Devouring the Heavens (ATG)

Chapter 23: Buying a Wife with Words

A/N: So if you guys aren't aware, Webnovel has been 'shadowbanning' comments recently. This means that any comment that contains profanities in any form, will be automatically deleted.

Well, Enjoy the chapter...

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It was late afternoon in Floating Cloud City and the streets were bustling with activity. Shane was currently walking down one of said streets, with a spring in his step and a shit-eating grin on his handsome face. Dressed in a pair of dark trousers and a crimson silk shirt with the top two buttons undone, there were many eyes fixated on him.

From time to time, he would return the greetings of any townspeople or stall vendors that called out to him or flash a charming smile to any young ladies that were swooning over his looks. Most cultivators at the Nascent Realm or above would actively avoid him however as the wild aura he was emitting pressured them unconsciously.

Shortly put, Shane felt absolutely amazing right now!

Why wouldn't he? Today was a huge success! He got the approval of his future father-in-law, sealed a business deal, his cultivation increased by two small realms and the woman he loved jumped his bones! Okay the last part he wasn't planning for nor did he expect but goddam if he didn't feel proud of himself.

'Hehe, that mook Yun Che only managed to kiss her after 15 years of marriage. I only met her once and she practically jumped me. She wasn't gonna take no for an answer either...' Shane was understandably a little smug at the thought, though he couldn't shake the slight feeling of incongruity at her actions.

Then it hit him. Qingyue had been very forward, more forward than he would have ever thought possible for someone as sheltered and single-minded as her...

When thinking from the perspective of someone on Earth, having an intimate physical relationship before marriage didn't seem strange at all. For someone with the values of this ancient cultivation society, however, it was indeed strange.

"Could it be" He couldn't prevent the words from escaping his lips as he remembered Qingyue's other special physique. The Heart of Snow Glazed Glass.

From what Shane could remember, a person possessing the heart will experience qualitative changes to the mind and comprehension. Their soul, wisdom, vision, power and speed of growth will improve immeasurably. They will also develop a rather single-minded attitude towards their goal and will no longer hesitate in their decisions.

Perhaps Qingyue's heart had started to awaken towards him. 'Would she go yandere for me if it fully awakened? That would be so hot!'

Shane stroked his imaginary beard in thought. 'She was very enthusiastic and she knew exactly what she was trying to achieve. She even deliberately seduced me in the bathroom.' Thinking back on the afternoon's activities caused his eyes to squint and his grin to turn more lecherous. 'There was no hesitation in her actions, it is possible.'

The more he ruminated over it, the more convinced he became. 'She deliberately called me Husband to stoke the fires! The sounds she made were also enough to drive any man crazy, although I don't believe that part was deliberate hehe.' By this point, Shane was in his own little world remembering all the sexy noises Qingyue let out earlier, especially the ones she made when he sucked on her cherries.

'Her breasts are obviously quite a sensitive spot, something to remember for next time... Thankfully, her seduction was very awkward but what if she were to use her insane comprehension to learn?' Shane's eyes went wide and he shivered at the thought 'I need to be careful or I might just spend the rest of my life on the bed.'

Quickly wiping a stray bit of drool from the corner of his mouth, he looked up and realised he was already within sight of the Xiao Clan main gates. Slapping his face and replacing the grin with a slight scowl, he began storming his way over. 'Gotta make this look convincing.'

Shane quickly stalked his way back over towards his courtyard where he sensed Xiao Li and Xiao Che and when he entered he ran right up to them and spat. "Brother Che! Quickly help me beat someone up! My little Qingyue is engaged to some Xiao Clan, Young Master and this daddy is gonna send him packing!"

Xiao Lie helplessly looked at Shane's face full of righteous indignation while Xiao Che was speechless. Didn't that mean this wild brother of his wanted to beat him up?

Shane's clothes disappeared, replaced by usual shorts and silvery, crimson veined, armour. He turned around swiftly, cape dancing in the breeze and his aura surged like a roaring flame. *BOOM* An impact shook the courtyard as the Warhammer appeared in front of his hand before it was single-handedly hefted across his shoulder.

