A public notice was posted seeking a wife, and a female saint from the Immortal Sect was found.

"Chen Yi has broken through, which is naturally a good thing, but he asked me to go back. Is there something important?" Li Changqing asked.

She was filled with doubts. Chen Yi's breakthrough had indeed surprised her, but she quickly calmed down.

Upon hearing this question, Liu Shen immediately paused. He couldn't very well say that he had spoken to the family head and made the family head want to show off.

A thought flashed through his mind, and he quickly said, "The head of the family probably wants to share his joy with you, Miss Li."

Li Changqing had only asked casually, and upon hearing Liu Shen's words, he nodded. He would find out why Chen Yi wanted him to go back when he got there.

"Steward Liu, you can stay in the herb garden. There are still some things to take care of. I'll go back and check on things."

…………

Back in the courtyard, Li Changqing found Chen Yi practicing his swordsmanship, and the aura emanating from Chen Yi confirmed that he had indeed reached the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage.

Upon seeing Li Changqing return, Chen Yi stopped, smiled, and said, "Changqing, you're back."

Li Changqing immediately felt that Chen Yi's words sounded quite normal this time. For a while before, whenever Chen Yi saw her come back, he would ask Changqing, "Have you eaten?"

"Butler Liu told me you broke through to the fourth level of the Qi Refining stage, but I didn't completely believe it. I didn't expect you to actually break through. Congratulations! But how did you do it? Also, why did you send me back? Is there something wrong?" Li Changqing was still puzzled, so he asked directly.

She had her own guesses: Chen Yi was able to reach the fourth level so quickly perhaps because the Chen family had methods she didn't know about or some kind of spiritual treasure that could improve one's cultivation level.

Aside from this speculation, she couldn't think of any other reason.

Chen Yi quickly said, "I asked you to come back because of this matter. After you gave me the [Mysterious Spirit Cultivation Method], I mastered it within an hour. My breakthrough was all thanks to the [Mysterious Spirit Cultivation Method]."

He deliberately said it would take an hour to figure it out, so as not to exaggerate too much. After hearing this, Li Changqing's eyes, which were usually full of calm and composure, suddenly widened a few times.

Seeing Li Changqing's bewildered expression and wide-eyed stare, he found Li Changqing's appearance rather endearing.

Furthermore, Li Changqing's appearance immediately made him realize that Li Changqing was also shocked by his rapid comprehension of the cultivation method and subsequent breakthrough in three days.

This was exactly the effect he wanted. Even someone with the perspective of someone who had once reached the peak of the Tribulation Transcending stage was shocked. This performance was definitely worthwhile.

Li Changqing stared at Chen Yi, and upon hearing Chen Yi's words, she indeed felt a tremendous shock in her heart.

However, she quickly calmed down and felt a sense of wonder. She hadn't expected that by chance, she would enter the Chen family and discover a genius like Chen Yi, whose talent was truly extraordinary.

She recalled that when she joined the Eastern Divine Sect, it took her two days to master the Qi Refining Chapter, while Chen Yi did it in an hour. Such talent was far superior to hers.

"Try using the [Mysterious Spirit Cultivation Method]." Li Changqing stopped thinking about it and decided to see for himself how far Chen Yi had mastered it.

Chen Yi naturally wouldn't refuse. He focused his mind and calmed his spirit, and his spiritual power immediately moved according to his thoughts. In just a few breaths, it transformed into a vortex within his body, and the rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth immediately gathered there.

"You can stop now. In just three days, you've already reached a point where you can operate the cultivation method with ease. Not bad," Li Changqing said.

Chen Yi stopped using the cultivation method, then raised his hand to bow to Li Changqing and said, "The cultivation effect of this method is far superior to my previous cultivation methods. With this method, it should be a natural thing for me to cultivate to the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining in the future."

"Thank you, Miss Li. This method is invaluable, and I cannot accept it for nothing. This is the key to the Chen family's treasury; from now on, it is yours."

After saying that, Chen Yi took out a key and handed it to Li Changqing.

Li Changqing raised an eyebrow, surprised, and said, "You're giving me the keys to the Chen family's treasure vault? Aren't you afraid I might have ulterior motives?"

This was actually a question she had wanted to ask for a long time. Chen Yi's trust in her was excessive, so this time she simply asked directly.

Although this matter wasn't important, she did want to find out what Chen Yi was really thinking.

The power of the Chen family has been handed over to her, and now she has taken out the key to the treasury. As a result, the Chen family is now effectively under her control.

