Gao Wu: A centenarian old man, many children and good fortune! Chapter 043

Time flew by like a white steed, and in the blink of an eye, another half a year had quietly passed.

During this half year, Xiao Yan devoted almost all his time to cultivation.

During the day, he handled necessary official duties in the Special Operations Brigade office, occasionally showing up at the training ground to maintain his authority as the captain. But more often, he stayed in his exclusive personal training room, using the dream reality device to immerse himself repeatedly in the profound artistic conceptions of the Imperial Tai Chi Art and the Ninefold Thunderous Waves.

After returning home in the evening, accompanying his wife and children for a brief moment of warmth, he would immediately enter the underground training room to continue his arduous cultivation.

Thanks to the continuous “two hundredfold amplification” feedback from his three children, his basic strength continued to grow slowly and steadily. Although the speed was far less rapid than when they were just born, it was enough to drive any transcendent crazy.

However, progress in the cultivation of his arts and combat techniques remained slow.

The Imperial Tai Chi Art was profound and extensive. Although he had long since entered its threshold, he felt as if he was still lingering outside the door, far from truly grasping its essence and triggering deeper levels of heaven and earth energy.

The Ninefold Thunderous Waves was even more difficult. Although he could barely perform the initial three waves, the efficiency and stability of power superposition were unsatisfactory. It was far from the surging waves and incrementally increasing power demonstrated by God of War Luo Feng. Occasionally attempting to break through to the fourth wave repeatedly failed, sometimes even causing a backlash of true essence within his body.

“It seems there are no shortcuts to improving one’s realm,” Xiao Yan was not discouraged by this. He understood that one must eat bite by bite and walk step by step. The system could help him accumulate power, but realm comprehension ultimately depended on his own gradual accumulation and understanding.

…

As the end of the year approached, the annual review results for the Special Operations Brigade were finally released.

Thanks to the crucial intelligence and samples of unknown demonic insects brought back earlier, Lin Wei’s well-placed “embellishments” in the report, and the brigade’s diligent training and strict discipline over the past six months (mainly due to Xiao Yan’s intimidating presence), Xiao Yan’s Special Operations Brigade ultimately received an “A” rating!

This result exceeded many people’s expectations and greatly delighted Lin Wei and the Lin family! An A-level rating meant more resource allocation and higher merit rewards, undoubtedly adding a significant highlight to Lin Wei’s future promotion path! The Lin family’s attitude towards Xiao Yan also became more enthusiastic and respectful.

Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly at this, not paying it too much mind.

As time passed, Li Xiuying and Chen Yuyao’s bodies had long since fully recovered. In fact, due to the nourishment from Xiao Yan’s transcendent bloodline and the excellent living conditions, their complexions and physiques were even better than before childbirth.

However, new problems arose.

Late at night, during intimate moments, Xiao Yan gradually discovered a fact that made him somewhat helpless.

As his basic strength steadily surpassed the 30, 000-kilogram mark, entering the Transcendent Seventh Rank, the power contained in his every move had reached an extremely terrifying level.

Even when he deliberately restrained himself, that surging power, originating from the very source of life, would unconsciously leak out.

For Chen Yuyao, with her quasi-warrior physique, she could barely endure it.

But for Li Xiuying, whose physical foundation was that of an ordinary person, it became a painful burden. Her body could not withstand the mountain-like, crushing power.

Although Li Xiuying never complained, even forcing a smile, Xiao Yan was incredibly perceptive. He could clearly sense a subtle hint of frustration and loss deep in his wife’s eyes.

She probably felt that she… could no longer serve her husband as well as before. As a traditional woman who deeply loved her husband and regarded her family as everything, this feeling was undoubtedly painful.

Xiao Yan saw this. He tried to control his power even more carefully, but the effect was minimal. The power of a Transcendent Seventh Rank was beyond the limit of his current realm to perfectly control; minor leaks were inevitable.

Not to mention long-term, just one or two more times, Li Xiuying might die!

