4: Working hard for family

Time flew by, and another nine months passed.

In the small courtyard south of Ninghai Town, there was already the crying of a third child.

This time, it was a girl.

Chen Xu held his infant daughter in his arms.

The System's voice in his mind arrived as expected, but it made him slightly startled.

Detection: Host has given birth to a third offspring. Bloodline rating: yellow grade mid-rank.

Immortal Family scale expanded, issuing prosperity reward: Host's lifespan increased by sixty years, Cultivation increased by sixty years, acquired the Spell Spiritual Rain Art.

yellow grade mid-rank!

Chen Xu's heart skipped a beat.

He clearly remembered that when his daughter Chen Nianfan was born, the System's rating was only "Mortal Grade," and only afterward did he discover she possessed a faint Yellow Grade Low-Rank Spiritual Root.

But this time, the System directly gave a clear Spiritual Root grade!

This indicated that as his Cultivation recovered and improved, the System's evaluation of his offspring also became more accurate.

More importantly, this reward far exceeded his imagination.

Sixty years of Cultivation!

This vast Spiritual Qi poured into his body, meeting almost no resistance, and instantly pushed his Cultivation from Qi Refining ninth-layer Perfection to Qi Refining tenth-layer!

He was now just one step away from Foundation Establishment, which he had once dreamed of.

Moreover, this time's reward also included something completely new—a Spell.

A stream of information flooded his mind, and Chen Xu instantly mastered this Spell named Spiritual Rain Art. This was not a powerful offensive Spell, but an auxiliary one, capable of conjuring Spiritual Qi rain to nourish plants and even improve the Physique of Mortals to a certain extent.

This Spell was practically tailor-made for him!

With it, he could better condition the bodies of Bu Yifan and the children, laying a more solid Foundation for the next generation.

"Chen Xu, look at her, she's so much like you."

On the bed, Bu Yifan looked well, gazing at the child in Chen Xu's arms with a satisfied smile.

After two years of Chen Xu's careful conditioning with various gentle medicinal herbs, her delivery this time was much smoother than the previous two.

Chen Xu came back to his senses, withdrew his gaze, and let it fall on his little daughter's peaceful sleeping face.

He smiled and sat by the bed: "I think she looks more like you."

He named this child Chen Zhiwei, taking the meaning from "seeing the subtle to know the obvious."

He hoped that from this accumulation, bit by bit, he could see the grand blueprint of his Family's future.

In the days that followed, Chen Xu's life became even busier and more fulfilling.

During the day, he was still the diligent and honest assistant at the medicine shop!

But secretly, he had already begun preparing for Foundation Establishment.

The sixty years of Cultivation infusion made his Foundation incredibly solid.

The Spiritual Qi in his Dantian was far more abundant than it had been back then.

In the evenings, he would quietly Cultivate the Spiritual Rain Art in the courtyard.

At first, he could only condense a few drops of rain with faint Spiritual Qi, which fell on the green vegetables in the courtyard, making them grow more vibrant than those of other households.

Gradually, he could conjure a small patch of misty rain that enveloped the entire courtyard.

Bu Yifan simply assumed it was a minor trick after Chen Xu's Cultivation recovered and didn't think much of it.

But she could feel that her and the children's bodies were getting better and better.

His eldest son, Chen Ping, was already three years old, robust and sturdy, with strength noticeably greater than children his age.

His second daughter, Chen Nianfan, was also two years old. Although quiet, her eyes were exceptionally lively, occasionally curiously staring at the Spiritual Light condensing in her father's hand.

The Family's life was peaceful and full of hope.

However, the Dao of Cultivation was never just about isolated self-improvement.

Resources were always an unavoidable topic.

Whether it was the medicinal herbs to condition his wife and children, the Cultivation resources his children might need in the future, or the Heaven And Earth Treasure required for him to attempt Earth Path Foundation Establishment, every single item demanded a large quantity of Spirit Stones.

