Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

The atmosphere on the terrace was even more somber than when the grand formation was activated.

Although Chu Jinglan broke the formation, he did not continue to make a move.

Firstly, he was concerned about the newborn child, and secondly, he was astonished by the strength displayed by the mother and child.

A swordsmanship prodigy who reached the Foundation Establishment stage at the age of three.

The Purple Star Emperor Body, which can set up formations to restrain half-saints right after birth.

Add to that a remarkable woman whose cultivation level isn't high, yet who can give birth to such a child and dares to scheme against him in the illusion.

This doesn't resemble a destitute orphan and widow at all; it's clearly the embryonic form of a superpower yet to take shape.

"What are you talking about?"

Jiang Yining pulled Jiang Lei behind her. Although she was still a little weak, she straightened her back like a mother animal protecting her cubs.

She was holding her newborn baby in her arms.

The little guy was quiet now, perhaps because he had exhausted his energy from the previous actions. He was pretending to be asleep with his eyes closed, but his little hand was tightly gripping Jiang Yining's collar, as if he was guarding against something.

Chu Jinglan looked at the family of three and seemed to sigh.

He waved his hand to dispel the surrounding oppressive aura, and even sent a gentle stream of spiritual energy to Jiang Yining to help her recover her strength.

"Come back to the capital with me."

Chu Jinglan cut to the chase, "The dynasty is currently weak, and the demon and monster races are stirring. This child possesses the Purple Star Emperor Physique, making him a born emperor. If he stays here, he will only become a target for various forces. Only in the capital, under my protection, can he grow up safely."

He might be telling the truth.

Today's commotion is too big to keep quiet.

Once the news gets out, people from the Demon Realm, the Demon Race, and even some members of the Immortal Alliance might come to snatch him away.

Either snatch her back and raise her as a holy son, or nip her in the bud.

Jiang Yining sneered: "So what? You take your son back to be emperor, but what about me?"

"You are his birth mother, so naturally you should go back."

Chu Jinglan said matter-of-factly, "I will announce to the world that you will be named a Noble Consort. Although you cannot be made Empress for the time being due to your birth, your status in the harem will be second only to the Empress. Fine clothes, sumptuous food, and wealth will all be yours."

He paused for a moment, his gaze, seen through his glasses, seemed to carry a hint of reassurance.

"Besides, I can let bygones be bygones. As long as you behave yourself, be a good wife and mother..."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Jiang Yining suddenly burst into laughter, interrupting him.

She laughed so hard she was shaking, as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"A concubine? Content with her lot? A devoted wife and mother?"

Jiang Yining laughed as she looked at Chu Jinglan with an incredulous expression.

"Chu Jinglan, have you gone mad from reading too much? Or do you think that I, Jiang Yining, risked my life to give birth to this child just to end up in your harem, competing with a bunch of women for your attention, waiting for you to be in a good mood one day and bestow your favor upon me?"

Chu Jinglan frowned: "This is already an immense favor. You are merely an orphan from a fallen family; to be allowed to enter the palace is already an extraordinary privilege..."

"I don't want favors!"

Jiang Yining abruptly stopped smiling, took a step forward, and her eyes burned with a light that Chu Jinglan had never seen before.

"What I want is power! I want authority! I want the confidence that no one in this world will dare to lay a finger on the Jiang family!"

She pointed to Jiangcheng at her feet and to the distant, continuous Hundred Thousand Mountains.

"Here, I am the city lord, I am the head of the family, I am the heavens! Why should I run to your cage and become a canary?"

"The Imperial Concubine?"

Jiang Yining scoffed disdainfully, "Who wants to be your concubine? If I'm going to do it, I'll be the head of the Jiang family, the queen of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains! I want my child to be able to do whatever I want without having to worry about anyone else!"

These words stunned Chu Jinglan.

He looked at the woman in front of him.

