1: Chapter 1 Hellish Start

His consciousness felt like it was submerged in cold, viscous ink, struggling to rise to the surface.

Lin Wan opened his eyes abruptly, his chest heaving violently. His throat burned like fire, and his lungs ached with every breath. What met his eyes was a wooden ceiling covered in yellowed, old paper. A few beams of daylight leaked through holes in the torn window paper, with dust motes dancing up and down in the shafts of light. Beneath him was a wooden bed that was hard enough to bruise, with a thin layer of coarse cloth bedding that offered almost no softness. The air was filled with a faint, musty odor, mixed with the scent of burning low-quality incense.

This was not his university dormitory, nor was it any place he was familiar with.

His head throbbed with splitting pain. Countless fragments of strange memories felt as though they had been forcibly crammed into his brain, crashing about wildly. It took a long while before Lin Wan could barely manage to sort out a thread of logic.

He, an ordinary office worker from the twenty-first century, had suffered cardiac arrest in his office at three in the morning after working seventy-two hours of overtime. Upon waking up again, he had arrived in this world.

He had transmigrated.

He had transmigrated into the body of a youth who was also named "Lin Wan".

This was a world of cultivation where one could fly through the skies and move mountains and seas. The Eastern Profound Domain, Qingyun Sect—a mid-tier Sect located on the fringes of the cultivation world. And his current identity was an Outer Sect Disciple of the Qingyun Sect—a notorious waste who had been in the Sect for three years yet was still struggling in the Qi Refinement Stage.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Lin Wan propped himself up, the violent coughing making his vision go black. A burning sensation of hunger came from his stomach, reminding him that this body hadn't eaten anything for nearly two days.

He struggled off the bed and walked to the only piece of furniture in the room, a rickety wooden table with a limp leg. On the table sat a coarse earthenware bowl, with a bit of blackish paste remaining at the bottom, emitting an indescribable, spoiled odor. Beside it was a cracked water jar containing only half a jar of murky water.

The memories of his predecessor flooded in like a tide.

Lin Wan, sixteen years old, from Lin Family Village in Qingzhou of the Eastern Profound Domain. Three years ago, during the Qingyun Sect's decennial recruitment, he had luckily tested for a Low Grade Four Spiritual Root—Metal, Wood, Water, Earth, lacking only the Fire Spiritual Root. Such Aptitude belonged to the very bottom of the cultivation world, but it barely met the threshold for entry into the Qingyun Sect.

Carrying dreams of longevity and roaming freely through the world, the youth entered the immortal gate.

However, reality dealt him a heavy blow. The Disciples who entered at the same time, even those with the worst Aptitude, had broken through to the second level of the Qi Refinement Stage within a year, and those with good Aptitude had even reached the third or fourth level. Only he, after three years had passed, remained stuck in place at the first level of the Qi Refinement Stage.

A Low Grade Four Spiritual Root meant that his perception of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was extremely weak, and his cultivation speed was as slow as a turtle crawling. Even worse, the attributes of the four Spiritual Roots within his body clashed—Metal overcomes Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water—forming a strange balance that instead further hindered the intake of Spiritual Qi.

The cultivation resources provided by the Sect—one Low-Grade Spirit Stone and three Bigu Pills per month—were a drop in the bucket for him. In order to exchange for more resources, he had to take on various utility tasks: sweeping mountain paths, guarding the herb garden, and even going to the Spirit Beast garden to clean up manure...

But even so, his cultivation level showed no progress.

Three months ago, the Outer Sect Deacon, Elder Wang, called him over and told him with a cold Face: "Lin Wan, according to Sect rules, if an Outer Sect Disciple cannot break through to the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage within five years, they must leave the mountain and go to the Mortal towns under the Sect's jurisdiction to manage businesses. You have now been in the Sect for three years, and you have two years left. Take care of yourself."

Expelled from the Sect!

These four words were like a massive mountain, pressing down on his predecessor until he couldn't breathe. He began to take on tasks and Cultivate even more desperately, even risking his life to go to the back mountain to pick Low Grade Spiritual Plants in exchange for resources. As a result, three days ago, while picking a 'Dew Condensation Herb', he was injured by the 'Iron-Toothed Rabbit' guarding the herb. Although he barely managed to escape back, he died from excessive blood loss and exhaustion of spiritual power.

That was how the current Lin Wan came to be.

"Qi Refinement Stage level one... two years left... Low Grade Four Spiritual Root..." Lin Wan shook his head with a bitter smile and walked over to the blurry bronze mirror.

The mirror reflected a delicate but pale and gaunt Face, roughly sixteen or seventeen years of age. There was still a hint of childishness between his brows, but his eye sockets were sunken, his lips were chapped, and he looked malnourished. He wore a faded cyan Outer Sect Disciple robe, with rough patches on the cuffs and knees.

"This really is... a hellish start." Lin Wan muttered to himself.

In his past life, although he was just an office worker, he at least had no worries about food and clothing. Now, however, he had transmigrated into a cultivation world, thinking he would be able to fly through the skies and live forever, but instead, he was a waste with terrible Aptitude who was about to be kicked out of the Sect.

His stomach rumbled again. Lin Wan searched the entire room and only found a dry, hard multigrain cake under the bed. He didn't know how long it had been there; it was hard enough to kill someone if thrown. He broke off a small piece, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly, the coarse bran scratching his throat painfully.

Swallowing it down with the murky water, the hunger was slightly alleviated, but a sense of despair surged in like a tide.

Two years. Only two years.

With this body's Aptitude, breaking through to the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage within two years? Unless a miracle happened.

But where was the miracle?

Lin Wan walked to the window and pushed open the creaking wooden window. Outside was a small courtyard, overgrown with weeds, with mottled courtyard walls. This was the most remote corner of the Qingyun Sect's Outer Sect, known as the "Waste Zone", where all the Outer Sect Disciples like him, with low Aptitude and no prospects, lived.

