The Spirit Qi that Zhou Kai had painstakingly gathered within his body suddenly dispersed. It was like a stone thrown into still water, creating ripples that quickly faded back into dead silence.

Pfft!

A mouthful of foul, clotted blood sprayed out, splattering onto the floorboards before him.

Qi Condensation fourth layer. Failed again.

Zhou Kai slumped on the meditation cushion, his face pale, traces of blood lingering at the corner of his mouth.

“Damn heavens!” he cursed inwardly. “A lousy Spirit Root is one thing, but to have a Dantian that can’t be repaired on top of it!”

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire—four attributes! It might sound decent, but they were all low-grade!

It was practically the “beggar among beggars” of cultivation aptitude!

He wasn’t from this world.

Thirty years ago, he had transmigrated here. He too had once fantasized about soaring on flying swords, moving mountains and filling seas, trampling geniuses underfoot, and embracing immortal maidens.

But reality had given him a resounding slap in the face.

A full thirty years!

He had lived by the creed that earning was inferior to seizing, even becoming a Bandit Cultivator, living a precarious life of daily struggle and mortal combat with others. Yet his cultivation remained stubbornly stuck at Qi Condensation third layer!

There was no other reason. It was entirely because his Dantian had been cracked during his time as a Bandit Cultivator.

Although Zhou Kai had managed to kill that person in a desperate counterattack, his Dantian could never fully recover. He had exhausted countless efforts and tried every method imaginable. His Dantian only recovered mostly, leaving him stuck at Qi Condensation third layer with no hope of advancement.

Every time he attempted a breakthrough, his Dantian would ache unbearably, and the Spirit Qi would scatter and flee.

“I’ve shamed all the transmigrator seniors.”

What Son of Destiny? What transmigrator benefits? All nonsense!

He was absolutely the most miserable one among them, without exception!

Disheartened and disillusioned, ten years ago, he chose to join his current Qi Condensation family—the Chen Family—as a Guest Elder with a bit of actual authority.

His goal was the relatively stable cultivation resources the Chen Family offered and that sliver of faint hope—perhaps, with the family’s help, he could repair his Dantian and break through this damned bottleneck?

Ten years had passed.

He hadn’t consumed few medicinal pills and had thoroughly studied the Chen Family’s basic cultivation techniques. Yet that threshold to Qi Condensation fourth layer remained as immovable as a chasm.

The only thing that could be considered “progress” was probably his mastery of mundane martial arts honed during his days as a Loose Cultivator, which had grown increasingly refined.

His Mana was useless, but his external martial arts skills became top-tier among the Chen Family’s Guest Elders. What kind of cultivation was this? It was pure irony!

Knock knock knock.

A knocking sound came from the door.

“Guest Elder Zhou, Fifth Elder requests your presence for a discussion,” came the voice of a young disciple from outside.

Fifth Elder Chen Heming?

Zhou Kai’s eyes flickered slightly. He wiped the blood from his mouth, straightened his slightly disheveled robes, and stood up to open the door.

What must come will come. The ten-year deadline is almost up.

…

In a side hall of the Chen Family residence, sandalwood incense wafted gently.

Seated in the main position was an elderly man with slightly graying hair and beard—Chen Family’s Fifth Elder Chen Heming, possessing late-stage Qi Condensation cultivation.

“Guest Elder Zhou, please sit,” Chen Heming said mildly, gesturing to a chair below him.

“Thank you, Fifth Elder,” Zhou Kai replied, taking his seat as instructed.

Chen Heming picked up his teacup, gently blowing on the floating tea leaves before setting his gaze on Zhou Kai. “Guest Elder Zhou has been with our Chen Family for nearly ten years now; just one or two more weeks will mark the full decade. I wonder what plans Guest Elder Zhou has for the future?”

When Zhou Kai joined the Chen Family as a Guest Elder ten years ago, there had been an agreement: if he couldn’t break through to mid-stage Qi Condensation within ten years, then the Chen Family would bestow upon him a Concubine bearing the Chen surname to help expand the family lineage.

