Burial Furnace

Liu Ruxue's body was soft and warm, carrying a faint fragrance mixed with the refreshing scent of spiritual herbs, making it exceptionally intoxicating.

Zhang Yuan buried his face in the crook of her neck, took a deep breath, and felt her body temperature, her heartbeat, and her presence.

"I have something to tell you..." Liu Ruxue was a little breathless from his embrace and was about to speak when Zhang Yuan kissed her passionately.

Her mind went blank with a buzz.

All the rules of the Holy Maiden Sect, the responsibilities of the Heavenly Spirit Root, the opportunities of the secret realm... all of it vanished in an instant.

In her world, only his warmth, his breath, and his restless hand remained.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

The night breeze gently stirred the curtains, bringing with it the sounds of insects chirping in the distant fields.

After an unknown amount of time, the clouds finally cleared and the rain stopped.

Liu Ruxue lay in Zhang Yuan's arms, her face flushed with shyness, her eyes sparkling with captivating charm.

She raised her head and gave Zhang Yuan a coquettish glare.

After becoming a cultivator, this old man became bolder and stronger.

Fortunately, I have already advanced to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, otherwise I really wouldn't be able to handle it.

After resting for a while, Liu Ruxue asked in confusion, "Old man, how exactly did you become a cultivator? I remember you only had three days left to live, and you were just a mortal who couldn't even draw qi into your body."

"After you left that day, I thought I was about to die of old age. But then I suddenly found a jade slip by the roadside. I don't know why, but I inexplicably stuck the jade slip to my forehead, and then... I understood its contents."

"It was an incredibly magical cultivation technique called the 'Yin Yang Rejuvenation Technique.' That technique required men to possess the five elements' spiritual roots, and I happened to meet those requirements, so I tried cultivating it and embarked on the path of cultivation..."

"What? You've mastered the Yin-Yang Rejuvenation Technique?" Liu Ruxue's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.

This cultivation technique is incredibly famous, the most famous technique in three thousand years. The illustrious reputation of the Yin-Yang Ancestor is unforgettable for countless people, and many cultivators have even met him.

Of course she had heard of it.

"If we cultivate together, we can purify your true essence, which will greatly increase your combat power and make it much easier for you to advance to the late Foundation Establishment stage."

Zhang Yuan suggested.

Then he took her hand and led her to the cultivation chamber.

The two sat cross-legged facing each other.

Zhang Yuan took out the half of the top-grade spirit stone and placed it between the soles of his feet. Liu Ruxue also stretched out her hands and gently pressed them together with his palms.

The moment their palms touched, Liu Ruxue felt a warm breath coming from Zhang Yuan's palm, flowing down her arm and into her meridians.

The aura was gentle and mellow, carrying a strange rhythm that made her true essence involuntarily move in sync with it.

She closed her eyes, relaxed her mind and body, and let that energy guide her true essence, allowing it to circulate slowly within her body.

The two streams of true energy, one yin and one yang, were like two swimming fish, chasing and intertwining with each other, forming a large cycle within their bodies.

At the same time, the pure spiritual energy from the top-grade spirit stone surged into Zhang Yuan's body like a flood bursting its banks, flowing down the soles of his feet and joining the great cycle, transforming into new true essence.

Liu Ruxue was surprised to find that her true essence was becoming purer at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Impurities and impurities that are usually difficult to detect melt away and are purified quickly in the face of this yin-yang fusion power, just like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun.

Within her dantian, true essence was slowly increasing, and its quality was continuously improving.

She was both surprised and delighted, and her gaze towards Zhang Yuan held a deep sense of awe.

Is this old man really only at the fourth level of Qi Refining?

After cultivating for half the night, Liu Ruxue's true essence had been almost completely purified.

The two stopped cultivating, and Liu Ruxue nestled into Zhang Yuan's arms, her voice gentle and charming: "Old man, I'm so proud of you. You're truly amazing, to have comprehended such a miraculous technique."

Zhang Yuan put his arm around her and asked softly, "Are you going to the secret realm to seek your fortune?"

"Hmm." Liu Ruxue nodded. "Cultivation consumes too many resources; we must seek out opportunities. This time, the Xuanhuang Ruins have opened, and it's said that there are many rare and precious materials inside, as well as the inheritances left by ancient cultivators. Perhaps I can find Foundation Establishment Pills inside, or the main ingredient for refining Foundation Establishment Pills. If that happens, you will be able to establish your foundation in the future."

Zhang Yuan was so moved that he almost burst into tears. This girl recognized him as her man the moment they met, and now she wanted to help him find the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Moreover, the secret realm is fraught with danger, filled with ruthless cultivators and ferocious monsters.

Although she is already in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, she is not absolutely safe.

Without hesitation, he said, "I will teach you a sword technique."

"Sword skills?" Liu Ruxue was taken aback.

"Yes, it's called 'The Deceitful Sword'." Zhang Yuan took her hand and led her out of the small building to the open space behind it.

Under the moonlight, a thought flashed through his mind, and the Ink Scale Sword appeared in his hand, growing larger and longer. He took a deep breath, and then—

Draw your sword.

The sword flashed, like a bolt of lightning piercing the night sky.

Liu Ruxue could see clearly that the sword light was slashing towards the void on the left.

Her divine sense clearly perceived that the sword energy was heading towards the left.

however--

A loud cracking sound.

A huge rock several dozen feet to the right suddenly exploded, scattering fragments everywhere.

Liu Ruxue stared in disbelief, her face filled with disbelief.

That swordsmanship is amazing!

Zhang Yuan sheathed his sword, turned around, and said solemnly, "When you unleash this sword strike, everything the enemy senses and sees is a lie. The real point of attack will be somewhere the enemy will never expect."

He taught Liu Ruxue the incantation and mental techniques of the Deceiving Heaven Technique, word by word.

Liu Ruxue listened attentively, occasionally asking questions.

Zhang Yuan answered all her questions one by one, explaining for almost half an hour before Liu Ruxue finally grasped the essence of the Deceiving Heaven Technique.

Then Zhang Yuan taught her the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique.

Liu Ruxue has extremely high talent, and her comprehension as a Heavenly Spiritual Root far surpasses that of ordinary people. She has already mastered the essentials after practicing for only half an hour.

She slashed with her sword, the sword light was dazzling, and the sword energy was crisscrossing. She was clearly stabbing at the void to the left, but a large tree dozens of feet away suddenly broke and collapsed.

"I've succeeded in my cultivation!" Liu Ruxue exclaimed, both surprised and delighted.

Sheathed her sword, wrapped her arms around Zhang Yuan's neck, and planted a big kiss on his cheek.

Then she asked hesitantly, "Old man, are you really just a Qi Refining Stage 4 old man? Or are you some kind of senior expert just idly playing around in the mortal world?"