The rising sun painted the cavern walls in hues of gold and crimson as the final spider monster collapsed into a heap of twitching limbs. Lin Feng, Long Tian, Bai Luoyan, and Su Wan'er stood amidst the carnage, their bodies battered and their cultivation robes torn and stained with blood and venom. The air reeked of death and decay, mingled with the sharp metallic scent of their own blood.
Lin Feng breathed heavily, his chest heaving as he leaned against the cavern wall for support. His vision blurred momentarily as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. This time I almost died, he thought inwardly, wiping sweat and blood from his brow with a trembling hand. Thankfully I'm with the protagonist. The protagonist's halo and luck saved us. I still can't believe Long Tian carried high-quality recovery pills whose cost equals countless mansions.
He recalled the desperate moment when defeat had seemed inevitable. Their weapons had been nearly shattered, their bodies covered in wounds, and their Qi reserves dangerously depleted. Just when the spider queen had been about to deliver the killing blow to Long Tian, the young cultivator had produced four jade bottles containing luminous liquid that shimmered with pure spiritual energy.
"After drinking this, your meridians will be restored and your bodies rejuvenated," Long Tian had declared with unwavering confidence, his eyes gleaming with the golden light of destiny.
When they had consumed the liquid, torrents of energy had flooded their bodies like a sudden spring rain nourishing parched earth. Their wounds had begun to heal, their strength had returned, and they had been able to continue fighting until victory. The pills had been nothing short of miraculous—divine treasures that only a true protagonist blessed by the Heavenly Dao would possess.
Sure enough, the protagonist cannot die so easily, Lin Feng mused, watching as his companions slowly regained their strength. His destiny is protected by the will of the heavens themselves. But I will change that. I will steal his destiny and make it my own.
As the team collected the spider queen's venom sac and carapace—valuable materials that would fetch a high price from alchemists and weaponsmiths—they noticed Xia Qingyue still sitting on the ground where she had been during the battle. Her cyan hair was disheveled, her face streaked with tear tracks, and her cultivation robe torn at the shoulders where spiders had tried to drag her away.
"I am sorry, Long Tian," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But don't worry, I can feel that the problem I had is over now. I can use Qi again." She attempted to demonstrate, lifting her hand to summon a small flame, but it flickered weakly before extinguishing.
Before she could try again, a crisp slapping sound echoed through the silent cavern. Everyone froze as they witnessed Long Tian's palm connect with Xia Qingyue's right cheek. Her head snapped to the side from the force, and she raised her hand to the stinging spot, her eyes wide with disbelief and hurt.
"You are my childhood friend, so this time I will ignore your childish and selfish behavior," Long Tian said coldly, his voice devoid of the warmth it had once held for her. "But I'm not going to trust someone like you again. You won't be able to make any decisions affecting our group from now on, and your responsibilities will be reduced. Who knows what we will do next time after being tricked by you? You should grow up. We are no longer the children we used to be when we played on the streets. I have dreams and goals which I want to achieve in this life."
The words cut deeper than any blade could have. Xia Qingyue's shoulders slumped as if the weight of his disappointment had physically crushed her spirit. Her tears flowed freely now, but she made no sound, as if she had already learned that her pain meant nothing to him.
Without wasting another moment on her, Long Tian turned to the others. "Let's go! Our job is done. Collect the queen spider's remains; we will be able to rank up to silver-ranked cultivators after reporting to the guild about our battle here. First, let's go to the village and collect our reward!"
The village chief's face lit up with joy and relief when he saw the team return, carrying proof of the spider queen's defeat. The entire village erupted in cheers, the sound echoing through the valley like a symphony of gratitude. Elders bowed deeply, children ran alongside them waving colorful flags, and women offered bowls of spiritual fruit and wine as tokens of appreciation.
"You have done what countless others failed to accomplish," the chief said, his weathered hands trembling as he presented their reward—hundred spirit stones that glittered like captured starlight in the afternoon sun. "The spider infestation has plagued our village for generations. Today, you have freed us from this curse."
