Taishang Laojun and Li Shan Lao Mu looked at each other and smiled. Having the two of them act as protectors and midwives was indeed a grand display. But then again, who could blame them when the person inside had such a special status? She was both the wife of Taishang Laojun's nominal disciple and the disciple of Li Shan Lao Mu—a very pampered one at that. Such an identity naturally deserved this honor.
"Alright, stop being cheeky and sit down to wait with us!" Li Shan Lao Mu shook her head with a smile and said softly, "Besides, you don't need to be so nervous. With us here... nothing can go wrong."
Su Qing knew, of course, that nothing would go wrong... but she still couldn't help but feel worried and tense. Nevertheless, she nodded obediently and sat down... next to the Daoist boy.
The Daoist boy was quite well-behaved today, staring intently at the closed door. It seemed he was also looking forward to it... Su Qing smiled inwardly, then settled down to wait.
She didn't know how much time had passed. An hour, perhaps two. Suddenly, Su Qing felt the spiritual energy in the sky press down sharply... pouring into the room. At that moment, Li Shan Lao Mu sensed something and immediately pushed open the door and entered. Taishang Laojun turned and left the living room, floating into the sky... keeping a constant eye on the movement of the spiritual energy vortex.
As for Su Qing... she remained seated, waiting. There was nothing for her to do. She could only wait. But her heart, which had finally calmed down, grew tense once more... while also filled with faint anticipation.
The wait continued. And such a wait was destined to be long... even if it was only a few minutes, it felt as long as several months. Time trickled away bit by bit. Su Qing endured this agonizing wait.
She didn't know how long she had been waiting when, suddenly, the cry of a baby broke the torment. Su Qing instinctively stood up from her chair... then walked quickly toward the door. Without any hesitation, she pushed it open and entered.
Inside the room, Li Shan Lao Mu held a baby in her arms. The infant was wrinkled and stained with a bit of blood, looking no different from a mortal baby. The only special thing... was perhaps the silver-white baby hair.
Su Qing breathed a sigh of relief... the stone hanging in her heart finally fell.
On the bed, Bai Suzhen looked pale. Even as a great demon, the birth of this child had drained her vitality. However, thanks to the pills Su Qing usually provided and her own prowess as a great demon, although she had lost some vitality, her recovery wouldn't take too long.
"You've worked hard." Su Qing walked to Bai Suzhen's side, her gaze softening as she looked at her tired, pale face.
Hearing this, Bai Suzhen simply offered a smile and said, "Master... let me see the child."
Li Shan Lao Mu had already wiped the baby clean and wrapped her up... hearing Bai Suzhen's words, she nodded and placed the infant beside her.
"This child... is very good." Li Shan Lao Mu considered many words but ultimately chose the most direct and simple description. "Her talent for cultivation is no worse than yours..."
Hearing this, Bai Suzhen looked delighted, while Su Qing appeared relatively calm. She knew that in this era, cultivation talent no longer held much meaning... After all, once the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth passed, even if they survived, they were destined to be unable to practice immortal cultivation. So, no matter how good the talent was, what did it matter? Naturally, she felt more composed.
However, after Li Shan Lao Mu finished speaking, she quietly sent a Sound Transmission to Su Qing's ear. She said, "This child has inherited some of your traits... though not as much as you, she is destined to be beyond calculation. Furthermore, there are other special things about her... but I cannot put them into words. As for exactly what they are and what she can do, you will likely have to explore that yourself... after all, she is your daughter."
Hearing Li Shan Lao Mu's Sound Transmission, Su Qing's eyes lifted slightly, showing a hint of surprise... but it was quickly hidden. She didn't show anything more, only looking at Bai Suzhen and the child in her arms with a smile.
Bai Suzhen was very close to Su Qing, so she naturally noticed the momentary change in her expression... but she didn't think much of it, assuming Su Qing was just surprised by their daughter's talent.
Bai Suzhen reached out and poked the baby's face... well, it didn't feel like much. It just felt very soft. It felt as if even a little force would break the skin. She stopped moving and looked at Su Qing, saying, "Big Sister Xiao Qing, give this child a name!"
Su Qing nodded and spoke the name she had already thought of. "Tingtong. Let's call her Su Tingtong!"
Bai Suzhen asked in confusion, "Why... that name?"
"It sounds good!" Su Qing replied confidently.
Hearing this answer, a look of helplessness appeared on Bai Suzhen's face... she shouldn't have expected Big Sister Xiao Qing to name her daughter based on any special meaning.
Seeing the helplessness on Bai Suzhen's face, Su Qing couldn't help but smile and said, "Tingtong is the rising sun. Her birth symbolizes your transition into a new life, just like the rising sun. That's why I chose this name. Xiao Bai, you didn't really think I named her that just because it sounds good, did you?"
Bai Suzhen was speechless. She looked at Su Qing and said tiredly, "Big Sister Xiao Qing, you really are... even at a time like this, you don't forget to tease me!"
But despite her speechlessness, the name did sound very nice. The meaning was also quite good... she naturally liked it in her heart.
"What's wrong? Do you not like the name?"
"No, it's very good. I'm just helpless that you'd be so playful with me at a time like this..." Bai Suzhen said, pouting slightly.
Su Qing smiled and said, "Alright, alright, it's my fault! You should get some rest. Giving birth has drained a lot of your vitality. After you've recovered for a while, we'll talk about what comes next."
What Su Qing meant by 'what comes next' was naturally leaving this place and going to the Northern Continent... Li Shan Lao Mu had agreed that once Bai Suzhen gave birth, she would no longer be required to stay here... Now that the child was born, this matter naturally had to be put on the agenda. Moreover, after taking Bai Suzhen to the Northern Continent... she could better care for the mother and daughter.
