The ancestor looked at Qin Ruqing with a serious expression, “What kind of agreement did you make with the Celestial Family?”

Seeing the ancestor’s concern, Qin Ruqing smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Ancestor. It’s not as serious as you might think.”

She invited the ancestor to sit down and poured her a cup of tea before continuing, “Do you remember the deal I made with the West Ridge Director when I went there?”

The ancestor thought for a moment and said, “Is it about the Sixth Domain?”

Previously, Qin Ruqing had mentioned this deal, and the ancestor had speculated that the place Qin Ruqing was to visit was the Sixth Domain.

Later, this was confirmed by the South Ridge Director.

Qin Ruqing shook her head, “It’s the Sixth Domain, but it’s not just that. There’s a place in the Void Realm called the Immortal Tomb, where ancient powerful beings are buried. It’s very likely that there are legacies there that even the Celestial Family covet.”

The ancestor listened quietly, sensing that Qin Ruqing had not yet revealed the main point.

Indeed, Qin Ruqing raised her eyes, showing a smile that was both subtle and ironic, “But it seems the Immortal Tomb has been sealed somehow, and only those at the Immortal Seed level can open it. I seem to have been selected as the key to open the door.”

After hearing this, the ancestor remained silent for a while before cautiously speaking, “If it were only this, it might be acceptable. But usually, the cost is beyond imagination, and there’s likely a risk to your life.”

The ancestor might not know as much about the Immortal Tomb as Tang Zifeng, but her position gave her a natural perspective on such matters.

“The Immortal Tomb being sealed and lacking a key is just the surface. On a deeper level, the Celestial Families might have been preparing for this for years. They have countermeasures, while you do not.”

“Moreover, if the Immortal Tomb holds something that even the Celestial Family covet, such immense benefits could stir intense conflicts among the higher-ups. You, caught in the middle, might be sacrificed if you don’t have sufficient strength.”

Qin Ruqing calmly shrugged and smiled, “I’m already caught in the current; I can’t escape.”

As the ancestor said, merely being a key wasn’t much.

Qin Ruqing might also need to enter the Void Realm and possibly the Immortal Tomb.

The real problem is that Qin Ruqing has become a passive key, forced to take sides.

She is very likely to be used as cannon fodder in the power struggles among the higher-ups.

The Fifth Family won’t care about her—they’ll be satisfied as long as she’s used until the end.

“But I think it’s not too bad. Between the vine and the tree, it may seem like the vine is weak and dependent on the tree, but sometimes, the vine is actually drawing nourishment from the tree.”

“Right now, I’m that vine, and the Fifth Celestial Family is the tree.”

The ancestor, upon hearing this, was somewhat relieved.

She noticed subtle changes in Qin Ruqing since returning from the conference.

Qin Ruqing was more composed, with a sense of acceptance and strength emanating from her.

This was a good sign, reflecting the demeanor of a true strong leader.

The ancestor said, “It’s best if you can think this way.”

“—So, after I return this time, I’ll soon be leaving for Penglai Immortal Island to undergo training with the Fifth Celestial Family.”

“As part of the arrangement, the Fifth Family will protect the Qin family. At least until I return from the Void Realm, the Qin family won’t need to worry about the Fang family.”

The Ancestor sat quietly for a moment, then looked up and asked seriously:

“Qingqing, with all you’ve done for the Qin family, how should we thank you?”

Qin Ruqing replied simply, “I am a Qin family member.”

Qin Ruqing couldn’t quite recall when she began to remind herself not to separate herself from the Qin family.

Her main system mission, the goal, was to elevate the Qin family and lead them towards becoming an Immortal family.

Since the system was a part of her, this mission became her own.

It wasn’t just a task—it was something she had to do.

Moreover, she told herself:

Never to let her talent and the system become opposed;

Never to become troubled, or fall into self-doubt, since her current position was entirely due to the system.

For cultivators, maintaining a balanced mindset is crucial; otherwise, one might have the problem of cultivation levels exceeding one’s mental state.

Separating herself from the system would only dig a pit for her future, likely causing instability or even delusion.

So, she and the system were one and the same.

Her efforts for the Qin family were, in essence, efforts for herself.

Their interests aligned perfectly, both practically and emotionally.

Qin Ruqing firmly believed this.

The Ancestor exchanged a look with Qin Ruqing, smiling with a sense of understanding.

Before leaving, the Ancestor asked about Tang Zifeng, “And that child…”

Qin Ruqing instinctively smiled, as if bragging about Tang Zifeng: “He is the top-ranked in the current conference, and the disciple of Master Minghua, the president of the Refining Association. He can refine semi-divine artifacts.”

