To be honest, Qin Ruqing felt both surprised and delighted upon hearing the news.

The delight was obvious—having someone as experienced as the ancestor personally mentor her was a tremendous honor.

But the surprise… honestly, even with Qin Ruqing’s usual composure, she found the decision quite sudden.

In fact, upon deeper reflection, she even had a faint sense of unease.

The suddenness of the ancestor’s decision gave her a feeling that there was a rush to groom successors for the Qin family.

As this thought arose, Qin Ruqing quickly dismissed it in her mind.

No way! The ancestor couldn’t possibly be thinking of rushing to train potential heirs for the Qin family just because she’s feeling better.

There must be more to it!

Regardless of how astonished others were, according to the agreement, Qin Ruqing and Qin Qirong went to the ancestor’s Shadow Residence at the appointed time.

Shadow Residence was located in the rear mountains of the Qin family’s territory, with pavilions, water pavilions, bamboo groves, and towering pines, creating a tranquil and elegant atmosphere.

The bamboo house where the ancestor lived was seated on a circular island in a lake.

Several green bamboos were planted in front of the house, with a stone table and a set of white porcelain tea sets on top.

When Qin Ruqing and Qin Qirong arrived at the bamboo house, the ancestor was sitting calmly at the stone table, smiling and beckoning to them.

“Here? Come, sit.”

Qin Ruqing and Qin Qirong exchanged a glance, then hurried over and respectfully bowed to the ancestor before taking their seats.

In her movements, Qin Ruqing deliberately paid attention to the ancestor’s complexion, trying to gauge the state of her injuries.

However, with the ancestor’s cultivation level, if she intended to conceal her injuries, even the elders of the Qin family couldn’t discern them, let alone Qin Ruqing.

The ancestor naturally noticed Qin Ruqing’s subtle actions and smiled faintly at her. “Your parents told me you’re very intelligent.”

Parents always say stuff like that.

Qin Ruqing smiled awkwardly and didn’t respond.

Curiously, the ancestor asked, “Have you figured out anything?”

After hesitating for a moment, Qin Ruqing decided not to harbor any hidden thoughts in front of the ancestor and spoke honestly, “About your injuries… are they better now?”

The ancestor smiled calmly, “What do you mean? My old injuries naturally won’t heal in a short while.”

“And the new ones?”

“They are temporarily suppressed.”

Qin Ruqing pondered for a moment. “If there’s a new injury, will it worsen your old injuries?”

This time, the ancestor glanced at Qin Ruqing and smiled again. “You are indeed very smart.”

After the smile faded, the ancestor inexplicably said, “I hope you two can reach my current level of cultivation in fifty years.”

Qin Qirong was puzzled by the mention of “fifty years,” but he still expressed admiration for this specific timeframe.

He thought it was a long time.

“Fifty years! That’s such a long time!”

He was only nine years old now.

Qin Ruqing explained helplessly, “The ancestor’s current cultivation is at the peak of Foundation Establishment. In the cultivation world, children typically start nurturing their spirits at eight, refine qi into their bodies at ten, and formally embark on the path of immortality. During this time, it usually takes more than twenty years of polishing to touch the threshold of Foundation Establishment, and that’s under very favorable circumstances. Progressing from Foundation Establishment to the peak is even more arduous. To reach the cultivation level of the ancestor in fifty years is a testament to being a genius among geniuses.”

Like in cultivation novels where the protagonist establishes their foundation in their teens or twenties, it can only be said that they truly stand out.

And achieving the pinnacle

Genius is the only way to achieve such accomplishments.

This speculation wasn’t just something Qin Ruqing made up; it was based on examples from her family.

Her father, in his fifties, was still at the ninth level of Qi cultivation, while even the elders in the clan, approaching a hundred years old, hadn’t reached Foundation Establishment.

As for her third aunt, who was in her forties and already at Foundation Establishment, she could definitely be called a genius.

To meet the Patriarch’s recent requirement of achieving Foundation Establishment in one’s fifties, nearing the Golden Core stage, would indeed require a genius among geniuses.

Qin Qirong was stunned upon hearing this: “So it’s that difficult! The Ancestor is amazing… um, I mean, Ancestor, I will strive to meet your requirements!”

Little Fatty Qin Qirong was fearless in his ignorance.

Even after Qin Ruqing explained it to him, he couldn’t grasp how distant achieving Foundation Establishment was for him.

Thus, he boldly agreed in his childish voice.

Qin Ruqing, however…

was more cautious.

Despite having top-tier talent, she couldn’t confidently promise she could do it.

And if Qin Qirong couldn’t hear the unspoken message from the Ancestor, surely she could.

For both her and Qin Qirong to reach the Ancestor’s current level in fifty years—did that mean the Ancestor only had… fifty years left?

Just as Qin Ruqing pondered this, the Ancestor lightly chuckled and changed the subject: “Have you come to eat? Try this.”

