Blue Star, East Continent.
Xiang Province Maternal and Child Health Hospital.
"Congratulations! It's a boy!"
"Seven pounds, two ounces! The baby's very healthy."
The light before Chen Yan's eyes was painfully bright, and he couldn't open them right away.
"Where am I?"
He could hear the steady hum of medical equipment and the soft murmur of women talking nearby.
Chen Yan's consciousness seemed to rise from the depths of the sea, slowly returning to him.
He tried to move, only to find his limbs wrapped in soft fabric. A sense of weakness radiated from every part of his body.
He opened his eyes, but his vision remained blurry.
He could just make out the gentle glow of a light and a huge, indistinct shape.
"Madam, look at how bright the baby's eyes are! And his skin is so fair and soft."
A gentle female voice spoke.
A moment later, a pretty woman in a pink nurse's uniform leaned over him.
Her skin was so fair it was almost translucent, and her delicate features were lovely and refined.
A tiny beauty mark sat at the corner of her eye.
She looked quite young, and because of her youth, she seemed all the more youthful.
"That's right. Our little Yan will definitely grow up to be a handsome young man."
Another voice spoke, gentle enough to melt the heart.
There was a trace of postpartum weakness in it, but the joy in her words was unmistakable.
Chen Yan's heart gave a sudden thump.
Little Yan?
Before he could think it through, a pair of warm hands lifted him into a fragrant embrace.
He tried to turn his tiny head and look at the woman holding him.
She had an extraordinarily beautiful face. Even the paleness of her complexion did nothing to diminish her grace.
She wore a silk nightgown of exquisite quality, not the standard hospital gown.
This was a private room.
And a luxurious VIP maternity suite, at that.
So... I've been reincarnated into a wealthy family?
Chen Yan's mind raced. The memory of dying after gaming too long in his previous life was still vivid, and in the next instant, he'd become a swaddled baby.
Just then, several distorted symbols appeared on the gentle woman's face—that is, on the face of his mother in this life.
???
Mom, are you really this trendy?
You got a tattoo on your face?
Chen Yan's tiny eyes widened.
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, the strange symbols shifted before his eyes and automatically translated into words he could understand.
"Martial... Martial Dao God-Ascension System, initializing?"
Before he could react, a crisp ding rang out in his mind.
A translucent, deep-blue panel slowly unfolded in the depths of his consciousness.
[Host: Chen Yan] [Age: 1 day] [Cultivation: None] [Qi and Blood: 2/100 (the value for a baby at the same stage is 1)] [Spirit: 2/100 (the value for a baby at the same stage is 1)] [Charm: 80/100 (distinguished appearance)] [Fortune: 5 (no upper limit; water never goes down the wrong pipe)] [Constitution: None] [Skills: None] [Achievements: None] [Beginner Mission 1]: Eat at least three meals a day. After thirty days, unlock the achievement [Self-Disciplined Baby Boy (White) 0/30]. Qi and blood +2 per day... [Beginner Mission 2]: Learn and practice The Four National Health Exercises of the East Continent. After thirty days, unlock the achievement [Vigorous as a Dragon and Tiger (White) 0/30]. Qi and blood +1, spirit +1 per day...
The cheat had actually arrived?
Martial Dao God-Ascension...
That name sure sounded impressive.
Chen Yan's little eyes darted around, his bright black pupils showing a sharpness far beyond his age.
"Ah, why isn't little Yan crying? What a good boy!"
Du Qionghua gazed at the quiet Chen Yan in her arms, her face glowing with maternal love.
To her, her child was perfect in every way.
"Madam, let me help you."
The little nurse smiled and deftly took Chen Yan from her arms.
Then, before Chen Yan had time to react, a tender little palm gave his tiny bottom a firm smack.
It wasn't hard, but the sting was crystal clear against a baby's delicate skin.
"Wah! Wah! Wah!"
That hurts!
A huge wave of grievance, mixed with the physical pain, instantly overwhelmed Chen Yan's reason.
He gave in to his body's instincts and opened his mouth.
He used every ounce of strength he had to let out his first cry in this world.
Du Qionghua's brows immediately furrowed, her voice full of concern.
"Why did you hit the baby out of nowhere?"
"Don't worry, Madam," the little nurse said with a chuckle, then explained.
"Even though we've entered the high-martial era, babies are still fragile."
