35: Chapter 35 Shen Qingxue is about to give birth, a high-grade mortal.

Time flowed quietly, much like the changing of the seasons outside the window.

More than seven months had passed since Gu Yan married Liu Ruyan.

During this time, Luoyun Town was unbelievably peaceful.

The destruction of the Wang family and the slaughter of the Black Wind Stronghold were two major events that brought shock, much like a giant boulder thrown into a lake; although they stirred up monstrous waves, once the tide receded, the lake became even clearer and more tranquil than before.

There were no more bullies oppressing the villagers, nor were there any bandits coming down from the mountains to plunder.

The prestige of the Gu Family was like a scorching sun hanging high above Luoyun Town, suppressing all sorts of petty villains.

As for Gu Yan, he had completely entered a state of seclusion, rarely stepping out.

Every day, apart from engaging in Dual Cultivation with Liu Ruyan, he would guide the servants in the manor in practicing some Elementary martial arts, and otherwise, he would spend his time accompanying his two pregnant wives.

Shen Qingxue's belly was already heavily distended, making her movements increasingly inconvenient, but the smile on her face was gentler and more contented than ever before.

Although Bai Linger's pregnancy was not as obvious, it was becoming increasingly apparent; the girlish innocence she once possessed had faded significantly, replaced by a touch of the gentle warmth of an expectant mother.

With the assistance of Liu Ruyan, the "human tonic," Gu Yan's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

In just a few short months, he had made another Breakthrough, stepping into the Qi Refining Stage 6 Realm!

Such a terrifying cultivation speed, if spread abroad, would be enough to make countless Cultivators feel ashamed.

On this day, the weather was slightly cool.

While Shen Qingxue was taking a walk in the courtyard, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, stumbled, and nearly fell.

"Madam!" The maid beside her panicked and hurriedly stepped forward to support her.

"I… I'm going into labor…" Fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on Shen Qingxue's face, and her voice trembled slightly.

Once the news spread, the entire Gu Family mansion was instantly mobilized.

The midwives and maids, who had been prepared for a long time, acted like soldiers hearing a command, each performing their duties efficiently and without chaos.

After receiving the news, Gu Yan immediately rushed out of the quiet room.

He set aside all his affairs and, just as he had done when Bai Linger gave birth, anxiously stood guard outside the delivery room.

Although he had experienced this once before, the tension in his heart had not diminished in the slightest.

This time, it was his first legitimate eldest son or daughter in the true sense since arriving in this world!

Time slowly slipped away amidst suppressed cries of pain.

From early morning until dusk.

Inside the delivery room, the heart-wrenching sounds not only failed to weaken but instead became increasingly loud and frequent.

"Madam! Push! I can see the head! Give it another push!" The midwife's hoarse voice kept coming from inside the room.

Standing outside the door, Gu Yan felt as if his heart were burning with anxiety; he wished he could rush in and share her pain.

[Beep, detecting that the host's second heir is about to be born, Bloodline lottery in progress...]

In his mind, the System's perfunctory voice rang out right on time.

[Spiritual Root detection in progress...]

[Data analysis...]

Just at this moment.

"Waa—!!!" A baby's cry, even louder and clearer than when Gu Fan was born, suddenly erupted from inside the delivery room!

It's done!

Gu Yan's tightly clenched fists suddenly relaxed, his back already soaked with sweat.

"It's born! It's born!"

"Congratulations, Old Ancestor! Congratulations, Old Ancestor! The first Madam has given birth to a daughter! Both mother and daughter are safe!"

The beaming midwife, holding a tiny baby wrapped in a brocade blanket, walked out quickly and congratulated Gu Yan repeatedly.

Gu Yan let out a long sigh of relief, a heartfelt smile appearing on his face.

He did not take the child immediately but instead rushed into the delivery room at the first opportunity.

Shen Qingxue was lying on the bed, looking exhausted; her hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to her cheeks, and her face was devoid of color, yet she still forced herself to offer him a gentle and happy smile.

