Chapter 88: New Home
The carriage descended from the morning sky with a profound smoothness. Guided by Lin Yuan’s will, the two lightning oxen forged entirely from his Thunder Dao angled their descent toward the emerald valley perfectly situated between Azure Cloud City and Sky Jade City.
With a soft thud that barely disturbed the dust, the wooden wheels of the carriage touched down upon the paving of the estate’s central courtyard.
The moment the carriage came to a complete halt, Lin Yuan casually flicked his wrist. The lightning oxen let out a final bellow before dissolving back into the natural atmospheric qi, scattering into millions of fading sparks that danced beautifully in the morning light.
Lin Yuan stepped down from the driver’s bench. The air here was breathtakingly pure, filledwith the sweet scent of pine and blooming flowers. He then walked around to the passenger cabin and pulled open the doors.
Inside, Bai Qingyue and Bai Chen were looking out the windows, utterly mesmerized by the sheer scale of the area that lay beyond the frame.
Before Bai Qingyue could even attempt to shift her weight, Lin Yuan leaned into the cabin. He slid one arm beneath her knees and the other around her delicate back, effortlessly lifting her from the plush cushions.
"Husband, wait," Bai Qingyue protested softly, her cheeks flushing a deep pink as she found herself suddenly pressed against his chest. "The wheelchair is securely tied to the back of the carriage. I can manage perfectly fine. There is no need for you to exhaust yourself carrying me everywhere."
Lin Yuan let out a low chuckle that vibrated directly against her side. He stepped back into the courtyard, holding her as easily as if she weighed no more than a single lotus petal.
"Exhaust myself? Qingyue, my body is sturdier than you think," Lin Yuan teased gently, his deep purple eyes gazing down at her with affection. "I could carry you across the entire Zhao Province without breaking a sweat. Besides, it is a tradition, is it not? A husband should carry his wife across the threshold of their new home. I intend to honor it."
Bai Qingyue’s protests melted away instantly. She hid her blushing face against the lapel of his black-and-white Daoist robes, her slender arms wrapping securely around his neck.
As Lin Yuan carried her toward the towering gates of the main pavilion, Bai Qingyue turned her head slightly, allowing her eyes to take in the sprawling majesty of the estate.
Through her eyes, the true, profound beauty of the estate was revealed.
The estate was an architectural masterpiece that seamlessly blended immortal grandeur with the tranquil harmony of nature. The curved rooftops of the multiple pavilions were tiled in a deep, mesmerizing azure, their surfaces shimmering faintly as dormant protective warding runes caught the morning sunlight. The primary walls were constructed of a rare, luminous white stone that seemed to actively drink in the ambient light, casting a welcoming glow over the courtyards.
Though her cultivation had been completely crippled by the Soul Transformation restriction, essentially reducing her to a mortal, the residual sensitivity of her flawless physique could still perceive the sheer, intoxicating density of the spiritual vein pulsing beneath the bedrock. The sensation was almost overwhelming, a stark and dizzying contrast to the barren spiritual environment of the outer city they had just left behind.
As Lin Yuan carried her deeper into the compound, she saw the massive koi pond in the central garden. Silver-scaled fish, some as large as a hound, swam lazily through the crystal-clear water, darting playfully beneath massive lotus pads. A gentle, cascading waterfall poured down from a masterfully sculpted rock formation in the back, the sound of the rushing water creating a natural, calming melody that instantly soothed her nerves.
But what truly made her breath hitch was the layout of the gardens and the connecting pathways.
Every single path winding through the vibrant flowers was incredibly wide, completely flat, and paved with flawlessly jade. There were no steep stairs leading into the primary pavilions, but rather gentle, sweeping ramps that flowed naturally into the architecture.
The estate was surprisingly designed in a way that meant she would never feel confined, hindered, or made to feel like a burden. It was almost a paradise perfectly suited to her wheelchair, with spacious pathways and open courtyards allowing her to move freely between the gardens and sit beside the waterfall without constantly needing to ask for help.
Tears of gratitude pricked the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to cry on such a joyous day.
Behind them, Bai Chen was carrying the few meager bundles of luggage they had brought. The young boy was practically vibrating with excitement, as he darted his head left and right, completely overwhelmed by the surroundings.
"This place is a literal palace!" Bai Chen exclaimed, his boots slapping against the courtyard as he hurried to catch up. He ran ahead of them, peering into the grand halls and the various beautifully furnished side pavilions.
