Dual cultivation makes you stronger, everyone else is a prodigy, and I'm the only one slacking

In the final instant the ring dissipated, the monster, along with the glaring tiger, disappeared into it.

Just before it disappeared, it seemed to glance in Yu Luoning's direction, then flicked its tail, and a seven-colored scale burst out of the air and landed in Yu Luoning's palm.

The surroundings were completely quiet, as if nothing had happened.

Yu Luoning lowered her eyes, the scales on her palm were smooth and warm, and seven-colored light flowed around her fingertips.

It felt like a dream.

Is that monster a cleaner?

She remembered: that mysterious lake, the giant snake from last time, and the corpses of the Sea Dragon Palace cultivators thrown in.

I never imagined that the Transcendent Technique could be used in this way; by connecting two spaces, even creatures from the other side could pass through.

Fortunately, it only ate the tiger and went back; it didn't leap out.

Yu Luoning looked at the scales in her hand thoughtfully.

What does "cleaner" mean by this? Is it a gesture of reciprocity? Is it a thank you for feeding it?

The next moment, the scales suddenly emitted a warm light, and the seven-colored light instantly condensed into a thin line, shooting into Yu Luoning's chest.

Yu Luoning lowered her head and quickly unbuttoned the shirt around her neck.

A shell-shaped protective scale appeared on her chest, near her heart meridian. It was colorful, thin as a cicada's wing, and a continuous stream of life force was surging from it, protecting her heart meridian. Its protective power was quite remarkable.

Is this really a gift from the cleaners?

Tsk tsk, she not only works for her for free, but she also thanks her?

What a fine fish!

Yu Luoning's lips slowly curved into a smile. Wearing the resurrection armor was indeed a different experience. She just didn't know how many times it could withstand the attack, and if it was broken, could it be repaired?

The thick fog in the forest had dissipated by then. Shi Shangxu, holding a long sword and looking somewhat anxious, followed the sound.

His gaze fell upon the patch of white skin on Yu Luoning's chest, and he immediately lowered his eyes, turning away, his voice urgent: "Miss, are you alright?"

Yu Luoning calmly fastened her clothes, looked up, and saw his avoidance expression. The corners of her mouth slowly curved into a smile.

"Young Master Shi, you looked at my back before, and now you're looking at my chest. Which part would you like to see next?"

Shi Shangxu was stiff all over, and his ears were so red they almost bled.

"I'm...I'm sorry. It happened so suddenly, I was just worried..."

Yu Luoning chuckled softly, took a step forward, and her gaze fell on the broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted figure from behind.

"What's the use of saying sorry? You've already seen it, so I'm yours now."

Shi Shangxu: "..."

"Young lady, don't joke about your innocence."

"What? You think my chest was just for show?"

Yu Luoning raised an eyebrow, leaned closer to his shoulder, and smelled the faint, cool fragrance emanating from him, a scent that belonged to a young man.

At that moment, the order of the business world came to a halt.

He said, "Whatever the girl wants, as long as it's within my power, I will do my best to do it, as long as it doesn't violate justice and morality."

"Cultivate with me," Yu Luoning said.

"No way!" Shi Shangxu refused outright, even taking a step to the side.

"Dual cultivation involves the harmony of yin and yang and the fusion of the soul; it is something that only lovers can do. You do not love me, so you should not be so hasty."

Yu Luoning pursed her lips: "..."

"Isn't it exhausting to talk about feelings? What's wrong with fleeting pleasure? Besides, I don't mind, so why should you? Your chaste appearance only makes me more and more eager."

Shi Shangxu remained silent, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the sword hilt.

"No, that won't do. I'll only do that kind of thing with my future Daoist partner."

Old-fashioned!

Yu Luoning sighed and didn't press him any further.

His gaze cleared, and he said seriously:

"Alright then, I'll choose another one. Take me into the Dongbao Upper Sect, and I'll take up one of your family member slots."

Once you enter the Dongbao Upper Sect, the chances of encountering geniuses are much higher; everywhere you look is a repository of transplanted copies.

If you won't let me sleep with you, then I'll sleep with someone else!

You old fogey!

Shi Shangxu subconsciously straightened his posture and said solemnly, "The quota is tied to karma. If the person who uses it commits a crime, I will also be implicated. Therefore..."

"So during these five years, you weren't just being observed by the elders, but you were also observing others, right?"

Yu Luoning had already seen through his thoughts and chuckled:

"There are three spots available. Your family has probably already made arrangements. But you don't want your cultivation to become a transaction with a price tag, so you'd rather have the spot empty than bring any trouble into it. Am I right?"

The air was silent for a few breaths before Shi Shangxu gave a self-deprecating smile.

"The young lady is right; the quota is indeed my line of defense. Being in a large family, I'm not in control of my own destiny. I know their character, so I can't bring them along."

Shi Shangxu's eyes trembled slightly before he whispered, "I can give you this spot, but we need to agree on three conditions."

"If you cause trouble in the upper sect, I hope you will leave voluntarily."

Yu Luoning smiled brightly.

She suddenly raised her hand, her slender fingertips landing on the boy's shoulder.

Shi Shangxu instinctively froze, but did not dodge.

Then the woman's fingertips slowly traced the lines of his back, causing waves of subtle tremors.

"Miss...please have some self-respect." He spoke coldly, but his breathing was already completely disordered.

Yu Luoning withdrew her hand and blinked. "Don't worry, I'm fully dressed. Young Master Shi, it's been a pleasure doing business with you!"

There was a moment of silence in the air before Shi Shangxu slowly turned around.

He pursed his lips slightly, his dark eyes fixed silently on Yu Luoning.