Chapter 503: Hidden Title
"Go, we should send people there. Even if they can't obtain the Bodhisattva Heart, securing some Bodhisattva Seeds would be good enough. Old Xuan, you can make the necessary arrangements. Of course, if there are others within the alliance who want to go, there's no need to stop them."
Xiao Ming didn't need much time to consider Xuan Kong Zi's question before he responded.
He found no reason to object. Even if he didn't organize the expedition, the Heavenly Court would undoubtedly have members who would venture there on their own. There was no shortage of bold individuals in this world, and the allure of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree was enough to make them ignore the dangers.
However, there was a difference between solo travel and a faction-led expedition. Going alone meant no guarantees, while an organized mission would provide the support of formidable experts and minimize the risk of ambush once they left the Ancient Wasteland Region.
On the Dou Qi Continent, countless individuals ventured into life-threatening realms and overcame numerous trials, influenced by the abundant rewards, only to become the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind them.
Xuan Kong Zi simply nodded in agreement to Xiao Ming's decision, expressing no surprise at the outcome. They then talked briefly about Cao Ying's current situation.
Cao Ying had gone into seclusion some time ago with the intention of breaking through to the Dou Venerate realm. Her cultivation had remained stable during this period. She had carefully chosen a place within the Small Pill Tower, a place with the highest concentration of natural energy, to accumulate the energy necessary for her breakthrough.
If she succeeded in breaking through, her age and achievements would position her as one of the most exceptional talents in the Central Plains, even when considering the young talents from the Ancient Clans with Dou God Bloodlines.
In the field of alchemy, aside from Xiao Ming himself, she stood as one of the foremost figures on the continent. If she had been born into the Yao Clan, her status could rival that of Yao Ling.
Currently, all the women were aware of the progress of Cao Ying's relationship with Xiao Ming.
Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin welcomed her with smiles on their faces and felt it was only a natural progression. Medusa just nodded at the girl she had met briefly in the past, showing neither approval nor disapproval. However, subtle actions, such as allowing Cao Ying to play with her daughter and accompanying them to gather medicinal materials from the nearby fields, revealed an underlying acceptance.
Of the girls, only Zi Yan showed a noticeable hint of dissatisfaction. She had just met this new 'little sister' for the first time, and to her surprise, this new sister had apparently taken advantage of her absence to make rapid progress with Xiao Ming, rounding the bases and possibly even scoring ahead of her!
As for Xuan Kong Zi, he had initially considered his disciple's attachment to Xiao Ming as mere infatuation. It was only when she and Xiao Ming revealed their relationship that he really began to reflect on his disciple's changed behavior, her dedication to cultivation, and her deliberate distancing from other male disciples over the years.
Gradually and discreetly, she had carved out a place for herself in Xiao Ming's heart.
After the initial surprise, joy naturally followed. Xuan Kong Zi's first impulse was to plan a grand wedding, but he also understood the potential dangers of revealing this information at this juncture. Hence, he refrained from doing anything that might jeopardize his disciple's safety.
After discussing other matters of the alliance with Xiao Ming, Xuan Kong Zi took his leave.
With Xuan Kong Zi's departure, Xiao Ming stretched out his arms to encircle the waists of Zi Yan and Medusa, then inquired quietly.
"I'm also planning to travel to the Ancient Wasteland Region this time. Would you both like to come along?"
"Are you going as well? You've already reached the Dou Saint realm, so the legendary Bodhisattva Heart shouldn't be of any use to you now, should it? Or is it maybe for your Master or Sister Cao Ying?" Medusa's enchanting face leaned on Xiao Ming's shoulder and said somewhat surprised.
"If there's anything to be done, you can have those elders take care of it," Zi Yan added, blinking her big eyes.
"I want the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree's Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation. At the moment, I can only refine Ninth-Tier Treasure Pills. If I can experience this cycle of reincarnation, I believe my alchemy skills can reach a terrifying level. Besides, there is still a possibility that something unknown will happen during the emergence of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree this time. It needs to be investigated."
Xiao Ming explained and then added, "So, what do you think? Will you join me?"
Medusa slightly furrowed her brow and looked at Xiao Yue before saying, "Although my strength has improved in the past six months, I haven't reached the Dou Saint realm yet. It's better for me to stay here and take care of Yue'er."
Xiao Ming was not surprised by her decision. Since their marriage, Medusa had become the model of a devoted wife and mother.
"That's fine. Zi Yan, what about you?"
"I'll go with you!" Zi Yan nodded without hesitation. She would never pass up an opportunity to accompany Xiao Ming on an adventure. She did not like to be idle. Even if it was a dangerous place, she wouldn't say no to a stroll.
"Hm. What about you two, Xian'er, Qing Lin?"
Though their conversation was hushed, both girls had already reached the Dou Saint realm and naturally overheard it.
Upon hearing this, Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian stopped playing with Yue'er. The former, much like Zi Yan, nodded with enthusiasm. However, Xiao Yi Xian gently shook her head.
Seeing Xiao Ming's confused expression, the two of them exchanged a knowing look. Qing Lin rushed to Xiao Ming's side and leaned close to his ear, whispering a few words.
