Returning to the courtyard, Chen Xiao's gaze fell upon Cao Ying's lower abdomen. The faint, almost imperceptible pulse of life within felt like a tender sprout breaking through the soil in spring, brimming with vitality.
He stepped forward, carefully extending a hand. As his palm gently rested above her abdomen, a faint tremor of bloodline connection, hidden within the warmth he felt, sent a shiver through his heart.
Even though he had experienced this before, Chen Xiao's excitement was no less this time.
However, compared to the anxious uncertainty he felt when Cai Lin was carrying Yao Yao, his heart was now filled with a deep sense of peace and stability.
Everything was like this; one experience paved the way for the next.
Sensing Chen Xiao's hand lingering for a long time, and in front of Cai Lin and the others, Cao Ying's cheeks flushed. She shot him a playful, chiding glance, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.
"The night before last, during a casual chat with Xun Er, I noticed something was different. I was wondering when you would realize it, but Xun Er let it slip first."
Cai Lin, carrying Yao Yao, walked over, her face wearing a knowing smile. She was also happy for Cao Ying.
"Congratulations. You need to take good care of yourself during pregnancy. Although my situation was a bit different from yours, feel free to discuss any concerns with me."
Cai Lin had evolved through a secret technique, while Cao Ying was a pure human, so they were naturally different. The child in Cao Ying's womb would definitely not have the same difficult three-year gestation period as Cai Lin's.
Although they knew each other before, they weren't as close as they were now. Their current closeness owed a lot to Yao Yao and Cai Lin.
From the first time Cao Ying met the little Yao, her affection was undeniable. It was clear that she truly loved children. In their subsequent interactions, Cao Ying often visited Cai Lin. With such frequent contact, it was impossible not to become close. Therefore, Cai Lin was genuinely happy that Cao Ying had finally achieved her wish.
Yao Yao squirmed out of Cai Lin's arms and stretched out her tiny hand, wanting to touch Cao Ying's belly.
"Is it… a little sister?"
She called out in her childish voice, making everyone laugh. The lingering wistfulness from Xun Er's departure gradually faded, replaced by this sudden joy.
"It could be a little brother too~" Qing Lin chimed in with a smile.
Yao Yao, with a look of understanding, nodded her little head.
Chen Xiao picked up Yao Yao and looked at Cao Ying, his voice very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something.
"Ying'er, you need to rest well from now on. Put aside the alchemy for now; the Pill Hall can handle it. As for the Heaven Mending Pill that the Iron Sword Honored One needs, I'll find someone else to refine it for him."
Those who are pregnant must avoid overexertion. Although they were all cultivators and not as delicate, precautions were still necessary.
Cao Ying smiled and nodded, "It's not that dramatic. I'm an alchemist myself, I know my limits."
Despite her words, the warmth in her eyes was undeniable.
"That's right, we should also inform Father and Mother about this..."
"I'll send someone to Vast Sea City to invite them over. Also, I'll put aside the matter of absorbing and refining the Heavenly Flame for now. Since Heavenly Flame has already set out, we can just suppress it when it's brought back. Qing Lin, there's no rush for you to depart yet."
Heaven and earth were vast, but the fetus in her womb was paramount. Other matters could wait. After all, to Chen Xiao, Heavenly Flames weren't that precious.
Qing Lin nodded slightly in agreement. While she was happy for Chen Xiao, she also worried for Xun Er. However, thinking of Xun Er's situation, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The Dou Di bloodline was truly a thing that inspired both love and hate…
...
Over the next three months, the tense situation in the Central State did not abate. The conflict between the Pill Tower and the Soul Hall intensified, with the flames of war spreading to nearly everywhere. Even some sects in the Northern Heavenly region were caught in the crossfire.
Previously, a Dou Zong in the Central State was already a powerful figure. As long as they didn't actively seek trouble, self-preservation was sufficient. But now, even Dou Zun level experts were frequently drawn into conflicts, finding it difficult to stay out of it. Dou Zong experts had become a high-risk group, with deaths occurring daily, their former esteemed status long gone.
Overall, judging by appearances alone, the Pill Tower, with the backing of the six ancient races, consistently held the advantage. They even managed to destroy a branch hall of the Soul Hall in the southern part of the Central State. Although the soul origins collected by the Soul Hall within the branch hall had been transferred beforehand and were not intercepted, this was still considered a significant victory.
Compared to the turbulent unrest outside, the interior of the Purple Firmament Pavilion was peaceful and serene. Chen Xiao had not yet begun preparing the Heaven Mending Pill for the Iron Sword Honored One, but Cao Ying's letter prompted the Cao Family to send it over. Notably, along with Cao Ying's parents, a group of young, talented alchemists, including Cao Dan and Cao Xiu, also arrived. Upon reaching the Purple Firmament Pavilion, they all joined the Pill Hall. Although these individuals had not yet reached the level of refining Rank 8 elixirs, they were more than sufficient to meet the daily elixir needs of the Purple Firmament Pavilion, greatly enhancing its overall strength.
