Guys… seriously, thank you so much. When I saw this story hit ranking 19, I was genuinely happy.
So I want to give something back the best way I can: by writing. From now on, you're getting a chapter every single day until Friday, no excuses. But I need to ask you for one thing: let's hold this position and not drop. If we keep it steady, I'm going to keep going at this pace and deliver like crazy.
And now here's the proposal, the real goal for you guys: if this story reaches the Top 10, I'm going all in. It'll be a chapter every day from Monday to Friday, and on top of that, I'll release two extra chapters on Saturday and two extra chapters on Sunday. Yes — four bonus chapters on the weekend. In other words: Top 10 means daily updates plus four extra chapters. The pace is going to be insane.
So let's do this together. Drop your Power Stones, leave a comment, add the book to your library, and let's climb that ranking like it belongs to us. Thank you for everything, truly.
_________________________
Several days had passed since then, dissolving into one another with the same smoothness with which the snow fell from the night sky, silent and constant, covering everything with a thick and untouched layer.
On that particular night, the valley seemed even quieter than usual. The wind blew low between the mountains, like an ancient whisper, and the full moon hung high in the sky, casting its silver light over the snow and making the entire world seem suspended outside of time.
Inside the cabin, the warmth was welcoming.
The fireplace crackled with life, casting long and dancing shadows across the polished wooden walls. The soft smell of burning wood mingled with the clean aroma of the deep incense that had been lit earlier, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
Ren Zu was crouched in front of the fireplace.
Shirtless, his body was bathed in the vivid glow of the flames, which drew golden and reddish tones over his white and impeccable skin. The muscles of his back and shoulders moved in a slow and controlled manner as he used a long piece of iron to casually stir the fire, pushing aside embers and adjusting the wood, keeping the fireplace alight. Not out of necessity, after all, neither he nor Xia Qingyue needed the warmth of the flames to warm themselves or its light to see in the darkness of the night, but simply because he found it pleasant to have a fireplace in that simple cabin he had built about a month ago.
Yes, stopping to think up to that point, it had already been a month since he arrived in the Profound Sky Continent. Added to the time he spent in the Azure Cloud Continent, almost two months had passed since he left the Illusory Demon Realm. And, if his memory served him right, the time to return was approaching. He had promised the Little Demon Empress that he would return in three months, and now only one more remained...
Since he met Xia Qingyue, several weeks had passed. It had also been several days since the conversation he had with her about his other wife. Since then, in the last few days, all they did was devote themselves to dual cultivation tirelessly, day after day. He simply couldn't get enough of her perfect body.
It was then that he realized how much his libido had increased extremely due to his Unique Physique. At the same time, he had acquired incomparable endurance in that aspect. He was already naturally insatiable due to the powerful body he possessed, but now that seemed to have surpassed any reasonable limit, as if fatigue simply ceased to exist while he indulged in sex. It was an apparently inexhaustible source of desire and vigor, to the point that he knew if he weren't able to control his own desires and emotions, he would never be satisfied, even if he spent entire days having sex nonstop...
Speaking of the characteristics of his physique, currently he was able to sense with precision the exact location of Xia Qingyue, her vital state, and even the fluctuations of her spiritual energy. Thanks to that, he could immediately perceive if she were in danger just by observing those variations. Furthermore, with his mastery over the Spatial Law, teleporting to where she was was as simple as eating or drinking, as long as, of course, she wasn't on the other side of the universe...
He also noticed other benefits that this body granted him. Among them, the ability to consciously decide whether or not he wanted to impregnate a woman during the sexual act, as well as precise control over the 'stimulating energy' he released in those moments. He could regulate this "energy" at will, amplifying his partner's pleasure to levels far beyond normal or restricting it as he wished. This was just one example among many; currently, he possessed a vast array of abilities of this type, all derived from the unique particularities of his physique.
