200: Aunt Leng is a little bitter

Leng Qingqiu's figure, usually as straight and proud as a plum blossom in the snow, was slightly hunched at this moment, and her plain white flowing immortal dress seemed to have lost its luster.

In her ice-blue eyes, her pride shattered inch by inch, leaving behind only boundless confusion and emptiness.

Her Dao Heart was damaged, her aura was chaotic, and the uncontrollable cold Qi surrounding her instantly covered the four walls of the room with thick frost; even the air seemed about to freeze.

Liu Ruyan and Chu Yueyao were originally quite annoyed by this “Old Ice Lump's” forceful intrusion, but seeing her current state, their displeasure turned into a complicated sigh.

After all, as fellow women, witnessing a veteran comrade who had stood proudly in the Federation for tens of thousands of years have her Dao Heart nearly collapse due to “the failure to conceive a child” was a scene that was... too tragic.

Chen Jun looked at Leng Qingqiu's completely disheartened appearance. The displeasure he felt from being interrupted had long vanished, replaced by a trace of sympathy.

Although Chen Jun was lazy and enjoyed lying down to win, he was ultimately soft-hearted, especially when he saw those close to him in such despair.

“Aunt Leng...” Chen Jun sighed softly, his tone much gentler. “You... why do you insist on suffering like this?”

Leng Qingqiu acted as if she hadn't heard, merely muttering to herself, “I won't lose to anyone... I won't lose to anyone... Haha...” Her laughter was desolate, carrying a heartbreaking hint of madness.

Just then—

“Creak,” “creak”... A series of subtle door-pushing sounds rang out.

The door to the Master Bedroom was pushed open again, creating several gaps, and a few small heads peeked inside.

On the left was Qing Lin, sleepy-eyed and hugging a lollipop, her large eyes filled with sympathy for Aunt Leng.

On the right was Lin Wei, draped in an outer robe, her face showing worry and helplessness.

Immediately after, the balcony door on the east side, facing the Star Gazing Pavilion, was silently pushed open. Yun Xi, dressed in plain clothes, stood silently under the moonlight, her cold gaze fixed on the distraught Leng Qingqiu, her expression complex.

From the direction of the Side Room, Yan Ji also walked gracefully, her dark red palace dress appearing even more enchanting in the frosty environment. Her beautiful eyes shifted, carrying a hint of playful amusement as if watching a show.

Good heavens! Everyone is here!

Clearly, the aura burst from Leng Qingqiu just now, containing extreme emotional fluctuations, had long since alerted all the keenly perceptive “residents” within the Manor.

“Aunt Leng, what's wrong?” Qing Lin asked timidly.

Lin Wei walked up to Chen Jun, gently held his hand, and whispered, “Brother Jun, Aunt Leng... she doesn't look very well.”

Although she held some resentment towards Leng Qingqiu's assertiveness centuries ago, at this moment, it was mostly empathy among women.

Yun Xi spoke lightly, her voice still cold, yet carrying a subtle warning: “Leng Qingqiu, damage to the Dao Heart is no small matter. Do not be obsessed.”

Yan Ji covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her tone carrying the lazy mockery unique to the Dragon Scion Imperial Clan: “Venerable Leng looking like this is much more lively than her usual icy statue appearance. But using the word ‘insistence’ on romantic fate and the Opportunity for offspring is perhaps... too boring.”

Being watched by everyone, especially hearing Yan Ji's sarcastic words, Leng Qingqiu trembled all over and suddenly raised her head!

Blood vessels spread throughout her ice-blue eyes, and her shattered pride re-coalesced like a final burst of light, yet appearing even more fanatical!

“Boring?! What do you people know?!” Her voice was sharp, completely devoid of her usual coolness:

“Every single one of you... Yun Xi! Yan Ji! And Liu Ruyan! Chu Yueyao! Even Qing Lin, this little girl! Why do you get to have it?! Why do you all get your wishes fulfilled?! Why me?! What part of me, Leng Qingqiu, is inferior to you?! Why am I the one who ‘can't’?!!!”