In the distance, several cloud-shrouded peaks were faintly visible; that was where the Inner Sect of the Qingyun Sect was located. Occasionally, one could see streams of light flashing across the peaks; those were flying Magical Artifacts controlled by Cultivators at or above the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The difference between immortals and Mortals, a gap as wide as clouds and mud.

"Could it be that just after transmigrating, I have to Face the fate of being expelled from the Sect? Then go to some Mortal town, become a manager, and end my life there?" Lin Wan clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.

No, he was not resigned to this.

In his past life, he had lived a mediocre life, working overtime until he died. In this life, since he had arrived in the cultivation world, no matter how poor his Aptitude was, he would give it his all!

But... how to fight for it?

Just as Lin Wan was sinking into deep confusion and despair, a cold, emotionless, mechanical voice suddenly rang out deep in his mind:

[Suitable host detected... Soul fluctuations matching... Binding...]

[1%...15%...47%...83%...100%]

[Multi-Child, Multi-Fortune System successfully bound!]

Lin Wan stiffened, his eyes widening abruptly.

System?!

As a fan of web novels from the twenty-first century, he was all too familiar with this term! The standard equipment for a transmigrator, the Golden Finger for a comeback!

But the name of this System...

Multi-Child, Multi-Fortune?

Why does it sound so indecent?

[This System aims to encourage the host to expand the Family tree and ensure Family prosperity. The host can obtain fortune points through actions such as taking wives, taking concubines, having sons, and raising daughters. fortune points can be used to directly increase cultivation Realms, exchange for Cultivation Techniques, Secret Manuals, Medicinal Pills, Talismans, Magic Treasures, divine weapons, etc. The number, Aptitude, and achievements of offspring will bring the host additional continuous rewards and special bonuses.]

[Novice gift pack being distributed...]

[Obtained: 100 fortune points. 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. 1 Basic Dual Cultivation Technique 'Yin-Yang Harmony Guidance Technique'. 1 Body Strengthening and Essence Consolidating Pill (Mortal Grade).]

As the System prompt faded, Lin Wan felt his hand sink as a rough, small grey cloth bag appeared. He opened it with trembling hands; inside were ten rhombic crystals about the size of a fingernail, emitting a faint, soft white light, and one dark red pill about the size of a longan with a peculiar scent.

At the same time, a Cultivation Technique that was not overly complex but exuded a certain Aura pointing directly to the Origin was clearly branded into his mind.

"Spirit Stones! Medicinal Pills! Cultivation Technique!" Lin Wan was so excited he almost cried out.

Ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones! For an Inner Sect Disciple, this might not be much, but for him, a bottom-tier Outer Sect Disciple who was dirt poor, it was simply a huge sum of money! It was enough for him to go to the Sect market and buy enough high-quality spiritual grain to last a month!

Not to mention the fortune points that could directly increase his cultivation level!

He suppressed the excitement in his heart, took a deep breath, and thought to himself: "System, use fortune points to increase my cultivation!"

[Consumed 10 fortune points, cultivation level increased to the second level of the Qi Refinement Stage.]

A faint but clear warm current emerged from his Dantian out of thin air, instantly flowing through his limbs and bones. Lin Wan felt his body lighten, his senses sharpened, and even the weakness and hunger that had been lingering faded away for the most part. He could feel that the Qi sensation in his Dantian, which had originally been barely perceptible and thin as a hair, had grown significantly, and its circulation had become much smoother.

"It really works!" Lin Wan clenched his fists, a burning light erupting in his eyes.

Survival in a desperate situation! Truly surviving in a desperate situation!

The Multi-Child, Multi-Fortune System... although the method is a bit wild, it really is effective! And the effect is immediate!

He didn't hesitate and continued to order: "System, increase it again!"

[Consumed 20 fortune points, cultivation level increased to the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage.]

A more surging warm current rampaged through his body, and Lin Wan could even hear the faint cracking sound of his bones. A bit of greyish-black, greasy substance seeped out from the surface of his skin, emitting a faint, fishy odor—this was a sign of the Impurities being expelled from his body.

Third level of the Qi Refinement Stage!

The Bottleneck that had plagued his predecessor for three years and almost made him despair had been broken through so easily!

From now on, he was no longer a waste threatened by the "five-year deadline" of being expelled from the Sect! He had reached the minimum requirement for an Outer Sect Disciple; at the very least, he could continue to stay in the Sect!

"70 fortune points remaining..." Lin Wan looked at the remaining number on the System panel and forced himself to calm down.

He couldn't use it all at once. If his cultivation level increased too quickly, it would easily arouse suspicion. While the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage was nothing in the Outer Sect, for a "notorious waste" like him, it was already a huge improvement. If he suddenly increased to the fourth level, it would likely attract unnecessary attention.

Low profile, he must keep a low profile.

He temporarily set aside the remaining 70 fortune points and turned his gaze to the dark red "Body Strengthening and Essence Consolidating Pill" and the 'Yin-Yang Harmony Guidance Technique' in his mind.

The pill was of Mortal Grade, but for his currently depleted body, it was exactly what he urgently needed. He swallowed the pill without hesitation. As the pill entered his stomach, it turned into a warm current that spread out, nourishing his parched Meridians and organs. His originally pale complexion became rosy at a speed visible to the naked eye.

As for the 'Yin-Yang Harmony Guidance Technique'...

Lin Wan carefully read the Cultivation Technique in his mind. This was a basic Dual Cultivation Technique that emphasized the harmony of Yin and Yang, and the mutual benefit of water and fire. Practicing this technique required a man and a woman to Cultivate together, and through the convergence of Yin and Yang, it would induce the intermingling of both parties' essence, Qi, and spirit, achieving a mutually complementary and beneficial effect.

