Paul looked at the tall, broad-shouldered man approaching and immediately understood.
"This is the cultivation world."
Sword on back, long hair, jade-like face, ancient character stitched on a robe, everything marked him as a cultivator.
Paul had spent most of his free time reading web novels; it had become part of his routine. But he never thought he would end up in such a world himself.
"Li Chen… after tarnishing the Li clan's reputation, you still don't realize. You've even started this little drama," the man said calmly, appearing right in front of him.
Paul panicked, not because the man appeared instantly, but because of the anger in his speech. Within the next second, he bowed as if an obedient junior pays respect to their seniors.
"Please forgive me, senior."
From the man's words, Paul realized two things: first, his name was Li Chen, and second, it was now his turn to clean up whatever mess the previous owner had left behind.
The tall man, who had been in a pit of rage moments ago, was surprised by his action. He glared at Li Chen, inspecting whether the bow was genuine or just an act.
Sweat dripped down Li Chen's face when he saw the man standing for quite some time.
"Say something… at least slap me on my face again." His agitation grew. Thoughts lingered on the system's task, and a question: was he really going to be erased?
At that moment, a sharp voice pierced his thoughts.
"Cough, cough… so you admit it's your fault." The tall man leaned closer, moving his nose as if to catch a scent.
"Hmm… just sweat, huh?" he asked teasingly.
Li Chen nodded, his head lowered as before.
"Good… from today, you are no longer the 'Young Master.' I, Grand Elder Li Shen, relieve you of your duties."
"Fuck… I said it was sweat." Li Chen was about to object, but Elder Shen placed his palm against Li Chen's chest making him unable to move.
Soon, blue light emitted from his hand, forming an intricate pattern around. It landed on Li Chen's chest and merged with him.
Though he didn't feel much pain, his already weak body weakened even further.
"Stop…" That word died in his throat.
The crowd watched as if it were some regular street drama. If Li Chen could hear them, he would have been bombarded with mockery and insults.
A glowing red rune separated from his body and returned to Elder Shen's hand.
The light dimmed after completing its job. The crowd also began to disperse. Everything was coming to its end.
"No… now is the time," Li Chen murmured as he plummeted.
Li Chen, who should have fallen to the side, was tilting forward. He had come almost close to Elder Shen. However, Elder Shen watched like an indifferent bystander and instead of catching him, he even took two steps back. But then…
"Ptoo…"
He spat on Elder Shen's smirking face. People who were leaving also stopped to see what had just happened.
With a loud thud, Li Chen fell on the platform, but his mind was somewhere else, in a different dimension where time had no meaning, surrounded by nothing, only virtual panels.
"This is my system… It's very different. But how do I go back?"
Confused, he reached out to touch one of the panels. The moment his skin contacted, the screen stirred awake, and a voice echoed simultaneously:
[Host verification completed]
[Status window unlocked]
Name: Li Chen
True Name: Paul Wick
Bloodline: Crimson Flame Dragon (Purity: 0.01%)
Spiritual Root: Uncommon Fire Root
Cultivation: Currently in a sealed state
Contracted Beast: None
Techniques: [View]
Luck Value: 0
[Newbie gift available]
[Click to open]
As Li Chen was about to click, he was pulled out of the system space. His eyes opened abruptly and he saw Old Lao running toward him, shouting.
"Young Master has fainted again, Elder Shen, quickly take out a healing pill!"
"So, it's this damn old man."
"Old Lao… let it be," Li Chen groaned, raising a hand. He wanted to get as far away as possible. He was afraid that Elder Shen might do something serious.
"What are you saying, Young Master? Elder Shen, hurry!" Old Lao reached him, lifting Paul carefully.
Elder Shen paused in thought, then gripped Old Lao's shoulder.
"You don't have a healing pill, Protector," he said. The spit was still on his face; only his smirk had turned expressionless.
Li Chen stood up with Old Lao's support. He had enough strength, but it was the safest choice given the situation.
"Protector Lao, just take me home."
"Home? Li Chen… your home is gone. You may not know, but for your information, due to what you did with your fiancée, all the elders have decided to expel you from the clan."
"What?" Old Lao was shocked and dropped Li Chen. His eyes widened under his thick eyebrows. He rushed toward Elder Shen and asked, "What about me?"
Elder Shen ignored him and tossed a token, letting it drop toward Li Chen.
"Considering your past contributions, the Dongshi Pavilion has been granted to you. And your engagement has been annulled. They'll come tomorrow to collect the compensatory gift, handle it yourself."
As Elder Shen walked away, a system voice rang in Li Chen's mind:
[Dongshi Pavilion listed on system database]
[Task issued: Achieve 1,000,000 spirit stone sales]
[Reward on Success: Legendary Dragon Pack + Special Female Dragon Assistant]
[Punishment on Failure: Complete cut-off of manhood]