Xiao Lie's eyes went wide! It had only been a few hours, yet the kid had advanced two small realms! What kind of heaven-defying thing was this?

"...Brother Long" a quiet voice from Xiao Che but it was as if Shane didn't hear and step by step he left towards the rest of the Xiao Clan buildings.

"Brother Long!" Shane rounded on him with glowing crimson eyes and the boy could feel the ambient pressure beginning to saturate the air. "What are you still doing there Brother Che? This is important! Look ...I promise I won't kill anyone okay?"

Xiao Che gulped and said. "...it's me."

"What's you?" Shane asked impatiently.

Xiao Che shut his eyes tight, clenched his fists and shouted. "I-I'm the one w-who's engaged to Xia Qingyue!"

Shane's aura dissipated like a candle blown out in the wind and the armour turned into essence before it poured back into his hands. The outer robe from earlier appeared around his shoulders and he cocked an eyebrow.

"I say, brother Che, aren't you being a bit too greedy? What about little Lingxi? Are you trying to build a greenhouse with flowers everywhere?" Shane berated him.

Xiao Che groaned. "Brother Long, Lingxi is my blood-related aunt! We don't have a relationship like that."

"Wait wait wait! She is actually your little aunt and it's not just something kinky you like to call each other?" Xiao Che blushed up to his ears but still nodded firmly.

Shane looked confused. "Eh? But you're not related at all." He tapped his nose. "Your blood smells absolutely nothing alike." The whole courtyard went silent. Xiao Che furrowed his brows and the signs of annoyance had started to become apparent on his face. Xiao Lie's hands shook and he went pale as paper for a moment before he regained his bearings and let out a long, tired sigh.

Looking at Xiao Che who was shaking slightly, with his fists clenched and his face scrunched up in anger, Shane then glanced towards Xiao Lie and put on a look of deep regret before whispering. "...You didn't know."

Xiao Che stared Shane right in the eye and coldly said "Just because you don't want me to marry Qingyue, it doesn't give you the right to say things like that about my famil-"

"Enough Che'er" The tired voice of Xiao Lie cut him off. "Shane is indeed correct in what he said, no need to treat him like that. Both of you come sit over here, I will tell you the story."

Shane and Xiao Che went to sit at the table and Xiao Lie told the story of how his son, Xiao Ying had switched the babies with his sworn brother so the bloodline could continue blah blah blah.

To be honest, Shane didn't think what Xiao Ying did was noble or honourable, he actually thought it was rather disgusting to use a child's life like that to repay a 'best friend'. Who in their right mind, would value the life of their child, their own flesh and blood, less than some guy they met and helped for a while.

During the explanation, Xiao Che had gotten rather pale. He had bitten his lips till they bled, his knuckles had turned white and his eyes were beginning to cloud over with despair. "...So, in the end, I never really had a family." He whispered.

Shane slapped him hard on the head and said. "You ungrateful brat! Who raised you up huh? Grandpa Lie did! Who fed you and clothed you all these years huh? Grandpa Lie did! Who loved and cared for you when everyone else beat you down huh?"

He paused and scratched his nose awkwardly before saying. "Well, little Lingxi did, maybe a bit too much actually... But also Grandpa Lie! Do you think just because you don't share the same blood, that you are any less of a family to them!? Wake up brat, you're lucky you have a family!" He said the last part solemnly.

The next second, however, Shane's serious demeanour changed into a shit-eating grin and he continued. "If anything, this is actually a blessing in disguise. Not only do you keep your family, but you also have a chance at gaining a new one..."

Xiao Che looked a little shaken still but he had mostly calmed down until Shane's next words echoed inside his ears. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if little Lingxi were to go on the offensive from now on so you had better prepare yourself, Brother Che. Isn't that right Sister-in-Law?~"

A little squeal followed by the scrambling sound of footsteps on stone and someone retreated from the courtyard's outer walls at breakneck speed.

Xiao Che smiled fondly towards the courtyard wall and although his gaze flashed with a small amount of trepidation, that quickly turned into determination. He then turned to Shane and said. "Thank you Brother Long for helping me open my eyes."

