Cultivation: Starting with a Dual Cultivation Technique at the Immortal Rank

38: Chapter 38 A Heart Gradually Melts Through the IcebergTime passed, and only two days remained before the Qingyun Sect’s annual Grand Ceremony for New Disciples.

These nearly two months had been a time of vibrant life within tranquility and nervous anticipation intertwined with warmth for Yifei Peak.

Qin Baobao also gave birth to her first child, named Li Chengji.

Unfortunately, it was only a Waste Spiritual Root (Five Spiritual Roots); what Li Yifei obtained were just some first-tier trinkets, nothing extraordinary.

However, Li Yifei had no intention of giving up on the little guy. The ”many children, many blessings system” ensured that as long as his children could Cultivate, their cultivation levels would be added to his own.

Furthermore, for the first batch of Dao Companions who had become pregnant, such as Luo Lingxi, Liu Ruyan, and Han Yueling, their due dates were drawing nearer by the day.

The entire Warm Pavilion area in the back mountains of Yifei Peak had almost become a restricted zone. The most experienced maids and elderly female physicians worked day and night shifts, ready at any moment to welcome the arrival of new lives.

On the other side, the ”assault team” composed of Liu Rumei, Wang Shiqi, and others continued their gentle ”conquest” of the inner sect Prodigy, Su Yanran.

This afternoon, in the riverside pavilion of Yifei Peak’s West Courtyard.

On the stone table inside the pavilion sat exquisite spirit fruits and a pot of fragrant spirit tea.

Su Yanran sat opposite Liu Rumei, Tang Linger, and the others. Unlike the cold defensiveness of her first visit two months ago, although she still spoke little, the frost between her brows had melted significantly, and she could now naturally chat a few words with everyone.

”Senior Sister Su, your ’Thirteen Swords of the Clear Breeze’ is becoming increasingly agile, especially the last three forms; your efficiency in drawing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is a level higher than last month,” Wang Shiqi praised sincerely. Although she had a flighty personality, she never slacked in her Cultivation and could see the progress in Su Yanran’s sword technique.

Su Yanran sheathed her sword and nodded slightly, accepting the praise. She glanced at Tang Linger, who was carefully refilling everyone’s tea, and suddenly asked, ”Is Junior Brother Li... performing Alchemy again today?”

Over these two months, the frequency of her visits to Yifei Peak increased, yet she rarely saw Li Yifei himself. He was either in the Pill Refining Room, in seclusion, or guiding other Dao Companions in their Cultivation, busy as a spinning top that wouldn’t stop.

”Yes,” Liu Rumei took up the conversation, her tone carrying a hint of heartache and pride.

”Husband is like that, always having endless things to worry about. Since Sister Ruyan and the others are about to give birth, Husband was worried that the medicinal power of ordinary Qi-supplementing pills would be too intense, so he is in seclusion refining second-tier Spirit-Sustaining Pills with gentler properties for them.”

”Although this Medicinal Pill is only second-tier, it requires extremely high control of spiritual power. A slight lapse could cause an imbalance in medicinal strength; only Husband can refine it so perfectly.”

Hearing this, a flicker of complexity flashed through Su Yanran’s cold eyes.

From the mouths of Liu Rumei and the others, she had pieced together a complete image of Li Yifei: he was generous, diligent, considerate, and sincere toward every Dao Companion... Everything he did seemed to have only one goal—to strengthen this family called ”Yifei Peak.”

This pure and powerful sense of responsibility was something she had never seen in the inner sect Senior Brothers who surrounded her.

Only Li Yifei had maintained an equal attitude based on ”value exchange” from beginning to end. Even though her debt of gratitude was enough for him to make more excessive demands, he had never overstepped.

”Husband often says that family members should support each other,” Su Mengyun’s voice was gentle and moving.

”Just like us sisters; though there are many of us, there are never disputes. If someone faces difficulties in Cultivation, everyone thinks of a way together.”

”If someone is in a bad mood, everyone comforts them. Senior Sister Su, don’t you think such days are much warmer than bitter Cultivation all alone in an Immortal Cave?”

Family members supporting each other...

Su Yanran fell silent.

These few words seemed to possess a strange magic, stirring ripples in the lake of her heart.

She thought of her own empty and cold inner sect Immortal Cave. Although the Spiritual Qi was abundant, there was no one else besides herself.

When tired of Cultivation, there was no one to talk to.

When encountering a Bottleneck, she could only ponder alone.

That extreme loneliness was the price one must endure to reach the Great Dao—she had always believed so.

But now, Yifei Peak showed her another possibility.

Just then, a faint babbling and a woman’s light laughter came from the other side of the courtyard.

It was Lin Qingxue and Xiao Waner walking in the warm sun with their infants in swaddling clothes. The little ones waved their chubby hands in their mothers’ arms, their bright black eyes curiously observing the world.

That scene, full of the vitality of life, was like a ray of the warmest sunshine, shining into Su Yanran’s heart, which was tightly wrapped in her Dao Heart and strict rules.

She suddenly realized that she was actually somewhat envious.

