"I don't know if I could handle being on camera," Mei said immediately, reading his thoughts. "I can barely talk to you right now without stammering."
"You're doing fine." Lin Wei kept his voice gentle. "And it doesn't have to be for the public, we could just help researching for documentation purposes, private research, nothing too pressuring."
He was getting nervous now.
Mei bit her lip, clearly torn. "I do need empirical data for my thesis and working with someone who's actually practicing Lust Qi cultivation would be invaluable..."
"Plus," Lin Wei added, "I need help, I have two weeks to get strong enough to not die fighting Huo Liang. Your theoretical knowledge could make the difference between me surviving and me becoming a smear on the training grounds."
That got a small smile from her. "You have a flair for the dramatic."
"I have a flair for self preservation, so will you help me?"
Mei went quiet for a moment, staring at her notes. Then she took a deep breath and looked up.
"Okay, yes... I'll help but on one condition."
"What condition?"
"If this works, if we figure out methods that actually help people like us—we publish the research. We make it available to everyone who's been called talentless and discarded, we prove the orthodox sects wrong."
Her eyes were fierce behind her glasses. There were like steel under the shyness.
Lin Wei found himself smiling. "Deal."
[EXCELLENT! Now seal it with a handshake! Physical contact is important for building connection!]
Lin Wei extended his hand across the table. Mei hesitated, then reached out and shook it.
Her hand was small and warm in his. The moment they touched, Lin Wei felt a faint pulse of energy, her Qi reaching out instinctively, testing his.
Her eyes widened. "Your cultivation...it's different, the energy signature is completely unlike anything I've felt before. It's... warm? Orthodox Qi feels cold and isolated, but yours feels..."
"Connected," Lin Wei finished. "That's the Lust path, it's based on bonds instead of isolation."
Mei pulled her hand back quickly, face flushed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to... that was invasive.."
"It's fine." Lin Wei felt it too—a lingering warmth where their hands had touched. "Actually, that's good data. If you can sense the difference that clearly, you'll be able to track changes as we develop the methods."
[Your Lust Core is resonating with her! Her Qi signature is compatible! This is PERFECT partner material! The system is detecting high synchronization potential!]
What does that mean? Lin Wei thought at the system.
[It means if you ever do dual cultivation with her, the energy exchange would be incredibly efficient! Your Qi types complement each other! But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Build trust first, seduce later!]
Lin Wei felt his face turn red, and firmly pushed those thoughts away. "So, where do we start?"
Mei pulled out a fresh journal and a brush. "Tell me everything about your cultivation process. How you activate the Lust Core, how you circulate the energy, what it feels like. I'll document it all and cross reference with the theoretical models."
For the next two hours, they worked.
Lin Wei described his cultivation in detail—the way attention converted to Lust Qi, how the energy felt different from orthodox methods, the specific circulation patterns that worked for his damaged meridians.
Mei took notes with an incredible interest, occasionally stopping him to ask clarifying questions or sketch diagrams. Her nervousness faded when she was focused on research. She became animated, engaged.
"This confirms several of my theories," she said excitedly, flipping through her notes. "The circulation pattern you're using naturally bypasses the standard meridian gates. That's why it works despite your damage, but look—" She sketched quickly. "If you modified the third loop here, you could increase efficiency by at least 20%."
Lin Wei studied the diagram. "That makes sense, but wouldn't that require partner synchronization?"
"Only if you wanted to maximize output. For solo cultivation, you could adapt it..." She trailed off, then looked up at him. "Wait, you know about partner synchronization? That's advanced Lust Qi theory, How?"
"My father's notes mentioned it." Lin Wei shifted uncomfortably. "Dual cultivation, using the energy exchange between partners to amplify results but that requires..."
"Intimacy," Mei finished, her face bright red. "Yes, the theoretical models suggest that Lust Qi cultivation is most efficient with a partner. The energy feedback loop creates exponential growth but that's... that's very advanced, we shouldn't even consider that until..."
She stopped, realizing what she was saying.
An awkward silence fell.
[OH THIS IS DELICIOUS. She's thinking about it. You're thinking about it. I'm thinking about it. The chemistry is PALPABLE, but you're both too nervous to acknowledge it. Perfect slow burn setup!]
"Right," Lin Wei said, clearing his throat. "So, the modified circulation pattern. Let me try it."
"Now? Here?"
"Just a basic loop, see if the theory translates to practice."
Mei nodded quickly, grateful for the subject change. "Okay, close your eyes and follow my instructions."
Lin Wei closed his eyes and focused. Mei's voice guided him through the modified pattern—calm, precise, confident when she was teaching.
"Channel the energy up through your left meridian, but split the flow at the third gate. Let half continue up while redirecting the other half lateral... yes, like that. Now the loops should converge at your upper dantian..."
The energy moved exactly as she described. The modified pattern felt smoother, more efficient. Lin Wei could feel the difference immediately.
"It works," he said, opening his eyes. "That's at least 15% more efficient than my normal method."
