Chapter 263 Taking a Concubine, Qinglin, with a Heart of Seven Apertures and Exquisite Insight

A few days passed, and the entire Shen Residence was decorated with lanterns and streamers.

Although it was taking a concubine, and the scale was not as grand as marrying a wife, with Shen Wen's current status and Cao Ying personally handling the arrangements, all the necessary etiquette was observed.

A wedding hall was set up in the main hall of the residence, with red silk hanging high and candles brightly lit.

There were not many invited guests, all of whom were close acquaintances.

Tang Huo'er also came.

She stood among the guests, watching Qing Lin, dressed in red, being supported by a maid as she stepped into the main hall. A proper smile was on her face, but a hint of complexity flickered deep in her eyes when her gaze fell on Shen Wen.

The ceremony was completed.

Qing Lin was sent to the bridal chamber, while Shen Wen stayed in the hall to have a few drinks with the guests.

Xuan Danzi rarely showed a smile. He patted Shen Wen's shoulder, spoke a few words of encouragement, then stood up to take his leave, saying he was getting old and didn't enjoy such festivities.

Several elders of the Cao Family also left one after another.

The hall gradually became quiet.

Shen Wen drank another cup, then stood up and walked toward the backyard.

In the bridal chamber, red candles shone brightly.

Qing Lin sat upright on the edge of the bed. Her red dress made her skin look even fairer. Her dark green hair fell over her shoulders, tied simply in a bun with a Red Gold Hairpin.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up slightly. The flickering candlelight was reflected in her jade-green eyes, carrying a bit of shyness and a bit of expectation.

Shen Wen sat down beside her and took her hand.

The hand was slightly cool, and her fingertips trembled slightly before being held firmly by him.

"Qing Lin," he called her softly.

Qing Lin looked up, meeting his gaze. Two patches of blush rose on her cheeks, but she summoned the courage not to look away.

The red candles flickered, and light and shadow floated.

The gauze curtain fell gently, hiding the spring scene in the room.

The night was deep and quiet.

Shen Wen leaned against the headboard, his fingertips gently stroking Qing Lin's loose hair.

Qing Lin curled up beside him, her cheek against his chest, her breathing steady, already fast asleep.

Just then, that long-awaited mechanical voice suddenly rang in Shen Wen's mind:

[Ding! Detected that the Master has successfully taken Qing Lin as a concubine (Rating: 96), meeting the System reward criteria!]

[Congratulations, Master, on winning the beauty's heart. Rewards: Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, Complete Explanation of Shangqing Formations]

[Detected that the concubinage is finalized. Distributing betrothal gifts: Heavenly Demon Body Origin, Great Charm Technique]

[If the favorability between the two increases, for every 10% increase, further rewards can be obtained.]

Shen Wen's eyebrows twitched slightly.

This System certainly knows how to pick its timing.

With a slight thought, he continued to look down.

[Ding! Detected that Mistress Qing Lin's favorability toward the Master has increased. Current favorability: 20%!]

[Reward: Yuqing Artifact Refining Method]

[Ding! Detected that Mistress Qing Lin's favorability toward the Master has increased. Current favorability: 32%!]

[Reward: great dao treasure bottle]

[Do you wish to receive the rewards?]

Shen Wen did not receive them immediately, but first closed his eyes to sense them.

He could vaguely sense a strange fluctuation added to his body.

That should be the change brought by the "Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart." It seemed to make his Soul perception more acute, and at the same time, some things he didn't understand suddenly became clear.

He could even sense some of the shy emotions of Qing Lin in front of him.

This Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart is quite interesting!

As for the "Complete Explanation of Shangqing Formations" and the "Yuqing Artifact Refining Method," they should be two complete legacies. The amount of information was huge and would take time to digest.

He withdrew his mind and looked down at Qing Lin in his arms.

This girl, her favorability toward him had actually reached 32%.

It wasn't surprising.

She had followed him since leaving Stone Desert City. After all these years, that dependence had long since reached her very core.

The corners of Shen Wen's lips curled up slightly, and he reached out to pull her a bit closer.

The next morning.

When Qing Lin woke up, Shen Wen was already dressed and sitting at the table drinking tea.

Seeing her open her eyes, he put down the teacup and walked over to sit by the bed.

"Awake?"

Qing Lin's cheeks turned slightly red, and she nodded. She wanted to get up but was held down by Shen Wen.

"No rush," he said. "I have something for you."

Qing Lin blinked, feeling a bit confused.

Shen Wen raised his hand, and a warm light lit up at his fingertips, which then turned into a pale green halo floating above his palm.

"This is the Heavenly Demon Body Origin," Shen Wen said. "These are all things suitable for you."

Qing Lin was stunned, and then her eyes turned slightly red.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but was interrupted by Shen Wen.

"Don't speak, concentrate."

"I will help you refine it."

Qing Lin nodded vigorously, closed her eyes, and focused her mind.

Shen Wen gently pressed the Heavenly Demon Body halo into her forehead.

The moment the Heavenly Demon Body Origin entered her body, Qing Lin's whole body shook, and the Dou Qi in her body seemed to be ignited, boiling violently.

It was a resonance originating from deep within her Bloodline.

She was already the possessor of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, having a natural affinity with top-tier snake-type Bloodlines.

Although the Heavenly Demon Body was not a pure snake-type Physique, it also belonged to the ancient demon Bloodlines and had a very high compatibility with her Origin.

Shen Wen did not let go, continuously channeling vast Dou Qi into her, helping her organize the surging energy in her body.

After a long time.

The aura gradually calmed down.

Qing Lin opened her eyes. Light flowed in her jade-green eyes, deeper and more Soul-stirring than before.

She looked down at her hands and circulated her Dou Qi again, a look of surprise appearing on her face.

"Brother Shen Wen, I... I feel..."

"How do you feel?" Shen Wen asked.

Qing Lin thought for a moment and said seriously, "I feel like something has been added to my body, but I can't say what it is... but my whole body feels lighter, and the circulation of Dou Qi is much faster."

Shen Wen nodded.

The entry of the Heavenly Demon Body Origin into the body requires a process of adaptation and Fusion. Once completely refined, her Physique would undergo a qualitative leap.

"And this Great Charm Technique can enhance the charm power of your Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!"

Shen Wen said as he took out a Jade Slip.

Shen Wen said, "These two things are enough for you to digest for a while."

Qing Lin nodded vigorously and suddenly threw herself into his arms, her arms tightly encircling his waist.

"Brother Shen Wen..." Her voice was muffled and nasal. "You are too good to me."

Shen Wen smiled and reached out to rub the top of her head.

"Silly girl."

At the same time, Cao City.

A flying boat slowly landed on the square outside the city gate.

The cabin door opened, and a figure stepped out.

It was a man who looked to be in his early thirties, with a cold face.

He wore a deep green robe with the Cao Family crest embroidered on the chest. His aura was steady, and he was already a Seventh-Rank Alchemist.

Cao Xiu.

Among the younger generation of the Cao Family, he was the Genius who had been highly anticipated, second only to Cao Ying.

He had been away from home for several years, traveling abroad to find the opportunity to break through to the Seventh Rank.

Returning this time, he had already broken through to the Seventh-Rank Intermediate level.

The Cao Family deacon waiting on the square saw him and hurried forward, his attitude respectful:

"Young Master Cao Xiu, you are back."

Cao Xiu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping around, and suddenly his brow furrowed.

He noticed a new stone tablet erected on one side of the square, with several words carved on it: Reserved Docking Area for Grandmaster Shen.

"Grandmaster Shen?" Cao Xiu looked at the deacon. "Who is this?"