Dual cultivation is a process in which an individual, by establishing a connection with their partner, maintains a steady flow of energy circulating throughout both their bodies.
This internal energy, once it reaches a certain threshold, can facilitate breakthroughs one level at a time.
It's akin to convincing the body that its internal energy has suddenly surged to the point of a breakthrough.
However, while it might seem possible to rapidly ingest high amounts of internal energy to jump through levels quickly, this approach often weakens the foundational strength of an individual.
The more beneficial strategy is to cultivate a steady flow of internal energy between partners.
This process allows both individuals' bodies to feel as though they have reached a breakthrough when, in reality, the combined energy of both partners—their internal energy—is temporarily residing within one person.
This energy then flows back to the other partner, creating a cycle.
Both bodies perceive this exchange as a rise in internal energy, while the gentle, consistent flow ensures that neither partner's foundation is compromised.
To simplify this concept, consider two buckets filled halfway with water.
When these two buckets are linked and moved together at a steady pace, one will be full while the other is empty at alternating intervals.
However, if the movement remains constant, it creates an illusion that both buckets are filling up together over time.
If you think of the rate of movement as being faster than the perception of emptiness, it becomes conceivable that both buckets appear to be full simultaneously, establishing a steady equilibrium.
The same principle applies to dual cultivation.
For instance, if the male partner possesses 50% internal energy and the female partner also has 50%, their energies may combine to yield a total of 100%.
This accumulated energy allows them to progress to the next level, achieving a breakthrough.
Conversely, if one were to forcibly ingest energy from the other, there would be a significant risk of weakening their foundational strength, as the body would not have enough time to recover from the sudden increase.
Dual cultivation, therefore, offers a method where the partners' energies harmoniously merge within one individual, making their body feel as if they have reached the threshold for a breakthrough while adequately emptying without causing harm.
This ensures the body has ample time to recuperate and adjust, allowing for gradual healing, growth, and eventual breakthroughs devoid of adverse effects.
This method underscores the importance of maintaining equilibrium during the dual cultivation process.
Ideally, both partners should be at similar energy levels or have only a minor disparity between them—either slightly more or slightly less energy.
Engaging in dual cultivation with one partner possessing significantly higher energy—say, 100%—while the other has only 50% can disrupt this balance and result in foundational damage to the less powerful partner's body.
This signified a threat, a threat of the level of catastrophe.
And that catastrophe was controlled by this man in front of her.
Initially, she had thought that he was the strongest, maybe stronger than the patriarch of the Wei family.
But afterwards, seeing his battle against the matriarch of the Celestial Phoenix Order, she understood that he was much stronger than them.
But now, when she knew he was commanding an army which could clearly threaten the whole Jade Dominion, she accepted that she was strong—maybe much stronger than anyone she had seen ever.
But there was definitely a feeling that, was he stronger than the Empress?
And even if she considered that he was indeed stronger than her, then was he really capable of proving her strength?
Or was it a lie?
"Choose, you want to know the reason or to get strength?"
Ryuk, seeing how it was getting hassled, considered there was no reason for him to explain anything to her, as he moved, arriving just a hand's distance away from her.
Due to a slight height difference, his eyes looked down towards her gaze, which trembled visibly.
Though she seemed determined not to step back, she kept her gaze fixed on him.
"...I want strength."
Though Yao Lian didn't know exactly how he was going to give that strength—maybe some kind of secret manual or technique—she just said those words while feeling too close.
Considering she was able to hear the sound of his heartbeat and breathing, given her enhanced senses, making her hear it even if he was just a hand's distance away from her.
"Fine then, meet me tonight near the lake," Ryuk said.
Slowly, he stepped back, his body soon started to shroud in orange aura, considering he needed to first deal with any kind of disturbance that may come between him and her tonight before his body vanished.
'!?'
"Wh-what?" Yao Lian noticed the orange hue and was suddenly taken aback, considering how he vanished into thin air.
The worst surprise was not from the fact that he vanished, given she was able to track his speed, knowing well that he was heading towards the direction from where they came, most probably towards Esme's room.
But what bewildered her was exactly what he wanted to do with her tonight on the lakeside?