44 Dominoes (1/2)

What is the purpose of cultivation? Many people cultivated simply because they could. Born to wealth and power, they would have access to knowledge and resources that allowed them to cultivate. They would smoothly rise through Body Refinement and Mind Focusing and end their lives somewhere within the Spirit Initiate Realm. It was like going to school or having one more achievement in their short lives. Cultivation was not the source of money or power. Money was the source of more money. Power was the source of more power.

Others cultivated because it was their duty to cultivate. They could born to warrior families or those that earned a living through their prowess at combat. Their limit would be the peak of Spirit Initiate and they wouldn't even dream of striving for the immortal realm.

The last group were those that had the fortune, or perhaps misfortune, of joining the immortal sects. Aided by their so called heavenly talent, they would be showered with praise when they were young. When they were selected for some immortal sect, the entire family would rejoice their fortune. They would plant a seed of hope within their hearts. One day, they too could become like their masters and breakthrough to the Spirit Lord Realm and walk along the path of immortality.

The reality of true cultivators seeking such paths was one of harsh competition, brutality, and misery. The strong were praised while the weak were scorned. Those with talent could walk over those without. Masters saw disciples as soldiers and slaves. Disciples saw each other as competition and even enemies. Gaining one level meant training for the next. Reaching the peak of Spirit Initiate meant the journey to seek out their immortal Dao. Those that reach the immortal realm would immediately seek the next higher realm. No one is ever happy or satisfied. Every day is a struggle to strive for more.

Out of such environments, it was rare to see a group of people with strong friendships and solidarity.

Chen Wentian was surprised the next day as his five new disciples showed just such a bond. They came to him together and in unison, sought his training through the dual cultivation path.

Li Yuechan explained that they did not want to abandon Song Wushuang. They saw how agonizing the training was for Song Wushuang and the other four all decided join in with the dual cultivation so she wouldn't be isolated. Chen Wentian thought they probably felt a little innate competitiveness and envy towards Song Wushuang's progress. Regardless, he was glad to see his new disciples having such a strong bond with each other.

Song Wushuang had to recuperate and other four agreed delay their dual cultivation. They wanted to face their difficulties together.

Thus, two days later, Chen Wentian led all five women to the top of the mountain. It was the middle of the night, when yin energy in the heavens was at is strongest. He looked over at the five vivacious women, each wearing a nightgown that hugged their bodies. Having been warned about what would happen during dual cultivation, it was pointless to wear too many clothes.

Chen Wentian looked at each women in awe, as they were each incredibly beautiful and yet also had their own unique charm. The five sat in a circle around the Frozen Netherfrost Jade and Song Wushuang was the first to receive the harsh icy energy.

The other four silently observed as it was a relatively quick process of opening and closing the shield. The netherworld yin energy was directed at Song Wushuang but a large amount dispersed into the air around the platform and went into their bodies as well. It was shock at first as the terrifying cold energy enter their bodies and grind against their bones and set their nerves alight with blinding pain.

Chen Wentian knew he had to work fast and as soon as Song Wushuang was at capacity, he directed the netherworld energy to Xu Lanyi, then to Li Yuechan, and then to the twins. He finally closed the shield as he watched all five women fight through the pain and cultivate like he directed. They were at different cultivation levels and could withstand different levels of the pain and cold energy.