Cultivation System: Stronger with Age

In the jungle, a pair of Dragon Blood Fierce Dogs, one male and one female, were panting as they pulled a wooden sled weighing tens of thousands of pounds.

On the sled, Lin Xuankong and the cold, elegant Zhao Yufei locked eyes. Zhao Yufei's fair face was filled with astonishment.

"I was really just calling you that for fun!" Lin Xuankong said.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yufei bit her red lips, a trace of shame and indignation hidden deep within her eyes.

As the beautiful and highborn daughter of the Zhao Family, her Eight Gates Celestial Eye had progressed rapidly, showcasing extraordinary talent. Consequently, many admirers from various sects in neighboring cities had sent marriage proposals. These included the eldest sons of the Huang and Guo Families, and even the eldest son of the Sixth-Grade Prefect Liy; all wished to marry this gifted young woman.

However, having grown up immersed in the various classics and miscellaneous records of her family, she possessed a broad perspective. The young masters of the Huang, Guo, and Liy Families, despite their considerable power and uncommon status among the countless Martial Cultivators in Great Marsh Prefecture, were merely frogs at the bottom of a well when considered within the Great Xia Dynasty, let alone the vaster world beyond. Thus, a certain pride always resided in her heart. She was unwilling to let romantic entanglements hinder her cultivation, for she aspired to journey into a much wider world!

Furthermore, with the Zhao Family having declined to a second or even third-rate status within Great Marsh Prefecture, she couldn't help but harbor a trace of inferiority and self-pity when encountering the young masters of the Huang, Guo, and Liy Families, or individuals like Jiang Yuran. This very sense of inferiority and self-pity compelled her to act with even greater pride in the presence of others, terrified of being looked down upon. She constantly yearned for significant achievements in the Martial Dao and for the Zhao Family to rise once more, so she could finally stand before everyone with genuine pride!

Given her inherent pride, hearing Lin Xuankong's casual admission that he was 'just calling her that for fun,' instantly filled her heart with shame and indignation! A young woman's reputation, her marriage—are these things to be trifled with so casually? How could she possibly call just anyone 'Husband' so lightly? She was not some performing courtesan from an entertainment house or a woman of ill repute from a brothel!

At this moment, if she hadn't remembered that Lin Xuankong had saved her life, Zhao Yufei would likely have already unleashed her Silver Hook to rip out his offending tongue!

Zhao Yufei is such a proud person, Lin Xuankong couldn't help feeling a bit frustrated by her expression. Even though I saved her life, she would never agree to something like this!

Just then, a new thought flashed through Zhao Yufei's mind.

No, that's not right! The man before me isn't that old, frail Silver Jade Steward. He's the sole Nine-Seal Genius in the entire history of the Yin Talisman Sect, one whose talent rivals that of the Founding Ancestor! Even Jiang Yuran, who always made me feel somewhat inferior, would be utterly eclipsed by him; the difference between them is like that of clouds and mud! Even the Tier Three Marsh Python Demon, an entity that terrified countless Martial Cultivators, was like a helpless earthworm in his grasp. He has even mastered the Soul-Extinction Celestial Thunder Divine Technique, a skill only the Founding Ancestor was said to command... Such talent, across the entire Great Xia Dynasty, even in the wider world beyond, is exceptionally rare, marking him as an unparalleled genius. If he continues to cultivate successfully, who can fathom the heights his strength will reach, or the lofty summit upon which he will stand! If I could be with him... then the Zhao Family would surely rise! Why would we ever worry about not becoming a first-rate family in Great Marsh, or even in the entirety of Great Xia! And I myself would have the chance to aid an unparalleled genius, to stand beside him on a pinnacle where no one would ever dare to look down on us!

At this realization, the ambition that had lain dormant in her heart for over twenty years surged forth, igniting a passionate flame in Zhao Yufei's coolly beautiful eyes. Her heart began to pound fiercely in her chest.

Zhao Yufei's gaze suddenly fixed upon Lin Xuankong's face.

Others may see him as old and decrepit, his body appearing frail and worn. But if I use my Celestial Eye to truly see, what man in this world isn't just a collection of white bones and bloody organs beneath their skin? Flesh and appearance are merely superficial. What do they truly matter!

"Steward Lin, I am a serious person by nature, and I do not appreciate being trifled with," Zhao Yufei declared, her tone firm. "You have done me the great service of saving my life. If you call me 'Wife,' I will naturally answer. However, marriage is not a trivial affair. If you call me 'Wife,' you must genuinely regard me as such. And if I call you 'Husband,' I will wholeheartedly and sincerely consider you my husband! A gentleman's word is his bond; neither of us is permitted to renege!"

Lin Xuankong was utterly speechless.

No way! Did this fine lady of the Zhao Family actually say that? But I was just testing the second talent of my Life Plate! Ni'er, why did you take it so seriously!

Seeing his silence, Zhao Yufei arched an eyebrow. "Steward Lin, could it be that you're afraid? I'm aware you have a Young Lady at home. Surely you're not frightened of her?"

Lin Xuankong felt a surge of irritation at her words.

Frightened of her? Me? Was that truly fear? Back when I couldn't best the Young Lady, it was simply because she was teaching me the Martial Dao, and I respected her for it! That's all!

"Afraid? What do I have to be afraid of?" Lin Xuankong retorted. "If I call you 'Wife,' would you dare to answer me?"

Zhao Yufei tilted her chin defiantly. "Then try calling me and see."

Just as Lin Xuankong was about to speak, the image of a figure in a green dress standing atop a small hill, gazing fixedly as he entered the Demon-Suppressing Valley, suddenly flashed into his mind. In an instant, a flood of memories—all the little moments spent with the Young Lady—welled up in his heart, and he found himself utterly unable to utter a word.

At this juncture, Zhao Yufei spoke again, "If Steward Lin genuinely intends for us to forge a lifelong union, I, Yufei, will naturally consent. I don't extravagantly demand to be the only one by your side; as long as you truly consider me your wife and do not carelessly abandon me, that will suffice!"

Lin Xuankong stammered, "How could I possibly be that kind of person!"

Hearing his words, Zhao Yufei's expression grew grave. "We practitioners of the Martial Dao dispense with excessive ceremony. If you genuinely wish to be with me, then do you dare to swear an oath with me, an oath by the Martial Dao itself? If you dare to make such a vow, then I, Zhao Yufei, for all my pride, will never go back on my word. In this lifetime, I shall belong to you and you alone!"