My Host Only Marries the Strong

The crescent moon hung in the sky, its light clear and bright.

A gust of wind drove clouds across the moon’s face, and the moonlight on the earth immediately scattered, leaving only the deep night gazing alone at the land.

Forest insects chirped one after another. In the mountain shrine, firelight flickered as two candles burned on either side of the altar table, flames licking at the incense sticks leaning towards them.

On the mountain path, a man in rough hemp clothing ran, sweat streaming down his face. He occasionally glanced back with eyes full of hatred and wariness.

He’d been running for a long time and was exhausted, hungry, and thirsty. When he saw the shrine glowing with firelight, hope flickered in his eyes.

“I heard those damned people say this mountain shrine often has visitors coming to worship, but who comes here to burn incense and pray in the dead of night?” the man muttered.

His eyes calculated as he drew a cleaver from his belt. I may have once been a Foundation Establishment cultivator—surely I don’t need to fear mere mortals. Might as well check it out—maybe there’s food and drink.

He crept forward quietly, hiding by the window to peer inside.

He saw a white-robed man with his back turned, casually inserting lit incense into the burner.

If you said he didn’t respect the gods, here he was burning incense for them in the middle of the night.

If you said he did respect them, his movements were as casual as sticking flowers in soil, showing little reverence.

A young, strong man? The man outside frowned hesitantly, but when he spotted the fruits on the altar table, his feet became rooted to the spot.

He’d fled the village without dinner, and now he was so hungry his front was pressed against his back. He wanted nothing more than to rush in and gnaw on the table itself.

He stared fixedly at the fruits, hoping the man in the shrine would leave soon.

But the white-robed man not only didn’t leave after offering incense—he stood with his hands at his sides and said gently, “If there are gods, please bless my early ascension to immortality.”

Ascension? A cultivator? The man outside looked horrified and immediately tried to flee.

But before he could lift his feet, spiritual energy surged forward, wrapping around his neck.

The man grunted, his face instantly flushing red as the energy dragged him into the shrine.

“Why not come in?” The white-robed man dusted incense ash from his hands, smiling at the captured insect.

But when he saw the man’s face, surprise crossed his features. “You are…”

Wen Chunsheng slowly walked over and crouched before the man, studying his face with a smile. “If I’m not mistaken, might you be from the Lianshan Sect?”

Hearing those two words, the man—Xue Bushui—immediately showed terror.

His brow furrowed as his legs kicked against the ground, seemingly trying to escape the shrine.

Unfortunately, the spiritual energy restraining him pressed down like a mountain, leaving him completely immobile.

Wen Chunsheng smiled. “Don’t be afraid. I know who you are now. The entire Lianshan Sect died clean as a whistle—only you, Xue Mengtao, and an elder surnamed Li remain. Since I can meet you here, my journey of temple visits and prayers hasn’t been in vain. Sincerity brings a divine response.”

Xue Bushui’s pupils contracted. He seemed to want to speak, and the spiritual energy around his neck loosened slightly. “What do you mean ‘died clean as a whistle’? The others—”

When he’d returned to the Lianshan Sect, only his father had died suddenly in bed. The others had fled with their valuables, leaving the vast sect empty. Where were the living people?

“Hehe.” Wen Chunsheng chuckled softly. He didn’t seem inclined to answer Xue Bushui’s question, instead asking, “Do you know where that Elder Li went?”

Xue Bushui shook his head frantically.

Wen Chunsheng nodded. Someone like Xue Bushui valued his own life above all else. If he knew Elder Li’s whereabouts, he would definitely reveal them to save his skin. Since he was shaking his head, he truly didn’t know.

Wen Chunsheng felt somewhat disappointed and sighed. “I’ll send you on your way then.”

“Wait!” Xue Bushui shouted. In his life-or-death moment, he found boundless strength, grabbing Wen Chunsheng’s robe hem and pleading desperately, “I’ve already had my spiritual veins severed by Seraphine—I’m just a mortal now! Spare me, and I swear I’ll never appear again. I’ll spend my whole life honestly farming in the village!”

“Severed by Seraphine?” Wen Chunsheng asked with a smile. “For what reason did she sever them? Tell me, and I might consider sparing your life.”

Xue Bushui’s eyes lit up, then immediately dimmed. He opened his mouth wide, moving it soundlessly as panic-induced cold sweat broke out all over his body.

He grabbed his own throat desperately. “Uh…… uh ah!”

“Heh.” Wen Chunsheng shook his head. “A Heavenly Dao oath. The Palace Lord is truly cautious.”

He sighed, watching Xue Bushui’s struggling body. Xue Bushui’s face contorted grotesquely, veins bulging like an insect that had fallen into water, desperately seeking hope for survival.

Wen Chunsheng watched his death throes as if enjoying a show, his face showing pleasant amusement.

“You seem so unwilling to die. Let me ask you something else—if you answer well, I’ll not only spare your life but restore your spiritual root and let you return to the cultivation world.” He casually tossed out the bait.

