Chapter 1502: Xiao Family Longevity Banquet

Cangfeng Nation, Flowing Cloud City, the Xiao Clan.

Today, Flowing Cloud City was as peaceful and serene as usual, yet with a hint of liveliness.

Flowing Cloud City, the smallest city in Cangfeng Nation, had now become the most special place on the Heaven Profound Continent. In the profound way, everyone knew it was the place where the Cloud Master grew up.

However, Flowing Cloud City had not undergone any noticeable changes because of this; it remained as secluded and peaceful as before. Every day, a large number of profound practitioners from the Heaven Profound Continent, and even the Illusionary Demon Realm, would come to personally witness and pay homage to the birthplace of the Cloud Master. Yet, they always observed from a distance, never daring to disturb or desecrate this quiet little city in the slightest.

Due to their limited scope, very few people in Flowing Cloud City truly understood the significance of the "Cloud Master" in the current era.

Even fewer knew that today, the Xiao Clan was hosting the most prominent figures from the Heaven Profound Continent, and indeed, the entire planet.

"May Great-Grandfather enjoy everlasting prosperity and live as long as the Southern Mountains... Please, Great-Grandfather, have some tea."Xiao Lie sat upright in the hall. Before his knees, Xiao Yong'an knelt respectfully, earnestly offering him tea.

"Good, good child," Xiao Lie chuckled, accepting the tea and drinking it all, a gentle smile on his face.

Once, at just over fifty years old and with Spirit Profound Realm cultivation, he had already appeared old. After Yun Che's death, his hair had turned white almost overnight. Now, on his seventieth birthday, his hair and beard were black, his complexion rosy, making him look no more than forty. He was like a completely different person compared to back then.

This was the Xiao Clan, the place Xiao Lie cherished most, a place he never wished to leave for long, even after being hurt and betrayed. Yun Che, with his daughter and the other women, and Xiao Yun, with his wife and son, had all arrived early to celebrate his birthday and offer him tea.

"...Wuxin respectfully offers Great-Grandfather tea."After Xiao Yong'an, Yun Wuxin knelt before him, reverently offering tea.

Xiao Lie took the teacup, sighing with a smile, "Before I knew it, Che'er's daughter has grown so big. Time truly waits for no one."

"But Great-Grandfather is getting younger and younger," Yun Wuxin said with sparkling eyelashes and a beaming smile. "So, time can't catch up to Great-Grandfather at all. Great-Grandfather will have many, many more seventieth birthdays in the future."

"Hahahahaha," Xiao Lie burst into laughter. "With such a sweet great-granddaughter like Wuxin, Great-Grandfather wouldn't bear to grow old too quickly."

Amidst the hearty laughter, he drained the tea in his hand. The warmth from the tea didn't just linger in his chest, but spread throughout his entire body.

After the two younger generations finished offering tea, Yun Che looked at Xiao Yun, who also looked back at him, smiling, "Brother, please go first."Although Yun Che did not have the surname Xiao, in Xiao Yun's eyes, Yun Che was undoubtedly no different from a blood brother.

"Alright!"Yun Che didn't decline. He stepped forward, poured the tea, raised the cup, and knelt before Xiao Lie: "Your grandson, Yun Che, offers you tea, wishing you boundless blessings and a long, eternal life."

His simple, unadorned birthday wishes were delivered with powerful clarity. In this world, how many people could make him willingly and dutifully bend his knee like this?Besides his parents, only Xiao Lie.

Xiao Lie took the teacup but didn't drink. Instead, he looked at Yun Che and suddenly sighed, "Che'er... back then, after Ying'er passed away, I actually held resentment towards you, even hatred. But now... what I've received is a tenfold return and boundless blessings. To have a grandson like you is the greatest fortune of my life."

Yun Che, however, shook his head and whispered, "Uncle Xiao, Aunt Xiao, and Grandmother all passed away because of me. Grandfather should have resented and hated me, yet you never for a day or a moment abandoned or slighted me. Instead, you raised me safely, treated me even better than Lingxi, and even when I made mistakes, you couldn't bear to scold me harshly. You endured countless cold stares for me, swallowed insults for me, and even for my profound veins... Grandfather, once renowned for your 'fierceness,' bowed and pleaded to countless people."

