The doors of the Main halls closed behind two figures in bright yellow robes as they walked away, the elder of the two seemingly in thought as his fingers counted the prayer beads.

“Grand Elder, is it not rush to trust in someone we just met?”

The Prime Disciple walking beside him asked as they passed through the halls. Even if he did not understand the whole conversation, it did not mean he missed the part that they were talking about something that could involve the fate of their entire sect.

“Hah! A man has to think boldly and with confidence! What are you going to accomplish if you’re afraid to make a move and doubt yourself every step of the way?” .𝘤𝘰

“But Grand Elder…”

“Haa~ relax, I am just saying that you lack the determination and will that young lad has and that you should learn that…

About the decision, I wasn’t making any. As I told him, I lack the authority to do so”

“Even if so, you seem to be viewing it in a positive light? And will be advising the Temple Master in such a way as well…”

“Of course I do! There are times you just have to go with your gut! And my gut tells me that man’s someone we can’t underestimate but also can’t pass on if we can really form?an amicable relationship with him”

Grand Elder Gan grinned, a glint of excitement on his face as he could feel something from Wu Long’s very presence, it was purely instinct, but this old man never was wrong in trusting it.

Beng Mao beside him had a slightly confused look on his face as he struggled to understand the thinking of the old man, but he knew there was a reason his Master, the Temple Master of the Brilliant Sun Temple deeply trusted his judgement and relied on his advice and hand in troubled times, so he silently listened in hopes of comprehending even a little of it.

“Not to mention, what’s there to lose for us anyway? If he’s not the real deal he won’t be able to help us much, and we would be in the same situation we would have been in anyway.

It’s not like he wants to study our texts now, what he’s proposing is basically doing us a favor and in exchange we are going to open our archives for him later on”

“But is it not forbidden to reveal our texts to the outsiders?”

“Hah! If he really is someone who can deal with that conflict, he is someone much more powerful than we can even fathom.

Such a person could simply stroll inside our halls and do whatever he wants. The fact he’s seeking permission and bargaining only shows his goodwill and that he is wants to obtain it through peaceful means” 𝘪𝑎.𝘤𝑜𝘮

“If it was something so easy to obtain by brute force someone would have already tried by now, but everyone knows that even if someone managed to massacre the entire sect they would not be able to obtain our secrets”

“That is correct…

but…”

Grand Elder Gan stopped, half-turning as he looked back to the now distant door of the Main Hall in deep thought.

‘…something tells me Tablet of Wisdom will not stop that man from getting what he wants if he set his mind on it’

He finished in his head as he did not want to alarm the too serious and diligent Prime Disciple who still was too young and inexperienced.

He then shook his head and continued walking, followed by the young man.

—

In the Main Hall, Wu Long sat in the same pose, though now there were only three people, as two pairs of eyes looked at him, one with scrutiny and caution, one with unreadable and seemingly emotionless clear gaze.

“Do you really have that which we seek? It seems to me from your previous words about wanting to study our archives that you do not”

“Haha, if you are talking about the complete legacy of your sect, of course I do not have it. You are exactly right, as I am interested in your texts because I do not possess that knowledge”

Wu Long lightly laughed, his words causing a light of disappointment and lament to appear in Qiu Yilao’s eyes.

“… but I do indeed have something that you need. And that is a way to solve the problem that stems from the incomplete legacy you have”

Wu Long chuckled.

“Huh? But…”

Qiu Yilao’s eyebrows went up.

“Your cultivation technique without the Eternal Ice Soul Scripture is causing decrease in lifespan as well as general decline in health during later years of every high-ranking cultivator of your sect. Not only that but it also causes periodic pain in Dantian in case of those practicing the core cultivation techniques.

Prime Disciple Xue Bing, on the other hand, has a special condition that allows her to be immune to the negative effects even though her Extreme Yin Qi is very powerful”

Wu Long smiled, as the Palace Master of the Frozen Garden Palace widened her eyes in shock, and even the upper eyelids of the Prime Disciple beside her slightly shook at his words.

“You really have an unnaturally sharp eye and knowledge, Daoist Wu”

“Haha, I know because Luxiao used to have a severe case of it because her Yin Qi is a bit special, though not as potent as Prime Disciple Xue’s”

“Ah, Miss Sui Luxiao… I guess it is more understandable then. But how do you suppose we solve that problem if not with finding complete legacy of our sect?”