Long Tian accepted the reward with humble grace, though Lin Feng could see the satisfaction in his eyes. "It was our duty as cultivators to protect those who cannot protect themselves."
The chief offered them horses and a carriage for their return journey, which they gratefully accepted. As they traveled back to the city, Su Wan'er, Bai Luoyan, and Long Tian discussed their battle techniques and cultivation progress with animated enthusiasm, their camaraderie strengthening with each shared observation.
Only Xia Qingyue remained silent, staring out the carriage window at the passing landscape. The sunlight caught the tears still glistening on her cheeks, and for a brief moment, Lin Feng felt a twinge of something that might have been remorse. But he quickly crushed the feeling. In the cultivation world, sentimentality was a weakness that could cost one their life.
This is not Earth, where I built my business empire through patience and careful planning, he reminded himself. This is a world where strength reigns supreme, where destiny favors those bold enough to seize it. I have already taken the first step down this path. There can be no turning back.
The Azure Dragon Sect's city sprawled before them as they approached its towering gates. Unlike ordinary cities with their mundane brick and mortar, this cultivation metropolis gleamed with spiritual energy. Buildings carved from enchanted jade rose toward the heavens, their surfaces adorned with protective formations that shimmered in the sunlight. Spirit veins pulsed beneath the streets, feeding energy to the countless talismans and artifacts that maintained the city's prosperity.
Lin Feng could feel the difference immediately. His meridians tingled with recognition as he absorbed the ambient spiritual energy. This was no ordinary settlement but a nexus of cultivation power, where the very air thrummed with potential.
"The Mission Hall," Long Tian announced as they disembarked from the carriage. "This is where we'll receive our silver-ranked jade badges. From today forward, we'll be recognized as intermediate cultivators."
Lin Feng followed the group through the bustling streets, his senses taking in every detail. Cultivators of various ranks moved about their business—Foundation Establishment experts floating gracefully above the ground, Core Formation masters surrounded by swirling elemental energies, even a few Nascent Soul elders whose presence alone caused the air to vibrate with power.
The Mission Hall itself was a magnificent structure that seemed carved from a single piece of azure dragon jade. Its doors, forged from spirit iron refined a thousand times over, stood guarded by warriors whose cultivation bases radiated Foundation Establishment power. Their eyes scanned each visitor with cold efficiency, missing nothing.
"Such formidable guards," Lin Feng observed quietly. "Even the imperial palace would struggle to match this level of protection."
Long Tian chuckled. "This is the heart of our cultivation world, Lin Feng. The Mission Hall serves as the nexus between cultivators and opportunities. Only those with sufficient strength and backing can enter freely."
As they approached the entrance, Lin Feng noticed subtle changes in his companions' demeanors. Su Wan'er straightened her robes and ran a hand through her brown hair. Bai Luoyan adjusted her white shield, ensuring it was properly attached to her back. Even Xia Qingyue seemed to rally her spirits, wiping away her tears and forcing a smile onto her face.
They're putting on their best faces, Lin Feng realized. This place matters to them. It represents status, recognition, and advancement in their cultivation paths.
The guards at the entrance recognized Long Tian and his companions, allowing them to pass without question. Lin Feng followed closely, his heart pounding with anticipation. Inside, the hall opened into a vast space that seemed to defy normal spatial limitations. Pillars carved with scenes of immortal battles supported a ceiling lost in misty clouds. The floor pulsed with spirit stone energy, feeding the countless floating jade slips that contained mission details.
At the central counter stood Hua Xiran, daughter of the Mission Hall's master. Her beauty was breathtaking—skin as pale as freshly fallen snow, hair blacker than midnight cascading down her back like a waterfall of shadows. She moved with a grace that defied cultivation realms, each step causing spiritual energy to swirl around her like jealous lovers.
