At noon, the family of six gathered around the dining table.
The Spirit Cuisine prepared by Lin Mushuang filled the air with its aroma: Golden Thread Spirit Cake, Jade Bamboo Shoot Soup, Braised Spirit Carp... Even the Exploding Monkey, Little Fire, received a special plate of fire-attributed spirit fruits.
"Daddy, Second Grandfather said I'll be able to learn Spells in another six months!"
Qin Yuexian excitedly gestured, accidentally knocking over her soup bowl.
Lin Mushuang, quick-witted, used a Clear Wind Spell to catch the falling porcelain bowl and gently placed it back on the table.
Qin Yuelin mimicked her, waving his hands wildly at his own bowl, but only managed to blow a few grains of rice.
Qin Yueqi, however, carefully observed Lin Mushuang's technique, his small fingers quietly imitating the trajectory of the Spell Incantation.
Qin Guiya took in all of his children's actions.
Yue Xian was exceptionally gifted, Yue Lin was bold and lively, and Yue Qi was meticulous and eager to learn.
"Husband, try this."
Liu Qingchan placed a piece of fish belly in his bowl. "It's marinated in Golden Spirit Flower juice; it can neutralize the fiery Qi."
The fish melted in his mouth, carrying a faint floral fragrance.
Qin Guiya suddenly recalled that when Liu Qingchan had first married him, she couldn't even cook the simplest Spirit Porridge.
Now, she could prepare such a delicious meal; the change was truly remarkable.
After the meal, he took his three children to play by the Spirit Field.
Yue Xian's Azure Wood Spirit Body was different from a Wood Spirit Body; it could Birth Spirit Medicine.
At this moment, he was showing his younger brothers how to make a blue heart grass bloom.
Yue Lin chased Little Fire across the field, his laughter like silver bells.
Yue Qi, meanwhile, squatted on the field ridge, carefully observing ants carrying fragments of Spirit Rice.
"Husband, you seem to have something on your mind lately?"
Lin Mushuang appeared beside him at some point, her black robes and ink-dark hair gently swaying in the wind.
Qin Guiya sighed softly: "I need to go into seclusion for a period."
He took out a Storage Ring. "Inside are 200,000 Spirit Stones and various Medicinal Pills, enough for household expenses. Also..."
He lowered his voice, "This is a Cultivation Technique I've deduced, named the Buring Sky Artifact Saint Art, a method for Dual Cultivation of both Spell and body.
Although you cannot Cultivate it, I have extracted a new body-refining Cultivation Technique from its body-tempering section, named the Treasure Body Artifact Forging Art.
Currently, it has Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment chapters. I've left it here; you and Qing Chan can study it when you have time."
Lin Mushuang took the Storage Ring, slightly surprised: "Deducing a Cultivation Technique? Isn't that something only Cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage..."
Before she could finish, Qin Guiya smiled calmly: "Your husband, I, am exceptionally gifted."
Lin Mushuang paused, a sweet smile appearing on her normally cool face: "Don't worry, I'll take care of things at home."
That night, Qin Guiya organized his necessities for seclusion in the quiet room.
Eighteen Immaculate Golden Spirit Pills were neatly arranged in a jade box. These were his carefully refined reserves from the past few years, each worth at least 40,000 Spirit Stones.
Beside them was a Jade Slip recording the Buring Sky Artifact Saint Art. Although it currently only contained the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment chapters, it already showed astonishing potential.
"weapon infant..."
He gently stroked the Jade Slip, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
His Divine Sense sank into his Sea of Consciousness; the ancient tree was taller than it had been a few years ago.
Flowers and leaves coexisted on two side branches; the branch corresponding to Liu Qingchan had sprouted tender leaves, while Lin Mushuang's branch bore flower buds.
The four acres of Spirit Fields were lush and green, and the Golden Spirit Flowers, Beast Essence Grass, and fire blaze bamboo beneath them were growing at an astonishing twenty times the normal speed.
"Let's begin."
Qin Guiya took out an Immaculate Golden Spirit Pill and consumed it.
The Medicinal Pill melted in his mouth, transforming into a warm current, and the pure medicinal power instantly surged through his limbs and bones.