The technique was divided into nine levels; the first three levels were suitable for the Qi Refinement Stage, the middle three levels for the Foundation Establishment Stage, and the last three levels for the Golden Core Stage. Each level increased the effectiveness of the Dual Cultivation.

"As expected of the Multi-Child, Multi-Fortune System, even the technique is so... direct." Lin Wan touched his nose, feeling a mix of amusement and helplessness.

But soon, his eyes became firm.

If the orthodox immortal path didn't work, he would take this "crooked path"!

So what if it's Multi-Child, Multi-Fortune? If it can make me stronger, it's a good path!

And the System clearly stated that the Aptitude and achievements of his offspring would bring continuous rewards. This meant that he not only had to have "many children" but also "eugenics", cultivating outstanding descendants.

A grand plan began to take shape in Lin Wan's mind.

First, he needed to solve the most basic survival problems and create a relatively safe environment for himself.

The ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones were his startup capital. He carefully hid nine of the Spirit Stones and the memory of the technique, and with one Low-Grade Spirit Stone in his pocket, he walked out of the dilapidated hut.

The Qingyun Sect's Outer Sect covered a vast area with continuous rows of houses, mostly inhabited by low-level Disciples like him. It was early morning, and many Disciples were already active outside. Occasionally, Utility Disciples would hurry past, and upon seeing him, their eyes were mostly indifferent, or even contained a hint of contempt.

The first level of the Qi Refinement Stage was the bottom of the bottom in the Outer Sect. No one would care about the whereabouts of a waste.

Lin Wan, familiar with the route, arrived at the Outer Sect market. It was much simpler than the Inner Sect market, just a narrow blue-stone street. On both sides, some Disciples set up stalls spontaneously, selling Low Grade Materials, Medicinal Pills, Talismans, or miscellaneous items obtained from Sect tasks that they didn't need. The sounds of hawking and bargaining were endless; it was full of worldly life, but it also revealed the hardships of bottom-tier Cultivators.

He used that one Low-Grade Spirit Stone to exchange for a small bag of about five catties of "Jade Bud Rice". This kind of spiritual rice contained extremely thin Spiritual Qi; long-term consumption could slightly improve one's Physique and accelerate the intake of Qi for low-level Cultivators, making it the most common staple food for Outer Sect Disciples. He then used the bit of loose gold and silver he got back to buy some durable, ordinary dry rations, dried meat, and salt.

With food in his arms and his stomach feeling more secure, Lin Wan didn't return immediately. He wandered slowly through the market, his gaze sweeping seemingly casually over the stalls, especially the areas selling miscellaneous items and second-hand goods.

He was observing, and he was also thinking.

The core of the Multi-Child, Multi-Fortune System was "taking a wife and having children". But he was currently dirt poor, his cultivation was low, and his appearance was only delicate; wanting to properly marry a female Cultivator, even a Utility Disciple, was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

He had to find another path.

Soon, his gaze locked onto an inconspicuous corner.

A young girl wearing a patched grey Utility Disciple robe with a thin figure was guarding a shabby little stall. On the stall, there were only a few Hemostatic Herbs of average quality, two grey, unknown Ores, and a few old books with yellowed paper and curled corners.

The girl kept her head down, so her full Face couldn't be seen, revealing only a slender, white neck. Occasionally, a Cultivator would pass by and ask about those few herbs, but they would all shake their heads and leave because of the price or quality. The girl didn't call out to keep them, just lowered her head further, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her faded clothes.

Lin Wan noticed that there was not a shred of spiritual power fluctuation on the girl; she was a pure Mortal.

In the Qingyun Sect, Utility Disciples were also divided into those with Spiritual Roots and those without. Those with Spiritual Roots could still barely Cultivate while doing chores, hoping to one day break through to the first level of the Qi Refinement Stage and become an Outer Sect Disciple. But those without Spiritual Roots were truly just Utility Disciples, doing the hardest and most tiring work, receiving the most meager pay, barely making ends meet, and being sent down the mountain after their youth was exhausted.

This girl clearly belonged to the latter. Moreover, she seemed to be in urgent need of money; although the Hemostatic Herbs were of average quality, the price was marked slightly lower than the market price, yet they still received no interest.

Lin Wan walked over, squatted in front of the stall, and picked up an old book to flip through. It was a travelogue of the Mortal world, with no value. He picked up another one; it was a remnant of some basic medicinal herb atlas.

"Th-this... three copper coins, or... half a catty of coarse wheat flour, would do." The girl heard the movement and looked up, her voice small and timid.

She looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate features, but her complexion was pale due to malnutrition. Her eyes were large but lacked luster; at this moment, because of nervousness and anticipation, they were slightly widened, like a startled little deer.

[part:deepseek-chat]

Lin Wan sized her up. Her appearance was above average, and she had the advantage of being clean and young. More importantly, she seemed weak-willed and easy to control. A Utility Disciple girl with no Spiritual Root, at the bottom, isolated and helpless—for him, she was currently the most feasible and 'safest' target.

Instead of bargaining immediately, he pointed at the few hemostatic herb and two pieces of Ore: 'These, plus these books, I'll take them all. How much?'

The girl was stunned, as if she hadn't expected anyone to buy all this 'junk' in one go. She did a quick mental calculation, her voice even softer: 'The... the herbs, five of them, originally ten copper coins each... two pieces of Ore, twenty copper coins each... three books, nine copper coins... total... ninety-nine copper coins. If you, if you want them all, I can give them for ninety, no, eighty copper coins!' She seemed to muster her courage to offer a 'low price.'

