This Opening Was Way Too Formulaic

"Brother knows me. I don't have any grand ambitions—I just want to be an ordinary disciple in the Returning Heart Sect. But I've been diligently practicing the Returning Heart Skill and One Word Swordplay. Taking a few junior brothers and junior sisters down the mountain for training every now and then wouldn't be a problem either."

"Ah, you." Lu Bogui shook his head. Knowing his junior disciple's temperament well, he did not press the matter further. Instead, he took a small cloth bag from his robes and placed it before Jiang Beiran.

"This is for you, a birthday gift." Lu Bogui smiled and added, "Though it's a little late."

Jiang Beiran's hand holding the chopsticks paused. Rubbing his slightly sore nose, he said, "Brother, even while you were training down the mountain, you still remembered? I'd actually forgotten about it myself."

"How could I forget? This year is your twentieth birthday—a major one. I originally wanted to rush back and celebrate with you, but I truly couldn't get away."

"Brother..."

Seeing Jiang Beiran's reddened eyes, Lu Bogui picked up a piece of beef and placed it in his bowl, sighing softly. "Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, you've been on the mountain for five years. I still remember what you looked like when I first met you. Haha."

"Yes... five years already." Jiang Beiran sighed with deep emotion as well.

Five years ago, he had suddenly transmigrated into this fantastical world of chaos, where sects stood everywhere.

And Heaven seemed unwilling to give him much time to prepare himself mentally. One formulaic event after another came charging at him in quick succession.

First, he was an orphan, currently living under his uncle's roof. Every day, he had to endure his aunt's disdainful looks and her utterly unrestrained mockery.

"What? I can't even say a couple words to you? You freeloader."

"If I raised a dog, at least it could guard the house. What use are you?"

"Hmph, you can't even handle something as simple as scrubbing the floor. When you grow up, you'll definitely be worthless, still mooching food and drink off my family."

How could Jiang Beiran possibly endure that? He had finally transmigrated once—he was supposed to be the protagonist! Why should he put up with this nonsense!?

So at dinner, he suddenly smashed the bowl in his hand and pointed at his ugly, fat aunt, cursing furiously, "I must've spent eighteen lifetimes doing no good deeds to run into a shrew like you, fat as a pig! You wear a human face but do nothing but dog's business! From today on, I'm not staying here anymore! Go eat shit!"

After venting, Jiang Beiran decisively turned around and ran out of that utterly dilapidated thatched cottage, bidding farewell to the life of living at another's mercy.

But after just one night, Jiang Beiran wilted. There was no other reason—he was too hungry.

When he ran out, he had relied entirely on a burst of reckless courage. He had not even brought a single flatbread, much less any money.

So he went hungry and cold all night. When the sun first rose, he lingered outside a steamed bun stall for a full twenty minutes before the owner finally drove him away with three emphatic, rising-and-falling "Scram!"s.

Fortunately, Heaven did not block every road for transmigrators. At dusk, just as Jiang Beiran found a relatively warm corner to sit in, a kindly-looking Daoist Priest came before him and handed him a fragrant sesame cake. He said gently, "Eat, little one."

Jiang Beiran was already starving. He did not even dare make a token refusal in his heart. After thanking him, he grabbed the cake and wolfed it down.

"Don't rush. Eat slowly. I have more after you finish." As he spoke, the Daoist Priest took out a hulu filled with water and handed it to Jiang Beiran. "Ah, poor child."

"Th-thank you, Daoist Priest." Jiang Beiran took the hulu and gulped down several mouthfuls. He burst into tears on the spot, though he did not know whether it was because the cake was too delicious or the water was too cold.

After devouring two cakes in one breath, Jiang Beiran finally felt alive again and thanked the Daoist Priest repeatedly.

"No need to thank me." The Daoist Priest waved his hand, then asked with a smile, "Do you know why, with so many children on these streets unable to eat their fill, I alone gave you cakes?"

Jiang Beiran shook his head. "I don't know."

"Because I saw that your bones are extraordinary—you are a martial arts prodigy! Within three years, you will surely stand head and shoulders above the younger generation of my Blazing Fire Sect!"

The instant the Daoist Priest spoke those words, three options popped up before Jiang Beiran's eyes.

[Option One: Immediately say, "Daoist Priest, please accept me as your disciple." Completion Reward: Profound Fire Body (Yellow Rank High Grade)]

[Option Two: "I have never met an expert as lofty as you, Daoist Priest. May I ask what kind of place the Blazing Fire Sect is?" Completion Reward: Blazing Fire Blade (Yellow Rank Middle Grade)]

[Option Three: Politely decline the Daoist Priest's kindness. Completion Reward: Random Basic Attribute Point +1]

Ah-ha! The system is here!

Jiang Beiran was beside himself with delight. The benefits for transmigrators really were great! Double happiness had arrived at once! He had both an old master and a system.

Is this the legendary protagonist treatment? This is way too awesome!

Then Jiang Beiran began agonizing over whether to choose one or two. If he chose one, he might seem a little too eager, but the Profound Fire Body reward sounded perfectly suited to the Blazing Fire Sect the Daoist Priest had mentioned. Clearly, the system had specially matched it for him.

If he chose two, he could flatter the Daoist Priest while still appearing cautious. And the Blazing Fire Blade sounded like an excellent fit for the Blazing Fire Sect too—a very good option.

As for the third? Only an idiot would choose it! Not only would he reject benefits delivered right to his door, but he would only receive one basic attribute point. What use was a single point? It was not even as good as a consolation prize.

After struggling for a long while, Jiang Beiran still chose one. A body constitution sounded more important, after all. Perhaps it could let his early cultivation achieve twice the result with half the effort.

"Daoist Priest, please accept me as your disciple!" Having made his choice, Jiang Beiran immediately dropped to his knees and shouted in the most sincere tone he could muster.

The Daoist Priest smiled faintly, reached out to pull Jiang Beiran to his feet, and patted him on the shoulder. "You may become my disciple, but first, you must pass a trial."

"A trial?" Jiang Beiran was puzzled at first, but he immediately said seriously, "I will definitely work hard and pass it!"

"Good!" The Daoist Priest nodded in satisfaction, turned with a sweep of his sleeve, and said, "Then follow me."

"Yes!"

[Option task completed. Disciple-taking task activated. Rewards will be distributed after the task is completed.]

[Task Objective: Become the Black Robed Taoist's disciple.]

Huh? The reward isn't given directly?

Jiang Beiran had thought that as long as he shouted, "Daoist Priest, please accept me as your disciple!" he would receive the Profound Fire Body reward. Who would have thought it would merely trigger a task?

Forget it, it doesn't make much difference. Having something to look forward to is good too. With that thought, Jiang Beiran stepped forward and followed the Daoist Priest.

After two days of arduous travel, Jiang Beiran finally followed the Daoist Priest to the foot of a mountain.

"Beiran, this place is called Lingmao Peak. Your trial grounds are here."

Jiang Beiran, who was eating a cake behind him, nodded repeatedly after hearing this. "Please rest assured, I definitely won't disappoint you!"

Over those two days together, Jiang Beiran had already told the Daoist Priest about running away from home and having no relatives to rely on. The Daoist Priest had sympathized greatly after hearing it and had cared for him attentively along the way. Whenever Jiang Beiran was hungry, he used Flame Palm to heat his cakes; whenever he was tired, he pitched a tent for him. Jiang Beiran was moved beyond measure and swore that once he learned some skills, he would certainly honor his master properly!