The heavens roared with thunder that split the sky asunder, clouds swirling into a vortex of cosmic energy above the bustling metropolis of Earth. In a humble apartment overlooking the city lights, a young man named Alex sat scrolling through his phone, chuckling at the latest web novel he'd been devouring.
"Wow this novel world is too wonderful," he muttered to himself, a wry smile playing on his lips. "The protagonist can have fun with countless beauties while possessing super cheat abilities and absurd luck. Meanwhile, these villains are just second-grade, rich spoiled second generations. Trust me, if I get a chance, I will show what a person can truly achieve by relying on himself alone..." He paused, his expression turning thoughtful. "Hmmm?"
As if the heavens themselves had heard his words, the space around him began to warp and twist. The air shimmered with golden light, and a black vortex materialized before his very eyes. It pulsed with an otherworldly energy, pulling at his very soul with irresistible force.
"No!" Alex screamed, dropping his phone as he scrambled backward. "I was just joking! I don't want to go anywhere! I have everything here—family, wealth, reputation, businesses...I refuse to leave!"
He struggled desperately, his fingers clawing at the wooden floorboards as the vortex's suction intensified. The apartment walls seemed to melt away, replaced by swirling cosmic energies. With one final, desperate cry, his body was lifted off the ground and drawn into the darkness.
The world spun violently around him. He caught fleeting glimpses of Earth growing smaller and smaller, then distant galaxies flashing past like shooting stars. A strange pressure built in his chest, as if his very soul was being compressed and expanded simultaneously. The boundaries of space and time blurred until finally, darkness claimed him.
Lin Feng awoke to the sensation of chalk striking his forehead.
"Lin Feng!" a stern voice echoed through the spacious hall. "I know it's the last day of discipleship, but can you at least refrain from daydreaming? We have mere moments left before you graduates choose the paths of your cultivation destinies!"
Blinking rapidly, Lin Feng found himself seated on a soft meditation cushion in a grand hall whose walls were carved with ancient runes that glowed faintly with spiritual energy. Before him stood an elderly woman with silver hair tied in an elegant topknot, her robes embroidered with cloud patterns that seemed to drift across the fabric. Her eyes, sharp and penetrating, held the wisdom of countless cultivation cycles.
The woman was Elder Mo Yun, master of the Outer Disciple Hall of the Azure Dragon Sect.
As Lin Feng's consciousness returned, a torrent of memories flooded his mind—memories that were not his own. He gasped as the information overwhelmed him, feeling as though his brain might burst from the sheer volume of new knowledge.
So I've taken over a body with the same name...Lin Feng... he thought, struggling to process the situation. This is a cultivation sect? I'm back to being a disciple about to graduate? This is utterly unfair! I spent decades building my business empire on Earth, and now I have to start over from nothing?
A kaleidoscope of emotions swirled within him—anger, disbelief, confusion, and beneath it all, a strange sense of excitement. He had read countless cultivation novels in his past life, dreamed of what it would be like to possess supernatural powers and live for centuries. Yet now that he was actually here, the reality was both more magnificent and more terrifying than he had ever imagined.
I'm just a normal person—an orphan with no powerful backing, no ancient bloodline, no so-called "system" like those novels describe...
"System...system...SYSTEM!" he called inwardly for what felt like an eternity, his mental voice growing increasingly desperate.
Silence.
So no system? Lin Feng's heart sank. I'm truly on my own. But wait—at least I have the experience and memories of my thirty years in my previous life. That must count for something!
Looking around the hall, he noticed something peculiar—there were far more female disciples than males. Beautiful young women with various hairstyles and exquisite robes filled the space, their eyes bright with youthful ambition. Some had hair as blue as the deepest ocean, others as golden as the morning sun, and still others as dark as midnight.
What's with this situation? Lin Feng wondered, his businessman's mind already analyzing the implications. In my world, such a gender imbalance would be unheard of in educational institutions. This world must be fundamentally different.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng closed his eyes and focused on sorting through the flood of incoming memories. As the information organized itself in his mind, the truth of his new reality became clear.
This world, known as the Nine Heavens Realm, was vastly different from Earth yet shared some fundamental similarities. It was a world where cultivation was the path to power, immortality, and transcendence. The land was divided among countless cultivation sects, noble clans, and imperial dynasties, each vying for resources, territory, and the favor of the Heavenly Dao.
The Azure Dragon Sect, where he now found himself, was one of the Ten Great Sects that dominated the Eastern Continent. It specialized in wind and lightning attributes, with disciples who could soar through the skies and summon storms with a flick of their wrists.
In this world, cultivators progressed through established realms: Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and beyond. Each realm brought exponentially greater power and longevity. The strongest cultivators could live for thousands of years, command the elements, and even reshape reality itself.