Shane's eyes hardened and his attitude became serious as he said. "Don't thank me yet kid, I'm about to take your wife away."

"Long'er, you have done so much for us. If you want the engagement to be cancelled, we will fulfil your request." Xiao Lie said sadly.

"Grandpa Lie, While I undoubtedly love Qingyue and want nothing more than to marry her myself, I do not want the engagement annulled for just my own selfish reasons.

You must both know that Qingyue is incredibly talented in cultivation, right?" They both nodded

"What you do not know is that she is already near the peak of True Profound Realm" Xiao Lie gasped. Qingyue was not even 16 years old yet and although Shane was already in the Spirit Profound Realm, from the way he carried himself, Xiao Lie assumed he was at least a few years older than her.

"That isn't all, for Qingyue had already taken a Master since the age of 12. She was previously forbidden from telling anyone else about her disciple status and had hidden her cultivation for her own protection. Her Master is also not Someone that should be provoked without reason.

Xiao Lie gulped and couldn't shake the bad feeling he had about where this was going. "Whose Disciple is she Long'er?"

Shane forced a wry smile. "Chu Yueli. The Fairy of Frozen Glass. Rank number five of the seven Fairies of Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace!"

This time, both of their eyes widened in complete shock. For anyone out here in the fringes of Blue Wind, the words 'Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace' were akin to the sound of thunder in one's ears.

"Do you fully understand what that means? No, then let me tell you.

Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace is a sect completely comprised of women. They only accept female disciples and their sect rules forbid any of them from having a relationship with a man.

For hundreds of years, no disciple of their sect has ever been married to a man. This means that Qingyue's talent is so heaven-defying, and she is so highly valued by her Master, that she was allowed to stay in Floating Cloud and marry you instead of being directly taken back to the sect.

This also means that you and Qingyue would have only been married in name and nothing more. The sect would never have allowed you to touch her and I am willing to bet that shortly after your marriage, she would leave for good and never return."

Xiao Che's jaw was hanging open and Xiao Lie was looking angry, his aura was getting rather unstable too. Shane actually had to rub his eyes and make sure he was really seeing what he thought he was seeing.

"Whoah there Grandpa Lie, no need to get so angry over a small matter. Don't want you to have a stroke. AND LINGXI! Is it fun to hide behind that wall all night? There aren't any secrets here to keep from you."

Little Lingxi entered the courtyard a few seconds later with a pot of tea she got from... somewhere, and waved embarrassedly at the three of them. Much of Xiao Lie's anger abated and he smiled thinly at her, Xiao Che stared at her for quite a bit longer than was absolutely necessary... Shane just rolled his eyes and beckoned her to pour him a cup of tea.

Dusty, obviously the best at diffusing awkward situations, flashed out of the tattoo and wound herself around Lingxi's shoulders while chirping away and licking her face. "This little brat, you better not be complaining about me." Shane grumbled under his breath.

Lingxi poured some spirit tea, not like they drank anything else these days anyways, and Shane took a sip before continuing. "Like I was saying Grandpa Lie. Qingyue was forbidden from telling anyone about her being a disciple in case anyone with nefarious intentions decided to cut the young grass before it could grow.

If that really happened, do you think anyone in Floating Cloud City could have survived the wrath of Blue Wind's number 2 sect? A sect where they eliminate their own emotions and view life with indifference, no less."

Silence. What could be said? Nobody could really be blamed for this matter and so the feelings of annoyance had no outlet. The four of them sat in silence for a while, each of them with their own thoughts.

Lingxi's were pretty easy to see through however as she had scooted her chair as close as physically possible to Xiao Che's. She also kept stealthily reaching her hand out towards his, only to withdraw it the next second.

Shane just watched on with a 'serious' expression, holding his chin in thought as he enjoyed the awkwardness of the two teens. 'Maybe it won't be long before Brother Che gets to experience the legendary reverse push down hehe.'