…

Late at night, the bedroom lights were dimmed, casting only a warm glow.

Xiao Yan looked at Chen Yuyao, who was sound asleep beside him, then shifted his gaze to the other side, where Li Xiuying lay tossing and turning, clearly not asleep.

Over the past six months, he could clearly feel Li Xiuying’s change. During the day, she was still the gentle and considerate mistress who kept the house in perfect order, always with a smile on her face. But at night, the unmistakable hint of loss and frustration in the depths of her eyes became more pronounced with each passing day.

For a woman who deeply loved her husband and held traditional beliefs, such a matter was undoubtedly a huge blow and torment.

Xiao Yan felt both pity and helplessness. He had tried to be more careful, but the power of a Transcendent Seventh Rank was like a dormant volcano; even the slightest activity, its might was not something a mortal body could easily bear.

That night, after Chen Yuyao had fallen into a deep sleep, Xiao Yan quietly got up, went to Li Xiuying’s side, sat down beside her, and took her cool hand.

“Xiuying.” His voice was exceptionally clear in the silent night.

Li Xiuying’s body trembled slightly. Without turning her head, her voice carried a hint of a sob: “Mm… Husband, I’m fine, go to sleep.” She tried to hide her emotions.

Xiao Yan did not let go of her hand; instead, he held it tighter, his voice low and gentle: “I know you’re not feeling well.”

Li Xiuying’s shoulders subtly hitched, and she could no longer hold back. Low sobs echoed in the quiet room.

Xiao Yan gently pulled her into his embrace, letting her lean against his solid chest, feeling her body tremble. He knew that words of comfort were pale at this moment; he needed to give her a real solution.

“Xiuying,” Xiao Yan stroked her back and said slowly, “This can’t go on. Your body… can’t bear it. It’s not your fault, it’s my power… it’s too strong.”

He paused, feeling the person in his arms crying even harder, and continued gently: “I’ve thought about it, there’s only one way to make you stop suffering like this.”

Li Xiuying raised her tear-filled face, looking at him in confusion.

Xiao Yan looked into her eyes, his gaze firm and full of love: “I want to help you embark on the path of cultivation. To become a warrior.”

“…A warrior?” Li Xiuying was stunned, her sobs stopping.

“Yes.” Xiao Yan nodded. “You don’t need to become a powerful warrior. Even if you just reach the threshold of a quasi-warrior, like Yuyao, and possess initial blood qi, your body will be greatly strengthened, and it can temporarily withstand the power I unintentionally leak.”

He cupped his wife’s face and said seriously: “Xiuying, you are my first wife. In my heart, no one can replace your position. I will not abandon you, nor will I distance myself from you for this reason.”

“Now, I, Xiao Yan, can be considered to have some capital.” A hint of confidence flashed in his eyes. “Supporting your cultivation, providing the best foundation-building elixirs, high-energy nutrient solutions, inviting the best enlightenment teachers… these are all effortless and simple for me.”

“I don’t want you to feel wronged and frustrated anymore. I want you… to become stronger, not just for our intimacy, but for yourself. Having power, in this era, is always a good thing.”

“Are you… willing to try?” Xiao Yan looked into his wife’s eyes, waiting for her answer.

Li Xiuying stared blankly at her husband, listening to his sincere and powerful words, feeling the weighty love and responsibility in his voice.

She had originally thought that she would gradually be neglected by her husband due to her physical reasons, and even lose her place in this family. The grievances, loss, and fear in her heart had almost crushed her.

But she never expected that her husband not only showed no disdain but… wanted to pour all his resources into helping her? Not for anything else, just to make her no longer suffer, just so they could be as intimate as before?

A huge surprise and emotion, like a bursting flood, instantly broke through all her defenses!

“Wuwu… Wah—!!!” Li Xiuying could no longer control herself. She suddenly threw herself into Xiao Yan’s arms, bursting into loud sobs! This time, it was no longer tears of grievance and loss, but tears filled with gratitude, excitement, and the happiness of being deeply cherished!