Bai Suzhen naturally understood what Su Qing meant... although she had a momentary stray thought, she quickly brought it back to the proper track.
"Yes, I'll rest after I've nursed the little girl..." Bai Suzhen said, looking at the girl in her arms.
Su Qing said nothing more, only nodding... and stayed by Bai Suzhen's side.
Soon, the nursing was finished. The baby had fallen asleep. Su Qing also breathed a sigh of relief. She stood up and walked out of the room with the Old Mother... back to the living room.
As soon as Su Qing came out, the little Daoist boy and Taishang Laojun approached, asking about the baby and Bai Suzhen's condition. Su Qing answered truthfully. Hearing the news, both of them breathed a relief. Even though they knew everything would go smoothly, they couldn't help but worry.
The Old Mother was likely tired as well; she sat down as soon as she reached the living room. "Su Qing, the child is born, and the Fate Bai Suzhen carried has dispersed. From now on, she can leave this place with you."
Su Qing nodded slightly and said, "I know..."
"I know you know. I'm just a bit reluctant to see her go. After all, she is my disciple..." The Old Mother gave Su Qing a look. How could she not know that Su Qing knew? Su Qing had been talking about it in the room just now; could she not know? She wasn't deaf...
Su Qing just chuckled and scratched her head, not knowing what to say. After all, no matter what, she was definitely going to take Bai Suzhen away. If for nothing else... then to let her see more of this mortal world.
"Hmph, don't just stand there smirking. Fine, I don't care where you take her to play, as long as you remember... don't let her down. Also, tell me where you're going so it'll be easier for me to find you in the future." Li Shan Lao Mu rolled her eyes helplessly.
She certainly wouldn't stop Su Qing from taking Bai Suzhen away... after all, she was the one who suggested it in the first place, so she naturally wouldn't interfere. Besides, Bai Suzhen had stayed here for too long; going out for a walk was a good thing. She had been here for decades; if she stayed any longer, she might go stir-crazy.
The reason she mentioned these things was simply because she didn't want to lose track of them... because the days when she could chat and bicker with them like this were numbered. She hoped to have more time to see her disciple.
Su Qing chuckled. She didn't know exactly what Li Shan Lao Mu was thinking; she just couldn't help but smile after hearing her words. "Rest assured, I will definitely tell you, Old Mother."
Li Shan Lao Mu nodded in satisfaction... and just as Su Qing finished speaking with her, the little Daoist boy suddenly raised his hand and said, "I have a question!"
Su Qing was taken aback by the Daoist boy but asked with a smile, "What's your question?"
"After you and Xiao Bai leave, will you still come to Li Shan?" the Daoist boy asked, looking a bit nervous and worried.
Clearly, the Daoist boy was very worried that Su Qing wouldn't return after leaving... because every time Su Qing came, she brought delicious food. If Su Qing stopped coming, he wouldn't have the chance to get those treats anymore, so he was naturally worried sick... After all, he had to stay by the Old Mother's side or guard the Old Mother's Hall to ensure nothing went wrong, so he basically had no chance to leave the mountain. Naturally, he had no opportunity to sneak out and buy snacks.
Because of this, he was the one who least wanted Su Qing to leave and not return. Of course, he also hoped to see Su Qing more... it wasn't entirely because of the snacks. He did miss Su Qing to some extent... after all, they were considered good friends! It was just that the snacks ranked slightly higher in priority.
Su Qing was stunned by the Daoist boy's question; it was clearly unexpected. She was silent for a moment, rubbing her chin, and quickly understood what the boy was worried about. She couldn't read Li Shan Lao Mu, but the Daoist boy wore his heart on his sleeve, so she saw through him at once.
She asked with a smile, "Are you worried that if I don't come back, you won't get the snacks I bring?"
"I—I am not! Don't talk nonsense! I just don't want to go too long without seeing my junior sister and you." Seeing his thoughts exposed, the Daoist boy grew flustered. But despite his panic, he remained stubborn... with no intention of admitting his true thoughts.
Hearing this, Su Qing chuckled and said, "Really? Why does it sound so fake?"
The Daoist boy hurriedly said, "It's true, of course it's true! Who would miss you just for some little things? Do I look like that kind of person?"
Su Qing found it quite funny... This fellow didn't just 'look' like it; he was that kind of person! Whether he looked like it and whether he was it were two completely different things! Su Qing shook her head and said, "Alright, alright. I'll still come when I have the chance... and I'll bring you delicious food just the same. However, the intervals will be a bit longer."
Hearing this, the Daoist boy breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good as long as you still come~ I was just afraid you wouldn't return, hehe."
Su Qing couldn't help but find it funny. This fellow... was really easy to read... Su Qing said no more, and the Daoist boy fell silent for a moment. But soon, he couldn't help himself again and said, "Since you won't be coming often, can you bring me more delicious food each time? So I can eat it for a longer period."
Su Qing nodded slightly. "I can do that, but it seems your goal really is the food after all?"
"What are you saying! The food is just a bonus; I truly want to see you and my junior sister!" the Daoist boy insisted stubbornly.
Su Qing didn't argue and simply said, "Yes, yes, I know..."
At this point, Li Shan Lao Mu couldn't take it anymore. She reached out and smacked the Daoist boy on the head. "Alright, stop embarrassing yourself. There's nothing more for us to do here. Come with me!"
The Daoist boy was stunned. He hurriedly said, "I haven't even seen my junior sister's child yet! By the way, what's her name?"
"Su Tingtong," Li Shan Lao Mu said calmly. "It symbolizes the rising sun."
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