The whole drama ended and the entire sect returned to its daily rhythm with astonishing speed.
Perhaps it was because no one truly wished to dwell on what had happened.
A peasant-born outer disciple had risen to erase a half-step Grandmaster in a single strike.
He was now a clan chief and owner of one of the grandest estates on Fenghuang Peak.
Even a beauty like Song Yan would smile whenever his name was spoken.
A beauty coveted by princes of immortal dynasties across the Lower Heaven Realms.
His supposedly cultivation talent now eclipsed almost every genius in the sect.
And his name was in the mouths of every female disciple from inner to core!
To think too deeply about Li Qingmu's reversal of fate gave the elders headaches and made the proud young masters grind their teeth in the night.
It was easier to pretend nothing had changed.
So the sect moved on.
Law enforcement disciples were dispatched to clear the ruined parts of the sect.
Many things were being rebuilt.
As for Li Qingmu, he settled comfortably into the role of devoted husband and exemplary clan chief.
He and Zhen Rou personally nursed Su Liyue back to full health, and the nascent soul seed refined from Huo Wuji's essence allowed her to breakthrough to Nascent Soul in a single month of secluded meditation.
However, Song Yan's record of reaching Nascent Soul only four years after forming her golden core still remained very much unbroken.
This meant that Su Liyue's achievement was the second fastest in sect history.
Elders praised her openly.
Even Huo Batian forced himself to do the same.
Now Su Liyue was an elder and also given the title of Spiritual Plant Grandmaster.
Development of the new settlement lagged.
Many disciples were occupied cleaning the sect, and others quietly withdrew their applications to join Fenghuang Peak after word spread that a stunning new beauty who would soon replace Huo Batian as Grand Elder of Zhulong Peak when he stepped down in a few months.
Thus, a full year slipped peacefully by.
━ ━ ━ ━
Outside the master bedroom of the Li family palace.
Li Qingmu lounged in a wide wooden rocking chair with one leg crossed over the other.
He bit lazily into a ripe peach as he watched a line of ants march across the veranda.
『This palace is far too big for just the three of us…』
He groaned like an old man.
『I really should find a way to bring the concubines and children here. I haven't seen my little ones since they were born. If I keep neglecting paternal duty, I'll invite karmic backlash sooner or later.』
He sighed.
『But if I push father-in-law any further, the old man might actually explode.』
Dragging twenty-six beauties and their children up the mountain would earn him death.
Beside him, Su Liyue sat rigid on the edge of her chair as her elegant hands trembled.
Her eyes were on the tightly closed bedroom.
"I'm not sure junior sister's health can handle much more of this. The child's spiritual pressure has been growing stronger with every push…"
Another piercing scream tore through the door.
Su Liyue's heart skipped.
She whipped her head toward Li Qingmu only to find him calmly biting into his peach again.
He looked utterly unbothered.
Her eyes narrowed.
She slapped the half-eaten fruit right out of his hand.
It rolled across the veranda, leaving a trail of juice.
Li Qingmu blinked, mouth still full.
"Wha—?"
"Your wife is in labor!"
Su Liyue hissed, cheeks flushed with irritation.
"And you're sitting here eating peaches like it's a festival! Shouldn't you be worried!?"
Li Qingmu swallowed, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and shook his head slowly.
"Of course I'm worried…"
He sighed like a grieving widow.
"But can't you pity this poor husband a little too? I haven't touched Rou'er in over a year. This child has so much latent potential he refused to come out on schedule just to cook a few extra months in the womb."
He gave her a pretentious side-eye.
"A man has needs, yunno."
"…"
Su Liyue had nothing to say to him.
But he had a lot to say to her.
"I keep thinking… if only there were a way to embrace my wife and plant another seed even while she's pregnant. Ah, I miss her milk already…"
He reached into his flowing white-and-light-blue robes and pulled out another fresh peach.
Chomp! Nom, nom, nom!
Su Liyue's eye twitched.
She tossed her silky black hair and turned her face away with chin held high.
"Hmph!"
A voice rang in Li Qingmu's mind.
[Host's fertility has reached the level comparable to dragons of the upper realms. Impregnation of partners is possible even during existing pregnancy, provided the mother's womb possesses sufficient spiritual capacity to nurture multiple fetuses.]
Li Qingmu's eyes lit up.
He smiled like a greedy goblin.
