Red Night City.
Outer District
People Lane.
The soft glow of an old lantern flickered, casting wavering shadows across the narrow, dirt-packed lane. The air carried a faint chill, and the scent of damp wood lingered. Ye Chen stood outside a weathered wooden door, his figure shrouded in the dim light. Behind him loomed a dilapidated house, its cracked walls and patched roof tiles standing as silent witnesses to years of neglect. The small yard, overrun with weeds and debris, completed the picture of his humble existence.
"Madam Zhang, I'll think about it some more," Ye Chen said, his voice steady but with a hint of weariness.
Across from him stood Zhang Ma, the infamous matchmaker of the Outer District. Her sharp eyes seemed to pierce through Ye Chen's resolve, though her wrinkled face softened slightly as she adjusted her shawl. She had been here many times before, always with the same proposal, and tonight, she intended to get a firm answer.
"Ye Chen, you're not a fool. You know this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance," Zhang Ma said firmly. "The Qian family is not just wealthy—they're influential. Marrying their daughter will elevate you far above your current station. No more poverty. No more struggling to survive."
Ye Chen offered a polite nod, though his chest tightened. The truth in her words was a weight he couldn't ignore. As an orphan in the bustling yet unforgiving Red Night City, he had little to his name—a crumbling house, a few patched clothes, and a life of constant struggle. Marrying into the Qian Mansion seemed like salvation, a way out of the endless cycle of poverty.
But salvation came with a price.
Miss Qian, despite her wealth, was infamous in the city. Standing just 1.6 meters tall but weighing close to 100 kilograms, her features mirrored her father's—rough and unkind, with a demeanor that left much to be desired. Whispers painted her as temperamental and domineering, someone who could make a man's life miserable despite the luxuries she provided.
Zhang Ma leaned in slightly, her tone softening. "If you delay any longer, the Qian family might lose interest. Think carefully, Ye Chen. You have nothing now. Do you want to spend the rest of your life like this?"
The words struck a nerve. Without waiting for his response, Zhang Ma gave him a pointed look before turning and walking away. Her footsteps echoed against the quiet of the lane, leaving Ye Chen alone with his thoughts.
He sighed deeply, pushing open the creaky door and stepping into the darkness of his home. Inside, the air was stale, and the faint smell of damp wood filled the single-room dwelling. A rickety wooden stool sat by a low table, its surface scarred with years of use. On the far side, a worn-out bed with a thin blanket leaned against the wall. There was no decoration, no warmth, only the bare necessities of survival.
He sank onto the stool, his head heavy with the weight of his circumstances.
Who would guess that Ye Chen had once been a man of ambition, a dreamer from another world?
It had been a year since he found himself in this unfamiliar place, his memories intact but his body changed. At first, he had been filled with hope, believing his knowledge and drive would help him rise above this world's hardships.
But this was a world unlike his own. Here, martial arts dominated, and power dictated status. The imperial examinations, a path to success in his previous life, were meaningless in a society where the strong ruled and the weak struggled to survive. Without family, resources, or talent, Ye Chen's dreams had quickly crumbled.
He had tried every path he could think of. The martial arts manuals he needed were too expensive, and even the lowest-tier cultivation resources were out of reach. Without connections or backing, even starting a small business had been impossible; the moment a business showed promise, it was either stolen or crushed by those more powerful.
Now, he was left with one bitter choice: to marry into the Qian family and trade his freedom for the security their wealth could offer.
As night fell, the room grew colder, the silence pressing down like a heavy blanket. Ye Chen sat in the dark, staring at the empty space in front of him. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Could he truly give up his independence for a life of comfort?
Finally, he sighed, his voice barely above a whisper. "If marrying the Qian family can give me a foothold in this world, then so be it."
No sooner had the words left his lips than a sudden burst of light filled his mind. It was as though a star had ignited within his consciousness, illuminating the darkness within. Startled, Ye Chen closed his eyes, and his awareness was drawn into an unfamiliar, ethereal space.
A shimmering fruit hovered before him, its surface glowing with a golden light. It pulsed gently, exuding an aura of mystery and power. As Ye Chen reached out with his mind, a surge of understanding flooded his thoughts.
[Dao Fruit Activated]
[Host: Ye Chen]
[Cultivation: None]
[Dao Fruit: Forging (Lv0, 0%)]
His heart raced, his breath quickening. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a spark of hope.
"This… this is what I've been waiting for!"
The Dao Fruit was a gift, a golden finger that promised limitless potential. He understood instinctively that every year he lived, a new Dao Fruit would form, granting him a unique ability or mastery over a specific domain.
"This first fruit… Forging." He focused on the glowing fruit, and knowledge poured into him. Though it was at the lowest level, Ye Chen knew its potential was vast. By practicing blacksmithing, he could level up this Dao Fruit, eventually becoming a master craftsman capable of forging legendary weapons and treasures.
Excitement surged through him, banishing the despair that had clouded his mind for so long. "With this ability, I don't need to rely on the Qian family. I can carve out my own path!"
The path forward was clear: he needed to find a blacksmith shop and become an apprentice. It would be hard work, but it was a chance to hone his Dao Fruit and earn his freedom.
Ye Chen clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. The heavens had given him a chance, and he wouldn't waste it.
"This is only the beginning. With the Dao Fruit, my rise starts now!"
As the night deepened, the flickering light of the lantern outside seemed to shine a little brighter, reflecting the spark of hope reignited within Ye Chen.