531: Chapter 531 Visitors from Afar

Su Yunniang was held gently in his arms, the crisp and familiar aura from his body lingering at the tip of her nose. That faint trace of warmth in her heart instantly rippled, filling the room with a soft tenderness.

She tilted her head slightly, her long hair sliding slowly down her shoulders. Under the lamp, her features were as gentle as a painting, her eyes brimming with an inseparable tenderness and sweetness.

Situ Jun looked down at her, the majesty he held as the City Lord of the Northern Frontier during the day having completely faded away. At this moment, in the depths of his eyes, there was only tenderness and lingering affection for the person before him.

"I have wronged you."

He spoke in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of hoarseness.

"The affairs of the manor are complicated, and with the recent addition of newcomers, you have to worry about managing everything perfectly."

Su Yunniang shook her head gently and raised her hands to wrap around his firm waist. She pressed her cheek tenderly against his warm chest, listening to that steady and powerful heartbeat, and said softly:

"Husband, you guard the Northern Frontier to protect the peace of the city's people. Being able to stabilize the rear for you so you have no worries is something I do willingly."

She had always been transparent and open-minded, never fighting for favor or acting out of jealousy. She simply kept to her duties, managing the vast manor in an orderly fashion and treating everyone within it with kindness.

It was precisely because of this that Situ Jun felt a sense of respect and reliance toward her, in addition to their deep marital affection.

Situ Jun's heart softened. He leaned down and first kissed her smooth forehead, then her curved eyes, and finally slowly covered her soft lips.

That kiss was gentle and long, carrying the tenderness accumulated over the years and a deep, bone-deep cherishing, intertwining meticulously.

Su Yunniang closed her eyes and responded submissively, the tips of her ears quietly turning red, yet she did not dodge in the slightest.

Having been husband and wife for many years with deep mutual affection, there was no longer a need for many words. A look, a hug, and a gentle kiss were worth more than a thousand words in the mortal world.

He held her carefully and walked slowly toward the bed.

The brocade curtains hung low, and the candlelight flickered, blending the two leaning figures into a scene of lingering passion.

Situ Jun gently laid her down and leaned in close, his fingertips brushing away the soft strands of hair scattered by her cheek. His gaze was so tender it seemed as if it could drip like water.

"With you here, I can truly feel at ease about this manor."

Su Yunniang gazed into his eyes so close at hand; they were filled with an affection meant only for her—no majesty, no distance, only a burning sincerity.

She gently raised her hand to touch his well-defined features, her voice soft and sweet:

"Is Husband not Yun Niang's reliance as well? Only because you are outside shielding us from the wind and rain can we live peacefully in this manor."

Situ Jun lowered his head and kissed her again, this time deeper and heavier than before, carrying a heart full of pity and intense passion, meticulously covering her eyes and the corners of her mouth.

The candlelight in the room gradually dimmed, and moonlight spilled in through the window screen, laying down a floor of soft silver light.

The two on the bed leaned against each other, whispering intimately, their gentle voices overflowing with tenderness.

There were no grand, earth-shattering vows, only the steady companionship of a long-flowing stream; no back-courtyard schemes or disturbances, only the peaceful comfort of quiet years.

Su Yunniang leaned in his arms, listening to his steady heartbeat and feeling his warm embrace, her face filled with contentment and peace.

In this life, having married a good man again—though she was not his only love, she received his respect and sincere treatment, the back courtyard was harmonious, and her children were healthy—to her, this was already the best destination in the world.

The night grew deep, tender and lingering, the room quiet, and the affection long-lasting.

...

Three days later.

A group of people and horses slowly entered the territory of the Northern Frontier. At the head were two women: one gentle and dignified, the other charming and lovely. Behind them followed dozens of attendants, escorting over ten carriages laden with goods, moving in an orderly fashion.

Seeing such a display, the guards at the city gate hurried forward to question them.

The charming woman pulled out a Black Iron Medallion and spoke in a crisp voice:

"Chi Yu, Saintess of the Xihua Sect, has come by order of the Sect Master to visit the City Lord of the Northern Frontier."

The guards saw the patterns on the medallion clearly and immediately bowed in respect. One person was sent on a fast horse into the city to report, while others respectfully led the group forward.

Before long, the group arrived outside the City Lord's Manor.

Situ Jun personally came out of the manor to welcome them.

"Luo Yu... Saintess Chi Yu, it has been a long time. Was your journey well?"

He spoke with a smile, and his gaze toward Luo Yu unconsciously carried a hint of softness.

Chi Yu blinked and smiled brightly:

"City Lord Situ, it’s been a long time. You’ve certainly become more impressive. I heard that a few days ago, you even unceremoniously kicked out the Son of Duke Huguo of Dayue? Truly domineering!"

Luo Yu coughed lightly from the side, signaling her to restrain her behavior.

Chi Yu curled her lip but said no more.

Situ Jun laughed heartily and said:

"A small matter, not worth mentioning. You two have come from afar and worked hard on the journey. Please, come into the manor to rest."

The group entered the manor. Servants had already come forward to unload the goods and lead the attendants to the side courtyard to settle in.

Inside the main hall, tea and snacks were already prepared. Su Yunniang, accompanied by the women of the manor, personally hosted them with perfect etiquette.

