The situation in the riverside became uncomfortable, especially for the woman who sat on a rough-hewn boulder. She couldn't help but steal a furtive stare at Renxian, who stood there half-naked, his clothes hanging on a makeshift wooden rack near the fire.
This was a turn of events she could never have anticipated. She found herself in the existence of an impenetrable man, a stranger with the remarkable strength to dispatch Mystical Beast—something that a low-level cultivator like her struggled with.
Indeed, in this dire situation, Renxian's was a beacon of solace. In the heart of the treacherous wilderness, where monstrous threats roam in wait everywhere, the woman's meager cultivation abilities confirm that she is inadequate to defend herself.
"Come, won't you join me for a meal?" Renxian's voice shattered the oppressive silence that had enveloped them, accompanied by the soothing crackling of the campfire.
With reluctance, the woman inched closer, her eye shifting nervously. Her hesitation was rooted in fear and also in a sense of embarrassment at the Renxian's sculpted shape. His chiseled form contradicted the aura he had exuded moments earlier.
As she summoned the courage to approach, she was taken aback, frozen in a spot with wide-eyed shock. Renxian was devouring his meal without a hint of seasoning, not a trace of spices, and whole mushrooms, eschewing the need for some preparation.
"What are you doing?" She asked with an expression of disappointment, still in shock at the sight.
Renxian, his gaze sheepish, responded, "What's the matter? Did I make a mistake?"
The woman's face turned sour, she sighed and unsheathed the blade she had at her waist. "You could have mentioned earlier if you couldn't cook!"
Swiftly, she took some of the fungi from Renxian and sliced them into small pieces, knelt on the pebbles. The sound of the metal against the stone thrived faster, and her impressive mincing technique is one of the most talented culinarians out there.
Renxian who took a look at the woman's deftness, was astonished and even waited his meal. "Well, I thought you might refuse if I needed help with that."
With remarkable precision, the woman deftly divided the antidote into carefully measured portions. Her eyes then darted around the campsite, searching for the right vessel. "Do you happen to have a container?"
Renxian nodded and extended his hand, presenting her with a small wooden bowl that he had carved himself. "This is all I have," he offered with a subtle sense of satisfaction.
With her sense of culinary finesse, the woman once more reached into a brown cloth satchel, fastened to her bum. From within, she created an assortment of fresh vegetables and fragrant spices. "These," she explained, "will add the flavor that sweetens the dish."
She sprinkled the aromatic spices onto the skewers that were set by the fire with a delicate touch. The flames danced, sending up a fragrant smoke that carried the scent of their meal.
The woman then turned towards Renxian, her expression tinged with a touch of bashfulness. "W-Would you like to taste it?" she stammered and didn't even meet Renxian's irises.
Renxian, after finishing one skewer, was struck dumb by the sudden change in her demeanor. With a closer look, he couldn't help but notice her sweetness, accentuated by her curvaceous figure, clearly defined by the tight leather attire she wore.
"May I?" Renxian inquired, extending his hand to take a skewer as she momentarily averted her gaze.
Unmistakably, the skewers had undergone a remarkable transformation, emitting an irresistible aroma. Without further ado, Renxian savored a bite, getting progressively lost in the delicious flavors.
"Oh, God! This is incredible!" Renxian exclaimed mid-meal, unable to contain his appetite. "You sure know how to make food taste better!"
She briefly skimmed at Renxian, then back down at the skewer adorned with mushrooms right in front of her. In a soft voice, she expressed her appreciation, "Thank you."
Renxian found himself enchanted by her as she indulged in her meal, her inherent shyness increased her magnetic attraction and left him allured. And then, suddenly, the hologram reappeared, sharing some information.
[Name: Siuxa
Age: 21 years
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Background: Slave
Height: 165 cm
Weight: 55 kg
Cultivation: Low Cultivator Gate 1]
Renxian was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the hologram, choking on his food. The sudden outburst startled Siuxa, who turned her concern towards him. "Are you alright?" She reached out, not sure how to aid.
With a series of hand motions and some reassuring nods, Renxian indicated that he was fine. He hurried himself to the river, bent down, and scooped up some water to help clear his throat. Each sip eased the irritation, yet he remained in a state of shock caused by the unexpected revelation.
