The silence deepened, like the calm before a storm. Even Fatty, typically the first to break the tension with a jest, now wore a pale expression. The twins huddled closely together, their wide eyes reflecting both fear and awe, while Shun nodded, a determined resolution settling in his heart as he mentally prepared.

"Alright," Ling Li concluded, her voice taking on a gentler tone. "You may go."

She then turned her attention to Shi Min, her gaze lingering on him like a beacon. "Shi Min, let's have a discussion tomorrow morning. There are many important matters I need to address with you."

Shi Min nodded, his expression grave. "Understood."

One by one, the group rose, bowing slightly and murmuring their goodnights before withdrawing. As they exited the room, the atmosphere felt heavy and charged — a quiet swirl of anticipation, apprehension, and the exhilarating promise of transformation. None among them would emerge unchanged from the trials that lay ahead.

After the Storm: Ling Li and Four Eyes

As the last faint echoes of footsteps receded down the corridor, silence enveloped the living room like a soft, velvet cloak. The lanterns glowed a warm amber, casting elongated shadows that danced across the polished wooden floor. Outside, the evening breeze whispered through the garden, its gentle rustle echoing the soothing rhythm of a world breathing out, momentarily at peace.

Four Eyes stood rooted in place, a silent sentinel in the dim light, his gaze fixed intently on Ling Li, who lingered near the window. Her silver hair shimmered like gossamer threads woven from moonlight, radiating an ethereal glow that illuminated the space around her.

He had missed her so profoundly — not just her presence, but the comforting warmth of her body against his, the gentle lilt of her voice, and the way she would lean against him when fatigue washed over her like a tide. Ten days trapped in the confines of worry, each moment spent imagining her solitary struggle in that chamber, exhausting every ounce of strength to create the elusive Nirvana Elixir, all while nurturing three tiny lives within her.

Drawing closer, he brushed a wayward strand of hair from her face, tucking it delicately behind her ear, his touch imbued with tenderness and reverence. "Finally," he breathed, his voice a rich tapestry of emotion. "You're mine again. Are you tired?"

Ling Li turned towards him, her eyes pools of warmth and serenity, her expression a serene moonlit night. She leaned into his touch, resting her head gently against his shoulder, a sanctuary found amidst the chaos. "I'm not very tired," she replied, her voice a soft melody that lingered in the air. "But I missed this."

With a tender determination, Four Eyes wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer as if to shield her from the weight of the world. "Let me carry you to our room," he offered, his tone imbued with soothing firmness. "You've done enough. Allow me the honor of drawing you a warm bath to help your body unwind."

Ling Li closed her eyes, savoring the enveloping warmth of his embrace, feeling the world around her fade into the background. "Mm," she murmured softly, her voice barely above the whisper of the night. "I'd like that."

Without hesitating, Four Eyes lifted her effortlessly into his arms, cradling her as though she were a fragile crystal effigy, a perfect blend of porcelain and moonlight. Ling Li's arms instinctively wound around his neck, her breath a warm caress against his collarbone.

As he began to carry her down the hushed hallway, the castle resonated with an aura of tranquility. For tonight, the outside world could hold its breath, its demands and chaos set aside, allowing them a moment of blissful respite.

A Serene Evening: Ling Li and Four Eyes

The hallway lay in tranquil stillness, bathed in the ethereal glow of moonlight streaming through intricately carved lattice windows. Four Eyes cradled Ling Li in his arms with an ease that belied the weight of the moment, her delicate form resting against him, her silvery hair spilling over his shoulder like silky threads of starlight.

Though she felt weightless in his embrace, he understood the hidden depths of her fatigue. Ten days of unyielding refinement had forged a bond between them — ten days spent in the crucible of soul flames, elemental convergence, and profound spiritual trials. Beneath all this, a quiet miracle unfurled within her — a triad of nascent beanies in her womb, their qi still fragile but unmistakably hers.

Pushing the door to their sanctuary open with his foot, Four Eyes stepped into a warm, fragrant embrace of the room. The bath awaited them — a refuge of opalescent steam wafting through the air, infused with the soothing aromas of lotus blossoms and rich sandalwood.

He gently set her down on the edge of their bed, his hands lingering at her waist, a featherlight touch that spoke of tenderness. "You're glowing," he murmured, his voice a gentle caress as he brushed his thumb along the curve of her cheekbone. "But I sense the toll it's taken. You shouldn't have borne it alone."

Ling Li leaned into his touch, her eyes softly lidded, her voice a melodic whisper. "I didn't feel alone. You were always with me… even when you weren't within the chamber's confines."

Four Eyes knelt at her feet, his forehead resting lovingly against her abdomen, a quiet testament to his concern. "And they were with you as well," he murmured, his hand resting protectively over her womb. "I worried each day — not only for your sake but for theirs too."

Ling Li's fingers wove through his hair, the gesture slow and deliberate, weaving reassurance. "They're resilient. Just like their father."

He lifted his gaze to meet hers, deep and tender. "And their mother is nothing short of a goddess."

A weary smile graced her lips, fatigue mingling with radiance. "Do not indulge me in flattery. I'm still smeared in ash and remnants of qi."

"Then allow me to wash away the remnants," he replied, his voice a low, intimate promise. "Let me care for you tonight."

Ling Li nodded slowly, her breath hitching with the weight of his words. "I would like that."

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