This sect's purpose is to prepare disciples to become wandering cultivators or join established sects, Lin Feng realized as he absorbed more information. Only the top-grade disciples can attend this final class. At least my new body was talented enough to pass the entrance examinations...hahaha! How could the boy who topped the national examinations fail a mere cultivation aptitude test?
The memories continued to unfold. Upon graduation, disciples would form cultivation teams, register at the Mission Hall, and undertake assignments to earn merit points. As they completed missions and grew stronger, they could obtain various spiritual treasures—magical artifacts, divine weapons, immortal pills, and techniques that could shake the heavens themselves.
Lin Feng's eyes widened with excitement as he realized the implications. High-level cultivators can traverse the land and oceans freely. They possess cheat-like abilities that defy natural laws. It's too incredible—it's exactly like those overpowered characters we see in action movies!
The information about the world's basic structure—geography, politics, cultivation resources—continued to flood his mind, but Lin Feng found himself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of knowledge. He pushed aside the less critical details, focusing instead on what mattered most for his immediate survival.
I'm in a cultivation world! Despite having no system, I still have my past life's knowledge and experience. That must count for something!
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Lin Feng suddenly stood up, his fist slamming against the wooden table before him with enough force to make it shudder.
"Bring it on! I will become the strongest cultivator under the heavens!"
The hall fell deathly silent. Every disciple turned to stare at him, their expressions ranging from shock to amusement. Elder Mo Yun's eyebrows shot up in surprise, while several female disciples covered their mouths to stifle giggles.
Lin Feng's face burned with embarrassment. Oh no—I completely forgot where I was! These people must think I'm a complete fool!
Hurriedly sitting back down, he bowed his head apologetically. "Please continue, Elder Mo Yun...I merely got carried away by my emotions at the prospect of beginning my true cultivation journey."
A ripple of laughter spread through the hall. The girls sitting nearby exchanged knowing glances, some whispering behind their hands, "How adorable! He's so passionate about cultivation!"
The male disciples, however, merely shook their heads. Another impulsive fool who lacks the patience to walk the long road of cultivation, they thought dismissively.
Elder Mo Yun sighed deeply, a mixture of relief and exasperation in her expression. "Enough of this commotion. Seeing how restless you all have become, let us conclude today's session. Collect your graduation jade slips and be on your way."
She turned away, muttering under her breath where only Lin Feng's newly heightened senses could catch it: "Finally, this batch of little troublemakers will leave. I can only imagine the chaos they'll bring to the cultivation world. Just a little longer, and I can finally enjoy my century-long meditation retreat in peace."
The tension in the hall dissolved into chatter and movement as disciples rose to collect their graduation certificates—small jade slips inscribed with their names and cultivation aptitudes. Lin Feng stood slowly, his mind already racing with possibilities.
Which sect should I join? he wondered, his strategic mind already analyzing his options. The Azure Dragon Sect is powerful, but as an outer disciple with no connections, I might be overlooked. Perhaps a smaller sect where I can stand out? Or maybe I should form my own team...
His shining black eyes scanned the hall, quickly locking onto a group of disciples near the exit. At their center stood a youth with messy blonde hair and an aura of confidence that seemed to draw others to him. Surrounding him were three exceptionally beautiful young women—each more stunning than the last.
Lin Feng's memories identified them instantly. To the left stood Xia Qingyue, her long lavender hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall of amethyst. Her delicate features and serene expression made her seem like a celestial maiden who had descended from the highest heavens. To the right was Bai Luoyan, whose petite frame and youthful face gave her the appearance of an innocent loli, though her sharp eyes betrayed a calculating mind. And standing slightly behind them was Su Wan'er, whose voluptuous figure and alluring smile could make even the most disciplined cultivators lose their focus.
These three were known throughout the region as the "Three Saintesses of Azure Peak." Countless young masters from noble clans had sought their favor, only to be rejected with cold indifference. They were like immortal blossoms that refused to be plucked by unworthy hands.
Lin Feng's gaze then shifted to the young man at the center of their attention—Long Tian. His memories revealed that Long Tian came from a wealthy merchant family in the same city. He possessed excellent cultivation talent, maintained an air of mystery about his actions, and had a short temper that was backed by formidable strength.
What fascinated Lin Feng most was the relationship between these four. Xia Qingyue was betrothed to Long Tian through an arrangement made by their parents. Bai Luoyan was his childhood friend, while Su Wan'er was a distant relative. In a single young man, Long Tian possessed what countless cultivators would give their immortal lives to obtain—a harem of three peerless beauties, each capable of causing wars among kingdoms if they so desired.
Lin Feng recalled a line from an ancient poem he had read: "One beauty to cause a city to fall into chaos, another to cause a nation to crumble, and another to bring the entire world to ruin."