After a few minutes had passed with nothing said, Shane started to become impatient and no longer suppressed the desire to move the conversation along. He turned to Xiao Che and said in a gentle tone. "Brother Che. If you were still a cripple, the status provided to you by default as the husband of a Frozen Cloud disciple would allow you to live a safe life free of bullying.

Now, however, you are not a cripple, your own potential is high and you could easily become as strong as your grandfather within just a few years if you had the right resources. Living a life where your marriage is a farce would be humiliating instead.

I love Qingyue, I do, but right now I am telling you this because I also don't wish to see someone I care for live that kind of life.

The point I'm trying to make here is that If I wanted, I could just use the fact that I already healed you as reason enough for you to break the engagement without trying to explain."

Xiao Che gave Shane a complicated look. On the one hand, His brother just told him he is in love with his wife-to-be, on the other hand, he cares enough about him as a brother to talk to him about it. There were also all of the things Shane had done for him, including the training and the pills...

Shane could only smile helplessly at him. He wasn't supposed to actually become friends with the kid when he started this plan, forcing him to take an alternative route to the one of leveraging overwhelming debt, that he originally intended to use.

Deciding to elaborate a little for the family of three, he stood up. "You still don't seem fully convinced, so allow me to enlighten you. Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace may be the smallest of all the major sects in Blue Wind, but they are by far the most united.

That is the reason why, with their sect rules, there is only one single way for anyone to become husband and wife with Qingyue in the truest sense.

That is to have the determination to face the entire Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace for her!" Shane's arms spread wide, his eyes glowed red and a domineering aura spilled out with each of his words, his intent was clear.

"Long'er, you..." Xiao Lie was surprised, it seemed like this little guy wanted to challenge the entire sect. Strangely he didn't think it was arrogance or stupidity talking.

Shane clenched his fists tightly. "That's right Grandpa Lie. I will never allow her to become one of those emotionless dolls, and I am willing to face the entire sect for Qingyue if I must!"

He sneered and his aura and killing intent billowed out causing a fierce gale to pick up and swirl around him. "If they still won't compromise after I have offered them the innumerable benefits and knowledge I possess, then, I will kidnap her away...

If they try to force her to leave me or practise those disgusting arts again, then, hehe. I will wash their sect in blood and take her out by force!" Feeling no small amounts of rage at the thought, Shane quietly continued, almost as if he were talking to himself.

"If I used all of my means, I could increase my cultivation greatly within a very short time, although it would likely be incredibly dangerous to do so. Meaning that I would also be even more pissed off with them." Realising that he was probably looking a bit like a psychopath at the moment, he stopped talking and glanced at the family of three.

Seeing them looking a little worried, Shane released his clenched fists and took a deep calming breath. Within just a few moments, the winds and his aura died down completely.

Sitting back at the table with one leg over the other, casually sipping his cup of tea, he said. "Of course, I will try my utmost for a peaceful resolution. After all, I am a civilised kind of guy."

*Pfffffft* Xiao Che and Lingxi burst out laughing while Xiao Lie smiled wryly. What civilised? Didn't this brat want to go and 'beat up' some people half an hour ago, dressed in beast hides and with a giant Warhammer at that?

Shane leaned forward and laced his fingers together. "Anyway, I want to ask you all to give up on the marriage with Qingyue. Not only for me, but also for yourselves.

I know it isn't fair to you Brother Che but I will definitely offer you some things that will hopefully more than make up for it!" Declaring that, he raised a finger.

"Firstly, I will train you and Lingxi up until the middle of Nascent profound within the next two months, and after that, I will provide the both of you with regular pills and resources.

Now the pills are less of a bribe and mainly because I call you brother. Family should always share the good things with each other" he said, the warmth evident in his tone

"Long'er surely you can't be serious, That level of increase is not possible. Cultivation takes time, especially once you break through to the Nascent Profound Realm, that is where true cultivation starts. You of all people should know this" Xiao Lie shook his head, thinking 'this kid really likes to brag'.

Shane looked towards Xiao Lie, pointed his thumb back towards his chest and said matter of factly. "Less than a year ago, I had absolutely no profound strength whatsoever. Do you believe it?" 'I think he might lose it if I told him it was less than 3 months ago,'

"Impossible" Shane interrupted him. "Wasn't Xiao Che's crippled vein also 'impossible' to heal?"

