Lin Chen's face turned pale, and he stammered, "S-Senior Sister, I truly don't know! I think it might have been because of that mysterious fruit. I had no idea something like this would happen—I only thought it would help with cultivation."
"Now that the effect has worn off, my cultivation feels the same, but my spiritual energy is completely drained."
"It's slowly recovering, but that's why I couldn't handle this myself. If I had enough spiritual energy, it would've been much easier, at most I'd probably just be a little tired, given my current Realm."
Su Mei folded her arms and glared at him. "Where did you even find such a fruit?"
Lin Chen looked nervous but finally spoke, "It happened during my last mission. I found a tree that emitted a mysterious aura. I went to look around and saw two fruits suddenly growing out from their branches."
"Curious, I picked one and ate it, and instantly felt my meditation improve. I decided to bring the other fruit for you, Senior Sister, knowing you were struggling with your cultivation."
He hesitated before continuing, "But… after I took the second fruit, the tree withered and crumbled into nothing within moments. At the time, I thought it was just some mysterious phenomenon."
"However, I now have a theory. Maybe the tree was seeking a host and could only produce two fruits in its lifetime and as for why it bore fruit as I passed by, I don't know."
"And why I, as a man, gave birth to a baby girl instead of something resembling the tree is beyond me." He looked away, his expression filled with embarrassment.
Su Mei's anger flared. This idiot! He thought he was eating something good, but he didn't even stop to think about what the fruit was! She clenched her fists, glaring at Lin Chen.
"Do you even realize what you've done, Lin Chen? You've put both of us in an impossible situation. If anyone finds out, the whole sect will mock us, and my reputation will be ruined!"
Lin Chen flinched at her words but asked hesitantly, "Senior Sister… Did you also eat the fruit?"
Su Mei froze for a moment, her mind racing. Then she quickly said, "No. I didn't. I was planning to investigate it first. Now that I know what it does, I don't intend to eat it at all."
She avoided Lin Chen's gaze as she spoke, her calm demeanor hiding the storm of emotions within her. She turned her back to him, her hands trembling slightly. What am I going to do now? She thought.
Lin Chen noticed Su Mei's cultivation aura. It was slightly unstable, likely due to her recent breakthrough. His sharp senses picked up on the faint traces of advanced spiritual energy around her. With a small smile, he said, "Senior Sister, don't worry. I know you've probably eaten the fruit. If you need my help when the time comes, I'll assist you."
Su Mei's face darkened, her anger flaring up. "I told you, I didn't eat it!" she snapped. Without giving him a chance to respond, she turned and stormed out of the cave, her robes billowing as she moved.
"Senior Sister, if you ever need my help, make sure to call me!" Lin Chen shouted after her retreating figure, his voice echoing in the quiet night.
As the door closed again, Lin Chen turned his attention to the baby on the ground. Using a gentle thread of spiritual energy, he brought the child closer to himself. The baby giggled happily, as she wiggled in the air.
Lin Chen sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Now what am I supposed to do with you?" he muttered. "Should I throw you away? No, that'd be too cruel…" He frowned, pacing back and forth as he thought. Finally, he let out a deep sigh, "Alright, fine. I'll take care of you."
He looked at the baby's look and golden eyes and smiled faintly. "But what should I call you?" After a moment of thought, he said, "Since you're a girl, let's go with… Lin Yue. Yes, Lin Yue will be your name."
The baby giggled again, seemingly happy with the name. Lin Chen gave her a half-smile and shook his head. "I hope you don't turn into a monster and eat me," he joked, though a small part of him wondered what mysteries this child might bring into his life.
Ten minutes later...
Su Mei returned to her cave, her mind full of thoughts. Worry came and went like waves, crashing against her resolve before receding. What should I do with this child? Should I kill it?
The idea crossed her mind, but before she could even fully consider it, an unfamiliar sensation washed over her—an instinct she didn't recognize as her own. It was as though her body, her very being, rebelled against the thought of harming the baby.
Her brows furrowed as she sat down. Why do I feel this way? she wondered. Su Mei had never been particularly kind or nurturing.
She had often abused her father's influence as an inner sect elder, using his authority to intimidate others and gain advantages. Compassion had never been her strong suit. Yet, here she was, unable to bring herself to even think of harming this unborn life.
"I don't want to kill a baby," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. "But what should I do?" She moved around the room, in thoughts. Finally, she came to a decision.
"I'll leave the sect for now. I'll take on a mission far from here and figure things out after the birth. Once it's born, I'll decide whether to keep it or…" She hesitated, unable to finish the thought.
Su Mei clenched her fists. This thing is affecting my emotions too much, she thought bitterly. The calming energy radiating from her core was influencing her mind, consuming her spiritual energy and keeping her unnaturally calm.
Without wasting time, she made her way to the mission hall.