Han Xuan closed the jade box and set it aside.
He had no idea how mere bandits like the Blackscale Brothers had managed to obtain such a spiritual herb, but he could guess well enough. Most likely, it was just another stolen good, seized from some unlucky cultivator who lacked the strength to protect it.
He let out a soft sigh. He muttered with a hint of irony, "Killing and seizing treasure really is a profitable business."
Then his expression turned calm again, almost indifferent.
If possible, he sincerely hoped that another rich yet blind bandit would come knocking on his door in the future. That way, he could both collect a little compensation for himself and deliver justice on behalf of those who had been robbed and killed.
As for the rest of the contents in the storage bag, they were nothing more than miscellaneous items. Clothes, tools, scraps of notes, and a few low-value materials. No treasure came close to the value of the Twinflow Lotus.
Han Xuan stopped searching and tied the storage bag shut.
"All right," Han Xuan exhaled softly, steadying his mind, "All the treasures for investment have been gathered. It's time to begin the Investment Phase."
Although he still had a full month before the Investment Phase ended, he had no intention of delaying it any further.
Too many unexpected variables could arise in cultivation. Therefore, acting early was always safer.
Moreover, the treasures he had prepared this time were already more than ten times richer than the first investment he made years ago. He did not believe that the talent of his future twins would be inferior to Han Qixing's.
"System," Han Xuan said calmly, "Start!"
A familiar, cold voice echoed in his mind.
[Investment Phase begins.]
[Please offer the treasures.]
Han Xuan's expression turned solemn.
He began taking out the prepared items one by one, placing them neatly before him.
First came spirit coins.
A massive pile spilled out, emitting faint spiritual fluctuations.
Ten thousand spirit coins.
Next were spiritual herbs.
Three jade boxes were opened in sequence. They are Clearheart Azure Lotus, Scarlet Flame Lotus Seed, and Twinflow Lotus.
Then came pills, sealed in crystal bottles. They are the Rejuvenation Pill, Spirit Recovery Pill, and Azure Detoxification Pill.
Han Xuan paused for a moment before he added a bottle containing Qi Gathering Pills.
After that, two spiritual weapons appeared. They are Moonpetal Silk Ribbon and a broken red cauldron.
Two jade slips followed. They are a Rank 1 alchemy inheritance and a Rank 1 talisman inheritance.
Then came three jars of spiritual wine. They are Hollow Mist Brew, Ironleaf Spirit Ale, and Crescent Dew Nectar.
Finally, he placed a jade slip containing a cultivation technique onto the pile. It was the Three-Flame Refining Method.
Han Xuan frowned slightly as he looked over the offerings. He pinched his chin, "Hmm… cultivation techniques are still a bit lacking."
He fell into brief thought before reaching a decision.
With a flick of his hand, another jade slip appeared.
Moonlight Breathing Sutra.
This was Shui Lanyue's cultivation technique.
Moonlight Breathing Sutra focused on gentle circulation under moonlight, emphasizing calm breathing, stable qi flow, and steady nourishment of the meridians. It was slow but safe, rarely causing deviations, and especially suitable for beginners and long-term cultivation.
Originally, this cultivation technique could be practiced all the way to Foundation Establishment. Unfortunately, Shui Lanyue's cultivation had been too low back then, and her family had been destroyed too early. She never had the chance to obtain the complete follow-up inheritance.
Even so, its foundation was solid and orthodox.
Han Xuan withdrew his hand and looked at the assembled treasures.
That was everything.
Compared to the investment he made ten years ago, this one was overwhelmingly richer. But that was only natural.
This time, his unborn children were twins.
So the investment had to be doubled.
Han Xuan took a deep breath, "Submit."
In the next instant, brilliant streams of multicolored light surged up from the treasures laid out before him. The light intertwined and spiraled, swallowing spirit coins, jade boxes, jars, weapons, and inheritances alike. One after another, the offerings vanished into the glow, leaving the room empty.
Baobao, who had been silently watching from the side, widened its bulging eyes.
It croaked loudly and hopped closer, staring at the now-empty floor. Then it croaked again, clearly aggrieved, as if asking where all the treasures had gone and why they had not returned to its belly.
Han Xuan ignored it completely.
A cold notification echoed in his mind.
[All treasures have been submitted.]
[Investment Phase closed.]
[Countdown until descendant birth: 362 days.]
"That long?" Han Xuan was genuinely taken aback.
Nearly a full year.
