19: May your life be extended by nine years, and may your son usher in a new chapter.

As for the newly rising Qi family in this town, although Master Xu did not have much interaction with them, he knew they were extraordinary.

Especially that reclusive Master Qi; he had met him twice and felt that the man had a calm demeanor and deep eyes, not like an ordinary local squire or wealthy merchant, but rather... like the shadows of those true hermits and masters he had occasionally seen while traveling to the prefecture city in his youth.

Moreover, the Qi family had sent a generous teacher's gift early on, with perfect etiquette and polite words, so he naturally paid a bit more attention.

"Xuan Jin, Xuan Peak, come here."

Master Xu pointed to two empty seats near the front,

"From now on, you two will sit here.

Xuan Jin, you are older, you must set an example."

"Yes, Master," Qi Xuanjin replied respectfully, pulling his younger brother, who was still looking around curiously, toward the seats.

Although Master Xu's school was small, it had a set of rules followed for many years.

Based on the students' progress, it was roughly divided into three classes:

class c was the beginning of Elementary education, where children learned to read, count, study primers, and build a solid Foundation;

Once they could recite and transcribe the primers mostly without error and understand the general meaning, they could move up to class b, where they began to study simple poetry and formally learn punctuation and calligraphy;

If their talent was acceptable and they studied diligently, after building a good Foundation in class b, they could enter Class A.

Only students in Class A were considered "Scholarly Seeds" by Master Xu, preparing for the future County Exam and Prefecture Exam to strive for Imperial Examination Honors.

At this moment, Qi Xuanjin and Qi Xuanfeng, the two new students, were naturally placed in the most Elementary class c... Time flew by, and in a flash, another year had passed.

The morning light was faint, spilling into the room through the carved wooden windows.

Qi Yuan woke from his slumber and slowly opened his eyes, feeling refreshed with abundant blood and Qi throughout his body, no longer feeling that hard-to-dispel sense of twilight from before.

He looked inward at himself, feeling that Green Wood Sword Qi slowly moving within his Dantian, continuously nourishing his vitality, and a hint of pride couldn't help but rise in his heart.

Since mastering this "Yimu Longevity Sword Art," he had spent much effort searching everywhere for ancient trees hundreds of years old.

Those towering ancient trees seemed ordinary, but in this Mortal kingdom, they were also consumable items, chopped down every year for firewood and building materials; finding a sufficient quantity had truly cost him a lot of hard work.

However, the harvest was also pleasing, not only stabilizing his previously declining blood and Qi but also maintaining it in a vigorous state equivalent to being around fifty years old.

[Lifespan: 119]

Looking at the [Lifespan] column displayed in the "Evergreen Soul Tracing Seal," it had increased from the original 110 years to 119 years!

Gaining nine years of Lifespan out of thin air was an irresistible temptation for any Cultivator.

His subtle movements woke the person beside him on the pillow.

Liu Yueer lazily opened her beautiful eyes; after a night of peaceful sleep, her hair was slightly loose, and her cheeks held a flush like a crabapple flower after a spring sleep.

Although she had given birth to two sons, under the nourishment of the Medicinal Pills and Spiritual Qi provided by Qi Yuan from time to time, her figure remained slender and plump, her skin finer than ever, and her eyes flowed with the gentle charm unique to a mature woman.

She felt the vigorous Life Qi coming from her husband beside her, different from before, and remembered the intimacy of last night, which was even more... than when they were young. Thinking of this, the tips of her ears couldn't help but turn slightly hot, her heart filled with both shyness and joy.

She turned on her side, her soft hand lightly resting on Qi Yuan's arm, her voice soft and sweet, half-coquettish and half-expectant as she said:

"Husband, your spirit is becoming more and more vigorous... It's just that, Sister Wan Tang has already borne you three Prodigy Sons, but my belly has had no movement for a long time..."

In her words, a slight trace of anxiety as the first wife, being behind in the number of offspring, was inevitably revealed.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan smiled bitterly in his heart.

Ever since that last Child Seal of the "Evergreen Soul Tracing Seal" was used on Su Wantang, he was indeed not as obsessed or eager about continuing the lineage as he was at the beginning, choosing instead to let things take their natural course.

The time he spent staying in Liu Yueer's room was not short; failing to conceive again might truly be the will of heaven.

Moreover, he now had new considerations.

He looked at Liu Yueer's still beautiful face, reached out to stroke her cheek, and said warmly:

"Yueer, the matter of offspring cannot be forced; it's best to let nature take its course."

