"Ye Fan, don't be arrogant!"
A harsh voice echoed through the servant quarters.
"Do you still think you're the genius of the outer sect? You're just a cripple stuck in the fifth stage of Qi Refining! You'll never advance again!"
A group of servant disciples surrounded a young man, sneering and laughing as they closed in.
The youth stood with clenched fists, his face pale but his eyes burning with fury. Though humiliation filled his heart, a trace of ruthless determination flickered within his gaze—he looked ready to fight to the death.
His name was Ye Fan.
Once, he was a peerless talent. Born with a top-grade spiritual root, Ye Fan had reached the Foundation Establishment Realm at only eighteen years old. He was known throughout the outer sect as one of its brightest geniuses, and many believed he would soon enter the inner sect and rise to glory.
But fate was cruel.
During a mission two years ago, he was poisoned by a demonic beast, his cultivation foundation shattered. His realm fell all the way back to the Qi Refining Stage, and even now his cultivation continued to decline. The once-respected genius had become a cripple, cast aside by those who once praised him.
Stripped of his status, Ye Fan was demoted to a servant disciple. Now, at twenty years old, he remained stuck at the fifth stage of Qi Refining, mocked by the very people who once admired him.
The group before him were bullies from the servant hall—cowards who preyed on the weak. Today, they surrounded him again, trying to steal his spirit stones.
Ye Fan's expression darkened. Though his cultivation was crippled, his pride as a cultivator remained unbroken.
---
A Watchful Gaze
High above in the sky, Han Li stood quietly, watching the scene unfold.
A complicated emotion flickered across his calm face.
"This Ye Fan…" he murmured, "he's just like me."
Han Li could feel a faint resonance in his heart. Ye Fan's situation mirrored his own—both had suffered from a damaged foundation, both had once been geniuses on the verge of greatness.
But unlike Ye Fan, Han Li had a Foundation Repairing Pill—a chance at recovery.
"Sigh…" Han Li shook his head softly. "I'm not one to meddle in other people's affairs, but…"
His gaze turned sharp as he looked down at the bullies. "This kind of behavior disgusts me."
He prepared to make a move.
---
Just as Han Li gathered spiritual energy, a cold mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
> Ding!
[Purple-level target detected. Investment System activated.]
Han Li froze in midair, his expression turning blank for an instant—then joy surged through his chest like a rising tide.
"A system?" he whispered in disbelief.
He immediately focused his consciousness inward.
"System! Are you there?"
> [Yes, Host.]
Han Li's eyes widened. It was real.
After years in this world, he had long envied the legendary tales of those blessed with mysterious systems—he had never expected to gain one himself.
"Tell me your functions," Han Li asked quickly, suppressing his excitement.
---
> [This system is known as the Investment System. It assists the host in locating potential investment targets. Targets are divided by potential levels: White, Green, Blue, Purple, Gold, Red, and Rainbow.]
[When investing in a target, the host will receive rewards based on the target's potential and the quality of the invested item.]
[White-level target: 100× return.]
[Green-level target: 200× return.]
[Blue-level target: 500× return.]
[Purple-level target: 1,000× return.]
[Gold-level target: 10,000× return.]
[Red-level target: 100,000× return.]
[Rainbow-level target: 1,000,000× return.]
[Note: The host can only invest twice per month.]
---
Han Li listened to every word carefully, his heartbeat quickening.
Even with his years of cultivation and calm nature, it was difficult to remain composed.
"A thousand times return for purple level… ten thousand for gold…" he murmured, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Even twice a month is enough!"
His gaze fell once again on the youth below.
"So this Ye Fan is a purple-level investment target?"
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Then let's see… how my first investment turns out."