19: Chapter 19: The First Appearance of Fetal Breathing

When the System notification lit up, Li Qingfeng felt completely energized.

He looked down at Su Qingyue in his arms.

Su Qingyue had not fully awakened; her dark hair was scattered across her shoulders, and her cheeks still bore the rosy flush left from last night. Her light green nightgown clung loosely to her body, her slender waist was half-covered by the quilt, and her exposed wrists were fair and delicate. Her entire being was so soft and warm that it made his heart heat up.

Li Qingfeng did not move recklessly; he only gently placed his palm against her back and channeled the Azure Wood Rejuvenation Art.

Pale green Azure Wood Spiritual Power slowly transferred over.

A moment later, his eyes narrowed.

The vitality within Su Qingyue had indeed changed.

Previously, her vitality was gentle and clear, and her Water-Wood Spiritual Qi flowed smoothly. But now, deep within that vitality, there was a hint of warmth—very light, very weak, yet very stable.

Li Qingfeng's heart gave a sudden leap.

Could she really be pregnant?

Su Qingyue's eyelashes fluttered gently, and she slowly opened her eyes. She was still a bit dazed from just waking up, but upon seeing Li Qingfeng staring at her, her face instantly flushed red.

"What are you looking at so early in the morning?"

Her voice was soft, carrying the coquettish laziness of one who had just woken up.

Li Qingfeng lowered his voice: "Qingyue, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Su Qingyue paused, then sat up. Her nightgown slid slightly off her shoulder, and she hurriedly pulled the collar together, blushing as she chided him: "Stop staring at me for a moment."

Li Qingfeng coughed lightly and looked away.

Su Qingyue closed her eyes to sense for a moment, her brows knitting together slightly.

"The flow of spiritual power is a bit slower than usual, and my body feels a bit tired, but my Meridians are not injured. Below my Dantian... there is a bit of warmth."

By the time she finished, she herself was stunned.

The two looked at each other, and the room instantly fell silent.

Su Qingyue's hand subconsciously pressed against her lower abdomen, her eyes filled with both surprise and nervousness.

"Qingfeng, could it just be a reaction after being nourished by Spiritual Qi?"

Li Qingfeng did not immediately draw a conclusion.

He was very excited, but the more such moments occurred, the less he could speak recklessly. It was difficult to distinguish Fetal Breath in the Early Stage for a Cultivator; a slight misjudgment could easily lead to false hope.

"Don't be anxious yet." Li Qingfeng grasped her hand and said earnestly: "Let me check you again."

Su Qingyue nodded, the blush on her face not yet faded, but she obediently placed her hand in his palm.

Li Qingfeng activated Vitality Perception.

His perception followed Su Qingyue's Meridians, probing downward bit by bit. The Water-Wood Spiritual Power was very gentle, flowing slowly along her Qi and blood. That hint of warmth was right below her Dantian; it was not large, but it had not dissipated.

The System panel also appeared at this moment.

[Detected: The gestation environment within the Dao Companion's body is continuously improving.]

[Elementary Gestation Buff is in effect.]

[Influencing factors: Dao Companion Favorability, couple intimacy, Spiritual Qi environment, maternal Meridian stability.]

[Explanation: The higher the Cultivator's Realm, the deeper the Physical Body is tempered by spiritual power, and the lower the probability of conception. The Qi Refinement Stage is the current optimal stage for conception.]

[If an heir is successfully born, the System will conduct a comprehensive settlement based on the mother's Aptitude, the parents' Realm, and the descendant's Spiritual Root quality.]

After reading this, the fire in Li Qingfeng's heart burned even brighter.

As expected.

The truly powerful aspect of the More Children, More Blessings System was not just about letting him level up himself.

In this world, it was difficult for high-Realm Cultivators to have heirs. Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators struggled for ten or twenty years without necessarily having a single child. Once reaching the Purple Mansion or Golden Core, continuing the Bloodline was even harder.

But he had the System.

He could increase the probability of conception and improve a child's Aptitude through the Spiritual Qi environment and Family Luck.

What did this represent?

It represented that while others were desperately fighting for resources, he could manage the Family while raising descendants with better talent. If the children were strong, the Family would be strong, and the System rewards would be even stronger.

The more he thought about this path, the smoother it seemed.

Seeing him silent for a long time, Su Qingyue asked softly: "How is it?"

Li Qingfeng snapped out of his thoughts, his tone softening: "There are signs, but it is still too early; we cannot speak of it to the outside world."

Su Qingyue bit her lip gently, her eyes shining, yet they also hid anxiety.

"Qingfeng, I want to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

She looked down at her fingers, her voice very light: "If I really am pregnant, will the Li Family only treat me as someone to bear their Bloodline? Once the child is born, will I, the mother, become less important?"

Li Qingfeng felt a pang in his heart.

He knew why she would think this way.

From the very beginning, this marriage had carried the scent of a transaction. Su Qingyue was sent to the Li Family, and what others saw was her Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots and the child she might bear in the future.

Li Qingfeng reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Su Qingyue leaned over softly, her slender waist pressing against his palm, carrying a faint fragrance. She did not struggle, only resting her forehead against his chest.

Li Qingfeng said in a deep voice: "Qingyue, the child is certainly important, but you are even more important. The child will be our shared future, not a bargaining chip in the mouths of others."

Su Qingyue's eyes reddened slightly as she looked up at him.

"Really?"

