Inside Qin Changqing's residence.
Steward Qin Wenbo heard about the matter and hurried over with several Qin Family Disciples. After careful verification, he couldn't help but smile with joy, "Changqing, you're the first among the recruited cultivators to conceive. Very good, here's a reward from the family, fifty spirit stones! I'll send some women from the family over later, and you can choose another one."
As he spoke, he took out a box from his storage bag, filled with thumb-sized transparent stones.
"Thank you for the guidance, Steward. I will certainly work hard!"
Qin Changqing smiled on the surface, but inside he was cursing.
Choose again? He was already considering whether to find an opportunity to escape; otherwise, he wouldn't last long at this rate!
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qin Wenbo left with a smile.
Once Qin Wenbo left, Qin Changqing rubbed his hands and looked at the box left behind.
It was his first time seeing spirit stones. He picked one up to examine it and was immediately stunned.
[Energy detected, can be absorbed to extend lifespan. Absorb?]
Qin Changqing's eyes lit up instantly, filled with excitement.
The energy in the spirit stones could be converted into lifespan. Didn't this mean that as long as there were enough spirit stones, he could live long even if he couldn't become a high-level cultivator?
Moreover, he no longer had to worry about having too many wives and becoming short-lived. As long as he had spirit stones, he could live freely and didn't need to think about running away!
"Absorb!" Qin Changqing unhesitatingly chanted in his heart.
The spirit stone in his hand instantly turned into a pile of sand and drifted away.
[Absorption successful, lifespan increased by one year]
Qin Changqing was overjoyed. One spirit stone could increase his lifespan by a year, so fifty spirit stones would increase it by fifty years.
Quickly!
He absorbed all fifty spirit stones, and as he had guessed, his lifespan increased by fifty years.
Just after he finished absorbing them, a servant came to inform him that Qin Wenbo had returned, indicating it was time for him to choose a concubine.
"Got it!" Qin Changqing waved his hand calmly.
Now he had an additional fifty years of life. What's the big deal about having another wife and losing ten years of life? It's nothing!
***
A month later, Qin Changqing's second wife was also pregnant, and the news quickly spread throughout the Qin Family.
"No way, is Qin Changqing really that amazing? Pregnant again? His luck is incredible!"
"My wife hasn't shown any signs yet, and Qin Changqing already has two. It's driving me crazy!"
"What's the rush? What good is having more children? The Qin Family is a cultivation family; what matters is having offspring with spirit root aptitude, not just quantity!"
"You're absolutely right!"
Every corner of the Qin Family was abuzz with discussions about Qin Changqing. Conceiving two children in two months was considered lightning speed.
The Qin Family sent another reward, but this time it was only twenty spirit stones, which was the normal quota given by the family.
Of course, even twenty stones were a gain for Qin Changqing.
Having conceived a second child meant Qin Changqing once again had the right to take another concubine, and he was more than happy about it.
***
Time flew by, and eight months passed in the blink of an eye.
The Qin Family was bustling with activity, with many people gathered in Qin Changqing's residence, whispering among themselves.
Qin Changqing was pacing back and forth anxiously, occasionally glancing toward the inner room.
Suddenly, the loud cry of a newborn echoed through the residence, and everyone stopped talking and turned to look.
Soon, the door to the inner room opened, and a midwife came out, holding a swaddled baby and smiling, "Congratulations, it's a boy!"
Qin Changqing was so excited that he trembled all over, feeling at a loss when the midwife handed him the child.
"Brother Changqing, if you don't hold him, I will!" someone teased with a laugh.
The surrounding people burst into good-natured laughter.
Qin Changqing carefully took the child, feeling emotional. This was the first time in two lifetimes that he had his own offspring.
"The lady asks you to name him," the midwife said with a smile.
Qin Changqing replied, "Let's call him... Qin Qiming!"
This child belonged to the Qi-generation, and Qin Changqing had already thought of the name.
Regardless of their true feelings, everyone around came forward to offer congratulations, and the envy on their faces was genuine.
Qin Changqing was now quite the figure, with ten wives. Besides the one who had just given birth, the other nine were all pregnant. Such fertility was unprecedented in the history of the Qin Family.
"What's there to be proud of? Having more children without spirit roots is useless!" In the corner, Jia Qiang muttered with a dark expression.
Back when he first joined the Qin Family, he was in the limelight, being the only one to marry a wife with spirit root aptitude.
Now, he had become the laughingstock of the Qin Family, as his wife's belly showed no signs of pregnancy.
Jia Qiang was anxious and had tried everything, but nothing worked. The Qin Family took it seriously and even invited skilled doctors, but they couldn't find the cause.
Returning to his residence, he saw Qin Rongrong waiting at the door.
Qin Rongrong was already quite beautiful, and as a cultivator, she maintained herself well. After becoming a wife, she had gained an extra charm, her eyes captivating.
"Was it successful? A boy or a girl?" Qin Rongrong asked.
Jia Qiang's anger flared up, "It's not your child, so why do you care if it's a boy or a girl?"
Qin Rongrong's eyebrows furrowed in grievance, "What do you mean, Jia Qiang? Are you blaming me for not being able to conceive?"
Jia Qiang erupted in anger, "Why do you assume it's my problem!"
Qin Rongrong snorted coldly, "Our Qin Family has never had such an issue for generations. If it's not you, then who?"
"You... you're slandering me!"
"I'd love to slander you, but you're not even capable!"
Their argument attracted a crowd of onlookers, but it was nothing new. The couple had been quarreling frequently over the past few months.
"Shameful, I'm too embarrassed to argue with you!" Seeing more and more people gathering, Jia Qiang's face turned beet red, and he stormed off.
What a disgrace!
"Everyone, would you like to come in and watch?" Qin Rongrong said sarcastically, causing the crowd to disperse.
Closing the door, Qin Rongrong stood there feeling a bit lost. In the family, a woman who couldn't bear children was considered worthless and subject to gossip. She worried about it day and night.
"Is Qin Changqing really that fertile?"
Qin Rongrong pondered, her eyes gradually firming up as if she had made a significant decision, and she turned to enter the house.
***
The next day, Qin Rongrong brought gifts to visit Qin Changqing, who was quite surprised.
Jia Qiang was a proud man, and due to the issue with the child, the couple rarely interacted with others unless necessary.
After presenting the gifts, Qin Rongrong hesitated, "Brother Qin, I have a favor to ask..."
Qin Changqing smiled, "We're practically family, just say it. If I can help, I certainly will!"
Qin Rongrong's eyes brightened, and she looked around, "It's not convenient to talk here."
Qin Changqing hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Come with me."
The two entered a side chamber, and just as Qin Changqing turned to speak, something round was suddenly tossed into his mouth, and he instinctively swallowed it.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan