After returning to the room, Li Qingxuan pulled Su Yanran into his arms. His warm breath brushed against her flushed earlobe as he asked softly, “Wife, was your husband handsome just now?”
“You… let go!” Su Yanran’s ears turned red as she hurriedly pushed against his chest, only to touch firm muscles. She jerked her hand back as if shocked.
Li Qingxuan grinned mischievously. “Why is my wife blushing? Could it be that my invincible heroic bearing has captivated you?”
This was a good sign.
“Nonsense!” Su Yanran stomped on his foot in embarrassment. “I… it’s just too hot.”
Li Qingxuan glanced out the window and nodded seriously. “My wife speaks wisely. The sun is indeed blazing today.”
Su Yanran looked up at the overcast sky and her face turned even redder. “You’re so annoying!”
Seeing her shy expression, Li Qingxuan’s heart stirred. She was quite adorable.
Su Yanran pushed him away and quickly changed the subject. “How were you so strong just now? The Wang Family had so many experts. How could none of them withstand even one move from you?”
Li Qingxuan raised his lips slightly and gently lifted her chin. “Oh? My wife is starting to care about her husband’s strength?”
“Care about you? Don’t be ridiculous.” Su Yanran turned her face aside and huffed softly. “I’m just curious. Yesterday you were only at the 7th stage Foundation Establishment Realm. How did you suddenly…”
“Suddenly become this mighty?” Li Qingxuan’s smile deepened.
“You!” Su Yanran glared at him in embarrassment, yet her heart rippled.
“Want to know?” Li Qingxuan leaned close to her lips and whispered, “Give me a kiss and I’ll tell you.”
“If you don’t want to say it, then don’t!” Su Yanran blushed and pushed him away, turning to leave.
“Alright, no more teasing. My realm is not convenient to reveal. Just remember this.” Li Qingxuan leaned close to her ear, his warm breath carrying incomparable dominance. “No one in this world can harm you. If anyone from Azure Cloud Sect dares to bully you, I will flatten their Sect Gate.”
[Congratulations, Host. Su Yanran’s affection level has increased to 50%.]
Li Qingxuan’s eyes lit up. That felt good.
“You’re all talk.” Su Yanran bit her lip lightly, a hint of sweetness flashing in her heart, yet she said stubbornly, “When my master arrives, let’s see if you still dare to be so arrogant!”
As a prodigy disciple of Azure Cloud Sect, she had reached the Condensation Essence Realm at only nineteen. Yet she could not see through this man at all.
Li Qingxuan raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Is my wife planning to have Azure Cloud Sect teach her husband a lesson?”
Su Yanran was momentarily speechless.
Originally, she did have that thought. But now… this powerful yet gentle man made her waver.
“Li Qingxuan!”
A furious shout suddenly thundered from outside the courtyard. “Get out here and see me!”
The voice was like thunder, shaking the entire Li Family courtyard.
Su Yanran’s expression changed. She hurriedly pushed Li Qingxuan away. “Oh no, my master really came!”
Li Qingxuan calmly adjusted his collar and smiled. “Why are you so nervous? It’s not like I can’t be seen.”
“You don’t understand!” Su Yanran stomped anxiously. “My master is at the 10th stage Profound Core Realm. She was hurt before and hates men the most. If she sees you…”
“She’ll kill me?” Li Qingxuan chuckled. “A mere Profound Core Realm?”
“You can’t stop showing off, can you?” Su Yanran glared at him. “Hurry and hide. I’ll go explain to my master…”
“Hide?” Li Qingxuan laughed softly and took her hand. “A master is like a mother. Wife, take me to greet my mother-in-law.”
“You!” Su Yanran was both embarrassed and anxious, but Li Qingxuan had already led her out.
In the courtyard stood a middle-aged beauty in a cyan Daoist robe, her hands behind her back, her expression cold. A powerful spiritual pressure radiated from her.
Behind her stood Su Shoucheng with a smug expression, looking at Li Qingxuan with mockery.
Su Yanran’s master, Liu Yueji, had arrived. He wanted to see how Li Qingxuan would handle this.
“Master!” Su Yanran hurried forward and greeted her.
