> [Initiating system process: #####.....]
[Warning: The process will be extremely painful. It is recommended to consume a Heavenly Marrow Pill.]
'What's a Heavenly Marrow Pill? Where would I even find one right now?' I thought.
> [Process starting...]
As soon as I heard the system's voice, I was stunned. My body jerked uncontrollably, and I reached out, desperately trying to grab onto something. But soon, everything turned black.
I collapsed, lying motionless on the floor.
...
Meanwhile, in a distant land known as Phoenix Land, a place of unending fire, a majestic tower stood tall amid the blazing surroundings. Inside the tower, a maid hurried toward the grand hall.
"Mistress, the Young Master has awakened his talent today," the maid reported.
"Hmm... Interesting," a calm, eerie voice replied.
Moments later, a woman opened her eyes—eyes that looked like dark abysses, capable of piercing fate and destiny itself.
"Oh... His body has recovered, and his soul has strengthened... But that's all. It's insignificant."
"Mistress, what should we do now?"
"Withdraw. You no longer need to protect him. His fate is weak. He will die soon."
"As you wish, Mistress." The maid bowed respectfully before leaving the hall.
"It was always your destiny..." the voice whispered, closing her eyes once more.
...
When I woke up, it was already morning. After a while, I could feel it—my body felt stronger. My vision had also sharpened.
'Did anyone notice the change in me?' I wondered. Being in a branch family of my clan, I assumed someone might be watching. But after two or three hours of silence, nothing happened.
'Good. At least I'm not being spied on—yet.'
"System."
> [Yes.]
"How powerful are cultivators in this world?"
> [The strongest known cultivator on this planet is at the Golden Core realm. A Golden Core cultivator could destroy this planet effortlessly.]
'That's insane... But in stories I read back on Earth, Golden Core wasn't even considered top-tier.'
> [That's just human ignorance.]
'Oh… fair.'
"System, how do I begin cultivating? Also, can you check if someone is spying on me right now?"
> [Presence detected within the house.]
'Ugh… they just won't leave me alone,' I thought.
"Okay, then. If I start cultivating now, will others sense it?"
> [Anyone sensitive to energy fluctuations can detect your cultivation.]
'That's... not good.' I sighed. "How long would it take me to reach the Golden Core realm?"
> [If you don't die, approximately 40 years.]
'Forty years?! Might as well give up now before my own siblings kill me. If I grow powerful too suddenly, they'll suspect I found some secret inheritance. Without a strong background, I'll be hunted down. Even my parents probably won't protect me.'
'Forget it. Just forget it.'
"Living as a rich man's son isn't so bad," I said, half-joking. I left the house for breakfast—rice, my usual favorite. Just as I was returning home, a notification appeared:
> [System task released.]
You have the following options:
1. Cultivate for 10 days
2. Cultivate for 100 days
3. Cultivate for 1,000 days
Penalty: Death
'Seriously?!' I frowned. "System, do you have anything that can hide spiritual energy?"
> [Item: Heaven-Sealing Stone — Conceals spiritual Qi from your body and creates an isolated cultivation space.]
[Price: 1,000 units of Cosmic Energy.]
'1,000 units?! I don't even know what Cosmic Energy is!'
"Can't you just give it to me for free?"
> [As a first-time buyer, you may exchange it by sacrificing 70 years from your Fate Wheel.]
'How much lifespan would I have left then?'
> [50 years.]
"Go f*** yourself."
I didn't respond right away. I went home, poured a glass of water, and took a long sip.
"My life is a mess," I muttered.
> [Are you sure you want to proceed?]
[Yes] [No]
I selected Yes.
Don't get me wrong—I'm not doing this for revenge. I'm doing this to live freely. I want protection, and I want to live my life to the fullest.
Suddenly, a crystal-clear stone materialized in my hand. It looked like a diamond, but purer and more radiant.
"System, is there any powerful presence nearby?"
> [None detected at the moment.]
I sighed in relief. Then I locked the door and turned to the system.
"How do I start cultivating?"
> [You require a cultivation art to begin.]
Boom.
"Why didn't you tell me that before?" I snapped.
> [You must kill a genetic lifeform to unlock the System Cultivation Art Lottery.]
"Any kind of lifeform?"
> [Yes.]
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!"
> [Low-level difficulties are not automatically announced.]
> [Estimated success rate for this mission: 1%.]
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