The Saintess Is Pregnant (Please Keep Reading~)

"Next, let's discuss the alliance agreement," Ye Xunfeng said with a smile.

"There's no rush for a marriage alliance. Once our relationship is stable, if I have a son and you have a daughter in the future, our two families can become in-laws. That would be quite a fine story," Ye Xunfeng said with a smile.

"Of course." Ning Fengzhi wore a respectful expression.

Ye Xunfeng looked at Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo beside him, sighing inwardly. On the Douluo Continent, strength was still supreme. No matter one's influence or bloodline, neither was as useful as one's fists.

"At the same time, I hope Spirit Hall can have more exchanges with your sect. For example, you could send some students to study at our Spirit Hall Academy and provide support for our Spirit Hall Team." Ye Xunfeng smiled as he observed their expressions. "Rest assured, if the other two sects of the Upper Three Sects make things difficult for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Spirit Hall is willing to stand up for you."

Ye Xunfeng chuckled. In this life, he could not let the so-called Upper Three Sects become united as one.

Hmm, it seemed that this very phrase had been proposed by the man before him.

"Then we shall naturally comply. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be disrespectful to refuse." Ning Fengzhi clearly seemed to have thought of something, and a trace of genuine sincerity appeared on his face.

Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet and solemnly cupped his hands. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect agrees to all of this. However, I have one small request and hope Your Excellency will grant it."

"Speak."

"Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect ranks among the Upper Three Sects, most of our Martial Souls are support-type, so our combat power is limited." Ning Fengzhi paused. "If Spirit Hall were to enter into a direct conflict with the Clear Sky Sect or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in the future, I fear the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would have the will but lack the strength. However, we would naturally be more than willing to provide support from behind. I hope Your Excellency can understand this."

Ye Xunfeng understood the meaning behind his words. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did not want to be used as a weapon, much less cannon fodder in Spirit Hall's struggle against the other two sects. Still, they were very willing to lend their aid.

In a sense, he had sold out all his old allies.

As for whether Ning Fengzhi might sell out Spirit Hall in the future, Ye Xunfeng believed that as long as he remained alive, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would not dare entertain such thoughts.

"Rest assured." Ye Xunfeng stood and walked over to Ning Fengzhi, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder. "I sought an alliance with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect because I value your support abilities, not because I want you to die on the front lines. When war truly comes, Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo won't all be dead yet. It won't be your turn to charge ahead."

Besides, who would ever send support-type Soul Masters to fight at the front?

Ye Xunfeng rubbed his forehead.

Ning Fengzhi let out a sigh of relief, and the smile on his face became more genuine. "Since Your Excellency has said so, I am relieved."

"Have the people below draft the contract later. You and I only need to review it in the end." Ye Xunfeng returned to the main seat and lifted his teacup. "Young Sect Master Ning, it's rare for you to visit Spirit City. Stay for a few more days. I'll have Yue Guan show you around."

"Then I shall trouble Your Excellency." Ning Fengzhi sat down again, took a sip of tea, then suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice. "Your Excellency, there is something I'm not sure whether I should say."

"Say it."

"It concerns the Clear Sky Sect." Ning Fengzhi set down his teacup. "The Clear Sky Sect's sect master personally came to offer congratulations this time, and he even brought his daughter. I'm afraid he intends to propose a marriage alliance. Your Excellency... don't let them deceive you."

Ye Xunfeng glanced at him, the corner of his mouth curling slightly. "Young Sect Master Ning is certainly well informed."

"I wouldn't dare." Ning Fengzhi smiled. "As fellow members of the Upper Three Sects, I know something of the Clear Sky Sect's ways. Their second young master, Tang Hao, offended Your Excellency in the forest before. I heard about that. His current submission is not sincere. He merely sees that Your Excellency's momentum is too fierce and dares not confront you head-on. Once the storm passes, he may not refrain from turning against you."

"I know." Ye Xunfeng's tone was calm. "I've already arranged for Tang Yuehua to become an ordinary disciple. I did not accept the marriage alliance."

Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up. His folding fan snapped open, concealing the smile at the corner of his lips. "Your Excellency is indeed clear-headed."

The two chatted a little longer about the reselection of the Seven Great Sects, then Ning Fengzhi rose to take his leave.

After seeing them off, Yue Guan returned to report and added a question. "Your Excellency, what do you think of Ning Fengzhi?"

"Clever, but too clever." Ye Xunfeng leaned back in his chair and spoke with his eyes closed. "He came today claiming to discuss an alliance, but he was actually here to probe my foundations. He did not bargain over a single condition and agreed so readily, which means he had already made up his mind. He only came today to confirm whether I was worth betting on."

Yue Guan nodded thoughtfully.

Ye Xunfeng looked at Yue Guan, feeling a measure of satisfaction inwardly. He needed to train Yue Guan quickly. Perhaps he could throw some of the administrative affairs to him later and focus on the Godly Trial himself.

Over the following days, Ye Xunfeng busied himself handling Spirit Hall's accumulated affairs while beginning to reorganize the heads of the branch halls in various regions.

The Complaint Box worked unexpectedly well. In just half a month, the boxes throughout Spirit City were stuffed full of letters.

That afternoon, Yue Guan hurried into the Pope Palace. He seemed about to say something, but stopped himself.

"What is it?" Ye Xunfeng was reading secret inspection reports from the regional branch halls without even raising his head.

"Your Excellency..." Yue Guan hesitated, but finally spoke. "It concerns the Saintess."

Ye Xunfeng put down the report and looked up. "What happened to her?"

"Today, while passing by the Saintess Palace, I happened to encounter the maid responsible for caring for the Saintess." Yue Guan carefully chose his words, lowering his voice. "The maid said Miss Bibi Dong has not had much of an appetite lately. She also retches in the mornings, and it has continued for several days."

Ye Xunfeng's brow furrowed slightly.

"I dared to..." Yue Guan gritted his teeth and blurted it all out in one breath. "I asked a healing-type Soul Master from the hall to examine her in secret. He said... he said she might be pregnant. He did not dare say it openly, so he told me immediately."

The hall instantly fell silent.

The hand holding Ye Xunfeng's report tightened slightly, and he froze where he sat.

He remained silent for a long time, so long that Yue Guan thought he was about to throw him out, before he finally heard him speak. His voice was soft, as though he were talking to himself. "Are you sure?"

"The healing-type Soul Master said he would need to observe her for a few more days to be completely certain, but... it is most likely the case." Yue Guan lowered his head, not daring to look at Ye Xunfeng's expression.

Ye Xunfeng leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

He remembered what happened that night clearly.

The medicine had been potent, and both he and Bibi Dong had lost control. Though he had used Soul Power to help regulate Bibi Dong's body afterward, the medicine had contained ingredients that promoted pregnancy. He should have anticipated this outcome.

"Have that healing-type Soul Master confirm it once more." Ye Xunfeng opened his eyes, his voice returning to calm. "Come tell me after it has been confirmed."

"Yes." Yue Guan answered and turned to leave.

"Wait." Ye Xunfeng stopped him, then paused. "Do not spread this for now, and do not tell Bibi Dong."

Yue Guan froze for a moment, then understood and nodded before withdrawing.

Ye Xunfeng sat alone in the hall, his fingers tapping against the desk again and again.

A child.

He was going to be a father.

The news had come too suddenly. He needed time to process it.