Yun Yun's Persistence

As a rising star among the top ranks of the Northwestern Continent, coupled with the reputation he had built over the years, Gu He soon earned a title: Pill King.

Pill King Gu He swiftly rose to fame across the Northwestern Continent, becoming an object of admiration for many.

However.

Even Pill King Gu He was not someone everyone cared for.

That was not entirely accurate. After Gu He advanced to become a Sixth-Grade Alchemist, his status, standing, and influence had all greatly increased. That was an undeniable fact.

Yet none of that could change the heart of the woman he loved.

Yun Yun still treated him as she always had—politely, without the slightest hint of intimacy.

This relationship with Yun Yun left Gu He deeply tormented.

Until one day, when he saw Yun Yun teaching swordsmanship to those two little girls, Gu He suddenly had an idea:

As a Sixth-Grade Alchemist, it was time for him to take in an heir to his craft.

At the same time, in a city within the Jia Ma Empire, an exceptionally gifted genius was born.

At merely eleven years old, he had condensed a Dou Qi Vortex and become a Dou Zhe!

The entire Xiao Clan was overjoyed. From the clan chief and elders down to the children, everyone seemed to see the Xiao Clan's future—a future in which a Dou Emperor expert like the "New Ice Emperor" would emerge!

The Jia Ma Empire, which had been peaceful for several years, was suddenly filled with one joyous event after another, brimming with vibrant life and the momentum of all things striving forth.

As the year drew to a close, the Mittel Clan's business had flourished over the past two years, and the clan members who returned all wore smiles.

That one phrase from several months ago—"virtuous wife"—had completely filled Ya Fei's heart with Wu Yan.

Although Wu Yan remained as indifferent as before and had not become affectionate toward her simply because he had given her a status, Ya Fei already regarded herself as a married woman.

After Wu Yan went into seclusion, Ya Fei moved her belongings to the estate.

She, Ya Fei, Brother A Yan's virtuous wife, naturally had to live with Brother A Yan!

That would make things more convenient, wouldn't it?

As for whether it was convenient for handling affairs or something else, do not ask!

That day, Ya Fei worked her abacus while flipping through account books, checking the income and expenses of the properties under Wu Yan's name.

Surely no one thought a Dou Emperor like Wu Yan, unlike Hai Bodong, merely accepted the Mittel Clan's offerings and had no properties under his name?

That was right. He did not.

Hehe~

But he had shares. Wu Yan held shares in the Mittel Auction House "parent company" and its various "subsidiaries"—namely, the Mittel Auction House headquarters and its branches in the various cities.

At the end of every year, dividends were paid into his account, and those dividends had risen every year in recent times.

This also meant that with a Dou Emperor stationed behind them, the Mittel Clan's development was thriving!

Shareholders counted as one of the owners, so these could be considered properties under Wu Yan's name as well.

Though Ya Fei did not believe anyone would dare tamper with Brother A Yan's dividends, some things were better calculated personally.

What could she do? She was Brother A Yan's virtuous wife.

A huge stack of account books piled up, one volume after another.

When Ya Fei finished checking the final account book and stood to stretch, the books had visibly piled up to her waist.

"You've worked hard."

A voice Ya Fei had missed for a long time sounded beside her ear.

She turned around in delighted surprise. Seeing that face she had dreamed of day and night, Ya Fei tightly embraced Wu Yan. "Brother A Yan!"

Just like that, Wu Yan was held by Ya Fei for quite a while.

If you want the horse to run, you have to feed it grass.

Wu Yan silently thought of it as a reward for this rouge mare.

"Brother A Yan, you came out of seclusion so quickly this time. I thought you'd stay secluded for two or three years like last time..."

Her fox-like eyes shone brightly. Lovestruck, Ya Fei wished she could become an accessory hanging off Wu Yan, pressed against him every moment.

"My cultivation went smoothly, and I have some matters to deal with."

"What matters? Let Ya Fei help Brother A Yan handle them."

"I need to make a trip to Jia Nan Academy. It's time for me to graduate, so I need to go back and take a look."

Wu Yan shook his head. He was very pleased by Ya Fei's willingness to tirelessly take the initiative to share his burdens.

But unfortunately, Ya Fei could not help with this matter.

Ya Fei nodded. This was indeed something she could not help with.

If she went to Jia Nan Academy, she would probably be stopped outside and hear, "You're too old. We don't admit students like you!"

Now nineteen years old, Ya Fei was still at Ninth-Stage Dou Qi... This was no longer her first failed attempt at breaking through to Dou Zhe.

Only then did Wu Yan realize that he was already a twenty-two-year-old young man. In the blink of an eye, time had passed so quickly.

He glanced at Ya Fei beside him, who practically wanted to stick to him, and at the sensation against his arm. Wu Yan deeply sighed over the passage of time, fleeting as a white colt passing through a crack.

His breakthrough to Dou Zong had gone smoothly. Perhaps because his attributes far exceeded the norm, the incredibly thick barrier that ordinary Dou Emperor Peak experts faced broke with a single poke for him.

The reason it had still taken more than two months was that Wu Yan had switched cultivation techniques, which took no small amount of time.

As Wu Yan was lamenting the swift passage of time, he suddenly sensed a familiar aura rapidly approaching.

With a flash, Wu Yan brought Ya Fei outside the city.

Before long, a streak of azure light descended before Wu Yan.

"Your senses are still as sharp as ever."

"You've worked hard. Has Xiao Yue caused you any trouble? If she has, I can tell my parents and have them teach that girl a lesson."

"Brother, I've been very obedient and listened to Teacher. Teacher, isn't that right?"

"Yes, Xiao Yue has been very well-behaved. She is also very diligent in her cultivation."

After returning to the city, the four of them chatted as they walked.

It was mainly Wu Yan and Yun Yun speaking, discussing the child's education and how Wu Yue had performed under Yun Yun's watch during this time.

Wu Yue occasionally chimed in, trying to prove to her brother how obedient and sensible she was and reverse the image of a mischievous troublemaker he had of her.

Ya Fei held Wu Yue's hand at the side and took her to buy food she had craved for a long time.

Seeing Ya Fei lead Wu Yue a little farther away, Yun Yun changed the subject.

"Are you free today?"

"You want to spar with me again?"

"Yes."

Wu Yan was rather speechless. Was there something wrong with this Yun Yun he had encountered? Why was she so stubborn?

"It has only been half a year since our last match."

What Wu Yan meant was, had she forgotten how she had been instantly defeated twice before?

Determination flickered in Yun Yun's eyes. Her voice was soft, yet unwavering.

"The current me is no longer the me from half a year ago."