I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

Seeing that Baiweizhai's business was on track, with a constant stream of customers and endless praise, Lin Che felt much more at ease.

As he had promised Wang Lingsu before leaving, he specially went to fetch three jugs of her favorite spirit wine before turning and leaving.

He stepped calmly into the Zhou family's spirit beast shop in Chuyang City, a shop with impressive decor.

The shop is filled with a magical glow, and various spirit beast eggs are displayed on warm jade platforms, shimmering with light.

Lin Che's gaze was sharp as lightning, seemingly sweeping across the area casually, but in reality, he had already secretly activated the system's detection power.

Invisible ripples swept over each spirit beast egg, revealing no secrets about their life veins, bloodline potential, or even the crucial sex of the beasts.

He quickly identified two pure-blooded, vibrant Wind Chaser spirit steed eggs.

In this world, all spirit beasts that have reached a certain rank, regardless of their race or form, are oviparous, with none giving birth to live young. Such a rule of heaven and earth is truly peculiar.

This is precisely where Lin Che's system abilities found a new purpose, allowing him to peer inside the eggshell and accurately distinguish between male and female.

The Zhou family monopolizes the market, and all adult steeds they sell are male; female steeds are never allowed to leave the market.

Fortunately, the spirit beast eggs they sell do not seem to have an effective way to distinguish between male and female during the oviparous stage.

Although the spirit beast inside the egg was fundamentally affected by the Zhou family's secret technique, losing its ability to reproduce naturally, this "blind spot" in distinguishing males from females became a loophole that Lin Che cleverly exploited.

For months, Lin Che would take time each week to visit different Zhou family shops, either in Chuyang City or Tongxin Market, changing his appearance each time.

Each time, they would cautiously purchase only one or two pieces, never buying more, which never aroused the Zhou family's suspicion.

Upon careful calculation, including these two today, he has quietly collected fourteen mother bodies.

Through the power of the system, its bloodline can be upgraded to the middle grade of the second tier, transforming it into a Wind-Riding Spirit Steed and completely restoring its body.

Given time, by breeding these fourteen high-quality mares with his colt, the Lin family will be able to possess a herd of Wind-Treading Spirit Horses.

For a beast-taming family with a long-term vision, cultivating edible spirit beasts is only the first step in building a foundation. What truly determines the family's strength and the breadth of its wealth are tool-type and combat-type spirit beasts.

Among them, Lingju, with its wide applicability and stable market demand, is undoubtedly the best choice.

This move not only satisfies the family's internal needs, but also allows them to seize this market from the Zhou family.

Lin Che had already quietly laid out this plan.

After putting the two spirit beast eggs into his spirit beast pouch, Lin Che didn't linger. After paying the spirit stones, he turned and left as usual, departing from Chuyang City. He rode his sword light and flew straight towards Shattered Star Lake.

……

Lin Family's Shattered Star Lake.

Wang Lingsu had just finished her inspection of the Eastern District Spirit Beast Garden when she spotted Liu Qingxue standing alone by the lake.

The girl's slender figure appeared particularly frail in the morning light, and her usually cool eyes were now fixed on the direction of Chuyang City.

Although her face remained as frosty as ever, Wang Lingsu keenly noticed the barely concealed worry in her eyes.

Seeing this, Wang Lingsu smiled slightly, casually stepped forward, took an exquisite wine pot from her waist, and gently waved it in front of Liu Qingxue: "Sister Qingxue, would you like a sip? Don't worry, with the unique flavor of our snacks, business will definitely be good."

Upon hearing Wang Lingsu's voice, Liu Qingxue snapped back to reality.

Upon seeing the wine jug offered to her, a flicker of unease crossed her eyes, which she quickly concealed, bowing respectfully: "Greetings, Mistress. Qingxue must continue her inspection of the territory and is unable to drink. Thank you for your kindness, Mistress."

That fleeting unease did not escape Wang Lingsu's notice.

