The dusty road stretched endlessly beneath a fading crimson sky, as though the heavens themselves were bleeding into dusk.
Wind dragged across the barren plains, lifting thin veils of sand that whispered against worn boots.
Xiao Jun walked steadily.
Not fast. Not slow.
Every step measured.
The Chaos energy within his meridians had finally stabilized after the violent turbulence of rebirth, but stability did not mean strength. His limbs felt hollow. His stomach twisted painfully.
Hunger was not merely discomfort.
It was weakness.
And weakness invited death.
He exhaled quietly.
"System," he spoke inwardly, his voice calm but edged with command. "Status."
A translucent interface flickered within his consciousness.
[Lower Chaos Mortal Realm stabilized at 12%.]
[Body condition: malnourished.]
[Muscle density: critically low.]
[Recommendation: acquire food and low-grade spiritual materials.]
Twelve percent.
Pathetic.
In his previous life, a breath from him could collapse mountains.
Now?
He could likely lose to a sturdy farmer.
"Understood."
He closed the interface.
Emotion was useless.
Adaptation was survival.
A faint tremor brushed against his perception.
Movement.
Ahead.
His evolved senses — though weakened — detected fluctuations in spiritual energy. Not refined. Not dangerous. But organized.
He lifted his gaze.
A group of young cultivators approached from the opposite direction.
White-and-blue robes fluttered lightly in the wind. Plum blossom emblems were stitched proudly on their sleeves, threads glinting beneath the dying light.
Sect disciples.
Their cultivation hovered around the Lower Qi Condensing Realm.
Ordinary in the Upper Realm.
Overwhelming in his current state.
Xiao Jun suppressed the faint trace of Chaos aura leaking from his meridians. He slowed his breathing. Lowered his presence.
A shadow among mortals.
When they drew close, he stepped forward politely and cupped his fists.
"Brothers, sister—may I ask the name of this land?"
A cheerful youth at the front grinned widely.
"This is the territory of the Chu Dynasty. We are disciples of the Mount Hua Sect. I'm Kim Feng."
He pointed to a tall, silent youth beside him.
"My brother, Luo Feng."
Then he gestured toward a graceful young woman walking slightly ahead.
"Our Senior Sister, Ruo."
Senior Sister Ruo.
Her gaze fell on Xiao Jun — sharp, assessing, far more perceptive than the others.
"You look like you haven't eaten properly in days."
Her voice was gentle.
Her eyes were not.
He gave a faint, restrained smile.
"My name is Xiao Jun. I traveled from distant mountains. I was heading toward the market for food."
Kim Feng laughed warmly.
"What luck! We're heading there too. Come along."
Luo Feng nodded once, silent but not unfriendly.
Senior Sister Ruo hesitated.
Then quietly:
"Traveling alone is dangerous."
Not advice.
A test.
Xiao Jun met her gaze evenly.
"I understand."
That was all.
No excuses.
No fear.
Just understanding.
For a brief moment, something flickered in her eyes — uncertainty.
As they walked together, Xiao Jun observed in silence.
Chu Dynasty.
Mount Hua Sect.
Low-tier mortal power structure.
He catalogued details rapidly.
Clothing material — modest spiritual weaving.
Sword quality — iron base with low-grade enhancement runes.
Energy circulation patterns — crude but stable.
They were disciples raised in comfort, not tempered in slaughter.
A shout suddenly shattered the quiet.
"Stop right there!"
Five rough-looking men emerged from the roadside brush, crude blades catching the dying light.
Bandits.
Body Strengthening Realm.
Their killing intent was shallow, driven by greed rather than cultivation ambition.
Kim Feng stepped forward boldly, drawing his sword in a clean arc.
"We are Mount Hua Sect disciples. Step aside."
The bandit leader spat.
"Hand over your storage pouches and we'll consider it."
Spiritual energy flickered faintly around Kim Feng's blade.
Luo Feng unsheathed his weapon silently.
Senior Sister Ruo stepped slightly forward, her stance light — palms ready.
The bandits charged.
Xiao Jun stepped back.
He could intervene.
Even at twelve percent stabilization, he could end this instantly if he unleashed a trace of Chaos energy.
But power revealed too early was power targeted.
He observed instead.
Kim Feng's sword technique was straightforward — disciplined, orthodox.
Luo Feng was more efficient, less flashy.
Senior Sister Ruo moved like flowing water, her palm technique precise and calculated. She targeted joints, breath, rhythm.
Interesting.
Within moments, the clash ended.
Two bandits fled in panic.
Three lay groaning on the dirt road.
Kim Feng laughed triumphantly.
"See, Brother Jun? Stick with us and you'll be safe!"
Safe.
The word echoed hollowly in Xiao Jun's mind.
There was no safety in this world.
Only temporary positioning.
Still…
The skirmish confirmed something important.
Even weakened, he could sense chaotic disturbances beneath spiritual fluctuations. Threads of imbalance that ordinary cultivators could not perceive.
His perception had evolved.
Senior Sister Ruo approached him again.
"You didn't panic."
Her voice was softer now.
"Most mortals would."
He met her gaze without hesitation.
"I've seen worse."
It was not a lie.
He had seen worlds burn.
She held his eyes a heartbeat too long.
Searching.
Weighing.
Then she turned away.
The market came into view soon after — a cluster of wooden stalls beneath lanterns, smoke rising from cooking fires, merchants shouting prices into the evening air.
The scent of roasted meat struck him sharply.
His stomach tightened violently.
He purchased simple food with the small copper coins found in this body's ragged pouch.
Rice.
Steamed buns.
A strip of dried meat.
He ate slowly.
Measured.
Controlled.
Warmth returned to his limbs like fire rekindling dying embers.
The System responded.
[Energy intake detected.]
[Body recovery increased to 19%.]
[Muscle stabilization improving.]
Nineteen percent.
Still insignificant.
But progress was everything.
Mount Hua Sect.
A low-tier sect within a mortal dynasty.
To others, unimpressive.
To him?
A foundation.
Resources.
Information.
Time.
Senior Sister Ruo approached once more, her presence steady but thoughtful.
"You have nowhere to go, do you?"
He did not answer immediately.
Silence was more revealing than words.
She exhaled quietly.
"If you wish, you may stay temporarily at Mount Hua Sect as a servant. At least you won't starve."
Kim Feng brightened instantly.
"Yes! You can help with chores. It'll be lively!"
Luo Feng crossed his arms but did not object.
Xiao Jun considered.
Joining meant limitation.
But it also meant concealment.
A wolf in a sheepfold grows well.
He cupped his fists deeply.
"I would be grateful."
Kim Feng grinned.
"Good! Then let's return before night fully falls!"
As they left the market, Xiao Jun cast one final glance toward the distant horizon.
Beyond mortal lands.
Beyond dynasties.
Beyond sects.
The Immortal Court.
The Sword Immortal.
The Heavenly Frost Prison.
And Sister Su.
His gaze darkened.
"Wait for me."
Within his meridians, faint threads of Chaos energy pulsed like a dormant star.
Weak.
But ancient.
The Nine Realms of cultivation towered before him like an impossible mountain.
Others would climb step by step.
Xiao Jun would not climb.
He would carve.
He had died once.
This time—
The heavens would kneel first.