Chapter 1: The Lingyuan Sect

Qingling Mountain, Lingyuan Sect.

One of the twenty-four star-ranked powers in Yunchuan Prefecture.

A young man lay prone by the lakeshore, staring blankly at his own reflection.

He was a handsome youth, bearing an extraordinary aura—had he been in the modern world, he would surely have been a celebrity with countless fans. But at this moment, his brow was furrowed with worry.

“It’s been three days since I arrived in this world, and I’ve finally gotten used to everything.

“But today is the root bone test. What if I give myself away?

“If anyone finds out I’m a transmigrator, won’t they capture me and dissect me for research?”

The young man came from China, and his real name was Qingxi.

After unexpectedly arriving in this world, he discovered he had mysteriously mastered the local language and script, filling him with a strange sensation.

It was as if he belonged here all along.

“Ding! The Supreme Assistant System is activating and beginning the binding process!”

Just then, a sweet and melodious female voice sounded, making Qingxi gasp.

“System binding?”

“Is this for real?”

As a modern man, he was all too familiar with the so-called omnipotent systems.

From the moment he arrived in this world, he’d been fantasizing about when his own system would appear.

And now, on the eve of the crucial root bone test, the system had finally arrived!

But to Qingxi’s surprise, he didn’t feel the anticipated surge of comfort during the binding process.

“Binding successful. I am the Supreme Assistant System. You may call me ‘Little Helper.’”

Hearing this, Qingxi couldn’t help but grow excited.

It was here—it really came!

“Little Piglet?”

“What about my newbie gift pack?”

In response, Little Helper chuckled. “Honorable host, I am Little Helper—‘Helper’ as in assistant, not piglet!”

“Oh…”

Qingxi elongated his reply. “That’s not important. What I want to know is—where’s my newbie gift pack?”

Little Helper replied with a hint of pride, “Host, you’ve read too many novels. Where would a newbie gift pack come from?

“If you must have a gift, you were born with incomplete five elements. I’ve just completed them for you. That’s already the most considerate starter gift.”

Little Helper’s words made Qingxi’s expression change. “Incomplete five elements… Do you mean the original me couldn’t cultivate?”

Having lived in this world for three days, he knew well that only those with spiritual roots could cultivate.

And the primary requirement for the birth of a spiritual root was to possess all five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

“That was close!”

“Now that my five elements are complete, it means I have a spiritual root. Otherwise, if I were found to lack one during the test, I’d be doomed to spend my life as a lowly menial disciple.”

Qingxi let out a sigh of relief, thinking how close he’d come to disaster.

Little Helper teased, “Don’t get too happy yet, host. According to the system’s scan, your current spiritual root is defective. Without a great opportunity, even reaching the thirtieth level of Qi Refining would be a miracle in this life.”

“What?”

“A defective spiritual root?”

Qingxi was stunned.

That was the poorest spiritual root possible.

In the history of cultivation, those with defective spiritual roots could at best reach the twenty-fifth level of Qi Refining.

If they were slightly more fortunate, perhaps the thirtieth.

As for condensing Qi into true essence and becoming an Innate—an expert with the title “Great Master”—that was nothing more than a pipe dream.

“No, wait!”

“You said ‘without a great opportunity’!”

“But I have the system now—doesn’t that count as a great opportunity?”

“Little Helper, what functions does the system have?”

To Qingxi’s question, Little Helper’s sweet voice sounded like heavenly music. “Though I am merely an assistant system, I am of the highest quality. While most of my permissions are still locked, I can more than meet your current needs.

“The first function is ‘Scan.’ You can discern the information of any object, and as your cultivation rises, so will the detail and scope.

“At your current level, with no cultivation, the Scan function can only provide basic data on objects within your sight.

“If you don’t believe me, try looking around.”

Following Little Helper’s introduction, Qingxi’s gaze fell upon a massive boulder by the lake, about three feet tall.

Several lines of text immediately appeared on the rock.