She looked like a madwoman, staring intently at Chen Jun: “Chen Jun! Tell me! Is it because I failed back in the Stasis Chamber that you think my Aptitude is insufficient and I am unworthy to bear your offspring?! Or are you still holding a grudge because I treated you as a tool and never truly cared for you?!”

Chen Jun looked at Leng Qingqiu, who had completely gone down a rabbit hole, knowing that if he didn't give her an “explanation” today, she might genuinely suffer a Heart Demon outbreak on the spot, causing her cultivation level to plummet!

The best-case scenario was that she would never advance again, and there was even the possibility of a Heart Demon outbreak leading to her death and the dissipation of her Dao!

He rubbed his temples helplessly, feeling ten times more exhausted than when dealing with Liu Ruyan and Chu Yueyao simultaneously.

He glanced at the glaring [Remaining Lifespan] on the System interface: 4 years... +15... +15..., smiling bitterly inwardly, yet forced to put on an expression of utmost sincerity.

“Aunt Leng, you truly misunderstand.” Chen Jun's tone was heavy, laced with the helplessness of being wronged:

“Am I, Chen Jun, really the type of person to hold a grudge? I have long since let go of everything from the past. My gratitude toward you is heartfelt and absolutely genuine!”

He pointed to his chest, continuing his “performance”: “My statement that my Spiritual Energy is depleted and my Origin is damaged is absolutely true! This is the core secret of my Physique, concerning my life and fate. How could I treat it as a joke? It is precisely because I value Aunt Leng and do not wish you to waste your energy and needlessly increase your disappointment that I spoke frankly!”

“I don't believe it!” Leng Qingqiu practically shouted. Tears finally broke free, mixing with ice shards as they slid from the corners of her eyes, leaving two desolate, vivid streaks on her pale face:

“Stop trying to trick me! You definitely think I'm too old! You think I wasn't gentle enough back then! You think I won't flatter you like they do!”

Chen Jun: “...”

What does any of that have to do with anything!

Liu Ruyan, standing nearby, couldn't help but interject with a hint of schadenfreude: “Old Ice Lump, Ancestor Chen has made it so clear. Is this relentless pestering meaningful? Didn't you hear Ancestor Chen say his ‘body has been hollowed out’? Have some decency, will you?”

Chu Yueyao also gently advised: “Venerable Leng, Ancestor Chen is benevolent and has explained this many times. Insisting is useless. It would be better to wait patiently until Ancestor Chen's Origin recovers, and then discuss it.”

Although these words sounded like advice, they were secretly setting the rule of “taking a number.”

Seeing Aunt Leng cry, Qing Lin's heart clenched. She couldn't help but tug on Chen Jun's sleeve and whisper:

“Senior... Aunt Leng is so pitiful... Can't you... can't you think of another way? Even if... even if it's just a try?”

Chen Jun looked at Qing Lin's pure and pleading eyes, then at Leng Qingqiu's determined look of “succeed or die trying,” and finally felt the overt or covert gazes of the surrounding “Already On Board” ladies... He sighed deeply in his heart:

Forget it!

Let's just consider this... a daily good deed?

To soothe the broken Glass Heart of this stubborn Senior... Anyway, trying won't lead to pregnancy... “Sigh...” Chen Jun let out a heavy sigh, revealing a look of compromise, “I've been defeated by you.” “Aunt Leng, do... do you really insist on this?”

Seeing his tone soften, Leng Qingqiu immediately stepped forward, grasping Chen Jun's arm like a drowning person clutching the last straw. Her nails nearly dug into his flesh, and her eyes were terrifyingly fervent:

“Just one try! Chen Jun! Just let me try one more time! If it still fails, I, Leng Qingqiu, will turn around and leave immediately, never mentioning this matter again, completely giving up without any resentment!”

Chen Jun looked at her hand, feeling her cold yet trembling touch, and nodded helplessly:

“Alright... Since Aunt Leng insists, then I... will ‘cooperate’ with you once more. However, you must be prepared for the outcome, and don't...”

“I understand! I understand!” Leng Qingqiu interrupted him impatiently, a strange brilliance instantly radiating from her face, as if a withered Ice Lotus had suddenly encountered spring. “Quick! Let's start!”

