The infant world is perhaps the most pitiable, for it knows not the sting of pain.

Such was a solitary day within the Marquis of Shuo Fang’s manor. In Bao Zhongqing’s spirit hall, his coffin lay sealed, his spirit tablet stood silent, and the innocent smile of the child he left behind brightened the mortal realm. Amidst the curling spirit incense and the lingering sound of a child’s voice, the pure radiance of this newborn banished the gloom from the spirit hall, temporarily stripping it of its solemnity.

The wet nurse, still kneeling on the ground, wept only for her own sorrow.

Chong Xuan Sheng and Yi Shi Si, recently wed, gazed upon this simple little life and could not help but imagine their own future lives, finding them deeply appealing. Only Shi Si spoke little, her feelings seemingly hidden in the corners of her eyes and the arch of her brows, rarely expressed. Meanwhile, Chong Xuan Sheng repeatedly attempted to befriend Xiao Xuan Jing, yet was ignored. Jiang Wang, however, teased Xiao Xuan Jing for a while, eliciting nonstop laughter from the child.

He possessed considerable experience in caring for small children, having often rocked An An’s cradle when she was very young. Yet, Bao Zhongqing’s son was particularly receptive to him. Even if he merely breathed on the child, casually poking his face, Xiao Xuan Jing would respond with delight. Guo Baifan and Rong Rong remained silent, their joy harmonious as they observed the Great Qi’s heavenly talent playing with Xiao Xuan Jing.

Young Marquis, Miao Yuzhi, perhaps moved by some sudden impulse, unexpectedly declared, “Wu An Hou has been tragically entangled with fate, just like the sickle. Could it be a rare twist of destiny? I wonder if Wu An Ju Yuan is willing to take an adopted son?”

The scene fell silent. Only Bao Zhongqing’s infant son continued to laugh heartlessly, batting at Jiang Wang’s palm as if in agreement. This proposal was clearly a sudden thought of Miao Yuzhi’s, not discussed with anyone beforehand. Even Bao Yi was greatly surprised.

But this Commander of the Nine Armies showed no intention of stopping, merely watching the scene calmly.

Chong Xuan Sheng chuckled, subtly shifting forward to pull Jiang Wang behind him. “Marquis Wu An isn’t married yet, he doesn’t even have a betrothal target. To become a father now wouldn’t be suitable! Better I do it!”

The relationship of adopted father and adopted son is not a simple matter. Just as Yi Xing Chen adopted Shi Si, it was a formal inscription into the Yi family genealogy, truly taking Shi Si as a daughter. If one day Shi Si were to suffer grievance in the Marquis of Bo’s manor, the Yi family would be the first to support her. If Yi Xing Chen were to unfortunately suffer some misfortune, Yi Shi Si would also need to wear mourning for him. For such a serious matter, Miao Yuzhi speaking out of a sudden whim was already considered a transgression.

Especially as Jiang Wang was a man easily moved by emotion. Suddenly gaining an adopted son would add another heavy burden. Jiang Wang himself would never agree, nor would Chong Xuan Sheng allow him to agree. Although Chong Xuan Sheng merely offered a casual block,

He himself wouldn’t mind becoming this father. In any case, he felt no sense of responsibility, nor any awkwardness towards the Bao family. As long as he was given an opening, the Bao family and the Chong Xuan family seizing it wouldn’t be without opportunity…

Today he would become Bao Xuan Jing’s father, tomorrow Bao Yi would be his father, and in four rounds, five entries, he would be the heir of the Bao family.

“Nonsense!” The Marquis of Shuo Fang’s scolding of Miao Yuzhi was both late and perfectly timed. “The ritual of dry kinship is so solemn! How can you speak of it so casually! And you still haven’t apologized to Marquis Wu An!”

He completely ignored Chong Xuan Sheng’s words. “Father is right to teach.” Miao Yuzhi, realizing her mistake, embraced her son and bowed again to Jiang Wang. “Marquis Wu An, please do not blame Yuzhi’s rudeness. Seeing Jing’er so fond of you, I spoke without thinking.”

Jiang Wang laughed warmly. “A child’s affection comes and goes quickly. Today he may laugh at me, tomorrow he may not recognize me.” Miao Yuzhi said, “I have a feeling… Jing’er is so fond of you. Even if he forgets, he will come to like you again.” These words were truly a little touching. A child’s affection is innocent and pure.

