Chapter 28: A Big Deal, Little Shadow Is Pregnant

Half a month before the city lord’s wedding, the news spread swiftly to every corner of Rainbow City, carried by Uncle Cai’s ever-loquacious mouth.

A flower blooming amidst dung—that was how every resident of Rainbow City regarded this marriage.

In the immortal realm, marriage was unheard of. If two souls were in harmony, they naturally became cultivation partners. The very term “marriage” was evidently a cultural import brought by the two individuals who had ascended from Earth to Rainbow City.

Although no one believed in this union, flattery toward the city lord was unavoidable. Regardless of future needs, the city lord’s tireless dedication and selflessness had already made the residents of Rainbow City trample the gates of the city lord’s mansion, bringing gifts and congratulations without fail.

Shortly after the lively Welcome Back Assembly a month ago, Rainbow City was once again engulfed in festive excitement.

The city lord’s wedding meant the entire city rejoiced.

Everyone enthusiastically decorated Rainbow City, striving to make it appear jubilant.

Yet amid the merriment, some could not find joy.

Yuan Mu, hands clasped behind his back, walked with inscrutable depth to where Xiao Ying sat on the stone steps, gazing at the sky. In a low voice, he said, “Some things must be fought for.”

Xiao Ying gave a bitter smile but said nothing.

“To speak or not to speak, that is the question. But if you remain silent, how will he know? Bottling it up inside can easily lead one astray,” Yuan Mu sighed. How had a carefree child turned like this?

Xiao Ying slowly shook her head. “Even if I say it, then what? Some things cannot be changed by one or two people.”

“Do you believe in fate?” Yuan Mu looked at her and asked.

Xiao Ying shook her head again.

“I used to believe! Centuries spent seeking the Way to ascend, but upon reaching it, I began to doubt.” Yuan Mu turned his gaze skyward. “Things aren’t predetermined from the start. With effort, anything is possible. When I survived in the Angelic Barracks, I understood this truth.”

“Maybe that too is fate?” Xiao Ying playfully blinked.

Yuan Mu smiled faintly. Fate? Then was the extermination of the Six-Winged Angels also fate?

He preferred to believe this was not a preordained destiny. If it were, and he alone of the three brothers remained unscathed, what use was ascending?

While others bustled busily, Li Chengzhu and Gu Linglong lived leisurely, either secluded in rooms practicing joint cultivation or shopping for clothes.

After all, a bride must wear new garments for good luck.

Within the Bloodstained Ring, hidden somewhere in a clump of soil, Li, the great boss, surprisingly discovered a residual camera, two rolls of film, and several sealed batteries.

Whether due to being kept inside the ring or some other reason, the batteries still held charge after four years. This discovery thrilled Li Chengzhu beyond measure.

He tried taking a few photos of Gu Linglong, then applied his prior knowledge to gather materials in the immortal realm, astonishingly projecting her likeness onto several flat, broad pieces of purple jade.

None had seen such a wondrous item before. Though spells could create images, those required mana to sustain and could not compare to these seemingly naturally-formed portraits.

Li Chengzhu treasured the jade pieces like precious gems. Film and projection materials were scarce, and how could he let others freely gaze upon his wife?

His masculine heart was resolute.

The remaining film rolls the great boss decided to save for the wedding day.

As the wedding approached day by day, Gu Linglong appeared as anxious as a tender young girl.

Li Chengzhu could only attribute it to “pre-wedding jitters,” never expecting even immortals to suffer such sentiments.

Damn it, why does this make my heart uneasy too? The great boss cursed inwardly, then took a deep breath, striving to steady himself.

But this calm would not last.

A sudden message left him dizzy and confused.

On the eve of the wedding, Xiao Ying sought him out.

Just a single sentence chilled Li Chengzhu’s restless heart to ice.

“What? Say that again.” Trembling, Li Chengzhu gripped Xiao Ying’s shoulders tightly, staring into her eyes, searching for signs of deceit.

“I’m pregnant.” Xiao Ying drew a deep breath, her gaze serious upon the great boss.

“Impossible.” Li Chengzhu’s lips quivered.

Immortals could not conceive unless they wished it; for so long, whenever he and Gu Linglong engaged in joint cultivation, she would absorb everything afterward by spell, making pregnancy utterly impossible.

And last time—what had happened last time? He had been bewildered and never even asked Xiao Ying if she had taken precautions. How could this one shot be so precise?

Li Chengzhu’s head ached.

Should he confess to Gu Linglong?

No matter what he did, someone’s heart would be broken.

“How could this be?” Li Chengzhu pursed his dry lips and asked.

“I don’t know.” Xiao Ying lowered her head, a faint smile playing upon her lips—one that seemed like a triumphant schemer’s grin, though the panicked Li Chengzhu failed to notice.

“Let me see.” Refusing to believe it, Li Chengzhu grasped Xiao Ying’s wrist, his soul delving within her body.

Within, a tiny fleshly bud was slowly forming. The life energy confirmed to Li Chengzhu that it was all true.

The great boss was utterly stunned. How had things come to this?

The affair was not his wish; having a child was far from his intention. Feeling that undeveloped life, Li Chengzhu suddenly felt the weight upon his shoulders grow heavier.

After sneaking a taste, remember to wipe your mouth clean! The great boss wished he could slap himself twice.

“So... what do we do now?” Li Chengzhu looked at Xiao Ying hesitantly.

“What do you want to do?” Xiao Ying lifted her flushed face.

“Well...” Li Chengzhu hesitated, then steeled himself and said, “Let’s get married together?”

At those words, the frost in Xiao Ying’s face finally melted into a smile, and she nodded slightly. “Alright.”

Seeing that smile, Li Chengzhu suddenly felt as if he had been caught in his own trap.

Am I being played? The great boss broke into a cold sweat.

“Damn it.” Li Chengzhu finally exploded, lifting Xiao Ying in a fierce embrace, face twisted with resolve. “You brought this on yourself.” Then, hastening toward the main hall, he muttered, “While your sister’s busy setting up the scene, let’s have one last round. I’m at a loss here.”

Xiao Ying, face radiant with happiness, hooked her hands around Li Chengzhu’s neck and nestled her head against his chest, whispering so softly no one could hear, “I’m sorry.”