Chapter 15

Perhaps due to her lack of innate talent, the closer Xiao Xihe got to Foundation Establishment, the slower her cultivation progressed. To accommodate her current situation, she had to reduce the number of joint cultivation sessions with Xie Zhaixing.

Another evening arrived, and Xiao Xihe lay enthusiastically on the bed, beckoning Xie Zhaixing to hurry over.

Xie Zhaixing was eating french fries and merely glanced at her when he heard her call.

“…Are they really that good?” Xiao Xihe was speechless. Why was the Demon Lord so fond of junk food? The greasier it was, the more he liked it.

Xie Zhaixing remained expressionless. “Passable.”

Xiao Xihe twitched her lips, rolled over, and continued staring at him.

A few days ago, she had found a luminous pearl in her Cosmos Sack, which now sat on the bedside table, casting a soft glow that illuminated the entire tent and bathed her in warm light. Having already settled in for the night, she wore only lightweight inner garments, and after rolling around comfortably a few times, her collar had loosened slightly, revealing her delicate collarbones.

Suddenly, Xie Zhaixing’s fries didn’t taste as good.

Xiao Xihe was mid-yawn when she felt the bedding beside her dip. She looked up in surprise to find Xie Zhaixing already lying next to her. Blinking, she glanced at the plate nearby—still half-full of fries.

“…Were they not tasty today?” she asked suspiciously.

Xie Zhaixing stared calmly at the tent ceiling. “Passable.”

The same answer as before meant the fries weren’t the issue. Xiao Xihe sighed in relief and reached out to pat his head. “No fever either… Why didn’t you finish them?”

Xie Zhaixing kept a straight face. “Didn’t you tell me to come over?”

“I did… but when have you ever come before finishing everything?” Xiao Xihe pressed.

After being bombarded with questions, Xie Zhaixing finally furrowed his brows. Xiao Xihe promptly took the hint, stowed the luminous pearl away, and flopped down beside him.

Silence and darkness returned to the tent, but Xiao Xihe couldn’t sleep. After lying still for a while, she remembered something and stealthily reached a hand toward Xie Zhaixing.

Sharing the same blanket, Xie Zhaixing could hear every one of her breaths—let alone her poorly concealed movements. Yet he didn’t stop her, merely closing his eyes lazily.

After an “endless” journey, Xiao Xihe swiftly touched his abs and withdrew, then lamented, “I knew it. No matter how much you eat, you never gain weight.”

And that was it.

Xie Zhaixing’s eyelid twitched. After a long pause, he finally spoke in a low voice, “You’ve grown increasingly lax lately.”

“…Huh?” Xiao Xihe looked utterly confused.

But Xie Zhaixing ignored her after that.

…She cooked three meals a day on time, never made him wash dishes, and handled all the household chores. Xiao Xihe spent half the night racking her brain but couldn’t figure out where she’d been lax. Her final conclusion was that the Demon Lord was deliberately giving her a hard time.

With that thought, she felt at ease, turned away from him, and soon fell asleep.

The tent was quiet, filled only with the sound of nearby wind and distant insects. Xie Zhaixing slowly opened his eyes and pulled back the person who had nearly rolled against the tent wall.

Half-asleep, Xiao Xihe let out a displeased murmur but instinctively clung to the someone whose body temperature was too low.

In the following days, Xiao Xihe continued struggling through the bottleneck before Foundation Establishment, growing more anxious with each passing day of cultivation. Yet every time she looked back, she saw Xie Zhaixing’s face, which clearly said, “Why stress over something like Foundation Establishment?”

At times like these, Xiao Xihe would find him particularly irritating, yet she dared not do anything to him. All she could do was silently add extra salt to his food.

Xie Zhaixing ate it with complete composure, as if he couldn’t taste the saltiness at all.

…Had his taste buds failed? Or had she not gone far enough? Suspicious, Xiao Xihe increased the dosage in the next meal.

After two or three consecutive meals, she finally couldn’t hold back: “How do you find today’s dishes?”

“Passable,” Xie Zhaixing replied.

Xiao Xihe glanced at the fish-flavored eggplant in front of him, certain she had added two large spoonfuls of salt. Yet, seeing his calm expression… she couldn’t resist picking up her chopsticks to take a bite.

“Ugh…” She immediately spat it out and hurriedly rinsed her mouth with water.

Xie Zhaixing narrowed his long eyes. “Why spit it out?”

“…I’ve lost my appetite,” Xiao Xihe said with a forced smile.

“Lost your appetite? Then you should eat even more,” Xie Zhaixing said, pushing the eggplant toward her. “Finish it all, and your appetite will return.”

