C1 Xiao Ming

"Is there really no hope for the child?"

"Unfortunately, it's true. Every doctor in town has seen him and they all say the same thing: he was bitten by a Silver Streak Snake, the poison has reached his heart, and there's nothing to be done."

"It's such a tragedy. He's a good, dutiful son. If he passes, leaving his mother all alone in this world... how will she cope?"

"I agree. If the boy dies, given Cuiyun's frail health, I doubt she'll last much longer either..."

"I can't die, I can't die... I have to take care of my mother, I have to uphold the family honor..." Despite being on death's doorstep, Xiao Ming was fiercely battling his illness. Suddenly, a faint voice whispered in his mind: "Rest easy, I will help you achieve your unfulfilled desires..."

A gentle breeze stirred, causing the flame in the incense burner to flare up, unnoticed by anyone.

"How on earth did the child get bitten by a Silver Streak Snake? I've been in this village for years and never once seen such a snake!"

"Who can say? Perhaps the Xiao family ancestors are upset about their descendant marrying into their line and decided to intervene."

"Shirley, you always have such a sharp tongue. I'm betting it's that bride-to-be of his. She's probably worried Xiao Ming will get in the way of their money-making."

"Sister Lihua, are you suggesting the village gossip is true? That Soong Dahu's daughter and wife are involved in unsavory business in the city?"

"Keep your thoughts to yourself and don't spread rumors. When I first came to this village, Soong Dahu and his wife hadn't split yet. I've met her—she was quite the flirt, you could tell she was trouble."

"I've heard my husband mention that Soong Dahu's wife was once considered the village belle..."

"Pfft, a belle? She's not even as pretty as I am. She just had some money to throw around on clothes. Between you and me, she was a real piece of work, drained Soong Dahu dry, and couldn't handle being alone, so she took her daughter to the city to continue her ways with other men."

"Is that really the case with Soong Dahu?" In that moment, Xiu Lan's voice dropped to a hush, leaning in to confide in Sister Lihua...

"Water... Water... I need water." Xiao Ming's ears were filled with a cacophony, and though he tried to speak, his mouth was parched with thirst. His singular desire was for a drink of water.

"Oh my, the groom has come to! Sister Lihua, quickly, fetch some water for him..."

After a few sips of water, Xiao Ming mustered the strength to lift his eyelids, only to find several peasant women in odd attire gazing at him. Damn it, where was he? He dimly recalled discovering an ancient deity's ruins and a peculiar bottle, followed by an ambush. He frantically patted his chest—thankfully, the bottle was still there! Suddenly, a searing pain shot through Xiao Ming's head as memories surged, nearly causing him to pass out once more...

In a flash, all his memories coalesced. He had somehow ended up in the body of another person with the same name on a planet called Earth, where the way of the immortals had waned, technology thrived, and spiritual energy was scarce. Despite the innate talent of this body, its core had been destroyed—or rather, stolen by someone else! And now, in his current predicament, he found himself poisoned. Lucky for him, as Medical Saint Zixuan, such a minor poison was no match for his skills. Yet, despite his fortunate rebirth, he was to marry into a common family. He wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry about his situation, but for now, he decided to set aside those concerns. He would just have to take things one step at a time.