146: Chapter 146 Returning to Haotian Gate

"Queen of Dayue, has your injury healed?" Xiang Tian raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

The woman before him was the dignified ruler of the Dayue Kingdom.

Yet, at this moment, she wore the expression of a young maiden.

"My name is Yue Lin; do not call me Queen of Dayue." Yue Lin's cheeks flushed even redder.

"Queen of Dayue!" Xiang Ting hurriedly stood up.

She cupped her hands in a salute toward Yue Lin.

Ouyang Miaomiao and the others nearby also quickly wiped the smiles from their faces.

They followed suit with a salute, not daring to show the slightest bit of disrespect.

"You all don't need to do this!" Yue Lin hurriedly waved her hands.

"Here, there is only Yue Lin, not the Queen of Dayue."

As she spoke, her gaze grew increasingly tender.

"Here, I am merely Xiang Tian's fiancée."

She walked quickly to Xiang Tian's side and cautiously took his arm.

Then, she lowered her head, her ears burning red.

She did not dare to meet the gazes of the others.

Seeing this, Xiang Tian couldn't help but find it amusing.

He reached out and gently pinched her smooth cheek.

He teased, "Oh my, this face is truly smooth."

Touched so intimately by him, Yue Lin's cheeks flushed crimson.

Her delicate body trembled slightly, but she did not pull away.

"Xiang Tian, Yue Lin has put aside her status as a ruler of a nation to treat you sincerely. Being so frivolous is not kind of you." Xiang Ting glared at Xiang Tian helplessly.

"Aunt, I am clearly just flirting with her!" Xiang Tian shrugged indifferently.

He naturally pulled Yue Lin into his arms, his movements fluid.

Yue Lin stiffened, ripples of emotion stirring in her heart.

As the Queen of Dayue, she held a high position.

No one had ever dared to be this intimate with her, yet being held by Xiang Tian now, she had no thought of resisting at all.

"Aunt, you all go ahead and chat; I'm going to take Yue Lin inside to have a word."

Xiang Tian looked down at the bashful woman in his arms.

With a flash of movement, he took Yue Lin into a nearby room, leaving the smiling women in the courtyard behind.

Days spent surrounded by beauties and filled with tenderness were exceptionally pleasant.

Not many days later, the Prince of Equal Rank Mansion for Xiang Tian was completed.

He did not linger, deciding immediately to return to the Haotian Sect.

Yue Lin, eager to deepen her relationship with Xiang Tian, proactively suggested returning to the Haotian Sect with him.

Xiang Tian naturally did not refuse and readily agreed.

As the two stepped into the territory of the Haotian Sect, an aged figure suddenly appeared out of thin air, blocking their path.

The man was dressed in a simple Daoist robe, his hair and beard completely white.

It was the Grand Elder of the Haotian Sect.

The Grand Elder's gaze skipped straight past Xiang Tian and fixed firmly on Yue Lin, his eyes complex.

There was shock, a daze, and a hint of indescribable melancholy.

After a long while, he murmured, "Too similar... truly too similar..."

He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

Finally, he asked the question that had been buried in his heart for many years.

"What relation is the Master Yue Yao to you?"

"You know my maternal grandmother?" Upon hearing this, Yue Lin's brows knit together.

"What? The Master Yue Yao... she is already married?" The Grand Elder's eyes dimmed instantly.

He whispered, "She actually got married..."

As he spoke, he turned around.

Looking distraught, he began to walk toward the depths of the Haotian Sect.

"Wait!" Yue Lin hurriedly called out to stop him.

But the Grand Elder acted as if he hadn't heard, his footsteps not pausing in the slightest.

"Is your name Supreme Elder Yan Shang?" When Yue Lin's voice rang out again, the Grand Elder's body jolted, and his footsteps halted abruptly.

So many years had passed.

To think someone still remembered his name...

He slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Yue Lin once more.

His brows were tightly locked.

"How do you know my name?"

"Are you... are you really my maternal grandfather?" Yue Lin's eyes instantly turned red.

Her voice choked up, and she wept with joy.

The name her grandmother had muttered her entire life, the person she had talked about her entire life...

was actually right before her!

