CHAPTER 39: SYSTEM’S WARNING

In a deep, serene night where the moon stood tall in its complete form, glistening the entire world in its soft glow, the faint rustling of untamed wind raised concerns throughout the entire Tianzun region.

Countless scholars who proclaimed to be the best under heaven stood stuck against the windows—each looking towards the sky with concerned gazes as deep lines formed over their foreheads.

What conjured their worries was not some proclamation of war from the neighbouring borders, but something far worse. Something that no human could defend against, for its power ranked greater than mortals.

In the distance, their eyes stared at the thick layers of dark black clouds slowly advancing towards the state of Xiouyue. Standing inside the giant sky-high buildings, the scholars gulped hard into their dry throats, turning away while shaking their heads. Even with just a glance, they could tell that a calamitous storm was on its way.

However, they were powerless against it. All they could hope was for it to go easy on them. On the other hand, those who lived in the outskirts of Xiouyue had already begun to taste the storm. The soft churn of rain dropping over their wooden roofs created a temporary but unparalleled symphony of nature.

Kids stood in their doorways with their hands extending out to feel the cool and soothing rain over their forearms and palms. While the adults and elders enjoyed the atmosphere—unknown to the slowly approaching danger.

In one of the smaller houses amongst the outskirts, Lucian snapped open his eyes. "Hmph,"

As he opened his eyes, he was met with a slightly blurred vision. His mind seemed to be in disarray as a sharp pain seemed to be seething through his spine. It wasn’t something he was accustomed to, yet his muscles seemed to be taking it well and fine.

Moments later, as his vision turned clearer and his mind stabilized, Lucian let out a faint groan. Blinking, he noticed the small strings of thin silver-white stuck on the wooden ceiling up front. These silver threads intertwined into one another, creating a small but nearly impenetrable fortress.

’Hmm? Spider cobweb... Wooden ceiling... Where am I?’ A thought struck Lucian’s mind, jolting him awake from his slumber-like state.

Beneath his head and body, Lucian could feel the warmth of cotton. He could tell that he was lying over something soft, presumably a bed. ’This scent... It’s nice.’ Flaring his nostrils, he took in deep breaths as the faint fragrance of softly burning cinderwood mixed with an extremely earthy smell.

*Ding!*

Suddenly, a sharp sound buzzed into his ears. Lucian opened his eyes and saw the same old familiar cerulean glow in front of his eyes. The glowing light expanded and soon transformed into a partially translucent screen.

---

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[#~System Notification~#]

———————————————————

[You have successfully responded to the forgotten realm’s call.]

[As per your choice, the gate has been connected to this world, allowing all participants to enter this world along with you.]

[To ensure a safe environment, the gate you used has been successfully locked and no one else will be able to enter afterwards.]

[You may stay in this world and will only be able to return upon successful completion of the task.]

[The task will be provided once the player goes through the coming-of-age ceremony.]

[Until then, it is advised that the player should get accustomed to this world’s ways.]

[...]

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After a moment, when Lucian was done reading and thought it was all the system had to notify, another alert rang through his mind. Although, this time, louder than before.

---

[To ensure a fair environment, all of the participants have entered this world by entering the bodies of random living beings.]

[As such, a set of rules has been devised by the system since this world itself can’t be managed by any divinity.]

[All the players, including Player: Hollow, are required to absolutely abide by these rules.]

[#~Rules~#]

1. [To ensure equality, all of the players will be able to recognize one another through the system; however, one must never speak or call each other by their real names.]

2. [In this world, you must always live as the person you’ve entered the body of. Any intention to reveal your true self or that of others will be strictly and instantly punished.]

3. [One must only use the powers that have existed in this world. Any intention to use the powers of your world will be punished.]

4. [The system’s capabilities will be sealed as you enter the world and will unseal upon every big breakthrough you achieve.]

5. [All of your original skills and stats will cease to exist in this world as you will inherit the attributes of the one you enter.]

6. [You must never use, invent, or influence anything within the customs of this world. Any invention or orders that may link this world to yours will be strictly punished.]

[Any violations of these rules will result in immediate death of the player.]

