Word Count: 3,260 Words
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However, Xiao Yan quickly suppressed that fleeting moment of gloom. He gripped Cai Lin's delicate, seemingly boneless jade hand and gazed at the incomparably beautiful woman before him.
Cai Lin's body trembled when he suddenly grasped her hand. It was obvious she still wasn't accustomed to such intimate gestures between them.
Although they already had a child together and had known each other for a very long time, their relationship had formed largely through fate's arrangement and mutual transactions. Apart from that one night and their time in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, they had never experienced the normal moments that typical couples shared.
Still, she didn't withdraw her hand. She allowed Xiao Yan to hold it as warmth spread from her palm. Xiao Yan's large hand radiated intense heat.
Cai Lin maintained her cold expression as she looked at Xiao Yan. Their eyes met.
Xiao Yan tightened his grip slightly, holding her hand firmly while gazing into her beautiful, bright eyes. "Don't worry. No matter what, I, Xiao Yan, swear that neither you nor our child will suffer even the slightest harm. Anyone who tries to hurt you will face my wrath!"
Unexpectedly, a provocative, cold glint flashed through Cai Lin's beautiful eyes. She pulled her hand free, grabbed Xiao Yan by the collar, and yanked him close.
"You think I need your protection? I'll take care of any enemies myself. All you need to do is stay home, refine pills, and take care of the child."
"Understand?"
Xiao Yan was stunned. How domineering!
He had suspected as much when he discovered all Four Great Elders were female. The Medusa race was likely a matriarchal society where women fought enemies and protected the family.
Cai Lin suddenly frowned and looked down at her belly. Xiao Yan froze before asking in surprise, "Did it kick you?!"
"Its strength is not weak," Cai Lin said coldly.
Xiao Yan was shocked. Cai Lin possessed 9-star Dou Ancestor strength, and her body had been tempered by Heavenly Flames. For the baby to kick her hard enough to cause pain, its strength was definitely not ordinary!
He stood there at a loss, his face a mixture of shock and joy. He slowly squatted down, tilted his head, and gently pressed his ear against Cai Lin's belly.
Before, the soul connection between them had been very weak, but as the fetus gradually grew, that connection became stronger and stronger.
Cai Lin's eyes gradually softened as she watched Xiao Yan's head resting against her, listening intently. She slowly raised her jade hand, hesitated momentarily, then gently stroked his hair.
Her movements were extremely gentle. Only now did she truly acknowledged that this man had entered the deepest chambers of her heart. In her world, Xiao Yan and their unborn child now transcended everything else.
"It's really moving!" Xiao Yan's voice was filled with delight, but he forced himself to keep it low, afraid of disturbing the baby.
"Nonsense." Cai Lin rolled her eyes at Xiao Yan speechlessly. This person wasn't usually this dumb. You have Spiritual Strength at the Soul State, can't you just sense it directly?
"Hehe, what about a name? Have you thought of one yet?" Xiao Yan suddenly remembered and asked.
"Not yet." Cai Lin shook her head gently. The Snake-People Tribe's secret methods were quite complicated, and she had been undergoing their baptism this whole time.
"How about Xiao Yao?"
"Hmm???"
"Xiao Le sounds nice too."
"???"
Cai Lin was dumbfounded. Your alchemy skill and naming ability are inversely proportional! No, this man was hopeless at naming. She couldn't possibly leave it to him. She directly ignored all the names Xiao Yan suggested.
…
Just as Xiao Yan and Cai Lin were excitedly discussing names, in a certain void space in the Central Plains' middle region, there existed a world even vaster than the Northern Region.
This was the Gu Realm, created by the Dou God of the Gu Clan.
Endless clouds and mist lingered high in the Gu Realm's sky, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere. Any outsider would be astonished to discover this mist was actually condensed natural energy.
The natural energy here was so dense that it had coalesced into visible fog!
Casual cultivation in this place would yield better results than in most secret realms or treasured lands.
Countless steep mountains filled the landscape. Occasionally, streams of light flashed across the sky, their powerful auras revealing Dou Ancestors soaring through the air with regularity.
Dou Ancestors were commonplace here!
At the very center of the Gu Realm stood a towering peak resembling a giant sword piercing the clouds. Looking up, one could only see swirling mists, the summit hidden from view.
Atop this misty peak sat a smooth, round piece of green stone. A graceful figure meditated cross-legged upon it, forming cultivation seals with her hands. As she breathed, golden flames coiled around her body like a golden dragon.
