Chapter 58: Yuan Magnetic Grotto!

Song Yan's study is located in a quiet and secluded courtyard.

Whether it's the courtyard layout or the furniture and decoration, it is much more luxurious than the side wing where Qin Shuo stays.

After the fat steward Luo Wansong brought Qin Shuo to the courtyard, he left on his own.

Qin Shuo walked straight into the study and saw Song Yan sitting dazedly in front of the desk, completely unaware of his arrival, so he spoke up proactively:

"Senior sister, you called for me?"

"Mm."

Song Yan quickly came to her senses, squeezing out a smile as she said: "How was it? Did you meet Monk Ku He? Any gains?"

"Not bad."

Qin Shuo nodded in response, waiting quietly for what comes next.

Song Yan also didn't beat around the bush, getting straight to the point: "Junior brother, have you heard of the Yuan Magnetic Grotto?"

"No." Qin Shuo shook his head.

Song Yan had expected this, and continued:

"The Yuan Magnetic Grotto is an extremely rare and mysterious terrain; being inside it is like carrying a mountain on your back, subjecting one to an invisible pressure.

This pressure comes from all directions within the grotto and can efficiently temper a martial artist's physique and tendons.

A martial artist inside it, even if doing nothing, will still receive tremendous tempering.

Most importantly, practicing inside the grotto can accelerate the speed at which a martial artist transforms inner strength into qi.

Moreover, the inner qi cultivated in such a high-pressure environment is not only pure but also highly condensed, greatly benefiting future breakthroughs into the Tongmai Realm.

In short, the Yuan Magnetic Grotto is a rare treasure land for cultivation, whether for inner strength martial artists or even Tongmai Realm martial artists."

"Oh?"

Qin Shuo's heart stirred—wasn't this just like the gravity fields in sci-fi movies from his past life?

He never expected this world to actually have such a miraculous place.

And hearing Song Yan's meaning, this Yuan Magnetic Grotto can accelerate the transformation of inner strength into qi, allowing martial artists who have achieved Inner Strength Great Perfection to quickly advance into the Tongmai Realm—this is indeed somewhat enviable.

"Three years ago, our Song family discovered a Yuan Magnetic Grotto in a deep mountain in the western suburbs of Songyang Prefecture City, but at the same time, the Fang family of Songyang Prefecture also discovered it.

When mentioning the Fang family, a flash of cold light crossed Song Yan's eyes, and her expression turned grim.

"To contend for ownership of the Yuan Magnetic Grotto, our Song family and the Fang family erupted into a great war.

In that war, my father was ambushed by the Fang family head, severely wounded and died, while the Fang family head had his meridians shattered throughout his body by my father, becoming a cripple.

This battle left both the Song and Fang families severely weakened, with neither gaining any benefit.

Thus, both sides agreed that each time the grotto opens, inner strength martial artists below the Tongmai Realm from both sides will compete in martial arts to decide the victor.

The victor shall obtain the right to use the grotto."

Qin Shuo silently nodded—Tongmai Realm experts, even in a city full of experts like Songyang Prefecture City, are not as common as cabbage.

Once such a top expert suffers an accident, it is a major loss to both the Song and Fang families.

And since the Yuan Magnetic Grotto's auxiliary effect on Tongmai Realm experts is likely limited, that's why the Song and Fang families proposed letting the younger generation compete in martial arts to decide ownership of the grotto's usage rights.

And Song Yan's following words happened to confirm his guess.

"The Yuan Magnetic Grotto is a rare treasure land for inner strength martial artists, capable of accelerating those who have achieved Inner Strength Great Perfection to break through into the Tongmai Realm.

But for those already at the Tongmai Realm, its effect is limited.

However, neither of our two families wishes to see the other's disciples break through quickly into the Tongmai Realm, as that would disrupt the balance of power between us.

Therefore, no one is willing to simply yield.

As for both sides entering the grotto together to cultivate.

Given the relationship of the two families being like fire and water, if they were to enter the grotto together, not fighting would already be good—who would dare to cultivate peacefully under the other's watchful eyes?

If, during critical cultivation, the other side intentionally sabotages, it could very well cause irreparable loss.

Thus, both sides agreed that the Yuan Magnetic Grotto opens once every three years.

The Fang and Song families each send three people to compete in martial arts, best two out of three wins, and the winner shall obtain the right to use the Yuan Magnetic Grotto.

Since the Yuan Magnetic Grotto was won at the cost of my father's life.

Therefore, initially, to compensate our branch, the family promised that each time the Yuan Magnetic Grotto opens, as long as our Song family obtains the usage right, our branch shall receive a quota to enter the grotto.

And since my father only has me as his daughter, this quota originally belonged to me.

But unfortunately, I was born with a weak constitution and deficient qi and blood; even after taking many qi- and blood-nourishing pills, I have only reached Inner Strength Great Success so far, still one step away from Great Perfection.

If I force a breakthrough with pills, it is possible, but it would damage my foundation—not worth the loss.

So, I want to give you this quota to enter the grotto. Are you willing?"

