Mu Xiaochuan felt the discomfort of his body towards the spiritual energy and silently began to operate the "Withered Tree Revives Technique" that he had just elevated to the entry level. Sure enough, the spiritual power within him flowed smoothly like a trickling stream, nourishing his body and quickly allowing him to adapt to the overwhelming spiritual energy. His physical state reached an unprecedented peak.
Mu Xiaochuan thought happily, and he returned to make the unreasonable and absurd request once more.
"You're really overestimating yourself," Liu Ruyan said, losing interest as Mu Xiaochuan made his request again. She lazily lay on the bed and waved her hand dismissively, "Alright, alright, senior brother, you should accept your age and be careful with your lifespan."
Mu Xiaochuan, however, was relentless. He approached with a cheeky grin and said, "Junior sister, I really didn't do well just now. You know, with these things, it's inevitable to be nervous and scared the first time. Give me another chance, and I promise you'll be satisfied."
Liu Ruyan scrutinized Mu Xiaochuan suspiciously, wondering to herself: This Mu Xiaochuan is usually timid as a mouse, so why is he so bold today? Has he been reborn, or is this his last hurrah?
In her heart, she knew that Mu Xiaochuan had silently done many things for her since they arrived together. Now that his lifespan was nearing its end, she thought she might as well repay him. Besides, he seemed to have gained a bit of charisma. After hesitating for a moment, she snorted coldly, "Hmph, fine, I'll give you another chance. Consider it my kindness. But if you keep pestering me, don't blame me for being rude."
Mu Xiaochuan confidently patted his chest and promised, "Don't worry, if you're not satisfied, just say the word, and I won't bother you again."
(A full stick of incense's worth of indescribable content is omitted here...)
***
Mu Xiaochuan stepped out of the cave abode, his face beaming with an irrepressible smile, as if he had just experienced a grand feast of life.
At that moment, a mechanical yet pleasant voice from the system echoed in his mind, "Ding, congratulations to the host for earning 50 Thrill Points."
Mu Xiaochuan was overjoyed, clenching his fists and muttering to himself, "With the Thrill System, I finally have something to rely on. As long as I have enough Thrill Points, Foundation Establishment, Core Condensation, and even Nascent Soul are within reach. I should go back and study this Thrill System thoroughly."
Meanwhile, Liu Ruyan was full of doubts: The difference before and after was so great that it left her somewhat satisfied and enchanted. Has this old man really been reborn?
"Don't come again in the future." This sentence lingered on her lips but, for some reason, she didn't say it.
With a sense of fulfillment, Mu Xiaochuan hummed a tune as he returned to his residence. As soon as he entered the room, he couldn't wait to sit on the bed, close his eyes, and with a thought, opened the system panel once more.
[Host: Mu Xiaochuan]
[Thrill Points: 70]
[Realm: Qi Refining Stage Five]
[Cultivation Technique: Withered Tree Revives Technique (Entry Level)]
[Secondary Cultivation: None]
[Spiritual Artifact: None]
Mu Xiaochuan carefully examined the various items in the system shop, and the array of goods left him wide-eyed. Especially the cultivation techniques, which were numerous and diverse.
Low-level techniques like the Wind Blade Art, Sky-Splitting Palm, and Star-Shattering Force didn't catch his eye.
Mid to high-level techniques like Thunder Shadow Strike, Heaven-Burning Sword Art, Cloud-Piercing Finger Technique, Dragon-Taming Heart Sutra, Moon-Chasing Blade Technique, Demon-Subduing Seal Technique, Blazing Heaven Incineration Art, and Wrath of Thunder Palm seemed appealing, but when he saw their prices, he couldn't help but gasp. These things were exorbitantly expensive, and with his current Thrill Points, he couldn't afford any of them.
"It seems I can only start with secondary skills for now," Mu Xiaochuan thought. The system shop offered secondary skills like alchemy, artifact forging, and spirit beast rearing, which he might consider exploring when he had enough Thrill Points in the future.
"Alchemy allows you to concoct various elixirs. With Thrill Points, I don't need it for cultivation enhancement, but it can heal injuries, cure diseases, and even poison or kill. It seems quite useful," Mu Xiaochuan mused. If he could learn alchemy, he could make his own elixirs, which would be great.
"Artifact forging allows you to create various spiritual artifacts, enhancing combat and defense capabilities. It seems useful too," Mu Xiaochuan thought. Although he didn't have a suitable spiritual artifact now, he could buy one directly when he had enough Thrill Points, so he decided not to learn it.
