Chapter 57: Brother-in-Law, You Finally Came Out

Su Xingyue only knew that the supreme spiritual root was the Heavenly Spiritual Root, but now it seemed that her child's Immortal Spiritual Root was undoubtedly superior to even the Heavenly Spiritual Root.

She just had no idea to what extent it surpassed it.

Seeming to perceive the doubts lingering in everyone's minds, Ancestor Qingli parted her lips slightly and slowly stated, "It is rumored that those born with an Immortal Spiritual Root experience virtually no bottlenecks in their cultivation. Their path of enlightenment is as smooth as a broad highway."

"They can effortlessly advance to the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, and with just a little effort, touch the legendary Deity Transformation realm before ascending to the higher realms!"

Though Ancestor Qingli's voice was not loud, it struck everyone's ears like a sudden clap of thunder.

Ji Qingwan felt a deafening hum in her mind, leaving it entirely blank.

She widened her eyes and gaped, yet was utterly unable to utter a single sound.

This... how could this be possible?

Her own disciple had actually given birth to a child possessing the Immortal Spiritual Root?

This was a spiritual root that existed only in legends!

Throughout the entire world of immortal cultivation, such a root had likely never appeared before!

Overwhelmed with emotion, Su Xingyue trembled all over as she tightly grasped Ji Qingwan's hand.

Her lips quivered, her face glowing with intense excitement.

Her eyes brimmed with tears—tears of pure joy, tears of profound happiness.

The midwife wore an expression of sheer disbelief as she stared blankly at the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Having spent her entire life delivering babies, what kind of children had she not witnessed?

Yet this was her very first time encountering a newborn who triggered heavenly phenomena at birth and possessed the Immortal Spiritual Root.

Ancestor Hongluan's face also mirrored a look of profound shock. Taking a deep breath to steady her churning emotions, she slowly remarked, "Senior Sister, it seems that not only does this Lin Fan possess a unique constitution, but the spiritual root of the child he fathered is also terrifyingly powerful!"

In the realm of cultivation, the appearance of spiritual roots is exceedingly rare.

Among ordinary mortals, out of tens of thousands, perhaps not even one will possess a spiritual root, and the quality of such roots is abysmal—mostly comprising four-element or five-element pseudo-spiritual roots.

Conversely, descendants born to cultivators who possess spiritual roots have a vastly higher probability of inheriting spiritual roots themselves, and the quality of those roots is rarely poor.

Given that Su Xingyue was a three-element spiritual root cultivator, her child should logically have been at least a three-element spiritual root, or quite possibly a dual-element or mutated spiritual root.

"If our sect could have just a few more children with spiritual roots of this quality..."

A sharp gleam flashed across Ancestor Hongluan's eyes as she seemingly envisioned the future of the Heavenly Desire Sect.

Should the sect manage to recruit a few more disciples possessing the Immortal Spiritual Root, within a century, the Heavenly Desire Sect would undoubtedly become the preeminent sect in the State of Chu.

It might even ascend to become the most powerful faction in the entire cultivation world!

Hearing this, blazing lights ignited in the eyes of everyone present. With the sole exception of Su Xingyue, greed was nakedly visible on every face.

A child with the Immortal Spiritual Root was not only of monumental significance to the sect, but also held immeasurable benefits for each of them individually.

If one possessed such a talented child, the mother would undoubtedly bask in the glory. Once the child matured, bestowing a few cultivation resources as an act of filial piety...

Ji Qingwan's eyes flickered as calculations already began to form in her mind. "If I were to..." She could not help but lick her lips.

Bai Xiyue clenched her fists tightly. "Young Master... if only I could be with Young Master..." Her breathing grew rapid and shallow.

Even the two Nascent Soul ancestors bore glimmers of unusual brilliance in their eyes.

An eerie atmosphere permeated the entire room.

Every individual was lost in their own thoughts, their gazes charged with a complex myriad of emotions.

Greed, anticipation, excitement, ambition—all intertwined seamlessly.

"The matter of the Immortal Spiritual Root is of paramount importance and must not be leaked!" Ancestor Qingli finally spoke.

The gathering of people nodded in swift agreement.

At that exact moment, a streak of spiritual light tore across the firmament, accompanied by a piercing whistle as it hurtled towards them at breakneck speed.

The light dissipated, revealing itself to be a sound-transmission talisman.

