Chapter - 9
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Even though idols are just fictional characters, as a fan, you can joke about calling them your husband or wife. But when Qiao Han truly had to bear that title, all he could think was: “How dare I? Do I even deserve this? For heaven’s sake, I’m still a man, and my idol deserves the best of the best, a beautiful lady!”
This identity, which made Qiao Han so uncomfortable, had to be shed. But he also had to stay in Qingyun Sect, to remain by the protagonist's side. Besides, this identity wasn’t as useful as being a fellow disciple.
For instance, in the key plotline of the secret realm adventure, only the inner disciples of Qingyun Sect had the right to compete for entry into the secret realm. If you were just a cultivation partner and lacked the strength, you basically had no chance. In the original novel, the original Qiao Han stayed behind in Qingyun Sect and didn’t go.
And later on, when Xiao Jiuci was expelled from Qingyun Sect, being a junior brother held more weight than being a cultivation partner. Qiao Han didn’t know how far he could go, but he wanted to prepare as much as possible.
So Qiao Han had to join Qingyun Sect and use the identity of a fellow disciple to be part of every critical plot twist.
Xiao Jiuci, after his initial surprise, quietly listened to him speak.
In Qiao Han's account, because he was burdened with the identity of being the heir to the Luo Yan Mystical Body, he was fated from a young age to be married off to a genius disciple from a major sect. He was treated like merchandise, sent from place to place, with no one ever caring about whether he was willing or not.
Qiao Han worked hard to portray himself as an innocent, pitiful white lotus, almost squeezing out a couple of tears to set the mood.
Qiao Han said, “I had originally resigned myself to my fate, but after coming here, I realized that Young Master Xiao truly lives up to his noble and upright reputation. No wonder I have admired you since I was young."
"Admire me?" Xiao Jiuci was surprised.
Qiao Han, completely unconcerned about slipping in his personal agenda, secretly confessed his feelings to his idol while nodding enthusiastically. "Among our peers in the cultivation world, countless people admire you. It’s not surprising that I’m one of them."
Xiao Jiuci gave Qiao Han a deep look. Flattering words like these were something he often heard, but he hadn't expected them from someone who had scrutinized him with such hostility during their first meeting.
However... this person had indeed praised him during the confrontation with the Wanren Sect. At the time, he thought it was just something casually said.
"So, because you think I’m someone who can be reasoned with, you decided not to resign yourself to fate?" Xiao Jiuci summarized.
Qiao Han nodded, "And I can also see that you don't care at all about the Luo Yan Mystical Body."
Xiao Jiuci smiled faintly. "How can you be so sure?"
"Obviously, if you did care, why would we be sleeping in separate rooms?" Qiao Han replied confidently.
In the original novel, the original Qiao Han had tried multiple times to invite Xiao Jiuci to dual cultivate with him, but every attempt ended in failure.
The funniest instance occurred not long after Qiao Han had moved in. He complained that his bed was uncomfortable, which was a veiled suggestion that he wanted to share a room and dual cultivate. However, the protagonist, with his oblivious straight-man tendencies, didn’t catch on at all and actually thought Qiao Han wanted to change beds. In response, Xiao Jiuci brought him a brand new bed, leaving the original Qiao Han so frustrated that he didn’t leave his room for days.
Of course, after many more hints, the protagonist finally understood what was going on. But he felt it wasn’t proper since they hadn’t officially held a marriage ceremony, so he continued to avoid Qiao Han. Now, ask yourself, would someone who truly coveted the Luoyan Profound Body really be indifferent to such obvious advances?
Qiao Han didn’t bother to speculate whether the protagonist could accept being with a man. After all, in the cultivation world, dual cultivation didn’t necessarily have to involve physical intimacy—it could also be a mental union, though that was more difficult to achieve.
Sure enough, after Qiao Han finished speaking, a flash of embarrassment crossed Xiao Jiuci’s face. He candidly admitted, "I truly don’t care."
Seizing the opportunity, Qiao Han pressed on, "Besides, I think relying on dual cultivation to improve one’s cultivation level is unstable. It’s better to rely on yourself."