Chen Yi suddenly glared at him, feigning indignation, and said, "Afraid you have ulterior motives? What do you take me for? Our wedding date is already set, so there's no need to distinguish between us anymore. Is there any difference between giving you the key to the treasure vault and keeping it in my hands?"

Then Chen Yi regained his composure and his tone became sincere: "Besides, you've already given me the cultivation method, so if I'm still worried about you having ulterior motives, then I'm going too far."

The value of this cultivation method alone is estimated to be greater than that of ten Chen families combined. Chen Yi's last sentence was definitely from the bottom of his heart.

Li Changqing paused for a moment before calmly saying, "Okay, I'll take the key."

Chen Yi felt a sense of responsibility and a long road ahead.

If it were an ordinary young woman, she would be so excited that she would jump for joy if she were entrusted with the most important thing in her family.

Li Changqing, however, remained calm, as if he had accepted something insignificant; he was truly difficult to deal with.

However, Chen Yi quickly put those thoughts aside and instead asked, "When I was cultivating the [Mysterious Spirit Cultivation Method], I seemed to experience some unusual phenomena in my mind. Is this something that happens to everyone who cultivates this method?"

Recalling the strange phenomenon, he still felt a chill, after all, he had also truly felt the eerie sensation of dissipating into the world and falling into nothingness.

Li Changqing frowned slightly, staring at Chen Yi, and said, "No, when I practiced this method, there were no unusual phenomena. Perhaps you have some thoughts in your mind, which is why you think that practicing this method caused the unusual phenomena."

This cultivation method is a top-tier cultivation method, naturally extraordinary, but it is absolutely impossible for it to cause extraordinary phenomena during cultivation. No matter how extraordinary it is, it is still just a cultivation method.

Chen Yi's heart skipped a beat. How could he not know if it was an anomaly? According to Li Changqing, he was the only one who had sensed the anomaly.

For a moment, his mind was in turmoil, but his expression remained calm as he said, "It's very likely because of what you said. I was thinking too much and mistakenly thought I was seeing something strange."

This matter should not be mentioned again. Although it seems extremely unusual, it is precisely because it is extremely unusual that it should not be mentioned again.

Li Changqing ignored what Chen Yi was thinking and said, "I thought your talent was acceptable before, but now it seems that your talent can be called genius. However, talent is one thing, and how far you can go is another. If you are arrogant and complacent or domineering, one day your path will be cut off."

It was a rare opportunity to hear Li Changqing share his insights on cultivation, so Chen Yi naturally wouldn't miss it and quickly asked, "You're a rogue cultivator, so your knowledge far surpasses mine. Could you tell me about cultivation?"

Li Changqing did not refuse and nodded, saying, "The path of cultivation is long and arduous, and every step is against the will of Heaven. I have heard that the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages are not too difficult, but when it comes to the step of condensing the Golden Core, one has to start competing for spiritual objects that can help condense the Golden Core and for the vast resources needed for cultivation."

"There are many geniuses with monstrous talents who cannot even reach the Core Formation stage and become withered bones on the path of cultivation. There are also Golden Core cultivators who are arrogant and conceited and are killed by a single finger from a stronger person."

"Everyone says that cultivating the Tao leads to immortality, but how many people can truly live forever? If you don't want to climb higher step by step, then stay in the family and work steadily. Although your cultivation will definitely be slow, it will be peaceful and stable."

She said all this with good intentions. Chen Yi's talent surpasses hers, and whether he cultivates alone or joins a sect, he may achieve great success.

However, the path of cultivation is far more cruel than she described. If Chen Yi really chooses to leave his family and face the wider world, he may not necessarily have a better outcome.

Chen Yi understood the meaning behind Li Changqing's words. He not only understood it, but also keenly sensed that perhaps, being able to live a peaceful and stable life in a small place was actually what Li Changqing longed for.

All living beings have their own pursuits, but not everyone's pursuit is to stand at the highest point and look down on the world.

He recalled that when he first met Li Changqing, Li Changqing said that it would be a good choice to have a place to live a stable life. At the time, he thought it was just something Li Changqing said casually.

Looking back now, it may not necessarily be false.

"Choosing stability or striving for success leads to two different lives. As for how you choose to go from here on out, that's up to you," Li Changqing said.

Chen Yi nodded upon hearing this, and then asked, "If it were you, what would you choose?"

Li Changqing was visibly taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I don't have much to choose from."

She was unwilling to say more, and Chen Yi didn't intend to ask any more questions, because he already knew what Li Changqing's ultimate goal was.

This woman really didn't have much to choose from, because she hadn't even considered choosing.

