People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

In other words, Cao Ze and Nian Duan were already grandmasters, immune to both heat and cold. If they were ordinary men and women, they would have been frozen solid by now, huddled together shivering.

Cao Ze tried his best not to admire his master's wife's beautiful body, as it would be disrespectful to an elder. Although he caught a glimpse of her body and it was indeed stunningly beautiful, with a very voluptuous figure that wasn't hidden by her loose robes, he still restrained himself. This was the confidence he had from frequently indulging in meat.

He could only focus his attention on Nian Duan's face.

Only then did he realize that Nian Duan's rigidity and conservatism had permeated every aspect of his life.

Her beautiful face was free of makeup, her hair was piled high with only a wooden hairpin inserted at an angle, and recalling the meticulous linen robe she had just worn, it was truly the most simple and unadorned.

Cao Ze asked Nian Duan to sit down cross-legged.

Normally, this would be a very normal meditation posture.

But in this situation, if one sits cross-legged, what difference is there between that and a wide-open doorway?

Nian Duan felt a pang of regret and her head was spinning.

But since things had come to this point, she had no choice but to accept it.

He had no choice but to keep a straight face and pretend to be indifferent as he sat cross-legged opposite Cao Ze.

Cao Ze was genuinely finding it hard to remain composed in the presence of the beautiful woman before him.

The Black and White Sisters were weak at the time, so even if their souls dissipated, the damage wouldn't be too severe.

But Nian Duan is different. The soul of a grandmaster has already undergone a transformation, and the three flowers of essence, qi, and spirit have begun to unite. The injury of the soul's dissipation that he suffered is undoubtedly more difficult to heal.

Therefore, when cultivating souls with the Black and White Sisters, there was no need to undress. However, Nian Duan needed to take care of his essence and qi, that is, the circulation of internal energy, during the soul cultivation.

If it were Jing Ni, he could laugh and joke around, or even tease her a little.

But it was precisely when facing a conservative elder like Nian Duan that he was somewhat at a loss as to how to deal with him.

Nian Duan seemed to sense Cao Ze's hesitation and struggle, and her moist lips moved slightly.

"Sir, there is no need to worry. It is just a body, a foul-smelling thing."

She couldn't tell whether she was trying to persuade Cao Ze or herself.

Cao Ze nodded. "Then let's begin. Master Nian Duan, calm your mind and focus your attention on your dantian."

……

While Cao Ze and Nian Duan were practicing their dual cultivation, Duanmu Rong paced back and forth outside, twisting her hands and glancing towards the house every now and then, but she couldn't see anything.

What are Master and Cao Ze doing in the room right now...? This question involuntarily popped into Duanmu Rong's mind.

What if Cao Ze really intends to take advantage of the situation and has ulterior motives towards his master?

Upon realizing this, Duanmu Rong became somewhat impatient.

After a long while, as if possessed, Duanmu Rong tiptoed to the door and window outside.

With a solemn expression, she sucked on her finger and slowly poked a hole in the paper covering the window.

Jingni observed Duanmu Rong's every move.

But Jingni was very "thoughtful" and didn't disturb Duanmu Rong's spying.

Duanmu Rong was unaware that Cao Ze's wife had seen what she was doing.

She stared wide-eyed at her master, who was being completely honest with Cao Ze inside the room.

Still sitting cross-legged? Where are your clothes?

Duanmu Rong's delicate mouth opened wide; if she hadn't been mentally prepared, she probably would have screamed by now.

Is this what they call cultivating both the spirit and the soul?

Duanmu Rong watched as Cao Ze would occasionally tap on her master's body. Although she knew those were meridian points, she couldn't help but overthink it. She even projected her own thoughts onto her usually stern master and couldn't understand why her master would strip naked, especially in front of Xue'er and Li Ji's lovers.

Was Cao Ze doing this on purpose? Did he coerce or bribe his master?

Duanmu Rong had heard countless stories of the martial arts world at Jinghu Medical Manor, all told by those martial arts practitioners while they were recuperating from their injuries. She didn't know how much of it was true and how much was false, but now she seriously suspected that Cao Ze had done it on purpose.

Her master was so old-fashioned, so conservative, so dignified, how could he...

The impact of this moment on Duanmu Rong was no less than that of a magnitude 10 earthquake.

But for some reason, Duanmu Rong held her breath and did not leave. Instead, she continued to stare with her eyes open, as if there was some kind of magic in the room.

As for Cao Ze and Nian Duan inside the room, although they were both Grandmasters, Duanmu Rong would have noticed them the moment she was peeping. However, the two of them were currently engaged in dual cultivation of their souls and did not realize that there was a little girl outside who was enthusiastically spying on the adult world.

After a long while, Cao Ze opened his eyes, looking slightly tired. "Master Nian Duan, let's stop here for today."

He knew it would be difficult, but he didn't expect it to be this difficult.

The master's soul has undergone a transformation, and the three flowers of essence, qi, and spirit have begun to converge at the top. In particular, the soul of Nian Duan has been scattered for many years, and it is not something that can be restored overnight.

