Watching his senior sister's silhouette vanish into the distance, Xie Ren let out a long, dramatic sigh and turned back toward the sect.
Hands tucked into his sleeves, he wandered aimlessly down the craggy mountain path, his usual brooding expression firmly in place.
"Two days… two whole days…" he muttered, shaking his head like a man sentenced to exile.
His eyes swept over the familiar, broken-down structures scattered around the mountainside.
The Taishan Sect, at least, that was its official name, but it was less a grand sect of cultivation and more a collection of stubbornly standing ruins.
Most of the buildings leaned at odd angles, some missing entire walls, and others in such poor shape that even ghosts might take pity on them and leave.
The last time Xie Ren had tried to sweep the courtyard, the broom had simply given up halfway through. It had collapsed onto the ground, as if to say, Why bother?
At the front gate, he paused.
"This is my sect…" he said out loud to no one. "The great Taishan Sect, the place where legends-"
Before he could finish his self-pitying speech, a brilliant light erupted around him, nearly blinding him in the process.
The light swirled, condensed, and popped out, emerging a tiny, floating figure, hovering at his eye level.
She was about the size of his palm, with delicate, translucent wings, and her tiny fists were placed proudly on her hips.
The figure straightened her back, eyes sparkling with confidence as she surveyed Xie Ren from top to bottom.
And then, in a voice that sounded more like an over-enthusiastic street vendor than anything mystical, she spoke.
[Are you crippled?]
Xie Ren blinked. "What?"
[Did your fiancé break the engagement?]
[Did you lose your family to a demon attack? Are you the last surviving member of your clan, seeking revenge?]
[Does your family look at you with pity because you're the only one without any innate spiritual roots?]
[Are you tired of being told that you're a 'waste of resources'?]
[Did your cultivation journey hit a dead end? Are you constantly struggling, unable to break through to the next realm? Are you stuck with no way to progress? Are you tired of being weak and helpless?]
The fairy did a little flip in the air, clearly pleased with herself.
[Well, have no fear! This Immortal fairy is here to help you!]
She raised one tiny finger dramatically.
[With just ONE word, all your problems will vanish!]
Xie Ren stood there, arms crossed, watching the tiny fairy with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
The little fairy, clearly undeterred by his lack of enthusiasm, puffed up her tiny chest and declared,
[Host, aren't you excited to have all your problems solved with just ONE word from this Immortal fairy?]
"Host?" Xie Ren repeated, tilting his head. "Mmm… not really."
The fairy almost choked on air. [W- What do you mean 'not really'?! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!]
Xie Ren shrugged. "It just feels a bit suspicious."
The fairy clenched her tiny fists, her wings flapping aggressively. [Hmph! Fine! If you won't believe me, I'll just show you!]
She twirled in the air, then clapped her hands together.
[To show my brilliance, this Immortal Fairy shall grant you a newbie pack!]
"A newbie pack?"
Ignoring him, the fairy continued. [But first! Let's check your status!]
The tiny fairy lifted her hands, forming a rectangle with her fingers, then aimed them at Xie Ren as if framing a portrait.
A soft ding! Rang out, and a glowing panel materialized in front of them, floating in midair.
[Oh! The results are in!] The tiny fairy leaned forward, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
[Host: Xie Ren]
[Identity: Taishan Sect master]
[Age:???]
[Cultivation level: ???]
[Talent: ???]
[Special Physique: ???]
The fairy blinked. Then frowned. [That's strange…why is the other information not showing?]
She poked the glowing panel. Nothing changed.
She waved her hands in front of it. Still nothing.
Her tiny brows furrowed. She grabbed the panel with both hands and shook it violently, her frustration growing by the second.
[Why isn't it updating?!]
Xie Ren, watching this struggle with increasing amusement, crossed his arms.
The fairy let out a tiny, angry growl and resorted to kicking the panel with her tiny feet.
[Stupid system! Work already!]
BAM BAM BAM!
Suddenly, the text flickered and changed.
[Host: Xie Ren]
[Identity: Taishan Sect master]
[Age: --]
[Cultivation level: --]
[Talent: --]
[Special Physique: --]
The fairy froze mid-kick. She rubbed her eyes.
[No way, no way… That can't be right… Maybe the system is lagging?]
She swiped at the panel repeatedly, but it refused to update anything.
Finally, she turned back to Xie Ren, her expression filled with horror. [H-Hold on… Are you actually that rare type of host?]
"…?"
[You must be… a top-tier trash!]