The morning sun spilled gold across the town square, illuminating banners that fluttered lazily in the gentle breeze. Lin Tianren stood at the edge of the central plaza, watching the townsfolk move about their daily business. Every eye seemed to linger on him—curiosity, doubt, amusement, or outright disdain. He flexed his fingers, feeling the awkward stiffness of this borrowed body.
Step by step, he reminded himself. Every mission counts. Every move matters.
The system pulsed in his vision.
[Daily Mission Unlocked]Task: Investigate a disturbance at the outskirts. Likely bandits or low-rank demons.Difficulty: EasyReward: +10 Combat, +5 Reputation
Lin Tianren frowned. Outskirts? That meant traveling beyond the town, where monsters and minor demons roamed freely. For this body, "easy" was relative. But he had learned a small truth yesterday: environment manipulation mattered more than raw strength.
He moved cautiously, keeping to the shadows of the marketplace and alleys. People whispered as he passed. The mayor's daughter, Mu Yuhan, appeared suddenly on the balcony of a nearby building, her eyes icy and calculating.
"You think yesterday's little stunt makes you strong?" she called down, voice clear and cutting."Surviving once does not grant you skill."
Lin Tianren smiled faintly. "Maybe," he murmured under his breath, "but surviving twice will."
First Challenge: Monster Ambush
The edge of the forest loomed, black and thick with twisted trees. The system warned:
[Warning: Bronze Rank Monster Detected. Proceed Carefully.]
A hulking, wolf-like creature with scales glinting faintly red stepped into his path. Its eyes glowed yellow, teeth sharp enough to pierce stone. Lin Tianren froze for a heartbeat, then remembered: yesterday, improvisation saved him. Today, he had to adapt.
He scanned the surroundings. Broken branches, uneven rocks, and a fallen tree trunk formed a natural trap. Carefully, he lured the beast toward it. When it lunged, he sidestepped, guiding it into a pitfall he had barely noticed. The creature snarled, struggling. Using a sharp branch, Lin Tianren poked it repeatedly—enough to weaken it without risking his own life.
Not perfect, but progress, he thought. Small victories build power.
The beast finally collapsed. Lin Tianren exhaled. System pulsed:
[Mission Complete: Bronze Rank Monster Defeated. Combat +10, Confidence +5]
On his way back, Lin Tianren caught sight of Mu Yuhan at the edge of the town. She was tending to a group of injured guards, her cold expression softening slightly as she administered ice-bound healing techniques.
She's powerful… disciplined… and dangerous, Lin Tianren noted. And she's watching.
He approached carefully, knowing any misstep could draw her ire. She looked at him, eyes narrowing.
"You survived a Bronze Rank monster?" she said, voice tinged with disbelief."Barely," Lin Tianren replied honestly, bowing slightly. "But I survived."
She studied him silently for a long moment, then smirked faintly—a small, almost imperceptible curve of her lips.
"Do not think this proves anything," she said, before turning away.
Yet Lin Tianren noticed a flicker in her gaze. Curiosity. Approval? Or a challenge? He wasn't sure—but he felt it like a spark in the cold air.
System Hint: Dual Cultivation
That night, Lin Tianren rested in his small chamber. The system pulsed again:
[Hidden Feature Unlocked: Emotional Resonance. Task: Observe potential partner's aura and synchronize minor energy.]Objective: Gain first dual cultivation skill. Reward: Minor Qi Control
So this is how it begins, he thought. Growth comes step by step. Trust, skill, survival, understanding… and eventually, power.
He practiced quietly, focusing on the faint aura of Mu Yuhan he remembered from today. The energy shimmered faintly in his mind's eye, cold and precise. Aligning his own chaotic, borrowed energy with hers, he felt a small connection—a whisper of something stronger, waiting.
Step by step… little by little… he repeated. This body may be weak. But I will grow.
Outside, the wind rustled through the trees, carrying the distant roar of a beast. Lin Tianren's eyes narrowed.
This world is full of monsters, schemes, and danger… he mused. And I will master all of it. Starting with surviving today, and winning tomorrow.
The wind carried a faint scent of sulfur as Lin Tianren approached the eastern outskirts of the town. The system had flagged the area hours ago, but now he could feel it—an unnatural aura, heavy and dark, crawling along the forest edge.
[Mission: Investigate Dark Energy Surge. Difficulty: Moderate]
Bronze monsters were predictable. This… was different.
His borrowed body tensed. He scanned the area. Broken trees, scorched ground, and faint claw marks led deeper into the forest. He knew instinctively this was a demon—Silver rank or higher. Alone, even a small misstep could be fatal.
Step by step, he reminded himself. Use environment, observation, strategy.
First Strategy
He noticed a shallow stream running parallel to the clearing. Water here could conduct energy in subtle ways. Lin Tianren pulled small rocks and debris, creating makeshift barriers and channels. The system pulsed softly:
[Hint: Use environmental advantage. Reward: Minor tactical skill increase.]
A shadow shifted. The demon stepped into the clearing. It was unlike anything he had faced—dark, scaled, with glowing red eyes and sharp talons. Its roar echoed through the forest, shaking the ground.
MC froze for a heartbeat, then observed:
Its movement was precise, almost calculating.
It circled the clearing, testing for weakness.
Its energy fluctuated, revealing patterns.
Using what he had learned from the Bronze monster and yesterday's improvisation, Lin Tianren dodged low swipes, baited the demon into striking a tree that fell partially over it, and created distance.
Not perfect, he thought, but enough.
He pulled out a small herbal poultice he had learned to prepare from system knowledge—a temporary energy enhancer. Applying it to his palms, he felt a slight surge, enough to execute a controlled strike. The demon howled as the strike grazed its flank.
[Mission Progress: Silver Rank Demon engaged. Minor injury incurred.]
Mu Yuhan's Unexpected Aid
From the ridge above, Lin Tianren sensed a familiar presence. Mu Yuhan had arrived silently, her aura cold but precise. She had brought her ice-imbued daggers, cutting through the air with sharp efficiency.
"This body is weak," she called down, voice calm yet sharp. "Let me guide your movement. Focus your energy here."
Following her instructions, Lin Tianren synchronized his strike with her subtle energy push. The demon stumbled, allowing him to land another blow—more precise this time.
Trust… step by step… he thought, feeling the faint resonance between them.
System pulsed:
[Hidden Feature: Dual Cultivation Attempt Detected. Synchronize aura with partner. Success Rate: 20%]
He focused. Aligning his chaotic energy with Mu Yuhan's precise aura, he felt a small spark—a faint, warming resonance. It was unstable but undeniable.
Step by step… little by little…
The demon, sensing the combined pressure, roared and retreated into the forest.
[Mission Complete: Demon Driven Back. Combat +15, Confidence +10, Minor Dual Cultivation Spark Achieved]
As the dust settled, Mu Yuhan approached Lin Tianren. Her expression was still cool, but a slight nod of acknowledgment passed between them.
"You survived… with some luck," she said, tone unreadable."And with your guidance," he replied humbly.
She paused, studying him for a long moment before turning away. That small acknowledgment… Lin Tianren felt it like sunlight piercing through clouds.
Step by step… little by little… he repeated silently.
From the forest's edge, faint golden eyes watched silently—hinting at the Beast Queen's arrival in the near future. Lin Tianren knew this: the path ahead was full of monsters, conspiracies, and allies yet unseen.
The night fell, cool and quiet. But in the distance, faint roars echoed. The real challenges of this world had just begun.