Chương 1: A Powerless Eldest Brother

The courtyard rang with laughter as Ren dashed through the open space, a handful of children chasing after him with wooden swords. His movements were clumsy, even comical.

"You've got nowhere to run, demon. Divine Diving Sword!" a boy cried, his voice high with excitement. Ren skidded to a halt, barely dodging the sword thrown his way. He twisted his waist, blocking another downward strike, and he reached toward the barehanded boy with his other hand.

"Take this: Chains of Judgment!" At that moment, the smallest of them— a sneaky little girl— appeared, swiping her sword toward his feet with a victorious snicker. Ren twisted his body, dramatically tumbling to the ground with a groan.

"Ack! No! The mighty Supreme Judgment Sect's young geniuses have sealed my cultivation!" he gasped, clutching his chest.

"I… I can't move! My fate is sealed!" The children erupted in cheers, piling on top of him in victory.

"Haha! We got you, Senior Brother!"

"That's what you get for being the villain!" Ren wheezed under the weight of five overenthusiastic disciples, waving a hand weakly.

"Mercy… mercy… You wouldn't treat an elder brother like this, would you?" Another girl with her hair tied in two buns huffed, "Eldest Brother Ren, villains don't get mercy! Judgment will always find them." Ren groaned dramatically, but before he could argue, a shadow fell over them.

"Ahem." The children scrambled off, straightening their robes as a young disciple in white robes looked at them gently. He was carrying a sturdy wooden box.

"Young Master, I'm sorry for making you wait," he said, bowing lightly.

"It wasn't a bother, Junior Brother," Ren chuckled as he sat up, ruffling the overexcited boy's hair.

"But don't ever throw your weapon without a way to retrieve it, alright? Or you won't be able to resist this great demon's claws!" He quickly tickled him until he fell to the ground.

"I-I… hehehe, I give… hehe… I give up!" Other children giggled at their fallen comrade's defeat, some pretending to draw their swords again.

"We'll avenge you, Brother Yun!" one of them declared, striking a heroic pose. Ren grinned, shaking his head.

"Alright, alright, that's enough. I'll fall for real if I stay any longer." He dusted himself off and turned to the waiting disciple.

"Let's go before they realize they can actually overpower me." The children cheered behind him, their little voices ringing through the courtyard as they boasted about their 'victory.' As Ren walked away, the young disciple at his side chuckled softly.

"They're truly an energetic bunch, Young Master. They even caused you to roll around in the dirt for the sake of a game."

"They're just children. Of course, they will be energetic." Ren stretched, feeling the slight ache from getting tackled.

"I'll take a dozen wooden swords over one boring meeting any day." The disciple's smile faded, his voice turning serious.

"Master Shu found the things you wanted, but he couldn't meet you today because the elders have a meeting…" Hesitation flickered across his face as he paused.

"About my broken foundation? That's not surprising, Junior Brother, you don't have to be on tenterhooks about it." Ren put on a carefree smile and took the box.

"Heavens be with you, then. Take care of the kids." The disciple bowed and remained like that until Ren disappeared beyond the courtyard. Ugh, it's really hard to play the role of an immortal. Ren's graceful expression crumbled as soon as he was alone. And why do kids have to be so heavy-handed? I think I broke my wrist… He gasped dramatically, rubbing his wrist as he walked. The ache wasn't serious, but it gave him something to focus on— something to distract from the weight pressing on his chest.

His grip tightened around the wooden box. It was heavy and smooth. Salvation. That was one way to put it. [Energy Requirement for System Activation: 0. 1%] He had nearly sold everything of value against his name— which amounted to surprisingly little— and even made a lot of promises that had to be kept. It wouldn't be a lie to say he nearly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for activating his system. But he felt it would be worth it. It had to be, or I am gonna go on a system-murder spree!

He clicked his tongue. If whoever sent me hadn't broken my body and soul in the process, I would have been so fucking happy to leave my life of modern slavery behind. But there has to be an obstacle at the start, right?! He had tried to think positively, of course; anyone would do the same. What a great way to start anew. But it's not the end of the world, right? I should have something to change this fate. Some kind of golden finger. But it needs absurd amounts of energy!

The change of scenery from the concrete jungle to budding wooden buildings with little gardens, sweet-smelling flowers, and greenery all around helped his resentment melt a little. Supreme Judgment Sect had no skyscrapers, claustrophobic streets, short-tempered crowds, or anything like that. The complete opposite of Istanbul, where he had lived for eight cursed years. The lifestyle here had an almost medieval simplicity.