Xiao Xihe: “…”

“Eat,” Xie Zhaixing repeated firmly.

Reluctantly, Xiao Xihe picked up her chopsticks. After a small bite, she grimaced and apologized, “Demon Lord, I was wrong.”

Xie Zhaixing sneered.

“Demon Lord!” Xiao Xihe threw herself at his leg, clinging to it. This was a move she had perfected since their first meeting.

Xie Zhaixing just as deftly pried her off. “Your own incompetence, and you take it out on me?”

“…You always look at me with that mocking gaze. Can’t I vent a little?” Xiao Xihe said innocently.

Xie Zhaixing narrowed his eyes.

“I was wrong,” Xiao Xihe conceded, swiftly kneeling in apology.

Only then did Xie Zhaixing release her.

Xiao Xihe hastily restarted the stove and remade the meal. Half an hour later, Xie Zhaixing picked up his chopsticks again and resumed eating at a leisurely pace. Xiao Xihe rested her chin on her hands as she watched him, then suddenly remarked, “You actually endured so many meals just to make me take the bait.”

She had started sabotaging his food several meals ago.

Xie Zhaixing countered, “So?”

Not daring to provoke him further, Xiao Xihe raised her hands in surrender while taking a jab at him. “So we’re a pair of broken pots and cracked lids—perfectly matched in our flaws.”

“Broken pots and cracked lids,” Xie Zhaixing scoffed lightly but didn’t refute it.

That night, Xiao Xihe’s cultivation stalled again, leaving her sulking alone on the bed. When Xie Zhaixing entered, the corner of his eye twitched slightly.

“What’s that look for?” Xiao Xihe squinted at him.

Xie Zhaixing paused. “What look?”

“You’re looking at me like I’m an angry pufferfish,” Xiao Xihe grumbled.

Xie Zhaixing considered it. “Fitting.”

Xiao Xihe grew even more displeased, but since she couldn’t beat him in a fight, she simply rolled over, turning her back to him.

Xie Zhaixing sat unhurriedly at the edge of the bed. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly, “You’re overcomplicating things.”

Xiao Xihe’s eyelids twitched.

“Cultivation despises haste. Remember why you started,” Xie Zhaixing reminded her.

Xiao Xihe froze, then after a long pause, suddenly had an epiphany… That’s right! She had never aimed for immense power—just to live a healthy, peaceful life. The real priority was the lingering Joy Union Gu in her body, not some Foundation Establishment!

Her expression instantly brightened, her mind feeling much clearer. Noticing this, Xie Zhaixing’s lips curled slightly. “Not entirely hopeless.”

Xiao Xihe glanced at him sideways, suddenly a bit curious: “When you were cultivating, did you ever have moments where you were too eager for quick results?”

“Every day,” Xie Zhaixing replied.

Xiao Xihe was taken aback: “Then how did you get through it?”

“Why ‘get through’ it? My aptitude isn’t bad to begin with.” Xie Zhaixing genuinely didn’t understand.

Xiao Xihe: “…” So infuriating.

Noticing her expression, Xie Zhaixing belatedly realized his words might have been inappropriate. Considering her recent hard work, he reluctantly offered comfort: “Though your aptitude is poor, your mindset is decent.”

“…Please just stop talking.” Xiao Xihe flopped down speechlessly.

Xiao Xihe lay flat with her newfound mindset, and the bottleneck period passed surprisingly quickly. On the day of her Foundation Establishment, she deeply understood one truth—

Being thick-skinned isn’t a bad thing.

Unconsciously, it was already the twelfth lunar month. Xiao Xihe wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but this year’s winter seemed particularly late. So late that she couldn’t help but complain: “Why hasn’t winter come yet?”

Xie Zhaixing paused briefly: “Didn’t you say you dislike winter?”

“Disliking it is one thing, but it should still come when it’s due,” Xiao Xihe sighed. “Without the cold and snow, there’s no New Year’s atmosphere.”

Xie Zhaixing expressionlessly turned his face away, refusing to speak to this capricious woman.

Yet the next morning, the entire Shady Valley was blanketed in white.

“It snowed!” Xiao Xihe excitedly ran into the forest, scooping up a handful of snow and tossing it into the air, her eyes sparkling with laughter—even happier than the day she achieved Foundation Establishment.

Xie Zhaixing leaned lazily against a tree, watching her frolic about, only occasionally brushing away the snow she playfully threw at him.

After nearly half an hour of playing, Xiao Xihe returned to him, panting: “Demon Lord, let’s roast some sweet potatoes.”

Xie Zhaixing stared at her for a moment before turning toward the small table, but Xiao Xihe quickly pulled him back: “Let’s roast them in the tent.”

