It didn't take long for Feng Qian to join us in the living room of the pavilion and, not surprising, Celeste was there as well for some reason. While Herman was pondering about what words to pick and how to explain the situation he was in while still keeping his life, she was sitting there on the couch grinning widely at his misfortune.
"What was that saying? The hardest difficulty to bear is the one you bring on yourself..."
With the four pairs of eyes glued on his face, his scalp couldn't help but tingle. Exactly how was he supposed to approach the subject? He was planning to pretty much 'cheat' on Tianxia Xue and Xu Wen'an with Feng Qian, and ask them to be okay with it. Plus, he wasn't sure about what sort of constitution his former sect master had either, making it possible for the dual cultivation session to fail miserably as result.
"Well, polygamy isn't a major deal in the Immortal World anyway, but it still feels wrong for some reason. As for her constitution...*Sigh*"
He had an inkling that the ritual should be attempted without a doubt. After going through the cultivation covenant, Feng Qian broke into the Ensoulment realm and his gains upon dual cultivating with her should've been multiplied considerably as result. There was also the ridiculous amount of Cultivation Base he gained through the said cultivation covenant. As for the other two girls... it wasn't advisable to attempt it, given their much higher cultivation realm. Before reaching Soul Wandering V and hopefully gaining some extra Perception points from... well, somewhere, he would waste at least 25% of the Cultivation Base achievable while dual cultivating with Tianxia Xue and Xu Wen'an. As for why it's because of the realm disparity between them and the fact that his body couldn't possibly contain as much Spiritual and Primordial Qi as they would circulate while performing the said ritual.
"Dying in the middle of a dual cultivation session... is not exactly unheard of. Many 'young masters' wanted to climb to the heavens in one step and attempted such a thing with beauties well above their realms. The result was the weaker party getting crippled in the best-case scenario, or dead in the worst. I don't want to become one of those jokes, therefore, I won't rush things."
Another problem was the ritual itself. While it could be performed between opposite, as well as the same gender, it was rarely the case. It wasn't easy for a man to be almost fully naked and interlock fingers with another man, or having his body stroked by the other guy. Women didn't seem to share that problem though, making them the usual partner-in-crime when it came to dual cultivating. If one was to describe the entire process, it would be best explained as foreplay.
In the past, I've even heard from a senior brother in the only Tier 5 Earth-rank sect I joined that the more sensual the two people are and the more intimate their actions become, the better result the ritual gets. Simply put, in 90% of the cases, dual cultivation ends in sex because of how berserk the libido of the two parties becomes. However, choosing to give in to that pleasure is usually the best choice as long as both partners are willing since it allows for a better Qi circulation among them if they are of the same mind.
Herman himself had a bit of experience with the said process given his previous life experience. Unfortunately, the number of women he tried it with wasn't that big due to his inferiority complex. Even after getting over that in this life, he wasn't planning to attempt to create a harem since it's something that gets messy real quick and he had other worries besides drama. Looking back at the last couple of months, he couldn't help but sigh wrily. In his past life, just getting to this point took him three years yet he now managed to do that in less than a third of the time. The reason behind it was mostly because of the Spirit Jades he splurged on stuff. With the Beast Int. Pills used up and the Beast True Pills from the Beast Sealing running low, he turned his attention to the remaining two 'Yearly Gifts' available to be bought.
The second 'gift' came at a cost of 100SJ and it contained 20K Wood and Iron Essence, 15 Beast True Pills, 10 x 100 Reputation Tokens, 3 Treasure Tokens, Alchemy and Blacksmithing Notes (200 exp worth each), 20 Marrow-cleansing Dew, 1 Three-eyed Bead, 1 Mortal Lotus, 1 Rootless Fire, and 1 Chaos Essence. The four materials at the end could each increase one of the main attributes by 100 points, but even more so, if combined with some other materials, they could be used to also increase the Bodily Realm cultivation.
