Chapter 280 Family Reunions

Chapter 280: Chapter 280 Family Reunions

Sea God Island — The Sea God Hall Bo Saixi sat kneeling before the divine statue, her eyes closed. Her long, crimson robes fanned out across the floor like a blooming flower.

She had just received a divine oracle from the Sea God.

She opened her eyes, her gaze filled with astonishment.

Earlier that day, she too had witnessed those two streaks of light descending from the heavens—one a brilliant jade-green, the other a deep, dark violet.

She had surmised that they might be manifestations of divine power, yet uncertain of their exact nature, she had come to seek guidance from the Lord Sea God.

To her utter surprise, they turned out to be divine legacies bestowed by two God-Kings.

The Goddess of Life... and the God of Destruction...

She silently murmured these two names to herself, her heart churning with a tempest of emotion.

Those two girls—Ye Lingling and Jiang Lier—had actually been chosen by God-Kings?

Bo Saixi took a deep breath, suppressing the shock that surged within her.

She rose to her feet and stepped out of the Sea God Temple.

Outside the temple, a gentle sea breeze wafted by, bathed in the brilliance of the sun.

She gazed toward the distant courtyard—the residence where Jiang Bai and his companions stayed.

She remained silent for a moment.

Then, Bo Saixi summoned Sea Dragon Douluo.

"Issue this command: elevate the status and privileges of Jiang Bai, Shui Bing’er, Ye Lingling, and Jiang Lier to the highest tier here on Sea God Island. All Holy Pillar Douluos are strictly forbidden from showing them any disrespect. Furthermore, you are to do your utmost to fulfill any requests or needs they may have."

Sea Dragon Douluo paused for a brief instant, but he asked no further questions; he simply nodded. "As you command, High Priestess."

He turned and departed.

Bo Saixi stood atop the mountain peak, gazing out at the vast, azure ocean, a flicker of complex emotion passing through her eyes.

Four chosen ones of the gods...

Never before had Sea God Island witnessed such a momentous occasion.

...

Over the following two months, Jiang Bai took his companions back to Spirit City to rest for a while.

Having previously visited Sea God Island and ascertained its precise location, it was no difficult feat for Jiang Bai to establish a spatial portal there.

Stepping through the spatial portal, the group instantly returned to Spirit City on the mainland.

The changes that had taken place in Spirit City left both Shui Bing’er and Ye Lingling astonished.

The streets were now wider and more immaculate, while the buildings appeared even more grand and magnificent.

Banners bearing the emblem of the Six-Winged Angel could be seen everywhere throughout the city, each one fluttering proudly in the wind. The city was now filled with many new faces.

There were Soul Masters who had migrated from various regions, nobles who had surrendered from the former Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire, and ordinary citizens as well.

The Spirit Empire had truly established a firm foothold.

Shui Bing’er returned to the Shui clan residence.

The Shui clan had relocated from Tianshui City to Spirit City, purchasing a large estate in the eastern district. Although the estate was not as vast as their old ancestral home in Tianshui City, it boasted a superior location—situated close to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Upon seeing her daughter return, Shui Bing’er’s mother was so overcome with emotion that her eyes turned red.

"Bing’er! You’re finally back! Come here, let Mom take a good look at you—have you lost any weight?"

Shui Bing’er allowed her mother to hold her hands and look her over from head to toe; a wave of warmth surged through her heart.

"Mom, I’m doing just fine. I’m eating well and sleeping soundly."

Her mother wiped the corners of her eyes. "That’s good... that’s very good."

Shui Bing’er’s father stepped out from inside the house; as he gazed at his daughter, his eyes were brimming with pride.

"Bing’er, I heard that Sect Master Jiang took you to Sea God Island for your training?"

Shui Bing’er nodded. "Yes, Father. I am now the Successor to the Sea God."

"What?!"

Her father took a deep breath, striving to suppress the surge of excitement rising within him.

The... the Sea God?!

Could it be the legendary God?

His daughter—she had actually become the Successor to the Sea God.

...

Ye Lingling returned to the Ye clan residence.

Her mother, Ye Linglong, stood at the courtyard gate; upon seeing her daughter return, her eyes were filled with tender concern.

"Lingling, you’ve lost weight."

Ye Lingling shook her head. "Mom, I’m fine."

She embraced her mother, whispering softly into her arms, "Mom, I have been chosen by the Goddess of Life."

Ye Linglong’s pupils contracted ever so slightly.

A God? A succession?

Her daughter—she had actually been chosen by a god?

Ye Linglong’s eyes turned red with emotion as she said, "Lingling, I am so proud of you."

Ye Lingling leaned against her mother’s embrace and closed her eyes.

...

Meanwhile, Jiang Bai went to seek out Qian Renxue.

Inside the Papal Palace, Qian Renxue sat at her desk, diligently reviewing official documents. She was still clad in that long, white-and-gold gown, her golden hair cascading down her back, an angelic diadem resting upon her head.

Seeing Jiang Bai enter, she set down her pen and rose to her feet.

"You’re back?"

Jiang Bai walked up to her, reached out, and drew her into his embrace.

"I’m back."

Qian Renxue leaned against his chest; listening to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat, she closed her eyes.

"Did you miss me?"

