Zhou Chen instinctively wanted to push her away.
His talent was mediocre and his cultivation progress was extremely slow, so he had always maintained his Pure Yang Body, wholeheartedly pursuing the Great Dao of immortal cultivation.
After nearly a hundred years of cultivation, rejecting women had almost become an instinctive reaction.
He had to admit, though, that she was indeed a feast for the eyes.
After Nan Qiao leaned into his embrace, she made no further move.
Her shoulders trembled slightly as she began to sob and choke with emotion.
Large teardrops fell and quickly soaked Zhou Chen’s clothes.
Her already beautiful and moving features looked even more pitiable now.
Nan Qiao raised her head slightly, her shimmering eyes gazing at him with earnest entreaty.
"Brother Zhou, I know you are a good man."
"Please, just take it as helping us out. In these times, a widow and her child truly cannot survive."
She knew she was beautiful, and now that her husband was dead, without someone to rely on in the future she would surely end up in a state worse than death.
Moreover, her daughter was only five years old. She had to find a protector.
Zhou Chen pursed his lips.
Nan Qiao’s words left him with no way to rebut.
Whether in the cultivation world or the mortal world, without strength, living a stable life was nothing but a luxury.
Especially since Nan Qiao was so beautiful. If he had not been here a few days ago, she likely would have already met a tragic end.
Nan Qiao’s hands slowly moved upward, her tone becoming increasingly humble.
"Immortal Master Zhou, I do not ask for any status."
"Even if it is as a slave or a maid, Nan Qiao is willing, as long as you can take us in."
Zhou Chen’s body trembled.
He was almost at the end of his life, so there was no need to maintain his Pure Yang Body anymore, especially when she was offering herself up.
Sister in law, deceased husband, white mourning clothes, tears. Nan Qiao had stacked every trope.
He could not resist. Let alone him, even Tripitaka would not be able to resist.
"Sigh. Fellow Daoist Zhang, it is not that your brother is disloyal. I am forced by circumstances."
Zhou Chen stopped acting reserved.
Since she had said all that, continuing to act like a gentleman would be a bit pretentious.
After toiling in cultivation for a hundred years and being so close to death, could he not enjoy himself a little?
Sounds of movement echoed from the room.
An hour later.
Zhou Chen exhaled a long breath of turbid air.
The duration of this exchange left him slightly disappointed.
Especially Nan Qiao, who was at an age of peak desire.
Zhou Chen had tasted the sweetness and was about to start a second round, but while the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak.
A mechanical voice suddenly sounded in his mind.
[Heavenly Dao rewards diligence. Exploring the origin of life is the Great Dao of Yin Yang and Chaos.]
[The host has lost his Pure Yang Body. Activating the Friendly Exchange System.]
[After the host has a friendly exchange with the opposite sex, their favorability toward the host can be used to unlock and upgrade professions or increase his own cultivation.]
[Detected the host’s first friendly exchange with another person. Activating the Alchemist profession.]
Zhou Chen did not rush to move again. He felt extremely depressed in his heart.
It was not because the system had appeared finally. It was that his will for immortal cultivation was too firm. He had endured for a hundred years, remaining a virgin.
Now, finally he got a system after such long period of time!
The system’s abilities were also easy to understand.
Favorability from the opposite sex could directly increase his cultivation or be used to raise the ranks of professions like alchemy and artifact refining.
With a smile in his eyes, Zhou Chen looked at the affectionate Nan Qiao.
[Name: Nan Qiao]
[Age: 32]
[Charm: 90]
[Cultivation: None]
[Favorability: 50] (Max favorability: 100 = Never part in life, never abandon in death)
Looking at the bright 50 favorability, Zhou Chen pondered to himself, his fingers subconsciously rubbing together.
It seemed the saying was true.
Being calm as water was good, but a blazing fire brought people closer together.
Seeing him staring straight at her, Nan Qiao shyly turned her head away.
Since her husband died, Zhou Chen had been busy helping out a lot.
Although he was a bit older, it was clear he was a good man.
Most importantly, he could protect her and her daughter in these chaotic times.
Zhou Chen coughed lightly and covered his body with his long robe.
"Let me break through to the sixth layer of Qi Refining first."
Pure spiritual energy flooded his body, making him feel as if he had aged backward by several years.
The jump from the fifth to the sixth layer of Qi Refining was a hurdle, and the improvement to himself was immense.
[The host has consumed 20 favorability points. Successfully broke through to the sixth layer of Qi Refining.]
Zhou Chen suddenly felt his whole body filled with power.
"Again."
He still had some integrity. He immediately took Nan Qiao into his arms.
He turned and left the mourning hall, heading toward the main house.
"Sister in law, it is late. You should get some sleep."
Nan Qiao was stunned.
Her flushed face was as shy and moving as a ripe apple.
Was it not already over?
Why was he coming back for more?
Zhou Chen did not care what she was thinking.
This endless energy and a hundred years of accumulated power. He had to let Nan Qiao experience it properly.
Nothing more was said that night. Two hundred thousand words omitted.
The next morning.
Faint light fell upon the earth.
Zhou Chen sat at the stone table in the courtyard.
He had originally thought he only had a few years left to live.
But the system had appeared. Whether he wanted to increase his cultivation or become an advanced alchemist, he would definitely need Nan Qiao’s help in the future.
"It seems using favorability to increase cultivation is a bit of a waste."
Just promoting from the fifth to the sixth layer of Qi Refining required twenty favorability points.
Even if Nan Qiao’s favorability reached a hundred, it would at most allow Zhou Chen to break through to the eighth layer of Qi Refining.
One person could provide at most a hundred favorability points. If he wanted to achieve immortal ascension, would he have to find hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of women?
But if he used favorability points to upgrade auxiliary professions, then relying on countless spirit pills and medicines would actually make it easier to increase his cultivation.
"Mhm. It is decided. I will accumulate favorability first."
"In case of temporary danger, I can use it to increase my cultivation. But usually, I will use it to upgrade my professions."
"I cannot stay here long term either. I should take the mother and daughter back to the Yin Yang Sect."
The door on the left was pushed open, and a little girl as delicate as carved pink jade walked out, wearing clothes that were clean but clearly old.
The little girl had her hair in twin tails and, moving her short legs, ran out with a pitter patter.
She approached Zhou Chen and reached out a small hand to tug at his sleeve.
"Uncle, Uncle."
After spending the last few days together, the little girl was quite close to Zhou Chen and did not feel constrained at all.
Zhou Chen took her into his arms and teased her gently.
"Little Linger, why are you up so early?"
Zhang Linger rubbed her sleepy eyes and said innocently.
"Mommy was crying so hard last night. Linger kept getting woken up by the noise, so I got up early."
Zhou Chen’s expression turned awkward for a moment.
It was still the disadvantage of having low cultivation.
If his cultivation were higher, or if he had some resources, then setting up a set of formation flags to isolate the sounds in the room would have prevented the little girl from hearing anything.