The surroundings shifted in a flash, sending Noah into a panic.
"No way this is staged. This is too real."
The trembling stopped. Looked down and realized he was floating high in the sky, nothing beneath his feet, the ground far below.
For a moment, the tiny heart in Noah's chest thudded once, then seemed to stop. Panic surged through every cell, balance vanished, and he plummeted into the endless void below.
A vast, weightless space, no center, no anchor, nothing to cling to, nothing to stop his fall.
Fear and despair gripped Noah, a desperate wish to die creeping in.
Flailing, thrashing in hopelessness, yet still hovering in place—not falling, not rising. Spinning endlessly like clothes in a washing machine.
After vomiting everything in his stomach…
A warm force spread through his body.
A gentle sensation emerged, discomfort fading.
A notification panel appeared.
"System activated adaptation function."
No longer dizzy, even when looking down. Truly miraculous. Though his feet touched nothing, he felt as steady as standing on solid ground.
Regaining calm, Noah finally noticed the information panel before him.
"Host: Noah
Mortal Realm
Title: Master of Three-Tiger Manor
Assets (click to view details)
Basic Functions: Celestial Convergence unlocked
Main Quest Line unlocked
(View details)"
"Based on current status, the System grants the host a Newcomer Gift Package.
Confirm to open?"
"Confirm."
Received 10 Celestial Convergence opportunities
Received basic equipment: one fully functional basic residence (equipped)
Received Four Guardian Beasts (equipped)
Received 7-day Manor Protection Charm (equipped)
Received one Manor Relocation Token
Received one Manor Rename Token
Another window popped up.
"System Notification:
Based on status and position, assigned quest: First Step Forward.
Contract successfully bound.
Friendly AI mode activated.
Newcomer mode activated.
Wishing the host an enjoyable experience."
The mechanical voice ended. Space warped again, this time contracting. Everything collapsed into a single room. Caught off guard, Noah felt a wave of intense dizziness, his body losing balance, sprawling across the floor. Stomach churned, urging to vomit again, but nothing was left.
"What the hell… You trying to kill me?"
One hand trembling, gripping the wall, the other clutching his mouth. Dizzy, guts twisting, Noah panted, glancing around.
"Where is this…?"
The same emotionless mechanical voice responded.
"This is the bedroom within the fully functional basic residence provided by the System. Equipped with a table, chairs, and all necessary living essentials. The host can confidently begin their journey here."
Sat on a sturdy wooden chair, feeling the warm force dispel the earlier dizziness. Noah glanced around the room. Ancient-style decor, neat and clean, with a table, chairs, even a tea set—though no tea inside… Not the point. A nagging unease lingered, like being caught in some kind of prank.
The adaptation function only kicks in when I'm still. Move, and it shuts off. Ha… ha…
In novels, systems always warn their hosts. The easier it seems, the shadier it gets. This System… gotta watch it, or it'll screw me over one day.
"So, I'm back… at the old place?"
Candlelight glowed warmly in the room, lit by who-knows-who, casting a peaceful ambiance. A notification window appeared.
"Open Basic Guide (Newcomer Mode)"
Basic Guide Operations Initiated
"Welcome to the Celestial Convergence function.
To prevent boredom in cultivation and opportunity-seeking, and to enhance the host's strength, the System introduces Celestial Convergence.
This function is a randomized gacha mechanism: 10 pulls guarantee one legendary item, 100 pulls guarantee one mythical item.
The host can earn summon tickets by completing main quests, achieving milestones, or purchasing with spirit stones, the System's currency.
Start with the Newcomer Wheel: just 10 pulls to secure one mythical item.
Confirm to use the function?"
Still dizzy from the abrupt teleportation, Noah stayed sharp enough to catch the bloodsucking gacha vibe. Glanced at the confirmation button on the panel.
"Gacha game, huh? For opportunities?"
Feels oddly familiar yet thrilling, but also kinda annoying. And this interface? Straight out of Windows… Same stiff, familiar design. Is this a joke? But that scene earlier wasn't a dream… Head hurts. That big red confirm button staring at me… What am I scared of?
"Confirm."
The surroundings shifted again. Before Noah could react, he found himself in a vast cosmic expanse. Countless stars glimmered around him, some forming radiant bands across the sky, others clustering, others scattered in vibrant hues.
A breathtakingly romantic scene.
Each star feels like an opportunity, a chance to change a life. If I touch them, they're mine.
Moved by the thought, Noah reached out toward the floating stars. But as his hand lifted, they suddenly stirred. Giant rings of light formed, spinning around him.
He stood at the center, the universe revolving around him.
