Chapter 7: A Second Bride.

As the last of the tribulation clouds dispersed, the rays of the morning sun finally bathed Yidu in golden hues. Kieran sat under a peach tree in his courtyard, nestled in the quiet seclusion of the back mountain. His thoughts lingered on the transformations he had undergone over the past week, particularly the memories and the knowledge from his bloodline, and the mysterious sphere. He wondered how his sphere was able to absorb energy from Baixue's tribulation; he knew the sphere was like a spatial device with a small world inside, he knew that as long as the sphere had sufficient energy, he could grow any herb inside it as long as he could find a piece to plant. But he still didn't know what the sphere was.

A hurried knock broke his meditation.

"Young Master Kieran, the Patriarch has summoned you to the council hall." A servant's voice came from the other side of the gate.

Kieran frowned. It was rare for the Patriarch to summon him directly. Rising, he adjusted his robes and stepped into the morning light, preparing to head down to the main court just as Baixue approached.

Her snow-white robes shimmered faintly under the sun, her hair slightly damp from a recent bath. Her eyes sparkled as she took his hand. "Good morning, husband?"

Baixue blushed as the words left her mouth.

"Good morning, wife." Kieran pulled her into his arms, enjoying the scent wafting from her body.

Baixue's blush deepened as she gently pushed him away. Even though she was now his woman, she still felt shy when it came to showing excessive affection in public.

Kieran offered a faint smile. "The Patriarch wants to see me. Let's go together."

She silently followed, enjoying the feeling of holding his hand, while stealing glances from time to time.

They arrived at the grand council hall, where the elders were already gathered. Their expressions were unreadable. But what caught Kieran's eye was the presence of a young woman among them. She was beautiful—ethereal even. Long, silky black hair fell past her waist, framing delicate, noble features. Her emerald-green robes swayed gently as she turned to face him.

A flicker of familiarity stirred in his heart when he looked into beautiful emerald eyes.

"Roulan..." he murmured.

She smiled softly. "It has been a long time, Young Master."

Memories returned—of a little girl who had once clung to his mother's side. She had vanished from his life after his mother's death. Yet here she stood, now a grown woman.

Before he could speak further, the Patriarch's deep voice echoed through the hall. "Roulan has returned with a proposal, Kieran. She wishes to marry into our clan."

"Who is the unlucky man?" He joked, trying to tease Roulan.

The elders all looked at him with amused gazes, while his uncle Ryuji struggled to hold his laughter.

Kieran's eyes widened.

Sindra's sultry voice echoed in his mind, amused as ever. "Another beauty falls into your lap, my dear master. Two in two weeks... aren't you lucky?"

He ignored her teasing, staring at Roulan in stunned silence.

Roulan stepped forward. "Your mother saved my life, gave me a future. Made it possible for me to become a white grade Alchemist. I promised her that I would protect you, and now... I wish to fulfill that promise by becoming your wife."

Kieran struggled to find words. He had never considered marriage, and now two women stood before him, each with her claim.

A soft chuckle drew his attention. Baixue stepped forward, her expression serene, though her eyes shimmered with emotion.

"Roulan's devotion is touching, husband," she said gently. "You should accept. It would be lovely to have a sister to help care for you."

Roulan, on the other hand, looked at her with a slightly hostile gaze, a subtle edge of jealousy in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself. She stepped closer to Kieran and presented an ornate wooden box. Within it were three pristine herbs, each glowing faintly with spiritual light.

"These are heavenly-grade herbs," she said. "I worked hard to acquire them. I hoped to use them to concoct a pill to help you heal your spiritual roots."

The hall fell silent. All the elders turned their attention to Long Chen. This lad suddenly got lucky.

Kieran's inability to cultivate was something that always worried the clan, even though his uncle was the only one actively looking for a solution; the other elders had contributed a lot to his cause over the years.

The patriarch stood from his seat and appeared next to Roulan as if teleporting, carefully inspecting the herbs before handing them back to Roulan. He was just about to comment when he suddenly froze. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Kieran… you can cultivate. How?"

Kieran hesitated. He had no intention of revealing the truth about the Phoenix Tear Fruit or the dual cultivation session with Baixue.

"Baixue gave me a Rebirth Pill," he said smoothly.

Baixue blinked, caught off guard, but quickly masked her surprise, understanding his intent. She looked away, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Relieved, Roulan smiled. "Then these herbs will further strengthen your foundation." Her jealousy melted away, she didn't mind becoming a sister wife to someone who could sacrifice so much for Kieran.

Ryuji Long stepped forward with a glowing white orb. "Kieran, allow me to test your spiritual root."

Kieran pressed his hand against it. A moment later, vibrant blue light erupted from the crystal.

"Peak blue-grade!" Ryuji announced.

The elders gasped. Just a week ago, Kieran's roots had been gray—crippled. Now, he stood among the most promising of the clan.

Baixue looked at Kieran with warmth and curiosity. She wondered if her roots had changed as well, given the intense cultivation they had shared.

The elders, still unaware of the truth, turned to Baixue with gratitude. She offered a shy smile, recalling the intimacy she and Kieran had shared. Her face turned red, but she said nothing.

The Patriarch's expression softened. "Good. Then there is no reason to delay. Let us proceed."

"We've already chosen a date for the wedding," one of the elders announced. "It will be in a month."

Roulan lowered her head, looking at the box in her hands, wondering if Kieran would still accept her.

Baixue nudged the oblivious Kieran, reminding him that he was yet to answer Roulan.

"Yes, I will marry you." Kieran stepped forward and took the box from her. He put the box in his storage pouch while Sindra secretly moved the herbs into the sphere.

"Pure Yang Flower, Sun Drop Flower, and Winter's Kiss root," Sindra announced as she planted the herbs inside the sphere. "Master, all these herbs are more than five thousand years old. This girl must truly care for you."

Roulan jumped into Kieran's arms after registering his words. Kieran, on the other hand, wondered how he could be so lucky. Baixue and Roulan both obtained rare herbs that even their clan had trouble obtaining, all to help him.

I wonder what my parent did for these two girls to be so devoted to me. He silently vowed to give them his best. 

"Hahaha.... looks like we will be having two brides in a month." Ryuji was excited by his nephew's fortune, all his years of worry now washed away.

Sindra's voice echoed again, laughing. "Oh, my dear master... From a "waste" to a dragon—and now, two wives. How deliciously complicated your life has become."

Kieran sighed inwardly. Complicated was putting it mildly.