Another four or five days drifted by.

The Soul Poison in Zhou Kai’s Consciousness Sea had been completely purged. His daily existence had settled into a rhythm so precise it bordered on ritual.

During the day, he remained unwavering in his visits to Qing Shuang’s courtyard. His offensive continued, but his tactics had shifted to become as subtle and silent as spring rain nourishing the earth.

He brought a small stool and sat quietly as she practiced her sword forms.

Most of the time, he simply watched. Occasionally, when she sheathed her blade, he would hand her a cup of perfectly tempered tea. At other times, he would share a warm, respectful anecdote from “Su Moran’s” childhood memories involving “Qing Shuang.”

On this particular day, as Zhou Kai offered the tea, Shen Hanyi took it and murmured a soft, “Thank you.”

Though the voice was faint, it sent a surge of triumph through Zhou Kai’s heart.

Sometimes, when he recounted specific warm memories, her sword practice would pause imperceptibly, and the ripples deep within her eyes would grow clearer.

She still rarely initiated conversation, but Zhou Kai could sense the change. The invisible layer of ice between them hadn’t just cracked; a fissure was opening.

That day, after Zhou Kai and Lin Zhiwei completed their usual [Deep Interaction] for point allocation, his Consciousness Sea suddenly trembled violently.

Boom!

A long-lost sense of clarity and absolute control surged over him like a tidal wave, shattering the invisible shackle binding his mind.

With a thought, he summoned his attribute panel.

[Zhou Kai] [Divine Sense: 1210]

“Finally!”

Brilliant light flashed in Zhou Kai’s eyes as he let out a long, relieved exhale. The 1200-point Divine Sense threshold was finally broken!

This meant he was no longer bound by Red Cliff Town’s low-level rules. He could freely project his Divine Sense outward.

Impatiently, he extended his mind.

In an instant, the entire Su Residence appeared vividly within his perception. As Lin Zhiwei had said, the servants and attendants were nothing more than clusters of weak soul force—Phantoms, fragile and insubstantial.

His Divine Sense continued to expand, enveloping nearly half of Red Cliff Town. The pedestrians on the streets, the vendors, the children… all were composed of the same soul force, playing their assigned roles in this grand stage play.

“This Red Cliff Town really is a Paper Tiger—all bark and no bite!”

As long as one’s Divine Sense met the standard, every illusion here was laid bare.

He looked at Lin Zhiwei and smiled. “Zhiwei, it’s time.”

Lin Zhiwei understood immediately. She offered a radiant smile. “Husband, I’ll go speak with ‘Father and Mother.'”

Early the next morning, Lin Zhiwei, acting in her capacity as the primary wife of the Su household, went to the courtyard of Su Master and Mistress.

With earnest words, she expressed that Qing Shuang shared a deep bond with her husband, Su Moran, having served loyally for many years. Now that she herself had married into the Su family, it was her duty to share her husband’s burdens.

Considering the need for the Su family to expand its lineage, she humbly requested her parents-in-law to arrange for Qing Shuang to be taken as a concubine, so the sisters could serve their husband together.

Upon hearing this, the soul force Phantoms constituting Su Master and Mistress were overjoyed.

They repeatedly praised Lin Zhiwei for her virtue, wisdom, and magnanimity, granting their approval on the spot. They insisted on arranging the matter immediately to avoid any slight to Qing Shuang.

throughout the Su Residence, the Phantoms became exceptionally jubilant. Their efficiency was surprisingly high as they rushed to prepare the ceremony.

Watching all this, Zhou Kai felt a strange warmth. In this false town, everything everyone did seemed to be “for the greater good.”

The concubinage ceremony was simple, far less elaborate than a wedding.

At dusk, within the main hall of the Su Residence, red candles burned brightly.

Zhou Kai wore brocade robes, his face bearing the joy and anticipation befitting “Su Moran.”

Shen Hanyi had changed into red attire. The style remained simple, yet it lent a touch of softness to her heroic features, revealing a gentleness rarely seen. She stood there quietly, her long eyelashes lowered, her emotions hidden in shadow.

Her heart was in turmoil.

The memories of “Qing Shuang” told her this was the moment she had long awaited—the ultimate destination of her years of protection and secret admiration.

However, Shen Hanyi had once broken through to the Second Realm. Subconsciously, though she knew her body belonged to this man, the timing felt wrong. The identity felt wrong.

