A sharp knock echoed against the wooden door, drawing Fang Ming's attention away from his thoughts. The soft creak of the aging timber seemed to resonate with the knock, cutting through the quiet atmosphere of the room like a whisper in the dark.
His eyes shifted, gaze settling coldly on the door. A trace of indifference glinted in his expression, his voice calm and distant as he spoke, "Come in."
The door opened slowly with a low groan, as if it hadn't been used in years. The scent of fresh jasmine floated in with the breeze, accompanied by the sound of gentle footsteps. A young woman stepped into the room.
She was dressed in a tight-fitting azure robe that clung gracefully to her curves, accentuating her lithe figure. Her dark hair was tied neatly behind her head, exposing the smooth, pale contours of her neck and face. Her skin was fair as snow, and her ethereal beauty carried the purity of a heavenly fairy. Any modern man would have been captivated by her charm at first sight.
But Fang Ming, now no longer just a man of Earth, had integrated the memories of his predecessor in this new world. He was changed—sharpened, detached, and calculating. The moment he laid eyes on the woman, he didn't stir or show even the slightest reaction. His gaze remained distant, almost disdainful, as if her beauty was no more worthy than a passing breeze.
He looked down at her, a cold glint in his eyes, and asked with quiet authority, "Why are you here, Chang Yue?"
He had recognized her immediately. From the newly inherited memories of this body, he knew her name: Chang Yue, the youngest disciple of Palace Master Li Tian, a figure known for her grace and loyalty within the sect.
Upon hearing Fang Ming's voice, Chang Yue bowed respectfully, folding her hands in front of her with practiced elegance. Her tone was polite and composed as she replied, "Elder, Palace Master has invited you to the disciple acceptance ceremony. It is about to begin soon, and all the elders, along with the Palace Master, are awaiting your presence."
Fang Ming nodded slightly, his expression unreadable.
Just then, a system notification rang out in his ears like a divine whisper descending from the heavens:
[Ding! It's been detected that the disciple acceptance ceremony is about to begin. Main Task is being issued.]
[Accept Li Yao during this ceremony.]
[Name: Li Yao]
[Age: 22]
[Cultivation: Qi Gathering – 5th Level]
[Luck: Blue]
[Story: Her family was destroyed by a disciple of the Heavenly Court. The disciple was lustful toward her, but her father refused the marriage proposal. Enraged and using his powerful background, the disciple destroyed her entire family. Li Yao managed to escape.]
[Bloodline: Phoenix Bloodline (Currently Inactive)]
[Reward: Upon successful task completion, Host will be awarded a Transcendent Bone and 100 years of cultivation.]
As the string of information flowed through his mind, Fang Ming's lips curled into a faint smile. "I see... Li Yao," he thought silently. "So, you are my first step in this world… It seems I must attend this ceremony, if only to welcome you, my dear disciple."
He closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them with a quiet determination gleaming in their depths.
Meanwhile, across from him, Chang Yue stood patiently, her hands folded respectfully. Though her face remained calm, inwardly, her thoughts were filled with resignation. "It seems that Elder Fang Ming will not attend the ceremony," she mused silently. "Sigh... given his past indifference toward sect affairs, it's only expected. Even Master only sent me here to show respect."
But just as her thoughts drifted toward disappointment, Fang Ming's calm voice cut through the air.
"Okay. I'm going."
Her eyes widened in shock, and her breath caught in her throat. She blinked, momentarily stunned by the unexpected answer. The Elder Fang Ming she knew—or rather, the one the sect knew—had always been cold, disinterested, and detached from sect matters. For him to agree so directly was unheard of.
Without another word, Fang Ming stood up. His long robe flowed with quiet grace as he began walking toward the door. His steps were steady, every movement exuding the aura of someone completely in control of himself and the world around him.
Chang Yue, frozen for a moment, quickly snapped out of her daze. Her thoughts raced as she watched his retreating back. "He's going… he's actually going?!" she thought, hurrying to catch up. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and followed closely behind him.
The wind outside stirred gently as the door creaked open once more. The sky above the sect was a soft hue of gold and lavender as the sun dipped lower toward the horizon. The sect grounds, bathed in the evening light, were coming alive as elders, disciples, and officials gathered at the grand ceremonial hall.
And so, with his system awakened, a mission issued, and destiny already unfolding its first thread, Fang Ming began his journey toward the ceremony—toward Li Yao.
Toward the future that would soon tremble beneath the name of a villain.