This time, the gathering was quite large, as it was the wedding of the Qin Family head Qin Zhengyang's daughter. Everyone understood the significance, and the high-ranking members of the Qin Family were all present, with various live-in sons-in-law coming to offer their congratulations.
"Brother Changqing, you're truly fortunate to marry the eldest daughter. I hope you'll look out for us in the future."
"Brother Changqing, we're on good terms. Can you secretly tell me if you have any secrets? How did you win the favor of the eldest daughter?"
"I'm so envious!"
***
The sons-in-law took the opportunity during the toasts to try and pry information from Qin Changqing.
Qin Changqing, of course, wouldn't tell the truth and brushed them off with a few vague words.
As night deepened, Qin Changqing used a spell to dispel the alcohol from his body and entered the room, where he saw Qin Fenglan sitting properly in front of the bed.
Qin Changqing lifted the bridal veil, and Qin Fenglan's bright eyes scrutinized him closely, finding him quite handsome and surprisingly young for someone who had been with the Qin Family for so long.
Her initially anxious heart gradually calmed down.
"Can you give me a child with an Earth Spirit Root?" Qin Fenglan asked, her eyes shining with a hint of eagerness.
How could Qin Changqing guarantee such a thing? Otherwise, wouldn't he be handing over his lifeline?
"I can't guarantee that, but I'll do my best," Qin Changqing replied with an awkward smile, while internally accumulating a sense of indignation.
I know you're just here to borrow my seed, but do you have to be so obvious about it? Just wait and see how I release my anger!
"Then let's begin!"
Although Qin Fenglan was a bit shy, the thought of having a child with an Earth Spirit Root excited her, making her eager to proceed. She reached out to hook Qin Changqing's neck, albeit clumsily.
Qin Changqing grasped her soft wrist, taking control. "Don't rush. We can't be so hasty. I need to prepare."
"Prepare for what?" Qin Fenglan asked, puzzled.
Qin Changqing explained, "To have a child with a high-quality Spirit Root, it requires a lot of spirit stones. The Spiritual Qi within me might not be enough to nurture a child with a strong Spirit Root..."
Qin Fenglan understood, as Qin Zhengyang had mentioned this to her. She took out a box from her storage bag and said, "Is a thousand spirit stones enough?"
The box was filled with spirit stones, dazzling to the eyes. Qin Changqing's eyes lit up, and he nodded, "That should be enough. Please wait, my lady."
With that, he began absorbing the spirit stones right in front of Qin Fenglan.
One by one, the spirit stones turned to ash in his hands, the speed of absorption astonishing Qin Fenglan, making her believe Qin Changqing's words a bit more.
Even a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator couldn't absorb spirit stone energy this quickly, especially not a thousand spirit stones at once. If he couldn't really nurture a Spirit Root, it wouldn't make sense.
"My lady, I'm ready!" Qin Changqing said with a smile as he approached Qin Fenglan.
Qin Fenglan gave a soft hum, and the next moment, Qin Changqing pounced on her, the curtains falling as clothes were tossed out.
***
The long night passed without sleep, and Qin Changqing faced another choice!
[Detected that your partner has a Mid-grade Spirit Root, please choose:]
[1. Consume a ten-year Lifespan Enhancement Seed to give birth to a child with a High-grade Spirit Root.]
[2. Consume a hundred-year Lifespan Enhancement Seed to give birth to a child with a Supreme-grade Spirit Root.]
[3. Consume a thousand-year Lifespan Enhancement Seed to give birth to a child with an Earth Spirit Root.]
As expected, Qin Fenglan's Mid-grade Spirit Root could indeed enhance the offspring's aptitude.
The thousand-year lifespan he had just gained was about to be spent again...
Qin Changqing sighed inwardly but still chose the third option.
***
Not long after, Qin Fenglan was found to be pregnant.
The Qin Family sent over several women with Low-grade Spirit Roots, unceremoniously placing them in Qin Changqing's backyard.
This eagerness to act made Qin Changqing have to commend the Qin Family's efficiency.
However, this time Qin Changqing made a request.
For each child with a Supreme-grade Spirit Root, they must absorb five hundred spirit stones in advance.
This way, he could earn four hundred from each!
A month later, Qin Rongrong's second child was born.
Upon hearing the news, Qin Changqing looked up to the sky and sighed helplessly.
What a sin...
***
Qin Xiaohe, accompanied by Elder Qin Wenbo and the steward, came to congratulate Jia Qiang, who felt flattered and led them to the inner hall to be seated.
After taking a sip of tea, Qin Xiaohe smiled and said, "Brother Jia, I have with me a spirit-testing stone that can check the Spirit Root aptitude of newborns. How about we test this child's Spirit Root?"
Jia Qiang's heart stirred, understanding that they were likely here for the child, and he quickly nodded, "I'll bring the child out right away."
Soon, Jia Qiang brought the swaddled child before the elders, and Qin Xiaohe, without hesitation, placed the spirit-testing stone on the baby's forehead, causing it to shine brightly.
"Another Supreme-grade Spirit Root!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
Qin Xiaohe, however, furrowed his brow slightly, thoughtfully glancing at the excited Jia Qiang and exchanging looks with the other elders.
They had long suspected something, as Jia Qiang hadn't had children for ten years, and suddenly, there were Supreme-grade Spirit Roots, all from Qin Rongrong, while the other wives and concubines showed no signs.
Qin Rongrong herself had Low-grade Spirit Root aptitude, leading them to think of a certain prolific individual in the Qin Family...
"Brother Jia, you haven't let us down. Another Supreme-grade immortal seedling for the Qin Family is a great thing. I'll have the rewards sent over later. Rongrong is a great contributor to our family, and the family head asked me to bring some nourishing elixirs for her."
"Thank you for the family head's kindness," Jia Qiang quickly extended his hand in invitation.
Qin Xiaohe smiled and cupped his hands, then entered the room alone.
Watching Qin Xiaohe enter the room, Jia Qiang gradually calmed down from his excitement, pondering over the child.
After so many years of not having children, how did he suddenly have two with Supreme-grade Spirit Roots?
Was he really that capable?
Calculating the dates, it seemed the children's birth dates didn't quite match up. During that time, he was in secluded training and hadn't been with Qin Rongrong. So where did the children come from...
***
Inside the room, Qin Xiaohe pressed down on Qin Rongrong, who was about to get up and salute, setting up a mana barrier to isolate sound, and said calmly, "Rongrong, tell me the truth, whose children are these?"
Qin Rongrong's heart skipped a beat, feeling a bit panicked, and she forced a smile, "Elder, what do you mean? Of course, they're mine."
Qin Xiaohe snorted heavily, glancing sideways, "I'm asking who the real father of these children is. We already know, and you dare to hide it?"
Qin Rongrong, flustered, disregarded her weak body, got out of bed, and knelt, "Elder, I was wrong, led astray. Jia Qiang showed no signs for so long, and I was eager to give the family offspring, so I did this..."
She then recounted the entire story.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan