Cao Xiaomao Hissed

New residence.

Cao Ying still held a warm jade box in her hand. Inside was a vial of Primordial Dragon Essence Blood she had found in the Cao Family treasury.

It had been left behind after the Cao Family once helped an Ancient Void Dragon.

She had thought Shen Wen needed this for his cultivation.

After all, he was her Husband. He had given her so many Betrothal Gifts, so she should return the favor.

However, when she pushed open the courtyard gate of their new residence, what she saw was not Shen Wen cultivating alone or waiting anxiously for her.

Instead, she found him chatting merrily with a petite figure.

Dan Chen.

Cao Ying halted.

Her heartbeat, which had quickened slightly from worry and a hint of anticipation, was instantly replaced by a nameless rage.

Her nails nearly dug into the jade box in her palm.

Fine!

For the past three days, his attitude had left her restless and unable to sleep. She had even searched the family for Ancient Void Dragon essence blood for him!

Yet he had not only failed to come looking for her, but was leisurely chatting with Dan Chen here?

Although her relationship with Shen Wen had begun as a transaction, and she had repeatedly stressed that it was only for appearances.

But... that did not mean she could calmly watch her "Husband" with another woman.

Especially when it was Dan Chen, equally outstanding and beautiful, chatting so happily with him in her newlywed residence!

A feeling of being ignored, even of having her territory invaded, surged through her at once.

"Ahem!"

With a cold face, Cao Ying strode straight inside, breaking the harmonious atmosphere in the room.

Shen Wen and Dan Chen turned to look at her simultaneously.

Surprise flickered across Shen Wen's face before he rose somewhat awkwardly. "Ying'er? You're back."

Dan Chen hurriedly stood as well and said gently, "Sister Ying."

Cao Ying first swept Shen Wen with an icy glance.

When she saw that he did not seem particularly guilty, the anger in her heart intensified. She then turned toward Dan Chen.

Her voice carried obvious distance and accusation. "Sister Dan Chen, why are you in my home?"

She deliberately emphasized "my home."

Dan Chen was delicate and sensitive. She immediately noticed the unusual chill and hostility in Cao Ying's tone.

She was somewhat confused. Her relationship with Sister Ying had always been good, so why was she acting like this today?

Still, she obediently answered, "I came to see you, Sister. I hadn't visited yet to congratulate you on your marriage.

When I found you were absent, I asked Brother Shen Wen about some experience in breaking through to become a Seventh-Grade Alchemist."

"Seeking guidance?" Cao Ying's red lips curled, her gaze sharp.

She had only caught the latter half of Dan Chen's words!

"The Pill Pagoda has so many elders. Wouldn't President Xuan Kongzi and Elder Xuan Yi have far more experience? Why come to him, someone who only just advanced?"

Even Shen Wen could hear the barbs in her words.

He frowned slightly, feeling that Cao Ying's anger was rather inexplicable. "Ying'er, Dan Chen was only..."

"Did I ask you?"

Cao Ying immediately turned her attack on Shen Wen. Her beautiful eyes flashed with fury as she cut him off.

"I haven't been back for three days, yet you never came to find me. Were you too busy cultivating, or did you have another beauty keeping you company, making you forget everything else?"

She cast a meaningful glance at Dan Chen.

Shen Wen was stunned by the question and instinctively replied, "I... I thought you were still angry and didn't want to see me."

He felt that this was a perfectly valid reason. He had been respecting her feelings.

But his honest-looking admission that he had never thought to seek her out was simply adding fuel to the fire in Cao Ying's eyes!

He really had not thought of coming to find her?!

He did not even offer an explanation or try to coax her?!

Did he see Cao Ying as someone he could simply leave aside, someone unworthy of concern?

Cao Ying's chest heaved. She felt grievance mixed with fury rush straight to her head.

Not wanting to lose her composure before Dan Chen, she forcibly suppressed her turbulent emotions. Looking at Dan Chen again, her tone grew even colder. "Sister Dan Chen, have you finished seeking guidance?

If you have, I have some family matters to discuss with Shen Wen."

The dismissal was utterly blunt.

Dan Chen was already sensitive, and now she felt as though she were sitting on pins and needles. She hurriedly nodded. "I've finished asking. I've disturbed Brother Shen Wen and Sister Ying. I'll take my leave now."

She gave Shen Wen a slight nod, then looked at Cao Ying worriedly before quickly heading outside.

Yet at the instant she passed Shen Wen, Dan Chen's petite body paused slightly, and a trace of surprise flashed through her eyes.

Her soul had been naturally unusual from birth, constantly acting like a vortex that involuntarily absorbed the surrounding Soul Power.

This often left her exhausted and unable to control herself.

To avoid affecting others, she normally had to suppress it with all her strength.

But just now, when she had been near Shen Wen, especially during the time they were talking.

She had felt none of the discomfort from involuntarily absorbing Soul Power!

It was not because she had forcibly suppressed it.

Rather, it was as though an invisible force field existed around Shen Wen, offsetting and isolating the pull of her soul.

The two vortices formed some subtle balance and opposition, allowing her to feel a long-lost peace in her soul.

What is going on? Dan Chen was filled with curiosity and confusion. Is there something special about Brother Shen Wen?

This discovery made her intensely interested in Shen Wen, but this was clearly not the time to investigate.

Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she quickly left the tense new residence.

Only Cao Ying, her face icy cold, and Shen Wen, who still looked utterly bewildered and had not fully grasped the situation, remained in the courtyard.

Looking at Cao Ying, who was dazzlingly beautiful yet cold as frost, Shen Wen tentatively said, "Ying'er, you..."

"Shut up!" Cao Ying glared fiercely at him and shoved the jade box into his arms with a smack.

"This is the Primordial Dragon Essence Blood I found for you! Take it and cultivate that wooden body of yours!"

Having said that.

She gave a cold snort and turned toward the inner room, leaving behind a fragrant breeze and Shen Wen's complete confusion.

Holding the jade box that still retained her warmth, Shen Wen watched Cao Ying's furious retreating figure and sighed helplessly.

"What was that about?"

The system prompt in his mind also confirmed his guess.

[Current Favorability: 14%]

It had dropped by 1%.

Holding the jade box and remembering that Cao Ying had found it for him, Shen Wen felt warmth rise in his heart.

That girl's words were cold.

But what she did was rather warmhearted.

Shen Wen carried the jade box into the inner room and saw Cao Ying sitting in a chair with her arms crossed, sulking.

When she saw Shen Wen enter, Cao Ying gave another cold snort, her voice frigid. "What, aren't you going to discuss alchemy with Dan Chen?"

"If you can't discuss it at the Pill Pagoda, then you have to come discuss it at home?"

"Dan Chen..."

Hearing Cao Ying mention Dan Chen again, even as dull as Shen Wen was, he finally understood.

Cao Ying was jealous?

The thought made Shen Wen want to laugh. Right now, Cao Ying was like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Just because her owner had petted another kitten outside, and she had caught the scent.

"Are you jealous?"

That single question froze the cold expression on Cao Ying's face. She stammered, "Je... jealous of what! How could I possibly be jealous!"

"You think I'd be jealous of Dan Chen? What a joke. Who do you think you are!"

"We only have a Marriage Alliance in name!"