Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

After the vanguard of the demon race was defeated, they did not immediately launch a general offensive, but instead set up camp and rested three hundred miles away.

Chaoge City was able to catch its breath, repair its city walls, and reorganize its military.

In the evening, after finishing his military affairs, Su Yunbai strolled towards the west wing—Jiang Xiaowu's residence.

The fallen leaves of the sycamore trees in the courtyard carpeted the ground in gold.

Jiang Xiaowu was sitting on a stone bench, wiping her spear. The silver spear gleamed coldly in the setting sun.

She wiped it very carefully, from the tip of the spear to the tassel, inch by inch.

Su Yunbai stood quietly outside the moon gate, watching.

Jiang Xiaowu was one of his earliest Daoist partners, having followed him since the suppression of the rebellion in Beihai.

She is aloof and quiet, but she is the most reliable in her actions.

The Iron-Blooded Army entrusted her with training, and she never made a mistake.

As if sensing the gaze, Jiang Xiaowu looked up.

"General." She put down her spear, stood up, and saluted.

"I've told you countless times, there's no need for formalities in private." Su Yunbai walked into the courtyard, took her hand, and asked, "Why are your hands so cold?"

"You've been practicing shooting for a while now," Jiang Xiaowu said in a low voice.

Su Yunbai cupped her hands in his palms and transferred a warm trace of the Law of Love to them.

As the silver light shimmered, her icy fingertips gradually warmed up.

"Don't overdo it when you practice in the future," he said gently. "Your cultivation has already reached the mid-stage of the Great Luo realm, so there's no need to rush."

"The demon race has not yet retreated, so we dare not slacken our efforts." Jiang Xiaowu looked up at him. "General, what brings you here today?"

"I miss you," Su Yunbai said frankly.

Jiang Xiaowu was slightly taken aback, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

She was reserved by nature, and although she and Su Yunbai were already Daoist partners, she rarely heard him say such straightforward words of love.

"I...I'll go make some tea."

"No need." Su Yunbai pulled her to sit on the stone bench, letting her sit beside him. "Let's just talk like this."

As the sun set, the afterglow stretched their shadows long, making them overlap.

"Xiao Wu, how long have you been following me?" Su Yunbai suddenly asked.

Jiang Xiaowu thought for a moment: "It's one year and three months, starting from Beihai."

"Time flies," Su Yunbai sighed softly. "Back then you were just an orphan girl at the Golden Core stage, and now you're the deputy commander of the Iron Blood Army."

"He was cultivated by the general."

"It's because you proved yourself." Su Yunbai looked at her. "I remember the first time you led an army into battle, facing ten times your number of demon soldiers, your hands were trembling, but you didn't retreat a single step."

Jiang Xiaowu pursed her lips: "Back then... I was afraid of embarrassing the general."

"You've never embarrassed me," Su Yunbai said earnestly. "Xiao Wu, do you know what I admire most about you?"

She shook her head.

"It's your resilience."

"Though your life has been filled with hardship, you never complain or blame others. Your cultivation has been difficult, yet you never give up. On the battlefield, you are always the most reliable one."

Jiang Xiaowu's eyes were slightly red.

Su Yunbai had never said these words to her.

She always thought that she was just an insignificant one among his many Daoist partners.

She is not as good as Daji, who was her childhood sweetheart; not as lively and charming as Bixiao; not as aloof and otherworldly as Yunxiao; not as noble as Ao Ling; and not as pure and sincere as Yang Chan.

She only knows how to lead troops and kill people.

"General..." Her voice trembled slightly.

Su Yunbai pulled her into his arms.

"Silly girl, you have never been anyone's subordinate. You are Jiang Xiaowu, my Daoist partner, the deputy commander of the Iron Blood Army, and the guardian of Chaoge City."

He lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead.

I'm sorry for neglecting you these days.

Jiang Xiaowu shook her head, but tears kept falling.

"It's my fault...it's because I'm not good enough."

"Who said that?" Su Yunbai wiped away her tears. "In my heart, you are the best."

The sun sank completely into the western mountains, and dusk descended.

The sycamore trees in the courtyard rustled softly.

Su Yunbai picked up Jiang Xiaowu and carried her into the house.

The candlelight illuminated her flushed cheeks.

That night, he was extremely tender.

Unlike his passionate love for Bixiao, and his refined elegance for Yunxiao, his love for Jiang Xiaowu was tender and protective.

Because she was always too strong-willed and too reserved.

He wanted her to know that she could also be loved and cherished.

The silver light, intertwined with tender emotions, flowed through the room, resonating with Jiang Xiaowu's gun intent—it was a tender heart amidst iron-blooded passion, a steely resolve tempered with a gentle touch.

