The last thing Long Yuan remembered was the blinding light that enveloped him as he crossed the street, unaware of the speeding truck that would forever change his fate. But now, as he blinked awake, he found himself sprawled on a bed in an unfamiliar room, surrounded by rustic furniture and the faint scent of incense.
Panic surged through him as he scrambled to sit up. Where am I? The walls were adorned with intricate calligraphy, and a soft breeze rustled the sheer curtains, revealing a stunning view of lush mountains in the distance. It was beautiful, but the overwhelming confusion clouded his thoughts.
Before he could collect his bearings, a strange sensation washed over him. It was as if the very air around him shimmered with energy. Suddenly, a glowing interface materialized before his eyes, vivid and pulsating with light.
[ Welcome to the Strongest Butler System! ]
Long Yuan stared, mouth agape, as the words continued to shift and rearrange themselves.
[ Congratulations! You have been chosen as the host of the Strongest Butler System. Your journey to greatness begins now ]
"What is this?" he muttered, both bewildered and intrigued. The reality of his situation began to sink in—he was not just in another place; he was in a new world, and something extraordinary was unfolding before him.
[ Your first quest awaits! ]
A new window appeared, cloaked in mystery:
[ Quest: Become a Butler
Reward: Cultivation advance to the first stage with a martial art suitable for both cultivation and combat as a butler.
Duration: 1 month
Punishment: Death. ]
Long Yuan's heart raced as he read the quest details. The weight of the words settled in his chest, a mixture of thrill and dread. Death? The stakes felt unbearably high, but beneath the fear lay a flicker of determination. This was his chance to forge a new path in a world filled with possibilities.
"I won't let this opportunity slip away," he declared to himself, clenching his fists. The challenges ahead would not deter him; they would only fuel his resolve to become the strongest man alive.
As he was lost in thought, an elderly man with a long white beard and kind eyes entered the room. His clothes were simple yet elegant, hinting at a life filled with wisdom. "Easy now, young one," he said gently. "You've had quite the fall."
"Who… who are you?" Long Yuan stammered, trying to make sense of the old man's presence amidst the chaos of his awakening.
"You can call me Old San," the man replied, taking a seat beside him. "You were unconscious when I found you. It seems you've been beaten and thrown in the woods"
Long Yuan understood that he has been reincarnated to this world that he doesn't know anything about, so he asked the old man. "I thank elder San for helping me, but i seem to have forgotten my memory can you tell me where are we?"
Old San didn't find it strange and answered. "We are now in the Dragon Kingdom."
"What?! The Dragon Kingdom? Does that mean that there are really dragons roaming here?" Long Yuan got flabbergasted and felt that he is really weak for this world.
The Old man chuckled "There is no need to be that afraid kid! The Dragons are our protectors and are legendary figures in our world and martial artists consider themselves fortunate if they can see them once in their life."
Martial Artists? Dragons? It felt like something out of a fantasy novel. Long Yuan glanced back at the glowing interface, realizing that his destiny was now tied to this world and the mysterious system.
Old San smiled knowingly, as if sensing the turmoil within him. "You have much to learn, but first, you must recover."
One week passed as Long Yuan recuperated. Old San taught him about the world around them: the various sects, the powerful cultivators, and the significance of strength. Yet, beneath the old man's gentle demeanor, Long Yuan sensed a depth of knowledge and power that went unspoken.
Then, one morning, Long Yuan woke to find the room empty. A note rested on the table, neatly folded. Unfolding it with trembling hands, he read:
Long Yuan,
I must embark on a long journey. You have the potential to become great. Remember, true power comes from within. Train well, and we shall meet again.
— Old San
He found a small pouch of coins and a dagger near the letter.
A mix of emotions washed over him—fear, confusion, and an ember of determination. Long Yuan was alone now, in a world that was both enchanting and daunting.
After a hearty breakfast, he ventured outside. The bustling streets of the nearby city were filled with vibrant stalls selling exotic goods, and the air buzzed with energy. People adorned in traditional attire walked alongside martial artists demonstrating their skills in the town square. Long Yuan felt a sense of exhilaration, mixed with trepidation.
As he wandered, a poster caught his eye, fluttering in the wind. "Recruitment Test for Servants! Join the esteemed Li Family! Registration is in two days" it proclaimed. His heart raced. He was just wondering where he has to apply for servant position in a random family
He hesitated. The humiliation of servitude weighed heavily on his pride, yet the thought of death terrified him more. He remembered Old San's words about finding strength within. With newfound resolve, he clenched his fists. If I must start as a servant, then I will prove myself worthy of something greater.
As he was walking in the city he saw a store he entered it asking for directions for the Li family. "Welcome to my humble store! How can I help you?"
"I am searching for the directions to the Li family mansion." Long Yuan said.
The Old man seemed like he encountered this way too much for the last few days said "It seems that the young man is from another city, right? here I have the route maps for both the city and the Li family mansion for five copper coins each."
"Come on uncle I will give you a copper coin for each one of them, what do you think?" Long Yuan Said.
"Young man, you are too tough, one coin doesn't even cover the cost for it." The old man said feeling like he is suffering a big loss.
"Okay I will give you two coins for the two maps what do you think?" Long Yuan said acting like it is a big deal for him.
The old man agreed "Fine, fine, low profit but high turnover, two copper coins for two maps."
Long Yuan took out two copper coins, received the two thin guide maps, and then asked, "Uncle, does the Li family really need such a large-scale selection for servants, and it looks pretty competitive. Is this job really that good?"
Looking at the two copper coins, the uncle began talking, "Young man, you just recently came from out of town, right? Well, you know, it's not easy to find work these days. The Li family is a famous big household in Dragon Kingdom. Although the past couple of years haven't been as prosperous as before, even a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Their servant benefits are excellent. Even the lowest-level servant earns a monthly salary of ten silver coins, not to mention the mid-level and high-level servants. Moreover, there are holiday bonuses, and the benefits are quite generous. That's why the number of applicants is continuous. Let me tell you, since this morning, I've received no fewer than a hundred people, all young fellows like you, and quite a few talented scholars too, just like you, coming to register."
"Are they really that famous?" Long Yuan frowned.
That uncle was clearly a natural-born gossip. He glanced around before carefully leaning in to whisper to Long Yuan, "Young man, you don't know the inside story. I heard that the eldest young lady of the Li family, who's already twenty years old, is about to choose a husband. These talents are all here for that. Think about it: since the Li family's old master passed away, the family has been short-handed, with only Madam Li and her two daughters remaining. Every business, big or small, has been managed by the eldest young lady. If someone marries her, wouldn't the entire Li family fortune be his?"