"It's just here, brother Ling Yan!" A man said, a slight tinge of worry in his tone.
"...what great acting" Ling Yan thought.
Ling Yan found himself in the midst of the forest—following a certain man who he had coincidentally met on the road.
After dawn emerged, Ling Yan found a road in the vast plains—relieved, he began to follow the path. Where there was a road, there was civilization, after all. He decided to hold back in using Psionic Stars to locate civilization, and had spent them to buy clothing instead—he had to fit in to avoid unnecessary suspicion or trouble, after all.
"That took me 2 Psionic Stars just to buy this set of garments and a small bag!" Grimacing, Ling Yan realized he shouldn't spend them often—seeing as how he only has a scarce amount of them.
Soon after following the road, he suddenly encountered the first resident he'd met in this new world—Meng He, who, according to him, needed someone's help to go into the forest, since his younger sister was abducted by bandits.
"What a lousy excuse..." Ling Yan internally sighed.
Although Ling Yan was excited about meeting the first person after his transmigration, he still, of course, was Ling Yan. He could detect a lie from miles away, and had already suspected this person.
So then, why exactly did he decide to follow this person?
[Identify Meng He, Requires 1 Psionic Star]
[Confirmed]
[Meng He] [Qi Refining Realm (3rd Layer)]
✢ Member of the Unlawful Bandits near the city of Xīngyuè (星月) City. Likes to swindle people and kill them when they lower their guard. Has lots of valuables from killing people.
[The host is recommended to rob and kill this person.]
"..."
Ling Yan still can't believe that the system was quite ruthless, to suggest killing someone so nonchalantly. However, this person was more powerful than Ling Yan, so he could only follow to avoid suspicion. It was likely that Meng He was also gauging Ling Yan's strength, before resorting to violence.
[The host is recommended to take action now.]
[Here are the following recommendations based on the situation.]
[Steal Meng He's Valuables and Teleport 100 Meters Away, Requires 5 Psionic Stars]
[Kill Meng He, Requires 2 Psionic Stars]
[Supress Meng He's cultivation, Requires 3 Psionic Stars]
"These are all costly..."
Ling Yan took the time to think, with his Psionic Arts, he could do anything—provided he had enough Psionic Stars, but there should be better ways to spend them. After multiple internal conflicts and hesitation, he decided to grit his teeth and come to a decision.
"Brother Ling Yan! I need your help, can you come over here?"
"..."
"I think it's quite time to end this farce, don't you think so—brother Meng He?"
"...!"
"Great, I was getting tired of being cautious! Now die!"
[Stop Meng He's Heart, Requires 1 Psionic Star]
[Confirmed]
"Guhah!"
"This..."
Ling Yan could describe it in one word: 'Cruel'. The man lay flat on the ground, unable to even speak his last words. It was at that moment that Ling Yan knew—the art he inherited was beyond powerful, it was taboo.
Ling Yan took a moment to absorb the situation, the wind passing by his hair—this was the first person he had killed in his whole life, after all.
"..."
Ling Yan wondered, was he really such a heartless person, not even feeling pity about someone's death? He prided himself on being a great listener, but he had never shed tears for someone else. He was always calm and was a figure that granted stability, which was why people often asks him for help.
The bright light of day shone radiantly, its warmth beginning to bathe Ling Yan's skin. He felt warm—but somehow, hollow. After contemplating on the situation, he proceeded to take Meng He's valuables as instructed by the system.
[Set the Host's Mood to Happy, Requires 5 Psionic Stars]
"Oh shut it, Psi." Ling Yan can't help but sigh.
<<----------->>
Xīngyuè (星月) City
It was a small city in the Tiān Fēng (天风) Dynasty, one of the dynasties of Yōu Jìng (幽境). Although its size isn't large, it was still considered flourishing as it served as a road stop for cultivators who were heading towards the capital city of Tiān Fēng.
The city was full of bustling activity, and the streets were relatively safe. The mayor's manor and the towering pagoda in the center were one of the most notable places one could see when entering the city gates.
"Still, I didn't expect that Meng He to be quite rich..."
Ling Yan has claimed his spatial ring—along with his other valuables. He must have swindled and killed a lot of people, or so Ling Yan thought. He had over 1000 low-level spirit stones, coupled with a few medicinal pills that can help one in their cultivation; among other things.
Although Ling Yan was quite familiar with them—nonetheless, the system, Psi, had explained each of them. Apparently, he could use those spirit stones in a cultivation pagoda in every city.
"Here it is..." Ling Yan stopped by the entrance, of what seemed to be a majestic towering building.
The cultivation pagoda was found in every city—one can exchange spirit stones for spending time inside one to absorb the Qi from the heavens and earth. It was also separated by layers, with different rates.
Now, Ling Yan's priority was learning how to cultivate—and this was the perfect place to start.
"...? This brother, what will it be?" The shopkeeper noticed him entering.
"How much is the rate for the first layer?"
"That'll be 10 spirit stones per hour."
"That's... quite expensive." Ling Yan thought.
Entering the city took him only 5 spirit stones, but the cultivation pagoda charged 10 per hour on their lowest layer, clearly, the path of cultivation was a rocky and costly one—or so, Ling Yan thought.
"Ohoh, but seeing as this is brother's first time in my humble establishment, I will only charge 8 spirit stones per hour." The shopkeeper said politely.
"...? Thanks—then, I'll be staying for 5 hours."
"That's 40 spirit stones."
"Got it."
Ling Yan tried to take out spirit stones, but his control over the spatial ring was still poor and he was still not used to the feeling—this had led him to take out more than he needed to.
"...damn!" Ling Yan internally cursed.
The shopkeeper pretended not to notice, as Ling Yan took some of them back.
"Here's your token, the number indicated on it will be your room."
Ling Yan silently thanked him deep down, he had lost face—but the shopkeeper remained silent and saved Ling Yan's pride. It seems that despite the drama he had read in cultivation novels—people were still people, and not everyone was like Meng He. Ling Yan felt relieved by the thought.
Truly, after that incident, Ling Yan had vowed to thoroughly practice anything before acting tough.
"Hah..."
[The host seems to be in a troubled state because of Ju Hei (Shopkeeper)]
[Kill Ju Hei (Shopkeeper), Requires 90 Psionic points]
"What? No!" Ling Yan exclaimed.
Ling Yan smacked the purple monitor, only for his hand to phase through and catch air—unaware of the weird gazes that had been shot at him by other people, including the shopkeeper.
"Aha ha ha." Ling Yan could only wryly laugh.