Chapter Nineteen: Master, this is my husband!

At the break of dawn, Lin Fan awoke from his cultivation. After a night of arduous practice, he had finally succeeded in mastering the Hidden Breath Technique. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, the spiritual energy around him quickly subsided. To the outside eye, his cultivation level had regressed to the first stage of Qi Refining.

He slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. Whispering softly, he said, “Xiyue has arrived!” Sure enough, moments later, the gate to the small courtyard was gently pushed open. Bai Xiyue stepped in gracefully, carrying an exquisitely crafted food box.

“Projecting divine consciousness externally—truly a godlike skill!” Lin Fan marveled inwardly. This feeling was like having an omniscient perspective, as if he had opened a god’s eye!

“Master, it’s time to eat,” Bai Xiyue’s voice was clear and melodious, as pleasant as a yellow oriole’s song. “Early this morning, my master gave me this to give to you. After you finish eating, come with me to see her.”

She handed Lin Fan an intricately carved jade box. Opening it, he found a pill no larger than a fingertip, dark and glossy, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

Lin Fan frowned. “What kind of pill is this? Did your master say anything about it?”

Bai Xiyue shook her head. “Master said you’ll understand when the time comes.”

Lin Fan blinked, puzzled. Why did Su Xingyue want him to come now? Yesterday she said she wouldn’t assist anyone in breaking through until a few days later. Had the plan changed?

After a brief pause, he asked, “Xiyue, has something been happening at the manor lately?”

“Yes,” Bai Xiyue replied as she took the dishes out of the food box. “The matriarch is visiting the manor today, so everyone has been very busy these past two days.”

Hearing this, Lin Fan’s expression grew enlightened. If he was not mistaken, the one Su Xingyue wanted him to help break through was likely her master—the matriarch of Bai Xiyue.

He sat down at the dining table, picked up a bowl of steaming bird’s nest porridge, and asked, “Xiyue, have you met your matriarch before?”

Shaking her head, Bai Xiyue answered, “No, but Master has mentioned her. She’s a cultivator of the Hehuan Sect, reputed to have perfected the Foundation Establishment stage and is just one step away from the Core Formation stage.”

Lin Fan was startled. Just one step from the Core Formation stage? That meant he was to help her break through the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment into Core Formation?

Good heavens, the last time he helped Su Mei break through the ninth level of Qi Refining, it cost him fifty years of his lifespan. Breaking through to Core Formation would surely demand even more years. Would his little body be able to withstand it?

He felt reluctant—the lifespan he had painstakingly acquired! Now it was to be consumed completely for a woman he had never met? The sensation was like tenderly raising a cabbage only to see it fed to someone else’s pig, not knowing if it was fat or lean, old or young.

“Master, what’s wrong?” Bai Xiyue noticed Lin Fan’s changing expression and asked with concern.

Snapping back to reality, Lin Fan forced a smile. “Nothing, Xiyue. I was just wondering what your matriarch looks like.”

Hee hee, “Master, do you also want to catch a glimpse of her elegance?” Bai Xiyue giggled, covering her mouth. “She’s a great beauty—rumor has it she’s even prettier than Master!”

“Oh?” Lin Fan raised an eyebrow, silently musing. Prettier than Su Xingyue? What kind of breathtaking beauty could that be? But no matter how beautiful, she was still an old lady, so he had no interest.

After finishing his meal, Lin Fan followed Bai Xiyue out of the courtyard. The two made their way to Su Xingyue’s residence.

The vermilion gate slowly opened. Ascending the bluestone steps, the scenery of the courtyard revealed itself. Jagged rockeries and peculiar stones stood tall, dotted with ancient pines lush with verdant needles, adding a serene atmosphere.

A clear spring cascaded from the summit of the rockery, producing a pleasant tinkling sound as it flowed into a jade-green pond. Within the pond, several koi fish swam leisurely, injecting vitality into the tranquil garden.

A stone path wound sinuously through the garden, leading to secluded spots, far more elegant than Lin Fan’s humble courtyard.

Bai Xiyue led the way with graceful steps, her skirt swaying alluringly. Lin Fan followed behind, admiring the exquisite scenery and quietly appreciating Su Xingyue’s refined taste.

Soon, they entered the main hall.

Inside, Su Xingyue sat facing a female cultivator. The woman appeared to be barely in her twenties, yet exuded an indescribable mature charm. She wore a pristine white palace gown, its fabric clinging tightly to her figure, perfectly outlining her fiery curves.

Her slender waist and perky hips formed enchanting contours, as if sculpted by the heavens themselves—each curve just right, neither too full nor too lean.

Though she looked young, her seemingly clear eyes held a depth of world-weariness, as if she had witnessed the myriad joys and sorrows of life.

“Master, this is my husband, Lin Fan,” Su Xingyue said hurriedly upon Lin Fan’s arrival.

“Greetings, Matriarch,” Bai Xiyue said obediently, her voice sweet as a songbird.

Lin Fan quickly bowed in return, filled with astonishment. This was Bai Xiyue’s matriarch? She looked far too young! That figure, that appearance—she was even more bewitching than Su Xingyue!

Especially those eyes, seemingly pure yet carrying a mesmerizing allure.

But then he reminded himself that cultivators possessed methods to preserve their youth, so it was not entirely surprising. Still, he wondered just how old this matriarch truly was. Could she be some ancient immortal who had lived for centuries?

Lin Fan mused silently.

“Junior Lin Fan pays respects to senior,” he said respectfully, withdrawing his gaze. After all, this was Su Xingyue’s master, and as Su Xingyue’s husband in name, addressing her with junior respect was appropriate.

Ji Qingwan nodded slightly, a playful smile tugging at her lips. She appraised Lin Fan from head to toe, seemingly pleased with his respectful address.

“Not bad, not bad. For our first meeting, consider this a gift,” Ji Qingwan said, nodding.

Her delicate fingers lightly tapped the storage pouch at her waist, and a flash of spiritual light shimmered like a dream. A radiant flying sword appeared in her palm.

The sword was silver-white, its blade shimmering with a faint chill. Embedded in the hilt was a dazzling blue gem emitting an intense cold aura.

Ji Qingwan’s fair hand lifted gently, and the sword seemed to come alive, floating gracefully before Lin Fan. It circled him slowly, emitting clear, crisp sword chimes as if rejoicing.

Lin Fan knew little about flying swords, but this one radiated strong spiritual energy and fierce sword intent. It was even better than the one Su Xingyu had shown him that night—perhaps superior.

He caught the sword with both hands and noticed two small characters engraved on the hilt: “Condensation Frost.”

It must be the name of the sword.

He was delighted. This old immortal—this master—was truly generous!

“Thank you, Master!” Lin Fan bowed deeply.

Su Xingyue looked at the Condensation Frost Sword in Lin Fan’s hands with envy. This sword had been her master’s weapon in her youth, yet it was given to Lin Fan so readily?

She pouted and coquettishly said, “Master, look at you—you never let me have the Condensation Frost Sword no matter how many times I begged. But this time…”

Her words carried a hint of playfulness, her eyes looking at Ji Qingwan with a plaintive expression like a little girl who had been wronged.