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

A sudden clap of thunder startled the thin morning mist from the desolate abyss.

It should have been a pleasant morning, if one ignored the seemingly explosive fluctuations of spiritual energy in the west courtyard.

Three years.

Three years have passed since that all-snake banquet that shocked the three realms.

The desolate abyss of today is no longer the chaotic ruins of yesteryear. Under the management of the four top "black market workers" and Jiang Yining, the exploitative leader, it has become a money pit that even the Central Continent Imperial City must look up to.

Beside the large round table made of rosewood in the main hall, five exquisitely carved little dumplings sat in a circle.

"Smack."

An abacus was slammed onto the table.

Four-and-a-half-year-old Erbao Chu Anyan, dressed in a miniature Confucian robe, with a pair of plain crystal glasses perched on his nose, the lenses flashing with a cold light: "Third sister, this is the eighth chair you've burned this month. Three hundred spirit stones will be deducted from your allowance."

Across from him, Sanbao Jiang Yeyao, with two pigtails sticking up in the air and a spirit beast leg stuffed in her mouth, protested incoherently, "Nonsense! I only sneezed! It's just that the chair is of poor quality!"

As she spoke, she waved her sauce-covered hand in dissatisfaction, and a black and red demonic fire burst forth from her palm with a "whoosh," instantly turning the jade bowl in front of her into a puddle of crystal water.

The entire room fell silent.

Da Bao Jiang Lei calmly put down the specially made heavy sword in his hand, moved his bowl to the side to avoid being accidentally injured. His phoenix eyes, which resembled Ji Lingxiao's, showed no emotion, and he simply uttered two words: "Fool."

"Do you want to fight, Jiang Lei?!" Jiang Yeyao instantly bristled.

"Stop arguing."

Sibao Jiang Jingzhi held a handful of talismans in her hand, and while calculating with her fingers in front of the clouds outside the window, her little face serious: "Today, the wealth position is in the east, it is auspicious to break ground, and it is inauspicious to quarrel. Also... I have a feeling that today's 'morning lessons' of the fathers will be very interesting."

As they were talking, Wubao Ginger Candy yawned.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes, and the nine large pink tails behind her unconsciously swept across the table.

"Smack."

Jiang Yeyao, who was about to explode, suddenly became dazed and her cheeks flushed: "Fifth sister is so cute, I'll give you all the meat..."

Even Chu Anyan, who was about to deduct money, trembled as he held the abacus, his eyes glazed over.

Just then, a tall figure carrying a tray walked out of the kitchen.

It is Ji Lingxiao.

This once aloof and arrogant sword master was now wearing an apron, carrying a pot of "Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Marrow Porridge" that had been simmering for three hours. With each step he took, the floor tiles beneath his feet groaned under the weight of the porridge.

"Sizzle—"

A purple arc of electricity leaped out of his hair without warning and struck the door frame.

The incredibly sturdy black ironwood door frame was instantly reduced to charcoal.

Ji Lingxiao froze for a moment, then pretended nothing had happened and continued walking towards the table.

"Sizzle—sizzle—"

More and more electric arcs appeared, like a swarm of out-of-control snakes, wildly slithering around him.

Ye Wuhen was lazily leaning back in his chair picking his teeth when he saw this and laughed loudly: "Oh, Sword Master, are you deflated again? I told you long ago, a peak Mahayana cultivator stuck in the lower realm is a powder keg. Get out of here already, or you'll tear down the main hall that A Ning just repaired."

"Shut up." Ji Lingxiao gave him a cold look.

That glance not only carried murderous intent but also a hint of leaked sword intent.

"Click."

The chair beneath Ye Wuhen's bottom shattered into powder.

The Demon Lord reacted with lightning speed, unleashing a burst of demonic energy before his rear touched the ground, forcing him to hover in mid-air. He pointed at Ji Lingxiao and roared, "You, surnamed Ji! You're taking revenge for personal reasons!"

"Have a meal."

Ji Lingxiao ignored him and walked straight to Jiang Yining's side.

Jiang Yining was looking down at the account book, not even looking up: "Just put it there."

Ji Lingxiao pursed his lips. Looking at the woman's beautiful profile in the morning light, his heart stirred, and he subconsciously wanted to reach out and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

This is a perfectly normal and affectionate gesture from a husband to his wife.

However, just as his fingertips were three inches away from Jiang Yining.

"BOOM—!!"

A bolt of purple lightning, as thick as a bucket, fell from the top of the main hall and struck Ji Lingxiao's outstretched hand with perfect accuracy.

Even though Ji Lingxiao reacted quickly, instantly withdrawing his hand and raising his sword energy, the overflowing thunderous power still overturned the entire rosewood round table to the ground.

The porridge was spilled all over the floor.

The five children stood there dumbfounded, holding their spoons, staring at the mess on the floor.

The account book in Jiang Yining's hand also turned black and gray.

She slowly raised her head, a fake smile on her face, but her eyes were chilling: "Ji, Ling, Xiao."

Ji Lingxiao stood there, his white robes spotless, except for his outstretched hand, which was still emitting black smoke. A rare look of embarrassment and grievance appeared on his handsome face, which was usually impassive even in the face of a collapsing mountain.

"I just..." his voice was hoarse, "wanted to give you a haircut."

"Pfft."

Chu Jinglan waved a newly replaced folding fan, laughing like a fox that had just stolen some cream: "Confucius said: 'Deep affection is short-lived, and extreme strength leads to disgrace.' Brother Lingxiao, if your cultivation doesn't advance soon, you'll 'manipulate' the last bit of our Desolate Abyss's resources."

Bai Ze also came over, tenderly picking up Wu Bao to check if he was frightened, while adding, "That's right, look how scared the child is. If you ask me, just rest assured, we'll take good care of Aning for you."