“He has come to our Qin family and will stay permanently. Ancestor, perhaps you should consider establishing a Refining Hall and appoint Tang Zifeng as the head of our family’s workshop.”

What was once a joke had now become reality, and it was indeed a marvel of fate.

Back in the Clan Leader’s small courtyard that night, when Qin Ruqing’s family had closed the door and sat down to talk, Qin Ruqing finally took out several items and placed them in front of her parents and her brother, one by one.

Qin Deming stared in amazement at the fruit in front of him—a green fruit shaped like a longevity peach, the Longevity Fruit. It was as large as a fist.

A Ten thousand-year-old Longevity Fruit was placed in front of both him and Luo Xian.

“This is a thousand-year-old Longevity Fruit,” Qin Ruqing said, “not just any ordinary fruit. It’s a rare treasure that’s incredibly valuable.”

“Is there only one?” Qin Deming asked, puzzled. “And you put it into the family treasury?”

Lou Xian was quicker to react.

Seeing the Fruit glowing with spiritual energy in front of her, she immediately picked it up, took a deep breath, and happily said, “You’re silly. This must be the part our daughter left behind!”

Lou Xian didn’t think it was a problem that their daughter left some of it behind.

After all, she earned it with her own ability, so it rightfully belonged to her.

If she chose to share it with the family, it showed her generosity; if not, no one could criticize her.

Qin Ruqing felt a sense of pride and satisfaction that she couldn’t quite put into words, like saying, “Look, Mom and Dad, I’ve made something of myself. Praise me!”

This feeling only extended to her parents and brother, not to other family members.

She cheerfully said, “This is a ten-thousand-year-old Spiritual Fruit. Such a good thing definitely shouldn’t be given all at once. Here, one for each of you! Wishing you both endless longevity!”

Her sweet words and filial piety made Qin Deming smile contentedly, enjoying the moment and saying, “My daughter is so considerate.”

But Lou Xian was more emotional.

She immediately hugged Qin Ruqing tightly, pressing her against her chest and giving her a loving reward.

Qin Ruqing, though a bit embarrassed, didn’t mind being treated like a child.

She really enjoyed the affection and cuddles.

After a while, Lou Xian finally let go and noticed that the item in front of her son was a small vial.

“What did Qingqing give to your brother?”

Qin Ruyu took the vial, opened it, and sniffed.

he couldn’t identify it…

As the eldest son of a family renowned for pill crafting, he was well-trained in pill theory from a young age.

He should be highly skilled in identifying pills, but now he looked puzzled and couldn’t figure it out.

Qin Ruyu smiled, his features resembling Qin Ruqing’s, handsome yet sharp. “Qingqing, stop teasing. Just tell me what it is.”

Qin Ruqing grinned and said, “This is a Bixian Pill. Its effect is to cleanse the meridians and strengthen the purity of the spiritual root, enhancing its affinity with spiritual energy. This helps improve one’s aptitude and speeds up cultivation.”

“It can be used by cultivators below the Foundation Establishment stage.”

Qin Ruyu’s lips parted slightly as he looked at his younger sister’s bright smile.

He wanted to say something, but found himself at a loss for words.

For cultivators, the best time to improve their innate cultivation talent is during the Spirit Nourishment stage, before the spiritual energy has entered the body.

At this stage, everything is new and ready for development, so changes are easier. Otherwise, the notion of ten years of Spirit Nourishment wouldn’t exist.

Once the Qi is introduced into the body and the meridians are set, improving one’s talent becomes as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

Talent is like fate, and how can something determined by fate be casually questioned or changed?

This Bi Xian Pill is a rare elixir capable of altering the cultivation talent of cultivators below the Foundation Establishment stage.

Such a high-level pill cannot be simply described with terms like “rare” or “precious.”

How did my sister come by it?

Qin Ruoqing said, “With this Bixian Pill, and with the addition of some Heaven and Earth spiritual materials for cleansing the meridians and marrow, there might be a chance to achieve an acquired spiritual body in the future.”

Innate spiritual bodies are rare and sought after, but acquired ones can be artificially created.

The only drawback is the staggering cost, making it something only deep-rooted families can afford.

Once my brother cultivates an acquired spiritual body, coupled with his intelligence and character, the position of the young clan leader will surely be within reach.

Feeling the hope in his sister’s gaze, Qin Ruyu tightened his lips, finally saying no more.

He just tightened his grip on the jade bottle and said, “I won’t let Qingqing down.”