"Enough. We can plan the family's future later."
Xu Jingming clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back to him.
"What matters now is the Ascension Banquet in five days.
Teacher Frost Crown is preparing it, and quite a few Dominators will attend.
You'll all be hosting it with me."
"Don't worry, S-Rank!"
Eva was the first to raise her hand. Her emerald ponytail swayed as she said brightly,
"Leave it to us!"
"We'll make sure we observe every courtesy," Ye Lan said with a gentle nod.
Ye Li and Lin Qianxue exchanged a smile, their support clear beneath their cool, composed expressions.
Ling Shuang linked arms with Niki, beaming.
"It's the perfect chance for Teacher Niki to get to know our family."
Xu Jingming looked at the women gathered before him, so beautiful and at ease together.
Pride and tenderness swelled in his heart.
He had fought his way across the universe and walked the path of the strong. What more could he ask for?
"Well, that takes care of business."
Xu Jingming rose, spread his arms, and smiled.
"It's been a long time.
Shouldn't you do something about how much your husband has missed you?"
The women froze for a moment, then blushed one after another.
Ye Li turned her face away, though the tips of her ears reddened. Lin Qianxue lightly bit her lip.
Moon Shadow lowered her head, letting her silver hair hide her flushed cheeks.
Eva grinned and was the first to throw herself into his arms...
A tender warmth quietly filled the room.
While preparations for the Ascension Banquet were in full swing on Blue Star, elsewhere, in the Virtual Universe, lay the Flame Alliance's Hall of Gods.
Inside the magnificent hall,
forty-three towering thrones stood in a ring, arranged just like those of