Su Jinxue wiped the remaining blood from the corner of her lips. A faint light flickered at her fingertips, completely evaporating the bloodstains on the floor.
She sat quietly on the edge of the bed, looking at Zhang Mingyuan, who had collapsed onto the red bed.
This fool was sleeping deeply, his brow still slightly furrowed as if he was highly dissatisfied with being suddenly knocked unconscious.
A hundred years.
Given her current physical condition, she could last a hundred years at most.
Previously, in the illusion of the Illusionary Heart Abyss, when she had lost her memories and her hatred was magnified, she had given up on ascension.
But what Zhang Mingyuan didn't know at all was that she had done the exact same thing in reality.
On that day, the immortal tribulation dispersed, and the Gate of Ascension swung wide open.
As long as she took a single step forward, she could completely shed her mortal body and detach herself from this world.
But the moment she lifted her foot, her heart suddenly throbbed with intense pain.
It wasn't a wound left by the immortal tribulation; it was a pain so deep it felt as if something was being violently gouged out of her very soul.
Standing before the Gate of Ascension, she closed her eyes and silently recited the 《Heart-Cleansing Mantra》 over and over again.
It was useless.
She began to circulate the 《Supreme Emotion-Forgetting Art》 once more, attempting to sever her worldly ties.
It was still useless.
A punchable face had appeared in her mind, taking root as if it could never be washed away.
Five thousand years...
Indeed, a fool carrying the Zhanxue Sword had pestered her for nearly five thousand years. How could he be brushed away just by reciting a few mantras?
On that day, she had given up on ascension, forcefully reversed the guiding immortal light, and cleaved the Gate of Ascension with a single strike of her sword.
And the price of forcefully interrupting her ascension was this completely unhealable Dao injury.
This world had long been downgraded due to the ancient war. Without the nourishment of the immortal Dao source energy, her origin was withering away day by day.
“Fool,” Su Jinxue muttered softly.
She reached out and poked Zhang Mingyuan's cheek with her fingertip.
His skin was warm, carrying a vibrant breath of life.
Mahayana Stage cultivators were long immune to heat and cold, let alone Zhang Mingyuan.
Even so, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Su Jinxue's lips. She pulled over the bright red wedding quilt embroidered with dragons and phoenixes, draping it over Zhang Mingyuan and carefully tucking in the edges.
After doing this, she kicked off her shoes and slid under the covers herself.
She nudged closer into Zhang Mingyuan's embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her face against his warm chest.
She found herself growing increasingly fond of this warmth.
It was very warm.
Su Jinxue closed her eyes, and before long, her breathing became slow and even...
The next morning.
A earth-shattering roar erupted within the bedchamber.
“Holy crap!”
Zhang Mingyuan suddenly bolted upright in bed, clutching the back of his head with both hands.
Damn it, she really didn't hold back!
Last night.
They had drunk their intertwined cups of tea, kissed, and the atmosphere had been built up to that perfect point!
He was just about to display his grand prowess when he took a heavy blow to the back of his head, knocking him completely unconscious!
“Su Jinxue! You wicked woman!”
He pointed at the figure still huddled under the covers and yelled, “Knocking your own man unconscious on our wedding night? This is practically murdering your husband!”
The figure under the covers stirred.
Awoken by his loud voice, Su Jinxue sat up slowly.
Her red wedding robes were slightly disheveled, the collar partially open to reveal a broad expanse of fair collarbones.
Her jet-black hair fell loosely over her shoulders, with a few stray strands clinging to her cheeks.
Instead of glaring coldly as she usually did, she raised her hand and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.
Those crimson eyes, which usually held only aloofness and killing intent, were now covered with a faint, watery mist. Her gaze was dazed, her eyes not even fully focused.
Tilting her head slightly, she stared at Zhang Mingyuan, who was hopping mad beside the bed. Her lips parted slightly in a dazed, adorable expression, clearly still trying to process the situation.
Zhang Mingyuan's tirade cut off abruptly, the words catching in his throat.
Th-This... was Su Jinxue?
The decisive, bloodthirsty Immortal Lord of Myriad Snow Palace who would draw her sword at the slightest disagreement?
Hey, hey, hey! Please, this woman in this state is way too cute!!!
Zhang Mingyuan felt as if his heart had been violently struck by something, and the frustration he felt just a moment ago instantly vanished by half.
This contrast was absolutely lethal. He even felt like the back of his head didn't hurt as much anymore.
No, he couldn't just let it slide!
That damnable Su Jinxue, don't think you can just act cute to get away with this!
Zhang Mingyuan cleared his throat twice, putting on a stern face and planting his hands on his hips. “Don't play dumb with me! Speak, why did you knock me out!”
Su Jinxue's consciousness finally cleared.
Looking at Zhang Mingyuan's interrogative posture, her mind raced.
