160: Nine Sons - Emperor Tianming

On this day, Di Yan was reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study.

Suddenly, a Palace Maid from Huo Xin Hall rushed in: "Your Majesty, Consort Yao is about to give birth!"

"Truly?" Di Yan stood up abruptly, tossed aside his vermilion brush, and walked out: "Quick, to Huo Xin Hall!"

The Palace Maid hurried to keep up at a trot.

Before long, the two arrived outside Huo Xin Hall.

Just like when other concubines gave birth, the area was surrounded by over a hundred consorts and concubines, with Liu Susu among them.

Upon seeing Di Yan, Liu Susu hurried to meet him, her voice trembling: "Your Majesty! Quickly go in and take a look, Sister Yueyao is in terrible pain, I'm panicking just watching!"

Di Yan's heart tightened, but he maintained a calm exterior, gently patting her hand: "Don't worry, I'm going in now. You are also heavily pregnant, go back to your palace and rest first, don't stay here and be frightened."

Liu Susu bit her lip and shook her head, refusing to leave.

Di Yan said no more and turned to enter the inner hall.

A heavy scent of blood mixed with a faint, exotic fragrance hit him, and the atmosphere was exceptionally oppressive.

Several mid-wife Palace Maids surrounded the bed, their foreheads covered in sweat; though their movements were steady, their expressions were unusually grave.

Mu Xuanyin stood by the bedside, using a silk handkerchief soaked in immortal spring water to wipe Ming Yueyao's sweat, her brow full of worry.

On the bed, Ming Yueyao's face, which was usually cold and peerlessly beautiful, was now incredibly pale, slightly distorted by the intense pain.

Fine beads of cold sweat kept seeping from her temples, wetting her hair.

She bit her lip hard, already drawing blood, only letting out muffled groans suppressed to the extreme.

Her dark, beautiful eyes would sometimes lose focus and sometimes sharpen, as she struggled to find a focal point.

"Your Majesty." Seeing Di Yan enter, Mu Xuanyin quickly stood up and lowered her voice: "Yueyao has a special Physique, and giving birth is much more difficult than for an ordinary consort. Her Origin consumption is too great; if this continues, I'm afraid..."

Di Yan strode to the bedside and leaned over to hold Ming Yueyao's cold hand.

"Yueyao, I am here."

Di Yan's voice was deep and powerful, carrying a reassuring steadiness.

Ming Yueyao's vacant gaze finally converged, falling on his face.

Seeing it was him, a faint light instantly lit up in her pain-filled eyes.

Her pale lips struggled to curve, forming a very slight arc.

"Your... Your Majesty." Her voice was as thin as silk, filled with deep satisfaction and expectation: "I have finally waited for this day, our child..."

"Don't speak, save your strength." Di Yan gripped her hand, slowly channeling a gentle and pure stream of immortal essence into her body, helping her stabilize her nearly collapsing Origin: "I am here with you. Both you and the child will be safe."

Perhaps Di Yan's comfort worked, or perhaps the fetus sensed its father's presence, as the restlessness in Ming Yueyao's womb settled slightly.

She took a deep breath, a look of determination flashing in her eyes, gathered her last bit of strength, and pushed following the midwife's guidance.

"Your Highness, push! The head is out!"

"Hold on just a bit longer, it's almost done!"

Time passed slowly in the torment.

Only Ming Yueyao's suppressed groans of pain and the midwife's tense instructions remained in the hall.

Di Yan held her hand the whole time, never letting go.

Finally.

[Ding! Evernight Nether Queen Ming Yueyao has given birth to your first child!]

[Congratulations to the host, you have gained one lottery chance!]

"Waa—!"

A loud and robust infant cry broke the stagnant air in the hall!

Ming Yueyao's whole body relaxed, slumped limply on the bed, her chest still slightly rising and falling, proving she was still awake.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Highness! It's a healthy little prince!"

The midwife wept with joy, quickly picking up the infant wrapped in soft immortal silk.

Compared to the others' tension, she was the one most afraid.

Fortunately, mother and child were safe, and her heart, which had been in her throat, finally settled down.

Di Yan took the child; he felt slightly heavy in his arms.

The little fellow wasn't shy either; the crying gradually stopped, and his little mouth even moved a bit.

He gently placed the child by Ming Yueyao's pillow.

Ming Yueyao turned her head, her gaze falling on the child's face, an unprecedentedly soft radiance blooming on her pale face.

"Your Majesty, our child." Her voice was very light, full of joy.

"Yes, our child." Di Yan stroked the wet hair on her forehead and said softly: "You've worked hard. Let's give the child a name."

