3: Chapter 3 Newlyweds, Diligent Cultivation

The morning sunlight streamed through the window lattices, spilling into the simple yet cozy bedroom.

When Lin Fenglan woke up, she felt a bit sore all over, but her spirits were surprisingly high.

Memories of last night came rushing back like a tide, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

She had thought that marrying an eighty-year-old man was just about finding a companion to pass the days with. But who could have imagined that her husband would be so gentle and considerate, making her feel cherished in a way she never had before?

"Awake?"

Xu Changkun's resonant voice came from beside her.

Lin Fenglan turned her head and saw that her husband had already gotten up and was sitting cross-legged by the bed, eyes closed, regulating his breathing. Enveloped in the morning light, he actually exuded a faint, otherworldly aura.

What surprised her even more was that after just one night, her husband's white hair seemed to have decreased significantly, and the wrinkles on his face had smoothed out quite a bit; he actually looked several years younger!

"Husband, you..." Lin Fenglan propped herself up, her eyes filled with astonishment.

Xu Changkun opened his eyes and looked at her rosy complexion, a flicker of satisfaction passing through his gaze.

The "Longevity Art" was indeed miraculous!

Last night's cultivation had not only greatly increased his lifespan but also used the power of yin-yang harmony to clear the meridians that had been blocked for years.

As his wife, Lin Fenglan had clearly also received immense benefits.

At this moment, her face was rosy, her skin delicate and lustrous, and her once somewhat dry hair had become jet-black and smooth. Her entire being seemed to glow with new vitality, exuding a healthy beauty.

"This is the benefit of cultivation." Xu Changkun reached out to tuck in the corner of her quilt and said softly, "Since you've married me, you won't be lacking such blessings in the future."

Although Lin Fenglan didn't understand cultivation, the feeling of lightness in her body was real. She felt a warmth in her Dantian, and those minor ailments like being sensitive to the cold seemed to have disappeared.

"Husband is truly amazing." She praised him sincerely, her eyes full of admiration and attachment.

[Ding! Wife Lin Fenglan's favorability has increased! Current favorability: 90 (Deeply Rooted Affection)]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining an extra reward: First-grade low-rank pill recipe "essence-consolidating pill"!]

Xu Changkun was in a great mood.

"Get up." He gently patted Lin Fenglan's hand. "Today we still need to go share the good news with your parents-in-law."

Lin Fenglan nodded obediently and got up to dress.

Watching her figure as she groomed herself before the mirror, her features gradually relaxing, Xu Changkun made his calculations in secret.

Now that he had the pill recipe, he had to find a way to get money for medicinal herbs. Becoming wealthy through alchemy was the foundation for supporting his family and strengthening his clan.

...

After breakfast, Xu Changkun took Lin Fenglan back to the Lin family home.

Seeing their daughter return with a glowing face and dressed in fine clothes, the hearts of Old Honest Lin and his wife finally settled. Especially when Xu Changkun left another five taels of silver for household expenses, it made the old couple weep with gratitude, warmly calling him "good son-in-law" over and over again.

After handling the family matters, Xu Changkun dove into his study (which was actually a converted storage room) and began to study the "essence-consolidating pill" in his mind.

Although this pill was only first-grade low-rank, it was a sacred medicine for strengthening the body and prolonging the life of mortals and low-level martial artists.

"Still missing a few medicinal herbs..." Xu Changkun made a list.

His current net worth, after the betrothal gifts and household expenses for the Lin family, was less than twenty taels of silver. This amount was enough to buy the herbs, but the margin for error was extremely low.

It must be successful on the first try!

For the next few days, the Xu Family courtyard remained closed to visitors.

During the day, Xu Changkun delved into the Dao of Alchemy, and at night, he rested with Lin Fenglan, circulating his cultivation technique.

As a new wife, under her husband's careful protection, Lin Fenglan gradually shed her former timidity and became increasingly gentle and charming.

In just three days.

Xu Changkun's appearance now looked like a middle-aged man in his early fifties; his steps were light and vigorous, and his blood and qi were robust.

Lin Fenglan's transformation was even more striking. Her skin was fair with a rosy tint, a smile always graced her features, and she walked with a light, confident gait. Every time Li Xiue next door saw her, she couldn't help but steal a few extra glances, her heart filled with both envy and bitterness.

That evening.

Xu Changkun finally walked out of his room, holding a newly refined pill in his hand.

The pill was brown and its surface was not smooth, even somewhat rough, but it was indeed a finished pill!

"It's done!"

Xu Changkun let out a long sigh of relief. Although the quality was average, it represented the opening of a golden path.

Just as he was thinking, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

"Uncle Changkun, are you home?" It was Li Xiue's voice.

Xu Changkun raised an eyebrow, put away the pill, and went forward to open the gate.

At the door, Li Xiue stood somewhat uneasily with a basket on her arm. Having not seen her for a few days, she seemed to have grown a bit thinner, and her eyes held an unconcealable loneliness.

Especially seeing Xu Changkun's current robust appearance, a flash of shock passed through her eyes, which then turned into a deep complexity.

"Xiue, is something the matter?" Xu Changkun asked, already knowing the answer.

"I... I made some osmanthus cakes and brought them for you and Sister Fenglan to try." Li Xiue handed over the basket, her gaze not daring to meet his. "Uncle, your health... it seems to be getting stronger and stronger."

In her tone, there was a hint of envy and... expectation that she herself hadn't even noticed.

Xu Changkun took the basket and looked at her warmly.

Li Xiue felt as if she had been burned by his gaze and lowered her head in a panic.

"I am indeed much stronger." Xu Changkun's tone was calm, yet pointed. "This is all thanks to having someone at home who cares for me. Xiue, don't overwork yourself either. If you encounter any difficulties... remember that I'm here."

These words sounded like a senior's concern, yet they also carried a reassuring promise.

Li Xiue's heart trembled, her eyes reddened slightly, and she gave a hurried response before quickly turning to leave.

Watching her slightly lonely back, Xu Changkun knew what was what.

The timing is almost right.

Once the first batch of pills is sold and he has some spare money, it will be time to give this poor woman a home.