"Ancestors! The Blood Fiend Sect has suddenly launched an attack on the spirit-stone mine within our sect's Yunlu Spirit Vein!"

"Our disciples have suffered heavy casualties, and Elder Gu of the late Core Formation stage is gravely injured and clinging to life..."

The anxious voice of a middle-aged man resounded from the talisman, laden with panic and fury.

Before the echoes faded, the atmosphere within the chamber froze instantly, as if even the air had ceased to flow.

The expressions of those who had moments ago been immersed in joy instantly turned gloomy, and a murderous aura billowed outward.

Both the Blood Fiend Sect and the Heavenly Desire Sect were titanic pillars of the Demonic Path in the State of Chu, their territories interlocked like dog's teeth. For centuries, they had fought open and covert battles over cultivation resources, accumulating towering debts of blood.

Yet, because their overall strengths were evenly matched—the Blood Fiend Sect boasting the Blood Fiend Ancestor while the Heavenly Desire Sect possessed the two Nascent Soul ancestors, Qingli and Hongluan—they maintained a mutual wariness that barely preserved a superficial peace.

Yet today, the Blood Fiend Sect had audaciously launched a surprise raid on the Heavenly Desire Sect's spirit-stone mine!

And not just any mine, but the one belonging to the Yunlu Spirit Vein, the most vital of all!

One must know that the Yunlu Spirit Vein was the very foundation of the Heavenly Desire Sect, yielding spirit stones annually that accounted for over seventy percent of the sect's total revenue. Once lost, the strength of the Heavenly Desire Sect would suffer a devastating blow!

The Blood Fiend Sect's action was tantamount to snatching food from the jaws of a tiger, completely tearing away any pretense of civility to fight a war to the death with the Heavenly Desire Sect!

Clearly, they believed they no longer needed to fear the Heavenly Desire Sect.

"It seems the rumors from some time ago—that the Blood Fiend Ancestor of the Blood Fiend Sect had broken through into the late Nascent Soul stage—must be true."

Cold light flashed in the beautiful eyes of Ancestor Qingli, her voice chilling enough to freeze everything in its path.

"Otherwise, the Blood Fiend Sect would never dare to so brazenly devour our spirit-stone mine."

She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the fury raging within her chest.

"Yet little do they know that I, too, have stepped into the late Nascent Soul stage."

A cold smile curved the corner of Ancestor Qingli's lips, a trace of disdain flashing in her eyes.

"And you, Junior Sister, will likewise step into the mid-Nascent Soul stage before long!"

Ancestor Hongluan also let out a cold snort, murderous intent erupting fully within her eyes.

"I should like to see just how formidable the Blood Fiend Sect truly is that they dare to act so arrogant!"

Though her voice was not loud, it was laden with such supreme majesty and killing intent that it sent shudders through the listeners.

"Tend to this child well and ensure no mishap occurs. Should you have any needs, simply dispatch a sound-transmission talisman to us directly!"

"We have pressing matters to attend to and must take our leave!" Ancestor Qingli added as a final remark before departing alongside Ancestor Hongluan.

"Very well, very well. Xingyue still requires rest. Xiyue, stay behind to look after her, and everyone else may disperse!" Ji Qingwan announced once the two Nascent Soul ancestors had departed.

"Understood!" Bai Xiyue acknowledged obediently.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan stepped out from the secret chamber.

Sweeping his divine sense outward, he took in the entire immortal cave at a glance.

The cave was desolate and empty, save for Su Xingyu alone.

She was pacing anxiously back and forth near the entrance of the cave, her pretty face etched with deep worry.

Catching sight of Lin Fan emerging, Su Xingyu's lovely eyes lit up as she cried out in pleasant surprise, "Brother-in-law, you're finally out!"

She hurried forward to greet him, instantly grabbing his arm.

"Elder sister is in labor and should be giving birth any moment now. I've been waiting here for you all this time!"

Su Xingyu's voice trembled slightly, clearly consumed by excitement.

"Let's go! Let's go take a look!"

A surge of agitation stirred within Lin Fan's heart as well.

He, too, was eager to see what the child shared between himself and Su Xingyue would look like.

Transforming into two streaks of spiritual light, the pair soared into the sky, hurtling at top speed toward Ji Qingwan's immortal cave.

"Xingyu, tell me, do you think our child will be a boy or a girl?"

Lin Fan inquired while navigating his flying sword.

"I hope it's a girl, as beautiful as elder sister!"

...