Chapter 10 My Wife Actually Jumped Out of a Stone
"..."
After reading Lin chuqing's attribute panel, Gu Qing was left speechless, stunned beyond words.
At first he thought Lin chuqing only looked like a fairy—yet she truly was one. He thought she had a normal constitution with excellent bones, but she turned out to possess a Dao body. He thought she was merely a heroine, but in fact she was the protagonist.
Blessed with endless fortune, immune to backlash, armed with heaven-defying talents—she was practically invincible.
And wasn't she supposed to be at Qi Condensation Realm, 3rd Level? A Purple Mansion Realm, 9th Level pretending to be Qi Condensation… these years must have been quite an ordeal for her.
[Host, you saw it yourself. She is not suitable for you at the moment. Only when you reach the Void Dao Realm and can harness the Dao Bone will you be immune to her fairy aura.]
"Heh, I grew up with her. Mere divine beauty and fairy grace—I can handle it."
Though he spoke with bravado, inwardly Gu Qing grew cautious.
"But wait—she's from the Immortal Spirit Clan. How did she appear in the Lin family?"
For Lin chuqing to show up in the Lin family was baffling. It was true that children of destiny often attracted exalted companions, but an immortal born of heaven and earth should not appear in such a remote corner of the world.
[Every Immortal Spirit is unique. Some are born supreme, others are reincarnated mortals destined to live through nine lifetimes. Some are born as immortal herbs, divine fruits, or even strands of immortal energy...]
[She was born within a stubborn stone, later picked up by Lin Zhantian and his wife. Is there a problem with that?]
"N-no problem..."
Gu Qing had never imagined that his wife was literally born from a stone. The revelation shook him for ten thousand years.
"Ah Qing, what's wrong?" Lin chuqing asked when she saw his shifting expression.
"Nothing."
Gu Qing decided not to ask further. Some truths were best left unspoken.
Lin chuqing's past was clearly filled with great secrets. These years she could not have been cultivating within the Lin family alone. They had nowhere near enough resources to raise her to the Purple Mansion Realm. Her panel confirmed it—Lin family's adopted daughter, but also successor of the Hidden Immortal Palace.
"You should go back first. I need to see the Grand Elder," Lin chuqing said softly.
"I'll go with you. Perhaps master will show leniency for my sake," Gu Qing replied with a show of concern. After all, since Lin Chen had caused such trouble, this was a perfect chance for him to gain credit. Doing good deeds without recognition was the way of foolish sons-in-law.
"No need."
Lin chuqing refused directly. Though aloof, she understood basic courtesy. If Gu Qing intervened here, their master-disciple bond would end.
"Let's go. I know what to do."
Gu Qing ignored her refusal and took her hand, squeezing it gently. Warm, soft, more delicate than before—truly delightful.
Such were the benefits of childhood bonds. To hold her hand and embrace her had long become natural to her. Without such familiarity, with Lin chuqing's cold and reserved nature, even after marriage she would never let him do so openly.
[Warning: Detected Lin Chen harboring intense malice toward the host. Attempting to plunder host's fortune. Triggering Super Rebound. 1000 fortune points plundered back.]
Gu Qing turned his head, eyes glinting with unmasked satisfaction. As expected, Lin Chen coughed blood and clutched his chest, pale as death.
"If you want to follow, then follow," Gu Qing sneered inwardly.
Soon, the two arrived at the Grand Elder's courtyard.
Lin chuqing donned a mask, concealing her aura, before stepping inside.
In the hall, the Grand Elder's face was dark, his eyes cold and venomous as they fell on them.
He had always valued Gu Qing, teaching him wholeheartedly. But if Gu Qing came now to plead for Lin Chen, then he would show no mercy. His grandson had been crippled—if his own disciple turned against him for an outsider, he would never forgive it.
"Master, I obtained three Blue Ice Lotus seeds in the Beast Mountain Range. I consumed one..."
Before the Grand Elder could speak, Gu Qing stepped forward and presented a jade box.
The Blue Ice Lotus was a sacred medicine, more than enough to heal Lin Yuan's injuries. It could even strengthen his foundation and help him break through to Qi Condensation Realm.
The reason he said there were three was because he intended to split them evenly—one for the Grand Elder, one for Lin Yuan, and one for himself.
"What?"
The Grand Elder's face changed drastically.
A sacred medicine?
Was this truly something they could possess?