Xue Bushui immediately bit down hard on the hook, staring intently at Wen Chunsheng with excitement. “Ask me!”

“Before you were severed, what was your cultivation level?”

Xue Bushui paused, then quickly replied, “Foundation Establishment—I was mid-stage Foundation Establishment!”

Wen Chunsheng considered this and found it acceptable. “What about your spiritual root?”

Xue Bushui’s heart sank. Though he and Xue Bufan were biological brothers, they were like heaven and earth. If not for this difference, even before Xue Bufan was severed, he wouldn’t have lived constantly in his brother’s shadow.

But he didn’t want to waste this golden opportunity, so he trembled as he said, “Pass…… able.”

“Oh?”

Wen Chunsheng stood up under Xue Bushui’s panicked gaze, smiling lightly. Xue Bushui tried to speak again, but suddenly heard a crack—the world went dark.

“‘Passable’ won’t do.” Wen Chunsheng sighed, not even glancing at the corpse with its broken neck on the ground as he walked away.

Behind him, the earth rolled and swallowed Xue Bushui’s body before returning to normal.

The mountain shrine’s earth god statue remained kind and benevolent, incense smoke drifting peacefully.

The clouds above dispersed, and moonlight drifted down gently, illuminating the quiet human world.

Wen Chunsheng changed into crimson disciple robes and walked through the moonlight to Luanyang Palace.

Just at the mountain gate, he was stopped by disciples on guard duty.

The guard looked apologetic. “Senior Brother Wen, Elder Si ordered that all Palace disciples must undergo Blue Jade Bead inspection upon return.”

He produced a Jade Bead. “I obey orders.” Wen Chunsheng raised his hand to channel spiritual energy into the Blue Jade Bead.

It emitted a soft glow, and the surrounding disciples relaxed, stepping aside. “Please proceed, Senior Brother Wen.”

“Thank you for your hard work.” Wen Chunsheng’s face showed a gentle smile as he bowed to the guard disciples in farewell.

He followed the mountain path forward, but when no one could see him, his steps turned toward a different direction.

⁂

The Outer Sect

Endless spiritual grain swayed in the wind, golden waves like ocean swells.

Wen Chunsheng stopped behind a tree and sent out a transmission talisman.

After a long while, Gu Yuqing slowly walked over from the other side of the wheat field.

Compared to the last time Wen Chunsheng had seen her, Gu Yuqing’s face held much more numbness.

Seeing him brought none of her previous joy—she simply called “Senior Brother” and fell silent.

“We haven’t seen each other in just two years—why so distant?” Wen Chunsheng asked gently.

Gu Yuqing’s usual pride had died in this yellow earth. She was no longer the beloved disciple held dear by the Benevolent Central Peak elders, couldn’t even be considered an outer sect disciple—just a mortal whose spiritual root had been severed.

Her immortal destiny had been severed.

Her former high spirits seemed like a dream, and she woke in the middle of the night with only tears on her pillow, bewildered by how she’d become what she was now.

“Senior Brother,” Gu Yuqing murmured. “For mortals, two years is already very long.”

Wen Chunsheng sighed softly, placing his hand on Gu Yuqing’s shoulder. She trembled, looking at him rigidly.

Wen Chunsheng raised his hand to establish a barrier, then said quietly, “Junior Sister, don’t be sad. During my travels, I encountered a great opportunity!”

“Would you like…… to restore your spiritual root?”

Gu Yuqing’s head snapped up with a whoosh, staring intently at Wen Chunsheng.

Light immediately blazed in her eyes as she threw herself forward to grab his arm, asking hoarsely, “Senior Brother, don’t lie to me! You can really restore my spiritual root?”

“You can really restore my spiritual root!”

“Senior Brother! I promise I’ll be obedient from now on, cultivate honestly, and never again disobey my master or disgrace the sect and Palace Lord like before!”

“As long as you can restore my spiritual root, I’ll do whatever you ask!” Gu Yuqing’s rough palms gripped Wen Chunsheng’s arm. She used so much force that her fingernails dug into his flesh.

Wen Chunsheng smiled. “When have I ever lied to you? But I think after your spiritual root is restored, you can’t stay at Luanyang Palace.”

Gu Yuqing’s mouth opened and closed, looking at Wen Chunsheng with some panic, repeatedly saying “I’ll listen to you in everything.”

Wen Chunsheng’s lips curved upward. “Close your eyes.”

As if afraid he might change his mind, Gu Yuqing immediately closed her eyes and covered them with her hands.

Wen Chunsheng’s smile faded as he pointed at his chest, drawing out a golden fragment.

The moment the fragment left his body, tearing pain made his face pale as a phantom appeared, meeting Wen Chunsheng’s gaze.

Wen Chunsheng nodded.

The phantom smiled and transformed into golden light that surged into Gu Yuqing’s body. She groaned and collapsed to the ground.