As for the former Starfall Pavilion, Yao Chen, Wind Honored One, and the others had not contacted Chen Xiao recently. It was presumed they were busy searching for the Soul Infant Fruit and the Spirit Dragon Heavenly Ganoderma. Chen Xiao was content with this peaceful period. Besides the time he dedicated to accompanying Cai Lin and Cao Ying, he poured most of his remaining energy into cultivation. Whenever he was fully immersed in cultivation, with the Thunder Pagoda as the center, the entire Qifeng Mountain would be covered in falling snow. Over time, this had become a spectacle. The highest level of the Thunder Pagoda was covered in thick profound ice, with the sounds of wind and thunder faintly echoing within. Heavenly energy surged incessantly, even distorting space.
"Boom, boom!"
This strange phenomenon continued for an unknown period before finally subsiding.
Chen Xiao was now enveloped in brilliant profound light, his body almost transparent. Hundreds of whirlpools could be faintly seen within his meridians, frantically absorbing the energy of heaven and earth. From afar, he emanated a heart-palpitating pressure.
This was the sign of the miniature Yin Yang Harmony Heaven Great Array within him operating at high speed!
Thanks to the profound utility of this great array, Chen Xiao's cultivation speed had increased several times over his original foundation!
The surrounding anomalies grew weaker, eventually ceasing abruptly and slowly dissipating.
At the same time, the dense small whirlpools on Chen Xiao's body quietly receded, disappearing without a trace.
When everything returned to calm, Chen Xiao's tightly closed eyes trembled slightly, and after a moment, he slowly opened them.
"Boom!"
The instant he opened his eyes, two substantial beams of light shot out, roaring like dragons, tearing through the space before him. He then casually erased them.
"Hoo..."
Letting out a long breath, Chen Xiao clenched his fist slightly, feeling the power within him multiply. A smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
"Three months of arduous training, and I've finally reached the Seven-Star Dou Zun..."
Reaching each new star within the Dou Zun realm was extremely difficult.
Chen Xiao's ability to advance again within three months was greatly aided by the Yin Yang Harmony Heaven Great Array and treasures like the Ice Spirit Jade. Furthermore, the not-yet-exhausted Dou Sheng Marrow was a divine item for breaking through bottlenecks!
It was precisely because of these assists that Chen Xiao was able to make further progress within three months, successfully entering the ranks of high-level Dou Zuns!
Outside the Thunder Pagoda, the heavy snow that had filled the sky stopped without warning.
The disciples and elders of the Purple Firmament Pavilion understood without a word.
Their Pavilion Master's cultivation for the day had concluded.
In a corner of the plaza, a young woman leaned over to whisper to the person beside her, "Teacher, our Pavilion Master is too incredible. Just the commotion caused by his cultivation has made the Dou Qi in my body run sluggishly."
The woman addressed as 'Teacher' wore the standard uniform of the Purple Firmament Pavilion, but it couldn't conceal her graceful and delicate figure.
She looked at the young woman and said softly, "Yan Ran, this is a rare opportunity for tempering. You must grasp it well and strive to become an inner court disciple soon. The current situation in the Central State is chaotic, and it's already a blessing that we can enjoy peace in the Purple Firmament Pavilion. We should cherish it even more."
"Teacher, I understand!" the young woman replied with determination. "Within half a year, I will definitely reach the Dou Huang realm and become an inner court disciple. Then I can always stay by your side."
"Once you become an inner court disciple, according to the rules, I will be your senior sister."
The young woman shook her head. "No, you will always be my teacher!"
As the two were speaking softly, the calm sky suddenly changed. It was as if heaven and earth had inverted. The sun, which had just revealed itself, was instantly covered by a bizarre, dark green celestial canopy. The entire space immediately grew dim, as if the end of days was approaching.
"What's happening?"
"What occurred?"
Many disciples and elders looked up at the sky in confusion, a tense atmosphere slowly spreading.
Recalling the recent chaotic situation in the Central State, some disciples and elders felt uneasy.
Could it be that an enemy was attacking, and the peaceful days of the Purple Firmament Pavilion were coming to an end?
Just as some were lost in thought, a graceful figure tore through space and quietly hovered in mid-air.
"Silence. This is an anomaly caused by the breakthrough of the Immortal Honored One. Continue with what you were doing."
Qing Lin said calmly, and her figure then quietly disappeared as if she had never appeared.
"Yes!"
Echoes of assent came from Qifeng Mountain.
As people of the Purple Firmament Pavilion, they were naturally familiar with Qing Lin and knew she lived in the back courtyard with a special status. They had long regarded her as one of their Pavilion Master's wives.
And the "Immortal Honored One" mentioned by Qing Lin referred to another of their Pavilion Master's wives.
Inside the Thunder Pagoda, Chen Xiao sensed the commotion outside, and a look of joy immediately appeared on his face.
