The Path of Cultivation Is Not a Free Buffet
The sky above the Heavenly Cloud Sect was bright blue, yet to Lu Fan, the world felt like a pile of chicken manure.
He sat cross-legged on a flat stone, sweat pouring down his forehead.
"Damn it… haaah… three years and I'm still at Qi Refining Level One?" Lu Fan muttered, wiping his sweat with his rough sleeve. "At this rate, forget becoming a god. I'll probably get kicked out of the outer sect before I can even become a janitor."
Suddenly, a cold and emotionless mechanical voice echoed directly inside his skull.
[Ding! Soul Synchronization Successful. System 'M.E.T.A' Activated.]
[Host: Lu Fan]
[Level: Qi Refining – Stage 1 (Utterly Pathetic)]
[Talent Points: -10 (Trash Among Trash)]
"Who?! Who said that?!" Lu Fan jumped to his feet, instinctively reaching for the hilt of the wooden sword at his waist. His eyes darted around the silent bamboo forest.
[Do not shout, Host. I am within your consciousness. And frankly speaking, after reviewing your statistics, I am deeply disappointed in my selection.]
Lu Fan's eyes widened. "Wait… a System? Like in those ancient legendary tales? And what did you just say? Trash among trash? Hey! At least I'm handsome! Well… that's… pretty much all I have."
[Handsome faces do not block the sword of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Now be quiet. Someone is approaching.]
Sure enough, a young man in an expensive black silk robe emerged from the bamboo grove. It was Han Bing, a genius inner-sect disciple who loved picking trouble with Lu Fan.
"Oi, Lu Fan!" Han Bing called out, his voice cold and imposing. "Still playing with dirt? Don't tell me you've forgotten that today is the deadline for submitting Spirit Stone dues."
Lu Fan's expression changed instantly. He bowed respectfully, though a faint, unreadable smirk lingered on his lips.
"Hehehe, greetings, Senior Brother Han. Of course I remember. But as you can see, with my lowly talent, gathering spiritual energy has been slightly… delayed."
Han Bing snorted, looking down at him with contempt. "Drop the act. Your attitude doesn't hide your uselessness. Hand over three Spirit Stones now, or I'll report you to the Logistics Elder for defying the sect."
"Three?" Lu Fan frowned. "Isn't it one Spirit Stone per month, Senior Brother? Did I miss a new rule during my secluded cultivation?"
"The rule is whatever I say it is. Now," Han Bing replied sharply. "Don't make me repeat myself. This world belongs to the strong. An ant like you should be grateful you're even allowed to breathe on sect grounds."
[Ding! Emergency Mission Detected!]
[Objective: Slap Han Bing's face (literally or figuratively).]
[Option A: Hand over the Spirit Stones and kneel in apology. Reward: Title 'Eternal Coward' & -5 Years Lifespan.]
[Option B: Refuse and challenge him to a fight. Reward: Movement Technique 'Heavenly Shadow Step' & Instant Cultivation Boost.]
Lu Fan swallowed.
System, you're joking, right? He's Qi Refining Level Five! If I fight him, I'll turn into minced meat!
[If you choose Option A, I will self-destruct and take you with me. Choose wisely.]
Lu Fan took a deep breath. He straightened his back, shedding his submissive posture. His usually dull eyes now gleamed sharply.
"Dear, kind, and absolutely not arrogant Senior Brother Han…" Lu Fan said calmly, though emotion trembled beneath his voice. "I just realized something."
Han Bing raised a brow. "Oh? And what is that?"
"That your handsome face… really needs a little loving touch from my palm."
The bamboo forest fell silent. Even the wind seemed to stop.
Han Bing froze for a split second before his face flushed with rage. "You're courting death!"
He lunged forward, forming a deadly ice seal in his hand. But in Lu Fan's eyes, the world slowed.
[Ding! Initiating Emergency Cultivation Extraction…]
---
Turmoil in the Bamboo Forest
[Ding! Initiating Emergency Cultivation Extraction…]
[Warning: Host body too weak. Activating 'Overload Mode' for 60 seconds!]
