The Temptation of the Heavenly Spiritual Root, the Huang Family Wants In Too

Qin Changqing had come alive again—this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time with even bigger backing. It was Lin Yuxia, the Lin family's top female prodigy, a disciple of an elder from the Taicqing Sect, blessed with high-grade ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spiritual root aptitude.

Upon hearing the news, even Qin Changqing couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. The Lin family was really going all out, handing over such a promising disciple to a mere Qi Refining cultivator like him?

To secure a child with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, they were willing to sacrifice anything.

At this point, Qin Changqing didn't care who came. As the Qin family's live-in son-in-law, he was their tool from the start—he had no say anyway.

But with her elevated status, he was looking forward to it even more.

That very night!

Lin Yuxia slipped quietly into Qin Changqing's room. Seeing her ethereal aura, extraordinary poise, and beauty that could easily score a nine out of ten, Qin Changqing couldn't help sighing inwardly: Die under a peony flower, and be a lustful ghost even in death.

Ten thousand spirit stones? Worth every one to play with her!

"You can really give me a child with a Heavenly Spiritual Root?" Lin Yuxia blinked her big eyes, sizing up Qin Changqing with lingering doubt.

She was already here—no turning back. This was just for peace of mind.

Besides, the man before her was handsome and young. She could accept that.

Qin Changqing smiled faintly. "You should know I've already fathered several children with Earth Spiritual Roots here. You're high-grade, so a Heavenly Spiritual Root should be no problem. I just need to absorb enough spiritual energy first."

"How much spiritual energy?" Lin Yuxia had to ensure the child's quality.

Qin Changqing called up the system in his mind to check.

Following the tenfold progression rule, a Heavenly Spiritual Root child would require consuming ten thousand years of lifespan. He was still short over two thousand.

Qin Changqing pondered for a moment. "Based on my past experience, for a Heavenly Spiritual Root right now, I'd need at least five thousand low-grade spirit stones. It'll overdraw me a bit, so you'll compensate with ten thousand afterward."

He held up a single finger.

This time, he was asking for the moon—purely as insurance against surprises like Lin Yuxia. What if another high-grade spiritual root woman showed up without enough stock? The child would suffer.

"Fifteen thousand spirit stones?" Lin Yuxia blinked in surprise, then relaxed.

No cost for a Heavenly Spiritual Root child? That would make her uneasy. Fifteen thousand actually boosted her confidence.

Objectively speaking, fifteen thousand for a Heavenly Spiritual Root kid was a steal.

"Deal. Here's fifty mid-grade spirit stones—absorb them first." As a Taicqing Sect elder's disciple, Lin Yuxia had her own reserves. She pulled them straight from her storage pouch.

One mid-grade spirit stone equaled a hundred low-grade ones.

Qin Changqing absorbed them swiftly, pushing his lifespan past twelve thousand.

"Then... shall we begin?" He drew closer, step by step.

This was her first time so near a man—Lin ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yuxia's cheeks flushed crimson. "Wait, I'm not quite—"

But for Qin Changqing, whose proficiency was maxed out, this was child's play. No prep needed. As Cheng Yanjin might say... one word: do it!

Before Lin Yuxia could finish, Qin Changqing pinned her to the bed, sealing her words with his lips.

A night of spring breeze swept in suddenly, pear blossoms blooming across a thousand trees...

As the moon climbed high, Qin Changqing paused mid-motion, facing his multiple-choice question.

"Option 4!"

Qin Changqing responded instantly in his mind, picking the fourth without hesitation. Quiz done—now it was time to slack off and enjoy.

The humble door welcomed a wicked guest; the delicate flower bloomed for her lord!

The Taicqing Sect elder's disciple, chaste for so many years, finally became a woman.

The sun was high in the sky by the time Lin Yuxia reluctantly left Qin Changqing's room.

Though they'd only just met, this man had left an indelible impression.

...

A few days later, the Lin family delivered the promised ten thousand spirit stones. Qin Changqing pocketed them with a grin.

Watching Lin Xiuwen leave with a beaming smile, Qin Zhengyang felt a pang of envy—and no small amount of pain.

Qin Changqing was the Qin family's son-in-law, yet he'd sired a Heavenly Spiritual Root for someone else. Their first such child wouldn't even be a Qin.

Qin Xiahe saw through Qin Zhengyang's thoughts and sent a voice transmission. "Patriarch, Lin Yuxia has high-grade aptitude—no issue birthing a Heavenly Spiritual Root. Once the Lins have one, they'll surpass us. And I suspect they won't stop at one; she'll likely come back for more."

Qin Zhengyang sighed in frustration. "Pity we have no high-grade women in the Qin family."

