" Wugu Li.."
'holy cow what f-beep is happening, first I'm being kidnapped and now....I'm forced to foster a child!??', Though no matter how ominous and confusing the situation, Ling Gaofeng kept his mind revolving around his plan.. do not get distracted.
Everything was in fact laughable, this world, himself, and the novel itself... also the plot twist he never anticipated to meet.
He knew he was cooked, cooked to the brim with left toasted bread crumbs alongside a dessert of oatcake.
One moment he was busy pondering, and another minute ago he was cradling the little Wugu Li or perhaps his foster daughter now... what a way to twist the story man.
*Ding!*
'oh hell nah'
[Chapter 3: Linked Strings]
'what the hell does Linked strings even mean'
A new chapter was offered, it was not the same as from the original book, as always. Ling Gaofeng remembered how the book went, in order to escape from his cruel end hell need to walk towards a new route and that is to avoid anyone with malicious aura.
One way or another, he gotta need someone to take care of the child and at the same time Lengge would definitely like the idea of a new addition to their small family although it's not like Ling Gaofeng knows how to take care of a child, he doesn't have space for children in his heart, Ling Gaofeng sees children as troublesome...well Lengge was an exception.
"damn it, young Wugu Li what am i supposed to do with you? first i thought i still have a day before i could meet you small little jasmine and now instead of Madam Wugu who you should have met, you're given to me instead...tsk!"
Ling Gaofeng couldn't do anything about the fact that 'Wugu Li' is his 'responsibility' now, of course he's not letting the small jasmine to stay under his care, he knew he's not gonna be i mean- will never be a good father figure for the child. The area were silent, with no one around which is even more weird that it should be, he was kidnapped and now where were his kidnappers?, Ling Gaofeng still needed to be cautious if he wants to survive and strive forward. His heat beats faster, he knew something was wrong, there was something behind the door and once he tried to open it he knew every ways he could fall into his demise.
'I'm f-beep-ed',
The ominous atmosphere was getting stronger, as if the whole place were danger itself. He had an infant with him, he can't defend both of them at the same time, battle is inevitable in this kind of situation so he must consider his plans before jumping into action.
Ling Gaofeng took a step forward, the infant was still asleep, the wind blows stronger like a warning to what's behind the door. The temperature of the room was getting colder each second passes, the sound of the floor beneath Ling Gaofeng's boots creaks each step he took, his nervousness was palpable and his hands started trembling with unknown reason.
When his slender fingers reached the chunk of smooth wood he slowly slides the door to the left, when Ling Gaofeng opened the door he was greeted by the sight of a scenery, the once ominous atmosphere quickly disappeared turned into a dreamy, and childhood like vibes.
The meadow unfolded like a canvas of gold, green, and crimson, as if the sky itself had descended to earth. Soft, whispery grasses swayed in the gentle breeze, like a chorus of ethereal dancers. Wildflowers of every hue—amber, amethyst, and rose—sprinkled the landscape, their delicate petals shimmering like stardust.
In the distance, a sentinel of the ages stood watch. An ancient tree, its gnarled branches twisted by the whims of time, rose from the earth like a nature-sculpted cathedral. Its bark was rough and weathered, etched with the lines of countless seasons. The tree's leaves, a deep, burnished green, rustled softly, sharing secrets with the wind.
As the sun began its slow descent, the meadow was bathed in a warm, honey-gold light. The sky transformed into a kaleidoscope of pinks, oranges, and purples, a breathtaking sunset that seemed to reverberate deep within the soul. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers and the earthy smell of damp soil.
The ancient tree, now silhouetted against the vibrant sky, seemed to be absorbing the colors of the sunset, its branches infused with an otherworldly glow. The atmosphere was alive with an almost palpable sense of magic, as if the meadow was a threshold to a realm beyond the mundane.
In this enchanted landscape, time itself seemed to slow, allowing the beauty of the moment to seep deep into the heart. The meadow, the ancient tree, and the sunset blended into a dreamlike tapestry, a fleeting glimpse of eternity that would linger long after the stars appeared in the night sky.
Ling Gaofeng stood in awe of the scene before his very own eyes, it was colorful like a rainbow after the heavy rain of the gloomy skies, he thought the next seconds he opens the door it'll be the death of him despite of those wanton thoughts he was greeted by the opposite,
'did my guts lied to me? or did i watch too much horror movies??, probably the cause of too much caffeine'
Ling Gaofeng sighed in relief, his trembling nerves finally calmed down. He stepped out of the house and strayed away.