This was, in fact, Xiao Jiuci’s own philosophy, and Qiao Han purposefully echoed it to make Xiao Jiuci feel like they were kindred spirits, drawing them closer.
As expected, Xiao Jiuci’s eyes brightened slightly at Qiao Han’s words.
“See? Neither of us actually likes men, nor are we interested in dual cultivation. So why not cancel the marriage contract and be free? It’ll spare us the awkwardness of interacting. What do you think?”
Qiao Han, feeling certain of his victory, smiled, the corners of his lips lifting. His pale skin carried a faint flush, exuding the delicate charm of a pampered young master. There was even a small mole on the right side of his nose, adding a cute and playful touch. His amber-like eyes sparkled with youthful energy.
It was the rebellious excitement of someone challenging the status quo, like a flower in full bloom. It was as if his whole demeanor said that if his proposal was rejected, he would wither right away. It was hard for anyone to crush such enthusiasm.
Xiao Jiuci’s gaze flickered, and under Qiao Han’s expectant stare, he finally nodded.
In that moment, Qiao Han’s face lit up, as though he had just accomplished something world-changing.
For Xiao Jiuci, it truly didn’t matter much. Since it was Qiao Han’s request, he was willing to go along with it. Perhaps, deep down, Xiao Jiuci even felt a sense of relief.
Seeing how happy Qiao Han was, Xiao Jiuci couldn’t help but remind him, "Young Master Qiao, although we've agreed to dissolve the marriage contract, you do realize that it's not so easily undone, right?"
The marriage contract was a type of magical binding, and once imprinted, it imposed many restrictions and effects. The most troublesome part was that both parties needed to be at least at the Golden Core stage of cultivation to dissolve the contract without harm.
If the contract was forcefully broken beforehand, the party with the weaker cultivation would suffer backlash.
In the original novel, the protagonist’s spiritual roots and Golden Core were both destroyed, leaving him essentially a mortal. When Qiao Han's original counterpart forcibly broke the contract, it was the protagonist who suffered the backlash, making his situation even worse.
"Let’s set the Golden Core stage as the limit. Once I reach it, we’ll officially dissolve everything," Qiao Han replied, having already anticipated this issue. Besides, the system had restrictions, so it wasn’t possible to break the contract immediately, which suited him just fine.
Xiao Jiuci didn’t doubt Qiao Han’s cultivation speed—perhaps because he didn’t care much. He merely nodded in acknowledgment.
"If you don’t mind, I’ll call you Brother Xiao. You can just call me Qiao Han. Soon, I’ll be able to call you Senior Brother," Qiao Han said with a bright smile, his demeanor completely different now—so open and cheerful that it felt as if he were an entirely new person. Was it because he had been resigned to his fate before, and now, having broken free from his cage, he was finally revealing his true nature?
Xiao Jiuci, finding a reasonable explanation for his earlier doubts, responded in a calm and polite manner, "Alright, Qiao Han."
The moment Xiao Jiuci uttered Qiao Han’s name in that distinct voice of his, Qiao Han’s pupils dilated, and he felt a rush of tingling excitement from head to toe, barely able to contain his urge to scream with joy.
He called my name!!! Qiao Han thought, barely containing his excitement. It sounds so good! I’ve never thought my name could sound this amazing!
“Brother Xiao!” Qiao Han responded immediately, brimming with excitement, his pure and straightforward demeanor making it clear that his previous composed persona had completely crumbled.
Even Xiao Jiuci couldn’t help but let a hint of amusement flicker in his eyes. This version of Qiao Han, open and honest, was indeed much easier to interact with than before.
“By the way, you mentioned joining the sect earlier. Were you referring to participating in the Qingyun Sect’s inner disciple recruitment?” Xiao Jiuci asked.
Qiao Han nodded enthusiastically.
Xiao Jiuci acknowledged this with a nod. “Very well, I’ll take you to register tomorrow.”
After finishing their discussion, Qiao Han returned to his actual room.
The layout of both rooms was identical. The living space was large, with a seating area near the entrance, separated by curtains and screens to create distinct spaces for hosting guests and sleeping. The left and right sides of the room were also spacious, meant for flexible use.
