Yu Chen and Mu Chen were sleeping peacefully when the ground suddenly trembled.
Mu Chen's eyes snapped open.
He could sense it—something in the waves of the earth felt wrong.
A second tremor shook the ground more violently.
"Brother! Brother! Wake up! There's something outside!" Mu Chen whispered urgently, shaking Yu Chen's shoulder.
Yu Chen blinked with drowsy eyes, groaning, "What is it, Moo? Why are you—"
Another wave struck.
This time, Yu Chen's sleep vanished. He sat up immediately. "What's happening?" he asked, now fully alert.
They both rushed outside.
What they saw drained the color from their faces—a massive beast was rampaging through the town, clashing with cultivators. Screams echoed as people fled, dragging carts and children, clutching onto everything they could save.
Yu Chen didn't waste time. He threw their clothes and rags into a pouch, slung it over his back, grabbed Mu Chen's hand tightly, and joined the crowd running for their lives.
Vendors had already stored their goods into their System Storage, fleeing with carts, horses, or whatever they could ride. The road out of town was chaos—hooves thundering, wheels clattering, and children crying.
After running for hours, the crowd began to slow, weary from exhaustion. They had traveled far now. When Yu Chen finally looked back, smoke rose from Kan Li Town like a dark pillar touching the clouds.
He lowered his head and kept walking, his legs aching, his eyes hollow from no sleep.
Eventually, they reached a small village—barely more than a cluster of houses. But in front of one was a wooden carriage with a single horse tied to it.
Yu Chen's tired face lit up with hope. He ran toward it and spotted an old man sleeping inside.
"Hello, Uncle!" Yu Chen called, gently shaking him.
"Huh?" The old man stirred and sat up, blinking at the two boys. "Two kids with travel-worn clothes… looks like you've come from far away."
"Yes, Grandpa," Yu Chen said, panting. "Can you take us to a nearby town?"
"The nearest one is Kan Li Town, just twenty miles west. Is that where you came from?" the old man asked.
Yu Chen and Mu Chen looked at each other, then nodded.
"Kan Li Town is gone," Yu Chen said softly. "It was destroyed last night."
The old man's eyes widened in shock. "What? You walked twenty miles to get here? That's no small thing. What in heaven's name happened there?"
Yu Chen's voice was strained, "We can explain on the road. My little brother really needs some rest. Can you take us to a bigger town instead?"
The old man glanced at Mu Chen and nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm… the next major town is about 100 miles away. A big place, near a kingdom, with schools and a sect. I can take you there, but it'll cost you 40 coins."
Yu Chen nodded. "I have the coins, Grandpa. Please take us."
"All right, get in the back. Let's go."
They climbed into the carriage, and soon the creaking wheels and rhythmic trot of the horse carried them away from the devastation.
Yu Chen opened his system and checked his balance.
[Balance: 6,886]
He relaxed slightly. They were safe for now. He wrapped an arm around Mu Chen, who leaned against him and drifted into a light, cautious sleep.
After more than ten hours of travel, they finally arrived.
What stood before them wasn't just a town—it was a fortified city.
High walls towered over them, guards posted at the massive entrance gate, weapons drawn, eyes sharp.
The old man stopped the cart, let them down, then waved goodbye as the horse pulled away down another path.
[Balance: 6,866] (-20)
Yu Chen took Mu Chen's hand and approached the gate.
"Hold it," one guard said. "We need to scan."
A small device beeped as it scanned Yu Chen.
"You're clear. Go in."
Yu Chen nodded.
> Security here is tight, he thought.
As they entered the city, Yu Chen's eyes widened. There were more people on this one street than in the entire Kan Li Town. The energy here was different—faster, busier, louder.
> I need to find a good school for Moo first. Only then can I move forward.
He walked up to a vendor. "Brother, do you know any schools nearby?"
The vendor pointed him to another. That one gave him directions again. After some walking, they finally arrived in front of a tall, well-maintained building with stone columns and banners hanging from above.
The Rising School
Mu Chen looked up at it, hesitating. "Brother… do you think I really need to go to school?"
Yu Chen placed the sack on the ground, then knelt beside him.
"You know I can't be with you all the time, Moo. And I can't protect you properly with just my strength. It's best you go to school, learn, and become strong."
He stood tall and walked up to the registration counter.
Acting confidently, he said, "Hello! I want to enroll my little brother. Room and food should be included. How much will that cost?"
The clerk behind the counter didn't even glance at them, focused on his calculations. "What's the boy's age?"
"Five," Yu Chen replied.
"Okay. 1,200 Coins per month. Includes food and bed. Fees go up 10% every year," the man said flatly.
"That's daylight robbery," Mu Chen muttered under his breath.
The clerk raised a brow. "Daylight robbery? The food costs 300 coins if you buy it yourself. Rent's around 500. We only make an extra 400 coins, which covers salaries, upkeep, and staff. It's fair."
"Moo, quiet," Yu Chen said, patting his head.
Turning back to the clerk, he said, "Can you show me the transfer code? I'll send the money now. Please register him immediately and show him around."
Mu Chen tugged on Yu Chen's sleeve. "Brother, that's too much! You only earn a few coins a day!"
Yu Chen leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Actually… I make 400 coins a day now. This will take me just three days to recover."
Mu Chen's eyes sparkled. "Really?"
Yu Chen grinned. "Yeah. Don't worry about coins anymore. I'm rich now. One day, I'll even buy a school like this for you. Just be good, learn well, and wait for me."
The clerk finally looked up, slightly surprised. "Alright. Fill out this form and pay. I'll get someone to show your brother his room."
[Balance: 5,666] (-1,200)
Yu Chen then bought a small wooden box for Mu Chen to store his things, as well as books, supplies, and a few new shirts.
[Balance: 5,560] (-106)
He packed everything neatly inside the box, handed it to Mu Chen, then gave him a small pouch.
"Inside are Coin Slips. Each one is worth 10 Coins. If you ever need more, just go to the counter and send me a request. I'll send you whatever you need."
[Balance: 5,460] (-100)
"Bye, Moo," Yu Chen said softly, trying to hold back the emotion.
Mu Chen's smile faded. "Brother…"
Yu Chen turned, blending into the crowd, not looking back.
It hurt to walk away—but it was necessary.
He began asking around about nearby sects. Word was, most only accepted those with awakened systems and untapped potential.
Yu Chen walked down a damp stone road, into another day… toward another future.