Lu Xingzhou returned to his cave abode, feeling refreshed, only to be surprised to find Pei Chuyun sitting by the bed like a newlywed wife, much like a bride nervously awaiting her groom on their wedding night.

Lu Xingzhou couldn’t even imagine why this fellow would act like this. This little devil wasn’t a well-behaved child. If she had come to find him and he wasn’t there, wouldn’t her temperament as a little demoness lead her to go out and search for him?

Besides, A’nuo knew where he was, so there was no need to search at all.

Seeing Pei Chuyun blinking her eyes, looking at him with a hint of expectation, Lu Xingzhou’s mind raced, and he immediately chose the correct answer.

He took out a string of beads from his embrace and directly went forward to loop it around Pei Chuyun’s neck, putting it on her.

This was something from the ring he had confiscated after killing Duan Ning. The Tianyao Holy Land naturally wouldn’t demand it from him; whoever killed her got the spoils. Coincidentally, Lu Xingzhou’s opponent was a woman… The ring contained treasures suitable for women, though not many, they were ancient realm treasures, possessing their own divine mystique.

This necklace, on the surface, merely aided in the rapid recovery of spiritual and soul power, considered a conventional treasure. In reality, long-term wear helped to stabilize the harmonious integration of body and soul, a specialized item used by possessors after they had seized a body.

Although this particular effect wasn’t strong, it was almost unheard of in the current era and was extremely unique with a narrow scope of application.

Pei Chuyun’s body and soul were already stable and didn’t originally need this. However, she was very likely facing the risk of possession, which immediately elevated the significance of this item.

It might not entirely prevent possession, but any half-point strengthening of stability would be beneficial.

Perhaps that half-point would make all the difference?

What was particularly suitable was that this effect was a gradual and subtle “conditioning” process over time, not an immediate change. Assuming the Xuannü’s imprint was deeply dormant within Pei Chuyun’s body and soul, such a subtle imprint would most likely not detect this conditioning change, thus preventing a rebound. The longer the duration, the better the effect.

Pei Chuyun touched the necklace, initially thinking it was just something to restore spiritual power. But the more she perceived, the more she realized something was amiss, and her pretty face gradually brightened: “You… found this especially for me?”

Lu Xingzhou didn’t brag; he truthfully said, “It’s impossible to deliberately search for something like this; I acquired it by accident. But after I got it, I immediately thought it would be suitable for you.”

“Isn’t this a destined encounter?” Pei Chuyun’s gaze turned as soft as water, and she gently said, “I’m very happy that you think of my affairs.”

Lu Xingzhou simply took out the Tianluo Umbrella as well: “This is also an ancient treasure, very formidable in both offense and defense, and it has an extremely unique capturing and restraining effect, quite different from how most current treasures work. Unfortunately, its material doesn’t seem to be very good, and after it was damaged, no one understood the weaving and maintenance of such an ancient treasure, so it can’t be repaired. You keep it; perhaps the Channü Huanzong’s heritage runs deep, and there might be a time when it can be repaired.”

This was also true. Even with Ye Tinglan’s versatility, she couldn’t repair this umbrella that she had personally damaged. The Tianyao Holy Land’s records didn’t contain everything. On the contrary, for something so feminine, the Channü Huanzong might indeed have some research, making it quite suitable for Pei Chuyun.

There were one or two other items that didn’t seem very suitable for Pei Chuyun, so he kept them for later… For instance, there was a shiny large gemstone. Pei Chuyun would probably disdain such a vulgar item, but if Long Qinghuang were to see it…

Additionally, there was a strange problem: it was unclear how to classify these few treasures. The grading rules that everyone applied seemed not to work in the ancient realm. “Characteristics” were sometimes hard to categorize by grade.

Pei Chuyun took the umbrella and examined it repeatedly for a while: “Perhaps there’s a way. I’ll have to study it…”

After saying that, she didn’t dwell on it, put it away, and happily wrapped her arms around his neck: “We met during the day, why didn’t you give it to me then?”

“I don’t trust the place in Yan Yu Lou. Maybe your father or your brother was secretly watching.”

“So that’s why you weren’t more affectionate with me at Yan Yu Lou?”

That wasn’t it, he just wasn’t that hungry.

