Chapter 108: The System Appears

Xie Yingying's expression grew even more complex. She hadn't expected the system to actually respond.

But this system seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. With a smile, it said, "The free dialogue function is now enabled. Of course, I can converse freely with Master like this."

Xie Yingying jumped in shock, staring wide-eyed at the empty air: "How do you know what I'm thinking?!"

"It's simple. I can sense your inner voice! If you don't want me to hear it, I can block it."

She had heard about blocking and immediately demanded, "Block it! Quickly block it for me!"

"Master, are you certain? If you do, we won't be able to converse as smoothly."

"This... what difference does it make?" Xie Yingying's features twisted in distress. "Can't we talk without it?"

The system's voice floated lightly: "Not really. But if someone else is present and you start talking to thin air, won't they think you've been possessed by a demon? It would seem very strange, right?"

Xie Yingying pictured the scene and felt it would ruin her social standing entirely. She shook her head firmly. "Forget it!"

"Very well."

Now brimming with curiosity after resolving that issue, she propped her chin in her hand and asked, "What exactly are the trial tasks? I didn't hear anything about them before."

The system replied promptly: "Master, your trial task is to avoid the tragic ending that befell the original body."

"So you can't die at the foot of the mountain?" Xie Yingying blinked and inquired.

"Precisely." The system affirmed with certainty. "Completing the trial task is why you received the system's recognition!"

Xie Yingying felt a surge of surprise. She hadn't anticipated accidentally finishing the trial and earning the system's approval.

In the twenty-first century, she'd read countless transmigration novels featuring systems, so she understood them well.

These were nothing less than protagonist halos, external cheats, or divine artifacts!

"Not necessarily." The system heard her inner voice and chuckled, the sound laced with sly, almost smug amusement.

"Not necessarily?" Xie Yingying asked curiously.

The system declined to elaborate further and instead spoke softly, "Master, there is a significant challenge ahead."

"Hmm?" Xie Yingying had been about to ask more, but this pulled her attention completely. She had transformed into an inquisitive little girl. "What big challenge?"

"Confidential!" The tone carried playful mischief, enhanced by her lively youthful voice to sound utterly mischievous. "I will reveal the details of this challenge at the right moment. At that time, there will be main quests and side quests. Master, you must complete them thoroughly, or there will be consequences!"

Upon hearing mention of penalties, her expression shifted. She asked cautiously, "If I refuse to complete the task or turn it down, what kind of punishment awaits?"

The system heard her question and its tone suddenly grew eerie, nothing like the playful girl it had been. It sounded more like the terrifying red-clothed member of the evil sect who had frightened Ning Qingqing. "You will die."

Xie Yingying shivered at the ominous tone, then heard the system continue, "You must agree to me right now. In the future, you will accept this task. Swear to the Heavenly Dao in the name of a cultivator, and swear to me as well!"

She sensed something was wrong.

It was clearly a trap!

Thus, Xie Yingying immediately shook her head in refusal. "I don't want to. Tell me first!"

"Really don't want to? This task would be excellent for you. Accepting it might allow you to return to the original world one day. If the task count falls short by then, you'll never go back!"

"Wait..." Xie Yingying's eyes sparkled. "I have a chance to return to the original world?!"

"Mm-hmm!" The system deliberately concealed the slyness in its tone, but Xie Yingying was overjoyed and didn't notice. "Of course!"

Xie Yingying accepted the confirmation with delight and agreed at once. She even negotiated a condition with the system: "Good! But you must tell me how I can resolve the Heavenly Fox Chu Yuan within my body."

The system laughed "hee hee," yet offered no answer.

Xie Yingying waited a long time for a reply that never came. Recalling her earlier agreement to the unknown task, unease steadily grew within her.

Wasn't it? She had truly been deceived!

She looked troubled and hurriedly called out to the air several times: "System? System?!"

No response followed.

Xie Yingying could only slump helplessly into her chair, tears welling but unable to fall. *I really got tricked...*

Then, shifting slightly, she felt a sharp pain tearing at her chest wound. She undid her collar once more to tend to the injury.

She had worried the system might see and feel awkward, but then thought: after all, the system was female, and she probably wouldn't mind seeing others.

Yet the system suddenly appeared again, chuckling "hee hee": "No, I've been right here the whole time!"

Xie Yingying collapsed onto the chair. "Let me apply this medicine properly!"

The system: "Very well. Night mode activated."

Meanwhile, in the front hall.

Xue Feng sat at the head of the table, gazing at Huo Tianqing with a long sigh.

"Tianqing, I understand your concern for your disciple, but Bai Shengyun is, after all, the young emperor of the Tianhu clan. For the sake of the two sects' alliance, endure it for now..."

Xue Feng paused, seeming to recall something. He gently shook his head, as if trying to shake free an unwelcome memory from his mind. Then he stopped, his eyes calm once more, as if he had accepted whatever had troubled him. The weight hidden behind his vicissitudes and murky gaze was too profound to decipher.

"Back then, during the war between the two sects, I remember you were there too. Those decades of scars— who could forget them?" He coughed lightly a few times. "The two sects maintain these surface relations now because neither can endure another war. Young newcomers might be rash and eager for battle, but those of us who have crossed that threshold, how can we pass it?"

Huo Tianqing nodded gently. "Indeed."

"So, endure it a little longer. If anger stirs within you, set it aside for later. After all, peace has been restored, and there is still much time ahead." Xue Feng spoke with solemn gravity.

He gave a soft acknowledgment, then said indifferently, "Old Xue, I understand."

Liang Yang and Jing Ling stood silently nearby, listening. They exchanged a glance, not knowing whom they thought of, and exhaled softly.