The wind howled through the jagged peaks of the **Forbidden Valley**, carrying with it the scent of blood and decay. Wei Liang, a lowly outer disciple of the **Azure Dragon Sect**, lay broken and battered at the bottom of a ravine. His once-pristine robes were torn and stained with dirt and blood, his body a canvas of bruises and cuts. His breath came in shallow gasps, each one a struggle against the pain that wracked his body.
He had been betrayed.
The memory of the ambush flashed before his eyes. His so-called "brothers" in the sect—**Zhang Wei**, the arrogant golden boy, and **Elder Feng**, the scheming elder—had lured him here under the pretense of a mission. But it was all a ruse. They had attacked him, their faces twisted with jealousy and malice, accusing him of stealing their opportunities and overshadowing their talents.
"You were never supposed to rise above your station, Wei Liang," Zhang Wei had sneered, delivering the final blow that sent Wei tumbling into the ravine.
As Wei lay there, his vision fading, he felt a surge of anger and despair. He had dedicated his life to the Azure Dragon Sect, striving to prove himself despite his humble origins. But in the end, it had all been for nothing.
Just as darkness threatened to consume him, a voice echoed in his mind—a voice that was neither human nor divine, but something far beyond.
**[Celestial Codex System Activated.]**
Wei's eyes snapped open, his pain momentarily forgotten. A glowing interface appeared before him, filled with strange symbols and text.
**[Welcome, Host. You have been chosen to wield the Celestial Codex, a fragment of the Heavenly Dao. This system will guide you on your path to immortality and beyond.]**
Wei blinked, unsure if he was hallucinating. But the interface remained, its presence undeniable.
**[System Functions Unlocked:
1. Idle Qi Gathering: Automatically absorb qi from the environment.
2. Martial Technique Upgrades: Enhance your skills using system points.
3. Resource Collection: Gather rare materials for alchemy and forging.
4. Dungeon Exploration: Send idle clones to explore dangerous areas.]**
Wei's heart raced as he processed the information. This was no hallucination—this was real. The Celestial Codex had chosen him.
**[Initializing Host's Status...]**
**[Name: Wei Liang
Cultivation Level: Qi Condensation (Early Stage)
Martial Techniques: Basic Fist Art (Level 1), Basic Movement Art (Level 1)
System Points: 0
Qi Reserves: 10/100]**
Wei clenched his fists, a newfound determination burning in his chest. He had been given a second chance, a tool to rise above his enemies and exact his revenge.
"Zhang Wei, Elder Feng... you thought you could destroy me," Wei muttered, his voice trembling with resolve. "But you've only made me stronger."
With great effort, Wei pushed himself to his feet, his body protesting every movement. The system's interface remained visible, a constant reminder of the power now at his disposal.
**[Quest Unlocked: Survive the Forbidden Valley.
Rewards: 100 System Points, Basic Healing Pill x1.]**
Wei took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the treacherous landscape around him. The Forbidden Valley was a place of death and danger, filled with vicious beasts and deadly traps. But it was also a place of opportunity, a treasure trove of rare resources for those brave—or desperate—enough to seek them.
"Let's begin," Wei said, his voice steady.
As he took his first step, the system's idle qi gathering function activated. He felt a faint trickle of energy entering his body, slowly replenishing his depleted reserves. It was a small start, but it was enough.
Wei Liang, the betrayed disciple, was no more. In his place stood a man with a burning desire for revenge and the tools to achieve it. The path ahead would be long and fraught with danger, but Wei was ready.
The Celestial Codex had awakened, and with it, the rise of the Idle Cultivator had begun.
---
**To Be Continued...**