The Ancestor picked up a teapot and poured a cup of “tea” for Qin Ruqing and Qin Qirong.

Qin Ruqing lowered her head to look and found that the “tea” was milky white, swirling with mist in the cup.

This was clearly no ordinary drink.

The Ancestor smiled and said, “This is Spirit Milk Tea, a nourishing spiritual food. Ordinary spiritual foods are rich in spiritual energy but cannot be consumed by young children who have not yet absorbed Qi. Spirit Milk Tea, however, is different. It’s gentle yet rich in spiritual energy. Taken regularly, it can improve your constitution and increase your innate spiritual energy.”

Increasing innate spiritual energy… sounded quite remarkable.

Not just Qin Ruqing, even Qin Qirong could sense its value, and for a moment, neither dared to reach out.

Ancestor Wenxuan continued, “Go ahead, use it.”

Looking at Qin Ruqing, the Ancestor said, “You should know that our Qin Family recently discovered a third-level spirit mine in the secret realm.

With this spirit mine, the Qin Family can finally afford to support your two Spirit Swallowing Beasts.”

The Ancestor seemed amused by his own term “Spirit Swallowing Beasts” and continued kindly, “From now on, both of you should have a cup of Spirit Milk Tea every day.”

Qin Ruqing felt ashamed.

Indeed, raising Spirit Swallowing Beasts was costly, and she and Qirong had already spent a lot.

Previously, she had heard that the clan’s treasury was tight and couldn’t afford to support them.

The cost of their beast-raising had come from the Ancestor’s private treasury.

Qin Ruqing couldn’t help but feel grateful again for the spirit stone mine the Qin Family had acquired.

Otherwise, even with the Ancestor’s personal guidance, they would still rely on him for their beast-raising expenses.

How could she face the Ancestor calmly?

“Oh, right,” the Ancestor seemed to remember something else, “Spirit Milk Tea is best consumed after using the Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid. It enhances the effect.”

“You’re still using Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid, right? There isn’t much left, is there?”

Qin Ruqing nodded.

After the clan’s assessment, their family had set the standard for her and Qirong’s beast-raising.

The important resource, having the effect of purifying and strengthening the body.

She takes a drop daily, while Qirong takes one a month.

During the Ancestor’s year-long seclusion, they naturally ran out of their Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid.

Fortunately, resources were abundant in the secret realm, and the Qin Family gradually became wealthier, subsequently purchasing a new batch of Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid for them.

At this moment, Qin Ruqing honestly reported, “During your seclusion, the elders collected medicinal herbs for refining Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid in the secret realm, and afterward, they produced a new batch.”

The Ancestor nodded. “How effective is it?”

Qin Ruqing replied, “Initially, it was very painful to use. Now, however, there’s hardly any sensation.” Hardly any sensation… the Patriarch furrowed her brow and looked at Qin Qirong. “How about you?”

Qin Qirong scratched his round head and said, “Qirong still feels a bit of pain, but it’s much better than before.”

Both children seemed to have developed a considerable tolerance to the Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid.

This surprised the Ancestor greatly.

In her estimation, it should have taken at least two years of use before the pain completely disappeared.

After some thought, the Patriarch produced a white porcelain bottle containing the Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid.

She carefully added a drop to the cup of Spirit Milk Tea she had poured earlier for Qin Ruqing and said, “Drink it.”

She reassured them, “Spirit Milk Tea can neutralize its potency. You’ll feel completely fine after this, and an extra drop won’t harm you.”

Qin Ruqing nodded.

The Ancestor was a high-level alchemist and understood the properties of medicines well.

She obediently drank the cup of Spirit Milk Tea with the added Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid.

After waiting quietly for a moment, Qin Ruqing frowned.

The Ancestor observed her expression and asked, “How is it?”

Qin Ruqing said, “There’s a bit of pain, but I can bear it.” She only furrowed her brow slightly.

“Very well.” The Ancestor’s expression turned serious, and she poured out another drop of Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid.

“Take this.”

This time, after Qin Ruqing took it, she arched her back in pain. Gasping, she said, “It’s really painful now.”

The Ancestor watched her closely, her expression complex. “Your tolerance for the Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid has reached three drops per day.”

Tapping her fingertips on the table, the Patriarch made a decision after a long pause.

“From now on, you will increase your daily intake of Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid to three drops.”

“As for Qirong, change from one drop per month to one drop every seven days.”

Qin Ruqing and Qin Qirong naturally did not voice any objections.

However, Qin Ruqing couldn’t help but wonder to herself: Was her ability to tolerate three undiluted drops of Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid already so astonishing?

Was it because of her unknown Dao physique?

Little did she know, Ancestor Wenxuan was pondering the same question.

Being able to tolerate three drops of undiluted Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid daily—perhaps this child’s Dao physique was even more extraordinary than she had initially thought…