Clack!

The glint of steel flashed as an ax descended from above. A large force reverberated upon contact against the thick bark of an old tree, leaving behind an inch-long depression into the tree. Sweat could be seen glistening off the wielder’s strong arms as the chopper retracts the blade and prepare to deal another blow using the hatchet. The arms were raised again as the ax descended once again.

[Ping pong! Congratulations you have been given a red packet!]

“Wha-“ The hatchet stopped mid-swing as the wielder was shocked by a sweet, yet emotionless voice that rang into his ears.

The young man was surprised by this voice. The ax was lowered as the youth slowly digested the words that ran by his ears. He was Liu Xun, a 16-year-old youth who works as a woodsman who chops and delivers lumber. In the world of Xiantian, countless legends have spread across the continents. Most of these stories traveled by word of mouth as traders, bards, and merchants bringing word of success and heroic feats that only one in a million could perform. Liu Xun himself has heard of several tales from housewives that boasted of a dragon son or phoenix daughter from a renowned sect who has received a legendary system. It had brought envy throughout the countless regions, yet not many would openly seek them out and covet their treasures.

After all, if you kill them, you cannot rob their systems. Yet if you fail, you make an enemy of nine generations. The cost-to-benefit ratio is just not good enough, especially with the countless hidden grandaddies and mummies out there cultivating in seclusion ready to arm for revenge.

Liu Xun was a young ordinary youth who also had aspirations similar to others. He had always dreamed of the day he would receive a ‘gift’ message. Never did he expect to receive one of these messages today! Joy radiated from his face as he thought of the countless treasure and beauties that would await him once he gets to abus-*ahem* cultivate diligently using the system.

[Would you like to open the gift?]

“Obviously, yes!” His excited voice rang out as he could not wait for this big gift to land on his lap.

[Downloading system, please be patient.]

“Hmm, what a considerate system. I heard there are many kinds of them out there, perhaps I got lucky!”

Liu Xun felt satisfied as he started plotting in his mind how he should hide himself along with his system before he could become OP and then start beating down those arrogant silk pants. He would silently collect all the rewards from the system, move his base into the mountains, gather the most efficient skills…

[Congratulations Host Liu Xun! The Erudite Sign-In Reward System of The Most Ancient One has been granted to you! You can find out about all the functions using [Status]. All the best!]

“What does ‘erudite’ even mean, whatever. Alright then, status!”

Cultivator:

Liu Xun

Roots:

Mortal

Cultivation Level:

Unawakened [30]

System Credit:

100

Inventory:

Cons: 1x Premium Gacha Talisman, 1x Beginner System Package

Skills:

None

Talents:

None

"System, what is the 30 in the brackets?" The young man raised a question.

[It is the amount of spiritual qi your body can contain, if you are exhausting qi, it will appear as 29/30 for example.]

“Hmm, not bad. The system at least has some mercy to deliver some benefits to a yet-to-be prodigy. I won’t forget your kindness.”

[The system is grateful to hear your compliments.]

“What would happen if there were to be people coveting my system rewards? I better open it right now since there isn’t anyone in sight.”

Liu Xun sneaked a glance around him. The surrounding overgrowth covered his four corners, there was not a rabbit nor squirrel in sight, much less another human within five hundred meters. Sighing in relief, Liu Xun plucked his courage and braced himself for the tensest moment in his life, his premium gacha pull.

Legend has it that a young hero once pulled out a black dragon egg, another fairy had obtained a pill that could grant her eternal life and youth. There were countless stories that were spread among the housewives that said that one man’s life is not determined by his greatest effort, but by his biggest gacha pull.

“System, use the premium gacha talisman!” he said resolutely, ready for whatever outcome is to happen.

[Opening the premium wheel, activating a single gacha pull…]

A wheel with myriads of colors appeared slowly in front of Liu Xun, the colors were separated by segments. The words written on each segment baffled him as some words were too complex while others were too unbelievable.

&[email protected]* Frost $%r#@ Technique, Imperial #%a^$0 Sword, YinYang *&%g$#q Skill and so on were written on many of the columns.

Liu Xun was perspiring as black lines descended by his forehead.

Why is the system trying to torture me like this? Is it scolding me for being too illiterate? Anyways, I will deal with whatever is to come.

Such thoughts lingered in his mind as Liu Xun changed his focus on the multi-colored wheel.

“System, how do I use this thing?”

The young man asked as he pointed at the floating wheel.

[Just say spin, host]

A short but astute reply.

“Spin host.”

The young man proudly announced with great anticipation.

The system was momentarily speechless at the sheer stupidity of its owner before resuming its duty.

[…Spinning]

The wheel of Liu Xun’s fate rotated, and the beating of his heart raced fast. The wheel began to slow but his heart still remained palpitating as sweat began forming in his tightly clenched fists.

Please be something good. Please let me rise to the sky like a genius. He begged silently.

The wheel slowed down until it reached a small yellow segment written “&r%1 Knowledge Pill”

[Congratulations Host Liu Xun! You have drawn Rare Grade- GuanXin Knowledge Pill!]

“Oh, nice! I do not know how rare this pill could possibly be, but it definitely sounds pretty impressive!”

He said out in a satisfied tone as he was about to put the newly obtained pill into his mouth. Liu Xun then stopped and hesitated. There have been tales where people of low cultivation self-destructed consuming or using pills and equipment that were beyond their cultivation.

“S-system, is this safe for me to consume?”

Liu Xun cowardly asked for reaffirmation. His fingers were shivering in trepidation.

[10 points to find out, tax included.]

An immediate reply with no hesitation returned.

“Wha- how can you suddenly be so greedy!”

Liu Xun was shocked. His initial good impressions of the system had largely been diminished. The system seems to be charging him for every penny it could take!

[The system is making a fair transaction host. This is an enterprising spirit that is much to be admired.]

“Sigh, it is better to be safe than sorry. System, take my points.”

[Points collected!]

The system sounded very happy while Liu Xun’s face darkened as the credits in his inventory diminished.

[Host is able to take the pill with his current cultivation level. The GuanXin Knowledge Pill is a pill created by alchemists of the sovereign realm. They are used to enlighten disciples who are lacking in basic knowledge of the cultivation world. There is also a segment of knowledge reserved so that illiterate mortals can obtain a wealth of knowledge, so they appear more intelligent.]

The system began to explain the pill's function as Liu Xun seemed to nod proudly, up until the very last sentence.

What, is the system calling me stupid!? Well, the system cannot scold me for being dumb after I take this pill. This was the last thought that ran through his mind as Liu Xun tossed the pill into his mouth.

Hmm sweet flavored and cooling, unlike those bitter pills of legends. That was his thoughts as he chewed upon the candy-like pill in his mouth.

[Beware host, the backlash of the pill will commence now.]

!?

Liu Xun was shocked by the message, totally not expecting this turning point. He then realized that the sneaky system said that it was appropriate for his cultivation level and explained the benefits of consumption. Yet, it had failed to explain the side effects.

What a scoundrel!

Liu Xun thought as he felt a shiver travel down his spine as the chill got stronger and stronger, starting to penetrate deep into his mind as immense amounts of condensed knowledge rapidly flowed in like using a waterfall to fill a pail.

Argh!

He cried out in pain as he began to roll on the floor until he started losing consciousness. All that was left in his mind was the stern warning to clarify with this profiteering system in the future before being flooded with knowledge as darkness veiled upon him.

~~