The tenth day of the seventh month proved to be a day steeped in both sorrow and elation. Many youths departed with crestfallen looks, yet, in a wonderfully surprising turn, during the final practice led by Teng Qingshan, two more young men managed to forge internal energy, one of whom was the youth named 'Fang Xin'.

Both discovered this internal strength only after their drilling concluded, and the sheer excitement brought them to tears on the spot. With that, the third generation of the Inner Sect lineage totaled ninety-eight disciples.

The remaining eight hundred and sixteen youths were escorted by soldiers dispatched by Zhuge Yuanhong to the Guiyuan Sect. At the Guiyuan Sect, these eight hundred and sixteen would also receive the opportunity to study the secret manuals for forging internal energy; should they succeed, they too would rightfully become disciples of the Guiyuan Sect.

If they failed even with the secret manuals, they would have no choice but to leave the sect in disappointment. That afternoon, the sky was entirely obscured by dark clouds, the air thick and sweltering, punctuated occasionally by the incessant drone of cicadas.

Within the inner courtyard. "Master." "Master." Teng Shou and Xue Xin, both men built like bronze statues, stood respectfully before Teng Qingshan.

"Xue Xin, how has the Savage Beast Gang been developing in the Tai'a Mountain Range under your and your Second Senior Brother's watch recently?" Teng Qingshan inquired. Xue Xin replied respectfully, "Master, everything within the gang is orderly.

We currently have eight thousand brave men in the ranks. Following Second Senior Brother's suggestion, we will halt expansion for now, maintaining the number at eight thousand.

With eight thousand men and the Gale Eagles in the Tai'a Mountain Range, we need fear no other faction." Presently, the Gale Eagles split their time between Yicheng and the Tai'a Mountain Range. Within the Savage Beast Gang, the eight thousand bandits led by Yang Dong treated the Gale Eagles with the utmost deference.

They provided all manner of roasted wild game for the Eagles to feast upon and even hired specialist chefs to prepare delicacies exclusively for them. The Gale Eagles were thoroughly enjoying themselves, living like royalty within the gang.

"Mm." Teng Qingshan nodded slightly. "Xue Xin, starting today, you will remain here with me.

You and your Eldest Senior Brother will be responsible for instructing these young men. There are ninety-eight in total; half will apprentice under your Eldest Senior Brother, and the other half will be under your tutelage.

Instructing these youths is paramount; you must not be careless or negligent." Teng Qingshan’s gaze sharpened. "Yes, Master." Xue Xin affirmed immediately.

"Your martial technique is not equal to your Eldest Senior Brother’s, but it is more than sufficient for instructing these youths. Each of you will take forty-nine disciples...

In ten years, when these youths have grown to manhood, I want to see whose disciples have excelled the most under your respective guidance. The one who instructs better will be rewarded with a supreme treasure from me." Teng Qingshan's words ignited a competitive spark in both Teng Shou and Xue Xin.

If their Master referred to it as a 'supreme treasure,' it surely could be no ordinary item. "Eldest Senior Brother, my strength is inferior to yours, but I will not be inferior in teaching disciples.

Eldest Senior Brother, you had better watch out," Xue Xin said with a polite smile. Teng Shou simply clasped his hands in return, offering no words.

…… Relieved to have entrusted the task of instructing the youths to his two senior disciples, Teng Qingshan felt assured. The next morning, Teng Qingshan and Zhuge Yuanhong walked along the path in the outer court.

"Master, has our Guiyuan Sect arranged for personnel on Tianyun Mountain in Qingzhou?" Teng Qingshan asked immediately. "Rest assured," Zhuge Yuanhong chuckled.

"I specifically stationed ten men living at the foot of Tianyun Mountain. They are to watch the mountain daily, and the moment a large fire erupts there, our Guiyuan Sect will receive news instantly.

