Chapter Six: A Gift from Father

When Qin Feng returned to his own quarters, Qin Yuyan was sprawled across his bed, swinging her crystalline little legs back and forth while cheerfully humming a tune and playing with folded paper cranes. Upon noticing Qin Feng's arrival, she lifted her head and beamed at him, joyfully crawling up and calling out, "Brother, you're back!"

Witnessing this scene, warmth blossomed in Qin Feng's heart.

Having such an adorable, lively little sister waiting for him at home, accompanying him, made all the hardships of the past years seem inconsequential. On the contrary, Qin Feng often savored these moments.

Yet, this girl’s body seemed forever unable to grow, maintaining the appearance of an eight- or nine-year-old. Otherwise, with Qin Yuyan’s beauty and potential, she would surely become a stunning and voluptuous woman, offering Qin Feng daily delights for the eyes.

He gently patted Qin Yuyan’s small head, nodded, and then pulled over a rush mat to sit, immediately plunging into cultivation.

While his meridians remained unobstructed, Qin Feng would not waste a single moment. Becoming stronger was his unwavering conviction. Especially after reaping such a great benefit that morning, his desire to cultivate and grow more powerful intensified.

Beside him, Qin Yuyan seemed accustomed to Qin Feng’s nearly fanatical dedication, pursed her lips, and continued folding paper cranes.

As Qin Feng entered a meditative state, the mystical energy in the air gathered toward him at a noticeably faster rate than in previous days. Guiding the energy through his meridians, he followed the route of the "Azure Dragon Tempering Formula," circulating it eighty-one times before channeling it into his muscles and deeper layers of his meridians, continuously fortifying his muscles, meridians, and cells.

This method of cultivation stored mystical energy as power within every cell. On a microscopic level, one would see each of Qin Feng’s cells emitting a faint glow—the essence of strength, the principle behind accumulating energy and tempering the body.

Generally speaking, the Blood Cultivators refined their bodies. In contrast, Spell Cultivators focused on nurturing their spirits and dantian. Both cultivated mystical energy, but one used it to fortify the body and nurture the soul, while the other accumulated energy to nourish the spirit and cultivate the dantian. Their methods differed, but their paths converged. Body cultivators possessed formidable physiques and overwhelming strength, their greatest weapons in battle. Spell cultivators, on the other hand, cultivated the spirit; as long as their consciousness endured, they would not perish.

Both disciplines had their strengths, and their power and status were essentially equal. However, the Qin family had a unique advantage—the innate ability to awaken the bloodline soul, serving as their body soul. As a result, few spell cultivators emerged in the Qin family because they lacked the mystical root.

The mystical root was essential for channeling mystical energy into the dantian, the foundation of any spell cultivator.

Though Qin Feng’s physique was frail, as a member of the Qin family, he had been taught from childhood to refine his body, and so he steadfastly pursued the path of accumulating energy and tempering himself.

As mystical energy continuously transformed into strength and was stored in his cells, a faint azure glow began to emanate from Qin Feng’s skin, mysterious and ethereal.

Qin Yuyan, observing the glow, was slightly surprised, but quickly returned to normal—this phenomenon had long occurred in herself. Qin Yuyan was already at the seventh stage of Mortal Strength, a small master among the younger disciples. Though her slender figure made her appear unremarkable, Qin Feng knew that should a fight break out, even Qin Ba at the eighth stage might not be her match.

This was likely due to Qin Yuyan’s unique constitution. Though she remained small, it only added to her mysterious aura, clearly marking her as no ordinary girl.

Though she was still weak, Qin Feng firmly believed Qin Yuyan would one day astonish everyone.

Just as Qin Feng had entered his cultivation, he was interrupted by the steward, Elder He, knocking on the door.

"Young Master Feng, the patriarch requests your presence!" Elder He entered, stating his purpose directly.

Qin Feng was a bit surprised, wondering if it was about the morning’s duel, perhaps having caught his grandfather’s attention.

But he quickly dismissed the thought—such contests among the young would not prompt the old patriarch to summon him; there must be another reason.