"If they don't cry after birth, their lungs might not open fully, and they can easily suffocate from lack of oxygen."
As she spoke, she gently rocked Chen Yan in her arms. He was crying so hard he could barely catch his breath.
"Listen to how strong his cry is!"
"That shows he's got a great constitution. He'll definitely grow up to be an extraordinary martial arts talent!"
You wicked woman!
Just you wait!
When I grow up, I'm going to smack your bottom too!
Chen Yan had no idea how long he cried. When he felt his strength run out, he slowly closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Seeing Chen Yan asleep, Ruan Caibai smiled sweetly.
"Madam, you should get some rest."
"I'll put the baby in his crib. Call me when he wakes up, and I'll come back."
"Xiao Ruan, thank you so much..."
After an unknown stretch of sleep, Chen Yan woke again to find the room quiet.
Soft sunlight streamed through the gaps in the blinds, casting patches of light and shadow across the floor.
In the bed not far beside him, Du Qionghua, his mother in this life, rested with her eyes closed. Her breathing was steady, and her serene sleeping face was still as beautiful as ever.
"Little Yan, you're awake."
Almost the instant Chen Yan opened his eyes, Du Qionghua woke as well.
Her voice was a little hoarse from sleep, but mostly full of concern.
"Mommy will call your big sister Xiao Ruan over."
As she spoke, she reached out and pressed the call button by the bed.
Taking advantage of the moment, Chen Yan quickly reviewed his beginner missions.
[Beginner Mission 1]: Eat at least three meals a day. After thirty days, unlock the achievement [Self-Disciplined Baby Boy (White) 0/30]. Qi and blood +2 per day...
That one was easy.
Chen Yan nodded to himself. At least he hadn't started out an orphan. With his mother there, surely she wouldn't let him go hungry.
He looked at the second mission.
[Beginner Mission 2]: Learn and practice The Four National Health Exercises of the East Continent. After thirty days, unlock the achievement [Vigorous as a Dragon and Tiger (White) 0/30]. Qi and blood +1, spirit +1 per day...
The Four National Health Exercises of the East Continent?
Where was he supposed to learn that?
It wasn't as if a one-day-old baby could go online and look up a tutorial.
As he pondered this, a powerful hunger rose from his stomach, which let out two pathetic little growls.
Chen Yan sighed.
This baby's body was a hassle. It had hardly any energy reserves, and he got hungry way too quickly.
Just then, the hospital room door opened gently.
Nurse Ruan Caibai walked in, carrying an insulated food container.
As soon as she entered, she clearly heard Chen Yan's stomach growl.
Her gaze fell on the crib, and she couldn't help but pause.
She hadn't noticed when he was born that morning, but now she realized just how adorable this baby was.
Most newborns had reddish, wrinkled skin that made them look like little old men.
But this little one had fair, clean skin and features so delicate he looked like a porcelain doll.
Ruan Caibai picked him up from the crib, and a faint milky scent filled the air.
Seeing Chen Yan's bright black eyes rolling about, she felt a playful urge bubble up.
"Oh, is the little sweetheart hungry? Whose tummy is rumbling?"
Chen Yan couldn't be bothered with her. This old woman had smacked his bottom yesterday.
He looked straight at the metal insulated container in her hand. His body's instincts even made him reach out a tiny hand toward it.
"Huh? You know there's food in here?"
Ruan Caibai was a little surprised.
But she quickly shrugged it off. Maybe little kids were just curious about shiny new things.
She gave the container a little shake and smiled.
"But this isn't for you. It's to help your mommy get her strength back."
"Come on, big sis will take you to eat some yummy food."
As she coaxed him, the little nurse gently placed him in Du Qionghua's arms.
The moment he was close to his mother, her familiar fragrance and warmth enveloped him.
The baby's instinct to feed immediately took over!
Chen Yan cast aside every other thought and got straight to work.
Once he'd eaten his fill, his whole body was brimming with strength!
He burped contentedly, then grinned, his toothless mouth spreading wide.
"This baby's so clever. He even knows to smile after he's had his fill!"
Du Qionghua gazed at her beaming son, her heart melting.
Chen Yan really was happy—not just because he'd filled his belly, but because the system's notification sounded in his mind again.
[You've had your first meal since birth. Remember, a crying baby never goes hungry!]
Chen Yan: "???"
Like I needed you to tell me that.
Before you continue