A rude awakening jolted Li Tian from a dreamless sleep. A loud, resonant ding echoed in his mind, pulling him abruptly into consciousness. He blinked, disoriented, trying to place the sound.

Ding! Congratulations! You have been chosen as the host for the Absolute Hypnosis System!

The words, seemingly originating from within his own head, left Li Tian utterly bewildered. What the...? A system? He sat up, heart pounding, and looked around. Wait a minute... This isn't my room.

Then, it hit him. Fragments of a memory, sharp and agonizing, flashed through his mind. A blinding light, the screech of tires, and the crushing weight of... a truck. Truck-kun. Even in this strange new reality, he couldn't escape the cliché.

"I... I actually got isekai'd?" he muttered, a strange mix of terror and excitement swirling within him. "How did I even die? Oh right, damn Truck-kun got me while I was walking home from work." He shuddered, a phantom ache in his bones. He chuckled humorlessly. "Of all the ways to go..."

He pushed the grim memory aside. This was a new beginning, a second chance in a world that was clearly not his own. "Alright, System," he said, testing the waters, "since I'm apparently your 'host' now, how about a little welcome gift? I'm kind of new to this whole 'reincarnated in a fantasy world' thing."

Ding! Newbie Gift: 500 System Points awarded!

Points can be allocated to enhance Spiritual Root, learn Techniques, or used for other System Functions. To view your Status, simply say or think 'Status'.

"Status," Li Tian said, his voice filled with anticipation.

A shimmering, almost ethereal interface materialized before him, filled with glowing characters and intricate diagrams:

...

Host: Li Tian

Age: 18

Points: 500

Potential Tracker ☆☆☆☆☆ (0/5)

Hypnosis Targets: 1/1

Cultivation Status:

Realm: Mortal Realm

Cultivation Level: 90/100

Spiritual Root: Twilight Mist - Inferior Grade (200/1000)

System Functions:

1. Hypnotize: The host can use this function to hypnotize creatures. (Note: can only be used on targets that are at most one realm higher than the host in terms of Qi!)

2. Status Insight: The host can use this function to check the system status.

3. Advancement Module: The host can use this function to upgrade his Spiritual Root quality or to comprehend various techniques.

...

Li Tian stared at the interface, his mind racing. Spiritual Root? Cultivation? This is definitely one of those cultivation worlds I used to read about. A grin spread across his face. Beautiful women, here I come!

"Okay, System," he began, "tell me about this world. Where am I?"

Ding! This world is called the Crimson Lotus World. It is classified as a Lower Realm. Further information must be discovered independently.

"Seriously? That's it?" Li Tian sighed, slightly deflated. "Fine, be that way. Can I at least get the memories of this body's previous owner?"

Ding! Memory integration is not supported by the Absolute Hypnosis System.

"Great," he muttered. "So, I'm blind and clueless. Awesome. At least explain the 'Hypnotize' function in detail."

Ding! Hypnotize Function Parameters:

1. Target must be a conscious being.

2. Target's cultivation base can be at most one major realm higher than the host.

3. Unconscious or sleeping beings cannot be targeted.

4. Hypnosis capacity increases with host cultivation level.

5. Hypnotized targets can be removed from the target list.

6. Attempting to hypnotize a target beyond the system's capacity will result in failure and potential backlash. Caution is advised.

As Li Tian was pondering the system's rules, a sharp, feminine voice cut through his thoughts.

"Li Tian! Open this door right now! You've been neglecting your duties for over a week!" The voice was followed by a series of insistent knocks.

Li Tian's stomach dropped. Duties? What duties? He scrambled out of bed, his mind racing. Think, Li Tian, think!

"Y-Yeah, coming!" he called out, rushing to the door.

He threw open the door and froze. Standing before him was a young woman, no older than twenty, with long, flowing black hair, piercing blue eyes, and a figure that made Li Tian's breath catch in his throat. She was stunning, but her expression was anything but friendly.

"Well? What have you been doing in there?" she demanded, her voice dripping with disdain. "Do you have any idea how important it is to fulfill your responsibilities?"

Li Tian stammered, completely flustered. "I... I, uh... lost track of time, beautiful miss." He mentally kicked himself. Smooth, real smooth. But he couldn't deny it, she had a nice pair of milkers.

Bai Mei barged into his room, slamming the door shut. She whirled around, her eyes blazing. "Why were you absent for so long?" she asked, her voice rising in pitch before she suddenly slapped him across the face.

The sting of the slap brought Li Tian back to reality. Memories, unwanted and unpleasant, surged from his past life—the constant bullying, the feeling of powerlessness. He stared at Bai Mei, shock and a flicker of anger warring within him.

"What the hell was that for?" he exclaimed, rubbing his stinging cheek.

"You think a few pretty words will get you off the hook?" Bai Mei sneered. "Trash like you shouldn't be slacking off! You're under my supervision, and your absence made me lose face in front of the other disciples!"

An idea sparked in Li Tian's mind. A dangerous, exhilarating idea. "System," he thought urgently, "can I use Hypnotize on her?"

Ding! Target: Bai Mei. Cultivation: 3rd Layer of Qi Condensation. Hypnotize function can be used.

Ding! Commencing Hypnosis...

Li Tian felt a strange warmth flow through him. He looked at Bai Mei, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Tell me your name and age," he commanded, his voice surprisingly steady.

"My name is Bai Mei, and I'm 18 years old," she replied, her voice still sharp, but her eyes seemed slightly glazed over.

"Now, apologize for hitting me," Li Tian said, testing the limits of his newfound power.

Bai Mei's expression shifted, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. "I... I apologize for hitting you, Li Tian," she said, her voice softer now. "It won't happen again."

Li Tian's heart pounded with excitement. It's working! "Kneel," he ordered, unable to resist pushing further.

Bai Mei hesitated for a fraction of a second, then slowly sank to her knees.

A wave of exhilaration washed over Li Tian. He had power, real power, for the first time in either of his lives. He laughed, a sound filled with both triumph and a hint of something darker. "Tell me, Bai Mei," he said, his voice low and commanding, "tell me everything you know about this world, cultivation and this sect."

"This world is the Crimson Lotus World," Bai Mei began, her voice taking on a strangely monotone quality. "There are three continents: Azure Dragon, Central, and Western. Cultivation is divided into seven realms: Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Spirit Severing, Dao Seeking, and Immortal Ascension."

Li Tian listened intently, absorbing every word.

"And the sect?" he prompted.

"The Truthful Sword Sect," Bai Mei continued, "is a third-rate sect located on the Azure Dragon Continent. I am an outer disciple, and you... you are a servant disciple under my supervision."

A servant disciple? Li Tian frowned. Well, that's about to change.

Li Tian's lip curled.