The following morning, golden light filtered through the bamboo shutters, casting gentle patterns across the room.
Bai Yunxi stirred slowly, the world returning to her through warmth—the warmth of Su Kang's steady heartbeat beneath her ear, his arms wrapped around her waist protectively.
She stretched lazily, pressing closer to his chest, the subtle rise and fall of his breath grounding her in the present.
"Good morning," she murmured, voice still thick with sleep.
Su Kang's lips brushed her forehead. "Good morning, Xi'er."
She smiled softly, savoring the rare comfort.
"Do you want to travel more?" he softly asked, feeling her improved mood.
"Two more days," she whispered, a spark of excitement flickering in her emerald eyes. "Just two more."
Their journey continued, carrying them farther from the Rift Valley.
As they traveled, they spoke of the vast world beyond—the great sects, hidden cultivation techniques, and the endless opportunities that awaited those strong enough to seize them.
At night, Bai Yunxi cultivated with quiet focus, seated cross-legged, drawing in Qi with the gentle, steady rhythm of the Tranquil Stream Foundation Art.
She had practiced this art for years before her poisoning had halted her growth. Her Qi flowed like a gentle stream—unbroken, smooth, patient.
Every rotation was deliberate, polishing her meridians, slowly purifying her energy, and gradually nourishing her Dantian.
Su Kang observed her progress, marveling at how effortlessly she absorbed techniques.
The elixir had not only renewed her body, but also sharpened her perception. She could now comprehend cultivation methods at a rate even talented disciples of large sects would envy.
When she returned to him that night, carrying a scroll she'd finished studying, her eyes shimmered with quiet joy. "Husband," she said softly, "thank you for the wedding gift. The pill was truly amazing."
He smiled, reaching out to smooth her hair. "You deserve it."
He had anticipated the pill's benefits, but even he hadn't expected such drastic results.
There was only one drawback—her qi cultivation had regressed significantly.
Her body was like that of a young girl in her late teens, pristine and pure.
For Bai Yunxi, this was a blessing. But for him? If he had taken the pill, he would have lost years of cultivation.
His body would have regressed too much, he might have been reduced to a child.
He shivered at the thought.
That would've been tragic and embarrassing.
That night, like many others, they ended up in bed—him on his back, one arm under her head, the other resting around her shoulders. She lay curled into him, her fingers gently holding him.
A quiet warmth filled Bai Yunxi as she closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat.
"I think I'll get addicted to this feeling," she murmured softly.
Su Kang chuckled, pulling her closer. "Good. Then I won't have to compete with those young geniuses from the Central Plains for your affection."
She blinked, lifting her head. "What do you mean?"
"You're beautiful and incredibly talented," he mused. "One day, powerful cultivators will line up just to hold your hand." He sighed dramatically.
"Maybe you'll realize I'm not enough and leave me for someone greater."
She stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. "Do you really think I'd do that?"
He sighed, shaking his head in exaggerated despair. "Powerful female cultivators often take multiple lovers or husbands. My wife might become like them one day."
"Shameless!" she growled—and bit his arm.
Su Kang laughed, completely unaffected, stroking her hair as she gnawed at him in frustration.
"Sorry, sorry! Forgive me, Xi'er," he said, barely suppressing his amusement.
"You're impossible," she huffed, pulling away.
But before she could sulk properly, Su Kang wrapped an arm around her waist and leapt out the window.
"W-What are you doing?!" she shrieked as they landed beside a quiet pond under the silver moonlight.
He spread out a cloth on the ground, settling down and pulling her beside him. "You're not mad, are you?" he teased.
She pouted, folding her arms. "How could I not be? That joke wasn't funny."
He sighed, taking a more serious tone. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to lighten the mood."
She gave him a sideways glance. Her cheeks puffed, arms still crossed—yet she inched closer.
"I thought you were a gentleman," she muttered. "Turns out I married a rogue."
Su Kang grinned. "Took you long enough to figure it out. I tricked you. Otherwise, how could someone like me ever deserve a wife like you?"
She pinched his side sharply, making him wince with a laugh.
Then, in a quieter voice, he murmured, "Sometimes… I'm really jealous of Li Xiao. He got to see these sides of you first."
Bai Yunxi stiffened.
Before he could say more, she pressed her hand gently over his mouth.
The warmth of her palm made him pause. Her eyes shimmered with a complicated mix of sadness, unwillingness, and something deeper that was hard to name.
"He was my husband," she said softly. "And he's also the father of my son. After spending some time with him, I realized… he was rash, yes, but he always thought about my well-being."
"I can't change my past, Su Kang. You already know that. So please… stop bringing him up like this." Her voice remained steady, each word slow but firm.
For a while, they said nothing. The pond rippled with the breeze, frogs croaked in the distance, and above them, stars shimmered in quiet indifference.
Su Kang sighed inwardly.
The following morning, golden light filtered through the bamboo shutters, casting gentle patterns across the room.
Bai Yunxi stirred slowly, the world returning to her through warmth—the warmth of Su Kang's steady heartbeat beneath her ear, his arms wrapped around her waist protectively.
She stretched lazily, pressing closer to his chest, the subtle rise and fall of his breath grounding her in the present.
"Good morning," she murmured, voice still thick with sleep.
Su Kang's lips brushed her forehead. "Good morning, Xi'er."
She smiled softly, savoring the rare comfort.
"Do you want to travel more?" he softly asked, feeling her improved mood.
"Two more days," she whispered, a spark of excitement flickering in her emerald eyes. "Just two more."
Their journey continued, carrying them farther from the Rift Valley.
As they traveled, they spoke of the vast world beyond—the great sects, hidden cultivation techniques, and the endless opportunities that awaited those strong enough to seize them.
At night, Bai Yunxi cultivated with quiet focus, seated cross-legged, drawing in Qi with the gentle, steady rhythm of the Tranquil Stream Foundation Art.
She had practiced this art for years before her poisoning had halted her growth. Her Qi flowed like a gentle stream—unbroken, smooth, patient.
Every rotation was deliberate, polishing her meridians, slowly purifying her energy, and gradually nourishing her Dantian.
Su Kang observed her progress, marveling at how effortlessly she absorbed techniques.
The elixir had not only renewed her body, but also sharpened her perception. She could now comprehend cultivation methods at a rate even talented disciples of large sects would envy.
When she returned to him that night, carrying a scroll she'd finished studying, her eyes shimmered with quiet joy. "Husband," she said softly, "thank you for the wedding gift. The pill was truly amazing."
He smiled, reaching out to smooth her hair. "You deserve it."
He had anticipated the pill's benefits, but even he hadn't expected such drastic results.
There was only one drawback—her qi cultivation had regressed significantly.
Her body was like that of a young girl in her late teens, pristine and pure.
For Bai Yunxi, this was a blessing. But for him? If he had taken the pill, he would have lost years of cultivation.
His body would have regressed too much, he might have been reduced to a child.
He shivered at the thought.
That would've been tragic and embarrassing.
That night, like many others, they ended up in bed—him on his back, one arm under her head, the other resting around her shoulders. She lay curled into him, her fingers gently holding him.
A quiet warmth filled Bai Yunxi as she closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat.
"I think I'll get addicted to this feeling," she murmured softly.
Su Kang chuckled, pulling her closer. "Good. Then I won't have to compete with those young geniuses from the Central Plains for your affection."
She blinked, lifting her head. "What do you mean?"
"You're beautiful and incredibly talented," he mused. "One day, powerful cultivators will line up just to hold your hand." He sighed dramatically.
"Maybe you'll realize I'm not enough and leave me for someone greater."
She stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. "Do you really think I'd do that?"
He sighed, shaking his head in exaggerated despair. "Powerful female cultivators often take multiple lovers or husbands. My wife might become like them one day."
"Shameless!" she growled—and bit his arm.
Su Kang laughed, completely unaffected, stroking her hair as she gnawed at him in frustration.
"Sorry, sorry! Forgive me, Xi'er," he said, barely suppressing his amusement.
"You're impossible," she huffed, pulling away.
But before she could sulk properly, Su Kang wrapped an arm around her waist and leapt out the window.
"W-What are you doing?!" she shrieked as they landed beside a quiet pond under the silver moonlight.
He spread out a cloth on the ground, settling down and pulling her beside him. "You're not mad, are you?" he teased.
She pouted, folding her arms. "How could I not be? That joke wasn't funny."
He sighed, taking a more serious tone. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to lighten the mood."
She gave him a sideways glance. Her cheeks puffed, arms still crossed—yet she inched closer.
"I thought you were a gentleman," she muttered. "Turns out I married a rogue."
Su Kang grinned. "Took you long enough to figure it out. I tricked you. Otherwise, how could someone like me ever deserve a wife like you?"
She pinched his side sharply, making him wince with a laugh.
Then, in a quieter voice, he murmured, "Sometimes… I'm really jealous of Li Xiao. He got to see these sides of you first."
Bai Yunxi stiffened.
Before he could say more, she pressed her hand gently over his mouth.
The warmth of her palm made him pause. Her eyes shimmered with a complicated mix of sadness, unwillingness, and something deeper that was hard to name.
"He was my husband," she said softly. "And he's also the father of my son. After spending some time with him, I realized… he was rash, yes, but he always thought about my well-being."
"I can't change my past, Su Kang. You already know that. So please… stop bringing him up like this." Her voice remained steady, each word slow but firm.
For a while, they said nothing. The pond rippled with the breeze, frogs croaked in the distance, and above them, stars shimmered in quiet indifference.
Su Kang sighed inwardly.
What am I doing? This is for my own goals—and I'll help her as her husband. But feeling possessive… jealous… that's just foolish.
Su Kang slowly removed her hand but said nothing more.
"He was—" She parted her lips, hesitating, but he gently cut her off.
"I won't mention him again," he said quietly. "I'm sorry. I didn't expect those words to come out either."
He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, offering her a small, apologetic smile.
She nodded, a silent understanding passing between them.
Without another word, he pulled her into his arms, resting his chin atop her head.
He whispered. "Get addicted to this feeling. Because if you don't… I'm afraid that one day, you might really leave. And I'll be helpless to stop it."
