Chapter 197: A Day of Cultivation, Family, and Intrigue

When Li Che received the news, he had already returned home to Zheng Lei Peak.

Brushing the water droplets from his oil‐paper umbrella, Li Che stepped into the house and found Zhang Ya seated on a chair in a cross-legged posture, intently cultivating while holding a Tendu Divine Essence Crystal.

Under Li Che’s spiritual scrutiny, every bit of Zhang Ya’s cultivation progress was laid bare.

“Yangxing Ruhe already?”

Li Che smiled. The pace was neither fast nor slow—after all, with the aid of a Divine Crystal and his daily guidance, progress was ensured.

By any standard, her progress was only average.

Of course, compared to Li Che and XiXi, Zhang Ya’s pace in nurturing her divine nature was rather impressive.

“My dear!”

Zhang Ya’s long lashes fluttered as she blinked open her eyes, immediately meeting the half-smiling, knowing gaze of her husband.

After years together, even that look made her cheeks flush ever so slightly.

Li Che scooped Zhang Ya into his arms, and before XiXi finished school, the couple embraced a tender moment of intimacy.

With the Cosmic Chessboard enveloping them and barring all outside prying, the couple began planning to start a family.

“My love, how about giving XiXi a little brother?”

Afterward, Zhang Ya’s jet-black hair cascaded over Li Che’s chest as her fingers idly traced circles while she spoke.

Li Che paused for a moment, “Then… shouldn’t we ask XiXi’s opinion?”

On the matter of having another child, Li Che was indeed cautious.

He was pretty sure that even if they had another child, they wouldn’t be able to bind another Dao Fruit bond—his bond was reserved for XiXi alone.

It was a matter to be tested first.

Besides, bringing another child into such a dangerous world would only introduce more vulnerabilities.

The risks would naturally multiply.

In the past, faced with external threats and danger, Li Che hadn’t even considered having another child.

But now, having broken through to Grandmaster, he had at least gained a measure of confidence.

Bringing another child into the family would at least offer a bit more security.

Hearing this, Zhang Ya was momentarily stunned.

“Do we really need to ask XiXi about this?”

Zhang Ya had never thought of consulting XiXi; after all, the decision to have children was between the parents.

Li Che wrapped his arm around Zhang Ya as the couple leaned against the bed.

“Though XiXi is only four, her mind is surprisingly mature and she has her own views… if we have another child without telling her, what if she thinks that a new sibling might steal her parents’ love?”

“Besides, XiXi is an important part of our family—if something comes up, we should talk it through together.”

“And if that little one throws a tantrum, it won’t end well.”

“So even if we do have another child, we must explain it to her clearly.”

Li Che said warmly with a gentle smile.

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Ya nodded earnestly without objection.

She had indeed been a bit neglectful in that regard.

She assumed that a small child didn’t really need a say.

Li Che ruffled Zhang Ya’s hair affectionately.

Though his mastery over his own body now made intimacy almost effortless, whether Zhang Ya’s body could handle it was an entirely different matter.

“If you want to have a child, you’ll really have to step up—you know your husband has grown rather formidable…”

“You might even need to elevate your martial cultivation to the Divine Vein stage to handle it.”

Li Che chuckled as he spoke.

He wasn’t entirely joking.

For Zhang Ya, perfectly inheriting the molten essence of a Grandmaster’s breakthrough was no small challenge.

At these words, Zhang Ya’s face instantly grew grave.

“There really is such a thing?”

After a brief pause, Zhang Ya quickly dressed, determination lighting her eyes—she was resolved to train harder and open her meridians!

Li Che chuckled again.

He added, “Wifey, you’d better speed up your training. Otherwise… before long, you might be as perfectly in tune with nature as a pre-born Grandmaster.”

Tears nearly welled in Zhang Ya’s eyes.

Dealing with a formidable daughter was one challenge; having a terrifying husband on top of it…

For an ordinary woman like her, the pressure was enormous.

It felt like being a husky lost among wolves.

