Years had quietly passed.
The seasons changed again and again, yet the courtyard of the Yuan Clan remained tranquil, almost detached from the flow of time. Yuan Chen stood beside a clear pond, his reflection wavering with the ripples caused by falling leaves. His small hands were clasped behind his back, his gaze calm yet far older than his appearance.
It's been years since I came to this world…
He let out a soft breath and spoke in his mind.
"System, open my panel."
Ding.
Host Panel
Name: Yuan Chen
Age: 8
Cultivation Level: Middle stage of Nascent soul
Techniques & Scriptures:
Chaos Dao Scripture
One of the Nine Secrets — Secret of the Body
System Space:
Cup Noodles
Hotpot
Chaos Bell
(Other data unchanged)
The panel faded.
Yuan Chen's eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the pond again.
I should go out and see the world, he thought. Staying here forever isn't my path.
At that moment, his attention shifted to his shoulders.
Little White and Little Red were curled up there, one on each side, their tiny bodies rising and falling as they slept peacefully. Their auras were terrifyingly ancient, yet their current 모습 was… ridiculously harmless.
Yuan Chen chuckled softly.
Who would believe that legendary ancient beasts would end up like this?
His thoughts slowly became clearer.
If I want to leave, I can't tell anyone. Mother and Sister would never allow it.
With the Chaos Bell hiding my aura and the System assisting me, even the ancestors shouldn't be able to detect me.
But a problem remained.
How exactly do I leave?
Before he could think further—
Ding!
"Daily sign-in available. Do you want to sign in?"
Yuan Chen waved his hand subconsciously.
"Sign in."
He had done this countless times over the past few years.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Luck Teleportation Talisman.
"Huh?"
Yuan Chen snapped out of his daze.
"…System, come out."
"What is it now, Host?" the system replied innocently.
"You're not secretly controlling my rewards, are you?" Yuan Chen squinted. "Is that why I haven't gotten anything decent these past years?"
"Absolutely not," the system said self-righteously. "Rewards are determined purely by luck."
Yuan Chen scoffed.
"Do you take me for a child?"
The system laughed awkwardly, a trace of guilt slipping through.
"…Fine. Introduce it."
"Gladly," the system said.
"Luck Teleportation Talisman allows the host to teleport to a random location. The destination depends entirely on luck."
Yuan Chen's eyes lit up slightly.
With this, I can leave unnoticed.
Before he could say anything else—
"Chen'er," Lin Yao's gentle voice rang out from behind him, "do you want cake? I made it myself."
Without thinking, Yuan Chen replied,
"Yes!"
Ding!
Teleportation confirmed.
"…Wait—!"
A white light instantly enveloped him. Space twisted violently, and before Yuan Chen could react, his figure vanished from the courtyard entirely.
Lin Yao stepped out moments later, holding a small plate.
"Chen'er?" she called.
No response.
Her heart sank.
In an instant, her divine sense spread, covering the entire palace—then the mountain—then the surrounding territory.
Nothing.
Her face turned pale.
The aura she had suppressed for years erupted uncontrollably. The entire Yuan Clan trembled as an overwhelming pressure descended from the sky.
"What's happening?!"
"Who angered the Lady of the Clan?!"
Streams of light shot toward the palace. Yuan Chen's father, his sister Yuan Xueyin, and numerous elders arrived almost simultaneously.
They saw Lin Yao standing frozen, her expression anxious beyond words.
"What happened?" Yuan Chen's father demanded.
Yuan Xueyin rushed to Lin Yao's side, trying to comfort her—then her eyes widened.
"…Mother," she whispered, "where is Chen?"
Lin Yao's lips trembled.
"I… I don't know. He disappeared."
A collective gasp echoed.
Yuan Chen's father's expression turned ice-cold.
"Search everywhere. Inform the ancestors."
His voice thundered across the clan.
"If anyone dares harm my son—destroy their entire nine generations."
The ancestors' voices soon echoed from the void.
"Calm down. I left a mark on the child," one said. "If he's in danger, I'll know. But… I can't sense his location."
That silence was more terrifying than any scream.
Lin Yao's eyes hardened. The gentle warmth she usually carried vanished completely.
"I'm going out," she said.
"Where?" Yuan Chen's father asked urgently.
"I don't care," she replied coldly. "Even if it's the entire world—I will find my Chen'er."
Yuan Xueyin stepped forward without hesitation.
"I'm going with you."
As mother and daughter left, the atmosphere in the hall became suffocating.
Yuan Chen's father turned to the clan leaders.
"Spread the word," he commanded.
"Anyone who provides information about my son will receive two Immortal Elixirs and one Supreme Weapon, along with additional resources."
His eyes gleamed with killing intent.
"And warn every clan in existence—if anyone dares touch my son, their entire bloodline will be erased."
