Chapter 1718: Overwhelmed

Chapter 1718: Shocked and Flattered

The night was deep, all sounds were hushed, and everything was peaceful and serene.

In the pavilion, Ye Chen wasn't asleep. He squatted by the bed, his eyes wide and bright, fixed on Chu Ling'er.

The little one had transformed into a brilliant seven-colored lotus, dazzlingly beautiful.

Due to this phenomenon, Chu Ling'er's body was enveloped in a multicolored glow, with strands of divine radiance weaving together, fused with Dao principles.

The more Ye Chen looked, the more amazed he became. This was truly a first for him.

Innate phenomena, innate fusion with Dao principles, even innate transformation and nirvana in the womb—it was all incredibly mysterious.

As he watched, Ye Chen extended his hand and condensed some Sheng Xue.

Then, he separated a strand of his Huang Gu Sheng Ti origin.

The origin intertwined with the Sheng Xue, merging into Chu Ling'er's lower abdomen, where it was all absorbed by the little one, making the seven-colored lotus even more radiant.

Beyond that, Ye Chen crushed numerous pills one after another.

As a master alchemist, he knew their effects well and how beneficial they were for infants. For his own child, he was sparing no expense.

After some time, the seven-colored lotus finally faded away.

The little one transformed back into human form, lying there fast asleep, plump and rosy, shimmering with a crystalline light, utterly adorable.

"Old dad is very optimistic about you," Ye Chen said with a chuckle.

After one last glance, he hugged his wife and drifted off to sleep.

The night passed without incident, and dawn broke with the morning sunlight warm and gentle.

Today, the Qing Luan Clan was exceptionally lively. As soon as the sky brightened, crowds of people gathered outside the Qing Luan mountain gates.

Looking into the distant horizon, more figures kept arriving, some in groups of three, others in groups of five, all coming together in a bustling manner.

They weren't here to cause trouble; they were visiting, each carrying gifts.

Their purpose was clear: to build good relations with the Qing Luan Clan.

It was all because of yesterday's battle—the Qing Luan Clan had become renowned overnight.

Not to mention anything else, just Ye Chen and Ming Jue, along with those two Di Bing, were enough to intimidate all sides, absolutely terrifying.

Even the Huo Feng Clan had been wiped out—who would dare underestimate the Qing Luan Clan now?

The Qing Luan Clan was shocked and flattered; they had never enjoyed such prestige before. With factions from all directions eager to form alliances, they welcomed everyone warmly.

"Fellow Daoists, please come in," Qing Luan Laozu said, personally greeting them. With his lifespan nearing its end, he wanted to pave the way for his clan before passing.

"You're too kind, Qing Luan Daoist," the visitors replied, all smiles, including many Laozu from major sects, genuine Quasi-Emperors.

Once inside the immortal mountain, their heads swiveled like rattles, glancing around as if searching for something.

What were they looking for? No need to say—it was Ye Chen and Ming Jue.

Their true purpose on this trip was ostensibly to befriend the Qing Luan Clan, but in reality, they were after those two formidable figures.

However, after scanning the area, they didn't spot Ye Chen or Ming Jue.

Ye Chen had no time for them—a group of old folks couldn't compare to the comfort of holding his wife.

As for Ming Jue, he was standing with Qing Luan on a mountain peak.

After one night, his face was still flushed red, that restless energy even more intense than if he'd eaten some special tonic.

"Thank you," Qing Luan said with a soft smile, her cheeks also tinged with red.

"Don't just thank me with words—show me something real," Ming Jue grumbled, tempted to force the issue, but he couldn't beat her.

"Tonight, come to my room," Qing Luan said before turning and leaving, her face now completely flushed.

Ming Jue's eyes lit up with excitement.

Bai Zhi walked over, sighing as she glanced at him.

He was the disciple of Ming Di, potentially a leader of an era in the future, yet all he thought about was mischief.

The look on Ming Jue's face darkened even more, with black lines crisscrossing it.

Last night, if not for Bai Zhi giving the Di Qi to Qing Luan, he wouldn't have ended up getting beaten, bottling up his frustration all night until it turned into internal injury.

Fortunately, Qing Luan had agreed, so tonight would be the night.

Bai Zhi glanced at him disapprovingly. "Be gentle with the girl. How can you act like that?"

"Tch," Ming Jue replied dismissively, shaking his head.

These two disciples of supreme beings were quite the pair in terms of power, but also endlessly entertaining.

