Under Ya Li's pointedly polite remarks, Yun Ming could clearly see that Qian Renxue's expression was on the verge of cracking before she left.
Watching Ya Li, who was suddenly showing signs of a "black-bellied" transformation, Yun Ming teased her with a playful smile.
"Is the Saint Spirit jealous of another girl?"
Ya Li's cheeks flushed slightly. As a senior who was actually over a hundred years old, she felt a bit ashamed of such "petty jealousy," but there was no helping it—her current body was so young that she was inevitably influenced by its instincts. Even so, she wouldn't let Yun Ming tease her without a fight, so she immediately launched a counterattack.
"What, is Atlas reluctant to see her go? Should I go and bring my senior sister back?"
As she spoke, she flashed a gentle, magnanimous, and understanding smile at Yun Ming.
Rarely seeing this side of Ya Li, Yun Ming's playful spirit surged, and he turned the tables on her, feigning agreement.
"That works too! I wouldn't mind chatting with senior sister more. Why don't you go call her back for me, Saint Spirit?"
Ya Li: '*(￣皿￣)/#_'
It was stiff—someone's little fist had tightened, and even the expression on her face was struggling to hold. She swore silently in her heart that she would definitely deal with Yun Ming later, but for now, she had to keep up the tough act, gritting her teeth as she said:
"Fine! I'll go call her for you!!"
With that, she turned around and headed in the direction Qian Renxue had left.
Seeing Ya Li playing along so seriously, looking as if she were actually going to fetch Qian Renxue, Yun Ming hurriedly grabbed the little angel who was about to go on a rampage and quickly apologized with a smile.
"No, no, no! I was just joking."
"Let's just let the Saint Spirit's senior sister leave in peace."
"I only need the Saint Spirit by my side."
Held back by Yun Ming, Ya Li replied in a flat tone.
"Really? Does Atlas truly not want my senior sister back? She is an angel beauty of a completely different style, you know!"
Feeling the faint black aura radiating from Ya Li, Yun Ming quickly straightened his stance.
"What angel? Having you, my little angel, is more than enough for this lifetime."
"Let's go stroll through Martial Soul City! It's been so long since we walked together."
As he spoke, Yun Ming stepped forward, interlaced his left hand with Ya Li's fingers, neutralized her "attack-ready" little fist, and led her down the mountain.
"Hmph—"
Regarding Yun Ming's blunt change of subject, Ya Li huffed but said nothing more. It was only because Yun Ming had reacted quickly; otherwise, if she had taken a few more steps, she would have made him pay a price—at the very least, no hugs for a day!
The two arrived in Martial Soul City, wandering through streets that were the same as before, yet somehow different.
After all, it was a reunion after a long separation, and Ya Li quickly cast the small episode to the back of her mind. They soon returned to normal, chatting as they usually did.
Through Yun Ming's account, Ya Li learned of everything that had happened during this time, aside from his life-or-death battle with Tang Chen—defeating Di Hong, pacifying the continent—and Yun Ming learned the specific details of the God Trials Ya Li had completed so far.
The first trial, Holy Light Body Tempering, involved basking in the "sun" under the Angel God statue every day to polish her foundation and accelerate her cultivation.
The second trial, Holy Power Control, was exactly as it sounded: training her control.
The third trial, Saint Spirit Judgment, required her to assist Qian Renxue in slaying one hundred Fallen Soul Masters. Ya Li and Qian Renxue were currently in the middle of this task.
Hearing that the first trial was just basking in the sun, Yun Ming looked Ya Li up and down and evaluated her seriously.
"It seems your skin has gotten better?"
Due to Ya Li's natural beauty, her skin had always been excellent. If she hadn't mentioned it, Yun Ming really wouldn't have noticed, but her skin was indeed more translucent than before.
Not just looking, Yun Ming held Ya Li's delicate hand and examined it carefully, finally concluding that it was indeed more delicate and smooth than before—which earned him an eye-roll from the Saint Spirit.
By this point, the two had finished their stroll. Martial Soul City didn't really have much to see; the high barrier to entry kept the population sparse, and its commercial districts weren't as developed as the true imperial capitals of Heaven Dou or Star Luo. Plus, the Saintess's presence was too eye-catching, drawing constant stares, so they left after walking a street or two.
Returning to their residence, with dry wood meeting a raging fire and nothing else to do, a series of indescribable romantic maneuvers naturally began to unfold between the two young lovers deep in affection.
The night passed in silence, and the sun and moon rotated.
For the first time in a long while, Yun Ming slept until he woke up naturally. Opening his eyes, he found that Ya Li was no longer in the room.
After dressing, Yun Ming walked out and found Ya Li wearing a plain dress, tending to her flowers and plants. He didn't step forward to disturb her, instead leaning against the doorframe.
One was tending flowers and watching the scenery, while the other watched her as the scenery; the two did not disturb each other, each enjoying the moment in their own way.
It wasn't until Ya Li finished pruning the plants that hadn't been tended to in a long time that she picked up her tools, turned her head, and looked helplessly at Yun Ming.
"Is it pretty? You've been watching for so long."
Yun Ming replied with full sincerity.
"It's beautiful. I wouldn't get tired of watching it for a lifetime!"
His words were full of sincerity and even more full of vigilance against potential traps. Since this was a rare opportunity to express his true feelings, he certainly wouldn't make any "straight-man" mistakes. He just didn't expect Ya Li to shift the topic, leaving him completely stumped.
"So, since it's so beautiful, you're just going to keep watching? You don't know how to help out?"
As she spoke, she raised the pruning tools in her hands to gesture.
"..."
The sudden shift caught Yun Ming off guard, and his expression stiffened. He thought Ya Li had asked a simple question, but it turned out to be a complex application problem! He had been too careless!
"Ahem—"
"Coming right up."
Saying this, Yun Ming looked around at the flowers and plants with some embarrassment, but the ones that needed trimming had already been taken care of by Ya Li!
Seeing her beloved rendered speechless by the topic she had steered him toward, Ya Li found it quite amusing. She had finally managed to score a small victory for her 'defeat' yesterday; let's see if he dared to bully her in such fancy ways again in the future.
However, Ya Li's intention might have been hidden too deep for Yun Ming to necessarily perceive. If he were to hear Ya Li's inner thoughts, his answer would undoubtedly be that he would dare to do it again next time.
Ya Li pursed her lips in a smile, packed up her tools, and walked toward the house, saying.
"Alright, stop standing there like a fool. We still have to go see Teacher after breakfast!"
As for what Yun Ming could do after realizing he had been played by his Wife, naturally, there was nothing he could do. Aside from reasserting his husbandly authority at night, he could only dote on her! But for now, he had to collect some interest.
Before Ya Li could react, Yun Ming pulled her by the waist, and the Angel fell back into his arms, receiving a physical Seal Technique.
He didn't let her go until the Seal Technique had left Ya Li feeling dazed and bewildered.
Regaining her senses, Ya Li realized she had been bullied again and was so indignant that she ate an extra bun at breakfast just to swallow the resentment in her chest.
───────────────
Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader