I crashed my body to the floor since that’s the only clear spot.
The wolf was already lunging.
I rolled left.
Its claws raked stone where my head had been.
Before I could stand, the mantis was there.
White scales shot toward me like knives.
One caught my shoulder.
Then another.
Then three more.
I screamed.
Pain exploded through my body as the scales buried themselves in my flesh.
Warm blood soaked through my robes.
Host.
Move.
Now.
I forced myself up.
The snake was already coiling around me from the side.
I threw myself backward, but its tail caught my leg and yanked.
The world spun.
I hit the ground hard.
Ribs cracked.
Breath left me.
The wolf pounced.
Teeth closed around my arm.
I felt the bone snap.
Then—
Something inside me snapped too.
Heat erupted from my chest like a dam breaking.
My bloodline surged.
The wolf’s jaws loosened as golden light flared beneath my skin.
I didn’t think.
I didn’t plan.
My body moved on its own.
My free hand shot forward and grabbed the wolf’s snout.
Then I squeezed.
Bone shattered.
The wolf howled and released me, staggering back.
I stood up—even though my arm hung useless, even though my ribs screamed, even though blood ran from a dozen wounds.
The snake struck from behind.
I turned and caught its head with both hands.
My bloodline roared through me, and I ripped.
The snake’s body went limp.
The mantis tried to flee.
I didn’t let it.
I crossed the distance in a blur and drove my fist through its white-scaled chest.
It crumpled.
Then my body gave out completely.
I collapsed.
The golden light faded.
Everything went dark.
“That was a show.”
Elder Mo Xuan’s voice cut through the darkness.
I opened my eyes.
He was standing over me, giving a mocking clap.
I lay on the floor, letting out a deep breath.
My body was covered in blood and dirt, injuries of different depths.
“Stand up already, Young Master.
We still have an hour before training ends.
And mind you, we don’t have time to waste.”
His voice went cold at the end.
I struggled.
Managed to stand upright.
Then collapsed again like a rag.
He looked at me with that crazy smirk that never left his face.
It showed he enjoyed seeing me like this.
“It’s really surprising you managed to defeat those demonic beasts.
Well, your bloodline did the work.
I have a perfect treasure to seal that.”
He touched his beard as if he’d solved a billion-year-old puzzle.
Immediately after hearing his last sentence, I collapsed outright from rage and anger.
Three days passed quickly.
I found myself in my courtyard, much to my relief.
My injuries were perfectly healed.
That crazy maniac really enjoys torturing me.
“You are awake, Young Master,” Mei said as she returned from who knows where.
“How long have I been unconscious?” I walked toward the mirror, checking my body for scars.
“Three days,” she said, as if stating the weather.
I froze.
“That crazy…”
Ding.
I was interrupted by the System.
What is it now?
I said with a sour attitude.
Congratulations.
After that amazing training session—which was far more enjoyable than your complaining—
Can you just get to the main point?
My annoyed look made Mei glance at me with surprise, as if she’d done something wrong without knowing.
Task Section Opened.
You have two tasks.
One major, one minor.
Major Task: Have a good relationship with Princess Xue that can potentially lead to something deep
Reward: What greater reward is there than a girl’s whole loyalty and trust?
Minor Task: Do not curse Elder Mo Xuan during the course of your training for one month.
Note: I will pretend as if you haven’t just cursed him.
Reward: Heaven Meridian Pill
I went quiet for some minutes after reading the outrageous request it had just made.
“Are you alright, Young Master?” Mei asked with concern after seeing my abnormal behavior.
I took a breath.
“Mei.
I want some privacy.
Now.”
She looked at me, then gave a respectful courtesy.
“As you wish, Young Master.”
She quietly closed the door behind her.
“Asshole!!!”
That was what left my mouth immediately.
“You’re saying I should bear all that torture for ONE WHOLE MONTH?”
“DO YOU KNOW HOW CRUEL THIS MAN IS?
I SAW DEATH THREE TIMES.
NOT ONCE—THREE TIMES.”
“And you expect me to just take it all in as if I don’t have feelings?”
I was boiling.
My whole body shook with rage.
Then don’t do it.
The System’s voice was flat.
But remember—the Heaven Meridian Pill can widen your meridians beyond your current realm.
It’s the kind of treasure most cultivators would kill for.
I stopped shaking.
You’re bribing me.
I’m motivating you.
There’s a difference.
I stood there, breathing hard, thinking about the month ahead.
One month of Mo Xuan’s hell.
One month of not cursing him.
And all I had to do was survive.
Author’s Note: Haha a lot has happened, can’t believe Elder Mo Xuan can be this cruel and the system can resort to Bribery.
Comment it and let me know.