Beginning the Push to the Mid Bone Tempering Realm

Unlike the tranquility Lin Fan enjoyed in his own courtyard,

the Su Family had been bustling like a blazing fire these past few days. The entire residence was decked in lights and colors, vermilion silk draped across the corridors, and rows of bright red lanterns hung along both sides of every bluestone path within the Su Residence. Even some of the trees in the estate had been wrapped in festive red cloth.

As the foremost martial force in the town, the Su Family naturally prepared a more grandiose wedding celebration.

Several days flashed by, and soon the wedding day arrived. At first light, the entire Su Residence was brilliantly lit and alive with voices. The vermilion gates stood wide open, red lanterns hanging from both sides, while red tassels beneath the eaves swayed gently in the breeze.

On this day, nearly every prominent figure in town had arrived. The stream of people never ceased, carriages filled the long street outside the Su Residence, and guests from all sides chatted and laughed amid the clamor. Su Family servants hurried back and forth, carrying food and wine.

Lin Fan wore a brand-new dark blue brocade robe, and his face had returned to the ordinary appearance he wore after disguising himself. There were too many people here today, too many watchful eyes. Some officials were among them as well. It was better to keep a low profile. Once his cultivation rose further, he would no longer need such concerns.

In the inner courtyard, Su Qingwei was being dressed in a crimson ruqun. Her hair was arranged into an exquisite bun, her head adorned with pearls and jade. Shyness lingered in her brows and eyes, yet a faint smile also hid there.

In the outer hall, Su Yuanshan, the Su Family head, sat in the seat of honor with a broad smile, receiving wave after wave of guests who had come to offer congratulations. Every shift of the residence guards was fully on duty, with open guards and hidden sentries spread throughout the estate to maintain its safety and order.

Soon, the auspicious hour drew near.

At this moment, she wore a great red bridal gown and phoenix crown. Paired phoenixes and mandarin ducks were embroidered upon her wedding dress, golden threads flowing with light, magnificent beyond compare. Her flowing black hair had been carefully coiled up, and an exquisite phoenix crown rested upon her head, pearls and jade dangling down in rippling splendor. The girl who had once been delicate, lovely, and gentle had shed her youthful immaturity today. Her brows and eyes were soft and dignified, while a faint blush of shy charm stained her cheeks.

"Miss, the auspicious hour is almost here. It is time to go out," her personal maid reminded her with a soft smile.

A moment later, the doors to the bridal chamber opened. Guided by red silk and surrounded by maids, Su Qingwei held a round fan and slowly stepped out of the courtyard, each step blooming like a lotus. The hall was brimming with festivity as ceremonial music began to play.

In the main hall of the front courtyard, Su Yuanshan and Madam Su sat in the seats of honor. Looking at their tall and upright son-in-law in wedding robes, then at their graceful daughter in phoenix crown and bridal dress, their eyes were filled with warm satisfaction.

As the auspicious hour arrived, the master of ceremonies called out in a ringing voice that resounded through the hall, "The auspicious hour has arrived—let the newlyweds bow!"

The noisy crowd instantly fell silent, and all the guests in the courtyard fixed their eyes upon them. The great red wedding candles in the hall burned brightly, their shifting light casting a crimson glow over the perfect pair.

Standing side by side, one to the left and one to the right, the handsome groom and beautiful bride were a match made in heaven.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth—!"

The two bowed together, paying respect to Heaven and Earth, giving thanks for the protection of mountains and rivers, and for the fated chance that had brought them together.

"Second bow to the elders—!"

Lin Fan and Su Qingwei respectfully saluted. Su Yuanshan and Madam Su smiled broadly and nodded again and again, their hearts filled with boundless peace.

"Husband and wife bow to each other—!"

The two faced each other and bowed, their gazes brushing lightly together.

Through the thin red silk, Su Qingwei's eyes held shy tenderness, while Lin Fan's concealed a solemn warmth.

"The ceremony is complete—escort them to the bridal chamber!"

At that call, thunderous cheers erupted throughout the hall! Firecrackers exploded, applause rang without end, and the guests rose one after another to offer their congratulations, pushing the festive atmosphere to its peak.

"Congratulations to Master Su on gaining such an excellent son-in-law!"

"Congratulations to Young Master Lin on winning a lovely bride! Joyous newlywed blessings!"

"A match bestowed by Heaven, pearls joined with jade!"

The boisterous banquet lasted all day, until dusk sank westward and lanterns began to glow. Only then did the guests gradually depart, and the Su Residence slowly shed its daytime clamor, leaving only red silk throughout the courtyard and gentle lamplight.

