Early the next morning.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the window lattice into the courtyard bedchamber, casting dappled shadows across the carpet. The air still held the faint fragrance left by last night's three blossoming flowers, mingled with musky body scents and an indefinable intimacy.
Lin Changheng woke amid the fragrant softness sprawled across the couch.
The first thing he saw was Xu Hanji's cool profile. Even asleep, her brows were slightly knitted, as though she were worrying about lineage affairs in her dreams.
Tantai Feiyue, meanwhile, slept soundly, a satisfied smile lingering on her lips, her arm still resting across Xu Hanji's waist.
Yan Mingyi curled up on the innermost side like a languid kitten. Her long black hair spilled across the pillow, making her skin look all the fairer.
All three women breathed evenly, deep in sleep.
Lin Changheng, however, felt refreshed in body and mind.
After Core Formation, his physique had far surpassed that of ordinary mortals. A little exertion was nothing.
He rose quietly without disturbing them, picked up the pieces of his green robe scattered on the floor, and dressed with gentle movements, intending to refine pills in his secluded cultivation chamber.
During last night's tender embraces, he had already planned out his day: first finish refining the pills on hand, then process the demon beast essence blood, the Hundred-Grievance Blood Corpse, and the rest, and finally deal with the Xu Family's conscription by the Purple Pole Sect.
Everything in its proper order.
"Husband-"
Suddenly, a soft call came from behind him.
Lin Changheng looked back to see that Yan Mingyi had awakened and was sitting up, looking at him.
The brocade quilt she hugged covered her creamy skin, leaving her rounded shoulders and delicate collarbones exposed. Her bright eyes shone like stars as