Chapter 31: Yan Huaixuan, I’m So Cold

Chapter 31: Yan Huaixuan, I'm So Cold

And the only one who was clear-headed merely watched coldly as he sank deeper into the beautiful dream, little by little.

After it was over, Shen Lian didn't really want to leave. He held onto Yan Huaixuan's hand, tucking himself into his embrace. "Husband, can I stay the night with you?"

Shen Lian whispered, "Tonight is our wedding night, after all. There's no reason to kick the bride out, is there?"

Yan Huaixuan said flatly, "If you want to stay, then stay."

Shen Lian's eyes lit up. He looked up at Yan Huaixuan's sharp jawline. Just thinking about how this man, who had been so cold to him at first, was now so close to him—

A hint of sweetness couldn't help but rise in Shen Lian's heart.

He tilted his head up and planted a kiss on Yan Huaixuan's lips.

It was so sudden that Yan Huaixuan instinctively frowned, but as he lowered his gaze, he saw Shen Lian's red-rimmed eyes.

Those eyes were smiling, yet they held a faint, barely noticeable sorrow. Bright, yet heartbreaking.

But one thing never changed—they were full of nothing but Yan Huaixuan.

For just a moment, Yan Huaixuan almost thought Shen Lian was sincere with him.

Shen Lian whispered, "Yan Huaixuan, no one has ever treated me this well."

Shen Lian held back his sadness. "Yan Huaixuan, I'll cultivate diligently until I reach the Golden Core, and then we'll sign the Dao Companion Contract and become immortal lovers, okay?"

Yan Huaixuan was smart—even if he didn't cultivate the Heartless Dao, he could always cultivate something else.

Yan Huaixuan gave a low hum. "Agreed."

When Shen Lian heard those words, tears welled up in the corners of his eyes, but the corners of his lips curved up into a wide smile.

Not feigned, but from the bottom of his heart.

Even though his whole body was aching, Shen Lian could somehow ignore all that pain.

But for some reason, even after receiving Yan Huaixuan's response, Shen Lian still felt a hollow feeling in his heart.

He suddenly hugged Yan Huaixuan tighter, then buried himself in Yan Huaixuan's chest.

Shen Lian gazed intently into Yan Huaixuan's eyes.

"You're definitely not lying to me, right?"

"No matter where you go, you won't leave me behind?"

Shen Lian didn't miss a single change in Yan Huaixuan's expression.

Yan Huaixuan raised his eyes and met his gaze. After a long moment, he raised a hand to stroke the back of Shen Lian's head, about to say something.

Shen Lian smiled and said, "I'm sorry, husband. Was I being too clingy just now? Let's sleep."

Yan Huaixuan hummed in response. "Go to sleep early."

Shen Lian happily lay against his chest, listening to the sound of Yan Huaixuan's heartbeat.

Even in his dreams, he had a smile on his face.

The next day, Shen Lian still wanted to stay. He said he definitely wouldn't bother Yan Huaixuan.

The moment Ling Yun heard this, he broke out in a cold sweat.

If Shen Lian stayed here, wouldn't the master discover that he had rewritten the cultivation manual?

He had to come up with an excuse.

"Cultivators need to focus their minds completely. Even the slightest disturbance could lead to a qi deviation."

The implication was clear—Shen Lian shouldn't go see Yan Huaixuan.

When Shen Lian heard this, he paused for a moment, then immediately said, "Alright."

He himself didn't matter, but he absolutely couldn't cause Yan Huaixuan to go into qi deviation.

When Ling Yun saw how obediently Shen Lian listened to him, he felt an odd twinge in his heart for some reason, but he quickly suppressed it.

He absolutely could not let Shen Lian affect the master.

Ling Yun made himself look away, but as Shen Lian sat down, his body suddenly swayed.

His face instantly went pale as he clutched his chest.

The system had already been blocked through his own efforts and couldn't speak, so it could only build up power and constantly create trouble for Shen Lian.

But recently, the system's power seemed to have grown much stronger.

Shen Lian didn't think much of it. He needed to cultivate quickly—Yan Huaixuan's cultivation was advancing rapidly, and he would soon break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

When that time came, the cultivation world would be full of danger, and he couldn't hold Yan Huaixuan back.

When Ling Yun saw Shen Lian's pale face, he knew it was the backlash from cultivating the manual in reverse.

He hesitated for a moment.

Should he change Shen Lian's cultivation manual now?

If he changed it now, Shen Lian wouldn't end up with his cultivation base destroyed in the future...

But a moment later, Ling Yun quickly shook off that thought.

