"First, I need a place to lay low..."
Tao Jiang frowned, scanning his options.
'No major sect would accept a 16-year-old with 5 Element Low Grade Root. Too old for a disciple, too weak in talent. Even though reaching this level at my age would normally be considered a feat of genius, it's only because I burned through ridiculous amounts of resources. And joining a top-tier sect with this treasure trove in my hands? That's just begging to get robbed or killed. I need peace of mind, not a life on a tightrope.'
A weaker sect would be the answer. A sect where Foundation Establishment is its peak would be ideal—somewhere with thin spiritual energy, where high-level cultivators wouldn't bother staying.
'With all these treasures, I don't care about the Qi density anyway.'
Pulling out the map from my space ring, I studied my location. I was somewhere on the middle of the eastern region of the continent. Unfortunately, the map only listed major sects, nothing weak enough for my current needs.
Creeeak—
The sound of a door opening snapped my attention. i turned sharply to see an old man standing at the entrance of the stable, his eyes filled with suspicion, surprise… and killing intent.
"Who are you?" the old man demanded. "How did you get in here?"
Tao Jiang's eyes flicked over him. Qi Condensation, 3rd level. Nothing to worry about. I will just ignore him and leave.
[Danger Detected]
[A Killing Intent Has Been Identified]
[Source Level: Peak Soul Formation]
[Advised: Proceed With Extreme Caution]
Tao Jiang's body went rigid.
'WHAT?! A Soul Formation expert in this continent?!'
Suppressing my panic, I quickly cupped my hands.
"Greetings Fellow Daoist, I apologize for intruding. I was merely resting after a long journey. I'll take my leave immediately. Here—five low-grade spirit stones as compensation for my stay."
The old man's eyes narrowed. "I asked you a question. How did you get here?"
Cold sweat formed on my back. The killing intent was suffocating. I needed a good answer. And Fast.
..
"...Through the window?"
Silence.
Tao Jiang gulped. 'Oh no. I'm dead.'
But instead of attacking, the old man's expression remained unreadable. Then, in an annoyed tone, he simply said:
"Leave."
blinking. '...Really!? hmm that's strange.'
I cupped my hands
"Well then farewell fellow Daoist.... oh do you still want the spirt stones?"
"LEAVE."
"Alright, alright, no need to be so angry, I'm leaving."
Quickly turning on my heel, I left without another word.
___________________
Twelve hours later after leaving the angry old man I started moving to the east
'Since i left that old man, I couldn't shake this strange feeling.'
'it's like Someone watching me. Is it him?'
Checking the map, i realized the nearest town was slightly north in the back. I changed directions.
[Danger Detected]
[A Killing Intent Has Been Identified]
[Source Level: Peak Soul Formation]
Tao Jiang's heart sank.
'That old bastard is following me?!'
I clenched my fists but forced myself to stay calm. 'Don't panic. Just keep moving east.'
Twelve more hours passed. The pressure didn't waver.
'Damn it! He's still tailing me?! I swear I'll make him pay one day!'
Another full day later.
'Old man, I will never forget this grudge! One day, I'll make you cry blood!'
Three more hours.
Then—suddenly—the feeling vanished.
Tao Jiang exhaled in relief, finally relaxing his tense muscles.
'Thank the heavens. I was about to have a mental breakdown from all that pressure.'
But something wasn't right.
'Wait... why didn't he kill me?'
A Soul Formation expert should have at least tried to capture me. Appearing in his area without being detected through his Soul Formation sense should have triggered his greed, not just his caution. Unless…
'Could he be hiding something?'
A thought struck Tao Jiang.
'…I should go back.'
With the Heavenly Veil technique, I'm confident that even a Soul Formation cultivator wouldn't detect me, Him asking me how I was in his stable is the answer. This skill didn't just make me invisible—it made my very presence untraceable. Even array formations wouldn't register my existence.
'I trust you, Heavenly Veil. You are my greatest weapon and source of my confidence in this world. Old man, I will see what you are hiding'
_________________
Tao Jiang pushed his speed to the limit, consuming Qi replenishment pills along the way.
After 12 hours of relentless movement, I finally arrived at the old man's home—a lonely house atop a hill.
It seems there is indeed an array around the area, and more than one. From my shallow knowledge that I received from this body, it seems one of them is a concealment array, and it is triggered by a condition.
'But thanks to Heavenly Veil, it didn't even activate.'
'I wish I could find something to enhance my talent or maybe a strong sword technique, as I have the talent for the sword according to what appears in the system... sigh.'
'Anyway, Let's see what you're hiding, old man.'
Moving stealthily, I circled the house.
'He is not back?'
After ensuring the old man wasn't back yet. with a swift motion, I slipped inside through the window.
The first thing I saw was a book lying carelessly on the floor.
'Hmm?'
I picked it up.
[Ding!]
[Heaven-Grade Peak Sword Technique Detected]
[Would Host Like to Register This Technique?]
Tao Jiang's eyes widened.
'A Heaven-Grade technique?! And it's sword-related?!'
I barely held back a laugh. What kind of ridiculous luck is this?!
In this continent, publicly known techniques only went up to Earth Peak level. Heaven-Grade techniques were legendary.
From weak to strong: Yellow, Black, Earth, and Heaven.
Each is divided into four levels: Low, Medium, High, and Peak.
As for the Saint Grade, I have no knowledge of where it stands on this list, but I'm sure it's above the Heaven Grade.
'Yes! Register it!'
[Status Updated]
Heavenly Veil [High Saint Grade] – Perfection Level
Sky-Breaking Sword [Peak Heaven Grade] – (Beginner 0/1,000,000)]
Tao Jiang clenched his fists in excitement.
'Good, good! I'll study it later!'
But something was off.
'Why was such a valuable book just lying on the floor? did I scare him so much that he went immediately to the horse stable, does that mean there is something more impressive?? anyway I will search more'
After a few minutes, I found an underground chamber.
Inside was a single tree… bearing peaches.
Tao Jiang's heart pounded.
[Ding!]
[Heavenly Peaches Detected]
[Ripening in 4… 3… 2… 1…]
[Ding!]
[Host Is Advised to Consume All Peaches Immediately for Maximum Talent Enhancement]
Tao Jiang felt a shiver down his spine.
'…Wait a damn second.'
I had just wished for a Sword Technique and a way to enhance my talent. And now? A legendary treasure tree appeared in front of me?! and before it the Sword Technique.
'…Is some higher power playing games with me?!'
My paranoia could wait. Right now, there was only one thing to do.
"Itadakimasu!"
I stuffed the peaches into my mouth.
"Argh"
Agonizing pain tore through my body as waves of impurities expelled from my pores. I collapsed to the ground, writhing, until finally—after one minute what felt like an eternity—the pain ceased.
A mountain of filth surrounded me.
Disgusted, I jumped straight into a nearby pond to wash myself
[Ding!]
[Nine Stars Essence Water Detected]
[Absorbing This Will Deepen Host's Connection to the Dao, Enhancing Enlightenment]
Tao Jiang froze, Jumping immediately out.
'Wait… the pond is also a treasure?!'
I looked at the floating filth.
"Absorb? How? Drink it? With the filth mixing with it? No WAY I will NOT"
..
..
Glug. Glug. Glug.
"...I hate my life."