The figure wrapped in the azure blue Disciple uniform was slender and tall, standing at seven feet. The lines of his shoulders were broad and sharp, and his waist sash was wrapped in two layers, accentuating the handsome lines of his back. Just by standing there, he exuded a cold, clear posture, the very model of an immortal.
In the grand hall, everyone except Madam Jiang—even those of a higher seniority than Xiao Jiuchi—couldn't help but straighten their postures to assume an immortal Aura.
It wasn't that Xiao Jiuchi, the Senior Brother, was strict with others, but rather that he himself was like a beam of light; everyone bathing in that light simply didn't want to appear inferior.
Qiao Han looked down and saw that the hand supporting him didn't actually touch him, but felt as if it were separated by a layer of air.
That hand was long and clean, with distinct knuckles and veins slightly bulging on the back, full of a sense of power. However, the mole on the second joint of his index finger brought a touch of fragile beauty.
Just as described in the novel, a single hand alone was a blessing for hand-fetishists everywhere.
As he was lifted by the invisible force, Qiao Han's gaze slowly moved upward. He saw a white jade crown holding up a head of pitch-black hair, with the silk-like ends cascading down in a clean and efficient manner.
As expected of his Male Protagonist, even his hair strands were glowing. Sob.
Qiao Han's excitement at finally meeting his idol grew even more intense.
Immediately after, Qiao Han forgot to breathe.
His Face was like white jade, his eyes like bright stars, and his features were sharp and well-defined. His Face was clean and clear, with three-dimensional features full of masculine charm; whether viewed individually or as a whole, he was indescribably charming. He possessed both handsomeness and a heroic spirit, appearing like a Divine Artifact meticulously carved by an ancient god, so perfect that not a single part could be adjusted.
Qiao Han swore that the CGI-modeled Faces and manhwa-perfect Faces of the modern world were all weak in comparison. This was a Face that made even a straight man like him stop breathing and lose his train of thought, and in a moment of impulse, he could almost shout 'husband'.
This was the Male Protagonist, Xiao Jiuchi.
Qiao Han's eyes widened, and the figure before him seemed to sparkle. He was so moved he almost burst into tears.
His beloved 2D character had come to life, and he was even better than imagined. He could die in peace now; this life was worth it.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jiuchi didn't notice Qiao Han's dazed state. After helping him up, he bowed to Madam Jiang, his every move calm, composed, and perfectly polite.
Madam Jiang frowned slightly, an ominous feeling in her heart. "Jiuchi, what is the meaning of this?"
"This Disciple has already heard of the matter upon my return." Xiao Jiuchi was usually steady, restrained, gentle, and refined, but at this moment, his Face was unusually solemn.
"You have been wronged in this matter. Rest assured, the Sect Leader and your Master are both in seclusion, so I will temporarily act as your Elder and decide for you. We absolutely cannot let a fraud become your Dao Companion," Madam Jiang said directly.
"This Disciple has not been wronged, and this matter cannot be handled this way," Xiao Jiuchi said without hesitation. "Young Master Qiao and I have already sealed our marriage contract. Even without a ceremony, he is considered my Dao Companion. He should not be interrogated like this."
"What did you say!" Madam Jiang had a bad temper and immediately became anxious upon hearing this.
Everyone was also greatly shocked, and the hall instantly became noisy.
"Senior Brother, are you really going to marry Young Master Qiao?"
"Senior Brother, what are you thinking? He came here as a replacement for someone else. Your original fiancée should have been his sister, Qiao Yuan. Not only did he deceive you into marriage, but he is also a man! You don't even like men, so why are you still protecting him!"
Qiao Han also suddenly snapped back to reality and looked up.
There were many people in the magnificent hall. Sitting in the seat of honor, wearing a purple Elder's robe embroidered with the most Advanced protective seals and her hair styled in a matronly bun, was the Sect Leader's wife of the Qingyun Sect. She was also an Elder who had watched Xiao Jiuchi grow up.
The other two young women who had spoken were standing beside Madam Jiang.
Their identities were also easy to recognize. The one with eyes as red as a little rabbit's was the Sect Leader's legitimate daughter, Jiang Suwei. The one glaring at him with eyes like fire was the Sect Leader's Personal Disciple and Jiang Suwei's good friend, Ou Zanrui.
