After finishing his opening speech, Han Wuqing lightly leapt onto Ziyan's back—a majestic aerial spirit beast with flaming feathers resembling a phoenix—leaving the players completely stunned.
"Holy… that's a giant majestic spirit beast! You'd never see anything like that on Earth!"
"Could this game have a Pet System?!"
"I want a beast like that!!"
While everyone was gawking at Ziyan, one panicked player ran in circles, frantically tapping at the air like he was trying to press invisible buttons.
"Where's the log out button?! I-I didn't sign up to be Kirito 2.0, bro!"
His friend, who had just failed miserably at sitting cross-legged because of a leg cramp, rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Bro… it's already posted on the forums. Just close your eyes and think 'Log Out,' like you're trying to fall asleep. That's it."
"You serious?"
"Yeah. This isn't Sword Art Online, okay? No soul-trapping torture system here… yet."
"YET?!"
Before panic could spread, a system panel popped up in front of every player:
[Beginner's Guide – First Mission]
→ Proceed to the Sect's Main Hall
Reward: 15 Low-Grade Qi Stones, 1 Common Weapon (Choose Type), 10 EXP.
"A quest! Already?!"
"Quick, to the main hall! Don't miss out on rewards!"
"I'll be the first to complete it!"
The crowd began to move—some sprinting and shouting excitedly, others still gazing around, amazed by how this "game" looked nothing like virtual reality and more like a living world.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes in the system interface, Han Wuqing sat cross-legged in his room, checking the system store he had forgotten about yesterday.
The screen displayed an elegant, floating interface—styled like a jade scroll, yet designed with sleek, modern usability. Categories lined the left side: Pills & Elixirs, Techniques, Spiritual Items, Weapons, and even Spiritual Roots & Divine Physiques.
Each item came with a name, effect description, rarity level, payment methods, and a glowing [Exchange] button. Some even had flashing labels like "Recommended for Sect Leader!" or "Weekly Discount!"
Han Wuqing raised a brow.
"…This is literally a cultivator's shopping catalog. If it had a shopping cart feature, I'd start getting worried."
He swiped across the screen and opened the Pills & Elixirs tab—rows upon rows of pills arranged by grade and effect, from Basic Qi Recovery Pills to Dragon Core Pills only exchangeable by Nascent Soul users and above.
He scrolled down and tapped a tiny icon in the bottom right corner labeled "Payment Methods."
A new window appeared:
---
Payment Methods
True Karma Points: Earned through virtuous deeds, guiding disciples, defeating beasts, and completing system missions.
Qi Stones (Low, Middle, High Grade): The standard currency of the cultivation world. Used in almost all transactions—from basic pills to formation materials.
Qi Crystals: The purest and most concentrated form of spiritual energy. Extremely valuable, usually reserved for high-grade techniques and rare artifacts.
---
Han Wuqing gave a slow nod.
"A digital wallet… cultivation-style."
He selected a defensive Earth-grade technique called 'Four-Direction Shield'.
---
[Earth Technique – Defensive]
Name: Four-Direction Shield
Grade: Earth – Low
Description:
A defensive technique that summons four layered energy shields from the four cardinal directions. It reduces damage from surprise attacks and stabilizes Qi in battle. Suitable for close-range combat or small group defense.
Cultivation Requirement: Foundation Establishment – Early Stage
Recommended Elements: Earth or Metal
Other elements can still use this technique, but with reduced effectiveness and harder control.
Price: 1,200 Karma Points, or 30,000 Low-Grade Qi Stones, or 300 Middle-Grade, or 3 High-Grade
[Choose Payment Method] (Auto-conversion available if balance is insufficient)
---
Han Wuqing pressed "Buy" and swiftly confirmed his purchase.
The store screen flickered, and the transaction completed instantly.
"Purchase successful. The technique 'Four-Direction Shield' has been added to your active technique list."
A warm aura surrounded his body as if an invisible shield had manifested, ready to activate at a moment's notice.
He smiled slightly, sensing that his plan to build strength in this new world was becoming more tangible.
"This would be perfect for the players..." he murmured.
Without wasting time, he summoned the system again.
"System, fragment this technique."
---
[System: Initiating Fragmentation...]
[Completed]
Technique Name: Four-Direction Shield
Fragment Grade: Earth – Low (Fragmented)
Max Effectiveness: Early Qi Refining to Early Foundation Establishment
Recommended Elements: Earth or Metal
Same warning about reduced effectiveness for other elements.
---
Han Wuqing gazed at the screen with a thoughtful gleam in his eyes.
Three techniques had now been fragmented:
One Slash of Four Seasons, Primordial Nirvana Flame, and Four-Direction Shield.
All originally high-level techniques he had mastered—now simplified for the players, his disciples from Earth who had yet to reach advanced cultivation stages.
He waved his hand, summoning the system interface.
"Add all of them to the Sect Library. Let the disciples discover them on their own."
---
[System: Uploading One Slash of Four Seasons, Primordial Nirvana Flame, and Four-Direction Shield to Sect Library…]
[Completed. Techniques are now accessible according to disciple clearance and cultivation level.]
---
Han Wuqing stared at the screen with a subtle grin.
"Hmm... I buy a technique, slice it up, and donate it to the library…"
He chuckled softly.
"The disciples gain knowledge, the sect grows stronger… and me? I just charge them 15 Qi Stones each."
He raised his brow in amusement.
"Like tossing a tiny stone into a still pond—then watching the ripples spread everywhere."
He nodded in satisfaction.
"A perfect transaction. Everyone profits, and no one feels the loss."