Heavenly Spiritual Root Wen Luqing, Immortal Spiritual Root!

Qingyun Mansion.

Elder Cao Feng escorted Wen Luqing to the entrance with a smile. "Nephew, you can head in on your own. It's not really appropriate for me to go inside."

Qin Changqing was now under the joint protection of the top ten sects, and they showed him far greater respect.

Inside Qingyun Mansion today, not only had female cultivators from the major sects gathered, but all children under six from each sect were also arranged here for enlightenment education under Qin Changqing's guidance.

Even the sect leaders of the top ten sects needed to seek Qin Changqing's prior approval ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just to enter.

Relations among the sects were quite delicate now—cooperating on the surface while subtly competing behind the scenes. They all tried every trick in the book to curry favor with Qin Changqing. After all, with so many women around, he held complete control over who bore children.

The sects couldn't meddle too much in the inner residence affairs. If any sect offended him, he'd just put their women on the back burner, and they'd have to swallow their pride. The other nine sects would be thrilled, eager for their own female cultivators to have one or two more kids.

Wen Luqing stepped inside slowly, astonished by the sheer size of Qingyun Mansion. The scenery was breathtaking, and the spiritual energy was extraordinarily abundant. The Taicqing Sect had diverted a branch spiritual vein into the mansion and set up a spirit-gathering array—not just to win Qin Changqing's favor, but to provide a better environment for each sect's children.

After all, soaking in spiritual energy from a young age was beneficial for future cultivation.

Small bridges over flowing streams, willows drooping in the shade—new vistas every ten steps. Each courtyard bloomed with vibrant spiritual herbs and flowers.

Female cultivators passed by now and then with children in tow, casting curious glances her way before offering warm smiles in greeting.

Wen Luqing shook her head inwardly. This Qin Changqing guy sure has a lot of women. Probably even more carefree than a mortal emperor.

She'd been resistant to the sect's arrangements from the start, unable to defy them outright. Seeing this scene only deepened her poor impression of the man she'd never met.

As she entered the rear residence, children's laughter and chatter reached her ears before she even stepped in. Curiosity piqued, Wen Luqing went inside—and her eyes widened in shock.

The courtyard was enormous, filled with at least hundreds of children frolicking about, ranging from one or two years old up to five or six. They clustered around various strange magical artifacts, playing happily.

Are those... magical artifacts? Wen Luqing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wasn't quite sure.

"You're the Heavenly Spiritual Root disciple sent from Bihai Sect, right? Wen Luqing, if I recall?" A clear, cool voice interrupted her thoughts from nearby.

Turning, she saw a woman in a purple silk gown standing there, her expression aloof.

It was Guan Zilan.

"And you are?" Wen Luqing asked puzzledly, her gaze dropping to the woman's slightly bulging belly.

That's right—Elder Guan was pregnant again.

Guan Zilan's lips curved into a faint smile. "I'm Guan Zilan. Once you're here, we're practically family. No need to be so reserved."

Wen Luqing's pupils contracted. Guan Zilan? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠She remembered her master mentioning a Taicqing Sect genius elder with an Earth Spiritual Root named Guan Zilan. Was this her?

Staring at her belly, Wen Luqing's shock deepened.

Even Taicqing Sect's elder...

Guan Zilan could guess what Wen Luqing was thinking. In truth, every woman who came here had similar thoughts.

"Don't overthink it. You're here not just to contribute to your sect, but for your own sake too. As a Heavenly Spiritual Root genius, if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you can bear an Immortal Spiritual Root child, you'll be the mother of an immortal in the future! That's your glory!" Guan Zilan said.

Wen Luqing pursed her lips lightly and nodded.

She was still too young—not even twenty yet. Even among mortals, she was in the bloom of youth. How could she be content to play wife and mother so soon?

"Elder Guan, what's that?" Wen Luqing changed the subject, pointing to the spot where the most children clustered.

