Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment! Nascent Soul True Lord Descends!

Time flew by like a shooting star, and another year slipped away in the blink of an eye.

Huang family!

A cultivator rushed into the hall and handed a spiritual talisman to Huang Mingyi. "Word from the Azure Sea Sect again—this time it's a personal message from Elder Guan."

Huang Mingyi's eyelid twitched as he asked, "Any news on Miaoying's side?"

"None."

"Send a reply. Say Miaoying is still in secluded cultivation and can't return to the sect for now."

The man bowed and left.

Huang Mingyi sighed, worry clouding his eyes.

He hadn't expected Huang Miaoying's pregnancy to drag on this long. Huang Qianqian had already given birth to her second child—a heavenly spiritual root no less—yet there was still no sign from her. It was making him anxious.

Huang Miaoying was Elder Guan's personal disciple, after all, and there were even talks of marrying her into the Guan family. Naturally, they paid extra attention to her.

Two years without returning to the sect had already aroused Guan's suspicions. This was the fourth inquiry from the Azure Sea Sect this year alone.

But Huang Miaoying absolutely couldn't go back now—not with her belly swollen like that. Elder Guan would explode in rage.

"All we can do is stall for now. I hope Miaoying gives birth ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠soon..."

Huang Mingyi gave a wry smile.

As for Qin Changqing, over the past year, he'd steadily reached the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining through the continuous flow of cultivation returns from his children. Foundation Establishment was just one step away.

That step wasn't easy, though—it was a major realm breakthrough, demanding even more returns from his kids.

He wasn't in a rush. His lifespan was long; he could wait patiently as they grew.

No cultivation worries meant his days were full: spending time with his wives, playing with the kids, occasionally heading out for some multiple-choice quests. Life was fulfilling, save for the occasional worry about his children facing the world's harsh beatings outside. Otherwise, it was pure bliss.

—

Another year passed in the twinkling of an eye.

In the Qin family estate, Qin Changqing drew a deep breath. He set up restrictions around the area, then summoned the system interface.

"Accept!"

Qin Changqing confirmed without hesitation. Instantly, surging spiritual energy poured in from all directions, flooding into his body.

His face flushed slightly as the spiritual power roiled wildly inside him, gradually condensing into liquid form.

A sign of breakthrough.

"Not enough yet—accept them all!!"

Veins bulged on Qin Changqing's forehead. As if in response, even more spiritual energy surged toward him.

"I've finally reached Foundation Establishment!"

Qin Changqing's face burned with excitement. "This feeling is even better than a Foundation Establishment Pill—it's incredible!"

"Kids, tell your dad thanks on my behalf."

…

Azure Sea Sect, Elder Guan Zilan's cave abode!

A female cultivator flew inside.

"Greetings, Master!"

Guan Zilan's voice was icy cold. "Miaoying still hasn't returned?"

The disciple handed over the communication talisman. "The Huang family replied that Junior Sister Miaoying is still in seclusion and can't come back yet."

"I went to the Huang family myself but didn't see her. They said she was in seclusion at a critical juncture and couldn't be disturbed, lest it affect her cultivation. I didn't want to force it."

"Seclusion? Miaoying just broke through to mid-Foundation Establishment recently. It's far too early for her to aim for Golden Core, and she wouldn't need to seclude for so long. With her talent, three years is more than enough for a breakthrough... I'm going to see what the Huang family's playing at!"

With those words, Guan Zilan shot out of her cave, her treasure carrying her swiftly through the skies.

Huang family estate.

A streak of rainbow light descended from the heavens, ignoring the Huang family's formations and barriers as it landed directly.

"Who dares trespass the Huang family?!" someone bellowed.

A woman in a flowing purple dress touched down in the courtyard. She swept a cold gaze over the approaching Huang clansmen, her casual aura alone suffocating them.

"Show some respect!"

Startled, Huang Yuanjing hurried over. Spotting the woman, shock and guilt flashed in his eyes. He bowed deeply. "This junior greets Elder Guan! Why didn't you send word ahead, Elder? I could've come out to welcome you properly!"