What they didn't know was that Di Huang and Ming Di had intentionally arranged for them to be together—the disciples of supreme beings were a perfect match.

Yet, these two just didn't click. Not only that, they bickered like siblings more than lovers.

One had to say, the affairs of the heart in this world were indeed intriguing.

In terms of background, appearance, bloodline, and cultivation, Qing Luan didn't measure up to Bai Zhi in any way.

But Ming Jue had his eyes set on Qing Luan and connected with her. This romance spanned two realms and was no easy feat.

"Bro's lifelong matter—tonight, don't you dare mess it up," Ming Jue said, pulling out a small mirror. He admired his handsome face in it while warning Bai Zhi.

"That woman looks awfully familiar," Bai Zhi said, ignoring him and gazing through the misty clouds at the opposite mountain peak.

On that peak, there were mostly young disciples, some from the Qing Luan Clan and some from outside clans.

The visiting elders were in the grand hall chatting with the Qing Luan elders, while the younger generation had been escorted to that mountain peak.

And Bai Zhi was looking at one of them—a woman in purple immortal robes, radiantly elegant, her beauty surpassing even Bai Zhi's own.

Ming Jue followed her gaze. "Which one are you talking about?"

Bai Zhi said nothing, just furrowed her brows slightly as she quietly observed the woman.

Her master, Di Huang, often painted pictures of the Donghua Empress, and this woman looked exactly like her.

"Say something! Which one?" Ming Jue glanced at Bai Zhi.

"Neither," Bai Zhi replied curtly, then turned and left, heading toward the mountain peak where Ye Chen and Chu Ling were.

Ming Jue's face darkened completely—this was awkward.

Outside, things were lively, but in the pavilion on the mountain, Ye Chen was still asleep.

His sleeping posture was boldly unrestrained.

A ray of sunlight filtered in, falling on Chu Ling'er's cheek.

Perhaps feeling something heavy on her, she didn't even open her eyes; she just shoved it away and tossed Ye Chen right off the bed.

He was sleeping soundly, having a great dream, when he suddenly hit the ground with a thud, landing spread-eagled.

Ye Chen got up, feeling embarrassed. Was I the one who moved around in my sleep?

Seeing Chu Ling'er still asleep, he rolled his eyes and grinned.

Then, he crept to the bed—or more precisely, to Chu Ling'er's ear—and took a deep breath.

"Wife, quick, look! The little one came out on her own!"

His yell was thunderous, full of swagger, loud enough that even the visitors to the Qing Luan Clan turned their heads.

Chu Ling'er was startled awake, her ears ringing, but she hurriedly checked inside her body to look at her lower abdomen.

At a glance, the little one was still inside, sleeping peacefully.

In an instant, she realized she'd been tricked. She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Ye Chen, her beautiful eyes blazing.

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Just easing the awkward atmosphere," Ye Chen said with a smirk.

"Ease this!" Chu Ling'er shot back. She didn't even put on her shoes before jumping out of bed, chasing and hitting him as she went, not holding back.

Ye Chen was quick on his feet, darting straight out of the room.

By coincidence, he ran right into Bai Zhi. The poor girl hadn't even said a word when she nearly got knocked flying.

"Are you rushing to be reborn?" Bai Zhi glared at Ye Chen fiercely.

"I didn't know you were outside—ow!" Ye Chen's words were cut off as Chu Ling'er caught up and whacked him with a stick.

That blow was painfully sharp, almost knocking him out.

Bai Zhi's mouth twitched. This couple was something else.

No wonder she was his wife—he was fierce, and she was just as tough. That stick packed a real punch.

"Are you trying to murder your husband?" Ye Chen grimaced.

"Keep pulling your pranks," Chu Ling'er said with a smirk. Though she was about to become a mother, she was acting like a playful sprite right now.

"Ye Chen, I once heard you mention that the Donghua Empress had a wisp of remnant soul and died in battle across the heavens," Bai Zhi interrupted. "Is it possible she reincarnated?"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask that?"

"I saw a woman who looks exactly like the Donghua Empress," Bai Zhi said, pointing toward a distant mountain peak.

Ye Chen didn't even need to look; he could deduce it with a quick calculation. That woman was Zi Xuan, the reincarnated wisp of the Donghua Empress's soul.

Behind him, Bai Zhi and Chu Ling followed, their hearts pounding with excitement.