Even Purple Mansion and Profound Core cultivators fought desperately over such things. How had Gu Qing obtained it?
No time for questions, the Grand Elder hurriedly accepted the jade box. Upon opening it, he found two lotus seeds inside.
A fragrant medicinal scent spread through the room, instantly soothing the body and calming the mind of everyone present.
"T-this…"
The Grand Elder's hands trembled violently.
A sacred medicine—able to heal injuries, enhance bone quality, and assist in breaking through realms.
If news of this spread, the Lin family would not survive the night.
Lin chuqing's lips moved slightly, but she said nothing. Instead, she resolved to repay Gu Qing later with a treasure of equal value.
"He… he was going to give me a Blue Ice Lotus seed?"
Lin Chen's eyes turned red, his chest aching even more.
At first he had dismissed Gu Qing's offer of medicine.
In his eyes, what could a poor Qi Condensation cultivator possibly provide?
So he had refused without hesitation.
But never had he imagined that it would be a Blue Ice Lotus seed.
Even just inhaling its drifting fragrance made his body begin to transform, already showing signs of a breakthrough.
If he could refine one fully, his constitution would rise a step higher, and his strength would increase by at least ten thousand jin.
This was a heavenly fortune.
And he had missed it?
"Damn it." Lin Chen gnashed his teeth, gasping heavily, staring at the lotus seeds with bloodshot eyes, desperate for Gu Qing to give him one.
Seeing this, Gu Qing needed no further guess.
Lin Chen really was foolish. Gu Qing had only mentioned a healing medicine, and he had never intended to hand one over.
How had Lin Chen come to imagine he would get a Blue Ice Lotus seed?
Truly deluded.
Shaking his head, Gu Qing said to the Grand Elder, "Master, you should take it quickly before something happens."
"Y-yes, yes!"
The Grand Elder came to his senses, nodding eagerly.
Such a treasure was a death warrant if left unused. To consume it immediately was the only safe path.
Looking at Gu Qing, hair messy and clothes torn, the Grand Elder suddenly felt ashamed.
Gu Qing had offered the Blue Ice Lotus, yet he had harbored the worst suspicions about him. He was unworthy of being called a teacher.
"Ah Qing, I am truly grateful."
"Master, you honor me. Your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. This is what I should do," Gu Qing said solemnly.
The Grand Elder was a scheming man, but toward Gu Qing he had always been genuine, nearly treating him the same as Lin Yuan.
To offer two seeds now was Gu Qing's way of repaying that kindness.
"Good, good, good!"
The Grand Elder's old heart swelled with joy. He felt everything had been worth it.
After exchanging a few words, he left in haste, unable to wait any longer.
He didn't spare Lin Chen a single glance.
Of course—after obtaining such a treasure and glimpsing further power, who had time for an ant? Lin Chen could be dealt with after he emerged from seclusion.
"Huff… huff…"
Lin Chen panted heavily, glaring at Gu Qing with the hatred of one facing his father's murderer.
Indeed, both seeds had been given away. He had received nothing.
To see another gain such fortune—this was worse than losing it himself.
"Xiao Chen."
Lin chuqing's voice, cool yet tinged with anger, rang out.
Gu Qing had sacrificed so much, yet Lin Chen looked at him as though he were a mortal enemy.
Was this truly her younger brother?
Since when had he changed so drastically?
"Forget it. Xiao Chen is still young. When he grows older, he will understand."
Gu Qing smiled lightly, not giving Lin Chen even a chance to respond, and led her toward his courtyard.
"Chu Qing-jie, it has been so long since you dressed my hair. I wonder if your skills remain the same."
His playful laughter drifted into the distance, making Lin Chen cough blood in fury—and then he truly did.
Bitter anger filled his eyes. He had done nothing, yet already bore the label of ungrateful and greedy.
"Gu Qing, between us there is no peace. From this day, we are enemies." He swore silently.
[Warning: Detected Lin Chen harboring intense malice toward the host. Attempting to plunder host's fortune. Triggering Super Rebound. 1000 fortune points plundered back.]
"Damn thief… damn thief!"
Far above, a figure cloaked in divine radiance and holy aura gnashed his teeth.
Lin chuqing was the successor of the Hidden Immortal Palace, her status exalted even in the Ancient Wasteland Realm. Even the rulers of immortal clans would honor her as a guest.
And Gu Qing dared to let her dress his hair?
Was this not treating their successor as nothing more than a maid?