Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 486 What a Groom and Three Brides Should Do

In reality, he had refined three first-grade pills in a row, and was somewhat mentally exhausted, so he really needed to rest.

Anuo took a portion of the embers, hesitated for a moment, then yanked open the lid of the alchemy furnace and hid inside.

Although she felt a little scared, Ah Nuo felt that this was definitely the most suitable place for her to cultivate. No matter what kind of cave she built, it wouldn't be as useful as this furnace.

Especially in fusion scenarios that require the merging of sparks... there's no better place than here. Master was right after all; once you overcome your natural fears, the road ahead will be smooth.

The mistresses were stunned and all went to look at Lu Xingzhou.

Lu Xingzhou circled the courtyard, adding layers of protection to the array that already concealed the aura of the alchemy furnace. He then summoned Little Pig Fish to lie down by the furnace before whispering, "Anuo should be a pill that has taken human form, and it was refined from this furnace. I haven't told you about this before, but it's good that you know now."

Shen Tang asked, "Does A-Nuo know this herself?"

“When she was little, I just told her she was a celestial being… In reality, she’s always been by my side, and the information she’s received is pretty much the same. She’s also very shrewd. She can basically figure out what I know on her own, so she must have some idea. It’s just that I feel there’s no need to tell her face to face, because the child may not be willing to face the fact that she is a pill.”

It's just a pill, nothing special. What kind of demons haven't we all seen? We're about to have a little dragon in the family, so it doesn't have to be a human.

But she cries even when she's cracking sunflower seeds in front of Xiao Kui, and Yu Yu sheds tears when she eats meat in front of Yu Yu. And everyone else has probably taken countless pills in their lives, including Anuo herself. Thinking about it, it does feel a little strange…

Let's just pretend we don't know anything. Anyway, Ah Nuo probably knows the truth herself.

Shen Tang was quite amazed: "It seems that the level of this alchemy furnace is even higher than we imagined, and the alchemist's strength is unfathomable. Otherwise, it would be hard to imagine that a celestial pill could evolve into human form on its own."

Pei Chuyun also said, "Pills are different from other life forms. Other life forms, if bathed in demonic energy, may become demonic and then transform into humans. But pills are lifeless... In other words, A'nuo's original pill is of such a high grade that it can nurture life. What kind of pill is that?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "This matter must be kept secret. If outsiders find out, Anuo will be in great danger, a real Tang Monk's flesh."

Who is Tang Sanzang?

Lu Xingzhou chuckled and brushed it off, saying, "I'm going back to my room to refine the fire seed. You all rest."

Back in the house, Lu Xingzhou absorbed the Mountain and River Purple Flame into his spiritual platform.

Previously, there was the Destruction Golden Flame, a powerful flame with physical penetration, but this characteristic was more suitable for combat than alchemy. The Crimson Lotus Calamity Flame focuses on purification and judgment, often used in actual combat to achieve effects similar to other people's restrictive spells, and it also deals extra damage to demonic paths, but unfortunately, its temperature is not very high.

Without the new addition of the Mountain and River Purple Flame, refining a first-grade pill would be quite difficult.

Furthermore, in the past, it was falsely called a fire technique, but in reality, the flames lacked range and the domineering aura of raging flames that could burn the heavens and destroy the earth. This time, however, it has it. The Mountain and River Purple Flame is described as magnificent, awe-inspiring, and spectacular, with immense and stable power, making it a formidable weapon for group attacks in battle.

However, this thing needs to be compatible with the cultivator; not everyone can absorb and utilize it.

Lu Xingzhou possesses the foundation of fire bones, making compatibility not an issue, but it's not quite enough to unleash its full potential. Imperial aura is imperial aura; Lu Xingzhou has spent his entire life as an advisor and has only just begun building his own power base. Mentally, he's still far from possessing that attribute.

Just as he was pondering this, Shen Tangzi slipped in and snuggled into his arms: "Unable to perfectly unleash the Mountain and River Purple Flame?"

