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

When Su Yunbai returned to the Marquis of Jizhou's residence, it was already close to dawn.

He returned to Daji's room quietly, moving gently, afraid of disturbing her.

But as soon as he took off his outer robe and sat down on the edge of the couch, he heard a slight noise beside him.

Daji woke up.

She was a light sleeper to begin with, and with something on her mind, she sensed when Su Yunbai got up and left, and remained in a semi-conscious state afterward.

"Yun Bai?" She opened her sleepy eyes and, in the dim light streaming in from the window, saw him sitting beside her. Her voice was soft and gentle, tinged with worry, "When...did you go out? Where did you go?"

Su Yunbai lay down and gently pulled her into his arms, feeling her soft body and faint fragrance. The tension and scheming in his heart temporarily subsided.

"I went to Chaoge," he said softly, his chin gently resting on the top of her head.

Daji's body stiffened slightly, all sleepiness vanished, and she looked up at him, her eyes filled with concern and lingering fear:

"Chaoge? You went to the palace so late at night? Is it dangerous? His Majesty...?"

"It's nothing."

"I only discussed some conditions with the King and finalized some arrangements for my entry into the court. This also serves to completely dissuade him from the idea of ​​selecting you for the palace."

He glossed over it briefly, without mentioning the quasi-saint cultivation level, the attack of the three demons, or the shocking secret that King Zhou was also a time traveler.

Those things were too heavy for her; the less she knew, the safer she felt.

However, even these few words, spoken so casually, carried immense weight in Daji's ears.

He sneaks into the palace alone in the dead of night to negotiate with the king...

Even if she didn't fully understand the treacherous nature of the court, she could imagine some of the courage, wisdom, and risks involved.

He did it for her.

For her words, "I'll wait for you to come back," and for her to be able to stay safely in Jizhou.

Without having to get involved in the turmoil of the palace, he actually accomplished this almost impossible feat.

A surge of scalding heat welled up from the bottom of my heart and instantly filled my limbs and bones.

It then transformed into a bittersweet emotion and surging feelings, overcoming the last trace of shyness and restraint.

Daji didn't speak, but stretched out her arms and tightly wrapped them around Su Yunbai's waist, burying her face deep in his chest, as if she wanted to meld herself into his body.

Su Yunbai felt the gentle trembling of the delicate body in his arms and the unreserved dependence she showed, and his heart softened. He tightened his arms around her, holding her even closer.

[Ding! Affection has been established with the bound character 'Su Daji', intimacy level +500.]

[Ding! The target has developed a strong sense of dependence and affection for the host, intimacy level +800.]

[Current intimacy level: 12025 points.]

After a moment of tenderness, Daji suddenly stirred. She lifted her head from his embrace, and in the darkness, her eyes shone with an astonishing light, as if filled with starlight.

She bit her lower lip, as if making a major decision.

Then, she reached out and gently stroked Su Yunbai's cheek, her fingertips trembling slightly with coolness, yet her touch was incredibly firm.

"Yunbai..."

"You've done so much for me... I... I don't know how to repay you..."

"Silly girl, there's no need for repayment between us." Su Yunbai took her hand and kissed it lightly.

Daji's face flushed instantly, but she did not pull her hand back.

She took a deep breath, mustered all the courage she had, propped herself up, and in the hazy morning light, took the initiative to kiss his lips.

Her kiss was inexperienced and clumsy, yet filled with a desperate passion and complete trust.

Su Yunbai was slightly taken aback, then took the initiative and deepened the kiss.

The curtains swayed gently, stirred by the waves.

.......

.....

……

Twilight.

Exhausted, Daji curled up in Su Yunbai's arms and fell into a deep sleep.

A satisfied and serene smile played on her lips, while traces of tears still lingered in the corners of her eyes.

Su Yunbai, however, was wide awake.

He gently stroked her smooth shoulders and back, his gaze tender.

[Ding! The intimacy level with the bound character 'Su Daji' has greatly increased.]

[Ding! You have received a substantial reward of 15000 Intimacy Points!]

[Ding! The bound character 'Su Daji' has unlocked all her emotional and physical bonds with the host, permanently increasing the efficiency of daily intimacy point acquisition by 50%.]

[Current intimacy level: 27025 points.]

Intimacy level skyrockets!

More importantly, Daji completely opened her heart to him; this unreserved trust and reliance was more precious than any reward.

He lowered his head and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Wait for me," he said silently.

Immediately, with a thought, he opened the system shop.

Now that I have over 27,000 intimacy points, I can exchange them for some more useful items.

His eyes swept across the dazzling list, and he quickly locked onto a few targets.

[The first four stages of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique (Basic Chapter of the Method to Achieve Sainthood through Physical Body) - Requires 15000 points to exchange.] (Note: It can greatly increase physical strength and power, providing a significant advantage in combat, especially suitable for melee and dealing with group attacks.)

