The dawn chorus of birds, usually a gentle usher of the morning, felt like a rude awakening to Jiang Chen. He had cultivated through most of the night, pushing his Body Tempering Stage 5 (Peak). Every muscle hummed with a contained power, his senses sharper than ever. He could detect the distant smell of freshly baked bread from the Outer Sect kitchens, a stark contrast to the usual stale air of the servant quarters.
[Host, your vital signs indicate optimal physical conditioning for your current realm. You are ready to tackle the day's toil. Remember, every swing of a broom, every haul of water, is now a chance to consolidate your power.] The System's voice was chipper, almost annoying.
"Right," Jiang Chen muttered, stretching out his now much more agile limbs. He felt the change acutely. The stiff, aching body of 'Ming' was gone, replaced by a vessel that felt capable, almost eager, for exertion.
His first task was to sweep the vast courtyard of the Outer Sect's training grounds. Usually, this was a back-breaking, hours-long chore, shared among a dozen servants. Today, Jiang Chen found himself moving with a fluid efficiency that surprised even him. The heavy bamboo broom felt light, each sweep powerful and precise. He channeled his Spirit Qi subtly, making his movements smooth, almost like a dance.
He finished his section in half the usual time, the courtyard clean enough to eat off. The few other servants assigned to the same area stared at him, their jaws slack. They were still struggling with a quarter of their section.
"You… you alright, Ming?" one elderly servant coughed, wiping sweat from his brow. "You look… different."
Jiang Chen simply offered a small, tired smile. "Just had a good night's rest, Uncle Feng." He moved on, taking another servant's section, silently sweeping it clean. He had to hide his true strength, but subtly showing off his improved efficiency was a safe way to complete the consolidation mission.
He repeated this throughout the morning. Carrying heavy barrels of water to the disciples' dorms, chopping firewood, scrubbing stubborn stains from stone steps. Each task, usually grueling, now felt like a light workout. He focused his mind, circulating the Spirit Qi through his body, solidifying the gains from the Body Tempering Pill and the Spirit Stones.
[Mission Complete! Consolidate Body Tempering Stage 5 (Peak) by performing physically demanding tasks. Reward: 10 System Points, Minor Increase in Endurance Attribute. Current System Points: 30.]
Jiang Chen checked his status. His Endurance had subtly increased, making him feel even less prone to fatigue. He still had 30 System Points left after the Fortune Wheel spin. Not enough for another spin yet, but enough to consider small purchases from the System Shop.
As the sun reached its peak, signaling lunch, Jiang Chen found himself near the back gate, assigned to clear weeds from the path. It was a solitary task, away from the watchful eyes of overseers and the sneering presence of Young Master Li.
Suddenly, a faint, almost imperceptible tremor ran through the ground. It was too subtle for an ordinary person to notice, but Jiang Chen's enhanced senses and Minor Spirit Affinity picked it up. He glanced towards the thick woods beyond the sect's walls.
[Warning: Distant, high-intensity Spirit Qi fluctuations detected. Originating from beyond the sect's protective array, approximately 5 kilometers to the west. Energy signature indicates high-level cultivators in combat.] The System's voice was crisp, alert.
High-level cultivators? Beyond the sect? This was unusual. The Azure Thunder Sect usually kept its inner conflicts hidden, and external threats rarely reached this close without alarm.
He felt a pull, a strange curiosity. This was the real cultivation world, not just servant chores and petty bullies. This was cultivators clashing, power being unleashed. It was dangerous, but also an opportunity. High-level battles sometimes left behind traces, opportunities for the quick and cunning. And he needed opportunities.
[Urgent Mission: Investigate the source of the high-intensity Spirit Qi fluctuations. Exercise extreme caution. Success Reward: 80 System Points, chance for Mid-Grade Skill Book, opportunity for Faction Reputation Gain. Failure Penalty: Certain death.]
Eighty System Points! A Mid-Grade Skill Book! This was huge. And "Faction Reputation Gain" sounded like a path out of his servant status. But "Certain death" was a very real risk. High-level cultivators meant someone far beyond anything he could handle.
He looked back at the sect gates. He could stay safe, continue his slow grind. Or he could gamble. The old Jiang Chen, the one who died saving a child, wouldn't have hesitated. The reborn Jiang Chen, with a System, was even less likely to.
He glanced at the dense foliage beyond the path. A few quick steps, and he could be gone, unnoticed. No one would even know he left his weeding duty for a few hours. He had his one remaining Spirit Stone and his Basic Stealth Technique.
He made his decision. With a deep breath, Jiang Chen carefully put down his weeding tools. He moved to the edge of the path, peered around to ensure no one was watching, and then, a mere shadow among the trees, he slipped into the dense woods, heading towards the distant clash of power. The servant was leaving his duties behind, chasing a dangerous, yet irresistible, whisper of true power.