Rain poured over the Lower Realm.
It was like the heavens themselves were mourning.
Inside the Zhen Family's grand ancestral hall, hundreds of immortal nobles gathered in bright robes.
There was laughter and wine.
Spiritual lanterns floated through the air.
But no one was smiling at the groom.
Li Qingmu stood in the center of the hall wearing a faded scholar's robe that had been patched so many times it looked like a quilt.
He could feel the judgemental stares of the nobles stabbing him like knives.
"Is that the groom?"
"So pitiful… the Zhen Family actually married their daughter to that?"
"Hah! That beggar scholar? How humiliating!"
They were always ready to throw gossip around.
He kept his head lowered.
He wasn't ashamed of being poor.
He was ashamed because this marriage wasn't his choice.
His parents died so he could study.
And now, at their graves, all he could show them was this.
Li Qingmu clenched his fists.
He had wanted to take the Imperial Scholar Exam.
He had wanted to rise on his own merit, to honor the sacrifices his parents made.
Instead…
The day he graduated, an Immortal Official personally pressured him into marrying his daughter.
Zhen Rou.
The ugliest girl in the entire academy.
Everyone knew her.
Obese, foul-tempered, pimply, arrogant.
An immortal noble with no talent.
Li Qingmu didn't like fat women.
It may have been arrogant, but he imagined himself getting married to a beauty.
Like Zhen Rou's older sister.
Zhen Mei.
She was a teacher at the Imperial Academy and lusted after by many men.
Her beauty could make any man feel like they were missing out on blessings that wasn't theirs.
Unfortunately, she was married.
But he never stood a chance with her anyways.
He desperately tried to catch her eye by getting the highest grades in her classes and submitting scrolls on her desk to make her work easier.
But she was always out of reach.
At least she knew his name…
The way she would talk to him with her honey voice.
"You're so sweet, Junior Brother Li~"
"Can you also get me the scrolls on finances, hm?"
"I'll treat you to something special next time."
"I need you around more. It makes work easy."
He fell for it every time.
Until he forced himself to accept it would never be.
He could barely feed himself and lived on cheap spirit grains that stunted his cultivation.
As long as he ate, he didn't care about cultivating.
Surely, no one would want to marry that.
Except for Zhen Rou.
She liked him only because he was poor and obedient.
She once even told him.
"Marrying you will make me look charitable!"
He still remembered those words.
『How far have I fallen?』
He thought to himself.
This was a woman that was bullied by everyone in class.
She had a black fuzz beard.
Just one of her breasts was bigger than his head.
And weighed as much as a spirit boar.
The same pig of a woman that would gobble up chicken and swallow the bones.
『If I wasn't threatened I wouldn't even be here…』
The wedding drums beat.
The bride entered.
The crowd winced as the girl waddled in as her ceremonial dress stretched painfully around her body. Her face was hidden behind a thick red veil, but her size alone made her easy to identify.
Most nobles looked away.
Some laughed behind fans.
Her father, Zhen Guang, a minor Immortal Official in the Heavenly Court, forced a smile.
"Li Qingmu, from today onward, you are my daughter's husband. Behave well."
Behave well meant four things.
Don't talk back.
Don't have ambition.
Don't shame the Zhen Family.
Don't resist the leash.
Li Qingmu bowed stiffly.
"Yes, Father-in-law."
The words tasted like ash.
Later on, they were at the bridal chamber.
The moment he dreaded most.
The hall outside still echoed with laughter when Li Qingmu stepped into the room.
Zhen Rou sat on the wedding bed.
Thankfully, the veil was still over her face.
They had just finished talking to all the countless family members who attended, and all that walking around must have left her hairy face covered in sweat… enough to make you want to vomit.
And he was expected to kiss that.
The stains around her armpits.
The thick line of sweat between her massive chest.
Wasn't that enough torture already?
He knelt before her.
"Uhm, my lady… I know this marriage wasn't your choice either, but—"
She lifted the veil.
A tired, frustrated face glared at him.
Red blotches covered her skin.
Her cheeks were swollen; her chin doubled.
She looked ready to explode.
"Stop pretending you're suffering!"
Her meaty arms wobbled like she was a cow.
"Be grateful! Without me, no one would EVER marry a useless poor scholar like you!"
Li Qingmu lowered his head.
His chest ached.
His last bit of pride shattered.
"…Yes…"
But she didn't stop there.
"From now on, you'll wash my clothes, massage my feet with my anti-crust spirit ointment, cook my meals, serve me well, and NEVER disobey me. If you do—"
But she didn't finish.
Because at that moment…
Ding!
A crisp sound rang in Li Qingmu's mind.
Zhen Rou froze.
Li Qingmu blinked.
And a glowing golden panel appeared before him.
[Family Development System Activated!]
Li Qingmu's breath stopped.
His heart hammered violently in his chest.
Lines of text flickered rapidly.
[Host detected: Li Qingmu]
[Status: Oppressed Son-in-law]
[Bloodline Compatibility: High]
[Family Potential: Extreme]
[Main Wife Detected: Zhen Rou]
[Initiating Wife Transformation Path…]
Zhen Rou jolted in shock.
"H-, Hey! What are you staring at—?!"
Li Qingmu didn't hear her.
The screen kept scrolling.
[First Mission Released]
‣ "Transform Your Wife (Stage 1)"
‣ Rewards:
• Qi Condensation Realm
• Appearance +20 to Wife
• Affection +10
• Unlock: "Child Aptitude System"
‣ Penalty for Failure:
• Eternal mediocrity
• No future breakthroughs
• Married life misery (Guaranteed)
Li Qingmu swallowed.
His hands trembled.
A… system?
A system for FAMILY?
A system that used his wife as the cultivation core?
Zhen Rou snapped at him, face red.
"What's wrong with you?! Don't think marriage makes you special! If you annoy me, I'll—"
Another screen popped up.
[Notice! Your lovely wife is distressed. Comfort her to gain +1 Affection.]
Li Qingmu stared at Zhen Rou.
For the first time he didn't see an ugly bride.
He saw opportunity.
This was a path created by heaven.
He stood up slowly with determined eyes.
"Wife…"
He sounded soft yet confident.
"From today onward I will take care of you. So just don't worry about anything!"
Zhen Rou froze, stunned by his sudden willingness.
[Affection +1]
[Wife Transformation Progress: 3%]
Li Qingmu exhaled.
At last a path forward.