Without disturbing Zhang Ya’s training, Li Che changed into a clean black robe and left the courtyard, heading for Golden Light Peak.

Rain fell steadily, its droplets bursting into tiny splashes upon the umbrella.

Upon arriving at Golden Light Peak, Li Che observed XiXi under the guidance of Elder Jiao Shaoqiu, switching between techniques of the Third-Level 【Eight-Armed, Three-Faced, Unbreakable Divine Fetal Technique】 granted through Temple Spirit Resonance.

This method spans the stages of nurturing, divine foundation, divine vision, divine origin, and the fetal divine realm.

It is an exceptionally complete technique!

Only one who has attained overwhelming Temple Spirit divine nature—like XiXi—can cultivate it, making it uniquely tailored to her.

Elder Jiao was merely offering advice based on his own experience.

With his Golden Body Transcendence, guiding XiXi through the nurturing stage was hardly an issue.

In just a few days, XiXi had nearly completed her transformation of divine nature!

From afar, Li Che almost saw a black, flame-like Yulian bloom around XiXi.

It radiated an intensely oppressive divine aura, utterly overwhelming.

Seated beneath the eaves, with the Carriage Master standing guard by his side, Elder Jiao waved kindly at the sight of Li Che.

“Elder Jiao!”

Li Che bowed in respect.

Elder Jiao’s weathered, decaying face broke into a gentle smile, “Ah, Che, you’re here?”

“Today, XiXi has officially completed the transformation of her nurturing divine nature, reaching the Yangxing Ruhe stage. In another half month, she can begin forging her divine foundation.”

Li Che smiled, “With your guidance, I have nothing to worry about with XiXi’s progress.”

Elder Jiao shook his head, “I can only offer advice through the nurturing stage; when it comes to the divine foundation and divine vision of Third-Level techniques, I’ve no experience.”

“Only the inner elders of the Orthodox Divine Sect have the ability and authority to guide XiXi.”

Li Che said no more upon hearing this.

Elder Jiao then discussed at length with Li Che the rigorous assessments for the elders of Shendiao Ridge in the Divine Sect, remarking on how challenging they were—most of the elders were relics from old times.

With their mysterious wooden carving skills, if Li Che were to participate, he’d have to contend with those ancient veterans…

Li Che remained humble, simply stating he’d give it a try.

As they chatted, a gentle breeze stirred along the corridor.

In the distance, other children trained under Wang Daoren’s tutelage, with those excelling in Temple Spirit Resonance being specially selected.

For instance, Hai Chaosheng, Qin Fenghuo, Gong Yuanliang, Gongyang Yu, and Huang Sixiang were being meticulously mentored at Golden Light Peak, absorbing the benefits of Temple Spirit Resonance.

Like XiXi, these children would eventually head to Lingnan Daocheng, to the main gate of the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

After all, those who had reaped rewards from the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple’s Temple Spirit Resonance showed considerable potential.

Li Che’s gaze swept over Qin Fenghuo.

That Qin Fenghuo…

He actually had the nerve to show up at Golden Light Peak?

He was truly confident in his own disguise.

In fact, Li Che detected nothing unusual about him—no lifeless aura, no trace of deathly energy.

Not a hint that he belonged to the Corpse God Sect.

Yet, the Qin Family was undoubtedly entangled with the Corpse God Sect. Under the scrutiny of the Star Plucking Gaze…

Such intense dead energy and corpse aura could only mean a formidable figure marked with the Six-Decree Corpse Curse Seal was present!

Li Che didn’t stare intently; he merely glanced and then withdrew his gaze.

Qin Fenghuo, however, was extremely alert, his hairs standing on end as he scanned his surroundings warily.

Li Che guessed his purpose in staying at Golden Light Peak.

It was likely for the sake of his daughter XiXi, or rather, for the Temple Spirit divine nature within her.

Qin Fenghuo was probably waiting for an opportunity.

But Li Che wouldn’t allow him that chance.

He had already planted a Divine Chess Piece on him, constantly monitoring his actions.

