16: Chapter 16 Two beauties accompany him in dual cultivation, his spiritual root undergoes a transformation, and his cultivation talent skyrockets!

Night fell. Ye Linchuan hung the glass lamp in the main hall and activated the mechanism.

The white radiance spilled out like flowing water, instantly dispelling every inch of gloom in the corners of the room, bathing the entire hall in a warm and bright glow.

Watching the room fill with light, Shen Qingyan snuggled up to him and said softly: "The house is brighter now, and there is a new person added to it."

Su Wanqing had now officially married into the family.

There were no banquets or guests; they simply offered tea under the newly hung glass lamp in the hall.

Ye Linchuan took the teacup and said to the meek and submissive Su Wanqing: "Qingyan is the wife, and you are the concubine. You must remember your place from now on."

"Yes, Wanqing understands."

Su Wanqing answered respectfully, and Shen Qingyan felt a warmth blooming in her heart.

That night, red candles flickered in the bridal chamber.

Everything fell into place naturally.

The moment their Qi merged, Ye Linchuan's whole body shuddered, and the System panel suddenly erupted with golden light!

[First Spiritual Qi fusion with concubine Su Wanqing, who possesses a Spiritual Root, completed. Spiritual Root Overlay Module activated!]

[Detected concubine's Origin Spiritual Root attribute: Fire (Low Grade).]

[Beginning extraction and conversion of Origin Spiritual Root attribute...]

[Conversion successful! Proceeding with Spiritual Root Aptitude overlay...]

[Overlay complete!]

[Host's Spiritual Root has received a permanent upgrade!]

[Ninth-Grade Waste Spiritual Root → Eighth-Grade Spiritual Root (Fire attribute affinity +1% permanently)]

[Effect: Overall Cultivation speed permanently increased by 5%; perception of Fire attribute Spiritual Qi slightly enhanced, efficiency permanently increased by 10%.]

Eighth-Grade Spiritual Root!

Ye Linchuan could clearly feel that the invisible barrier that had imprisoned him for many years had been pried open by a sliver!

His internal Spiritual Qi circulated a fraction faster.

His sensing of external Spiritual Qi, especially the active Fire attribute Spiritual Qi in the air, became clearer than ever before.

More importantly, that 10% efficiency bonus for the Fire element.

It had an immediate effect on his Fire Snake Talisman Crafting, flame Talismans, and controlling the Pill Furnace temperature!

...

The next day.

Life entered a new rhythm.

Ye Linchuan's daily routine became more structured.

In the morning, he would Cultivate the Dragon and Phoenix Harmony Art with Shen Qingyan, and in the afternoon, he would guide Su Wanqing in the basics of the Guiyuan Technique, while attempting shallow Dual Cultivation to stabilize the Spiritual Root bonus.

At night, he would unfailingly engage in Talisman Making, Alchemy, and Cultivation.

The effects of the Spiritual Root upgrade gradually manifested, and his Fire Snake Talisman Crafting became increasingly smoother.

His cultivation level was also steadily advancing toward Qi Refining Level 4.

Su Wanqing was diligent and quiet, respectful to Shen Qingyan, and obedient to Ye Linchuan.

Shen Qingyan also sincerely accepted her, and the atmosphere in the home grew increasingly harmonious.

...

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

The old tree in the courtyard sprouted new buds, and spring grew stronger.

It was noon that day.

Ye Linchuan was catching some air under the eaves when the neighbor's courtyard gate creaked open, and a pale-faced Luo Yu walked out.

"Alchemist Ye,"

Luo Yu's voice was hoarse, her gaze lingering on him for a moment, "Now with a beautiful wife and concubine, and living securely behind closed doors, you certainly have good fortune."

"I just don't know how long this fortune can be enjoyed?"

Ye Linchuan's expression remained unchanged, "Why does Fellow Daoist Luo say that?"

"Does Alchemist Ye truly not know?"

Luo Yu coughed softly, "Our area was considered safe before because Fellow Daoist Gong Lie was guarding it."

"But there is confirmed news from a few days ago that Fellow Daoist Gong... died in the Cold Fiend Valley."

Gong Lie had fallen?!

Ye Linchuan's heart sank.

This Qi Refining Level 7 Loose Cultivator was a well-known expert in the area; his death was no small matter.

"It is not just Fellow Daoist Gong,"

Luo Yu continued, her voice lowered, "Most of the first batch who went in died!"

"Yet the Xuanming Sect has instead raised the reward for the foundation establishment pill to three!"

"The rewards for the second recruitment batch have also increased by 30%. Yunxi City is completely insane now."

After she finished speaking, she coughed a few more times, waved her hand, and returned to her own courtyard.

Ye Linchuan immediately returned to his room and activated the communication Talisman with Shopkeeper Chen.

A moment later, the reply confirmed Luo Yu's words and provided more details:

Gong Lie was confirmed dead, the casualties of the first batch were extremely heavy, and the Xuanming Sect was increasing incentives.

The prices of Talismans and Medicinal Pills in the market rose by 20% in response.

Especially items for dispelling evil and flames were in high demand but out of stock.

Shopkeeper Chen finally warned, "Fellow Daoist Ye, the outside is even more chaotic now, so please be extremely careful."

...