She didn't answer. But after a moment, she leaned into his warmth.
The next morning, they ended their travels, returning to the village by evening.
Su Kang had made up his mind—he would leave the village in two days, taking Bai Yunxi and Madam An with him.
Before their departure, he decided to host a banquet for the villagers who had taken care of them.
That night, as Bai Yunxi rested in his arms, he considered the future.
She was improving rapidly, but she lacked suitable cultivation techniques. The Qingyun Sect's techniques were adequate for now, but they weren't enough.
The Su family had no techniques tailored for her physique either.
Su Kang sighed. Right now, she was progressing well with the resources he provided, but he needed to find something better for her soon.
Su Kang asked Old Man He and Madam An to oversee the arrangements while he took Bai Yunxi to Rift Valley City to buy ingredients.
As they wandered through the bustling marketplace, the scent of spices and grilled meats filled the air. Stalls overflowed with exotic fruits, shimmering silks, and rare herbs.
Then, something caught Bai Yunxi's attention.
"Husband, look!" she exclaimed, holding up an old, faded scroll.
Su Kang glanced over her shoulder. A map. The parchment depicted a hidden valley, marked with a cryptic inscription.
"A map to a secret realm!" she whispered excitedly. "We must go there! Imagine the treasures we could find!"
Su Kang, watching her with amusement, couldn't help but smile.
"Treasure maps are rarely what they seem," he reminded her. "But… perhaps a little adventure wouldn't be amiss."
That evening, the village square was transformed.
Colorful lanterns lined the pathways, casting a warm glow over the gathering. The scent of roasted meats and fragrant rice filled the air, mingling with the cheerful chatter of villagers.
Su Kang and Bai Yunxi sat at the head of the table, greeting well-wishers and sharing stories of their journey.
As the night deepened, they distributed gifts among the villagers—small treasures, medicinal herbs, and spirit stones for cultivation.
The villagers, deeply touched, promised to care for Su Kang's residence in his absence.
"You'll always have a place here, Young Master," Old Man He said warmly.
Su Kang nodded, his heart lighter. "I will return," he promised. "Sometimes, even cultivators need a place to rest."
He planned to install a qi-gathering array in his courtyard for the villagers to cultivate, ensuring the younger generation could grow stronger.
As the banquet ended, laughter and warmth lingered in the air.
Su Kang slowly removed her hand but said nothing more.
"He was—" She parted her lips, hesitating, but he gently cut her off.
"I won't mention him again," he said quietly. "I'm sorry. I didn't expect those words to come out either."
He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, offering her a small, apologetic smile.
She nodded, a silent understanding passing between them.
Without another word, he pulled her into his arms, resting his chin atop her head.
He whispered. "Get addicted to this feeling. Because if you don't… I'm afraid that one day, you might really leave. And I'll be helpless to stop it."
She didn't answer. But after a moment, she leaned into his warmth.
The next morning, they ended their travels, returning to the village by evening.
Su Kang had made up his mind—he would leave the village in two days, taking Bai Yunxi and Madam An with him.
Before their departure, he decided to host a banquet for the villagers who had taken care of them.
That night, as Bai Yunxi rested in his arms, he considered the future.
She was improving rapidly, but she lacked suitable cultivation techniques. The Qingyun Sect's techniques were adequate for now, but they weren't enough.
The Su family had no techniques tailored for her physique either.
Su Kang sighed. Right now, she was progressing well with the resources he provided, but he needed to find something better for her soon.
Su Kang asked Old Man He and Madam An to oversee the arrangements while he took Bai Yunxi to Rift Valley City to buy ingredients.
As they wandered through the bustling marketplace, the scent of spices and grilled meats filled the air. Stalls overflowed with exotic fruits, shimmering silks, and rare herbs.
Then, something caught Bai Yunxi's attention.
"Husband, look!" she exclaimed, holding up an old, faded scroll.
Su Kang glanced over her shoulder. A map. The parchment depicted a hidden valley, marked with a cryptic inscription.
"A map to a secret realm!" she whispered excitedly. "We must go there! Imagine the treasures we could find!"
Su Kang, watching her with amusement, couldn't help but smile.
"Treasure maps are rarely what they seem," he reminded her. "But… perhaps a little adventure wouldn't be amiss."
That evening, the village square was transformed.
Colorful lanterns lined the pathways, casting a warm glow over the gathering. The scent of roasted meats and fragrant rice filled the air, mingling with the cheerful chatter of villagers.
Su Kang and Bai Yunxi sat at the head of the table, greeting well-wishers and sharing stories of their journey.
As the night deepened, they distributed gifts among the villagers—small treasures, medicinal herbs, and spirit stones for cultivation.
The villagers, deeply touched, promised to care for Su Kang's residence in his absence.
"You'll always have a place here, Young Master," Old Man He said warmly.
Su Kang nodded, his heart lighter. "I will return," he promised. "Sometimes, even cultivators need a place to rest."
He planned to install a qi-gathering array in his courtyard for the villagers to cultivate, ensuring the younger generation could grow stronger.
As the banquet ended, laughter and warmth lingered in the air.