She couldn't let Zhang Mingyuan find out about her Dao injury flaring up and causing her to cough up blood.
“I...” Su Jinxue averted her gaze, not daring to look at him.
Zhang Mingyuan pressed closer, staring intently at her. “If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, this isn't over!”
Su Jinxue's fingers twisted together beneath the blanket.
She bit her lower lip, her face flushing red at a visible rate, turning as hot as a boiling kettle.
Keeping her head lowered, her voice grew softer and softer. “I... I was just too nervous.”
“Huh?” Zhang Mingyuan doubted his own hearing.
“It was my first time... I didn't have any experience.”
Su Jinxue's blush spread all the way to her ears. “You got too close. I panicked, and... and I didn't hold back my hand.”
Zhang Mingyuan nearly faceplanted onto the bed.
Hey, hey, hey... This is way too unreasonable!
He coughed twice and said, “If you were nervous, you could have just told me! It's not like I would force you!”
“We're civilized people, we can communicate! What's the deal with slapping me into unconsciousness?”
Su Jinxue fell silent.
She clutched the corner of the quilt with both hands, tugging it gently.
“I know I was wrong...”
When these words came out, they carried a hint of softness and grievance, looking exactly like a wronged little wife.
Zhang Mingyuan felt a loud bang in his head as his rationality completely collapsed.
Good heavens, this is absolutely invincible!
When had this woman ever backed down in the last five thousand years?
When had she ever shown such a pitiful, aggrieved expression?
Why hadn't he ever realized she had such a cute side before!
Zhang Mingyuan swallowed hard, feeling his throat go dry.
Looking at Su Jinxue's submissive appearance, the anger in his heart completely vanished.
Forget it, forget it. Why argue with his own wife?
If she knocked him out, so be it. After all, a Mahayana Stage cultivator's head was hard; taking a few more hits wouldn't kill him.
“Ahem.”
“Fine. Considering it's your first offense, this Lord won't hold it against you this time.”
Su Jinxue raised her head, a glint of light flashing in her crimson eyes.
Looking at her flushed face, the mischievous ideas in Zhang Mingyuan's mind bubbled up again.
He leaned in closer, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. “Little Xuexue, since you know you were wrong, how about a morning kiss to compensate your husband's wounded soul?”
Su Jinxue's face grew even redder.
She turned her head away, looking at Zhang Mingyuan with a look of disdain. “It's early morning. Can you act a bit more decent?”
“How am I not decent? Kissing my own wife is perfectly natural, alright?” Zhang Mingyuan replied righteously.
Su Jinxue didn't reply.
But with his sharp eyes, Zhang Mingyuan noticed that her toes peeking out from under the quilt were curled tightly together, and even her fingers gripping the edge of the blanket were turning white from the force.
Saying no with her mouth, but her body was quite honest.
She clearly looked like she was looking forward to it.
Zhang Mingyuan's heart bloomed with joy, and he decided to tease her.
“Alright then.” He straightened up, drawing out his words. “It's not like I really wanted to kiss you anyway.”
With that, he climbed out of bed and put on his shoes.
One step.
Two steps.
Just as he was about to take the third step, his wrist was suddenly caught by a cold grip.
Zhang Mingyuan stopped in his tracks, the corners of his mouth curving up wildly.
He turned his head, putting on a bewildered expression. “What's wrong?”
Su Jinxue didn't speak.
With a sudden pull of her wrist, she dragged Zhang Mingyuan right back.
Zhang Mingyuan fell back onto the bed with the momentum.
Before he could even react, Su Jinxue had already tilted her head up and blocked his mouth.
The sound of their lips and teeth intertwining echoed in the bedchamber.
Su Jinxue's lips were very soft, carrying the slight coolness unique to the early morning.
She kissed very awkwardly, simply pressing her lips against his without any technique to speak of.
But this was already more than enough to drive Zhang Mingyuan wild.
This was Su Jinxue taking the initiative!
Zhang Mingyuan turned the tables, wrapping one arm around her waist and cupping the back of her head with his other hand, deepening the kiss.
Zhang Mingyuan greedily drank in her breath.
His movements grew increasingly bold, and the weight of his body gradually pressed down, pinning Su Jinxue beneath him.
Within the red silk canopy, the temperature soared once again.
Zhang Mingyuan's breathing grew heavy, and his hands slid restlessly up along her waist, preparing to make up for last night's unfinished business.
Just as he was about to take it a step further, a hand firmly pinned down his wrist.
Zhang Mingyuan's movements froze.
He opened his eyes and looked at Su Jinxue beneath him.
Su Jinxue was panting, the flush at the corners of her eyes deepening.
She bit her lip, her gaze somewhat evasive.
“Zhang Mingyuan...” her voice trembled slightly.
“What's wrong?” Zhang Mingyuan asked, his voice low.
Su Jinxue turned her face away, not daring to meet his eyes.
“I'm not ready yet.”
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