"Dual cultivation?"
"Yes," Su Qingyue said, "It is the process that takes place through marriage. A man and a woman unite their energies, share laughter, share sorrow, and help each other cultivate."
Mu Chen was somewhat shocked. He had never imagined getting married anytime soon, especially not in his current situation, trapped in a cultivation world where he knew no one.
The only person he knew was Su Qingyue, and that woman was clearly trying to make use of him. Now, she was proposing marriage to Mu Chen.
Obviously, Mu Chen could not refuse. He still did not fully understand how this world worked.
He was worried that the dual cultivation Su Qingyue had just mentioned would only bind him even deeper in shackles he would never be able to break.
"However, that cannot happen for now."
Su Qingyue gracefully stepped back to her throne. She sat down and leaned against it, crossing her legs as her head rested on one hand.
"Your cultivation... is still not sufficient to dual cultivate with me."
Mu Chen took a deep breath, then slowly let it out. What Su Qingyue had said was, at the very least, more than enough to calm him.
He did not know at what realm he and Su Qingyue would eventually marry. However, marriage was something sacred and pure, a lifelong bond as husband and wife.
Mu Chen realized that marrying this woman, especially with how dominant she was now, would only become the gateway to endless suffering for him.
"As for cultivation and realms, I still do not understand."
"There are three steps in cultivation. One step can contain many realms," Su Qingyue said.
Without removing the barrier surrounding her floating palace, Su Qingyue waved her hand. Sparks of qi energy drifted from between her fingers and formed the projection of a cultivator along with their realms.
Mu Chen looked at the projection. Before him was the form of a cultivator manifested from Su Qingyue's qi.
Through his eyes, he could clearly see the flow of qi within the projection's body, because the body itself was transparent.
Su Qingyue raised her head and also looked at the projection, adjusting it so Mu Chen could understand.
"Most cultivators begin from Body Tempering, the moment when body and mind are forged through extreme physical exercise."
"That only applies to those with weak spiritual roots, ones that are difficult to awaken through their own strength or by others."
Mu Chen watched as the bones and muscles within the projected body emitted a golden glow, a simple sign from Su Qingyue to illustrate each realm.
"After Body Tempering, the spiritual roots activate and qi absorption begins. A cultivator then enters the qi cultivation realm known as Qi Condensation."
"Then comes Foundation Establishment, followed by Core Formation, until one begins the birth of a true soul at Nascent Soul."
Su Qingyue continuously changed the projection according to the realm she was explaining. Mu Chen became increasingly interested in learning about it, something clearly new and challenging to him.
"For some cultivators, Nascent Soul is the peak of power they desire. By becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator, at the very least, you can establish your own sect or become the sect master of a mid-tier sect."
"At this stage, one's strength and cultivation are considered acknowledged by the cultivation world," Su Qingyue added.
"Is Nascent Soul truly the peak of cultivation power?" Mu Chen asked.
The woman before him, still sitting gracefully upon her throne, gently shook her head. She formed another orb of qi energy and brought forth a new projection.
"Those who seek comprehension of life, fate, and the laws of cause and effect must walk the steep path toward Soul Formation," Su Qingyue replied.
As she moved the projection, the woman continued explaining in detail, "To reach Soul Formation, one must comprehend the laws of nature and heaven. We call this the Dao."
"The Dao is born from a cultivator's comprehension through hundreds of years of cultivation experience, then they gain dao resonance through their connection with the laws of nature."
"Upon reaching Soul Formation, a cultivator should have already formed their own comprehension of the Dao, one bound to both mind and soul."
"The power of one's Dao can become unmatched if that cultivator truly comprehends the laws of nature to an absolute stage."
"The power of the soul increases, and birth transforms into primordial awakening. Ordinary soul attacks become useless against a primordial soul."
Mu Chen was truly astonished and filled with admiration.
At first, he had thought the xianxia world was simply a world that pursued power through levels and abilities. However, after listening to Su Qingyue, his perception changed.
True power did not come from physical ability or cultivation level, but from one's understanding of the Dao itself and the laws of nature.
