Far away in Sunset Forest, Yu Qing still had no idea that A Rou was preparing a "surprise" for him deep in Star Dou Great Forest. His days followed their usual, fulfilling rhythm: every morning he trained Ling Xin and Ling Mou without fail, adjusted little Dugu Yan's Physique, and kept his two pregnant wives company. One more task, however, had recently been added to his schedule.
It was to survey and mark out the interior of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well he had long since planned, clearly dividing future living quarters from cultivation zones.
The job sounded simple, yet it demanded a balance of energy flow, terrain, security, and room for later expansion. Yu Qing spent three full days walking every inch of the outer valley before he was satisfied with the final boundaries.
Standing on a high slope, he looked over the blueprint he had drawn: the living area lay where the energy was gentle, near water and flat land; the cultivation zones, graded into basic, intermediate, and advanced sections, ringed the living area, the closer to the core, the denser the energy.
He even reserved space for future herb gardens and workshops.
"Good enough." He nodded, then used his spirit power to leave durable markers at key points so the Duan and Zi families could build exactly to plan when they arrived.
Why not erect the houses himself with the strength of a Titled Douluo? A glance at the valley's stylish little grave-house—nicknamed "One Step into the Grave" by Dugu Bo—answered that question. Yu Qing's architectural talent was inversely proportional to his cultivation talent. Better to let professionals (or rather, his future fathers-in-law and their clans) do professional work.
Half a month slipped quietly past in waiting and preparation.
That morning Yu Qing changed into fresh clothes and left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well alone, heading for the outer entrance of Sunset Forest. According to his calculations, the Duan and Zi migration party should arrive today.
He sat on a clean stone beneath an ancient tree at the forest gate and waited. At noon, scorching sun filtered through the leaves, making the woods sweltering, yet an invisible field kept heat and insects away; he stayed cool and dry without a trace of sweat.
After some dry rations and another half-hour's wait, a plume of dust rose on the distant road; a long procession appeared on the horizon.
Yu Qing stood, swept his gaze over the column, and counted: seventy-eight people, matching the list—men and women pushing luggage carts, dusty from travel.
As they drew near, he stepped forward with a warm smile.
The carriage curtains parted and Father Duan and Father Zi jumped down almost together. Weary but excited, the two heads hastened to greet their son-in-law.
"Dear son-in-law, you honor us by coming yourself!" Father Duan clasped his hands, affection in his voice.
"Long journey, you've all worked hard." Yu Qing returned the courtesy, his eyes resting on the curious, nervous clansmen behind.
Father Zi sighed, "Hardly a hardship. If our old bones are of use to you, we'll give everything to do this well."
Father Duan looked apologetic. "Only… I'm sorry, son-in-law. Resistance in the clan was strong; in the end we could bring just these few."
Yu Qing waved it off. "Not at all. Those willing to trust us and choose this unknown path already make me happy. Quality outweighs quantity." His generosity touched the two fathers even more; they felt this son-in-law was worth his weight in gold.
"Those shortsighted fools will regret it sooner or later," Father Duan huffed with certainty.
After greetings, Yu Qing took the lead. A faint, vast aura spread like an invisible shield, enveloping the party.
The column began its march into Sunset Forest. Hunters at the entrance stared, slack-jawed.
"Hey, bro—what's this?" A young Spirit Master pointed at the families with children and ordinary folk. "Highest spirit power looks like Spirit King, and they just stroll into Sunset Forest? Delivering take-out to the Spirit Beasts?"
His companion swallowed. "Crazy… absolutely crazy."
The next instant a deep, prehistoric pressure rolled out from the handsome young leader; nearby Spirit Beast auras froze, then fled in terror, clearing miles of forest in heartbeats.
The hunters' legs turned to jelly, faces white. Only then did they realize—this was no take-out; a super expert was escorting them. Watching the column disappear into the trees, they felt only boundless envy and awe.
Mindful of children and weaker clansmen, Yu Qing set a slow pace. Moonlight like liquid silver bathed the woods before the caravan, under his guidance, reached the foot of the strange snow mountain without incident.
Father Zi gazed at the towering snow-capped mountain and couldn't help exclaiming, "Son-in-law, is this… our future home?"
"Yes," Yu Qing nodded, turning to face all the clansmen and letting his voice ring clearly in every ear. "Our home is halfway up this mountain. From here on, stay right behind me—do not set one foot wrong! Below the slope lies a lethal miasma; any Spirit Master below Spirit King will die within three breaths of inhaling it!"
