Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

"refrigeration?"

A rare crack appeared on Ji Lingxiao's perpetually icy face.

He looked at his masterpiece, which had consumed thirty percent of his spiritual power and contained supreme sword intent in every inch, and then at Jiang Yining's disdainful gaze.

"Well... if you find it too cold, I can withdraw thirty percent of my sword intent," Ji Lingxiao tried to salvage the situation. "Or, should I go to the lava sea and find a fire spirit pearl to embed by the bedside?"

"Withdraw your sword intent, and this house will collapse." Chu Jinglan walked over at some point, his tattered folding fan, though missing its surface, was still waving vigorously.

A mocking smile played on his lips as his gaze swept over the dark palace.

"Sword Master has probably been staying on the mountain for too long and doesn't understand what 'popularity' means." Chu Jinglan walked to Jiang Yining's side, subtly separating her from Ji Lingxiao. "Ningning, the child is still young, and Sanbao's demonic body is just beginning to take shape. He can't stand this kind of murderous aura."

"So what brilliant idea do you have?" Bai Ze cracked his knuckles beside him. "Don't just draw a few circles and then make us sleep in the open, okay?"

Chu Jinglan glanced at him disdainfully, ignoring this fox who only knew how to use brute force.

He turned to face the newly cleared open space, took a deep breath, and his tattered scholar's robe fluttered without wind.

"The desolate land is filled with mixed spiritual energy, rampant demons, and an overwhelming aura of malevolence."

Chu Jinglan's voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to carry a strange rhythm. With each word he uttered, the raging sandstorm around him gradually subsided.

"To establish a lasting foothold, having only a strong fortress is not enough."

He raised his hand, golden light flowing from his fingertips—the purest and most righteous energy of Confucianism and Taoism.

"They need to be educated."

"Education?" Situ Kong, who was struggling to move a piece of wood, couldn't help but roll his eyes upon hearing this. "I say, Imperial Tutor, we're barely able to afford food right now, and you still want to lecture these demons and monsters?"

Chu Jinglan ignored him and simply smiled slightly.

"rise."

With a soft shout, the ancient holy seal once again floated in the air.

This time, however, it was no longer used to smash people, but transformed into a golden sun.

Countless golden characters flew out from the sacred seal: "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness"... Each character fell and transformed into a piece of pure white and warm jade brick.

Rumbling--

The ground shook, but it was not a sign of destruction; rather, it was a sign of growth.

A scholarly academy, seemingly out of place in this chaotic place, rose up in full view of everyone.

Green tiles and white walls, with upturned eaves and corners.

Even the two withered old trees at the entrance of the academy, after being touched by this noble spirit, instantly came back to life, sprouting tender green buds and blooming pink peach blossoms.

"This..." Jiang Yining was also stunned by this move.

Is this the power of a semi-saint in Confucianism and Taoism? Words become law, and the abstract becomes concrete.

"This is called 'school district housing'." Chu Jinglan withdrew his holy seal. Although his face was a little pale, his eyes were surprisingly bright. "With this academy as the center, within a radius of ten miles, the Wenqu Star shines brightly, and the spiritual energy will be purified, making it the most suitable place for children to begin their cultivation."

"Moreover..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the low-level demonic beasts and wandering spirits peeking out from the edge of the ruins in the distance, "With this aura, those little creatures that haven't yet developed intelligence will naturally come to attach themselves to it."

The voice just fell.

In the distance, from the grass, rabbits with three ears, porcupines covered in quills, and even a few drifting tree spirits seemed to be summoned, lining up to approach.

They weren't aggressive at all; instead, they lay prostrate at the entrance of the academy, their eyes... just like those of pilgrims.

"What?! This actually works?" Bai Ze's eyes widened. "These things usually piss themselves at the sight of me, and now they actually dare to come here?"

Jiang Yining's eyes lit up instantly.

That was the look in their eyes when they saw the workforce.

"Situ Kong!" Jiang Yining gave the order.

"Yes, madam... Master!" Situ Kong reflexively threw down the wooden board and stood at attention.

"Go, register them." Jiang Yining pointed at the group of "pilgrims." "If you want to benefit from the auspicious energy of the school district, you have to work. The rabbits are in charge of weeding, the porcupines are in charge of tilling the soil, and the tree spirits are in charge of guarding the house."

"Do...do they understand?"

"If you don't understand, let the Imperial Tutor teach you." Jiang Yining patted Chu Jinglan's shoulder, smiling like a cat that had just stolen some cream. "You said it yourself, you're the one who's going to teach."

Feeling the touch on his shoulder, Chu Jinglan couldn't suppress the smile on his lips: "Happy to serve."

Even Ye Wuhen couldn't help but snort coldly, turning his head to look at the three treasures in his arms, wondering if he should bring over the succubi from the Demon Realm to dance and steal the limelight from this pedantic scholar.

With lodging and labor secured, the next issue was food.

Jiang Yining looked at the newly cultivated spiritual field, her brows furrowed so deeply they could trap flies.

Although the soil in the desolate abyss had been restored to life under Chu Jinglan's formation, the insects here... were simply too monstrous.

Fist-sized black beetles, their hard shells gleaming, were feasting on the newly sprouted buds of the spiritual herb.

Ordinary insect repellent powder is completely useless; they might even eat it as a condiment.

"These are 'Spirit-Eating Insects,' with shells as hard as iron, impervious to water and fire."

Situ Kong squatted on the edge of the field with a worried look on his face. "Unless we crush them one by one, this land is ruined."

One by one?

That would take forever!

"Get out of the way."

A cold voice rang out.

Ji Lingxiao, carrying the Severing Thoughts Sword, walked expressionlessly to the edge of the field.

He looked at the dense swarm of insects with a gaze even colder than when he looked at the demonic cultivator.

Since we lost out in building the house, we'll make up for it in other ways.

"What do you want to do?" Bai Ze looked at him warily. "If you were to strike with that sword, you'd tear the ground up. How could you possibly grow any vegetables then?"

Ji Lingxiao ignored him and simply closed his eyes slowly.

Zheng—

A very faint sword hum.

There was no earth-shattering sword energy explosion, nor any special effects of flying sand and stones.

Everyone felt a blur before their eyes, as if a gentle breeze had swept across the spirit field.

next second.

Pat, pat, pat.

The sound of dense, continuous rain began.

Jiang Yining looked closely, and her pupils contracted slightly.

The spirit-devouring insects clinging to the tender leaves were still in their nibbling posture, but their bodies had been neatly split in two and fallen into the soil.

The tender green seedlings, however, were not damaged at all.

In an instant, thousands upon thousands of insects were all precisely killed.

Is this the Supreme Sword Intent of Forgetfulness?

Used to...kill insects?

"Alright." Ji Lingxiao sheathed his sword, his movements still incredibly cool.

He turned around, looked at Jiang Yining, raised his chin slightly, and his reserved demeanor was just like Chu Jinglan's earlier request for praise.

"I'll take care of pest control from now on."

Jiang Lei stared wide-eyed at the neatly arranged dead insects, and for the first time felt a sense of "admiration" for his adoptive father.

"ox……"

Situ Kong gave a thumbs up: "Using the number one killing sword technique in the cultivation world for farming, Sword Master, you are the first person in history to do so."

Jiang Yining couldn't help but burst out laughing when she saw Ji Lingxiao's "praise me" expression.

She walked over, casually picked a leaf, and handed it to Ji Lingxiao.

"Well done, pest control captain."

Ji Lingxiao took the leaf as if it were a rare treasure, carefully putting it into his bosom, while giving Chu Jinglan a provocative look.

What's so special about school district housing?

Do you know how to farm?