"Wait, you have the vine? I thought your father, the Palace Master, was holding it." Hua Qing Si asked in a slight bit of shock.
"Well, it wouldn't be the safest thing for him to promote with that thing sapping away at his strength. So my father handed the gourd vines to me to take care of. They produce a bit slower in my possession given the population and size of my Small Realm pales in comparison to his Small Universe." I answered without any delay.
"Ah, I see, in that case we won't have to worry about the promotion resources for some people now." Hua Qing Si said, with a relieved sigh. "Wait, Gourd Vines. As in more than one?!" She added with a pit of shock nearly spitting out some of her drink.
"Uhm, yes, that's correct. I had a few theories to test out with the vine itself. And my father saw fit to perform them. It is actually because of those vines that my father managed to hold back his promotion longer than expected. It's just that too many extra factors eventually changed the situation and tipped the scales. Ideally he would have been promoted after a few more years had passed. Which postponed a few things. That said, it is good fortune from another perspective. Since now all the women who should be with my father, will undoubtedly be." I explained.
"Then we haven't any time to waste. I'll send the notice to those who have proven themselves worthy of promotion to the open heaven realm. Lets see, 25 people for the 5th rank..." Hua Qing Si said, downing her wine, only to stand up and leave with a salute.
"Hold on a moment there. 5 sets of the gourds are 6th rank quality. It's true they are of the, weaker variety. However, no matter how weak a 6th rank material is, it is still a 6th rank material. So keep that in mind when selecting the cultivators." I said, before Hua Qing Si could leave the room.
"Wait, you're being serious right now aren't you. Do not joke about something like that, even if it is you saying something that reckless is a bit..." Hua Qing Si turned around, speaking in a manner that highlighted her confusion.
I responded to this, simply. I took out a set of 5th rank gourds, and a set of 6th rank gourds. Hua Qing Si took them and spent an overly exaggerated amount of time telling the difference. Her eyes widening the more she noticed the difference between them.
"At first it doesn't look like there is a big gap between them. But with just a little bit of inspection it's not because they are the same rank. It's just that this 5th rank set is very close to 6th rank in strength. And this 6th rank set is just over the cusp. This... This is great news. But... it could cause more than a few problems." Hua Qing Si said, setting the resources aside.
"If you are worried about having enough 5th rank resources for everyone then it is a non issue. No sense in worrying about such things. I still have a few vines that will only produce the 5th rank materials. And it is possible to synthesize many new ones." I explained.
"Oh, in that case, there really won't be any problems. But are you the only one who can synthesize them?" Hua Qing Si asked, curiously.
"No, any Artifact refiner worth their cultivation would be able to achieve this feat as well. However, while that may be the case, that doesn't suddenly and automatically make it an easy feat. I'd say a 5th rank Artifact refiner could pull it off, but they will be next to if not completely exhausted for several weeks. And that is of course theoretically the same thing for 6th rank synthesis to a 6th rank refiner. But it is not confirmed to be possible. Mostly because it's not necessary at the moment." I answered with as much detail as was available.
"I see, then it's another job that you created, and can now pawn off to others." Hua Qing Si giggled. "I'll begin preparations. Do I need to send someone for you, or will you come on your own?" She asked.
"Hmm, I can't say I like the way you phrased that. It's more like creating new options for the security of one's future and the future of those that come next." I said, putting away the resources. "As far as the cultivator selections, I'll join you at the main hall in half a day." I added.
Hua Qing Si quickly left the room to head to work. The future will become bright, and only continue to brighten as long as he is here... But this feeling? What exactly is it?
"So, it seems my daughter-in-law broke through to the Emperor Realm. Excellent news! Hmm, wait a minute... Huo Lei, Xiu Che, did you... Did you breakthrough while..." Feng Ying asked, realizing something was clearly off but in a good way.
"That's correct, mother! Husband helped us through with all his love. With him the breakthrough was more than bearable, I welcomed it." Huo Lei answered with a big smile on her face.
"I see, I imagine Xiu Che would say something similar as well..." Bai Yi giggled while walking into the room, overhearing Huo Lei's words.
"That's also correct, mother. When we say it's because of our Husband, we mean it. Without him my tribulation would have been smaller and yet still too much. But with him, so close as we were one with each other, the tribulation was nothing to be afraid of." Xiu Che said, with an energetic smile and jumping on my back.
"Well then, son, Since there is half a day's time, would you mind talking to all of your future mothers? We have said many things to reassure their thoughts... But, well, now I know what it must feel like for men to court a woman." Xue Yue asked, with a sigh.
"Oh mother Xue, I thought you would have known what that feels like already. Heh heh, no this particular situation is a bit more delicate than that. I'll speak to them." I said, making a joke about Xue Yue's past.
"Good, and while you do that, I'm going to ask about that date of yours. And ask for every last detail." Xue Yue smirked like she had me.