[Type: Dragon-veined Bluestone]

[Weight: Three thousand catties]

[Note: An ordinary bluestone, but containing dragon veins within. Holds a wisp of spiritual energy. Absorbing it would grant three days’ worth of arduous cultivation. However, as the host has not begun cultivating, absorption is currently impossible.]

Qingxi found the function rather useful and turned to look at a large tree.

[Type: Horsetail Pine]

[Age: 143 years]

[Note: Though an ordinary horsetail pine, its wood is exceptionally sturdy—an excellent choice for making furniture. Of course, given its girth, it could easily serve as the host’s coffin as well.]

At the last line, Qingxi couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

“Little Helper, you’re quite the character.”

“I’m just lightening the mood!” Little Helper replied without a hint of guilt.

Afterward, Qingxi examined himself.

[Race: Human]

[Name: Qingxi]

[Identity: Host of the Supreme Assistant System]

[Age: 16]

[Spiritual Root: Defective]

[Level: None]

[Lifespan: 99 years]

Seeing the final line, Qingxi pursed his lips in displeasure. “To think I took such good care of myself so young, and I’ll only live to ninety-nine… Little Helper, are you messing with me?”

Little Helper imagined rolling her eyes, then said, “If you weren’t in the cultivation world with such fresh air, with your constitution you’d be lucky to reach eighty.”

Qingxi opened his mouth, at a loss for words.

Little Helper comforted him, “But don’t worry, host. Once you draw spiritual energy into your body and become a Qi Refining cultivator, your lifespan will increase to a hundred years.”

Qingxi’s mouth twitched.

To think that stepping into Qi Refining would only add a single year of life?

They say cultivation grants longevity, but it seems to be a lie.

This world might be a lie too.

Even this system is probably a lie!

Everything is a lie!

I haven’t transmigrated at all!

This is just an unrealistic dream!

If I just jump off a cliff, I should wake up.

Yes, that must be it!

Qingxi couldn’t help but mutter inwardly, even starting to look for a cliff.

Little Helper: “Now that we’re bound, host, I can sense your every thought. Best set aside those reckless ideas.”

Qingxi: “…”

After some practice, he quickly grew familiar with the Scan function.

Anything within his vision could be scanned with a thought, revealing detailed information.

Some objects contained traces of spiritual energy; absorbing them could save days of arduous cultivation.

Most things, however, were just mundane items in the cultivation world, nothing special.

“What a pity—I haven’t begun cultivating, so even if an object contains spiritual energy, I can’t absorb it.”

Qingxi felt as though he’d missed out on countless riches.

To see but not to use—that was the harshest torment.

With his current defective spiritual root, even if he became a disciple of the Lingyuan Sect, he’d never reach the Innate stage in this lifetime.

But if he could absorb the spiritual energy from these objects, his cultivation would improve rapidly.

Even with a poor spiritual root, he might still have a chance to become a true master.

Little Helper smiled mysteriously. “Don’t be impatient, host. As soon as you draw spiritual energy into your body and become a Qi Refining cultivator, you’ll be able to absorb that energy—and unlock the second function.”

Qingxi was instantly intrigued. “What’s the second function?”

“No spoilers!” Little Helper refused with righteous indignation. “If you want to know, reach the first level of Qi Refining.”

“Fine. The root bone test starts today anyway. With my defective spiritual root, I’ll still get a basic cultivation method and some Qi Condensing Pills. I’ll reach the first level of Qi Refining soon enough.”

With this thought, Qingxi began to feel that even a defective spiritual root wasn’t so bad—at least it would allow him to pass the root bone test and become an official disciple of the Lingyuan Sect.

Dong!

Dong!

Dong!

A long, resonant bell rang out, echoing through the mountains and valleys.

Qingxi raised an eyebrow. “So the root bone test is starting early—speak of the devil, indeed.”

He took a step toward the Hall of Root Bone.

[New book launch! The tone of this story is lighthearted—I hope it brings a smile to your face.]

[Please recommend and add to your collection!]