One Low-Grade Spirit Stone, when exchanged at the Sect, was worth about one hundred twenty to one hundred fifty copper coins. After buying the Jade Sprout Rice, the gold and silver Lin Wan had left, exchanged into copper coins, only amounted to forty or fifty. But he didn't really want those things.

He shook his head and pulled out the Low-Grade Spirit Stone from his bosom—he had deliberately kept it and not spent it all. 'I don't have that many copper coins. Would this Low-Grade Spirit Stone be enough to trade for your things?'

The girl's eyes instantly widened, fixed on the Spirit Stone emitting a faint white glow, and her breathing quickened. A Low-Grade Spirit Stone! To her, it was an unimaginable fortune! Even if she sold herself, she might not be worth a single Low-Grade Spirit Stone!

'Enough! Enough! More than enough!' The girl nodded hurriedly, afraid Lin Wan would change his mind. Her hands trembling slightly, she took the Spirit Stone and clutched it tightly in her palm. The cold, hard touch felt unreal.

Lin Wan casually gathered the 'junk' into an old cloth bag but didn't leave immediately. Looking at the still excited and dazed girl, he softened his voice and asked, 'What's your name? Where are you from? Why are you setting up a stall here alone?'

Perhaps due to the impact of the Spirit Stone, or because Lin Wan didn't seem like those fierce Cultivators, the girl's guard lowered a bit. She said quietly, 'I... my name is Xiao Yun. I'm from Qingniu Town at the foot of the mountain. My Family suffered a disaster; my parents are gone, leaving only me and my younger brother. My brother is still young, so I have to earn money... to support him. In the Sect, I do some washing and mending, but the pay is too little... I heard I could sell things here, so...'

As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, but she quickly held it in and lowered her head.

Qingniu Town was one of the Mortal towns attached to the Qingyun Sect. Such a background was very common among Outer Sect Utility Disciples. Lin Wan felt more assured. With no attachments (except a young brother), no support, and struggling to survive, she was the easiest to 'convince.'

'Xiao Yun.' Lin Wan repeated her name in a gentle tone. 'These things aren't really worth a Spirit Stone. The extra I paid is because I see it's not easy for a girl like you.'

Xiao Yun jerked her head up, looking at him blankly and at a loss, not understanding what this 'Immortal Master' meant.

'I have a residence in the Outer Sect. It's simple but fairly quiet. I live alone and need someone to take care of daily chores, washing, and cooking.' Lin Wan looked into her eyes, his voice calm but with an undeniable tone. 'If you're willing, you can move in. I'll cover daily expenses. You can also bring your brother... as long as it doesn't interfere with my Cultivation. In addition, I'll give you... thirty copper coins a month. How about it?'

Thirty copper coins was insignificant to a Cultivator, but for a Mortal Utility Disciple like Xiao Yun, it was two or three times her previous hard-earned income, plus room and board, and even solving her brother's survival issues. The terms were so generous they were almost eerie.

Xiao Yun wasn't stupid. Her body trembled slightly, and her Face turned paler. What it meant for a male Cultivator to ask a young female Utility Disciple to move in with him, she vaguely understood. In the Sect, it wasn't unheard of for female Utility Disciples to make similar choices to cling to Cultivators or simply to survive. But she never thought it would happen to her.

She opened her mouth to refuse. But thinking of the heavy Spirit Stone in her bosom, her hungry brother at home, the hardship of washing and mending until her hands were swollen and red for just a few coppers, and the malicious glances... the words of refusal just wouldn't come out.

Survive. Let my brother survive.

This simple thought overwhelmed all shame and fear.

She lowered her head, her long eyelashes trembling, her voice as faint as a mosquito's: '...I... I'm willing. Th-thank you, Immortal Master, for taking me in.'

It's done.

Lin Wan's heart settled, and a gentle smile appeared on his Face. 'No need to call me Immortal Master. My name is Lin Wan. From now on, just call me Big Brother Lin. Let's go. I'll take you back to see the place first.'

And so, with a Low-Grade Spirit Stone and an 'indentured servant' contract, Lin Wan brought back his first candidate for 'Dao Companion.'

He knew this method wasn't exactly honorable, even taking advantage of someone's desperation. But in the precarious world of Immortal cultivation, when he could barely protect himself, morality was a luxury. He had to ensure his own survival first, then use the System to grow stronger.

As for Xiao Yun, following him would at least guarantee her food and clothing in the short term, with basic safety, which was much better than struggling to survive on her own.

Perhaps this was also a twisted form of 'each taking what they need.'

Back at the shabby house, Xiao Yun saw the simplicity inside. She bit her lip slightly but said nothing, silently starting to tidy up. Lin Wan handed her the Jade Sprout Rice and dried food he had bought, then sat cross-legged on the bed, beginning to circulate the faint airflow according to the Yin-Yang Harmony Guidance Technique in his mind.

As the Cultivation Technique operated, the spiritual power of the third layer of Qi Refining in his Dantian flowed slowly along specific Meridian paths. Unlike the neutral and gentle Qi Refining Technique taught by the Qingyun Sect, the Yin-Yang Harmony Guidance Technique focused more on harmonizing Qi and blood, stimulating the Origin. After several cycles, Lin Wan felt much better mentally, and his cultivation was completely stabilized at the third layer of Qi Refining.

In the following days, Lin Wan's life entered a brief period of calm.

Xiao Yun was very diligent. She kept the small, worn-out house neat and tidy. The Jade Sprout Rice she cooked daily was simple, but it was the most stable meal Lin Wan had had since his Transmigration. She always kept her head down, doing her work quietly, and only showed a faint smile when facing her brother.

Her brother was called Xiao Hu, about seven or eight years old, thin and sallow, but with bright eyes. After being brought over, Xiao Yun used the money Lin Wan gave her to buy some meat to nourish him, and the child's complexion quickly improved.

