Chapter 54 Divine Intercourse: Do you want to cultivate with me?

The night wind blew across the surface of the cold pool, bringing a biting chill.

Ming felt his eyelids grow heavy, and he tried desperately to open them, but to no avail. His lungs felt like they were filled with coarse ice shards, and every breath pulled at his chest, bringing a tearing, piercing pain.

The excruciating pain from Gu Weishen slamming the fragments of memory to the ground had not yet subsided when, in reality, the effects of the Marrow Cleansing Pill began to surge wildly through his meridians, recklessly tearing and reconstructing his bones.

The combination of these two extreme pains, like fire and ice attacking each other, almost instantly pushed his will to the brink of collapse.

Mingjian cried out twice, pleading with the system for help through his consciousness.

"Aaaaaah! System! Help me! Don't I still have a fragment of memory? Use it! Use it now! Let me hide!"

The system wasn't in much better shape in Mingjian's consciousness either. It listlessly and weakly said, "There are only three memory fragments in total. You've already used two. Are you sure you want to use the last one?"

Mingjian originally intended to save it for a crucial moment in the future.

But little did he know that what felt like an eternity in the fragments of memory was actually less than a single night in reality! And the marrow cleansing and bone-setting would last for seven days and seven nights, an excruciating pain he simply couldn't bear. He was truly afraid that he would die from the agony here.

"Use it! Use it now! Use it immediately!" Mingjian practically shouted.

The system paused for a moment, seemingly performing some operation, before saying with a hint of helplessness, "Host, it's no use. Activating the memory fragments requires Xiao Bumian to be in a deep sleep, but he's awake now."

Mingjian: "..."

This lousy system! It's completely useless when it really matters!

It's better to rely on yourself than on others. Mingjian struggled to lift his head from the icy pool, his hands trembling as he haphazardly pulled a bottle of pills from his storage bag.

This was the Foundation Establishment Pill that Gu Zhi had given him before, which was said to stabilize one's cultivation level and alleviate the pain during breakthroughs. He didn't care whether it was suitable for his condition or not; he uncorked the bottle, poured a handful, and shoved it into his mouth, swallowing it whole.

Perhaps the Foundation Building Pill really did have some pain-relieving effect, or perhaps it was just a placebo effect. After a while, the intense pain that was almost exploding his head seemed to have eased a bit, allowing his consciousness, which was on the verge of dissipation, to barely regroup.

Exhausted, he draped his arms over the edge of the icy pool, resting his forehead on his cold, soaked sleeves, his consciousness drifting between sleep and wakefulness.

He didn't know how much time had passed.

Mingjian felt as if he had fallen asleep again.

But this feeling was completely different from entering Xiao Bumian's fragmented memories. He felt as if he had been thrown into a purgatory of ice and fire.

His body was burning hot from the medicinal effects, while his body was chilled to the bone by the cold of the pool water. The alternating hot and cold sensations violently assaulted every nerve, making him feel restless as if a ball of fire was burning inside him. His thoughts were in complete chaos, and he was unable to calm down and think about the fragments of his memory.

The only clear thing was the pervasive pain throughout his body, as if he had been crushed and then reassembled, and... the last scene he saw in his mind: under a desolate sky, snow was falling heavily, and the young Xiao Bumian's blood-stained hand gently covered his eyes.

Consciousness continued to decline.

In a daze, I seemed to hear someone sigh very softly.

Mingjian felt a sudden lightness in his mind, and the original heat was dispelled by a cool sensation on his forehead. It wasn't his body temperature, but that didn't stop him from gently rubbing against it as if he had found an antidote.

The next moment, his soul swayed, as if he had lost weight and fell into an endless void.

The surrounding emptiness was chilling, thick black fog billowed and surged, heaven and earth merged in a chaotic blur, their boundaries indistinct. As far as the eye could see, there was only deathly silence and desolation, as if it were the beginning of all things, or the end of the world.

Mingjian sensed that the burning pain that had almost consumed him had vanished without a trace, replaced by an almost ethereal lightness, as if he had broken free from all constraints.

