The Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 2234 - Trouble Arose from a Bite, Beihuang Fan's Cave Realm

The Imperial Cuisine Hall had grown larger now with the influx of new people. There were some who came over from the Taiyi Immortal Palace, and even Beihuang Liefeng was there.

The Golden Yakshas were allied with the Demon Gate. Qing Shui's victory was equivalent to breaking a limb off of the Demon Gate. It didn't matter whether the Demon Gate or the Golden Yakshas were the limb to the main body. Either way, it was a great loss to the Demon Gate and the Five Tiger Immortal Palace.

The Divine Palace and the Taiyi Immortal Palace were more than pleased to hear the news. The opponents had been old nemeses of theirs and it was only natural for them to be happy when these enemies were weakened.

The Golden Battle God suggested Qing Shui to take over the Divine Palace once more but Qing Shui declined. Instead, he asked, "Elder, is there something called the Nine Continents Divine Palace?"

Golden Battle God grew silent. Qing Shui had posed the question when there wasn't anyone else around.

"Yes. It's a superior existence. If you ever meet them one day, you must think of a way to join the Nine Continents Divine Palace," Golden Battle God gave a straight answer.

"Doesn't the Divine Palace surpass the Nine Continents Divine Palace? Is it that crucial to join the Nine Continents Divine Palace?" Qing Shui asked curiously.

The Golden Battle God let a bitter laugh slip and said, "The Nine Continents Divine Palace is the mightiest existence among all Divine Palaces. While that doesn't provide much affirmation, any Divine Palace would feel a sense of belonging with the Nine Continents Divine Palace. It is the headquarters of all Divine Palaces. A holy place. It is the mightiest existence which surpasses my years in multiples. It has been passed down for countless years. It is near impossible to ever surpass the Nine Continents Divine Palace."

Qing Shui understood now. The existence of the Nine Continents Divine Palace was real and it was the peak of the golden pyramid. Besides the Nine Continents Divine Palace, there were many others with the Nine Continents as part of their label.

There would surely be a chance for him to meet them. Pushing the thoughts about the palace aside, Qing Shui focused his energy on strengthening himself again as well as the Divine Palace.

Beihuang Fan smiled at Qing Shui and said, "Not bad!"

Qing Shui chuckled and asked, "Did you miss me that much after just a few days?"

Beihuang Liefend watched as his daughter's smile was laced with a tint of embarrassment and annoyance. The sight made his heart swell with relief and happiness. After all, he had been worried about his daughter for all these years.

Beihuang Fan's face flushed a deeper red when she noticed her dad's smile.

"Father-in-law, this is a little gift from your son-in-law. I Hope you'd find it to your liking." Qing Shui presented a variety of items, of which some were of the alcohol variety.

"You jerk." Beihuang Fan wanted to strangle Qing Shui.

"Hahaha, alright. I'll accept it. You must take good care of Fan'er." Beihuang Liefeng responded gleefully.

"Father…" Beihuang Fan retorted with a mixture of annoyance and anxiousness.

Others smiled as they watched her, before turning to Qing Shui. 'You just barely met the mark for the Goddess of the Northern Emperor.'

Beihuang Fan was the most beautiful woman, the goddess of the Northern Emperor Domain.

"I didn't accept anything, so it doesn't matter what you said," Beihuang Fan snapped angrily before turning on her heel and walking away.

Qing Shui couldn't tell if she was truly angry or just embarrassed. At this moment, Beihuang Liefeng chuckled and said, "Imp, stop standing there and go coax her."

Qing Shui scratched his head and replied, "Alright, I'll go right now."

Beihuang Fan was alone in the backyard, venting to no one about Qing Shui being a jerk.

"Little Fan Fan, you're becoming more and more like a delicate lady. Here, let your husband coax you," Qing Shui spoke up shamelessly.

"Disgusting. Get away." Beihuang Fan glared at Qing Shui.

"An abundant spirit and a jade structure with infinite grace. Shoulders fine like knives and a slender waist. Your skin is fair and smooth. How soft and perky. How I wish I could touch." Qing Shui rubbed his hands together as he watched Beihuang Fan.

"Ah, go to hell. I'll bite you to death."

Beihuang Fan lunged forward and grabbed Qing Shui's arm before biting down harshly. She was enraged by Qing Shui but couldn't win against him in the end. Even her personality was turning increasingly submissive in front of him.

Ah!

Qing Shui let out a yell but didn't move in fear of hurting Beihuang Fan's teeth. His arm was being pulled in front of Beihuang Fan to be bitten, and now they were closer to each other than before. Naturally, his eyes were exposed to the bouncy area thanks to the close distance.

Qing Shui smacked his lips. "Then I'll bite you too."

He lunged forward and bit Beihuang Fan's chest after his words.

Qing Shui wasn't forceful in the act. It was just a little nibble, leaving Beihuang Fan stunned.

As though struck by lightning, she leaped aside with her shaking body. She didn't have that big of a reaction when Qing Shui touched her before but she was staring motionless at Qing Shui this time around. Tears began to well up in her beautiful eyes before streaming down. She turned on her heels and walked away.

Qing Shui panicked, rushing forward to hold her in his arms, quickly saying, "I'm sorry!"

"What relationship do you have with me? What do you take me for?" Beihuang Fan's voice was cold, just like the first time they met.

Qing Shui knew that he had gone overboard this time. He could feel the distance increasing between them. Even with her in his arms, he didn't feel like he could get her back.

She had never been overly agitated by Qing Shui's teasing. She had even seen Qing Shui as her future husband, but even as a future husband, he had no right to be this frivolous with her. Even if they were married, he would have to consider her feelings. He was being downright disrespectful to her. What did he take her for?

Beihuang Fan felt cold, as though something had been broken. She was upset and sad, not because Qing Shui had neglected her feelings but the attitude she had towards Qing Shui.

"Qing Shui, I need to be alone." Her emotionless voice left him helpless.

He grew vexed all of a sudden, as though he had just lost something important. Tantai Lingyan had left. This was a fact that he had never truly forgotten. Now it seemed like he was going to lose Beihuang Fan as well. He was going to lose the woman he hadn't had the chance to call his.

Snap!

A crisp sound rang out. As if something in his body had been broken, a stream of fresh blood flowed from the corner of Qing Shui's lips. The world in front of him seemed so clear suddenly, like an epiphany. Feelings, relationships, and everything else, he realized, were just troubles that people brought upon themselves.

Beihuang Fan watched the man in front of her, the one whom she wasn't sure about her feelings for. She watched motionlessly as he stood there with fresh blood flowing down his lips and her heart ached. In that instant, she realized that she loved this man. At that thought, a cave opened up behind her.

A breakthrough. She had really broken through. It was true that she realized this love wasn't as great as she expected and felt it slipping past her fingers. Whether it would be lost in the end, she had still experienced love and broken through her current realm, attaining the Cave Realm.

She was at Half Step of the Cave Realm before, and now she had finally attained the Cave Realm. The opening to the cave was evidence of that.

The mouth to the cave grew clearer even though the inside was still a blur.

After the formation, another cave appeared behind her, on the other side of Beihuang Fan.

Beihuang Fan stood there as she stared at Qing Shui, as though she gained an epiphany as well. Memories of their time together flooded her mind and she realized what beautiful memories they were. It was too bad that she didn't feel the same way she had before. At that moment, her heart felt as though it had just lost something.