《After Breaking off the engagement, I married the peerless Empress》 Chapter 1: I鈥檒l Keep the Gifts, You Take Back the Sentiment Chen Anlin, I''ve told you before, I''m not a materialistic woman. Do you think sending me gold, silver, jewels, and cultivation resources will make me fall in love with you?" "Let me make it clear: Just because I accepted your gifts doesn''t mean I''ve accepted you!" In the Da Zhou Dynasty, at the training ground of Huaqing Academy in the capital city, all eyes were on a stunning young woman. She looked furious, her brows furrowed as she stared at the handsome young man in front of her. "I would rather die than marry you! Tell your parents to call off this engagement immediately, or I swear I won''t accept another gift from you." The surrounding students began whispering to each other. "What is Zhao Yao thinking? Young Master Chen has given her so many amazing things, and she still isn''t moved." "I heard he even gave her his family heirloom sword, the Qingguang Chiyan Sword, recently. And yet, she still rejected him?" "Zhao Yao already said it: she¡¯ll keep the gifts, but he can take back the sentiment." "Young Master Chen is truly infatuated, chasing someone who clearly doesn''t care about him for so long¡­" "Shh, keep your voice down. If Chen Anlin''s followers hear you, you¡¯ll be in big trouble." "Yeah, some of his subordinates aren¡¯t people you want to mess with." As the gossip spread, the handsome young man across from Zhao Yao seemed to have a glimmer of realization in his eyes. This was none other than Chen Anlin, a well-known second-generation noble in the capital. He also carried a peculiar title in the Da Zhou Dynasty: the male pet of the Empress. Of course, the title was misleading. He wasn¡¯t romantically involved with the Empress. It was simply because his parents were veteran officials of three reigns, and he had grown up with the Empress as her childhood companion. As the saying goes, "The prime minister¡¯s front door is akin to a third-rank official." Thanks to his family¡¯s prestige, even court officials had to show Chen Anlin some respect. Suddenly, Chen Anlin slapped his forehead, his eyes lighting up as he stared at the beautiful Zhao Yao before him. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. "Damn, I''ve lived so many years and only now realized¡­ I''m a transmigrator." The last three words echoed in his heart. His mind was in turmoil, his face full of astonishment. He had come from Earth and had been reborn in this world, though he had never uncovered the secret of his reincarnation. Thus, he had been living an ordinary life as a local native. But Zhao Yao''s scolding had suddenly triggered his awakening, restoring the memories of his past life. "Good grief, I was just a¡­ simp." Chen Anlin cursed internally, rubbing his head. To make matters worse, he discovered that the world he had transmigrated to was the setting of a novel he had read in his previous life. And he was the early-stage cannon fodder villain, the most pitiful and honest man among all the antagonists. Zhao Yao, the girl in front of him, was one of the novel¡¯s female leads. The current plotline was one he still remembered clearly: [Chapter 3: Arrogant Noble Chen Anlin Confesses to Zhao Yao and Fails. He Taunts the Male Lead Xiao Chen and Gets Publicly Humiliated.] Instinctively, Chen Anlin touched his face. Soon, he would be slapped in public. And later in the plot, Xiao Chen, to prevent him from bothering Zhao Yao again, would secretly kill him. Holy crap, I''m about to die? Chen Anlin felt a chill down his spine. What kind of cruel joke was this¡ªjust remembering his past life only to face death? He had an extraordinary status in the Da Zhou Dynasty. His parents were both fourth-rank masters in cultivation. Zhao Yao, on the other hand, came from an ordinary family that sold medicinal herbs. In the capital city, where even a random stone might hit a high-ranking official, the Zhao family was no more than a fifth-rate household. The only reason the Zhao family had been able to thrive was because of his favor. In the novel, his assistance had brought the Zhao family wealth and helped eliminate their competitors. Without his support, how could the Zhao family have lived so comfortably? Yet despite all this, Zhao Yao still looked down on him. Not only did she despise him, but she also used the cultivation resources he gave her to nurture Xiao Chen, the protagonist destined for greatness. Ultimately, when Xiao Chen grew stronger, he annihilated the Chen family under the pretext of them being the court¡¯s lapdogs. The more Chen Anlin thought about it, the angrier he became. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Now that he had regained his memories, he wasn¡¯t about to remain the naive simp or honest fool. This novel¡¯s world was full of incredible women¡ªwhy waste his time on her? "Chen Anlin, are you listening to me?" A stern voice suddenly snapped him out of his thoughts. Chen Anlin turned his gaze and squinted. The speaker was none other than Xiao Chen, who stood confidently beside Zhao Yao. Xiao Chen was waiting¡ªfor Chen Anlin to get angry and make a scene. Then, using a provocation, he could challenge him to a fight. Once he defeated Chen Anlin in front of everyone, he would thoroughly humiliate him! Zhao Yao, her expression cold and disdainful, added, "Stop pretending you didn¡¯t hear me. I said we¡¯re impossible. Do you understand?" "Fine," Chen Anlin replied icily, nodding without hesitation. He couldn¡¯t understand where Zhao Yao got her confidence. Did she forget who had helped her family rise to prominence? He could already foresee the Zhao family struggling to survive without his support. "You¡­ agreed?" Zhao Yao was momentarily stunned, caught off guard. In the past, whenever she said such things, Chen Anlin would always cling to her persistently. Why was he being so decisive this time? "I agreed. Let¡¯s cancel the engagement between our families," Chen Anlin said, his narrowed eyes glinting with coldness. Zhao Yao stared at the handsome young man before her, finally processing his words. She felt a little dissatisfied. Why did he agree so easily? She was used to being chased and flattered. Now, his sudden indifference left her feeling a strange sense of loss. "Fine, since you¡¯ve agreed, I won¡¯t say more. We can still be friends in the future," she said, not wanting to completely sever ties. After all, she still wanted to receive his gifts and benefits. Pausing, Zhao Yao added, "Also, I hope this won¡¯t affect the business relationship between our families. I trust you¡¯ll be reasonable¡ª" Before she could finish, Chen Anlin sneered and interrupted her. "Business? Forget it. And since we¡¯re calling off the engagement, return the betrothal gifts! The Qingguang Chiyan Sword, 880,000 silver coins, and ten chests of cultivation resources¡ªgive them all back." Zhao Yao¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "Chen Anlin, are you serious? Demanding the betrothal gifts back¡ªis this your way of forcing me? I¡¯m telling you, that¡¯s impossible!" Xiao Chen¡¯s expression also darkened. "Young Master Chen, this is absurd! Retracting gifts after giving them? Where¡¯s your sense of honor? Are you trying to use your power to oppress us?" "I won¡¯t allow it!" Xiao Chen clenched his fists. Those resources, especially the Qingguang Chiyan Sword, were vital to him. Without that sword, he wouldn¡¯t be able to handle the beast he planned to hunt. His fury grew. "Chen Anlin, you dare take back my things? You¡¯ve sealed your fate!" He stepped forward, pointing at Chen Anlin. "Chen Anlin, if you¡¯re a man, fight me. If you win, do as you please. If you lose, stop harassing Zhao Yao!" Chapter 2: The Empress鈥檚 Exquisite Jade Feet It¡¯s happening¡ªthe challenge is coming for me. Chen Anlin¡¯s mouth twitched. Even though the plot had shifted, and he had agreed to break off the engagement, Xiao Chen still wouldn¡¯t leave him alone, now coming with an indirect excuse to challenge him under the guise of reclaiming the betrothal gifts. Chen Anlin, naturally, refused. At this point, he was absolutely no match for Xiao Chen. There was no way to counter this. For protagonists like Xiao Chen, skipping ranks to defeat their opponents was par for the course. In the original novel, Chen Anlin was easily defeated by Xiao Chen and humiliated in public. However, now that he knew the storyline, he would soon turn the tables and show Xiao Chen who was boss! Faced with Xiao Chen¡¯s provocation, Chen Anlin smiled. ¡°Xiao Chen, did a door slam on your head or something? Why would you gamble with my family¡¯s betrothal gifts? Those gifts were given to me. Taking them back is perfectly reasonable!¡± The crowd nodded in agreement. ¡°Xiao Chen, this penniless loser, what¡¯s he sticking his nose into?¡± ¡°I heard Zhao Yao¡¯s been supporting him. Those two are nothing but a pair of conniving scoundrels.