143: My son has the potential to become an immortal.

“Third-tier jade phoenix tree: Extremely easy to survive; only needs to be planted on a Spiritual Vein and requires no special care. Its growth limit depends on the grade of the Spiritual Vein, up to a third-tier High Grade, requiring a top-tier third-tier Spiritual Vein.”

“Value: Its bark, leaves, roots, sap, and fruits are all edible. Its leaves can be used to make talismans, its branches and bark can be used for Artifact Refining, and its fruits can be used for Alchemy...”

“This...”

Liu Xuan was initially not very satisfied with the third-tier spiritual plant reward, but after reading the System’s description, he was stunned.

This was a third-tier treasure tree; its entire body was a treasure, and it didn't require special care, allowing for continuous harvesting once planted.

But where should this thing be planted?

Planting it in White Crane Lake would be good. White Crane Lake was now his Liu Family’s ancestral land, making everything convenient.

However, the Spiritual Vein in White Crane Lake was only a second-tier Medium Grade, which could only support the jade phoenix tree growing to a second-tier Medium Grade.

The Sect did have a third-tier Spiritual Vein, but Liu Xuan had no control over the Spiritual Vein in the Sect, and he wouldn't dare plant a third-tier spiritual plant right under True Person Xiao's nose.

‘I’ll just plant it in White Crane Lake for now! We’ll worry about the future later.’

Even if it were planted in the Sect, it wouldn't be able to grow to third-tier in a short time, so planting it in White Crane Lake was better.

Once it grew to a second-tier Medium Grade, it wouldn't be too late to transplant it to the Sect.

Even if it didn't work out, it wouldn't matter. With his growth rate, he might not even care about a mere third-tier spiritual plant by then.

Liu Xuan shifted his consciousness from the jade phoenix tree and looked at a ‘spider-like’ insect nearby.

Gu, Liu Xuan had never heard of any Sect nearby raising such things.

While the Peach Blossom Sect and Cloud Top Sect had many Yao Beasts, ghosts, and monsters, there were no records of Gu there either.

Liu Xuan’s lack of knowledge didn't mean they didn't exist in the Cultivation world; perhaps there were Sects that raised Gu in distant places.

Never mind these for now, Liu Xuan focused on checking the Puppet Gu information.

“Puppet Gu: Feeds on the Divine Soul and coexists with the Host. It can differentiate into sub-gu to parasitize the Divine Souls of defenseless creatures, refining them into unconscious Puppets until their Divine Souls are completely devoured.”

‘Holy crap!!’

Parasitism, Puppet, devouring Divine Soul... this was truly the Evil Path!

‘System! What exactly are you trying to do?’

‘Am I, such an upright person, to be led astray?’

Forget it!

There are no evil methods in the world, only people of the Evil Path. As long as it is used well, even evil methods can be used for righteous purposes... With a thought, the spider-like Puppet Gu materialized in Liu Xuan’s Divine Soul, and more detailed information was transmitted to his mind.

The Puppet Gu was a special Gu that coexisted with its Host, and its rank depended on the Host’s Divine Soul.

Liu Xuan’s heart filled with joy. Growth-type Gu were of the greatest value to him, possessing strong Late Stage potential.

The sub-gu required the target to be defenseless or willing to be parasitized; otherwise, it could not parasitize. The number of sub-gu depended on the Host’s Cultivation and the Cultivation of already parasitized creatures.

Liu Xuan frowned. The requirement of the target being defenseless or willing meant that he would have to beat them half to death or force them into submission to parasitize, which greatly reduced its value.

It wasn't entirely useless, but rather a somewhat effective sinister method.

The Puppet Gu could parasitize a Cultivator or Yao Beast one major Realm higher than itself at most. Under certain special conditions, it might achieve unexpected results.

For example, if he encountered a severely injured and unconscious Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he might be able to control a Foundation Establishment Puppet. Just thinking about it was good!

‘If only I had obtained this Puppet Gu earlier!’

If he had the Puppet Gu half a year ago, he could have tried it on that black-robed Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Although the success rate of parasitizing a Foundation Establishment Cultivator across a major Realm was very low, once successful, the benefits would definitely be countless times greater than killing a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

While he was contemplating, the Iron Feather Eagle arrived at the county town, flying over the Liu Family mansion.

The current Liu Family mansion was not as lively as it once was. Most people had moved to White Crane Lake, with only Xia He, Wu Qingyue, and a few maids residing there.

“Master is back!”

“Welcome back, Master!”

...Although the Concubines and children had moved, there were still many servants to attend to them. Seeing Liu Xuan return, they quickly stepped forward to greet him.

Handing the Iron Feather Eagle to a servant for care, Liu Xuan walked towards the peach orchard in the backyard, “Has any of the Madams given birth today?”

A fifteen or sixteen-year-old maid followed Liu Xuan, replying, “Reporting to Master, Madam Manqing gave birth to a Young Master this morning.”

Manqing? Ye Manqing?

A gentle and elegant figure appeared in Liu Xuan’s mind. Last time, she gave birth to the thirtieth child, Liu Daodan, a child with a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root.

Ye Manqing herself had no Spiritual Root, yet she had consecutively given birth to two children with Spiritual Roots, and this time even to a child with a fifth-grade Spiritual Root. Did she possess some special Physique?

Or was it simply good Luck?

The Spiritual Root was a particularly profound thing, involving the Origin of the Divine Soul. The entire Cultivation world had not fully understood its true Origin.

High-quality Spiritual Roots and high Cultivation of both parents could increase the probability of their children having Spiritual Roots, but it was only a probability and could not absolutely guarantee a High Grade Spiritual Root for the children.

If both parents had no Spiritual Root, the probability of their children having no Spiritual Root was extremely low, and the probability of a High Grade Spiritual Root was even lower.

But a low probability didn't mean it was impossible; with a large base of Mortals, there would always be people with Heaven-Defying Luck.

Yan Qingyao’s parents were ordinary people, yet she still possessed a fourth-grade Spiritual Root, almost reaching High Grade.

Ye Manqing consecutively gave birth to two children with Spiritual Roots, and this time even a son with a fifth-grade Spiritual Root. If she didn't have a special Physique, it was equivalent to winning a five-million-dollar lottery.

Regardless of whether she had a special Physique, just based on this Luck, Liu Xuan intended to improve her treatment and give her more care in the future.

The difference between children with and without Spiritual Roots was enormous. Even in martial arts, children with Spiritual Roots progressed faster and had better Comprehension Ability.

This was a pattern Liu Xuan had summarized from observing his children practicing martial arts: except for his eldest son Liu Daoyuan and a few other exceptions, children with Spiritual Roots generally completely outclassed those without Spiritual Roots in martial arts Cultivation.

This led Liu Xuan to increasingly value his children’s Spiritual Roots and to put more effort into teaching those with Spiritual Roots.

Entering the room, the child had stopped crying. Ye Manqing leaned her head on one hand, while with the other, she playfully poked the infant in the swaddling clothes, a gentle smile on her face. A small boy was also peering curiously from the side of the bed.

“Dad!”

“Why are you back?”

Liu Daodan turned around and called out happily.

Liu Xuan walked over and patted his head, “I came back to see you!”

“Husband!”

Seeing Liu Xuan return at this time, the smile on Ye Manqing’s face brightened a few shades.

Liu Xuan looked at the child and asked Ye Manqing, “Have you thought of a name for the child?”

Ye Manqing shook her head, “Naming a child is a major matter; your Concubine dares not make a decision on her own.”

Liu Xuan pondered for a moment, “My son’s talent is extraordinary, with the potential for Immortal Ascension. I shall name you Liu Daoxian!”