Most remarkable was the mark on her forehead, which glimmered with a faint, lifelike luster of many colors, looking extremely beautiful.
The figure wore plain cyan robes that, despite their simplicity, radiated refreshing elegance. A light purple silk ribbon tied around her slender waist accentuated her captivating curves. Looking up, one would see a face of serene beauty.
Just as Xiao Yan had claimed, Feng Qing Er's delicate face couldn't compare to hers. Her beautiful eyes carried an ethereal quality that seemed capable of dissolving any anger in one's heart beneath their tranquil and calm gaze.
She resembled a white flower blooming atop a high mountain, pure and unmatched, her every movement goddess-like.
Such a woman looked just like a fairy, or a clear lotus untainted by the dust of the mortal world. She exuded an aura both ethereal and elusive, making her someone to be admired from afar but not profaned. Most men would probably feel ashamed of their own inadequacy in the presence of such a heavenly blessed maiden.
The dense natural energy within a hundred-mile radius seemed to lose all order, forming a giant dragon that surged wildly into her body like countless stars encircling the moon. The energy continuously poured in, quickly purified by the golden flames and mysterious internal power within her.
After about an hour, she finally ceased cultivating, her aura completely stabilized at the 9-star Dou Ancestor stage.
"9-star Dou Ancestor..." The woman frowned slightly as she sensed her own cultivation and murmured, "I wonder if I'm advancing too quickly. If I surpass Xiao Yan ge-ge by too much, it might make him feel even more pressure and drive him to work harder. If that happens..."
While others wished their cultivation would rocket upward, she worried that progressing too rapidly would place excessive pressure on the man in her heart.
The woman rose gracefully, her tall and slender figure exceedingly alluring. With an elegant wave of her sleeve and a gentle smile, she said, "Old Ling, I want to know how Xiao Yan ge-ge is doing."
This was Gu Xun Er, daughter of the Gu Clan Head and the graceful figure in Xiao Yan's heart.
Whenever she mentioned Xiao Yan, Xun Er's face would light up with a smile. Though fleeting, it possessed a matchless grace that seemed to brighten even the surrounding world.
As her voice faded, a shadow in the corner slowly shifted, transforming into an elderly figure.
Ling Ying sighed inwardly. Only one man in the world could make the Young Miss so attentive immediately after emerging from seclusion. Even the Clan Head didn't receive such treatment.
He bowed respectfully and smiled. "Young Miss, your cultivation now surpasses mine. You're not far from the Dou Venerate realm. Truly a cause for celebration."
Xun Er dismissed the flattery. She casually brushed aside her loose hair and asked, "Old Ling, there's no need for such words. How is Xiao Yan ge-ge doing?"
"Haha, Young Miss, your insight is truly remarkable. Young Master Xiao Yan has become a rising star in the Central Plains." Ling Ying laughed. He was filled with admiration when he spoke of that youth.
There was no need for him to inquire much. Anyone in the Central Plains would know about the Yan Alliance and its founder, Xiao Yan, with just a few questions.
Especially now, with the Pill Gathering approaching, all of Central Plains' attention was focused on it.
The Pill Gathering occurred once every thirty years, and each champion became a legend, many eventually rising to prominence within the Pill Tower.
Now, Xiao Yan was already one of the favorites to win. Countless people were talking about him.
Rare delight blossomed across Xun Er's elegant face at this news. She felt happier about this than her own breakthrough.
Ling Ying summarized, "Half a year ago, Young Master Xiao Yan's Yan Alliance defeated the Wind Lightning Pavilion at the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting and claimed first place. Moreover, Young Master Xiao Yan defeated his opponent in a single move, unleashing a terrifying Tian Class Dou Technique to overcome Feng Qing Er of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe. He even captured her afterward, forcing Venerable Lei of the Wind Lightning Pavilion to cede territory and pay compensation."
"Now, the Yan Alliance's influence is already on par with the Four Pavilions. It has become a renowned major faction on the outer edges of the Central Plains."
Tears of joy shimmered in Xun Er's eyes as she listened. She knew Xiao Yan was striving so hard in order to come to the Gu Realm. She knew that Xiao Yan was a man who always kept his word!
"Young Miss, that's not all." Ling Ying deliberately paused for suspense, smiling.
Xun Er couldn't help but chide, "Old Ling, if you have something to say, say it quickly."