He frowned—how could he feel pity for someone with hidden motives?

Day after day passed. During the day, Shen Lian would return to his side hall to cultivate, and at night, he would spend the night with Yan Huaixuan.

But when they parted in the morning, Shen Lian couldn't help glancing at Yan Huaixuan. "Your Highness..."

Even though he knew they had to cultivate separately, had Yan Huaixuan ever wanted him to stay, even for a moment?

Yan Huaixuan looked up. "What? Don't want to cultivate today?"

Shen Lian's smile faltered slightly. He shook his head. "No, it's nothing."

He hugged Yan Huaixuan, then stood on his toes and pressed a kiss to Yan Huaixuan's lips.

Yan Huaixuan hesitated for just a moment before wrapping an arm around Shen Lian's waist and kissing him back.

Every time this happened, Shen Lian's eyes would crinkle with happiness.

After the kiss, he wrapped his arms tightly around Yan Huaixuan, then suddenly said, "Yan Huaixuan, I'm so cold."

Yan Huaixuan looked up and glanced at the withered leaves outside.

"It's autumn."

Yeah, autumn. Shen Lian remembered it was still summer when he first got here.

Time really flew by.

Yan Huaixuan gently patted his back. "Go cultivate."

Shen Lian nodded. "Okay!"

His voice was cheerful, and he walked out with a light step, just like he did every day. Shen Lian always seemed like he never got tired, always happy.

But today, as Shen Lian walked past the table, his body gave a shudder, and he suddenly grabbed hold of it.

Yan Huaixuan heard the noise and looked up to find Shen Lian hunched over.

His shoulders were trembling slightly, too.

Yan Huaixuan froze. Before his brain could catch up, his hand, hidden under his sleeve, instinctively moved. "What's wrong?"

But to his surprise, Shen Lian straightened up right away. "Hehe, just messing with my husband."

He turned around, flashing a smile at Yan Huaixuan. "I'm off to cultivate."

And with that, Shen Lian hurried out.

Leaving Yan Huaixuan alone.

After a moment, he gave a faint, unreadable smile and waved his hand, using the Cleansing Art to reduce even the table to ashes.

Right, with Shen Lian's acting skills being that good, how could anything be wrong?

But the second Shen Lian rushed out, his expression changed.

He stumbled over to the tree and frantically wiped at his lips.

His hands came away covered in blood.

"What the hell is going on?" Shen Lian stared at the blood, his pupils shrinking. This time, the stabbing pain wasn't just in his limbs and bones—he felt like his very flesh and blood were boiling.

It hurt like hell.

Shen Lian figured it was the system messing with him, so he immediately sat down to cultivate. But the moment he channeled his energy, the taste of blood rose in his throat.

Shen Lian coughed, lowered his head, and a flicker of shame flashed in his eyes.

His fingers dug deep into his clothes.

Ling Yun paused, then suddenly said, "Maybe you should hold off on cultivating for now. Take a break."

But Shen Lian muttered, "No."

Yan Huaixuan was about to enter the cultivation world, but lately, Shen Lian couldn't sleep at all.

Even though he was close to Yan Huaixuan every night, skin against skin, Shen Lian still felt a nagging unease in his heart.

Ling Yun frowned. "Do you really love cultivating that much?"

Shen Lian didn't answer, just forced himself to gather his energy.

Yan Huaixuan suddenly opened his eyes and looked toward Shen Lian's room.

Then he looked at the red thread tied around his pinky.

The thread was trembling, ever so slightly.

Yan Huaixuan paused, then calmly sent Ling Yun a telepathic message.

"Is Shen Lian acting off?"

Ling Yun hesitated. "No, he's still cultivating like normal, thinking about ascending to the upper realm."

Hearing that, Yan Huaixuan withdrew his Spiritual Sense.

The first day of winter arrived.

Yan Huaixuan was just one step away from reaching the Nascent Soul stage.

Knowing that Yan Huaixuan would break through tomorrow and open the passage to the cultivation world,

Shen Lian's heart was full of joy.

Ling Yun was thrilled too, but then he turned and saw Shen Lian packing things.

Yan Huaixuan also looked over at Shen Lian, who was making all kinds of noise.

Shen Lian's eyes curved into a smile. "A Xuan, do you have anything to pack? I'm just about done with mine."

He looked around, wanting to take everything with him.

These places held almost a year's worth of memories with Yan Huaixuan.

Yan Huaixuan said flatly, "I don't need to pack."

Shen Lian was startled, but still smiled. "True."

In the cultivation world, there would be plenty of things.

Still, Shen Lian brought a few of his own belongings.