Only then did Supreme Elder Yan Shang look at Yue Lin carefully.

His gaze swept slowly over her features; the more he looked, the more shocked and excited he became.

His body trembled uncontrollably.

"You... you truly carry my Bloodline!"

"Grandfather~" Yue Lin could no longer hold back; she ran over quickly.

She threw herself into Supreme Elder Yan Shang's arms and began to sob, losing all the dignity of her former position as a ruler.

"Good child, good child..." Supreme Elder Yan Shang patted her back gently.

His own eyes welled up with tears, and the regrets and pent-up emotions buried in his heart for years vanished in this moment.

"So you are the granddaughter of her and me, so..."

Xiang Tian, standing on the side, had been watching in stunned silence, his eyes wide open.

He felt shocked and speechless.

This was too coincidental, right?

He just brought back a woman, and she turned out to be the granddaughter of the Haotian Sect's Grand Elder?

This luck was simply Heaven-Defying!

Supreme Elder Yan Shang gently stroked Yue Lin's head.

"Child, your grandmother... is she doing well?"

Yue Lin raised her head and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

She said slowly, "After establishing the Dayue Kingdom, Grandmother returned to the Central Plains. Not long ago, Mother and Father also set off for the Central Plains to reunite with Grandmother."

She paused, her expression becoming complex.

She added softly, "Grandfather, Grandmother has been waiting for you all these years. She said that you only suffered damage to your cultivation back then and were just discouraged for a time; as long as you are willing to return to the Central Plains, she will accompany you to find a way to heal your wounds and restore your cultivation."

She had long heard about her grandfather's deeds from her grandmother.

When he was young, he was also a Prodigy in his own right, with peerless elegance.

It was a pity that he later suffered a heavy blow, and his cultivation plummeted, forcing him to live in seclusion at the Haotian Sect.

However, having just reunited, bringing up these old matters would ruin the atmosphere too much.

"Grandfather, can you take me around the Haotian Sect? I want to see where you live."

Yue Lin held onto Supreme Elder Yan Shang's arm.

She had no reservations, acting like a spoiled little girl.

"Good, good, good! Whatever you wish!" Supreme Elder Yan Shang was full of doting, nodding repeatedly.

He had never imagined that in his lifetime, he would be able to enjoy such family happiness.

All the past regrets dissipated in this moment.

As they spoke, the two walked side by side toward the depths of the Haotian Sect.

Whispering secrets to each other, they completely forgot there was someone else nearby.

Only Xiang Tian was left standing in place, messy in the wind.

His mouth twitched uncontrollably, and he shook his head helplessly.

He could only turn and walk toward Xiahou Peak.

Since no one was paying attention to him, he would go find Xiahou Yu and Duanmu Hongdie first.

"System, can you detect what is wrong with the Grand Elder's body?"

Xiang Tian asked the pit-digging System in his heart while walking.

[Hmm... it's a bit difficult, but ultimately, it depends on how many face-slapping points you are willing to pay.] The System quickly responded.

"Cut the crap, exactly how many points are needed?" Xiang Tian rolled his eyes, his tone impatient.

[According to this System's precise calculations, at his peak, Supreme Elder Yan Shang's cultivation reached the Saint Realm.]

Xiang Tian was slightly startled, but then he returned to calm.

To be able to come from the Central Plains and become a Grand Elder of the Haotian Sect, his cultivation would naturally not be low; the Saint Realm was within reason.

[Furthermore, because the injuries on his body are old, affecting his Origin, it would originally require 10 million face-slapping points to be completely healed. However, considering you are not exactly well-off, this System is being merciful and giving you a fifty percent discount!]

"5 million?!" Xiang Tian almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.

"Where is this a fifty percent discount? This is lion-like extortion! 5 million points, why don't you just go rob someone!"

[This System has this price, take it or leave it. However, seeing as you are so pathetic, I can waive the fee for you once.] The System's tone became playful again.

Xiang Tian's eyes lit up instantly, and he hurriedly asked.

"What do I need to do to get the fee waived?" 5 million points was not a small amount; if he could get it waived, that would naturally be best.

[It's very simple, you Dual Cultivate with this System once, and these points will be completely waived.]