Surely these three are beauties capable of triggering disasters among cultivators, he thought, watching as they argued playfully over who would accompany Long Tian on his first mission.
A strange feeling stirred within Lin Feng—a sense of possessiveness, a desire to conquer, to see these celestial maidens moaning beneath him. His heart pounded with unexpected intensity.
Perhaps the reason I was brought to this life was because I missed something important in my past existence—love, romance, companionship... he mused. But how can one choose among countless beauties? Who knows how many world-shaking beauties exist in this vast realm?
As he watched the three girls vying for Long Tian's attention, Lin Feng suddenly understood. Long Tian wasn't just a talented young cultivator—he was a protagonist with heaven-defying luck. His excellent grades, wealthy family, pre-arranged marriage, disaster-causing harem, hidden strength, ambition to become the strongest cultivator, and mysterious guardians...all these elements combined to form the perfect protagonist archetype.
A person blessed by the Heavenly Dao itself, Lin Feng realized with growing excitement. Someone whose very existence bends fortune to his will, turning garbage into legendary treasures and transforming dangers into blessings!
A bold plan began to take shape in Lin Feng's mind. He watched as the group headed toward the Mission Hall, and without hesitation, he followed them.
If I can join their team, he thought, I can begin my mission to steal away these beauties one by one. After all, what does it matter if they're "taken"? I'll take them all!
The group soon entered the largest Mission Hall in the city—a grand structure supported by massive pillars carved with dragon motifs. Spiritual guards clad in black armor stood at attention, their weapons gleaming with faint spiritual light. The air hummed with power, making Lin Feng's skin tingle with goosebumps.
Even the imperial guards would be no match for these warriors, he thought. What an incredible starting point for a protagonist! This must be a powerhouse-level organization!
As a seasoned novel reader and businessman, countless clichés and routines flooded Lin Feng's mind. A mighty power hiding its true strength, waiting for the right moment to emerge. Talented individuals ready to draw their swords at a single command. This must be the future army of the protagonist!
Just as Lin Feng was about to enter, two guards stepped forward, their spears crossing to block his path.
"Halt! No entry without proper recommendation or sufficient cultivation rank," one guard stated coldly.
Lin Feng quickly composed himself. "I'm with the group that just entered," he explained smoothly. "I'm their classmate and a follower of the short young master who leads them. If you doubt my words, simply ask them to confirm."
The guards exchanged glances. They recognized the importance of those who entered this hall—all had great backgrounds and powerful connections. Who were they to cause trouble for such people?
Lowering their weapons, they allowed Lin Feng to pass. He slipped inside with a triumphant smile, his heart pounding with excitement.
This is only the beginning, he thought as he entered the bustling Mission Hall. The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under heaven starts today. And I will walk this path with my own hands—not relying on any cheat system or divine blessing!
The Mission Hall was a marvel of cultivation architecture. Its ceilings soared hundreds of feet into the air, supported by pillars carved with scenes of legendary battles between immortal beings. The floor was made of spirit stones that pulsed with gentle energy, replenishing the cultivators who stood upon them.
At the central counter stood a beautiful young woman with skin as pale as snow and hair blacker than midnight. Her name was Hua Xiran, daughter of the Mission Hall's master. Even Su Wan'er's voluptuous figure paled in comparison to Hua Xiran's mature elegance and natural charm. Each step she took made her tight-fitting robes cling to her curves, causing spiritual energy to swirl around her like jealous winds.
Lin Feng felt his breath catch in his throat. Danger! Danger! Danger! his mind screamed. Another disaster-level beauty! The protagonist's luck truly knows no bounds!
The girls around Long Tian immediately sensed the threat. Their eyes narrowed as they watched Hua Xiran approach their group, her smile warm and inviting. When Long Tian stepped forward to greet her, his eyes fixed on her magnificent form, the three beauties instinctively formed a protective circle around him.
The protagonist's halo and luck are too powerful, Lin Feng thought with a mixture of jealousy and admiration. He's openly flirting with another beauty right in front of his harem, yet they simply stand by and allow it—as if they've been enchanted and rendered foolish.
A profound realization struck Lin Feng like a bolt of lightning. Why is the protagonist strong? It's because he has a powerful family backing him, loyal beauties in his harem, strong allies supporting him, and cheat abilities to grow stronger. These elements combine to form his absurd luck!
Lin Feng remembered countless 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's breathing quickened 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!
Just as Hua Xiran began speaking with Long Tian, Lin Feng noticed a shadow moving 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 Xiran continued her conversation with Long Tian. The protagonist's first major opportunity...and now it's mine.
