24: Chapter 24: Semi-Public Respiration

The door was pushed open, and the Grand Elder stepped inside.

He swept his gaze across the room, wasting no words, and threw out a single sentence: "Qingfeng, Qingyue has been feeling unwell lately. Is she with child?"

Li Qingfeng paused internally. He understood that the old man had a sharp eye; there was no hiding this matter today.

He didn't panic and deny it, nor did he reveal everything. He simply took Su Qingyue's hand and spoke in a very steady tone: "Elder, there has indeed been some abnormal movement of vitality within Qingyue these past few days. However, the Fetal Breath has only just emerged and is still too weak. She needs to rest quietly for a few days before we can be certain."

The Grand Elder nodded and didn't continue to press. The old man was very clear-headed. Su Qingyue had the foundation of Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots, and Li Qingfeng had revealed his strength at the Qi Refining Stage 7 along with his Azure Wood Spiritual Power. With these two together, as long as the offspring they produced could touch upon even a bit of high-quality Spiritual Root, that would be the core Bloodline capable of standing on its own for the Family's future.

The Grand Elder waved his hand, making a decision on the spot: "From today on, the Spirit Medicine for Qingyue's recuperation will be upgraded another tier. Outside the New Courtyard, I will personally select two reliable clansmen to stand guard. Let the steward take over the work at the Spirit Herb Garden; Qingyue doesn't need to do anything, just stay in the courtyard and nurture the fetus. As for you, Qingfeng, your monthly allowance will be increased by another ten percent, all to be used for fetal care and to Cultivate."

Li Qingfeng felt quite satisfied. The Family was truly willing to spend resources. He looked at the Grand Elder and said solemnly: "Rest assured, Elder. As long as this child is born safely, he will be of the Li Family's seed. When the time comes, he will be entered into the genealogy and enter the Clan School. I, Li Qingfeng, will ensure he carries on our Li Family's incense beautifully."

Upon hearing this, the wrinkles on the Grand Elder's face smoothed out. What he feared most was for those below to have ability but develop ulterior motives. Li Qingfeng's words had directly tied the child and the Family onto the same boat.

"Good lad." The Grand Elder patted him on the shoulder, "Whatever the Li Family can give, we will absolutely not shortchange you by even a fraction."

After the Grand Elder left, Su Qingyue finally let out a soft sigh of relief.

She was wearing a light red thin gauze nightgown today. The fabric was very soft and smooth, clinging down along her body, accentuating her slender, snake-like waist in an eye-catching way. Her chest was full and firm, and the neckline could barely conceal the large expanse of snow-white skin. Her delicate shoulders were slightly slumped, and her whole person exuded a charming, coquettish, and lazy air.

Li Qingfeng sat over and pulled her into his arms. Su Qingyue didn't struggle, obediently pressing against his chest.

"I was afraid the Grand Elder would think of me as just a tool for bearing children." Her voice was very small, carrying a soft, glutinous tone from having just relaxed.

Li Qingfeng's fingers traced down her smooth back, pinching the soft flesh on her waist dimple.

"The old man is shrewd. He knows well that the child is our flesh and blood, and also the Li Family's Bloodline. The Family shields us from the wind and rain, and we raise the child well; this is called getting what each needs. In the future, no one will be able to bully you."

Su Qingyue felt her body go a bit numb from his kneading. She slightly tilted her head up, her moist peach-blossom eyes fixed on Li Qingfeng, the corners of her eyes still tinged with red. Her red lips were slightly parted, and the hot breath she exhaled puffed directly onto Li Qingfeng's neck.

"You only know how to coax me." She extended a fair finger and lightly drew a circle on Li Qingfeng's chest, "Then I will stay in the small courtyard with peace of mind. If you dare to provoke other women outside, I won't let it slide."

Li Qingfeng lowered his head and kissed her full lip bead, tasting a sweet, cloying scent of makeup.

"All my thoughts are focused on you and the child; I have no time to think of anything else."

Not even half a day later, the news spread throughout the Li Family. Although it wasn't stated explicitly that Su Qingyue was with child, seeing this display, even a fool could guess seven or eight parts of the truth.

Those clansmen who previously thought Li Qingfeng was living off his wife's status had now all shut their mouths. The few old fellows in the core layer had completely changed their gaze toward Li Qingfeng. Combat power at Qi Refining Stage 7 was at best considered a hired hand, but if one could produce offspring with dual Spiritual Roots, that would be a great contributor capable of improving the Family Bloodline.

Even those collateral branch disciples who were usually looked down upon stood straighter when they went out, and their eyes when looking at Li Qingfeng were filled with envy and sycophancy.

But this matter could not hide from eyes outside.

Inside the Zhao Family compound.

Zhao Mingyue crushed the teacup in his hand, not even noticing the porcelain shards piercing into his flesh.

"The Li Family suddenly added manpower to that dilapidated courtyard, and they won't even let Su Qingyue go to the Spirit Herb Garden anymore. That bastard Li Qingfeng definitely still has other benefits hidden on him."

Zhao Mingyue's face was full of malice. The Qingyun Sect's three-month observation period had just begun; he absolutely could not watch idly as the Li Family smoothly accomplished this matter.

The scene shifts back to the New Courtyard.

Li Qingfeng was feeding Su Qingyue some nourishing Spirit Medicine liquid.

The System panel suddenly popped up at this moment, with blue text scrolling down line by line.

[Detected that the first pregnancy has entered a stable period.]

[Congratulations to the host, the "Offspring Innate Cultivation" module has been unlocked.]

[Description: The host can significantly improve the offspring's Innate Aptitude by improving the Spiritual Qi environment, enhancing the quality of the mother's recuperation, and absorbing the Family's Luck.]

[Tip: The better the Aptitude, the more generous the rewards settled by the System after birth. This includes top-tier Cultivation Techniques, supreme Magic Treasures, Bloodline Legacies, etc. The System will perform secondary reinforcement based on the quality of the spiritual materials absorbed by the mother.]

[Current Fetal Breath rating: Spirit Grade Upper Tier. Please continue to work hard, Host.]

Li Qingfeng stared at the panel, his eyes lighting up instantly.

This More Children, More Blessings System was opening up more and more paths. This meant that as long as he stayed steadily in this small courtyard, kept Su Qingyue's body well-conditioned, and absorbed the Li Family's Luck, the future child would be a heaven-favored prodigy the moment they were born. And he himself would also be able to make a fortune in the process.

This was far better than running outside to risk his life against Yao Beasts.

He touched Su Qingyue's belly, his mind already starting to ponder how to get some more Advanced Spirit Gathering Formations.

"Qingyue, tomorrow I'll go ask the Grand Elder for some good things to further raise the Water-Wood Spiritual Qi in this room."

Su Qingyue leaned lazily against the soft pillow, her long, manga-like legs crossed together, her ankles slender and alluring, her toes round and cute. She gave a soft hum, just about to speak.

"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

A harsh alarm bell suddenly sounded from outside. The sound was loud and urgent, shaking the window paper of the small courtyard.

Li Qingfeng stood up abruptly.

He was very familiar with this bell. It was only rung when there was a major problem with the Family's most core industries.

Chaotic footsteps immediately came from outside, and someone shouted at the top of their lungs by the roadside: "The spirit fields are in trouble! The first batch of Spiritual Plants supplied to the Qingyun Sect has been poisoned with Kuling Powder!"

Li Qingfeng's face turned completely dark, his fists clenching with a cracking sound.

If this batch of Spiritual Plants was ruined, the Li Family's candidacy with the Qingyun Sect would be finished on the spot.

Those sons of bitches, they really won't let anyone have a moment of peace.