Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

As Lucas stepped out of Princess Nyx's chamber, he could still hear the faint rustle of silk and the distant scuffle of feet, subtle signs of Nyx regaining her composure. Her pride was strong, and her will even stronger, but Lucas had seen the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes before she dismissed him. He admired that about her, the restraint she fought so hard to maintain even when the odds were bent against her.

As he walked through the hallway, his expression was calm, but inwardly, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He hadn't expected her to resist so stubbornly, but that made the game all the more thrilling. He had only infused a moderate level of Yang energy, nothing overwhelming, just enough to loosen the rigidity of her meridians and stir her senses. But when his palm had met the center of her back, right beneath the spine, he had poured in a precise strand of energy. That one would linger, subtle, slow-burning, like embers buried beneath ash. It would keep her restless, yearning, thinking of him more than she intended.

That, too, was part of his plan.

Not to exploit, but to establish a bond, a link that he could call upon when needed. Nyx was a powerful piece on the board, one with pride, influence, and a lineage that commanded fear and respect. Winning her over was never going to be about brute force or seductive whispers. It had to be gradual, deliberate. And now, the first threads were being woven.

He turned a corner and finally arrived at the entrance of his own chamber. The guards stationed there gave a polite nod and opened the doors without question. Lucas stepped inside, greeted by the familiar warmth of the room, dimly lit by the glow of the Qi lanterns. The scent of incense still lingered faintly in the air, soothing and grounding.

He closed the door behind him, this time with no need for silence. As he walked deeper into the room, his gaze fell on Lira, still seated in meditation, steady and composed. A brief look of pride crossed his face again.

But now, his mind was elsewhere. He sat down on the edge of the bed, pulled out a small jade vial from his robes, and opened it. A faint shimmer of alchemical mist escaped. He had more preparations to make, especially now that the alchemists' meeting was drawing near. He had made his move with Nyx, and she would not forget it, that was enough for now.

A realization hit him that while his cultivation was progressing steadily, he hasn't been ranked in alchemy, his achievements rested only on the laurels of knowledge and theory.

He lit the lamps in his room, the soft glow casting shadows across the wooden table where a variety of herbs and minerals were already arranged. He had acquired them over the past few days, small purchases from trusted royal apothecaries and hidden ingredients he kept from prying eyes. One by one, he examined them, mentally noting their properties, compatibility, and reactions when merged under a particular flame or spiritual signature.

He reached for his flask and poured clean water into the small alchemy cauldron, setting it atop the gentle flame he summoned with a flicker of Qi. The warmth spread, subtle but steady, and then he added the first root, Crimson Vein Thistle, its fibers delicate and reactive. As it began to dissolve, he closed his eyes and slowly channeled his Yang energy into the base of the mixture, tempering it with care and precision. This was not a pill of power, nor a medicinal cure. It was a simple energy-replenishing tonic, but its success depended on balance and patience.

Time passed quietly, only the bubbling of the cauldron and the occasional crackle of fire breaking the stillness. The scent of herbaceous steam began to fill the room, earthy and sharp. As he added more ingredients, a shimmer of golden glow began to swirl within the pot. He took note of the reaction. His fingers worked fluidly, his knowledge guiding him, but he quickly noticed the flaws, his hand was not yet as steady as it should be, his Qi not as responsive to the alchemical channels. Still, he pressed on.

Tonight wasn't about success. It was about preparing for the test. He worked for hours, refining several batches, watching them fail, watching them succeed, learning from each one without pride or frustration. By the time he finally stopped, dawn was just beginning to peek through the tall windows of his chamber. His robes were soaked in sweat, but there was a clarity in his gaze now.

In two days, he would be summoned to the circle of elder alchemists. There, they would not care about his background, his talents in cultivation, or the favor of the King. They would judge him as they judged all, through skill, refinement, and mastery of the craft. And for that, he needed more than knowledge. He needed control, confidence, and precision.

He looked down at the final potion he had completed just before sunrise. The liquid was clear, its hue a faint blue, its spiritual signature calm and stable. Not perfect, but acceptable. It was a start.

Xavier placed the vial into a sealed case, then slowly stood and stretched. Two days. That was the time he had to become more than just a prodigy with potential. He had to become a ranked alchemist worthy of Valerion's trust and worthy of his own legacy.

Soon, Lira stirred from her seated position near the far end of the chamber, the gentle hum of lingering Qi around her beginning to dissipate as she exhaled softly and opened her eyes. The glow in her irises faded gradually, but the excitement on her face was unmistakable. Her skin had a faint flush to it, and her aura, while still calming, carried a slightly denser weight than before, a sign of progress. She stretched a little, rolling her shoulders and adjusting the loose folds of her cultivation robe before rising to her feet.

The moment she saw Xavier, she beamed, her steps light as she hurried toward him. "Master," she called with barely restrained joy, "I did it! I've reached the second stage of the Adept rank!"

Lucas turned from the alchemy bench where he'd been carefully storing away the last of his vials. At first, he simply gave her a curious glance, but then his brow lifted and his eyes lingered on her a little longer, as if assessing her claim for himself. He had sensed the shift in her cultivation earlier, but he had assumed it to be a stable entry into the Adept rank, nothing more. This, however, breaking through to the second stage so quickly, was truly unexpected.

He stepped closer, letting his own spiritual sense briefly pass over her. The confirmation came instantly. Her Qi was fuller, more tempered, and the flow within her meridians was steadier than before. She wasn't just boasting, she had genuinely broken through to the second stage of Adept rank in a single go.

"Well," Lucas said, folding his arms as he studied her more carefully, "I knew you had broken through, but the second stage already? That's… impressive."

Lira tilted her head, a mischievous little smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I told you I was close before, didn't I? I've just been holding it back a little until I had the right environment to push through properly. Besides… I had your support. That made a big difference."

Xavier gave a short laugh and shook his head. "I barely did anything. That was all you."

"Still," she insisted, "you gave me space and time to focus. That's more than most would."

He let his gaze linger on her for another moment. There was something about the calm determination in her expression that made him proud, not the condescending pride of a mentor, but the quiet respect of someone who understood the price of discipline. She had worked hard. He had seen it with his own eyes. And now she stood before him, stronger than ever.

"Well then," he said after a pause, a small grin forming on his face, "if you keep this pace, you'll catch up to me faster than I thought."

Lira chuckled and tilted her head playfully in response.