Lin Feng felt his breath catch. Another disaster-level beauty. The protagonist's luck truly knows no bounds.
The girls around Long Tian immediately sensed the threat. Their alliance, forged during the spider mission, tightened reflexively. Su Wan'er's lips thinned into a line, Bai Luoyan's hand tightened on her shield, and even Xia Qingyue straightened from her dejected posture, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Long Tian, seemingly oblivious to the tension, approached Hua Xiran with confidence. "We've completed our first missions and seek to upgrade our ranking," he announced, placing the spider queen's materials and mission completion documents on the counter.
Hua Xiran examined their items with professional detachment, though her eyes lingered on Long Tian just a moment too long. "Impressive work for newly graduated cultivators," she said, her voice smooth as honey. "The spider queen's venom sac alone indicates your team's exceptional coordination."
Before she could continue, the hall fell silent as a new presence descended the grand staircase. Hua Lingwei—elder sister to Hua Xiran—moved with a maturity and charm that made even Su Wan'er's voluptuous figure seem ordinary by comparison. Her jet-black hair reached the floor like a silken waterfall, her face round as the full moon, and her skin white as the purest jade. With each step, her body swayed hypnotically, drawing the gaze of every male cultivator in the hall.
Lin Feng felt a familiar tightening in his chest. Danger! Danger! Danger! Another piece of the protagonist's luck falls into place.
Hua Lingwei approached them with a smile that could melt the hardest heart. "Greetings, young cultivators. I am Hua Lingwei, daughter of the Mission Hall master. My father is away on urgent business, so I've taken charge of awarding your new silver badges. Your accomplishments have already reached my ears."
Long Tian's eyes gleamed with recognition. "It's our honor, Lady Hua Lingwei. I would be delighted if you could join us for our celebration tonight."
Lin Feng hissed inwardly. The protagonist's halo shines brightly indeed. He flirts openly with another beauty while his harem simply stands by, watching in silence.
A profound realization struck Lin Feng like a bolt of heavenly lightning. This is why the protagonist is strong. It's because he has powerful backing—loyal beauties in his harem, strong family connections, powerful allies, and cheat abilities that allow him to grow stronger with each challenge. These elements combine to form his absurd luck!
He remembered the countless cultivation novels from his past life. Protagonists rarely died—they always had life-saving treasures or mysterious experts appearing at their moment of death. With each crisis, they only grew stronger while their enemies perished.
I see it now, Lin Feng thought, his breathing quickening with excitement. If I take away all the factors that create Long Tian's luck—his harem, his family's wealth and influence, his future allies like this Mission Hall, his cheat abilities to grow stronger—I can shatter his protagonist character! I can steal his destiny and make it my own!
His eyes narrowed with determination. I will become the true protagonist of this story. I will walk the path of cultivation with my own two feet, without relying on any system or divine blessing. I will claim these beauties, seize these treasures, and break through the heavens themselves!
As Hua Lingwei conversed with Long Tian, Lin Feng noticed a subtle movement near the wall. An old man dressed in dark robes had been hiding there, undetected by even the powerful guards. The elder quickly threw a small jade slip toward Long Tian before vanishing into thin air as if he had never existed.
Lin Feng's heart raced. How could such a person enter this heavily guarded hall? And why did he deliver that message specifically to Long Tian?
Without hesitation, Lin Feng slipped toward the wall. His movements were swift and silent, honed by years of business negotiations where information was often more valuable than gold. He retrieved the jade slip before anyone noticed, tucking it safely into his robe.
This could be the key to everything, he thought as Hua Lingwei continued her conversation with Long Tian. The protagonist's first major opportunity...and now it's mine.
The receptionist returned with their new silver-ranked jade badges, their surfaces glowing with a soft inner light. Long Tian accepted them with reverence, distributing one to each team member. As Lin Feng's fingers closed around his badge, he felt a subtle resonance—a recognition of his cultivation achievements and a connection to the Mission Hall's spiritual network.
