The bandits' bodies lay behind us, and the weight of the boar pressed heavy on my shoulder. Yet my heart was light—lighter than it had ever been. Three layers in a single day. A path once denied to me was finally opening.
"Husband," Lianhua whispered as we walked, her hand clinging tightly to mine, "I was so frightened. If you hadn't been here…"
I squeezed her hand gently. "Don't be afraid, honey. As long as I breathe, no one will ever harm you."
She looked up at me with teary eyes. "You mean it?"
I smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I swore it. And the heavens themselves are helping me keep that vow."
Her lips curved into a soft smile. "Then I'll believe in you, husband. Even if the whole world calls you useless, I'll believe."
---
By the time we reached the village, the sun was dipping low. People paused in their work when they saw us. Their eyes first went to the massive boar slung over my shoulder, then to the dried blood on my sleeve.
"Is that… Kael?" one farmer muttered.
"The useless sect disciple? Carrying a beast like that?" another whispered.
"No way. He could barely lift a bucket of water last year!"
I ignored the whispers, though a small, guilty satisfaction stirred in me.
At the edge of the village, Old Man Chen, the blacksmith, hobbled forward. His sharp eyes lingered on the boar. "Boy… did you really bring that thing down yourself?"
Before I could answer, Lianhua stepped proudly to my side, clutching my arm. "Yes, husband did! With a single strike, he brought it down. He even fought off bandits who tried to take me away!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Bandits?"
"He fought them?"
"And lived?"
Old Man Chen's brows furrowed. "Kael… are you saying you've broken through? After ten years?"
I gave a faint smile. "The heavens finally gave me a chance."
The old man stroked his beard, muttering, "Strange… very strange. A man without talent suddenly breaking through? The sect won't ignore this."
His words sent a small chill down my spine. The sect… I had left them behind. Would they really care about a discarded outer disciple?
---
Later, in our small hut, Lianhua bandaged the shallow cut on my shoulder even though it had already healed.
"Honey," she whispered, her fingers trembling, "if the sect hears of this, they might come looking for you. What if they try to take you away? Or… or take you from me?"
I cupped her face, forcing her to meet my eyes. "Listen to me. No one will take me from you. If they try, I'll fight them all. I'd rather throw away cultivation than abandon you."
Her eyes filled with tears. "Husband…"
I kissed her gently, silencing her fears. When we pulled apart, she leaned against me, whispering, "Then promise me you'll grow strong enough to keep us safe. Strong enough that even the sect won't dare touch us."
I tightened my embrace. "I promise. And this is only the beginning."
---
As we settled in for the night, the system chimed again:
> [Side Quest Unlocked: Build Your Household.]
Requirement: Expand your family, strengthen your foundation.
Reward: Unknown.
I stared at the glowing words, my heart thundering. Expand my family?
I looked at my wife resting peacefully against my chest, her hand on her stomach. Our child would be born into this world soon.
But if the system wanted me to rise higher… this was only the start.
The nights grew quieter after the bandit incident. No more trouble came knocking, and for a while, life settled into a gentle rhythm.
Every evening, I cooked the boar meat while Lianhua sat near the fire, her hand resting over her stomach. She had started humming softly, as if singing to the child within her.
One night, as the fire crackled, I watched her with a smile. "Honey, you glow more every day. I think the heavens are blessing you."
She laughed lightly, her cheeks flushing. "Don't tease me, husband. I've only grown rounder."
I leaned forward, brushing my fingers across her cheek. "Rounder, yes. But more beautiful too. Every day, I fall in love with you all over again."
Her eyes softened, and she whispered, "Then keep saying those words, husband. I'll never tire of hearing them."
---
That night, as we lay together beneath the worn quilt, I felt her body tremble slightly.
"Husband…" she whispered. "Something feels strange."
I sat up quickly. "Strange? Are you in pain? Is it the baby?"
She shook her head, gripping my hand. "No… not pain. It feels like… warmth. Flowing inside me. Like… Qi."
My eyes widened. "Qi? But—"
Before I could finish, a faint ripple pulsed from her body. Delicate, soft, but unmistakable.
> [System Notification]
Condition Met: First Child, One Month in Womb.
Reward to Mother: Qi Refining 1st Layer.
I froze, staring at her in awe. "Honey… you've stepped into the first layer of Qi Refining."
Her eyes widened, her lips trembling. "Husband… me? But I've never cultivated a day in my life!"
I pulled her into my arms, my heart racing. "It's the system. Our child, our bond—it's giving you strength. You're not just carrying life… you're carrying a blessing from the heavens."
Tears welled in her eyes. She clutched my chest, whispering, "Then I… I can stand beside you, husband. I won't only watch you fight. I can protect our family too."
I kissed her deeply, my voice hoarse when we parted. "Yes. You're my strength as much as I am yours. From today on, we'll grow together."
---
The next morning, when she stepped outside, even the neighbors noticed the faint aura around her.
"Lianhua? You're… glowing!"
"She feels different… stronger."
She only smiled softly and clung to my arm. "Because my husband gives me everything," she said proudly.
I couldn't help but laugh, holding her close.
---
That night, lying beside her, I opened the system screen again. A new line glowed faintly.
> [Family System Expanded.]
Current Household: 1 Wife, 1 Child (in womb).
Household Blessing: Each wife who bears your child gains cultivation according to the child's growth.
My hands trembled. So this is it… this is how I'll ascend. Not by walking the sect's cruel path, but by building a family the heavens themselves recognize.
I looked at my wife sleeping peacefully, her breath steady, her hand resting protectively over her belly.
I whispered into the night, "Honey… this is just the beginning. One day, they'll call me Saint. And it will be because of you."