But Jiang Wang only laughed, reaching out to poke Xiao Xuan Jing’s face, and did not speak. The small baby was still at an age where he understood nothing, only giggling and rubbing his face against Jiang Wang’s hand, extremely intimate.

Miao Yuzhi pursed her lips and spoke again, “Of course, Marquis Wu An is in his prime and not yet married. The matter of adopted father and son is not suitable, it was Yuzhi’s confusion.” “Alright, Marquis Wu An, you should go back.” Chong Xuan Sheng said, “Didn’t a letter just arrive from the southern border? There are still matters waiting for you to handle.” “Oh, right. I do need to go back and handle them.” Jiang Li suddenly remembered as if, turning his head, he bade farewell to Xiao Xuan Jing, Miao Yuzhi, and Bao Yi one by one. Miao Yuzhi had originally thought Xiao Xuan Jing would cry and fuss, or perhaps she hoped the child would cry and fuss. But the infant in the swaddling clothes was probably tired from playing.

As Marquis An’s front foot left, he closed his eyes and happily fell asleep.

After seeing off Jiang Wang and the others, Bao Yi’s face was expressionless. He only said to Miao Yuzhi, “When the funeral is over, go back and rest.” “Yes, Father.” Miao Yuzhi gently rocked the swaddling clothes, saying softly, “Jing’er he…!”

Bao Yi interrupted directly, “You can raise the child until he is two years old. After two years, I will personally take him.” His voice was gentle, but there was no room for discussion. Miao Yuzhi glanced at the wet nurse still kneeling on the ground. “The wet nurse she…!” Bao Yi only said, “You handle it.” Then he turned and left.

When Miao Yuzhi was first pregnant with the child, the Bao manor specifically hired five wet nurses. Their clothing, food, housing, and travel were all meticulous, their daily meals varied, all carefully allocated by senior imperial physicians. This ensured that after Xiao Xuan Jing was born, he would be fed milk of different flavors and different spiritual energies each day. A child raised in this manner would find it very difficult not to open their meridians.

Of course, this was only the method used by renowned families of the world to improve the lower limit of their disciples. Cultivation was ultimately a process of self-exploration. Even individuals like Liu Xuan Hu, who should have been able to push open the door to heaven and earth, still failed to do so. Besides healthy milk, wet nurses, as constant companions to infants, must also meet sufficient demands.

Every word and action must conform to ritual. Now this wet nurse, having rashly carried the child into the spirit hall, had lost all ritual, and naturally could not be kept. Miao Yuzhi held the child, standing in Bao Zhongqing’s spirit hall, and did not speak again. She only pressed her pale and thin face against the swaddling clothes, gently rocking and swaying, “Bao Xuan Jing, Bao Xuan Jing.”

The carriage drove away from the Marquis of Shuo Fang’s manor. Chong Xuan Sheng leaned against the carriage window, quite emotional. “The Marquis and Prime Minister envy the thousand-year private affairs.”

“Yes.” Jiang Wang, sitting opposite, also sighed in agreement. “The two Bao family brothers fought back and forth, and in the end, neither Bao Bo Zhao nor Bao Zhongqing inherited the Bao family. I wonder how Bao Xuan Jing will view this story when he grows up.”

“How will he view it?” Chong Xuan Sheng laughed. “Heroic uncle, heroic father, honorable family… A generations-old renowned family, a loyal and fierce mansion!” Jiang Wang seemed lost in thought. “For many people, the meaning of writing history perhaps lies in this. From this, one can even more clearly see the greatness of Master Sima.” “You actually understand history better.” Chong Xuan Sheng mocked. “In a couple of days, will you enter the palace again to recite books, to which volume?”

Jiang Wang was too lazy to bother with this, only speaking to himself, “The name Bao Xuan Jing is quite wonderful. Now he is innocent and lovely. I hope that in the future he will be more talented than his father, and at the same time, not as lacking in bottom line as his father.”

Chong Xuan Sheng said, “You haven’t truly experienced the wonderfulness of this name.” “How so?”

Chong Xuan Sheng gently lifted a corner of the carriage window, watching the distant lake and the Marquis of Shuo Fang’s manor gradually disappear from view. He sighed, “The so-called ‘Xuan Jing’ means ‘solitary mirror, divine light clear.’ Giving Bao Zhongqing’s son this name, Elder Bao’s remembrance of his direct eldest son is truly overflowing in these words.” Jiang Wang fell silent for a moment.

