“Ding! Host has completed a side quest. Reward: 50 Reversal Points, 200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

“Host has formed a favorable connection with the Child of Destiny. Destiny Luck has increased.”

The system notification echoed in his mind. Qi Yuan faintly sensed an elusive, mysterious aura descending from the heavens and settling upon him, lifting his spirits somewhat.

Beyond that, nothing particularly special happened; it felt almost like a mere psychological effect.

Destiny Luck was the most intangible and elusive of things, unpredictable. Qi Yuan couldn’t experience its concrete effects in a short time.

Everyone knew Destiny Luck truly existed and always played a role at critical moments, determining the ultimate success or failure of any endeavor.

To a certain extent, one’s Fate and Destiny Luck formed the very foundation of a cultivator, representing the upper limit they could reach in this lifetime.

For Qi Yuan to have gained an increase in Destiny Luck simply by beating up a few mortal servants… he had hit the jackpot.

Not just him—this kind of temptation was probably something even someone at the Dao Integration realm like Daoist Hengzhen couldn’t resist.

System, from now on, the more of these side quests, the better. This bro can handle it.

Although constantly bullying the weak wasn’t exactly glorious… one had to admit it felt damn good!

Soon, Qi Yuan suppressed the joy in his heart and discreetly glanced at the new ring on Lin Zhen’s hand.

Truly worthy of being a Child of Destiny. Just wandering around could lead to a fortuitous encounter. The material of this ring was something even he couldn’t see through; it definitely wasn’t ordinary. It might even come with a bonus like an old grandpa spirit attached.

However, curiosity aside, Qi Yuan didn’t harbor any covetous thoughts. Not because he was noble or virtuous, but because things belonging to a Child of Destiny weren’t so easily taken.

A Child of Destiny like Lin Zhen was under the special attention of the Heavenly Dao from birth. If you wanted to gain significant advantage from them, you’d better first ask if Heaven agreed. Otherwise, you might obtain it but not live to enjoy it.

Qi Yuan held a high position within the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary and had the system by his side. There was no need for him to covet something of unknown origin that might carry significant hidden dangers.

Forming a favorable connection with Lin Zhen and incidentally benefiting from some of his Destiny Luck and blessings was the optimal choice…

With this thought, Qi Yuan reined in his wandering mind. His gaze toward Lin Zhen grew increasingly amiable, as if looking at a treasure trove waiting to be unearthed.

“Brother Lin, what are your plans from now on?”

“I’m going back to take the test.”

Lin Zhen took a deep breath, a flash of determination crossing his expression.

“Where you fall, you must rise again. Wang Luchuan has the blood feud of killing me and the hatred of stealing my beloved. I will settle this account with him personally.”

“What does it matter if he’s a dual-spiritual root genius? Once I join Falling Cloud Valley and embark on the immortal path, I will repay him tenfold, a hundredfold!”

As he spoke, Lin Zhen clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands, his eyes filled with boundless fury.

“Hmm, admirable ambition!”

The smile on Qi Yuan’s face widened as he silently mourned for a certain arrogant little fatty in his heart.

Of all people to offend, you had to pick a Child of Destiny? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?

……

When Qi Yuan brought Lin Zhen back to the entrance of Falling Cloud Valley, it immediately drew sidelong glances from all the youths present. The previously noisy atmosphere fell silent in an instant.

Wang Luchuan, standing at the center of the crowd enjoying the flattery and fawning around him, stiffened, unable to hide his surprise as he looked at Lin Zhen.

How could he still be alive?

Shouldn’t he be dead already?

Beside Wang Luchuan, Liu Yingying’s expression also changed slightly before she lowered her head in shame, unwilling to face him.

Seeing the unfamiliar man standing beside Lin Zhen, Wang Luchuan seemed to understand something. His face instantly darkened as he strode directly up to the two and said coldly to Lin Zhen:

“Weren’t you leaving? How do you have the face to come back?”

“And also, I kindly sent a few subordinates to escort you on your way. Where are they now?”

Hearing Wang Luchuan’s twisted version of events, Lin Zhen trembled with rage.

“Wang! You clearly sent people to harm me, yet here you are putting on an act. You’re nothing but a beast in human skin, worse than pigs or dogs!”

Wang Luchuan responded with a disdainful sneer, his eyes full of mockery.

“You say I harmed you? Where’s your evidence? Without evidence, don’t go around making false accusations. Otherwise, don’t blame me for turning ruthless.”

“You—!”

Lin Zhen was furious beyond words. Of course, he couldn’t produce evidence. Even if he could, the other party would have ten thousand ways to deny it, twist it around, or even turn the tables.

After all, the outcome was that he was still alive while those three servants were dead.

Witnessing this scene, Qi Yuan, who had been observing coldly from the sidelines, stepped forward and said calmly:

“Your three subordinates were born with thin fortune and cheap lives; they were short-lived ghosts. Not long ago they were carried off and eaten by wild beasts. I advise you to accept your grief and adapt.”

Wang Luchuan frowned slightly. A trace of wariness flashed in his eyes as he looked at Qi Yuan, and his tone became much weaker. “And who are you? Why are you interfering in our personal grudge?”

Although not yet initiated into cultivation, he could still sense that faint oppressive aura emanating from the other party.

This kind of pressure only cultivators possessed. No matter how arrogant and domineering he was, facing a cultivator would instinctively evoke fear in him.

Even if this young man before him was merely a low-level rogue cultivator with meager cultivation, he wasn’t someone an ordinary mortal like Wang Luchuan could easily provoke.

Qi Yuan didn’t even deign to look at him directly. Instead, he swept his gaze over the surrounding crowd, his tone full of authority.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My humble name is Big Qi. From now on, I’ve got Lin Zhen’s back. Anyone who dares bully him is making an enemy out of me.”

All the youths present felt a chill in their hearts and hurriedly avoided his gaze.

Wang Luchuan’s face shifted through various expressions. He knew it was impossible to touch Lin Zhen today. Immediately shooting both men a sinister glare—not even daring to utter any parting threats—he left dejectedly with his gang of followers in tow.

After Wang Luchuan left, Lin Zhen felt even more profoundly grateful toward Qi Yuan.

“If not for Big Brother Qi stepping in to help today, I’m afraid…”

Before he could finish speaking, Qi Yuan cut him off.

“Brother Lin, we seem quite compatible. No need for such formality between us.”

He had to admit, having a genuine Child of Destiny referring to himself as “little brother” before him gave Qi Yuan a secret thrill inside.

As for bottom-tier cannon fodder antagonists like Wang Luchuan, he didn’t even have any interest in personally teaching them a lesson—it would only lower his own standing unnecessarily.

Of course, if that brain-dead system issued a task about it, that would be another matter entirely.

Thinking about it now, ever since this damn system appeared, he’d either been crushing weaklings or been on his way to crush more weaklings; he hadn’t even encountered a decent opponent worthy of note yet.

Yet every reward was top-notch practical stuff…

It almost felt kinda awkward… Qi Yuan shamelessly mused.

……

The next day.

The mountain gates of Falling Cloud Valley swung wide open.

At the valley entrance, a patch of empty space shimmered with white light, from which several Falling Cloud Valley cultivators wearing uniform robes flew out.

These cultivators stood mid-air, instantly releasing powerful pressure that silenced the previously noisy, bustling crowd completely; you could hear a pin drop.

Leading them, Elder Yin Qingyuan from the Initiation Pavilion first scanned everyone present, then announced clearly:

“Apologies for keeping everyone waiting. Today is an auspicious day suitable for all matters. The Falling Cloud Valley entrance examination officially begins now.”

“According to sect rules, any guests over eighteen years old who have not yet begun Qi Refining, please return home.”

“For fellow rogue cultivators already at the Qi Refining realm, for each higher level attained, the age limit can be extended by two years.”

“All those who do not meet requirements or are eliminated during the assessment may collect travel expenses from Falling Cloud Valley….”

It’s her.

Qi Yuan recognized at first glance the beautiful female cultivator standing among that group of Falling Cloud Valley disciples, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.

Clearly no older than eighteen or nineteen, yet her cultivation had already reached the late Foundation Building stage, with an exceptionally solid foundation and astonishing depth—completely comparable to some Legacy Disciples within sacred grounds themselves.

He hadn’t expected Falling Cloud Valley to harbor such talent.