novelzi Chapter 5 Second Circle of Spirit Gathering
Chapter 5 Second Circle of Spirit Gathering
Wen Ran stood frozen, his expression unreadable, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of movement. For a brief moment, his pupils trembled—not from fear of the task the system had given him, but from a deeper, more immediate concern: What if someone noticed this strange message?
"Wen Ran, are you okay?" the Fang Clan's little mistress asked, her voice soft but filled with worry. She tugged at his arm, her golden eyes fixed intently on his face, as though afraid he might vanish if she let go. Her heart pounded wildly, the echo of their last encounter still fresh in her mind. But what she didn't know—what she couldn't possibly suspect—was that the person she clung to so desperately was no longer the same Wen Ran she once loved. And yet, her feelings remained untainted, her love unwavering and pure.
She can't see it? Is it just me? Wen Ran's thoughts raced as a wave of relief washed over him. At least the system's message wasn't visible to others. But even as he felt that momentary reprieve, his heart churned with frustration.
This system... it's nothing but trouble. His sharp mind worked rapidly, analyzing his predicament. It's pointless to make enemies with this frail body. If I can't reach the Foundation Establishment stage in fourteen days, I'll be dead long before the system gets to me. And who knows what kind of demons or dangers lurk in this town...
But the system left him with little choice. Wen Ran steeled his heart, preparing himself for what lay ahead. His eyes suddenly burned with a fierce determination, fueled by an unquenchable desire for power.
"I'm okay," he said, shaking his head firmly. It was a lie, but a necessary one. Keeping a low profile was his best option for now.
The girl tugged at him more insistently, her golden eyes darting over his face. Her mind swirled with thoughts, trying to make sense of what had made him pause. Perhaps... perhaps it's because it's his first time here. We always met in the forest before, and...
Her cheeks flushed crimson as the thought trailed off, her imagination betraying her. Shaking her head, she brushed away the idea, unwilling to dwell on it further.
She tightened her grip on his arm, and in the next moment, they stepped through the towering gates, leaving the forest behind.@@@@
The girl approached them cautiously, her delicate hands resting on one of the doors. Slowly and gently, she pushed it open, trying to minimize the noise.
"Please try to stay quiet, Wen Ran," she whispered, her voice laced with unease. "If my father finds out you're here..." Her voice trailed off, the words unspoken but clear enough.
Wen Ran's head throbbed slightly at the implication. Once again, trouble always finds me. This girl doesn't understand... half the city already saw us together in the square.
Surprisingly, there were no guards in sight. Wen Ran raised an eyebrow at this unusual oversight, unaware that the young mistress had already paid the guards to turn a blind eye and let them sneak in.
As they stepped further, Wen Ran's gaze was drawn to the courtyard ahead. It was a beautiful, tranquil space that led to the imposing main palace. Smaller wooden buildings lined the sides, likely meant for welcoming guests or housing servants. The rock-paved path that stretched toward the palace was meticulously maintained, flanked by a small pond where koi fish swam lazily, their vibrant colors reflecting in the still water. The soft rustle of bamboo leaves in the breeze added a calming touch, enhancing the serene atmosphere.
But as Wen Ran took several steps into the courtyard, his body suddenly trembled. A surge of spirit energy flowed into him from the surroundings, enveloping him in its power. Before he could fully process what was happening, the energy surged through his meridians, pushing him into the second circle of the Spirit Gathering stage.
The girl halted, her golden eyes wide with shock as she felt the sudden surge in his aura. "H-How is that possible?" she stammered, her voice trembling with confusion and wonder. She knew all too well that the previous owner of this body had no spirit root—cultivation should have been impossible.
Their eyes met.
Wen Ran didn't panic. This old fox had faced countless challenges, and bluffing was one of his greatest weapons. It had never let him down before—and it wouldn't now.