The night passed with the two of them chatting and laughing together.
The crackling fire had long since reduced to embers, but Shen Yuan and Han Qingyu barely spared it a glance as they shared stories of the past with each other.
The bond between them deepened with every word spoken, every glance exchanged.
As the first rays of sun dawned upon the horizon, the cool morning breeze stirred the leaves, carrying with it a soft fragrance of nature.
Shen Yuan leaned back, resting his body on his arms as he gazed at the myriad colors in the sky. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he murmured, his voice carrying a rare note of wonder.
Han Qingyu followed his gaze, her silver eyes shimmering with the soft glow of dawn. “It is,” she replied softly, her voice gentle. “Though I think… it’s due to your company that it is so.”
Shen Yuan turned to her, his lips curling into a faint smile.
For a moment, he simply watched her, memorizing the way the soft morning light rested across her features, highlighting her natural beauty.
Then, with solid confidence, he reached out, gently taking her hand in his.
“Qingyu,” he began, his tone turning serious.
The teasing playfulness that often accompanied his words when he talked with Han Qingyu was absent now, replaced by something deeper.
“I’ve always believed that life is fleeting, even for those of us who cultivate to defy the heavens. Moments like these, shared with people we care about, are rare and precious, especially for us cultivators when we spend a ridiculous amount of time in seclusion.”
Han Qingyu’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at him, his black eyes holding a sincerity that made her chest tighten. “Brother Yuan… what are you trying to say?”
Shen Yuan’s fingers tightened around hers, his gaze becoming firm. “What I’m saying is… I don’t want to waste any more time. I want you to know how much you mean to me. Qingyu, will you stand by my side—not just as my companion in this journey but as my wife?”
Han Qingyu’s breath caught, her silver eyes widening in shock. Her hand trembled slightly in his, but the warmth of his touch calmed her down.
For a moment, she was speechless, her mind racing with emotions too overwhelming to put into words.
Seeing her hesitation, Shen Yuan chuckled softly, his voice gentle and reassuring. “No need to answer right away. Take your time—”
“Yes.” Her voice cut through his words, excited and clear despite the trembling smile that now graced her lips. “Yes, Brother Yuan. I’ll stand by your side.”
Shen Yuan’s smile widened, his expression softening as he gently looked at her. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.”
Han Qingyu’s cheeks turned a faint pink as she averted her gaze, though her hand remained firmly clasped in his. “You’re insufferable, you know that? Proposing so suddenly like this…”
“And yet, strangely charming,” Shen Yuan quipped, earning a light laugh from her.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host for adding Han Qingyu as your Harem Member. You have acquired Verdant Ember Phoenix Legacy.]
He ignored the notification for now as before she could respond, he leaned forward, his free hand brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
His touch lingered on her face, and when she looked at him again, her heart raced at the intensity in his gaze.
“May I?” he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Han Qingyu nodded, her breath hitching as he closed the distance between them.
Shen Yuan and Han Qingyu’s lips met as she felt a chill running down her spine at the intensity of the kiss. It was more intimate than anything she had ever experienced.
It was a promise, a seal of the bond they had just forged.
Her hands moved instinctively to rest against his chest, feeling the calm rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palms.
As they pulled away, Shen Yuan rested his forehead against hers, his eyes glinting with a mixture of mischief and tenderness. “You’re not going to run away now, are you?”
Han Qingyu rolled her eyes, though her smile was brighter than the morning sun. “You’re stuck with me now, Brother Yuan. Don’t even think about escaping.”
Shen Yuan laughed, a genuine laugh that echoed through the clearing. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
The two sat together as the sun fully broke over the horizon, its golden rays casting a warm glow over the forest.
The Northern Wind Horse stirred nearby as it slowly woke up, sensing the shift in the atmosphere as the new day began.
Both of them stood up as they prepared for the journey ahead.
Shen Yuan helped Han Qingyu onto the Northern Wind Horse, their hands briefly brushing against each other.
She smiled softly, her silver eyes sparkling with fondness.
“Ready for the journey ahead?” Shen Yuan asked as he mounted behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist tightly.
Han Qingyu gave a small nod, her voice gentle but tinged with curiosity. “As long as I’m with you, though I wonder where we will go from here.”
Shen Yuan smirked, his tone playful. “A few Imperial Empires, a handful of good places, and perhaps a few death seekers. Nothing we can’t handle.”
With a light nudge, the Northern Wind Horse began its steady gallop through the forest, its silver mane catching the breeze.
Shen Yuan’s gaze moved toward the notification that he had heard earlier.
[Congratulations Host for adding Han Qingyu as your Harem Member. You have acquired Verdant Ember Phoenix Legacy.]
‘A legacy? That’s quite generous of you, Lan’er,’ he softly said in his mind.
[Nothing to do with it, it all depends on the person whom you added in your harem. From the looks of it, she has a talent for alchemy. Hehe, you better focus on alchemy now so you can impress her later.]
He shook his head. ‘I do not need to impress her further, she is already with me now. But you are correct, in order to help her, I need to improve my alchemy skills. It would be better if I could become a Heaven Grade Alchemist.’
[You might reach Low to Mid Grade Heaven rank with your new talent, anything higher than that would require you to increase your cultivation base.]
Shen Yuan lightly looked down to see Han Qingyu softly humming a tune while leaning back on his chest. His smile softened. ‘That matters not, I will do it to help her later. First, she needs to improve her cultivation base as well.’
[Do what you will, you need to do a lot of things either way.]
Shen Yuan nodded his head and continued on their journey.
The first stop on their journey was the Verdant Imperial Empire, known for its lush landscapes and intricate jade architecture.
The capital city was a masterpiece of greenery and carved stone, its streets teeming with merchants and cultivators.
As Shen Yuan and Han Qingyu entered the city gates, the guards bowed respectfully upon noticing the Radiant Lotus Sacred Sect insignia on their robes. News of the sect’s disciples always brought a mixture of awe and reverence among the locals.