Chen Jun: “...”

Your momentum is even more urgent than Liu Ruyan's!

He glanced at the countless gazes that instantly brightened around him, and cleared his throat: “Um... Aunt Leng, this place... doesn't seem very convenient?”

Only then did Leng Qingqiu realize the room was packed with people. Her old face flushed, but at this moment, she didn't care about propriety or reserve. She grabbed Chen Jun:

“To my Temporary Residence!” After saying that, she directly used Spatial Means, enveloping Chen Jun, and instantly vanished from the Master Bedroom.

Leaving behind a room full of people looking at each other.

Liu Ruyan curled her lips: “Tsk, this Old Ice Lump is truly... desperate, no, she's utterly impatient!”

Chu Yueyao frowned slightly: “I hope Venerable Leng can realize this in time, and not continue with futile efforts, only to fall deeper into despair.”

Lin Wei looked worriedly in the direction Chen Jun disappeared: “Brother Jun... will he be alright? He just said his Origin was damaged...”

Yun Xi spoke lightly, her tone carrying the indifference of one who has seen through the ways of the world: “He has his own measure.”

After speaking, she turned and returned to the Star Gazing Pavilion, though her back seemed a little colder than usual.

Yan Ji's beautiful eyes shifted, and she chuckled softly: “Interesting. Sisters, the night is long, and I have no intention of sleeping. Why don't we... go and observe? It would be good to... cheer Venerable Leng on?”

Her words carried obvious mockery, as if she feared the world wasn't chaotic enough.

Qing Lin didn't think too much, she was simply worried: “Will Aunt Leng be okay? Will Senior be very tired?”

...The temporary space Leng Qingqiu occupied in the Manor was originally a Quiet Room used to store ancient texts. It had now been remodeled by her using Ice Law, and the interior resembled a Crystal Palace, filled with chilling Qi, which suited her usual style.

After “abducting” Chen Jun here, Leng Qingqiu immediately set up layers of Restrictions with a backhand motion, isolating the room from internal and external prying—

Although she knew these few Restrictions were virtually useless against those of Yun Xi's and Yan Ji's level, they at least provided some psychological comfort.

“Chen Jun, let's begin!”

She turned around and stared intently at Chen Jun. That look wasn't like someone seeking a child; it was like someone conducting a scientific experiment concerning the survival of civilization, filled with desperate determination.

Chen Jun looked at this familiar, laboratory-like environment, recalling his experience back in the Stasis Chamber, and felt a slight ache in his teeth. He said helplessly:

“Aunt Leng, why rush? Why don't we talk first...”

“There's nothing to talk about!” Leng Qingqiu interrupted directly. She took a deep breath and, just like before, began taking out various bottles and jars from her Storage Space. Treasure light shimmered, and the fragrance of Medicinal Pills assailed the nose:

“Your state may not be at the Peak, but I have the ‘Ten Thousand Year Snow Lotus Heart,’ ‘Profound Ice Jade Marrow,’ and the ‘Nine Revolutions Cold Soul Pill’ here... All are Saint Grade items that solidify the Soul and cultivate the Source! They will definitely help you recover some ‘Spiritual Energy’!”

Chen Jun's eyes twitched as he looked at those treasures emitting vast cold Qi and vitality.

Good heavens, if you took any one of these things out, it would be enough for a group of Stellar-level Experts to fight tooth and nail over it. Now Aunt Leng is treating them like “Potent Medicine” and preparing to shove them into his mouth?

However, to him now, these items were merely ordinary things, yet they were incredibly precious to Leng Qingqiu.

“Aunt Leng, you really don't need to...” Chen Jun tried to stop her. “In my current state, eating these is useless; it's a complete waste...”

“It's useful! It must be useful!” Leng Qingqiu couldn't hear him at all. Stubbornly, she pushed a Nine Revolutions Cold Soul Pill, the size of a longan and radiating extreme cold Qi, toward Chen Jun's lips:

“This Medicinal Pill was refined by me using the Cold Soul of the North Star Core, supplemented by nine types of Ice-element Divine Herbs! Its medicinal properties are gentle yet abundant, and it will surely stimulate your latent Spiritual Energy!”

