36: Breakthrough imminent

Twilight was like ink, quietly staining the horizon.

Cherry knelt beside the tub, her fair hand gently lifting, scooping up hot water that streamed down the Sandalwood Spoon, creating tiny ripples on the surface.

"Master, would you like me to add some petals?"

Cherry's voice was like honey, and the fragrance of jasmine in her hair mixed with the steam and wafted toward him.

Situ Jun caught sight of the snowy white skin below her neck, and his throat bobbed as he said:

"Cherry, you should leave. I can manage by myself."

"This... alright, Master."

Cherry turned and retreated, feeling somewhat wronged.

After bathing, Situ Jun felt a headache coming on, realizing he hadn't properly consoled Su Yunniang after making her angry yesterday.

Thinking of Su Yunniang's slightly peeved expression, his heart was filled with reluctance to leave her and concern for her. He immediately walked toward the Yunxiang Courtyard, eager to properly soothe her lest the beauty's resentment linger.

By this time, night had fallen deep over the Yunxiang Courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, lanterns were lit one after another, their dim, yellow halos swaying in the darkness, like stars fallen to earth.

A guard stood rigidly outside the door, his posture straight and tall like a statue, watching the surroundings vigilantly.

Inside the courtyard's main hall, the lights were bright. The clear candlelight spilled out through the window lattice, indicating that Su Yunniang had clearly not yet rested.

"Um, I'm here to consult Lady about planting Spirit Medicine. We already had an appointment."

Situ Jun said to the guard, his tone carrying a trace of urgency.

Before his voice faded, the carved wooden door creaked softly. Qiu Lan leaned against the doorframe and chuckled, the Pearl Hair Ornament near her temple swaying lightly with her movement:

"Guard Li, thank you for your hard work. Lady has instructed you to go back and rest; there's no need for vigilance tonight. Moreover, Lady's Cultivation is high, and I am here to serve her."

She spoke softly, her voice gentle and pleasing to the ear.

"Thank you, Lady. Your subordinate takes his leave."

The guard surnamed Li was quite straightforward. After saluting, he turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.

Qiu Lan closed the courtyard door, covering her mouth as she smiled, her eyes curved like crescent moons:

"Steward Situ, you should be careful. For some reason, Lady held a deep grudge against you during dinner."

Situ Jun gave an awkward laugh and said:

"I'll go see Lady and ask her about some matters regarding Cultivation."

Qiu Lan's smile grew more suggestive, and she nodded lightly:

"Then you go ahead. I'm tired today, so I'll go rest first."

Having said that, she left with light steps. As she turned, her wide sleeve carried a faint wisp of sandalwood fragrance.

Situ Jun knew well that Qiu Lan, as Su Yunniang's personal maidservant, was already fully aware of the relationship between him and Su Yunniang. Thus, he no longer held back and walked straight toward the main hall.

He gently pushed open the slightly ajar door, and a faint, subtle fragrance wafted toward him.

He saw Su Yunniang leaning on a Xiangfei Bamboo Couch. Her moon-white gauze dress outlined a waist so slender it seemed unbearable to grasp. Her hair was casually held up by a single Mutton-fat Jade Hairpin, and stray strands of dark hair fell onto her snow-like skin, adding a touch of lazy charm to her demeanor.

Her lips were lightly touched with rouge, and she wore elegant, faint makeup. Under the candlelight, she appeared stunningly beautiful, exuding the unique charm of a mature woman.

Seeing Situ Jun enter and then close the door behind him, Su Yunniang's heart couldn't help but tremble.

Her beautiful eyes wide open, she glared at him, feigning anger:

"What are you doing here?"

Her tone carried a hint of sulking.

Situ Jun's eyes were full of tenderness. He sat beside her and gently explained the misunderstanding from the previous day in detail.

As the two talked intimately, Su Yunniang's previously tense shoulders gradually relaxed, and she finally leaned gently against his shoulder:

"If you are this careless again next time, I definitely won't forgive you."

"I'm sorry, Lady. There absolutely won't be a next time." Situ Jun said, sighing in relief internally.

Su Yunniang glanced at him and said:

"That had better be the case. Is there anything else? If not, I'm going to start my embroidery."

Situ Jun froze, then quickly said:

"Of course there is! I came over because I wanted Lady to teach me a Cultivation Technique."

Su Yunniang stared at him speechless, gritting her teeth:

"You can Cultivate, but I'll teach you hand-to-hand combat first!"

Having said that, she lunged forward, and her small foot, clad in an Embroidered Shoe, kicked Situ Jun in the chest, sending him sprawling onto the floor.

Situ Jun was greatly alarmed and quickly said:

"Wait, this is the living room! Yun Niang, you're hitting too hard, I..."

Before he could finish, a fair fist landed on him again, making Situ Jun grimace and cry out in pain repeatedly.

Su Yunniang ignored him, a faint smile hanging on her exquisite face, clearly enjoying Situ Jun's miserable appearance.

Gradually, Situ Jun adapted to the beating and began to fight back amidst his flailing and rolling.

Because Su Yunniang's Cultivation was suppressed, and due to the continuous consumption of Spiritual Power, the two fought to a standstill. In fact, the longer they fought, the more Situ Jun pressed the attack.

Su Yunniang's Spiritual Power was severely depleted, her face was flushed red, and her breathing gradually became ragged.

Situ Jun, having gained the upper hand, showed no mercy. He routed Su Yunniang with irresistible force, making her resistance seem weak. She couldn't even voice a plea for mercy, which angered her enough to release her full Cultivation.

Seeing this, Situ Jun immediately surrendered obediently, allowing Su Yunniang to vent her inner frustration.

After a round of physical punishment, Situ Jun was still full of vigor, while Su Yunniang was so exhausted she rolled her eyes, refusing to continue teaching Situ Jun the running route of the Cultivation Technique... The night wind blew gently, carrying bursts of floral fragrance that drifted through the window into the room, adding a touch of romance and warmth to the living room.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host, your Dao Companion's pregnancy caused damage to the Bei Batian's Luck. Rewarding the Host with 2,000 heavenly luck value.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host, the 'Dragon-Phoenix Grand Derivation True Scripture' has achieved a Breakthrough to the Second Layer, and your Cultivation has reached the Sixth Layer of Foundation Establishment.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host, your Dao Companion's Affection Level has reached 75. Rewarding the Host with one Intermediate lottery chance.]

Hearing the System notifications, Situ Jun was so excited his eyes turned red, and it took him a while before he burst into a silly laugh.

Su Yunniang sat on the soft couch, dripping with sweat, a few loose strands of hair clinging to her face. She was extremely displeased with Situ Jun's thick skin.

She irritably reached out and pinched Situ Jun. Just as she was about to scold him for laughing foolishly, her expression suddenly changed, and she exclaimed:

"Spiritual Power riot! I think I'm about to Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage..."

Her voice carried a trace of panic and surprise.

Situ Jun instantly snapped out of his daze. Seeing the turbulent Spiritual Power around Su Yunniang, his expression changed, and he anxiously said:

"Let's go! We'll go outside the city to Breakthrough. It's not suitable for outsiders to know about this yet."

Situ Jun was alert, deeply aware that if the news of Su Yunniang's Breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm leaked during this sensitive period, it would inevitably attract the covetous gaze of the Bei Batian.

The two quickly changed into ordinary clothes and, using the cover of night, sped toward a Hidden Valley outside the city. Moonlight silvered the edges of their figures as a life-and-death journey of Breakthrough quietly began.