Chapter 884: Entering the Star River

Chapter 884 Entering the River of Stars

Xia Chichi was prone to setting up grand facades for the outside world, yet her emotional expressions toward Zhao Changhe had always been direct and passionate, ever capable of profoundly stirring his heart.

Zhao Changhe, who had thought himself on the verge of viewing the world from the detached perspective of an immortal cultivator upon re-experiencing this life, was brought straight back to the mortal realm by that single sentence.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I certainly will not die, and you won't either." Gently resting his hand on Xia Chichi's shoulder, Zhao Changhe said softly, "In truth, there will not be any bitter struggles ahead..."

"Do not think you can deceive me," Xia Chichi said calmly. "From the perspective of the demon gods, I bear the will of the Azure Dragon; from the perspective of humanity, I am the human sovereign of this generation. Sitting in vigilance over these rivers and mountains for thirty years, what I should know and what I should not know, I know it all. To this day, you possess no certainty of defeating Heaven, and neither does Ye Wuming. When both sides feel so deeply uncertain, how could there be no bitter struggle?"

Zhao Changhe asked in surprise, "Why do you judge it so? Do not most people feel that the pressure during that previous battle was not particularly great?"

"Because you have already found the River of Stars now, yet you did not go straight to Ye Wuming, and Ye Wuming has allowed Ling Ruoyu to continue her trials without coming to seize the child... A peaceful and tranquil facade like this can only mean one thing. It is because you two share a mutual understanding: if a single strike at Huqiu misses, you will not linger, lest a third party reaps the benefits."

"Mm..."

"The so-called light pressure back then was bought with your own life. Our backbone almost died in that campaign; those who claim the pressure was minor are merely speaking lightly because it does not hurt them." Xia Chichi sighed. "I have been pondering one thing..."

"What is it?"

"Just how important is this realm to Heaven? Is it absolutely essential?"

Zhao Changhe pondered for a brief moment before replying, "Perhaps it is merely a kind of... a possessive desire that dictates 'no one else may touch what is mine,' or the resentment of being bitten back by one's own dog. Once amplified, such an emotion destroys all reason... The hatred from being suppressed by Ye Wuming back then likely stems from this."

"Under normal circumstances, humans make choices, weigh benefits and disadvantages, and judge the situation," Xia Chichi remarked. "Just like between nations, if both sides are evenly matched and have mutual apprehensions, neither will lightly mobilize troops, much like you and Ye Wuming now. Deducing from this, if Heaven held even a slight apprehension toward us and Ye Wuming, the decisive battle might never happen in a lifetime. Yet, Heaven continues to stir trouble within the realm, attempting to collect the River of Stars and breach the boundaries to come over... This either indicates he possesses no reason at all, or that he still maintains absolute certainty of victory, which is why he acts this way."

Zhao Changhe fell silent.

It was indeed so. According to conventional understanding, after Ye Wuming merged with the complete Heavenly Book and broke through the limitations of the Imperial Realm, she possessed the threat of dying together with Heaven. Now that she had settled over time, she would be even more capable of it. Furthermore, Ye Jiuyou had likely reached this level by now as well; once the two sisters joined forces, Heaven would find no return if he came.

What could this realm possibly be to Him that was so absolutely indispensable, requiring him to focus all his mind and ceaselessly strive for it?

Either he was a madman who had lost his reason, or he still possessed absolute certainty of victory.

If it were the former, it would be manageable; if it were the latter, this would be a fight to the death. Viewed from this angle, one could even say they had already lost in terms of knowing themselves and the enemy. Their own strength was practically an open hand in the opponent's eyes, whereas the opponent's true power remained entirely elusive to this day.

This matter had to be coordinated with Ye Wuming as soon as possible. At the very least, they needed to grasp Heaven's exact strength before making further decisions; delaying any further might invite unforeseen chaos...

Not wishing to discuss worrisome matters with Xia Chichi any further, Zhao Changhe quickly caressed her belly and smiled, saying, "Rest assured, I have a plan. Do not worry yourself too much; it would be bad for the baby."

