“Many thanks to the White Clan Leader for your assistance. From this day forth, the Nine Heavens Palace shall be the White Dragon Clan’s most steadfast ally in Central State.” Qin Qingyue offered White Dew a respectful cupped-fist salute, her tone sincere.
Though the other party had left a mark on her husband’s backside, the pure essence contained within this White Dragon Mark was genuine. Its quality was not inferior to her own Black Dragon Mark and greatly benefited Jiang Huai’s yin-yang balance.
This way, there was no longer any need to seek out another White Dragon Clan concubine—she could focus solely on finding someone from the Red Dragon Clan.
One less woman was certainly better than one more, right?
White Dew personally escorted them; two dragons and one person walked atop the endless snowy plains.
Her slender white hand unconsciously pressed lightly against her lower abdomen as she spoke calmly, “After Palace Master Qin leaves, I hope you won’t mention the location of our clan’s Secret Realm to outsiders.”
“I believe Palace Master has already noticed—Northern Plains is but a decoy entrance.” She revealed the secret in a cool tone.
The true foundation of the White Dragon Clan lay in this Secret Realm, isolated from the world. Very few knew of its existence.
“Rest assured. What you say to me stays between us. I will never let it spread.” Qin Qingyue agreed cheerfully, then added,
“If the White Clan Leader ever needs anything, the Nine Heavens Palace will never refuse.” After all, the other party had helped her twice. If she didn’t return the favor, she’d feel uneasy.
White Dew lowered her gaze, her palm still sensing the subtle warmth and pulse of life within her abdomen. In her heart, she silently thought:
‘Just hope that when you know the truth, you won’t blame me.’
This matter couldn’t be concealed forever. She only hoped that when the time came, Qin Qingyue wouldn’t be too angry.
After all, White Dew herself knew her actions in this matter were indeed disgraceful—perhaps even despicable.
She lifted her eyes, her tone still icy: “If you must repay me, then please, Palace Master Qin, safeguard the Yin-Yang Body. When the time comes and All Beings suffer, just lend a helping hand as you see fit.”
She knew, given Qin Qingyue’s past and resolute nature, the woman would inevitably choose to ascend to the Immortal Realm. Jiang Huai’s attitude was still uncertain.
All she asked was that this husband and wife could, before the Yin-Yang Body matured, do what they could—to protect it until reaching the Great Ascension Realm, or at least buy some time.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huai nodded on the side and responded with chivalrous resolve, “If that day truly comes and All Beings are in peril, we won’t stand by and do nothing.”
Qin Qingyue shot him an annoyed glare, blaming him for being too quick to promise. How could such commitments be made so easily?
Whether there was danger or not, what did that have to do with their family?
As they spoke, the group reached the Secret Realm’s exit.
White Dew once again summoned the lavish sedan carried by six white dragons, inviting the pair aboard.
At parting, she suddenly called out to Jiang Huai:
“Young Master Jiang.”
“Hm?” Jiang Huai turned to look.
White Dew’s ice-blue eyes brimmed with complicated emotions as she felt the warmth in her lower abdomen. At last, she spoke:
“Above the Immortal Realm, there are still Heavenly Immortals.”
“Their foundation runs far deeper than any cultivator in this world. Many among them are…”
She paused, swallowing back the words “Escapee.”
If, in the past, those whose cultivation had reached the Great Ascension Realm hadn’t fled to the Immortal Realm for self-preservation, would the Yin-Yang Body of every generation have died in battle—isolated, unaided?
“In short, even with Palace Master Qin’s extraordinary talent, and even after ascending to the top, there will still be those who can match or surpass her.”
“And their foundations are far deeper than Palace Master Qin’s.”
“So, even just for Palace Master’s future in the Immortal Realm, you must improve your strength as quickly as possible. Don’t be overly entangled by matters of love, and don’t let yourself be tied down.” Her gaze lingered meaningfully on Jiang Huai.
No Yin-Yang Body had ever stepped foot in the Immortal Realm before. Jiang Huai, perhaps, could be the exception.