This situation wasn’t uncommon among cultivation families.

Many cultivators whose cultivation had stalled or whose aptitude was as poor as Zhou Kai’s would make this choice.

Families were also happy to arrange for female relatives without Spirit Roots or with extremely poor aptitude to be paired with cultivators who possessed cultivation bases—even if only at Qi Condensation first layer—in hopes of luckily producing one or two descendants with Spirit Roots to strengthen the family bloodline.

The last bit of sharpness in Zhou Kai’s heart seemed completely extinguished by this latest failure.

A low-grade Spirit Root wasn’t absolutely impossible for Foundation Establishment, but what kind of heaven-defying opportunities or massive resources would that require?

For a cultivator like him with a low-grade Spirit Root who now struggled even to reach mid-stage Qi Condensation, how could he talk about Foundation Establishment?

Perhaps accepting reality, settling down comfortably here for a carefree and pleasurable life was the most practical destination for someone with his “beggar among beggars” aptitude?

At least it was better than the precarious life of a Loose Cultivator.

Thinking this, he bowed slightly, his tone sincere. “I am deeply grateful for Fifth Elder and the Chen Family’s care over these many years.”

“If the family does not find me wanting, Zhou Kai is willing to continue serving the Chen Family.”

A hint of satisfaction flashed imperceptibly in Chen Heming’s eyes. Guest Elders like Zhou Kai—not highly powerful but rich in combat experience—were still needed by the family.

“Good,” Chen Heming set down his teacup. “If you can stay, the family naturally welcomes it. Your Guest Elder benefits can remain as before.”

Having said that, Chen Heming stroked his beard. “There is a junior in our clan named Chen Ziyi. Although she lacks a Spirit Root, her character and appearance are acceptable.”

“She shall be given to you as your Concubine first. Once the ten-year agreement period is fully complete later on, you may choose some suitable ones yourself then; how does that sound?”

No Spirit Root?

Zhou Kai felt no ripple in his heart; those with Spirit Roots were at least reserved for mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators; it wouldn’t be his turn yet anyway.

“Many thanks, Fifth Elder, for your arrangement!” Zhou Kai stood up and performed a bow of gratitude.

Thus it was settled.

He didn’t make a big fuss about it; just spent some Spirit Stones to host a table at his own courtyard, inviting several friendly Chen family members and Guest Elders.

Consider it a celebration.

At the banquet table, cups clinked together amidst a lively atmosphere.

“Congratulations, Guest Elder Zhou! Now you’ll have someone to warm your bed!”

“Yeah, Brother Zhou, no need for daily bitter cultivation anymore!”

“Come, come, come, Zhou Kai, drink up!”

Zhou Kai refused none who offered drinks, downing every cup, his laughter hearty.

He laughed, joked, arm-wrestled, and boasted with everyone…

Since transmigrating here at age twenty, over thirty years had passed, earning him the Qi Condensation third layer plus one Mortal Concubine.

Pitiful within the cultivation world, yet still far better than being mere cattle back on Blue Star.

Late at night, the crowd dispersed. Zhou Kai staggered unsteadily back towards his room.

Inside the room, an extra lamp light plus a slightly nervous figure awaited.

Chen Ziyi had just turned nineteen. Her features were delicate, perhaps due to nervousness, her cheeks flushed rosy, eyes timid yet carrying a kind of resigned calmness and acceptance.

Seeing the drunken Zhou Kai enter, she hurried forward, movements somewhat stiff, assisting him for support.

“Master, let this concubine help you rest.”

“They bully people so much, endlessly forcing drinks.”

“Master, too, why not refuse any who come, accepting all?”

Her words held little resistance, clearly having long accepted the family arrangements already.

With the drunk effects hitting his head, Zhou Kai’s gaze blurred, and he suddenly grabbed Chen Ziyi’s wrist tightly.