Qin Fenghuo remained oblivious to Li Che’s hidden move.

“Daddy!”

After completing her practice, XiXi opened her eyes to see Li Che.

Instantly, she leapt up in delight.

She stamped her feet and bolted toward Li Che like a speeding cannonball.

Li Che smiled, casually grasping the back of XiXi’s neck before cradling her in his arms.

Elder Jiao remained expressionless, while the Carriage Master’s eyes narrowed in surprise as he glanced at Li Che.

Li Che greeted them both with a warm smile.

“Goodbye, Elder! Goodbye, Uncle Carriage!”

XiXi waved farewell to the two.

The surprise in the Carriage Master’s eyes vanished, replaced by a beaming, doting smile on his once-stern face.

He instantly transformed into a kindly, adorable old man as he bid XiXi goodbye.

“What’s the matter?”

Elder Jiao, with his strong spiritual presence, noticed the unusual glint in the Carriage Master’s eyes.

“Master Li’s display of physical strength earlier was pretty impressive.”

The Carriage Master reported honestly.

“Mm.” Elder Jiao nodded and slightly closed his eyes.

“No need to interfere; our focus is on nurturing XiXi. She is the treasure of our Divine Sect. As for Li Che’s doings, they’re none of our business.”

The Carriage Master nodded respectfully, clasping his fists in agreement.

“If you have a chance, catch your breath and pay a visit to the Qin Family to check things out… something about Qin Fenghuo seems off.”

Elder Jiao slowly opened his murky eyes, which now sparked with a keen light.

“In ten days, once XiXi’s Temple Spirit Yulian divine nature is fully stable, we will set out to escort her and the other children to Daocheng. I’ve already contacted the Orthodox side there…”

“XiXi has absorbed at least 70% of the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit divine nature—a perfect match for the Three-Celestial Divine Fetal Technique…”

“If XiXi masters divine vision, her Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince divine vision might even help our Divine Sect suppress the Three-Eyed True Lord at the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple…”

“I’ve heard that in Feilei City, there’s a branch temple—the Three-Eyed True Lord Spirit Infant Bizarre Temple—that serves as a subsidiary to the main True Lord’s temple of the orthodox sect.”

Elder Jiao’s eyes clouded with thought.

The Carriage Master’s eyes flickered.

“Could it be… that XiXi might break our Divine Sect’s current impasse?”

But Elder Jiao shook his head.

“She’s still just a child… how could she possibly turn the tide?”

“A child…”

“She is merely the hope of our sect.”

……

……

Li Che returned home with XiXi; Old Chen had gone off to work and not yet returned.

The little family of three began to enjoy a meal together in bliss.

Stored in the Qiankun Space, the dishes were as hot and fresh as if they’d just come off the stove.

“Daddy, when will you take XiXi out to eat at the restaurant?”

XiXi, clutching a pig’s trotter and eating it messily with juice dribbling everywhere, looked at Li Che curiously.

“Whenever we get the chance.”

Li Che smiled.

“Oh…”

“Daddy said that the restaurant has one lazy, chubby black dog. But alas… XiXi won’t get to see it.”

XiXi felt a twinge of regret, and after a big bite of the pig’s trotter, tried to ease that feeling.

After dinner,

Li Che began instructing XiXi in martial arts, teaching her his self-created Martial Saint Technique: Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant.

Although Li Che wasn’t at the Martial Saint level himself, Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant—formed by fusing four Martial Saint techniques—was of that caliber.

XiXi was clearly enthusiastic and practiced diligently.

With Li Che’s Unsullied Heart transmitting divine energy, XiXi learned at a rapid pace.

After all, Li Che had reached Master level with Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant.

“Daddy, look!”

“XiXi, left hand like a dragon, right hand like an elephant—give it a good hit!”

XiXi clenched her arms into fists.

From her left arm, the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear burst into purple flames, coiling into the shape of a serpent-dragon.

Meanwhile, the gold brick hidden in her right arm showed no reaction.

