In a room with antique elegance, a handsome young man with a pale face awoke on a soft, luxurious bed, his eyes empty and filled with despair.
He had awoken too suddenly. Yun Liu found himself transmigrated into the body of a tragic character, his memories utterly merged and indistinguishable, yet he still couldn’t accept this new reality.
A disciple of an immortal sect, outstanding in appearance and talent, and even blessed with a beautiful childhood fiancée.
Isn’t this the perfect winner’s script?
A dreamlike start, he should be ecstatic!
But what if he was about to be crowned with the greenest of hats?
That’s right. This was the Misty Realm, the world of the Cuckolded Cultivator’s Tale. Yun Liu was certain of it.
And he was the unlucky wretch in this Mystical Beauty Raising Game, same body, same looks, even the same name.
He knew this excrement-tier masterpiece like the back of his hand.
The blond protagonist was a Heaven’s Chosen Maiden, collecting the fate of the Nine Provinces and building a massive harem along the way.
Lying sick in bed for days, Yun Liu racked his brains, digging through every memory and 100% completion save file, but still couldn’t think of a way to escape disaster.
It wasn’t the unbeatable protagonist he feared—it was being noticed by that protagonist, especially when that protagonist was a Feng Aotian!
How could a mere background character withstand the protagonist’s halo?
Was he supposed to just silently endure such humiliation?
What a joke!
“So long as there are no ties, it doesn’t count as being cuckolded!”
Yun Liu slapped his forehead. He had to cut ties with the heroines as soon as possible, stay far away from the main cast, and avoid them at all costs.
The tragic lead sat up with a start, having just steeled his resolve, when the door was pushed open.
“Ah! Why are you out of bed? The physician said you shouldn’t move around yet.”
Two young maidens entered, hand in hand—one in fiery red, the other in a swaying pale yellow dress.
The girl in red was as beautiful as a budding flower, her cheeks puffed in a feigned pout, secretly annoyed at the boy for not cherishing his body.
These two dazzling prodigies made quite the impression in the game, each with her own charm.
But Yun Liu’s mind was filled with the lush green atop his head; once he slipped into character, he could no longer look directly at these peerless beauties.
Before or after transmigrating, he was more than familiar with the girl in red.
The only difference was his perspective had shifted from perpetrator to victim.
“What are you muttering about? Why are you ignoring me? Did you hit your head?”
The red-clad girl tilted her head, waving her hand in front of the dazed young man.
Her name was Xiao Xinran, Yun Liu’s childhood sweetheart and the undisputed heroine of the first story arc.
Yun Liu ignored his so-called fiancée and instead turned to the tall maiden, his gaze flickering.
“This must be Miss Ji. I’ve heard all about you—thank you for your timely rescue. If not for you, Xinran and I would have been doomed.”
He recited the lines as expected, but there wasn’t a trace of gratitude in his eyes.
The girl in yellow had skin fairer than snow, an ethereal beauty with a celestial bearing.
Whether in looks, figure, or innate talent, she was a rare gem even in the Misty Nine Provinces.
Ji Shiyu bowed gracefully in return.
“Brother Yun, you flatter me. Slaying demons and eliminating evil is our duty as cultivators. It’s nothing worth mentioning.”
This prim and proper little lady before him was the Feng Aotian protagonist herself.
That dazzling golden hair, sign of a high and noble lineage, was exceedingly rare.
She was, without a doubt, the “blondie.”
A weasel wishing the chicken a happy new year—she couldn’t possibly have good intentions!
At this point, the prologue had just ended. Yun Liu and Xiao Xinran had gone out to train, only to be ambushed by the Demon Sect.
Fortunately, Ji Shiyu happened by and saved them. From the tragic lead’s perspective, the story began with him gravely wounded.
“Of course it’s something! Shiyu is amazing—she took down those Demon Sect ruffians in just a couple moves. Meanwhile, a certain Shenhua Sect Inner Disciple, almost at Foundation Establishment, got knocked out by a bunch of nobodies. Shameful!”
Xiao Xinran grabbed the yellow-clad girl’s hand, eyes sparkling with adoration.
She even made a face at Yun Liu. Growing up together, their relationship was close, and she never held back with her teasing.
Wow, putting me down as soon as you walk in—right in front of the “husband,” no less?
Looks like while he was bedridden, Blondie and the heroine had become best friends, sharing everything.
Ji Shiyu patted the girl’s head, smiling dotingly.
She clearly adored this lively, clever little sister.
Since time immemorial, childhood sweethearts always lost to those who descended from the heavens, and the “hero saves beauty” move never failed.
The dashing, heroic swordswoman left an indelible impression on the naïve young maiden, forming a stark contrast with the fallen fiancé and winning herself a devoted little fan.
The groundwork for future cuckoldry was firmly laid.
Yun Liu watched silently, expressionless and too tired to complain. He couldn’t wait to cut ties.
The truth was, he’d risked his life to slay the lead Refining Qi Ninth Stage demon, only for Ji Shiyu to swoop in and steal the credit.
As for Xiao Xinran, currently powerless at Refining Qi Third Stage, she only saw her fiancé collapse at the first blow, utterly outshone by the sudden appearance of Feng Aotian.
