Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

He could feel the flow of Yin energy pouring into him, not violently, but in a rhythmic harmony. It was gentle, potent, and beautifully rich. It danced through his meridians like a song, soothing the frayed edges of his spiritual core. The battle had weakened him terribly, but what he now absorbed from Lira was not only helping him recover, it was restoring him in ways even potions could not.

Lira's hands clutched softly at his back, her nails dragging lightly along his skin. There was no fear, no hesitation, just trust. She had given herself to him completely, and in doing so, she'd offered him more than just her body. Her Qi resonated with his own, syncing like two celestial forces recognizing each other.

Lucas closed his eyes and allowed the energy to circulate within. He held back from pushing further. He had considered using the soul-binding technique, something that had created a powerful link between him and Henrietta, but he knew Lira wasn't ready. Her foundation, though rapidly growing, still needed stability. To rush that process could hurt her, and that was something he would never allow.

Instead, he focused on anchoring the Yin essence within him, channeling it carefully, reinforcing his damaged Dantian and strained meridians. His body burned with revitalization. Muscles tightened. Veins glowed faintly under his skin. And beneath all that... his soul felt a little less fractured.

Lira looked up at him with dazed eyes, her lips parting slightly, a flush still spread across her cheeks. There was awe in her expression, not just for what had happened between them, but for what she felt from him now. A strength, power and connection, a warmth she hadn't known she craved until now.

"You're healing," she whispered.

Lucas smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "Thanks to you."

Afterwards, the room fell into a gentle silence. Lucas leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Lira's damp forehead. Her skin was warm, her breath still catching in shallow waves, but her eyes sparkled with quiet contentment.

He didn't say a word. Instead, he moved to the edge of the bed and crossed his legs beneath him. His body was sore, his Qi strained to the limit, but the cultivation path had no time for rest. He drew a slow breath and closed his eyes.

With practiced control, he guided the residual Yin energy through his weakened meridians. It was like threading fire through cracked glass. Each cycle brought with it both pain and healing, small ruptures sealing, ruptured veins knitting together, and warmth slowly gathering in the pit of his Dantian.

Lira sat beside him, wrapping a sheet she found on the bed around her bare chest. She stole a glance at him...his face calm, the air around him subtly charged. Without hesitation, she crossed her legs and straightened her back. Her hands settled onto her thighs, and her breathing deepened.

She was close, so close to the Adept Rank she could feel the energy swelling within her core. The afterglow of their bond had enhanced her state, opened pathways she hadn't been able to touch before. Now, with the room still soaked in the remnants of shared energy, she slipped into cultivation.

______

Lucas finally opened his eyes. Hours had passed in quiet, unbroken cultivation, and though his body still bore the soreness of battle, there was a newfound steadiness within him. His Qi had stabilized, his meridians no longer felt as fragile, and the haze that had clouded his mind earlier had lifted. He exhaled slowly and uncurled his legs, rising to his feet in one smooth motion.

Across from him, Lira remained still, her eyes closed and breath even, her body outlined by the soft golden hue of approaching dawn. She looked serene, completely immersed in her own cultivation, chasing the threshold of the Adept Rank with quiet determination.

Lucas watched her for a moment. The corner of his lips tugged into a rare, sincere smile. She had grown so much. Stronger, more confident, and increasingly vital to his journey.

But he couldn't stay, he needed answers.

The battle against the grandmaster and the beasts had left questions burning in his mind, questions about who had sent them, what the kingdom had learned in the aftermath, and how close they had truly come to collapse. He needed to know what moves the royal court would make next and whether the enemies lurking in the shadows had shown their hand or remained hidden still.

With one final glance at Lira, he turned away. He moved quietly across the chamber, retrieving his robes and armor from where they had been folded and laid. As he dressed, his thoughts gathered like storm clouds behind his calm expression. Once ready, he pushed open the door, stepped out into the corridor, and left the room in silence.

Lucas made his way briskly through the palace corridors. It didn't take long before he arrived at Henrietta's chamber. This time, the guards stepped aside without hesitation, bowing slightly as they allowed him entry. His status, and perhaps more importantly, his bond with Henrietta, had earned him that much.

Inside, Henrietta stood alone near one of those windows, gazing out over the city below, her arms folded loosely across her chest. The silhouette of her figure was calm and still, but something about the way her brows were drawn, the slight tension in her posture, betrayed the turmoil beneath her composed exterior.

She turned when she heard him enter, and the moment her eyes met his, the worry softened. A warm, relieved smile appeared on her face, the kind only someone who had once feared for his life could wear. She looked him over, noting the clarity in his gaze, the steadiness in his movements, and the subtle but distinct improvement in his aura.

"You look better," she said gently.

Lucas returned her smile with a slight nod. "And you look powerful," he replied. "Congratulations… on your breakthrough. Ascendant Rank...Henrietta, that's no small feat."

She let out a soft breath, almost a sigh, and turned back to the window. "All thanks to you."

Lucas walked over to stand beside her, his eyes scanning the horizon for a moment before settling on her again. "Because of the bond, I felt it too, your strength. It's incredible. And it means I'll grow stronger as well."

Henrietta glanced at him with a knowing look. "Yes. The soulbind is growing deeper, Lucas. With each cultivation, we draw closer. Our strengths feed each other."

"Something's troubling you," Lucas changed the topic swiftly. After all there's a connection between them...he could feel her emotions as well.

She nodded, then turned away from the window, her expression turning more serious. "The crippled Grandmaster you fought… we've kept him alive under heavy guard. He refuses to talk. He said his life was already meaningless after losing his cultivation. No threats have moved him."

Lucas narrowed his eyes, already anticipating the rest.

Henrietta continued, "The king isn't waiting for answers. As we speak, he's mobilizing. Cultivators, soldiers, scouts… he's preparing for war. The beast horde wasn't random. This was an orchestrated strike, and he knows it."

Lucas felt his jaw tighten, his fingers curling slightly into his palm. The signs were all there, the enemies of the crown had shown their fangs, and now the kingdom would bare its own.

He looked at Henrietta again, his voice low and resolute. "Then we prepare."

"Yes… we prepare," Henrietta said softly, her gaze shifting once more to the horizon beyond the palace walls. But there was no conviction in her voice this time, just a thoughtful silence that lingered heavily between them. Lucas studied her face, sensing the unease just beneath her calm surface. She was not a woman easily shaken, yet something clearly gnawed at her.

After a long pause, she finally spoke again. "Xavier… I can't explain it, but something feels wrong. Something deeper than what we've seen. The beasts, the Grandmaster, even the coming war, it all feels like… a distraction. A curtain hiding something else. But I don't know what yet." Her tone was edged with frustration, as if the answers lay just beyond her reach and refused to be grasped.

Lucas folded his arms slowly, processing her words. "You're usually the one who sees through the layers first. If even you feel lost in this, then whatever's coming must be worse than we imagined." He paused, then tilted his head slightly, his expression sharpening. "Henrietta… about the prince. You never told me who poisoned him."

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she looked at him for a long time, eyes searching his. Whatever she was thinking, she held it close, guarded behind a lifetime of secrets and strategies.

"I know," she said at last, her voice quieter now. "I know I haven't. That was my choice..like you said...I'm playing a dangerous game."

Lucas raised an eyebrow but remained silent, letting her speak on her own terms.

"But things are different now," she continued. "You and I… we're bound. My fate is tied to yours. My power feeds yours, and yours, mine. There's no reason to keep anything from you anymore."