The sun was high in the sky.
Li Qingmu lay propped on one elbow as he watched Zhen Rou sleep.
The way her long lashes twitched and her rosy lips were parted to release soft breath.
She's beautiful even in her sleep.
One delicate hand rested protectively over the gentle swell of her lower belly.
The first visible proof that his seed had taken root.
If Patriarch Zhen and his other in-laws saw this they'd surely lose their minds.
Rou'er let out the tiniest, cutest snore.
This endearing sound made Li Qingmu smile.
Young servant girls moved silently around the tent.
They were the ones who cleaned up the place and made sure it smelled nice after that wild night.
But he knew they were probably surprised that even after all the perverted things he'd done to Zhen Rou after planting his seed in her, the room still smelled nice.
That was because the beauty pills he'd been giving her didn't just enhance her looks… they also made her natural fluids sweet and pleasant-smelling.
He couldn't say the same about himself.
The stronger his fertility grew, the more bitter his yang essence became.
So he was already trying to figure out how his future wives were supposed to endure that bitterness whenever he wanted them to swallow it.
A good wife always has to swallow after all!
He yawned and waved a dismissive hand.
『I'll think about that later…』
Li Qingmu watched the servant girls work.
He was still not entirely used to it.
Back when Zhen Rou saw him only as a slave, she'd have kicked him out of bed herself and ordered him to scrub every inch of the room on his hands and knees.
Now, servants did it without a word.
Times had truly changed.
He glanced sideways at his wife again, eyes softening.
That once perfectly flat stomach now carried the small baby bump that was his child.
"Hmph."
With a lazy hand wave he summoned the system.
Ding!
[You've activated the Child Aptitude Generator!]
[These are all the information on your unborn son.]
[Estimated Child Grade: Heaven-Grade Aptitude]
[Innate Spiritual Roots: Dual Fire & Water]
Fire root is inherited from Mother.
Water root is inherited from Father.
[The child possesses one innate talent!]
‣ Sword Bone Constitution: Born with an indestructible sword bone framework. Any sword intent he comprehends will be ten times purer and more destructive than peers. At maturity, may naturally manifest a Natal Sword Embryo.
[Potential Blessings for Host are as follows!]
‣ +5000 Family Points upon birth
‣ Permanent +15% affinity to Water Dao Laws
‣ An emerald-grade fire spiritual root
‣ A powerful secret water magic spell
Li Qingmu's eyes gleamed.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
A heaven-grade son with dual supreme roots and two monstrous talents? The ancestors of the Zhen Clan would weep with joy if they knew.
But he needed more women and children.
Any day he isn't impregnating a fairy is another day of torture between his legs.
『My fertility is too much…』
He dismissed the panel
He dismissed the panels and slipped quietly from the bed and into black and white robes that looked simple yet elegant on his sturdy body.
His long black hair flowed down his back like ink to frame a face that seemed to grow more and more handsome since he started impregnating beauties.
He rubbed his smooth chin thoughtfully.
『I can't start accepting formal disciples into the Li Clan settlement yet. Not until I'm sure I have enough resources for myself first. Who knows how much resources they'll actually allocate to a new clan?』
A sly grin spread across his face as he glanced back at the sleeping Zhen Rou.
『But now that her father finally likes me… maybe I can use my dear wife to squeeze a little extra from the old man.』
He rubbed his palms together greedily.
For a man like him who had suffered shame and insults for being unbelievably poor, the only thing more beautiful than a fairy maiden is opportunity!
With a swish of his sleeves, he pushed apart the heavy brocade flaps of the tent.
The mountain air is fresh.
Morning wind hit his long black hair and sent it flowing behind him like spilled ink.
"Now…"
He spoke with his chin held high and arms clasped neatly behind his back as he began to walk.
"My main focus is Core Formation Realm. I've heard a Heaven-Dao Golden Core can grant at least 800 years of additional lifespan. With that, I'll have all the time in the world to build the strongest family."
He walked confidently down the developing paths of the half-built settlement.
But then he paused to glance back at the tent.
『Still… I can't keep staying in a tent. Especially not when Rou'er starts all her pregnancy cravings and motherly preparations. And as a clan chief, every step I take is being monitored by my in-laws, nobles, every rising official with an agenda. I can't let the Heavenly Governor's daughter or my future heir sleep here.』
Song family had promised financial support, yes.
But a true family palace has sixty grand rooms, ancestral halls, cultivation chambers, defensive arrays and required spirit stones on a scale he didn't yet possess.
He snapped his fingers.
"Ah."
A golden system interface bloomed before him.
[Family Head System welcomes you, Host.]
Li Qingmu smirked.
"Where are all the rewards for humbling that Ye family patriarch's son? I forgot."
[Task "Crush the Arrogant Young Master" completed long ago. Rewards have been prepared!]
‣ Family Palace
It's fully furnished with 68 rooms, complete with grand halls and defensive formations!
‣ 10,000 mu Basic Spiritual Farm
It'll yield low to mid-grade spirit plants.
It also has high fertility and +30% growth speed!
‣ One Imperial-Grade Treasure of your choice
Li Qingmu's smile widened.
The system continued in its gentle voice.
[It is advisable to place the Family Palace on a plot with the purest spiritual qi concentration and strongest dragon vein for optimal benefit to you and your bloodline.]
He tilted his head.
『I'm no geomancer. How am I supposed to know where the best dragon vein is?』
He rubbed his chin again, deep in thought.
The system pinged softly.
[Would Host like to select an imperial-grade treasure of his choice now?]
Li Qingmu waved dismissively.
"Not yet. I'll choose when I have time."
He continued his walk through the settlement.
Construction was in full swing… disciples in sect robes hauled spirit timber, laid formation stones, and directed floating arrays of bricks with ease.
The moment they spotted him a lot happened.
Backs got straighter.
The skirts of junior sisters got shorter.
Now he could see their smallish jade thighs.
Elder sisters loosened their robes so they could allow their soaked cleavage to breathe.
In short, movements grew twice as energetic.
They all wanted to be noticed.
Fenghuang Peak is prime real estate.
To be among the first direct disciples of the rising Li Clan is like a golden ticket to the heavens.
Beautiful junior sisters in flowing blue and white robes waved shyly as he passed.
"Senior Brother Li! Good morning~"
Another group clustered near a half-built pavilion spoke loud enough for him to hear.
"Is that really the same peasant we used to ignore? Look at him now. Those robes, that aura… like a young noble from the imperial capital!"
"Ugh, I regret not talking to him sooner. I heard he's about to breakthrough again. His talent is already comparable to the top noble sons!"
A senior sister sighed dramatically.
"Too late now. He's married to Lady Zhen."
A female disciple stepped into Chief Li's path.
She is particularly striking.
This is Su Liyue.
The grand elder of Zhulong Peak's girlfriend!
A lot of disciples gasped… both male and female.
They knew how fierce that grand elder can get about his precious Liyue.
So why was she here?
The lady bit her plump, rosy lower lip.
『I, Su Liyue, will make this clan chief my dog…』