What's the matter, did your father die

A great battle had just concluded, leaving Chen Chang'an and the two sisters utterly satisfied.

"I can't stay for too long after returning. At most, I can only spend a month with you."

A month?

Though the time seemed short, for the two sisters, it was already more than enough. After all, during Chen Chang'an's time in the Tai Xuan Realm, he had never stayed with them this long before.

"By the way, there's no need to spread the news of my return," Chen Chang'an said.

"I don’t want anyone disturbing us."

"Of course, we’ll listen to you, husband."

Chen Chang'an didn’t want interruptions, and neither did the Murong sisters. With his time back being so limited, they naturally hoped he would stay by their side without any distractions.

"The little ones in your bellies sure know how to stay put," Chen Chang'an remarked.

"How much longer do you think it’ll be before they’re born?"

Hearing this, the two sisters shook their heads in confusion.

When they first learned of their pregnancy, they had been overjoyed, thinking that even if Chen Chang'an left, they would at least have their children for company.

But who could have guessed that the pregnancy would last this long, with no signs of labor approaching?

"To be honest, over all these years, the energy we’ve cultivated has been entirely absorbed by these little ones," Murong Qingwu said with a laugh.

"Once they’re born, they might just emerge as Great Emperor-level powerhouses right away!"

Though Murong Qingwu said it jokingly, Chen Chang'an found it entirely plausible.

Absorbing so much energy, these children were anything but ordinary. After all, the energy came from peak Great Emperor-level cultivators—vast and immense.

And with no telling how much more they would absorb before birth, it wasn’t impossible for them to be born as Great Emperors.

"My children are no ordinary beings," Chen Chang'an said proudly.

"Being born as Great Emperors is only natural."

"The Ancient Immortal Domain is unstable right now, otherwise, I would have taken you both with me."

"But perhaps this is for the best. Consider it a peaceful time for you to nurture your children in the Tai Xuan Realm."

"When the time is right, even if your cultivation hasn’t progressed, I’ll find a way to bring you with me."

Hearing this, the Murong sisters' hearts swelled with joy. This was a promise from Chen Chang'an—something rare, as he seldom made such commitments to them before.

In the days that followed, Chen Chang'an stayed by their side, occasionally checking on the condition of the unborn children.

The fetuses were quiet but constantly absorbing energy—whether from the outside world or the sisters' cultivation.

Truly, they were cultivating right from the womb.

"Husband… is it time for you to leave?"

A month passed in the blink of an eye. Over the last couple of days, the sisters had already begun feeling the weight of sorrow, knowing that once Chen Chang'an departed, it might be years before they saw him again.

"Every parting is for the sake of a better reunion," Chen Chang'an reassured them.

"Don’t be sad—look forward to it instead."

"The next time I return, it will be to take you away with me."

"Or, if you ascend to the Ancient Immortal Domain before then, we can reunite there."

"Remember, if you ascend, stay with the Zhou Family and nowhere else. I’ll inform the Zhou Family’s patriarch to notify me."

"If you haven’t ascended by then, I’ll come back for you."

"Understood?" Chen Chang'an embraced them gently, his voice soft.

"We understand, husband."

"Good. Then I’ll take my leave now."

"Take care of yourselves."

"Husband, you must take care too."

"Please… stay safe."

Before the words had even fully left their lips, Chen Chang'an’s figure had already vanished.

Without him, the sisters felt an emptiness in their hearts, as if all their vitality had been drained away.

"Sister, he just left, and I already miss him."

"Me too. But as he said, every parting is for a better reunion."

"Let’s not dwell on sadness—let’s look forward to it."

"Next time, we’ll never have to part from him again."

"Yes. Never again."

Ancient Immortal Domain

Zhou Family

"You’re back!"

"Young Master Chen, you’ve finally returned!"

"What took you so long?"

Seeing Zhou Yuanxiong’s near-tearful expression, Chen Chang'an was taken aback.

What was going on?

He had only been gone for about a month. Why did Zhou Yuanxiong look like… his father had died?

"Zhou Family… has something unfortunate happened?" Chen Chang'an asked in surprise.

"Unfortunate?!"

"Extremely unfortunate!" Zhou Yuanxiong lamented.

"Ah… my condolences."

Huh?

Condolences?

Zhou Yuanxiong froze for a moment before realizing Chen Chang'an had misunderstood.

"Young Master Chen, the misfortune I speak of isn’t what you think."

"If you hadn’t returned soon, our Zhou Family would have been eaten into poverty!"

"It’s been a whole month! What in the world are those three you brought with you?"

"They’ve been eating nonstop! I can barely afford to keep up!"

Since Chen Chang'an’s departure, Da Huang and the other two had not left the dining table. After a month of continuous feasting, even the Zhou Family’s wealth was being strained.

"Oh, so that’s all?"

"Well, I’ve been gone for a month and I’m a bit hungry too."

"How about preparing some food for me as well? I’ll eat before I leave."

What?!

More eating?!

Chen Chang'an’s words nearly made Zhou Yuanxiong faint on the spot.

He had thought a savior had arrived, but instead…

Were they all demons in disguise?

"Big bro!"

"You’re back! Why so soon?"

"We haven’t even finished eating yet!"

Seeing Chen Chang'an return, Da Huang and the others were overjoyed, their chewing speeding up even more.

"Take your time. No one’s fighting you for it."

"If you run out, the Zhou Family will just bring more."

"What’s there to worry about?"

"Right, Patriarch Zhou?"

Zhou Yuanxiong forced a stiff smile and nodded, though inwardly, his heart was bleeding.

"You… just sat here the whole month?"

Chen Chang'an glanced at Chen Qingqing. Her posture was exactly the same as when he had left—he even wondered if she had moved at all in the past month.

"Should I have done otherwise?" Chen Qingqing replied, giving him a puzzled look.

For a tree spirit, standing motionless was second nature.

"How are your wife and child?"

Chen Chang'an was surprised that Chen Qingqing would ask such a thing. Did she actually care about such matters?

"They’re doing well," Chen Chang'an replied with a smile.

"Your child… is extraordinary."

Hmm?

Did Chen Qingqing… know something?