As Liu Nanfeng studied the scroll, he gradually uncovered more of its functions.
The scroll was a world unto itself, capable not only of storing items but also of refining demons and nurturing spirits.
For instance, the butterfly spirit he had first stored in the scroll had grown considerably. He hoped it would soon be able to take human form.
Memory recall could only be used on spirits or demons with individual consciousness.
The demons and the Mountain God of Maoshan he had encountered previously had their origins directly revealed, leaving no memories to recall. This was because they were all collective consciousnesses, part of a chaotic existence.
Beyond this, the entire world within the scroll was completely under Liu Nanfeng's will. The scroll also featured the alternation of sun and moon, and the cycle of seasons.
Moreover, Liu Nanfeng had a subtle feeling that the scroll's functions extended beyond these, requiring further exploration or "development" on his part.
Liu Nanfeng shifted his gaze to the volcano depicted on the scroll. As expected, the Human-demon and the demon had both been refined.
It seemed that regardless of their strength, the refining process always took twenty-four hours.
Two elixirs floated on the volcanic lava, differing in size and color.
The elixir refined from the Human-demon was a dark red, noticeably smaller and with a duller hue.
The elixir from the refined demon, however, was not only larger but also emitted a faint blue glow, adorned with peculiar markings as if carved into its surface.
Liu Nanfeng first retrieved the elixir refined from the Human-demon and swallowed it directly.
As if by instinct, he knew what ability he had gained.
"Luck Manipulation," commonly known as the "Crow's Mouth." Starting with "I wish you," he could reduce the recipient's fortune. Whatever bad things he wished would come true.
For example, if he told someone, "I wish you step in dog excrement when you go out," they would definitely step in it.
However, if he said, "I wish you win the lottery," it would have no effect at all.
Besides granting Liu Nanfeng a new ability, the elixir also slightly improved his physique, so subtly that one wouldn't notice unless they paid close attention.
Liu Nanfeng now possessed three abilities: Great Strength, Dream Intrusion, and Luck Manipulation.
Although these abilities were not particularly strong, each one touched upon the level of rules, possessing an extremely high ceiling.
This was also something Liu Nanfeng found very strange. As far as he knew, in terms of demon hierarchy, Human-demons were born from human desires and belonged to the lowest tier. If only demons could perceive their traits, they would have likely been wiped out by humans long ago.
Yet, these weak Human-demons possessed abilities that touched upon the realm of rules, which seemed utterly unreasonable.
Unable to figure it out for the moment, Liu Nanfeng set aside his thoughts and turned his attention to the elixir refined from the demon within the scroll.
He then reached out and pulled it from the scroll.
This elixir immediately gave him an unusual feeling.
Clutched in his hand, it felt alive, as if breathing, seemingly on the verge of escaping at any moment. Liu Nanfeng had to cup it with both hands. It felt soft to the touch, yet surprisingly hard as iron when a slight pressure was applied.
Fearing any unforeseen events, Liu Nanfeng didn't delay. He brought his cupped hands to his mouth and inhaled deeply through the gap. The elixir slid down his throat at lightning speed, and he didn't even have time to taste it.
The previous elixirs had been swallowed with barely any sensation, but this one was different. Liu Nanfeng felt a warm current spread from his abdomen to all parts of his body, a comforting warmth that wasn't quite heat. It was simply very pleasant.
Liu Nanfeng had actually preferred the "Body Fortification" ability among the five potential skills, but "Evasion" was the most practical skill if he couldn't win.
However, "Body Fortification" was also acceptable. Strengthening oneself was the foundation of a stable life. He wondered how much it could enhance him.
"Nanfeng, how long have you been showering? If you need help, I can assist you." Su Jinxiu suddenly opened the bathroom door and poked her head in.
Liu Nanfeng: ...
The normally composed and intellectual elder sister often showed a playful side to Liu Nanfeng.
"Really, hurry up and get out! I'll be done soon."