Chen Jun looked at the Medicinal Pill, feeling the terrifying energy contained within it—enough to freeze a Planetary Level expert—and his mouth twitched.

This thing is called “gentle medicinal properties”?

Do you have some misunderstanding about “gentle”?

If I were truly a “self-sealed” ordinary person, I really might not be able to handle it... But looking at Leng Qingqiu's unquestionable, even slightly pleading gaze, Chen Jun knew that today, he had to take this “medicine.”

He sighed, opened his mouth, and swallowed it.

The Medicinal Pill entered his stomach, transforming into a pure and vast warm current that rapidly nourished his limbs and bones!

“How does it feel?” Leng Qingqiu asked nervously, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Chen Jun felt it for a moment, then nodded: “Hmm... the medicinal effect is ordinary, but the taste... is good. It's quite energizing.” This was the honest truth.

Upon hearing this, Leng Qingqiu's face blossomed with dazzling radiance, like ice and snow melting for the first time:

"Good! Then let's begin!"

She took a deep breath and once again started her 'practice'.

Unlike her collapsed and despairing state in the master bedroom, at this moment, she had regained that confidence and... sense of ritual, embodying 'Qingqiu's life, never inferior to anyone'.

(...To avoid harmony issues, one million words of indescribable details must be solemnly omitted here...)

One can only say that Aunt Leng's 'technique', refined over hundreds of years, still maintained her personal style—

Elegant, rigid, filled with academic-like discussions, and a... awkwardness that always fell short despite efforts to create an atmosphere... Chen Jun cooperated, but his heart was frantically complaining: "Your movements are as standard as a textbook, your expression management is comparable to a robot. Aunt Leng, are you performing a standardized procedural operation? Where's the emotion? Where's the investment? Even being a bit more impulsive like Liu Ruyan would be better!"

Half an hour later... Leng Qingqiu stopped her movements, carefully sensed her body, and found no reaction.

Her brows furrowed: "It seems the medicinal power hasn't fully dissolved yet! Again!"

With that, she took out another 'Profound Ice Saint Orchid', entirely crystal clear like an ice sculpture, and without explanation, made Chen Jun consume it.

(...Again, solemnly omitting one million words...)

Failure!

"The stimulation must not be enough! The method is wrong!" Leng Qingqiu murmured to herself, her eyes starting to lose focus, but her obsession intensified.

She began to try changing her 'strategy', recalling strange and ancient methods recorded in some ancient texts.

(...Doubly solemnly omitting two million words...)

Another failure!

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Sweat beaded on Leng Qingqiu's forehead, her hair bun slightly loose, and her plain white flowing immortal dress was wrinkled.

Like one possessed, she continuously pulled out various dazzling, astonishingly potent rare treasures, shoving them all into Chen Jun.

"This is a 'Star Ice Core'!"

"This is 'Ten Thousand Year Empty Green Stone Milk'!"

"This is a 'Dragon Phoenix Harmony Fruit'!"

Chen Jun accepted everything. Anyway, the taste was quite good. Although it wasn't particularly useful to him now, good taste was enough.

Outside the quiet room, the 'observation group' led by Yan Ji was already in position.

Although they were blocked by a Restriction, at their level, it was not difficult for their Divine Sense to penetrate such a temporarily set Restriction.

Of course, everyone was very 'polite' and did not directly spy on the internal scene, only sensing the energy fluctuations and... dialogue inside.

"Tsk, it's starting again." Liu Ruyan hugged her arms, leaning against the ice wall in the corridor, a look of speechlessness on her face:

"How many times has this been? Is there no end? Ancestor Chen truly has a good temper; how can he endure this?"

Chu Yueyao shook her head slightly, her tone carrying a hint of pity: "Venerable Leng is already deeply entrenched in her obsession. If she isn't allowed to try until she's completely desperate, her Heart Demon will likely be difficult to remove."

