The hallway called to him like a cruel god.
Ren Wei gripped the IV pole, legs shaking beneath him.
His hospital gown clung to his skin, damp with sweat and blood.
He clenched his jaw.
"Move… damn it…"
He staggered forward.
One step.
Then another.
Each one screamed with pain.
His bones felt like glass.
His lungs burned.
He slammed into the wall, barely catching himself before falling.
His breath came in gasps.
> **Ding!**
> *"System Notice: First Movement Toward Objective detected."*
> *Reward Granted: [Broken Qi Condensation Pill – Grade F]*
> *Effect: +1 Temporary Qi Level for 1 hour.*
> *Warning: Current physical state unstable. High risk of internal rupture.*
Ren blinked as a small vial materialized in his palm.
Murky black liquid sloshed inside.
"Even your gifts try to kill me…"
He shoved it into his pocket.
Suddenly—footsteps.
From the hallway.
A nurse.
His eyes darted around.
He dove sideways, slumping behind a rolling medicine cart.
The footsteps paused… then faded away.
He didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
> *Time remaining: 2 Days, 22 Hours, 41 Minutes.*
> *Failure Condition: Death.*
The words flashed inside his mind, **red and pulsing**.
And with them — a memory.
**Li Zixuan's voice.**
> "Trash like you shouldn't breathe our air."
The steel pipe had cracked his ribs.
He'd heard the sound — felt it.
Ren's eyes burned.
He glanced at the glass cabinet next to him.
His reflection stared back.
Pale.
Hollow.
Eyes sunk, lips split, face bruised.
"…This is the man who once stood above Immortal Emperors?"
He dropped to one knee.
His whole body shook.
He nearly collapsed — but didn't.
His hand closed around the pill in his pocket.
Its warmth pulsed faintly.
He gritted his teeth.
> "Three days… I only need to survive three damn days."
Ren Wei leaned against the wall, cold sweat dripping down his spine.
Every nerve screamed, but his eyes never left the path ahead.
> "System or not… I will walk my own Dao."
His steps echoed in the half-lit corridor.
Dim lights flickered overhead.
At the nurses' desk, two women chatted in hushed tones.
> "He's still alive? I thought he was brain-dead."
> "Tsk. Rich families always clean up their messes."
> "Poor guy's just waiting to die."
They laughed.
Ren didn't flinch.
He just kept walking, like a ghost they couldn't see.
He slipped into an old storage room.
The stench of bleach, mold, and rust hit him hard.
In the corner, he found a dusty hoodie and a pair of worn sneakers.
He threw them on, hiding the bloodstains beneath the fabric.
His foot knocked over a cracked monitor.
Static burst across the screen — then cleared.
A file auto-played.
Grainy footage.
A hospital hallway.
A figure — him — dragged by the collar.
Four others followed.
Laughter echoed. A blow landed.
Then the feed cut.
> "They really tried to erase me."
He ripped the drive from the port and stuffed it into his coat.
Just outside the door, a wall-mounted TV played on mute.
**[Breaking: Li Zixuan to appear at Yunhe Charity Gala – 3 Days From Now]**
**"Live at Central Plaza. Open to public."**
His gaze narrowed.
> **Ding!**
> *System Quest Triggered: Public Opportunity – Li Zixuan*
> *Reward: +2 cultivation realms*
> *Failure: Death*
Ren exited through the emergency stairwell.
His hands trembled on the rail.
Blood marked every few steps behind him.
But he made it out.
Out into the night.
The alley behind the hospital reeked of piss and smoke.
City lights bled into the sky.
He looked up.
Took a slow breath.
> "System, give your quests.
> I'll accept.
> But I cultivate not for survival—
> I cultivate to take back what was stolen."
His voice was quiet.
Steel hidden in silk.
> "You should've killed me when you had the chance."