She hugged her husband tightly, as if wanting to melt into his body, sobbing incoherently: “I… I will! Husband! I will! Thank you… Thank you… Wuwuwu…”

Xiao Yan hugged his wife back tightly, feeling her excited emotions at this moment, his heart filled with warmth and determination.

He knew that this decision was the right one.

…

Time flew by, and another month quietly passed.

Life within the manor subtly changed due to Xiao Yan’s decision.

Chen Yuyao, after another “effort,” successfully conceived again.

The system’s notification sound arrived as expected, but this time, he was not as overjoyed as before; his state of mind had already become peaceful. He understood that simply accumulating power was no longer very meaningful; realm comprehension and energy control were key.

And Li Xiuying completely immersed herself in frantic cultivation.

Xiao Yan invited the alliance’s top female mentor specializing in foundation-building for ordinary people, provided the best and least side-effect foundation-building elixirs and high-energy nutrient solutions available on the market, and even did not hesitate to use his privileges to obtain a mild gene optimization fluid, exclusively supplied internally by the military for improving physique and stimulating potential.

Various resources were poured in like flowing water, the enormous cost of which would make even ordinary wealthy individuals gasp.

Li Xiuying also showed astonishing willpower and determination. She knew this was an opportunity her husband had given her, the only way for her to change her destiny and regain her “value” by her husband’s side. She devoted almost all her time to cultivation, enduring the pain and monotony of the foundation-building process, her sweat soaking one training suit after another, never uttering a single complaint.

Perhaps it was the power of love, or perhaps the unwillingness and longing in her heart, her cultivation was very diligent, even bordering on frantic. However, due to her inherent lack of talent, no significant progress could be seen for the time being.

Xiao Yan understood this very well and was not in a hurry.

If Li Xiuying truly had talent, she wouldn’t be in her current state.

So, Xiao Yan comforted Li Xiuying to take her time and not rush.

Although Xiao Yan said this, Li Xiuying was anxious in her heart, because Chen Yuyao was already pregnant, and if Chen Yuyao gave birth to another child, she would catch up to her.

Because of this, Li Xiuying also felt a sense of competition in her heart; as Xiao Yan’s first wife, she was absolutely unwilling to lose to Chen Yuyao.

Xiao Yan saw this and felt quite pleased in his heart.

However, what surprised and unexpectedly delighted Xiao Yan even more was his eldest daughter—the just over two-year-old Xiao Xiuyun.

This little one seemed to have a natural interest in cultivation. Seeing her mother wearing training clothes every day, sweating in the training room, and making various strange poses, she would babble and imitate, her little short legs and arms waving in a remarkably authentic manner.

Initially, Li Xiuying and Xiao Yan didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was just a child’s curiosity and playfulness.

But gradually, Xiao Yan was surprised to find that Xiao Xiuyun’s imitation was… not entirely nonsensical!

Her imitation of Li Xiuying’s most basic foundation-building movements, though childish and amusing, subtly caused the faint but extremely pure blood qi within her body to slowly circulate!

What shocked Xiao Yan even more was—as Xiao Xiuyun began to consciously engage in this “cultivation,” he clearly felt that what was feedback from his daughter was not just the amplification of basic strength and spiritual power!

There was also a… very subtle, yet incredibly clear… sense of control over power!

It was as if every clumsy punch or kick his daughter made, every attempt to control the faint blood qi within her body, the most fundamental insights and experiences about “how to control power” gained during the process, were directly fed back into his soul through the hundredfold amplification of the bloodline connection!

This feeling was profound and indescribable, but the effect was immediate!

Xiao Yan found that the sense of stagnation and incoordination in his control over internal energy, which he had experienced due to the sudden surge in power, was dissipating at a visible rate!

His control over the vast, ocean-like Imperial True Essence within him became increasingly refined and effortless! The power that had once been like an untamed horse now seemed to be gradually bridled, beginning to obey his will, flowing more smoothly and harmoniously!

“This… this is possible?!” A storm raged in Xiao Yan’s heart!