Chapter 30 - Biting wind
The biting wind was relentless, carrying a chill that made Qin Nan instinctively curl his body to resist the cold. Despite his current cultivation level, the harsh cold was more than he could endure.
However, in the next moment, a comforting warmth spread over him from behind, wrapping him in soothing heat that banished the cold entirely. Curious, he turned to see Shangguan Rouyue, her long black hair flowing in the wind, her graceful figure standing in mid-air like a celestial being.
Seemingly unbothered by the elements, Rouyue had used some mysterious technique to divert the fierce wind around them. The once-roaring gusts now felt like a gentle breeze, barely grazing their skin.
Below them, the turbulent clouds rolled like a rushing river after a heavy storm, an awe-inspiring sight.
“Are you still cold, hubby?” Shangguan Rouyue asked.
“Not anymore. Thank you, dear,” Qin Nan replied.
“That’s good. It seems that wind just now blew away your drunkenness as well.”
“Wifey, don’t tell me you did that on purpose,” Qin Nan’s eyes narrowed.
“Perhaps,” Shangguan Rouyue replied ambiguously, her expression unreadable.
Qin Nan didn’t press further; he found her occasional mischievousness endearing. Instead, he leaned back, resting his head on her lap—a position he clearly enjoyed.
“Hubby, aren’t you afraid? Flying so high all of a sudden?” Shangguan Rouyue asked, gazing down at the endless sea of clouds below.
“Why would I be afraid? My wifey is here with me,” Qin Nan said.
“Hmm.” Shangguan Rouyue’s response carried a hint of amusement as she studied him. Her gaze lingered, as if she had something more she wanted to say.
“Let’s go over to that peak and take a look.” Qin Nan pointed toward a towering mountain in the distance.
Shangguan Rouyue held him tightly and soared through the air, heading toward the mountain he had indicated.
The peak stood out prominently among its neighbors, its sheer height making it a natural landmark known as Duckbeak Mountain due to a distinctive rock formation at the summit that resembled the beak of a duck.
Qin Nan had known about Duckbeak Mountain since he was a child, and he was quite familiar with it. However, he had never made it to the top of the mountain before.
Climbing to the summit was certainly no easy feat, even for a cultivator like Qin Nan.
But today, he had arrived at the peak in an instant.
They landed on the smooth, protruding rock at the peak. The rock surface was clean and polished by years of rainfall, making it a surprisingly comfortable place to sit.
While Shangguan Rouyue sat down with elegance, Qin Nan plopped down casually and leaned against her, using her as his support.
“This is my first time at the top of Duckbeak Mountain,” Qin Nan said, gazing out at the breathtaking view. “The height is incredible. You can see everything from here—one mountain standing above all others.”
“Indeed,” Shangguan Rouyue agreed softly.
“Dear, do you think if we did something naughty here, anyone would notice?” Qin Nan asked.
Shangguan Rouyue’s cheeks flushed slightly as she shot him an admonishing look. “What nonsense are you spouting? Even if no one’s watching, this is broad daylight. Behave yourself.”
“Wifey, your thoughts are too wild, I was just talking about kissing.” Qin Nan teased.
Shangguan Rouyue was left momentarily speechless, only for Qin Nan to seize the opportunity and plant a kiss on her lips. Her lips were soft and sweet, a taste that always tempted him for more.
The couple remained at the summit for a while, enjoying the scenic beauty and the serenity of their secluded vantage point before finally deciding to return home.
…
Yang Xiaoqi visited the Qin household again to seek guidance on cultivation.
She had now fully grasped the basics of breathing and officially stepped onto the path of cultivation.
Although she was currently only at the first stage of the Body Refining Realm, her extraordinary talent meant that, with proper guidance, she was destined to become a great cultivator in time.
And without a doubt, Shangguan Rouyue was a master of the highest caliber.
However, such masters were typically proud and selective, especially someone like Shangguan Rouyue, who would not casually accept disciples.
If not for Yang Xiaoqi’s exceptional talent and Qin Nan’s urging, she might not have even considered it.
Yang Xiaoqi was very sensible and knew she couldn’t take advantage of Shangguan Rouyue’s generosity. She brought valuable gifts from home as a token of respect, formally seeking to become her disciple.
Although Shangguan Rouyue accepted the gifts, she neither agreed to take Yang Xiaoqi as a disciple nor outright refused. Instead, she stated that she would observe her performance first.
If Yang Xiaoqi’s future performance meets her expectations, she will formally accept Yang Xiaoqi as her disciple.
“Thank you, Master! I will do my best!” Yang Xiaoqi replied sweetly.
Even though she hadn’t been formally accepted as a disciple, Yang Xiaoqi was already calling her Master.
Though slightly shameless, Shangguan Rouyue didn’t find it bothersome.
At that moment, Yang Xiaoqi stole a glance at Qin Nan, flashing him a sweet smile.
The truth was, Yang Xiaoqi’s decision to seek Shangguan Rouyue as her teacher wasn’t solely about learning cultivation. It was also about spending more time with her Brother Qin Nan.
She imagined a future where they could cultivate together and roam the skies freely.
The thought made Yang Xiaoqi’s mind drift into daydreams.
Later, Shangguan Rouyue provided detailed guidance to Yang Xiaoqi and even allowed her to train in the backyard cultivation grounds. This opportunity significantly benefited Yang Xiaoqi.
While the two were busy cultivating, Qin Nan went to the herb field, a small, enclosed area filled with radiant spiritual plants.
These were the spiritual plants his wife had brought back during her recent venture. After being transplanted here, they had grown significantly in just a few days.
The soil in this area was exceptional, rich in Qi energy, making it an ideal environment for plant growth.
In addition to the glowing spiritual plants, there was a lush abundance of medicinal herbs.
Normally, these herbs would take two to three months to mature, but here, they were ready in about half the time, drastically reducing the cultivation period.
As a result, Qin Nan’s stockpile of medicinal herbs was steadily growing, giving him a sense of endless wealth.
However, Qin Nan wasn’t content to merely sit back and enjoy his gains. He had already envisioned how to utilize the herbs, especially the maturing spiritual plants.
His “stealthy development” plan was progressing well.
…
Recently, Qin Nan had been busying himself in the medicine room.
The medicine room had undergone significant renovations. It was now spacious, orderly, and even equipped with a large chimney.
At the center stood a massive bronze cauldron. Though its design was plain and unadorned, it was sturdy and functional.
Qin Nan had purchased this cauldron from Yangshun City just the day before.
Although it was only a basic-grade cauldron and couldn’t compare to higher-tier ones, it was sufficient for his needs.
In Yangshun City, this cauldron wasn’t considered particularly high-quality—in fact, it was rather poor.
Qin Nan had wanted to purchase the best cauldron available, but his limited funds forced him to settle for this one.
Even so, he was confident that his advanced alchemy skills would allow him to transform something mediocre into something extraordinary.
Now, flames roared beneath the cauldron, and white vapor wafted from its top, rising steadily through the chimney.
Qin Nan tended the fire diligently, stoking it for an entire day.
Finally, the white vapor turned into a faint green mist, accompanied by a rich, pleasant herbal aroma.
He knew the process was complete.
Now, the question was whether the effectiveness of the pills met his expectations.