Amid the dazzling glow, a golden beam veered off course, landing in his hand. As the light faded, a vivid golden dragon appeared.
Its body translucent, shimmering specks floating within, soft rays of light curling with every move. Large, round eyes with golden pupils stared at him, a mix of fear and curiosity.
Noah's breath caught.
"Absolutely incredible, so beautiful."
Heart racing—this was his opportunity. I summoned a dragon. Am I about to become a dragon-riding knight?
As if sensing Noah's excitement, the dragon spun joyfully a few times before wrapping tightly around his hand.
Felt its tiny, delicate claws scratching lightly, its cool body clinging to his arm. Noah's joy surged.
"Too adorable…"
Outside, as soon as Noah pressed the confirm button, the space around him blazed with light. His body floated weightlessly in midair, unhindered. A vast, ethereal aura surged, flooding all directions. Ribbons of mystic energy materialized, swirling around, light dancing, winds weaving a mystical rhythm impossible to describe.
Above, the stormy rain and wind were swept away, giving way to stars linking together, forming a massive nebula array that blanketed the sky of East Continent.
The commotion startled great cultivators and scholars, especially at the academy of the Moonlight Empire. Crowds gathered, frantically calculating to uncover the cause and outcome of this phenomenon.
The center of the nebula array formed right above their nation—a portent this grand surely heralded a major event.
Outside, the populace knelt in chaos, praying fervently. Inside the imperial palace, the emperor calmly observed the nebula array. A great scholar stepped forward to report.
"Your Majesty, this phenomenon signals the emergence of a treasure. Its location is Strong Bull Mountain in our northern territory."
The emperor nodded calmly, issuing a decree.
"By my command, assemble forces and head to Strong Bull Mountain. Retrieve the treasure for the imperial palace."
…
As the array took shape, it began to spin. A mystical aura and boundless pressure, flawless and perfect, cascaded across the land. All living beings gazing at the sky, at the array, felt small, submissive.
In the midst of perfection, ten stars suddenly veered off course, shattering the array and plummeting to the earth.
Intertwined, unstoppable as a tidal wave, they carved a path through the sky, descending to the mortal realm. At that moment, the central dragon veins of the five great empires awakened, roaring toward the stars before submitting.
As the stars drew closer to the ground, space grew sluggish, everything falling into stillness, unable to move, all eyes fixed on the sole force traversing the mortal world.
The moment the stars touched the earth, a tremor rippled through East Continent. Every soul felt the same sensation: immense, mighty, domineering, sweeping all before it. As if a sovereign had emerged, any unauthorized action in their presence would face punishment. The tremor didn't stop at East Continent but spread across the continent, faintly felt even in the distant west. A challenge to all living beings.
Atop a high mountain in the north, an old man, hair weathered by time, whispered.
"East Continent is about to birth a great emperor… Is my chance here? Or should I consult that old fortune-teller first?"
…
On a desolate southern steppe, beastly roars echoed in chaos…
…
At the continent's heart, a middle-aged man gazed toward East Continent, puzzled.
"Everything's so strange. Surely this has nothing to do with me…"
…
In many other places, undercurrents stirred. Those with ambition knew what to do.
At the phenomenon's epicenter, the tremor passed. Immediately, the Moonlight Empire's palace issued a curfew, the nation entering a state of war—disobedience meant death without question.
Other nearby powers issued similar decrees.
…
Back with Noah, he couldn't stop admiring the golden dragon coiled around his arm like a bracelet. Its body rubbed gently, making soft riu riu sounds, impossibly adorable.
A System panel appeared.
"Received Mythical-Grade Spirit Vein.
Received Legendary Item: Bodhi Tree.
Received manor construction items: 1 sect stone tablet, 3 stone tables, 20 bricks, 2 iron axes.
Celestial Convergence complete. Returning to reality in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1."
Feeling the dragon's tiny movements, Noah's mood lifted. Raised his arm, looking at the dragon.
"So, you're my spirit vein? Let's work hard together from now on, okay?"
Still raised, his arm held the dragon's tiny head, which glanced warily around before circling a few times and returning with a bewildered stare.
"No need to be scared. This place is safe. What should I name you?"
The dragon's big, round eyes fixed on Noah, its tiny claws waving, chirping riu riu as if trying to express something. Then, before his puzzled gaze, it shot downward, diving straight to the ground without looking back.
Noah froze for a few seconds, staring at his empty hand. Finally reacted, shouting.
"Hey, little dragon, where'd you go?"
No response.
Silence enveloped the space.
Just him, alone.
Noah's heart sank, realizing what happened. Shouted again.
"System, the dragon escaped!"