He frowned slightly, then his thoughts shifted.
Could it be true that the greater the talent, the longer the gestation?
Even Han Qixing had been born after the usual nine months, no different from ordinary mortals.
A smile slowly crept onto his face. A trace of delight rose in his chest as he thought, "It seems the twins' talent won't be bad at all."
The tension that had been holding him upright finally released. Han Xuan leaned back against the floor, letting out a long breath.
Losing so many treasures in one go was undeniably painful. Yet strangely enough, the invisible weight pressing down on his heart vanished the moment the investment ended.
For the first time in a long while, he felt completely at ease.
After resting for a bit, Han Xuan sat up again.
He reached out and picked up a jade slip containing the Rank 1 talisman inheritance, its surface cool and smooth in his palm.
"All right," Han Xuan murmured softly, eyes sharpening with quiet resolve, "It's time to learn talismans..."
✽ ✽ ✽
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Blueleaf Town was exceptionally lively. The streets were crowded with unfamiliar faces, cultivators arriving in groups or alone, their auras sharp and restless. Flying spiritual weapons occasionally streaked across the sky before descending near the town gates, drawing waves of exclamations from mortals below.
Today was the day the Hundred Sects Recruitment began.
The usually calm Blueleaf Town had been completely transformed. Inns were packed to the brim, temporary stalls lined the streets, and cultivators could be seen everywhere—young and old, confident and tense, all gathered for the same purpose.
At the heart of the town, near Blueleaf Market, a vast open plaza had been cleared. Formation patterns glowed faintly beneath the stone ground, and county guards maintained strict order. Representatives from various sects had yet to appear, but their banners already fluttered in the wind, carrying an invisible pressure that made even veteran cultivators lower their voices.
Han Xuan arrived with his wives and his son amid the crowd.
Shui Lanyue walked calmly at his side, her expression composed, while Hongyue followed slightly behind, one hand resting protectively on her abdomen. Han Qixing walked ahead of them, eyes bright with anticipation, unable to hide his excitement no matter how much he tried to appear mature.
Han Xuan swept his gaze across the surroundings, his expression steady. He said calmly, "Let's go, we need to sign up first."
He brought Han Qixing toward the plaza, where several long lines had already formed. Cultivators and their families queued in orderly fashion, some speaking in hushed tones, others openly discussing their confidence or worries. County guards stood watch, while clerks from the administration sat behind long tables, recording names and ages with practiced efficiency.
As Han Xuan waited in line, a familiar, booming laugh suddenly rang out from nearby.
"Owner Han!"
Han Xuan turned and smiled, "Brother Wang."
Wang Dazhu strode over with his usual carefree air.
He was not only a regular customer of Hollow Tavern but also a genuine friend. Over the years, he, Wang Dazhu, and Gu Jiuye had shared countless jars of wine, chatting late into the night about cultivation, fortunes, and life's trivialities.
Today, Wang Dazhu had also come with a purpose.
At his side stood a boy of fourteen, almost a smaller copy of himself. The boy was round and solid, cheeks full, belly slightly protruding, yet his eyes were bright and his posture upright. A vigorous aura pulsed faintly from his body, giving the impression of overflowing vitality.
"This is my boy," Wang Dazhu said proudly, patting the youth's shoulder, "Wang Xiaohu. He insisted on coming, so how could I stop him?"
The boy scratched his head sheepishly but stood straighter when he noticed Han Qixing, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
Han Xuan nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze briefly sweeping over the boy before introducing his son. "This is my son, Han Qixing."
Han Qixing stepped forward and cupped his fists politely, "Uncle Wang. Brother Wang."
Wang Xiaohu hurriedly returned the greeting, his movements a bit clumsy but earnest.
Wang Dazhu looked between the two boys, then let out a long sigh filled with emotion, "Time really flies. The last time I saw your son, he was still a baby. Now he's already this big and bold enough to challenge the Hundred Sects Recruitment."
Han Xuan chuckled softly, "He's just trying his luck and gaining experience. On the other hand, Xiaohu has a much better chance this time. Brother Wang, I hope Xiaohu can take care of Xing'er in the future."
He said it half-jokingly, his tone relaxed.
Wang Dazhu shook his head and sighed, "Who can guarantee anything for casual cultivators with the Three Great Families around… forget it. I just hope my son can leave the stage unscathed."
Han Xuan smiled, offering no further comment.
Some things did not need to be said aloud.