Dual Cultivation: Rebirth of the Rich Young Master

ROOOAAAARRRR.

The flaming lion-serpent thing lunged at Yao Xinyi like it had a personal vendetta against her perfect cheekbones.

She didn't flinch.

With one smooth motion, she twisted midair, spun her sword, and sliced the beast's flaming tongue in half.

"Gross," I muttered.

"She's strong," Lan Ruo said, eyes narrowing.

Qing'er wasn't even hiding her glare. "She's also smug."

"I know," I sighed. "I love it."

Yao Xinyi landed beside me, blade glowing faint blue from absorbed flame essence.

"You're late."

"I was attacked by a sexy fire demon," I said.

"Don't lie. You let her attack you."

"Okay, technically, yes. But in my defense—"

BOOM.

The beast recovered, half its tongue flapping stupidly as it charged again.

I reached for my Qi—but someone else appeared beside me in a flash of frost.

WHOOSH.

A spear made of ice sliced through the air and pinned the beast's paw to the ground—with a perfectly bored grunt behind it.

Then came the voice.

"Oh great. Fire monsters. Screaming girls. And you."

I blinked.

"...Zhao Feng?"

Standing next to me was a tall cultivator in silver and gray, long black hair tied like he couldn't be bothered, and a face so emotionally flat it was basically a cliff.

"Nice to see your face, too," I said.

He glanced at me.

"You smell like if a dragon and a perfume shop had an accident."

[SYSTEM RECOGNITION]

 Ally Detected: Zhao Feng – Ice Vein Cultivator

Affiliation: Frostwind Pavilion

Mood: Perpetually unimpressed

Bond: 34% – "Casual Frenemy"

Passive Perk: Sarcastic Aura (lowers enemy morale and ally patience)

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked.

He flicked blood off his spear like it annoyed him.

"They threw me in last minute. Said I needed 'field experience.' I think they just wanted to get rid of me."

"That tracks."

"Also, I heard you got famous for dual cultivating a demonic waifu."

"...How fast do rumors travel around here?"

He stared at me.

"You tripped and fell into coochie-powered enlightenment. That rumor deserves speed."

I coughed. Qing'er looked like she wanted to stab him. Lan Ruo looked like she wanted to take notes.

Yao Xinyi simply muttered, "Idiots," and vanished again into battle.

The beast roared again, smashing through flaming trees.

Zhao Feng cracked his neck. "Are we killing this thing or waiting for it to burn all our hair off?"

"Lan Ruo, flank left," I ordered. "Qing'er, boost my Qi flow. Zhao—"

"I'm already doing all the work," he muttered, spearing the creature in the jaw mid-leap.

The beast screeched and twisted away.

Lan Ruo struck its rear leg. Qing'er sent a pulse of Qi through me—amplifying my Dragonfire Pulse.

"Zhao," I called, "freeze its core!"

"You mean the part that looks like a demonic belly button? On it."

We moved like lightning.

The beast stumbled.

I leapt—fist glowing with golden flame—and slammed it into the creature's chest just as Zhao Feng froze the core from behind.

BOOM.

Fire. Ice. Dragon Qi. Screams. Explosions.

When the dust settled, the beast lay in pieces.

Its fiery heart crystal pulsed weakly—until Yao Xinyi stepped forward and crushed it beneath her heel.

"Show-off," I muttered.

"You're welcome," she said.

[SYSTEM]

 Realm Boss (Stage 1) Defeated

Loot Drop: 3x Flamecore Shards, 1x Beast Tendon, 20x Cultivation Credits

Group Bond Upgraded: +Zhao Feng Added

Hidden Pathway Unlocked: Infernal Bloom Nest

We sat down afterward near a glowing tree.

Zhao Feng casually tossed a fruit into the air.

"So," he said. "Still chasing death and girls?"

"I prefer 'walking enlightenment,' thank you."

"And the other two?"

"Protective and stabby."

He smirked faintly—rare for him.

"Good. You're still a dumbass. Just more powerful."

"You missed me."

"Like a rash."

Lan Ruo sat polishing her blade.

"He's charming," she muttered.

Qing'er leaned closer to me. "Please don't let him stay."

Too late. He was already leaning against a rock like he owned the realm.

Yao Xinyi glanced at him. "You're Zhao Feng."

"And you're that ice princess who doesn't blink."

"…I blink."

"Once every thirty seconds. Impressive restraint."

She stared at him.

He stared back.

They actually might murder each other. Or marry. Can't tell yet.

Author's Note

🎉 Zhao Feng has entered the chat! Cold, rude, and somehow lovable.

Next chapter: Team enters the Infernal Bloom Nest, faces illusions, temptations, and a corrupted Lotus Guardian

Also: Zhao Feng + Yao Xinyi tension, and the beginnings of MC's next bloodline memory trigger