The Realm Lord had an heir. This momentous event rippled across Qingming in an instant. From the cultivators of the Palace of Grand Beginning on down, from commanding generals and local high officials to the common populace and the energy matrices, everyone was overjoyed. They enthusiastically contributed a fierce surge of karmic luck, totaling well over a hundred million!
When Wei Yuan collected this karmic luck, it was initially an unexpected delight. But on second thought, he realized something was amiss. He had assiduously and painstakingly studied karmic luck for decades; by all reason, whatever luck the people of Qingming could offer should have been squeezed dry long ago. How could there still be so much?
Catching a glimpse of the whole through a small crack, Wei Yuan realized that once the people of Qingming were enlightened, they had indeed grown crafty. For a single event, they could shell out a hundred million points of luck—they had definitely squirrelled away far more in private!
As the old saying went, luck was like water in a sponge: as long as one was willing to squeeze, there would always be some. Luck was also like a wet nurse's—
In short, Wei Yuan had originally thought Qingming was thriving enough, but he never expected that once the news of an heir spread, everyone would be so invigorated, ushering in a fresh atmosphere. Even the output power of those energy matrices meditating and working in the spirit stations increased noticeably.
A few days later, a colossal fleet of flying boats sailed into Qingming. The fleet flew the banners of the Bao family of the State of Wu. In the center was a massive Yellow Dragon flying boat, magnificent and majestic, stirring winds and clouds wherever it passed!
This was the personal vessel of the Bao family's Immortal Ancestor. Moreover, two distinct banners flew from the craft, indicating that the Bao family's elusive, never-seen Immortal Ancestor had mobilized as well.
With both Immortal Ancestors of the Bao family arriving in person, Wei Yuan naturally went to the airfield to greet them himself.
When the hatch of the colossal Yellow Dragon boat opened, Old Madame Bao stepped out at an unhurried pace, her face full of delight. Her qi dynamic had grown slightly more vibrant and lively, clearly indicating a slight increase in her lifespan. Standing beside Old Madame Bao was a pale, somewhat frail young man who was looking curiously at Wei Yuan.
At that moment, a figure rounded the corner from the side; it was none other than Bao Manshan. Having not seen him in years, he had grown even plumper and sleeker, his complexion radiant enough to glow.
Standing to the side, he took a step forward and proclaimed in a resonant, rhythmic cadence, "Today, both Immortal Ancestors of our Bao family arrive together, presenting fifteen boatloads of congratulatory gifts to celebrate the Realm Lord on the blessed birth of his noble son! The gift registry includes: a pair of Thousand-Year Blood Jade Longevity Locks; ten bottles of Nine-Turn Spirit-Nurturing Pills; one Gold-Thread Hundred-Blessings Swaddling Cloth; one Warm Jade Heated Bed of Ten Thousand Years; five bottles of Three-Lives Karma Dew; ten Flawless Immortal Robes; seven lamps of Taiyin True Fire; a Primeval Lingering Resonance Zither—"
Bao Manshan had only picked out a few of the most important items to recite, yet the cultivators of the Palace of Grand Beginning in attendance were already listening slack-jawed. Yu Zhizhuo and Sun Yu—one overseeing the weapon-forging workshops and the other managing the pharmaceutical complex—had thought they had already seen the world, yet everything the Bao family produced was an ancient treasure, many of which they had never even heard of.
Even Wei Yuan had his eyes thoroughly opened.
Having dominated the southeast for ten thousand years, the Bao family's offerings were extraordinary. With just a single gift list, they showed the barbarians of the northwest what old money truly meant.
Once they arrived at the immortal city, Bao Yun also came out to welcome them. Supporting the Bao Family Old Ancestress, she led her into the main hall and helped her into the seat of honor. Old Madame Bao patted Bao Yun's hand with affectionate warmth and said, "You wretched girl, in one fell swoop you've emptied nearly half my fortune! You really didn't hold back in the slightest!"
Bao Yun stuck out her tongue and said, "Isn't that just because you dote on your children and grandchildren, Old Ancestor? I never asked you for anything!"
"Look at that, just look! A grown daughter can't be kept at home; she's already scheming after the little bit left in my pocket." Though Old Madame Bao kept a straight face as she spoke, her eyes brimmed with laughter.
After exchanging pleasantries, the others withdrew, leaving only Wei Yuan, Bao Yun, the two Bao family Immortal Ancestors, and Bao Manshan in the hall. Only then did Bao Yun carry the baby out and place him into Old Madame Bao's arms.
Two swimming dragons materialized within the old madam's pupils as she gazed down at the infant. In her vision, atop the baby's head sat another infant, currently cross-legged with closed eyes in quiet cultivation. When the yellow dragons appeared in her eyes, that infant suddenly opened its eyes and smiled faintly, completely serene and at ease, showing not the slightest fear of the two dragons.
The divine radiance in Old Madame Bao's eyes receded, and she sighed, "A natural Dao foundation indeed. If my Dharma eyes do not deceive me, this Dao foundation even carries the lingering resonance of an attainment rank. In the future, when he seeks to prove the Dao, it will yield twice the result with half the effort. It seems the turn of generations will most likely fall upon this child.
"Come, you take a look too."
Old Madame Bao handed the child to the young man beside her. The young Immortal Ancestor received the baby with utmost care, his expression fond, yet he did not say a word. From the moment he stepped off the flying boat, he had not uttered a single syllable.
