Chapter 25: The Painting of Blossoming Peach Flowers

Upon hearing Qin Yueyue utter such uncharacteristic words, Li Guanzhuan was momentarily taken aback. Then, without hesitation, he pulled out a Purification Talisman and pressed it to her chest.

Instantly, ripples spread out in the air.

“What are you doing?” Qin Yueyue protested, both embarrassed and annoyed.

Li Guanzhuan saw that no sinister black smoke emerged, and he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Good—at least she wasn’t possessed by anything foul.

If that was the case, then had Qin Yueyue really rushed back so anxiously just to dual-cultivate with him?

But that didn’t add up...

Li Guanzhuan was full of suspicion. Qin Yueyue had joined the Falling Moon Valley to seek out and obtain the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree, after which she had agreed to dual-cultivate with him.

But the treasured tree was obviously within himself. Why had Qin Yueyue suddenly decided to return to her roots?

“Did you find it?” Li Guanzhuan asked.

“No, but I’m close. I’ll tell you all about it tonight,” Qin Yueyue replied with a mischievous grin. Then she looked directly at Wen Rongxin and said without the slightest embarrassment, “Sister, lend me your husband tonight.”

Wen Rongxin was stunned. When she recovered, her cheeks flushed, and she murmured, “He’s your husband too, sister.”

“Don’t worry, Sister. However he bullies you, tonight I’ll help you get your revenge.” Qin Yueyue grinned, brimming with confidence as she placed a piece of meat into Wen Rongxin’s bowl.

She was already at the sixth level of Qi Refinement—overpowering someone at the fourth level should be effortless for her.

Li Guanzhuan took a sip of soup, smiling quietly to himself. He thought otherwise.

Newcomers were always brimming with confidence before they’d actually set out—it was understandable.

But Wen Rongxin, knowing her husband’s prowess all too well, poked Li Guanzhuan lightly and whispered, “Be… gentle with my sister…”

“Don’t worry, I know my limits.” Li Guanzhuan nodded slightly, giving her a reassuring smile.

“Who knows who will need mercy,” Qin Yueyue retorted stubbornly.

Wen Rongxin opened her mouth as if to say more, but seeing Qin Yueyue’s resolve, she thought better of it.

Li Guanzhuan chuckled softly. “I’d advise you not to boast too much just yet. Don’t blame me if you start babbling nonsense halfway through and spend the next day in silent regret… Besides, the more arrogant you are, the more spirited I’ll become.”

“Hmph, who’s afraid of whom?” Qin Yueyue replied with a sly smile. “Ever heard the saying, ‘No egg remains whole under a toppled nest’? I’ll have you so startled, you’ll be like a nervous bird!”

Li Guanzhuan replied evenly, “I can already picture a maiden shielding herself from the sun, hands raised to block the light.”

“Just a little gardener like you?” she teased.

“Sorry to disappoint you—I’m a sturdy laborer,” he replied.

“…”

While the two seasoned veterans exchanged banter, Wen Rongxin watched on in utter confusion, unable to make sense of their veiled words.

…

Night fell, quiet and deep.

In the side chamber of Peaceful Abode.

Since Old Chen had left, the main house had remained empty. Qin Yueyue, long accustomed to staying in the side chamber, hadn’t moved, leaving the main house for Wen Rongxin’s martial practice.

In stark contrast to her earlier bravado, Qin Yueyue now appeared timid.

After all, she was still a young woman with no experience in such matters. Were it not for receiving a certain treasure, she wouldn’t have rushed back, eager for dual cultivation with Li Guanzhuan.

“Come on, Qin Yueyue! You’ve talked big—now’s not the time to lose your nerve!” she silently cheered herself on, sitting stiff-backed at the edge of the bed, her alluring figure fully revealed—her upper body full and round as the moon, her waist slender and supple, hips perched on the edge of the couch, legs long and ivory white.

Li Guanzhuan entered, seeing her feigned composure. He couldn’t help but smile. “Nervous? Don’t be. With a sixth-level Qi Refiner’s body, you’ll be fine. It may hurt a little at first, but once you’re used to it, I’ll likely be the one begging for mercy.”

He was no longer the traditional craftsman he once was.

Now, his head brimmed with theory and practical skill, every gesture calculated, capable of moving mountains and boiling seas—a force to be reckoned with.

“That… that’s probably true…” Qin Yueyue stammered, her nerves rendering her nearly incoherent.

Li Guanzhuan didn’t tease her further. Bathed in moonlight, he gazed at her radiant, oval face, captivating and bright.

He placed a protective talisman in the room, then approached, his face growing serious. “Did you really find the tree?”

At the mention of business, Qin Yueyue managed to relax a little and shook her head. “No, but I found a velvet blossom, which I think is from that spirit tree… When I first entered the core area, a blossom suddenly appeared within me, forming its own space, difficult for others to detect.

“Upon closer examination, I realized it contained a faint trace of immortal aura, though it isn’t fully awakened yet. That’s why I came back so quickly—to dual-cultivate with you.”

“May I take a look?” Li Guanzhuan asked, eyes fixed on her chest.

Blushing, Qin Yueyue murmured her assent.

At this moment, Li Guanzhuan had no other thoughts—he just wanted to see whether the blossom inside Qin Yueyue was indeed from his own spirit tree.

He placed his hand on her chest, sending his spiritual awareness inward…

Soon, Li Guanzhuan entered a space of utter darkness.

It was strikingly similar to his own—there, a pink-white velvet blossom lay, filaments cascading like tassels.

After his investigation, Li Guanzhuan silently withdrew his hand.

Identical…

The aura of this velvet blossom was exactly the same as the spirit tree within him.

But if the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree was in him, how had a blossom appeared in the Joyous Mountain?

What on earth was going on?

Li Guanzhuan fell into deep contemplation. Could it be that, after Qin Yueyue spent so much time in contact with him, a blossom had sprouted in the place where the spirit tree once took root?

If so, then if Wen Rongxin visited that place too, wouldn’t she also be able to use the blossom for longevity?

At the thought, Li Guanzhuan’s heart began to pound.

Qin Yueyue asked, “Why is your heart beating so fast?”

“It’s nothing—just a little unbelievable, that’s all…”

Li Guanzhuan quickly reined in his thoughts. When the chance arose, he would have to take his wife there as well.

Then he looked at Qin Yueyue, asking sincerely, “So… shall we test the effect of this velvet blossom?”

“Yes…” she replied shyly, burying herself under the covers, fingers nervously entwined.

Li Guanzhuan, an old hand by now, was enveloped in her faint fragrance, the fire in his belly rising. With practiced skill, he slipped into the dark space, tossing all manner of garments and accessories to the floor—skirts, undergarments, everything was discarded by their owner.

Tonight—

New rice paper met the seasoned wolf-hair brush, and soon, a painting of peach blossoms in first bloom appeared.

…

PS: Could this chapter earn a recommendation vote? Sob, sob…