Chapter 36: Dilemma and Dual Cultivation (R-18)
After Zhou Lang left, Ivanova found herself deeply conflicted. She lay in bed after her bath, thinking about his words. She tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
Compared to women in ancient times, modern women are considerably more open-minded. However, the idea of monogamy is deeply ingrained in today’s society. To Ivanova, love is selfish and meant to be exclusive. Her man should not be shared with other women.
If any other man had said what Zhou Lang did, she would have told him to leave without a second thought. They weren’t even officially together yet, and he was already suggesting there would be other women in the future. Who could tolerate that? Who could trust such a man for life?
But Zhou Lang was a special case. He was a cultivator, practically a demi-immortal, with a lifespan far beyond that of ordinary people. Over such a long life, having multiple partners might seem normal. Yet, she still struggled to accept it.
Ivanova didn’t know how to handle the situation.
In some ways, she was different from Zhao Xiaorou. When Zhao Xiaorou faced a similar dilemma, she quickly decided to let nature take its course. Ivanova, on the other hand, remained deeply conflicted.
That night, she barely slept.
Meanwhile, Zhou Lang returned to the apartment he shared with Zhao Xiaorou after leaving the Arctic Judo. It was past 3 AM, but Zhao Xiaorou was still awake, curled up on the sofa, watching TV. She looked exhausted and was dozing off as Zhou Lang entered the room.
“Xiaorou, why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Zhou Lang asked curiously.
“I was waiting for you. Your beautiful boss sure keeps you late,” Zhao Xiaorou replied, glancing at him before standing up and stretching lazily. Her shirt was slightly short, revealing a glimpse of her fair waist, a sight that caught Zhou Lang’s eye.
“She’s been in some danger lately, so I need to stay close to her. You should go to bed earlier; there’s no need to wait for me,” Zhou Lang explained, sensing a touch of jealousy in her voice.
“I work during the day, and you come back so late. Even though we’re roommates, it feels like I barely see you,” Zhao Xiaorou said, her tone playful but carrying a hint of complaint.
“Li Mengxue’s situation will be resolved soon, and then I’ll have more time to spend with you,” Zhou Lang reassured her with a smile.
Before becoming a cultivator, Zhou Lang had envisioned marrying one beautiful woman and spending his life with her. But now, his perspective had shifted. Even though he had agreed to be Ivanova’s boyfriend, he also wanted Zhao Xiaorou as his girlfriend. Such a stunning woman—it would be a shame to see her with another man.
“Don’t trick me, okay? Let’s make a pinky promise,” Zhao Xiaorou pouted, extending her finger.
She looked so adorable that Zhou Lang couldn’t help but marvel at her versatility. When they first met, she had been downing drinks at a bar and smashing bottles over the heads of thugs who harassed her. Now, seeing her so cute and docile, he found it hard to reconcile these two sides of her.
With no other choice, Zhou Lang hooked his pinky with hers and only then did Zhao Xiaorou flash a sweet smile, satisfied as she went off to bed.
Since they were roommates, each had their bedroom, which Zhou Lang found convenient. He took a shower and then entered the Heaven and Earth Palace within his ancestral copper coin to cultivate.
As a cultivator, he only needed to cultivate for an hour a day to stay energetic, even without sleep. Sleep had become optional for him.
“Brother Lang, why did you take so long to come in? I’ve been waiting for you. Let’s bathe together,” Xiaoxi said, approaching him dressed skimpily. Earlier at Ivanova’s place, if Xiaoxi hadn’t reminded him, he might have stayed the night and gone from being a boy to a man.
“I already took a bath,” Zhou Lang quickly replied. Though he felt some desire, Xiaoxi’s suggestion of dual cultivation made him nervous.
“Brother Lang, your cultivation is still lacking. You can’t be with other women yet. Dual cultivation with me will quickly improve your level,” Xiaoxi said, lowering her head slightly. She wasn’t shy about Zhou Lang seeing her body, but the idea of becoming his woman made her a bit bashful.
“Xiaoxi, do you like me?”
