Chapter 13: The Unwholesome Winds of the Jade Pool Sacred Land

Chapter 13: The Unwholesome Winds of the Jade Pool Sacred Land

The Western Emperor Couple remained in Kunlun Mountain, seemingly plotting something. Shaohua decided to return to the Jade Pool Sacred Land in the Northern Dipper with Xiao Wushi.

After all, this place was truly their home.

Shaohua was well aware that Xiao Wushi would likely be sealed away soon, to awaken in a future era. This wasn't his time, so she needed to cherish the moments they had together.

However, Shaohua failed to notice the impact of her return after a two-and-a-half-year absence, bringing back a young child. The Jade Pool Sacred Land was filled with female cultivators, and this sudden appearance ignited a flurry of gossip and speculation.

Shaohua walked gracefully toward the palace reserved for the Sacred Master, responding to the greetings of the disciples along the way.

A quick glance at Xiao Wushi, who was swaying his head and examining his surroundings, sparked a bold idea in her mind.

"Welcome back, Master. Uh..."

Lan Ling, who had completely transformed into Shaohua's form, felt a jolt in her heart when she saw her master carrying a young child. Over the years, she had broken through to the Quasi-Emperor Ninth Tier, ranking among the world's top cultivators. She could even claim to be an Unconventional Ascender, though this was her limit.

At this level, she fully understood the immense pressure her master had faced, walking the path of Unconventional Ascension. This made her even more reverent toward Shaohua.

Lan Ling's mind raced, considering every possibility, until her delicate body trembled. She dismissed all the impossible scenarios, leaving only one, no matter how absurd, as the correct answer.

"Is this young gentleman your..."

"That's right, he is mine."

"Child?"

"Brother!"

Shaohua suddenly fell silent, her entire body stiffening.

The silence wasn't just from her; it spread throughout the Jade Pool Sacred Land that evening.

"Hehe, do you think this little guy is my child?" Shaohua tried to calm herself, rubbing her forehead and frowning.

No wonder those young girls had such peculiar looks in their eyes. They must have thought exactly that.

She could already imagine the rumors that would spread across the Northern Dipper by tomorrow: the Jade Pool Sacred Master returns after two and a half years, bringing a child.

She wondered how many men would have their dreams shattered tonight. But then again, there weren't many left from her old circle, so it was no big deal.

"Big Sister, what's wrong?" Xiao Wushi, sensing his sister's unease, quickly reached out with his small hands and hugged her tightly.

A loving embrace!

"Nothing, Wushi, you're such a good boy. Let's go rest. I've prepared new clothes for you, and I'll find some little sisters to play with you tomorrow."

Shaohua was charmed by the adorable Xiao Wushi, pushing her worries aside. It was just some rumors, after all.

Why should she explain herself to others?

Once her mother returns, everything will be cleared up.

Yes, provided she returns soon.

The next day, Shaohua activated her pendant to contact the Immortal Tears Verdant Gold Pagoda, only to be told that the couple had left hand in hand after her and Xiao Wushi's departure.

"Guess they're feeling strong. Having a second child and needing me to take care of it? So the child was just an accident and disrupted your love display." Shaohua's lips twitched, and a black cloud appeared over her head.

Fortunately, Xiao Wushi was still a well-behaved and understanding child. Finding a couple of young girls to play with him would keep him entertained.

Humans are social beings, and it wouldn't be good for a child's mental health to be isolated in Kunlun Mountain.

"Little miss, what are your names?" Xiao Wushi asked, tilting his head.

"Nan Jinping."

"Li Xingruo."

The two girls, who looked to be around eleven or twelve, blinked and replied with bright, cheerful smiles.

Shaohua stood nearby, smiling. The fact that they were brought here to play with Wushi meant their backgrounds were impeccable, and they were certainly not ordinary.

Nan Jinping and Li Xingruo were actually cousins. Their mothers, known as the Divine Twin Graces, were revered in the cosmos and had countless admirers, though few could win their favor.

Of course, the universe was filled with prodigies, and two of them achieved the esteemed rank of Quasi-Emperor.

They were close friends, transitioning from rivals to sworn brothers, and eventually, they jointly proposed to the Divine Twin Graces, a story that became a celebrated tale.

As descendants of Quasi-Emperors and the Divine Clan, they were among the most outstanding individuals, second only to the descendants of the Celestial Sovereigns.

Shaohua was quite familiar with their mothers, having formed a bond during her own celestial training. When the Immortal Lake Sanctuary was first established, it took considerable effort to recruit the Divine Twin Graces as elders.

Thus, these two little girls were the first-generation disciples of the Immortal Lake Sanctuary, with impeccable lineage.

At just over ten years old, they already showed the makings of future beauties.

When they grew up, countless people would fall in love with them, and they would be rightfully known as goddesses, famous throughout the Beidou and beyond.

Although the Immortal Lake Sanctuary was a sanctuary for female cultivators, it did not prohibit marriage. After all, the founder of the sanctuary, the Western Empress, had a partner and children from the very beginning.

In Beidou, marrying an Immortal Lake cultivator was considered a great honor, envied by many.

However, this was the early days of the sanctuary, and those admitted were all exceptional talents with high standards.

Most people could only dream of such a union, as it was far beyond their reach.

Some bold and free-spirited disciples of the sanctuary even declared that they would rather live together as sisters than marry outsiders. It was as if the lilies had bloomed.

It was an unexpected yet understandable development. Surrounded by the same gender, it was natural for friendships to evolve over time.

Cultivators should strive freely within bounds.

Shaohua could do nothing about it. She couldn't force anyone to marry, especially since she herself had been single for thousands of years and had no right to speak on the matter.

One could even say that this unorthodox trend started with her, and future generations might blame her for it, saddling her with the responsibility.

Sad!

Watching Xiao Wushi play with the two girls, Shaohua chuckled softly and turned to walk into a secluded area deep within the sanctuary.

The Immortal Spring Water was accessible to all disciples, but one corner was protected by an Imperial Formation, making it off-limits. Here, the Ginseng Tree of Life was cultivated.

She replanted the White Tiger Elixir and, together with the Primordial Life Tree in Kunlun, all three Eternal Elixirs had been harvested.

The Primordial Life Tree did not bear fruit, so its leaves and core were used to refine the elixir, which was kept by her mother. The Dragonfruit of Eternal Life was in her father's possession.

Shaohua had two elixir fruits in her possession.

"Taking the Eternal Elixir is just a last resort. To break free from constraints, one must not rely on external aids", she murmured to herself.

After a long period of contemplation, when she emerged, she was surprised to find that the children had given her another big surprise!

Health and longevity to you all, I love you!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end