《Transmigrated as the Crimson Nemesis》 Awakening of Mo Yichen "Ugh¡­" A groan escaped Li Wei''s lips, the sound barely audible yet laced with misery. His eyelids twitched as though he''d been trampled by a battalion of celestial warhorses. Every fiber of his being ached as if he had been repeatedly struck by divine lightning. A sharp gust of cold wind cut through the room, making him shiver involuntarily. With great effort, his eyelids fluttered open, revealing an unfamiliar sight that sent a jolt of confusion through his hazy mind. Instead of the polished crystalline ceilings of his celestial palace, he found himself staring at a crumbling roof riddled with cracks and cobwebs. "What in the¡ª" Li Wei began to mutter, only to trail off as his surroundings came into sharper focus. He was sitting on a hard, uneven surface that he quickly identified as coarse concrete. Around him lay the remnants of what could barely be called a room. The damp walls were overrun with creeping moss, a decrepit table leaned dangerously to one side, and a single stool stood in a corner like a lonely sentinel. Tattered curtains hung limply from rusted rods, swaying slightly in the breeze. Li Wei attempted to stand, bracing himself against the damp wall. But the moment he shifted his weight, a sharp, searing pain shot through his left leg. "Argh!" he hissed, collapsing back onto the floor with a graceless thud. He glanced down and froze. Blood. His left leg was soaked in it, the crimson stain spreading across the torn fabric of his robes. Panic surged through him. "What in the heavens¡­?" he muttered, his voice hoarse, his mind spinning. Just as he was trying to piece together what sort of nightmare he had stumbled into, a loud BANG startled him. The dilapidated wooden door flew open, nearly coming off its rusty hinges. A figure emerged from the darkness, silhouetted against the dim moonlight that spilled into the room. Li Wei blinked, his vision still slightly fuzzy. It was a boy¡ªno, a young man¡ªaround sixteen or seventeen. But what caught his attention wasn''t the youth''s age. It was the enormous belly protruding before him like a mountain. The boy lumbered into the room with heavy, resounding steps, the space shrinking with every stride. His nose scrunched up in disdain, and he regarded Li Wei as one might regard a particularly unpleasant bug. "You good-for-nothing trash!" the boy bellowed, his voice gruff and booming. Li Wei, still disoriented, instinctively opened his mouth to retort. Before he could form a single word, a kick landed squarely against his chest. The force of it sent him hurtling backward, his body colliding with the damp wall. "Cough! Cough!" Li Wei spat out a mouthful of blood, the metallic taste sharp on his tongue. His head throbbed, his vision swimming as though he had been tossed into a raging whirlpool. "How dare you complain about me to Grandpa!" the boy thundered, his face contorted in anger as he lumbered closer. "Do you think just because he favors you, you can escape me?" The boy bent down¡ªor rather, he attempted to bend down, his massive belly making the task look almost comical. Li Wei, even in his pain-induced haze, couldn''t help but think that the sight would''ve been hilarious under different circumstances. "Escape you?!" Li Wei finally rasped, his tone incredulous despite the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "Who even are you?!" The fat boy''s face darkened, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. "You dare mock me, Mo Yichen?! Don''t tell me you''ve hit your head and forgotten the Great Zhao Guang, your senior cousin!" Li Wei blinked, realization dawning upon him like a particularly unkind slap to the face. This wasn''t his body. This wasn''t his life. He was Mo Yichen now, and if this was his so-called cousin, he was starting to understand why the original owner of this body hadn''t lived very long. [BEEP BEEP. Congratulations on successfully occupying the body of Host Mo Yichen. You have officially transmigrated to the world assigned by the Immortal Bureau. The system is here to assist you in completing your mission. Feel free to ask any questions about your task.] Li Wei''s eyebrows twitched as a soft, cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts. Blinking, he realized time around him had stopped. His already aching head turned toward the source of the sound, and his eyes widened in disbelief. Sitting on the edge of the broken-down table was¡­ a cat. Not just any cat¡ªthis one had shimmering fur, a smug smile, and eyes that practically screamed "I know all your secrets." "A talking cat?" Li Wei muttered, massaging his temples. "That''s the system?" [Correct. I am the system, and a very advanced one, thank you very much.] He groaned, his hand soothing the spot between his brows as the events of the day slowly caught up with him.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He had been transmigrated. From Eryndor, no less, a celestial planet, where teenagers like him¡ªgenius prodigies or not¡ªwere tossed into worlds to complete missions before being granted full-fledged adulthood. And of all the missions, Li Wei, top of his class, peerless among his generation, had been tasked with¡­ this. Ruling the world in a broken, blood-soaked body. The cat tilted its head, tail swishing lazily as Li Wei''s expression soured. "Troublesome.." he muttered, clenching at the tattered robe he now wore. His leg throbbed painfully, reminding him of just how "sorry" his new host''s situation was. "I didn''t think Mo Yichen would be such a disaster." He sighed dramatically, his tone drenched in regret. "If I''d known I''d inherit his mess, I would''ve stayed in bed. Who wants to be an adult anyways" The system-cat purred with a smug grin. [Would you like me to record that as feedback for the Immortal Bureau?] Li Wei rolled his eyes, then leaned back against the damp wall with a resigned huff. "Well, there''s no point complaining now. Since I''m here, I''ll clean up Mo Yichen''s pathetic mess and finish this mission. Ruling a world? How hard can it be?" He clicks his tongue with a smirk. [Optimism noted. Shall I brief you on your current situation?] "Yes, tell me everything," Li Wei said, waving dismissively. "Also, why is the host in such a sorry state? Why did he pick a fight with a pack of wild boars?" he looks at the statue figure of the fat boy before sighing. The cat snickered. [Would you like to download the host''s memory data for clarity?] Before Li Wei could even consider the consequences, a floating dialogue box popped up in front of him: [Download Host Memory Data?] [Yes] [No] "Obviously, yes," Li Wei said, tapping the option with a smug grin. "What''s the worst that can¡ªAAAAAGH!" The confident smirk was wiped clean off his face as he collapsed, clutching his head. A flood of memories¡ªblurry, crimson-tinged images¡ªrushed into his mind like a tidal wave. Faces he didn''t recognize, cries of pain, anger, and desperation¡ªall blended into an overwhelming storm. "MAKE IT STOP!" he croaked, voice hoarse as tears streamed down his face. He curled into himself on the cold floor, trembling like a kitten in the rain. A moment later, the pain ebbed away, leaving him gasping and glaring at the smug cat. [You should''ve braced yourself. Did you really think memory downloads was a fluff?] Li Wei groaned, dragging himself upright. "You could''ve warned me!" [Technically, I did.] Li Wei shot the cat a murderous glare but quickly turned his attention inward, piecing together the fragments of Mo Yichen''s life. His host had been arrogant but pitiful¡­ apparently, terrible at keeping himself alive. "No wonder this guy ended up in such a pitiful state," Li Wei muttered. "He had enemies written all over him." The cat stretched luxuriously. [Well, ruling the world isn''t exactly a job for the faint-hearted. Shall we proceed?] Li Wei''s lips twitched. "Oh, we''ll proceed, all right." He glanced down at his bloodied leg gritting his teeth. "But first, I need to take care of this body, or I''ll bleed to death" [...Would you like to take a look at your storage bag?] Mo Yichen froze mid-sulk, the system''s question cutting through his rising despair like a ray of sunshine after a stormy day. He blinked. "Wait. Storage bag? I have my storage bag!!?" [For the convenience of esteemed netizens, the Immortal Bureau has kindly allowed you access to items from your storage bag.] Mo Yichen''s eyes lit up, a spark of hope igniting in his otherwise miserable state. ''Finally, the heavens have smiled upon me after dumping me in this damp, moss-infested excuse for a room.'' "I want to see it! Quick! Show me! Don''t keep me in suspense!" The system emitted a soft beep, and a glowing dialogue box appeared in front of him: [...Loading.] Mo Yichen practically vibrated with excitement, his leg pain momentarily forgotten. "Come on, come on! How long does it take to load a storage bag? Even the slowest tech on Eryndor isn''t this slow!" The box flickered, and with a satisfying chime, a dashboard popped up, neatly divided into five options. At the top was the one he cared about most: [Storage] Without sparing so much as a glance at the other options, Mo Yichen jabbed at it with speed. As soon as he clicked, a magnificent list of items unfurled before him. Rows upon rows of glittering immortal potions, gleaming elixirs, and celestial pills filled the screen, each more extravagant than the last. His jaw dropped, and a wide grin stretched across his face, replacing the earlier grimace of despair. "This¡­ This is incredible!" he exclaimed, his voice rising with glee as he counted the item. ''Look at this! Immortal Healing Potion, Elixir of Eternal Youth, Heavenly Power Pills¡ªoh, and ten whole jars of Celestial Spirit Wine?!'' He clapped his hands together, eyes practically sparkling. [Would you like to withdraw an item from your storage? Please note that excessive use of immortal items may disrupt the balance of the mortal world.] "Disrupt the balance? I''m limping around in a half-dead body here.. If anything, I am the balance that needs restoring.." he mutters rolling his eyes. He scrolled through the options like a child, muttering under his breath. ''Hmm¡­ Should I go with the Heavenly Regeneration Pill? Or maybe the Phoenix Rebirth Elixir? No, no, that''s too much for just a leg¡­ I shouldn''t waste these yet'' After scrolling through many porcelain jade bottles, his eyes landed on a curious item tucked away at the bottom of the list: [Mystery Orb (Handle with Caution)] He squinted, tapping the item for details. A warning popped up: [Highly unpredictable. Side effects unknown.] Furrowing his eyes, Mo Yichen back up again searching for the needed item. Finally, after much deliberation, he settled on a Grade-5 Restoration Pill. In the mortal world, most commoners rely on Grade-1 pills due to their simplicity and accessibility. These pills are the standard fare, easily condensed by beginner spiritual healers. Speaking about spiritual healers, as a spiritual healer''s cultivation advances, so does their ability to create more potent pills. For instance, a healer who has surpassed Stage 2 can typically refine Grade-3 pills. However, the higher the grade of the pill, the rarer the spiritual healer capable of producing it. Spiritual healers at Stage 5 or above are exceedingly rare, their skills akin to legends whispered among mortals. Crafting anything beyond Grade-4 pills requires not only immense talent but also resources and spiritual energy that few can muster. As a prodigy doctor at a very young age, Li Wei was the only genius on his planet, surpassing even the immortal healers. Condensing immortal pills was never a big deal for him. He sighs his eyes fluttering. With a simple command, the item materialized in his hand in a flash of light. The pill was as radiant as he''d hoped, and why shouldn''t it? After all, it''s made by him only! Its golden glow illuminated the dim, damp room. [BEEP: The system will now shut off. Please review the details of your next mission. Note: The system is linked to the host''s body, which remains weak. Ensure proper care of the host.] Mo Yichen, still confused, hurriedly clicked on the details panel. He skimmed through the instructions, trying to make sense of it all as the system powered down with a final chime. The Trouble of Spiritual Core As if on cue, time resumed its natural flow. Zhao Guang, the oversized human embodiment of rage, puffed out an angry breath like a bull ready to charge. With a dramatic heave, he kicked the wooden stool across the room, snapping one of its legs clean off. "Heh! You don''t even deserve a doghouse, let alone a spot on Yongtian Peak! Stop dreaming before you embarrass yourself, you worthless trash!" He stomped out of the room, not forgetting to spit on the floor near Mo Yichen like some kind of territorial little beast. The door slammed behind him, leaving the room to an eerie silence. A single beam of simmering moonlight filtered through the cracked doorframe, highlighting the pathetic state of the place. Mo Yichen let out a long sigh, staring at the jade bottle in his hand. "What a drama queen," he muttered under his breath. Without wasting another moment, he uncorked the bottle and swallowed one of the pills inside. As the medicine coursed through his body, a wave of relief washed over him. "Finally.." he sighed, feeling the tension in his battered limbs melt away. The pill was clearly no ordinary concoction¡ªit was top-shelf, high-quality stuff.. well at least in this world. Within minutes, new, healthy skin began to regenerate over his old and fresh wounds, the bloody mess of his leg transforming back into something resembling human anatomy. Cross-legged on the damp concrete, Mo Yichen began meditating, directing the pill''s energy flow to heal faster. "Much better," he murmured, flexing his fingers experimentally. "Now, let''s see what we''re dealing with here." With his body feeling marginally less like a meat sack and more like something functional, Mo Yichen let his mind wander back to the jumbled memories he''d absorbed from the original owner of this body. According to those fragmented images, Mo Yichen was a 16-year-old boy adopted into the Zhao family at the age of five. The family patriarch, a benevolent old man everyone called Elder, had taken him in. At first, life had been tolerable, even decent, with Elder favoring him. But as Elder grew weaker with age and illness, the household dynamics shifted dramatically. Envy turned to cruelty, and the servants, once respectful, now joined Zhao Guang in bullying him relentlessly. And the reason for today''s delightful encounter? Apparently, Zhao Guang''s rabid dog had bitten Mo Yichen''s leg, leaving it mangled. When Mo Yichen dared to complain to Elder, Zhao Guang lost his shit and came storming in like a raging rhinoceros. Mo Yichen groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "So that''s what all the fuss was about. Hell.. I can''t catch a break." For the next hour or so, Mo Yichen poked around the shabby room, looking for anything remotely useful. The broken stool? Nope. A moldy cloth? Definitely not. After rummaging around and finding nothing but disappointment, he finally settled back onto the cold, hard concrete, sighing like a man who had just realized his life was a comical joke. "All right, let''s see if I can still access my spiritual core," he muttered, closing his eyes. He tried to sense the familiar hum of energy within him¡ªthe kind of raw, untamed power that had made him a prodigy back on Eryndor. He concentrated, sweat beading on his forehead as he focused harder than he ever had in his life. Nothing. Not even a spark. His eyes snapped open. "What the fuck?!" He tried again, this time straining so hard his face turned red. Still nothing. "No¡­ this doesn''t make sense!" Desperation crept into his voice as he kept trying, his breathing growing ragged. "Why the hell can''t I feel my spiritual energy? System! System, you useless piece of junk, where are you?!" Silence. The realization hit him like a boulder to the chest. The system wasn''t going to respond. Not until he completed the first mission. "You''ve got to be kidding me," he groaned, slapping his forehead. "How the hell am I supposed to complete a mission if I can''t even access my spiritual energy?! This is some next-level bullshit!" Gritting his teeth, he sat back down and began meditating again. Thirty agonizing minutes later, he felt it¡ªa faint, almost imperceptible thread of energy. But it wasn''t his. "This¡­" His eyes widened as he focused on the thread. It belonged to the original Mo Yichen. The real Mo Yichen. The energy was so weak, so fragile, that it was a miracle he''d even noticed it. If Li Wei hadn''t been a prodigy back on Eryndor, he would''ve missed it entirely. His mind raced as he pieced the puzzle together. The original Mo Yichen hadn''t awakened his core yet, which explained why he was mocked and labeled as good-for-nothing by everyone around him. Mo Yichen groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "So not only am I stuck in a broken body, but I also have to deal with a spiritual core that hasn''t even woken up yet? Fantastic. Just my luck." He flopped back onto the ground, staring at the cracked ceiling. "It doesn''t make sense... I clearly remember reading in the information before transmigrating that Mo Yichen''s core was supposed to be firm, unshakable! It even said he was one of those once-in-a-thousand-years geniuses."Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! He paused, rubbing his chin in thought, his mind racing. "There''s no way the system would provide false information. The problem has to be with this body¡­ but what? What could be wrong?" His train of thought came to an abrupt halt as a loud, grumbling noise escaped from his stomach, echoing in the silent room. He paused, staring down at his own impatient belly with irritation. Grumbling under his breath, Mo Yichen stood up, dusting off the lingering bits of dead, dried flesh from his leg. His face scrunched in mild disgust. ''Ugh, gross. This place needs a serious cleaning¡­ or maybe a fire?'' ''Well.. to start fresh.. haha'' He shuffled over to a rickety, half-collapsed cupboard in the corner of the room. Pulling it open, rummaging through its contents. What greeted him were piles of worn-out, threadbare clothes that looked like they belonged in a museum of poverty. He pulled out a particularly ragged shirt and held it up with two fingers as if it might bite him. "Mo Yichen, Mo Yichen, how on earth were you living with these? Duh.. no sense of fashion" He sighed dramatically, tossing the shirt aside before continuing his search. After what felt like an eternity of rummaging, he finally found something usable¡ªa simple black robe that, while old, was still intact. Holding it up to inspect it, he let out a breath of relief. ''I guess I''ll have to make do with it for now..." ... Walking down the eerily silent streets, Mo Yichen let out another frustrated groan. He had completely forgotten how late it was, and naturally, everything was closed. Even if there was a shop still open, the bigger problem was his empty pockets. He didn''t have a single copper to his name. "Scam! This is clearly a scam! If this is what being a genius looks like, I want a refund!!" he cries internally, kicking a loose pebble on the damp cobblestone street. The night was cold, the wind biting at his face. The wet sheen on the ground glistened under the dim light of the lanterns, remnants of a rainstorm that had passed earlier. He hugged his robe tighter against the chill, trying to focus on the distant glow of the few open shops when something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. His steps slowed as he noticed a hunched figure sitting against the wall, barely illuminated by the dim streetlights. Curious, Mo Yichen adjusted his pace and squinted through the haze. It was an elderly woman, seated on the ground with a large wooden basket beside her. The basket was filled with what looked like vegetable buns, though from a distance, he couldn''t be sure. The woman trembled visibly in the cold, her frail body leaning on a wooden bamboo stick for support. Her pale lips quivered, and she appeared so weak that Mo Yichen wondered how she had even made it to this day. His stomach growled audibly, reminding him that he was just as desperate as she looked. Mo Yichen sighed, half turning away. "Well¡­ I should take care of myself first," he muttered under his breath. But as he prepared to walk away, a sudden, sharp thud behind him made him freeze. Whipping around, his eyes widened as he saw the old woman collapsed on the damp street, her basket tipped over, buns spilling onto the ground. Without thinking, Mo Yichen sprinted toward her, his exhaustion and hunger forgotten. He crouched down beside her, his hand gently shaking her shoulder. "Lady? Hey, can you hear me?" he called out, his voice slightly panicked. There was no response. Her face was pale, almost ghostly, and her frail hands lay motionless on the ground. "Oh, crap, crap, crap," he muttered, glancing around the empty street. No one was in sight. Mo Yichen looked down at her trembling figure again, a knot tightening in his chest. With a sigh, he adjusted the woman''s position, feeling her faint pulse. "Alright.. let''s get out of here first" he muttered, lifting her basket and steadying her with his arm. "You owe me a bun for this," he added as he pulled her on his back, in a piggyback position before picking up the wooden basket. Panting slightly, Mo Yichen arrived at what looked like the finest pharmacy in town, its polished wooden sign gleaming faintly under the flickering lanterns. He wasted no time and banged on the door with urgency. After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, revealing a young boy rubbing his eyes, clearly annoyed at being disturbed. "What do you want at this hour?" the boy grumbled, barely keeping his eyes open. "Doctor! Where is the doctor?" Mo Yichen asked, his voice louder than usual, his words spilling out in a rush. He didn''t wait for the boy to answer and pushed past him, stepping into the dimly lit hall. "Hey! You can''t just¡ª" the boy started, but Mo Yichen was already calling out. "Doctor! Doctor!" His voice echoed through the quiet halls, startling the few flickering candles that illuminated the space. "Who''s causing such a ruckus at this hour?" came a calm, measured voice. Mo Yichen turned toward the sound, his eyes landing on an elderly man descending a narrow staircase. The man was clad in a simple light green robe, his long beard flowing like a gentle stream. His expression was serene, but there was a sharpness in his gaze that hinted at years of experience. "Who-" "I am the healer you are looking for," the man said, stepping into the hall. Mo Yichen didn''t waste a second and rushed toward him, his voice filled with panic. "She fainted from the cold! Her pulse is weak, her breathing shallow, and her hands and feet are ice-cold to the touch," Mo Yichen explained rapidly, his eyes darting to the healer''s face, hoping for some reassurance. "Her lips are pale, almost bluish, and she''s barely responsive. I tried to wake her, but she didn''t react, and her body felt unnaturally light, like she hadn''t eaten in days. She was trembling so much earlier that she could barely walk, and now.. now she''s completely still." He paused as if thinking something, then added, "Her heartbeat is faint but irregular, and her skin feels clammy. I¡­ I think she''s hypothermic and severely malnourished." The healer stroked his beard thoughtfully, glancing at Mo Yichen before checking her pulse just to ponder for a while. "You are right, young boy, she indeed caught Hypothermia," he said plainly, his voice calm, his eyebrows furrowing as he studied Mo Yichen from up to down as he added "But I don''t heal for free" Mo Yichen froze. "What?" His eyes widened, his mind racing as his heart sank. "You heard me," the healer said, folding his hands behind his back. "My services are not charity. If you want me to treat her, you''ll have to pay for it." Mo Yichen''s throat went dry as he stared at the man. "I¡­ I don''t have any money right now," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. His fists clenched tightly at his sides. This was the first time in his life that he was this broke. If he was still on his planet his name was enough for these things. Now that he thought about it, in the past no one ever asked him for money. Firstly because he was the youngest researcher under the immortal bureau, secondly, he never ever needed too much money. Everything was already provided for him. The healer raised a single eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Well¡­ I never asked for money," he said slowly, his calm voice carrying an undertone of mischief. "If you want to save her, you''ll have to work under me for a year. That''s my price." Mo Yichen''s expression froze mid-thought, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "What?" he blurted out, his voice a mixture of disbelief and confusion. "Work under you?" The old man nodded, his tone completely nonchalant. "A year. Think of it as an apprenticeship. Consider the woman''s life the first lesson¡ªvaluable knowledge doesn''t come free." Mo Yichen stared at him, dumbfounded. Out of all the scenarios he had run through in his head, this was definitely not one of them. ''Who does this old man think he is!? Me!? His apprentice?'' Disbelief is evident on his face as he grits his teeth. Only if he had his spiritual powers.. "You''ve got to be kidding me," Mo Yichen mutters, rubbing his temples as if to process the absurdity of the situation. "I''m offering to save her life but I am a total stranger to her.. You can''t rope me like this!" The healer watched him, the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes. "You''re sharp, boy. That''s exactly why I''m interested. Also with my old age, I wanted an apprentice for a long. This deal benefits us both." Mo Yichen frowned, "For ten days, and not as in apprentice" ''Heh.. if he thinks anyone can be my master then he can as well go and grow melons'' For a moment, he stared at Mo Yichen as if sizing him up, then finally let out a long sigh. He moved calmly to one of the cupboards, pulling out a variety of herbs with practiced ease, beginning the preparation of the concoction. A Familiar Reflection Watching the healer work, Mo Yichen let out a deep sigh of relief. His shoulders finally relaxed, knowing the old woman would be saved. But no sooner had his body relaxed than his stomach made its displeasure known¡ªgrowling so loudly it could''ve woken the neighbors. He winced, clutching his stomach. "Alright, I''ll be right back," he mumbled, waving his hand dismissively as he backed out of the room. Stepping outside, the cold night air hit him like a slap, making him shiver. He glanced up at the dark sky, the twinkling stars faint but comforting. For a moment he paused.. It had been so long since he''d had the chance to simply look up and appreciate the world around him. Back in his old life, he was always busy researching or saving lives, rarely stopping to admire something as simple as the sky. "It''s been so long¡­" he muttered, his voice wistful as he strode leisurely down the damp street. His aimless wandering soon brought him to a massive, ancient building with guards stationed stoically at the front gate. After a moment of deliberation, he retreated, doubling back until he found a quiet street that led behind the grand structure. The corners of his mouth twitched upward. "Now this is more like it," he murmured, satisfied. With the precision of a cat, Mo Yichen leaped onto the roof. His footwork has been always impeccable and this body of his was lean and light. Just perfect. Each step was light and deliberate, making no more noise than a falling leaf. He crouched low, body perfectly balanced as he moved across the tiles and found a half-open window. Peering inside, he grinned satisfied. Sliding through the window with all the finesse of a seasoned thief, he landed soundlessly in the room. The moment he turned around, his eyes widened at the sheer grandeur surrounding him. The room was like a treasure trove: gold-embroidered drapes, intricately carved furniture, and a rug so plush it looked like you could sink knee-deep into it. He whistled softly under his breath. "Damn, this is what I was talking about" But before he could take it all in, a sound broke the silence. "Snrrkkk¡­ ssnnkk¡­ pffffttt¡­" Mo Yichen turned toward the noise, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a familiar figure sprawled out on the luxurious bed. It was none other than Zhao Guang, his mouth wide open, drooling like a waterfall as he snored loud enough to wake the dead. Mo Yichen crouched down, observing the sight with pure disbelief. "...No wonder he''s so cranky all the time¡ªhe probably wakes up choking on his own spit." Zhao Guang shifted slightly, scratching his belly through his silk robe, his snores growing even louder. Mo Yichen slapped a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter, "pfft," watching as Guang muttered something unintelligible in his sleep before flipping over, almost falling off the bed. Taking one last amused glance at the human tornado, Mo Yichen shook his head. "Rich and useless. Figures." With that, he began rummaging silently through the room, his eyes gleaming as he searched for something valuable¡ªat least valuable enough to trade for food. Well, let''s add decent clothes too. Mo Yichen''s eyes gleamed mischievously as he strode toward a polished mahogany box, his movements light as a feather. With his slender, pale fingers, he flipped it open¡ªonly to choke on his own breath. Gold taels. Stacks of them. He stared, then turned to the snoring Zhao Guang, his jaw dropping. "This fatty sure is something¡­" he muttered, eyes flicking between the treasure and the unconscious lump on the bed. Then, a sly grin spread across his face. "Well¡­ after all that bullying, consider this compensation." With zero hesitation, he tipped the entire box into a nearby silk pouch, his fingers moving fast and practiced. Once full, he playfully tossed the pouch into the air, catching it with a satisfied smirk. Stuffing it inside his robes, he clicked his tongue. "Thanks, my dear cousin. Sleep tight." Then, in the same way, he vanished into thin air. ..... Mo Yichen grinned, his cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk as he gobbled down the last of the lotus buns. "These are good¡­" he mumbled, licking the crumbs off his fingers. Leaning back against the rough bark of an ancient peach tree, he let out a satisfied sigh. After sneaking back into the pharmacy¡ªbecause obviously, he couldn''t just walk in midnight¡ªhe found this old tree in the back courtyard. It was quiet, sturdy, and the perfect spot to laze around. The cool night breeze rustled the leaves above, a dim lantern swaying gently with the wind, its tiny bells chiming in a soft, rhythmic melody. Shifting around for the best position, Mo Yichen finally settled in and pulled out a slightly crumpled piece of paper from his inner robe. On it, he had hastily sketched a fruit before leaving the Zhao mansion¡ªnot before stealing a few extra lotus buns from the kitchen, of course.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! His brows furrowed as he studied the rough drawing. The fruit, a round, peach-like orb with golden-red skin, had an ethereal glow in the depiction. "Sigh¡­ how the hell am I supposed to find such a vague fruit¡­" he muttered, narrowing his eyes at the sketch. Before the system shut down, it had provided him with information about this particular fruit¡ªhis first mission was to acquire it. [Heavenly Nectar Peach¡ªa legendary spiritual fruit that only bloomed once every hundred years. Consuming it could cleanse one''s meridians, replenish spiritual energy, and even increase one''s cultivation by leaps and bounds.] For ordinary cultivators, it was the difference between a bottleneck and a breakthrough. For someone like Mo Yichen, whose spiritual core was currently as useful as a rock, it was the only way to strengthen his useless core. The problem? It was insanely rare. Not only did it grow in extremely specific conditions, but it was also heavily guarded by spirit beasts, sects, and probably a few crazy old hermits. Mo Yichen groaned, rubbing his temples. "Ughh! At this rate, I''d have better luck robbing a royal treasury!" Still, does he have any choice? The answer is simple. No. If he wanted his system back, he needed that fruit. With another sigh, he folded the paper and tucked it away, staring up at the shimmering stars above. "Guess I better figure out something.." .... "Look! I found another spiritual root!" A shrill, excited voice rang through the forest, accompanied by the sight of a young boy waving enthusiastically. It was the same kid, Jing Yu, who had opened the pharmacy door last night¡ªbarely fourteen, with bright eyes full of curiosity. Mo Yichen, standing by the side of a crystal-clear stream, merely lifted a hand in reply before crouching down. His fingers brushed the cold water''s surface as he scooped a handful and splashed it onto his face. Once. Twice. Three times. The refreshing coolness jolted him awake, washing away the fatigue clinging to his body. Finally, he stilled, his gaze dropping to the water''s surface. A pale, soft face stared back at him. Mo Yichen''s breath hitched. "This..." He blinked, leaning in closer, his wide eyes filled with disbelief. The reflection in the water mirrored his movements¡ªthe delicate yet sharp features, the slightly parted pink lips, the soft strands of raven-black hair sticking slightly to his forehead. His gaze trailed down to his fingers, long and slender, before shifting to the exposed calves under his folded pants, the cold water lapping gently around his ankles. Mo Yichen staggered back, his heart pounding. "No way¡­" His voice barely came out as a whisper. His brows knitted together in utter confusion. It was the first time he had actually looked at himself after transmigrating. Until now, he had been too occupied with staying alive, finding food, and avoiding trouble to care about his appearance. But now that he was seeing his reflection properly¡ª "How the hell is this possible?" he muttered, his fingers curling unconsciously. His mind raced, trying to process what he had just seen. His original body¡ªLi Wei¡ªand this new body, Mo Yichen, bore a striking resemblance. Too similar. Almost like they were¡­ the same person. Mo Yichen ran a hand through his damp hair, his lips pressing into a thin line. He had come across countless transmigration stories of his seniors, but never once had he heard of someone transmigrating into a body that looked exactly like their original one. He frowned deeply. "..Is this a coincidence?" "Brother Mo Yichen! What are you mumbling about?" The young boy''s voice snapped him out of his daze. He was still standing nearby, holding up a small glowing root, his face filled with curiosity. Mo Yichen exhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down as he laughed "Nothing, kiddo. Just talking to the water ghosts" The boy jolted, his eyes widening, "Huh!?" Mo Yichen, "hahahaha do you want to talk to them too?" "Wh..who ar..are you trying to..to scare? Th..there is no wa..water ghost here!" "Hahahahaha are you sure about it? Wanna see?" Mo Yichen teased with a hearty laugh as he watched the young boy running towards the entrance of the town. Silence, thick and heavy. The peaceful chirping of birds had ceased, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the cool morning breeze. Mo Yichen stood still, his expression darkening as his thoughts deepened. "I need to talk to the system first¡­ which means I''ll have to get my hands on the Heavenly Nectar Peach." His gaze flickered towards the half-filled basket beside him, packed with freshly picked herbs. Just as he bent down to pick it up¡ª A sudden, deafening eruption of caws and flapping wings tore through the forest. The air filled with the frenzied cries of crows, and a large flock of birds shot up from the dense canopy, scattering in all directions. Mo Yichen''s movements halted, his senses sharpening instantly. His eyes darted toward the source of the disturbance¡ªdeep within the forest. Unlike the peaceful spot he was in, the Fusang Forest was divided into two distinct regions. The side Mo Yichen currently stood in was safe, teeming with rich spiritual energy that nurtured an abundance of herbs and medicinal plants. Many alchemists and healers from nearby villages come here to collect ingredients, though they never went too deep. The air here was clean, fresh, and carried the faint, pleasant fragrance of blooming spirit flowers. But the other side of the forest, just beyond an invisible ancient barrier, was a completely different world. That place was known as the Forbidden Fusang Woods. The trees there grew taller, their twisted roots clawing at the earth like grasping hands. The air was thick with an eerie, oppressive aura. It was home to ferocious spirit beasts, their power enough to tear apart even seasoned cultivators. And more recently¡­ rumors had begun to spread. It was said that demonic cultivators¡ªrogue cultivators who abandoned traditional paths to chase dark, forbidden techniques¡ªhad started using that place as their secret training grounds. "Demonic cultivators¡­ in a forest full of powerful spirit beasts?" Mo Yichen''s brows furrowed at the thought. ''The rich spiritual energy in the forest can serve as the perfect cultivation ground, but demonic cultivators don''t just meditate and refine their cores...'' They hunt. They slaughter. They absorb the life force of both humans and beasts to grow stronger. A chill ran down his spine. "The old healer did warn me never to step foot there¡­ but¡ª" His gaze returned to the direction of the sudden disturbance. His instincts screamed at him¡ªsomething had happened in the Forbidden Woods. But more importantly¡­well.. He let out a slow breath. "Forget it, I shouldn''t interfere when I don''t even have a bit of spiritual power to keep me alive¡­" Clutching his basket, Mo Yichen took a step back, forcing himself to resist his growing curiosity. He had no intention of dying yet. ''For now, I should leave this place."'' With that thought, he turned away¡ªbut not before casting one last wary glance toward the ominous, shadowed trees beyond the barrier. Whatever had caused that disturbance¡­ was far from normal. A low, pained grunt reached his ears. His body stiffened. That wasn''t the cry of a spirit beast. It was distinctly human. His brows furrowed as he instinctively turned his head toward the Forbidden Fusang Woods. The sound had come from beyond the barrier¡ªthe very place he was warned never to step foot in. ''Someone''s in there?'' He hesitated. Every ounce of reason screamed at him to walk away. Taking a deep breath, Mo Yichen silently stepped forward. His movements were light, each footfall perfectly balanced, his breath steady. He moved like a shadow. The dense undergrowth barely rustled as he approached the shimmering, nearly invisible barrier that divided the two regions of the forest. Standing just before it, he reached out a tentative hand. The air tingled against his skin, thick and buzzing with unseen energy. He had always known the Forbidden Woods held a higher concentration of spiritual energy, but now that he was so close, it was overwhelming. "No wonder this place is filled with beasts¡­" Gritting his teeth, he took a step forward. The moment he crossed the barrier, his breath hitched. It was like stepping into an ocean of pure spiritual power. The air pressed down on him, heavier, denser¡ªhis very veins thrummed with the sudden influx of energy. His meridians quivered as if trying to absorb it all at once. It wasn''t just rich in pure spiritual power¡ªit was chaotic. Mo Yichen clenched his fists and steadied his breath. He could already feel a thin layer of sweat forming on his back. The Boy in Forbidden Woods The pained grunts grew louder. Mo Yichen''s caught the sound of labored breathing, shifting feet, and the low growls of beasts. His instincts flared. There was a fight ahead. He quickened his pace, weaving between the massive trees with ease, his footsteps barely disturbing the damp forest floor. The air thickened with tension, the unmistakable scent of blood drifting through the dense foliage. Then¡ªsomething moved in the corner of his eye. His gaze snapped to the right. A young man, clad in a light blue robe, stood amidst a circle of Spirit Wolves. His figure was slightly hunched probably because of the wounds, his robes torn, revealing a deep gash on his left arm, crimson staining the fabric. His chest rose and fell in rapid breaths, his face pale from exhaustion and blood loss. Despite his injuries, his stance was steady, his grip firm around the hilt of a slender sword. A white jade pendant dangled from the sword''s hilt as it swayed with his movements. Mo Yichen''s brows lifted slightly in amusement. Even against a dozen Spirit Wolves, the young man moved with grace. ''He''s skilled.'' One of the wolves lunged, fangs gleaming, aiming for his exposed side. CLANG! With a sharp turn, the boy''s sword met the beast''s open jaw, piercing straight through its skull before he twisted and flung its limp body aside. His sword barely stopped moving before he backed, his movements precise and deadly. Two wolves charged from opposite directions. His feet shifted¡ªa step back, changing the foot¡ªand with a single smooth slash, he cut clean through both throats in one stroke. Blood splattered onto the ground, the bodies collapsing before they even realized they were dead. But the remaining wolves weren''t scared. They prowled in a tight circle, eyes glowing red with malice. Their sharp claws dug into the soil, their low growls vibrating through the air. The young man panted, his grip tightening around his sword. Beads of sweat slid down his temple. Mo Yichen tilted his head. ''He''s strong, but he''s injured. If this drags on¡­'' Just as he finished that thought, another wolf leaped, aiming for the boy''s throat, fangs bared, but the boy was ready. He met the beast with a swift horizontal slash, the blade cutting through the creature''s throat. The wolf howled in agony before collapsing at his feet, its body twitching in its final breath. The remaining Spirit Wolves, sensing their diminishing numbers, hesitated but as they backed away a sudden surge of black air surrounded them. "Demonic energy!" Mo Yichen''s voice rang out sharply, his eyes widening as he watched the remaining four wolves. A dark, ominous cloud of black energy swirled around them, an unmistakable sign that someone is controlling them. The boy in blue, hearing the shout, cast a sharp glance toward Mo Yichen. His gaze locked onto the figure standing by the tree, his eyes narrowing slightly. Yet, without a word, he turned back to face the wolves, who had now become even more menacing, their bodies exuding a dangerous aura. "You.. shouldn''t be here," the boy said in a low tone, crouching slightly as he prepared for another strike. But just as he was about to move, a violent cough racked his body, and a mouthful of blood spilled onto the damp ground beneath him. Mo Yichen''s eyes narrowed as he watched the dark crimson liquid stain the earth. Without hesitation, he closed the distance, his steps purposeful and carefree. "You''re poisoned?" he said, more of a statement than a question. He stopped just inches away from the boy, his hand casually crossed over his chest, a sly grin formed on his lips as he bent down to examine the blood. The boy in blue remained silent, his breath shallow and labored. When there was no response, Mo Yichen tilted his head, his dark eyes glinting. His gaze shifted upward, locking onto the boy''s. The snow-blue eyes stared back at him¡ªsharp and intense. It was only now, up close, that Mo Yichen truly noticed the boy''s features. His face was strikingly sharp, with straight eyebrows that framed his intense gaze. His lips, pale pink, betrayed the toll the battle had taken on him. Despite his age, the boy''s body was strong¡ªbroad shoulders, a lean waist, and skin so pale it seemed almost translucent. He exuded an air of quiet authority, even in this state when he was barely able to stand properly. Mo Yichen raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. Boy in Blue, ".." "Judging by the blood on the ground, this isn''t just any ordinary pois¡ªahhh!" Before Mo Yichen could finish his sentence, a strong grip yanked him backward. A sharp gust of wind followed, and the distinct sound of a blade slicing through flesh echoed in the night. The boy in blue had moved with lightning speed, his sword gleaming as he cut the lunging wolf clean in half.