168: Chapter 168 Another New Year's Eve, Bai Shiwei Goes into Labor

The material of this tactical backpack was unique; with just a touch, Fang Zhuo sensed its extraordinary quality, far more high-end than the tactical backpack equipped with the ss-grade combat suit.

"This is a space backpack produced by a higher civilization. It has three cubic meters of space, and I have fully stocked it with cultivation resources, highly concentrated nutrient solution, and water."

Chairman Song Shou explained, "But it certainly won't last a hundred people for long, especially the water. When the time comes, you might need to go out and find some fresh water."

"Understood."

Fang Zhuo nodded heavily.

After Chairman Song Shou's instructions, he felt inexplicably pessimistic about the Civilization Assessment a year away.

"Haha."

Seeing this, Chairman Song Shou suddenly laughed heartily and said, "Don't take it too much to heart. This is just a backup plan for the seed of civilization; it's better to be prepared than sorry."

"As for what the Civilization Assessment will actually be like, we'll only know after we've fought!"

"Alright, if you don't have any difficulties with your cultivation, you should go back and continue."

"Yes."

Fang Zhuo was still heavy-hearted as he turned to leave.

Chairman Song Shou added, "Wait a moment."

"Don't open the tactical backpack for now. Who knows, the Civilization Assessment might go smoothly, and you'll have to return these resources to me then."

"...Alright!"

Fang Zhuo couldn't help but smile. Chairman Song Shou's teasing tone was clearly meant to relieve his pressure.

...

The next day.

Fang Zhuo took an aircraft and arrived in Xinyue City.

"Over the past two months, the development of the three Divine Abilities has been completed. Now I can focus on practicing the Secret Manual and condensing the Life Core."

"However, I must set aside some time these two months to spend more time with Shi Wei."

In front of the New Moon Group building, Fang Zhuo jumped off the aircraft with his bag on his back and strode back to the villa residence arranged by the New Moon Group.

"Fang Zhuo, you're back?"

Hearing the commotion, Li Ru walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron.

"Yes."

Fang Zhuo changed his shoes in the entryway.

"You finally know to come back!"

Li Ru paced over to Fang Zhuo, spatula in hand, and lectured him, "Look at you, you're about to be a father, yet you don't know how to take it easy with your cultivation. You must find some time to spend with Shi Wei!"

"It's been nine months, and the birth is soon. I thought you brat were going to miss the moment your children are born..."

Fang Wu also walked over from the balcony and urged, "You can slow down your cultivation. You're already the Federation's number one Transcendent Martial Artist; what's the rush?"

The couple started their tag-team scolding.

Fang Zhuo couldn't explain and felt he hadn't fulfilled his responsibilities enough, so he could only smile apologetically and say, "I know, Mom and Dad. Where is Shi Wei?"

"She's taking a nap."

Seeing her son give in and promise to stay in Xinyue City, Li Ru didn't pester him further and returned to the kitchen to cook porridge.

Fang Wu returned to the balcony, not forgetting to invite Fang Zhuo along the way, "Do you want to learn how to grow flowers with me? These types of flowers are good for the unborn children."

Fang Zhuo felt a headache coming on, "Dad, having you do it is enough."

He wished he could use every minute as two; he didn't even have enough time for cultivation, let alone spending time with his wife, so how could he have time to grow flowers?

Fang Zhuo walked softly into the master bedroom.

Bai Shiwei was napping on the bed, her arms spread out by her sides, her abdomen bulging high, as if a ball was hidden under her pajamas.

Bai Shiwei was sleeping peacefully with a calm expression, but her beautiful brows were slightly furrowed.

As if by telepathy, after Fang Zhuo walked silently into the bedroom, her brows relaxed, and the corners of her mouth curled up.

"Fang Zhuo, Xiao Yue is bullying Xiao Bai again today. Go and discipline her; this little girl doesn't listen to me anymore."

Hearing these intermittent mutters, Fang Zhuo looked up. Bai Shiwei's eyes were still tightly closed; she was talking in her sleep...

"Yes."

He responded softly, walked to the bedside, and gently held Bai Shiwei's hand.

...

Three days later.

Bai Qiming and his wife also arrived in Xinyue City from Blue Star.

In the living room, after putting down bags and luggage, Xu Xue said with a smile on her face, "Hello, in-laws. Thank you for your hard work during this time."

"It's no trouble at all."

Li Ru shook her head with a smile.

Fang Zhuo took the initiative to say, "Mom, Dad, you guys chat; I need to go out for a bit."