XiXi shook off the gold brick, but it failed to manifest an elephant as expected.

XiXi was visibly disappointed.

Li Che squinted, and seeing the unmistakable disappointment on his daughter’s face, immediately understood…

That gold brick needed more training.

Night deepened.

Li Che transformed into Ogre and, with XiXi in tow, went to the courtyard in Luohua Alley.

There was no choice…

It seemed that the Bizarre Temple had been inadvertently wiped away by Li Che.

For now, they had no option but to stay in the courtyard in Luohua Alley.

“Master Niu Niu!”

Groggy-eyed XiXi, upon seeing the towering Ogre donning a Cute Cow Mask, burst into delighted shrieks.

Ogre ruffled XiXi’s hair affectionately.

In the very next moment, he activated 【Qi Tian Face】 to stimulate the divine weapons within XiXi.

That little girl…

She now housed quite a collection of divine weapons!

Concealed in her left arm was the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear, and in her right, a gold brick.

Her left foot even hid a Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel.

Her entire body was brimming with divine weapons!

Yet, Li Che found himself somewhat disappointed.

They were still far from assembling the complete set of the Third Prince’s divine weapons…

At the very least, the iconic Qiankun Ring and Hun Tian Ling had yet to fall into XiXi’s grasp.

“That shouldn’t be… With the Qiankun Ring and Hun Tian Ling as signature pieces, and given XiXi’s level of Temple Spirit Resonance, why haven’t they appeared?”

“Only a single Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel has emerged, and the gold brick was directly acquired by XiXi.”

Li Che took the issue very seriously—after all, it could affect whether his daughter’s future divine gear would ever take proper shape.

Suddenly, Li Che recalled that the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear in XiXi’s hand had not been obtained from the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple.

“Hmm?”

“So perhaps the Qiankun Ring and Hun Tian Ling… might not come from the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple after all?”

“Is that why they didn’t appear during the Temple Spirit Resonance?”

At that thought, Li Che felt it made sense—but soon his mind was troubled again.

“If not from the Third Prince’s Temple… then where?”

“The Heavenly King Temple?”

“Or perhaps some other Bizarre Temple?”

Li Che pondered repeatedly, with no clear answer.

“Forget it—for now, let’s focus on training the gold brick.”

When the divine weapons were activated, XiXi was lulled into a deep sleep by the power of ‘Rongbing Refining the Body.’

The Purple-Flame Serpent Spear transformed into a purple dragon serpent, repeatedly thumped by Li Che.

Meanwhile, under the stimulation of 【Qi Tian Face】, the gold brick billowed into swirling golden smoke and condensed into a gigantic palm that suddenly lunged at Li Che.

Not one to be lenient, Li Che clenched his fist; with the Tiger-Leopard Thunder Split Gold Spear appearing in his hand, he swept out and smashed the golden palm into innumerable fragments of golden smoke!

Every time it reformed, Li Che would hammer it until it shattered into pieces!

Even if the golden smoke darted back into XiXi’s arm, Li Che would provoke it out once more with 【Qi Tian Face】.

Bang, bang, bang—

The purple-flame serpent of the Fire-Tipped Spear watched on as though amused, only to receive a solid blow from Li Che’s staff.

“Attack together!”

Donning his Cute Cow Mask, Li Che’s imposing form roared with the momentum of a Grandmaster; his vital energy surged like a massive tidal wave as turbulent gusts burst forth.

Even the concealed Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel was forced out by Li Che.

Having broken through to Grandmaster, Li Che embodied true Martial Saint essence, his Divine Guts combined with the might of his Vital Radiance in an overwhelmingly domineering display!

He relentlessly pummeled the three divine weapons.

After all, they could not be fully activated—they could only unleash greater power as XiXi grew stronger.

Thus…

They merely deserved to be bashed repeatedly!

The next day,

XiXi stretched, her immense strength nearly crushing the bed.

“Hey—XiXi seems even stronger now.”

She could feel her vital energy surging, and before she knew it, Blood Exchange had already been triggered.

