A second mechanical chime echoed in Zhen Huan's mind.
Ding!
Host, your Godly Cultivation System has been activated.
The translucent window before his eyes shimmered, then shifted. A new screen appeared, glowing with ancient golden runes and heavy with an aura of destiny.
Now initiating scenario: The Seven Ruthless Swords.
Zhen Huan's eyes narrowed. "Seven Ruthless Swords? What is this?" he murmured, barely audible.
As if in response, another window emerged. This one was different—its presence felt weighty, ancient. Like a tale passed down through eons, it revealed itself slowly, word by word, with a sense of grandeur:
Scenario:
In a time long forgotten, a god forged seven celestial swords in a desperate effort to destroy the Ruthless Demonic King, a being who threatened to plunge all realms into chaos. Their final battle shattered the heavens. The god's arm was broken, his leg crippled. On the brink of death, he descended into the Mortal Realm and scattered the Seven Ruthless Swords across hidden corners of the world, sealing their power until the day they would be needed again. That day has come. Your destiny, Host, is to find all seven swords and, when the time arrives, rise into the stars to confront and destroy the Ruthless Demonic King.
Zhen Huan stared at the glowing text, stunned.
Old Song, sitting nearby, watched the boy's unblinking gaze and tilted his head slightly.
What is this brat staring at now? There's nothing there.
Zhen Huan let out a breath and muttered to himself, "What Demon King? Why the hell do I have to fight him?"
The absurdity of it sank in.
And I have to find all seven swords? Are you kidding me? Fuck...
With a grunt, he swung his legs over the bed and stood up.
Old Song's voice followed. "Hey boy, are you really okay?"
Zhen Huan gave a half-smile. "Yeah, Old Song. I'm completely fine now. Thanks for healing me. I owe you one."
Without waiting for a response, he made his way to the door and pulled it open.
Outside, a dozen villagers stood awkwardly in a tight group, clearly caught in the act of eavesdropping. Their expressions froze the moment the door opened.
Zhen Huan blinked.
"…What are you all doing here?"
One of the men scratched the back of his neck, trying to smile. "Ah… we were just walking around."
"Right. Just passing by," another added.
The group quickly dispersed, mumbling excuses as they hurried away down the dirt path.
Zhen Huan stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching them go with a faint smirk.
Behind him, Old Song gave a light chuckle.
"These villagers. Nosy as ever."
After leaving Old Song's house, Zhen Huan walked through the narrow dirt paths of the village, his feet carrying him toward the familiar silhouette of the village temple. The structure was built entirely of wood, old but well-maintained, standing quietly beneath the darkening sky.
He stopped at the base of the staircase and looked up. The steps were slightly worn from years of use. Without hesitation, he climbed them—seven in total—until he stood before the large wooden doors of the temple. They were shut, towering and silent.
Reaching forward, he pushed them open. The wood creaked softly.
The door gave way with a groaning sound, revealing the temple's dim but peaceful interior.
It looks old... but it's clean, he thought.
Inside, everything was orderly. The floor swept. The incense holders polished. Even the air was still, as though the temple existed in its own quiet bubble.
He stepped through the threshold and walked slowly toward the main altar.
At the center stood a large statue of Buddha, carved from packed mud and painted in golden hues. Though not made of precious metal, the figure radiated a sense of calm and dignity. Its serene gaze watched over the room.
In one corner of the temple, near the wall, he spotted a white sheet laid neatly on the floor and a folded blanket on top of it. That was where he slept every night.
Zhen Huan approached the statue, his steps quiet.
Just as he stopped in front of it, a mechanical chime echoed through his mind once more.
Ding!
Trial Mission Activated
Mission Name: First Sword: Sword of Inferno
Mission Objective: Host must acquire the First Sword.
Mission Location: Deep inside the Hell Forest
Mission Rewards:
• 300 XP Points
• One of the First Sword Techniques
Zhen Huan's eyes narrowed slightly.
The Hell Forest… It's right behind the temple.
He turned around and walked back toward the temple entrance. The heavy doors closed behind him as he stepped out into the open.
The sun had dipped below the horizon. The sky was turning deep indigo, the first stars beginning to appear. A cool breeze swept through the trees.
He sighed softly and turned back toward the corner of the temple where he slept.
He lay down on the thin sheet, pulled the blanket over himself, and placed his hands behind his head, staring at the wooden ceiling above.
"System," he called out quietly.
A translucent purple window appeared before his eyes, floating gently in the air.
"What is the use of XP points?" he asked.
Ding!
Host, XP points will help you increase your cultivation level and unlock various system features.
Zhen Huan nodded to himself. "Oh, great."
The window faded into nothingness.
Silence returned.
And soon, with the gentle creaking of wood around him and the wind rustling faintly outside, Zhen Huan closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
The morning sun bathed Tian Village in golden light, casting long shadows across the dirt paths and rooftops. Birds chirped softly in the trees surrounding the village, and a light breeze carried the scent of damp earth and blooming herbs.
At the village temple, an old woman dressed in plain white robes stepped quietly through the doors. Her movements were slow but steady, her hands clasped in front of her as she entered the sacred space. She glanced at the corner where Zhen Huan lay asleep.
"Hah… that boy still hasn't woken up," she whispered. "He's usually up by now."
She turned toward the altar and stood before the large, golden-painted Buddha statue. With calm reverence, she bowed and brought her hands together, silently praying. After a few minutes, she turned to leave, her footsteps soft as she walked out of the temple and descended the stairs. The old woman disappeared into the village streets, heading back to her home.
Inside the temple, Zhen Huan stirred.
He rubbed his eyes and yawned, stretching out his arms as he sat up on the sheet. His hair was messy from sleep, his eyes still adjusting to the morning light filtering through the wooden walls.
It's already morning, he thought.
Rising to his feet, he stepped outside, standing at the top of the stairs. The sky above was bright and clear, the clouds sparse and drifting.
Guess I have to leave this village now.
Then something crossed his mind.
Wait… my sleeping spot.
He turned back toward the corner of the temple, walking over to where his sheet and blanket were neatly folded.
How am I going to carry them?
He sighed quietly, unsure.
Just then, a mechanical chime echoed through his mind.
Ding!
Host, you can carry items using the system storage.
Zhen Huan blinked. "Really? Then how much can I carry?"
Another chime followed.
Ding!
Host, there is no limit to system storage capacity.
A small smile tugged at his lips. "Now that's useful."
He glanced at his makeshift bed. "Then I'll store my sheet and blanket."
A soft hum filled the air as a glowing purple portal appeared beside him, hovering in place. It was about half his height, rippling slightly like a pool of water.
Zhen Huan tilted his head. "So I can just… put them in here?"
He picked up the sheet and folded blanket, then gently placed them into the portal. As soon as they passed through, the portal shimmered and vanished.
A translucent window appeared before his eyes:
Items Stored:
• Bed Sheet – 1
• Blanket – 1
Satisfied, he turned toward the temple doors. They closed behind him with a soft wooden thud as he stepped out into the sunlight. The stairs creaked slightly beneath his feet as he made his way down, ready to begin his journey.