The forest was silent. Lin Feng could feel the earth's cool dampness beneath him, grounding him as his mind reeled with what had just happened. He had never believed he would hear it—the [DING] that had echoed in countless novels he'd read before he was thrown into this world. But now, here it was, as clear as a bell.
[DING! HEAVENLY RIGHTEOUSNESS SYSTEM INSTALLING… WOULD YOU LIKE TO INSTALL? YES/NO]
For a moment, Lin Feng simply stared at the prompt, a feeling akin to awe washing over him. He had called for a system countless times, hoping, even pleading for some edge, some power beyond this world's reach. And now, after all this time, after all the bloodshed and battles, it had finally answered.
He took a deep breath, forcing his hand steady as he reached for the YES option. As soon as he confirmed, the system's voice filled his mind, strong and unyielding.
[INSTALLATION COMPLETE. WELCOME TO THE HEAVENLY RIGHTEOUSNESS SYSTEM, HOST LIN FENG.]
He let out a shaky breath. The system's arrival had been so sudden, so unexpected, that even his usual calm wavered. A thousand questions stormed through his mind. What did this system want? Why had it arrived now? And… what would it require from him?
[THE HEAVENLY RIGHTEOUSNESS SYSTEM REWARDS HOST FOR ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. NO PUNISHMENT WILL BE ADMINISTERED FOR ACTS OF SELF-SERVING OR DEMONIC NATURE.]
Lin Feng's brows lifted. "So, if I do something ruthless… there's no punishment?"
[CORRECT. THE SYSTEM WILL REWARD RIGHTEOUS ACTIONS. HOWEVER, IT WILL NOT INTERVENE OR PENALIZE DEMONIC OR SELF-SERVING ACTS.]
The revelation left him speechless. In his previous life, systems in novels almost always came with moral codes, restrictions, and punishment. This system, however, was different. It seemed almost indifferent to his choices, only granting rewards should he act "righteously." He couldn't help but wonder about the implications.
A question nagged at him, something he had to know. "Tell me—did you come from Bai Xuemin? The boy killed due to my intervention?"
There was a pause, a moment that stretched with tension.
[YES. THE SYSTEM ORIGINATED FROM BAI XUEMIN, THE FALLEN SON OF DESTINY.]
A strange chill crept over Lin Feng. He had sensed something remarkable in Bai Xuemin's fate before the boy's death—rainbow-colored threads of fortune that spoke of destiny far beyond Lin Feng's comprehension. And now, that fortune belonged to him.
The thrill of it surged through him, mingling with a deep, unsettling realization. He was no longer just Lin Feng; he was an anomaly. One who had stolen the fortune of a destined hero.
The System Panel flashed before his eyes:
Name: Lin Feng.
Cultivation: Peak 2nd Rank.
Bloodline: None.
Supreme Physique: None.
Attribute: Fire.
Special Ability: Dragon Fire.
Age: 17.
Luck: Rainbow.
He stared at his Rainbow Luck, his heart pounding. Only moments ago, he had a measly red fate, one that held no guarantees. But now… Rainbow Luck. Every novel he'd read back in his old life whispered the significance of such luck. This wasn't just luck; it was the embodiment of endless opportunity, a beacon that would draw powerful allies, treasures, and fortune to him. He would be favored by the heavens, shielded by destiny.
The knowledge filled him with a surge of confidence. Lin Feng clenched his fists, feeling power coursing through him. At last, he wasn't just someone scraping by in this dangerous world. He was a true contender.
But he couldn't let his guard down yet. He continued to study the system panel, noting the areas still left empty. Bloodline: None. Supreme Physique: None. Though he had gained unimaginable luck, he still had no bloodline or physique to elevate him further. The journey ahead would be long, but he was prepared to face it head-on.
Suddenly, another DING chimed.
[THE SYSTEM HAS DETECTED A NEW FUNCTION: LOTTERY. AFTER EACH RIGHTEOUS ACT, HOST WILL BE GRANTED A LUCKY DRAW BASED ON THE ACT'S IMPACT ON HEAVEN AND EARTH.]
Lin Feng's eyes gleamed. "A lottery function?" he murmured, excitement flickering in his voice. This was just like the systems in the novels he once read—a random draw that could bring treasures, skills, and fortunes beyond measure. And it was his, entirely his.
Another question formed in his mind, something that lingered in the shadows of his thoughts. "Who created you?" he asked, his voice low, almost reverent. "Where did this system come from?"
[THIS SYSTEM WAS CREATED BY THE HEAVENS TO MAINTAIN BALANCE AND ORDER.]
Lin Feng nodded slowly, absorbing the information. He had suspected as much. The heavens had granted him this power… but had they truly? If this system was from Bai Xuemin, perhaps its connection to the heavens was severed upon transferring to him.
He needed to be sure. "System, can you sense the heavens now?"
[NEGATIVE. UPON BONDING WITH HOST LIN FENG, THE SYSTEM HAS LOST CONNECTION WITH THE HEAVENS. THE HOST STANDS OUTSIDE THE HEAVENS' AUTHORITY.]
The words sent a shiver down Lin Feng's spine. This confirmation was more than he had dared to hope for. He, Lin Feng, was beyond the reach of heaven's influence. His fate was now his to forge, unbound by the will of the heavens.
A slow smile spread across his face as he processed the enormity of it. "So, I am an anomaly," he murmured. "A force beyond heaven's reach."
As dawn began to creep over the horizon, casting pale light through the forest canopy, Lin Feng turned his attention back to the present. Only a few days remained until his journey to the Divine Beast Academy, and he now had everything he needed to ensure his survival and ascent to power.
Satisfied, he took a deep breath, feeling a renewed determination settle over him. With the system at his side, he was no longer alone, no longer vulnerable. He would reach the pinnacle of power and carve his place in this world.
[DING! HOST IS ADVISED TO REVIEW SYSTEM FUNCTIONS AND PREPARE FOR UPCOMING JOURNEY TO DIVINE BEAST ACADEMY.]
The message shook him from his reverie. Time was of the essence. He glanced one last time at the System Panel. His fate was no longer written by the stars or bound to destiny. It was his, utterly and completely, to shape.
He rose, his gaze steady and sharp. He would survive, grow, and thrive. He was Lin Feng—the anomaly who had stolen destiny's favor—and nothing would stand in his way.