The Ghost Fiend Mountain was his now.
Luo Zhen soared out of the canyon, the wind whipping past him as he ascended to the summit. Waiting for him was a sprawling courtyard, a hundred-acre estate that the Ghost Head Tiger had spent a century building. Now, it was all part of the spoils.
He settled into his new domain, methodically sorting through the fallen beast's treasures while a part of his mind remained on hold, waiting. He waited for the System to come back online.
Five days crawled by.
Then, on the morning of the fifth day, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
Host, I owe you one.
"Don't mention it," Luo Zhen replied, a sense of relief washing over him. "Just doing what I had to do. So, did the evolution work?"
Yes, it was a success, the System confirmed, then hesitated. Though, 'evolution' isn't the right word. It was more like... patching myself up. Replenishing my energy to heal some old wounds.
"Wounds?" Luo Zhen's mind reeled. Wounds? How does a program get wounded? Wasn't the System just an intangible string of code?
Sensing his confusion, the System's mental voice took on an amused tone. I'm not the simple collection of data you imagine me to be. Think of me as a unique form of existence. I just use the 'System' interface because it's the easiest way for your mind to comprehend me.
It continued, The universe is filled with wonders beyond your wildest imagination. Don't let this surprise you too much.
"Alright," Luo Zhen mused, trying to wrap his head around it. "So what are you, then? A living creature? A spirit?"
I am a unique form of existence, the System repeated, a sly, evasive quality to its voice. It was a non-answer, and they both knew it.
"You've gotten a lot smarter since you recovered, haven't you?" Luo Zhen remarked. "Not nearly as stiff and by-the-book as you used to be."
The System let out a soft mental chuckle but offered no reply.
Luo Zhen pushed forward. "Okay, so this 'recovery'—did it unlock any new abilities?"
It did, the System affirmed. They fall into two categories. The first concerns me directly: I've recovered fragments of my memory and gained a certain capacity for offense. The second is for you. I've activated the Store, which includes functions for item recycling and exchange.
It didn't wait for him to ask. Here's how it works: I can absorb and recycle anything related to cultivation—spirit stones, elixirs, gear, ancient techniques, you name it. I'll convert their value into points. Once you have enough points, you can use them to purchase anything you desire from my Store.
As it spoke, the world around Luo Zhen dissolved. The stone courtyard vanished, replaced by an impossible sight: an endless emporium lined with towering shelves. The aisles were organized by category—Magical Artifacts, Spirit Treasures, Elixirs, Cultivation Arts. Each shelf was laden with priceless objects shimmering with latent power.
A jade box hovered before him, containing what looked like a fifth-grade elixir. But when he reached for it, his hand met an invisible barrier.
You have to pay the point price to claim an item, the System explained.
With a flash of light, the vision shattered, and he was back in the courtyard.
"Recycle resources for points, then spend them in a store... sounds like a solid system," Luo Zhen said, exhaling slowly. "But I'm more interested in you. What are you? And where did you come from?"
I am the System, and the System is me, it quipped. As for where I'm from... look up.
Luo Zhen glanced at the ceiling beams. "There's nothing there."
A faint, ethereal voice whispered in his mind. I come... from above the Nine Heavens.
"The Nine Heavens?" Luo Zhen flicked his forked tongue. "Like, with gods and immortals? Is that real? And how did you get hurt? How did you end up inside me? And the biggest question of all... how did I turn into a snake?!"
Too many questions, Host. And far too difficult for me to answer right now, the System replied, its voice tinged with weariness. I've only recovered a fraction of my memories. The answers you seek are locked away in the parts I'm still missing.
"Oh."
Honestly, the answers wouldn't help you. Not yet. You're still too weak, the System said, its tone gentle but firm. Focus on getting stronger. When you're powerful enough, you'll be ready to face any truth the universe throws at you. And if you ever find more of that raw earth-vein energy, you need to help me absorb it. The faster I heal, the more memories I'll recover, and the more functions I can unlock for you.
It paused, its presence seeming to dim. I've only just reawakened. I'm still drained. I need to rest... we'll talk later.
And just like that, it went silent.
Luo Zhen let out a frustrated sigh. He had a million more questions.
So, the System isn't just code, he thought, piecing it together. It's something else. Maybe an artifact spirit, like in the novels I used to read. That made a strange kind of sense.
It said it came from above the Nine Heavens... and was badly wounded. That implied it had a past, a history. And powerful enemies.
The System was right about one thing, Luo Zhen admitted to himself, a new fire kindling in his core. I'm still too weak. Knowing the truth now would be useless.
He had to get stronger.
With renewed determination, he slithered out of the main hall and made his way to the Ghost Head Tiger's treasury. It was time to take stock of his inheritance. For a demonic beast, wealth was simple: spirit stones and spirit herbs. They were the universal currency of the cultivation world.
The System can convert these into points, he mused, eyeing the glittering piles of stones and fragrant herbs. But I need them too.
His recent breakthrough to the Heaven Profound Realm had completely drained his experience reserves.
My own cultivation comes first, he decided. I'll use what I need to get back on my feet. Whatever's left over... that can go to the System.