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Mo Yichen''s breath hitched as the situation sank in¡ªhe had nearly died just now. He hadn''t even noticed the wolf creeping up on him, but thank god.. However, there was no time for gratitude. From the corner of his eye, he saw something that made his blood run cold¡ªthe dead wolves were standing up again. Their wounds were sealed as dark energy oozed from their bodies, their glowing red eyes locking onto both figures. "What¡­?" he muttered in disbelief. "Someone is controlling them," the boy in blue said, his voice tight and low. Without hesitation, he lunged forward again, his sword a blur as he struck down the wolves one by one. But no matter how many times he slashed, they kept rising! Each time, their demonic energy thickened, their movements turning even more erratic and vicious. A sharp claw raked across the boy''s arm, drawing deep gashes. Another wolf lunged, biting into his shoulder. He gritted his teeth, shoving the beast away, but his movements were slowing. He was severely wounded, and his breaths were growing ragged. "Run!" he hissed, sparing a single glance at Mo Yichen. Mo Yichen took a step back, his heart hammering in fear. His instincts screaming at him to save himself. After all, he had just transmigrated into this body, barely making sense of things. Dying here would be utterly pointless. But just as he turned to flee, his eyes darted to the boy¡ªbloodied, exhausted, yet still standing... "Damn it.. It would have been better if I didn''t see him" He clenched his fists and spun back around, yelling, "Do you have any spare talismans?!" The boy in blue paused for a moment before nodding weakly. With his uninjured hand, he reached into his outer robe and pulled out several yellow talisman papers. "But I can''t use them," he admitted, his voice tight. "My spiritual energy is blocked because of the poison. They''re useless." Mo Yichen''s eyes flickered. "Not necessarily." Before the boy could react, Mo Yichen darted forward, snatching the talismans from his hands. He exhaled sharply. It had been a long time. Back in his original world, he was called a genius. Not just in the medical world but also in almost everything. He has invented many tricks which can never be underestimated. Biting his forefinger, he let his blood flow freely before pressing it against the talisman. With swift, precise strokes, he wrote glowing incantations, his movements effortless, almost instinctual. The moment his blood seeped into the paper, the talismans flickered with a faint, golden glow. The wolves snarled, sensing the shift in energy. Mo Yichen smirked, twirling the talismans between his fingers as his eyes met those snow-blue orbs. "Let''s see if these mutts can still stand after this-" With a swift twirl of his left leg, Mo Yichen flicked his wrist, sending the talisman soaring through the air. "Demon-Breaking Talisman" It landed right in the center of the encroaching wolves. ¡ªBANG!! A deafening explosion tore through the forest. Birds shrieked and scattered into the sky. The once peaceful green landscape was instantly consumed by a cloud of black smoke, the sheer impact so powerful that the ground trembled beneath their feet. Both Mo Yichen and the boy in blue staggered backward, barely keeping their balance. When the dust finally settled, Mo Yichen''s jaw dropped. Right where the wolves once stood, a massive, gaping pit had formed, smoke curling ominously from its depths. "¡­Did I just do that? Holy sister.." he pointed towards himself, completely dumbfounded. His fingertips and ears still tingling from the force of the explosion. ''What the actual hell in the netherworld?!'' he screamed internally. ''I only wrote some ordinary incantation to seal them off! How the hell did I just bomb the whole damn place?!'' His eye twitched as he stared at his own hands, the faint trace of his blood still visible on his fingertips. He turned to the boy in blue, hoping for some kind of answer¡ªonly to find the young man on his knees, coughing up another mouthful of blood. Mo Yichen screeched to a halt. The boy barely lifted his head, his breath shallow. His poison was acting up again, and at this rate, he might not even see the sun tomorrow. Mo Yichen groaned, running a hand through his hair. ''Great, just great. First, I transmigrate into a body that''s barely useful, then I was roped to work for that stinky old man, and now I''ve somehow turned into a walking grenade launcher..?'' "..And what''s up with me stumbling upon dying people.." his voice barely audible as he strides towards the stranger who is now leaning back barely conscious. Mo Yichen crouched down sharply scanning the young man''s face. His breath was shallow, his skin pale, and his half-lidded eyes were struggling to stay open. Sweat beaded on his forehead, mixing with the streaks of blood trailing down from his wounds. Mo Yichen reached out, pressing his fingers against the boy''s wrist. His brows furrowed immediately. His pulse was faint. With every breath he took, it seemed to weaken even further. A moment of silence stretched between them before a hoarse whisper broke it. "¡­Who are you?" Mo Yichen''s lips parted slightly, but he hesitated, glancing down at his slightly bloodied fingertips. ''Seriously? Even I don''t know who I am or what''s going on¡­'' He sighed inwardly before looking back up. The boy''s eyes were glassy, unfocused, struggling to stay open. He wasn''t in a condition to hear long explanations anyway. "Well, it doesn''t matter who I am," Mo Yichen said with urgency. "What matters is that I''m the only one who can save you right now." He hurriedly assessed the stranger''s condition, his eyes running over the gashes staining the light blue robe. Blood was pooling beneath him, and his breathing was too ragged for comfort. "You''re severely injured.. and you''ve lost quite a bit of blood. First, we need to stop the bleeding, then handle the poison." Without wasting a second, Mo Yichen''s fingers moved with practiced ease, sealing the boy''s acupoints to slow the bleeding. The boy in blue, though weakened, silently observed him with those icy, unreadable eyes. Finally, Mo Yichen reached into his inner robe and pulled out a small jade bottle with a small crimson lotus carved. Uncorking it, he tipped a single bright yellow pill into his palm. "Open your mouth," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. The boy hesitated, his wariness flickering for a brief second, but eventually, he complied. His lips parted slightly, allowing Mo Yichen to place the pill on his tongue. His throat trembled as he swallowed, his eyelids quivering with the effort. Mo Yichen sat back on his heels, studying him carefully. "That should stabilize you for now," he muttered. "I don''t have the materials to make an antidote, so I''ll need to find some herbs to suppress the poison.." He was about to stand when he noticed the boy''s eyelids drooping again. Mo Yichen frowned. "Hey." No response. "Hey! Don''t just fall asleep like that! We are still on the other side of the barrier!" Still, there was no answer. The boy''s body slumped slightly, his breathing soft. Mo Yichen''s eye twitched. He gave the boy a firm shake, but the only response was the gentle rise and fall of his chest. "For the god''s sake! Are you seriously going to sleep here?" Still nothing. "...I''m gonna leave you if you don''t wake up." Silence. Heavenly Nector Peach "This just doesn''t make any sense..." Mo Yichen muttered under his breath, his frustration barely contained. "Who told you to be such a busybody?" Shifting his grip on the unconscious¡ªor so he thought¡ªstranger slung over his back. The weight wasn''t unbearable, but carrying someone of the same height through uneven terrain wasn''t exactly pleasant either. "Now look, there''s one more person¡­ I''m not sure what that old man will ask for next," he sighed, trudging forward with a slight stagger. The faint rustling of leaves and the soft whooshing of the wind were the only sounds accompanying his complaints. The deeper he went past the barrier, the fewer trees there were, revealing a wide-open clearing bathed in golden sunlight. The gentle stream nearby shimmered under the light, its soft babbling adding a peaceful contrast to his annoyance. The crisp air carried the scent of wet earth and distant wildflowers. Despite the serene atmosphere, Mo Yichen was anything but relaxed. With a final huff, he finally reached a broad tree and carefully lowered the stranger onto the soft moss beneath it. Only to freeze mid-motion. His eyes widened in disbelief as he noticed the faintest glimmer of movement¡ªthe stranger''s half-lidded, ice-blue eyes staring directly at him. "...You¡ªYou!?" Mo Yichen nearly choked on his words, pointing an accusing finger. "You were awake this whole time?!" The stranger blinked lazily, his expression unreadable. Not a single word of defense. Mo Yichen felt his eye twitch violently. Here he was, dragging this guy like a sack of rice across the woods, only to find out he''d been conscious enough to listen to his entire monologue. The audacity. Running a hand through his already disheveled hair, Mo Yichen exhaled sharply. "You know what? Forget it," he grumbled, dusting the dirt off his robes. If he thought too much about it, his sanity might just collapse. After a beat of silence, he glanced at the stranger again. "Wait here. I need to get some herbs first." With that, he turned and made his way toward the stream. ..... From a distance, the young man in blue remained silent, his gaze following Mo Yichen''s movements. He watched as the other knelt beside a smooth rock near the stream, carefully sorting through the freshly gathered herbs. His fingers move, grinding, mixing, and extracting the essence from different leaves. His brows were furrowed in concentration, his posture surprisingly steady. The stranger''s cold blue eyes lingered on the way Mo Yichen worked, effortlessly handling the different herbs with familiarity. Mo Yichen, unaware of the eyes on him, finished mixing the concoction and neatly gathered it into a large banana leaf. Tying it securely, he stood up, shaking off the stray herb dust from his sleeves before making his way back. As he approached, he caught sight of the stranger watching him intently. Mo Yichen halted for a brief second. "...What?" he asked, raising a brow. The stranger simply blinked once before looking away. Mo Yichen crouched down, his dark robe rustled as he unfolded the banana leaf, revealing a dark, slightly viscous herbal paste within. The strong scent of crushed spirit herbs immediately filled the air, thick and bitter. He glanced at the young man before him¡ªstill pale, his breath uneven, but his icy blue eyes sharp. Mo Yichen could tell he was watching him carefully.. or more like warily. Typical. And understandable. Mo Yichen sighed. "This should do for now," "But let me be clear¡ªyou need a proper antidote after leaving here. This paste contains spirit grains that will help circulate your spiritual power for about a week at least, but it''s not a permanent fix. Without an antidote, the poison will settle deeper into your veins, and then¡ª" he paused, shrugging casually before adding, "Well, I''d rather not describe what happens next. Let''s just say it won''t be pleasant." The stranger remained silent, his face unreadable. Mo Yichen raised a brow. ''Was this guy always this expressionless?'' "Here," Mo Yichen said, pushing the leaf toward him. "Eat it." The injured man didn''t move. Mo Yichen clicked his tongue. "Look, you either swallow this, or you can lie here and let the poison gnaw away at your meridians. Your choice." Still, there was no immediate response. The stranger''s gaze flickered from the paste to Mo Yichen''s face, searching¡ªfor what, he had no idea. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the stranger slowly parted his lips. Mo Yichen, "Took you long enough." He lifted the herbal paste toward him, but before he could place it in his mouth, the stranger suddenly raised a weak but firm hand, gripping Mo Yichen''s wrist. "Name." His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. Mo Yichen stilled for a moment before chuckling. "Ah, so you do speak," The stranger narrowed his eyes slightly, but his grip on Mo Yichen''s wrist remained firm despite his condition. Mo Yichen sighed dramatically. "Mo Yichen, although I doubt we''ll ever come across again"Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The stranger said nothing. Mo Yichen waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. For now, focus on staying alive." With that, he pressed the bitter paste against the man''s lips. The stranger hesitated only briefly before swallowing, his throat bobbing slightly. "Good," Mo Yichen said, nodding in approval. The stranger''s gaze lingered on him for a moment before he finally closed his eyes. Mo Yichen exhaled, sitting back on his heels as he studied the young man. Clearly, the boy sitting before him was no ordinary person. Barely in his seventeen or eighteen¡ªwho had single-handedly slaughtered an entire pack of demonic wolves without so much as a sliver of spiritual energy? And, let''s not forget, he had been poisoned beforehand. Poisoned. And not with some common roadside poison either, but something strong enough to cripple the average cultivator in mere moments. Silently watching the unconscious figure for a while, Mo Yichen exhaled and stood up, stretching his legs. "Ahh¡ªdamn it," he groaned, twisting his ankles with a few sharp cracks. "My legs feel like I''ve been running from debt collectors for three days straight.." But the moment he twirled on his heel, a strange sensation suddenly washed over him¡ªthick, suffocating, and pressing down against his very soul. Mo Yichen paused for a minute. His eyes narrowed as he looked down at the unconscious man, and what he saw made his blood run cold. A faint glow¡ªalmost invisible¡ªwas rippling around the man''s body. But this wasn''t heat. It was spiritual energy. And he was absorbing it. "What in the¡ª" Mo Yichen''s breath caught in his throat as realization dawned. This guy¡­ while unconscious, while poisoned, while still half-bleeding out¡ªwas somehow pulling in spiritual power from the surroundings. How on earth is this even possible? Mo Yichen took a cautious step back, sweat beginning to bead at the back of his neck. But before he could react further, something caught his eye¡ªa faint pink shimmer, glowing beneath the folds of the man''s robe. His sharp gaze landed on a silk pouch, barely hanging onto his belt. The fabric was slightly loosened, probably because of the earlier battle. And inside¡ª Mo Yichen''s heart skipped a beat. A peach. But not just any peach¡ª Heavenly Nectar Peach. THE Heavenly Nectar Peach. Mo Yichen had spent a week¡ª searching for one, scouring every ruin and black market he could find.. now this might be a bit of a stretch but still this thing is rarer than a blue moon. And now¡­ it is just sitting here. Right. In. Front. Of. Him. Mo Yichen licked his lips, his fingers itching as he slowly, very slowly, reached out toward the pouch. ''It''s fine, it''s fine,'' he reasoned with himself. ''I''m not stealing. I''m just¡­ borrowing. Yes. Borrowing. For research.'' Just as his fingertips brushed against the silk¡ª A hoarse voice suddenly cut through the silence. "What are you doing?" Mo Yichen stiffened. His soul damn near flew out of his body. A cold sweat dripped down his back as he gulped and looked up. The stranger was awake. And he was looking straight at him. Mo Yichen instantly yanked his hand back like a guilty child caught sneaking sweets. "What a good timing.." he muttered more to himself. The oppressive energy around them intensified. The air turned thick, and heavy, pressing down on his lung, ''What the actual fuck sissy?!'' This man had been half-dead two minutes ago! Now he felt like a divine beast awakening from its hibernation! Mo Yichen cleared his throat. "Ahem, uh, listen, brother," he said quickly, flashing his best innocent smile. "I was simply appreciating the craftsmanship of this fine, exquisite pouch of yours! Truly, top-tier embroidery. Almost had me in tears. You wouldn''t happen to know where I could get one, would you?" Silence. The man said nothing. He just stared at Mo Yichen with those deep, unreadable eyes. Mo Yichen cringed on his own reasoning slightly closing his eyes in embarrassment. He swore he could feel his entire existence being judged by his ancestors. After an agonizing pause, the stranger finally closed his eyes again. For a brief moment, Mo Yichen let out a breath of relief. Crisis averted...? Then¡ª "Take it." Mo Yichen blinked. "Huh?" The man exhaled faintly, still not looking at him. "If you want it, take it." ''Wait, wait, wait. What kind of reverse psychology bullshit is this?!'' The man simply leaned back against the tree, looking eerily calm despite the fact that he had almost died an hour ago. Mo Yichen hesitated for a moment before sighing and plopping down beside the stranger. He sat cross-legged at first, arms lazily resting on his knees, before he stretched out and flopped onto his back, one arm folded behind his head. The ground beneath him was cool, covered in soft moss and fallen leaves. Above, the branches of the massive tree swayed gently in the wind, its leaves filtering the golden sunlight, casting shifting patterns over his face. A particularly bright sliver of light landed right in his eyes. Mo Yichen squinted, tilting his head away, grinning. For a moment, he simply basked in the quiet, letting the breeze wash over him. The wind carried the distant sound of flowing water from the nearby stream, rustling the fallen leaves in a soothing rhythm. The air smelled of damp earth and crushed herbs, mixed faintly with the bitter tang of the medicinal paste he had prepared earlier. Peaceful. Mo Yichen cracked open one eye, glancing at the man. Still sitting upright. And silent. One arm resting lazily on his bent knee, his expression unreadable, his eyes still closed. Mo Yichen pouted slightly. ''This guy¡­ is really like a rock.'' He turned his head fully, propping himself up on one elbow. "Oi, big brother," he called, lazily waving a hand. "What were you even doing there, anyway?" Silence. Mo Yichen blinked. "Hellooo? Did you go deaf? Tsk, and here I thought I''d finally met someone less boring than that stinky old geezer. What a shame." Stranger, ".." Mo Yichen grumbled under his breath, flopping back down, dramatically covering his face with one hand. "All alone, saving a heartless, emotionless rock. Is this my fate? Is this my¡ª" "¡­I was searching for it." The deep voice rumbled beside him, calm. Mo Yichen''s eyes snapped open. He turned his head sharply, catching the faintest flicker of sunlight on the stranger''s face¡ªhis eyes still closed, his posture completely at ease. Mo Yichen frowned, processing those words. "¡­You risked your life just for this fruit," he asked slowly, tilting his head before pointing at the fruit, "And now you''re just giving it away? To me?" Now pointing at himself. Dumbfounded. The stranger finally moved, tilting his head slightly in Mo Yichen''s direction. His sharp eyes flickered open, meeting Mo Yichen''s gaze. "Heavenly Nectar Fruit might be the last ingredient for my antidote. But we are not sure." His voice was steady, almost indifferent. He paused for a moment before continuing, "Giving it to someone in need is better than wasting it." He glanced at Mo Yichen briefly, then turned his head away again, closing his eyes once more. Mo Yichen stared at him, minutes passed. After a long moment, he let out a low whistle. "I was right," he murmured, shaking his head. "You really are a rock." Mo Yichen grinned slyly, unbothered. "A very kind-hearted, heroic, self-sacrificing rock!" Silence. Mo Yichen sighed dramatically, shifting to his side to fully face the man. "You know," he said, propping his chin on his palm, "normal people would at least ask for something in return. You shouldn''t be so kind-hearted.." he pauses for a minute before flopping back to his back again, "Anyways, I am happy and grateful" Minutes passed as they talked.. or more like Mo Yichen yapped about anything and everything complaining about how he was roped to work for a week under an old man. The stranger just listened to him with a peaceful expression. "By the way," Mo Yichen whispered, leaning in closer, his eyes twinkling. "I am curious about this poison.. would you let me diagnose you?" The stranger''s eyes snapped open immediately. For the first time, he saw a flicker of emotion cross the stranger''s face. ''A reaction! I was starting to think he was a corpse! Did he get his emotions removed along with his common sense?'' The stranger exhaled slowly, "Don''t worry about it" as he finally stood up poncing the silk pouch towards Mo Yichen, who easily caught it. And without saying anything he vanished in the thin air leaving the confused Mo Yichen with a shimmering peach on his hand. YinYang Chaotic Energy Mo Yichen flopped lazily on the simple wooden bed, one arm folded behind his head while the other held up the shimmering, pink Heavenly Nectar Peach. Its faint glow pulsing gently in the dimly lit room, casting delicate hues onto his slender fingers. He eyes it with a trace of wariness. "So... what now?" he murmured, eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the fruit. The moment he had stepped into his room and pulled the peach out of the silk pouch, the long-silent system had finally reactivated. [Congratulations on obtaining the Heavenly Nectar Peach. You have successfully completed your first mission.] "Yeah, yeah, took you long enough." Mo Yichen rolled his eyes. "Where the hell were you when I was about to become dinner of those monstrous wolves?" [This Heavenly Nectar Peach can serve as the first step to strengthening Mo Yichen''s spiritual core. Would you like to condense its power?] A familiar mechanical voice rang out, belonging to the small cat-like figure that hovered before him. It blinked its glowing golden eyes, its mouth curving into its usual cheeky grin. Mo Yichen squinted at the floating cat. "Hold up! What about my spiritual core? My real spiritual power? Where is it? How in the world am I still walking around when my core is supposed to be attached to my soul?" He bolted upright, realization dawning in his mind. A pause. Then, a loading screen flashed before him. [...loading] [...loading] Mo Yichen taps his fingers against his knee impatiently, brows furrowing. He knew something was off. Transmigration cases were strictly regulated by the Immortal Bureau. The golden rule? Every transmigrator retained at least some spiritual energy for self-defense. If they died in a foreign world, their soul would be lost, leading to a permanent coma in their original body. So why the hell was he dumped here without his core? And in this useless body? Before he could spiral further, a sudden chime rang in his ears. [A bug has been detected. Would you like the system to fix it?] Mo Yichen''s expression darkened. "...A bug?" His fingers hesitated over the glowing option before tapping [Yes]. [The system will now undergo maintenance to correct the error. It will be unavailable for use.] "Wait¡ªwhat?" [A full system repair will take anywhere from one week to one month. Kindly take care of Mo Yichen''s body in the meantime.] "Oi, oi, oi, WAIT!" Mo Yichen shot up, his expression filled with sheer disbelief. "You''re ditching me again?! I barely survived this week when you left me hanging! How do you expect me to live without a system or any spiritual powers?!" No response. Mo Yichen sat there, stunned for a full five seconds, before throwing himself back onto the bed, covering his face with both hands. "...I''m doomed." After taking a deep breath, he sat back up and glared at the Heavenly Nectar Peach in his hand. "..And what am I supposed to do with this thing? Eat it?" [Correct.] A pause. [Is the host aware of Mo Yichen''s spiritual energy?] Mo Yichen pauses. His fingers absentmindedly tracing over his chest. "It''s... definitely not elemental energy," he murmured. "This body hasn''t even awakened its core yet, but I can feel something. There''s a faint thread of power in my chest, but it''s... chaotic." His frown deepened. "Too chaotic." He leaned back, gazing at the ceiling. "On second thought, that''s impossible. I''ve never seen anyone with chaotic energy before. The last known case was centuries ago. It''s supposed to be extinct." [You are correct.] The system''s voice returned, crisp and steady. [Mo Yichen possesses a Yin-Yang Chaotic Spiritual Core. As for its supposed extinction¡ªthere have been many debates. However, one fact remains certain: this is an extremely rare and powerful energy. If revealed, it could cause great uproar, as well as immense danger for the host. It is highly recommended that the host refrain from using it unless absolutely necessary.] "And what the hell do I do now? It''s not like I have any alternatives. Even if I had my real core, that one''s a Supreme Purity Spiritual Core¡ªdo you really think I''d just waste it on random fights? That''s a once-in-a-millennium treasure!" A long silence stretched between him and the system. [...loading] [...loading] Mo Yichen sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "...here we go again¡ª" [The system is shutting down to fix the bug. During this process, it may uncover clues regarding your real spiritual core.] "May uncover!?" Only a mechanical beep, and then¡ªsilence. The floating feline vanished, leaving behind nothing but a blinking countdown in the corner of his vision. "Wait a minute explain to me first! What do you mean by may?" Mo Yichen groaned loudly, the Heavenly Nectar Peach rolling out of his hand onto the sheets. He stared at it for a long moment before picking it up and sitting on his crisscross legs, before letting out a deep sigh. "Well.." He examined it under the light. "I better get something good out of this." Mo Yichen had just opened his mouth to take a bite of the Heavenly Nectar Peach when a loud BANG echoed through the quiet night, followed by a plume of black smoke rising outside. He pauses in disbelief. "Now what!?" he muttered before hurriedly stuffing the peach into his robes and making his way toward the commotion.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. As he stepped into the courtyard, he is met with what can be called as utter chaos. The old man, his white beard now covered with soot, was wheezing lungfuls of smoke, while a younger boy, Jing Yu, followed behind, his expression stricken with horror. From the broken ceiling of the alchemy room, tendrils of black smoke crackling in the air. "Aiya! What do we do now?! That was the last batch of Tier 5 spiritual herbs!" Jing Yu lamented, his face contorted in despair. He clutched at his hair as if his entire world had crumbled. Mo Yichen stared at the ruined remains of herbs scattered across the ground, some still smoldering. His expression contorted. "What the hell have you two been doing in the middle of the night?!" he demanded, his gaze darting between the elder and his little apprentice. Jing Yu, still on the verge of a breakdown, replied, "Master was trying to condense a Soul-Refining Potion, but¡ª" "¡ªbut it somehow exploded," Mo Yichen deadpanned, eyeing the mess. "Again." The old man, finally regaining enough breath to speak, waved a hand dismissively. "Cough, cough! It''s nothing! Just a minor setback. Trial and error is the foundation of success!" Jing Yu muttered under his breath, "Why do I only see error and error without any success?" His eyes wet as he looked at the last few unburnt herbs. "And we already used up everything we got from Fusang Forest this morning¡ª" The old man pretended not to hear, coughing into his sleeve to cover his embarrassment. Mo Yichen pinched the bridge of his nose. "So you''re telling me you wasted an entire collection of rare spiritual herbs and destroyed half a building¡­ for a failed potion?" "Cough, cough, as I said, trial and error, brats like you won''t understand, go go go to your bed," the old man repeated, now rubbing his nose to avoid eye contact. Mo Yichen snorted. "If I leave now, will you be able to condense the potion with the remaining herbs?" "Hah! And what difference would your presence make?" the old man snapped, narrowing his eyes. "You haven''t even unlocked your meridians!" "Well.." Mo Yichen grinned shamelessly. "How about we make a bet? If I can help you refine the potion with what''s left, you acknowledge me as your master and stop questioning my abilities." The old man scoffed. "Ridiculous! I''ve spent decades refining medicine, and you¡ªa brat who hasn''t even opened his core¡ªthink you can do better?" "I don''t think," Mo Yichen corrected, his grin widening. "It''s a fact" Jing Yu jumped in, horrified. "Noooo! Those are the last scrap of our herbs! You haven''t even opened your meridians!" Mo Yichen tsked, waving a finger. "I don''t, but he does." He pointed directly at the old man "You must be at the beginning stage of the foundation stage. You''ll be the one doing everything. I''m just here to make sure you don''t blow yourself up again." The old man folded his arms. "And what, pray tell, do you know about my craft, brat?" Mo Yichen smirked and dragged the golden cauldron from the room into the courtyard. "Sit. Start circulating your energy. First, a controlled fire" The old man frowned but did as told, conjuring a steady flame beneath the cauldron. "What next, genius?" he sneered sarcastically. "First, you preheat the cauldron to stabilize the fire''s intensity. Then you grind the Moonleaf Ginseng into a fine powder." Mo Yichen crossed his arms. "Last time, you just threw it in whole, didn''t you? And what happened?" The old man scowled. "Hmph! That''s how some alchemists do it." "Yeah? Well, those alchemists are probably dead now. Next, add the Spiritroot but only after the ginseng powder is evenly spread at the base of the cauldron. If you toss it in too early, it''ll counteract the ginseng''s stabilizing effect." The old man raised a brow, his skepticism wavering. "And how do you know this?" Mo Yichen waggled his eyebrows. "Trade secret. Just follow my instructions." With a grumble, the old man obeyed. And after thirty minutes the cauldron''s interior glowed with an even blue hue, and for the first time that night, there was no violent reaction. Jing Yu gasped. "It''s stable! It''s actually stable!" Mo Yichen shot him a look. "Of course it is. Now, increase the heat slightly and add the Nightshade Petals.. gently, for heaven''s sake. And start channeling your spiritual energy clockwise, not counterclockwise." The old man hesitated. "But I''ve always¡ª" "Always failed?" Mo Yichen cut in rolling his eyes, "Just trust me, old man." Grinding his teeth, the elder did as instructed. The bubbling liquid inside the cauldron turned a clear cerulean instead of the murky gray from his previous attempts. His eyes widened in realization. "It''s¡­working?" Mo Yichen grinned. "Of course. Now, let it simmer until the color lightens. The key to this potion is patience. If you rush it, the ingredients will clash, and well¡ªanother ruined batch of those innocent herbs." Minutes passed. The previously volatile mixture now swirled gently, its light blue shade deepening. Finally, a thin mist rose from the surface, indicating the completion of the refinement process. Jing Yu was the first to react. "I-It''s done¡­!?" The old man stared in disbelief. Trembling hands scooped up the final product¡ªa flawless, top-grade Soul-Refining Potion. The clarity, the aroma¡ªevery aspect was perfect. His throat tightened with emotion. "For decades¡­ I''ve been failing¡­ and this brat¡­" Mo Yichen folded his arms smugly. "What? Go on, admit it. I''m a genius." The old man coughed awkwardly. "Hmph. Beginner''s luck." "Beginner''s what?" Mo Yichen barked a laugh. "Come on, old man, admit it¡ªI just saved your wrinkly butt." "Nonsense!!" The old man huffed but finally muttered, "...Fine. You win this round, brat." Mo Yichen threw his arms behind his head, beaming. "Ah, music to my ears. You should start calling me Master Mo from now on." The old man snorted. "Don''t push it." Jing Yu, still staring at the potion in awe, turned to Mo Yichen. "How¡­how did you know all that?" Mo Yichen shrugged. "Alchemy is just like cooking. You don''t just throw everything into a pot and pray it turns into something edible. There''s a process. A rhythm. You just have to listen to the ingredients." There was a moment of silence before the old man coughed as he poured the potion into a jade bottle, Jing Yu still staring at the almost translucent liquid, his eyes twinkling. Mo Yichen couldn''t help but grin as he watched the two troublemakers celebrate their success. The old man was rubbing his hands together, eyes gleaming with newfound admiration, while Jing Yu was practically bouncing on his feet like an overeager puppy. With a satisfied sigh, Mo Yichen turned on his heel and made his way toward the room where the old lady lay resting. Tomorrow was the day. After all this time, he would finally be leaving this place. The thought brought a mix of relief and something he didn''t quite want to name. Pushing open the creaky wooden door, his gaze landed on the frail figure lying on the bed. Her breathing was steady now, no longer weak and labored like before. Though she still hadn''t regained enough strength to stand, her pale complexion had improved significantly. Mo Yichen folded his arms, taking in the deep wrinkles lining her face. He had spent all this time taking care of her, watching over her like a doting nursemaid. He figured it was only right to say goodbye properly. A quiet sigh left his lips. "I''m not sure where I''m heading, but I doubt we''ll be meeting again. So, for the last time, I just wanted to say... farewell." His voice was even, but there was something heavy lurking beneath it. Suddenly, the room felt suffocating. His chest tightened, and before he knew it, his vision blurred slightly. Oh, hell no. His eyes widened as he spun around and practically bolted out the door. "Tch, stupid sentimental nonsense," he muttered under his breath. He needed air. With a swift leap, he landed on the roof of his room, the cold night wind slapping against his face as his raven-black hair billowed wildly. He sucked in a deep breath, letting the cool air clear the ridiculous lump in his throat. "L-Li Wei, Li Wei¡­" he gritted out, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "When will you stop being a damn emotional drama queen!? How can I still be called a man?" He let himself collapse onto the roof, sprawled out like a dead fish. It was so pathetic. If anyone saw him like this, he would never live it down. This was the one thing Li Wei never understood about him. Back in his world, people always teased him for getting emotional over the smallest things. As a child, he had been a total crybaby¡ªtears at the ready over anything remotely sentimental. Eventually, he learned to hide it, forcing himself to swallow his emotions and keep his face blank in front of others. But, damn it, the habit never truly left. He had simply adapted. Instead of crying where people could see, he found secluded places to let it all out. In his old world, that meant sneaking into empty labs or dark alleyways. Here? Apparently, it meant climbing rooftops like a depressed cat. He groaned dramatically, throwing an arm over his face. "Ugh, I''m too handsome to be this tragic." Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted, almost mockingly. Mo Yichen lifted his hand, flipping it off. "Shut up, you little judgmental bastard." The Mysterious Storyteller The Fusang Forbidden Woods stood eerily silent, the usual howls and rustling leaves replaced by an unsettling stillness. In between the towering trees, a man clad in black stood unmoving, his face grim, his presence as cold as the chilly night. His sharp eyes scanned the gruesome sight before him¡ªa massacre of wolves, their lifeless bodies scattered across the bloodstained ground. Behind him, a shadow guard shifted uneasily, his voice laced with disbelief. "How is this even possible? They can''t die¡­" It was more of a question than a statement, his gaze locked onto the fallen creatures. The veiled man did not respond immediately, his narrowed eyes fixating on the corpses. These were no ordinary wolves. Their soulless eyes.. these beasts were demonized. Undead. Then, something caught his attention. Amidst the tangle of blood and fur, a single yellowed talisman fluttered faintly against a wolf''s stiffened body, its edges burned and charred. A faint, almost familiar sickly-sweet scent wafted from it, making his eyes widen in realization. "This¡­!" He took a sharp step back, his pulse quickening. The shadow guard, also catching the scent, stiffened. A shudder ran through his body as understanding dawned upon him, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is¡­ exorcism." His master remained silent, the weight of those words settling in the thick night air. The shadow guard swallowed, his hands tightening into fists. "That''s impossible! The..they were eradicated twelve years ago. Their temples, their spirit beasts¡ªall destroyed. There wasn''t a single survivor¡­" His voice trailed off, laced with dread. "Then how¡­?" For a long moment, there was only silence. Then, slowly, almost amused, the veiled man''s lips curled into a smirk. "¡­It seems we have a fish in our pond" A sudden gust of wind swept through the clearing, rustling the trees, carrying the faint remnants of a presence long gone. ..... "Freshly steamed pork buns! Juicy and hot¡ªjust out of the steamer!" "Handmade silk scarves! The best in Yin Ci City! You won''t find softer fabric anywhere!" The streets of Yin Ci City pulsed with life as the evening lanterns flickered to life, casting a warm golden glow over the crowded market. The scent of sizzling meats, fragrant spices, and freshly baked buns filled the air. Shops lined both sides of the stone-paved road, their colorful banners swaying gently in the cool night breeze. Vendors shouting over one another, eager to attract customers, while groups of travelers, merchants, and locals weaved through the crowd, bargaining and haggling.. most of it just for fun. "Oi, thief! Come back here, you little brat!" An angry shopkeeper waved his cleaver at a young boy darting through the crowd, clutching a stolen meat bun. Mo Yichen leisurely walked through the hustle and bustle, hands behind his head, while Jing Yu practically buzzed with excitement beside him. "This place is huge!" Jing Yu exclaimed, eyes darting from one shop to another. "Also! They say the underground market is even bigger! Maybe we should check it out later?" Mo Yichen snorted. "You really want to risk getting tangled with some shady traders?" Jing Yu pouted. "It''s not that dangerous. And besides, aren''t you curious about what they sell down there?" "Not particularly." Just as he was about to brush off the idea completely, a pungent smell invaded his nose. Mo Yichen froze mid-step, his expression twisting in horror. "What¡­ is that stench?" he choked, glancing around suspiciously. Jing Yu''s face lit up. "Oh! That must be stinky tofu! You''ve never had it before?" "Stinky tofu?" Mo Yichen repeated slowly, feeling utterly betrayed by the very concept of such a dish. "Why would anyone willingly eat something that smells like a corpse left to rot in the summer noon?" Jing Yu ignored his protest and dragged him toward a food stall. A man with a greasy apron and a wide grin greeted them. "Ah! Two young masters looking for the finest delicacy of Yin Ci City?" The vendor chuckled as he scooped a batch of dark, crispy tofu from sizzling oil, placing them onto a wooden plate. A thick cloud of the foul aroma wafted toward them. Mo Yichen instinctively took a step back, covering his nose. "..Is it even legal?" Jing Yu grabbed a skewer and happily took a bite. "Mmm! The smell is strong, but the taste is amazing¡ªcrispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside!" The vendor turned to Mo Yichen expectantly. "You must try, young master! A true delicacy! Even nobles from the capital come here for my famous stinky tofu!" Mo Yichen eyed the offending dish with deep suspicion. But then, he picked up a skewer, narrowed his eyes, and took a tentative bite. The crunch was satisfying. The texture was actually decent. But then¡ª The taste hit him. A wave of fermented, pungent, almost cheese-like flavor exploded in his mouth. His entire being rejected it instantly. His soul threatened to leave his body. "¡ª!" Mo Yichen made a strangled noise, stiffening like he had just been poisoned. Jing Yu clapped him on the back, expecting. "How is it?"This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Mo Yichen swallowed forcefully, his eye twitching. "¡­It tastes exactly how it smells." The vendor grinned proudly. "That means it''s authentic!" Mo Yichen, dead inside, wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Jing Yu doubled over laughing as Mo Yichen dramatically turned away, vowing to never trust street foods ever again. The lively market continued buzzing around them as they strolled through the streets¡ªone enjoying and the other.. well the other still trying to recover from the earlier betrayal with a sour face. Two days ago, when Mo Yichen thought he had finally freed himself from the old man''s grasp, fate truly had other plans.. Just as he was preparing to leave, that stubborn, stinky old man had saddled him with another task¡ªaccompanying Jing Yu to Yongtian Peak. The name stirred something in his memory. It wasn''t the first time he had heard of it since arriving in this world. Curiosity gnawed at him, and after some persistent probing, he managed to unearth some rather astonishing facts. Yongtian Peak is a place of genius cultivators, where the best of the best are accepted. Every year, the peak conducts two entrance exams, spaced six months apart. Yet, despite the thousands who attempt the trials, only fewer than ten people are admitted. This alone spoke volumes about its unparalleled prestige and stupidly brutal competition. Those who succeeded were destined to become powerhouses, shaping the very fabric of the cultivation world. Mo Yichen glanced down at the wooden badge clutched in his palm, its surface engraved with unfamiliar symbols. His fingers tightened around it as he walked, his mind lost in thought. His contemplation was cut short as Jing Yu yanked him forward, nearly making him trip. "Come on, stop dragging your feet! We''ve finally reached! Now we need to find an inn before it gets dark" Jing Yu huffed, his face weary from travel. Mo Yichen exhaled sharply but didn''t resist. After all, they had been traveling for nearly a day and a half, their journey stretching across vast forests. The last thing he wanted was to sleep in the streets. The warm glow of red lanterns flickered in the spacious hall of the inn, their light dancing across wooden beams adorned with intricate carvings of dragons. The scent of roasted duck, spiced wine, and freshly steamed buns filled the air, mingling with the murmur of people. At the counter, a skinny young man, the innkeeper, beamed warmly at the two new guests, holding up a polished wooden board where the types of rooms and their rates were neatly inscribed. "Good evening, young masters. How may I assist you?" he asked, his voice smooth and welcoming. Mo Yichen''s eyes swept over him before he spoke curtly. "We''ll be staying for the night." The innkeeper''s face brightened further. Clapping his hands together, he began his well-rehearsed pitch. "The rooms in our establishment are classified into three categories¡ªfirst, second, and third¡ª" Before he could finish, Mo Yichen interjected. "Two first-class rooms." With an almost lazy flick of his wrist, he tossed two golden taels onto the counter. The crisp sound of the heavy gold coins hitting the wooden surface made Jing Yu''s jaw drop, while the innkeeper visibly froze, eyes locked on the extravagant payment. A heartbeat later, the innkeeper sucked in a deep breath, his previous composed demeanor instantly replaced by excitement. "Very well!!" he nearly shouted before signaling to a nearby worker. "Prepare the finest rooms for these honored guests immediately!" As if on cue, a waiter darted over, menu in hand, eyes practically sparkling. Jing Yu, still recovering from the shock, exhaled loudly. "Brother Mo, I never thought you were this rich!" Mo Yichen chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Heh¡­ money sure changes everything," he mused, the corner of his lips tugging upward. For a brief moment, his thoughts drifted¡ªto the time he nearly starved to death on the streets when he had nothing but dust in his pockets. And now? A sly grin twitches on his lips remembering the satisfying moment of breaking into Guang Zhao''s little treasure box.. His fingers drummed against the table, this much should be enough for a month at least even if he eats like a pig. He sighs, "Sure enough, being rich is a necessity¡ª" But before he could revel further, a smooth stirring voice cut through the air, drawing everyone''s attention to the center of the hall. Seated on a raised wooden platform, was a a young man, around in his early twenties, his back facing Mo Yichen, long white silk robe billowing slightly as he gestured with a folding fan. A crowd had gathered, eyes glinting with intrigue, hanging onto his every word. Intrigued, Mo Yichen and Jing Yu exchanged glances before settling deeper into their seats to listen. The young storyteller, clearing his throat, began in the rhythmic cadence of traditional Chinese folk. "In the era of gods and demons, there existed a hero unparalleled in all the realms¡ªWu Shenyang of the Primordial Chaos Sect! He was a man of unmatched strength, wielding a blade forged from the very heart of the cosmos. His enemies trembled at his name, his allies revered him as an immortal among men!" "Blessed by the heavens, he possessed a one-in-a-million Chaotic Yin-Yang Spiritual Root, allowing him to command destruction!" Mo Yichen''s eyes narrowed at the storyteller as soon as he heard Chaotic YinYang Spiritual Root. The audience murmured, nodding along to the storyteller. "He was hailed as the protector of the world, righteous and just, the shining beacon of hope in times of darkness!" "But alas! Such is the nature of mortal folly¡ªfor behind his heroic mask lay the soul of a villain unlike any other!" The storyteller snapped his folding fan shut with a loud clap, his eyes twinkling as the audience collectively gasped. "Yes, my dear listeners, Wu Shenyang¡ªthe greatest hero of his time¡ªwas, in truth, the most treacherous villain to ever walk these lands!" The hall fell into silence. Even Mo Yichen found himself slightly intrigued. The young man continued, his tone dipping lower, more sinister. "For decades, he deceived the world, hiding his true nature beneath a facade of justice. The blood of thousands stained his hands¡ªrighteous warriors, innocent civilians, even his own sworn brothers!" "Yet¡­ even the darkest of souls can succumb to love." A wistful sigh escaped the storyteller''s lips as he shook his head. "The only one who ever touched his wretched heart was the Priestess of the Heavenly Sword Temple¡ªa woman of unparalleled beauty, the sole saintess of her time, Hua Ying, the only daughter of Q¨ªn Xu¨¢nf¨¥ng of Nine Nether Flame Clan" "But, my friends, how cruel fate can be! For one day, the Priestess uncovered his true nature¡ªwitnessing firsthand the unspeakable atrocities he had committed!" "Devastated, she did what she believed to be right¡­ She betrayed him." The storyteller''s voice grew heavy with tragedy. "She led the righteous sects to his doorstep, condemning him to annihilation in the name of justice! But Wu Shenyang¡­ he was not a man to die so easily." With a sudden flick of his fan, the young boy let out a small laugh, his eyes glinting in the dim lantern light. "What happened to the son?!" "Did he seek revenge?!" "What happened next, you ask? Ah well¡­ that, my dear listeners, is a story for another night!" "No! You can''t stop there!" With this, the young man in silk robe strode towards the exit vanishing from sight while people continued shouting in annoyance. "Ahhh! Why did he leave before finishing the story?!" Jing Yu groaned, rubbing his temples in frustration. Mo Yichen, however, paid him no mind. Without hesitation, he pushed past the tables and rushed toward the exit, his eyes scanning the bustling streets in search of the storyteller. But as he stepped outside, all he found were vendors shouting, their voices overlapping as they advertised their wares. "Rare talismans! Protect your home from evil spirits!" The market was still alive with glowing lanterns swaying in the evening breeze. Yet, despite the crowd, the storyteller was nowhere to be found. Mo Yichen stood still for a moment, his sharp gaze sweeping over the scene once more. But there was no trace of that young man. His fingers curled slightly at his sides. Why did that story feel so¡­ familiar? A strange unease settled in his chest, but he quickly shook it off. Maybe he was just overthinking. Exhaling softly, he turned back toward the inn, his boots making light thuds against the wooden floor as he ascended the stairs. With his head slightly lowered, he pushed the thought to the back of his mind. Cornered Young Lord In a massive room dimly lit by flickering candlelight, Mo Yichen sat slouched in a chair, one arm draped over the windowsill as he gazed at the star-strewn sky. The streets now were eerily empty, swallowed by the pitch-dark night. A cold breeze drifted through the open window, making the candle flames dance. Mo Yichen let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. Taking over the world¡ªnow that was easier said than done. He turned his attention to the messy parchment in front of him, covered in hastily scribbled notes and the occasional doodle of smug-looking figures. He grabbed his brush and started writing again. Step One: Get stupidly strong. Yeah, no kidding. If he wanted to dominate the world, he needed to be an absolute combat beast¡ªnot just strong, but so terrifyingly powerful that people trembled at the mere mention of his name. Back in his previous life, he had been a top-tier researcher and alchemist, and although he was not a slouch in combat. Still, this is the world domination we are talking about. He needed to level up fast. Step Two: Figure out this YinYang spiritual root thingy asap! Mo Yichen tapped his brush against the table, scowling. His cheat-like system had been somewhat helpful, dropping hints here and there, but he knew better than to blindly trust it. What if it suddenly disappeared like all those times in the past!? No, sir. He was not about to put his fate in the hands of some temperamental, possibly malfunctioning system. He had to do his own research, read ancient texts, and maybe even find an old, wise hermit willing to spill some of their prestigious knowledge. He scribbled furiously, adding a new sub-point "Find ancient hermit. Bribe him with wine. If that fails, kidnap him." Mo Yichen leaned back in his chair, stretching lazily. Ruling the world was a lot of work. Maybe he should start small? Like¡­ making money first? "And fame!" Mo Yichen exhaled, his eyes twinkling as if he had just uncovered the key to his grand destiny. Yes! Money and fame! That was where he needed to start! After all, if he wanted to rule the world, he needed resources, influence, and a legendary reputation. No great ruler started from scratch without first securing wealth and power. But just as excitement swelled within him, a grim expression twitched on his face. His Supreme Purity Spirit Power is gone now. That meant he couldn''t even condense a simple low-grade potion. That meant he had no business, no income, no reputation. That meant¡ªhe was broke. His head dropped dramatically, his chin almost hitting his chest as he slumped like a defeated dumpling. How was he supposed to make money without his cheat-like spirit power?! Back in his previous world, he had been hailed as a prodigy, a once-in-a-lifetime researcher. He had worked hard for it, there was no denying that, but his rare and pure spirit power had been his greatest advantage. He could refine top-tier pills in mere breaths, and concoct legendary elixirs with ease. But now? Now, he didn''t even have an ounce of that power. All the knowledge in the world meant nothing if he couldn''t even perform the most basic alchemical arts. A sad smile tugged at his lips as he tilted his head up, staring at the vast, starry sky. Where was he even supposed to begin? Just as frustration threatened to sink in, movement flickered at the edge of his vision. Mo Yichen''s body tensed instantly. Something was lurking behind the trees in the distance. His eyes narrowed sharply, scanning the shadowy figure, but from this distance, he couldn''t get a proper look. A thief? An assassin? A long-lost debtor finally here to collect money? Leaving (more like hiding) the money bag under the pillow, his body moved on its own¡ªleaping down from the window and landing soundlessly in the courtyard below. The night was eerily still, the moonlight casting long shadows across the deserted inn courtyard. His movements were silent, precise, and calculated as he made his way toward the line of trees. His breathing slowed, his heartbeat steady despite the rush in his veins. Then¡ª A black-clad figure suddenly bolted from behind the trees. Without hesitation, Mo Yichen sprang forward, chasing after them at full speed. The wind howled past his ears as his feet barely touched the ground, his figure darting through the night like a bat. The chase twisted through alleys, over rooftops, down winding forest paths, the figure ahead never stopping, never slowing, moving like a wisp of smoke. Still, Mo Yichen closed the distance, his fingers nearly brushing the hem of their cloak¡ª And then¡ª The figure vanished.. Vanished!! Just like that!!.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Mo Yichen skidded to a halt, his breath coming in slow, controlled exhales. His sharp gaze swept the surroundings, searching for any sign of the mysterious man. But there is nothing. No rustling of leaves. No lingering presence. Not even footprints... Only silence. And when he finally took a moment to observe his surroundings, realization dawned upon him like a slap to the face. He was in the middle of nowhere. The city lights had long since disappeared behind him. The inn was nowhere in sight. All around him was an endless, desolate clearing, surrounded by towering trees that swayed ominously in the night breeze. The sky above was vast and empty, the stars flickering like tiny shards of distant fire. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. Mo Yichen had a bad feeling. The kind of feeling you get when you owe a debt and suddenly see the loan shark grinning at you from across the street. "¡­Why do I feel a bad premonition?" he muttered. WHOOSH! A blade came screaming toward his face. He barely twisted his body in time, his foot skidding against the dirt as he dodged, catching the knife between two fingers. But the sharp edge still nicked his cheek, and a warm bead of blood trailed down. "¡­What the actual¡ª" Before he could even curse properly, five figures dressed in black from head to toe emerged from the shadows like they''d been waiting for him. Their faces were hidden, but their intent was very, very clear. Murder O''Clock. Mo Yichen straightened up, his senses kicking into high alert of danger. These guys weren''t your average street thugs¡ªthe way they concealed their presence meant they were at least in the Foundation Establishment stage. And he? He was currently in the Helpless Mortal About to Get His Ass Kicked stage. Squinting, he asked, "¡­Who are you?" A low, mocking chuckle echoed as one of the men, the leader judging by how he stepped forward with maximum villain energy, sneered, "Are you even qualified to know our names?" Mo Yichen narrowed his eyes. Oh, so we''re doing the ''mysterious assassin'' cosplay? Got it. But before he could drop a snarky comeback, the man extended his hand, thick, black Qi swirling ominously, forming a flame so venomous that the air itself seemed to warp. "¡­" Mo Yichen took one good look at that flame and did what any rational, self-preserving man would do. He turned on his heel and RAN LIKE HELL. "FUCK¡ª!" The first attack missed him by inches, scorching the air where he stood a second ago. He dove, rolled, and bounced off the ground like a ragdoll while his mind screamed: "What the f¡ªWHY ME?! I DIDN''T EVEN OFFEND ANYONE YET!''" A second attack whooshed past his head, and Mo Yichen somersaulted over a fallen branch. "SYSTEM! SYSTEM! HELP!" he shrieked mentally. Silence. "¡­You rotten, good-for-nothing, traitorous junk of a system" Still dodging, Mo Yichen did what little he could¡ªkicking a guy''s shin, throwing dirt in another''s face, rolling like a desperate dumpling¡ªbut he had no powers. No cultivation. Nothing. And the assassins were getting serious. At first, they had been toying with him. But now? They stopped holding back. The next attack slammed into his side like a battering ram, sending him flying straight into a tree. A sharp, wet pain tore through his ribs, and the impact rattled his bones like a broken puppet. "¡ªACK!" Mo Yichen barely caught himself before he collapsed, blood splattering from his mouth. His left arm was numb, his right leg shaking, and oh, lovely¡ªhis entire body felt like it''s been rolled over by a bulldozer. His situation if described in one word can be said as... pityful. This was bad. He coughed violently, spitting out another mouthful of blood, and tried to stand, only for his knee to buckle beneath him. One knee down. Blood dripping. Five assassins closing in. Mo Yichen panted, his vision blurring. He had never felt so powerless before. And in this useless body cannot handle another blow. "System¡ª" he croaked. No response. "You useless son of a¡ª! SYSTEM, GET YOUR LAZY ASS HERE" The lead assassin stepped forward, raising his hand for the final blow. The flames flickered, the black Qi swirling ominously like death''s open arms. Mo Yichen gritted his teeth, staring at the attack that was about to turn him into a human barbecue. He closes his eyes, gritting his teeth.. but the attack never really came. Looking up he saw a shadow step in front of him. The assassin''s fire collided with a defense barrier, dispersing instantly. Mo Yichen''s breath hitched. What¡ª? As his dazed eyes focused, he saw the figure properly. A man, clad in tattered, dirty beggar''s robes, his hair messy, his face covered in grime. But despite his ragged appearance, the air around him was strong. "A late-stage Foundation Establishment.." With one flick of his wrist, the beggar attacked, sending one of the assassins flying backward. Mo Yichen, still coughing blood, blinked. "¡­Who are you?" "..Young Lord" Mo Yichen barely had time to register what was happening when he saw it¡ª A massive, roaring purple flame. "Behind you!" he shouted instinctively. The monstrous fire surged toward them, splitting the night sky with a violet glow, illuminating the twisted smirks of the assassins. But before Mo Yichen could even think of dodging¡ª The man in tattered robes moved. No hesitation. No thought. Just a step¡ªplacing himself directly in front of Mo Yichen¡ªusing his own back as a shield. The purple flame slammed into him, full force. Mo Yichen watched, stunned, horrified, as the man lurched forward, his body trembling violently. A fresh mouthful of blood splattered from his lips, dark and heavy. "You¡­" Mo Yichen croaked, barely able to speak as he saw the man sway on his feet. But the beggar¡ªwho clearly wasn''t an ordinary beggar¡ªinstead smiled softly, his lips twitching as he turned slightly to Mo Yichen. "Young Lord, I finally found you." Mo Yichen just gawked at him, his brain still buffering. "The hell are you talking about¡ª" Before he could process anything, the man''s balance gave out, and he collapsed to the ground. "Why did you¡ª" Mo Yichen''s voice wavered, a strange guilt curling in his chest. This man¡ª(this idiot)¡ªhad taken a direct hit for him. The assassins didn''t wait. They moved in, surrounding them from all sides. Shadows twisted and flickered under the eerie purple glow, their killing intent pressing down like a huge truck. The beggar¡ªthe man who just tanked a whole ass fireball to the spine¡ªpushed himself up with sheer willpower. His hands shook, his legs trembled, but his eyes blazed with determination. "Don''t be afraid, Young Lord," he rasped, his voice raw, yet steady. "Run. I will hold them off for you." "No f¡ªway!" Mo Yichen snapped, anger flaring in his chest. "You think I''m just gonna ditch you like some disposable dissecting gloves?!" But before he could argue more, the assassins attacked. The man barely dodged the first blade, his movements sluggish from his wounds, yet precise. He retaliated instantly, swinging his sword in a sharp arc, catching one attacker in the side. Blood splattered the dirt. The second assassin lunged. The beggar twisted, barely blocking in time, but the force sent him staggering back. Then came the third¡ªA direct stab to his shoulder. Mo Yichen watched as the blade sank in deep, blood pouring like a waterfall. His breath hitched. He''s gonna die. This wasn''t a fight they could handle. Mo Yichen gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "System. System. System!" Nothing. "Goddamn it! Where are you, you trash heap of code?!" Another sword sliced into the beggar''s side, and Mo Yichen nearly lost it. Useless. He felt he was utterly useless. He had all this knowledge, but without power, he was nothing. The assassins closed in. The beggar stood firm, but Mo Yichen could see it¡ªhe wouldn''t last much longer. Then, something clicked. The system''s last words. ''Heavenly Nectar Peach¡­'' His eyes snapped to his waist, to the small silk pouch still tied to his belt. "F¡ªk me, how did I forget this?!" With frantic hands, he yanked the pouch open. Sure enough, inside was a small, delicate peach, its skin shimmering with hints of pink. Hope surged in his chest. He looked at the man. "Can you hold them for just a moment?!" The man didn''t respond. Just a brief nod. Mo Yichen dropped down cross-legged, the chaos around him dulling as he stared at the peach. Alright. Let''s try this. He shoved the fruit into his mouth and¡ª Mo Yichen froze as the taste hit him like a truck. Bitter. Not just normal bitter. This was ''my tongue is being skinned alive'' bitter. His face contorted like a dying frog. "WHY IS THIS SO DISGUSTING?!" he gagged, eyes watering. Who in the nine realms decided this was edible?! But before he could spit it out, something slammed into his chest. Pain. Blinding, excruciating pain. His meridians felt like they were being torn apart, a raging torrent of energy slamming into every blocked path in his body. "¡ªARGHHH!!!" Sweat poured down his face as he clutched his chest, his body convulsing. The pain was so intense, he could barely breathe. His meridians cracked open all at once, like floodgates bursting, sending a wave of raw, untamed power surging through him. The assassins paused, sensing the sudden shift in energy. Mo Yichen''s body trembled. Something inside him had just awakened. Unreliable System A sudden explosion of power shattered the night. A crimson flame erupted from Mo Yichen''s body, roaring like beast, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The assassins barely had time to react before they were blasted backwards, their bodies colliding with trees and smashing into the ground. Choked gasps and strangled screams filled the air as they coughed up mouthfuls of blood, their limbs trembling under the sheer force that had crushed them into submission. Even the man in tattered robes, his battered body barely holding on, was forced to his knees, his breath ragged as the weight of the power bore down on him. Mo Yichen staggered forward, his body convulsing. His face was twisted in agony, sweat and blood mingling as they trickled down his deathly pale skin. The assassins cowered, their eyes wide with horror. The suffocating pressure in the air made them curl into themselves, their meridians convulsing under the suffocating heat of the crimson flames. "W-What¡­ What is this?!" One of them gasped, but before an answer could come, Mo Yichen''s body convulsed again. Another burst of power¡ªstronger, wilder, more terrifying¡ªsurged outward. The flames around him darkened to a deeper shade of crimson, swallowing everything in their path. The assassins had no chance to react. The moment the flames reached them, their bodies convulsed violently, their eyes rolling back as they puked even more blood. Their meridians twisted and snapped like tree branches, unable to withstand the overwhelming force crashing down on them. One by one, their bodies were engulfed in flames, their screams cut short as the crimson inferno devoured them whole, reducing them to nothing but ash. The only thing that remained was the lingering traces of black qi, now swirling aimlessly in the wind. Mo Yichen stood amidst everything, his breath shallow, his vision blurred. The power that had erupted from within him was far beyond his control, and his body could barely keep up. His steps faltered as he turned towards the beggar, who now lay motionless on the ground. His chest tightened. Was he¡­ dead? Something inside him snapped again, rage and exhaustion blurring his mind. A massive crimson flame flickered in his palm, crackling with raw, untamed energy. His eyes darkened as he raised his hand, the deadly inferno dancing at his fingertips¡ª And then¡ª CRACK. Something slammed into his skull. Pain exploded through his back head. His vision blurred completely, his body tumbling forward as the last of his strength left him. The world spun, and then¡ª Darkness. A familiar figure in flowing white silk robes stood in the aftermath, his expression unknown. ..... [BEEP¡ªBZZT¡ªSCREEECH!] "AGH¡ª!" Mo Yichen jolted awake, wincing as the sharp noise stabbed into his skull like a thousand needles. His whole body felt like it had been through a meat grinder, his limbs sore and uncooperative as he groggily rubbed his temples. His eyelids fluttered, struggling against the blurry haze of exhaustion. His head pounded, his throat dry, and his tongue still tasted like¡ª Oh. Right. That cursed peach. Before he could process further, an all-too-familiar, smugly cryptic voice rang in his ears. [Congratulations, Host, for clearing the first obstacle and awakening the spiritual core of Mo Yichen.] "..." [If the Host is feeling unwell, please blink once.] "..." [If the Host is feeling unwell, please blink once.] "Oh, for f*ck''s sake..!" Mo Yichen snapped, the system paused, as if reveling in his misery, before speaking again.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. [The system has found clues about the Host''s Supreme Purity Spiritual Core. Would you like details?] Mo Yichen squinted. "Yes.... and don''t think I forgot how you abandoned my ass last night, you goddamn traitor!" [System acknowledges Host''s feelings. System does not care.] "You¡ª!!" [Due to sudden disturbances in this world during the transmigration, the Host''s original power¡ªthe purest form of spiritual energy¡ªwas sucked into the Mystic Void, which connects the mortal and immortal realms.] Mo Yichen furrowed his brows. "What the hell is the Mystic Void?" [There is no record of the Mystic Void in the system. It is recommended that the Host gather information on his own.] "¡­" [Also, the system would like to inform the Host that there might be something weird as hell about this world. As a result, system support may be compromised due to frequent bugs. The system humbly advises the Host to not rely on it too much, in case it decides not to cooperate.] Mo Yichen sat there for a moment, processing the sheer level of bullshit he''d just heard. A deep sigh left his lips as he finally swept his gaze over his surroundings. The dense forest stretched endlessly around him, the sun now peeking through the canopy, bathing the area in a soft golden light. The crisp morning air carried the faint scent of wildflowers, a deceptive tranquility compared to the absolute nightmare that was last night. Right. Last night. His memories slowly came trickling back¡ªthe blood, the fire, the pain, the overwhelming energy crushing everything in its path¡ªand then... The godforsaken taste of that peach. His face darkened. That treacherous little fruit had violated his taste buds beyond repair. Bitter? Understatement! That sh*t had tasted like despair and regret combined, like chewing on a thousand-year-old sock dipped in demon piss. Mo Yichen clenched his jaw. The system was right. He couldn''t afford to rely on it. But damn it all, he still wasn''t over almost getting his soul yeeted into the afterlife last night. "That useless, good-for-nothing piece of crap!" Mo Yichen gritted his teeth, cursing the system as he pushed himself up, dusting off his bloodstained robes. His hands paused mid-swipe as his gaze landed on the unconscious figure beside him. "¡­That begg¡ªcough¡ªman¡­" he muttered, his voice hoarse. Squatting down, he pressed two fingers against the man''s neck. A faint but steady pulse. Mo Yichen let out a long, exaggerated sigh of relief, flopping onto his butt. "Phew, I really don''t have it in me to dig a grave this early in my new life." He glanced around, frowning. "Wait a second.." Last night, this place was a desolate battlefield with barely a tree in sight. Now, it looked like some dense enchanted forest straight out of an immortal''s fairyland. The thick canopy cast eerie shadows, and there is weird as hell silence in the air like even the insects are silent.. "..whatever," he grumbled, dragging the unconscious man under the nearest tree. "You better wake up soon, this place is so weird.." Also... Rubbing his temples, he clicked his tongue in irritation. "Oi, System! Give me my damn storage space!" For a long second, nothing. Then¡ª [BZZT¡ªskrrrhh¡ªERROR¡ªm%#iss#on pR#&ss¡ª] "What the hell¡ª?" Before he could process the glitched gibberish, something plopped into his palm. A red jade ring. "¡­" Mo Yichen blinked. Twice. Despite his endless beef with the system, he couldn''t suppress the excited grin crawling onto his face as he slid the ring onto his forefinger. His baby. His precious. His damn OP golden finger. If he still had his spiritual powers in this world, this thing would''ve been his third-greatest treasure after his life. The first one is his life ofc. With a gleeful chuckle, he poured his faint energy into it, and a spatial rift appeared in front of him. His very own spatial rift! Without wasting a second, Mo Yichen pulled out a Grade-4 Meridian Nourishing Pill and shoved one into the half-dead man''s mouth before popping one himself. As the pill dissolved, warm energy spread through his body. Earlier his meridians felt like they''d been run over by a spirit beast caravan. Last night had been hell. His entire system had taken a massive beating, and it wasn''t just about the sudden power¡ªit was his mana. Too much. Way too much. Even back when he was Li Wei, his mana reserves weren''t this ridiculous. But now? He had so much overflowing that his own body couldn''t handle it. Awakening this insane amount of power in one go had left internal injuries all over his meridians, and suppressing the chaotic spiritual power felt like trying to tame a rabid dragon. Sighing, he sat cross-legged, focusing on neutralizing the raging storm inside him. Thirty minutes in, sweat drenched his forehead, and the two opposing energies inside him¡ªYin and Yang¡ªkept trying to rip each other apart. Balancing them is like dealing with black and white. But after what felt like an eternity, a soft and warm spiritual energy flowed into his body, the raging power calmed, flowing smoothly, finally finding some balance. His breathing steadied, his heartbeat slowed, and he opened his eyes¡ª Only to find a pair of dark, unreadable eyes staring directly at him. "WHAT THE F*CK!" Mo Yichen yelped, jumping like a cat. THAWK- On instinct, he kicked out. The man in beggar''s robes flew backward, coughed up a whole-ass mouthful of blood, and crumpled onto the ground like a sack of potatoes. Mo Yichen: "..." Beggar Man: "¡­Cough. Cough." Well.. Mo Yichen winced. "Uh¡­ are you alright?" Scrambling to his feet, he awkwardly scratched the back of his head before hurrying over to help the man sit up against a tree trunk. "..I didn''t mean it" ''You scared the hell outta me! Okay?'' The beggar gave him a weak, ''I''m already dying, please don''t finish me off'' look. Mo Yichen crouched down, pressing his fingers to the guy''s wrist to check his pulse. "Not fatal, but definitely not great either.." After a long moment, the man rasped out, "This servant thought the young lord needed assistance, watching you struggle to suppress your Yin-Yang Qi." Mo Yichen pauses. Wait. Yes that ''young lord'' from the last night.. ''Does this guy know me?'' ''And my YinYang qi too??'' Mo Yichen narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping up his spine. The system had warned him over and over not to show his real qi in front of anyone, but this mystery man not only knew about it¡ªhe was also dropping ''Young Lord'' like they were long-lost families.. Before Mo Yichen could open his mouth and demand answers, the beggar-looking man suddenly pulled out a crimson jade pendant shaped like a rose. Mo Yichen froze. "This..." Without thinking, his hand shot inside his inner robe, pulling out his own jade pendant¡ªan exact match. His eyes widened as he stared at them. Mo Yichens Past Back when he was¡ªuh¡ª"borrowing" (totally not stealing, mind you) money from Zhao Guang, he had gone through his own stuff, just in case there was something valuable. He hadn''t found much, but this crimson jade had been tucked away in a small wooden box, hidden in the deepest, darkest corner of his cupboard like a forbidden treasure. The only thing he remembered from the original owner''s memories was that this thing was insanely valuable to him. And that''s exactly why Mo Yichen hadn''t sold it for food. Now, looking at an identical one in some random man''s hands.. a weird feeling crawled up his spine. Could this guy be connected to the original owner''s parents? Mo Yichen knew he had been adopted. As a kid, he had naively believed his real parents would come get him. Then he spent years getting bullied into oblivion. Somewhere along the way, he realized¡ªhe was abandoned. If the original Mo Yichen were still here, he''d probably be overjoyed to find out someone had been looking for him. But as for Li Wei, who had taken over this body, there was no emotional attachment to the past. He wasn''t the kind to chase after lost family or forgotten histories. Still, now that he was Mo Yichen, he figured he should at least try to piece things together. He took a slow breath and asked carefully, "..what''s your name? How are we connected?" The man in front of him, tense and rigid, let out a helpless sigh before answering, "People call me Lan Yu. I was the personal guard of the Priestess of the Heavenly Sword Temple¡ª" Mo Yichen pauses. "Heavenly Sword Temple...?" He narrowed his eyes, the name tugging at something in his memory. Where had he heard it before? Then it hit him¡ª The storyteller at the inn! Lan Yu continued, his voice steady. "Young lord, do you remember your mother, Hua Ling?" Mo Yichen''s brows shot up. "My mother? Hua Ling?" That name did sound eerily familiar. But how could he be connected to her? As Lan Yu recounted the past, a shiver ran down Mo Yichen''s spine. Each piece of information hit like a hammer, sinking deep into his mind. By the time Lan Yu finished, Mo Yichen sat in stunned silence. Lan Yu hesitated before softly calling out, "..lord?" Mo Yichen rubbed his temples, exhaling slowly. "Give me some time to process this." What he had just learned was... a lot. He wasn''t just some random orphan with a tragic backstory. No, his parents were actually absolute legends. His father, Wu Shenyang, the swordsman, feared and infamous in the immortal realm. His mother, Hua Ling, the Priestess of the Heavenly Sword Temple, a figure so well-known that her name still echoed in stories. Both, the main characters of that tale from inn... What kind of deranged coincidence.. In short, on the night when their clan was attacked, his mother had made a desperate decision¡ªshe entrusted her newborn son to Lan Yu, giving him her jade pendant before ordering him to flee the Immortal Realm. Lan Yu barely made it out alive. With nowhere to go, he hid in the mortal world, taking on whatever jobs he could to keep Mo Yichen safe. But by the time Mo Yichen was around four or five, they were ambushed by Golden Core cultivators. Lan Yu was gravely injured, barely clinging to life, so in a last effort, he entrusted Mo Yichen to an old man praying at a nearby temple¡ªthat man turned out to be Elder Zhao Haochen.. the man who adopted him. It was all too much to take in. After another long pause, Mo Yichen finally spoke. "So¡­ my real name is Wu Yehuang? The name my mother gave me?"You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Lan Yu nodded. "Eh. But when we escaped, I met a Taoist and asked him to give you a different name for protection. That''s how you became Mo Yichen." Taking a deep breath, he finally asked, "You mentioned that I belong to Primordial Chaos Clan...? and that my mother was there. Do you know what happened to my parents?" Lan Yu hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line before he finally spoke. "I served Priestess Hua Ling for ten years, but my duty was only to protect her from a distance. As for why everything happened so suddenly... I can''t say for sure." Mo Yichen''s brows furrowed. "So, you have no idea?" Lan Yu sighed. "After we escaped, all contact with the Immortal Realm was cut off. All I know is... the Clan Lord, Wu Shenyang, self-destructed." Mo Yichen felt his chest tighten. Self-destructed? His father chose death.. Lan Yu''s voice grew quieter. "As for the Priestess... there''s been no news of her since." Mo Yichen sat still, staring at the ground, ''If I remember correctly that storyteller clearly said that my mother betrayed our clan but how come she was also attacked.. and how come..'' Mo Yichen rubbed his temples, changing the subject, "Alright¡­ where are we? And how do we get out?" Lan Yu glanced around, his brows furrowing. "This¡­" He hesitated, his expression tightening. Mo Yichen''s eyes narrowed. "You don''t know where we are? Then how the hell did you bring me here last night?" Lan Yu thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I¡­ vaguely remember losing consciousness. As for this place¡­ I don''t recognize it, and I definitely didn''t bring you here." He gave Mo Yichen a confused look. "At first, I thought young lord brought me here" Mo Yichen let out a slow, exasperated sigh, his lips pressing into a thin line. Before Lan Yu could reply, Mo Yichen waved it off. "Doesn''t matter. What matters is that we''re safe¡ªfor now. First, we need to find a water source to clean our wounds before they get infected." With that, he pushed forward through the dense forest, leaves crunching underfoot as Lan Yu followed closely behind, limping. "Young master, are you really planning on walking like this?" Lan Yu finally asked. Mo Yichen glanced back, noticing the faint crimson glow still flickering around him. He let out a resigned sigh. "Ah¡­ this." Lan Yu, "This might be dangerous..." "You think I don''t know that?" Mo Yichen muttered, rubbing his arms as if that would somehow suppress the eerie aura wrapping around his body. "But I can''t seem to stop it from leaking out. Ever since last night, it''s been like this. The moment I unlocked my meridians, it felt like something that had been suppressing my power for years just¡­ broke." Lan Yu, "Your meridians were sealed." Mo Yichen stopped dead in his tracks. "What?" Lan Yu looked a little awkward as he scratched the back of his head. "When the lord was young, your core had already strengthened beyond what it should have. But for some reason, your mana was leaking uncontrollably. If anyone found out, they would have come after you." He sighed. "To protect you, I got a taoist seal your meridians." Mo Yichen stared at him, eyes wide in disbelief. HUH?! For years, he had been ridiculed as a useless piece of trash, bullied relentlessly for his so-called lack of talent. And the entire time, his real potential had been locked away?! "You¡ª" He pointed an accusing finger at Lan Yu, who could only offer him a determined look. Mo Yichen closed his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He couldn''t exactly blame Lan Yu. If his power had been discovered back then, he wouldn''t have just been bullied¡ªhe would''ve been dead. The people from the Immortal Realm would have hunted him down long before now. A bitter chuckle escaped him. "Tsk. The Immortal Bureau actually didn''t scam me after all." Lan Yu blinked. "The what?" Mo Yichen ignored him, shaking off, "Forget it. What''s done is done. Right now, we need to focus on suppressing this thing before anyone senses it." Lan Yu''s face darkened in seriousness. "That''s what worries me. If anyone from the Immortal Realm finds out who you are, they won''t let you live. Every single person who possessed the Chaotic Primordial Core was massacred. Not a single one survived." Mo Yichen frowned. "That''s¡­ cruel" So that was why his power had been sealed. Lan Yu''s warning made sense. If the existence of someone with a Chaotic Primordial Core was enough to warrant mass extermination, then letting his power run wild would be a death sentence. "But why now?" he murmured, glancing at the swirling crimson hue. "Why did the seal break now, of all times?" Was it because of the Heavenly Nector Peach? His brows furrowed. "Lan Yu, do you know who those assassins were? The ones who attacked us last night? There''s no way they could''ve known my identity, right?" Lan Yu''s expression turned grim. "I was wondering the same thing." He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "They weren''t ordinary assassins. They were demonic cultivators. It can''t be that they found something.." Mo Yichen''s steps slowed. "Like what?" Lan Yu gave him a serious look. "These demonic cultivators were definitely after something. They don''t just kill mortals randomly.. " Mo Yichen''s lips curled into a frown. "I don''t remember offending anyone, neither did I kill anyone.. except for those demonic wolves..?" Lan Yu, "Demonic wolves?" Mo Yichen, "..that I used a trick." He turned around, only to meet Lan Yu''s confused gaze. After a brief pause, he continued, "It''s called a blood talisman. We use blood to write incantations on talisman paper." Lan Yu''s expression darkened. "..exorcism?" His voice carried a weight of disbelief. "Did Lord just use exorcism!?" A cold sensation crawled down Mo Yichen''s spine. "¡­What do you mean, exorcism? It was just a little trick using blood." Lan Yu hesitated before speaking, his voice low and cautious. "The blood flowing through Lord''s veins¡­ it''s not ordinary. The Primordial Chaotic Clan wasn''t just feared for its rare Yin-Yang Qi. It was because of their very blood." "..." "The scent alone can make demons kneel in greed. Its consumption can push any demonic cultivator to new heights, strengthening them by leaps and bounds. And if wielded¡­" He took a breath. "It can bring destruction." "..haha what are you talking about..?" "One of the forbidden arts that the lord used was exorcism." Lan Yu''s voice was barely above a whisper now. "And that art¡­ was supposed to have gone extinct with the massacre that night..." Lan Yu, "..how does the lord know it..?" ''How the hell would I know it? It''s supposed to be a small trick I INVENTED back in my world!'' Mo Yichen screams inwardly, more in confusion. Lan Yu''s eyes flickered with unease. "Lord¡­ openly using it will attract demonic cultivators." Mo Yichen swallowed, his throat dry. His voice came out quieter this time, almost resigned. "¡­I fear it already has." Not-So-Peaceful Bath Amidst the dense forest, where huge trees stood like silent sentinels, a lone figure sat in quiet meditation. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, and a soft breeze whispered through the canopy, causing the boy''s raven-black hair to flutter gently. A stray strand brushed against his face, pale as warm jade, as he remained motionless, his breathing steady and deep. In the distance, the faint rumble of a waterfall mingled with the rustling of leaves, creating a symphony of solitude that enveloped the scene. Mo Yichen sat cross-legged, his posture unwavering, as a familiar warmth coursed through his veins. The spiritual qi within his dantian swirled in rhythmic cycles, each rotation leaving behind a comforting heat that spread through his meridians. It had been a week since they had been stranded in this forest¡ªor rather, since Mo Yichen had chosen to stay. He was still debating whether to leave before fully stabilizing the turbulent energy that churned within him, threatening to spill over like a storm-tossed sea. Thanks to the memories from his life before transmigration, he had managed to cultivate and meditate, slowly taming the chaotic mana that had been threatening him. But it was still far from perfect. The eerie crimson hue that had once wrapped around him had faded, if only slightly. It was progress, however small, and for now, that was enough. As he focused on his breathing, a familiar scent drifted through the air¡ªwarm, rich, and undeniably delicious. His brows twitched involuntarily, and before he could stop it, his stomach let out a low, betraying growl. Mo Yichen cracked his eyes open, already knowing the source of the aroma. Turning his head, he spotted Lan Yu crouched by a small fire, his slender fingers expertly turning a skewered fish over the flames. The fish was plump and golden-skinned, its surface sizzling and popping as it roasted, releasing an intoxicating fragrance that made Mo Yichen''s mouth water despite himself. Lan Yu''s expression was one of quiet concentration, his light brown hair catching the firelight as he focused on his task. The poor man had likely caught the fish from the nearby stream, continuing his self-assigned role as Mo Yichen''s ever-dedicated follower. Despite being told¡ªmultiple times¡ªto leave, Lan Yu stubbornly remained. Mo Yichen couldn''t decide whether to be annoyed or be touched by his persistence. Mo Yichen stretched, rolling his shoulders before silently padding over to Lan Yu''s side. He crouched down, his sudden presence nearly making Lan Yu jump out of his skin. "A-Ah! Young Master!" Lan Yu nearly dropped the skewer, his face paling. "You walk like a ghost! I can never sense you!" A short chuckle escaped Mo Yichen. "What can I say? My feet are one of my only advantages." ''At the moment¡­'' Lan Yu, still rattled, muttered an absent-minded "eh" under his breath and resumed poking at the fish. Mo Yichen''s gaze zeroed in on the golden, crispy surface. Without hesitation, he reached for it. "That''s not ready yet!" Lan Yu quickly moved the skewer out of reach. Mo Yichen scoffed. "Impossible. It smells heavenly already. Give it here." "No. It''s still a little raw in the middle. You''ll get sick." "You underestimate me.." Lan Yu sighed in resignation but finally tore off a piece from the edge¡ªthe crispiest part¡ªand handed it over. "Here, at least eat this while the rest finishes cooking." Mo Yichen accepted the offering, chewing thoughtfully. His expression remained unreadable at first, but then he let out a satisfied hum. "Not bad. Almost as good as my cooking." Lan Yu gave him a skeptical look. "Young Master¡­ have you ever actually cooked?" "¡­that''s not important cough" Lan Yu grinned but didn''t press further. The fire crackled between them, casting flickering shadows along the forest floor. After a moment, Mo Yichen''s gaze shifted. "By the way, how''s your injury?" Lan Yu blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden concern. "It''s nothing serious. Thanks to the young lord''s medicines, this follower will be fine in a day or two." "Your external injuries may be healed, but internal ones take time." Mo Yichen''s brows furrowed slightly as he stared into the fire. "¡­Also, there''s something I''ve been meaning to ask." Lan Yu frowned slightly. "What is it, Young Master?" Mo Yichen''s gaze sharpened. "Thank day.. How did you know I was in danger? How did you find my exact location?" It had been gnawing at him for days. No matter how he pieced together the events, something didn''t add up. Lan Yu arriving at the precise moment he was attacked wasn''t just luck¡ªit was too much of a coincidence. Lan Yu hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Ah, that¡­ Well, to tell you the truth, I didn''t know anything at all." Mo Yichen''s brows furrowed deeper. That made even less sense. Lan Yu continued, rubbing the back of his neck. "I''ve been disguising myself as a beggar for a while now, keeping an ear out for any news. But that night¡­ someone approached me."If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Mo Yichen''s expression darkened. "Someone? Who?" Lan Yu''s face turned serious. "A young man. He looked rich¡ªhe must be someone of high status. But the strange thing was, the moment he saw me, he said something along the lines of¡­" He paused, recalling the words. "''What you''re looking for¡ªyou''ll find it on the outskirts of the city.''" Mo Yichen''s eyes narrowed. "And you just¡­ followed a random cryptic message?" Lan Yu let out a dry chuckle. "I took a chance. I had a feeling it might lead me to you. And it did." "Did you see his face?" Lan Yu shook his head. "No. Half of it was hidden behind a fan. But I remember his clothes¡ªhe wore a white silk robe." Mo Yichen''s breath hitched. White silk robe¡­ a fan¡­ A cold realization crept over him. His fingers clenched slightly. "Hah. And here I was just wondering who he could be." Who could it be if not that damn storyteller? ... Mo Yichen sighed deeply, running a hand through his disheveled hair as he stared up at the ink-black sky. His mind was a tangled mess of questions with no answers in sight. Who was that storyteller? The guy seemed to know way too much¡ªabout Mo Yichen''s past, his parents, even Lan Yu. It was unsettling, to say the least. His body ached from days of doing absolutely nothing, which, ironically, felt more exhausting than actual work. His robes clung to him like they''d been stolen off a scarecrow, then dunked in a swamp and left to dry under the blazing sun. He sniffed himself and immediately regretted it. He needed a bath. Desperately. With a groan, he trudged toward the nearby stream, the distant roar of the waterfall offering a rare moment of tranquility. Stripping off his outer robe, he grimaced at the sticky fabric peeling away from his skin like a second layer of filth. "I definitely need new clothes," he muttered, glancing around as if the forest might magically provide a tailor. Under the pale moonlight, his jade-like skin glowed faintly, his usually sharp features softened by the night. He stepped into the cool water, the chill washing over him like a balm. For the first time in days, he felt something other than exhaustion. He absentmindedly hummed a tune, savoring this fleeting moment of luxury. Submerging his head under water, his eyelids fluttered. And then something happened. A flicker of white light beneath the water. His humming stopped. His heart? Also stopped. "¡­What in the name of dogshit was that?!" he whispered coming out of the water instantly, his eyes locked on the now-dark water beneath him. Nope. Nope. Hell nope. He''d seen enough horror movies to know this was the part where the dumbass protagonist decided to investigate and ended up as a corpse. Not him. With the grace of a seasoned survivalist (or a man who''d just seen a ghost), he turned and started walking back to shore, pretending he''d seen absolutely nothing. Smart decisions save lives, he thought smugly. Just as his foot touched the shore, a cold, slimy hand wrapped around his ankle. "F*CK¡ª" Mo Yichen''s scream died in his throat as the hand yanked him backward into the water. Bubbles exploded around him as he flailed wildly, his limbs thrashing like a drunk octopus. What the hell is this?! A vengeful water ghost?! He kicked, punched, and even tried biting, but underwater, his strength was about as effective as a kitten batting at a ball of yarn. His lungs burned, screaming for air. Darkness closed in, broken only by the pale, slimy hand dragging him deeper. Shit. Shit. SHIT. Above him, he barely registered a voice calling out¡ªLan Yu''s. His heart leapt with hope. ''Yes! Lan Yu! My lifeline! Save me!'' Through the blurry water, he saw Lan Yu''s silhouette appear at the edge of the stream. Mo Yichen flailed harder, desperately reaching out. Lan Yu, ever the picture of calm, scanned the serene surface of the water. Seeing nothing amiss, he shrugged. And then¡­ he turned around and walked away. Mo Yichen''s brain short-circuited. ''LAN YU, YOU LITTLE BASTARD, HELP ME!'' ''DID HE NOT SEE ME?!'' If he wasn''t already drowning, he would''ve died from pure, unfiltered rage. ''I SWEAR TO THE HEAVENS, LAN YU, IF I SURVIVE THIS, YOU''RE GETTING YOUR ASS BEAT!'' These were his last thoughts before the darkness swallowed him whole. ..... Mo Yichen gasped, coughing up a lungful of icy air as his body jerked forward. His fingers clawed at the ground beneath him¡ªonly for his brain to register something very, very wrong. A freezing wind sliced through his half-naked body like a thousand tiny knives, making him tremble like a newborn deer tossed into a blizzard. His breath came out in short, uneven puffs of fog. "¡­Whhhhat in the absolute f¡ªffuCCKING¡ªshhhhit is this place?!" he stuttered through violently chattering teeth. The hell? Just a moment ago, he was drowning. Now he was freezing his ass off in some godforsaken land of ice?! His feet were submerged in a shallow pool of icy water, which was doing a fantastic job of sending shards of agony straight up his legs. His skin burned from the cold, his muscles locked in protest. Instinctively, he reached inward, trying to summon his spiritual energy for warmth. Nothing. Like a candle snuffed out, his meridians were blocked¡ªcompletely unresponsive. "¡­You''ve got to be shitting me." Mo Yichen''s soul left his body for a solid two seconds. Who the hell transported him to this frozen abyss? And why did it feel like someone had yanked the spiritual power plug on this whole damn place?! He exhaled sharply, hugging himself as he trudged forward, his mind running circles around the absurdity of his situation. After what felt like an eternity of suffering, a structure came into view¡ªan isolated, ice-covered platform with¡­ a box? His frozen brain took a second to process. A box. Alone. Suspiciously placed. Out in the open. Mo Yichen squinted. "As if this is not a trap" But did he still step forward? Of course, he did. Because if he didn''t, he would freeze to death anyway. The second his foot pressed against the ground¡ª CLICK. His heart dropped into his stomach. SHING! SHING! SHING! A barrage of arrows exploded from the walls, slicing through the air with lethal precision. Mo Yichen''s mind barely had time to register the betrayal of his luck before his body acted on instinct¡ªhe threw himself onto the ground, rolling, dodging, and swearing like his life depended on it. Because it did. "FUCK¡ªHOLY SHIT¡ªFUCKING¡ªWHY¡ª" He barely managed to land on the platform, chest heaving, eyes wide. Silence. His lungs burned, his fingers dug into the ice, and his mind screamed at him to just breathe. "¡­Ha¡­Ha¡­ Okay. We''re good. We''re fine," he muttered, attempting to gaslight himself into a false sense of security. Then¡ª CLICK. A vein popped in his forehead. "WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK IS WITH MY LUCK TODAY?!" For a moment, there was nothing. Just silence. Hope. Maybe, just maybe, it was a false alarm¡ª CRACK. The air around him shifted. The temperature plunged into something beyond unbearable. A bad feeling slithered up his spine. Slowly, he turned¡ª And nearly choked on his own terror. Across the cavern, a wave of ice was spreading across the water¡ªfast. Freezing everything in its path. "...Oh, hell no." His body moved before his brain could. RUN. CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. With every frantic step, he unknowingly triggered more fucking traps. "FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK¡ª" Another volley of arrows rained down on him. He twisted, ducked, practically breakdanced mid-air to avoid getting impaled, before flinging himself onto the next platform. For one blissful second, he thought¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe was safe. Then¡ª SWOOSH. A single arrow whizzed straight toward his face. His hand shot up instinctively¡ª And he caught it. Between two fingers. A smirk tugged at his lips. Victory. "Hah! Take that, you little bast¡ª" SNAP! Pain. Blinding. Stabbing. Pain. The arrow suddenly sprouted hidden spikes like some cursed death trap, slicing straight into his fingers. Mo Yichen yeeted the demonic arrow across the cave, clutching his bleeding hand. "YOU UNDERHANDED, CHEAP-SHOT, BACKSTABBING PIECE OF SHIT¡ª!" He inhaled deeply, suppressing every urge to scream into the void. His hands throbbed, his body ached, and his patience had ceased to exist. Who is that sadistic bastard to designed this nightmare¡ª The Hell Is This Place?! Mo Yichen wiped the blood from his split knuckles, his breath visible in the freezing air. His fingers traced the rough edges of the ancient-looking box, its surface encased in solid ice. He scowled. Why was everything in this godforsaken place frozen shut? He tried knocking the ice off. Nothing. He tried scraping it with his sleeve. Still nothing. ''What the hell is this?'' he thought, narrowing his eyes. A box this stubborn better have treasure inside. Sighing, he grabbed it with both hands, but the second his bloodied fingers touched the surface, the ice melted instantly like snow under fire. "¡­What the fuck." Mo Yichen blinked in disbelief as the box transformed into a smooth white jade chest in his hands. He let out a low whistle. "Well, damn. Mo Yichen, your blood really is something," he mused, feeling half impressed, half terrified of whatever weird shit was happening to him. Carefully, he flipped open the box. Inside lay a small, translucent jade pendant, faint carvings glowing under the dim light. His brows furrowed. But before he could dwell on it, the entire fucking cave started collapsing. A loud rumble shook the ground as cracks spiderwebbed across the icy ceiling. Giant chunks of ice plummeted like death traps, nearly crushing him. "OH FOR FUCK''S SAKE¡ª" He sprinted through the chaos, dodging falling blocks and frantically looking for an exit. There was none. In a last-ditch effort, Mo Yichen punched a nearby wall with all his strength. Result? More blood. No exit. "Great," he muttered, shaking his bruised fist. Then, from the corner of his eye, he spotted something far worse than being buried alive¡ª A man. A man just¡­ sitting there. Mo Yichen''s eyes widened as he stumbled forward, dodging another block of ice. The elderly man sat cross-legged on an elevated snow platform, draped in a snow-white robe, his long beard flowing down to his chest. His pale skin was eerily smooth, making him look more mystical than human. Mo Yichen skidded to a stop in front of him, panting. The old man''s eyes flickered open, deep as a bottomless abyss. A slow smile curled his lips. "It''s been hundreds of years since someone has called me." Mo Yichen narrowed his eyes. Yeah, well, he sure wasn''t calling for this old fossil. "Who..o are you?" The old man let out a booming laugh. "Hahaha! Which country bumpkin are you to not know Crimson Phoenix Ancestor Bai?" Silence. Mo Yichen slowly looked the old man up and down. Then, he looked around. Then, he looked back. "¡­Why don''t I see anything crimson around you?" he asked, dead serious, one arm crossed over his chest, the other hand tapping his chin. The old man''s eye twitched. "You little brat! Do you even know who you''re talking to?!" Mo Yichen raised a brow. "Didn''t you literally just tell me?" "Cough¡ªanyway!" The old man suddenly changed the topic. "What are you doing here, you little chicken? And why the hell are you running around naked? Has fashion in the outside world turned into utter chaos?" Mo Yichen''s face twitched. "Hah?! You''re asking ME why I''m here?" He angrily wrapped his arms around himself, shivering. "Like I WANTED to be here?! If it weren''t for that goddamn water ghost dragging me under, do you think I''d be standing here, half-naked, freezing my balls off?" Ancestor Bai''s expression turned thoughtful. "Water ghost you say¡­You mean Rui Long?"This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. "How the fuck would I know his name?!" Mo Yichen snapped. Before he could curse more, a wet squelching noise echoed through the cave. Mo Yichen froze. Slowly, he turned his head¡ª ¡ªand immediately regretted it. From behind a collapsed ice block, a figure slithered forward. Its hair hung in slick, wet strands, skin a pale, deathly blue, shiny and slimy like it had been soaking in swamp water for centuries. But the worst part? No fucking legs. Instead, a massive, disgusting tail coiled behind it, glistening under the dim light. Mo Yichen felt his soul leave his body. "What the FUCK is that?!" he screeched, scrambling backward. Ancestor Bai clicked his tongue. "Can you tone it down, you little insolent brat?! Didn''t anyone ever teach you not to comment on people''s appearances?" Mo Yichen''s jaw dropped. ''Excuse me, WHAT?!'' Ancestor Bai gestured fondly to the creature slithering up beside him. "What''s wrong with him? Just a cute little tail." Mo Yichen''s soul fully ascended. ''CUTE?!! What kind of mental gymnastics is this old geezer doing?!'' The snake man¡ªor whatever the hell it was¡ªtilted its head, then suddenly hissed, its tongue flicking like a snake''s. Mo Yichen nearly passed out on the spot screeching. Ancestor Bai ignored him. Instead, he turned to the wet abomination beside him. "So, why did you bring this insolent brat here?" The snake man didn''t answer. It just¡­ stared. Then, very slowly, it opened its mouth¡ª And let out a low, guttural hiss. Mo Yichen''s heart plummeted straight into his ass. He did not like this situation. Not one bit. Two old men¡ªone creepy, one snake¡ªstood before him, staring like he was some rare artifact up for auction. He didn''t dare let out any more curses. What if they both charged at him!? After a moment, the older of the two, his brows furrowed like he was trying to solve some deep philosophical question, turned his scrutinizing gaze onto Mo Yichen. Correction¡ªhe scanned him from head to toe. Then, silence. Mo Yichen stayed rigid, watching them with caution. His eyes darted around for any possible escape routes. That''s when he heard the voice. "Come here, you brat. Let this ancestor take a look at you." Mo Yichen''s whole body locked up at the commanding tone. "Wh¡­ what do you want?" He hugged his chest instinctively, trying to shield his naked upper body from the old man''s piercing gaze. He stayed planted firmly in place, refusing to move. But the next moment¡ª A violent force yanked him forward. "WHAT THE ¡ª?! HEY, LET ME GO!" Mo Yichen screeched as he was dragged like a ragdoll through the air. Before he could even blink, the old man''s face was right in front of his. Too close. Way too fucking close. Mo Yichen''s soul almost left his body. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!? YOU PERVERTED OLD MAN!!" he cried, struggling with everything he had. Not that it mattered. It was like being trapped in iron chains, no matter how hard he thrashed, he didn''t budge an inch. The old man didn''t respond. Instead, his narrowed eyes zeroed in on Mo Yichen''s chest. Mo Yichen froze. A chill ran down his spine. "...Wh-what are you looking at?" he stammered, arms crossing tightly over his chest. His mind raced. Had he just been kidnapped by some old pervert?! He swallowed thickly, fighting every urge to scream at the top of his lungs. Before he could voice any of the deeply disturbed thoughts running through his head, the old man suddenly let out a deep "Hmph!" "This brat sure is lucky to be born with extraordinary meridians!" the old man exhaled, unable to hide his satisfaction. Mo Yichen''s brain short-circuited again. ".." What? His first assumption¡ªcannibal pervert. His second assumption¡ªweird cult recruiter. Neither sounded promising. As his last resort, his only remaining shred of hope, Mo Yichen screamed internally: ''SYSTEM! HELP!'' Sigh as expected. Silence. Nothing. "YOU TRAITOROUS PIECE OF CODE! YOU REALLY ABANDONED ME IN THIS TREACHEROUS WORLD?!" This might be true considering he hasn''t heard anything from system for days now, so he actually is abandoned. At times like this, Mo Yichen couldn''t help but lament his life choices. Maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe should have actually learned some useful combat skills instead of focusing solely on alchemy. Because right now? He was about to die like a helpless cabbage in the hands of a creepy old geezer. The old man suddenly let out a chuckle. A deep, low rumble, as if he hadn''t laughed in years. Mo Yichen felt a chill crawl up his spine. He did not like that laugh. Not. One. Bit. The man''s sharp eyes settled on Mo Yichen''s face, glinting with amusement. "Boy, do you want to leave?" Mo Yichen tensed, his mind screaming, ''TRAP.'' He narrowed his eyes, cautiously taking a step back, his guard up like a spooked animal. "Are you¡­ really letting me go?" His voice dripped with suspicion. The old man smiled. Too knowingly. Mo Yichen did not trust that smile. Not even a little. "Of course," the old man drawled, nodding slightly. "However¡­" He paused, tilting his head slightly, a lazy smirk curling on his lips. "I need you to help me escape from this place." Mo Yichen''s eyes widened in alarm. ''Escape?'' His gaze flickered around the cavernous space, the cold air biting at his skin. The icicles hanging from the ceiling, the frozen mist swirling around¡ªit all clicked in his brain like a badly written horror script. "¡­Isn''t this your place?" Mo Yichen asked slowly, his voice slightly higher than normal. The old man snorted, looking around with thinly veiled disgust. "Do you think I have such tasteless senses to create this prison?" He gestured vaguely at the icy walls. "Hmph, if I had my way, this place would be dripping in gold and fine wine, not frozen like a beggar''s piss in winter." Mo Yichen blinked. Then blinked again. Okay not so humble. But also, THAT''S NOT THE POINT! His mind raced at breakneck speed. ''So this isn''t his place¡­ That means someone else locked him here.'' ''For how long though?'' Mo Yichen glanced at the old man again, his expression unreadable, but the more he thought about it, the more unsettling it became. If someone had the power to trap this guy here, how dangerous was he?! Mo Yichen swallowed hard. With forced casualness, he cleared his throat. "What.. exactly should I do to leave?" The old man''s gaze sharpened. And for the first time, Mo Yichen felt like he was being looked through. Like a fragile little ant. He held his breath. Then¡ª The old man grinned. A slow, knowing, and utterly infuriating grin. "It''s simple.. You just have to lend me a part of your soul" Mo Yichen''s stomach dropped. A Deal Sealed in Blood Mo Yichen instantly staggered back, pointing a trembling finger at the old man. "Yo¡­ YOU¡ª!" Words failed him. His poor, battered brain completely short-circuited. Meanwhile, the old man roared with laughter, his body shaking like he''d just made the joke of the century. Ancestor Bai wiped an imaginary tear from the corner of his eye, cackling like a madman. "Hahahaha! Such a scaredy cat! I was only joking! Hahaha! Look at his face!" He jabbed a finger at Mo Yichen, grinning like a gremlin. And to make things worse, the damn snake man started giggling too. Hissing. ''These two are INSANE. Absolutely deranged.'' Mo Yichen''s face twitched, his teeth grinding so hard it could sharpen a sword. "This old geezer''s humor is the worst..." The laughter continued for far too long. It felt like an eternity of suffering before the old man finally waved a hand, sighing dramatically. "Alright, alright. Let''s get serious." He cracked his knuckles, his expression shifting into something smug. "This old man here¡ª" he puffed out his chest, looking way too pleased with himself "¡ªwants to take you as a disciple!" Silence. A heavy silence. Then¡ª "¡­Not interested." Mo Yichen rejected him instantly. The old man''s smugness cracked. The snake man hissed in shock. Mo Yichen folded his arms across his chest, his brows twitching. "First of all, hell no. Second of all, why the hell would I even consider it? I don''t even know who you are! You could be some insane old cult leader for all I know!" Ancestor Bai ignored his outburst, straightening his posture. A sense of pride settled into his features, his gaze carrying the weight of centuries of arrogance. "Listen here, boy." His voice boomed, echoing through the icy cavern. "I am Bai Xuan, once the greatest swordsman in the cultivation world." Mo Yichen snorted. "Yeah, sure. And I''m the emperor''s long-lost son." Bai Xuan''s smile cracked but he continued. "Hundreds of years ago, I was unmatched in the way of the sword," he said, ignoring Mo Yichen''s sarcasm completely. "No one in the martial world could rival me." He lifted his chin slightly, the air of absolute confidence surrounding him. Of course, it was far from convincing Mo Yichen "You''re telling me, you were the strongest, and yet¡­ you''re stuck here?" His eyes narrowed. "If you''re so damn powerful, then why are you rotting in this ice hole?" Bai Xuan''s expression flickered for a second before he let out a low chuckle. "You''re a sharp one." He glanced around the cave, an unreadable look in his eyes. "But I have my own reasons for wanting out.." ''Like that''s not suspicious at all.'' Mo Yichen didn''t like that answer. He eyed the old man up and down, brain working overtime to figure out the ulterior motive. But before he could voice his suspicions¡ª Bai Xuan suddenly let out a small laugh. "I have no intention of harming you, boy." His voice lowered, taking on a weight that made Mo Yichen''s gut churn. "But if you take me as your master, I can guarantee one thing." He held up a single finger. "You will become the strongest in the world." Becoming the strongest? That was every cultivator''s dream. But¡ª He wasn''t stupid. Mo Yichen crossed his arms, expression wary. "And if I say no?" The old man gave him a knowing smile. "You really think you''ll be leaving this place?" Bai Xuan gestured around the cavern with an almost mocking wave. "Face it, brat. You''re already as good as a dead fish. If you don''t take my deal, you''ll rot here like I have." Mo Yichen gritted his teeth. The thought of spending another second in this frozen hellhole made his skin crawl. Worse¡ªhe''d have to stay locked up with the snake man. As if sensing his thoughts, the snake man suddenly hissed. Mo Yichen yelped and jumped a step back. "FUCK IT, FINE!" he shouted, shaking from equal parts cold and fear. "I''ll be your disciple!" Bai Xuan grinned like he just won a bet.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "But!" Mo Yichen quickly held up three fingers, his eyes sharp. "I have conditions." The old man arched a brow, amused. "Oh?" "One¡ªI will never be hurt because of you." Mo Yichen''s tone was dead serious. Bai Xuan nodded, nonchalantly. "Fair." "Two¡ªyou won''t hurt innocent people." A pause. Then Bai Xuan laughed, shaking his head. "Brat, what do you take me for? A crazy butcher? Fine, I accept." Mo Yichen squinted at him, not entirely convinced. Still, better than nothing. "Three¡ª" He took a deep breath, his fists tightening. "I have my own goals and you are not supposed to ask anything about me." His gaze burned. "But yeah one this is for sure, I want to be the strongest." A silence stretched between them. Then¡ª The old man grinned. A sharp, knowing, and utterly satisfied grin. The moment Bai Xuan flicked his finger, a force rippled through the air. The translucent bloody jade pendant lying on the cold ground jerked up instantly as if an invisible hand had plucked it from its resting place. It soared effortlessly into the old man''s palm. Mo Yichen''s sharp gaze tracked every movement, his instincts coiling like a spring. His muscles remained taut. Bai Xuan stretched the pendant toward his nose, his eyes narrowing as he inhaled the faint, lingering scent of crimson blood. Then¡ªhis expression changed. Something flashed in his murky gaze¡ªa flicker of realization. "You¡ª" Bai Xuan started, his voice slightly hoarse. Mo Yichen tensed. His fingers twitched near his waist. But the old man didn''t finish his sentence. Instead, he let out a slow, measured sigh. "¡­This definitely is destiny," he muttered, barely above a whisper. The old man stood still, his gaze fixed on the glowing pendant, his thoughts an enigma. His expression was unreadable¡ªneither joy nor sorrow, neither nostalgia nor regret. Then, after what felt like an eternity, Bai Xuan moved. He turned toward Mo Yichen and motioned for him to come closer. Mo Yichen stepped forward, cautiously and steadily. There was no longer any reluctance in his heart because now he was sure that he wouldn''t be in danger at least. And if this man is actually stating the truth about combat skills then Mo Yichen has no problem taking him as master. Bai Xuan held out his hand, and with the faintest murmur of energy, a sudden white string-like hue enveloped the jade pendant. The delicate translucent stone shimmered, its surface almost appearing alive under the flickering glow. Mo Yichen''s breath hitched. "Give me your hand, brat." Bai Xuan''s voice carried authority, yet there was something undeniably calm about it. Mo Yichen obeyed without hesitation. He pressed his palm against Bai Xuan''s, the cold surface of the pendant sandwiched between their hands. Warmth. A strange, creeping warmth spread through his palm, seeping deep into his veins, then further¡ªsprawling across his entire body. His skin prickled, his chest tightened, and before he could even react¡ª FLASH! A blinding white light erupted between their palms. For a single heartbeat¡ªeverything vanished. ... Mo Yichen''s eyes flickered open, the cold, blinding white from before now replaced by an endless expanse of grey. Heavy clouds loomed overhead, swirling ominously. A sharp gust of wind howled through the air, biting against his skin, making his robes flutter. His gaze shifted, and he caught sight of Bai Xuan standing at a distance. The old man''s white robes billowed elegantly, untouched by the chaotic winds. His back remained turned, his figure exuding a profound stillness as if he belonged to this void. Mo Yichen''s brows furrowed. He pressed his palms against the uneven stone beneath him and pushed himself up. As the reality of the situation settled in, his breath hitched. He and Bai Xuan were standing on a floating rocky platform, suspended in the middle of nowhere. The air was deathly silent, save for the howling winds. His pulse quickened as he cautiously took a step forward. The moment his left foot pressed against the edge¡ª CRACK! A large chunk of the rock beneath him crumbled and plummeted into the abyss. Mo Yichen''s stomach lurched. He instinctively stepped back, his breath shallow, his eyes wide as he peered down. Beneath them was a vast ocean of grey-blue water, eerily motionless, stretching as far as the eye could see. There were no waves, no ripples¡ªjust an expanse of liquid void, still and waiting. ''What the hell is this place¡­?'' His fingers curled into fists as he turned to Bai Xuan. "...Master?" The word felt foreign in his mouth as if his tongue had to wrestle it out. His nose scrunched slightly. Bai Xuan, still facing away, remained quiet for a moment before speaking. "Come here." The firm command held no room for argument. Mo Yichen carefully made his way to Bai Xuan''s side. As he moved, he couldn''t help but take another wary glance at the still, lifeless ocean below. He finally reached the old man and, suppressing his unease, muttered, "This is...?" Bai Xuan turned to face him, his aged but sharp eyes carrying an unreadable glint. "You are in the Dimension." Mo Yichen''s brows knitted together. "Dimension¡­?" Bai Xuan nodded. "Yes. This is a self-contained space, a world separate from the one you know." A faint smile ghosted Bai Xuan''s lips. He lifted his gaze to the vast expanse of grey sky above. "¡­Many years ago, when I was still at my peak, I stumbled upon an ancient scripture." Mo Yichen''s ears perked up. "What kind of scripture?" Bai Xuan exhaled, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. "A very old one. Something that predates most cultivation techniques of today. It contained fragments¡ªscattered hints on how to forge an independent space detached from the laws of the physical world. A place untouched by time, unreachable by fate." Mo Yichen''s eyes widened slightly. ''A dimension that defied the natural order?'' Bai Xuan continued, his expression unreadable. "It took years to decipher those hints. And even then, the process¡­ was almost impossible." His voice lowered, tinged with something that Mo Yichen couldn''t quite place. "In the end, I succeeded. But the cost¡­ was severe." Mo Yichen''s fingers twitched. "¡­What do you mean?" Bai Xuan closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if recalling something buried deep in his past. "Creating this dimension¡­ drained nearly all of my soul power." ''Soul power¡­?'' Bai Xuan finally looked him in the eye. "I was at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage when I began. But by the time I finished¡ª" He let out a chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "I had fallen back to the Golden Core Stage." Mo Yichen''s stomach twisted. "You lost an entire cultivation stage?!" Bai Xuan nodded, unbothered. "The backlash was inevitable. But in return, I gained something that no one else in this world possesses." Mo Yichen remained silent, his eyes hiding a glint. This wasn''t a small spatial pocket that he had to store his medicines. This was a fully self-sustained dimension¡ªsomething so rare and unheard that he never even thought of something like this. Yet, this old man made it. And he succeeded. Mo Yichen can''t help but be satisfied with his fate to encounter such a legendary cultivator. Back then he also dreamt of coming across an unfathomable hermit to help him (well, that''s actually a cheat code of every transmigrator). So in other words, this situation now is what he has been waiting for. Bai Xuan averted his gaze slightly. "Now, it is yours." Mo Yichen blinked. "Wait, what?" "I am giving it to you," Bai Xuan repeated. "As a gift. A disciple should inherit their master''s legacy." Mo Yichen gaped at him, then at the expanse around them. His thoughts tumbled over each other, struggling to process the sheer magnitude of what was being handed to him. He felt a rush of emotions¡ªexcitement, disbelief, and unease. He tried calming down ''Nothing in this world is free, especially something this valuable.'' Bai Xuan merely smiled, the corners of his lips curling ever so slightly. "Don''t overthink, brat. This is just a void¡ªfor now. Its true potential depends on your ability and soul power to break through its stages and make full use of it. Even I am not sure about its full potential" Legendary Treasure Mo Yichen fell into deep thought before finally asking, "And how do I enter and exit this dimension?" Bai Xuan glanced at him before replying, "This void has already fused with your consciousness. Whenever you want to leave, just focus your mind on it and concentrate for a bit. You''ll be out in no time." Mo Yichen''s eyes lit up in realization. "Ah! Like a spatial rift?" The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it. Bai Xuan''s brows furrowed. "Spatial rift? What nonsense are you spouting? The only spatial tools in this world are spiritual bags." Mo Yichen stiffened. "Uhh¡­ I mean, yeah! Same thing, same thing! I was totally talking about spiritual bags." He coughed awkwardly, shifting on his feet while avoiding Bai Xuan''s scrutinizing gaze. Actually, spatial rifts weren''t common even in the world Mo Yichen¡ªor rather, Li Wei¡ªcame from. But they weren''t exactly unheard of either. Some people possessed them, and certain artifacts were embedded with spatial abilities. Take his own crimson jade ring, for example¡ªa high-quality spatial storage device. It has an enormous capacity, but unlike Bai Xuan''s dimension, it only stores objects. It functions on vacuum principles, making it impossible for a living being to enter. The main difference between spiritual bags and spacial rift is their storage capacity. Spiritual bags have limited capacity whereas spacial rifts have unlimited storage capacity. But this dimension Bai Xuan had just passed onto him¡­ it was on an entirely different level. It was a legendary treasure, unknown to the world. A realm unto itself, where one could freely enter and exit at will. It defied the very rules of heaven and earth, an existence that could incite greed and unimaginable calamity if discovered. Bai Xuan''s gaze lingered on him for a moment, sharp and unreadable, before he turned his back to Mo Yichen. Without a word, he flicked his wrist, sending two small, old scrolls flying through the air. Mo Yichen barely caught them in time. "Oi, what¡ª" "Practice these until you reach the peak of the Qi Stage," Bai Xuan said almost sounding unbothered. Before Mo Yichen could protest, Bai Xuan''s figure flickered and vanished into thin air, leaving him alone in the vast void. He stared blankly at the spot where the old man had just stood before his eyes narrowed to the two scrolls sitting in his palm. He carefully unrolled the golden scroll, his eyes immediately catching the grand title emblazoned in shimmering golden letters¡ªThe Celestial Harmony Scripture. He blinked. The script glowed faintly, radiating an ancient aura, as if it contained the whispers of time itself. His fingers traced the delicate strokes of the letters, absorbing their weight. "Damn¡­" he muttered under his breath, his voice a mix of awe and disbelief. According to the brief preface, this scripture was said to have been left behind by a demigod¡ªsomeone (only one) who had ascended from the mortal realm itself. The Celestial Harmony Scripture was a long-lost ancient cultivation manual, but Mo Yichen, who barely knew his ass from his elbow when it came to combat powers, might not fully know its value. All he knew was that it contained a core cultivation technique capable of balancing the opposing forces of Yin and Yang within a cultivator''s dantian. And this is what he desperately needed! Mo Yichen''s eyes flashed with intrigue. He couldn''t help but mutter, "But how the hell did that crazy old coot know about my qi type?" After all, he had never mentioned it, and yet Bai Xuan had conveniently handed him a technique that was perfectly suited for him. He exhaled sharply, feeling the familiar weight of doubt pressing against his mind like a sack of bricks. Ever since their first meeting, he had been wary of Bai Xuan. A batshit crazy old man who laughed like a hyena on crack and lived in a godforsaken ice cave with that slimy snake demon? Not exactly the kind of person Mo Yichen would willingly trust with his life. But deep down, he knew one thing¡ªhe wasn''t getting screwed here. If anything, he was the one coming out with profit. His lips curled up into a grin. Thank fucking heavens! Grinning like a kid who just found a stash of candy, he continued reading, the golden faint letters flying toward his forehead. This is one of the tricks he learned as Li Wei back then.