The Yuan Clan, for the first time in countless years, moved as a fully awakened ancient beast.
Somewhere deep within the endless mountains 🏔️—
The world was silent.
No birds chirped. No beasts roared. The ancient trees stood tall like silent sentinels, and mist drifted lazily between jagged peaks. It was the kind of place cultivators described as peaceful, though to ordinary mortals it would feel eerily empty.
Then—
Boom!
A beam of white light tore open the calm sky like a crack in reality itself.
From it, a boy was violently thrown out, tumbling through the air before crashing face-first into the ground.
"—ACK!"
Dust flew everywhere.
The boy groaned and rolled over, dirt smeared across his robe and face. He pushed himself up with visible effort, wobbling slightly before finally managing to stand.
"…What the hell are you doing, System?!" Yuan Chen shouted, clearly furious.
Before the system could even reply—
Boom!
Boom!
Two more beams of light slammed down beside him.
Thud.
Thud.
Two familiar figures were unceremoniously dumped onto the ground.
Little White rolled twice before stopping.
Little Red landed belly-first, wings splayed.
The forest returned to silence.
Yuan Chen stared.
Then he sighed deeply, walked over, and gently brushed the dust off his shoulders before crouching down. Both Little White and Little Red were looking up at him with pitiful, watery eyes—as if they were the victims here.
His heart softened instantly.
"…Tch."
He reached out and began stroking their heads, his movements gentle and practiced.
"It's alright, it's alright. You didn't do anything wrong."
The two beasts leaned into his touch obediently.
Only after calming down did Yuan Chen grind his teeth and speak again.
"System," he said coldly, "next time, try behaving a little more like a human being."
The system replied instantly.
"But I'm not human, you stupid system-master."
"…You're asking to be dismantled."
"Heh."
Yuan Chen took a slow breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to mentally punch the system.
"Fine. Where am I?"
"Why should I tell you?" the system replied lazily.
Yuan Chen's forehead twitched.
"…Where am I," he repeated slowly, each word heavy with threat.
The system paused.
"Well," it finally said, "you are currently within the Qing Dynasty, under the jurisdiction of the Taixu Sword Sect—the foremost sect of this region."
Yuan Chen nodded lightly.
"I see."
He glanced around at the towering mountains and dense forest.
So this is the outside world…
He fell silent, lost in thought.
What should he do now?
Just as that question formed—
Ding!
"Why don't you participate in the Taixu Sword Sect's disciple recruitment ceremony?" the system suggested cheerfully.
"Win the martial arts tournament, obtain an identity, and enter the sect."
Yuan Chen frowned.
"I don't want to," he replied immediately. "You know that's not my style."
"Then go as a different person," the system said smoothly.
"I'll shield you from detection and alter your appearance."
Yuan Chen narrowed his eyes.
"And why are you suddenly so enthusiastic?"
The system chuckled.
"Taixu Sword Sect may not compare to the Yuan Clan," it explained, "but it has deep roots in the Immortal Realm. Many old monsters reside there."
"Of course," it added quickly, "they still can't compare to the Yuan Clan—but in the Immortal Realm, they're considered equals among most forces. Only a few ancient beings even know your clan exists."
Yuan Chen nodded slowly.
"I see… but I'm still not tempted."
The system smirked.
"Well, inside the Taixu Ancient Realm," it said casually, "there exists an opportunity that can help Little White and Little Red evolve into human form."
Yuan Chen froze.
"…Say that again?"
The system repeated it calmly.
Yuan Chen glanced down at the two beasts resting against him.
Human form.
They would be able to speak freely. Walk beside him. Experience the world properly.
"…What's the reward?" he asked quietly.
Ding!
System Choices Available
Choice One:
Live a carefree, salted-fish life until your tenth birthday ceremony.
Reward: One egg 🥚 (Chicken origin uncertain).
Choice Two:
Help Little White and Little Red transform into human form.
Rewards:
Hongmeng Dao Pearl
(A pearl containing an entire universe. Unlimited potential.)
Upgrade Chaos Dao Scripture → Hongmeng Dao Scripture
Merge Chaos Body, Supreme Bone, and Heavy Pupils → Hongmeng Body
(No explanation needed.)
Yuan Chen stared at the options.
Then he calmly closed the panel.
"…System," he said, voice steady, "if I don't choose the second option, I'd be insulting myself."
The system laughed triumphantly.
"Wise choice, Host."
Yuan Chen lifted Little White and Little Red, placing them gently on his shoulders.
"Let's go," he said softly.
He took out the Chaos Bell, activating it. His aura vanished completely, as if he had never existed.
With determined steps—and a faint trace of excitement in his eyes—
Yuan Chen headed toward the Qing Dynasty, toward the Taixu Sword Sect, and toward a path that would soon shake the cultivation world.