He had actually refined three first-grade pills in a row, leaving him mentally exhausted and genuinely in need of rest.

An Nuo shared some of her flames. After a moment of hesitation, she flipped open the lid of the pill furnace and climbed inside.

Although she felt a little fearful, An Nuo believed that this was absolutely the best place for her to cultivate. No cave dwelling she could create would be as useful as this furnace. Especially in scenarios requiring the fusion of flames, there was no better place. Her master was right: overcoming natural fear leads to a smooth path.

The shimu were stunned and all looked at Lu Xing-zhou.

Lu Xing-zhou walked around the courtyard, adding layers of protection to the array that already concealed the pill furnace’s aura. He then called for the little pig, Yu Yu, to guard the furnace, and softly said, “An Nuo should be a pill that has taken human form, and she was refined in this very pill furnace. I haven’t told you about this before, but now you know.”

Shen Tang asked, “Does An Nuo know herself?”

“When she was little, I only told her she was an immortal being. In reality, she has always been by my side, and the information she’s received is pretty much the same. She’s also incredibly clever. Anything I can figure out, she can usually deduce herself, so she must know. It just felt unnecessary to say it directly; a child might not want to confront the fact that she’s a pill.”

Being a pill wasn’t really a big deal. They had seen all sorts of demons, and soon they would even have a little dragon-human joining the family. There was no need for her to be strictly human. But when Xiao Kui ate sunflower seeds in front of her, Xiao Kui would cry. And when they ate meat in front of Yu Yu, Yu Yu would also shed tears. And they had no idea how many pills they had consumed in their lives, and An Nuo herself didn’t know how many she had consumed. Thinking about it that way, it did feel a little strange… It was better for everyone to feign ignorance, as An Nuo probably knew in her heart anyway.

Shen Tang marveled, “It seems this pill furnace is of a higher grade than we imagined, and the strength of the alchemist is unfathomable. Otherwise, it’s hard to imagine an immortal pill evolving into human form on its own.”

Pei Chu-yun also said, “Pills are different from other life forms. If other life forms are bathed in demonic energy, they might become demonized and then transform into humans. But pills are lifeless… This means that An Nuo’s pill body was of such a high caliber that it could nurture life. What kind of pill was that?”

Lu Xing-zhou said, “This must be kept secret. If outsiders knew, An Nuo would be very dangerous, a true Tang Seng meat.”

“What is Tang Seng?”

Lu Xing-zhou chuckled and glossed over the question, then smiled, “I’m going back to my room to refine the flames. Everyone rest.”

Back in his room, Lu Xing-zhou absorbed the Shan-he Zi-yan into his Ling-tai.

Previously, he had Po-mie Jin-huo, which had physical penetration and was very powerful, but this characteristic was better suited for combat than for alchemy. Hong-lian Jie-yan focused on purification and judgment. In actual combat, flames were often used to achieve effects similar to other people’s restrictive spells, and it dealt extra damage to the demonic path, but its temperature was unfortunately not very high. Without this new addition of Shan-he Zi-yan, refining first-grade pills would have been difficult. Furthermore, he used to be called a fire-mage, but his flames lacked range and the imposing aura of magnificent, world-destroying infernos. Now he had it; the Shan-he Zi-yan was grand, majestic, powerful, and stable. It would also be an excellent choice for crowd control in combat.

However, this item required a certain degree of compatibility with the cultivator themselves; not everyone could absorb and utilize it. Lu Xing-zhou had a fire-bone foundation for flames, so compatibility wasn’t an issue. However, to fully unleash its potential, it wasn’t quite enough. Imperial aura was imperial aura. Lu Xing-zhou had been an aide all his life and had only just started building his own influence, so his mindset was still far from embodying such an attribute.

As he pondered, Shen Tang slipped into the room and snuggled into his arms. “You can’t fully utilize the Shan-he Zi-yan?”

Lu Xing-zhou came to his senses. “You guessed?”