Lin Wan wasn't in a hurry. He knew some things needed to take their natural course. Every day, besides regularly Cultivating the Yin-Yang Harmony Guidance Technique, he occasionally practiced the Qingyun Sect's basic Qi Refining Technique as a cover. Most of the time, he wandered around the Outer Sect market, Task Hall, and other places to familiarize himself with the environment and look for opportunities.

After his cultivation rose to the third layer of Qi Refining, his authority to accept Sect tasks also increased accordingly. Some tasks with higher rewards but requiring certain strength were now available to him.

That day, at the Task Hall, Lin Wan saw a familiar figure.

Zhao Hu, an Outer Sect Disciple who entered the Sect at the same time as him, at the fourth layer of Qi Refining. This man was burly, arrogant, and relied on a distant uncle who was a Deacon in the Inner Sect to bully others in the Outer Sect. His predecessor had suffered a lot from him.

At the moment, Zhao Hu and a few followers were surrounding a girl in coarse cloth clothes, who was bowing her head and crying.

'What are you crying for! Your father owes our Boss Spirit Stones, and there's a written contract! If he can't pay now, taking you as payment is only natural!' A follower shoved the girl roughly, speaking viciously.

The girl was about seventeen or eighteen, with simple hairpins and cloth clothes, but she had a slender figure and was crying pitifully, quite attractive. Her father seemed to be a collateral member of a small Family attached to the Sect, who had gambled and owed high-interest loans to an Inner Sect Disciple behind Zhao Hu, and now they were pressing for payment.

'I... I'll work to pay off the debt... please, give me some more time...' The girl's voice was choked with despair.

'Work? You? The money you earn isn't even enough for the interest!' Zhao Hu sneered, reaching out to pinch the girl's chin. 'If you go with Senior Brother Zhou, you'll eat and drink well. Isn't that better than now? Don't be ungrateful!'

Some Disciples around were watching, looking sympathetic but not daring to step forward. Zhao Hu had the backing of an Inner Sect Disciple and was himself at the fourth layer of Qi Refining, not someone the low-level ones could afford to provoke.

Lin Wan's heart stirred.

Another person in dire straits. And this girl seemed more attractive than Xiao Yun, and there seemed to be a trace of very faint Spiritual Root fluctuation? Though mixed, it was better than nothing.

He hadn't wanted to cause trouble, but seeing Zhao Hu's arrogant Face and the desperate girl, a thought couldn't be suppressed.

The System's judgment was 'marry and have children.' Would the target's Aptitude affect the rewards? This girl might be more 'valuable' than Xiao Yun.

More importantly, he needed to make a Breakthrough quickly. His relationship with Xiao Yun hadn't progressed substantially, and he only had 70 fortune points left, not enough to support a rapid Breakthrough. He had to take the initiative to accelerate the 'more children, more blessings' process.

The risk was great. But the reward could also be great.

Just as Zhao Hu's hand was about to touch the girl's Face, Lin Wan took a deep breath, stepped out from the crowd, and said in a voice not loud but clear enough: 'Senior Brother Zhao, hold on.'

Everyone was startled, their eyes turning to Lin Wan. When they saw it was him, many showed surprise, then mockery.

This famous waste of the Outer Sect, what did he want? A hero saving a beauty? Did he even know his own limits?

Zhao Hu paused, turned to see Lin Wan, first froze, then burst into laughter as if hearing a huge joke: 'Who do I think it is, it's you, the waste! What, Lin Wan, you want to play the hero? With your mere first layer of Qi Refining cultivation?'

He emphasized 'first layer of Qi Refining,' drawing a burst of laughter from the surroundings.

Lin Wan remained calm. He had broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining but hadn't revealed it, so to others, he still appeared to be at the first layer. 'Senior Brother Zhao is joking. It's just that this girl is crying pitifully. Paying debts is only natural, but forcing someone to be a concubine seems to violate the Sect's precept of 'not bullying the weak,' doesn't it?'

'Precept?' Zhao Hu's smile vanished, his Face darkening. 'Who do you think you are, to mention the Sect's precepts to me? Her father voluntarily signed the contract, in black and white. Even if we take it to the Deacon Hall, we're in the right! As for you, provoking me for no reason, do you want a taste of my fist?'

He clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking. The Spiritual Pressure of the fourth layer of Qi Refining spread faintly, making the lower-cultivation Disciples around feel suffocated.

The girl also stopped crying, looking in shock at this unfamiliar Disciple who had suddenly stepped forward and seemed to have even lower cultivation than her. The faint hope that had just risen in her eyes quickly faded.

Lin Wan, however, acted as if he didn't feel the Spiritual Pressure and said calmly, 'Senior Brother Zhao, please calm down. I'm not trying to provoke you. I just wanted to say that I might be able to think of a way to handle this girl's debt.'

'You?' Zhao Hu seemed to find it even funnier, looking Lin Wan up and down at his faded old Dao robe with contempt. 'You? Everyone in the Outer Sect knows you're dirt poor, living on the Sect's charity. What way could you have? Sell that broken house of yours? How much would that be worth?'

Another round of laughter from the crowd.

Ignoring the mockery, Lin Wan said slowly, 'I don't have much money. But a few days ago, I happened to help an Inner Sect Senior Brother with a small matter, and he rewarded me with a few Spirit Stones. How much does this girl owe? Maybe I can advance part of it, and let her work to pay off the rest slowly.'

'Inner Sect Senior Brother?' Zhao Hu's eyes flickered with suspicion. Could this waste Lin Wan have connections with an Inner Sect Disciple? But his expression didn't seem fake, and a few Spirit Stones... though not many, if true, it was worth considering. Forcibly taking a woman was not honorable, and getting Spirit Stones would be a good account to give to Senior Brother Zhou. As for how this waste would repay, that was none of his business.