"Husband…"

"You've worked hard." Gu Yan sat by the bed and held her slightly cold hand, his voice full of heartache and gratitude.

[Detection results are out: [High Grade Mortal Rank Spiritual Root].]

[Evaluation: Average, meets expectations.]

[Reward settlement:]

[1. Lifespan + 10 years.]

[2. Additional reward: [Basics of Alchemy] x1.]

[Please continue to work hard, host, and strive to produce an SSR-grade offspring as soon as possible to complete this quarter's KPI assessment.]

The System's voice was flat and waveless, as if it were reading out an insignificant work report.

In Gu Yan's heart, however, it stirred up quite a wave.

High Grade Mortal Rank Spiritual Root.

It was one major Rank lower than Gu Fan's Low Grade Yellow Rank.

As expected, the mother's Aptitude does have an influence.

However, Gu Yan was not too disappointed. High Grade Mortal Rank, although it could not be considered a Genius, as long as the resources kept up, there was still hope for future Foundation Establishment.

The ten-year Lifespan reward was a tangible benefit.

What truly shook him was the additional reward—[Basics of Alchemy]!

What is this?

Just as he felt doubtful.

Boom!

A flood of information, vast beyond imagination, exploded in his mind without any warning!

Countless Pill Formulas, countless refinement techniques, countless pieces of knowledge regarding herbs and pharmacology...

From the most basic "Bigu Pill" and "Qi Recovery Powder" to the slightly more complex "Healing Pill" and "Antidote Pill"...

Information on hundreds of Medicinal Pills that Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators could use was detailed thoroughly, transforming into glowing characters and patterns, forming a huge, constantly rotating orb of knowledge that was forcibly branded into the deepest part of his memory!

From identifying herbs to controlling the heat, and then to the pill-forming techniques...

He felt as if he had experienced, in an instant, decades of hard study and accumulation of an Elementary Alchemist apprentice!

Although he had never personally opened a furnace to refine a pill, the theoretical knowledge in his mind was already solid to a terrifying degree!

Gu Yan's heart was filled with wild joy!

The value of this reward was simply immeasurable!

In the world of cultivation, what is most important?

Dharma, Companion, Wealth, and Land!

And Medicinal Pills could almost be equated with "Wealth"!

An Alchemist, no matter where they went, was an object that various major powers scrambled to win over! Their status was so revered that it was even far above that of Cultivators of the same Rank!

With this [Basics of Alchemy], it was equivalent to having a hen that lays golden eggs!

Not only could he provide a continuous supply of Medicinal Pills for himself and his family to Cultivate, but he could also use this to accumulate wealth that could rival a nation!

This was even more important and had more strategic significance than simply rewarding a few years of Lifespan, or even directly instilling cultivation base!

"Old Ancestor, please… please hurry and give the Young Miss a name."

The midwife carried the tiny baby to Gu Yan.

Gu Yan came back to his senses from his wild joy and took his first daughter.

The little one was neither crying nor fussing; she was opening her large, black grape-like eyes, curiously examining him. Her eyebrows and eyes looked exactly like Shen Qingxue's, delicate and gentle.

Gu Yan looked at her, his heart filled with tenderness.

He thought for a moment and said gently, "The moonlight is just right tonight, so let's call her… Gu Yue."

Gu Yue.

A gentle and tranquil name.

He lowered his head and gently kissed his daughter on her pink, tender cheek.

He knew that although this daughter did not bring him a huge Breakthrough in cultivation, she had opened a brand new door for him and the future of the entire Gu Family, leading to a broad and prosperous path.

His gaze inadvertently swept past Liu Ruyan, who was to the side, stroking her own belly with a face full of envy and anticipation.

Gu Yue, with her High Grade Mortal Rank Spiritual Root, brought the "Alchemy" skill.

Then…

What kind of Aptitude would the child conceived by the [Profound Yin Body] have?

What earth-shattering rewards would she bring him?

Gu Yan's heart was filled with unprecedented anticipation.