Chapter 59
Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Elder Han Ryeo-un (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Copulation confirmed. Compatible dual cultivation technique confirmed. What would you like to copy?] [1. Spiritual Root 2. Aptitude 3. Abilities 4. Vitality] First off, reaching the Gathering Qi Realm didn't change the fact that sex allowed me to absorb abilities. I could still take in spiritual roots, aptitude, abilities, and vitality, just as before.
However, Yuk-gyeong could sense that absorbing abilities had become smoother and more precise.
But copy?
Does that mean it's copying if there's a compatible dual cultivation method?
Spiritual root could be fully copied, aptitude could be shared, one ability could be shared, and vitality... that was about the level of realm advancement you could get from a standard dual cultivation method?
The essence gained from a standard dual cultivation method came from the exchange of essence, which was only about half the absorption efficiency.
Spiritual root, aptitude, and abilities each had their merits, but vitality actually had less appeal.
Still, aptitude and abilities were exceptionally beneficial. Since it copied them without taking from the partner. And vitality was copied too, so it was essentially copying their realm.
Hmm, Elder Han from Jade Woman Peak was famous for her outstanding aptitude.
She was an elder renowned for reaching Core Formation despite having a four-element spiritual root.
In that case, there was only one choice.
Aptitude it is!
Vitality later! Stabilizing the realm was more important right now than advancing it!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ === Name: Yi Yuk-gyeong (Han Sang-sik) Aptitude: Supreme Realm: (Three Calamities) Gathering Qi Realm Early Abilities: Pluck Yin to Supplement Yang, Plunder, Foresight Fist, Fire Control, Cultivation Obsession, Spatial Perception Trait: Single Spiritual Root (Metal) === Ooh, my head feels clearer, sharper somehow.
His aptitude jumping from upper-mid to supreme felt like the difference between an inorganic object without spiritual land and a living being with one awakened. The gap in aptitude was that vast.
Upper-mid was certainly excellent, but supreme was on another level entirely.
This supreme aptitude let him memorize the entire chamber arts manual—six full pages—in an instant.
He took it all in at a glance and etched it into his mind.
Then he adjusted his posture exactly as the instructions dictated.
As expected of Ryeo-un with her superior aptitude; she was already shifting into the positions guided by the chamber arts. Matching her skilled adjustments, Yuk-gyeong finally moved in sync.
With their exceptional aptitudes, from the start they performed like people who had practiced chamber arts for decades.
"Hah, hah."
"Ah! Haah! Ahh!"
As they tried the chamber arts, a unique rhythm emerged. Immersed in it, swaying their hips naturally circulated their inner energy and essence.
The two cultivated through sex.
This produced even greater pleasure.
"There, right there—it feels so good!"
"Here? Like this?"
Yuk-gyeong targeted her sensitive spots based on Ryeo-un's reactions.
They followed the dual cultivation method at first, but soon their brilliant aptitudes allowed them to refine it for the better.
Toward greater pleasure, better circulation of essence and inner energy.
To be precise, it wasn't rewriting the entire method but optimizing it.
This ability to selectively adapt and reassemble the dual cultivation method was something only two people with supreme aptitude could achieve while practicing it together.
Slap-slap-slap!
At their joined parts, wet, sticky sounds rang out amid copious fluids.
Ryeo-un was gushing so much it seemed like all the moisture in her body might drain away, and Yuk-gyeong was lost in those very juices.
"Haa, this is driving me crazy."
"Mmm, mm! Haah!"
Her folds kneaded and stimulated his shaft, the slick fluids making it all the messier.
Yuk-gyeong could no longer hold back the rising urge to climax. From Ryeo-un's reactions, he sensed she was on the brink too.
Together, they peaked at the same moment.
"Urgh! Ugh! I'm coming!"
"Yes, give it to me! Hngh!"
Yuk-gyeong collapsed atop Ryeo-un, who clung to him fiercely. Reaching climax simultaneously, they trembled and savored the ecstasy.
For a long while, they held each other, feeling one another's warmth.
.
.
.
Once the mindless sex ended, an excruciating awkwardness filled the space between them.
The embracing, biting, and sucking were now in the past. Like a man and woman who had spent the night fueled by alcohol, Ryeo-un and Yuk-gyeong could only fumble awkwardly for their clothes.
Ryeo-un dressed far quicker than Yuk-gyeong.
She watched him dress in silence for a bit, then suddenly turned her head away, embarrassed.
No matter that it was due to an aphrodisiac—an elder consorting with a disciple... If word got out, she'd never be able to show her face again.
