Return of the Celestial King

After healing his mother, Qin Tuo quietly slipped out of the room.

After a moment’s thought, he went to the guest room and knocked.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

He knocked, but there was no answer.

Qin Tuo knocked again, but was still met with silence.

Qin Tuo couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile, finally pushing the door open and walking in.

Chen Man Ni was lying on the bed with the covers pulled over her head, completely unresponsive.

Qin Tuo sat down beside her and gently pulled back the covers.

But Chen Man Ni stubbornly yanked them back over her head.

”Come on now, are you still throwing a tantrum?”

Qin Tuo said with a laugh.

Chen Man Ni finally couldn’t take it anymore and sat bolt upright.

”Hmph! Qin Tuo, let me ask you—are you having second thoughts about us?”

Qin Tuo feigned confusion.

”Oh, Manni, why would you say that? We just made things official. You already think I’m having second thoughts?”

Chen Man Ni said, looking thoroughly displeased,

”I, a woman, took the initiative and offered to stay with you, and you turned me down! Have you given any thought to my pride at all?”

Qin Tuo immediately apologized, looking ashamed.

”Manni, you’re right. I wasn’t being considerate. Please don’t take it to heart. That’s not what I meant at all.”

Seeing his sincere expression, Chen Man Ni’s cheeks remained puffed out in a pout for a moment before she finally couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.

A woman in love is quick to anger, but just as quick to forgive.

Chen Man Ni came over, wrapped her arms around Qin Tuo’s neck, and said sweetly,

”Alright, I forgive you!”

The two of them cuddled for a while longer. In the end, Qin Tuo waited until Chen Man Ni was asleep before returning to his own room.

He didn’t go to sleep right away. Instead, he began to slowly absorb the resentful energy from within the Purple Gold Gourd.

Many resentful spirits still remained inside the Purple Gold Gourd.

First, Qin Tuo refined these resentful spirits into Resentful Spirit Qi. Then, he absorbed it directly, converting it into Spiritual Qi to nourish his own body.

’All this Resentful Spirit Qi, and I’m still not seeing much of an improvement?’

Qin Tuo couldn’t help but shake his head with a bitter smile.

He had finished converting all the Resentful Spirit Qi, yet his realm showed no obvious signs of loosening.

Ever since reaching the sixth layer of the Qi Refining Realm, Qin Tuo could clearly feel his progress slowing down.

’This won’t do. I have to speed things up and break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm soon!’

Qin Tuo thought to himself.

Only by reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage would he have the confidence to ascend Peach Blossom Island before the Mid-Autumn Festival and face the challenges that might await him.

「The night passed in a flash.」

The next morning, Qin Tuo was sleeping soundly when Chen Man Ni, already dressed, came to knock on his door.

She knocked twice, but Qin Tuo didn’t stir.

He had cultivated for too long the previous night and was now in a deep sleep.

Chen Man Ni carefully opened the door, making a funny face as she prepared to give Qin Tuo a scare.

However, when she got to the bedside, she saw that Qin Tuo was completely naked, sitting in a cross-legged meditative posture.

”Pah! Shameless!”

Furious, Chen Man Ni instantly turned her head away, covering her eyes.

”What are you doing, Qin Tuo? If you’re going to sleep, then sleep! What’s the big idea, sitting there completely naked?!”

Chen Man Ni complained loudly.

Startled awake, Qin Tuo opened his eyes and couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

”Manni, why did you just barge into my room? That’s not very polite, you know!”

Chen Man Ni retorted irritably,

”Who wanted to see you, anyway? You’re the one who isn’t wearing any clothes!”

Qin Tuo said with a playful smile,

”Okay, okay, I’m dressed now. You can turn around.”

Chen Man Ni nodded and turned around, only to find Qin Tuo still completely naked.

This time, a blush spread from Chen Man Ni’s face all the way down her neck.

”Qin Tuo, how could you? I never realized you were such a rogue!”

However, a sudden impulse seized Qin Tuo. He reached out and pulled Chen Man Ni toward him.

”Ah!”

Chen Man Ni cried out in surprise as she stumbled and fell right onto Qin Tuo.

The two of them ended up in an embrace. With Qin Tuo not wearing a stitch of clothing, his faint, masculine scent washed over her.

Chen Man Ni was completely flustered. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her limbs grew weak, leaving her with no thought of resisting.

Gazing at Chen Man Ni’s beautiful face and the graceful curves of her upper body so close to him, Qin Tuo also felt himself becoming captivated.

He couldn’t resist whispering gently in her ear,

”Manni, you’re so beautiful...”

Chen Man Ni’s heart hammered even faster. Her body went rigid, and she lay frozen on top of Qin Tuo, not daring to move a muscle.

Just then, Qin Tuo’s lips met hers.

”Mmph...”

Chen Man Ni’s eyes flew wide. She wanted to pummel him with her fists, but her hands were completely devoid of strength.

Gradually, Chen Man Ni closed her eyes and began to respond, returning Qin Tuo’s kiss with passion.

They embraced tighter and tighter as Qin Tuo’s hands began to roam, climbing over her body...

Just then, Luo Xianglan’s voice suddenly called out from outside.

”Son, aren’t you up yet? Breakfast is ready!”

The shout made them both jump, and they separated in a flash.

Qin Tuo gave a mischievous chuckle.

”Who would’ve thought? Your kissing technique is pretty clumsy!”

’Judging by how Chen Man Ni usually carries herself like such a cool, sophisticated woman, anyone would think she was a veteran of romance. But after getting to know her, he realized she was actually like a blank slate—innocent and naive.’

Chen Man Ni didn’t dare to meet Qin Tuo’s eyes and stomped her foot.

”Didn’t you hear your mother calling you for breakfast? Hurry up and get dressed!”

With that, she put on an angry pout and marched out of the room.

But inside, Chen Man Ni’s heart was as sweet as honey.

During breakfast, Chen Man Ni couldn’t help but recall their close call from earlier, and her face turned bright red.

Luo Xianglan found this strange.

”Oh? Manni, are you sick? Do you have a fever? Why is your face so red?”

Panicked, Chen Man Ni quickly tried to cover.

”No, no! I’m just... probably a little warm from wearing too many layers!”

Meanwhile, Qin Tuo was trying so hard to stifle his laughter that it was painful.

Seeing him like that, Chen Man Ni felt a new wave of shame and annoyance, and she began to seethe.

After breakfast, Luo Xianglan went to clear the table and wash the dishes, and Chen Man Ni quickly got up to help.

Qin Tuo thought for a moment before walking into the kitchen and suddenly saying,

”Manni, I probably won’t be able to go to the office for a while. If anything important comes up, could you please handle it for me?”

Qin Tuo needed to seize this time to cultivate. Having a treasure like the Purple Gold Gourd in his possession was a golden opportunity.

That was why he wouldn’t be going to the office for the time being.