Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

The moonlight was like water, and the courtyard was quiet.

Su Yunbai and Yunxiao stood embracing, the night breeze ruffling their clothes.

Just then, a series of light footsteps came from under the corridor.

"Oh dear, did I arrive at the wrong time?"

Bixiao peeked out from behind the pillar, her eyes crinkling into crescents with laughter. She said, "Not the right time," but she had already skipped over.

Yunxiao gently pulled away from Su Yunbai's embrace, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Third Sister, why aren't you resting so late?"

"I can't sleep." Bixiao moved closer to the two of them, taking Yunxiao's arm with one hand and Su Yunbai's arm with the other. "I'm both nervous and excited about the war starting tomorrow."

As she spoke, she suddenly turned to Su Yunbai and lowered her voice: "Yunbai, I have something to say to you—in private."

Yunxiao glanced at his sister and gently shook his head: "Then you two chat, I'll go back to my room first."

"Big sister, don't go too far! I'll be looking for you again later!" Bixiao called out to her retreating figure.

After Yunxiao's figure disappeared under the corridor, Bixiao pulled Su Yunbai to the osmanthus tree in the corner of the courtyard.

"What's wrong? Why are you being so mysterious?" Su Yunbai asked with a smile.

Bixiao looked up at him, the moonlight reflecting in her bright eyes: "I need to go back to the Jie Sect tomorrow."

Su Yunbai was taken aback: "Now? The demon army is only three hundred miles away..."

"That's why we need to go back now." Bixiao smiled slyly. "Don't worry, I'll use the Golden Dragon Scissors to clear the way. It'll take at most two hours round trip. I'll definitely be back before dawn and won't miss the battle."

"What are you going back for?"

Bixiao leaned even closer, almost touching his ear, her voice barely audible:

"You forgot? I promised you—once I win over the eldest sister, I'll introduce the second sister to you too."

Su Yunbai's heart skipped a beat.

He did remember Bixiao saying those words, but he had taken it as a joke at the time, never expecting...

"The Fairy Qiongxiao, she..."

"Second Sister is a bit colder than Eldest Sister, but she has the softest heart." Bixiao blinked. "These days I've been sending her messages, telling her a lot about you. Her reply was short, but between the lines... she didn't seem to dislike it."

She paused, then spoke even softer:

"Yunbai, we, the Three Immortals of Jie Sect, have always stood together through thick and thin. Now that our eldest sister has already chosen you, our second sister... should at least let her see you with her own eyes."

Su Yunbai was momentarily at a loss for words.

Bixiao continued speaking to herself:

"I'm going back this time to 'lay the groundwork.' Don't worry, my second sister loves me the most, and she'll listen to what I say."

She looked up and gazed intently at Su Yunbai:

"I know that with a major battle imminent, I shouldn't be saying these things. But it is precisely because a major battle is imminent that I want to finalize this matter—in case... I mean in case something unexpected happens, I don't want to have any regrets."

Touched, Su Yunbai reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"Nothing will go wrong. I will protect you all."

"Mmm." Bixiao snuggled against him. "I know you're powerful. But having more strength is never a bad thing. Second Sister's skill in formations is even greater than Eldest Sister's. If she could come and help..."

So that's what this girl was planning.

Su Yunbai chuckled: "You..."

"Am I clever?" Bixiao tilted her head proudly. "I killed two birds with one stone—I gave you a Daoist partner, and I gave us a powerful ally!"

As she spoke, she suddenly stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.

"I'm leaving now, I'll be back before dawn."

Be careful.

"rest assured!"

Bixiao released him, took two steps back, and unleashed the Golden Dragon Scissors.

Two golden beams of light intertwined in the air, tearing open a rift in the void.

She leaped in, and the crack immediately closed.

The courtyard returned to silence.

Su Yunbai stood there, gazing in the direction where Bixiao had disappeared, shaking his head and chuckling softly.

This girl is always so energetic and impulsive.

In the shadows of the corridor, Yunxiao stood quietly.

She hadn't actually gone far.