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it His body might be like a beginner cultivator but his soul is as firm as the nascent soul stage. After all he was a nascent soul stage alchemist! As he flipped past the first section, his eyes landed on the next seal. Soulforge Art. Mo Yichen''s grin faltered for a moment before absorbing its character as well. Soulforge Art was another ancient technique¡ªone that allowed the cultivator to infuse their spiritual energy into any object, transforming it into an unbreakable weapon. In simple terms¡ªhe could pour his qi into anything, and it would become a sword. A fucking sword. Mo Yichen''s eyes gleamed with excitement as he gave one last glance around the dimension. He had already gotten what he needed. It was time to bounce. Closing his eyes, he focused. Exit. A sudden pull, like being yanked through a vat of molasses, rushed through his body. The next thing he knew¡ª THUD. "Ow¡ªfuck me!" Mo Yichen groaned as he landed face-first onto dry earth. His fingers dug into the ground as he coughed, lifting his head. The soil filled his lungs making him sneeze. He pushed himself up, blinking as he took in his surroundings. Everything was rusty orange. Unfamiliar. Towering trees with thick, twisting roots stretched toward the sky, their canopies weaving a deep green ceiling above him. The air felt dry, and the faint chirping of insects echoed through the distance. Mo Yichen squinted, his brain trying to process where the hell he was. He turned in slow circles, scanning the unfamiliar terrain. His brows furrowed. "What the actual fuck¡­ This isn''t where I was before." When he had entered the snow cave, he had been with Lan Yu. But now.. His eyes narrowed. He stood there, hands on his hips, glaring at the trees like they owed him money. Still mumbling curses, the dull pain on his butt making shed crocodile tears. Mo Yichen had been wandering around like a headless chicken for what felt like a goddamn eternity. Seriously, this place was like a maze designed by some sadistic asshole who got a kick out of screwing with people. But finally, after what seemed like a lifetime of aimless trudging, he stumbled upon a small pond. The sun was dipping low on the horizon, painting the water with this sick orange glow that made the whole scene look like something out of a cheesy romance novel. The surroundings were all brown and crispy, giving an autumn feeling, and the faint cold wind was just the cherry on top. Mo Yichen, being the autumn fanboy he was, felt like he''d hit the jackpot. This place was a fucking gem! He plopped his butt down by the shore, cross-legged. Why the hell would he ever leave this place? He had no responsibilities, no deadlines, no naggings. All he had to do was cultivate and break through that Celestial Harmony Core Technique. Life is going to be perfect for a few months. After eleven days. The air around the youth seemed to hum with a familiar resonance. A warm, rippling energy surged through his meridians, converging at his forehead like a tidal wave crashing against the shores of his consciousness. There, a faint crimson flame mark flickered to life, its glow ethereal. The mark pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, each throb sending waves of power cascading through his body. Around him, the dry leaves of the old forest stirred, caught in an invisible vortex of spiritual energy. They whirled and danced, encircling him in an embrace. Mo Yichen sat at the center of this maelstrom, his eyes closed, his expression serene. Within the depths of his consciousness, a translucent crystal floated, its surface shimmering like the surface of a tranquil lake under moonlight. This was no ordinary crystal¡ªit was the core of his spiritual essence, a manifestation of his cultivation base. As he focused his mind, the spiritual energy within him surged forward, pouring into the crystal-like molten gold. The crystal absorbed the energy greedily, its translucent form gradually taking on a faint golden hue. Mo Yichen''s eyes were closed, his brows slightly furrowed in concentration. Beads of sweat trickled down his temples, despite the biting cold. His upper body was bare, revealing lean muscles etched with faint scars. As the final surge of energy settled, the crimson flame mark on his forehead dimmed, finally disappearing. The whirlwind of leaves around him slowed, gently falling to the ground. Mo Yichen''s eyes snapped open, revealing dark, piercing orbs that glimmered with newfound power. A small grin tugged at the corners of his lips as he exhaled sharply, his breath visible in the cold air. "I finally broke through!" he muttered, his voice tinged with excitement and relief. The words hung in the air, almost swallowed by the vastness of the forest. He could feel it¡ªthe surge of energy coursing through his veins, the subtle yet profound shift in his spiritual core. He had reached the Second Star of the Qi Stage. For a moment, he simply sat there, savoring the sensation. The world around him seemed sharper, more vivid. The rustling leaves, the distant call of birds, even the faint hum of spiritual energy in the air¡ªit all felt more pronounced as if his senses had been heightened. With a satisfied grin, Mo Yichen rose to his feet, brushing the dry soil from his pants. The cold wind bit into his bare skin, and he shivered involuntarily, wrapping his arms around himself. Life is tough!! he thought to himself as if remembering he was still half naked. Mo Yichen stepped into the dimension, the familiar sensation of weightlessness overtook him before his feet landed on ground. His boots sank into damp earth, an unexpected shift from the dry, rocky terrain he had seen the last time. His brows furrowed. The vast expanse of bluish-grey sky stretched endlessly above, heavy with swirling mist, but the air was thick and charged with a potent, dense spiritual energy that hadn''t been there before. It clung to his skin like an invisible current, sinking into his bones with a comforting warmth. He took a deep breath. The energy was so rich, it almost felt tangible, as though he could reach out and grasp it in his hands. The sensation was eerily similar to being inside a very high-grade cultivation chamber. Mo Yichen''s sharp gaze swept across the land. From the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of green. Turning his head, he saw weeds sprouting stubbornly from the mud. His surprise deepened. Frowning, he crouched down, fingers brushing against the damp soil. It was moist, teeming with spiritual energy. A faint, earthy scent filled his nostrils, reminding him of his lab. This soil¡­ it''s exactly like the herb garden in my old lab. Or maybe even better? His breath hitched as excitement surged through him. Back in his previous life, he had meticulously cultivated a similar environment for growing rare herbs, adjusting soil conditions to maximize spiritual energy absorption. And now¡ªnow he had stumbled upon the perfect foundation for creating a spiritual herb garden in this dimension! His Herb Garden The forest was eerily quiet in dark night, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the faint, ominous hissing that seemed to come from every direction. The youth stood in the middle of a small clearing, his bare chest glistening with a thin layer of sweat despite the biting cold. His pants were torn at the knees, and his hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction like he''d just rolled out of mud. But his eyes were exceptionally sharp and focused, darted around the clearing, taking in the dozens of green, venomous snakes that surrounded him. "Duh, to think it''ll be this many!" he muttered under his breath. The snakes, unimpressed, coiled tighter, their emerald scales glinting in the moonlight. Their forked tongues flicked in and out, and their beady eyes locked onto him with a mix of hatred and malice. Mo Yichen sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, alright. Stop it already, It''s disgusting!" The snakes hissed louder, their bodies swaying menacingly. One particularly bold serpent lunged forward, its fangs bared. Mo Yichen yelped, jumping back with surprising agility for someone who looked like he hadn''t slept in days. He instantly reached into his crimson spatial ring, pulling out a handful of small, pointed pebbles. They looked unassuming at first but then with a flick of his wrist, he poured a stream of mana into one of the pebbles. It glowed faintly, humming with energy. Mo Yichen tilted his body, his movements fluid and precise, and hurled the pebble at a 45-degree angle. The pebble shot through the air like a bullet, its speed catching the lead snake completely off guard. Before the serpent could even think about dodging, the pebble struck it with a sickening squelch, piercing straight through its body and emerging on the other side, covered in blood. The snake let out an ear-piercing hiss, its body writhing violently before it finally went still, its tail giving one last, pathetic twitch. The other snakes froze, their hisses turning from aggressive to¡­ well, terrified. They backed away, their slithering movements suddenly a lot less confident. Mo Yichen smiles, brushing imaginary dust off his hands. "Yeah, that''s what I thought. Anyone else want to try their luck?" He turned his attention to a small, cyan-glowing herb nestled at the base of a gnarled tree. Its leaves shimmered with an otherworldly light, and the air around it seemed to hum with energy. Mo Yichen''s eyes lit up. "Finally, I found it!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with relief and triumph. He crouched down beside the herb, pulling out a small, pointy shovel from his spatial rift. "Don''t worry, little guy," he said to the herb as if it could hear him. "You''re coming with me. I promise I''ll take good care of you." his lips curled up as he started digging. As he began to dig, the snakes watched from a safe distance, their hisses now tinged with what could only be described as pure, unadulterated hatred. How dare this scruffy human steal our treasure! One particularly dramatic snake even reared up, shaking its head as if to say, This is an outrage! Mo Yichen glanced up, catching the snakes'' glares. "What?" he said, shrugging. "If you didn''t want me to take it, maybe you should''ve been stronger. Just saying." The snakes hissed again, but it was a defeated sound, like they knew they''d been outsmarted. Mo Yichen ignored them, humming a small tune as he carefully extracted the herb from the soil. The cyan glow bathed his face, making him look almost ethereal, well that is, if you ignored the fact that he was half-naked, covered in dirt, and had a shovel in one hand. As he stood up, holding the herb triumphantly, the snakes watched in silent misery. Their treasure, the thing they''d guarded their whole lives, was now in the hands of this¡­ this slimy little boy! One snake let out a particularly mournful hiss as if to say, We''ve failed our great ancestors. Mo Yichen glanced at them one last time, a grin spreading across his face. With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the forest, the cyan glow of the herb fading into the distance. The snakes remained in the clearing, their hisses now a mix of anger and resignation. If snakes could cry, they probably would have! Mo Yichen stepped into the dimension, feet sinking slightly into the damp soil as he made his way through the overgrown weeds. It had been a week now. A long, exhausting week of sprinting through forests, fighting bloodthirsty beasts, and¡ªhis personal favorite¡ªgetting nearly bitten to death by venomous snakes for rare herbs. Despite the absurd amount of near-death experiences, his efforts had paid off handsomely. Tucked safely within his spacial ring were herbs that would make even the most experienced alchemists weep tears of joy. Most of them were incredibly hard to find, either due to their excruciatingly specific growing conditions or the fact that they were guarded by territorial, flesh-ripping spirit beasts.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Like the Luminous Azurebane Herb, he just got. Mo Yichen glanced at the delicate bluish-green stalk resting in his palm and let out a small laugh. What a little troublemaker. This mid-grade herb was famous for curing any type of venom, which made it ridiculously valuable¡ªbut also ridiculously hard to obtain. Not because it was rare (though it was), but because it had a nasty habit of growing in the middle of viper-infested areas. And not just any vipers¡ªpoison-spewing, overly aggressive vipers. He had barely managed to get this herb before an entire nest of venomous snakes decided he looked like lunch. Fortunately, he had been practicing the Soulforge Art this past week and had gained a certain proficiency in weaponizing pebbles. Yes. Pebbles. He, a former master alchemist, had resorted to using pebbles at enemies like some crazed beggar defending his last piece of bread. The thought was both humiliating and oddly practical considering his poor circumstances at the moment. Back in his old life, everything had been different. He had resources, influence, and students scrambling to fetch whatever he wanted¡ªherbs, materials, rare ingredients. One word from him, and a fully stocked laboratory would appear before he could even lift a finger. But now? Now he had to physically go out and risk his life just to pluck a single plant from the dirt. Oh, how the mighty had fallen. Shaking his head, Mo Yichen focused on the task at hand. He bent down, fingers brushing against the weeds as he started yanking them out with newfound speed. After a week of breaking through his stage to two stars now, his strength and speed had increased significantly. In the beginning, clearing even a small area of weeds would take hours of frustrating labor. Now? Now works like he had been possessed my a farmer demon. Within an hour, he had cleared out a solid 30-meter patch of land, leaving behind rich, dark soil, pulsing with spiritual energy. Straightening up, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, then stretched his sore muscles with a satisfied sigh. Hard work will pay off! This was a major achievement. He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a shovel¡ªa simple tool, he made using rock and wood. Carefully, he dug small, even holes into the soil, making sure to space them out properly. Alchemy was all about precision, after all¡ªwhether it was in the lab or out in the field. Once he was satisfied, he pulled out six different mid-grade herbs, each one still in its immature stage. He smiled faintly. Perfect. Immature herbs had the unique advantage of shedding their seeds before they fully matured, meaning that if he planted them now, he would soon have a self-sustaining garden of rare, high-grade herbs. With steady, slender, and pale hands, he carefully placed each herb into its respective hole, covering the roots with soil and patting it down lightly. His fingers worked quickly, and in no time, all six herbs were nestled securely in the freshly prepared ground. Stepping back, he admired his work. "Not bad," he muttered to himself. His face, covered in sweat and dirt. If anyone from his old world saw him now, they''d probably choke on their own spit. Mo Yichen, the renowned alchemy genius, was reduced to a secluded tribal. He dusted off his hands, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment. This is going to be his garden, his own goldmine! Mo Yichen turned around, missing the faint shimmer of blooming seeds drifting from the freshly planted herbs. With a self-satisfied sigh, he stepped out of the dimension, feeling the solid ground beneath his feet once more. And that''s when he heard it. A long, low howl echoed through the trees, sending a chill creeping up his spine. His eyes narrowed instantly, sharp as daggers as he turned toward the sound. Wolves. Carefully, he moved without a sound, slipping through the foliage like a shadow. Hidden behind a dense, dry bush, he peered through the gaps¡ªand what he saw made his brows furrow in confusion. A pack of six large wolves surrounded a haphazard pile of dry branches and bushes, their gray fur bristling, their eyes glinting with hunger and... hesitation? They were watching the pile of trash like a treasure. But there was something off. The wolves weren''t lunging, not yet. They were cautious. Their bodies were taut, muscles coiled as if ready to attack, but at the same time¡­ they weren''t pouncing. Mo Yichen frowned. He had seen plenty of spirit beasts in the past week, and normally, they have the patience of a starving man in front of a feast. So why were these wolves acting like they were hesitating? His first thought? A herb. Rare herbs often grew in dangerous areas, and sometimes, they exuded an aura that deterred even ferocious beasts. But Mo Yichen had never heard of one that hid under a random pile of dead twigs. His curiosity flared. He reached into his spacial ring, fingers brushing over the smooth pebbles he had prepared. With a flicker of mana, he poured his spiritual energy into one, the small stone humming faintly in his grip. Eyes locked onto the wolf closest to the pile, Mo Yichen flicked the pebble with precision. It cut through the air like an arrow, slicing toward the beast''s exposed flank. At the very last second, the wolf twisted, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. The pebble skimmed past its neck, leaving a thin gash. A thin line of crimson bloomed across its fur. The wolf let out a sharp growl, snapping its head toward the direction of the attack. Its glowing eyes locked directly onto Mo Yichen''s hiding spot. Ahh Shit! Mo Yichen cursed under his breath, fingers tightening around another pebble. Too late. The wolves were already on high alert. Their ears twitched, their growls deepened, and their gazes darkened. The moment his fingers twitched, preparing to launch the next pebble, the wolves moved. The closest one lunged forward, but Mo Yichen was bit faster. Thank heavens! With a sharp breath, he flicked the second pebble with more force. Mana surged through it, increasing its speed until it became nothing more than a faint blur. This time, the wolf wasn''t lucky. The pebble punched clean through its neck, exiting out the other side dripping in dark, warm blood. The wolf let out a piercing, agonized howl, staggering backward as blood gushed from the open wound. He didn''t die. But the blow was fatal. For a brief moment, Mo Yichen felt the rush of victory¡ª Until he felt six pairs of glowing yellow eyes burning into him. A beat of silence. Then pure, unfiltered rage. The wolves snarled, teeth bared, muscles tensed, and this time, there was no hesitation. Mo Yichen cursed again. Loudly. The lead wolf threw back its head, howling so loudly that Mo Yichen swore he felt the vibrations in his chest. The other wolves spread out, surrounding him. Well now.. this was going to be a problem.. Mo Yichen thought taking a deep breath and rolling his shoulders. "Alright then," he said, cracking his knuckles. "There is no going back now.." He poured more mana into the stones, preparing for the next wave. The wolves tensed, then charged. Meeting a Little Friend Mo Yichen barely had time to register the blur of fur charging at him from the side before instinct kicked in. With a swift move, he twirled on his left leg, body twisting in awfully graceful movements, he was throwing a razor-sharp, mana-infused pebble at warp speed. The unsuspecting wolf didn''t even have time to process its impending doom. The pebble sank straight into its neck, and for a heartbeat, the beast froze¡ªa strangled, guttural howl tearing from its throat. It staggered back, losing its balance. Mo Yichen, smelling blood (literally), didn''t give it a second to recover. He launched himself forward, his foot colliding squarely with the wolf''s chest with the kind of force that could shatter bricks. CRACK! The sound of breaking bones resonated through the clearing as the wolf soared backward, smashing into a nearby tree like a ragdoll flung by an angry toddler. It crumpled to the ground in a pitiful heap, twitching, struggling to stand, but the pain had it wheezing like an old man climbing stairs. One down. Mo Yichen barely had time to relish his small victory before the rest of the wolves tensed. Their fur bristled, ears flattened, teeth bared¡ªand when they howled in unison, the sound sent a shiver straight down his spine. Mo Yichen gulped. Shit... The wolves charged¡ªone by one, in perfect synchronization. Mo Yichen''s fingers scrambled into his ring, pulling out¡ª Nothing. His heart screeched to a stop. Wait. WAIT. WHERE ARE MY PEBBLES?! His eyes darted to the ground¡ªempty. Not a single pebble in sight. His stomach dropped. "You have got to be kidding me!!" he wheezed. There was no time to panic¡ªbecause the first wolf lunged, fangs flashing like daggers. Mo Yichen barely dodged, twisting out of the way with the grace of someone who absolutely did not have a plan on staying alive. His reflexive punch caught the wolf in the snout, sending it yelping backward. But that hardly mattered. All the remaining wolves had now fully surrounded him. Four pairs of glowing, ravenous eyes locked onto him, radiating pure malice. Cold sweat trickled down his back. "Okay. Stay calm," he muttered to himself, scanning the area desperately. His eyes landed on the pile of dry branches. His mind clicked. Like a man possessed, he bolted. The wolves, momentarily thrown off by his sudden sprint, hesitated¡ªbut then they snarled and chased after him. Mo Yichen dove for the pile, fingers snatching up a thick branch. Before he could turn back toward the wolves, something moved beneath the twigs. Something small. Something white. Mo Yichen pauses. His breath hitched as he slowly squinted down. Nestled inside the mess of sticks was a tiny, snow-furred creature, curled up like a dumpling. Its fluffy ears twitched. Mo Yichen''s brain stalled. What the hell¡ª Before he could process anything, the familiar sound of a wolf launching at him at full speed registered in his ears. SHIT!! GIVE ME A BREAK BROTHER!! He didn''t even think¡ªhe reacted. Mana flooded into the branch in his hands, the dull wood igniting in a crimson glow. With a wild swing, Mo Yichen lashed out. The wolf¡ªsensing danger¡ªtwisted its body mid-air, barely dodging the attack. But Mo Yichen had been waiting for that exact moment. With every ounce of strength in his body, he lashed out with a devastating kick. His foot slammed into the beast''s ribs. The wolf was sent soaring backward, flipping mid-air before landing onto the ground but the next moment he stood up. It whimpered once, shaking, then went back to normal like nothing happened. Mo Yichen exhaled sharply, shaking out his aching leg. "These are made of steel" he mutters. Before he could even process the close call, the rest of the wolves closed in. This time¡ªthey weren''t waiting. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! His stomach sank. "Okay, okay, okay!! Let''s finish it!" he mumbled to himself, gripping his glowing branch like his life depended on it. (Which, let''s be honest, it did.) He sneaked a glance toward the tiny furball still nestled in the twigs before swiftly pulling it out to his chest. "...You better be worth this." Mo Yichen cast one final glance at the wolves mid-air, their fangs glinting in the moonlight, before¡ª Poof. The only thing left in his wake was the rustling of disturbed leaves. The wolves landed awkwardly, their claws skidding against the damp earth. Their heads snapped around, ears flicking, noses sniffing the air. Nothing. Not a single soul in sight. Meanwhile, inside his dimension¡ª Mo Yichen lay sprawled across the damp, muddy ground, panting like he had just run a marathon. He stared at the sky of his dimension¡ªa vast, swirling sky of bluish-grey mist. After a long sigh, he muttered, "What a close call..." "Hmph!" A sharp, disapproving snort echoed from behind him. Mo Yichen''s heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He jerked upright, spinning around to find an old man in pristine white robes, arms folded, eyes narrowed. Bai Xuan. His so-called master, who had the patience of a snapping turtle and the temperament of a thunderstorm. "...Aren''t you ashamed of running away from those little beasts?" Bai Xuan''s voice was laced with disappointment, his long white beard swaying slightly as he spoke. Mo Yichen''s brows twitched. Little beasts? Was this old man blind?! Those wolves were practically killing machines wrapped in fur. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, muttering, "They were¡­ really strong." "Strong?" Bai Xuan scoffed. "What''s next? You''ll say you ran because a butterfly flapped its wings too aggressively?" Mo Yichen''s face burned with embarrassment. "If you can''t even defeat those pests, don''t ever call me Master." Bai Xuan''s tone was firm, cold, and carried the weight of absolute disappointment. Mo Yichen bit his lip. "I¡ªI don''t have a weapon yet..." he mumbled, eyes glued to the ground. "Dunce!" Bai Xuan snapped instantly. "Do you even need a weapon?! Can''t you form one with your soul force?" Mo Yichen''s mouth opened¡ªonly for something hard and swift to come flying at his head. Thwack! "OW!" He yelped, clutching his skull. A rain of scrolls landed beside him, the golden inscriptions on them glimmering under the soft glow. Mo Yichen blinked, crouching down to untie them. The moment he unraveled one, his eyes widened. "This¡­!" His fingers trembled as he took in the contents¡ªancient techniques, long-lost cultivation methods, soul weapon forging techniques beyond anything he had ever seen. Bai Xuan huffed, unimpressed. "Hmph. Took you long enough to realize how generous I am." Mo Yichen wasn''t even listening anymore, his mind racing with delight until- A soft, warm weight nestled against his side. He glanced down. A small, round fluffball snuggled against his robes, her pure white fur almost glowing silver. Tiny paws twitched in sleep, her little pink nose scrunching up as she let out a barely audible "mnn¡­" Mo Yichen stared. Bai Xuan''s eyes narrowed sharply. "Are you going to make a contract with it?" Mo Yichen looked between the tiny white dumpling of a creature and his old wly master standing before him. "...Umm, I might?" Bai Xuan exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose as if Mo Yichen was giving him an actual headache. "You truly have no idea what you''re holding, do you?" Mo Yichen blinked. "...A fluffy fox?" Bai Xuan''s eye twitched. "That¡ª" he jabbed a finger toward the tiny creature "¡ªis a pure-blooded Dreamfox." Mo Yichen just stared. "...A what now?" Bai Xuan let out a long, suffering sigh. "I swear, the heavens must have played a joke on me when I made you my disciple." He crossed his arms. "The Dreamfox of pure bloodlines is an extremely rare and powerful spirit beast. It specializes in illusions so formidable that even Saints have been trapped in their dreamscapes. They are known to alter reality, deceive divine senses, and, if properly raised, can even craft illusions so vivid that they become indistinguishable from reality itself." Mo Yichen gawked. "...So you''re saying I just picked up a baby who could potentially brainwash anyone?" Bai Xuan nodded. Mo Yichen looked down at the tiny, sleeping fox. She twitched her ears cutely, letting out a tiny snore. Mo Yichen: "...Doesn''t look that scary to me." Bai Xuan: "...That''s what makes them dangerous." Mo Yichen stared at the fox, then at Bai Xuan. Then back at the fox. "...How do I make a contract with it?" Bai Xuan sighed. "By feeding it a drop of your blood, of course. But be warned¡ªif it rejects you, your soul might suffer severe backlash." "Oh¡­" Mo Yichen replied absentmindedly, his entire attention glued to the tiny, fluffy dumpling nestled against his side. A satisfied grin stretched across his lips as he ran his pale, thin fingers through her fur¡ªsoft as clouds, white as freshly fallen snow. "Haaah¡­ so soft¡­" Bai Xuan, who had been watching his disciple turn into a lovestruck idiot over a baby fox, rubbed his temples in frustration. "...Are you going to stay by that little pond all the time?" Mo Yichen finally looked up, still dazed, as if he''d been hit by a spell. "I was planning on finding my way to some village or town nearby, hopefully." Bai Xuan snorted, clearly unimpressed by his answer. "I''ll be going into seclusion. You better memorize all of these before I come back," he said, pointing toward the pile of scrolls scattered on the ground. Then, before Mo Yichen could even react¡ª The old man vanished. Mo Yichen stared at the empty space Bai Xuan had occupied just a second ago. Then, he let out a long, deep sigh of relief as he sat cross-legged on the ground. "Finally¡­" he muttered, rolling his shoulders. No more nagging! He turned his gaze toward the scrolls, quickly counting them. Twenty in total. A quick skim revealed that 70% were skill techniques, while the rest were soul and core cultivation methods. Mo Yichen gathered them all into a neat stack, placing them beside him before his gaze inevitably drifted back to the little fox curled at his side. A smile tugged at his lips. "Little Foxy?" he murmured. The tiny creature stirred, fluffy ears twitching before she blinked open her big, round eyes. Bright purple orbs. They glowed like gemstones like moonlight, swirling with an almost otherworldly depth. Ahhhhhhh¡ª Mo Yichen almost screamed. Too cute. TOO CUTE. His body trembled violently, his soul hanging by a thread as he struggled not to squeeze the little fluffball to death. But his self-restraint was non-existent. "Little Foxy, you are so cute!!!" he exclaimed, rubbing her forehead enthusiastically. The fox tilted her head slightly, blinking innocently. And then¡ª CHOMP. A sharp sting shot up Mo Yichen''s finger. "ACK¡ª" He winced, trying to retract his hand, but the little fox latched onto his forefinger with shocking force, sinking her tiny fangs into his skin. His mind blanked. He had half a second to remember that Bai Xuan had warned him about potential contract rejection backlash before¡ª The fox started sucking his blood. Like a tiny, fluffy vampire. Mo Yichen''s soul almost left his body. He hesitated for a moment, but¡ª The little thing was drinking so happily, tail wagging slightly as she suckled on his finger. "Y-You¡­" His instincts screamed at him to pull away, but the moment he saw her tiny paws gripping his hand as if afraid he''d take away her meal¡ª His heart completely melted. "¡­Ah, fine. Whatever," he muttered, resigned to his fate. A moment of silence stretched between them¡ª Until¡ª A string of shimmering purple energy spiraled out from their point of contact. The glowing hue danced in the air, swirling around both of them, the atmosphere thick with binding energy. The purple gemstone-like orbs seemed to glow brighter¡ª And then, a small, delicate purple crescent moon mark appeared behind Mo Yichen''s ear, faintly shimmering against his pale skin before slowly fading. Then¡ªnothing. Silence. Mo Yichen blinked. He waited. Still no soul backlash. No mind-splitting pain. No sudden urge to roll on the ground screaming. It worked.. The contract was successful!! A grin broke across his face as he quickly stood, scooping up the baby fox in his arms. "HAHA! I DID IT!" The tiny fox tilted her head, yawning before snuggling into his robes like she belonged there. Mo Yichen rubbed her ears, still buzzing with excitement. "From today onwards, you''re my contracted beast! I''ll call you Ziyun!" The little fox blinked sleepily before giving him a small, content rumble¡ªalmost like a purr. Mo Yichen''s smile widened. Where is this!? With Ziyun securely in his arms, Mo Yichen stepped out of the dimension, scanning his surroundings. The bloodthirsty wolves were nowhere in sight¡ªexcept for one. Dead. He let out a slow breath. Only now did he fully get to know that those weren''t just any wild beasts; they were Qi Condensation Two-Star Beasts. And there were six of them. Six!! While he himself was at the same cultivation stage, taking on an entire pack alone would''ve been a one-way ticket to the afterlife. Which is precisely why he had strategically retreated into his secret hole. We call it a tactical decision not cowardice (not!). Alright, maybe a little cowardice but at least he is still alive. Shaking off his thoughts, he crouched beside the lifeless wolf. With a flick of his wrist, a whirl of crimson energy spiraled in the air, creating a suction force. Moments later, a translucent, unevenly shaped crystal floated out from the carcass and landed neatly in his palm. Mo Yichen''s lips curled into a grin. "Ah, a Qi Two-Star Core! Not bad." This little core crystal would provide him with enough amount of spiritual energy for a day or two¡ªsomething he desperately needed right now. Without a second thought, he tossed it into his jade ring. Then, he pulled out a crude, jagged knife made from a sharp rock. "Ou..?" Ziyun blinked up at him, her large gemstone-like eyes brimming with curiosity. Mo Yichen chuckled, puffing out his chest. "Haha! Watch closely, little one. Big brother is about to teach you the ancient art of surviving in the wilderness." He set to work skinning the wolf. His movements were smooth, precise, his slender fingers gliding effortlessly as he peeled the hide away. If someone had witnessed the scene without context, they might have mistaken him for... a very unsettling butcher. The process took longer than expected, but eventually, he held up the cleaned pelt like a trophy. Feeling quite pleased with himself, he strolled over to a nearby pond, giving the hide a thorough wash. Once it was scrubbed clean (or at least, mostly clean), he spread it out on a rock to dry. "See that, Ziyun? That''s called resourcefulness." He flashed her a smug grin. Ziyun just blinked, clearly unimpressed. With a flick of his wrist, Mo Yichen conjured a small crimson flame, letting it dance lazily on his palm before carefully moving it closer to the damp wolf hide. The heat radiated steadily, and within ten minutes, the fur was completely dry¡ªsurprisingly smooth, too. He nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad." Next came the stitching. Using sturdy strands of twigs, he poked holes through the hide, threading them together with a level of craftsmanship that¡ªif he were being honest¡ªwas impressive, considering his zero sewing experience. When he was finally pleased with the shape and size, he turned his attention to himself. Striding over to the pond, he crouched and began washing off the dirt, grime, and general regret from his body. Cold water rushed over his skin, sending a pleasant chill down his spine. He ran his fingers through his raven-black hair, untangling the knots formed from days (or was it weeks?) of rough living. Once he was thoroughly scrubbed clean, he slipped into his makeshift hide. And by the heavens, it was warm. Mo Yichen let out a small, nearly scandalous groan of pleasure before immediately coughing to cover it up. "Ahem. Very practical and efficient." Ziyun, his little white furball of judgment, blinked up at him. Mo Yichen ignored the unimpressed stare and got back to work without much of resting. He gathered some firewood, stacking them neatly before lighting another controlled flame. With precise movements, he cut the meat from the dead wolf, laying it out over the fire. The scent of slow-roasting meat soon filled the air, making his stomach growl in betrayal. He threw in a handful of wild herbs he had picked earlier. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. As the meat sizzled, Mo Yichen felt a persistent stare drilling into the side of his head. He turned his gaze downward. Ziyun sat perfectly still, fluffy paws placed neatly together, her big, round gemstone-like eyes locked onto the roasting meat with the focus of a predator. Mo Yichen smiled looking at his adorable foxy. The little dumpling tilted her head, ears twitching innocently. With a small chuckle, he pulled off a juicy, fragrant piece, sticking it onto a dry twig before offering it to her. "Here, this is for you." Ziyun lifted her tiny paws, holding onto the skewer as she cautiously sniffed the meat. Mo Yichen watched like a concerned chef presenting his dish judgement. Seconds stretched. Then, finally, a small bite. Ziyun chewed slowly. Mo Yichen held his breath. Then¡ªher ears perked, eyes lighting up as she took another bite, faster this time. He exhaled in relief. "Hah! See? Big Brother''s cooking isn''t so bad!" He threw another piece of meat onto the fire, roasting one for himself now that his esteemed judge had given her approval. After a satisfying meal, Mo Yichen leaned back, rubbing his now-full stomach. He sighed contentedly, watching the fire crackle. Beside him, Ziyun was curled up into a little white dumpling, already fast asleep, her tiny belly rising and falling with each peaceful breath. Just as Mo Yichen was about to lie down and embrace his first decent rest in ages, his keen senses picked up something¡ª His body tensed immediately. His sharp gaze turned toward the rustling bushes, ears picking up muffled voices. Carefully, he stood up, moving with the silence of a shadow, his bare feet barely making a sound against the dry soil. He crept forward, following the noise, until he found himself peering from behind a tree. And there¡ªcrouched down, enthusiastically digging in the dirt¡ªwas a person. Mo Yichen narrowed his eyes. A human? Here? The figure muttered, "Does it have four pink petals?" Another voice, annoyingly familiar, responded, "Yeah! Hurry up and be careful when you dig it up!" Mo Yichen''s brows furrowed. Wait a minute. That voice¡­ He knew that voice. He silently stepped closer, eyes locked onto the digging figure. Then, just as the figure turned around¡ª "AHHHHHHH!" "AHHHHHHH!" Two identical screams shattered the peace of the forest. Jing Yu, the small, wide-eyed culprit, toppled backward in terror. Mo Yichen, caught off guard by the sudden shriek, also lost his balance and crashed onto the ground with him. For a moment, both lay there, blinking at each other, processing what just happened. Finally, Mo Yichen pushed himself up with a scowl. "What the hell are you doing here, Jing Yu?!" Jing Yu sat up, still looking half-terrified, half-confused. Then, his eyes landed on Mo Yichen''s "unique" attire¡ªa poorly-stitched wolf hide, and ripped, dirt-stained pants that had seen better days. A moment of silence. "Brother Mo¡­?" Jing Yu blinked, his tone hesitant, as if not quite believing his eyes. Mo Yichen''s expression stiffened. Jing Yu''s gaze slowly traveled from the hide¡­ to the uneven stitches¡­ to the barely-holding-together pants. Mo Yichen could practically see the judgment forming in his eyes. Jing Yu can you be a little subtle!? Heat rushed to his face as he swiftly turned away, biting his inner cheek. AHHHHHHHH! THIS BIG BROTHER''S IMAGE IS RUINED BEYOND REPAIR!!! A dim, flickering glow emitted from the round stone in Jing Yu''s palm, casting glow over his face. A familiar, grumpy voice crackled through the Transmission Pearl. "Mo Yichen...? Is it Mo Yichen?!" Mo Yichen''s eye twitched. Jing Yu, beaming like a fool, held the Transmission Pearl closer. "Yes, Master! I found Brother Mo!!" he declared, his voice brimming with enthusiasm and absolutely zero awareness of someone glaring at him. Mo Yichen''s eyes narrowed at the glowing stone, and he clicked his tongue. "Tch. Is it that old geezer?" A sharp intake of breath came from the other end. Then¡ª "YOU LITTLE TROUBLEMAKER! WHERE WERE YOU?!" Mo Yichen visibly recoiled at the sheer volume. Jing Yu''s robes fluttered slightly, as if hit by the old man''s sheer rage through the transmission. "This master has been waiting for you!" the voice continued, laced with pure, undiluted annoyance. Mo Yichen let out a sneer, crossing his arms lazily. "WAIT A DAMN MINUTE! Since when did I take YOU as a master, huh?!" Silence. Jing Yu gulped. The air thickened. Mo Yichen leaned forward, smirking. "Did you forget the bet, old man?" More silence. "IT WAS ME WHO WON!" he intentionally shouted loud! "Which means you should be calling me Master!" Jing Yu winced ''There it is again!!'' "YOU LITTLE¡ª" "Alright, alright, it doesn''t matter who''s the master," Jing Yu quickly jumped in, arms flailing like a desperate peacekeeper. Mo Yichen and the old man both scoffed. "¡ªbut it does matter." "¡ªobviously matters." Jing Yu ignored them. "Now that I''ve found Brother Mo," he continued smoothly, desperately trying to move the conversation along, "I''ll bring him back!" Before either of them could argue the glow from the Transmission Pearl vanished. Jing Yu swiftly shoved it into his pocket, wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. Mo Yichen narrowed his eyes at him. "...You cut him off?" Jing Yu grinned innocently. Mo Yichen sighed before giving Jing Yu an approving nod. "Good work." Without another word, he turned on his heel, making his way toward Ziyun, who had already woken up. The little fox lay lazily in the distance, her bright purple eyes half-lidded in boredom as she observed them. Jing Yu blinked. "This is¡­?" Mo Yichen''s face lit up with a grin, the kind that practically screamed, Isn''t she adorable? "Ah, this is Ziyun, my contract beast." Jing Yu let out an underwhelmed ''oh,'' staring at the tiny white fox. Meanwhile, Ziyun didn''t even spare him a glance as she coiled in her owner''s warm arms. Encounter with Nebula Python Mo Yichen kept his gaze firmly on the sleeping Ziyun, absentmindedly stroking her soft fur, pretending he wasn''t slightly embarrassed by his current "survivalist" look. "So¡­" he began, pointedly avoiding eye contact with Jing Yu, "how come you''re here?" Jing Yu shrugged casually. "Well, when I woke up the next day in Yin Ci City, you were gone. No one saw you leave. It was like you vanished into thin air." Mo Yichen raised a brow. "And?" "And," Jing Yu continued, "when I checked Brother Mo''s room, everything was still there. Your spiritual bag, your extra robes¡ª" his gaze unintentionally flickered to Mo Yichen''s current attire, but he quickly looked away, wisely choosing not to comment. Mo Yichen''s expression remained indifferent, but inside, he was screaming. Ahhh! Stop looking at me like I''m some mountain bandit! "I thought it was suspicious," Jing Yu went on, "so I rushed to Yongtian Peak to report it to Master." He paused, as if recalling something unpleasant. "Buuut¡­ turns out, we don''t have that much manpower in our department, and Master''s status isn''t exactly high either, so¡­" Jing Yu gave another shrug, this one even more shameless. Mo Yichen narrowed his eyes. "¡­ so no one came looking for me?" Jing Yu cleared his throat. "No, no! Of course not! We totally looked for you¡ª" Jing Yu: "¡­with our hearts." Mo Yichen: "¡­" Mo Yichen''s lips twitched. What do you mean "with your hearts"?! Is searching for someone an internal process now!? "Anyway," Jing Yu hurriedly continued before he got hit, "Master told us not to worry too much because, well¡­ you''re ''capable of escaping.''" Mo Yichen sucked in a sharp breath. His grip on Ziyun''s fur tightened slightly. Capable of escaping? Is that something to be proud of!? A professional runaway? He maintained his emotionless face, but inside, his soul was violently protesting. Clearing his throat, he changed the subject. "What is this place?" Jing Yu perked up, finally on a topic he could confidently answer. "Ah! This is Mengyan Forest. It''s famous for middle-grade herbs and spiritual beasts. We were actually dispatched here." "Dispatched?" Mo Yichen frowned. "To do what?" Jing Yu scratched his cheek. "To explore, mostly. But more importantly, this place is connected to the Thousand Illusions Labyrinth." Mo Yichen tilted his head. "Thousand Illusions Labyrinth?" Jing Yu nodded enthusiastically. "It''s a secret realm that only opens once every twenty years. Inside, there are ruins and treasures, but also high-tier beasts..." Mo Yichen crossed his arms. "So, basically, a death trap with occasional rewards." "Yep, pretty much!" Jing Yu grinned. "it''s said to be so mysterious¡ªno one has ever fully explored it. Till this date, no one knows what lies at its deepest part." Mo Yichen tapped his fingers against his arm. "So¡­ when is it opening?" Jing Yu, "Um¡­ we still have around two days" Mo Yichen nodded, his gaze dropping to the little white dumpling nestled comfortably in his arms. Just as he was about to pet her again, Jing Yu suddenly interrupted. "By the way, Brother Mo¡­ you might need this." He pulled out a familiar yellow spiritual bag and held it out. Mo Yichen''s eyes lit up the moment he saw it. Without hesitation, he snatched it and eagerly rummaged inside. His excitement peaked when his fingers brushed against a familiar texture. He pulled out a set of robes and sighed in deep relief. "Finally!" he muttered, hugging the robes like a long-lost lover. Then, without warning, he shoved Ziyun into Jing Yu''s arms. "Hold her for a sec! I''ll be back!" Before Jing Yu could even respond, Mo Yichen took off like a madman, sprinting straight into the bushes. Jing Yu stood frozen, blinking at the tiny fox in his arms. Ziyun blinked back. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Meanwhile, Mo Yichen double-checked that no one was watching before swiftly entering his dimension. The moment he arrived, he dumped everything out of his storage bag. And by everything, that meant¡ªa few lonely gold taels and exactly two black robes that he had painstakingly bought back in Yin Ci City. "This is it?!" he deadpanned, staring at his pitiful belongings. But he had no time to grieve. With slender fingers, he slipped into one of the robes, adjusting the sleeves and straightening the hem. After a quick once-over, he nodded in satisfaction. "Perfect." Finally, with a dignified air, he exited the dimension and casually strolled back to a clueless Jing Yu. Jing Yu glanced up and immediately burst into laughter. "Pfft¡ªHahaha! Brother Mo finally looks more human¡ªcough I mean, handsome! Handsome!" "..." Mo Yichen''s lips twitch at the corner looking at thin little boy showing his teeth. But before he can even think about anything the air around them thickens. Mo Yichen asks in vigilance, "Can you feel it?" The confused Jing Yu shakes his head but then his eyes widens, "...the ground.. the ground is SHAKING!!" The moment Mo Yichen asked, a deep thump echoed through the ground, sending a faint vibration beneath their feet. Both he and Jing Yu flinched, their eyes darting around. "¡­What in the¡ª" Jing Yu started, but Mo Yichen immediately raised a finger to his lips, signaling him to shut up. He walks forward towards the disturbance. Jing Yu, already sensing that following Mo Yichen was probably the dumbest decision of his life, grimaced but still trailed behind him. They moved cautiously toward the source of the noise, their footsteps light, their breathing shallow. The closer they got, the stronger the scent of blood became. Then they saw it. And both of them froze. A massive, two-tailed fox beast let out a guttural roar, its sleek fur matted with blood, red spots littering its body from deep wounds. Its razor-sharp claws swiped through the air, barely missing its attacker¡ªa towering, coiling monstrosity with gleaming violet scales and sinister golden eyes. Jing Yu''s jaw dropped. "¡­What the hell is that?!" Mo Yichen, on the other hand, had an entirely different reaction. His eyes sparkled, lips parting in utter awe as if he had just found the holy grail of alchemy. "Nebula Python!!" he exclaimed, voice filled with excitement. Jing Yu whipped his head toward him. "You¡ªyou know that thing?!" Mo Yichen, completely ignoring the ongoing death battle before them, nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! The Nebula Python was thought to be extinct in my¡ªuh, cough.. But look at it! Its blood essence is so fatal and corrosive that even nascent soul cultivator can die in few breaths!!" Jing Yu grabbed Mo Yichen''s sleeve with his own trembling fingers. "Tha..that thing lo..looks dangerous¡ª" Before he could finish, Mo Yichen suddenly sucked in a sharp breath. His temporary excitement vanished. Oh. Right. He was just a Qi Two-Star cultivator. A Gold Core beast could sneeze in his general direction, and he''d be obliterated from existence!! The realization hit him like a brick. "¡­Hahaha," he laughed weakly. "w..we seem to have wandered into an area far beyond our capabilities¡­ hahaha" What a tragic mistake...!!! Jing Yu, face paled in an instant. Before they could contemplate their poor life decisions, the Nebula Python hissed, its enormous, coiling body tightening around the wounded fox. The fox let out a pained growl, its powerful tails smashing against the ground in defiance, but its strength was clearly waning. Mo Yichen frowned. Despite his inability to fight either of these creatures, something nagged at him. This fox¡­ It looks familiar. His gaze flickered to Ziyun, who sat perched on his shoulder, her small body trembling. But her purple eyes were locked on the larger fox, filled with something that looked a lot like recognition. Mo Yichen''s brows furrowed further. Wait a minute. Could it be¡­ This fox was Ziyun''s family?! His stomach dropped as he looks towards a clearly sorry state of fox. Jing Yu, still in survival mode, grabbed Mo Yichen''s sleeve. "Listen, Brother Mo, I don''t know what you''re thinking, but we need to leave Now!! Before that python¡ª" HISSSSS! The Nebula Python''s golden eyes suddenly snapped toward them. Both Mo Yichen and Jing Yu went rigid. A beat of silence passed. Then Mo Yichen, voice barely above a whisper, said: "Jing Yu¡­?" Jing Yu also whispered, "Yeah?" "Run!!!" Mo Yichen suddenly grabs his hand, his other arm supporting Ziyun before he bolts. But before they could get far¡ª BOOM! The ground exploded behind them, dust and debris flying as the python launched forward at terrifying speed. Jing Yu loses his balance and falls to the ground, his eyes wide- Python suddenly turns towards Mo Yichen, or more towards the trembling Ziyun on his shoulder, as the beast looks at her with hungry and malicious eyes. ¡­Oh, I am so screwed. Before the enormous python could strike, a sharp white blur shot forward. A delicate yet fierce paw slashed through the serpent''s scales, tearing open a deep, oozing wound. Purple, viscous liquid spilled out, sizzling as it hit the ground, releasing an acrid stench into the air. Mo Yichen didn''t need to be told twice¡ªhe dodged the corrosive liquid like his life depended on it (which, to be fair, it did) and landed firmly beside a still-trembling Jing Yu. "You good?" Mo Yichen asked, even though the answer was obvious. Jing Yu shakily nodded, but his pale face and the way he clung onto Mo Yichen''s sleeve like a distressed maiden said otherwise. Before either of them could process the sheer horror of what was happening, their eyes snapped back to the white fox¡ªthe same fox that had just saved their lives. She barely managed to stand, her once snow-white fur now dirtied and matted, yet her eyes unwavering, glassy flickered towards Mo Yichen, lingering briefly on the trembling little fluffball in his arms¡ªZiyun. Then, a cry of agony. The python coiled around the fox in an instant, its thick, muscular body tightening like a death trap. Mo Yichen''s instincts screamed at him to do something, but his rational side (the one that preferred not dying) made the decision for him. "Fuck!!" Mo Yichen cursed under his breath, grabbing Jing Yu by the collar and yanking him in the opposite direction. "W-Wait! The fox¡ª" Jing Yu stammered, still running alongside him. "We''ll mourn later!" Mo Yichen snapped, dragging the younger boy along as they sprinted. Mo Yichen''s mind raced. Wait. WAIT. Why the hell am I running like some weakling when I have a whole-ass dimension to hide in?! He almost skidded to a stop. That''s right! I could''ve just¡ª But then he remembered something- Jing Yu. If he suddenly vanished into thin air, this nosy brat would definitely start asking questions. Mo Yichen groaned internally. Damn it. Instead, he glanced at Jing Yu, whose face was practically the color of death. The boy''s breath was ragged, his legs barely keeping up. Mo Yichen''s eyes twitch, shifting his grip on Ziyun and pressing her closer as he said internally "Don''t worry, Ziyun. Brother Mo will take care of you." Behind them, the white fox let out another painful howl with a thud noise. Sprint for Survival "AHHHHHH, RUN!!" Mo Yichen''s cry echoed through the forest as he bolted like a man who had just remembered all the unpaid debts of his ancestors. Behind him, Jing Yu wailed like a banshee, his high-pitched screams blending with the sounds of snapping branches and rustling leaves. If this weren''t a life-and-death situation, Mo Yichen would have taken a moment to smack Jing Yu upside the head for being so damn loud. But alas, priorities. And priority number one was the giant, purple, man-eating python slithering after them with murderous intent. Mo Yichen''s legs burned as he ran, but his eyes caught something up ahead¡ªtwo small white dots in the distance. His heart leaped with hope. As he squinted, the dots slowly transformed into the shapes of two young men. His momentary relief evaporated like dew under the morning sun!! More people. More victims! His face twitched in frustration before he let out a desperate, ragged yell, "YOU STUPID PEOPLE, RUN!!" The two figures stood frozen in confusion, looking between him, Jing Yu, and the huge-ass death noodle that was currently hell-bent on making them dinner. Mo Yichen barely had time to curse the heavens for putting idiots in his escape route before Jing Yu''s panicked voice came from behind. "Brother Mo, ARE WE GOING TO DIE?!!" Mo Yichen resisted the urge to throttle him. This brat!! Did he have to announce their imminent doom like a funeral announcer?! "DON''T JINX IT, YOU BRAT!! JUST RUN!!" he snapped, his lungs burning. The two young men ahead did not move. Mo Yichen wanted to cry. What kind of morons just stand there when a python the size of a house was hot on someone''s heels?! His eyes flicked to the man in a familiar light blue robe, and his brain suddenly clicked. Wait a damn second. That''s the guy who gave me the Heavenly Nectar Peach!! Mo Yichen had no time for pleasantries. Right now, there was a very high chance they would all be swallowed whole. "You¡ª!! DON''T JUST STAND THERE, IF YOU DON''T WANT TO DIE, RUN!!" The man in blue still looked annoyingly calm, blinking at him with clear, light-colored eyes. Then his gaze shifted¡ªnot to Mo Yichen, but to the monstrous python currently rampaging towards them. Mo Yichen had a really, really bad feeling. As if in slow motion, the man''s hand moved to his sword. Mo Yichen''s soul almost left his body. "What the hell do you think you''re doing?! You can''t kill it!" Mo Yichen lunged forward, grabbing the man''s wrist before he could unsheathe his weapon. "If you don''t want to die, RUN WITH ME!!" The man in blue flinched slightly, his gaze dropping to Mo Yichen''s hand¡ªthe pale, slender fingers firmly wrapped around his wrist. For a second, there was a strange pause. Mo Yichen, panting and sweating like a madman, suddenly became aware of how firm this guy''s wrist was. But before his thoughts could spiral into inappropriate territory, a sharp, angry voice cut through the tension. "What are you doing to Senior Brother?! Let go of him!!" Mo Yichen turned his head sharply and finally noticed the second guy. Bushy eyebrows. Sharp, accusing eyes. A mustard/ black-colored robe that screamed ''overenthusiastic disciple''. And right now? He looked about two seconds away from launching himself at Mo Yichen for simply existing. Mo Yichen internally groaned. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Why did he have to deal with this now?! There was a man-eating python behind them!! Did this guy really think he had time for a friendly kidnapping or some nonsense?! "Listen here, caterpillar- cough.. young man," Mo Yichen huffs, still gripping the senior brother''s wrist. "Either you run with us or you stay here and become that snake food. Your choice." Mustard-Robe gaped at him like a fish out of water. "D-Did you just call me Caterpillar?!" "DOES IT LOOK LIKE WE HAVE TIME FOR THIS?!" Jing Yu shouts from behind, disbelief etched on is face. Just then, the ground shook violently, a loud hiss splitting the air. Mo Yichen didn''t need to look back to know the python was dangerously close. So, without hesitation, he yanked ''Senior Brother'' forward and took off running, dragging the still-stunned man with him. "WHAT THE¡ª?!" Mustard-Robe screeched, flailing before his survival instincts finally kicked in and he sprinted after them. Mo Yichen was too tired to deal with their complaints. His entire focus was on outrunning the beast behind them and figuring out how he kept getting dragged into these ridiculous situations. He glanced at Jing Yu¡ªwho looked like he was one breath away from passing out. Then at ''Senior Brother''¡ªwho, despite everything, was somehow still composed. And finally, at Mustard-Robe¡ªwho was muttering angrily under his breath about ''disrespectful wild man''. Mo Yichen felt a migraine forming. "Fuck! You people run, I will stall it fo¡ª" Before Mo Yichen could finish his heroic declaration, a firm hand clamped onto his wrist. His brain barely had time to process how the hell their positions had switched before he realized the supposed ''senior brother'' was now standing in front of him, his grip unyielding. Mo Yichen blinked. Wait, what? He was supposed to be the one blocking the beast, yet somehow this guy had smoothly taken his place. The man in light blue robes calmly unsheathed his sword, a thin, almost translucent blade that shimmered in the dim light. His posture was effortless, his back straight, his shoulders broad¡ªcompletely blocking Mo Yichen''s view of the rampaging death noodle. A shout came from behind. "Brother Mo?" Jing Yu''s panicked voice reached his ears. Earlier, Mo Yichen had a perfectly good plan¡ªstall the beast long enough for the others to escape, then, when things got dicey, sneak into his dimension like the smart (not) man he was. But now, thanks to this guy, that plan was completely ruined. "He will be fine! Senior Brother is with him, but you better run, or we''ll just be obstacles!" Ji Yeming yelled, grabbing Jing Yu''s arm to drag him away. Jing Yu looked back hesitantly, but Mo Yichen had bigger problems. Because at that very moment, the giant purple python let out a chilling hiss, its enormous body coiling like a tightened spring before lunging forward. The man in blue moved instantly. His sword flashed. A swift, precise strike¡ªthe python barely dodged, but the tip of the blade grazed its thick scales, leaving a deep gash along its side. The beast reared back with a furious, ear-splitting shriek, purple blood oozing from the wound. And that''s when Mo Yichen screamed at him. "Don''t step on that!" he shouted. The man''s foot halted an inch before stepping into the viscous, corrosive liquid seeping from the python''s wound. A dark, purple liquid oozed from the wound, sizzling as it hit the ground, instantly corroding the grass beneath it. The ''senior brother'' glanced back at Mo Yichen, unfazed. A slight smirk formed on his lips but before anyone could notice, it disappeared. Mo Yichen''s eye twitched. What kind of lunatic fights a venomous beast without any spiritual powers?! The python thrashed toward the young man, two huge fangs came in view as it opened his mouth wide, almost ready to swallow the guy in front. But with a simple graceful twist of his wrist, the guy dodged the strike and slashed at the python''s side, drawing another deep wound. Looking at his graceful moves Mo Yichen can''t help but feel awe at the sight. What a prodigy..! The beast shrieked, coiling its body tighter. It was clearly getting angrier, and more aggressive. As the python thrashed, the ground quaked, loose pebbles scattering from the force. Mo Yichen, watching from the side, felt his headache worsen. This motherfucker is so loud!! His gaze flickered before he discreetly crouched, taking a few sharp pebbles off the ground. Carefully, so no one noticed, he infused them with enough of his mana, making them sharp and fast like battle arrows. Then¡ª WHOOSH! He flicked one straight at the python''s eye when it was still busy with the man in blue. The beast let out a monstrous shriek, its massive head snapping backward in agony. Mo Yichen, grinning like a sneaky brat, quickly threw a few more pebbles at a speed that was barely visible to the naked eye. All striking on its eyes. Leaving a trace of smoke in the sight of others. The python thrashed violently, its entire body convulsing. Taking the chance, the man in the blue robe instantly pierced the python from its neck to its belly. It violently shrieked for a while before finally falling to the ground with a thud. The man in blue turned his gaze to Mo Yichen, before looking down as a tiny smile forms on his lips. What Mo Yichen doesn''t know is this seemingly harmless ''senior brother'' might not be all that simple at all. Jing Yu, who had been watching from a distance, narrowed his eyes. "Brother Mo¡­" he said suspiciously. "Did you just¡ª?" "Shut up." "¡­Okay." Mo Yichen trying to look as innocent as possible, cleared his throat and whistled. "Woww! My eyes almost went blind!" "huh?" Yan Yueqing responded discreetly looking up at the warm jade-like face with youthful brightness. "You were so shinyyy with that sword!! I almost went blind!!" Mo Yichen replies shamelessly smiling. For a moment, there was a pause and a slight flicker on Yan Yueqing''s eyes. Then, Mustard-Robe rushed forward. "Senior Brother! Are you alright?!" The swordsman nodded, sheathing his sword as if he hadn''t just fought a giant, venomous monster like it was a morning exercise. Mo Yichen, dusting off his hands, casually kicked a pebble aside. "Well," he said smoothly, "what do I call you, gentleman?" "Who do you think you are to know senior brother''s name?" Ji Yeming''s sharp voice pierced the air, his finger pointing towards Mo Yichen. But before the latter can reply, Jing Yu retorts, "And who do you think you are to decide if Brother Mo can know your senior brother or not? Are you his nanny!?" "You-" "What me!?" "Yan as ''Swallow'' is my family name whereas Yeqing as ''Noble of the Night'' is my name given by my mother, call me whatever you like" The man in blue steps up towards him, ignoring two figures fighting like cat and dog. Meeting Mystery Man Mo Yichen barely had time to process what had just happened before he suddenly found himself face-to-face with the lightest pair of eyes he had ever seen. Too close. Way too close. The man standing before him was only a hair''s breadth away, his breath steady, his expression calm¡ªtoo calm. Mo Yichen, who recently had been through countless life-or-death situations, felt his instincts scream at him. Danger. Now, don''t misunderstand. Mo Yichen wasn''t some weakling who panicked at the first sign of trouble. He was naturally carefree, but that didn''t mean he was oblivious. He wasn''t stupid¡ªjust¡­ selectively lazy. Back in his old world, his innate talent had made life relatively easy for him. Cultivation? Smooth sailing. Reputation? Skyrocketing. Enemies? Oh, plenty, but none that could actually touch him. That didn''t mean he hadn''t faced hardships¡ªhe was an orphan, after all. From a young age, his talent had attracted covetous eyes and more assassination attempts than he cared to count. Fortunately, being under the Immortal Bureau''s protection meant he rarely had to worry about such trivial matters. His job? Refining pills and potions. Simple, peaceful, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªdid not involve making direct eye contact with terrifyingly unreadable people. Yet presently, here he was. Yan Yeqing¡ªa terrifying presence that Mo Yichen couldn''t fathom¡ªwas standing before him, eyes unwavering, an infuriating flash of amusement dancing across his usually stoic face. Mo Yichen felt a shiver crawl down his spine. ''Wait¡­ WAIT. Where is that emotionless statue from earlier?! Why do I suddenly feel like this guy knows me inside out?!'' His instincts kicked in before his brain did. He took a step back. Involuntarily. Yan Yeqing took a step forward. Intentionally. Mo Yichen''s lips twitched. ''...This man is messing with me, isn''t he?'' Still, a true expert never showed fear. So, with the most awkward yet brave expression he could muster, he forced out a polite smile. "..Eh" It sounded so unconvincing that even he cringed. "T-Thank you, Brother Yeqing, for¡­ saving our lives!" Mo Yichen quickly added, scrambling to maintain some dignity. Then, before he could second-guess himself, he reached into his robes, secretly looked through his jade ring still on his finger, and, with unparalleled speed, pulled out a small jade bottle engraved with a delicate crimson lotus. "A small token of our gratitude!" He announced grandly, shoving it forward on Yan Yeqing''s palm. "Please kindly accept our good intentions!" Translation: ''Please take this and go away before my soul leaves my body.'' Mo Yichen was about to launch into a heartfelt speech about gratitude, his mouth opening like a fish gasping for air, when a deep, rumbling chuckle cut him off mid-breath. The sound was so rich and unexpected that it made him freeze, his words stuck in his throat like a poorly timed sneeze. Yan Yeqing, who had been silently observing Mo Yichen''s antics with the intensity of a cat watching a particularly clumsy mouse, finally broke his stoic facade. His lips curled into a smile, and his eyes sparkled with amusement, as if he had just discovered the most entertaining toy in the world. The earlier coldness in his gaze melted away, replaced by a mischievous glint that made Mo Yichen''s stomach do a somersault. "I''ll accept your gratitude," Yan Yeqing said, his deep voice resonating like the low hum of a guqin string. "But before that¡ª" Before Mo Yichen could even blink, let alone move, he felt something warm and slightly ticklish wrap around his wrist. He looked down, his eyes widening like a startled rabbit, to find a peculiar black bangle snugly fitted against his fair skin. The bangle shimmered faintly, as if it had been forged from the night sky itself, and it seemed to pulse with a strange, otherworldly energy. Mo Yichen stared at it, his brain short-circuiting. "This is¡­?" he stammered, his voice rising an octave higher than usual. He looked up at Yan Yeqing, his confusion written all over his face like a poorly written scroll. Yan Yeqing, however, was the picture of calm elegance. His pale, moonlit face glowed faintly, and his lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile that could only be described as trouble. "Yichen will accept this brother Yeqing''s gift, won''t he?" he said, his tone smooth and teasing, like a fox offering a chicken a free ride on its back. Mo Yichen opened his mouth to protest, but no sound came out. His brain was too busy trying to process the fact that Yan Yeqing had just called him "Yichen" in that ridiculously deep voice of his. It was unfair, really. How could someone sound so¡­ so smug and still be so annoyingly attractive? Before Mo Yichen could gather his wits, Yan Yeqing took a step back, his light blue robes fluttering dramatically in the night breeze. The faint smile still played on his lips, and his eyes glimmered with something that made Mo Yichen''s heart skip a beat¡ªor maybe it was just indigestion. Hard to tell. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Until next time," Yan Yeqing said, his voice carrying a promise that sent a shiver down Mo Yichen''s spine. With a casual wave of his sleeve, he turned and walked away, his figure disappearing into the shadows like a ghost. Ji Yeming, who had been standing silently like a particularly broody statue, shot Mo Yichen one last look. It was the kind of look that said, "You''re in way over your head, buddy," before he too vanished into the night. Jing Yu, who had been watching the entire exchange with the patience of a saint, rolled his eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn''t fall out of his head. "Stupid," he muttered under his breath. Mo Yichen, still staring at the bangle on his wrist, finally found his voice. "What¡­ just happened?" he asked, his tone equal parts bewildered and exasperated. On the other side. Ji Yeming couldn''t help but notice the jade bottle in Yan Yeqing''s hand. It was delicate, almost dainty, with a tiny crimson lotus etched into its surface. The craftsmanship was exquisite, but Ji Yeming couldn''t resist a snarky comment. "Senior Brother," he began, his tone dripping with curiosity, "what did that young man give you? A love token? It looks¡­ oddly feminine." Yan Yeqing''s expression, which had softened into something almost human while interacting with Mo Yichen, immediately reverted to its usual stone-cold mask. He glanced at Ji Yeming, his eyes as unreadable as a blank scroll. "Why don''t you look at it yourself?" he replied, his voice as dry as the desert. Ji Yeming shamelessly took the jade bottle with the enthusiasm of a child unwrapping a gift. He uncorked it, and instantly, a wave of dense medicinal qi burst forth, swirling around them like a miniature storm. The air was filled with the scent of rare herbs, so potent it made Ji Yeming''s nose twitch. His eyes widened as he pulled out a pill from the bottle. It was a deep, shimmering blue, with a tiny cloud hovering above its surface like a miniature weather system. Ji Yeming''s jaw dropped. "Th-This is a high-grade Meridian Pill!?" he squeaked, his voice cracking in a way that would have embarrassed him if he weren''t so shocked. Yan Yeqing, however, looked as unimpressed as a cat presented with a particularly uninteresting mouse. "Look again," he said, a faint trace of amusement flickering in his eyes. Ji Yeming squinted at the pill, turning it over in his hand like it was a rare artifact. The more he looked, the more he realized this wasn''t just any high-grade pill. The color was too pure, the qi too dense, and that little cloud on top? That wasn''t just for decoration. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. "No way¡­ This is a top-grade Meridian Stream Pill! And not just any top-grade¡ªthis is a flawless Grade 10 pill!" Yan Yeqing nodded, his lips curling into the faintest hint of a smirk. "Correct" Without further ado, he plucked the pill from Ji Yeming''s hand and popped it into his mouth like it was a piece of candy. Ji Yeming stared at him, horrified. "Senior Brother! Do you even know what that''s worth? You just ate a fortune! You could''ve sold it and bought a valley in our sect!" Yan Yeqing ignored him, closing his eyes as the pill''s effects began to take hold. A warm, soothing sensation spread through his body, targeting his 256 fractured meridians and 109 injured ones. If one looked closely¡ªand Ji Yeming was definitely looking closely¡ªthey could see the faint glow of healing energy as the pill began to repair about 10 percent of the less severely damaged meridians. Ji Yeming watched in awe, his earlier snark replaced by genuine admiration. "Well, I guess that young man isn''t just a pretty face.." Yan Yeqing opened one eye, giving Ji Yeming a look that could freeze lava. Making the youth in front of him shut up his mouth in an instant. On Mo Yichen''s side. Jing Yu emerged from the bushes, brushing leaves and twigs off his green robe. "Brother Mo?" he called out, squinting at Mo Yichen. "Do you know them?" Mo Yichen, who had been staring off into the distance with the intensity of someone trying to remember if they left the stove on, blinked and turned to Jing Yu. "...Eh. We met before," he replied, his tone so casual. Jing Yu raised an eyebrow but decided not to press further. Instead, he looked around, his face scrunching up in confusion. "But where''s that little fluff ball?" Mo Yichen rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact like a guilty child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. "...Ah, I hid Ziyun earlier," he admitted, his voice trailing off. "Hid? How come? I didn''t see it!" Jing Yu exclaimed, his confusion deepening. Mo Yichen flicked Jing Yu''s forehead, earning a yelp from the younger boy. "I hid it when you fell down earlier," he said, as if that explained everything. Before Jing Yu could protest, Mo Yichen quickly changed the subject. "By the way, where''s the entrance to the Thousand Illusions Labyrinth? And what''s the exact time it opens?" Jing Yu paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "It''s the day after tomorrow, about ten kilometers to the north. The labyrinth opens during the latter half of Wei Shichen. People from all corners of the Tianxu Continent will be there," he explained, his eyes suddenly widening as if he''d just remembered something important. "Oh no! I almost forgot! I need to meet the senior brothers and sisters of our peak. Brother Mo, will you come with me?" he asked, his eyes shining with hope. Mo Yichen hesitated, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he shook his head. "...You go ahead. We''ll meet at the entrance the day after tomorrow," he said, offering Jing Yu a faint smile. Jing Yu frowned, clearly uneasy. "Are you sure you''re not coming with me? It might be dangerous here¡­" He glanced nervously at the massive corpse of the purple beast nearby, shuddering at the sight. Mo Yichen shook his head again, his tone firm but gentle. "I have something to do. I''ll join you later. Take care." He gave Jing Yu''s shoulder a reassuring pat before watching the younger boy reluctantly make his way into the night. As soon as Jing Yu disappeared from view, Mo Yichen let out a long, dramatic sigh. "Ah¡­ it''s tough having so many things to hide," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. With Jing Yu gone, Mo Yichen finally turned his attention to the giant dead snake. He extended his hand, and a faint crimson glow began to swirl around his slender fingers. A thread of qi shot out, wrapping around the python''s head before pulling out a shimmering purple crystal. The crystal floated into his palm, its glow reflecting in his dark, clear eyes. "...No wonder it was so formidable," he murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. This is a Golden Core! He tossed the crystal into his jade ring with the casualness of someone storing a spare coin, then pulled out an empty jade bottle. With a swift motion, another thread of qi wrapped around the python''s body, extracting a stream of purple blood essence. The essence floated through the air like liquid amethyst before settling into the bottle. Mo Yichen sealed the bottle with a practiced flick of his wrist and tucked it away. "It''s a big treasure for my research.." he said to no one in particular, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. As he made his way in the opposite direction, he couldn''t help but recall those deep eyes filled with amusement, making him shiver. Out of my sight, out of my mind! Yin Soul Shackle Mo Yichen moved forward cautiously, his sharp senses picking up the faintest sound of breathing. It was so soft that anyone else would have missed it, but Mo Yichen wasn''t just anyone. He was the kind of person who could hear a pin drop in a thunderstorm. Up ahead, lying on the ground, was a massive five-meter-long white fox. Her once-pristine snow-white fur was now matted with rusty blood, and her eyes were barely open, glazed with pain. The half-crescent mark between her eyes glowed a faint purple under the moonlight, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. Despite her injuries, she was breathtakingly beautiful¡ªlike a tragic heroine from one of those overly dramatic cultivation novels Jing Yu loved to read. Mo Yichen crouched down, keeping a respectful distance. He wasn''t about to get mauled by a dying spirit beast, no matter how majestic she looked. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned Ziyun from his dimensional storage. The little fluff ball tumbled out, trembling and crawling on tiny paws toward its mother. The moment the mother fox saw Ziyun, her vigilant, pained eyes softened. A warmth flickered in her gaze as she weakly raised her head, nuzzling the little furball with what little strength she had left. Ziyun snuggled close, its tiny body shaking with silent sobs. Mo Yichen watched from a distance, feeling a strange ache in his chest. There was something profoundly sad about witnessing the last moments of a mother''s love. He sighed, trying hard not to get caught emotionally. But before he could wallow in self-pity, something extraordinary happened. The mother fox''s body began to tremble, and a bright purple light condensed on her forehead. Her fur bristled with pain, and her eyes shut tight as she endured what looked like excruciating agony. Then, with a final, shuddering breath, she produced a glowing purple pearl, its surface shimmering with threads of beast qi. Mo Yichen''s eyes nearly popped out of his head. "This¡­!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking in disbelief. A beast core was one thing¡ªthose were crystalline and relatively common (if you considered fighting a spirit beast to the death "common"). But a beast core pearl? That was on a whole other level. Unlike regular beast cores, which formed after death, a beast core pearl could only be created by a living spirit beast of at least the Spirit Stage or higher. And even then, it was a rare and selective process. Most cultivators would kill for such a treasure¡ªliterally. And Mo Yichen''s extensive knowledge encompasses these things. The mother fox, clearly not interested in Mo Yichen''s stiff expressions, weakly nudged the pearl toward Ziyun. The little fluff ball, still confused and innocent-eyed, sniffed at the glowing orb but didn''t seem to understand its significance. Then, the mother fox turned her gaze to Mo Yichen. Her eyes, though weak, were piercing, and he immediately understood her silent plea. She was entrusting Ziyun to him. Mo Yichen nodded solemnly, his face still stiff, the shock evident in his deep big eyes. How painful must that be..? He wasn''t unfamiliar with these things and he knew how strong the willpower of that fox must be. It''s almost like digging fingers in your chest and taking out the heart. With her final wish fulfilled, the mother fox''s eyes closed, and her breathing stilled. The once-majestic creature was gone, leaving behind a somber silence. Mo Yichen sighed, running a hand through his hair. He glanced down at Ziyun, who was now clutching the glowing purple pearl with its tiny paws, looking like a fluffy ball of existential crisis. In an instant, the massive five-meter-long body of the mother fox shrank down to a more manageable one-meter length. Mo Yichen blinked, momentarily distracted. Shaking his head, he got to work. After fifteen minutes of diligent digging¡ªand a not-insignificant amount of mana to speed things up¡ªhe finally stood back, wiping dirt off his hands. "There," he said, looking down at the freshly dug grave under the tree. He carefully scooped up the smaller fox''s body and laid it in the pit, covering it with mud. As he patted down the soil, he couldn''t help but feel a pang of bitterness. "Rest in peace" With the burial complete, Mo Yichen turned his attention back to Ziyun. The little fluff ball was still clutching the purple pearl like it was the last piece of candy in the world. Mo Yichen crouched down, gently scooping Ziyun into his arms. "Ziyun?" he called softly, his voice tinged with concern. There was no response. Just the tiny paws tightening around the pearl. Mo Yichen sighed again, this time with a mix of exasperation and sympathy. It must be a huge shock for his little furball. Ignoring the lingering ache in his chest¡ªand the fact that he was now responsible for a fox cub¡ªMo Yichen entered his dimensional space with Ziyun in his arms. Mo Yichen laid Ziyun down on a soft cushion of grass, tucking the little furball in like a doting parent. He stretched his arms, feeling the weight of the day finally catching up to him. It had been a long time since he''d slept without a thousand thoughts racing through his mind. He let out a yawn, ready to collapse into blissful unconsciousness¡ª If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "YOU STUPID DISCIPLE!!" A hoarse, elderly voice boomed in his ears, shattering the peaceful moment like a hammer to a teacup. Mo Yichen''s eyes shot open, and he nearly jumped out of his skin as a man in flowing white robes materialized in front of him. It was Bai Xuan, his master, and the old man''s face was as stiff as a stone statue. "What¡ª" Mo Yichen was startled, but before he could even finish, Bai Xuan grabbed his wrist with the speed of a hawk snatching a fish. The old man''s eyes zeroed in on the black, shimmering jade bangle wrapped around Mo Yichen''s slender wrist. "T-This¡­ this!!" Bai Xuan spluttered, his voice rising an octave. "Where did this foolish disciple get this thing?!" Mo Yichen blinked, his brain struggling to catch up. The old man''s eyebrows were furrowed so deeply they looked like they might fuse together. Sensing the storm brewing, Mo Yichen replied cautiously, "...Eh? This is a gift from a senior¡­" His voice trailed off as he realized there might be more to this bracelet than he''d thought. He immediately tried to remove it, tugging and twisting, but the bangle didn''t budge. It was as stubborn as a cat refusing to move from its favorite spot. Bai Xuan let out a derisive snort. "You stupid brat, do you think a Yin Soul Shackle is that easy to remove? Even if you died this instant, you wouldn''t be able to get rid of it!" Mo Yichen froze, his face paling. "Yin Soul Shackle? Does Master know what it is?" Bai Xuan narrowed his eyes, studying the bracelet like it had personally offended him. "Hmph! How stupid is my disciple!" he grumbled, but then, explaining something painfully obvious, he added, "A Yin Soul Shackle is a top-grade magical weapon, specifically designed for life-death relationships. It''s generally used for¡­ ahem¡­ master-slave contracts. By infusing yin qi into this artifact, it''s ideal for¡­ cough¡­ intimate slaves." Mo Yichen''s jaw dropped. "Intimate¡ªwhat?!" Bai Xuan ignored his outburst and continued, "Unlike other artifacts, this one isn''t bound to your body¡ªit''s bound to your soul. As the name suggests, even if you die, your soul won''t be able to break free from the person who bound you. In simple terms, you can''t escape this person, not even after reincarnation. Though, of course, no such thing as reincarnation actually exists¡­ probably." Mo Yichen stared at the bangle, his mind racing. "So¡­ you''re saying I''m basically stuck with this person forever? Like, forever forever? Even if I die and come back as a cabbage?" Bai Xuan nodded solemnly. "Yes. Even if you reincarnate as a cabbage, you''ll still be bound to them." Mo Yichen''s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one more chaotic than the last. His brain felt like it was hosting a heated debate between his common sense and his sheer, unbridled rage. And at the center of it all was one name: Yan Yeqing. That scammer! That scheming, conniving, half-dead chicken! Mo Yichen''s lips pressed into a thin line as he bit back a torrent of curses. His heart was pounding so fast it felt like it might leap out of his chest, and his face was flushed with anger. The sheer audacity of that man! To think that he, the infamous alchemist Mo Yichen, was now the slave of some pretty boy with a penchant for intima..cy..ahem. It was enough to make him want to set something on fire. After what felt like an eternity (or maybe just the time it takes to burn an incense stick), Mo Yichen took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside him. "Master," he began, his voice strained but as calm as he could manage, "what does this life-death relationship imply? I don''t understand how some stranger I barely know could give me this¡­ this bizarre thing. And if my guess is right, does it mean that if I die, that person will perish too?" Bai Xuan looked at him like he was the dumbest person in the entire cultivation world. "Do you think everyone is as stupid as you?" the old man snapped, his tone dripping with disdain. "This life-death relationship coincides with a slave-master contract. If the slave dies, it will barely affect the master. But if the master dies, the slave will perish." Mo Yichen''s jaw dropped. "Wait, so you''re saying I''m the¡ª" But before he could finish, Bai Xuan let out a loud "Hmph!" and vanished into thin air, leaving Mo Yichen standing there with his mouth hanging open like a fish out of water. The revelation hit him like a bolt of lightning, frying every last brain cell he had left. "T-that fucking bastard!!!" Mo Yichen shouted, his voice echoing through the dimension. If he had known Yan Yeqing was such a piece of work, he wouldn''t have saved him earlier that day! He should''ve left him to rot in whatever ditch he''d crawled out of. Mo Yichen paced back and forth, muttering under his breath. ''Oh, Yichen, take this bracelet as a gift!'' What kind of gift is this?! A one-way ticket to eternal servitude?!" He stopped pacing, glaring at the black jade bangle on his wrist as it had personally insulted his ancestors (which it might have..ahem). "And to think I actually felt bad for him! ''Oh, he''s injured, I should help him.'' Help him, my foot! I should''ve kicked him while he was down!" Mo Yichen flopped onto the ground, staring up at the grey sky of his dimensional space. ''This is what I get for being nice. This is what I get for not being a heartless jerk like everyone else in this godforsaken world.'' Note to self: next time someone looks like they''re on the brink of death, walk away. No, run away. Screw heroics. Mo Yichen sat back, rubbing his face in frustration. After a few deep breaths (and a silent vow to never trust a pretty face again), he finally managed to gather his scattered thoughts. The situation had changed. Drastically. He glanced down at the jade bracelet on his wrist, the intricate golden dragon design mocking him with its elegance. He