The young man's expression froze as he stared ahead without blinking, his face completely drained of color.
The beautiful woman looked at him and gently shook her head. "I suppose you've realized already," she remarked softly. "It's not impossible to cultivate," she added after a brief pause.
The young man immediately rose to his feet. "Re... really?" he stammered.
The woman smiled and nodded. "Truly. If you're willing, you could be the first mortal to cultivate without a core. As long as you're determined, you can become the coreless cultivation master—the King of All Realms," she declared with confidence.
His eyes widened in astonishment, and without hesitation, he dropped to one knee. "I'm willing," he vowed. "I'll exchange anything for it—anything, as long as it doesn't cost my sister's safety."
"Dear husband, don't kneel so easily," the woman murmured, helping him up gently. "It won't cost your sister's safety. All I ask is that you spare a place for me in your heart—and it must be a special one."
The young man fell silent for a moment before giving a firm nod. "I don't know how to... but I'll make sure I don't disappoint you."
The woman beamed, her beauty glowing even more brilliantly. "That's good. You'll become someone great in the future. I won't mind if you have many women—so long as they know their place and don't fight for what can never be theirs. Now then, I'm tired. I'll sleep for a while. Once I awaken, we'll begin."
She stepped closer to him, her voice lowering. "I don't have a name... you can give me one."
And with that, she vanished into his body.
The young man stood dumbfounded. "Are... are you inside me?" he asked, looking around for a response. But silence greeted him. He could only scratch the back of his head before turning to leave.
---
Han Jie arrived at a nearly collapsed house. It was dry, with a ghostly stillness, as if not a single soul lived there.
As he stepped into the compound, he sighed and shook his head. "Xiao Yue, your brother's back," he called out, heading straight toward a particular room.
Just as he reached the entrance, the door flung open, and a girl threw herself into his arms, clutching him tightly.
"You're finally back, Brother! Do you know how worried I was?" she wept into his chest.
His heart warmed at her words, and he gently patted her back. "I'm back, aren't I? Don't cry anymore, okay?"
Xiao Yue wiped her tears and stepped back, her face flushed. "I… I… is Brother hungry? There are still some buns left," she whispered shyly.
"You eat them. I'm not hungry," Han Jie replied, patting her head affectionately.
"I—"
"Come out here, Han Jie! Stop hiding, you weakling!" angry voices boomed from outside.
Xiao Yue stiffened. "Brother," she murmured in alarm.
"Just go inside. I'll check it out," Han Jie assured her, stepping away. But she quickly grabbed his arm.
"I can still fight. Even if we can't win, we can escape," she insisted with determination.
"You really won't come out, huh? What a stinking coward!" another voice sneered as several men appeared.
Xiao Yue moved in front of Han Jie, shielding him with a fierce glare. "What do you want?" she demanded.
The men laughed boisterously.
"Isn't what we want right here?" the one who appeared to be the leader chuckled as he stepped forward. "I've never understood how the lowly Han family could raise such a beauty. You don't belong here. Come with me, and I'll treat you well."
"Don't even dream of touching my sister," Han Jie growled, stepping in front of Xiao Yue protectively.
The leader arched a brow. "And what makes you think you're qualified to stand before me?"
With that, he released a crushing force of energy that sent Han Jie flying into the room.
"Brother!" Xiao Yue screamed and rushed to his side. "Are you alright?" she cried, her voice trembling.
"I'm fine..." Han Jie whispered, but before he could finish, he coughed up a mouthful of blood and passed out.
"Brother! Brother!" Xiao Yue sobbed, then turned her gaze to the intruders outside. "I'll kill you!" she screamed, and a sword materialized in her hand. She charged at the man, aiming for his neck.
The man dodged swiftly and countered with a surge of energy, sending her flying into the distance.
Xiao Yue crashed into the wooden door, falling unconscious immediately.
"Women should just obediently fall into a man's arms. Capture that girl, and kill Han Jie. He's useless anyway," the leader ordered coldly.
"You haven't asked me for permission yet," a melodic voice suddenly echoed from all directions, freezing the men in their tracks.
"Who's there?!" the leader shouted, eyes darting around nervously.
"Start bleeding," the voice commanded.
Suddenly, screams of agony erupted from every direction. The men began bleeding from their eyes, ears, nose, and mouths. Within moments, they all collapsed, lifeless, the earth beneath them stained crimson. Silence followed.
---
Night had fully fallen when Xiao Yue slowly opened her eyes. Dazed, she sat up. "Ugh… such a headache," she muttered, then gasped when her gaze landed on Han Jie's unconscious figure.
"Brother!" she cried out in panic, rushing to his side and cradling his head on her chest. "Please, wake up! Don't scare me!"
A female voice spoke suddenly, calm and teasing. "That position isn't exactly proper. Even if you're not...., it's... well, it's still not appropriate."
"Who are you?" Xiao Yue demanded, springing to her feet and hugging Han Jie protectively as she looked around.
"Me? He hasn't named me yet, but that's fine. You can call me Sister-in-law for now—after all, I'm his wife," the voice answered serenely.
Just then, Han Jie's body began to glow, and the beautiful woman materialized out of him, floating in the air with a sweet, mesmerizing smile.
Xiao Yue stared in stunned silence before furiously shaking her head and glaring. "You… you… you're absolutely crazy! Completely insane!"
The woman raised a brow in amusement. "If you mean I'm madly in love with him, then yes, I am," she responded cheerfully.
"Idiot! I meant you're completely unhinged! Are you from the Long family? Did they send you here?"
The woman waved a hand dismissively. "Little mortal, I don't have time to banter with you. The night is still young—you should sleep now. I'll take care of your brother."
"You—!"
Before Xiao Yue could finish, her vision blurred, and she slumped to the ground, unconscious once more.