Chapter 401: Chance
Chapter 401: Chapter 401: Chance
Even if the fusion were ultimately successful, it would require a long process. There could even be rejection reactions during the fusion stage, leading to various complications for the host body, like meridian blockages.
’Yu Mingche only had that surgery a little over a year ago, right? How could the fusion have succeeded in such a short time?’
"Why would I lie to you about this? Yu Mingche has the medical report. If you don’t believe me, have him send it to you," Ning Xuan said, rolling her eyes.
Ying Yaoshi fell silent for a moment after hearing the news.
In three more years, the agreement he’d signed with those old geezers would expire. Then he could go wherever he wanted, and they would have no reason to restrict him anymore.
’He had originally thought that after these three years, he could finally be by Ning Xuan’s side. He could accompany her wherever she wanted to go. He never expected that Yu Mingche would actually be having a child.’
A sudden sense of powerlessness washed over Ying Yaoshi. ’It’s like Yu Mingche was born to be my nemesis. I should be the one crushing him, but because of my special status, my relationship with Ning Xuan can’t be made public for now. Meanwhile, he gambled with his own body and has now come from behind to take the lead.’
"Can’t this be changed? Even without this Contract ceremony, the child can still be registered, right?" Ying Yaoshi asked.
"If this child were yours, would you still be saying that?" Ning Xuan retorted.
Ning Xuan had looked into it. If they didn’t hold a Contract ceremony, the child’s status within the family would be affected.
"In that case, I won’t say any more. However, I’m sending some experts to protect you, and you can’t refuse. Also, don’t take on any more missions outside Central Star for the time being. After all, with you doing this, those families I’ve been threatening and suppressing—the ones who have long coveted your Divine Bloodline—definitely won’t stay quiet. They’ll make all sorts of moves to test the extent of my protection over you and see if there’s an opportunity to exploit," Ying Yaoshi said.
Even if Ying Yaoshi were to declare that Ning Xuan was still under his protection, those families would think he was just bluffing. After all, he hadn’t even managed to secure the position of husband. How could he be so invested in his Contractor’s affairs? He was probably just trying to save face.
"Isn’t Yan Fuzhen already quite powerful? What other experts do you need to send? The use of large-scale thermal weapons is forbidden on Central Star, and Spirit Controllers aren’t allowed to summon their Companion Spirits for battle. What danger could there be?" Ning Xuan said dismissively.
"It’s not like you haven’t been targeted for assassination on Central Star before. But don’t worry, none of those families would bear to kill you. They’ll just kidnap you, lock you up somewhere, and make you bear children for their family. It’s much easier for a woman to carry a child than a man. After all, it’s a natural function for them," Ying Yaoshi said sternly, afraid Ning Xuan wouldn’t take him seriously.
"I know. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful," Ning Xuan said with a nod.
"Right, you could have Di Youlin go home and ask for help. His family is one of the Seven Great Families in the Elder Council. They have allied families they can ask for a favor," Ying Yaoshi suggested.
"Also, since you’re holding a Contract ceremony, you should do it for Lin Mo and the others at the same time. That way, Five Maples City and Seven Star Divine Mountain can also help protect you." Once Ying Yaoshi confirmed Ning Xuan wouldn’t change her mind, he immediately started helping her think of ways to protect herself.
Although Five Maples City and Seven Star Divine Mountain didn’t have as vast a sphere of influence as the Seven Great Families, their energy was not to be underestimated.
"I can contact Five Maples City when the time comes, but forget about the Di Family and Seven Star Divine Mountain. Yun Han, like Di Youlin and Lan Xin, is of slave status. I won’t be inviting anyone from Seven Star Divine Mountain, nor from the Di Family," Ning Xuan refused Ying Yaoshi’s suggestion.
"Yun Han was, after all, the heir that Yun Tianye and Zhu Hongying spent years grooming. He has the Yun Family and the Zhu Family behind him. If you’re willing to promote him, those two families won’t let you be disadvantaged." Ying Yaoshi was genuinely planning for Ning Xuan’s sake, but unfortunately, she refused to listen.
After getting past Ying Yaoshi, the decision to hold the Contract ceremony faced no further obstacles.
Regarding the Contract ceremony for Lin Mo and the others, Yu Mingche shared Ying Yaoshi’s opinion: since they were holding one, they might as well do it for everyone at once. In any case, only the ceremony with the husband was complex. Ordinary Contractors just needed to serve tea to the pair and listen to their admonishments after the main ceremony was over. Contracted slaves, however, had to be instructed in certain additional rules.
As the designated date drew closer, Lin Mo and the others returned to Central Star one by one. During the previous large-scale spatial turbulence crisis, Lan Xin had been promoted to Admiral ahead of his time due to special military merits. Lin Mo, on the other hand, had earned his promotion to the Admiral Rank through years of steady effort and accumulated achievements. Yun Han commanded the Independent Corps; as its sole Commander, he already held the Admiral Rank, so no matter what new merits he achieved, further promotion was impossible.
During the time before Yun Han and the others returned, Yu Mingche was busy with the miscellaneous details of the Contract ceremony, so Lan Xin was the one constantly attending to Ning Xuan.
In her spare time from Cultivation and Alchemy, Ning Xuan also enjoyed teasing Lan Xin.
Ning Xuan was very interested in Lan Xin’s current form, mainly because he could transform at will. He could quickly change his legs into a snake tail and then back again.
Lan Xin had always been exceptionally beautiful, and his Level-up had added a unique charm. Furthermore, the year spent fighting on the battlefield had given him a wilder edge.
「One day, in the Alchemy Room’s lounge」
Lan Xin transformed his snake tail for Ning Xuan to touch. The scales on the tail were gorgeous—a shimmering, ice-blue color. Most of the scales were long and flat, with their outer edges like the sharp blades of a knife. While Ning Xuan was playfully stroking and fiddling with them, she accidentally cut her hand.
A drop of blood fell onto a scale. Instead of rolling off onto the ground, it seeped into the scale.
HUM. Lan Xin suddenly felt a flash of golden light in his Spiritual Sea. A sliver of gold scattered across the surface of the turbulent ocean within it.
Under the influence of the golden light, Lan Xin’s tail uncontrollably retracted, turning back into two long, straight legs. Ning Xuan’s hand was now stroking the inside of his upper thigh. The slick, cool touch of his skin was so pleasant that she couldn’t bring herself to stop.
Hearing the moan that escaped Lan Xin’s lips, Ning Xuan’s actions grew bolder. The muscles in Lan Xin’s leg tightened involuntarily, soon becoming hard as a rock, which earned a dissatisfied pinch from Ning Xuan on his inner thigh.
"Master, you should begin your Alchemy now," Lan Xin said, glancing at the time on his Light Computer.