Lin Wei worriedly sensed Chen Jun's aura inside: "Brother Jun has eaten so many great tonics, won't he overdo it?"

Yun Xi stood not far away, eyes closed in meditation, seemingly unmoved, but her slightly trembling eyelashes showed she wasn't entirely oblivious.

Yan Ji was the most leisurely one. She had somehow acquired a plate of Dragonborn specialty fruits, elegantly tasting them while commenting:

"Hmm, this time it's the 'Profound Ice Saint Orchid'. Its medicinal properties are overbearing, specifically nourishing the Ice Origin, but unfortunately... it's not the right remedy."

"Oh? Switched to 'Star Ice Core'? This item contains the secret power of star birth, quite rare, but still a futile effort."

"Heh, even the 'Dragon Phoenix Harmony Fruit' has been brought out? This fruit does offer some assistance in the Dao of love, but unfortunately... Venerable Leng's demeanor doesn't seem like she's talking about love; it's more like she's tackling a scientific research problem."

Qing Lin squatted in the corner, propping her chin with her hands, her small face full of confusion and sympathy: "Aunt Leng... is so... persistent again... But why isn't it working? Senior clearly looks to be in great condition..."

Inside the quiet room, Chen Jun looked at Leng Qingqiu, who still refused to give up and whose eyes were growing increasingly frantic, and couldn't help but speak: "Aunt Leng, how about... we stop here for today? Look, it's almost dawn..."

"No!" Leng Qingqiu interrupted abruptly, her eyes bloodshot, "One last time! Just one more try! I still have a secret technique; combined with my Ice Origin, it will definitely succeed!"

Chen Jun: "..."

You've said 'one last time' eight times already!

Helpless, he could only continue to cooperate.

(...Hmm... finally, solemnly omitting another two million words...)

When the first faint ray of dawn struggled through the ice window of the quiet room, illuminating Leng Qingqiu's pale and haggard face... she finally exhausted her last available 'stock' and her last shred of strength and spirit.

She slumped onto the cold ground, her plain white long dress disheveled, her ice-blue hair scattered, her eyes staring blankly at her unmoving lower abdomen, her entire being as if all her Soul had been drained.

More than ten... no, almost twenty times!

It had consumed her vast, hidden collection of treasures!

Resources sufficient to cultivate several Stellar-level Experts!

The result... was nothing!

Not even a faint ripple of life was stirred!

"Why... why..." she murmured to herself, her voice hoarse and dry, no longer possessing its usual cold clarity:

"Qingqiu's life... never inferior to anyone... why, in this matter alone... have I suffered such a complete defeat..."

Her Dao Heart, at this moment, completely shattered!

That cold shell, maintained for tens of thousands of years, disintegrated inch by inch, revealing the fragile Soul within, one that could also be hurt, despair, and feel unwilling.

Chen Jun looked at her in this state, his heart filled with a sigh.

He tidied his clothes, walked to her side, squatted down, and gently patted her trembling shoulder.

"Aunt Leng," his voice carried a hint of fatigue, but more sincerity in his comfort:

"Now... you should give up, right? It's not that you didn't try hard enough, nor that I'm stingy. It's truly fate, the time is not yet ripe. When my Origin recovers, I will certainly not forget Aunt Leng."

Leng Qingqiu slowly raised her head, looking at Chen Jun's exceptionally handsome and vibrant face, then felt her empty abdomen and completely withered hope... Two lines of clear tears, mixed with ice crystals, silently fell... She suddenly threw herself into Chen Jun's arms, no longer with the previous obsessive demand, but like a helpless child, letting out an utterly suppressed, desperate wail!

"Wuwuwu... Chen Jun... I... I'm such a failure... I really... can't do it..."

Chen Jun was startled by her sudden action, then his heart softened. He gently embraced her, allowing her to vent centuries of obsession and her complete breakdown in his arms.

"Cry, it'll be better once you cry it out." He softly comforted her, "Some things cannot be forced. Letting go, perhaps, is a new beginning."

Outside the quiet room, everyone sensed the desperate crying from within and the finally settled energy fluctuations, knowing that this 'persistent attempt' that had lasted all night had finally come to an end with Leng Qingqiu's complete failure.