Her strength was growing, powerful enough to move mountains!

Li Che sent XiXi off to train at Golden Light Peak.

Meanwhile, he returned to the courtyard in Luohua Alley to cultivate.

He took out the Golden Foil Paper that recorded Wanlong Fushen; a surge of energy suddenly burst into it, unleashing a fearsome aura!

A hidden Martial Saint will within it erupted, launching a perfectly executed Wanlong Fushen attack aimed at Li Che.

Li Che’s eyes lit up as he began to counterattack.

His Wanlong Fushen had reached near completion, yet against the punching force of that Martial Saint will, it felt somewhat suppressed.

But Li Che didn’t mind; during this suppression, the 【Dragon Elephant Vajra】 Dao Fruit trembled, slowly transforming towards a Master-level Wanlong Fushen.

After practicing with the Martial Saint will embedded in the Golden Foil Paper,

Li Che sat cross-legged, holding the paper, “This Martial Saint will can only be harnessed three more times… after which it will vanish completely.”

“But three times is enough to push Wanlong Fushen to Master level.”

“I must admit, in technique, King Ping Luan is a bit ahead of me.”

After all, he was the original creator of his martial art.

Yet when it came to blending the seven emotional divine nature, Li Che held the advantage.

After a brief summary of his thoughts, Li Che stood up and resumed practicing his other Martial Saint techniques.

He had to push himself—mastering five martial arts, refining his internal organs—even if his innate talent was extraordinary, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit wasn’t a free pass.

Li Che had no choice but to muster all his energy.

With the Thousand Mountain Solitary Blade, its lonely gleam splitting the courtyard’s air in two, followed by the crashing sound of breaking air like shattered water and colliding shockwaves.

Then came the Lingxu Baqi Steps and the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun…

Li Che tirelessly practiced every Martial Saint technique.

After finishing his martial training, Li Che did not stop.

He immediately began studying the 【Xiangong】 Mechanical Art.

The Guanyin Lotus Main Battle Tank had already completed its component fabrication; only the final assembly remained.

Additionally, Li Che was busy upgrading the Fire God Furious Dragon Machine Cannon.

He planned to integrate 【Black and White Collapse】 into the Xiangong Fire God Barrett.

Compared to Great Avalanche, the silent, annihilating might of Black and White Collapse was far better suited for sniping and assassination!

Li Che had long envisioned this, and now he was putting it into practice.

The power of Black and White Collapse, though seemingly quiet, held a destructive force well beyond that of Great Avalanche.

Li Che needed a sturdier piece of Spirit Wood to craft bullets with.

But for now, he hadn’t found any better—the Fire God Furious Dragon Wood Tang Sanjia had procured was the best available.

So Li Che temporarily used the Fire God Wood to channel the power of Black and White Collapse, attempting to create the Fire God Extreme Collapse Dragon Tooth Bullet!

In his estimation, the Extreme Collapse Dragon Tooth should offer a significant power boost over the standard Fire God Dragon Tooth.

After all, the Fire God Dragon Tooth was merely an upgraded version of the Dragon Tooth Bodhi in terms of material—a transitional product at best.

This time, the Fire God Extreme Collapse Dragon Tooth was a true next-generation upgrade!

Based on his experience with 【Xiangong】, Li Che deduced:

Once the Xiangong Fire God Barrett is loaded,

its sniper shot will pierce deeper, remain stealthier, travel further, and its power will only increase!

For Ma Mian, this is a complete enhancement!

Li Che was thus in high spirits as he continued his research.

He believed that no matter how high one’s martial skill, with sufficient firepower, even a Martial Saint wasn’t unbeatable!

With exquisitely crafted gear and overwhelming firepower, even a Martial Saint…

can be defeated!

Of course, according to Li Che, taking down a Martial Saint might require several more generations of upgraded equipment.

Night fell.

Li Che sat in the courtyard until suddenly a single raindrop landed on his face with a soft patter.

Only then did Li Che pause his research.

He looked up.

“It’s raining.”

