Analyzing the inheritance rights from the perspective of the family, the only ones who could plot against him would be members within the family itself. However, how could anyone within the family possibly command the imperial court physicians? Could it be that the power of his own family had grown to such a terrifying extent? Yet William Brooks's initial line of thought was directly aimed at the ruling royal family members. But as he followed the clues, he found the whole matter becoming increasingly confusing, leaving him utterly bewildered.

After thinking it over and over, William Brooks's head nearly exploded from the effort. He couldn't help but curse inwardly: I haven't even been born yet, and you're already giving me such a headache. Once I'm born, won't I be annoyed to death every day?

Unable to figure it out, William Brooks simply gave up on pondering this question and focused all his energy on absorbing the innate qi transmitted through the umbilical cord.

The so-called innate qi is not the same as the innate true qi that ordinary martial artists imagine! The difference between innate true qi and innate qi is immense. Only by absorbing innate qi into the body using advanced cultivation methods and circulating it through specific meridian routes for several cycles does it have the potential to transform into innate true qi. But not everyone who can absorb innate qi is capable of cultivating innate true qi. Not to mention the rarity of innate qi—though it exists in the air, it contains too many impurities to be distinguished or utilized. Furthermore, cultivating innate true qi requires blocking postnatal breathing, and this alone is a chasm-like challenge separating ordinary martial artists from true innate masters!

Yet William Brooks, this anomaly, was completely untroubled by these two issues. First, as an unborn infant, the innate qi he absorbed was absolutely pure; even if he wanted to absorb anything else, it would be utterly impossible!

Second, as a being within the womb, William Brooks had no concept of postnatal breathing, so there was no need to worry about blocking it.

If it were only this, it would already be remarkable, but William Brooks was a unique case, reborn with memories from his previous life; and in those memories, he just so happened to possess the cultivation methods and experience for practicing innate true qi!

By a series of coincidences, William Brooks became a freak of nature who should never have existed in this world! He had already completed the foundation for innate true qi while still in the womb! With such a foundation, even if William Brooks wanted to live as an ordinary person in this world, it would be absolutely impossible. His life seemed destined to follow a dazzling, radiant path, as if the heavens themselves had decided to make up for all the losses he suffered in his previous life. He wished for an ordinary life, but it was simply unattainable!

No one knows how much time passed. While guiding the innate true qi through his meridians, William Brooks suddenly felt a violent tremor. Then he noticed that the thick amniotic fluid surrounding his body was gradually draining away. At the same time, he vaguely heard a flurry of frantic voices outside. William Brooks knew that the first challenge of his birth into this world had arrived!

At this thought, William Brooks instinctively used the knowledge from his previous life to turn his body upside down, positioning himself head-down in the most favorable posture for childbirth. At the same time, he gathered all his strength and exerted the Bone-Shrinking Technique with all his might, trying to make his head smaller... and narrower...

Part One: Starry Sky Youth

Chapter Six: Finally Born

William Brooks felt as if he had used up every ounce of his strength, nearly passing out from exhaustion. His mother let out wave after wave of hoarse, agonized screams. Mother and child worked together, and finally, after one last painful struggle, William Brooks felt that he had squeezed out the last bit of his energy, and at last heard a delighted, booming voice shout: "He's out... the child is out... my goodness... so big..." Immediately after, William Brooks felt his whole body relax, and his only thought was: My goodness, I’m finally born! Really... so tired! ...Then he lost all consciousness and fell into a deep sleep...

In the delivery room, the midwife wiped the sweat from her brow and looked at the newborn baby in her arms, unable to help but gasp: My heavens, this little one is so big! So heavy! Judging by the weight, he must be at least ten jin!

Still shaken, she glanced at the young mother lying exhausted and unconscious on the bed. That frail, delicate body and beautiful face made her silently recite a Buddhist prayer: Such a big baby, such a fragile mother... and yet both mother and child are safe and sound. Truly... heaven’s blessing... Amitabha!