Heavenly Spiritual Root is Born, Innate Water Spirit Body
It made sense, really. From the moment he'd joined the Qin family up until now, Qin Changqing hadn't offended anyone. On top of that, he'd been steadily producing talent after talent, bringing immense benefits to everyone around him.
They'd all profited from him in one way or another.
In a situation like this, they wouldn't have time to protect him—let alone plot against him.
Of course, there was one surprise: Jia Qiang actually had a favorability of 50.
This guy had been cuckolded, yet he harbored no resentment? He even felt goodwill?
Qin Changqing had worried before that the man might snap one day in a fit of rage, sneaking off for some "passionate revenge" over his "grassy plains." Looked like he'd overthought it. What a tolerant fellow—hoping he kept it up!
Otherwise, trying to kill him now would just be shooting themselves in the foot.
He was already at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, with stealth abilities to boot. Pinning down a guy like Jia Qiang would be child's play.
Qin Changqing kept scrolling.
After the favorability function came dynamic records on these people.
Your son Qin Qiming had a sword epiphany during practice, unleashing sword intent. Strength surged dramatically.
Your son Qin Qipeng obtained a Foundation Establishment opportunity. Fortune greatly increased.
Your son Qin Qihong suffered an attack from a fellow disciple. Dao heart wavered.
Your daughter Qin Mengxue suffered an attack from a fellow disciple. Dao heart grew even firmer.
Your son Qin Qichen entered secluded cultivation and successfully broke through to the fifth layer of Qi Refining.
Your partner Huang Qianqian gave birth to a child with Heavenly Spiritual Root. Fortune greatly increased.
"Qiming's doing great—that kid's had sharp comprehension since he was little!"
"Qipeng's got a bit of that protagonist vibe with his fortune. Being a bastard child fits the trope perfectly."
"Qihong, what have I taught you? How can your Dao heart waver over a minor setback? You won't survive the world's beatings like that—you'll just get weaker and more cowardly. Man up! Learn from your sister Mengxue: the more setbacks, the braver you get!"
Qin Changqing sighed as he read, realizing the system only logged key moments in their lives—not every trivial detail.
But that was plenty! It gave him a solid overview of his kids' growth.
Seeing the dangers they'd faced, the opportunities they'd seized—one entry after another—he couldn't help but beam with a proud father's smile.
Most of his children were still out of reach for now, beyond his help. But at least this let him track their paths indirectly. Next time they met, he'd know just how to connect with them.
All in all, Qin Changqing was thrilled with this system upgrade.
"Life goes on—how can the grind ever stop?"
He stood, brimming with vigor, and strode out of the courtyard.
"Darling, why are you so chipper today?"
Qin Weiwei had just emerged from the house. Spotting Qin Changqing's beaming face, she couldn't help but ask.
Over a dozen years had passed. As a mortal, Qin Weiwei's face bore faint traces of time, but at just over thirty, the Qin family's pills kept her skin glowing. If anything, she looked even more alluring.
A twinge of guilt hit Qin Changqing. He'd somewhat neglected his first wife. He laughed heartily, scooping her into his arms. "Wifey, how about we make another baby?"
Qin Weiwei flushed crimson. "Darling, it's still daytime..."
"Who cares? This is our home—no need to pick a time!"
Spring faded into autumn. A full year had passed since the three families' alliance.
Lin family.
In a sealed chamber, Lin Xiuwen nervously placed the spirit testing stone against the infant's brow.
Whoosh!
Dazzling light flooded the quiet room!
The crowd flushed with excitement. "Congratulations, Patriarch! Yuxia's child truly has a Heavenly Spiritual Root!"
Lin Xiuwen's face lit up with uncontainable joy. "Excellent! Yuxia is a hero of our Lin family!"
He hurried to Lin Yuxia's side to share the news. She was over the moon.
That man really delivers!
But one isn't enough. I want more!
Not long after, Huang Qianqian of the Huang family also birthed a baby girl—also testing positive for Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude.
