Huangfu Bing'er leaned against Ye Qin's shoulder, her face lit with joy. Yet in the corner of her gaze, a barely perceptible sigh and helplessness flickered. She knew he wouldn't die easily mid-journey across the sea. Her junior brother had finally arrived safely at Donghai Archipelago to reunite with her. The relief that settled over her was so sudden it calmed even her restless heart. Still, two major troubles remained unsolved - one about Dan Consolidation itself, and another from Tianmo Alliance's Li Shuwen entanglements.

Consolidating a gold core wasn't easy. It carried enormous risks. Decades ago when breaking through the foundation stage bottleneck at WanKu Ridge, had it not been for Ye Qin sharing half the burden, she might have perished then. To breach this new bottleneck between foundation and gold core stages would be even more perilous than before. Ye Qin would certainly lend his strength again to help her through. But doing so could drag him down as well.

Then there was the celestial lightning from the minor heavenly tribulation he'd have to withstand.

Over a decade ago, with Master Huangfu Rui's help, her Bingpo Sword had been forged into a spiritual weapon set. Yet even that gave her little confidence alone. Other artifacts at most were just mid-to-high grade talismans - they offered slim chances against celestial lightning.

Forming a gold core was no easy task.

Comparatively, the trouble with Li Shuwen seemed easier to resolve.

She could simply leave Shuiyuncun.

With countless islands scattered across Donghai Archipelago, and cultivators as abundant as fish in rivers, finding an anonymous island with Ye Qin would be effortless. But doing so meant losing Shuiyuncun's support, slowing her cultivation significantly.

A necessity forced by circumstances.

Huangfu Bing'er suddenly felt something stir within her at this thought. Blinking bright eyes upward, she asked curiously, "Junior Brother Ye, your cultivation has improved so rapidly! You've already reached the pinnacle of Foundation Stage 9th layer!"

Earlier excitement from seeing Ye Qin had made her overlook his cultivation level entirely.

Now that calmness returned, she realized his power rivaled hers. In merely ten years he'd scaled to this peak - and likely for some time now.

This naturally astonished Huangfu Bing'er greatly.

After all, as a core disciple of Qingdan Sect in Zhongtu Lingwu realm, then an inner disciple under Shuiyuncun's sect master at Donghai Xianque City, her cultivation had benefited from numerous resources. Combined with superior spiritual roots and relentless training, she'd surpassed many ordinary Foundation Stage cultivators.

Yet Ye Qin came from scattered cultivator origins - no support whatsoever, each advancement painstakingly hard-won. She knew this well from his days in Qingdan Sect. And as a five-spirit-rooted cultivator, considered inferior by cultivation standards, how had he achieved such heights?

She didn't discriminate against five-spirit roots.

Master Huangfu Rui himself once mentioned that the 'Zuao Jing' cultivation method suited multi-spirit-rooted practitioners perfectly with no lesser efficacy. Uncle Chen Min also occasionally praised Ye Qin's exceptional talent.

Still she couldn't fathom how he'd reached this Foundation Stage pinnacle.

Ye Qin smiled softly.

Holding such a breathtaking beauty in his arms, being adored by the woman who owned his heart, left him feeling invincible in that moment.

"Of course there are reasons. Bing'er, if you really want to know, call me brother first..."

"Hmph, no way!"

Huangfu Bing'er's icy gaze shot him a withering look.

Then Ye Qin let out an "ouch!" sound as his smug expression crumbled into pain from the surprisingly gentle pinch Huangfu delivered on his waist. But rather than subdue his confidence, it only made his arrogance bloom further - hands wandering boldly up and down her curves.

Huangfu Bing'er's exquisite form beneath him was a vision of temptation.

His fingers brushed across her full chest, soft as jade, sending electric shivers through Ye Qin who lost all restraint before crushing her onto the bed. His weight pinned her tightly, hands exploring her chest, waist and hips freely.

Her cheeks had turned completely crimson when she sensed his arousal beneath. A wave of shame made her try to push him away - but found herself trembling with weakness.

Though they'd become official cultivation partners at WanKu Ridge, their physical intimacy remained rare.

That encounter there was necessity for breaking through the foundation bottleneck.

