15: Encourage childbirth!

Su Xuanchen's fingers lightly traced the cold rim of his teacup.

He watched with leisurely composure the figure not far away, who had curled herself into the shadows, like a startled Persian cat that still had its claws out.

Gu Lingshuang.

The future Myriad Tribulations Empress.

Now, she was his prisoner.

"The fiercer this little wildcat gets, the more interesting she becomes."

Su Xuanchen chuckled inwardly, his thoughts shifting slightly.

A virtual screen only he could see quietly unfolded before his eyes.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the stage mission [Dominate the Northern Wastes]. Family prestige has greatly increased!"

"Issuing the [Family Grand Gift Pack] to the host..."

The System's notification was cold yet pleasant to the ear.

Su Xuanchen's face remained expressionless.

The next second, a dazzling golden gift pack exploded before his eyes!

"Congratulations, host, for obtaining: Saint-Grade Family palace [Purple Heaven Palace]!"

"Congratulations, host, for obtaining: Saint-level clan-protecting grand formation [Zhou Tian Star Formation]!"

"Congratulations, host, for obtaining: Three thousand Void Breaking Realm death warriors (absolutely loyal)!"

"Congratulations, host, for obtaining: Thirty Eternal Realm Dao Protector (absolutely loyal)!"

"Congratulations, host, for obtaining: A vast quantity of Medicinal Pill resources (First to Seventh Grade)!"

A series of rewards poured down like a reversed heavenly river, crashing heavily upon Su Xuanchen's heart.

Even with his current status as a Saint, seeing this list made his breath quicken involuntarily for a moment.

A Saint-Grade palace! A Saint-level grand formation!

Three thousand Void Breaking Realm death warriors! Thirty Eternal Realm Dao Protector!

This was no longer a simple reward; it was forcefully stuffing the standard equipment of a top-tier power directly into the Su Family's pocket!

With these, the Su Family's weakness of having few powerful experts was instantly remedied!

"The System has really gone all out this time."

Su Xuanchen sighed inwardly, his gaze sweeping over the vast quantity of pill resources.

His line of sight paused slightly on two items among them.

myriad tribulation pill.

Dao Comprehension Pill.

A playful smile curled at the corner of Su Xuanchen's mouth.

He willed it.

Two pills materialized at his fingertips.

One was entirely translucent, with what seemed like countless tribulation lightnings flickering within, emanating an aura that would make even Eternal Realm experts shudder.

The other was shrouded in Chaos, its Dao charm natural and innate. Just a glance at it seemed capable of plunging one into a state of Dao comprehension.

He deliberately held the two pills in his palm, as if examining some rare curiosities.

"Ah."

He let out a soft sigh. The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Gu Lingshuang's ears.

"Having too many things is also a kind of trouble."

Gu Lingshuang's tightly closed eyes abruptly snapped open.

She shot Su Xuanchen a cold glance, her eyes filled with disdain and contempt.

"Putting on an act."

In her view, this was just another lowly tactic this scoundrel was using to humiliate her.

However.

When her gaze fell upon those two pills.

The disdain on her face instantly froze.

"myriad tribulation pill?!"

Gu Lingshuang exclaimed in shock, her icy phoenix eyes revealing astonishment for the first time!

As a former empress, how could she not recognize this Seventh Grade pill!

It was a supreme treasure pill used by Eternal Realm experts to withstand Heart Demon Tribulations and Heavenly Lightning Tribulations when breaking through to higher realms!

Any single one that circulated outside would be enough to make countless Eternal Realm Venerables fight over it desperately!

How could he have something like this?!

However, this was just the beginning.

When her gaze shifted to the other pill shrouded in Chaos.

Her pupils abruptly contracted to pinpricks!

That dense, almost tangible Dao charm, that aura that seemed capable of making one achieve Sainthood instantly... "Dao... Dao Comprehension Pill?!"

Gu Lingshuang's voice completely changed its tone, carrying shock and disbelief!

This was a legendary item!

Its value far exceeded even that of ordinary Saint Weapons!

Even she, in her previous life before ascending to the imperial throne, had never obtained such a Heaven-Defying treasure!

For a moment, her mind went blank.

She jerked her head up, staring fixedly at Su Xuanchen, her gaze as if looking at a demon god from another world.

This man... who exactly was he?!

How many more secrets were hidden on him?!

Seeing her devastated, worldview-shattered expression, the smile on Su Xuanchen's lips deepened.

He put away the pills, stood up, and brushed off nonexistent dust from his clothes.

"Let's go. I'll take you to meet the Elders of my Su Family."