"So you weren't up to anything bad then."
Sun Jingxiu's face showed disappointment, but her eyes were full of slyness.
Liu Nanfeng's forehead broke out in a sweat. What was going on? He couldn't even take a peaceful bath. He quickly rinsed off the soap suds and hurried out of the bathroom.
"Are you done? Come, have some soup."
"Soup again?"
"Yes. I made a big pot this morning, and you weren't home for lunch. What else could I do with it?" Su Jinxiu put on a wronged expression.
Liu Nanfeng was utterly speechless by her antics.
If she had something to say, she could just say it directly. Why the aggrieved look? Anyone else would think Liu Nanfeng was bullying her.
"I'll drink it, okay?" Liu Nanfeng said helplessly.
Only then did Su Jinxiu show a satisfied smile.
Liu Nanfeng sat opposite her. On the table was a large bowl of deer antler and goji berry black chicken soup.
Liu Nanfeng, who thought he had lost his appetite, suddenly felt his mouth water at the sight of the chicken soup, and his stomach rumbled with a faint hunger.
Liu Nanfeng sensed something was amiss. Although he only drank two bottles of beer during the barbecue last night, he had eaten plenty of skewers and steak. He shouldn't have been hungry now.
Liu Nanfeng lowered his head and drank a bowl of soup. The warm chicken soup flowed down his throat and into his stomach, and the warmth spread throughout his body from his stomach. It was so comfortable.
Liu Nanfeng began to eat and drink heartily, feeling as if his stomach were a bottomless pit, rapidly digesting all the food and converting it into energy that spread throughout his body.
Su Jinxiu, sitting opposite him, also showed a look of surprise, but she didn't interrupt Liu Nanfeng, merely watching him quietly.
"Is there any more?"
Only after finishing the bowl did Liu Nanfeng look up.
He hadn't even realized that he had finished the entire bowl of soup without once lifting his head.
"There's still quite a bit. I'll serve you more."
Su Jinxiu picked up the bowl and stood up. She hadn't drunk any of the whole chicken she stewed in the morning, and there was still plenty left.
"Bring all the rest."
Liu Nanfeng rubbed his abdomen, feeling a surge of strength fill his entire body. It was as comfortable as being in a sauna, his whole body warm and pleasant.
Su Jinxiu glanced back at Liu Nanfeng with a peculiar expression before turning to go into the kitchen and bringing out the remaining half-basin.
Liu Nanfeng didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up the basin and began to eat directly.
Su Jinxiu gently placed her hand on Liu Nanfeng's shoulder and immediately sensed the vigorous and active life force within him.
She sniffed with her delicate nose, as if she could smell the fragrance of life.
"Did you have another fortuitous encounter?"
Su Jinxiu removed her hand, her heart filled with surprise.
She had initially thought Liu Nanfeng was just an ordinary person, and she would stay with him and live a simple life. When did things change?
However, Su Jinxiu also felt it was natural. Since he was the reincarnation of A Run, how could he remain mediocre forever?
Just then, a news report on the television caught Su Jinxiu's attention.
"Ms. Han Xiangning of Han Group has recently decided to invest in returning to the country. Han Group is a world-renowned cosmetics manufacturer, owning twelve world-famous brands and operating two hundred and forty-two branches globally..."
As the announcer spoke, a woman with a beautiful face and a cool demeanor appeared on the screen.
"What's wrong? Do you know her?" Liu Nanfeng asked curiously, seeing Su Jinxiu staring at the television.
"An old friend."
Su Jinxiu's expression became slightly grave, but then she relaxed. She would face whatever came her way; dwelling on it was useless.
Turning back, she asked, "Are you still drink—"
She stopped mid-sentence because, in the blink of an eye, Liu Nanfeng had finished the entire half-basin of chicken soup, eaten all the chicken, leaving only a skeleton, and had even chewed up some of the bones.
"You finished it all?" Su Jinxiu asked, somewhat surprised.
