Shu Han couldn't bring himself to sleep and, under the moonlight, gazed intently at Shangguan Ruolin's stunning beauty.
They lost themselves in each other, multiple times throughout the night, tirelessly until the first light of dawn appeared in the eastern sky.
Awakening from his deep slumber, Shu Han suddenly felt the warmth beside him dissipate, realizing she was no longer there. His heart raced with concern, and he quickly looked around, spotting Shangguan Ruolin leaning against the eastern railing, and he was relieved.
At this moment, the sky in the east was close to breaking dawn, and a faint line of light appeared on the horizon. Lying on the jade bed, illuminated by the dim light, Shu Han fixed his gaze on the tall beauty near the railing.
Shangguan Ruolin stood poised; one foot firmly on the jade floor, while the other slightly tiptoed, creating an elegant curve.
Following her graceful posture upwards, he noticed her draped in a semi-transparent thin gauze. The gauze fluttered in the morning breeze, partially revealing her alluring silhouette, utterly captivating.
Shu Han approached her and gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist, holding her close. Shangguan Ruolin leaned back into his embrace, much like a gentle kitten. As Shu Han caressed her, she suddenly let out a soft cry.
"It hurts..."
"What's wrong, Linlin?"
She shot him a playful glare, and shyly murmured, "Who else but you? You were so unrestrained..."
Shu Han gently massaged the spot, feeling guilty but also secretly pleased, thinking about their passionate night.
By now, the sun had risen, bathing the vast land in its radiant glow. The golden light pierced through the morning mist, illuminating the magnificent landscape, and making it look like a fairy tale. Shangguan Ruolin, intoxicated by the view, leaned into Shu Han's embrace.
"Linlin..."
"Shh!"
Shangguan Ruolin's finger gently pressed against Shu Han's lips, whispering, "Don't speak."
Time ticked away as the sun fully emerged from the horizon.
"Is it beautiful?" Shangguan Ruolin asked.
Shu Han whispered into her ear, "A hundred glasses of the finest wine, a thousand miles of mountains and rivers, and countless sunrises, none compare to your beauty in my eyes."
Shangguan Ruolin turned to look and realized that throughout the sunrise, Shu Han's eyes were fixed solely on her profile. A surge of sweetness flooded her heart, feeling as though it had been filled with honey. Yet, behind that sweetness, a tinge of bitterness started to emerge.
Turning to face him, she draped her arms around Shu Han's neck, "Do you still remember the promise you made to me in the Immaculate Realm?"
Shu Han gazed deeply into her eyes, replying earnestly, "I'll marry you!"
With a radiant smile, Shangguan Ruolin teased, "My ideal lover has very high standards! He must have heavenly cultivation, attain the Nascent Soul, dominate all six realms, and have a reputation that shakes all directions. Can you achieve all that?"
Shu Han gritted his teeth, "Just give me time!"
"How long?"
"Three hundred years in the mortal realm."
Suppressing her laughter, Shangguan Ruolin said, "Such audacity for a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator. Do you know that no one has ever attained the Nascent Soul before the age of five hundred?"
Shu Han declared, "No matter. If no one has achieved it, I'll be the first for you to see. Once I embark on the path of immortality, I'll surely reach the pinnacle. Since I've met my beloved, I shall marry her someday."
Biting her lip, Shangguan Ruolin's smile faded, and she solemnly said, "Fine, I'll wait for you."
She then held him close, but even with her in his arms, Shu Han felt an inexplicable fear and loss. Finally, in a soft whisper, she said, "Shu Han, I have to leave."
He didn't know how to respond. From the moment Shangguan Ruolin regained her cultivation, he had a premonition that she wouldn't stay by his side for long.
Taking a deep sigh, not wanting to burden her, he said, "If you must go, then go. Focus on your path and don't worry about me. I'll quietly catch up to you."
But even as Shangguan Ruolin spoke of leaving, her hands remained tightly wrapped around Shu Han, reluctant to let go.
Feeling bitter inside, Shu Han gently unwrapped her hands, looked at her tear-filled eyes, caressed her hair, and said with a smile, "Go on. You're the Sky Palace Sect's esteemed leader of the Jade Sky Palace, a peerless immortal. Such reluctance doesn't suit your image."
With reddened eyes, she looked at Shu Han, opened her mouth, and fiercely bit down on his shoulder.
A sharp pain emanated from the bite, but Shu Han let her continue without pulling away.
Shangguan Ruolin released her bite, leaving a small, blood-streaked tooth mark on Shu Han's shoulder. She declared confidently, "You're right; acting coy isn't my style. This mark is now branded on you, meaning you'll forever belong to me. No matter where you run to, I can locate you through this mark."