Chen Yi suddenly became curious about what kind of person Li Changqing's master was, that Li Changqing had only wanted to avenge his master for three hundred years.

But this is something that, of course, cannot be asked.

"Now we are all practicing the [Mysterious Spirit Cultivation Method]. If you encounter any problems in your cultivation in the future, just ask me," Li Changqing instructed.

Hearing this, Chen Yi nodded repeatedly. Since Li Changqing had spoken up, he naturally wouldn't stand on ceremony. Being able to receive guidance from a peak Tribulation Transcending stage cultivator would be of great benefit to his cultivation.

Li Changqing gave a few more instructions, and seeing that Chen Yi was alright, he left the courtyard to attend to family matters.

This action made Chen Yi feel ashamed. Li Changqing cared far more about the Chen family than he, the head of the family, did. Besides, perhaps Li Changqing simply preferred this kind of life—ordinary, peaceful, and stable.

He couldn't help but wonder what life would be like if he and Li Changqing lived like this from now on.

…………

The next morning, Chen Yi sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes already open. He had cultivated all night and his cultivation level had improved slightly.

Name: Chen Yi

Lifespan: 22/86

[Realm Level: Qi Refining Stage 4 (22/400)]

[Martial Arts Skill: Triple Mountain-Splitting Saber Technique (Mastery 50/100)]

[Spell/Art: None]

[System Function: Authentication (Can authenticate the authenticity of anything in the world, once per day)]

"After breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, the increase in power per cultivation session is not as significant as when it was at the third level, but a single cultivation session can still increase power by about twenty points."

Chen Yi was satisfied; this was already a very fast speed, and it was achieved without taking the Spirit Condensation Pill.

This means that even without using the Spirit Condensation Pill, he can break through to the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage within twenty days.

"It's just that the higher you go, the harder it becomes to break through, and it's impossible to maintain such a fast pace of breakthroughs indefinitely."

There are nine levels in the Qi Refining stage. With the help of the cultivation method, he is breaking through at a fast speed now, but the higher he goes, the more time he needs to break through each level.

Of course, these calculations are all based on the premise of not taking pills during cultivation. If pills are taken, the speed will naturally be faster.

The only problem is that the Chen family's supply of pills is far from sufficient, so even the head of the family cannot use them freely.

Putting those thoughts aside for the moment, Chen Yi calculated the time and knew that Li Changqing was about to leave, so he also left the room.

This woman leaves early and returns late. Whether Chen Yi has any problems with his cultivation or simply wants to talk to her, he can only wait for her to come back in the morning or evening.

He had just stepped out the door when Li Changqing, who was not far away, also pushed open his door and came out.

Just as Chen Yi was about to speak, Liu Shen suddenly rushed over. Upon seeing Chen Yi and Li Changqing from afar, he said, "Master, Miss Li."

"What's the rush? What happened?" Chen Yi asked immediately.

Liu Shen quickly smiled and said, "Master, the New Year is just around the corner. This old servant is planning to take a few servants to purchase some supplies for the New Year. So I came to ask if Master and Miss Li need anything. This old servant will buy it for you."

Chen Yi was suddenly stunned. The New Year? He then realized that there was a New Year custom in this world.

He sighed inwardly, and Li Changqing, who was standing beside him, was also taken aback for a moment.

She had never experienced the joyous festival of Chinese New Year, a common holiday for ordinary people, but now she was intrigued, though there was nothing she needed to buy.

She glanced at Chen Yi, who waved his hand, and then she said to Liu Shen, "There's no need to prepare anything for us. As for the rest, Steward Liu, you can prepare whatever you need to."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shen quickly agreed, bowed, and then turned to leave.

"I noticed you suddenly paused for a moment. What's wrong? You're surprised by something like the New Year? Aren't you used to it?" Li Changqing glanced at Chen Yi and suddenly asked.

This surprised Chen Yi. Li Changqing actually noticed the expression on his face. Then he sighed and said, "It just feels like another year has passed. The flowers are similar year after year, but the people are different year after year. Time seems to fly by."

Li Changqing was stunned again. The flowers are similar year after year, but people are different year after year. These words made her fall silent.

Chen Yi's heart stirred. He and Li Changqing's wedding date was already set, so he should at least prepare a gift for Li Changqing during the festive New Year.

Jewelry and the like were all prepared. Although the Chen family was just a small family, they couldn't be too stingy.

He recalled certain wedding customs from his memory, and an idea came to him.

"Everything else is negotiable. We can make a ring, that way we'll have a proper status."

Once the thought arose, it was impossible to stop. Chen Yi was delighted and began to imagine Li Changqing wearing the ring.