Dual cultivation

In a distant corner of the Dragon Kingdom, two guards strolled leisurely through the ornate corridors of the palace, their voices mingling in hushed conversation.

"Did you hear the news? Our General Tojoner was killed by the Empress," one guard remarked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

The other guard nodded solemnly. "Yes, I heard. But why would the Empress kill him? All because of that lowly human?"

The first guard snorted dismissively. "Indeed, it's baffling. I can't fathom why our Empress chose to marry that lowly human... especially when I, in terms of power, strength, and perhaps even looks, I even outshine that creature."

His companion raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You haven't even seen this human, and you're declaring yourself more handsome? Do you have any idea what he looks like? I've heard from several noblewomen that he's exceptionally cute and beautiful, almost resembling a girl when they encountered him in Colossus."

"Do you really believe all those women? Those are nonsense, I don't buy it," the guard retorted, dismissing the rumors about the human's appearance.

As the two guards continued their discussion and moved away, a mysterious event unfolded. A portal appeared nearby, and from it emerged a man with striking white hair. The moment his feet touched the ground, the portal closed, leaving behind a frosty, snow-covered area that spread around him. The man, Ano, looked around cautiously, ensuring that he was alone in the dimly lit street.

"Thank the heavens no one saw me. If I were captured, it would spell doom for me, and Lord Epquen's plan would be in ruins. Traveling to this realm has drained almost half of my energy. I must hurry and locate that human, bringing him to the Ice Realm as swiftly as possible. This realm's heat is unbearable. I wonder how its inhabitants endure it," Ano mused as he pressed onward.

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In the Imperial Palace at the same time:

"System, are you telling me that these bloodlines I possess are not ordinary?" the host inquired, clearly intrigued.

(Yes, Host! These are Divine bloodlines, bestowed upon you by the gods themselves.)

"If my parents possessed divine bloodlines, how could they have been killed by a mere thief? They should have easily overpowered him using their bloodlines," I pondered aloud. The idea that my parents, with their divine heritage, fell victim to a common thief seemed implausible. This train of thought led me to consider another possibility: that the couple who raised me might not have been my biological parents. It was conceivable that my true parents had sent me to this world for some unknown, possibly nefarious, purpose.

"The second possibility does seem more plausible. I have a feeling that my real parents sent me here, and some random couple took me in, only to meet their demise at the hands of a thief," I speculated. My thoughts delved deeper into these mysteries, but no definitive answers emerged.

I turned my attention to the screen and noticed a significant change. I had been a human before the system update, but now I had become a demigod. "How did I become a demigod? Did it have something to do with gaining immortality after defeating the original Sendra?" I wondered aloud.

Suddenly, a question struck me, and I swiftly addressed the system, "When did this 'QI Devouring Venom' poison enter my body?"

(The system began calculating the duration of the 'QI Devouring Venom' poison in my body...)

(Host, the 'QI Devouring Venom' entered your body three months after your birth.)

"Three months after my birth! Was someone responsible for poisoning me? And for what reason? Did my parents commit some wrongdoing, and am I suffering the consequences?" A torrent of questions surged through my mind, all tied to this mysterious poison. I was desperate to uncover who had poisoned me and why.

"System, how can I travel to a different world?" I inquired.

(Traveling to different worlds can be accomplished by gods, utilizing their extraordinary powers,) came the system's reply.

I moved on to my next question, determined not to get bogged down in the mysteries of my past. "Huh... System, what is this 'Qi Condensation Realm'?"

(Host, the 'Qi Condensation Realm' is the initial stage of a cultivator's journey. There are multiple stages in cultivation, each more challenging to achieve than the last. There are ten stages in total: Stage 1: Qi Condensation Realm, Stage 2: Foundation Establishment, Stage 3: Core Formation Realm, Stage 4: True Core Formation Realm, Stage 5: Soul Severing Realm, Stage 6: Earth Immortal, Stage 7: Sky Immortal, Stage 8: Humanly Soul Realm, Stage 9: Celestial Divinity, and Stage 10: Divine Being.)

(Host, in the cultivation world, the higher your stage, the more powerful you become, and you'll be called different titles as you advance.)

"I see, so there are a total of 10 stages, and I'm at stage 1, Qi Condensation Realm... System, how can I increase my cultivation stage?" I inquired.

(There are two ways to increase your cultivation. The first way is 'Qi cultivation.' In this method, cultivators draw in Yang Qi from their surroundings to break through to higher stages. The second way is 'Dual cultivation.' In this method, cultivators of the opposite gender exchange Qi through sexual interaction with each other.)

(Host! The first method cannot be performed because this world doesn't have Yang Qi. To increase your cultivation stage, you will need to engage in Dual cultivation with the opposite gender!)

I was taken aback by the revelation that I had to increase my cultivation level through sexual interactions with women. Wasn't I already doing that to raise my level? But now, it seemed I had to continue engaging in such activities.

Unbeknownst to me, someone was watching from a window. "There he is! That wretched human who married our goddess resides in such a luxurious castle. He doesn't possess even a fraction of the strength of any Epquen family disciple, and yet, he lives while they do not," muttered Ano with disdain as he observed Xzson from a distance. He swiftly withdrew an arrow from his quiver and affixed a glowing white artifact that resembled a crystal to its tip. Taking aim at Xzson, he prepared to release the arrow.

"You will meet your end by the hand of Lord Suquen's family, you wretched human!" Ano murmured as he let the arrow fly toward Xzson.

A sharp whoosh filled the room as the arrow sped toward its target. I, taken by surprise, watched as the arrow embedded itself halfway into the wall.

"Huh!" I said, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. I scanned the room, trying to make sense of the situation. My eyes widened as I noticed an arrow lodged in the wall, and it was emitting a white, cold light that seemed to be pulling everything toward it.

"Onii-chan, what's happening?" Luna, roused from her peaceful slumber, awoke with a start and looked at me for answers.

Before I could respond, the arrow suddenly detonated, unleashing a brilliant white light that engulfed the room, causing everything in it to be drawn toward the epicenter. Furniture, objects, and even Luna were being pulled into the luminous void.

"Onii-channnnn!" Luna cried out as she was irresistibly drawn toward the white hole.

"Luna!" I called out desperately, soaring toward her. He attempted to resist the pull and move in the opposite direction of the white hole, but the gravitational force intensified, dragging both Me and Luna into the enigmatic portal. In an instant, the rift sealed behind them, leaving the room empty and silent.