Lu Xingzhou snapped out of his daze: "You guessed it?"

“I know about this. Back then, not all princes and princesses could practice the Imperial Supreme Scripture. They had to go through many tests, the main one being the Emperor’s Will. You definitely don’t have that right now.”

"What suggestions do you have? I'm thinking of learning from your father's calligraphy, but I feel it would be a waste to give it to me if you want to use it in the future."

Shen Tang laughed and said, "What would I need this for? Wouldn't it be better to give you mine too?"

Lu Xingzhou: "Huh?"

"What kind of expression is that?" Shen Tang said, "You know I never wanted to be emperor. Before, when I talked about competing, it was just to prove myself, and you were the one who made me compete. Now that my father is gone, and I don't even know if the current emperor can be considered my brother, who am I supposed to prove myself to? All that's left is revenge. What means can't I use to get revenge? Does it have to be by seizing the throne?"

Lu Xingzhou was still somewhat hesitant.

He knew, of course, that Shen Tang had never wanted to compete for the position, and that she had never truly desired it since they met. But there was always a feeling that it should have been hers—even though it wasn't something she had yet, and it seemed like nothing was even close to happening, if she wanted revenge, who would get what she got after the revenge? Of course, it would belong to Shen Tang.

How could you steal your own wife's things?

As if guessing his thoughts, Shen Tang smiled and said, "You think it should be mine? You're not wrong to say that."

She handed him a candied fruit and popped it into his mouth: "I bought it from Zhiweizhai next door, how does it taste?"

Lu Xingzhou ate it subconsciously: "Delicious."

Shen Tang blinked: "These candied fruits are mine too. You can have them. Why aren't you hesitating?"

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

How can you even compare them?

"So it turns out that our Lord Lu actually has a different perspective on things like the throne, just like ordinary people... But to me, it's just a candied fruit, what difference does it make if mine is yours?"

Lu Xingzhou was both amused and exasperated: "Fine, fine, I'm a mortal, you're a sword immortal."

“That’s exactly right.” Shen Tang snorted. “We sent you to the capital to be an official, but you’ve become vulgar over time. You’re perfectly suited to that unbearably vulgar position.”

"Do you really think I value that position so much or give it special treatment?" Lu Xingzhou said helplessly. "While I do value it a bit more than candied fruit, it's not that much more important. It's mainly because that position carries a lot of responsibility and trouble. If you don't want to do it, do you think I do?"

"But you have to do it."

Why do I have to do it?

"You're my husband, are you trying to dump all this trouble on me? Have you no shame?"

Lu Xingzhou found it really funny: "That makes sense."

"And another thing, if you're not going to be the Qian Emperor, what right do you have to conquer the Demon Realm and take that arrogant dragon into your harem? Do you really want your little dragon-man to become an outsider?" Lu Xingzhou felt a mix of emotions and whispered, "Tangtang..."

"Ok?"

"You're so kind."

"You know I'm good to you, so why aren't you kissing me? What are you standing there for?"

Lu Xingzhou embraced Shen Tang and lowered his head to kiss her. They kissed for a while until they fell onto the bed.

Shen Tang bit her lower lip: "You need to work harder today and see how much my improvement will help."

The most important thing is to test how much flexibility can increase combat power and whether it can drain him so much that Pei the demoness can't have him. As for transferring qi during intimate moments through dual cultivation, that's secondary.

Shen Tang casually gave all her vital energy to her husband, without intending to keep any for herself. Unfortunately, dual cultivation is not like the mutual extraction of vital energy; the vital energy flows back and forth between the two, inseparable. Trying not to keep any, however, only made both of them stronger.

Shen Tang, in a daze of extreme bliss, couldn't figure out what was going on.