Xia Chichi pouted. "I felt nothing all these years, but the moment you woke up, you scoundrel, all sorts of discomforts arrived... It turns out carrying a child is so troublesome."

"I still feel like you are just a child yourself..."

"Save it, you are the one who behaves like a child. Who else would bully their own disciple like you do?"

"Did you not just bully her yourself moments ago?"

"How can I be compared to you? I am a wicked di-mother bullying the child of a concubine—it is natural and proper."

"..." Zhao Changhe naturally would not argue with her over her self-defined status as the di-mother, nor would he debate whether such actions were natural and proper. He merely smiled and pressed his ear against her belly to listen.

Regrettably, the fetus, which had not even begun to take form, offered nothing to be heard. Xia Chichi did not push him away either; she stroked his head, happily letting him listen to the absolute silence.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind: You are clearly a big child yourself.

In terms of life experience, Zhao Changhe had missed thirty years compared to everyone else. Right now, compared to anyone, he was akin to a child driving a massive carriage...

Fortunately, with those few who had lived for tens of millions of years around, his lack of experience did not stand out...

Xia Chichi bit her lower lip, stealing a glance to her left and right. The palace maids currently in attendance had changed countless times over the years; not a single one recognized Zhao Changhe now. Zhao Changhe had not dared let anyone see him enter, and the palace maids had long been dismissed from the bedchamber. Now, within the warm fragrance of the bed curtains, all was silent.

"Um..." Xia Chichi whispered secretly. "It has not taken form yet. Will it affect... marital relations?"

Both husband and wife possessed quite a deep understanding of medicine. In theory, one could not act recklessly during the first three months, whereas it became permissible once the belly grew larger. Yet, her current state could hardly be counted within the first three months... Counting by a dozen days or so, plenty of people would not even show symptoms, remaining entirely unaware of their pregnancy and continuing as usual everywhere.

Therefore, it should indeed be possible... It was simply that both of them were becoming parents for the first time, leaving them apprehensive and afraid to move rashly.

Zhao Changhe was equally afraid, feeling faint-hearted. "Perhaps we should not... I am not that starved anyway."

Xia Chichi said with a resentful look, "Have they never said something similar to you—it is we who are starved."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Xia Chichi was eager to try. "Shall we give it a try?"

Zhao Changhe remained very hesitant. "Should we find an experienced nanny to ask?"

Xia Chichi found it both infuriating and amusing. "Who asks anyone about such matters? And between an emperor and her male favorite, do we want any dignity left... How about we ask Nanny Huangfu?"

Wearing a Vermilion Bird mask, Huangfu Qing suddenly materialized by the bedside, staring at her expressionlessly.

Xia Chichi: "..."

Huangfu Qing ground her teeth. "Has this master neglected you too much over the years, causing you to float? Or do you believe that being both the cult leader and the emperor means you can overturn the heavens?"

As both her cult leader and her disciple, her emperor and her daughter, Huangfu Qing—having discarded her vest as Yihuoshe—exercised total suppression over Xia Chichi. Xia Chichi muttered deflatedly, "We agreed that tonight was for me to be alone with him."

Huangfu Qing's gaze cut into her for a moment, thinking to herself: Who would enjoy re-enacting wild histories with you? It is your own fault for calling me a nanny.

That said, this wretched emperor's control was truly formidable. Did she already know what Baoqin had said in Jiangnan? Or were she and Baoqin naturally seated at the same table, sharing the exact same train of thought?

Cursing in her heart, she nonetheless spoke aloud, "Given your current condition, it should be fine. Just do not make too much of a racket; keep it gentle..."

True maternal guidance, yet Xia Chichi looked at her suspiciously. "You have never been pregnant, how would you know?"

Huangfu Qing was so infuriated she wanted to hit her. "What did we not hear in our household since childhood? You were still pretending to be a man back then!"

Xia Chichi nodded. "The nanny may take her leave."

Huangfu Qing grabbed her by the collar, but Xia Chichi said leisurely, "My body is precious right now, do not act recklessly."

Huangfu Qing was nearly driven to laughter by her anger. "Then you can go on being precious slowly. Remember not to do it."

