"Help!!! Help!!!!"
"What is that noise? Seraphin?" Xiao Yan asked, his curiosity piqued.
["How would I know? Maybe it's your mother peeing herself,"] the system replied.
Xiao Yan's face flushed with anger. "You! This system is never serious and always ready to joke. Let me go check it out myself."
Xiao Yan went to investigate. They were already down the mountain but still within a forest near Beisha City of the Nansha Empire. As he peered through the brush, he couldn't believe what he saw.
It wasn't demons; it was two siblings having a duel. The younger one was just about to lose, which is why he had cried for help. Xiao Yan stayed about ten meters back to watch the scene. There were guards nearby wearing a royal crest—being a prince himself, Xiao Yan recognized every royal crest in the land.
"Oh, so it's just the Nansha Empire's little princess and her brother being 'friendly.' And here I thought it was something serious."
He stayed hidden to listen to them talk.
"Sister, I admit I lost! I can't beat you, but give me a chance to show off!"
"Hmm, little bro... as the Crown Princess, I won't be with you much longer. You've got to learn fast. I'm leaving for the Eternal Hall Academy soon, so you need to get your head in the game. You only followed me here because you wanted to stay by my side, but don't worry. Your sister is smart; she won't get herself killed."
As the two were talking, a wolf-beast attacked the prince from behind. However, the princess was mighty and talented for her age. She quickly drew her golden weapon, moving at the speed of light in a blur of motion. She curved behind her brother and landed right in front of the beast. By the time the brother turned around, she had already killed the monster.
"See that, Bro Xiaojin? That is called 'fighting style.'"
"Sis Jinyao, you're always like that. I respect it."
Xiao Yan was so focused on their conversation that he didn't realize the royal guards had spotted him.
"Your Highness, we have found someone hiding in the woods."
"Bring this person to me," said Jinyao, taking her royal seat in the chariot. "Oh? It's a boy. And he's young, around my age."
Xiao Yan realized he couldn't run; he would be seen as a suspicious assassin. He had to come up with a plan.
(I heard this Princess Jinyao isn't that ruthless. No worries, I'm just going to stick with the status quo and see what happens next,) Xiao Yan thought.
"Huh... Miss... I mean, Your Highness, you see—"
Before he could even finish his sentence, Jinyao drew her blade, wanting to test Xiao Yan. Even at the 1st Stage of the Mortal Realm, Xiao Yan was incredibly quick. He moved his blade at a speed that wasn't normal for a beginner. Their blades clashed with a loud clang. Jinyao quickly pulled her blade back and said, "Let's talk."
"My name is Jinyao, first daughter of the Mo family."
(I knew she was royalty. So it really is the Mo family of the Nansha Empire. I can't tell her I'm from the Longshen Empire; I have to hide my identity,) Xiao Yan thought.
"Oh, well... my name is Xiao Yan. Just a boy from the mountains who started cultivating recently."
"No wonder you're only at the Mortal Stage. Anyway, you can stick with us until we arrive."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
[System Notification]
["Master, you should take this time to meditate. You are far too weak right now."]
"Oh yeah, I need to start my cultivation."
[System Gift: 1 Meditation Pill (Increases accuracy and speed of meditation)]
He swallowed the pill and closed his eyes. Around him, the air began to turn cold, which Jinyao immediately noticed.
"This Xiao Yan is interesting, right brother?"
"Not my business," the brother responded, quickly closing his eyes to sleep.
Xiao Yan spent the whole night meditating. By morning, they had arrived at Beisha City.
[Master, you have reached Stage 2 of the Mortal Realm in each of your paths.]
"Oh! That was awesome. One night and one stage down. This is truly worthy of being called a meditation pill!"
"Do you want to stick with me? I'm going to a hotel," Jinyao said to Xiao Yan.
"Nah, I need to buy a few things and then quickly get to the Academy."
["Master, the Academy disciple recruitment won't start for another seven months. Why don't you go with her for now?"]
"Nope. I need to find a beast partner to make my cultivation more accurate. I can't take the risk, so let's move it."
Jinyao watched him walk away. "We will meet soon, Xiao Yan," she whispered, knowing she was also heading to the Academy.
Xiao Yan went to a nearby stall. "Hey, sir."
"How can I help you, young one?"
"Do you know where I can find a beast or a familiar?"
"You came to the right place. I heard the soul of the Azure Dragon God is on the Glacier Mountain of Canghai City. It's a nearby city that is very cold and has a lot of ice users."
"Oh, gosh... I need to go there. Thank you, man!"
He quickly moved to find some food. "Seraphin, I'll leave for the abyss first thing tomorrow."
As he walked toward a hotel to rest, he entered the lobby only to see Jinyao standing there, talking to the receptionist.
"There is only one room left," said the receptionist.
"Give me the room, then," Jinyao replied. She turned and saw him. "We meet again, Xiao Yan."
"I'm just here to book a room, so don't mind me. Where is your little brother?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Oh, he already booked his own room. And there is only one left in the whole building."
"Hey, since you guys are together, maybe you can share the last room?" suggested the receptionist.
"What? With her? Not even in my dreams!"
Xiao Yan's words made Jinyao furious. She grabbed him by the hand and snapped, "What is the problem with sharing a room? Let's go. We are friends, after all!"
"Since when did we become friends, Miss Jinyao? You almost killed me and then took pity by letting me ride in your little chariot. We don't even know each other!"
She looked at him with deadly eyes. "Let's go. No more talking nonsense."
["Ahh, Master, you are in for a good time, aren't you?"]
"You dumb system! Find a way to get me out of here!"
On purpose, the system replied: [Error. Error. The system cannot work. Enter rest mode for the remainder of the day.]
Xiao Yan was furious, but as he entered the room, Jinyao pointed to the floor. "You sleep on the floor. I'm going to take a shower."
"What? My first time away from home and I'm treated like this? What a life!" Xiao Yan groaned. "Oh my god, System... you are really just a scam sent by the gods."
His difficult journey was only just beginning.