142: An unexpected surprise, a fifth-grade spiritual root offspring

Half a year later.

Fledgling Eagle Courtyard cultivation room.

Eighth Level of Body Refining!

Vast essence blood surged within his body, and a core 'origin point' was faintly forming in his heart.

'To Breakthrough to the Eighth Level of Body Refining so quickly, that third-rank pine nut from back then was indeed extraordinary!'

His Body Refining Realm had Breakthrough to the Eighth Level, and his Seventh Level of Qi Refining cultivation had also Breakthrough a few months prior, now approaching the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining.

Stepping out of the cultivation room, he immediately heard the sound of children playing.

Looking towards the lake, he saw over a dozen seven or eight-year-old children playing in the water, paddling a small boat.

Fourth Young Master Liu Daocheng, wearing only a pair of shorts, plunged into the lake with a splash, only to surface over ten meters away after a while.

In just one year, this kid's swimming skills had reached the pinnacle of Perfection.

Beside the small boat, a black turtle shell the size of a round table floated on the water.

The eldest, Liu Daoyuan, stood on it, meticulously practicing the Green Wood Body Sculpting Art.

"Brother! Can't you rest for a bit? This is our entertainment time."

Fourth Young Master Liu Daocheng swam over, clinging to the edge of the turtle shell, and looked up at Liu Daoyuan.

Liu Daoyuan stopped practicing, awkwardly scratching his head.

"Sorry, I'm used to it. I just like to practice when I have nothing to do."

"Let's continue fishing, I promise I won't get distracted again!"

"Brother Cheng, hurry! I caught a big fish."

Another child, holding a fish spear, shouted excitedly.

Fourth Young Master Liu Daocheng was lively and loved to play, making him very popular.

He always led the way whenever they went out to play.

"Where is it? Wait for me to come over!"

He no longer bothered with Liu Daoyuan and quickly swam towards the small boat.

Liu Xuan did not stop the children from playing.

Martial arts also required a balance of work and rest, and the children were still young; pushing them too hard would not be very effective.

Brother Cheng liked to play, but he also did not neglect his Martial Dao, with his proficiency second only to his eldest brother, Liu Daoyuan.

After several years of practicing the Green Wood Body Sculpting Art, the children's Physiques had significantly strengthened, making them full of energy.

An average adult who hadn't practiced martial arts probably wouldn't be their match.

Once they were old enough, children with good Martial Dao talents like Eldest Son and Daocheng would quickly be able to Breakthrough to the Muscle and Bone Realm, and the Inner Qi Realm and Innate Realm would likely not be far behind.

Liu Xuan didn't look any further.

The children were being looked after by his sister Liu Miao and several Concubines nearby, the mysterious turtle watched over them in the water, and a swarm of Black Crystal Bees watched over them from the sky, so nothing could possibly go wrong.

Arriving in the outer hall, Lin Yiyi and She Xiaorong were chatting.

Seeing Liu Xuan enter, they both stood up to greet him.

"Husband, many Families have requested to join the Merchant Alliance again recently.

This is their gift list, please take a look."

She Xiaorong handed Liu Xuan a red gift list, densely filled with various gifts.

Liu Xuan glanced at it, closed the list, and handed it back to her.

"I won't look at it.

You can handle it.

If there are no problems, let them join."

She Xiaorong put away the gift list and then took out a roster from her bosom.

"These are the maidservants sent by each Family.

Please see which ones you wish to keep."

Liu Xuan became a little interested, opening the roster to see that it recorded each maidservant's appearance, talent, cultivation, and other information.

Without exception, they were all direct descendants of various Families, with at least a beautiful appearance.

Moreover, most of them were not Mortals; the lowest were Martial Artists of the Inner Qi Realm, and the majority were Cultivators.

There were thirteen people in total, each with their unique charm and beauty.

"Keep them all.

You must settle them properly and bring them to the island when you have time."

"Understood!"

She Xiaorong knew this would be the outcome.

