Just as he stepped toward the exit, he sensed something, an unspoken gaze lingering on him from across the room.
He didn't react.
Across the restaurant, Ling Ruxin remained still, her veil concealing most of her expression, yet her eyes held a fleeting trace of surprise.
The flickering lantern light cast long shadows, adding an almost surreal quality to the moment.
But Lao Xie didn't look back.
Without hesitation, he walked past the threshold and disappeared into the night, leaving behind only the faint scent of tea and a lingering presence that seemed to follow even after he was gone.
...
Outside, Lao Xie walked at a steady pace, the cool night air brushing against his face. "The sky has already turned dark. I spent a bit too much time there." he said.
"Well i guess it is worth it." he added while his mind reminiscing about the scene that happened in the restaurant.
Ding~
[System Notification: You have experienced a moment of enlightenment. Passive Qi absorption remains increased for an additional two hours.]
Lao Xie smiled faintly. "You're even capable of doing this?"
He glanced toward the sky, where the moon hung high like a silver blade.
"Not bad… especially if her music comes with cultivation benefits."
....
On the another side, Ling Ruxin stood in place, her fingers lightly grazing the surface of her guqin.
The lingering melody of her performance had long faded.
Her eyes lingered on the spot where the white-robed figure had disappeared, the faint scent of tea still clinging to the air as if refusing to dissipate.
"Was that him? … that senior brother?" she murmured under her breath.
It was fleeting, almost imperceptible, but she had felt it. The unmistakable presence of someone who had saved her.
Their first encounter had been brief, and at the time, she hadn't questioned it. To her, he had acted the part of a senior disciple, his strength unquestionable.
But now, seeing him here, so composed, so unaffected, she found herself wondering. This is her first time seeing someone act so unaffected after sseing her performance.
"Who was he?" she murmured inwardly.
"Junior Sister Ruxin?"
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
She turned to see Young Master Li, his brows furrowed slightly as he studied her. His earlier enthusiasm had dulled, replaced with something more uncertain.
"You seemed distracted just now," he noted, his voice gentle but probing.
Ling Ruxin blinked, her composure returning in an instant. "It's nothing, Senior Brother Li."
Young Master Li smiled, though it did not reach his eyes. "Understandable. Your performance was truly extraordinary tonight."
She inclined her head politely. "Thank you."
.....
On the next morning.
Swoosh~
"Yesterday was a good harvest indeed," Lao Xie murmured, sitting in a lotus position.
His body was drenched in sweat. The lingering warmth of cultivation surged through his meridians, a sign of the progress he had made overnight.
"System," he said in a low voice.
Ting~
A familiar panel slowly materialized in front of him.
[INFORMATION]
Name: Lao Xie
Age: 15
Cultivation Stage: Qi Refinement 4th Stage
Physique: Heaven-Piercing Sword Physique
Race: Human
Luck: ???
Spiritual Root: Primordial Ancient Spirit Root
"My cultivation increased again." Lao Xie's eyes flickered as he observed the details. His cultivation had increased by a minor realm.
"Qi Refinement 4th Stage..." he muttered.
"I was just at the 3rd Stage yesterday..." His voice was low, his gaze deep and unreadable. Yet, a small smile played at his lips, carrying an emotion that no one couldn't fully decipher.
Cling~
Just as his mind began to wander, another panel abruptly materialized, overlapping the current system tab.
[New Task has been issued]
[System Task - Main Task]
Task: Gain the trust of Ling Ruxin, she must willingly rely on you.
Time Limit: 1 Month
Failure Penalty: Cultivation will drop by one major realm.
Completion Rewards: 300 Spirit Stones, 3x Mystery Box, 1x Low Grade Artifact.
"A new task… and Ling Ruxin?" He chuckled softly, rubbing his chin. "Interesting."
Lao Xie's gaze lingered on the system panel, his fingers lightly tapping the wooden floor.
"One month to gain her trust, huh?"
He scoffed.
Trust was a fickle thing, something that took time to build yet could be shattered in an instant. But for him, it was merely another tool.
"But how should I go about it?"
Cling~
[Congratulations, Host! You have received your second system task!]
A familiar voice echoed in his mind, smooth yet devoid of emotion.
[You are progressing well. Keep it up, and the path to greatness shall unfold before you.]
Lao Xie narrowed his eyes at the notification.
"Spare me the useless flattery." His tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable sharpness behind it. "What's with the heavy penalty?"
[It is only natural that greater rewards come with greater risks. Does the host doubt his own ability?]
Lao Xie scoffed. "Doubt? No. But you sure love making things troublesome."
[Everything is within the host's control. Whether you succeed or fail is entirely up to you.]
Lao Xie remained silent, tapping his fingers against his knee in thought. The system was right about one thing, success or failure was in his hands.
If he played his cards right, earning Ling Ruxin's trust wouldn't be difficult. The question was, how should he go about it?
His gaze flickered as he leaned back slightly before he closed the panel with a flick of his fingers, his expression unreadable.
Ling Ruxin was no fool. She was an inner disciple, a talented guqin performer, and from what he observed, someone with a strong sense of independence. She's not the type to trust blindly.
However…
His lips curled slightly. He had already possessed an advantage.
"She already sees me as a senior brother."
That fact alone made this task much simpler than he expected.
She didn't know he was the infamous 'little mortal'. To her, he was a cultivator stronger than herself, an existence worthy of respect.
Which meant…
"She won't be on guard against me."
Lao Xie exhaled softly, his golden eyes narrowing as a plan took shape in his mind.
To gain someone's trust, the easiest way was to make them believe you were a good person, someone reliable, someone who could be depended on.
"And the best way to make someone seek you out?"
A ghost of a smile played on his lips, mischievous ideas dancing in his head.
It wasn't about grand gestures or forcing himself into her life. No, that would be too obvious. Instead, he needed to create a situation where she would naturally turn to him for guidance, help, or even protection.
Perhaps he could subtly influence her circumstances. A well-timed 'coincidence' where he provides assistance, a carefully placed interaction that makes her feel indebted.
"If she thinks I'm someone she can rely on… then there you go."
A slow smile formed on his lips.