Yu Wan'er: Damn, totally got played

"Jiang Che!!! Wuwuwu~~~"

Yu Wan'er was the first to rush over, throwing herself directly into Jiang Che's arms and bursting into loud sobs. Her little nose kept sniffing, as if trying to memorize every bit of his scent.

Jiang Che chuckled helplessly before cupping Yu Wan'er's face in his hands and planting a kiss on her lips.

"Jiang Che... are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital? Your injuries look so serious... Does it hurt? Let me blow on it for you..."

The young girl gently touched the 'wound' on Jiang Che's shoulder, her small lips puffing air onto it as tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Honestly, seeing Yu Wan'er like this made Jiang Che feel a little guilty.

If she ever found out that all his injuries were fake, that the heavenly tribulation was staged, and that her tears and emotions were completely wasted...

Yikes. He had a feeling this girl would tear him apart.

Seal his lips! He absolutely had to keep this secret!

Even if it was fake, as long as no one knew the truth, wasn’t it as good as real?

His women weren’t just NPCs, after all—Jiang Che wasn’t heartless enough to keep milking them for emotional support.

Besides, wasn’t that what the old ancestors were for?

Soon, Ye Mengyao and the others arrived as well.

Aside from the absent female CEOs like Gu Lingfei, Jiang Che was now surrounded by seven or eight stunning young women, each with their own unique charm.

"Bro... Brother, are you alright?"

Jiang Ruoxu also approached.

Meanwhile, his livestream had exploded once again.

"Salute to the legendary Lightning King!"

"That terrifying heavenly tribulation didn’t even kill Young Master Jiang? He’s truly monstrous!"

"Ah! All these gorgeous, adorable girls... and they’re all Jiang Che’s love interests? I’m not jealous that he survived the tribulation, but these beauties... now that’s something to envy!"

"Wow, that little loli is so cute! I just wanna pick her up and—"

"Buddy, that’s a dangerous thought. But don’t worry, just be more careful in your next life."

...

Back in the Nine Heavens Jiang Clan.

Every elder, including Jiang Hong, stood in stunned silence.

After what felt like an eternity, a Quasi-Emperor finally spoke up, his voice trembling.

"The Mark of Immortality? Am... am I seeing this right? The Mark of Immortality?! He actually condensed the Mark of Immortality!!!"

"No mistake! It’s the real thing! A Chaos Immortal Body paired with the Mark of Immortality—he’s destined to ascend! Once he reaches the Nine Heavens... he’ll effortlessly suppress all the so-called prodigies!"

Another Emperor-level ancestor chimed in, excitement lacing his words.

A trace of relief flickered in Jiang Hong’s eyes.

Even though the mortal realm’s Heavenly Dao had claimed it wouldn’t intervene, sacrificing ten thousand years of his lifespan had clearly bought Jiang Che some mercy.

Or so he mistakenly believed—Jiang Hong was convinced that Jiang Che’s survival was entirely his doing.

"Effective immediately, 20% of the cultivation resources allocated to the Jiang Clan’s Young Emperors will be pooled together... and sent across realms to Jiang Che. From this day forth... Jiang Che’s name shall also be entered into the Jiang Clan’s genealogy! He is now the Eleventh Young Emperor of our clan!"

A hunched old man leaning on a cane slowly stepped forward.

"Former Patriarch!"

Even Jiang Hong bowed at the sight of him.

"Former Patriarch, isn’t this too rash? Last time Jiang Hong secretly gave Jiang Che the premium spirit vein meant for the Ninth Young Emperor, it caused quite the uproar. If the other Young Emperors find out their resources are being siphoned off..."

The old man chuckled and shook his head. "A little competition is good. Let those brats see what it means when there’s always someone greater."

Then, his gaze turned toward the projection of Jiang Che, a mysterious smile curling on his lips.

"The tribulation he endured was far more terrifying than even the top-tier ones like the Ten Thousand Calamities Unbroken or the Great Dao Indestructible. Surviving it means his physique has evolved to an unprecedented level. The Chaos Body was already the foremost innate immortal physique, but combined with the enhancements from the tribulation... there’s a high chance he’ll develop a dual immortal physique."

"The Chosen of Heaven! Only someone blessed by the Heavenly Dao itself—the Chosen of the mortal realm—could achieve such a feat!"

The Chosen of Heaven. In an instant, Jiang Che’s status in the eyes of the Jiang Clan soared.

...

Deep within the Dragon Palace.

Jiang Che lounged on a sofa, legs casually crossed, the picture of relaxation.

Other protagonists would bounce back immediately after surviving a heavenly tribulation, but not Jiang Che—he was completely drained.

Without his girls fussing over him, he’d have kicked the bucket on the spot.

"Wan'er, rub my feet. They hurt."

Yu Wan'er: "......"

The little loli’s eyes were still red. Though something felt off, she obediently pulled Jiang Che’s leg into her lap and began massaging it with her small hands.

Her face, however, was the epitome of reluctance.

Heh. Got you wrapped around my finger, didn’t I?

"Little Che, do you have any idea how scared you made us?" Gu Lingfei rushed in, her stunning face etched with reproach.

"Jiang Che, you’re not just responsible for us anymore—you’re going to be a father. If something happened to you, what would happen to the baby? Do you want your child to grow up without a father?" Ji Ningxue pointed at Shen Yu beside her.

Shen Yu’s belly was now noticeably rounded.

Even without using divine sense, Jiang Che could feel the life force pulsing within her womb.

The bloodline was unmistakably his. As for the gender... he hadn’t checked. Some things were better left as surprises.

"Shen Yu, come here. Let your husband see if you’ve been crying behind my back."

Jiang Che reached out, using his spiritual energy to pull Shen Yu closer.

"Hehe, Brother Jiang Che, you should’ve seen it! While you were enduring the tribulation, Sister Shen Yu was so nervous she kept rubbing her belly!"

Qin Qiaoqiao giggled, poking Shen Yu’s arm.

Shen Yu: "......"

"I... I did panic for a moment. I’ve developed some... unwarranted emotions toward you." Shen Yu’s face remained dead serious, making Jiang Che want to laugh.

See?

Science-minded girls were different. No vague terms, no "maybe" or "sort of."

If she felt something, she said it outright—couldn’t even lie if she tried.

"Student Shen Yu, what you’re describing is love. You just haven’t realized it yet."

Jiang Che shamelessly took her hand. Pregnancy had softened Shen Yu a bit—her fingers now had a pleasantly plump feel.

"Love?" Shen Yu tilted her head, confusion clouding her eyes.

Jiang Che burst into laughter at her expression.

Then, he gave Yu Wan'er’s butt a playful pat.

"Hey! Why’d you slap me? Don’t think being injured means I won’t beat you up!" The little wildcat bared her teeth.

"Wan'er, don’t you love me? Go explain to Shen Yu what love is!"

Yu Wan'er: "(╯°Д°)╯︵┻━┻ Flips table"

Seeing Jiang Che's cheeky grin, she really wanted to slap that smug look right off his face.

Just as she was about to explode in anger, her cheeks were suddenly pecked with a kiss from him. "Be good," he teased.

Yu Wan'er: "(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ (flips table)"

Game over—she was completely at his mercy now!