Upon hearing this, Nian Duan carefully sensed the changes in his soul and keenly noticed that the rate at which his soul dissipated had slowed down.

She opened her eyes and found the man in front of her pleasing to the eye no matter how she looked at him.

Nian Duan said happily, "Thank you, sir."

Cao Ze was about to wave politely when he noticed someone peeping outside. Before he could do anything, Nian Duan shouted coldly, "Who goes there?!"

Nian Duan was about to get up and grab someone when she realized she wasn't wearing anything. She froze on the spot and looked at Cao Ze.

Cao Ze simply coughed lightly, and Jing Ni brought in Duanmu Rong, who looked utterly dejected, and threw her on the ground.

"Ah? Rong'er?"

Nian Duan was so embarrassed that she hurriedly put on her clothes and helped Duanmu Rong up from the ground.

Duanmu Rong blushed, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.

Nian Duan knew that his good disciple was thin-skinned, and seeing him and Cao Ze like that just now, he must have had impure thoughts in his mind.

She hurriedly said to Cao Ze, "Sir, I'll come again tomorrow. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he hurriedly left with Duanmu Rong.

Cao Ze, wearing shorts, stood speechlessly in the room.

Jingni glanced at Cao Ze with her clear and beautiful eyes, and couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile.

"Serves you right."

Cao Ze chuckled, "Serves you right? Since you're here, you're not leaving."

As he spoke, Cao Ze swept Jing Ni up in his arms, and Jing Ni calmly wrapped her arms around Cao Ze's neck.

The two arrived at the couch and began their day's activities with great fanfare, starting in the early morning.

……

Outside the inn, Duanmu Rong, who had returned to the hotel, stood beside her master Nian Duan with a troubled expression.

Nian Duan tried her best to keep her beautiful face straight and said sternly, "You saw everything?"

"Ah."

"Is Master's body good-looking?"

As a teacher, Nian Duan tried to break the awkward atmosphere.

Duanmu Rong's eyes darted around, and she unconsciously recalled Cao Ze's strong body and her master's exquisite body from just now.

What are you thinking about?

Nian Duan gave a soft shout, pulling Duanmu Rong back from her reverie.

"No, it's nothing."

Duanmu Rong spoke cautiously and in a low voice.

Nian Duan sighed helplessly, "Don't overthink it, we..."

"Yes, we are just using a special method to heal him. Master's spirit has improved somewhat now, and it is expected that he will be fully recovered in less than three months. At that time, he may be able to make further progress and become a Grandmaster."

At this point, Nian Duan was somewhat surprised.

I never imagined that the suffering of my soul being scattered for so many years would have such benefits.

Every sip and every bite is predetermined.

Duanmu Rong asked in surprise, "Can it really get better?"

She was incredibly desperate after learning about her master's hidden illness, never expecting that guy could actually cure her teacher.

Nian Duan smiled, "Yes, it's possible, as long as..."

At this point, Nian Duan's cheeks flushed slightly.

The thought of having to strip naked for three months in front of Cao Ze and open her doors for three months left Nian Duan with a mixed feeling. But after savoring the wonder of the dual cultivation of mind and soul just now, it didn't seem so hard to accept. Instead, it made her feel a little expectant.

……

Nian Duan went to Cao Ze's place for two more days, and Duanmu Rong insisted on going with her each time, saying things like, "What if Cao Ze does this or that..."

While Nian Duan found it amusing, he also felt helpless and could only acquiesce to the fact that his disciple was watching him and Cao Ze engage in their intimate dual cultivation from inside the room.

Cao Ze breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the beautiful master and apprentice off once again.

Once or twice is fine, but if it happens too often, it really tests the soldier.

You can only look but not eat; it's true what they say about the unattainable being restless.

Mingming had no feelings for Nian Duan, but now she does, especially since Duanmu Rong insisted on coming over to join in the fun.

If a beautiful master and disciple were together...

Cao Ze shook his head, trying to clear his mind of these distracting thoughts.

Before long, Cao Ze arrived at the Qu family's residence in a carriage provided by the post station, where he was warmly received by Qu Chen, the patriarch of the Qu family.

"Your Excellency's presence is an honor to our humble abode."

Qu Chen was old, but his health was much better than that of King Xiong Yuan of Chu. He still served as the "Great Mo Xiao" of Chu. All matters of military and national importance required his opinion. In terms of status, he was no less than a general of a country.

Cao Ze and Qu Chen exchanged pleasantries, saying things like "The friendship between Qin and Chu will last forever," without revealing the purpose of their visit.

But Qu Chen was a shrewd old man, and no matter how meticulous Cao Ze was, he could still guess a thing or two. After some probing, he and Cao Ze exchanged a smile.

Or rather, when Cao Ze sent his visiting card three days ago, they were already fully aware of each other's intentions.

Qu Chen laughed and said, "Now the three Jin states have formed an alliance and are very aggressive. Some time ago, they even crushed the Qi state. Now, of the seven states, only six remain. Apart from the Yan state, which is far away and whose situation is ambiguous, only our Chu state is worth Qin's attention."