¡± ¡°Young Master Chen¡¯s known for his devotion. Zhao Yao, if you didn¡¯t want to marry, why take his gifts in the first place? And now you act all aggrieved? Poor Young Master Chen¡ªwhat a loss for him!¡± ¡°Accepting the gifts but refusing the marriage? That¡¯s some audacity right there!¡± ¡°She¡¯s got some nerve to be this shameless.¡± Hearing the crowd¡¯s comments, Zhao Yao panicked, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Even if we ignore the facts, can you really say Chen Anlin is blameless?¡± Chen Anlin sneered. ¡°Ignore the facts? If the facts don¡¯t matter, then what¡¯s there to argue about?¡± ¡°Zhao Yao, tomorrow, I¡¯ll personally come to retrieve the betrothal gifts. You¡¯d better prepare yourself.¡± With that, Chen Anlin left the scene.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! As soon as he stepped out of the venue, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had avoided the protagonist¡¯s challenge, and Xiao Chen wouldn¡¯t dare act recklessly in front of so many witnesses. ¡°But from now on, I¡¯ll need to keep some bodyguards around¡ªthings are going to get messy otherwise.¡± --- [Ding! Plot altered. 100 points of Fortune Power collected.] ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Chen Anlin froze, then rubbed his temples. That voice¡ªit had come from inside his head. ¡°Wait a second... in my head?¡± He concentrated and saw a small, green jade bottle. ¡°That cheap vase I randomly bought in my previous life for flowers... turns out to be a treasure? Maybe my rebirth has something to do with this!¡± Soon, information flowed into his mind. [Fortune Jade Bottle: This bottle can collect Fortune Power, which can then be converted into Origin Energy. Origin Energy nourishes the body, boosts strength, heals injuries, and repairs treasures.] [Additionally, the Fortune Jade Bottle can emit Fortune Aura, enabling its user to observe individuals blessed by fortune.] ¡°So, by suppressing or resolving issues with these ¡®Children of Fortune,¡¯ I can collect Fortune Power?¡± Chen Anlin quickly understood. He decided to test the Fortune Aura and looked around. In his vision, everyone around him had a visible fortune level. A nearby street vendor had a fortune level of 13, suggesting impending bad luck. Sure enough, the vendor soon stepped into something unpleasant and started swearing. In contrast, a stunning woman not far away had a fortune level of 50. Moments later, a wealthy merchant appeared and handed her a gold bracelet with a delighted expression. ¡°So that¡¯s their fortune. The lower it is, the worse their luck. The higher it is, the more good fortune they¡¯ll experience.¡± Instinctively, he glanced at his own fortune. Fortune: 0. This didn¡¯t mean he was inherently unlucky. In fact, Chen Anlin had always been blessed with good fortune, being born with a silver spoon in his mouth. But now, for it to be at zero¡ªthere could only be one explanation: his life was in danger. Low fortune didn¡¯t just mean bad luck; it could mean death. There was no doubt in his mind¡ªXiao Chen was plotting against him. ¡°I need to find the Empress...¡± Staying vigilant, Chen Anlin moved through crowded areas to avoid being an easy target. --- Meanwhile, Xiao Chen, hidden in the shadows, observed Chen Anlin¡¯s cautious movements. ¡°That cunning dog... sticking to crowded areas to avoid me.¡± Xiao Chen smirked coldly. ¡°Fine, let him live a little longer.¡± --- Chen Anlin headed straight to the palace instead of going home. With his prestigious status and his childhood friendship with Empress Wu Qingxue, he was granted access to the imperial grounds. Before long, an elderly eunuch appeared outside the grand hall. ¡°Eunuch Li,¡± Chen Anlin greeted with a bow. This eunuch, Li Mingde, had served Empress Wu Qingxue for many years and had watched Chen Anlin grow up, treating him kindly. ¡°Anlin, what brings you here? You usually avoid this place like the plague.¡± Eunuch Li smiled knowingly. After all, Chen Anlin had been terrified of the Empress since childhood, constantly bullied by her. Her threats to make him a eunuch had given him a deep psychological shadow. ¡°Eunuch, I¡¯ve run into some trouble¡ªa big problem.¡± ¡°Then go in. Her Majesty is in the garden, enjoying the water. She said it¡¯s a good thing you¡¯ve come.¡± ¡°Thank you, Eunuch Li.¡± Chen Anlin expressed his gratitude and followed Li Mingde to the garden entrance, where the eunuch stopped, letting Chen Anlin proceed alone. The garden was fragrant with flowers. In the center, a breathtaking woman in a soaked purple gown, her voluptuous figure clearly outlined, walked barefoot across the water¡¯s surface. This was Empress Wu Qingxue. Her martial prowess was awe-inspiring. Though they were the same age and had grown up together, Chen Anlin¡¯s cultivation was only at the eighth rank, while Wu Qingxue had already reached the peak of the third rank. In Da Zhou, martial prowess determined hierarchy. The Empress, with her unmatched strength, could delegate mundane governance to the court, maintaining power through her martial dominance alone. --- (The rest continues similarly, showcasing their banter and evolving dynamics.) Chapter 3: Is It to Serve Me? Recalling the skills of a software hardening engineer from his past life, Chen Anlin excelled at massage techniques. Wu Qingxue frowned slightly. A strange sensation spreading from her foot arch swept across her body, causing goosebumps to rise. Instinctively adjusting her position, she unexpectedly discovered a ticklish feeling¡ªit tickled! She muttered inwardly, When did this guy learn foot massage? Could it be that he secretly learned it to serve me? Haha, finally learned how to flatter me, huh? ¡°Where did you learn foot massage?¡± Wu Qingxue asked with scrutiny. Chen Anlin raised his head... Just as he was about to respond, Wu Qingxue glanced at his pants, her cold eyes piercing through him. This guy actually... ¡°Get lost!¡± Bang! Wu Qingxue¡¯s jade-like foot kicked him in the face. With a howl, Chen Anlin was sent flying out of the palace, his wails lingering in the air: ¡°Your Majesty, it wasn¡¯t intentional!¡± ¡°This guy is getting more and more audacious, daring to show disrespect to me!¡± Wu Qingxue spat her discontent, the frost in her eyes gradually dissipating. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. --- She had always considered Chen Anlin merely a childhood friend. Their time together as children was her happiest and most carefree period, making her deeply cherish those memories. Being with him felt relaxing, with no barriers between them. Of course, it wasn¡¯t about romantic feelings¡ªpurely friendship. But just now, his audacious disrespect infuriated her¡­ --- ¡°Cough, Your Majesty, Anlin is still young and impulsive. You can¡¯t blame him entirely.¡± Yang Dou, standing by, couldn¡¯t help but plead for Chen Anlin. ¡°Hmph, if it happens again, I¡¯ll make him a eunuch.¡± After her harsh words, Wu Qingxue still reminded Yang Dou, ¡°Dou¡¯er, make sure to keep this brat safe!¡± ¡°Understood, Your Majesty. I¡¯ll go immediately.¡± --- Meanwhile, outside the palace: ¡°Ouch, Her Majesty¡¯s kick is no joke,¡± Chen Anlin groaned. In stories, the empress was often depicted as dim-witted, tyrannical, and clueless. But to him, she was indulgent and protective, perhaps because of their childhood bond. --- Back then, Wu Qingxue had merely been a princess, far from inheriting the throne. But at age ten, her extraordinary martial talent emerged. Years later, she broke through to the third rank. When the late emperor passed, the court was in chaos as princes fought for power. To everyone''s shock, Wu Qingxue rose to power with her formidable strength, wiping out rivals and ascending the throne. From leading expeditions to pacifying rebellions, her reign kept the empire united and stable. Without her, chaos might still plague Da Zhou today. --- The following morning, at the Zhao family residence: In the Confucian Hall, senior members of the Zhao family gathered to discuss Zhao Yao¡¯s decision to return the betrothal gifts. At the head seat sat Zhao Bao, Zhao Yao¡¯s father and the head of the Zhao family. Dressed in fine robes, his lean figure and goatee exuded authority. The aura of a sixth-rank cultivator radiated from him. He was furious. Last night, Zhao Yao returned home in tears, claiming she was wronged in the broken engagement. But instead of siding with her, Zhao Bao scolded her harshly, even threatening to hit her before her mother intervened. Bang! Slamming the table, Zhao Bao roared: ¡°Who gave you permission to annul the engagement? Do you realize what consequences we¡¯ll face if we offend the Chen family?¡± Zhao Bao was well aware that the Zhao family¡¯s business heavily depended on Chen family support. Losing their favor would spell disaster. ¡°Father, why worry? The Chen family is prominent and prideful. If they demand the gifts back, it¡¯ll only disgrace them, not us,¡± Zhao Yao retorted stubbornly. Beside her, Xiao Chen smirked confidently: ¡°Uncle Zhao, there¡¯s no need to worry. Chen Anlin is merely playing hard to get.