The grand hall shimmered in gold and marble splendor.

Warm, holy light radiated from the towering statue of the Six-Winged Angel, illuminating every corner, casting a divine glow over the gilded pillars and the polished floors that gleamed under its sacred light.

On the high throne sat Qian Daoliu, his expression severe, watching the girl kneeling below with the sternness of a judge. His face was stoic, only his eyes betraying a trace of bitter disappointment.

Seated on either side, the six Elders exchanged complex looks. They wanted to speak on behalf of the girl, yet they, too, were exasperated by her lack of prudence, feeling a flurry of emotions that finally escaped as heavy sighs.

Kneeling below them was Qian Renxue herself.

Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her features were exquisite, her skin pale as snow, her red-rimmed eyes burning with a stubborn, unyielding gaze. Dressed in a loose gown, she knelt on the icy floor, her knees bruised and discolored, while her belly—slightly rounded—revealed the shocking truth.

She was inexplicably pregnant.

Qian Daoliu clenched his fists, visibly restraining his fury. His deep voice echoed throughout the hall, filled with reproach.

"Had She Long not reported this, just how long were you planning to keep it hidden from me?!"

Qian Renxue's fists clenched tightly in response, her pale face lifting defiantly, and she retorted without hesitation, "I told you—I don't know!"

Fifth Elder, Guang Ling Douluo, felt his heart ache. After all, they had watched her grow up; she was like a daughter to them. Her unexpected pregnancy was indeed frustrating, but at the end of the day, her well-being was paramount.

"Elder Brother, didn't we agree not to lose our tempers? Little Xue is five months along; her body is weak."

His words garnered the others' support.

"Exactly, Brother. Let's remain calm and ask gently. Maybe Little Xue just needs a chance to recall what happened."

"Hmph!" Qian Daoliu slammed his hand down in frustration, "Five months along, you say? Yes, five months!"

"For five whole months, I've been in the dark, not even knowing that my granddaughter has already been defiled by a pig!"

Second Elder, Jin'e Douluo, quickly signaled Qian Daoliu to calm down, attempting to rein in his outrage.

Qian Daoliu scoffed but shut his eyes, fighting to contain his wrath. His granddaughter, pregnant under such strange circumstances? How could he be calm? How *could* he?!

Only then did Jin'e step forward, speaking softly, "Xue'er, don't worry. Think carefully… who could this man be?"

"I have never even been alone with a man in the palace," Qian Renxue replied, her tone icy, insistent on her innocence.

Qian Daoliu interrupted again, "I've beaten She Long and Ci Tun half to death already, and neither confessed."

"What?!" Qian Renxue's brows furrowed. "Grandfather, how could you be so reckless? Those two uncles treat me as their own; they would never!"

"If you were in my shoes, you would understand!" Qian Daoliu's gaze was fierce, his fists shaking as he all but roared his frustration.

Seeing that the grandfather and granddaughter were about to quarrel again, Jin'e worried about both Qian Renxue's health and the truth of the matter. He quickly intervened, playing mediator to ease the tension between them.

Sighing, he urged gently, "Child, just tell us who he is. Don't worry, we'll handle it."

"Handle it?!" Qian Daoliu snapped again before Jin'e could finish. "Once I find him, I'll cut him to pieces!"

The other elders exchanged knowing glances. As long as Qian Daoliu was here, they weren't going to get anywhere. Resigned, they ushered the furious Qian Daoliu out of the hall, his fuming presence a clear obstacle.

With Qian Daoliu gone, the elders softened, their gaze toward the girl one of kindness.

"Child, if you're in love, be bold enough to tell us. We'll stand by you."

Qian Renxue shook her head coolly, "I have no interest in men. All I desire is to grow stronger, to fulfill my purpose."

The elders, well aware of Qian Renxue's character, sensed her sincerity. There was only one possible explanation left.

Realizing this, a murderous gleam flickered in their eyes.

Third Elder, Qing Luan Douluo, asked gravely, "Xue'er, think carefully. Has there been any strange man seen around the palace in the last five months?"

"Or any time you've woken up feeling… unusually sore?" he continued awkwardly, struggling to find the right words. [TL: this is awkward as fuck]

"Or… any blood?" Guang Ling Douluo blurted, unable to contain his frustration any longer.

The other elders widened their eyes, nodding approvingly at Guang Ling Douluo's audacity.

Qian Renxue's pale face flushed with anger and embarrassment, though she still replied coldly, "None of that. Nothing happened."

"I'm tired. I'd like to rest now." She rose, making her way out of the hall. As she passed the stairs, she instinctively placed her hands protectively over her abdomen.

Realizing her instinctive gesture, Qian Renxue's face turned icy. With a look of disgust, she dropped her hand away from her belly.

Just then, a voice echoed through the hall.

"Until this child is born, you are not to leave Spirit Hall. Matters with the Heaven Dou Empire will be handled by others."

"Hmph! I want to see, in five months, if this child is human or some kind of monster!"

Unnoticed, Qian Daoliu had reappeared, his tone sharp and resolute. 

Qian Renxue said nothing as she left, her face expressionless, yet chilling. She despised this child, and she was determined to do everything possible to get rid of it!

Meanwhile, Lin Luo, nestled in her womb, had just woken up. He stretched his tiny limbs in the warmth of the amniotic fluid, feeling relaxed.

He had once been a transmigrator, arriving in the world of Douluo Dalu II, where, through his efforts—well, mostly the system's efforts—he'd ascended to God-King status. But Tang San, that hypocrite, had grown envious and stripped him of his divinity with the help of the gods, then sent his minions to kill him after he'd been reduced to mortality.

Never did Lin Luo expect that he'd be reborn ten thousand years in the past, reincarnated as a fetus in Qian Renxue's womb.

But Lin Luo didn't see Qian Renxue as his mother. To him, she was merely the vessel reshaping his divine body.

As long as she raised him without fuss, he vowed he would be generous to her in the future.

However, it seemed his rebirth had altered the system somewhat.

[Growth Path: Fetal Stage]

[Current Growth Points: 9,638 (Redeemable after nursing stage)]

Lin Luo had already figured out how the system worked now.

Whenever Qian Renxue ate, he gained growth points indirectly. The nursing stage, too, would contribute points, though it would depend on the nourishment from her milk.

Currently, he'd accumulated 9,638 points—equivalent to 963.8 days of growth. Once he was born and completed the nursing stage, the system would upgrade, instantly accelerating his growth.

Just then, the system notifications began.

Lin Luo knew it was because Qian Renxue had started eating.

[Congratulations! Qian Renxue has eaten a pastry. You have gained 100 growth points.]

[Congratulations! Qian Renxue has eaten a pastry. You have gained 100 growth points.]

[Congratulations! Qian Renxue has drunk a glass of water. You have gained 15 growth points.]

[Congratulations! Qian Renxue has drunk a cup of poisoned wine. You have lost 1,345 growth points.]

Lin Luo, savoring the growth points, nearly choked on the amniotic fluid.

Holy shit?! What the hell?! HOLY CRAP?!

Big Sister, what the FUCK are you doing?!