Chapter 495: A Marriage Alliance?
"Even though we're so close to the battlefield at Zhuxian City, everyone believes White Jade Capital is one of the safest places in the entire Grand Thousand World."
In the Northern Underworld Continent, at White Jade Capital, Xiao Tianming's words left Xiao Tiance both amused and exasperated. Despite his younger brother now being a mid stage Heavenly Sovereign in strength, his carefree demeanor hadn't changed since their time on the Dou Qi Continent.
If there was someone Xiao Tiance genuinely envied, it was Xiao Tianming and his ability to live without worries.
"Alright, then ensure the city guards remain vigilant. Don't let these newcomers stir up any trouble in the capital," Xiao Tiance instructed.
Hearing this, Xiao Tianming grinned with unshakable confidence. "Trouble? Even if they had the nerve, they wouldn't dare cause chaos in White Jade Capital. Right now, we may not be the number one superpower in the Grand Thousand World, but we're definitely in the top three. Unless they've lost their minds, no one would dare stir up trouble here."
Xiao Tianming wasn't wrong. White Jade Capital had grown far beyond its humble beginnings. Even in its early days, it was not a place anyone could afford to provoke.
As the headquarters of White Jade Capital, the city always had at least five Heavenly Sovereign level powerhouses stationed there at any given time. Furthermore, Xiao Xuan, the city lord, was a Saint tier Heavenly Sovereign, whose strength alone was enough to command respect across the entire Grand Thousand World.
"Alright, you don't need to follow me. I'm going to see your sister in law and Yingying," Xiao Tiance said with a smile.
"Got it. I'll go drink."
With that, Xiao Tianming laughed and vanished, leaving Xiao Tiance to make his way toward the Tiance Mansion.
Reunion at the Mansion
Upon arriving at Tiance Mansion, Shi Hao quickly approached and greeted him respectfully.
"Welcome back, Immortal Sovereign."
"No need for formalities," Xiao Tiance replied with a smile.
Shi Hao, now a peak Earthly Sovereign, had grown significantly since joining White Jade Capital. Yet despite his strength and his role as one of the Twelve Pavilion Masters, Shi Hao refused to take on other responsibilities. Like Xiao Bieli in the past, he preferred staying by Xiao Tiance's side.
"Where's Madam?" Xiao Tiance asked casually.
"Madam and the young lady are both on the ninth floor," Shi Hao replied with a respectful bow.
"Alright, I'll go see them. Thank you." Xiao Tiance nodded before vanishing into the mansion.
On the ninth floor, Queen Medusa lounged lazily on a couch, occasionally glancing at her daughter, Xiao Baiying, who was engrossed in studying a pill formula. Medusa's lips curled into a faint smile as she alternated between watching her daughter and gazing out the window.
When Xiao Tiance opened the door and stepped inside, he greeted them warmly. "Madam, Yingying, I'm back."
"Daddy!"
Xiao Baiying immediately stashed the pill formula into her spatial ring and dashed over to hug him tightly.
Medusa, upon seeing Xiao Tiance, rose quickly and embraced him as well. "Husband, you're back," she said softly, her voice brimming with warmth.
"I'm back," Xiao Tiance replied, stroking Medusa and Baiying's heads gently.
Discussions and Updates
After a while, Medusa poured him tea and sat beside him. "Qin Tian sent word that you were surrounded by a group of Heavenly Demon Emperors from the Outer Realm Demon Clan. We were so worried about you."
"That's right, Daddy," Baiying added, her tone playful. "Mother even wanted to rally all of White Jade Capital's forces to march into the Outer Realm Demon Clan's territory."
Xiao Tiance chuckled at their concern. "If I didn't have confidence, I wouldn't have gone. It was risky, yes, but everything was within my control. By the way, was everything fine in White Jade Capital while I was gone?"
Medusa shook her head gently. "Everything went smoothly. With Xuan and Qing'er handling affairs and Ya Fei assisting, there was no trouble at all. The only issue was a caravan from Tong City being ambushed in the Northern Azure Continent. The Heavenly Secrets Tower reported that the culprits were from the Demon Dragon Palace. Qing'er sent Ziyan to handle it, and two days ago, Ziyan reported back. She said the matter was resolved the Demon Dragon Palace's master personally apologized, delivered the head of the culprit, and returned all the stolen goods."
