“How is your recovery progressing, Daoist Han?”

After resting for a while, Qin Lianyi finally inquired about Han Lie’s condition, her eyes filled with concern.

“Mostly recovered,” Han Lie replied with a light laugh, flexing his arms. “The remaining pills probably won’t be needed.”

His Pure Yang Sacred Body inherently possessed tyrannical self-healing capabilities. Coupled with the aid of the three royal pills and half a month of focused recuperation, the chaotic injuries within his body had largely healed. All that remained was a period of quiet rest for a full recovery.

Interestingly, the life-and-death battle with Ye Lang had tempered his foundation. The Golden Core in his dantian now shone even more brilliantly, pulsating with a dense, heavy power. He was now just one step away from the late Golden Core stage.

“Then keep these pills for any unforeseen needs,” Qin Lianyi said softly, pushing the jade bottles toward him.

“How could I possibly accept that?” Han Lie hesitated. “The remaining seven pills must still be worth quite a few Spirit Stones.”

Judging by the color, medicinal aroma, and the exquisite packaging, it was clear these healing medicines were no ordinary goods. As royal supplies of the Great Qin Dynasty, each pill was likely worth a small fortune.

“It’s fine. Young Master Mu Feng has already paid for them,” Qin Lianyi explained succinctly, a mischievous smile touching her lips as she recounted her bet.

“Haha, a veritable ‘wealth-delivering boy’,” Han Lie couldn’t help but chuckle. “In that case, this humble Daoist will graciously accept.”

Coincidentally, Han Lie had been pondering the need to stock up on high-grade healing resources. Mu Feng’s unwitting generosity solved that problem nicely.

Next, Han Lie did not immediately set off to return to the Heavenly Void Sect. His injuries weren’t fully healed, and the instability in his cultivation base needed attention. He planned to recuperate completely and take the opportunity to attempt a breakthrough to the late Golden Core stage before returning. Returning stronger would be the best explanation for his absence.

During this period of secluded healing, Qin Lianyi did not leave. She acted as his protector, standing guard at the cave entrance day and night.

…

In the world of cultivation, time is perhaps the least valuable currency.

As if in the blink of an eye, nearly a year and a half slipped quietly through their fingers. The seasons turned, painting the wilderness in different hues, but the cave remained silent.

One afternoon, Qin Lianyi lay lazily on a tree branch outside the cave, idly twirling a leaf.

Boom!

Without warning, an aura no less formidable than her own erupted abruptly from within the cave, shaking the leaves from the trees!

“Succeeded?!”

Qin Lianyi shot up into a sitting position, a flash of joy and excitement in her beautiful eyes. She turned her gaze eagerly towards the dark entrance.

Before long, footsteps echoed.

A figure slowly emerged from the shadows. His hands were clasped behind his back, his steps steady and rhythmic. His entire being exuded a deep, restrained, yet terrifyingly powerful aura.

It was Han Lie.

After breaking through to the late Golden Core stage, Han Lie’s appearance had undergone a subtle transformation. If the mid-Golden Core Han Lie could still be called “middle-aged to elderly,” then now he had fully transitioned into the prime of a “middle-aged uncle.”

His gaze was steady and confident, holding the weight of mountains. The stubble on his chin, combined with a face tempered by time into a mask of immense composure, radiated a unique, mature charm.

Compared to the fair-skinned, fragile young geniuses of the capital, a rugged man like Han Lie undoubtedly offered women a greater sense of security.

For a moment, Qin Lianyi was utterly captivated, her heart skipping a beat.

“Ahem.”

Only when Han Lie tactfully cleared his throat did Qin Lianyi snap out of her daze. She jumped down from the branch, landing gracefully before him.

“Congratulations, Daoist Han, on your breakthrough to the late Golden Core stage!” she beamed radiantly.

“Thank you, Princess Lianyi. It was merely fortunate,” Han Lie chuckled.

To break through, he had consumed nearly two hundred thousand Spirit Stones, almost depleting his personal reserves. As his cultivation level rose, so too did his resource consumption. He made a mental note to take on more high-reward missions once back at the sect.

Qin Lianyi chuckled lightly. “Daoist Han is truly modest. So it seems it has only taken Daoist Han four years from the Qi Refining Stage to the late Golden Core?”

“Hmm, more or less. The speed isn’t particularly fast,” Han Lie said nonchalantly.

His understated words struck Qin Lianyi like thunderclaps. Not particularly fast? If this wasn’t fast, then the rest of the cultivation world was crawling.

Qin Lianyi had read records of peerless geniuses with divine-grade bloodlines whose speeds were Grandmaster. But compared to Han Lie… they seemed somewhat inadequate.

“What are Daoist Han’s plans next?” Qin Lianyi asked, suppressing her awe.

“It’s about time to return to the sect,” Han Lie replied, looking north. “I’ve been out with Zhuo Hongyi for over a year now. If I don’t return soon, Ye Qingxuan might start suspecting I’ve defected.”

Qin Lianyi nodded gently, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Then when will we meet again?”

“That’s hard to say… but…”

Han Lie looked at her earnestly.