He tried to call out to the system in his mind, wanting to find out about this sudden change.

Didn't we agree not to use memory fragments?

What place is this?

And... how did he turn into a white ball of fluff?

However, the system did not respond.

Mingjian suppressed the confusion and unease surging in his heart, and clumsily moved forward, controlling the unfamiliar dumpling shape, and walked for a very long time.

Here, time seems to lose its meaning.

Much later, Mingjian saw a boundary marker, its body wrapped in crimson chains, shrouded in layers of thick black mist, making it impossible for Mingjian to see what was engraved on it.

Strangely, he subconsciously felt that this was related to Xiao Bumian.

He approached slowly. The mist, filled with ominous and repulsive intent, instinctively resisted the outsider, but the moment it touched his soul, it was as if an invisible hand pushed it aside, making way for him obediently and hesitantly, as if afraid of harming him in the slightest.

Mingjian was still apprehensive. He rolled around cautiously, muttering to himself, "No offense intended, just passing by... I'm a good person, a really good person, good people are rewarded, please don't hurt anyone by mistake..."

Suddenly, a very short, soft hissing sound broke the silence.

"ha."

Mingjian: "..."

That incredibly irritating tone... who else could it be but Xiao Bumian?!

"Xie Hanwei?" The little white ball stopped, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice. "Where are you?"

"Hmm," Xiao Bumian asked inexplicably, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Mingjian was taken aback by this seemingly random question, not understanding why he asked it. After a moment's hesitation, he answered truthfully, "It doesn't hurt now."

"Oh." Xiao Bumian's tone was calm, as if he had expected this, but then he threw out a bombshell question, "So, do you want to cultivate with me?"

Recalling what he had just witnessed, Xiao Bumian still felt a surge of anger rising within him. If he hadn't returned in time, Mingjian would likely have been burned alive by the domineering effects of the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

This elixir was extremely potent. He had specifically requested some calming and meridian-protecting herbs from Ye Tanzhou to alleviate the burning pain. However, upon returning, he found no trace of Mingjian. He searched with his divine sense for a long time before finally finding him by the cold pool.

When he found Mingjian, Mingjian was still lying on the shore, his long, curled eyelashes drooping wetly, casting shadows on his pale, almost transparent face. He was soaking wet, breathing weakly, and looked so fragile that he seemed like he would break at the slightest touch.

Xiao Bumian's eyes instantly darkened, becoming unfathomably deep.

He leaned down, his fingertips touching Mingjian's slender wrist to check her pulse. The erratic, restless pulse burned his fingertips, making his already pent-up emotions even more suffocating, and a violent, destructive urge almost became uncontrollable.

But he didn't say anything. He simply lifted the person out of the icy pool with extremely light movements, and in a flash, he disappeared from the edge of the cold pool.

Inside the Never-Sleeping Pavilion, candlelight flickered gently, and a faint, calming fragrance filled the air.

Xiao Bumian brought Mingjian back to the Nevernight Pavilion and silently removed his soaked clothes, revealing his skin, which was slightly red from the combination of high temperature and cold air.

He washed Mingjian without changing his expression, his fingertips tracing the delicate skin, his eyes focused and clear, without a trace of intimacy. After washing him, he carefully dried him with a soft cloth, then took one of his usual snow-white undershirts and loosely put it on Mingjian.

The oversized clothes made Mingjian's slender figure appear even more delicate, as if he were completely enveloped by his aura.

The curtains inside the room swayed slightly in the breeze.

Xiao Bumian leaned forward slightly and pressed his forehead against Mingjian's.

A searing pain immediately spread along their skin, quickly coursing through his entire body. The burning sensation gradually subsided, and Xiao Bumian's icy body slowly warmed, a near-normal body temperature developing within him. Having not experienced such a temperature in a long time, Xiao Bumian was momentarily disoriented.

He gently placed the few herbs he had taken from Ye Tanzhou on the low table by the bedside, making sure that Mingjian would see them as soon as he woke up the next day.

He will definitely be very happy.

Mingjian was also very happy to see the Blood Spirit Grass last time.