The next morning.

When Jiang Xiaowu woke up, Su Yunbai was no longer by her side.

She sat up, sensing the subtle changes within her body.

His cultivation seemed to have improved slightly, and more importantly, a warm and vibrant life force had appeared in his dantian.

That was... the beginning of life.

She was stunned.

Just then, Su Yunbai pushed open the door and entered, carrying breakfast in his hands.

"Awake?" He placed the tray on the table. "Eat it while it's hot."

Jiang Xiaowu looked at him, opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Su Yunbai walked to the bedside, sat down, and took her hand.

"You felt it?"

She nodded, her voice hoarse: "It's...my daughter?"

Su Yunbai laughed: "How did you know it was a daughter?"

"Intuition," Jiang Xiaowu gently stroked her lower abdomen, "She's here... very quiet."

He doesn't seem like a troublesome child.

"Then it must be a daughter," Su Yunbai said gently. "When she's born, we'll name her... Su Wutong, what do you think?"

"The parasol tree?"

"Hmm." Su Yunbai looked out the window. "This sycamore tree in your yard was planted by me. It symbolizes the phoenix perching on the sycamore tree. I hope our daughter will soar through the heavens like a phoenix in the future."

Jiang Xiaowu's eyes welled up with tears.

"Okay... let's call it Wutong."

Su Yunbai pulled her into his arms.

"Xiao Wu, thank you."

Thank you for coming into my life.

Thank you for having my child.

After breakfast, Su Yunbai went to the east wing—Su Daji's residence.

Daji was nearly eight months pregnant, her belly swollen high, making it difficult for her to move around. At this moment, she was leaning against a soft couch, being fed medicine to prevent miscarriage by a maid.

Seeing Su Yunbai enter, her eyes lit up: "Husband!"

"Lie still." Su Yunbai quickly walked to the edge of the bed, sat down, and took her hand. "How are you feeling today?"

"It's alright, it's just that this little guy keeps kicking me," Daji laughed, pulling his hand to her stomach. "Feel it."

The fetal movements are strong under my palm.

Su Yunbai felt a pang of tenderness in his heart.

"Nianqing seems to be a lively person."

"Like Bixiao," Daji smiled, "she's likely to cause a huge uproar in the future."

"Let her be naughty, I'll spoil her." Su Yunbai lowered his head and whispered in her belly, "Nianqing, be good, don't make your mother too tired."

A small bump appeared on her belly, as if in response.

The two smiled at each other.

"Daji, I've been busy with military affairs these days and have neglected you," Su Yunbai said apologetically.

"What are you saying, my husband?" Daji shook her head. "Your protection of Chaoge is your protection of me and our child. Although I am in the palace, I know how dangerous the front lines are. I only regret that my body is infirm and I cannot share your burdens."

"Your good health during your pregnancy is the greatest help you can give me," Su Yunbai said earnestly. "When Nianqing is born, I want her to be the happiest little princess in the world."

Daji, with tears in her eyes, said, "Yes."

She leaned on Su Yunbai's shoulder, and the two embraced quietly.

Birdsong drifted in from outside the window; life was peaceful and serene.

In the afternoon, Su Yunbai met Bixiao and Yunxiao in the garden pavilion.

Bixiao was feeding the koi in the pond when she saw him and hopped over: "Yunbai! Were you at Sister Xiaowu's place last night?"

Su Yunbai coughed lightly.

Yunxiao glanced at her younger sister: "Third sister, don't ask about these things."

"I'm just concerned," Bixiao said with a grin. "Sister Xiaowu looks radiant today, she walks with such a spring in her step—ah!"

She suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes widening.

"Could it be...could it be that Sister Xiaowu also..."

Su Yunbai nodded.

Bixiao exclaimed "Wow!" and rushed over to hug him. "That's wonderful! Our family is going to have another member! Is it a boy or a girl? Have you chosen a name yet?"

"It should be a daughter, named Wutong."

"Su Wutong...that's beautiful!" Bixiao clapped her hands, then pouted, "Too bad mine hasn't even started yet..."

Yunxiao said softly, "When the time is right, it will happen naturally."

Bixiao thought for a moment, then laughed: "That's true, anyway, I'm still young, so there's no rush."

She leaned close to Su Yunbai's ear and whispered, "But Yunbai, you'd better step up your game!"

Su Yunbai chuckled and ruffled her hair.

Yunxiao watched the two interact, a gentle smile appearing in her eyes.

"Oh, right, Yunbai." Bixiao suddenly became serious. "Second Sister replied."

"What did Fairy Qiongxiao say?"

"She said..." Bixiao blinked, "She will come to Chaoge after this battle is over."