Over the next few days, Ye Linchuan's life seemed the same, but his heart was difficult to calm.

The news of Gong Lie's death was like a stone pressing on his heart.

If that Qi Refining Level 7 expert had fallen in the Cold Fiend Valley, the dangers within could be imagined.

The Xuanming Sect increased the rewards, market prices skyrocketed, and the air was filled with a greedy restlessness.

Although he kept telling himself to stay steady, when he tried to craft a break-evil Talisman and failed again,

looking at the ruined Talisman paper on the table, a wave of irritability surged up.

Li Feng's urging was becoming more urgent, and Luo Yu's suggestive words echoed in his ears.

The storms outside seemed to be seeping in, bit by bit, through his closed doors and windows.

He took a deep breath, and his gaze fell on the System panel.

[Host: Ye Linchuan]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 3 (Peak)]

[Spiritual Root: Eighth-Grade Spiritual Root]

[Skills: First-Grade Medium Grade Talisman Master (Talisman Dao experience 62%), First-Grade High Grade Alchemist (Alchemy experience 83%)]

[Dao Companion: Shen Qingyan (Favorability 92), Su Wanqing (Favorability 68)]

"Eighth-Grade Spiritual Root..."

Looking at this line of text, Ye Linchuan's mood slowly calmed down.

This was his Foundation, his confidence to seek longevity in this chaotic world.

But having a Foundation was not enough; he also needed resources.

"Qingyan, Wanqing."

Ye Linchuan called his wife and concubine to his side, his expression serious, "I need to go out for a trip to trade for some supplies at Baibao Pavilion."

"You must stay at home. No matter who comes to call at the door, even if it sounds like me, you must absolutely not open it."

"Activate all Restrictions and do not go out."

Seeing his grave expression, Shen Qingyan and Su Wanqing nodded quickly.

Shen Qingyan said worriedly: "Husband, please be careful."

"I know."

Ye Linchuan tucked two enhanced Golden Light Talismans close to his body, then pulled open the back door and slipped out.

The alley was quieter than usual.

The spring breeze carried warmth, but it could not disperse the oppression pervading the air.

Occasionally, a courtyard gate would open, and the gazes peeking out were filled with vigilance.

Ye Linchuan slightly released his Divine Sense, listening to all directions, his footsteps steady, and he held an Earth Trap Talisman tightly in his hand.

After his Spiritual Root improved, his perception of the surrounding environment became slightly sharper, which gave him a little more confidence.

The journey was silent, but his mind remained tense.

It was not until he stepped onto the main road of the market and saw the slightly larger flow of people, as well as the vaguely visible figures of the Xuanming Sect patrol team in the distance,

that Ye Linchuan breathed a sigh of relief, but he did not put away the Talisman in his hand.

He arrived at Baibao Pavilion.

As soon as Shopkeeper Chen saw him, his eyes lit up, and he enthusiastically welcomed him into the inner room, "Fellow Daoist Ye! You have finally come!"

"In these times, we are just waiting for craftsmen like you to come and save the day!"

"Shopkeeper Chen, there is no need for pleasantries, take a look at this batch of goods."

Ye Linchuan took out the Talismans and Medicinal Pills directly.

After Shopkeeper Chen inspected them, the smile on his face grew brighter, "Good! The quality is as excellent as always!"

"Nowadays, these attack and defense Talismans and cold-dispelling Medicinal Pills are the hardest of hard currency!"

"Fellow Daoist Ye, we are old acquaintances, so I will give you a fair price."

He fiddled with the abacus, "High-quality Fireball Talismans retail for twelve Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and I will buy them for ten; the Golden Light Talisman is the same."

"Fire Snake Talisman Crafting, purchase price is twenty-five."

"Earth Trap Talisman, fifteen."

"Warm Sun Pill, five per bottle, clear heart pill four per bottle..."

He reported a string of numbers and finally said: "Total... four hundred and eighty-six Low-Grade Spirit Stones. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Ye?"

Ye Linchuan's expression was calm, but he was calculating quickly in his mind.

This purchase price was nearly 50% higher than usual; Shopkeeper Chen really didn't suppress the price too much.

But he had noticed the street stalls when he came; Fireball Talismans of similar quality were already being asked for thirteen or fourteen.

"Shopkeeper Chen,"

Ye Linchuan spoke slowly, "I passed by outside on my way here, and people are already asking for fourteen for Fireball Talismans, and they might not even be authentic."

"You know the quality of these Talismans and Medicinal Pills of mine."

"This price, I am afraid, is a bit low."

"Furthermore, in the current market, having goods is having confidence."

"If it weren't for the urgent need for some Materials, I would not be willing to sell them at this moment."

The smile on Shopkeeper Chen's face stiffened, and he laughed dryly, "Fellow Daoist Ye is a sensible person... but my shop also needs to make some profit."

"How about this, I will add one Spirit Stone to each item! This is already the limit!"

Ye Linchuan did not insist further and nodded, "Then let us do as Shopkeeper Chen says."

"Additionally, I need to purchase some things."

He listed the items...

Including high-quality spirit rice, Yao Beast meat, and fresh spirit vegetables sufficient for three months of consumption.

He carefully collected the Spirit Stones and supplies, then turned and merged into the street.