“I understand this. Back then, not all imperial princes and princesses could practice our Huang-ji Jing-shi Jing. They needed to undergo many tests, mainly testing the ‘will of an emperor.’ You definitely don’t have that right now.”

“So what do you suggest? I was thinking of absorbing your father’s calligraphy, but then I felt it would be a waste if you might need it in the future.”

Shen Tang smiled. “What would I use it for? Isn’t it better if mine is also given to you?”

Lu Xing-zhou: “Ah?”

“What kind of expression is that?” Shen Tang said, “You know I never wanted to be an emperor. I said I was ‘contending’ before, but that was just to prove a point, and you were the one who made me prove it. Now that my imperial father has passed away, and I’m not even sure if the current emperor can be considered my brother, who am I proving myself to? All that’s left is the desire for revenge. What means of revenge can’t be achieved? Do I absolutely have to seize the throne?”

Lu Xing-zhou still hesitated a bit. He knew, of course, that Shen Tang had never truly wanted to contend for the throne, not from the time he first met her until now. But there was always a feeling that it should rightfully be hers—though it hadn’t materialized yet, it seemed like a distant prospect. Yet, if they were to seek revenge, to whom would the spoils belong afterward? Naturally, to Shen Tang. He couldn’t possibly snatch something that belonged to his own wife.

As if guessing his thoughts, Shen Tang smiled, “You think it should be mine? If you insist on saying that, you’re not wrong.”

With that, she handed him a candied fruit and popped it into his mouth. “I bought it from Zhi-wei Zhai next door. How does it taste?”

Lu Xing-zhou instinctively ate it. “Delicious.”

Shen Tang blinked. “This candied fruit is also mine. I gave it to you to eat, why didn’t you hesitate?”

Lu Xing-zhou: “…” How could these be compared?

“So, our Marquis Lu actually views the imperial throne with the same worldly gaze as a common person… But to me, it’s just a candied fruit. What’s the difference between yours and mine?”

Lu Xing-zhou was truly at a loss whether to laugh or cry. “Alright, alright, I’m a common person, you’re a sword immortal.”

“Exactly,” Shen Tang huffed. “I sent you to the capital to be an official, and you’ve become vulgar doing it. It’s perfectly suited for that utterly vulgar position.”

“Do you really think I view that position as something special or terribly important?” Lu Xing-zhou said helplessly, “While it is indeed a bit more important than candied fruit, it’s not by much. The main reason is that the position carries great responsibility and many troubles. You don’t want to do it, so why would I?”

“But you have to do it.”

“Why do I have to?”

“You’re my husband. Do you want to dump all the troublesome affairs on me? Have you no shame?”

Lu Xing-zhou found it quite amusing. “Good point.”

“And, if you don’t become the Qian Emperor, how will you conquer the demon domain and bring that arrogant dragon into your harem? Do you really want your little dragon-human to be an illegitimate child?”

Lu Xing-zhou’s heart was a mix of emotions, and he whispered, “Tang Tang…”

“Hmm?”

“You’re really too good.”

“You know I’m good, why aren’t you kissing me? What are you waiting for?”

Lu Xing-zhou embraced Shen Tang, lowering his head to kiss her. As they kissed, they tumbled onto the bed.

Shen Tang bit her lower lip. “Today, I want you to work harder and see how much my improvement today helps.” Testing how much flexibility could increase combat power and whether she could drain him so thoroughly that the demoness Pei wouldn’t get a chance was most important. As for transferring vital energy through dual cultivation during intimacy, that was secondary.

Shen Tang casually gave all her vital energy to her husband, not wanting to keep any for herself. Unfortunately, dual cultivation was not like采补 (cai bu, literally “to pluck and mend,” referring to a method of obtaining vital energy from others). Vital energy flowed back and forth between them, both gaining from it, with no distinction between theirs and hers. While she wanted to give it all, it instead made both of them stronger. Shen Tang, dazed with pleasure, didn’t quite understand what was happening.

