Leaving The Village

The following morning, Bai Yunxi awoke to the golden light filtering through the bamboo shutters, casting soft patterns on the walls.

Warmth surrounded her—Su Kang's embrace was steady, his breath even. She stretched lazily, pressing closer before murmuring, "Good morning."

Su Kang's lips brushed against her forehead. "Good morning, Xi'er."

She smiled sleepily, savoring the moment.

"Do you want to travel more?" he asked, his voice still thick with morning drowsiness.

"Two more days," she answered, eyes gleaming with quiet excitement.

Their journey continued, carrying them farther from the Qingyun region.

As they traveled, they spoke of the vast world beyond—the great sects, hidden cultivation techniques, and the endless opportunities that awaited those strong enough to seize them.

At night, Bai Yunxi immersed herself in refining her abilities, pushing herself beyond what she had thought possible.

Su Kang observed her progress, marveling at how effortlessly she absorbed techniques.

The elixir had not only strengthened her physique but had also heightened her comprehension and perception.

She could learn techniques at an astonishing rate now. The transformation was nothing short of miraculous.

As she finished reading another cultivation scroll, she looked up at him, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Husband, thank you for this gift."

Su Kang had anticipated the pill's benefits, but even he hadn't expected such drastic results.

There was only one drawback—her qi cultivation had regressed significantly.

It was as if her body had reverted to her teenage years.

For Bai Yunxi, this was a blessing. But for him? If he had taken the pill, he would have lost years of cultivation.

He shuddered at the thought—if his body regressed too much, he might have been reduced to a child.

That was unacceptable.

He smiled, reaching out to smooth her hair. "You deserve it."

She blushed at his tenderness, resting her head against his chest.

This had become their routine—discussing cultivation late into the night, holding each other until dawn.

A quiet warmth filled Bai Yunxi as she closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat. For the first time in years, she felt truly at peace.

"I think I'll get addicted to this feeling," she murmured softly.

Su Kang chuckled, tightening his hold. "Good. Then I won't have to compete with those young geniuses from the Central Plains for your affection."

She blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You're beautiful and incredibly talented," he mused. "One day, powerful cultivators will seek your hand." He sighed dramatically.

"Maybe you'll realize I'm not enough and leave me for someone greater."

She stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. "Do you really think I'd do that?"

He sighed, shaking his head in exaggerated despair. "Powerful female cultivators often take multiple lovers or husbands. My wife might become like them one day."

Betrayal. Absolute betrayal.

"You—!" Bai Yunxi launched herself at him, biting his arm.

Su Kang laughed, completely unaffected, stroking her hair as she gnawed at him in frustration.

"Sorry, sorry! Forgive me, Xi'er," he said, barely suppressing his amusement.

"You're insufferable," she huffed, pulling away.

With a swift motion, Su Kang grabbed her waist and leapt out of the window.

"W-What are you doing?!" she shrieked as they landed near a pond.

Su Kang spread out a cloth on the ground, settling down and pulling her beside him. "You're not mad, are you?" he teased.

She huffed, turning away. "How could I not be? That joke wasn't funny."

He sighed, taking a more serious tone. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to lighten the mood."

She glanced at him, cheeks puffed in an adorable pout.

"I thought you were a gentleman. Turns out I was fooled."

"Finally, you see it!" Su Kang declared dramatically. "I tricked you into marrying me. Otherwise, how could I ever deserve a wife like you?"

She pinched his waist, making him chuckle.

Then, in a softer voice, he murmured, "Sometimes… I'm really jealous of Li Xiao."

Bai Yunxi stiffened.

Before he could continue, she covered his mouth with her hand.

The warmth of her palm against his lips made him pause. Her eyes held an unreadable mix of sadness, unwillingness, and something deeper.

For a long moment, they simply stared at each other, the wind rustling the leaves, the pond reflecting the moonlight.

Su Kang slowly removed her hand but said nothing more.

She parted her lips, about to speak, but he cut her off.

"I won't bring up the past anymore."

Brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, he gave her a reassuring look.

She nodded, understanding unspoken between them.

Instead of speaking, he pulled her into his embrace again, resting his chin atop her head.

"Look at the sky, Yunxi," he whispered. "Get addicted to this feeling. If not, I fear that one day… you might actually run away."

She didn't answer. But after a moment, she leaned into his warmth.

The next morning, they ended their travels, returning to the village by evening.

Su Kang had made up his mind—he would leave the village in two days, taking Bai Yunxi and Madam An with him.

Before their departure, he decided to host a banquet for the villagers who had taken care of them.

That night, as Bai Yunxi rested in his arms, he considered the future.

She was improving rapidly, but she lacked suitable cultivation techniques. The Qingyun Sect's techniques were adequate for now, but they weren't enough.

The Su family had no techniques tailored for her physique either.

Su Kang sighed. Right now, she was progressing well with the resources he provided, but he needed to find something better for her soon.

Su Kang asked Old Man He and Madam An to oversee the arrangements while he took Bai Yunxi to Rift Valley City to buy ingredients.

As they wandered through the bustling marketplace, the scent of spices and grilled meats filled the air. Stalls overflowed with exotic fruits, shimmering silks, and rare herbs.

Then, something caught Bai Yunxi's attention.

"Husband, look!" she exclaimed, holding up an old, faded scroll.

Su Kang glanced over her shoulder. A map. The parchment depicted a hidden valley, marked with a cryptic inscription.

"A map to a secret realm!" she whispered excitedly. "We must go there! Imagine the treasures we could find!"

Su Kang, watching her with amusement, couldn't help but smile.

"Treasure maps are rarely what they seem," he reminded her. "But… perhaps a little adventure wouldn't be amiss."

That evening, the village square was transformed.

Colorful lanterns lined the pathways, casting a warm glow over the gathering. The scent of roasted meats and fragrant rice filled the air, mingling with the cheerful chatter of villagers.

Su Kang and Bai Yunxi sat at the head of the table, greeting well-wishers and sharing stories of their journey.

As the night deepened, they distributed gifts among the villagers—small treasures, medicinal herbs, and spirit stones for cultivation.

The villagers, deeply touched, promised to care for Su Kang's residence in his absence.

"You'll always have a place here, Young Master," Old Man He said warmly.

Su Kang nodded, his heart lighter. "I will return," he promised. "Sometimes, even cultivators need a place to rest."

He planned to install a qi-gathering array in his courtyard for the villagers to cultivate, ensuring the younger generation could grow stronger.

As the banquet ended, laughter and warmth lingered in the air.