But, setting aside his dual cultivation abilities, during the last few days, he had successfully learned the [Frozen End Divine Art] directly from Xia Qingyue, mastering all Seven Stages of the technique.
Originally, his new wife only comprehended up to the Sixth Stage. However, after he shared part of his talent with her, advancing to complete mastery of this profound art became inevitable. Still, what truly shocked her was the fact that he only needed to see her demonstrate the technique once to comprehend it completely.
The profound formula of the [Frozen End Divine Arts] was incomparably difficult to comprehend. It incorporated the most fundamental law of ice energy, at the same time the most direct in essence and the most cruel in terms of complete understanding. For any disciple of the Frozen Cloud, the first contact with that pile of profound formulas always provoked the same sensation: it was simply illegible.
To achieve understanding of these Divine Arts, Xia Qingyue spared no effort. She spent several months immersed in environments of extreme cold, enduring conditions in which even her body and mind seemed to freeze. Only by completely submerging herself in the profound ice was she able, little by little, to capture the central natural laws that governed the ice attribute's energy. It was thus, through perseverance and continuous suffering, that she finally successfully cultivated the Frozen End Divine Arts.
And yet, all that arduous process contrasted in an almost absurd way with what he demonstrated. With just a single glance, he was able to comprehend the technique up to the last stage that she had just mastered, a feat that not only defied logic but also made his talent something truly inconceivable.
She was obviously quite shocked, though not as much as any other disciple of the Frozen Cloud Asgard would be. Deep down, she already knew that he was someone who simply couldn't be measured by common sense. With his ability to read emotions, he clearly perceived the mixture that arose in her at that moment: genuine admiration, deep love, a twinge of envy, and a slight trace of frustration directed at herself, all intertwined.
Still, the expression of surprise stamped on her face was particularly amusing to observe, a rare instant in which even she was caught completely off guard.
Ren Zu smiled lightly upon remembering that, a subtle smile that curved his perfect lips, illuminating his face with an expression of genuine affection and a hint of amusement.
The image of the surprise stamped on her face, her dark eyes, as clear as still water, widening, her cheeks blushing slightly in a mixture of admiration and incredulity, was something he would cherish fondly. A rare glimpse of the woman behind the calm and indifferent facade. That innocent reaction, in such stark contrast to the fierce determination she demonstrated in cultivation, made him value even more the moments when he managed to surprise her, breaking, even if for instants, the emotional barriers she had erected throughout her life.
I mean, it wasn't exactly difficult to make her show her emotions, considering that the Frozen Heart Art simply didn't work when it came to him. Still, that didn't diminish in the least how much he appreciated every moment when it happened. Making a cold jade beauty fall madly in love with him and seeing her reveal such diverse emotions was one of his hidden desires, something he only discovered how incredibly satisfying it was after experiencing it...
It is worth noting that, regarding that profound art intended to freeze emotions, it was he who asked her to stop cultivating it, a request she accepted without the slightest hesitation. Still, the perfect countenance that previously remained only calm and indifferent now exuded a distinct coldness, more elevated, almost sacred. There was in her now an aura of purity and sanctity that naturally compelled anyone to look away, as if gazing at that figure were an act of disrespect.
She seemed like an immaculate fairy, someone who resided in a plane above the nine heavens... and yet, that fairy was his wife. A woman who would do anything for him. Faced with that, how could he not be moved?
His eyes, black and deep like starry abysses, then turned to Xia Qingyue, who slept peacefully on the luxurious bed. She lay naked, her perfect body exposed without any shame under the white sheets that covered her only partially, as if the delicate fabric had surrendered to her beauty. The soft curve of her hips, the immaculate paleness of her long and slender legs, and the delicate outline of a full breast revealed themselves naturally, rising and falling in the serene rhythm of her breathing. Her black hair spread across the pillows like a cascade of ebony, while her face, relaxed by sleep, radiated an almost ethereal tranquility; it was the image of a goddess asleep in a realm of ice and silent dreams...