Xiao Lie could only nod, a crippled profound vein is indeed supposed to be impossible to heal yet this brat did it anyway. Still, he couldn't help but feel he had wasted his life.

Shane pulled out a standing incense burner from his storage before swiftly setting up a peach flavoured, beta strain to burn and floating it towards the middle of the courtyard. He waved his hand and a gentle gust of wind spread the vapour around them.

Taking a deep breath in through his nose, he sighed in contentment as the others also did the same. "This is the new strain of 'Spirit Incense' I have been working on. It will help any cultivator below the Peak of Nascent Profound to improve their cultivation speed and the benefit on the mind is doubled. Anyway, my second benefit is actually related to this.

Today I had discussed a business deal for selling the Spirit Incense with Xia Hongyi. Two months later, we will open a specially modified teahouse in the centre of Floating Cloud where patrons can purchase this 'Incense' to use on the premises.

When I have to leave Floating Cloud City in around 6 months, I want Brother Che and little Lingxi to take over the management of the teahouse completely and you will each receive 10% of the profits."

Xiao Lingxi, never one to care about things that weren't her 'nephew' or Dusty, was just happy that she and Xiao Che would have something to do together, while Xiao Lie was shocked. He who couldn't even fully estimate the value of this product, could still tell its potential for profit was immeasurable.

Xiao Che, however, didn't seem happy about this in the slightest and for a moment Shane thought he would be refused until the kid spoke in a subdued tone. "Brother Long you're leaving?" Although he had only known Shane for 10 days, they truly had formed a bond of brotherhood and although it was a long time away yet, the thought still made him sad.

"Yeah, kid. Firstly, it's a long time away yet and you might be sick of me by then, so don't go getting all emotional like a woman on me because it's disgusting. Secondly, who else is gonna knock some sense into those ice sculpture women if not me?" They both chuckled at that.

For the first time, Shane dropped the act and looked emotionally at the family of three before him. "I know you guys probably need some time to think about all this and make a decision so I won't disturb you any longer even though this is my courtyard." Shane stood up and was about to head inside when he heard a chair moving behind him.

"Wait!"

Xiao Che stood up with a straight back and looked directly at Shane. "I accept. Brother Long, this new life of mine was given to me by you. If I can somehow repay you by cancelling the engagement with Qingyue, I will do it in a heartbeat." He paused for a second and glanced shyly at Lingxi. "After all, I also want to experience how it feels to make my own choices."

"Waaaah" Before he could even blink, Shane had flashed in front of him and pulled him into a tight bear hug for just a second before he flashed back to his previous position again.

*Cough* "Private Che, Private Lingxi, Training starts tomorrow at dawn! salute!"

"Yessir!" "whaaa, little Che what does he mean?" Lingxi asked with stars in her eyes as she watched Xiao Che perform a perfect military salute from Earth.

Shane ignored them and pulled out a small sandalwood box before handing it to Xiao Lie and whispering. "Grandpa Lie, this is the gamma strain. It can help to increase the cultivation of anyone below the peak of True Profound." Xiao Lie's eyes widened and his pupils shrank as he let out a soft gasp.

"I don't have a lot, but this is especially for you to burn alone. The effect on calming the mind is much stronger than the other strains and It will hopefully help you to destress and loosen the bottleneck." Shane pulled back from a still frozen Xiao Lie and handed him a piece of paper.

"There are a few books on here that I need you to get for me if possible. No need to worry if not." he said offhandedly before turning towards his room while waving goodnight.

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A/N: So, after this week I will have mostly run my stock of chapters dry... I'm sure you guys have noticed, but the chapters are now around 4k words, some even reaching 5k.

Obviously, that's not a sustainable number to write every day and so I want you guys to choose whether we have 2 long chapters a week (4k words) or 4-5 shorter chapters a week (2-2.5k ish). Leave your comments and likes below.

Long chapters ~ vote here:

Short chapters ~ vote here:

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