In the male lead’s room, one side was dedicated to meditation, while the other was neatly organized with various objects and books.
In contrast, Qiao Han’s room, which his original counterpart had lived in for a month, was cluttered on both sides with all kinds of random items, a complete mess that had clearly never been cleaned.
Qiao Han's lips twitched. He could only imagine what Xiao Jiuci might have thought after seeing this disaster earlier.
I can’t let my idol think I’m this lazy!
Determined to change that impression, Qiao Han rolled up his sleeves, ready to start cleaning. As he pondered where to begin, he happened to pass by a mirror—and froze in his tracks.
Qiao Han had unexpectedly crossed over into this new world, and it took an entire day for him to realize that he hadn’t even looked at his own face yet. Now that the sky had darkened, he immediately rushed to a mirror to examine himself closely.
As expected, it was the face and body of his eighteen-year-old self. Not to brag, but he looked quite the "fresh meat" — the youthful standard. The only difference was his long hair, tied up with a jade hairpin, with a single lock falling gracefully over his shoulder. His features were sharper and more refined in an ancient style: peach blossom eyes with amber irises, eyebrows like distant ink strokes, and lips as delicate as cherry petals. However, there was a hint of tension between his brows, a trace of harshness that hinted at frequent frowns.
He pinched his face on both sides, confirming that it hurt, finally dispelling that surreal feeling of being in someone else’s body.
Half an hour later, Qiao Han collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. Magic? Pfft. Spells? Yeah, right. Thinking everything would clean itself up was definitely a pipe dream.
Soon enough, his stomach let out a growl. Qiao Han hadn’t cultivated the ability to go without food and was still reliant on meals. He realized with some alarm that he hadn’t eaten all day! Sure, he could take some Fasting Pills, but he wasn’t in the mood for that. He was hungry and decided to head out and find some real food.
He recalled that Qingyun Sect had a cafeteria, although the peak they were on, Wuding Peak, didn’t. No problem, he could go to another peak. Xiao Jiuci had even duplicated a disciple’s jade token for him when he first arrived, so he could move freely around Qingyun Sect, meaning food wouldn’t be an issue. This was also a good chance to familiarize himself with the sect.
Just as he opened the door, however, the fragrant aroma of food wafted toward him from nearby. Before he could react, he saw Xiao Jiuci stepping out of a small cabin, holding a tray of food.
On the tray were three dishes and a soup, along with a bowl of rice. The food wasn’t just aromatic but also exuded a faint spiritual aura—it was made from ingredients rich in spiritual energy, perfect for nourishing a cultivator’s body.
Qiao Han’s eyes were glued to the scene, and his heart raced wildly. He recalled how, in the original novel, it was mentioned that the male lead’s cooking skills were top-notch. The descriptions had been so mouthwatering that Qiao Han, sitting outside the book, would always end up ordering takeout just to pacify his cravings.
And now, seeing it with his own eyes, Qiao Han could feel the drool practically pooling in his mouth.
If he shamelessly greeted Xiao Jiuci and managed to snag a meal, would it be too much? They weren’t that close yet, after all. But the food—that was made by the male lead himself! How could he miss this chance? He was torn between the importance of his pride and the call of the delicious meal in front of him.
As he struggled in his mind, wondering whether to prioritize food or face, Xiao Jiuci calmly set the food on a stone table in the courtyard. Then, as if sensing Qiao Han’s inner turmoil, he turned toward him. Qiao Han stood frozen in the doorway, unsure whether to step forward or retreat.
Xiao Jiuci's voice rang out clearly, "Hungry? I just finished cooking. Come out and eat."
Qiao Han: !!!!!!
Qiao Han wasn’t even sure how he managed to float over to the table. By the time Xiao Jiuci had served him a portion of rice, complete with chopsticks, Qiao Han felt on the verge of tears. His face flushed as he lowered his head to stare at the perfectly cooked grains of spiritual rice.
Seeing Qiao Han’s unusual reaction, Xiao Jiuci asked, "What's wrong? You don't eat spiritual food?"
