Heaven's Laws - Book 3 - Chapter 2 a

There was a glimmer in her eye as Huifen laid eyes on the Ice Phoenix Place as they drew near. It was like a mountain peak of icy quartz. She’d grown partial to the Divine Spire in their living quarters on the seventh floor, but she’d grown up here with Mother Quinyuan and Sister Pangfua close by. She knew that it would always feel like a true home to her.

As if sensing something, her Chao grabbed her hand.

The smile she gave him came naturally. It was almost relief she felt at returning to the joint sect, but that feeling was overshadowed by the knowledge that this might be their last visit to their sect in a very long time. Their visit to the north, the Asura Continent, would be the last place they visited before ascending. With the speed at which Huifen was advancing, it was inevitable now. Not to mention, Mother Quinyuan had already advanced to the tribulation realm. She was waiting for them.

Glancing at her husband, she saw Chao grinning foolishly in the same way Father Zan often did. It wasn’t really foolishness. It was a goofy confidence she looked down on at one time. The reason was probably because her father Tu, a merchant cultivator, had often worn the same expression when she’d been a child. She’d looked down on him as if he weren’t a real cultivator. Or at least one that wasn’t on the level of the Ice and Fire Phoenix Sect. It was also because of her bias as an Ice Phoenix disciple that caused her to look down on men. In the end, the foolishness was her.

It was still a little awkward, but she was starting to find the expression endearing. Especially when her Chao wore it. It was exactly as Mother Sya said.

Chao had started out as overly polite. Annoyingly so. He also lacked confidence and was naïve in many ways. But she’d been at his side as he grew as a man and cultivator. She’d helped him. And now he was one of the most competent cultivators she’d ever known. He’d helped her in the same way. They’d built something together that was undeniable. Separate, they were amongst the most formidable cultivators on Lifestone. Together? If she didn’t include old monsters like Zan from the divine realm that were currently calling this planet home, she was convinced that they were the greatest under heaven. And not just compared to the strongest overlords. Their journey to the Asura Continent

The Divine Spire’s Trial of Might didn’t lie. Huifen hadn’t been able to defeat the two hundred and sixty-two thousand one hundred and forty-two cultivators equivalent to her overlord realm with the same speed Chao had, but she too had defeated the spire’s original owner’s record. The record of a peak Divine Lord. The scope of her husband’s space vortex wasn’t something even her Frigid Falling Star could match.

As for which one of them could win in a one-on-one match, they knew too much of each other’s minds and how they thought. They both had advantages and disadvantages. They sparred often enough, but there was nothing inside her she believed capable of attacking her husband in earnest.

She didn’t expect Mother Quinyuan to fly out and meet them. She saw her old master shoot out of the Ice Phoenix Palace and appear before them an instant later.

Their traveling party came to a stop and was arrayed before the Ice Phoenix Sect Master. “Welcome back to those returning. And greetings to those of you new to the joint sect. We have heard of the events that have transpired at the Divine Spire. It pleases me to see all of you in good health. Now let me take a look at you.”

As she scanned the crowd, a boisterous laugh suddenly surrounded them. Father Zan skipped the pleasantries and grabbed several people with his qi. Moving back to float next to Quinyuan, he announced, “It seems the join sect is about to set a record for its most breakthroughs at once.”

Huifen didn’t move to stop him and Chao was pulled away with the rest of those readying to breakthrough. They’d know about Eu-meh and Sister Genji, but there were several others including Core Disciple Shoi-ming.

Her Chao didn’t complain about being dragged away but instead turned to the giant man that had been a great help in the spire and developed a close friendship with him. “Brother Shoi-ming. Why didn’t you say anything?” Chao said, trying to spy on the man’s dantian.

The peak sky realm cultivator gave him a teethy grin. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“My son failed to recognize a peak sky realm cultivation?” Zan scoffed. “How embarrassing.”

“This is the first of its kind I’ve seen,” Chao retorted, crossing his arms over his chest. “I have more experience with ice cultivations.”

“Now you’re just bragging that you have an attractive wife.”

Huifen rolled her eyes. Her husband glared while Zan glared back. Her father-in-law was just teasing him. Probably because no one else did any longer.

“Husband,” Quinyuan raised her voice.

“Just making sure Little Chao hasn’t gotten too big for his britches,” Zan said with a snort. “We have little time before the Divine Envoys get here, and Chao will want to help with most of your breakthroughs. So everyone, hold off for a few more days. Trust me when I say it will be well worth it. Especially at your level, Shoi-ming.

“Little Lotus, come with me. Your mother will join us as soon as she gets the others sorted. It’s about time for your husband to become an Overlord.”

A murmur rose up in the crowd.

Huifen didn’t wait to fly forward and gave her father-in-law a sharp nod.

Before they left, Zan didn’t forget. “Brother Tu, Sister Sya, I’m sure you’ll want to observe. I’ll give you a tour inside his inner world after he’s broken through.” He waved for them to follow.

Flying over to Chao, she weaved her fingers between his.

“Looks like Father isn’t going to let us rest,” Chao humoredly said.

She gave him a look as if it were to only be expected.

Zan then looked to his wife Quinyuan who shook her head before waving for him to go.

With a loud clap of his hands, he pulled a good dozen people including her behind him with his qi and headed straight for the Ice Phoenix Palace.