"Mommy, I did it!"
Qin Yuexian opened her eyes and excitedly jumped up.
He held his palm upwards, and a wisp of pure wood Spiritual Qi flowed.
"The first level of the Azure Wood Longevity Art!"
Liu Qingchan's eyes were slightly warm.
Ordinary children, even those with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, would need at least a quarter of an hour to draw Qi into their bodies.
But Yue Xian only took a moment to draw Qi into his body, officially stepping into the first level of Qi Refining.
This Aptitude was as rare as a Phoenix feather in the entire Qin Family.
"Xian'er is amazing."
She gently stroked her son's soft hair, "But remember what Daddy said, don't casually reveal in front of outsiders that you can draw Qi into your body so quickly."
Qin Yuexian nodded obediently, his small face full of seriousness: "I know, this is our secret."
As he spoke, he waved his small hand, and several Spiritual Plants around him swayed freely, as if responding to his words.
Inside the Immortal Cave, Lin Mushuang was teaching the two younger ones to read.
Although three-year-old Qin Yueqi and Qin Yuelin had ordinary Spiritual Root Aptitude, with a large accumulation of spiritual rice and marrow-cleansing resources, their physical quality far exceeded that of their peers.
"Sister Mu Shuang."
Liu Qingchan led Qin Yuexian in, "Xian'er has already mastered the first level of the Azure Wood Longevity Art."
A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Mushuang's eyes, then returned to calm: "The Azure Wood Spirit Body is indeed Heaven-Defying."
She put down her Formation pen and took out a Jade Slip, "This is the Cultivation experience for the first level of the incantation. You can start Cultivating from today, but in the Early Stage of Cultivation, remember not to exceed one hour a day. After you grow to ten years old, then increase your Cultivation time, understand?"
Qin Yuexian cheered and nodded, taking the Jade Slip with great fondness.
Ever since Qin Guiya left home for a mission, Lin Mushuang had taken over his Cultivation guidance.
This seemingly cold second mother, however, was exceptionally patient in her teaching, earning the children's affection.
Lin Mushuang suddenly lowered her voice: "Sister, ever since my husband left, I always feel like someone is peeking outside the Formation."
Liu Qingchan's fingers trembled.
Before her husband left, he repeatedly warned her to be wary of outsiders prying.
Especially Yue Xian, once his Azure Wood Spirit Body was exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Strengthen the Formation then."
Liu Qingchan said softly, "The Spirit Stones left by my husband are enough to support the full operation of a third-tier Formation for ten years."
Lin Mushuang nodded, lightly tapping the Void Realm with her finger, and several invisible Formation patterns lit up.
The entire Immortal Cave's protective Formation quietly upgraded, shifting from a normal defensive state to an alert mode... Night fell, and Peach Forest Island was enveloped in tranquility.
Suddenly, an unusual fluctuation came from the protective Formation outside the Immortal Cave.
Lin Mushuang suddenly opened her eyes and flashed to the window.
Under the moonlight, a dark figure was suspended at the edge of the Formation, holding a compass-shaped Magic Treasure in his hand, emitting a faint green light.
"Someone is breaking into the Formation!"
She let out a low cry and immediately activated all the defensive Formation patterns.
Liu Qingchan rose at the sound, quickly shielding the three children behind her:
"Who is it?"
"I can't see his face clearly, but his Cultivation is at least Early Stage Golden Core."
Lin Mushuang formed hand seals, and the Formation eyes throughout the Immortal Cave lit up simultaneously, "He's using some kind of Magic Treasure to probe for weaknesses in the Formation."
As soon as her voice fell, a dazzling golden light shot out from the dark figure's hand, fiercely striking the protective shield.
The entire Immortal Cave rumbled, and the protective talismans on the walls flickered erratically.
"Hmph! A mere Formation presided over by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator dares to block this Venerable One?"
The dark figure's voice was hoarse, and the golden light in his hand grew stronger, "Quickly open the Formation, or don't blame this Venerable One for being impolite!"
Liu Qingchan's face was pale, but she firmly shook her head:
"Senior, trespassing into a private residence late at night, aren't you taking the Qin Family rules too lightly!"
The dark figure sneered: "Family rules? Do you branch ants even deserve to talk about Family rules?"
With that, another even more violent attack followed.
The Formation shook violently, but unexpectedly did not break.