"Really." Li Qingfeng said earnestly: "If there is a child, I will protect you. If there is no child, I will still protect you. If the Li Family gives resources, I will accept them; if the Li Family wants my effort, I will provide it. But our home must be decided by us."

Su Qingyue looked at him, and the anxiety on her face slowly dissipated.

She nodded gently and said softly: "Then I believe you."

Li Qingfeng felt his heart warm upon hearing this.

This sentence made him feel more at ease than any System reward.

That afternoon, the two did not disturb anyone else and went to the experimental spiritual field next to the New Courtyard.

Li Qingfeng took out the remnant map of the Spiritual Field Nourishing Formation Array rewarded by the System.

Of course, he could not directly say that this was given by the System.

He spread the remnant map on the table, pointing to several rune patterns on it and said: "This is an idea I pondered while comprehending the Azure Wood Rejuvenation Art. Using Wood spiritual power to stabilize the soil quality, then using Water spiritual power to slowly nourish the roots. If arranged well, the survival rate of the Spiritual Plants can be increased, and the Spiritual Qi in the courtyard will also be gentler."

Su Qingyue took one look, and her eyes immediately lit up.

She was already an expert at Spiritual Plants and immediately understood the value of this thing.

"This Formation doesn't seek to force growth; instead, it is more suitable for long-term field maintenance." She said softly: "If it succeeds, the Spiritual Plant roots will be more stable, and the medicinal properties will be milder. It is also beneficial for nourishing the body."

Li Qingfeng smiled: "That's why I need your help."

Su Qingyue's cheeks flushed slightly, but she did not decline.

"Okay."

The two soon became busy.

Li Qingfeng was responsible for carving the main runes with Azure Wood Spiritual Power, while Su Qingyue used Water-Wood spiritual power to harmonize the Formation eye. When she squatted by the spiritual field, her skirt gathered at the side of her legs, her waist curved into a beautiful line, and a few strands of hair hung by her face, looking gentle and serious.

Li Qingfeng felt an itch in his heart as he watched.

Su Qingyue noticed his gaze, looked up, and glared at him lightly.

"Look at the Formation runes, don't look at me."

Li Qingfeng said with a straight face: "How could the Formation runes be as good-looking as you?"

Su Qingyue's ears turned red, and she chided coquettishly: "The serious matter is what's important."

Although she said that, her eyes carried a smile.

By evening, the Formation was finally initially completed.

The soil in the spiritual field became loose and soft, the leaves of the Spiritual Plants stretched out slightly, and even the Spiritual Qi in the courtyard became smoother.

Li Qingfeng squatted down to check, feeling very satisfied in his heart.

This was only the basic effect of the remnant map, but it was already possible to see the signs. As long as it was continuously improved, the yield of the Li Family's spiritual fields would inevitably change.

Three days later, the results arrived.

The Spirit Plant Steward personally rushed to the experimental spiritual field and, upon seeing several low-grade Spiritual Plants growing significantly better than those in the ordinary spiritual fields, his eyes went wide on the spot.

"Young Master Qingfeng, did you and your wife really come up with this?"

Li Qingfeng cupped his hands: "It is just a small trial, not yet stable."

The Spirit Plant Steward was so excited that he kept rubbing his hands: "You call this a small trial? This batch of Spiritual Plants has strong roots and the leaf color is correct. If this can be promoted, the loss in the Family's low-grade spiritual fields can at least be reduced by quite a bit!"

The news soon reached the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder personally came over to take a look, and his gaze towards Li Qingfeng and Su Qingyue was clearly more significant.

"Qingfeng, Qingyue, you have done very well."

He said slowly: "What the Li Family currently lacks is exactly this kind of ability that can show long-term results. Winning a match in the arena is a merit, but increasing production in the spiritual fields year after year is also a great merit."

Li Qingfeng arched his hands: "Elder, rest assured, we will continue to improve it."

Su Qingyue stood by his side, her expression gentle, but her hand was resting lightly against her lower abdomen. She did not speak, but Li Qingfeng saw this action.

He felt even more settled in his heart.

This spiritual field was not only the Li Family's property but also the first layer of protection for their future child.

Meanwhile, in the Zhao Family's backyard.

A spy knelt with his head lowered before the Zhao Family Elder, reporting in a low voice: "The Li Family has newly acquired the West Street stall tax, and there is also movement on the spiritual field side. I heard that Li Qingfeng and his wife have come up with a field-nourishing method, and the Spiritual Plant growth is very abnormal."

The Zhao Family Elder's expression darkened.

Zhao Mingyue sat to the side, his teacup being squeezed until it made a clacking sound.

"It's Li Qingfeng again."

The Zhao Family Elder said coldly: "The Qingyun Sect is coming in three days to see the Li Family's capabilities. If they successfully make that connection, the Li Family's Medicinal Pill path will be secure."

Zhao Mingyue looked up, his eyes filled with anger.

"Then don't let them be secure."

The Zhao Family Elder looked at him and said slowly: "Investigate the Li Family's spiritual field Formation clearly; when necessary, destroy it."

That night, in the New Courtyard.

Su Qingyue suddenly stopped, her palm pressing against her lower abdomen, and her expression changed.

Li Qingfeng immediately supported her.

"What's wrong?"

Su Qingyue looked up at him, her voice trembling softly: "Just now, here... it moved."

Li Qingfeng's heart shook violently, and he instantly deployed Vitality Perception.

The next moment, the System panel lit up.

[Detected: A stable Fetal Breath prototype.]