At this moment, Sunset Glow Courtyard remained brightly lit with red candles, warm and glowing. It had long since been renovated anew, elegant and secluded, with flourishing flowers and trees. It was the marital residence the Su Family had specially prepared for Lin Fan and Su Qingwei.

Inside the main room, red bed curtains hung down, and the windows were plastered with wedding characters. Every corner carried the warmth of a new marriage. With no one else around, the room was quiet and tender. Lin Fan stood within, having returned to his original handsome appearance. From now on, he planned to lie low in this courtyard until he reached the Late Bone Tempering Realm before going out again. As for alchemy for the Pill Pavilion, this courtyard was equipped with an alchemy room, so he could refine pills here as well. The Pill Pavilion only needed to send over the medicinal ingredients.

Courtyard No. 9527 had been left vacant once more. Lin Fan had also brought his younger sister Lin Ruoruo and the Golden Rat Mao Mao to Sunset Glow Courtyard. There were plenty of rooms in the courtyard anyway.

By the bed, Su Qingwei gently lowered the round fan in her hand and looked up at him, her eyes brimming with a tender smile. Lin Fan slowly stepped forward, his gaze gentle as he spoke softly.

"Qingwei, from this day onward, I, Lin Fan, will protect you and keep your life safe and peaceful, shielding you from wind and rain."

The girl smiled with her eyes, nodded gently, and her gaze was full of tenderness.

The red candles flickered, their light entwining. Drops of crimson fell upon the brocade.

At dawn the next day, faint morning light passed through the carved window lattice and spilled lightly into the bedroom. Su Qingwei slowly woke, her long eyelashes trembling gently, the crimson flush on her cheeks not yet fully faded. She turned her head slightly and saw Lin Fan already awake, sitting quietly by the bed.

At that moment, several distant squeaks from the Golden Rat suddenly came from outside the courtyard, accompanied by a girl's clear laughter. It was Lin Ruoruo and Mao Mao, the golden-furred rat, playing in the courtyard.

"Looks like Ruo Ruo is already up." Hearing the sounds outside, a faint smile curved Su Qingwei's lips.

After getting up and washing simply, the two changed into ordinary clothes and stepped out of the bedroom together. The sunlight in the courtyard was just right.

Lin Ruoruo, dressed in a light blue cloth skirt, was squatting beside the flower bed. She held a small dish of roasted nuts and melon seeds, placing them bit by bit into a small plate on the ground. Mao Mao, the robust Golden Rat, sat across from her, holding nut kernels in his two front paws and crunching away with delight. His golden fur glittered beneath the morning sun, while his long tail casually swished back and forth.

Thus, the days flowed slowly and peacefully within Sunset Glow Courtyard. Their daily life was simple yet fulfilling.

During the day, Lin Fan usually stayed in the courtyard, activating the 1,000-fold cultivation effect to cultivate the Azure Cloud Method. Occasionally, the Pill Pavilion would also send the ingredients for some more difficult pills to Sunset Glow Courtyard and ask Lin Fan to refine them.

Su Qingwei had also relinquished her position at the shop. Every day, she remained in Sunset Glow Courtyard to accompany Lin Fan, or played with Lin Ruoruo and the others. Of course, Su Qingwei also persisted in cultivating every day. She had now reached the Late Skin Tempering Realm and was preparing to break through to the Muscle Refinement Realm.

At the same time, Lin Fan's younger sister Lin Ruoruo had reached the age at which she could cultivate martial arts. After being tested, she was found to possess Fourth-Grade Bone Aptitude, even slightly better than Lin Fan's. Su Qingwei usually taught Lin Ruoruo some basic cultivation methods.

The Golden Rat Mao Mao also grew increasingly clever. Not only would he help Lin Ruoruo pick up fallen, beautiful flower petals, he would occasionally sneak into the alchemy room and squat in a corner to watch Lin Fan refine pills. Once, while Lin Fan was refining pills, Mao Mao seized an unguarded moment to secretly carry off a freshly refined Qi-Nourishing Pill. He hid behind a rockery and quickly gnawed it all down. When the medicinal effect took hold, all his golden fur stood on end, and he leaped and scampered wildly around the courtyard, making everyone laugh without end.

Although the Qi-Nourishing Pill was a relatively mild pill, Mao Mao had not yet entered the Skin Tempering Realm and become a demonic beast. Therefore, one pill still needed to be divided and eaten over several times.

After that incident, Lin Fan prepared small separated portions of pills for Mao Mao every day. If Mao Mao could enter the Skin Tempering Realm on his own, it would save Lin Fan from having to use Inner Qi to help him advance after reaching the Bright Force Realm. Besides, the Golden Rat Mao Mao truly loved eating pills.