The Storm Was Brewing!

Zhang Chen was smacked until he grimaced, but he couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face.

He turned to look at Lin Qingxue, who was sitting in a chair.

Lin Qingxue gently stroked her belly, her gaze so tender it seemed it could drip with affection. She lifted her head and met Zhang Chen's fiery gaze. They smiled at each other, and everything was understood without a word.

"Quick! To Dao Seeking Peak! Such momentous joyous news must be reported to the Old Ancestor at once!" Zhang Yunshan was as excited as a child. He turned and ran outside.

Dao Seeking Peak, the Ancestor's Cave Mansion.

"What?!"

Nascent Soul Old Ancestor Zhang Tianzheng, who had always remained unruffled even when Mount Tai collapsed before him, sprang up from his prayer mat the moment he heard Zhang Yunshan's report. He didn't even bother putting on his shoes, pacing back and forth through the Cave Mansion barefoot.

"Twins? They're really twins? That old rascal Zhang Xuanhu didn't get it wrong?"

"Old Ancestor, surely you trust Elder Zhang's medical skills? He'd stake his head on it!" Zhang Yunshan said with a bow, unable to contain his delight.

"Good! Good! Good! Heaven has blessed my Zhang Family!"

Zhang Tianzheng was so excited that even his beard trembled. At his age, he had stopped caring about cultivation and status; what mattered most to him was the family's legacy and bloodline. Zhang Chen's line had been a one-man line for generations, and it had always weighed on his mind. Now they not only had a child, but two at once!

What was this? An auspicious sign!

"Convey my decree!"

Zhang Tianzheng drew a deep breath and swept his hand through the air, his boldness soaring. "A reward! A generous reward!"

"On top of doubling the childbirth reward stipulated by the clan rules, I'll make the call myself: that newly formed Miniature Spirit Vein to the east will be transferred directly to that girl Qingxue as her private property! All future yields from that Spirit Vein will be hers to control, without having to hand anything over to the family!"

Zhang Yunshan sucked in a sharp breath. A Miniature Spirit Vein! Even a miniature one produced a fortune each year. The Old Ancestor was truly digging deep this time.

"And one more thing!"

Zhang Tianzheng thought for a moment, then added, "We can't treat the Lin Family unfairly, either. Send them a batch of pills and Magic Artifacts, and tell Lin Tiannan that he raised a wonderful daughter! Starting today, the Lin Family's Attendant tribute among the Affiliated Families will be cut in half, and their status will be raised by one rank!"

"Yes!" Zhang Yunshan accepted the order and left.

With the decree issued, the entire Zhang Family erupted once more. And when the Lin Family, hundreds of miles away, received word of the generous rewards, Family Head Lin Tiannan clutched the Storage Bags stuffed with resources and wept like a four-hundred-pound child.

When one man attained the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascended to heaven. The ancients had spoken true!

Deep in the night.

After the bustle had died down, Zhang Chen still didn't go to sleep. He sat alone in his study, unable to calm himself for a long time.

Just moments ago, when they had confirmed that Lin Qingxue was carrying twins, the system—which had been silent for a month—had finally chimed with its delightful prompt.

[ Ding! A new life is being nurtured within the host's family... ]

[ Detection complete: the pregnancy is carrying twin offspring, the mother possesses an Extreme Yin Ice Spirit Body, and the father has been enhanced by the system. ]

[ Predicted offspring aptitude: Extremely high! ]

[ "Blessings of Many Children" advance reward triggered! ]

Zhang Chen's gaze sharpened, and his breathing quickened slightly. The system could even preview rewards?

[ Reward preview (to be fully granted when the offspring are safely born!): ]

[ 1. Heaven Grade Lower Rank Art Nine Revolutions Universe Art (Complete Version): Suitable for dual cultivation between the host and his Dao Companion; can greatly increase cultivation speed. ]

[ 2. Third-tier premium pill: Longevity Pill ×1 (extends lifespan by two hundred years when consumed) ]

Zhang Chen's pupils contracted sharply as he looked at the two rewards.

An Earth Grade Art was one thing. Though precious, the Zhang Family had at least seen one before.

But the second reward... a Longevity Pill!

A full two hundred years of life!

For the Old Ancestor Zhang Tianzheng, whose lifespan was nearly spent and who was clinging to life by a single breath, what would two hundred years mean?

It meant he would have more time to search for a chance to break through—or at the very least, he could protect the Zhang Family for another two hundred years!

"Two hundred years!"

Zhang Chen clenched his fists tightly. "Old Ancestor, your grandson has extended your life!"

Time was like sand slipping through one's fingers, vanishing without a sound.

The seasons in the East Mountain Islands barely changed; only the dampness in the sea breeze waxed and waned.

In the blink of an eye, several months had passed since Zhang Chen's wedding.

During that time, Zhang Chen had settled into a fairly regular routine.

By day, he handled some family affairs, but most of the time he stayed by Lin Qingxue's side.

As the months passed, Lin Qingxue's body grew heavier. The once aloof beauty, cold as an iceberg,

now radiated a gentle, maternal glow.

In the Side Courtyard, the afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering patches of light and shadow.

Zhang Chen held a travelogue in his hands.

He was reading aloud to Lin Qingxue, who lay on a rocking chair, about the strange and wonderful sights of the Central Continent.

"Husband, is it true that the Cloud Dream Marsh in the Central Continent has a Seven-Colored Rainbow that never fades?"

Lin Qingxue gently stroked her rounded belly, her eyes full of longing.

Zhang Chen closed the book, tucked the thin blanket over her legs, and smiled. "Of course. The book says the Spirit Cranes there can carry people a thousand miles through the air. Once the children are a little older, we'll go see it together as a family."

Lin Qingxue smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, her face filled with peaceful happiness.