7: Chapter 7: Triumph at the Ancestral Hall, and the Beloved Wife Falls in Love!

Just as the sky began to brighten, the sound of the bell from the direction of the Li Family Ancestral Hall reached him.

Li Qingfeng rose from the edge of the bed, the Spiritual Qi still flowing slowly within his Meridians. His aura at the Perfection of Qi Refining Stage 6 was much steadier than when he had just made his Breakthrough last night, yet that newborn strength still left him feeling somewhat unaccustomed.

In the past, even circulating a single cycle of Spiritual Qi was a struggle for him.

Now, it was as if a warm spring was hidden in his chest; every inhale and exhale could cause his Dantian to tremble.

"Don't rush."

Su Qingyue stood behind him, her voice gentle yet carrying a hint of seriousness.

She was draped in a light cyan outer robe, her long hair not yet fully tied up, with several strands of dark hair hanging by her cheeks, making her skin appear dazzlingly white. After their recent marriage, she had lost some of her aloofness and gained an indescribable softness and charm; the corners of her eyes were slightly flushed, and her eyes were moist, as if hiding a thin layer of mist.

She raised her hand to adjust Li Qingfeng's collar, her fingertips brushing across his chest. The movement was very light, yet it made Li Qingfeng's heart skip a beat.

"The Ancestral Hall's Spirit Lamp has shown unusual activity, and the Family will certainly investigate your aura." Su Qingyue moved half a step closer, smoothing out the wrinkles on his shoulders for him. "You have only just stabilized your cultivation; there is no need to reveal all your trump cards."

Li Qingfeng looked down at her.

Her waist was slender, her figure graceful, and her outer robe clung to her body, outlining soft and eye-catching curves. Yet, her expression was pure and dignified, and her tone was serious, making one feel it improper to look too much, while simultaneously unable to stop themselves from looking.

Li Qingfeng silently cursed himself for being spineless.

With his cultivation surging last night and his newlywed wife standing before him like this, it was difficult for any man to remain calm.

He gently took her hand and said, "I understand. Going to the Ancestral Hall today is not to show off, but to let the Li Family re-evaluate my value."

Su Qingyue's gaze flickered slightly, "You do not want to leave the Li Family to seek other Opportunities?"

"I do not."

Li Qingfeng answered quickly.

He looked at the brightening sky outside the window, clearer in his heart than ever before.

With the More Children, More Blessings System, the thing he should be doing most is not rushing into some Secret Realm to risk his life, nor is it causing trouble everywhere for the sake of empty fame. Taking a wife, having children, managing the Family, obtaining stable resources, turning his small courtyard into his Foundation, and then step by step turning the Li Family into his own backing.

This was the steadiest path.

No matter how good the Opportunities outside were, one needed to be alive to claim them and alive to use them.

But if the Family could protect his wife and children, and resources could flow continuously, he could Cultivate while raising his future descendants.

"I will not take unnecessary risks." Li Qingfeng said in a low voice, "Qingyue, to me, the Family is not a cage. As long as it is used well, it is the safest place to Cultivate."

Su Qingyue looked at him, and the worry in her eyes finally faded a little.

She took the initiative to place her hand in his palm, the corners of her lips curving slightly, "Then I will accompany you."

When the two arrived at the Ancestral Hall, it was already filled with members of the Li Family.

A bronze Spirit Lamp hung in the center of the Ancestral Hall. The lamp body was ancient, engraved with dense clan patterns. At this moment, a wisp of new flame burned at the wick; the light was not large, but it was gold-tinged cyan, burning steadily and unceasingly.

The clansmen were whispering incessantly.

"What is going on?"

"For the Spirit Lamp to react, the Family's Bloodline Luck must have been stirred."

"It couldn't really be Li Qingfeng, could it? He only got married yesterday, and wasn't he at Qi Refining Stage 3 before?"

As soon as Li Qingfeng stepped into the Ancestral Hall, all eyes immediately bore down on him.

