Chapter 30: Sun and Moon

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Qin Jiyue was utterly exhausted today.

Ever since she found herself in perfect accord with Li Guanxuan, she had thought she could hold her own against him. Yet unexpectedly, he had turned the tables, orchestrating such shameful acts that left her powerless. Sure enough, by the time dawn broke, she had shed all her dignity, kneeling on the floor and begging for mercy.

In the afternoon, Qin Jiyue roused herself once. She first opened the dark space, letting the immortal energy within surge out to nourish her limbs and bones.

She also absorbed that delightful vitality while she was at it.

Although she had yet to break through to the eighth stage of Qi Refining, for Qin Jiyue, any progress meant this path could indeed lead to immortality!

Wen Rongxin had just come knocking when Qin Jiyue felt rested enough.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes, yawned wearily, and in her loose clothes, stepped out.

“Starving, absolutely starving…”

Still massaging her flat, supple belly, Qin Jiyue hurried over to the table, grabbed a drumstick, and stuffed it into her mouth.

“Sis…”

Wen Rongxin opened her mouth to remind her about table manners, but seeing Qin Jiyue already eating, her round, gentle face filled with helplessness. She quickly followed and whispered, “Sister, no, you mustn’t use your hands like that.”

“Oh come on, we’re at home, not out in public. And there’s no one else here, so it doesn’t matter, Sis… fine, fine, I’ll pay attention next time, just let me eat now, I really am starving.”

Seeing Wen Rongxin’s unwavering gaze, Qin Jiyue had no choice but to give in.

In this household, she listened to Wen Rongxin the most.

The reason was simple: Wen Rongxin had always cared for her. So whenever she offered gentle advice, Qin Jiyue would listen patiently, never arguing back.

Seeing Qin Jiyue’s concession, Wen Rongxin’s face softened with a smile.

In her view, they could only begin eating after Li Guanxuan picked up his chopsticks.

In fact, in the past, Wen Rongxin and her mother weren’t even allowed at the main table—they had to sit at a smaller one. These rules of etiquette were all taught by her mother, and Wen Rongxin remembered them well, striving to become a virtuous wife and mother.

While Qin Jiyue ate, she noticed Li Guanxuan sitting there composed and full of energy. Unable to help herself, she shot him a sharp retort: “Once I’ve restored my strength, just you wait—I’ll have you on your knees begging for mercy!”

Li Guanxuan picked up a piece of meat for Wen Rongxin and smiled, “You know, your whole body’s soft, except for that stubborn mouth of yours.”

“How would you know unless you’ve tried?”

“….”

Li Guanxuan was momentarily stunned. Actually—it was rather soft.

Well, never mind then.

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At the table, the two bickered from time to time while Wen Rongxin sat quietly, listening with no discomfort at all. Her brows were gently arched in contentment, thoroughly enjoying this tranquil life.

For her, simply feeling Li Guanxuan’s love was enough.

If a concubine became powerful in cultivation, she wouldn’t mind giving up her position as main wife, as long as the family remained harmonious.

“Did you notice anything unusual today?” Qin Jiyue turned to serious matters.

“Oh, you mean that…” Li Guanxuan removed the Breath-Concealing Talisman from his body.

“You’ve reached the fifth stage of Qi Refining?” Qin Jiyue was taken aback—this was far too fast! This wasn’t the speed one would expect from someone with four low-grade spiritual roots. By her estimation, Li Guanxuan shouldn’t have reached the fifth stage for at least another two years.

Could it be… because of that velvet blossom within her?

“I recall you activated a dual cultivation technique last night…” Qin Jiyue fixed Li Guanxuan with a sly, searching gaze.

Li Guanxuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Had she figured it out?

Should he confess?

No, absolutely not.

This secret was far too explosive, too likely to turn husband and wife against each other.

Wen Rongxin was fine—she only wished for a peaceful, uneventful life, free from struggle.

But Qin Jiyue was different.

She knew exactly what she wanted. The main reason she was willing to dual cultivate with him—aside from other factors—was simply this: he was weak, had no status or background, just a grounded, homebody talisman master, easy to control.

Thus, her ultimate goal was to achieve immortality. As for the man—he was merely the elixir to boost her cultivation.

If Qin Jiyue ever learned of the velvet blossom spiritual tree, who knew what danger he might face in the future…

In the end, their relationship was more like mutual attraction between husband and wife, not a bond of life and death.

Having weighed it all, Li Guanxuan replied with a natural expression, “Yes, I bought a dual cultivation manual ages ago. How else could I have handled a body refiner like you, even at the earliest stage?”

Upon hearing this, Wen Rongxin’s face flushed so deeply it looked as if blood might drip, and she bowed her head to avoid meeting Qin Jiyue’s eyes across the table.

Qin Jiyue paused for a moment. Thinking back, Li Guanxuan had seemed to drink a few cups of wine midway through the night…

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Flushing, Qin Jiyue spat, “I thought you were something special, but all along you’ve just been cheating with external aids!”

With a serious face, Li Guanxuan said, “However… I did sense a faint trace of vitality.”

“That’s normal; the books say the velvet blossom spiritual tree can help one’s partner improve cultivation and attain longevity.” Qin Jiyue nodded slightly, her suspicions dispelled.

The prerequisite is to plant the velvet blossom within one’s partner, so it can confer longevity… Li Guanxuan realized this.

Could it be he hadn’t obtained a complete velvet blossom tree?

So he couldn’t implant it himself—his partner had to go to the place where it once took root?

Li Guanxuan’s eyes lit with sudden understanding, and he grinned. “You worked hard yesterday. You must be sore and aching now, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I’ll come later to help with the swelling and itching.”

“T-tonight, you sleep with Sister Rongxin,” Qin Jiyue stammered, face flushed, torn between wanting and fearing.

Wen Rongxin dared not speak. She had endured the most, and knew all too well how terrifying her husband’s prowess was.

Especially with the aid of spiritual wine and secret arts—he was simply inhuman.

“Wife, will you be training tonight?” Li Guanxuan asked with a beaming smile.

“Yes, just for a while…” Wen Rongxin nodded hurriedly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“That’s fine. I’ll come find you in the second half of the night and help unblock your meridians.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

Li Guanxuan laughed heartily, then turned to Qin Jiyue. “Now that your goal’s achieved, are you still planning to go to Falling Moon Valley?”

“I’ll just go occasionally. Having the status of an inner disciple of Falling Moon Valley is very convenient for doing things in Qing’an City,” Qin Jiyue nodded.

“If there’s a chance, take Rongxin there for a visit—let her see the world,” Li Guanxuan said casually.

One day, when his strength was great enough, he too would have to visit the place where the velvet blossom tree once rooted itself.

“Sure, no problem, that’s a small matter,” Qin Jiyue agreed without a second thought.

After all, this man seldom left home, much less Qing’an City.

She alone had the ability and free time to take Wen Rongxin out for a change of scenery.

After dinner, Wen Rongxin cleared the dishes while Li Guanxuan went off with her.

Two hours later, Li Guanxuan was still not quite satisfied, but Qin Jiyue kicked him right out.

She had reached her absolute limit—any further and she might really die.