Zhou Lang asked, stunned.
“If you’re doing this only because I’m your master, you don’t have to. In the future, you can find a man you truly like.”
“Brother Lang, don’t you like me?”
Xiaoxi’s voice wavered, looking hurt, like a girl who felt she had done something wrong.
“No, it’s not that. I just want to respect you,” Zhou Lang explained quickly. Although Xiaoxi was a spirit, she was no different from a human, and he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
“Brother Lang, you’re my master. You’re destined to be my only man,” Xiaoxi said firmly.
“Alright, then you’ll stay with me from now on,” Zhou Lang nodded. He knew that Xiaoxi would be the most loyal woman in his life, someone who would never betray him.
“Brother Lang, the hot water is ready. Let’s go,” Xiaoxi said, smiling happily as her cheeks flushed. Her beauty was breathtaking, like a blossoming flower.
Seeing her shy expression, Zhou Lang’s heart stirred. A beautiful woman like her, gentle and affectionate, was impossible to resist.
Before he knew it, he followed Xiaoxi into a room with an antique style.
Zhou Lang was familiar with this room. The first time he entered the ancestral copper coin, it was here that Xiaoxi treated his injuries with medicinal water, opening his acupoints and meridians, transforming him from an ordinary person into a cultivator.
In the center of the room stood a large wooden tub filled with steaming hot water. The mist rising from it made the entire room feel like a fairyland.
Strangely, the room felt as if it were air-conditioned, with the temperature perfectly comfortable—not the least bit stifling.
“Brother Lang, let me help you undress,” Xiaoxi said softly as they reached the edge of the tub. Her delicate hands were already on Zhou Lang, slowly unbuttoning his shirt.
Given the heat, Zhou Lang was only wearing a single layer of clothing. As Xiaoxi unbuttoned his shirt, her fingers occasionally brushed against his skin.
The light touch sent a ticklish sensation through Zhou Lang, one he found surprisingly enjoyable. His heart began to race.
Especially when Xiaoxi loosened his belt and slid his pants down, Zhou Lang couldn’t help but notice that a certain part of him was already responding.
“Xiaoxi… let’s leave the underwear on for now…”
Zhou Lang stammered, his face flushing as he quickly slipped into the large wooden tub, hoping the water would conceal his obvious excitement.
“Brother Lang, I already saw everything last time,” Xiaoxi replied with a bashful smile. She removed the white cloth draped around her like a towel and joined him in the tub.
Her fair skin, well-proportioned chest, slender waist, and long legs—all of Xiaoxi’s perfect figure were revealed to Zhou Lang, making his blood boil with desire. At that moment, any thoughts of the dual cultivation techniques were forgotten; all he wanted was to embrace Xiaoxi.
“Brother Lang, let me wash you first,” Xiaoxi said as she moved behind Zhou Lang, her body pressing tightly against his back, her delicate hands massaging his shoulders.
Feeling the softness of Xiaoxi’s body, Zhou Lang could no longer hold back. He turned around and pulled her into his arms.
“Brother Lang…”
Xiaoxi gasped softly, but she didn’t resist.
Zhou Lang’s hands began to explore her body.
Xiaoxi let out a soft gasp, but she didn’t resist. She seemed to welcome his advances. Her hands found their way to his chest, and then up to his face. She kissed him deeply, their tongues tangling together in a fiery embrace. As their kisses grew more passionate, Zhou Lang felt his underwear being tugged at. Without thinking, he pulled them off, revealing his erect member to Xiaoxi. She gasped softly, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she reached down and took him into her hand, stroking him gently.
Xiaoxi’s touch was like nothing Zhou Lang had ever experienced before. Every stroke of her hand sent shivers down his spine, and he couldn’t help but moan in delight. He reached out and pulled her closer, his erection pressing against her stomach. She broke the kiss and looked up at him with a smile.
“Brother Lang, are you ready?” she asked, her voice trembling with anticipation. Zhou Lang nodded eagerly, unable to speak.