In the distance, when Ling Gaofeng was out of the view, the dreamlike scenery was quickly replaced by a gruesome scene,
The air was heavy with the stench of blood and sweat, the only sounds the labored breathing of the lone survivor and the eerie creaking of armor battered beyond recognition. Amidst the carnage, one man stood, his figure silhouetted against the bleak, grey sky like a specter of war.
His armor, once polished and proud, now hung in tattered, dented shards, a testament to the ferocity of his fight. His sword, its blade notched and smeared with the remnants of his foes, trembled in his grasp, the only sign of the exhaustion that threatened to consume him.
The ground around him was a charnel house, the bodies of his enemies strewn about like discarded dolls. The earth was slick with blood, the metallic tang of it hanging in the air like a miasma. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the faint whispers of the dying and the creaking of twisted metal.
The lone man's eyes, sunken and blank, scanned the horizon, his gaze lingering on the faces of the fallen people, his eyes drifted and caught the glimpse of a man wearing white robes in the distance, his head tilted to the sides watching the man behind his shoulder. His breath came in ragged gasps, his chest heaving with the effort of drawing air into his battered lungs.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the battlefield in a sickly, yellowish hue, the lone man closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling with a slow, deliberate breath.
"... "
Ling Gaofeng finally arrived at madam Wugu's house, he was exhausted- very exhausted from all the walking his feet done. He slowly placed the basket down and stretched his arms above his head, his bladder was giving him signals he needed release. Ling Gaofeng immediately walked away and went behind a tree to take his time, there was no one on the road so the infant shouldn't be kidnapped any time.
On the other hand, the infant stirred awake, her face turned distorted with her forehead wrinkled and face all red, silence wavered and sooner was followed by the infant's endless cries. Ling Gaofeng immediately heard it and placed his robes back heading to madam Wugu's doorway- he was late... Madam Wugu already picked up the child and hurried inside carrying the child and locking her door. Ling Gaofeng face palmed himself and stood behind the tree for longer than he should be.
When Ling Gaofeng finally got home, Lengge sauntered over him, the teen's face were contorted with confusion and worry about the older man. Ling Gaofeng told the young man he's fine and nothing's to worry about.
"Big brother!! the higher mountain was attacked! lot of people died even the elder of the temple! big brother you've been gone for three days!", Lengge expressed his worries to Ling Gaofeng as he held the older man's arms while his head was low not daring to look up at the man's face.
"what!?? 3 days?!! wait- attacked? attacked by whom?",
" Lengge doesn't know it yet but big brother should be careful next time, Lengge doesn't want to worry about big brother again"
Ling Gaofeng didn't noticed anything unsual when he stepped down from the higher peak, well there was actually one- and that is when he was kidnapped and tied up to a post for three days. And the arrival of Wugu Li was rather late than advance, the book never mentioned about a man placing the basket in front of Madam Wugu's house so it's probably the effects of him existing inside the novel.
The weird tab haven't bugged him this time, he knows the next chapter would definitely be another worrisome. The higher mountain was attacked meaning it was still part of the previous chapter, the tab haven't popped up in front of his face to say 'successfully finished' or 'chapter ended'.
Ling Gaofeng's suspicion grows each time passes, the days were passing by so quickly —and everything he loses unconsciousness it was always 2 to 3 days after he woke up. He doesn't know what was happening since it was happening all very quickly.
Ling Gaofeng looked back at Lengge who was looking at him strangely,
"is big brother alright? you look pale", Lengge placed a hand on Ling Gaofeng's temple feeling the older man's temperature.
" you're a bit cold than usual",
"than usual??"
"hm"
'Come to think of it, I haven't seen Wugu Ye i wonder what he's doing in this kind of times —'
*Ding!*
[System: We are sorry for intrusion Player 00012499. We have completed loading the data from the original timeline, dare to skip your current progress of continue?]
['Yes' or 'No']
"Why would i want to meet the protagonist!?? of course no! second of all i have a lot of questions what the heck do you mean by system?? am i under some technological experiments? like the neuro—link chip!????"
[System: No, Player 00012499. We assure you of safe travel here, yet you may encounter dangerous events and activities. System will grant you answer whatever Player 00012499 inquires]
"Am i dead? how am i alive!?, is this some kind of transmigration like in the novels???? i thought it's all fictional"
[System: You are still alive and living, in reality you may be dead even if your body is already cremated. You lucky to be granted another chance to live once again, aren't you a fortunate one player? System will help you with your needs...loading ◌... Success.. opening purchasable items.]