And the cause of this incident, naturally, could be traced back to the whims of young girls.
Actually, when the Sect Leader set the engagement for Xiao Jiuchi, the couple hadn't realized there was a problem.
It wasn't until later, when they had a daughter and their eldest Disciple became the number one of the younger generation in the Cultivation World, that their daughter seemed to develop feelings for him. Naturally, they wanted to keep the benefits within the family.
However, the Face of a great Sect had to be maintained. The engagement could not be broken, so they could only brace themselves to welcome Xiao Jiuchi's fiancée when the time came.
They just hadn't expected that the person brought over would be a man of poor character and low cultivation.
This made the already unwilling Jiang Suwei even more aggrieved, and she washed her Face with tears all day. In the end, Ou Zanrui couldn't stand it and went to investigate, hoping to find some leverage to drive away the love rival for her friend. As a result, she discovered the anomaly and quickly sought Madam Jiang to take charge.
Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang excitedly sent people to seize Qiao Han. Since her muddled husband was in seclusion and the Sect's affairs were under her management, she was determined to create an opportunity for her daughter.
But she never expected that the obstacle would be the victim himself.
Madam Jiang's Face was grim. "Do you know that he was originally engaged to the son of the Qin Family? Because the other party had an accident, he immediately broke the engagement and turned around to steal his Elder sister's marriage with you."
As soon as these words were spoken, contemptuous looks were cast from all around.
But Qiao Han hadn't fully immersed himself in the role yet, so he felt nothing and even wanted to nod in agreement.
Exactly, the Original Body was just that arrogant, domineering, and lowly. He didn't seek to improve himself or Cultivate hard, and only focused on advancing through Dual Cultivation with a Genius Cultivator. He wasn't being wronged at all; hurry up and tear this toxic label off my Male Protagonist.
However, Qiao Han knew that Xiao Jiuchi would not do that. That was a man who carried principles and responsibility in his very bones.
Xiao Jiuchi's expression remained steady, and his voice was resonant. "When the Sect Leader accepted the engagement back then, he did not specify the target. As long as a descendant of the Qiao Family comes with the token, the agreement must be fulfilled."
"He has no brains, and you're being just as muddled? How can such a person be a match for you?!" Madam Jiang said anxiously. "You haven't even bowed to Heaven and Earth yet. The marriage contract can just be erased. Jiuchi, don't be foolish!"
Xiao Jiuchi replied, "In principle, there is no error. The Qingyun Sect cannot break its faith. I ask for your understanding, Your Excellency."
"You!" Madam Jiang was choked with anger, and she unconsciously leaked out some spiritual pressure.
Xiao Jiuchi took a step to the left, unobtrusively shielding Qiao Han from it.
Qiao Han naturally understood that the Male Protagonist didn't care about him that much—he might even dislike him intensely—he was simply upholding his own principles.
But Qiao Han was still so moved. Is this what it feels like to be protected by the Male Protagonist? It feels so secure.
Even toward someone like him, the Male Protagonist could act so fairly. This man is just too good! He loves him too much; he's truly his male god! Qiao Han's blood was practically boiling.
Male Protagonist, don't worry, I will definitely not hold you back. I must resolutely resist such a thing that insults you. I'll dissolve the marriage contract and return the Male Protagonist to a state of purity and freedom!
The Male Protagonist's happiness will be defended by his reader fan, Qiao Han!
Qiao Han mustered his Aura, took a step forward, puffed out his chest, and shouted, "I..."
As a result, as soon as the words left his mouth, Qiao Han's vision went black, and he fell straight forward.
Dammit!
In the darkness, Qiao Han was battling with the System, asking why it made him faint at such a critical moment.
[The villain's persona must not collapse. Please respect the character's basic settings, host. Before the plot progresses to the right point, you cannot leave your status as the Male Protagonist's Dao Companion.]
Qiao Han: *Shocked!*
[Besides the marriage contract which cannot be dissolved for now, the System suggests that the host should best play the Original Body's persona. Otherwise, you will be suspected of Possession. Once the host is inspected, the fact that your Soul has been swapped will be exposed. In the setting of this world, you would basically be considered a member of the Demon Race, and the first person to kill you might be the Male Protagonist.]
