3: Chapter 3 Ten Months of Pregnancy
Bai Cang stood up, leaving Bai Miaomiao inside the cave dwelling, and walked along with Yue Shanhe.
"Ancestor Bai's second wife must also be found as soon as possible."
His ice-blue tiger eyes turned toward Yue Shanhe; those eyes were like amber.
'What the hell, Ancestor Bai's second wife?! You've only been married for a month, you're already so fickle, won't your wife beat you up for this?'
Yue Shanhe complained frantically in his heart. Memories of the loving and harmonious scene between Bai Cang and Bai Miaomiao just now flashed through his mind, and he felt a sudden critical hit, falling into silence.
He took a deep breath: "Ancestor Bai, our sect's manpower and resources are limited; as for spirit stones, I'm afraid..."
"Take twenty percent of the spirit stone mine as funds."
Bai Cang turned his head away expressionlessly, looking at the swirling mist between the cloud-capped peaks. He knew the nature of this kid, Yue Shanhe, all too well.
The spirit stones piled up in the cave dwelling had no major use for the time being, other than being used for Bai Miaomiao's cultivation.
The rich spiritual energy of the first-rank high-grade spirit vein was enough for his daily cultivation needs. Demonic beasts didn't have cultivation techniques; they just slept and absorbed it slowly!
Or they devoured the flesh, blood, and inner cores of certain demonic beasts, as well as heavenly treasures, to increase their strength.
But because of his status, all of this needed to be collected for him by the Mountain and River Sect.
And if one's strength was insufficient, rashly purchasing items that far exceeded one's own strength outside would often lead to encountering rogue cultivators who would kill to seize treasures.
Therefore.
The stronger the Mountain and River Sect was, the more benefits it would bring to him, the Mountain-Protecting Spirit Beast. Having been holed up on Lingyuan Peak for several decades, he could now be considered a figure at the level of an ancestor of the Mountain and River Sect.
"Since Ancestor Bai has spoken, I, Yue, will do my utmost and mobilize the entire sect to repay Ancestor Bai's kindness."
Tears flashed in the corners of Yue Shanhe's eyes. He took a long breath, his voice somewhat choked with emotion.
Twenty percent of the spirit stones—given the reserves of the spirit stone mine, at least for the next two years, he wouldn't have to worry about the distribution of spirit stones in the Mountain and River Sect!
Wuwuwu~
Everything I say is just tears!
Back when the previous sect leader was on the verge of passing away, he had been entrusted with the mission in a time of crisis, using his peerless strength and wisdom to drive away enemies and engage in strategic alliances.
As a result, he had been worrying about the food and drink of the entire sect for over a decade, racking his brains every day, and it still hadn't stopped even now.
At night, he still had to be bullied by a tigress when he went home, making his legs go weak. How could he, a dignified sect leader, maintain his demeanor in front of outsiders??
"Go buy some spirit herbs that nourish the blood and spirit to supplement your body; don't let your cultivation fall behind too much, little Shanhe!" Bai Cang said suddenly and seriously, instantly striking at the heart of Yue Shanhe's bitter worries.
'Was I seen through? Is this embarrassing?! I must find an excuse not to go home tonight...'
After Bai Cang finished discussing other matters, Yue Shanhe left in a daze, swaying as if he were a falling leaf in late autumn.
Returning to the cave dwelling.
Bai Miaomiao was sitting cross-legged, cultivating the Mountain and River Orthodoxy. Sensing Bai Cang's return, she opened her eyes in surprise and joy.
"My Lord Husband, I have successfully guided Qi into my body!"
She spoke very excitedly, her pair of crystal-bright brown eyes shining like pearls, with a trace of admiration hidden deep within.
"Stepping onto the path of immortality cultivation and having spiritual energy nourish your body is also good for our baby, but don't tire yourself out; stop when you are tired."
Bai Cang tilted his tiger head and kindly instructed.
Bai Miaomiao's face turned red, and she touched her silver hair with her tender little hand, whispering: "Meow~ Such a peaceful and tranquil life is truly happy; I have never even dreamed of it. Thank you, My Lord Husband!"
Her voice was very soft, like a gentle breeze in spring, making Bai Cang, who felt like he was in late autumn, feel warm.
"Peaceful and tranquil?"
Bai Cang murmured softly.
On the path of the Great Dao, the world of immortality cultivation changes every year. Small sects like the Mountain and River Sect could be destroyed at any moment. Small crises never cease.
Being in a high position, one worries about the people; standing at the top of the Mountain and River Sect, he deeply knew what lay beneath this peaceful scene!
