Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 206 The Lively Prince's Mansion

Zhongzhou, Youming Sect.

The mountain-sealing formation has been activated.

The mountains shrouded in black mist were deathly silent; even birds and beasts dared not approach.

The atmosphere inside the council hall was so oppressive it was almost palpable.

"Sect Master!" an elder couldn't help but exclaim.

"Are we just going to close the mountain like this? There are rumors outside that our Netherworld Sect is afraid of even a peak Celestial Realm cultivator!"

Ming Sha sat at the head of the table, his body surrounded by swirling black mist.

"Afraid?" His voice was icy. "I've cultivated for three hundred years; who have I ever feared?"

"Then why...?"

"Because the time isn't right yet," Ming Sha interrupted him. "Haven't you all understood Dugu Qiubai's sword strike yet?"

The elders remained silent.

Of course they understood.

That sword strike was something no one at the peak of the Celestial Realm should be able to unleash.

The sword intent was so pure that it touched the edge of the "Tao".

How terrifying would a swordsman like that be in combat once he breaks through to a higher realm?

"He is currently at the peak of the Celestial Realm, capable of slaying early-stage Earthly Immortals, and able to fight me for forty-five moves without defeat," Ming Sha said slowly.

"What if he breaks through to the realm of a terrestrial immortal?"

Everyone's expression changed.

"At that time, not only will I be able to stop him, but even if the old ancestors in seclusion in the sect come out, they may not be able to keep him."

An elder gritted his teeth and said, "Then let's kill him before he breaks through to the next realm!"

"How do you kill him?" Ming Sha retorted. "Do you know where he is? Do you know where he's going next?"

"The Central Plains are so vast, if he's determined to hide, where would you even begin to look for him?"

"But……"

"No buts." Ming Sha stood up. "Pass down the order: the Netherworld Sect will be sealed off for three years. All disciples are forbidden from leaving the sect and must devote themselves to cultivation in preparation for the great changes in the world."

"Sect Master, that Dugu Qiubai..."

"He will come." A crimson light flashed in Ming Sha's eyes.

"This kind of swordsman won't stop here. Once he breaks through to a higher realm, he will definitely come back to find me."

He paused, a hint of excitement in his voice:

"That will be the real test of life and death."

The elders exchanged glances, then bowed in unison: "Yes."

……

The capital city of Dayan.

The dowry sent by the temple brought a lively atmosphere to the mansion.

Liu Ruyan, Chu Yueyao, Qin Shuyan, Xiao Yulou, Ye Qingying, Murong Xue, and Su Xiaoxiao all came.

Wen Ruoxi examined the gold and silver jewelry, her business acumen leading her to instinctively estimate their value.

"These items are worth at least ten thousand spirit stones..."

Liu Ruyan, six months pregnant, smiled as she held her back:

"Fifth Sister, the dowry sent by the Holy Temple has no price to speak of; it's all about the sentiment."

Despite saying that, a look of amazement flashed in her eyes.

Her dowry back then wasn't this generous.

Chu Yueyao gently stroked her lower abdomen, her doctor's habit prompting her to examine the medicinal herbs first.

Over there, three boxes contained ginseng that had been stored for thousands of years, snow lotus that had been stored for thousands of years, and lingzhi mushrooms that had been processed into top-quality products.

She whispered to Murong Xue beside her, "These medicinal herbs are well preserved and retain their medicinal properties. The Holy Temple is indeed a place of profound heritage."

Murong Xue, holding Lan Fenghuang's hand, said with a grin:

"Of course, Lan Meimei is the Holy Maiden of our Nanzhao Kingdom, how could her entourage be small?"

Lan Fenghuang blushed slightly: "Sister Xue'er, please stop teasing me."

Your Highness, ladies, I can't use all of these things by myself. Please feel free to take anything you find useful.

"How can that be!" Xiao Yulou's江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the martial arts world) temper flared up. "This is your dowry!"

"Fourth Sister is right," Ye Qingying said coolly. She had become more talkative since becoming pregnant, but she remained concise. "We must not neglect our manners."

Qin Shuyan held the ancient book fragment she had just found, her eyes lighting up:

"Look at this! A handwritten commentary on the Book of Rites by a great Confucian scholar from the previous dynasty. It's long gone from the market... Smurfette, may I borrow this to take a look?"

"If you like it, Third Sister, take it," Lan Fenghuang said with a smile.

Su Xiaoxiao huddled up next to Wen Ruoxi, the two daughters of merchants whispering to each other about the pearl brocade.

"Fifth Sister, look at the quality of these pearls. If they were in the Linglong Pavilion, one would be worth at least three thousand gold pieces."

"Not just that." Wen Ruoxi was very professional.

"These are pink beads, rare items. Last year, a small one was auctioned for five thousand gold coins. Here are twelve of them, none of them smaller than that one."

Lin Chen slumped in the armchair beside him, looking at the women in the courtyard, his lips twitching.

Seven pregnant women, one woman waiting to be married, and a little girl named Nian'er were crawling in and out of the boxes.

The scene was so lively it gave him a headache.

"Uncle Eight! Uncle Eight!" Little Nian'er ran over, holding up a jade rabbit carving.

"This is cute! I'll give it to my future little brother to play with!"

Lin Chen took the rabbit; the carving was indeed exquisite. "Okay, I'll keep it for you. Don't drop it."

"Hmm!" Xiao Nian'er ran off again.

Wen Ruoxi finally looked away from the pearl and moved closer to Lan Fenghuang:

"Smurfette, are...that thing in any of these boxes?"

"Which kind?" Blue Phoenix didn't understand.

"It's just..." Wen Ruoxi lowered her voice, her ears turning bright red, "...fertility-enhancing formulas, herbs, and things like that..."

"Pfft—" Murong Xue, who was eavesdropping nearby, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Liu Ruyan sighed, "Fifth Sister, didn't our husband give you a Pregnancy Elixir? Don't take any more medicine randomly!"

"I'm just so anxious!" Wen Ruoxi stamped her foot. "Second Sister, Xue'er, and Xiaoxiao are all pregnant, but I'm not! Where do I put my face as the 'Fifth Madam'?!"

Chu Yueyao gently advised, "Fifth Sister, this matter really can't be rushed."

Your blood and qi are a bit stagnant. I have a calming formula for you; I'll bring it to you later.

"I've drunk so much, but it's had no effect at all..." Wen Ruoxi muttered.

Lin Chen couldn't stand it anymore: "Wen Ruoxi, what did you promise me last night? First, you're not allowed to ask me if I'm pregnant again—"

"I didn't ask!" Wen Ruoxi retorted stubbornly. "I just asked if there was a recipe! That doesn't count!"

The women burst into laughter.

Just then, Yuan Tiangang appeared silently.

"My lord, a secret report from the Central Plains."

"explain."

"The Netherworld Sect has officially closed its gates for three years. The Corpse Refining Sect, the Joyful Union Sect, and other demonic sects have also reduced their influence and have not made any moves for the time being."

Lin Chen chuckled lightly: "You chickened out pretty quickly."

"In addition," Yuan Tiangang paused, "the Hehuan Sect sent someone to deliver a gift, saying it was for the Lord."

"The Joyous Union Sect?" Lin Chen sat up. "What kind of trouble are they up to now?"

"The person who gave the gift said that Mei Jiu Niang, the Valley Master of the Hehuan Sect, admires Your Majesty's demeanor and wishes to form a good relationship with you."

The gifts have been delivered to the gates. Would Your Majesty like to meet the messenger?

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "Let him in."