Chapter 31: A Bet Honored, the Appearance of the Exquisite Saintess

As one of the candidates for the Holy Maiden of the Linglong Sacred Land, Ling'er possessed strength second only to Su Ruoxi, who had reached the Niepan Realm. The two shared a deep personal friendship, which is why she was chosen to travel to the Xia Kingdom to investigate the situation.

Another underlying purpose was to seize the opportunity to persuade Su Ruoxi to return to the Linglong Sacred Land. After all, as a prime candidate gifted with the Taiyin True Phoenix Body, she was a talent of immense future potential. Once a method to awaken her true power was found, she would reach at least the Zao-hua Realm—a level of cultivation equal to that of the Holy Master. Even though Su Ruoxi tried her best to conceal her condition, the Holy Master of the Linglong Sacred Land was, naturally, not oblivious. In reality, the Holy Master understood everything perfectly; while appearing indifferent to the outside world, she cared deeply in her heart.

The next day, Holy Maiden Ling'er, accompanied by Zhao Huang, the Great Elder of the Linglong Sacred Land, set off for the Xia Kingdom. At this moment, Jiang Cheng was completely unaware of their arrival.

He was currently observing the Saintess of Danxia who had just been defeated. Finding that her aptitude was quite good, he noticed her eyes flicker open a second later, filled with a mixture of shock and reluctance.

"You... you have already won. I accept my defeat. With such mastery in alchemy, you are surely one of the best in the Chenguang Realm. To be defeated by an Emperor-grade pill, I have no grievances."

Her proud head finally bowed before this truly extraordinary man. Just as she took a deep breath, preparing to speak, Jiang Cheng interrupted her:

"As the future of the Danxia Sect, you are indeed a rare talent. Very well, the bet must be honored. Since I agreed to the wager, I shall fulfill my promise."

The Saintess of Danxia replied somewhat reservedly, "Very well... since I have lost, I shall become your concubine; I have no complaints. However, I must return to my sect first. This matter is of great importance. Even as a concubine, I, Xuanji, cannot allow the sect to suffer. I must report this to my Holy Master and marry you properly and honorably."

Jiang Cheng cast a glance at her and said, "Marry, and return? As I said before, if I won, I would take you both as concubines and then divorce you both. Since the two cancel each other out, once you have recovered from your injuries, you may return on your own."

Xuanji had already steeled herself to marry this man, thinking to herself, "Although this man's background is unfathomable, someone who can refine an Emperor-grade pill would make even the ancestors of the Eight Great Sacred Lands uneasy. Surely, his future potential is limitless."

Yet, before these thoughts could settle, the man told her he intended to divorce her and sent her packing. Upon hearing this, the internal injuries she had just managed to stabilize flared up; she spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted once more.

Whether it was genuine or not, Jiang Cheng was left speechless. He thought to himself, "Sigh, I’m not really bullying you, am I? Very well, I shall wait until you recover."

Just then, Su Ruoxi knocked on the door and stepped inside. "Husband, how is the Saintess Xuanji?"

"It is nothing serious, merely a disruption of her vital energy caused by sudden agitation. A few days of rest will suffice. By the way, my wife, are you on the verge of a breakthrough?"

Jiang Cheng looked at Su Ruoxi. The slight creases between his brows smoothed out, and a gentle gaze fell upon her, tinged with faint joy. He mused, "She is truly a virtuous woman—calm and composed. Compared to who she was before, she is far superior. It seems my judgment in the past was truly lacking."

Self-mockery surfaced on his face, manifesting as a wry smile, which caused Su Ruoxi to pause in confusion. "Why does my husband smile?"

Su Ruoxi was puzzled, but seeing the gentleness in his eyes, she let the thought pass. She added, "Thanks to your care and adjustments in recent days, it seems my breakthrough is imminent. I am about to cross that heavenly threshold. Once I step into the Xuanji Venerable Realm, I will be able to master the intent of the world, and at that time, I will be able to protect you and our family. However..."

As she spoke, Su Ruoxi's face flushed slightly, like a maiden in the first flush of love. She hesitated, her voice catching.

"This is a companion pill refined alongside the Emperor-grade pill from earlier. It will assist you in your breakthrough. Keep it safe."

Jiang Cheng suddenly produced a Grade Nine pill and handed it to her, causing Su Ruoxi to swallow the words she had been holding back. She had intended to say that as his wife, if she could bear him an heir, now might be the best time. Given their current levels of cultivation, an heir would almost certainly inherit their bloodline and undoubtedly grow into a powerful figure of the next generation.

However, the words died on her lips, feeling ill-timed.

*Ding-dong.* [Detected that the Host has activated Su Ruoxi’s emotions and completed the preliminary stage of heir cultivation. Triggering the Family Return System...]

1. Congratulations to the Host for capturing Su Ruoxi’s favor. Obtained: One copy of the "Taiyin Sutra."
2. By conceiving an heir with the heroine, you can obtain a bottle of "Super Cultivation Serum," capable of activating a powerful bloodline. Suitable for ages 1–6.
3. System detection: The Linglong Saintess is traveling to the Xia Kingdom. She is close to Su Ruoxi and intends to persuade her to return to the Sacred Land. If you can subdue her as well, you will be rewarded with a "Huangji Guardian."
4. System detected the approach of a powerful figure from a Sacred Land. Activating the Emperor-grade weapon, the "Nine Dragon God Sword," used by the Great Emperor to rule heaven and earth with the power of the Nine Dragons.
[Trial phase: Only one-time usage permission granted. Host, please use with caution.]

This news made Jiang Cheng’s brows knit tightly as he looked toward the horizon.

"What is it, Husband? Is something about to happen?" Seeing his expression, which mirrored his behavior on several past occasions, she felt a sense of foreboding and asked.

"It is nothing. It is likely the people from your Linglong Sacred Land. I imagine they are old acquaintances of yours."

Su Ruoxi was perplexed and was about to inquire further when Jiang Cheng handed her a manual.

"This secret manual is suitable for you to use after your breakthrough, so that you do not accumulate an excess of spiritual energy that cannot be released, leading to unnecessary waste."

Su Ruoxi took the manual and saw the words "Taiyin Sutra" written on it. She was stunned, thinking, "Is this not the same Taiyin Sutra I once risked my life to obtain? How does he possess it?"

As she pondered this, she felt more and more that her husband’s background was extraordinary. Her bright eyes turned as she said, "Husband, you are truly full of surprises. This book is perfect for my cultivation; I shall accept it without ceremony. As for some matters, I must remind you."

Jiang Cheng asked, puzzled, "Oh? What matter is so serious, my wife?"

Seeing a hint of hard-to-detect shyness beneath Su Ruoxi’s serious expression, he recalled the system's previous prompt. As expected, Su Ruoxi spoke plainly:

"Since I am your wife, I must think for you. Whether mortal or immortal, if you wish to rise, heirs are essential. Especially given the current situation, surrounded by strong enemies, if we are to choose the best time, it must be before I make my breakthrough. Otherwise, if our descendants cannot inherit a powerful physique or bloodline, they will be at the mercy of others in the future. We cannot protect them for a lifetime, after all."

Jiang Cheng, who had been calm and composed, looked at the delicate and shy Su Ruoxi. The determination in her eyes made him admire her, confirming that he had not chosen the wrong woman.

Just as the two slowly stepped out of the room, a clap of thunder shattered the sky halfway along their path. Dark clouds gathered, and a terrifying aura descended, so overwhelming that no one dared to look up...