When Zhou Kai returned to his small courtyard in the Chen family compound, dusk was approaching.

On the table inside the house, several simple home-cooked dishes were already laid out, still steaming.

A vague, indescribable emotion stirred within Zhou Kai’s heart.

He was born an outcast of the immortal path. With a low-grade Spirit Root encompassing metal, wood, water, and fire attributes, such aptitude destined him to a snail-paced cultivation speed, limited achievements, and no hope for the Great Dao.

He refused to accept it! For that sliver of a chance, to fight for a few more scraps of cultivation resources, he had embarked on a path of no return—becoming a Bandit Cultivator.

Looking at Chen Ziyi waiting quietly by the table, at the homely atmosphere within the room, he was momentarily transported back to those days of living on the edge, licking blood from blades, never knowing if he’d see tomorrow.

Every venture was a high-stakes gamble. Winning meant a few Spirit Stones or spirit herbs to eke out an existence; losing meant utter ruin.

Until that fateful clash with an enemy left his dantian severely damaged and severed his path to immortality…

For a cultivator, it was no different from a death sentence. The meager thread of his Dao path that remained was completely severed.

Disheartened and disillusioned, he secured a position as a Guest Elder with the Chen family. Overseeing the Spirit Beast Garden wasn’t a position of great power, but it offered a leisurely and stable life—seemingly the best possible end for someone whose immortal path had been cut off.

He thought he would simply spend the rest of his days in the Chen family like stagnant water, with no more ripples.

Until Chen Ziyi appeared.

The meal was simple but delicious.

Chen Ziyi sat quietly beside him, occasionally picking up food for Zhou Kai with practiced ease.

After dinner, they didn’t return inside but sat on the stone steps at the entrance to the small courtyard.

The night breeze was gentle, carrying a hint of coolness.

Chen Ziyi hugged her knees, gazing at the sparse stars in the sky.

“Master,” she began softly. “I once saw an immortal master at the fourth level of Qi Condensation.”

Zhou Kai remained silent, listening as she continued.

“Back then, my father practically bowed to the ground before him, not even daring to breathe loudly.”

“Before I was sent here… I was actually very scared.”

Chen Ziyi’s voice grew even softer, tinged with a tremor of lingering fear.

“I thought… I thought immortal masters were all lofty and aloof, stern-faced… maybe even… prone to casually beating or scolding Mortal women like us.”

She stole a glance at Zhou Kai’s profile.

“But you… you’re different from what I imagined.”

“How so?” Zhou Kai’s voice was flat, betraying no emotion.

“You… you let me eat at the same table with you,” Chen Ziyi whispered, as if afraid to disturb something. “My father at home doesn’t even allow womenfolk at the main table.”

“And… you gave me Spirit Stones.”

Zhou Kai didn’t respond, simply looking quietly at the night sky.

There was a time when he too was one of those looking up at “immortal masters,” willing to risk his life for just a few Spirit Stones.

Now, he had become that different kind of immortal master in someone else’s eyes.

How strange fate could be.

He turned his head to look at this woman beside him—cautious yet possessing an underlying resilience.

Under the moonlight, her cheeks glowed with a soft halo. Her eyes were clear and held complete trust.

Zhou Kai reached out an arm and gently drew her shoulder close.

Chen Ziyi compliantly leaned into his embrace like a small boat finding harbor.

With her warm and soft form in his arms, Zhou Kai felt no improper thoughts; he simply felt that the night breeze wasn’t quite so cold anymore.

They nestled together, enjoying this rare tranquility.

After a while, Zhou Kai broke the silence.

“I need to leave the market tomorrow to hunt some demon beasts. I’ll be back in less than ten days.”

Chen Ziyi turned her head sharply, her face etched with worry.

“Hunt demon beasts? Isn’t that very dangerous?”

Her tone grew urgent.

“The path of cultivation is inherently like this. There’s nothing to fear,” Zhou Kai said calmly.

Danger was something he had long grown accustomed to; lacking strength was far more dangerous.

Chen Ziyi bit her lower lip, her fingers anxiously twisting the hem of her clothes.

“But Master…”

Seeing her nervous and uneasy expression stirred something in Zhou Kai’s heart. Perhaps this form of address “Master” felt increasingly incongruous with their growing closeness.

He spoke up. “Relax around me. There’s no need to be so cautious. Also… hearing you always call me ‘Master’ feels somewhat distant.”

Chen Ziyi froze for a moment before her cheeks slowly flushed pink.

