Emei Palace, Rear Mountain Courtyard.
Morning sunlight filtered through the lattice windows, spilling across the bed. Lin Che opened his eyes blearily, only to find his embrace empty. He reached out, grasping nothing but a lingering scent.
"Jiayin?" He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and saw Luo Jiayin standing beside the bed, staring at him with a grave expression.
"You lecher! What mischief did you get up to last night while I was cultivating?" She held a memory jade slip, which clearly showed footage of Lin Che stealthily kissing her forehead at midnight.
[System: Evidence of host's cheating behavior confirmed. Success rate of denial: 0.01%. Recommendation: Immediately kneel and beg for mercy.]
Lin Che's face flushed. He coughed twice. "Well... I was just checking your cultivation progress."
"Checking progress requires kissing?" Luo Jiayin sneered. The image on the jade slip shifted, showing a scene where their lips were pressed together. "What is this? CPR?"
[System: Host's flirting technique is masterful, but IQ drops by 100 when caught.]
"I was wrong..." Lin Che raised his hands in surrender. "Next time I'll definitely apply in advance."
"You think there's going to be a next time?" Luo Jiayin's willow-leaf eyebrows shot up. She reached out to twist his ear.
Lin Che's figure flickered, vanishing from the bed and appearing behind her the next second. His long arm stretched out, pulling her into his embrace. "Alright, alright. Don't be angry. Come, let your husband hug you."
"Hug your head!" Luo Jiayin struggled with all her limbs. "Let me go! We're at Emei Palace. If Grandmother sees—"
Before she finished, Guo Xiang's clear cough came from outside: "Ahem... You young people, show some restraint."
[System: Detected Nascent Divinity scan at Half-Step Refining Void Realm. Host's social death index +999.]
Both instantly froze. Luo Jiayin's face turned so red it could drip blood. Lin Che, however, looked like a dead pig that didn't fear scalding water as he shouted, "Good morning, Palace Master! Jiayin says she misses you and wants to go pay her respects!"
"Lin Che!" Luo Jiayin stomped her foot. "What nonsense are you spouting!"
Guo Xiang's voice carried resignation: "Enough, enough. Both of you get up. After breakfast, come to the main hall. This old lady has matters to discuss."
Footsteps gradually faded away.
Luo Jiayin glared viciously. "It's all your fault! I have no face left to show anyone!"
[System: Detected host's face thickness +1000, shame -999.]
"Afraid of what?" Lin Che shrugged. "We're all family anyway."
"Who's family with you!" She turned to leave, but Lin Che grabbed her hand.
"Wait." His expression turned serious. "You're breaking through to the God Transformation Realm tonight. I need to protect you."
Luo Jiayin was startled. Her shame and annoyance were instantly replaced by emotion. "I understand..."
---
After breakfast, they arrived at Emei Palace's main hall.
Guo Xiang was examining a communication jade slip. Seeing them enter, she revealed a grave expression. "Sit. Important matters to discuss."
"Palace Master, please speak." Lin Che sensed something was wrong.
"News from the Profound Heaven Domain—the main sect of Mystic Sword Sect is furious. They've dispatched the Eight Guardian Elders." Guo Xiang spoke slowly. "Led by the Great Elder at Refining Void Peak. They'll arrive at the Canglan Realm in... three days."
[System: EPIC CRISIS DETECTED! Enemy lineup: 1 Refining Void Peak, 7 Refining Void Late Stage! Host's win rate: 3.1415926%! Note: Even pi is higher than you!]
Lin Che's pupils constricted, but he quickly regained his calm. "That was fast."
"And you're still smiling?" Guo Xiang frowned. "Each of the Eight Guardians is at the Refining Void Realm. The Great Elder is at Refining Void Peak, half a step into the Mahayana Realm. Are you sure your 'foolproof plan' can handle this?"
[System: Detected host is flexing. Suggest preparing coffins... ahem, preparing surprises first.]
"Palace Master, do you know their objective?" Lin Che countered.
"Two things." Guo analyzed. "One—avenge the branch sect. Two—retrieve the Death Substitution Talisman. But the talisman is an ancient secret treasure. They won't abandon it easily."
Lin Che nodded thoughtfully. "Then let them come. The Eight Guardians... perfect stepping stones for my Slayer Pavilion."
[System: Detected host's bragging index breaking through the heavens. Recommendation: Purchase a spaceship for easy escape.]
Guo Xiang pondered, then produced a blood-colored jade talisman. "This is my Emei Palace's 'Blood Battle Token.' It mobilizes all palace forces. In three days, this old lady will personally lead a team to the Slayer Pavilion to protect you."
"Thank you, Palace Master." Lin Che accepted it solemnly without refusal.
But he knew clearly—against eight Refining Void Realm experts, Emei Palace couldn't interfere. This battle ultimately depended on him alone.