”Senior Sister Su,” Liu Rumei seized the moment and issued another invitation, her tone exceptionally sincere this time.

”In two more days, the new Disciples will enter the sect, and the peak will surely be even busier.”

”Sister Lingxi and the others could give birth at any time, and we all want to stay by their side. So... we would like to invite you, Senior Sister, to move to Yifei Peak and stay for a few days, alright?”

She looked at Su Yanran with anticipation in her eyes: ”We sisters all very much enjoy discussing the Dao with you. You can guide us in sword techniques, and we can also share our Cultivation insights with you. Moreover, the Spiritual Qi concentration in the peak is no worse than your inner sect Immortal Cave.”

Facing this invitation that was almost a heart-to-heart, Su Yanran did not refuse immediately for the first time.

She glanced at the infants over there, then at these women with their sincere smiles, and the barrier built of solid ice in her heart finally cracked.

After a long time, she nodded slightly and uttered three words: ”...I will consider it.”

Liu Rumei and Wang Shiqi exchanged a look, both seeing the joy in each other’s eyes!

From ”be careful with your words” to ”it’s fine,” and now to ”I will consider it,” this was a qualitative leap!

...

Night fell, and the study in Yifei Peak’s main hall was still brightly lit.

Li Yifei had just finished a whole day of Alchemy and was leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed to rest. As his cultivation became increasingly refined, he had become more proficient at refining second-tier perfect-grade Medicinal Pills.

”Husband, are you tired? Have a cup of ginseng tea.”

A pair of soft little hands gently rested on his temples, kneading with moderate pressure. It was True Spirit Root Cultivator. Beside her, Pseudo Spirit Root Cultivator held a teacup and carefully brought it to Li Yifei’s lips.

”You two, why haven’t you gone to rest yet?” Li Yifei opened his eyes, a hint of warmth in them.

”Seeing Husband working so hard, how could we sleep?” Pseudo Spirit Root Cultivator said softly, her face full of heartache.

Li Yifei’s heart warmed slightly. He took their hands and had them sit beside him. Looking at these two slightly disappointed, lovely faces, how could he not know what was on their minds?

Recently, there had been a succession of good news within the peak. Fang Ning and the sisters Yun Xiu and Yun Wei had also recently been found to be pregnant.

The only ones left who hadn’t become pregnant were the two of them.

Seeing everyone around them becoming pregnant one by one, the pressure in their hearts could well be imagined.

”Husband...” True Spirit Root Cultivator bit her lip and finally couldn’t help but ask, ”Is it... is it because our Aptitude is poor, so that’s why...”

”Nonsense.” Li Yifei’s face darkened, and he tightened his grip on her hand. ”It’s just that the fate hasn’t arrived yet. In my heart, every one of you is equally important. Don’t let your thoughts wander and disturb your state of mind; that will only be more detrimental to your Cultivation.”

Li Yifei sighed, stood up, pulled them both into his arms, and said gently, ”I know you’re anxious, but I hope you can put your minds at ease. Children are a matter of fate, not a task. You must believe in me, and even more, you must believe in yourselves.”

A series of gentle words of comfort, like spring rain nourishing the parched earth, gradually smoothed over the anxiety and restlessness in the two women’s hearts.

Li Yifei looked at their slightly red eyes and, moved, said softly, ”Alright, both of you stay tonight. We won’t do it for Cultivation, nor for children, but just for the family to talk together.”

That night, the candlelight flickered in the study, and the room was filled with warmth. Li Yifei did not perform Dual Cultivation with them; he simply held them, listening to them talk about their girlish concerns and interesting stories from their Cultivation. The atmosphere was incredibly relaxed and harmonious.

Perhaps it was this completely relaxed state of mind taking effect, or perhaps it was the more refined cultivation Li Yifei had gained over the past two months and the miraculous effects of the Grand Ultimate Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Secret Canon; in the following two days, a miracle quietly occurred.

On the evening before the Grand Ceremony for New Disciples, the female physician hurried to the main hall with a look of solemnity and joy on her face, bowing to Li Yifei.

”Peak Master.”

Li Yifei put down the Jade Slip in his hand. Seeing her steady yet uncontrollably excited expression, he had already guessed a few things and asked calmly, ”Speak.”

”Reporting to the Peak Master,” the female physician took a deep breath and said in a steady but powerful voice, ”I just checked the pulses of the last two madams. Both Madam True Spirit Root Cultivator and Madam Pseudo Spirit Root Cultivator have been diagnosed with the Joyful Pulse.”

Li Yifei’s hand holding the Jade Slip paused slightly.

It’s a success!

Just then, Luo Lingxi walked in quickly, her face also carrying uncontrollable joy. She first offered her congratulations and then reported, ”Husband, Sister Liu Rumei just sent word that Senior Sister Su Yanran... has agreed. She said she will bring her belongings tomorrow morning and come to stay at our Yifei Peak for a while.”

A double blessing!

The smile at the corner of Li Yifei’s mouth finally blossomed completely, gentle and profound.

”Tell the sisters to prepare the best Immortal Cave and welcome our new sister with the standards for a distinguished guest.”