With that, she touched the bite mark, and intricate feather patterns started spreading across Shu Han's skin.
"This is the Heavenly Feather Phoenix Inner Armor, which I've worn close to me for a hundred years. When we first met, I destroyed your treasured armor, so now I'm giving you mine in return."
"This..." Shu Han quickly replied, "This is your life-saving armor. How can I accept it? Please take it back!"
"Silence!" Shangguan Ruolin stated, "I've broken through the bottleneck that held me for a hundred years and have reached the late stage of Core Formation. In this world, except for those in the Nascent Soul stage, no one can threaten me! If you wish to return it to me, you can, but only once you reach the Nascent Soul stage. Until then, don't bring up this matter again."
Shu Han was left speechless by her sudden assertiveness.
With satisfaction, Shangguan Ruolin touched Shu Han's face. Her tone was firm, but her eyes revealed undeniable affection. "You promised me three hundred years. During these three hundred years, you belong to me! You're not allowed to die or get involved with others."
Shu Han gave a wry smile, "Having met you, what other beauty could possibly catch my eye? As for life and death, I won't die before marrying you. Otherwise, wouldn't that be benefiting others?"
Shangguan Ruolin smiled in contentment.
Suddenly, she donned her golden silk jade robe, which concealed her enchanting figure.
Shangguan Ruolin began to ascend, "Remember your promise."
With that, she transformed into a beam of light and flew towards the south.
With Shangguan Ruolin gone and only her lingering fragrance remaining, Shu Han felt an emptiness in his heart. Staring at the southern sky, he wished he could immediately attain the Nascent Soul stage and follow her. But he knew it was impossible.
When Shu Han embarked on the path of cultivation, his initial wish was to ensure a better life for his family. After leaving the Dragon Mystical Sect, his primary hope was to resolve his cultivation technique issues and simply survive.
Reaching the pinnacle of cultivation and attaining the unparalleled Nascent Soul realm had only been a distant dream.
Now, this once-impractical dream had become his burning ambition. It might sound childish and laughable that all of this was for a woman.
Yet, for a young man in his early twenties, talks of grand achievements and lofty ideals felt abstract and distant. Only the emotions and gestures of his beloved felt truly real.
Shu Han couldn't bring himself to sleep and, under the moonlight, gazed intently at Shangguan Ruolin's stunning beauty.
They lost themselves in each other, multiple times throughout the night, tirelessly until the first light of dawn appeared in the eastern sky.
Awakening from his deep slumber, Shu Han suddenly felt the warmth beside him dissipate, realizing she was no longer there. His heart raced with concern, and he quickly looked around, spotting Shangguan Ruolin leaning against the eastern railing, and he was relieved.
At this moment, the sky in the east was close to breaking dawn, and a faint line of light appeared on the horizon. Lying on the jade bed, illuminated by the dim light, Shu Han fixed his gaze on the tall beauty near the railing.
Shangguan Ruolin stood poised; one foot firmly on the jade floor, while the other slightly tiptoed, creating an elegant curve.
Following her graceful posture upwards, he noticed her draped in a semi-transparent thin gauze. The gauze fluttered in the morning breeze, partially revealing her alluring silhouette, utterly captivating.
Shu Han approached her and gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist, holding her close. Shangguan Ruolin leaned back into his embrace, much like a gentle kitten. As Shu Han caressed her, she suddenly let out a soft cry.
"It hurts..."
"What's wrong, Linlin?"
She shot him a playful glare, and shyly murmured, "Who else but you? You were so unrestrained..."
Shu Han gently massaged the spot, feeling guilty but also secretly pleased, thinking about their passionate night.
By now, the sun had risen, bathing the vast land in its radiant glow. The golden light pierced through the morning mist, illuminating the magnificent landscape, and making it look like a fairy tale. Shangguan Ruolin, intoxicated by the view, leaned into Shu Han's embrace.
"Linlin..."
"Shh!"
Shangguan Ruolin's finger gently pressed against Shu Han's lips, whispering, "Don't speak."
Time ticked away as the sun fully emerged from the horizon.
"Is it beautiful?" Shangguan Ruolin asked.
Shu Han whispered into her ear, "A hundred glasses of the finest wine, a thousand miles of mountains and rivers, and countless sunrises, none compare to your beauty in my eyes."
Shangguan Ruolin turned to look and realized that throughout the sunrise, Shu Han's eyes were fixed solely on her profile. A surge of sweetness flooded her heart, feeling as though it had been filled with honey. Yet, behind that sweetness, a tinge of bitterness started to emerge.
