Qin Family Main Residence.
In the Main Hall, several important core members were gathered, with the head of the Qin Family, Qin Zhengyang, seated at the head.
The Qin Family had recently produced three high-grade spirit root seedlings, which had even caught his attention.
"This Qin Changqing is truly remarkable. Not only is he prolific, but the aptitude of his children is also astounding. I wonder if there will be more surprises from him in the future."
Qin Zhengyang stroked his beard and smiled after hearing the reports from others.
Qin Xiaohe took a sip of tea and said, "Master, Qin Changqing is indeed extraordinary. He has many offspring, and at this rate, there might be even more seedlings in the future. While this is good for the family, it might attract the attention of other families, and eventually, Qin Changqing might become a target."
The others immediately agreed.
Qin Zhengyang pondered and nodded, "Xiaohe is right. From now on, the testing of Qin Changqing's offspring will be conducted separately. If another high-grade spirit root seedling appears, the results should not be made public. We can claim they have no spirit root or a low-grade one."
This arrangement was a form of protection for both the family and Qin Changqing.
Being too outstanding can indeed be a curse; as the saying goes, the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled.
***
In the garden, the women of the Qin Family gathered in groups of three or five, enjoying the flowers and discussing various topics, most of which revolved around Qin Changqing.
"Have you heard? Qin Changqing's daughter, Qin Mengxue, has been found to have a high-grade spirit root again!"
"Really? Doesn't that mean Qin Changqing has three children in a row who are seedlings?"
"Comparisons are infuriating. My children have no aptitude for cultivation at all. If only Qin Changqing had chosen me back then..."
"Ah, what's the use of saying this now?"
Listening to the others, Qin Rongrong was also excited.
Initially, she just wanted to prove her fertility, but she never expected such a pleasant surprise.
With this trend, doesn't Qipeng have a high chance of having a spirit root too?
Thinking of this, Qin Rongrong couldn't help but clench her fists, her face slightly flushed.
If her son really had a spirit root, she would find a way to have Qin Changqing father another child with her.
Qin Changqing, already famous in the Qin Family, became the talk of the town again, envied by women and envied by men.
***
Whoosh!
A brilliant light shone.
"Another... another high-grade spirit root?!" Qin Wenbo's heart trembled, and the elders around him gasped.
Fortunately, this test was conducted in secret; otherwise, the family would be in an uproar if others found out.
"Brother Changqing, how do you do it?" Qin Xiaohe couldn't help but ask.
Qin Changqing chuckled, "I don't know either, just luck! Just luck!"
"You've taken all the luck!"
***
Another month passed, same place, same method.
"Qin Qiyang... high-grade spirit root!"
***
A year later.
"Qin Qichen, high-grade spirit root!"
***
"Qin Mengyao... high-grade spirit root!!"
When the ninth child was still found to have a high-grade spirit root, the family head, Qin Zhengyang, could no longer sit still and personally visited Qin Changqing's residence.
"Brother Changqing, it's been nine in a row. If you say it's just luck again, I'm afraid no one will believe it."
Qin Zhengyang stared intently at Qin Changqing.
Qin Changqing knew he couldn't get away without an explanation this time, so he made up a reason, "Master, I truly don't know the exact reason, but I have noticed something unusual. I'm not sure if it's related."
"Oh?" Qin Zhengyang and the elders were immediately intrigued, "Tell us, quickly."
Qin Changqing smiled wryly, "I've found that my physique is different from others. I absorb spiritual qi from spirit stones very quickly, but instead of going to my dantian, most of it seems to merge into my kidneys. Perhaps this peculiarity is related to the children's uniqueness."
"Strange, what kind of physique is this?"
Qin Zhengyang's eyes widened, and after a moment of thought, he nodded, "That must be it. As they say, the chest holds intent, the kidneys store essence, and the brain houses the spirit. Perhaps the spiritual qi you absorb is mostly channeled into your kidneys, resulting in offspring with spirit roots. Brother Changqing, you are truly a blessing to the Qin Family!"
Qin Xiaohe pondered, "No wonder, Brother Changqing, you've been stuck at the first level of Qi Refining for so long. It turns out the spiritual qi is being absorbed by your kidneys!"
It's because my cultivation talent is poor, and I'm too lazy to cultivate... Qin Changqing thought, feeling helpless.
However, these people really have wild imaginations.
Qin Zhengyang and the others exchanged glances, seeing the joy in each other's eyes.
If that's the case, wouldn't Qin Changqing's physique allow the Qin Family to produce a large number of seedlings?
The rise of the Qin Family is just around the corner, and becoming the number one cultivation family in the Jing Kingdom is not a dream!
"Brother Changqing, if you can absorb more spirit stones, could you produce offspring with even higher aptitude?"
Qin Zhengyang eagerly asked.
Damn, this old man really has ambitions, treating me like a breeding machine!
Qin Changqing thought for a moment and said, "I'm not sure, but it should be possible. The more spirit stones absorbed, the better. However, producing offspring is a matter of two people. While I can enhance the offspring, the partner must also be able to bear it. To give birth to children with stronger talents, a woman with a stronger physique might be needed."
"That makes sense!"
Qin Zhengyang nodded, and the other elders agreed.
With this conclusion, the Qin Family was extremely excited. Qin Zhengyang even rewarded Qin Changqing with five hundred spirit stones.
Back at the main residence, Qin Zhengyang said, "This matter is of great importance, affecting the future development of the entire Qin Family. From now on, all of Qin Changqing's offspring must be tested in secret, and no one is allowed to leak the results, good or bad!"
"Yes, Master!" The others bowed in agreement, smiles on their faces.
"Go call Xiao Lan over," Qin Zhengyang thought for a moment and said.
The elders' hearts stirred, guessing Qin Zhengyang's intentions.
Qin Fenglan was Qin Zhengyang's eldest daughter, with mid-grade spirit root aptitude, and was still unmarried. She was the most talented woman in the Qin Family at the moment.
It seemed Qin Zhengyang intended to betroth her to Qin Changqing.
***
Soon, a graceful woman in a white dress arrived, bowing, "Father, you called for me."
Qin Zhengyang smiled, "Xiao Lan, you're not young anymore. You've reached the age for marriage. Is there a young man you fancy?"
Qin Fenglan frowned slightly and said, "Father, why bring this up suddenly? I don't want to get married yet!"
Qin Zhengyang's face turned stern, "What nonsense are you saying? Marriage is a natural order. You will have to marry eventually!"
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan