Two days later, in the Exchange Square, the system prompt echoed through the air.
[Time is up. Derivative world: Assassin Wu Liuqi is now opening. The derivative world will be reset. Timeline refreshing... complete. 0.03 ounces of temporal-spatial energy consumed.][Due to the consumption of 0.03 ounces of temporal-spatial energy, the contractor's minimum performance rating in this world must reach Grade C.]
Hearing the announcement, Qin Fu instinctively clutched the back of his head, trying to shake off the rising pressure.A heavy thud followed inside his skull—then everything went black.
When he came to, he was lying on a velvet sofa inside a spacious villa.
Qin Fu blinked, dazed. "Where…?" The surroundings were unfamiliar, silent except for the hum of the air.
Mana stirred faintly beneath his skin. He was about to move when a faint shimmer flared up—a transparent light curtain enclosing him in a glowing sphere.
Right. The entry-barrier protection. Standard when entering a new world.
He glanced at the countdown hovering in front of him: 4 minutes 37 seconds.
"Paradise," he called into the air, "am I the only one here? Why don't I see any other contractors?"
[The system has detected that the Hunter's strength exceeds that of other contractors. To preserve balance, the Hunter will be released separately.]
Qin Fu's expression darkened with exasperation. "Separate release again… great."
Still, he used the remaining minutes to recall the plotline of Assassin Wu Liuqi. If this villa wasn't part of Xuanwu Kingdom's territory, then he must have spawned on Chicken Island—but who knew which part? The map of this world was massive, and finding the violator without clues could be hellish.
He sighed and sat cross-legged on the marble floor to meditate.
Just then, the villa's door creaked open.
A bald old man stepped out slowly, broom in hand, sweeping the walkway as if Qin Fu didn't exist.
At that moment, translucent panels appeared before Qin Fu—World Information loading in.
[Entering World: Assassin Wu Liuqi]World Difficulty: Lv. 3 – Difficult (adjusted for normal contractor standards)World Source Progress: 0% (Progress increases through exploration or interactions. Final evaluation is based on difficulty and completion.)World Overview: A continent where assassins dominate the surface—but deeper forces stir beneath. Martial arts, technology, and supernatural abilities coexist in uneasy harmony. This is a whimsical yet perilous world...Main Quest: Join either the League of Assassins or a national faction. Subsequent quests will unlock after allegiance.Hunting Mission: Eliminate Violator Contractor #13241. The hunting system will auto-activate once the target enters a one-kilometer radius.Warning: Revealing any information about "Paradise" in this world will trigger immediate execution.Note: This world's main questline is chain-linked. After completing three main quests, return to Reincarnation Paradise becomes available (hunters must complete their hunting mission). Completing additional main quests improves the final evaluation.Language Protocol: 100 Paradise Coins deducted. Hunter now fluent in the native language.
World Initialization Complete.
[Main Quest (1): Choice]Difficulty: Lv. 3Objective: Join the League of Assassins or the State by any means.Duration: 48 hoursFailure Penalty: Immediate execution.
The blue panels dissolved. Qin Fu rubbed his temples, muttering, "So it's the State or the League… let's deal with what's in front of me first."
The countdown hit zero. The light curtain around him shattered like glass, and the Secret Scepter materialized in his hand, pulsing faintly.
The bald old man froze mid-sweep. With a sharp motion, he flicked his broom—sending a dried leaf whistling through the air like a dagger.
Qin Fu didn't flinch. The leaf halted an inch before his forehead, quivering in the air before dropping harmlessly to the floor.
Seeing his mana drop by thirty points in an instant, Qin Fu felt a chill ripple through his chest.
What's with this bald old man…?
The elder's gravelly voice cut through the courtyard air.
"Who are you, young one, that you could sneak into Meishan Villa right under this old man's nose?"He squinted sharply, broom in hand. "A rare talent indeed! But if you can't explain yourself—don't blame me for being merciless!"
Before his words even settled, a fierce pressure burst from the old man like a crashing tide. The fallen leaves scattered across the courtyard trembled and lifted from the ground in waves.
Qin Fu narrowed his eyes, muttering under his breath, "Meishan Villa…?"
He rose to his feet and gave a courteous bow."Senior, my name is Void. I've long admired Master Mei, and I came today solely to pay my respects. I hope you can forgive my intrusion."
The old man studied Qin Fu's polite expression and, against his better judgment, felt a flicker of goodwill. But duty was duty—he couldn't just let a stranger wander in untested.
Raising his broom, he declared solemnly,"Boy, it's bad manners to come uninvited. Today, I'll teach you what etiquette truly means!"
His eyes sharpened, breath drawing deep."The first form of the Qingyun Flowing Water Sword—Qingluan Flying Sword!"
With a shout, the surrounding leaves exploded into motion. They spun upward, merging into the form of a massive azure bird that dove at Qin Fu, its blade-like wings slicing through the air with terrifying speed and precision—clearly a technique worthy of Meishan Villa.
Facing the incoming sword aura, Qin Fu stayed calm. He lifted his Secret Scepter, and silvery-gray energy rippled out around him.
"Power of the Void—Cang!""Power of the Void—Blue Derivation: Teleportation!"
A black hole blossomed before him, swallowing the Qingluan whole. Without pausing, Qin Fu shifted the space between himself and the villa's main hall.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished—reappearing before the grand entrance.
The bald elder froze mid-stance, cold sweat beading on his brow. His left sleeve had been shredded clean through. The arrogance from before drained from his face, replaced by grim respect.
If that last strike had landed head-on… I'd be dead. This boy's strength rivals even the Villa Master's!
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.
Qin Fu frowned slightly, readying his scepter again."Cang—"
Before he could complete the spell, a sharp killing intent erupted from the hall behind him.
A sword's cry split the air, so intense it felt like it could tear his soul apart. Qin Fu's pupils contracted—he twisted space and flashed back into the courtyard.
The moment he landed, he saw it: a longsword embedded where he'd stood, its blade still humming violently. Though it looked like an ordinary weapon, the aura it carried was anything but.
A measured footstep echoed from the hall.
A middle-aged man in blue-and-white robes emerged, calm and composed. As he placed his hand gently upon the sword, the humming ceased, and the killing aura dispersed like mist.
"Little one," the man said mildly, "breaking into my villa uninvited and injuring my steward—don't you think that's a bit much?"
Qin Fu lifted his scepter slightly, keeping his guard up."I've long admired your name, Master Mei. I came today to seek your instruction—please don't hold back."
He'd already accepted it—Paradise had thrown him straight into this man's courtyard. There was no talking his way out of it, no matter how high his charm stat was. He might as well treat it as an opportunity to test the combat power of this world.
Master Mei blinked, then let out a soft laugh.
"Interesting. It's been some time since I last sparred with anyone. Since fate brings you here, I'll indulge you."