Moreover—I also gave the order that this intelligence, upon reaching Jiangning Commandery, must also be transmitted with utmost speed to your location in Yicheng." Teng Qingshan nodded. Today was the eleventh of July; by rights, the Undying Phoenix, 'Little Green,' could arrive in the Nine Provinces at any moment.

"Once the Undying Phoenix arrives, Qingshan, our Guiyuan Sect..." Zhuge Yuanhong began to laugh. "Indeed.

Once the Undying Phoenix arrives, it will be time to make our move," Teng Qingshan stated with sharp eyes. "After all, relying solely on myself makes it extremely difficult to conquer and hold all of Yangzhou." Even Pei San of the Heavenly God Palace required the aid of numerous Void Realm experts to assist him before he became invincible.

Relying on one person alone is far from enough. "Our Guiyuan Sect has been patient for far too long," Zhuge Yuanhong also took a deep breath.

"Qingshan, I place as much importance on monitoring Tianyun Mountain as you do, rest assured." Zhuge Yuanhong returned to Jiangning Commandery City that very day. * At the peak of the scorching midday summer, the sun beat down with vicious intensity.

Teng Qingshan, clad in a simple green robe, practiced his spear techniques ceaselessly within the inner courtyard. For a moment, his figure and the spear's blur merged into one, making it impossible for the eye to discern movement.

The surrounding space subtly vibrated, the power of Heaven and Earth drawn in and circling his spear forms, gathering a convergence of iridescent light. "Qingshan, Qingshan." Li Jun walked out of the house, her brow slightly furrowed.

"Mm?" Teng Qingshan halted his movements instantly and rushed over. "Xiao Jun, what is it?" "My stomach just feels a little uncomfortable, something isn't right," Li Jun said.

Teng Qingshan’s heart skipped a beat. Xiao Jun had already reached the Innate realm; it was almost impossible for an Innate expert to suffer simple stomach discomfort.

Could it be… Could she be pregnant? However, within his domain perception, there was no soul aura emanating from Li Jun’s abdomen.

"Perhaps it has just started showing a reaction, but no life sign yet?" Teng Qingshan speculated. Li Jun had entered the Innate realm, and Innate experts possessed a far greater sensitivity to their bodies than ordinary people.

If she were truly pregnant, Li Jun would sense something amiss even at the very beginning. Pregnancy?

Having a child? Teng Qingshan felt a wave of confusion wash over him.

Even in his previous life, he had zero experience with this, and even this slight possibility made him flustered. "Xiao Jun, come over here." Teng Qingshan gently led Li Jun toward the pavilion.

"No need to support me, I can walk," Li Jun said, sounding slightly perplexed. "No, better to be cautious," Teng Qingshan insisted, showing uncharacteristic prudence.

"Qingshan, what is wrong?" Li Jun did not immediately suspect pregnancy, looking rather bewildered. Teng Qingshan remained silent.

Instead, he helped Li Jun sit down carefully, first checking her pulse. He failed to detect the minute throb of an infant.

But Teng Qingshan did not dwell on it—instead, he reached out and gently placed his hand over Li Jun's abdomen. A subtle warmth of Earth elemental Heaven and Earth power seeped into her body.

This gentle energy benefited all living things, and Teng Qingshan dared not use his fierce Qi for intrusive probing. By controlling the flow of Heaven and Earth power, Teng Qingshan vaguely sensed that something truly was amiss within Li Jun’s lower body.

"What is it, Qingshan?" Li Jun asked, still confused. "Hm?" Teng Qingshan possessed an intimate understanding of human anatomy.

With the touch of the Heaven and Earth power, the internal structure of Li Jun’s body naturally manifested in his mind. "This—" Teng Qingshan detected a minuscule object, likely no larger than a fingertip, perhaps even smaller.

"What is it? Qingshan?" Li Jun’s voice carried a tremor of sudden fear.

Teng Qingshan looked up at Li Jun and managed a wry smile. "Xiao Jun, I can’t be certain myself… I suspect you might be pregnant.

However, I couldn't feel a clear pregnancy pulse. But I did sense something inside you…" Teng Qingshan struggled to articulate it.

