4: Chapter 4 Successful Pregnancy and Family Rewards

"Injured?"

"Mm, I only heard it from my sisters. As for the truth, I'm not sure. Besides, the Family has long had a ban against discussing this matter carelessly."

After hearing this, Chen Fan felt a vague sense of unease. One had to know that the Qin Family only had one Foundation Establishment Cultivator holding down the fort; they could not withstand any turmoil.

If another major battle broke out, it might be these Matrilocal son-in-laws who would be sent to the front lines.

Thinking of this, a sense of crisis welled up within him; he realized that the great tree of the Qin Family was not safe.

Just at this moment, a series of urgent knocks came from outside the courtyard door.

"What is this?"

Chen Fan's expression darkened, and he felt somewhat depressed. He knew that the "Matrilocal son-in-law Manual" clearly stated that upon arriving at the Qin Family, there was a one-month adjustment period specifically for "making babies."

During this period, one was not required to do anything.

After opening the courtyard door, three Family Cultivators were already waiting impatiently.

"Greetings, Senior Clansman." Chen Fan bowed slightly.

Behind him, Qin Fang looked flustered; she curtsied slightly, not daring to speak much.

She was merely a Mortal woman, and with her parents having passed away early, she naturally held no status within the Family.

The one leading them was the Family Disciple in charge of the Spiritual Root testing that day, named Qin Chuan. He swept a glance at Chen Fan, his face filled with surprise.

"I didn't expect that in just a few short days, you have already guided Qi into your body and become a 1st Layer of Qi Refining Cultivator. You've worked hard."

"Many thanks for the praise, Senior Clansman. If not for the Qin Family's resources, I would not have been able to officially step onto the path of the Dao." Chen Fan flattered him.

"Is that so? Then how much Cultivation resources do you have left?" Qin Chuan frowned slightly, looking somewhat displeased.

However, changing the subject, he asked instead: "According to the Qin Family's 'Matrilocal son-in-law Manual', the Family needs to screen all of you. Have you thought about where you want to go? Right now, the mines need a large number of people for extraction."

"This one wishes to go to the Alchemy Hall," Chen Fan said firmly.

"The Alchemy Hall?"

Qin Chuan laughed in disbelief, not expecting the person before him to be so ignorant of how high the sky and how thick the earth was.

For many years, rarely has any Matrilocal son-in-law been able to become an Alchemist. The Family would never deliberately Cultivate outsiders, let alone a Cultivator with mediocre Aptitude.

"The hundred arts of cultivation are extremely difficult; it's not as simple as you think. It's better to be down-to-earth. I see the mines are short-handed recently; you should just go there!"

As he spoke, Qin Chuan took out a booklet.

Chen Fan had lived two lifetimes, so he naturally understood the other party's meaning. He hurriedly said: "In my early years, I read quite a few books and occasionally delved into the Art of Herbalism."

After speaking, he carefully stuffed all his remaining Spirit Stones over to him.

Seeing that the other party was so tactful, Qin Chuan smiled slightly, his expression softening.

He said indifferently: "Then tell me, what Spiritual Plants are needed for a Qi Condensation Pill? If you can answer, I can let you go to the Alchemy Hall, otherwise..."

"The Qi Condensation Pill is a Medicinal Pill for quickly recovering Spiritual Qi. The Spiritual Plants required are Dry Leaf Grass, Profound Spirit Flower..."

After listening, Qin Chuan's expression changed slightly; he had not expected the other party to actually have a foundation in the Art of Herbalism.

"Not bad. Go to the Alchemy Hall in a month to take a look, but the assessment is very strict. Whether you can successfully enter depends on your own ability."

After speaking, he solemnly wrote on the booklet: "Chen Fan, Alchemy Hall."

Then, he led the clansmen behind him and headed towards the residences of the other Matrilocal son-in-laws.

Watching them leave, Chen Fan was lost in thought, his expression extremely ugly.

"Husband, we've been swindled." After closing the main door, Qin Fang said with an angry look on her face.

"Why is that? Is it impossible to go to the Alchemy Hall?"

"Qin Chuan has always liked to extort the Family's Matrilocal son-in-laws. According to custom, they should come to inquire and register after one month. To come after only five days, he was clearly aiming for the Cultivation resources."

