Sang Yao jumped off the bed and looked at herself in the mirror.
She had to admit that her face perfectly inherited the superior genes of the Sang family, who were known for their beauty.
Sang Yao's face was extremely delicate, her skin was like white jade, her eyes were deep and spirited. She had a small mole under her left eye, which added a touch of charm and allure to her face. Although only sixteen, she already possessed the makings of a great beauty.
The people of the Nine Heavens Sect often felt that Sang Yao resembled Ye Miaomiao, making her a suitable substitute.
However, this was entirely because their figures and eyebrows bore some resemblance, and Sang Yao, while at the Nine Heavens Sect, always dressed in pure white clothes like Ye Miaomiao did.
Now, Sang Yao was wearing a red and white robe, a jade hairpin on her head, and a jade bracelet on her wrist, gifted by Sang Linyuan. The bracelet contained a space within it, capable of storing things.
If Ye Miaomiao's first impression was gentleness and kindness, then Sang Yao's first impression was... beauty!
Unspeakably beautiful, a most straightforward kind of beauty.
Sang Yao pouted. "Those fools at the Nine Heavens Sect actually used my face as a substitute. They truly have no taste."
"It's a shame..."
Sang Yao felt the emptiness where her spiritual roots used to be and couldn't help but regret it.
"Transmigrating into the cultivation world, only to have my spiritual roots dug out at the start, rendering me unable to cultivate. Should I just go and snatch the female lead's opportunities...?"
Sang Yao nodded. "Although the female lead's luck is powerful, I cannot give up."
"At least..."
Sang Yao's mind recalled the people from the Sang family. "I must protect them!"
*Ding!*
Suddenly, a mechanical voice sounded in Sang Yao's ear.
【Detecting host Sang Yao, binding Investment System...】
...
!
Sang Yao was startled. "Sys-System...?"
At that moment, a small white ball appeared before her eyes.
And a system panel also appeared before her.
The small white ball blinked, and the mechanical voice began.
【Host, I am your system, the Investment System.】
Sang Yao was surprised. "The golden finger for a transmigrator, it's finally here!"
"System, can you repair my spiritual roots?"
【System: No.】
Sang Yao: "...Then what good are you?"
【System: Esteemed host, the Investment System can detect protagonists with special luck attributes in the cultivation world.】
【As long as the host invests in a protagonist, you will receive a hundredfold return.】
Sang Yao rubbed her chin and pondered. "So that's how it is. Find a protagonist to invest in?"
"Perhaps it can restore my spiritual roots, and even..."
"Change destiny against the heavens!"
At this moment, Sang Hengyue, Sang Yao's third brother, knocked and entered. His clear and handsome face, however, was filled with indignation.
Sang Yao: "System, scan my third brother."
【System: Binding failed. Sang Hengyue... villain's stepping stone, insufficient luck.】
Sang Yao: ...
Seeing Sang Hengyue's indignant expression, Sang Yao finally spoke.
"Third brother, why do you look like you're constipated?"
Sang Hengyue took a deep breath and looked at Sang Yao with concern.
The third young master of the Sang family finally spoke, "Yao'er, after Father announced your return, the elders of the Sang family suddenly produced a marriage contract..."
Sang Yao had a bad feeling.
Sang Hengyue sighed. "It's a marriage contract that Grandfather made with the Pei family hundreds of years ago, to betroth the Young Master of the Pei family to a young lady of the Sang family."
Sang Yao: "I wouldn't be the one in the contract, would I?"
In the sleeping chambers.
Sang Hengyue said indignantly, grasping Sang Yao's hand, "Don't worry, sister, I absolutely won't let you marry that good-for-nothing from the Pei family!"
Sang Yao: "Good-for-nothing?"
"Who?" Sang Yao asked in confusion. "The young master of the Pei family, my... fiancé?"
Sang Hengyue nodded and then explained, "After a hundred years, our Sang family has become the foremost family in Northern Province. However, the Pei family is now just a small family confined to a corner, with only one Golden Core stage cultivator."
"That young master of the Pei family is named Pei Zhiyu. He was quite famous a few years ago, a renowned genius."