With that, she directly embraced Zhao Changhe beside her, delivering a deep, passionate kiss. "We shall do it."

Xia Chichi leaped up instantly, reaching out to pry her master's arm away. "Let go of him!"

Zhao Changhe maintained his strategy of never lightly uttering a sound when facing a battlefield of women. Sniffing the different fragrances from both sides, he quietly made his fortune.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the bedchamber, causing all three of them to freeze. They heard a palace maid report, "Your Majesty, Miss Ling states that she invited the three lords to a contest under the cover of night once more. She has already broken through their joint alliance and inquires if she may enter the palace."

Xia Chichi: "..."

Huangfu Qing: "..."

Zhao Changhe: "...She has done well. Bring her to the sacred altar within the palace. Reward her with copies of the Four Symbols Cult scriptures to focus her mind, quiet her spirit, and perceive the starry sky."

Bearing a look of pure, innocent foolishness and clutching Longque, Ling Ruoyu followed the palace maid. Like a curious child, she gazed around as she made her way into the central altar of the Four Symbols Cult within the palace.

Then she realized this place felt remarkably familiar...

This was precisely the subterranean starry vault of Xia Longyuan's ancestral temple from years past. Beneath the altar lay the forge where her River of Stars had been born.

The young girl cast Longque aside without a second thought, clutching the River of Stars sword as she sat atop the altar. Looking up at the starry vault, her mind slowly became submerged within it.

Longque: "..."

Ling Ruoyu truly had not done it intentionally; the stirrings she felt here were far greater than anywhere else, causing her to lose herself momentarily. In the final analysis, this starry vault had been constructed by Xia Longyuan to chase the footsteps of Ye Wuming, mimicking her night sky methods to encompass the concept of omnipresence throughout the world. It was most fitting to be chosen by the Four Symbols Cult as their central altar, and it aligned almost perfectly with her River of Stars.

Once, Zhao Changhe had even considered refining this starry vault into a magical treasure to carry with him, which would allow him to be present everywhere through it. Later, owing to the rapid progress of his cultivation, he bypassed the step of relying on magical treasures and achieved it directly with his own body, leaving his previous idea discarded.

As the River of Stars herself, Ling Ruoyu was well aware of these origins. As she watched, a thought suddenly crossed her mind: this starry vault was actually already very close to the concept of a realm. If her grand-master had refined this starry sky back then, would it have evolved into a complete world, giving birth to living beings and its own Heaven... and would its Heaven actually have been the artifact spirit?

The River of Stars sword also possessed the power to manifest a realm on its own. When the River of Stars sword manifested a realm, would she herself count as the Heaven of that realm—the initial role of Aunt Jiuyou, and the current role of her mother?

Longque shifted half an inch to the side in slight terror.

She watched with her own eyes as Ling Ruoyu's body grew blurred, as though her entire being had unconsciously dissolved into the blade she held in her arms. Then, the sword 'stood up,' looking left and right like a human, and 'lowered its head' to look at Longque lying upon the ground.

The Dragon Sparrow writhed, writhed.

Ling Ruoyu wanted to grab it, but found she had no hands, and instead chopped down.

The Dragon Sparrow fought back fiercely, and the blade and sword clanged loudly in a great battle underground.

The guards of the Four Symbols Sect headquarters gathered in terror, but were blocked by the blade light and sword radiance, unable to get close.

"Quick, go report to His Majesty! The headquarters is about to be torn apart by a monster..."

"The Black Tortoise Venerable is sleeping outside, go invite the Black Tortoise Venerable!"

They didn't need to go invite; the blade and sword were in the thick of battle when suddenly they felt the nape of their necks seized by fate, the hilt and handle simultaneously caught by a delicate hand, lifted into the air.

San Niang curiously examined the blade and sword hanging like salted fish, and discovered that the two had struggled so fiercely just now that she could barely hold them—they only went limp and obediently allowed themselves to be lifted when they sensed her aunt's arrival.

"Why are they fighting again?" San Niang asked in wonder. "Where is Ruoyu? Where did she go?"

