"Hao'er?!"Qin Tian and Yun Xiyue exchanged glances, both caught off guard.By all reason, Qin Feng had just proven himself with overwhelming strength. What eight-year-old could wield such terrifying power?
In contrast, although Qin Hao possessed the once-in-ten-thousand Supreme Bone, it had yet to awaken. No one knew how strong he truly was.
Yet—Lin Hao merely smiled, offering no explanation.His choice wasn't impulsive. It was a carefully weighed decision.
It was well known that Qin Feng and Qin Hao were twins. In terms of innate talent, the disparity could not be large.Judging by how Qin Hao consistently shattered Qin Feng's records shortly after him, he clearly held the edge.
Given equal upbringing and resources, the child with the Supreme Bone was the more strategic investment.
Most crucially—Rumors had long circulated across the Archaic World that the Blood Moon Demon Star born eight years ago was none other than Qin Feng himself.The imperial family of Great Xia viewed him as a ticking time bomb.
To bet on Qin Feng… was to bet against the crown.Too risky.Safer to wager on the brother.
If calamity befell the Qin Clan one day, Qin Hao—bound by marriage—would be theirs to claim.
"Very well."Qin Tian made no objection.His goal was alliance through matrimony.As long as the East and West powers of Great Xia united, not even the imperial family and their vassal clans could move rashly.All they needed—was time for the boys to grow.
Thus, with an unspoken understanding, a marriage forged from interest rather than affection was quietly sealed.
Yet the ones at the heart of the matter knew nothing.Lin Xiner was happily exploring the Qin Clan city with the brothers—accompanied, of course, by the brooding Lin San.
"Why do I feel like my life is constantly on the line?"Qin Feng, walking between two legendary-tier Chosen, felt the full weight of being a Heaven-Mandated Villain.Even with millions of Qin Clan elites within the city walls, he never once felt safe.If those two activated their protagonist auras at the same time, the entire family might get sent straight to the afterlife.
"Wow! This place is so lively!"Lin Xiner clapped excitedly.They had arrived at the city's central market.
But this wasn't some mortal farmer's market—This was a cultivator's trade bazaar:rows of precious herbs, shimmering elixirs, enchanted artifacts, and talismans brimming with spiritual power.
As the East's unrivaled authority, the Qin Clan guaranteed absolute security.Every day, cultivators from all over came here to trade.In time, it had evolved into a thriving hub of open exchange.
"Huh?"Qin Hao and Lin San's gazes locked simultaneously on a shabby, dust-covered cauldron.
"Eh??"Qin Feng perked up too, eyes gleaming like an old lsp discovering a new feature.He'd found something better than fearing them:follow their luck.If two Chosen were drawn to the same object—how ordinary could it possibly be?
"I saw it first!""No, I did!"The two prodigies locked horns.
While they bickered, Qin Feng transformed into the opportunistic fisherman.He turned to the stall owner.
"How much?"
The vendor, all smiles and deference, bowed."Originally 1,000 spirit stones. But for the Young Lord? 888!"
All around, passersby froze.They stared.
"EIGHT HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHT?!"Was this guy mad?A single spirit stone could feed a mortal for life.For cultivators, it equaled a week's worth of diligent training.And he was selling a rusty little cauldron for nearly nine hundred?
The vendor wiped sweat from his brow.He wasn't trying to scam Qin Feng.Truth was, he dared not.He knew exactly where that cauldron came from.
Years ago, he was a minor leader in the Tiger Head Gang, a force of over 100,000 cultivators.Their leader once uncovered an ancient ruin.Ten thousand went in.Only one walked out—him.
At the center of the ruin was no treasure vault, no golden glow—Just this humble little cauldron, enshrined atop a stone altar.As the gang leader approached, he coughed blood and died on the spot.
Only the vendor remained.Now he guarded this relic like his life depended on it.
"Deal. 888 it is."Qin Feng waved it off, telling the vendor to collect payment from the Qin estate.He, as the Young Lord, naturally never carried money.
"Thank you, Young Master!!"The vendor nearly wept, shoving the cauldron into Qin Feng's arms.
"You—"Lin San stared in disbelief.He didn't even inspect it.Didn't even haggle.Just bought it.Who the hell spent money like this?!
But a pit of regret began gnawing at his gut.He didn't know what the cauldron was.But his instincts screamed that it mattered.Those instincts had never failed him before.
Ding—Congratulations, Host! You've disrupted a Heaven's Chosen's fate! 1x Lucky Draw unlocked.
"A treasure confirmed!"Qin Feng beamed and turned the cauldron in his hands.
Nothing.Dusty.Unremarkable.
What the actual hell?!Why do protagonists always get divine insight?He held it right in front of his eyes—And it was just an old soup pot.He was outraged.The whole villain system felt rigged.
"Brother, can I play with it?"Qin Hao's puppy eyes locked onto him.Qin Feng narrowed his gaze.
If it were a sister, maybe.But this?
Still—he had a better idea."Fine," he said with a straight face."I paid 888 for it. I'll cover the two eights—you just pay the remaining one eight, and I'll let you borrow it."
"Brother, you're the best!"Qin Hao giggled, pulling out a storage pouch.His lucky red envelope savings, years of bribes and new year money.Qin Feng had been eyeing it for a while.
Moments later—Qin Hao handed over 800 spirit stones.
"...Well, d*mn."Bystanders collectively sighed.Not even kindergarten graduates fall for that.