Wan Meirong hated that she hadn't been able to kill Ruan Lan. She hated that her life had been ruined by that little bitch.

But what Wan Meirong didn't realize was that all her problems stemmed from her own failure to discipline her son, allowing him to act recklessly and refuse to apologize, choosing instead to be aggressive.

This is a fundamental flaw in human nature. People will never reflect on their own mistakes, choosing instead to blame fate and others.

Cause and effect are a cycle.

So too are good and evil.

...

For ordinary people, it was a peaceful night. They visited Sea Temple Island during the day and returned to the warmth of their homes and families at night. Life was good.

But for the heads of the major families, it was a pivotal day. After tonight, the Jiangnan region would be completely reshuffled. Kings would fall, and a new emperor would ascend.

And the name Xu Lai, like willow catkins on the wind, drifted into the ears of every family across the thirteen coastal cities of the Jiangnan region.

His fame and strength had completely eclipsed that of Niu Taishan, Xu Huang, and the others.

He was emerging as the number one Martial Artist in Jiangnan!

Of course, none of this mattered to him. Xu Lai was in the kitchen making a late-night snack.

Originally, he had been cuddling with Ruan Tang in bed, whispering sweet nothings as they counted the stars. The atmosphere had been perfectly harmonious.

But then his sister-in-law came home, banging on the door and complaining that she was hungry.

Then her complaints made Ruan Tang hungry, too...

So, Xu Lai cooked a grand meal for the two sisters.

Ruan Lan ate with relish, saying, "Brother-in-law, why don't you teach me a few moves? You jumped into the sea with those other Martial Artists, so you must be an expert too!"

"Sure," Xu Lai said casually. "I can pass a Cultivation Technique on to you. It's called 'Spirit,' but it requires two people to practice together." The technique belonged to the Spirit Tribe.

Though the Spirit Tribe numbered only in the tens of thousands, their reputation in the Southern Immortal Domain was immense. Their techniques were unique and powerful, which led to them being hunted across the Universe. Facing extinction, they finally sought refuge with Xu Lai and had survived to this day under the protection of the Heavenly Court.

"Two-person cultivation... Isn't that dual cultivation?!"

Ruan Lan's chopsticks nearly fell from her grasp. She glanced at Ruan Tang and said weakly, "My sister won't agree to that."

Xu Lai choked and quickly tried to explain, "It's not dual cultivation, it's—"

Under the table, Ruan Tang stomped hard on Xu Lai's foot. She said flatly, "Shut up and eat."

"Sis, you have no idea what I saw tonight! Never mind flying on a sword, there was even an old man riding a husky and drinking wine! He was so cool and carefree!"

Ruan Lan chattered excitedly, "My brother-in-law must be an unrivaled expert. If I learn a move or two from him, wouldn't it be wonderful to become a heroine?"

"Xu Lai," Ruan Tang said, her expression not quite a smile. "Are you going to practice with your sister-in-law?"

She was so angry. This big scoundrel Xu Lai, after being rejected when he tried to get her to dual cultivate, was now actually making a move on her little sister, Ruan Lan. Scumbag!!!

"I'm not teaching it," Xu Lai said, shaking his head resolutely.

"It's okay, brother-in-law. You can just teach me in private later. We just won't let my sister find out," Ruan Lan whispered.

Xu Lai figured Ruan Lan feared he wouldn't die a proper death, so she'd come to deliver the finishing blow.

As expected, Ruan Tang put down her chopsticks. Propping her chin on her hand, she smiled at Xu Lai. "Oh, in private, you say?"

"You know what, I already said I don't want to learn," Ruan Lan said, sensing the dangerous shift in her sister's aura and quickly changing her tune. "Brother-in-law, that kind of technique is one you can only teach my sister, got it?"

Xu Lai was speechless.

His sister-in-law's ability to read the room and switch sides was impressive. But this really wasn't dual cultivation!