"We must celebrate this moment!" Long Tian declared. "It marks our first success as a cultivation team."
Hua Lingwei smiled warmly. "I would be honored to join your celebration. However, I must attend to some urgent matters first. Perhaps we can meet at the Celestial Pavilion later this evening?"
Long Tian beamed. "It would be our greatest pleasure, Lady Hua Lingwei."
As they left the Mission Hall, Lin Feng deliberately lagged behind, pretending to examine his new badge while his companions walked ahead. Once they were out of earshot, he found a secluded corner of the hall's garden and activated the jade slip he had intercepted.
The slip dissolved in his hands, revealing a message written in shimmering spiritual ink:
"Dear Long Tian,
I am a friend of your late grandfather, who was a great legend-rank cultivator. He saved my life and my wife's life many years ago, and we promised to repay his kindness. Though he has passed from this world, we have discovered the location of a great emperor's treasure hidden in the Verdant Forest to the east of your city. Inside lies an inheritance that only you are destined to claim. I have marked the location on the back of this slip.
May the Heavenly Dao guide your steps,
An Old Friend"
Lin Feng's heart pounded against his ribs like a war drum. He turned the slip over to find a detailed map leading to a hidden cave deep within the Verdant Forest. According to the annotations, this was the final resting place of the Void Emperor, a supreme expert who had mastered all elements and transcended mortal limitations.
This is it, Lin Feng realized with growing excitement. The legendary opportunity that propels protagonists to greatness. The chance to claim an immortal legacy and step on all their enemies. But now...it belongs to me.
He crushed the jade slip to dust, letting the particles scatter on the wind. "Thank you, Long Tian," he whispered to himself. "You continue to provide me with opportunities. One day, when I stand at the pinnacle of cultivation, I will remember your unwitting generosity."
The team returned to their shared residence, a modest courtyard dwelling in the Outer Disciple Quarter. Though simple compared to the grand estates of inner disciples, it was spacious enough for five cultivators and carried the subtle spiritual energy of well-maintained cultivation grounds.
Long Tian gathered everyone in the main hall. "Tonight, we celebrate our promotion to silver-ranked cultivators. Tomorrow, we'll select new missions worthy of our increased strength."
Xia Qingyue spoke up hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Long Tian, I've been thinking about what happened during the spider mission. I believe there might have been something wrong with my cultivation base—"
"Enough, Xia Qingyue," Long Tian interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "The battle is over, and we survived. What matters now is that we learn from our mistakes and grow stronger together."
The cyan-haired beauty flinched as if struck, her eyes filling with unshed tears. She nodded silently and retreated to her room, closing the door behind her with barely a sound.
Long Tian sighed. "She'll come around. The cultivation path is filled with setbacks, and each of us must learn to overcome them."
Lin Feng watched the exchange with interest. The protagonist's hero personality is firmly in control. He forgives easily but remembers everything. Xia Qingyue's position in his heart continues to weaken.
Su Wan'er and Bai Luoyan exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. The alliance they had formed during the spider mission remained intact, but Lin Feng could sense underlying tensions—jealousies and ambitions that had yet to fully manifest.
"Lady Hua Lingwei will join us tonight," Long Tian continued. "We should prepare appropriately. This is an opportunity to form connections with the Mission Hall leadership."
Su Wan'er nodded. "I'll arrange for a private chamber at the Celestial Pavilion. With my family's connections, we should be able to secure the Moonlight Room."
Bai Luoyan grinned. "I know the head chef there. He owes me a favor from when I helped his daughter with her cultivation blockage. I'll ensure we have the finest spirit-infused delicacies."
Lin Feng remained silent, considering his next move. The interception of Long Tian's message had given him an unexpected opportunity. The Void Emperor's inheritance would significantly boost his cultivation base, but the journey would take time—time during which Long Tian might discover the deception.