Groups of servant boys and girls trudged back from the mountains, their faces gaunt, their hands raw from endless labor. They carried buckets, baskets, and sacks as they finished another day of serving great immortals, sweat pouring from their bodies like someone had left the faucet on too long. For a moment, Ren wondered if their lives were any better than his had been. Maybe, in some twisted way, being one of them would be easier. At least then, no one would expect anything from him. Yes, that's the problem.

Everyone expects something from me, but I don't even know them. No matter how much he tried to shake it off, this thought clung to him. A fresh start was something easy to say, but hard to do. You can't leave your past in the past in an instant. It doesn't work like that when you've inherited something that doesn't belong to you. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

Shaking his head, Ren turned toward his mansion, which stood on the highest mountain of the sect with a long staircase extending toward it as if declaring its supreme status. Just then, a disciple in green robes ran toward him.

"Young Master! Please don't keep tiring yourself out. You can have my mount," he said with genuine concern. At the same time, a bull-sized eagle dove down. Even the beast bowed its regal head, its excitement clear. Ren mustered a gentle smile.

"There's no need, Junior Brother. I am fine this way." He took a deep breath and began to ascend, one step at a time. Though he heard a disappointed mutter, he didn't look back. At every step, he cursed himself for being so weak, for not even managing to return to his own home without suffering. Truth be told, he could have agreed. But even after two weeks of grueling trips across the mountains, he refused.

Maybe it was his lingering pride, a stubborn streak that clung to him like a curse, or maybe it was just the bitterness of feeling useless that kept him grounded. Each step up the stairs was a punishment, and he welcomed the burn in his legs and the ache in his bones as if it were some penance. However, this thought only lasted for a short while.

"I'm fucking dying, huuuh," he muttered, taking an extremely deep breath as he struggled to take another step. 6, 766 steps. Which bloody genius thought it would be great to build that many stairs… Ren gasped as he took the last step. He couldn't even remember how many times he had cursed the builder of these stairs or himself for not summoning a ride. Still, his stubbornness had won every time, and regret was useless at this point. After resting for a moment, Ren managed to lift his head.

His home greeted him, though it still felt as unfamiliar as the day he'd arrived. The mansion wasn't just large, it was imposing with its sharp, angular architecture cut through the sky like a monument to power. Worthy of the defiant spirit of Eldest Brother for one of the Supreme Sects. Black stone walls gleamed under the sunlight, their surface polished to a mirror-like finish, reflecting the surrounding mountain peaks. The roof sloped, with curved eaves that pointed upward as if reaching for the heavens.

Tall, bronze statues of celestial warriors flanked the entrance, their expressions as stern and unforgiving as their aura. Each warrior was frozen mid-stride, their weapons raised as if eternally ready to defend the sect.

"The forefathers, the first elders of the sect," he muttered, feeling a sudden pressure on his shoulders as though they were watching him, a fake, with judging eyes. He reached into his robe, fingers brushing the edge of his sect token before he pulled it out and clenched it tight. Yet a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Young Master, welcome back." A line of disciples stood just outside the manor's barrier, clad in lilac robes. Ren let out a weary sigh.

"Didn't I tell you to go back?" His voice was firm, but irritation still crept in.

"You serve me no more." A middle-aged woman stepped forward. Her flowery dress, though pristine, bore the wear of time. She bowed, and others followed suit.

"We heard, young master," she said evenly.

"And we refused." Ren pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I dismissed you all, so don't expect any salary." The strongest deterrent to loyalty; let's see how you'll counter this. The woman merely tilted her head.

"You already paid us." He frowned.

"I— what?" Another servant, a younger man, stepped forward with a small, proud smile.

"Twenty years' salary, in advance. You paid us as soon as you claimed the Eldest Sect Brother title. Did you forget it already, young master?" Ren stared, his mind rewinding to the moment. His jaw tightened instinctively. You really left me a big mess, soul brother.

"…Then consider it severance, alright? I'll just live in peace, so there's truly no need for you," he muttered. The woman's lips curved into a motherly smile.

"Stubbornness isn't a trait exclusive to you, Young Master," she countered.

"We serve because we choose to." He ran a hand down his face.

"I don't need—""You do," she interrupted.

"And even if you don't want us, we will remain." The weight of their gazes pressed against him. I thought xianxia worlds were cruel, but this… Thank you all, now I'll feel guilty. A part of him wanted to argue. Another part grew impatient. The system was waiting. In the end, he turned toward the mansion with a sigh.

