Chapter 68: The Heavenly River

In a newly created space, Ye Ruoshui brought Qin Shu and Qin Qing to this location.

She reached out and asked, “May I see your White Jade Dragon Decree?”

Qin Shu hesitated for a moment before taking out the White Jade Dragon Decree and handing it to her. “Here you go, Senior.”

“Five Dragons White Jade Decree,” Ye Ruoshui nodded. “Impressive, truly impressive.” She returned it to Qin Shu and then said, “According to our Divine Water Palace’s principle of admitting disciples, their entire family also becomes part of our palace. Will you choose to come with us or stay in this small place?”

The unspoken implication was clear: Ye Ruoshui had already decided to accept Qin Qing as her disciple.

With such a powerful master, Qin Shu naturally wouldn’t ruin his little sister’s future prospects.

In Nine Provinces City, aside from his family, there wasn’t much else worth staying for.

He asked, “Can the entire family come with us?”

Taken aback for a moment, Ye Ruoshui nodded understandingly. “Yes, the Heavenly River is vast; it won’t be an issue for your hundred-some individuals.”

Qin Shu looked at Qin Qing. “Xiao Qing, it’s time to find a master.”

Ye Ruoshui looked at Qin Shu appreciatively, then turned his attention to Qin Qing.

Without hesitation, Qin Qing bowed low. “Disciple greets his master.”

“Excellent!” Ye Ruoshui smiled, helping her up. Then she produced a nearly transparent silk ribbon that flowed like water.

“This is a Profound Origin Silk, a heterogeneous spirit treasure of the highest quality, gifted by my master—the sixth palace master—to me years ago. Today, I pass it on to you. It will surely aid you in overcoming the upcoming abyss of the Qì Refinement Abyss.”

A heterogeneous spirit treasure of the highest quality—Qin Shu’s heart raced with envy.

Qin Qing, too, understood the significance of such a treasure, and her face lit up with a grateful smile. “Many thanks, Master.”

“Don’t mention it,” Ye Ruoshui said, stroking Qin Qing’s head. “You are my only disciple, and I expect you to ascend to the rank of Great Luo Golden Immortal someday. When that day comes, you will become our Divine Water Palace’s eighth palace master. This mere heterogeneous spirit treasure is a trifling matter.”

Merely a heterogeneous spirit treasure indeed! Qin Shu thought, but from the seventh palace master’s words, he could discern that this Divine Water Palace boasted at least seven such Great Luo Golden Immortals, each a direct successor to the previous generation.

Ye Ruoshui continued, “Your spiritual soul is akin to the Weak Waters, perfectly compatible with this Profound Origin Silk. Let me assist you in the process of integrating it now.”

“Thank you, Master.” Qin Qing promptly sat cross-legged.

Ye Ruoshui manifested his own spiritual soul, a vast river sparkling with starlight—so grand that it resembled the celestial river in the heavens, also inlaid with nine luminous colors.

Compared to Ye Ruoshui’s spiritual soul, Qin Qing’s Weak Waters appeared as minuscule as a trickle from a hypodermic syringe.

Manifesting the Nine Heavens Milky Way, Ye Ruoshui naturally overpowered the Profound Origin Silk. In mere breaths, Qin Qing assimilated it.

Qin Qing awoke, bowing in gratitude. “Disciple offers deep thanks to Shifu!”

“Indeed!” Ye Ruoshui nodded, then turned to Qin Shu. “Let’s go. It’s time to bring your family to our Divine Water Palace.”

Ye Ruoshui moved with urgency. Using Qin Qing’s bloodline as the base, he swiftly transported her parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles, and aunts into this realm.

Moments ago, they had been busy with their own affairs when they found themselves enveloped by a stream of starry light. Upon arrival, a snippet of this celestial glow entered their foreheads, revealing the situation.

They all turned to Qin Qing, eyes wide. “Xiao Qing, you’ve awakened a Mythical rank, Nine-Colored Spiritual Soul?”

Qin Wushang’s face shone with excitement.

“Yes, Grandfather!” Qin Qing nodded, still in shock. The revelation of her Nine-Colored Mythical rank Spiritual Soul was overwhelming enough, but then there was Ye Ruoshui—a Great Luo Golden Immortal—standing before her.

“Assuming you all understand the situation now, let’s proceed,” Ye Ruoshui said, his hand drawing a sweeping gesture. A flow of starry light materialized, shifting the heavens and earth. In an instant, they found themselves at the vast shore of an endless sea.

