"Man, that was… intense," Liang Feng muttered, the taste of copper and gunpowder still lingering in his mouth. Bullets ripped through the silk curtains, showering the penthouse in a bloody ballet. He coughed, blood bubbling in his throat, a bitter smile twisting his lips. Thirty-five years of climbing the ladder, of ruthlessly elbowing his way to the top, and this was how it ended? Gunned down in the gilded cage he'd built for himself. Talk about ironic.
His mind flashed back to his childhood – a seven-year-old kid, sold off to the Triads by his desperate parents. The hope that they'd come back had long since faded, replaced by a cold, hard ambition. Betrayal, he learned early on, was the name of the game. It had turned him into a weapon, sharp and ruthless, cutting down anyone who stood in his way.
By twenty-five, he ruled an empire. Tech startups, real estate, shadowy networks – all built on a foundation of ruthlessness. Every betrayal, every rival taken down, added another zero to his bank account and another crack to whatever was left of his soul.
Now, at thirty-five, his empire was crumbling around him. The men in tactical gear were unmistakable – Zhang's people. That old fool's daughter had been a loose end, and he should have dealt with her more decisively."The blade that cuts too deep," he rasped, his voice a hoarse whisper, "always ends up cutting the wielder.
"Darkness, swift and suffocating, threatened to consume him.Then, a blinding light.
System Initializing... Host Detection: Complete World Integration: Complete Memory Transfer: In Progress...A surge of information, raw and overwhelming, threatened to fry his brain. His eyes snapped open, the opulent penthouse replaced by a dimly lit room, the scent of incense thick in the air. His body felt weird, weak, like it wasn't quite his own. Gone was the searing pain in his chest, replaced by a strange lightness, a sense of… smallness.
[Welcome, Host. You have been chosen by the Ultimate Sect-Building System.]
[Current Identity: Qin Yu]
[Age: 10 years old] [Cultivation: None]
[Status: Heir to the Qin Family's Third Branch]
"A system?" Qin Yu – the name settling into his mind with an unnerving familiarity – muttered, his voice a mere breath, a far cry from the commanding tones he'd cultivated in his previous life. "And… cultivation? What the heck is that?"
[Correct. You have been selected to build the strongest cultivation sect in this world. Your past life's experiences have qualified you for this task.]
A translucent blue window materialized before him, a dizzying array of symbols and statistics flashing across its surface. Before he could fully comprehend it all, another message appeared:
[Beginner's Package Unlocked]
Basic Cultivation Pill (Foundation Grade) x1'Azure Dragon's Breath' Body Refinement Technique (Mortal Grade) x1
Minor Healing Salve x1
[Bonus Reward: Beginner's Wheel Spin Available]
A smirk, a ghost of his former self, touched Qin Yu's lips. He'd built an empire from nothing once before. Now, he would do it again, this time with superpowers.
"Spin the wheel," he commanded, his voice firmer now. A shimmering circle materialized in the air, its surface etched with arcane symbols. The wheel spun, blurring the edges of reality, then shuddered to a halt. Golden light erupted, illuminating the room.
[Congratulations! You have obtained: Phantom Assassin Squad]
5 Earthly Ascension Realm Assassins Summoned
Squad Leader: Shadow
Squad Members: Blade, Ghost, Fang, Thorn
Loyalty: Absolute
Special Ability: Shadow Merger (Can hide within host's shadow when needed)
[Warning: Current power level far exceeds host's cultivation base. Extended manifestation may strain host's body.]
Five figures materialized in the room, their presence heavy and oppressive, like a storm gathering on the horizon. They knelt before him, their faces obscured by shadows, but Qin Yu could feel their power radiating outward, an aura of raw strength that made his skin prickle."Master," a voice, smooth as silk drawn across steel, resonated from the center of the group. "We await your command."Qin Yu, despite his youth, felt a surge of power, a familiar thrill coursing through his veins. He had the pieces, now he needed to understand the game.
"Shadow," he commanded, his voice low and measured, "remain with me. The others, scatter. I want everything: the power structures of this world, the major sects, the Qin family's position, any potential threats. Be invisible. Report back immediately with any significant findings."Four of the figures dissolved into shadows, merging with the very fabric of the room. The remaining assassin, Shadow, remained, his presence a subtle pressure against Qin Yu's own.
A servant girl entered, her footsteps light, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of tea. She was oblivious to the supernatural events that had just transpired.
"Young Master, your tea."
Qin Yu accepted the cup, his mind already racing. Ten years of memories, a life lived as a pampered but largely ignored heir to a minor branch of the Qin family. It was the perfect disguise. No one would suspect a thing.
System Tutorial Available [Would you like to view the cultivation realm hierarchy?]
"Show me," Qin Yu whispered, taking a sip of tea. The familiar taste of power, this time laced with a hint of the unknown, ignited a fire within him. He'd built an empire once before, and now, with these newfound powers, he would build something far greater.