Li Fan lay on the bed with his eyes closed, appearing as though he had not heard Wu Ninglu at all.
Wu Ninglu's lovely eyes darted, and she began slipping out of her clothes, intending to climb into bed as well.
Yet just as her body drew close to Li Fan, a bone-chilling cold washed over her, making her shiver involuntarily and pull away on instinct.
Looking closely, Wu Ninglu was horrified to discover that in that single instant, a layer of frost had condensed across the surface of her skin.
Had she not pulled away instinctively, she had no doubt that her husband would have frozen her into an icicle!
She was both overjoyed and incensed.
A thousand words rushed to her lips, but before she could speak, Li Fan said indifferently, "I have only just broken through and cannot yet fully control my power. For now, it would be best if you did not approach me thoughtlessly."
Her warmth had been rebuffed, but Wu Ninglu was no longer angry.
Delight danced across her brows, and she nodded repeatedly. "Of course, of course. Who would have thought that after vanishing for over half a year, your return would bring such an incredible surprise, Brother Sun? Such a momentous event must be announced so the entire clan knows!"
Just as Wu Ninglu was about to step out the door, an icy wall sealed the doorway, blocking her path.
She turned back to look at Li Fan.
Li Fan still had not opened his eyes, instead uttering something that seemed completely unrelated.
"Among the three elders of the clan, has a decision been made as to who will assume the post at the Protector Hall?"
Wu Ninglu was taken aback for a moment before the realization struck her.
"The family head naturally cannot leave. Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle pushed the responsibility back and forth for quite some time, but word has it that Eldest Uncle recently lost the argument and gave in..."
At this point, Wu Ninglu could not help but pull back her foot that had stepped forward.
"Our branch was never favored in the clan to begin with," Li Fan said. "If word gets out that I have ascended to Dao Integration, they will likely make me go to the Protector Hall in their place. At least three hundred years without being allowed to step outside..."
"Hmph."
"Were it not for the fact that I was injured during my breakthrough and my realm became unstable—making me fear that outsiders might notice and pluck my fruits—I would never have returned so rashly."
Li Fan let out a soft sigh.
"Though taking up the post at the Protector Hall comes with material compensation from both the clan and the Alliance, such things are virtually useless to me now. Besides, three hundred years is simply far too long."
Li Fan suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Wu Ninglu.
"Therefore, do not let word of my breakthrough leak for now."
Meeting Li Fan's gaze, Wu Ninglu shuddered violently and nodded instinctively.
Li Fan closed his eyes again to rest.
The room lapsed back into silence.
The faintly discernible freezing domain forced Wu Ninglu to circulate her spiritual energy with nearly all her might just to maintain her body temperature.
Curling up in the corner of the room, Wu Ninglu felt both aggrieved and envious.
*Is this the might of Dao Integration? Who would have thought that he, too, would one day ascend to Dao Integration? I had assumed Sun Weizhou would be the first among the younger generation to break through.*
Watching her husband recuperating and cultivating, thoughts raced through Wu Ninglu's mind.
Only when the undulating aura around him gradually settled down, yet he still uttered not a word and remained meditating with closed eyes, did Wu Ninglu silently slip out of the room, brooding in frustration.
...
*If I am not mistaken, before long, this foolish woman will leak the fact that her Dao companion is now a Dao Integration expert.*
*All because she covets the meager benefits Sun Luchang will offer.*
*Nor can she truly be blamed for being foolish. After all, only benefits held firmly in one's own hands are real. As long as Sun Ang is a Dao Integration powerhouse, no matter where he is, others will still treat her, the wife of a Dao Integration cultivator, with respect.* Li Fan's gaze was deep and distant, as if capable of seeing through time.
It turned out exactly as Li Fan had anticipated.
Half a month later, after witnessing firsthand the lavish terms Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle promised each other to avoid serving at the Protector Hall, Wu Ninglu could not help but be tempted.
She and Sun Ang had never had an easy life in the past.
They had no voice in any of the clan's decisions, and whenever good fortune arose, it invariably went to others first.
Yet mindful of Li Fan's prior warning, she did not speak up directly.
However, Wu Ninglu's unusual demeanor could not escape the sharp eyes of the Sun family's Dao Integration cultivators.
Coupled with the trace of fluctuation Li Fan had deliberately released upon his return, faint suspicions took root in their minds.
After some questioning, Wu Ninglu reluctantly let the truth slip.
Sun Luchang was overjoyed and immediately dragged his two elder brothers along to visit.
Li Fan feigned a look of helplessness and fury as he glared at Wu Ninglu.
The three Dao Integration elders took the initiative to excuse her, and then proceeded to take turns persuading Li Fan with emotional appeals and reasoned arguments.
For the greater good of the clan, he ultimately had no choice but to agree to take up the post at the Protector Hall in their stead.
"Rest assured, Lu'er. While you are away, we will take great care of Ninglu and never let her suffer the slightest grievance," Sun Luchang promised.
Lu'er was Sun Ang's childhood pet name.
By all accounts, now that both were Dao Integration cultivators, it was improper even for an elder to address him by his childhood name as before. Yet Sun Luchang did so deliberately to remind "Sun Ang" that he remained a scion of the Sun family.
To ensure that Sun Ang would pass the vetting of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, the three Dao Integration cultivators of the Sun family joined forces to test his actual combat capabilities.
Li Fan focused purely on defense, only occasionally unleashing a minor spell of negligible power.
After holding out for several hundred rounds, he gradually showed signs of exhaustion.
"Lu'er, the anima of Heaven and Earth you consumed is truly extraordinary. While it lacks offensive bite, that domain freezing everything around you can ward off the vast majority of attacks."
The three Dao Integration elders of the Sun family were thoroughly satisfied with Li Fan's performance.
Even for a newly ascended Dao Integration cultivator, such strength was more than enough to satisfy the Alliance.
Before departing for the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals headquarters, Li Fan quietly summoned Wu Ninglu to his side.
"I know you've been avoiding me lately. Were you afraid I would blame you?"
"How could I?"
"In truth, I know that even if you hadn't spoken, my breakthrough to Dao Integration couldn't have stayed hidden for long. Some things simply cannot be avoided.
"Besides, you and I are one. For me to endure three hundred years of hardship to secure some benefits for you is nothing."
Wu Ninglu was completely caught off guard by Li Fan's words and stared in shock.
She was even somewhat touched.
"While I am away, you must still be careful on your own.
"Those old fogies in the family talk smoothly, but how they actually treat you remains to be seen.
"During my time away, I became acquainted with a dear friend. He was of tremendous help in my breakthrough."
As Li Fan spoke, he handed over a communication jade talisman.
"If you run into any trouble you cannot resolve, contact him.
"He should step in to help you resolve it.
"However, this person is also at Dao Integration and has a rather eccentric temperament. Do not ask for his help unless it is absolutely necessary.
"Remember this well."
Chapter 1139