That night, the sect felt quieter than usual. The outer disciple alleys were empty except for the occasional patrol lantern swinging in the distance, casting long shadows that made everything look sharper, more dangerous. I kept my steps light, hood up, sticking to the edges where the formation lights barely reached.
My new cultivation—Stage 3 mid—hummed under my skin like a low current. Not strong enough to fight anyone who mattered yet, but enough that I could feel the qi in the air, taste it on my tongue. It made me restless. Hungry in ways that had nothing to do with food.
I headed toward the women's quarter. Not because I had a death wish, but because the system had dropped a new side quest while I was meditating earlier:
[Side Quest: First Taste of Yin – Establish contact with a compatible female cultivator. Reward: 400 DP + Yin Affinity Scan (Lv.1)]
Compatible. The word alone made my pulse kick up.
I didn't plan to force anything tonight. Too risky. Too stupid. But information was power, and I needed to know who was worth the effort.
The women's area was separated by a low spirit wall—thin enough to hear voices through if you pressed close, strong enough to zap anyone dumb enough to climb it. I found a shadowed alcove near the laundry drying racks, crouched low, and waited.
Voices drifted over. Laughter. Complaints about chores. Then one stood out—soft, a little husky, like she'd been crying but didn't want anyone to know.
"...if I don't break through by next month, they'll send me to the mines. I can't go back there."
Another girl murmured sympathy. Then the first voice again: "Luo Mei, you're too soft. Just take what you need. Everyone else does."
Luo Mei.
I filed the name away.
A few minutes later, a figure slipped out alone. Small. Slender. Hair tied in a simple knot, strands escaping like she didn't care anymore. Gray robe like mine—trash uniform. She carried a basket of washed linens, shoulders hunched.
She passed close enough that I caught her scent: faint jasmine soap mixed with exhaustion and something sweeter underneath. Qi signature: Qi Gathering Stage 2 early. Weak. Desperate.
Perfect.
I stepped out of the shadows just enough to block her path without startling her too badly.
She froze. Eyes wide—dark brown, almost black, with long lashes that made them look bigger. Pretty in a fragile way, like porcelain that had already cracked once.
"Senior...?" Her voice was small.
"Not senior," I said quietly. "Just another outer. Xuan Mo."
Recognition flickered. "The... the one they call Little Trash?"
I winced internally but kept my face neutral. "Yeah. That one."
She clutched the basket tighter. "What do you want?"
"Honest conversation." I kept my hands visible, palms up. No threat. "I heard you talking. About the mines."
Her cheeks flushed. "You were eavesdropping."
"Guilty." I shrugged. "But I'm not here to mock you. I'm here because we're in the same boat. Purge in ninety days. If neither of us breaks through, we're both done."
She looked away. "I know. My meridians are blocked. Pills don't help. I've tried everything short of... selling myself."
The words hung there.
I let the silence stretch just long enough.
"What if there was another way?" I asked softly.
Her eyes snapped back to mine. Wary. Curious.
"Dual cultivation," I said plainly. No sugarcoating. "Not the forced kind. Mutual. Controlled. I know a method that circulates qi both ways—boosts both partners if the yin-yang balance is right."
She laughed once—bitter. "And you think you're balanced? You're Stage 3. I'm barely 2."
"The system says otherwise." I tapped my temple lightly. "I can feel it. Your qi is pure yin-leaning. Mine's chaotic, but... complementary. One session could push us both up half a stage. Maybe more."
She stared. "You're serious."
"Dead serious." I stepped closer—not crowding, just enough to lower my voice. "No strings. No oaths. One night. We stop if either wants to. If it works, we both survive longer. If it doesn't... we pretend it never happened."
Her breathing quickened. I could see the pulse in her throat jumping.
"Why me?" she whispered.
"Because you're desperate enough to listen," I said. "And because you're beautiful when you're angry at the world."
That last part slipped out more honest than I intended.
She swallowed. Looked down at the basket like it held answers.
"I... I need to think."
"Fair." I backed off a step. "My room. Midnight tomorrow. If the door's open, come in. If it's closed, walk away. No hard feelings."
She nodded once—jerky—then hurried past me, basket clutched like a shield.
I watched her go.
The system pinged softly.
[Target Acquired: Luo Mei – Yin Compatibility: 87%]
[Quest Progress: 30% – Tease phase initiated]
[Bonus: If full session completed, unlock 'Yin Drain Technique (Mortal Grade)']
I exhaled slowly.
Not tonight.
But soon.
Back in my room, I lay on the hard bed staring at the ceiling cracks.
My body was buzzing—anticipation more than anything. In my old life, I'd never been bold enough for this kind of game. Now? The stakes were life and death, and the rewards were power wrapped in skin.
Tomorrow, if she showed...
I smiled into the dark.
Let the corruption begin.