As my bodily functions ceased, a familiar system notification chimed in my ear.
*Ding-dong~*
...I had entered the Modifier interface!
Before my eyes lay a dense thicket of data and charts, with new prompts popping up from time to time. After yearning for this for so many days, I finally regained access to this familiar UI.
I skimmed through it briefly. The screen was filled with various data points for this world, but many options were grayed out. I knew this meant I needed to obtain system permissions from a local server first—it might require a key, or perhaps a physical server.
However, in the center were several basic options for the main character. The file was already named "Jun Xuanheng." It appeared this row of data represented my own attribute values.
Vitality: 30/100
Cultivation: 5
Agility: 5
Defense: 5
Experience: 5
Intelligence: 5 — [System Permission Required]
Martial Arts: None
Wealth: 0
Reputation: None — [System Permission Required]
Status: None — [System Permission Required]
There were many entries listed under my filename; in my haste, I only managed to scan the beginning. According to the description, a normal person’s maximum Vitality is 100. The 70 points I was missing had just been kicked out of me by that fellow Ze Que. I wasn't entirely sure about the specific meaning and effects of these stats, but at a glance, they seemed similar to a video game. Thinking about which ones to prioritize, I habitually typed a few extra zeros into the Vitality box—being able to take a few more hits is always better than being unprepared. I then switched to the Cultivation box, but as I was editing it, I spotted a very conspicuous option on the side.
>>> Enable real-time monitoring window? [→ No]
Real-time? Oh, right, I didn't know what was happening with Ye Tan... I reflexively clicked "Yes," and a small projection window popped up beside me.
Ye Tan was holding my corpse—since my consciousness had switched to the Modifier window, I showed no signs of life. He truly believed I had kicked the bucket. He was waiting for death, facing a vast, incoming rain of arrows with resignation.
I shuddered in fright. Before I could even process it, I had already hit ESC to exit.
I lunged forward, grabbing Ye Tan and rolling to the side. He looked dazed, seemingly frightened out of his wits by my sudden "resurrection." My mind, however, was a complete blank:
*Holy crap, did I hit save just now?!*
This ultimate cosmic dilemma, which has plagued humanity for ages, was answered very quickly. The spot we rolled into wasn't particularly good, and several arrows from the volley still found their mark. I braced myself over Ye Tan, doing my best to shield him, and felt a piercing pain in my back.
...Though it hurt, I could tell it wasn't a major issue. If I were still that little weakling with only 30 Vitality points, I would have definitely breathed my last by now.
I wept with excitement: I saved!
The habit of saving frequently that I had cultivated over many years had saved my life! Waaaah, I love myself! I hug myself and weep!
In this brief instant, Ye Tan had experienced several rounds of extreme grief and joy. His brain was clearly not functioning at full capacity as he cupped my face and asked, "You... are crying?"
"Pah, I'm not crying. These are tears of joy." This Creator God had been a salted fish for many days, bullied by small-time thugs. Now, I was finally going to turn the tables and be a big shot!
I scrambled up, ready to throw my weight around, but Ye Tan pressed me back into his embrace with trepidation. "Master, your back has sustained heavy injuries. You must not move..."
Though he did his best to hold me down, strangely enough, I could feel that if I just exerted a little force, I could certainly fling him away. A few days ago, he could easily pick me up while I was curled in a ball; his strength should have been immense.
Doubt rose in my heart. I remembered that before I exited the Modifier, the cursor was resting in the Cultivation box.
...I wonder, in my state of mental agitation, exactly how many zeros... did I type into that box...?
Ze Que also saw my "resurrection" from a distance. He approached with his sword, prepared to deliver the finishing blow.
Ye Tan likely thought I was going to throw my life away and refused to let go. I had no choice but to take his hand with deep affection.
His face first flushed red, likely indulging in some sort of vivid fantasy, but then his expression changed as he reacted: "Master, why is your inner energy suddenly so..."
He didn't know how to continue. He had likely never seen such a vast, surging, and profound level of cultivation. I didn't even know how many zeros I had hammered in, but it was bound to be world-shaking.
I transferred some inner energy to him to protect his heart's vessels and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. He finally let go. I stood up, straightened my robes, and looked around for any usable props. Seeing the steamed buns scattered on the ground, I picked one up and weighed it in my hand.
A lot of rubble and bricks had been knocked loose earlier, but I didn't want to take lives, so I couldn't use those. Only this steamed bun was soft and gentle, with decent elasticity, thin skin, and plenty of filling. It left a fragrant aftertaste... Wait, why am I eating it?
I composed myself and quickly pulled the bun out of my mouth. Feeling the abundant internal energy circulating through my body, I sensed that things were about to get messy. I looked at the approaching Ze Que and said in a heavy voice:
"...Don't come any closer. If I hit you with this bun, you might die."
When these words reached his ears, they sounded like an arrogant provocation. Ze Que’s sword intent was cold and menacing. Straining to control his rage, he drew the cold blade inch by inch from its scabbard.
My only advantages right now were my health bar and my inner energy. Although I could take a beating, I’d still die if my head flew off. Ze Que was a formal martial artist; I definitely couldn't match him in speed. If we really fought, I’d just be a punching bag... But if I didn't kill him, he would kill Ye Tan. Sigh, I'll just treat this as grinding for experience...
I pinched the soft bun that I had taken a half-bite out of, infused it with a fraction of my inner energy, and tossed it lightly.
the moment it left my hand, that soft object transformed into tempered steel, roaring and surging forward with the force of a thunderbolt. A violent gale swept through the world. A booming sound echoed through the heavens, leveling several houses along its path. Dust and smoke billowed, obscuring everyone's vision. The stunned onlookers forgot to cry out; only the unending sound of buildings collapsing and disintegrating filled the air.
...I feel like... I'm super buff...
As the dust partially settled, the people around were coughing uncontrollably. Ze Que gradually emerged from the powder, still maintaining his sword-drawing stance. However, his sword and scabbard had been sheared in half. Lines of blood seeped from his arm, where ghastly white bone was faintly visible.
He was terrified to the extreme, completely unable to feel the pain. He didn't even notice when his broken sword fell to the ground.
...I... I missed...?
I was also stunned for a good while, snapping out of my failed attempt at looking cool. To hide my embarrassment, I shook out my sleeves again. The effect seemed decent enough, so I wouldn't fuss over a minor detail like missing the target.
Just as I was about to claim credit from Ye Tan, I saw a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. I cursed inwardly; he must have been standing too close to me and was injured by the shockwave of the sword energy. It was all my fault for getting caught up in acting cool and forgetting to consider those nearby, causing him to suffer again... Sigh.
With his body covered in injuries, I didn't know how he would move... I turned around and happened to see the fine horse and carriage Ze Que had brought. I happily requisitioned it. Having just displayed a move that shook the mountains and rivers, the attendants were all deeply respectful toward me. My first act of banditry was actually quite pleasant.
"Let's go." I led the carriage over and called for him to get in.
Ye Tan had not yet come to his senses. He asked blankly, "Where to?"
I carried him into the carriage, pressed my hand to his wrist to transfer inner energy, and said, "I hope we can still make it in time for lunch."
***
