Demons and monsters wreak havoc: gain one new confidante every day.

Two weeks later.

Nighttime, by the lotus pond.

Shen You maintained the scorpion posture and slowly opened her eyes.

A phantom image of a scorpion, as if it were a physical object, flashed across his body.

His entire body crackled and popped as if he had been reborn, especially his tailbone, which even flashed with a bright light.

His physique evolved once again, becoming as insidious, sharp, and ruthless as a scorpion.

One of its hind legs can be used to kick out from behind at any time, creating a deadly move that can take a person's life.

"Finally, even the 'Scorpion Kung Fu' is 'perfected'!"

A hint of joy flashed in Shen You's eyes.

In half a month, he mastered the "Gecko Kung Fu" and "Scorpion Kung Fu" techniques.

Not only did they gain the "Gecko Force" and "Scorpion Force," which could only unleash their power for a fleeting moment.

Moreover, his tailbone and legs were also well-trained, making his lower body stable and his steps agile, which made him much more flexible in both fighting and running away.

Among them, "Gecko Kung Fu" has a specially matched movement technique called "Gecko Swimming Step". When used, it not only has extremely strong dodging ability, but can also use its footwork to suddenly approach the enemy and burst into damage.

The "Scorpion Kung Fu" also has a deadly move called "Scorpion Tail Swing". Practicing the "Scorpion Kung Fu" is like cultivating a section of a scorpion's tail, hiding a portion of the energy in the tailbone. It is never used normally, but is suddenly used in a life-or-death moment to deliver a deadly move in an impossible situation, which can be used to counterattack the enemy.

"Fantastic! With the 'Gecko Swimming Step' combined with the 'Scorpion Tail Swing' and the 'Golden Snake Hand,' I can now attack and defend, and I can run incredibly fast. Ordinary second-rank martial artists would have no chance against me!"

Shen You's style emphasizes balance and comprehensiveness. Moreover, since it comes from the Five Poisons School, it mainly employs sneak attacks and ambushes, giving it a greater advantage in actual combat.

"This is the advantage of following the 'Merging Strength' path. By combining several techniques, your strength becomes more comprehensive. Although it may not have the explosive power of someone who follows the 'Great Strength' path, in a real fight, the 'Merging Strength' path will definitely have the upper hand!"

Now that Shen You had three powers at his disposal, he was almost itching to try them out and wanted to go outside and find someone to fight.

"Shen Lang." At this moment, Third Sister picked up the wine pot and poured a cup of wine for Shen You. "Congratulations on your breakthrough in your training. Shen You is indeed exceptionally talented and your progress is astonishing."

"Hey, it's all because you kept calling my name, Third Sister, and helping me concentrate that I was able to progress so quickly!"

Shen You smiled in response, stood up, picked up her wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Excellent wine!"

The drinks here were all brought out by Third Sister, and they have a lotus fragrance.

"Does this wine... have a name?" Shen You asked curiously, looking at the wine glass.

"It's called Lotus Wine," Third Sister said, covering her mouth with a laugh.

"Great! The wine is good, and the beauty is even better!" Shen You exclaimed in praise.

"Shen Lang." Upon hearing this, San Niang became even more shy, her pretty face slightly flushed as she lowered her head. "I am but a lonely soul."

"You're not a lonely ghost, you have me with you." Shen You smiled and poured a cup of wine for Third Sister. "Third Sister, drink with me."

"Hmm, Shen Lang..." Third Sister looked up at Shen You with affection and drank fine wine with him under the bright moonlight.

【Third Sister】

【Fate Value: 89 (Good Match)】

Shen You had made some progress in his cultivation, so he relaxed and drank with San Niang for a while. Although the atmosphere between the two was very pleasant, Shen You looked up at the affinity score above San Niang's head, and it remained completely unchanged.

San Niang's affinity value has been stuck at "89" for a long time.

What methods are available to take this further?

What lies beyond a "good match"?

Shen You felt a surge of curiosity.