Fortunately, the three kingdoms of Ming, Lin, and Xue were stable on the surface, and no major crises had appeared.
Once wars broke out everywhere, like vegetation in late autumn and the silence of a withered winter, after the cycle of the four seasons, the Mountain and River Sect could not dare to say it would exist securely.
With the Mountain and River Sect's second-rank mountain-protecting formation, the 'Ethereal Cloud and Mist Formation', it could at most withstand one Foundation Establishment cultivator.
If a second-rank barrier-breaking talisman were in hand, it would be another matter.
'The hundred arts of immortality cultivation—I, Lord Tiger, don't know a single one!'
Bai Cang complained. As a demonic beast, he was naturally strong in body, but he was extremely lacking in techniques.
He only had one innate offensive divine ability, the Golden Light Technique, and one small technique for creating Chang Ghosts.
Looking at Bai Miaomiao, who was stroking her lower abdomen, Bai Cang felt a surge of confidence: 'One cub equals one year of demonic power; if we have a few more, I should be about ready to advance to the second rank!'
He had been at the peak of the first rank for over ten years, and his accumulation was quite profound.
Moreover, there would be an extra special reward for the first offspring; it was truly something to look forward to!
Having no field to plow was the current predicament...
Seeing Bai Cang lying listlessly on the soft cushion, Bai Miaomiao realized something. She leaned against Bai Cang and gently comforted him: "My Lord Husband has suffered during this time."
...
Ten months later.
Bai Miaomiao's belly was getting bigger and bigger, and the due date was just in these next few days. Bai Cang lacked experience and was slightly anxious.
Fortunately, there were three female disciples taking care of Bai Miaomiao, which made him feel a bit more at ease.
"Ancestor Bai."
While feeling the perfect demonic power in his body, Bai Cang suddenly heard someone calling him. Yue Shanhe, looking proud and pleased, walked toward him from afar.
"Hmm."
Bai Cang nodded to signal him, "If you have something to say, say it quickly; if not, get lost."
Yue Shanhe's expression changed instantly. He hurriedly stepped forward, his dharma power fluctuating at the eighth level of Qi Refining, and said:
"Three female disciples are nearby; Ancestor Bai must maintain the demeanor of an expert! Also... please leave me some face..."
The last sentence was the main point, right?
Bai Cang snorted coldly and ignored him.
Ever since this guy won the spirit stone mine from the Qingyang Sect, his luck had turned around quite a bit. This year, when he opened the mountain to accept disciples, he actually recruited a disciple with a high-grade fire spirit root.
"It's like this. Recently, the Qingyang Sect's reaction has been a bit strange. The elders and I have discussed and speculated that they are likely brewing some conspiracy..."
Yue Shanhe said in a low voice.
"I have said it before, unless someone attacks the mountain, I will not take the initiative to go down the mountain." Bai Cang said.
Two reasons.
First, the top combat power of a sect cannot easily enter the field to avoid falling into traps.
Second, he wanted to make Yue Shanhe understand one thing.
A sect is like a small boat in the world of immortality cultivation. The pilot must understand the first rule of survival: caution.
First make yourself invincible, then wait for the enemy to become vulnerable. Exposing flaws in front of the enemy is your mistake!
And there is a personal reason: there are too many good things on a tiger's body, and there are too many bad people outside!!
"Oh..."
Yue Shanhe was a bit disappointed.
In recent conflicts, he felt that the Qingyang Sect was losing everywhere. He wanted to maximize the benefits and hoped that Ancestor Bai would make a move once.
Bai Cang guessed Yue Shanhe's thoughts.
The previous sect leader, Ling Yun—his father-in-law and also his foster father—had passed away, and more than half of the reason had to be blamed on the Qingyang Sect!
For a cultivator, Foundation Establishment is a life-or-death gamble; without the help of a Foundation Establishment Pill, it is not an exaggeration to say it is nine deaths and one life!
Ling Yun had luckily obtained one inferior Foundation Establishment Pill and intended to forcefully undergo Foundation Establishment before his time ran out.
However, he was intercepted midway by the Qingyang Sect, who had learned the news. He was severely injured and unable to undergo Foundation Establishment in a perfect state, eventually passing away.
Yue Shanhe, who regarded Ling Yun as his own father, must have hatred for the Qingyang Sect that had already seeped into his bones.
"There is one more thing to inform Ancestor Bai: the Nine Stars Market is going to hold an auction. It is rumored that a half-demon woman will be auctioned... The sect's strength also needs to be improved; I hope Ancestor Bai will give some more support!"
Yue Shanhe said with a thick-skinned smile.