She vaguely heard fragments of Bixiao and Su Yunbai's conversation—though not clearly, she clearly heard the words "Second Sister".

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside me.

She had known all along that Bixiao had this intention.

The third sister has always been quirky and mischievous. Ever since she set her sights on Su Yunbai, she has always wanted to "drag" her two older sisters into her life.

At first, she felt somewhat helpless.

But at this moment...

Thinking of Su Yunbai's warm embrace, his earnest gaze, and the harmonious days they had spent together...

It seems that having another person by his side is not unacceptable.

At least, if it were Qiongxiao...

Yunxiao shook her head slightly and turned to walk towards her room.

Oh well, let nature take its course.

Su Yunbai stood in the courtyard for a while, just as he was about to return to his room, when he saw Ao Ling walk out from the other side of the corridor.

"Still not resting?" he asked.

"I've inspected the defenses of the manor." Ao Ling walked to his side. "Bixiao is gone?"

"You saw it?"

"The Golden Dragon Scissors tear through the void; though the commotion is small, my dragon clan is most sensitive to spatial fluctuations," Ao Ling said calmly. "Her timing in returning to the Jie Sect at this time... is certainly opportune."

Su Yunbai sensed the hidden meaning in her words: "What are you trying to say?"

Ao Ling turned to look at him, his dragon eyes gleaming with a pale golden light in the moonlight.

"Su Yunbai, how confident are you in defending Chaoge?"

"Seven points."

"What if we add the possibility of reinforcements arriving?"

Su Yunbai pondered, "That depends on who the reinforcements are."

"For example... those disciples from the outer sect of the Jie Sect?" Ao Ling asked. "Zhao Gongming came today, and Daoist Duobao also showed up the day before yesterday. Bixiao's return this time may not just be for 'personal matters'."

Su Yunbai suddenly realized.

Yes, although Bixiao is lively and unrestrained, she is not unaware of the seriousness of things.

With a major battle looming, her sudden return to the Jie Sect is likely, as Ao Ling said, driven by both personal motives and official business.

Request reinforcements, seek strong support.

This is indeed Bixiao's style of doing things.

"Thank you for reminding me," Su Yunbai said earnestly.

Ao Ling shook his head: "No need to thank me. If Chaoge falls, the East Sea will also be affected. Helping you is also helping the Dragon Clan."

She paused, then lowered her voice:

"Get some rest. Tomorrow... there's another tough battle ahead."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Su Yunbai watched her retreating figure, feeling a mix of emotions.

How fortunate I am to have such beautiful companions in this life.

At the beginning of Yin hour, the sky is about to brighten but not yet light.

The lights were already on in the general's mansion kitchen.

When Su Yunbai entered the kitchen, he saw Jiang Xiaowu and Yang Chan preparing breakfast.

"Why is the general up so early?" Jiang Xiaowu turned around, still holding a porridge spoon in her hand.

"I can't sleep." Su Yunbai sat down at the table. "As for you, you can just let the servants do these things."

Yang Chan whispered, "We want to cook it ourselves... After tomorrow's battle, we don't know when we'll be able to cook for the general again."

Su Yunbai felt a warmth in his heart.

"Don't worry, after this battle, I'll eat your cooking every day."

Jiang Xiaowu smiled, ladled out a bowl of porridge, and handed it to him: "Eat it while it's hot."

The porridge is made from glutinous rice, with added lotus seeds and goji berries, giving it a fragrant aroma.

Su Yunbai ate slowly, while Jiang Xiaowu and Yang Chan watched from the side, neither of them speaking, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

Outside the window, the sky was gradually turning white.

Chaoge City awakens from its slumber.

Bugle calls came from the distant city walls—the garrison was beginning its rotation.

At Chen Shi (7-9 AM), in the council hall.

Wen Zhong, Zhao Gongming, Yun Xiao, Ao Ling and others gathered together.

When Su Yunbai entered the hall, Bixiao had already returned—she was sitting next to Yunxiao and winked at him.

