108: Yi Qingwu's request

The moment Yan Ruyu stepped into the Fairy Hall, the entire atmosphere within the hall softened. Her gaze was gentle and inclusive, as if it could soothe all unease and anxiety. Her steps were light, yet she carried an invisible aura that made one feel warm involuntarily.

The infant in her arms slept peacefully, its small face pink and tender, like an exquisite piece of art. Yan Ruyu gently stroked the infant's cheek, her eyes full of maternal love.

"Sisters, welcome to Goddess Peak." Yan Ruyu's voice was as pleasant as a clear spring, carrying a hint of faint tenderness. "I am Yan Ruyu, and you can consider me your elder sister. I heard that you are currently unwilling to become my husband's Dao Companions, so I specifically came over to see you."

Her tone was gentle, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty. Her gaze swept over the crowd, finally resting on Yi Qingwu and the others, as she gave a slight smile. "You must be the Saintesses of the Ziwei Star Domain? Indeed, every one of you is a peerless Prodigy."

Yi Qingwu and the others looked at Yan Ruyu, their hearts filled with both shock and complexity. They had never imagined that there would be a woman with such an aura within Goddess Peak. Her appearance seemed to let them see another possibility.

Yan Ruyu walked slowly to the front of the group and sat down gently, the infant in her arms still sleeping peacefully. She looked up at Yi Qingwu and the others, her tone gentle but with a hint of deep meaning:

"I know you have much resentment and many doubts in your hearts. But what I want to tell you is that life on Goddess Peak is not as terrible as you imagine. Although my husband is forceful, he treats us very well. Becoming his Dao Companion not only allows you to improve your own strength but also grants you supreme Opportunities."

As her voice fell, the hall became silent. Yi Qingwu and the others looked at each other, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

Yan Ruyu continued, "I know it's difficult for you to accept all at once. But time will prove everything. Once you truly integrate into life on Goddess Peak, you will understand that it is not as frightening as you imagine."

Her tone carried a maternal inclusiveness and understanding, as if she could see through everyone's heart. Her presence seemed to open a new door for Yi Qingwu and the others, allowing them to see another possibility.

Yan Ruyu's arrival softened the atmosphere in the Fairy Hall significantly. Although Yi Qingwu and the others still felt resentful, they had to admit that Yan Ruyu's words were not without merit.

Faced with Yan Ruyu's persuasion, the same scene simultaneously flashed through the minds of Yi Qingwu, Princess Yueshi, Yan Qingmei, Fairy Qingxue, and the other Saintesses—the sight they had seen when passing by the Nourishing Life Hall. Those Saintesses, who were once as proud as themselves, now had rounded bellies, their faces overflowing with the glow of motherhood. Perhaps they too had struggled and resisted, but in the end, they chose to yield under the temptation of benefits and the pressure of reality.

A trace of complex emotion began to well up in the hearts of Yi Qingwu and the others. They were unwilling to be reduced to Ye Wen's Dao Companions, but they also had to admit that Yan Ruyu's words were not entirely without reason. The treatment and Opportunities of Goddess Peak, and even future freedom, seemed to be beckoning to them.

Just then, a Saintess plucked up her courage and asked in a low voice, "If we become Ye Wen's Dao Companions, will we be restricted to Goddess Peak for the rest of our lives, reduced to nothing more than vessels for bearing offspring?"

Her voice carried a hint of trembling, clearly filled with fear and unease about her future fate. The other Saintesses also looked up one after another, their eyes full of anticipation and anxiety, waiting for Yan Ruyu's answer.

Hearing their question, Yan Ruyu couldn't help but chuckle, her smile carrying a hint of tenderness and understanding. She gently patted the infant in her arms and spoke in a relaxed and natural tone, "You all are overthinking. Although my husband is forceful, he is not unreasonable. After becoming his Dao Companion, you only need to stay on Goddess Peak for one year. During this year, you conceive a child, and after the child is born, stay until the child is one month old. After that, you are free to leave Goddess Peak and return to visit your parents, or even return to your Sects or Families."

As her voice fell, the hall instantly erupted into an uproar. The Saintesses looked at each other, their eyes full of surprise and disbelief.

"Can we really leave?" a Saintess couldn't help but ask, her voice carrying a hint of hope.

Yan Ruyu nodded, her tone firm. "Of course. My husband never restricts our freedom. In fact, many sisters have returned to their respective Sects or Families after conceiving. However, in the end, they all chose to return to Goddess Peak. Not long ago, they all gave birth to children for my husband. There are also some who will give birth in a month or two."

"Why?" another Saintess asked in confusion.

Yan Ruyu smiled slightly, her eyes carrying a hint of deep meaning: "Because life on Goddess Peak is far better than you imagine. Here, there are the top-tier cultivation resources, supreme Opportunities, and my husband's protection. More importantly, our common children are here. Maternal instinct makes us unable to part with all of this."

Yan Ruyu's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up countless ripples. Yi Qingwu and the others fell into deep thought, beginning to weigh the pros and cons in their hearts.

"If it really only takes one year, and we can regain our freedom afterward... it seems not entirely unacceptable," a Saintess murmured softly, her tone carrying a hint of wavering.

"But are we really going to give up our dignity for these benefits?" Yan Qingmei spoke coldly, her eyes still full of resentment.

Fairy Qingxue sighed slightly, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "Dignity and freedom sometimes cannot be had at the same time. Perhaps we need to rethink our choices."

Princess Yueshi gave a cold snort, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. "It's easy to say. Who knows if her words are true or false?"

Yi Qingwu did not speak, but her eyes held a trace of deep contemplation. She knew that Yan Ruyu's words were not without reason, but she also could not easily let go of the pride and persistence in her heart.

Yan Ruyu looked at everyone, her gaze gentle and inclusive. She gently stroked the infant in her arms, her tone carrying a hint of faint emotion. "I know you have much resentment and many doubts. But I want to tell you that becoming my husband's Dao Companion does not mean losing yourself. On the contrary, you will gain more power and freedom. Life on Goddess Peak is far more beautiful than you imagine."

As her voice fell, the atmosphere in the hall became much softer. Although the Saintesses still had doubts in their hearts, they had to admit that Yan Ruyu's words gave them a glimmer of hope.

Yan Ruyu's persuasion made Yi Qingwu and the others begin to rethink their future.

They had already refused once before. Now that the person in charge of Goddess Peak—the married woman before them—had personally come to persuade them, they didn't know how they would be treated in the future if they refused her again.

But they understood that on Goddess Peak, they were no longer in control of their own fates.

Yi Qingwu looked at Yan Ruyu, her heart struggling immensely. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, "Give us three days. During these three days, we must be able to walk freely on this mountain peak. We need to see for ourselves if it is as you say."

Hearing Yi Qingwu's request, Yan Ruyu revealed a smile.

"Of course." Faced with Yi Qingwu's request, Yan Ruyu agreed without hesitation.