---

Lucian’s eyes widened more and more as he went through every single rule. Immediately, his body reacted as he wanted to get up and sit straight. The very first instinct of his mind was to check the body that he was given.

Although it didn’t sound like much, Lucian’s very strength all along was his body and the powers that carried him around. Even if his abilities had been sealed away, his body which had been strengthened beyond human limits due to the process of recreation, was the most crucial part of his strength.

Lucian might’ve even taken it in if even his body was sealed. However, what made him so anxious was not the rules, but the words that the system used. Since the beginning, for a forgotten realm to call out to Lucian—a being that used a unique powersystem—and resonate with his authorities and traits, Lucian could guess that it had something to do with his powersystem, the Qi.

But now that the system had used the word "breakthrough," Lucian had become completely sure of it. ’Although the word itself could be used in different power systems as well, but it has the most feasible connection to my hypothesis.’

And if it truly meant that he was in a forgotten world of Qi, then a good body was an absolute necessity. With his abilities that could defy fate sealed, if Lucian were to get a half-dead, or crippled body, then no matter how much he’d try, he wouldn’t be able to survive even a single day. Especially in a world such as this, where strength usually determines one’s respect and worthiness to life.

As Lucian tried to move his body, he found out that his arms and legs had been tightly constricted by something. Lucian’s eyes turned grim, and his expression reflected terror. Within his mind, a scenario had been born.

But before he could think of it any further. The surface he was lying on began to vibrate. At the same time, a faint, almost rhythmic mechanical sound could be heard.

*Squeak*

*Squeak*

*Squeak*

In that instance, Lucian’s mind roared louder than ever.

’FUCK! We’re under attack!’

The slight vibrations, the earthen smell, and the wooden ceiling—it all made sense to him. To Lucian, it seemed as if he was being held captive in a small carriage, which was now being attacked by a third party. And the sounds? That was just the carriage losing its durability.

’As soon as I come into this world, my powers are sealed, my body is changed, and now even my new body is being kept captive by someone I don’t have any fucking idea about!’ Lucian was losing his mind because no one knew how it would all come to be. He didn’t know whether the one attacking the carriage right now was a friend or foe. Or whether it was just some beasts.

Lucian knew that if things were to proceed as such, he would die even without doing anything.

As he was panicking unknowingly, his breathing had grown somewhat ragged. He was now taking deeper breaths to calm himself down. But as he was doing so, his nose caught on to a slightly different scent.

It wasn’t something fragrant like the cinderwood or bold like the earthen smell of dirt, but something tangy. Something that filled Lucian’s mouth in an instant.

Up until now, Lucian had been bathed in blood multiple times. Whether it was a monster’s blood or a human’s, he had inhaled and tasted both unconsciously. Naturally, the tangy smell and the property that made one’s mouth fill with its disgusting flavor reminded him of blood.

’Wait, there’s someone dead in the carriage too!? I’m dead!’ Thus, it only added more to his anxiety.

However, it didn’t last long. Why? One may ask.

Because he heard a faint voice. A feminine faint voice that squealed in an almost suppressed voice.

"Mmf... Mphf..."

This sound attracted Lucian’s interest as he quickly thought that maybe someone was alive, and he might be able to understand the situation by observing them.

As such, with all of his might and strength within his body, Lucian swung his body left—letting it rise halfway to the left—and then immediately shifted right. Using the momentum, his body rolled sideways, letting him observe the wounded one... Or so he thought.

Because as he turned around to see the wounded female and opened his eyes wide, the suppression over the feminine voice was released.

The voice that seemed to be quivering and asking for help soon turned loud and aroused. To his right, at a hand’s distance, on the same bed that he lay upon.

A middle-aged man with a somewhat long beard and a seemingly fit physique was rhythmically moving his waist towards a seemingly young, beautiful woman with a voluptuous physique. Both of them were naked, exposing their bodies to each other as they breathed heavily. Their bodies mingled with each other, and hands traced each other’s bodies. Both looked each other in the eyes, smiling as they enjoyed themselves and let out wails of arousal, voices growing louder and bolder.

On that day, Lucian was left with a deep scar over his mind and heart as he lay with his body frozen, eyes widened, and face straight and expressionless.

’System. Please burn my eyes. Seal my soul. And if possible, kill me.’