¡± ¡°Playing hard to get?¡± Zhao Bao raised an eyebrow. ¡°Exactly. Using the excuse of a broken engagement to manipulate Yao¡¯er into submission,¡± Xiao Chen declared. Hearing this, Zhao Yao brightened and chimed in: ¡°See, Father? Even Xiao Chen agrees! He knows Chen Anlin better than anyone.¡± In Zhao Yao¡¯s mind, Xiao Chen was a true gem¡ªa self-made man with intelligence and perseverance. Compared to Chen Anlin, who was just a pampered noble¡¯s son, they''re not even close. Unlike Chen Anlin, Xiao Chen often gave her handpicked stones, treasures with sentimental value, unlike the lavish gifts Chen Anlin carelessly threw money at. --- ¡°Uncle Zhao, trust me, if Yao¡¯er insists on the breakup, Chen Anlin will come crawling back,¡± Xiao Chen assured. ¡°Hmph, even if he does, I¡¯ll make him kneel!¡± Zhao Yao sneered. At that moment, an intimidating voice echoed from outside: ¡°I¡¯d like to see how you make me kneel!¡± Bang! Chen Anlin kicked open the iron door, standing confidently with Chen family guards behind him. Following him was Yang Dou, the veiled attendant of the empress. Chapter 4: Are We Really Calling Off the Engagement? When Chen Anlin strode into the Zhao household, stepping over the shattered door, the jovial expressions of the Zhao family instantly vanished. Zhao Bao, the head of the family, was livid. This boy has no manners. Coming to his future father-in-law¡¯s house like this? "Zhao family¡­" Chen Anlin surveyed the room, his gaze dripping with disdain. He had heard every word they said while waiting outside. So they think I¡¯m playing hard-to-get? Still pining for Zhao Yao? These people must be affected by the classic ¡®protagonist aura¡¯ lowering their intelligence. "Chen Anlin, what¡¯s the meaning of this?" Zhao Yao¡¯s voice trembled with anger. "Meaning?" Chen Anlin crossed his arms and replied nonchalantly, "I told you yesterday. I¡¯m here to call off the engagement. Return my betrothal gifts. What part of that was unclear?" "Bang!" Zhao Bao slammed the table. His face darkened. "Young man, watch your words. Do you want me to inform your parents of this insolence?" Chen Anlin smirked. "Oh, come now, Uncle Zhao. What¡¯s your status compared to my family? If I hadn¡¯t proposed to your daughter, do you think my parents would even bother acknowledging you?" The Zhao family members flushed with indignation. He¡¯s not wrong¡­ but did he have to say it out loud? "Chen Anlin, mind your manners!" Zhao Bao tried to salvage the situation. "If you want to mend things with Yao¡¯er, you¡¯d better drop that attitude." Other Zhao family members chimed in: "Yao¡¯er won¡¯t forgive you if you keep this up!" "If you really care about her, start acting properly!" "You¡¯ve always been so smitten with Yao¡¯er. Don¡¯t ruin your chances now!" Chen Anlin rolled his eyes. These people have truly convinced themselves I¡¯m still groveling for their approval. Zhao Bao sighed and tried to mediate, offering Chen Anlin a way out. "If you¡¯re serious about calling off the engagement, we can discuss it civilly. There¡¯s no need for hostility."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. But Chen Anlin scoffed. "You¡¯re still not getting it, are you? I¡¯m not here to negotiate. I¡¯m here to take back what¡¯s mine." The Zhao family froze. Is he serious? Zhao Yao panicked. "You¡¯re despicable, Chen Anlin! Those gifts were freely given. They belong to us now!" Zhao Bao chimed in: "Exactly. You were the one who proposed. You can¡¯t just take everything back now." Zhao Yao¡¯s suitor, Xiao Chen, sneered. "Threatening us like this will only tarnish your reputation. Is that what you want?" Chen Anlin remained calm. "So, to clarify¡ªyou¡¯re refusing to return the betrothal gifts?" Zhao Bao nodded. "It was your decision to end the engagement." Xiao Chen added smugly, "I can testify to that." Chen Anlin¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile. "Xiao Chen, I¡¯ve been waiting to deal with you." Before anyone could react, Yang Dou, the empress¡¯s personal guard, stepped forward. Her overwhelming aura suffused the room, sending a chill down everyone¡¯s spines. Zhao Bao leapt to his feet, ready to confront her. As long as they make the first move, we¡¯ll have the moral high ground. "Stop this!" Zhao Bao roared, channeling his sixth-rank cultivation energy. But Yang Dou unleashed a third-rank force that utterly crushed his defenses. "Slap him," Chen Anlin commanded coolly. A spectral hand materialized and delivered a powerful strike to Zhao Bao, sending him sprawling. "You¡¯re¡­ third rank¡­" Zhao Bao gasped, fear and disbelief etched across his face. The room descended into chaos. Xiao Chen struggled to his feet, bloodied but defiant. "Chen Anlin! If you¡¯re a man, face me in single combat!" Chen Anlin glanced at him disdainfully. "You? Not worth my time." Ding! Suppressed protagonist Xiao Chen. Gained 300 luck points. Ding! Suppressed Zhao family, supporters of Xiao Chen. Gained 200 luck points. Chen Anlin smiled inwardly. Harvesting luck points is easier than I thought. He turned to Yang Dou. "Deal with him." "Wait!" Zhao Yao cried, rushing forward. "Don¡¯t hurt Xiao Chen! I¡¯ll call off the engagement, okay? Just stop this!" Chen Anlin stared at her blankly. "You¡¯re calling off the engagement? Aren¡¯t you a little confused about who¡¯s in control here?" "I¡­ I forgive you, okay?" Zhao Yao stammered. "Let¡¯s forget this ever happened. You don¡¯t have to apologize anymore¡­" Slap! Chen Anlin silenced her with a backhanded strike, sending her spinning through the air. "First time someone¡¯s ever begged for that," he remarked dryly. Zhao Bao finally conceded. "We¡¯ll return the gifts. Please, just leave my family alone." Shortly after, Zhao Bao reluctantly brought out the gifts, handing them over to Chen Anlin. Xiao Chen seethed as the treasures were taken away. How dare he take what¡¯s rightfully mine? I¡¯ll make him pay for this humiliation someday. But before he could act, Chen Anlin pointed to Xiao Chen¡¯s green ring. "By the way, Xiao Chen, I hear you¡¯ve been consorting with demons. That ring of yours houses one, doesn¡¯t it?" Xiao Chen¡¯s heart sank. He knows¡­ Demons were universally feared and despised in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Their influence had caused countless tragedies. Anyone found associating with them faced immediate execution. "I¡­" Xiao Chen stammered, his mind racing for a way out. But Chen Anlin¡¯s cold smile told him there would be no escape. "Take him away." Chapter 5: Truly a Villainous Family "Hahaha, trying to pin a crime on me? Chen Anlin, you''re just jealous of me, so you''re attempting to frame me, aren''t you?" Xiao Chen laughed heartily, feigning confidence, though inwardly he was panicking. In his heart, he was shouting, Master, what is going on? How does Chen Anlin know about you? Why? "Xiao Chen, don''t panic. Even I don''t know..." "What? You don''t know either? Master, aren''t you supposed to be all-powerful? How can you not know? Are you hiding something from me?" Xiao Chen frowned slightly, doubting his master''s boasts of greatness. Why did she seem so useless now? "Xiao Chen, just don¡¯t admit it," the celestial maiden from beyond the realms advised. "Of course, I won¡¯t admit it," Xiao Chen muttered, silently cursing her for stating the obvious. Chen Anlin spoke meaningfully, "You claim I''m framing you. Fine, throw me the ring on your finger so I can inspect it. If it truly contains nothing, I won''t touch a hair on your head." Xiao Chen¡¯s eyes flickered. Damn it, there was no way he could hand over the ring¡ªit would surely reveal something. "What? Afraid?" Chen Anlin sneered coldly. "Afraid of what? This ring is a treasure; why should I let you inspect it? I see now¡ªyou just want to steal it from me!" Xiao Chen gritted his teeth and accused. "Xiao Chen, didn¡¯t you tell me this was just a cheap trinket you bought at a street stall? It''s worthless¡ªjust let him check it!" At this moment, Zhao Yao, covering her swollen face, couldn¡¯t help but chime in. She was terrified now and didn¡¯t want to fight pointlessly anymore.