Huang Yuanjing was deep in meditation within the quiet chamber when he suddenly felt a jolt of alarm. The defensive formation he had set up was unexpectedly breached. Just as he was about to rise, Guan Zilan pushed the door open and entered.

"Elder Guan!"

Huang Yuanjing froze in place.

Guan Zilan spoke calmly, "Gather the members of the three families and come to the Qin Family for a meeting."

"Yes!"

Huang Yuanjing replied respectfully.

After being reprimanded, he had become much more obedient.

Soon, all the core members of the three families gathered in the secret chamber of the Qin Family. Guan Zilan waved her hand, setting up a barrier around them. Then, she spread her fingers, sending dozens of streams of light into their bodies.

"Elder Guan, what are you doing?"

The crowd was alarmed!

Guan Zilan exuded an aura of authority and spoke calmly, "You need not worry. This is merely a restriction to prevent you from leaking secrets. As long as you don't speak recklessly about Qin Changqing's matters, there will be no effect."

The crowd, still shaken, felt uneasy and apprehensive.

Guan Zilan glanced around, "I intend to take Qin Changqing with me. Do any of you have objections?"

The members of the three families exchanged glances, seeing the reluctance and helplessness in each other's eyes.

Objections? Of course, they had them! But who dared to voice them?

Even Huang Yuanjing, a Golden Elixir Adept, dared not speak against Guan Zilan and remained silent with his head lowered.

The three families had long anticipated such an outcome, though they still harbored a glimmer of hope.

They hadn't expected Guan Zilan to be so decisive and domineering, leaving them no room for negotiation.

The restriction she had just placed was a warning.

Guan Zilan nodded, "Very well. From today onwards, I do not wish to hear anyone discussing anything about Qin Changqing. Upon returning, immediately erase the memories of all mortals and cultivators who know of Qin Changqing's existence. Leave no traces. Do you understand?"

"We obey Elder Guan's decree!"

The crowd bowed in unison, their expressions bitter.

Once Guan Zilan left, the oppressive aura, like a mountain, dissipated, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Elder Guan is too overbearing!"

"Indeed, this leaves no room for us three families to survive!"

"But Qin Changqing is the Qin Family's live-in son-in-law!"

"Huang Daoist, do we really have to hand over Qin Changqing?"

The members of the three families murmured among themselves, their faces filled with resentment and anger.

Huang Yuanjing raised his hand, and the room fell silent.

"Do as Elder Guan instructed. There's no room for maneuver in this matter. We cannot protect Qin Changqing!"

Huang Yuanjing sighed deeply and waved his hand.

The crowd, looking despondent, dispersed.

To Guan Zilan, the Huang, Qin, and Lin families were indeed overestimating themselves. With their limited strength, they dreamed of monopolizing Qin Changqing, which was nothing short of delusional.

Not even the powerful Guan Family could handle it.

The foundation of a Cultivation Family was too shallow, with significant limitations. They simply couldn't manage so many gifted individuals. Only a long-standing, deeply rooted sect like the Taiqing Sect could better conceal Qin Changqing without affecting the children.

The three families were now frantically having Qin Changqing father children, but they could only produce them, not nurture them. Having too many children could lead to their downfall.

Excess leads to loss; fullness leads to overflow!

If she hadn't discovered it early, Qin Changqing might have been ruined by the three families.

Nurturing disciples is no easy task. Even a sect struggles to cultivate two Heaven Spirit Roots simultaneously, let alone small families like theirs.

The three families understood this principle, but who could resist the immense temptation of nurturing spirit roots?

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Under Guan Zilan's pressure, the three families acted swiftly, resolving the matter within days.

Guan Zilan then took Qin Changqing, Huang Miaoying, and her child, along with four Heaven Spirit Roots and their mothers from the three families, back to the sect.

As for Qin Changqing's other wives and children, they would be sent to the Taiqing Sect in batches by the three families.

Now, the three families had no choice but to become an affiliate sect of the Taiqing Sect, aligning with them in life and death.

