Chapter 47: Plans for the Future

At night, Wen Rongxin prepared a table full of delicious dishes—a meal to mark their move into the new home. During dinner, Li Guanxuan subtly brought up the topic of intimacy. Wen Rongxin didn’t understand, but Qin Jiyue caught on instantly and spat at Li Guanxuan in mock reproach. When Wen Rongxin heard Qin Jiyue’s explanation, her cheeks flushed crimson. She reached out and poked Li Guanxuan’s waist, as if trying to tickle him.

Li Guanxuan didn’t mind; in fact, he thought these things were inevitable sooner or later. Why not mention it occasionally? Perhaps one day it would come to pass.

After dinner, Wen Rongxin started clearing the dishes. Not wanting her to work too hard, Qin Jiyue joined her. As they worked, she said, “Husband, the public security in Shanggu City is excellent, and the streets are lined with shops. Since you’re a talisman master, why don’t we rent a shop and sell talismans and elixirs?”

Li Guanxuan replied, “I don’t think it’s necessary. First, the rent is too expensive. Second, shops are everywhere in Shanggu City—if we open one, there’s no guarantee we’ll earn spirit stones. It’s better to do as before. Our path to advancing our cultivation is straightforward; there’s no need for unnecessary complications.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Qin Jiyue said patiently. “The gap between the sixth and seventh levels of Qi Refining is substantial. Even if you absorb plenty of spiritual energy, without resources like Breakthrough Pills, it could take ten years to reach the seventh level... That’s why we can’t rely on you alone to earn spirit stones. I need to earn money too—this way, you won’t be overburdened, and I can also seek an opportunity for myself to break through to Foundation Establishment.”

Li Guanxuan fell into silent contemplation. What Jiyue said made sense. Up to now, he could rely on spiritual energy to improve his cultivation, breaking bottlenecks with ease. But advancing from Qi Refining level six to seven required resources like Breakthrough Pills. Moreover, in two or three years, Qin Jiyue would reach the ninth level of Qi Refining; she needed to prepare resources for her Foundation Establishment now, and Foundation Establishment Pills were essential.

All of this required money.

“For rogue cultivators, the real difficulty in establishing a foundation lies at the sixth and ninth levels of Qi Refining...” Li Guanxuan sighed inwardly.

To break through to the seventh level, one must clear the Belt Vessel within the body—something spiritual energy alone cannot accomplish. When Qin Jiyue broke through to the seventh level, she’d relied not only on celestial energy but also on Breakthrough Pills, making her the most qualified to speak on the matter.

The ninth level of Qi Refining meant the Ren and Du meridians had been opened, along with all twelve regular meridians and eight extraordinary ones, completing the transformation of marrow and bones, and improving the cultivator’s constitution. But even then, true Foundation Establishment remained a distant and complicated road—one that could not be achieved through dual cultivation alone.

Seeing Li Guanxuan still lost in thought, Qin Jiyue didn’t disturb him, but went to wash dishes with Wen Rongxin.

Afterward, Li Guanxuan, as usual, entered the side room to perform his daily cultivation, accumulating celestial energy.

He knew Qin Jiyue’s temperament well. He would begin with gentle caresses, letting her adapt to the rhythm, her body temperature rising, and her eyes growing hazy before proceeding further.

“Oh,” she murmured.

“No,” she protested.

Li Guanxuan had no choice but to continue his tender ministrations, opening her inner sanctum and feeling her heart’s rapid flutter, sweet and soft. Amidst this, there came a series of enigmatic sounds and faint breaths.

At that moment, the seasoned old wolf took the initiative. If she refused, he would withdraw and seek out another. In resignation, the enchantress knelt and conceded.

Once the time was right, Li Guanxuan, brush in hand, began his artistry. He outlined her sanctum in myriad poses, each stroke powerful enough to pierce the paper, and the room echoed with their passion.

Eventually, he sketched two lotus mountains, and his ink was spent upon them.

After the battle, Qin Jiyue lay on the bed, gasping, her seductive fox eyes half-closed in bliss. She asked softly, “Husband, aren’t you curious about my identity?”

Li Guanxuan was in no rush for saintly virtues. Playing with the lotus, he recalled the flash of seductive, demonic red light in Qin Jiyue’s eyes aboard the flying boat, and said with a smile, “I am curious, but we’ve been married for years, and I’ve already enjoyed all the benefits. If you wish to tell me, you will; there’s no need for me to ask.”

Qin Jiyue draped a leg as pale as a white python over his, casting him a coquettish glance. With a hum, she said, “If I hadn’t believed in fate, you wouldn’t have become my dual cultivation partner... But I’m lucky—I found the right person. As for my identity, I’m willing to confess: I come from the Northern Kulu Continent.”

Li Guanxuan paused, then asked with a smile, “Is your brother the same?”

“Yes, but we’ve been separated,” Qin Jiyue explained languidly, stretching and nestling into his arms. “Our mission in Immortal Ruins was to go undercover, gather intelligence, and report home. The demon clan sent many such spies. But after I lost contact with my brother, I obtained ancient immortal texts in the Great Ten-Thousand Mountains and learned of the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree... Then I came to Qing’an City, developing my cover and earning money while investigating the spirit tree. In the end, you saw through me and married me.”

“No wonder you insisted on this undercover system—you truly are a spy,” Li Guanxuan remarked with a chuckle. “But I can see you no longer care about the so-called war between our races.”

Qin Jiyue nodded. “War is just a means to obtain resources. Now that I’ve found a path to immortality, I don’t need to live in fear any longer.”

Li Guanxuan asked, “If Qin Wuji finds you, will he take you away?”

“He probably doesn’t care whether I live or die. In his eyes, only the demon clan matters,” Qin Jiyue replied with a faint smile.

Li Guanxuan was silent for a while, then asked, “So, does the demon blood in your veins make you lose control at times?”

“In the past, perhaps, but now that I have the Velvet Blossom, I can suppress it with celestial energy. You need not worry, husband,” Qin Jiyue said, regaining her composure. She pressed him down, eyes sparkling. “But let me be clear—there can only be two women in this home. If you bring home a third... hmph.”

Sensing he was caught, Li Guanxuan laughed dryly. “Of course, of course...”

He knew well—these were all of Qin Jiyue’s secrets. That she would tell him meant she intended to live out her days with him, never to part.

...

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