Wen Chunsheng continued smiling. The pure white moonlight fell on his face, illuminating his cold, false smile.

He watched Gu Yuqing’s fallen body and said quietly, “One fragment for you, another fragment……” He looked up toward Phoenix Roost Peak. “Palace Lord, I only await your discovery of the Phoenix Codex.”

One night passed. Gu Yuqing woke in the daylight, staring blankly at the sky.

She felt the abundant spiritual energy in her consciousness sea—strange yet familiar, bringing tears to her eyes.

At the same time, memories surfaced in her mind: a dark, twisted phantom that had saved her. Her benefactor had said—

“Go to the Northern Border. Break the Demon Domain.”

⁂

“Splash.”

Hot water poured down, drenching Echo’s little orb form. She set down her tiny cup and leaned back against the bowl wall with a satisfied whew. “What an exhilarating bath!”

Heat steamed all around her as a white jasmine flower floated by. She picked it up for a look, then slapped it against her forehead just like Seraphine does.

Her specially manifested matchstick legs swayed in the water, one of them even having a tea leaf speared on it.

Error swam over and looked at her. Echo waved her matchstick seriously. “Don’t look at what you shouldn’t.”

“When will you be done cooking?” Error asked earnestly.

Echo remained serious: “Don’t speak of what you shouldn’t.”

Error fell silent but glanced over.

The orb’s bathing bowl was positioned over the tea-brewing brazier, with flames burning bright beneath it, making the water bubble and churn.

Though this orb isn’t the world’s best companion, I can help it out a little. Error immediately opened her mouth and breathed fire into the brazier.

The flames blazed fiercely, instantly evaporating half the water in the bowl.

“Aiya!” Echo’s head sprouted flames as she looked around frantically for Nine Heavens.

Error smugly darted away, but a burst of spiritual energy struck her tail with a thwap.

Seraphine walked in and said coldly, “What’s all this commotion? Is this a place for fighting?”

She started it! Echo’s matchstick arm pointed accusingly at the fleeing fire-rock dragon.

Setting aside who started what, Seraphine stared at the bowl on the brazier with a head full of question marks. “What are you doing?”

Obviously! Echo lifted her matchstick and plucked off the tea leaf stuck to it, saying seriously, “I’m taking a bath.”

A hot bath.

Seraphine: “……You’re quite thorough about it.”

She’d even taken a bowl from the kitchen. This bowl had been used when dining with Siyi and the others—it had contained pork ball soup then.

Now it was cooking pig-head orb soup. Seraphine made a tsk sound, wondering what exactly she saw in this thing.

Seraphine walked to the table and snuffed out the brazier fire with her finger. Rolling up one sleeve, she used tea tongs to grab one of Echo’s matchstick arms and lifted her out of the tea broth.

“Aiya.” Hanging upside down, Echo looked up at Seraphine. Even from this angle, she looked beautiful. “Actually, I could have gotten out myself.” But thank you anyway, Seraphine.

Flowers bloomed above her head as her two eye circles moved upward.

What had been her arms became her bottom legs, the lifted arm and her other leg moved to either side of her orb.

The flowers quickly floated to the top of her head too.

System righted again! Being a system is really great—so flexible and adaptable! Echo gave herself a thumbs up.

Seraphine: “……”

She released the tongs, dropping them on the table with a light laugh. “Didn’t I rinse you off when we got back?”

That orb had been circling her with red marks all over it. Finding it an “eyesore” Seraphine had grabbed it and given it a thorough cleaning.

“That was a freshwater bath earlier,” Echo explained. “This was a tea bath. Tea has a wonderful fragrance, Seraphine likes fragrant things, plus it carries our beautiful memories.”

Thinking back to the old days when Seraphine first gave her a bath using tea water, Echo felt nostalgic. A shy expression appeared in her bubble.

Seraphine’s lips curved as memories surfaced, and she reached out to gently pat Echo.

Echo immediately hugged her finger and continued, “Seraphine, I haven’t finished my tea bath yet. Look, it’s getting dark, and when it gets dark we sleep. Before sleeping we should bathe. You always avoid me when you bathe, but now we’re cultivation partners, so—”

She gripped Seraphine’s index finger with both matchstick arms, shaking it up and down as flowers bloomed above her head.

In a friendly voice, she said, “To better understand each other, I invite you to bathe together. Let’s be completely open with one another!”

[Author’s Note]:

Seraphine: How on earth did I end up liking her?

Echo: Bath time~ (off to the kitchen)

(picks a bowl) (carries it back) (places it on the brazier) (pours water) (lights the fire) (waits for it to heat) (adds tea leaves) (adds…… system)

Echo: Hoo~ what an utterly satisfying bath!

Seraphine seems a little hesitant about our ‘cultivation partner’ bath time. What, is she shy? Come on, Seraphine! To see if she finally gives in, peek 20 chapters ahead at Patreon ➡️ LoveisLove520!