After all, it had only been a few days since he had strayed from the proper path. How could he be so eager as soon as he returned to the capital? What would that make him?

But Lu Xingzhou still gave the textbook-standard answer: “Between you and me, is there only that kind of thing left?”

Pei Chuyun blinked.

Had she perhaps asked him a similar question before? Was she feeling a little wronged then?

She never expected that when he said that, the sweetness in her heart felt like it was about to overflow.

She knew her own affairs. Their relationship had never been normal. From the beginning, it had been a struggle between seduction and cultivation method control, and then she became a “captive,” directly being held and played with.

Although the time they spent together seemed sweet, in essence, it revolved around the issue of whether or not to break her maidenhood, far from a normal romance. Afterward, she seemed to have fallen in love, which could roughly be considered a representative of love born from desire, right?

But precisely because of this, there was a slight mutual distrust in both their hearts. Pei Chuyun always felt that he would “look down on her,” fearing that his affection would fade once he cooled down; Lu Xingzhou also once thought that if he wasn’t valuable enough, the little demoness might abandon him.

The result was quite the opposite: as time passed, and after a period of cooling down, their former distrust faded significantly, replaced by the longing and affection of a long-awaited reunion.

Therefore, sometimes separation is actually a catalyst and a good medicine for emotions. Constantly being together might lead to arguments.

Yuan Muyu’s image suddenly flashed through Lu Xingzhou’s mind. Judging from their reunion at sea, did this medicine also work for the fish?

Hard to say.

Regardless, Lu Xingzhou’s single sentence completely ignited the little demoness’s passion.

The little demoness quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, murmuring, “Of course, there’s more between us than just that… but late at night, a man and a woman alone, if they don’t desire that kind of thing, does it mean you don’t like me anymore?”

Lu Xingzhou: “?”

The little demoness’s clothes were almost savagely torn open, and the battle began with virtually no suspense.

“Hiss…” The little demoness was initially smug, feeling that her charm was as potent as ever, turning a man into a beast. But in less than an incense stick’s time, she began to beg for mercy: “You, who did you learn that from? Why are you biting now!”

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Oh no, he had gotten used to it.

He thought he had trained the older woman, but in fact, he had unknowingly been led astray by the older woman, *wuwuwu*…

Not to mention that the experience of not needing to use water-attribute spell techniques was just so moist, it almost made him forget what the orthodox path felt like.

Another difference from Ye Tinglan was that every time he was with Pei Chuyun, their cultivation levels were roughly similar, with Pei Chuyun slightly higher. This situation was optimal for dual cultivation and shared progress. Others who specialized in such methods would find it difficult to find such a Dao companion.

Similarly, Pei Chuyun also benefited greatly. Originally, Dugu Qingli had her own opportunities and was already a mid-stage third-rank cultivator. Pei Chuyun, confined in the capital with insufficient opportunities, had not yet broken through this small hurdle. As a result, after just one dual cultivation session, Lu Xingzhou had not made much progress, but Pei Chuyun had already furiously broken through to the mid-stage, continuing to maintain pressure on Dugu Qingli.

When the rain stopped and the clouds dispersed, Pei Chuyun curled up like a kitten in Lu Xingzhou’s arms, drawing circles: “You’ve become more valiant after going out…”

“Mm-hm, after all, I’m third-rank now…”

“Tell me, which woman trained you to be like that just now?”

Lu Xingzhou played dead and remained silent.

Pei Chuyun thought long and hard but couldn’t imagine it was the Tianyao Holy Lord. Her mind went to Dugu Qingli: “Could it be the Tianyao Saintess? That white-haired girl looks so cold and aloof, but she’s so wild when she gets down to it?”

“It’s not her… don’t ruin her reputation.”

“She still has a reputation when she’s with you?” Pei Chuyun couldn’t think of anyone else, and indignantly said, “It’s not Shen Tang, otherwise you would have been like this before… This time out, it wouldn’t really be True Person Tinglan, would it? Saying you were captured by the King of Hell and brushed clean would be more reliable than that answer.”

Lu Xingzhou paused: “Why would you mention the King of Hell… What does she have to do with it…”

Pei Chuyun didn’t realize that Lu Xingzhou’s words had actually given him away, refuting the King of Hell but not True Person Tinglan. But who would seriously consider such a shocking answer as True Person Tinglan? She simply ignored it.

