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

As soon as Jiang Yining gave the order, Gu Qinghan and Yu Luofeng gripped their weapons without hesitation, their fighting spirit soaring wildly within the secret passage.

However, just as Feng Liuyun stepped forward to take the three treasures from Jiang Yining's arms, an accident occurred.

"don't want!"

Sanbao, who was so weak that he could barely open his eyes, suddenly burst out with a strength that seemed to come from nowhere. His pale little hands gripped the hem of Jiang Yining's clothes tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"I don't want to be separated from Mother!" Sanbao's eyes were red, and large tears streamed down his face. He shook his head desperately, his voice filled with a desperate plea, "They're so scary, I'm afraid to be alone. Mother, please take me with you to fight the bad guys, okay? I'm not afraid of pain anymore, I promise I'll be good and won't be a burden to you..."

The child's clear, yet tearful voice was particularly jarring in the silent secret passage.

Jiang Yining's hardened heart was instantly shattered by these cries. She lowered her head, looking at her son's tear-streaked face, and her heart ached.

"Ning'er." Feng Liuyun stopped what she was doing, her captivating peach blossom eyes filled with reluctance.

He looked at the faintly visible crimson-gold winged birthmark on Sanbao's back, took a deep breath, as if he had made a momentous decision.

"Island Master, the reason why Sanbao is so weak and cannot even move for short distances is because the Star Spirit Clan's sealing array chains still remain in his body."

Feng Liuyun raised his head to meet Jiang Yining's gaze. His usually lazy tone became extremely solemn at this moment. "Leave it to me. I will use the Phoenix Clan's original secret technique to temporarily stabilize his soul and forcibly remove those disgusting residual restrictions."

"Forced separation?" Jiang Yining frowned. "Can Sanbao's body withstand it now? Moreover, your essence has already been greatly depleted during the weapon forging process. If you forcibly use this level of secret technique now, you will suffer a backlash."

"For you and the child, I would gladly burn my flesh and blood to ashes." Feng Liuyun's lips curled into a flamboyant smile, but his eyes were filled with an intense and unwavering affection.

He ignored the murderous glares from Gu Qinghan and Yu Luofeng beside him and walked straight up to Jiang Yining.

"I'll do it."

Feng Liuyun knelt in front of Jiang Yining, a position that brought them extremely close. He raised his hands, his slender fingers gently touching Sanbao's vest.

"boom!"

A pure, golden flame rose from his palm. This flame had no destructive power whatsoever; instead, it exuded a gentle and inclusive vitality.

Feng Liuyun closed his eyes, and the flame mark between his brows shone brightly. His long hair danced in the heat, a few strands brushing against Jiang Yining's cheek, carrying his intoxicatingly cool fragrance. Their breaths mingled, their body temperatures mingling in the confined space, instantly creating an ambiguous and tense atmosphere.

"Sanbao, just bear with it, the pain will subside soon."

Feng Liuyun soothed him in a low voice, then transformed the ball of Nirvana Fire into countless fire needles as thin as cow hair, which were precisely inserted into the meridians of the Three Treasures.

"Wow--!"

Even if the Nirvana Fire were gentle, forcibly tearing apart the array chains rooted deep within his soul still caused Sanbao to scream in agony. He convulsed in pain and cried loudly.

"My dear Sanbao, let Mommy hold you. Mommy gives you all my spiritual power."

Jiang Yining's heart ached so much that tears welled up in her eyes. Without hesitation, she activated the Myriad Spirits Divine Tree, pouring a massive amount of purple-gold life force into Sanbao's body, holding him tightly in her arms, and using her own body heat and power to share his pain.

The fire of Nirvana surges through the meridians of the Three Jewels with overwhelming force.

The Star Spirit Clan's restrictions, which originally emitted a dark blue light, were melted and peeled away layer by layer when they encountered the pure Phoenix Clan's essence, just like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun.

The short time it took for half an incense stick to burn felt like an eternity to Jiang Yining.

"break!"

With a low shout from Feng Liuyun, the last remaining array pattern was completely burned away.

A plume of black smoke rose from above Sanbao's head and then dissipated into the air.

Sanbao's cries gradually subsided. He leaned against Jiang Yining's chest. Although his face was still pale, his breathing was noticeably more steady, and the crimson-gold wing birthmark on his back radiated a healthy glow.

"Mother...it doesn't hurt anymore..." Sanbao weakly rubbed against Jiang Yining's cheek.

Feng Liuyun's situation, however, was terrible.

