Chapter 1: System!

Chapter 1: System!

"Huff! Huff!" Han Yichen gasped for breath, his eyes fixed on his bloodied fist. He had just unleashed a powerful strike, a culmination of all his training and determination. But the consequences were swift and brutal.

An elderly figure approached, his eyes filled with both disappointment and concern. "Do you understand the gravity of your mistake?" the elder questioned, his voice tinged with a mix of wisdom and regret.

Han Yichen's gaze hardened, and he met the elder's eyes with unwavering determination. "If standing up for what is right is considered a mistake, then I am proud to make it," he declared, his voice filled with defiance.

But before Han Yichen could fully grasp the consequences of his actions, the elder's palm struck his body with a force that seemed to transcend physicality. The impact sent a surge of foreign energy, known as Foren Qi, coursing through Han Yichen's veins, ravaging his internal channels and leaving him crippled from within.

Pain seared through Han Yichen's body, and his once strong form crumpled to the ground.

Han Yichen, a reincarnated soul, found himself in a challenging situation from the very beginning. He was born into a body with fair skin, blue eyes, and black hair, which gave him an adorable appearance.

However, his destiny took a harsh turn as he was born into slavery.

Yet, an unexpected twist of fate changed the lives of all the slaves in the kingdom. A decree was issued, leading to the execution of all slave merchants and granting freedom to the oppressed.

Han Yichen, now liberated, discovered his exceptional cultivation aptitude, marking him as a potential genius in the world of martial arts.

Motivated by his newfound freedom and innate talent, Han Yichen dedicated himself to honing his skills.

Through hard work and determination, he mastered numerous challenging techniques, showcasing his talent to others.

However, his fortunate streak came to an abrupt end when he unwittingly became entangled in a conflict with an inner sect disciple.

The following day, Han Yichen became the victim of false accusations orchestrated by Han Yufi, the inner sect disciple.

Despite the awareness of his innocence among many onlookers, the significance of his outer sect status diminished the impact of their support.

In a cruel twist of fate, Han Yichen's cultivation was deliberately sabotaged, leaving him crippled and banished by the sect.

Han Yichen, now nineteen years old and physically weaker than an average person due to his crippled cultivation, found himself standing in a bustling market.

The hardships he had endured over the past three years had forced him to mature and abandon his youthful naivety.

He no longer harbored the illusion of being the protagonist of a cultivation novel.

His dry lips quivered, signifying the weight of his experiences. "Ha, to think I used to believe that one day a system would magically appear, granting me extraordinary powers,"

he mused, feeling a sense of irony. However, in that very moment, he stumbled, his eyes widening with surprise.

"System!?" Han Yichen exclaimed, a mix of confusion and excitement filling his voice.

Yet, he quickly regained his composure, reminding himself that this wasn't a novel and he wasn't a chosen protagonist.

He understood that nothing came for free, and even a system must have its price.

Despite his reservations, Han Yichen fortified his resolve.

He recognized that every opportunity came with a cost, and he was prepared to pay it.

Regardless of the challenges or tasks that the system might present to him, he was determined to give his utmost effort.

This could potentially be the turning point he had been waiting for.

With a newfound determination burning in his eyes, Han Yichen took a deep breath and accepted the presence of the system in his life.

Ding! The mechanical sound echoed in Han Yichen's ears as the system finished downloading. Excitement surged within him at the prospect of what lay ahead.

"What the heck?" Han Yichen exclaimed in confusion as the words "Money system!" appeared before him.

"Welcome, Host! I am the money system, and I have sensed that you are poor and weak AF! On top of that, your soul is not from this world! So it's decided—I will be with you!" the system's voice resounded in Han Yichen's mind.

Han Yichen reminded himself not to be deluded into thinking he was a protagonist expecting special treatment. He didn't anticipate any significant changes in his current state.

"Host! The currency of this world has been sensed. You have been granted 3000 QI coins. Spend it all within two minutes," the system instructed.

Han Yichen's eyes widened at the mention of the currency.

Han Yichen felt an overwhelming sense of shock as he delved into the intricate hierarchy of currency in this world. Tin coins, bronze coins, silver coins, gold coins, crimson coins, black coins, and finally, the coveted QI coins. The magnitude of the value exchange left him astounded.

In this realm, 1000 Tin coins equaled 1 bronze coin, and the pattern continued for each subsequent tier of coins. The concept of wealth took on new dimensions, with each coin representing a significant leap in value.

QI coins, in particular, held immense rarity and power. Possessing a single QI coin was akin to owning an entire town. These coins were meticulously crafted by experts, who condensed copious amounts of QI energy into a single, tangible form. The refinement of a QI coin had the potential to propel one's cultivation to astonishing heights.

However, amidst the allure of the QI coins, Han Yichen couldn't shake off his concerns. Recalling the novels he had read in his past life, he knew that failure to complete the initial task assigned by the system could result in dire consequences. The system had the ability to exact hidden penalties or even terminate the host's life.

The weight of this realization pressed upon him, raising a critical question in his mind. "But how in the frickin avocado am I going to spend so many QI coins quickly?" Han Yichen exclaimed, his voice filled with frustration and bewilderment.

He surveyed the bustling market, searching for opportunities to expend his newfound wealth within the tight time frame given by the system. The stalls teemed with a wide array of merchandise, each tempting him with the possibility of a substantial investment.

Time ticked away, and Han Yichen's mind raced as he contemplated his next move. With a mix of determination and anxiety, he took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to navigate the intricacies of the market and seize the chance to spend his QI coins wisely.

Han Yichen's heart raced in his chest as panic gripped him. Time seemed to slip through his fingers like sand, and his throat felt dry with apprehension. One minute had already elapsed, and he was yet to find a way to spend the QI coins as instructed by the system.

Amidst the mounting pressure, a glimmer of hope caught his attention. His gaze landed upon a young boy, dressed in tattered and filthy clothes. It was a fleeting moment, but Han Yichen's instincts kicked in.