Not stopping there, another 200SJ were used to purchase the third and the last 'Yearly Gift'. It's contents were much more generous: 50K Wood and Iron Essence, 20 Beast Gold Cores, 20 x 100 Reputation Tokens, 3 Treasure Tokens, Alchemy and Blacksmithing Notes (500 exp worth each), 50 Marrow-cleansing Dew, 2 Rice Orbs, 2 Glowing Lotus Root, 2 Willow Waterdrops, and 2 Thunder Stones. These Beast Golden Cores were the real reason behind Herman's quick ascension through the ranks, making him feel that it was quite worth spending the SJ on them.
If there was a problem, that was the Inventory. The number of slots was limited and even after his blacksmith apprentice hit Level 2 in his profession and hurried to forge the Storage Stones. Leaving aside his initial 30 slots, another 24 were quickly added due to his smart investment in the apprentice.
Actually, not all credit could be given to him though. Most of it was Celeste's doing since she was the one that selected the people with the most potential. Also, under her supervision for an entire year and some SJ here and there, Herman's Qi Gathering Array reached Level 65 allowing for a total of 70551 points of Spiritual Qi to gather. At the same time, she was pumping resources like crazy in the Spiritual Mountain, making the number of apprentices working there swell at a terrifying rate. The Food Gathering array was already maxed out at Level 100, making room for 303 people to work on it. Thanks to that, there will soon be another 300 apprentices working on the Wood and Iron Gathering arrays as well, although they were still quite a bit far from being upgraded to their maximum level.
Looking at his Level 1 Damaged Spiritual Roots, he couldn't help but grin widely while contemplating the first Immortal Force event he will participate in. At the same time, he felt that the preparations he made for after reaching the Soul Wandering realm were insufficient. With the time constraints, however, he couldn't hesitate any longer. There were too many things he would miss if he doesn't hurry and breakthrough right away. Not to mention Fortune Land and literal fishing for benefits, there was also the Soul Wandering he could do without having to stop cultivating or leave his Dwelling. Also, having access to an alliance and the extra resources it provided was also necessary. Not only would he have extra ways of increasing his attributes, but he could also accept to solve up to four alliance affairs per year, giving him access to higher grade resources. With enough Alliance Coins (the currency used and gained in the alliance space) he could then redeem a multitude of useful things from the shop as well.
"With the Alliance's independent space, any other form of currency would be useless, including SJ. Well, you could still use it to build up the Alliance level faster though."
Anyway, seeing how his mind was all over the place and realizing how limited his time was, he stopped stalling and addressed the girls in a forthright manner.
"After cultivating for 11 months now, I have finally reached the Golden Core X realm and I am about 1M Cultivation Base away from breaking through."
[Congratulations Herman! Your speed really makes one jealous.](Feng Qian)
[Yes, yes! Brother Herman is really amazing!](Xu Wen'an)
[Mhm! Congratulations!](Tianxia Xue)
[Tsk! Stop glorifying the bastard! He just spent Spirit Jades in an exaggerated manner to cultivate this fast. If you three had his resources, you would've probably done much better.](Celeste)
[...](Feng Qian)
[Big sis...](Xu Wen'an)
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
[*Sigh* Big sis Celeste... sometimes... *Sigh*](Tianxia Xue)
"Pfft! Hahaha! She's not wrong, you know? It's true that it's because of the ridiculous amount of SJ I have that I could arrive at my current realm this fast."
[Hmpf! At least you are aware of it.](Celeste)
"But what can I do about it. Some are born to be kings, while others are born to be paupers."
[...you!](Celeste)
Seeing Herman's shameless manner and Celeste's infuriated and embarrassed visage, the other girls couldn't help but giggle. It wasn't very often that Celeste wouldn't come on top in a verbal spar, making them admire Herman's glib tongue.
He was quite brave, pressing her buttons like that. Wasn't he afraid of being trashed a bit by the short-tempered big sister?