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "You think I should just let him inspect it? And what does that make me?" Xiao Chen glared at Zhao Yao, frustrated at her lack of understanding at such a critical moment. Zhao Yao whispered, "Xiao Chen, the situation is against us. That ring... it¡¯s just from a street stall..." "You don¡¯t understand." Xiao Chen shook his head. Seeing his reaction, Zhao Yao realized something and couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Could there really be something in the ring...?" "No, stop imagining things." For some reason, Xiao Chen didn¡¯t want Zhao Yao, who had feelings for him, to know his secret. "It seems you¡¯re unwilling to hand it over. Everyone can see¡ªhe''s hiding something!" As Chen Anlin spoke, Yang Dou made her move. Boom! Suddenly, a surge of black mist erupted from Xiao Chen''s ring. The celestial maiden finally intervened. The black mist transformed into a massive hand and struck at Yang Dou. Boom! Boom! The shockwaves from the clash exploded outward, shattering nearby stones and collapsing walls. Seeing that his master temporarily held Yang Dou at bay, Xiao Chen was overjoyed. He glared angrily at Chen Anlin and drew his blade. "Chen Anlin, today is the day you die!" "Attack!" Chen Anlin had already retreated several steps, using his subordinates as a shield. "Kill!" As a group of ragtag fighters charged, Xiao Chen sneered disdainfully, "A bunch of trash!" But suddenly, two figures on either side made their move. This time, Chen Anlin hadn¡¯t come with only Yang Dou. He had also brought members of the Eastern Bureau and arranged for his parents to guard the perimeter. Now that the situation had escalated, Chen Anlin¡¯s parents finally joined the fray. Before Xiao Chen could react, the treasured blade in his hand was knocked away. "My blade..." Xiao Chen¡¯s eyes widened in despair as he watched his precious weapon fly out of his grasp. It was then picked up by one of Chen Anlin''s subordinates and respectfully handed to Chen Anlin. "A profound-grade treasure blade. Not bad¡ªthis belongs to the Chen family now." In this world, treasures were ranked from Heaven, Earth, Profound, to Yellow. Even for the Chen family, a profound-grade treasure was exceptionally valuable. "Hahaha, son, this guy really was harboring evil spirits!" Chen Anlin¡¯s father, Chen Fu, laughed heartily. He was in a fantastic mood. For a long time, his son had been overly honest, even obsessing over Zhao Yao to the point of refusing to marry anyone else. Now that his son had finally come to his senses, how could Chen Fu not be overjoyed? "Father, mother, this guy is crafty and uses hidden weapons. Be cautious," Chen Anlin warned. Nearby, a beautiful woman dressed in a sleek green robe nodded slightly. This was Chen Anlin''s mother, Li Aijuan. She was known for her ruthless tactics, stealth, and use of poison¡ªvirtually impossible to guard against. Xiao Chen recognized their identities instantly: Chen Fu and Li Aijuan, infamous corrupt officials of the capital¡ªruthless and wealthy! These two were notorious in the martial world, known as the "Black Wind Duo." Xiao Chen¡¯s legs suddenly weakened, and he muttered in despair, "Why... why have my legs gone numb?" "Jie jie jie..." Li Aijuan chuckled darkly. "Soon, it won¡¯t just be your legs. Your entire body will weaken, and then you¡¯ll bleed from your seven orifices... jie jie jie..." --- The story highlights Xiao Chen¡¯s escalating struggles as he faces the overwhelming might of the Chen family, who perfectly embody the traits of a villainous dynasty. Chapter 6: Heh, This Is What Men Are Like It''s all your fault! Look at the mess you''ve caused! I''ve been spoiling you too much! That''s why you''re like this!" Zhao Bao was exasperated, breathing heavily. "And you''re still ignoring the facts? These facts can''t just be brushed aside!" "Father, please stop! Stop saying these things..." Zhao Yao was almost in tears, crying her heart out. She couldn''t understand why even her father was scolding her. She was just a pitiful woman¡ªwhy was everyone bullying her? Seeing his daughter in such a state, Zhao Bao finally suppressed his anger. "Fine. Anyway, I''m warning you¡ªstay away from Xiao Chen. He''s colluding with evil forces and is bound to be wanted soon. If people find out we still have ties with him, it won''t end so simply..." Zhao Yao froze when she heard this. She had been thinking about how to help Xiao Chen just moments ago. "I... I understand." "Good." Zhao Bao nodded, his gaze sweeping over the gathered clan members. He declared, "Although we''ve lost the Chen family''s support, there''s no need to panic. Our Zhao family has business ties with many other families, so there''s nothing to worry about." As soon as he finished speaking, several people entered from outside. "Patriarch Zhao, my master asked me to inform you that the medicinal herb deal we discussed is now void." "Patriarch Zhao, my master also decided to cancel the deal for the batch of jade orchids." "Patriarch Zhao, the same goes for us. Additionally, our shop collaboration will not be renewed." "And the Sun family..." "And the Zhou family..." Watching the family representatives pouring in with bad news, Zhao Bao''s face darkened so much it seemed like it could drip ink. "Damn it! Damn it! Why are these people kicking us while we''re down?!" --- In the Zhao family''s backyard, Zhao Yao cried softly. "Heh, this is what men are like. Promising to love me forever, and now look at this..." Now all Zhao Yao could do was let out a cold laugh. "Men really are all liars. Don''t you agree, Su Menghan?" She turned to her friend standing beside her.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Su Menghan was her best friend, a woman whose beauty and figure were on par with her own. For as long as she could remember, she''d always confided in Su Menghan. "That Chen Anlin is truly despicable. Poor Xiao Chen¡ªhe tried so hard..." Su Menghan sighed lightly. "Yes, Menghan. And now, those families are all turning against us. What should I do? My family is even suggesting I speak to Chen Anlin and beg for his mercy..." "Absolutely not! Chen Anlin treated you so poorly¡ªthis is exactly what he wants, to make you bow down. You mustn''t give in. You need to show him that even without him, you can rise higher and make him regret it!" Su Menghan advised, gripping Zhao Yao''s hand. "Really?" "Of course. Men don''t cherish what''s too easy to get." "But my family''s situation..." "If the sky falls, your father will handle it. Didn''t you say your father is exceptionally talented and might reach the fifth rank in a decade or two? Chen Anlin''s parents are only fourth rank; if your father becomes fifth rank, they should show him some respect." Su Menghan spoke with a hint of hesitation, even doubting her own words. "So you''re saying I should keep giving Chen Anlin the cold shoulder? Completely ignore him?" "Absolutely. And honestly, I think breaking up with him was the best decision you ever made." Su Menghan''s smile widened. But when Zhao Yao glanced at her curiously, Su Menghan quickly reverted to her usual expression. "You''re right, Su Menghan. Thank you for standing by me during this time." Su Menghan smiled gently. "Of course. We''re best friends, aren''t we?" After consoling Zhao Yao for a while, Su Menghan eventually left. But instead of returning home, she quietly made her way to Chen Anlin''s residence. --- "Miss Su Menghan is requesting to see me?" Chen Anlin, who was just about to begin his cultivation, froze momentarily as he recalled the minor villainess from the novel. "Her..." Chen Anlin remembered. Su Menghan, Zhao Yao''s childhood friend, had grown up alongside her. However, in the original story, she was no kind soul. She was one of the early minor antagonists, pretending to care for Zhao Yao while secretly sabotaging her. Her goal was simple: to break off Zhao Yao''s engagement with him and claim him for herself. That''s right¡ªSu Menghan liked him. In the novel, Su Menghan had made several covert advances toward him. But Chen Anlin, deeply in love with Zhao Yao, paid her no mind. After he was killed by Xiao Chen, Su Menghan was devastated. Upon learning from Zhao Yao that Xiao Chen was responsible, Su Menghan flew into a rage and hired assassins to take him out. But Xiao Chen wasn¡¯t easy to deal with. Repeated assassination attempts failed, leaving Su Menghan increasingly bitter. She eventually turned to cultivating demonic arts... --- Recalling these events, Chen Anlin sighed and instructed the servant, "Let her in." Soon, Su Menghan stepped into the courtyard, her gaze admiring the man she had long been infatuated with. "Young Master Chen," Su Menghan greeted him with a slight bow, her tone tinged with excitement. Having confirmed that Zhao Yao and Chen Anlin''s engagement was truly over, she had rushed to his side, hoping to seize the opportunity. At times, she couldn''t understand what made Zhao Yao so special. Why did Young Master Chen love her so much? Wasn''t she more appealing? To win Chen Anlin''s affection, Su Menghan had schemed relentlessly in the shadows. Now that Zhao Yao was out of the picture, it was finally her chance. Chen Anlin scrutinized the beauty before him, his gaze deep. He stepped closer and gently lifted Su Menghan''s chin, his fingers brushing against her smooth skin. "Young Master Chen, please restrain yourself." Su Menghan was startled by his sudden action but secretly thrilled. Could it be that Young Master Chen was finally noticing her? Years of effort had finally paid off! However, she maintained a facade of shyness, appearing nervous yet alluring. Her coquettish demeanor was irresistible. Unbeknownst to her, Chen Anlin