The early morning mist blanketed the forests beyond Liang Village, cool and quiet, disturbed only by the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves. The world felt different to Li Chen now—every sound sharper, every breath deeper.
Ever since the Family System activated, his body had undergone subtle changes. He had reached Qi condensation stage. Last night, after meditating with the jade pendant, the system chimed again.
> DING!
Newbie Gift Pack Available. Open now?
"Yes," he answered without hesitation. He was fully assured this time.
> Newbie Pack Contents:
1. [Divine Dual Cultivation Technique – Yin-Yang Eternal Union Scripture]
2. [Breakthrough Pill – Foundation Establishment Grade]
3. [Hongmeng Dao Body (not fully unlocked)]
4. [Heaven-Tier Sword Technique – Soaring Starfall Slash]
> Auto-Integration Complete…
His body burned with energy. Golden mist swirled around him as his meridians widened, his bones crackled, and his dantian exploded with power.
> Cultivation Breakthrough – Qi Condensation → Foundation Building!
Constitution Upgraded: Hongmeng Dao Body (locked) – Passive absorption of cosmic essence initiated.
Years of sword training in Heaven Tier soaring starfall slash technique acquired.
>
Li Chen's eyes gleamed.
"This system is insane… A divine dual cultivation art? Heaven-tier sword technique? It's as if the heavens themselves are terrified of me rising but why do the hongmeng divine body is locked. Nevermind it still helps me to absorb essence of space."
He was new to cultivation so he didn't know about the Hongmeng Dao body. He only knew one thing that if I get something then it's fine, if not then be it because no harm has done yet. But he had yet to understand this system properly.
So he asked,
" System can you tell me about your so called Family system?"
Ding
<
Host,
As your family grow, you will get stronger. With each addition of new family member you will receive system rewards which can be Techniques, Manuals, Pills, Weapons and more.
>
" Hey, system what is that cultivation boost sync and other system ability you have mentioned before? "
<
Host
The Cultivation Boost Sync only available to host's partners and offsprings.
As their loyalty towards host increases they can enjoy Cultivation boost from system.
Legacy mission will be issued for gaining points and rewards.
Points can be used for cultivation improvement and obtaining items from system store.
Since you have not gained sufficient points, the system store is currently unavailable to host.
>
" That's something interesting."
" Guess I need to prepare myself for outing."
He was too excited. The vow he made before now can be achieved.
By sunrise, he was no longer the boy who buried his father days ago.
Today, he set off from Liang Village—not for revenge, not yet—but to find someone to begin the family line. The system was very clear: without a partner, the Family System could not evolve further.
He needed someone worthy. Or at least… willing.
---
Elsewhere, in the depths of the Thousand Spirit Forest...
A woman ran, stumbling through dense brush, her breathing became heavy. Her robes were torn, skin flushed unnaturally, eyes dazed yet determined. She was stunning—long icy-blue hair like silk, skin like jade, and a noble bearing even in such a disheveled state.
But her body was fighting her. Su Lingxue, a core disciple of the Frost Cloud Pavilion, had been ambushed during her solo mission.
"I can't… hold on much longer…"
Her spiritual energy was sealed, and her body had been laced with Spring Heart powder, a rare aphrodisiac forbidden in righteous sects.
She collapsed, groaning.
Behind her, two men emerged from the shadows.
"Tsk. What a waste. She's already going under."
"Did you bring the soul-binding chains?"
"Yeah. Once she loses her mind, we'll chain her up and sell her to that brothel in Green Mist City. A descendant of upper realm should fetch a decent price, even if she was just a nobody."
The first man grinned. "Let's just take her here. Who'll know?"
Just as they took a step forward—
CLANG!
A flash of silver light shot through the air.
Li Chen emerged from the forest, sword resting casually on his shoulder, his expression calm but cold.
"I'll know," he said.
The two men froze.
"Who the hell are you?"
Li Chen glanced at Su Lingxue's pale form, the unnatural flush on her cheeks, and the desperation in her shallow breaths.
"She's drugged. It will kill her if not purged within the hour."
"She's our property," the taller man growled. "Walk away if you know what's good for you, brat."
"Property?" Li Chen's gaze darkened. "She's a human being."
The shorter man chuckled. "You think you're some hero? You'll end up like her. Broken."
Li Chen didn't answer.
Instead—
He moved.
So fast the two couldn't react.
With a single motion, he slashed forward. Soaring Starfall Slash erupted in radiant light—condensed, elegant, deadly.
> SHHHK—SPLAT!
The taller man didn't even scream. His body split clean in half.
The other turned to flee, terrified. "M-monster!"
But he only got two steps before Li Chen flicked his fingers. A thin arc of sword qi sliced through the air and decapitated him.
" Wow... Now, I have years of sword training experience and combating skills without any hardship or practice. This newbie gift is too amazing."
Suddenly a voice rang in his mind.
DING!
<
Threat eliminated. Heroic Act Bonus Applied +500 System Merit Points
>
"Hey, I even earned merit points."
"Not bad...not bad."
"But when did the system issued task? System.."
<
Host,
These are the passive tasks that can only be completed by the Host without any persuasion from system.
>
" So which task that I completed now?"
<
Host, you've saved the beauty when she was in dire situation.
>
" Why do I feel like that I have planned all this to impress and seek her attention."
Li Chen, after such thought sheathed his blade, his heart calm.
Then he heard a soft whimper.
He turned—Su Lingxue had crawled toward him, her pupils dilated with lust and pain.
"S-stay… away…" she tried to warn him, but her body betrayed her.
She collapsed into his arms.
"Hang on," he muttered. "I'll get the antidote—"
"Too… late…" she gasped. "Please… either kill me… or… make it stop…"
Her hands clutched at his robes, her lips trembling. Her body was heating rapidly, her pulse erratic.
The system chimed again.
> DING!
Target is in critical aphrodisiac overload. Yin-Yang balance unstable.
Compatible female detected: Su Lingxue
Option: Initiate Dual Cultivation using Yin-Yang Eternal Union Scripture to stabilize and preserve her life?
> Warning: Will result in complete body/soul bond. Partner will be permanently linked to host's cultivation.
Li Chen's jaw tightened.
He had no romantic dreams about this—but saving her life took precedence.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'll take responsibility."
She didn't respond with words.
Instead, with a soft cry, she buried her face against his neck, her body shaking, melting and surrendering.
From then on, his journey to become stronger has begun.
---
End of Chapter 3
----