The capital of the Eastern Yue Kingdom huddled in the shadow of a mountain range that clawed at the sky for hundreds of miles. This was the Li Family Mountain Range, the private domain of the royal family. A dozen layers of guards ensured that no commoner ever set foot on its sacred ground; even looking too long in its direction was a death sentence.
Rumor had it a spirit vein pulsed deep within the mountains, a rich artery of spirit stones that made it the dynasty's most holy cultivation ground. The Li family wasn't just royalty; they were the most powerful cultivation clan in the kingdom. Their strength was embodied by a single, untouchable figure: the nation's only Heaven Profound Realm martial artist. It was this power that kept the throne securely in their hands.
In the royal palace, King Li Cheng stood on a balcony, his dragon-embroidered robes rustling in the breeze. He gazed at the mountains, his brow furrowed with worry.
"How long has it been since Fifth Uncle went into seclusion?" he asked the chief eunuch at his side.
"Three months to the day, Your Majesty."
Li Cheng sighed. "Three months. He said that was the deadline. Either he breaks through to the Heaven Profound Realm, or his spirit collapses from the strain."
"You are correct." A deep, resonant voice cut through the air. An old man in a pristine white robe emerged from the hall behind them. He moved with the fluid grace of a tiger, his eyes sharp and clear, radiating an aura of immense power. This was him—the pillar of the Li family, the kingdom's sole Heaven Profound expert.
"Second Uncle," Li Cheng said, bowing his head in respect. "What brings you here?"
"Your Fifth Uncle's time is up," the elder said simply. "I am just as anxious as you are."
"What do you think his chances are?" Li Cheng asked, his voice barely a whisper.
The old man stroked his long, white beard. "Your uncle is a rare talent. I would say his chances are sixty percent. At least."
"That's incredible!" Li Cheng's face lit up. "If he succeeds, our Li family will have two Heaven Profound masters! Our hold on this kingdom will be absolute."
"Indeed," the elder agreed, a grim smile touching his lips. "And if he succeeds... we can finally move on Ghost Fiend Mountain."
"Ghost Fiend Mountain? Why?"
"I've just received word," the old man said, his voice dropping low. "The Ghost Head Tiger is dead. A great golden serpent has taken its place as the new lord of the mountain."
Before Li Cheng could process the news, a ferocious roar tore through the air, echoing from deep within the mountains. They both looked up just in time to see a colossal pillar of raw energy blast into the sky. A figure cloaked in black shot out of the forest canopy, moving with the impossible speed of a demonic beast. In moments, he landed silently in the palace courtyard.
The white-robed elder's eyes widened in triumph. "Fifth Brother! You did it!" he boomed, sensing the familiar, overwhelming aura of the Heaven Profound Realm radiating from the newcomer.
"I did not fail," the man in black confirmed, his voice raspy but strong. "I have reached the Heaven Profound Realm."
"Congratulations, Fifth Uncle!" Li Cheng exclaimed, rushing forward.
The black-robed man gave his nephew a sharp nod. "Your help was crucial, nephew. The spirit elixirs you procured for me made all the difference."
"It was nothing," Li Cheng said with a deferential bow. "My throne depends on the strength of my uncles."
After a moment of celebration, the white-robed elder turned to his brother. "Now that you've broken through, it's time. We can finally execute the plan."
"My thoughts exactly," the black-robed man replied, a predatory grin spreading across his face.
"What plan?" Li Cheng asked, intrigued.
"There is no harm in telling you now," the elder said. "You are familiar with the Earth Profound Realm, are you not?"
"Of course."
"To advance in that realm, both humans and beasts require an immense amount of Yin Fiend Qi. In this entire kingdom, there is only one place where it can be found: Ghost Fiend Mountain. For years, I've had to stand by and watch as that beast, the Ghost Head Tiger, and his minions hoarded it all. I was the only Heaven Profound cultivator in our family. I wasn't confident I could take the mountain alone."
His voice grew harder, filled with years of frustration. "Because of this, our own cultivators—our own family—have been unable to advance. Their progress has stalled for a generation! I have listened to their complaints, endured their silent accusations. But my hands were tied."
He locked eyes with his brother. "But now... now everything has changed. The Li family has two Heaven Profound masters. The mountain has but one. Two against one. The outcome is certain."
"We will crush it," the man in black added, his voice a low growl. "This plan was laid down a decade ago, waiting for this very day."
"Once we control the mountain," the elder finished, his face alight with ambition, "its Yin Fiend Qi will belong to us. The Li family will produce a new generation of masters, and our power will be unmatched!"
He looked at his brother, his eyes gleaming with killing intent. "Let's go, Fifth Brother. It's time to wipe Ghost Fiend Mountain off the map."
"Gladly," the other replied.
Moments later, the two masters were gone, streaking across the sky toward their target, leaving a stunned king behind them.
...
Back on Ghost Fiend Mountain, Luo Zhen was lounging on a sun-warmed boulder when a strange tickle hit his nose.
"Achoo! A-achoo!"
He shook his head, flicking his forked tongue. "What the hell? Where did that come from?" he muttered to himself. "Someone must be running their mouth about me."