He had truly fallen in love with her in the last few weeks they spent together. A feeling that grew like a constant flame, firm and silent, fueled not only by the perfect body she possessed, curves that seemed sculpted by the gods themselves to seduce even immortals, or by an incomparable beauty, capable of eclipsing the stars in the night sky, but by something much deeper, more essential.
He fell in love with her unyielding determination to become stronger, with the absolute dedication she showed toward him, with a loyalty that went beyond words and manifested in every gesture during the last few weeks.
She was willing to do anything he asked, without hesitating, without questioning, not out of blind submission, but out of full, sincere trust, which honored and touched him in a way he didn't expect to feel...
Gradually, almost without him noticing, she became more and more like a loving wife. The affectionate looks she cast at him when she thought he wasn't paying attention. The soft touches in moments of rest. The shy smiles that appeared on her lips after shared pleasure. How could a man not fall in love? How to resist a woman who, besides being the very incarnation of beauty, also delivered her soul with such purity and intensity?
Ren Zu extended his hand and adjusted the sheet over her with delicacy, covering her a bit more to protect her from the fresh air that seeped through the window. His fingers brushed lightly against her skin, and even immersed in sleep, she nestled closer to him, murmuring something unintelligible that sounded, to him, like his own name.
A smile appeared on his lips. His heart, which he believed had hardened over the time lived in that world, warmed in an unexpected way. That woman had become indispensable, just like the Little Demon Empress. He loved both more than anyone could imagine. Living in that world had been worth it solely because of them.
Therefore, he silently renewed his oath and included Xia Qingyue in it: he would protect, guide, and love them, his two wives, with the same depth and sincerity that both offered him.
He snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed she was waking up.
The movement was almost imperceptible at first.
Xia Qingyue breathed more deeply, her chest rising a bit more under the sheet, before her long lashes trembled lightly. Her eyes opened slowly, still hazy, reflecting for an instant the golden light that danced through the room.
The first face she ended up seeing was his.
Ren Zu had already moved away from the fireplace and was now sitting beside the bed, his bare torso still illuminated by the warm glow of the fire. The expression on his face was tranquil, almost indulgent, as if he had been there watching her wake up.
"You woke up..." He said, in a low voice, soft, as if he didn't want to break the peace of that instant.
Xia Qingyue's eyes focused slowly, and then a light smile appeared on her lips. She shifted a bit under the sheets, instinctively pulling them closer to her body before lifting her face toward him.
"Husband..." She murmured, her voice still soft from sleep, laden with a familiarity that, even now, still seemed surreal to her.
Ren Zu leaned a bit more, resting his arm beside her.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked calmly.
Xia Qingyue nodded her head, her dark hair sliding smoothly over the pillow.
"Yes..." She replied in a low voice.
"That's good. Your cultivation must have advanced to the peak of the Ninth Level of the Sovereign Profound Realm, right?" Ren Zu looked at her, assessing her casually before continuing: "I believe with one more session you will reach the Tenth Level of the Sovereign Profound Realm. After that, we will have to leave. I still have some things to take care of..."
He paused briefly, then asked tranquilly:
"Will you come with me... or do you intend to return to the Frozen Cloud Asgard Palace?"
Xia Qingyue didn't take long to respond.
She remained lying down for another instant, her eyes still locked on his, calm and firm, as if the decision had been made long before that question was asked. Then, with a smooth movement, she nodded lightly with her head.
"Qingyue will follow you..." She said calmly, her voice low, yet laden with conviction. "Wherever husband goes... Husband had explained before... that dual cultivation partners do not walk separately on the profound path..."
Her gaze softened even more.
"Besides..." She added while smiling beautifully, the dimples on her perfect face becoming more evident because of it: "Qingyue wants to fulfill her duties as a wife. You did so much for me. You saved my life, changed my destiny, helped me advance farther than I ever imagined possible. If I simply returned to the Frozen Cloud Asgard now... that would be too selfish."
