{Congratulations! Host for acquiring a Rubber Duck Wearing a Demon Hat.}
{Congratulations! Host for receiving 10 bottles of Christian perfume.}
{Congratulations! Host for obtaining 100 sharp-pointed metal rods.}
{Congratulations! Host for acquiring the Serpenthian Queen's favorite pillow.}
{Congratulations! Host for obtaining an elegant sword forged from rare steel.}
As he reviewed the rewards, Hun Yu couldn't help but wonder about their nature. Perfume? Metal rods? A pillow ? The last reward, however, caught his attention—a sword. Perhaps it could be of some use.
"Brother, don't fret. If we're fortunate, a hero might come to our aid," someone beside him sighed.
"What is your purpose, System?" he inquired.
{The system assigns missions for the host to complete, and rewards can be obtained accordingly. Currently, the shop is inaccessible until the hidden requirement is met.
The system's purpose is to guide the host through an unconventional journey,} came the response.
Hun Yu nodded, considering that completing missions might be a good way to earn some money. Before him, a golden screen materialized, displaying the details of his next mission.
{Mission: Escape or Wipe it
Description: You have been captured by bandits. Their leader intends to use a human sacrifice technique to advance in cultivation.
Your objective is to either escape or exterminate the entire bandit village.
Rewards for Completion (Escape):
• 25 Gold Coins
• 10 Energy Points
• Strikes of 7 Hell and Heaven (Incomplete)
Rewards for Completion (Exterminate):
• Additional 25 Gold Coins
• 5 Bonus Energy Points
• Strikes of 7 Hell and Heaven (Complete)
Penalties for Failure:
• TBD (To Be Determined)}
{Accept/Reject}
Hun Yu's gaze lingered on the rewards. Twenty-five gold coins? That amount could secure his livelihood without worries.
Comparing it to the meager two gold coins he earned in a year as a servant, this reward seemed substantial.
The mission itself didn't seem entirely undesirable. After all, he would do anything to escape.
"Accept," he decided, tapping the accept button without much concern for the penalties.
It was clear from the description that their fate was already sealed—the bandit leader intended to use them as sacrifices. All he could do was try his luck and attempt to flee.
Just then, a small hand tugged at his sleeve, drawing his attention downward.
"Big Brother, have you seen my mother?" asked a young girl, her eyes wide with worry.
Kneeling to her level, Hun Yu offered a reassuring smile. "What's your name, little girl?"
"Yu Mei," she replied softly.
"Don't worry, Yu Mei, I will help you find your mother," he assured her.
Helping the little girl wouldn't diminish his stature; it was simply the right thing to do. As he spoke, he instructed her to stay close to him. Nodding cutely, the little girl complied.
Soon, the bandits arrived, one of them swiftly unlocking the cage door.
"Line up behind me. Any attempt at defiance will have consequences," the bandit warned as the group followed him cautiously.
Hun Yu surveyed the bandit village, nestled deep within the dense forest, making escape seem daunting.
He noticed another individual, scanning the surroundings, likely contemplating fleeing.
Predictably, the person made a break for it, dashing toward the forest.
"You worthless bandit scum! I refuse to perish here!" the man yelled as he sprinted away. However, his protest was abruptly cut short by an arrow, sealing his fate.
Hun Yu realized that fleeing wasn't a viable option as there seemed to be an archer ready to shoot any escapees.
Suddenly, the bandit halted and climbed onto a small wooden platform. He peered at the captives.
"All women, move to the side and stand apart," he ordered, his comrades eyeing the women greedily.
Outside the imperial city, two figures stood, Yun Xiu and Su Yan, surveying their surroundings.
"What do you think, Su Yan?" asked Yun Xiu, scanning the area.
"There seems to be traces of corrupted Qi. Whoever was here must be a seasoned cultivator who doesn't care to conceal their presence," Su Yan replied, his expression serious.
"Hmm, let's follow the traces. This individual might be responsible for the recent disappearances," Yun Xiu suggested, determination evident in his voice.
...
Hun Yu glanced down at the little girl clutching his hand tightly. She looked to be around ten, her eyes wide with fear.
A bandit approached them, his face marred by scars, his crooked nose twitching as he sneered. His wild, unkempt hair resembled a mane, and his greedy eyes fixated on Yu Mei.
Hun Yu instinctively stepped between the bandit and the girl, shielding her.