"How about this: let’s wait another seven days; then it should be confirmed." "Qingshan, you think I'm pregnant?" Li Jun’s eyes widened. "Not certain.

Wait another week, and we should know for sure," Teng Qingshan replied. "I...

I..." Li Jun was also momentarily stunned into silence. "Don't panic, don't panic.

We'll know in a little while," Teng Qingshan soothed. Neither husband nor wife possessed any experience in this matter.

Even though one was the acting leader of the Snow Lotus Sect and the other a Void Realm expert, they were both slightly thrown into disarray—a mix of joyous surprise, anticipation, and apprehension. Worrying that he might have misjudged the situation felt almost laughable, yet it crossed his mind.

Days passed, and Teng Qingshan checked Li Jun’s condition almost daily. "Odd, it seems slightly larger," Teng Qingshan murmured in surprise.

Based on his knowledge of the human body, that tiny thing resided within Li Jun’s uterine cavity, infinitesimally small. Smaller than a joint of a finger.

But… its growth rate, relatively speaking, was quite fast. "It’s only been six days.

Six days ago it was that tiny speck, and now, six days later, it has doubled in size," Teng Qingshan felt an increasing certainty. …… Ever since Teng Qingshan suspected Li Jun might be pregnant, the majority of his focus, outside of his essential enlightenment and cultivation, had settled upon Li Jun.

The eighth day. Li Jun sat by the pavilion, visibly tense, as Teng Qingshan carefully monitored her pulse, sensing with extreme concentration.

"How is it? Is there a pulse yet?" Li Jun asked anxiously.

Teng Qingshan’s perception was incredibly fine. Gradually, he managed to detect a faint trace—beneath Li Jun’s strong, dominant pulse—an extremely weak, almost nonexistent beat.

Yet, this single trace sent a jolt through him, causing his face to flush scarlet instantly, which startled Li Jun sitting beside him. "Qingshan, what is it?

What is it?" Li Jun pressed. "There is!

There is! There is!" Teng Qingshan repeatedly nodded, his expression a complex mixture of an impending smile and near-tears.

A child? He was going to have a child?

Scenes from his past and present lives flashed before his eyes. He had long grown accustomed to his solitary existence, never once having experienced being a father.

But now, to know he was about to become one—the sensation was utterly bizarre. His mind felt dizzy, unsure of what he was even thinking.

At that moment, a deep, rumbling thunder echoed from the dark clouds overhead, soon followed by a sharp boom-crack explosion. Teng Qingshan immediately pulled Li Jun toward shelter.

"Quick, it's going to rain, let’s get inside." "Mm." It was a first for Li Jun too, and she was still reeling from the shock. Indoors.

Teng Qingshan lifted Li Jun onto the bed and covered her with a quilt. "Xiao Jun, from today onward, stop practicing your whip techniques.

Take good care of yourself," Teng Qingshan stated with unprecedented solemnity. "Mm," Li Jun affirmed, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.

Teng Qingshan suddenly straightened up, muttering to himself, "What exactly do you need to pay attention to during pregnancy? I need to ask someone." "Xiao Jun, you rest now." After speaking softly, Teng Qingshan opened the door and rushed out of the room.

"Rumble~" Whoosh~~~ A torrential downpour was now descending. Despite the curtain of rain, Teng Qingshan felt an excitement surpassing anything he had known before.

"Hahahaha…" Teng Qingshan suddenly threw his head back toward the heavens, raising both arms high, laughing unrestrainedly. "Heavens, in my last life and this one, you have finally granted me a child.

Hahahaha… I have a child now! Hahahaha…" At this moment, Teng Qingshan was more thrilled and overjoyed than the time he achieved enlightenment and reached the Void Realm.

The faint trace of a pulse he had sensed earlier had startled him more profoundly than being struck by a bolt of lightning. "Ah, I need to go ask a physician." Teng Qingshan transformed into a streak of light and vanished from the inner courtyard.