The Mission Hall buzzed with activity as cultivators of various ranks exchanged missions, traded spiritual materials, and formed alliances. The air smelled of sandalwood incense and spiritual herbs, creating an atmosphere of mysticism and power. Colorful spirit lights danced through the air, illuminating the faces of those who dreamed of immortality.
Lin Feng observed everything with the eyes of a businessman—analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This world operates on different rules than Earth, he realized. Power isn't just about money or influence—it's about cultivation, resources, and connections to the Heavenly Dao.
His fingers brushed against the jade slip hidden in his robes. I must examine this later, away from prying eyes. Whatever opportunity it contains, I will seize it for myself.
As Hua Xiran finally concluded her conversation with Long Tian's group, she led them to the mission bulletin boards. These weren't ordinary boards—they were floating slabs of spirit jade that displayed missions according to cultivation rank, glowing softly with spiritual light.
Lin Feng noticed Long Tian's group lacked one member. They seemed to be waiting for someone to join them, as regulations required a minimum of five cultivators to form an official team.
Lady Luck smiles upon me today, Lin Feng thought with a sly grin. This is my chance to join their group and begin my plan to steal away their beauties.
He approached them leisurely. "Long Tian! Isn't this our classmate Long Tian and the famous Three Saintesses of Azure Peak?"
The three beauties exchanged glances before turning to glare at Lin Feng. One by one, they spoke without giving Long Tian a chance to respond.
"Were you following us?" asked Bai Luoyan, her voice sweet but laced with venom.
"We need some private time. Please leave," Su Wan'er added with a dismissive wave.
"As expected of a rootless orphan," Xia Qingyue sneered. "Daring to speak to nobles without proper respect. Such a nuisance."
Lin Feng understood immediately. The moment the three beauties made eye contact with each other, they had formed a tactical alliance—a temporary truce to eliminate outsiders. It was their natural defense mechanism, born from their obsession with Long Tian. Their minds had already claimed him as their collective property, and no outsider would be allowed to interfere.
As an experienced novel reader and businessman who has used every trick in the book—including blackmail, extortion, and more—I won't be so easily discouraged, Lin Feng thought with amusement. Let's play fire with fire.
His plan was simple yet effective: attack the core while turning allies into enemies. He would sympathize with Long Tian while sowing discord among the girls, isolating them one by one.
Ignoring their snobbish remarks, Lin Feng approached Long Tian directly. "To be honest, I also need a team to register. Why not join together, old classmate? We've trained alongside each other for years."
Long Tian examined Lin Feng from head to toe, his mind calculating. This boy's cultivation base seems adequate, but I must ensure he harbors no ill intentions toward me or my companions.
"I didn't expect an orphan like you to have the backing necessary to enter this hall," Long Tian said, his tone calm but testing.
Lin Feng recognized the protagonist's routine—first insult and sneer to gauge reactions, then determine true personalities.
Haha! He's playing the testing waters game the moment we meet. As expected of a true protagonist, Lin Feng thought inwardly.
"It's simply that I have no one to rely upon," Lin Feng replied, his expression carefully controlled to show sadness. "I was fortunate enough to earn the pity of someone who recommended me here. Seeing you all waiting, I thought you might also need a member. You know how rarely I spoke to anyone during our training—resulting in being left out of most class teams planning to join sects together."
Perfect, Lin Feng thought. Lower his defenses by showing I have no backing, then trigger his protagonist's natural hero tendency to help the downtrodden.
As expected, Long Tian chuckled. "It's alright...I was merely testing you. My intention wasn't to insult you. You understand how dangerous the outside world is—I cannot take on teammates who might betray us at crucial moments."
Seeing the situation developing favorably, Lin Feng knew it was time to neutralize the girls' opposition. He nodded at Long Tian, then turned to the three beauties with a seemingly innocent expression.
"Lady Bai Luoyan, Lady Xia Qingyue—why is it that every time I see you together, you're both being undermined by Lady Su Wan'er?"
This was his opening move—attacking their weakest link. He had decided Xia Qingyue, the cyan-haired beauty, would be his first target. The loli and the busty one could wait.
The reaction was immediate and exactly as Lin Feng had predicted. The three beauties had spent so little time interacting with outsiders that they viewed Su Wan'er as the instigator of their conflicts. Seeing an "outsider" confirm their suspicions created an instant bond.
"Elandor—you're right!" Xia Qingyue exclaimed, her cute face twisting with newfound anger. "It's always this fake cousin sister trying to separate me from Long Tian!"
"Yes," Bai Luoyan chimed in. "I always wondered why we constantly argue whenever we're together. It seems it was all this little blue-haired schemer's doing. Hmph! Playing tricks against Long Tian's one and only childhood friend—how naive you are, fake sister!"
Xia Qingyue's eyes narrowed dangerously as she glared at Lin Feng. Her yandere instincts had sensed the threat immediately. This dangerous man cannot be allowed to join our group. He will tip the balance against me!
