Blessed with Heirs: My Harem Made Me Invincible

Chapter 5 Am I Allowed to Run My Own Business?

"Mr. Lockwood! Congratulations! Both your ladies are expecting..."

The physician blurted out excitedly after taking Maya and Clara's pulses.

After paying the consultation fee and seeing the doctor out, Ethan sank into contemplation.

Impregnating his women served as an alternative cultivation path for him.

Each newborn would extend his lifespan by at least one year.

Though the system's benefit only activated at birth—pregnancy alone didn't count.

Now with both women expecting, his daily cultivation would be interrupted.

Sharp-eyed Maya noticed his troubled expression: "Master, it's still early. We can continue serving you.

If that's not enough, you could take Lilac as your third wife?

Or—Astramere teems with pleasure houses—with your wealth, you could always take more concubines."

Both women knew their husband's insatiable appetite firsthand.

Lately, he'd been wearing them out around the clock.

With just two in the household, they were barely able to meet his demands.

Of course, Ethan hadn't revealed this was actually his cultivation method.

This remained his most fiercely protected secret—not for sharing.

Through relentless practice, he'd miraculously achieved nearly five years' cultivation progress in mere weeks.

Faced with Yunniang's suggestion, Ethan Lockwood sighed. "We'll talk about this another time," he said. "For now, stay home and rest. I'm going to visit the manager at Stellar Ascent Vineyard."

With that, he rose and strode out the door without another word...

The vineyard's manager, Theodore Baker, was another disciple who'd washed out from Stellar Ascent Sect due to mediocre talent. Now at the fifth layer of Qi-Refining Stage - solidly a mid-stage cultivator - Theodore had hit his ceiling. Gossip said he hadn't made a shred of progress in decades.

Ethan got straight to the point when they met. "Manager Theodore, I need to ask - are itinerant patrons like me permitted to establish personal businesses? Some ventures of our own?"

Theodore's eyebrows shot up. "What's this? Giving up on cultivation already? Planning your retirement so soon?"

Rubbing his temples, Ethan explained about Yunniang and Clara's pregnancies. "Children aren't ornaments you can just display on a shelf. Raising them costs a fortune, and our vineyard stipend won't stretch far enough. Especially when I intend to take more wives and likely father dozens more children. I've got to plan ahead."

To his surprise, Theodore chuckled. "Is that all? Relax, my friend. Our kind actually have prearranged support systems."

"You can't be serious!" Ethan leaned forward. "Tell me everything."

Theodore's expression turned wry. "Listen, Ethan. Guys like us? We're the cultivation world's castoffs - mediocre spirit roots, discarded talents."

"Yet our chances of bearing children with spiritual potential far exceed ordinary mortals," the manager explained. "Should any offspring manifest such gifts, our sect would immediately recruit them for immortal cultivation. At that point, you wouldn't need to spend a dime on their upbringing."

"Manager," Ethan interjected, "this privilege only applies to spiritually gifted descendants, correct? Surely we can't expect all children to awaken such talents. What about those without spiritual gifts? We must secure their futures too."

"Now now, no need to worry, young Lockwood," the manager chuckled. "Even ordinary children have institutions eager to nurture them. You're aware of the three premier sects within the Astrathrone Dynasty's borders?"

"Naturally," Ethan nodded. "Our Stellar Ascent Sect, the Sacred Hill Temple, and the Confucian Order."

"Among these," the manager continued, "the Confucian Order has built its reputation on numbers. They take pride in educating all without prejudice. Children like ours? They're particularly sought after by their scholars. Simply wait until your ordinary child reaches schooling age, then send them to the Order. The annual token tuition? Just four strips of cured meat."

Ethan recalled scattered knowledge about the Confucian Order from his sect days. Their approach to cultivation diverged completely from Stellar Ascent's practices. While his sect pursued eternal life and celestial longevity, the Confucian path never prioritized immortality. Their philosophy followed its own logic—the pursuit of immortal legacy through virtue, wisdom, and service.

To achieve this sacred purpose, they walk three noble paths: cultivating virtue, forging enduring wisdom, and accomplishing great deeds.

Their daily practice embodies these ideals—anchoring cosmic morality, securing livelihoods for the people, preserving ancient knowledge, and ushering in eternal peace.

This philosophy breeds scholars who shun isolated meditation. Instead, they immerse themselves in worldly affairs, laboring to improve common lives—all to etch their names in history and achieve spiritual transcendence.

The Astrathrone Dynasty particularly favors this pragmatic approach, making the Confucian Order the most politically entrenched among the three great sects.

Their disciples fill imperial courts and regional governments as plentiful as bamboo shoots after spring rain.

Most remarkably, the Order guards no secrets—even their cultivation methods are openly shared, welcoming all earnest seekers of wisdom.

Ancient texts speak of advanced practitioners reincarnating with preserved memories, often returning to the Order lifetime after lifetime until enlightenment dawns.

Those attaining Sagehood ultimately transcend mortal flesh, becoming one with the eternal Dao.

Considering these possibilities, Ning Tang mused that sending his children without Spirit Roots here might prove fortunate indeed.

He clasped hands toward Duan Kun. "This unworthy one thanks you for the guidance. My concerns are greatly eased."

The head manager stroked his beard, chuckling. "Brother Ning, the sect permits side enterprises. But remember—they retain a twenty percent stake in all such ventures."

"But the sect doesn't claim these shares without reason," the manager explained. "Any business displaying our sect's seal receives our protection—should any trouble arise, we'll naturally handle it."

After a thoughtful pause, Mr. Lockwood replied, "I understand completely. I'll think more carefully about this business plan once I return home."