[Taiyi Golden Pill x3 (A holy healing medicine that can restore flesh and bone, revive the dead, and has miraculous effects on cultivators below the Golden Immortal level) - Exchange requires 3000 points per pill, totaling 9000 points.]

[Innate Qi Talisman x5 (One-time use protective talisman, capable of withstanding a full-force attack from an early-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal) - Exchange requires 800 points per talisman, totaling 4000 points.]

The journey to the North Sea is fraught with unknown dangers. Demons and unorthodox cultivators employ unpredictable methods; group battles, poisons, and evil spells are all possible. A strong physical body is essential for survival; healing elixirs and protective talismans are necessary safeguards.

"Exchange for the first four stages of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, three Taiyi Golden Pills, and five Primordial Qi Talismans."

[Exchange successful, consuming 28000 Intimacy Points.]

[Current intimacy level: -975 points.]

Su Yunbai was in debt again, but he didn't care at all. Investing in survival and strengthening one's capabilities is always worthwhile.

The moment the exchange was completed, a vast and profound information about cultivation techniques flooded his mind. He quickly absorbed and understood countless mysteries about physical training, blood circulation, and the opening of acupoints.

At the same time, his internal energy and blood began to circulate slowly along the path of the profound technique, and a slight tingling sensation came from deep within his muscles and bones, which was being quietly strengthened.

Three pills the size of longan fruits, shimmering with golden light, and five seemingly ordinary...

A yellow talisman containing a wisp of innate Daoist charm also appeared in the system's built-in storage space.

By the time all this was done, it was already broad daylight.

Su Yunbai carefully got up and dressed.

He glanced one last time at the sleeping Daji, leaned down and gently kissed her lips, then resolutely turned around and pushed open the door.

It's time to go.

He first went to Su Hu's study, where the father and son had a private conversation for a while.

Su Hu handed him a private letter that he had already written, addressed to several former generals in the northern frontier, and gave him numerous instructions.

Afterwards, Su Yunbai went to bid farewell to Madam Yang.

Finally, he stood outside Daji's courtyard for a moment, but ultimately did not go in and wake her.

Parting only adds to the sadness, so let her sleep a little longer.

He turned around and strode towards the outside of the Marquis's residence.

Outside the mansion gate, a troop of light cavalry was already waiting.

These were the personal guards assigned to him by Su Hu, and also his initial team for his trip to Beihai.

In addition, there was a messenger from Chaoge and a small squad of palace guards, carrying a secret edict and troop deployment tally issued by King Zhou the previous night.

"Let's go." Su Yunbai mounted his horse, his voice calm.

"drive!"

The sound of horses' hooves rang out, and the caravan left Jizhou City, galloping northward.

Target: Beihai. Yuan Futong.

……

Shortly after Su Yunbai left, another encrypted order from Chaoge was delivered to Grand Tutor Wen Zhong at the Beihai front almost simultaneously through a special channel.

The command is very simple:

"Grand Tutor Wen Zhong is hereby ordered to transfer full military command of the suppression of the rebellion in Beihai to the newly appointed Special Envoy for the Suppression of the Rebellion and Deputy Commander of the Royal Palace Guard, Su Yunbai. The Grand Tutor himself shall immediately lead his elite troops back to the capital in secret, without fail."

Signed: Di Xin. Affixed with the seal of the human king.

This order pushed Su Yunbai directly to the very center of the enormous vortex that was the North Sea.

This also quietly removed Wen Zhong, the pillar of stability, from the front lines and returned him to the central command.

In an attempt to reverse the course of fate, the first crucial move was made in Beihai.

On the city wall of Jizhou, Daji, who had awakened at some unknown time, was wearing only a thin garment.

Leaning on the railing, gazing into the distance at the northern official road, now devoid of smoke and dust, he remained motionless for a long time.

In her hand, she tightly clutched a warm jade pendant that Su Yunbai had secretly placed beside her pillow before leaving.

The wind blew her long hair and clothes, carrying the coolness of a northern morning.

"You must... come back safely," she murmured, her eyes resolute.

This time, it's her turn to wait for him.

[Ding! The bound character 'Su Daji' has developed a strong attachment and wish for the host, forming a 'bond of longing'.]

[Note: Under this bond, if the host encounters a fatal crisis while active in the North Sea region, there is a slight chance of triggering a bond protection effect.]

[Currently in a state of intimacy debt, but the bond generates additional emotional fluctuations, offsetting some of the 'emotional interest'.]

Su Yunbai, who was a hundred miles away, seemed to sense something and reined in his horse to look back in the direction of Jizhou!

His gaze then turned cold as he looked toward the somber northern horizon.