29: Chapter 29 Liu Qingxu's Fall

The night breeze was slightly cool, and the shadows of the trees danced.

Xu Changkun's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring ripples in Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's heart.

"The heart of the Immortal Maiden is in disarray."

This sentence seemed to shatter her final pretense.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu leaned back against the rough tree trunk, her breathing slightly rapid.

The aura of the man before her was too intense, carrying an irresistible dominance that firmly enveloped her.

"I..." She opened her mouth, but found that her usual sharp tongue was completely useless at this moment.

Xu Changkun looked at her flustered gaze, and a touch of softness in his heart was stirred.

He did not press closer, but instead retreated half a step, giving her a sliver of breathing room.

"I know that the Immortal Maiden holds the Great Dao in her heart and does not wish to be burdened by romantic entanglements," Xu Changkun said in a low, earnest voice. "But I, Xu Changkun, am not a frivolous man. My proposal to the Immortal Maiden is sincere."

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu looked up abruptly, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief: "A proposal? You... you already have so many wives and concubines!"

"Yes, I have wives and concubines," Xu Changkun admitted frankly, looking at her with burning eyes. "But I can promise that following me will not hinder your cultivation. The resources the Yunxia Sect cannot give you, I will provide; the protection the Yunxia Sect cannot give you, I will provide."

He paused, reached out, and his fingertips gently brushed the stray hair at her temple: "Even if you want the stars in the sky, I will find a way to pluck them for you. As long as... you nod."

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's heartbeat skipped a beat.

In the world of cultivation, where deceit and treachery are rampant, who isn't fighting tooth and nail for resources?

Yet, the man before her had placed his sincere heart right in front of her.

She wanted to refuse; her reason told her she should refuse.

She was the proud daughter of heaven of the Yunxia Sect; how could she debase herself to become a concubine for another?

Yet, in her mind, the image of him standing before her in the valley kept appearing, along with those affectionate eyes looking at her now.

"I..." Senior Sister Liu Qingxu bit her lower lip, a trace of struggle flashing in her eyes. "I am a disciple of the Yunxia Sect, and the sect rules are strict..."

"Rules are dead, but people are alive," Xu Changkun chuckled, taking her cold hand. "As long as you are willing, leave the rest to me."

The warmth from his palm traveled through her fingertips, instantly scorching the depths of her heart.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu looked at him, the struggle in her eyes gradually dissipating, replaced by a sense of relief after making a decisive choice.

"Xu Changkun..." She called out softly, her voice light yet carrying an unprecedented firmness. "If you betray me..."

"If I betray you, may my Dao heart collapse and may I be doomed eternally," Xu Changkun interrupted her, his tone solemn.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's heart trembled, her eyes slightly red.

She no longer hesitated and slowly closed her eyes, letting the tree trunk behind her support her somewhat weak body.

This was a gesture of tacit consent.

Xu Changkun was overjoyed, reaching out to wrap his arms around her slender waist and pulling her into his embrace.

There was no eager possession, but rather an embrace of ultimate tenderness.

Under the moonlight, two figures clung tightly to each other.

After a long while, Xu Changkun lowered his head and kissed her forehead: "Qingxu, come home with me."

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's eyelashes trembled slightly, and finally, she gave a soft "Hmm."

This single sound marked the rest of their lives.

Returning to the guest courtyard of the Xu Family, red candles burned brightly.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu sat on the edge of the bed, twisting her sleeves with both hands, her palms sweating from nervousness.

Although she had agreed to him, now that the moment had truly arrived, she was still somewhat at a loss.

Xu Changkun poured two cups of nuptial wine, walked over to her, and handed her one: "Drink this cup of wine, and we shall be husband and wife."

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu took the wine cup, her fingertips trembling slightly. She looked up at Xu Changkun; in the candlelight, his face was handsome and resolute, and his eyes were filled with tenderness.

The two linked arms and drank the wine in their cups.

The pungent wine went down her throat, but transformed into a warm current that flowed through her entire body.

"The night is late, let us rest," Xu Changkun said, setting down the wine cup and reaching out to remove the jade hairpin from her hair.

Her black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, draping over her shoulders, making her cold, aloof face appear a bit more alluring.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's cheeks were flushed crimson; she dared not look at him and could only lower her head to look at her own toes.

Xu Changkun chuckled, lifted her into his arms, and walked toward the bed.

The red curtains fell, obscuring the spring scenery within the room.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the concubine acquisition "Branching Out"! Reward: Lifespan +20 years!]

The system notification sounded in his mind, but Xu Changkun had no time to pay attention. He held the beauty who had fallen into a deep sleep in his arms, his heart filled with satisfaction.