Yet, Su Moran’s bold, intimate gesture days ago had cast a heavy stone into the lake of her heart. She was not made of wood or stone. The palpitations stirred by that domineering kiss still lingered, leaving her unsettled.

Lin Zhiwei, as the primary wife, sat in the seat of honor and accepted the tea offered by Shen Hanyi.

She took Shen Hanyi’s hand and spoke the requisite formal words about “addressing each other as sisters” and “serving our husband together.”

Zhou Kai looked at the two beauties before him, his heart swelling with pride and ambition.

Who cared if Shen Hanyi’s constitution was special? She had broken through to Spirit Shaping, which technically met the condition for dual cultivation. And he had the System—what problem couldn’t be solved by adding points?

Once the ceremony concluded, Zhou Kai eagerly took Shen Hanyi’s hand and led her toward the bridal chamber prepared for her.

The courtyard was right next to the one he shared with Lin Zhiwei.

Shen Hanyi’s hand felt cool, her fingertips trembling faintly. She allowed Zhou Kai to lead her, her steps unsteady, as if treading on clouds.

Inside the bridal chamber, red candles flickered, filling the room with a warm, celebratory glow.

“Qing Shuang.”

Zhou Kai’s voice held a hint of hoarseness, his eyes burning with unconcealed heat.

Shen Hanyi lifted her head, meeting his gaze. Her heart gave a violent leap. Within those usually clear, cold eyes, a flame now flickered—tinged with shyness, confusion, and a trace of panic.

She wanted to say something. To ask what was really going on. To ask who he truly was.

But the words reached her lips only to be suppressed by the identity of “Qing Shuang.” She was Su Moran’s Qing Shuang. Today was the day she married him.

Zhou Kai slowly drew closer, reaching out to gently caress her cheek.

Shen Hanyi’s body stiffened, but she did not pull away.

“Qing Shuang, I’ve waited a long time for this day.”

Zhou Kai leaned down and kissed her lips.

This time, Shen Hanyi did not push him away. Her body remained tense, but that subconscious resistance seemed to be slowly melting away under his touch.

As their lips met, Zhou Kai could feel her initial stiffness gradually give way to a clumsy, tentative response. The iceberg was truly collapsing.

He scooped her up in his arms and carried her toward the bed.

Shen Hanyi felt her mind go blank, her entire body burning. All her reserve and aloofness melted away at this moment, turning into pliant softness.

Like a drowning person, she could only cling tightly to this lifeline before her, allowing him to pull her down into the depths…

After the storm of passion subsided, Zhou Kai held the delicate form in his arms. Feeling her steady breathing and the warmth of her skin, his heart filled with satisfaction.

The System’s prompt sounded in his mind right on cue:

[Ding! Deep Interaction with Fated Beauty Shen Hanyi. Comprehension Points +50]

[Shen Hanyi] [Sword Essence: Sword Control Seventh Layer (/7000)] [Divine Sense: 782] [Comprehension: 5360] [Spirit Root: Metal (Upper Grade 530/900)] [Constitution: Innate Stainless Sword Embryo] [Affection: 100 (Unwavering)] [Point Type Provided: Comprehension] [Points Provided per Interaction: 50]

Zhou Kai stared at Shen Hanyi’s panel, utterly astonished by the massive payout. Fifty points in one go?

He directly added these 50 Comprehension Points to his own panel.

[Comprehension: 105]

Zhou Kai paused.

Did this mean that before adding points, his Comprehension was a mere 55? No wonder he had always felt sluggish when comprehending cultivation techniques, struggling where so-called geniuses found ease.

Then he noticed something else. The point requirements for his cultivation and Vitality had dropped!

From the original: [Cultivation: Qi Condensation Fourth Layer (185/400)] [Vitality: Bone Forging First Layer (220/2700)]

They changed to: [Cultivation: Qi Condensation Fourth Layer (185/300)] [Vitality: Bone Forging First Layer (220/2600)]

He immediately understood. The speed of a cultivator’s progress, relying purely on oneself without external aids, was directly related to Constitution, Spirit Root, and Comprehension! Shen Hanyi possessed the Innate Stainless Sword Embryo, hence the interaction points she provided were a massive 50!

And what cultivation technique was Shen Hanyi practicing? It was formidable. Even with her own Comprehension bonus, the points required for her to reach Sword Control Seventh Layer were higher than what he needed to break through to Bone Forging Second Layer!

Suddenly, a jarring System prompt interrupted his thoughts:

[Ding! Fated Beauty Shen Hanyi’s Comprehension -3000]