25: Three years

Zhou Kaiding and Lin Muwan's Breakthrough was not widely publicized; after all, the current Zhou Family's strength was too shallow, and attracting attention was not a good thing.

The two simply celebrated in private, which naturally involved some intimate moments and marital fun.

A year later, Lin Muwan gave birth to a daughter, named Zhou Linuo.

At this point, the second generation of the Zhou Family had five members: three sons and two daughters.

Zhou Lihai, who was originally the youngest, was now almost four years old. His talent had not yet manifested, and he was at a carefree age.

During this year, counting the days Zhou Kaiding was away, nearly two years had passed.

The star origin fruit tree had matured twice more, yielding 130 Star Origin Fruit.

Ten of these were taken out, five given to Mo Xuan, and the rest were eaten by Zhou Kaiding and Lin Muwan.

They couldn't have cultivated Star Origin Fruit for so many years without even knowing what it tasted like.

Consuming it directly could slightly increase the speed of Qi Refining.

However, compared to refining it into Qi Condensation Pills, this was undoubtedly inefficient and wasteful.

It was merely a taste.

Mo Xuan didn't feel much; the energy contained in the Star Origin Fruit was too small, not as fast as his daily absorption of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. He just ate it like fruit.

But it was Zhou Kaiding's kind gesture, so he ate it happily.

Zhou Kaiding sealed the remaining Star Origin Fruit, planning to sell them all together every five years.

Due to the high demand for Qi Condensation Pills, he wasn't worried about not being able to sell them then.

With the experience of cultivating Star Origin Fruit, the Zhou Family's progress in trial planting qingling rice was very fast. They tried formulating various Spirit Liquids, took some rice seeds, planted them, and waited for them to mature.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, two years had passed.

This year, Zhou Kaiding was forty-four.

After three years of accumulation, his Qi Refining First Layer magical power was almost at Perfection. Barring any accidents, he would enter the Qi Refining Level Seven in another year or two.

Becoming a Cultivator in the Late Qi Refining Stage.

Then, the Zhou Family would have the qualification to formally enter the sight of the various Cultivation Families in Qingyuan Town.

After four years of arduous Cultivation, Zhou Licheng also successfully stepped through the gate of Cultivation.

He became the third Cultivator in the Zhou Family besides Mo Xuan. Although he was only at the Qi Refining First Layer, he now possessed magical power.

His earthy yellow magical power was thick and simple, excelling in defense, which greatly pleased Zhou Kaiding and Lin Muwan.

Even with Cultivation talent, Cultivation techniques, and guidance, it wasn't a guarantee that everyone would succeed.

This was closely related to the effort one had to put in, the resources one could obtain, and one's own Comprehension Ability.

Not long after Zhou Licheng's Breakthrough, Zhou Liyue also successfully broke through to the Qi Refining First Layer.

Although she was two years younger than Zhou Licheng, her speed was not slow at all, even quite a bit faster.

After all, Zhou Liyue's talent was much higher, so it was not surprising that she caught up to Zhou Licheng in such a short time.

Mo Xuan watched as two more Clan Fortune Points were added to the account, feeling greatly comforted. The momentum was excellent, and his spirits were much higher.

However, it wasn't long before Zhou Kaiding, whose face was full of pride, disrupted much of it.

Well, from now on, it's better to just eat and sleep. The rest can be treated as if he can't hear or see it.

Zhou Kaiding gave each of them a set of two Low Grade Talismans he had prepared long ago: defense, attack, trapping enemies, and escape, which was a good combination.

As for Magical Artifacts, firstly, they were much more expensive, and secondly, the two had just reached the Qi Refining First Layer. Even with Magical Artifacts, they would only have enough power for a few strikes.

After a few strikes, their magical power would be depleted. If it didn't work, their situation would be quite dangerous, and they wouldn't even be able to leave.

It consumed far less than Talismans.

Ever since the two broke through to the Qi Refining First Layer, during sparring, Zhou Liye was no longer their opponent.

Although both of them intentionally or unintentionally yielded a lot, with each having wins and losses.

However, their actions were clearly visible in Zhou Liye's eyes. After all, they had just broken through and were still young, so some movements could be easily seen through if one paid attention.

Knowing that both had good intentions, Zhou Liye's heart was still filled with bitterness.

In these past few years, Zhou Liye had been extremely diligent, learning most of the skills from the martial arts expert Lin Muwan had invited.

He had originally held onto hope, believing that even without talent, he could forge another path through hard work.

But reality was so cruel; Qi Refining and Mortals were indeed worlds apart.

Even those who had just advanced to the Qi Refining First Layer.

Zhou Liye felt no hope. Even if he trained like this for another ten years, he might not be their match.

The difference between Immortals and Mortals was so despairing.

Holding the Canghai Sword in his hand, he thrust, chopped, pointed, parried... The Canghai Sword gleamed coldly, and a set of sword techniques flowed out like running water.

In these past few years, regular medicinal baths and training had greatly strengthened Zhou Liye's Physical Body, making him not at all like a ten-year-old child.

He could now wield the Canghai Sword with fierce power, no longer the child who stumbled while carrying the sword.

But such great progress still couldn't compare to Zhou Licheng and Zhou Liyue, who were once inferior to him. Zhou Liye's heart was unwilling.

The world is vast, and there is always a way out. A seed seemed to sprout in Zhou Liye's heart, absorbing nutrients and growing vigorously.

Apart from managing Family affairs, Zhou Kaiding and Lin Muwan spent most of their remaining time in the back mountain during these two years.

Next to the Spirit Medicine garden in the back mountain.

A large open space had already been cleared and planted with many golden Spirit Rice.

They had thought the cultivation of qingling rice was progressing smoothly, but unexpectedly, the final step took a lot of time.

Fortunately, they finally achieved something now.

It was now the time for the qingling rice to head, a sea of green.

In addition to basic energy supply, each type of qingling rice also had its own characteristics.

For example, Five Elements Spirit Rice, when consumed year-round, could slightly increase affinity for Five Elements Spiritual Qi, benefiting both Cultivation and spellcasting.

However, this was a long-term process, not something achieved overnight.

The rice seeds cultivated by the Zhou Family, after numerous trials and explorations, were already far different from the original seeds.

With long-term consumption, it could slightly enhance the power of the Physical Body.

Human Cultivators inherently have weak Physical Bodies, far inferior to the bodies of Yao Beasts. Therefore, if the power of the Physical Body could be enhanced, the ability to protect oneself would also increase.

Although it wouldn't show immediate effects, qingling rice was a frequently needed item, and this particular effect was unique in Qingyuan (Town).

Therefore, it should also have good sales.

Zhou Kaiding named it qingling rice.

He planned to rent a shop in the Lake Heart Island Market of Qingyuan Lake after it matured to sell this qingling rice.

He even intended to sell Star Origin Fruit there once the Family's strength was sufficient.

The Lake Heart Island Market was jointly established by the major families of Qingyuan Town, led by the Foundation Establishment Liu Family, and was a trading hub for countless large and small families and Loose Cultivators in the surrounding area.

Even Cultivators from several neighboring towns came here to trade.

This would also add another source of income for the Family.