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

Jizhou, the Marquis's residence.

The night is deep.

Su Yunbai went directly to Daji's courtyard without alerting anyone.

The lights were still on inside the room.

He gently pushed the door open.

Daji was sitting in front of her dressing table, staring blankly at the mirror.

Hearing the sound, she turned around abruptly.

The moment he saw Su Yunbai, his eyes lit up with surprise.

"Yunbai!"

She rose and, like a fluttering butterfly, flew into his arms.

"You're back! Beihai... are you alright?"

Su Yunbai embraced her, feeling the soft warmth and familiar scent in his arms.

"It's alright," he said softly. "It's all taken care of."

Daji hugged him tightly, as if she wanted to merge herself into his body.

Although we haven't been apart for long, I miss you every moment.

"You've lost weight..." she said tenderly, stroking his cheek. "And you've gotten darker..."

Su Yunbai chuckled and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

Daji responded enthusiastically.

The longing for each other transforms into a blazing flame.

(Detailed description omitted here)

……

The rain and clouds have temporarily ceased.

Daji nestled in Su Yunbai's arms, her fingers unconsciously playing with his loose long hair.

"How long will you stay this time?" she asked.

"It won't be long," Su Yunbai said. "There are still matters to attend to in Chaoge, and things aren't going well in Xiqi either."

He paused for a moment, then decided to speak up.

There's something I need to tell you.

"Um?"

"I took in a maid in Beihai," Su Yunbai said, trying to keep his tone calm. "Her name is Jiang Xiaowu. She has a pitiful background but good talent, so I kept her by my side."

Daji's body stiffened slightly.

The finger stopped.

The room fell silent.

Only the soft breathing of the two could be heard.

A while later.

Daji then asked softly, "Just... a maid?"

Su Yunbai remained silent for a moment.

"It is now."

"I don't know about the future."

He didn't want to lie to her.

He knew Jiang Xiaowu's feelings for him.

He wasn't completely indifferent to Jiang Xiaowu.

Daji raised her head and looked at him.

Moonlight streamed through the window and shone on her face.

She didn't cry or make a fuss.

His gaze was somewhat complex, but more than that, it conveyed a sense of...understanding.

"I knew it..." she whispered, "Someone like you can't possibly belong to just me."

"My father once said that a true hero is never surrounded by only one woman."

She leaned back against his chest, her voice muffled: "As long as you have me in your heart and remember to come home, that's enough."

Su Yunbai felt a slight tremor in his heart.

He hadn't expected Daji to be so calm, so... insightful.

"Aren't you angry?" he asked.

"I'm angry," Daji honestly admitted, "but I know you always have your reasons for doing things."

"And..." her voice lowered, "I really... can't handle you all by myself..."

Su Yunbai was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

He held her tightly.

"Silly girl."

No matter what happens in the future, you will always be the most important person in my heart.

"Mm." Daji nodded, hugging him tightly. "Remember what you said."

The two embraced.

Silent all night.

[Ding! Honest communication with your bound Daoist partner 'Su Daji' has deepened your relationship, increasing intimacy by 800.]

[Ding! You have received an additional reward for 'Trust and Tolerance', increasing your Intimacy Points by 500.]

[Current intimacy level: -18325 points.]

Early the next morning.

Su Yunbai and Daji went together to pay their respects to Su Hu and Yang Shi.

In the main hall.

Su Hu saw Su Yunbai and a look of relief flashed in his eyes.

"I've heard about what happened in Beihai." He patted Su Yunbai on the shoulder. "Well done. You didn't disgrace your father."

His tone was tinged with pride.

Madam Yang held Su Yunbai's hand and looked him over carefully: "You've lost weight and you look tired. This time you're back, you should stay a few more days and take good care of yourself."

"Don't worry, Mother, I'm fine," Su Yunbai said with a smile.

He looked at the two elders, feeling warmth in his heart, yet also a touch of heaviness.

