Footsteps approached from behind.
Lián Wèi walked over slowly with his hands behind his back.
His robes shifted lightly in the wind.
His face remained solemn.
"The situation has changed."
Lián Xù immediately felt danger.
Enemies.
Politics.
Death flags.
Great.
Lián Wèi continued,
"Our spies have reported unusual movements along the borders."
"The neighboring kingdoms have begun testing us."
His gaze settled on Lián Xù.
"Your Majesty..."
"You can no longer remain unprepared."
Then he raised one hand and pointed calmly toward Lián Hào.
"From today onward, Hào'er will personally train you."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Lián Xù froze.
"...No."
Pause.
"...No no no."
Another pause.
"...I finally escaped court slavery only to enter military slavery?"
Lián Hào folded his arms.
His expression became serious.
"I will not show favoritism."
"I will train you strictly."
"I will not go easy on you."
Lián Wèi nodded approvingly.
Good.
Very good.
This child finally understood responsibility.
Meanwhile—
inside Lián Hào's mind:
I absolutely cannot spoil him.
Not this time.
Xu'er must become stronger.
Lián Xù slowly looked toward him.
Then at the armor.
Then at the scars.
Then at the massive training grounds stretching endlessly behind him.
His expression gradually became blank.
He's definitely going to kill me.
Absolutely kill me.
Ding.
The familiar mechanical voice rang inside Lián Xù's mind without warning.
Cold.
Emotionless.
Yet at this point, hearing it suddenly felt strangely similar to hearing someone call your name in the middle of a graveyard.
Lián Xù immediately had a bad feeling.
Very bad.
The smile at the corner of his mouth slowly stiffened.
No.
Please no.
Please don't be some strange mission again.
A pale blue screen unfolded before his eyes.
[New Mission Detected.]
[Mission:]
[Defeat Lián Hào in sparring.]
[Requirement:]
[Three victories.]
[Reward:]
[Clue toward Origin Spiritual Root]
The cold morning wind swept across the training grounds.
Military banners rippled overhead.
For several seconds—
Lián Xù simply stared.
Then slowly...
very slowly...
he raised his head.
His eyes moved toward Lián Hào.
Toward the armor.
Toward the battle scars.
Toward the man standing there like a mountain sharpened into human form.
Then his eyes moved back toward the system screen.
Then back toward Lián Hào.
Then back again.
Silence.
"...System."
Another pause.
"...I think you're trying to kill me."
Three victories?
Against him?
Three?
Not one.
Three.
Lián Xù suddenly recalled the many cultivation novels he had read before transmigrating.
Usually systems gave things like:
"Sign in for ten days."
"Help an old grandmother cross the street."
"Pat a spirit beast and gain a divine physique."
Meanwhile his own system:
"Fight the terrifying war-god brother."
Prototype system my ass.
This thing was clearly holding a personal grudge.
Training began shortly afterward.
Or more accurately—
Lián Xù's suffering began shortly afterward.
Lián Hào stood beneath the morning sky with his hands folded behind his back.
His expression remained indifferent.
Cold wind stirred his dark cloak.
Sunlight reflected off the azure armor across his body.
"Run ten laps."
His voice wasn't loud.
But somehow it carried naturally across the entire training ground.
No hesitation.
No negotiation.
No mercy.
Lián Xù stared.
Then looked at the training grounds.
Then looked farther.
Then farther.
Then farther.
His eyes slowly widened.
"...Around... this entire place?"
Lián Hào nodded calmly.
"...Mm."
Lián Xù looked into the distance.
The training grounds suddenly seemed endless.
Like a continent.
Like a journey.
Like a place where people left home and never returned.
"...Brother."
"...Are we training or migrating?"
No response.
The expression on Lián Hào's face did not change in the slightest.
The guards nearby remained standing straight.
Not one dared laugh.
Lián Xù sighed toward the heavens and started running.
Cold wind brushed against his face.
His footsteps echoed softly against stone.
One lap.
Two laps.
By halfway through the third—
he felt his soul beginning to separate from his body.
His chest burned.
Every breath entering his lungs felt cold enough to cut.
His legs gradually became heavier.
Not heavy in the ordinary sense.
Heavy in the sense that someone had secretly tied mountains to his feet.
Sweat soaked through his robes and clung to his back.
His heartbeat pounded beside his ears.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The world gradually began becoming blurry around the edges.
Lián Xù lifted his head weakly.
The sky looked strangely close.
Very close.
"...Hm?"
He blinked.
Why does the sky suddenly look closer?
Am I ascending?
No—
wait.
This feels less like ascension and more like dying.
Nearby, Lián Hào watched silently.