A large blue-ish tab opened beside Ling Gaofeng, The tab was larger than the System's and there were silhouettes of unknown items in every row, slowly each 2 unknown items in every row materializes.
[System: Available items includes: Talisman, Ocean's key, siren's scale, common bamboo flute, jade bowl, and Phoenix hairpin]
"what about foods, skills and weapons??? I don't even know if most of these items are useful for me especially jade bowl, i could probably sold it right?"
[System: Player 00012499's skills=
Locked: ???,???,???,???, Umbrella fountain, Shape shifting,???,???,???,??? ]
Ling Gaofeng stared at the two available skills he have, other than sword art these two are unknown to him. Shape shifting sounds cool, he thought once again if shape shifting was the one he used weeks ago in the cave, possibly it was.
On the other hand, his surrounding was inanimate, stopped in time. He was sure it was because of the System.
Ling Gaofeng cleared his throat and spoke once again, he was curious if he could cultivate or enter one of the peaks in the book.
[System: Certainly! the Players are allowed to do whatever they wants but Players still have limitations. For instance, you cannot kill the main characters in the early chapters, second you may cultivate or even become the emperor or as the leader of one of the peaks!, You can become anything or anyone, but do not forget that a cultivator's actions affects their future. Your fate is not yet written, meaning you are the one who must write it but be careful Player 00012499 the plot is now easy to avoid. ]
"As the saying goes..if something must happen then it will happen, okay look i get it but why is this happening to me? except for the fact that I'm given a chance to live again but rather inside the novel"
[System: Notice... System cannot answer such questions beyond programmed data]
"ehhh???????????"
[System: I can only provide relevant information in your journey—beware! Incoming danger!]
"YOU SAID YOU CAN HELP ME—the heck do you mean by danger"
*swoosh!*
"!???"
The hilt of the sword almost touched Ling Gaofeng's skin, he managed to swiftly move to his sides before the sword reaches his nape. Ling Gaofeng's eyes drifted towards the young man wearing red robes, his hair was neatly tied up in a bun with a silver dragon hairpin securing his hair. The teen looked up at Ling Gaofeng with a proud smile and held his sword tighter around his grasp.
"This disciple is very happy to see master, Master is truly impressive!", Wugu Ye remarks.
Ling Gaofeng raised a brow at the teen out of confusion, Wugu Ye's entrance were timely with the System's disappearance. Ling Gaofeng never forgot to wear his usual stoic expression in front of the others. He turned at Wugu Ye and approached the young man.
"Hmm i must say, Xiao—Ye is improving fast...Did the manual i gave helped you?"
"Indeed Master! This disciple practiced everyday!... I also have something to announce master"
"continue"
"There's a new addition to our family master, her name is Wugu Li! mother found her right in front of our house, mother said she'll take care of the poor Li", Wugu Ye explained happily, he seems to be very glad to meet his little sister or let's say step-sister.
Wugu Ye enjoyed chatting with his master, he kept asking Ling Gaofeng to teach him more and advice him on what else he should improve. Ling Gaofeng never understood Wugu Ye's intention, He always observed Wugu Ye in the past days to be very eager to learn probably because he wanted to be strong and able to join one of the highly respected peaks like Meng Mountain and Qingfeng Peak.
Ling Gaofeng never tried to ask Wugu Ye since it was already stated in the book that Wugu Ye became a disciple of the sect Emei Snow Mountain, where his supposed master, Bai Xuelien taught him the ways of Ice lotus style. Wugu Ye's intrusion between Ling Gaofeng and System fell into gaps for hours until Wugu Ye left after their practice.
Ling Gaofeng gave Wugu Ye another manual for him to practice, he'll meet him again after a week.
When Wugu Ye left, the system popped up once again which left Ling Gaofeng baffled.
[System: 15 S points for Player 00012499, and a reward of 25 stardust]
"What's that for??"
[System: Everytime Player improves relationship with a certain character, you will be rewarded. Conquest and quests will be available after Player hit the maximum stats needed for the ascension, your level is currently Level C, each level ranging from lowest to highest: F to S, F being the lowest and C, B, and A being a high rank while S is when a cultivator reaches divination or so called immortal stats.]
"This is very troublesome, if only you said that in the first place i wouldn't be dilly-dallying from time to time so what am i supposed to do right now?"
[System: Jin Xin is only known for his name but not his physical appearance, Jin Xin has a special class and was once a disciple of the former infamous elemental emperor of Jade Emperor Mountain. As for the player, Jin Xin remains young in physical despite of his old age, System suggests to apply as a disciple of the current elemental emperor of Jade Emperor Mountain. ]
"hmm that may be a good way to start but how am i supposed to enter the sect? any tips??"