The second brief time before leaving Lingwu Realm saw only a month-long stay in Zhuqi County as she accompanied Ye Qin. But his mind had been preoccupied with grief over his parents, naturally having no thoughts of other matters.

This time was different.

Pure desire drove them together on this bed for the first true intimate encounter.

Her pliant body resisting yet yielding stirred primal hunger within Ye Qin. Fire burned through him as fierce yearning took hold, an overwhelming need to conquer made refusal impossible.

He kissed her ruby lips hungrily while hands roamed freely. Passionate kisses and ragged breathing filled the air with masculine energy, slowly drowning her in dazed intoxication.

Huangfu Bing'ers resistance melted under his aggressive passion, surrendering completely to his ruthless exploration and fierce lovemaking as stormy tides crashed over them.

After an endless downpour of wild passion, Huangfu Bing'er lay nestled against Ye Qin's chest. Watching his hands still playing with her breasts while he held her tightly, she knew this man would forever entwine their fates in this lifetime.

As she gazed at the reassuring aura radiating from him, clarity brightened her eyes as a decision crystallized.

Reaching into her storage bag after glancing at scattered silk garments around them, she produced a small embroidered box. Inside was a fiery red pill with intoxicating fragrance and accompanying spiritual items.

Putting it in her mouth before claiming his lips, her tongue pressed the pill deep into Ye Qin's mouth.

Suddenly Ye Qin felt searing fire essence surge down his throat.

"This is a Fire Affinity Dan?" Ye Qin blinked up at Huangfu Bing'er mid-intimacy.

"How do you know this is Fire Affinity Dan?" Her expression faltered slightly - most cultivators wouldn't recognize the pill without prior knowledge.

Already decided to leave Shuiyuncun, she wanted Ye Qin to consolidate his core first for better success chances. If he succeeded in becoming a gold-core cultivator, their survival prospects across Donghai Archipelago would improve significantly together.

Ye Qin calmly retrieved the Fire Affinity Dan from his mouth.

He hadn't known its nature at first - but having once consumed Water Affinity Dan before made him highly sensitive to consolidation pills. The similarities between fire and water variants had revealed her hidden intention after just tasting their essence.

Though he remained composed, the heartfelt gratitude was overwhelming.

For most Foundation Stage cultivators, obtaining a consolidation pill was as impossible as scaling heaven's gates. Huangfu Bing'er risked giving hers away despite knowing she might never find another?

"Consolidation pills are arduous to obtain," Ye Qin murmured softly, cupping her face while meeting her gaze firmly.

"Just take it please?" She shook her head with pleading eyes - had deliberately withheld its nature fearing his refusal.

Her pride made him reluctant to accept gifts easily.

Yet still he recognized the offering instantly.

Holding the blazing red Fire Affinity Dan in his palm, Ye Qin smiled wryly, "Back at Qingdan Sect, other six great sects had their own outstanding cultivators. Yet you chose me directly - without hesitation."

"My mother was just a scattered cultivator with no status while my father is a revered golden-core elder of Qingdan Sect. I don't know why when we met at WanKu Ridge... it felt as if fate meant for us to unite." Huangfu Bing'er's clear eyes gazed tenderly at him, "Actually, what I want is so little. When young I only wanted my mother. After she died, just peaceful cultivation. Now all I want is you. What about you, my junior brother?"

"Me?" Ye Qin pondered, "I was once a poor hunter's son in Wu Kingdom's remote villages. Just wanted to live well in such harsh times - yet even that simple wish might not survive the chaos. After leaving Wu Kingdom for Lingwu City, I've just kept cultivating... never knowing how far cultivation path would take me."

Smiling tenderly while gripping his hand tightly (her fingers slightly trembling with anxiety), Huangfu Bing'er urged gently, "Take it then - it'll help you realize your dreams!"

"Miss Huangfu has left Shuiyuncun heading west. Her cultivation is too high for subordinates to trail her further. But she's left Xianque City and likely returned to her island cave."

After departing Shuiyuncun, Li Shuwen stewed in anger over several days of seclusion. Unexpectedly, his subordinates brought him this exciting news just after emerging from cultivation.