Liu Ruyan pouted: "If she knew this would happen, why bother in the first place?"

Chu Yueyao sighed: "I hope after this, Venerable Leng can truly let go."

Lin Wei let out a breath of relief: "It's finally over... Brother Jun must be exhausted."

Yun Xi had quietly left at some point.

Yan Ji finished the last bite of fruit, elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth, and chuckled to herself: "The show's over. The ending... isn't unexpected."

Qing Lin's eyes reddened, and she began to sob softly: "Aunt Leng... is too pitiful..."

Chen Jun held Leng Qingqiu, who had almost fainted from crying, feeling her cold tears dampen his clothes, and looked up at the increasingly bright dawn filtering through the ice window.

He lowered his head and softly said to Leng Qingqiu, who was exhausted from crying in his arms:

"Aunt Leng, sleep. Sleep, and when you wake up... everything will be fine."

As for his System interface, still showing [Remaining Lifespan]: 4 years... +15... +15...?!

Chen Jun smiled helplessly.

"It seems I need to find a way to upgrade the [Longevity Multiplier] function, or have more offspring that grant ten years of lifespan. Otherwise, the 'guarantee' applications for this family are a bit insufficient..."

As an invincible immortal who can win by doing nothing, he also has sweet yet helpless troubles.

The thought of occasionally putting in some effort arose in Ancestor Chen's mind... But if it's 'occasionally', does that really count as effort?

[ PS: A heartfelt message from your humble author ]

To all readers who have followed along this far:

Today there is only one update, but this chapter is a massive one, over six thousand words long!

I know you've waited even harder, and I truly feel bad about it... To be honest, writing has been exceptionally difficult these past few days.

The plot just happens to be advancing to some crucial...Um, 'life Legacy' segments.

As you all know, these types of plots are always particularly sensitive and strict during review.

These past few days, I've practically been 'battling wits' with the reviewers. My drafts have been sent back again and again, repeatedly revised, adjusted, and even largely rewritten.

Just figuring out how to write the story excitingly within the rules has caused me to pull out a lot of hair.

The workload has more than doubled compared to usual!

I'm truly exhausted, both physically and mentally... After all this back and forth, the little bit of saved drafts I painstakingly accumulated before has completely run out, not a single chapter left.

Looking at the empty draft folder, I feel particularly panicked.

What makes me feel even more pressure and confusion is... over the past half month, the book's data has declined very significantly. Whether it's readership, follow-up reads, or interaction, it's all like sliding down a slope.

Every night, looking at the backend data, I feel quite upset and can't help but doubt myself... Am I not writing well enough?

Have I disappointed everyone?

However!

Whenever such negative emotions arise, I recall the situation when this book first started.

At that time, after writing 250,000 words, there were only a pitiful four thousand readers. I was practically writing in solitude, relying solely on a 'foolish determination to finish the story'.

In comparison, now that so many friends are willing to read my book and leave me comments, I am already very, very content and grateful!

So, here, I want to solemnly state my position to everyone:

As long as I can still earn a living by writing, I will never abandon the book, and I will never give it a bad ending!

As long as I don't starve to death and can still afford instant noodles, I will write until I drop!

I will persevere and properly finish this story that belongs to Chen Jun and all of us!

I always firmly believe in that saying—

Starlight does not fail those who travel, and time does not fail those who are dedicated!

I believe that sincere effort will always be seen!

I believe that good stories will eventually find their kindred spirits!

Finally, allow me to shamelessly ask for a little support from everyone.

Because not only is Aunt Leng suffering a bit, your humble author is also suffering a bit.

If you feel this book is still pleasing to your Dharma Eye and enjoyable to read, I earnestly ask you to... click on the free [Generate Power for Love]. This would be immense encouragement for me!

Leave a [Five-star review] in the comment section. Your good reviews are the sunshine and dew that allow this book to live on!

Comment and interact more. Every single paragraph comment and chapter comment from you all is the best spiritual sustenance for me when I'm writing late at night!

Enough talk, I'm going back to writing... See you in the story!