[System: Activate Skill 'Water teleportation' or known as the 'Heart of the sea'. Wherever you want to wander, the sea will always carry you afloat to the wanders beneath the skies. ]
"Wait i thought there were only two available skills?"
[System: Available is different from activated, Heart of the sea was the first one to be used and System recognized it]
"Make sense i guess but wait, Ican't just teleport out of nowhere"
[System: Every sects only investigate backgrounds of every peak adepts before sending them to the annual test, Player 00012499 will need someone with high position in order to enter the test]
Ling Gaofeng sighed, he placed his hand on his temple and groaned from frustration. He hated doing a lot of works, he's the type who procrastinate a lot rather than finishing his assigned projects. Ling Gaofeng looked behind him, he knew someone is watching him from behind, and that someone is Lengge.
"Come out Lengge, I know you're watching me",
When Ling Gaofeng called out Lengge, the teen immediately left his hideout and ran towards Ling Gaofeng like a puppy who missed it's owner.
" Lengge wants to ask big brother, why is brother Yu calling big brother master?", Lengge's sweet voice rang through Ling Gaofeng's ears. Not to be a creep but he loves hearing the sweet voices of children especially their innocent laughter, which reminds him of his baby sister whom he never get to grow up with.
"ah brother Ye wanted to learn how to fight using a sword and... he wanted to be strong"
....
"I want to be strong too, can big brother teach Lengge as well?", Lengge tugged Ling Gaofeng's sleeves and looked up at him with his big brown eyes.
Ling Gaofeng knew he can't deny Lengge's pleas or else the teen would get jealous of Ye.
With a heavy sigh Ling Gaofeng just nodded and patted the young man's head, Lengge smiled widely, his eyes sparkled with different kind emotions.
The sun left sooner, replaced by the tranquility brought by the moon in the sky. Ling Gaofeng was outside the bamboo house, watching the skies above like a predator watching it's prey behind the grasses. The sky was oddly beautiful compared to his world, it was colorful and clear unlike to the sky he grew up with.
"Hey System, if i died in this world...that would only mean I'd actually vanish isn't?"
Ling Gaofeng exhaled heavily, his eyes closed and his breathing became light. He waited for the System to reply to his question even though he already knew the answer.
Ling Gaofeng opened his eyes once again and gazed back at the open door of the house. He doesn't know what to feel, everything was fast and all he knows is that he is still alive, kicking his feet and breathing freely. He would easily accept his death from his previous world, but now it's different.
It felt odd for him to feel so complicated about dying, he already died so what's more he can lose. At the same time, he wanted to live and enjoy living even if he have to stay in this world forever he'll gladly accept it as a gift rather than a punishment. While relapsing, Ling Gaofeng heard rumors about the murder crime once again, another victim was found dead inside their home. Ling Gaofeng doesn't want to stick his nose to where it doesn't belong anymore, he was tired and he was unsure if he'll be able to wake up if he got kidnapped once again.
'Right, who kidnapped me anyway? who was that guard who stopped me in my tracks', Ling Gaofeng sat on the long wood chair and placed his arms atop his knees while his hands was placed beneath his jaw.
'damn that kidnapper, I'll definitely torture him this time if i encountered him again'
"...."
"....."
"System?", Ling Gaofeng called out in his mind.
"Hey, System yohoooo"
"Do systems sleeps as well? HEY!!! stop ignoring me you f***ing anomaly!?"
[System: Invalid reasoning]
"eh?"
[System: Scanning the area...A presence was observed, seek shelter immediately]
Ling Gaofeng raised a brow at the System's sudden announcement though Ling Gaofeng stood up abruptly and headed back inside, he didn't feel like someone was outside watching him, it totally creeped him out.
Inside the room, he was sleeping besides Lengge who's already asleep, snoring in his dreams. Ling Gaofeng wants to sleep as well, although sleep doesn't want him.
He turned at his sides multiple times, right to left and left to right. He couldn't sleep no matter what he does, he tried asking System for help but nothing replied to him. Ling Gaofeng felt a shiver down his spine, it was probably the wind he thought. A low creak was heard and Ling Gaofeng immediately sits down,
The room's door was closed and locked, the intruder wouldn't be able to open it anyway. Ling Gaofeng heard another creak and this time System finally appeared with a news he never anticipated to know.
