The next day.
One of my arms rested on top of Su Liumeng’s belly.
By now, the pregnancy was much further along—compared to early December, a full three weeks had passed.
The result was that I moved more and more clumsily; otherwise, I would have already climbed completely onto Su Liumeng.
My way of expressing affection wasn’t exactly ordinary.
Others might just get close enough to rest their heads on their loved ones.
But me? I believed that only by climbing fully onto someone could I truly prove my love.
Su Liumeng had been helpless about this more than once.
Many mornings, she would wake up either pinned down by two restless little legs or suffocated by nearly half of someone’s body pressing down on her.
The first time she slept beside me, she was having a nightmare of sleep paralysis.
When she opened her eyes, it was me, with my small head pressed against her chest, softly murmuring.
7:35 a.m.
Su Liumeng had long since awakened.
But with me lying on her belly, she just half-closed her eyes and dozed off again.
Another five minutes passed.
I stretched my arm forward, let out a long yawn, and slowly opened my jet-black eyes while humming softly.
“Good morning.”
“My little Meng baby.”
Su Liumeng met my gaze from below and was silent for a moment.
Why did I always come up with another new nickname?
Si Xinyan’s talent for endearments was almost spontaneous.
Every blink brought a fresh name slipping from her lips.
“Morning.”
Su Liumeng’s tone remained gentle as she reached forward and grabbed a handful of my thick black hair.
She looked at the fine strands slipping through her fingers with a kind of inexplicable charm.
“Don’t pull my hair.” I patted her small hand, feigning a little temper.
“It’s already a bit tangled from sleeping at night, and you’re pulling out handfuls. Soon you’ll leave me bald.”
There was a trace of confusion in Su Liumeng’s eyes. “That’s unfair… I just wanted to tidy your hair.”
“Mm, hmm, okay.” I mumbled something that Su Liumeng didn’t quite catch.
I stretched out my arm and then closed my eyes again.
I didn’t have the energy to care what Su Liumeng was doing.
I just let her grasp the ends of my hair as I yawned once more in my drowsiness.
Last night, I tossed and turned until the dead of night.
I wondered if the maidservants on watch outside had heard any of the commotion.
Thinking about what had happened yesterday, my cheeks flushed faintly.
Instinctively, I stretched my hand beneath the pillow and pinched the corner of an exquisitely made wedding veil.
I opened my eyes. “This thing… will someone check it, right?”
“In theory, yes,” Su Liumeng answered matter-of-factly. “But it’s only theory. I like ignoring theory.”
Not bad.
As expected of you.
*****
Meanwhile.
Deep within the Su family estate, the council of elders and several powerful figures were engaged in a heated argument in a small courtyard.
Two weeks ago, they had already begun discussing the fate of the Tianyan Nine-Dragon Sword.
The Grand Elder’s stance had been very firm throughout.
He bluntly declared during the highest meeting: Since Su Liumeng obtained the Divine Sword, it naturally belonged to her to control it.
The head of the Su family, however, was opposed.
In his view, such a powerful divine weapon in the hands of a junior family member would neither be appropriate nor make full use of its potential.
The Grand Elder shot back, “If Su Liumeng is unfit to wield it, is it only by handing it over to you that it will realize its greatest value?”
The head of the family was immediately at a loss for words.
What should have been decided two weeks ago dragged on with no resolution.
In the courtyard, the head of the Su family, despite being middle-aged, still carried himself with elegant demeanor.
“This meeting is still about the issue of the Divine Sword’s custody.”
“Su Liumeng is young and unsuitable to command the Divine Sword.”
“I propose that the sword be temporarily placed in the Su family treasury, to be taken out only when needed.”
The Grand Elder frowned.
He had expected the family head to come prepared but not with such a plausible excuse.
Only the family head had the authority to prioritize access to the family treasury.
Once the sword was locked away, no one else could secretly retrieve it.
He could see the hidden agenda—on the surface, it was for the family’s benefit.
The Grand Elder had no immediate rebuttal.
His original intent was to buy some time.
Once the Thirteenth Ancestor uttered a word, the matter of the sword’s custody would be settled, and no one could challenge Su Liumeng’s position.
But ever since the Su family’s upheaval, the Thirteenth Ancestor had not sent even a sliver of spiritual communication.
It was as if he was on the verge of entering eternal meditation.
The family head folded his left hand behind his back, radiating a serene air, then suddenly chuckled.
“Since no one objects, let’s vote.”
“I agree.”
“I agree.”
About half the people raised their hands.
At that moment, the Grand Elder stood abruptly.
“Voting paused. I have more to say.”
“Su Liumeng’s talent is unparalleled throughout history.
“In nearly a thousand years of Su family history, I have found no one to compare.”
“At only eighteen years old, she has already fused eight streams of True Blood.”
“This talent alone will allow her to anchor the Su family for centuries to come.
