In the well-appointed dining room of the opulent mansion, Xu Fang occupied the central seat, with Long Xiu to his right and Shen Yin to his left. They had just concluded their meal and were talking.
"My silly Yin Er, why wouldn't I want to spend time with you? You're my cute, naughty, and sexy wife; you know that," Xu Fang said with a smile, radiating happiness. He then lifted Shen Yin from her seat, took her place, and settled her onto his lap.
Shen Yin's face blushed even more after hearing Xu Fang's words. Xu Fang wrapped his arms around her waist, and she reciprocated by wrapping her arms around his back, resting her head on his left shoulder. Despite having experienced Dual Cultivation with Xu Fang before, this sweet and affectionate moment still made her feel a bit shy.
"Husband, what about me?" Long Xiu inquired with a smile.
"You are my smart, beautiful, and hot wife," Xu Fang replied with a grin.
"Sister Yin, both of us have three titles from Husband," Long Xiu pointed out to Shen Yin, still hugging Xu Fang while sitting on his lap.
"Yin Er, did Xiu Er tell you which person I chose to accompany me on my upcoming adventure?" Xu Fang asked Shen Yin with a smile.
"No." Shen Yin tilted her head and shook it in denial.
"Alright, then I'll fill you in, but keep it to yourself," Xu Fang said with a serious expression.
"Don't worry, Husband. I haven't told anyone," Shen Yin assured him, matching his serious tone.
"To be honest, when I told Mother that I hadn't decided on the person to accompany me in the future, I already had someone in mind. I didn't disclose it because I wanted to see who they would send to get closer to me," Xu Fang explained with a smile.
"So, it was all part of your plan? You already knew that if you told her you were choosing someone, they'd make a plan and send someone to get closer to you?" Shen Yin asked him, surprised.
"That's right," Xu Fang confirmed, nodding his head.
"Then, which name do you have in your mind? Don't forget, you promised me that you'd consider my suggestion for the person to accompany you," Shen Yin reminded him, curious about who he had chosen for the adventure.
"Don't worry, Wife. The person I have in mind is Xiu Er, one of your suggestions. Truth be told, even if Mother hadn't placed conditions on my adventure and hadn't sent anyone with me, I would have requested her to allow Xiu Er to accompany me," Xu Fang revealed, indicating that he had already chosen Long Xiu for the journey.
"Did you pick Sister Xiu because she's your wife?" Shen Yin asked with a curious expression.
"Wrong. We didn't have a husband and wife relationship at that time," Long Xiu interjected before Xu Fang could respond to Shen Yin.
"Why did your Husband choose you at that time?" Shen Yin asked Long Xiu with curiosity.
"I wasn't entirely sure of the main reason, but the Husband told me he wanted to spend more time with me," Long Xiu explained to Shen Yin, and both of them turned their gazes toward Xu Fang to understand the real motivation.
"Come here," Xu Fang invited Long Xiu to approach. He then shifted his hands from Shen Yin's waist, lifted her slightly, and had her sit on his left thigh, creating room for Long Xiu on his right thigh.
Long Xiu silently took her place on his right thigh, and Xu Fang encircled his arms around both Long Xiu and Shen Yin's waists. If any onlooker witnessed the scene, they might have felt a tinge of jealousy, as two beautiful queens of the Ledal Empire were now seated on Xu Fang's thighs.
"You both know about the dream or illusion that I experienced when I was unconscious, right?" Xu Fang asked, and both nodded.
"As I started assisting you, Xiu Er, in your cultivation, we talked and laughed together every day. Those moments reminded me of the person I encountered in that illusion. That's why I wanted to spend more time with you," Xu Fang explained, revealing the reason why he chose Long Xiu to accompany him on the upcoming adventure.
Xu Fang openly expressed his true feelings about wanting to spend time with Long Xiu.
"Husband, do you enjoy spending time with me that much?" Long Xiu asked, smiling.
"Yes, even if I hadn't chosen this Yin and Yang Cultivation Path, I would do anything to make you my wife in the future when I become stronger, and then no one else can oppose me," Xu Fang declared with a serious expression.
"Husband, I love you," Long Xiu said, her eyes welling up with tears of happiness.
"I love you too. I love both of you," Xu Fang replied, tightening his grip around their waists.
"Husband, I love you too," Shen Yin chimed in with a happy tone.
"Xiu Er, tomorrow after lunch, come to my room. I want you to meet with Xu Min there," Xu Fang told her in a low tone, and she nodded in agreement.
"Where are you guys headed now?" Xu Fang asked after a few minutes.
"Husband, I'm going to the Herb Garden, and then to the Formation Tower to practice the technique that you're working on. We'll both start learning it from tomorrow," Long Xiu informed him with a smile.
