36: Chapter 36 A Warm Night Talk on Finding New Talent
Following the joyful news from the fourteen Dao Companions, Yifei Peak was filled with a jubilant atmosphere. As time passed, a thick sense of anticipation and tension was added to this joy.
This was because the first few wives who had become pregnant were already entering their month of delivery.
Qin Baobao, in particular, was now nine months pregnant. Her belly was high and protruding, making movement increasingly difficult.
Inside a warm pavilion specially arranged for expectant mothers, sunlight filtered through the window frames, casting soft spots of light. The air was filled with a calming spiritual incense. Qin Baobao reclined on a soft beast-hide couch, her small hand gently stroking her belly. Her doll-like face radiated a holy and gentle maternal glow.
“Baobao, how do you feel today? Is the little guy bothering you?”
Li Yifei walked in slowly, holding a bowl of Fetal-soothing porridge he had personally brewed using spiritual grain and mild Spirit Medicine. He sat by the couch, carefully scooping a spoonful and blowing it cool before offering it to Qin Baobao’s lips.
“Husband...” Qin Baobao squinted happily, opening her mouth to take it. She felt the warm current slide into her stomach, nourishing both her and the fetus within. “He was very good today. As soon as Husband arrived, he stopped moving altogether. He must know his daddy has come to see him.”
Hearing this, Li Yifei showed a gentle smile. He reached out, lightly covering Qin Baobao’s round belly, closing his eyes to concentrate as he used his pure magical power to gently investigate.
The pulse of the small life inside was strong and powerful, and its Qi and blood were vigorous; it had clearly been very well taken care of.
“It’s been hard on you, Baobao,” Li Yifei said softly. “Hold on for a few more days, and our child will be born.”
“It’s not hard,” Qin Baobao shook her head, leaning her head dependently on Li Yifei’s shoulder. “Being able to bear children for Husband is the happiest thing in Baobao’s life. It’s just... thinking that I’m about to give birth, I’m still a little scared.”
She was, after all, one of the youngest among all the wives and Concubines. With her innocent Heart-Nature, it was inevitable that she would feel nervous facing the hurdle of childbirth.
“Don’t be afraid,” Li Yifei held her hand, giving her his firmest strength. “I’ve already arranged for physicians and experienced maids to keep watch twenty-four hours a day in shifts. The Peak’s best Medicinal Pills and Spirit Medicines are all prepared. Qingxue, Rumei, and the others will also be with you. Everything will go smoothly.”
His voice was calm and powerful, acting like a reassuring pill that caused Qin Baobao’s unease to gradually dissipate.
Looking at Qin Baobao’s peaceful expression, Li Yifei’s mind was racing.
One Qin Baobao required such comprehensive care, and there were thirteen more to follow!
When all fourteen children were born, plus the three from before, that would be seventeen children.
At that time, the entire Yifei Peak would become incredibly lively, but simultaneously, issues regarding management, education, and resource allocation would follow one after another.
Manpower was seriously insufficient!
Relying solely on the existing maids and Luo Lingxi alone to coordinate everything would inevitably lead to problems in the long run.
He had to plan ahead. And the best candidates for supplements were naturally 'his own people' who were well-known and absolutely loyal.
Coincidentally, in two months, it would be the Qingyun Sect's annual period for new Disciples to enter the Sect.
After settling Qin Baobao down to rest, Li Yifei did not rush to find Luo Lingxi. Instead, through a special communication Jade Slip, he sent a message to Qin Wanqing at the Mission Hall.
At nightfall, Qin Wanqing quietly arrived at Li Yifei’s room.
“Husband.” In the study, Qin Wanqing had shed her daytime efficiency, her eyes carrying a touch of moving gentleness.
Li Yifei did not talk about business. Instead, he pulled her to sit down and personally poured her a cup of spiritual tea, saying warmly, “You’ve worked hard at the Mission Hall lately. Sect affairs are complicated; you must also remember to rest.”
A simple word of concern warmed Qin Wanqing’s heart. She said softly, “With the Medicinal Pills Husband bestowed, Wanqing is not tired. It’s just... not being able to serve by Husband’s side often is Wanqing’s regret.”
“By being outside, you are building an important line of defense for our home; you are helping me just the same.” Li Yifei held her soft, boneless hand before bringing up the topic. “Wanqing, I invited you here today because there is a major matter concerning the future of our home that I want to discuss with you.”
“Husband, please speak.” Seeing Li Yifei so solemn, Qin Wanqing also turned serious.
“You see, there will soon be over a dozen children born on the peak, and manpower is seriously lacking.” Li Yifei said deeply, “So, I want to add some more sisters to our Yifei Peak from the new Disciples two months from now. For this, I need you to start from the Mission Hall to achieve twice the result with half the effort.”
Hearing it was about expanding the Family, a flash of understanding and support crossed Qin Wanqing’s eyes. She asked, “Husband wants... me to issue a recruitment mission?”
“Exactly.” Li Yifei nodded approvingly. “But this time, we don’t need to beat around the bush. You directly post a special mission called ‘Yifei Peak Concubine Recruitment.’ The mission requirements: they must be newly entered female Disciples with decent Spiritual Root Aptitude, aged eighteen, beautiful in appearance, pure in character, and with their primordial yin intact.”
