mortals carrying goods on their backs, wandering cultivators with weapons at their waists, merchants shouting prices, and guards patrolling with practiced indifference.
Faint auras of qi drifted everywhere, not strong, but constant, like an undercurrent reminding me that this was a cultivation city through and through.
Xuanlian City was considered medium-sized by the standards of Bailin Province, with nearly two million residents, it felt vast and restless. Located in the southern part of the province and not far from the border leading toward the Southern Continent, the city served as a crucial crossroads. Travelers, traders, and cultivators flowed in endlessly, bringing news, wealth, and trouble with them.
Two grand roads formed the backbone of the city, vast arteries of stone and packed earth that carried both commerce and fate. The first ran from north to south, a broad, well-maintained thoroughfare that linked Bailin Province to the southern lands beyond the border.
Caravans laden with spirit grains, medicinal herbs, and rare ores rumbled endlessly along its length, while wandering cultivators and merchants from distant regions passed through without pause.
Inns, auction houses, and trading halls clustered densely along this road, feeding off the constant flow of travelers and rumors, making it the liveliest stretch of the city from dawn until deep into the night.
The second road cut from west to east, slicing cleanly through the city's heart like a measured blade. This avenue was wider still, its paving stones engraved with faded formation patterns meant to stabilize traffic and suppress disorderly qi.
Official buildings, clan estates, and sect outposts lined its sides, their gates imposing and heavily guarded. Processions of city guards and noble carriages moved in steady order, reinforcing the unspoken rule that this road represented authority as much as convenience.
Where the grand roads intersected lay Xuanlian central plaza, a massive, bustling square packed with major shops, auction halls, weapon stores, pill pavilions, and inns of every tier. The noise there never faded, day or night.
The city was clearly divided by purpose. Outer districts housed mortals and low-level cultivators, while deeper within stood clan estates, sect outposts, and businesses catering exclusively to those who walked the cultivation path. Though true experts were rare, the presence of cultivation was undeniable.
The southern quarter was infamous, but not chaotic, its reputation came from excess rather than lawlessness. The streets were crowded from morning to night, packed shoulder to shoulder with merchants calling out prices, cultivators browsing spirit trinkets, and ordinary townsfolk going about their daily business.
Music drifted constantly through the air, flutes and soft drums blending with laughter and bargaining voices.
The six pleasure houses stood like jeweled beacons along the main street, their ornate facades draped in silk banners, lanterns glowing warmly even under the sun as if time itself bent differently in this part of the city.
Outside each establishment, beautiful ladies lined the steps and balconies, their colorful robes swaying with every movement. Some twirled and danced with delicate fans, enticing passersby with graceful gestures and sultry smiles, while others leaned against the railings, their laughter lilting and voices calling out invitations to enter.
Their eyes sparkled with playful challenge and unspoken promise, each movement choreographed to draw attention, leaving no doubt that this quarter thrived on charm, allure, and the endless pursuit of indulgence.
Between those establishments, trade never stopped. Vendors sold incense meant to calm restless hearts, talismans rumored to enhance stamina, and wines infused with mild spiritual energy.
The road itself was worn smooth by countless footsteps, carts, and sedan chairs weaving through the crowd. Here, indulgence and practicality walked side by side, cultivators discussing techniques while servants negotiated contracts, guards escorting clients of status, and messengers darting through gaps with practiced ease.
The quarter breathed with life, dense and overwhelming, a place where desire, ambition, and coin flowed together without pretense.
Near the edge of the district stood the two regulated slave and helper markets, their entrances clearly marked and guarded. Inside, rows of men and women stood in orderly lines, some labeled as household attendants, others as laborers or personal aides, all assessed and documented under city law.
As I passed, my Perception Eyes stirred restlessly, sensations overlapping one after another. Threads of faint compatibility flickered everywhere, especially among the women, some barely noticeable, others sharper, resonating subtly with my own qi.
It was enough to make the quarter feel even more oppressive, as if hidden possibilities crowded the air itself, waiting for the right hand to reach out and claim them.
My steps faltered suddenly in front of one of the slave shops, its exterior deceptively calm compared to the vibrant chaos of the street. The building was neat and well-kept, its polished wood and clean stone a stark contrast to the dust and bustle outside.
From the faint sounds drifting through the door, I realized there was a live auction in progress. Curiosity, and something deeper, instinctive, drove me closer.
I let my Perception Eyes sweep the interior, and two figures immediately drew my attention. Their qi shimmered differently, brighter and tinged with a subtle purple hue, almost as if it whispered of a unique constitution, a potential untapped by ordinary mortals.
Stepping inside, the atmosphere hit me all at once. Loud shouts of buyers and sellers mingled with the clatter of coins and the shuffle of feet. The air was thick with anticipation, and the scent of incense mingled with the faint tang of exertion and excitement.
I navigated through the crowd, keeping my eyes locked on the two women, weaving through lines of bound laborers and attendants. Each step brought the purple auras into sharper focus, confirming what my instincts already suspected: these two were extraordinary, hidden jewels amidst the mundane.
Finally reaching the auction area, I took in a better view of the women. They stood side by side, restrained but poised, their expressions a mixture of fear, defiance, and curiosity.