Qi Yuan comforted her warmly, then changed the subject and asked:

"Speaking of which, have the various matters for Tonger's Hundred-Day Feast been properly prepared?"

The "Tonger" he spoke of was exactly the third son Su Wantang had recently borne for him, named Qi Xuantong.

This son was of extraordinary significance; Qi Yuan had used the very last remaining Child Seal of the "Evergreen Soul Tracing Seal" on him without hesitation.

This expectation and importance were already self-evident.

Therefore, Qi Yuan felt that this Hundred-Day Feast was different from before.

Although the Qi Residence would organize a family banquet to celebrate whenever a child reached a hundred days old, this time, he intended to make it more grand.

Liu Yueer was a perceptive person; how could she not understand her husband's thoughts?

For a young child, it's hard to avoid a bit more favoritism; it is only human nature.

She thought of her own pampered younger brother and could better understand Qi Yuan's feelings at this moment.

Regarding this, she had no resentment in her heart; instead, she felt it was as it should be.

"Rest assured, husband, I have already arranged everything properly."

Liu Yueer responded softly, her tone peaceful, "Invitations have been sent to the prominent families in town and several neighbors we are on good terms with.

The dishes for the banquet, the wine, and the return gifts for the visiting guests are all being prepared according to the procedures; we certainly won't lack in etiquette."

She paused and then added:

"On Wan Tang's side, I also had Qianer and Xiao Yao go over more to help out, ensuring that Tonger is dressed neatly and full of energy that day."

Hearing this, Qi Yuan nodded with satisfaction:

"With you managing it, I am naturally at ease."

...A few days later, the Qi Residence was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and guests filled the house.

Before the residence gate, there was an endless stream of carriages and horses; the squires of Cuiyun Town, shopkeepers who had business dealings with the Qi family, and nearby farmers with some standing all brought gifts to offer their congratulations.

Inside the residence, it was even more bustling.

Servants bustled about, serving carefully prepared delicacies and fine foods.

Although they were not Dragon livers or Phoenix marrow, they included a full range of mountain delicacies, wild game, and seasonal fresh vegetables, all cooked properly and overflowing with fragrance.

In the living room, the seats were filled with distinguished guests, and laughter and chatter filled the air.

As the mistress of the house, Liu Yueer moved among the female guests, her behavior appropriate and her conversation gentle.

Ye Yao and Zhou Qianer were on the side helping to look after things,

As the mother of the child, Su Wantang was the focus of everyone's attention today.

She was dressed in brand-new lotus-root-colored clothes, radiant with joy, holding the swaddled Qi Xuantong as she accepted everyone's congratulations.

The child was wrapped in soft brocade, wearing a longevity lock; his little face was fair and clean, he didn't cry or fuss, and his large, dark, round eyes looked around curiously, making him quite endearing.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, his mind sank slightly, quietly communicating with that mysterious "Evergreen Soul Tracing Seal" in his Sea of Consciousness.

Qi Yuan stood not far away, looking at the exquisitely carved young son in Su Wantang's arms.

Immediately, a piece of clear information emerged in his perception:

[Child Seal Five: Qi Xuantong]

[Aptitude: Medium Grade Three Spiritual Roots (Wood: 25, Water: 30, Fire: 38)]

[Comprehension Ability: 6]

[Luck: 6]

[willpower: 6]

[fate: None]

"Medium Grade Three Spiritual Roots!"

Qi Yuan felt a sense of relief in his heart, even more joyful than when he first saw the Medium Grade Four Spiritual Roots of the twins.

Although Water and Fire conflicted, having Wood to harmonize them made this Spiritual Root quite extraordinary; the probability of this kid being able to achieve Foundation Establishment in the future would be higher than that of his elder brothers.

"It was worth me using this last Child Seal!"

Qi Yuan praised in his heart.

This Qi Xuantong was clearly the one with the strongest Innate Foundation among all his offspring!

He felt happy in his heart, and even the smile on his face became a bit more genuine.

This subtle change in expression, falling into the eyes of some observant people who had been secretly watching him, made them feel even more that Master Qi's emphasis on this young son was out of the ordinary.

A guest who was good at flattery smiled and complimented:

"Master Qi, look at the Young Master's features, this Spiritual Qi; he is truly extraordinary!

He will surely be a pillar of the state in the future, bringing glory to the family!"

"Yes, yes, a brave father has no cowardly sons; Master Qi's family style is flourishing, truly enviable!"

A chorus of agreement immediately sounded around them.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan only smiled indifferently, raised his cup in a gesture, and did not say much.