Chapter 15: Binding and Brotherhood
As Shen Yuan sat on a flat stone platform within the cave, his gaze rested on the mysterious woman lying nearby. He took a deep breath, sinking into a state of cultivation, letting the serene mountain energy flow through his meridians. His mind, however, was only partly focused on cultivation; his thoughts kept drifting toward the strange system that had appeared in his life recently—a phenomenon he hadn't expected outside of fiction.
"System," he commanded silently, "open Binding Panel."
In response, a faint hum filled the air, and a translucent screen materialized before him.
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[Ding... Binding Panel Opened]
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Shen Yuan's eyes scanned the list of names that appeared, softly glowing on the panel.
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[Candidates: Xun'er, Xiao Yu, Xiao Yi Xian, Shen Yuan, Yun Yun]
[Choosable candidates: Yun Yun]
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A flicker of recognition and excitement crossed his face. He had read stories about characters with similar systems in cultivation novels, and to think he was actually living it now—it was almost surreal. But there was no hesitation in his decision.
"System, bind Yun Yun," he ordered calmly.
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[Ding... Yun Yun Bound Successfully. Feedback Increased Tenfold.]
[Reward: "Sect Master" Title Unlocked]
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The panel faded, and a subtle wave of power seemed to settle within him. Rising to his feet, Shen Yuan stepped outside the cave, drawing in the cool mountain air to steady himself. A few minutes later, he returned to find the mysterious woman now sitting up, leaning on her palms, a faint, knowing smile on her face.
"You're back," she greeted him, her tone light but curious.
Shen Yuan nodded, meeting her gaze with an easy smile of his own. He already knew her real identity—Yun Zhi, or rather, Yun Yun, Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect. His mind flashed back to stories of her from his past life, and while others might have been shocked, he felt a quiet thrill that confirmed his instincts. This was the world he had read about, and now he had his own path to carve in it.
He produced a few fat fish he had caught earlier, lighting a small fire as he arranged them over the flames on wooden skewers. "Are you feeling any better?" he asked, glancing over.
She rose gracefully and approached, a faint floral scent accompanying her movements. Her delicate brows knitted together in a small frown as she sighed. "The flesh wounds are easy enough to handle. But the seal technique—that will take a few days to undo."
"Then rest here for now," Shen Yuan said, sprinkling a blend of seasonings on the fish. "This spot is hidden, so you should be safe."
Her expression softened slightly, but her eyes held a hint of curiosity as she watched him prepare the food with practiced ease. Her tattered gown had been replaced with his spare black cloak, and despite its plainness, her natural elegance made it look regal. She seated herself beside him, her poise effortless, her eyes fixed on him with a kind of reserved interest.
After a moment, she spoke. "It takes courage to venture into the Magic Beast Mountain Range with the strength of a Dou Zhe."
A small chuckle escaped him. "Not much of a choice, really. I was chased in."
She nodded, amusement flickering in her eyes. "And your name?"
"Shen Yuan," he replied as he carefully turned the fish over the flames.
"Shen Yuan." She repeated it thoughtfully, as if testing the sound of it. "You may call me Yun Zhi."
Shen Yuan nodded in understanding, though a small smile played on his lips. He knew her real identity, but Yun Yun clearly preferred to keep it hidden for now. He respected that and decided to go along with her choice.
They lapsed into silence for a while, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts as the fish continued to cook. When it was done, Shen Yuan handed her a skewer, and she took it with a graceful nod of thanks. Tearing off a piece of meat, she ate with a quiet elegance that made Shen Yuan suddenly aware of his own, far less refined style.
As they ate, her gaze flicked over to the small collection of jade bottles beside him. "Are you an Alchemist?" she asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.
"Uh, Physician…" he replied, brushing off her question lightly. He preferred not to advertise his true abilities just yet.
She inclined her head in understanding, though he saw a faint flicker of disappointment in her eyes. While the title of Physician was respectable, it lacked the prestige and status that Alchemists commanded in this world.
