Wan Ling smiled and said, “She told me how you began cultivating and nearly died here when you were breaking through for the first time. Also about your adventures in the outside world, as well as,” her face turned red as she reached here, “…how wild you are with the others when dual cultivating.”
Shen Yuan’s lips twitched hearing her. ‘The fuck, what did Lan’er even say to her??’
[Haha, I’m preparing them for what is to come eventually.]
“Cough, anyways, how was your seclusion last time here?” He hurriedly changed the subject.
She heaved a sigh and smiled softly. “It was great. The atmosphere here helped me integrate with my bloodline without any trouble.”
Shen Yuan nodded his head, recalling how her radiant aura had become visibly stronger back then. “We’ll make sure you get another good push this time. I increased the time ratio from 30:1 to 60:1, so a single week outside should give us over a year in here.”
Wan Ling’s eyes lit up with joy. ‘I can spend more than a year with Brother Yuan alone?’
“That’s wonderful. I can refine my Light Arts by leaps and bounds during this time,” she said while having different thoughts.
Shen Yuan smiled and pulled her ahead by her hand. “Let’s go. Let me show you the main room of this place.”
She sweetly smiled and followed him out of the room as they stepped out of the alchemy room.
Shen Yuan led Wan Ling through a short passage that branched off the alchemy room. The corridor itself was clean and orderly, its walls lined with subtle formation scripts that guided the flow of Qi between different training chambers.
Soon they reached the main room. The heavy door stood with glowing inscriptions upon it. As the doors slid open, Wan Ling’s eyes widened at the sight—and smell—that greeted them.
The interior was far from the clean room she was expecting. Pillows, blankets, and various cushions lay scattered across the polished floor.
The lingering scent of Shen Yuan and Han Qingyu’s dual cultivating filled the entire room, making Wan Ling feel hot beneath her legs.
“Oh my…” Wan Ling murmured, glancing at Shen Yuan. A faint blush crept upon her cheeks.
She had expected what things Shen Yuan and Han Qingyu had done here, but the sheer intensity of it here was another matter. “This… definitely looks like it’s been used properly.”
Shen Yuan cleared his throat with slight embarrassment. “Uh, I suppose I forgot to… tidy up after Qingyu and I finished our seclusion.”
He scratched the back of his neck, recalling exactly how many “extended sessions” they’d enjoyed in this room over the course of half a year. “The formations increase the potency of our Yin and Yang energy, and, well—things can get intense.”
Wan Ling stepped further in, her gaze curiously sweeping over the scattered cushions. Some still faintly glowed with residual Yin Qi, as if they’d absorbed the potency of Qingyu’s Yin Qi. The swirling energies felt warm against her skin, almost like brushing against waves of invisible heat.
She gave a small, amused smile. “I… can imagine. The aura here is thick.” Raising a hand, she tested the air, letting a strand of her Light Qi out.
The leftover Yin-Yang resonance vibrated in response, swirling around her fingertips. “It’s not unpleasant—just… potent. It might even help accelerate cultivation if harnessed properly.”
Shen Yuan nodded, exhaling softly. “Yeah. It’s why the Dual Cultivation Chamber is so effective… but also why we usually keep it private.”
He stooped to gather a handful of cushions strewn near the doorway, stacking them in one corner. A faint grin tugged at his lips. “Let’s at least straighten up a bit before we sit down for a chat. I doubt you’ll be comfortable in this… place.”
‘I don’t mind sitting in your scent,’ she quietly thought before she helped him, picking up blankets and folding them neatly.
She paused once or twice, noticing faint rips or scorch marks—likely from heated moments between the two of them. Each new thing discovered prompted a slight flush across her cheeks. Still, she kept her composure, organizing everything into a more orderly setup.
Within a few minutes, the chamber looked far less chaotic. Wan Ling arranged a small area against one wall where they could sit or rest.
Shen Yuan opened a side cupboard and retrieved a few fresh incenses, slotting them into holders to refresh the atmosphere.
‘Now, I wonder why you didn’t clean the room like usual.’
[Haha, how could I have seen such a scene if I did that? See Ling’er, blushing and still helping you… tsk tsk tsk lucky bastard. Your luck is really good with women.]
Shen Yuan shook his head and focused on placing incense around the room.
After placing the last cushion into place, Wan Ling surveyed their handiwork. “Better,” she said, dusting her hands. “It’s still… you can feel the leftover essence, but at least it’s not a disaster zone.”
Shen Yuan laughed lightly. “Haha, let’s not mention it now. Anyways, tell me, how did the sect treat you during this time? I’m sure your treatment must have changed drastically.”
Wan Ling settled onto one of the neatly arranged cushions, letting out a small sigh of contentment.
She began, tucking a strand of green hair behind her ear. “It changed a lot since the day I exited the Dual Cultivation Chamber and my bloodline resonated with the sect’s foundation.”
A wry little smile formed on her lips. “After I left, they gave me all the core techniques of the sect, and then Senior Shen Yuxin guided me in light laws as well as my cultivation.”
Shen Yuan nodded his head, an encouraging spark in his eyes. “Your treatment really changed a lot, huh. Before that, you were just that shy disciple following me around with wide eyes.”
She laughed lightly, the sound warm and genuine. “I was a bit clingy back then, wasn’t I?” A fond reflection passed over her face.
“But yes, the sect’s support helped immensely. Not just with resources, but also with the kind of moral backing that makes a disciple feel valued. It’s a different experience than being left to cultivate alone.”
Shen Yuan smiled. “Good to hear. You deserve it.” His tone was soft, carrying a warmth that made Wan Ling’s cheeks lightly pink.
She bit her lower lip and added, “Of course, all this extra attention isn’t exactly peaceful. Some of the other core disciples… their attitudes changed.”
Her gaze flickered down, recalling the occasional whispers or jealousy. “But it’s nothing I can’t handle. No one’s outright challenged me—at least, not yet.”
“It’s common,” Shen Yuan replied sympathetically. “The stronger you become, the more people see you as competition. You just need to continue getting stronger, and once you are so far ahead of them, the jealousy will turn into admiration.”
“Is this what you are pursuing?” she giggled softly. “But thanks to you, you’ve been guiding me since the start. I can’t tell you how much it meant to have someone to rely on.”
A brief silence settled over them again. The swirl of incense in the air carried the faint scent of sandalwood, and the leftover essence fragrance still lingered in the atmosphere.