In the villa, Ye Qiu and Su Luoying were entwined, lost in a sweet, inseparable journey.
A poem bears witness:
She sheds her thin silk robe,
They bathe in fragrant waters,
Playing together, like mandarin ducks.
The waterwheel’s sound echoes beneath,
Peach blossoms drift in the waves.
Spring’s passion runs wild,
Heedless of smudged makeup.
Red lotuses reflect in the shimmering light;
In the height of deep affection,
Dew clings to the flower’s chamber.
Su Luoying, already guilty for not being able to help Ye Qiu, became even more fervent upon hearing she could boost his cultivation.
Yet, Ye Qiu noticed this time it had no effect.
“If only Luoying could keep helping me advance, I could fearlessly face the Forbidden City and Dragon One.”
“Such a pity, the help is limited.”
“To keep improving, I must rely on myself.”
Ye Qiu sighed inwardly.
After an unknown time, the room finally grew quiet.
“Ye Qiu, how do you feel?” Su Luoying asked.
“Pretty good,” he replied.
Her eyes lit up, “Again?”
“No.” Ye Qiu stopped her, “Your constitution issue is just resolved; you need to take care of yourself.”
She said, “It’s fine. I’d do anything to help you.”
Ye Qiu hadn’t expected such persistence and spoke honestly, “My cultivation’s hit a bottleneck. Continuing like this won’t help. I need another way.”
“I see,” Su Luoying said, disappointed, “Sorry, I’m useless.”
“How is this your fault?” Ye Qiu said, “It’s my own limitation.”
“You’ve spent years in Miaojiang and seen many masters. You know martial cultivation isn’t achieved in a day.”
“Your help this time outdid my entire seclusion.”
“Luoying, thank you.”
She asked, “Do you have confidence for this trip to the capital?”
Confidence?
Ye Qiu shook his head, “Though I’ve improved fast, against the Forbidden City’s old monsters, I still have no chance of winning.”
“After all, Dragon One and Two are century-old freaks, especially Dragon One, who’s likely a cultivator.”
“Even so, I’ll give it my all.”
He continued, “Luoying, remember my words.”
“No matter if I return alive from the capital, you must cherish your life.”
“Your constitution issue is fully resolved. You have a long life ahead; never give up lightly.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at him earnestly, “I’ll say it again: if you don’t come back, I won’t live alone.”
“Whether you live or die, I’ll be with you.”
“Ye Qiu, don’t give me grand lectures. I don’t understand, and I don’t want to. I just want you safe.”
Ye Qiu sighed, holding her close, “You silly girl, why so foolish?”
“Because I love you,” she said.
Her devotion moved him deeply.
Suddenly, he sensed a change in her body.
He grabbed her wrist to check her pulse.
The next second, he was stunned.
“What’s wrong?” Su Luoying asked, puzzled.
Instead of answering, he handed her a glass cup, “Squeeze it hard.”
Though confused, she followed his instructions, gripping the cup with one hand.
*Bang!*
The glass shattered into powder.
Shocked, she exclaimed, “Ye Qiu, what’s happening? Why’s my strength so great?”
He smiled, “As they say, fortune and misfortune go hand in hand.”
“Your Nine Yin Severed Meridians nearly killed you, but after clearing all nine, your eight extraordinary meridians are fully open.”
“Now, your meridians are filled with inner strength.”
“In terms of raw inner strength, you’re not weaker than a Dragon List master.”
Overjoyed, she said, “Does that mean I can go to the capital with you and help?”
He shook his head, “You’re overthinking. Above the Dragon List is the Divine List, and Dragon One is its top master.”
“Besides, you have raw inner strength but no martial techniques. You’re far from matching the Forbidden City’s people.”
“If I return safely from the capital, I’ll teach you some skills.”
“You’ll become a master in no time.”
She said, “I believe you’ll come back safely.”
After embracing for a while, Ye Qiu let go, “Luoying, rest for now.”
“I’ll go to the basement to consolidate my cultivation.”
“Later, come home with me.”
He left, but as he did, he noticed a patch of red on the sofa.
He sighed inwardly, “Another debt to a woman—how do I repay it?”
After he left, Su Luoying sat dazed on the sofa.
“What did he say?”
“Go home with him?”
“Does that mean he’s taking me to meet his family?”
She grew nervous.
…
In the basement, Ye Qiu pulled out his phone.
It had been off for over two months.
Upon turning it on, it buzzed incessantly with over a hundred WeChat messages.
Messages came from Lin Jingzhi, Bai Bing, Qin Wan, Tangtang, Su Xiaoxiao, Xu Changjin, Ye Wudi, Qian Duoduo, Tang Fei, Long眉真人, Zhao Yun, Qinglong, and others, plus Old Xiang, Fu Yanjie, the four great medical sages, and hospital colleagues.
All asked about his well-being.
He noticed two unread texts from Qianshan Xue and Qiushan Nange.
After scanning them, he called his mother, Qian Jinglan.
After the call, he sat cross-legged, eyes closed, and began cultivating.
Soon, a radiant golden light enveloped his body.
Two hours later, he sensed a change in his dantian.
Activating his heavenly eye, he looked within.
Shock spread across his face.
In his dantian, besides the three mastered innate true qi strands, there was…
“Luoying really helped me big time.”
Before he could examine further, a change occurred.
*Crack!*
A faint sound came from his meridians, as if something had shattered.
The golden light around him intensified, making him look like a golden statue.
At that moment, the Nine-Turn Dragon Art broke through, reaching the fourth turn—
The Realm of Enlightenment!
