One's talent in qi manipulation was determined by two factors: the power of one's will and the tranquility of one's inner flow. Alcan clearly lacked the latter. His inner flow was akin to an ongoing battlefield. However, his will led to his first-ever attempt at qi manipulation being a success. "While I don't know the official categorizations, I can easily say my talent is a cut above the average."
Life was all about balance. His chaotic inner flow might lower his qi manipulation talent, but it was a great boon for cultivation talent. The cultivation methods of each Rank were different, they utilized the Ranks strengths to improve the processes. Rank 0 had no outer will, their will was contained inside their body, which forced them to utilize their inner flows to pull in environmental qi.
Alcan kept his meditative position. This time, however, his focus wasn’t as pure. He couldn’t let himself be that vulnerable each time he was cultivating. This didn’t stop him from getting great results from his first-ever cultivation attempt.
The rowdy qi in his dantian started to rotate under his will. By the second, the rotation got incrementally faster until, just like a black hole, the environmental qi slowly converged towards the vortex.
However, before they could enter his dantian, the environmental qi had to be refined, which was the job of his inner flow. The environmental qi stuck to the dome of his dantian. It couldn’t enter due to incompatibility.
His inner flow was akin to a sword torrent that hacked at the environmental qi nonstop. The refinement was completed at shocking speeds as droplets of refined qi started to seep into his dantian.
The process, however, wasn’t even close to being done. Cultivation was no easy deed. The lifespan of refined qi was low, and it had to be utilized swiftly. Under the influence of his will, his dantian’s rotation started once again. This time, however, rather than attracting environmental qi, the refined qi trapped inside started to grind against the inner walls of his dantian.
Such a meager amount could only chip away at the 3rd layer of his dantian. Even damaging his dantian’s walls at all in an hour-long cultivation session was a testament to his cultivation speed.
Cultivation for Rank 0 consisted of removing inner layers, which led to increased qi capacity and concentration. More qi would lead to better refinement, which would result in a higher concentration of qi.
Huff, let out a deep breath. “My yields from cultivation are immense. Now I understand why previous Alcan could get engaged to a Rank 1 disciple like Lyra.”
Heavens must have been listening as he heard a knock on his door and Lyra’s coming voice behind it. “Honey, are you home?” Alcan fixed his clothing and hair, then got up to open the door.
Right as Lyra was thinking of leaving due to not getting a response, the door opened. Behind it stood Alcan, with a smile on his face. “Sorry for answering late, I was busy cultivating but decided to cut it short since it’s not more important than my lovely fiance.” He altered the truth ever so slightly to get better benefits.
A smile bloomed on her face in response. “Can I come inside? I have something I want to talk about with you.”
Her words triggered a self-ridiculing laugh from Alcan. He spoke while shaking his head. “Of course, you even asking shows how much of a failure I’m as your fiance.” His hand was gesturing inside.
Lyra nodded. She got inside and sat on his bed. She didn’t see any of the manuals or the chest, as Alcan had hidden them under his bed. He could guess the topics for that night.
“I heard your friend Jake had been missing, and his pavilion was ravaged.” Her tone carried understanding. Each word was uttered carefully, making sure to deliver them with care.
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Alcan sat next to her, his gaze was light as he started at the wall. “Hmm, is that so? A shame.” His voice was devoid of any emotion, cold steel. He turned his head to meet her gaze, a smile adorning his face. “Did you know we went to the fishing market just before he died?”
His confession, coupled with his tone and gaze, caused Lyra’s breath to hitch. She kept her innocent smile. However, cracks had appeared momentarily. “T-that must have been fun. At least he met with a friend before his death.”
Alcan’s smile shifted to a knowing one, and his gaze seemingly knew all her secrets. “I thought you said he went missing. You shouldn’t make such assumptions.”
After those words, all sounds were cut off, and only her heartbeat remained booming in Lyra’s mind. Alcan’s knowing smile sent chills through her body, just as she was about to speak. Her chin was held by Alcan, he spoke softly, and each word worked to break the odd mood. “Have I told you before that you always make my day?” He went silent, seeming to be asking a real question rather than making a statement.
“No, you haven’t before,” Lyra said, confusion running rampant in her mind. The odd mood from before was nowhere to be seen. It was as if it had never happened and was all her imagination.
Alcan applied gentle force to move her head towards the side. “I should do it more often than.” His lips found her neck, her neck heated his cold lips.
“Honey, we should wait till you are Rank 1.” Some genuinity leaked through her facade, her ears got tinted red. “You are still Rank 0. It’s not that I don’t trust you. It's just that I want my first time to be special.”
Despite being 32 years old this year, Lyra hasn’t had a sexual partner before, just like the majority of the cultivators. Enjoyment was a rarity when you were a member of an evil sect, where a stall in your cultivation could call your death. Only when reaching Rank 1-2 would they indulge in such pleasures.
“Trust me.” These words called the start of a long night.
…
The sunlight dropped on their bodies, bringing back memories of the night alongside it. Lyra’s head was placed on his chest. Both were naked and under the thin sheet of blanket. Not just her head, but her entire body was on top of him. She seemed to like cuddling after sex.
The ceiling became Alcan’s view, he couldn’t help but be thoughtful. After floating in the chaos for an insurmountable amount of time, devoid of any emotions or thoughts, indulging in the pleasures brought by the flesh was refreshing.
He lowered his gaze to meet Lyra's, who was appreciating his thoughtful facade. Her lips blossomed into a smile when she got caught. “You were great for a Rank 0 cultivator.” Her hug got tighter when she said it.
Alcan chuckled. “As if you would know that.” Lyra pouted in response. “Hmph, and here I was giving my beloved finance some compliments. I seem to be too thoughtful for you.”
“I think you are just right for me.” He kissed her lips, and his hand patted her round ass. Alcan decided it was the right time to say what had been on his mind for a while, “You are in the Management Division, right?”
Lyra nodded. Her chin dug into his chest, but he didn’t mind. “Hmm, that's great. Could you get me the information of participants in the Deathly Trials? Their names, elemental qi, basic information regarding their techniques, and even their place of origin would be nice.”
Lyra got up from his chest, placed a peck on his cheek, then grabbed and leaned towards the small table to grab her sect robe. Her body was presented to Alcan in her full glory, a perfect hourglass figure, “Damn, what do mothers birth?” He didn't hide his appreciation, she was his fiance afterall.
Her hand got inside the pocket of the robe and took out a small booklet. She tapped the booklet on his chest and then placed it on top of him. She, however, didn’t rejoin him in bed. “I have to leave now, honey.” A membrane of qi covered her body, erasing any bodily fluid left from their passionate night. She then got into her sect robe and said, “Unlike certain someone, I have actual duties.” She chuckled, clearly in a joyous mood.
Alcan waved from his place and watched her leave. It seemed like she had a copy of his key as she locked the door before leaving. “If she wasn’t suspicious, she would make a great fiance indeed.” His gaze fell onto the booklet she left on his chest. “At least she is useful.”
He opened the booklet and went through the pages. He skimmed over each person’s cultivation level first. Their names were mostly irreverent. “Lots of 4th and 5th layers, a few 6th layers. Hmm, it won’t be easy with my 2nd layer cultivation.”
From 4th layer to 6th layer, you would be classified as Rank 0 Middle. One would receive a huge boost to their strength, “It would be great if I could reach 4th layer until the trials. Though it seems unlikely, they are only a week away.”
His gaze twitched for a moment when it fell on these words, “Earth element, 7th layer.” A Rank 0 High cultivator was present amongst the examinees.