15: Chapter 15 Zhao Qingli is about to give birth, and a gathering of beauties takes place.

The head of the Ironclad Jackal was hung on the locust tree at the entrance of Linhe Village, causing a sensation throughout the entire village.

The villagers gathered around, looking at the ferocious beast head with a mix of fear and excitement. Old Liu and his wife knelt on the ground to kowtow to Ning Yuan, but he quickly helped them up.

"The carcass of this Yao Beast is still in the mountains. Send a few people to bring it back. The hide and bones of a Yao Beast can be sold for money; consider it my compensation to you," Ning Yuan said to the gathered villagers. "Also, there might be other Yao Beasts in the mountains, so don't let children go out alone recently. Strong men should take turns standing guard at night. If you discover anything unusual, light the wolf smoke immediately. Ning Family Manor is not far from here; if I see the wolf smoke, I will send people over."

"Thank you, Master Ning!"

"Master Ning's great kindness and virtue!"

The villagers were moved to tears and bowed repeatedly. Ning Yuan waved his hand, then mounted his horse with his two sons.

On the way back, Ning Changqing remained silent the whole time. Ning Yuan assumed he was tired and did not ask further.

When they were about to reach Ning Family Manor, Ning Changqing suddenly spoke up.

"Father."

"Hmm?"

"I want to become strong quickly." The seven-year-old child looked up, his eyes full of seriousness. "Strong enough to kill a Yao Beast with a single finger, just like Father. Strong enough to protect Mother, protect my younger brothers and sisters, and protect everyone."

Ning Yuan glanced at him, then suddenly reached out and ruffled his hair.

"Then Cultivate well. Don't forget what you said today."

"Yes!"

Ning Changqing clenched his fists, his gaze firm.

Half a month later, Zhao Qingli went into labor.

The delivery process was unexpectedly smooth. Zhao Qingli was a Cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining, and her Physique was much stronger than that of the Mortal wives and concubines. From the onset of labor to the birth of the child, it took less than two hours.

"Congratulations, Master Ning, it's a daughter!" Midwife Sun walked out of the delivery room carrying a tender, pink baby girl, smiling from ear to ear. "This child is truly beautiful, she looks exactly like Lady Zhao!"

Ning Yuan took the child, looked down at her delicate little face, and a sense of satisfaction surged in his heart.

His ninth child.

At the same time, the System's voice rang out in his mind: "Ding! Congratulations to the Host for the birth of your ninth descendant!"

"Issuing rewards: one Pill Formula for the Grade 3 Medicinal Pill 'pulse protection pill', fifteen portions of century-old pulse-protecting medicinal herbs, and one Profound Rank Low Grade Magic Treasure, the 'Golden Silk Garment'."

Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow.

The pulse protection pill could protect the Meridians and reduce the risk of Qi Deviation. For Cultivators who practice domineering Cultivation Techniques like the Nine Yang Art, this was a life-saving treasure.

The Golden Silk Garment was an even more practical Magic Treasure—worn close to the body, it could withstand a full-force strike from a Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator. If a Mortal wore it, they would be impervious to blades and swords.

Ning Yuan put the Golden Silk Garment away, intending to take it back for Madam Lin to wear. Madam Lin was a Mortal without any cultivation base; having this Magic Treasure on her body was equivalent to gaining an extra life.

"Master, please give the child a name," Zhao Qingli's weak voice came from the bed.

Ning Yuan walked to the bedside with the child, looked at Zhao Qingli's pale face, and said softly: "Let's call her Ning Qingxue. Your name has the character 'Qing' in it, so this child's name shall also carry the character 'Qing'."

Zhao Qingli was stunned for a moment, and then her eyes reddened.

She had not expected Ning Yuan to put her own name into the child's name. Although this was not some earth-shattering event, to her, it was a tremendous form of recognition.

"Thank you, Master." Zhao Qingli's voice choked with emotion.

Ning Yuan placed the child beside her and said gently: "Rest well. You have contributed greatly to the Ning Family by adding a new member. Once you finish your confinement, I have something for you."

"What is it?"