In the following days, Xu Changkun stayed in the guest courtyard.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu, having just become a wife, still looked cold and aloof on the surface, but the way she looked at Xu Changkun now held a bit more reliance and tenderness.

Even in private when no one was around, she would reveal a bit of a young woman's coquettishness.

This afternoon, the sunlight was just right.

Xu Changkun was practicing swordplay in the courtyard, while Senior Sister Liu Qingxu sat on a stone bench nearby, holding a book on alchemy, though her gaze drifted toward the figure in the courtyard from time to time.

After finishing a set of sword techniques, Xu Changkun sheathed his sword and stood still, with a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu put down the alchemy book, walked forward, and handed him a silk handkerchief: "Wipe your sweat."

Xu Changkun took the handkerchief, took the opportunity to hold her hand, and pulled her to sit beside him: "What are you reading?"

"An ancient alchemy recipe," Senior Sister Liu Qingxu said, letting him hold her hand, her voice soft. "Some parts are obscure and difficult to understand, so I am pondering them."

"Why not rest for a while?" Xu Changkun leaned close to her and whispered in her ear. "You have worked hard these past few days."

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's cheeks flushed red, and she glared at him: "You have no seriousness."

Although it was a reproach, the corners of her eyes and brows were filled with charm.

Xu Changkun's heart stirred, and just as he wanted to tease her a bit more, he heard footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.

"Is Husband here?"

It was Nalan Yanran's voice.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's body stiffened, and she subconsciously tried to pull her hand away, but Xu Changkun held it even tighter.

"Come in," Xu Changkun called out.

Nalan Yanran walked in with her large belly, supported by a maid. Seeing the intimate posture of the two, her eyes flickered slightly, and then she revealed a gentle smile.

"Senior Sister Liu is here too."

This "Senior Sister Liu" was called out with profound meaning.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu stood up somewhat uncomfortably: "Nalan... Junior Sister."

Back in the sect, she was a high and mighty core disciple, while Nalan Yanran was just an ordinary inner sect disciple. Now that they served the same husband, this shift in status made her somewhat unable to adapt for a moment.

Nalan Yanran walked to the stone table and sat down, looking at Senior Sister Liu Qingxu with a smile that wasn't quite a smile: "Now that we are a family, shouldn't this form of address be changed?"

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu pursed her lips and did not respond.

Xu Changkun saw this and smiled to smooth things over: "Yanran is right. From now on, we are all one family; there is no need to be constrained by sect seniority."

He helped Nalan Yanran sit down and asked with concern: "Your body is heavy; why are you running around?"

"It's stifling in the room, so I wanted to come out for some air," Nalan Yanran said, rubbing her belly and looking at Senior Sister Liu Qingxu, a flash of slyness in her eyes. "Besides, I heard Senior Sister Liu has been studying alchemy these past few days, and I wanted to come and ask for some pointers."

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu glanced at her belly, her expression complex.

Although she had a cold personality, she was not ignorant of social nuances. Nalan Yanran was asserting her dominance and testing her attitude.

"I wouldn't dare presume to teach," Senior Sister Liu Qingxu said indifferently. "If there is anything you don't understand, we can discuss it."

"Then many thanks, Elder Sister," Nalan Yanran said, seizing the opportunity, calling her "Elder Sister" quite naturally.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu was stunned, and her earlobes flushed slightly red.

This "Elder Sister" acknowledged her status and also resolved the awkwardness.

"Hmm." She responded softly, accepting it.

Xu Changkun watched the interaction between the two women and breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

Harmony in the backyard is the foundation of a prosperous household.

In order to help Senior Sister Liu Qingxu integrate into this family as soon as possible, and to expand the family line early, Xu Changkun decided to use his system abilities.

That night, he consumed 30 years of his lifespan without hesitation.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully "Spreading the Leaves"! Senior Sister Liu Qingxu has successfully conceived.]

[Reward: Lifespan +30 years!]

[Reward: Low-grade spirit stones x20!]

As the system notification sounded, Xu Changkun looked at the sleeping Senior Sister Liu Qingxu in his arms, a smile curling the corners of his mouth.

With a child, her heart would be completely anchored here.

And this was just the beginning.

With the addition of Senior Sister Liu Qingxu, a second-tier alchemist, the strength of the Xu Family would reach a new level.

As for the foundation establishment pill...

Xu Changkun cast his gaze toward the deep night sky outside the window, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Most of the materials have been gathered, with only the last few auxiliary medicinal ingredients and that crucial Earth Core Fire Lotus missing.

It seems it is time to take another trip to the market.