Xiaoxi leaned forward and kissed him again, this time more tenderly. Then she moved down his body, taking his member into her mouth. Zhou Lang let out a loud groan as she began to suck on him, her tongue swirling around the head. It felt incredible. As she bobbed her head up and down, Zhou Lang reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. He couldn’t believe how good it felt to have her mouth on him. He closed his eyes and let himself be consumed by the pleasure. After what felt like an eternity, Xiaoxi pulled back and looked up at him.
Without further hesitation, Xiaoxi straddled Zhou Lang’s hips, aligning their bodies perfectly. He felt her warm, wet folds enveloping him, and he let out a long, low groan of pleasure. Xiaoxi began to move, her hips swaying back and forth in a sensual rhythm.
Zhou Lang wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her down onto him, burying himself deep inside her. The feeling was exquisite, unlike anything he had ever experienced before. He thrust up into her, meeting her movements with his own. As they moved together, their breathing became ragged, and their skin glistened with sweat. Zhou Lang could feel himself getting closer and closer to the ultimate release, but he didn’t want it to end. He wanted to savor every moment with Xiaoxi. Finally, the pleasure became too much to bear. Zhou Lang felt his climax approaching, and he knew he couldn’t hold back any longer. With a loud cry, he thrust up into Xiaoxi one last time, filling her with his seed. As the waves of pleasure washed over him, Zhou Lang looked into Xiaoxi’s eyes. She smiled at him, her cheeks still flushed with excitement.
“Brother Lang, don’t just focus on momentary pleasure. You need to circulate your inner energy according to the techniques in the Dual Cultivation Manual.”
Just as Zhou Lang, inexperienced as he was, was about to surrender in pleasure, Xiaoxi gently reminded him.
Zhou Lang shifted his focus to his dantian, attempting to engage in true dual cultivation with Xiaoxi.
The yin-yang cycle began, and it felt as if they became one, their inner energies continuously circulating between them.
…
An hour later, their cultivation session concluded. Zhou Lang could feel his acupoints and meridians had been greatly nourished, and the energy in his dantian had become much denser, as though it were being compressed from a gaseous state to a liquid one.
“This dual cultivation has given me great benefits. If this continues, I’ll reach the Foundation Establishment stage soon,” Zhou Lang thought happily as he and Xiaoxi stepped out of the tub and dressed.
Zhou Lang, now a man, felt a newfound sense of maturity, while Xiaoxi, now a woman, appeared even more alluring and seductive.
“Brother Lang, why don’t you sleep in the Heaven and Earth Palace tonight?”
Xiaoxi suggested. Although she was a spirit, she had the thoughts and emotions of a human. Aside from her limited knowledge of the outside world, she was just like any other woman.
Zhou Lang, still infatuated with the experience they had just shared, was reluctant to leave. The two of them rested on a cold jade bed, embracing each other as they slept like a loving couple.
“Brother Lang I only took human form a few hundred years ago, but my former master never allowed me to venture into the outside world. After my master ascended, I was sealed in the Heaven and Earth Palace until you awakened me,” Xiaoxi said.
“Since then, the only place I’ve been is your dormitory. I hope to live a normal life in the mortal world, just like you. My former master said that to truly succeed in cultivation, I must also train in the mortal world.”
“You can see the outside world from within the Heaven and Earth Palace, right?”
Zhou Lang asked curiously. Xiaoxi had lived for many years, yet when it came to modern society, she seemed like a blank slate.
“I can see it, but I’ve never experienced it,” Xiaoxi replied.
“Alright, in a few days, you can come out with me. You can say you’re my cousin,” Zhou Lang suggested after some thought.
“That’s wonderful!”
Xiaoxi exclaimed excitedly, kissing Zhou Lang on the cheek before adding, “But why wait a few days? We could go out tomorrow!”
“Ahem… you don’t even have any clothes. How could you go out?” Zhou Lang said.
“I need to buy you some outfits first. Out there, many men are wolves in sheep’s clothing. You can’t dress as revealingly as you do here in the Heaven and Earth Palace. You’re my woman; your body is for my eyes only.”