Shared Between Two Families, Earth Spiritual Root
Qin Zhengyang's expression instantly returned to normal. He let out a hearty laugh. "Brother Lin, where did you hear such rumors? How could there be such a person in the world? Impregnating to produce spiritual roots? That's utterly ridiculous!"
Lin Xiuwen replied coolly, "Brother Qin, there's no need to hide it. We all know the truth now. I think it's better to share this miraculous talent with everyone rather than keeping it to yourself. Hogging it all isn't a good habit, and you wouldn't want other families finding out about this, would you?"
Which damn fool leaked the news!
Qin Zhengyang seethed inwardly. Seeing the certainty on Lin Xiuwen's face, he knew the man had solid information before daring to show up at their door.
Lin Xiuwen's threat had indeed struck at the Qin family's vital point.
"Just tell me what you want, Brother Lin!" Qin Zhengyang gritted his teeth, forcing down his rage.
A flash of wild joy crossed Lin Xiuwen's eyes. It really is true!
He chuckled. "No need to be so tense, Brother Qin. Our families are connected by marriage, and after all, he's your Qin family's son-in-law. My Lin family just wants to send over some women for this Qin Changqing to help nurture a few immortal seedlings. We absolutely won't let the Qin family suffer any loss!"
Qin Zhengyang's face softened a bit. He pondered before saying, "That might not be impossible. But Qin Changqing can't produce spiritual roots out of thin air—it requires massive amounts of spiritual energy. We've already spent quite a few spirit stones on this."
The implication was clear: if you want our help, pay up with spirit stones.
Lin Xiuwen had no objection. As long as immortal seedlings with spiritual roots could be produced, a few spirit stones were nothing. He'd come prepared.
He nodded immediately. "I won't make things difficult for you, Brother Qin. Name your price."
"To produce a top-grade spiritual root seedling, it has to be a woman with a spiritual root. If your Lin family wants in, you'll need to provide women with spiritual roots." Qin Zhengyang eyed him, his tone growing firmer. "Spirit stones are crucial too. For one top-grade spiritual root... at least a thousand stones!"
"A thousand spirit stones? No problem."
Lin Xiuwen agreed readily. A child with a top-grade spiritual root? Forget a thousand—even ten thousand would be worth it.
Qin Zhengyang's heart leaped with delight. Qin Changqing had produced a top-grade spiritual root seedling for their Qin family, and they'd only spent five hundred stones on it. Now the Lins were handing over a thousand—they'd profit five hundred.
Not a bad deal!
"Very well!" Qin Zhengyang said evenly. "But the arrangements will be handled solely by our Qin family. You can't interfere or make contact during the process. And Brother Lin, I hope you'll keep this confidential. A leak wouldn't be good for either of our families."
"Of course, of course!"
The two men exchanged smiles and laughed.
Soon, the Lin family delivered several women with lower-grade spiritual roots. The Qin family personally went to discuss it with Qin Changqing.
Qin Changqing had no objections. The Qin family had promised spirit stone rewards based on the number and quality of children produced. Taking a few more wives wouldn't make much difference.
Just a chance to stretch his muscles a bit!
The meaning of life is movement, after all!
And so, Qin Changqing quietly took in several concubines, none announced publicly.
A year later.
In the Lin family estate.
Qin Zhengyang arrived personally, piloting a magical artifact. Lin Xiuwen led him into the study.
Qin Zhengyang cupped his hands with a jovial smile. "Congratulations, Brother Lin. You've gained an immortal seedling with a top-grade spiritual root."
With a wave of his hand, he dispelled the spiritual energy disguise, revealing the swaddled infant in his arms.
Lin Xiuwen's face lit up with overwhelming joy. He took out a prepared spirit-testing stone and personally checked the child. In an instant, the study blazed with radiant light.
It was indeed a top-grade spiritual root!
"Hahahahaha!"
Lin Xiuwen laughed heartily. "My Lin family finally has a descendant with a top-grade spiritual root!"
He knew full well how precious it was. It meant the Lin family would soon have one—or even several—Golden Core cultivators!
Their status would rise like the tide!
