2 Arrived at a Dog's Den

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A moonless night is perfect for murder; a windy night invites fire. Cui Huai awoke with a numb expression in a desolate wilderness, one hand pressed against the yellow earth as he pushed himself up. Never before had his body felt so heavy.

He examined himself carefully.

Hmm, all his spiritual power was gone, and he could no longer release his divine awareness. His storage ring and his destined spirit sword were nowhere to be found; his clothing was ragged, resembling that of a beggar, and his body ached all over. What was going on?

In short, nothing felt right.

“System, what exactly have you done?” Cui Huai’s tone was dark. If it weren’t for knowing that the cultivation world’s spells couldn’t kill a system, she would have long since shattered it to bits.

The system, aware of its fault, timidly replied, “You have reverted to a pre-cultivation state, essentially returning to a mortal body. But don’t worry, this is reversible. Once the mission is complete, I can restore you with one click, instantly bringing you back to your peak.”

Well, thanks a lot. Without it, she would have stayed at her peak just fine.

Cui Huai rubbed her arms and legs, dusting off the grime from her shabby hemp clothes, then asked fiercely, “Where’s my sword? And why does my body hurt so much?”

The system awkwardly explained, “After you passed out, I controlled your body to leave Qingyun Peak, but your sword and the little fox you raised were very alert and refused to let me leave. So I placed a restriction on the mountain to lock them up, but I didn’t harm them in the slightest. Besides, the mountain has food, drink, and entertainment. Maybe they’re happier running the place while you’re out.”

Its voice grew smaller as it spoke, clearly feeling guilty.

“As for your aches, that might be because I made your body run nonstop for three days straight to reach the male lead’s sect. Some soreness is inevitable.”

Cui Huai glanced down at her shoes—good, the soles were worn thin.

Who would have thought that not long ago, she owned a mountain rich in spiritual energy, lived in a luxurious and exquisite hall, enjoyed countless treasures and wealth, and wore expensive high-grade magical robes?

Cui Huai didn’t hide her dissatisfaction and sarcasm: “If you’re so capable, why not just control me to complete the mission directly?”

“That would be cheating. Also, I don’t have the authority. I won’t be able to control you anymore afterward.”

No longer able to control her?

That was the first bit of good news Cui Huai had heard all day in a string of misfortunes. At least she wouldn’t be controlled by the system mysteriously again.

Without a plan to deal with the system yet, she had to take things step by step. Cui Huai demanded, “Return my storage ring. I want to change clothes.”

“That’s not possible. Your assets have been frozen, but the items will be returned to you slowly as rewards for completing stages of your missions.”

Using her own belongings as rewards?

Damn it, that despicable thing! She wanted to cut it down with a single sword!

Sensing Cui Huai’s anger, the system knew this was truly unethical and stammered, “Of course, aside from what you already own, if you want anything in the future, I can help you find it. Our system is fair; if you do well, you won’t be shortchanged.”

Cui Huai scoffed.

If she wanted something, she could get it by herself. She didn’t need this foolish system’s help!

“You…” Seeing Cui Huai’s disdainful look, the system was aggrieved. Actually, there was one crucial task for Cui Huai, something nearly impossible but achievable only with its assistance.

Cui Huai raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” the system swallowed the words, feeling frustrated.

Before starting the mission, many veteran systems warned it not to reveal its trump card too early; otherwise, if conflicts arose later, there’d be no room for negotiation.

Hmph. When the time comes, it would make a grand entrance, making Cui Huai regret it bitterly and tormenting her to avenge today’s contempt.

How would it torment her?

At least… she’d have to lavish it with praise for three days straight, never repeating herself!

Cui Huai thought this system was a big fool, suddenly chuckling nonstop for no reason. Even a bodiless thing like it could get hysterical?

***

Cui Huai wandered around slowly, ignoring the guidance of 003.

“This way, this way! You’re going the wrong direction. This isn’t the path to the Xiaoyao Sect.”

Cui Huai paid no heed. Walking along, she spotted a rare signpost by the roadside labeled “Mizong Pavilion.” Presumably, this was the largest faction in the area—at least they had a sign.

“Don’t take this road. The sign points this way to Mizong Pavilion.”

Cui Huai didn’t care and casually flipped the sign around, which originally pointed east but now faced west.

Pointing at the reversed sign, Cui Huai declared shamelessly, “Now, that’s where Mizong Pavilion is. Don’t bother me again. My clothes are dirty, I have no spirit stones, and I’m in a bad mood. I need to concentrate fully to find the way to Xiaoyao Sect.”

