The blood had barely dried on the earth.
Li Tian stood still, breathing steadily. His clothes were torn, and dirtied by the fight, but his posture was calm.
Around him, silence clung to the square.
The villagers remained where they were—around the edges of the square, behind carts and corners, staring at the aftermath they'd just witnessed. None of them had fled. They had watched everything.
No one knew what to say at the scene they all witnessed.
They didn't rush forward. They came in slow, uneven clusters—some with children in tow, others gripping tools that were never meant to be weapons. Their eyes were wide and their steps cautious.
Aunt Lin came out from behind the cart she'd hidden under. Old Man Bo leaned on his walking stick, squinting.
They're the ones who looked after me all these years.
Li Tian's chest tightened for a moment. They brought me food, sat with me when I couldn't stand. And now they don't know what to think. A few of the younger men looked toward the bodies on the ground and flinched.
No one said anything.
They're afraid.
Li Tian glanced down at his own hands.
Just yesterday, they'd been too weak to hold a spoon without trembling.
Now they had ended lives.
"Is it really Li Tian? He is a cultivator now?" someone whispered.
"But how?"
"He was on his deathbed last week."
Whispers grew, but no one stepped closer.
"I..." Li Tian did not know what to say. He only looked around, unable to meet his eyes with anyone.
Mei hesitated for a moment, glancing at the others. Then she stepped forward, each step slow but steady. She walked to Li Tian's side, eyes still shaken but firm.
"He's the same. He's still Big Brother Tian. He protected us."
The village chief stepped forward next, brushing dust from his sleeves.
"I've known this man for years," he said. "He never asked for anything. He worked when his body failed him. He helped without a word of complaint. Today, he stood up when the rest of us couldn't."
He looked at the crowd.
"If that's not Li Tian, I don't know who is."
Someone near the front shuffled forward. "But how did he… change like that?"
Li Tian stepped forward finally.
"I broke through."
The crowd stirred.
"I spent my life stuck at the same stage," he said. "I never stopped trying. Not even when it felt pointless. Last night, I finally succeeded. The energy I've built up… changed me."
He paused. His eyes moved across the crowd.
"But I'm still me. The same man you've seen for years."
Old Man Bo blinked. He gave a dry laugh. "You're telling me all that soup I made helped you turn into a cultivator?"
There were a few chuckles. The tension thinned quickly.
Mei giggled as well.
The village chief gave a short nod. "We should thank the heavens then."
Aunt Lin placed her hand over her chest. "He's one of us."
"He's a cultivator now. Our village has nothing to worry about," another one shouted..
A boy stepped forward and bowed clumsily. "Thank you for saving my mother."
Then a second voice. "Thank you."
One more. "Li Tian, thank you."
A dozen more followed. A few older men knelt. The younger ones bowed.
Li Tian didn't move.
This… is what respect feels like?
He lowered his head slightly.
"I only did what had to be done."
But inside, something settled.
[Yippee! Mission complete! 10 points awarded!]
[You were amazing, Master~! Everyone saw it! They're going to build statues of you!]]
Li Tian blinked once. Still talkative. But the corner of his mouth tugged upward.
For the first time in decades, he wasn't a burden or a passive freeloader.
He was loved and respected.
That was enough to bring a smile to his face.
---------------
Li Tian returned to his hut as the sky deepened into dusk. The warmth of the villagers' words still lingered, but his body longed for silence. He slid the door shut and sat cross-legged on the mat, exhaling slowly.
[Congratulations again, Master! I knew you could do it!]
The system continued in its singsong tone.
"...Thanks, I guess," Li Tian replied quietly. "For helping me live again."
[So you believe in me now? Is the past behind us now, and are we best friends forever?]
Li Tian raised an eyebrow. "Friends, yeah sure. Forget the past, no chance."
[Hmph. I'll win you over eventually.]
He leaned back slightly. "Show me the rest of what you can do. I believe I completed one of your missions?"
[Right! Let's get down to business!]
The system's tone sharpened with energy.
[Points are your main resource. You earn them by completing missions — like protecting the village. And points unlock everything: power-ups, tools, treasures. But you already knew that.]
"How do I use them?"
[Ah, right. Unlocking right away! Tier 1 is available. Tiers 2 through 5 will open as your cultivation grows. Prepare to be amazed!]
A faint chime echoed in the air.
A translucent screen rippled into view, hovering in front of Li Tian's eyes. Rows of icons arranged themselves quickly—pills, weapons, scrolls, and talismans shifting like pieces of glass.
Li Tian tried to change from Tier 1 to Tier 2, but all items there were greyed out. The lock symbol faint but clear.
He frowned. "Why are most of these inaccessible?"
[Only Tier 1 is unlocked for now. The rest will open as you grow stronger. You didn't think I'd just hand you divine-grade items on day one, right?]
"Sigh. Okay, let me look at the Tier 1 items."
Slowly, items and descriptions started coming into view.
Li Tian stared.
What is all this?
Phrases like "Bone Temper Pill," "Soul-Sharpening Fang," "Windstep Boots" danced past him. Techniques. Formations. Ingredients. There were so many that it felt like an infinite scroll.
"System, did you rob a sect?"
[Thehehe ~ Now you know how helpful I am. Please praise me more <3]
"I will, but later. For now, recommend something that I should buy."
[For you, Master? Easy! First, buy the Basic Inventory Slot — 30 points. It stores items in a private spatial fold. Even Heaven's thieves can't touch it. Perfect for your scroll.]
He nodded. "Done."
The system chimed again.
[Inventory module active! Go ahead and test it. Try placing your Azure Vein Qi Scripture inside. Just focus on the item and will it into your inventory.]
Li Tian raised the scroll and narrowed his eyes. Place it… mentally?
He focused, picturing the scripture vanishing from his palm.
It disappeared. No flash, no sound. Just gone.
He looked at his empty hand.
"...Where did it go?"
[Relax, Master! It's in your bound inventory space. Nothing can touch it now. Try pulling it out—just think about it.]
Li Tian did. The scroll reappeared instantly in his hand.
He stared at it.
That… seemed super useful.