16: Chapter 16 Ling Shuanghua

[Over the past year, you managed to forcibly break through a minor realm by piling on resources, nearly depleting all the spirit stones and pills on you.]

[After all, with your Three-Element Spirit Roots, absorbing spiritual energy was naturally slow. Unrestrainedly pouring in energy like this actually caused a lot of it to go to waste.]

[However, at the thought of Lin Bufan's imminent return, you couldn't help yourself. Gritting your teeth, you exhausted your resources to forcibly break through.]

[You feared you wouldn't be able to cultivate in peace afterward, and you couldn't cultivate normally in front of him either.]

[Fortunately, the breakthrough was successful, so those resources weren't wasted.]

[Of course, this was also thanks to the fact that you didn't care about the pill toxin accumulating inside your body.]

[After restraining your aura, you held a teal longsword and walked out to the open area in front of your cave dwelling.]

[The morning dew had not yet dried. The sword's edge reflected the early sun, shimmering with a clear light.]

[This was your unchanging daily routine over the past year—practicing swordplay.]

[In the Dao of the Sword, although talent varies, no one—from a novice to a Sword Immortal—can bypass the word "diligence."]

[All the divine abilities of the Sword Dao are honed from every single move and stance. The Sword Intent that can split mountains and sever rivers is also cultivated through day-to-day accumulation.]

[You took a deep breath, gave your wrist a subtle flick, and raised your sword.]

[A thrust and a flourish, a turn and a retract. Your sword moves were not flashy, even bordering on rigid, yet you meticulously repeated them nonetheless.]

[The wind swept over your sleeves while the sword sang crisp and clear. At this moment, you felt your mind was free.]

[No need for disguise or scheming.]

[This was why you loved practicing the sword.]

[After a long while, you slowly sheathed your sword, casually wiped the sweat from your forehead, and prepared to go back for a nice bath.]

["Clap, clap, clap~"]

[Just then, a burst of applause sounded not far away.]

[Glancing over, you saw Lin Bufan standing beside a bluestone path with a smile on his lips, his hands still raised in front of his chest.]

["Brother Lin~ You're finally back!"]

[You froze for a moment before instantly slipping into character. Your eyes quickly reddened as you trotted over and threw yourself into his arms.]

["Sobbing... I missed you so much~"]

[The young woman's crying froze the smile on Lin Bufan's face, replacing the joy of reunion with deep guilt.]

["Qingyu, I'm sorry. It's my fault."]

[It made sense—she was just a young girl, and right after taking her, he had run off to wander around for a whole year.]

[Noticing his stiff body, you snickered internally, thinking, 'You better hurry up and figure out how to make it up to me.']

["It's alright, as long as Brother Lin returns safe and sound."]

[Seeing how gentle and understanding the woman in his arms was, any lingering restless thoughts he had gradually settled down.]

['With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for!']

[You leaned against his chest for a bit longer before "accidentally" noticing the uninvited guest behind him.]

["Wow, Senior Sister, you are so pretty!"]

[With your discerning eyes, you could naturally tell the dynamic between these two.]

[There was no jealousy in the woman's eyes; for now, they were still ordinary friends, though further development was bound to happen later.]

[However, you had to interrupt. Lin Bufan was your chosen wage-slave!]

[You didn't care about his love life, but whenever he got good stuff, he had to think of you first!]

[Your heartfelt praise caused the proud-looking sword-bearing woman to freeze slightly.]

[As a female cultivator capable of befriending the protagonist—especially a sword cultivator—her moral compass was inherently upright, and her favor instantly tipped toward you.]

["Junior Brother Lin, is this how you treat your Dao companion? Leaving her in the cave dwelling for a whole year without a word? Do you have any idea that Wang Hao and his group have been constantly inquiring about her?"]

[Wang Hao was the young man in extravagant robes who had caused trouble when they joined the sect.]

[Lin Bufan chuckled awkwardly, not knowing how to respond for a moment.]

["It's fine, pretty Senior Sister. Brother Lin gave me a lot of resources. I can just hide in the cave dwelling and not go out."]

[Your obedience, far from diffusing the matter, made both of them feel a pang of heartache.]

[Especially that woman, who felt an unexplainable rage suddenly surge within her.]

[Without hesitation, she stepped forward, pulled you to her side, glared sideways at Lin Bufan, and said coldly:]

["Go resolve Wang Hao yourself. I'm taking her to claim her resources."]

[You really hadn't left your cave dwelling for the past year, so quite a lot of monthly resources had accumulated. You were practically ready to throw up from eating Inedia Pills.]