"Yes, my dear, the soup you made is really delicious."
Liu Nanfeng patted his belly, feeling as if his body was brimming with inexhaustible energy, and his stomach didn't feel full. Instead, his lower body felt quite full.
Su Jinxiu placed her hand on Liu Nanfeng's shoulder with some doubt. She once again sensed the vigorous life force, though it was less active than before.
Besides a slight surge of blood and qi, there were no other anomalies.
Seeing that Liu Nanfeng was not uncomfortable, Su Jinxiu felt relieved. She bent down to clear the dishes, but Liu Nanfeng grabbed her hand.
Su Jinxiu looked back and saw Liu Nanfeng's eyes gleaming with ardor, looking as if he had overdone it a bit.
Liu Nanfeng picked her up and ran towards the room.
"We can clean up tomorrow."
"You stink."
"I just finished showering."
"I mean your mouth."
"I'll go brush my teeth. Wait for me."
Liu Nanfeng hurried out of the room, quickly brushed his teeth, and rushed back into the room.
Su Jinxiu had turned off the main light, leaving only a dim orange lamp, creating an intimate atmosphere.
Su Jinxiu changed into a lace nightgown and lay on the bed on her side. Her round, upturned buttocks were faintly visible beneath the lace.
Her slender legs were crossed, like a work of art.
Her delicate feet and fingers were like exquisite carvings, without a single flaw.
Her entire being exuded a captivating allure, and her captivating gaze seemed capable of soul-snatching.
"Halt, enchantress! Aid my cultivation."
Liu Nanfeng could no longer resist. He pounced forward and kissed her deeply.
Huh?
Liu Nanfeng was suddenly startled. The Body Fortification ability was truly perverse; even saliva could be converted into energy to strengthen his body.
Moreover, perhaps because Su Jinxiu was special, the effect was exceptionally good.
Was this a form of Yin-Yang cultivation, drawing Yin energy to supplement Yang?
The next day, Liu Nanfeng woke up feeling refreshed and revitalized, with no trace of soreness or fatigue.
The Body Fortification ability was incredibly useful. Not only had it improved his physique, but it had also enhanced his other abilities.
If Liu Nanfeng could see the text above his head, it would read:
Name: Wang Chendong
Race: Human
Cultivation (Age): Twenty-seven years
Status: Su Jinxiu's Husband.
Previous Cause: Triggered.
Abilities: Great Strength, Dream Intrusion, Luck Manipulation, Body Fortification.
Liu Nanfeng put on his clothes and walked out of the room. As expected, Su Jinxiu was already busy in the kitchen, with food spread across the table.
"Jinxiu, you've prepared so much already. What else are you busy with?"
Liu Nanfeng entered the kitchen and hugged Su Jinxiu from behind by her waist.
"I'm making two more pancakes. Your appetite has increased, hasn't it? I'm making more," Su Jinxiu said with a smile.
"Mmm, aren't you curious why my appetite has suddenly increased?"
Su Jinxiu hadn't asked, but Liu Nanfeng couldn't help himself.
"If you want me to know, you'll tell me, won't you?" Su Jinxiu tilted her head, smiling at him.
Liu Nanfeng nodded blankly. Su Jinxiu always managed to grasp him without making a sound, and he was willing to be controlled.
This woman was truly formidable, but he liked her very much.
He couldn't resist leaning in to kiss her, but Su Jinxiu blocked him with her hand.
"Go wash up first."
During breakfast, as Liu Nanfeng was about to speak, Su Jinxiu preemptively stopped him.
"Everyone has a few little secrets. As long as they don't affect our relationship, you don't have to tell me everything."
Su Jinxiu was incredibly understanding, and Liu Nanfeng was deeply touched.
Then, he felt something was amiss.
"Do you have any secrets you're hiding from me?" Liu Nanfeng asked.
Su Jinxiu flashed a sly smile, lowered her head to eat, and didn't answer the question.