“Is a mere divine weapon—the Tianyan Nine-Dragon Sword—more important than the foundation of our family?”
“If we sever ties with Su Liumeng over a mere object, who here will bear the responsibility?”
The room fell utterly silent.
Afterward, whispered voices spread.
The Fourth Elder was the first to applaud.
“Is this true? The Grand Elder’s words must be true.
“Excellent, excellent… Ha ha ha, our Su family has finally produced a true little phoenix.
“With Yu Xi this girl, we shall restore our family’s glory. Why fear not topping the noble houses?”
But some frowned, clearly unconvinced.
“Grand Elder, are you losing your mind?
“The Thirteenth Ancestor himself hadn’t fused eight streams of True Blood at eighteen.
“How could Su Liumeng have done so?”
“You can’t just blindly support her because she’s on your side, exaggerating without end.”
Some even snickered secretly.
“I think it’s not Su Liumeng who craves the sword’s edge, but the Grand Elder who’s impatient to possess it.”
“Locking the sword in our family treasury, no one can take it alone.
“That’s the fairest solution.
“But the Grand Elder still refuses to relent. It seems you are no longer impartial.”
The Su family head pulled out a fan and fanned himself.
His cyan robe stood out among the crowd.
His hearty laughter pierced the Grand Elder’s ears for the first time, sharp and biting.
“I don’t believe Su Liumeng has fused eight streams of True Blood either.
“Su Luo has only six.
“I don’t think our generation in the Su family has a genius who surpasses her…
“Grand Elder, you really are getting old.
“I understand your eagerness to groom an heir.
“But I also forgive your attempt to deceive everyone today.”
The Grand Elder nearly had his beard flare with anger.
“Stop talking nonsense.
“All my life I’ve been upright and honest.
“When have I ever exaggerated?
“I’m not the type to tarnish my reputation just to stand up for a youngster.”
“The truth and falsehood will be clear once you see Yu Xi for yourselves.
“There’s no need for meaningless arguments here.”
The Third Elder, who had led the secret realm expedition and personally witnessed Su Liumeng’s brilliance, was the first to speak up.
“What the Grand Elder says is correct.
“If you have differing opinions, you’ll know the truth when you see Yu Xi.”
“She is about to undergo the Dao Partner Examination.
“Many of you should be on the invited list.
“Why not go witness it and wait for the results?
“That will show if she truly has fused eight streams of True Blood.”
“I agree.”
“Me too.”
The remaining elders and several branch heads nodded.
At that moment, a branch head allied with the family head ignored the Grand Elder’s authority, swept his sleeves, and scoffed.
“One moment claiming to have fused eight streams of True Blood, the next preparing for the Dao Partner Examination.
“I’m curious what act this young one is trying to pull off, unlike the reliable Su Luo heir.”
“Laughable.
“No one has passed the Dao Partner Examination in over a century.
“I’d like to see how she succeeds.”
“This young one’s arrogance is warranted, but when it becomes reckless, it’s just foolish.”
He glanced meaningfully at the Grand Elder.
“This one lies so often, there are always the gullible to believe.
“With age, all become a bit senile…
“Eight streams of True Blood fused?
“I’d say I can become a dragon tomorrow.
“An eighteen-year-old girl winning among mediocre youths has no idea of the world’s heights.”
The Grand Elder suddenly laughed.
“Fine, I’ll wait for you to be proven wrong.
“I hope when you see the results, you can still laugh and explain to everyone what it means to be reckless youth, and what it means not to know your limits.”
The Fourth Elder was the first to laugh aloud.
He was an old scholar, never sparing anyone’s face.
He was always the first to laugh at a joke.
The six branch heads who had lost face shot the Fourth Elder furious glares.
He didn’t care and smiled, “So this is your private daily life?
“Listening to your quarrels is quite entertaining.”
With his underlings bullied, the Su family head had to speak.
“If we can’t reach consensus, let’s wait and see. Meet at the viewing platform to see the truth.”
His figure flashed and disappeared into the courtyard.
Once the family head left, seven or eight flashes of light also dispersed one after another.
Su Qinghe, the Third Branch Head, was theoretically restrained by the family head and had remained silent.
Now, he suddenly cupped his fist in salute toward the Grand Elder.
The Grand Elder waved him off impatiently.
“Go quickly, go quickly.
“Seeing you two annoys me.
“You were full of nonsense earlier, and now a hundred salutes won’t change anything.”
Su Qinghe apologized and his figure vanished like a bubble.
The voting result was temporarily suppressed by the Grand Elder.
The two major factions within the Su family parted ways in a somewhat unhappy mood.
The Grand Elder looked up at the sky.
“Yu Xi, Grandpa Elder has done his best.
“You have to be strong too.
“Don’t let the reputation I’ve built my whole life be ruined.”
*****
On the small table in the room, I was struggling with a plain dumpling.
Several times I picked up the chopsticks but couldn’t bring myself to lift it.
