Chapter 1 Stepping Stones

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In a lavish and intricately designed ancient-style room, Chen Fei gently stopped his partner, Qin Shuang, from drinking further.

“Shuang’er, drink less. Don’t let it affect the little one in your belly!” he said with warmth in his voice.

Across from him, Qin Shuang smiled charmingly, her beauty captivating. She set down the wine cup and said, “No way! I’m especially happy today because it’s not just one but four joyous occasions!”

Chen Fei gazed at her with adoration and chuckled. “Four joyous occasions? Shuang’er, tell me about them.”

Qin Shuang, radiant as a blooming flower, her lips curling playfully, began listing them:

“First, with your help, our Qin family has not only become a commercial giant but also acquired the Tianlan Pavilion, officially joining the ranks of the three great families of Huangwu City!”

“Second, in our journey together, you braved life-and-death dangers for me, gathering over a dozen rare spiritual medicines. And today, I’ve finally broken through to the Hua Ling Realm, becoming the youngest Grand Spiritual Master in Huangwu City!”

“Third, the acceptance letter from Silver Moon Academy has arrived. They even sent their symbol of recognition—the Silver Moon Dagger!”

As she spoke, Qin Shuang took out a gleaming silver dagger, playing with it joyfully, her eyes full of excitement.

Upon hearing this, Chen Fei’s expression changed, and he quickly said, “Wait, Shuang’er! You’re already five months pregnant. It’s not suitable for you to train at Silver Moon Academy now. You can go after giving birth!”

Qin Shuang shook her head, walked up to Chen Fei, and gazed at him tenderly with her mesmerizing eyes.

She gently embraced him and whispered, “Chen Fei, I have my own plans. You don’t need to worry about our child—I will take good care of him. Besides, there’s still the fourth piece of good news to tell you.”

Chen Fei laughed. “This fourth piece of good news must be about our son or our wedding plans, right?—Hiss!”

Before he could finish his sentence—

The sharp Silver Moon Dagger suddenly plunged into Chen Fei’s dantian!

With a cruel twist, his dantian was completely shattered!

“Thud!”

Chen Fei collapsed onto the ground, a massive bloody hole in his abdomen. He looked in utter disbelief at Qin Shuang, still as beautiful as ever, standing before him.

Qin Shuang smiled softly, her voice carrying a chilling indifference. “The fourth joyous occasion is that today, I can finally replace my root bone with your Three-Pupil Spirit Eye. From now on, my cultivation path will be brighter than ever—no one can stop me!”

Chen Fei shook his head in shock, unable to comprehend how the gentle woman he had loved could reveal such a monstrous side. More so, she carried his child!

“No… why? Why have you become… like this?”

Qin Shuang chuckled, a hint of mockery in her tone. “Actually, I’ve always been like this! My only goal has always been to become the Supreme Spirit Emperor and restore my family’s former glory! But the Qin family had fallen too far, leaving me with no resources to cultivate! Until I met you.”

“Chen Fei, thank you for everything you’ve done. I am truly grateful. In your next life, find yourself a good woman.”

With that, Qin Shuang struck him unconscious with a palm strike.

—

Chen Fei didn’t know how much time had passed before he awoke.

A searing pain in his eye sockets hit him like a thunderclap.

“Argh!” He couldn’t help but cry out in agony.

Everything was dark—he could see nothing but endless blackness.

He felt himself bouncing roughly on horseback.

“Young Master! Young Master, you’re awake! Just hold on a little longer—we’re almost out of the city!”

A familiar voice—his servant, Li Zhong—rang in his ears.

Chen Fei endured the pain and asked, “Li Zhong… what’s happening now?”

Li Zhong hurriedly explained, “Young Master, a week ago, the Qin family dug out your eyes and destroyed your dantian. They framed you for attempting to assassinate the Qin patriarch and hung you at the Qin family gate for public humiliation. I finally found a chance to rescue you. Right now, I’m taking you to the Su family. If we reach them, you’ll be safe!”

Hearing this, Chen Fei’s mind exploded with rage, and a chilling hatred seeped into his very bones.

“The Qin family… they repaid kindness with cruelty!”

His body trembled as memories of the past flashed through his mind.

Chen Fei had once been a university student on Earth. One day, a bronze cauldron from a temple collapsed on him, and by sheer luck, he was transported to this world—the Xuanhuang Continent, in the Great Qing Kingdom’s Huangwu City.

Perhaps due to some mysterious talent of transmigrators, he awakened the rare Three-Pupil Spirit Eye root bone, becoming a cultivation genius overnight.

Soon, one of Huangwu City’s famed twin beauties, Qin Shuang, fell madly in love with him, pursuing him relentlessly. Eventually, they became the city’s golden couple.

Chen Fei loved Qin Shuang deeply, living in the Qin household, sharing their days in bliss, even making her pregnant.

For her sake, he used his knowledge from his past life to amass wealth, elevating the Qin family into one of the top three families. He tirelessly sought rare spiritual medicines to support her cultivation.

Yet—everything was a lie.

He had been nothing but a stepping stone for Qin Shuang and the Qin family!

As Li Zhong rode swiftly through Huangwu City, he continued, “Young Master, Qin Shuang has already left for Silver Moon Academy. The Qin family is determined to kill you, and they won’t let you expose the truth! I’m taking you to the Su family—Miss Su Xian is willing to take you in as a son-in-law. Once you enter the Su household, the Qin family won’t dare touch you!”

Chen Fei’s blood-streaked eye sockets burned as he shook his head. “I am crippled now… why would Su Xian, the famous beauty of Huangwu City, want to marry me?”

Li Zhong explained, “Young Master, the City Lord’s son, Ye Bufan, has been forcing a marriage proposal on the Su family. Miss Su Xian doesn’t want to marry him, so she needs a shield. I heard about this and contacted her—she immediately agreed! She said that as long as you enter the Su family, you’ll be safe!”

Suddenly—

“Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!”

A rain of arrows shot from behind, piercing Li Zhong’s back!

Spewing blood, Li Zhong shouted, “Young Master! Hold onto the reins and ride! The Su family is just ahead! I’ll hold these bastards off!”

He leaped off the horse to buy time for Chen Fei’s escape.

Chen Fei, blind and battered, clutched the reins tightly.

Before long, the sound of trumpets, firecrackers, and gongs filled the air!

“Chen Fei! You’re finally here! Hurry up, it’s time for the wedding ceremony!” a maid from the Su household urged.

Chen Fei was helped off the horse.

A red veil was placed over his head.

“Bow to Heaven and Earth!… Bow to the parents!… Bow to each other as husband and wife!”

“The ceremony is complete—escort the groom to the bridal chamber!”

“From this moment on, our young lady, Su Xian, and Chen Fei are officially husband and wife! Heaven bears witness! The marriage is sealed!”

“The lady is now a married woman, and as such, she cannot marry anyone else. We hope all the young masters who came to propose will understand!”

Amidst murmurs and laughter, Chen Fei was led into the bridal chamber.

Sitting on the bed, he heard the gossip outside but felt numb.

Right now, survival was his only priority.

And deep within, a fire of vengeance burned.