"Senior Brother knows me well—I don't have any grand ambitions. I just want to be an ordinary disciple in the Heart Returning Sect. But I’ve been diligently cultivating the Heart Returning Technique and the Single-Stroke Sword Art. Taking a few junior brothers and sisters down the mountain for training missions wouldn’t be a problem either."
"Ah, you..."
Lu Bogui shook his head, knowing full well the temperament of his junior brother. He didn’t press further. Instead, he took out a small pouch from his sleeve and placed it in front of Jiang Beiran.
"A gift for your birthday," Lu Bogui said with a smile before adding, "Though it’s a bit late."
Jiang Beiran’s hand, holding chopsticks, paused. He rubbed his slightly stuffy nose and said, "Senior Brother, you even remembered this while you were away on your training journey? To be honest, I’d forgotten about it myself."
"How could I forget? This year marks your 20th birthday—a major milestone. I had planned to rush back to celebrate with you, but I simply couldn’t get away."
"Senior Brother..."
Seeing Jiang Beiran’s slightly reddened eyes, Lu Bogui picked up a piece of beef and placed it in his bowl, sighing softly, "Time flies. In the blink of an eye, it’s been five years since you came up the mountain. I still remember how you looked when I first met you, haha."
"Yeah... five years already."
Jiang Beiran sighed with equal emotion. Five years ago, he had suddenly transmigrated into this chaotic world teeming with sects and factions. And it seemed the heavens had no intention of giving him much time to prepare mentally.
A series of extremely cliché events had come rushing at him one after another. First, he was an orphan, currently living in his uncle’s home, where he endured daily disdain and outright mockery from his aunt.
"What? Can’t I say a few words to you? You freeloader!"
"If I raised a dog, at least it could guard the house. What use are you?"
"Hmph, you can’t even mop the floor properly. You’ll definitely grow up to be a good-for-nothing, still leeching off our family." ...
How could Jiang Beiran tolerate this? He had transmigrated to become the protagonist! Why should he suffer this kind of humiliation?
So during dinner, he slammed his bowl to the ground, pointed at his ugly, fat aunt, and roared, "I must’ve done eighteen lifetimes of evil to end up with a shrew like you! You look human but act like a dog! Starting today, I’m done staying here!
Go eat shit!" After venting, Jiang Beiran decisively turned and ran out of the shabby thatched house, bidding farewell to his life of dependence. But by the next morning, Jiang Beiran was already deflated—simply because he was starving.
When he ran away, he had acted purely on impulse, not even grabbing a single pancake, let alone any money. So he spent the night both hungry and freezing.
At sunrise, he lingered in front of a steamed bun stall for a full twenty minutes before the owner chased him away with three sharp "Get lost!"s. Fortunately, the heavens never seal all roads for a transmigrator.
At dusk, just as Jiang Beiran found a relatively warm corner to sit in, a kind-faced Daoist priest approached him and handed him a fragrant sesame pancake, saying warmly, "Eat up, little one." Jiang Beiran was ravenous. He didn’t even dare pretend to refuse out of politeness.
After a quick thanks, he grabbed the pancake and wolfed it down.
"Don’t rush, take your time. There’s more if you finish this one."
As he spoke, the Daoist took out a gourd filled with water and handed it to Jiang Beiran.
"Ah, poor child."
"Th-thank you, Daoist."
After gulping down several mouthfuls of water, Jiang Beiran burst into tears—whether from the deliciousness of the pancake or the chill of the water, he couldn’t say. After devouring two whole pancakes and finally feeling alive again, Jiang Beiran repeatedly thanked the Daoist.
"No need for thanks."
The Daoist waved his hand before smiling and asking, "Do you know why, out of all the hungry children on the street, I chose to give you a pancake?" Jiang Beiran shook his head.
"No." "Because I can see you have extraordinary bones—a rare talent for martial arts. Within three years, you will undoubtedly become one of the top disciples among the younger generation of the Blazing Fire Sect!"
The moment the Daoist spoke these words, three options appeared before Jiang Beiran’s eyes.
[Option 1: Immediately say, "I beg the Daoist to take me as his disciple." Reward: Mysterious Flame Physique (Yellow Grade, High Tier)] [Option 2: "I’ve never met an expert like you before. May I ask what the Blazing Fire Sect is like?" Reward: Blazing Fire Blade (Yellow Grade, Mid Tier)] [Option 3: Politely decline the Daoist’s kindness. Reward: Random Basic Attribute Point +1] Hah!
The system’s here! Jiang Beiran was overjoyed. The perks of being a transmigrator were just too good!
Two strokes of luck at once—an old master and a system! Is this the legendary protagonist treatment? This is amazing!
Then Jiang Beiran began agonizing over whether to choose Option 1 or Option 2. Option 1 made him seem a bit too eager, but the reward, the Mysterious Flame Physique, sounded perfectly suited for the Blazing Fire Sect the Daoist mentioned—clearly a tailored reward from the system. Option 2 allowed him to flatter the Daoist while also appearing cautious.
The Blazing Fire Blade also seemed like a great fit for the sect, making it a solid choice. As for Option 3? Only an idiot would pick that!
Not only would he be turning down free benefits, but the reward was just a single basic attribute point. What use was one point? It wasn’t even worth calling a consolation prize.
After much deliberation, Jiang Beiran ultimately chose Option 1, since a cultivation physique sounded far more important—it might even make his early training twice as effective.
"I beg the Daoist to take me as his disciple!"
Having made his choice, Jiang Beiran immediately knelt and spoke in the most earnest tone possible. The Daoist smiled faintly, reached out to help Jiang Beiran up, and patted his shoulder.
"Taking you as my disciple is possible, but first, you must pass a trial."
"A trial?"
Jiang Beiran was briefly puzzled but quickly replied with determination, "I will do my utmost to pass!"
"Good!"
The Daoist nodded in satisfaction, flicked his sleeves, and turned around.
"Then follow me."
"Yes!"
[Option task completed. Disciple Recruitment Mission initiated. Reward will be granted upon mission completion.]
[Mission Objective: Become the black-robed Daoist’s disciple.]
Huh?
The reward isn’t given right away? Jiang Beiran had assumed that simply shouting "I beg the Daoist to take me as his disciple!" would earn him the Mysterious Flame Physique. He hadn’t expected it would only trigger a mission.
Well, no matter. Having something to look forward to isn’t bad either. With that thought, Jiang Beiran strode forward to follow the Daoist. ...
After two arduous days of travel, Jiang Beiran finally arrived with the Daoist at the foot of a mountain.
"Beiran, this place is called Verdant Peak. Your trial will take place here."
Jiang Beiran, who had been munching on a pancake behind him, nodded repeatedly.
"Please rest assured, I won’t let you down!"
Over the past two days, Jiang Beiran had told the Daoist all about running away from home and having no one to rely on. The Daoist, sympathetic to his plight, had taken great care of him along the way—warming pancakes with his Flame Palm when Jiang Beiran was hungry and setting up tents when he was tired.
This moved Jiang Beiran deeply, and he vowed to repay his master’s kindness once he mastered his teachings!
(End of Chapter)