Pregnant Cultivator, Doted by Big Boss

Cunmere Realm. High Soverign Evander.

’That’s quite an impressive title.’

’Generally, anyone connected to titles like Emperor or Sovereign Lord is a big shot in their own world. So, who is this person, really?’

Her gaze swept over the two wintergourds. "You two came here just to find this ’master’ of yours. Any other purpose? Tell the truth. If I hear one lie... you know what will happen."

The two wintergourds kneeling there waved their little hands like rattle-drums. "That’s it! The only task our clan leader gave us was to hide our identities and find our master’s whereabouts."

Celeste Grant glanced at them.

"You’ve never harmed anyone?"

Harmed anyone? The two wintergourds shook their heads vigorously.

"Harmed anyone? Absolutely not."

"The Shadowmist Clan is a peace-loving people. We don’t like all that fighting and killing. As long as others don’t bother us, we won’t attack them."

The two wintergourds explained hurriedly.

"We didn’t come to the Mortal Realm for any other reason. We just want to find our master. It’s true! You can investigate if you don’t believe us. We haven’t done anything else."

"As for occupying these two human bodies, we asked for their permission at the very beginning. They clearly agreed. They went back on their word later, but we have our principles, so we paid them no mind. Hiding our identities is what’s important; we can’t waste time on such trivial things."

When its companion finished, the smaller wintergourd quickly added, "It was mainly because their bodies were the most suitable ones around here. Plus, they’re sisters, so it wouldn’t arouse anyone’s suspicion."

Cora and Clara Ainsworth looked at the two wintergourds on the ground. Cora couldn’t help but say, "But that’s no excuse for you to take over our bodies! You stole them and were so arrogant about it."

As soon as she spoke, one of the wintergourds replied, "Our clan leader told us that when we’re away from home, we should act fierce if we meet people with bad intentions. That way, others won’t bully us."

Celeste Grant fell silent. ’That actually makes a lot of sense,’ she thought, ’I can’t even argue with that.’ No wonder those two wintergourds had been so arrogant before reverting to their true forms. They were just putting up a tough front—all bark and no bite.

’It seems these wintergourds from the Shadowmist Clan really aren’t very bright.’ Celeste could already picture a scene with countless wintergourds gathered together. The mental image was so ridiculous she could barely stand it.

The two wintergourds then turned to Cora and Clara. One of them looked at Cora and said, "We may have borrowed your bodies for two years, but don’t you dare say we took advantage of you. Your sister’s health was terrible before, wasn’t it? With her condition back then, she was fated to die young. I’m the one who spent my energy nourishing her body. And look at her now! Her health is amazing, and her core constitution has improved. Living to a ripe old age will be a piece of cake. From that perspective, you’re the ones who got the better end of the deal."

The other wintergourd chimed in, "And your father! He used to have a lame leg, but we spent our energy and healed it for him. Our original plan was just to borrow your bodies for three years. Afterward, whether we found our master or not, we would have found new bodies and you could have returned to your own. You were the ones who broke the deal first, even bringing people to attack us. We made it clear from the start! You humans just don’t keep your word."

Cora and Clara froze. They exchanged a look, and both saw the same shock reflected in each other’s eyes.

’Dad’s leg is healed?’ Their father’s leg had been crushed by a carriage years ago. Even after it mended, he was left with a disability and had to walk with a limp his entire life. ’Could it really be better now?’

She suddenly recalled how, not long ago, while they were floating around their home as spirits, they’d often see these two Fiends in their bodies, making their parents drink some dark, murky concoction. They had wanted to stop them but were powerless. At night, they would even hear pained, stifled groans coming from their father’s room. They had always assumed the two Fiends were torturing their parents.

’Preconceived notions really are a mountain that’s hard to move.’

The sisters remembered that the two wintergourds had, in fact, said something before possessing their bodies.

"Humans, we wish to borrow your bodies for a time. In return, we will reward you generously later. Nod if you are willing, shake your head if you are not. If you say nothing, we will assume you consent."

At the time, they had been in their separate rooms. A cloud of black mist had suddenly appeared and spoken to them. They were so terrified they had forgotten how to speak, let alone remember to nod or shake their heads. So, in the end, it was their own fault.

Cora rubbed her head, her expression a mess of complicated feelings.

"You didn’t explain any of this back then."

"You never said you would also heal my sister and my dad’s leg. If we’d known, we would’ve gladly given you five years, let alone three!"

After all, her sister had been frail since childhood, just as the wintergourd said. She would have willingly paid any price for a chance to heal her. But these two wintergourds were so headstrong, they never bothered to explain a thing. Who wouldn’t be terrified of having their body possessed by some unknown creature?

They were just two ordinary people. Of course they were scared.

Clara nodded along, looking completely bewildered. Listening to the wintergourds’ explanation felt like hearing the most ridiculous joke.

She said peevishly, "Do you have any idea what my sister and I have been through these last two years? We thought we’d encountered some evil spirit, some Fiend! We could do nothing but watch as you took our bodies. We just had to watch! We couldn’t even hire a Daoist to get rid of you."

Hearing this, the two wintergourds exchanged a glance and rubbed their bald heads in unison. "You never asked! Did that really need to be said? Our clan leader didn’t mention it before we left. Humans really are complicated. Feels like we still have a lot to learn."

"How could a little thing like that be more important than hiding our identities to find our master? It doesn’t seem important, does it?"

"Exactly! The process isn’t important, only the result. Human minds are way too complex. You make such a fuss over every little thing."

Cora and her sister stood there, utterly petrified as they listened to the two wintergourds debating back and forth. ’Not important?’ Cora thought. ’You didn’t think you had to ask for our opinion? If these two hadn’t explained everything tonight, we would have never known the full story.’

But still...

’My sister’s body is healed?’

That one thought echoed in her mind.

Her sister’s frailty was a condition she’d had since birth. A doctor had even said she wouldn’t live past the age of eighteen. And now, through this absurd mix-up, she was actually healed.