He inquired of Elder He, who only shook his head in silence.

Qin Feng pursed his lips, following Elder He into the rear courtyard, toward a rather secluded room.

It was Qin Feng’s first time here.

Elder He stopped at the door, his expression cautious, gesturing silently for Qin Feng to enter.

Qin Feng muttered to himself about Elder He’s mysterious demeanor in broad daylight, then strode in.

As soon as Qin Feng entered, Elder He produced a rune-engraved disc from within his robes. Azure mystical energy gathered at his fingertips, and he tapped the formation plate several times. Instantly, a massive transparent barrier appeared around the house, shimmered briefly, and then vanished.

After this, Elder He stowed the formation plate, standing at the door like a meditating monk, unmoving.

Of course, Qin Feng did not witness any of this. Had he seen Elder He’s solemnity, he would surely have started guessing wildly.

Thankfully, the answer lay within the room.

Upon entering, Qin Feng glanced around. The room was not large, and its contents were easily taken in at a glance.

Two people were seated inside: an elderly man and a beautiful woman, chatting over tea.

Qin Feng recognized the man—it was his own grandfather, Qin Tianzheng, patriarch of the Qin family. The lovely woman, meanwhile, was regarding Qin Feng with her bright eyes, sizing him up.

As she appraised him, Qin Feng did the same. Though he did not know her, her dignified and graceful appearance left a favorable impression on Qin Feng; at the very least, he felt no aversion.

What surprised Qin Feng most was his grandfather’s attitude toward her, which seemed unusually respectful.

Though startled, Qin Feng kept his composure, first saluting the elder before asking, puzzled, "Grandfather, you called me here... for what purpose?"

"It was I who summoned you. At your father’s request, I have brought you a gift," the woman explained, dispelling Qin Feng’s confusion.

Qin Tianzheng nodded and smiled, saying nothing, merely gesturing with his eyes to reassure Qin Feng.

"What? My father!? Where is he now?"

At the sudden mention of his father, Qin Feng could no longer contain his emotions, his face changing as he stepped forward anxiously.

Seeing his reaction, the woman nodded, as if gaining a new appreciation for the depth of their father-son bond. She paused but did not answer directly; instead, she said, "My name is Han Qingxue. You may call me Aunt Xue."

Perhaps realizing his own loss of composure, Qin Feng felt no embarrassment. In this world, the father who had carried him everywhere seeking doctors, who had humbled himself for his sake, was the most important person in Qin Feng’s emotional world. His father’s kindness outweighed all else.

Han Qingxue smiled, then turned to Qin Tianzheng. "I’d like to speak with the child alone for a moment, if that’s alright?"

"Of course. I’ve already arranged for the room to be sealed with a formation; you may converse freely without fear of disturbance," Qin Tianzheng replied, setting aside his tea and instructing Qin Feng before bowing slightly to Han Qingxue and leaving.

With both watching, Qin Tianzheng reached the door, then suddenly vanished.

Qin Feng looked to Han Qingxue for answers, but she merely smiled, cast a few cryptic seals into the air, and gestured to a nearby chair. "Sit down. I’ll tell you about your father."

...

When Qin Feng and Han Qingxue emerged from the room, the incense stick had just burned out. Due to the restrictions, no one knew what was discussed inside.

Qin Feng now wore a silver storage ring, an item so precious that even the Qin family did not possess one.

Qin Tianzheng sighed inwardly. He already knew the gist of the matter. As expected, this was likely a gift from Qin Xiaosheng to Qin Feng. Qin Feng had been plagued by a strange illness for years; perhaps the solution lay within this ring.

Qin Feng’s eyes were slightly red, a trace of worry hidden deep within them.

There was news of his father, but it was not good. Though his father had sent something to cure him, Qin Feng would have preferred his father’s return.

Clenching his fists, Qin Feng led Han Qingxue toward his quarters.

Han Qingxue had come to the Qin family for two reasons: to deliver a gift to Qin Feng, and to take Qin Yuyan away.

Both were actually at Qin Xiaosheng’s request.