["Eh?"]

[Lin Bufan reached out his hand, wanting to stop them.]

["If you don't defeat all the helpers he brings on the Sword Trial Stage before sunset, don't even think about seeing her for a month."]

[The sword-bearing woman stopped in her tracks and turned back to say:]

["Don't forget our agreement. If your strength falls short of my expectations, this lady will find someone else."]

[Awestruck by her imposing aura, you secretly poked your head out, looked at Lin Bufan, and gave him a cheering gesture.]

["Let's go!"]

[She shot you an annoyed glare and pulled you along as she walked away quickly.]

[Leaving the child of fortune alone to guard the empty cave dwelling, questioning his existence on the spot.]

[On the other side, your expression was also somewhat dazed. Had you just been abducted on a whim by a female cultivator who seemed to be a heroine?]

["Do you really like practicing the sword?"]

[Halfway there, the sword-bearing female cultivator suddenly asked.]

["Yes!"]

[You answered earnestly.]

[So that was it—she had recognized your love for sword practice. You had thought you encountered a... cough!]

["Your talent is terrible."]

[She criticized you mercilessly.]

["I know, but I won't give up."]

[The weeping girl from earlier seemed to have vanished into thin air. Your stubborn attitude now made the sword-bearing woman look at you sideways.]

["My name is Ling Shuanghua. You can come to me to learn swordplay in the future."]

[Pausing briefly, she added:]

["It has nothing to do with Lin Bufan."]

["Senior Sister Shuanghua, thank you!"]

[Taking advantage of the opportunity, you immediately grabbed her arm.]

[Ling Shuanghua's body stiffened. She shifted her arm unnaturally, but seeing how tightly you held on, she didn't forcibly pull away.]

[However, the slight curl at the corner of her lips betrayed the hint of pleasure in her heart.]

['A soft and sweet junior sister really is adorable. Should I steal her away?']

[At midnight, you dragged your exhausted body back to the cave dwelling. Over the past half day, you had been thoroughly put through your paces by Ling Shuanghua.]

[She had also spoon-fed you a bunch of motivational chicken soup,]

[such as "women should strive for self-reliance" and "don't always depend on male cultivators"...]

[Just as you walked into the cave dwelling, Lin Bufan was staring with a black eye, meeting your gaze.]

["Pfft~ Hahaha, Brother Lin, what happened to you?"]

[You pressed your lips together while standing in place, but after a moment, you couldn't hold back your laughter.]

["You little ungrateful thing, wasn't it all to vent frustration for you!"]

[He quickly flashed to your side and pulled you into his arms.]

["Thank you, Brother Lin... Hahaha!"]

[Seeing your eyes curve into crescents with laughter, the exhaustion Lin Bufan had accumulated from traveling around for the past year vanished by more than half.]

[He looked at you with gentle eyes, thinking that perhaps this was the true meaning of cultivation!]

[Only when you quieted down did you learn that he was punched by Wang Hao's legacy-disciple older brother, who was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.]

[Tsk~ As expected of the protagonist!]

[You wouldn't have known if you hadn't checked, but checking gave you a shock.]

[In just one short year, he had actually jumped three levels straight to the fifth layer of Qi Refining.]

[Just as you felt gloomy, a red fruit was handed to you.]

["What is this?"]

[You were full of anticipation—items produced by the protagonist were guaranteed to be top-grade!]

["This item is called a blood spirit fruit. It can help cultivators in the early stage of Qi Refining raise their realm by one layer without any side effects."]

[Holy moly!]

[Your heart burned with desire, yet you forced yourself to avert your gaze.]

["Such a good thing—Brother Lin, you should eat it yourself. Your strength is more important."]

[Listening to your thoughtful words, Lin Bufan smiled and stuffed the fruit into your hands.]

["I've already taken one, and I'm already at the fifth layer of Qi Refining. Qingyu, you have to work hard at cultivating~"]

[The moment the fruit touched your hand, you could no longer hold back the upward tug at the corners of your lips.]

[So, you decided to grant this kid a little reward as encouragement.]

[When you raised your eyes again, they sparkled with radiant passion. Before Lin Bufan could react, you pressed yourself forward and pushed him down.]

["Brother Lin..."]

[Your voice was slightly raspy as your fingertips gently tapped his Adam's apple.]

["What are you waiting for~"]

["Awoo!"]

[A wolf-like howl echoed.]

[That night, the sound-isolation restriction of the cave dwelling remained active all night long...]

...