"Why are you interfering in our affairs, lowly commoner?" she spat. "Know your place!"
She turned to Long Tian. "I cannot allow him to join us. He doesn't seem like a trustworthy person."
"Why direct your anger at me, Lady Xia Qingyue," Lin Feng countered smoothly, "when it's clear you're at fault, as Lady Bai Luoyan and Lady Su Wan'er have pointed out?"
The alliance between Bai Luoyan and Su Wan'er strengthened instantly. Their expressions conveyed mutual understanding—a comradeship forged in countless battles against Xia Qingyue's interference.
"Yes, Xia Qingyue," Su Wan'er pressed. "Why oppose Lin Feng when he speaks the truth? The truth hurts like a knife to schemers like you. Lin Feng, we were just lacking one member—it's fortunate we found you. As fellow classmates, we can trust you."
"I agree," Bai Luoyan added quickly. "Lin Feng, we were missing a support cultivator like you in our team. Please join us."
Xia Qingyue glared at Lin Feng as if he were the murderer of her parents. She understood perfectly—this was no longer a battle of two against one, but three against one. Her position in Long Tian's heart was slipping away.
Long Tian observed the scene thoughtfully before finally breaking the silence. "I'm sorry, Xia Qingyue, but you know I've always valued the majority's opinion. I see no valid reason to side with you and reject Lin Feng."
Lin Feng's smile widened. The protagonist's hero personality has been triggered. He enjoys making others grateful for his kindness. Perfect.
Xia Qingyue's shoulders slumped as she whispered barely audibly, "Why is this happening?...Why won't Long Tian trust me?...Our bond should be stronger than this. How can he ignore my opinion?"
Lin Feng, standing close enough to hear, could barely contain his satisfaction. The first strike against enemy lines has been successful. Now is not the time to slow our offensive.
After successfully registering their team under the name "THE RISING STARS," Long Tian beamed with pride. This had been one of his long-awaited objectives.
Xia Qingyue saw her opportunity to regain favor. "Long Tian, let's not waste any more time. We need to gain experience quickly to break through from the Qi Condensation realm to Foundation Establishment and beyond. We must begin our cultivation journey immediately!"
She reached to grasp Long Tian's hand, but Lin Feng stepped between them, blocking her path.
"Lady Xia Qingyue," Lin Feng said with his signature smile that made her feel as if a devil from the deepest pits of hell was ridiculing her. "Long Tian, since we've just formed our team and aim to reach the highest cultivation realms eventually, we must be far-sighted in our approach."
"I believe we should first secure a residence to store our supplies and equipment. Then we must obtain sufficient spiritual rations for extended cultivation sessions. Only after these preparations should we examine available missions to find those most suitable for our current strength."
"We cannot be short-sighted and rush into missions blindly," Lin Feng added, his eyes locking with Xia Qingyue's. "Don't you agree, Lady Xia Qingyue?"
Bai Luoyan and Su Wan'er were quick to support him. Their alliance had already formed strong roots.
"Yes, Xia Qingyue," Su Wan'er said with a triumphant smile. "Thankfully we admitted Lin Feng, or you would have dragged us into unprepared missions. I think you want us to starve during our cultivation journey and waste time on useless missions."
"Indeed," Bai Luoyan added. "I'm now certain you're always responsible for causing discord in our group. It's your short-sighted approach that has made us suffer various setbacks in the past."
Lin Feng took the opening. "Thank you, Lady Bai Luoyan and Lady Su Wan'er, for sharing my opinion. But ultimately, the decision rests with our team leader. You accepted me because you lacked proper support. How can I be a good support cultivator if I cannot analyze situations and provide unbiased advice?"
"You know, in life-or-death battles, even the smallest mistake can lead to an entire team's downfall."
"Oh, you need not keep addressing us as 'Lady,'" Bai Luoyan said warmly. "We are now one team. Please call us by our names."
"How can a mere commoner dare to use our personal names!" Xia Qingyue shouted in frustration.
Jasmine also chimed in, "Yes, we must rely on you. Xia Qingyue uses her tears and pitiful expressions to manipulate Long Tian into making mistakes. You must intervene to prevent her continued errors."
The alliance of Bai Luoyan, Su Wan'er, and Lin Feng turned expectantly to Long Tian.
Hearing their arguments, even Long Tian began to view Xia Qingyue as careless and shortsighted. "Of course, we must follow your advice, Lin Feng. You are an excellent support cultivator. Continue providing useful guidance to us in the future."
Xia Qingyue stomped her foot angrily, knowing she had suffered another defeat. Her resentment toward Lin Feng deepened with each passing moment.
