The sun blazed high in the sky, and waves of heat shimmered through the air.
Along a mountain path, two young women walked side by side beneath a shared green oil-paper umbrella.
The girl holding the umbrella on the left had skin as pale as snow and long black hair that shimmered like silk. Her figure was tall and elegant, her every movement graceful and refined. The girl on the right, who occasionally let out soft giggles, had a face as bright as polished silver, eyes like glistening apricots, lips naturally crimson, and brows that seemed painted with the finest brush.
Together, they formed such a striking scene that even the young disciples hurrying off to their training stopped in their tracks to steal a few more glances.
"Shizuku-neesan, didn't Senior Brother Kō get our promise that he would accompany us for this first trial down the mountain? Why do we have to come all the way to Aobakai Hall to find this so-called 'Iron Seal'? If others hear of it, won't they laugh at Suikyō Hall for lacking manpower?"
The girl in purple, addressed as Shizuku, shook her head gently."This is our very first trial outside the sect. We must take every precaution to ensure nothing goes wrong. Senior Brother Kō is indeed powerful, but he spends most of his time in seclusion cultivating. He rarely leaves the mountain, and his experience with guiding disciples is almost nonexistent. Once we're outside, it isn't just strength that matters. There are many things skill alone can't solve."
"Oh~ I see." The girl in blue nodded thoughtfully. "So, this 'Iron Seal' we're supposed to find at Aobakai Hall… is he really that experienced?"
"Don't worry about the details. Just trust me on this one."
"Alright then. I know following your lead is never wrong."
"That's the spirit~ Come on, let's hurry."
"Achoo!"
Tch, seriously… who's out there talking about how handsome I am again?
On a stone-paved road, Hokuto rubbed his nose as he continued walking forward. When he reached a fork in the path, he suddenly heard a commotion ahead.
"Hey! You think you can bump into me and just walk away like nothing happened?"
"Senior Brother, I'm truly sorry. I was just thinking about the mind technique Master tested us on this morning, and I didn't notice where I was going."
"Don't give me excuses. I saw you—deliberately crashing into me. Now tell me, how do you plan on compensating me?"
"Eh? But I…"
Looking up, Hokuto spotted a burly disciple at the early stages of cultivation, looming aggressively over a nervous junior who had clearly only just joined the sect. The senior kept shoving him roughly, demanding submission.
And at that moment—four options appeared before Hokuto's eyes.
Option 1: Step forward and scold the bully, teaching him the meaning of protecting one's juniors. Reward: Primordial Body Technique (Mid-Tier Mystic Grade).Option 2: Pull the younger disciple behind you and tell the bully, "How much does he owe? I'll pay for him." Reward: Thunder Javelin (Mid-Tier Yellow Grade).Option 3: Shout at the top of your lungs, "Inspector Hayashi is coming!" Reward: Violet Smoke Sword (Low-Tier Yellow Grade).Option 4: Walk past without interfering. Reward: +1 Random Basic Attribute Point.
Wow, scolding some fresh cultivation-stage thug just to get a Mystic-grade body technique? That's a high payout.
Option 3 is good too. Just blend into the crowd and yell that Master Hayashi is here, and I score a Yellow-grade weapon. Excellent efficiency.
Hmm… Option 2 has its merits as well. I've heard Uncle Yoshi talk about Thunder Javelins—able to kill from eight hundred li away. Absolutely lethal!
Nice. All of them sound great. Which is why… I'll pick Option 4.
Decision made, Hokuto walked calmly past without so much as a sideways glance. In his ears, a voice he knew all too well immediately chimed in:
[Choice completed. Reward: Strength +1]
Again with Strength? That makes six times in a row now. Feels like I'm on steroids or something…
Muttering under his breath, Hokuto climbed further up the stone steps until he reached the side of a small lake.
"Mmm~ This feels good."
He let the cool breeze wash over him, carrying a faint hint of lake water, and sat down on the stone stairs at the water's edge, closing his eyes in quiet comfort.
But just as he was settling into relaxation, the sound of muffled sobbing reached his ears.
Opening his eyes, Hokuto saw a junior girl—clearly a newcomer—sitting on the lakeside with her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, tears streaming down her delicate face.
And once again, three options appeared before him.
Option 1: Offer her the Mochi Pastry from your pocket. Reward: Eight-Treasure Spirit Ruler (High-Tier Mystic Grade).Option 2: Gently ask what has happened. Reward: Sixth-Rank Clear Heart Pill.Option 3: Turn away and leave immediately. Reward: +1 Random Skill Point.
Wait, what the hell!? Hand her a snack and I get a High-Tier Mystic weapon?!
Startled, Hokuto instantly slammed down on Option 3, spun on his heel, and quickened his pace until he was well away from the lakeside. Only when the sobbing was completely out of earshot did he finally exhale in relief.
[Choice completed. Reward: Painting Skill +1]
"Phew…"
Crisis averted. With the tension gone, Hokuto carried on his usual circuit around the mountain, triggering a total of seven choice prompts by the time he finished. His rewards included Strength +2, Constitution +1, Zither Mastery +1, Alchemy +1, Formation Arts +1, and Poison Refinement +1.
Another peaceful day in Suishin Sect.
Smiling to himself, Hokuto strolled leisurely into the dining hall, ordered his favorite Jade Emerald Meal, and settled into a seat at random.
A mouthful of steamed bun, a bite of cabbage, a drop of fragrant sesame oil—he devoured his lunch with absolute satisfaction.
"Hey, did you hear? Senior Brother Raku from Shinken Hall was badly injured yesterday. Master Sō, the hall leader, even rushed to fetch Healer Ayumu from Seishin Hall overnight."
"Senior Brother Raku!? But I heard his Wind-Cutting Blade Technique was already perfected. How could he end up so badly hurt? Don't tell me… a powerful cultist from the Demon Sect?"
"No, not at all. Word is, he was injured inside Shinken Hall itself."
"What!? Inside? Then that means it was one of our own—"
"Shhh! Keep your voice down!"
Listening to the hushed whispers of the nearby disciples, Hokuto simply shook his head with a quiet sigh.
Envy invites calamity, doesn't it…
After polishing off the last bite of bun, Hokuto wiped his mouth, tidied his tray, and left the dining hall.
Hmm… where should I wander this afternoon? Going to Little Taka Peak every day is starting to get boring.
As he stood outside the hall, pondering his next destination, a voice he knew very well called out from nearby.
"Hokuto?"
Looking up in delight, Hokuto shouted back: "Riku-aniki!?"
"What a coincidence. I just got back and ran into you right away." Riku smiled warmly, waving as he approached. "Have you eaten?"
"Yeah, I just finished." Hokuto jogged over, beaming.
"Then keep me company while I eat, hmm?"
"Of course."
Back inside the dining hall, Riku ordered a pot of Cold Spring Sake and a large platter of beef. Together, the two found a table by the window.
"Aniki, you've been away on your journey for quite some time. Did you run into trouble out there?" Hokuto asked curiously as he accepted a cup of sake poured by Riku.
"Mm. A bit. The northern provinces are at war again."
"Another war?" Hokuto's hand froze mid-air, clutching the cup. "I can't even imagine how many clans will get dragged into it this time…"
Pouring himself a drink, Riku gave Hokuto a smile. "You don't need to carry the world's burdens just yet. Worry about yourself first. Have you found your master?"
End of Chapter 1