Chapter 22: Dual Cultivation 2*
As the sky shifted from twilight to the deeper shades of night, stars began to scatter across the heavens like cold embers. In the quiet courtyard of the Sixth Peak, where a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, Meng Hao suddenly heard a crisp chime echo within his mind.
[Ding! It's been detected that a lustful girl has thoughts of dual cultivation against you... Do you want to know it?]
The notification struck like a lightning bolt in the peaceful silence. Meng Hao, who had been walking slowly alongside Li Yao toward their new residences, nearly stumbled. His eyes widened for a split second, but he quickly composed himself.
"What the hell… someone's having thoughts of dual cultivation with me??"
His lips twitched.
"Who is she?"
Suppressing the strange grin creeping onto his face, he mentally replied, "Show me, system."
Another crisp sound rang out, and text appeared in his field of vision.
[Ding! Host, Li Yao thinks that Su Lan accepted you as a disciple because she harbors evil and lustful thoughts toward you. Fearing her master will take you, she plans to sneak into your room tonight while you are asleep, and make you completely hers through dual cultivation.]
Meng Hao froze in place. His mouth slightly agape, he blinked once, twice.
"...What the hell is this logic??"
His eyes twitched as he processed the absurd chain of reasoning.
"Where is her brain? What's wrong with her IQ?! How the hell did she come up with this kind of plan?"
But then... a smirk tugged at his lips.
"Still... it is kind of interesting."
He chuckled to himself. A dark glint passed through his eyes as his mind wandered deeper into amusement.
"This stupid and cute plan of Li Yao—while it might scare a normal male cultivator of this world—makes me feel the exact opposite."
His thoughts turned more wicked.
"It's like a melon begging to be sliced by a knife."
A low, cold laugh echoed in his chest, unnoticed by the girl walking beside him.
He turned his head slightly, eyes half-lidded, voice calm yet teasing. "What's wrong, Junior Sister? What are you thinking about so seriously?"
Li Yao, startled from her internal storm of thoughts and plans, quickly looked up. She forced a smile to cover the tension in her face.
"Ah… it's nothing, Junior Brother. Just some trivial thoughts. Forget it." She waved her hand as if to dismiss it.
But then, as if a sudden idea sparked within her, her gaze turned soft and caring. With a gentle tone, she said:
"By the way, Junior Brother… why don't you sleep in the room next to mine tonight? I'm just a little worried…"
She bit her lip slightly, lowering her gaze.
"Those other girls we met on the mountain might disturb or even try to harm you out of jealousy. If you stay nearby, I can… protect you."
Her words were laced with fake concern, but beneath the soft words was a burning determination.
Meng Hao was stunned again.
"This girl… is truly insane."
But he held back a laugh, instead letting a warm smile spread across his face as he replied gently:
"Oh, Senior Sister… you truly are so lovely. You care about me so much."
He bowed slightly. "I accept your offer. Thank you for your concern."
Li Yao exhaled softly, a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Relief washed over her features, and she turned away, hiding the slight redness creeping into her cheeks.
"Sigh… Junior Brother, tonight may be difficult for you…"
Her steps were light, but her thoughts heavy.
"But in the future, you'll definitely understand me. You'll see I only did this because I love you."
She looked up at the moonlit sky.
"And anyway… you've already shown signs of affection for me. This night was bound to come sooner or later."
Her lips curved into a subtle smile.
"It just happens to be… tonight."
The moon had risen high, casting silver light over the wooden residence built on the edge of a quiet cliff. The nearby waterfall sang its endless lullaby, but no one was listening.
A slender, graceful figure approached a wooden door under the moonlight. Each step was measured and silent. Her yellow dress, tight around the waist and hips, revealed smooth thighs with every motion. Moonlight fell gently upon her exposed skin, outlining the curve of her body and the faint shimmer of her long dark hair.
In her hand, she held a small glass bottle that sparkled faintly under the moonlight.
She paused before the door, staring at it, her heart thumping in her chest.
With narrowed eyes, she brought the bottle to eye level, and her voice—soft and doubtful—emerged.
"Master… are you sure this bottle's contents will make Junior Brother… more lustful?"
There was silence for a moment, and then a voice responded directly into her mind.
It was Chang Yue.
"Yes, that is a special soul-fragrance elixir from the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan. One drop in warm tea or wine will awaken the hidden desires in any man's heart. Of course… it works best if he already has some feelings for you."
Li Yao's heart beat faster. Her hands trembled faintly as she looked at the bottle.
"I'm sorry, Junior Brother… but this is for your own good. I can't lose you to anyone else—not Su Lan, not anyone."
She turned the doorknob slowly, her breath caught in her throat.
Inside, Meng Hao sat in quiet meditation on the bed, eyes closed—though the corners of his lips were twitching with amusement.
"Come, little melon…"
"Let's see if your plan really goes the way you think it will..."