I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Zi'an...go to sleep..."

The woman's soft moan, like a feather tickling the heart, lingered faintly in Zhao Zi'an's ears.

Zhao Zian's consciousness suddenly cleared for a moment.

wrong.

This dream is far too real!

He was entangled with a woman on the bed, their breaths warm.

The woman was none other than his sister-in-law, Li Suqin, who had been widowed for three years.

Speaking of Li Suqin, she was once a beauty praised by everyone in Liuxi Town.

She had a delicate oval face and a pair of almond-shaped eyes that were full of affection.

It's a pity that such a beautiful woman had such a tragic fate.

She married her elder brother Zhao Boyan less than a year before he was seriously wounded while guarding the border. He was wounded for two years before finally passing away.

The once-grand Zhao family was now reduced to just him, a frail and repeatedly failed scholar, and his young and beautiful widowed sister-in-law.

When her elder brother was alive, Li Suqin served him medicine without complaint. Who wouldn't praise her for being virtuous?

But the elder brother had a regret in his heart.

He was the eldest son of the Zhao family. Seeing that his younger brother was neither good at literature nor martial arts, he feared that the Zhao family line would end with his generation.

On his deathbed, Zhao Boyan summoned Li Suqin to his side.

"Suqin, it's me... I've wronged you. The Zhao family cannot be without an heir. You... you and Zian should leave behind a bloodline, then I can rest in peace..."

Not long after her brother's burial, Li Suqin used the pension left by her husband to prepare a feast, and added some calming herbs to Zhao Zian's cup.

After he fell into a deep sleep from his drunkenness, she tearfully took off her clothes and went into his bedroom.

……

After the lovemaking, Zhao Zian's soul continued to sink.

I was plunged into endless darkness until a glimmer of light appeared before my eyes.

"Kid, you've finally arrived."

That ball of light actually spoke human language!

Zhao Zian was terrified, thinking he had encountered a ghost in broad daylight.

"Do not struggle, for we are both spirits at this moment."

The ball of light coalesced into a faint human-shaped silhouette.

"Who are you...?" Zhao Zian asked in surprise.

"sacred?"

The voice carried dissatisfaction.

"I am Zhao Xuantong, an ancestor of the Zhao family."

"I was once a powerful cultivator, but my physical body was destroyed by the Heavenly Tribulation, leaving only this wisp of my soul, sealed within my bloodline, waiting for a destined successor."

The ancestors of the Zhao family?

The Zhao family has been engaged in farming and studying for generations, and the most illustrious member they have ever produced is a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination. They have never had anyone like this before.

Zhao Zian was somewhat bewildered.

"This... am I dreaming?!"

"Forget it, there's no reasoning with a dullard like you."

Zhao Xuantong appeared extremely impatient.

"All you need to know is that the time has come for the union of Yin and Yang, and the initial release of primordial Yang. I will now pass on my entire lineage of cultivation to you!"

"This encompasses everything! The path to immortality, traditional Chinese medicine, the Shennong Valley Classic, alchemy and talisman formations... any one of these is enough to secure your livelihood and make you a powerful figure in your region!"

Immortal cultivation! Medical skills!

"Ancestors above! We juniors are willing to learn! We are all willing to learn!"

Zhao Zian was so excited that his very soul trembled.

"Hmph, greedy brat."

Zhao Xuantong snorted coldly.

"So be it. How much you inherit depends on your own fate!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the humanoid figure transformed into a torrent, surging entirely into Zhao Zian's soul.

"what!"

Zhao Zian's vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

When I woke up again, it was already broad daylight.

He shook his groggy head.

A ridiculous dream with his sister-in-law... claiming to be an ancestor of Zhao Xuantong...

Was it a dream?

Zhao Zian focused his mind and looked inward.

"The Secret of Longevity of Green Wood", "Shennong's Classic of Herbs", "The Nine Needles of Tai Su"...

It's true!

Zhao Zian trembled all over. He rolled out of bed and walked out of the bedroom.

From inside the kitchen came the rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables.

It was my sister-in-law preparing breakfast.

Zhao Zian walked over.

"Zi'an, are you awake?"

Li Suqin asked softly, but dared not meet his gaze.

Zhao Zian hummed in agreement, walked to the water vat, scooped up a ladle of cold water, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Good morning, sister-in-law."

"It's cool in the morning, so don't drink cold water, or you'll harm your health."

"My sister-in-law said with concern."

Zhao Zian felt a wave of weakness wash over him.

"I don't know why, but I slept exceptionally well last night. When I got up today, I felt sore all over, as if my muscles and bones had been taken apart and put back together. I was extremely tired."

Li Suqin paused while chopping vegetables.

"Is that so?"

Her voice trembled slightly.

"Perhaps... the recent dry weather has caused some nightmares."

"There's rice porridge cooking in the pot. Use plenty to replenish your energy."

Zhao Zian nodded.

"it is good."

My elder brother has passed away, and my parents died early.

Only he and Li Suqin remained at home.

A useless scholar and a young widow.

He could imagine how awful the gossip from his neighbors must be.

He used to live a muddled life, not caring about these things.

But things are different now.

Last night's dream...though absurd, the warmth and gentleness of my sister-in-law in the dream...

Zhao Zian's cheeks flushed, and he dared not think any further.

He couldn't let his sister-in-law suffer like this.

She was only twenty-four years old, in the prime of her life.

"Sister-in-law."

"Hmm? Is there not enough porridge?" Li Suqin turned around.

"no."

Zhao Zian struggled to organize his thoughts.

"Now, only the two of us are left in the house."

"I know."

"Sister-in-law, you are still young."

"Your elder brother has been gone for three years. If you wish to remarry, then so be it."

Li Suqin suddenly turned around and stared at Zhao Zian.

"I don't."

Zhao Zian was taken aback.

"Sister-in-law, don't overthink it. I don't mean to send you away. It's just that I feel... you no longer need to stay and protect your brother or this family. You haven't given birth to any children for the Zhao family, so according to the family tradition, you're not a member of the Zhao family. You can leave whenever you want."

These words may sound hurtful, but they are the truth.

"You don't need to worry about the debts your brother incurred before his death."

"Zian is not a foolish person; she will surely find a way to repay the debt. You... should find a good family to marry into, and not waste your life because of my Zhao family."

Li Suqin's eyes reddened.

Her roots can only be in the Zhao family.

"I'm not leaving."

"I'm not going anywhere."

Zhao Zian frowned.

"Sister-in-law, why are you doing this? I know you have deep affection for the Zhao family, but my brother..."

"I'm pregnant."

Li Suqin suddenly interrupted him.

"What?" Zhao Zian didn't react for a moment.

Li Suqin raised her head.

"I say, I am already carrying a child of your Zhao family!"