28: Chapter 28: I learned some new tricks and positions, Liu Ruyan teased me!

A few days later.

Ye Linchuan walked out of the Qiwu Pavilion.

In his Storage Pouch, there was an extra jade bottle with a Spirit-Sealing Talisman attached, containing a drop of Century-Old Stone Milk.

The price was 320 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

It had almost emptied most of his savings from this period.

In the quiet room, he adjusted his breathing, bringing his state to its peak.

Then, he tilted his head back and consumed it.

The Stone Milk entered his throat.

It transformed into a gentle yet pure torrent of Spiritual Qi that instantly rushed through his limbs and bones.

Ye Linchuan immediately circulated the Guiyuan Technique, guiding it with all his might.

Driven by the Cultivation Technique, the Spiritual Qi washed over the Bottleneck of Qi Refining Level 5 again and again.

The barrier was very solid.

With more than half of the Spiritual Qi consumed, he actually felt a sense of powerlessness, as if he lacked the strength to continue.

"Am I going to fail?"

Ye Linchuan's heart tightened.

Just at this moment—

Boom!

The previously calm Spiritual Power boiled over once again.

With an even more violent posture, it slammed fiercely against the Bottleneck!

Crack.

A faint sound of shattering, which only he could hear, echoed within his body.

Vast Spiritual Power surged into new paths of Meridians.

The speed of his circulation suddenly increased.

The aura on his body climbed steadily.

Finally, it stabilized at a brand-new level.

Qi Refining Level 5.

Success!

Ye Linchuan opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of stale air.

A flash of joy crossed his eyes.

That night.

Ye Linchuan celebrated the Breakthrough with an enjoyable session of Dual Cultivation, going at it six times in one go.

Afterward, he leaned against the head of the bed, calmly analyzing, "This Stone Milk has pure Spiritual Qi, but the total amount isn't particularly large."

"The beauty of it lies in its ability to penetrate and nourish, which happens to be perfectly absorbed and utilized by my special Spiritual Root."

"It seems this item is best suited for assisting in Breakthroughs."

"When I have more spare Spirit Stones in the future, I can prepare some more."

He turned his head and glanced at the sleeping Shen Qingyan beside him, then looked at Su Wanqing, who was breathing evenly on the other side.

That trace of guilt in his heart emerged again.

But it was quickly suppressed by a firmer thought.

"Qingyan, Wanqing, just wait a little longer."

"Once your husband has sufficient strength, I will definitely let you live a good life, with no more worries."

Spirit Stones exist to be exchanged for strength.

He understood this principle.

The next day at noon.

Shen Qingyan and Su Wanqing prepared a table of good food: Spirit Rice, Yao Beast meat, and stir-fried Spirit vegetables.

For this meal, not counting the ingredients, the Spirit Charcoal used for cooking alone cost one Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

Ye Linchuan knew this was their silent celebration.

While eating.

Su Wanqing remembered something and said casually, "Husband, Senior Luo hasn't returned for seven or eight days. Could it be that..."

Ye Linchuan patted her back, "Fellow Daoist Luo is not weak; perhaps she is handling some business outside."

"Tomorrow is the rent payment day; she will be back."

He paused, looked down at his wives, and smiled, "Don't worry, I have some good news to tell you."

Shen Qingyan looked up, "What good news?"

Ye Linchuan cleared his throat, "Your husband's cultivation has broken through to Qi Refining Level 5."

The room went quiet for a moment.

Su Wanqing's hand stopped.

Shen Qingyan's eyes widened.

"Re-really?"

Ye Linchuan nodded, "Really."

"That's wonderful! Congratulations, Husband!!"

"You have hope for Foundation Establishment, there is hope for Foundation Establishment!"

Shen Qingyan wept with joy.

Su Wanqing also had red-rimmed eyes and threw herself into Ye Linchuan's arms.

"That's wonderful... that's wonderful..."

During these days, they had watched the household expenses increase day by day.

They were puzzled but didn't dare to ask too much.

Now they understood everything.

So their husband had already become so powerful.

Ye Linchuan held the two of them, feeling warm inside.

Su Wanqing suddenly looked up, pursed her lips, and smiled, "No wonder... Husband was... so heroic last night."

Shen Qingyan blushed and gently pushed her, "What nonsense are you saying."

Ye Linchuan's old face felt hot.

He leaned in closer and lowered his voice, "Your husband recently learned some new tricks from an ancient book."

"Tonight is just the right time to study them with my two wives."

The two women blushed even more, but their eyes were bright.

"What kind of tricks?"

"Where did you learn them, Husband..."

Ye Linchuan laughed, "You'll know in a while."

...

At the Hour of the Rat (Midnight).

A faint sound of a door opening came from outside the courtyard.

Ye Linchuan's Divine Sense stirred.

It was Luo Yu.

She had returned.

Her aura was somewhat unstable, and she carried a faint scent of blood, as well as the damp, murky air of the swamps.

But she was alive.

