A month had passed since the successful absorption of that shocking 700,000-year god-bestowed spirit ring.
Inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well valley, the years were peaceful, and everything was serene and tranquil.
Under the meticulous management of Father Duan and Father Zi, the Yin Yang Sect was running in an orderly fashion; the disciples performed their duties, some cultivating and some working, while the children played, filling the air with vigorous vitality.
Yu Qing's life had also become regular and comfortable.
Most of his thoughts were tied to the children in the bellies of Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi.
Various meticulously prepared pregnancy-stabilizing Medicinal Cuisines were served in rotation, never repeating; the rare fruits and Heaven And Earth Treasures previously rewarded by the System specifically for nourishing fetuses and improving Innate Aptitude had long since transformed into gentle medicinal power, fully absorbed by the two mothers and the babies in their wombs.
Yu Qing could clearly sense that the life force of the two little ones was growing stronger day by day, filled with potent Power of Life.
Over this month, A Rou also benefited greatly through that bi-monthly special cultivation. Her seventh spirit ring, which was originally close to 90,000 years, finally broke through its shackles and transformed into a new hundred thousand year spirit ring under the double blessing of the Yin Yang Conjunction with Yu Qing and the Dual Cultivation Secret Codex!
With her strength greatly increased once more, she was in an excellent mood, and her attitude towards Yin-Yang Harmonization actually became more "zen."
She no longer clung to Yu Qing every three to five days like before, but returned to a more "traditional" rhythm—coming to find Yu Qing for a hearty and deep exchange about once every half month. In her words: "A thin stream flows long; only then can one reach the end."
Of course, the "flow" and "time" of each session were quite substantial.
Fox Consort's progress was even more rapid.
Several sessions of Yin Yang Conjunction Dual Cultivation within a month allowed her to successfully stabilize at level forty-five, and she condensed a pitch-black ten-thousand-year fourth spirit ring as she wished. The rapid increase in strength made her more and more focused on Yin Yang Conjunction Dual Cultivation.
After all, who could refuse this kind of rapid leveling up while lying down, coupled with the experience of ultimate pleasure? Unfortunately, after each time, several days were needed to compress and purify the surging spirit power, refine the Yin-Yang Power in her body, and she also needed to consume the special Medicinal Cuisine Yu Qing specifically prepared for her to strengthen her physique to withstand more energy.
This entire process took at least six or seven days before the next Dual Cultivation could be performed, which gave the "vixen" who had tasted the sweetness a bit of a "dissatisfied" resentment.
Under Yu Qing's careful care and Medicinal Cuisine nourishment, the twin sisters Ling Xin and Ling Mou had long since shed their former thinness and timidity, growing into graceful young women with bright eyes and white teeth, possessing a confident and calm temperament; their spirit power also successfully reached the level twenty Bottleneck.
But Yu Qing was in no hurry to take them to obtain their second spirit rings. Instead, he had them consume a special Medicinal Cuisine with added ten-thousand-year whale resin every day to further solidify their Foundation, widen their Meridians, and strengthen their physiques. He wanted to lay the firmest Foundation for them, ensuring that their second spirit rings could be at least at the 2,000-year level, or even push for 3,000 years!
As for looking after the children... this had already become an indispensable happy time for Yu Qing every day. The two little girls, Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan, had almost become his "exclusive attachments," sticking to him closely. Yu Qing was also happy to accompany them playing in the valley, telling them stories, and guiding them in some basic physical exercises.
Xiao Wu's talent as a "child king" had also completely awakened. With her lively and cheerful (plus a little bossy) personality and her Innate advantage as a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast, she successfully became the "Big Sister" in the hearts of all the children in the Yin Yang Sect, leading a group of little ones to "roar through the mountains" in the valley all day long, having a blast.
Time passed quietly and quickly in such warm and trivial daily life. Unknowingly, midwinter had deepened, and another two months passed.
This night, the cold wind was piercing, and the stars and moon were dim. However, Yu Qing's main room was as warm as spring and brightly lit.
Yu Qing and the four women sat around the heater. Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi leaned on recliners covered with thick soft cushions, their bellies high and bulging, their faces radiating maternal glow and happiness. A Rou leaned lazily by Yu Qing's side, a satisfied smile in her pink eyes, while Fox Consort sat on a soft stool a bit further away, holding a teacup, her charming fox eyes occasionally glancing at Yu Qing with a hint of undetectable tenderness.
Outside was a dark midwinter night, but inside was warm and full of laughter. Everyone casually chatted about interesting daily events and exchanged insights on cultivation, while Yu Qing occasionally answered their doubts about cultivation, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Looking out the window at the pitch-black night sky where even the moonlight was stingy, Yu Qing couldn't help but sigh softly, "Once today is over, it will be another new year. Time really flies."