Although she has a forthright personality, she is also very thoughtful.

For the past two weeks, she had been secretly observing every aspect of the Lin family, from the family's operations to the temperament of each of the retainers, and she had carefully studied them all.

The girl in front of her, who was only twenty-four years old but had already cultivated to the eighth level of Qi Refining and possessed a superior ice spiritual root, was the one she cared about the most.

Compared to his own cultivation level of only the fifth level of Qi Refining at the age of twenty-six, Liu Qingxue's talent was truly astonishing.

But what Wang Lingsu cared about even more was that, after observing her for a while, she vaguely sensed that this aloof young woman seemed to harbor a special admiration for her husband.

Only after marrying into the Lin family did she truly understand the current state of the family.

Her husband had built the business from scratch, and apart from a few retainers, he didn't have a single blood relative.

Now that she had become a member of the Lin family, she naturally had to plan for the future of the family.

Having many children and continuing the family line is undoubtedly the most important thing right now.

These days, she and her husband were inseparable, and during their dual cultivation, they deliberately did not refine their essence, hoping to give birth to an heir for the Lin family as soon as possible.

However, the difference in cultivation level between Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining makes this matter something that cannot be rushed.

Since that's the case, why not find a few more suitable Daoist partners for your husband?

Liu Qingxue, in front of me, is the best choice in terms of both qualifications and character.

Thinking of this, Wang Lingsu decided to get straight to the point, a gentle smile playing on her lips: "Qingxue, do you... also have feelings for the family head?"

These words struck Liu Qingxue like a thunderbolt.

Her breath hitched, but she forced herself to maintain her usual aloofness: "You flatter me, Madam. Qingxue has important matters to attend to and must take her leave now." With that, she turned to leave.

Seeing her reaction, Wang Lingsu couldn't help but find it amusing, and added, "Sister Qingxue, I'm serious."

What the Lin family needs most right now is a large and prosperous family.

If you truly like the head of the family, I have no objection. If needed, I can even help you make the connection.

These words made Liu Qingxue quicken her pace, almost fleeing in panic.

Watching her hurried departure, Wang Lingsu couldn't help but smile.

Who would have thought that this usually aloof girl could have such an awkward and adorable side?

Having had this idea, she changed her mind and headed towards the spirit herb garden, intending to check on Su Wanwan's situation again.

……

……

Liu Qingxue almost jogged away from where she stood until she turned past a dense thicket of spiritual plants and made sure she was completely out of Wang Lingsu's sight before slowing down.

She leaned against an ancient tree, breathing slightly heavily, but her mind was like a lake with pebbles thrown in, unable to find peace.

She began to truly confront the question that Wang Lingsu had asked so bluntly.

Do I... really like Lin Che?

There is no doubt about their admiration.

The figure standing on his sword above Shattered Star Lake, full of vigor and ambition, his ambition to establish a new empire and his composure in controlling the overall situation, had long been deeply imprinted in her heart.

And when she was seriously injured, he spared no expense in using precious second-tier spiritual medicine to heal her. That unintentional care and attention turned into a gentle stream of warmth, and every time she recalled it, it would stir up tender ripples in her frozen heart.

He was like a ray of light that suddenly shone into her otherwise somewhat gloomy world, bright and warm, dazzling and captivating.

The moment her heart stopped and the indescribable disappointment she felt when she first heard the Wang family's request for a marriage alliance now clearly told her the answer.

Yes, she does care.

She likes Lin Che.

Just as her heart was surging and her thoughts were in turmoil, a familiar sword light swept in from the horizon and landed precisely in front of her.

Lin Che sheathed his flying sword, his face showing a rare and undisguised joy.

"Qingxue," he said in a cheerful voice, with a reassuring quality, "are you worried about the business at the shop? Don't worry! Our snacks are a huge hit, and demand exceeds supply!"

