First Connection

Meagu's smile broadened, as the lascivious expression returned and stepped closer. "Does that mean that you want to do Dual Cultivation with me?"

Renxian felt his heart race, unable to retreat. He swallowed hard and replied, "If that's your desire, I'm open to the idea." The words escaped his lips almost involuntarily, leaving him bewildered by the sudden confession.

"Why not seize the moment with all this time we have?" The Fox Demon moved gracefully, its nine tails swaying in flawless harmony.

The man's nervousness grew as he attempted to step back, but he stumbled and landed in the dirt, his eye locked on Meagu, who stood right before him. Stammering, Renxian uttered, "That's because we still don't know each other!"

Sensing that his statement was off, the black-haired man awkwardly amended, "I mean, don't stronger connections enhance the success of Dual Cultivation?"

The silver-haired woman later settled atop Renxian's supine form, his figure supported by both elbows. He remained immobilized, spellbound by Meagu's allure face. She purred, "Do you crave to know about me on a deeper level?"

Their eyes met and locked with each other. Renxian's cerulean eyes and Meagu's crimson irises streamed out an indecipherable secret. The man's chest heaved rapidly, making it difficult to catch his breath, his senses overwhelmed by the intoxicating scent of the figure before him.

[Surrender to her.]

Sighing and shifting his gaze, Renxian whispered, "Yes, I want to understand you beyond Saomei."

Meagu came to an abrupt halt, their eyes widening, and then leaned in. The woman's body now fully pressed down on Renxian, asserting her dominance. Her delicate index finger moved toward his lips, while her intense stare remained fixed on his mouth.

"In that case," the Fox Demon murmured, her breath creating a tantalizing sensation for Renxian. "You'll have to show me."

[Side Quest (Meagu): Kiss her.]

Renxian's eyes widened instantly. He was about to oppose the system but decided against it, because, for some reason, the situation this time was favorable. Not only were their faces inches apart, but the atmosphere around them was also so intense.

But he had never kissed a woman before!

[First experience with a Fox Demon, should this moment be immortalized?]

"System, you scoundrel!"

He refocused his attention on Meagu, who was still observing him. Strangely, her expression now exuded not aggression but a calm one. She continued, "You know, in all this time, I've encountered a few individuals like you."

Meagu, who had leaned in closer, now sat back on Renxian's waist. She added, "I used to think Sanxiu was a difficult cultivator to win over."

"But you," she mused, her fingers tracing the contours of Renxian's sculpted shape, "you're inquisitive when most wouldn't even consider it. What made you change your mind toward Dual Cultivation?"

Renxian found himself at a loss, uncertain of how to respond. He remained silent for a few moments, carefully considering his answer before he finally spoke, "I must confess, I've always struggled with trust in someone else, which Dual Cultivation demands."

"My ignorance has taken a toll that I stuck here at Gate 4 because I thought that the ritual would weaken me," Renxian added, watching Meagu who chose to listen. "And now, I realize, that might be the only way for me to break through to the immortality stage."

"That is why I'm new to this," added the man with black hair that was left loose, arched his back. "I don't know what to do."

"I believed that delving into the depths of who you are beyond a Fox Demon might offer me a fresh insight," he continued.

[Don't you think you have talked too much?]

"What else can I do?" said Sanxiu in his mind. "Why don't you help me think of the right sentence instead of having to cast a difficult (Side Quest) like this!"

Fox Demon just fell silent, bowing his head. "What do you want to know about me? When everyone sees me as nothing more than Yaomo?"

"A creature that leaves chaos in its wake, often a source of fear," Meagu's voice turned tender, her silver hair concealing her emotions. "Despite my efforts to seek acceptance, the harsh reality is that I remain a demon."

She fixed on Renxian, her eyes filled with somber. "My frustration brought me to this abandoned village," she confessed, sadness evident in her expression. "Here, I tried to forge my own family when I couldn't find one in the Underworld Realm."

The man was silent for a moment before his eyes refocused on Meagu. "I never even thought that there were Yaomo who did not reflect their evil nature."

