Zihan looked at the system status, he had not looked at it from the moment he started his breakthroughs.
Ding
PRIMORDIAL CHAIOTIC GENESIS SYSTEM
Name: Yue Zihan
Race: Human (Evolving)
Title: Primordial Vessel (Unstable)
Realm: Mortal Realm
Cultivation: Bone engraving( early )
(Chaotic Integration 95%)
Strength: 654
Endurance: 500
Soul Power: 40
Control: 15
Chaos points: 700
Luck: Undefined
Sin:80
Madness points :55
System Authority: Limited
Chaos Resonance: Dormant
Resonant gaze: passive
Chaotic circulation vein
Echo of domain
Title:
Defier of order
The unmoved heir
Quietus finger
Philosopher of fractured dawn
Hidden information
Corruption level 10%
[PRIMORDIAL GENESIS SYSTEM — Event Log]
Event: Advancing to Bone forging level
Outcome: Fatal failure will lead to shattering of the skeleton
Sin Increase: +25.0 ( Fought the heavens and won. Minor)
Madness Increase: +15.0 (Defied Heavens)
Chaos Points (CP) Awarded: +50 CP
New Title: Mommy and daddy's boy
Rewards:
Soul – forged crystals
Molten fire essence
Rare herbs from the volcanic plains
Fan of Smoldering Twilight
[System: Congratulations, Host. Weapon of choice granted: Fan of Smoldering Twilight .Capable of channeling chaotic energy into focused attacks and illusions.]
He flexed his fingers. "Elegant. Deadly. Fits me perfectly."
Alongside the fan, several cultivation materials appeared: Soul-forged crystals, molten fire essence, and rare herbs from the volcanic plains. The panel glowed with a faint red aura, silently reminding him that progress demanded preparation.
He began meditating with the fan across his lap, spinning it gently as chaotic qi danced along its ribs. Each motion wove the external energy into his body, refining, compressing, and tempering it. Flames of internal energy burned in a spectrum of blue, red, and gold as he synchronized body and soul with the weapon.
[System: Estimated cultivation increase – 42.7%. Sin Points +3, Madness +2. Reward points: 1 Hidden Technique unlocked.]
By the time the sun rose over the horizon, painting molten gold outside his balcony , Zihan opened his eyes beneath the blindfold. He could feel the air itself bending around him, ready to respond to even a thought. His chaotic qi had also increased by a lot more than he could have imagined.
He stood, spinning the fan lazily. It snapped open with a hiss, casting faint shadows across the room. "Not bad for a night's work," he murmured.
.....
Later that day, the palace bustled with preparations.
In the privacy of his chamber, Zihan stood before a mirror, as Ruo jin Fastened his traveling cloak. The faint chaotic qi in his veins stirred, shimmering like liquid stars.
He could feel the pulse of the hidden runes that bound him to something far older than the world itself.
[System: So let's review. Objective one find out who sent the stabby people. Objective two attend the flame competition that rewards arrogant cultivators. Objective three don't accidentally start a religion.]
"You make it sound impossible," he murmured.
[System: No, just funny. Also, I hear the Flame Sovereign Competition has a lot of explosions. Bring marshmallows.]
Outside, the sound of hooves and iron wheels filled the courtyard. A modest carriage waited not a royal one, just a traveler's. His parents stood by it. The king clasped his shoulder firmly. "Remember who you are, even if you hide your name."
The empress kissed his forehead, whispering a blessing older than the dynasty itself.
Zihan bowed once, deeply, the gesture more sacred than ceremonial. Then he turned and stepped into the carriage. The city gates opened with a heavy groan. As he passed through, he could feel countless eyes watching from rooftops and towers the court, the spies, the shadows. Everyone determined to eliminate the anomaly.
But none of them saw what truly mattered: the faint runic halo that flickered briefly around his hand, marking the moment the chaos within him responded to purpose.
[System: Destination Flame Sovereign kingdom. Estimated travel time: five days. Estimated number of people who'll try to kill you on the way: let's call that a fun surprise.]
Zihan leaned back, listening to the creak of the wheels and the whisper of the wind through the blindfold. The road ahead was long, and the world beyond the capital waited with open claws.
He smiled to himself quiet, calm, and certain. The boy his parents loved was leaving the palace, but the man returning would carry the weight of chaos itself.