And currently, he was just a medicine shop assistant; his monthly wages, converted into Spirit Stones, amounted to less than one Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

This problem soon presented itself in a way Chen Xu hadn't expected.

That day, a dusty man came to the door.

It was Wang Chong, one of Chen Xu's few friends from his Sect days.

"Chen Xu! You rascal, you were hard to find!"

Wang Chong gave him a bear hug as soon as he saw him, so strong that Chen Xu's bones ached a little.

Chen Xu was also surprised. He invited him in, and Bu Yifan served tea before withdrawing with the children.

"How did you find your way here?"

Chen Xu poured him some tea.

"Hmph, after you left the Sect, I asked the deacon of the Logistics Hall about your whereabouts and knew you came to the southern part of the Great Feng Dynasty. This time, I took on a Sect mission, and it just so happened to pass through Ninghai Town. I thought I'd ask around, and I didn't expect to actually run into you."

Wang Chong took a big gulp of tea and said, panting.

He surveyed the simple but clean small courtyard and then looked at the ordinary coarse cloth clothes Chen Xu was wearing, his eyes a little complex: "You... are doing alright, right?"

"Very well."

Chen Xu smiled, a genuine smile from the heart, "With a wife and children, my heart is at peace."

Wang Chong looked at the genuine contentment on his face and felt a touch of envy for a moment.

He sighed and pulled out a yellowed animal skin scroll from his embrace, pushing it in front of Chen Xu.

"Let's get to business. This time, besides seeing you, there's something else I want to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Look at this."

Wang Chong pointed at the animal skin scroll: "This is an external commission recently issued by the Sect. It's not limited to Sect Disciple; anyone with Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivation can take it."

"The mission is to go to a village near Shangya Prefecture City to deal with a Yao Beast disturbance. The reward... five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

Five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

Chen Xu's pupils constricted sharply.

This amount of money, to him, was nothing short of a huge sum.

It would be enough for him to buy several precious medicinal herbs, maximize the effect of the Spiritual Rain Art, and even save up the first batch of starting capital for his attempt at Earth Path Foundation Establishment.

Wang Chong saw his expression and knew he was tempted, so he continued: "This mission was originally a team mission, five people per group.

Our team was already complete, but just before we set off, one guy had an urgent Family matter and couldn't make it."

"So, we just happen to be short one person. I thought you, my friend, were a famous master of combat among our outer Sect back then, rich in experience, and dealing with a few ignorant first-tier Yao Beasts would definitely be no problem."

"How about it, interested in earning some extra cash with your brother?"

Chen Xu's fingers tapped lightly on the stone table; he didn't answer immediately.

To go, or not to go?

If it were before, he would have agreed without hesitation.

But now... he subconsciously looked back at the direction of the door.

Inside the room were his wife and three young children.

He was no longer alone.

Wang Chong saw his hesitation and patted him on the shoulder: "I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, this mission isn't difficult. According to Sect intelligence, it's just a group of low-to-mid first-tier beasts, with the leader at most a first-tier Late Stage."

"In our team, including me, there are three Qi Refining ninth-layers and two Qi Refining eighth-layers, all experienced veterans. Dealing with them is more than enough, there's no real risk."

Chen Xu pondered for a long time.

Risk and reward always coexist.

He was well aware that his Dao path was now firmly bound to his Family.

To go further, he had to have resources.

Isolated self-improvement might provide temporary stability, but ultimately, it was just sitting and eating away at his resources.

He needed these Spirit Stones.

"Alright, I'll take it."

Chen Xu looked up, his eyes regaining their usual steadiness.

In the evening, Chen Xu told Bu Yifan about it.

Bu Yifan was sewing a small bellyband for her youngest daughter when she heard about confronting Yao Beasts, and the needle in her hand suddenly pricked her fingertip.

"Must you go?"

She put her finger in her mouth, looked up, her eyes a little red.

She wasn't an unreasonable woman.

She knew Chen Xu was doing it for their Family, but worry made her confused.

"Yifan, listen to me."