Liu Yueji cast a cold glance at her, then her gaze fell on their clasped hands. Her face darkened further. “Yanran, is this the Li Qingxuan who forced you into marriage?”
“Master, I…”
Before Su Yanran could finish, Li Qingxuan stepped forward and cupped his hands with a smile. “Li Qingxuan greets Mother-in-law. May I ask how to address you?”
“Who is your mother-in-law?” Liu Yueji’s face darkened as she shouted, “Li Qingxuan, you have great audacity. You dared to force my Azure Cloud Sect saintess candidate into marriage. Do you think Azure Cloud Sect has no one?”
“Master, it’s not like that…” Su Yanran hurriedly explained. “I was willing…”
“Silence!” Liu Yueji interrupted sharply. “Yanran, you disappoint me. You look down on the sect’s prodigies, yet you chose a forty-year-old Foundation Establishment Realm waste?”
Su Yanran bit her lip, unsure how to explain. She could hardly say that marriage had its benefits, that her husband gave her an Earth Tier Cultivation Method.
“Li Qingxuan, I don’t have time to waste on you.” Liu Yueji’s eyes were icy. “Immediately annul the marriage. Otherwise… die!”
As the last word fell, the spiritual pressure of a 10th stage Profound Core Realm expert burst forth, pressing down so heavily that everyone present struggled to breathe.
“Master, please don’t act impulsively!” Su Yanran was filled with anxiety.
Though she did not have deep feelings for Li Qingxuan, he had treated her well.
“Yanran, what are you doing? Step back!” Su Shoucheng hurriedly pulled her aside.
Was his daughter really falling for Li Qingxuan?
Liu Yueji stared at Li Qingxuan coldly. “I’ll give you one last chance. Annul the marriage, otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?” Li Qingxuan chuckled. “You were hurt by a man, so you can’t stand seeing your disciple happy?”
“You’re courting death!”
Furious, Liu Yueji raised her hand.
The terrifying spiritual energy of a 10th stage Profound Core Realm expert instantly condensed into a giant palm that slammed down toward Li Qingxuan.
“Dad, let me handle this!”
At that moment, Li Chuan rushed out and stood in front of Li Qingxuan with righteous determination. “A mere Profound Core Realm dares to make my father act?”
He was thrilled. Another chance to show filial conduct and earn system rewards.
Li Qingxuan’s eyes nearly popped out.
Was this foolish son kicked in the head by a donkey? Blocking a 9th stage Foundation Establishment Realm was one thing. He might survive that. But daring to take an attack from a 10th stage Profound Core Realm expert?
That was suicide.
[Ding! Filial conduct detected. Taking the initiative to face a powerful enemy for father. Reward: High-Grade Profound Tier defensive spirit artifact, Black Tortoise Shield.]
Li Chuan was overjoyed and immediately summoned the Black Tortoise Shield before him.
Boom!
The giant palm struck the shield with a dull explosion.
Li Chuan felt an overwhelming force crash into him. He was sent flying like a kite with a snapped string, his internal organs shifting violently.
Yet the medicinal power of the Foundation Establishment Pill inside him was fully activated by the strike, turning into warm currents flowing through his limbs.
Pfft!
Li Chuan spat out a mouthful of blood, but suddenly realized—
Was he about to break through?
Spiritual energy crazily gathered around him. The vortex of spiritual energy in his dantian spun rapidly.
The bottleneck that had trapped him at the peak 1st stage Foundation Establishment Realm loosened at this life-and-death moment.
Boom!
His entire body trembled as his aura surged upward.
2nd stage Foundation Establishment Realm, achieved!
Lying on the ground, Li Chuan grinned foolishly in excitement.
Taking a beating and leveling up at the same time. What a bargain.
Next time, he needed to block a few more strikes for Dad.
“Chuan’er!”
Li Qingxuan’s expression changed as he hurried over.
“Dad, I’m fine…” Li Chuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and grinned. “Your son has thick skin and tough flesh. I can take a beating!”
[Ding! Detected host’s son breaking through to the 2nd stage Foundation Establishment Realm. Triggering 500-fold return. Host’s cultivation level has advanced to the 3rd stage Golden Core Realm.]