---
Back at the courtyard, Luo Jiayin was deeply worried. "Lin Che, how about... we avoid them? Eight Refining Void Realm experts—can we really withstand them?"
"We withstand them even if we can't." He pulled her into his embrace. "I promised to let you stand proudly by my side. I must win this battle."
[System: Detected host raising death flags at full mast. Recommendation: Write a will, at least three copies.]
"But—" Luo Jiayin wanted to say more, but Lin Che kissed her lips.
"No buts." His forehead pressed against hers. "Trust me."
[System: WARNING! Target's heart rate +200%. Host's sweet-talk attack power MAX!]
That night, Luo Jiayin began her breakthrough to the God Transformation Realm.
In the courtyard, Lin Che set up a triple spirit gathering formation with spirit stones piled like a small mountain. Luo Jiayin sat cross-legged at the center, her eyes tightly shut, spiritual energy boiling like a sea around her.
Boom—
In the sky, the three-nine heavenly tribulation took form.
[System: Detected target's breakthrough tribulation. Power assessment: Medium. Host's wife-protecting mode automatically activated.]
"Lin Che, stay back!" Luo Jiayin shouted. "Don't get caught in my tribulation!"
"Silly woman." Instead of leaving, Lin Che sat down beside her. "Husband and wife share one body. Your tribulation is my tribulation."
He grasped her hand. Thunder Origin Nascent Soul power surged as he actively drew the tribulation!
[System: Detected host's suicidal behavior. Mortality rate: 87%! WARNING: Interfering with another's tribulation incurs Heavenly Dao punishment!]
Sure enough, the lightning tribulation that had only been arm-thick instantly swelled to bucket-thick, its power doubling!
"You're crazy!" Luo Jiayin's face paled.
"Trust me." Lin Che grinned. "With me here, even heavenly tribulation becomes nourishment."
He activated the Nine Heavens Dual Cultivation Art, drawing tribulation lightning into his body. After refining it through his Thunder Origin Nascent Soul, he channeled it into Luo Jiayin.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Lightning bolts struck down but were resolved by their combined efforts. Lin Che's flesh was charred black, but his wounds healed instantly. Luo Jiayin's aura rose steadily, her Nascent Soul growing increasingly solid.
When the ninth lightning bolt descended, Lin Che's face suddenly changed. "Not good—it's the Heaven's Punishment tribulation!"
[System: Detected host couple's intimacy index is too high. Heavenly Dao can't stand it and decides to give face to single dogs.]
Lin Che cursed, "Fck off! We're legally married!"
He shielded Luo Jiayin behind him, taking the final lightning bolt alone.
BOOM—!
When the light faded, Luo Jiayin was unharmed, and her cultivation had stabilized at the initial God Transformation Realm.
[System: Congratulations on successfully protecting your wife! Target breakthrough complete: Nascent Soul → God Transformation! Host's wound healing speed +50%, tribulation resistance +30%.]
Lin Che spat out a mouthful of black smoke and cursed as he climbed up. "This Heavenly Dao is definitely jealous that I married such a good wife."
Luo Jiayin threw herself into his arms, tears streaming down. "You fool! Who told you to block my tribulation! What would I do if you died!"
"Can't die." He patted her back. "Your husband's life is tough."
[System: Detected host couple's love value exploding off the charts. Suggest dual cultivating on the spot... ahem, I mean, suggest immediate dual cultivation.]
"Shut up!" Both cursed in unison.
[System: ...Host, you're getting more in sync. Even the way you curse me is identical.]
---
Three days later, at the Slayer Pavilion.
Shi Jin was drilling his brothers when suddenly the sky darkened. Eight terrifying auras descended.
"They're here!" His face changed drastically.
Eight elders in black robes stepped through the air. The leader had snow-white hair and lightning-like eyes—the Great Elder of Mystic Sword Sect at Refining Void Peak, Xuan Mingzi!
"Little bastard Lin Che, get out here and die!" Xuan Mingzi's voice rolled like thunder.
Lin Che slowly walked out, followed by Luo Jiayin, Lin Ying, and a hundred brothers. A cynical smile hung on his face. "Yo, isn't this the Eight Guardian Elders of Mystic Sword Sect? What, here to collect the corpses for your trash branch sect?"
[System: Detected host courting death. Suggest writing a will, at least three copies—for your wife, sister, and mother-in-law.]
Xuan Mingzi laughed in rage. "Still talking tough when death is at your door! Today, this old man will tear you to pieces to honor the spirits of my Mystic Sword Sect's heroes!"
"Heroes?" Lin Che sneered. "A bunch of dog bastards who bully men and women—worthy of being called heroes?"
He snapped his fingers. "Since you're here, don't leave. Welcome... to the slaughterhouse I've prepared for you!"
[System: WARNING! Host's killing intent maxed out! Sanity -50, Madness +999!]
[End of Chapter 42]