Xiang Tian stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

His face instantly turned dark.

"You are a System, not a real person; Dual Cultivate with me? How are you any different from those inflatable dolls?" He currently had beauties in his arms and wives in groups. He didn't want to mess around with a System.

[Host! You dare call this System an inflatable doll?!] The System exploded in anger.

The next second, the figure of a pretty young girl appeared out of thin air.

Rolling up her sleeves, she lunged at Xiang Tian.

[See if I don't beat you to death, you foul-mouthed guy!]

"Holy crap!"

Xiang Tian was startled and immediately turned to run.

He wailed while running.

Amidst the bickering between the man and the System, Xiang Tian unknowingly returned to Xiahou Peak.

"Xiang Tian, you're back?"

Xiahou Yu was stunned to see Xiang Tian's figure.

She then walked up quickly.

But seeing him running and dodging, she was full of confusion.

"What's wrong with you? What have you been dodging?"

"Ah! Xiaoyu!"

Xiang Tian snapped back to reality and realized he had run to the top of Xiahou Peak.

"Big Brother System, let's discuss the Dual Cultivation matter later; you have to give me some buffer time, right?"

[Hmph! You're sensible enough, this System has recorded your words; don't even think about reneging later!] The System snorted coldly, and its figure instantly disappeared.

Only a tsundere voice remained echoing in the air.

"Xiang Tian!"

Xiahou Yu hurriedly threw herself into Xiang Tian's arms.

She hugged him tightly, her tone intimate.

"Where is Hongdie?" Xiang Tian gently patted her back, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

"What's wrong? Your face looks so bad?" Xiahou Yu noticed his abnormality.

"Hongdie said she wants to take good care of her health, and once you return, she will have children with you."

Xiang Tian's expression remained solemn, and he gently pushed Xiahou Yu away from his arms.

He said softly, "Xiaoyu, I'm sorry to trouble you, but wait for me in the courtyard for a while. I have an important matter to discuss with Hongdie alone."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Xiahou Yu's eyes, but she still nodded obediently.

She said softly, "I understand, go ahead, don't worry about me."

As she spoke, she walked to the stone table in the courtyard and sat down.

Waiting quietly, she had no complaints at all.

Xiang Tian took a deep breath, suppressing the thoughts in his heart.

He turned and walked into the room, gently closing the door.

"Xiang Tian, you finally returned!"

Seeing him, Duanmu Hongdie immediately jumped up from the floor.

She ran to his side.

"Tell me, did you go out and flirt with other women again?"

"Hongdie, there is something I need to tell you." Xiang Tian did not respond to her teasing.

His expression remained serious, and his tone became heavy.

"What is it? Making it so serious, you scared me." Seeing this, Duanmu Hongdie couldn't help but roll her eyes.

However, she also wiped away her smile and looked at him seriously.

Xiang Tian didn't say anything more; he flipped his palm.

A black flag appeared in his hand.

"This is a flag I am giving to you." As he spoke, he shoved the flag into Duanmu Hongdie's hand, his eyes firm.

Duanmu Hongdie took the flag, and the moment her fingertips touched it.

She couldn't help but frown, her tone full of distaste.

"The aura on this flag is so strange; I don't like it, I don't want it." As she spoke, she tried to return the flag to Xiang Tian.

"No, this is the ten thousand soul banner, you must take it!" Xiang Tian pressed her hand, his face extremely serious.

"It can protect your safety; in critical moments, it can even save your life."

"What? The ten thousand soul banner?" Upon hearing this, Duanmu Hongdie was shocked.

"How do you have something like this?"

"Don't worry about that, just take it first." Xiang Tian's tone remained firm.

"Good, good, good, I'll take it."

Duanmu Hongdie sighed helplessly and stuffed the ten thousand soul banner into her storage ring.

She said casually, "Are you satisfied now?"

"Don't put it away!" Xiang Tian said hurriedly.

He reached out and pressed down on her shoulder.

"Take it out and have it acknowledge you as its master first."

Duanmu Hongdie looked at his serious expression and knew he wasn't joking.

She could only shake her head helplessly.

She took the ten thousand soul banner out of her storage ring.