'Her father owes a total of twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones, including interest!' Zhao Hu named a figure. It was clearly a usurious amount; the principal probably wasn't even five.

Twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones! For an ordinary Outer Sect Disciple, it was a considerable sum. The onlookers gasped. The girl's Face turned deathly pale.

Lin Wan frowned slightly too. His entire wealth, including the nine Spirit Stones he had hidden, wasn't enough. But he had already calculated. His Face showed just the right amount of difficulty, then he gritted his teeth as if making a decision. 'Twenty... I can't produce that much right now. But I have ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones here that I can give to Senior Brother Zhao first. For the remaining ten, I'll write an IOU and pay it off within three months. How about that? As for this girl, let her temporarily... work for me to repay the debt, rather than being forced to be a concubine.'

As he spoke, he took out a small cloth bag from his bosom (actually from the System's storage corner) and poured out ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones. The Spirit Stones glimmered faintly in the sunlight; though not many, they were genuine.

Zhao Hu's eyes lit up. He grabbed the Spirit Stones, weighed them, and his expression shifted. Ten Spirit Stones, though not the full amount, was still an unexpected windfall. The key was that this waste Lin Wan actually had Spirit Stones? Had he really stumbled into luck and latched onto some Inner Sect Disciple? That made Zhao Hu a bit cautious.

As for the remaining ten, three months? If the waste couldn't pay by then, he could deal with him later. He had the IOU anyway. And letting this woman follow Lin Wan to 'work' was no different from selling her to him. In three months, maybe...

With that thought, Zhao Hu snorted coldly: 'Fine, for the sake of being fellow Disciples, I'll give you Face. Ten Spirit Stones, plus your IOU. In three months, I'll come for the remaining ten, not a single coin less! Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!'

He gave Lin Wan a fierce glare, then cast a greedy glance at the girl before leaving with his followers.

Seeing that the excitement was over, the onlookers gradually dispersed, but their looks at Lin Wan carried more scrutiny and mockery. Spending ten Spirit Stones and an empty promise to help a stranger? Had Lin Wan lost his mind? Or had he really taken a fancy to the girl's looks?

Lin Wan ignored the stares. He walked up to the still-shaken girl and said gently, 'Miss, it's all right. What's your name?'

The girl looked at him, her eyes complex—gratitude, doubt, and deep fear. She bowed gracefully, her voice still choked with sobs: 'This humble girl is Liu Ruyan. Thank you, Senior Brother Lin, for saving my life. But... the remaining ten Spirit Stones, and the ten before...'

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

"Miss Liu, no need for such formalities. Let's leave this place first." Lin Wan interrupted her, glancing at the crowd that had not yet dispersed.

Liu Ruyan nodded and followed silently behind Lin Wan. One after the other, they left the Task Hall area and walked towards a secluded part of the Outer Sect.

On the way, Lin Wan introduced himself briefly and also learned about Liu Ruyan's situation. Just as he had expected, the Liu Family was merely a remote branch of a small cultivation Family. Her father was a Mortal who had fallen into the vice of gambling; after incurring massive debts, he disappeared without a trace, leaving her, a daughter with the weak Aptitude of a Four Spiritual Root (Metal, Wood, Water, Earth; lacking Fire), to Face the creditors alone. That meager Aptitude made her barely stronger than a Mortal, and she was not valued within the Family, leaving her completely unable to repay the debt.

"Senior Brother Lin, your great kindness is something Ruyan will never forget. However, those Spirit Stones... I am truly unable to repay them. I can only work as a beast of burden to repay you, Senior Brother." As Liu Ruyan spoke, she moved to bow again, but was supported by Lin Wan.

"Miss Liu, you speak too seriously. I am not helping you without any demands." Lin Wan looked at her, no longer hiding his intentions, and spoke directly: "I live alone and lack someone to take care of me. Perhaps you don't know Miss Xiao Yun; she is also a person of bitter fate and is currently helping me manage my daily life. If you are willing, you can live there too. Firstly, it will help you avoid the entanglement of Zhao Hu and the others, and secondly, it will provide you with a place to stay. As for the debt, we can talk about it later."

Liu Ruyan's body trembled slightly. She raised her head, and a flash of realization crossed her beautiful eyes, only to be replaced by deeper helplessness and resignation. From the moment Lin Wan stood up to help her out of the predicament and suggested that she "work to pay off the debt," she had vaguely guessed it. There is no free lunch in the world, especially for a male Cultivator who is a chance acquaintance and barely able to protect himself.

Compared to being captured by Zhao Hu to be offered as a concubine to that Inner Sect Disciple Senior Brother Zhou, who was said to be violent by nature, this seemingly gentle, low-cultivation, yet somewhat mysterious Senior Brother Lin before her was perhaps... a better choice? At the very least, he was willing to take out ten Spirit Stones first and had given a three-month buffer period.

"Ruyan... will follow Senior Brother's arrangements." She lowered her head, her voice barely audible, and a blush spread to her earlobes.

Lin Wan breathed a sigh of relief.

Very good, the second target had also been initially achieved.

When he brought Liu Ruyan back to the small hut, Xiao Yun, who was hanging clothes outside, froze, and the wooden basin in her hands fell to the ground with a "clatter." She looked at Lin Wan, then at Liu Ruyan behind him, whose appearance and figure were clearly superior to her own, and whose temperament was even more outstanding. Her Face turned pale instantly, her lips moved, but she said nothing. She only lowered her head and silently picked up the wooden basin, her fingers gripping it so hard they turned white.

A trace of apology flashed through Lin Wan's heart, but it was quickly suppressed by his hardened heart. This was the path he chose; tenderness and devotion were luxuries. He had to accumulate "capital" as quickly as possible.

