11: Chapter 11 The Married-Out Woman and the Extortion

"Just as you expected, my good son-in-law." Great Elder Qin Yuanshan looked slightly embarrassed.

"This woman is named Qin Mei. She is quite good-looking and is at Qi Refining Level 4. She currently has a seven-year-old daughter. Her condition is that the wedding ceremony and dowry can be waived, but she must bring her child when she marries."

After Great Elder Qin Yuanshan explained, he slowly produced a portrait of the woman.

"I see! That is acceptable."

Chen Fan glanced at the portrait, his heart filled with great joy, and he nodded repeatedly.

That was a female cultivator with a Three-Spiritual Root; the offspring they produced would surely have good Spiritual Root Aptitude.

"Since you agree, I will have her sent over as soon as possible." Great Elder Qin Yuanshan was all smiles.

"Grand Elder, since I am marrying, could I marry another one while I am at it? Are there any female cultivators with Four-Spiritual Roots who are willing?"

Upon hearing this, Great Elder Qin Yuanshan had a strange expression and almost spat out the Spirit Tea he was drinking.

As an Alchemist cultivated by the Family, Chen Fan's main task was to refine Medicinal Pills; as for bearing offspring, that was not important.

Besides, he was only at Qi Refining Level 2. To marry two female cultivators with Spiritual Roots at once—could he even handle that? It was simply absurd.

Thinking of this, he said slowly, "There is no rush for this. Once you reach Qi Refining Level 3 or 4, the Family will arrange it for you. It will also be easier to persuade those female cultivators with good Aptitude then."

After hearing this, Chen Fan did not say anything more, understanding that the Grand Elder was doing this for his own good.

Watching him leave, Great Elder Qin Yuanshan shook his head slightly, unconsciously thinking, "With such high talent in the Dao of Alchemy, it would be a great pity if he does not exercise control over his desires for women."

He had already secretly made up his mind that he absolutely could not let Chen Fan be led astray by feminine beauty.

Five days later, Great Elder Qin Yuanshan sent someone to bring the mother and daughter to Chen Fan's residence.

"Greetings, Alchemist Chen." Qin Mei bowed slightly, her face full of shyness.

Although she had given birth to a daughter, her figure was enchanting and graceful, especially her pair of Phoenix eyes, which were truly captivating.

More importantly, having experienced hardships, a look of determination appeared on her face, forming a sharp contrast with the Mortal wives.

"This woman has decent strength. If the resources for Cultivation can keep up in the future, she could indeed become a virtuous wife."

The girl standing behind her was well-behaved and cute, with clear eyes. She looked at Chen Fan curiously and said timidly, "My name is Zhao Ling'er. Greetings, Uncle Chen."

"Madam, there is no need to be so polite. From now on, we are a Family. Your daughter is my daughter." Chen Fan had a warm expression as he stepped forward and slowly helped her up.

"Mm."

Qin Mei was very satisfied. She had not expected him to be so young, and more importantly, he was willing to provide for the daughter she brought with her.

She immediately instructed her daughter behind her, "From now on, you cannot call him Uncle Chen; you must call him Father. And from now on, you shall be called Chen Ling'er."

After all, the Family did not have any special requirements for children brought back by married-out daughters.

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan's expression became a bit strange, and he felt a mix of laughter and tears.

The evening banquet was extremely sumptuous, with the table filled with various Spirit Rice, Spirit Vegetables, Spirit Fruits, and meat from Yao Beasts.

Although Qin Mei was at Qi Refining Level 4, she was usually short of funds and rarely ate such things, so she could not help but be moved.

What was even more surprising was that she had not expected the several Mortal wives to also be able to enjoy these highly nourishing items.

Just from this small gesture, she felt that this step was the right one.

Since he was an Alchemist, he could earn money, and since his Realm was low, she and her daughter would definitely not suffer too much, nor would they have to endure too much bullying.

After the banquet ended, Chen Fan began to fulfill his duties as a Matrilocal son-in-law. Because he practiced the "Tyrant Body Technique," he was barely able to handle Qin Mei, who was at Qi Refining Level 4.

But after a long time, his waist would ache faintly.

"Sigh, my Realm is still too low." Chen Fan shook his head slightly.