After a thoughtful pause, she spoke again. "I have a friend who is an Alchemist. When I'm finished here, I could introduce you to him in Jia Ma Empire, if you're interested."
Her offer gave Shen Yuan a moment of pause, but he shook his head with a polite smile. "Thank you, but I already have a teacher."
A hint of surprise crossed her face, as though she hadn't expected him to turn down her offer. Her introduction was a rare privilege, and for someone to refuse it so easily—it was unusual, to say the least. Yet, after a moment, she nodded in understanding.
The conversation fell quiet, and they continued eating in companionable silence. When Shen Yuan finished his meal, he set his skewer aside and stood to stretch before settling cross-legged on a stone slab. Forming a cultivation seal with his hands, he let his eyes drift closed and began to focus inward.
Meanwhile, Yun Yun watched him thoughtfully. Her gaze lingered on his form as he settled into his training, studying his posture, his breathing, the flow of energy through his body. Her brows drew together as she observed him more closely.
"This technique…" she muttered softly, almost to herself. "It's so basic. His teacher must be an incredibly stingy person."
Her gaze softened with a tinge of sympathy. For someone as promising as Shen Yuan, training with such a low-level Qi Method was a disservice. In her heart, she made a small promise—once her own mission was complete, she would find a way to help him, to ensure that his potential wouldn't be wasted on inadequate resources.
She sighed, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she closed her eyes and resumed her own cultivation, focusing her energy on breaking the seal that the Amethyst Winged Lion had inflicted upon her.
The following days passed in this manner, with Shen Yuan diligently tending to the cave, ensuring they had food, and keeping the space secure. Through his careful attention, they grew accustomed to each other's presence, sharing quiet moments over meals and exchanging stories. As Yun Yun worked to dissolve the seal within her, she found herself growing fonder of the young man who treated her not as a revered Sect Master, but as an equal.
It was an unfamiliar feeling for her. People had always spoken to her with a mixture of fear and respect, but here, she could be herself—a warrior, a cultivator, and a woman with her own burdens and struggles. And Shen Yuan, despite his knowledge of her true identity, respected her desire for secrecy.
During this time, their bond deepened. Yun Yun's noble demeanor softened around him, and Shen Yuan began to open up, sharing small details about his journey, his dreams, and his ambitions. And though he didn't say it, his actions spoke to her clearly—he would protect her, for as long as she needed.
For Shen Yuan, this time with Yun Yun was transformative. He saw her not just as a powerful cultivator, but as someone who had risen to greatness through hardship and strength. Each conversation with her inspired him, driving his own determination to reach higher levels of cultivation. And he felt a newfound purpose in his path; with her as his ally, he knew he wasn't alone in this vast, daunting world of cultivation.
One evening, as they sat by the fire, Shen Yuan glanced over at her. "Once your wounds are healed," he asked, breaking the comfortable silence, "do you still plan to face the Amethyst Winged Lion?"
She nodded, her expression turning serious. "Yes. I need the Amethyst Spirit Crystal for my mission. It's the only way."
He frowned slightly, recalling the lion's overwhelming power. "Are you sure you can defeat it?"
Her lips curled in a small, confident smile. "Its strength may be slightly greater, but I've learned from our last encounter. The Amethyst Seal caught me off guard, but my Extreme Wind: Meteor Kill will be enough to take it down this time."
Shen Yuan nodded, respecting her determination, though concern still flickered in his gaze. He admired her resolve, her unwillingness to back down, even in the face of a terrifying opponent.
As the fire crackled, Shen Yuan found himself promising silently, If you face the Amethyst Winged Lion again, I'll be there to support you, one way or another.
In the coming days, as Yun Yun neared the dissolution of her seal, they prepared for the eventual battle that lay ahead, their bond now as strong as the trust that had quietly grown between them. And in the quiet of the mountain cave, both felt a renewed sense of purpose, ready to face whatever the cultivation path had in store.