The great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods has begun, and the bloodshed to come will likely affect everyone.

He must do everything he can to improve his family's situation and provide them with more security.

With that thought in mind, he called upon the system.

"System, open the shop. Filter for Foundation Building techniques suitable for mortals (those without spiritual roots or whose spiritual roots have not been detected), requiring them to be gentle, safe, and longevity-promoting. Then filter for life-saving magic treasures or items suitable for mortals."

[Ding! Filtering...]

[Filtering complete. Recommendations are as follows:]

[1. *Nourishing Life and Building Foundation Techniques* (Mid-grade Yellow Rank): Gentle with no side effects, it can strengthen the body, extend lifespan by sixty years, and has a small chance of activating hidden spiritual roots. Requires 3000 Intimacy Points to exchange.]

[2. *Martial Saint's Body Refinement Manual* (High-Grade Yellow): Focuses on body refinement. Upon mastery, it grants the user the ability to withstand mortal weapons and extend lifespan by thirty years. Requires 4000 Intimacy Points to exchange.]

[3. Protective Jade Amulet x3 (Low-grade Magical Artifact): Automatically blocks three fatal attacks (limited to spells cast by mortals or below the Foundation Establishment stage). Exchange requires: 1500 Intimacy Points/Amulet, totaling 4500 points.]

[4. Lesser Rejuvenation Pill x10 (Mortal Rank Supreme): A holy medicine for healing injuries, capable of reconnecting broken bones, healing internal injuries, and neutralizing all poisons. Exchange requires: 500 Intimacy Points/pill, totaling 5000 points.]

Total: 16500 Intimacy Points.

Su Yunbai glanced at his intimacy points balance: -18325 points.

Let's look at the total loan amount of 60,000 given by the system...

"System, lend another 16500 points."

[Ding! Loan successful. 16500 Intimacy Points awarded.]

[Host's current total loan amount: 34825 points (not exceeding the limit of 60,000).]

[Daily interest: 174.125 intimacy points. Please be aware of the repayment pressure.]

[System notification: The host has become proficient in using this system's financial services, which is commendable! Keep up the good work, pay off the loan as soon as possible, and enjoy a wonderful life!]

Su Yunbai automatically ignored the system's "praise".

"Exchange for 'The Foundation Building Technique for Nourishing Life' and 'The Body Refining Manual of the Martial Saint', three protective jade talismans, and ten Lesser Rejuvenation Pills."

[Redeem successful. Items have been delivered to your system storage.]

Su Yunbai's mind stirred slightly, and several items appeared in his hand.

Two jade slips, three warm white jade talismans, and a jade bottle containing elixirs.

He handed the jade slip containing the "Preservation and Foundation Building Secrets" and a protective jade talisman to Madam Yang.

"Mother, this is a health-preserving exercise. You can practice it whenever you have free time. It can strengthen your body and prolong your life. Wear this jade talisman close to your body to ensure your safety."

Madam Yang accepted them. Although she didn't understand why, she felt the reassuring warmth emanating from the jade slip and jade talisman, knowing they were no ordinary objects. She nodded with satisfaction, "Yunbai is very thoughtful."

He then handed Su Hu the jade slip containing the "Martial Saint's Body Refinement Manual" and a protective jade talisman.

"Godfather, this body-refining technique might be helpful for your martial arts training. The jade talisman should also be worn close to your body."

Su Hu was a connoisseur; after taking the jade slip and briefly sensing it, his eyes gleamed.

"This...this is a celestial technique?"

"It's considered a basic introduction," Su Yunbai said. "Godfather can try cultivating it; it will greatly benefit your health."

Su Hu nodded solemnly and carefully put it away.

He gave the last protective jade talisman and five Lesser Rejuvenation Pills to Daji.

"Keep this jade talisman on. Also, carry these Lesser Rejuvenating Pills with you at all times, just in case."

Daji obediently accepted it, her eyes filled with tenderness.