Liu Xuan's desire to take on new Concubines and have children had never diminished.

Since hundreds of Robber Cultivators died in the White Family's Ice Blue Valley half a year ago, Yongning had returned to peace.

After True Person Xiao went into seclusion and Liu Xuan took over White Crane Lake, Lin Yiyi, as a Sect Disciple, was appointed by Liu Xuan as the captain of the Law Enforcement Team.

The island's affairs were ostensibly managed by Lin Yiyi, but in reality, they were arranged by She Xiaorong, the Vice Alliance Leader of the Merchant Alliance.

Using public resources for private gain, the Sect Enforcement Team on the island became the Merchant Alliance's enforcers, and the Yongning Merchant Alliance's influence continuously expanded.

Liu Xuan had tamed a spirit bee at Qi Refining Perfection with powerful combat abilities, and he also held a talisman treasure bestowed by Immortal Master Xiao.

All the Families in Yongning were completely subservient.

Many people had already recognized Liu Xuan's status as the owner of White Crane Lake.

In everyone's eyes, the Liu Family was equivalent to replacing the former Chen Family.

Therefore, new Families constantly wanted to join the Merchant Alliance, and people continuously wanted to send Concubines to Liu Xuan.

Simply joining the Merchant Alliance was not secure enough; it was best to have a female Cultivator from one's own Family become Liu Xuan's favored Concubine.

If she could give birth to a talented child, and that child grew up, there might be a chance to take over the Liu Family, which would be a huge boost to the Family at that time.

The main reason everyone had such thoughts was that Liu Xuan was famous for being good to his Concubines and children.

Most of the Merchant Alliance's real power was controlled by Liu Xuan's Concubines, and he spared no Spirit Stones, always using the best resources for his children.

Who wouldn't want to do something beneficial?

Without Family coercion, many eligible girls in Families would actively request to become Liu Xuan's Concubine.

Once chosen and successfully becoming Liu Xuan's woman, their lineage would immediately gain a significant increase in status within the Family.

If she could gain Liu Xuan's favor and manage a portion of the Merchant Alliance's power, she could even drive the Family's strength to increase.

By relying on strategic marriages, Liu Xuan single-handedly turned more than half of Yongning's Cultivation Families into one big Family...

With this relationship, coupled with the Merchant Alliance's mediation, cooperation within the Merchant Alliance became increasingly harmonious.

She Xiaorong was very capable; not only was the internal market of the Merchant Alliance active, but she also had business dealings with Families within the Nether Fire Sect and Peach Blossom Sect territories.

Almost all Families in the Merchant Alliance could gain some benefits from the Merchant Alliance's business, and this income was almost enough to offset the increased taxes, leading to the entire Yongning Cultivation World having less resistance towards the Sect than other counties...

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, your eightieth child has been born! Five-rank Spiritual Root! You have received the third-rank spiritual plant, jade phoenix tree.]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, your child's Spiritual Root has reached a new high! You have received a special Gu: Puppet Gu.]

[Puppet Gu: Can control a creature not exceeding one major Realm above your own cultivation as a Puppet.

Requirement: The target must be willing and offer no resistance.]

???

Liu Xuan, who was admiring his new Concubines and carefully examining their detailed information, was bewildered by the information in his mind.

'Five-rank Spiritual Root?!'

'I remember no talented female Cultivator Concubine being pregnant recently!'

Yan Qingyao had always been unwilling to have a second child, Lin Yiyi had never conceived, and although Xia He was pregnant, it wasn't time yet!

After calculating the time, only an ordinary maidservant in the county's Liu Residence was due to give birth around this time.

'An ordinary maidservant giving birth to a five-rank Spiritual Root child, could this be the chosen one!'

An unexpected joy!

Liu Xuan hadn't expected to hit the jackpot one day.

"Husband, what's wrong?"

She Xiaorong asked when she saw Liu Xuan lost in thought.

"It's nothing.

You can arrange things.

I need to go to the county town!"