The rapid sound of galloping hooves echoed across the open terrain.
Leo, who had just stood up, halted abruptly after taking only a single step forward. He narrowed his eyes slightly, instincts already flaring.
At the same time, his heart echoed with a name:
"Ning Caichen!"
Thanks to the extraordinary perception of his Sharingan, Leo immediately recognized the face of the approaching rider—even from dozens of meters away.
The protagonist of the original story!
So, it's finally begun.
Based on his prior experience, Leo knew exactly what defeating or even killing a protagonist meant. It meant achievement. It meant power. It meant a chance to draw from the Super Achievement Lottery—a system reward of immense value.
He just didn't know… what kind of reward he would earn this time.
"So..." he murmured.
"Let me see for myself."
His gaze locked on the man drawing closer on horseback.
Without hesitation, Leo activated his ability:
Zheng——!
His eyes ignited a blood-red glow—[Three Magatama Sharingan]—each tomoe rotating slowly as a mysterious force surged forth from his gaze.
Invisible yet terrifying, the energy crashed into the rider's vision and brain.
Bang—!
In the very next second, Ning Caichen, still seated on his tall horse, suddenly closed his eyes and slumped.
Fell.
Right off his horse.
"What's wrong with him?"
The people nearby were stunned, unsure of what had just happened. Some even rushed to check on Ning Caichen, lying unconscious on the ground, trapped by the illusion cast by Leo's Sharingan.
Just then, a mechanical notification echoed in Leo's mind:
> [Congratulations! You have defeated the man of great fortune, the chosen one of Heaven and Earth—Ning Caichen—and achieved a Super Achievement.]
[Reward: 1x Super Achievement Lottery!]
As expected!
Ning Caichen may have been weak—a complete rookie—but he was still the central figure of the original story. That status alone was enough to bring great rewards.
After knocking out Ning Caichen so easily, Leo had already obtained a Super Prize.
"Too easy!" Leo chuckled.
Indeed, it was perhaps the easiest reward he'd ever obtained. A victory in the blink of an eye.
Cough—
Suddenly, the earth ahead split open.
A figure burst up from the ground—almost like someone using an [Earth Escape Technique] straight out of a fantasy novel!
"Ouch!!"
The man who emerged landed on the horse that Ning Caichen had ridden just moments ago. Grabbing the reins, he angrily rebuked the beast:
"What a stupid horse! You'd run off with anyone. I fed you for nothing!"
Even after calming the horse down, the man continued to grumble, drawing stares from the crowd.
"Who is that guy?" murmured Fu Qingfeng, astonished.
"Zhiqiu Yiye..." Leo whispered.
Fu Yuechi, standing nearby, turned toward him curiously.
"Brother Leo, do you know him?" she asked.
Leo didn't respond. His eyes, now narrowed and gleaming red, stayed locked on the newcomer.
Zhiqiu Yiye. Another main character of the original drama. Defeating him might be more challenging, but surely it would earn Leo an even greater prize—perhaps a High-Level Lottery Draw!
A sly smirk played on his lips.
Then his expression briefly shifted as he glanced across the fire at Fu Qingfeng and her sister Fu Yuechi. While Fu Qingfeng was focused on the chaos, Fu Yuechi locked eyes with Leo.
Their gazes met.
For a split second, Fu Yuechi's cheeks turned slightly red. She shyly turned away, smiling faintly as she lowered her head.
Leo blinked.
"...What was that?"
Never mind. He had other priorities right now.
Although the system probably allowed for rewards if he defeated the sisters too, he chose to focus—his eyes narrowed like a predator fixating on its target.
The moment Zhiqiu Yiye approached, he raised his fists respectfully.
"Everyone, did I startle you? I'm sorry—I'm alright now."
Zhiqiu Yiye spoke with humility and confidence as he dismounted. His original plan had been to confront Ning Caichen about an earlier matter, but his sharp instincts soon redirected his attention.
"Hm?"
As a cultivator from the prestigious Kunlun Sect, Zhiqiu Yiye was extraordinarily perceptive.
Instantly, he noticed Leo's presence.
That gaze—chilling and unblinking. That outfit, that aura, that intense silence.
Everything about Leo screamed "danger."
And his eyes… blood-red, swirling with malevolence.
'Why do I feel like I'm facing my old Kunlun Sect master?'
'Who is this guy?'
Though Leo looked disheveled and unassuming at a glance, his presence overwhelmed Zhiqiu Yiye like a tidal wave. Could it be... was Leo also a practitioner of the mystic arts?
Zhiqiu Yiye's thoughts raced.
Finally, he took a step forward and tried to speak:
"Esteemed one…"
But before the words could leave his mouth—
Zheng—!
Leo activated the [Three Magatama Sharingan] again. This time, the illusory force erupted even stronger than before, crashing into Zhiqiu Yiye's mental defenses.
Everything turned black for a brief moment.
However—
Zhiqiu Yiye was not Ning Caichen. As a disciple of Kunlun, he had faced many trials and mastered various spiritual defenses. He broke free from the illusion almost immediately, panting heavily.
His eyes widened with both fear and rage.
"You're using witchcraft!"
"You may look harmless, but your Daoist techniques are evil to the core!"
Zhiqiu Yiye's hand trembled slightly as he pointed at Leo.
"Zhiqiu Yiye of Kunlun will purify you today!"
He glared fiercely, but this time, he avoided eye contact with Leo entirely—clearly wary of the Sharingan's illusionary power.
"Exorcism Order!"
With a shout, Zhiqiu Yiye summoned his Taoist arts.
Swish, swish, swish—!
Hundreds of golden talismans flew into the air, transforming into paper cranes, dancing with spiritual energy. They flapped their wings as they zoomed toward Leo like missiles.
The crowd gasped.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each crane exploded as it reached Leo, engulfing him in smoke and golden sparks. The shockwaves sent Fu Qingfeng and Fu Yuechi stumbling backward, their eyes filled with panic.
"Brother Leo!" Fu Yuechi shouted, her voice tight with fear.
Zhiqiu Yiye stood tall, confident in his strike.
"Haha... there's no way you're still alive after that!"
Just as the smoke began to clear—
A strange glint emerged.
A massive, obsidian-colored orb stood at the center of the crater, glowing faintly. Gold lines etched into its smooth surface glimmered like divine runes.
The crowd was stunned.
"What... is that?"
It was the Spirit-Infused Truth-Seeking Ball—a legendary artifact, now glimmering with power after absorbing the world's spiritual energy.
Suddenly:
Whoosh—
The orb shrank down, compressing into a smaller, sleeker version of itself.
From within the protective cocoon, Leo emerged—completely unharmed, his eyes still glowing red.
Even the robe he wore looked untouched by the explosion.
The Spirit Truth-Seeking Ball, having awakened its own spirituality after fusing with this world's aura, had acted on its own to shield its master.
Everyone stood frozen, mouths agape.
Zhiqiu Yiye, still panting from his exertion, could hardly believe what he was seeing.
The attack—an advanced Taoist move—should've at least inflicted some damage.
But Leo?
He looked completely invincible.
Fu Qingfeng swallowed hard. Fu Yuechi stared in silent awe.
Zhiqiu Yiye clenched his fists.
"He's no ordinary evil cultivator," he whispered.
And Leo?
He said nothing.
He simply took a step forward, silent and deadly, his Sharingan glowing once again—this time, not to cast illusions, but as a warning.
He wasn't playing anymore.
He was hunting.