"Everything now is not a return of blessings, but merely my duty as a grown descendant to show filial piety to Grandfather... it still pales in comparison to even a fraction of Grandfather's nurturing grace. To meet Grandfather in this life is the greatest fortune of my life, Yun Che."

Xiao Lie smiled... The frail, delicate figure he always protected under his wing still seemed close, as if it were yesterday. Yet now, in just over a decade, he had reached a mythical height, overlooking all beings on the continent.

But he had never changed, kneeling before him, just like when he was a youth.

Beside Yun Che, Cang Yue gracefully bowed: "Your granddaughter-in-law, Cang Yue, offers you tea."Yun Che had married Xia Qingyue first, with Cang Yue later, but in everyone's eyes, Cang Yue was Yun Che's true wife. Even the Little Demon Empress addressed her as "older sister."

After many years on the throne, Cang Yue was no longer the naive girl she once was; every gesture exuded imperial bearing. Her status as "Yun Che's true wife" made her far more than merely the "Empress of Cangfeng." Her esteemed position was incomparable to any emperor on the Heaven Profound Continent.

"Yue'er," Xiao Lie looked at Cang Yue, chuckling, "Although state affairs are important, you and Che'er have been married for over a decade now. It's time to have a child; this would also continue the bloodline of the Cangfeng imperial family."

"...Yes, Yue'er understands," Cang Yue said, lowering her head slightly, her beautiful eyes subtly glancing at Yun Che.

"Uh... Yue'er and I will definitely work hard, work hard," Yun Che quickly said, though he felt a bit troubled inside.

After acquiring the Dragon God bloodline, especially the Dragon God Marrow, his essence, while still human, had increasingly leaned towards that of a dragon... more precisely, a Dragon God, which were the supreme beings among dragons in ancient times.

Dragons are inherently lustful, making Yun Che undeniably a diligent man. Yet at the same time, dragons find it extremely difficult to procreate... especially higher-ranking dragons.Yun Che had vaguely realized this many years ago.

Cang Yue, the Empress of Cangfeng, and the Little Demon Empress, the ruler of Illusionary Demon Realm, both greatly desired a child with Yun Che, but for years, their wish remained unfulfilled.

Yun Che had even secretly used spiritual medicines that could ensure 100% conception in women... However, while they worked instantly on Xiao Yun and Tianxia Qiyi, they had absolutely no effect on him!This truly left him utterly frustrated.

It seemed the only way was to be even more diligent than before... Yun Che secretly made a decision: *I wonder who my second child will be with, and will they be as cute as Wuxin?*

*Screech...*As the thought flashed, his body suddenly trembled violently... His heart felt as if it had been pierced by a poisoned steel needle, a pain that tore through him.*Wh-what's happening...?*Yun Che was facing Xiao Lie, so his momentary anomaly went unnoticed by others.

After Cang Yue, it was the Little Demon Empress's turn to offer tea. She was the only other woman present who had married Yun Che, though their situation was somewhat different... After all, their descendants were destined to bear the surname "Huan" (Illusion) and be the future rulers of the Illusionary Demon Realm.

"Caiyi," Xiao Lie chuckled, advising, "Now that the Illusionary Demon Realm is at peace and there's no longer any need to worry about chaos, you've worked hard for a century and should get some proper rest. Have a child with Che'er soon, so you can raise the next Demon Emperor earlier."

"Yes," the Little Demon Empress respectfully replied.

After the Little Demon Empress, it was Chu Yuechan. Although she hadn't married Yun Che, she was the only woman with whom Yun Che had a child, naturally giving her an extraordinary status in both the Yun and Xiao Clans. Facing Chu Yuechan, Xiao Lie's expression became emotional as he said, "Yuechan, Che'er has wronged you greatly, and my Yun and Xiao Clans owe you immeasurably. How fortunate it is for Che'er to have you as a companion in this life."

"Che'er, although I know you are no longer bound by worldly customs, our Yun and Xiao Clans are still of this mortal realm. Grandfather still hopes to see you marry Yuechan grandly and give her proper status."

