Tang Lie stroked his beard, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes. "You kids... you're better than we were back then. You know what you want, you dare to fight for it, and you know how to cherish what you have."
He paused, his gaze fixed on the darkening horizon, as if he were seeing something through time, and murmured, "If only Xiao Yi and Xiao Jin were still here... If they could see Feng'er settled down and starting a family, and see such a wonderful girl like you, they would be overjoyed..."
That soft sigh held within it the longing of an old man buried deep within him for many years.
Tang Feng reached out and gently grasped his grandfather's calloused hand.
His voice was calm and warm. "Grandpa, Mom and Dad in heaven will surely see this. We are all doing well, and they will be so pleased."
Zhu Zhuqing softly added, "I will stay with Brother Feng and take good care of Grandpa."
Tang Lie paused, looked at his grandson, then at Zhu Zhuqing, and the tears in his eyes suddenly melted away, turning into a warm smile.
He patted their hands heavily, picked up the wine jar and filled his own cup again. "Let's not talk about it anymore! Come, come, drink with Grandpa! Today is a joyous day, celebrating the arrival of a new member to our family!"
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks flushed slightly, but she picked up her wine glass without hesitation.
The three raised their glasses and clinked them together, drinking them down in one gulp, the warmth spreading from their throats to their hearts.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.
Tang Lie started talking, he began to recount the changes in the sect over the past two years and his own progress in cultivation.
Tang Feng then learned that his grandfather had reached the peak of Level 96 and was only missing an opportunity to break through to Level 97.
Moreover, through two years of quiet contemplation, his control over the Divine Slaughter's Domain has deepened.
After Sect Master Tang Xiao suddenly reached Level 98, he spent two years accumulating experience, which deepened his Soul Power and gave him a more profound understanding of the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes.
In addition, the strength of the other elders has also made breakthroughs.
The Second Elder Tang Zhen, is at the peak of Level 96, but he is getting old, and it is unknown whether he will be able to advance further in his lifetime.
Third Elder Tang Ming, Level 96
Fourth Elder Tang Ran, Level 96
Fifth Elder Tang Rui, Level 95
Eighth Elder Tang Ming, Level 93
Ninth Elder Tang Kun, Level 93
The tenth elder Bai He, Level 88.
Eleventh Elder Tai Tan, Level 90
The twelfth elder, Niu Gao at Level 90.
The thirteenth elder, maternal grandfather Yang Wudi, Level 95.
Guest Elder Dugu Bo, Level 96
Guest Elder Ye Qingxin, Level 88
Elder Tang Yu, the fourteenth elder, Level 90.
There are also more than ten other rising stars of the second generation at the Soul Douluo level, such as Tang Hui and Tang Zhi, who have consumed seventh-grade herbs and are already at Level 87.
Tang Feng and Zhu Zhu'an listened quietly, their hearts filled with turbulent emotions.
Behind these numbers lies the accumulation of years of dormancy by the sect, countless days and nights of arduous cultivation, and the foundation forged in blood and fire.
Two years ago, when the Clear Sky Sect reopened its gates, it needed to plan carefully. Now, the sect truly has the confidence to stand tall in the world.
Tang Lie finished his drink and looked intently at the two of them. "So just focus on your cultivation. If the sky falls, we old guys will hold it up. The sect will always be your strongest support."
These words, spoken simply, carried Qian Jun weight.
The dinner party ended happily. After seeing Grandpa off, the courtyard returned to its tranquility.
Tang Feng and his companion leaned against each other on the recliners in the courtyard. The night was deep, the sky was as black as ink, and the Milky Way flowed slowly.
Zhu Zhuqing leaned on Tang Feng's shoulder, gazing up at the starry sky.
Those stars are distant and eternal, just like the peace in her heart at this moment. It is the sense of security that a person who has been wandering for too long can finally reach the shore, and the warmth of finally having a branch to lean on after walking alone for many years.
She spoke softly, "When I was little, living in the Zhu Family, I often climbed onto the roof alone to look at the stars. Back then, I felt that the stars were so bright, yet so cold and so far away."
Tang Feng didn't reply, but simply pulled her closer to him.
Zhu Zhuqing turned her head, gazing at his silhouette in the night, and then said, "Now, the stars are still the same stars, but they feel... so warm."
Because she was no longer watching alone.
Tang Feng lowered his head and kissed the top of her head.
The two of them nestled together like that, neither of them speaking again.
The night breeze is gentle, the bamboo leaves whisper softly, the Milky Way slowly rotates in the sky, and time flows quietly between clasped fingers.
This night, this little courtyard, the starry sky, and the person beside me—everything was just perfect.
For the next few days, the two lived seemingly ordinary yet precious days in this small courtyard.
In the morning, they went together to the steep cliff on the back mountain.