sighed bitterly, running a hand through his hair. ''Alright, new plan: find Yan Yeqing, figure out how to undo this cursed bracelet, and then maybe punch him in the face. Repeatedly.'' As his mind raced, he couldn''t help but think of the system. The system had mentioned something about this world being "buggy" or "off," but Mo Yichen had brushed it off at the time. Now, though, he wasn''t so sure. "..whatever," he muttered, shaking his head. "one existential crisis at a time, please." Just as he was about to spiral into another rant about the unfairness of life, something caught his eye. He turned his head, and a sudden glint of curiosity flashed in his eyes. There, in the corner of his dimensional space, were the twenty-something low to medium-grade herbs he''d harvested in the forest. Back then, he hadn''t thought much of them. His sole focus had been on strengthening his cultivation, and he''d just planted the herbs haphazardly, hoping to get some seeds for later use. But now, as he walked closer, he couldn''t help but be astonished. The herbs were glowing!! Cultivating Herb Garden The dense spiritual qi swirling around them was so thick it was practically visible. The air around the plants shimmered like a heatwave, and the scent of medicinal herbs was so potent it made his nose tingle. Mo Yichen blinked, staring at the scene like a farmer who had just discovered his turnips had turned into gold. "What the¡­?" he whispered, crouching down to inspect the herbs more closely. The leaves were fuller, the stems sturdier, and the spiritual qi emanating from them was several times stronger than when he''d first planted them. It was as if they had been soaking in a bath of pure spiritual energy for hundreds of years. Being a researcher and an alchemist on top of everything, Mo Yichen has witnessed thousands of varieties of herbs and their spiritual grade, but these herbs were clearly low grade and a few of them were medium grade but how come now they are all top grade herbs!! and just in a few days!? Mo Yichen took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the field of herbs with the intensity of a hawk. To his surprise, every single herb was practically glowing with shimmering spiritual qi. It was like someone had sprinkled glitter on them, but way more magical and way less tacky. He exhaled slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Finally, something good after days of suffering. Maybe the heavens felt bad for me after the whole soul-binding fiasco." Kneeling down, he began gathering the seeds that had fallen from the herbs earlier. As he worked, he couldn''t help but notice how the soil itself seemed to sparkle with a brownish, glittery hue. It was like something out of a fairy tale, except instead of a princess, there was just him, a rogue alchemist with way too many problems. He exhales in the newfound happiness, plucking out weeds with precision. Using his two-star Qi Condensation stage spiritual power, Mo Yichen worked tirelessly for four hours, sweat dripping down his forehead. By the time he finished, his dantian was completely drained, and his body felt like it had been run over by a herd of spirit beasts. Exhausted but determined, Mo Yichen sat cross-legged and began to meditate. As he closed his eyes, he couldn''t help but marvel at the dense, pure ambient qi in the dimension. It was like breathing in liquid energy, and it filled his meridians with a warm, soothing sensation. If only he could bottle and sell it, he''d be as rich as the emperor. As he continued to absorb the spiritual qi, a crimson hue began to radiate from his body. The energy surged through his meridians, targeting the acupoints in his palms. Slowly but surely, a small and faint vortex of spiritual qi began to form around him, swirling faintly. Mo Yichen''s eyebrows furrowed in concentration. It''s not the time yet, he has barely consolidated his prior realm, if he rushes again, his foundations might become unstable and that will be bad for his future growth. The spiritual qi condensed in his dantian, forming a small crystalline ball that grew larger with each passing moment. The pressure built, and Mo Yichen could feel the familiar sensation of touching the thin barrier. After ten steady breaths, Mo Yichen finally retracted the surge of energy, his eyes fluttering open. The spiritual qi in his dantian was practically brimming, almost overflowing like a cup filled to the very top. He glanced around, slightly dazed. ''Half an hour? That''s all it took to recover most of my spiritual energy? This dimension is like a cheat code!!'' But as much as he wanted to bask in the glory of his rapid recovery, one thought kept nagging at him. It had only been a month since he''d arrived in this world, and barely twenty days since he''d opened his meridians. In that short time, he''d gone from a clueless transmigrator to a Qi Condensation Two-Star cultivator. And now, he could feel another minor breakthrough lurking just around the corner. "This¡­ doesn''t make any sense," he muttered, scratching his head. Well, he is definitely not complaining, but shouldn''t cultivation be harder? He was a nascent soul cultivator and an all-star prodigy, his innate talent was extremely remarkable considering the age of eighteen in his world. Most people ascend to the nascent stage after two hundred or something. But still, he can''t get used to this speed of progress, this body (Mo Yichen''s) surely is not to be underestimated. Sure, the environment had helped. The forest was teeming with low to medium-grade mortal stage beasts, which had given him plenty of opportunities to practice his skills and consolidate his foundation. But still, the speed of his progress was almost unnerving. ''If things keep going like this, I''m going to end up with the most unstable foundation in the history of cultivation,'' he thought, his brows furrowing in concern. Shaking his head, he decided to push those thoughts aside for now. There was no point in worrying about something he couldn''t control. Instead, he reached into his red jade ring and pulled out a rocky shovel. It wasn''t the most elegant tool, but it got the job done. He started plowing the soil, his movements methodical and precise. By the time he''d covered about one-fifth of the land, his body was aching, and his arms felt like they were about to fall off. After a quick break, he resumed his work, scattering the seeds he''d collected earlier. The seeds ranged from level one to level three herbs, all of them low-quality for now. However, given the magical properties of the soil, Mo Yichen had high hopes for their future. As he finished planting the last seed, he stood back, admiring his handiwork. The field looked neat and orderly, with rows of seeds nestled in the shimmering soil. Different levels of seeds in different rows. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Now that everything that needed to be done was done, Mo Yichen let out a satisfied sigh and plopped down cross-legged on the ground. With a swift motion, he pulled out the twenty old scrolls his master had bestowed upon him. Back then, it had been too hectic to even glance at them, but now, with two days to spare, he finally had the time to dive into some proper cultivation techniques. "Alright, let''s see what Master deems worthy of this disciple," Mo Yichen muttered, unrolling the first scrolls with enthusiasm. Being a novice (well, relatively speaking), Mo Yichen knew the importance of mending and creating his own path. He wasn''t about to go around collecting techniques like they were trading cards. No, he was all about quality over quantity. He''d rather have one technique he can use to obliterate his enemies than twenty he can''t even pronounce! As Mo Yichen gathered his thoughts, he realized he needed a foolproof plan before entering the secret realm. Sure, he was new to this world, but that didn''t mean he was going to waltz in unprepared. The truth was that Mo Yichen didn''t have any proper combative techniques. For now, all he had was his trusty sharp pebbles, which were great for sneak attacks but about as useful as a wet noodle in a one-on-one fight. But as he scanned the contents of the scrolls, his eyes widened in shock. Every single one of them was a soul-forged technique¡ªdestructive, offensive talisman mantras! His eye twitched in bafflement. A guy barely at the Qi Condensation stage is supposed to soul-forge a talisman? Is Master trying to kill me? Or is this some kind of twisted test? The only logical explanation was that his master had already guessed the realm of his original soul! Mo Yichen''s mind raced with questions, but he quickly pushed them aside. ''Alright, let''s not overthink this. Master might be cryptic but he won''t get me killed...probably? I mean, he did take an oath, and breaking it would obliterate the last fragment of his soul!'' he tries to reason with himself pushing the thought aside. Despite his initial skepticism, Mo Yichen couldn''t help but feel a spark of excitement. He was already well-versed in using talismans and charms, though most of them were defensive¡ªperfect for the seclusive meditation he was used to, but not so great for an actual fight. Thanks to his master, he now had access to some offensive techniques. And the best part? Talismans didn''t rely on his meager Qi Condensation stage spiritual power. Instead, they used soul force, which he had more than enough thanks to his Nascent Soul-level soul realm. Mo Yichen picked up a thin booklet, its cover worn and slightly frayed at the edges. The title, Five Heavenly Talismans, was written in elegant calligraphy that somehow managed to look both intimidating and inviting. He flipped it open with enthusiasm. The first chapter was titled Introduction to Heavenly Talismans. Mo Yichen skimmed through the opening lines, his eyes quickly absorbing the content. As he read further, he began to understand the nuances of talisman creation. Talismans were categorized into low, mid, and high grades, but creating them wasn''t as simple as scribbling some fancy symbols on a piece of paper. No, it required something far more elusive: pure soul force. The booklet explained that soul force was different from spiritual power. While spiritual power was the domain of martial artists, soul force was the specialty of alchemists. Only those with a strong and pure soul force could create talismans, and even then, it was no easy feat. The text went on to explain that while martial artists did possess soul force, their bodies were more attuned to spiritual energy, which hindered the growth of pure soul force. This was why talismans were so rare, and why most of the ones in circulation were low to mid-grade, created by martial artists with just enough soul force to scrape by. High-grade talismans were even rarer, created only by the most skilled alchemists with impeccable control over their soul force. And top-grade talismans? Forget about it. They were practically mythical. The booklet also emphasized the importance of success rates in talisman creation. Most alchemists who had already reached the Spirit Flame Alchemist stage had a success rate of around 30 percent. And those below that level? Their success rates ranged from a pitiful 5 percent to a slightly less pitiful 20 percent, depending on their competence. Mo Yichen''s eyebrows furrowed as he read further into the booklet. "Spirit Flame Alchemist stage? What in the name of the heavens is that?" he muttered, scratching his head. As understanding dawned on him, he let out a slow exhale. "Ah, so there are different names for cultivation stages in this world..?" The realization sparked a flicker of excitement in him. If there were different terms for cultivation stages here, what did that mean for his soul''s stage? And what about his spiritual core? His mind raced with apprehension. Shaking his head, a small smile tugged at his lips. Despite the initial distress of losing his original spiritual core¡ªwhich, let''s be honest, wasn''t exactly a powerhouse to begin with because he was just an alchemist after all, but now, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief. After all, he could still use soul force to create talismans, and that gave him a decent weapon. The more he thought about it, the more he warmed up to the idea of using charms and talismans as one of his primary weapons. He can''t help but feel like he got a cheat code. Now his soul force can be said formidable, all he needs is to continue cultivating his soul while also taking care of Mo Yichen''s formidable spiritual core. Flipping the pages he finally reaches chapter two named Low-Grade Offensive Heavenly Talisman Mantras. There are three mantras written one by one, each having a subheading where their name is carved in golden words. The first is a Lightning-Based low-grade talisman technique named Void Thunder Talisman. This talisman released bolts of thunder chains chasing the offenders and caging them in it''s vicinity. The second is a Fire-Based low-grade talisman technique named Blazing Sun Talisman. It Summons a miniature sun that scorches everything in its radius. The third is a Water-Based low-grade talisman technique named Serpent Wave Talisman. It forms a water dragon that crashes into opponents. Note: When a martial artist crafts a talisman, they are limited to creating ones that align closely with their spiritual attribute. Their spiritual energy, while potent, is inherently tied to their elemental affinity¡ªbe it fire, water, earth, or wind. This means a fire-attribute martial artist can only create fire-based talismans, and so on. Their creations are powerful, but bound by the constraints of their spiritual nature. On the other hand, an alchemist operates on an entirely different level. When crafting charms, an alchemist¡¯s pure soul force transcends the need for any specific spiritual attribute. Their soul, refined and untainted by elemental limitations, is versatile enough to weave any mantra into a talisman, regardless of its nature. This makes alchemists uniquely capable of creating a wide array of charms, from offensive fire talismans to defensive water barriers, without being restricted by their own spiritual alignment. In essence, their soul is the ultimate tool, unbound and infinitely adaptable. Reaching this point, all the golden carved words start floating in the fair as a force sucks them in between Mo Yichen''s brows. Yes, this force precisely is the soul force that he manipulates and uses to carve the information in his soul. And now these mantras are embedded in it. Entry to Secret Realm Two days later at dawn. The forest clearing was alive with the hustle and bustle of a thriving marketplace. Low-stage cultivators stood behind their stalls, hawking wares to the steady stream of visitors. Camps were scattered among the trees, their makeshift tents fluttering in the breeze. Today was the day¡ªthe infamous Thousand Illusions Labyrinth secret realm was set to open, and cultivators from all corners of the Tianxu Continent had gathered for the occasion. The atmosphere was electric, a mix of excitement and tension. Some cultivators had set up shops to take advantage of the crowd, their stalls brimming with alchemy pills, potions, spiritual weapons, and artifacts. The scent of spirit beast meat wafted through the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest. It was like a cultivation-themed festival, complete with overpriced snacks and questionable merchandise. Amid the chaos, a young man of about sixteen strolled through the crowd. His black robe was simple but elegant, with intricate designs near the wide sleeves that half-covered his slender hands. His youthful face had a soft, jade-like feature, and his deep, piercing eyes scanned the area with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. People couldn''t help but stare¡ªhis ethereal beauty was hard to ignore. This, of course, was none other than Mo Yichen. Two days ago, he had carved those low-grade talisman techniques into his soul and spent the entire time meditating. When he finally woke up, he''d made a run for the location Jing Yu had given him. Now, standing in the middle of the bustling marketplace, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of apprehension. This looks like an inter-school festival! His eyes wandered over the stalls selling alchemy pills and potions. Thanks to his storage ring, he already had a decent supply, so he moved on without a second glance. Next, his gaze landed on the stalls selling spiritual weapons and artifacts. A slight smile tugged at his lips as he made his way to a relatively isolated shop tucked away from the main crowd. As he approached the shop, he couldn''t help but notice the shopkeeper¡ªa grizzled old man with a white beard. The man was hunched over a table, meticulously arranging a set of talismans. Mo Yichen''s eyes lit up. Mo Yichen pointed to a stack of sage green talismans on the stall. "How much are these?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. The old shopkeeper''s face lit up. "Ah, young master, you have a good eye! These are low-grade talismans, imbued with both fire and ice attributes. Each one is ten taels of gold." He paused, gauging Mo Yichen''s reaction with the practiced skill of a seasoned salesman. Mo Yichen nodded, his expression as serene as a still lake. "Do you have mid or high-grade charms too?" The old man''s eyes widened, and he hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes! I have mid-grade fire attribute charms here. But high-grade charms¡­" He shook his head, his voice tinged with regret. "Those are as rare as a humble cultivator. They''re mostly sold in auctions." He rummaged through a shelf and pulled out a small box, opening it to reveal six faded yellow talismans. "These are mid-grade charms. Each one is 130 gold taels." Mo Yichen nodded again, his face giving nothing away. "What about blank talisman papers? Do you sell those too?" The old man blinked, caught off guard. "...Blank talisman papers?" he repeated. "Yes," Mo Yichen replied, his tone as calm as ever. "Blank talisman papers." The old man hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, young master, I do have blank talisman papers. They''re cheaper if you buy in bulk." Mo Yichen raised an eyebrow. "Show me." The old man scurried to a large cupboard and pulled out a stack of blank white papers, each cut into neat rectangles. "Here they are. I have 351 papers in total, all made from low-grade spirit grass." Mo Yichen''s eyes scanned the stack. "How much for all of them?" The old man wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead. "Well, generally, 500 blank talisman papers made of low-grade spirit grass cost five silver taels. But since I only have 351¡­" "I''ll take them all," Mo Yichen interrupted, pulling out a single gold tael from a familiar golden storage pouch. His lips twitched into a thin line as he looked at the pouch¡ªthe same one Yan Yeqing had used to give him the Heavenly Nectar Peach. Of course, he thought bitterly. As he handed over the gold tael, a rich, familiar voice came from behind him, smooth and deep. "Did you perhaps take a liking to that storage pouch?" Stolen story; please report. Mo Yichen froze, his hand hovering mid-air. He didn''t need to turn around to know who it was. That voice, that tone, that... it could only belong to one person. Yan Yeqing. A surge of fury bubbled up in Mo Yichen''s stomach, threatening to spill over like a pot of boiling water. The audacity! he thought, his jaw tightening as he stiffly bent over to collect the stack of blank talisman papers. He shoved them into his storage bag with more force than necessary, as if the papers themselves had personally offended him. After taking ten deep breaths (and silently counting to a hundred in his head), he finally turned around, his eyes colliding with Yan Yeqing''s deep, piercing gaze. There he stood, in all his infuriating glory, draped in his usual light blue silk robe with wide sleeves. The intricate carvings along the hems and shoulders shimmered faintly as if mocking Mo Yichen''s far simpler attire. Yan Yeqing''s posture was as straight and imposing as ever, exuding a formidable yet mysterious aura that made Mo Yichen want to punch him even more. Mo Yichen''s fists clenched, crimson qi enveloping his pale, slender fingers as he prepared for an attack. His eyes burned with a mix of fury and frustration, but Yan Yeqing''s expression remained unbothered. In fact, there was a flicker of something in those light eyes¡ªamusement, perhaps?¡ªas if he could read Mo Yichen''s thoughts like an open book. After what felt like an eternity of trying to calm himself (and failing miserably), Mo Yichen finally managed to speak through gritted teeth. "What. Do. You. Want?" Each word was a struggle, like pulling teeth from a particularly stubborn dragon. Yan Yeqing''s lips curved into a faint smile, the kind that made Mo Yichen''s blood boil even more. "Are you sure you want to talk here?" he asked, his tone casual as he gestured to the bustling marketplace around them. Mo Yichen glanced around. The crowd was thick with cultivators haggling over pills, weapons, and spirit beast meat. A few curious onlookers were already casting glances their way, no doubt drawn by the tension crackling between the two. "Fine," Mo Yichen snapped, his voice low but laced with venom. "Come with me," he strode forward with wide, purposeful steps, trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and Yan Yeqing. But no matter how fast he walked, Yan Yeqing was always just a breath away, his presence looming like a shadow that refused to be shaken. It was as if the man had mastered the art of being annoyingly close without actually touching him. Mo Yichen gritted his teeth, his irritation growing with every step. Why does he have to be so¡­ so¡­ infuriatingly tall and fast? he thought, resisting the urge to turn around and yell. Finally, he stopped at a small counter manned by an elderly man. "Are there any camps available?" Mo Yichen asked, his voice sharp enough to make the old man flinch. "Y-yes, yes, there are!" the man stammered, clearly intimidated. "Each camp costs one gold tael." Without hesitation, Mo Yichen slapped a gold tael onto the table, his movements quick and impatient. The old man handed him a small token with the number 34 engraved on it. Mo Yichen was about to snatch it and leave, only to find Yan Yeqing already holding the token, his expression as calm as ever. "After you," Yan Yeqing said, gesturing toward the camps with a faint smile. Mo Yichen''s eye twitched. This guy¡­ He trailed behind Yan Yeqing, his face flushed with fury. Every step felt like a battle, and by the time they reached the camp, Mo Yichen was ready to explode. The camp was surprisingly well-equipped bur pretty small for something that cost one gold tael. A small jade bed sat in one corner, accompanied by a table and two chairs. There was even enough space to walk around without bumping into anything. But Mo Yichen wasn''t in the mood to appreciate or complain about the accommodations. Before Yan Yeqing could even sit down, Mo Yichen lunged at him, his fist glowing with crimson qi. The air crackled with energy as he aimed a punch straight at Yan Yeqing''s annoyingly perfect face. In a blink of an eye, Yan Yeqing dodged the attack, his movements so fluid it was almost insulting. Before Mo Yichen could react, his arm was caught in a firm hold, Yan Yeqing''s grip unyielding. A tense moment passed as Yan Yeqing''s dark, inscrutable eyes locked with Mo Yichen''s burning ones. Slowly, Yan Yeqing loosened his grip, but his fingers lingered, sliding along Mo Yichen''s pale, slender wrist until they brushed against the black jade bangle. Mo Yichen''s face flushed with a mix of fury and embarrassment. This is so bizarre! he thought, his mind racing. How can this man just¡­ force something like this on another man? Isn''t this kind of thing supposed to be for women? Or at least consensual!? Yan Yeqing, seemingly oblivious to Mo Yichen''s internal meltdown, spoke smoothly, his face as expressionless as a stone statue. "I suppose you already know its purpose, don''t you?" He released Mo Yichen''s wrist and took a seat in one of the chairs, his movements unhurried and deliberate. Mo Yichen didn''t respond, his chest rising and falling with deep, controlled breaths as he tried to keep his temper in check. Yan Yeqing continued, his voice calm but carrying an edge of finality. "If I die, you perish." The words hung in the air like a death sentence. The camp fell silent, the only sound being Mo Yichen''s heavy breathing as he processed the gravity of the situation. After what felt like an eternity of staring into Yan Yeqing''s deep, unreadable eyes, Mo Yichen finally found his voice. "...Why did you do this?" he asked, his tone low and strained. "What is your purpose?" Yan Yeqing didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he studied Mo Yichen with the intensity of a predator sizing up its prey. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady and matter-of-fact. "You''re an alchemist." It wasn''t a question¡ªit was a statement, delivered with such certainty that it caught Mo Yichen completely off guard. "W-what are you talking about?" Mo Yichen stammered, his voice cracking slightly. "Can''t you see I''m clearly a martial artist!" He tried to sound confident, but his soul trembled at the accusation. How the hell does he know? he thought, panic rising. I haven''t concocted any pills or done anything remotely alchemist-like since I got here! How could he possibly¡ª? Yan Yeqing''s piercing gaze didn''t waver. "I can feel your soul," he said, his tone cold and unyielding. "It''s so pure and strong that I''ve never felt anything like it before. You''re clearly an alchemist." Making Charms! Mo Yichen''s heart skipped a beat. He tried to pull away, but Yan Yeqing''s grip on his wrist was firm, unrelenting. "..what do you want" Mo Yichen finally speaks, his voice sharp and firm. Yan Yeqing pauses for a bit, a hint of something flashes across his face "..you don''t have to be so vigilant. I won''t endanger you," his eyes flutter with emotions, "In fact, my goal is to protect you" Mo Yichen doesn''t speak but a tinge of shock is visible in his wide eyes. Yan Yeqing continues in a serious tone, "I want you to cure me, in return, I will protect you.. at all costs" "Cure you?" Mo Yichen raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with skepticism. "If my guess is right, your poison is already cured. Isn''t it?" Yan Yeqing leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Aren''t doctors supposed to check on their patients before jumping to conclusions?" Mo Yichen paused, his brows furrowing in irritation. This guy¡­ He exhaled sharply before reaching out, his soft, pale fingers brushing against Yan Yeqing''s wrist. "...Don''t resist," he muttered, his voice firm despite the hesitation in his movements. After a moment of internal debate, Mo Yichen finally took Yan Yeqing''s pulse. A thin thread of soul power slipped from his fingertips, traveling through the man''s meridians. As the energy flowed, Mo Yichen''s expression shifted from annoyance to confusion. How can someone who looks so strong have such weak meridians? he thought, his brows knitting together. The more his soul power traveled, the more baffled he became. The meridians weren''t just weak¡ªthey were blocked and injured, like a road riddled with potholes and collapsed bridges. The sensation of Mo Yichen''s soul power sent a faint tingling through Yan Yeqing''s body, but the man remained still, his eyes fixed on Mo Yichen''s face with an intensity that was almost unnerving. "T-this!" Mo Yichen exclaimed, withdrawing his soul power abruptly. His eyes widened in shock. "How come¡­?" he stammered, his voice a mix of confusion and disbelief. He had expected to find some lingering traces of injuries, but this? This was far worse. Yan Yeqing''s meridians were a disaster zone. If Mo Yichen had pushed his soul power any further, it could have caused an explosion, leaving the man in an even worse state. Mo Yichen stared at Yan Yeqing, his mind racing. How is this guy even functioning? Forget fighting¡ªhe should be bedridden! Yan Yeqing, meanwhile, looked utterly unbothered. "Well?" he asked, his tone light. "What''s the diagnosis, Doctor?" Mo Yichen''s eye twitched. "Don''t call me that," he snapped, though his voice lacked its usual bite. He was too busy trying to process what he''d just discovered. How strong is this guy''s willpower to be still standing here?! "Your meridians are¡­ a mess," Mo Yichen said finally, his tone blunt. "But I can''t conclude anything for now, your internals are so weak that if I pour more of my soul power, it''ll worsen the situation.." Yan Yeqing shifted his gaze sideways, as if he had been expecting Mo Yichen''s answer all along. "Are there any other ways?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. Mo Yichen paused, his brows furrowing as he considered the question. "...Yes, there is a method," he said slowly, "but it requires prior preparations." Yan Yeqing''s eyelids flickered for a moment, a rare crack in his otherwise unshakable composure, before he nodded. "Very well." Mo Yichen averted his eyes, his expression conflicted. "...I never said I would cure you," he muttered, more to himself than to Yan Yeqing. Deep down, he knew the man in front of him was already tied to him in ways he couldn''t fully understand¡ªwhether it was the Heavenly Nectar Peach, the Nebula Python, or the cursed soul shackle. He couldn''t afford to let Yan Yeqing die, not when their fates were so intertwined. And, if he was being honest with himself, he didn''t want Yan Yeqing to die. As an alchemist, Mo Yichen had spent years saving lives and solving impossible problems. Letting someone with such indomitable willpower perish felt¡­ wrong. Plus, he was alone in this world. Having someone¡ªeven someone as infuriating as Yan Yeqing¡ªby his side didn''t sound like the worst idea. The silence between them was heavy but tinged with an odd warmth. Mo Yichen finally took a seat opposite Yan Yeqing, his expression serious. "Alright," he said, exhaling sharply. "I''ll try my best. But I can''t guarantee anything. We don''t even know what''s really going on inside you yet." Yan Yeqing''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Fair enough. How about we take an oath? I suppose we both have our own secrets, and in the future, we''ll naturally stumble upon them. Taking an oath would be a better course of action for¡­ security." Mo Yichen raised an eyebrow, his fingers absently rubbing the tip of his nose as he considered the proposal. "That¡­ actually makes sense." Yan Yeqing leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. He extended his hand, his palm facing upward. Mo Yichen hesitated for a moment before placing his hand on top of Yan Yeqing''s. The moment their hands touched, a faint golden light began to shimmer around them, forming intricate patterns in the air. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. "I, Yan Yeqing, swear to follow Mo Yichen and never disclose his secrets," Yan Yeqing said, his voice steady and solemn. "If I break this oath, may the last fragment of my soul perish." Mo Yichen cleared his throat, feeling a bit ridiculous but also strangely moved. "I, Mo Yichen, swear to follow Yan Yeqing and never disclose his secrets. If I break this oath, may the last fragment of my soul¡­ uh, also perish." Mo Yichen cleared his throat, his expression shifting from awkward to businesslike. "Ahem¡­ now that it''s already like this, there''s no point in wasting time." Yan Yeqing raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into an amused smirk as he watched the youth pull out dozens of blank talisman papers. Over the past two days, Mo Yichen had poured all his energy into comprehending those low-grade talisman techniques. While he hadn''t fully mastered all three mantras, he was at least confident in the Blazing Sun Talisman technique¡ªa fire-based charm that seemed straightforward enough. Settling cross-legged on the jade bed, Mo Yichen scattered ten blank talisman papers in front of him. A thin stream of shimmery white soul power emerged from between his eyebrows, wrapping around the floating papers like a delicate ribbon. His hands began to move in precise, fluid gestures, forming a series of seals. This particular seal was something he''d learned back in his alchemy school days. It was a simple mid-grade seal, easy and convenient¡ªperfect for someone who didn''t make talismans often. At the time, he''d thought it was just another mandatory course he''d never use. Now, he was grateful for it. As his hands moved, ten small, fish-eye-sized balls of condensed soul power floated from his forehead, each one merging into a talisman paper. The papers began to glow faintly, intricate spiritual lines materializing on their surfaces. The air around them shimmered, and a small, sun-like vision appeared, its golden light expanding to envelop the entire camp. Yan Yeqing''s eyes flickered with interest, his usual calm demeanor giving way to genuine curiosity. He watched intently as the talismans shifted colors¡ªfirst a faded yellow, then a rich, vibrant gold. Top-grade talismans! Mo Yichen exhaled sharply, his hands forming one final seal. A huge, glowing palm materialized in the air, gently collecting the completed talismans. In just an hour, he had produced six high-grade talismans and four top-grade ones. Yan Yeqing''s lips twitched, a rare flicker of astonishment crossing his face. Mo Yichen''s eyes opened, and he wiped the sweat from his brow, his expression a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. Just as Mo Yichen was about to inspect his freshly crafted talismans, a swift hand snatched them away. Yan Yeqing held the talismans up, his sharp eyes narrowing as he examined them. Each high-grade talisman bore five glowing spirit lines, while the top-grade ones shimmered with four. Yan Yeqing''s lips twitched, a flicker of disbelief crossing his usually composed face. In the entire Tianxu Continent, there was only one alchemist known to create top-grade talismans¡ªand even that person had a success rate of less than 40 percent. As the personal disciple of the Buxiu Peak Sect Master, Yan Yeqing knew just how rare these talismans were. People would kill for even a single high-grade talisman, let alone a top-grade one. And yet, here was Mo Yichen, a boy barely sixteen, casually producing them in under an hour with a 100 percent success rate. Mo Yichen, oblivious to the rarity of his creations, tilted his head. "...Do you like them? I can make more," he said, already pulling out another stack of blank talisman papers. Yan Yeqing''s lips twitched again, this time in amusement. "Can you make more?" he asked. Mo Yichen didn''t bother replying. Instead, he simply nodded and hummed as he began another round of talisman crafting. To him, this was no big deal. The blank talisman papers were made from low-grade spirit grass, and he was only using a mid-grade hand seal. The success rate for top-grade talismans wasn''t particularly high, and the Blazing Sun Talisman technique he''d used was just a low-grade offensive mantra. If he''d used a top-grade technique, the talismans would have had even more spirit lines. But in Mo Yichen''s mind, these talismans were merely enough for protection. He was completely unaware of just how rare¡ªand valuable¡ªhis creations were. As he worked, Yan Yeqing watched him with a mix of fascination and amusement. "You shouldn''t be doing this in front of anyone," he said, his voice deep. Mo Yichen glanced up, his hands still moving in precise gestures. "I won''t show off these things until I become strong enough to protect myself." Yan Yeqing let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "It''s not that serious, you can earn more than enough selling these, just don''t disclose your identity," he says. Mo Yichen let out a thoughtful "Hmm" as his fingers continued to move with practiced precision. This time, it took him barely half an hour to produce another batch of talismans¡ªfive top-grade and five high-grade. After carefully collecting them, he looked up to find Yan Yeqing watching him intently, his sharp eyes following every movement. "Here¡­ take these," Mo Yichen said, handing over the freshly made talismans to Yan Yeqing. His tone was awkward, as if he wasn''t quite sure how to act in this situation. Yan Yeqing chuckled, clearly amused by Mo Yichen''s awkwardness. "Are you planning to give me everything?" he asked, gesturing to the twenty talismans now in his hands. Mo Yichen''s lips twitched, and he opened his mouth to reply. "...It''s for safety purposes," he said, his other hand unconsciously brushing against the black jade bangle on his wrist. He wasn''t wrong¡ªwhile he had his dimensional space as an escape, Yan Yeqing didn''t have that luxury. If something happened to Yan Yeqing, it would inevitably affect Mo Yichen through the soul contract. Better safe than sorry, right? Yan Yeqing shook his head in amusement. Even his entire sect''s treasury wouldn''t have this many top-grade talismans with four spirit lines, and yet here he was, holding a small fortune that this kid had casually whipped up in a little over an hour. "...Can you create some low or mid-grade charms too?" Yan Yeqing asked suddenly, his tone casual. Mo Yichen''s brows furrowed in confusion. "...Yes, I can control my soul power to make lower-grade charms. But why would we need them?" Yan Yeqing tapped his chin thoughtfully, his elbow resting on the table. "Having high-grade charms is a luxury. Most people only get low-grade talismans for protection, and even the wealthier ones might invest in mid-grade ones. It''s not just about money¡ªit''s about the rarity of these artifacts. If we don''t want to draw unnecessary attention, it''s better to maintain a low profile." Mo Yichen paused, his expression shifting as he considered Yan Yeqing''s words. "...Makes sense," he said finally, nodding in all seriousness. He had been about to make a huge mistake¡ªif someone had noticed him casually using top-grade talismans, it would have been a disaster. Thanks to Yan Yeqing''s quick thinking, he''d avoided that pitfall. For the first time, Mo Yichen felt a flicker of gratitude toward the man in front of him. Despite the soul contract, the man had saved him twice now from beasts. And, if Mo Yichen was being honest, Yan Yeqing hadn''t done anything else to make him feel repulsed. In fact, he was starting to seem¡­ almost reliable. Troublemakers! This time, since the quality of the talismans was lower, Mo Yichen decided to go all out. He used twenty blank talisman papers in one go, and thanks to the simpler techniques required for low and mid-grade charms, the process was much faster. In just fifteen minutes, he produced eleven low-grade and nine mid-grade talismans, each adorned with three spirit lines. After collecting them, Mo Yichen kept two mid-grade and a few low-grade talismans for himself, handing the rest to Yan Yeqing. It wasn''t that he underestimated Yan Yeqing''s abilities¡ªafter all, the man had demonstrated incredible swordsmanship without even having a spiritual root. No, Mo Yichen just wanted to give Yan Yeqing an extra layer of protection. For his own convenience, of course. Yan Yeqing, however, seemed to see right through him. He let out a hearty chuckle, his eyes glinting with amusement as he accepted the talismans. Mo Yichen''s cheeks flushed slightly, but he quickly brushed it off. But before he could start another round of talisman crafting, a loud commotion erupted outside the camp. Shouts and the clashing of weapons filled the air, interrupting the relative peace. Mo Yichen and Yan Yeqing exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting from confusion to alertness. Mo Yichen raised his brow standing up and following Yan Yeqing who already headed to the exit. As they stepped outside, the scene that greeted them was truly chaotic. A young man in a green robe was shouting at a group of cultivators, his voice strained with anger and desperation. He was supporting two injured cultivators, a young man, and a woman, both around seventeen years old, who were kneeling on the ground, clearly in pain, blood trailing down from the corner of their mouth. "Duan Ming! Do you really think I won''t report this to the Discipline Hall!?" Jing Yu shouted, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Duan Ming, the arrogant young master standing at the forefront of his group of lackeys, sneered. His lips curled into a mocking grin as he threw his head back in laughter. The cultivators behind him snickered like hyenas, their eyes glinting with malice. "Hahahaha! Are you kidding me?" Duan Ming barked, his voice dripping with mockery. "You think you can do anything to the only heir of Duan family? Who do you think you are, you pathetic worm?" A weasel-faced cultivator beside him pointed his sword at Jing Yu and the injured disciples, laughing obnoxiously. "Look at these losers! They can''t even stand properly, and they''re talking about reporting us to the Discipline Hall! What a joke!" Jing Yu''s chest heaved with rage, but it wasn''t just about the humiliation. These bastards had been tormenting the members of the pharmacist valley for months, stealing their hard-earned resources¡ªmedicine elixirs, and spirit stones provided by Yongtian Peak to help disciples cultivate. Every time they received their share, Duan Ming and his gang would swoop in like vultures, taking what they wanted and leaving the rest to suffer. Today, they had gone too far. They even harassed junior disciples and exported all the protection charms and spiritual weapons from them. "Duan Ming!" Jing Yu roared, his voice cutting through their laughter. "You''re nothing but a shameless thief! If you have any honor left in that rotten heart of yours, fight me one-on-one!" The crowd erupted into laughter again, louder this time. Duan Ming shook his head, his eyes filled with disdain as if Jing Yu were nothing more than a bug beneath his boot. "Fight you? Hah!" Duan Ming sneered, his voice laced with mockery. "With that flimsy body of yours? Why should I dirty my hands with trash like you? If you really want to fight, why don''t you¡ªack" Before he could finish his sentence, something sharp and fast struck his face. A faint whoosh echoed through the air, followed by a sickening thud. Duan Ming staggered back, plopping on his butt, his hand flying to his cheek as a deep gash appeared, blood trickling down his face. "Ahh!" he cried