"Give me the quota to enter the Yuan Magnetic Grotto?" Qin Shuo was first stunned, then his face full of surprise.

Before entering, he had always thought Song Yan had some matter to ask him for help in resolving the Song family's troubles.

He never expected that in the end, she would actually be giving him an opportunity, letting him cultivate in the Yuan Magnetic Grotto.

This made Qin Shuo inevitably feel a sense of shame, as if judging a noble person by the standards of a petty one.

"But... I'm not a member of the Song family!" Qin Shuo said, puzzled.

Logically speaking, although the Song family promised to reserve a quota for entering the Yuan Magnetic Grotto for Song Yan's branch, they should not allow her to transfer it arbitrarily.

Otherwise, if the Song family sends disciples to fight to the death with the Fang family, in the end wouldn't it just be a free gift to outsiders?

"Although you are not a member of the Song family, you are my junior brother!"

Song Yan smiled lightly: "As long as you, my junior brother, wish to enter the grotto, this quota of mine this time belongs to you."

"Really possible?" Qin Shuo still found it hard to believe.

He again thought of Tian Bai, who had warned him on the road that day, and said calmly: "Senior sister, if I don't go, who will you give your quota to?"

Song Yan hadn't expected Qin Shuo to ask this; she stared at him for a long while, then frowned and said coldly: "Did Tian Bai come to you?"

"Cough, cough! Senior Sister, how did you know?"

Qin Shuo gave a light cough to conceal his embarrassment at having his thoughts seen through.

He hadn't expected Song Yan to be so perceptive, merely from a single question, to have discerned the source of his concerns.

Song Yan did not answer Qin Shuo's question, but instead said directly: "No matter what Tian Bai told you, you need not worry about it. This quota was obtained by my father at the cost of his life; I wish to give it to whomever I choose, and that is my freedom.

Of course, if you are worried about retaliation from Tian Bai and therefore give up entering the Earth Cave, I can understand that."

Having said that, Song Yan fell silent, her gaze fixed on Qin Shuo, awaiting his decision.

Faced with Song Yan's somewhat expectant gaze, Qin Shuo smiled freely and said:

"If I dare not accept the opportunity that Senior Sister has placed in my hands, then I might as well not practice martial arts!

But, Junior Brother I am somewhat puzzled: why does Senior Sister hold such disfavor toward Tian Bai? He is, after all, your fiancé..."

"Fiancé?"

Song Yan let out a cold laugh and retorted: "Do you know how many concubines this Tian Bai has in his household?"

"Eh..."

Qin Shuo was left speechless by the question.

In this world, it is quite normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines.

Some sons of wealthy and powerful families, before taking a wife, will first take concubines.

Could it be that Senior Sister Song is estranged from Tian Bai for this reason?

But Song Yan herself grew up in such an environment; she should not be so averse to taking concubines.

However, Song Yan's next words left him utterly stunned, nearly making him blurt out "Holy shit!"

"Thirty-eight chambers—Tian Bai, now only twenty-four years old, has already taken thirty-eight concubines.

Among them, thirteen are courtesans from the brothels; the rest are either widows or married women. Such a depraved and licentious lot—do they even deserve to be my fiancé?"

Song Yan spoke these words through gritted teeth.

Qin Shuo was utterly dumbfounded.

Good heavens!

Thirty-eight chambers!

Either married women or widows, plus the top courtesans from various households in the prefectural city.

This is nothing less than a rebirth of Cao Cao!

"Such a person—would your Song Family even accept him?" Astonished, Qin Shuo exclaimed in disbelief.

Wealthy and powerful clans place the utmost importance on reputation.

How could they allow such a lecherous ghost to be taken in as a son-in-law?

"If it were anyone else, the Song Family would naturally not agree.

But Tian Bai, as the legitimate son of the Tian Family Head, has an aunt who married into my Song Family as a daughter-in-law.

To win over the Tian Family, and with certain individuals wishing to use him to seize my father's inheritance, they naturally fanned the flames and facilitated this marriage."

"How about it? Now, do you still dare to accept this hot potato of the Yuan Magnetic Grotto quota?"

"What is there to dare?"

Qin Shuo gave a light laugh, yet his heart drummed with unease—the waters of these wealthy and powerful clans are too deep.

Seeing that he appeared calm and carefree on the surface but still harbored inner anxiety, Song Yan reassured him:

"Rest assured, although the Song Family internally is not a monolith, with each faction having its own schemes.

But the current Family Head is my father's full-blooded younger brother, and also my paternal second uncle.

These past years, I have relied on his protection to evade the various open and covert attacks within the family.

Therefore, as long as you are willing, whether it be the Song Family's collateral branches eyeing our lineage, or the Tian Family, they will not dare to move against you openly.

You need only be at ease."

"If that is truly the case, then I can rest easy." Qin Shuo nodded firmly.

Wealth and honor are sought in danger!

To enter the Tongmai Realm as soon as possible, taking a little risk is still worthwhile.

"Then, tomorrow I will take you to see my second uncle and inform him that you will take my quota."

"Good."