My Journey to Immortality Begins with Hunting

The arrival of the entire family turned Dawn Manor from a hushed retreat into a buzzing hive.

Not long ago, the only liveliness here came from a handful of rowdy young Ice Folk cubs, Xue Ning's forced smiles, and little Sheng'er's quiet, solitary chill.

Now Xue Ning had her son and daughter-in-laws at her side, plus a grandson and granddaughter tugging at her sleeves. She also had sisters apart from Yan Yu to share secrets with. Sheng'er suddenly enjoyed the company of her younger brother, sister-in-laws, and nieces and nephews. She also reunited with Cui Huayin, Jiang Shuixing, and Yao Jue, who had taught her how to paint when she was small.

Cloudpeak Province lay frozen in snow, yet Dawn Manor felt like early spring. Warmth seeped into every corner; smiles were impossible to suppress.

Outside these walls, Jing Shuixiang ranked third among the powerhouse of the Holy Tree Temple; inside, she promptly found her niche at the stove. Most days she rolled up her sleeves and cooked for the entire family.

Herlife skillsbar was maxed out, so the food was divine. Even Sheng'er, who normally nibbled at a single small bowl, downed three.

Cui Huayin, proud and aloof, carried out an easel and brushes to paint winter landscapes for the manor. She meant to work alone, but Yao Jue wandered over, Sheng'er in tow.

Yao Jue had learned painting from Cui Huayin.

Sheng'er had learned from Yao Jue.

Grinning, Yao Jue announced, "I've brought the disciple to pay respects to the grandmaster!"

Cui Huayin raised her brush, half ready to swat the cheeky maid. The moment cracked the ice; laughter spilled out.

Between brushstrokes, Cui Huayin peppered Sheng'er with questions. Given permission by her father ahead of time, Sheng'er held almost nothing back, except details about Yan Yu and Li Yuan's unique Yang flame. She even spoke of the Tang Sect and Ice Folk.

Yao Jue looked no less stunned.

On the road, Li Yuan had mentioneda few contactsamong the Ice Folk, calling it something of a rear base. Who'd have guessed afewmeant a whole empire's worth?

The two exchanged a long, speechless glance.

When Jing Shuixiang heard, the pair became a trio, all staring at one another in mute disbelief.

By then the three women had lived here a full week.

Gradually, they accepted it all.

Next came restoring the proper bonds of husband and wife with Li Yuan. At first, Jing Shuixiang and Cui Huayin were merely curious, prompted by Yao Jue, but curiosity soon hardened into resolve; tonight, they would act.

Li Yuan, meanwhile, was anything but idle.

While his family rested beneath one roof, he sprinted between two worlds.

By day he rode the thousand mile thread to Silkfloss Province, gauging the shifting winds. He was seeking breakthroughs and worrying over the brewing storm in distant Gemhill County.

By night he flashed back to Dawn Manor, devoured Jiang Shuixiang's fragrant dishes, washed off the road dust, and stretched out on his bed. There he lay, listening to the wind and snow, mapping out the future.

Xue Ning spent her days bonding with her daughters-in-law and seldom shared his pillow.

Of the two wives and one lover he had brought home, only Yao Jue seemed fully settled; the other two were still finding their footing.

Yet Yao Jue was too shy tohog the mealall by herself, which left Li Yuan leading the life of an empty-nest elder long before his time.

He had already resigned himself to the idea that Jing Shuixiang and Cui Huayin would never again share his bed. Both women were independent, cool as winter streams, nothing like Yao Jue's eager warmth.

They walked their own roads. Following their husband wherever he went was not in their creed, nor were they the clinging, soft-voiced sort. Back when they married him, each had her own complicated reasons. Almost a decade and a half had passed since. Climbing back under the same quilt to relive old dreams would never be easy.

Outwardly, though, they still saved his face. Jing Shuixiang cooked; Cui Huayin painted. They called himhusbandin front of others with practiced warmth, small proofs they still cared.

Tonight, after bathing and dressing for bed, Li Yuan ambled to his door, yawning. He raised a hand to push it open, then paused. On the other side he sensed three presences hiding in practiced silence; even their breathing and heartbeats were tucked away.

