39- Xu Fang remembered his first life

Inside the Ledal Emperor's Castle, in Xu Fang's room, the atmosphere was easygoing as Xu Fang and Long Xiu sat together on the bed, deeply engaged in conversation. Long Xiu had been called by Xu Fang to receive a special item he had bought for her.

"Here, take this. If you feel like giving it a go, head to the treasure room and practice in the Training Grounds," Xu Fang instructed her, wearing a serious expression.

"Sure thing, Husband. By the way, how's your training going?" Long Xiu asked, showing her appreciation as she accepted the item.

"I'm at Stage 9. Just one more stage, and I'll break through to the next realm," Xu Fang shared, keeping the specific level a secret.

"That's great! So, if we do Dual Cultivation tonight, you might break through to the next level, right, Husband?" Long Xiu speculated, a playful smile on her lips.

"Hahaha, my naughty wife, looking forward to some Dual Cultivation, eh?" Xu Fang chuckled at Long Xiu's teasing words.

"Husband, you're impossible. I just want you to be stronger before we set off on our adventure," Long Xiu replied, pouting in mock annoyance.

"Xiu Er, I intentionally avoided speeding up my cultivation because reaching the Transcendent Mastery Realm (Qi Ancestor) would freeze my aging, leaving me resembling a boy. We have plenty of time for our adventures. Currently, I'm in the Qi Channeling Realm (Qi Master), and the next breakthrough will take me to the Elemental Attunement Realm (Qi Grandmaster)," Xu Fang explained, a smile lighting up his face.

"Qi Channeling Realm (Qi Master)? Husband, you're already at the Qi Channeling Realm (Qi Master)?" Long Xiu exclaimed, surprised by the revelation, seeking confirmation once more.

"Yes, even before my staged Elements Qi Awakening ceremony, I had reached Qi Channeling Realm (Stage-3)," Xu Fang admitted, his smile unwavering.

"Wow, Husband, you truly are an exceptional genius," Long Xiu exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration and joy.

Then, Xu Fang gently pulled Long Xiu into his embrace, and they settled onto the bed, arms wrapped around each other with joyous expressions. Engaged in conversation, they shared laughter and talked for the next thirty minutes, savoring each other's company. Eventually, Long Xiu bid farewell, returning to her room.

After Long Xiu's departure, Xu Fang took a short break before heading to his Lightning element class with his stepmother, Lie Ning. Following her instructions, he made his way to the designated training area at the back of the castle, a flat ground equipped with Lightning element-related weapons.

"Oh, you've already arrived," Lie Ning, emerging from her meditation, greeted him.

"Yes, Mother Ning," Xu Fang responded, offering a smile.

"I'm pleased to see you ready to learn from me," Lie Ning said with a smile.

"I'm thankful for your guidance in Lightning element training. I have a request," Xu Fang stated with seriousness.

"I understand you want me to challenge you more," she replied, her voice filled with satisfaction.

"Oh, so Mother already let you know," Xu Fang said with a grin.

"Indeed. Now, let's start," Lie Ning instructed, prepared to begin their training.

"Yes, let's get going. I'm eager to learn and grow stronger under your guidance," Xu Fang expressed, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Under Lie Ning's guidance, Xu Fang executed each move with apparent ease, deliberately presenting himself as a beginner. Despite this act, he absorbed and practiced more than Lie Ning anticipated. After completing his training, he returned to his room and joined his family for dinner. Following the meal, he retired to his room and entered the treasure.

Within the Alchemy Tower of the Love of Goddesses treasure, Xu Fang sat before the pill furnace, fully immersed in creating pills and honing his skills to master the technique.

'Ding'

A notification interrupted his alchemical practice, prompting him to check its content. Whatever he discovered led him to leave the Alchemy Tower and head towards Long Xiu, who had just entered the treasure. There was something he wanted to show her.

"Xiu Er, come with me. I want to show you something," Xu Fang said, reaching out to hold Long Xiu's hand as they began to walk.

"Husband, where are we headed?" Long Xiu inquired, her hand securely in his as they moved forward. Though she questioned him, she made no move to resist his guidance.

"First, the Herb Garden, and then there's another place where I could use your help," Xu Fang explained, a smile playing on his lips as they made their way towards the Herb Garden.

"Herb Garden? This treasure has a Herb Garden too." Long Xiu asked, surprise evident on her face.

"Yes, and I can't wait to show you," Xu Fang replied, eager to reveal the Herb Garden.

Xu Fang had two reasons for wanting to show Long Xiu the Herb Garden. Firstly, her Nature Element could contribute to the growth of the herbs. Secondly, as a proficient Array Master, she might know formation arrays that could accelerate the herb-growing process.