White Dew truly hoped Jiang Huai would not become the first Yin-Yang Body Escapee.
As an ancient of the White Dragon Clan, she had witnessed the glory days of the Yin-Yang Body.
Back then, the Yin-Yang Body’s status was nearly that of Human Sovereign—all races revered them, and they sheltered All Beings.
Everyone might flee, but only the Human Sovereign never did; only they fought to the death.
Though the ages had changed, Dew herself still couldn’t accept this outcome in her heart.
Meeting her gaze, Jiang Huai nodded solemnly, “I understand.”
Sensing the atmosphere turning strange, Qin Qingyue pulled Jiang Huai into the sedan.
They couldn’t stay any longer—she didn’t want her man to be led astray.
The sedan soared into the sky, turning into a streak of light that vanished at the Secret Realm’s horizon.
White Dew stood alone amidst the wind and snow, watching them leave, her hand still pressed gently on her abdomen, not moving for a long time.
“What name should I give the child…?”
Meanwhile, as Qin Qingyue and Jiang Huai journeyed to the White Dragon Secret Realm, the Nine Heavens Palace was temporarily overseen by Zhuxin and Su Yingman.
Following Jiang Huai’s instructions before departure, with gratitude at heart, the two, accompanied by Tang Zhaoxue and several disciples, escorted a convoy laden with countless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, as well as Divine Power Manuals, on a grand procession to Wenxuan Sect.
Although this was to repay a life-saving debt, the Young Palace Master had just refused the other party’s request to spend the night together.
Thus, they had to show utmost sincerity on this visit.
The flying boat descended at the Wenxuan Sect gates, where a disciple was already waiting to report their arrival.
Before long, Wu Zhaohua personally came out to greet them.
She was dressed in white, her expression cold as snow, a distant air between her brows, and her disciple Xiao Yue followed closely behind.
Since Su Yingman had once ambushed Wenxuan Sect, it was inappropriate for her to appear, so Zhuxin took the lead.
“Wu Sect Master, I trust you’ve been well.” Zhuxin stepped forward, bowing with hands clasped—a humble posture.
“Recently, your sect’s righteous intervention saved our Saint Son. All of Nine Heavens Palace is deeply grateful. The Palace Master and Saint Son ordered us to prepare these modest gifts as tokens of thanks. I hope the Sect Master will accept them with a smile.”
As she spoke, she gestured to the disciples behind her, who immediately opened the chests one by one.
In an instant, treasure light shot skyward, spiritual aura diffused everywhere. If there was one thing Nine Heavens Palace had in abundance, it was resources—all looted by the Palace Master back in her reckless days.
“This is a three-thousand-year-old Dragon Blood Bodhi Fruit, able to temper tendons and bones and nourish qi and blood. This box contains Ten Thousand Year Ice Marrow from the far north, highly effective for practicing ice or water techniques. In this bottle are three Nirvana Golden Pills. They may not raise the dead, but as long as one breath remains, they can preserve life and restore vitality…”
Zhuxin introduced each item, her voice clear. Every name she mentioned elicited a wave of astonished murmurs from the surrounding Wenxuan Sect disciples.
She pointed to several jade slips, “Your sect’s Wenxuan Swordsmanship is renowned throughout the five states, so we wouldn’t dare flaunt our sword arts. Here are several ancient cultivation manuals specially selected by our Palace Master. Though not complete, the Dao principles within may benefit your sect’s sword dao.”
“In addition, there are ten thousand high-grade Spirit Stones and all sorts of Rare Ores…”
Even Qi Yuyong and Bai Lei, standing by, were shocked by the generosity of the list. They inwardly marveled: so this was Qin Qingyue’s formidable fortune, amassed from years of dominating the world—all for Jiang Huai’s sake.
Wu Zhaohua’s face was as calm as water. After Zhuxin finished, her lips curled into a cold arc.
“This Sect Master has already said—these things, you…”
Xiao Yue hurriedly tugged Wu Zhaohua’s sleeve.
