Silverleaf City lay silent under the soft glow of dawn, its walls of ancient jade reflecting the first light of the day. Despite the city's tranquil façade, whispers of war drifted on the morning breeze, a reminder of the decade-long conflict between the mortal sects of the East and the demonic clans of the West. Yet, life within Silverleaf continued as always. The common folk, hardened by years of strife, went about their days with stoic resolve, their faces marked by fatigue and survival.
Standing amidst the bustling crowd near the city's main square was Lin Xuan, his dark hair tied loosely behind him, his pale skin glowing faintly in the light. The faint aura of spiritual qi around him hinted at his identity, he was a cultivator.
But unlike the other disciples of powerful sects who walked with pride, Lin Xuan cut a lonely, almost pitiful figure.
"Look! Isn't that Lin Xuan? The one they call the 'Beggar Immortal'?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down. He may look weak, but they say he's part of the Blood Jade Clan. You don't want to cross their kind."
"What's there to fear? Everyone knows he's just a stray disciple. I heard he's been abandoned by his own clan. If not for his connection to Lady Hua, they'd have kicked him out long ago."
"Bah, shameless! A cultivator stooping to collect commoners' rations, how disgraceful. Even the lowest inner disciples of the Sunfire Sect would never lower themselves like this!"
"Still… he's quite handsome. If only he weren't so... pathetic."
As Lin Xuan turned his gaze toward the gossiping crowd, the harsh whispers turned into forced smiles. Bowing respectfully, the townsfolk offered him strained greetings.
"Good morning, Young Master Lin," they chorused.
Lin Xuan's lips curved into a faint smile, masking the flicker of annoyance in his black and white eyes, an unusual trait that made him stand out even among cultivators. "Good morning to you too, honored mortals," he replied smoothly, his voice carrying the calm, otherworldly charm of a true cultivator.
The crowd quickly dispersed, but their mocking whispers lingered in the air. Lin Xuan wasn't bothered. After a month in this city, he had grown used to the disdain of mortals and the indifference of his peers. Yet, deep down, a flame of frustration burned quietly in his heart.
He adjusted the worn, crimson robe draped over his shoulders and joined the line of commoners waiting for rations. As he moved, his mind drifted back to his current predicament.
Lin Xuan had not always been this way. A month ago, he was still adjusting to life as a newly ascended cultivator in the Blood Jade Clan, a sect infamous for its ruthless pursuit of power. Unlike others who were groomed from a young age, Lin Xuan's story was one of misfortune and chaos.
Reborn into this world through a mysterious accident, Lin Xuan had awakened in the body of a fledgling cultivator with a reputation that was anything but noble.
His predecessor had been a disappointment to the clan, surviving on scraps of respect owed to his lineage. Worse, his only ally, Lady Hua, the so-called "Wastrel Elder" of the Blood Jade Clan, was a disgrace in her own right, clinging to her title despite losing all her cultivation potential after a crippling injury.
For an entire year, Lin Xuan had lived in her decrepit manor, playing the role of a dutiful disciple while enduring the disdain of other clan members. Yet, despite his difficult circumstances, Lin Xuan remained resolute.
After all, he carried a secret, a mysterious system embedded within his soul.
"If only it would finish activating…" Lin Xuan thought bitterly as he reached the front of the line.
"Two portions of Grade-A rice and spirit broth, please," Lin Xuan said politely to the soldier manning the ration station. His words were refined, his tone carrying the elegance of someone raised in a noble household.
The soldier, a mortal bound to serve the Blood Jade Clan, scowled at Lin Xuan but obeyed nonetheless. Tossing two bundles of food toward him, the man muttered under his breath, "Good-for-nothing cultivator…"
Lin Xuan paid no mind to the insult. He bowed slightly, collected the rations, and turned to leave, only to find himself face-to-face with a figure clad in crimson robes. The man's aura was oppressive, his eyes cold as he looked Lin Xuan up and down.
"Lin Xuan," the man said with a sneer. "Still clinging to that 'wastrel' Lady Hua, are we? You're lucky she's too useless to expel you herself. But don't get too comfortable. Your days in the clan are numbered."
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. Though he didn't recognize the man, he knew this type all too well, a typical Blood Jade elder, reveling in his higher status.
"Your concern is noted, Senior," Lin Xuan replied coolly. He bowed again, this time with deliberate exaggeration, before brushing past the elder and heading back toward the outskirts of the city where Lady Hua's manor lay.
The path to the manor was overgrown and unkempt, the once-proud estate now little more than a ruin. Wild spirit grass and weeds choked the courtyard, and the sound of scurrying rats echoed from the shadows. Lin Xuan sighed as he pushed open the rusted gate, its creak breaking the silence.
Inside, the manor was as he had left it. Cracked walls, shattered tiles, and an oppressive air of decay surrounded him. Yet, in the midst of this desolation, Lin Xuan felt oddly at ease. This place, as pathetic as it seemed, was still home.
"Master, I've brought food," Lin Xuan called out as he stepped into the main hall.
The overwhelming scent of wine assaulted his senses. Sprawled across a broken sofa was a woman in her early thirties, her long black hair disheveled and her crimson robe half undone. Lady Hua, the infamous "Wastrel Elder," was in her usual state of drunken stupor, clutching an empty bottle in one hand and mumbling incoherently.
"Lin Xuan… back already? Good, good. Pour me another drink…" she muttered before drifting off again.
Lin Xuan shook his head. "One day, she'll drink herself to death," he muttered. Yet, despite her flaws, Lin Xuan couldn't bring himself to resent her. Lady Hua was, after all, the only person in the Blood Jade Clan who had ever shown him kindness.
He busied himself cleaning up the room, arranging the rations neatly on the dusty table. As he worked, a soft chime echoed in his mind, and a translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
[Heavenly Dao System Installation: 99.87% Complete. Please wait…]
Lin Xuan froze, his heart pounding. After weeks of anticipation, the system was finally nearing completion. Excitement surged within him, but he forced himself to remain calm. He couldn't afford to lose focus now.
"Soon," Lin Xuan whispered to himself, a faint smile curling his lips. "Very soon."