“Isn’t she just a flat-chested girl?” Pei Chuyun aggressively grabbed his hand and pressed it against her undulating chest: “Look closely, what about her is worth your lingering thoughts? This kind of opponent isn’t even worth fighting, okay?”

“When did I ever say I had lingering thoughts about her?”

“Heh…” Pei Chuyun glanced at him but didn’t say anything.

Indeed, he didn’t usually show any lingering thoughts, but she must hold a special place in his heart.

Moreover, she felt the same way in her heart.

But there was no need to say that.

The little demoness, who had once directly confronted the King of Hell despite being weaker, had no idea who was responsible for her embarrassing fall back then. She still maintained an endless condescension towards the “flat-chested” King of Hell and said, “Anyway, even if you don’t say it, I’ll find out later. Don’t let this old lady find out who taught my husband to bite, or I’ll tear her to shreds…”

Lu Xingzhou ruffled her hair: “Husband?”

“Uh-huh.” Pei Chuyun chuckled, “As long as you dare to propose.”

Lu Xingzhou knew that Pei Chuyun was just talking. Proposing was not the issue; whether Pei Qingyan would agree was the key. So he didn’t dwell on the topic, just smiled: “You’re not returning home at night now. Old Pei doesn’t care anymore?”

“I’m behaving well now, and I’m almost becoming the Pei family’s external signboard. Old Pei has to show some respect.” Pei Chuyun smiled slightly: “Regarding the family, Old Pei personally found some excuses like corruption, replaced some elders, reclaimed power, and drove out the collateral branches. Then some of those people simply vanished, and Old Pei didn’t say anything.”

She spoke in a calm tone, with a smile on her face, but Lu Xingzhou still heard the underlying ruthlessness in her words.

Pei Chuyun was seeking revenge for her mother, even if she was now beginning to question who her mother was and whether she was truly dead… But the steps of revenge wouldn’t stop, whether it was to show Xuannü or for her to infiltrate the Pei family of Hedong. Using revenge as a reason to purge dissenters, assert power, and recruit subordinates was extremely effective.

The nascent little demoness was already beginning to bare her fangs.

Lu Xingzhou didn’t find it contradictory or repulsive; he himself was a demonic cultivator and understood these matters intuitively: “What stage are you at now? Do you need my help?”

“No need, such a small matter shouldn’t trouble my husband’s mind.” Pei Chuyun smiled mischievously, “Your family’s Heshuan Saintess also needs experience through affairs.”

Through this experience, she was not cultivating her spiritual power, but the ways of the world, precisely compensating for the eighteen years spent secluded in the boudoir.

But Lu Xingzhou was still somewhat cautious: “Theoretically, you shouldn’t be experiencing the ways of the world.”

“There are things I need to show her, and how can there not be things she needs to show me? At this point, if she still restricts my experiences, isn’t she really afraid that I’ll suspect something?” Pei Chuyun smiled slightly: “Besides, this matter is also very beneficial to her…”

Lu Xingzhou said, “Gradually gaining control of the Pei family through this process.”

“Yes. At a certain point, Pei Yu can die…” Pei Chuyun whispered, “Pei Yu is very good to me, I won’t let the situation escalate to that point.”

It was clear that Pei Chuyun had plans for the future, but Lu Xingzhou felt that she might not be a match for the old fox Pei Qingyan and Xuannü. He wondered what would happen to her caught in the middle.

But she refused his help… though she did so in a very innocent tone.

He wondered if this refusal also harbored a slight intention of breaking free later… At this moment, Lu Xingzhou was unwilling to question the person in his arms, only lowering his head to kiss her forehead: “No matter what, you must remember that you have a husband.”

Pei Chuyun blossomed into a smile: “I remember.”

Just as Lu Xingzhou was about to say something, a bell rang outside the cave abode again.

Lu Xingzhou, utterly annoyed, transmitted his voice: “Who? Disturbing my peaceful sleep early in the morning.”

The voice outside the door was very grave: “Young Master Lu, we are from the Zhenmo Division. Huo Lu, who was recuperating at the Huo family’s private villa last night, was assassinated in his room. The First Seat requests to question you.”