Su Wen returned to the house, the midday sun streaming through the windows. As he walked in, he muttered to himself, "I'm running low on spirit meat, spiritual herbs, and those Spirit Steel Rings for Du Yue… maybe a few clothes too. I should ask Grandma and Grandpa if they need anything while I'm at it."
He entered the main room to find his grandparents sitting beside Du Yue, who was still looking delicate, with the little sparrow bouncing happily around them. The sight of them together made Su Wen smile faintly.
He paused for a moment, then spoke softly, "Do you guys need anything? I'm planning a trip to Yellow Town to pick up some supplies. I can buy something for you as well."
Grandma's eyes glinted mischievously as she flashed him a sly smile, "We're old, we don't have much demand. But you should ask Du Yue if she needs anything. Or better yet, why don't you go together?"
Grandpa, who had been listening, nodded sagely, "Young people should go out and have some fun. It's your age after all. Didn't I take your grandma to eat Potato Mush when I was young?"
Du Yue froze and thought to herself, 'Is this what people call a Date?' She looked at him with a little expectation in her eyes.
Su Wen, who had initially been about to protest, glanced at Du Yue's expectant face and couldn't help but sigh, his resolve softening. "Alright, fine. But you're still recovering, and you won't be able to walk long distances just yet. We'll go in three days. By then, your meridians should be healed, and you'll have adjusted to your body cultivation."
Du Yue smiled like a blooming flower, happy that he was caring for her. But the grandparents had even wider smiles on their faces, which looked a little scary.
"What about you, Little Sparrow?" Su Wen asked, turning to the bird perched nearby. "Don't you want to come along?"
At that, both Grandma and Grandpa turned their attention to Little Sparrow with the same unnervingly wide grins. The little bird shivered, then puffed out her chest and huffed indignantly. "-Chirp Hmph, I don't want to disturb you two on your little date. Just make sure to bring me something good, alright?"
Su Wen flicked her little head lightly with a bemused smile, then reached into his ring and pulled out a piece of spirit candy. "Alright, alright. I'll bring back some sweets for you, Little Sparrow."
Little Sparrow immediately snatched the candy from his hand, popping it into her beak. As the sweet, sugary taste hit her tongue, she fluttered in delight, her tiny wings giving an excited shake. '-Chirp Dumb Su Wen sure knows how to make me happy, hehe.'
After discussing his plans with everyone, Su Wen retreated to his room, his mind buzzing with a multitude of thoughts. He sat cross-legged, calmed his mind and immediately shut out all distractions. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began circulating the Spiritual Qi through his body, focusing solely on his cultivation.
As he activated the Dao of Nine Heavens cultivation technique for the Spirit Cultivation, the spiritual energy flowed within him like liquid, its movement smoother and faster than before. The experience he had gained from treating Du Yue's meridians had sharpened his control. The liquid-like spiritual qi filled his body and soul, nourishing them thoroughly. He gradually lost himself in cultivation, only waking up the next morning.
The next few days followed the same routine: collecting ingredients, tending to the farm and herb garden, refining pills for Du Yue, cooking meals for everyone, and helping Du Yue with her body cultivation. By evening, he would immerse himself in his own cultivation.
Two days passed quickly, and Du Yue's progress was evident. Her body cultivation had already refined her skin and muscles, and she had begun the process of refining her bones. Her progress was absurdly fast, thanks to the brutal Tribulation Law, her abundant Yin Qi, and Su Wen's meticulous guidance.
When Su Wen checked her body, he noted that most of her Yin Qi which had already been expended due to the continuous healing process, but now, it had replenished itself, and she was glowing with vitality.
The scar on her face remained a painful reminder of her ordeal, but it couldn't suppress the charm that radiated from her.
Today, Du Yue had completed her body refinement training. Covered in sweat and slightly fatigued, she still wore an expression of sheer excitement in her eyes. This "Date" they had talked about was finally happening. She no longer needed to be carried and moved with surprising speed, hurrying off to the house to prepare.
Su Wen, standing at the door, suddenly called out, "Wait!"
Du Yue froze mid-step, looking back at him as if to say, 'Hurry up, I have a date to go on!' "Hmm?"
Su Wen sighed and pulled a few robes from his storage ring, along with a black silk cloth to cover her face. "I'm worried that people with ill intentions will be looking for you. Your unique Yin physique is well-known now. It's better to dress like a man and cover your face… hide the scar or any resemblance to yourself."
He paused for a moment, watching her carefully, and then added, "These are my robes. Ask Grandma to help you dress as a man, just to be safe."
Du Yue blinked, a little hesitant because she didn't want her first "Date" to be ruined. She was a little happy because he was caring for her and wouldn't abandon her, and a little excited because she would wear his robes, which meant she would be hugging him all the time. Just as she thought of this, her face turned red, while Su Wen didn't understand why there were so many different reactions on her face.
Du Yue hurriedly snatched away all the robes and ran away. Su Wen only heard hey faintly audible from afar, "Hehe, I won't return them..."
Su Wen wanted to say, 'Please choose just one,' but she had already taken all of them, leaving him standing there helplessly.
Half an hour later, Su Wen stood outside the house, waiting patiently while cuddling with the Little Sparrow. He rubbed her feathers, planted little kisses all over her tiny face, and occasionally patted her head as they waited for Du Yue to finish dressing.
Grandpa, who was sitting nearby basking comfortably in the sun, let out a long sigh and muttered,
"Women… even when they're dressing as men, they still take forever."
Then he glanced at Su Wen with a smug smirk.
"Brat!! Better get used to waiting for them to get ready. Hahaha!"
Su Wen scoffed, not looking up.
"Old man! Why don't you say that in front of Grandma?"
Grandpa opened his mouth to retort, but before he could speak, the door creaked open.
A young man dressed in scholarly robes stepped out. He looked a little weak but walked elegantly down the steps. His face was completely covered from head to chin.
Du Yue, who was dressed as a weak scholarly young man in Su Wen's clothing, had a flushed face and a bright smile, though it was hidden behind the cover… which couldn't be seen unless someone used their Soul Sense and Du Yue allowed it or their cultivation level is higher.
Su Wen unconsciously activated his Soul Sense to check her expression… and immediately saw her face glowing red like a ripe tomato.
Du Yue stumbled for a moment when his intent brushed over her, but she managed to stabilize herself. Still, her ears were burning.
Su Wen looked her up and down and nodded seriously, as if confirming, 'Yes, this is definitely Du Yue… disguised or not.'
Grandma came out right behind her, and when she saw the faint smile tugging at Su Wen's mouth, she looked very satisfied.
Seeing Su Wen looking at her strangely, Du Yue suddenly blurted out innocently, "I wore your robe, and in the future, you can wear mine. Then we will be even."
Grandma, Grandpa and Little Bird burst out laughing.
Du Yue had a puzzled expression under her cover, and Su Wen's face turned red with embarrassment. Before he could say anything,
Grandpa chimed in gleefully,
"Little Du Yue is right! You'll have to wear hers and show us! Only then will things be even!"
Grandma wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, cackling,
"I wonder how my grandson would look in female clothing. Hahaha!"
Little Sparrow rolled onto her back and laughed like an absolute idiot.
"-Chirp! Hahaha! Dumb Su Wen will look 'beautiful' in Du Yue's clothes.! -Chirp!"
Su Wen, "Y-You!!..." Then he looked at the Du Yue and could only sigh inwardly, 'Girl, why are you unpredictable all of a sudden".
His face looked like it might explode at any moment.
Without waiting for her, Su Wen grabbed Du Yue's wrist and practically fled from the house, starting their descent down the mountain.