At these words every clansman, including the two fathers-in-law at the Peak of Spirit Ancestor, turned pale and swallowed nervously. Only now did they truly sense how mysterious—and perilous—their new home would be.
"Set your mind at ease, dear son-in-law; we'll follow you closely!" Father Duan vowed at once, and together with Father Zi he sternly ordered every clansman to obey absolutely.
Under Yu Qing's guidance the party began climbing a hidden path. After breaching the last natural barrier and seeing with their own eyes the churning, rainbow-colored, deadly miasma, nearly everyone's scalp prickled; they pressed tight against the person in front, not daring the smallest mis-step.
At last, around midnight, they crossed the miasma zone and the view burst open before them. The thick Spiritual Qi, the dreamlike Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and the unheard-of exotic plants stunned every first-time beholder into silence; it felt like walking into a legendary immortal realm.
Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi, forewarned, came forward smiling. When the two fathers saw their daughters' clearly rounded bellies, joy surged in their hearts, yet they still put on stern faces and stepped forward to scold them solicitously.
"Nonsense! Now that you're with child you should be resting—why are you out walking about?" Father Duan chided, though his eyes were full of distress.
"This place is peculiar and the energies are complex; what if it unsettles the pregnancy?" Father Zi added.
Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi exchanged a smile, linked arms with their fathers, and said, "Don't worry, Father, we're no longer the frail girls we once were. It's very safe here, and our husband looks after us well."
Zi Ruyi, more thoughtful, looked toward her travel-weary mother in the group and asked, "Father, has Mother endured the long journey all right?"
Father Zi glanced at his wife and nodded. "She's fine—just a little tired. A few days' rest and she'll be well."
Zi Ruyi said gently, "My husband is skilled at tonics; tonight I'll ask him for a mild prescription to help Mother recover."
Father Zi's eyes flashed with gratitude; he gave a slight nod, not rejecting his daughter and son-in-law's kindness.
After settling them briefly, Yu Qing took the two fathers aside, pointed to the spirit power markers he had already set, and explained, "Sirs, I've designated this area as the living zone—houses, storehouses, dining halls will all be built here. Normally, please don't stray beyond it."
He indicated an inner region where the energy was noticeably richer. "That is the training zone, divided by energy density. Even in the outermost section, cultivation efficiency is at least triple that of the outside world."
Listening to Yu Qing and feeling the almost tangible Origin Qi, Father Duan and Father Zi were inwardly thunderstruck, their faces stamped with disbelief. Only now did they grasp why Yu Qing had chosen this place and why he was confident of forging a mighty power—this was a legendary cave-heaven blessed land!
Overwhelming joy and relief flooded them; they rejoiced that they had made the best possible choice.
Next Yu Qing, looking slightly mysterious, led them to an even more secluded corner. Under their puzzled stares he turned his palm, and two dazzling beams shot forth, radiating an awe-inspiring energy—they were two differently shaped yet equally resplendent bones!
"Fathers-in-law," Yu Qing said earnestly, "I have little with which to honor your hard journey. Please accept these two ten thousand year spirit bones as my token of gratitude."
Both bones were about twenty-thousand-years old—the most ordinary tier in Yu Qing's extravagant hoard—but to Father Duan and Father Zi they were objects of legend!
"Th-this…" Father Duan stammered, tongue-tied, heart pounding as he stared at the hovering Spirit Bone.
"Son-in-law! This is far too precious—we can't accept it, absolutely not!" Father Zi waved his hands repeatedly, voice trembling, yet his gaze remained magnet-locked on the Spirit Bone—an ultimate treasure countless Spirit Masters dream of!
Yu Qing smiled, his tone brooking no refusal. "Please take them. These will greatly raise your strength and help you Break through to Spirit King; they are also my thanks for leading the clansmen here despite the hardships.
Hearing his sincerity and feeling his genuine regard, the two fathers exchanged a glance, saw the excitement and resolve in each other's eyes, and accepted the weighty ten thousand year spirit bones with trembling hands, solemn beyond words.
The instant they touched them, the vast yet gentle energy made their bodies tingle; their gratitude toward Yu Qing and their joy at their own choice swelled to the utmost limit!
"As for the actual building…" Yu Qing, seeing the two men still dazed with excitement, rubbed his nose and laughed apologetically. "I'll have to trouble you and the clansmen to do it yourselves—after all, if you want clothes and food, do it with your own hands!"
With that he turned and walked away, leaving the two fathers-in-law cradling the Spirit Bones as if in a dream, while he went to arrange temporary camps for the rest of the clansmen.
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