"Aha…"
Su Liyue caught the change in his expression and couldn't help a small, proud smile of her own. She folded her arms beneath her full, springy breasts and lifted her nose.
"Hmph. Took you long enough. So you've finally noticed Senior Sister's new attire."
Li Qingmu blinked, genuinely confused.
"Huh?"
Su Liyue stood gracefully and twirled once so he would see all of it.
A fitted black dress with gold embroidery hugged her slender waist and flared over generous hips.
The neckline dipped just enough to reveal the soft valley between her peaks, while long slits up the sides flashed smooth, snowy thighs with every step.
Yet Li Qingmu only tilted his head, still lost.
Su Liyue's smile vanished.
Her cheeks puffed out in anger.
"You—! I can't believe you! You haven't even been looking at me all this time!?"
She stomped one tiny foot, hands balled into fists.
"I've been wearing this for three days!"
Li Qingmu quickly raised both hands in surrender.
"Wait, wait—to be fair, I was the one who had the seamstresses make that dress and choose the colors for you. I just… didn't mention it."
Su Liyue froze.
The anger drained from her pretty face.
As usual, senior sister is soft and harmless.
She placed her hands on her wide hips and turned her face away again, but this time with a shy pout.
"…If that's true, then… thank you."
Her voice was small and sweet.
Another long, pained scream sounded.
Su Liyue immediately tensed again as she sat as rigid as a statue.
Li Qingmu sighed and appeared behind her.
His warm hands settled on her smooth shoulders and began to massage with perfect pressure.
"Senior Sister's shoulders are so tense."
He murmured near her ear.
The massage was divine.
Su Liyue melted instantly, eyes fluttering half-closed.
A tiny, stifled moan escaped her lips before she bit down on it and shuddered hopelessly.
Just then, the bedroom door burst open.
A rosy-cheeked midwife beamed at them as she wiped sweat from her brow.
"Congratulations!"
"Both mother and child are safe and healthy!"
Li Qingmu's face lit with genuine joy.
Su Liyue's too.
He hurried forward only for the fierce head midwife to plant herself in his path.
"And what about our payment, hmm?"
Li Qingmu paused. "Pa-, Payment?"
The old woman's eyes narrowed.
"Don't act ignorant, boy! My sisters and I have tended Young Madam Zhen for over a year so you'd better compensate us properly!"
Li Qingmu cleared his throat.
『Tch. Midwives aren't even that useful. Why make such a fuss over a few spirit stones?』
With a warm smile, he reached into his sleeve and produced a small, glowing crystal vial.
"This is a drop of Nine Mystical Phoenix Essence I refined personally. One drop can extend lifespan by fifty years and cleanse hidden injuries. Far more valuable than mere spirit stones."
The midwives' eyes went wide.
They gasped, bowed repeatedly, and scurried away clutching the "treasure" with grateful tears.
Su Liyue watched them go, then turned to Li Qingmu with a frown.
A frown from Su Liyue is always a cute one.
"You scammed that poor old lady."
Li Qingmu yawned and stretched lazily.
"And how many years did Senior Sister scam Huo Batian again?"
Su Liyue's lips curved into a sly smile.
She quickly changed the subject, reaching up to lightly touch his long, tied-back hair.
"Your hair looks especially nice today, dear."
Li Qingmu shook his head with a chuckle.
[Ding! The host has received rewards for the safe delivery of the first child born to Zhen Rou!]
‣ +5000 Family Points
‣ Permanent +15% affinity to Water Dao Laws
‣ Emerald-grade Fire Spiritual Root acquired
‣ You've acquired "Heaven-Drowning Warship" as your new water daoist magic!
Li Qingmu's smile deepened.
With a confident swish of his robes, he walked in.
Inside, he saw Zhen Rou propped half-upright against silk pillows with a slightly pale face.
She was sweaty but also radiant with tired joy.
In her arms rested a tiny bundle.
Their newborn boy.
She softened up the moment she saw Li Qingmu.
"Husband… look at our little one."
She let out a delicate cough.
"Do you want to hold him?"
Li Qingmu tucked his robes into place with a grin.
"Of course I want to hold our handsome so—"
That's when a thunderous, joyous laugh shook the entire Li family palace.
"I FINALLY HAVE A GRANDSON!!"
The booming voice belonged to none other than the Zhen family patriarch.
Zhen Rou immediately turned red in shame.
"…Father's here…"
Li Qingmu could only sigh.
"This old man…"