"Spirit beast rearing allows you to cultivate various spirit beasts, increasing combat power and aiding in cultivation. It seems useful too," Mu Xiaochuan thought. In his past life, he always dreamed of having a pet, but was too busy with work to make it happen. This is something he definitely wants to learn in the future.
It seems that to find good things in this system shop, I need to work hard to earn Thrill Points," Mu Xiaochuan resolved. No, it's not about working hard to earn Thrill Points; it's about making myself feel thrilled. Hehe, from now on, I'm going to enjoy life and say goodbye to the dull and monotonous hard cultivation. He continued to study the system, pondering how to earn Thrill Points more quickly.
***
Early the next morning, Mu Xiaochuan arrived at the Outer Sect disciples' quarters to assign them tasks.
"Good morning, Senior Brother Mu!"
The four Outer Sect disciples quickly greeted Mu Xiaochuan.
These four Outer Sect disciples were Zhan Hongtao, Li Dali, Lin Banxian, and Su Qianmeng.
Zhan Hongtao had just broken through to the fourth stage of Qi Refining. This one usually slacked off and now, being at the same stage as Mu Xiaochuan, began to disregard him.
Li Dali was a third-stage Qi Refining cultivator, burly and immensely strong, but simple-minded and easily manipulated.
Lin Banxian was a second-stage Qi Refining cultivator, with a sleazy appearance, fond of petty theft, but meticulous and skilled at reading people.
Su Qianmeng was a second-stage Qi Refining female cultivator, thin and weak, with a gentle personality, but timid and easily bullied.
"Today's work assignments are as follows: Zhan Hongtao, you clean the area around the Elder's Cave Abode; Su Qianmeng, you clean the Yunqi Peak Hall; Lin Banxian, pick up the trash on the mountain; Li Dali, you clean the sect's trash," Mu Xiaochuan said sternly, clearly outlining each person's tasks.
"Senior Brother Mu, I just broke through and need to cultivate to stabilize my realm. How about letting them or you help with the cleaning?" Zhan Hongtao said lazily, a hint of disdain in his eyes, clearly looking for an excuse to slack off again.
Mu Xiaochuan felt frustrated. He was usually a bit afraid of this one, and now Zhan Hongtao was openly shirking. What should he do?
Forget it, why bother with such a petty person? He had nothing better to do anyway, and it was better not to damage the camaraderie among fellow disciples. Just as he was about to agree, a thought struck him, reminding him of his Thrill System.
"Endure once, and you'll get angrier; step back, and you'll feel more wronged." He silently recited this phrase, and a surge of anger welled up within him.
"Zhan Hongtao, who do you think you are? The sect's work is shared by everyone, and each person has their own responsibilities. What makes you think you can shirk your duties? Do you think you're here to enjoy life? A mere fourth-stage Qi Refining cultivator, and you dare to put on airs in front of me?" Mu Xiaochuan scolded Zhan Hongtao harshly, showing no mercy.
Zhan Hongtao was stunned by Mu Xiaochuan's sudden stern reprimand. He never expected that the usually timid Mu Xiaochuan would dare to scold him so boldly today. His face turned red and white with anger, and he retorted, "A mere fourth-stage Qi Refining cultivator? Aren't you also at the fourth stage despite being so old? Who do you think you are? I'm not doing it today, what can you do about it?"
Mu Xiaochuan sneered, unleashing the spiritual pressure of a fifth-stage Qi Refining cultivator upon Zhan Hongtao without reservation. "Hmph, don't think you're something special just because you have connections. If you're so great, why aren't you in the Inner Sect? If you have the ability, use your strength to shut me up. Today, you must do the work, or I'll report you to the Law Enforcement Elder and have you kicked out of the Qingling Sect."
Zhan Hongtao was shocked by Mu Xiaochuan's fifth-stage Qi Refining spiritual pressure, and after hearing Mu Xiaochuan's scolding, he was taken aback. Although he had connections, they weren't strong enough to oppose the Law Enforcement Elder. Moreover, he didn't expect Mu Xiaochuan to be so assertive today, leaving him momentarily stunned.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and clean, get moving," Mu Xiaochuan shouted, eyes wide with anger.
Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Zhan Hongtao reluctantly picked up a broom and went to clean, looking dejected.
Watching Zhan Hongtao's retreating figure, Mu Xiaochuan couldn't help but pump his fist and shout, "Thrilling!"
At that moment, the system's notification sounded again, "Ding, congratulations to the host for refusing moral coercion, successfully teaching an arrogant person a lesson, and feeling a sense of thrill, earning 20 Thrill Points."
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan