In the old wooden house that looked weathered, children were having fun in the extensive front yard. Filled with lush vegetation and beautiful flowers. However, their exhilaration was dashed when the old man arrived with two visitors they didn't recognize.
The children's watchful eyes were fixed on Renxian, the man bun who simply glanced at them and then continued to stride. Unlike Renxian, they were mesmerized by the woman next to him. The woman named Siuxa with her blue robes—that had been borrowed from Renxian—responded with a smile.
"Wow, that sister is beautiful!" exclaimed the round face kid whose eyes were sparkling.
At that moment, Siuxa halted and turned around, drawing near to the thin-haired lad. "Really? Do you think so?"
He nodded with a cute blush on his face. "You are beautiful, sister! More beautiful than Saomei!"
Although Siuxa didn't know who it was she just chuckled at the character of the child before her. She gently stroked his hair as she said, "Thank you! You're so kind!"
"Siuxa, this is not the time for that!" Renxian who turned around tried to make Siuxa realize that there was something important that they should know.
The woman nodded and rose to her feet, waving. "See you later!" While head back towards Renxian there.
"This is a rare moment in my life," said Uris with a hunched form taking off the sandals and coming into the wooden house environment. "To be able to talk to Sanxiu like this."
Renxian and Siuxa both removed their footwear, stepping onto the floor that felt cold with the screeching sound. Letting the village chief in front of them open the door as he said, "Please come in."
They were welcomed with an exceptional assortment of antiques in the living room. Not only were the paintings aesthetically pleasing, but wicker decorations adorned various corners, exuding a delightful natural aroma. These simple elements still managed to exude a sense of magnificence.
"Have a seat, I'll make some drinks first," said Uris who strolled inside.
"Thank you, elder!" Siuxa exclaimed with a deep bow, while Renxian still stood around. "What were you doing earlier?"
"Eh? What? Which one?" Renxian quickly veered around his head in confusion, not figuring out the meaning of the black-haired woman who was tied back.
"At the inn earlier!" Siuxa retorted. "What the hell with that technique, you almost knocked all the bandits unconscious!"
She inexplicably looked away, folding her arms across her chest. "At least leave some for me to show my skills too!"
Siuxa's behavior made Renxian chuckle. Of course, he was out of control at that time, wiping out all the bandits and leaving one survivor was too much. After all, they didn't cease to resist the man at all. He didn't have numerous options left other than fighting corrupted humans like them.
He then sat down on the rattan mat and replied, "Ok, alright, after this I will let you face them all."
Siuxa followed Renxian and also sat next to him, still hesitant to look at the man. "Not all of them, to be honest. I don't have a chance to face Gate 2 cultivator and above, you know?"
This strange demeanor made Renxian wonder, where has their relationship come to this time. He then said in his mind, "Siuxa's Relation Information."
[Name: Siuxa
Bond: 45℅
Trust: 50℅
Sex Interest: 20℅]
"Wait, what?" Renxian frowned, unable to accept the data he acquired. "Sex interest?"
[Yes. It will determine if she wants to have sexual intercourse. You can always check this data to make sure Dual Cultivation flows without a hitch.]
"What is their method?" Sanxiu was too curious, still not compassionate. "Do tell me."
[Unlike (Bond) and (Trust), (Sex Interest) could rise with certain external factors. If Siuxa is aroused, of course, this data will increase without having to be influenced by (Bond) or (Trust).]
[While (Trust) will be affected by your relationship with her. It will rise up or down according to what you do to her. (Side Quest) will benefit you to increase this as well as the warm conversations between you and her.]
[For (Bond) is the main parameter in your success in Dual Cultivation. (Bond) will increase based on (Trust). There's not much from (Side Quest) to support this data except from (Trust). Doesn't trust make you close to someone?]
"Makes sense," Renxian nodded and directed his eyes to Uris who arrived with fruits.
Next to him, there is a woman who wears simple rustic attire that emphasizes her voluptuous figure. Renxian could hardly look away as she bent down to deliver the tea from the tray she was carrying, the cleavage of her slender chest.
"Sorry to bother you, chief," Siuxa whimpered and lowered her head, followed by Renxian after he received a subtle tap from her.
The elder then sat down with folded knees, together with the woman in her braided brown hair slides to her left shoulder. "I wouldn't have thought that Sanxiu had someone on his wander."
Renxian turned to Siuxa who was linked to him. "It would be monotonous when there is no one to talk to."
"It seems the rumor about your aversion to socializing is unfounded," the two wrinkled eyes stretched his sight downward, toward the treats. "And the reason you want to chat like this, already proves that you are different."
Renxian offered an awkward smile, of course, he did not reflect the earlier Renxian at all. Uris took a sip of his tea and set the cup back on the saucer as he introduced, "I apologize for the oversight; this is my daughter, Saomei."
Siuxa opened her mouth, and it turned out that this individual was the one the kids were referred to. While their comments held some truth, it was undeniable that Saomei's curvaceous form had an advantage that Siuxa did not share.
"I'm Renxian, and this is Siuxa," Renxian stammered as he introduced himself. There was something that felt strange about Saomei. She was incessantly looking after Renxian with a watch that could be described as... seductive.
[Name: Saomei
Age: 32 years old
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Background: Widow
Height: 157 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Cultivation: Not Cultivate]
"This is bad," Renxian thought and closed his eyes. "Are you sure about this?"
[Yes. There is nothing to lose! She seems to want you.]
"What do you mean?" the man said.
[Name: Saomei
Bond: 0℅
Trust: 20℅
Sex Interest: 80℅]
"Are you kidding me? In a situation like this?" Renxian tried to keep calm. Not think too much about the fact that Saomei's current status might be craving for a male touch. "You're saying that this dual cultivation won't work if the bond between the two is too low, right?"
[Correct. But, in the meantime. You might build a connection with her, and help her to cultivate even if it is only at Gate 1.]
Renxian released a deep breath, feeling somewhat uneasy as he noticed Siuxa's awareness of Saomei, who remained fixated on him. Until the invisible tension was broken by the village chief's voice, "Let's start this core conversation. About those bandits you defeat."
"This village was once devoid of guard, and my concerns went unnoticed despite my efforts to raise a voice to them," Uris continued.
"Perhaps this village was too difficult to reach because it went into the core of the forest, so they sent them, those bandits," the elder explained and looked down with a sad look in his eyes. "Even though they did what they desired, they demonstrated that they could safeguard us from outside."
He rose his head, scrutinizing Renxian and Siuxa. "So, they are our hope that you have made unconscious."
"I'm afraid if word of this reaches the County Magistrate, they will recall our bandits back," Uris altered her stance, directing his full attention to the two cultivators before him. "So please, stay here for a while until they better themselves."
Renxian furrowed his brow. Why did he have to endure all of this? Weren't they the ones who ought to harm him? "Your conclusion might be mistaken. They initiated this conflict, and I don't owe them."
"I know," he said then bowed, about to kowtow. "But with Sanxiu's kindness, will you defend our village? As the chief here, I will award you authorization to obtain all the necessities you request."
Renxian then turned to Siuxa who seemed to be thinking the same thing. What a coincidence, they came to this village to fulfill their provisions for their adventure. This was an incredible chance that should not be wasted. Siuxa then nodded, giving Renxian confidence.
"Until they better themselves, right?" Renxian confirmed once more, that he wouldn't want to be their guard if it wasn't under these sudden circumstances. He wanted to wander around, finding out things he didn't know before!
Uris nodded, his smile warm. "That's correct. They should regain their health in a few days. After that, you are free."
Renxian took a deep breath. "Alright, we're in!"
The elder widened his eyes, his face radiant upon hearing Renxian's response. "Thank you so much, Sanxiu. I knew you weren't the person most people out there rumored you to be."
Siuxa, however, her brown eyes caught a strange expression on Saomei's face. She sensed something was amiss with the woman. She smiled and extended her cheeks which seemed rather sinister.