The clash in the sky stilled when a sharp, frantic voice cut through the storm.
"Stop fighting!"
Every gaze turned.
Down the slope, striding as fast as her swollen belly would allow, came Liu Erlong. Her long hair whipped in the wind, her eyes bright as embers. Though attendants scrambled behind, trying to support her, none could match her urgency. Breathless, she ran straight into the open, clutching her middle with one hand yet refusing to slow down.
The moment her eyes found Lu Yuan, she smiled. Relief, joy, and suppressed longing swept across her face all at once.
Lu Yuan froze mid-air. His sword trembled slightly. Then—without a second thought—he retracted his attack and dove down in a flash, landing directly before her.
"Little Pepper! Are you alright?" he demanded, his voice tight. His arm reached out instinctively, steadying her.
Liu Erlong scowled, but her eyes softened. "Bastard… You reckless bastard!"
She swept her gaze over him, checking every inch, and only relaxed when she saw he was unharmed. This man… in just six months he had ascended to the realm of Soul Emperor, even daring to fight a Title Douluo. Her anger mixed with admiration. Did he truly not care for his own safety?
"You!" she snapped, glaring at him. "Come with me—you're insane to make trouble here with so many people watching."
Sect's Shock
The surrounding sect disciples—who had always seen Liu Erlong as fiery, stubborn, and untamable—now gawked in disbelief.
Who was this gentle woman, smiling tenderly?
Her tone toward Lu Yuan… her gaze…
Together, walking side by side, the two cut through the crowd as sect members unconsciously stepped back, forming a road. No one dared bar their path.
The realization dawned on everyone.
Lu Yuan wasn't just rumored to be the father. No—the way Liu Erlong looked at him made it undeniable. This Soul Emperor was indeed the one responsible for the child in her belly.
A murmur rippled.
So it's true…
The boy really did it…
He conquered even our Liu Erlong!
Even Yu Yuanzhen, standing high above, felt his chest tighten painfully. Such a young Soul Emperor, already this terrifying in battle, and now tied to their sect's bloodline? Too abnormal. Too rare! If allowed to keep growing, who among them—who in the entire continent—could stand before him?
He glanced back toward his "genius" nephews, Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin. Talented yes, promising yes—but compared to Lu Yuan, they were like candle flames before the sun.
A sour taste spread in his mouth. Why… Why couldn't such a talent have been born in my own family?
Brothers in Crisis
Back outside, Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng were in their own private crisis.
"Brother," Tianheng muttered stiffly, "do you think we should… call him Uncle from now on?"
The words made his skin crawl. Uncle Lu Yuan. The same Lu Yuan who humiliated them endlessly, who smacked them around whenever he pleased. Now family by law?
Tianxin's face went dark. He shook his head. "Don't get tangled in what to call him. The real problem is: hide your sister. If Lu Yuan notices her, then it'll be her turn next…"
"Um?" Tianheng blinked blankly.
Tianxin gripped his shoulders. "Think about it. Blue Lightning girls will not escape his madness. That monster's hands are too long. Protect your sister's chastity!"
Before he could continue, Tianheng bolted like a gust of wind, disappearing without warning.
"Tch! Idiot!" Tianxin cursed at the empty air, but he also felt the prickling fear.
Sect Council
Later, inside the grand Chamber of Deputies, Yu Yuanzhen presided over an emergency gathering. Every elder sat stiffly, the atmosphere thick.
Yu Luomian, weary and worn, recounted everything. Every detail of the last six months, the bitter truth of Liu Erlong's pregnancy, their failed attempts to control her, and—finally—how Lu Yuan barged into their domain with a blade to his throat.
Cups of tea rattled as elders digested the account.
This matter was… scandalous!
But also…
"Sect Leader," one elder said dryly, "I think we must admit, this is not necessarily bad luck. Yes, Erlong is pregnant outside of wedlock. But consider her choice of partner. This is Lu Yuan we're talking about."
Another elder added quickly, "Although he is different in age from Erlong, his strength and position justify everything. He is Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's disciple and blessing. In fact, this ties our Blue Lightning Clan directly to theirs."
