The mist of dawn still clung to the outer mountain, but Lin Yuan had already returned to the training stone, standing over the blood-streaked corpse of the Mist-Horned Beast.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the residual charge of his Thunder Tribulation Spirit Root pulsing faintly through his veins. The system's interface hovered in front of his eyes, unobtrusive, waiting.
[Level Up Complete: Lv 3]
[EXP: 0 / 250]
Strength: 12
Agility: 12
Vitality: 13
Spirit: 16
Status: Qi Condensation (Lv 3)
A soft chime broke the morning stillness.
[New Feature Unlocked: System Shop]
[Access Granted: Basic Tier Items]
Lin Yuan blinked.
Shop?
He hadn't expected anything like this so early. Most novels didn't give a transmigrator immediate access to a "store." But the system didn't explain. It just existed—a floating, silent presence ready to respond to his commands.
He focused.
[Open Shop]
A translucent panel unfolded before him. Icons floated in neat rows: scrolls, pills, weapons, talismans, and a handful of small crates that looked suspiciously like loot boxes. Each item had a brief description, a level requirement, and a "price" in EXP points.
Basic Tier Items Available:
Healing Pill ×5 – Restores minor vitality. (Cost: 15 EXP)
Spirit Pill ×2 – Boosts spiritual power temporarily. (Cost: 25 EXP)
Steel Sect Sword – Standard disciple sword. (Cost: 50 EXP)
Thunder Strike Scroll (Lv 1) – Basic lightning sword technique. (Cost: 70 EXP)
Root Reinforcing Pill ×1 – Strengthens spirit root for faster cultivation. (Cost: 100 EXP)
Lin Yuan's mind raced.
EXP is short, but the shop can…
He realized that every choice here could change his growth path. Heal first, secure survival… or invest in offensive techniques to kill more beasts faster?
The Mist-Horned Beast had given him only 40 EXP. Another similar kill would take four rounds just to afford a Steel Sect Sword. But a Thunder Strike Scroll could multiply his killing efficiency.
He thought of the forest. The beasts. The tribulations. Every kill earned more than mere survival. Every kill built him into something the normal disciples couldn't touch.
[Purchase: Thunder Strike Scroll (Lv 1)]
[EXP Deducted: 70 → Remaining EXP: 0]
The scroll disappeared into his inventory, leaving a faint spark of electricity lingering in the air. His system pulsed.
[New Skill Learned: Thunder Strike Lv 1]
Basic lightning-infused sword strike.
Can be used once every 10 seconds.
Damage scales with Spirit stat.
He flexed his fingers. When he swung, the air around the sword hummed faintly, leaving a whisper of blue light.
A thrill ran through him.
This wasn't just cultivation. It was evolution.
Outside, the Sword Hall disciples were gathering again. Lu Yan noticed him first.
"Already back?" she asked. Her eyes flicked to the faint blue aura dancing around his sword tip.
Lin Yuan's smile was neutral. "I… explored the outer mountain."
Gu Shan crossed his arms. "Looks like you actually killed something. Not bad for a newcomer."
Mo Yu raised an eyebrow. "You sure you didn't cheat?"
Lin Yuan said nothing, letting the hum of the Thunder Strike linger.
Shen Rui leaned closer. "Whatever you're doing… keep it quiet."
Lin Yuan nodded subtly. He had already learned a crucial lesson: Sword Hall valued survival and talent, but curiosity could kill faster than beasts.
Later that afternoon, Lin Yuan returned to the forest.
He remembered the system's first hint: "Level up through killing."
The Mist-Horned Beast's corpse had already started to decay, and the forest seemed quieter than before, as if sensing him. Lightning flickered faintly across his fingertips.
Another creature appeared: smaller than the Mist-Horned Beast, but faster, sharper, and more aggressive. Its eyes glimmered green in the mist.
Lin Yuan held his sword firmly. He remembered the scroll instructions, the feel of the blade, the pulsing energy of his root.
[Target Locked]
This time, he was ready.
With a flash of movement and a low hum of electricity, Lin Yuan struck first.
The fight was over in seconds.
[EXP +50]
[Level Up! Lv 4]
The system pulsed again:
[New Feature Unlocked: Attribute Points Available – 5]
Lin Yuan's fingers tingled. His body felt lighter, faster, stronger. He had only begun, yet already, he could feel the difference between himself and ordinary disciples.
He paused, standing over the fallen creature. Lightning danced faintly across his sword. The forest around him was silent, save for the drip of dew and the faint crackle of electricity.
This was no ordinary cultivation.
This was leveling.
And he had only just opened the shop.