Volume One, Chapter Three: Harnessing the Vital Energy That Nourishes Heaven, Earth, and All Living Things

"Xiao Xu, why is your nose bleeding?" Shen Yulian asked with concern.

She pulled a roll of tissue paper from under the covers, tore off a few sheets, and stepped over to Lin Xiaoxu to wipe the blood away. A subtle, alluring fragrance drifted toward him. Lin Xiaoxu breathed it in greedily, his peripheral vision lingering on the rising mounds of her chest.

*Gulp.*

Lin Xiaoxu swallowed hard, thinking to himself, "How can my sister-in-law, Shen Yulian, even ask me that? With you looking like this, how could I not have a nosebleed?"

However, he maintained his usual foolish expression. The unexpected discovery of an ancient inheritance was too surreal; he needed time to process it, so he decided not to reveal to Shen Yulian that his mind had returned to normal just yet.

"Alright, let's sleep," Shen Yulian said, taking his hand as they both sat on the edge of the bed.

As her eyes flicked toward the prominent bulge in his trousers, her heart raced and her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She cursed Chen Bao silently; if he hadn't burst in, she and Xiaoxu would have already consummated their relationship. Given Lin Xiaoxu's physical stamina, they were far from finished. She had only wanted to experience the intimacy of becoming a real woman, but why was the path to happiness so fraught with obstacles?

Lin Xiaoxu’s thoughts were equally chaotic. His mind was filled with the shocking image of Shen Yulian topless before him and the way she had pounced on him. Even more thrilling was the moment he had nearly smothered in her bountiful embrace. Thinking of it made his heart hammer against his ribs; his face burned like it had been scorched by fire, so hot that his very pores seemed to steam.

Shen Yulian, acting as if intoxicated by passion, grew increasingly bold with her hands, clearly determined to finish what they started. Yet, she failed to realize that a woman being too aggressive can dampen a man's interest. Men prefer the shy, half-hidden allure of a woman.

Sure enough, Lin Xiaoxu turned away and pushed Shen Yulian toward the other side of the bed. He chuckled foolishly, "Sister-in-law, it’s late. I… I think I’ll go sleep in the other room."

He scrambled away as if fleeing, running to the next room without looking back and slamming the door shut. Shen Yulian was left utterly bewildered, unable to fathom why he was acting so strangely. Feeling a chill, she sighed, shook her head, and quietly changed into clean trousers.

Lin Xiaoxu slid the bolt shut. Clutching his lower abdomen, he whispered with lingering fear, "That was close. I almost got swallowed up by my sister-in-law. My chastity was nearly lost."

Once he calmed down, he sat on the edge of the bed, crossed his legs, and placed his palms face-up on his knees. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and centered his mind. Reciting the incantations from the preface of the *Nine Heavens Lingyun Arts*, he shifted his focus and entered a void.

Fully immersed, Lin Xiaoxu was unaware that his body had begun to hover above the bed, with thousands of faint golden rays radiating from his skin, making him look like a golden Buddha illuminating the entire room.

When Lin Xiaoxu finally opened his eyes, a harsh light stung his vision. He frowned, instinctively shielding his eyes with his palm. The chirping of birds outside the window made him realize the sun was already high in the sky.

He jumped off the bed, performing a flip, and landed silently on the ground like a falling leaf. He felt vibrant and powerful, as if he could lift a tripod—he had an endless supply of energy. He had spent the entire night diligently practicing the first level of the *Nine Heavens Lingyun Arts* without the slightest bit of slacking.

He pressed his index and middle fingers together and silently recited a mantra. Instantly, wisps of nearly transparent vapor drifted from his fingertips.

"Is this the spiritual energy that nourishes all things in heaven and earth?" Lin Xiaoxu gasped in astonishment. According to the records, once this energy stabilized, it could condense into a liquid form—spiritual nectar.

Just then, Shen Yulian’s voice came from outside. "Xiaoxu, are you awake?"

After tidying himself up, Lin Xiaoxu hurried to open the door. The moment he saw her, he stammered, "Sister-in-law, I... I'm awake."

Shen Yulian narrowed her beautiful eyes, her tongue tracing her lips as she looked him up and down, her gaze finally settling on his lower abdomen. Seeing her blatant intent, Lin Xiaoxu shivered. He crossed his arms over his chest, hunched his shoulders, and said, "Sister-in-law, I’m going to go brush my teeth and wash my face."

He rushed toward the well in the backyard. Watching him go, Shen Yulian felt a pang of disappointment. She pouted, stamped her foot, and walked away, comforting herself with the thought that good things are worth waiting for—she would find another chance. He couldn't escape her!

"Xiaoxu, have a steamed bun," Shen Yulian said in the living room, shoving a large white bun directly into his mouth.

Lin Xiaoxu felt the softness against his lips, and immediately caught the suggestive look in her eyes. "Sister-in-law..." he felt his ears turn red. It was broad daylight; why did she keep trying to seduce him? Then again, he couldn't help but notice that the steamed bun wasn't even half as large as her own assets.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside—footsteps, shouting, and curses. Within moments, dozens of villagers stood before the gate of his mud-brick house. Their faces were twisted with malice, looking as if they were ready to devour him alive.

Lin Xiaoxu set the bun down, staring at the mob with his usual vacant, foolish expression. The debt collectors were here again.

Shen Yulian’s face fell. It was all that degenerate gambler Zhao Daming’s fault! In the eight years she had been married to him, she hadn't experienced a single day of normal married life; she had only endured beatings and verbal abuse, with creditors knocking on the door almost daily. She had hoped that after Zhao Daming died, this life of fear would come to an end, but who could have known the dead man would leave behind such a mountain of debt?