Chapter 33: The Explosive Kid (Please Keep Reading)

Two hours later.

Wen Rongxin, who was cultivating immortality, was completely hoarse and drenched in sweat. Beads of perspiration covered her fair skin, and she seemed utterly drained, without the strength to even lift a finger.

Li Guanxuan put away the auxiliary cultivation artifact and solemnly reminded her, “My dear, immortal energy has the effect of nourishing the bones. You should use your spiritual sense to open the dark space and slowly refine it.”

As he spoke, Li Guanxuan recalled something else and continued, “By the way, you’re a body cultivator. See if that vitality can help strengthen your physique.”

Body cultivators require vitality most of all.

Only vitality can truly enhance one’s physical body and achieve longevity… This was evident from Wen Rongxin’s constant consumption of the blood-activating pills Li Guanxuan refined for her.

“Rest… Let me rest… I have no strength left,” Wen Rongxin said, using the last of her energy.

That soft, sweet voice stirred Li Guanxuan’s mind, making him want to bring out the auxiliary artifact again.

But he restrained himself.

Cultivation required steady progress; recklessness would not lead to the path of immortality.

“There’s… there’s some effect,” Wen Rongxin said joyfully once she had rested enough and began to refine the immortal energy within her.

“Good, then take your time to cultivate… But remember one thing, don’t let Qin Jiyue find out, understand?” Li Guanxuan gently reminded her.

Trusting her husband unconditionally, Wen Rongxin nodded seriously. She understood just how precious and important this flower was to cultivators.

After a few more words of concern, Li Guanxuan left.

He was worried that once Qin Jiyue learned Wen Rongxin possessed the velvet flower within her, things might slowly change.

For now, Qin Jiyue treated Wen Rongxin well, but who could guarantee what the future held?

One velvet flower could emit so much immortal energy—what would two be capable of?

Li Guanxuan sighed quietly. Until he uncovered all the secrets of the Silk Tree, he would not share this news with his wife.

…

After obtaining immortal energy, Li Guanxuan went to the cultivation chamber to craft puppets.

As expected, immortal energy was malleable. With a movement of his spiritual sense, Li Guanxuan shaped it into top-tier components, even replicating the intricate patterns, then began to assemble them according to the established rules.

However, just as he was about to finish, a slight discrepancy appeared in the pattern at the connection of the head, causing the circulating magical power to instantly scatter all the wooden bones, joints, and organs, making his efforts futile.

Upon discovering this, Li Guanxuan was shocked.

He had checked everything so meticulously, yet a mistake still occurred?

Clearly, the art of puppet-making was no easy task…

The spirit consumed was immense as well.

After making adjustments, Li Guanxuan finally managed to assemble the puppet in the dark space. Then, he calmed his mind and began to assemble it in reality.

He had already practiced the process hundreds of times in the dark space, so as long as he paid attention to the details, he could assemble the puppet successfully.

Time passed.

Li Guanxuan patted the puppet’s back, activating the mechanism and placing a lower-grade spirit stone inside.

Soon, the puppet was activated, allowing Li Guanxuan to control it with his spiritual sense and magical power.

“Second layer of Qi Refining… So weak,” Li Guanxuan couldn’t help but complain.

But it didn’t matter. He was just familiarizing himself with the steps for crafting puppets. As his skills improved, he could easily enhance this puppet’s combat power.

All it took was buying more materials, creating “muscle” and “skin,” and adding some weapons.

“When it reaches the sixth layer of Qi Refining, I won’t have to go out anymore… I’ll just let it run errands for me,” Li Guanxuan chuckled.

Next, instead of heading out to gather immortal energy, Li Guanxuan continued tinkering with the puppet in the cultivation chamber.

For him, upgrading the puppet to the middle stage of Qi Refining was crucial, and spending two hours each day cultivating with Wen Rongxin was enough.

…

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

November.

White snow blanketed Qing’an City.

Li Guanxuan emerged from the cultivation chamber, looking at the puppet behind him, now at the sixth layer of Qi Refining.

He had already added “muscle” and “skin” to it, naming it “Blast Boy.”

The meaning was simple: this puppet would be responsible for throwing large quantities of explosive talismans imbued with the Flame Burst Art.

Additionally, Li Guanxuan’s pill refining and puppet-making skills had reached mid-tier first grade.

Although his cultivation remained at the fifth layer of Qi Refining, his Metal spiritual root had advanced to mid-tier, and his Fire spiritual root to top-tier.

With another half-year of daily cultivation, he would likely break through to the fifth layer.

Li Guanxuan was quite satisfied with his progress. After all, every session of cultivation increased his lifespan, so he never felt pressured by time.

Achieving Foundation Establishment before sixty… For him, it wasn’t even a concern. With his improving aptitude and innate talent as a safety net, Foundation Establishment would come easily.

“No need to get complacent. If I can establish a foundation before sixty, I should do so. There’s no need to go against the Will of Heaven or the wisdom of countless cultivators…”

Li Guanxuan took a deep breath, reflected several times, and then saw Wen Rongxin outside, punching the air with a stance both soft and strong amid the snowy cold.

“Where’s Qin Jiyue?” Li Guanxuan asked.

“Husband, good morning… Sister went out early. She said a secret realm appeared in the Ten-Thousand Mountains, and as an inner disciple, she needs to go to Falling Moon Valley.”

Seeing Li Guanxuan approach, Wen Rongxin ran over, her strength quietly growing within her body. She clasped her hands behind her back, lifted her chin, and looked up at Li Guanxuan with anticipation.

She had already broken through to the middle stage of body cultivation.

At that moment, she resembled an adorable kitten seeking praise.

“Practicing martial arts outside in this cold? Should I enforce the family rules?” Li Guanxuan said sternly.

Wen Rongxin immediately looked deflated, lowering her head with a pitiful expression.

Li Guanxuan reached out to lift her chin, then, without hesitation, kissed her and drew her into his arms.

A long moment passed before their lips separated.

Li Guanxuan smiled, “Just teasing you. Don’t be upset. Tonight, I’ll cook for you myself to celebrate.”

Wen Rongxin’s peach-blossom face brightened into a smile. “Come back soon… And, about Sister Jiyue…”

She was still worried about Qin Jiyue.

But she couldn’t persuade her; only Li Guanxuan had that ability.

The mention of Qin Jiyue weighed on Li Guanxuan’s heart.

Qin Jiyue truly never rested, even after acquiring the velvet flower. Why not just stay home quietly?

Why must she always seek adventure?

Li Guanxuan had told her many times during their cultivation sessions that she should leave Falling Moon Valley and return home to dual cultivate with him instead of risking danger.

But Qin Jiyue always had excuses. “It’s easy to join the sect, hard to leave,” “Having this status makes things easier in Qing’an City,” “Besides, it was Qin Wuji who joined Falling Moon Valley—what does that have to do with Qin Jiyue? If things go wrong, she’ll just leave.”

“All right, I’ll go find out more. Don’t worry too much, my dear.”

With that, Li Guanxuan went out.

As he opened the door, he saw a graceful woman in a green dress standing outside, hand raised as if about to knock, her expression stunned…

…

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