My Crazy Upgrade System

Offering the Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl as a betrothal gift was more than just presentable. In fact, it was an outstanding offer that any normal family would find impossible to refuse.

Sacred Artifacts were exceptionally Rare, typically equipment for cultivators at the Void Spirit Realm. Most families didn’t even have a Void Spirit expert, so it was easy to see why such an item was more than qualified as a betrothal gift. A Treasure-type Sacred Artifact was particularly valuable, far more precious than a weapon-type one.

’No wonder Xu Fei was so confident. He really could pull this off by offering the Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl as a betrothal gift. But the effects of this thing are astounding... To be willing to give it away, it just goes to show how much he loves Qin Xue.’

"That’s... a Sacred Artifact-grade Treasure..." The Second Elder’s expression changed instantly. He never imagined Xu Fei would present such a betrothal gift. This was a Treasure that not even the Patriarch of the Xu Family could produce, yet here it was, in Xu Fei’s hands. It was truly a shock.

The other elders who had followed him out also had their expressions shift upon seeing the pearl, their eyes glinting with greed. It would be just as effective for them, doubling their cultivation speed. How could they not desire it?

"That’s right. This is a Sacred Artifact-grade Treasure. If I were to use this Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl, my breakthrough speed would be far greater than that of an ordinary person! Reaching the Core Formation Realm and beyond would be no difficult task." Xu Fei held up the Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl, looked at Qin Xue, and continued, "But I’ve heard that you plan to marry Xue to the Fu Family immediately. Just because the Fu Family has rendered some great service, you want to marry her off to gain benefits! But Xue is not a piece of merchandise, and she is certainly not a tool for your political alliances! If you truly need something to compensate for your ’loss,’ then I will use this Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl to make it up to you!"

His words were resolute, his eyes filled with a Divine Light. He would rather give up the Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl than be without Qin Xue by his side.

Qin Xue covered her mouth, her eyes welling with tears. She didn’t want to be a tool in a political marriage; she only wanted to be with Xu Fei. But her fate was not her own to decide, and she was powerless to choose whom she married.

"This alone is not enough!" At that moment, a handsome, middle-aged man stepped forward. Qin Xue bore a striking resemblance to him; it was clear he was the Patriarch of the Qin Family, Qin Long!

"Father..." Qin Xue shrank back fearfully as she saw Qin Long appear.

Qin Long didn’t spare her a glance. His searing gaze fixed on Xu Fei as he said in a low voice, "The Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl is not bad. But what do you think is the primary factor for a family’s prosperity? A Treasure is part of it, but what’s more important is a powerful backer! You might be able to offer us a Treasure more precious than the Fu Family’s betrothal gift, but you cannot protect us. Your cultivation is too low. Unless you were incredibly powerful—at least at the Core Formation Realm—it’s not enough. If the Xu Family were putting its full support behind you, it would be a different story. But as it stands, your own family has abandoned you. Do you really think you’re qualified to marry my daughter?"

Qin Long’s words were like sharp thorns stabbing deep into Xu Fei’s heart. The Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl was excellent, but what Qin Long needed more were connections. A treasure like the Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl, without the strength to protect it, was a hot potato that could easily lead to one’s own demise.

The Qin Family had the power to hold onto the pearl, but what they needed more were allies. If Qin Xue married into the Fu Family, her status would not be low, and she could help the Qin Family. This represented a long-term, steady benefit, and that was what Qin Long truly desired.

In the end, a Treasure wasn’t enough. He had no status.

It was a cruel answer that struck Xu Fei like a bolt of lightning. So this was what the Qin Family truly thought.

Xu Fei fell silent, his eyes bloodshot as he clenched his jaw. He had thought the Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl would be enough to win Qin Xue’s hand. It seemed he had been far too naive.

"Give me some time," Xu Fei said through gritted teeth. "I will definitely gain the power to protect the Qin Family!"

"Some time? How many years? Five? Ten?" Qin Long scoffed. "That’s too long. If I marry Qin Xue off now, I will see the benefits immediately. I’ll let Qin Xue marry you on one condition: convince the Xu Family to support you fully and secure your own status within the clan. But do you have any status now? Which of your brothers isn’t stronger than you? You have no say in anything. If you did, you wouldn’t have run away from your own arranged marriage. You’re utterly pathetic."

Qin Long shook his head, looking at Xu Fei as if he were garbage.

"Father, that’s enough! If Xu Fei hadn’t saved me, I would have died out there long ago!" Qin Xue glared at her father, shouting hysterically, "You promised me! You said you would give Xu Fei some time! I can’t believe you’re going back on your word!"

"You be quiet!" Qin Long snorted. "He saved you, that’s one matter. I can give him a reward for it, that’s all. But I will not allow you to marry a good-for-nothing—a piece of useless trash who can bring no benefit to the Qin Family!"

His repeated use of the word "trash" was a grave insult to Xu Fei.

"Xu Fei, so you are here!" Just then, a group of people approached from a distance. The man in the lead was none other than the Patriarch of the Xu Family, Xu Zhi, followed by Xu Fei’s brothers.

When they saw the Celestial Spirit Treasure Pearl in Xu Fei’s hand, they were stunned for a moment before their eyes lit up with greed.

"Is that a Sacred Artifact?" Xu Zhi exclaimed in delight. "When did you obtain this?"

"Father, this is my betrothal gift for the Qin Family!" Xu Fei said gravely. "Father, I ask for your support. Please allow me to marry the young miss of the Qin Family!"

"Are you an idiot?" Xu Zhi said coldly. "This is a Sacred Artifact! Give it to your older brothers. After they’ve used it, what woman couldn’t you marry! Now, come back with me. Trading a Sacred Artifact for a woman is not worth it!"

"Patriarch Xu, are you saying my daughter is not worth a single Sacred Artifact!?" Qin Long immediately bristled with anger.

"Hmph, isn’t it obvious?" Xu Zhi sneered, shutting Qin Long down. "If you’re so capable, why don’t you produce a Sacred Artifact for us to see right now?"

Qin Long indeed could not produce a Sacred Artifact. The Qin Family didn’t possess a single one. They desired a Sacred Artifact, but they desired the Fu Family’s support even more.

The two Patriarchs began to argue, but Xu Fei’s eyes remained filled with sorrow and rage. ’I can’t believe it. My own father still refuses to support me. He even wants to take my Sacred Artifact and give it to my older brothers! I risked my life to obtain this, and now I’m expected to just hand it over!’

’They might not be outsiders, but hearing those words is infuriating. It’s true... there really is no place for me in the Xu Family. Among all my brothers, I’m the weakest. It’s only natural that I’m neglected and abandoned.’

"Don’t just stand there like an idiot! Come back with me and hand over that Sacred Artifact!" Xu Zhi lunged for it, but Xu Fei quickly dodged, preventing his father from getting his hands on it.

"You dare to dodge? Believe it or not, I’ll beat you to death!" Xu Zhi said menacingly.

"I obtained this myself! By what right should I hand it over?" Xu Fei glared at them. "From this day forward, I am no longer a member of the Xu Family!"

With that, he turned to flee, but the members of the Xu Family quickly surrounded him, blocking his path.

"Even if you’re no longer part of the Xu Family, you will hand over that Sacred Artifact!" Xu Zhi demanded, holding out his hand and staring coldly at him.

Xu Fei’s eyes filled with despair. ’I never thought... the ones who would push me to my death would be my own family.’

"I’d like to see who dares to lay a hand on him." At that moment, a figure emerged from the crowd, glaring at them coldly.