Qingxue is about to give birth!
“Finally, I’ve broken through to the eighth-rank!”
Inside the cave, wind surged with power.
Hu Xiao clenched his fists, subtly sensing the meridians within his body.
His blood and qi were full, like surging rivers!
Vast demonic power spread outwards, and the wind in the four directions of the passage blew, gently carrying dust out of the cave.
All the wind currents surged in, as if moving at his will, completely under his control. Hu Xiao manipulated the mountain's winds, calming the fierce gales within the mountain range.
The eighth-rank was a crucial watershed for the demon race!
As the saying goes:
Clouds follow the dragon, and wind follows the tiger.
Now at the eighth-rank level, the wind power he could command was extraordinary!
Mountain winds billowing, riding the wind to gain momentum, overturning clouds and stirring seas… none of it was a problem.
“The eighth-rank is already this powerful; I wonder what it will be like at the ninth-rank?”
Hu Xiao pondered, stepping out of the cave.
As soon as he walked out the door, he ran head-on into Xiong Da and Xiong Er.
“Good heavens, this demonic power… has the King’s strength increased again?”
Xiong Er scratched his head, sniffing the demonic power within the stone chamber, fanning his nose as he said, “The wind outside is so strong, I came all this way and almost got blown away by the King.”
The words had barely left his mouth when, “Splat!” Xiong Da delivered a direct, powerful slap!
“How dare you speak like that! I told you, if you can’t speak properly, then shut up!”
Saying this, he knelt on the ground, respectfully cupping his hands and bowing, “Congratulations, King! Your strength has ascended to another level!
Now, the entire Tiger King Territory is enveloped in your aura! Those little demons who just pledged allegiance earlier were all scared senseless by you!”
“Scared senseless? Good, that saves this King the trouble of asserting dominance again.”
Hu Xiao calmly shook his head, transforming into a vibrant, fierce tiger, leisurely walking to the cliffside to look down from above, surveying the demons in the mountains.
He saw the rugged mountain paths.
Demons were densely packed—tigers, leopards, snakes, fish—clamoring as if on a pilgrimage, and as if sensing something, they all looked up at Hu Xiao above.
The fierce tiger stood on the cliff, looking down, his aura majestic.
The demons below, some awestruck, some fearful, thus expressed their reverence.
Now that Hu Xiao had broken through to the eighth-rank, his position was finally solidified, and his strength was beyond doubt.
“It’s about time to reap some benefits.”
Hu Xiao’s gaze swept across the distant mountains.
Now that his strength had advanced, if he didn’t go and reap a wave of benefits from his surrounding ‘neighbors’… wouldn’t that be like wearing fine clothes at night?
At this thought, Hu Xiao turned to look at Xiong Da.
“Speaking of which, this King has been busy with breakthroughs these past few days and has been a bit neglectful. Little Ruyan’s first birthday celebration… hasn’t been held yet, has it?”
As soon as he spoke, “Celebrate her first birthday?”
Xiong Da’s beast ears twitched, his eyes rolled, and he immediately understood, respectfully saying, “King, do you mean to hold a first birthday banquet?”
“Precisely, and make it grand.”
Hu Xiao’s gaze swept across the mountains as he said in a deep voice, “Pass down the order to send invitations to all the great demons in the vicinity and invite them all here!”
“Yes, King! Your subordinate will go at once!”
A moment later, the two Xiong brothers set out, relaying the command to the messengers. Before long, the news of the banquet spread throughout the mountains like wildfire.
Time flowed by leisurely.
The next day, at dusk, the setting sun dipped below the mountaintop, and the pavilions and buildings were brightly lit.
Great demons from all directions gathered, led by Golden Feather, Wolf, and many other seventh-rank great demons. Caravans stretched endlessly along the mountain road, holding high torches, like a fiery dragon winding through the mountains.
Inside the cave, beside the sandalwood table, a feast of mountain delicacies and rare foods was laid out.
Hu Xiao held Little Ruyan, seated at the head of the table.
Luo Shuiyan and Qingxue stood on either side, like beautiful paintings under theGlass lamp (glazed lanterns).
