Chapter 523 - 257: Very Smooth!!

Chapter 523: Chapter 257: Very Smooth!!

Finally, she took a deep breath, walked to a solitary stone pavilion not far away, and sat down, clutching her sword.

Though her anger hadn’t subsided, Sun Yuzhi knew what was important. Inside the guest room, the Dragon-Singing Celestial Cicada and the Simurgh Phoenix Jade Butterfly were undergoing a critical union—a process of utmost importance to Chen Sheng that could not be disturbed.

And so, on that cold, early winter night, she kept watch alone over the silent courtyard, which was enveloped by an Array. She stood guard with a heart heavy with a mixture of anger, grievance, worry, and helplessness.

The night dew grew heavy, soaking her shoulders and the ends of her hair, but she remained completely oblivious.

Her vigil lasted the entire night.

.....

「The next morning.」

The first light of dawn broke, and pale golden sunlight pierced through the window lattice, casting warm patches of light inside the guest room. Fine dust motes drifted slowly in the sunbeams.

Within the room, two figures sat cross-legged on prayer cushions, facing each other. Their auras were in perfect harmony.

Lan Yufei had changed into a fresh, cyan palace gown. The fabric was smooth and the tailoring exquisite, further accentuating her graceful figure and wonderful curves.

Though a whole night had passed, she showed no signs of fatigue. On the contrary, she was radiant, her skin as lustrous as jade with a faint, healthy glow.

Her hair, which was usually tied up in a bun, now hung loose and smooth, cascading like an inky waterfall down to her waist. A few strands of dark silk brushed against the pale skin of her cheek, adding a touch of languid charm and soft allure.

She possessed a breathtaking glamour that far surpassed her usual dignified image as a Sect Leader.

At this moment, Lady Lan felt a sense of comfort coursing through her entire body; she had never felt better.

Last night, the Yin-Yang harmony between the Simurgh Phoenix Jade Butterfly and the Dragon-Singing Celestial Cicada had not only resolved the hidden ailment from a backlash that had plagued her for years.

It had also unleashed a surging tide of reciprocal energy.

The long-accumulated Power of Origin from the Gu King washed over her like a timely rain, nourishing her Meridians and Dantian. Her Cultivation began to climb at a clearly perceptible rate.

This long-lost feeling—as if a bottleneck had loosened and the great path forward was now clear—filled Lady Lan’s heart with an inexpressible joy.

Chen Sheng, on the other hand, appeared much more casual.

The battle last night had been long and arduous.

The immense feedback from the union of the Gu Kings, combined with the Seven-leaf Thunder Ginseng he consumed afterward, caused the vital energy and blood in his body to surge like a dragon and his True Essence to churn without cease. The violent power had even ripped his upper-body clothing to shreds.

Now, he sat bare-chested, bathed in the morning light.

Sunlight fell upon his bronze skin, highlighting the fluid, powerful lines of his muscles.

His chest and abs were clearly defined, his shoulders and back broad. Every inch of his musculature seemed to have been forged a thousand times over, emitting a subtle, golden metallic luster and brimming with a profound, masculine energy.

Chen Sheng’s breathing was long and deep.

Each breath he took seemed to create a faint rumble as it drove the vital energy and blood through his body, radiating an astonishingly vigorous Life Force.

"Huuuu..."

After a long moment, Lady Lan slowly exhaled a long breath of turbid air, which carried with it a faint, elegant fragrance.

She slowly opened her eyes, a crystalline light flashing for an instant in their depths before vanishing.

’As expected. Only when the Yin-Yang Gu King pair works in concert can they display their truly heaven-defying effects.’

’That recent wave of feedback reminded me of how my Cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds when I first obtained the Simurgh Phoenix Jade Butterfly.’

Lady Lan estimated internally that at this rate, she was not far from the peak of the late stage of Profound Mastery.

’The benefits from this single night of cultivation, thanks to the first Yin-Yang Union and the surging Power of Origin from both Gu, are comparable to several years of bitter effort!’

’Of course, she was also aware that such rapid improvement couldn’t become the norm.’

’But even if the effects weakened in the future, it would still be far superior to ordinary meditation and qi cultivation.’

Composing herself, Lady Lan’s gaze shifted to Chen Sheng, who sat opposite her.

The sight of his powerful, mountain-like physique made her cheeks flush slightly as various wanton, enchanting images from the previous night flashed uncontrollably through her mind.

Even though several hours had passed, the memories still made her heart flutter and her fingertips curl.

"Chen Sheng?"

Lady Lan called out softly, her voice carrying an almost imperceptible gentleness it usually lacked.

Hearing her voice, Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes.

In that instant, a light like electricity seemed to flash through his eyes. They held a profound brilliance; he was clearly full of spirit and energy.

His gaze fell upon Lady Lan, who looked all the more radiant and graceful bathed in the morning glow, and the corners of his mouth naturally curved into a smile:

"Is there something you need?"

Lan Yufei was not the only one who had benefited from the previous night.

Because his Cultivation was slightly lower, and the Power of Origin of the Dragon-Singing Celestial Cicada was more potent, the benefits Chen Sheng received were actually even greater.

That pure Yang power was still circulating through his limbs and bones, steadily pushing his Cultivation toward the peak of the middle stage of Profound Mastery.

He was in an excellent mood at the moment, and his attitude toward this beautiful Sect Leader—with whom he now shared the intimacy of a married couple and who had brought him such a great opportunity—was naturally gentle.

"It’s nothing."

Lady Lan lifted a hand, a little unsettled, and tucked her loose hair behind her ear. The gesture was filled with the unique charm of a mature woman.

Then, she took out a jade hairpin and with a few practiced movements, skillfully coiled her dark hair into a simple yet elegant bun. Her tone returned to its usual composure:

"I’m just reminding you not to forget... what you promised me last night."

"Of course, I remember."

Chen Sheng nodded, knowing she was referring to the written promise.

"In my heart, your status is equal to Yuzhi’s. I have already put it in writing as proof, and I will not go back on my word."

All Lady Lan wanted was a formal status that would guarantee her position and dignity.

He understood her persistence, but because of Sun Yuzhi’s strong opposition and the deep bond they shared, he couldn’t immediately grant her the position of Co-Wife.

This expedient measure was the only way to appease her for now.

"If she and I... were to really come to blows,"

Lady Lan asked suddenly, her eyes locked on Chen Sheng.

"Whose side would you take?"

Chen Sheng pondered for a moment before answering frankly:

"I don’t want the two of you fighting over me. If it really comes to that... I won’t help either of you. You can sort it out yourselves."

Lan Yufei stared into Chen Sheng’s eyes for a moment, as if trying to discern the truth in his words, before finally giving a slight nod.