A Mere Rogue Cultivator, What Have You Got to Fight Us With

Seeing Qin Hao remain silent, a trace of slyness flashed through Liu Ruyan's watery, shimmering eyes as she leaned a bit closer to him.

A faint fragrance, a mix of her delicate body scent and the spiritual energy radiating from her, lingered at the tip of Qin Hao's nose.

Liu Ruyan extended a slender index finger, carrying a slight coolness, and gently tapped it against Qin Hao's chest. Then, slowly and with a teasing intent, she began tracing small circles.

She tilted her face up, her red lips slightly parted, exhaling a breath like orchids. Her voice was kept low, carrying a drawn-out, bone-softening trailing note:

"Husband~~ why aren't you speaking?"

Liu Ruyan blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering like little fans. She deliberately cast her gaze downward for a moment before quickly looking back up, staring at Qin Hao with a mischievous glint as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth:

"Did taking care of those small fries just now drain too much of your energy?"

She paused intentionally, her fingertip sliding slightly further down his chest before stopping again. Her voice grew softer, more suggestive, yet every word was crystal clear, scratching at Qin Hao's heart like a feather:

"Or could it be that my indomitable, awe-inspiring Brother Qin Hao..."

She stood on her tiptoes, leaning close to his ear. Her warm breath brushed against his auricle as she whispered in a breathy voice meant only for the two of them, pausing between each word with a teasing smile:

"...can't... do... it?"

Qin Hao felt a fire ignite in his heart from Liu Ruyan's series of actions and words. Those last few words, in particular, were practically dancing all over his dignity as a man.

Taking a step forward, Qin Hao instantly closed the distance between them, his tall figure completely enveloping her. He reached out, his long, powerful fingers gently pinching Liu Ruyan's delicate chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Can't do it?" Qin Hao's voice was deep and husky, carrying a dangerous aura. "My dear wife, it seems you have a misunderstanding of my stamina. I could keep playing with you for a whole year straight."

"Oh?" Liu Ruyan's tone pitched upward, bearing undisguised anticipation and provocation. "Is that so? Husband~, it's fine if you lie to me, but make sure you don't end up lying to yourself."

Oh, with Qin Hao's temper, how could he possibly endure such a provocation?

He let out a low chuckle, saying no more as he directly scooped Liu Ruyan up into his arms.

"Looks like I'll have to show you what I'm truly made of!"

Before his words even finished echoing, their figures vanished from the spot, leaving behind only a barely perceptible spatial ripple.

A short while later, deep within the valley, from inside a temporarily carved-out cave dwelling, came the sounds of... (Ten thousand words omitted here)

A full half-month passed before the cave finally fell silent.

Half a month of dual cultivation had allowed Qin Hao's cultivation base to break through to the Void Refinement Realm. During the Heavenly Tribulation, Qin Hao had originally wanted to face it alone, but Liu Ruyan refused to be separated from him. Helpless, he had no choice but to face the lightning tribulation together with her.

Two people undergoing tribulation together increased the difficulty of the lightning tribulation by more than tenfold. Even with Qin Hao's strength, he couldn't help but find a tribulation of this magnitude strenuous.

Fortunately, it ended up being a close call but ultimately safe. All the heavenly lightning was converted into pure energy to temper the bodies of both Qin Hao and Liu Ruyan.

Inside the cave, the dense spiritual energy had yet to fully dissipate, and a certain mind-swaying, intimate atmosphere still lingered in the air.

Like a lazy little kitten, Liu Ruyan nestled quietly against Qin Hao's chest. Her fair skin bore a faint rosy flush, and her brow revealed a look of ultimate satisfaction.

Qin Hao's palm rhythmically stroked her smooth back. Feeling her steady heartbeat, his heart swelled with a deep sense of accomplishment. It seemed he was still the superior one after all.

Liu Ruyan lay quietly for a while before slowly raising her arm, her fingertips absentmindedly tracing lines along Qin Hao's firm arm.

Her voice carried a post-coital huskiness, yet still held a hint of teasing:

"Husband~, calculating the time, that place should be opening up very soon. That is a fortunate encounter tailor-made for you. Do you want to go?"

Hearing this, Qin Hao's eyes lit up. "Oh? A fortunate encounter tailor-made for me? What kind of encounter? Of course I want to go."

Hearing his reply, the corners of Liu Ruyan's mouth curled up slightly. "If you want me to take you there, that will depend on your performance."

Qin Hao completely froze. No way! Again?

"Ahem, Ruyan, shouldn't we exercise a little restraint?"

But Liu Ruyan ignored him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, gently bit his earlobe, and said in a voice full of grievance:

"I waited for you for nine lifetimes. What's wrong with indulging a little?"

Hearing that, what else could be said? Qin Hao remained silent and simply buried his head back into the hard work.

...

Three days later, outside the cave, Liu Ruyan looked radiant and refreshed, while Qin Hao's face appeared somewhat haggard.

"Husband~ are you tired?" Liu Ruyan glanced back, her eyes rippling with a teasing smile. She reached out and smoothed his slightly wrinkled collar. Her movements were gentle, but her tone carried a hint of smugness.

Qin Hao gave her a helpless look and raised a hand to massage his temples. "What do you think?"

He had now profoundly realized just how terrifying the accumulated yearning and passion of nine lifetimes truly was. Even with his special physique, he could barely handle it.

Liu Ruyan chuckled softly. After finishing adjusting his clothes, she stepped forward and linked her arm through his, subtly leaning her weight against him.

"Alright, alright, I'll be more careful next time~ Let's go, I'll take you to claim your great fortune."

After two months of travel, Qin Hao and Liu Ruyan finally arrived at their destination.

It was a massive crater, looking as if it had been struck by an asteroid. A large crowd had already gathered at the crater, divided into five major factions based on their affiliations.

Sensing the auras of the leaders of each faction, Qin Hao's heart jolted in shock.

"Are you kidding me! They're all Immortal Kings!"

Qin Hao's mouth twitched. He swallowed hard, then turned stiffly to look at Liu Ruyan, his voice hoarse:

"Ruyan, are you saying that the two of us, weaklings who aren't even Immortals yet, are going to compete against these five Immortal Kings and the five top-tier factions behind them to snatch this fortune?"

These were mighty Immortal Kings, and ones with flawless Great Daos at that. Their combat prowess was not the slightest bit weaker than future Immortal Emperors. Almighty figures like these could crush Qin Hao as easily as crushing an ant.

No, it would be more accurate to say that even the characters these people considered ants could crush Qin Hao like a bug.

Liu Ruyan nodded. "Yes, but also no. Husband, your competitors are not these Immortal Kings, but the five young people standing in the center."

Hearing her words, Qin Hao finally noticed that in the center of the five factions were five figures, both male and female, either standing or sitting.

As Qin Hao observed these five people, they seemed to sense it and simultaneously turned their gazes toward him.

Upon seeing their eyes, Qin Hao's heart pounded wildly, and he nearly lost his composure.

"Five pairs of Dual Pupils!"

Those with Dual Pupils were born saints, incredibly rare in the world. It was hard to find even one among billions of cultivators, yet five had gathered here! No, counting himself, that made six.

Upon seeing Qin Hao, the five of them revealed expressions of disdain: "A rogue cultivator? Heh, a dual-pupiled rogue cultivator actually dares to join the fray? Even if you manage to claim the final victory, you still won't be able to take our eyes."

"Besides, as a mere rogue cultivator, what could you possibly use to fight against us?"