Su Linghuang was dressed in a thin, gauzy nightgown that outlined the graceful curves of her figure.
Her jade-like, snow-white skin shimmered faintly, and her waist-length silver hair cascaded loosely behind her, swaying gently in the night breeze.
Her slender waist was soft and elegant, and her long, fair legs were bare, captivating anyone who gazed upon her.
Gone was the aloof sanctity of a saintess, replaced by a bewitching allure that could set one’s desires ablaze.
Looking at the stunning beauty leaning against the doorframe, Gu Shenzhi, whose thoughts had been exposed, suppressed the panic in his heart and said lightly, “How could one easily forget such a breathtaking beauty? I’m not some heartless man.”
Hearing this, Su Linghuang curved her cherry lips into a faint smile and asked, “I wonder which lady has captured my husband’s heart so deeply?”
Her tone carried a subtle, chilling intent, as if the next moment she might sever the head of the black-clad youth, ending his life on the spot.
“No harm in telling you. The woman I can’t stop thinking about is the number one beauty on Muyun Continent’s list of peerless charm, the top prodigy of the demonic path, the chief disciple of the Moonshadow Sect and the saintess of Zhanyun Peak—Su Linghuang.”
Gu Shenzhi teased with a smile.
Though it was a lie, it wasn’t entirely false.
Having not seen her for days, he did genuinely miss his beloved Huang’er.
Su Linghuang let out a soft laugh, then feigned seriousness and asked, “Since when did I have so many titles? Such a smooth talker!”
“Huang’er, you’ve been diligently cultivating day and night, so it’s only natural you wouldn’t know. But don’t worry, your husband keeps track of them for you.”
The night was intoxicating, but even more captivating were the flushed dimples on the beauty’s cheeks—a charm that could topple cities and nations alike.
Gu Shenzhi couldn’t help but steal a few more glances, his gaze lingering on her delicate, swan-like neck before slowly drifting downward, settling on her exquisite, alluring collarbone.
The yearning within him urged him to draw closer and savor her fragrance.
“Did you miss me during your mission these past few days?” The Red Lotus Saintess gracefully approached Gu Shenzhi, her slender jade hands smoothing out her crimson skirt as she quietly sat on his lap.
The faint fragrance from her snowy hair filled his senses, both soothing and stirring the deepest desires within him.
Having been tempted by junior and senior sisters, as well as his master, back at the Spirit Sword Sect, Gu Shenzhi’s self-control far surpassed that of an ordinary youth.
While he wasn’t quite as composed as the legendary Liu Xiahui, he was close enough.
“Of course I missed you. These past few days without seeing Huang’er, I could neither eat nor drink, constantly longing to return and kneel at my lady’s feet.”
“Hey, I’m being serious!”
“I’m serious too. If Huang’er doesn’t believe me, we can test it right now.” Gu Shenzhi seized the chance to wrap his arm around her serpentine waist, his other hand intertwining with the Red Lotus Saintess’s fingers.
Su Linghuang let out a soft, affectionate moan, her lithe, curvaceous body writhing slightly.
Her cheeks flushed with a shy crimson.
“No, we agreed to wait until you break through to the Nascent Soul realm. If you try to force it, I’ll ignore you forever.”
It turns out that a man’s ability to remain composed in such moments doesn’t solely stem from self-control, but rather from whether the woman in his arms is beautiful and enticing enough.
With a femme fatale like Su Linghuang, even a eunuch might struggle to resist.
“How could I ever force my Huang’er? If you don’t like it, we won’t do it until you’re ready,” Gu Shenzhi said gently.
That said, seeing the shy, peerless beauty in his arms neither struggling nor resisting, he strongly suspected that the Red Lotus Saintess, who claimed to refuse, might just part her legs in a moment of half-hearted resistance.
The reason Gu Shenzhi didn’t seize the moment to claim her wasn’t due to a lack of worldly desires.
Rather, his memories of romantic entanglements were far from pleasant, some even bordering on tragic.
Especially that rainy night when his master, Bai Qi, dressed seductively with shy, pleading eyes, humbled herself to beg him…
Suddenly, a cool sensation brushed against his lips.
When Gu Shenzhi came to his senses, he realized he’d been forcibly kissed by the Red Lotus Saintess.
Her soft, pink tongue seemed to demand something from him desperately, her jade-like arms tightly encircling his neck.
As Su Linghuang deepened her aggressive kiss, even breathing became difficult.
“Mmm, mm~”
A glistening thread lingered in the air as their lips reluctantly parted, both gasping for breath, their cheeks as red as autumn maples.
“For missing me, consider this your reward,” Su Linghuang said coyly, her tone playful yet firm, shedding some of her seductress charm for a touch of girlish innocence.
Looking at the blushing girl in his arms, Gu Shenzhi smiled and said, “Huang’er, you look so beautiful right now, just like you did on our wedding night.”
“Then do you prefer me now, or in my bridal gown?” Su Linghuang leaned against his chest, her legs crossed, and asked softly.
“Since you’re equally stunning either way, I love you just the same. Besides, I love Huang’er for who she is, not for what she wears.”
The Red Lotus Saintess nodded slightly, satisfied with his impeccable response.
“While you were away, I broke through to the late stage of Soul Manifestation. Tomorrow, will you spar with me again? This time, I’m determined to beat you!” Su Linghuang declared resolutely, determined to hold nothing back, even if it meant revealing all her trump cards to surpass Gu Shenzhi.
Gu Shenzhi considered for a moment, neither agreeing nor refusing outright.
Instead, he suggested, “Tomorrow, there’s a festival in the nearby mortal city. It sounds interesting. Would the esteemed Saintess grace me with her company?”
“Why should we visit a mortal festival? Shouldn’t cultivators sever their ties to worldly distractions?” Su Linghuang blinked, her starry eyes sparkling like an untarnished fairy.
“True immortals may abstain from mortal pleasures, but mortals are defined by their connection to the mundane. As cultivators, we exist between the mortal and the divine. Until we ascend, it’s unwise to cut all ties to the mortal world. Embracing a bit of its dust might even aid our cultivation,” Gu Shenzhi answered earnestly, clearly hoping the beauty in his arms would agree.
Stabilizing one’s heart and avoiding cultivation deviation was one reason; avoiding an all-out duel with the Red Lotus Saintess was another.
Regardless of who won or lost, it wouldn’t be good for Huang’er.
A loss would shake her confidence, stalling her cultivation.
As for her winning… that was impossible.
Among swords, spears, axes, or any weapon, Su Linghuang should never wield a sword.
With any other weapon or even barehanded, she might stand a chance, but with a sword, her defeat was certain.
Gu Shenzhi had that confidence—the confidence of Muyun Continent’s top sword cultivator of his generation.
“Who told you these things?” Su Linghuang asked curiously.
“A true immortal.”
As he spoke, Gu Shenzhi paused briefly, as if recalling something, before continuing, “So, will Huang’er accompany her husband?”
Su Linghuang remained silent, but she placed her delicate, fair hand in his, their fingers interlocking, her answer clear without words.