[Deceiver's Mask from the South]
[Grade: Rare]
[Main Effect: Naturally alters facial expressions]
[Description: A mask forged by a blacksmith who had just lost his wife and child. He used the mask to hide his sorrow.]
Lin Xian didn't expect that his reward for reaching level 10 would be a mask. He thought he would receive a Heaven's Marrow Reforging Pill. But he was completely wrong. That made him slightly disappointed, since it meant he would now have to buy the Heaven's Marrow Reforging Pill for 400 karma points.
That was incredibly expensive. Right now, he had only earned 60 karma coins. He was still 340 points short. It would take far too long to collect that much. For each mission, he might only receive around 100 karma points—maybe. In his first mission, Lin Xian had only received 1 karma point when Mu Yueran's mental state dropped by 1%.
"How long will it take for me to gather another 340 karma points?" he complained.
He lay down on the bed and opened his system screen. He was hoping there might be something useful he could buy with his current karma points. Unfortunately, there was nothing interesting available for only 60 karma points.
"This system is too capitalist," Lin Xian grumbled.
Tring!
[New mission added]
[Main Quest: Kill the traitor of Misty Sky Sect.]
[Reward: 500 karma points, random item, XP]
Lin Xian's eyes widened. He sat up immediately. He read the mission again. And it was true—the reward was exactly what he wanted: karma points. As if the system knew exactly what he needed.
"Hah, a traitor? Who could it be referring to?" Lin Xian had no idea.
He tried to think. Several names popped into his head. But those were all people who had betrayed him in the past. It could be one of them—or even all of them. But there was also the possibility that it was someone else entirely.
The mission said: "kill the traitor of Misty Sky Sect", not "kill the one who betrayed you."
"This is going to be a long mission… but the reward is worth it." Lin Xian had to start planning how to complete this task. "Seems like I need to show some progress so I can be promoted to outer disciple. The closer I get to the elders and instructors, the closer I'll get to that traitor."
Lin Xian remembered what happened in the main hall. Mu Tianzheng had swallowed a strange pill that looked like a berserker pill. Although its effects were milder, its side effects were horrifying.
He was convinced the traitor was the one who had given Mu Tianzheng that pill. That pill wasn't produced within the sect, and based on its side effects, it had to be a forbidden pill. Way too unstable.
"This is getting interesting. I also want to find out who created that pill," said Lin Xian, rubbing his chin.
He didn't receive just one mission—he received two at once. Something exciting, even if the second mission's reward wasn't as enticing as the main one. Still, rewards were always a good thing. Whatever he got, Lin Xian felt it would be useful for him.
[Side Quest: Increase Qingran's trust in user to 100%]
[Reward: Eye's of Demon]
Lin Xian didn't know exactly what that was, but it sounded interesting. He would complete every mission given to him. The side quest seemed too easy for Lin Xian. He could use Qingran to help complete the main mission as well. It was like hitting two birds with one stone.
Originally intending to sleep, Lin Xian stood up. He got ready to go to Mu Tianzheng's residence. Today was supposed to be Mu Yueran's funeral ceremony. Qingran would surely be there.
"This should be enough to get her attention," said Lin Xian while holding the Deceiver's Mask from the South.
***
Lin Xian walked back and forth there. He participated in the entire ceremony—even the cremation. He followed everything solemnly, truly looking like someone who had just lost the love of his life.
"Why are you here?" Qingran asked the same question again.
Lin Xian stopped. He turned around. "Didn't I say that Yueran was my fiancée and the woman I loved the most? Am I not allowed to see her one last time? What do you want from me? To laugh or cheer because my fiancée died?"
Lin Xian's eyes sharpened. He looked displeased with Qingran's question. That look made Qingran feel guilty. She shook her head and expressed her regret.
"I'm sorry!" she said.
Then she left. As soon as Qingran walked away, a wide grin formed on Lin Xian's face—a devious smile.
"Got you!"
***
Once back in his room, Lin Xian immediately took off the mask he was wearing. At that moment, his expression changed completely. He looked very pleased, satisfied because his plan had worked.
"Now, I just need to get into the outer disciples."
He stood and stored the mask into his item box. He stood in front of the mirror, looking at his gloomy face. He stared blankly for a while. He didn't look like his former self.
"I look worse." Lin Xian touched his face. He tried to smile more naturally, but his eyes remained full of hatred and disappointment. "Why should I care? Even if I look like a demon, it doesn't matter. I won't be a good person just to end up betrayed. Isn't it better to be evil and selfish as long as I reach my goal?"
Lin Xian placed his hand on his chest. Something felt off inside him. But he didn't quite understand what it was—or maybe he was just denying it.
He closed his eyes and sat back down in his chair. He leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Lin Xian closed his eyes, wanting to sleep.
However, that had to be postponed for a bit. Someone was standing in front of his door.
"Xian'er, are you in there?" called the person.
Lin Xian got up. He walked to the door and opened it. Immediately, he saw a woman in her twenties standing there.
As soon as the door opened, the woman hugged Lin Xian tightly.
"Are you okay, Xian'er? You're not going to do something stupid like commit suicide, are you?" she asked.
The woman was named Lin Shuyin, Lin Xian's little aunt. She was only in her twenties, but her demeanor was calm and full of affection. She had a beautiful face, naturally thin eyebrows, clear blue eyes, and small lips that always looked worried whenever she saw her nephew. Her long black hair flowed down and smelled pleasant. She wore a simple light-purple robe.
"I'm fine, Aunt Shuyin," said Lin Xian with a small smile, gently patting his aunt's back. "I'm not going to do anything foolish."
"You sure?" Shuyin asked again.
"Of course. I'm not that weak. Besides... I have a much bigger goal. I want to become the strongest cultivator in the world. You remember that, right?" Lin Xian explained.
Shuyin smiled. She nodded. "And you also promised to protect me back then. So never think about ending your life, okay?" she warned Lin Xian.
Lin Xian nodded. "Of course. I also remember that I once promised to marry you."
Lin Shuyin was stunned. Her face turned red, and she quickly looked away. But then she glanced back at Lin Xian.
"That part... just forget it! I'm still your aunt!"
"But you're not my blood-related aunt."