This middle-aged cultivator wore a white Dao robe with intricate patterns embroidered in gold threads. Although Qin Gengyun wasnât good at arrays, he could see that this was an array that helped absorb and restore spiritual power.
Robes with arrays embroidered on them are expensive, usually worn only by sect disciples or accomplished loose cultivators.
Judging by his cultivation, this middle-aged cultivator was at least at the mid-period of Qi cultivation.
Being swept by his gaze, Qin Gengyun felt a slight tremor in his heart. Mo Xiaolan walked to his side, instinctively standing in front of him, speaking to the middle-aged cultivator:
"Senior Zhou, this Taoist friend is here to deliver goods to me. I do have matters to attend to today; I trouble you to return another day."
This Taoist Friend Zhou chuckled: "Since Taoist Friend Mo has matters to attend to, I shall return another day."
After saying this, he gave Qin Gengyun a deep look, his figure flashed, and disappeared within a few breaths, showing this skill. Qin Gengyun could already confirm that this Taoist Friend Zhou was at least at the Fifth-layer of Qi cultivation.
Such cultivation is something that the lower-level cultivators living in Narrow Rain Lane could only dream of.
"Taoist Friend Qin, are you alright?"
Mo Xiaolanâs voice, clear like wind chimes, chimed in his ears. Qin Gengyun returned to his senses, shook his head, and asked:
"Taoist Friend Mo, this Senior Zhou..."
Mo Xiaolan hesitated, lowered her head to look at the orchid embroidered on her left shoulder, then raised her head with a dazzling smile:
"Itâs nothing. He wanted to buy high-grade talisman paper, but I donât have any here, so he blames a bit. Itâs no big deal. Taoist Friend Qin, do you have something for me?"
Qin Gengyun took out a wooden box containing the Blood Coagulation Pill and handed it to Mo Xiaolan.
"Whatâs inside?" Mo Xiaolan accepted it, opened to look, then raised her head in surprise:
"A Blood Coagulation Pill? Its quality is much higher than ordinary ones!"
"Yes." Qin Gengyun smiled and nodded: "Taoist Friend Mo, youâve always looked after me, helped me a lot. Yesterday I refined a Blood Coagulation Pill and decided to gift it to you as a token of thanks."
Mo Xiaolan quickly rejected: "This is too precious, Taoist Friend Qin, letâs not be so formal between us!"
Qin Gengyun said: "Taoist Friend Mo, we are friends, and exchanging small gifts is common between friends. Donât refuse it; otherwise, I wonât be able to explain it to my wife at home."
"Your wife?" Mo Xiaolan was puzzled.
Qin Gengyun laughed: "Not to hide from you, gifting you the Blood Coagulation Pill was exactly my wifeâs idea. I think itâs very proper, so do accept it."
Mo Xiaolan was silent for a moment, and finally accepted the Blood Coagulation Pill:
"Taoist Friend Qin, thank you very much!"
She brushed her hair by her ear, softly said:
"Also thank your wife for me."
"Alright, Taoist Friend Mo, Iâll be heading back now."
Qin Gengyun, pleased with giving the gift, smiled and bade farewell to Mo Xiaolan.
"Taoist Friend Qin."
Mo Xiaolan called him, a soft smile appearing on her otherwise spirited face:
"Your wife is gentle and virtuous, dignified and graceful, you should treat her well."
Qin Gengyun smiled and said: "Naturally."
Watching Qin Gengyun leave the night market, Mo Xiaolan only then retracted her gaze. Taoist Friend Huang, who was tending a stall nearby and had just finished a deal, smiled at Mo Xiaolan:
"Taoist Friend Mo, you truly do not intend to accept Senior Zhou?"
Mo Xiaolan shook her head: "I will never marry for dual cultivation in my life; I want to rely on myself to cultivate."
Taoist Friend Huang appeared regretful: "Three hundred Spirit Stones, a lower-grade flying sword, a small Spirit Vein Immortal Mansion, such a rich bride priceâitâs not bad even as a concubine! Alas, Iâm not a woman."
