Chapter 4: The Name Written in White
Spirit Hall was quiet in the early morning.
Not peaceful—controlled.
The kind of silence that existed only because everyone present understood exactly what could happen if it broke.
MC felt it the moment he stepped into the main hall.
The air was heavier than usual.
Not from spirit power alone, but from attention.
People were watching him.
Not openly.
Not obviously.
But enough that even someone as unbothered as him noticed.
"…This feels expensive," he muttered.
"Did I accidentally walk into a plot point?"
Ling Yu walked beside him, expression cold, posture perfect.
"Stand straight," she said quietly.
"Why?"
"Because today," she replied, "you stop being invisible."
That made him pause.
"…I don't like that."
At the center of the hall stood the Spirit Hall Envoy.
White robes.
Gold insignia.
The kind of person whose presence rewrote rooms without raising his voice.
Elders stood on both sides, faces solemn.
This was not a training session.
This was not a meeting.
This was classification.
The envoy's gaze swept across the hall.
It passed over disciples.
Paused briefly on Ling Yu.
Then settled on MC.
And stayed there.
For a long moment.
Uncomfortably long.
"You," the envoy said.
MC pointed at himself.
"…Me?"
"Yes."
The hall grew quieter.
Every disciple present straightened unconsciously.
"You have been registered under Spirit Hall protection," the envoy continued.
"Your spirit compatibility exceeds acceptable variance."
"Your behavioral assessment is… irregular."
A faint pause.
"But your value is undeniable."
MC scratched his cheek.
"Wow. That's the nicest insult I've ever received."
Ling Yu elbowed him.
Hard.
The envoy raised a hand.
"State your name."
The words fell like a stone dropped into deep water.
Simple.
Direct.
And suddenly heavy.
MC opened his mouth.
Stopped.
For the first time since arriving in this world, he hesitated.
Names mattered here.
Names were recorded.
Names were remembered.
And once spoken in this hall, a name no longer belonged only to its owner.
Ling Yu glanced at him.
Her voice was low.
"Say it."
MC exhaled slowly.
Then spoke clearly.
"My name is Bai Ze."
The reaction was immediate.
Not explosive.
But sharp.
One elder frowned.
Another's eyes widened slightly.
The envoy's fingers paused mid-motion.
"…Bai," the envoy repeated.
"…Ze?"
He looked directly at MC.
"Are you certain?"
MC shrugged.
"Been using it my whole life."
Silence spread.
Something subtle shifted.
An elder on the left spoke cautiously.
"Envoy… that name—"
"I know," the envoy replied calmly.
He studied MC again.
More carefully this time.
As if reassessing something he thought he already understood.
Ding.
Critical Recognition Event Triggered
Name Registered: Bai Ze
Hidden Effect Activated
MC's vision blurred for a fraction of a second.
Reward Granted:
[Name Authority: Bai Ze (Dormant)]
Description:
"A name that carries mythic weight. Effects unlock as reputation grows."
MC blinked.
"…That sounds ominous."
"Correct."
The envoy finally nodded.
"Very well."
He turned to the hall.
"From this day onward," he announced,
"Bai Ze is classified as a Special Asset under direct Spirit Hall observation."
The words echoed.
And stuck.
Disciples whispered.
Not loudly.
But urgently.
Names spread faster than rumors.
And this one felt… old.
Heavy.
Ling Yu looked at him differently now.
Not softer.
Not warmer.
But sharper.
"…You didn't tell me," she said quietly as they left the hall.
"You didn't ask."
"…That name will bring attention."
MC smiled faintly.
"So will throwing people off roofs."
She didn't deny it.
Outside, the pressure lifted slightly.
MC breathed in.
"Welp," he said.
"I guess I'm official now."
Ling Yu stopped walking.
Turned.
And punched him.
Right in the shoulder.
Ding.
Beaten by Girlfriend Candidate (Valid)
Pain Converted Successfully
MC winced.
"…I deserved that?"
"You smiled," she said.
"At the wrong time."
That afternoon, the system chimed again.
Ding.
Major Reward Unlocked Due to Name Registration
Reward:
[Heavenly Slacker Constitution – Phase One]
MC leaned against a pillar.
"…That sounds illegal."
Effects:
• Spirit Power Recovery +300% while idle
• Cultivation never stagnates due to inaction
• Mental clarity increases when resting
MC stared at the list.
"So if I nap, I get stronger."
"Yes."
"…Amazing."
Then another chime.
Bonus Reward (Humor Classification):
[Apology Token x10]
MC laughed.
"…This system knows me too well."
That night, MC lay on the roof again.
The stars looked the same.
But the world felt different.
Somewhere far away, a boy named Tang San trained relentlessly.
Here, under Spirit Hall's watchful eye—
Bai Ze closed his eyes.
And the story quietly adjusted itself around his name.