Chapter 1: Immortal Sect Son-in-Law, Strengthening Offspring
"The Taixuan Sect examination ends here! All disciples who passed the test may follow me back to the sect!"
At the mountain gate of Taixuan Sect in Jing Kingdom, the examination elder spoke indifferently, casting a spell to summon a massive flying boat treasure that hovered in midair.
A young man watched enviously as people around him boarded the flying boat one after another, swiftly soaring away with the elder, a pang of dejection stirring in his heart.
This young man was Qin Changqing. He had just been ruthlessly eliminated from the immortal sect's examination due to his abysmal aptitude.
"What a disgrace. I've shamed all my fellow transmigrators."
A month ago, Qin Changqing had transmigrated to this world, only to discover it was the legendary realm of immortal cultivation. He had arrived just in time for Taixuan Sect—one of Jing Kingdom's top ten cultivation sects—to recruit disciples, so he hurried over without delay.
He'd figured as a transmigrator, the chosen son of heaven, joining a sect would be a breeze. But while he did possess cultivation aptitude, it was merely an inferior spiritual root, far below Taixuan Sect's standards.
"Taixuan Sect's requirements are too steep—at least a medium spiritual root. Why not try a cultivation family instead?"
"Joining a cultivation family means you're not your own man anymore. Let's be real: you'd be a live-in son-in-law, popping out kids for their bloodline. That's an insult to a man like me!"
"If it means cultivating immortality, what's a little humiliation? Think of it this way—it's just having a kid. We lose nothing, and those families treat you well: spiritual veins for training, cultivation techniques provided. Grit your teeth, work hard, and you might rise one day..."
The chatter from the other rejects caught Qin Changqing's ear.
Cultivation families? Live-in son-in-law?
Qin Changqing's eyes gradually lit up. With his spiritual root, he refused to resign himself to mortality. If there was any shot at immortality, he'd take it!
Son-in-law it was, then!
And it wasn't all bad, either. No dowry needed, and he could marry multiple wives—pure bliss.
The dream he'd never fulfilled in his past life was coming true here!
Decision made, Qin Changqing headed straight for the gathering grounds of the cultivation families.
On a vast platform at the side peak, numerous cultivation families had set up, each marked by glowing spiritual talismans.
After careful observation, Qin Changqing made for the one emblazoned with the character for "Qin."
After testing him, the Qin family's reception steward, Qin Wenbo, said flatly, "Since you've chosen to join the Qin family, you'll be one of our cultivators from now on. We'll provide a spiritual vein training ground and cultivation techniques. In return, you must sire heirs for the Qin family—at least ten children. If any descendants test positive for spiritual root aptitude, the family will reward you!"
Qin Changqing nodded. He'd prepared himself mentally for this and had no objections.
Sunset fell, and the massive dharma clock before Taixuan Sect tolled, signaling the end of examinations. The families on the platform withdrew their talismans and departed with their recruits.
Qin Wenbo led his dozen or so new guest cultivators away on a dharma tool, vanishing into the sky.
Xianyang Mountain, Qin family estate.
Qin Changqing and the other new initiates sat in the main hall.
Soon, Qin Wenbo returned, escorting dozens of young women. "You may each select one as your principal wife."
"Jia Qiang, this is your wife, Qin Rongrong. She possesses an inferior spiritual root—don't disappoint the Qin family!"
Qin Wenbo singled out a flirtatiously beautiful woman and pointed her toward one man.
The young man beamed with delight and smug pride, nodding vigorously. "Rest assured, steward! I'll give it my all!"
Envy rippled through the crowd—Qin Changqing included.
Who wouldn't want a wife with spiritual root aptitude?
The odds of producing spiritually gifted offspring shot up if one parent had a spiritual root, and skyrocketed if both did.
Jia Qiang was the only recruit with a medium spiritual root, which was why the Qin family valued him so highly, pairing him with a spiritually gifted woman.
Next came selections for the rest. Unfamiliar with the women, Qin Changqing went by looks alone, choosing a gentle and demure beauty named Qin Weiwei.
That very evening, the Qin family lit lanterns and tied ribbons, hosting a grand wedding for the group all at once. Laughter and congratulations filled the air.
Deep into the night, Qin Changqing stumbled back, thoroughly drunk.
There sat Qin Weiwei at the bed's edge, hands neatly folded, waiting quietly.
His drunken haze cleared in an instant... He hadn't expected to marry such a lovely bride right away. In his past life, he'd died a bachelor.
Qin Changqing lifted her red veil with a grin. "Wife, it's late."
Qin Weiwei bit her lip softly and murmured her assent.
The candle flickered out. Soon, muffled cries of pain echoed in the room, the spring night worth a thousand gold.
Half an hour later, Qin Changqing froze mid-motion in the darkness, eyes bulging wide.
A mechanical prompt blared in his mind.
Descendant Strengthening System
Host:Qin Changqing
Age:20
Aptitude:Inferior Spiritual Root
Current Lifespan:70 years
Detected: Host conceiving offspring. Partner: Mortal body.
Consume 10 years lifespan to strengthen seed → Produce offspring with Superior Spiritual Root.
Qin Changqing's heart leaped with joy. He really was the chosen one—a system!
But as the details sank in, his face darkened.
"Damn it, what's the point if it only strengthens the seed?!"
"And it costs my own lifespan? This is a scam!"
He tried to refuse, but there was no reject option?!
Lifespan forcibly deducted for strengthening!
Qin Changqing nearly wept. Did this mean every time he slept with someone, it'd drain his life to buff the seed? He wanted to curse the heavens, already contemplating running away.
At this rate, immortality was a pipe dream—he'd die on the road to carrying on the bloodline long before.
"Husband, what's wrong?"
After the clouds and rain, the newly deflowered Qin Weiwei clung sweetly to his chest, cheeks flushed.
"Nothing." Qin Changqing's mind was a mess, but he soothed her softly. They drifted off to sleep.
Trepidation lingered the next morning during their lovemaking—no new prompt came. It seemed the system wouldn't activate once pregnancy took hold.
Thank goodness. He could still manage a few kids!
Half a month flew by. True to their word, the Qin family provided a cultivation technique, and Qin Changqing officially set foot on the path of immortality.
That day at lunch, Qin Weiwei suddenly felt queasy. Clutching her mouth, she rushed out and retched endlessly. Worried, Qin Changqing fetched a physician.
After a careful pulse diagnosis, the doctor grinned and bowed. "Congratulations, Brother Qin—your wife is with child!"
Though Qin Changqing had anticipated it, the news of impending fatherhood brought a flash of joy to his face.
Qin Weiwei beamed too—not just for the boost to her family status, but for the pure happiness of motherhood.