The villa's air was still. Ren Wei stood in silence, eyes focused on the golden system panel suspended before him.
> Ding!
Side Quest Unlocked
— Title: Break the Chain
— Objective: Defeat Wei Wuxian in the Heaven's Ring Platform
— Preparation Time Remaining: 2 weeks, 6 days, 18 hours, 56 minutes
— Reward: Foundation Establishment Pill ×3 (Each pill advances one level in Foundation Establishment Realm)
— Penalty: Death
Note: Wei Wuxian is ordered to kill you by the Four Great Families.
Ren Wei's eyes narrowed.
> "A perfect ambush disguised as a public duel."
He tapped on the pulsating name in the quest log — Wei Wuxian.
The profile shimmered into view.
> Name: Wei Wuxian
Cultivation Realm: Foundation Establishment Realm Level 9 (Perfect Grandmaster)
Affiliation: Unknown
Threat Level: S
Ren Wei clicked his tongue.
> "Level 9... Perfect Grandmaster…"
"So I'll need to reach at least Level 3... and unlock Form 3 of Ash Vein Fang."
His fingers twitched, already itching to grasp Echo Fang again.
---
Meanwhile, deep within the halls of the Han Crest, Han Suiren was seated on a raised dais of black marble. Sunlight filtered through golden curtains as he addressed two servants kneeling before him.
> "Send two Foundation Establishment Pills to the villa — discreetly. That child can't afford any setbacks."
The older servant hesitated. "Head of Family... those pills are rare. We could only find two in the entire crest's vault."
> "Then let them go," Han Suiren replied coolly. "We've invested more precious things than pills into Ren Wei."
He waved his hand.
> "And prepare a letter. Inform Mei Rou that if they need any rare herbs, she is to send the request directly through the seal in the scroll. The logistics hall will deliver within the hour."
The servants bowed and departed.
Han Suiren leaned back with a slow breath.
> "One week to recover… three to prepare. If he survives this, he'll all owe me more than pills."
In Villa Ren Wei gently sipped his tea, the steam curling around his face. After seeing Wei Wuxian's profile in the system—a terrifying Foundation Establishment Realm Level 9, a Perfect Grandmaster—he set the teacup down with a calm that betrayed the chill in his veins.
"Three weeks..." he muttered. "Three stages."
He reached for the nearby bell. "Su Yao," he called.
Moments later, Su Yao entered with graceful steps, bowing slightly. "Yes, young master?"
"Bring the food you prepared."
Su Yao bowed and left the yard. As she left, a knock echoed through the villa gate. Mei Rou glanced toward the door, then quietly walked to open it. Her eyes met with the visiting envoy from Han Crest—a man in silver robes, bearing the ancient mark of their sect. The two exchanged formal bows.
"This is from Lord Han," the envoy said, handing her a sealed scroll and a small jade box.
Mei Rou returned inside and passed both to Ren Wei, who opened the scroll and read:
> "Wei'er, within this box are two Foundation Establishment Pills—gathered at great expense. If you need herbs or rare ingredients, inform Mei Rou. The Han Crest shall deliver. – Han Suiren."
He paused, closing the scroll. The pills shimmered inside the box like golden beads of crystallized power.
But his mind stirred. A sudden memory from his past life—an ancient alchemical formula, almost forgotten.
"I can refine more," Ren Wei murmured. "I remember the recipe…"
He stood and called, "Mei Rou."
She appeared beside him.
"Prepare to go to the medical hall," he ordered. "I'll need herbs."
"But… Young master," she hesitated. "Lord Han said we can send a list—he'll—"
"No," Ren Wei cut in. "I already owe them more than I should. The pills are enough."
"…Understood." She bowed and began gathering supplies.
Ren Wei returned to his room, opened his drawer, and took the pouch of spiritual stones Sheng Lian had gifted him during her last visit. The soft clink of Qi-charged stones echoed like promise in his hand.
He tucked them away in his robes. "Time to prepare the next step," he muttered, eyes sharp as tempered steel.
---
Meanwhile, far from the villa, the wind carried whispers through the pristine towers of the Lian Sect.
Sheng Lian stepped past ornate halls and glowing lanterns before being summoned by the Sect Leader—her father, Lian Xuanyan, a man whose mere presence silenced rooms and whose gaze could still make her flinch.
"You've been visiting that child again?" he asked, voice deep, brow furrowed. "That brat Ren Wei? You do realize he's dead meat, don't you?"
Sheng Lian didn't respond. Instead, she stepped forward, bowing her head.
"I'm not here to argue. I only need one Foundation Establishment Pill."
He raised an eyebrow. "One?" He leaned back in his chair, amused. "You want to waste our sect's treasures on a walking corpse?"
Sheng Lian met his eyes, unfazed. "Just one."
A long silence followed. Then he sighed. "Fine. Just this once. Take it from the inner medical hall."
She turned to leave, but then—he smirked.
"But if that brat somehow survives Wei Wuxian…" He paused, grin widening. "I'll consider him as my son-in-law."
Sheng Lian stiffened. "F-Father! There's nothing between us—"
He waved her off. "Go on. Collect the pill."
As the door closed behind her, Lian Xuanyan let out a chuckle. "What am I going to do with that child?"