"Of course I did."

They held each other for a long time before finally parting.

Taking Qian Renxue’s hand, Jiang Bai led her to a chair by the window, where they sat down.

He gave a brief summary of the events on Sea God Island: Shui Bing’er’s Nine Trials of the Sea God; Ye Lingling’s Top-tier Eight Trials being superseded by the Trials of the God of Life; and Jiang Li’er’s Trials of the God of Destruction.

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue’s eyes were filled with astonishment.

"Shui Bing’er, Ye Lingling, Jiang Li’er... they’ve all received divine trials?"

Jiang Bai nodded.

Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment, then smiled.

"It seems the gods have set their sights on us as well! They are sending down divine trials one after another."

She looked at Jiang Bai, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes: "Ah Bai, have you set your sights on Shui Bing’er and Ye Lingling?"

Jiang Bai was slightly taken aback: "What?"

Qian Renxue gave him a playful glare: "Don’t play dumb. Those two little girls—each is prettier than the last, and each is gentler than the last. Are you...?"

Jiang Bai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: "Sister Xue’er, you’re reading too much into this. They are my disciples; I..."

"Disciples?" Qian Renxue cut him off.

"You said that you and Bi Ji are both mentor and friend—does that mean Bi Ji is your disciple, too?"

Jiang Bai opened his mouth to speak, only to realize he had no retort.

Qian Renxue looked at him and gave a soft huff: "Never mind; I won’t hold it against you. You can’t escape me, anyway."

"However... I do need to have a little chat with them."

...

A few days later, Qian Renxue found the time to arrange separate meetings with Shui Bing’er and Ye Lingling.

She met with Shui Bing’er first.

The two sat facing each other in a side hall of the Papal Palace. Qian Renxue held her teacup, her gaze resting upon Shui Bing’er. Shui Bing’er felt a touch of nervousness. Although she had met Qian Renxue many times before, this was the first time they were meeting alone.

Moreover, Qian Renxue was now the Empress of the Spirit Empire—the supreme, transcendent figure of the entire continent.

"Shui Bing’er." Qian Renxue set down her teacup, her voice cool and crisp. "Ah Bai has told me everything regarding your time on Sea God Island."

Shui Bing’er nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Qian Renxue gazed at her, remaining silent for a moment before finally speaking: "What do you think of Ah Bai?"

Shui Bing’er was slightly taken aback. "The Sect Master? The Sect Master is wonderful... He has shown us great kindness; without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today."

Qian Renxue nodded. "And?"

Shui Bing’er froze for a moment, then her face flushed crimson.

She recalled her mother’s words, and she thought of those indescribable, nebulous feelings stirring within her.

"Your Majesty, I..."

Qian Renxue waved her hand. "No need to say it. I understand."

She rose from her seat, walked over to stand before Shui Bing’er, and looked down at her.

"Shui Bing’er, I do not object."

Shui Bing’er snapped her head up, her eyes wide with utter disbelief.

Qian Renxue offered a faint smile. "I know Ah Bai well. His kindness toward you all is entirely sincere. I do not oppose a relationship between you two... however..."

Her voice turned serious. "You must remember: he is your Sect Master, but he is also your man. You must remain loyal to him and harbor no divided allegiances."

Shui Bing’er’s face turned as red as a ripe apple, and her voice was barely a whisper—faint as the buzzing of a mosquito. "Your Majesty, I... I..."

Qian Renxue waved her hand dismissively. "Go back and think it over carefully."

"Next time, just call me ’Sister.’"

Shui Bing’er rose to her feet and stumbled unsteadily out of the side hall.

...

Qian Renxue then met with Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling was dressed, as always, in her long black gown and black veil. She stood before Qian Renxue, silent and motionless as a statue.

Qian Renxue gazed at her, pausing in silence for a moment.

"Ye Lingling, you are no longer a child. There are certain matters you ought to have thought through clearly by now."

Ye Lingling’s body trembled ever so slightly.

Qian Renxue walked over to her, reached out a hand, and gently lifted away her veil.

Beneath the veil lay a face of exquisite, peerless beauty. Her skin was as fair as snow, her features as exquisite as a painting, and her pair of dark eyes were both deep and luminous.

Ye Lingling did not flinch. She simply kept her head bowed, not daring to look at Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue gazed at her. A flicker of admiration flashed through her eyes.

"You truly are beautiful. No wonder Ah Bai treats you so well."

Ye Lingling’s face flushed.

Qian Renxue handed the veil back to her and said softly, "Ye Lingling, I have no objections. But you must remember: Ah Bai is genuinely good to you all; I hope you will be the same toward him."

Ye Lingling accepted the veil and put it back on.

She raised her head, looked at Qian Renxue, and whispered, "Your Majesty, I will not let the Sect Master down."

Qian Renxue nodded. "Go."

Ye Lingling turned to leave; just as she reached the doorway, Qian Renxue’s gentle voice drifted from behind her.

"Next time, remember to call me ’Sister’!"

Ye Lingling nearly lost her footing, stumbling two steps forward as she walked out.

...

Enjoyed the action? Drop a review, fire off a comment, and send those Power Stones rolling! Your support keeps the updates coming fast—let’s keep the momentum going! 🔥