Xie Zhaixing was puzzled.

Xiao Xihe suddenly grinned.

Fifteen minutes later, all four corners of the tent were lifted, letting the cold air rush in. The two of them lay by the bed, wrapped in a thick down comforter, with a small stove placed two steps away on the ground, a few sweet potatoes roasting atop it. Xiao Xihe occasionally flipped them with a pair of tongs.

Despite the chilly weather, the thick quilt and warm stove made it quite cozy.

After flipping the sweet potatoes a couple of times, Xiao Xihe grinned at Xie Zhaixing’s profile: “Isn’t this fun?”

Xie Zhaixing turned to meet her gaze, pausing briefly before giving a quiet “Mm.”

He actually admitted it—he must really like it. Pleased, Xiao Xihe gave him the first roasted sweet potato.

After the first snowfall, winter arrived in full force, and with the sound of firecrackers one early morning, the New Year seemed to have arrived as well.

Winter mornings were perfect for lazing in bed. Hearing the noise outside, Xiao Xihe drowsily opened her eyes, noticing Xie Zhaixing hadn’t gotten up either. Smiling, she closed her eyes again: “Demon Lord, why is it so noisy outside?”

“It’s New Year’s Eve again, and those fools from the Kunlun Sect are at it once more,” Xie Zhaixing remarked indifferently.  

Xiao Xihe nuzzled her nose against the quilt and sighed. “Another New Year’s Eve already? Time flies. I’ve been in Shady Valley for over two years now.”  

“Mhm.” Xie Zhaixing’s expression softened slightly.  

Xiao Xihe gradually woke up fully and finally opened her eyes. “So this is the second New Year we’re spending together.”  

“Are you going to set off firecrackers to celebrate?” Xie Zhaixing saw right through her intentions.  

Xiao Xihe denied it insincerely. “Of course not! I know the Demon Lord hates firecrackers the most. I wouldn’t make such an unreasonable request. Besides, those firecrackers have been sitting around for two or three years—who knows if they’ve expired…”  

“Go ahead,” Xie Zhaixing interrupted.  

Xiao Xihe: “…Huh?”  

“What do you think?” Xie Zhaixing countered.  

Xiao Xihe stared at him for a long moment before suddenly springing out of bed. “I’ll go right now!”  

She hastily threw on thick winter clothes and dashed outside, only to turn back halfway, grabbing Xie Zhaixing’s hand and shaking it. “Come with me?”  

Xiao Xihe glanced at her hand but didn’t refuse.  

The two of them arrived at an open clearing. Xiao Xihe quickly cleared away the dried leaves around them while arranging the firecrackers. “The direction and shape of the firecrackers matter a lot. If you don’t set them up right, they’ll just explode in a messy heap—no satisfying crackling effect.”  

“Seems like you’re quite the expert,” Xie Zhaixing remarked lazily, leaning against a tree.  

“Of course! It’s my special talent,” Xiao Xihe boasted proudly. “All my friends used to be so jealous.”  

A faint smile tugged at Xie Zhaixing’s lips as he watched the self-proclaimed firecracker master at work.  

Then, the master walked up to him. “Alright, your turn.”  

“What?” Xie Zhaixing didn’t follow.  

“Go light them! I’ve already set them up,” Xiao Xihe said, annoyed at his lack of initiative.  

Xiao Xihe was silent for a long moment. “Me? Light them?”  

“Yeah.”  

“Why don’t you do it?”  

“I’ve only ever arranged them before—never lit them myself,” Xiao Xihe admitted shamelessly. “And these have been sitting around for over two years. Even though the Cosmos Sack preserves everything, I’m still afraid they might blow up in my face.”  

Xiao Xihe scoffed in amusement. “Not afraid they’ll blow up in mine?”  

“You’re the Demon Lord! How could firecrackers possibly hurt you?” Though it would be pretty funny if they did. Xiao Xihe imagined him scrambling away from the explosions and barely suppressed a laugh.  

Xiao Xihe studied her for a moment before smirking. “No.”  

“Demon Lord…”  

“Either light them yourself or pack them up,” Xie Zhaixing said, unmoved.  

After a long staring contest, Xiao Xihe finally sighed in resignation. She found a stick, lit it, and trembling, inched toward the firecrackers. Xie Zhaixing watched her cowering form but didn’t bother pointing out that she could’ve just used a spell to light them.  

Not that it would’ve helped—she probably hadn’t learned a single spell. Xie Zhaixing’s lips twitched as he watched her shaking hand finally touch the fuse with the stick.  

