An hour later, Ye Lingling slowly woke up.
Yang Yunhai rose from his seat, turned, and smiled. "Lingling, no need to rush. Next, I'll help you open your Eight Extraordinary Meridians using the cultivation method I presented today. During the process, you should be able to absorb more of the medicinal energy."
"Thank you, Captain." Ye Lingling nodded softly, her voice like flowing water.
Yang Yunhai stepped behind her, sitting down and placing his palms against her back.
Her body stiffened slightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, though her expression remained calm.
Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a knowing glance, but said nothing. Their man was simply too exceptional. Just like today, Ning Rongrong's attitude had shown she was starting to take an interest as well. But as long as no one crossed the line, they weren't going to worry too much.
Feelings could not always be controlled—so long as boundaries remained, it was fine.
"Follow the flow of my soul power and guide yours accordingly," Yang Yunhai instructed.
"Mm." Ye Lingling's soft reply came as she closed her eyes and focused.
Time passed in silence. Half an hour later, Yang Yunhai opened his eyes. "Lingling, now keep circulating it on your own a few more times, get familiar with the path."
Ye Lingling obeyed, continuing her practice.
Yang Yunhai returned to the others and waited.
Before long, Ye Lingling's eyes fluttered open.
"Lingling, how much did you improve?" Dugu Yan asked with a smile.
"My rank rose by over five levels. I'm now rank 48." Ye Lingling's face was flushed, her voice tinged with excitement. She quickly stood and gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Captain."
The gratitude was overwhelming—this was a kindness beyond repaying.
Yang Yunhai, accustomed to such scenes, kept his composure. He only gave a small smile. "That's a solid improvement."
After all, at the Soul Ancestor realm, gaining five levels from one herb was already outstanding.
"Yes!" Ye Lingling nodded eagerly.
"Lingling, come on, I'll take you to your room for tonight. We'll stay up talking." Dugu Yan grabbed her hand cheerfully.
Zhu Zhuqing also smiled and turned to Yang Yunhai. "Yun, I'll stay with Lingling tonight too."
"Alright." Yang Yunhai nodded. They hadn't seen each other in a long time—it was natural for close friends to want time together.
That night, Yang Yunhai didn't cultivate with his fifth soul skill. After a short round of normal soul power practice, he summoned Yiner and closed off his spiritual sea. Having lived in this world for years, he still sometimes missed the food of his past life. He decided to share those memories with her—
Dishes like Ants Climbing a Tree, Crane Wings Paired, Vine with Melon, Hot Dogs, Mexican Chicken Wraps.
The night passed without disturbance.
The next morning, Yang Yunhai and Dugu Bo took Ye Lingling by carriage back to Heaven Dou City. After delivering her safely to her family, they continued straight to the imperial palace.
"Father, Mother, I've reached rank 48," Ye Lingling announced once inside her home.
"Was it Yang Yunhai and Dugu Bo?" Her mother immediately guessed.
"Yes. Captain gave me a rare immortal herb and helped me open my meridians," Ye Lingling explained. Yang Yunhai had permitted her to speak of this much. With such a sudden increase in power, it was impossible to hide anyway.
Both parents were stunned. Her father grew solemn. "Lingling, you must never spread this outside, not even within the clan."
"I know," she nodded seriously.
Her mother spoke next. "Lingling, I know you like Yang Yunhai. If things were to work out, your father and I wouldn't stop you. But from what I see, he's not a man of fickle affections. I think Dugu Bo must have used some means to push his granddaughter into that marriage. Lingling, Yunhai is excellent—many girls are bound to like him."
"I just hope you don't fall too deep. You know as well as I do, the Nine Heart Begonia martial soul must be passed down."
If she were to remain unmarried for life, the martial soul line would be severed—something the clan couldn't allow.
"I understand, Mother," Ye Lingling said softly, head lowered.
"Good." Her mother nodded. "Now, enough of that. Go cultivate. At noon, I'll prepare a feast so we can celebrate. And remember this kindness—if Dugu Bo or Yang Yunhai ever need help, you can always return to tell us. We'll do everything in our power."
"Mm." Lingling bowed her head lightly and left.
Meanwhile, the carriage carrying Yang Yunhai and Dugu Bo approached the imperial palace.
"Xiao Hai, I must ask—why did you choose to make that cultivation method public?" Qian Daoliu questioned as soon as they met.
"Grandfather, think about it," Yang Yunhai replied calmly. "With Spirit Hall's strength today, and the continent's current state, is there anyone left who can threaten us? What we lack now is just a reason. Once Xue'er ascends the throne, we'll have that reason."
"All nobles and sects must bow under the empire's rule."
"Exactly." Qian Renxue nodded, her tone sharp. "Strength is the foundation. We already hold overwhelming power. There's no risk in sharing the cultivation method now. On the contrary, the timing is perfect."
In a few months, once her child was born and her coronation complete, she would stand as Empress.
"By making the method public, we only gain. Yunhai has already openly declared support for me. His rising fame means my own will soar as well. At this point, Emperor Xue Ye has no choice left. And once I sit the throne, this prestige will help me crush internal resistance."
"Take the Clear Sky Sect, for example. Tang Hao and Tang San crossed Yunhai before. With the cultivation method released, how will the people view them? As ruler, with them living within my empire, do I not have the right to act? They've hidden for years, but what have they ever contributed?"
"This is indeed a way to seize the initiative," Qian Daoliu admitted.
"Yes," Yang Yunhai continued. "But waiting passively isn't the best choice. With our strength, we must take the initiative. If they resist, we'll crush them outright. If they flee, they can only go to the Star Luo Empire. Then we'll accuse them of harboring traitors—a perfect excuse for unifying the continent. If they submit, they'll be exposed in the open, meat on the chopping block. Either way, we win."
He sneered coldly. "Privately breaking their pact? Crush them!"
'As expected of my man.' Qian Renxue's eyes shone with admiration.
'As expected of my grandson-in-law—ruthless enough,' Dugu Bo thought approvingly.
Qian Daoliu was silent for a long moment, then sighed. "Do it. Grandfather will always be your strongest support."
The waves of the younger generation would always surpass the old. For the first time, he truly felt his age.
"The continent has suffered too long," Dugu Bo said slowly. "If a single war can end countless conflicts, it might be worth it. With Spirit Hall and the empire united, even Star Luo will be crushed. Perhaps we can even persuade them to surrender outright."
"If Xue'er ascends to godhood, that chance will only rise higher," Yang Yunhai said firmly.
Qian Daoliu nodded. That was one reason Yunhai had given the immortal herb to his granddaughter.
"Peaceful unification is best," he agreed.
Yang Yunhai glanced at Qian Renxue's rounded belly, a smile on his lips. For the sake of their child, he couldn't keep waiting. The Clear Sky Sect and Tang Hao had to be removed sooner rather than later. Only then could he focus on greater goals, ensuring his child would grow up in a brighter world.
Becoming the Child of Nature, then a father, had changed his heart more than he expected.
Of course, marrying Qian Daoliu's granddaughter, the heir of Spirit Hall, had also given him immense confidence.
'Relying on her really isn't so bad.'
Elsewhere, in Moon Pavilion, Tang Yuehua frowned deeply.
"Yang Yunhai released such a powerful cultivation method to the public… what's his true purpose?"
Was it really out of kindness, to benefit the continent?
She didn't believe it.
Regardless, this method had to be taken back to the sect immediately so its disciples could train in it.
That same night, under moonlight, a carriage slipped quietly out of Heaven Dou City.
(End of Chapter)
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