out, his voice a mix of shock and pain. His lackeys froze, their laughter dying in their throats as they stared at their leader in alertness. All eyes turned to the source of the attack. Emerging from the shadows were two figures, walking leisurely toward the scene as if they were out for a stroll. One was a young man in a simple black robe, his face serene and his fingers casually flipping a gold coin. The other was a tall, imposing figure in light blue robes, his cold gaze sending chills down everyone''s spines. Mo Yichen and Yan Yeqing had arrived. Mo Yichen tilted his head, his voice calm but carrying an edge of menace. "Did I interrupt something? My apologies. I just couldn''t stand the sound of your voice anymore." Duan Ming''s fingers tremble on his face, his expression twisting into one of fury. "Who the hell are you!?" he spat, his voice trembling with rage. Mo Yichen shrugged, his tone light as if looking at an insect "Just a passerby" "Brother Mo! You are here!" Jing Yu cries out. Mo Yichen nods before asking "When will the entrance appear?" Jing Yu hurriedly walks towards him, "We still have two hours to wait!" Duan Ming, who was still crouching on his butt flew into rage, "You bastard! How dare you ignore this young master''s words?!" Mo Yichen gives him a light look, unbothered, "Do we know them?" he asks to Jing Yu, where the latter grits his teeth in contempt, watching the man in purple with eyes brimming with anger, "He is just a thief!! All he knows is how to bully the weak!" "You-ahhh what is happening!?" Duan Ming cries out, his whole being trembling. "Oh my god! Young master Duan your face!!" "What is happening!?" "When did this happen?" All types of cries filled the air, and what people saw horrified them to the core. One side of Duan Ming''s face was covered with huge puss-like pimples, giving off a gruesome look. Immediately all of his lackeys walked back cautiously watching as Duan Ming cried in pain and confusion. Watching the ugly face, Jing Yu''s eyes widens in shock. He immediately turns to the youth in black before whispering in low voice, "Brother Mo when did you do it??" In response the youth just shrugged, a faint smile forming on him lips. ''If people were to find out this easily, wouldn''t my attacks be futile?'' Mo Yichen thought to himself. The weasel-faced cultivator stepped forward, his sword trembling in his hand. "Y-you bastard! You think you can just attack Young Master Duan and get away with it!?" he stammered, though his voice lacked conviction. "Give us the antidote this instant!" Yan Yeqing, standing beside the youth, remained silent, but his presence alone was enough to make the group of cultivators tense. His cold, piercing gaze swept over the weasel-faced cultivator, and the latter felt a shiver run down his spine. "You insignificant bastard! How dare you-" Duan Ming stood up in an instant, rage and fury blinding him, his gaze swept over the youth in black with killing intent. "I want you all dead!" He shouts lunging forward, the purple flame materializing in his palm. He was about to attack- "Stop!" a voice cut through the air, a scholarly man steps up from in between the crowd. "Cousin Brother!" Duan Ming exclaimed, his voice a mix of relief and indignation as he watched the man step forward. The newcomer, Duan Xi, was dressed in scholarly robes, his demeanor calm and composed, a stark contrast to Duan Ming''s brash arrogance. But what happened next left everyone stunned. Instead of confronting Mo Yichen and Yan Yeqing, Duan Xi greeted them with a slight bow, his hands clasped respectfully. "This Duan Xi asks the young masters to kindly forgive my cousin brother for his¡­ misunderstandings," he said, his voice smooth and diplomatic. Duan Ming''s face twisted in disbelief, his already ugly expression turning even uglier. "Cousin! What are you doing!?" he hissed, his voice a mix of anger and confusion. Mo Yichen frowned slightly but remained silent, his sharp eyes studying Duan Xi with suspicion. He had always been wary of sketchy people, and the man in front of him reeked of hidden agendas. The air grew awkward as the tension thickened. Mo Yichen deliberately turned his face away, his gaze landing on Yan Yeqing. Unexpectedly, the man was already looking at him, their eyes colliding. Yan Yeqing''s lips curved into a faint, dazzling smile, one that made Mo Yichen''s heart skip a beat. He coughed softly, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush, before quickly turning his attention back to Jing Yu. Yan Yeqing, noticing Mo Yichen''s reaction, simply raised an eyebrow, his smile widening ever so slightly. "Let''s rest somewhere first," Mo Yichen said lightly, his words not directed at anyone in particular but clearly heard by those around him. Duan Xi, however, wasn''t ready to let them go. "Wait a moment, young master!" he called out, rushing to block their path. Jing Yu stepped forward, his voice sharp. "What are you trying to do now!?" Duan Xi cleared his throat, his tone polite but insistent. "Ahem, I believe there might have been some misunderstandings between us. If this young master could provide us with the antidote for my cousin''s condition¡­" Mo Yichen crossed his arms over his chest, his expression unimpressed. "And why do you think I would do that? Don''t you see your cousin injuring fellow cultivators first?" Before Duan Xi could respond, one of Duan Ming''s lackeys, stepped forward, his voice shrill with anger. "This is nonsense, you bastard! You''re the one who poisoned our young master first!" The next moment, a sharp cry echoed through the air as Duan Xi backhanded the lackey with enough force to send him sprawling to the ground. "You brainless fool! How dare you interfere!?" Duan Xi snapped, his voice cold and commanding. He then turned back to Mo Yichen, his expression shifting back to one of humility. "This young master, please forgive their insolence. If you could provide the antidote, do tell us what you need in return." Mo Yichen raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing as he studied Duan Xi''s humble demeanor. "Fine," he said after a moment, his voice calm but carrying an edge. "But don''t go back on your words." Duan Xi felt a shiver run down his spine as he noticed the faint smirk forming on Mo Yichen''s lips. Something about the youth''s expression made him uneasy, but he had no choice. His cousin''s life was at stake. Although he couldn''t care less, the patriarch especially entrusted Duan Ming''s safety to him. "Your men extorted all the weapons and resources from us," Mo Yichen began, his tone sharp and unyielding. "Not to mention the mental and physical abuse that might have caused lasting trauma to my friends. I won''t ask for retribution for what happened in the past, but I want all of your weapons and resources, including five hundred spirit stones." Duan Ming, who had been fuming silently, finally exploded. "You!! How dare you ask for this much!? Do you think just because my cousin is being humble, you can bully us!?" Duan Xi shot his cousin a warning glare. "Don''t speak anymore, young master," he said through gritted teeth, his smile strained. He turned back to Mo Yichen, his tone still polite but his eyes betraying his frustration. "Very well, young master. We will comply." Five minutes later, Duan Xi presented a pile of weapons, artifacts, and a pouch containing five hundred spirit stones. The sight was staggering¡ªspirit stones alone were incredibly valuable, with one stone equivalent to one thousand gold taels. This was a fortune by any standard. Mo Yichen inspected the items with a calm demeanor, though inwardly, he was pleased. He handed over a small vial containing the antidote to Duan Xi, his expression unreadable. "Here. Make sure your cousin learns some manners." Duan Xi accepted the vial with a stiff nod, his smile tight. "Thank you, young master. We will¡­ take our leave now." As Duan Xi and his entourage retreated, Jing Yu turned to Mo Yichen, his eyes wide with admiration. "Brother Mo, that was incredible! You just extorted years'' worth of savings from them!" Mo Yichen shrugged, his tone casual. "They had it coming. Besides, it''s not extortion if it''s compensation for their crimes." Black Void Sunction Xue Ri, the young woman who had been injured earlier, stepped forward, her eyes shining with gratitude. She bowed deeply, her voice trembling with emotion. "This young master! We are eternally grateful for your help. We couldn''t have imagined what would have happened to us if it weren''t for your intervention!" Beside her, Luo Yexuan, the young man who had been equally battered, nodded fervently. He too bowed, his voice earnest. "Senior Sister Xue is right! We are deeply indebted to you. Although we may not be skilled in combat, our Pharmacist Valley is renowned for its medicinal potions and elixirs. If you ever need anything, please don''t hesitate to ask. We will always be ready to assist you!" Mo Yichen felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him as he watched the two bowing before him, their starry eyes filled with admiration. He scratched the back of his neck, his smile a little sheepish. "Ahem¡­ it wasn''t too much trouble, really. You don''t need to be so serious about it." Jing Yu, standing nearby, couldn''t help but laugh at the scene. "Haha, Brother Mo is far beyond any of our elders when it comes to making potions. He probably wouldn''t need our help!" Xue Ri and Luo Yexuan exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of awe and embarrassment. "Even so," Xue Ri said, her voice soft but determined, "we owe you our lives. Please, allow us to repay you in some way." Mo Yichen waved a hand dismissively, his tone light. "There''s no need for any repayment. Here take these first," The next moment, Mo Yichen handed over all the weapons, artifacts, and a bag of spirit stones to Jing Yu and his group. Out of curiosity, he took out one particularly glamorous spirit stone, holding it up to the sunlight to admire its shimmering surface before clutching it and handing the rest to them. Watching Mo Yichen give away everything without hesitation, Jing Yu and his friends immediately interjected, their voices filled with protest. "Brother Mo! We can''t take all of this! This is too much¡ª" "Take it," a deep, calm voice interrupted. Jing Yu looked up to see Yan Yeqing standing nearby, his serene and emotionless face exuding an aura of immense authority. "Yichen doesn''t need it." Jing Yu felt a shiver run down his spine under Yan Yeqing''s gaze. The man''s presence was overwhelming, and Jing Yu couldn''t help but feel a sense of reverence¡ªand a little fear. He turned to Mo Yichen, his eyes pleading for reassurance. Mo Yichen nodded slightly, his expression calm and unbothered. "Take it." Jing Yu hesitated for a moment, his heart churning with conflicting emotions. He had only known Mo Yichen for a short time, and if it weren''t for his master''s instructions, he might not have even tried to get close to him. Yet, watching Mo Yichen now¡ªhis pale, charming skin glistening in the sunlight, his serene expression as he spoke quietly with Yan Yeqing¡ªJing Yu couldn''t help but feel a deep sense of respect and admiration. How can someone be so selfless? Jing Yu thought, his guilt mingling with gratitude. He made a silent vow in his heart to follow Mo Yichen to the end, no matter what challenges lay ahead. As the group accepted the gifts, the atmosphere around them grew livelier. More and more cultivators began to gather, their chatter filling the air as they prepared for the opening of the Thousand Illusions Labyrinth. The excitement was palpable, but so was the underlying tension. Meanwhile, on the other side of the gathering, a man in purple robes sat on a cushioned chair, his face dark with anger. Duan Ming''s wounds had been healed thanks to the antidote, but no medicine could cure the bitterness festering in his chest. His fists clenched as he glared at the ground, his mind replaying the humiliation he had suffered. "Cousin," Duan Ming spat, his voice laced with venom, "why did you let them go so easily? Now we don''t even have enough protective gear to survive in the secret realm! We didn''t have to¡ª" "Young Master," Duan Xi interrupted, his tone calm but firm. "Do you really think you could have defeated them? Did you not sense the man in blue? His presence alone was enough to make everyone tremble. And that youth in black¡ªMo something¡ªis not someone to be trifled with. His tactics might be far beyond what we anticipate." Duan Ming''s face twisted in frustration. "So what? Are we just going to let them walk all over us? I am the only heir of the Duan family! How can I let this insult go unpunished?" Duan Xi''s lips curled into a menacing smile, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "Who said we''re letting them go? We will bide our time. The secret realm is vast, and once inside, they will inevitably be separated. That''s when we strike." Duan Ming''s eyes widened as realization dawned on him. A smirk slowly spread across his face, replacing his earlier scowl. "You mean¡­ we take them out one by one?" Duan Xi nodded, his expression cold and calculating. "Exactly. Let them think they''ve won for now. But once they''re inside the labyrinth, they''ll be at our mercy. No one insults the Duan family and walks away unscathed." Duan Ming leaned back in his chair, his earlier anger replaced by a dark sense of anticipation. "Good. Let them enjoy their victory while it lasts. When the time comes, they''ll regret ever crossing me." Back at the gathering, Mo Yichen and Yan Yeqing stood side by side, their eyes scanning the growing crowd. Jing Yu and his friends were busy organizing the weapons and spirit stones they had received, their gratitude evident in every gesture. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Yan Yeqing glanced at Mo Yichen, his voice low. "You realize they''ll come after us, don''t you?" Mo Yichen shrugged, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "Let them try. I''m not worried." Yan Yeqing''s lips curved into a faint smile. "Confident, aren''t you?" Mo Yichen shot him a sideways glance, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I have you, don''t I? What''s there to worry about? Won''t you protect your ''personal'' alchemist?" Yan Yeqing chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. "Correct. But don''t get too comfortable. The labyrinth is unpredictable, and so are the dangers within it," Mo Yichen let out a thoughtful "Eh.." as he turned his attention back to Jing Yu and his group. The artifacts and weapons they had received were decent, but they required a significant amount of spiritual energy to function properly. While Jing Yu and his friends didn''t lack spiritual energy, they were still beginners in the world of cultivation. With more and more formidable opponents emerging, Mo Yichen couldn''t help but worry about their safety. For him, it wasn''t much of a problem. His extraordinary evasive skills and dimension made him a difficult target, and Yan Yeqing''s swordsmanship was on a level far beyond the norm. But for these young apprentice pharmacists, who were more accustomed to brewing potions than fighting, the situation was different. They needed something more reliable¡ªsomething that didn''t rely heavily on their spiritual energy. As Mo Yichen pondered this, a smooth voice broke through his thoughts. "Here, these might help." He looked down to see a stack of talismans being held out to him. Confused, he glanced up to find Yan Yeqing standing beside him, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. Somehow, Yan Yeqing had already guessed what Mo Yichen was thinking and had taken out the talismans he had tucked away in his spiritual bag. Mo Yichen''s lips twitched, a mix of surprise and a smile flickering across his face. He took the talismans, his fingers brushing against Yan Yeqing''s for a brief moment. Turning away, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. How does he always know what I''m thinking? Mo Yichen wondered, both impressed and slightly unnerved. It was as if Yan Yeqing could read him like an open book, which was both terrifying and oddly comforting. In a world where Mo Yichen had to constantly hide, having someone who understood him¡ªeven just a little¡ªfelt like a rare gift. Straightening his expression, Mo Yichen strolled over to Jing Yu and his friends. Jing Yu''s eyes lit up like stars as Mo Yichen approached, his excitement palpable. "Brother Mo!" Jing Yu exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. Xue Ri and Luo Yexuan echoed the sentiment, their voices filled with respect. "Young Master Mo!" Mo Yichen held out the stack of talismans, his tone casual but his eyes warm. "Take these," he said, handing four talismans to each of them. As they accepted the charms, their eyes widened in astonishment. The rich color and intricate patterns on the talismans were unlike anything they had ever seen. "S-spirit lines¡­!!" Luo Yexuan stammered, his voice trembling with awe. "That too, three spirit lines!!!" Xue Ri added, her hands shaking as she held the talismans up to the light. Jing Yu''s jaw dropped. "Oh my god!! These are actually the three gold spirit lines!!" Mo Yichen couldn''t help but chuckle at their reactions, though he tried to hide it behind a mask of indifference. "They''re just talismans," he said, his tone light. "Use them wisely." "Just talismans!?" Luo Yexuan exclaimed, his voice rising an octave. "Young Master Mo, do you have any idea how rare these are? Even the elders in our peak barely have charms with golden spirit lines!" Xue Ri nodded fervently, her eyes shining with gratitude. "These are life-saving treasures! With these, we''ll have a much better chance of surviving the labyrinth. Thank you, Young Master Mo!" Jing Yu, still staring at the talismans in his hands, looked up at Mo Yichen with a mix of admiration and disbelief. "Brother Mo, you''re¡­ incredibly rich. I don''t even know what to say." One must know that the talismans with gold spirit lines are as rare as unicorns and phoenixes, they are famous not just because of the difficulty in creation but also because they are used with very little or negligible spiritual energy. One just have to waft a bit of their spiritual energy and they are good to go! Mo Yichen waved a hand dismissively, though a faint blush tinged his cheeks. "It''s nothing. Just make sure you stay safe," Just as Mo Yichen finished speaking, he noticed Yan Yeqing approaching from the corner of his eye. The air around them grew tense as murmurs and exclamations erupted from the crowd. Yan Yeqing''s deep voice cut through the noise, calm but commanding. "It''s about to open," he said, his gaze fixed on the space above their heads. Mo Yichen followed his line of sight and saw a small black hole forming in the sky. It expanded rapidly, transforming into a massive, swirling black void in the shape of an oval. The sudden change in the atmosphere was palpable¡ªsharp winds whipped through the area, and the ground beneath their feet trembled violently. A wave of oppressive energy washed over the crowd, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. Most cultivators, especially those with lower cultivation levels, felt an immense pressure bearing down on their souls, forcing them to their knees. Only a few remained standing, their expressions calm but alert. Mo Yichen''s eyes narrowed as he stared at the black void. A powerful suction force began pulling at him, threatening to drag him toward the center. He gritted his teeth, his feet digging into the ground as he resisted the pull. "This is¡­" The black hole began sucking people into it one by one. Cultivators were lifted off their feet and pulled into the void, their figures disappearing in the blink of an eye. The scene was chaotic, with shouts and cries echoing through the air as people struggled against the force. Just as Mo Yichen felt himself being pulled forward, a strong hand grabbed his palm. He glanced to his side and saw Yan Yeqing standing beside him, his gaze fixed ahead but his grip firm and reassuring. "We''ll have to move to the front to get into it," Yan Yeqing said, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. Without waiting for a response, he began striding toward the center of the vortex, still holding Mo Yichen''s hand. Mo Yichen blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the gesture. "Uh¡­ do we really need to hold hands?" he asked, his cheeks tinge with faint pink. Yan Yeqing didn''t look back, but his grip tightened slightly, his lips twitching, "Do you want to get separated?" Mo Yichen opened his mouth to retort but quickly shut it. He couldn''t argue with that logic. The secret realms were notorious for scattering their entrants across its vast and treacherous landscape. Being separated from Yan Yeqing¡ªsomeone who could actually keep up with him¡ªwas the last thing he wanted. As they moved closer to the center, the suction force grew stronger. Mo Yichen could feel the ground slipping away beneath his feet, the wind whipping around him like a storm. He glanced back briefly and saw Jing Yu and his friends struggling to stay together, their faces filled with determination despite the overwhelming pressure. "Jing Yu!" Mo Yichen called out, his voice cutting through the noise. "Stay close! Don''t let go of each other!" Jing Yu nodded, his expression resolute as he grabbed Xue Ri and Luo Yexuan''s hands. "We''ll be fine, Brother Mo! Don''t worry about us!" System is Back! [Congratulations Host, for triggering the hidden mission!] [Bugs are dispelling¡­ loading¡­] [Hidden Mission: Enter a Mysterious Realm] [Status: Completed] [System Recharged: 100+] [Reward: Inscription Seal of the Heaven-Weaving Fingers] [Bugs are dispelling¡­ loading¡­] A string of notification sounds echoed in Mo Yichen''s mind, pulling him out of his daze. His brows furrowed as he slowly opened his eyes, his vision hazy at first. He sat up, blinking rapidly as the world around him came into focus. His eyes widened when he saw a familiar white cat smirking at him, a few glowing dialogue boxes floating in the air like a mystical pop-up ad. "System¡­!!" Mo Yichen exclaimed, sitting upright so fast he almost gave himself whiplash. "You''re back!?" The white cat grinned smugly, its tail swishing lazily. [Congratulations to the Host for completing the hidden mission!] Mo Yichen''s initial relief quickly turned into suspicion. "Wait a minute. What about the bugs you mentioned earlier? That whole ''this world is full of glitches'' thing? Care to explain?" The system''s avatar flicked its ear, looking almost too casual for Mo Yichen''s liking. [The system has detected 9,999 bugs in this world. To dispel these bugs and recharge the system, the Host must gather pure ambient qi from mysterious realms. Without it, the system will shut down again.] Mo Yichen stared at the cat, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "So, let me get this straight. You''re telling me I have to jump into random realms just to keep you running? Or else you''ll go offline again?" [Precisely.] Mo Yichen groaned, running a hand through his hair. The cat tilted its head, its smile widening. [The Host should be grateful. Without the system, you wouldn''t have survived this long.] "Grateful?!" Mo Yichen shot back, his voice rising. "You always abandoned me in the middle of life-death situations!" The cat''s tail flicked again, its tone annoyingly calm. [The system apologizes for the inconvenience. But now that it''s recharged, the Host can continue to thrive.] Mo Yichen sighed, slumping back against a tree. "Fine, whatever. I''ll play along." The cat''s smirk didn''t waver. [Noted.] After a few minutes of grumbling to himself, Mo Yichen finally stood up, brushing dirt off his robes. "Alright, what about the reward you talked about?" [Inscription Seal of the Heaven-Weaving Fingers, the book has been stored in the system''s storage.] Seal of the Heaven-Weaving Fingers!?? Isn''t it the same seal for my alchemy as well?? Mo Yichen immediately takes out a book from his spacial ring, the golden characters engraved on its cover. Alchemy Seal of the Heaven-Weaking Fingers Mo Yichen''s mind wandered as he recalled the origin of the Heaven-Weaving Fingers seal. It had been a gift from his former master, the legendary Emperor of Alchemy, who had specifically chosen it because it resonated with Mo Yichen''s unique talents. Now, seeing the familiar seal for talisman crafting, he couldn''t help but wonder if there was more to these hand seals than met the eye. "Hmm," he muttered, retrieving the inscription hand seal from the system''s storage. He stuffed it into his spatial ring for safekeeping. Who knows when this glitchy system will decide to take another nap? Better be prepared! This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. As he glanced at the glowing cyan dialogue boxes floating in front of him, he noticed something he hadn''t paid attention to before¡ªa bunch of bars labeled Skills, Body Strength, and Miscellaneous. Curiosity piqued, he clicked on the Skills bar. Hundreds of skill names popped up, each one more impressive-sounding than the last: Dragon''s Roar Fist, Phoenix Feather Step, Heavenly Thunder Palm¡­ but they were all locked, their descriptions hidden behind a glowing padlock icon. "Can these skills even be unlocked?" Mo Yichen asked, scrolling through the endless list. [Yes, these skills can be unlocked with each system update.] Mo Yichen raised an eyebrow. "System update? What''s the current version?" [Current system version: 0.] Mo Yichen blinked. Version zero? Are you kidding me? What kind of system starts at zero?! The system''s avatar flicked its tail lazily. [The system is in its initial phase. Host must work hard to unlock its full potential.] Mo Yichen rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Alright, fine. How do I update the system?" [The system operates on a point-based system. For the initial update, the Host needs 1,000 points to install System Version 1. After that, the required points will increase for each subsequent update.] "And how exactly am I supposed to earn these points?" [The Host can complete side missions to earn points. Alternatively, the Host can exchange rare items, such as beast core pearls, for points.] Mo Yichen''s jaw dropped. "Beast core pearls!?" Are you serious? Do you know how hard it is to get one of those? [The system does not control the rarity of items. Host must adapt and overcome.] Thinking for a bit, Mo Yichen finally asks, "...does the system at least have a map for this secret realm?" [Yes, the map for the Thousand Illusions Labyrinth is available. Cost: 5 points. Does the Host have anything to exchange for points?] Mo Yichen thought for a moment before rummaging through his spatial ring. He pulled out a dark purplish glowing crystal¡ªa golden core he had obtained from the Nebula Python. "I don''t have a beast core pearl, but I do have a golden core. Can this be exchanged?" The system''s avatar tilted its head, its glowing eyes scanning the crystal. [The golden core can be exchanged for 6 points. Shall the system proceed with the transaction?] Silence [The system''s exchange rates are non-negotiable.] "..alright. Exchange for the map" [Transaction complete. 6 points have been added to the Host''s account. Deducting 5 points for the map¡­] A square-shaped map materialized in one of the dialogue boxes, glowing faintly. Mo Yichen zoomed in, his eyes scanning the various markings¡ªgreen dots, red crosses, and black circles scattered across the labyrinth''s layout. "Alright, let''s see what we''ve got here," he muttered, squinting at the map. "Green dots¡­ probably safe zones or resources. Red crosses¡­ danger zones, maybe? And black circles¡­ no idea, but they look ominous." The cat floated closer, its tail swishing. [The Host is correct. Green dots indicate resource points, red crosses mark danger zones, and black circles represent unknown anomalies.] Mo Yichen raised an eyebrow. "Unknown anomalies? That''s reassuring. Thanks for the heads-up." [The system is here to assist. Would the Host like to activate the map''s navigation feature? Additional cost: 1 point.] Mo Yichen pauses for a bit, "You''re really milking me for points, aren''t you?" The cat''s eyes gleamed. [The system is simply offering premium services.] "..Exchange it" He looked around, taking in the scenery. Tall green pine trees surrounded him, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The air was crisp and fresh, and the faint sound of birds chirping in the distance gave the place an almost peaceful vibe. If it weren''t for the fact that he was in a mysterious realm with no idea where his companions were, Mo Yichen might have actually enjoyed the view. He starts strolling through a narrow path, following the map. "What about the side missions? Are there any available?" he asks. [There is a separate bar for side missions. Host can simply click on it for more info.] Mo Yichen clicks on the side mission named bar, and a bunch of different missions appeared in front of him earning different numbers of points. He can''t help the slight curve on his lips as his eyes narrowed to a particular mission. [Mission: Gather 268 types of different herbs] [Reward points: 100] Mo Yichen tapped the glowing Accept button in the system interface, then paused to survey his surroundings. The forest was eerily quiet¡ªno signs of anyone. ¡°...Huh? That¡¯s weird.¡± His brows furrowed. ¡°Weren¡¯t we just holding hands a moment ago?¡± Mo Yichen exhaled sharply. Well, no use standing around like a confused duck. He turned his gaze toward the stalks of grade three herbs nearby, their soft glow pulsing with faint spiritual power. His fingers twitched. With practiced ease, a thread of white shimmery soul power unfurled from between his eyebrows, wrapping around the herbs like delicate fingers. The herbs lifted from the soil with their root perfectly intact¡ªsomething that would make any alchemist weep with envy. He repeated the process as he moved on autopilot. Each time he secured a batch, he neatly placed them into his dimension before continuing. The system''s map hovered in his peripheral vision. Four paths branched ahead in a clearing that looked like the center. "Hmm.." Mo Yichen humms "..so to reach the center I will have to cross wild boars'' territory," I might find some treasures on my way too..! East is dotted with green resource markers and only a few red crosses (translation: "minor dangers, probably just some territorial spirit squirrels") South has a concerning number of flashing red zones. West has an ominous mix of red and black markers. Whereas North is absolutely infested with pulsating black skull icons. Mo Yichen chewed his lip. "East it is!" I''ve got three months before the realm spits everyone out. No need to become a tragic hero on day one. Spirit Boar Territory It had been an hour since Mo Yichen arrived at the outskirts of the valley where the boars resided. In that time, he had encountered a fair share of peak-stage mortal beasts. Did he fight them? Not at all! Instead, Mo Yichen had expertly sneaked past those boars. Not out of cowardice, (of course not). First, he simply didn''t have a decent weapon, and wasting his precious talismans on mere mortal beasts felt like burning spirit stones for a bowl of plain rice. Utterly unreasonable. And second, it might attract spirit beasts which will be regrettable as he still is looking for the treasures. He let out a soft sigh as he carefully plucked another stalk of herbs, its faint spiritual glow flickering under his touch. If Yeqing was here... he thought dryly, plucking a stalk of Twilight Dewgrass beside his boot. That guy could clear out those beasts without breaking a sweat. And if they had those beast cores, even if they weren''t the highly coveted golden cores of spirit beasts, they''d still be useful for maintaining the dimension. He thought back to his master''s words¡ª"Always secure multiple sources of spirit qi to sustain the dimension. Never rely on the ambient qi of nature as the absorption rate of heaven and earth ambient qi of dimension is still unstable and slow" So in other words, the dimension might disappear the moment it breaks. And to stabilize it, Mo Yichen will need a continuous source of spiritual energy. Easier said than done... Just as he was about to move forward, a faint hum broke the silence. His steps halted. It came again¡ªa low, vibrating resonance. His gaze snapped down to his wrist. Looking at the jade bangle. A thin string of golden qi slithered around it like a living thing, its glow shifting like the ripples of a hidden formation. Mo Yichen raised an eyebrow. "What¡­?" he muttered, feeling the bangle subtly tighten around his wrist as if responding to something. His fingers hovered over it, hesitating. A thought crossed his mind. Could it be¡­ reacting to something inside the valley? Maybe Yeqing is nearby..! Mo Yichen thanked his past self for swallowing that scent concealment pill as he edged toward the cave''s gaping maw. The stench hit him like a physical blow¡ªrotting flesh, blood, and something unnervingly sweet beneath it all. His stomach lurched violently. What the fucking fuck in the hell?! He clapped a hand over his nose, swallowing bile. How many people have died in there... The cave entrance was covered with vines before him, its shadows thick enough to chew. Just as he debated fleeing (dignity be damned for all he cared), two hulking boars emerged from the treeline. Their tusks gleamed with fresh blood, and the faint shimmer of earth qi clung to their matted fur. Spirit beasts..! Mo Yichen''s fingers twitched toward his talismans. Option one: Fight which means alerting every monster in a five-li radius. Option two: Sneak into that forsaken corpse cave. The later option doesn''t make any sense whatsoever. So he decided to sneak attack on those spirit beasts. "One¡­ two¡­ thr¡ªeekk!!" A hand clamped over his mouth. "Shuuu. Don''t talk." That voice¡ªdeep, languid, and infuriatingly familiar¡ªsent a jolt down his spine. Before he could react, an arm hooked around his elbow and yanked him backward. He stumbled into a solid chest, the scent of chilling frost flooding his senses. Mo Yichen elbowed him in the ribs. "You¡ª!" A low grunt escaped from Yan Yeqing''s lips. "Stay here. Don''t move. I''ll be done in a minute," he said, his voice calm. And then¡ªhe vanished. Mo Yichen barely had time to blink before Yeqing reappeared just a few steps away from the spirit beasts, standing between them and him with an ease that felt almost insulting. A sharp hum sliced through the air. Yeqing had unsheathed his sword. The blade itself was unremarkable¡ªplain steel, no engravings, no glow of spiritual energy¡ªbut the moment it cleared the scabbard, the very air seemed to shudder. Mo Yichen shivered. A pure, chilling wave of killing intent, so sharp it prickled against his skin like invisible blades. The two spirit boars roared, their massive bodies kicking up dirt as they charged¡ªlike unstoppable massive tusks gleaming in the red glow of the evening sun. Mo Yichen braced himself. Even peak-stage Qi cultivators would struggle against these creatures. The first boar lunged. A blur of silver light flickered. Mo Yichen barely saw what happened¡ªonly the afterimage of Yeqing''s blade. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. SHLIK! A perfect, clean arc cut through the beast''s throat. Blood sprayed in the air¡ªyet not a single drop touched Yeqing''s robes. The first beast collapsed with a sickening thud, twitching before falling completely still. The second boar, seemingly realizing the horrifying difference in strength, let out a furious, panicked roar. It swung its massive tusks, attempting to gore Yeqing before he could turn his blade on it. Too late. Yeqing''s wrist flicked. His blade glowed faintly with blue, cutting through both the air and the beast''s skull as if slicing tofu. A second thud echoed. The fight had lasted less than five breaths. Mo Yichen stared in disbelief cautiously making his way towards both corpses. His fingers twitched. His lips parted slightly. "¡­That''s it?" Yeqing raised a brow watching the youth''s surprised yet delicate face covered in the orange-red hue of the sun. The corners of his lips twitched at the sight. On the other side, before Mo Yichen could fully process what just happened, his body reacted on instinct¡ªa crimson thread of qi unraveling from his fingertips. Like a living thing, the qi snaked through the air, moving toward the fallen spirit beasts. With a soft hiss, the crimson thread coiled around the corpses one by one, sucking the greyish crystal-like golden cores out of them into his palm¡ªthe process so smooth and precise that not a single drop of essence energy leaked. The cores settled in his hand, warm and faintly pulsing like tiny hearts still beating. Mo Yichen exhaled slowly. "..should we enter the cave?" Yan Yeqing looks towards the cave thinking for a bit before replying, "It shouldn''t be so easy. there must be some restrictions, let''s see first" Mo Yichen looks over the opening of the cave "Do you mean there is a barrier?" Yan Yeqing nods slightly, stepping towards the entrance, "Inject your spiritual qi into your eyes and see again," Mo Yichen did what was said and his brows furrowed as he focused spiritual energy into his eyes. A faint, glimmering sheen¡ªlike fog¡ªwavered before the entrance of a narrow gorge. "Mn... there''s definitely a barrier," Mo Yichen murmured, taking a step closer, the greyish shimmer just out of reach. "But who set it up?" Yan Yeqing moved beside him, his steps light, his robe swaying softly, "This must be a natural territorial ward. The Thousand Illusions Labyrinth is an ancient realm in the mortal world. It''s not unusual for spirit beasts to claim domains like this." He tilted his head, assessing. "Normally, we''d have to eradicate the entire nest to break it, but..." He thought for a bit then continued, "This one doesn''t seem complicated. According to what I have read, there should be a peak-stage spirit beast guarding it. Kill it, and the barrier falls." Mo Yichen, "Peak stage spirit beast.. how do we lure it out?" Yan Yeqing tilted his head ever so slightly towards the dead spirit beasts before a slight smirk formed on his lips, "Hmm.. it shouldn''t be too difficult" Mo Yichen, "..." You are ruthless.. Not that he was any better. Without another word, he turned and strode toward a nearby plum tree, snapping off a few thin branches of varying lengths, "Wait a minute.. then" His eyes scanned the forest floor before settling on a patch of pebbles. He crouched down, gathering a handful of smooth stones and arranging them carefully in a small bundle. Yan Yeqing looks towards him raising his beautifuly well-defined brow. "What are you doing?" Yan Yeqing asked, bending slightly to peer at him. Mo Yichen looked up slowly, his lids half-lowered, lashes casting soft shadows over his cheeks. The orange-red glow of the setting sun framed his face, highlighting the delicate curve of his jaw and the gentle slope of his nose. For a split second, Yan Yeqing just... stared. There was something too serene about the youth''s face, something too soft. A flicker of emotion¡ªor perhaps something else¡ªpassed through his pale blue-black shaded eyes. Caught off guard by the proximity and the intense gaze, Mo Yichen looked away in a hurry, the tips of his ears betraying a faint flush. "...Making an array," he said quickly, clearing his throat to dispel the awkward silence. Yan Yeqing blinked, his eyes glued on the back of Mo Yichen''s soft and slender neck, then he straightened, concealing whatever emotion flickered briefly behind his eyes. His voice was a little softer now. "You know array arts too?" "Not really," Mo Yichen replied while collecting everything. "Just some basic stuff..." He wasn''t lying. At least... he didn''t think he was. In truth, the array knowledge that felt ''basic'' to him came from a compulsory subjects in his academy that had force-fed him talisman crafting, and even basic array theory from some ancient sects of Li Wei''s world. But in this world, those so-called basics were practically lost arts.. He arranged the stones, then pulled out a carving blade from his ring and began engraving tiny lotus patterns into their centers. Curious, Yan Yeqing knelt down, picking up one of the pebbles with his long fingers. "What does this ''lotus'' mean?" Mo Yichen glanced up while finishing another, still not meeting his eyes. "Yeah¡­ I guess it''s a habit. I like to mark my arrays. It helps me organize. Plus, I think I have some affinity with lotus motifs." A sheepish chuckle escaped him. "Or maybe I''m just overthinking." "Lotus¡­" Yan Yeqing wispered lowly, twirling the pebble thoughtfully. His voice dropped an octave. "Crimson lotus?" Mo Yichen''s hand paused mid-carving. "How do you know about that?" Without a word, Yan Yeqing retrieved a pill gourd from his robe¡ªone that had a small crimson lotus etched into its surface. He held it up, lips quirking into a faint smile. "You gave me this," he said. Mo Yichen nearly choked on air. Oh. Right. That had been his thank-you gift¡ªan absurdly high-grade pill... He''d grabbed the bottle without thinking. And probably that was one of the reasons his identity as alchemist got busted.. "¡­It does have some affinity with me too," Yan Yeqing added softly, his eyes glinting with a strange light. Mo Yichen coughed again, eyes darting away. "...Probably." But Yan Yeqing didn''t press. Instead, he stepped back, allowing Mo Yichen to finish placing the lotus-carved stones in a formation. They worked in quiet coordination¡ªone calculating, the other silently observing. Mo Yichen finally stood up arching his back before dusting off his simple black robes, "Hmm.. it''s done" Yan Yeqing glanced towards all the corners the pebbles were placed, and then to the centre where three branches firmly stick to the ground, "What is the purpose of this array?" Mo Yichen''s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, "It''s an Spirit-Absorption Seal array which will hold back the beast from moving as well as absorb it''s power and transfer it.." he firmly planted one branch a few steps away from the core, and stands there, "I might as well make it easy and quick" Yan Yeqing''s lips twitched. He drags those dead spirit beasts to the entrance of the cave, a strong scent of blood wafting through the air. A few moments later, a huge roar echoed through the valley. The gound faintly shook and leaves fluttered. Yan Yeqing unseathed his sword.