He circulated the Heavenly Flame Incineration Art, guiding the medicinal power to cycle through his Meridians, eventually converging into the Golden Core in his Dantian.
"The limitations of Four Spiritual Roots..."
Six months later, Qin Guiya had refined three Medicinal Pills. He inwardly examined himself, helplessly realizing that most of the medicinal power could not be fully absorbed due to the limitations of his Spiritual Root Aptitude.
If he had Three Spiritual Roots, the absorption efficiency could have increased by at least thirty percent.
If he had Dual Spiritual Roots or a Heavenly Spiritual Root, it might have increased by even fifty percent.
But compared to before, his current Cultivation speed was already more than three times faster.
The characteristic of Flawless Pill having no Medicinal Pill toxins allowed him to take them continuously without worrying about toxin accumulation.
At this rate, he should be able to touch the threshold of the Golden Core Late Stage within twenty years.
Outside Peach Forest Island, a green streak of light cut across the sky.
Liu Qingchan stood at the edge of the island-protecting Formation.
She watched the approaching figure in the distance, her red lips slightly pursed.
"Brother..."
She murmured softly, a hint of complexity flashing in her eyes.
The streak of light stopped outside the Formation, revealing a middle-aged man in a green robe.
The man had a handsome face, and his features bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Liu Qingchan, though with an added sense of composure honed by years.
"Qing Chan, long time no see."
Liu Qingfeng's smile was gentle, but his gaze subtly swept across the entire Peach Forest Island.
"I heard you've given birth to two sons. As their uncle, I've been busy for a long time, but today I finally made time to come and see my nephews."
Liu Qingchan forced a smile: "Brother, you're too kind. It's just that my husband instructed me before going into seclusion that the Formation should not be easily opened..."
A flicker of surprise crossed Liu Qingfeng's eyes, then he laughed: "What, you don't even trust your own brother?"
"No..."
Liu Qingchan was about to explain when her expression suddenly shifted, and a whispered message reached her ear.
"Let him in."
It was Second Uncle Qin Faha's voice.
Liu Qingchan felt puzzled, but showed no outward sign. She formed a hand seal, and the Grand Formation immediately split open a gap.
"Brother, please come in."
She stepped aside, making way. "It's just that my husband is in seclusion, so there are many inconveniences on the island. I hope you'll understand."
Liu Qingfeng nodded with a smile. As he stepped into the Formation, a ring in his sleeve subtly flashed with a faint spiritual light.
The two walked along the peach grove path towards the center of the island.
Turning past a peach grove, the view suddenly opened up.
An elegant courtyard was nestled among several golden-veined trees, and three children were playing in the yard.
The eldest boy, about seven years old, dressed in white, was instructing his two younger brothers in basic swordplay for Mortals.
Liu Qingfeng's footsteps paused, his gaze fixed on the boy.
"That must be Yue Xian, right?"
His voice was a little tight. "At such a young age, he already has the demeanor of a master."
Liu Qingchan's heart tightened, but she showed a loving smile on her face: "Yue Xian is quiet by nature, while Yue Qi and Yue Lin are mischievous and always make me worry."
Just then, Qin Faha walked out of the house, chuckling: "The Liu family's young man has arrived? Qing Chan, why didn't you say so earlier? I could have prepared some spirit fruits for hospitality."
Liu Qingfeng quickly bowed: "Greetings, Senior Qin."
Qin Faha waved his hand: "No need for such formality. You've come a long way; you must want to see your nephews.
Yue Xian, bring your brothers over to meet your uncle."
The boy in white heard this, sheathed his sword, and led his two brothers over, bowing respectfully: "Yue Xian greets Uncle."
Although it was his first time meeting the other party, he wasn't stiff at all.
Liu Qingfeng smiled broadly and took out three brocade boxes from his Storage Ring: "These are a small token of my affection from your uncle."
He squatted down and handed the brocade boxes to the three children respectively, his gaze never leaving Qin Yuexian.
The moment he approached Qin Yuexian, the ring in his sleeve suddenly became scorching hot.
Liu Qingfeng's heart pounded. He secretly activated a Magic Treasure within the ring, but was astonished to find that there was no reaction at all!
Could it be... no Spirit Body?