Golden Core cultivator Huang Yuanjing's booming laughter nearly shattered the formation barriers. "To think my Huang family would one day produce a Heavenly Spiritual Root genius! Our rise starts now!"
He showered Huang Qianqian and her child with spirit stones and pills on the spot, while placing even greater value on Qin Changqing.
"Ancestor, if Qin Changqing's heaven-defying talent only caps at Heavenly Spiritual Roots, wouldn't that be a waste?" Huang family head Huang Mingyi ventured.
Women with superior spiritual roots birthed Heavenly Spiritual Roots. What if they aimed higher—women with ultimate or earthly spiritual roots? Couldn't they produce children surpassing even Heavenly Roots?
Once ambition took root, satisfaction was impossible. It only grew hungrier.
And Qin Changqing's case clearly hadn't hit its limit with Heavenly Roots.
"Mm." Huang Yuanjing grunted. "A pity indeed. But our Huang family only has superior root women at best. Ultimate and earthly root geniuses are nearly all in the top ten sects. Scheming with them carries too much risk!"
Those with ultimate or earthly roots were peak talents who could reach Nascent Soul. Even in major sects, they were core pillars—indoctrinated by sect legacies.
Forget access; even if they could approach, meddling with them would likely expose Qin Changqing.
"Ancestor, what about Miaoying?" Huang Mingyi asked cautiously.
"Miaoying?"
Huang Yuanjing's eyes lit up. Right—he'd almost forgotten his own prodigy great-granddaughter.
Huang Mingyi nodded. "Miaoying has an Innate Water Spirit Body. Her aptitude rivals an ultimate spiritual root. Pairing her with Qin Changqing might yield something extraordinary."
Huang Yuanjing's gaze flickered with hesitation.
Innate bodies were rare cultivation constitutions in the immortal world—distinct from spiritual roots but equally dominant on the path, far outpacing low-grade seedlings.
But they'd only paired Qin Changqing with spiritual root women so far, never innate bodies.
What if it failed? They'd ruin the family's precious genius.
"No better options now, Ancestor. If it works, we might birth a freak even beyond Heavenly Spiritual Root!" Huang Mingyi pressed.
Even as family head, he lacked authority for such a decision.
"Fine!" Huang Yuanjing resolved. Worst case, Qin Changqing got a bargain. Success meant joy for all.
He took a deep breath. "Send for Miaoying at once."
Huang Mingyi beamed and rushed off to arrange it.
Time flew amid the Huang family's eager wait.
A month later, an immortal crane descended gracefully over the Huang estate. A cold beauty in a goose-yellow gauze dress leaped down—Huang Miaoying.
"Uncle, what urgent matter called me back?" Huang Miaoying asked.
"Come with me. Ancestor wants to see you."
Huang Mingyi led her hastily to the rear courtyard.
Ancestor summoning me?Huang Miaoying felt a chill. Had something dire happened?
They soon met Huang Yuanjing, standing smiling in the courtyard's center.
"Greetings, Ancestor!" Huang Miaoying bowed respectfully.
"Foundation Establishment already—impressive! A true Water Spirit Body!" Huang Yuanjing beamed approvingly, then continued, "Miaoying, there's something I'd like your thoughts on..."
He explained Qin Changqing's situation in full.
"Impregnating spiritual roots?" Huang Miaoying's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief. "Ancestor, you're joking, right?"
Knew you wouldn't buy it.
Huang Yuanjing waved. Someone brought in Huang Qianqian's child. "Miaoying, this is Qianqian and Qin Changqing's baby."
Huang Miaoying skeptically drew her spirit testing stone and checked personally. The erupting brilliance left her jaw dropping. "Heavenly Spiritual Root for real?!"
Huang Yuanjing chuckled. "Why would I lie? Qianqian's just superior root, yet she bore a Heavenly Root child. Your Innate Water Spirit Body rivals ultimate roots. Imagine if you and Qin Changqing..."
Huang Miaoying's heart raced.