Chapter Twenty-Five: Husband, Lend Me a Hand

Lin Fan looked at Bai Xiyue, a flash of complex emotion crossing his eyes. He knew that the young girl still held onto her attachments; Su Xingyue had taken her as a disciple, and while there was an element of exploitation involved, the bond between master and apprentice remained real. That Bai Xiyue hoped Lin Fan would not harm Su Xingyue now made perfect sense. However, by saying this, she had effectively agreed to Lin Fan’s terms.

He finished his bowl of porridge and said, "Little Yue, don't worry. I promise you, I will not take her life." After all, he only promised not to kill her; he still intended to properly retaliate against Su Xingyue, for the fact that she had imprisoned him was undeniable.

"Young Master, thank you," Bai Xiyue said softly, her face filled with gratitude.

"This porridge is good. Another bowl..."

Bai Xiyue obediently served him more. "Young Master, what are your plans for the future?"

"Once I consolidate my cultivation a bit more, I plan to leave the Su family." Lin Fan had just broken through, and the Su family still had the Foundation Establishment expert Ji Qingwan. He did not want to make any mistakes, so he decided to lay low a little longer before departing.

...

Inside Su Xingyue’s residence, Ji Qingwan sat cross-legged. She slowly opened her beautiful, alluring eyes, her rosy lips curving upward.

"Interesting."

"In just three days, he went from the ninth level of Qi Refining directly to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Such cultivation talent, let alone the entire Joyous Union Sect, does not exist in the three sects, two factions, or even the entire Chu Kingdom!"

"If only I could take him as my disciple..." A look of excitement appeared on Ji Qingwan's face.

Ever since her own breakthrough, she had kept her spiritual sense wide open, shrouding the entire Su estate. She had been secretly observing Lin Fan and Su Xingyue, hoping to uncover the secret of the Su family that had allowed her to break through so unexpectedly. Not long ago, a fluctuation of spiritual energy had emanated from Lin Fan's room. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have paid it any mind, but as she had been monitoring the Su family’s movements, she noticed the anomaly instantly. With her spiritual sense covering the area, Lin Fan’s breakthrough was naturally exposed.

"And after observing him for these past two days, it is clear that while Lin Fan is nominally my disciple's husband, he is actually imprisoned in that small courtyard, unable to leave."

"My foolish disciple doesn't even realize that Lin Fan's cultivation has long since surpassed her own." Ji Qingwan smiled playfully, her eyes glinting with cunning. "Interesting. However... if I stay in this Su family residence, Lin Fan will likely be wary of my presence..."

...

Another half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Night fell, and moonlight spilled like water into the Su family courtyard. Lin Fan lay on a massage bed he had carefully designed. Su Fei knelt behind him, her long, pale hands gently applying essential oils and sliding slowly across his broad back.

"Mmm..." Lin Fan hummed in comfort. "Little Fei, your technique is becoming more and more skilled. Not bad, not bad."

"I have one last Foundation Solidifying Pill left, and I shall bestow it upon you in a moment." Lin Fan’s voice was lazy and satisfied. Previously, he had possessed four such pills. When Su Yun had come to visit him at night to help alleviate his loneliness, he had given one to her. Another had gone to a maid named Su Qian, whose flute playing was so exquisite that it had greatly pleased him.

Upon hearing this, a joyful smile bloomed on Su Fei’s face. "Thank you, Young Master."

"Young Master, my cultivation has progressed rapidly during this time, and I have even mastered two small spells."

"Oh?" Lin Fan was instantly intrigued. "What kind of spells?"

"The Frost Spell and the Fire Wind Spell. I have excellent control over both; they are two of the most useful spells for dual cultivation!" Su Fei’s voice carried a hint of pride.

Lin Fan’s eyes lit up. He was quite tempted to try this "immortal version" of ice and fire. Just as he was letting his imagination wander, he suddenly sighed. "I'm afraid tonight won't work. Let's do it another day!"

Su Fei wanted to ask why, but she heard the courtyard gate being gently pushed open, followed by light footsteps.

"Young Master, the Mistress is here!" Su Yun’s voice sounded from outside.

A flicker of panic crossed Su Fei’s face. She hurriedly straightened her disheveled clothes, leaped away from the massage bed, and stood obediently by the bedside.

Lin Fan didn't even lift his head. "Continue the massage!"

"But..." Su Fei said, looking nervous.

The door was gently pushed open. Su Xingyue walked in, and seeing the scene in the room, she couldn't help but frown. She gave Su Fei a look, and the girl scurried out of the room like a mouse seeing a cat, closing the door behind her.

"My husband certainly knows how to enjoy himself." Su Xingyue’s voice echoed in the room, carrying a hint of playful reproach.

Lin Fan remained lying on the massage bed without looking up. He replied languidly, "Since you leave me to guard an empty room every day, the long nights are insufferably boring, so... I have to find some amusement to pass the time."

"Besides, since you don't come, I have to let Little Fei and the others massage me to loosen my muscles and bones. Otherwise, my body would just rust away." He deliberately emphasized the word "rust," hinting that Su Xingyue had been neglecting him.

Su Xingyue naturally caught the dissatisfaction and the subtext in his words. She stepped forward, gently taking over Su Fei’s position, and placed her hands on Lin Fan’s broad back to continue the massage. She leaned down, whispering into his ear, her breath fragrant: "I have been busy with my cultivation, but I haven't forgotten about you."

"Recently, my subordinates have selected a group of exceptionally beautiful girls from Linjiang City. Each one is a top-tier beauty with a graceful figure and skin like snow. Once I have personally trained them, I will send them to you, and I guarantee you will be satisfied."

Su Xingyue smiled, her hands moving with perfect pressure and rhythm, which Lin Fan found quite pleasing.

"Maids could never have your charm. I would much rather you come to keep me company more often," Lin Fan teased. He knew that her selecting maids from Linjiang City was surely true; she wanted to keep him trapped in the Su family while ensuring he remained comfortable, so she naturally had to find ways to keep him happy.

"Am I not here now?" Su Xingyue increased the pressure of her fingers.

Lin Fan spoke with a touch of sarcasm: "I see your cultivation has advanced significantly. You came here primarily to visit me, and then stopped by on the way to have me help you break through, right?"

"Over the past half-month, I have taken many pills and received some guidance from my master, so my cultivation has grown quite fast," Su Xingyue said, not hiding the truth. "I am now at the peak of the eleventh level of Qi Refining, just one step away from the twelfth. I came today precisely to ask for your help in breaking through to the twelfth level. Once you help me, I will be sure to reward you handsomely!"