16 An Explanation

When Noel said that James broke through Cara was surprised as well, "Didn't you just enter the second stage yesterday?! How could you break through now unless you didn't consolidate your realm?!" Cara questioned wondering if James was trying to rush his cultivation.

"No! No! I consolidated it before I broke through again!" James said quickly defending himself before turning to Noel.

"What about what you said, you said she was more infected than you?" James questioned as the word infected seemed to have something to do with him considering the way Cara had reacted when she arrived.

"O-Oh did I say infected? What I meant was she must be stronger than me!" Noel said scratching her neck trying to make James ignore what she said.

"It's obvious you're lying so just explain already." James said with a stern face. The main reason he wanted to know is due to the fact even he was acting strange now like slipping into bed with Noel the night before.

Noel took a deep breath resigning to her fate before speaking, "Well, I don't understand everything yet but here's what I've seen so far. Both me and Cara have been infected by Qi from your body." Noel said surprising James.

"Infected by Qi from my body?! Why would it be like that when I haven't even done anything to infect you?" James questioned in disbelief.

It would be one thing if James had prior knowledge and had knowingly done something like that but from his memories, there was no sign or account of anything like that.

"Well from what I've gathered you do it unconsciously. For some reason when you allow someone to help you or develop a connection with them, your dantian sends some of your Qi into their dantian infecting them. I'm sure you've noticed how your Qi is a different color than normal." Noel said making James nod his head as he knew of the black color his Qi had.

"Well, when your Qi gets into our dantian it seems to form a connection between us and you. One that grows stronger as the Qi expands into more of our dantian. I believe it has something with your unformed Dao which you will get when you break through to the next realm." Noel explained shocking both Cara and James.

"Dao?! How can James already have traces of Dao when he's still in the elementary realm and from what you're saying he has had traces since the beginning of cultivation?!" Cara said in shock as she sat beside James.

"I'm not sure myself. However, what I do know is that even I have been unable to remove the Qi from my system even if I try but at this point, I don't even want to remove it." Noel said smiling at James.

When James was faced with Noel's beautiful smile he was entranced for a moment before he considered what all of this meant.

It was clear that the affection from his Qi was anything but normal. However, James didn't want this Qi to force their minds or their actions like some sort of fake affection they had for him.

On the other hand, he didn't know if he could deal with the repercussions of pushing them away since even at the thought of it the spot they filled in his heart started aching making him place his hand on his chest.

"Don't even think about leaving me."

"What are you thinking about?!" Noel and Cara said at the same time when his thoughts came around to stopping their relationship.

"Uhh, nothing." James said lying through his teeth.

Both of them eyed him suspiciously before Cara spoke up, "There's no point in lying. Now that I know it's from that Qi all these feelings make more sense. I think Noel can agree but now we seem to be very sensitive to your thoughts and actions like just now your thought of leaving us." Cara said as her eyes got dark and scary.

"Here's a tip. You infected us so you deal with the consequences, don't even think about leaving." Noel said with her eyes turning pitch black and an overbearing aura surrounding her.

When James saw this he began shaking slightly not in fear but instead of happiness, "Fine. Since this seems to be my fault I will take responsibility. I promise to treat you both better than anyone has before and make sure you're cared for as much as possible." James said resolutely as he looked at the both of them.

Both of them smiled when he said this and the black Qi inside of them grew slightly but even more so for Noel who had expanded the cage that her Qi was in so it could grow more.

"Well to do that you'll have to get stronger so from now on you will train with me every night!" Cara said with a grin as she stood up.

"Who said you could do that?! Under the orders of the sect, James is supposed to be helping me at all times." Noel said in anger as she saw Cara trying to take away her time.

"Well, what are you going to do when James gets injured since he doesn't know how to fight? I'll be placing all the blame on you since you didn't want to let him learn." Cara said smugly as she crossed her arms.

The obvious jab struck the one place Noel couldn't stand making her agree, "Fine he can train but I will be there every time to make sure he gets healed from everything." Noel said with clenched teeth.

"Deal. See you later James~" Cara replied happily before she began skipping out of the house to go about her business.

"Damn that bitch!" Noel said angrily as she stomped the ground making it crack from the force behind her attack.

James was shocked by the power Noel had but kept quiet about it after seeing her anger.

From there James and Noel got ready for the day and soon after left with James not knowing where they were going.