In the smoothly rolling carriage, Chong Xuan Sheng suddenly spoke again. “Brother Wang, you should also get married. You’re being rushed into fatherhood like this, aren’t you nervous?”

Jiang Wang glared at him. “I’ve noticed that you married people especially like to urge others. Even that Dog Grand Master is like this. Ever since he got engaged to Miss Wen, he often wants to build bridges and pull strings for me. What, you can’t visit the Four Great Famous Pavilions anymore, you can’t enjoy snow, moon, wind, and flowers anymore, so you want to drag everyone in the world down with you? Speaking of Brother Yan Xian, a person of wealth and power like him, he was once

He was also among the top five Marquises and top three figures on the Beautiful Men List of Lin Zi. His position has been stable for many years. No matter what kind of beautiful men came and went, he remained firm. But later, when he set the marriage with Wen Ting Lan, he also carried the reputation of a disloyal man and was chased and beaten by Wang Wu You throughout Lin Zi, and his ranking has dropped all the way…! Now he has already gloriously fallen off the list. This, along with Chong Xuan Sheng, is called the enduring regret of the Lin Zi Beautiful Men List. (Chong Xuan Sheng claimed this himself)

For Jiang someone’s sake, Chong Xuan Sheng snorted contemptuously. “You visit the Four Great Famous Pavilions, aren’t you just cultivating there? What difference does it make whether you can go or not?”

“What do you understand!” Jiang Wang’s face was full of disdain. “Cultivate when you should cultivate, play when you should play, this Marquis’s life is not inferior to anyone! In the Shen En Temple of Mu Kingdom, I talked and laughed with Yu Wen Ze, and the wind was born! I still have a pile of beauties at home, I’ll go back and have them dance!”

…My spicy mother only I have half. Brother said, “Dad slipped me one grain, Dad, I to the sheep dung, I laugh laugh laugh.”

He was very interested in the dance girls of Wu An Hou’s manor, and had long wanted to see them. He heard they had traveled from Chu to Mu Kingdom, and then were sent as a great gift to Lin Zi. Unfortunately, the person surnamed Jie was away from home two or three days a week, and when he returned to the manor

He was always busy with this and that, and he stiffly couldn’t find a suitable opportunity.

Yi Shi Si, who had always listened silently to the two men’s jokes, still did not speak at this moment, but the smile on her face disappeared by five degrees.

“Get out of here!” Chong Xuan Sheng lifted his leg to kick Jiang Su. “You dirty

Get out of here right now! Go and appreciate your singing and dancing, go and live your life of paper and drunken gold! Don’t stay in my carriage!” If Shi Si hadn’t been present, Jiang Wang would have guaranteed that Chong Xuan Sheng’s kick would have been very ugly. Unfortunately, Shi Si was present, and he only slipped down from the carriage dejectedly. “Autumn winds rise and white clouds fly, grass and trees wither and fall, and geese return south. Orchids bloom and chrysanthemums are fragrant, embracing a good person is unforgettable.” In the Wu An Hou’s manor, the singing was melodious, and the dancing was graceful.

The song and dance troupe brought back from the grassland was put to use today. If he said he wanted to listen to Chu songs, then he listened to Chu songs. If he said he wanted to appreciate Chu dances, then he appreciated Chu dances.

The Wu An Hou of today was both overbearing and confident. To say he followed his heart’s desires in the State of Qi might be a bit excessive, but there weren’t many things that could truly trouble him.

Just like at this moment, after mocking each other with the Marquis of Bo, he returned to his manor, lit colored lanterns, and appreciated song and dance… While simultaneously entering the Tai Xu Huan Jing.

It can be said that he cultivated and relaxed without mistake, being the master of his time. The Tai Xu Huan Jing had recently undergone a very important change.

The Tai Xu Volume Axis, which had been in preparation for a long time, had, after deliberation by various supervisory forces, been formally completed. This would necessarily bring about new changes to the continuously expanding Tai Xu Huan Jing. The Tai Xu Sect had obviously made sufficient preparations for this, and the trial of the Tai Xu Volume Axis was quite successful. Currently, there were not many tasks within the Tai Xu Volume Axis, basically all concentrated in the myriad demon gates, secret realms, endless deserts, cloudy immortal forests, and several other absolute forbidden grounds in the present world. Many of these tasks were aimed at exploring and strategizing within these absolute forbidden grounds.

