Chapter 10: The Dao Body and Its Implications
The night had passed, leaving the Supreme Celestial Sect bathed in the soft morning light. Zhang Xian stood in his private chamber, his thoughts still lingering on the connection he had shared with He Ruxue the night before. The dual cultivation had brought them closer, and now, a sense of peace settled over him, as though a weight had been lifted.
But even as he basked in the calm, there was something else on his mind—something that had emerged during the connection. He had sensed a deeper truth about Ruxue's Dao Physique, a knowledge that both intrigued and worried him. The Dao Body was not a simple power. If he was right, it had consequences that neither of them had fully considered.
As if summoned by his thoughts, He Ruxue appeared at the door, her figure as graceful as ever, though there was a certain tension in her posture today. Zhang Xian looked up from his desk, his gaze meeting hers, and instantly, he knew that she was thinking about the same thing.
"Master," Ruxue began, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of concern. "I… feel a change within me after last night. Not just in my power, but in something deeper."
Zhang Xian nodded slowly, gesturing for her to sit beside him. "I felt it too, Ruxue. The bond we shared last night went beyond mere cultivation. There's something I need to tell you. Something important about your Dao Physique."
Ruxue's expression grew more serious as she sat beside him. "What do you mean?"
"The Dao Body, especially in a cultivator of your caliber, is not a simple matter," Zhang Xian began, choosing his words carefully. "It is a profound power, but it also carries certain implications. You may already know that the Dao Physique, when cultivated by a man, grants infinite vigor, but in the case of a woman, it is different."
Ruxue's eyes narrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean by different, Master?"
Zhang Xian took a deep breath. "For a woman with the Dao Physique, the cultivation process can enhance her beauty, strength, and vitality, but there is also the potential for other... consequences. The body becomes more attuned to the flow of life and creation, making conception easier. The bond that we share through dual cultivation, while powerful, can also carry the risk of pregnancy. Your body will naturally respond to the union of energies, and in some cases, it may result in a child."
He paused, watching for her reaction. "I don't want to pressure you, Ruxue, but it is important that we understand the full scope of this power, especially since we have bound ourselves so deeply. It's not just our energies that are entwined—our futures may be too."
For a moment, Ruxue said nothing. Her expression was unreadable, but Zhang Xian could feel the subtle shifts in her aura, the slight tremor in her breath. She was processing this information, and he knew that it wasn't something easily digested.
"I... I didn't realize," Ruxue said softly, her voice quieter than usual. "I knew the Dao Physique was powerful, but I never imagined it carried such weight. If I had known, I would have been more careful."
Zhang Xian leaned forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It is not a matter of caution, Ruxue. It's about understanding and control. The Dao Physique is a gift, and with it comes responsibility. You need to know that this bond, between us, goes beyond the physical—it affects our very lives. And should the time come, we will face it together."
Ruxue's gaze softened as she looked into his eyes, understanding slowly replacing the concern in her own. "I trust you, Master. I know that we will face whatever comes together. But… what about the child? What will we do if…"
Zhang Xian interrupted gently. "That is something we will decide when the time comes. For now, we will continue cultivating, growing stronger together, and learning about this power. If it happens, it is not something to fear, but something we will embrace as part of our bond. There is no need to rush into anything we're not ready for."
He Ruxue nodded slowly, her gaze distant for a moment. "I see. I... never considered this possibility. But it is as you say. We will face whatever comes next, together."
A long silence fell between them, and Zhang Xian could sense the depth of Ruxue's thoughts, the complexity of the emotions swirling within her. It was clear that the weight of her Dao Physique, the responsibility of their bond, was far from trivial. Yet, he had no doubt that she would rise to meet it, just as she had with every challenge before.
After a while, Ruxue looked back at him, her expression firm once more. "Master, I know this is a serious matter. I will continue to cultivate with the same dedication as before. But I also want to make sure we are fully prepared for whatever might come."
Zhang Xian smiled, proud of her resolve. "That is all I ask, Ruxue. We will continue to learn, continue to grow. Together."
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Later that day, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Zhang Xian found himself deep in thought, contemplating the implications of the Dao Body. He had always known that the path of cultivation was fraught with risks, but this was a new dimension of responsibility he had not fully understood until now.
As for He Ruxue, she had always been a disciple of great wisdom and strength, and Zhang Xian knew that she would not shy away from the challenges ahead. Together, they would face whatever came their way—be it cultivation, enemies, or the possibility of a child. The bond they had formed was one of strength, but also of trust and understanding.
For now, the future remained uncertain, but one thing was clear: no matter what came next, Zhang Xian and He Ruxue would face it as partners, their paths intertwined in more ways than one.
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End of Chapter 10