But Qianxun instantly restrained her surging emotions, still managing to call out, "Brother-in-law." Jun Moye could detect the sheer difficulty and reluctance woven into Qianxun's utterance of "Brother-in-law." A fleeting shadow of incomprehensible disappointment crossed Qianxun’s eyes... She had secretly hoped that since she was already dead, Jun Moye might have followed her into oblivion... Under Zhan Mubai's earth-shattering, devastatingly terrifying strike, Qianxun hadn't held out any hope of survival.

She had sacrificed herself for Jun Moye, and sacrificed herself for the futility of her own love... If Jun Moye had journeyed to this underworld with her, despite the betrayal to her elder sister, she could finally possess him... even in the Yellow Springs...

That last exclamation, "How am I still alive?"—she had desperately hoped the answer would be negative. If she were dead, it would mean that Jun Moye, who was everything to her, was also... It would mean she could finally be with him...

But now, she understood her hope was barren. She was actually alive... Since she lived, she must continue to painfully face that hopeless affection, carrying it with her every step of the way...

"How are you feeling now? Is anything uncomfortable?" Jun Moye anxiously supported her. Qianxun had only just woken up, and during the long period before this, he had force-fed her countless spiritual elixirs and heavenly treasures..." What sensations did she have?

"I'm fine... The only feeling is... I'm so full..." Qianxun tried to examine her body, finding no major ailment.

Aside from slight weakness, her Dantian's vital energy was unimaginably abundant. It seemed that during her unconscious state, her profound arts had advanced autonomously, reaching a state she had never dared to dream of reaching... If she absolutely had to name something uncomfortable, there was only one thing—how could she be so...

Full? Even somewhat... ah...

'that way'...? "Brother-in-law, how long was I unconscious?" Qianxun asked quietly. "You were unconscious...

for exactly three months and eight days, plus another six hours," Jun Moye replied with precise recall. "Ah? That long has passed?" The Serpent King gasped and instinctively stood up, only to realize that although her body felt slightly fragile, it obeyed her will perfectly.

There was no stiffness whatsoever. She asked in surprise, "If I've been unconscious for so long... Then...

why is that?" Unconsciousness did not equate to cessation of life! Even when unconscious... one needed to eat, needed to drink, and furthermore...

needed to excrete... Furthermore, after being unconscious for such an extended period, the muscles, bones, and joints must inevitably become stiff, perhaps even atrophied... Even after a few days of solitary meditation, such effects appeared; how much more so after several months?

Yet she felt absolutely no abnormality... This very fact was the greatest anomaly! "These past three-plus months...

who looked after me?" The Serpent King asked softly, lowering her head. "Uh... this...

ah... ahem..." Young Master Jun scratched his nose, looking rather awkward. "Well...

I took care of you the entire time..." "You?" Qianxun was instantly overcome with shame, yet beneath the shyness, there was a sliver of unexpected, hidden delight—Qianxun herself didn't understand where this thought came from. Her snow-white delicate face immediately flushed scarlet, the blush spreading down her neck until it stained her collarbone... She whispered delicately, "Then...

how did you take care of me?" "I... I... well..." Jun Moye steeled his heart.

"We’re family... There’s no need to be so formal. It was exactly as you might imagine...

Um... to prevent any negative condition from affecting your body, I massaged your entire body—muscles, meridians, and joints—twice a day, morning and evening... fed you three times a day...

ah... and..." He had barely spoken before the Serpent King covered her face with both hands, burying it deep into her chest, trembling uncontrollably: "And... what else?" No wonder she felt no discomfort at all—it turned out...

he had been massaging her and... feeding her... Didn't that mean every inch of her body...

He had... touched it all? Thinking this, the newly awakened Lady Serpent King wished she could faint all over again...

It was too mortifying. "Cough, cough, cough... And...

cough..." Jun Moye cleared his throat with a casual laugh. "You know... this...

bodily necessities... Even while you were unconscious... that...

well..." So, he had even helped her with those necessities too... The Serpent King let out a soft moan, so mortified that she nearly fainted again... Jun Moye was startled and quickly caught her, patting her back and pinching her philtrum...

He finally managed to bring Lady Serpent King back from the brink. But upon regaining consciousness, the Serpent King went completely limp, as if she had reverted to her original form... She slumped in Jun Moye’s embrace, refusing to lift her head no matter what...

So that was why she felt so full upon waking... He had actually... Alas, what was she to do about this?

How was she ever to face all this? Bodily necessities... He had handled those for her too...