There was surprise, suspicion, and also that familiar contempt from before.

The Grand Elder sat at the head of the hall, his originally half-closed eyes slowly opening. He looked at Li Qingfeng; his voice was not loud, but it made the Ancestral Hall instantly quiet.

"Qingfeng, come forward."

Li Qingfeng's expression was calm as he walked to the center of the hall.

The Grand Elder extended two fingers and pressed them onto his wrist pulse.

A wisp of gentle yet heavy Spiritual Qi probed into his Meridians. Li Qingfeng did not resist; he simply followed Su Qingyue's reminder and kept his aura suppressed at the Perfection of Qi Refining Stage 6, not letting his Spiritual Qi appear too volatile.

A moment later, the Grand Elder's eyes changed.

"Perfection of Qi Refining Stage 6."

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a stone had been thrown into the Ancestral Hall, causing an instant uproar.

"What?"

"From Qi Refining Stage 3 to Perfection of Stage 6?"

"That was only one night!"

Li Qingfeng listened to these voices, his heart completely unaffected.

He understood all too well.

They were shocked today because he had value. If he were still at Qi Refining Stage 3, no one would spare him a second glance.

The world of Cultivation was just that realistic.

But reality also had its benefits; as long as you were useful, others would be willing to give you resources.

The Grand Elder probed again, confirming that his Meridians were stable and his Foundation was solid, before slowly nodding.

"Not bad. It was not forcibly stacked by Medicinal Pills, nor was it boosted by evil arts. Qingfeng, it seems this marriage of yours truly brought you an Opportunity."

Li Qingfeng cupped his hands and said, "The reason this Junior could make a Breakthrough is, firstly, the protection of the ancestors; secondly, the Family's fulfillment of this marriage; and thirdly, Qingyue's assistance in stabilizing my Meridians with her Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots."

He did not mention the System, instead attributing the credit to the Family and Su Qingyue.

Once these words were spoken, a hint of satisfaction grew in the Grand Elder's eyes.

Su Qingyue stood to the side; hearing him mention her in public, her cheeks flushed slightly, but she did not lower her head to hide. She was born gentle and beautiful, and now with the flush on her face, she seemed to be suffused with warmth, her brows and eyes soft and alluring.

Li Qingfeng caught a glimpse of her appearance from the corner of his eye, his heart unable to help but heat up.

This legitimate wife was truly worth marrying.

The Grand Elder pondered for a moment, then turned to the clansmen and said, "A Breakthrough by a Family member is a joyous occasion for the Li Family. From today on, Qingfeng's provisions will be restored to that of a core collateral member. Each month, he shall receive three Qi Condensation Pills, ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and one protective talisman."

The expressions of many in the Ancestral Hall changed.

This treatment was far superior to that of ordinary collateral members.

The Grand Elder continued, "Additionally, he is permitted to enter the second floor of the Scripture Library to select one technique. Su Qingyue, as his legitimate wife, and possessing Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots, shall temporarily enter the Spirit Herb Garden to assist in management and enjoy the Spirit Medicine share of a Guest Elder."

Su Qingyue's eyelashes trembled slightly.

She knew very well what this meant.

From this day forward, she was no longer just a woman sent to fulfill a marriage contract, but a useful person officially recognized by the Li Family.

Li Qingfeng also felt a slight relief in his heart.

Resources, status, techniques, Spirit Medicine shares.

These things might not seem as exciting as a fortuitous encounter, but they were stable. Stability meant the ability to accumulate continuously.

He immediately cupped his hands, "Many thanks, Grand Elder. Qingfeng grew up under the protection of the Li Family Bloodline, and now that I have some potential, I am naturally willing to contribute to the Family."

The Grand Elder's gaze upon him softened even more.

Neither side mentioned the past slight.

Li Qingfeng was not stupid enough to dig up old scores now.