In truth, Lu Xing-zhou wasn’t entirely without Shan-he Qi-mai; he simply lacked the imperial will. Once he set his mind to it, with his current model of a powerful and cunning official, he inherently possessed Shan-he Qi-mai, even more so than her, a princess who had always been marginalized. It was like fire hidden within the earth, destined to erupt sooner or later.

The secondary goal of transferring qi-mai was perfectly accomplished, benefiting both parties. However, the primary goal of draining him was a miserable failure, a classic overestimation of one’s own abilities. Shen Tang, whose flexibility had just been enhanced, was indeed more resilient than yesterday, but it only extended her endurance from more than half a shi-chen to one shi-chen. How could that bit of enhancement compare to a golden dragon’s body and a dragon-blood holy spear?

Shen Tang, utterly defeated, tragically pounded the man’s shoulder. “No, no… don’t stop…”

Lu Xing-zhou continued his relentless assault, seemingly confirming that the enhancement was indeed effective, given her unexpected request. Shen Tang’s eyes almost rolled back.

A fragrant breeze wafted through, and Pei Chu-yun appeared by the bed, smiling as she stroked her chin and observed Shen Tang’s expression. Shen Tang was mortified. “Who, who let you in… Get, get out…”

Pei Chu-yun grinned. “Just came to see how His Highness, Prince Xia, is doing with his body tempering. Need any help?”

Shen Tang, however, reacted. “Yes, yes!” She would never again talk about draining him or snatching him away; this task was beyond her.

Pei Chu-yun smiled. “Beg me.”

Shen Tang: “?”

Pei Chu-yun said, “Call me elder sister, and I’ll help you.”

Shen Tang was so angry she almost fainted, preferring death to surrender. Pei Chu-yun turned as if to leave. “It seems His Highness, Prince Xia, doesn’t need help. Then just endure it… it…”

Before she could finish, Lu Xing-zhou reached out and pulled her back. Pei Chu-yun began to struggle. “Let me go, I just came to watch the show!”

Lu Xing-zhou paid no mind to any of that. He simply picked up Pei Chu-yun and pinned her next to the limp Shen Tang. “Last night, you two were eavesdropping outside the door, and I let you off. Today you dare to sneak into the room again? Aren’t you just asking for it?”

Pei Chu-yun angrily turned her head away from him. In truth, she really had come on purpose. Based on experience, layering on top of each other could improve relationships, and the little demoness did it intentionally to avoid having enemies everywhere. Anyway, she didn’t care much for modesty in the first place, not to mention they were married now. What was there to be ashamed of when family members closed the door and played as they wished?

Lu Xing-zhou saw through the little demoness’s thoughts at a glance. From another perspective, wasn’t she also sacrificing her dignity for the harmony of his inner court? Thinking of Shen Tang’s kindness just now, and now Pei Chu-yun’s, Lu Xing-zhou felt that he must have performed good deeds for ten lifetimes to have such luck in this life. He leaned down and whispered in Pei Chu-yun’s ear, “Thank you.”

Pei Chu-yun was momentarily stunned, then her eyes curved into crescent moons. “Go away, who wants to give you a bargain.” Though she said that, her legs unconsciously wrapped around his waist.

Outside the window, a muffled curse was heard: “Shameless!”

Pei Chu-yun gritted her teeth. “Don’t let her run away.”

Lu Xing-zhou gestured with his hand, and the window opened. A figure with unfurled ethereal wings was about to escape when Lu Xing-zhou clenched his hand in the air, directly snatching her back. The limp Shen Tang, clutching a thin quilt, barely propped herself up. She watched in shock as Lu Xing-zhou simultaneously caressed Pei Chu-yun and kissed Sheng Yuan-yao. The two, however, seemed accustomed to it, without even a struggle or a hint of anger, appearing utterly natural.

Shen Tang’s eyes widened. “So you two have been playing like this for a long time, haven’t you? I’m the oldest here, and I’m the only innocent one?”

“Zhiya,” the window closed again, obscuring the sensuality within the room.