Astral Ascendant: My Goldfinger's Forte is Deception

First Mission

Zhao Fao did not expect that his first system mission would be activated this way.

But...it seemed the reward system was a bit different from what he had imagined!

For example, wasn't the plot of first missions usually for the host to hunt down some monsters or jump in front of a moving vehicle to save someone's life? And the reward would be a thousandfold cultivation speed, awakening an insane physique or gaining a badass monster pet?

In comparison, the mission reward of a Spirit Cleansing Fruit seemed a tad....lacklustre.

[The Spirit Cleansing Fruit is a rare treasure in this world. Upon consumption, it clears all the body's impurities and enhances aptitude, making future cultivation easier]

"That's all?" Zhao Fao grew more disappointed. He finally focused on the penalty for failure.

Twenty years of lifespan lost!

His new bone age was just sixteen. If he suddenly aged by two decades, wouldn't that return him to his previous status of a bald veteran?

His new young features, long wavy hair and strong bones, all gone before he could even begin to enjoy them.

"System, give me the details of the mission."

Zhao Fao's countenance was very solemn. To him, keeping his long wavy hair was more important than the reward of this mission.

It really was that simple.

[The mission requires the host to make a public act pretending to be a rich Young Master. As long as the act is believable and passes the mark, you would be considered to have passed]

"I get that, but what's the relevance of missions like this ?“

[Survive. Adapt. Deceive. The Ultimate Deception System helps the host master the art of deception. From small missions like this, the grand aim is to eventually master how to fool reality]

Hearing this, Zhao Fao had a sudden inspiration.

Fooling reality.....

Could this be the mystery behind his transmigation? If reality was fooled, it made sense that he was alive here in another world despite being dead in another.

If he could one day master this ability, he could become a god!

Fooling death forever!

Fooling his bones to remain ever-strong!

Fooling a reality of long wavy hair for himself!

The system was silent. It seemed to be thinking to itself that its host was a bit strange.

The model system guide stated that hosts tended to have grand aspirations. As for this one? All he thought about was strong bones, fine features and long wavy hair.

Oh, harems and tsunderes too.

Even as a system without physical features like skin and nerve receptors, it had goosebumps!

Meanwhile, Zhao Fao carefully reflected on the mission details.

Acting as a Young Master? The difficulty level of the pretense was almost non-existent!

Young Masters were mostly overbearing and pretentious.

Zhao Fao was none of that, but he was confident his good looks alone eliminated the need for these personality markers.

As long as he copied the persona of those young A-list celebrities from his world, anyone would be fooled and instantly assume that he–the elegant, handsome gentleman–was from a rich family.

The system remained silent. This host was definitely not only a little bit strange but also quite narcissistic.

Of course, what mattered was that he completed the mission.

Zhao Fao mused on his mission as he walked home.

******"

"You're back? I saved you some leftover soup, it's in the kitchen!"

Auntie Wang was Zhao Fao's foster parent.

She was a bubbly old lady with no spouse or children of her own. Zhao Fao had been under her care since he was nine.

"I'm fine. Jun'er can have it when he returns from school!" Wei Jun was the other foster child under Auntie Wang's care. He was about a year younger than Zhao Fao and attended a neighouring school.

Auntie Wang was a bit surprised. Zhao Fao and Wei Jun didn't get along very well, so the former's sacrifice was weird.

"Are you worried about the entrance examinations?"

Auntie Wang felt that this was the reason behind Zhao Fao's overnight maturity. It had to be that he was concerned about the next phase of his life.

The university one was admitted to in this world had a significant impact on one's future. Only after getting in could one finally access cultivation resources, techniques and arts.

The genuine methods to cultivate cosmic energy was hidden from the commonfolk.

Auntie Wang had failed to get into university during her youth. As a result, she had been stuck as a mortal for all of her life.

If Zhao Fao failed to get admitted......

He would have no choice but to retire to boring, uneventful life like her.

"Don't worry, Auntie. I will surely get into a good university."

Little Zhao Fao's grade were top of his class. With the humongous knowledge stored in his brain that led to his predecessor's death, Zhao Fao had no doubts that he would ace the entrance examinations.

Even if his grades turned out less than he imagined, he could always settle for a second-grade university and cultivate by himself.

With the presence of the system, he wasn't scared of being stuck with the trash populace.

Of course, his grand dreams were under the premise that he completed the system missions. Who knew if the future penalties for failure would lead to him losing his life a second time?

"Auntie, have you been having some problem at work?"

Zhao Fao remembered her complaining recently about being oppressed by a new boss at her workplace.

The point was that Zhao Fao saw the opportunity to complete his mission this way.

If he showed up at her workplace and acted like a rich brat, the management on ground would surely show up to placate him.

The hotel had a lot of staff, so it should meet the condition of a small crowd as spectators. If Auntie Wang cooperated with him, she could take the opportunity to play the role of an epitome worker while Zhao Fao found fault with the boss.

It was simply killing two birds with a single stone.

When Zhao Fao mentioned his plan to Auntie Wang however, she refused vehemently.

What if his cover was blown? What if their relationship was discovered?

She could only afford the cost of their upkeep if she lost her job.

"It's foolproof, Auntie. We won't get caught."

After much persuasion...

Auntie Wang finally agreed reluctantly.

It was mostly due to Zhao Fao's smooth talking.

He felt slightly guilty and concerned at the same time. His persuasive skills were far below the level of those professional telecommunication marketers from his previous life, but he still managed to convince Auntie Wang easily.

It seemed the people in this world were a little gullible and easy to manipulate.

But if that was the case, it also meant he was at an advantage.

Ultimate Deception System....

Hehe.