Qin Yuyan was not a true Qin family member; she lacked the ancestral dragon bloodline and could not awaken the bloodline soul.

Without awakening the bloodline soul, Qin family disciples could not advance to the Human Strength realm.

The body soul was essential for all body cultivators. Only those who awakened it before the Human Strength realm could continue to cultivate; otherwise, their progress would halt or they would have to change paths.

Even if a suitable method for Qin Yuyan’s cultivation were found, without proper guidance, she might encounter many pitfalls.

More importantly, Qin Xiaosheng knew of Qin Yuyan’s extraordinary constitution. Staying in Luoyang Town would only hinder her development, so he entrusted her to Han Qingxue as her disciple.

Han Qingxue had not disclosed her sect, but Qin Feng deduced from her aura and clothing that she was likely a Celestial Body Cultivator, or perhaps a Qi Cultivator among the spellcasters.

Qin Feng trusted his father’s choice implicitly.

There was no doubt—the image jade butterfly among the items his father sent contained a soul imprint that was unmistakably his father’s.

From a personal standpoint, Qin Feng wished Qin Yuyan could remain with the Qin family, but such an approach was clearly unwise.

Thus, though reluctant, he led Han Qingxue to his residence.

Qin Tianzheng followed; the two seemed to have discussed the matter beforehand, and Qin Tianzheng supported it.

Han Qingxue’s purpose was to meet Qin Yuyan and ease the sense of unfamiliarity. Considering Qin Feng’s feelings, she did not mention taking Qin Yuyan away immediately.

After all, for Qin Yuyan to leave, she had to agree herself, and given her strong dependence on Qin Feng, it could easily end awkwardly.

Indeed, after ten years of living together, a sudden separation would be hard for anyone.

Therefore, it would fall to Qin Feng to gently persuade his little sister.

Qin Feng’s yard was small; with just a few visitors, it felt crowded. Such lively commotion was unprecedented in all these years.

As they entered, the little girl was cooking. Seeing so many people, she became a bit flustered; clever as she was, she seemed to sense something, clutching Qin Feng’s arm and hiding behind him.

"Yaner, don’t be afraid. This is Aunt Xue," Qin Feng said, forcing a smile as he gently brought her forward and introduced her to Han Qingxue.

Qin Tianzheng merely smiled at the scene, quietly instructing Elder He beside him.

Han Qingxue, meanwhile, focused entirely on Qin Yuyan, her beautiful eyes tinged with surprise. A sixteen-year-old girl, yet still so small—perhaps even she had never seen such a thing.

"These two poor children..." Han Qingxue’s eyes grew moist as she murmured. Though no one caught her words, all understood—this beautiful woman was moved by motherly affection, her heart aching for them.

"Aunt Xue," Qin Yuyan said timidly, observing propriety despite her shyness.

Han Qingxue took Qin Yuyan’s slightly cold hand, and the more she looked, the more fond she grew—perhaps love for the child extended to all under Qin Feng’s roof. Especially with Yuyan’s perpetually small body, she was undeniably endearing.

"Child, this is for you!"

As Han Qingxue held Yuyan’s hand, her silver jade bracelet suddenly gleamed, and in the next moment it adorned Yuyan’s wrist, automatically adjusting to fit perfectly.

Qin Feng’s eyes lit up.

The little girl was flustered; such a valuable item made her hesitant, and she looked to Qin Feng for help. He nodded, signaling her to accept it.

After all, it would be rude to reject such kindness from an elder.

Han Qingxue chatted with the little girl for a few moments before leaving, never mentioning taking Yuyan away. Naturally, this task fell to Qin Feng.

Han Qingxue said she had matters to attend to and would return in a few days to collect Yuyan. Though she did not specify the exact time, Qin Feng guessed it would be after the Soul Awakening Day.

What an understanding woman...

At that moment, Qin Feng thought that if his father were to marry Han Qingxue, it would not be a bad thing.

Although Yuyan was not his father’s biological child, she had fully integrated into the Qin family over the years. If Han Qingxue joined them, could they perhaps form a new family?

...