I was on the verge of frustration when I noticed a small spoon already brought to my side.
“Here, open your mouth.”
I didn’t swallow the dumpling whole.
Instead, I parted my red lips just a little, bit open the edge of the dumpling, and after confirming it wasn’t hot, gave Su Liumeng a strange look.
Then I shoved the whole dumpling into my mouth, my cheeks puffed out like a hamster storing food.
“How did you manage to cool down the dumpling?”
Su Liumeng’s answer was brief: “Cold poison.”
At the mention of those words, my face stiffened for a moment, then a flicker of excitement.
It was as if I had heard of some exquisite delicacy.
“Is it… about to erupt again?”
Su Liumeng nodded.
“Within the last three or four days.
“Anyway, not today.
“It won’t affect the trial.”
I clenched my small fists silently.
According to Zhizhi’s description, just a few more times and Su Liumeng’s cold poison origin would be completely absorbed.
This time, with my cultivation having advanced, I should be able to directly absorb the liquid cold poison near her thigh.
Thinking carefully, I was a little excited.
This was a great tonic.
Once I stored enough, I could leap an entire realm in cultivation, becoming a semi-strong being no longer fearing mortals.
The day after the wedding, there were still many customs—like serving tea to one’s parents-in-law, greeting other family elders, and so forth.
In a few days, Su Liumeng and I would return to my natal home to formally receive the questions from my new parents.
Su Liumeng didn’t mention any of these things, seemingly skipping them altogether.
Did she not want me to see Su Qinghe?
My memories of Su Qinghe had never faded for a moment.
He was the least likely to get angry.
Always handling matters professionally.
He was also the foster father I most wished to please.
“What are you thinking about?” Su Liumeng tapped my head.
“Wait a bit longer or the dumpling will get cold.”
I shook my head, not telling her that I was thinking about the past.
I pulled out some nonsense, “I want to eat crab. It’s been months. I’m craving it so badly.”
Su Liumeng paused mid-chopsticks, studying my face seriously, as if debating whether I was truly foolish or just pretending.
“You can’t have gone completely stupid during pregnancy, can you?
“Crab is cold in nature and absolutely forbidden during pregnancy.”
I cupped my bowl, eyes curved like a crescent moon.
“Of course I know that.
“I mean after the baby is born, I’ll definitely eat my fill all at once.”
I counted on my fingers all the things I wanted to do.
The list seemed to grow longer and longer.
Su Liumeng listened intently, already committing everything to memory.
“Baby, there’s one very important thing you haven’t mentioned.”
“What thing?” I tilted my head.
“Hotpot!”
Su Liumeng had not forgotten the little secret shared by Shangguan Xiyue.
Our little Yan classmate had also loudly demanded to eat hotpot once during her pregnancy.
I laughed even more happily and kissed the side of Su Liumeng’s cheek.
“You have a good memory.
“That’s your reward…”
Su Liumeng touched the soup on her cheek and kept grinning foolishly.
“I’m going to change clothes, you eat faster.”
I waved my hand and returned to my room.
Facing the enormous wardrobe, I suddenly realized this room no longer belonged solely to me—it was the shared bridal chamber of Su Liumeng and me.
I took down a loose dress, pulled back the curtains to a spot that would hide my modesty, and without waiting for any maid, quickly slipped into the outfit.
*****
At the viewing platform ahead, I was still a bit nervous until Su Liumeng squeezed my hand tightly.
I hadn’t forgotten what day it was.
I heard that all the Su family elders would be here to witness the Dao Partner ceremony.
Before fully entering the platform, I already sensed a solemn atmosphere.
The ground was covered by an enormous formation.
At its center was a multicolored crystal stone supplying energy to the formation below.
Su Liumeng stood poised and graceful, bowing to the elders.
Meeting many disdainful gazes, she lifted her chin with neither arrogance nor submission.
“Yu Xi greets the elders.”
I echoed her words like a parrot.
Su Liumeng’s brow twitched.
Fortunately, this girl had some sense and hadn’t copied her name as well.
At the top of the viewing platform, the Su family head remained calm and indifferent.
I noticed the contempt flickering in his eyes.
I lowered my head slightly, only to be pulled by Su Liumeng next to the multicolored crystal stone.
She was the first to cut her index finger and smear her blood on it.
I imitated her, lightly cutting my own finger.
The pain almost made me frown.
With our blood on the crystal, the ground formation was fully activated.
A towering multicolored beam of light enveloped us.
It then transformed into a blade seemingly piercing through the clouds, stirring the sky into chaos.
The world dimmed suddenly with a low hum.
Countless laws sank repeatedly through the heavens and earth.
Along with the descent of innumerable rules, the will of the Heavenly Dao seemed to focus on us.
My breathing became irregular with tension.
Under the gaze of all eyes,
The ceremony that no one had passed in over a hundred years officially began.