Chapter 1 Forcibly take a concubine.
"What? You've set your sights on the Matriarch of the Die Family?"
"You wish to make her your concubine?"
Faced with his parents' astonished expressions just a few steps away, Cao Wenbin nodded without the slightest hesitation.
To be honest, he wasn't particularly keen on the idea either. After all, the Matriarch of the Die family had to be at least five or six hundred years old.
Sure, in this world, powerful figures could retain their youthful appearances. The outside world spoke of Die Yunyu's unparalleled beauty, a visage capable of captivating entire nations. But those were just rumors.
No one could say for certain what she truly looked like.Though Lin Shiyin's movements were subtle, the skies above Lingxiao City transformed dramatically the moment she stirred.
First, spiritual energy surged forth!
Then, a bright yellow scroll constructed from this energy slowly materialized before the eyes of all present.
Upon this scroll, the words written by Lin Shiyin unfolded:
"Listen, members of the Die family. My son Wenbin has set his sights on your Die Yunyu and wishes to take her as his concubine in three days' time! Prepare accordingly, lest my son's face be lost! — Lin Shiyin!"
Dominant!
Extremely so!
There was no room for negotiation, only command!
It bluntly declared that within three days, the Die family must deliver their matriarch to their son’s bed.
"Holy decree?"
Lingxiao City, being the largest city in the Central Plains, was home to many discerning individuals who immediately recognized the origin of the scroll.
"The Die family is fortunate! While a mere concubine, with the support of the Cao family, they could ascend to greater heights!"
"They were previously a second-rate family; advancing further would mean..."
"Is there truly a Die Yunyu? I've never heard of her."
"My friend, you’re showing your age! Die Yunyu is the matriarch of the Die family! It is because of her that they have risen to a second-rate power!"
"Ah, I had the privilege of witnessing Die Yunyu's unparalleled beauty! In ancient times, it was said that one glance at her would lead to a lifetime of regret!"
The discussion wasn’t confined to the streets; inside the Die family estate, chaos erupted as well.
In the council hall.
"Our matriarch is the backbone of the Die family! How can she be wed as a concubine? This matter is not up for debate, Elder; please refrain from further comment!"
"Preposterous! The Die family has always operated on a system of consensus—when did it become your sole decision?"
"Patriarch, I concur with your view; marrying the matriarch to that young boy would be a profound humiliation! Yet, it is the Cao family, an unparalleled force in the Central Plains! If we wish to save face, we must devise a means to counter the Cao family!"
It was clear that the Die family had split into two factions, each holding steadfast to their arguments, leading to a heated quarrel!
One faction believed it was an intolerable disgrace to have their matriarch serve as a concubine to a mere boy, while the representatives of this view included Patriarch Die Qianqiu and his son, Die Ke.
The opposing faction, led by the Elder, eagerly anticipated the matriarch's transformation into a phoenix, hoping to ascend along with her!
"Silence!"
As the debate grew increasingly fierce, threatening to escalate into violence, a voice that seemed capable of captivating the world drifted in from outside the door!
In that instant, a woman appeared out of thin air in the council hall.
"Matriarch!"
Without hesitation, every member of the Die family knelt before her.
"Rise."
The woman seemed preoccupied, falling into deep thought after uttering those words.
The others remained silent, standing with heads bowed, exuding utmost respect.
However, exceptions exist.
Die Ke, endowed with the traits of a protagonist, was not so compliant as the others.
Yet, as he lifted his gaze, he was struck speechless!
"My heavens, how can she be so beautiful!"
"Perhaps she rivals the legendary Baosi, who once beguiled the King of Zhou!"
"No, I absolutely cannot allow her to marry that Cao Wenbin!"
"She is mine; no one shall take her from me!"
In that moment, Die Ke's resolve solidified!
What thrilled him even more was that his mentor supported his decision!
"Your idea is commendable!"
"Her true phoenix form would greatly benefit your cultivation of the Fire God's Technique!"
"If you can—"
These words echoed directly in Die Ke’s mind!
Simultaneously, the ring on his right ring finger flickered subtly!
"Master, that..."
Initially, Die Ke had intended to inquire how he might win over Die Yunyu.
But just as his question began to form, Die Yunyu, who had been silent for some time, spoke up.
"You all should prepare. In three days, I shall marry."
The faction supporting her ascension erupted in delight!
They could already envision a brilliantly bright future ahead!
However, Die Qianqiu and his son Die Ke were left aghast.
"Matriarch, this cannot be!"
"We're not afraid of death! If it comes to it, we’ll confront the Cao family!"
At this, Die Yunyu was momentarily taken aback, then she laughed.
"Qianqiu, do you think I made this decision to preserve the family?"
Now it was Die Qianqiu’s turn to be astonished.
"Isn't it?"
Shaking her head, Die Yunyu replied with unwavering certainty, "Of course not!"
"My contemplation was merely to determine what price to sell myself for!"
"Your dignity is important, but to me, it holds no value whatsoever!"
"Currently, I am at the mid-level of the King realm. If someone can help me break through to Nirvana realm, I would gladly marry a mere boy—or even a pig, for that matter!"
Yet, despite his reluctance, Cao Wenbin had no choice but to proceed. If he didn’t secure Die Yunyu, his life would be forfeit in the near future.
“Ah, why is my luck so cursed?”
“When others cross into another world, they either dominate from the start or are blessed with some kind of system!”
“At the very least, they end up as the chosen one of fate. Sure, they might face hardship in the beginning, but their lives are never truly at risk!”
“So why, when it comes to me, am I fated to be the great villain of destiny?”
Indeed, the Cao Wenbin of this moment was no longer the same as before.
Inside this body now resided a soul from another world, a soul from the Blue Star. By some twist of fate, both bore the same name—Cao Wenbin.
As a transmigrator, he wasn’t entirely without a golden finger, but it wasn’t exactly what he had hoped for.
His golden finger came in the form of two books.
One was titled *The Dragon King of Another World,* which foretold the future events of this realm. According to its contents, in just three months, he would be beaten to death in a brawl over a woman with Die Ke of the Die family.
The other book was *The Record of a Thousand Beauties,* a mystical tome. Unlike *The Dragon King,* it contained no words—only shadowy figures across its pages.
However, the moment he mentally opened it for the first time, he understood its purpose.
Simply put, as long as he illuminated one of the shadowy figures within, the book would reward him.
Die Yunyu happened to be the shadow on the thirty-fourth page.
It was for this reason that he had come pleading to his parents, hoping they would arrange the marriage for him.
“Hmph! Once this is done, let’s see how Die Ke dares to lay a hand on me again. You may be stronger than me, but I'll crush you with seniority!”
The thought brought a smirk to Cao Wenbin’s lips, but just then...
“You brat! Are you itching for a beating?”
“Do you even realize that Die Yunyu is two or three hundred years older than I am?”
