The metallic taste of blood filled Lin Feng's mouth as he crawled through the underbrush, his robes torn and soaked crimson.
"Not good... not good at all," he muttered, pressing a hand against the deep gash in his side. Behind him, the roars of demonic beasts echoed through the Darkwood Forest.
He'd been a fool. An absolute fool.
As an outer sect disciple of the Azure Sky Sect, he should have known better than to venture deep into the forest alone. But the mission rewards had been too tempting—50 spirit stones for gathering Moonlight Grass. For someone like him, stuck at the third level of Qi Refining for five years, those spirit stones could mean finally breaking through.
Now, he was going to die for his greed.
"If... if I survive this," Lin Feng gasped, dragging himself into a small cave, "I swear I'll never take risks again. I'll cultivate quietly. Stay hidden. Live a long, boring life..."
His vision blurred as blood loss took its toll. The last thing he saw was a strange golden light materialising before his eyes.
[Supreme Seclusion System Activated]
[Host Detected: Lin Feng]
[Scanning... The host is near death. Emergency intervention initiated.]
[Healing Host... Complete.]
Lin Feng's eyes snapped open. The pain was gone. He looked down at his side—the wound had vanished, leaving only dried blood on his robes as evidence it had ever existed.
"What... what just happened?"
The golden text hovered in his vision:
[Congratulations! You have been selected as the host of the Supreme Seclusion System!]
[Mission: The path of cultivation is fraught with danger. The wise cultivator knows when to advance and when to retreat. Your mission is simple—cultivate in seclusion, avoid unnecessary conflicts, and grow stronger in safety!]
[Current Recommendation: This forest is extremely dangerous. Probability of death if you remain: 94.7%. Recommend immediate return to the sect and finding a safe location for seclusion.]
Lin Feng didn't need to be told twice. He scrambled to his feet and ran.
Three hours later, Lin Feng stood before the abandoned Tranquil Peak, the most remote location in the Azure Sky Sect's territory. No one had lived here for decades—the spiritual energy was thin, and the peak was considered worthless for cultivation.
Perfect.
"System, is this place safe enough?"
[Analyzing... Tranquil Peak detected. Remote location, low traffic, minimal spiritual energy. Perfect for initial seclusion!]
[Recommendation: Claim this peak as your residence and begin seclusion training.]
[Beginner's Gift Package Available! Would you like to open it?]
Lin Feng's heart raced. In the cultivation novels he'd read in his previous life—yes, he was a transmigrator, though that hadn't helped him much so far—systems always gave incredible rewards.
"Open it!"
[Beginner's Gift Package Opened!]
[Reward 1: Ten Thousand Year Ginseng x10]
[Reward 2: Cultivation Technique - Eternal Breath Scripture (Heaven-Grade)]
[Reward 3: Formation Technique - Nine Heavens Concealment Array (Immortal-Grade)]
[Reward 4: Spiritual Spring activated on Tranquil Peak]
[Reward 5: Time Acceleration Field - Courtyard area operates at 10x normal time]
Lin Feng's jaw dropped as items materialised around him. Ten ginseng roots, each radiating terrifying spiritual energy, appeared in a jade box. A stream of information flooded his mind—the cultivation technique and formation knowledge integrating directly into his consciousness.
But the last two rewards were even more absurd. A spring of crystal-clear water bubbled up from the ground nearby, and he could feel a strange distortion in the air around the old courtyard on the peak.
"System... isn't this a bit much for a beginner's gift?"
[Warning: Host must not underestimate the dangers of the cultivation world. These resources are necessary for your survival. Remember—stay hidden, cultivate in secret, and only emerge when you are certain of your safety!]
Lin Feng nodded seriously. The system was right. He'd nearly died today. The cultivation world was brutal, and he'd been lucky to survive. If the system said he needed these resources to stay safe, who was he to argue?
"You're right. I'll follow your guidance, System. From today forward, I, Lin Feng, will cultivate in seclusion until I'm strong enough to truly protect myself!"
[Excellent! First Mission Issued: Remain in seclusion on Tranquil Peak for 100 years without leaving.]
[Reward: Foundation Establishment Breakthrough Pill]
[Additional Daily Rewards: Each day of seclusion grants Seclusion Points. Points can be exchanged for various rewards.]
Lin Feng clenched his fists. One hundred years seemed like a long time, but what was a century to an immortal cultivator? If it meant he could break through safely, it was worth it.
He didn't notice the system's small additional note:
[Note: Host's comprehension is limited. System will adjust reward distribution to ensure host's safety. Actual cultivation progress may vary from the host's perception.]
And so began the legend of the Unfathomable Master of Tranquil Peak—though Lin Feng himself would remain blissfully unaware for quite some time.