“Energy cores?”
Xiahou Shaoxuan’s expression turned serious.
That’s right.
The pouch Lian Qiguang had given him was filled with crystal-clear energy cores, each shimmering faintly with a ghostly glow. At a glance, there were at least a dozen of them.
Purple, gold, and blue—perfectly corresponding to his thunder, metal, and water elemental abilities. And judging by the energy inside, they were all Level 40.
Xiahou Shaoxuan quickly zipped the pouch shut, one hand gripping Lian Qiguang’s thin shoulder, his expression solemn.
“Where did you get these?”
It wasn’t unreasonable for Xiahou Shaoxuan to be nervous.
He knew exactly how rare energy cores were now.
According to ancient texts, over three thousand years ago during the Dark Apocalypse, every mutant creature possessed an energy core within its body. Back then, people used energy cores to improve their abilities.
But now, those energy cores no longer existed inside mutant creatures. Abilities could only be strengthened through endless training. There was no longer any way to rely on outside power.
To ordinary people, energy cores were merely mythical objects written about in books—things they might never see in their lifetime.
Nowadays, even a Soldier Rank energy core sold for astronomical prices. Human Rank cores and above caused countless people to fight bloody battles over them.
Not to mention Mystic Rank and above.
Mystic Rank? Absolutely priceless.
In the eyes of some families, a single Mystic Rank crystal core was worthy of becoming a family treasure.
As for Sky Rank?
That practically didn’t exist.
Because no one had ever seen one.
Looking at Xiahou Shaoxuan’s grave expression, Lian Qiguang tilted his head.
After a long moment, the corners of his mouth lifted into a dumb little smile.
“You…”
For the first time, Xiahou Shaoxuan felt defeated.
Seriously—ever since meeting Lian Qiguang, he had given away far too many “firsts.”
“You still can’t tell me?”
Rubbing his forehead, Xiahou Shaoxuan pressed the crystal cores back into Lian Qiguang’s arms.
“Keep these safely. Use them later to improve your abilities.”
“And remember—absolutely do not show them to anyone again. Understand?”
“For you.”
Lian Qiguang stuffed the pouch back into Xiahou Shaoxuan’s hands, speaking expressionlessly.
“For improving your abilities.”
“Wife.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan lightly pressed a hand onto Lian Qiguang’s head, his expression stern.
“Do you understand how valuable these things are?”
Lian Qiguang stared at him expressionlessly, tilting his head as he thought for a long while, seemingly unable to understand what Xiahou Shaoxuan meant.
“I still have a lot. Don’t worry.”
Thinking Xiahou Shaoxuan was worried he’d run out, Lian Qiguang waved a hand.
Immediately, a huge pile of sparkling crystal cores of varying grades scattered across the bed.
Multicolored.
Glowing faintly.
Beautiful to look at.
“You don’t have to worry. I’m rich.”
Lifting his delicate chin, Lian Qiguang looked slightly smug.
In the apocalypse—where crystal cores functioned as universal currency—for humanity’s strongest fighter, whom everyone desperately wanted to curry favor with, Lian Qiguang really was rich.
Looking at Lian Qiguang, who was clearly full of pride while still maintaining the exact same deadpan face, a thoughtful look flashed through Xiahou Shaoxuan’s eyes.
It seemed his little wife truly had far too many secrets.
“Here, take them all.”
Lian Qiguang gathered up the crystal cores and piled them in front of Xiahou Shaoxuan.
“If it’s not enough, ask me for more. I’m not short on money.”
Looking into Lian Qiguang’s beautiful eyes, Xiahou Shaoxuan didn’t continue refusing.
With a wave of his hand, he stored all the crystal cores into his spatial device.
“Wife, from now on, you absolutely cannot let a third person see these things. Understand?”
“Mm.”
He nodded seriously.
“My money—I won’t give it to anyone.”
Besides being famously vengeful, humanity’s strongest fighter had another well-known trait:
He was incredibly stingy.
Easy to feed, impossible to get anything back from.
Trying to pry even a tiny bit out of him was harder than killing a whole horde of Level 30 zombies.
“Then why are you giving them to me?”
“We’re getting married. That means we’re family now.”
Lian Qiguang looked at Xiahou Shaoxuan expressionlessly and explained seriously.
Looking at Lian Qiguang’s earnest little face, Xiahou Shaoxuan suddenly felt the long-silent place in his chest grow warm, the warmth slowly spreading throughout his body.
“Wife.”
Gently pulling Lian Qiguang into his arms, a faint warmth appeared on Xiahou Shaoxuan’s normally cold face.
“I’m going to sleep. I have to go back tomorrow.”
Lying against Xiahou Shaoxuan’s chest, Lian Qiguang expressionlessly resumed the unfinished task from earlier—
counting buttons.
“Sleep together.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan pulled him down onto the bed, wrapped an arm around him, and tugged the blanket over both of them.
“You didn’t shower.”
Lian Qiguang lifted his head and looked at Xiahou Shaoxuan seriously.
“You think I’m dirty?”
Lowering his head, Xiahou Shaoxuan gently pressed his forehead against Lian Qiguang’s.
His dark eyes—predatory, almost beast-like—looked deeply into Lian Qiguang’s as his voice dropped low.
Warm breath, mixed with the man’s unique scent, brushed against Lian Qiguang’s face.
Warm.
Ticklish.
Something seemed to scratch lightly at his chest, leaving behind a strange feeling.
“No.”
Lian Qiguang lowered his head and spoke blankly.
“Yesterday, I didn’t shower either, and you still hugged me.”
“You didn’t dislike me.”
“So I don’t dislike you either.”
Looking at the tiny figure curled up in his arms, Xiahou Shaoxuan pinched Lian Qiguang’s thin little waist with dissatisfaction.
“Too skinny.”
“Tickles.”
Lian Qiguang shrank back, quickly grabbing the troublesome hand at his waist, frowning faintly.
“Let go. I’m going to shower.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan whispered near his ear.
Lian Qiguang glanced at him expressionlessly, loosened his grip, but protectively covered his tiny waist.
The movement resembled a wary little hamster.
It amused Xiahou Shaoxuan, and a trace of laughter flickered in his eyes.
“Be good and sleep. I’m going to shower.”
Reaching out to ruffle Lian Qiguang’s hair, Xiahou Shaoxuan got off the bed, turned off the lights, and entered the bathroom.
After repeatedly confirming that Xiahou Shaoxuan wasn’t suddenly going to turn around and launch a sneak attack, Lian Qiguang finally relaxed his guard, hugged the blanket, and slowly closed his eyes.
Scene Transition
After finishing his shower, Xiahou Shaoxuan returned in a bathrobe, deliberately softening his footsteps as he approached the bed.
By the moonlight streaming through the window, he looked at the tiny figure curled into a little ball on the bed.
His fingers unconsciously reached out, gently tracing those delicate, refined features.
Ever since childhood, he had been taken to military camps by his grandfather and raised among rough soldiers.
Later came military academy.
After graduation, he entered the army directly.
For over seventy years, he had lived nearly an ascetic life.
To him, a partner had always seemed like trouble—a burden.
But now, he had to admit—
This tiny, soft little thing, whom he could probably crush with one finger—
had softened something inside his stone-hard heart.
Bringing with it feelings he couldn’t control.
A strange flutter.
Something unfamiliar.
Strange.
But…
not unpleasant.
“Mmn…”
Seemingly disturbed, Lian Qiguang shifted, curling himself into an even smaller ball, wrinkling his nose in discomfort.
Warmth flashed through Xiahou Shaoxuan’s eyes.
Lifting the blanket, he lay down and gently pulled Lian Qiguang into his arms.
“Wife…”
“Let’s live like this for the rest of our lives.”
His low voice pressed softly against Lian Qiguang’s ear, slowly spreading through the dark room.