章 6: Chapter 6

After setting foot in Floating Cloud City, Xu Lin soon found the location of the Xia manor. Before he stepped inside, he cast a genjutsu on everyone inside in order to enter unnoticed. Based on the bandits' memories, Xia Qingyue was rumored to cultivate near the manor's backyard. He scanned the horizon for any clues, and shortly afterwards, he saw it.

From afar, a frozen wasteland of ice could be glimpsed, a world covered in ice and snow. Here, the temperature was below freezing, while chilling winds buffeted those who dared to enter. Approaching this region of extreme cold, Xu Lin shrouded himself with a protective armor made from profound energy to resist the inhospitable climate.

In the center of this snow region was a peerless beauty that could cause countless men to fall for her. Deep in meditation and with her charming eyes closed, Xia Qingyue's stunning face was completely on display. Her jade-like skin blended in with the surrounding ice, while her lofty figure exuded nobility and pride. Words could not be used to describe her beauty.

'Wow... she is as breathtaking as described in the novel.'

Normally, she could peacefully cultivate at this location since nobody dared to approach her and risk her wrath. However, today was an exception.

Sensing a foreign presence, her eyelashes quivered, and anger rose in her heart. Opening her beautiful eyes, Xia Qingyue glared at this man with an icy stare.

"To dare to disturb my cultivation, you sure are a brave one. You'd better have a good reason for doing so, unless you want to experience the pain of your body slowly freezing over from the inside."

Although slightly surprised by the appearance of Xu Lin's eyes, she maintained her cold demeanor. However, this attitude broke after she heard Xu Lin utter a few words.

"Realm of the gods..."

"Did you just say "realm of the gods"? What do you know about it?! Answer me!"

Xia Qingyue gathered profound energy into her right hand and constructed an ice sword using the Frozen Cloud Arts. While pointing it at Xu Lin, the temperature of their surroundings instantly plummeted as she demanded an answer.

"The realm of the gods is where your mother is from. That's what she told you when she left, am I right?"

When he said these words, Xia Qingyue was dumbfounded, disbelief written across her face.

"Ho... How do you know that?!"

"I know a lot of things which you couldn't possibly begin to comprehend. In specific, your mother is originally from the Moon God Realm. However, you wouldn't understand any of these things. In the future, when you become more powerful, I will tell you more. We'll meet again soon."

With his goal already accomplished, Xu Lin started walking away.

"Wait! Don't go yet!" she frantically shouted.

"What is it?"

Xu Lin turned around and looked straight into her eyes. Xia Qingyue shuddered as she felt those eyes peer straight into her soul, revealing all of her secrets.

"At least tell me who you are!"

"My name, huh? It's Xu Lin. That's all you need to know for now."

Having said that, Xu Lin abruptly vanished from her sight. Pondering over his words, Xia Qingyue decided to listen to him for now. Since he was aware of all these things, she thought that there might be some possibility that he was telling the truth. She resolved herself to grow stronger in order to find out more about her mother.

When she returned home from cultivating, Xia Qingyue ordered some of her subordinates to search for an black-haired, average looking man with crimson red eyes. However, even after searching the entire city for a few days, they could find no trace of the man. It was like he had disappeared into thin air.

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Xu Lin dissolved his disguise and revealed his original appearance in all of its glory. Since only some time remained before Yun Che/Xiao Che would reincarnate, he decided to go around and explore the city. Casting a genjutsu on all those he met, Xu Lin leisurely walked through the streets as he took in the sights of the place. However, out of the blue:

[Ding! Host has received the mission: "The Beginning":

Description: A few hours from now, Xiao Che will reincarnate, initiating the start of the plot. For this mission, you can choose between two different options. Both choices are mutually exclusive. Host can either let the main plot unfold or become the protagonist himself.

Option 1:

Tasks:

Steal the Sky Poison Pearl and bind it to your soul (Incomplete).

Steal the Mirror of Samsara and bind it to your soul (Incomplete).

Reward:

5,000,000 credits

Gacha Tickets (x10)

Time Limit: 1 Day

Penalty: Crippling of Profound Veins

Option 2:

Tasks:

Allow the start of the main plot to play out without interfering (Incomplete).

Reward:

1,000,000 Credits

Instant Cultivation Boost to 1st Level of Emperor Profound Realm

Time Limit: 1 Day

Penalty: None

(Selecting this option also means that you will be unable to bind the Sky Poison Pearl and Mirror of Samsara in the future.)

If you do not make a choice within one hour, a random option will be selected.]

'So it finally begins. Out of these two choices, I think it's pretty obvious which one is better.'

Xu Lin smiled to himself and silently apologized to Xiao Che in advance.

'System, I'll go with option one!'

[Ding! Host has selected the first option of this mission. Are you sure you want to do this?]

'Yes, I do!'

[Ding! Your selection has been confirmed. Good luck host.]

Not wasting any more time, Xu Lin grabbed some random person in the street and read his memories. After obtaining the location of Xiao Che's house, he went inside and hid himself from others using genjutsu. Looking around, he noted that the interior of the house was rather modest to say the least.

All of a sudden, from the room next to him, he heard a girl's gasp of surprise.

"Ah! Xiao Che, you woke up!"

The confused voice of a 16 year old boy responded:

"Little Aunt?"

"Thank goodness! Your temperature is back to normal. Rest here for a while, I'll go and tell your grandpa that you're awake."

The girl hurriedly exited the room and left the house. Before she closed the door, Xu Lin was able to enter the room unnoticed and saw Xiao Che lying on his bed, talking to himself.

He approached Xiao Che, who was oblivious to his presence, and dispelled the genjutsu over him. Why did he do this? Xu Lin just wanted to see Xiao Che's face after taking everything from him. After all, there is a reason why many readers called him "Scum Che".

Still thinking about the events of his past life, Xiao Che jumped with fright after a strange youth suddenly appeared in front of him without warning. Attempting to flee, Xiao Che suddenly felt his feet rooted to the ground as Xu Lin said:

"Nothing personnel, kid."