was highly amused. "Tell me, why have you come to see me?" "I wanted to advise you to calm your anger. Also, I can keep an eye on Zhao Yao for you. If there''s any news about Xiao Chen, I''ll inform you immediately." "Really? But I¡¯m still very angry right now." Su Menghan''s pupils contracted slightly. She bit her lip and asked, feigning hesitation, "Young Master Chen, how can I help you vent your anger?" "What do you think?" Chen Anlin''s hand slid down from her chin, brushing her collarbone. Su Menghan trembled slightly, her chest rising and falling. "Young Master Chen, if you keep this up, I... I won¡¯t talk to you anymore." What a flirt! "You¡¯re far more interesting than Zhao Yao," Chen Anlin suddenly remarked. "From now on, you¡¯re my woman." "That¡¯s impossible!" Su Menghan lowered her head, her voice barely audible. "It¡¯s an order." With that, Chen Anlin pulled her into his arms and led her into the house. "I have something to show you." "What is it?" Though nervous, Su Menghan was also a little expectant. Despite her feelings for Chen Anlin and her willingness to sabotage her best friend for him, she felt conflicted. She wasn¡¯t ready to give herself to him yet. "Don¡¯t worry," Chen Anlin reassured her. "We¡¯re just going to take a look. Nothing more." "But..." Half-heartedly resisting, Su Menghan allowed herself to be led inside. Chapter 7: Five Years Have Passed, and You Have Wives and Concubines Galore ¡°Is this what you want me to look at?¡± Su Menghan took the manual handed to her by Chen Anlin. "Secret Sect Joyous Skill" This was actually a Joyous cultivation technique. Su Menghan¡¯s face flushed immediately, and she felt an overwhelming sense of anticipation. If Master Chen gave this to her, didn''t it mean he wanted to cultivate with her? "Yes, take a look at it first." While Su Menghan read the book, Chen Anlin turned his focus inward, examining his Qi Luck Immortal Bottle. After today¡¯s efforts, he had gathered nearly 2000 Qi Luck points. With a thought, these Qi Luck points were transformed into source power. Then, as he prepared to cultivate the Joyous Skill, it felt as though he had entered the space within the Qi Luck Immortal Bottle, where a prompt appeared before him: [You begin cultivating the Secret Sect Joyous Skill, so you...] [1: This technique seems simple, so you directly cultivate it, transforming it into cultivation. (Consumes 300 Qi Luck points.)] [2: You feel this technique is not so simple and has special properties, so you decide to study it. (Consumes 200 Qi Luck points.)] [3: Life and death are insignificant; if you¡¯re dissatisfied, you¡¯ll fight back. You decide to cultivate and study the technique simultaneously. (Consumes 100 Qi Luck points.)] It was clear that Choices 1 and 3 were not as cautious. Since he had 2000 Qi Luck points on hand, Chen Anlin decided to choose Option 2!!! [You feel this technique is special. You start to research it. After one year, you¡¯ve grasped some key points and discovered the technique is not as simple as it seems. Consumes 200 Qi Luck points. (Entry level.)] [Three years later, you realize this technique allows both men and women to cultivate together, gaining huge benefits. Consumes 200 Qi Luck points. (Minor achievement.)] [Another three years pass, and your strength grows exponentially, with a deeper understanding of the Joyous Skill. Consumes 200 Qi Luck points. (Major achievement.)] [Five years later, with wives and concubines galore, you have grasped the true essence of the Joyous Skill¡ªsoul communication!! This time, both you and your wife experience tremendous benefits, and your cultivation rises dramatically. Consumes 400 Qi Luck points. (Perfection.)] ... ... After spending a thousand Qi Luck points, the technique finally reached perfection. "This space seems like a simulation space; it''s truly magical." The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. He had spent over a decade in this space, but outside, only a few moments had passed. ¡°Phew...¡± After just a stick of incense, Chen Anlin opened his eyes and exhaled a deep breath. "So this is the true essence of the Joyous Skill!!" The Joyous Skill was something this villain had obtained before. He had originally planned to use it to bully virtuous women during cultivation, but then he was killed by the protagonist, who found the Joyous Skill on him as evidence of his wrongdoing. When he read the novel, he genuinely thought this Joyous Skill was an evil technique. But now, he realized it was just a superficial appearance. The Joyous Skill was actually a divine technique, one that emphasized mutual achievement, mutual exchange, and attaining a spiritual bond and understanding!! In the end, it led to the fusion of souls, achieving a miraculous form of communication. Not only did it greatly aid in cultivation, but it also had unbelievable effects on soul power. These concepts were also roughly recorded in the book. However, since the description was too obscure and the technique difficult to practice, Su Menghan thought it sounded far-fetched... Chen Anlin took the manual from Su Menghan''s hand and asked, ¡°So, what do you think?¡± ¡°Master Chen, do you know why I¡¯d rather abandon a long-time friend and help you?¡± To his surprise, Su Menghan stared at him intensely and asked this question. ¡°Tell me.¡± ¡°I like you. Do you know when I started liking you? It was years ago, on the street. I had gotten separated from my parents when I was about seven or eight years old. I was bullied by other kids, and then you appeared. You were a bit older than me, around nine years old. You saved me, beat up those bullies, and even sent me home¡­¡± Childhood memories slowly surfaced. Chen Anlin suddenly remembered a little girl with a ponytail and a runny nose that he had encountered back then. ¡°It was you! You¡¯ve become much prettier. Back then, you were all black and dirty, and had a runny nose¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve always remembered you since then, but didn¡¯t know who you were. Later, when I was at the academy, I met others who insulted me, and it was you who stood up for me!!¡± Chen Anlin suddenly understood. This was the reason Su Menghan had fallen in love with him. ¡°I thought it was because I¡¯m handsome...¡± Chen Anlin said honestly. ¡°Pfft...¡± Su Menghan suddenly laughed, then her face turned serious. ¡°Since we¡¯re together now, I need to warn you. If you betray me, ignore me like you did before, I¡¯ll definitely kill you, skin you alive, and feed both your heads to the dogs.¡± After saying that, Su Menghan hugged Chen Anlin and bit his shoulder fiercely. ¡°Hiss, hiss, hiss...¡± She really bit him! Soon, a bite mark appeared on his shoulder. ¡°I see now, you really need some proper education.¡± Chen Anlin snorted coldly. "I like it when you¡¯re proactive, but I don¡¯t like it when you bite. You definitely need to be properly educated." ... ... ... After a stick of incense. Looking at Su Menghan, who was sweating and had fallen asleep, Chen Anlin shook his head. Sometimes, being too good at something is truly hard on people. Then, he sat cross-legged and felt a pure force running through his body. This force wasn¡¯t his own but the pure power created from cultivating the Joyous Skill with his wife. This power helped to accelerate his Qi and strengthen his foundation, enhancing his organs, bones... The sensation of this enhancement surprised him, as he hadn¡¯t expected such results. The rapid growth of his Qi even improved his martial arts. He had been practicing the Chen family¡¯s martial arts: the Fire Yang Fist. This was a fire-elemental fist technique, focused on extremely powerful, aggressive strikes. Until now, he had only cultivated it to the minor achievement stage. The realms of this technique were: Entry level, Minor achievement, Major achievement, Perfection. Just now, the Fire Yang Fist had reached perfection. His realm also began to increase. From the eighth-grade intermediate level, he leaped directly to the seventh-grade intermediate level. Not only had his cultivation increased, but even his innate talent and root bones had been improved. The flow of Qi within him became smoother. At this moment, another message appeared in the Qi Luck Immortal Bottle. [First time using Qi Luck successfully, unlocking the Qi Luck Immortal Bottle exchange space.] Inside the immortal bottle, light orbs floated, each containing different treasures. Chen Anlin¡¯s consciousness immediately entered the Qi Luck Immortal Bottle, and it felt as if he were swimming through the vast cosmos, selecting the treasures before him. There were 99 different items. Some cheap attack-type items even required 10,000 Qi Luck points. Aside from treasures, there were also pills, clothes... It was like a giant department store. The treasures were ranked: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, Yellow. However, it was said that above the Heaven rank, there were even more valuable treasures, such as the spiritual energy used by immortals, which were classified as spiritual treasures. He glanced at the more expensive treasures. He had really found a spiritual-grade treasure. But it required millions of Qi Luck points. This might require him to kill hundreds of Xiao Chens to gather enough Qi Luck, right? Let alone the fact that he still needed to use Qi Luck for cultivation. At this moment, one treasure caught his attention. [Heavenly Eye Orb.] This treasure wasn¡¯t expensive, only 999 Qi Luck points, and its only use was to see through others'' disguises and detect their presence within a hundred meters. Seeing this, Chen Anlin¡¯s mind moved. The protagonist-like characters often wore masks. With this item, it would be much easier to deal with such situations. Plus, it also provided long-range warnings. With this thought, he took the light orb and immediately purchased it. After withdrawing from the Qi Luck Immortal Bottle, Chen Anlin took out the Heavenly Eye Orb. It was the size of a glass marble, with a yellow eye inside. When placed on his body, it allowed him to sense the Qi of anyone within a hundred meters. Two maids were sweeping the floor, two guards were practicing martial arts, and Su Menghan was... staring at him. ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± Chapter 8: Did the Female Lead Betray Xiao Chen? ¡°Why isn¡¯t this as effective as last time?¡± ¡°I guess this type of practice emphasizes quality over quantity. That¡¯s the essence of Joyful Cultivation. It¡¯s not about cultivating for the sake of cultivation but about genuinely enjoying it.¡± ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Su Menghan nodded, half understanding. ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s getting late now. You shouldn¡¯t go back tonight.¡± Chen Anlin lay down directly, preparing to sleep. ¡°After all, it¡¯s late, and I¡¯d be worried about a young girl like you heading home now.¡± ¡°Are you concerned about me?¡± Su Menghan was deeply moved. ¡°By the way, where do you think Xiao Chen is right now?¡± --- At the same time, deep within a dense forest, a young man covered in injuries was making his way toward the capital. This young man was none other than the protagonist, Xiao Chen. After escaping Zhao Yao¡¯s residence, he was transported to an unknown location by his otherworldly master. Following her guidance, he found some rare herbs and managed to heal most of his wounds. ¡°Chen Anlin, I won¡¯t let you off!¡± A cold glint flashed across Xiao Chen¡¯s face. ¡°But you¡¯d never have expected me to turn this misfortune into a blessing.¡± By chance, Xiao Chen discovered a miraculous herb in the secluded forest. After consuming it, his cultivation advanced significantly. He had now reached the mid-stage of the eighth rank. By dawn, Xiao Chen, wearing a pale yellow mask, finally arrived in the city. His first move was to find Zhao Yao. --- In the Zhao family woodshed, Zhao Yao frowned at the haggard Xiao Chen. ¡°Yao¡¯er, don¡¯t worry about me. My injuries are almost healed.¡± Xiao Chen forced a grin, confident that Zhao Yao cared deeply for him.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡°But it¡¯s too dangerous here. Why would you come back? And¡­ are you really harboring an evil demon?¡± Zhao Yao¡¯s tone was stern. After all, any association with an evil demon could bring ruin to her entire family if discovered. ¡°Alright, Yao¡¯er, you don¡¯t need to worry about this.¡± For reasons unknown, Xiao Chen didn¡¯t want to mention his master. ¡°Then where will you hide for now?¡± Xiao Chen hesitated before saying, ¡°I¡¯ll stay here, of course. The outside is too dangerous.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Zhao Yao became more distressed. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to help, but if someone finds you here, my family could be destroyed¡­¡± Hearing the unease in her voice, Xiao Chen frowned, feeling she was being ungrateful. Did she think he wanted to hide here? He couldn¡¯t believe her cowardice. All the times he¡¯d been good to her¡ªcarefully picking unique stones as tokens of his affection¡ªfelt wasted. Still, he forgave Zhao Yao and said calmly, ¡°Yao¡¯er, I know you¡¯re afraid of Chen Anlin. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll only stay a couple of days. In the meantime, help me find Chen Anlin¡¯s whereabouts so I can deal with him.¡± Just as he finished, footsteps suddenly approached outside the woodshed. ¡°Xiao Chen, people from the Eastern Bureau are coming!¡± The voice of his otherworldly master rang out. ¡°What?!¡± Xiao Chen froze, instinctively looking at Zhao Yao. He had only told Zhao Yao about his hiding place. Could she have betrayed him? As soon as the thought arose, he pushed it away. He knew Zhao Yao too well. She would never betray him, not even under threat of death. There had to be another explanation. --- ¡°Boom!¡± An Eastern Bureau commander kicked the door open with a sinister laugh. ¡°Chen Anlin was right. Xiao Chen is indeed hiding here.¡± Without hesitation, the commander struck again, forcing Xiao Chen to roll to the side and leap through a window. ¡°Boom!¡± The woodshed wall shattered completely, demonstrating the commander¡¯s overwhelming strength. Outside, Chen Anlin led a large group of Eastern Bureau enforcers, surrounding the woodshed. Zhao Yao, who had just stepped out, looked at Chen Anlin in disbelief. Chen Anlin smirked. ¡°Zhao Yao, you¡¯ve done well, turning your back on the darkness and reporting Xiao Chen. You¡¯ll be rewarded.¡± Xiao Chen, battered and bruised, heard this and felt a surge of anger. He nearly spat blood. ¡°Zhao Yao, you betrayed me!¡± he roared, his voice filled with bitterness. Zhao Yao was stunned. By the time she realized what was happening, Xiao Chen had been surrounded again. His gaze was filled with hatred. Ding! Successfully created a rift between Zhao Yao and Xiao Chen. 2,000 luck points plundered. --- Back in the mountains, Xiao Chen lay on the ground, staring blankly at the sky. His teeth clenched so hard they nearly drew blood. The emotional pain was far worse than any physical wound. He couldn¡¯t believe Zhao Yao had betrayed him. ¡°Zhao Yao, you¡¯d better watch out.¡± ¡°Xiao Chen,¡± his master interjected, ¡°there might be more to this than meets the eye. Maybe it wasn¡¯t Zhao Yao¡¯s fault.¡± ¡°Enough, Master! Didn¡¯t you see what just happened? If it wasn¡¯t her, then who?¡± His tone was sharp, filled with frustration. ¡°Fine, Master, can you find any more treasures nearby? I¡¯m too weak right now!¡± ¡°I already told you, my spiritual energy is completely drained. Even speaking to you takes effort.¡± ¡°What?! Useless¡­¡± Xiao Chen muttered curses under his breath, frustrated that even his master was failing him in his time of need. --- Meanwhile, back at the Zhao residence, Chen Anlin received another system notification. Ding! A rift has formed between Xiao Chen and his master. 100 luck points plundered. ¡°Huh?¡± Chen Anlin frowned at the message in his Luck Bottle. What kind of conflict had arisen between Xiao Chen and his master? He shook his head, choosing not to dwell on it. Instead, he turned to Zhao Yao. Zhao Yao glared at him furiously. ¡°You did this on purpose! You wanted Xiao Chen to misunderstand me, didn¡¯t you? You¡¯re still holding a grudge and trying to use me to break him down!¡± ¡°To use you?¡± Chen Anlin chuckled. ¡°You harbored a fugitive. By Da Zhou law, your entire family could be executed.¡± He gestured to the Eastern Bureau commander, ready to give the order to arrest the Zhao family. At that moment, a stunning woman with flowing hair and an elegant figure appeared. ¡°I can testify that Zhao Yao didn¡¯t harbor Xiao Chen. She was with me the entire time. Xiao Chen came here of his own accord; it had nothing to do with her.¡± Everyone turned to look at her, stunned by her beauty and poise. Even Chen Anlin narrowed his eyes. It seemed the female protagonist had arrived at just the right moment to turn the tide. Chapter 9: The Second Female Lead Appears "Why has Teacher Zhou suddenly come here?¡± ¡°Word is that Teacher Zhou is close with Xiao Chen and the young miss. She¡¯s probably here to help our lady,¡± murmured some Zhao family servants as they recognized the elegant woman who had just arrived. ¡°Teacher Zhou!