The news of Chen Fan marrying a female cultivator at Qi Refining Level 4 quickly spread among the group of Matrilocal sons-in-law, like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating huge ripples.

After hearing this, Qin Shuangshuang felt a sense of loss and became increasingly annoyed when looking at Sun Xuan.

"Look at how Chen Fan's life is flourishing, and what about ours? It is practically living in deep water and scorching fire. You are truly useless."

"You..." Sun Xuan was enraged by shame, but he did not dare to make a move.

"Hmph, what a piece of trash." Qin Shuangshuang sneered coldly and violently threw the items on the table to the ground.

In the eyes of the group of Matrilocal sons-in-law, a female cultivator at Qi Refining Level 4 had impressive strength; that she could marry down like this showed that the Qin Family was focusing on cultivating Chen Fan.

For a time, there were many visitors, all wanting to establish a good relationship with him before his strength improved significantly.

On this day, Qin Chuan visited again.

"Congratulations, Alchemist Chen."

Qin Chuan had a warm expression and looked triumphant, having specifically brought some gifts with him.

"Please sit, Clan Brother." Chen Fan was extremely polite and hurriedly prepared tea.

He noticed that after not seeing him for a long time, the other party had successfully advanced to Qi Refining Level 5, and his strength had improved significantly.

After some pleasantries, Qin Chuan showed a bitter expression.

"Alchemist Chen, I have been busy with Cultivation during this period and have not come to visit you. Not long ago, while passing through Qingyang Market, I encountered a Magical Artifact I liked, but unfortunately..."

Qin Chuan stopped mid-sentence, his face full of regret.

"This person is really pushing his luck. He hasn't returned the Spirit Stones from last time, and now he wants to extort me again." Chen Fan felt increasingly disgusted in his heart.

It turned out that after Qin Chuan learned that Chen Fan had been promoted to an Elementary Alchemist and had received a reward of thirty Spirit Stones from the Family, he immediately had crooked intentions.

He was at Qi Refining Level 5; manipulating someone at Qi Refining Level 2 was as easy as pie. Besides, the other party had just become an Alchemist and did not have a very high status in the Alchemy Hall.

"I will not beat around the bush, Clan Brother. I currently just need thirty Spirit Stones. By the end of the year, I will definitely return them all."

"Return them by the end of the year?"

Chen Fan found it amusing; lending Spirit Stones to this person was no different from throwing meat buns at a dog—never to be seen again.

Although he was extremely angry, he did not refuse directly but slowly explained his difficulties.

"Clan Brother, my situation is a bit special right now. I have just married Qin Mei, so I am not very well-off."

"Qin Mei?" Qin Chuan frowned slightly, secretly surprised.

"Qin Mei is at Qi Refining Level 4. Her daily Cultivation requires a large amount of Spirit Stones and various Medicinal Pills, so I hope you can understand, Clan Brother."

"So that is how it is. Then let us borrow twenty. I will definitely return them in the future. Please rest assured, there will be interest." Qin Chuan, out of consideration for his clan sister, made a slight concession.

Seeing that the other party was unrelenting, Chen Fan had no choice but to take them out, but the killing intent in his heart grew much stronger.

Afterward, when Qin Mei heard about this, she was furious.

"I did not expect the Clan Brother to bully us like this; this is truly excessive." Having experienced the destruction of her husband's Family, Qin Mei completely understood the law of the jungle in the Cultivation world.

"Currently, my Realm is too low. I will first establish a firm foothold in the Alchemy Hall. That is all." Having lived two lives, Chen Fan was not in a hurry and understood the "survival" strategy well.

"Mm, Husband, you are right. If you can become a First-Rank Medium Grade Alchemist of the Family, I would like to see who would dare to bully us then."

As she said this, her expression darkened, and she handed over a Storage Pouch.

"Husband, inside are three Low Grade Magical Artifacts: a Low Grade Flying Sword, a Black Iron Shield, and a Fangtian Seal, plus five Talismans. I see that this person will not let this matter rest in the future, so we must be prepared for the worst."

Qin Mei's face revealed murderous intent. Although she did not spell it out, the meaning was very clear.

Having experienced the destruction of her husband's Family, her mindset had long since changed; what was killing a member of the same clan to her?

Besides, her good days had only just begun; whoever blocked her path would be killed.