The moment the firecrackers erupted, she bolted toward him in a panic. His throat tightened, and he instinctively moved to catch her—only for her to dart right past him and hide behind his back.  

Xiao Xihe: “…”  

Amid the deafening explosions, he stood alone facing the chaos until the last firecracker fizzled out. Only then did Xiao Xihe peek out from behind him. “Is it over?”  

“What do you think?” Xie Zhaixing retorted.

Xiao Xihe patted her chest. “That scared me to death.”

“Ye Gong who claimed to love dragons.” Xie Zhaixing glanced at her before turning toward the stream.

Xiao Xihe followed, continuously praising herself for being brave and amazing, succeeding in lighting firecrackers on her first try. After finishing, she felt a bit regretful: “Too bad I only bought one string. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. I really should’ve bought more.”

“Let’s have dumplings for lunch,” Xie Zhaixing suggested.

“Will you roll the dough?” Xiao Xihe seized the opportunity to ask.

Xiao Xihe followed, continuously praising herself for being brave and amazing, succeeding in lighting firecrackers on her first try. After finishing, she felt a bit regretful: “Too bad I only bought one string. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. I really should’ve bought more.”

“Let’s have dumplings for lunch,” Xie Zhaixing suggested.

“Will you roll the dough?” Xiao Xihe seized the opportunity to ask.

Xie Zhaixing didn’t hesitate for a second. “No.”

“…With an attitude like that, you’d never find a wife in my village,” Xiao Xihe grumbled.

Xie Zhaixing paused for a moment, giving her a light glance. “Are you sure?”

Tall, handsome, and incredibly powerful… Damn it, he’s showing off again. Xiao Xihe snorted lightly and started kneading the dough after washing her hands.

Making dumplings wasn’t particularly difficult, but the process was tedious, especially when doing it alone. After working for most of the day, Xiao Xihe finally managed to eat her belated “lunch” before evening.

After finishing the dumplings, she started preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner while Xie Zhaixing sat nearby, showing no intention of helping.

“We just ate, so we’ll skip dinner and have it together with the New Year’s feast later. If you’re hungry, grab a snack first,” Xiao Xihe reminded him.

Xie Zhaixing shrugged. “Do we really need a New Year’s Eve dinner?”

“Of course! It’s the first meal to welcome the new year,” Xiao Xihe replied without hesitation.

Xie Zhaixing smirked slightly and let her have her way.

Having lived in Shady Valley for over two years, Xiao Xihe had nearly exhausted all the ingredients she had prepared earlier. After rummaging through her Cosmos Sack for a long time, she sat on the ground with a dazed expression, as if she had suffered a major life setback.

“What’s wrong?” Xie Zhaixing asked.

Xiao Xihe: “I wanted to make tomato beef brisket.”

“And?”

“There are no tomatoes left.” She looked at him sorrowfully.

Xie Zhaixing was silent for a moment. “Then make something else.”

“But I really want tomato beef brisket.” Xiao Xihe sniffled, looking even more heartbroken.

Xie Zhaixing: “…”

Xiao Xihe couldn’t explain why she was so upset, but her emotions overwhelmed her, and she lost all motivation to cook.

Xie Zhaixing watched her wilt like frostbitten eggplant before speaking slowly after some thought. “I’ll go get some from the Kunlun Sect’s kitchen.”

Xiao Xihe paused, then laughed. “You can’t even leave here. How are you going to get any?”

The Demon Lord actually cracking jokes—her mood improved slightly.

But the next second, she saw Xie Zhaixing suddenly levitate and effortlessly remove the massive seal above them. Xiao Xihe stared at him blankly, her mind completely empty. Only after Xie Zhaixing leisurely flew away did she snap back to reality with a horrified expression—

Holy shit! How could he remove the seal?! How could he leave?!

Wait a minute… Does that mean his cultivation was never suppressed by the seal? The moment this possibility crossed her mind, her terror deepened. She had planned to quietly leave this place in a few days once the Gu Poison was completely cured, cutting all ties with him… But if his cultivation had been intact all along, his divine sense could track her location at any time. How could she possibly escape?!

Tomatoes and beef brisket were the last things on her mind now. After pacing anxiously in circles, she had to face a grim reality—

If she didn’t leave now, she would never get another chance.

But if she left now… what about the Joy Union Gu inside her?

Xiao Xihe agonized for a long time before finally making up her mind.  

Half an hour later, Xie Zhaixing returned to Shady Valley but didn’t see the familiar figure by the stream. He casually tossed the things in his hand onto the table and lazily called out, “Jiaojiao.”  

No response.  

His lips curved into a smile as he glanced toward the tent, but moments later, sensing something amiss, the smile faded like receding tidewater.