At this moment, Chen Xuan's stomach growled uncontrollably, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"It's time for dinner."

Seeing the sky gradually darken, Chen Xuan immediately left the study and went to the main hall.

Lan Meng'Er, well aware of the cultivation time, had just prepared dinner.

"Husband!"

Lan Meng'Er called out with a smile.

Over the month or so, she gradually got used to life without Xiaoqi around.

Except for occasionally murmuring in Chen Xuan's ear about when they'd visit the Imperial City, everything else was just as before.

The only difference was that she'd also started cultivating to pass the time.

"Wow, you made so many dishes today?"

Chen Xuan sat down with a smile, seeing more than ten dishes.

"Today Qin Ke sent us a lot of fresh vegetables and demon beast meat, so I made extra. Try them, husband."

As she spoke, she handed over a pair of chopsticks.

"Alright!"

Chen Xuan nodded with a smile, then picked up a piece of braised meat and put it in his mouth.

After chewing it slightly, it melted in his mouth, and a considerable amount of energy went down his throat into his body.

"Not bad!"

"It must be from a demon beast of the third level of the Dao Realm!"

"Yes! Qin Ke said he personally killed it!"

Lan Meng'Er sat down as well.

"Third level?... It seems his strength has improved quite a bit recently!"

Chen Xuan was quite surprised. This meant he wasn't far from the third level of the Dao Realm himself.

"That I don't know."

Lan Meng'Er served a bowl of soup and placed it in front of him, "This is the soup made from the bones of that demon beast. It's very fresh. I tasted a little earlier, and it made me feel all warm and cozy."

After all, her strength was too weak, and her talent too poor.

Even after taking the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Wood Liquid, she hadn't reached the Profound Realm.

Chen Xuan picked up the white porcelain spoon and took a sip.

"How is it?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Lan Meng'Er asked immediately.

"Not bad! It's really good!"

"As long as you like it, husband. These bones were simmered for an entire day! It was a lot of work!"

As she spoke, her brows furrowed slightly.

"So how would you like your husband to thank you?"

Chen Xuan could see through her little thoughts!

"When will you take me to the Imperial City, husband?"

Lan Meng'Er blinked at him, eagerly awaiting his response.

She hadn't seen Xiaoqi for more than a month. Although the initial longing had subsided, whenever she was alone, Xiaoqi's image would inevitably pop into her mind.

His every expression and mischievous antics.

"Let's wait a bit longer, Xiaoqi is currently in seclusion. Even if we go, we won't see him."

He wasn't lying about that.

Otherwise, he would have sent a message after all this time.

"Ah... we still have to wait!"

Lan Meng'Er pouted her little mouth, seemingly filtering out the word 'seclusion' that Chen Xuan mentioned.

Chen Xuan pinched her cheek, "Be good!"

"Oh!"

It was obvious she was obedient, but not happy.

Chen Xuan chuckled but didn't bother her further and continued eating.

It must be said, over time, Lan Meng'Er's cooking skills improved tremendously. At this rate, it wouldn't take long for her to reach Ning Xin's level.

The table was cleared out completely by him.

And most of it was eaten by him; Lan Meng'Er only had some vegetables.

Night!

The next day, Chen Xuan held Lan Meng'Er.

"If it weren't for you, husband, helping me, I'd just start cultivating, just to pass the time."

Lan Meng'Er slightly lifted her head, resting her fair chin on Chen Xuan's chest.

"That works too!"

Chen Xuan nodded. Her strength was indeed too weak, and the difficulty of cultivation too great. The lack of progress dented her confidence.

Over time, she became unwilling to cultivate.

...

The following day!

In the study.

Using the Nine Elements Dao Skill, Chen Xuan meticulously helped her refine her Dao bones, meridians, and internal organs with spiritual power.

Layers of black impurities were expelled from her body, forming a thick, black 'suit'.

No wonder her talent was so lacking; seeing this layer of black 'suit' explained it all.

Chen Xuan was very attentive to Lan Meng'Er, not missing a single spot.

Even with his current strength, it took him half a day to complete.

"All done!"

Chen Xuan clapped his hands, finally having finished.

Upon hearing, Lan Meng'Er slowly opened her eyes.

"Crack, crack..."

The black impurities, like a mask on her face, cracked as she opened her eyes, falling onto her clothes.

"Ah... so uncomfortable!"

Her whole body felt as if it was stuck to something, feeling utterly uncomfortable.

"Look at yourself!"

Chen Xuan waved his hand, conjuring a mirror in front of her.

"Ah—"

With a scream, she quickly ran out of the study... "Husband, I'm going to take a bath first."

Was that her!

She looked like a black ghost!

It was terrifying!

"Hahaha..."

Chen Xuan's hearty laughter echoed in the study; women will always be women.

Despite all his efforts, what she cared most about was her appearance.

...

Three days later, Lan Meng'Er finally broke through to the Profound Realm, showcasing how incredible the Nine Elements Dao Skill was.

That night, to thank Chen Xuan, she gave her all.

She was completely responsive to Chen Xuan's requests.

Therefore... Chen Xuan made a rather perverted request: a solo performance!

Her charming appearance made Chen Xuan swallow continuously.

In the end, they had a vigorous session again!

They were up until almost dawn before they finally fell asleep from exhaustion.

Sunrise!

The morning sun shone into the room, hitting Chen Xuan's face, but he continued to sleep soundly.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, a powerful aura appeared, shooting straight into the sky.

In an instant, multiple streams of spiritual power filled the air above the residence.

Chen Xuan, who was deep in sleep, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

"Broke through!"

Without even dressing, he vanished from the room.

Moments later, wearing only a white undergarment, Chen Xuan appeared in front of the room where Ning Xin and Luan Ying were in seclusion!