Chen Xu sat beside her and held her cold hand: "We have three children now. Ping'er has no Spiritual Root, so he will have to make a living in this Mortal world. I need to save up some Family property for him."

"Nianfan and Zhiwei have Spiritual Roots; they will embark on the immortal path in the future, and the resources they need will be far more than we can imagine."

"Just relying on my meager wages from the medicine shop won't be enough."

He paused, his tone becoming exceptionally serious: "Before, in the Sect, I Cultivated for my own longevity. Now, I do it for you all, for this Family."

"The nature of it is different now. Don't worry, I'm not the same Chen Xu who would risk his life for Cultivation anymore."

"I am now a husband and the father of three children. I cherish my life more than anyone."

"I promise, I will return unharmed."

Bu Yifan looked at his firm gaze, knowing she couldn't dissuade him, and also knowing what he said was right.

She leaned on Chen Xu's shoulder and whispered: "Then you must be careful, extremely careful. If you encounter danger, run. No Spirit Stones, no mission, nothing is more important than you. The children and I... will wait for you at home."

"Mm."

Chen Xu held her tightly.

Early the next morning, Chen Xu changed into a set of long-unused blue martial attire and slung the notched iron sword, which he had sold and then bought back, over his back.

Although the sword had lost its spirituality, it was sturdy enough for dealing with first-tier Yao Beasts.

Bu Yifan prepared a small travel bag for him.

Inside were a few changes of clothes and some dried meat.

His eldest son, Chen Ping, hugged his leg, half-understanding, not wanting him to leave.

"Dad, where are you going?"

Chen Xu squatted down, stroked his head, and said with a smile: "Dad's going out to earn money to buy Ping'er candy."

He then walked to the cradle and looked at his two sleeping daughters.

Only then did he turn around, and under Bu Yifan's worried gaze, he strode out of the courtyard gate.

Shangya Prefecture City was nearly three hundred li away from Ninghai Town!

Chen Xu, now at Qi Refining tenth-layer Cultivation, had extraordinary foot speed. He arrived at the agreed meeting point—Laifu Inn—by evening, taking only one day.

Wang Chong was already waiting in the lobby. Seeing him arrive, he quickly waved.

"Chen Xu, over here!"

Three people were already seated at the table, two women and one man.

They looked at Chen Xu, all casting scrutinizing glances.

"Come, let me introduce you."

Wang Chong enthusiastically pulled Chen Xu to sit down: "This is my brother, Chen Xu, whom I mentioned to you. He's Qi Refining tenth-layer and very experienced in combat!"

He then pointed to the people at the table and introduced them to Chen Xu.

"This is Fairy Chen Qingqing, Qi Refining ninth-layer, her Ice Cone Spell is used with uncanny skill."

Wang Chong said, pointing to a young woman with a cold, clear face.

The woman merely nodded faintly at Chen Xu.

There was a hint of arrogance between her brows.

"This is Zhao Tong, Qi Refining eighth-layer. He specializes in earth-element defensive Spells and is a reliable meat shield."

Wang Chong then pointed to a sturdy young man. Zhao Tong smiled honestly at Chen Xu.

"This is Sun Xiaoyue, Qi Refining eighth-layer. She is proficient in various Talismans, especially skilled in tracking and vigilance."

Finally, Wang Chong introduced a delicate-looking woman who seemed a bit timid.

She gave Chen Xu a friendly smile.

Including Wang Chong and Chen Xu, there were exactly six people, three men and three women.

Chen Xu saluted each of them with clasped hands, his demeanor neither humble nor arrogant.

He could feel that, apart from Wang Chong and the seemingly honest Zhao Tong, the woman named Chen Qingqing and Sun Xiaoyue looked at him with a hint of suspicion.

After all, his faded martial attire and the worn iron sword hardly made him look like a master.

"Since everyone is here, let's discuss tomorrow's plan of action."

Chen Qingqing spoke, her voice as cold and clear as her expression: "Wang Chong, please reiterate the detailed situation of the mission."