"Okay, okay! Enough joking around. The reason why I called you three here, is because I am planning to begin my first dual cultivation session soon. Actually, tonight if possible."
Hearing his words, Feng Qian was stunned while the other two girls were blushing furiously. Even Celeste was amazed at his thick skin that would probably even stop arrows and bullets. Wasn't he afraid of being labeled as a pervert by the entire Fallen Blossoms sect?
Surprisingly, Herman wasn't panicking and instead was calmly monitoring their responses. Under his gaze, Tianxia Xue and Xu Wen'an nodded weakly while facing the floor, while Feng Qian was calmly pondering his proposal.
Minutes later, his former sect master raised her face and spoke gently.
[Judging from their reactions, I take it that your relationship with them isn't a normal one, right?](Feng Qian)
"Indeed. They have already become my women."
Celeste was ready to stand up and clap at this point, seeing how brazen he was with his words. Wasn't he afraid of swallowing his tongue by uttering such shameless words? And those two... why weren't they saying anything and instead are just sitting there blushing like a couple of ripened tomatoes? Hopefully, that sect master would slap him around a bit to alleviate this feeling of contempt she was currently drowning in.
[I see. Then why did you called me as well? Don't tell me you fell for me since I wouldn't believe that.](Feng Qian)
"*Cough**Cough* Sect Master, have mercy on me, okay? The reason why I called you here as well, is because I indeed to give you my first time. Hehe!"
[Pfft!](Celeste)
[*Sigh* Okay, stop playing around and tell me how you reached this conclusion.](Feng Qian)
"Well, it's because of the cultivation covenant we went through. I am pretty sure that you have an Immortal Spirit Body."
[Hoh!?](Celeste)
[Eh? Miss Celeste, do you know what's that?](Feng Qian)
[Mhm... If Herman is right, then you are truly a special lady. Such a constitution allows one to gain quite the Cultivation Base amount while dual cultivating and might even give unexpected clarity regarding the laws of Heaven and Earth. No wonder this leecher picked you.](Celeste)
"Ahem! Celeste... you're damaging my reputation here... Qian, what Celeste said it's true. Unlike normal people, if one dual cultivates with you the results would be much better and their comprehension might increase as well. Seeing how I am so close to reaching the Soul Wandering realm, you are a perfect choice."
[What about your two lovers?](Feng Qian)
"Hmm... I haven't attempted a covenant with the two of them yet due to the cultivation realm disparity. Also, as you know, their current realms are too high for me to attempt a dual cultivation session right now with either of them. Therefore the current conversation."
[And the two of you are okay with that?](Feng Qian)
Turning around and looking at the two girls sitting quietly next to Herman, even Celeste was anticipating their answer. If only she could have some snacks to enjoy while watching this drama unfold, how perfect would that be?
[Mhm... I trust big brother Herman.](Xu Wen'an)
[I don't mind.](Tianxia Xue)
[I see... Well, alright then. I am okay with it as well, but I have no intention of becoming your woman. We're not at that level yet and I am not sure I can look at you that way.](Feng Qian)
[Ahahahahaha!](Celeste)
"..."
Obviously, Herman's ego took quite a bit of a punch there, however, he wasn't as conceited to think that with his return in time he suddenly became more attractive or something. He just became awkward due to what the dual cultivation process entails and the fact that he knew for sure that it would end in s*x with this beauty.
Sighing heavily, he decided simply on the words 'future problem, future me' and tossed the ball to the unfortunate him that would have to endure a bit of torture later on.
[Herman, what about my constitution?](Tianxia Xue)
[Me too, me too!](Xu Wen'an)
"Honestly, I've got no clue. I think Celeste might know though."
[Hehe! Of course, I know. Do you think I'm as pitiful as you are?](Celeste)
Seeing her chin raised and her bountiful chest pushed forward, he was looking forward to having this prideful woman fish for him later on. Once his cultivation was high enough, he would get back to her for all the bullying. Well, at least for now he could get some extra intel from her.