"Xiao Yun, this is Miss Liu Ruyan. She will live here from now on. Help her tidy up, and you two will work together in the future." Lin Wan ordered in a flat tone, as if he had just taken in an ordinary Utility Disciple.

Xiao Yun replied in a low voice: "Yes, Big Brother Lin." She did not dare to look at Liu Ruyan and turned to enter the house.

Liu Ruyan was very intelligent. Seeing Xiao Yun's reaction and this simple hut, she understood the nature of Lin Wan's "care" even more clearly. But since things had come to this, she had no other choice. She could only say softly to Xiao Yun's back: "I will have to trouble you, sister."

The small, dilapidated hut seemed even more crowded with the addition of one more person, and the atmosphere became subtly stagnant.

Lin Wan seemed unaware. He walked to the inner room, sat cross-legged, and sank his consciousness into the System.

[Host has successfully rescued and settled a potential marriage candidate: Liu Ruyan (weak Spiritual Root). Obtained fortune points: 50.]

As expected! The reward for a target with a Spiritual Root is higher than for Xiao Yun (the previous contact did not trigger a reward; it seems "confirming the relationship" or "factual possession" is required?)! Lin Wan's spirits lifted. It seems the quality of the target directly affects the returns. Moreover, this was a "rescue" act, which might have also added extra evaluation.

He looked at his current fortune points: he had 70 left, plus these 50, making it 120. Increasing from Qi Refining Stage Level 3 to Level 4 requires 30 points. Without hesitation, he silently chanted in his heart: "System, increase cultivation to Qi Refining Stage Level 4!"

[Consumed 30 fortune points, cultivation increased to Qi Refining Stage Level 4.]

The familiar warm current surged again, more noticeably than last time. The Qi vortex within his Dantian had grown larger and more solid, and his sensing of the external Spiritual Qi had become a bit clearer. Although he was still a low-level Cultivator, Level 4 of the Qi Refining Stage was no longer at the bottom of the Outer Sect, and he had preliminary self-preservation power.

The comfort of the cultivation increase had not yet faded when the System notification sounded again:

[Detected that the Host has two potential marriage candidates and they are in the same stable residence. Triggered the prototype of a small Family. Obtained additional rewards: fortune points × 20. Low-Grade Spirit Stone × 5.]

[Unlocked the function to prompt the probability of offspring conception (requires formal establishment of a relationship).]

[Issued beginner guidance task: Branching and Spreading (I). Task requirement: Within one year, successfully make at least one marriage candidate pregnant. Task reward: fortune points × 500, special reward: one chance to slightly improve the offspring's Innate Aptitude. Failure penalty: Randomly deprive one acquired System ability.]

Lin Wan's heart tightened.

A task! And there's a penalty! Furthermore, the failure penalty is quite severe. But at the same time, the rewards are extremely generous! 500 fortune points! Enough for him to increase his cultivation by several levels in a row! And that "chance to slightly improve the offspring's Innate Aptitude," although he didn't know the specific effect, it sounded very useful.

The pressure suddenly increased. But it also made him completely determined to walk this path.

Within a year, make at least one person pregnant... the time is not generous. It seems he cannot slowly Cultivate feelings; he must "establish a relationship" as soon as possible.

He looked at the outer room. Xiao Yun and Liu Ruyan had finished tidying up briefly and were sitting at the simple table, whispering something. The atmosphere was a bit dull, but at least there was no conflict. Xiao Yun's younger brother was hiding in the corner, looking curiously and timidly at the new pretty sister.

Lin Wan walked out. The two women immediately stopped talking and looked at him. Xiao Yun was still lowering her head, while Liu Ruyan's gaze flickered slightly.

"There are some things I need to make clear to you." Lin Wan's voice broke the silence. He did not beat around the bush and said directly: "I am helping you and keeping you here not purely out of kindness. The Cultivation Technique I practice... is a bit special and requires the assistance of a Dao Companion."

He paused, seeing blushes appear on both women's Faces simultaneously; Liu Ruyan's neck even turned red.

The term "Dao Companion" can have a broad meaning in the cultivation world, but spoken from Lin Wan's mouth, combined with the current situation, the meaning could not be more obvious.

"I have no intention of forcing you." Lin Wan continued, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable implication: "The choice is yours. If you are willing to stay and become my Dao Companion, I will naturally do my best to protect you, provide cultivation resources, and let you have a stable place in this cruel cultivation world. If you are unwilling, I will not force you to stay. The previous Spirit Stones and help will be considered a good connection; you may leave on your own."

After he finished speaking, the small hut fell into a dead silence. Only the faint breathing of the little boy in the corner could be heard.

Leave on their own? Where could they go? Xiao Yun thought of the menacing Zhao Hu and her little brother at the foot of the mountain who was helpless and might starve to death. Liu Ruyan thought of that terrible debt, the ruthlessness of her Family, and the fate of being sent into the tiger's den...

Stay? It meant yielding to this man whom she had not known for long, whose cultivation was not high, and who even seemed a bit like a stranger, sharing a husband, and potentially bearing his children in the future...

There was no third path.

Xiao Yun raised her head, her eyes slightly red. She looked at Lin Wan, then at Liu Ruyan, whose expression was also changing beside her. Finally, she nodded extremely slightly, her voice trembling: "I... I am willing to stay. Big Brother Lin is a good person... he saved my brother..." Her words were a bit incoherent, but the meaning was clear.

Liu Ruyan closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling. When she opened them again, her eyes were filled with a resigned calm, mixed with a hint of determination to go all out. Compared to being treated as merchandise and sent to that Senior Brother Zhou, the man before her at least did not seem so terrifying, and he had given them a choice (even if this choice was so cruel). He mentioned "cultivation resources," which had a fatal attraction for her, who had a weak Spiritual Root but had never truly come into contact with the cultivation world. Even if it was just a tiny bit of hope.