The Dragon Sparrow flicked its tail, as if pointing somewhere.

San Niang turned to look; on the ground were scattered Ling Ruoyu's clothes, still damp with sweat from the fight outside with three imperial generals before entering the palace, exuding the girlish fragrance of Ling Ruoyu.

San Niang: "...The inheritance is correct. But where is Ruoyu?"

Xinghe made a speaking sound: "I'm here..."

San Niang: "?"

You can actually speak aloud instead of transmitting thoughts... Where is your physical body?

Xinghe hesitated, and San Niang suddenly felt as if a little girl was straining to defecate... She had a sudden premonition and quickly commanded: "All guards, turn around! Withdraw!"

The Four Symbols Sect obeyed instantly and swiftly evacuated.

As San Niang's premonition proved true, a little girl indeed fell out of the sword body, completely naked, rolling awkwardly on the ground, quickly grabbing the clothes to cover herself, her face flushed purple.

San Niang glanced at her, her gaze full of meaning, the pity of an industry giant looking at a novice.

Flatter than Chi Chi, truly not easy. No wonder she could squeeze into the sword body—if she had any more curves, she probably couldn't have fit; it would have required a spiked club.

Ah, no, that's not it—no matter what, it couldn't really be that she physically drilled into the sword... San Niang watched the little girl frantically dressing herself and couldn't help asking: "How did your physical body get inside?"

The girl was so ashamed she was about to cry: "I, I don't know either, I just went in like that..."

"What went in? What went in?" A figure flashed in front, and Zhao Changhe, along with Huangfu Qing and Xia Chichi, appeared at the altar, all disheveled.

Seeing his equally disheveled disciple, Zhao Changhe was furious and roared: "Who did this!"

Ling Ruoyu: "?"

San Niang glanced over—luckily the little girl had already dressed, though she looked messy and not fully covered. She cleared her throat: "What are you thinking? She meant Ruoyu entered the Xinghe Sword."

Zhao Changhe's tense face instantly relaxed, and he let out a long sigh: "Thank goodness, I thought..."

"What did you think?" San Niang said irritably. "Don't ask how on earth a person got into a sword?"

Zhao Changhe looked at Ling Ruoyu, who said nervously: "I don't know either. I was just contemplating the starry sky, the meaning of a self-contained world, a world with a spirit or something... and then I went in."

Zhao Changhe calmed down, stroking his chin as he examined his little apprentice.

Ling Ruoyu clutched her clothes and cautiously stepped back.

"What's with that expression..." Zhao Changhe said helplessly. "First, tell me, what did it feel like?"

Ling Ruoyu hesitated: "Originally it was a dark void—I went in and lit up the stars all over the sky, and then it felt the same as when I lived inside as a child."

It sounded like a spirit returning to its vessel, nothing extraordinary.

Zhao Changhe stroked his chin and thought for a long time: "I'm thinking, if we understand it as the Xinghe Sword containing a world within itself, then the internal space is boundless and wouldn't restrict physical objects from entering—it's not surprising that one could go in... But if that's the case, why couldn't the clothes be brought in?"

How did you know at a glance that I didn't bring my clothes in... Ling Ruoyu complained inwardly, and said weakly: "I don't know..."

Zhao Changhe continued: "If physical objects can't enter, only the soul can, existing as a sword spirit—that's also not surprising... But then how did the physical body get in?"

Everyone looked at each other for a long time; a group of top-tier experts at the Third Realm of Imperial Realm were all at a loss. Zhao Changhe thought for a while and finally said: "Try it again in front of us? Let's study it together."

The air fell silent, and Ling Ruoyu stepped back step by step.

The next moment, the Four Symbols Sect members all kicked out in unison, sending Zhao Changhe flying out of the underground: "Get lost, we'll watch!"

The Four Symbols Sect guards outside the headquarters watched helplessly as their Night Emperor spiraled into the sky, turning into a tiny dot with a "ding." Poor Zhao Changhe, his mind full of academic questions, didn't even realize why he was kicked out...

Instinctively, he felt that Xinghe's state should be the same as that of Ye Wuming and the Heavenly Book.