She lowered her gaze and remained silent for a beat.

When she looked up again, there was more shyness in her eyes but also a certain solemnity.

“Then… from now on… should Ziyi address you as… husband?”

As soon as the word “husband” left her lips, her own heart skipped a beat, and her face reddened further.

Zhou Kai paused slightly before nodding nonchalantly.

【Chen Ziyi Affection +12】 【Affection: 82/100 (Adoration)】

The system prompt sounded perfectly timed.

The night deepened.

Zhou Kai wasn’t in any hurry to start pill refining just yet.

He had something more important to do.

“Ziyi,” Zhou Kai beckoned toward Chen Ziyi, who was sitting dazedly by the bed. “Come here.”

“Hmm?” Chen Ziyi walked over.

“I gained some insights refining pills during the day,” Zhou Kai said with feigned seriousness. “But I feel there are still some blockages in my spiritual energy circulation.”

“As your husband,” he continued solemnly, “I need your assistance to consolidate my cultivation base and exchange some insights and experiences. Only then can we lay a more solid foundation for our future ‘great pill refining enterprise.'”

Chen Ziyi let out a soft “Mm.”

Zhou Kai chuckled softly as he pulled her down beside him and wrapped an arm around her slender waist.

They wove together into an amorous nocturne.

Much later…

【Available Omni-Points: 16】

“Not bad at all,” Zhou Kai thought as he looked at his system panel in high spirits. “Another 16 points.”

Without hesitation, he allocated all points into his pill refining skill again.

【Cultivation Arts: Pill Refining (First Grade 55/100)】

Zhou Kai didn’t rest immediately but went instead into an adjoining room.

Taking out his pill furnace while his momentum was high, he began refining pills once more.

This time his control over the flames was noticeably more refined; the timing and amount of spiritual energy infused into the furnace were precisely managed—especially when handling several supplementary ingredients whose properties previously clashed, causing slight blockages—now they merged seamlessly under his guidance.

Two hours later, the furnace opened, releasing a rich medicinal fragrance throughout the room!

Zhou Kai counted the results, satisfaction gleaming within his eyes.

Seventeen Rejuvenation Pills, sixteen Qi Gathering Pills—all possessing commendable quality, reaching mid-grade level!

“Excellent!” thought Zhou Kai inwardly, pleased indeed! “With these pills, the journey towards Crouching Tiger Mountain holds greater confidence now!”

After storing the pills safely away, he returned to the main bedroom where, perhaps due to the mental exertion from pill refining, or perhaps due to the comforting presence of the sleeping beauty beside him, he soon fell into a deep slumber…

Next morning, dawn broke.

Upon waking, he found Chen Ziyi had already prepared hot water along with simple spirit rice porridge and side dishes she’d made early in the morning herself.

After breakfast, he changed into a dark blue magic robe he kept tucked away at the bottom of a chest—spoils earned during his bandit cultivator days, taken off an unfortunate soul. It was considered a mid-grade magical artifact, possessing basic self-cleaning and defensive properties, though its defense was not high enough to handle low-level demon beasts easily enough.

Once donned, the fabric fitted snugly, and spiritual energy flowed subtly through the garment, making him appear much sharper than usual. He shed his previous casual air, replaced by a cultivator’s capable demeanor tinged with a faint, barely perceptible killing intent.

“Husband looks truly handsome wearing this robe…” praised Chen Ziyi, standing nearby, her voice soft.

Zhou Kai stretched his limbs, feeling the subtle changes brought by the magic robe, and casually remarked, “Clothes make the man, after all…”

Walking toward the door, he was ready to depart.

Chen Ziyi hurriedly followed, handing over a small cloth bundle, saying, “Husband, I made some dried meat… for when hunger strikes…”

He originally intended to say he had Fasting Pills, but seeing the expectation and concern within her eyes, he accepted the bundle anyway, saying simply, “Alright…”

He reached out and ruffled her hair, a gesture more intimate than before, adding reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I’ll only operate in the outer regions of Crouching Tiger Mountain where the demon beast ranks are low. I won’t encounter trouble…”

“Husband must be careful…” urged Chen Ziyi, lifting her small face with an earnest expression.

“Understood. Wait for my return,” smiled Zhou Kai, his tone lighthearted.

He turned and strode away, his figure soon vanishing within the morning light.

Chen Ziyi stood in the doorway, watching his silhouette disappear at the alley’s end before slowly withdrawing her gaze.