"Do as you will." With a deep breath, he raised his token. The barrier rippled faintly at the token's touch, allowing him entry. Behind him, the servants bowed again. As soon as he stepped past the threshold, the pressure lifted, vanishing as swiftly as it had come. He released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"I will never get used to this," he muttered. Ren stepped inside, the heavy wooden doors creaking as they swung shut behind him, leaving the world outside. The inside of the mansion was no less imposing than its exterior. High vaulted ceilings arched above him, lined with intricate carvings— things that he had no interest in. The floors were polished stone, cool beneath his feet, and his footsteps echoed faintly through the vast, empty halls. There was no warmth here, no sign of life.

Just quiet, suffocating stillness. The mansion had been designed for someone of great stature, someone like his soul brother— someone far more deserving than Ren felt in this moment. He made his way through the winding corridors, passing by rooms adorned with silk tapestries and ornate furniture that remained untouched. The heavy scent of incense lingered in the air, which he found quite pleasant. At least it helped him relax. Finally, he reached his room.

It was simple compared to the rest of the mansion's grandiosity, though it was still too large. It felt… empty. You know, if you don't spend time in it, then why would you care? A large, low bed sat in the center, draped in pure white silk sheets, and a single window allowed the last beams of daylight to stream in, casting shadows across the floor. The only decoration in the room was a black, iron half-mask hanging on the wall.

Engraved on it was a mouth, its lips pulled into a crooked, mocking smirk, teeth just visible. Ren ignored it after only one glance. Without hesitation, he stripped off his dirty clothes, the fabric heavy and stinking of sweat from his time outside. The cool air bit at his skin as he rummaged through the wardrobe, pulling out a fresh set of simple, white robes. As he dressed, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Pale, disheveled. Not a hint of the heroic aura he— no. He should've had.

"You look like hell," he muttered to his reflection; the sunken look of his cheeks stood out to him more than he liked. Even the body that had been carved through years of blood and sweat now started to sag like that of a worn-out addict. And yet, he still had to admit the man had charisma. Chiseled features, a somber expression that rarely shifted, wavy hair falling to his shoulders, and even his lips had that infuriatingly perfect fullness— as his face belonged on a movie poster.

"Femme fatale carved into a man's shape, you got the best genes of the whole family line, dude." Ren clicked his tongue and shook his head. He moved toward the backyard, a slight hurry to his steps. Handsomeness wasn't going to put food on the table. As he slid the door open, the familiar scent of the Insightdeepener Trees greeted him — soft, earthy, with a hint of something sweet that lingered in the air, calming the nerves whether you wanted it to or not.

These towering trees, their purple-green leaves shimmering in the fading light, encircled his personal training area like silent guardians. They were supposed to sharpen the mind, soothe the soul, which is why his sect loved them. And they were working pretty well. He sat cross-legged in the center of the clearing, inhaling deeply before opening the box. Inside, three blue spiritual stones lay nestled against dark silk. Their smooth, crystalline forms resembled sacred, primal daggers.

Highest-grade spiritual stones… With the money he had, even getting one of these should've been nothing but a pipe dream.

"That old fart…" he murmured, his hand lingering over them. He knew that cheapskate wasn't rich enough to squander on highest-grade spiritual stones. Furthermore, he always found his soul brother troublesome, yet he still hadn't hesitated to help.

"Can I really use them?" His hand trembled slightly. [An energy source has been found. Absorb?] [Y/N?] In the end, Ren gritted his teeth.

"Absorb!" I will pay it back one way or another. But for that, I need this bastard system's help. [Activating system… 1%… 5%…] … [Activating system… 99%… 100%…] Ren shook with a sudden jolt. A cold, alien feeling spread within as the three spiritual stones turned into fine dust. [Host has enough energy for a choice. Listing…] [Ding! Host can choose a world-oriented or character-oriented system.] [Warning: Host's current talent is broken beyond mending. Skipping world-oriented choice…]"I knew it," Ren scowled, forcing himself not to punch the panels hovering in front of him.

"How can a system that demands payment be trustworthy? You fuc—" [Character analyzing…] [Searching transmigrator database for suitable power systems…] [Mythological Genes System… not matching.] [Undead Master System… Apocalypse System… Celestial Pet Store System… Fusion System…] [Way of Wrath System…] [Guardian God System…] [Ding! Found a perfect match…] [Request sent… pending… request granted.] With every new panel, his heartbeat quickened, pounding in his chest. And just as he held his breath…

[Lifecore Tree System] Host: Ren Lifeseed: None Talent: Divine Strength (Erased) Realm: Peak-Nascent Soul (Broken) Body Realm: First Shackle of Indestructible Body"This… is IT?!" Ren jerked back as the system 'downloaded' directly into his brain. Terrible ripples invaded his head, and he clutched his head tightly, nails digging into his skin as his vision blurred.