After the massage, Xue Wen slowly reached into the small cloth bag resting at the corner of the room.
His fingers brushed against the fabric as he pulled out two neatly folded robes.
One was a deep shade of purple embroidered with golden lotus flowers, and the other was a delicate pink, patterned with soft blossoms that seemed to dance across the cloth.
The faint glow of spiritual energy pulsed from the material, filling the room with a subtle pressure that only Bonebearers could sense.
He held them out gently to Ding Mei, his lips curving into a faint smile.
"Here, take them," he said, his voice calm but filled with warmth.
Ding Mei's eyes widened as she accepted the robes into her trembling hands.
At first glance, she thought they were ordinary garments, but the moment her fingers touched the fabric, she realized the truth.
These weren't just clothes, these were Marrow-Infused Robes, designed with defensive inscriptions and crafted to shield the body from fatal strikes.
Each stitch carried a faint ripple of energy, enough to deflect blades or dampen a Bonebearer's attack.
Her throat tightened, and she swallowed nervously. "D-Dear… these are far too expensive…" she whispered, almost as if speaking too loudly might cause the robes to vanish.
Xue Wen chuckled softly and reached forward, placing his palm on her silky hair.
He patted her head with the gentleness of a spring breeze. "Don't worry about the cost," he said. "What's mine is yours. You deserve the very best."
The simple affection in his words made Ding Mei's heart tremble.
Heat flushed across her face, and she pressed the robes tightly against her chest, as if holding onto a treasure she never wished to part with.
Her lips quivered, and after a moment of silence, she finally managed to murmur, "Thank you…" Her voice was so soft it almost disappeared into the air.
Seeing her shy reaction, Xue Wen scratched the back of his neck, a bit awkward, a laugh escaping him unintentionally.
Before he could say anything more, Ding Mei's eyes sparkled. "Let me try them!" she suddenly declared, her voice carrying a hint of girlish excitement.
Without waiting for his response, she scurried toward the bedroom like a startled chicken, leaving Xue Wen stunned by her sudden burst of energy.
Minutes later, when the door creaked open, Xue Wen's jaw nearly dropped to the floor.
Ding Mei stepped out gracefully, now adorned in the pink robe.
The garment clung to her figure with the perfect balance of modesty and allure, flowing like rippling petals in the evening light.
Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her delicate face.
Against the fading sunset, she looked like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting, pure, ethereal, and breathtaking.
Xue Wen froze in place, unable to believe what he was seeing.
How in the world did I end up with such a beautiful, caring wife? he thought, his heart racing as if it would burst from his chest.
Noticing his stunned expression, Ding Mei covered her lips with slender fingers and laughed softly.
The sound was like a silver bell, clear and playful.
Finally breaking free of his daze, Xue Wen stepped closer.
With a tender motion, he reached out and brushed a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.
His eyes softened, and his lips curved upward. "You look stunning," he whispered.
Her cheeks turned crimson, and she looked away shyly. "D-Dear… thank you…" she murmured, her voice trembling like a flute carried by the wind.
Unable to restrain himself, Xue Wen's arm slipped around her slender waist, pulling her gently but firmly against his chest.
This time, Ding Mei did not resist.
She gazed into his eyes, her own filled with a mixture of shame, anticipation, and warmth.
"Husband…" she breathed.
Xue Wen drew in a sharp breath, his body heating up, and pressed his lips against hers.
The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but the moment he felt the sweet warmth of her lips, he deepened it, his heart pounding wildly.
Ding Mei's eyes glistened with tears of happiness as she kissed him back.
She had always dreamed of such a day, living, laughing, and sharing her heart with her husband, and now it was finally here.
Their lips parted only after a full minute, both of them flushed and slightly breathless.
Ding Mei's eyes darted shyly away, though she no longer tried to escape his presence.
Instead, she stood close, her hands fidgeting nervously at her sides.
For a long while, they simply stared at each other, locked in each other's gaze.
Then, embarrassed, Xue Wen was the first to look away, his cheeks burning red.
Ding Mei, equally flustered, turned and hurried into the kitchen, her hands busily gathering ingredients though her mind remained elsewhere.
As she stirred the pot, her lips curled into a soft smile.
His kiss… the taste of him still lingers. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the wild rhythm of her heartbeat.
Meanwhile, Xue Wen picked up his cloth bag and quietly entered the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
Sitting on the bed, he exhaled slowly, the memory of their kiss flashing again and again in his mind.
His lips curved into a smile. Soon enough… I will make her truly mine.
Opening the bag, his eyes fell upon the items inside, several carefully wrapped portions of sacred beast meat, and nestled among them, a slim manual bound in dark red silk.
The title gleamed faintly: Blood Rose Breath.
It was a Dual Marrow Refinement technique, crafted for cultivation between man and woman.
Unlike common methods, this technique harnessed intimacy and mutual trust to circulate marrow essence more efficiently.
It was simple, elegant, and extremely effective, especially for couples.
Xue Wen's eyes glimmered. "This will strengthen my foundation and help Ding Mei rise in power as well," he murmured.
He thought of her current level, barely at Quarter Bone Awakening, and determination sparked within him. "With this, she can advance rapidly. We will both grow together."
Flipping through the manual, he quickly memorized the breathing patterns.
The essence of the method was performed during copulation, the man and woman synchronizing their breaths until their marrow essence intertwined and refined into purer energy.
Within minutes, Xue Wen had committed it to memory.
He carefully placed the manual back into the bag and took out the beast meat.
His eyes gleamed with hunger, not just for food but for power.
With resolute focus, he tore into the meat, swallowing chunks infused with marrow essence.
Heat spread through his veins, flooding his meridians, and his cultivation began to surge rapidly once again.