Li Feng cracked open his eyes, his head pounding like it had been split in two. Blinking against the sunlight streaming through a broken window, he realized he was sprawled across the floor of his family's abandoned training hall. The faint scent of dust and neglect lingered in the air, an all-too-familiar reminder of his standing within the Li Clan.
Once the young master of a noble martial family, Li Feng had been disgraced and cast aside. His once-glorious title had been reduced to a shadow of a memory, a joke among those he once commanded. And now, after last night's "incident" at the banquet—he could barely remember what happened, just that it involved too much wine, a few choice words about his family's elders, and a swift, humiliating exit—he was sure they'd lock him out of the house entirely.
He sighed and reached up to touch his forehead, only to jolt in surprise as a faint blue light flickered before his eyes.
[DING!]
A clear, melodic sound echoed in his mind, startling him upright. Before he could process what was happening, lines of text appeared before him, floating in the air.
[Congratulations! You have awakened the Celestial System! Your journey to celestial supremacy begins now.]
Li Feng blinked. "Celestial… what?"
He reached out, instinctively swiping his hand through the glowing text. The words rippled but held firm, as if etched into the very air. Just as he was about to dismiss it as a wine-soaked hallucination, the text shifted.
[Welcome, Host. You have been chosen by the Celestial System to embark on the path of greatness. Complete quests, gain rewards, and unlock untold powers to reclaim your place in this world!]
"System?" he muttered, feeling a mixture of confusion and awe. Growing up, he'd heard legends of mystical systems that could imbue people with untold power, but they were just that—stories. Right?
As if sensing his disbelief, the System responded.
[New Quest: Prove Your Worth! Task: Charm the next person you encounter within three minutes to prove your natural charisma.]
[Reward: Beginner Charisma Boost]
[Penalty for Failure: You will lose one level of cultivation.]
Li Feng's eyes widened. Lose cultivation? He was already struggling with his meager qi levels; losing any would make him a laughingstock in the village, even to the children who were just beginning their training.
"What kind of twisted game is this?" he muttered. But before he could dwell on it, he heard footsteps outside the hall. His heartbeat quickened as he heard a familiar, no-nonsense voice.
"Li Feng!" A tall figure stepped into the hall, her silhouette outlined by the bright morning sun.
It was Xiao Mei, the sharp-eyed daughter of the Xiao Clan, who was known for her strict sense of justice—and her absolute disdain for him. If there was one person in the world who would rather set him on fire than be charmed by him, it was Xiao Mei.
Great. His very first task, and it was practically a death sentence.
Li Feng's mind raced. Three minutes. He only had three minutes to "charm" Xiao Mei, and he had no idea how to do it without getting a punch to the jaw.
But the System's faint glow reminded him of what was at stake. Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself to his feet, put on his most charming grin, and strolled over.
"Well, if it isn't the fair and radiant Xiao Mei. What brings a beauty like you to this dilapidated hall?" he said, giving a short bow, trying to exude every ounce of charisma he had left.
Xiao Mei raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed. "Save it, Li Feng. I'm only here because your mother asked me to drag you back to the estate. You've embarrassed the clan—again."
Li Feng kept his grin steady, though his mind was in a panic. He had to find a way to make her laugh, or at least make her soften up. She was stubborn and proud, but maybe, just maybe, he could appeal to her sense of humor.
"Embarrassed? I call it 'showing personality,'" he said with a casual shrug. "But if I remember correctly, it was my charming personality that convinced you to help me out back when we were kids. Remember that time I taught you how to sneak sweets from the kitchen? You didn't mind my charm then."
Xiao Mei's stern expression wavered, a small smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth. She looked up at him, her arms still crossed, but there was a slight warmth in her gaze.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Li Feng. I only helped because you promised me that sweet dumpling recipe," she replied, her tone begrudgingly amused.
Li Feng's heart skipped a beat. The System's timer ticked in his mind, a quiet hum, counting down the precious seconds. He needed to capitalize on this moment—right now.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice slightly, as if sharing a secret. "I know we've had our differences, Xiao Mei. But we both know you're not the type to hold a grudge forever. You're the type who respects strength, and I—well, I've learned a lot in my time away from the clan. Perhaps you'll see that soon enough."
For a brief moment, Xiao Mei's eyes flickered with something unreadable—curiosity, maybe, or skepticism. She didn't answer immediately, but her gaze softened just enough to make Li Feng believe he was getting through to her. It was subtle, but he could feel it.
The System pinged in his mind again, its cheerful tone almost mocking.
[Quest Complete! You have successfully charmed Xiao Mei. Reward: +10 Charisma. You have unlocked the "Flirtation Skill: Heart's Whisper."]
Li Feng smiled to himself. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Xiao Mei, however, was quick to snap out of her momentary distraction. "Don't get any ideas, Li Feng. I'm not here to chat about your 'growth' or your 'lessons.' You need to return home before your family disowns you completely."
He chuckled softly, watching her carefully. "No promises. I think I might enjoy the wild freedom for a little longer."
Xiao Mei's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing more. Instead, she turned and began walking toward the exit.
Li Feng watched her go, a faint smirk playing on his lips. In that brief exchange, he had earned something more valuable than any cultivation technique or martial power—a foothold in the tangled web of Xiao Mei's mind. For the first time in a long while, he felt as though the tides were shifting in his favor.
The System's voice interrupted his thoughts.
[New Quest Available: "Master of Charm"]
[Task: Use your newly gained Charisma Boost to influence the next person you meet and make them your ally.]
[Reward: Cultivation Boost +5; Unlocks "Charming Aura" skill.]
Li Feng raised an eyebrow. Another task already? But a part of him couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The Celestial System wasn't exactly a normal system, and certainly not one he'd have chosen for himself. But as his feet moved toward the doorway, where Xiao Mei had left, he realized that this strange path might lead to more than just power. It might lead to something else entirely—a chance to reclaim his dignity, his place in the world, and maybe even the heart of the one person who had always been just out of reach.
The system had chosen him, after all. And for better or worse, his journey had just begun.