Two Days Later

Xu Mo was crouched in a small clearing, diligently harvesting spiritual herbs that he believed would fetch a high price in the outside world. While plucking each herb, he counted on his fingers, calculating how much time remained until they would be forced to leave the Secret Realm.

Fourteen days left.

At some point during the day, a massive black cloud had appeared in the distant sky. At first glance, it looked deceptively close, but even after sprinting toward it for quite some time, Xu Mo realized it hadn't gotten any nearer. He stopped, exhaled, and silently marveled once more at the mysteries of this world—and at the genius who had crafted such illusions. The creator of the Secret Realm was truly not someone ordinary.

Xu Mo had wanted to exchange the herbs he'd collected for points as well, but the system informed him that the exchange function could only be used once per day. Slightly disappointed but undeterred, he didn't uproot the herbs completely, instead leaving their roots intact so they might regrow in the future. After placing a handful of herbs into his now-functioning inventory, he moved on to another identical stalk.

The field around him was filled with the same type of herb. Not entirely certain of their value, Xu Mo used the system's evaluation function to determine the exchange rates. Most of them were valued between 3 to 5 points each. Though visually similar, their individual worth varied depending on age and spiritual maturity.

Don't underestimate these 3 to 5 points, he reminded himself. Even a drop of water can help form an ocean.

He was still deep in his work when he sensed someone approaching. A subtle ripple in the spiritual field caught his attention. He paused, scanned the incoming aura, and noted that the newcomer was also at the peak stage of Qi Condensation.

Without reacting outwardly, Xu Mo continued plucking herbs. He didn't bother concealing his cultivation base completely but only allowed the aura of someone in the eighth stage of Qi Condensation to leak out—just enough to see how the stranger would react to someone seemingly weaker.

"Excuse me, fellow cultivator," the stranger finally spoke. His tone was respectful, almost cautious.

Xu Mo glanced over his shoulder and met the man's gaze. He appreciated the polite demeanor but kept his own expression neutral. "Yes?"

The man looked over the now-barren field where Xu Mo had just finished harvesting.

"I… I was wondering," he began hesitantly, his face flushing red with embarrassment, "if you could spare ten stalks of the herb you just picked?"

He clearly expected to be rebuffed or insulted, bracing himself for rejection. But after a moment of silence, Xu Mo turned his back to him and pulled out a small bundle.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Here," he said simply, handing over a stack of ten herbs without further comment.

He had collected nearly a hundred of them. Giving away ten didn't hurt—and making allies was a thousand times better than creating unnecessary enemies.

"T-Thank you!" the man stammered, overwhelmed. "You've really lightened my burden. I don't even know how to repay you."

"I'm helping because I can. Don't overthink it," Xu Mo replied calmly, already returning to his task.

He resumed his journey, determined to accumulate as many overlooked treasures as possible. The realm was filled with hidden opportunities—resources even experienced cultivators ignored. He wanted to make the most of it when the store reopened.

A small smile tugged at his lips. He was beginning to rely on the system more than he expected. But he reassured himself—it had helped him only with evaluations and point exchanges. He wasn't using it to shortcut his cultivation. His realm progress remained steady and natural. He had not encountered a real bottleneck yet.

Still, curiosity lingered in his heart.

What kind of system allows you to exchange points? Can someone really buy cultivation realms with it?

The very thought felt like cheating. It went against everything he stood for. Strength achieved too easily was fragile. If the system ever malfunctioned again—like it did when he first arrived here—he'd be utterly helpless if he had built his strength solely on its offerings.

What happens then? he pondered. Even if you reach the peak of the cultivation world… could you sever the system's connection without harming your foundation?

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted. A sharp sound cut through the air overhead—something or someone was breaking through the wind barrier with incredible speed. Xu Mo instinctively looked up, his eyes sharp enough now to count the feathers on an eagle mid-flight.

But he wished he hadn't looked.

Descending from the sky were groups of disciples—at least thirty to forty of them—clearly from different sects, given their diverse uniforms. And at the forefront were individuals he knew all too well.

Xu Mo's expression tensed.

He could feel it. Their auras locked onto him like needles pricking his skin.

He couldn't hide. Not when someone was actively searching for him.

Hovering above were:

Xue Lingxi

Jin Meiyu

Su Wenqing

Wei Rong

Mei Xueyin

Shui Qingyi

A knot formed in his chest. Judging by how various sects were traveling together, something major must have happened. Xu Mo didn't like it. Not one bit.

He considered escaping, but that option was gone the moment he saw familiar faces—members from his own sect among them. People who knew he was the True Successor. Running now would only raise suspicion.

They began to descend.

Xu Mo took a cautious step back, wary of a collision. His tension eased slightly when he saw Shui Qingyi, the aloof cultivator from Verdant Sky Hall, glance at him indifferently. He remembered her from his "old man" disguise days. She didn't seem hostile, which was a small relief.

Wei Rong, ever the bold one, walked straight up to Xu Mo and gave him a firm hug—an obvious show of familiarity. It was a loud message to the others: We're not strangers.

Even Xue Lingxi—the so-called reincarnated protagonist—nodded toward him. That alone earned a few gasps from the disciples trailing behind her.

She seemed to recall something mid-step and approached with Jin Meiyu, the saintess of Xu Mo's sect, walking beside her. They both stopped just five steps away from him.

"Xue Lingxi greets the True Successor," she said, placing the palm of her right hand over her left chest in a respectful gesture.

Jin Meiyu, who held a status nearly equal to his own within the sect, gave a nod of acknowledgment as well. Xu Mo returned both gestures calmly.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.