Wu Zhaohua paused, frowning slightly as she seemed to realize the situation.
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the lingering frustration from being rejected, and waved her hand, “Enough. These Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, these Divine Power Manuals—Wenxuan Sect has no need for them. Take them back.”
Zhuxin’s expression shifted, about to speak again—
But Wu Zhaohua suddenly changed her tone, a flash of light in her hand as she brought out several plainly bound, even somewhat worn books, and gently pushed them toward Zhuxin.
“But take these back.”
“Tell him that I’ve finished reading all the books he wrote.”
She turned her face away slightly, gazing at the distant mountains, her voice purposefully casual:
“Tell him to write a few more for me.”
After a pause, as if that wasn’t clear enough, she added,
“It’d be best if he delivered them personally.”
Not long after Qin Qingyue and Jiang Huai returned from the White Dragon Secret Realm, Zhuxin also came back to Nine Heavens Palace with the untouched gifts and those several old books.
“She didn’t accept them? Instead, she wants the books Jiang Huai wrote?”
Inside Longyin Hall, Qin Qingyue listened to Zhuxin’s report, her expression full of disbelief and obvious displeasure.
The treasures she had given were so precious it hurt her heart. The other party tossed them aside like rubbish, yet specifically requested Jiang Huai’s books?
What this meant, every “old monster” who had lived for centuries knew all too well.
It was clear Wu Zhaohua’s intentions lay not with the wine, but with the wine-maker—she still hadn’t given up on Jiang Huai.
This woman was truly capricious. Wasn’t she supposed to break off relations? How many times was this now?
“Fine, I’ll write her a few.” Jiang Huai was calm as he took the stack of old books.
Wu Zhaohua’s move was unexpected, yet reasonable.
“Hmph!” Qin Qingyue snorted, her dragon tail sweeping the ground in irritation.
“Round and round—does it always come back to Wenxuan Sect? What an unshakable pest!”
This was what she minded most.
But things had changed—from asking for a bed companion to asking for writings. On the surface, this was a much better arrangement.
After venting her frustration, she shifted focus to Jiang Huai, her voice now tinged with concern:
“How are you feeling now? Any lingering discomfort?”
The Yin-Yang Body’s recovery was indeed astonishing. In just a few days, Jiang Huai had regained his color, his aura calm once more.
“I’m fine now. No more issues.” Jiang Huai nodded to confirm.
“That’s good.” Qin Qingyue’s brow arched. With Zhuxin, Su Yingman, and even Tang Zhaoxue standing nearby, she showed no restraint.
“Then use it for me tonight.”
Her words were frank, exuding the Black Dragon Clan’s characteristic possessiveness and directness.
Everyone reacted differently. Zhuxin and Su Yingman were already used to it and kept their eyes down.
Only Tang Zhaoxue, upon hearing this, instinctively glanced at Jiang Huai a few more times. In her beautiful eyes flickered a faint trace of longing and hesitation.
Her “illness” still needed Jiang Huai’s special “guidance.” Who knew when it would be her turn?
The thought brought an indescribable look of anticipation to her cool features.
Late at night, in the bedchamber.
Moonlight like water, bathing all things in a silver glow.
On the bed, figures intertwined, mingling breaths and soft moans.
Qin Qingyue burned with fiery passion. The Dragon Clan’s powerful physique was on full display, tightly entwining Jiang Huai—demanding, yet also giving.
With the help of her dragon tail, even handstands were effortless, pleasures unrestrained.
Jiang Huai responded to her ardor. The essence of the Yin-Yang Body flowed gently as they merged, nourishing each other.
At the bedside, a graceful figure stood quietly.
Tang Zhaoxue watched the entwined forms on the bed, unable to maintain her usual composure. Her cheeks flushed, breathing quickened. In her beautiful eyes, a watery gleam was written with awakened desire and unspeakable yearning.
Unspeakable, yet unable to be spoken—even if spoken, it would be of no use.
But was it truly useless? Tang Zhaoxue bit her silver teeth lightly, not knowing what she should do.