Xiao Tiance tapped his knee thoughtfully before nodding. "Since they returned what they took, we'll let it slide this time. But if it happens again, there'll be no mercy for the Demon Dragon Palace."
"Understood. Husband, you've just returned. Don't concern yourself with these matters for now. Take a few days to rest," Medusa said gently.
Xiao Tiance smiled and nodded. Suddenly recalling the Holy Spirit Water given to him by Ji Ping'an, he stood up and took Medusa's hand. "I received something good during this trip. Let's see if it can help Ping'er and An'er."
Ping'er and An'er were the two children who, due to the surge of spiritual energy at their birth, had been unable to awaken and were placed in stasis. Their full names were Xiao Shengping and Xiao An'er.
A Hope for Their Children
Medusa's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?" she asked, quickly following him.
Moved by Medusa's longing for her children, Xiao Tiance had created a special chamber in their mansion, protected by a spiritual array, so that Medusa could visit them whenever she wished.
Soon, the couple entered the chamber. Inside, two infants lay peacefully on a large bed, their breathing steady. Though unchanged in appearance since their birth, their bodies now absorbed and refined spiritual energy at an astonishing rate.
Currently, the spiritual energy within them was equivalent to a mid stage One Star Sovereign, yet their bodies couldn't utilize it.
Xiao Tiance stepped forward, taking out the Holy Spirit Water, and began studying its properties. As he examined it, a soft light glowed faintly from the bottle.
"Husband, can it work?" Medusa asked, her voice trembling with hope.
Xiao Tiance smiled. "Let's try. With this, there's a good chance Ping'er and An'er can wake up soon."
Xiao Tiance gently stroked the faces of his two children, his eyes filled with a mixture of affection and pain.
If he had the choice, he would have preferred for these two children to be born without such extraordinary talent, as long as they could grow up safe and sound. Unfortunately, fate had dictated otherwise, and all he could do now was wait for them to awaken on their own.
The Use of Holy Spirit Water
With a soft sigh, Xiao Tiance withdrew his hand and summoned the jade bottle containing the Holy Spirit Water.
Seeing this, Medusa quickly asked, "Husband, what's in that bottle?"
"This is Holy Spirit Water," Xiao Tiance explained. "It's a gift from Senior Ji Ping'an, whom I saved during my time in the Outer Realm Demon Clan's territory. He said the water originates from the birthplace of the Heavenly Evil God and has unique properties. I can't say exactly how it will work, but rest assured, I've thoroughly tested it. The medicinal properties are gentle and won't harm Ping'er or An'er."
Relieved by his words, Medusa nodded. "I trust your judgment, husband."
Xiao Tiance smiled, uncorked the jade bottle, and carefully used his spiritual energy to lift a small drop of Holy Spirit Water. He fed one drop to each child, ensuring the liquid entered their mouths gently.
As the water's effects were catalyzed by his spiritual energy, a radiant glow suddenly enveloped the two children. Through his powerful soul perception, Xiao Tiance observed the medicinal essence of the Holy Spirit Water coursing through their bodies, nourishing every corner of their fragile physiques.
Signs of Progress
After closely monitoring the changes, Xiao Tiance finally relaxed once the water's energy was fully absorbed and began to nourish their meridians and flesh.
"It's done. Just these two drops are enough to strengthen their bodies. When they wake up, their cultivation speed will undoubtedly improve," he said, storing the bottle back into his spatial ring.
Medusa let out a quiet sigh of relief but couldn't hide the trace of disappointment in her eyes. She had hoped the Holy Spirit Water would awaken her children immediately, not just enhance their future cultivation potential.
Xiao Tiance noticed her expression and gently held her hand. "Don't worry, my love. The children will be fine. I've already observed their bodies becoming much stronger. At this rate, they'll wake up on their own before long."
Medusa nodded softly. "I know."
