What's the use of this anyway, if the story goes the same as its title? :> Actually... here: On a small hill outside Qingshan Town, Qi Fan lives a simple life with his daughter, Yan’er. Seven years ago, he found himself unexpectedly raising a baby girl. Over the years, Yan’er grew into a bright and lively little girl, full of curiosity about the world and her mysterious mother. But Qi Fan is no ordinary man. Behind his quiet life lies a legendary secret: a past where he was once the invincible Fighting Emperor. One day, Yan’er, tired of seeing her father single and unable to get answers about her mother, decides to take matters into her own hands. She runs away from home, determined to find her mother and bring her back. When Yan’er eventually returns, she isn’t alone. She arrives with a group of people, each more impressive than the last, and a mission to uncover the truth. Looking up at her father with big, expectant eyes, she exclaims, “Dad! This is the queen, this is the empress, and this is the leader of the female clan! One of them must be my mother, right?” Caught off guard, Qi Fan can only facepalm and mutter, “Yan’er, your dad… back then... Never mind. Why don’t you just ask them yourself?” From this moment, Qi Fan’s quiet life begins to unravel, and the past he’s tried so hard to hide comes rushing back to haunt him.
Qingshan Town.
A small, unremarkable village nestled at the foot of a mountain.
"Daddy, it's time for dinner!"
A sweet, childish voice rang out as Qi Fan lounged lazily in a rocking chair.
Qi Fan turned his head and saw a little girl about seven or eight years old waving at him.
It was his daughter, Yan'er.
"Okay~"
He got up quickly, a smile tinged with bitterness crossing his face as he looked at her.
"Unconsciously, ten years have passed. Yan'er has grown so much," he muttered to himself.
Qi Fan had been in this world for over 20 years. He initially thought his arrival would bring forth a miraculous "golden finger" ability that would set him atop the world.
But reality was a cruel mistress. No system. No talent for cultivation. Adding insult to injury, over ten years ago, he was forced into an unexpected liaison with a mysterious woman.
What he thought was a chance encounter turned into a life-changing ordeal when, a year later, a baby girl was delivered to him in the dead of night, accompanied by a note.
The note's contents were straightforward:
"She's your daughter."
As a time traveler, Qi Fan initially scoffed at the claim. But upon seeing the baby's dark blue eyes—an exact replica of his own—his heart softened.
Years later, Yan'er had grown into a lively child. She resembled him more and more with each passing day, erasing all doubts.
"Dad, what do you think the world outside is like? The uncles and aunts in the village say it's very exciting," Yan'er asked, her big eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Qi Fan, sipping his wine, chuckled at her naivety.
"The outside world? Oh, it's indeed exciting," he replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Didn't I tell you? Your father was once invincible, known as the great Fan Emperor!"
"Wow! Daddy is amazing!" Yan'er exclaimed, stars practically shining in her eyes.
"Yes, but... that's why I retired here. Absolute invincibility gets boring. As for your mother..."
Qi Fan's sentence trailed off, his expression turning melancholic. Before Yan'er could press further, he promptly "passed out" from his wine.
"Here we go again! Every time I ask about Mom, he just falls asleep!" Yan'er huffed, puffing her cheeks in frustration.
---
### The Next Morning
Qi Fan woke up with a pounding headache.
"Yan'er, fetch me some water," he called out groggily.
No response.
Confused, he checked her room. The bed was neatly made, but Yan'er was nowhere to be found. A single letter sat on the table.
His face darkened as memories of their conversation from last night came rushing back.
"Don't tell me…"
With trembling hands, he opened the letter.
The handwriting was wobbly and filled with dots and circles, but he could still make out the message:
> "Diedie, I'm going to see the outside world for myself! Once I find a good wife for you, we'll be a big happy family again. Don't worry, I'll mention your name to everyone. You said they'd all give me blood brothers! Love, Yan'er."
Qi Fan felt a vein throb on his forehead.
"A rebellious daughter! I poured my heart into raising her, and this is how she repays me?!"
He sobered instantly, all traces of drunkenness gone.
"She's only seven! How could she dare to run away?! Doesn't she know how dangerous the outside world is? She's practically a sheep walking into a tiger's den!"
Thinking about how she'd boast about his supposed invincibility made his headache worse.
"No, I have to bring her back!"
He didn't bother packing, rushing out in his slippers.
"Yan'er~ Yan'er!"
As he reached the village entrance, a sudden voice echoed in his mind.
> [Ding! Congratulations to the host for achieving the unique achievement: *Wife left a letter and disappeared, child left a letter and ran away.* Daughter Development System activated! Welcome to the system!]
Qi Fan froze.
"System?!"
After 20 long years, his system had finally arrived!
> [Ding! Host, you've been bound to your daughter, Qi Yan'er. The Daughter Development System has successfully activated. Special reward: 100,000 points.]
He quickly opened the system interface. It displayed Yan'er's real-time stats: health, strength, height, weight, and more. The system allowed him to provide her with anything she needed, as long as he had enough points.
Food, clothes, medicine, treasures—it could all be provided! The catch? He had to earn points through daily sign-ins.
Moreover, as Yan'er grew stronger, Qi Fan's cultivation would also improve, staying one level above hers.
The downside? He was now trapped within a five-kilometer radius of the village.
"Fine! Let's sign in and get to work," Qi Fan muttered, marching toward the village entrance in his slippers.
---
### Meanwhile...
Yan'er, dressed in a green skirt, stood by a quiet road. She carefully pulled out her "treasure box"—a worn wooden container her father had crafted for her.
Inside were "elixirs" (candy), "fighting skills" (scribbled talismans), "weapons" (toy swords), and various odds and ends.
"This will keep me safe!" she murmured confidently.
Just then, she spotted two figures approaching: a young man and a beautiful woman.
"What a pretty big sister!" Yan'er whispered, clutching her treasure box tightly.
---
(End of Chapter)