The moment the spell ended, he let out a muffled groan, his tall body falling forward uncontrollably, his forehead slamming heavily against Jiang Yining's shoulder.

"Feng Liuyun!" Jiang Yining quickly freed one hand to support him.

At this moment, the Phoenix Clan's young master's face was ashen, and a trace of blood even spilled from the corner of his lips. But he did not get up immediately. Instead, he leaned against Jiang Yining's fragrant neck, breathing heavily, greedily absorbing the warmth from her body.

"Island Master, don't worry." Feng Liuyun forced himself to lift his head and gave Jiang Yining a weak but stunning smile. "The restriction has been completely removed. With my Nirvana Fire protecting his heart meridian, Sanbao can now fully withstand short-distance spatial teleportation and movement."

Seeing his feigned nonchalance despite his battle-worn appearance, Jiang Yining couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion.

But before she could speak, Gu Qinghan, who had been unable to bear it any longer, let out a chilling laugh.

"There's a limit to showing off." Gu Qinghan grabbed Feng Liuyun's shoulder and rudely pulled him away from Jiang Yining. Her eyes were as cold as ice. "You've drained yourself dry just to play the victim in front of Ning'er? The dignified young master of the Phoenix Clan can't even stand properly. If a real fight breaks out later, are you planning to be a live target for the Star Spirit Clan?"

Feng Liuyun staggered as she was pulled, but retorted without backing down: "What Sword Master Gu said is really interesting. When I was removing the seal from Sanbao, what could you do besides stare blankly? Besides, if we're talking about playing the victim and currying favor, back in the ice cave, someone's back was pierced by ice spikes, and I didn't see you burying your face in the island lord's arms any less."

"You're courting death!" Gu Qinghan's body shone with golden light, and his pure Yang sword intent was almost uncontrollable.

"alright!"

Just as the two were about to start arguing again, Yu Luofeng stepped in at the opportune moment.

He waved his ghost-faced folding fan, appearing calm and composed, but a calculating glint flashed in his narrow eyes.

"Ning'er, although Gu Qinghan's words are harsh, his reasoning is sound. This scruffy bird is currently depleted of its essence and can't even walk steadily. Taking it to raid the base will only be a burden."

Yu Luofeng walked to Jiang Yining's side and suggested in a gentle but undeniable tone, "Why don't we let him stay and find a secluded place to guard the Three Treasures? As for that secret research base, with Gu Qinghan and me accompanying you in the battle, we can wipe them out completely. Having another useless person would only get in the way."

His words were extremely insidious, both excluding Feng Liuyun and legitimately seizing the prime position of guarding Jiang Yining.

Upon hearing this, Feng Liuyun's eyes flashed with fury, and he was about to retort.

"Enough, all of you shut up."

Jiang Yining coldly glanced at the three men, and the Empress's oppressive aura caused the air in the secret passage to freeze instantly.

She stood up, holding Sanbao in one arm and the purple-gold soft sword in the other, her purple-gold eyes flashing with absolute control and decisiveness.

"I will only feel at ease if I keep Sanbao with me. Feng Liuyun has done a great deal of work to remove the seal, and I would never leave him alone in such a dangerous place."

Jiang Yining directly rejected Yu Luofeng's plan to divide the troops.

She took out a metal array plate that gleamed with a technological luster from her storage ring, and quickly input several commands onto it with her slender fingers.

"drop--"

A blue holographic light screen was projected above the array plate, and Moye's unique mechanical electronic voice immediately rang out.

"My lady, I am here."

Jiang Yining looked at the light screen, her voice cold and decisive: "Mo Xie, immediately lock onto my current spatial coordinates. Activate the highest level of remote control authority for the Divine Machine Box, and connect the protective force field on Sanbao's body to your main control console. I need you to provide Sanbao with an absolute long-range shield from the immortal ship thousands of miles away."

"Understood, connection established... The protective force field has been activated. As long as the Immortal Ship's energy is not depleted, no attack below the level of a half-saint will be able to harm the young master in the slightest." Mo Xie's reply was crisp and efficient.

A transparent energy shield, visible to the naked eye, instantly enveloped the three treasures.

After confirming that the defenses were foolproof, Jiang Yining raised her head, her gaze piercing like a sharp blade into the massive underground base deep within the secret passage.

"Gu Qinghan, Yu Luofeng, Feng Liuyun, all of you, listen to my command."

Her voice echoed through the corridor, carrying a thrilling and ruthless aura: "No need to split up. Today, all four of us will launch a surprise attack on the base. Sanbao will be escorted remotely by Moxie."