The very same name as his own.
He gazed at the broken shards of glass, his reflection distorted and shattered. "However, it always end just like that." he pondered, wearing an unreadable expression.
--------------------
The shards of glass crunched under Lao Xie's bare feet as he rose from the bed. The cold breeze slipping through the shattered window seemed to soothe his nerves, but there was no anger in him.
He stood there for a moment, staring down at the broken pieces, as if waiting for them to speak. A faint smile curled at the edge of his lips, not from emotion, but reflex.
"Another one," he muttered softly, his fingers brushing the edge of the windowsill. "Another dream."
With a flick of his wrist, the rock that had shattered the window flew into his hand as though pulled by an invisible string. He studied it for a moment, turning it over with cold precision, before letting it slip through his fingers.
"Those fools again," he whispered, eyes narrowing at the night sky beyond the window. "It's not that I care, but replacing the window... what a hassle."
He shook his head, the memory of his current life pulling at him like a dull itch.
"This place, this life," he muttered, his voice laced with disdain. "An orphan with no talent for cultivation. What a joke."
He turned from the window and began pacing slowly. "That old sect master... why did he bother keeping me here? No talent, no prospects. Just a boy to be mocked by the other disciples. Tch."
He scoffed and shook his head, as if to rid himself of the thought.
"Ah, no point dwelling on it," he added with a stretch, preparing to move on.
But just as he was about to take a step forward, a strange, sharp sound cut through the silence.
Shriingg~
Lao Xie's eyes darted around the room, his instincts sharpening as he searched for the source. Then, without warning, a glowing panel appeared before him, floating in midair like a ghostly illusion.
SYSTEM IS BOOTING . . .
His breath caught slightly, and his eyes narrowed as the glowing text flickered in front of him.
10 % . . .
35 % . . .
69 % . . .
99 % . . .
Lao Xie watched silently, curiosity rising, though his expression remained guarded. Then, suddenly..
99 % . . .
99 % . . .
ERROR ! ERROR ! SYSTEM ERROR !
SYSTEM IS REBOOTING !
The panel began to glitch. What was once smooth, flowing text now jittered and broke apart erratically.
"What in the..." Lao Xie muttered, his voice filled with disbelief as he stepped closer, instinctively reaching toward the flickering display.
SYSTEM REBOOTING !
Just like that, the panel vanished, leaving behind only the unsettling silence of the room.
Lao Xie stood still, his mind spinning as everything started to piece itself together.
"What... the hell is happening?" he whispered to himself.
A few seconds passed, then the same panel appeared once again in front of him.
SYSTEM LOADING . . .
50% . . .
75% . . .
100%. . .
Ting~ . . .
"Welcome!"
A new panel blinked into existence. This time, it was more detailed, and something on it caught Lao Xie's attention, a faint reflection.
"Is that my face?" he murmured, his brows furrowing. His own image stared back at him from the display.
"Information..." Lao Xie muttered, narrowing his eyes.
INFORMATION
Name: Lao Xie
Age: 15
Cultivation Stage: N/A
Physique: Heavenly Cursed Physique
Race: Human
Luck: ???
Spiritual Root: None
"What... the hell?" he muttered again. "Is this really me?" His gaze locked onto the cursed physique. It didn't sit well with him.
Next to the information tab were a few others labeled Technique, Affinity, and Shop.
"Technique? Affinity? Shop? What is all this?" he said slowly, his voice full of suspicion.
"Is this some kind of trick? But who...?"
Before he could process more, the screen flickered again and a new message appeared.
Ting~
"The criteria have been met, initialization complete. The system has been set to suit your preference. Welcome, Host."
Lao Xie blinked, his heart skipping a beat. "Host? What are you talking about? Who are you?"
The system remained silent, its cold, clinical words hanging in the air as if waiting for his next move.
"I'm your system, and you are my host."
Lao Xie's eyes narrowed. "What the hell? What do you mean? System? Host?"
"Yes, just as I stated. I'm your system, and you're my host. I'm here to help and assist you."
"As this is your first time awakening me, you have been given a gift. Please check your mail, it is the small mail icon right beside your avatar."
"Huh. Avatar? That one?" Lao Xie muttered, noticing the small mail icon on the panel.
[MAIL]
YOU HAVE AN UNREAD EMAIL. PLEASE CLICK TO OPEN IT.
Without further ado, curiosity forced him to click the mail, and poof.. A new message panel appeared.
"Welcome, Host. As this is your first time awakening the systerm, you have been awarded a First-Timer Host Rewards. You can claim the rewards by simply clicking the button below."
Lao Xie's heart thumped as he read the message. A reward? Just like that?
He glanced around the room, almost expecting someone to jump out from the shadows and laugh at him.
"Claim it," the System urged, its voice devoid of emotion, echoing in the silence of the room.
"Fine," he muttered, half-convinced he was just talking to a hallucination.
He clicked the button labeled CLAIM REWARD, and instantly, a sequence of glowing images flashed across the screen.
[Rewards: First User's Package]
1. Cultivation Manual
2. Healing Pill 2nd Grade - 5x
3. Essence Restoration Pill - 1x
4. Spiritual Root (Random)
"What... the..." Lao Xie whispered as he scanned the rewards. His voice was laced with disbelief. "This is actually... impressive?"
Even so, a cautious look lingered in his eyes. His heart remained guarded.
"Accept your rewards, Host. They are vital for your growth." The system urged.
Still, Lao Xie hesitated. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone might be manipulating this from behind the scenes.
"There's no need to be on guard," the system continued, detecting his reluctance. "You are just a normal mortal for now. Even if someone is watching, there is little you can do. Accept your rewards, Host."
"Huh..." Lao Xie murmured. The system had a point. "Well... it shouldn't hurt, I guess."
Click~
[REWARDS RECEIVED]
1. CULTIVATION MANUAL - HEAVENLY ECHOING SWORD ARTS
A cultivation manual specifically tailored to maximize your full potential in the art of
swordsmanship.
2. HEALING PILLS 2ND GRADE - 5x
Low-grade pills that help you recover from light injuries. Made from rare herbs and infused with spiritual energy. Essential for any cultivator.
3. ESSENCE RESTORATION PILL - 1x
A lost pill used to reshape one's physique. The reshaping process will grant you a form most suited for cultivation, enhancing your physical abilities.
4. SPIRITUAL ROOT (RANDOM)
The host will receive a random spiritual root. Multiple roots may also be granted.
Lao Xie stared at the glowing panel. His heart beat faster with a mix of excitement and suspicion, though his expression remained cold and unreadable.