[System: Chapter 3 will begin, fight for yourselves]
'the f*** does that means!??', Ling Gaofeng turned to his left side, Lengge was still asleep. He forcefully tugged at the teen's sleeves, forcing the senses out of him ot wake up. When Lengge slowly wakes up, Ling Gaofeng immediately stood up and took his sword from the cabinet besides the bed. He grasped at the holder tightly, a sheen of sweat dropped from his forehead down to his cheeks. wait...he haven't even sweat yet...
Ling Gaofeng slowly looked up, his eyes turned haunted and wide from the creature just above him. It finally appeared but to his luck, the murderer wasn't a mortal but a beast.
He lost his vision once again, he could hear his own pulse and his heart was beating rapidly. He was numbed by the sight, he couldn't see as well, is this now he'll die for the second time? it sounded stupid for him, though the sight of the beast's grotesque form shook his existence out of Jin Xin's body.
He could hear what was happening, yet couldn't see. He heard Lengge crying out his name, I mean his pet fish's name.
Ling Gaofeng snapped out of his thoughts, finally his vision came back.
"Jin Xin?", A voice of a man called out, Ling Gaofeng looked behind him and when he turned to his back he saw a man wearing a black robe, hair was loose with a swept bangs to his left.
" hmm?", Ling Gaofeng was confused, even more confused when he realized he wasn't inside the bamboo house anymore but in the same meadow he walked to out from the abandoned house while carrying Wugu Li.
The sun was was about to set down which added even more aesthetic to the scenery. He turned his attention fully to the man, a porcelain like skin with a thin plump lips with eyes like sun rays, Ling Gaofeng was at awe of the man's appearance as if the man in front of him was a god.
"Who are you?", Ling Gaofeng asked as he took a step back, he feels odd about the man in front of him. Even though the man looks ethereal he knew better than to fall into traps.
"What has gotten into you Jin Xin? I thought you won't forget about me huh? You're such a little liar isn't? Don't worry I'm not mad, just a little displeased about our second meeting",
" s-second??", Ling Gaofeng couldn't believe the man in front him, they met already? it was impossible as for Ling Gaofeng who knew exactly the place of someone he knows. And this someone was a no one and a stranger.
The man in black robes crinkled his nose and furrowed his brows as if expressing disdain to Ling Gaofeng,
"You're not him..."
Their surrounding gradually turned into a desert, a place filled nothing but sand and bones of those who dared to walk against the impossible. Ling Gaofeng took another step behind while maintaining contact with the man, he could feel the immense energy from the other one and he knew he won't be able to stop this man but he have to try somehow.
'first i was haunted by that creature and now this crazy man??, is this my luck?? why do i keep attracting danger',
Ling Gaofeng cleared his throat and stopped from taking any movement.
"I am Jin Xin, Who else would i be?",
Those words rang through the man's ears, he couldn't believe him at first but when his ability to track lies approved that this man wasn't lying about being Jin Xin made him confused, utterly ridiculed at the idea of it.
On the contrary, Ling Gaofeng was shaking internally as he gripped on his robes tightly, his palms were sweating hard. The man sauntered over him with unknown intentions, he extended his arm mid air with his fingers centimeters away from Ling Gaofeng's cheeks.
Ling Gaofeng froze on his spot, he could feel his bladder was about to explode which added to his nervousness even more. He was already shaking and every second that passes it kept getting worse.
" If you truly are Jin Xin then...",
Ling Gaofeng's eyes almost fall out of his eye sockets when the man pulled him against the other's embrace, their lips crashed against each other's in a slow motion, the time itself seemed to slow with them. Ling Gaofeng almost peed in his pants when the illusion finally ended. He blinked multiple times, seeing he was lying on the bed while Lengge was still asleep beside him. The sun was already soaring high which made Ling Gaofeng totally lose his mind.
*Ding!*
[System: Chapter 3 completed, Congrats Player! Here's your rewards for completing the first, second, and third chapter]
*Ding!*
[System: Inventory Unlocked! You can now stock items in your hidden inventory!]
"Are you sure it's not another useless skill!? Can that inventory even hold my piss!?"
*Ding!*
[System: Original timeline will start after 15 days]
"eh? What do you mean? Wugu Li is still an infant and the protagonist is still 4 years old???! how is that possible that the original timeline will start as soon as— wait isn't the final test of the peak adepts will be... are you trying to say the story will rotate around h-him!??"
[System: Confirming Ling Gaofeng's theory, the story may have been altered meaning the future is vague from the view although the original plot is inevitable the timelines will be altered in every action player decides to, Player have to be more cautious and alert]
"So looks like I'll have to change plans, Wugu Ye you're onto something and i might need to take my eyes on you for awhile".