In the "Luxury Suite" of the God Killing Pavilion, morning light streamed through the latticed windows, casting dappled shadows.
Lin Che held Luo Jiayin in his arms, tracing circles on her smooth back with a roguish tone, "Jiayin, we've been studying this painting all night. Do you think the 'Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Painting' still holds other secrets?"
"Stop it..." Jiayin lazily pushed his hand away, a blush rising on her cheeks. "I can't see anything no matter how I look at it. Why don't you try a different perspective?"
Lin Che took the painting and examined it carefully for a long while, his brows furrowed. "Strange. Even my Eye of Truth can't see any hidden elements. This painting... truly looks like an ordinary portrait of a noble lady."
"Why not ask Ying'er to help analyze it?" Jiayin suggested. "That lotus mark on her forehead has always been mysterious. Perhaps it can trigger some mechanism."
"Good idea." Lin Che's eyes lit up as he sent a mental message to Ying'er in the adjacent room.
Moments later, Ying'er knocked and bounced in cheerfully, "Brother, you called for me?"
"Ying'er, come look at this painting." Lin Che spread the 'Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Painting' flat on the table.
Ying'er leaned in for a closer look, tilting her little head. "The lady in the painting is so beautiful, but... there's nothing special about it." The moment her words fell, a sudden change occurred!
A translucent lotus mark appeared on Ying'er's forehead, emitting a dazzling golden light. The mark seemed alive, slowly rotating as each petal flowed with profound runes, illuminating the entire room with golden radiance.
[System: Detected activation of ancient bloodline mark! Energy compatibility: 99.8%! Warning: Divine-level inheritance about to manifest!]
The golden light surged like a tide, completely absorbed by the forehead of the woman in the painting. The scroll moved without wind, slowly unfolding with rustling sounds as it began to reorganize and transform itself! Before the shocked eyes of the three, the painting grew thicker, its paper becoming as smooth as white jade, and four ancient seal characters gradually appeared on the cover — "Nine Heavens Dual Cultivation Technique"!
[System: Congratulations, Host, for obtaining an ancient dual cultivation secret manual! Rating: Mythical-level! Warning: Minors are prohibited from reading!]
Curious, Ying'er picked up the suddenly manifested book and casually flipped a page. Her eyes widened instantly, her little face flushing scarlet, "Ah! Brother, why are the men and women in this book not wearing any clothes? So shameless!"
[System: Detected underage girl viewing restricted content! Contamination value +100! Immediate isolation recommended!]
Lin Che's face turned red as he quickly snatched the book from Ying'er, clearing his throat solemnly, "This... this book... you're too young to understand the profound texts within. Here, brother will show you this instead."
He hastily pulled out a 'Demonic Beast Atlas' from his storage bag and pressed it into Ying'er's arms, "This contains introductions to demonic beasts from the Canglan Realm, Xuantian Realm, and various other realms. It's guaranteed to be much more interesting than that one. Good girl, go back to your room and study this slowly."
Ying'er pouted and made a face, "Hmph, brother is so stingy! Fine, I won't look. Big deal." She left with the atlas, grumbling under her breath, "So what if they're not wearing clothes? My Little Firebird doesn't wear anything either..."
[System: Congratulations, Host, for successfully changing the subject. Minor protection mechanism deactivated.]
When Ying'er's footsteps faded away, Lin Che and Jiayin exchanged glances, both breathing sighs of relief.
"Quick, close the door," Jiayin's cheeks were flushed crimson.
Lin Che cast a sound-proofing barrier, then carefully opened the "Nine Heavens Dual Cultivation Technique". On the yellowed pages, densely packed ancient dual cultivation techniques were recorded, and indeed, each page of text was accompanied by illustrations — depicting naked men and women in various mystical poses, completely exposed and facing each other honestly.
[System: Detected Host researching mythical-level dual cultivation technique. Immediate practice recommended. Effect preview: Cultivation speed +500%, spiritual power purity +300%, injury recovery speed +1000%]
"This technique..." Jiayin bit her lip, "Do we really have to be completely bare to cultivate it?"