"Hahahahaha, Father is right!"Just as Yun Che was about to respond, a hearty laugh rang out. Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou entered side by side. After kneeling to offer birthday wishes, Yun Qinghong continued, "Che'er, your grandfather's words are my words. Not just Yuechan, but Xue'er, who has had an engagement with you for years, and Ling'er, who followed you from the Azure Cloud Continent and has been by your side for so many years—how long do you plan to keep delaying this?"

Mu Yurou said with a smile, "And Lingxi and Xian'er. There's no need to mention Lingxi, but Xian'er is the Phoenix Daughter admired by everyone. Now the entire continent knows she is your personal maid, it will be hard for her to marry anyone in the future. You can't keep her as a maid for her entire life, can you?"

These words startled Feng Xian'er greatly. She quickly said, "How can Xian'er... For Xian'er to be a maid by Young Master's side is already the fortune of a lifetime, how can I... how can I..."She bowed her head deeply, not daring to meet anyone's gaze.

"Xian'er," Mu Yurou smiled, "When Che'er was most disheartened, you stayed by his side without leaving. Your heart is kind and pure, and we all saw how good you were to Che'er. If you can join our Yun Clan and stay by Che'er's side, as his parents, we would be overjoyed."

"Che'er, if you're troubled by conventional rituals, just nod your head, and we'll handle the rest," Mu Yurou continued. "After all, you're not a woman. Status, for women, is far more important than you might think."

Yun Che's gaze swept over Chu Yuechan, Feng Xue'er, Su Ling'er, Xiao Lingxi, and Feng Xian'er... He saw the changes in their expressions. Even in the eyes of Chu Yuechan, whose disposition was the calmest, he saw a glimmer of beautiful, quietly hidden brilliance.

He nodded gently, smiling, "Alright, everything will be as Grandfather and Father and Mother decide."

Yun Qinghong smiled, and Mu Yurou's face blossomed into a radiant smile: "That's my good boy. Che'er and Xue'er had their engagement set earliest, and the end of the month after next is warm autumn, a perfect day. There's enough time for preparations, so our Yun Clan will marry Xue'er into our family with great fanfare."

"Mother..." Feng Xue'er's lips pressed together lightly. Even though she was already the unreachable Phoenix Goddess in the eyes of the world, she still felt a surge of shyness in this situation.

"And Xian'er," Mu Yurou continued, "You and Xue'er are from the same lineage, so how about you become Xue'er's accompanying bride?"

Mu Yurou clearly had a plan in mind. Feng Xian'er was the youngest and harbored a deep, all-surpassing admiration and reverence for Yun Che, always seeing herself as a maid in front of him and the other women. If she were to directly marry into the Yun Clan, she would feel completely out of place.

"Ah..." Feng Xian'er softly gasped, her hands nervously clutching the hem of her skirt, her face turning crimson. "I... I..."

"Xian'er, you yourself are willing to be Che'er's maid for life, but what about your parents?" Mu Yurou said with a smile. "Even if it's just to give your parents a proper explanation. It's just... a little unfair to you."

"No, it's not unfair..." Feng Xian'er shook her head vigorously. The surreal feeling, even more unreal than a dream, almost robbed her of her ability to think... Finally, she bowed her head deeply, her voice barely a whisper: "Everything... as Madam decides."

"Haha, calling her 'Madam' for now is fine, but in two months, you'll have to change your address along with Xue'er!" Yun Qinghong laughed heartily. This single sentence sent a flush of red from Feng Xian'er's face all the way down her neck, and her heart felt like it was about to pound out of her chest.

"As for the exact wedding date, tomorrow, I will go discuss it with Brother Feng."

No sooner had Yun Qinghong's words fallen than a majestic laugh echoed: "Hahahahaha, no need for tomorrow, we can decide it today!"

"Father!" Feng Xue'er turned her phoenix eyes, a faint smile on her lips.

Feng Hengkong strode in, bowing deeply to Xiao Lie: "Elder Xiao, Divine Phoenix Feng Hengkong has specially come to offer birthday wishes!"

In terms of age, he was hundreds of years older than Xiao Lie, but because his daughter was with Yun Che, his seniority was directly lowered by a level.Especially... seventy years old, let alone in the God Realm, even at the higher echelons of the Heaven Profound Continent, it wasn't considered a "long life." For a figure like Feng Hengkong, this was the first time in his life he had paid respects at a birthday celebration for someone under five hundred.But... no matter how ordinary Xiao Lie was, he was Yun Che's grandfather!