The silence that followed was filled only by the crackling of the fireplace.
Ren Zu smiled.
It wasn't an arrogant or triumphant smile, but something soft, genuine, almost warm. He extended his hand and touched her face with delicacy, his fingers sliding over her cold and smooth skin like jade, lightly lifting her chin.
"Cute..."
Before she could respond, he leaned in and placed a light kiss on her lips.
Xia Qingyue froze for an instant.
Then, a soft color rose to her cheeks, a discreet but unmistakable blush. She looked away for a second, clearly embarrassed, something rare enough to make him find it even more adorable.
"Husband..." She murmured, in a low tone. After a small moment of hesitation, she added: "Still... Qingyue would like, if possible, to say goodbye to my master... It was she who guided me to here. I don't want to leave without at least saying goodbye."
Ren Zu showed no surprise.
"No problem..." He replied calmly. "We will go together."
Upon hearing that, the blush on her face seemed to deepen slightly. The idea was strangely similar to introducing her own husband to the family, and that left her a bit uneasy, even though she herself couldn't explain the reason for that sudden shame.
Seeing the blush on that perfect face, Ren Zu then smiled mischievously, a predatory gleam appearing in his black eyes. Without warning, he pressed her down with gentleness but firmness, his bare torso covering hers against the soft sheets, the weight comforting and exciting at the same time.
"Since you rested and we both have things to do..." He murmured, his voice husky and low, his lips brushing hers as he spoke: "Then, we should continue, shouldn't we, my wife?"
Xia Qingyue blinked slowly, her heart racing under his intense gaze, but a shy smile curved her rosy lips, her dark eyes shining with a mixture of desire, passion, and surrender...
"I... am all yours, husband..." She replied, her voice soft and laden with voluntary submission: "Do whatever you want with Qingyue..."
Before she could say more, Ren Zu captured her lips in a deep kiss, his tongue invading her mouth with possessive assertiveness, dancing with hers in an urgent and wet duel that made her moan softly against him.
The kiss was hungry, exploratory, as if he wanted to devour her completely, and Xia Qingyue responded with equal fervor, her hands rising to wrap around his neck, pulling him closer to her as the world around them dissolved once again into pleasure and connection.
_____________________
(A/N: Good afternoon, everyone! How are you doing?
Here comes another chapter of this story, and I'd like to reassure you right away: this is the last chapter with a primary focus on the development of the relationship between Ren Zu and Xia Qingyue. Overall, I'm satisfied with how I handled their dynamic. Of course, there's always room for improvement—and that might just be my perfectionism talking—but honestly, I'd rate this development around an 8/10. Especially when compared to many stories where this kind of buildup barely exists, and the protagonist feels emotionally hollow, serving only as a vehicle for pure fanservice.
In Xia Qingyue's case, it's not particularly difficult to justify her developing feelings. Besides Ren Zu being strong and attractive, she was emotionally vulnerable due to Yun Che's death. On top of that, the protagonist had prior knowledge of the Realm of the Gods. In other words, everything was working in his favor—the knife and the cheese were already in his hands.
In the upcoming chapters, the focus on Xia Qingyue and Ren Zu will still be present, but more balanced with the overall plot. As many of you know, I like to stay faithful to the characters' original personalities. Xia Qingyue shares some similarities with the Little Demon Empress, but while one is a cold beauty, the other is a proud beauty who expresses that coldness in a more tsundere-like way. I need to be careful not to make them feel the same.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
The next one will feature a brief lemon scene and Yun Che's POV.
Did you enjoy the chapter? Then you should know that over on my Patreon you can read up to 20 chapters ahead for just 5USD! And yes—for that price, you also get full access to all of my content. That's right: cheaper than a snack… and with way more drama, action, and guaranteed emotional damage.
The link is right below. See you there!
My Patreon: patreon.com/Adam_Kadmon
Thank you so much for your support — you make all of this worthwhile.)