Morning light filtered through the half-drawn curtains, casting a soft beam across the bedside—a gentle glow that seemed almost hesitant to disturb anything.
Milton slowly opened his eyes, still groggy, and in the next moment realized he was safely nestled in Gu Qing’s arms. One of Gu Qing’s hands was wrapped around his waist, his breathing steady. He had clearly been awake for a while but had stayed perfectly still, holding him as if guarding the most precious treasure.
Glancing down at himself, Milton noted that his skin was clean, his clothes neat, and his body completely comfortable—not at all the state one would expect after a night of passionate intimacy.
He froze for a moment, then the realization hit him—Gu Qing had cleaned him up and changed his clothes while he slept.
A warm, indescribable sweetness surged in his chest.
The memory of last night made his cheeks flush involuntarily. His silver lashes trembled as he covered his chest in disbelief—he had truly become Gu Qing’s entirely.
At that moment, Gu Qing gently stroked his face, a playful smile in his voice:
“So… after being completely devoured, are you trying to deny it, General?”
Milton’s eyes widened, and with embarrassment he bounced upright.
“Who ate whom! You’re the one who… you’re the one who—!”
His words were cut short, swallowed by his own shyness. Gu Qing laughed softly and pulled him back into his arms.
“Alright, alright… yes, I was devoured by you,” he murmured, full of affection, as though caring for a small, precious creature.
“Are you feeling any discomfort?” Gu Qing bent to whisper near his ear, concern in his tone.
Milton paused, suddenly realizing that his body felt completely fine. Not only that, but the injuries from earlier battles had vanished entirely. Even more astonishing—his spiritual power had broken through its previous limit!
“How… how is this possible…” he murmured, eyes wide with wonder.
At that moment, the Heavenly Dao spirit popped up, speaking in a tone of scholarly authority:
“Hmph! That’s because the primordial yang of a top-tier cultivator is extremely nourishing! Everyone in the cultivation world knows that many people use dual cultivation to rapidly increase their strength!”
Milton blinked, suspicious.
“Primordial yang is…?”
Gu Qing cleared his throat, a faint blush flashing across his face.
“…Breakfast is ready. I’ll go get it.”
Before finishing, he almost ran out of the room, his robe swaying like he was being chased by some wild beast.
The little spirit shook with suppressed laughter and whispered to Milton:
“Haha! He’s shy! Primordial yang is the cultivator’s first essence from intimate union—super rare and precious!”
Milton’s face instantly turned scarlet, even his ears burning red. He curled further under the covers, hands covering his face in utter embarrassment. After a long moment, he stammered:
“…R-really… does it really work that well?”
Floating closer, the little spirit answered matter-of-factly:
“Of course! The primordial yang is condensed from heaven-and-earth energy—it sharpens spiritual power, heals the body quickly, and stabilizes the mental sea! If it weren’t for our Qingqing giving all of his for your sake, you wouldn’t get such benefits!”
Milton froze. His mind went blank, and his heart pounded like a drum.
Gu Qing had given him everything—his first time, his primordial yang, the most precious essence of a cultivator.
Being loved, trusted completely… it flowed through him like a warm current. The happiness and contentment in his heart were beyond words.
His pulse quickened, and a faint, uncontrollable joy and satisfaction rose to his cheeks. He exhaled softly, murmuring:
“I am the only one Gu Qing has touched… so we are each other’s only one…”
This singular bond felt like an invisible chain locking them together. The deep security and sense of belonging washed away every trace of loneliness and unease.
Milton’s eyes shone softly, his heart tightly bound by deep affection. They were no longer just comrades; they were indispensable to each other—two souls wholly entrusted.
He smiled quietly and glanced at Gu Qing, who was briskly leaving to fetch breakfast, and whispered tenderly:
“Gu Qing… I will treasure this uniqueness and never let you down.”
When Gu Qing returned with breakfast, he seemed as composed as usual, though his ears betrayed him with a faint blush. He gently placed the meal box on the bedside table and had even prepared extra food Milton liked. As he turned to say something, he heard the silver-haired youth call softly:
“Gu Qing.”
Gu Qing paused and looked back.
Milton’s gaze was earnest, like he was pledging an eternal vow, yet his tone was gentle and resolute:
“You are my only one too. You are the one I want to be with for a lifetime.”
The words hung in the air, and the world seemed to pause for a heartbeat.
Gu Qing froze, as though those words had struck the softest corner of his heart. Then he quickly crossed the room, bending down to embrace Milton tightly.
“I know. I will always be by your side, until the end of time.”
Milton wrapped around him, cheek pressed against his chest, feeling the steady heartbeat. In the next instant, Gu Qing lowered his head, and their lips met in a gentle, profound kiss.
Holding him close, Gu Qing murmured warmly:
“Last night… I saw your childhood memories.”
Milton didn’t speak, merely nodding softly. After a long while, he finally spoke, voice slightly tense:
“My other brothers at home were all born to a male parent and a female attendant. They… either rejected me or looked down on me. My male parent never cared, not even bothering to call me by name. Only my female parent cared… but he later died due to chaos in his mental sea.” He paused, lowering his lashes, a shadow crossing his eyes.
“My male parent didn’t care at all… and even traded me to another noble male insect. I refused, hurt him, and escaped. That’s when the Marshal… he took me in.”
Gu Qing’s eyes softened with concern, pulling him closer.
“So that’s why your relationship with the Marshal is so good?”
Milton whispered:
“Yes. He’s like… another male parent to me. I’m grateful to him.”
Gu Qing leaned down, forehead resting lightly against his.
“It’s alright. From now on, I’ll protect you. No one in this world will ever hurt you again.”
Milton paused, then smiled, a faint light in his eyes:
“You’ve always protected me—through hearings, the black market, barren stars, the Immortal Palace… and this time on the Ares battlefield. You’ve always… always been by my side.”
He gazed at Gu Qing, eyes full of stars and the softest affection, whispering:
“Gu Qing, I love you.”
Gu Qing lowered his eyes, gaze burning with warmth and passion:
“I love you too.”
Milton lifted a hand, brushing Gu Qing’s cheek, fingers resting near those deep, night-dark eyes. His voice was soft, like a whispering wind, yet profoundly sincere:
“Meeting you… is the greatest fortune of my life.”