Chapter 1829: Ye Ling'er

On Yu Nü Feng, wine tables were neatly arranged, filled with fragrant jade fruits and the intoxicating aroma of wine, making the scene lively.

This was a banquet, but no one was drinking. Everyone stood by their tables, their eyes fixed on the boudoir, eagerly awaiting the child's birth.

"I say, wife, why is there no sign of movement at all?"

Ming Jue turned to Qing Luan, his eyes fixed on her abdomen.

"You're the one who's not up to par."

Qing Luan gave Ming Jue a sideways glance. Having spent so much time with him, she had also become quite playful.

"Hey."

Ming Jue's temper flared. He rolled up his sleeves as if ready to prove himself.

"So, do you think their child will be born as a bird or an egg?"

Xie Yun rubbed his hands together, lost in thought.

"I figure it'll be an egg."

Si Tu Nan said with a meaningful smile. "Qing Luan is a bird-type creature, so it has to be an egg."

"That might not be the case; it could turn out to be a bird."

Xiong Er stroked his chin, speaking with a serious expression.

This topic sparked a lively debate among the boisterous group from Heng Yue Sect, with people like Long Yi and Long Wu, Xiao Ling Wa, and Dao Zhi huddled together, chattering away.

In contrast, Liu Yi and Nie Feng kept their distance, acting as if they didn't know these troublemakers at all.

"It's just like the mortal world; everything's the same here."

Bai Zhi glanced around, already familiar with their antics from her time in the human realm.

"Beauty, are you married?"

Huo Teng sidled up, tossing his hair back with a suave flick.

"You're trying to hit on me, aren't you?"

Bai Zhi gave him a sidelong look.

"See? I told you we have a connection."

Huo Teng grinned. "You figured it out right away."

Bai Zhi said nothing and simply raised her jade-like hand, swinging it forcefully.

The slap echoed loudly, sending Huo Teng flying off Yu Nü Feng. He soared through the starry sky, tracing a graceful arc with a dramatic posture.

The people of Heng Yue Sect looked up, watching him disappear, unsure how far he had gone with their eyesight.

Witnessing this, many who had been contemplating approaching Bai Zhi collectively backed off. This woman was too fierce.

Zi Xuan shook her head with a smile. As a true disciple of Di Huang, how could she not be formidable? Even Zi Xuan might not be her match.

After this brief interlude, everyone's attention returned to the boudoir, their expressions filled with worry. Even for cultivators, childbirth could be dangerous.

In front of the boudoir, Ye Chen paced back and forth, the emperor of Da Chu losing his usual composure.

"Can you just stand still? You're making my eyes spin."

Hao Tian Shi Xue stepped forward and held Ye Chen in place.

"Am I moving?"

Ye Chen scratched his neck vigorously, perhaps not even realizing how many laps he had walked, leaving his head dizzy.

"From what I can tell, this is what a dad looks like."

Shangguan Yu Er giggled.

"This soon-to-be father, have you picked a name for the child yet?"

Shangguan Han Yue asked with a light laugh, showing a rare playful side.

"Ye Ling'er."

Ye Chen blurted it out without a second thought. He had decided on it back in the underworld.

"It has your surname and Ling'er's name; perfect."

Chu Xuan smiled, using it to mask her inner concerns.

"So that means our family will have two Ling'ers."

Liu Ru Yan chuckled mischievously, for once acting cheeky. "One big Ling'er and one little Ling'er."

"I want to be the godmother."

Luo Xi raised her small fist.

Her words amused everyone present, drawing dry laughs from the elders. Ye Chen's family tree was a complete mess, spanning three generations in a hilariously tangled way.

Ye Chen coughed awkwardly. His household really didn't follow any generational rules; he was quite the character himself.

As they spoke, a beam of light shot out from the boudoir.

The light was dazzling, piercing straight into the sky. In the misty void above, it transformed into a snow lotus, woven with multicolored immortal light and scattering petals that radiated brilliant divine glow.

The night sky was dyed in vibrant colors, the lotus appearing dreamlike and ethereal, like an exiled immortal in the flesh.

Everyone looked up in astonishment, staring blankly at the starry expanse where the flowers seemed like a dream.

"Before even being born, it shows such omens; the bloodline is terrifying!"

Ming Jue stroked his chin, sighing in amazement.

"The Saint Spirit Body isn't just for show."

Bai Zhi smiled lightly. "In the future, it will surely become a supreme overlord."

"Another monster in the making."

Long Yi and Long Wu clicked their tongues.

"The new generation of Heng Yue Sect is destined to shine like stars."

Yang Ding Tian and the others beamed with joy.

"When my little one was born, why wasn't there such a big fuss?"

Xiong Er scratched his head, looking confused.

"Clearly, your character doesn't measure up to Ye Chen's."

Xie Yun said gravely, patting Xiong Er on the shoulder.

"This little one is a real credit to the family."

Ye Chen gazed at the sky with a smile, his reincarnation eyes seeing more clearly. The multicolored lotus was both an omen and a manifestation of the Dao; the child was born with the Dao fused into them.

As he spoke, the sound of a baby's cry echoed from the boudoir.

The cry drew everyone's attention back, their eyes brightening. The child had been born.