His eyes followed Lián Xù's increasingly unstable movements.
...
Too much?
No.
Strict.
Need to be strict.
You promised uncle.
Several seconds later—
"...Five laps."
Lián Xù stopped.
Slowly turned.
"...Really?"
Lián Hào coughed lightly.
"...Mm."
Nearby guards:
???
Wasn't it ten?
Some time later—
Lián Xù held horse stance beneath the morning sun.
Thirty seconds.
His legs started trembling.
Forty seconds.
Pain spread through his thighs like molten iron being poured directly into his muscles.
Sweat rolled slowly down his forehead.
His breathing gradually became uneven.
Fifty seconds.
Lián Xù began seeing things.
The air itself looked distorted.
His vision blurred.
For one horrifying moment—
he thought he saw his ancestors waving at him.
"...No..."
"...I'm not ready..."
Nearby, Lián Hào stared silently.
...
Xu'er has never trained before.
Maybe too much.
No.
Strict.
Be strict.
"...Rest."
"...Drink water first."
Nearby guards:
???
WHAT HAPPENED TO STRICT?!
Lián Hào internally panicked.
No.
No.
You promised uncle.
Strict.
Strict.
Moments later, Lián Xù's legs suddenly gave out beneath him.
His body tilted.
Before anyone reacted—
a figure flashed forward.
The air trembled softly.
Lián Hào appeared beside him almost instantly.
One hand caught his shoulder.
"Did you hurt your wrist?"
Silence.
Lián Hào froze.
"..."
Ah.
No.
Mistake.
He immediately straightened and returned to his cold expression.
"Ahem."
"...Stand."
Lián Xù stared at him for several seconds.
Then blinked.
Brother is adorable.
An hour later—
Lián Hào crossed his arms.
"We'll spar."
Lián Xù nearly jumped.
"...Wait."
"...Already?!"
Lián Hào nodded calmly.
"No cultivation."
"Simple martial exchange."
Inside Lián Hào's mind:
I'll lose slightly.
Just enough.
Confidence matters.
Xu'er rarely trained.
He shouldn't lose enthusiasm immediately.
Meanwhile—
inside Lián Xù's head—
OH MY GOD.
MISSION TARGET.
MISSION TARGET IS RIGHT HERE.
THIS IS MY CHANCE.
Lián Hào moved first.
Not fast.
Not overwhelming.
Just a gentle punch moving toward Lián Xù's shoulder.
Lián Xù panicked immediately.
No technique.
No form.
No strategy.
Pure survival instinct.
He threw both arms forward wildly.
At that exact moment—
Lián Hào shifted his footing slightly.
Bang.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Lián Xù's fist landed directly on Lián Hào's shoulder.
Lián Hào staggered backward.
One step.
Two steps.
Then—
he fell.
The world stopped.
Wind stopped.
Breathing stopped.
Even nearby banners seemed to stop moving.
The guards stared.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Lián Xù stared.
???
Lián Hào slowly stood.
His expression remained completely calm.
"...Good."
Inside—
his heart was exploding.
YES!!
XU'ER DID IT!!
HE LANDED A HIT!!
HE HAS TALENT!!
Lián Xù nearly cried from happiness.
YES!!
ONE WIN DOWN!!
A grin unconsciously spread across his face.
Lián Hào saw it.
The coldness in his eyes softened.
He's smiling.
Good.
Very good.
He finally gained confidence.
Ding.
[Misjudgment detected.]
[Source: Lián Hào]
[+500 Misjudgment Points]
Lián Xù froze.
"...Again?!"
I literally did nothing!
before he could recover—
another notification appeared.
Ding.
Lián Xù blinked.
"...Huh?"
[Mission Progress Updated.]
[Defeat Lián Hào]
[1/3]
[Special Condition Achieved.]
[First Successful Victory Hit Detected.]
[Reward Chest Granted.]
A small golden chest suddenly materialized within the system interface.
Ancient patterns spread across its surface, tiny dragons and clouds engraved into every side. Faint golden mist curled around it as though the chest itself was breathing.
Above it floated several words.
[Reward Chest:]
[Cultivation Chest (Rare)]
Lián Xù immediately sat up straighter.
His eyes widened.
Rare?
Wait.
Rare?!
Suddenly the chest no longer looked like a chest.
It looked like hope.
No.
It looked like financial freedom.
Without hesitation—
Lián Xù mentally slapped it open.
Crack.
Golden light erupted outward.
Several streams of light shot upward before gradually settling.
[Rewards Acquired:]
[Basic Imperial Fist Art]
[Minor Spirit Herb]
[Cultivation Upgrade:]
[Body Tempering Realm → Peak]