"Father, why have you come?" Feng Xue'er asked.

"It's not just me," Feng Hengkong said. "From all directions, countless people are rushing here, and every one of them who dares to come is a distinguished figure."

"..." Yun Che rubbed his forehead, sighing helplessly, "These guys..."

"Heh heh, it's only natural," Yun Qinghong smiled. "Now, whether it's the Heaven Profound Continent or the Illusionary Demon Realm, who would dare not take seriously anything concerning you? Although Father's seventieth birthday today was not publicly announced, how could they not know or ignore it?"

Yun Qinghong was clearly neither surprised nor bothered by this. He immediately turned and asked, "It seems, Brother Feng, you have no objection to Xue'er and Che'er's wedding date?"

"Of course," Feng Hengkong laughed. "The major sects and powers across the continent have long awaited their wedding date. If the news spreads, it will likely be lively for a long time."The Cloud Master and the Phoenix Goddess, representing the supreme male and female existences on the Heaven Profound Continent respectively, their official marriage would undoubtedly be a grand event for the profound world of the Heaven Profound Continent.

"Having settled matters for Xue'er and Xian'er, there are still Yuechan, Lingxi, Ling'er..." Mu Yurou said, her eyes crinkling in a smile as she looked at her future daughters-in-law.

"There's no need to rush with Lingxi's matter yet," Xiao Lie said, his expression appearing quite serious.His words, combined with his somewhat faint tone, caused Mu Yurou's smile to stiffen slightly. Xiao Lingxi, whose heart had been racing, abruptly turned her head, looking a little flustered.

Yun Che's heart also skipped a beat. After pondering his words, he finally said quite frankly, "Grandfather, regarding Lingxi and me... does Grandfather still have some unresolved issues?"

The hall immediately quieted significantly. Although Yun Che and Xiao Lingxi were childhood sweethearts, growing up together with a deep affection, and despite having no blood relation, after all... before Yun Che turned sixteen, in the perception of Flowing Cloud City, she was Yun Che's paternal aunt.

"It's not an unresolved issue," Xiao Lie shook his head, then sighed softly, "It's reluctance."

"Uh..." Yun Che was momentarily stunned. "Does Grandfather wish Lingxi to stay with you for a few more years? Grandfather needn't worry about that; no matter what, you will never lose Lingxi."

"Not that," Xiao Lie suddenly laughed, his smile carrying a hint of mischief. "I just want to hear you call me 'Grandfather' for a few more years. If you call me 'Father-in-law' too soon, I'm afraid I won't get used to it, hahahahahaha..."

As his voice faded, Xiao Lie burst into hearty laughter, watching Yun Che's dumbfounded expression.

Everyone was stunned, then burst into roaring laughter that lasted for a long time.

"Oh, Father," Xiao Lingxi lightly chided. She secretly glanced at Yun Che, then also chuckled softly.

After Yun Che's side finished offering tea, Xiao Yun directly led his wife, Tianxia Qiyi, forward. After offering tea, he did not stand up, but looked up and said, "Grandfather, actually, today, Tianxia Qiyi and I have another piece of news for you."

"Oh?" Xiao Lie's brows lifted in a smile.On the other side, Su Ling'er's lips curved slightly... she clearly knew what Xiao Yun was about to say.

Xiao Yun held Tianxia Qiyi's hand, unable to suppress his excitement as he said, "Tianxia Qiyi is... pregnant again!"

"Oh!?" Xiao Lie's arms tensed, and he immediately stood up excitedly. "Really... truly?"

"Mhm!" Tianxia Qiyi's face blossomed into a smile. She said openly, "And it's already been two months. Yun-gege and I even had Ling'er take a look... it's a girl! Yun-gege is overjoyed."

"Hehehehe," Xiao Yun chuckled foolishly, unable to stop. Ever since Yun Che found Yun Wuxin, Xiao Yun had dreamed of having a daughter.

"Good... good, a girl is good, a girl is good," Xiao Lie said, deeply moved, his steps faltering slightly, his hands rubbing together, not knowing where to put them. "So... Yun'er will have both a son and a daughter, good... so good... Your father and your grandmother's spirits in heaven must be very happy, very happy."