Ye Chen was the most excited, rushing forward impatiently, only to collide with the door as a Heng Yue Sect female elder opened it.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty; it's a daughter."

The female elder bowed respectfully, despite her high seniority.

"Let's all celebrate."

Ye Chen grinned happily and stepped inside.

Inside, he saw another Heng Yue Sect female elder holding the baby by the bed, gently teasing her.

Chu Ling lay on the bed, her face pale and her hair damp with sweat, gazing tenderly at her child. This little life had shared life and death with her; they had gone through the underworld and the various spirit realms, completing a full cycle of reincarnation before being born.

"Ling'er."

Ye Chen approached, his eyes full of warmth. Though he cared deeply for the baby, he focused on Chu Ling first, crushing a spirit pill and gently infusing it into her body to help her recover.

"Ye Chen, you're a father now."

Chu Ling smiled softly.

"And you're a mother."

Ye Chen replied with tender affection.

"How mushy."

The Heng Yue Sect female elder chuckled and handed the baby over. "Don't hold her too tightly."

Ye Chen grinned, rubbing his hands together before carefully taking the child.

The baby in the swaddle was incredibly adorable, with plump, rosy cheeks and bright, clear eyes like pure water, untainted by the world's impurities. She looked just like Chu Ling'er.

This tiny life, with her little arms and legs, was truly miraculous; like a little sprite with a pure soul.

As Ye Chen looked at her, she looked back at him, blinking her big eyes with curiosity about the world. Soon, she giggled, their blood bond making her feel instantly close.

"Come on, let me hold her."

Xi Yan giggled.

"I want to hold her first."

Luo Xi rubbed her hands eagerly. Though she was still youthful, like a young girl, holding the baby and rocking her gently made her seem like a little mother herself.

"My turn."

The women were overcome with maternal instincts, crowding around to take turns holding the baby, pushing Ye Chen aside.

Ye Chen felt awkward and sat back by the bed, using a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Chu Ling's forehead, acting the perfect gentle husband.

Chu Ling smiled radiantly, but exhaustion made her eyelashes flutter.

In the next moment, she gently closed her eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep, a sweet smile on her lips. After all their trials together, she and Ye Chen finally had a child.

"Hurry up and bring the baby out; let me see her."

"Everyone line up; we'll take turns, no pushing."

"This godfather business is my job."

Outside, the shouts continued, with Xiong Er being the loudest and most excited.

Ye Chen, as the father, took the baby again, playfully teasing her as he stepped out to introduce her to the family.

But as soon as he walked out, he felt embarrassed.

A crowd of elders surged forward, snatched the baby, and shoved him aside.

"Be careful, don't drop her."

Ye Chen said with a grimace.

"What a handsome little one; this face is so chubby."

"Those eyes are just like Chu Ling's sister; exactly the same."

"This one's way cuter than your kid, fatty."

Everyone ignored Ye Chen's words, crowding around the baby and passing her from one to another.

There were just too many uncles and aunts, grandpas and grandmas; those who didn't get to hold her grumbled complaints.

"This little one is adorable."

The quasi-emperors from Tian Xuan Gate rubbed their hands, eager to hold her too.

"Aren't you going to say something?"

Dong Huang Tai Xin looked at Jian Shen, her bright eyes flickering.

"Very cute, and the bloodline is strong."

Jian Shen smiled.

Dong Huang Tai Xin fell silent, subconsciously rubbing her brow, leaving Jian Shen bewildered. Did I say something wrong?

"Your emotional intelligence is something else."

Tian Lao and Di Lao each patted Jian Shen's shoulder with a sigh.

"Come on, everyone get your gifts ready. With Ye Chen's style, he'll definitely invite us to a feast."

Ren Wang called out. "I don't even need to calculate this; it'll happen within three days."

The quasi-emperors exchanged knowing looks. With so many wives, how much would the gifts cost?

Some of the older quasi-emperors couldn't help but glance at Xuan Huang with odd expressions. After all, as the emperor of Da Chu, he would be Ye Chen's father-in-law someday. Did he really need to give a gift?

Xuan Huang scanned the group with a sharp gaze: Do I look like someone who cares about money? A dozen or so; it's nothing.

Perhaps his gaze was too intense, because when it landed on Ren Wang, the man suddenly spat out blood.

This startled Xuan Huang. Could a look really make someone vomit blood?

Bei Lin frowned and stepped forward for a quick check before murmuring, "He must have tried to divine something and suffered backlash."

The quasi-emperors shook their heads helplessly.

Ren Wang was truly unlucky, getting backlash every time he divined. Da Chu was full of talents, wasn't it?

But no one knew exactly whom he had been trying to divine this time, or why the backlash was so severe.

"What do you make of this?"

On the peak of Jie Ming Mountain, Ming Di spoke thoughtfully, his imperial eyes deep and piercing as he gazed across the yin-yang divide at Ye Chen's daughter, his own eyes narrowing slightly.

"She has parents but no true origin; no roots, no source."

Di Huang replied calmly.

As a fully realized Saint Body, standing equal to a great emperor, he had also attempted to divine, trying to trace Chu Xuan and Chu Ling through Ye Ling'er. Yet, everything was illusory; he found no beginning.

"Another dead end in the cycle of reincarnation."

Ming Di took a deep breath. "What secrets are this family hiding?"