"Give me the girl!" the bandit snarled, his jagged teeth bared.
Hun Yu's expression darkened. "Are you not ashamed to threaten a child?" Though he wasn't usually the hero type, this was intolerable.
The bandit sneered, "Hand her over, or face the consequences."
Disgusted, Hun Yu tightened his grip on Yu Mei's hand. He focused briefly, summoning the sword from his starter pack.
The bandit lunged with a knife, but Hun Yu swiftly deflected, severing the bandit's hand in one swift motion. Blood splattered the ground.
The bandit's screams echoed in agony as Hun Yu wasted no time, scooping up Yu Mei and darting towards the dense forest.
The sudden appearance of the sword in Hun Yu's hand left the other bandits stunned and bewildered.
"How did he suddenly get a sword??" one of them exclaimed.
"Is he a cultivator??" another questioned.
"No! I can't sense his realm," another bandit remarked, perplexed.
"Don't tell me he's a higher realm cultivator," someone whispered, their expression turning pale.
Despite their confusion, the bandits couldn't let Hun Yu escape so easily.
"If he is, then why is he running away?" one of them reasoned. "Let's first send some weaklings to test his strength."
{Congratulations, Host, for completing the task "Escape." Rewards are being distributed.}
{
Congratulations, Host, for obtaining:
• 25 Gold Coins
• 10 Energy Points
• Strikes of 7 Hell and Heaven (Incomplete)
}
After running for some time, Hun Yu found a secluded spot and settled down to rest. Surveying the rewards before him, he considered the significance of "Strikes of 7 Hell and Heaven."
"What exactly is 'Strikes of 7 Hell and Heaven'?" he asked the system.
{The 'Strikes of 7 Hell and Heaven (Incomplete)' is an early version of the complete technique, comprising four deadly and unpredictable moves.
Though usable by non-cultivators, its true potential manifests in the hands of powerful cultivators. The stronger the practitioner, the more devastating its effects on foes.}
"can I use it?" Hun Yu asked, recognizing its potential against any pursuing bandits.
{It can be instantly acquired upon request,} the system replied.
"ok learn,'" commanded Hun Yu.
Instantly, he felt as if years of training had condensed into moments, a flood of knowledge surging into his mind.
With the technique now at his disposal, Hun Yu rose, urging Yu Mei to follow as they ventured deeper into the forest.
They arrived at a tranquil clearing where a shimmering pond reflected the sunlight. Concerned for Yu Mei, who seemed on the verge of collapse, he led her to the pond, ensuring its safety before allowing her to drink.
"It's safe. Drink," he reassured her gently. She eagerly quenched her thirst while he remained vigilant of their surroundings.
As she drank, Hun Yu detected footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw 3-4 bandits approaching, with more lurking in the distance.
He tightened his grip on his sword and addressed Yu Mei, "You should go. I'll handle this."
As the nearest bandit advanced with a menacing growl, Hun Yu sprang into action. With a swift maneuver, he dodged the bandit's swing and retaliated with a powerful strike.
"Second Ascent: Soaring Sky!" he shouted, pouring all his strength into the blow. His blade, sharp and precise, gleamed in the sunlight as it aimed for the bandit's throat.
The bandits, initially overconfident, quickly realized their mistake as Hun Yu effortlessly dispatched their companions. The remaining assailants rushed in, but each fell to Hun Yu's calculated strikes.
"First Descent: Rumbling Earth," he announced with each devastating blow.
"Second Ascent: Soaring Sky," he followed up, methodically incapacitating the bandits.
Preparing to escape, Hun Yu heard a voice behind him. "You're no cultivator, just a swordsman," the voice observed. Turning, Hun Yu faced a formidable figure wielding
"Join us, and I might let you live," the man threatened.
Hun Yu studied him. Unlike the others, this man exuded authority and strength.
As Hun Yu hesitated, a screen materialized above the man:
{
Name: Pringle Pei
Occupation: Bandit Village Leader
Age: 49
}
Realizing escape was futile against such odds, Hun Yu refused to consider aligning with these criminals. "You're not worthy," he declared defiantly.
In response, the bandit leader swung his sword toward Hun Yu, poised to strike.
Before the blade could connect, a powerful force hurled the bandit leader through the air, crashing into the forest.
Hun Yu, watched as a figure in a flowing green dress, wielding a graceful sword, landed before him. Recognition dawned as he realized who stood before him.