Check my new novel people and support it.

Wang Ming and Min Li walked toward the new line and quickly noticed that only a handful of disciples there wore core disciple robes.

"Huh, is that you, Min Li?" a feminine voice called out, making Min Li frown. When she turned and saw the speaker, her eyes widened in recognition.

"Jiang Yao," she said in a reserved tone, which caused Wang Ming, standing beside her, to raise an eyebrow. He examined the girl in front of them. She was undeniably beautiful, with a seductive figure that could rival his own companions. His gaze then shifted to the man beside her, whose eyes lit up the moment he saw Min Li—something that made Wang Ming frown slightly.

"Honestly, when I heard you had joined this sect, I wanted to meet you. But I was in closed cultivation. What's even more shocking is that you became a core disciple so quickly. Quite the surprise," Jiang Yao said with a smile.

"Life is full of surprises, isn't it?" Min Li replied coolly, making Jiang Yao chuckle.

"Indeed it is," Jiang Yao responded, though her eyebrows furrowed slightly when the man next to her opened his mouth.

"Min Li, how have you been?" Jiang Cheng said with a bright smile, though his brow creased when he glanced at Wang Ming. Still, he chose to ignore him.

"I've been good," Min Li sighed, her tone bland.

"Min Li, I got this treasure recently—a glove that can enhance your lightning attacks," Jiang Cheng said excitedly as he brought out a metallic blue glove, clearly intending to gift it to her.

'This guy's a simp,' Wang Ming thought.

'Ugh, this guy,' both Jiang Yao and Min Li grumbled in their hearts. Jiang Yao even more so—she knew her brother had once tried to pursue Min Li and been rejected, yet he still hadn't given up.

"It's expensive, I can't accept this," Min Li rolled her eyes and said politely.

"Nonsense, it's nothing compared to your beauty. If I could see you smile, I'd even bring down the brightest star for you if possible," Jiang Cheng said with a grin.

'So cringe' Jiang Yao, Min Li, and even Wang Ming felt a shudder run down their spines at his overly dramatic words.

"..." Min Li just stared blankly at him, causing Jiang Cheng to scratch his head in embarrassment.

"Then… do you want to grab a bite?" Jiang Cheng asked sheepishly.

"Even after so many years you're still the same. What do you think I'll say?" Min Li snorted, making his shoulders slump in disappointment.

"Hah, you need to stop simping. You already have a harem and you're still chasing an impossible target—you're an idiot," Jiang Yao mocked.

"You're the idiot, you—bitch!" veins bulged on his forehead as he glared at her. But then, a wave of terror swept through his soul.

"What did you just call me?" Jiang Yao said in a chilling voice, her face hidden behind her hair.

Gulp.

Even Wang Ming and Min Li swallowed hard and unconsciously took a step back.

"I… wait, no—" Jiang Cheng shouted.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Thud.

Jiang Cheng collapsed to the ground with several lumps on his head, his body twitching.

'Scary,' both Min Li and Wang Ming thought. Min Li had witnessed this scene between the siblings many times, while Wang Ming looked at Jiang Yao with a trace of admiration.

"So, who is this handsome man beside you, Min Li?" Jiang Yao asked with a sweet smile. The terrifying aura from moments ago vanished as if it had never existed, and she looked at Wang Ming with clear interest.

"Wang Ming, this is Jiang Yao, my childhood friend, and Jiang Cheng, her younger brother. They're from the Jiang Family—one of the top families in the Black Bamboo Kingdom, just like the Min Family. But unlike us, the Jiang Family specializes in Dual Cultivation," Min Li introduced them in a polite tone, causing Wang Ming to raise an eyebrow.

'Jiang Family, huh' Wang Ming thought, surprised to hear this. What shocked him even more was that entire families practiced Dual Cultivation.

"Really? This is the first time I've heard of such a thing. Does that mean the women of the family Dual Cultivate with others besides their husbands—and the men are fine with it?" Wang Ming asked, genuinely baffled. He knew the women of the sect often did this, but he couldn't imagine a powerful family openly following the same practice.

"..." Jiang Yao and Min Li's expressions froze, their lips twitching.

"Aren't you being a bit rude?" Jiang Yao said with a grimace.

"Sorry, I was just curious," Wang Ming admitted, scratching the back of his head.

"Now, about your question," Jiang Yao replied. "Some do what you said, but many, like me, don't. We only Dual Cultivate with our chosen partners—or we wait until we find someone we truly like." Her eyes then shifted meaningfully toward Min Li.

"Ah, right—this is Wang Ming, my Dao partner," Min Li said with a light blush. The air instantly stilled. Jiang Yao, who had been frowning, froze in place, while Jiang Cheng scrambled up from the ground. Both their eyes darted from Min Li to Wang Ming, and then their jaws practically hit the floor.

"What the hell?!" the siblings screamed in unison.

"How in the heavens? You were the one who avoided every man who tried their luck with you like they were the plague—and even my brother, even though he's—" Jiang Yao shouted.

"Hey! Do you have to insult me every single time?!" Jiang Cheng snapped angrily. His gaze then shifted toward Wang Ming, filled with hostility.

"Wang Ming, I challenge you for her!" Jiang Cheng declared, and without warning, he threw a punch. The next moment, however, he found himself sailing through the air, easily deflected by Wang Ming.

"Don't be so impatient," Wang Ming said calmly. He hadn't even shown hostility—he merely redirected the attack.

Under everyone's dumbfounded gazes, tears started streaming down Jiang Cheng's face. "Wah… why not me?" he cried bitterly, before falling silent under his sister's glare.

"Go sit in the corner and wallow in despair. You've lost your chance permanently. Don't embarrass me again—or else," Jiang Yao warned, veins bulging on her forehead as she raised her fist.

Seeing this, Jiang Cheng obediently went to the corner and started drawing circles on the ground.

"..." Wang Ming.