Before the grand gates of the Luo God Palace, the soft murmur of the Luo River echoed like the Milky Way descending from the heavens. Starry motes shimmered across its flowing surface, threads of spiritual light drifting and nourishing the land and people of Luo God City.
Serene. Ethereal. Alive with spirit.
Liu Xi gazed deeply into its depths, his eyes catching a faint glimmer of life — a strand of divine essence weaving beneath the ripples.
'The Spirit of the Luo River?' he mused silently, his expression unchanged as he retracted his gaze.
The birth of a Luo River Spirit meant only one thing — the potential reawakening of Luo Shen, the Divine Beauty of legend. If that spirit truly matured, then Luo Li's future talent might be beyond imagination, nurtured by such sacred essence.
At Liu Xi's side, Luo Tianshen walked with careful reverence. But as they approached the riverbank, pride slowly replaced caution in his eyes.
"This river," he said, his tone tinged with nostalgia, "is the mother of our Luo Clan. In ancient times, the Luo River stretched across the entire Western Heaven Continent — boundless, majestic. But during the war against the Fiend Clan, it was shattered. This fragment… is all that remains."
Liu Xi nodded slightly. "A pity. To think we missed the sight of the ancient Luo River. Truly, we were born in lesser times."
Qin Tian's voice grew cold, resentment flickering in his eyes. "All because of those wretched invaders from beyond the realms. Were it not for them, the Great Thousand Worlds would still flourish in peace and glory."
The man in blue robes — Qing Shan, the Azure Sword Saint — added solemnly, "In that era, countless powerhouses roamed the Great Thousand Worlds. It was a golden age of cultivation. And yet, so many fell in battle against the Extraterrestrial Evil Race. Among them... the first beauty of that age, Luo Shen — she too was of this clan."
At the mention of that name, reverence filled the air. Even Luo Tianshen's posture straightened, pride swelling in his chest.
"Yes," he said, voice brimming with emotion. "The Luo Shen was born of our clan — the most beautiful woman of the ancient age, one of the fifteen mightiest beings of the Great Thousand Worlds. When calamity came, she fought alone against the eighth and ninth-ranked Demon Emperors. Though she perished, one died beneath her hand, and the other was gravely wounded."
The group fell silent. Their respect was palpable.
Those who perished for the Great Thousand Worlds were heroes — but Luo Shen, who felled two Demon Emperors, was nothing less than divine.
Liu Xi's lips curved faintly. "Though I cannot witness the ancient Luo Shen's grace myself," he said with a knowing smile, "perhaps her descendants may yet inherit both her beauty and her strength. The bloodline of a goddess may one day rise again."
Luo Tianshen's smile faltered. He would have liked to believe that — but the truth was bitter. The Luo bloodline was fading. Even a Heavenly Sovereign was rare among them now. The rebirth of another Luo Shen? Impossible.
Even Qin Tian and Qing Shan exchanged doubtful glances. The Luo Clan's decline was well-known. Their river dimmed, their blood diluted. The era of miracles was long gone.
But Liu Xi merely clasped his hands behind his back, eyes calm and certain. "The future is full of surprises. Who can say? Perhaps one day, we'll stand again before a new Luo Shen."
"Cough, cough!"
The soft sound came from beside him.
Liu Xi turned — and met Qing Yanjing's bright eyes. There was a spark in them, sharp and dangerous, the kind that could slice a man in half without drawing a blade.
'I'm right here.'
'You're already daydreaming about another woman?'
Liu Xi stiffened. 'Damn it. Bragged too hard.'
He'd just dug his own grave — bringing up another beauty in front of his own woman.
The air thickened. Qin Tian and Qing Shan both looked away, pretending to admire the scenery, though the corners of their lips twitched in amusement.
Even Luo Tianshen lowered his head, inwardly wincing. 'I shouldn't be hearing this... If I don't look up, maybe he won't kill me to keep me quiet.'
Liu Xi coughed lightly, stepped closer to Qing Yanjing, and — to everyone's surprise — took her hand in his own. Her delicate fingers trembled slightly, but before she could pull away, his voice came warm and sincere.
"Whether we ever meet another Luo Shen or not," he said softly, "it no longer matters. Because the most beautiful woman of this age… is already by my side."
A blush rose to Qing Yanjing's cheeks. 'The most beautiful in the world'... That was far too exaggerated — and yet her heart fluttered.
Liu Xi pressed his advantage, eyes glinting mischievously. "If there ever is another beauty as dazzling as Luo Shen, then she'll make a fine daughter-in-law for us. I believe only someone like that could match the son we'll have someday."
That earned him several stunned looks. It was arrogant — but not false. For a man like Liu Xi, whose strength now rivaled Saints, his child's future status was bound to be extraordinary.
"Who… who said I'm going to have your child?!"
Qing Yanjing's voice was soft and trembling, her face crimson, her anger weak and sweet.
Liu Xi chuckled, his gaze gentle but firm. "You have to. The moment I met you, I already had our child's name picked out. If you don't, that'll make me look foolish, won't it?"
Her heart pounded wildly, her voice turning to a whisper. "Then... just one."
Liu Xi laughed, pulling her into his embrace beside the radiant river of stars.
"Better make it a few."
"Fine… whatever you say."
Qin Tian: "∑(￣□￣;)"
Qing Shan: "Σ(°△°|||)︴"
Luo Tianshen: "Σ(д|||)"
'I've learned something today,' the Luo Clan Leader thought miserably. 'I really learned something.'
They suddenly felt like unwanted intruders in someone else's romantic scene. Perhaps it was best to quietly… leave.
Holding the flushed Qing Yanjing close, Liu Xi suddenly turned toward Luo Tianshen, his expression deepening with purpose.
"Clan Leader Luo," he said with a faint smile, "Why don't we make an agreement? If, in the future, a young woman of the Luo Clan is born with exceptional talent — and she and my future son happen to like each other — then let them be engaged from birth. A childhood betrothal, if you will."
"If they don't, the pact is void. No one will force them. But if they do… we'll bless the union."
Luo Tianshen froze — then realization struck. His heart leapt.
This wasn't just a proposal. It was protection — a bond of goodwill with a man who now stood atop the Great Thousand Worlds.
He nodded eagerly, his smile barely contained. "Agreed! If such fortune ever falls upon one of our daughters, it will be her greatest blessing."
Liu Xi smiled faintly.
The Luo Clan Leader had no idea what he'd just promised.
Because when Liu Xi said "a woman of the Luo Clan"… he was already thinking of Luo Li.
(End of Chapter)
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