"Many thanks, Brother Qin!" Lin Xiuwen's face was full of gratitude. He pulled a chest from his storage pouch and pushed it over. "This is the thousand spirit stones we agreed on. Please thank Brother Changqing for me."
For the Lin family at this moment, a thousand stones was a small price. They'd hand over two or three thousand without hesitation to curry favor. Qin Changqing represented their hope and future.
"One more thing." Qin Zhengyang grew solemn. "Our two families will produce more and more spiritual root seedlings. If we send them all to the Tai Xuan Sect, it'll draw attention eventually. I suggest we distribute the children among the ten great sects of Jing Kingdom. That way, we avoid raising suspicions."
Lin Xiuwen pondered briefly, then nodded gravely. "You're absolutely right, Brother Qin. We should do just that!"
Now the two families were in the same boat—prosper together, fall together. Protecting Qin Changqing's secret was protecting both clans.
—
Today was Qin Fenglan's due date. Perhaps because of the fetus's exceptional talent, her pregnancy had lasted several months longer than normal.
Qin Zhengyang and over a dozen core family members stood guard outside the door, their hearts uneasy. This stood in stark contrast to Qin Changqing, who lounged calmly nearby.
Soon, the midwife emerged with the child. Qin Zhengyang hurried forward, took the infant, and whispered, "Follow me."
The group followed him into a side chamber, where they swiftly set up a spiritual energy barrier around the room.
As the spirit-testing stone touched the infant's forehead, a dazzling spiritual light erupted—brilliant and eye-searing. Without the barrier, it surely would have alerted those outside.
"Earth... Earth Spiritual Root!"
"It's really an Earth Spiritual Root!"
"Heavens! To think I'd live to see the legendary Earth Spiritual Root!"
Qin Zhengyang and the elders were stunned, unable to calm down for a long time.
An Earth Spiritual Root! Unless something went terribly wrong, it would smoothly cultivate to Nascent Soul True Lord—a terrifying talent!
In other words, barring mishaps, the Qin family would soon have a Nascent Soul cultivator presiding over them!
Qin Zhengyang trembled with excitement, then hurriedly steadied his spiritual energy, afraid to disturb the child in his arms.
"Hahahaha!" He clapped Qin Changqing on the shoulder, his joy uncontainable. "Changqing, you're the greatest benefactor of our Qin family!"
Qin Changqing quickly cupped his hands with a faint smile. "Just luck. It's what I should do."
With a wave, a large chest floated from Qin Zhengyang's storage pouch, packed full of spirit stones that gleamed dazzlingly. "For birthing an Earth Spiritual Root seedling for our Qin family, this is merit beyond measure. We won't be stingy—here are two thousand spirit stones as your reward!"
Qin Changqing's heart leaped.
This child had consumed spirit stones provided by Qin Fenglan, so the two thousand from the family was pure profit—enough for another two thousand years of lifespan.
Jackpot!
"Many thanks, Family Head!" Qin Changqing gleefully accepted, silently giving a thumbs-up to the system in his mind. What a great system!
The news of Qin Fenglan giving birth couldn't be hidden. Lin Xiuwen rushed over upon hearing, demanding right away, "Brother Qin, how's the aptitude of your eldest daughter's child?"
Qin Zhengyang knew he couldn't keep it from Lin Xiuwen.
The man had been watching Qin Fenglan closely. He'd figured out how to "use" Qin Changqing and was eagerly awaiting her child's birth.
"Ahem, no need to get so worked up. Just a mere Earth Spiritual Root." Qin Zhengyang looked up with a smile.
Lin Xiuwen sucked in a sharp breath, itching to grind his teeth at Qin Zhengyang.
A mere Earth Spiritual Root? You have the gall to say that aloud? A future Nascent Soul True Lord! One in ten thousand, a once-in-a-century prodigy!
Considering Qin Fenglan's own medium-grade spiritual root, Lin Xiuwen's heart stirred. He asked excitedly, "Does the quality of the immortal seedling depend on the woman's aptitude too? Meaning, a medium-grade spiritual root woman could do it?"