Yan Buxiu carefully tucked the Nine Heavens Fan away and said in a slow voice, "What is there to fear? Such a trivial matter, do we really need to handle it ourselves?"
There were many cultivators at the Qi Refining stage in the Lower Realm. Moreover, the Lower Realm and the Human World had almost fused into one. The spiritual energy there was thin, and the people of the Lower Realm only grew more eager to push into the Upper Realm.
By giving the people of the Lower Realm a little reward, Yan Buxiu knew there would be many who would willingly do these tasks for him. Even if the Lower Realm people couldn’t be trusted, they still had disciples within their sects.
Master Ji also thought of this and smiled at Yan Buxiu. "That’s one way to think about it."
Before he left, Master Ji said, "By the way, Valley Master Yang is dead. Grand Elder Qingwu plans to go to Frosty Valley and take the Glassy Bottle. He intends to keep it for himself."
Yan Buxiu’s expression darkened immediately. However, he and Qingwu were loyal allies, and he soon smiled again. "It’s fine. Valley Master Yang hadn’t made any progress in his cultivation over the past thousand years, which is why he died under Qiao Nanyi’s sword. It might be better if Qingwu gets it. If he can break through, gain the strength to fight Siheng, then this could be beneficial for us."
He could easily see that Master Ji was trying to sow discord between him and Qingwu, but Master Ji’s schemes would not succeed.
Master Ji paused for a moment, surprised that Yan Buxiu wasn’t angry, but rather defending Qingwu. He didn’t pursue the matter further and said, "Right, we can only rely on Grand Elder Qingwu now."
"Grand Elder Qingwu?" Yan Buxiu scoffed. "It should be ’Supreme Master,’" he said.
Now that they had torn their relationship with Siheng, how could they continue to address Siheng as the Celestial Sovereign?
The Immortal World couldn’t function without a leader, and the most powerful person right now was Qingwu. It only made sense for him to become the Supreme Master.
Since Yan Buxiu had put it this way, Master Ji had no objections. He nodded and said, "Of course. My Seven Peaks Sect will follow Supreme Master Qingwu from now on."
Yan Buxiu was very pleased and told Master Ji to leave ahead of him.
As for Yan Buxiu, he didn’t believe Nanli had just disappeared without a trace. He searched the area around him, but found nothing... He sighed and decided to return to Jialan Celestial Mountain to discuss their next steps with Qingwu.
Inside the Nether Sect.
Nanli had taken a gamble, and unexpectedly, she had been able to open the Nether Sect.
It seemed that with the formation barrier gone, nothing was stopping the Nether Sect from being accessed. However, because Nanli was injured, the guarding ghost envoy didn’t dare to ask too many questions and immediately called for Qiu Hai and Granny Meng.
The two arrived almost instantly.
When they saw Nanli covered in blood, both of them froze for a moment, their hearts aching.
They rushed to her side.
Neither dared to act too hastily for fear that their Yin energy would linger on Nanli’s wounds and slow her recovery.
Nanli looked up and smiled at them, "I’m fine. It’s just that the outside was too intense, so I came inside to avoid it."
Qiu Hai frowned, "You’re covered in wounds, and you’re saying you’re fine?"
Granny Meng’s big eyes were filled with tears, "Ancestor, are you in a lot of pain?"
"It doesn’t hurt too much." Nanli suddenly raised an eyebrow. "I’m already a Golden Core cultivator. These small injuries will heal on their own."
She sounded somewhat pleased with herself.
Qiu Hai and Granny Meng quickly realized that Nanli’s injuries might be linked to a breakthrough. They were initially concerned, but soon they couldn’t help but feel excited.
Their Ancestor had taken a massive step forward!
Restoring her true form was just around the corner!
However, Granny Meng continued staring at Nanli’s belly. Her black eyes twitched, and she pursed her lips, unsure whether to speak.
Nanli noticed and cheerfully offered the news, "Yes, I’m pregnant."
Granny Meng suddenly looked up, meeting Nanli’s eyes, her expression turning complex in an instant.
Qiu Hai’s face changed dramatically, and without thinking about the Yin energy around him, he quickly grabbed Nanli’s shoulder to get a clearer view.
Then he let out a wail, "This is outrageous! How did you end up carrying Siheng’s child, and three of them?!"
His outburst was so intense that the entire underworld shook. The Ghost Spring sent massive waves, sweeping away many souls.
The ghost envoy, though angry, dared not speak up and silently returned to the Ghost Spring to gather the souls.
Nanli glared at Qiu Hai. "From the way you’re speaking, it seems you’ve known Siheng’s identity all along. Why didn’t you warn me before?"
Qiu Hai had a hard time explaining and could only say, "I can’t say. Please forgive me, Ancestor."
But Granny Meng was calmer than Qiu Hai. She noticed that Nanli’s soul had been restored.
Could it be that it was only after becoming pregnant that her soul could be whole?
Though her soul was still sealed and couldn’t be activated, Nanli’s cultivation should improve much faster now.
Granny Meng smiled and said, "That’s great! You’re pregnant? Congratulations, Ancestor!"
Nanli glanced at the two of them and guessed that, due to the constraints of the Heavenly Dao, there were many things they couldn’t speak of.
However, she still had a question she needed answered, "So can you tell me why I’ve made enemies of all six major sects in the Upper Realm? Why have they come after me so fiercely?"
The two exchanged glances and shook their heads. But Qiu Hai was able to share some details. "In your previous life, you had an irreconcilable feud with them. Now that your inner core has returned to your body, they sense the threat. Ancestor, in the future, it will either be you or them. One of you must perish."
Granny Meng also added, "So, whenever you meet them, you must strike decisively. Use a big stick to smash them dead!"
Nanli thought for a moment and rubbed her chin. "An irreconcilable feud... This is troublesome. I fear that even if I cultivate for a thousand years, I’ll still be no match for them."
But difficulties didn’t stop her. She smiled and added, full of enthusiasm, "If it takes a thousand years, so be it. I’ll endure, slowly growing stronger. I’ll catch the right moment and kill them to avenge myself."
Qiu Hai didn’t doubt Nanli’s strength, but his face suddenly darkened.
"You came here to avoid them, but what about Siheng? Has he abandoned you?"
Nanli said, "His Nascent Soul was damaged. He probably went back to his true form to recover. He can’t manage me too much right now."
Qiu Hai rolled his eyes. "Useless! You’re blind to fall for him!"
Nanli was helpless. "He did help me restore the Spirit Pearl and brought it into my body. Then he went off to fight five others. He’s had a hard time too."
Qiu Hai spat, "That’s what he’s supposed to do! Even if his Nascent Soul is shattered, it’s not like..."
Halfway through his words, he fell silent.
Thunder rumbled above them.
He struggled for a moment, unable to continue, and finally sighed in frustration.
Granny Meng stretched out her small hand, gently touching Nanli’s belly through the air, and asked, "Ancestor, may I name them?"
She had just learned a thousand-character essay and was eager to put it to use.
Qiu Hai laughed and mocked her, "You know a few characters and you want to name Ancestor’s children?"
Granny Meng puffed up her cheeks, "I know many characters!"
"Then give it a try."
Granny Meng was already prepared and said, "How about Xuanhuang, Honghuang, and Riyue? They’re catchy and powerful!"