Not good!
Someone's really got their eyes on me!
Under the dark moon and high winds, no one is around.
Qin Gengyun walks alone on the path leading to Narrow Rain Lane, feeling that the slight chill behind him keeps following.
Can't shake it off.
Recently, cultivators have been disappearing frequently in Yunling Town.
It's not surprising, the Cultivation World is survival of the fittest; even in the towns under the governance of a Major Sect, amidst the gentler settings relative to the Northern Wilderness mountains and South Demon territories, danger lurks in every corner.
Moreover, only a few bottom-tier Loose Cultivators have died; the Zhenyang Sect might send Outer Sect disciples to investigate briefly, and that's it.
No in-depth investigation.
Your own life, ultimately you can only treasure it yourself.
Seeing the Narrow Rain Lane close, Qin Gengyun sweats a little on his forehead, his mind fully focused on behind him.
The chill seems to be getting stronger.
Is the opponent going to make a move?
Qin Gengyun is shocked inside, quickly taking out a Talisman Paper, pouring in Spiritual Power, and swiftly sticking it on his leg.
This is a "Divine Movement Talisman," sold by a female Talisman Master next door, saying it might save lives at critical moments.
Indeed, it's being used now.
Qin Gengyun instantly feels a surge of power in his legs, his body lighter, speed increasing instantly, his body transforming into a stream of light, rapidly fleeing.
Soon, the chill behind him disappears.
Entering Narrow Rain Lane, stepping into the area protected by the array, Qin Gengyun relaxes, the Divine Movement Talisman's effects exhausting, almost causing him to collapse.
Whether in the previous world or after traversing, he never fought anyone; if he were really caught just now, the prospects would be bleak.
Narrow Rain Lane, though being a low-rent area, falls under Zhenyang Sect's jurisdiction, equipped with a Protective Array laid by a Third-Tier Array Master; even Mid-period Qi Cultivators cannot act here.
As for Late-period Qi Cultivators, they disdain to come to Narrow Rain Lane to loot.
Now entering the alley, it's safe.
Qin Gengyun wipes the cold sweat off his forehead, walks to his rented house, seeing through the curtains the flickering candles inside.
His heart inexplicably warms, the feeling of someone waiting for him to return home, how long has he not felt this?
He enters the house, Qiu Zhihe is sitting at the table, with a bowl of porridge placed on it; seeing him return, Qiu Zhihe stands up.
"You're back? I've cooked porridge, have some."
Qin Gengyun is stunned, not expecting Qiu Zhihe to cook, he quickly walks over, smiling:
"Thank you for your hard work."
Qiu Zhihe's round face is slightly pale, her voice crisp yet cold:
"Eat."
Qin Gengyun smiles and nods, sits down, holds up the bowl, freezes instantly.
The porridge in the bowl steams, pitch black, seems with a hint of burnt smell.
Qin Gengyun raises his head in astonishment, Qiu Zhihe's expression indifferent:
"I noticed you're physically lacking, so I added Bajitian, Epimedium, and Locking Yang Grass into the porridge."
Qin Gengyun chuckles dryly, before he can respond, Qiu Zhihe continues:
"It just cooked a bit longer, eat quickly, it works better when hot."
Qin Gengyun looks down at the dark porridge, thinking it's probably not just "cooked a bit longer," right?
Ultimately, it's the wife's heartfelt gesture, Qin Gengyun pinches his nose and finishes the bowl of porridge, Qiu Zhihe cleans the tableware, walks into the kitchen.
Watching her graceful back, Qin Gengyun can't help but smile.
Who says cold women aren't virtuous?
Just as the thought arises, seeing Qiu Zhihe placing the bowl in the sink and turning around to come out.
Qin Gengyun blankly looks at her, Qiu Zhihe asks curiously, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Qin Gengyun smiles, walks into the kitchen to wash the bowl, comes out and says to Qiu Zhihe:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, by the way, there's something to discuss with you."
It's apparent, Qiu Zhihe married him due to some difficulty, with no emotional bond; if they were to cultivate together every day, she probably wouldn't want to.
He needs to have a good talk with her.
"Taoist Friend Qin."
Qiu Zhihe walks to the bed and sits, speaking to him:
"Come closer and talk."
Qin Gengyun agrees, gets up and walks to the bed, suddenly a great force hits, and he's already lying on the bed.
"Taoist Friend Qiu, you..."
Outside, clouds cover the moon, pitch black.
Thirty breaths later.
Qiu Zhihe rolls over, turns her back on him lying down.
Qin Gengyun's eyes glaze over with virtual text:
[Couple Affection: 5/100. Couple affection too low, no bonus]
[Cultivation Points gained: 2]
Qin Gengyun is momentarily dazed, silently thinking: "Add points!"
He allocates all the hard-earned 2 points to [Cultivation].
[Cultivation: Qi Cultivation Second-Layer, 100/100]
[Cultivation breakthrough available, proceed immediately?]
Qin Gengyun is about to think of breakthrough, suddenly feels weight upon him again, seeing those cold apricot eyes once more.
"Taoist Friend Qiu, wait..."
Outside, the night wind howls, blowing away the clouds, and the moon reveals a small smooth edge.
Thirty breaths later.
[Couple Affection: 5/100. Couple affection too low, no bonus]
[Cultivation Points gained: 2]
Qiu Zhihe again turns her back, pulling the quilt over, it's hard to discern her feelings at the moment.
But just then, Qin Gengyun feels deep defeat.
Despite drinking so much medicinal porridge earlier, he's still not resilient.
This Ice and Fire Two Layers of Heaven constitution is truly hard to break through.
Forget it, at least the cultivation points were not deducted.
As Qin Gengyun thinks of pulling up the attribute panel, suddenly hears Qiu Zhihe speaking softly:
"Are you alright?"
Qin Gengyun hesitates, instinctively responding, "No need to worry, I'm fine."
"Good, let's go again."
"?"
The moon finally reveals halfway, pouring its clean light like a galaxy, casting upon the earth.
[Couple Affection: 5/100. Couple affection too low, no bonus]
[Cultivation Points gained: 2]
A moment later, Qin Gengyun looks numb, exhausted.
The round moon gradually covered by clouds, unknowingly reaches midnight.
Qin Gengyun lies sprawled on the bed, feeling desolate.
Qiu Zhihe turns her back on him, her voice cool: "Taoist Friend Qin, you mentioned having something to say earlier?"
Qin Gengyun smiles bitterly, "No, nothing."
Qiu Zhihe gives a nod, "Rest well."
The house returns to peace, leaving Qin Gengyun feeling somewhat incredulous.
Seems I should be worried not whether Qiu Zhihe is willing, but whether I can withstand it!