Pregnancy and childbirth were rarely smooth for immortals in the Nine Heavens. Er’er had consulted ancient texts and prepared herself for the ordeal. However, her immortal child was unexpectedly well-behaved, moving only slightly in the fifth month, then growing smoothly until birth, becoming a soft, white little bundle.

For immortals, naming was a solemn matter that had to follow the principles of the five elements and the order of immortal sects, especially for a child who was the descendant of the Lord of the Nine Heavens.

So Li Ye very seriously named him Xiao Hei (Little Black).

Er’er:?

Looking down at the white, soft, and adorable little bundle in her arms, she couldn’t help but laugh and cry: “Where is he black?”

“His eyeballs.”

Obviously—if eyeballs weren’t black, one must be a foreign immortal.

With mixed feelings, Er’er looked down and found that the bundle in her arms seemed to understand. He was already looking at her with teary eyes, helplessly reaching out his little hands toward her.

Her heart melted completely, and she quickly brought a book to place in his swaddling clothes: “Would you like to choose yourself?”

…

…

The little bundle happily tore open the pages.

Then he felt his father’s loving immortal power.

His little hand trembled as he pressed on the character “黑” (black) in the book.

Er’er: “…”

Pouting, Xiao Hei burst into tears with a “wah.”

Both angry and amused, Er’er threw the book to Li Ye, scolding him while comforting the baby: “How could you bully even a child?”

“He chose it himself. How is this my fault?” Li Ye sat down beside her methodically, taking Xiao Hei from her, and asked gently, “What’s the matter?”

After a milk burp, Xiao Hei stopped crying, looking at him with pitiful eyes, no longer weeping.

Li Ye nodded with satisfaction.

Perhaps due to the fear instilled in the womb, Xiao Hei was extremely respectful and admiring of Li Ye. After he could speak at one year old, his first words were: “Want sword.”

He didn’t call for father or mother. He had been eyeing his father’s Phoenix-Slaying Blade for a long time.

“Worthy of being the descendant of the Nine Heavens’ Lord—such a spirit! This blade is an ancient divine weapon. Even immortals who have cultivated for thousands of years wouldn’t dare touch it, yet you have the courage. Very good,” Li Ye praised him.

Then coldly said: “No.”

Xiao Hei sat on the ground and immediately burst into tears with a “wah.”

Er’er looked up from her documents and called out in a drawn-out voice: “Li—Ye—”

Why did he always like to bully his son?

Li Ye felt wronged and muttered: “He wants to take my blade.”

Er’er: “…”

How many children was she raising exactly?

Putting down her documents, Er’er rose and walked over to the father and son. She first picked up Xiao Hei to comfort him, then looked at the Phoenix-Slaying Blade wreathed in flames in Li Ye’s hand, tilting her head in thought: “How about I trade you seven days of holiday for it?”

Long Xu had already subdued the entire Eastern Sea, so she could spare seven days to accompany him sightseeing.

Li Ye hesitated for a moment, glancing at his blade: “This blade has a spirit and has cultivated with me for many years. It already has its consciousness.”

The Phoenix-Slaying Blade was deeply moved hearing this. Truly worthy of being the master, it had faithfully followed—so protective and cherishing of it even in front of his wife and child.

But the next moment, it heard Li Ye say: “So, when we go traveling, it can stay at the Heavenly Gate with Xiao Hei on its own.”

The implication was clear: seven days of holiday, without the child.

Er’er laughed helplessly, holding Xiao Hei in front of him: “Supreme Lord, this is your flesh and blood, not something picked up from the roadside.”

Li Ye lifted his chin with a light snort, the fire-red sun bird patterns between his eyebrows looking severe and formidable. However, his hand secretly reached out to hook her sleeve, twisting the fabric and shaking it gently.

Er’er’s heart immediately melted completely.

The offspring of immortals, she thought, were different from mortal children. At one year old, he had already absorbed too much of the essence of heaven and earth. It was time for him to live independently for a while.

So, the Phoenix-Slaying Blade was tied with an apron. Li Ye, in an extremely good mood, gave it detailed instructions on how to take care of a child, then disappeared with Er’er behind colorful clouds.

The Phoenix-Slaying Blade truly felt like it had seen a ghost. It was an ancient weapon of war, and now it had to babysit a one-year-old?

Whoever wants to babysit can do it!

Throwing away the apron, the Phoenix-Slaying Blade hummed as it darted wildly around the Heavenly Gate, hoping to scare the baby back into the blankets for a good nap. However, Xiao Hei sat on the steps at the entrance, happily watching the flying sparks, even clapping his hands: “Pretty.”

Pretty, my foot!

Stopping breathlessly, the Phoenix-Slaying Blade stood motionless in place.

Xiao Hei made a curious “eh” sound, then wiggled his bottom to stand up, wanting to see what was wrong. However, there were several steps in front of him, and not paying attention, he missed a step and was about to fall.

The Phoenix-Slaying Blade was so frightened its blade soul almost left its body. It quickly went over and caught him with the flat of its blade, squealing in anger.

Xiao Hei couldn’t understand Blade’s language and thought it was greeting him. Happily riding on the flat of the blade, he called out in his baby voice: “Giddyup!”

Giddyup your head—it was a blade, not a horse! The Phoenix-Slaying Blade was furious. It was such a majestic divine weapon, renowned across the four seas with Li Ye, its blade tempered with divine fire. Others would lose their souls with a single touch, so why should this baby…

Oh, it was a baby with Li Ye’s bloodline. That’s fine then.

Resentfully carrying him, the Phoenix-Slaying Blade flew back and forth in the courtyard. Remembering Li Ye’s instructions before leaving to teach the child some titles, it used its divine power to catch a passing tongue spirit bird and placed it on its hilt.

The tongue spirit bird immediately sang as it wished: “The one who birthed you is called mother, remember mother’s kindness in your heart. The one who raised you is called father, father is most affectionate to mother…”

To capture the child’s interest, the Phoenix-Slaying Blade also created several colorful light formations around itself, flashing in rhythm with the tongue spirit bird’s tune.

Xiao Hei’s mouth was wide open, giggling with delight, laughing so hard he rocked back and forth. Losing his balance, he fell off the blade.

The Phoenix-Slaying Blade was still thinking about the rhyming of the verses. By the time it realized someone was missing from its back, Xiao Hei had already fallen into the pond of the Heavenly Gate.

With a splash, the koi in the pond immediately surrounded him.

“It’s her child,” the Eastern Sea Dragon King said, blowing bubbles. “Good opportunity.”

The Western Sea Dragon King reacted even faster, swishing its tail to rush in front of Xiao Hei, wanting to hold him hostage. However, as soon as the fish tail touched the child, it was scalded with a barbecue smell. He screamed, struggling to get away, but Xiao Hei, seemingly attracted by the aroma, reached out and grabbed him.

“Fishy?” His eyes brightened as Xiao Hei stood up in the pond, waving at the Phoenix-Slaying Blade while holding the Western Sea Dragon King: “Bladey, grilled fishy!”

Phoenix-Slaying Blade: “…”

The Western Sea Dragon King screamed, begging for mercy. Xiao Hei watched with curious, wide eyes, thought for a moment, and still let go, releasing it back into the pond.

“He has inherited the Nine Heavens Lord’s benevolence,” said the tongue spirit bird watching the commotion. “Our Nine Heavens Lord values all life.”

Xiao Hei heard this, turned to look at it, and shook his head: “Mother says, old ones, grilled ones, not tasty.”

Tongue Spirit Bird: “…”