And somewhere deep within, the system purred, almost pleased.
[System: Quest Activated ,"Trail of Ashes: Investigate the Shadow Faction." Optional Bonus: Win the Flame Sovereign Competition with Style.]
The wheels rolled on, carrying Yue Zihan toward the horizon toward destiny, danger, and the first true test of his Primordial . His first step into the outside world.
No banners fluttered, no guards lined the path. Just one Ruo Jin as the driver of the carriage. Yue Zihan stepped out from the mist, cloak of blood red fluttering, blindfold tied neatly across his eyes. He exhaled once, and his breath stirred the mist. Looking behind at the outline of the capital his home since he came to this world.
Inside, he felt the faint hum of chaotic qi, sluggish but alive in his veins. His control was still raw at times it felt like balancing a storm on a needle but every day, he was learning to bend it to his will.
[System Notification: Host has voluntarily downgraded his travel experience from "royal procession" to "poverty simulator." Reward: +2 Low-Profile Points.]
Zihan chuckled. "It's called traveling incognito. Not that you'd understand."
[System: Traveling 'incognito' usually means not wearing a blindfold glowing faint red runes, Host.]
He ignored it and stepped into the carriage. The door shut with a soft thud, and the capital began to shrink behind him. For a brief moment, he imagined his parents watching from the city walls their son, the prince, disappearing into the road like mist into dawn. His father had offered guards. His mother had tried to slip him more spirit talismans for protection. He had refused both.
"I'll handle it," he'd said. And he meant it.
The road passed through forested hills and lonely valleys. The wheels rattled over stones as the sun rose, gold spilling through trees like liquid fire. Zihan sat cross-legged inside, eyes closed beneath the blindfold. Each breath drew chaotic qi inward, weaving it through his meridians. His muscles burned, bones ached, but he endured, molding the storm within.
By dusk, the forest grew quiet,too quiet. Even the birds had vanished.
[System Alert: Host is being observed. Threat Level: Moderate. Recommendation: Scream dramatically or prepare to fight.]
Zihan sighed. "You ruin tension faster than bad writing."
He pushed open the carriage door. The Ruo jin was slumped over, pretending to be asleep. Zihan stepped onto the road, boots pressing into wet soil. A faint smell of copper lingered in the wind.
The first dagger came from the left silent, sharp, aimed at his throat. Zihan tilted his head slightly; the blade passed through a shadow. His shadow. The assassin blinked as he looked into into Zihan's blindfold his face twisted into a grin.
[ Authority activated]
Then chaos erupted.
Five figures dropped from the trees, faces wrapped, movements clean and professional. Each carried a faint aura of early Nascent Flame cultivators nothing too dangerous, but skilled enough to kill a royal heir if he were truly a normal cultivator.
Zihan flexed his fingers. The air around him rippled faintly, like heat distortion.
[System Notification: "Combat Detected." Do you wish to activate Reward Multiplier Mode?]
[Warning: Dying reduces multiplier effectiveness.]
"Fine," he murmured, "let's make it worth something."
The first assassin lunged again, twin blades flashing. Zihan moved with lazy grace, his body swaying like reeds in the wind. His fan traced a faint circle in the air, and the world bent.
[ System Notification: Echo of Domain activated]
A blood red sphere surrounded both zihan and everything around him at a two hundred meter distance. He could feel anyone and anything in this domain. Everything was under his control in the domain.
Blades clanged uselessly against invisible force. The air around the assassin wavered, then folded like reality itself had lost interest in holding him together. He vanished into dust.
The others hesitated.
"Human bodies are such fragile things," Zihan said softly, the blindfold glowing faint red. "Almost disappointing."
The second attacker tried a talisman. Flames roared toward him, heat scorching the road. Zihan didn't move. The fire hit an unseen barrier, froze midair, and slowly reversed folding back, consuming its caster instead. The man screamed, collapsing into his own blaze.
[System Commentary: Efficient. Psychologically disturbing. Very on-brand for you, Host.]
Another tried to run. Zihan flicked a pebble. It went through the man's back, leaving a perfect hole. The forest fell silent again, save for the whisper of burning leaves. The last assassin, a woman, fell to her knees, trembling. "Wh-who are you?."
Her eyes betrayed her shock . This was not what they had been told .