I never expected... this world has such a complex structure.
"After Soul Formation comes Soul Transformation. The primordial soul's power becomes increasingly perfected, mortal needs are severed, and one's focus shifts from immortality to devotion toward the Dao."
"Dao Manifestation is the peak of the cultivation realm where one fully comprehends the Dao and the laws of cause and effect, to the point of being able to rule the cycle of reincarnation itself."
"There are two final realms at the peak of the First Step, Sovereign Soul and Ascendant."
"Sovereign Soul is the moment when the primordial soul aligns and resonates with the Dao, granting extraordinary transcendent power that can influence countless things."
"Ascendant is the stage where a cultivator leaves the physical vessel and enters a broader, absolute dimension, something unimaginable."
"The primordial soul transforms into an Immortal Soul. They can manifest themselves at will, and most no longer involve themselves in mortal affairs."
Su Qingyue glanced forward and waved her hand to the side, dispersing the qi projection before asking Mu Chen about his understanding of the cultivation realms.
"Do you understand?" Su Qingyue asked.
"Yes. However, you have not explained anything about the Second Step and the Third Step."
"It is far too early for you to know. Even if I forced the explanation upon you, you still would not necessarily understand," Su Qingyue replied.
Mu Chen fell silent, then responded by lowering his head and cupping his hands in salute.
Su Qingyue's explanation was clear and easy to understand. Luckily for Mu Chen, he had once read many books and texts related to Taoism.
But he understood that the concept of the Dao was far older and far more binding than anything he had ever read or imagined.
"Then what about the cultivation realm required for dual cultivation?" Mu Chen asked.
Su Qingyue smiled broadly, her eyes full of teasing as she looked at him. "You are becoming impatient, Mu Chen."
"That is not what I mean. I need to know so I can plan the most efficient way to reach that stage."
"At minimum, Golden Core, so I can help you advance to Nascent Soul. However, ideally it would be Nascent Soul, when your soul is strong enough to receive my energy," Su Qingyue said.
"May I ask about your realm?" Mu Chen asked.
The woman slowly nodded while still smiling, her gaze never leaving Mu Chen. "Soul... Transformation."
Does that mean she has already formed her own comprehension of the Dao?
Mu Chen fell silent, his eyes sweeping across the surroundings as he thought hard about a definite way to free himself from Su Qingyue.
He had no idea how long it would take for his strength to match or even surpass Su Qingyue's.
What was certain was that Su Qingyue likely would not advance realms anytime soon.
She needed the Primordial Origin Qi from Mu Chen's body, and she could only obtain it when the two of them engaged in dual cultivation.
Simply put, by the time Mu Chen successfully reached Nascent Soul, there was a possibility that Su Qingyue would still be trapped in Soul Transformation.
"You do not need to worry about the difference in strength between us. I will help you in your cultivation," Su Qingyue said.
Mu Chen nodded with a blank expression and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Master Su."
The woman gracefully nodded her head, then turned and snapped her fingers. The sound of that snap alone was more than enough to deactivate the barrier surrounding her palace.
"Bai Han," Su Qingyue said.
One of the men flying upon his sword landed on the palace floor and knelt respectfully before Su Qingyue.
"Your order, Grand Sect Master?"
"Mu Chen is officially my disciple. Take him to Mount Jiuxiao and guide him until I return."
Bai Han obeyed without objection. He turned and gestured for Mu Chen to leave with him. Su Qingyue suddenly raised her hand, stopping Bai Han.
"Wait!"
The woman moved faster than the blink of an eye, arriving in front of Mu Chen amidst particles of golden light. Mu Chen was shocked by Su Qingyue's speed.
Without warning, she kissed Mu Chen's cheek, causing Bai Han to freeze in shock. Everyone from Tianyin Sect was just as stunned as Bai Han.
Mu Chen stood there, frozen in disbelief, his hands and mind too slow to react to what Su Qingyue had just done.
"Wait for me to come home, Mu Chen."
With both hands trembling as he witnessed Su Qingyue's obsession, Mu Chen cupped his hands and lowered his head.
"I... take my leave, Master Su."