But what was done was done; regrets couldn't undo it.
Ryeo-un composed herself, adopting a stern elder's dignity, and addressed Yuk-gyeong.
"You're the single spiritual root holder from the outer sect, aren't you?"
"That's what everyone thinks."
Yuk-gyeong nodded as he fastened his robes.
Now fully dressed, Ryeo-un asked,
"When did you reach the Gathering Qi Realm? You were definitely at Response Qi before. That's why I told the Gathering Qi disciples to protect you well..."
Now, Yuk-gyeong wouldn't need protection from the inner Gathering Qi disciples—he'd be the one protecting them. His aura felt close to mid-Gathering Qi, making him on par with the sect's elite inner disciples.
Each elder had only one direct disciple. The rest were named disciples or just regular inner disciples.
So Yuk-gyeong was now one of the top powerhouses among the Radiant Moon Sect disciples who had deployed.
"It just sort of happened. Really, it did."
Just sort of happened? Did people really reach Gathering Qi like that?
To ordinary ears, Yuk-gyeong's words sounded like a blatant lie.
But Elder Han Ryeo-un—who had been hailed a genius with her superior aptitude and reached Core Formation at over 150 years old—could understand him.
That said, she had no special response to his casual claim of stumbling into Gathering Qi.
A long silence stretched out.
Then Ryeo-un blurted,
"I won't take you as my disciple."
Sex was one thing, but a master-disciple relationship? They'd already crossed that line once—what was to stop a second time if they got too close? It would be incestuous. Like a disciple shoving his dick into his master's pussy, the same as with one's parents.
Would the Radiant Moon Sect tolerate such depravity?
Her declaration made perfect sense.
Though her tone suggested she wouldn't form any other close ties with him either. Master-disciple was off the table, at any rate.
Yuk-gyeong nodded readily.
A bit disappointing. A master-disciple bond while continuing their affair sounded thrilling and full of tension.
"Do as you like."
At his nonchalant reply, Elder Han nitpicked.
"Insolent toward an elder."
"As you wish, Elder Granny."
At his cheeky response, Elder Han stifled a laugh and snorted.
"Hmph. Wonder which elder would take a punk like you as a disciple. Though some might because you're a single spiritual root holder."
Especially the Metal Elder—the strongest among them, at late Core Formation.
Ryeo-un held back from saying there were many elders interested, lest Yuk-gyeong get arrogant.
"The Jang Clan isn't opposing it? Don't they have the elders locked down?"
"As if the Jang Clan matters that much. Plenty of elders don't play their faction games. Elder Bu, whom you serve, is one of them."
"Why did Elder Bu take me into the Herb Hall? That was when the Jang Clan viewed me most unfavorably, wasn't it? Even if I have talent, was it really so easy a decision?"
This had been nagging at him for a while.
What was Elder Bu aiming for by picking him? Just the fire control ability?
An elder wouldn't reassign an exclusive herb worker over a single talent.
If it was purely about talent, leaving him as a regular herb worker would suffice. Declaring him exclusive meant taking on the political burden too.
That wasn't a simple matter. It was akin to becoming his patron.
To reach elder status, one needed political savvy. If Elder Bu were obsessed only with pills, he'd never have become an elder—let alone at Gathering Qi Realm. No political calculus, no way.
So why had Elder Bu shouldered the burden of Yuk-gyeong?
"So full of yourself. Yes, it wasn't an easy decision. Elder Bu... was probably acting on the Elder Hall's wishes."
Elder Hall?
Ah, was that where the old man lying in bed was? He seemed impressive—turns out he was an elder.
Suddenly, it clicked for Yuk-gyeong.
"So the Elder Hall ordered it."
Damn. I thought it was because he liked me, but it was the higher-ups?
Yuk-gyeong had shared genuine camaraderie with Elder Bu over time. Those moments must have left indelible marks on both.
Yet knowing they stemmed from Elder Hall orders brought an unexpected sense of betrayal.
"Do you think Elder Bu is the type to be ordered around? If he didn't like you, he'd have refused even on pain of death."
Hmm, true enough.
Would Elder Bu's personality let him accept something he hated? He'd sooner kick and scream he'd rather die than take it on.
No matter the Elder Hall, Elder Bu wasn't one to bow to such authority.
With that thought, Yuk-gyeong's heart warmed.
In the end, Elder Bu took me on because he liked me.
This irresistible human charm of mine.
"You're right. Elder Bu's never been fully honest."