Chi Yu looked around at the furnishings in the hall and couldn't help but click her tongue in wonder:

"I’ve long heard that the Northern Frontier City is prosperous and flourishing, and seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation. These tables and chairs are all made of top-grade red sandalwood, right? And this teacup is actually carved from a single piece of green jade; it's even more exquisite than the furnishings of my Xihua Sect."

Luo Yu shot her a glare. "Chi Yu, do not be rude."

Chi Yu stuck out her tongue, completely unbothered.

Situ Jun smiled and said:

"If Saintess Chi Yu likes them, I will have a set prepared and sent to the Xihua Sect later."

"That... that would be embarrassing."

Chi Yu was polite with her words, but the joy in her eyes could not be hidden.

Luo Yu shook her head helplessly, her expression turning serious as she looked at Situ Jun:

"City Lord Situ, the two of us have come this time, firstly to deliver specialty goods from Great Zhou to the Northern Frontier; and secondly..."

She paused, her gaze becoming a bit more solemn:

"I hurried to the Northern Frontier specifically to inform you—the passage to the Immortal Realm, which opens once every thousand years on this continent, is about to be unsealed. I hope you make plans early."

Situ Jun's eyes narrowed slightly as he asked in a deep voice:

"The passage to the Immortal Realm is being unsealed?"

Luo Yu nodded and explained slowly:

"Our continent is protected by the Heavenly Dao. Within the territories of the four Great Imperial Dynasties, each guards a passage to the Immortal Realm. The passage guarded by our Heavenly Dragon Dynasty is beneath the tower of the Qintian Division. The Qintian Division's ability to monitor the Cultivation of Cultivators across ten thousand miles of territory relies entirely on the Spirit Treasure guarding the passage—the Sky-Peering Mirror."

"This treasure was born at the dawn of the continent, bearing the Luck of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty and nourished by the immortal Qi of the Immortal Realm; its Divine Abilities are unpredictable. Once the passage opens, all Middle Stage and Late Stage Soul Transformation Cultivators will be drawn by the power of the Heavenly Dao into the pocket dimension connected to the passage. Only there can they continue to Cultivate and achieve Ascension to the Immortal Realm."

Situ Jun looked slightly shocked and pressed:

"Is it not possible to simply not go?"

Luo Yu sighed lightly:

"Before leaving, I consulted ancient records. If one does not follow the guidance of the Heavenly Dao's rules to enter, the Heavenly Tribulation will descend continuously until the Cultivator perishes or is forced into the spatial passage. That pocket dimension lies between the mortal world and the Immortal Realm and is vast. Those who enter must not only live and practice but also protect our continent, blocking visitors from the Immortal Realm and interstellar Vicious Beasts from intruding. The Imperial Dynasty's restriction on Nascent Soul Cultivators is partly for management and partly to preserve the Foundation for the continent to step into the Soul Transformation Stage."

Situ Jun's brow furrowed tightly. Su Yunniang and the other women showed even more worry, all looking toward him.

Without waiting for the others to speak, Situ Jun looked at Luo Yu and asked in succession:

"When will the passage open? After entering, can one return to the continent? Can Cultivators who have not reached the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation enter?"

Seeing that he was not panicking, Luo Yu felt relieved and answered truthfully:

"Those who have not reached the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation cannot enter at all; their Primordial Spirits would be directly crushed and destroyed by the spatial rules. Unless one has a Heaven-Defying spatial treasure for storage, and the person carrying it has a Soul Transformation Stage Cultivation, they cannot bring others in or out; otherwise, they will still be obliterated by the rules. According to the calculations of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty, the Seal on the passage will dissipate within two years. At that time, the Heavenly Dao will naturally guide Cultivators of the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation and above to go there. If one still hasn't entered within a month, it will trigger the Heavenly Tribulation. As for whether one can return to the continent, the ancient records have no mention of it. I imagine... one cannot return."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked.

The women's faces turned pale, and they gathered around worriedly, asking if there was any way to avoid it.

Situ Jun thought to himself, wondering if his Heavenly Fortune System could hide from the rules of the Heavenly Dao and exempt him from the fate of going to the pocket dimension.

Looking at everyone's worried expressions, he could only suppress his own thoughts and speak words of comfort.

Chi Yu muttered from the side:

"Even if you can't come back, if you all Cultivate well and enter that space once you reach the Soul Transformation Stage, won't you be reunited? Elder Luo Yu said your Spiritual Root Aptitudes are all excellent. Besides, City Lord Situ has already reached the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation at such an age. If the passage hadn't been unsealed, I wouldn't have known the City Lord's talent was so Prodigy-like. Can we eat now? I've been forced by Elder Luo to travel for half a month; I'm starving."

These words eased the expressions of Situ Jun and the women slightly.

Chi Yu was right. They had been practicing Dual Cultivation with Situ Jun for a long time, and their Aptitudes and Spiritual Roots had greatly improved. Many of them had the hope of Cultivating to the Soul Transformation Stage.

Thinking of this, the anxiety in the women's hearts dissipated somewhat.

Situ Jun pushed down his inner urgency and irritation, raising his hand to invite everyone to take their seats for the meal.

The banquet concluded, and the night was already deep.

Chi Yu and Luo Yu were settled in the most exquisite guest courtyard in the manor.

The fragrance of flowers drifted through the courtyard, and the moonlight was like water, creating a scene of quiet peace.