Bai Liying's beautiful eyes were filled with anticipation.
Zhang Jian had already thought it over, and upon hearing the words, he said, "Since he's my eldest son, let's name him Zhang Yi!"
"Zhang Yi?"
Bai Liying's eyes lit up, and she immediately heard Zhang Jian say.
"Yi means one, and I hope our child can be like you, steadfast in his Dao Heart, striving for the Dao, and opening up a new world for our Zhang Family!"
One, also has the implication of a primordial beginning, a renewal of all things. Zhang Jian's thoughts were self-evident!
"Zhang Yi, what a good name!"
The Bai Shui Dragon Monarch couldn't help but step forward, reaching out to hold the swaddled Zhang Yi, an unmistakable look of affection in his eyes.
If Zhang Yi were just an ordinary person with no aptitude, or very low aptitude, his connection with the Dragon Palace would last only a hundred years or so, but with four types of Spirit Roots and inheriting an Innate Dao Body from Zhang Jian, he would surely walk the path of cultivation in the future.
His interactions with the Dragon Palace were bound to be numerous.
"Zhang Yi, Yi'Er!"
Bai Liying pondered slightly, her star-like eyes filled with joy.
She also understood Zhang Jian's expectations for Zhang Yi.
Upon seeing Zhang Yi's successful birth, Bai Liying immediately took him into the Spirit Pool within the Spiritual Spring Hall, where newborns were placed in the Dragon Palace.
There, it is beneficial for maintaining the innate qi on the newborns, enhancing their Spiritual Wisdom. As a mother, Bai Liying naturally stayed by the Spirit Pool long enough, also needing the Spirit Marrow from the water vein to restore her Primordial Qi.
Bai Nu then led Zhang Jian into the Crystal Hall.
The two in-laws chatted a bit about some anecdotes in Haojing City, which interested Bai Nu. But after a while, he couldn't help asking.
"My dear son-in-law, what stage has your Magical Power reached currently? Why was it that when you entered the Crystal Dragon Palace earlier, I was completely unaware?"
On this matter, there was a hint of astonishment in Bai Nu's eyes.
As the Bai Shui Dragon Monarch, he was sure of his control over the Bai Shui Divine Department, yet Zhang Jian's appearance evaded his Divine Thought.
Zhang Jian smiled slightly, having combined the Wind Traveling Cyan Nether Technique with the Golden Lotus Hidden Breath Technique, which not only allowed rapid escape form but also had the mysterious nature of the Jade Pool Golden Lotus, making the escape form silent.
Unfortunately, he did not understand space-related Magic, otherwise, he could tear through the void directly with an even more perfect combined structure.
"Middle stage of Golden Core, still some distance from the late stage!"
Hearing this, Bai Nu couldn't help but pause, a bit surprised.
A year ago, Zhang Jian had just recently established his Foundation through Divination, and yet a year later, he had progressed so much.
"Truly brave and diligent, but my dear son-in-law, cultivation has always been done with caution. While advancing is a good thing, do not let your foundation become unstable, as it might affect your future prospects!"
Bai Nu was still a bit worried.
Zhang Jian nodded.
Immediately, he retrieved a mounted scroll from the Blood Embryo Bag and handed it to Bai Nu.
"Father-in-law, your millennium ordeal of the Divine Dao is approaching. This item may be of help to you!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Nu's eyes moved, and he took the scroll.
He had already mentioned to Zhang Jian that he would face the millennium ordeal within two to three years.
Evidently, Zhang Jian had put some thought into it.
Once the scroll opened, it revealed a magnificent Ink-Wash Painting.
Countless inks converged into a vast expanse of water, with boundless majestic True Qi sweeping forth, transforming into countless Dragon Carp rushing upstream, gathering in front of a towering portal. Hundreds or thousands of carp leaped, with Spiritual Mechanism shooting skyward. Streams of it surged from underwater, while above the Dragon Gate, a giant True Dragon coiled, its massive body releasing a mighty dragon roar that shook the nine heavens.
"Carp Becoming Dragon Painting!"
Eyes swept over this Danqing Painting, feeling the profound and vast artistic conception within, Bai Nu's eyes couldn't help but be immersed within.
This Carp Becoming Dragon Painting harbors a layer of indomitable, upwardly imposing Great Dao artistic conception, which not only greatly aids in crossing the ordeal but also restores the Dao Heart and perfects the mindset.
Bai Nu felt a tremor within his heart, unable to help sighing.
"My dear son-in-law, this is a grand gift, yet here in the Dragon Palace I have nothing worthy to repay you!"
"Father-in-law praises too highly. Having the Princess married to me is the best reward!"
Zhang Jian immediately waved his hands.
The father-in-law and son-in-law exchanged a glance, both wearing smiles.
Bai Nu was pleased, knowing that with this Carp Becoming Dragon Painting, he at least increased his chances of crossing the ordeal by five percent.
Practically equivalent to certainty.
After spending a few days in the Dragon Palace, accompanying Bai Liying, Zhang Jian had to return, as his time was limited.
At the Sports and Arts College, he was leading the compilation of the Daqian Complete Book, which could not be delayed for too long, lest issues arise.
After discussing Zhang Yi's future arrangements with Bai Liying, he straightaway left the Dragon Palace.
...
Two years had quietly passed.
Spring passed, and autumn came.
After Bai Liying gave birth, Qi Yuhua also bore a second child for Zhang Jian.
That was also a boy.
Zhang Jian named him Zhang Zhao.
And after Zhang Yi turned two, Zhang Jian also brought him by his side, to be looked after by Qi Yuhua.
It was an arrangement Zhang Jian and Bai Liying had discussed long ago, as Bai Liying resumed her cultivation path after giving birth to Zhang Yi, and through a recommendation from the Canal Dragon Palace, joined the True Dragon Daoist School for cultivation.
The True Dragon Daoist School is part of the Sheji Divine Dao under the Water Uncle Dao Lineage, renowned in the Cultivation Realm.
Zhang Jian didn't want Bai Liying to ruin her Dao path by indulging in personal feelings and encouraged her to enter the True Dragon Daoist School for cultivation.
...
Champion Scholar's Mansion
The tall jujube tree seemed lush and green all year round, always adorned with small white flowers, defying the seasons, even in the snowy landscape, red dates hung from its branches.
Under the jujube tree, two mischievous little mud monkeys played and frolicked around.
"Brother Zhao, your speed is so slow!"
From afar, a clear voice was heard. A small boy, looking five or six years old, swiftly sprinted, as if on springs, reaching the jujube tree in a few steps while calling to the waddling figure behind him.
Under the pavilion, Zhang Jian and Qi Yuhua watched the two boys, smiles in their eyes.
Qi Yuhua, in her prime, her graceful figure and beautiful jade-like face full of joy.
Zhang Jian's gaze was fixed on Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi, though in human form, was essentially still a half-demon, a few months older than Zhang Zhao, but developed faster, resembling a five or six-year-old boy.
Full of vigor.
Unperturbed by the spring chill, his strength different from ordinary people.
His body's Dragon Blood was gradually taking effect.
However, Zhang Jian did not have him start cultivation immediately but planned to wait until he was ten years old and slightly sensible before sending him to the Tongshan Dojo.
Zhang Jian had already coordinated this with the Tongshan Dao Lineage.
As a True Disciple, he had the right to recommend his descendants for cultivation at Tongshan.
Moreover, Zhang Yi has the Innate Dao Body, and upon hearing the news, his senior brothers and sisters from the Demon-slaying Peak were all intrigued.
However, regarding arrangements for Zhang Zhao, Zhang Jian was hesitant.