Needs

"I'm usually more discerning than this, more cautious." The words float in his mind, each tinged with a hint of resignation.

"Oh well, one must take these small pleasures when they present themselves." 

"My needs won't overshadow my judgement. Not completely."

Mei Lin pauses momentarily, returning to Li Wei as she prepares herself. The cave's dim light casts soft shadows, playing across her figure. Li Wei's attention, however, is only briefly on her. His mind is elsewhere.

Li Wei steps forward, his robe flowing loosely around him. He positioned himself above her, fully aware of his actions and determined to get his money's worth.

As Li Wei pushes Mei Lin onto the bedding. He firmly presses her back down, causing her to arch her hips up in response. He slid inside her, feeling the roughness of her bony buttocks against his skin but still revelling in the pleasure it brought him.

He thrust slowly, allowing the rhythm to build. Time seemed to slow as he moved deeper. "Mhhh," she whined slightly, the sound muffled by the bedding. He was in control and did not intend to relinquish that hold.

His movements continued, his body glistening with sweat. The air in the room grew heavy with the scent of their exertion. The image of Li Wei's figure was vivid, as was the sight of the woman beneath him, her eyes wide with pain.

Eventually, he thrust harder one last time, and a wave of release washed over him. Feeling the heat of his seed inside.

Li Wei released Mei Lin, allowing her to slump into the linen beneath her. Li Wei stood up as she lay there, catching her breath and adjusting her dishevelled clothing. A profound sense of post-coital clarity washed over him. At that moment, he felt a mixture of emotions. 

In the quiet aftermath, Li Wei sits motionless, contrasting the flurry of activity that just transpired. The air in the cave is still filled with a newfound sense of tranquillity. The lingering frustrations and stress that had clouded his mind earlier have vanished, replaced by an unfamiliar calm.

His eyes, sharp and assessing, fixate on Mei Lin. Her breathing is ragged, her body displaying the signs of exertion and surrender.

Li Wei, observing her, experiences a surge of control. It's a feeling he relishes - the power to dictate the situation, to command and be obeyed. The realisation that he holds significant power over Mei Lin, not just physically but mentally, gives him a sense of authority, a feeling he seldom experiences in the sect.

The idea that he could, if he so chose, take her life with little effort crosses his mind. It's not a desire but an acknowledgement of the power he wields. In this secluded cave, he is the master, and she, willingly or not, is akin to a submissive pet.

He watches her movements, each breath, each subtle shift of her body under his gaze. The dynamic is clear - he is in control, with the power to decide the outcome of this encounter. 

Yet, despite this realisation, Li Wei remains detached, his thoughts clear, his mind unclouded by the intoxication of power. He understands the transient nature of this control and how quickly it can shift and change in the world outside. He observes the master of this moment yet is ever mindful of the fleeting nature of power and dominance.

After a while, Mei Lin gathers herself quietly. She is careful to maintain a respectful distance, aware of the unspoken boundaries in their arrangement.

"You may leave," Li Wei states, his tone indicating the end of their agreement for the night. She nods, her eyes not meeting his, and quietly makes her way out of the cave.

She hesitates at the entrance, preparing to leave. Turning slightly, she looks towards Li Wei, her expression uncertain. "Will you need me again?" she inquires, her voice barely above a whisper.

Li Wei, sitting cross-legged on the floor, doesn't raise his eyes. "Come back in a week," he replies, his voice steady and emotionless.

Mei Lin nods a subtle acknowledgement and then turns to leave. The sound of her footsteps fades as she exits the cave, leaving Li Wei alone in the quiet space.

"Hopefully, I will still be alive in a week's time," he thinks to himself. 

After Mei Lin departs, Li Wei focuses entirely on his cultivation. Settling down, he reaches for his cup and a larger quantity of essence than usual. His mind is remarkably clear, singularly fixated on the path of advancement. The recent encounter with Mei Lin recedes into the background, becoming a fleeting interlude.

In the solitude of his cave, Li Wei ingests the essence. He feels the familiar surge of energy. He guides this energy directly to his bones.

He sits steadily, allowing the essence to seep deep into his skeletal structure. The sensation isn't new, but it demands focus each time. He feels his bones absorbing the energy, becoming denser and stronger. This cleansing of his bones is subtle yet vital, preparing for the foundation of his cultivation.

Li Wei easily navigates the energy flow, ensuring it reaches every part of his skeletal framework. 

Each ingestion of essence fortifies him a little more, embedding the power deeper into his bones. He knows this process is incremental, a gradual forging of strength that, hopefully, will one day culminate in formidable prowess. 

At this moment, nothing else exists for Li Wei but the quiet focus of his cultivation.

The night in the cave passes, marked only by the flickering of the small fire and the steady rhythm of Li Wei's cultivation practice. 

Li Wei awakens in the quiet stillness of his cave. The early morning light filters through the entrance, casting a soft glow on the rough stone walls. He sits up, stretching his limbs, feeling the familiar muscle ache.

As Li Wei settles into his morning cultivation routine, reaching for another pouch of essence, a realisation dawns on him. He's on the last pouch from his immediate supply. His use of the essence has been frequent, reflecting the intensity of his recent cultivation sessions. Despite this, a thought lingers in his mind, a reassurance.

"Even with my heightened consumption, the cache I have stored would last months, even at this pace," he muses internally. The thought brings comfort, a reminder of his preparedness and foresight.

Li Wei opens the last pouch. He pours the essence into his cup of water with a practised hand. The liquid glimmers faintly in the dim light of the cave, its potency now a familiar ally in his path for strength.

He takes a sip, feeling the essence flow through him, targeting the intricate network of his bones. Each gulp brings a wave of energy that he directs with precision and intent.

Li Wei closes his eyes, focusing inward. His breathing deepens, each inhale and exhale measured and deliberate. The essence continues to work its way into his system, each molecule interacting with his Qi, each moment of absorption critical to his advancement.

The world outside his cave, with all its complexities and challenges, fades into the background. For Li Wei, this moment of cultivation is all that exists. 

The morning stretches on, marked by the steady rhythm of Li Wei's deep, focused breathing and the quiet ambience of the cave. The essence continues to flow through him; its effects are subtle yet profound, reinforcing the strength and resilience of his skeletal structure.

In his state of deep concentration, Li Wei is the embodiment of discipline and purpose. His mind, usually burdened with the complexities of survival within the sect, is now singularly focused on the task at hand. Every sip of the essence, every cycle of breath, and every minute spent in meditation contributes to his relentless pursuit of advancement.

"The essence in this pouches is but a fraction of what I have stored. I won't face a shortage anytime soon." This knowledge allows him to cultivate without the pressure of scarcity, his mind free from distractions about depleting resources.

The tranquillity of his focused state is abruptly shattered. A disturbance outside his cave breaks his concentration, a jarring intrusion into his meditation. 

Li Wei's patience wears thin as he senses another interruption. His internal dialogue reflects his growing frustration. "Another one? These disciples, always wanting something. I'm tired of their constant begging," he thinks irritably.

"If this is just another one looking to trade for pills, they can save their breath. I'm not interested," he thinks, his tone reflecting a sense of weariness more than anger.

"There are better ways to spend my time than dealing with these constant interruptions." His thoughts are clear, his determination to stay on course unwavering. The prospect of another futile exchange doesn't rattle him; it's just another minor annoyance to be swiftly dealt with.

"No more distractions," he reaffirms to himself. "I need to stay on my path, undeterred by these constant nuisances. I'm not the one to pester." Li Wei's determination to protect his time and energy is unyielding.