Chu Huaixu put on the [Game Helmet] and then opened his eyes.
The surrounding environment instantly changed; he felt that the scene before him was somewhat dim.
It was a night of pouring rain.
At this moment, he wore a short knife at his waist, held an oil-paper umbrella in his hand, and stood on a small forest path.
The smell of rain mixed with the scent of soil rushed into his nose, making him feel more awake.
The night sky was covered with dark clouds, and even the moonlight could hardly be seen.
Chu Huaixu frowned slightly, raised his right hand that wasn't holding the umbrella, brought his index and middle fingers together, and made a swipe upward through the air.
In the next instant, the entire world became slightly brighter!
He could suddenly see everything around him more clearly.
Just as Chu Huaixu was about to look around, a figure suddenly darted out from the dense forest ahead.
The other man also held an oil-paper umbrella and wore black tight-fitting clothes. The only difference was that a long sword hung at his waist.
Oh right — he was holding the umbrella very low, so from Chu Huaixu's angle, he could only see most of his face, like a cinematic close-up.
So Chu Huaixu quietly lowered his own umbrella a little too.
The man who had emerged from the forest had already placed his right hand on the hilt of his long sword.
His voice was slightly hoarse, as if something was stuck in his throat:
"I advise you not to do anything. Come back with me now, and you'll be thrown into the Heavenly Prison."
After saying that, the bearded man added,
"Of course, you have a second option."
"Give me fifty taels of silver."
After saying so, he stepped aside, indicating he would let him pass.
Hearing this, Chu Huaixu lowered his umbrella even more.
The rain was pouring down, drumming on the oil-paper umbrella. In the darkness, his expression couldn't be seen clearly.
"Fifty taels… the purchasing power is roughly equal to more than 50,000 yuan on Earth." Chu Huaixu calculated inwardly.
Fifty thousand to buy freedom — or even to save his life — didn't sound too expensive.
But he wasn't sure whether his "current self" could actually produce such an amount.
So, he began searching his body for money.
To his surprise, he actually found a hundred-tael silver note in his pocket.
"Huh? Looks like this [starting scenario] isn't that simple." he thought.
Chu Huaixu slightly raised his umbrella, lifted an eyebrow, and looked at the man seriously while holding the silver note.
"Wait, you can make change, right?"
The bearded man also raised his umbrella slightly, and his eyes suddenly turned sharper.
Originally, he just wanted to see how wealthy this young man was.
Most people wouldn't carry all their fortune on them.
So he thought — why only take his wallet, when he could also clean out his bank balance?
But he didn't expect that this guy would actually carry such a large-denomination note!
The bearded man licked his dry lips and said in that gravelly, phlegmy voice:
"At first, I was suspicious of your identity… but now…"
"Swish!" The man suddenly drew his long sword!
He looked at Chu Huaixu with a vicious grin, holding the umbrella in his left hand and the sword in his right, stepping forward twice.
"I just don't understand — sending someone like you, a pseudo-spiritual embryo, what's the point?"
It was a special era — a great calamity was approaching, and society had entered an age of universal cultivation.
Anyone with even a hint of spiritual potential could enter the path of cultivation and become a cultivator.
But this man, though not young, hadn't stepped into cultivation — clearly a pseudo-spiritual embryo.
Chu Huaixu tilted his head slightly, looked at him sideways, and said:
"Bro, aren't you the same?"
Laughable — you're also a pseudo-spiritual embryo, yet you look down on others?
The bearded man's eyes darkened even more, anger flashing on his face.
In earlier times, the right to cultivate was monopolized by sects, dynasties, and noble families, maintaining social hierarchy.
Ordinary people, unless incredibly talented, had no chance to cultivate.
Now, because of the looming calamity, the age of universal cultivation had begun.
But in this environment, for people like him — pseudo-spiritual embryos — life was extremely cruel.
Other than body training, there was no other path.
Yet breaking through the first barrier of cultivation by body training alone was nearly impossible!
The effort required was a hundred, even a thousand times greater than that of a true spiritual embryo.
So, for this bearded man, spiritual embryos were what he envied most —
He dreamed of becoming a cultivator.
His anger flared; his right hand tightened on the hilt.
Still, before striking, he wanted to sneer back.
After all, slashing someone and trash-talking were two different pleasures.
"Yeah, I'm a pseudo-spiritual embryo too."
"But I never thought of sneaking into the Dao Sect with one."
"You worthless thing, do you even know your own worth? What, gonna rely on your pretty face to get in through the back door?" he sneered, licking his lips.
Chu Huaixu listened carefully, processing the information.
"Sneaking into the Dao Sect?" he caught the keyword.
Strictly speaking, pseudo-spiritual embryos were indeed not eligible to join the Dao Sect.
But then, Chu Huaixu smiled — and said something the bearded man couldn't understand:
"Don't ask."
"I'm a physical education student."
The rain kept falling.
The bearded man wondered if he was crazy — or if the other guy was.
He was totally confused.
But then the other moved!
Chu Huaixu drew the short knife from his waist.
"Rainy night, knife, umbrella, huh?" he murmured.
Then, he threw the umbrella away.
The short knife gleamed as it left its sheath!
Rain splashed against his body as Chu Huaixu lunged forward, his first step landing in a puddle, sending up muddy water.
"Good courage!" the bearded man roared, throwing his umbrella aside too.
His long sword swung forward fiercely, his style bold and wide.
Their blades clashed — Chu Huaixu felt his tiger's mouth tremble.
Clearly, the opponent's strength was far greater!
No surprise — this man had trained his body, though he hadn't broken through to cultivation.
"An interesting start." Chu Huaixu thought.
But seriously, you're this old, with such a foul mouth, and this is all your body training got you?
"Is that all?"
The short knife flicked upward sharply!
The bearded man's heart sank.
He couldn't understand — the young man wasn't strong, nor fast, nor tough — but why couldn't he land a single hit?
If it were just one lucky dodge, fine.
But every single time?
And his precision, his control over spacing — terrifying.
It was as if he had perfect control over every inch of his body!
"Why?" the bearded man thought desperately.
"If he hits me even once… it'll be fatal!"
He was right.
The moment that thought appeared, the short knife sliced across his throat, leaving a red line.
— You were right. Happy now?
After slashing his throat, Chu Huaixu kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him flying, keeping a safe distance in case of a desperate counterattack.
The man lay on the ground, twitching, clutching his neck tightly — blood still gushing out.
— The situation was settled.
Rain washed over his body. Chu Huaixu lowered his head slightly, sheathed his knife, and said calmly:
"If you're weak, train more."
He walked forward a few steps, picked up his discarded umbrella, shook it, and flicked off the water.
He thought he looked incredibly cool just now.
But soon after, confusion set in — followed by irritation, frustration, and disbelief.
"Wait a second — where the hell is the [Exit Game] button?!"