Qiao Han quickly shook his head, but when he looked up, his eyes met Xiao Jiuci’s gentle, handsome face. His eyes reddened again, and he answered in a low voice, "No, I love it. It's just... this is my first time."
"First time for what?"
Qiao Han blinked and, with sincerity, said, "The first time someone personally made a meal and invited me to eat. Thank you. You're really a good person, Brother Xiao."
“This is such a small matter, no need for such a reaction.” Xiao Jiuci was surprised by Qiao Han’s emotional response. For a moment, he felt a pang of sympathy for the younger man. The fleeting expression Qiao Han showed, like a child starved of affection, tugged at Xiao Jiuci’s heart. Did the Qiao family really restrict him so much?
By the time Xiao Jiuci collected his thoughts, Qiao Han had already regained his composure and was eagerly digging into the food. The way he ate, it was as if he were savoring a rare delicacy. He examined each bite carefully before slowly chewing, his eyes lighting up with each mouthful. If someone didn’t know better, they might think he had consumed some sort of spiritual herb that enhanced his cultivation.
As someone in the Jindan stage, Xiao Jiuci no longer needed to eat. He used to cook only because of his master, and for his junior brothers and sisters who still indulged in food. Today, remembering that Qiao Han hadn’t yet achieved the ability to survive without food and would likely need to go to another peak to eat, Xiao Jiuci decided to make a meal. He figured that if Qiao Han went so late, he’d only be left with scraps, so it was better to prepare something himself. Little did he expect Qiao Han to be so appreciative.
Xiao Jiuci only had a little food himself before drinking the soup. Qiao Han noticed that Xiao Jiuci had stopped eating, so he immediately loosened his restraint and finished the rest with great speed, not wasting even a drop of sauce.
“That was amazing! I’m full. Thank you for the meal, let me clean up!” Qiao Han offered immediately after finishing.
Xiao Jiuci put down his soup bowl, and with a wave of his fingers, a flash of light cleaned everything in an instant.
Qiao Han: Oh, right. I forgot. Even if magic can’t do mundane things like organizing rooms like a robot, it sure is handy for cleaning up.
Xiao Jiuci chuckled slightly. “Was it really that much to your liking?”
Qiao Han nodded enthusiastically, giving him a thumbs up. “It was perfect—color, aroma, and flavor! If cooking could be part of cultivation, you’d have ascended to immortality long ago.”
What kind of logic was that? Xiao Jiuci couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, thanks for the compliment.”
After a brief pause, Xiao Jiuci pondered. If there was time in the future, maybe he wouldn’t mind cooking more often. Even though their engagement would soon be annulled, Qiao Han would still become his junior disciple. It wouldn’t hurt to look after him occasionally.
After the two had their fill, they sat in the courtyard beneath a sky full of stars, resting for a while. Xiao Jiuci casually mentioned some past entrance exam cases from when he first joined the sect.
Qiao Han looked at Xiao Jiuci as he spoke in such a relaxed, conversational manner, lightly reviewing what felt like a "historical exam paper." Qiao Han felt deeply moved in a way he couldn’t quite express.
The way Xiao Jiuci effortlessly spread kindness was remarkable. He could offer his goodwill to anyone, without caring whether they noticed it or not.
Qiao Han listened attentively, feeling like a cool summer breeze was washing over him.
Not long after, Xiao Jiuci received a message from Qingyun Peak, calling him over for something.
Qiao Han returned to his own room. The excitement from interacting with the protagonist had finally worn off, and now all he wanted was to collapse onto his bed and sleep.
The day had finally ended—thrilling, magical, and enough to completely wash away the memory of his recent death. Luckily, his relationship with the protagonist had turned around and improved greatly. A bright future was just…
Ding! Character task issued: Villain Qiao Han has finally waited for the protagonist's return. In order to quickly grow stronger and enhance his cultivation, he plans to sneak into the protagonist’s bed at night and seduce him! Countdown: one minute. If you don't act, the system will take over your body and forcefully carry out the task.
Qiao Han: Huh?!
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