Little Fairy Doctor had also broken through today!
Chen Xiao flashed to the backyard and saw Cai Lin and her daughter, Cao Ying, and Qing Lin already gathered together, their gazes fixed in the direction of Little Fairy Doctor's courtyard.
Not far from them, a lotus seat carved from a peculiar crystal floated in the open space.
At this moment, a mass of dark red flame was slowly rising on the lotus seat. It looked like a bloom plucked from a mountain ablaze. Apart from its dark red color, it didn't seem particularly extraordinary.
However, if a Dou Zun expert were present, they would notice that the area around the lotus platform was enveloped by an exceptionally strong spatial barrier, preventing the flame from escaping.
A flame treated in such a manner was naturally not an ordinary item.
Indeed, this mass of flame was the Volcanic Stone Flame brought back by the Heavenly Flame Honored One from the Yan Xin Cave in the northeastern region of the Central State!
It was ranked seventeenth on the Heavenly Flame list!
It was only because Cao Ying was pregnant that Chen Xiao had not let her rush to absorb and refine it, and thus the Volcanic Stone Flame had been sealed temporarily.
Chen Xiao's gaze lingered on the Volcanic Stone Flame for a moment before shifting to Little Fairy Doctor's courtyard.
At this moment, the entire courtyard was shrouded in dense emerald light, with powerful energy ripples continuously spreading outwards.
"Sister Xian'er has the Woeful Poison Body, and Qing Lin has the Azure Snake Three-Flower Pupils. Both have now reached Nine-Star Dou Zun, while I am only a Nine-Star Dou Huang. It's unlikely I can catch up to them in cultivation."
Looking at the small courtyard, Cao Ying sighed.
Even setting aside the Burning Flame Art, she was considered a genius in the Central State.
However, compared to the Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin, the gap was far from small.
Fortunately, she also had the status of an alchemist.
Beside her, Cai Lin's beautiful eyes flickered as she watched Yao Yao, who had already taken the lead and was striding steadily towards the newly appeared Chen Xiao. Cai Lin finally made up her mind.
Her strength should be improved!
The Dou Zong level, in the current Purple Firmament Pavilion, was not low, but it was definitely not high either!
Moreover, she had a competitive nature; even on the same battlefield, Cai Lin didn't want to be weaker than others.
When Chen Xiao had mentioned this last time, Cai Lin had put it aside, using Yao Yao's young age as an excuse.
Now, more than half a year had passed, Yao Yao had grown a bit, and Cai Lin could feel a little more at ease.
Most importantly, the changes in the Central State's landscape.
Although it hadn't affected the Purple Firmament Pavilion yet, it was hard to guarantee that the Purple Firmament Pavilion wouldn't be drawn in one day. Cai Lin wanted to prepare for the unexpected, so that if danger truly arose, she wouldn't be unable to cope.
Just as Cai Lin was secretly making up her mind, a soft hum suddenly came from the courtyard. The sound was as crisp as colliding jade, instantly piercing through the courtyard gate, and causing the faint green sky curtain covering Qifeng Mountain to quietly recede.
Immediately after, the slender figure of the Little Fairy Doctor walked slowly out of the courtyard. Her pure white dress was spotless, radiating even more brilliance than before!
The breakthrough in her strength made her skin seem even more radiant than usual. Seeing the crowd waiting outside, she smiled charmingly, her beauty breathtaking.
"Congratulations, Sister Xian'er!" Cao Ying spoke first.
"Congratulations!"
The Little Fairy Doctor nodded with a light smile, her gaze falling on Cao Ying's slightly bulging abdomen, revealing a trace of surprise that was visible to the naked eye.
...
Evening.
Chen Xiao, with Yao Yao, was in a side hall, watching Hai Bo Dong manage the Seven-Colored Spirit Crane.
This Seven-Colored Spirit Crane originally belonged to Feng Qing'er, but when Feng Qing'er fled, she couldn't take it with her, so it had remained.
Thanks to its gorgeous and attractive appearance, the Seven-Colored Spirit Crane was kept by Hai Bo Dong and the others, who planned to tame it.
Unfortunately, no matter how they threatened or coaxed it, the Seven-Colored Spirit Crane remained unmoved, displaying a loyal demeanor.
Seeing Hai Bo Dong looking helpless, Chen Xiao couldn't help but want to laugh.
"Old Hai, you might as well stop bothering it. It's truly afraid of death, otherwise, it would have taken its own life long ago. However, its clan is a subordinate race of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan in the Beast Region. If it surrenders easily, its clan might be ruined."
"Alright, it seems that unless this knot is untied, there's really no way."
Hai Bo Dong shook his head, giving up on further attempts to train it.
Chen Xiao smiled slightly. Untying this knot was actually quite simple, but it wasn't worth it for this Seven-Colored Spirit Crane, which had barely reached the sixth rank.
Just as he was about to speak again, suddenly, Chen Xiao's mind received a rare telepathic message from Cai Lin.
"Come over..."
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