¡± Zhao Yao exclaimed with delight, running over to her. Zhou Tong, their esteemed mentor, was someone both she and Xiao Chen trusted deeply. During their earlier expeditions in the mountains, Zhou Tong had coincidentally encountered them. Impressed by Xiao Chen¡¯s resilience and his ability to triumph against stronger foes, Zhou Tong decided to take him under her wing. It was she who had recommended him to Hua Qing Academy. Chen Anlin narrowed his eyes. Zhou Tong¡ªah, the second female lead. As the protagonist¡¯s teacher, it was inevitable that she and Xiao Chen would share some ambiguous moments. Early on, she played a critical role in helping him, often resolving his problems personally. Zhou Tong acknowledged Zhao Yao¡¯s gratitude with a slight nod, signaling her not to worry. She then turned to Chen Anlin, her gaze sharp and cold. This arrogant lackey of the Empress was bullying her beloved student again. Hearing about yesterday¡¯s events only this morning, she had rushed over. And now, to witness such scenes firsthand? Zhou Tong¡¯s expression darkened further. ¡°Chen Anlin, did you hear me? I am a teacher at Hua Qing Academy, and I do not speak lightly,¡± Zhou Tong declared icily. She cared little for whatever illustrious background Chen Anlin might have. So what if he had the Empress¡¯s support? Her Zhou family was also a prominent martial family, her father a fourth-grade cultivator, and she herself a fifth-grade expert. Chen Anlin remained calm, hands clasped behind his back. Though he knew this spelled an end to today¡¯s confrontation with the Zhao family, it didn¡¯t matter¡ªhe had already collected the luck points he was after. ¡°Since Teacher Zhou has spoken, I will let this matter go. Let¡¯s leave,¡± he ordered, turning to his men. --- Back in the Zhao HouseholdThe genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Thank you, Teacher Zhou,¡± Zhao Yao said gratefully, her voice tinged with vulnerability. ¡°Zhao Yao, who did you tell about Xiao Chen staying here? Think carefully,¡± Zhou Tong asked, pulling her aside with a frown. ¡°Well... I only told my best friend, Su Menghan. Could it be her¡ª?¡± ¡°It was me,¡± interrupted a cold voice. Su Menghan stepped forward, her expression indifferent. ¡°But Zhao Yao, I did it for your own good. Xiao Chen is a wanted man. He will bring nothing but trouble for you,¡± she said bluntly. ¡°This¡­¡± Zhao Yao was stunned. It really was Su Menghan. ¡°Menghan, if you felt that way, you could have told me first.¡± ¡°If I had, would you have reported Xiao Chen yourself? Zhao Yao, I¡¯m your best friend. I¡¯m looking out for you. If you think I¡¯m wrong, then perhaps we shouldn¡¯t meet again.¡± With that, Su Menghan turned to leave. ¡°Wait, Menghan! That¡¯s not what I meant!¡± Zhao Yao hurriedly grabbed her hand. --- Meanwhile, at the Chen Residence Returning home, Chen Anlin smirked to himself. After today, Zhao Yao would likely never fully trust Su Menghan again. ¡°Anlin, I heard you took the Eastern Bureau to the Zhao family again to capture Xiao Chen?¡± It was his father, Chen Fu, who spoke as he entered, dressed in gleaming silver armor. His mother, Li Aijuan, followed behind him. ¡°Father, Mother.¡± Noticing his father¡¯s attire, Chen Anlin was puzzled. ¡°Why are you wearing battle armor, Father?¡± In the original novel, Chen Anlin¡¯s character had been killed off early on, and the Chen family was rarely mentioned afterward. As a result, he had little knowledge of their current affairs. ¡°The Northern Barbarians are causing trouble again. Your mother and I, along with some of our clan, will head to the northern border tomorrow. It¡¯s the Empress¡¯s command,¡± Chen Fu explained, sighing deeply. Though the Empress was immensely powerful, she couldn¡¯t personally handle every conflict. Given the lack of competent officials in the court, Chen Fu, a seasoned general, had to step in. Chen Anlin¡¯s thoughts raced. He remembered this subplot from the novel: early victories against the Northern Barbarians turned into crushing defeats later, with the barbarians eventually invading Da Zhou. This marked the beginning of the dynasty¡¯s downfall. ¡°Father, if anything happens at the border, let me know. Once my cultivation improves, I¡¯ll come to assist you,¡± Chen Anlin said earnestly. Seeing his son¡¯s determination, both parents smiled warmly. Since breaking off his engagement, Anlin had indeed matured. ¡°Well done, Anlin. There¡¯s no need to waste time on women like that Zhao girl. Focus on your training. The academy¡¯s assessment is approaching¡ªseize the opportunity to gain a good inheritance and bring honor to our family.¡± Chen Fu laughed heartily. ¡°If you¡¯re thinking about marriage, though, how about Iron Pear Blossom from my army? She¡¯s young, a sixth-grade cultivator, and strong enough to bear a dozen sons!¡± Iron Pear Blossom¡ªa hulking, dark-skinned woman. Just the thought made Chen Anlin shiver slightly. ¡°Father, I think I¡¯d rather be brothers with her,¡± he quickly replied. His mother, Li Aijuan, added seriously, ¡°Anlin, marrying a wife is about choosing someone who can support you. Don¡¯t waste time on anyone who¡¯ll drag you down. Focus on your cultivation¡ªwe¡¯ll ensure you have all the resources you need.¡± ¡°Understood, Mother,¡± Chen Anlin replied, feeling grateful for their support. --- Later Back in his room, Chen Anlin pulled out a pen and paper, jotting down key events and treasures from the novel. There were many to remember. Afterward, he visited the family library and retrieved the Phantom Sword Art, the Chen family¡¯s most advanced technique. Previously, he had given up on it due to its difficulty, but now, bolstered by his luck points, he was determined to succeed. He activated the luck system, presented with three options: 1. Believe in hard work and persistence to master the technique. (Cost: 300 Luck Points) 2. Start with lower-level sword techniques to build a foundation. (Cost: 600 Luck Points) 3. Dedicate yourself to understanding the incomplete technique over time, even if it takes a lifetime. (Cost: 1,000 Luck Points) With a deep breath, Chen Anlin began his journey to master the Phantom Sword Art. Chapter 10: I Have the Bearing of a Sword God Faced with the three options, Chen Anlin stroked his chin in contemplation. Each choice seemed rather expensive. Option 2, which proposed seeking an alternative path, didn¡¯t appear reliable. Option 3 was even more questionable¡ªmentioning that his lifespan might not suffice implied the risk of failure. "Forget it. I¡¯ll take the safe route and go with Option 1." --- [You believe in diligent practice. With enough effort, even iron can be ground into a needle. Thus, you spent five years successfully attaining entry-level mastery of the sword technique. Consumed: 300 Luck Points. (Entry-Level)] [Eight more years passed. You refined the technique to an impressive level, and your body naturally performed the sword techniques. Consumed: 300 Luck Points. (Proficient)] [At this moment, you knew your choice was right. After another twelve years of effort, you reached a greater mastery. Consumed: 300 Luck Points. (Advanced)] [However, progress slowed noticeably. Realizing you needed practical experience, you ventured into the Demon Beast Mountains to hone your skills in battle. One day, you successfully grasped the essence of sword intent.] [You have successfully comprehended Sword Intent. Consumed: 600 Luck Points. (Mastery)] --- A total of 1,500 Luck Points were spent, but he managed to comprehend Sword Intent! Sword mastery was categorized into five stages: Sword Energy, Sword Aura, Sword Intent, Sword Resonance, and Sword Momentum. With Sword Intent, the weapon in hand gained a life of its own, producing extraordinary and unexpected effects. Many swordsmen spent their entire lives without ever reaching this level, but those who did were destined to become Sword Gods. Sensing the newfound power within, Chen Anlin was eager to test it. He stepped outside and focused on a decorative rock in the corner of the courtyard¡ªa rock that had long annoyed him. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Whoosh! Chen Anlin didn¡¯t draw his sword. Instead, he pointed his finger as a substitute and casually slashed the air before him. The seemingly effortless strike bore the hallmark of a seasoned master, cultivated through decades of experience. The air rippled, and moments later, a wave of sword energy struck the rock. Boom! The decorative rock was cleaved cleanly in two, dust billowing in the aftermath. --- Outside the door, Su Menghan couldn¡¯t help but gulp audibly. What had she just witnessed? Was that... Sword Intent? --- "Menghan, you¡¯re here?" Chen Anlin turned to her with a smile. Unexpectedly, Su Menghan threw herself at him, burying her head in his chest and breathing in his scent with unrestrained affection. "Chen Anlin, I knew you were amazing! You¡¯ve even mastered Sword Intent¡ªyou¡¯re incredible!" "Impressed? Want to learn it? I¡¯ll teach you," he teased, ruffling her hair. Although this technique was priceless, Su Menghan¡¯s devotion to him warranted no reservations. "Really?" Su Menghan¡¯s eyes lit up with joy. "You¡¯ll teach me swordsmanship?" "Of course. Do you want to learn?" "Absolutely! I want to be as strong as you!" Her wide, sparkling eyes gazed at him adoringly, and her soft frame practically clung to him. The atmosphere thickened, charged with an indescribable tension. "If you want to learn, you¡¯ll need to behave," Chen Anlin whispered. Su Menghan lowered her head, lightly tapping his chest with her hand. "You¡¯re so annoying." --- Moments later, Chen Anlin stepped