The newly formed team spent the afternoon securing a modest residence, purchasing basic equipment, and furnishing their living quarters. By evening, Long Tian gathered everyone in the main hall.
"Let's select our first mission," he announced. "We must cultivate quickly and rise through the ranks."
They returned to the Mission Hall, where countless jade slips floated in the air, each containing a different mission. As newly registered cultivators at the lowest tier, they were limited to E-rank missions—tasks suitable for beginners still in the early stages of the Qi Condensation realm.
Five missions were available to them. Two involved capturing low-level spirit beasts in the nearby mountains. One required assisting farmers with their spiritual crop production. Another involved investigating rumors of bandits ambushing merchants on trade routes. The final mission was to help a nearby village deal with an infestation of venomous spirit spiders.
Lin Feng immediately noticed Xia Qingyue's subtle trembling when she read the spider-related missions. Is this girl afraid of spiders? he thought with interest. Another weakness discovered!
Without hesitation, he spoke up. "Long Tian, only the fourth and fifth spider-related missions are suitable for us. The other locations are too distant and would take far too long to complete."
"Noooooo!" Xia Qingyue burst out, her face pale with fear. "We cannot accept these missions! You know how terrified I've been of spiders since childhood, Long Tian. We must choose other missions—even if they take longer to complete."
Bai Luoyan and Su Wan'er exchanged knowing smiles before countering her objections.
"Xia Qingyue, are you out of your mind?" Su Wan'er snapped. "The other missions would take at least two months to complete. The distances are prohibitive."
"Yes," Bai Luoyan added. "Aren't they just low-level venomous spiders? What's the big deal? I've heard they're among the weakest spirit beasts. We can complete these missions quickly."
Even Long Tian began to view Xia Qingyue as selfish, placing her personal fears above the team's progress. If she's afraid of such weak spirit beasts, how can she possibly face stronger opponents when we accept higher-rank missions?
"You disappoint me, Xia Qingyue," Long Tian said gravely, his hero-like personality activated. "A cultivator must face their fears and overcome them. This is the path to strength."
Xia Qingyue felt tears welling in her eyes. Never before had Long Tian spoken to her with such disappointment. And all because of Lin Feng...
She stomped her foot furiously, watching helplessly as the three members of the alliance smiled in victory. Her resentment toward Lin Feng reached new heights.
The next morning, as the team prepared to depart for the spider-infested village, Lin Feng subtly slipped a small packet from his robe. Inside was a rare Qi-suppressing poison he had purchased the previous day—a non-lethal medicine that would slow mana circulation in the body for two days, taking a full day to enter the bloodstream and reach peak effectiveness on the second day.
Perfect timing, Lin Feng thought as he mixed the powder into Xia Qingyue's morning tea. By the time we face the spider queen, she'll be completely powerless.
After their meal, the team set out on foot for the two-day journey to the troubled village. Xia Qingyue had suggested taking a carriage to avoid potential ambushes, but her suggestion was once again overruled by the majority.
"We have our entire lives ahead of us for luxury," Long Tian declared with conviction. "This is our first chance to camp under the stars and test our cultivation skills in the wilderness. Don't ruin this special experience with unnecessary comforts."
Xia Qingyue's head drooped in resignation. She knew there was nothing she could do but face her arachnid fears head-on.
Lin Feng watched her closely, noticing how she attempted to mentally prepare herself for the ordeal. She's trying to delude her mind, to motivate herself to overcome her fear. But I've already prepared my countermeasures.
The journey was uneventful, allowing the team to practice their coordination and teamwork. By nightfall, having covered half the distance, they found a suitable place to camp beneath ancient pine trees whose branches reached toward the heavens like praying hands.
As the campfire crackled warmly, casting dancing shadows across their faces, Long Tian gathered everyone for a serious discussion.
"I've decided our combat formations," he announced, his voice firm with leadership. "I will take the frontline position alongside Bai Luoyan. Xia Qingyue will provide support with her fire attribute cultivation techniques."
"Su Wan'er will use her wind attribute to maintain situational awareness and strike from range. Lin Feng will fill whatever role we lack, while also providing support cultivation techniques to enhance our abilities."
Lin Feng suddenly remembered an important detail he had overlooked during his transmigration. In this world, cultivators harnessed spiritual energy known as Qi. Weak cultivators required incantations to direct their Qi for techniques, while high-level cultivators could perform techniques without chanting.
Qi was the energy produced by all living things, flowing through meridians in the body. Everyone was born with the ability to cultivate Qi, but each person's physique determined which elemental attributes or support techniques they could master.