Mei beamed. "It works! The theory actually works!" Then she caught herself and tried to tone down her enthusiasm. "I mean, of course it works, the calculations were sound but seeing empirical confirmation is... this is amazing."
[She's adorable and smart, and VERY compatible with your cultivation path. You should absolutely recruit her as your first partner. Trust me on this!]
Lin Wei frowned, then... Nervously.
"Mei," Lin Wei said. "I have a question... and you can say no, of course."
She tensed up slightly. "What question?"
"What do you say if we create content together? Of course not public at first, just recorded demonstrations of these techniques... For research documentation.."
"I... I don't know if... I..."
"You wouldn't have to talk if you didn't want to, I'd handle all the explanation, you'd just demonstrate the energy flow patterns. Your talent deserves to be seen."
Mei looked down at her hands. "People have been telling me I'm talentless for years, what if I freeze up again?"
"Then we stop recording and try again later. No pressure, no judgment." Lin Wei kept his voice gentle. "But I think you're more capable than you believe and I think working together could help both of us."
[MISSION ALERT: New opportunity detected!]
[OPTIONAL MISSION: First Collaboration]
[Create joint content with Mei Ling within 48 hours]
[Reward: Dual Cultivation Core (Dormant), Partner Synchronization +1, Subscriber boost]
[This is your first step toward building a proper cultivation partnership!]
Mei was quiet for a long while, then she took a deep breath.
"Okay, I'll try, but private recording only and if I panic, we stop immediately."
"Of course.." Lin Wei smiled. "So when do you want to start?"
"Tomorrow? I have library duties until evening today, but we can do tomorrow morning, before the sect gets busy?"
"Perfect... My shack at dawn, we'll do a basic demonstration of the modified circulation pattern."
Mei nodded, then started gathering her books. "I should go, I've been here for six hours and the librarian is going to wonder where I am."
She packed quickly, movements nervous again now that the research discussion was over.
At the door, she paused and looked back.
"Lin Wei? Thank you... For taking my research seriously, for not laughing at me."
"Why would I laugh? You're brilliant."
Her face turned pink. "Most people don't think so, they just see the shy girl who can't demonstrate basic Qi circulation."
"Then most people are idiots." Lin Wei meant it. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mei."
She ducked her head, hiding a little smile. "Tomorrow... don't oversleep."
Then she hurried out, leaving Lin Wei alone in the library.
[THAT WENT PERFECTLY! She's invested, she's interested, and she's compatible! This is your first real partner candidate, Host! Now don't fuck it up by being awkward and desperate!]
"I'm not desperate..."
[You have 617 people subscribed to watch you do stretches. You're absolutely desperate but t that's okay! Desperation leads to interesting choices! Now let's review your stats—that collaboration agreement triggered some updates.]
A screen materialized:
[STATUS UPDATE]
Subscribers: 617
Cultivation: Qi Gathering Stage 5 (Early)
Meridian Integrity: 33%
Attraction Rating: 6.3/10
NEW: Partner Compatibility Analysis
[Mei Ling - @MorningDewDisciple]
- Compatibility: 87% (Extremely High)
- Qi Resonance: Complementary (Fire/Lust synergy detected)
- Intellectual Connection: 95% (Shared research interests)
- Emotional Connection: 62% (Building, needs development)
- Physical Attraction: 71% mutual (Both are aware but too nervous to act)
- Trust Level: 45% (Growing steadily)
Partner Benefits (If Recruited):
- +20% cultivation speed (energy exchange bonus)
- Access to advanced theoretical knowledge
- Dual cultivation core unlock
- Emotional support (reduces stress penalties)
- Content collaboration opportunities
Recommendation: Continue building trust. Demonstrate reliability. Do NOT rush physical intimacy—she needs emotional safety first.
Lin Wei stared at the compatibility analysis.
87%.
The system was seriously suggesting he cultivate a romantic relationship for power.
[Not JUST for power! She's genuinely a good match for you! Smart, kind, shares your goals, understands your path! The fact that it also helps your cultivation is just a bonus!]
"This feels manipulative."
[It would be manipulative if you were FAKING feelings. But you're not, I can sense your emotional responses. You genuinely like her. You think she's brilliant. You find her cute when she's nervous. These are real feelings! The system just helps you recognize compatible partners!]
Lin Wei couldn't argue with that. He did find Mei interesting. Very brilliant and easy to talk to once she relaxed.
And yes, she was pretty in a quiet, understated way that he hadn't expected to notice.
"This is going to get complicated, isn't it?"
[Oh, Host. You have no idea but trust me—complicated is better than boring! Now go eat something. You've had a big day, Tomorrow you start actually building your harem!]
"It's not a harem—"
[It will be! Give it time! Now GO!]
Lin Wei left the library as the sun set, his mind spinning with everything that had happened.
Breakthrough to Stage Five.
Partnership agreement with Mei.
Two weeks until potential death by Huo Liang.
617 subscribers watching his every move.
His life had become completely unrecognizable from what it was a week ago.
But for the first time in years, he had genuine hope.
And maybe, just maybe... someone who understood what he was trying to do.
That was worth all the humiliation in the world.