“This humble Daoist can make you a promise, Princess Lianyi: once I attain my Nascent Soul status, I will return to Qin Yang City and accompany you into the palace for an audience with His Majesty.”

“Mhmm!”

Given Han Lie’s monstrous speed, Qin Lianyi believed that the chasm of the Nascent Soul—which halted countless geniuses for life—would be conquered by him in just a few years.

This was a foreseeable future. And not far off at all.

Therefore, Qin Lianyi was very satisfied with this promise.

Before parting, the atmosphere grew heavy with unsaid words.

Qin Lianyi suddenly stepped forward, embracing Han Lie tightly.

“Daoist Han… today’s parting is only for tomorrow’s reunion… I will wait for you in Qin Yang City.”

“Princess Lianyi can rest assured; this humble Daoist will not forget you,” Han Lie said solemnly, gently stroking her back.

Then, Qin Lianyi looked up. Without a word, she offered her fragrant lips.

As they kissed, lips and tongues intertwining, the world seemed to fade away. Qin Lianyi’s breathing grew rapid, her hands cupping his face, her beautiful eyes shimmering with mist.

She broke the kiss, breathless, and whispered words that smelled of orchids.

“Daoist Han… I want you!”

This embrace reminded her of their dual cultivation over half a year ago—the most intense pleasure of her life. And now, facing separation, the desire burned hotter than ever.

Han Lie smiled and nodded. After secluding himself for over a year, he too felt somewhat pent-up.

He picked Qin Lianyi up in his arms, leapt into the air, and plunged into the pool beneath the waterfall below their cave.

Splash!

The roar of falling water drowned out the sounds of their passion.

Sunrise, sunset…

Their entanglement lasted several days and nights.

Finally, Qin Lianyi reached spiritual heights, immersed in a bliss only she knew, unable—and unwilling—to extricate herself. While her body and mind found satisfaction, her cultivation also improved significantly from the exchange.

As Han Lie’s cultivation advanced, his Pure Yang energy became increasingly potent for female cultivators. Though from his perspective, Qin Lianyi’s Yin energy was slightly lacking compared to his needs, the harmonization still consolidated his realm further.

“Daoist Han,” Qin Lianyi murmured by the poolside, clinging to his neck, her face flushed deep red. “Sometimes I truly wish you’d come back with me to Qin Yang City so I could experience these joys every night.”

“But… I am not so selfish.”

Han Lie tapped the bridge of her nose playfully, grinning. “Later on, you shall indeed become a bride nightly—just don’t beg for mercy then!”

Qin Lianyi smiled happily. She knew well that Han Lie spoke truthfully. Given his astonishing prowess, if she truly tried matching him every night… she would surely be the one begging for mercy first!

The next morning, the sun rose, casting long shadows.

“Daoist Han!”

Just as Han Lie leapt onto the treetops to leave, Qin Lianyi’s voice called out, filled with reluctance.

Han Lie glanced back. Qin Lianyi stood by the water, her eyes reddened.

“You must come find me again. Otherwise… I shall never forgive you in this lifetime!”

After a brief thought, Han Lie retrieved a black blade from his storage ring and tossed it to her.

“This is the first magical artifact I ever used. It bears my soul imprint.”

“Though not a rare high-grade treasure, it holds extraordinary meaning to me personally. Keep it safe. Someday, I shall reclaim it.”

With those words came the sound of slicing wind. By the time Qin Lianyi caught the blade and looked up, Han Lie’s figure had vanished without a trace.

She drew out the black blade, which still carried his scent, cradling it like the world’s rarest treasure.

“Yes… I shall keep it safe, my future consort~”

…………

Heavenly Void Sect.

After roughly ten days of travel, Han Lie finally returned to the sect gates. He made his way up the mountain, the familiar sights welcoming him back.

“Where have you been hiding all this time?! Hurry up and clean the Violet Heaven Palace!”

No sooner had he returned to his small wooden hut than an icy voice, tinged with complaint, echoed directly in his mind.

Ye Qingxuan.

“……”

Han Lie smiled wryly. No rest for the weary.

He obediently made his way to the Violet Heaven Palace and began cleaning. As he reached the bedchamber area—

“Meow~”

Xiao Zi suddenly dashed out of the room, leaping straight into Han Lie’s arms.

Han Lie instinctively caught her. Xiao Zi nuzzled incessantly against his chest, purring loudly, seeming to miss him greatly.

“Eat up,” chuckled Han Lie, taking out a remaining Thousand Flower Pill and feeding it to her. Xiao Zi swallowed it whole, licking his palm contentedly before jumping down.

Han Lie looked up.

He froze.

Ye Qingxuan was already present in the main hall of the bedchamber. She was still clad in the same noble purple gauze dress, her arms crossed, staring at him with an odd expression.

“…”

“This old servant pays respects to the Sect Leader…”

Han Lie started to kneel.

Suddenly, an inexplicable force supported his knees, preventing him from kneeling down entirely.

“This Palace stated before: without outsiders present, there is no need to bow before This Palace.”

Ye Qingxuan spoke imperiously, her eyes cold. Yet, beneath the ice, her tone seemed to carry a hint of… resentment?

“Do you take This Palace’s words lightly?! Rise.”