Before, he was treated as a breeding seed because he was weak. Now the Family was willing to place a new bet because he had become stronger. Since that was the case, he would let this relationship of interests run deeper—deep enough that the Li Family could not do without him.

After leaving the Ancestral Hall, Su Qingyue walked side-by-side with him under the corridor.

She lowered her voice and said, "You spoke very well just now. You didn't reveal too much, and you also made the Elder feel that your heart is with the Family."

Li Qingfeng smiled, "It always has been. The more Family resources there are, the more stable our small courtyard will be. The more stable the small courtyard is, the more confidence our children will have in the future."

"Children..."

Su Qingyue's footsteps paused slightly, and a flush rose again on her fair face.

She bit her lower lip gently, her voice much softer, "If there are truly children in the future, they will also be a part of the Li Family."

Li Qingfeng looked at her shy yet gentle appearance, his heart suddenly feeling much more at ease.

Before last night, the two were just allies in a transaction.

But now, they had already begun to talk about the future.

Just at this moment, a cold voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

[Host has completed the first Family status elevation.]

[Rudimentary Family Luck Observation unlocked.]

[Current path determination: Remain in the Family, branch out and spread leaves, manage steadily.]

[Aligned with the long-term growth direction of the More Children, More Blessings System.]

A faint light screen appeared before Li Qingfeng's eyes.

On the light screen, above the Li Family ancestral residence, there was a mass of blurry cyan Qi, like a sapling that hadn't yet grown. The main trunk was not thick, but it was considered stable. At the edges of the cyan Qi, several strands of gray, impure Qi were entangled, clearly representing external pressures and internal hidden dangers.

The System quickly provided an explanation.

Family Luck Observation could not directly kill enemies, nor could it immediately increase cultivation.

Its function was to allow Li Qingfeng to roughly judge the rise and fall of the Family, resource trends, external threats, and the degree of his own binding to the Family. In the future, the stronger the Family, the more wives and children he had, and the higher the Aptitude of his descendants, the more prosperous this mass of Luck would become. And as the Luck strengthened, the System rewards would correspondingly become richer.

Li Qingfeng's heart lit up as he watched.

This function was not flashy, but it was very crucial.

Others only saw the immediate win or loss, but he could see the long-term trend of the Family.

This was like having an extra pair of eyes.

Just as he was thinking this, a clansman responsible for market affairs hurried over and reported in a low voice before the Grand Elder.

"Grand Elder, the Zhao Family has recently been frequently purchasing Barrier-Breaking Grass in significant quantities. It looks like someone among their younger generation is likely about to charge toward the Late Stage of Qi Refining."

The Grand Elder's expression darkened slightly.

The few young clansmen outside the Ancestral Hall also fell silent.

Barrier-Breaking Grass was a commonly used Spirit Medicine for low-level Cultivators to break through barriers; the Zhao Family suddenly purchasing a large amount was definitely not a trivial matter.

The Grand Elder looked at everyone and said slowly, "Three months from now, the Qingshi Town Family Small Tournament will take place, which concerns the patrolling rights of the market. If the Zhao Family has one more Cultivator at the Late Stage of Qi Refining, the pressure on the Li Family will be significant."

Speaking to this point, his gaze fell upon Li Qingfeng.

Li Qingfeng's heart stirred.

Sure enough, resources would not be given for free.

Since the Family had raised his treatment, they would definitely make him contribute.

However, this was exactly what he wanted.

The Small Tournament was not a life-or-death struggle in a Secret Realm; there were Family rules and Elders overseeing it, so the risks were controllable. If he could use this to gain more recognition from the Family, his and Su Qingyue's small courtyard would be more stable.

The Grand Elder's tone was gentle, yet much more solemn.

"Qingfeng, the Li Family can give you resources, and we are also willing to give you opportunities."

He paused for a breath, looking deeply at Li Qingfeng.

"But if you wish to represent the Li Family in battle, you must first pass the internal selection. The Li Family will provide you with resources, but the spot must be won by your own hands."