"Brother-in-law, there are so many pavilions here!" Bai Chen said, adjusting the heavy bags in his arms. "We must make sure Cousin gets the absolute best room in the entire estate! She needs a room that catches the early morning sunlight, with windows that open directly toward the waterfall so it feel can naturally soothe her body! Which pavilion should I prepare for her? I will go clean it immediately!"
Lin Yuan paused at the threshold of the grandest, central pavilion. He looked at the eager boy, a highly amused smirk playing on his lips.
"There is no need for you to prepare a separate pavilion for her, Bai Chen," Lin Yuan said smoothly.
"What? But why not?" Bai Chen blinked, thoroughly confused. "She must have the finest accommodations!"
"She will have the finest accommodations," Lin Yuan corrected him, his tone completely matter-of-fact. "Because she will be staying in the master pavilion. Sharing the primary room. With me. Because she is my wife."
Bai Chen suddenly froze, his eyes widening comically as the realization crashed over him. In the outer city, he knew they had practically been sleeping on top of one another due to the lack of space. But here, in a sprawling mansion with dozens of empty rooms, the natural dynamic of a married couple could finally assert itself.
And he had just casually suggested that they sleep in separate quarters.
An embarrassed blush violently exploded across Bai Chen’s youthful face.
"Ah! I... right! Yes! Of course!" Bai Chen stammered, entirely flustered, refusing to make eye contact with either of them. He practically tripped over his own boots as he rapidly backed away. "The master bedroom! It is the best room! Naturally! I will just... I will put these bags down over here! And then I will go find my own room! Very far away! On the other side of the estate!"
Without waiting for a response, Bai Chen spun on his heel and sprinted down a side corridor, desperate to escape the awkwardness of his own blunder.
Bai Qingyue buried her face deeper into Lin Yuan’s chest, her shoulders shaking with laughter. Lin Yuan smiled, shaking his head at the boy’s antics before finally carrying his wife over the threshold of the master pavilion, officially claiming the estate as their own.
The transition from day to night in the emerald valley was a breathtaking spectacle. As the sun dipped beneath the mountain peaks, the sky bled into hues of deep violet and orange, before finally settling into a vast, twinkling canopy of stars.
Inside the estate, the darkness was kept at bay by dozens of soft, glowing pearls embedded into the high ceilings and pillars, casting a warm, and gentle illumination throughout the grand halls.
Within the master bedroom, the atmosphere was filled with tranquility.
The room was vast, adorned with intricate silk tapestries depicting ancient legends, and the air smelled faintly of incense. In the center of the room sat a massive, and incredibly comfortable bed, draped in sheets so soft and light it felt like sleeping within a cloud.
Bai Qingyue lay nestled amidst the plush pillows, dressed in a fresh white sleeping robe they had found stored within the manor’s wardrobes. Her long hair cascaded beautifully over the soft white silk.
Lin Yuan sat quietly on the edge of the bed, bathed in the soft glow of the luminescent pearls. He had shed his outer Daoist robes, wearing only a simple, loose-fitting black tunic.
He looked down at his wife. The exhaustion of the day was finally catching up to her. Her eyelids were growing heavy, fluttering as she fought against sleep. But even in her exhaustion, her hand remained firmly wrapped around his, her delicate fingers intertwined with his own, as if she feared that letting go would cause this entire paradise to vanish like a fleeting dream.
"You should sleep, Qingyue," Lin Yuan whispered, his voice incredibly soft, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"I know," Bai Qingyue murmured, her voice barely a breath. A small, contented smile graced her lips. "I am just... so happy. I want to stay awake... just a little longer... to remember it."
"The house will still be here tomorrow," Lin Yuan assured her, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand. "And I will still be right here beside you."
The certainty in his voice was all she needed. Her breathing deepened, slowing into a calm rhythm, as she fell asleep.
Lin Yuan sat at her bedside, completely motionless, listening to the gentle cadence of her breathing. He watched her fall asleep for the first time in their new home, her face calm.
As he looked at her, his deep purple eyes hardened with conviction. He had given them a home, and he had given her safety. But the true battle was still on the horizon. The Barrier Realm, the starry domain filled with artifacts, awaited him in five years.
Rest well, my love, Lin Yuan thought, his gaze turning toward the window, looking out at the vast, starry sky above the Zhao Province. When the Barrier realm opens, I will tear the heavens apart to find your cure. You will soar again, I promise!