After spending some time with the children, Xiao Baiying excused herself to return to her pill formula studies. Meanwhile, Xiao Tiance and Medusa stayed in the chamber, keeping watch over the twins and chatting quietly.
Visitors from Major Clans
Half a year passed uneventfully.
One day, as Xiao Tiance was enjoying tea on the ninth floor of Tiance Mansion, he heard Shi Hao's respectful voice outside.
"Immortal Sovereign, the saintesses of the Futu Ancient Clan and the Tailin Ancient Clan have come to visit."
"Let them in," Xiao Tiance replied calmly.
Moments later, Shi Hao led Ye Qingqing of the Tailin Ancient Clan and Qing Yanjing of the Futu Ancient Clan into the room. Both women bowed respectfully.
"Ye Qingqing of the Tailin Ancient Clan / Qing Yanjing of the Futu Ancient Clan greets the Immortal Sovereign."
"No need for formalities. What brings the two of you here together? Please, have a seat," Xiao Tiance said with a smile, motioning for them to sit.
The two saintesses exchanged a glance before sitting down near him. Xiao Tiance poured them tea, using a wisp of spiritual energy to guide the cups to their hands.
"Thank you, Immortal Sovereign," Ye Qingqing said with a smile.
Qing Yanjing also expressed her gratitude, but her gaze lingered on Xiao Tiance, as if lost in thought.
Noticing this, Xiao Tiance quipped with a smile, "What's the matter, Miss Qing Yanjing? Is there something on my face?"
Caught off guard, Qing Yanjing blushed and quickly shook her head. "No, it's just… after so many years, the Immortal Sovereign's presence remains as extraordinary as ever. It's hard not to admire."
Xiao Tiance chuckled heartily at her candid compliment. Over the past fifty years, both Ye Qingqing and Qing Yanjing had grown into stunning beauties, their cultivation now at the early stage Spiritual Heavenly Sovereign level.
Among the beauties of the Grand Thousand World, they were well known figures, frequently ranked on the list of the Top Ten Beauties, which included names like Medusa, Ling Qingzhu, and others Xiao Tiance knew personally.
Discussions Turn to Marriage
"So, what brings you two here together?" Xiao Tiance asked again.
The two saintesses exchanged another glance before Ye Qingqing spoke up. "A few days ago, your people delivered two Heaven grade Demon Puppets to my clan. Our patriarch sent me here to express our gratitude."
She paused briefly, then added with a mischievous smile, "As for Miss Qing Yanjing, she's here for another reason entirely."
Before Ye Qingqing could continue, Qing Yanjing interrupted, her cheeks flushed. "Immortal Sovereign, I came to seek your guidance in the art of arrays. My understanding of formations has stagnated at the late stage Array Master level for a long time. As the foremost Array Grandmaster in the Grand Thousand World, I hoped you could share some of your wisdom."
Xiao Tiance found her reaction curious. Though her request was genuine, her reddened face suggested there was more to her visit.
Suddenly, he recalled an incident three months prior, when Futu Xuan had raised the idea of a marriage alliance between White Jade Capital and the Futu Ancient Clan. Connecting the dots, Xiao Tiance wondered if Qing Yanjing's visit was related.
A Direct Question
Setting aside his suspicions, Xiao Tiance smiled and said, "Guidance on arrays? That's easy. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'll answer to the best of my ability."
Before Qing Yanjing could respond, Ye Qingqing giggled and teased, "Sister Yanqing, the Immortal Sovereign has offered his help. If you delay any longer, how will you explain yourself to your clan elders?"
"You !" Qing Yanjing shot Ye Qingqing a shy yet frustrated glare. She wanted to retort but noticed Xiao Tiance watching her curiously. Her face reddened further, and after a brief moment of hesitation, she steeled herself.
"Immortal Sovereign, my clan's elders wish for me to form a marriage alliance with you. That's why I was sent to White Jade Capital."
Xiao Tiance's Response
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance chuckled, a mix of amusement and helplessness in his expression. It wasn't that he found Qing Yanjing unworthy on the contrary, she was outstanding but he simply hadn't considered the idea of marriage alliances.
With a smile, he asked directly, "And how do you feel about this, Miss Qing Yanjing?"
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