Twists and Turns

Unfortunately, fate was unkind. With the loud cry of a newborn baby, the child was safely born, but Lei Tingting's face, already pale, grew even more so, and the hand that Fang Xiaoyu held became cold.

A midwife trembled and said, "Young Master, we have done our best. Madam... she is likely not going to make it."

Even without understanding fully, Fang Xiaoyu could tell that Lei Tingting was suffering from postpartum hemorrhage. Without stopping the bleeding, she would soon die from blood loss.

Such situations are common even in the advanced medical era, let alone in this backward feudal time.

"Hubby, I want to see the baby!" Fang Xiaoyu placed the baby next to Lei Tingting and said, "Tingting, look, this is our child..."

At some point, the midwives left, and Li Xiaohuan, Miao Cuihua, and Sun An'er, Fang Shiyu's wife, appeared nearby.

Fang Xiaoyu handed the baby over to Miao Cuihua and others, saying, "Let me stay with Tingting for a while!"

The women, with tearful eyes, left the room. At this moment, Lei Tingting's consciousness was fading due to the hemorrhage, her exposed wrist was pale with no hint of color.

Fang Xiaoyu held Lei Tingting's hand tightly, murmuring about the beautiful times since their marriage. Though it had only been a little over a year, Lei Tingting's every smile and frown were deeply etched into Fang Xiaoyu's heart, never to be forgotten.

Suddenly, Lei Tingting opened her eyes as if returning from death, her clear eyes staring at Fang Xiaoyu as she trembled, "Hubby, take good care of the baby... I... I fear I don't have the fortune to stay with you... You all must be well... be well..."

Her hand, which had tried to touch Fang Xiaoyu's face, fell heavily after raising slightly. Lei Tingting's eyes closed faintly, tears rolling down her smooth cheek.

Fang Xiaoyu, stunned, held onto Lei Tingting's hand tightly, tears welling up.

A gentle light emanated from Fang Xiaoyu's embrace. In his shocked gaze, a familiar figure appeared in the light.

At some point, the Nine Dragons Seal floated in the air, emitting a soft glow. Under this glow, the astonished Lei Tingting seemed to float above her lifeless body.

Suddenly standing up, Fang Xiaoyu instinctively reached for Lei Tingting's figure. However, in a flash of light, the gentle glow drew Lei Tingting's soul into the Nine Dragons Seal.

As the seal descended, Fang Xiaoyu caught it instinctively, staring in astonishment at the palm-sized Nine Dragons Seal. Upon close inspection, he saw a blurry figure within the seal that looked remarkably like Lei Tingting.

Connecting the strange scene he had just witnessed, Fang Xiaoyu was almost certain that the blurry figure inside the seal was Lei Tingting.

"The Nine Dragons Seal, a world treasure, and the Thief System... Right, the Thief System!"

With a thought, Fang Xiaoyu closed his eyes, mentally calling the Thief System. Immediately, the system appeared.

"System, explain this Nine Dragons Seal to me, and why is Tingting's soul inside it?"

"Beep, the Nine Dragons Seal is a world-born treasure, unique and possessing mysterious effects. According to the system, the seal has been triggered by a ghostly presence, transforming into a ghostly mark with the ability to subdue ghosts and malevolent spirits."

Fang Xiaoyu was overjoyed. He hadn't expected the previously overlooked Nine Dragons Seal to have such a miraculous function. Most importantly, Lei Tingting's soul was now within the seal.

Suppressing his shock, Fang Xiaoyu asked, "How can I awaken Tingting's soul and bring her out of the seal?"

"Beep, specific methods need to be explored by the host. The system suggests that soul summoning techniques and divine invocation may be effective."

Although the system did not provide further details, the hints were already immensely satisfying for Fang Xiaoyu.

Opening his eyes, Fang Xiaoyu's mindset was different now. Although Lei Tingting had died, from another perspective, it seemed to be a good thing.

At least, Lei Tingting was integrated with the Nine Dragons Seal, which was his unique possession and could be taken out of this world at will. This meant he could take Lei Tingting with him using this method.

Even though the Thief Wheel failed to take Lei Tingting, the unexpected turn of events presented this opportunity during Lei Tingting's demise.

Gently handling the Nine Dragons Seal, Fang Xiaoyu's eyes shone with determination as he whispered, "Tingting, wait for me. I will find a way to awaken you."

Whether in the real world or this world, Fang Xiaoyu had never seen any divination techniques. However, many films depicted such supernatural powers. With the Thief System, he believed he could find a world with divine or ghostly entities.

Carefully arranging Lei Tingting's remains, less than twenty-four hours remained before Fang Xiaoyu had to leave.

Joy of a newborn and grief of a lost wife—Fang Xiaoyu's feelings were mixed.

As the family busied themselves with Lei Tingting's aftermath, Fang Xiaoyu personally placed Lei Tingting's body into the coffin, sending everyone away and keeping vigil alone in the mourning hall.

In the dark night, the newborn baby slept soundly, and a figure stood by the bed for a while before quietly leaving.

With the first light of dawn, the Thief System's countdown echoed in Fang Xiaoyu's ears. Reluctantly looking around, he gently placed a letter down and disappeared silently.

Upon Fang Xiaoyu's departure from the film world, the next morning, Fang Shiyu and others found the mourning hall empty. They were shocked and searched everywhere but found no trace of Fang Xiaoyu, only a letter left in front of Lei Tingting's coffin.

In the letter, Fang Xiaoyu entrusted their son Fang Ping'an to Fang Shiyu and his wife, and handed over the forces he had accumulated over the years. Most importantly, Fang Xiaoyu had arranged for the development of firearms by skilled craftsmen, yielding significant production upon being handed to Fang Shiyu.

With Fang Xiaoyu's arrangements and predictions, the Red Flower Society, under Fang Shiyu's leadership, inherited the legacy left by Fang Xiaoyu. After ten years of accumulation, it rose up against the Qing Dynasty, ringing the bell of its demise.

Another ten years later, under the leadership of young Master Fang Ping'an, two hundred thousand troops besieged the capital, firing thousands of cannons. The Qing Dynasty fell, and within three years, all opposing forces were subdued, unifying China.

Fang Shiyu ascended the throne, and Fang Ping'an was granted the title of King of the South, pacifying the South, Burma, and repelling Western invaders, securing Southeast Asia.

Thus, the historical trajectory of Fang Shiyu's world changed dramatically, with China rising as a power in the East.

All this, however, had no further relation to Fang Xiaoyu. At this time, he was struggling in the cold lake water.

As the countdown reached its final moment, Fang Xiaoyu felt the environment suddenly change. The icy lake water submerged him, and without preparation, he even choked on a few mouthfuls of cold water.

Fang Xiaoyu could not swim, but the previous Fang Xiaoyu had trained his swimming skills in the film world due to saving people from drowning. Now, his swimming skills were excellent.

After a moment of panic, Fang Xiaoyu held his breath, and amid the murky water, several figures quickly swam toward him.