Cold sweat beaded on Lin Mushuang's forehead, but she still steadily controlled the changes in the Formation patterns.
Her improved "Illusion Gold Sky-Covering Formation" incorporated the characteristics of Spiritual Plants, making its strength far exceed that of ordinary Low Grade third-tier Formations.
"Sister, before husband left, he told us to contact the twelfth brother if anything happened. Quickly send him a sound transmission talisman."
Lin Mushuang gritted her teeth, "This person won't be able to break the Formation for a while!"
Liu Qingchan's heart trembled upon hearing this, and she immediately crushed a sound transmission talisman.
The talisman transformed into a stream of light, piercing through the Formation and flying into the distance.
The dark figure was furious at the sight, and his attacks became even more fierce.
Golden light fell, shaking the entire Immortal Cave.
A trace of blood seeped from Lin Mushuang's lips, but she never retreated half a step.
Her hand seals changed, and the Formation patterns changed unpredictably, dispersing the attack power to various places.
"Mommy..."
Qin Yuexian suddenly broke free from Liu Qingchan's hand and ran to the window.
The dark figure saw Qin Yuexian's voice, then was ecstatic.
Just as he was about to launch a stronger attack, a sharp cry came from the distant sky:
"Who dares to act wildly on Peach Forest Island!"
A brilliant sword light streaked across the night sky, heading straight for the dark figure.
The dark figure hastily defended, but was forced back dozens of feet by the sword light, and a corner of his cloak was lifted by the strong wind.
It was none other than a Golden Core cultivator from Qin Muqing's branch!
"Qin Guiyuan? How dare you!"
Qin Guiheng arrived on his sword, "Trespassing into a fellow clan member's Immortal Cave, according to Family rules, your Cultivation should be abolished!"
Seeing the unfavorable situation, Qin Guiyuan immediately crushed a third-tier golden escape talisman, and his figure disappeared into the night.
Qin Guiheng landed in front of the Immortal Cave with a livid face: "Are you alright, sister-in-law?"
Lin Mushuang withdrew part of the Formation to let him in.
This twelfth brother, usually jovial, now had sharp eyes:
"This traitorous Qin Guiyuan must have been bribed by outsiders! Attacking the clan territory of another branch so openly, I will report this to the Law Enforcement Hall immediately!"
"Wait."
Liu Qingchan held Qin Yuexian, forcing herself to calm down,
"Husband is not here, it's not appropriate for us to make a big fuss.
That person intensified his attack after hearing Yue Xian's voice, he probably came for Yue Xian... I suspect this matter might be related to the Liu Family."
Qin Guiheng calmed down and pondered for a moment:
"Sister-in-law is right.
There are people from Qin Muqing's branch in the Law Enforcement Hall, and none of our faction's clan members have entered, so even if we report it, it will probably be difficult for them to be punished. The most crucial thing is that we don't have any evidence left."
He looked at the three children, who were still shaken, "How about this, I will personally guard nearby until Brother Guiya returns."
...On the edge of the Black Mist Sea, Qin Guiya and his teammates were resting on a small island.
This six-person team was led by the Main Branch Nascent Soul Cultivator Qin Guixiao. Besides him and two Main Branch Golden Core cultivators, there were also three Golden Core cultivators from different branches.
"Tomorrow, we will officially enter the Black Mist area."
Qin Guixiao spread out a sea chart, his voice low, "In the past three months, seven Golden Core cultivators have disappeared here, including two Nascent Soul Cultivators from the Red Cloud Sect."
Everyone's expressions changed upon hearing this.
The Red Cloud Sect was a major sect in the nearby sea area, and its Nascent Soul Cultivators were powerful.
Even they met with misfortune, so the danger of this trip was imaginable.
"Should we search in teams or act together?"
A Main Branch Golden Core asked.
Qin Guixiao pondered: "Two people per group, advance in a fan shape.
If you find anything unusual, send a signal immediately. Do not act rashly."
He specifically looked at the three branch Golden Core cultivators, "Especially you, if you encounter danger, protecting your life is paramount."
Qin Guiya silently checked his equipment.
The Molten Crystal Sword and flame heart mirror had both been refined to Perfection, and the Fire Dragon Palm had also reached the Perfection stage.
But facing the black mist that could devour Nascent Soul Cultivators, these preparations still seemed insufficient.