Chapter 3: The System's Secrets and a Dragon's Dance
The soft, ethereal glow of the courtyard moonlight enveloped Lu Yuan, turning the familiar training ground into a canvas of shifting shadows. Each punch he threw, a rhythmic thud against the sturdy training rock, resonated with a force that sent cracks spiderwebbing across its surface. This wasn't merely brute strength; it was the precise, focused power of a Control-type spirit master, a burgeoning mastery over the very fabric of his surroundings. He watched, fascinated, as a small pebble, dislodged by a stray vibration, levitated an inch off the ground before settling back down. His control was growing, a palpable hum beneath his skin.
He closed his eyes, extending his consciousness, feeling the subtle currents of the air, the faint vibrations in the earth. A nearby glass of water, sitting innocently on a stone table, shimmered. With a mental command, it lifted, gliding smoothly through the air, tilting just enough for a droplet to spill, catching the moonlight like a tiny diamond, before gently settling into his outstretched palm. Such a simple act, yet it spoke volumes of his progress. Currently, he assessed, he could confidently hold his own against anyone below the Dou King realm. His rigorous training, focused on the minutiae of control, the intricate dance of force and manipulation with the unyielding rocks, was steadily pushing his limits.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet, the inviting aroma of dinner began to waft from his room. Xiao Yixian, always attentive, arrived moments later, a warm smile gracing her lips, carrying a tray laden with their evening meal. They settled into comfortable conversation, the easy banter of shared companionship filling the quiet space. They spoke of the day's events, of the small joys and minor annoyances of life in Green Mountain Town, and, for Lu Yuan, a carefully curated version of his training. The hours melted away, their talk extending late into the night until Xiao Yixian, stifling a soft yawn, finally bid him goodnight and departed.
Alone in his room, the sounds of the night seeping in through the open window, Lu Yuan finally allowed his thoughts to drift to the enigmatic system that had become such a central part of his new existence. It remained a cold, unfeeling entity, its responses clipped and robotic, a constant reminder of its non-human origin. It offered answers only when his questions directly pertained to its functions or the store; any deviation was met with an impenetrable silence. He glanced at the persistent notification hovering in his vision: 100 points.
"What are these points for?" he thought, directing the silent query to the system. The familiar internal silence stretched for a moment, then, the same monotone voice echoed in his mind.
"You can buy anything from the store for cultivation."
A jolt of excitement coursed through him, a spark of avarice he hadn't known he possessed. "Open it for me! Fast!" he urged, his voice barely a whisper.
"Just say 'open the store'," the system instructed, its voice devoid of any inflection.
Lu Yuan took a deep breath, repeating the command aloud. Instantly, the air before him shimmered, and a vast, holographic interface flickered into existence. Rows upon rows of items scrolled endlessly, an overwhelming cornucopia of power and potential. His eyes darted across the glowing text: Dragon Blood, pulsating with ancient power; a shimmering Magical Leaf, hinting at untold medicinal properties; a vial of Life Returning Potion, promising restoration from the brink of death. There were even items he recognized from the Dou Qi Continent, though their names were subtly different: various grades of Pills, glowing with inner radiance, and an assortment of mysterious weapons, each radiating a faint, dangerous aura.
His excitement, however, quickly deflated as he scanned the prices. Each item, regardless of its apparent value, bore a staggering price tag. The cheapest was in the hundred and thousand of points, while the most formidable seemed to be in the millions. His paltry 100 points suddenly felt like pocket change in a boundless treasury. He felt his jaw drop. It was like falling from the sky straight into a muddy gutter.
He swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat. "Is there… is there nothing I can buy?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of desperation, the dream of immediate power crumbling around him.
The system's cold reply, however, carried a glimmer of unexpected hope: "Points are not enough, but you can buy from the discount section. Each day, three items are discounted, with reductions ranging from 50 to 95 percent."