Thinking of that scene, Xiao Bumian's lips curved into a wider smile. He pulled Mingjian back into his arms, wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and held her firmly in his embrace.

He carefully examined the peaceful sleeping face of the person in his arms, his fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of Mingjian's slightly damp hair. Recalling the way Mingjian died in his dream, his eyes gradually filled with gloom.

Unfortunately, Gu Weishen had already been reduced to ashes by him, even his soul had dissipated into the world. Otherwise, even if he had to traverse the Netherworld River and reverse Yin and Yang, he would have definitely dragged out that person's remnant soul and killed him a thousand times over.

Thinking this, he lowered his head, his nose gently brushing against Mingjian's neck, inhaling the crisp medicinal fragrance intertwined with his own familiar cool sandalwood scent, completely enveloping Mingjian. A sense of almost satiated pleasure spread through his heart.

He no longer wants Mingjian to be his cat; he likes Mingjian and wants to marry her.

However, it seems that marriage requires dual cultivation.

Xiao Bumian frowned slightly, trying hard to recall the scattered records he had glimpsed in some corner of a storybook. His vague memory told him that dual cultivation required the fusion of the two people's spirit and body, and their minds to engage in intimate acts, but the prerequisite was... mutual affection.

Xiao Bumian's lips curved slightly, a faint smile appearing on his brows. Perfect, Mingjian also liked him, so he could cultivate together with Mingjian.

.

Xiao Bumian recalled how those people practiced dual cultivation, and based on that vague impression, he gently pressed his forehead against Mingjian's again.

Their skin touched, cool and smooth, yet he couldn't feel the same thrilling, tingling pleasure he had experienced before.

Last time, he only touched her lightly for a short while, and he felt just as comfortable as if Mingjian had kissed him for a very long time. His hands and feet were soft.

I want to keep kissing forever.

But even after they've been trying for a long time, they still haven't been able to enter Mingjian's consciousness.

Xiao Bumian wondered if it was because Mingjian was still unconscious.

Just as he was thinking this, Mingjian suddenly nuzzled his forehead. Xiao Bumian paused, and Mingjian's divine sense was activated.

Xiao Bumian originally intended to enter Mingjian's consciousness, but unexpectedly, he entered Mingjian's instead. Mingjian was clearly caught off guard and, following that connection, unknowingly probed into his domain.

Xiao Bumian: "..."

His consciousness was filled with filth; it was not a good place to go.

Fearing that he would frighten Mingjian, Xiao Bumian could only kill off the evil things in his consciousness one by one.

He usually ignored them, treating them like a swarm of buzzing flies, and simply shutting off his five senses. Those demons constantly clamored for him to compete for the Demon Lord's position, but he ignored them completely.

But things are different now; it wouldn't be good if Mingjian saw it.

So we still have to kill them.

The moment this thought arose, Xiao Bumian's vast and terrifying divine sense instantly transformed into the coldest killing intent, precisely locking onto the churning demonic shadows in the darkness. He carefully protected Mingjian's faint yet pure divine sense behind him and began the ruthless cleansing.

The lingering demonic thoughts that resided in his sea of ​​consciousness, upon sensing his arrival, were not afraid at all. Instead, they swarmed over like hyenas seeing their master, fawning and excited, chattering away.

"Your Majesty! You've finally arrived!"

"Has Your Majesty come to a realization and intends to lead us to unify the Demon Realm and restore our former glory?"

"Your subordinate is willing to be Your Majesty's vanguard!"

Xiao Bumian tilted his head, his pale face displaying an eerie purity amidst the distorted demonic shadows. He asked earnestly, even with a hint of annoyance, "Aren't you planning to leave my consciousness yet?"

The demons exchanged bewildered glances, each bearing bruises and welts. They often fought amongst themselves, each vying for the empty title of "Lord's Left and Right Protectors." Occasionally, when Xiao Bumian was in a particularly good mood, he would casually toss them a bottle or two of pills, which they treasured like precious gems, reluctant to consume them, treating them as an unparalleled honor.