003 wanted to cry. It had predicted Cui Huai wouldn’t easily follow the mission, but hadn’t expected such rebelliousness from the start.

With her so uncooperative, how could the mission progress? If she failed, she would truly be reset and remade.

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With no choice, the system backed down: “Stop, stop! Don’t wander aimlessly. I’ll get you some clean clothes!”

***

Not long after a certain person left, a tall, graceful cultivator dressed in white approached. He glanced at the “Mizong Pavilion” sign, took a moment to straighten the slightly crooked sign, adjusting it left and right to ensure the bottom edge was parallel to the ground.

Only then did he exhale a breath and mutter to himself, “Mizong Pavilion? The word ‘Mizong’ fits my current state of not knowing where to go. I might as well explore here.”

Then he headed west.

***

Now clad in fresh clothes, Cui Huai stood before the gate of Xiaoyao Sect. Despite psychological preparation, the sect’s imposing aura still overwhelmed her.

She couldn’t help but comment, “This gate is really grand, like an actual gate.”

Calling it a gate was generous—two wooden posts supported a dilapidated signboard that looked ready to collapse. One could only vaguely make out that there were once three characters on the plaque, the exact words left to one’s imagination.

If she tried to praise the sect’s layout, it could only be said to be simple and unpretentious. Her shabby clothes oddly matched the vibe of this sect better.

Seeing Cui Huai’s reluctance, 003 sobbed pitifully, “I found clean clothes for you and even gave you a lottery draw in your storage ring. You only got a copper coin. Anyway, you promised to hurry up and complete the mission. That’s good for both of us. No backing out!”

Hurrying to complete the mission was merely a temporary strategy.

The system whined incessantly, and Cui Huai pinched her temple, muttering distractedly, “I won’t back out.”

As she crossed the sect’s threshold, the signboard suddenly fell with a crash, shattering into pieces.

Well, now the gate was just two posts.

003 focused solely on progressing the mission, ignoring the bleak scene, and promptly announced the first task:

[Join the Sect: Quickly join Xiaoyao Sect. Completion 0/1]

[Mission Reward: Swordsmanship Manual*1, Low-grade Spirit Stones*20]

***

After walking inside for some time, Cui Huai finally saw several small houses with courtyards. They weren’t shabby—at least the roofs and walls were intact. Now, her standards for Xiaoyao Sect were extremely low.

Some unimpressive trees grew in front and behind the houses, chaotically arranged and rather unsightly.

A pleasant surprise was a towering Huagai Tree standing among the jumble, its canopy like an umbrella, branches lush and full of life.

Cui Huai circled the tree, growing more pleased, touching and patting its smooth, delicate trunk.

A gust of wind rustled the leaves, and she closed her eyes, feeling refreshed.

This place wasn’t without merit. She liked this tree and planned to bring it back to Qingyun Peak once she regained her strength. For now, it would have to endure living in this backwater.

Since she couldn’t leave for a while, she decided to clear the surrounding messy trees when she had time, giving her beloved tree more space.

Reluctantly leaving the tree, Cui Huai approached a small house and noticed several people standing in the courtyard.

A young man in cyan robes with handsome features but a somewhat unruly aura saw Cui Huai and greeted her, “It’s lively today. Are you here to apprentice as well?”

His tone was upbeat, his face showing surprise and familiarity.

Cui Huai thought this person had a naive and pure demeanor, likely inexperienced with the world’s harshness.

003 thought, no wonder she’s a university student from Earth’s China, even after one or two years in the cultivation world, she still carried a clear, foolish innocence.

“Yes, I’m here to apprentice,” Cui Huai replied with her chin slightly raised, a trace of pride. A Sword Sovereign of Lingye joining such an unremarkable sect was truly a great concession.

Upon receiving confirmation, the youth’s eyes brightened. He quickly asked, “Our sect has two ways to join: one is to pay a sponsorship fee, the other is to pass a strength assessment. Which do you prefer?”

Cui Huai was puzzled. “What’s paying a sponsorship fee?”

The youth scratched his head awkwardly. “That means giving spirit stones to the sect.”

Given a choice, Cui Huai naturally opted to pay some spirit stones. People of such low strength as these couldn’t possibly assess her.

“Then I’ll pay. How much do you need?”

The youth smiled broadly, waving a hand at her. “Fifty low-grade spirit stones per year.”