I've also arranged transportation for the cloud boat. I've sent three armored alligator snapping turtles to accompany and protect it. Even if we encounter any trouble, their defensive capabilities should be enough to hold out until we arrive.

"That's good then." The girl responded softly, but her gaze remained lowered, as if she dared not meet his eyes. Her slender fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, and she was clearly still struggling intensely inside.

However, the next moment, as if she had made up her mind, she suddenly raised her head.

Those eyes, which were always as clear and cold as a frozen pool, were now burning with an unprecedented fervor and determination, and her fair cheeks were flushed with a captivating blush.

She spoke clearly and urgently, even with a hint of desperation, enunciating each word distinctly:

"Master! I...I love you! Please become my Daoist partner!"

This sudden confession left Lin Che stunned, his mind going blank for a moment, almost making him wonder if he was hallucinating.

When he came to his senses and met the girl's eyes, which were filled with expectation, nervousness, and unwavering determination, and felt the undeniable, intense fluctuations in her aura and the pounding of her heart, he was certain that he had not misheard.

Faced with this sudden, bold, and frank confession, Lin Che's surprise gradually turned into an extremely gentle smile.

His mind raced: After spending several months together, he found Liu Qingxue to be resilient, kind, and diligent in her cultivation; she was impeccable in every respect.

Her appearance was exceptionally beautiful, as if sculpted from ice and snow.

From a public perspective, if the family wants to grow and prosper, it is essential to have more branches and leaves. Having such an excellent Daoist partner would be beneficial to the Lin family in every way.

On a personal level, how could he remain unmoved by a beautiful woman who genuinely admired him?

With this thought in mind, Lin Che no longer hesitated.

He stepped forward and naturally and firmly took the girl's cool and slender hand in his, feeling her heartbeat quicken and her slight trembling.

His gaze was calm and solemn as he stared into her eyes, his tone steady and firm:

"I have received your sentiments. I promise you, from this day forward, Liu Qingxue, you will be my Daoist partner, Lin Che's partner. From this day forward, on the long road of the Great Dao, we will share joys and sorrows, and walk hand in hand!"

This solemn promise, like a spring breeze, instantly melted away all the girl's apprehension and unease.

An indescribable joy welled up in my heart, dispelling the chill of the past.

A faint yet incredibly genuine smile bloomed on her face, like the first melting of snow and the return of spring.

She gripped his hand tightly, her voice soft yet resolute: "Liu Qingxue will never betray your heart in this lifetime!"

Lin Che smiled and took her hand as they stepped onto the flying sword. With a flash of sword light, the two of them soared into the sky and returned directly to the tranquil courtyard on the island in the middle of the lake.

"This is our home." Lin Che pointed to the courtyard and introduced, "The back rooms are all empty. You can choose any room to stay in. Each room is equipped with a spirit-gathering array, which can be activated when you are cultivating."

Just then, Wang Lingsu appeared at the courtyard gate.

Her gaze swept over their tightly clasped hands. She paused slightly, then a knowing and teasing smile appeared in her eyes as she looked mischievously at Liu Qingxue, whose face showed embarrassment and whose neck was flushed pink.

She didn't make any jokes, but quietly transmitted her voice to Lin Che, saying, "Husband, good luck!"

He then walked briskly through the inner courtyard and returned to his room in the backyard, leaving behind a meaningful silhouette.

Seeing this, and considering the girl's extremely shy yet worry-free expression, Lin Che immediately understood.

The two must have communicated before, and Wang Lingsu not only did not object, but was happy to see it happen.

This completely dispelled any lingering concerns he might have about harmony in his backyard.

He tightened his grip on the soft hand in his palm, took her hand, and walked steadily into the main house of the inner courtyard, into his own bedroom.

The door slowly closed, isolating the outside world from everything.

Before long, faint fluctuations of spiritual energy and subtle sounds could be heard emanating from the room.

To Lin Che's surprise, the usually aloof girl in his arms displayed a completely different, almost clumsy yet incredibly passionate response...

……