Around the banquet table, all the great demons were gathered.
“Congratulations, King Hu!”
Red Snake twisted his body, his tail holding a golden cup, and respectfully said, “Yesterday’s spectacle was magnificent, witnessed by all. King Hu’s strength has advanced further!”
“The King truly has double happiness.”
Golden Feather, the great demon, also nodded, his gaze falling upon the adorable Little Princess, and he praised, “Today also happens to be the Little Princess’s first birthday banquet. It is truly a great fortune in a demon’s life.”
“A happy wife and child, a harmonious family!”
Brother Hu is truly a winner in the demon world!”
Wolf wagged his tail, looking enviously at Hu Xiao’s family, raising his wine cup, and loudly declared, “This younger brother will drink this first as a toast!”
Gulp.
He downed it in one go.
The great demons at the table also followed suit, raising their cups and drinking them down.
The atmosphere gradually became lively.
“Excellent, you all are thoughtful!”
Hu Xiao held up his cup, with Little Ruyan in his arms, “Today is my daughter’s first birthday banquet. Please eat to your heart’s content.”
“Daddy, drink less wine…”
Little Ruyan raised her small hand to touch the golden cup, blinking her eyes, and softly mumbled, “Don’t get too drunk…”
“Yes, Daddy will listen to Ruyan.”
Hu Xiao hugged Little Ruyan, dotingly saying, “You go look outside later… see if there are any toys you like, and just pick them out.”
“Okay!”
After eating for a while, Luo Shuiyan and Qingxue took Little Ruyan to pick out gifts outside the door.
Hu Xiao discussed trivial matters in the mountains with the great demons. After three rounds of drinks, the banquet in the cave was nearing its end.
“Where is Bai Yun, that Vixen?”
Hu Xiao, slightly tipsy, casually asked, “Does anyone have news of her?”
“Brother Hu! Bai Xiangu is currently in seclusion in her territory, nursing her injuries, and hasn’t come out for a long time!”
Upon hearing this, Wolf replied ingratiatingly, “You really beat her half to death last time, injuring her tendons and bones. Who knows how long it will take for her to recover…”
“Nursing injuries?”
Hearing this, Hu Xiao said nothing more, only pondering briefly.
That Vixen was lurking in the shadows. He still needed to take the time to be more vigilant, just in case. When the time came, he would give her another shot to eliminate future troubles once and for all.
Another month passed in a flash.
June, the essence of yang.
The earth steamed with heat, the air shimmered, cicadas chirped in the forests, and the dry wind swept through the mountains. The scorching sun hung high in the sky.
“Come, Ruyan!”
“Try to guide the fire essence into your acupoints.”
Hu Xiao accompanied Little Ruyan, enjoying a spring outing, practicing the Fire Severing Sword Manual. The surrounding fire energy was brewing.
On the dry open ground, the temperature suddenly rose, and water vapor boiled.
“Are you tired?”
Hu Xiao squatted down beside Little Ruyan, picking her up, and softly said, “Do you want to rest for a bit?”
“Not tired, Daddy…”
Little Ruyan looked at the scorching sun in the sky, a smile on her lips, and squinted her eyes, saying, “The sun is so warm, Ruyan isn’t tired at all.”
“Good, good, Little Ruyan is becoming more and more sensible.”
Hu Xiao rubbed his daughter’s little head.
The Fire Spirit Body was extraordinary. It inherently possessed the ability to raise fire and swallow the sun.
With such a powerful physique, Little Ruyan didn’t even need to do anything; just by sitting under the sun, it was equivalent to cultivation, as she could naturally absorb the essence of the blazing sun.
She was truly destined to be an Empress!
Just then, Little Ruyan suddenly looked to the southeast, pointing down the hillside.
“Mother, she’s here…”
“Hmm?” Hu Xiao looked over upon hearing this.
He saw Luo Shuiyan, draped in a light gauze robe, her brows tightly furrowed, hurrying up the hillside, her expression flustered and helpless.
“King! Sister Qingxue is about to give birth!!!”