Lin Feng's body, according to his memories, was particularly adept at support techniques—specifically, enhancing the abilities of teammates during combat. Long Tian possessed weak fire attribute talent, so he focused on sword and spear techniques instead. Bai Luoyan had similarly weak water attribute talent, so she specialized in defensive techniques, carrying a small white shield on her back. Su Wan'er had weak wind attribute talent that enhanced her perception and accuracy. Only Xia Qingyue had medium-level fire attribute talent, allowing her to perform area damage with powerful fireballs.
Their roles were perfectly balanced—a frontline fighter, a defender, a ranged attacker, a support cultivator, and a versatile backup.
Lin Feng smiled inwardly as the team finalized their plans. The downfall of this blue-haired beauty is already in motion. And I will be the one to witness her despair.
The village was nestled in a valley surrounded by misty mountains. Its wooden buildings stood in stark contrast to the primitive stone structures Lin Feng had expected. The villagers, though simple in appearance, possessed a quiet dignity and deep connection to the land.
After verifying their mission documents, the village chief was surprised to learn the team intended to complete both tasks simultaneously. The group explained their plan—to eliminate the spider queen directly, which would solve both problems at once.
The chief's eyes lit up with hope. "If you succeed in destroying the spider queen's nest, I will reward you with one hundred spirit stones—ten times the standard reward!"
Lin Feng knew this was exactly what he had hoped for. Xia Qingyue would only need to use weak techniques against the small spiders, preserving her strength for the final confrontation with the queen. And when that moment came, the poison would have reached its peak effectiveness.
Her downfall is inevitable, Lin Feng thought with satisfaction as they approached the cave entrance marked on their map. The poison should be at its most potent by now.
The cave mouth was hidden behind thick vegetation and large boulders, making it nearly invisible to untrained eyes. Inside, the walls glistened with moisture, and the air carried the distinctive scent of venom and decay.
Small spider-like creatures skittered along the walls and ceiling, their glowing red eyes visible in the darkness. The team dispatched them easily, their movements showing excellent coordination from their morning practice.
Xia Qingyue was in high spirits, her fear seemingly forgotten as they progressed deeper into the cave. "I've already overcome my spider phobia!" she declared proudly to Long Tian.
Lin Feng merely smiled, knowing her confidence would soon shatter.
After half an hour of careful advancement, they reached the deepest chamber. The cavern opened into a massive space where thousands of spiders of various sizes had gathered. At the center stood the spider queen—a massive creature the size of an ox, her body covered in iridescent blue fur that seemed to absorb the dim light.
Long Tian quickly organized the team into their practiced formation. He and Bai Luoyan took the front lines with their weapons ready. Su Wan'er readied her bow behind them. Lin Feng activated his support techniques, sending waves of enhanced strength and agility through his teammates. Xia Qingyue stood at the rear, preparing her fire techniques.
The plan was perfect. They would kill as many spiders as possible, then force the survivors toward the queen. Finally, Xia Qingyue and Long Tian would combine their fire techniques to eliminate the remaining threats in a single devastating blast.
For half an hour, the battle raged. The team moved with precision, their earlier practice paying dividends. Over two hundred spider corpses littered the cavern floor, but at least seventy remained, including the massive queen.
Everyone was exhausted—sweat soaked their robes, cuts and bruises covered their skin, and their weapons showed signs of damage from striking the spiders' hard exoskeletons. Xia Qingyue, following the plan, had conserved her strength, using only minimal fire techniques when absolutely necessary.
As they finally cornered the remaining spiders against the cavern wall, Long Tian and Xia Qingyue began their incantations. The air grew hot as their combined fire techniques gathered energy.
Bai Luoyan and Su Wan'er cheered, believing the mission was nearly complete.
Only Lin Feng wore an evil grin.
The disaster he had orchestrated was about to unfold.
No matter how much Xia Qingyue chanted, she couldn't feel her Qi responding. The poison had completely blocked her meridians, preventing her from accessing her cultivation base.
Her face paled with panic. "I...I can't...something's wrong with my cultivation base!"
Long Tian's expression turned grim. "Xia Qingyue, this is not the time for games! Use the damn fire technique! Our lives depend on it!"
"I'm not joking!" she cried desperately. "I can't access my Qi! Something is wrong with me!"
Bai Luoyan's face twisted with anger. "Xia Qingyue, are you taking revenge on us for speaking against you? Can't you see our lives are in danger? The difficulty of this mission has already reached D-rank! Only your technique could have provided the area damage needed to finish them!"
Su Wan'er joined the accusations. "Xia Qingyue, I always suspected you never truly mastered high-level fire techniques. You only showed off with weak spells to gain Long Tian's favor. You lied to us all this time!"
Lin Feng stepped forward, his expression grave. "I take responsibility as the support cultivator. I should have verified Xia Qingyue's abilities during practice sessions. After repeated warnings from Bai Luoyan and Su Wan'er, I should have insisted she demonstrate her full capabilities. We fell for her deception."
