"You… how do you know?"
Bibi Dong looked at Qian Daoliu in shock. The elder's expression was grim.
"I guessed… Otherwise, given your personality, there's no way you would rush to interrogate Xue'er right after the incident."
Bibi Dong sighed deeply. This old fox is as sharp as ever.
He'd figured it out from a few vague clues?
"You're right… I suspect that child may be Xue'er's."
She came clean without hesitation. Qian Daoliu had only been speculating, but hearing her admit it still left him stunned.
"What… it's actually true? But Xue'er is still so young. She's only known that man for a few years at most. That child looked six or seven already! The timeline doesn't make any sense!"
"That's exactly what I'm confused about."
Bibi Dong's face darkened. The age didn't line up. That boy, Shi Hao—he was far too old. And Qian Daoliu had confirmed that Shi Batian and Xue'er hadn't even been acquainted for that long.
Even if that had happened, it couldn't have been more than a year ago—maybe even just a few months.
There's no way a child could grow that fast in just months.
And besides… wouldn't Xue'er have had to physically give birth? Bibi Dong, as someone who had borne a child herself, could clearly see that Xue'er showed no signs of ever being pregnant!
"Unacceptable… Unacceptable! Xue'er actually had a child with that man? Don't tell me she gave birth in secret, and he whisked the child away to hide it from us?"
Qian Daoliu was growing agitated. Unlike Bibi Dong, he had long stepped away from the affairs of Spirit Hall. His sole remaining emotional anchor was his granddaughter, Qian Renxue.
Now he was hearing she'd given birth in secret? No wonder his blood pressure was spiking.
"No. If that child really carries Xue'er's blood, there's no reason to keep her in the dark. I'm going to ask her the truth myself!"
He turned on his heel, ready to storm back.
But Bibi Dong stepped in front of him.
"Just because he's her blood doesn't mean she has to know. Do you want her sinking into domestic attachment again and forgetting the survival of Spirit Hall?"
"You know how stubborn she is. Even if you ask, you won't get anything out of her."
Her tone grew frosty. "We haven't even verified the child's identity. Until then, we don't tell her."
"…Fine. Then we won't tell her."
Qian Daoliu stopped, silently agreeing with her reasoning.
"So what do you plan to do now?"
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed. Her voice was soft, but every word was like a knife.
"Study that child, of course… His martial soul has never appeared on this continent before. It even suppresses our martial souls… It might even be stronger than your Angelic Six-Winged Martial Soul."
"Stronger than the Angelic Martial Soul?!"
Qian Daoliu couldn't hide his excitement. If that child really was Xue'er's son… that would make him a descendant of the Qian family! How could he not be thrilled?
But then, a shadow crossed his face as he remembered something.
He looked at Bibi Dong with deep suspicion.
"Bibi Dong… you'd better not do anything to harm that child. If he really is your grandson…"
"No."
Qian Daoliu grew tense. "Then I need to see the child for myself!"
He hadn't forgotten what this woman was capable of. Back when Qian Renxue was little, Bibi Dong—her own mother—had tried to kill her.
If he hadn't intervened back then, would Xue'er have even survived?
"Absolutely not! Until I uncover that child's secrets… no one is to approach him."
Bibi Dong's tone was flat and cold.
"He attacked Spirit Hall and stomped our dignity into the dirt. Even if he is Xue'er's son, he must be punished."
"You—!"
Qian Daoliu was furious.
"Are you going to fight me?"
Her face didn't flinch. "Weren't you the one who helped stop Xue'er and Shi Batian from being together? What right do you have to meet someone who might be your descendant?"
Bibi Dong still bore deep resentment toward the Qian family. If Shi Hao really was Xue'er's child, that gave her even more reason to deny Qian Daoliu any contact.
"You…"
He clenched his fists—then finally relented with a sigh.
"Fine. But you must promise not to harm him."
"Of course… If we can unlock the secrets of his martial soul, it could push Spirit Hall to new heights."
She smiled faintly, then added, "Besides, the child's identity hasn't been confirmed. Don't go labeling him too soon."
Qian Daoliu said nothing, but his face was dark.
Bibi Dong ignored him and left directly.
Their conversation ended in bitterness.
Qian Daoliu stood in place, his expression deeply conflicted.
If that child really is Xue'er's… then didn't I make a mistake? That man's bloodline clearly isn't trash. Otherwise, how could he father a child with such terrifying talent?
He hated admitting he was wrong, which was why he had so quickly agreed to keep the truth from Qian Renxue.
Shi Batian… I guess I'll have to investigate this man myself. Wherever he is, he probably holds the answers.
Qian Daoliu muttered to himself.
…
Heaven Dou Empire, outskirts of Heaven Dou City—Star Soul Village.
In this small mountain village, atop a scenic cliff…
The view here was breathtaking. Verdant mountains, flowing rivers, birds singing in the distance—but few ever came here to admire it.
Yet here, one man quietly toiled.
He was a young man—handsome, though his skin bore a sun-darkened tone. He was busy weeding his land, tending to various farm chores, planning to open a new patch of farmland.
In front of his modest wooden hut, the air was crisp and the surroundings serene. Next to the house stood a wooden trellis, and climbing upon it was a lush green vine.
A gourd vine.
It had already borne six gourds, each a different color. Under the sunlight, they shimmered faintly with strange, mystical light. These gourds held a power that defied common sense—just one glance could send shivers down a cultivator's spine.
This was the home of Shi Batian.
And the resting place of the remaining gourd brothers.
While Big Gourd—Shi Hao—was out in the world, Shi Batian remained here. Watering, fertilizing, tending the vine day after day. Hoping that one day, the remaining gourds would awaken and grow strong.
Under his devoted care, the gourd vine had thickened—now thicker than his own thigh. It stretched over 20 meters in length, forcing him to build a massive trellis to support it.
As for the six remaining gourds—they were thriving. Especially the second one—the orange gourd—it had already outgrown its siblings, just like Shi Hao had once done.
Shi Batian looked at the vine, sweat beading his brow.
But his gaze was filled with hope.
_
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