"He attracted qi at six, established his foundation at nine, and was on the verge of the Golden Core stage at eleven, just one step away from forming a true Golden Core. Unfortunately..."
"Three years ago, one day, his cultivation completely vanished, and he became a complete good-for-nothing."
"Moreover, he cannot cultivate no matter how much he absorbs spiritual energy from heaven and earth; he has become an ordinary mortal..."
"It is said that the Pei family has already given up on him..."
Thinking of this, Sang Hengyue felt indignant on behalf of his beautiful and adorable sister.
Sang Hengyue clenched his fist. "I will never let you marry a good-for-nothing. My sister deserves a true proud son of heaven, no, she can choose from a group of proud sons of heaven."
"Hmph," Sang Hengyue stood up and took Sang Yao's hand.
He said earnestly, "Don't worry, sister. Big brother will take you to break off the engagement now. How dare that small Pei family with only a Golden Core stage cultivator refuse?"
Sang Yao: "Why does this script feel a little familiar...?"
...
Suddenly, the Investment System in Sang Yao's ear spoke.
【Ding, detected the appearance of a protagonist with a special attribute...】
【Fallen Genius: Pei Zhiyu, future Demon Lord. The remnant souls of gods and demons within him have absorbed his spiritual energy, rendering him a three-year waste. The three-year period has passed, and the genius is about to revive.】
【Meets investment requirements...】
Sang Yao gave a wry smile. "As expected, it's the 'waste to prodigy' template. Am I that unfortunate, arrogant fiancée? And in the end, I'll have to face a three-year engagement, be defeated, and be humiliated?"
"However..."
Sang Yao's lips curved into a smile. "As long as I invest in this protagonist early, perhaps I can regain my ability to cultivate!"
"Pei Zhiyu, hiss..."
"This name also sounds a bit familiar..."
!
Sang Yao immediately thought of something.
"Isn't this the future yandere Demon Lord from the extra chapters who relentlessly chased and killed the female lead?"
"In the original ending, the white moonlight Ye Miaomiao led the protagonist group to defeat the great villain Sang Linyuan and finally ascended to immortality."
"As a result, she met the Demon Lord, who had also ascended to the immortal realm. If Ye Miaomiao hadn't met the members of her immortal harem, she would have died at the hands of that yandere Demon Lord..."
Sang Yao found it hard to believe. "Pei Zhiyu is currently just a good-for-nothing from a small family. When did he become enemies with the female lead?"
"However, he's a good investment target!"
Seeing Sang Yao remain silent.
Her third brother Sang Hengyue became a little anxious. "Sister, don't be afraid. We'll bring the Great Elder and Father to break off the engagement right away!"
Sang Yao: "?"
Would she be set up with a three-year engagement and then be used as a stepping stone for experience?"
Moreover, Sang Yao harbored no ill will towards this fiancé who was also an enemy of the female lead.
In fact, they had no interaction in the original work, right?
They shouldn't... right.
Recalling the plot, Sang Yao couldn't help but sigh, "I really am a natural cannon fodder. Not only am I part of a villainous great family, but I also have a fiancé who will later chase the female lead in the extras..."
"However, in this life, I will make him grow early."
"White moonlight female lead, our Sang family will not be your stepping stone!"
Sang Yao immediately stopped Sang Hengyue, a smile on her lips, and began to write a letter.
After finishing, she placed a ring full of cultivation resources into the letter.
Sang Yao smiled and looked at Sang Hengyue. "Brother, please deliver this letter to the Pei family..."
Sang Hengyue was stunned. "Is this compensation for breaking off the engagement?"
"Haha," the third young master of the Sang family laughed. "Since we're breaking off the engagement, it's only right to give some compensation. Sister is indeed kind."
"Fine, Big brother will go for you."
With that, Sang Hengyue took the letter and resources towards the remote continent of Northern Province where the Pei family was located.
Sang Yao: "Now all that's left is to wait..."
"Wait for..."
"Successful investment...!"
...
Meanwhile, at the Pei family.
A cold voice sounded from in front of the Pei family plaza's spiritual energy testing monument.
"Pei Zhiyu, no spiritual energy..."