"What? Sister Yi Xian is also?"
Xiao Ming hadn't reacted yet, but Zi Yan, who had clearly heard Qing Lin's words, was shocked.
Xiao Yi Xian chuckled and lightly stroked her belly, the faint pulse of life within her causing a bright smile to grace her features, "I'm pregnant, so I'd rather not go this time."
Zi Yan left Xiao Ming's embrace and approached Xiao Yi Xian, pressing her face against her belly. She could feel the faint signs of life inside.
"Really pregnant... I was the first to meet Xiao Ming. How come you're all so quick?"
There was a hint of bitterness in Zi Yan's tone, which amused Qing Lin next to Xiao Ming.
Yue'er looked at Zi Yan with her wide eyes, her small head tilted, seemingly puzzled as to what this auntie was talking about.
"My Xian'er is pregnant..."
Xiao Ming murmured, gently removing his hand from Medusa's waist. He moved forward and gently stroked Zi Yan's hair, "Don't be in such a hurry."
His gaze then shifted to Xiao Yi Xian's slender stomach as she looked at him with expectant eyes. Excitedly, he wrapped his arms around her bottom and lifted her up.
"When did you find out?"
The fact that Xiao Yi Xian was pregnant had come as a pleasant surprise to him. The pregnancy itself was a matter of chance, especially considering that they were both Dou Saints.
"I found out this morning," Xiao Yi Xian wrapped her arms around his neck and replied with a motherly smile on her face.
She was the first woman for Xiao Ming, but she had seen how Medusa, the latecomer, had gotten pregnant before her, which made her feel a bit lost. She understood that it was because of Medusa's special physique that this was possible. But for that very reason, she could not get it out of her head that it was her own physique that was affecting them, no matter how much reason told her otherwise. Fortunately, it was now clear that her physique wasn't an issue.
"Since you're pregnant, you should stay home. It'll be good to keep Medusa company. Before we go to the Ancient Wasteland Region, I'll refine some foundational pills to nourish the fetus."
"Mhm."
...
For the next half month, Xiao Ming remained in seclusion refining the pills. Only when news of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree spread throughout the Central Plains did he emerge.
After giving the pills to Xiao Yi Xian, he set off together with Zi Yan and Qing Ling.
Ancient Wasteland Region
Wasteland Town - This was the closest human town to the Ancient Wasteland Region. Normally, not many people lived in the town, and due to the Ancient Wasteland Region's fierce reputation, people rarely traveled here either.
Hence, the town remained deserted throughout the year, but today it was different. With the emergence of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, this once-quiet town was suddenly buzzing with activity, and the clamor of voices could be heard faintly from several miles away.
This was the first stop for Xiao Ming and the girls.
They passed through the imposing city gates amidst the endless yellow sand. An aura of wild wilderness greeted the trio as the city, shrouded in drifting dust, unfolded before them.
Mercenaries passing by, merchants shouting their wares, boisterous customers, and bustling taverns. All aspects of human life were vividly displayed here.
Beside Xiao Ming, Qing Lin's lovely eyes darted around curiously, taking in everything around them. The environment here reminded her of Rock Desert City in Tagore Desert.
Although that place held many unpleasant memories, it was where she first met Xiao Ming, making it unforgettable to her.
On the other hand, Zi Yan looked at her surroundings with great interest. The undeveloped Ancient Wasteland Region could be described as a natural ancient relic. Countless ancient treasures and rare items were scattered around. Zi Yan's talent for treasure hunting allowed her to sense many valuable items.
However, after becoming the Dragon Emperor, Zi Yan's tastes had become more refined. So she didn't rush to search.
"Let's stroll around and see if we can gather any useful information," Xiao Ming said.
The flow of people in Wasteland Town was tremendous these days, so the trio's arrival didn't seem to attract much attention, except for a few glances from those who found Xiao Ming's face somewhat familiar.
Walking along the streets, Xiao Ming noticed a variety of shops and vendors selling all sorts of items: weapons, armors, pills, monster cores, medicinal herbs...
Detoxification and healing pills were particularly popular and widely sold here, and there was also a considerable supply of monster cores and medicinal herbs.
Even in the dangerous Ancient Wasteland Region, people made a living here, and the establishment of Wasteland Town was related to this.
He also noticed that the strength of the merchants here was at least that of a high-star Dou Ancestor, and each of them exuded a fierce aura.
Conversely, the pedestrians on the street were mostly Dou Kings or Dou Emperors, with the highest being a Dou Ancestor.
This scene made Xiao Ming sigh softly. It was evident that to successfully venture into the Ancient Wasteland Region, one needed to be at least a high-star Dou Ancestor.
It was clear that these passersby had all been lured here by the news of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree.
Xiao Ming was certain that if they dared to enter the Ancient Wasteland Region, at least ninety percent of them would end up dead.
He had already heard that several groups of Dou Venerates had died in recent days. These people were undoubtedly aware of this as well, but none of them were willing to back down.
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Title: Pregnancy, Ancient Wasteland Region
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