In the vast, cold realm of the Void, Li Chen was sweating profusely.
The moment the eyes of that mysterious being fell upon him, his entire body froze. His senses went numb, as if his soul itself had been sealed.
If not for the System pulling him back at the last moment, he felt that the being would have truly captured him.
Ding.
[Dear Host, are you alright?]
"System, who was that being?"
[Host, you have insufficient authority to access that information.]
"Then what about that rain, and those two people who looked at me?"
[Insufficient authority.]
"Ok, ok. I know."
Li Chen gritted his teeth in frustration.
Then the System spoke again.
[Host, you currently possess a free draw. Would you like to use it?]
So that was it.
The System wasn't comforting him—it was changing the subject.
Li Chen understood immediately, but he kept quiet."Fine."
He knew that if the System had not helped him, he would probably be no more.
And not everything could be known by everyone. This rule had existed since the beginning of humanity.
Even in his previous world, it was the same everywhere.
He opened the System panel and pressed the Draw icon.
The moment his finger touched it, a large, colorful wheel appeared before him. It was divided into several sections, each marked by a different-colored box with vivid images.
The System's voice sounded again.
[The wheel is divided into rarity levels: Low, Common, Epic, Legendary, Divine, and Unique.]
[Each box may contain various rewards, including cultivation techniques, skills, spells, weapons, artifacts, elixirs, and other special items.]
[The Unique category is special. It contains a limited number of items that exist only in this world. Such items cannot be passed on, copied, or taught to others. They may only be used by the Host.]
Li Chen swallowed hard as he stared at the wheel.
He had played many games in his past life, so he knew that better equipment at the start meant a better beginning.
Those born rich had it easy and became more successful than those born poor.
The poor had to fight for every small success, while the rich could simply buy it.
Looking at the items—especially the Unique ones—and the System's description, Li Chen knew that if he wanted to become stronger, only items above Legendary truly mattered.
He pressed the wheel and began the draw.
The wheel started to spin.
Faster. Faster.
Li Chen held his breath as the colors blurred—Common… Epic… Legendary…
Then it slowed.
The pointer trembled… and stopped.
On Unique.
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a Unique Chest.]
A pitch-black chest, edged with faint golden runes, materialized before Li Chen, radiating an aura like the glowing lamps in the donghua he used to watch.
Li Chen's heartbeat thundered in his ears.
"A Unique… already?"
The System remained silent.
Its previous actions had already made him suspicious, but giving a Unique Chest right from the start was obvious plot armor.
He stared at the System strangely.
The System, as if feeling his gaze, seemed to feel ashamed and stayed silent.
"System, open the box."
Hearing his command, the System hurriedly opened the chest.
[Congratulations, Host, on receiving Unique Skills.]
Skill Acquired: Divine RejuvenationFate Points Required: 1
Description: Restores the wounds of beings. Effectiveness scales with skill level. Life flows gently from your antlers as divine light.
Skill Acquired: Thunder of the Deer GodFate Points Required: 25
Description: Summons and controls heavenly thunder. Your antlers call forth the divine storm.
Skill Acquired: Celestial InsightFate Points Required: 10
Description: Reveals the nature, location, and status of beings and objects within perception. Spiritual awareness is heightened.
Skill Acquired: Blessing of Verdant RainFate Points Required: 15
Description: Calls forth nourishing rain to the land. Increases plant vitality, soil fertility, and harvest abundance.
Skill Acquired: Gentle Inferno of the HeavensFate Points Required: 100
Description: Heavenly fire appears soft yet burns with unstoppable power. Destructive capability scales with skill level.
Skill Acquired: Crystal of Vital OriginFate Points Required: 50
Description: A crystal of divine vitality is formed. It is useful to beasts and can raise their potential and cultivation.
Skill Acquired: Holy Light of PurityFate Points Required: 30
Description: A light of pure divine power that can purify everything. It is the nemesis of evil and demonic beings.
Talent (Passive) Acquired: Sanctuary of the Spirit
Description: Strengthens and purifies the spiritual aura of your surroundings. Places become sacred and imbued with divine energy over time.
Talent (Passive) Acquired: Thousandfold Blessing
Description: Massively enhances items. Objects can increase in power from 1,000× to 100,000× depending on luck. Can only be applied to offerings presented to the Host. Always active.
[Ok, Host. Since you have received your skills, now for some serious talk.]
[Even though you were reborn into this world due to an error, your soul is now connected to this world's Origin.]
[This makes you different from the other gods who will be chosen later.]
[You will become a Native God. As the first Native God, you will be invincible within your own domain.]
[You will not need to spend Fate Points to use your skills. Fate Points will only be required to upgrade your cultivation level and purchase items from the shop.]
[Your Divine Core and Domain will be formed at your last place of contact—the spring lake where you met your end.]
[Now, regarding your God Form, you have two options.]
[Option 1: Your Deer Form.][Option 2: A Random Form with human characteristics.]
[The choice is yours, Host. Decide quickly. The System's stored energy is about to run out. If it fails before the selection is complete, you will be trapped here forever.]
The System looked at Li Chen as it spoke.
"Then, System, I want to choose the second option."
The first option, even if the result was already known, felt like a burden to Li Chen.
His previous experience was the best example.
Whether it was running from sounds in the forest or doing basic tasks, everything had been difficult in that body.
The second option, even if the result was unknown, had human features. That alone made it worth the gamble.
And judging by the System's behavior during the draw, he was confident the new form would not be worse than the previous one.
Hearing his decision, the System released golden sparks of light toward him.
As the sparkling light approached, it began to cover his body.
Soon, nothing remained except a cocoon of glowing gold light.