Ming Yueyao's gaze shifted between the child and Di Yan. After a moment of contemplation, she said softly: "Tianming. What does Your Majesty think of Di Tianming?"

[Name: Di Tianming]

[Cultivation: None]

[Physique: Absolute Beginning Nether Sky Physique]

[Identity: Ninth Son of Di Yan, Son of Ming Yueyao]

[Luck: 888888888888888+]

[...]

Di Yan nodded with a smile, a flash of approval in his eyes: "Di Tianming, a good name."

"'Tian' represents the highest and broadest; 'Ming' represents the deepest and most profound."

"This name has both the ambition to reach the heavens and contains the root Origin, aligning with the Yin and Yang of the Great Dao. It is very good."

Receiving Di Yan's affirmation, the smile on Ming Yueyao's face deepened.

She closed her eyes contentedly and said weakly: "Your Majesty, I am so tired, I want to sleep for a while."

"Sleep, get some good rest," Di Yan said softly. "I am here for everything."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ming Yueyao had already fallen into a deep sleep, her breathing gradually becoming even, though her face was still pale, clearly from excessive exhaustion.

[Name: Ming Yueyao]

[Cultivation: Peak Saint Emperor]

[Taboo Identity: Evernight Nether Queen]

[Status: Memory Awakening in progress]

[Destined Son of Destiny: Jin Wuya]

[Title: Lord of Eternal Cinder]

[Luck Interception Progress: 100%]

[...]

Di Yan stayed in Huo Xin Hall for another hour. After confirming Ming Yueyao's aura was stable and his son was safe and sound, he quietly got up and returned to the Imperial Study.

As soon as Di Yan sat down, his mind moved: "System, use the lottery chance."

[Ding! Congratulations to the host, you have obtained one character summoning card!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host, you have obtained one hundred thousand Annihilation Army!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host, you have obtained a Grade Nine Immortal Rank Secret Realm—Ten Thousand Dao Source Court]

The Ten Thousand Dao Source Court contains the legacies of nine Immortal Emperors, thirty-six Immortal Venerables, one hundred and eight Immortal Emperors, and three thousand Immortal Kings. Those destined can obtain the legacies by passing the trials.

In addition, it also has battle formation areas, the Illusionary Heart Realm, the Dao Inquiry Steps, the Bloodline Origin Pool, and other precious lands beneficial for cultivation.

Scattered within the Secret Realm are Source Crystals, heaven and earth energy crystals unique to the Ten Thousand Dao Source Court.

Absorbing Source Crystals can not only rapidly increase cultivation but also cause a qualitative change in a Cultivator's power, imbuing it with some ancient Origin characteristics, paving the way for the future.

In short, the opportunities inside are countless, just waiting to be explored.

Looking at the three rewards floating in the System space, a sharp light flashed in Di Yan's eyes.

"System, use the character summoning card."

[Ding! Used successfully, summoning the Flying General—Li Guang!]

The space within the Imperial Study distorted slightly, and a figure materialized from void to reality.

The newcomer was eight feet tall, with a resolute face and slightly frosted temples. His tiger-like eyes flashed with restrained brilliance as they opened and closed, harboring the sharpness and vicissitudes of a hundred battles.

He wore black patterned battle armor, carried an ancient-styled great bow on his back, and had a precious sword hanging at his waist. Although he stood quietly, he possessed the imposing air of a formidable general, steady as a mountain.

Upon seeing Di Yan, Li Guang did not hesitate, kneeling on one knee and clasping his fists, saying in a deep voice: "this humble general, Li Guang, greets Your Majesty! I am willing to die for Your Majesty, to expand the territory, and would not hesitate even through ten thousand deaths!"

"General, please rise." Di Yan raised his hand to support him, feeling very satisfied in his heart.

He naturally knew Li Guang's name—skilled in archery and horsemanship, the bravest of the three armies, and what was even rarer was that loyalty and integrity.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Guang rose and stood respectfully with his hands at his sides.

[Name: Li Guang]

[Cultivation: Golden Immortal Late Stage]

[Weapon: Soul-Chasing Blood-Drinking Bow]

[Dao: Soul-Chasing]

[...]

"Li Guang, if you perform at full strength, what level can your combat power reach?" Di Yan asked.

Li Guang pondered for a moment, Battle Intent rising in his tiger-like eyes: "To answer Your Majesty, this humble general is skilled in archery and close-quarters combat. In a one-on-one fight, I can match a Middle Stage Immortal King."

"If supported by a battle formation, I can contend with a Late Stage Immortal King powerhouse, and even find an Opportunity to heavily injure the opponent!"