Fifty spirit stones were so few they couldn’t even buy a barely edible spirit fruit—yet he had the nerve to ask.

003 immediately blared sharply in Cui Huai’s mind.

“Do you have money? Pay sponsorship? Cui Huai, you don’t have a single coin. Wait, you only have one copper coin!”

Cui Huai was stunned. She still couldn’t get used to her poverty, having been wealthy for a thousand years.

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Her raised chin lowered a few degrees; she cleared her throat and reluctantly said, “Then assess my strength.”

The youth tried to negotiate, “Forty is okay too; it’s negotiable.”

Cui Huai remained silent, shaking her head to conceal her embarrassment.

Realizing no money could be gained, the youth, though disappointed, was still eager to encourage her, “It’s fine. Not having fifty spirit stones isn’t shameful.”

Cui Huai gritted her teeth. A Sword Sovereign of Lingye unable to produce fifty spirit stones—how humiliating! Good thing no one knew who she really was.

While Cui Huai was frustrated, the youth secretly praised himself.

To be precise, this young lady didn’t even have forty spirit stones. He had generously offered an extra ten to save face.

Today was a day of high emotional intelligence—he had saved a lady’s dignity.

Jiang Xuan, well done! Applause for yourself!

***

The youth led Cui Huai into the courtyard. At the front sat a man in cyan robes, his sleeves embroidered with more edges than the youth’s, indicating he was likely a leader of Xiaoyao Sect.

The man drank tea, flanked by two others—a man and a woman.

The man wore white and had a cold, aloof expression, seeming difficult to get along with.

The woman also wore cyan robes matching the youth’s, but she had a silk-wrapped golden hairpin and ruby earrings, bright and elegant, yet not typical of a cultivator.

The youth casually said to the man in front, “Master, this young lady has come to apprentice. She wants to be assessed for joining Xiaoyao Sect. Her name is…”

He suddenly realized he hadn’t asked for her name.

Cui Huai cupped her hands and said, “I am Cui Huai. Greetings, Immortal.”

Revealing her real name was harmless; the world knew the Sword Sovereign Lingye, not Cui Huai herself.

The youth’s master nodded slightly. Before he could speak, the youth continued, “My master is Qingyan Zhenren, leader of Xiaoyao Sect. He’s powerful—recently advanced to Nascent Soul stage.”

The cultivation world had eight levels: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Void Traverse, Great Ascension, and Tribulation Crossing.

A few days ago, Cui Huai was in Tribulation Crossing stage; with effort she could ascend soon, but now she was reduced to a mortal.

Qingyan Zhenren, as leader of an obscure small sect, was sufficiently powerful at Nascent Soul stage.

Judging by the situation, Xiaoyao Sect was quite informal. In contrast, the Wuyazi Sect was strictly hierarchical; disciples would never behave so casually before their masters.

Qingyan Zhenren smiled wryly, had the youth step aside to join the female cultivator, then addressed Cui Huai, “I see you haven’t entered the Dao yet. What are you skilled at?”

Cui Huai answered without hesitation, “Swordsmanship.”

Qingyan Zhenren wasn’t surprised she chose the sword path.

In the cultivation world, a millennium ago, the Sword Sovereign Lingye single-handedly shattered the demon clan’s lair and forced the troublemaking Demon Sovereign into hiding in the abyss. Since then, no one dared challenge his position as the world’s strongest.

After Lingye’s fame spread, the swordsmanship tradition flourished; more people took up the sword. After all, looking cool was a lifelong matter. He himself had chosen the sword for that reason.

Thinking this, Qingyan Zhenren took out a low-grade trial sword stone from his storage bag.

“If you can leave a mark on this stone with your mortal body, I will accept you as my disciple.”

At the mention of swordsmanship, Cui Huai’s innate arrogance surfaced. She confidently said, “That’s nothing.”

Her words caught the attention of the others present.

Such confidence—could it be that the immortal concealed his true skill and she was a sword prodigy?

Cui Huai prepared to show off her skills and teach these country bumpkins what true swordsmanship was.

Just as her ambition rose, she realized her hands felt empty.

Oh, right—she had no sword.

Even with her previous power, she could shatter this stone with just her finger as a sword. Why bother with a sword?

Before her valor could be recalled fully, the female cultivator beside her asked with concern, “Do you want more time to prepare?”

Cui Huai clenched her fists, pried open her tightly sealed lips, and forced out a voice through her teeth, “Can anyone lend me a sword to use?”