The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife-Chapter 1036: "Why Protect Him? He’s Not Your Son"

Ancestor Chi had yet to comprehend the situation when Siheng suddenly took control of him. A flash of intense light surged into his mind, and in an instant, he was overwhelmed by excruciating pain.

"Ah--!" Ancestor Chi screamed in agony.

Ao Zhaozhao turned pale and trembled, her eyes wide with fear as she looked towards Nanli. "Auntie, why? Why are you doing this?"

Nanli answered calmly, "Because everything is too coincidental. We need to make sure there’s no conspiracy hidden beneath the surface."

She subconsciously placed a hand on her abdomen. It had only been a few days, but the influence of the Demon Soul had grown significantly stronger, largely due to the growing power of the child’s soul. The child would likely be born soon. Before using the Demonizing Dragon Lantern, she had to ensure that everything was secure.

Ao Zhaozhao didn’t fully understand. She blinked and asked, "Isn’t it just good luck, fate bringing us together?"

Nanli gently patted her head. "Some fates aren’t destined by the heavens. They are the result of human actions."

Ao Zhaozhao pondered her words, but she understood that her aunt and uncle had their reasons for being so cautious.

Before long, Siheng finished probing Ancestor Chi’s memories. The old man collapsed weakly to the ground, his headache beginning to subside, though his frustration remained. He glared at Siheng, but when his eyes met the cold, unflinching expression of the Celestial Sovereign, his body involuntarily shrank, and he meekly asked, "Celestial Sovereign, what is the meaning of this?"

Siheng glanced at him coldly. "Your Chi family wants to rely on Jialan Celestial Mountain. Naturally, I need to know if you are truly loyal."

The anger in Ancestor Chi dissipated instantly, and he hurriedly responded, "I, and the Chi family, are absolutely loyal! If A’Xun is favored and supported by the lady, I will teach him to be loyal in return, without any doubts or second thoughts!"

Siheng smirked slightly, his smile carrying a hint of meaning that sent chills down Ancestor Chi’s spine. "I understand. You may leave now."

That smile, so subtle yet profound, made Ancestor Chi uneasy. He kept replaying his actions over the past few days, worried that he might have made a mistake.

When he returned to the Chi family, his thoughts were interrupted by the elders coming to confront him.

"Why should ’Chi Fei’ return and be allowed to lead? His cultivation is high enough to assume the position of family head, but why should Chi Xun, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, be allowed to do so?" The elders were all angry, and they wanted Ancestor Chi to take the lead in opposing this decision.

Ancestor Chi felt an unbearable headache coming on. He immediately reprimanded them, "How laughable! You want this, you want that, but it’s impossible! Unless you no longer want ’Chi Fei’ to remain in the Chi family! If you wish to use his strength to intimidate other families and sects, then follow his wishes!"

It was absurd. How could he ever stand a chance against "Chi Fei"? He wasn’t qualified to challenge him.

The elders exchanged glances, none of them wanting to take the lead. They all fell silent.

Soon, it was decided that Chi Xun would succeed the position of family head. However, Chi Xun, knowing his own shortcomings, humbly declined.

"Uncle, no, I am not qualified to be the family head," Chi Xun said. "You’ve worked hard for many years and should rightfully take the position. That would be the most convincing choice."

"Chi Fei" gave Chi Xun a deep look and said, "A’Xun, I live, I cultivate, all for you. Don’t let my efforts go to waste."

Chi Xun was once again deeply moved. "Uncle..."

"It’s a pity that Chi Yun is already dead. You won’t be able to personally take revenge on your enemies."

"There are other accomplices, uncle! Even though they’re elders, I won’t let them off so easily!" Chi Xun’s eyes burned with hatred.

At midnight, he still had vivid dreams of his family’s tragic deaths. Hatred had already taken root deep inside him.

"Chi Fei" was satisfied with his reaction. He nodded slightly and patted Chi Xun’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, I’m here for you. But before you take your revenge, you need to focus on increasing your cultivation."

Chi Xun’s eyes shone with anticipation.

"Chi Fei" continued, "Right now, even if Chi family possesses excellent cultivation methods, without spiritual energy, your cultivation will not improve."

His gaze darkened as it turned toward Jialan Celestial Mountain.

"Jialan Celestial Mountain now has the energy of immortals. If you can cultivate there, your strength will increase rapidly."

Chi Xun understood, but he felt conflicted. "But I’m not one of Jialan’s disciples."

"Chi Fei" smiled gently. "Don’t worry, there might be a chance in the future."

Chi Xun was half-convinced but also felt a bit strange. Though his uncle appeared the same as ever, he sensed a growing distance between them. Could it be because they hadn’t seen each other in so long?

Not wanting to disturb him further, Chi Xun left to find a place for cultivation with Shen Chong and the others.

"Chi Fei" retreated to the back garden.

The cold winter had laid another thick blanket of snow.

A servant approached.

"Chi Fei" turned, his anger barely contained. "Didn’t I tell you to hide? How dare you sneak into the Chi family?"

It was Junjie, who responded with only a few words, "It’s too boring hiding."

Then, he asked, "When can we kill Siheng?"

Anyone who was an immortal or a god certified by the Heavenly Dao, he wanted dead.

"Chi Fei" scowled. "He’s Mianmian’s son. You can’t touch him."

Junjie sneered. "He’s not your son. Why are you protecting him?"

"Even so, I can’t let Mianmian hate me."

"Tch, she already hates you. The only difference is how much," Junjie said. "You’ve got the artifact to alter memories. Even if she hates you, you can erase or change those memories. So let me kill Siheng."

"Chi Fei" subconsciously brushed a strand of hair from his temple.

"True."

"Once it’s done, kill him that night."

---

Before heading to the Eastern Sea, Siheng had already confirmed that there was nothing wrong with Ancestor Chi’s memory.

Nanli felt slightly relieved but still asked, "But Chi Fei suddenly appeared, and his cultivation is even higher than Ancestor Chi’s. Don’t you find that suspicious?"

In the thousand years since Siheng hadn’t been at Jialan Celestial Mountain, he still remembered Chi Fei.

"Chi Fei’s reputation was already great when he was young, and he showed extraordinary talent back then," Siheng said. "I’ve looked into it. His line was hunted down when he was at the Nascent Soul stage. If he’s been harboring resentment and cultivating in secret all these years, it’s possible that he’s now stronger."

Nanli frowned slightly.

Siheng had been keeping a close eye on her and the child’s condition, and he knew that the Demon Soul was slowly invading their son’s soul. His heart was filled with anxiety.

He took Nanli’s hand and said, "There’s nothing wrong with the memories. The Breath-Hiding Pearl is fine too. Besides, even if Chi Fei has some scheme, can he really exchange the Demonizing Dragon Lantern in the Dragon Palace treasure vault?"

Ao Zhaozhao immediately assured, "That’s impossible! Only our Dragon Clan can open the shell! Auntie, don’t worry!"

Nanli’s heart calmed slightly. "Maybe I’ve been too sensitive because I’m pregnant."

Siheng squeezed her hand tighter, his expression serious. "A’Li, don’t worry. Everything will be fine. I’ll handle it."

Nanli looked at him steadily and smiled brightly. "I know."

Then, they set off for the Eastern Sea.

The Demon Soul issue was of great importance, and their actions remained a secret from others.