Guan Zilan followed her gaze and smiled faintly. "That's something Qin Changqing came up with himself... a special magical artifact called the Cloudsoar Flying Boat. He designed it, and the sect elders forged it from rare treasures. It lets the children get an early feel for controlling flying swords—good for them."

Qin Changqing has ideas like that?

Wen Luqing's eyes lit up. She pointed to a small dark hut nearby, from which children's excited screams occasionally emanated. "And that?"

"That's the Dao Heart Hut. It houses some tamed low-tier illusion demons to temper the children's dao hearts."

Guan Zilan introduced each one, and Wen Luqing's beautiful eyes sparkled brighter with every wondrous artifact.

This man... he's truly talented!

These artifacts not only let the kids play happily but also honed their skills in the process—a perfect multi-benefit setup!

Seeing Wen Luqing's eyes gleam, Guan Zilan couldn't help but smile wryly and shake her head.

Another woman conquered by Qin Changqing's talents.

And so, in the days that followed, Wen Luqing settled into the mansion. She waited for Qin Changqing to finish absorbing spirit stones while adapting to life there.

It had to be said—the atmosphere was remarkably relaxed. In just a few days, she bonded with the children and even tried out Qin Changqing's designed playground herself.

During this time, she caught sight of Qin Changqing but didn't interact—just watched from afar.

He wasn't the lecherous old man she'd imagined. Instead, he was young and handsome, exuding a refined, easygoing charm. Especially when lecturing the children... utterly captivating.

Time flew by. Qin Changqing finally finished absorbing the spirit stones, and Wen Luqing received word: tonight, she could formally unite with him.

Nightfall.

Qin Changqing gazed at the fidgety Wen Luqing sitting on the bed, a touch of emotion stirring within him.

What a twist of fate. He'd saved her life back then, and now their paths crossed again.

"No need to be nervous. Just leave it to me," Qin Changqing said gently, sitting beside her.

Wen Luqing kept her head down, twisting the hem of her robe nervously, her heart pounding.

Suddenly, she froze. A familiar scent wafted to her nose.

This smell...

"It's you!" Wen Luqing jerked her head up, her bright eyes locking onto Qin Changqing, face alight with excitement.

Startled, Qin Changqing blinked in confusion. "What do you mean, me?"

Wen Luqing grabbed his arm firmly. "Back in the Qingyuan Secret Realm, a mysterious black-robed man saved me from those demonic cultivators. That was you!"

Qin Changqing's expression stiffened, his heart racing.

How does she know it was me? Impossible—I didn't leave any clues! Could Bihai Sect have figured something out and be testing me?

He quickly composed himself and shook his head. "Fairy Wen, you must have the wrong person. I have no idea what you're talking about."

Wen Luqing sniffed him intently and nodded with absolute certainty. "It's definitely you—no mistake! I have a special ability: I can distinguish and remember any scent. Yours is etched deep in my mind; I could never forget it."

Qin Changqing's eyes widened.

Damn, with a nose like that, you'd be a detective's dream—one whiff and case closed!

Seeing her so convinced, Qin Changqing knew denial was futile. He racked his brain for how to ensure her silence.

His cultivation was his biggest secret—plus his ability to freely traverse secret realms. If word got out, others might try to control him.

Wen Luqing read his worry and chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul. After that trial ended, even my master and sect leader asked, and I said nothing!"

Qin Changqing finally exhaled in relief, resolving inwardly to win her over completely—no leaks allowed.

Knowing Qin Changqing was her savior transformed Wen Luqing's mindset.

She'd once pitied him as the top ten sects' caged pet, but now he loomed tall and heroic in her heart.

A shy smile bloomed on her face. "I was unhappy with the sect's arrangement at first, but knowing it's you... I'm more than willing."

Qin Changqing smiled too, brushing her cheek tenderly. "Fairy Wen, it's late..."

Wen Luqing blushed and murmured, "Just call me Luqing..."

The candle flickered out, and the storm brewed once more.

The familiar multiple-choice prompt reappeared, this time with a new option.

This would be his first Immortal Spiritual Root child!

Qin Changqing felt a surge of excitement too. He selected option seven!