Su Yunbai was slightly taken aback.

Yunxiao also glanced at his younger sister.

Bixiao said smugly, "How about that? I'm amazing, aren't I? Even my usually cold-hearted second sister was persuaded!"

"She's really impressive," Su Yunbai said with a smile. "Then let's wait for her to arrive."

The three talked for a while longer before Ao Ling and Yang Chan arrived.

Upon hearing that Jiang Xiaowu was pregnant, Ao Ling said calmly, "Congratulations. The Dragon Palace has some medicinal herbs to help with pregnancy; I'll have someone send them over later."

Yang Chan asked excitedly, "Is Sister Xiaowu going to have a baby? Can I be her aunt?"

"Of course," Su Yunbai said with a smile.

Yang Chan smiled happily, then looked a little embarrassed: "I...should I also...?"

Bixiao hugged her: "Chan'er is still young, no rush."

The women burst into laughter.

Su Yunbai looked at them, feeling a warmth in his heart.

This is his home.

With such a wife, a child is on the way.

He must win this battle.

For them, for this family.

In the evening, Su Yunbai invited his fellow Daoists to the main hall for dinner.

The atmosphere at the gathering was harmonious and joyful.

Although Daji could not drink alcohol, she toasted Jiang Xiaowu with tea instead: "Congratulations, Xiaowu."

Jiang Xiaowu replied, "Thank you, sister."

Bixiao was the most lively, constantly talking and laughing, making everyone laugh frequently.

Yunxiao would occasionally say a word or two, his voice clear and cold, but always hitting the nail on the head.

Ao Ling doesn't talk much, but he will serve food to those around him—this is how the dragons express affection.

Yang Chan was well-behaved and quiet, but she was always the first to notice who needed more tea.

Su Yunbai watched this scene with a heart full of emotion.

Having traveled here for eighteen years, he has gone from being all alone to now having a harmonious family with wives and concubines, and children on the way.

This is probably everything he wants to protect.

"Yunbai," Yunxiao suddenly called out softly.

"Um?"

"No matter what lies ahead, we'll be here." She raised her glass, the candlelight reflecting in her icy blue eyes. "With you."

The women also raised their glasses.

"I am with you."

Su Yunbai raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

With you all, I have no regrets in this life.

Five days later, the demon race launched a full-scale attack.

A dark, ominous cloud rolled in from the north, with seventy-two demon kings each leading their troops, stretching for hundreds of miles.

The demon master Kunpeng did not appear, but the suffocating pressure emanating from the depths of the demon clouds indicated his presence.

Su Yunbai stood atop the city wall of Chaoge, his hand on his sword.

Wen Zhong said in a deep voice, "The scouts report that all seventy-two demon kings have come out in full force, with an army of no less than 500,000."

"Understood," Su Yunbai said calmly. "Proceed according to plan."

Wen Zhong nodded, then turned and gave the order: "All troops on alert! Activate the city's defensive formation!"

A golden light enveloped the entire city.

The demonic cloud stopped ten miles outside the city.

The clouds parted, and a blue-faced demon king stepped out into the air, his voice like thunder:

"Su Yunbai! The Demon Master's decree—if you are willing to bind yourself and leave the city, offering your head, you can avoid the massacre of Chaoge!"

Su Yunbai smiled.

He stepped off the city wall and stood suspended in mid-air.

"Let Kunpeng come and tell me himself."

"Insolence!" the blue-faced demon king roared. "A mere human dares to be worthy of seeing a demon master?"

"Then let's fight." Su Yunbai pulled out the Love Silk Entanglement. "Enough with the nonsense."

As soon as he finished speaking, thousands of silver strands shot into the sky!

The Blue-Faced Demon King's expression changed, and he retreated hastily.

But the silver threads followed him closely, instantly binding him into a cocoon.

"save……"

Before the words were finished, the silver cocoon contracted.

puff--

The blood mist exploded.

A demon king fell in an instant.

The demon army fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a deafening roar.

"Kill him!"

Seventy-two demon kings have emerged!

Instead of retreating, Su Yunbai advanced, his love threads transforming into an inverted Milky Way, and charged into the demon king's ranks.

Where the silver light passed, blood rained down.

On the city wall, Yunxiao plays the zither, and the Nine-Bend Yellow River Array is activated once again.

Bixiao unleashed the Golden Dragon Scissors, specifically designed to behead the Demon King.

Zhao Gongming's twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Pearls suppressed half of the sky.

Ao Ling controlled the water to form a dragon, which strangled the monsters on the ground.

Jiang Xiaowu led the Iron Blood Army in a formation and charged into battle.

Yang Chan used the Lotus Lantern to purify the demonic energy.

The battle was fierce.