Ling Ying chuckled as he stroked his beard. "Young Miss, you've already been left far behind by Young Master Xiao Yan. If you don't redouble your cultivation efforts, the gap will only grow wider."
"Hmm?!" Xun Er's beautiful eyes widened in shock. She possessed the Dou God Bloodline and was cultivating within the Gu Clan's inheritance realm. Even with such advantages, her cultivation speed couldn't match Xiao Yan's? How could that be possible!
"Hehe, in terms of cultivation, Young Master Xiao Yan is naturally not as advanced as you, Young Miss. Half a year ago at the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting, Young Master Xiao Yan only had the strength of a 3-star Dou Ancestor. However, it's rumored that Young Master Xiao Yan has already become an 8th-tier alchemist, having successfully refined the Green Fungus Pill, and has even recruited a Dou Venerate to guard his side." Ling Ying had personally received medicinal pills from Xiao Yan.
The pills Xiao Yan had casually given as rewards were tier 7 medicinal pills. Ling Ying was one hundred percent certain that Xiao Yan was now an 8th-tier alchemist. This was no mere rumor.
"8th-tier alchemist!" Even Xun Er was extremely shocked to learn that Xiao Yan had reached this level.
By her calculations, Xiao Yan should have just passed his twenty-sixth birthday recently. For someone so young to be an 8th-tier alchemist, even within the Yao Clan, he would be considered a genius!
No wonder Old Ling said Xiao Yan had left her behind. An 8th-tier alchemist was naturally far more distinguished than a 9-star Dou Ancestor.
Furthermore, the Gu Clan's Dou God Bloodline provided no advantage for alchemy, and the clan lacked any alchemist inheritance. When Gu Clan members needed medicinal pills, they typically had to visit the Yao Realm to find Yao Clan members to refine them.
With Xiao Yan's current status and position, though still considerably distant from hers, his terrifying potential was enough to make even those stubborn elders in the clan seriously reconsider!
Realizing this, Xun Er's normally cool and tranquil heart began to flutter. She even started imagining the day Xiao Yan would arrive to marry her.
Because this was no longer just a dream. Now there was a real possibility!
Xun Er's heart pounded like a startled fawn, her cheeks flushing slightly as she pictured the day Xiao Yan would arrive at the Gu Realm!
Imagine a princess long imprisoned, with the man in her heart overcoming every obstacle to climb the mountain. Now he had already reached halfway up the slope, almost at the summit. What emotions would fill such a princess?
Xun Er clenched her fists and abruptly turned around. Her elegant and delicate face now bore a rare expression of joy. She strode resolutely down the mountain, her steps unwavering, without the slightest hesitation.
"I want to leave the Gu Realm!"
…
Of course, Xiao Yan was completely unaware of this scene. At this moment, a trace of worry clouded his features, and his gaze had grown somewhat cold.
After leaving Cai Lin's bedchamber and returning to the Jia Ma Empire, he had learned that during his half-year seclusion, the Yan Alliance had actually been attacked, and its development had been hindered.
"You said Ice River Valley and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe?"
"Mm." Queen Yao Ye nodded heavily and said in a solemn voice, "About two months after the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting, Ice River Valley suddenly announced to the world that our Yan Alliance was harboring the Woeful Poison Body, which would bring a terrible disaster to the Central Plains. They demanded we hand over the Woeful Poison Body."
Xiao Yan let out a cold laugh. "A mere Ice River Valley? I doubt they can handle the consequences."
Did they truly think Little Fairy Doctor was still the 9-star Dou Ancestor she once was? Half a year ago, she had already reached peak 4-star Dou Venerate and completely mastered the Woeful Poison Body. Now she even possessed the Heavenly Flame Poison Pill.
Ice River Valley's strength was comparable to Burning Flame Valley, both being among the Three Valleys. Their Valley Master, Venerable Bing, was a peak 4-star Dou Venerate. In terms of raw strength, he might not even be able to defeat Little Fairy Doctor.
"Ice River Valley also rallied several Central Plains factions to attack the Yan Alliance. Among them, the Wind Lightning Pavilion was the most active, seizing the opportunity to occupy some of our cities." Queen Yao Ye's face showed worry.
After all, the Woeful Poison Body was a bizarre, terrifying physique that struck fear into people's hearts. In the past, the Central Plains had experienced poison outbreaks, and every Woeful Poison Body had without exception brought great disaster.
Naturally, this had attracted widespread fear and condemnation.
