Seeing Wang Zeming leave, I turned my gaze toward the attached bathroom in the luxurious courtyard. Xiuying had already left for her own chambers, leaving me alone.
The elegant design of the bathroom caught my eye. Despite this world being dominated by cultivation and mystical powers, it retained the conveniences of modern living. Crystal-clear mirrors, pristine marble floors, and polished golden fixtures stood in contrast to the ancient aesthetics. The most noticeable difference? Everything here ran on Spiritual Qi or required Spirit Stones instead of electricity.
I stepped inside, twisting the jade-like knob. With a soft hum, the shower activated, releasing a stream of hot water infused with faint traces of Qi. The warmth cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of the previous night. It was both soothing and refreshing.
"Even in a world of cultivation, they didn't give up on luxury," I mused, a slight grin tugging at my lips.
But I wasn't here to admire the architecture. There was something far more important.
"Status," I commanded.
A translucent golden screen flickered into existence before me, displaying my information. Without hesitation, I focused on my Martial Spirit. Upon reaching the Qi Refinement Realm, the locked information had finally become accessible.
Martial Spirit: Supreme Emperor Yang: 9-Star. (Suppressed)
A custom martial spirit, perfectly attuned to the host. Its growth is determined solely by the host's choices, allowing specialization or customization in a chosen path. The name "Supreme Emperor Yang" reflects the host's own surname, symbolizing that the martial spirit is a reflection of the host.
Suppressed State: Due to its untapped potential, the martial spirit is currently in a suppressed form. Its true power will gradually awaken as the host nurtures and develops it further.
I ran a hand through my wet hair, droplets cascading down my face as I processed the information.
"A martial spirit that evolves based on my own decisions… No fixed path. No limitations, that's awesome."
The grin on my face widened. This wasn't just an ordinary spirit, it was a blank canvas. A tool for domination, crafted to become whatever I desired it to be.
Others develop based on their Martial Spirit, but I can develop my martial spirit to specialize for anything and everything.
It was obvious. Despite the high rank of 9-Star, I wouldn't be able to unleash its full might until I made progress. My spirit was like a slumbering beast, restrained by invisible chains.
"Then I'll just have to break those chains."
The thought stirred something within me a faint pulse. Though the martial spirit was sealed, I could sense its presence, like a storm waiting to be unleashed.
With newfound determination, I dismissed the status screen and turned off the shower. The golden runes on the wall dimmed as the flow of Spiritual Qi ceased.
Grabbing a clean towel, I dried myself off. The mirror before me reflected a figure both familiar and foreign. My body had already undergone changes from cultivation, leaner muscles, sharper handsome features, and a glow of vitality. Yet my eyes, brimming with confidence, were what stood out the most.
"Supreme Emperor Yang…" I murmured, the name resonating within me. "Let's see just how supreme can I become."
Dressing myself in a dark silk robe embroidered with silver clouds, I stepped back into the courtyard. The breeze carried the faint fragrance of blooming lotus flowers, but my thoughts remained elsewhere.
As for Wang Zeming, that pathetic excuse of a man… Well, he was likely off convincing his concubine to participate in his twisted desires.
"Fool," I scoffed under my breath.
Still, his foolishness would serve me well. And now that my path was clearer, I had far greater ambitions to pursue.
With that, I strode towards the bed, the first step toward unlocking the true power of the Supreme Emperor Yang is to raise my cultivation.
Elsewhere in the Wang Family estate, a luxurious courtyard gleamed under the golden hue of the afternoon sun. Delicate lotus flowers swayed in the breeze, their reflection shimmering across the pristine jade-green pond. A small pavilion stood at the edge, shaded by cherry blossoms in full bloom. Within its embrace, Wang Zeming paced nervously, his hands clenched tightly behind his back.
Seated before him was Wang Hua, his only concubine. She was draped in a sheer violet robe, the silk clinging delicately to her curves. Her beauty was undeniable, a delicate face framed by cascading raven locks, her almond eyes gleaming with curiosity and suspicion. Despite the warmth of the day, a chill seemed to hang between them.
"My Lord," Wang Hua finally spoke, her voice honeyed but laced with concern. "You seem troubled. Is there something you wish to say?"
Wang Zeming hesitated, his lips parting but no words emerging. The air grew heavier with each passing moment. He finally exhaled, lowering himself to a knee before her, his voice trembling with both resolve and desperation.
"Hua'er," he began softly, "You know how much I desire an heir, a legacy to continue the Wang name. I have tried every remedy, consulted every healer, yet the heavens remain silent."
Her gaze softened, though her brows furrowed with unease. "But, my Lord, it is not uncommon. Time may yet bless the Wang Family when you take another concubine."
He shook his head, the shadows of shame dancing across his face. "No, Hua'er. It is not tat easy. The truth is..." He paused, as though the weight of his confession threatened to crush him. "The fault may be mine. I can't get excited with women in normal ways."
A gasp escaped her lips, her hands instinctively rising to her chest. Yet before the surprise could settle in, Wang Zeming grasped her hands with renewed determination.
"But there is a way," he said, his voice steady now. "A path that will ensure the continuation of my bloodline through you."
Wang Hua's confusion deepened, her delicate fingers trembling beneath his grasp. "What do you mean, my Lord?"
"You will bear a child," he declared. "But not of my seed."
The words struck like a sudden thunderclap. She recoiled slightly, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"My Lord… you wish for me to…" Her voice faltered.
"Yes," Wang Zeming confirmed, his expression unreadable. "There is one who possesses the virility that I lack. A man of exceptional strength, capable of granting you what I cannot."
Silence lingered between them. The weight of the proposition settled upon her like an unbearable burden. Yet amidst her uncertainty, there was no trace of refusal only hesitation.
"I will be there the entire time," Wang Zeming assured, his tone laced with something unsettling. "I will ensure your comfort and safety. This is not betrayal, Hua'er. It is a sacrifice for the family for me."
Her trembling lips parted, but no words came. The thought of engaging with another man, even under her husband's watchful eye, twisted her stomach. Yet the longing in Wang Zeming's eyes the desperate hope was undeniable.
"I… I will do as you command, my Lord," she whispered at last, lowering her gaze.
A satisfied smile curled upon Wang Zeming's lips. He rose, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "You are truly my most devoted treasure, Hua'er. I will make the arrangements. Let's go now."
The cherry blossoms swayed gently in the wind, their petals drifting like fleeting dreams a fragile beauty on the precipice of corruption.