Chapter 2: Explosive Windfall

Just as Wu Tian was probing the system, a maidservant with an anxious expression pushed open the door and hurried in.

“Young master, I heard noises coming from your room and came in. Now that I see you awake, I’m so relieved!” The young maid’s face lit up with joy upon seeing Wu Tian sitting at the head of the bed.

Wu Tian’s heart skipped a beat when he saw her—such a pretty, natural little beauty. Her face was smooth and delicate, her eyelashes long, and her bright eyes sparkled with life. Even dressed in a maid’s humble attire, her outstanding figure could not be concealed. She was still young and undeveloped in certain respects, but in a few years, this girl would surely blossom into a peerless beauty.

Her name was Xiao Hui, and she had been brought back by Wu Tian’s master to serve as a maid. Since Wu Tian’s master only had one disciple and often secluded himself in cultivation, Xiao Hui had attended to Wu Tian since childhood; the two had grown up side by side.

Now, even though Wu Tian had lost all his cultivation and become the subject of scorn in Qitian Sect, Xiao Hui remained steadfastly by his side, caring for him. She was now the most important person left to him. Ever since his dantian was shattered, Wu Tian had been dispirited and withdrawn; if not for Xiao Hui’s constant, devoted companionship, he might have already perished.

Having inherited the memories of this body, Wu Tian now felt a natural closeness to Xiao Hui. In his previous life, Wu Tian had been an orphan; now, with someone who truly cared for him, warmth filled his heart. No matter what the future held, Wu Tian resolved to repay her kindness.

“I’ve just woken up. Sorry to have worried you.” Wu Tian smiled at Xiao Hui.

Xiao Hui found it odd—her young master had always been cold and aloof, yet today he seemed so gentle.

But she had no time to dwell on it; her voice was urgent: “Young master, something’s wrong. Zhao Si is here to make trouble again. He’s already outside.”

“Zhao Si?” Wu Tian frowned as memories of Zhao Si surged forth.

Zhao Si was the servant of Qin Long, a disciple of Qitian Sect. Qin Long was an average disciple whom Wu Tian, in his days of brilliance, had never regarded. But since Wu Tian’s fall from grace, Qin Long had tormented and insulted him at every turn. In fact, it was Qin Long’s kick that had caused the death of this body’s original owner.

“Young master, we should leave quickly. Zhao Si may be a servant, but he’s a level one martial apprentice,” Xiao Hui said, fear in her voice.

“A level one martial apprentice? I’d like to see what trouble he dares to cause!” With the Super Instant-Kill System now in his possession, Wu Tian had no fear of Zhao Si. At worst, he could use the system to finish him off in an instant.

Bang!

Just then, the door to Wu Tian’s thatched hut was kicked open, and Zhao Si barged in.

“Little girl, run if you can! Let’s see where you go!” Zhao Si leered at Xiao Hui, his face vulgar.

He strode toward her, intent on grabbing her. Wu Tian’s fury flared—how dare this man act so brazenly in his own quarters? He must have a death wish.

“Zhao Si, what do you think you’re doing?!” Wu Tian roared.

Zhao Si halted, narrowing his eyes at Wu Tian. “Well, if it isn’t Wu Tian, the famous good-for-nothing genius of Qitian Sect! Knocked yourself out a few days ago, and here you are up and about already—impressive recovery. Listen to me, Wu Tian: once, when you were a prodigy, I respected you. But now you’re just a cripple. Don’t pretend otherwise. Step aside obediently, or if my young master doesn’t deal with you, I’ll be happy to break a few of your bones myself!”

He grinned at Xiao Hui. “And you, Xiao Hui, why stick with this loser? He’s got nothing left, can’t even take care of himself. You’d be better off with me. My young master Qin Long has outstanding talent and will surely become an elite of Qitian Sect. Follow me, and your future is secure!”

“Bah! I’d never follow you. I’ll stay with young master, even if he’s just an ordinary man!” Xiao Hui was frightened, but her anger blazed.

Wu Tian was deeply touched. This little maid truly had a sincere heart—he must treasure her always.

“Hmph! Whether you’re willing or not, you have no choice today!” Zhao Si sneered coldly.

“If you so much as touch a hair on Xiao Hui’s head, I’ll kill you where you stand!” Wu Tian’s eyes turned icy.

Zhao Si was stunned, then burst into laughter. “You? Kill me? Don’t make me laugh! You’re crippled—your meridians broken, your dantian destroyed. You’re nothing but trash, and you threaten a level one martial apprentice? What a joke! Trash! Useless garbage!”

Now, even a mere servant in Qitian Sect looked down on Wu Tian; everyone believed he was doomed, never to rise again.

Even Wu Tian, newly arrived in this world, was furious at these words. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked.

“Angry, are you? I’m amazed you still have the strength for that! Come on, hit me if you can—let’s see if you can even touch a hair on my head, you useless wretch!” Zhao Si taunted, beckoning mockingly.

Seeing that Wu Tian was on the verge of losing control, Xiao Hui grabbed his arm. “Young master, don’t! Zhao Si is a level one martial apprentice—you’re no match for him right now. He’s only trying to provoke you!”

“A level one martial apprentice? I’ll kill you all the same!”

“Come, let me see what the so-called useless genius can do.” Zhao Si looked at Wu Tian with utter disdain.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Wu Tian lunged forward. Zhao Si remained contemptuous. “Slow! Far too slow! With skills like—”

Before Zhao Si could finish, Wu Tian activated his instant-kill ability. A streak of violet light flashed across Zhao Si’s throat. His words died abruptly, and he froze, eyes bulging with disbelief as he stared at Wu Tian.

Zhao Si clutched his throat in agony, his voice hoarse with shock. “You… why…”

With a crash, Zhao Si collapsed to the floor, twitched a few times, and then lay still forever.

Ding!

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for slaying level one wild monster Zhao Si. You gain 200 experience points.”

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, you have obtained 100 taels of silver.”

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, you have leveled up. Your level is now 1.”

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, your instant-kill points have reached 1. Only 99 more points to the next upgrade.”

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, you have reached level 1. The novice gift pack is now available. Would you like to open it?”

Hearing the stream of notifications in his mind, Wu Tian was elated. Who would have thought that killing the insignificant Zhao Si would not only level him up but also earn him a gift pack?

“Open the novice gift pack.” Naturally, Wu Tian wouldn’t waste such an opportunity. He willed the pack to open.

Ding!

“Novice gift pack opened. Congratulations, player Wu Tian, you have obtained 2 Blood Essence Pills (instantly restores 100 health, unusable when critically wounded), 2 True Qi Pills (instantly restores 100 energy, unusable when critically wounded).”

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, you have learned the skills Alchemy, Forging, Beast Taming, Puppet Mastery…”