You had to understand, Zhang Chen was only at the Third Layer of Qi Refining, and he had no reputation to speak of. Even if he was rather handsome, those female cultivators with good talent and powerful backgrounds still wouldn't look twice at him.
These days, the fairies of the Cultivation World all had their noses in the air. They cared about finding a Dao Companion who complemented them. Who would marry a good-for-nothing?
Unless...
Unless the whole clan threw its weight behind him!
Zhang Chen stopped, a flash of resolve crossing his eyes.
He had to report it!
Only by leaning on the family tree and making use of the family's resources and prestige could they find him a suitable match in a short time.
Only then could he quickly set the system's Snowball Effect in motion.
As for whether the system would be exposed?
He could say he had awakened a Special Physique, or that he had received the teachings of some ancient mighty expert in a dream.
In any case, as long as the benefits were real, the Old Ancestor and his father would never harm him.
Once he had thought it through, Zhang Chen no longer hesitated.
He straightened his clothes, drew a deep breath, then turned toward the heart of the family grounds—to Dao Seeking Peak, where the Old Ancestor was in seclusion.
Dao Seeking Peak, forbidden grounds of the Zhang Family.
Usually, the place was shrouded in mist, with its formations fully active. Aside from a few core elders,
ordinary clan members were not allowed to approach, not even by half a step.
But Zhang Chen was the Old Ancestor's direct grandson, and he carried a specially made Access Token.
When the two Foundation Establishment Realm guards at the foot of the mountain saw Zhang Chen, they immediately bowed. "Greetings, Young Master Chen."
"You two have worked hard. I need to see the Old Ancestor. It's a matter of the utmost urgency."
Zhang Chen looked solemn, even somewhat anxious.
The two guards exchanged a glance. They were puzzled as to what urgent business a young master at the Qi Refining Stage could have.
But he was of the Direct Bloodline, and they were inside the family's grand formation.
There was little fear of anything going wrong.
"Please go in, Young Master Chen. However, the Old Ancestor is meditating in seclusion. If—"
"I know what I'm doing."
Zhang Chen nodded and strode through the formation's Light Screen.
He followed the Bluestone Steps upward and soon arrived before an ancient-looking Cave Mansion.
The entrance was shut tight, and the Spiritual Energy around it was so dense it had nearly turned to mist.
Zhang Chen stood outside, knelt respectfully, and knocked his head against the ground. "Your grandson, Zhang Chen, has come with a matter that concerns the family's very survival. I beg to see the Old Ancestor!"
His voice was not loud, but bolstered by Spiritual Power, it carried clearly into the Cave Mansion.
A brief silence followed.
The heavy stone doors rumbled and slowly opened to either side.
An aged yet mighty Spiritual Sense swept over Zhang Chen.
Then a voice, weary but still imposing, rang out. "Chen'er? Come in."
Zhang Chen rose and stepped into the Cave Mansion.
The furnishings inside were extremely simple: a Prayer Mat, a stone table, and an Ever-Bright Lamp.
On the Prayer Mat sat an old man with a head of white hair and a white beard.
He wore a gray Daoist Robe. His face was lean, and his eyes were deep as an abyss. Yet his face, which should have been brimming with vitality, now carried an unmistakable air of death.
He was the Zhang Family's only Nascent Soul Old Ancestor, Zhang Tianzheng.
"What is it?"
Zhang Tianzheng looked at his great-grandson, who was usually quite well-behaved, and spoke gently. "Have you run into a bottleneck in your cultivation?"
"Or has someone been bullying you? Tell Great-Grandfather, and he'll set things right for you."
Hearing the concern in his words, Zhang Chen felt warmth in his heart, and his resolve only grew firmer.
He walked up to Zhang Tianzheng and got straight to the point. "Old Ancestor, your grandson awakened a Special Physique today."
"Oh?"
Zhang Tianzheng paused, then a glint flashed through his eyes.
He held out a thin, withered finger and gently placed it against Zhang Chen's wrist.
Spiritual Power flowed through him once.
"I can't detect anything unusual. You still have a Yellow Grade Mid-Rank Spirit Root..."
Zhang Tianzheng frowned and withdrew his hand, somewhat disappointed.
Zhang Chen shook his head, his expression grave. "Old Ancestor, this physique doesn't manifest in the Spirit Root."
"Today, your grandson suddenly sensed the Heavenly Secrets, and a passage of Inherited Memory appeared in his mind."
"This inheritance is called 'Marry, Have Children, and Be Blessed with Many Children.' As long as your grandson marries and has children, he can gain cultivation through Bloodline Nurturing, and even improve his descendants' aptitude. He's bound to have children with high-grade Spirit Roots!"
"What?!"
Zhang Tianzheng's once-cloudy eyes flew wide open, and he nearly sprang off the Prayer Mat.
"Is this true?!"
Even the Old Ancestor's voice trembled.
At his level, he naturally knew that the Cultivation World was vast, with no shortage of marvels.
Some special Ancient Bloodlines or hidden inheritances truly had astonishing effects.
But if it really could "guarantee children with high-grade Spirit Roots," then this was no ordinary inheritance.
This was a divine ability that could keep a family flourishing for countless generations!
Zhang Chen nodded, his gaze utterly resolute. "Your grandson is willing to swear a Heavenly Dao Oath. Every word is true! And the effects come immediately. As soon as he marries, there will be an initial benefit."
Zhang Tianzheng stared into Zhang Chen's eyes for the time it took to drink half a cup of tea.
He trusted his own judgment...
And even more, he trusted the child he had watched grow up.
Suddenly, the Old Ancestor threw back his head and laughed. His laughter carried a hint of madness and release.
"Hahaha! Good! Excellent!"
Before you continue