"Yes. If… if the father had been Yu Xiaogang instead," a third elder spat, "then our sect truly would collapse. We expelled him for being trash. To think of our niece with such a waste and cousin—it would be unbearable shame."
All voices nodded in agreement.
Yu Yuanzhen steepled his hands, silent for a moment. Then a spark gleamed in his eyes. "In truth, Lu Yuan carries a potential unmatched in centuries. Though disgraceful at first glance, this affair may yet strengthen our family's power. This union with the Seven Treasure Sect cannot harm us—it can only help."
Yu Luomian nodded slowly. He had thought the same on his way back. "At first, I raged against it. But… Erlong risks her life to protect this child. And the child deserves a father. If the father is Lu Yuan… perhaps this ending is not so shameful after all."
The council fell silent. For the first time, many elder hearts were swayed.
Lovers Reunite
Away from all the politics, in a quieter chamber of the sect, Lu Yuan and Liu Erlong finally sat down together.
For the first time in half a year, they spoke freely.
Lu Yuan told her everything—his absurd battles, his drunken cultivation, his climb to Soul Emperor. She twisted her lips, sometimes angry, sometimes proud. And when he smugly bragged about beating Yu Luomian bloody, Liu Erlong let out a laugh, clutching her belly carefully.
"Good job," she said sharply. "That man has been trying to make me abort this child at every turn. I've had to guard my meals, my water, everything. Without constant vigilance, I wouldn't be sitting here today."
Hearing her recount her suffering, the fire in Lu Yuan's chest nearly exploded. Rage flooded him.
"So that old man did try to kill my child." His knuckles whitened, his jaw clenched. "When I beat him earlier, I was too soft. Next time I'll crack his damn skull open, I swear."
His fury made Liu Erlong shake her head, though secretly, her heart warmed. He was reckless, shameless, unreasonable—but when it came to their child, his anger was true, his protection real.
"Little Pepper," Lu Yuan said gravely after a pause, "I'm taking you back with me. This place isn't fit for you. I can't let them threaten you anymore."
But she gently held his wrist, smiling. "Don't be anxious. If they let you walk in so far without interference, it means they've already accepted the truth. We're safe now. Don't carry such worry."
Her first smile—soft, radiant—nearly stunned Lu Yuan.
But he shook his head stubbornly. "Even if they accept me, I can't stand hiding. I already have plans—when you're ready, we'll return to Heaven Dou. We'll throw the biggest banquet in the city. We'll announce it to everyone."
Liu Erlong stiffened. "Banquet? Publicity? You're mad! I left Heaven Dou to hide this shame. And you want to proclaim it on rooftops?!"
Lu Yuan grinned, tilting her chin. "Why be ashamed? You're carrying my child. That's not shame—that's glory. What's more joyous than giving life? Why hide as though it were sin?"
His words turned her silent.
Her chest clenched—not from anger, but from something softer.
She was an illegitimate daughter herself. All her life, she endured whispers, scorn, and laughter behind her back. That shame had gnawed at her since childhood. Instinctively, she didn't want her next child to be born under the same shadow.
But Lu Yuan's blunt words jolted her. He was right. Why run? Why let her own child inherit that pain?
Slowly, Liu Erlong's eyes brightened. "You're right. Enough escaping. Let's hold a banquet. Let the world know. My child will be born upright, open, with pride."
She leaned forward suddenly, pressing her lips softly against his.
The scent of wine lingered faintly on him. But the warmth was real.
Their kiss lingered, gentle at first, then deepening. When she pulled back at last, her cheeks were flushed.
"This," she whispered, "is my reward… for searching for me all these months. And listen—I truly don't feel ashamed to be carrying your child anymore."
Lu Yuan's grin spread wide. "Little Pepper, hahaha…"
His lips glistened as he licked them. "But you call that a reward? Too little. I want more."
"Lu Yuan!" Erlong's face reddened further. She smacked his chest lightly. "Stop it! I'm pregnant. You'll hurt the baby—"
He only chuckled, tugging her close again as her words drowned beneath his shameless laughter.
--
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