Ye Linchuan withdrew his Divine Sense and didn't pay it much mind.

It was better to ask less about the affairs of a Loose Cultivator.

Early the next morning.

Just as Ye Linchuan was preparing to go downstairs, he heard a knock on the door.

He opened the door.

Luo Yu was standing outside, her face still somewhat pale.

"Fellow Daoist Luo." Ye Linchuan cupped his hands.

Luo Yu nodded and handed over a small cloth bag, "Fellow Daoist Ye, this is next month's rent."

She looked Ye Linchuan over, and a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes, "Fellow Daoist Ye, have you... broken through?"

Ye Linchuan took the bag, "Just luck, just luck. Fellow Daoist Luo has a sharp eye."

Luo Yu waved her hand, "Your aura has solidified quite a bit; you can't hide that from anyone."

After saying this, she turned and left.

...

The door closed.

Ye Linchuan squeezed the bag; the number of Spirit Stones was correct.

After getting ready.

Ye Linchuan went out, prepared to pay the rent.

Just as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, that soft, bone-melting voice came from behind him.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, so early?"

"Are you heading to the Deacon Hall?"

Ye Linchuan's body stiffened, and he turned around slowly.

Liu Ruyan was standing a few steps away.

Dressed in a simple, elegant long gown, she seemed less seductive and more refined.

But those eyes were still enchanting.

"Senior Liu."

Ye Linchuan cupped his hands, "That is correct."

Liu Ruyan's lips curled slightly, "It just so happens we are going the same way, let's go together."

She walked over gracefully, bringing a wave of fragrance with her.

Ye Linchuan didn't dare to refuse.

He fell half a step behind and followed.

The journey was silent.

When they were almost at the marketplace, Liu Ruyan suddenly spoke, "Regarding the last time, I was reckless; please do not take offense, Fellow Daoist Ye."

Ye Linchuan's heart tightened, "This Junior would not dare."

Liu Ruyan turned her head to look at him, her eyes flowing with emotion, "It's just that I saw you are so young, yet you could resist the charm technique."

"It shows that your will is firm, which is quite rare in this Yunxi City."

"I... was just curious."

Sweat broke out on Ye Linchuan's back, "It was Senior Zhong who spoke up in time, so this Junior did not make a fool of himself."

Liu Ruyan chuckled.

In her laughter, there seemed to be a hint of weariness.

"Zhong Ming... never mind."

She paused, her voice lowering, "Fellow Daoist Ye, look at us Cultivators; we seem carefree, but in reality, each of us has our own difficulties."

"Just like my business at the Chunxiao Pavilion, it looks glamorous, but inside... it's better not to mention it."

Her tone shifted, and she returned to that soft, charming lilt, "If you ever change your mind one day and want to come sit for a while, I will welcome you at any time."

"Of course—"

She turned back and winked at Ye Linchuan, "Just bring enough Spirit Stones."

After saying this, without waiting for Ye Linchuan to respond, she quickened her pace and entered the Deacon Hall first.

Ye Linchuan stood there.

A thin layer of sweat covered his back.

Was that last sentence of hers a joke, or...?

He shook his head, suppressing these chaotic thoughts.

He lifted his foot and walked into the Deacon Hall.

After paying the rent.

Ye Linchuan went to the Baibao Pavilion.

As soon as he entered, Shopkeeper Chen's eyes lit up.

He put down his abacus, walked out from behind the counter, and beamed with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Ye! Rare guest, rare guest!"

"I haven't seen you for a few days, and your aura has become even more composed!"

He looked Ye Linchuan up and down, his eyes shining even brighter, "Have you... broken through to Qi Refining Level 5?"

"Congratulations, congratulations! Fellow Daoist Ye is truly young and promising!"

Ye Linchuan cupped his hands modestly, "Just luck, just luck."

Shopkeeper Chen enthusiastically pulled him toward the inner room, "Come, come, let's have a cup of tea and talk slowly."

The inner room was quiet.

Shopkeeper Chen personally poured tea and lowered his voice, "Fellow Daoist Ye, I see that you are steady and hard-working, with boundless prospects."

"Now that you have achieved success in the Talisman Dao and improved your cultivation, regarding the matter of a Dao Companion..."

He leaned closer, smiling warmly, "I have a distant niece who is sixteen years old and has the cultivation of Qi Refining Level 3."

"She is dignified in appearance and character, and particularly good at managing a household."

"Her father, who is my cousin, is an Artifact Refiner."

Shopkeeper Chen looked at Ye Linchuan with eyes full of sincerity, "If Fellow Daoist Ye is interested, I am willing to play matchmaker."

Ye Linchuan was shocked internally but remained calm on the surface, quickly waving his hand, "Shopkeeper Chen, I appreciate your kindness, but..."

"I already have wives."

A trace of regret flashed across Shopkeeper Chen's face, but he quickly returned to his smile, "What a pity, but if Fellow Daoist Ye wants to take a concubine, I do have a few young ladies here!"