Du Yue sat cross-legged at the training grounds, calmly refining the Brain with Yin-rich spiritual qi. The Yin Jade Body Tempering Technique she had obtained from little Suzume thrived in cold environments, where Yin Qi was at its most abundant.
Her innate Yin Qi, together with the surrounding spiritual qi, slowly drifted toward her head, sending a cool, tingling sensation through her mind as her thoughts grew clearer and more tranquil.
It wouldn't be long before she finished refining her brain and moved on to the heart. Ever since she started body refinement, her innate Yin Qi had grown a lot compared to before. When she first came to the mountain, her Yin Qi had been almost drained dry, but now it had increased in both quantity and quality… even before facing her Heavenly Tribulation.
Suddenly, she sensed Su Wen approaching and slowly opened her eyes. Her cold, indifferent expression instantly softened, and her blue, gem-like eyes lit up the moment she saw her husband. She stood up with a bit of difficulty, the Spirit Steel rings weighing heavily on her body.
Su Wen hurried over and steadied her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he lightly patted her head as he said, "You don't need to get up. I just came to let you know I'll be heading to Yellow Town to buy some cultivation resources. You've pushed yourself hard these past four weeks, and I don't want to interrupt your momentum before you break through to the Golden Core realm."
When Du Yue heard this, she immediately hugged him tighter, her voice turning soft and pitiful.
"Husband, I want to go with you. I'll be all alone here… I'll be scared."
She looked up at him, deliberately putting on an exaggerated, pitiful expression, her eyes shimmering as if on the verge of tears.
"You wouldn't leave your poor, pitiful wife at home all by herself, would you?"
Su Wen looked at her, and the corner of his eye twitched.
'Last time I took you out, you cut those cultivators down like paper… and you still have the nerve to say you're scared', he thought to himself.
"No," he said, cupping her soft cheeks in his hands. "You can't come. You're very close to a breakthrough, so stay here and focus on cultivation."
Before he could say anything else, she interjected, her voice dripping with charm.
"Pleaseee, husband~ Take your poor wife with you…"
She put on an adorable expression, firing an arrow straight into his heart and making his legs turn weak.
His expression didn't change and remained calm, but inside his thoughts were in complete chaos.
'No… this dumb wife… I can't give in. I have to fight… I have to resist… she's dangerous…'
And finally,
'My wife is too cute…'
"You can't break your cultivation momentum, so be a good wife and listen to your husband," he said, his voice hoarse, as if something heavy were pressing down and piercing his heart.
Seeing that her charm wasn't working, she snorted and turned away dramatically.
"Husband, you don't love me anymore!" she accused. "You want to go out alone and enjoy yourself while your pitiful wife stays home, guards your house, and works herself to the bone…"
Su Wen's expression twitched. He reached out and pinched her nose, trying to calm her down.
"I'll bring back good things for my wife, alright? Now stay home and cultivate diligently."
But this time, Du Yue's aura suddenly changed.
The playful warmth vanished. Her eyes darkened, a deep, possessive intensity surging forth as she wrapped her arms tightly around him, squeezing hard enough to nearly choke him.
"No," she said softly, her voice low and dangerous. "I'm going with you, husband… No one is allowed to separate us. No one can stop me from staying by your side."
Su Wen sighed, completely unable to understand how her emotions could change so quickly. He looked at her cold face, those sinisterly obsessive eyes staring straight at him… yet in his eyes, they were unbearably adorable.
'So cute… how can I resist…?' he thought, struggling to keep his resolve from crumbling.
He reached out and gently rubbed her head, his tone turning lazy and dangerous as a faint smile curved his lips.
"My lovely wife," he said softly, "it seems I haven't shown you how this Young Master of the Mountain disciplines a naughty wife, hm?"
Without warning, he hoisted her onto his left shoulder, her belly pressing against him, the weight of the Spirit Steel rings barely slowing him. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he raised his right hand and shouted,
"Three-Realm Heavenly Disciplining Technique!" .
Smack… Smack… Smack…
Du Yue, again seated cross-legged, continued her cultivation, her face flushed as she glared at the back of the so-called "Young Master of the Mountain," who walked toward the house, strangely happy and proud.
"Y-You… bad husband… I will not let you off easily, hmph," she murmured under her breath, a blush creeping across her cheeks.
After 'disciplining' his wife, Su Wen directly teleported near the entrance of Five River Village using the teleport authority granted to him by little Suzume.
He was about to draw his flying sword but paused mid-motion. "I don't think I'll be visiting Five River Village again for a few years," he murmured. "Let's catch up with the villagers and say our goodbyes."
He informed the villagers about the supposed 'death' of his grandparents and mentioned that he would be traveling north to Sky Way City. He shared a cup of wine with James, distributed Grade 2 healing pills as gifts, and handed candies to the children, who squealed with delight. In return, he received Grade 2 meat and herbs.
A faint pang of emotion tugged at his heart… he had spent many years in this small village, and even though life moved on, parting always carried a quiet weight.
After saying his farewells, he drew his sword and flew towards the Yellow Town. Upon landing near the town, he veered off the main path into the jungle, pressed his hand against a tree, and scanned the area with his Mid-Soul Awakening Soul Sense.
Once he confirmed the area was clear, he used his will to plant the entrance to the mountain on the tree, creating a secure passage. Any unauthorized intruders would see nothing more than an ordinary tree.