he mist that clung to Voidflame Peak was thicker today, like fate itself had wrapped the cliff in gauze. Xuanyuan Su Chen stood silently at the edge, arms behind his back, silver-white hair fluttering in the high-altitude wind. His violet-grey eyes, calm and ancient, observed the swirling clouds below with subtle amusement.
But his attention wasn't truly on the scenery. No—his gaze was locked on the golden thread weaving through the mist.
A thread of fate.
It glowed faintly, stretching toward a figure approaching the mountain—slowly, hesitantly.
[Destiny Thread Detected — Minor Protagonist]
[Potential Return: 280x]
"Tsk," Su Chen muttered, a half-grin forming. "Didn't expect fate to knock on my door this early."
He turned and began walking back toward the stone temple that served as his residence. It had no walls of gold or jade, no embroidered cushions or courtyards. It was simple. Spartan.
But soon, it would house something priceless.
She arrived just as the sun began dipping beyond the peaks. A girl in standard outer disciple robes—ashen grey with faded blue hems—stood breathless at the peak's threshold.
She looked around, clearly stunned by the eerie silence of Voidflame Peak. And yet, her feet had carried her here.
"Not many outer disciples wander this far," Su Chen's voice echoed casually from within the temple. "Either you're lost, or fate guided you."
The girl bowed deeply. "Disciple Bai Qing'er greets Elder Su."
"Bai Qing'er..." he repeated, stepping into view. "You're... young. Sixteen?"
"Yes, Elder."
"Then what makes a little bird like you think she can survive the void of this mountain?"
"I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "But when I heard rumors that Voidflame Peak had been reawakened, I... I felt something pulling me here. I had to try."
Su Chen's lips quirked.
Gutsy.
He stepped closer. Her features were delicate—smooth skin, high cheekbones, eyes that gleamed like spring water over obsidian. She looked fragile, but there was a resilience in her posture that most sect disciples lacked.
He waved his hand, motioning her to follow.
Inside the temple, the flickering red braziers flared brighter as the door shut behind her.
"System, scan the girl."
🌀 [Scanning Initiated: Bai Qing'er]
Cultivation Level: Qi Condensation, 9th Stage
Physique: Scarlet Moon Yin Body (Unstabilized)
Bloodline: Hidden Phoenix Vein (Dormant)
Affinities: Fire, Yin, Healing
Karmic Rating: High
Destiny Thread: Intertwined with future male protagonist.
Status: Potential Female Lead — Rival to Main Heroine
Su Chen's eyebrows rose.
"Scarlet Moon Yin Body and a dormant Phoenix Vein?" he thought, suppressing a whistle. "Heaven really does send packages straight to my door."
"Tell me," he said aloud, "why haven't you been taken in by another elder?"
She hesitated. "I've been rejected... three times. My physique destabilizes during meditation. They said I might explode under pressure... or corrupt dual cultivation attempts."
"Ah," Su Chen said, expression unreadable. "So they feared what they didn't understand."
"I—I know I'm not strong," she rushed to say, lowering her head. "But I swear I'll work hard! Even if I must sweep floors—"
"You talk too much."
She flinched. Then blinked as he turned and pulled open a small cabinet carved into the wall. A single red pill floated within.
Su Chen handed it to her.
"This is a Crimson Bone Reforging Pill," he said. "It'll stabilize your Yin Body."
Her mouth opened, but no sound came.
"I'm also giving you a foundational technique." He tossed her a scroll. "It harmonizes yin and flame. Perfect for someone like you."
"Elder, this pill… this technique… I—I have no contribution points—"
Su Chen stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Did I ask for payment?"
She froze.
"From today onward," he declared, eyes glowing faintly, "you are the first disciple of Voidflame Peak."
🌀 [System Notification!]
First Disciple Registered.
Fate Thread Strengthening...
Return Investment Initialized: Pending Return (4x — Active)
Hidden Feature Unlocked: [Destiny Thread Vision – 1st Tier Enabled]
You may now see low-tier threads of karmic fortune and disaster surrounding individuals.
Su Chen exhaled deeply as the system interface flickered.
"Fate returns for generosity," he mused. "Let's see how high they go."
He watched Bai Qing'er's form kneeling before him.
"Rise."
She stood, eyes misty. "This disciple… will never forget your kindness."
He waved her off. "Don't get all sentimental. I'm not doing charity—I'm gambling."
She blinked.
"Let's hope you win big then, Master."
He chuckled. "A bold disciple. I like that."
Later that evening, Su Chen walked past the hot spring near the temple.
Steam drifted lazily into the air.
The sect had sealed this area off ages ago. But now, with Voidflame Peak his to command, it was open once more.
As he neared the edge of the pool, he paused.
Clothes. Neatly folded.
Water rippled softly.
Then a splash.
He turned sharply.
And froze.
Through the mist, Bai Qing'er's form was visible—delicate, unaware, back turned, hair cascading down her bare spine like ink.
Su Chen blinked.
"Oh," he murmured, "Oops."
She turned halfway.
Her eyes widened.
Then a scream.
A pillar of water shot toward him like a bullet.
Su Chen dodged.
Mostly.
His left sleeve was soaked.
"Don't you know how to knock, Master?!"
"I live here!" he shot back, retreating into the shadows. "You should've locked the door!"
"You said it was safe!"
"And it is! …mostly."
He smirked as he walked off.
"I'm going to need better robes," he muttered. "Water technique users… troublesome."
Back in the main hall, Su Chen sat on his stone chair, pouring wine into a ceramic cup.
The mountain was quiet again.
But not still.
Below the peak, karmic threads stirred.
A jealous boy, who once tried to court Bai Qing'er, had seen her ascend the forbidden mountain. His thoughts churned with suspicion and rage.
A thread of black karma began to grow.
Su Chen sensed it.
He sipped his wine.
"Let it come."
The first disciple had arrived.
And with her, the first ripple of change.