Meagu's choked emotions gave Renxian a chance to speak. "Even though you may not escape your inherent nature, your efforts to change and be accepted by us humans are a significant accomplishment."

He then straightened, allowing Meagu to remain seated near his waist. "Rebel against a nature that you know is wrong with your desires is an admirable feat. That's what makes you remarkable."

Still in a state of shock, Meagu said nothing until he smiled. "I didn't expect Sanxiu to be so sweet-mouthed, despite the information that he doesn't talk much and anti-social."

"What Uris said hold a truth," her hands traveled back to Renxian's chiseled face, and he froze in the spot. "That you are indeed changed."

With a soft caress, their faces drew nearer, pressing closer and closer. Meagu's rosy lips met Sanxiu's, who was still in a state of shock from the unexpected turn of events. The sensations coursing through him were new, now centered on that soft, supple touch.

As he stared at Meagu, he observed her closing her eyes, her breath coming in gasps, while Renxian himself began to lose himself in the wave of pleasure. First experiences always leave an indelible mark, and this was undeniably true. The man who had been uncertain and hesitant was now immersed in the ever-flowing river of sensation.

[Side Quest (Meagu): Kiss her. (Completed)]

[Increased trust with Meagu: 25%]

Amid intense desire, Renxian sensed a mysterious force within his soul responding in an inexplicable way, akin to resonance, much like what he experienced during meditation. Had he unknowingly elevated his cultivation by engaging in this act?

It was at that moment that Renxian realized the importance of Dual Cultivation.

Meagu released their bond with a ragged exhale, her nose still entwined to Sanxiu's until she opened both eyes with a flushed face, exclaiming in a breathed voice, "Consider this as a gift."

She then rose and took a few steps backward, her watch fixed on Renxian, who remained somewhat dazed. "I have made my decision. I will come with you through your adventure on one condition."

Renxian frowned and stood. "What is it?"

"You will stick to your words for our agreement until then." Meagu averted her face, clearly wrestling with inner conflict.

"My commitment shall be in your hand, Meagu." The black-haired man stated with a warm smile, encouraging the Fox Demon to place her trust in Sanxiu.

***

Siuxa's two brown eyes flickered as they adjusted to the sunlight touching her face. The few bruises that marred her skin had now healed, and she discovered herself resting on a comfortable bed.

She swept her eyes around the wooden room, spotting windows that invited the daylight into her awareness. Attempting to sit up, she noticed another bed beside her, empty for the moment. But before long, the sound of footsteps reached her ears, and a man with a bun of hair appeared, holding a cup of drink.

"Oh, you're awake?" Renxian set the cup on the nightstand beside Siuxa. "I made a brew to help you recover."

"Renxian... where are we?" The disheveled black-haired woman's expression was livid with anticipation.

"The first location we visited within this village," the man explained, sitting at the edge of Siuxa's bed, "It's the inn."

Siuxa lowered her face and sighed, then turned back to Renxian, remembering something. "What about that woman, Saomei?"

Clearing his throat, Sanxiu offered a reassuring smile to calm Siuxa. "You don't need to be worried; everything has been handled."

As they descended the stairs and left the inn, they entered the vast courtyard, where a gruesome sight awaited them—numerous corpses laid out, enough to startle Siuxa. Close by, a silver-haired woman observable, her existence adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Cautiously, Siuxa followed Renxian as they walked over the dead bodies, some of which seemed oddly familiar to her. Yes, they were townspeople who had committed the same deeds over and over.

Upon turning a corner, Renxian and Siuxa made a shocking discovery. Some of the motionless figures scattered across the square were the bandits, all lifeless, even the one Renxian had left. Were these all Kiwano villagers?

As they approached the figure in the hanfu, the sound of weeping grew more pronounced, indicating that she was sobbing inconsolably, as if she had lost someone deeply cherished. It was Meagu, now kneeling beside the man who turned out to be Uris

All those years spent with dedication, rebuilding the village with all her strength, just to create her world, and now Meagu had to confront this heart-wrenching reality. It was an incredibly difficult choice, leaving behind memories that were almost impossible to let go of.

"A soul that has traveled back to the realms beyond, carries an everlasting serenity, destined never to wane."