Translator: CinderTL
Xun Ancai's breathing quickened as she pressed Xu Sanyan's hand with her own, her eyes pleading and earnest. "You must marry me."
"Hmm?" Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow, sizing her up with a dismissive glance. Tsk, tsk... what a cheap act.
"I've never met a man like you before. I like you so much," Xun Ancai said, gripping his hand tightly.
Xu Sanyan chuckled helplessly, yet he understood her tactics. Sometimes, these subtle manipulations were far more effective than brute force. With just a little cunning, he could make a woman utterly infatuated, unable to resist him.
He forcefully withdrew his hand. Giving her a taste of sweetness was enough for now; he couldn't let her have him too easily, or she wouldn't appreciate him. Maintaining this push-and-pull dynamic was key to maximizing his gains.
"How old are you this year?" Xu Sanyan asked, smoothing his disheveled hair and casually revealing his clean, muscular chest.
"Thirty-seven," Xun Ancai replied, batting her eyelashes and secretly licking her red lips.
"Thirty-seven?"
Xu Sanyan looked at her in surprise, sizing her up. She appeared to be no more than twenty years old. He never would have guessed she was already in her thirties.
How could someone in their thirties be so naive?
This secret realm gave him an unsettling feeling. He couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong, but something definitely felt off.
"Come on, let's go home," Xun Ancai said impatiently, grabbing Xu Sanyan's sleeve and pulling him forward. "The Clan Chief will bless us."
The three-headed dog obediently followed behind.
"What does the blessing do?" Xu Sanyan asked, trailing after her.
"It's for marriage, of course," Xun Ancai replied matter-of-factly. "Only after the blessing will your children be healthy. When they grow up, they'll be able to hunt in the mountains. If they're born without the blessing, they'll be weak like you and end up having to marry into a good family."
Xu Sanyan nodded slowly, then suddenly froze, realizing something was wrong.
"Wait, I'm having the children?!"
"Yes, of course you are," Xun Ancai said, looking at him strangely. "If you have the children, I can go out hunting and provide for you and the baby. If I have them, how will you support us?"
"Wait a moment, let me sort this out..."
The more Xu Sanyan listened, the more confused he became. He asked, utterly bewildered, "What do you mean I'll give birth? How can a man do that?"
He didn't even have the right organs for it!
"Huh?"
Xun Ancai stopped walking and turned to look at him. "Why can't men give birth? It's the same for everyone. Just take you to Heroic Soul Mountain, and you'll be pregnant in ten days."
Xu Sanyan froze, his voice rising sharply. "I have to get pregnant?!"
"How else would you have a baby?" Xun Ancai suddenly thought he was being rather dense.
"No, no, no..."
Xu Sanyan shook his head frantically. He never imagined he'd face such a predicament. He, a dignified seven-foot man...
...would have to become a mother?
Pregnancy was out of the question—absolutely impossible. For now, he'd just have to take things one step at a time.
The immediate priority was to understand why these women were so physically strong.
"Let's talk about marriage later. First, I want to see your Tribe."
"Alright then."
Xun Ancai's disappointment was palpable. It was clear she genuinely wanted a child.
Xu Sanyan absolutely couldn't grant her wish. If word got out, how would he ever face anyone again?
He glanced back at the three-headed dog trailing behind them. "Why does this dog have three heads?"
Xun Ancai explained, "Oh, the stronger they are, the more heads they have. The Clan Chief has a dog with seven heads—it's our tribe's divine beast, and it's incredibly fierce."
"How strong is it?" Xu Sanyan asked, sensing no particular pressure from the three-headed dog.
Xun Ancai counted on her fingers. "Hmm... probably strong enough to beat five of you."
"Huh?" Xu Sanyan's lips twitched. I'm not even as good as a dog?
He didn't doubt Xun Ancai was telling the truth, but he struggled to accept it. After all, he was the dignified holy son—how had he fallen so low?
After walking for a while, Xun Ancai pointed to a small mountain in the distance. "That's our tribe's territory."
She turned to him, straightened his clothes, and earnestly advised, "Make sure you dress properly."
"Tch..."
Xu Sanyan tightened his belt, suddenly feeling a pang of hunger. A flicker of surprise crossed his mind.
How long has it been since I felt this? Since breaking through to Foundation Establishment, he hadn't needed to eat. Sustaining himself on spiritual energy had been enough for daily needs.
Could it be that this secret realm lacks spiritual energy, forcing me to rely on food?
"I'm hungry," Xu Sanyan stated plainly, showing no embarrassment.
Xun Ancai nodded. "Wait a bit. I'll get you something when we get home."
"Alright."
Xu Sanyan looked up at the low mountain ahead, its slopes covered in dense trees. The occasional chirp of insects and calls of birds echoed through the air.
As if suddenly remembering something, Xun Ancai turned back to ask, "Oh, right, you're not a spy from another Tribe, are you?"
Xu Sanyan rolled his eyes inwardly. Is that how you ask someone?
"No."
"I knew it! Who would send someone as weak as you to be a spy?" Xun Ancai relaxed.
Xu Sanyan ignored her remark, instead picking up on a hint in her words. "Do you often fight with other Tribes?" he asked.
"Of course! We fight over prey, territory, people, and Earth Vein Stones. It's dangerous. If you ask me, you should just stay home and give me a child. I'll raise you both. Wouldn't that be nice?"
Xun Ancai brought up the topic again.
Xu Sanyan didn't respond to her suggestion, instead asking, "What are Earth Vein Stones?"
"This is a good thing, used for blessings. I've undergone three blessings already, which is why I'm so strong now." Xun Ancai flexed her arm muscles to demonstrate her strength.
Men always admire women stronger than themselves, and Xun Ancai knew this well.
Xu Sanyan's gaze swept over her muscles, lingering briefly on her exaggerated chest muscles, before he nodded in agreement. "Indeed, you're remarkably strong."
He had rarely seen such massive muscles, not even Madam Wu, the chieftain's wife, could compare.
"See? Hmph." Xun Ancai smirked smugly.
"What are the requirements for these blessings?" Xu Sanyan subtly probed for information.
"All you need are extra Earth Vein Stones and the Clan Chief's approval."
"Are Earth Vein Stones consumable?"
"Mhm. Usually, the first blessing requires two stones, the second four, and the third eight. If you agree to marry me, you can participate in a blessing to ensure our child has a healthy body."
A look of longing flickered in Xun Ancai's eyes; she was eager to become a mother.
"Is marriage the only way to participate in a blessing?" Xu Sanyan was reluctant to take that path.
Xun Ancai shook her head. "Not necessarily. Any child of the Dog Clan can undergo their first blessing before they turn thirteen. For the second blessing, you need to earn merit."
"As for you..." Xun Ancai shook her head again. "You're not one of us. You can only participate through marriage or by earning merit."
(End of the Chapter)
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