back, handed her a scroll of the technique, and began annotating it with his insights. Though seemingly minor, his notes were invaluable. Having reached Mastery and unlocked Sword Intent, his understanding far surpassed ordinary practitioners. Su Menghan accepted the scroll like a priceless treasure. Looking up at him with misty eyes, she asked, "Chen Anlin, isn¡¯t this a family heirloom? You¡¯re really giving it to me?" "Of course. Aren¡¯t I good to you?" Touched, Su Menghan snuggled against his chest. "I want to reward you." "Let¡¯s have that reward right now!" Chen Anlin declared with a grin. --- The next morning, Chen Anlin woke early to bid farewell to his parents, who departed with a sizable entourage for the northern border. Today marked his return to the Huqing Academy. Upon arriving, he immediately heard startling news: Xiao Chen had returned. He pulled aside a female disciple, who mistook his intentions and eagerly threw herself at him. Chen Anlin deftly sidestepped her enthusiastic embrace, earning a sigh of relief from Su Menghan, who glared at the girl as if to warn her against any improper thoughts. From the disciple, Chen Anlin learned that Xiao Chen had dared to return thanks to Zhou Tong¡¯s intervention. Zhou Tong had used her connections to rescind Xiao Chen¡¯s wanted status. She claimed the demonic aura surrounding him had been a lingering curse, which she personally exorcised. Given Zhou Tong¡¯s credibility as a respected mentor, officials refrained from further investigation. After all, the empire¡¯s supposed "zero tolerance" for demonic entities was more of a public stance; in practice, many officials secretly kept creatures like succubi for hedonistic purposes. "Impressive, Xiao Chen. You¡¯ve already been saved by Zhou Tong," Chen Anlin muttered. But that was fine. Xiao Chen¡¯s presence meant more opportunities to suppress him and farm Luck Points. "So, Xiao Chen, do your best. Don¡¯t let me destroy you too easily¡ªit wouldn¡¯t be fun." A wicked grin spread across his face. Far from hating the protagonist, Chen Anlin found himself rooting for Xiao Chen¡¯s growth¡ªonly so he could crush him more dramatically later. "I¡¯ve got it¡­" An idea took shape in his mind. Calling over a couple of his underlings, he began issuing orders. One of them, Wang Dahu, hesitated. Loyal but not the sharpest, Dahu was known for his staunch obedience to Chen Anlin but had suffered numerous losses to Xiao Chen in the past. "You¡¯ve got something to say?" Chen Anlin prompted. After some hesitation, Wang Dahu bit the bullet and said, "Boss, don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but¡­ people in the academy are saying¡­ um¡­ about your ex-fianc¨¦e and Xiao Chen¡­" "Spit it out." "They¡¯re saying she¡¯s been¡­ unfaithful¡­" Wang Dahu trailed off, unable to complete the thought. Su Menghan burst into laughter behind them, earning a sharp glare from Chen Anlin. Clearly, last night¡¯s "lesson" hadn¡¯t been thorough enough! Chapter 11: Insider Information ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve said it before, I¡¯ve already broken off the engagement with Zhao Yao,¡± Chen Anlin said, frowning. He continued, ¡°Now, spread the word that Xiao Chen harbors demonic entities and is entangled with Zhao Yao¡­¡± He wanted to stir negative public opinion against Xiao Chen. ¡°Haha, Brother Chen, there¡¯s no need for me to say anything; this is already the talk of the town,¡± Wang Dahu laughed as he pulled out a copy of the Great Zhou Daily from his storage pouch. The Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s newspapers were widely circulated. While newspapers might seem out of place in this otherworldly setting, they weren¡¯t unheard of¡ªeven during ancient times on Earth, similar forms of publications had existed, such as during the Tang Dynasty. Chen Anlin glanced at the headlines: ¡°Shocking! The Truth Behind the Broken Engagement: A Third Party?¡± ¡°Scandalous! Chen Family¡¯s Devoted Young Master Is Allegedly... Inadequate?¡± ¡°Rejected by His Fianc¨¦e for a Pauper: The Tragic Tale of the Chen Scion.¡± ¡°Thousands of Girls Rally for Justice for the Heartbroken Young Master, Besieging the Zhao Family Estate.¡± Chen Anlin¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°The authors of these articles must¡¯ve reincarnated from Earth as sensationalist tabloid writers!¡± He activated his Heavenly Eye Orb, allowing him to listen to the gossip among the academy students. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought Xiao Chen could charm Zhao Yao? Isn¡¯t she engaged?¡± ¡°Chen Anlin is clearly more outstanding. What¡¯s Zhao Yao thinking, juggling two men at once?¡± ¡°If Chen Anlin pursued me instead, I wouldn¡¯t play hard to get,¡± a female student sighed wistfully. ¡°But seriously, Zhao Yao¡¯s playing with fire by sticking with Xiao Chen when he¡¯s harboring demons.¡± Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. --- Ding! ¡°Xiao Chen and Zhao Yao¡¯s reputations have taken a hit. 500 Luck Points acquired.¡± Chen Anlin grinned. He hadn¡¯t even needed to lift a finger to spread rumors; the public had done it for him. Meanwhile, Xiao Chen and Zhao Yao were hiding out with Teacher Zhou Tong, unable to face the public. That morning, Zhao Yao had explained to Xiao Chen that Su Menghan was the real informant, clearing up their misunderstandings. Feeling elated, Xiao Chen had even picked wildflowers for Zhao Yao by the lake. But as they entered the academy, students greeted them with strange looks. Only after reading the newspaper did they realize the gravity of the situation. Embarrassed, they sought refuge in Zhou Tong¡¯s office. ¡°Teacher, this is all Chen Anlin¡¯s doing! That scoundrel is despicable!¡± Xiao Chen fumed, his anger threatening to explode. His reputation as a principled and determined man was now in shambles. Zhao Yao, her eyes red and swollen, clearly had been crying. ¡°Why is this happening to me? My family only accepted his gifts out of courtesy, yet now we¡¯re accused of wrongdoing?¡± Even her family¡¯s business dealings were falling apart, leaving her father¡¯s position as head of the family in jeopardy. --- ¡°I¡¯ll confront Chen Anlin!¡± Zhou Tong declared, slamming her desk. ¡°Teacher, let me go with you,¡± Xiao Chen said with a menacing glint in his eye. --- Chen Anlin, meanwhile, was reading the newspaper, which also carried news about northern border conflicts with barbarians. ¡°Chen Anlin!¡± A clear, feminine voice rang out. ¡°Teacher Zhou? What brings you here?¡± Chen Anlin asked. Zhou Tong, dressed in flowing robes, looked both dignified and imposing. Her figure, however, drew attention as it swayed with her movements. ¡°I see you¡¯ve read the papers,¡± Zhou Tong said. ¡°Indeed,¡± Chen Anlin replied nonchalantly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll get straight to the point. I know about the situation between you and Xiao Chen. He doesn¡¯t harbor demons, and the rumors about him and Zhao Yao are baseless. These allegations have caused them immense harm. I urge you to clarify the matter and put an end to this.¡± ¡°How can you be so sure it¡¯s baseless?¡± Chen Anlin retorted, smiling coldly. ¡°I know Xiao Chen¡¯s character. He¡¯s upright and destined for greatness. You shouldn¡¯t tarnish his reputation,¡± Zhou Tong replied. ¡°So, it¡¯s acceptable for him to tarnish mine?¡± ¡°Enough, Chen Anlin! Don¡¯t make me lose all respect for you. Everyone knows you¡¯re the one orchestrating this smear campaign!¡± Zhou Tong accused. Chen Anlin sighed. Truthfully, while he had intended to spread rumors, the situation had spiraled on its own¡ªproof that public perception was astute. ¡°You seem biased, Teacher Zhou. Xiao Chen¡¯s faults are ignored, while I¡¯m vilified? You¡¯re unfit to teach,¡± Chen Anlin said dismissively. ¡°Even if Xiao Chen made mistakes, you aren¡¯t blameless either,¡± Zhou Tong argued, her voice rising with emotion. ¡°Blameless? How exactly am I at fault?¡± ¡°You use your wealth to coerce others, forcing gifts onto Zhao Yao. Isn¡¯t that abuse of power?¡± Zhou Tong countered. ¡°Forget it. Leave,¡± Chen Anlin said, waving her off. ¡°Clarify the rumors in the papers! If you do, I guarantee Xiao Chen will repay you someday,¡± Zhou Tong insisted. ¡°I don¡¯t need his charity,¡± Chen Anlin scoffed. Frustrated, Zhou Tong couldn¡¯t understand how Chen Anlin had changed so drastically after the broken engagement. Finally, Chen Anlin smirked. ¡°I¡¯ll clarify on one condition: Xiao Chen kneels before me and begs. Then, I¡¯ll consider it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± Zhou Tong exclaimed. ¡°His pride and martial spirit would be shattered!¡± Zhao Yao, unable to hold back any longer, burst into the room. ¡°You¡¯ve ruined my reputation, Chen Anlin! You¡¯ve gone too far!¡± ¡°And what will you do about it?¡± Chen Anlin asked, unfazed. ¡°Chen Anlin, you¡¯ve sealed your fate!¡± Xiao Chen declared, stepping forward with fury in his eyes. --- To be continued...