He became somewhat incoherent with excitement and joy, and a slight mist clouded his eyes.

His life, from its dark and lonely beginning, to finding Xiao Yun again, and now to seeing his grandson with both a son and a daughter... his life was truly complete, with no more desires.

Yun Che smiled, "Grandfather, your great-granddaughter, who is about to be born, is the first girl in the Xiao Clan's current generation. How about you name her?"

Xiao Yun immediately nodded, "Yes, yes! Of course, this matter must be left to Grandfather."

"..." Xiao Lie didn't shake his head in refusal. After a few breaths, he finally suppressed his excitement. After a moment of thought, he said, "Let's name her... 'Yongning'."

"Yong'an... Yongning..." Tianxia Qiyi smiled. "On behalf of my daughter, Yongning, I thank her great-grandfather for the name."

Without a doubt, today was a day of double joy for the Xiao Clan. The small Xiao family, within its modest hall, was filled with laughter and cheerful voices every moment.

Just then, a guard from the main gate hurried in and reported, "Purple Extremity of the Supreme Ocean Palace, the Canglan Nation Lord, and the Heavenly Fragrance Nation Lord have all arrived with heavy gifts, requesting to see Elder Xiao."

Yun Che waved a hand, "Tell them to wait outside. They're not allowed in, and no noise... It's best if they just drop their gifts and get out."Xiao Lie preferred quiet above all else, and these people arriving in such a grand manner was completely misplaced flattery.

"No need," Xiao Lie, however, raised a hand and said with a chuckle, "Let them all come in. They've traveled far because of me; how can I be impolite?"

Yun Che nodded, "Alright, then it shall be as Grandfather wishes."Since it was rare for Xiao Lie to be in such a hospitable mood, Yun Che chose that moment to temporarily withdraw. If he had remained there, those "distinguished guests" who had traveled so far would probably not even dare to breathe heavily, let alone offer birthday wishes.

"Yun Che," Chu Yuechan came to his side and quietly said, "I've decided to return to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace. After all, that place suits me best."

"Oh?" Yun Che's eyes lit up. "Are you preparing to take over as Palace Master?"

Chu Yuechan had spent decades in the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, knew it intimately, and held very deep affections for it. As the former leader of the Ice Cloud Seven Fairies, her qualifications and prestige were unmatched. Furthermore, with her cultivation reaching the Divine Way under the Life God Water provided by Yun Che, her return to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace would undoubtedly make her its most central figure.

Chu Yuechan, however, shook her head. "Qianxue and Yueli indeed had that intention, but I refused. However, I have agreed to temporarily serve as Vice Palace Master."

"That's good too," Yun Che said with a smile. Now that Yun Wuxin had grown up and didn't need her constant presence, the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace was indeed the most suitable place for her.The return of Fairy Bingchan, who once caused a sensation in Cangfeng, to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace would naturally be significant news that would shake the profound world.

"Brother-in-law!"Xia Yuanba's voice carried from afar. Pinpointing Yun Che's aura, his massive figure quickly arrived overhead and landed before Yun Che. "Grandfather Xiao's seventieth birthday banquet today... I'm not late, am I?"After sensing the surrounding auras, he couldn't help but mutter, "It's actually so lively."

"Indeed, it's a bit too lively," Yun Che said, somewhat helplessly pursing his lips. Then, seemingly without intention, he used his finger to fiddle with the pendant on his neck.

Xia Yuanba's gaze naturally shifted, then he asked doubtfully, "Is that... a Glazed Sound Stone?"

Yun Che immediately nodded, holding up the three Glazed Sound Stones. He said, "This is a gift from Wuxin; she personally found them and made them herself! They're very pretty, aren't they!"

"Uh..." Xia Yuanba didn't quite understand why Yun Che had suddenly become so excited.

"Listen..." Yun Che lightly touched the heart-shaped Glazed Sound Stone in the middle. Immediately, Yun Wuxin's sweet voice rang out: "Daddy, Wuxin misses you."

Yun Che's lips curved into a wide smile, and he laughed involuntarily. Xia Yuanba's eyes widened, then he said with genuine feeling, "Indeed... it's a bit enviable."