Li Che smiled.

In the next moment, he stood up.

Every muscle and bone crackled noisily, his body twisting and expanding until he transformed into a towering Bull Demon.

Wearing a Bamboo Hat, mask, and Black Robe,

with the Dragon Elephant Vajra and Sleeping Dragon Elephant at his side,

his aura constricted—no matter how fiercely his Grandmaster-level energy blazed, it was completely subdued.

Then, with a tiptoe of his feet,

he vanished from the courtyard.

……

……

In the dead of night,

Qin Mansion was engulfed in a deathly silence.

Yet it wasn’t completely lifeless.

Lights shone brightly.

When Qin Fenghuo returned from Golden Light Peak and stepped down from a lavish, comfortable carriage,

the gates of Qin Mansion swung open immediately.

As Qin Fenghuo stepped inside, the gates sealed shut behind him.

With his hands tucked into his pockets, he slouched along, his eyes turning pitch black with heavy, dark circles.

He made his way toward the grand hall of Qin Mansion in a lurching gait.

Inside the hall, the lights blazed brightly.

All the important figures of the Qin Family were seated there.

The Patriarch of Divine Appearance, Qin Di Kun, sat at one side, while the family head Qin Cang and the next generation—Qin Haonan and Qin Leixiao—sat below.

When Qin Fenghuo entered, Qin Haonan’s expression changed subtly, a pained look in his eyes.

“Fenghuo… my son…”

Qin Haonan’s breaths grew heavy.

Yet Qin Fenghuo, his dark eyes heavy and somber, merely shot him an indifferent glance.

“Who is your son? Your son has long been dead…” Qin Fenghuo yawned.

At that, a figure draped in a Black Robe on the main seat let out a soft snort.

“I wasn’t wrong—borrowing my body meant it was already doomed, wasn’t it?”

Qin Fenghuo grinned wryly as he glanced at Qin Haonan.

“What a trashy prodigy—completely unable to manifest the talents of his station…”

“It caused me to secure only one-tenth of Yulian divine nature from the Temple Spirit Resonance.”

Qin Fenghuo barely managed a snarl.

Qin Haonan’s fists clenched as pain etched his features, veins bulging on his neck.

“For me to borrow your son’s body is your honor…”

“Enough—say no more.”

The figure in the Black Robe on the main seat spoke softly.

Qin Fenghuo snorted and asked the robed figure, “Yuan Jingang, have you received orders?”

The Qin Family fell utterly silent.

Qin Di Kun, the Patriarch, looked at the figure with a complex expression.

That was his elder brother, Qin Tiangang, now known as Yuan Jingang—the Seventh-Level Corpse God Envoy of the Corpse God Sect who subdued Jin Guang Mansion!

Qin Di Kun never imagined that the man Qin Yuqing had chosen would be the very one deceived by Qin Tiangang into sacrificing the entire city’s worship of the Temple Spirit.

Who would have thought it was all orchestrated by the Qin Family?

Now, the Qin Family was irrevocably intertwined with the Corpse God Sect.

Qin Di Kun’s face was etched with sorrow.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that the centuries-old legacy of the Qin Family was about to crumble by his own hand.

His own brother, Qin Tiangang, who had supposedly secluded himself to break through divine origin…

Yet somehow had become a villain for the Corpse God Sect!

Below, Qin Cang and Qin Haonan looked dismal.

However, the second-generation Qin Leixiao sported an expression of pure excitement—he had already transferred to practicing the Corpse God Sect’s Corpse Curse Technique.

Now, having reached the Cursed Copper Corpse level…

his physical limitations were no longer an issue.

Moreover, the Patriarch had even promised he could get him into the headquarters of the Corpse God Sect…

Qin Leixiao could not fathom the suffering of Qin Cang and the others.

Qin Fenghuo then sat down, “By tomorrow, once I completely stabilize the Yulian divine nature and gather the Yulian Divine Essence Lotus Seed, we will move to capture Li Nuǎnxi’s plan.”

