bride price

Red candles flickered, casting a warm, ambiguous, and hazy glow over everything in the bridal chamber.

The large red "Double Happiness" characters, the brocade quilts, and the faint scent of wine that had not yet dissipated in the air.

The nuptial wine had already been drunk.

Two glazed glass wine cups were placed casually on the table.

Cao Ying set down her wine cup.

Those eyes, which usually sparkled with life and now appeared even more shimmering under the candlelight, locked directly onto Shen Wen.

The slight pretense she maintained in the presence of outsiders was gone, replaced once again by her characteristic sharpness and urgency.

"The ceremony is over, Shen Wen. Can you tell me the information about the Green Lotus Core Flame now?"

Her voice was as crisp as ever.

But in this quiet bridal chamber, it seemed to lose a bit of its usual edge, gaining an indescribable tension.

Shen Wen looked at her; even though it was their wedding night, she was still preoccupied with the Heavenly Flame.

Seeing her act as if they were discussing a business deal, he couldn't help but smile inwardly.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back leisurely, supporting himself with his hands on the edge of the bed covered in soft brocade.

This movement caused his red groom's robe to more closely outline his tall and upright figure.

He looked up at her, candlelight dancing in his deep eyes.

"Master Cao Ying—oh, no, I should call you 'Madam' now..." he said in a low voice, tinged with a hint of playfulness.

"The wedding night is short. We just entered the room, and all you can think about is that heart-fire. Isn't that a bit too unromantic? Hmm?"

That last slightly upward inflection was like a feather.

It lightly brushed against the tip of Cao Ying's heart.

Her pretty face heated up slightly, her willow-leaf brows furrowed, and a flash of bashful annoyance crossed her beautiful eyes. "Shen Wen! Stop being so difficult! Are you planning to violate the soul contract?"

Seeing that she was about to lose her temper.

Shen Wen knew when to stop. He quickly sat up straight and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, the smile still on his face. "Alright, alright, I'm not joking anymore.

I, Shen Wen, am a man of my word. I won't forget what I promised you."

His tone shifted, and his gaze became focused and serious as he stared at Cao Ying. "However, before I tell you the location of the Heavenly Flame, as your husband,

I must first present my own betrothal gift to complete the formalities, shouldn't I?"

Cao Ying was startled and instinctively replied, "Betrothal gift? Grandpa Lin... hasn't he already..."

That betrothal gift was so generous that even the Cao Family's Old Ancestor was moved, which was enough to show the importance Old Monster Lin and the Pill Tower placed on this marriage.

Why was there another betrothal gift?

Cao Ying felt somewhat confused.

Shen Wen shook his head, his expression becoming uncharacteristically serious. "That was from Master. It was the face the Grand Elder of the Pill Tower gave to his disciple's wife.

But since I, Shen Wen, am marrying a wife myself, I naturally have to show my own sincerity."

As he spoke.

With a slight thought—this betrothal gift was stored in the space of the 'Wife-Taking System.'

As long as he needed it, he could take it out.

A Jade Slip flowing with crimson brilliance appeared out of thin air in his palm.

The Jade Slip was no ordinary object; it was warm and smooth throughout.

It was as if liquid fire were slowly flowing within it, emitting an ancient and noble imperial aura that caused the surrounding air to distort slightly.

He didn't hand it over directly but held it in his palm, offering it to Cao Ying.

"This is?"

Shen Wen explained, "It's called the 'Crimson Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi'."

"Its essence lies in control, commanding all fires under heaven.

Since you are determined to obtain the Green Lotus Core Flame, having this technique to protect you will not only significantly increase your success rate but also ensure your safety and prevent you from suffering the backlash of the Heavenly Flame."

Seeing the doubt flickering in Cao Ying's eyes, he leaned forward slightly.

Closing the distance a bit, he lowered his voice even more. "I asked you to agree to this marriage.

Though I have my own selfish motives, I would hate to see you get hurt because of it.

Cultivate this Cultivation Technique to the entry level first.

Then I will tell you the location of the Heavenly Flame. Only then can I feel at ease letting you go.

Okay?"

He spoke those last two words softly and gently, his warm breath brushing past Cao Ying's ear.

Cao Ying felt the base of her ears heat up, and her heart skipped a beat for some reason.

Avoiding Shen Wen's overly focused gaze, she hesitated for a moment before reaching out her hand.

Her fingertips inevitably brushed against Shen Wen's palm, and the momentary warm sensation

caused both of them to pause slightly.

Cao Ying quickly took the Jade Slip as if it were burning hot.

She had originally intended to just give it a cursory inspection; with her knowledge, an Earth Rank Cultivation Technique was already top-tier.

However.

The moment her Soul Power carefully probed into the Jade Slip, a vast amount of information, as immense as a sea of stars and as deep as the firmament, instantly flooded her perception.

Each delineated execution path,

that aura of ruling over the world and incinerating all things, far surpassed any Earth Rank Cultivation Technique she knew. It might even be above the Heaven Rank!

"This... how is this possible..."

Cao Ying suddenly looked up, her beautiful eyes wide and her red lips slightly parted, her face filled with unprecedented shock and disbelief.

Her previous doubt and wariness

instantly crumbled before this undeniably profound Cultivation Technique.

Her hand holding the Jade Slip even trembled slightly due to excitement.

Shen Wen took in all of her shock, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening with a hint of satisfaction.

He didn't say anything more, simply quietly admiring the rare sight before him.

Cao Ying, who was always calm, confident, and even possessed a bit of a witch-like air,

was now showing such a bewildered and stunned expression.

Under the flickering candlelight, that peerless face appeared exceptionally vivid and alluring.

The cool fragrance of Medicinal Pills, the warm scent of red candles, and the faint delicate fragrance emanating from her body mixed together, creating an ambiguous atmosphere that made one's heart race.

Cao Ying looked at the Jade Slip in her hand, then looked up at Shen Wen, who was close at hand with a smile in his eyes.

For a moment, she forgot how to speak, only feeling the temperature of her cheeks rising higher and higher.

"This is too..."

Cao Ying wanted to say it was too precious, but she couldn't bring herself to put it down. She began to brainwash herself.

'This is the betrothal gift Shen Wen gave me. I am his wife, so it's normal to accept this gift.'

Cao Ying was still immersed in the shock brought by the "Crimson Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi," her fingertips stroking the warm Jade Slip, her heart unable to calm down.

The value of this Cultivation Technique simply couldn't be measured by worldly possessions. Shen Wen had given it to her just like that?

She looked up, trying to find some hint of playfulness or calculation on Shen Wen's face, but only met his smiling eyes.

Candlelight flickered in his eyes, so deep they seemed to draw one in.

Just then, Shen Wen moved again.

With a flip of his wrist, a dark red small cauldron about a foot high appeared out of thin air, landing lightly on the table between them.

The small cauldron had an ancient design; the body didn't seem to be carved.

Instead, it naturally grew countless mysterious and unfathomable flame patterns. Under the reflection of the candlelight,

it was as if magma were slowly flowing, emitting a restrained yet heart-palpitating burning fluctuation.

A faint red glow misted around the mouth of the cauldron, and the surrounding air distorted slightly because of it.