"Right?" Yun Che said, smiling. "So, Yuanba, you should hurry up and find a wife, then have a few children. You'll find that your whole world will be different."

Xia Yuanba's neck drew back slightly, and just as before, he resisted without hesitation: "No thanks, women are too much trouble. It's better to be alone."

"Even if you're not in a hurry, your father should be by now," Yun Che said, patting Xia Yuanba's shoulder with the air of an experienced man.

"That... let's talk about it later," Xia Yuanba still shook his head. Ever since his Tyrannical Emperor Divine Veins truly awakened, he had become a complete fanatic of the profound way, with little to no interest in anything else.

"Speaking of which, Brother-in-law, there's something I've always wanted to ask you."

"Oh?" He noticed Xia Yuanba's gaze had become somewhat heavy and complex.

"I want to ask..." Xia Yuanba took a slight breath and said, "Do you... know where my sister is? Or have you already seen her?"

"..." All of Yun Che's expressions converged. After a moment's thought, he said, "Why do you ask that?"

Yun Che's reaction was essentially an answer to Xia Yuanba, who then said earnestly, "Before, although you always said sister was blessed by heaven and would be fine, and you didn't seem too worried, you never stopped using various methods to search for her and gather information. But ever since you returned from the God Realm, you've never personally, or ordered sects from the Heaven Profound Continent and Illusionary Demon Realm, to search for sister's whereabouts... And after that, when you told me sister was definitely safe and sound, your gaze and tone were also different from before."

Xia Yuanba had endured countless hardships. With the awakening of his Tyrannical Emperor Divine Veins and his ascension as the Saint Emperor of the Heaven's Might Sacred Region, his disposition had long shed its former youthful naivety, becoming more meticulous day by day.

Yun Che fell silent, then finally said, "You're right. I have indeed seen Qingyue."

"Ah!" Xia Yuanba's body trembled, and he abruptly stepped forward, asking excitedly, "Where is sister now? How is she? Has she... suffered any grievances, or been bullied?"

"She's in the God Realm," Yun Che said. "She's doing very well, you don't need to worry at all. Her current cultivation and status in the God Realm are far higher than even your most exaggerated imaginings. However, she cannot return."

"Why?" Xia Yuanba blurted out. "What happened to her there? How is she now? Why can't she come back?"

"The situation is very complex, and I can't explain it clearly right now," Yun Che could only reply. Xia Yuanba was already at the pinnacle of the Blue Pole Star, but the power and laws of survival in the God Realm were still beyond his imagination. "However, one thing I can tell you for sure is that it's not that she doesn't want to come back or is unwilling to return, nor has she ever abandoned you all. There's a special reason."

"Oh, and also," Yun Che added, "In the God Realm, Qingyue has successfully found her mother, as she wished."

Xia Yuanba's body trembled again, his reaction even stronger than before. "You said... sister found Mother? Is that true... Is that really true!?"

"Yes," Yun Che nodded. "Not only did she find her, but they've reunited and are living together in the same place."*Only...*

Xia Yuanba clenched his hands, his face gradually turning red with intense excitement. His lips buzzed, wanting to ask too many things at once, unsure which to ask first. Finally, he said in a hoarse voice, "Where are Mother and sister...? I'm going to the God Realm to find them, right now!"

Xia Yuanba's response was exactly as Yun Che expected. He shook his head and said, "No, you can't."

"...Why?" Xia Yuanba struggled to suppress his somewhat uncontrolled emotions.

"You've consumed the Life God Water, and your cultivation has just entered the Divine Origin Realm. You are now a supreme existence on the Heaven Profound Continent, but in the God Realm, the power of those strong individuals is far beyond anything you can imagine. Your sister cannot return, and she has repeatedly made it clear that I should try not to reveal any information about her to you... You should generally understand why."

Xia Yuanba: "..."

Seeing Xia Yuanba's expression, Yun Che smiled again, "Haha, it's not that serious. How about this, Yuanba, give yourself two years. After two years, if you can establish a firm footing in the Divine Origin Realm, I'll take you to the God Realm to see her, what do you say?"

"Good!" Xia Yuanba agreed without a second thought.