Locking Essence Qi

In the early summer morning, as the sun just peeked its sharp crimson horn over the horizon, Li Shuidao was already standing in the courtyard, beginning his day's practice.

After Xia Ruoxue had finished dressing, she stood prettily in the courtyard, holding a tray with freshly brewed hot tea.

Once Li Shuidao finished his sword practice, he returned to his room to cultivate the Golden Toad Qi Locking Method in seclusion.

Xia Ruoxue then went with her maid, Luo Xiaoxiao, to visit her in-laws and pay her respects to the elders.

Around noon, the aroma of delicious food wafted from the small kitchen.

Xia Ruoxue and Luo Xiaoxiao prepared a visually appealing and flavorful lunch for Li Shuidao.

After the meal, Li Shuidao went out to find a small stream to study the water-based sword techniques from the Water Surge Stealth Technique and Clear Pool Sword Dao.

Meanwhile, Xia Ruoxue and Luo Xiaoxiao went to help out at the family's kindergarten.

All the women in the family were required to help at the kindergarten, where the children were all under three years old.

Night fell, and Li Shuidao lay in bed, relaxing his muscles after a day of cultivation.

He turned over and saw Xia Ruoxue lying quietly beside him, smiling at him.

The two of them... drifted off to sleep...

Later that night, Li Shuidao suddenly opened his eyes and stepped into the small courtyard, cultivating the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art and Water Moon Flowing Pearl under the moonlight.

After completing his cultivation, Li Shuidao returned to his bed to sleep until dawn...

This cycle repeated, and Li Shuidao's cultivation steadily progressed...

Two months later...

After finishing his dinner, Li Shuidao sat in meditation, reviewing his day's cultivation.

Once the sun had completely set, he went to his bedroom.

He would sleep until the midnight hour, and when the bright moon hung high in the sky, he would have to get up to cultivate the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art and Water Moon Flowing Pearl.

As he pushed open the bedroom door, a soft sobbing sound came from the bed.

Pulling back the bed curtain, he saw Xia Ruoxue curled up on the bed, tears streaming down her fair face. Her eyes were red and swollen, revealing deep grievance and pain.

Li Shuidao approached the bedside, looking at Xia Ruoxue's sorrowful state, and softly asked, "Ruoxue, why are you crying? Did someone bully you?"

Xia Ruoxue raised her tear-filled eyes and said with a trembling voice, "Li Yijun, Li Shuilong, and Li Yixin's wives are all pregnant, but I haven't shown any signs."

Tears continued to fall from Xia Ruoxue's eyes. Her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had endured an endless night.

She had thought she would become pregnant and had wholeheartedly looked forward to a happy future, but she never expected it to be so difficult to achieve...

Li Shuidao gently walked over and sat beside Xia Ruoxue. He tenderly wiped away the tears from her face and said in a firm and warm voice, "Ruoxue, don't be sad. Everything will be alright."

Xia Ruoxue's lips trembled slightly as she looked at Li Shuidao, her eyes still filled with tears.

Li Shuidao continued in a low voice, "As long as we support each other and love each other, we can create a warm family. A child isn't the most important thing."

Listening to Li Shuidao's comfort, a warmth gradually rose in Xia Ruoxue's heart. The setbacks and disappointments seemed to be dispelled bit by bit by his gentle words.

To completely resolve the hidden danger, Li Shuidao decided to use his immortal cultivation techniques.

Li Shuidao had been cultivating the Golden Toad Qi Locking Method for over half a year. This technique was quite miraculous; not only could it conceal one's cultivation, but it could also lock in one's vital energy. If cultivated to the highest level, it could even lock in one's aura, making it difficult for an enemy to detect them even from behind.

Now, he only needed to achieve minor success in cultivating this technique and lock in his vital energy to be worry-free.

Li Shuidao sat quietly in the secret chamber, his expression focused, eyes closed in cultivation.

His face was calm, as if he were detached from the world, yet his body emanated a sharp aura.

He took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and silently recited the incantations of the Golden Toad Qi Locking Method. Each verse echoed in his mind, as if it had already merged into his bones and blood.

Li Shuidao continuously readjusted his vital energy, doing his best to prevent any loss.

He guided it with his Magical Power, causing it to circulate within his body...

Suddenly.

Li Shuidao's body trembled slightly, and a chill rapidly spread from within him.

He felt his vital energy being solidified, gradually locked in place.

His consciousness grew hazy, and in a swirling white mist, he seemed to see visions of his vital energy being locked away. This vital energy, like golden threads, was being enveloped by his invisible power.

Upon reaching this minor realm, Li Shuidao would not only resolve his immediate crisis but also significantly slow down his daily energy loss.

The time needed for rest would be reduced, and he would only need a few hours of sleep each day to have abundant energy, and even his lifespan would increase.

"Hahahaha..." Li Shuidao stood up and laughed heartily.

His divine technique was complete, the hidden danger resolved, and he was finally free from worry. He no longer needed to resort to unorthodox methods.

A beautiful young wife like this, not taking the proper path but resorting to unorthodox means, was not fitting.

In high spirits, Li Shuidao pushed open the door to the secret chamber. His wife, Xia Ruoxue, was standing at the entrance of the hall. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her slender figure and casting a gentle glow upon her.

"Xue'er, were you waiting for me here?" Li Shuidao's voice was filled with tenderness.

"Husband, I have something to tell you." Xia Ruoxue appeared very serious.

"You speak," Li Shuidao said gently.

"I want to go out and clear my head. Maybe then, we can truly conceive a child," Xia Ruoxue said earnestly.

Li Shuidao reached out and stroked her hair. "Alright! Where do you want to go?"

"Just around here. I just want a change of scenery. Perhaps the fate of a child will find us then." Xia Ruoxue said, her large eyes full of stars.

"Okay, I'll go with you. We will definitely be able to have a child out there," Li Shuidao agreed immediately.

"Mhm, I think so too," Xia Ruoxue replied with a sweet, happy smile.