Qiao Han was shocked: Doesn't the System need to be responsible for leaving such a huge hidden danger for the transmigrator?
[We are only responsible for issuing character tasks to help the host collect the Male Protagonist's emotion points. Everything else depends on the host's own efforts.]
He had been too busy being happy before and hadn't had time to ask for details.
Qiao Han: What are character tasks? And what are emotion points?
[Character tasks are things you should do that fit your villain persona. The System calculates and randomly issues tasks based on world variables, and the host must complete them.]
Qiao Han got angry: Why is there forced labor! What happened to the promised wonderful journey?! And the Original Body's persona is someone who is detrimental to the Male Protagonist everywhere. You want me to harm him, and I must do it? Am I a sucker? This transmigration experience is too poor, I protest.
[host is overthinking. Based on your abilities, the tasks assigned might at most annoy the Male Protagonist; they won't reach the level of causing harm.]
Wait, did I just get insulted?
[If you encounter a task you really don't want to do, you can use emotion points to exchange for a 'skip card' in the System Shop. emotion points are the emotional fluctuations the Male Protagonist experiences because of the tasks you perform. The better the quality of completion, the more emotion points you obtain.]
Following the System's explanation, a transparent electronic interface appeared before Qiao Han. The first item in the System Shop was the skip card, required points: 100.
While Qiao Han still didn't know if 100 points was a lot or a little, he saw other items: Cultivation Techniques, Magical Artifacts, Medicinal Pills, Spiritual Talismans, etc. The most expensive was only 50 points.
Qiao Han:...[Additionally, before the host unbinds, your lifespan also requires the consumption of emotion points. The exchange rate is 1 point: 1 year.]
In the Cultivation World, where a single seclusion could last years... Qiao Han looked tremblingly at the boxed area at the very top of the System interface. Currently, emotion points: 0, Lifespan: 15 days (initial gift from the System).
Qiao Han:!!!!
Indeed, there is no such thing as a free lunch. After a long while of fussing, he finally understood the general situation from the System.
First, he didn't have to strictly play the Original Body; his personality could change as long as he wasn't suspected. But the marriage contract really couldn't be helped; he had to wait until the time in the original text's plot where the contract is dissolved to let it happen naturally.
Second, this was a real world. In theory, he could do anything, but he might clash with the world's consciousness, leading to a tug-of-war. In other words, if he wanted to change the plot, how much he could change it would depend on his own exploration.
These two points finally allowed the aggrieved Qiao Han to breathe a sigh of relief.
Although it was full of crises, as long as there was hope, he would work hard to change the Male Protagonist's future and ending.
Just as Xiao Jiuchi had always done: man proposes, God disposes.
He didn't need any 'beautiful, powerful, and tragic' tropes; if they were going to walk a path, it would be the path of an invincible powerhouse!
As for his remaining fifteen days of life, the System told him not to worry, as tasks would be sent soon.
For Qiao Han, who had no points to exchange for a 'skip card', he was both expectant and resistant. He only hoped the tasks wouldn't be too excessive, so he could scrape together a bit of lifespan first.
In the darkness, he could smell a medicinal fragrance permeating the air. The rich Wood Element Spiritual Power around him made Qiao Han feel exceptionally comfortable.
"Elder Mei, how is he?"
Qiao Han: It's the Male Protagonist's voice!
"Yo yo yo, and here I heard he was about to stop being your Dao Companion. Why do you care about him so much?" A high-pitched, forced voice suddenly chimed in.
Qiao Han got goosebumps all over. Without even looking, Qiao Han already knew who was speaking: the Medical Cultivator Elder of Puxian Peak in the Qingyun Sect, Mei Youjiu.
"That is not the case. I must trouble Elder Mei to take a careful look. I just checked and found he has no spiritual power at all; it doesn't seem right."
"I've already looked. He's fine; someone at the Qi Refinement Stage simply couldn't withstand the pressure. Jiuchi, you're worrying about others, but look at yourself. If you don't go treat your wounds now, you'll be the one collapsing. When that happens, everyone in the Qingyun Sect, from the old to the young, even the flowers and grass, will be heartbroken."
Qiao Han felt like his left ear was being brushed by a spring breeze while his right ear was being struck by lightning. He was suffering through it, but when he heard about the injury, he couldn't hold back.