Qin Xiahe leaned in, whispering, "Patriarch, remember Cuicui?"

"Qin Cuicui?"

Qin Zhengyang paused, then caught on, his eyes lighting up. "You mean... Huang Qianqian?"

Qin Xiahe nodded.

Qin Cuicui was a Qin daughter married into the Huang cultivation family, and her daughter Huang Qianqian had high-grade spiritual root!

"The Huangs have a Golden Core ancestor. Our strongest is just Foundation Establishment. If they find out about Qin Changqing, we're in trouble." Qin Zhengyang was tempted but hesitant.

If the Huangs tried to seize him, the Qins couldn't stop them.

Qin Changqing was their greatest treasure now!

Who could resist the temptation of a Heavenly Spiritual Root?

Qin Xiahe pressed on. "A Heavenly Spiritual Root is worth the risk. We can contact Cuicui in secret—have her bring Qianqian home for a visit..."

Qin Zhengyang frowned, weighing it. Risky—once a daughter married out, she was spilled water. Could they trust Qin Cuicui's loyalty?

But the allure was too strong. He gritted his teeth. "Fine. Contact Cuicui and get her back ASAP."

"Rest assured, Patriarch. I'll handle it perfectly!" Qin Xiahe smiled.

Half a month later, Qin Cuicui returned with her daughter Huang Qianqian. Qin Zhengyang greeted them personally and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠laid out the situation.

"A Heavenly Spiritual Root!" Doubt flickered across Qin Cuicui and Huang Qianqian's faces. "Big Brother, how is that possible?"

"Would I, as patriarch, lie to you?" Understanding their skepticism, Qin Zhengyang had Qin Xiahe bring over several children.

Qin Cuicui tested their aptitudes herself and was left speechless in shock.

She knew the Qins well—mid-grade roots were rare, yet here were so many top-grade newborns. Undeniable.

"Qianqian, what do you think?"

Qin Cuicui looked hopefully at her daughter. She couldn't force this, though she craved a Heavenly Spiritual Root grandchild too.

The proof was plain; Huang Qianqian was tempted but hesitant. Young, no dao companion yet, never even seen this Qin Changqing. Bearing a stranger's child? Her heart wavered.

"Qianqian, no pressure—this is for the family's future. Imagine: a Heavenly Spiritual Root child, revered everywhere..."

"Sect prodigies with Heavenly Roots are treasures, you know..."

Bombarded with persuasion, Huang Qianqian's cheeks flushed, doubts fading. She agreed.

That night, Qin Changqing and Huang Qianqian were secretly ushered into a bridal chamber—along with ten thousand spirit stones and a promise of five thousand more later.

Qin Changqing was used to it by now. Enough stones? Bring on the women!

He'd seen plenty of beauties; Huang Qianqian was decent but greener than Lin Yuxia, with her own fresh charm. Flowers varied, each with its scent.

Another Heavenly Spiritual Root meant burning ten thousand years of lifespan. Qin Changqing ached—but happily.

The next day, Qin Cuicui and Huang Qianqian approached Qin Zhengyang in his study, hesitating. "Big Brother, maybe we shouldn't hide this from the Huangs."

"Qianqian's a Huang daughter. The child will give it away eventually."

Qin Zhengyang's brows shot up; he set down his book, displeased. "Cuicui, you're married into the Huangs now, but you're still Qin blood. Just a few years, and you're siding with outsiders?"

Qin Cuicui waved her hands frantically. "No, Big Brother—think about it. With Qin Changqing, our immortal seedlings will multiply. The resources to raise them? Terrifying. Send them all to sects, and we'll be exposed eventually. Keep them in-family? We can't afford it..."

Qin Zhengyang's brows furrowed deeper.

She spoke truth—their very worry.

Stop breeding seedlings? Impossible. Who'd refuse family ascension?

Seizing the moment, Qin Cuicui pushed. "The Huangs are a Golden Core clan—rich resources, third-order spirit vein. They can raise these kids themselves, no need for sects. Wait till Foundation Establishment or Golden Core, then let them venture out. Huangs as the early nurture phase... If you agree, I'll talk to them. Even let your talented Qin descendants join Huang cultivation!"

"Yes, Uncle—that cuts our risks too. The Huangs won't refuse such temptation." Huang Qianqian chimed in.

Qin Zhengyang pondered long. "This touches our clan's survival. I'll consult the elders first."

Qin Cuicui and Huang Qianqian knew not to rush. They withdrew, awaiting the Qins' decision.

Vital for the Huangs, but no desire to clash with the Qins.

Once allied, the Huangs could use Qin Changqing too. Their rise? Imminent!