He spoke indifferently, then turned and left.

Gu Lingshuang stood rigidly in place. It took a long time for her to recover from the immense shock.

She watched Su Xuanchen's retreating back, and for the first time, a trace of an emotion called "wariness" surfaced in her eyes.

This man was mysterious, powerful, and unfathomable.

She vaguely had a premonition.

Perhaps all future variables would originate from him.

Tianyan City, Su Family.

Inside the clan meeting hall, the atmosphere was extremely heated.

Dozens of Su Family Elders, all with radiant faces and high spirits, gathered together, excitedly discussing the Family's bright future.

When Su Xuanchen's figure appeared on the main seat.

All the clamor ceased abruptly.

"We pay our respects to the Old Ancestor!"

Led by Clan Chief Su Jingyuan and Grand Elder Su Tieyan, all the Elders bowed in unison, their voices filled with heartfelt fervor and reverence.

"All rise."

Su Xuanchen raised his hand slightly, his gaze sweeping across the assembly.

"You have all worked hard in this battle."

His voice was calm, yet it made the Elders below straighten their backs, feeling honored.

"I, Su Xuanchen, keep my word."

"The promise made before the battle—tenfold rewards—will be fulfilled today."

He looked at Su Tieyan.

"Where is Su Tieyan?"

Su Tieyan immediately stepped forward, his body trembling slightly with excitement.

"Tieyan is here!"

Su Xuanchen flicked his finger.

A dazzling Storage Ring landed precisely in Su Tieyan's hand.

"You slew three Eternal Realm experts of the Gu Family, your merit is supreme."

"Inside is a Seventh Grade myriad tribulation pill, as well as cultivation resources equivalent in value to ten myriad tribulation pills."

"May it help you advance another step."

Boom!

These words struck the hearts of all the Elders like a heavy hammer!

Tenfold!

It really was tenfold!

And it was the myriad tribulation pill!

Everyone's breathing became heavy at that moment, their eyes filled with undisguised envy and jealousy.

Su Tieyan was so excited his old face flushed red. He held the ring, feeling its weight like Mount Tai.

His legs gave way, and he knelt heavily on the ground, his voice choked with emotion.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Old Ancestor!"

"Tieyan is willing to spare no effort and die ten thousand deaths for the Old Ancestor and the Su Family!"

Su Xuanchen nodded with satisfaction.

"All other participants in the battle will also receive heavy rewards, to be distributed by the Clan Chief later."

He paused, his voice suddenly rising.

"Furthermore, I announce three new clan decrees!"

All the Elders immediately held their breath and focused.

"First!"

"From today onward, the cultivation resources for every member of the entire clan will be increased tenfold!"

Whoosh!

The hall erupted in an uproar, followed by earth-shaking ecstasy.

"Second!"

"All clansmen, including you Elders, must regularly accept missions issued by the Family, whether it be slaying Vicious Beasts or exterminating hostile forces, to hone practical combat skills!"

"The Su Family does not raise useless people!"

The Elders' expressions turned solemn as they responded in unison, "We obey!"

"Third!"

A meaningful smile curled at the corner of Su Xuanchen's mouth.

"Encourage procreation!"

"For all Su Family clansmen who bear offspring, the Family will grant generous rewards based on the child's Aptitude!"

"The more children you have, the more rewards you get!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of the younger generation Elders in the hall instantly lit up.

The entire hall completely transformed into a sea of joy.

Everyone seemed to already see the glorious golden age the Su Family was about to usher in under the leadership of the Old Ancestor!

However.

Just as this fervent atmosphere reached its peak.

Su Xuanchen's gaze fell upon a corner of the hall.

There, Gu Lingshuang wore a cold expression, watching everything indifferently like an outsider.

Su Xuanchen's lips curved into a smirk.

He raised his hand and made a grasping motion in the air.

An invisible force instantly enveloped Gu Lingshuang.

"What are you doing?!"

Gu Lingshuang's face changed. She wanted to resist, but it was utterly futile.

Her entire body flew up uncontrollably. Under the astonished gazes of all the Elders, she was pulled directly to Su Xuanchen's side.

The clamor in the hall instantly quieted.

Everyone looked at the Old Ancestor with bewildered expressions, not understanding his intentions.

Ignoring the nearly murderous glare from the beauty in his arms, Su Xuanchen reached out, domineeringly wrapping his arm around her slender waist, pulling her tightly against him.

He looked around at the shocked and uncertain faces below, a brilliant smile appearing on his face.

"Today, there is one final matter to announce."

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, and its content was earth-shattering.

"I have decided to take her as my wife."