---

In the eastern part of Jing Kingdom, there lay a vast mountain range stretching thousands of miles, surrounded by lush green hills and clear waters, with beautiful scenery. Numerous palaces and cultivation caves dotted the peaks like stars.

This was the Taiqing Sect, the largest sect in Jing Kingdom.

In the meditation room of the main hall on Chiyang Peak, an elder dressed in a cloud robe embroidered with gold trim, with three long strands of beard hanging down his chest, sat cross-legged, with Dao Patterns faintly circulating around him.

This was Liu Qinghui, the sect master of the Taiqing Sect.

"Sect Master, Elder Guan requests an audience!"

A voice came from outside.

"Let her in!"

The door to the meditation room opened, and Guan Zilan stepped in, bowing, "Greetings, Senior Brother Sect Master."

Liu Qinghui smiled, "No need for formalities. What brings you here, Junior Sister Guan?"

Guan Zilan glanced around and said, "Could the Sect Master activate the formation?"

Liu Qinghui raised a white eyebrow but did not refuse. A spirit talisman flew from his sleeve into the wall, and a golden formation barrier immediately enveloped the room.

"What urgent matter brings you here, Junior Sister?"

Guan Zilan wasted no words, removing a pouch from her waist and casting a spell. Dozens of figures flew out from the bag.

Liu Qinghui was taken aback, "What does this mean, Junior Sister?"

Guan Zilan led one of the children forward, "Senior Brother Sect Master, take a look, and you'll understand."

"Oh?" Liu Qinghui showed a puzzled expression, extending his hand to envelop the child with his Divine Sense.

"Heaven Spirit Root!"

Liu Qinghui's eyes widened with joy, "Junior Sister Guan, you've truly given me a great surprise!"

Guan Zilan smiled, "Don't be too hasty, Senior Brother. Look at this one."

She brought another child forward.

Liu Qinghui was puzzled by Guan Zilan's intentions.

Could this one also be a Heaven Spirit Root? How could that be!

Yet, as his Divine Sense enveloped the child, he trembled with disbelief, "Another Heaven Spirit Root?"

"Junior Sister Guan, where did you find these two prodigies?"

Liu Qinghui's eyes were filled with eagerness as he looked at Guan Zilan.

Two Heaven Spirit Roots!

The Taiqing Sect currently had none!

Guan Zilan smiled without speaking and brought out two more children.

"Junior Sister, you won't tell me these two are also Heaven Spirit Roots, will you?"

"Yes, Heaven Spirit Roots!" Guan Zilan replied with a faint smile, observing Liu Qinghui.

She knew his reaction would be remarkable.

Currently, the Taiqing Sect had no outstanding disciples; the best were Earth Spirit Roots or congenital spirit bodies like Huang Miaoying.

As the sect master, he longed for exceptional disciples.

The allure of Heaven Spirit Roots to her senior brother was evident.

Liu Qinghui nearly pulled out his beard in shock, "Junior Sister, you won't tell me all five children are Heaven Spirit Roots, will you?"

Guan Zilan laughed, "You're overthinking it, Senior Brother."

Liu Qinghui sighed in relief, calming himself. After all, that would be more reasonable. If they were all Heaven Spirit Roots, the Taiqing Sect would soar.

Yet, he felt a tinge of regret. If they were all Heaven Spirit Roots, he'd do anything to nurture them!

"Only four are. This one is not!"

Guan Zilan took the child from Huang Miaoying's arms and approached Liu Qinghui, "Senior Brother, assess this child's aptitude."

Liu Qinghui found it amusing, thinking his junior sister was testing his resolve. Just another Heaven Spirit Root, after all.

With the previous four, his resolve had steadied.

But as his Divine Sense enveloped the infant, he shuddered, his voice trembling, "This... this is a special constitution... Azure Marrow Frost Body!!"

Azure Marrow Frost Body! This was a rare congenital spirit body recorded in ancient texts, surpassing Heaven Spirit Roots. Not even the ten major sects, nor the entire Jing Kingdom, had seen one in ages!