The spiritual energy in the vicinity was extraordinarily abundant. Aside from Qin Shu, Qin Qing, and Qin Yue, everyone else appeared somewhat intoxicated by it.

Noticing their condition, Ye Ruoshui waved his hand, sending out streaks of light that touched each individual, alleviating their symptoms.

“Here lies our Divine Water Palace’s territory,” he declared. “It’s called the Heavenly River, suspended above the Nine Heavens. We are currently on a small island in its Middle Reaches. Everything within this hundred-thousand-kilometer radius is now yours. The Divine Water Palace itself lies at the river’s source. If Qing’er has free time in the future, she’ll return to visit you here.”

As Ye Ruoshui spoke, he swept his hand once more, causing a hundred tokens to float before the group. “These are Divine Water City’s tokens. Each corresponds to a courtyard within the city. If you find this place dull, you may use them to reside there instead. Keep in mind, however, that Divine Water City is located in the downstream area, where spiritual energy is not as potent as it is here.”

“We are deeply grateful, Palace Master Qi!” Qin Shu and the others bowed in respect.

“No need for thanks. Qing’er is indeed our disciple, so you’re all part of our family now.” Ye Ruoshui said with a smile. He then turned to Qin Shu. “Since you’re Qing’er’s fourth brother, I’ll call you Little Shu. Let me offer you a word of advice.”

Qin Shu bowed again. “Please enlighten me, Senior.”

“Since you’ve obtained the White Jade Five Dragons Command, it’s crucial to upgrade it to the White Jade Nine Dragons Command as soon as possible. Then, head for the Heavenspan Tower with all haste. This is your only major opportunity during the Golden Core stage, so seize it wisely.”

After bidding farewell to her family, Qin Qing transformed into a flow of stardust with Ye Ruoshui, vanishing towards the horizon.

To everyone present, except Qin Shu, it felt like they were still in a dream.

Qin Wushang glanced at the ground—its soil was extraordinarily fertile, pulsing with an abundance of spiritual energy, far surpassing that of the farms outside Yangzhou City.

Staring at the endless plain, he found himself asking in mild bewilderment, “If we were to farm this land, just how long would it take to cultivate it all?”

Having spent his life tilling fields, the sight of such rich soil naturally made him think of planting.

Qin Shu smiled and said, “Grandpa, it’s quite simple!”

The old man turned to Qin Shu, suddenly realizing who he was. “Oh, Shu… Shu, you’re back! That’s wonderful.”

“Yes, Grandpa!” Qin Shu replied with a grin.

Qin Yue’s voice dripped with a hint of envy as she said, “Well, well. I’ve just reached Foundation Establishment, and you’ve secretly advanced to Golden Core. Your cultivation speed is truly astonishing.” She clung to the old man’s arm and added, “Grandpa, since he says it’s simple, why don’t we give him all the land on this island to farm?”

“Ha ha ha! Is that so?” The old man laughed heartily. “With such vast lands, how could little Shu possibly cultivate it all alone? Why don’t we first take a look at Divine Water City? We can also purchase some essential supplies while we’re at it. I wonder if Nine Provinces Currency will work here.”

Only now did they consider the practicalities of daily life. This hundred-thousand-kilometer territory lacked even the most basic necessities. Though fertile, it offered no shelter, and everything would need to be purchased.

Another problem arose: they had no money.

“It definitely won’t work here!” Qin Yue said. “But Spiritual Soul Coins should be fine. Wherever there are cities in this world, there’s bound to be a Money God Shopping Mall. Once we arrive, we’ll quickly find out, won’t we?”

“We must buy seeds first. We don’t have many Spiritual Soul Coins either. Wife, did you bring our spiritual soul card?”

“How should I know that?” Grandmother Qin, Xie Feifei, replied firmly. Despite nearing ninety, she looked much younger—about fifty at most—and appeared healthy and active, save for her slightly old-fashioned attire.

“We were suddenly transported here, and we left many things back home.” Her expression was indescribably strange.

Wang Yurou shared a similarly perplexed look; she too hadn’t brought her spiritual soul card, which meant losing six million Spiritual Soul Coins.

Qin Shu laughed and said, “Grandpa and Grandma, use mine then.” A Golden Spiritual Soul Card materialized in his hand. “Let’s go together to Divine Water City and see what it’s like. As for this place, it seems perfect for cultivation. When the time comes, we’ll buy some puppets to plant spirit crops. The harvest should be quite good.”