"Husband, your Herb Garden is almost the same size as the one in our empire," Long Xiu exclaimed with excitement when they reached the entrance of the Herb Garden.

"It's a natural progression, wife. As my cultivation grows, so does the size of the Herb Garden, and the same applies to other aspects of the treasure," Xu Fang explained with a smile, observing Long Xiu's enthusiastic expression.

"That's wonderful, Husband. You want me to assist in the herb's growth, don't you?" Long Xiu asked with a slight smile.

"My clever Wife, can I count on your help with the Herb Garden?" Xu Fang playfully pinched her nose and inquired if she would contribute to the garden.

"Husband, I'm your wife. Why are you asking me as if I'm a stranger?" Long Xiu responded with a hint of mock anger.

"Forgive me, my beautiful wife. I simply didn't want to add more to your already busy schedule, especially considering your hard work at the 'Ledal Formation Tower' all day," Xu Fang apologized, explaining his approach.

"Husband, you need not worry about the Herb Garden. Leave it to me. I also have a few growth array formations that can aid the herbs," Long Xiu assured him, indicating that he shouldn't concern himself with the Herb Garden.

"Let's go, my lovely wife. There's a place I want to show you," Xu Fang said, holding her hand once more as they headed toward the next destination.

"Where are we heading now?" Long Xiu asked with curiosity in her tone.

"It'll be a pleasant surprise once we arrive," Xu Fang replied with a mysterious smile.

"Oh, now Husband is playing the mysterious card," Long Xiu teased him, noticing the enigmatic expression on Xu Fang's face.

"Honestly, Wife, would you be upset if I told you I have many secrets you're not aware of?" Xu Fang asked seriously as they continued walking.

"Husband, I don't mind if you choose not to share your secrets. I love you, and I would sacrifice everything for you. But I do have one wish: that when I take my last breath, it's in your arms." Long Xiu responded with sincerity, her expression reflecting her deep emotions.

When Long Xiu uttered her last words, Xu Fang's steps came to a halt, and she stopped alongside him, looking into his eyes. She noticed tears welling up in Xu Fang's eyes, a sight she hadn't witnessed before.

"Husband, why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?" Long Xiu approached him, concern and sadness etched on her face as she gently wiped away his tears.

"Xiu Er, promise me you won't say that again," Xu Fang requested, his voice filled with emotion.

"Husband, I promise I won't say it again. But why are you crying? I haven't seen a tear in your eyes until now," Long Xiu assured him of her promise, seeking an explanation for his tears.

"Xiu Er, you can't fathom the pain that surged through my heart when I heard your words. There are no words to describe it. If I had to try, it's like thousands of arrows piercing my heart simultaneously," Xu Fang shared with a pained expression, the memory of the agony from his past life flooding back.

"I'm sorry, Husband. I didn't mean to make you sad," Long Xiu apologized sincerely.

"You don't need to apologize, but remember, I don't want to lose any of my beloved. If you need anything for cultivation—techniques, pills, herbs, artifacts, or anything else—just let me know. If I have it, I'll provide it immediately; if not, I'll arrange it for you. Do you know why I give you full access to this treasure, allowing you to come out without my help anytime you want?

It's because everything inside this treasure is designed to help you get stronger. You can choose any technique and practice it, read anything in the library to gain knowledge, use the Array Formation Tower for your practice, and explore anything else available inside the LOG treasure. It's not just mine; it's ours. You don't have to ask me for anything you want to use here." Xu Fang assured her, emphasizing that everything he possesses is meant for both of them.

"Husband, I understand, and I'll remember what you said," Long Xiu replied, holding him tightly in her embrace.

"Xiu Er, do you want to know what I saw in my dream?" Xu Fang asked, contemplating how to share a part of his past with her.

Long Xiu, still in his embrace, tilted her head and nodded, showing her curiosity.

"When I dream, it doesn't feel like a dream. It's more like living in an illusion. In this dream, I was living in a different world and living a simple life; there were also no cultivation systems found. Then one day I fell in love with someone, but my family opposed our union because she came from a lower-ranking family, and I was the only son of the wealthiest family. Against all odds, I left my family, and we got married and lived blissfully.

After our marriage, we were expecting a child. However, one night, my wife was attacked by some malicious individuals, and she, along with our unborn child, took my last breath in my arms when I was 23 years old. I couldn't save her because I lacked the skills to fight those people.

From that day on, I dedicated myself to becoming stronger and seeking vengeance. Yet, even after her death, I lived for 25 years more in that dream, but my heart remained heavy with grief, and I never forgot her last words: 'Don't cry; I'm happy to die in your embrace. Remember, I'll always be in your heart,'" Xu Fang shared the poignant story of his past life with a somber expression.