Qin Fang had been influenced by what she saw and heard since she was young; she realized the trickery involved, which was simply bullying the Matrilocal son-in-laws.

One must know that the five Spirit Stones each month were extremely important for her husband who had just entered the 1st Layer of Qi Refining. Thinking of this, a look of heartache appeared on her face.

"It's no matter, as long as I can successfully go to the Alchemy Hall, that's fine." Chen Fan smiled indifferently.

Although he said this, he was equally displeased in his heart. He secretly noted this account, understanding that his future path of immortality would not be smooth.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a month passed quickly.

During this period, besides working hard to Cultivate, he was also constantly tilling the fields.

In his view, if his calculations were correct and he hadn't missed the ovulation period, there was a high probability that Qin Fang would become pregnant.

Just as he was pondering this, a knock came from the courtyard door.

The person who arrived was Great Elder Qin Yuanshan. Behind him, besides two Family Disciples, there was also an old woman.

"Junior greets the Grand Elder." Chen Fan and Qin Fang bowed respectfully.

"Mm, no need for such formalities."

After speaking, Great Elder Qin Yuanshan nodded slightly at the old woman behind him with a solemn expression.

At the same time, a trace of surprise inadvertently flashed across his face; he had not expected that the other party had already successfully entered the 1st Layer of Qi Refining.

The old woman understood and looked at Qin Fang with a smile. She stepped forward to carefully ask about any unusual changes in her body, then lifted her arm and began to take her pulse.

After finishing the examination, she said to Great Elder Qin Yuanshan with a beaming smile: "Qin Fang's belly is quite promising; she is already pregnant."

"Is that so?"

Great Elder Qin Yuanshan was overjoyed and couldn't help but look at Chen Fan with new eyes.

One must know that among the newly recruited Matrilocal son-in-laws, only the side of Chen Fan, whom he was least optimistic about, had any developments.

However, the smile quickly faded. After all, the other party's Spiritual Root Aptitude was too poor; it was estimated that he would not be able to produce offspring with Spiritual Roots.

"Very good. Increase the monthly allowance by two Spirit Stones and ten catties of Spiritual Rice." Great Elder Qin Yuanshan carefully instructed the Family Disciples behind him.

Since she could successfully become pregnant, she should be rewarded; this was also to spur on the other Matrilocal son-in-laws.

A day later, the Cultivation resources were quickly delivered.

However, what surprised Chen Fan was that the Qin Family kept everything simple and also arranged for a Mortal woman to come over, seemingly not wanting the Matrilocal son-in-law to be too leisurely.

Her age was on par with Qin Fang's, and she was equally bright-eyed and white-toothed, with elegant manners.

"Husband, this concubine is called Qin Yue."

Chen Fan nodded slightly and did not refuse.

That night, he picked up the incredibly shy Qin Yue and busied himself with fulfilling his duties as a Matrilocal son-in-law.

For the period that followed, the couple was loving, and there was much joy.

However, good things are often beset by difficulties, and frustrating things arrived.

After waking up this day, Chen Fan felt dizzy, and he vaguely sensed that a large amount of his vital Qi was slowly draining away.

His heart was filled with horror. One must know that the path of immortality has always emphasized essence, Qi, and spirit. This was also the reason why other Matrilocal son-in-laws were not interested in women.

Moreover, he was only at the 1st Layer of Qi Refining, with low strength. Spending a large amount of energy on this would not only cause his cultivation to stagnate but would also affect his physical health.

"Sigh, there are only oxen worked to death, not fields plowed to ruin."

Qin Fang was already pregnant and needed to eat better. Now that another wife had come, the pressure of living suddenly increased; the Spiritual Rice and Spiritual Plants provided by the Family were simply not enough.

"It seems I must earn more Spirit Stones."

Chen Fan thought of the Alchemy rewards given by the System. It seemed that at present, only by taking the path of Alchemy could he defy the heavens and change his fate.

Thus, he hurried towards the Alchemy Hall.

The Alchemy Hall was located in the core area of the Family, where the Spiritual Qi was dense. It was specifically for refining Medicinal Pills for Family Cultivators. From very far away, one could hear the rumbling sound of the Pill Furnace.

The Family Cultivators on duty saw a Matrilocal son-in-law approaching, and strange expressions appeared on their faces one after another.