Chapter 3: First Flames, First Kill
Morning broke through the clouds with a golden haze, painting the Zhuo household in a deceptive calm. Birds chirped in rhythm, servants bustled about, and discipline echoed through the stone corridors. Yet deep in the servant quarters, Zhuo Fan sat in silent cultivation—his aura restrained, like a blade concealed beneath silk.
System Alert:
Qi density in current zone: Low.
Passive EXP disabled.
Suggestion: Seek higher Qi node for cultivation efficiency.
Side Quest Available: "First Kill"
Objective: Eliminate a threat within the household.
Target: Liu Meng, Inner Disciplinary Guard, known for tormenting servant-class cultivators.
Reward: +250 EXP, Weapon Drop (Random), +1 Reputation Point
Zhuo Fan didn't need the System to recognize the name.
Liu Meng. That pig with a badge. Didn't he cripple the host body three months ago for defending a servant girl?
He cracked his knuckles.
"Looks like fate is throwing me a gift."
Training Grounds – Late Morning
The clanging of blades and angry barks filled the air. Servants carrying food trays shuffled past the training field where guards sparred under the sun. At the center stood Liu Meng—a thick-necked man with a cruel grin, swinging a broad saber while jeering at the younger trainees.
Zhuo Fan approached casually, face void of emotion.
Liu Meng turned, sneering. "Well, well. The cripple walks again. Back from scrubbing latrines to sniff the air where men train?"
The gathered guards laughed.
Zhuo Fan's smile was faint. "Just came to return the favor."
"Favor?"
Zhuo Fan raised a hand—then dropped into a crouch and launched forward.
BOOM!
He moved like lightning. Qi surged under his skin, the result of his recent stat upgrades. His palm struck Liu Meng in the chest with a vicious crack, sending the man skidding across the field.
+20 EXP (First Strike)
◎ Skill Activated: Devil Devour Scripture (Lv. 1)
Effect: Drain Qi from target upon contact.
+15 Qi absorbed
Liu Meng: Qi Reserves Down 22%
Liu Meng scrambled to his feet, shocked. "Y-You—! You were supposed to be crippled!"
Zhuo Fan didn't answer.
Instead, he dashed forward again, fists enveloped in black Qi laced with faint flame wisps. The air around him shimmered as his Shadow-Flame Qi ignited faintly with each step.
Liu Meng raised his saber in desperation, but it was too slow.
Crack!
Zhuo Fan's palm shattered the blade. The second strike broke Liu Meng's wrist. The third slammed him into the dirt, eyes rolled back.
The onlookers gasped, frozen.
Zhuo Fan leaned down and whispered into Liu Meng's ear, "Remember this pain… oh wait, you won't."
He crushed the man's throat with one final strike.
System Alert:
Target Eliminated: Liu Meng
+250 EXP
🎉 Bonus Drop: Iron-Forged Gauntlets (Uncommon)
Effect: +2 Strength, +2 Defense
🎖 Reputation Gained: +1 (Servant Class)
EXP: 730 / 800
Zhuo Fan calmly pulled the gauntlets from the corpse and slipped them onto his hands. The weight felt perfect.
"Announce it," he said coldly to the crowd. "Let it be known: Zhuo Fan is not a cripple. I've returned."
He walked away as panic spread across the training yard.
Later That Day – Inner Pavilion
Zhuo Qin heard the rumors even before her handmaid reported them. Her brow furrowed as she sat beside a lotus pond, eyes distant.
"Zhuo Fan… again?" she murmured.
Her hand curled around a jade hairpin. "What are you hiding, you strange servant?"
Nightfall – Back in the Servant Quarters
Zhuo Fan reviewed his interface.
Zhuo Fan – Level 3
EXP: 730 / 800
Realm: Body Tempering (Peak)
Strength: 7 (+2)
Agility: 4
Soul Power: 8
Intelligence: 5
HP: 300 / 300
Qi: 95 / 95
Equipment:
• Iron-Forged Gauntlets (Uncommon)
Passive Trait Activated: Reputation Spread
Effect: Gained passive fear/respect among low-tier servants and guards.
Influence in household increased.
Side Quest Chain Unlocked: Shadow of the Past
Objective: Investigate the slave brand's reaction to the Nine Secrets fragment.
Time Limit: 24 hours
Reward: Unknown
Zhuo Fan glanced at the faint crimson brand on his chest, which pulsed again beneath his robes.
"Something… or someone… is reacting to my awakening."
He stood and stared out the window, where the full moon bathed the estate in silver.
Enemies will come.
The seal is breaking.
And Zhuo Fan… is only just beginning.
End of Chapter 3