Lu Yuan's eyes, previously clouded with disappointment, suddenly blazed with renewed vigor. A discount section! This was a game-changer. He immediately navigated to the specified option, his heart thumping in anticipation.
The first item on the discounted list instantly seized his attention. It was titled Nine Dragons Formation Techniques, and beneath it, a description: "For Controller-type spirit masters. This technique comprises nine intricate formations, encompassing both attack and defense. Usable from Warrior level to Universe level. Significantly enhances a spirit master's control." The most crucial detail was the price: a staggering 95% discount, bringing it down to a mere 5 points. This was an absolute steal, perfectly tailored to his unique cultivation path. Without a second thought, he made the purchase. This was precisely what he needed to elevate his control to the next level.
Next was a weapon, a sleek, multifaceted sword, radiating a subtle power. The description identified it as a Universal Level Weapon, its shape reminiscent of a traditional blade, yet capable of dividing into countless smaller blades, shifting and adapting according to the spirit master's power. It boasted a 90% discount, costing only 10 points. While he valued his control, having a complementary weapon was essential for any spirit master. This Shifter Blade, as it was implicitly named, would undeniably be a vital asset. He purchased it as well.
But it was the third item that truly made his eyes gleam, a predatory glint entering them. Shadow Blade Technique. It promised unseen lethality, a master of stealth and precision. With an 80% discount, it required only a paltry 2 points. This was too good to pass up. He bought it without hesitation.
As the purchases were confirmed, a torrent of information, raw and unadulterated, surged directly into his mind. Simultaneously, the physical sensation of the Shifter Blade appearing in his system inventory was vivid. He gasped, clutching his head as a searing pain erupted behind his eyes. The sheer volume of knowledge, far beyond anything his previous life had prepared him for, was overwhelming. It felt as though centuries of martial understanding, intricate formation diagrams, and the nuances of stealth were being forcibly compressed and uploaded into his very essence. It was a dizzying, disorienting few minutes before the pain gradually receded, leaving behind a profound sense of understanding, a quiet certainty of his newly acquired abilities.
Unable to contain his exhilaration, Lu Yuan practically bounded back to the courtyard. The bright moonlight, now high in the sky, cast long, dramatic shadows and lent an almost ethereal glow to his young, handsome face. He retrieved his Shifter Blade from the system's inventory. It felt incredibly light, yet perfectly balanced in his hand, a seamless extension of his arm. He focused, recalling the first form of the Nine Dragons Formation. With a silent command, the single blade shivered, then, with a soft whirring sound, split into dozens, then many of smaller, razor-sharp components. They weren't just floating; they moved with an intelligent grace, swirling around Lu Yuan like a protective, yet menacing, swarm.
This was the first form: Dragon's Embrace. The miniature blades coalesced, forming the ethereal outline of a magnificent dragon, its form shimmering in the moonlight. It was a defensive and offensive marvel, constantly shifting, twining around him. Within a twenty-meter radius, there was no longer a single blind spot; any attack would be met by a wall of rapidly moving, razor-sharp steel. Then, with a roar that was more felt than heard, the blades accelerated, becoming a blur, weaving an even more intricate dragon-like form that seemed to coil and lunge. The sheer speed of the blades created a powerful wind current, carrying the sound of their furious dance across the silent town.
That night, numerous residents of Green Mountain Town, roused by a subconscious unease, swore they saw a titanic, draconic silhouette moving across the moonlit sky. Whispers of a guardian beast, a mythical creature, spread through the morning market, only to be quickly dismissed as fanciful dreams.
After experimenting with the formations for a few more exhilarating minutes, pushing his control and familiarizing himself with the movements, he returned to his room, his mind buzzing with the thrill of his new power. He collapsed onto his bed, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Tomorrow held new adventures, as he had promised Xiao Yixian they would venture into the forest, searching for medicinal ingredients. Now, with his newfound abilities, he felt far more confident in whatever dangers the untamed wilderness might hold.