Despite her low cultivation level and her weakened state after giving birth, the vibrant life force and indomitable wildness emanating from her caused his long-dormant heart to flutter uncontrollably.

This was unlike any woman he had ever met.

Which of those noble ladies wasn't obedient and respectful to him, and which of them didn't consider it an honor to marry into the royal family?

Only her.

She took advantage of him, schemed against him, and now she's pointing her finger at him and saying she doesn't want to be his woman.

"you……"

Chu Jinglan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself at a loss for words.

"not to mention."

Jiang Yining suddenly changed the subject, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "You say you can protect him? The Purple Star Emperor Physique within this child is something even your Chu family's ancestor probably didn't possess. If you take him back, will those royal families tolerate him? Will that old emperor tolerate him? In the end, it might be your Chu family members who want to kill him, right?"

These words were like a needle piercing Chu Jinglan's heart.

There is no kinship in the royal family.

He knew this better than anyone else.

If we really take this child back, we might face even more assassinations and schemes than we would here.

Just as Chu Jinglan remained silent.

Jiang Lei, who had been silent, suddenly took a step forward.

Boom!

The heavy black iron sword crashed to the ground, sending sparks flying.

His small body stood in front of his mother and younger brother like an insurmountable mountain.

He raised his head, and there was no sign of yielding in his purplish-gold vertical pupils.

"I want to take my mother and younger brother with me."

Jiang Lei raised his sword, the tip pointing directly at Chu Jinglan's brow.

"Ask my sword first."

Although the voice was young and the hands were still trembling slightly, the resolute sword intent was very real.

He didn't seem to be joking.

If Chu Jinglan dares to forcibly take it, he might really fight to the death.

Seeing the tense scene and the hostile looks in the eyes of the adult and the two children, Chu Jinglan felt a sense of powerlessness.

He is a demigod; he can easily subdue everyone here.

But he can't.

That's his woman, that's his child.

If he were to actually hurt someone, he would likely never have peace of mind about it again.

"it is good."

After a long silence, Chu Jinglan slowly uttered a single word.

He took a deep look at Jiang Yining, then at the baby in her arms who was pretending to be asleep.

"Since you don't want to leave, I won't force you."

Chu Jinglan waved his hand, and the bronze chariot that had been floating in the air slowly descended.

"But Jiangcheng's current defenses cannot withstand the upcoming probing. I will leave behind a clone of my Righteous Qi to guard Jiangcheng for three months."

"Is this a transaction or charity?" Jiang Yining asked warily.

"Is it a betrothal gift... or perhaps, child support?"

Chu Jinglan adjusted his glasses, resuming his refined demeanor. "I will return in three months. By then, if you still haven't managed to defend this place, you will have to come with me."

After saying that, he didn't give Jiang Yining a chance to refuse and turned around to step onto the chariot.

But in the instant he turned around, the corners of his mouth seemed to curve slightly upwards.

"Jiang Yining, you can't escape."

"This world will be mine sooner or later. And you and the children will be mine sooner or later too."

The chariot roared and sped away.

Only a faint blue phantom remained, sitting cross-legged above Jiang City, radiating a powerful aura that brought peace of mind.

Jiang Yining watched the departing chariot, let out a long sigh of relief, and swayed slightly, almost falling over.

"Mother!"

Jiang Lei threw down his sword and hurriedly helped her up.

"fine."

Jiang Yining waved her hand, looked at Erbao who had finally opened his eyes and was showing a sly smile in her arms, and slapped his bottom in annoyance.

"What are you laughing at! It's all because of you, you little rascal!"

"Wow--"

Erbao finally cried.

However, the crying sounded so fake, even carrying a hint of smugness, as if saying, "I can get free food and drinks again."

Jiang Yining looked at the mess in Jiangcheng, then at the half-saint avatar above her head, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.

Three months?

enough.

Now that she has this free doorkeeper, she can go all out and make Jiangcheng's business known throughout the world!

"Pass down the order."

"Jiangcheng Expansion".