On a summer morning, just as the sun showed its crimson tip, Li Shuidao was already standing in the courtyard, beginning his day's training.
After dressing and making herself up, Xia Ruoxue stood prettily in the courtyard, holding a tray with freshly brewed hot tea.
Once Li Shuidao finished his sword practice, he returned to his room to cultivate the Golden Toad Qi Locking Method in seclusion.
Xia Ruoxue then went with the maid, Luo Xiaoxiao, to visit her parents-in-law and pay her respects to the elders.
Around noon, the aroma of delicious food wafted from the household's small kitchen.
Xia Ruoxue and Luo Xiaoxiao prepared a lunch for Li Shuidao that was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.
After the meal, Li Shuidao went out to find a stream and study the Water Surge Stealth Technique and the Clear Pool Sword Dao's sword strike from the water.
Meanwhile, Xia Ruoxue and Luo Xiaoxiao went to help out at the Lineage's early learning hall.
All the women of the Lineage had to help out at the school, where all the children were under three years old.
Night fell. Li Shuidao lay in bed, easing the aches brought on by a day of training.
He turned over and saw Xia Ruoxue lying quietly beside him, smiling at him.
The two of them... until they drifted into a deep sleep...
Late that night, Li Shuidao suddenly opened his eyes and stepped into the courtyard to cultivate the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art and Water Moon Flowing Pearl beneath the moonlight.
After completing his practice, Li Shuidao returned to bed and slept until dawn...
The cycle repeated, and Li Shuidao's cultivation steadily advanced...
Two months later...
After dinner, Li Shuidao sat quietly, reviewing the day's cultivation.
Once the sun had completely set, he went to his bedroom.
He would sleep until midnight, then get up to cultivate the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art and Water Moon Flowing Pearl beneath the high-hanging moon.
As he pushed open the door, he heard soft sobbing from the bed.
He drew back the curtains and saw Xia Ruoxue curled up on the bed, tears streaming down her fair cheeks. Her eyes were swollen and red, her face etched with deep grievance and pain.
Li Shuidao walked to the bedside. Seeing how heartbroken Xia Ruoxue looked, he asked softly, "Ruoxue, why are you crying? Did someone bully you?"
Xia Ruoxue raised her tearful eyes and said in a trembling voice, "Li Yijun, Li Shuilong, and Li Yixin's wives are all pregnant, but there's still no sign of a child for me."
Tears continued to stream down Xia Ruoxue's cheeks. Her eyes were swollen and red, as if she had endured an endless night.
She had thought she would be able to conceive, and had looked forward with all her heart to a happy future. But she never imagined that her wish would remain unfulfilled...
Li Shuidao came over and sat beside Xia Ruoxue. He gently wiped the tears from her face and said in a warm, firm voice, "Ruoxue, don't be sad. Everything will be all right."
Xia Ruoxue's lips trembled slightly as she looked at Li Shuidao through her tears.
Li Shuidao continued softly, "As long as we support each other and stay by each other's side, we can build a warm family together. Children aren't important."
Listening to Li Shuidao's comforting words, warmth gradually welled up in Xia Ruoxue's heart. The setbacks and disappointment seemed to fade away, bit by bit, beneath his gentle words.
To resolve the hidden danger once and for all, Li Shuidao decided to use a cultivation technique.
He had been cultivating the Golden Toad Qi Locking Method for over half a year. It was a remarkable technique: not only could it conceal one's cultivation, it could also lock away one's vital essence. At its highest level, it could even conceal one's presence. Even standing behind an enemy, the enemy would have a hard time sensing him.
Now, he only needed to cultivate the technique to minor mastery and lock away his vital essence to put his mind at ease.
Li Shuidao sat quietly in the secret chamber, eyes closed and expression intent as he cultivated.
His face was calm, as though he had withdrawn from worldly concerns, but his body exuded a fierce aura.
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, silently reciting the mantra of the Golden Toad Qi Locking Method. Each line of scripture lingered in his mind, as if it had already seeped into his bones and blood.
Li Shuidao kept adjusting his vital essence, doing his best to prevent it from leaking away.
He guided it with mana, letting it circulate through his body...
Suddenly.
Li Shuidao's body trembled slightly, and a chill rapidly spread from within him.
He felt his vital essence congealing, gradually being locked away.
His consciousness grew hazy. Amid swirling white mist, he seemed to see his vital essence being locked away, scene after scene. The vital essence looked like golden threads, surrounded by an invisible force of his own.
Once he reached this minor realm, Li Shuidao would not only resolve his immediate predicament, but also slow the loss of his energy considerably in his daily life.
He would need less time to rest. A few hours of sleep each day would be enough to leave him full of energy, and even his lifespan would increase.
"Hahahaha..." Li Shuidao rose to his feet and laughed.
His divine art was complete, and the hidden danger had been resolved. From now on, he could rest easy and would never need to resort to crooked paths again.
He had such a young and beautiful wife, yet instead of taking the proper path, he had kept to crooked ways. That just wouldn't do.
In high spirits, Li Shuidao pushed open the secret chamber door. His wife, Xia Ruoxue, was standing at the entrance to the main room. Sunlight streamed through the window, falling across her slender figure and casting a gentle glow around her.
"Xue'er, have you been waiting here for me?" Li Shuidao's voice was full of tenderness.
"Husband, there's something I want to tell you." Xia Ruoxue looked serious.
"Go ahead." Li Shuidao's voice was gentle.
"I want to go out and clear my head. Maybe then we'll finally be able to have a child," Xia Ruoxue said earnestly.
Li Shuidao reached out and stroked her hair. "All right! Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere nearby. I just want a change of scenery. Maybe then our child will come along." Xia Ruoxue's eyes widened, stars filling her gaze.
"Good. I'll go for a walk with you. We'll surely be able to have a child while we're out there," Li Shuidao immediately agreed.
"Mm, I think so too." Xia Ruoxue smiled sweetly and happily.
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