Didn't that mean... she had absolutely no secrets left in front of him? Not only had he seen and touched every part of her...

but he had also performed these most embarrassing acts... These were moments of awkwardness that even established couples might avoid... This, this, this...

this was truly troublesome... After thinking for a long time, she realized that remaining frozen like this was unsustainable. Finally, she decided to break the silence, asking a random question just to fill the void: "Then...

how did you feed me...?" Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum. Young Master Jun secretly cried out in agony, Great Sister, why did you have to ask that specific question? Isn't the manner of feeding obvious?

How else could I feed you? Just like that! But since she had asked, he had to answer.

Steeling himself, Young Master Jun forced a thick skin upon himself and replied, "Just like that, like that... mouth-to-mouth..." "Hngh..." The Serpent King instantly realized she had asked another foolish question, immediately covering her face again and turning away, twisting her body... "Uh...

this... that was my fault." Young Master Jun soothed her, "Mmm... well...

that... that... I will take responsibility..." "I don't need you to!" To Jun Moye's surprise, the moment he uttered those words, the Serpent King spun around sharply: "I don't want you to take responsibility!

You... you are my brother-in-law, and you will always be my brother-in-law in this life! You must never wrong my elder sister!

Never mind if Sister agrees, I absolutely will not agree!" Jun Moye was already prepared for this reaction. The Serpent King was inherently a woman of steadfast principles; otherwise, she wouldn't have tried so desperately to conceal her feelings after discovering them, solely to ensure his union with Mei Leiyan. "What you say doesn't count!" Jun Moye was exceptionally firm.

"The current you is already my woman! Where else do you think you're going? Whether you agree or not, it's settled!

This matter is decided!" "No..." Qianxun lunged forward, tears welling in her eyes, her face pale. "Whether you want it or not, you will have it!" Jun Moye’s face was stern. "In matters like this, neither of you has a say!

I am the head of this household! What I say goes!" "N-no... we can't do this!

This will hurt Elder Sister..." Qianxun shook her head stubbornly. Suddenly, she grit her teeth, "Brother-in-law... we cannot do this.

I cannot wrong Elder Sister, and you must not wrong Elder Sister either... How about this... I promise to become your woman...

but... I will never appear in front of anyone else... is that acceptable?

Elder Sister values reputation... I... will never compete with Elder Sister, never..." "What nonsense are you speaking?

I belong to all of you; what is there to compete over! This matter is settled! No more discussion." Jun Moye became even more resolute.

Then, his voice softened, "Qianxun... I know the respect you hold for your Elder Sister, but... what kind of man do you take me, Jun Moye, to be?

In your heart, am I such a man who shirks responsibility? If I were truly that kind of man, would I be worthy of your devotion?" Qianxun wept profusely, merely shaking her head repeatedly, her face showing surprise, satisfaction, and a deep layer of guilt... Jun Moye sighed deeply.

"Enough. Let's travel first. We'll discuss everything when we return." Qianxun nodded submissively...

Jun Moye thought to himself that this issue would likely require Mei Xueyan herself to intervene. It seemed Young Master Jun hadn't realized just how elevated Mei Xueyan's status was in Qianxun's heart! Jun Moye had overlooked the fact that Mei Xueyan had supported the Heavenly Punishment organization alone for many years.

One could say that without Mei Xueyan's diligent management, Heavenly Punishment would have long ago lost its reputation as a fearsome place! In the hearts of the beasts of Heavenly Punishment, she was a mentor, a mother, and an elder sister. Such reverence accumulated over so many years could not be easily shaken!

Qianxun composed her spirit and immediately checked her current cultivation level. The moment she gathered her energy, she felt light as a swallow, with none of the discomfort associated with recovering from severe injury. In fact, she felt her current strength was even higher than before she was hurt, and by more than one entire tier!

But exactly how high she had reached now was unknown to her; it was a profound level she had never attained, never explored, never dared to hope for, perhaps never even heard spoken of! It was important to remember that during the time Qianxun was injured, Jun Moye had practically stuffed countless rare treasures and wondrous spiritual medicines into her mouth without regard for cost. Because the Serpent King had lost her own consciousness, all the power of the spiritual medicines entered her body without her own profound energy circulating to utilize the medicinal properties.

This vast, unimaginable potency was stored within her meridians on its own... This accumulation lasted for a full three months, along with nearly an entire pool of Sacred Tree Essence! The efficacy of the Sacred Tree Essence was not just to repair damaged spiritual origins, but to enhance Qianxun’s entire physical form comprehensively.

If not for this, even with Jun Moye’s care, the Serpent King’s body would not have been able to return instantly to normal the moment she awoke. That was extremely pure essence-blood energy! Heavenly Root Water!

In this entire world, only a sentient, multi-hued Sacred Tree could condense such soul-level power... Qianxun... had effectively absorbed several thousand years of the Sacred Tree’s essence in one go...

(To be continued, if you wish to know what happens next)