"You will know when the time comes." Ning Yuan smiled and turned to walk out of the delivery room.

In the courtyard, Madam Lin and several other wives and concubines were waiting. Seeing Ning Yuan come out, they all hurried to greet him.

"How is it? Is the child alright?" Madam Lin asked with concern.

"Both mother and daughter are safe and sound, and the child is very healthy." Ning Yuan took the Golden Silk Garment from his robe and handed it to Madam Lin. "Wear this."

Madam Lin took the Golden Silk Garment; it felt as light as nothing in her hands, yet it faintly shimmered with golden light. She was startled: "This is... a Magic Treasure?"

"It is for protection." Ning Yuan did not say much more, only instructing, "From now on, wear this garment close to your body and do not take it off for even a moment."

Clutching the Golden Silk Garment, a warm current surged in Madam Lin's heart.

She knew why Ning Yuan had given her such a valuable item—because she was a Mortal, the person in the Ning Family who needed protection the most.

"Master, rest assured, I will wear it always." Madam Lin nodded solemnly.

Ning Yuan looked at the other wives and concubines and said: "Yuniang, please take extra care of Qingli. Xiaohe and Waner, you two should also help out."

"Yes, Master." Su Yuniang, Shen Xiaohe, and Qin Waner replied in unison.

Just then, the gatekeeper hurried over, holding a letter: "Master, a letter has arrived from Qingzhou City!"

Ning Yuan took the letter; on the envelope was an unfamiliar signature—"Qingzhou Cultivation Alliance".

He opened the envelope, scanned through it quickly, and his gaze narrowed slightly.

The content of the letter was simple: The Qingzhou Cultivation Alliance would host the triennial "Qunfang Fair" on the fifteenth of next month, inviting all Cultivation Families and Loose Cultivators within Qingzhou to attend. At that time, various activities such as Spiritual Root testing, Alchemy competitions, and Magic Treasure duels would be held, with generous rewards for the winners.

More importantly, the Qunfang Fair had an unwritten tradition—major families would select spouses for their unmarried descendants at the event.

To put it bluntly, this was a large-scale "matchmaking fair" for the Cultivation world.

"Qunfang Fair..." Ning Yuan muttered to himself, a glint flashing in his eyes.

He had been worrying about how to find more female Cultivators with Spiritual Roots to enrich the Ning Family's inner quarters; this Qunfang Fair was exactly what he needed.

"Is Master planning to attend?" Su Yuniang asked curiously.

"Attend? Of course I will attend." Ning Yuan put the letter away. "Although the Ning Family is small, it is still a Cultivation Family. If we don't show our faces at such occasions, how will we establish a foothold in the Qingzhou Cultivation world in the future? Besides—"

He glanced at Su Yuniang and Madam Liu and smiled: "Perhaps I can add a few more sisters for you all."

Su Yuniang rolled her eyes. She didn't say anything, but secretly noted it in her heart: The Qunfang Fair; it seems I need to scout a few candidates for Master in advance.

Zhao Qingli heard the conversation from inside the room and suddenly spoke up: "Master, I know a little about the Qunfang Fair. When I was at Biyun Pavilion, I heard the sisters talk about it."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

"The Qunfang Fair is not only a place for spouse selection and competitions, but also a venue for major families to exchange intelligence and recruit Loose Cultivators," Zhao Qingli's voice came from the room. "The four major families of Qingzhou City will all send people to attend, and Loose Cultivators from the surrounding areas will also come upon hearing the news. If Master wants to open up a situation in the Qingzhou Cultivation world, this Qunfang Fair is the best opportunity."

Ning Yuan nodded thoughtfully.

"But Master must be careful." Zhao Qingli's voice suddenly lowered a few degrees. "The Sun Family will also go. They know I have married Master, so they will likely pay extra attention to you."

The corners of Ning Yuan's mouth curled up slightly: "Then let them pay attention. The Ning Family is not some major Family, but it is not something just anyone can manipulate."

His gaze fell into the distance, toward the direction of Qingzhou City.

The Qunfang Fair would be his, Ning Yuan's, first official appearance in the Qingzhou Cultivation world.

He needed to prepare well.