Burial Furnace

"Good heavens, staying overnight? And deliberately leaving the shower door open?"

Zhang Yuan's mind immediately wandered, and his mouth went dry...

He stood in the corridor for a long time, the night breeze blowing in through the window, carrying the fragrance of flowers from the courtyard, gently brushing against his cheeks.

I finally managed to stop overthinking and went into my room.

He paced around the room a few times, touched the smooth walls, and then sat down on the large wooden bed, feeling the softness of the bedding.

His gaze swept over every corner of the room—the luminous pearl, the carpet, the dressing table, the wardrobe, the bathroom—all of it was as beautiful as a dream.

He walked to the window and opened it.

The night breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, and the flowers and plants in the yard swayed gently in the moonlight.

The outline of Aoki Town was faintly visible in the night, with a few lights flickering in the darkness.

He watched with satisfaction for a while, then couldn't resist leaving the room again. He came to Hua Nongying's room and peeked inside through the crack.

Hua Nongying had already bathed and was sitting in front of her dressing table. She was gently and gracefully combing her long hair in front of the bronze mirror.

She removed her veil, revealing a face that could captivate anyone.

Her long, black hair cascaded down her shoulders and back like a waterfall, gleaming with a dark luster under the light of the luminous pearl.

Her slender waist was so delicate it could be encircled by a single hand, and her hips, when seated, outlined a rounded arc. Her full breasts supported the purple gauze dress, creating a beautiful curve.

Her skin was as white as snow, and it shone with a lustrous glow under the light of the luminous pearl.

Her features were exquisite, with beautiful eyebrows and eyes, a straight nose, and full lips; every part of her was like a work of art carefully sculpted by God.

A fragrant aroma emanated from her and filled the entire room.

She was too powerful; she instantly sensed Zhang Yuan peeping through the crack in the door.

She turned around and smiled sweetly.

That smile was captivating, making all the beauties of the imperial harem pale in comparison.

"Senior Hua, thank you for providing me with such a wonderful place to live and a crematorium." Zhang Yuan blushed instantly, pushed open the door, and pretended to be there to express his gratitude.

Hua Nongying put down the wooden comb, got up and walked to him.

"I should be thanking you." Her voice was soft, tinged with sincerity. "You changed my destiny, and you changed the destiny of the Hehuan Sect. I believe that in the future, I will be able to ascend to the Immortal Realm with you."

Zhang Yuan gave a wry smile: "Ascending to the Immortal Realm isn't as easy as you think."

The Yin-Yang Ancestor ascended to the Immortal Realm, accompanied by eight beautiful women—it sounds wonderful.

But in reality, he has experienced countless hardships, survived numerous near-death experiences, and narrowly escaped death countless times.

Those stories are told lightly by later generations, but only those who were actually in them know how difficult they were.

Every step is like walking on thin ice; every breakthrough may bring calamity; every battle may cost you your life.

The path to ascension is paved with blood and bones.

"I know it's incredibly difficult, with countless obstacles. But I'm willing to overcome them hand in hand with you." Hua Nongying gently held his hands.

Her hands were soft and warm.

Her fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles, and they had a wonderful feel when held in the hand, as if holding a piece of warm and beautiful jade.

Her face was full of determination, and her eyes were full of expectation and admiration.

She looked into his eyes, her gaze clear and firm, unwavering.

"We all have the Five Elements Spiritual Roots, the worst kind of talent," Hua Nongying continued, her voice soft yet firm. "But we have the Yin-Yang Rejuvenation Technique, which can break through the limitations of our talents."

"Mortals have limited lifespans, and they also face various minor and major tribulations," Zhang Yuan retorted.

"The lifespan of a Nascent Soul cultivator is three thousand years; that of a Deity Transformation cultivator is six thousand years; that of a Refined Void cultivator is thirty thousand years; that of a Body Integration cultivator is sixty thousand years; and that of a Mahayana cultivator is ninety thousand years," Hua Nongying said, enunciating each word clearly. "We are still very young—you are only eighty years old, and I am only thirty. Although the major and minor heavenly tribulations are terrifying, our true essence is pure enough that we can basically survive them."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but add to his mind: I can also cremate corpses to increase my lifespan and enhance my talents.

His mood inexplicably brightened.

We are full of expectations for the future.

"I know you and Jiaojiao have had an affair." Hua Nongying changed the subject again, her voice indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger. "But don't think of me as the same as her. I am pure and innocent, and have never had an affair with any man."

She realized that Zhang Yuan seemed to have some ulterior motives!

After saying that, she turned around and walked to the bedside.

Her silhouette, illuminated by the glowing pearl, traced a graceful curve.

Her steps were light, and her skirt brushed gently across the carpet without making a sound.

Zhang Yuan's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Holy crap, she's still pure and innocent?

Was she warning me not to have any romantic thoughts about her?

Did you deliberately leave a gap when you showered to test my reaction?

"Go to work. Business has come in." Hua Nongying sat cross-legged by the bed, closed her eyes, and began to regulate her breathing.

Zhang Yuan quickly composed himself, left the room, and closed the door behind him.

It traps both allure and fragrance inside.

He went down the stairs, through the small door, and into the crematorium's rest room.

Sure enough, there was a knock on the front door.

With a thought, Zhang Yuan sent the Immortal Transformation Furnace flying out of his dantian and into the furnace. Only then did he walk over quickly and open the shop door.

A middle-aged monk stood outside the door, wearing a gray Taoist robe with a few specks of mud on the hem.

His face was haggard, his eyes were sunken, and there was a hint of anxiety in his eyes that he could not hide.

His lips were chapped, as if he had been traveling for a long time.

"Boss, dispose of the body," he said in a low voice, hoarse and weary.

"Come with me."

Zhang Yuan led him to the cremation hall.

Pointing to the furnace opening, he said, "Just throw the body in."

The cultivator shook the storage bag, and three corpses rolled out without even being put into a body bag.

He grabbed the corpses by the ankles and threw them one by one into the furnace.

The dark golden flames leaped and engulfed the corpse.

Soon, the three corpses turned to ashes, leaving not even a trace of bone.

A warm current quietly flowed into Zhang Yuan's body.

His lifespan increased by a year and a half, and his talent also improved slightly.

The feeling was subtle yet real, like parched land receiving a light rain, nourishing and comforting.

Thanks.

The cultivator took out six mid-grade spirit stones from his robes and placed them in Zhang Yuan's hand. Then he strode out.

Then came the sound of something cutting through the air.

Zhang Yuan walked to the door and looked up. He saw a blurry shadow cut through the night sky and disappear into the horizon in the blink of an eye, its very presence vanishing completely.

He had just looked away and hadn't even had time to close the door when a rapid whooshing sound came from afar.

Four or five figures descended from the sky and landed on the open ground in front of the crematorium.

They were dressed in matching black outfits, with long swords at their waists, their faces fierce and their eyes sharp.

The leader was a burly man with a square face, a thick beard, and eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

The aura he exuded was the most powerful—late stage of Foundation Establishment.

The others were also at the Foundation Establishment stage, each exuding a calm and collected aura, clearly ruthless characters who had lived a life of danger.

Their gazes swept around the room before finally settling on Zhang Yuan.