He said straightforwardly, “The mission rewards should also be written clearly: once they pass the screening, they immediately become a Concubine of the Master of Yifei Peak, Li Yifei, receive an exclusive Immortal Cave, and enjoy monthly offerings of Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones exceeding those of an Inner Sect Disciple.”
Qin Wanqing’s beautiful eyes lit up. Such blatant material temptation was far more effective than any roundabout recruitment! For those Outer Sect Disciples from common or small Family backgrounds who had nothing, this was no different from a shortcut to heaven!
“I understand.” Qin Wanqing nodded heavily. “It is most appropriate for me to post this matter. I will personally be responsible for the first round of screening and interviews, while Sister Lingxi can coordinate from the Yifei Peak side. We will surely select the most suitable sisters for Husband.”
“With those words from you, I am at ease.” Li Yifei looked at her with gratification. Qin Wanqing’s presence allowed many of his plans to proceed smoothly within the Sect’s rules.
As the two were discussing the details, a burst of silver-bell-like laughter suddenly came from outside the door.
“What good thing is Husband discussing with Sister Wanqing again? Can we listen in too?”
Before the voice had even faded, Liu Rumei, Su Mengyun, Tang Linger, and Wang Shiqi—several lively women—walked in together. They had just finished visiting Qin Baobao and happened to hear the latter half of the conversation.
After hearing Li Yifei’s entire 'Concubine Recruitment Plan,' the women’s eyes instantly lit up.
“Coaxing Junior Sisters? I’m good at that!” Liu Rumei’s peach-blossom eyes flickered with innate charm. “I guarantee that with just a few words, those little girls will willingly throw themselves into Husband’s embrace.”
“That’s right, that’s right! How could we be left out of such a thing!” Wang Shiqi patted her chest and said enthusiastically, “Life on our Yifei Peak is so good, and Husband is so doting. Persuading them is equivalent to showing them a bright path; this is doing a good deed!”
Tang Linger and Su Mengyun also nodded repeatedly, volunteering to join this 'Persuasion Squad.'
Seeing them all rubbing their hands in anticipation and high spirits, Li Yifei’s heart stirred, and a thought spontaneously arose.
He smiled and said, “I’m glad to see you all so enthusiastic. However, coaxing newly entered Junior Sisters is also a skillful task.”
“It just so happens there are still two months before the new Disciples enter. I’ll give you a test to practice your skills.”
“What test?” The women immediately became interested.
Li Yifei’s gaze became profound as he slowly uttered a name: “Su Yanran.”
Once this name came out, Liu Rumei and the others were all stunned for a moment.
“Su Yanran? You mean that ice beauty who used Husband’s Medicinal Pills to Breakthrough to the eighth level of Qi Refining at the age of twenty-five and directly promoted to the Inner Sect?” Wang Shiqi was the most well-informed and immediately stated Su Yanran’s background.
“It is indeed her.” Li Yifei nodded. “Although I did her a favor before, using a debt of gratitude to force an Inner Sect Disciple with a firm Dao Heart is not my style, and it would easily leave a grudge in her heart. Forced fruit is not sweet; that is no way to treat a future Family member.”
“Since you are so confident in coaxing Junior Sisters, you might as well try this one with higher difficulty. Su Yanran is already at the eighth level of Qi Refining and is full of pride, having just entered the Inner Sect. If you can make her join our Yifei Peak willingly within these two months, then facing those inexperienced Junior Sisters two months from now will naturally be a simple task.”
This was both a test and a softer, more effective method of conquest. Having the women step forward and using sisterly affection as an entry point was far better than him, a man, stepping forward directly.
“Fine! We accept this test!” Liu Rumei was the first to respond. Her eyes rippled as she was already calculating various strategies. “A mere Su Yanran... just watch us sisters join forces to take her down!”
“Hehe, watch how I turn that cold beauty into our good sister!” Wang Shiqi also waved her small fist, looking determined to win.
Li Yifei looked at their reactions with satisfaction, then added: “Of course, the final check for all new Disciples must still be done by me personally. After all, I don’t want to work hard only to find out that the person recruited has already lost her primordial yin.”
He said this calmly, but Liu Rumei and the others felt a chill in their hearts, followed by a surge of sweetness.
They naturally knew that the Grand Ultimate Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Secret Canon Husband possessed had the ability to detect primordial yin. This was both Husband’s bottom line for selecting Dao Companions and another form of his high regard for them.
“Husband, don’t worry!” the women responded in unison.
Thus, a 'Conquest Plan' centered around the Inner Sect's pride, Su Yanran, was quietly established within Yifei Peak.
Li Yifei took the information he had obtained from Qin Wanqing regarding Su Yanran’s daily life, Cultivation habits, personality, and preferences, organized it into a Jade Slip, and handed it to them.
Watching Liu Rumei, Wang Shiqi, and the others huddled together enthusiastically, studying the Jade Slip and discussing how to make the first contact, a smile of a master strategist curled at the corner of Li Yifei’s mouth.