I need to create a reason to be absent from tonight's celebration, he thought. Something plausible that won't raise suspicion.
He cleared his throat. "I regret that I cannot join tonight's celebration. The spider queen's venom contained a rare poison that has settled in my meridians. I must visit the Alchemist's Quarter to seek an antidote before it causes permanent damage."
Long Tian frowned with concern. "Is it serious? Perhaps I should accompany you."
Lin Feng waved off the suggestion. "No need to trouble yourself. This is a minor setback, and I have connections among the alchemists who can help. Besides, your presence is more important at the celebration. Lady Hua Lingwei won't wait for one junior cultivator's health concerns."
After some discussion, the group reluctantly agreed to Lin Feng's request. As they prepared for the evening's festivities, he quietly gathered his belongings and slipped away from the residence.
The Alchemist's Quarter was a maze of narrow streets filled with the mingled scents of rare herbs, spiritual catalysts, and experimental concoctions. Shops with signs bearing alchemical symbols lined both sides of the road, their doors often hidden behind curtains of spiritual mist that prevented outsiders from seeing within.
Lin Feng navigated these streets with the confidence of someone who had studied their layout in advance. He had spent his first days in this new world carefully mapping resources and connections, knowing that information was power in the cultivation world.
He entered a modest shop with a sign reading "Old Man Li's Panacea Hall." The interior was cluttered with shelves holding countless jars and bottles, their contents glowing with various colors. Behind the counter stood an elderly man with a long white beard, his eyes sharp despite his advanced age.
"Ah, young Lin Feng," the old man greeted without looking up from his current task—a delicate process of grinding moonpetal stamens into a fine powder. "I sensed your approach through the shop's protective formation. What brings you here today?"
Lin Feng bowed respectfully. "Master Li, I seek materials for a journey into the Verdant Forest. I've heard rumors of a hidden cave containing ancient cultivation resources."
The old man's hands stilled. He slowly looked up, his eyes narrowing with sudden intensity. "The Verdant Forest is no place for a young cultivator who has just reached the third level of Qi Condensation. Many experts in Foundation Establishment have entered those woods and never returned."
Lin Feng smiled enigmatically. "I have received a map to a specific location—one that promises rewards worthy of the risk."
Master Li studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I see. Fate has woven an interesting thread for you, young man. Many have sought the Void Emperor's resting place, but none have succeeded. Perhaps the Heavenly Dao has chosen you for this task."
Lin Feng's eyes widened in surprise. "You know of this place?"
The old man chuckled. "I have lived in this city for three hundred years, young cultivator. There are few secrets that escape my notice. The Void Emperor was a supreme expert who mastered all elements—fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, and even the rare space and time attributes. His inheritance is said to contain a divine treasure that can absorb the luck of others and convert it into cultivation resources."
He turned to a hidden cabinet behind the counter, retrieving several items. "Take these. The spirit-storing pouch will hold your supplies. The talismans of protection will shield you from low-level spirit beasts. And this—" he placed a small jade vial on the counter—"contains purified dew from the Celestial Lotus Pond. Drink it when you enter the cave; it will cleanse your meridians and prepare your body to accept the inheritance."
"How much do I owe you, Master Li?" Lin Feng asked.
The old man shook his head. "Consider it an investment in your future. If you succeed where others have failed, remember Old Man Li when you stand at the pinnacle of cultivation."
Lin Feng bowed deeply, accepting the items. "Your kindness will not be forgotten."
As he left the shop, the old man's voice followed him. "Beware the blue-haired girl, young Lin Feng. Her heart is divided, and her fate is tangled with yours in ways you cannot yet see."
Lin Feng paused at the doorway, considering the warning. Xia Qingyue? What could she possibly do to threaten my plans?
Shaking off the thought, he continued on his way, gathering the remaining supplies he would need for his journey. By nightfall, his backpack was filled with rations, medicine, and essential cultivation tools. He had also purchased a set of recording orbs—magical artifacts that could capture scenes and sounds when activated with spiritual energy.
