8: Chapter 8 Wedding Night

The night was like water, and the moonlight bathed the courtyard.

Inside the bridal chamber, the red candles burned high, creating an amorous and bewitching atmosphere.

Li Xiue sat on the edge of the bed, her heart beating like a drum. Although this was her second marriage, the nervousness and anticipation were a hundred times stronger than the first.

When she married for the first time, it was for survival, following the orders of her parents and the words of the matchmaker.

But this time, it was for herself, a willing entrustment.

The door opened with a creak.

Xu Changkun walked in and closed the door behind him, shutting out all the noise of the outside world.

He walked to the bed, looking at the woman before him who had put on a bridal gown again for his sake, his gaze gentle and burning.

"Xiue."

"Hus... Husband."

This call of "Husband" was lingering and tender, filled with shyness and timidity.

Xu Changkun lifted the red veil, and the Li Xiue before him was breathtakingly beautiful. The bright red bridal gown made her skin look whiter than snow, and as her eyes darted about, she was full of charm.

"Truly beautiful." Xu Changkun praised sincerely.

Li Xiue's cheeks were burning, and she lowered her eyes, not daring to look at him: "I am already at this age, how can I still be worthy of the word beautiful..."

"Nonsense." Xu Changkun lifted her chin, his thumb gently caressing her red lips, "In my eyes, you are more flavorful than those green young girls. Like a jar of aged wine, the more you taste it, the more fragrant it becomes."

Hearing these sweet words, Li Xiue's body went soft.

"Husband..."

Xu Changkun's breath hitched.

He said no more and leaned down to kiss those red lips he had long desired.

This kiss, gentle yet domineering, instantly ignited the flames in both their hearts.

The red candles flickered, and light and shadow intertwined.

The night grew deep.

Li Xiue snuggled into Xu Changkun's arms, her eyes hazy.

Tonight, she truly experienced the feeling of being cherished and protected, making her feel that all the suffering of the first half of her life had been worth it.

"Husband..." She drew circles on Xu Changkun's chest, "You are so good."

Xu Changkun held her hand and kissed it: "It will be even better in the future."

Just then, the system notification arrived on cue:

[Ding! Interaction with concubine Li Xiue completed!]

[Proficiency in "Yin-Yang Guidance Technique" greatly increased!]

[Congratulations to the host for breaking through in cultivation! Promoted to the first level of Qi Refining!]

Boom!

A massive surge of spiritual energy exploded within Xu Changkun's body, instantly breaking through that invisible barrier.

Qi Refining Stage!

Finally succeeded!

Xu Changkun felt his hearing and vision sharpen, as if he possessed endless power within his body. He could clearly sense the stray spiritual energy in the surrounding world; although thin, it truly existed.

Is this the world of cultivators?

Truly mysterious!

"Husband, what is wrong?" Noticing the tension in Xu Changkun's body, Li Xiue asked with concern.

"It's nothing." Xu Changkun took a deep breath, suppressing the ecstasy in his heart, "Just a little happy."

"Happy about what?"

"Happy to have married such a lucky star like you." Xu Changkun rolled over and pinned her beneath him, his eyes full of smiles, "Xiue, let us cultivate one more time."

"Ah? Again?" Li Xiue exclaimed.

Early the next morning.

Xu Changkun walked out of the room feeling refreshed.

He hadn't slept all night, but instead of being tired, he was full of energy. His cultivation was stabilized at the early stage of the first level of Qi Refining, and his physical functions had returned to the peak state of a thirty-year-old.

"Daddy!"

Xiao Juan was playing in the courtyard; seeing Xu Changkun, she immediately pounced over happily.

Xu Changkun picked her up and spun her around in the air, making the little girl giggle.

"Good daughter, did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes!" Xiao Juan answered crisply, "Daddy, where is Mother?"

"Your mother is too tired and is still sleeping in." Xu Changkun flicked her nose, "Come, Daddy will take you to eat something delicious."

As he was speaking, Lin Fenglan came out of the kitchen carrying breakfast.

Seeing this scene of fatherly love and filial piety, a trace of envy flashed in her eyes, but it was mostly warmth.

"Husband, it's time to eat."

The family sat around the table, enjoying the harmony.

Xu Changkun looked at this scene, his heart filled with a sense of accomplishment.

This is it.

This is the life he wanted.

However, some people are destined to disrupt this tranquility.

"Master!"

Just then, the anxious voice of Manager Zhou came from outside the door.

"Something happened! Someone is causing trouble at Jishitang Pharmacy, saying they were poisoned after taking your medicinal pills!"