In truth, Lu Xingzhou wasn't entirely devoid of the aura of a great ruler; he simply lacked the heart of one. Once he set his mind to it, given his current status as a powerful and treacherous minister, he inherently possessed the aura of a great ruler, perhaps even more so than she, the perpetually marginalized princess.

Like a flame hidden in the ground, it will burst forth sooner or later.

The secondary goal of channeling Qi was accomplished perfectly, benefiting both parties; however, the primary goal of draining him dry was achieved in a miserable manner, a result of overestimating his abilities.

Shen Tang, who had just strengthened his resilience, was indeed able to withstand more pressure than yesterday, but unfortunately, he only managed to reduce the time from more than half an hour to one hour.

How can that little bit of enhancement compare to the Golden Dragon Body or the Dragon Blood Holy Lance?

Devastated and disarmed, Shen Tang tragically pounded on the man's shoulder: "No, no... stop..."

Lu Xingzhou continued his attack with his head down. It seemed that the enhancement was really useful; there was even this requirement.

Shen Tang's eyes almost rolled back.

A fragrant breeze wafted by, and Pei Chuyun appeared by the bedside, smiling as she stroked her chin and observed Shen Tang's expression.

Shen Tang was filled with shame and indignation: "Who, who let you in... Get out, get out..."

Pei Chuyun smiled and said, "I came here specifically to see how His Highness Prince Xia's physical training is going. Do you need any help?"

Shen Tang reacted quickly: "Yes, yes!"

I'm never going to talk about squeezing him dry or stealing people again; I can't do this job.

Pei Chuyun smiled and said, "Beg me."

Shen Tang: “?”

Pei Chuyun said, "Call me 'sister,' and I'll help you."

Shen Tang was so angry she almost fainted; she would rather die than submit.

Pei Chuyun turned around as if to leave: "It seems that His Highness Prince Xia doesn't need help anymore, so just accept it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Xingzhou reached out and grabbed him.

Pei Chuyun began to struggle: "Let go of me! I just came to watch the show!"

Lu Xingzhou didn't care about anything else. He picked up Pei Chuyun and pressed her down next to the limp Shen Tang: "I already let you off the hook last night when you were eavesdropping outside the door. You still dare to sneak into the house today. Did you come here to deliver yourselves to the enemy?"

Pei Chuyun angrily turned her head away and refused to look at him.

Actually, it was intentional that they came to deliver it.

Based on experience, stacking things together can improve relationships; the little vixen did it on purpose to avoid having enemies everywhere.

Anyway, she didn't really care about these shameful things to begin with, let alone now that she's married. What's shameful about how family members can have fun behind closed doors?

Lu Xingzhou could see right through what the little demoness was thinking. In other words, wasn't she sacrificing her dignity to maintain harmony in his harem?

Thinking about how good Shen Tang was just now, and then looking at how good Pei Chuyun is now, Lu Xingzhou felt that he must have been a good person for ten lifetimes to have such good fortune in this life.

He leaned down and whispered in Pei Chuyun's ear, "Thank you."

Pei Chuyun was stunned for a moment, then her eyes quickly crinkled into crescent moons as she smiled: "Get out of here, who wants to get away with this for free?"

That's what she said, but her legs unconsciously wrapped around his waist.

A low, suppressed curse came from outside the window: "Shameless bastard."

Pei Chuyun gritted her teeth: "Don't let her get away."

Lu Xingzhou reached out and the window opened. A figure spread out his wings and was about to run away when Lu Xingzhou grabbed him in mid-air and pulled him back.

The limp Shen Tang hugged the thin blanket and barely managed to prop herself up. She watched in shock as Lu Xingzhou comforted Pei Chuyun while kissing Sheng Yuanyao. The two of them seemed to be used to it, without even struggling or showing any slight annoyance. They were completely at ease.

Shen Tang's eyes widened. So you guys have been doing this for a long time? I'm the oldest here, and I'm the only innocent kid?
"Squeak~" The window closed again, concealing the hustle and bustle inside.

(End of this chapter)