"Ruyan... is also willing. Thank you, Senior Brother, for taking me in." She rose and offered a graceful bow to Lin Wan; her posture was more composed than Xiao Yun's, yet it also revealed a sense of sorrow.

[Established a stable relationship with potential marriage candidates. Target one: Xiao Yun (Mortal). Obtained fortune points: 30. Target two: Liu Ruyan (weak Spiritual Root). Obtained fortune points: 100.]

[Family members +2. Obtained Family scale reward: fortune points × 50. Low-Grade Spirit Stone × 10.]

A series of System notifications made Lin Wan overjoyed. As expected, once the relationship was clarified, the rewards arrived immediately! Moreover, because Liu Ruyan possessed a Spiritual Root, the reward far exceeded that of Xiao Yun. With this, another 180 fortune points and 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones were credited! Added to his previous balance, his current fortune points had reached a staggering 300! The Spirit Stones also returned to 15 (deducting the 10 given to Zhao Hu and adding the System rewards).

Cultivation increase! Lin Wan immediately communicated with the System again.

[Consumed 50 fortune points, cultivation increased to Qi Refining Stage Level 5!]

[Consumed 100 fortune points, cultivation increased to Qi Refining Stage Level 6!]

Boom! A surging heat flow, like floodwaters released from a dam, galloped through his Meridians. Lin Wan's body emitted a slight crackling sound; his bones seemed to hum, his muscles bulged and then relaxed, and some grayish-black Impurities oozed from the surface of his skin, emitting a faint fishy smell. The Qi vortex within his Dantian expanded and solidified rapidly, transforming from the original weak airflow into a slowly rotating, misty Qi mass emitting a faint white light!

Qi Refining Stage Level 6! In just a short moment, continuous Breakthroughs! From Level 4 of the Qi Refining Stage, he soared all the way to Level 6! Crossing two small Realms! In the Outer Sect, this was a leap from the lower-middle tier to the middle or even upper-middle tier! One must know that for many Outer Sect Disciples, going from Level 4 to Level 6, even for those with good talent, requires several years of hard work!

Lin Wan forcibly suppressed the urge to look up and roar, feeling an unprecedented sense of power within his body. His five senses became more acute; he could even hear the sound of small insects crawling in the grass several feet outside the hut. Spiritual power circulated in his body, and every movement seemed filled with strength.

This is the feeling of power! Lin Wan's heart was stirred.

The "More Children, More Fortune" System is truly incredibly powerful! This is just the beginning; just by establishing the relationship, he had such gains! If...

His gaze towards Xiao Yun and Liu Ruyan became even more scorching. That was not the gaze of looking at women, but more like looking at two human-shaped Immortal Plants and spiritual medicines that were growing sturdily.

The two women were also stunned by the change in Aura that Lin Wan suddenly erupted and then quickly retracted. Although their cultivation was low (Liu Ruyan hadn't even truly entered the Sect yet), they could also feel that in that very moment, the Aura of this "Big Brother Lin" / "Senior Brother Lin" had undergone a earth-shattering change! It had become deeper and more powerful! As if he had become a different person!

"Big Brother Lin, you..." Xiao Yun exclaimed, covering her mouth.

Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes shone with brilliance, and the trace of unwillingness and sorrow in her heart was replaced by immense shock and faint anticipation. This Senior Brother Lin is truly not simple! What kind of Cultivation Technique does he practice? How could he change his Aura in an instant? Could it be that he had been hiding his cultivation all along?

Lin Wan retracted his Aura and smiled slightly without explaining. The increase in strength was the best explanation and guarantee. He took out the 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones the System had just given him and distributed two to each of Xiao Yun and Liu Ruyan: "Keep these Spirit Stones well. Xiao Yun, go buy some better rice, grain, and meat, and add some bedding and clothing. Ruyan, your sensing of Spiritual Qi is slightly stronger; you can try to comprehend the basic chapter of this 'Yin-Yang Harmony Guidance Technique'; it will be beneficial for you. Also, these are some Medicinal Pills for strengthening the body; share them and take them."

He gave the basic Guidance Technique (the simplified version for Mortals given by the System) and the remaining Body-Strengthening and Foundation-Consolidating Pills (he exchanged for one more) to Liu Ruyan, and gave Xiao Yun some ordinary herbs for consolidating the foundation and nourishing the Origin. Since they were his "Dao Companions," he naturally had to invest appropriately to improve their Physique and loyalty.

The two women took the Spirit Stones and items, both feeling a bit bewildered. Especially Xiao Yun, who had never touched a Spirit Stone in her life. Liu Ruyan looked at the seemingly ordinary Cultivation Technique, her hands trembling slightly. This was her first time truly coming into contact with a method of cultivation! Even if it was just the most basic one, it allowed her to see the dawn of breaking free from the fate of a Mortal!

"Thank you, Big Brother Lin (Senior Brother)!" The two women bowed together; this time, there was a bit more sincere gratitude.

Lin Wan accepted it calmly. He walked outside the hut, looking at the distant, mist-shrouded main peak of the Qingyun Sect, his eyes deep.

Level 6 of the Qi Refining Stage is just the starting point. With the System and a direction, he, Lin Wan, will definitely carve out a piece of the sky in this Qingyun Sect and this cultivation world!

And the first step is to complete that "Branching and Spreading" task.

He turned back into the house and closed the creaking, dilapidated wooden door.

Inside the house, the lamplight was like a bean, reflecting the slender and slightly uneasy figures of the two women.

The path of cultivation is long and distant. And his, Lin Wan's path, from this dilapidated hut, from this night, officially began.

It's just that this path is destined to be completely different from the traditional immortal path of clearing the heart, reducing desires, and lonely seeking.

The night is still long.