He felt like a mute who had tasted a bitter herb—he had a complaint he couldn't voice. He mumbled, "Let's eat. The food is getting cold."

After dinner, Ruan Lan actually dragged Ruan Tang to her room to sleep, saying she wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with her sister.

Xu Lai stood alone in the backyard, a cool sea breeze washing over him. He let out a long sigh. "My sister-in-law is a real menace."

"The Supreme Emperor, do you need me to... eliminate your sister-in-law for you?" a sneaky voice whispered from the clouds.

Xu Lai shot a sideways glance into the sky.

Heavenly Dao chuckled drily, realizing his attempt at flattery had backfired. He quickly cleared his throat and said, "The Supreme Emperor, something important has come up..."

"I'm not in the mood to listen."

"..."

Heavenly Dao said carefully, "I think I've found the origin of that evil dagger."

"Oh?" Xu Lai raised an eyebrow. "Tell me."

He was genuinely curious. Why had Jing Ke, a man from the Qin dynasty two thousand years ago, thrown an evil dagger into a cave in Sakura Country? And how had it become connected to the Nine Kings' Palace in the depths of the Universe?

And who exactly was this so-called Ji Family?

Furthermore, when he had used the Retrocognition Technique in the cave to speak with Jing Ke across two millennia, it was clear an external force had interfered.

Even now, in the current Universe, there was someone who could act without him detecting them with his Divine Sense.

Each of these mysteries was enough to make Xu Lai desperate for the truth.

"It might be related to the Moon Clan, but... I need to investigate further before I can give a full report to The Supreme Emperor," Heavenly Dao said. In his human form, he looked like a three-year-old child wearing a red belly band, and his little face was stern.

"Oh?"

Xu Lai frowned, looking up at the bright, clear moon in the sky.

As he watched it, a smile suddenly spread across his face. "Interesting."

Heavenly Dao didn't waste any more words and took his leave.

Xu Lai narrowed his eyes, watching the direction in which Heavenly Dao had disappeared, and fell into a long silence.

Technically, as the executor of the laws of heaven and earth, Heavenly Dao shouldn't possess consciousness or emotions. But Earth's Heavenly Dao not only had consciousness but had also acquired a human form. It appeared timid, like a coward...

But Xu Lai knew this little guy was nowhere near as simple as he appeared on the surface. For instance, whenever Xu Lai asked how it had gained consciousness, Heavenly Dao would feign ignorance. It was definitely hiding the truth.

Xu Lai let the wind blow over him for a while longer before turning and heading back into his room.

...

...

「The next day.」

Xu Lai drove his daughter to kindergarten and made two strings of rainbow candies for her and Qian Xiao.

In Qian Xiao's words, "With such a big rainbow in the sky, it would be a crime against Hua Country not to eat it!"

Watching this, Ruan Tang's brows furrowed slightly. "Don't give them so much candy."

"Auntie Ruan, why do you look so pretty today?" Qian Xiao said with a wink.

"You're such a sweet-talker." Ruan Tang smiled gently and pinched Qian Xiao's cheek.

"I'm sweet because of all the candy I eat."

"..." Ruan Tang was at a loss for words.

Seeing his wife's expression, Xu Lai couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Ruan Tang rolled her eyes dramatically. These kids today are impossible!

"Uncle Xu, Auntie Ruan, are you free tonight?" Qian Xiao asked while nibbling on his rainbow candy, his face a mask of bliss. "I've saved up some of my private funds, and I'd like to ask for your... uh, propose..."

Xu Lai was dumbfounded.

Even Xu Yiyi's eyes went wide. She glared at him in annoyance. "Qian Xiao, what nonsense are you spouting!"

"I misspoke, I misspoke!" Qian Xiao quickly corrected himself. "I've stashed away some money, and I'd like to invite Uncle Xu, Auntie Ruan, and my parents to dinner to... talk about Yiyi and me."

"Isn't that still a marriage proposal?!" Xu Lai said, his face darkening.

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