Lin Che's Adam's apple bobbed, "It clearly states that we must be without a stitch of clothing, facing each other honestly, to purge impurities and achieve yin-yang harmony. Especially effective for those whose cultivation has fallen due to injury..." His gaze burned into Jiayin, "You fell from Spirit Formation stage to Nascent Soul stage, but your fall wasn't from injury. This situation... should it count as a cultivation drop?"
Jiayin's voice was like a mosquito's buzz, "How... how am I not injured? I'm bleeding... I suppose it counts."
When Lin Che heard this, he asked wickedly, "What did you say?"
Jiayin's face flushed crimson as she cursed, "Scram, you lecher."
Lin Che continued to grin mischievously, "As you wish!"
[System: Target's shyness index at 90%, recommend Host takes the initiative.]
"Then... shall we try?" Lin Che wrapped his arm around her waist.
Jiayin nodded lightly, her cheeks crimson as if about to bleed.
[System: Target has consented. Congratulations, Host, for initiating dual cultivation! Moderation advised.]
"Shut up!" Lin Che laughed and cursed, lifting Jiayin into his arms and carrying her toward the large bed.
Clothes slipped off one by one, and the temperature within the barrier gradually rose. The two sat facing each other, palms pressed together, circulating the technique. Initially shy and awkward, but as their spiritual power merged, both felt an unprecedented sensation—something deep in their souls was touched, and the spiritual power within their bodies flowed joyfully as if finding its home.
[System: Dual cultivation successful! Spiritual power merge fluidity: 98.7%. Yin-yang harmony: 95.2%. Predicted effects: Host's cultivation +20%, Target's recovery speed +300%]
After cultivating for an entire day and night, Lin Che's power steadily increased, but he forcefully suppressed the spiritual energy within him. He couldn't break through now, or all previous efforts would be wasted. Jiayin's cultivation also recovered somewhat, her aura becoming more substantial.
"This technique truly is miraculous," Jiayin marveled.
Lin Che said, "Though this technique is excellent, we can't practice it before the battle with Xuanjian Sect. I'm about to lose control. I cannot break through now."
Jiayin chided, "After the battle, we can practice again. I believe following this technique, my cultivation will return to its peak in no time."
[System: Warning! 89 hours remaining until Xuanjian Sect's attack! Recommend immediate deployment of defensive sect formation!]
"I understand," Lin Che reluctantly let go.
---
Meanwhile, at the Xuanjian Sect's Canglan Branch Headquarters.
Inside the Sect Master's Hall, Zuo Lengchan knelt before the white-robed elder Xuan Tianji at the head seat, reporting Lin Che's challenge in detail.
Xuan Tianji stroked his beard in contemplation, sneering, "What traps could a dilapidated God Killing Pavilion possibly have? Before absolute power, all schemes are jokes. Pass the order, summon all Refining Void stage and above elders for council."
Moments later, the hall was assembled. Xuan Tianji declared, "Zuo Lengchan, take command. Lead 3 mid-stage Refining Void elders, 5 early-stage Refining Void elders, 10 Spirit Formation elders, and 50 core disciples at half-step Spirit Formation. Depart in four days, totaling 68 people. This time, we must eliminate them completely!"
"This subordinate accepts the order!" A bloodthirsty light flashed in Zuo Lengchan's eyes.
[System (Xuanjian Sect): Elite force assembly complete. Recommendation for target: Flee! Win probability less than 15%!]
Back at the God Killing Pavilion, Lin Che was combing Jiayin's hair when he heard the system prompt, a cold smile forming at his lips. "Flee? The word 'escape' doesn't exist in my dictionary."
He kissed Jiayin's forehead, "Jiayin, these four days, we'll have much to do."
Jiayin leaned against his chest, her beautiful eyes firm. "Through mountains of swords and seas of flames, I'll accompany you."
[Chapter 38 Complete]