Whatever—soon enough, they’d have nothing to do with each other~
Ji Shiyu’s eyes grew worried. After a moment’s hesitation, she said softly, “Brother Yun, are you alright? We’ve visited every clinic in Mist City, but they all said your Qi Sea is shattered, beyond any medicine’s help. I’m afraid… it will affect your cultivation forever.”
“I know.”
Yun Liu smiled. She was still being tactful.
He was basically a cripple now. Without a Reversion Pill to restore his Qi Sea, he’d only keep declining.
But the Reversion Pill was a third-grade Spirit Pill, and in a backwater city like Mist City, where would they find a Jindan-Stage Alchemist of such status?
The news that the Yun Clan’s young master was crippled had surely spread throughout Mist City by now, causing quite a stir.
The world was cold, and the cultivation world no less so. No doubt the Xiao Family had heard; his future father-in-law hadn’t come to visit in days, only sending servants with some supplements to see to his daily needs.
Why could the tragic lead still smile?
Of course, it was because he remembered the Reversion Pill recipe and all required spirit ingredients.
As a hardcore Forum Strategy Team player with a 100% completion trophy, he wasn’t joking.
Xiao Xinran clearly didn’t realize how serious things were. She took out a pile of bottles and jars from her sleeve.
“Oh, right! I brought lots of Spirit Pills and Divine Medicine from home. See if there’s anything useful?”
At this point, the little wife was still devoted to her fiancé, her affection maxed out. Her feelings for Ji Shiyu were only admiration and envy.
After all, Blondie hadn’t started digging at the wall yet!
But Yun Liu just stared fixedly at the golden-haired beauty, barely sparing a glance for his fiancée since she arrived.
Xiao Xinran immediately fumed, hands on her hips, blocking the two from each other.
“Hey, I’m talking to you! Cat got your tongue?”
“No need, thank you. If there’s nothing else, please, both of you—leave.”
The white-robed youth sat quietly at the bedside, as if none of this concerned him.
“You, what’s with that attitude? I’m just worried about you, okay!”
Xiao Xinran stomped her foot. The once gentle and caring big brother suddenly felt like a stranger, his manners polite but distant.
Was it because of that joke earlier?
She didn’t really mean to belittle him!
“Thank you for your concern, Miss Xiao. I’m quite alright.”
“What—what did you just call me!?”
The girl in red looked utterly shocked, disbelief written all over her face.
“Enough, Xinran. Brother Yun is still recovering and isn’t in the best mood.”
The couple bickered while Blondie awkwardly tried to smooth things over with a wry smile.
Qi Sea shattered, crippled, and even scolded by the lover he’d risked his life to protect—anyone would feel miserable.
“Shiyu, even you—hmph!”
Xiao Xinran pouted and stormed out.
Only two people remained in the room, the silence deafening. Yet the boy’s face showed no disappointment, his eyes were unusually bright.
His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through Ji Shiyu’s clothes, stripping her bare, making Blondie’s hair stand on end, feeling exposed.
In some ways, the tragic lead knew her better than she knew herself, measurements, preferences, everything.
With Xiao Xinran gone in a huff, Ji Shiyu sighed and tried to comfort him.
“Um, Brother Yun, Xinran didn’t mean it. She doesn’t understand how important the Qi Sea is to a cultivator, or what you sacrificed to protect her.”
“I know. She’s just outspoken.”
“These days, it’s not that Xinran doesn’t want to visit, but…”
Ji Shiyu trailed off.
“I know.”
Yun Liu smiled and nodded, repeating the same words.
No need for you, Blondie, to get chummy with me. I know this script by heart!
“I understand how you feel. Don’t give up hope. I heard there’s a rare medicine that can restore the Qi Sea. If you can find a master alchemist, there might still be a chance.”
“Trust me, you can’t.”
Yun Liu shook his head as he left the room, his words full of meaning.
“If Miss Ji has nowhere else to stay, you’re welcome to remain here for a few days. The courtyard is quiet and there’s no one to disturb you.”
She had, after all, saved his life, he could at least show this much courtesy.
Besides, Blondie wasn’t a bad person, just a little narcissistic.
“Um, thank you. Then I’ll accept your hospitality.”
Ji Shiyu blinked, but didn’t stand on ceremony.
The Yun Clan’s residence was less grand than the Xiao Family’s, but it was peaceful and undisturbed.
Watching the boy’s thin back, the golden-haired girl suddenly felt a touch of curiosity.
At sixteen, with Refining Qi Ninth Stage cultivation, he’d be a top talent even among the great clans, surely an elite Inner Disciple of Shenhua Sect.
With such promise, he should have been riding high, but now, struck down by calamity, most would never recover.
Yet Yun Liu treated it as a minor setback, showing not the slightest discouragement.
His Dao heart was as steady as a boulder.
Ji Shiyu found herself truly impressed; she certainly couldn’t do the same. It only strengthened her opinion.
“The Shenhua Sect really is a righteous orthodox sect—full of outstanding people. I’ve come to the right place!”
Suddenly, her golden hair wriggled, and from within poked out a furry little head.
It was a tiny chick with a sharp beak and fiery feathers like burning flames, chubby and round.
“Dominance… leaking out everywhere!”
Chicken Chick spoke in a childish voice, delivering its verdict. It was, in fact, a Spirit Beast.
So a female protagonist stole his fiance.
A Yuri game, eh.