Long Tian's face darkened with disappointment. "I never knew you were such a selfish person, Xia Qingyue. To place your personal feelings above our lives...you've endangered all of us. This mission has escalated beyond E-rank difficulty. Only your combined fire technique could have ended this battle cleanly."
As the accusations piled up, Xia Qingyue felt as if she were falling into the deepest abyss of despair. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined the person she cherished most would scold her so harshly.
"Long Tian, believe me!" she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "I've been with you since childhood! There's something wrong with my body—I can feel it returning now! I can use my techniques again, I promise!"
"It's too late for lies," Long Tian said coldly. "Prepare yourselves, everyone. We must fight our way out!"
The battle that followed was brutal and desperate. The team fought with everything they had, trading blow for blow with the energized spider monsters. Their weapons grew dull, their armor cracked and splintered, and their bodies accumulated wound after wound.
Throughout it all, Xia Qingyue sat on the ground, her eyes blank as she muttered to herself. "Everything was fine this morning...why now? Why can't I access my Qi? Did someone plot against me?"
No one paid her any attention. In their eyes, their own survival was the priority.
Only Lin Feng occasionally dispatched spiders that ventured too close to her position.
The battle lasted until early morning, the rising sun filtering through cracks in the cavern ceiling. When the final spider fell, David, Eve, Jasmine and Lin Feng collapsed to the ground, utterly drained.
Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief. "This time I almost died," he thought to himself. "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 remembered the critical moment when defeat seemed inevitable. Long Tian had produced four jade bottles containing luminous liquid. After drinking them, the team felt torrents of energy flooding their bodies, allowing them to continue fighting until victory.
Sure enough, the protagonist cannot die so easily, Lin Feng mused.
After resting for several hours, the team members gradually regained their strength. They collected the spider queen's venom sac and carapace—valuable materials for alchemists and weaponsmiths—before returning to the village.
The chief was overjoyed at their success, rewarding them handsomely and providing horses and a carriage for their return journey.
Throughout the trip home, the team was energetic and cheerful, discussing their techniques and celebrating their promotion to the next cultivation rank. Only Xia Qingyue sat silently in the corner of the carriage, head bowed, unable to face her teammates' accusing eyes.
The poison's effects had finally worn off, allowing her to access her Qi again. She couldn't find any physical explanation for her earlier failure and began to believe her fear of spiders had somehow blocked her cultivation.
Lin Feng watched her dejected expression with satisfaction. My first objective is nearly complete. The foundation has been laid. Now I must build upon it.
Upon returning to the city, the team went directly to the Mission Hall to receive their new silver-ranked jade badges. The grandeur of the hall, with its towering pillars and powerful guards, filled Lin Feng with awe and strengthened his desire for power.
The receptionist was surprised to see the spider queen's materials along with their mission completion documents. "Such young cultivators achieving this rank so quickly," she murmured to herself. "They are truly talented."
She asked them to wait while she retrieved their new badges. During this time, Long Tian proposed a celebration.
"We must celebrate this moment!" he declared. "It marks our first success as a cultivation team."
Just then, the hall fell silent as Hua Xiran descended the stairs, accompanied by her elder sister Hua Lingwei. Even Su Wan'er's impressive figure seemed ordinary compared to Hua Lingwei's mature charm. Her jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall to the floor, her face round as the moon, and her skin white as snow. With each step, her body swayed with hypnotic grace, making countless male cultivators lose their souls.
Hua Lingwei approached them with a smile sweet as honey. "Hello, young cultivators! I'm Parul, daughter of the Mission Hall master. Since my father is away on urgent business, I'm in charge here. Hearing of such a brave and strong team, I decided to personally award your silver badges. I hope you don't mind."
Lin Feng felt his breath catch again. Danger! Danger! Danger! Another disaster-level beauty! And Long Tian's eyes are already fixed on her!
Before anyone could react, Long Tian rushed forward. "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 and luck are too strong! He's openly flirting with another lady while his harem simply stands by, rendered foolish and ignorant!
A profound realization struck Lin Feng. The protagonist's strength comes from his backing—loyal beauties, powerful family connections, strong allies, and cheat abilities. If I take all these things from him, I can shatter his luck and steal his destiny.
His eyes narrowed with determination. I will become the true protagonist of this story. I will claim these beauties, seize these treasures, and break through the heavens themselves!
Just as Lin Feng was lost in these thoughts, he noticed movement near the wall. The same dark-robed elder from before was hiding there, watching them. The elder threw a small jade slip toward Long Tian before vanishing once more.
Lin Feng acted quickly, retrieving the jade slip when no one was looking. His heart pounded with excitement as he realized what this meant.
A critical opportunity for the protagonist...and now it's mine!