But ever since mastering Mortal World Transformation, Li Yuan had gained strange supplemental powers. One of them was a soft instinct for all warm living things. Anything alive that failed to mask the spark of vitality could not escape his notice.

His hesitation lasted the briefest heartbeat. The next moment he pushed the door wide as usual, pretending to know nothing.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!Three figures in night gowns closed around him.

Yao Jue slipped behind to block the door, patted his back, and announced, "Master, My Lady, Shuixiang and I have decided. Whenever you're home, we'll draw lots. Whoever pulls the short stick keeps you company for the night."

Li Yuan chuckled. "And won't you be wishing for the short stick every time?"

A rosy flush climbed Yao Jue's cheeks. She wriggled her legs, huffed, "N-No I won't!"

He laughed again. "All this trouble just to deliver the news in person?"

Jing Shuixiang's tone stayed even. "These days we've spoken with Sheng'er and with Xue Ning as well. Only now do we grasp that your…unusual side far exceeds what we imagined. We'd like to hear it from you directly.

"From now on, we're walking the same path. We need to understand exactly where you stand so we can make the right choices.

"As fairness, we'll share what resources we still control, though I doubt you'll find much value in them. Mostly contacts and favors around Silkfloss Province or a few other provinces. People move on, tea goes cold.

"But the favors should hold for a while yet. At least when we travel somewhere new we won't be stumbling in the dark. We'll have trustworthy guides, friendly doors to knock on."

Beside her, Cui Huayin remained silent, every inch the regal consort, dignity flowing from her like moonlight on fresh snow.

Jing Shuixiang finished speaking, then shot Li Yuan's trousers a disdainful glance. "Let's talk on the bed, shall we? Holding court like strangers is ridiculous."

Yao Jue leaned to his ear and giggled, "Master, the lottery starts tomorrow. Tonight…it'sallof us."

Li Yuan's blood had been running hot after so many solitary nights. Yao Jue's tease fanned it into flame.

He eyed the trio. "Must we use the bed?"

Jing Shuixiang blinked, then colored as realization dawned.

Yao Jue's face turned crimson; she pounded his chest. "You rogue!"

Cui Huayin rolled her eyes, kicked off her shoes, and announced, "This palace lady doesnotplay on the floor."

The courtly tone slipped out of her by habit, even though she was no longer an imperial consort.

A spark of mischief flashed through Jing Shuixiang's eyes.Catch the maid,Eagle snatching chicks…those silly games had never crossed her mind. But then she remembered…whathadn'tshe and Li Yuan done while she was healing… and, well, why not?

With a deft flick of both wrists, she opened her robe. In the same breath, she blew out every candle. "Enjoy yourself," she murmured.

Yao Jue whispered, "Could we leaveonecandle?"

Li Yuan grinned. "We can."

Cui Huayin could not help scolding, "Have you three no shame?"

"Nope!" Jing Shuixiang answered with a soft, lingering hum…

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

The next morning.

Snow still drifted outside, but behind the silk bed curtains, spring warmth chased every chill away.

Li Yuan had never attempted anything so…ambitious before. In retrospect, last night bordered on madness.

On his left arm lay Jing Shuixiang; on his right, Cui Huayin; on top of him sprawled the long-legged maid Yao Jue. All three were awake, yet remained where they were, as though learning to inhabit this new harmony.

Yao Jue broke the silence. "Master, you already have a fifth wife? Should I be the sixth?"

Jing Shuixiang mused, "A child of yours was born sixth rank and can grow to fourth rank… If you—"

She halted, unable to imagine what would happen if this man focused on breeding. An army of fourth rank prodigies?

Li Yuan waved her off. "There are lines I won't cross. If Snow hadn't insisted, that child would never have been born."

"Lines you won't cross? After last night?" Cui Huayin arched an eyebrow. Her cheeks flushed; she smacked his chest. "And don't youdaresuggest more children. I still have my cultivation to pursue."

The bed dissolved into ticklish scuffling.