Turning to face him, she draped her arms around Shu Han's neck, "Do you still remember the promise you made to me in the Immaculate Realm?"
Shu Han gazed deeply into her eyes, replying earnestly, "I'll marry you!"
With a radiant smile, Shangguan Ruolin teased, "My ideal lover has very high standards! He must have heavenly cultivation, attain the Nascent Soul, dominate all six realms, and have a reputation that shakes all directions. Can you achieve all that?"
Shu Han gritted his teeth, "Just give me time!"
"How long?"
"Three hundred years in the mortal realm."
Suppressing her laughter, Shangguan Ruolin said, "Such audacity for a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator. Do you know that no one has ever attained the Nascent Soul before the age of five hundred?"
Shu Han declared, "No matter. If no one has achieved it, I'll be the first for you to see. Once I embark on the path of immortality, I'll surely reach the pinnacle. Since I've met my beloved, I shall marry her someday."
Biting her lip, Shangguan Ruolin's smile faded, and she solemnly said, "Fine, I'll wait for you."
She then held him close, but even with her in his arms, Shu Han felt an inexplicable fear and loss. Finally, in a soft whisper, she said, "Shu Han, I have to leave."
He didn't know how to respond. From the moment Shangguan Ruolin regained her cultivation, he had a premonition that she wouldn't stay by his side for long.
Taking a deep sigh, not wanting to burden her, he said, "If you must go, then go. Focus on your path and don't worry about me. I'll quietly catch up to you."
But even as Shangguan Ruolin spoke of leaving, her hands remained tightly wrapped around Shu Han, reluctant to let go.
Feeling bitter inside, Shu Han gently unwrapped her hands, looked at her tear-filled eyes, caressed her hair, and said with a smile, "Go on. You're the Sky Palace Sect's esteemed leader of the Jade Sky Palace, a peerless immortal. Such reluctance doesn't suit your image."
With reddened eyes, she looked at Shu Han, opened her mouth, and fiercely bit down on his shoulder.
A sharp pain emanated from the bite, but Shu Han let her continue without pulling away.
Shangguan Ruolin released her bite, leaving a small, blood-streaked tooth mark on Shu Han's shoulder. She declared confidently, "You're right; acting coy isn't my style. This mark is now branded on you, meaning you'll forever belong to me. No matter where you run to, I can locate you through this mark."
With that, she touched the bite mark, and intricate feather patterns started spreading across Shu Han's skin.
"This is the Heavenly Feather Phoenix Inner Armor, which I've worn close to me for a hundred years. When we first met, I destroyed your treasured armor, so now I'm giving you mine in return."
"This..." Shu Han quickly replied, "This is your life-saving armor. How can I accept it? Please take it back!"
"Silence!" Shangguan Ruolin stated, "I've broken through the bottleneck that held me for a hundred years and have reached the late stage of Core Formation. In this world, except for those in the Nascent Soul stage, no one can threaten me! If you wish to return it to me, you can, but only once you reach the Nascent Soul stage. Until then, don't bring up this matter again."
Shu Han was left speechless by her sudden assertiveness.
With satisfaction, Shangguan Ruolin touched Shu Han's face. Her tone was firm, but her eyes revealed undeniable affection. "You promised me three hundred years. During these three hundred years, you belong to me! You're not allowed to die or get involved with others."
Shu Han gave a wry smile, "Having met you, what other beauty could possibly catch my eye? As for life and death, I won't die before marrying you. Otherwise, wouldn't that be benefiting others?"
Shangguan Ruolin smiled in contentment.
Suddenly, she donned her golden silk jade robe, which concealed her enchanting figure.
Shangguan Ruolin began to ascend, "Remember your promise."
With that, she transformed into a beam of light and flew towards the south.
With Shangguan Ruolin gone and only her lingering fragrance remaining, Shu Han felt an emptiness in his heart. Staring at the southern sky, he wished he could immediately attain the Nascent Soul stage and follow her. But he knew it was impossible.
When Shu Han embarked on the path of cultivation, his initial wish was to ensure a better life for his family. After leaving the Dragon Mystical Sect, his primary hope was to resolve his cultivation technique issues and simply survive.
Reaching the pinnacle of cultivation and attaining the unparalleled Nascent Soul realm had only been a distant dream.
Now, this once-impractical dream had become his burning ambition. It might sound childish and laughable that all of this was for a woman.
Yet, for a young man in his early twenties, talks of grand achievements and lofty ideals felt abstract and distant. Only the emotions and gestures of his beloved felt truly real.