Wang Chong nodded, spreading the animal skin scroll on the table: "The mission location is Zhang Family Village, thirty li outside the city. According to the villagers, a pack of Green Wolf Beasts has appeared in the mountain forests around the village for the past half-month, often coming down the mountain to steal livestock, and even injured people a few days ago."

"The Sect judges that this should be a den of first-tier Middle Stage Yao Beasts, numbering between ten and fifteen, possibly with one first-tier Late Stage alpha wolf."

"A first-tier Late Stage Green Wolf Beast..." Chen Qingqing's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "That's a bit tricky. These Yao Beasts are fast, aggressive, and live in packs. It would be very troublesome if we get surrounded."

Zhao Tong said in a deep, booming voice: "It's fine, my Earth Wall Spell can hold them off. As long as they don't break our formation, we'll be alright."

"For this operation, there must be a leader."

Wang Chong looked around and his gaze fell on Chen Xu, "I propose that Chen Xu be the captain this time. His Cultivation is the highest, and his experience is also the most abundant. Does anyone object?"

Zhao Tong immediately nodded: "I have no objection, I'll listen to whoever has higher Cultivation."

Sun Xiaoyue also whispered: "I have no objection either."

Chen Qingqing, however, did not speak. She looked at Chen Xu and asked indifferently: "Fellow Daoist Chen, although you are Qi Refining tenth-layer, we don't know much about you. May I ask what kind of Spells you are skilled in? Do you have any Magical Artifacts for combat?"

Her question was very direct, implying a doubt about his strength.

Before Chen Xu could speak, Wang Chong became a little displeased: "Fairy Chen, what do you mean by that? I know my brother's strength best. Back then in the outer Sect..."

Chen Xu raised his hand to interrupt Wang Chong. He looked at Chen Qingqing, smiled calmly, "I don't have any decent Magical Artifacts, and my Cultivation Technique is just the most common Sect-issued Green Yuan Art, not worth mentioning. I cannot bear the position of captain."

"I think Fairy Chen's Cultivation is profound and her thoughts are meticulous. It would be most suitable for you to be the captain."

He was out this time just to seek wealth, not to show off.

Being a captain meant being responsible for everyone's safety, rushing to the forefront, and bearing the greatest risks.

He now had a Family, a wife and children, and didn't want to take that risk.

Chen Qingqing didn't expect Chen Xu to refuse so readily and even recommend her instead.

She was stunned for a moment, and her scrutinizing gaze softened slightly.

She had originally thought this was another Loose Cultivator who would try to boss people around just because his Cultivation was high.

She hadn't expected him to be so sensible.

"Since Fellow Daoist Chen is so humble, then this humble one will not decline."

Chen Qingqing nodded, accepting the burden of captain: "Alright, everyone rest well tonight and conserve your strength. Tomorrow morning, we will depart on time for Zhang Family Village. Remember, all actions are to follow my command."

Everyone assented.

After the brief discussion, they each returned to their rooms.

Chen Xu pushed open the door to his room, and a damp, inn-specific smell wafted towards him.

He closed the door, sat at the table, and poured himself a cup of cold tea.

Outside the window, Shangya Prefecture City was ablaze with the lights of thousands of homes, noisy and bustling.

But he felt a long-lost sense of loneliness.

He had only been away from home for one day, and he already began to miss Bu Yifan's gentle admonitions, Chen Ping's clinging to his leg, and the tender sleeping faces of his two daughters.

"Alas..."

He sighed softly, pulling out a small, crudely carved wooden plaque from his embrace. On it, the characters "Yifan" were crookedly inscribed.

Bu Yifan had asked him to carve this when he first learned to use a small knife.

As he caressed the familiarTexture on the wooden plaque, the restlessness in his heart gradually subsided.

He was no longer a lone wolf; he had a home.

This trip, he would finish it quickly, get the Spirit Stones, and go home.

Chen Xu carefully put the wooden plaque away, blew out the oil lamp, and lay down on the bed fully clothed, closing his eyes.