Chen Ziyi gasped, instinctively trying to pull away, but was held firm by Zhou Kai’s grasp.

“From now on, you belong to me.”

The alcohol scent plus Zhou Kai’s own smell wafted into Chen Ziyi’s nostrils, and her body softened, yielding.

“Please… Master, be gentle…” Her voice was a thin, mosquito-like whisper.

What followed happened naturally, somewhat chaotic too, perhaps.

The bedroom candle flame flickered, swaying.

Passion subsided, clouds and rain ceased, the initial union ended.

Zhou Kai’s drunkenness slightly receded. Holding the lovely figure before him, a crisp sound directly exploding deep within his soul made him shudder and tremble violently!

【Ding!】 【Detected host’s first Deep Interaction with a Beauty, the Beauty Bonding System is officially activated!】 【Detected Beauty Chen Ziyi is Mortal, cannot obtain Bonding Points!】 【Newcomer Gift Package distributed, Chen Ziyi will provide Omni-Points before cultivating!】 【Beauty: Chen Ziyi (Mortal)】 【Spirit Root: None】 【Affection: 10 (Acquainted)】 【Provides Omni-Points: 1 point】

Zhou Kai: ???

“I knew it, transmigrating without a cheat? Am I supposed to use math and physics?”

Only visible to him, a pale blue personal panel abruptly appeared within his consciousness!

The panel was concise and clear:

【Zhou Kai (Dantian damaged)】 【Cultivation: Qi Condensation third layer (299/300)】 【Vitality: Meridian Opening first layer (86/100)】 【Spirit Root: Metal (Low-grade 12/100), Wood (Low-grade 25/100), Water (Low-grade 17/100), Fire (Low-grade 23/100)】 【Cultivation Arts: None】 【Beauty: Chen Ziyi】 【Available Omni-Points: 1】 【Beauty Bonding System: Interact with Beauties can obtain Bonding Points based on interaction frequency and Affection level. Bonding Points can not only improve host but also be used to improve Beauties themselves.】

Golden finger arriving thirty years late?!

Zhou Kai’s breathing instantly turned rapid, his heart pounding like a war drum wildly!

He abruptly sat upright, startling the trembling Chen Ziyi beside him, her body jolting in fear and confusion.

Zhou Kai currently couldn’t spare attention for her, though, his entire mind captivated by the suddenly appearing 【Beauty Bonding System】!

Dual Cultivation with Beauties… obtain Bonding Points… improve cultivation, Spirit Root, Vitality, Arts… can even allocate points to Beauties?!

Just earlier with Chen Ziyi… obtained 1 point?

“System! Use 1 Bonding Point to improve cultivation!” Zhou Kai silently commanded in his mind.

【Ding! Consume 1 Bonding Point, cultivation can breakthrough!】

“Breakthrough!”

Weak yet extremely pure energy appeared out of thin air within his Dantian place!

Crack!

The bottleneck plaguing him over a decade, at this moment, shattered in response to the sound!

Qi Condensation fourth layer! Success!

“Haha… hahahaha!”

He couldn’t help a low laughter start, merely snickering, soon growing louder and louder, uncontrollable joy relief for decades of pent-up frustration released!

Beside him, Chen Ziyi was frightened, trembling by such behavior, unsure why her man suddenly acted so strangely abnormal, ecstatic, almost manic?

“Master? You…”

Zhou Kai’s gaze involuntarily fell back upon the nearby slightly trembling delicate figure beside him, the warmth and softness a reminder of the source of his newfound hope and power system activation trigger point…

“Ziyi, you are my lucky star!”

“Don’t be afraid, follow me, we’ll live a good life!”

“As for now…”

Zhou Kai’s eyes were burning, passionate and intense…

His gaze fell upon her again with renewed vigor, purpose, direction, path forward finally clear after thirty long years wandering in darkness and despair, now the light of dawn, a golden opportunity to grasp, seize destiny, change fate, rewrite the story, begin a anew chapter of life, cultivation journey truly starting now!