Chapter 183: Tranquil Spirit Hairpin

A few hours earlier, Xu Qianghua sat comfortably in the chair behind his desk, sipping tea that he had brewed himself.

'I wonder how long this will take,' he thought as he waited.

His attention drifted to a delicate hairpin lying on top of a stack of papers. Curious, he flicked his hand, and the hairpin vanished from its spot, appearing in his palm.

Bored, he began twirling the hairpin, memories of how it came into his possession surfacing in his mind.

This particular hairpin had been given to Yan Yuehua a few months ago, just like the other ladies received theirs. But this one was special, as indicated by the information panel floating in front of him.

Tranquil Spirit Hairpin (Myth):

The Tranquil Spirit Hairpin is a delicate yet powerful cultivation tool, crafted from rare silver-tinted jade. Its intricate floral engravings serve as conduits for spiritual energy. A small glowing crystal at its tip pulses faintly with a soothing light.

Effects:

Mind Calming Aura: The hairpin emits a calming aura, helping the wearer maintain focus during meditation or cultivation. It reduces distractions, allowing deeper concentration and faster cultivation progress. Especially useful in chaotic environments or when the mind is restless.

Spiritual Qi Harmonization: The hairpin aligns the wearer's spiritual energy flow, improving energy absorption and reducing energy waste. This allows longer cultivation sessions without mental strain.

Stress Relief and Emotional Balance: The hairpin naturally releases soothing energy, easing emotional disturbances like anxiety or frustration. This helps maintain inner peace, crucial for stable breakthroughs.

Defensive Barrier: In times of danger, the hairpin forms a protective mental barrier, guarding against mental attacks or spiritual disturbances. This defense is especially useful against illusions or enemies targeting the mind.

Xu Qianghua had obtained the hairpin during one of his weekly sign-ins. He had received them in succession, so each of his wives, including Yan Yuehua, now owned one. The Tranquil Spirit Hairpin was one of the best tools in the void, not only because of its power but also because it eased the stress the ladies felt from their work.

He then shifted his gaze to a small token lying nearby, another item related to the Family Token.

He was proud because his people had completed the mission flawlessly but embarrassed because he had been overly cautious, expecting major changes just because he had altered the trajectory of the world.

He knew that while everything seemed fine now, he couldn't let his guard down. The future was unpredictable, and no matter how much he altered the course of events, he couldn't control everything.

However, he couldn't see the three entities watching over him, the reason behind his heightened caution. If he knew, he wouldn't have been so anxious about every little thing.

Still, he could sense that the strength of the Shadow members had grown tremendously since the merge, which was a positive outcome.

"That's enough, sister. Let go of Master already," Feng Qian said, stepping closer to the desk and trying to pull Feng Yu off him.

"Nooo, I haven't seen Master for two months. I don't want to let go!" Feng Yu pouted, burying her face in Xu Qianghua's chest.

Xu Qianghua laughed softly, continuing to stroke Feng Yu's hair. "It's alright, Qian. Let her stay a bit longer."

Feng Qian sighed but smiled. "You spoil her too much, Master."

"I can't help it," Xu Qianghua said, grinning as he looked down at Feng Yu. "She's too cute when she's like this."

Feng Yu beamed at the compliment, clinging even tighter to him. "See? Master agrees with me!"

Feng Qian rolled her eyes but chuckled softly. "You're hopeless."

Xu Qianghua, feeling the light-hearted atmosphere, momentarily forgot his earlier concerns. It was moments like these—surrounded by the people he cared about—that made everything worth it.

But he did not forget why he came here, so he looked up at Yan Yuehua, who by now had also come out of her surprise and was also looking at him, a small blush appearing after he looked up.

She then avoided his eyes as she said, "Hello Master."