"Brother… why are you pretending to be a mortal?"
Karma stared at Su Liana in utter confusion, clutching his burning cheek. It had been years since anyone had dared to slap him.
Around him, silence reigned. His colleagues were still frozen, unable to process the scene. Finally, Karma managed to stammer out, "I… I don't know what you're talking about."
Su Liana's brows furrowed in frustration. "Still pretending, huh?"
She moved swiftly, pressing the pressure point at the back of his neck. Spiritual energy surged through her fingers. Karma's body stiffened, his vision blurred, and he collapsed into unconsciousness without resistance.
"Take him," she ordered coldly.
The guards lifted Karma's limp body. Without sparing another glance at the shocked onlookers, Su Liana and her entourage strode out of the hotel, returning swiftly to the Williams residence. Their plan was simple: wait for Elder Zuo's return, then leave this strange mortal world immediately.
Back at the hotel…
Chaos erupted the moment they were gone.
"What the hell just happened?" Sajid whispered, his face pale. "Did anyone… did anyone else see that?"
Anthony, the manager, pinched the bridge of his nose, trembling. "I don't… I don't know. But keep your mouths shut. This is way beyond us."
Kiki, Karma's quiet crush, bit her lip, her voice shaky. "Why him? Why Karma? He never even… he's just… normal."
"No one's normal if people like that are after him," muttered Iryna, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Speculation swirled among the staff, but fear bound their tongues. They all knew—some things were better left unspoken.
Within hours, William's influence swept in. Security cameras were erased, eyewitness accounts silenced with hefty payouts, and official reports sealed by higher authorities. The media was fed a fabricated story: a disruptive guest was escorted out, and the matter has been resolved.
To the world, nothing had happened.
But to those who worked that shift, the memory of a goddess descending and taking away their colleague would haunt them forever.
At the Williams residence…
Master Hu approached William with a rare smile. "Patriarch William, you've done well. Because of your efficiency and foresight, we've secured the Young Master without incident."
From his sleeve, Hu produced a jade box and handed it over. Inside, nestled on soft velvet, lay ten shimmering pills, each radiating a faint glow.
"These are Vitality Restoration Pills. Each one can extend life by fifty years, heal injuries, and strengthen the body. In our world, they're common among cultivators, but in yours… they will make you untouchable."
William's hands shook as he accepted the box, his heart racing. "Such treasures… a thousand thanks, my Lord! I will dedicate all my strength to serve you."
Master Hu gave a dismissive wave, though his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Mortals were always so easy to bind—with promises, with treasures, with fear.
Later that day…
Elder Zuo returned, his expression grave.
"Disciple Su," he said, "I've confirmed my suspicion. The coordinates of our arrival align with a hidden portal. It connects this mortal world to the Astral Vein World."
Su Liana's gaze sharpened. "So it really is connected…"
"Yes," Zuo nodded. "I must report this to the sect. Since it concerns your family, I'll inform Patriarch Su as well. For now, this must remain secret. If word spreads, enemies will come sniffing."
"Understood. I have no reason to linger here either," Su Liana replied. "Once you are ready, let's return."
Upper Realm: Astral Vein World – Eastern Desolate Frontier
Multiple armored figures stood vigil before an ancient teleportation formation carved into black stone. The moment the array flared to life, four silhouettes stepped through, cloaked in radiant light.
They had returned.
Above them stretched a sky unlike Earth's—a firmament dotted not by one sun, but by countless blazing stars, orbiting like guardians around the massive world. Each smaller sun shed light and shadow in a rhythm that created day and night across different continents.
This world itself was colossal—its size rivaled that of Earth's sun, perhaps even greater. Towering mountains pierced the heavens, their peaks said to brush against the stars. Seas stretched into abysses so deep they could swallow Jupiter whole. Rivers glittered with spiritual light, and forests teemed with beasts whose mere presence could shake continents.
This was no ordinary realm.
This was the Astral Vein World—a realm where spiritual energy surged like veins of molten gold, nurturing civilizations for billions of years. Here, mortals had long since transcended their limits, forging paths to immortality.
And above even this mighty realm existed a higher plane: the Celestia Realm, where true immortals roamed beyond comprehension.
It was within this boundless, perilous world that the fate of Karma Hi was about to unfold.
"I have brought my brother back," Su Liana announced to the guards at the formation. "Elder Zuo will report urgent matters to the family head. We will return now."
"As you command," the guards bowed, escorting her party back to the sect's domain.
Meanwhile, within Karma's subconscious…
Darkness.
Then—
Ding!
A crisp, mechanical voice echoed in the void.
Congratulations, Master. I have finally awakened.
Karma stirred faintly, though his body lay motionless.
The System had awakened.
And his journey was about to begin.
***
Ding! A surge of energy pulsed in Karma's mind. As the voice continued, a single line burned into his soul:
[Quest Initiated: Survive in the Astral Vein World.]