Zhu Zhuqing had specially made weights strapped to her legs and arms. These were made by Tang Feng using Star Iron and flexible animal tendons. Each weight weighed over a hundred pounds, yet they were light, thin, and close-fitting, so they did not affect her movement.
Like a true nimble cat, she gathered Soul Power at her fingertips, embedded it in the rock crevices, and nimbly climbed upwards.
Each exertion was precise and steady, the muscle lines taut in the morning light, forming smooth curves, and sweat dripped down his chin.
Tang Feng practiced his hammer techniques on the open ground below the cliff. The heavy sound of the hammer breaking the air echoed through the valley, and each move was solid and steady.
Occasionally, when I look up, my gaze follows that slender yet resilient figure on the cliff, and a soft light appears in my eyes.
In the afternoon, it was time for them to practice their skills together. The two stood facing each other on the bluestone ground in the courtyard.
Tang Feng asked, "Use half your strength today?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes shone brightly as she firmly stated, "Seventy percent. I want to try out the third level of the newly comprehended ' Nether Shadow Stealth."
Before she finished speaking, her figure suddenly blurred, leaving behind three afterimages that were difficult to distinguish from reality. Her true form had already circled around to Tang Feng's side and behind like Gui Mei, and her dark golden claw shadows Space Rending.
Tang Feng remained calm and composed, flicking his Clear Sky Hammer backward in a seemingly slow but precise motion that blocked all angles of attack.
The hammer and claws clashed, producing a crisp metallic clang, and the shockwave whipped up the fallen leaves in the courtyard.
They maneuvered and clashed within this small space.
Zhu Zhuqing's movements became increasingly unpredictable and elusive. Combining the characteristics of the Dark Gold Dreadclaw with the Nether Civet Martial Soul, her attacks were cunning and ruthless.
Tang Feng's hammer technique is both expansive and effortless, always able to neutralize the most ferocious attacks in the simplest way.
After the collision, the two men each took three steps back, but their eyes gleamed with excitement.
At night, steam rises from the hot spring pool inside the training room.
A special "deep exchange" took place, sometimes as gentle and tender as a spring breeze and sometimes as intense and passionate as crashing waves, always ending with the two trembling in each other's arms and reaching the other side together.
As the two embraced and caught their breath, Tang Feng's hand lingered on her smooth back. The skin his fingertips touched shimmered with a porcelain-like luster under the Yuehua, a transformation that was akin to being reborn after consuming " Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone."
Her skin was as white as jade, as delicate as the finest silk, yet softer and more vibrant than silk.
Tang Feng's palm measured the astonishing curves of her delicate body. Her slender yet supple waist seemed boneless in his palm, able to bend into breathtaking and mesmerizing arcs.
Yet, this supple body can unleash a force capable of tearing through rocks during the day.
Tang Feng couldn't help but let out a low sigh, "How can it be so soft..."
Zhu Zhuqing always buried her face in the crook of his neck, her ears turning red, and didn't say anything, but just unconsciously drew circles on his chest with her fingertips.
She knew what he meant. Since absorbing the Immortal Herb, her body's flexibility had reached an incredible level. Her muscle lines were smooth and beautiful, yet not stiff at all, and every inch of her bones could stretch to the extreme.
This softness is not weakness, but rather a resilience that harbors explosive power, like that of a top predator.
Tang Feng was absolutely addicted to it.
He would often kiss her shoulders, neck, back, and waist gently when he was aroused, as if confirming the authenticity of this precious treasure.
Under the light, her stretched-out body resembled a living white jade relief, her sweat-dampened skin gleaming.
Occasionally, when her emotions are extremely volatile, her cat tail will uncontrollably appear, unconsciously Entanglement around his wrist with a dependent force.
Tang Feng gently rubbed his teeth against her reddened earlobe, and mumbled in her ear, "It's all that Immortal Herb's fault; now I can't let go at all."
Zhu Zhuqing bit his shoulder in embarrassment, but tightened her legs around his waist.
The spring water rippled gently, drowning out soft breaths and whispered sweet nothings.
Once the most intense waves subsided, they donned loose nightgowns and sat cross-legged side-by-side on the circular platform inside the room, entering into their daily Soul Power meditation.
At midnight, Tang Feng finished his meditation and opened his eyes to find Zhu Zhuqing quietly gazing at him.
Tang Feng chuckled, pulled her close, kissed her slightly flushed cheek, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Zhu Zhuqing leaned on his shoulder. "Thinking back to the past, I would always go back to my cold room alone after finishing my cultivation. It's so much better now."
Tang Feng scooped him up in his arms and said, "It'll be like this from now on."
The two returned to their bedroom and fell asleep in each other's arms.
In this small courtyard, the most intimate moments and the most serene practices are miraculously blended together.