Hearing this, Duan Xin gently stroked her round belly, a pure and (slightly) silly smile of happiness appearing on her face. "Yes, meeting Husband feels like it was just yesterday. If I calculate carefully, it's been over a year, hasn't it?"
Zi Ruyi, who was beside her, added with a smile, "To be precise, it's been ten months and seven days."
Looking at the bellies of the two women, A Rou's eyes showed unshielded envy as she murmured, "It's almost seven months, right? The little ones are growing so fast..."
Hearing her words, Fox Consort couldn't help but roll her eyes at her and habitually retorted with a sharp tongue, "Envious? Too bad, some people can't get pregnant no matter how much they harmonize~"
A Rou's face immediately stiffened, and she reached out like a flash, giving Fox Consort a light flick on her smooth forehead. "Stinky fox! Is your skin itching again? Believe it or not, next time I'll have Husband give you'special attention' so you won't be able to get out of bed for three days!"
Fox Consort cried out in pain, clutching her forehead, and immediately shut her mouth sensibly, but her fox eyes flickered with a defiant light as she muttered to herself, "Hmph! What are you acting so arrogant for! It's just because you met Husband a few years earlier than me! If we had transformed at the same time, it's not certain who would win or lose!"
Watching the interaction between the four women—seemingly bickering but actually intimate—Yu Qing showed a look of immense satisfaction and happiness. This warm and harmonious atmosphere where they cared for each other was exactly the feeling of home he craved most.
Late at night, the fire in the stove gradually died down.
The five of them bid each other goodnight and prepared to return to their respective rooms to rest. Before parting, they looked at each other and smiled, their eyes filled with longing for the future.
"Next year, we must surpass our current selves!" The five of them spoke in unison, making their expectations and goals for the new year... The next morning.
When the first light of the new year struggled through the thick winter clouds and spilled into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well valley, Yu Qing had already risen early.
He personally went to the kitchen and meticulously cooked a sumptuous and auspicious New Year's Medicinal Cuisine breakfast. Subsequently, he took out several exquisite gifts he had prepared and walked toward the small courtyard where Dugu Bo lived.
"Old Poison! Happy New Year! Come out and receive your guest!" Yu Qing pushed open the courtyard gate without ceremony and laughed loudly.
Dugu Bo was stretching his muscles in the courtyard. Hearing his voice, he turned around irritably. "What are you shouting for so early in the morning? This old man isn't deaf!"
When the two met, they followed the routine of teasing and insulting each other first—this was their unique way of communicating. Yu Qing handed an exquisitely packaged gift to Dugu Bo: "Here, a New Year's gift. It's good for consolidating your Poison Dan."
Dugu Bo took the gift, a flash of warmth in his green eyes, though his words were still sharp. "Hmph! At least you kid have a bit of a conscience!" He turned and went into the house, returning a moment later with a jade box to hand to Yu Qing. "Here, this is this old man's return gift to you."
Yu Qing opened the jade box, and a strange aura immediately hit him, carrying both a refreshing fragrance and a faint, heart-palpitating fluctuation of deadly poison. Inside the box lay a strangely shaped, entirely emerald-green flower with seven eerie silver patterns on its leaves.
"This is... the Seven Despair Jade Phosphorus Flower?" Surprise flashed in Yu Qing's eyes. This was an extremely rare top-grade poisonous herb; its toxicity was incredibly fierce, yet it also contained a peculiar power of purification and tempering.
A hint of pride appeared on Dugu Bo's face. "That's right! This old man meticulously cultivated it for many years to get this one. I reckon that disciple of yours who practices poison techniques will be able to use it later."
Yu Qing didn't stand on ceremony either, smiling as he accepted the precious and practical gift. "Then many thanks, Old Poison! I like this gift very much!"
With the business finished, Yu Qing walked straight into the house without hesitation, dug the sleeping little Dugu Yan out of her blankets, skillfully dressed her, and then walked out carrying the groggy little girl.
Watching Yu Qing's "bandit-like" behavior, the corners of Dugu Bo's eyes couldn't help but twitch a few times. In the end, he only laughed and scolded helplessly, "Brat! Yan Yan is almost becoming your daughter!"
Yu Qing waved his hand without looking back. "Isn't your granddaughter my disciple? Why be so formal! Let's go!"
Carrying his warm and soft little disciple, Yu Qing returned to his residence. By this time, the sumptuous breakfast was already on the table, and the family sat together, warmly enjoying the first meal of the new year.
The entire Yin Yang Sect was also immersed in a festive and peaceful New Year atmosphere. Children wore new clothes, chasing and playing, receiving candies and red envelopes from their elders; adults visited each other to offer New Year greetings, their faces filled with sincere smiles. Lanterns and decorations were everywhere in the valley (though simple), and laughter and chatter were heard incessantly.
Standing by the window, looking at this scene full of vitality and warmth, the sense of belonging and happiness regarding "home" in Yu Qing's heart had never been as strong and real as it was at this moment.
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