Ji Lingxiao clenched his fists tightly, suppressing the soaring power within him that was about to burst through his skull, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

He swallowed the blood that was rising from his throat, his eyes stubborn: "No rush. Wait a little longer."

Spend one more day with her.

Even if you can only look at it, you can't touch it.

Just then, a dusty, disheveled figure rolled in from outside the door.

It is Situ Kong.

The legendary ancestral tortoise shell in his hand had been reduced to dust, leaving only a pile of rubble in his palm.

"Don't wait any longer! My goodness!"

Situ Kong, his face contorted with grief, pointed at the ceiling: "That lightning strike just now was merely a warning! I simply couldn't conceal it from the Heavenly Dao any longer! Your aura is too powerful; you're about to overwhelm the rules of the entire Floating Cloud Realm!"

"The divination is extremely ominous! If you don't leave within three days... no, if you don't ascend to immortality, the entire area within a hundred miles will be reduced to scorched earth! Not even an anthill will remain!"

The hall fell silent instantly.

Even the most mischievous Sanbao stopped sucking her thumb and stared wide-eyed at her father, who usually had a cold face but would secretly make her bone swords.

The parting has finally come.

Jiang Yining stood up and patted the ashes off her clothes.

She walked up to Ji Lingxiao.

Fearing that she might be struck by lightning again, Ji Lingxiao instinctively took a step back.

This retreat caused Jiang Yining's heart to clench painfully.

For the past three years, in order to stay and be with the mother and child, this man has been like a walking nuclear bomb, enduring the excruciating pain of being rejected by the heavens every day, and even a hug has become a luxury.

"Let's take Da Bao to the back mountain."

Jiang Yining said softly, not looking into his eyes, but staring at his hand that had been scorched by lightning, "You've confessed everything you need to."

Ji Lingxiao gave her a deep look and nodded: "Okay."

……

Behind the desolate abyss, at the Broken Sword Cliff.

The wind howled, whipping up thousands of piles of snow.

Two figures, one large and one small, stood facing each other.

Four-and-a-half-year-old Jiang Lei was already up to Ji Lingxiao's thigh. He carried the heavy sword named "Peace" on his back, his small body standing straight, just like his father.

"Draw your sword."

Ji Lingxiao held only a withered branch in his hand, his voice cold and devoid of any of his usual warmth.

Jiang Lei didn't waste any words.

"Clang!"

The heavy sword was drawn, carrying the force of a thunderbolt, and slammed forward.

This sword strike had no fancy moves, only pure power and speed. It even carried a subtle hint of "protection".

A hint of appreciation flashed in Ji Lingxiao's eyes, but he showed no mercy with the withered branch in his hand.

"Too slow."

The dry branch lightly touched the heavy sword, striking the point of impact. Jiang Lei, sword and all, flew out and crashed heavily into the snowdrift.

"Again."

He got up, charged, and was knocked away.

Get up again.

Two full hours.

Even as Jiang Lei was covered in wounds and his hand holding the sword trembled, the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

The final strike.

Jiang Lei stopped fighting and closed his eyes, feeling the flow of the wind.

The moment the withered branch fell, he strangely dodged to the side, and with a sweep of his heavy sword, severed a strand of Ji Lingxiao's hair.

Ji Lingxiao stopped what he was doing.

He threw away the dry branch, walked over to his panting son, and squatted down.

This was the first time the father and son had looked at each other at eye level.

"Father is leaving." Ji Lingxiao reached out, but stopped just before touching his son's head. Instead, he used his sword energy to gently rub his head from a distance.

Jiang Lei pursed his lips, his eyes slightly red, but he forced himself not to cry: "I know. Second Uncle said you're going to heaven."

Ji Lingxiao's lips twitched: "It's ascension."

He opened his palm, and a sword pellet radiating pure silver light floated silently.

"This is my father's lifelong understanding of swordsmanship, and also the token of the Lingxiao Sword Sect's leadership." Ji Lingxiao pointed his finger, and the sword pellet pierced into Jiang Lei's brow.

The little guy let out a muffled groan, and a silver sword mark appeared between his eyebrows.

I don't ask you to be invincible.

Looking at the small face that resembled his own, Ji Lingxiao said in a low and solemn voice, "I only want you to remember that the sword in your hand is not for killing, but for protecting."

"When Father is gone, this sword will protect your mother, your younger brother and sister."

Jiang Lei stared intently at him and nodded vigorously.

Then, the little guy took out a dark stone from his pocket and stuffed it into Ji Lingxiao's hand.

"This is the hardest whetstone I've ever dug up in the mine."

Jiang Lei's voice was a little choked up, but he still tried to act cool: "My mother said there are a lot of bad people up there. If your sword gets dull, sharpen it. If you can't beat them... just run away. It's not shameful."

Ji Lingxiao held the worthless stone, feeling it was heavier than holding a peerless divine sword.

Night falls.

When Ji Lingxiao led Jiang Lei back to the front yard, they found it unusually quiet.

The usually noisy second, third, fourth, and fifth babies have all disappeared.

Only beneath that enormous sacred tree, there was a stone table and two jars of wine.

Chu Jinglan stood under the corridor, holding the empty abacus in his hand, and nodded slightly to Ji Lingxiao: "We've taken the children to bed. Tonight... no one's here, the great formation is already activated."

Ye Wuhen leaned against a pillar and whistled, "Don't miss the auspicious time, and don't leave any regrets. If Aning isn't satisfied tomorrow morning, I'll laugh at you for the rest of my life."

Ji Lingxiao felt a strange warmth welling up in his heart as he watched these rivals, who usually hated each other so much they wanted to strangle each other, now tacitly clearing the way for him.

He straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, took a deep breath, and walked towards the red figure under the sacred tree.