Qin Deming chuckled.

The Awakening Pearl could only be used once in a lifetime, and after consumption, it had no further effect.

There wouldn’t be a second chance.

He remained silent, carefully setting up a small Gathering Spirit Formation by Qin Ruqing’s bed and coaxing her to lie down.

This time, Qin Ruqing obediently complied.

Qin Deming stood by the bedside for a while.

There was a brief moment when he considered using his spiritual energy to examine his daughter’s condition.

He didn’t suspect anything, but the fact that such an expensive Awakening Pearl had caused no noticeable reaction upon consumption left him suddenly anxious and disbelieving.

Qingqing was right.

Could a mere nap really suffice?

Wasn’t it necessary to supplement it with some auxiliary spiritual medicines?

Had Qingqing’s aptitude already begun to change in secret?

What would she become?

Qin Deming felt conflicted for a while and ultimately abandoned the idea of using spiritual energy to investigate.

After all, a child who hadn’t yet cultivated their qi couldn’t withstand such scrutiny of their spiritual energy.

Even with a gentle approach, he couldn’t risk his child’s future.

Seeing Qingqing’s breathing steady, Qin Deming sighed softly and finally left the room.

Even after Qin Deming had left, Qin Ruqing didn’t dare to move.

She patiently slept through the nap, fearing someone might come to check on her halfway through.

Her caution wasn’t in vain; halfway through, her cousin Luoxian, concerned about her, came to look in on her. Qin Ruqing was unaware.

When she woke up, Qin Ruqing didn’t move immediately.

Instead, she asked the system in her mind, “System, what was that spiritual medicine in the market that could elevate my aptitude to that level?”

The system, with a dignified and mature air, promptly brought up the marketplace interface.

Washing Marrow Pill, Foundation Building Pill, Lingzhi Grass, Elixir of Transcendence…

For a moment, the dazzling array of options tempted Qin Ruqing.

Finally, the screen froze, displaying a green jade bottle.

Qin Ruqing read aloud the words on it, “Elixir of Divine Foundation?”

The display changed, showing the specific effects of the Elixir of Divine Foundation.

[Elixir of Divine Foundation, fifth-grade spiritual medicine. Effects: Enhances spiritual energy, cleanses meridians, strengthens the body, nourishes the soul.]

Qin Ruqing swallowed.

Indeed, when the system took action, it was extraordinary.

Just looking at its prestige was enough to tell.

A fifth-grade spiritual medicine— in this world, grades determined everything, from spiritual medicines to weapons and beyond.

The grades range from one to nine, with nine being the lowest and one the highest. A fifth-grade spiritual medicine would likely empty the entire Qin family’s treasury.

“How can I possibly obtain such a precious spiritual medicine?”

[Exchange with points.]

Qin Ruqing thought to herself, here it comes.

“Then, how many points does it require?”

The white panel displayed a string of numbers as coldly as the system’s face.

[Five thousand.]

Qin Ruqing nervously chuckled, “Well, how many points do I have now?”

The screen rippled like water, erasing the numbers in front of “5000,” leaving just a single digit: “0.”

Qin Ruqing: Oh well.

She knew it.

Qin Ruqing attempted to negotiate, “System, we’re in this together. You know, I could never gather five thousand points, even if you threatened to put me in forced sleep mode if I don’t pass this level!”

The panel swayed slowly, and for a long time, no text appeared.

Qin Ruqing felt as though the system was sighing.

After a long while, the text finally appeared.

[2500. This is the maximum discount I can offer within my permissions, and it’s a one-time offer.]

Two thousand five hundred? She still couldn’t afford that!

Qin Ruqing rubbed her hands nervously, “I’ve heard that newcomers usually get a beginner’s gift pack. So, um… do I have one?”

This time, the system remained silent for even longer.

Qin Ruqing raised her voice, pinching her throat, “System! We’re in this together! Together!”

Still, the panel remained devoid of text. Qin Ruqing wondered if she needed to provoke it further.

Before Qin Ruqing could act, a chime sounded in her mind.

[You have received a beginner’s gift pack. Please check.]

Wow! It actually worked! System, you’re like Doraemon!

Qin Ruqing opened the gift pack and found [500 points, Foundation Building Pill, Healing Pill, three Energy Restoration Pills…]

Qin Ruqing’s heart raced.

Never mind the rest, she knew what the Foundation Building Pill was. It was a famous pill in cultivation novels!

It was a seventh-grade pill!

However, as much as she admired the Foundation Building Pill, survival was more important for now.

Qin Ruqing sighed in her heart, “We were never meant to be.”

Then she said to the system, “System, can items in the marketplace be both bought and sold? Can you check how many points I could get for these items?”

The system quickly provided an answer.

[Foundation Building Pill, 1000 points; Healing Pill, 300 points; Energy Restoration Pills (three), 150 points… totaling 1525 points.]

Minus 1525 from 2500 left 975.

She was still short by 975 points!

Nearly a thousand points! Who could save her now?

Qin Ruqing tried to reason with her system once more, but this time, the system panel went completely dark and ignored her.

Oh no, the system was ignoring her!

Qin Ruqing worriedly pulled at her hair—she was only eight years old, was she going to die so young?

This went on until the next day.

During this time, Qin Ruqing tried various methods.

Besides throwing tantrums and humiliating herself, she also considered more practical approaches, such as getting the system to assign her tasks.

There had to be rewards for completing tasks, right?

But the system insisted that tasks weren’t something you could just have—they needed to be triggered, the timing had to be right.

Wasn’t this just like that rubbish game “Top Aristocrat Family”?

“Qin Ruqing!”

There he was, Qin Qiurong, her third cousin from the Qin family’s third branch.

Qin Ruqing’s feelings towards Qin Qiurong were complicated.

Just because he was born a month earlier, she had to call him “elder cousin” in the family hierarchy despite being of the same age!

The chubby little figure waddled over to a hundred-year-old banyan tree in the courtyard and squatted down.

He held a twig in his hand, poking around under the banyan tree.

Qin Ruqing didn’t need to look to know that this silly kid was either playing with mud or watching ants.

Qin Ruqing watched lazily without any intention of approaching.

Although they were the same age, she felt like she had outgrown the phase of watching ants long ago.

Wait… the same age?

Qin Qiurong was also eight years old, which meant he would also participate in the family’s assessment!

Qin Ruqing suddenly stood up straight.

She asked the system in her mind, “System, do you think the Enlightenment Pearl would be useful for him?”

The system that had been playing dead replied this time:

[Yes. His aptitude is not as good as yours, but he is considered talented. Using the thousand-year-old Enlightenment Pearl on him could potentially elevate his aptitude by a notch.]

Qin Ruqing remained silent, feeling hesitant.

The system took the initiative to speak again: [Do you want to use the Enlightenment Pearl on him?]

Qin Ruqing countered with a question, “If the Enlightenment Pearl does improve his aptitude, will I receive a reward?”

System: [Yes.]

Before Qin Ruqing could respond, a notification sounded in her mind:

[Triggered Side Quest: “Outstanding Descendant” — Enhance the aptitude of family member Qin Qiurong.]

Just as she suspected! Qin Ruqing’s eyes lit up. Keeping the Enlightenment Pearl could indeed be useful!

She shouted loudly towards the chubby figure under the banyan tree:

“Brother Qirong, come over here!”