Ya Fei, dressed in a red gown, spoke with a grave expression. "According to intelligence gathered by the Miteer Auction House throughout the Central Plains, I suspect Ice River Valley's aim isn't to eliminate the Woeful Poison Body. Venerable Bing has gone to such lengths likely because he wants to obtain the Woeful Poison Body for himself."
"Rumor has it that to enhance his ice Dou Qi, Venerable Bing seeks to upgrade his High Di Class Ice River Qi Method to Tian Class. He used poison techniques to transform his physique into an acquired Woeful Poison Body, turning his ice Dou Qi into a terrifying cold poison Dou Qi."
"It's precisely by relying on this cold poison Dou Qi that Venerable Bing can contend with the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame of Valley Master Tang from Burning Flame Valley."
Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned. His mind raced with surprise. 'Acquired Woeful Poison Body?! I recall Venerable You Du was also an acquired Woeful Poison Body. Could Venerable Bing have obtained the same secret method?'
Ya Fei continued, "However, rumors suggest that Venerable Bing's fusion of the acquired Woeful Poison Body with ice Dou Qi wasn't entirely successful. His poison body has serious flaws, and he's already on the verge of a poison outbreak."
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed as understanding dawned on him. He now grasped why Venerable Bing was acting so desperately. The Valley Master wanted Little Fairy Doctor's innate Woeful Poison Body to compensate for his own deficiencies.
No wonder Ice River Valley wasn't afraid of retaliation from an 8th-tier alchemist like himself. Venerable Bing could hardly protect his own life now. Little Fairy Doctor's Woeful Poison Body was his last hope. He would naturally go to extremes.
"Heh, so much talk about benevolence and morality, but it's all just to satisfy his own selfish desires." Xiao Yan's cold laugh was full of contempt. This Venerable Bing was even more disgusting than the Hall of Souls. At least as a Hall of Souls Honorable Elder, Xiao Yan was an honest villain.
If he wanted to seize someone's soul, he would do so directly, without pretense, based purely on strength.
"A month ago, Ice River Valley launched a large-scale offensive, advancing all the way to the border of the North-Western Region. In that battle, not only did Ice River Valley's First Elder, Tian Shuang Zi, a 1-star Dou Venerate, take action, but Venerable Lei also participated."
Xiao Yan's expression darkened further as he listened to Queen Yao Ye's report. The Yan Alliance's development couldn't always proceed smoothly. Expanding into the Central Plains meant taking territory from others, which would inevitably provoke backlash.
He simply hadn't expected that after merely half a year of seclusion, so many troubles would arise.
"Did Venerable Bing appear?" Xiao Yan asked.
If only Venerable Lei and a 1-star Dou Venerate were involved, Xiao Yan believed Elder Yao could still hold the line, provided Venerable Bing didn't intervene.
"He did appear, but not alone. Valley Master Tang from Burning Flame Valley also came, saying you had done him a favor. So in the end, the battle ended in a stalemate." At this point, all the Yan Alliance leaders in the hall turned to look at Xiao Yan. Truly worthy of being an 8th-tier alchemist. His network of connections was no joke.
Xiao Yan nodded. It seemed he now owed Tang Zhen a favor.
"What about the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe situation?" Although Xiao Yan already had some suspicions, he still asked.
"It concerns the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils." Xiao Ding, the eldest brother, glanced at Qing Lin, who stood beside Xiao Yan with downcast eyes, and said, "Half a month ago, the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe publicly declared that if we don't surrender the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, they'll flatten the Yan Alliance."
Crash! The teacup on the table beside Xiao Yan shattered violently, splashing tea all over him.
At least Ice River Valley had found a righteous excuse. This Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe was making direct threats. Hand over the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils or they'd flatten the Yan Alliance!
How utterly tyrannical!
These words naturally filled the Yan Alliance's upper echelon with immense fury.
Standing behind Xiao Yan, Qing Lin spoke with dimmed eyes. "Young Master Xiao Yan... perhaps it would be better if—"
"No ifs!" Xiao Yan glanced at Qing Lin and said in a deep voice. "Don't ever say that again. Young Master doesn't like to hear that."
"Young Master Xiao Yan..." Tears welled up in Qing Lin's beautiful eyes. She bit her red lip and nodded heavily. As she did, teardrops fell from her eyes.
"Third Brother, what do you plan to do? The Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe is even stronger than the Two Sects." Xiao Ding looked at Xiao Yan, and everyone else turned toward him as well. At this moment of utter helplessness, Xiao Yan was the only one they could rely upon.