Jian woke up after forty minutes and found a stench spreading in the cave. He realized he was covered in black gunk, and his clothes were filthy. Frowning, he asked the system, "What is this?"
"Congratulations, Host, for accepting top talent. The black gunk is the impurities expelled from your body. The Host should avoid breathing this. First, you must wash immediately."
"Then what about her?" Jian glanced at the unconscious girl.
"She should be fine as long as she is not near it."
Jian held his breath, dragged the girl near the cave entrance, and hid her behind a tree. Then, he sprinted to the nearby river to clean himself.
When he reached the river five minutes later, he threw off his dirty clothes and jumped straight into the water. He scrubbed until the black gunk and stench were gone. After ten minutes, Jian emerged from the river and noticed the water had turned dark. Some fish floated lifelessly, while others avoided the tainted area. Shocked, he asked, "System, what's going on? Why are the fish dead?"
"Host, the impurities are toxic and lethal to other beings. This is why the Host was advised not to breathe it in or drink the water."
Jian stared at the water in horror, realizing how dangerous the black gunk was. For safety, he moved to a clean part of the river and washed again. As he leaned closer to the water's surface, his reflection caught his eye. His height had increased by three to four inches, and his once-average body had become lean but powerful, brimming with energy. His face now carried a noble, untainted look, and his dark eyes seemed to hold the vastness of the universe.
He couldn't help but admire his transformation. However, without any clean clothes, he turned to the system. "System, I don't have anything to wear. Do you have something?"
"Host, mind your language. This is a Sect System, not an online clothing store."
Jian gritted his teeth, about to retort, when the system continued. "The Host can purchase robes from the shop."
Mumbling about the system's contradictions, he asked, "What's the price? And how do you even know about clothing stores?"
"The system is linked to the Host's mind. The price is 1000 SP."
"What? You can read my mind? And why is it so expensive for a single robe? What's so special about it?"
"The system is connected to your soul. As for the robe's features, the Host must discover them independently. Do you wish to purchase it?"
After some hesitation, Jian begrudgingly agreed. "Fine, yes."
[Ding!]
[Grade One Robe
Price: 900 SP (-10% for the first purchase)
{Buy}]
A blue screen materialized before him. He mentally selected "Buy," and the screen disappeared.
[Ding! Congratulations on using the shop for the first time.]
[Confirmed: Grade One Robe purchased. Stored in inventory.]
Jian asked suspiciously, "Is it a defensive artifact? Is that why it's expensive?"
"No."
Annoyed, Jian snapped, "Why don't you provide more information? If I have to figure everything out myself, why do I even need you?"
"The system requires upgrades to unlock additional information. Without the system, the Host would have already perished multiple times."
Jian had no retort. Moments later, the robe floated out of his inventory. He donned the robe, tying his hair in an ancient style.
The system interrupted his thoughts. "Host has accepted the rewards. Your status has changed. Does the Host wish to view it?"
Annoyed, Jian replied, "Not now. After I return to the cave, we'll talk about it."
As he walked back to the cave, he stopped abruptly, startled by a dead beast lying at the entrance. Uneasy, he approached the cave and saw the girl meditating with her sword resting on her lap. She opened her eyes as he entered and immediately stood, ready to attack.
"How dare you leave me outside the cave while I was unconscious! Don't you know there are beasts around?" she shouted angrily.
Jian blinked in disbelief. After all, he had saved her life and kept her safe. "I left you outside because the cave was filled with poison. I even hid you behind a tree before leaving," he explained.
The girl's expression shifted to one of shock. Grateful she hadn't entered the cave, she stood up and examined him closely. Something seemed different about him, but she brushed it off, thinking it was just the dim lighting. When she tried to sense his cultivation, she was shocked to find she couldn't gauge it. Her gaze fell on his robe, and her pupils dilated. She immediately dropped to her knees and kowtowed.
"Forgive me, senior! It was my mistake!" she cried.
Jian was baffled. Moments ago, she had been berating him, but now she was apologizing profusely. "First, you yell at me, and now you're apologizing? Why?" He squinted his eyes, feigning anger, and noticed her shivering when their eyes met.
He quietly asked the system, "Is this because of me?"
"Yes, Host."
Before Jian could probe further, the girl spoke again, "Senior, please forgive me. It was my fault."
Seeing her trembling, Jian calmed down, retracting his pressure. "Why did you suddenly call me senior?"
She hesitated but explained, "Senior is wearing a One-Star Robe. How could I not recognize someone of your status?"
Jian's eyes widened in realization. He sighed, muttering, "So that's why it was so expensive." Then, turning to the system, he asked, "Is this true?"
"Yes."
Before he could ask more questions, the girl interrupted, "Senior, thank you for saving me. If I can repay this debt in any way, please let me know if we meet again." Without waiting for a response, she turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" Jian called after her, unknowingly emitting pressure again. The girl immediately assumed a defensive stance.
Realizing his mistake, Jian relaxed and asked, "You wanted to repay me, right? Then tell me the way to the city, and we'll consider the debt settled."
She hesitated before responding, "If senior wishes to go to the city, please accompany me to my village first. From there, you can find your way."
Jian grinned, finally feeling like he was about to begin his journey. "Lead the way."
As they walked, Jian asked, "What's your name?"
After a brief pause, she replied, "Senior, my name is Yu Yue."
Hearing her name, Jian froze. The information that had suddenly appeared in his mind earlier was confirmed:
Name: Yu Yue.