In fact, they dared not do anything truly evil here. Apart from Xiao Bumian's own deterrent power, there was an even more terrifying sword spirit aura suppressing them from the depths, making them only able to make noise, but not daring to cross the line.

They originally planned to stay there until Xiao Bumian realized his mistake and wanted to dominate the Demon Realm.

Unexpectedly, he transformed into the Humble Immortal Venerable of Sword Bright Immortal Mountain, the leader of the Immortal Sect.

Even so, they remained undeterred and urged him to advance every day.

Xiao Bumian's reason for not wanting to be the Demon Lord was so flimsy that it made all the demons feel internally injured.

"I don't like the black clothes of the demons; they're too somber."

The demons remained silent for several days, and finally... they swallowed this outrageous reason.

After all, staying in Xiao Bumian's sea of ​​consciousness for a long time seemed much better than going out to face the chaotic Demon Realm.

Upon hearing that Xiao Bumian had taken the initiative to inquire, the demons were overjoyed, assuming that he had finally changed his mind and wanted to dominate the Demon Realm. They rushed to pledge their loyalty.

"If Your Majesty wishes, I will gladly die for you! I am willing to be Your Majesty's vanguard and crush the Southern Bank Demon Realm! I only ask that after this is accomplished, I may be granted the position of Your Majesty's Right Envoy!"

Having said that, the most eager demonic figure was the first to transform into a wisp of black smoke and burst out of Xiao Bumian's consciousness, seemingly eager to go to the front lines to expand his territory.

Seeing this, the other demons, fearing they would fall behind, hurriedly followed suit and surged out. In the blink of an eye, their previously noisy sea of ​​consciousness became empty.

Seeing that these "filthy things" had finally left on their own, Xiao Bumian spent some time carefully cleaning the remaining demonic energy and filth in his sea of ​​consciousness until it felt clean and pleasant. Only then did he wait contentedly for Mingjian's divine sense to explore. As for the loyalty shown by those demons, he didn't care at all.

But after waiting for a long time and still not seeing it, Xiao Bumian remembered that there was a place in his divine sense that he could not find.

With a thought, his divine sense swept to the boundary marker.

Sure enough, in that hazy halo, he found Mingjian.

It wasn't human-shaped, but rather a fluffy, snow-white ball of fur, curiously circling the boundary marker, occasionally reaching out its paw to tentatively touch it.

Xiao Bumian did not expect that Mingjian was more anxious than he had anticipated, and was already in a state of spiritual urgency.

He felt that since Mingjian had already transformed into a ball, this form must be even more beneficial for dual cultivation. So he imitated Mingjian, slowly gathering his divine sense and condensing it into a ball of pure black, with only a faint sheen on its surface.

He manipulated the black ball of dough, which rolled awkwardly in front of the white ball of dough, and in the most serious tone, extended an invitation for dual cultivation.

The white dumpling was clearly stunned, frozen in place for several seconds.

Then, as if he had seen something utterly unbelievable and hilarious, he suddenly burst into laughter, his whole body trembling with mirth. "Hahahaha! Xie... Xie Hanwei?! How come you... how come you're also a dumpling?! Hahahaha..."

How can Tuanzi practice dual cultivation? Did Xiao Bumian get beaten up or something during his trip? Is his brain not working properly anymore?

The black ball that Xiao Bumian had transformed into remained still, not angered by the mockery.

The last time he played this kind of spiritual game with Mingjian, Mingjian also looked just as confused, so it seems he overestimated Mingjian.

fool.

He silently made a judgment about Mingjian in his heart.

But that's alright, he can teach.

The black ball moved forward, cautiously extending an extremely thin strand of its divine soul tentacle, and gently touched the white ball that was still laughing so hard it was falling over.

Mingjian's laughter stopped abruptly.

The next second, an indescribable, tingling sensation, like a subtle electric current, suddenly erupted from the point of contact, instantly spreading to every corner of his soul, bringing a thrilling pleasure.

At the same time, within this unique space of consciousness, it was as if heaven and earth were merging, yin and yang were harmonizing. The edges of the two smooth, black and white balls began to blur, their auras gradually merging and slowly merging together.