Half a month passed quietly on Qingzhu Mountain.
The bamboo groves whispered with early spring wind.
Mist drifted like pale silk between the courtyards.
The boundary formation pulsed steadily, guarding the Lin Family's fragile peace.
Inside Lin Fei's courtyard, life had begun to change.
---
Shuyin's belly had begun to round gently.
Shulan's cheeks glowed with a faint warmth.
Lan Yue walked more carefully, one hand resting on her abdomen.
Even Mei — quiet, steady Mei — had begun to show the first signs of pregnancy.
Four women.
Four pulses of life.
Four branches of his lineage.
Lin Fei stood beneath the plum tree, hands behind his back, watching the morning sunlight fall across the courtyard.
The Heaven‑Falling Seal stirred faintly within his soul, revealing its ancient script:
Name: Lin Fei
Age: 18
Qi Path: Qi Condensation — Third Stage
Body Path: Saint Demonic Body — Second Layer (Forming)
Bloodline: Dao Dragon Physique (Dormant)
Lineage Strength: Four Pulses (Gestation)
The characters faded like mist returning to the mountain.
Lin Fei exhaled softly.
His qi cultivation rose slowly — the limit of a ninth‑rank spirit root.
But even this "slow" pace was faster than ordinary cultivators, because his physique cultivation constantly reshaped him:
- his meridians widened
- his qi channels thickened
- his dantian grew denser
- his blood carried a faint draconic resonance
The Saint Demonic Body demanded resources and tempering that most cultivators could not endure.
But for Lin Fei, it was natural.
His physique was the foundation.
His qi followed behind like a shadow.
---
On a wooden table lay dozens of talismans:
- Spirit Gathering
- Minor Protection
- Minor Cleansing
All low‑grade.
All flawless.
Lin Fei had sold more than one hundred in the past two weeks.
He now possessed:
312 spirit stones.
Enough to sustain his cultivation for months.
Enough to accelerate the second layer of the Saint Demonic Body.
Shulan counted the stones with wide eyes.
"Husband… this is more than some outer disciples earn in a year."
Lan Yue nodded softly.
"Your talent is… frightening."
Mei bowed her head, cheeks warm.
Shuyin smiled gently.
"You are supporting all of us."
Lin Fei simply replied:
"This is natural."
Inside—
This is only the beginning.
---
Far below the mountain, in a dimly lit hall, the Shui Family gathered.
Shui Hanjiang knelt before the Shui Patriarch, Qi Condensation stage 9.
Behind him stood two silent figures:
Two Foundation Establishment Ancestors.
The Patriarch spoke coldly.
"The Lin Family weakens. Their Ancestor is dying."
One Ancestor opened his eyes.
"Cut their roots.
Crush their future."
The Patriarch unfurled a scroll.
At the top:
Lin Fei.
"A son‑in‑law.
Rapid progress.
Suspicious talent."
Shui Hanjiang bowed.
"I will test him."
The Ancestor's voice echoed like cold water.
"Observe first.
If he is a threat…
remove him quietly."
---
Back on Qingzhu Mountain, the Lin Family elders gathered.
Lin Yuanding spoke first.
"Fei's talisman production is exceptional.
In half a month, he has earned more spirit stones than most of our juniors."
Elder Lin Ruo nodded.
"His strokes are too steady for a beginner.
His soul strength is unusual."
Lin Qingshan stroked his beard.
"He may possess a rare Talisman Talent."
Lin Hai added:
"Spirit root affects cultivation speed, yes —
but talisman talent is different.
It is a sensitivity of the soul.
A rare gift."
Lin Yuanding sighed.
"We must cultivate this talent."
"But who will teach him?" Lin Hai asked.
A soft voice answered.
"I will."
---
A woman stepped forward.
White robes embroidered with silver talisman patterns.
Hair tied with a jade clasp.
Eyes sharp, calm, intelligent.
Lin Qingxue.
The Fairy of Qingzhu Mountain.
The Patriarch's eldest daughter.
A high‑stage talisman master.
Possessor of a Grade‑5 spirit root.
Cultivation: Qi Condensation — Stage 8.
Behind her stood her younger sister:
Lin Qingyu —
Grade‑4 spirit root,
strong talisman sensitivity,
cultivation Qi Condensation — Stage 7,
sharp‑tongued, proud, easily irritated,
but fiercely loyal to her family.
Qingxue bowed slightly.
"I will teach him."
Lin Hai blinked.
"You? The Fairy herself?"
Qingxue's expression remained calm.
"He is now family.
And the Lin Family needs strength."
Qingyu crossed her arms.
"Hmph. I'll watch.
If he's pretending to be weak, I'll expose him."
Lin Yuanding nodded.
"Very well.
Send word to Fei.
His lessons begin tomorrow."
---
That evening, a servant arrived at Lin Fei's courtyard.
"Young Master Lin, the Patriarch requests your presence tomorrow morning.
The Eldest Daughter will personally instruct you in talisman arts."
Shuyin and Shulan exchanged surprised glances.
Lan Yue's eyes widened.
Mei nearly dropped the bowl she was holding.
Lin Fei simply nodded.
Inside—
The Lin Family moves.
The Shui Family plots.
The mountain shifts.
The path deepens.
He looked at his pregnant wives, at Mei, at the quiet courtyard filled with new life.
Inside—
I will protect this household.
I will strengthen this family.
I will not allow anyone to take what is mine.
The Saint Demonic Body pulsed.
The Dao Dragon Physique slept in his blood.
A quiet storm was rising.