Veins bulged along Lu Fan's arm. A scorching surge of energy exploded from his dantian and rushed toward his palm.
Han Bing was already within one meter, grinning viciously. "Die, trash!"
His ice-wrapped palm struck forward.
Instead of dodging, Lu Fan stepped in. His movement was strange, as if his feet left behind a shadow.
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the bamboo forest, overpowering the rustling leaves.
Han Bing froze.
He was sent flying three meters sideways, landing ungracefully atop the very pile of chicken manure Lu Fan had complained about earlier. The corner of his mouth split open. A bright red handprint decorated his pale cheek.
"Y-You…" Han Bing trembled, touching his face. "You dared slap me?!"
Lu Fan stared at his own hand in confusion.
"System… that felt incredibly satisfying. But my hand kinda burns now."
[Ding! Mission Complete. Reward: 'Heavenly Shadow Step' (Level 1) transmitted.]
[Cultivation Points +500. Congratulations. Host advanced to Qi Refining Level 3 – Mid Stage.]
Lu Fan felt his bones crack as new strength coursed through him.
Han Bing rose, eyes bloodshot with madness.
"LU FAN! I'LL FLAY YOU ALIVE!"
He drew a silver sword from his spatial ring. "Icebreaker Sword, out!"
Before the blade could fully emerge, a gentle yet firm voice sliced through the tension.
"Stop. What are you doing in this restricted area?"
A woman descended from the sky, standing atop a jade-green flying sword. Her white robe fluttered gracefully. Her beauty was like a goddess stepping out of a painting.
It was Su Yan, the famed cold Senior Sister of Ice Peak.
Han Bing immediately sheathed his sword and bowed deeply. "Senior Sister Su! Please help me! Lu Fan attacked first! He used a demonic technique!"
Su Yan ignored him. Her sharp gaze locked onto Lu Fan, more precisely, the strange lingering energy around him.
"Qi Refining Level Three?" she murmured. "This morning you were Level One."
Cold sweat dripped down Lu Fan's back.
[Ding! New Mission: Flirt with Senior Sister Su Yan and persuade her to help you leave.]
[Reward: Marrow Cleansing Pill (Heaven Grade).]
[Failure: Host will be forced to dance naked in the sect plaza.]
You damned System! Are you trying to kill me?!
Lu Fan coughed lightly, forcing the most pitiful expression he could muster.
"Senior Sister Su, justice is in your hands. Senior Brother Han tried to rob my only Spirit Stone, the one I need for my mother's medical treatment. I merely defended myself."
Han Bing's eyes bulged. "Your mother died ten years ago, you bastard!"
Lu Fan ignored him. He looked at Su Yan with the most sincere puppy-dog eyes he could manage.
"In this great sect… do weak disciples like me not even have the right to live?"
Su Yan fell silent for a moment before turning to Han Bing.
"Leave. Dues are the Logistics Elder's matter, not yours to extort outer disciples."
"But Senior Sister—"
"Leave."
Her spiritual pressure made Han Bing turn pale as he fled.
Now only Lu Fan and Su Yan remained.
She descended from her sword and walked slowly toward him. The faint scent of lotus flowers lingered around her.
"Your lie is terrible, Lu Fan," she said coldly. "Explain how a Level One trash advanced to Level Three in one breath and slapped a Level Five."
Lu Fan stepped back, heart pounding. He could feel the pressure of a Golden Core cultivator.
"That… um… beautiful, elegant, and graceful Senior Sister… do you believe in miracles born from love?" he blurted.
Su Yan narrowed her eyes, her hand moving toward her sword.
Before she could act, the ground trembled violently.
A terrifying roar erupted from a cave behind the bamboo forest.
[Ding! Warning! Ancient Beast 'Iron-Armed Ape' awakened from hibernation!]
Su Yan's face changed drastically.
"Damn it, the seal broke! Lu Fan, run!"
Too late.
A gigantic shadow leapt out, blocking the sunlight, and crashed down between them.
BOOM!!
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