This was none other than Huang Miaoying's master, Azure Sea Sect Elder Guan Zilan.

"No need for formalities. Where's Miaoying? Have her come see me. She's been home long enough—it's time to return."

Huang Yuanjing broke into a sweat.

Huang Miaoying was in the delivery room right now, on the verge of giving birth. For Guan Zilan to show up at this critical moment caught him off guard.

Just one more day!

Huang Yuanjing grew anxious. How was he supposed to handle this?

"Elder, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Miaoying is in seclusion right now. It's inconvenient for her to come out. Disturbing her might cause qi deviation."

He had no choice but to grit his teeth and say it.

"Inconvenient?"

Guan Zilan's delicate brows arched, and she snorted coldly. "I'm her master—is it inconvenient for me? I can tell at a glance if she's at risk of qi deviation. And if something does go wrong, she'll need me to protect her anyway!"

"Do you think anyone is more qualified than I am?"

Huang ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yuanjing's heart sank. He bowed repeatedly. "Of course not—who could be more qualified than Elder Guan? It's just... Miaoying's seclusion in the clan is shielded by formations..."

She was a Nascent Soul True Lord; he didn't dare block her physically. All he could do was persuade and stall.

Other Huang family higher-ups arrived one after another.

Facing the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pressure of a Nascent Soul True Lord, many paled in panic. Recognizing her as Guan Zilan, some with weaker nerves went ashen-faced.

Guan Zilan noted their flustered, stammering reactions. Suspicion deepened. With a cold huff, she unleashed her divine sense, blanketing the entire Huang estate.

In an instant, she locked onto Huang Miaoying in the delivery room. Her expression twisted dramatically.

"You dared deceive me!"

Frost covered Guan Zilan's face, her eyes brimming with profound disappointment and fury.

Huang Miaoying was exceptionally talented and intelligent, deeply cherished by Guan Zilan, who had long treated her like a daughter.

To think the disciple she'd painstakingly raised would deceive her—it ignited her rage.

"Elder Guan..."

Seeing her face, Huang Yuanjing knew she'd discovered the truth. His heart jolted; he wanted to explain but didn't know how, terror etched on his features.

"We'll settle accounts later!"

Guan Zilan spat coldly, vanishing from the spot. She reappeared instantly in the delivery room.

"M-Master!"

Huang Miaoying, straining in labor, gasped in shock. She struggled to rise but collapsed back, exhausted.

"Miaoying... how could you... why would you do this?!"

Guan Zilan couldn't fathom it. Her prized disciple, whom she'd pinned such hopes on, had hidden away for three years... to give birth?

"Did the Huang family force you?!"

Rage boiled in Guan Zilan's chest. In all her years past Nascent Soul, this was the first time she'd lost such emotional control.

"Master, it's not the family's fault. It was me... I... I did it willingly..."

Huang Miaoying didn't know how to face her master.

"You truly are my good disciple. For three years, I've wondered why you didn't return, worried endlessly for you. And now I learn you deceived me just to have a child?" Disappointment filled Guan Zilan's eyes as she berated her. "What kind of man is worth such sacrifice from you? Damaging your foundation and spiritual body just to bear his child?!"

Guan Zilan had her own plans. Huang Miaoying was still ascending in cultivation; Guan had intended for her to marry into the Guan family, but only after forming her Golden Core.

An innate spirit body suffered losses from early pregnancy and childbirth.

She hadn't wanted to hinder her disciple's future, yet Huang Miaoying had fallen so low, secretly conceiving!

And now she was delivering!

"Master, I..."

Huang Miaoying flushed with shame.

But her strength was fading; the child had absorbed too much of her spiritual power.

Guan Zilan saw her condition wasn't right for questioning now.

"Everyone out!"

Her face frosty, she waved the others from the delivery room. "Hmph, I'll deal with you later. Focus on giving birth first!"

Disciple or not, she still ached for her. Guan Zilan slowly channeled spiritual power to aid the birth.

"Master... it hurts so much!"

"Hm? Why is birthing a child this difficult? You're no mortal—how could it be a difficult labor?!"

"This child..."