The Sect Master led his three disciples deeper into the inner courtyard, their destination the core training grounds where countless generations had once honed their cultivation.
The garden area they traversed had seen better days—wildflowers grew untamed between cracked stone pathways, and ivy claimed sections of once-pristine walls. Yet even in decay, traces of the sect's former grandeur remained visible in the elegant architecture and thoughtful landscaping.
As they approached the small ornamental pond that served as the courtyard's centerpiece, their path would take them directly past a certain mutated oak tree that had been frantically preparing for this very encounter.
...
Liu Feng's consciousness raced through scenario after scenario, each more dire than the last. These were cultivators—beings who dedicated their lives to transcending mortal limitations through rigorous training of body, mind, and soul. Their ultimate goal was nothing less than absolute power and immortality itself.
'How do I explain my existence here without them obliterating me?' he wondered desperately. 'These people could probably end my plant life with a casual finger flick. And I have absolutely no way to defend myself!'
He braced for his exposure and eminent doom —but to his complete bewilderment, the four figures simply walked past him. They continued their casual conversation about cultivation methods and daily routines, showing not the slightest awareness of his presence.
Liu Feng stared after them in complete stunned disbelief.
'System!' he internally shouted. 'I thought you said they were going to discover my existence here!'
[DING!]
[Correction, Host. The System calculated a 68.899% probability that at least one individual would detect your presence. The remaining 31.101% probability—that none would detect you—appears to be the less probable outcome that manifested.]
'Why do I have to get stuck with such an unnecessarily difficult system?' Liu Feng lamented silently.
[The Host met all required qualifications for System integration into their spiritual essence.] Came the System's cold mechanical reply.
Liu Feng opened his metaphorical mouth to ask what those qualifications could possibly be, then caught himself. 'That was rhetorical—don't answer that.'
Suddenly remembering his assigned task, he quickly refocused. 'System, what exactly are the details of this "Tame the Master and Disciples" mission?'
[Task Objective: The Host must gain acknowledgment from the Sect Patriarch and his three disciples as an entity worthy of their devoted and pious service.]
'And HOW exactly am I supposed to accomplish that?!' Liu Feng demanded frantically.
[That is for the Host to determine.]
After internally cursing the system's unhelpful nature, Liu Feng realized the four cultivators were already nearly out of sight. If he was going to act, it had to be now.
Making a split-second decision, he spent a precious Growth Point to activate his Universal Communication skill.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" he called out in what he hoped would be a commanding but reasonable tone. "DO NOT MOVE ANY FURTHER!"
But instead of the pleasant, youthful voice he remembered from his human life, what emerged was something altogether different—a thunderous, primal roar that seemed to shake the very courtyards themselves. The sound reverberated through with such overwhelming force that Liu Feng himself was startled.
'What in the hell was THAT?!' he thought in pure terror.
The effect on the four cultivators was immediate and dramatic. They froze mid-step as if they had turned to stone, but Liu Feng couldn't see the true scope of their reaction. What he couldn't perceive was the wave of pure, undiluted Divine Qi that had accompanied his voice—an energy so refined and powerful that it was absolutely unfathomable to mortals.
The Master's eyes widened in absolute terror as realization dawned. That voice, that overwhelming pressure of primal Qi —could only belong to one type of existence.
An Immortal.
His mind instantly reeled as his own beliefs crumbled right before him. Immortals were supposed to be legends, no - myths, told to inspire young disciples. Even their own sect's founder, supposedly an Immortal himself, had always been more story than substance in his mind. But the crushing weight of Divine authority in that voice left no room for doubt.
Without taking his eyes off the general direction the voice had come from, he whispered urgently to his disciples in a desperate tone: "You three—do not move so much as a muscle. Do not speak. This is not merely your master's command, but the desperate plea of a fellow cultivator who wishes to see another sunrise. If you value your lives, remain absolutely still."
The three disciples nodded imperceptibly, their faces pale with terror. Little Mei Ling swayed on her feet, the overwhelming pressure nearly causing her to faint. Only Her eldest senior brother's steady hand grasping hers kept her upright, though his own hands trembled violently with fear.
Shen Rui, the only real thinker of the three, was already running through countless scenarios for survival. But faced with such absolute power, he quickly realized with despair that all schemes were utterly meaningless in the face of absolute power.
Unaware of their whispered conversation, Liu Feng watched in growing confusion as the four figures stood frozen in apparent panic.
'Are they... planning to attack me?' he wondered anxiously. 'System, is there any way I can defend myself against them!?'
[DING!]
[Upon completion of the Prerequisite Task, the Host will gain access to numerous defensive capabilities through the System Gift Shop function.]
Liu Feng mentally facepalmed. 'Of course. I should have guessed.'
The tension stretched unbearably as both sides misread the other's intentions. Finally, the old Master began to turn slowly, his movements careful and reverent as he faced the general area where Liu Feng stood.
Liu Feng braced himself for the attack he was certain would come, silently offering prayers to whatever deities might listen. 'Buddha, if you're out there, maybe this time I can escape the cycle of reincarnation and find some true peace...'
But instead of launching an assault, the elderly Sect Master dropped to his hands and knees in the most profound kowtow position Liu Feng had ever witnessed. His forehead pressed firmly against the cold stone as he called out in a voice trembling with reverence and fear:
"THIS HUMBLE SENIOR REVERENTLY GREETS THE MIGHTY IMMORTAL! THIS LOWLY ONE BEGS FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AND MERCY!"
Already suffering enough shock and surprises for one day, Liu Feng's consciousness almost went completely blank at the elder's bizarre actions.
'...Huh?'