"Latest report from the scouts." Wen Zhong unfolded the battle report, "The vanguard of the demon race has already assembled its troops a hundred miles away and is expected to launch its first offensive at noon. Leading the army is the Peng Demon King, who commands 30,000 avian demons and 50,000 ground troops."

"Eighty thousand vanguard..." Zhao Gongming pondered, "Kunpeng is indeed cautious, using the vanguard to test the waters first."

"Testing them is fine," Su Yunbai said. "It'll give them a taste of the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation."

"The array's core is ready," Yunxiao said calmly. "It can be activated at any time."

Bixiao raised her hand: "My Golden Dragon Scissors are ready too! They're specially designed to behead demon generals!"

Ao Ling added, "The Dragon Clan's 5,000 naval troops are in position, which can prevent the Demon Clan from launching a surprise attack by water."

Jiang Xiaowu said, "The Iron-Blooded Army's three thousand soldiers are already waiting at the West Training Ground."

Yang Chan whispered, "I've brought the Lotus Lantern with me too."

Everyone reported their findings, their fighting spirit high.

Su Yunbai's gaze swept over every face present.

"If that's the case... then let's fight."

He got up, walked to the entrance of the hall, and looked towards the northern horizon.

There, the demonic clouds were already visible to the naked eye.

"Issue the order to the entire army—"

"Charge!"

At 3:45 AM, on the city wall of Chaoge.

Su Yunbai stood with his hand on his sword, his black cloak fluttering in the morning breeze.

Standing beside him were Wen Zhong and Zhao Gongming, followed by Yunxiao, Bixiao, Ao Ling, and others.

In the northern sky, dark clouds, as black as ink, rolled in heavily.

What began as a gray shadow on the horizon quickly spread into a dark, ominous cloud that blotted out the sky.

The silhouettes of birds flapping their wings appeared in the clouds, their sharp cries piercing the sky.

The ground was shaking.

Tens of thousands of demonic beasts were running, their hooves thundering and the earth rumbling.

"They've arrived," Wen Zhong said in a deep voice.

The 50,000 soldiers guarding the city wall held their breath, bows and crossbows were nocked, and spears were arrayed like a forest.

The city's protective formation has been activated, with a pale golden light shield enveloping the entire city. Runes flow across the surface of the shield, and the faint sound of a dragon's roar can be heard!

Those were spirit stones that Ao Ling had transferred from the Dragon Palace to support the formation.

Su Yunbai raised his hand, and a phantom image of love threads appeared in his palm.

Silver threads of love moved like living things, twining around his fingers.

"Grand Tutor, the city walls are now in your hands."

Wen Zhong nodded, and the twin golden whips in his hands crackled with lightning: "General, rest assured."

Su Yunbai then looked at Yunxiao: "Fairy, when will the formation be activated?"

"Wait for them to enter the formation," Yunxiao said calmly, placing his hands in front of him—where the phantom of the Nine Heavens Jade Pendant Qin floated, its strings moving automatically without wind, emitting a faint, clear sound.

Bixiao leaned close to Su Yunbai and whispered, "I sent a message to Second Sister, and she said... it depends on the situation."

Su Yunbai was slightly taken aback, then understood—Qiongxiao had left room for maneuver.

Yeah.

The demonic cloud stopped ten miles outside the city.

The dark clouds parted to the sides, and a huge figure emerged from them.

It was a golden-armored demon general with an eagle's beak and two wings on its back, which could be ten zhang wide when spread out.

He held a halberd in his hand, its tip gleaming coldly.

It was none other than the Roc Demon King.

He hovered in mid-air, his scarlet demonic eyes sweeping across the city wall before finally landing on Su Yunbai.

"Human General, Su Yunbai?" The voice was sharp and piercing.

Su Yunbai stepped forward: "Exactly."

"By the decree of the Demon Master, I offer you a choice." The Roc Demon King pointed his halberd at the city wall, "Open the city gates and surrender, offer a million lives as food, and my demon race can guarantee the survival of Chaoge. Otherwise..."

With a flap of his wings, a demonic wind suddenly arose!

"On the day the city falls, not a single chicken or dog will be spared!"