Chapter 156 – I’m Here to Help!

  Jun De rushed up Jade Lotus Peak to reach the pavilion at the top of a gentle green slope. The marble steps gleamed beneath his feet with reflected sunlight, and the air was thick with spiritual energy.

  Servant Disciples in plain grey robes stopped and bowed as he passed, before whispering amongst themselves as soon as he was out of sight.

  Everyone on Jade Lotus Peak understood that Mu Yanyu valued Jun De quite a bit, and they were careful to ensure that they were polite and welcoming to him whenever he visited.

  He approached the Pavilion's main entrance, and a young attendant immediately stepped forward to greet him.

  “Greetings, Senior Brother Jun. Elder Mu is not within the pavilion. Instead, she is currently still recovering in her private residence, just behind the pavilion.”

  Jun De nodded in thanks and hurried along the winding stone path that curved through the Pavilion’s gardens. The air grew cooler as he passed beneath a vast canopy of ancient trees, and their leaves rustled in the wind as he did so.

  Soon, the path opened up to reveal Mu Yanyu’s private palace, a serene and beautiful structure that was nestled amongst flowers, gardens and rare plants from all over the continent. The walls were carved from pale, white jade, and the roof tiles shimmered in the sun.

  As Jun De approached, the wards flickered once and lowered to allow him entry.

  Inside, the atmosphere was calm and peaceful, but heavy with spiritual energy that made him gasp and struggle to proceed deeper into the palace. It was obvious that the wards here were attuned for a Core Formation Expert and not a Qi Condensation beginner such as him.

  Still, while it was slightly uncomfortable, it wasn’t enough to prevent him from reaching her in his concern for Mu Yanyu’s well-being.

  He found Elder Mu sitting cross-legged on a thick, embroidered cultivation cushion, her posture perfect despite the fatigue visible on her face. The light of a Qi Gathering Array glowed beneath her, slowly rotating in patterns of silver and blue light.

  Mu Yanyu was wearing white silk instead of her usual Vice-Sect Master blue robes, and her hair was left long and loose to drape down her shoulders and back. Her clothing clung gently to her form to accentuate her peerless figure and to highlight her beauty.

  But Jun De hardly noticed in his rush to see her, as his concern for her health was paramount.

  Mu Yanyu lifted her eyes to look at him as soon as he entered, and a smile appeared on her lips.

  “Jun De, you came.” Mu Yanyu said softly, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability that made his heart clench.

  “Of course, I came as soon as I received your message. Has your injury worsened?” Jun De asked as he stepped closer, stopping just at the edge of the array.

  Mu Yanyu shook her head, though the motion seemed to take her some effort.

  “Not worsened, but it lingers. My meridians are still unstable, and the crack in my Core is stubbornly refusing to mend.” She let out a sigh, and the light of the array winked out.

  “There is a way for you to help me recover faster, if you are willing.”

  Jun De didn’t hesitate. His expression firmed, and he took a step forward to sit next to her.

  “Of course, I am. Just tell me what I need to do.” Jun De replied immediately.

  For a moment, Mu Yanyu studied him. Then she nodded, as if confirming something to herself.

  “Good, then listen carefully.” Mu Yanyu said softly. Her voice was a whisper as she explained what she needed from him. What followed was a low, intricate explanation that made Jun De’s expression gradually shift from attentive focus to stunned disbelief.

  When she finished her explanation, Jun De stared at her with his mouth half open in shock.

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  “You’re saying that you want to Dual Cultivate, in your current condition?”

  Mu Yanyu placed a pale, white hand on his while her expression remained perfectly calm.

  “It is a legitimate recovery method, with your special constitution. Our Yin and Yang energies would complement each other. The harmony of opposing spiritual forces will naturally stabilize my meridians and repair the crack in my Core.”

  Mu Yanyu paused before continuing.

  “Eventually. It will take multiple treatments over the next several years.” Mu Yanyu finished.

  “Multiple treatments?” Jun De repeated, his mouth opening and closing several times before replying.

  “Couldn’t you choose a word that sounds less…dispassionate?” Jun De asked, frowning at her choice of words. Regardless of how she made it sound, Dual Cultivation was far more intimate than some medical treatment.

  “Cultivation Sessions, if you prefer.” Mu Yanyu replied, and Jun De sighed and rubbed his temple with his hand.

  “Are you saying that you are unwilling to assist a wounded Elder? A person who was harmed protecting you from Demonic Cultivators?” Mu Yanyu asked teasingly, raising an elegant eyebrow at Jun De.