I approached one of the attendants nearby, posing my question carefully. The man looked up, slightly hesitant, then gave the information without delay.
"Their names are Qingwu and Qingying," he said, voice barely audible over the din. "Twins, both in their twenties. Traded by slave traders from the Western Continent, they were brought here to be sold. Rare specimens, if you ask me, spirited and resilient."
My eyes fall upon them again, twin sisters, radiant and impossibly alluring.
Qingwu stands with a soft glow, her delicate face framed by flowing hair, eyes shimmering like moonlit waters that beckon and tease. My gaze traces her curves, the swell of her full, round chest, the narrow slope of her waist, the hypnotic flare of her hips, and the gentle firmness of her thighs, every line of her body moving as if in perfect rhythm with the energy around us. Even the subtle tilt of her head, the parting of her lips, feels deliberate, a quiet seduction that makes my pulse quicken.
Beside her, Qingying exudes a more daring, fiery allure. Her eyes burn with mischief and dark promise, her lips full, curved, and inviting, radiating a confidence that feels almost predatory. Her petite frame holds voluptuous curves that rival her sister's, the generous rise of her chest giving way to a slender waist and wide, mesmerizing hips. Every step she takes, every subtle shift of her posture, carries a tension that hums through the room, magnetic and intoxicating, like a storm poised on the edge of release.
I watch them together, twins intertwined in their contrasting seduction, Qingwu, soft and luminous, drawing me in slowly like moonlight spilling over tranquil waters; Qingying, bold and incendiary, striking with immediate, hypnotic heat.
My eyes roam over their forms, taking in every curve, every contour, every minute detail, the sweep of their hair over shoulders, the swell of their chests, the delicate dip of their waists, the teasing shape of their hips.
Twins, yet polar opposites in their erotic aura, they hold me captive without a word, each heartbeat echoing the dangerous, irresistible magnetism that flows from their bodies. The room seems to pulse with them, two perfect storms of sensuality, and I realize I am powerless before the gravity of their combined allure.
As the auction continued, I strode into the hall, the soft shuffle of my steps barely noticed amid the murmurs of the crowd. I found an empty seat and lowered myself into it, positioning perfectly to observe without drawing undue attention.
While waiting for the next round, my eyes swept over the candidates, scanning for potential dual cultivation partners. Faces, auras, qi signatures, each passed under my scrutiny.
Some were competent, others promising, but none held the depth, the resonance I sought. The search was deliberate; my judgment precise.
After a few rounds passed, the moment finally arrived, the twins were called to the auction block. A hush of anticipation swept over the hall before the usual chaos erupted.
Price after price was shouted from all corners, voices clashing, gavel pounding, the air thick with tension and excitement.
I joined in when necessary, raising my voice at intervals, letting others think I was merely another bidder caught in the frenzy. But my mind was elsewhere, calculating, sensing, feeling the depth of their qi and the potential locked within them.
As the numbers climbed higher, I finally shouted the last figure, decisively cutting through the din. The auctioneer's eyes widened slightly before he began the official countdown. A quiet relief washed over me.
Money held no sway over me. It was not the amount that mattered. What I craved were the twins' bodies, minds, and most importantly, dual cultivation with them, who could match, challenge, and elevate me.
Together, we would push further, breaking boundaries and ascending toward the next realm, the kind of growth that no solitary path could ever achieve.
An attendant approached quickly, bowing slightly. "Congratulations, Young Master," he said, his voice carrying both respect and awe.
I nodded in acknowledgment, letting a small smile play at my lips. Moments later, I was led into the transaction room, a quiet, well-appointed chamber separated from the auction hall.
Inside, the twins stood with perfect composure, Qingwu to my right, Qingying to my left, each exuding elegance, restraint, and a subtle aura that made the room pulse with quiet energy.
"Young Master," they greeted in unison, voices soft yet deliberate.
I inclined my head and returned the greeting, a confident smile brushing my lips. Another attendant greeted me as well, formal and precise.
Without ceremony, I handed over the agreed amount in spirit stones. The attendant carefully calculated, counting and verifying every stack until the transaction was complete.
Satisfied, I retrieved the twins with a firm, steady grip, Qingwu on my right, Qingying on my left, and we left the room together. The air around us seemed charged with quiet expectation, the twins' subtle qi brushing against mine as we walked.
When we reached home, I wasted no time. Turning to the twins, I gestured toward my five wives. "These are my wives, Xiaoting, Yaolin, Xueyin, Xueyang, and Fenghua. Show them your respect and give greetings."
Qingwu and Qingying inclined their heads gracefully, voices soft and precise: "Young Madam."
I then introduced the twins to my wives. "These are Qingwu and Qingying," I said simply.
My five wives only smiled, calm and approving. "A great man such as our husband," one said with a glint in her eye, "can have as many wives as he desires… and needs." They all nodded in agreement, their expressions warm and accepting.
Satisfied, I called Meiyun over. "Show the twins to their rooms and let them rest," I instructed, my tone gentle but firm.
The twins inclined their heads once more, following Meiyun gracefully toward the prepared rooms.
I let myself exhale, allowing the tension of the day to slip away. Today, there would be no cultivation, no training, only rest, leisure, and the quiet satisfaction of a family quietly growing stronger.