Three Superior Spiritual Roots in a Row
Three consecutive superior spiritual roots, two hundred spirit stones—this reward was already quite generous, enough to extend his lifespan by another two hundred years. His years of tireless effort were finally paying off!
"Brother Changqing, there's something I'd like to discuss with you," Elder Qin Xiahe said thoughtfully. "Qiming has such excellent aptitude. He'll surely be able to build his foundation in the future, and even reaching the Golden Core stage isn't out of the question. The family's resources are limited, after all. We'd like to send him to the Taixuan Sect. What do you think?"
Normally, there'd be no need to consult Qin Changqing on this—he was just a son-in-law, and the Qin family had every right to decide the fate of its children. But Qin Changqing's prowess in producing offspring had been nothing short of astonishing. His first child had tested as a superior spiritual root, and his output was impressively high. Who could say the next ones wouldn't be immortal seedlings too?
A man like that was worth taking seriously now. All the Qin children got along great with him—everyone could see it. Making a unilateral decision might breed resentment from Qin Changqing and the kids, which would be a loss not worth the gain.
Qin Changqing pondered for a moment, then nodded. "It's a good opportunity for Qiming. The family can decide."
Straight shooter!
The Qin clansmen broke into broad smiles, their view of Qin Changqing growing even more favorable.
He could sire kids like nobody's business, with top-tier quality to boot. He handled himself with grace and had even made real contributions to the enlightenment of the entire Qin family's children. Qin Changqing was a walking bundle of virtues!
"In that case, I'll come pick up Qiming in three days," Qin Xiahe said with a nod. "Spend some quality time together these next few days. Once he joins the Taixuan Sect, visits home will be few and far between."
This old guy's not bad—pretty considerate.
They lingered a bit longer before the Qin clansmen finally took their leave. Qin Changqing saw them off with a warm smile.
Three days later, Qin Qiming was sent off to the Taixuan Sect.
"Dad, Mom, I'll come back to see you!"
Qin Qiming stood atop Elder Qin Xiahe's flying sword artifact, waving furiously at his parents. His little face was flushed red as he fought back tears.
Qin Weiwei wept like a willow in the rain, and Qin Changqing could only comfort her at the side.
His heart wasn't untouched either. Qin Qiming was his first child, after all—the bond was special.
He had it better, with the system in play; he'd see Qiming plenty more in the future. But Qin Weiwei was just a mortal. She'd grow old in time.
To cultivators, decades or even centuries were a mere snap of the fingers. To ordinary folk, they were a lifetime.
"Let's go!" Qin Xiahe sighed, scooping up Qin Qiming before streaking across the sky in a flash.
"Brother Changqing, congratulations! Your son's a Taixuan Sect disciple now!"
"Brother Changqing, you've got some serious blessings. A son with such a bright future—no more worries for you!"
The onlookers cupped their hands in congratulations, presenting gifts they'd prepared in advance. Even the usually aloof Jia Qiang forced a smile and offered his regards.
Qin Changqing didn't refuse. They were modest tokens; accepting them was fine. Acting too superior might make others think he'd grown distant now that he had an immortal seedling for a son.
News of Qin Qiming's acceptance into the Taixuan Sect spread like wildfire through the family. Some envied, some seethed with jealousy, all marveling at Qin Changqing's dumb luck.
A year slipped by quietly.
Qin Changqing's eldest daughter, Qin Mengrou, tested as a superior spiritual root and was sent to the Taixuan Sect. He pocketed another two hundred spirit stones from the family.
Everyone chalked it up to his good fortune, though it didn't strike them as all that shocking yet.
That same year, at the annual aptitude testing on the Qin family plaza, proceedings unfolded as usual.
Qin Wenbo's gaze landed on the little girl stepping into the arena, and a kindly smile bloomed on his face. "Mengxue, come to Uncle."
This was Qin Changqing's second daughter, Qin Mengxue.
The moment Qin Mengxue appeared, the plaza fell silent. All eyes locked onto her, the air growing thick with tension.
"This girl's another daughter of Qin Changqing's, right? Wonder if she'll have a spiritual root too."
"Doubt it. He's already had two kids in a row test as superior spiritual roots. A third? That'd be too heaven-defying!"
"Yeah, three straight spiritual roots? What kind of karma did the guy rack up in his last life?"
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
Qin Changqing was there too, flashing a reassuring look at his somewhat nervous Qin Mengxue.
The instant her tiny hand touched the aptitude-testing stone, it erupted in blinding light, dazzling everyone present.
"Heavens! Another superior spiritual root? How is this possible?!"
"No fairness in the world! Three immortal seedlings in a row—I'm seriously starting to think Qin Changqing's got some special trick up his sleeve!"
Shock etched across Qin Wenbo's face as his eyes flicked to the unflappable Qin Changqing on the platform.
Three immortal seedlings from one man? Unprecedented in Qin family history.
Soon enough, Qin Xiahe visited Qin Changqing's residence again. He cupped his hands the moment he entered. "Brother Changqing, you've given us one hell of a surprise! Another superior spiritual root!"
Qin Changqing wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. "Just luck, pure luck. Maybe the Qin bloodline's always been strong. I'm just riding the coattails."
Qin Xiahe shook his head. He knew damn well whether the Qin bloodline was that potent. If it were, the family wouldn't still be huddled in little old Xianyang Mountain—they'd be Jing Kingdom's top cultivation clan by now.
"Here's the family's reward: two hundred spirit stones, as usual!" Qin Xiahe flicked his sleeve, and a chest brimming with spirit stones appeared on the table.
"I'll come pick up Mengxue for the Taixuan Sect in three days?"
Qin Changqing nodded. "Appreciate you making the trip, Elder."
Once Qin Xiahe and the others had gone, Qin Weiwei emerged from the back hall with a sigh. "Mengxue's leaving too?"
Though Qin Mengxue wasn't her own, she was still their child. Qin Changqing's family style was impeccable—the kids got along beautifully, whether with their birth mothers or aunties.
On the flip side, Qin Rongrong felt a mix of joy and sorrow watching Qin Changqing's children head off one by one.
Qin Changqing turned with a smile. "It's a blessing for her to join the Taixuan Sect. Best to look on the bright side, dear."
Qin Weiwei arched a brow, eyeing him suspiciously. "Husband, you knew this was coming, didn't you?"
Sharp as ever—years by his side hadn't dulled her insight.
Qin Changqing's heart skipped, but he played it off with a wry smile. "I'm no aptitude stone. How could I know? I just don't want you getting too heartbroken. We've got so many kids; more might head to the Taixuan Sect down the line. Better get used to it."
A preemptive heads-up for her.
Qin Weiwei shot him a playful glare, a touch of resentment in her voice. "All because you're too good at making them. You've got the most wives, concubines, and kids in the whole Qin family."
Qin Changqing felt a pang of awkwardness.
My system bro's just that OP—what can I do? I can't exactly rein it in!