Mo Xiaolan said nothing, holding the small wooden box containing the Blood Coagulation Pill. Just then, someone came up to the stall to look at talisman paper, and she immediately put on a passionate smile and began introducing the goods.
...
Qin Gengyun returned to Narrow Rain Lane, entered his home, and found Qiu Zhihe sitting at the table with a pot of meat soup placed on it.
He subconsciously sniffed, but this time didnât smell that extremely enticing aroma, and couldnât help asking:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, are you not stewing that high-grade spirit flesh today?"
Qiu Zhihe calmly replied: "Today, the market only had ordinary spirit flesh."
Qin Gengyun uttered an "oh," smiled, and said: "No matter, this pot of meat soup also smells delicious."
Qiu Zhihe served him a bowl. Qin Gengyun sat down, took a sip, and praised:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, your culinary skills have improved again."
Thinking carefully, when they had just married, Qiu Zhihe would burn porridge. Itâs been only a month, and she can already make tasty meat soup.
Suddenly, Qin Gengyun was startled, carefully sizing up Qiu Zhihe, and said in surprise:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, your figure seems... fuller again?"
Qiu Zhihe looked at him coldly, Qin Gengyun quickly buried his head in his meal, not daring to say more.
He just noticed that Qiu Zhihe was wearing a somewhat loose Flowing Cloud Embroidered Palace Dress, yet it couldnât completely conceal her astonishingly curved upper half.
After all, being together day and night, Qin Gengyun quickly noticed Qiu Zhiheâs figure had indeed become a bit fuller.
Heâs heard that after marriage, a womanâs body changes somewhat due to the nourishment of water and dew.
This is the husbandâs contribution.
Qin Gengyun felt a sense of pride rise in his heart, a sense of pleasure in nurturing his wifeâs development.
After dinner, Qiu Zhihe took out three stalks of Blood Coagulation Grass radiating spiritual energy.
"Within three two-hour periods, three Blood Coagulation Pills."
Qin Gengyun was solemn, responded loudly:
"Taoist Friend, let me form the pill!"
Saying this, he quickly went into the kitchen, sat cross-legged in front of the pill furnace, and concentrated on refining pills.
This feeling of being urged by his wife filled him with energy, spiritual energy abundant, wishing to form the pill as soon as possible, leaving Qiu Zhihe dumbfounded and full of admiration.
Three two-hour periods later.
Qin Gengyun emerged from the kitchen holding three freshly formed Blood Coagulation Pills:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, now I can compare with the least of your sectâs alchemists, right?"
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Qiu Zhihe opened her eyes, glanced at the three high-quality Blood Coagulation Pills, and her small cherry mouth slightly opened:
"Itâs time for sleep."
Qin Gengyun paused, then came to realize, kept the Blood Coagulation Pills safely, quickly took off his outer garment and went to bed.
Lately, he felt his primordial Qi was abundant, spirit invigorated, holding faint confidence for breaking through the Ice and Fire Two Layers of Heaven, tonight was a good opportunity to attempt!
Wife, here I come!
Thirty-five breaths later.
Qin Gengyun was in disbelief, mouth agape.
"Taoist Friend Qiu, why does the ice and fire seem stronger within you?"
Qiu Zhihe knew this was due to her restored cultivation to the Third-layer of Qi cultivation, the Profound Ice and Li Fire Technique caused even stronger energy within.
Between them, it was like a race, if one day Qin Gengyunâs cultivation steadily surpasses hers, he wonât be affected by the Ice and Fire Two Layers of Heaven.
At that time, perhaps extending to a whole incense stick duration, even a whole two-hour period wonât be a dream.
Of course, she wouldnât tell this to Qin Gengyun.
Seeing Qiu Zhihe say nothing, Qin Gengyun quietly sighed, realizing the brevity indeed lacks privilege.
Next time, next time Iâll definitely manage!
Quietly accumulating primordial Qi, waiting for Qiu Zhihe to turn over, again start labor.
Both harbored thoughts, contemplating their next attempt.
"Husband, Iâm so happy!"
"Wife, thank you for being understanding of me!"
"Husband!"
Suddenly, from the next door, came the intimate voices of Chen Fang and Zhang Chengdao.