"Hey, you child, does this little bit of time really matter!"

Li Ru stomped her foot.

After Bai Qiming saw his daughter and chatted for a while, he also hurriedly went to the cultivation room equipped in the villa.

Xu Xue sat beside Bai Shiwei and explained with a smile, "Thanks to Fang Zhuo, your father is now only one step away from being a Transcendent Martial Artist!"

"As for him... ever since he came out of the Thunder Fire Small World, he has been cultivating day and night for the past six months. He has never worked so hard before!"

"It was only when he heard the news of your pregnancy midway that he came back to his senses and briefly stepped out of that obsessive state."

Bai Shiwei smiled, "Mom, this is a good thing. Being a Transcendent Martial Artist has always been Dad's ideal. Now that it's within reach, he naturally has to give it his all."

"Have the children's names been chosen yet?"

Xu Xue's face was filled with uncontrollable joy; on one hand, her husband had a chance to Breakthrough to Transcendent Martial Artist, and on the other, her daughter was about to give birth to twins.

"Yes, the boy is named Fang Zhibai, and the girl is named Fang Yue."

"Fang Zhibai, Fang Yue—they both sound very nice." Xu Xue looked at Bai Shiwei's bulging abdomen and said with a chuckle, "Little Bai-Bai, Little Yue-Yue, Grandma is waiting to hold you both."

...

Beside the New Moon headquarters building, inside the Bamboo Forest Martial Arts Arena.

Fang Zhuo stood by the drum, drew his blade, and closed his eyes, suppressing all distracting thoughts in his heart. His wife was about to give birth, the Civilization Assessment was approaching, and Chairman Song Shou's backup plan for the seed of civilization... all were pressed deep into his heart.

Nowadays, only by being in this Martial Arts Arena of a higher civilization could Fang Zhuo achieve a clear and empty mind.

"Higher civilization..."

"It's a good thing there is the Martial Arts Arena; otherwise, it would be truly difficult to calmly practice the Secret Manual, Thunder Fire Blade. There is a little over a year left; let's see if I can master the eighth layer of the Thunder Fire Blade!"

Fang Zhuo whispered to himself, recalling Chairman Song Shou's demonstration in his mind. His feet moved, and he began to try swinging the blade, familiarizing himself with the Move bit by bit.

This time, upon returning.

Fang Zhuo changed his routine: he practiced the Secret Manual Thunder Fire Blade in the Martial Arts Arena during the day, and at night, he performed Body Tempering, continuing to refine civilization points into his Life Core, constantly condensing the Source Pattern Flower.

During this time, he would occasionally find time to accompany Bai Shiwei for walks downstairs.

The days became monotonous yet warm.

More than a month passed in the blink of an eye.

New Calendar year 570, February 15th, happened to be the Chinese New Year's Eve.

Inside the villa next to the New Moon Bamboo Forest Martial Arts Arena.

"Come, in the new year, everyone must be happy."

At the dinner table, Fang Dawei stood up and called out, raising his glass.

In the past few days, the families of Bai and Fang had almost all arrived from Blue Star, preparing to spend the New Year together in Xinyue City.

Bai Shiwei's younger brother, Bai Heng, and younger sister, Bai Gubei, had also come from the Bai family; both were very reserved, keeping their heads down and eating at the table.

From Fang Family, it was Fang Dawei and Zhou Hui, who brought Fang Hu along. Fang Jing had recently reached a critical moment in her cultivation and had entered a secret place of the Li family for secluded practice, only sending a blessing video to Fang Zhuo in advance.

As it happened, Bai Shiwei's due date was just a week away.

Both families were looking forward to the arrival of the new family members.

"Happy New Year, everyone."

Xu Xue and Li Ru responded immediately.

Fang Dawei rarely drank, but his face flushed as he looked at Bai Shiwei and said:

"Shi Wei, you've worked hard this year. The day is almost here; don't think about anything, don't be afraid. Our whole family is here to watch over you. Grandpa just hopes that you and the two little treasures will be safe and sound."

"During the New Year, you are not allowed to tire yourself out. If you want to eat anything, make that brat go get it. You and the children being healthy is the best New Year's gift for our family this year!"

"Okay~ Thank you, Grandpa."

Bai Shiwei nodded with a smile, gripping Fang Zhuo's hand tightly under the table.

Just at this moment, her face turned deathly pale. She suddenly looked down at her lower body and let out a cry of pain: "Ugh...!"