But maybe Luca really deserved an even better gift.
Because unbeknownst to the hard-working and extremely biased husband, his little wife had been at his wits’ end after he passed out.
Luca practically took out all known tools and checked on Xavier, because at this point, how could he explain espers and guiding to the physicians at the medical bay?
Also, how could he even begin to explain everything that had happened just moments ago?
Thankfully, Xavier’s vitals were stable.
And that soon enough, the elders who had reportedly come to brag about the spinach frittata being wiped out were able to give him some semblance of reassurance.
But surprisingly, before Luca could provide an explanation, they already had an answer that came from examining the energy levels and the unfortunate state of the current patient.
Clearly, it could only be that. However, they were collectively surprised by the unexpected turn of events, because from what was known to many, their Young Lord was normally referred to as the wife.
But who were they but old and sometimes senile elders to judge? Perhaps it was like this because of their Lord’s spiritual rank.
Not that it would’ve really mattered! Because in truth, what would’ve mattered more was who could last longer!
Ahem.
"Oh! This?" Elder Shen basically rubbed his chin and said, "Well, of course, he’s exhausted after that dual cultivation."
"?!"
"!!!"
"Dual cultivation?" tentatively asked the little cultivator whose hands were stuck hovering over his husband.
They all looked at each other, well, mainly Luca stared at them with such wide eyes that the four elders were also forced not to blink.
It was then that the accidental triplets and the only sane elder nodded with such sage knowledge.
"Yes, dual cultivation."
It sounded like simple words. But then Luca, whose great memory was now proving to be a problem, remembered that sometime ago he’d asked a similar question and was told about being one together.
One together.
One together...
ONE. TOGETHER.
He’d been told to stay deeply connected!
And that was when the world imploded.
"P-P-Pffft!"
The poor little guide combusted on the spot, every molecule of his being turning bright red.
If anyone had seen his face, they might’ve assumed he’d just been told a dirty joke by the universe.
He was trembling, flailing, sputtering—all while trying to hide his face behind his hands. The memory of exactly how they’d been "one together" was vividly replaying in the depths of his mind. Every motion. Every sound. Every accidental action that now, apparently, had a name.
He had done that!
That!
Oh, but wait!
"But, Elder Shen, how could it be d-dual cultivation when I was actually guiding him because he was about to rampage...?" Luca asked. He was flustered all over but couldn’t just ignore the question that formed in his mind.
Surprisingly, however, the elders just looked at each other first before smiling and talking in what once again sounded gibberish.
However, this time around, the confused listener was able to hear and understand a few words, such as:
"Ah," said Elder Shen. "So they call it guiding?"
"Interesting," murmured Elder Feng, eyes twinkling like he’d just been handed free entertainment for the year.
"Cruel," muttered Elder Pao Xi darkly, though it was unclear whether he meant it for the situation or the memory of his own youth.
Elder Wei, the only one who looked remotely sane, stepped forward and patted Luca on the head. The gesture was gentle but carried the weight of someone who had long accepted chaos as part of daily life.
"Probably in time it’ll make sense, but for now it’s good you’ve succeeded in Dual Cultivation."
__
Luca wanted to ask more, but while the elders would’ve answered him as truthfully as always, there was still a long journey before he could begin to process even half of what they’d said.
And yet, he didn’t get the chance to think for long.
Because just as his mind was about to chase the phrase dual cultivation into deeper confusion, the elders somehow shifted topics.
To food.
Specifically, food that could help with male virility.
The moment he heard the word virility, Luca’s ears twitched.
He slowly turned his head toward them like a suspicious rabbit. "Virility?"
Oh no.

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