31: Chapter 31 What shines on your face in the morning isn't necessarily sunlight.

Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

The next day, the Xiao Family hung up big red lanterns once again, and everyone from top to bottom was busy in a flurry of activity, even more lively than the New Year.

The guests couldn't even be bothered to count how many "agains" it had been; they numbly handed over their gift money, numbly ate the banquet, and numbly looked at Xiao Ye's old face, which was beaming with joy.

The Master of Ceremonies gave a loud shout, and the old bull once again led the tender grass onto the stage.

Xiao Ye, dressed in a bright red robe, went through the procedures with practiced ease—the wedding bows, the tea ceremony, the exchange of cups—all in one go, with a proficiency that was almost pitiable.

After all, he could do this with his eyes closed; he was more familiar with the process than the paths in his own backyard.

Next came the moment Xiao Ye looked forward to the most. He gently supported Zhang Linger's slender waist, and as his fingertips touched that soft, supple curve, only one thought filled his mind: This waist is truly thin.

Then, the two of them entered the bridal chamber together.

Red candles flickered; a night without words—no, that's not right, there were plenty of words, it's just that those words aren't convenient to write down.

In short, it was another indescribable "divine moment."

Ding! Congratulations to the host for upgrading your Spiritual Root to Low Grade Earth-Grade. Reward: Spirit Shaping Pill ×3.

Holy crap, this is great. I've gathered them all at once; Waner and the others can finally Cultivate.

—

Until the next morning, when sunlight spilled through the window lattices, Zhang Linger lay on the bed with hollow eyes and a numb expression, looking as if all her strength had been drained away.

She stared at the bed canopy above her, a single thought echoing repeatedly in her mind:

What hits your face in the morning might not be sunlight.

It could also be... something else.

She turned her head, glanced at the old man next to her who was puffing on a post-coital cigarette with a satisfied look, and silently buried herself under the covers.

Xiao Ye exhaled a smoke ring, patted the figure curled up like a shrimp under the quilt, and said with a smile, "Linger, do you want more tomorrow morning?"

A muffled, tearful voice came from under the covers: "...Scram."

Days passed one by one—

Zhang Linger felt like she was about to explode with rage at this old bastard.

Other girls were woken up by the sound of birds chirping in the morning; as for her? Oh! She was also woken up by a "bird."

She washed her hair three times a day until her scalp was nearly bald, yet that old bastard would still say with a grin, "Linger, your hair is getting smoother and smoother with every wash; it's all thanks to me."

"Thanks to you, my foot!"

Every time, Zhang Linger wanted to smash the pillow into his face, but every time she raised it halfway, she would silently put it back down.

There was no helping it; Xiao Ye just gave too much.

She popped Qi Gathering Pills like candy and ate Marrow Cleansing Pills like vitamins; there were more than enough cultivation resources.

A Trash with a Low Grade Mortal Grade Spiritual Root like her had actually been piled up to the first level of Qi Refining—though she had only just touched the threshold, she was still a Qi Refining Immortal Master!

If it weren't for the sake of these Medicinal Pills, Xiao Ye would have already been turned into a eunuch.

As the Xiao Family's power expanded daily, the original balance of the four great families in Qingshan Town had long since been crushed to dust.

The Cao Family was destroyed, the Bi Family was gone, and the Zhang Family kept their heads down and acted submissively, not even daring to breathe too loudly. Now, when the Xiao Family said one, no one dared to say two.

And Xiao Yan was now six years old.

The little fellow was sturdy and adorable, with bright black eyes; he ran like the wind and showed a row of little white teeth missing the front ones when he laughed—he was at that age where even dogs find you annoying.

But it was also the age to begin serious cultivation.

Xiao Ye prepared to send him to Sunset City to participate in the Sect selection. According to Zhang Linger, the once-in-a-decade Sect selection was only half a month away; it was a rare opportunity, and missing it would mean waiting another ten years.

Cultivation is like going to school—you only progress quickly when you're competing with others; mulling over it alone in bitter cultivation is always an inferior path.

Xiao Ye himself came from a rogue background and knew better than anyone how many detours he had taken and how much he had suffered.

Once in a Sect, with a Master to teach him, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters to compete with, and resources to feed him, the speed of progress is completely incomparable to that of a Loose Cultivator.

With Xiao Yan's Fire-attribute Heavenly Spiritual Root Aptitude, joining a Sect was basically a certainty.

Xiao Ye even felt he might directly skip the Outer Sect and be taken as an Inner Sect Disciple by some Elder.

This showed that Xiao Ye's outlook was too narrow and his experience too limited.

A Heavenly Spiritual Root would be a treasure in any Sect.

Not to mention it was a high-attack Fire-attribute Heavenly Spiritual Root; becoming a Personal Disciple would be no problem at all!

Zhang Waner, however, didn't think so.

She sat by the bed, nagging as she straightened Xiao Yan's clothes, her eyes reddening. "What if... what if he isn't chosen? Yan'er is still so small, can he handle such a blow?"

Xiao Ye leaned against the doorframe, looking at the mother and son, and rolled his eyes.

"What if? There is no 'what if'." He walked over, hoisted Xiao Yan onto his shoulder, and patted his son's bottom, his tone as arrogant as if he were saying the weather was nice today. "My son Xiao Yan has the potential of a Great Emperor. A mere Sect selection is a piece of cake."

Xiao Yan lay on his father's shoulder, unafraid of the height. He turned his head to wave a small hand at Zhang Waner and shouted in a milky voice, "Mother, don't worry! I will definitely succeed!"

Zhang Waner wanted to say more, but Xiao Ye was already tired of listening. Women just loved to worry.

He directly carried Xiao Yan out the door, stepped onto his Flying Sword, and shot into the sky with a whoosh. From behind came Zhang Waner's shout: "Slow down—don't drop the child—"

Xiao Ye turned a deaf ear, and the Flying Sword accelerated, turning into a streak of light as it headed straight for Sunset City.

Before noon, the father and son landed at the gates of Sunset City.

People were coming and going at the city gate, and from time to time, Cultivators would fly overhead on swords, but they all obediently landed before the gate and entered the city on foot.

A line of eye-catching large characters was carved on the city wall—Flying is prohibited in the city; violators will be fined one thousand Spirit Stones.

Xiao Ye looked up at the line of text and silently put away his Flying Sword.

One thousand Spirit Stones? This is robbery.

He looked down at Xiao Yan; the little fellow was craning his neck, looking around curiously with eyes full of wonder.

Xiao Ye took his small hand, and the two of them, one large and one small, mingled with the crowd and entered the bustling Immortal city.

"Dad, are there many powerful Immortals in the Sect?"

"Yeah."

"Then can I beat them?"

Xiao Ye looked down at his son's serious little face and couldn't help but laugh.

"Beat your dad first, then we'll talk."