These will be useful, he thought with a smile. When I claim the Void Emperor's inheritance, I'll have proof of my achievements. And if Xia Qingyue continues to be a problem...well, these orbs can record other things as well.
The moon hung high in the sky as Lin Feng left the city gates, using his wind attribute cultivation to mask his footsteps. He moved swiftly but carefully, avoiding the patrol routes of the city guards. The Verdant Forest lay two days' journey to the east, but with his increased cultivation base and stamina, he could cover the distance in half that time.
As he walked, he reflected on the events that had brought him to this point. The chaotic transmigration from his Earthly life as a successful businessman to this cultivation world had been both terrifying and exhilarating. He had expected a system or divine guide to assist him, but finding himself truly on his own had strengthened his resolve.
I have no cheat abilities, no divine blessings, he thought. Only my thirty years of strategic thinking and the advantage of knowing what a true protagonist looks like. Long Tian's golden aura of luck is visible to my awakened senses—a tangible manifestation of the Heavenly Dao's favor.
He recalled the scene at the Mission Hall, where Long Tian had effortlessly attracted the attention of not one but two disaster-level beauties. Hua Xiran and Hua Lingwei—daughters of the Mission Hall master—had both shown interest in him, despite already knowing about his three companions.
The protagonist's halo is too powerful, Lin Feng mused. He attracts beauty and opportunity like a magnet. But I have already begun to weaken his luck. Xia Qingyue's downfall during the spider mission has created the first crack in his perfect facade.
As he entered the forest's edge, the spiritual energy grew denser, flowing through the ancient trees like invisible rivers. The moonlight filtered through the canopy in silver shafts, illuminating spirit herbs that glowed faintly in the darkness. This was no ordinary woodland but a cultivation ground where the boundaries between the mortal and immortal realms grew thin.
Lin Feng activated one of his recording orbs, capturing the mystical atmosphere. This will serve as proof of my journey. When I return with the Void Emperor's inheritance, no one will doubt my accomplishments.
He consulted the map from the intercepted message, adjusting his course deeper into the forest. The path grew increasingly difficult, with steep ravines and treacherous terrain that would have slowed an ordinary traveler. But Lin Feng's cultivation base allowed him to leap across gaps and scale cliffs with ease.
As dawn approached on the second day, he reached a clearing marked by three ancient stone pillars arranged in a triangular formation. According to the map, the cave entrance lay hidden beneath these pillars, protected by a spatial formation that made it invisible to ordinary eyes.
Lin Feng sat down to rest, drinking from his water skin and eating some spirit-infused rations. He could feel the ambient spiritual energy here was far denser than in the city—a sign that powerful formations still maintained their integrity after countless years.
This is no ordinary hidden cave, he realized. The Void Emperor invested significant resources in protecting his final resting place. Only someone with the proper guidance could find it.
He activated the Celestial Lotus Pond dew, drinking the luminous liquid in one gulp. A cool energy spread through his meridians, cleansing impurities and heightening his spiritual senses. The world around him seemed to sharpen, colors becoming more vibrant, sounds more distinct.
With his enhanced perception, he could now see the subtle fluctuations in space around the stone pillars—a complex formation that bent light and concealed the cave entrance. Following the instructions from the map, he moved in a specific pattern around the pillars, chanting the activation phrase under his breath.
The air shimmered like a heat haze, and suddenly a cave mouth materialized before him, its entrance framed by carved stone dragons whose eyes glowed with protective energy.
Lin Feng took a deep breath. Here begins my true journey on the path of cultivation. No more relying on the protagonist's luck. From this moment forward, I forge my own destiny.
He stepped into the cave, the recording orb in his hand capturing every moment. The darkness swallowed him whole, but his heart burned with anticipation. Whatever treasures or dangers lay within, he would claim them for himself.
The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under the heavens had truly begun.