Chi Li's study was… quite unusual, shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, packed tightly with ancient scrolls, jade slips, and weathered manuals. The air smelled faintly of dust and ink.
At the center of the room sat a low desk carved from dark stone.
And beside it...
A sandbox?
At first glance, it might have looked like a child's play area.
But no child would dare approach what rested within.
A Sandstorm Tortoise.
The elemental beast was roughly the size of a large dog, its thick, jagged shell layered like compacted stone covered in pointy stone protrusions identifying it as a male. Faint currents of wind swirled lazily around its body, grains of sand lifting and falling as it breathed.
Rank 9 of the Core Refining State.
Its presence alone should weighed heavily on the room.
To someone like John, it would have been overwhelming.
The difference between ranks was already vast, each level a wall of its own. But the gap between realms?
That was a chasm.
Even this seemingly docile creature could crush a low-level cultivator without effort.
And yet...
The tortoise remained tucked tightly within its shell.
Unmoving.
As if it understood someone far more dangerous stood nearby.
"Well, brother," Shang Li said lightly, stepping into the room, "I trust managing both the clan and the sect hasn't been too difficult?"
A direct strike to his elder brother's weak spot.
Chi Li's brow twitched.
He sat behind his desk, fingers pressed against his grey temples.
"Brother Shang," he replied flatly, "I am certain you and Lady Rose did not come here simply to mock me."
His tone was controlled.
But only barely.
Balancing the Li Clan and the Earth Dominion Sect was no small burden. Even for someone like him, it demanded constant attention.
Shang Li didn't deny it.
Instead, he casually tapped his foot.
The ground rippled.
Two stone chairs rose smoothly from the floor behind him and Rose.
He sat down in the finely chiseled chair as he reached forward...
And selfishly helped himself to the wine jar on Chi Li's desk.
Chi Li's eye twitched again, his veins bulging.
Rose cleared her throat, stepping in before things escalated.
Her green eyes gleamed faintly with amusement.
"As neighboring rulers," she began, voice smooth yet firm, "and as an old friend…"
She folded her arms.
"I wished to personally visit and congratulate you both on another addition to your clan."
Chi Li leaned back slightly, stroking his goatee.
Suspicion flickered in his gaze.
"…And?" heprompted.
"Please speak plainly, you are among friends."
Rose did not hesitate.
"I want to be John's godmother."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Shang Li froze mid-swig...
Then immediately choked.
Wine sprayed everywhere as he coughed violently.
Chi Li went completely still...
For a brief moment, even the age lines on his face seemed to vanish.
"…You what?"
Elsewhere in the kitchens...
John had just finished eating.
And by "finished," it meant he had devoured everything within reach like a starving beast.
Now he rested comfortably against Yue Li's chest, full and drowsy.
She gently adjusted his position, clearly pleased.
Her cooking had improved significantly.
A far cry from the time she had accidentally sliced off her instructor's fingers.
Progress not perfection
"My little Sun," Yue Li murmured softly, brushing a hand through his hair, "do you remember the story of the General and the Princess that I've told you of before?"
John gave a lazy nod, his eyelids drooping.
"Good," she said, smiling.
"Then let me tell you about the Barbarian Queen of the jungle."
Her tone shifted slightly.
More offended
"After the General and the Princess survived the beast tide and nearly killed each other in battle, they traveled together across the land."
"They grew famous. Praised wherever they went."
"But one day… they left their territory."
"They entered a jungle after hearing about a powerful medicinal root, a Flesh writhing vine a powerful plant beast."
Her voice lowered.
"Deep within it stood an ancient pyramid... a ruin older than recorded history."
"They went there in search of a rare medicinal root."
"A plant that fed on flesh and blood… capable of restoring the Princess's damaged body and fragmented memories."
John's sleepy eyes opened slightly.
That sounded important a barbarian queen?, could it be? John thought his lips curved into a weary smile
"But before they could reach it…"
Yue Li's expression darkened.
"A woman appeared."
"A savage."
"A barbarian queen."
"She destroyed the plant beast."
Her voice sharpened.
"Brutally. Carelessly. Rendering most of it useless."
John blinked.
Well that sure escalated quickly, its definitely Lady Azure Rose shes speaking of. John thought.
"She refused to hand over what remained," Yue Li continued, her crimson eyes narrowing, "Unless the Princess agreed to privately "spar" with her."
"She called it a 'friendly match.'"
Yue Li scoffed.
"A lie."
"The General stepped forward instead, willing to fight in her place."
A pause.
Then
Yue Li's lips twitched.
"But in the end…"
"They didn't fight at all."
"That insane, crude woman," Yue Li muttered, her tone dangerously flat, "was completely enamored with both of them."
"She handed over the roots anyway."
"Her motive was intimacy and she was partially victorious "
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"Disgusting."
John stared, processing this information, his dad has immaculate game hopefully some of that rubs off on him now that hes reborn.
"And to make matters worse," Yue Li added bitterly, "the roots weren't even enough to heal her properly."
"Only enough to keep things from getting worse."
For a moment killing intent flickered in her crimson eyes.
Cold.
Sharp.
Familiar.
But then...John giggled his golden eyes opening as he smiled as if he heard the funniest Joke ever.
Clapped his tiny hands together.
Completely oblivious to his mother's vendetta.
The tension shattered instantly.
Yue Li blinked.
Then smiled softly, all traces of hostility gone.
Back in the study the Sandstorm Tortoise shifted slightly it's head poking out tentatively from its shell as if death had been averted, if it could sigh in relief it would have.