He remembered. In the original text, after the Original Body was brought back, the two of them immediately sealed the marriage contract, and then Xiao Jiuchi received an emergency mission to go down the mountain.
That mission was difficult, and their whole group was injured. They should have come straight here for treatment upon their return, but Xiao Jiuchi heard about the situation with the Original Body and rushed to handle the problem first.
After it was handled, the Original Body was very angry and dragged Xiao Jiuchi into a big fight. In fact, it was just him unilaterally venting his dissatisfaction, after which he ran away without looking back.
Xiao Jiuchi, who remained behind, fainted directly because his treatment was delayed. It wasn't until a passing Disciple found him that he was sent here.
Xiao Jiuchi... was someone who could endure a lot of pain.
Qiao Han suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.
"Oh my god, you scared me!" The forced voice turned into a manly one.
Qiao Han indeed saw a middle-aged man who looked like Maitreya Buddha, but paired with that coy little expression on his Face, it was truly a challenge to his psyche.
Qiao Han quickly turned his head to find the Male Protagonist to cleanse his eyes.
Sure enough, as soon as he turned his head, a man as elegant as a green bamboo was standing nearby, currently looking down at him.
Qiao Han thought of countless opening lines for meeting his idol for the first time, but when he met those eyes that were as bright as cold stars, his throat felt like it was on fire. He couldn't squeeze out a single word, leaving only an expression that gradually became distorted with excitement.
"How does Young Master Qiao feel? Is there anywhere else you feel unwell?"
Xiao Jiuchi's tone carried a polite distance. His voice was pleasant but not deep, like a breeze passing through a lush bamboo forest, or a mountain stream falling into a mirror-clear lake. It was indescribably pleasant and friendly.
Ahhh! In a strict sense, this was the first time the Great Male Protagonist had spoken to him!
Qiao Han was so excited he didn't know what to say. He just wanted to scream, and in the end, his Face turned completely red.
Xiao Jiuchi was stunned as he looked at Qiao Han, whose Face had suddenly turned red.
The eyes staring straight at him were like amber glass stones, sparkling with light, making Xiao Jiuchi feel both puzzled and uneasy.
"Oh my, Jiuchi's little wife, come, tell the Elder, do you still feel uncomfortable?"
The high-pitched, forced voice immediately snapped Qiao Han back to his senses, but the term 'little wife' gave Qiao Han a metaphorical heart attack, making his whole body shudder with awkwardness.
Pick your targets for teasing, Elder Mei!!!
Look, the Male Protagonist is so disgusted he's stepping back!!!
Xiao Jiuchi did indeed stiffen for a moment. His long, feather-like eyelashes drooped, hiding the emotions in his eyes, and he took a step back to make room for Elder Mei to facilitate his examination.
"I'm fine now," Qiao Han said urgently, his voice a bit tight. Looking at Xiao Jiuchi, who showed no outward signs of injury, he stiffly managed to say, "Are you injured? Then go get treated quickly, don't delay."
As soon as he finished speaking, a 'ding' sounded in his mind.
[Friendly reminder: according to the Original Body's persona, he would not care about the Male Protagonist. Be careful of being suspected.]
Qiao Han: Isn't polite, fake concern normal?
[...]
Qiao Han: According to the original description, we aren't familiar at all. The cumulative time we've spent meeting and talking probably doesn't exceed an hour. In other words, everyone else in the Qingyun Sect is more familiar with me than Xiao Jiuchi is. What could the Male Protagonist possibly suspect?
Therefore, his persona was the least likely to collapse in front of the Male Protagonist.
The System seemed to think he had a point, so it only left one sentence, [host, handle it yourself,] and then went silent.
"It won't be a delay. It's good that Young Master Qiao is fine." Xiao Jiuchi's tone remained unchanged, but the way he looked at Qiao Han changed slightly.
Qiao Han looked up and saw that in the depths of those lacquer-black Phoenix eyes, there seemed to be a pool of deep blue, revealing a hint of forest-like coldness.
In the blink of an eye, it was gone.
Qiao Han didn't think much of it. After all, the Male Protagonist had an Ice Spiritual Root, so it was normal to have some outward characteristics of that attribute, and it was actually quite good-looking.