Lin Xuan woke at the first hint of light.
Not because of noise. Not because of urgency.
Simply because his body told him it was time.
The faint glow slipping through the papered windows had barely touched the floor when his eyes opened, clear and alert. For a moment, he lay still, staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet breathing of the estate as it slowly came alive.
So it still works.
The internal clock he had honed in his previous life—years of waking before dawn, of training before the world stirred—had not dulled with rebirth. If anything, it felt sharper now, as though this body had been waiting to be used properly.
Lin Xuan rose without hesitation.
He washed his face, rinsing away the last threads of sleep, then tied his hair back with practiced ease. There was no mirror-checking, no wasted movement. Everything flowed naturally, one action following the next.
He stepped into the open space of his room and began his workout.
Nothing extravagant.
Controlled breathing. Stretching. Low-impact strength movements designed to activate muscle groups without aggravating his still-healing meridians. His body responded obediently, warmth spreading through his limbs as blood and qi began to circulate together.
He welcomed the burn.
By the time he finished, sweat dampened his back, but his breathing remained steady.
The familiar notification surfaced.
[Daily Quest Completed: Physical Discipline]
Reward: +5 System Coins
Lin Xuan exhaled slowly.
System Coins: 23
Still short.
But close enough to taste.
He washed again—this time thoroughly—letting warm water sluice over his shoulders and down his spine. When he finished, the estate was fully awake.
A knock came at the door.
"Young Master?" Qing'er's voice carried polite uncertainty.
Lin Xuan opened it before she could knock again.
She froze.
For a fraction of a second, her carefully maintained composure slipped.
"You… you're already awake?"
Not disapproval. Not concern.
Genuine surprise.
Lin Xuan nodded. "Good morning."
Qing'er recovered quickly, bowing slightly. "Good morning, Young Master. I was coming to wake you."
"No need," he said calmly. "Prepare breakfast."
She paused. "Just for you?"
"For Shen Yao as well," Lin Xuan replied. "Wake her. Bring breakfast to my room."
Qing'er hesitated—not in refusal, but in recalibration. "Yes, Young Master."
"One more thing," he added. "We'll be going out shortly. Prepare accordingly."
Her eyes flicked up. "Out?"
"To The Heavenly Balance Trade Association," Lin Xuan said. "She'll come with me."
Qing'er absorbed that silently, then nodded. "Understood."
As she turned to leave, Lin Xuan added evenly, "Be gentle when you wake her."
Qing'er paused, then bowed more deeply. "I will."
The door closed.
Lin Xuan returned to his room and summoned the System Panel.
Everything remained unchanged—stats steady, inventory intact. Only one thing had shifted.
[Survival Quest: Remain Alive for 7 Days]
Progress: 2/7 Days Completed
Remaining: 5 Days
He stared at it for a moment.
Five days.
No incidents so far, but that meant nothing. In his experience, danger rarely announced itself. It accumulated quietly, then struck when vigilance waned.
I'll stay alert.
He dismissed the panel and considered the plan ahead.
Sell pills. Complete the milestone. Acquire the recovery pill recipe. Repair his meridians.
He would carry the furnace with him today. Borrow a room at The Heavenly Balance Trade Association if possible—preferably discreet.
Fang Ruolin could help.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Young Master," Qing'er said. "Breakfast is ready. Shen Yao is awake."
"Bring it in," Lin Xuan replied.
The door opened.
Shen Yao entered first.
She moved more carefully than the night before, but the fear that had clung to her had softened. Her steps were lighter. Her eyes clearer. She wore clean robes now—simple, but properly fitted.
She bowed awkwardly. "Good morning."
"Sit," Lin Xuan said.
Qing'er arranged the food quietly and withdrew.
Breakfast passed without tension.
As they ate, Lin Xuan spoke—not lecturing, not commanding, but explaining.
"There are stages to cultivation," he said. "Even the weakest follow the same structure."
Shen Yao listened intently.
"Body Tempering," he continued. "Qi Condensation. Foundation Establishment. Core Formation."
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"These are… levels?"
"Yes," Lin Xuan said. "Each stage strengthens the body and soul differently. Right now, you are not cultivating. But your potential exists."
She hesitated. "Can… anyone cultivate?"
"No," he said honestly. "But you can."
Her chopsticks paused.
"You're sure?"
"I don't speak without reason."
She nodded, gripping the chopsticks tighter.
"We'll start slowly," Lin Xuan said. "Understanding first. Practice later."
"And… The Heavenly Balance Trade Association?" she asked cautiously.
"You'll observe," he replied. "Listen. Learn."
She remembered the alley. His hand. The choice she had made.
"I'll come," she said quietly.
They finished eating and prepared to leave.
The journey to The Heavenly Balance Trade Association passed without disturbance.
Lin Xuan walked slightly ahead. Shen Yao followed close enough to hear him, far enough not to draw attention. He remained alert—eyes scanning, senses open—but nothing crossed their path.
The Heavenly Balance Trade Association bustled as usual.
Merchants. Cultivators. Attendants.
And Fang Ruolin.
He spotted Lin Xuan almost immediately.
His eyes lit up.
"Young Master Lin!" Fang Ruolin called, already moving forward. "I was hoping I'd see you today."
Lin Xuan stopped. "Manager Fang."
"How may I assist you?" Fang asked, barely containing his anticipation.
"I have pills to sell," Lin Xuan replied.
Fang's smile widened. "Please. This way."
They returned to the same booth within The Heavenly Balance Trade Association.
Shen Yao stood nearby, silent, watching everything—how Fang deferred, how Lin Xuan spoke with calm certainty.
"What will you be selling today?" Fang asked.
Lin Xuan sat and produced a small box.
Thirty pills.
Middle-grade. Basic vitality.
Fang's breath caught.
"…Thirty?"
He recovered quickly. "Please wait."
Formalities followed. Appraisal. Verification.
When Fang returned, his expression was composed—but respectful.
"Market price," he said. "Twenty-five silver per pill. The Heavenly Balance Trade Association cut: five silver."
Lin Xuan nodded.
"Total to you: twenty silver per pill."
The coins were transferred.
Lin Xuan calculated silently.
Previous: 3 gold, 64 silver
Earnings: 600 silver (6 gold)
Total: 9 gold, 64 silver
"Is there anything else you require?" Fang asked.
"Yes," Lin Xuan said. "A room. And ten batches of Basic Vitality herbs."
Fang nodded. "Rooms can be borrowed. Two silver for three hours."
"That's acceptable."
The herbs were arranged.
Fang personally guided them through The Heavenly Balance Trade Association to the room, then withdrew.
Inside, Lin Xuan closed the door.
He turned to Shen Yao.
"I'll be making pills," he said. "Stay there."
She nodded, eyes wide.
Lin Xuan summoned the furnace from his System Inventory.
It appeared silently.
Shen Yao's breath hitched—but she didn't speak.
Lin Xuan activated the formation.
Flames rose.
He began refining.
Not rushed. Not careless.
High-grade pills would be born here today.
And with them—
Progress.