Old Madame Bao sighed and said, "This is your Grand-Uncle. Back when Kongqing fell, I gave the opportunity originally meant for Kongqing to him. Only, I forced his growth too hastily back then, leaving hidden harms that have grown ever worse over the years. His own karmic ties have begun sloughing away, and now he doesn't even have a name."
Old Madame Bao briefly recounted past events. Originally, Bao Kongqing had insisted on serving as Palace Master of the Palace of Grand Beginning to avenge Xihe, not hesitating to sever ties with the Bao family for it. Back then, Old Madame Bao had flown into a genuine rage and withheld a crucial opportunity meant for him, hoping to force him to change his mind.
Little did she imagine that Bao Kongqing possessed such an unyielding temper. Relying solely on an unperfected immortal body, he slaughtered foes in all directions, slaying all formidable enemies, but he was gravely wounded in the process and fell shortly afterward, never taking a single step back into the Bao family until his death.
For a thousand years, waking from dreams at midnight, Old Madame Bao had constantly asked herself: if she had given him that opportunity back then, would he have avoided falling?
Afterward, Old Madame Bao chose an outstanding junior from Bao Kongqing's branch, granted him the opportunity, and forcefully elevated him into an immortal relying on the Bao family's peerless heritage—yet it left behind immense hidden perils.
How much of this was for the Bao family's prosperity, and how much was to make amends for her debt to Bao Kongqing, only the old madam herself knew.
By now, this Immortal Monarch of the Bao family, who had never shown his face, could barely hold on any longer. However, having held Wei Yuan's child, a karmic tie of goodwill was forged between them. This was his unique innate divine ability: if anyone sought to harm this child, it would invoke his counterattack across space.
After handing the child back to Bao Yun, he smiled faintly at Wei Yuan, which served as his greeting.
Wei Yuan understood his intent. A dying immortal, even one who had lain dormant his entire life, would surely unleash an exceedingly fierce final strike. As long as he drew breath for one more day, anyone wishing to harm this child would have to think twice. And while his condition was poor, being an immortal, he could always find ways to drag on for several decades.
Finally, Old Madame Bao said, "What I gave the child should roughly suffice for him to cultivate until the completion of Scenery Command. Beyond that, you will have to find your own ways."
Bao Yun rose and said, "Old Ancestor, please rest assured. Your granddaughter still has the revenue from Fengqi City; it will be plenty for this child's daily expenses."
Old Madame Bao nodded. "Allow me to say a few more words. Since the Child of Destiny has emerged, much of the world's future general trend will hinge upon this child. What we must do is assist and pave the way, simply fulfilling our proper duties."
"Understood, Old Ancestor," Bao Yun replied obediently.
Wei Yuan, however, felt a strange twinge in his heart. *What, so I've become a side character just like that?*
Yet in the face of congratulatory gifts worth a full three hundred million qingyuan, Wei Yuan felt his principles were not that rigid after all, so he agreed with a smile.
Old Madame Bao was thoroughly pleased and prepared to tour Qingming. On this trip, she had also brought along many young talents of the Bao family; some were meant to remain and serve in Fengqi City, while others wished to take up posts in Qingming. The old madam's intention was to let these Bao family youths temper themselves well, broaden their horizons, and learn some skills before returning to advance within the Bao family a few years later.
This was also a good thing for Qingming, so Wei Yuan readily agreed. As long as Qingming's core beacon character remained unchanged, these young people were the easiest to mold; even if they returned to the Bao family later, they would naturally become Qingming's staunch supporters.
While Wei Yuan was receiving the Bao family's two Immortal Ancestors, the cultivators of the Palace of Grand Beginning and several who were among the earliest to join Qingming were gathered in another place, where the atmosphere was rather solemn.
Among the cultivators of the Palace of Grand Beginning, Zhang Sheng was still in secluded cultivation, while basically everyone else was present. In addition, there were veterans such as Xu Yi and Xu Wenwu. Aside from the old guard, Xu Shiba, by virtue of his formidable cultivation and the matchlessly potent Sword of Ten Thousand Generations and Autumns, was also permitted to attend.
In the silence, Xu Wenwu spoke first, asking curiously, "Now that the Child of Destiny has emerged, where does that leave the Boss? Exactly how many of these things can there be?"
Feng Chutang gave a cough, breaking the suddenly awkward atmosphere, and said, "Since it is a Child of Destiny, there clearly aren't many. But looking across the history of immortals, there is no rule stating there can only be one in the world."
Xu Yi's eyes lit up, and she said urgently to Feng Tingyu and Ji Liuli, "As long as it isn't unique, doesn't that mean everyone has a chance? Elder sisters, you must work hard and hurry! Who knows, maybe a Child of Destiny will fall upon us—"
Midway through her sentence, she realized she had spoken too hastily in her excitement and said the wrong thing, immediately snapping her mouth shut.
At these words, Ji Liuli and Feng Tingyu both froze for a moment, discreetly exchanging a glance.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from Feng Tingyu's person: "This woman harbors no small ambition! We must find an excuse to marry her off quickly to nip future troubles in the bud!"
Feng Tingyu was utterly shocked—instead of covering her mouth, she clapped a hand over her chest.
That single press instantly made the male cultivators turn their heads away and the female cultivators seethe with envy.
Chapter 1350