“To be honest, there is only one way, which is to Dual Cultivate”

“Wha…?!”

Qiu Yilao almost stood up from her seat as her eyes became round, and then a sharp look appeared in her eyes.

“Are you mocking us, Daoist Wu?!”

Her tone of voice shifted, expressing her fury and indignation.

“Master, I believe Daoist Wu has no intention of mocking you or our sect”

Xue Bing, on the other hand, remained calm even though there appeared a very light color on her cheeks.

“…”

Qiu Yilao gave a glance to her Disciple and after a moment, sat back down.

“Indeed, I have no intention of mocking you, Palace Master Qiu.

The core cultivation technique Luxiao did not learn does depend on having one’s Pure Yin Qi intact, much like the Pure Yang Life and Death Sutra of the Brilliant Sun Temple depends on the practitioner’s Pure Yang Qi remaining intact.

However, as I said your technique has been partially lost, so there are ways in which you can avoid losing your cultivation even while losing your Pure Yin Qi”

Wu Long calmly nodded, not a hint of laughter in his voice as he spoke sincerely, though there was no change in his light tone of speaking or relaxed posture either.

“If there was another way, I would have proposed it, but the way in which your cultivation technique deviated from the original is quite unique.

Though the one who filled in the gaps that were lost must certainly be praised for a magnificent achievement, the core principle of the technique has been altered in a way that is not likely reparable”

Wu Long shook his head.

“But how does Dual Cultivating solve our problem? Won’t we still lose the core of our cultivation and the strength it gives if we do that?”

“Normally, yes. But if I were to alter the technique further, perhaps it is possible to create something even more powerful instead”

“Hah! Say we do grant you access to our texts and you do make adjustments in our techniques so that it would work.

But do you really expect us to go and give our bodies to any random men, and not to mention do so continuously over and over?”

“Why seek random men? Not to mention that the Yang Qi of the one who has to Dual Cultivate with you will have to meet certain criteria, and use a specific precious technique when doing so as well”

Wu Long made a surprised face as he spread his hands in a questioning manner.

“Isn’t that what you are proposing?”

Qiu Yilao asked back in a questioning tone as she did not expect this turn of conversation.

“The reason I am willing to go to such lengths to help you is not innocent either, as I am in need of cultivation partners whom I can trust, as well as can gain insight from studying your cultivation.

So in fact what I am proposing is to build an alliance wherein I will help you reach heights which you did not even dream of achieving before, and in return you ally yourself with me and help in my cultivation.

It serves my purposes, as well as yours, so we both win from this deal”

“You shameless…”

Qiu Yilao opened her mouth wide first, and then spoke with absolute astonishment in her voice.

“I must admit I am shameless. But that is beside the point here. I am not saying that I will coerce anyone, I am just proposing to you an alliance of interests.

Ultimately, if your Yin Qi is not as strong as Luxiao’s, the symptoms do not impede one from living a life almost 90% as long as anyone in their cultivation level, and the decline in health as well as the bouts of pain are bearable based on the fact you did not suspend practicing your faulty techniques over the years.

Besides, I can provide you with a better cultivation technique than what you have now so that future generations of disciples can avoid learning the one that causes so much trouble, that is if you are willing to abandon the legacy of the Eternal Moon Garden.

Thus, there is no need to take my proposal if it is not acceptable to you”

Wu Long nodded, speaking in a calm tone.

“But how can you propose something so vulgar?”

“Vulgar?”

Wu Long’s eyes shone with a glint as both Qiu Yilao and Xue Bing froze in place, a shiver going down their spines as his entire presence seemed to have slightly shifted.

“What I am proposing is a lifelong alliance of interests as well as companionship, not a cheap romp.

There may be no emotional attachment but it does not mean there is no respect or dignity in the relationship. And even then, some mutual affinity is bound to appear over time.

Even the carnal aspect of Dual Cultivation has nothing to do with filth, as some people seem to want others to think. It is an unquestionable part of the Human Dao, one which should not make people ashamed”

Wu Long’s tone of voice and manner of speech was calm. But Qiu Yilao could not get rid of the feeling that she did not stand before a young man in Revolving Qi Realm she perceived him to be. She finally started to earnestly believe his earlier words about being part of the conflict brewing on the continent.

𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