Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

Lin Shuishui was still holding a string of candied hawthorns, wrinkling her nose at her sister.

Although Qin Yu had given her all the snacks, the little girl always ate them sparingly, just one string a day.

Every time she took a small bite, she would let it melt in her mouth for a long time, only chewing it once the flavor faded, so she could make one string last ages.

Lin Qianqian seemed to recall something, tugged Lin Shuishui over, and whispered, "Shuishui, let me ask you, how do you cultivate?"

Lin Shuishui’s delicate jade-like finger touched her chin. "Mm, sis, why are you asking about that?"

"Just tell me!"

"Mm, cultivation begins with sensing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi..."

Only after swallowing what was in her mouth did Lin Shuishui start her explanation from the top.

Sensing Spiritual Qi may seem simple, but in reality, only people with the Root Bone for cultivation can achieve it.

Even the lowest grade Mortal Bone still has a certain affinity for Spiritual Qi.

Lin Qianqian suddenly interrupted her, "Shuishui, what does Spiritual Qi look like?"

Lin Shuishui looked at her sister with confusion, but still described in detail the form of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi: "Like snowflakes, like fireflies on a summer night..."

A flicker of surprise flashed in Lin Qianqian’s beautiful eyes as she murmured, "It really is exactly like that... So it wasn’t just my imagination?"

"Sis, what are you talking about?"

"Nothing! Really, nothing!"

Lin Qianqian shook her head with a smile, then remembered why she’d even asked. A faint blush crept up the pale skin of her neck.

Lin Shuishui was a little confused, but was quickly distracted by the aroma of dinner.

At that moment, Qin Yu also walked out from the side room. Lin Qianqian went to greet him, "Husband, you’re done with alchemy? Perfect, let me add some more rice and vegetables."

This was at Qin Yu’s request.

After a few days, his little wife grew used to the routine and accepted it, so naturally called him "husband."

Dinner was served.

Though the ingredients were meager—just some dried vegetables—the three of them still ate with great relish.

After dinner, Lin Qianqian glanced at her younger sister, face showing both the shyness of a newlywed and the gentle grace of a wife: "Shuishui, your brother-in-law just finished making pills today, so I..."

"Oh..."

Lin Shuishui pouted, answering reluctantly, but then tiptoed toward Qin Yu: "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law! Shuishui can give back rubs too! How about letting me do it tonight!"

The corner of Qin Yu’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

Over there, Lin Qianqian’s pretty face turned rosy. She hurriedly grabbed her sister’s eager little hands: "You silly girl! The kind of back rub your brother-in-law needs isn’t one you can do."

"Why not? Brother-in-law, just let me try!"

Looking at those slender, jade-like hands, still untouched by spring water, Qin Yu forced himself to look away, coughed softly, and said, "Be good, Shuishui. Your sister knows exactly what strength and... positions I need."

At the word "positions," Lin Qianqian seemed to recall something mortifying, and her face bloomed like a peach blossom.

"But Sis can just teach me!"

The little girl kept clamoring, but Lin Qianqian had heard enough—she settled Shuishui into a small side room. Only after shutting the door did the little wife, eyes brimming with watery allure, glance at Qin Yu, part her lips, and blow out the candle.

Late at night.

After two days’ rest, Qin Yu was still vigorous as ever.

[Lin Qianqian’s Emotion Point +2]

[Lin Qianqian’s Emotion Point +2]

[Flame Point: 6]

Lin Qianqian sat up and sipped a bowl of water, her slightly parched lips finally regaining their rosy allure and moistness.

She closed her eyes, and once again saw the snowflakes and fireflies her little sister talked about...

Now, she could almost be sure that what she saw was indeed Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

But when the Immortal Sect came to test for Immortal Seeds, she’d clearly just been an ordinary person with no Root Bone—how could she sense Spiritual Qi’s existence at all?

Then, Lin Qianqian felt a current of warmth flow through her body; in just moments, her fatigue faded significantly.

At first, she hadn’t given it much thought.

Every time she and Qin Yu... lay together, something would fall upon her, like little sparks, then gather inside her into a current of warmth.

This warm flow had been very faint at first, barely noticeable, but as nights with Qin Yu accumulated, Lin Qianqian could distinctly feel it now.

This warmth not only swiftly eased her weariness—more importantly, as it circulated, it seemed to be improving her constitution.

The door was tightly closed, no wind wafted, and dewdrops in the field turned mud soft as water.

Gazing at Qin Yu, moonlight shining on her burning cheeks, Lin Qianqian wondered if she was overthinking things—a wild notion flashed through her mind.

"Could it be, if I keep going like this with my husband, I might develop a Root Bone and be able to cultivate too?"

The thought gave Lin Qianqian a fright!

Immortal and mortal, worlds apart—her fate had been decided at birth!

She’d never heard that anyone could grow a Root Bone for cultivation after being born.

But with every night together, the warmth she gained made Lin Qianqian’s longing more vivid and real.

And if it were true, then could she... become a cultivator too?!

Just the thought was enough to make her a bit excited.

If she remained only a mortal, her beauty would soon fade with time—how would she grow old with Qin Yu then?

At the image, Lin Qianqian’s heart tightened. She snuggled close to Qin Yu, her finger tracing his chest as she spoke softly, "Husband, it took you two days for alchemy this time."

On the last word, Lin Qianqian bit her lip, pressing just a little harder.

"Mmm..."

Qin Yu responded absently, thinking it was just idle chatter.

He didn’t expect Lin Qianqian to lower her gaze, her voice melting to the bones, "That means... you still owe me one more day..."

Qin Yu shivered and sat upright.

Goodness, so this is how little married couples live!

The saying’s true—a few days apart and your wife changes!

Looking at his little wife’s eager face, Qin Yu decided... to make it up to her.

[Flame Point: 8]

Already the hour of the ox, Qin Yu lay in bed with Lin Qianqian curled up like a kitten in his arms, nestled against his chest.

Seeing the confusion in Qin Yu’s eyes, Lin Qianqian finally decided to tell him what was happening to her. "Husband, I think I can sense the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi."

"Hmm?"

The confusion in Qin Yu’s eyes instantly turned to shock.

"It’s... it’s what you gave me..."

Lin Qianqian confided everything to him with no reservations.

The warm flow, the easing of fatigue, the improved constitution... 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

It was honestly unbelievable!

"Could it be because of... the flame seed?"

As for the flame seed in his body, Qin Yu didn’t know its origin, but he was sure that what appeared to be a dying ember was definitely something extraordinary.

If it was the cause, then everything made sense.

But Qin Yu couldn’t help feeling a bit sore.

He was already a beast of burden, and now that Lin Qianqian had gained recovery powers—what would life be like in the future?!