The next day, at the first light of dawn.
On the large, soft cloud-shaped couch covered with an unknown type of down, Tantai Guyue, flowing black hair cascaded down, intertwining with Lin Hao's scattered strands of hair.
Her head rested in Lin Hao's arm, her body draped only by a corner of a shimmering, cloud-patterned brocade quilt, her exposed shoulders, neck, and arms revealing skin as white as snow...
But it was covered with faint, yet still discernible, traces left by someone last night who had expressed countless expressions of "gratitude" and "filial piety."
The pale white gauze dress was already crumpled beyond recognition and was thrown beside the couch.
Her eyes were closed, her long, curled eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath them, and her breathing was shallow and even, as if she were still asleep.
But her slightly flushed cheeks and her slightly furrowed brows, even in her sleep, revealed a hint of extreme exhaustion and a kind of indescribable languid satisfaction.
Lin Hao had already woken up, but he didn't move, simply gazing quietly at the person in his arms.
very nice.
Lin Hao lowered his head slightly and placed a very light kiss on her smooth forehead.
It seemed that the slight touch startled her; Tantai Guyue's eyelashes trembled a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Her eyes, just awakened, were misty and watery, unlike their usual clear and sharp gaze. Instead, they resembled autumn water shrouded in a thin mist, hazy and endearing.
She blinked, her consciousness gradually returning, feeling a persistent soreness throughout her body, especially in her lower back and...
The blush on her cheeks deepened instantly, and she instinctively tried to curl up, only to find herself completely encircled in someone's strong embrace, unable to move.
"Woke up?"
Lin Hao's smiling voice rang out above her head.
Tantai Guyue didn't say anything, but buried her face even closer to his chest, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Your Majesty the Emperor and Empress worked tirelessly last night to 'favor' this humble deity."
Lin Hao leaned close to her ear, lowered his voice, and his warm breath brushed against her sensitive earlobe, "I am deeply grateful to you, my little goddess."
"You... shut up!"
Tantai Guyue finally couldn't hold back any longer, and in a fit of embarrassment and annoyance, she raised her hand and gently punched his chest.
The force was weak and feeble; it was more like a playful tantrum than a pounding.
Lin Hao chuckled softly, tightening his arms around her and holding her even closer.
"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore."
The two of them nestled together quietly for a while, enjoying the rare, undisturbed tranquility of the morning light.
Outside the window, the melodious chirping of celestial birds could be faintly heard, further enhancing the tranquil and warm atmosphere inside the hall.
After a long while, Tantai Guyue seemed to finally wake up from that state of shyness and languor, and the calmness and rationality that belonged to the Heavenly Court Emperor and Empress returned.
She stirred slightly, trying to sit up, but found that her bones felt as if they had been disassembled and reassembled, extremely sore and weak, especially her waist, which felt almost like it didn't belong to her.
"Hmm..."
A suppressed moan escaped from her lips.
Lin Hao noticed this, and with a little force in his arm, he helped her sit up. He then considerately pulled the slipping quilt back up to wrap her up.
He then sat up and leaned against the jade pillow, allowing her to lean against him more comfortably.
Tantai Guyue rolled her eyes at him, her gaze full of charm and allure, making Lin Hao's heart skip a beat again.
She pursed her lips. "What time is it?"
It's still early.
Lin Hao said casually, but his gaze fell on the marks that had not yet completely faded on her fair skin below her slightly open neckline, and his eyes darkened.
Tantai Guyue followed his gaze, lowered her head, tightened her clothes, and glared at him again.
"The intelligence from the Primordial Ancient Mine still needs careful analysis. And..."
The pills you gave me yesterday were incredibly potent; I need to go into seclusion for a few days to fully refine and absorb them.
Lin Hao nodded. The medicinal power of the Thousand-Year Lifespan Pill was extraordinary. Although Guyue had already taken it, it would indeed take some time to refine and integrate it into a solid foundation for her own longevity.
"Alright, you can go into seclusion in peace. Heavenly Court affairs can be temporarily handled by Ziyi."
As Lin Hao spoke, his fingers unconsciously played with a strand of her hair that fell across her chest, smooth and slightly cool. "Oh, right, besides that pill, I also got something else yesterday."
"Oh?"
Tantai Guyue looked up at him, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.
What he specifically mentioned must be no ordinary thing.
With a thought, Lin Hao summoned the Faith Condensation Method) in his palm.
"This is...?" Tantai Guyue frowned slightly.
"There is a cultivation technique called ' Faith Condensation Method '." Lin Hao handed the jade slip to her and explained simply, "Its core lies in collecting and refining the thoughts and faith of all living beings, condensing them into ' Power of Faith 'Vow Power or ' Divine Power of Incense Offerings ' that can be used."
It can be used for both offense and defense, and can also assist in cultivation.
The most unique aspect is that if one can cultivate the source of faith well, ensuring the incense burns continuously, the cultivator's soul can be continuously nourished by the Power of Faith, thereby... indirectly prolonging life.
He spoke while observing Guyue's reaction.
Tantai Guyue listened attentively, a faint light flickering in her Double Pupils, clearly as she rapidly analyzed and deduced the principles, advantages, and disadvantages of this method.
When she heard the words "indirect life extension," a glint of light flashed in her eyes.
" The Power of Faith... can incense lead to divinity?"
She pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "This method sounds somewhat similar to some ancient legends of Buddhism in the Western Desert, as well as some unorthodox practices of incense-burning deities, but it seems more systematic and more... direct."
Lin Hao nodded. "Not bad."
"I speculate that this method likely originated from an alternate world called ' Douluo Continent,' where the inheritance of gods and the maintenance of power largely depend on faith."
This method is a variant or refinement of that system, focusing more on specific cultivation techniques rather than simply the rules governing Godhood.
"Otherworldly magic?"
The Tantai Guyue seemed lost in thought.
"This technique is like a chicken bone to me. The Power of Faith is mixed and useless to my own path, and may even pollute my Dao Fruit. However..."
Lin Hao paused, looking at Guyue:
"It might have other uses for you, or for the Heavenly Court."
Tantai Guyue took the jade slip and carefully probed into it with her divine sense, trying to comprehend it.
Her expression shifted between moments of sudden realization and moments of frowning, clearly indicating that she was rapidly digesting and comprehending this vastly different cultivation system.
A moment later, she withdrew her divine sense, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"This method... is indeed wondrous and extremely unique."
She spoke slowly, her voice regaining its usual coolness and wisdom.
"It bypasses some of the limitations of its own aptitude and comprehension, and partially relies on external sources of faith to ensure the growth and continuation of its power."
If a stable and vast network of faith can be established, even if a cultivator has mediocre talent and is nearing the end of their lifespan, it is possible to maintain their soul through the Vow Power, and even slowly improve, achieving a different kind of 'immortality'.
"That's exactly right."
Lin Hao nodded. "The advantages and disadvantages of this method are quite obvious. You can make the arrangements as you see fit. I have something to do later."
Snow Empress, Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuyun...
Lin Hao felt a sense of anticipation, wondering what interesting things would happen when these 'fellow townsmen' met.