  “I would do anything for the Sect, and the brave Elder Mu Yanyu.” Jun De replied. Mu Yanyu smiled, and he suspected that she enjoyed this situation immensely.

  “Good.” Mu Yanyu said as her grip on his hand tightened. Her lips moved towards his, and the moment they touched, all rational thought left Jun De’s mind.

  Days later, Jun De stepped out of Mu Yanyu’s palace beneath the pale morning light of the sun. The scent of dew and lotus blossoms lingered in the air, mingling with the faint trace of incense that clung to his robes.

  Jun De’s steps faltered slightly as he descended the white jade stairs that led from the entrance. He was paler than normal, while his usually steady breathing came with a subtle tremor. It was as though his endurance and stamina had been drawn thin, and he had been drained of life.

  Yet, beneath that weariness, his Qi surged with newfound vigour. The flow within his meridians was smoother and denser, like a river where it had been a stream before. His aura was stronger, revealing that he had broken through to the 10th Level of Qi Condensation.

  At the top of the steps, Mu Yanyu stood sheltered from the light in the entranceway. Her expression was pleased, and the dullness that had once haunted her eyes was gone. Colour had returned to her face and lips, and the delicate flush of vitality graced her skin again.

  Her aura, while still injured, pulsed with a soft radiance that seemed far more stable than before.

  “Take care, Jun De. Your assistance has been very effective, but my condition is not fully mended. I will still require your help many times in the future.” Mu Yanyu said softly, her voice carrying the distance to him warmly.

  Jun De turned and bowed deeply.

  “As Elder Mu commands. I am happy to help.” He replied, and Mu Yanyu smiled and shook her head at his display of devoted servitude.

  Mu Yanyu watched him go, her gaze lingering on his retreating figure until he was out of sight. Satisfaction glimmered in her eyes as she felt that the results of their Dual Cultivation were even better than she had hoped for.

  Her body felt stronger, her meridians were clearer, and the crack in her Core showed signs of mending. But she felt disappointed at seeing Jun De leave, and an anticipation of the next time she would see him.

  “Yes, we will need many more sessions yet.” She whispered.

  Jun De’s steps were uneven as he staggered his way through the winding paths of the Inner Sect. His Qi surged and rolled restlessly within him, a sign that it was still trying to settle from his breakthrough.

  By the time Jun De had reached his residence, he was eager to sit in his favourite chair and relax. The tranquil pond inside his courtyard was the same as he had left it, with the Servant Disciples assigned to his area of the Inner Sect looking after the fish and cleaning up in his absence.

  Jun De made his way to the wooden chair and collapsed into it immediately. He leaned backwards and placed his feet on the stone table in front of him, and for a long moment, he just breathed in the smell of herbs and flowers while enjoying the morning sun on his face.

  A faint smile tugged on his lips.

  “Mu Yanyu, and the 10th Level of Qi Condensation.” Jun De muttered. Unlike the first time, he remembered every moment of his time with her and the strange Dual Cultivation technique that she had used. It was an odd mix of intimacy and cultivation that was both intense and relaxing at the same time.

  Jun De was just beginning to close his eyes to take a nap when a sharp knock echoed from the gate outside. The wards flickered to alert him that someone was waiting to be let in.

  Frowning and reluctant to move, Jun De pushed himself up when the person knocked again and made his way to the entrance. When he opened the gate, Jun De was shocked by his visitor.

  “Lin Yue?” He asked.

  The young woman stood in front of his residence, breathing heavily from the effort of moving in the dense Spiritual Energy of the Inner Sect that was too potent for someone of her level to bear easily.

  “I finally found you, Jun De! I was worried when you didn’t return my message talismans!” Lin Yue replied, while smiling shakily.

  Jun De’s spiritual sense swept over her automatically, looking for any signs of injury from the spiritual pressure, when he noticed something odd about her.

  “You reached the 5th Level of Qi Condensation?”

  Lin Yue nodded, and pride flashed through the fatigue on her face.

  “Yes! I just broke through yesterday. It’s the reason I wrote to you, but you didn’t reply.” Lin Yue pouted slightly, and Jun De chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.

  “I’m sorry, I was busy helping at Jade Lotus Peak. Come inside, it will be easier to adjust to my courtyard. How did you get into the Inner Sect?” Jun De asked as he stepped aside to allow her to enter.

  Outer Sect Disciples were restricted from entering the Inner Sect for their own well-being. The difference in Spiritual Pressure was stark, and it could lead to problems.

  “Elder Shen brought me. At least he reads my messages, Jun De.” Lin Yue replied, frowning at Jun De playfully.