This made Liu Nanfeng feel as if his breakfast had lost its flavor, his heart churning like it was being scratched by a cat.
Then, it truly felt like a cat was scratching.
There was a scratching sound and meowing from outside the door.
Su Jinxiu and Liu Nanfeng exchanged glances, both looking puzzled.
"Is it from a neighbor's?"
Su Jinxiu shook her head.
"The people across the hall only have a dog, no cat," Su Jinxiu said.
She then put down her chopsticks and walked towards the door.
"It might be a resident from another floor who got lost and wandered up," Liu Nanfeng also put down his chopsticks and followed.
Su Jinxiu opened the door and looked down. A black cat was squatting at the doorstep. Seeing her open the door, it raised its head and looked at her with a pair of blue eyes.
Upon seeing the couple, it stood up and meowed again.
Its fur was pure black, without a single speck of mixed color, giving it an adorable appearance, yet also hinting at a touch of nobility.
"What a beautiful little cat."
Su Jinxiu was a bit surprised and happily crouched down, reaching out to pet it. Unexpectedly, the black cat was not timid at all, and it actively nudged its head towards her hand.
Standing behind her, Liu Nanfeng felt a sense of familiarity when he saw the black cat, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
"What are you carrying on your back? Can I see it?"
It turned out that on the black cat's back was a long object, resembling a scroll.
Su Jinxiu took it from the cat. Before she could open it, the black cat dashed into the house.
"Hey, this cat of yours..." Liu Nanfeng quickly turned to chase after it.
After finally catching the black cat, he saw Su Jinxiu sitting on the sofa, with the scroll placed on the coffee table.
"This little guy is really hard to catch," Liu Nanfeng said with a smile, holding the black cat.
"Come here." Su Jinxiu beckoned him with a stern face.
"What's wrong?" Liu Nanfeng asked, walking over confusedly.
"Do you remember what I told you earlier?"
"What did you say?" Liu Nanfeng asked, puzzled.
Su Jinxiu's eyes widened upon hearing this, and she said angrily, "Anything that affects our relationship, you must truthfully confess."
"Con... confess what? I'm not hiding anything from you. You already know about that thing with Huamei, don't you?" Liu Nanfeng said somewhat flusteredly.
"I'm not talking about Huamei now."
Liu Nanfeng breathed a sigh of relief. "Then there's no one else. I swear, really, there isn't."
"There isn't. Tell me, what is this?" Su Jinxiu unfolded the scroll before her.
A beautiful woman, rendered vibrantly on the paper, appeared before him.
The woman appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with an oval face, delicate features, dressed in exquisite brocade robes, and wearing a phoenix lock on her chest, looking lively and adorable.
"I swear, I really don't know her. This is the first time I've seen her," Liu Nanfeng exclaimed aggrievedly.
"You don't know her, then what is this?" Su Jinxiu pointed to the bottom left corner of the scroll.
"A lonely pillow brings frequent sweet dreams, for several times I thought I saw you, yet it was but a dream. Knowing such dreams are useless, I still wish to be the person in your dreams."
This was a love poem, with no name signed at the end, but instead, the words "Don't forget, don't forget..."
"I know you have the ability of Dream Intrusion. Tell me, did you flirt with some female demon in your dreams, causing her to come looking for you?"
Su Jinxiu crossed her arms and glared at him with her beautiful eyebrows, full of anger.
"I really didn't. I swear, and besides..."
Liu Nanfeng looked down at the black cat in his hand and suddenly exclaimed, "Yi!" He remembered where he had seen this cat.
"Hmph, finally remembered?" Su Jinxiu maintained a smile, but Liu Nanfeng could feel that she was genuinely angry.
"Listen to my explanation."
"I'm listening. Argue your case," Su Jinxiu said, crossing her legs elegantly, exuding an imposing aura.
But Liu Nanfeng had no inclination for such things now. His mind was filled with how to argue, no, explain.