A small portion was also concentrated in the construction of the Tai Xu Huan Jing. For example, constructing Tai Xu Corner Towers, collecting materials needed for the Tai Xu Huan Jing, and so on.

It is worth mentioning that the current Sect Master of the Tai Xu Sect, Xu Jing Xuan, also proposed the idea of creating a currency for the Tai Xu Huan Jing, linking this currency to Yuan Stone and using it to reward the completion of Tai Xu Volume Axis tasks…! This was rejected by the various supervisory forces. Jiang Wang, as a high-ranking official of the State of Qi, heard about this matter, but remained unmoved.

So the rewards for the various tasks in the Tai Xu Volume Axis were now settled. They were either Yuan Stone, or Tai Xu Huan Jing “Gong” or “Fa”. Sometimes, they could also be direct Daoist techniques and secret laws. “Gong” and “Fa”, and even Daoist techniques and secret laws, could all be traded directly within the Tai Xu Huan Jing. Yuan Stone needed to be withdrawn at the Tai Xu Corner Towers distributed in various places in the present world. Jiang Wang, as a Tai Xu Messenger and the host of the Tai Xu Corner Tower in Tian Fu City, also received a request for cooperation from the Tai Xu Huan Jing. His Tai Xu Corner Tower would regularly bear a certain amount of Yuan Stone withdrawals, and the Tai Xu Sect would settle accounts once a month, and would give corresponding interest. This would not cause the Tai Xu Messenger to suffer losses.

However, currently, not many people came to exchange for withdrawals. At this stage, the people who could participate in the Tai Xu Volume Axis were still a minority, and basically none of them lacked Yuan Stone. Among the several major absolute forbidden grounds in the present world, the closest to the State of Qi was the Secret Realm, and many of the tasks within the Tai Xu Volume Axis were also aimed at the Sea Race.

Unlike the Zhen Hai Alliance’s Sea Patrol List, which directly calculated merit by killing Sea Race.

The tasks in the Tai Xu Volume Axis aimed at the Sea Race were mostly exploration, investigation, and plunder, and did not reward material items with the lives of the Sea Race.

Resisting different races was not the burden of the Tai Xu Sect alone. The resources within the Tai Xu Huan Jing were also not created from nothing; a benign cycle must be established. Especially now that the scale of the Tai Xu Huan Jing was expanding so rapidly, the Tai Xu Sect’s own resources and the partial support from various supervisory forces simply could not sustain the consumption. Therefore, the Tai Xu Huan Jing also needed to achieve definite harvests through the Tai Xu Volume Axis and then provide corresponding encouragement. But for Jiang Wang, the Tai Xu Volume Axis was currently just something to look at and nothing more. There were no corresponding tasks within the State of Qi.

He personally did not highly approve of the creation of the Great Axis of Directions, but he thought that since the various supervisory forces could agree, there must be considerations at a higher level. He, with his small roads and small legs, would just adapt to the changes. At least with the expansion of the Great Xu Huan Jing, the business of his Great Xu Corner Tower continued to be hot. This could be considered as easing a great burden on him, who was piled high with debt, every day. Entering the Tai Xu Huan Jing again, the Door to the Blessed Land had already

Disappeared. The place connecting to the Primordial Chaos space had become a rather perfunctory halo of light. The Tai Xu space also seemed very cramped, and even the ethereal shadow of the honored sundial, which had been recorded with some honor, was extremely dim. Due to the life-and-death chase with Zhang Lin Chuan, he directly missed the challenge for the Blessed Land on the fifteenth day of the tenth month, completely losing the Blessed Land. Jiang An’s birthday on the twelfth day of the tenth month… Of course, he also missed it.

Since leaving Feng Lin City until now, he had already missed many such important days.

Silently sitting in meditation in the cramped Tai Xu space for a while, he slightly sorted out the new fighting system, then raised his hand to the distant sundial, his body connecting with the clear light: Today is the fifteenth day of the eleventh month in the 3921st year of the Dao Calendar, the day when Du Gu Wu Di re-challenged the Blessed Land.