[Xue has the Body of Thousands of Spirits. If I'm not wrong, you are well versed in both Blacksmithing and Alchemy, right?](Celeste)
[Mhm! As a Wanderer, I was able to save a lot of Spirit Stones by learning how to craft and make pills myself.](Tianxia Xue)
[As I thought. Dual cultivation with Xue wouldn't lead to Cultivation Base increase, but rather, comprehension of those two arts.](Celeste)
"Blacksmithing and Alchemy. For which one of us?"
[Her. Your knowledge of the two arts is not on a level where you could gain any heavenly inspiration, but her is. It would be quite helpful to you as well, though.](Celeste)
"How so?"
[After her knowledge base increases, she could impart whatever she realized with your two apprentices through lecture. The result wouldn't be as great as if she would directly dual cultivate with them, but I don't think either of you is willing for such a thing to happen.](Celeste)
"No! Absolutely not!"
[No!](Tianxia Xue)
Seeing both himself and Xue vehemently rejecting such a thing, she shrugged as if it had nothing to do with her and kept quiet. With Xu Wen'an's eyes glowing like stars in the night sky, she helplessly sighed and gestured for her to come closer.
In a second, Wen'an hopped in Celeste's lap and hung her arms around the woman's neck as if she was a koala. The girl's eyes and pleading face made her look like a child asking to be spoiled. Unsurprisingly, Celeste gave in very fast and gently patted her head and pinched her rosy cheeks.
[You also have an Immortal Spirit Body, but yours is more... unique.](Celeste)
[Eh? How so?](Xu Wen'an)
"It's probably because of her internal constitution being weaker, right?"
[Hmpf! You knew that yet you still bullied her in bed. Shameless! Don't you know how quiet the pavilion gets at night? You might not be bothered, but the girls still have to meet the eyes of the maids and butlers working here.](Celeste)
"..."
He kept mum because he knew who was at fault, even if hearing Celeste scolding me made him quite indignant. Seeing how absolute red Xu Wen'an became and how close to tears she was, she began coaxing the girl to the best of her abilities. Minutes later after both had calmed down enough, Celeste continued.
[I said that she was unique but that has nothing to do with her weak constitution. Her meridian pathways are... complex. Because of that, once she attempts to dual cultivate the pathways would go into overdrive and the amount of Qi flowing in would be multiplied many times. If we were to give an example, if you dual cultivate with miss Qian and you get good results, those results would be only a third of what they would be with Xu Wen'an. There is a drawback though.](Celeste)
"As expected. There's a period of respite, right?"
[Hmpf! You can be considered somewhat knowledgable. Yes! Three years. You can dual cultivate with Xu Wen'an only once in three years. For you, the results wouldn't be that amazing, but for her... let's just say that she should catch up with me very soon.](Celeste)
[Is that true, big sis?](Xu Wen'an)
[Mhm! Don't you trust me?](Celeste)
[I do, I do!](Xu Wen'an)
The conversation among the two continued for a while, while Herman pondered about the future. What Celeste said was right and dual cultivating with Xue would bring him amazing results, especially since he was trying to get a Level 5 or 6 equipment set. Even his Clouding: Thundering Sword was getting worn and old fast.
There was also the problem of not having sufficient partners for the future. If he could dual cultivate with Xu Wen'an only once each three years, then should he find another girl to fill in the gap? But who?
Looking at Celeste and as if reading his mind, she sneered with a 'don't even dream about it' look on her face. Truthfully, he wasn't sure if he could even handle her in the first place, so he began wondering at what other options he had. Nevertheless, that was a concern for the future.
"Once more... future problem, future me!"
With the meeting coming to an end and in order to ease the tension and awkwardness, he accompanied Feng Qian for the rest of the day, talking about different topics including each other's comprehension of the Tao.
Time wasn't unlimited though, and soon, night had befallen them.