"Are you serious?" Renxian contemplated, doubting the truth of the information.
[Yes, she has a dark past.]
[Quest: Get to know her more!]
"What is this? Don't throw a quest at me like this!" Renxian protested at the sudden proposition.
[No, it's optional. You can accept or decline. However, you will miss the chance for dual cultivation with her.]
"Are you nuts? I met her a few minutes back!" Renxian demanded further clarification, adamant that he would not engage in something so intimate with a stranger.
[Hence, this quest is conceived to help you become better acquainted with her, to increase your bond with her.]
[Besides, to accomplish dual cultivation, both parties must share an intense connection for the ritual to succeed. Also, would you be inclined to assist her in advancing to Gate 2? It appears she's had some difficulties.]
Renxian's mind was filled with contemplation. It wasn't because he was reluctant to help or hesitant to embrace the opportunity to fulfill the main mission, but rather because he was entering unfamiliar territory—a realm of a relationship that he had never ventured into before.
Yet, in this realm, he couldn't afford to let such a rare chance slip through his fingers, a chance that was almost unheard of in his last world. He knew he had to give it his best, utilize every resource at his disposal, and make a significant impact. But for now, he had to embark on the dual cultivation mission.
"Alright, I'm in," Renxian replied with closed eyes. "But I'm not sure where to begin."
[Don't worry; I will direct you with a few side quests to help you build a closer connection with her.]
[Side Quest (Siuxa): Get to know her name and make her feel comfortable.]
Renxian sighed; it seemed this task would take time and wouldn't be straightforward. Renxian, with determination, rose to his feet and returned to his original spot, sitting down beside Siuxa. She observed him with a mixture of astonishment and a faint blush that touched her cheeks as she noticed his figure.
"Apologies, I couldn't resist," Renxian chuckled as he settled into a cross-legged. "Your seasonings have truly transformed these skewers!"
Siuxa responded with a soft, modest smile, her chest feeling a bit tight from the sudden rush of emotions. "It's just a small touch, nothing much."
Taking another skewer from near the fire, Renxian continued, "Now that I think about it, how did you end up here?"
Siuxa waited for a moment, her eyes reflecting a hint of melancholy as she fiddled with her food. "I'm an adventurer, and I didn't realize I had ventured into the heart of the woods until that happened."
"It was a loud noise, a blast impact," Siuxa added, her voice softening as she spoke. "It steered me to this fungi area filled with scattered creatures."
Renxian, skewer in hand, hesitated to eat the meat. "Ah, I see. So that's how it went on."
"At that moment, I followed the trail of smoke, which led me here," Siuxa explained, her tone laced with a hint of regret. "I'm sorry; I never meant to intrude, but I felt like I had no other option."
Renxian, showing empathy for her circumstances, offered a consolation smile as he turned toward Siuxa. "You don't need to apologize. In the future, let me know if you need anything!"
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting Renxian's response to be so warm. She averted her face, attempting to conceal the fluttering emotions that had touched her deep down. Renxian's words had struck a chord within her, and she responded with a slight nod.
"Can we start over?" Renxian once again displayed his sociable demeanor, maintaining his mesmerizing smile. "What's your name?"
Siuxa bites her lower lips before speaking, "I... I'm Siuxa." Her eyes occasionally darted towards Renxian.
"It's nice to meet you, Siuxa," Renxian introduced himself with a skewer in hand. "I'm Renxian!"
[Side Quest (Siuxa): Get to know her name and make her feel comfortable. (Compleated)]
[Increased Siuxa's trust: 10℅]
[Side Quest (Siuxa): Invite her to be your companion.]
Renxian was startled as a sudden additional quest appeared. However, it seemed to flow naturally with their conversation, and he couldn't help but be curious about Siuxa's surprised reaction.
"Eh?" Siuxa froze in shock. Hearing that name had rekindled her fear, causing her breath to catch in her throat. She couldn't fathom that the individual they had been discussing out there was right in front of her.
"Wait, you... you're Renxian?" she stammered, her voice laden with anticipation. "The rogue cultivator?"