Although the innate talent and physical attributes he acquired through the "Fate Jade" are sufficient for his current cultivation, there's never too much of a foundation. He has some time today, so he might as well study how to continue improving.

"Third Sister," Shen You thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "On this beautiful day, with you by my side, I've suddenly been inspired to compose a poem!"

"Shen Lang wants to recite a poem?" Third Sister immediately clapped her hands and cheered, "Shen Lang has always loved reciting poetry!"

Shen You smiled slightly and immediately said, "The clouds weave patterns, the stars convey sorrow... A single meeting in the golden autumn breeze and jade dew surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world... If love between two people is destined to last, why should they be together every day and night?"

The song "Magpie Bridge Fairy" stunned Third Sister. Her mouth was slightly open as she stared blankly at Shen You, her face filled with disbelief, yet she was also involuntarily captivated.

It took San Niang a long while to come to her senses, and she exclaimed in amazement, "If love between two people is destined to last, why should they be together day and night... Shen Lang's literary talent is simply divine..."

Third Sister's eyes revealed her admiration, because this poem made her affection for Shen You even more evident.

Strangely, the affinity value is still stuck at 89 and hasn't moved.

Does this mean we have to resort to even more radical methods?

Shen You thought for a moment, then made a firm decision and suggested, "Third Sister, the moonlight is so beautiful tonight, why don't we take heaven and earth as our matchmaker and, right here by the lotus pond, perform the three bows and nine kowtows to become husband and wife?"

Upon hearing this, Third Sister was even more shocked and overwhelmed with emotion.

Shen You kept his word and went back to fetch red candles. Right there by the lotus pond, he and San Niang completed a simple ceremony.

Although only heaven and earth bear witness, the two have officially become husband and wife.

Even so, the affinity value remained unchanged.

Shen You shook her head, thinking that she could only try to find a solution by going to Liu Gongbai.

Therefore, it is necessary to learn more about what happened between San Niang and Liu Lang in order to take the relationship with San Niang a step further.

After all, if you don't know each other well enough, forcing a marriage like this is nothing but deception and can't be considered a true union.

That evening, Shen You returned to her residence with a touch of regret.

However, Third Sister was very happy and reluctant to part with Shen You, and almost wanted to come back with Shen You.

The next morning, Shen You went to pay his respects to Huang Yaoshi as usual.

"Master, where is Mistress?"

Shen You clasped his hands in a salute to Huang Yaoshi, and couldn't help but look around.

He came every day, but only saw the beautiful nun two or three times.

There was no chance at all to raise the affinity value of the master's wife.

That damned old man Huang, he married a beautiful wife and then hid her away, how stingy!

"Why do you ask your master's wife about this every day?"

Huang Yaoshi's attitude was also icy; he frowned and asked, "Have you finished practicing your martial arts?"

"You've mastered it!" Shen You nodded without hesitation, saying casually, "I also perfected the 'Scorpion Kung Fu' yesterday!"

"Very good." Upon hearing this, Huang Yaoshi's expression softened slightly, and he tossed over two more medicine bottles. "These 'Qi Condensation Pills' are a reward for you."

"Thank you, Master!" Shen You said, then asked, "Master, did your wife eat the pastries I brought her last time I went out?"

Huang Yaoshi's face darkened again, and he said coldly, "You've already eaten!"

"What does Master's wife think? Is it delicious?" Shen You asked eagerly.

"...She hates pastries, so don't bring her any more!" Huang Yaoshi said coldly.

"Oh, how could that be!"

Shen You smiled and said, "My feelings for my master's wife are as clear as day. Whenever I go out, I will definitely be thinking of her. Today I'm going out to hunt demons again, and I'll bring back some delicious food and fun things for her! Master, you still need to pass these on to her for me; you can't keep them for yourself!"

Shen You gave him a special warning, and Huang Yaoshi replied with a dark face, "I know!"

Shen You laughed heartily, then turned and went out.