“This little girl has managed to obtain 70% of Yulian divine nature… if she goes to the Three-Celestial Bizarre Temple in Ling Thunder, won’t the 【Xuanlei Vajra Qiankun Ring】 be as good as ours?”

Qin Fenghuo’s dark eyes sparked with divine light.

The man in the Black Robe, Yuan Jingang, suddenly raised his hand.

Just as Qin Fenghuo was about to speak, he abruptly fell silent and narrowed his eyes.

Yuan Jingang stood up.

The robed figure slowly walked toward the door.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

A wild wind howled, blowing off the hood of the Black Robe.

It revealed a face with silvery hair reaching down to the neck.

Then,

only a gentle breeze passed by.

In silence,

a profound sense of unease suddenly gripped Yuan Jingang’s heart…

It was as if…

he was being watched by some sinister, vicious creature.

……

……

Late at night,

the rain pounded on the black tiles, evoking the quiet of passing years.

Inside, the coal stove burned, bringing warmth like that of spring.

Zhang Ya cradled XiXi on the bed while recounting bedtime stories.

These stories were myths from Li Che’s past life, recounted from his memory.

After all, a recitation to deepen a child’s impression was never a bad idea.

Though many well-known myths had been artistically altered and required careful study, Li Che wasn’t too fussy—a general idea was enough.

“Mom, are the Queen Mother’s Peaches as delicious as the ones you make?”

XiXi looked up curiously and asked.

Zhang Ya paused, tapped her little nose, and said, “You just love eating.”

XiXi grinned broadly, “But surely nothing beats your red-braised pork.”

Then, XiXi snuggled back into Zhang Ya’s arms.

The door opened and Li Che silently returned from Qin Mansion. He had planned to act that very night, but after hearing so many secrets, he postponed his plans to see what exactly Qin Fenghuo meant by the upcoming Yulian Divine Essence Lotus Seed…

That very Yulian Divine Essence Lotus Seed had granted them one more day of life.

Entering the room, Li Che changed into his pajamas and smiled gently, “What are you two whispering about? You sound so happy.”

XiXi wriggled free from Zhang Ya’s embrace and leaped into Li Che’s arms.

“Daddy, what do you think—are the Queen Mother’s Peaches better or is Mommy’s red-braised pork tastier?”

Li Che was utterly speechless.

“Bamboo Strip Stir-Fry Pork should be really good,”

Li Che grinned mischievously.

“What’s Bamboo Strip Stir-Fry Pork?” XiXi asked in confusion, having never tasted it before.

Without hesitation, Li Che retrieved a strand of spirit bamboo from Qiankun Space. As a woodcarver, he always kept such assorted spirit wood on hand.

Then, in XiXi’s widening, curious eyes, he playfully tapped her little bottom a few times.

Instantly, XiXi understood what Bamboo Strip Stir-Fry Pork meant.

How terrifying!

She screamed and dove back into Zhang Ya’s arms.

Li Che couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter.

The little family of three enjoyed a joyful, boisterous moment together.

Zhang Ya smiled sweetly as she watched her husband and daughter playfully scurry about like an eagle playing a game of catch with chicks.

Her eyes shone tenderly.

Life in moments like these was truly wonderful.

Suddenly,

Li Che and Zhang Ya exchanged a look and decided to end XiXi’s frolic.

Li Che sat on the bed, pulling Zhang Ya close as he watched XiXi gradually settle down.

“XiXi, now that you’re a big four-year-old, Daddy and Mommy have something to tell you.”

Li Che said softly with a warm smile.

Zhang Ya nodded.

XiXi twisted her little bottom, sitting comically earnest and leaning in to listen.

“We’re all ears, XiXi.”

Li Che and Zhang Ya exchanged a glance.

Then Li Che, in a gentle and quiet tone, said, “How would you feel about Daddy and Mommy having a little brother or sister for you?”

Seven thousand words—this chapter took ages to write and revise. Please vote for monthly tickets, recommendations, and support for future chapters! Old Li thanks you!