"Husband, I'm heading to the Herb Garden to assist Sister Xiu. When you're free from the Craftsman Tower, let me know, and I'll join you at the Alchemy Tower to practice the Pill Refining Master technique," Shen Yin expressed with a smile.
"Okay, let's go then," Xu Fang agreed. They all stood up and left the mansion, embarking on their respective paths.
Upon reaching the Craftsman Tower, Xu Fang entered without hesitation. Instead of going to the crystal chamber, he seated himself on the floor, conjuring a scroll into his hand.
Opening the scroll, he delved into the techniques related to craftsmanship, carefully selected from the Techniques Tower, immersing himself in the knowledge and skills necessary for his craft.
[
"Technique Name: Divine Artificer Ascendancy
Description: Elevating the art of artifact creation to divine realms, the Divine Artificer Ascendancy represents the zenith of mastery in harmonizing Qi, material fusion, and spiritual energies. Practitioners wielding this technique can craft artifacts with unprecedented power, transcending the boundaries between the mortal and divine.
Practice and Mastery: Mastery of Divine Artificer Ascendancy demands communion with cosmic forces, intense experimentation with the alchemy of materials, and meditation amidst celestial realms. The guidance of divine artificers or ancient scriptures becomes an imperative source of wisdom.
Utilization: A master of Divine Artificer Ascendancy commands the power to forge artifacts that resonate with divine energies. Their creations possess celestial qualities, and their perception of existing artifacts transcends mortal limits. Through their Qi mastery, they ascend to the divine realm of artisanship, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of creation."
]
After reading, Xu Fang immersed himself in practicing the technique for the next few hours within the confines of the Craftsman Tower. Deep in concentration, he honed his skills, striving for mastery.
'Ding'
Eventually, when he felt satisfied with his progress, Xu Fang emerged from the Craftsman Tower.
Xu Fang made his way toward the Alchemy Tower to further hone his alchemical skills. Having just left the Craftsmen Tower after a dedicated practice of the 'Divine Artificer Ascendancy' technique, he was now focused on advancing his proficiency in alchemy.
'Yin Er, come to the Alchemy Tower. I'll be there,' Xu Fang communicated through their mental connection as he walked towards his destination.
'Husband, I'm on my way,' Shen Yin responded mentally, her thoughts connecting with his.
Meanwhile, Shen Yin and Long Xiu were busy cultivating herbs in the Herbs Garden while Xu Fang headed to the Alchemy Tower.
"Sister Xiu, I'm going to the Alchemy Tower to practice alchemy techniques with our Husband," Shen Yin informed Long Xiu after receiving Xu Fang's message.
"Sister Yin, you seem delighted to practice alchemy with our Husband," Long Xiu observed with a smile.
"Absolutely. I'm thrilled to spend more time with our Husband," Shen Yin replied, sharing her happiness with Long Xiu.
"Did Husband call you to come?" Long Xiu inquired with a smile.
"Yes, just a few moments ago, he told me to join him at the Alchemy Tower through our mental connection," Shen Yin answered with a smile.
"Then go there quickly. I'll be heading to the Formation Tower after a few more minutes of farming here," Long Xiu advised Shen Yin to hasten her way to the Alchemy Tower.
"Then see you later, Sister Xiu," Shen Yin bid farewell to Long Xiu with a joyful expression.
Long Xiu nodded, and as Shen Yin left the Herbs Garden, she headed toward the Alchemy Tower where Xu Fang awaited her.
Once Shen Yin reached the Alchemy Tower, Xu Fang ushered her inside. It was Shen Yin's first time seeing the Alchemy Tower within the LOG treasure.
"Wow... Beautiful..." Shen Yin couldn't help but express her admiration upon entering the tower and seeing the level 1 Alchemy Chamber, complete with a pill furnace and intricate depictions on the floor and walls showcasing the art of alchemy.
"Do you like it, Yin Er?" Xu Fang asked with a smile.
"Husband, it's incredibly beautiful. I love it," Shen Yin replied with a delighted expression.
"Then let's proceed to the next level," Xu Fang suggested with a smile.
"Next level?" Shen Yin inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes, there's another level. It's divided into Pill Tiers. For example, on this level, you see shelves filled with different types of tier 1 pill recipes. If we go to level 2, we'll find tier 2 pill recipes, and the same goes for the subsequent levels," Xu Fang explained the structure of the Alchemy Tower to Shen Yin.
"Oh, so it means Husband has higher-tier pill recipes as well?" Shen Yin asked with curiosity.
"I don't have them yet, but I hope to unlock them in the future," Xu Fang replied with a smile.
"Unlock? Husband, how many levels are already open?" Shen Yin inquired with a serious expression.
"I was able to create Tier 3 mid-level pills this time, so three levels are open. When I can create Tier 3 higher-level pills, the next level will open. Alternatively, I can increase my cultivation to the next floor to unlock the next level," Xu Fang explained in detail.