Starting over

The sky filled with the hues of the setting sun, casting a warm glow over the towering peaks lining the mountain road. Xiao Ran, the preeminent young genius disciple of the Haohui Sect, led a select group of young men and women up the winding path. Meticulously chosen by the sect's elders from nearly a thousand candidates, these individuals were on the cusp of officially becoming disciples of the Haohui Sect.

Their journey would extend beyond the mortal realm as they sought to seize the essence of heaven and earth, cultivating their mortal bodies to attain immortality.

As the group approached the peak, their gazes instinctively shifted toward a figure seated on the vast cliff—a prominent individual in the Haohui Sect, known to all.

He sat like a living painting, an upright figure resembling bamboo, with satin-like black hair tied simply with a red ribbon. His face, akin to the mid-autumn moon, featured sharp temples and ink-painting-like eyebrows, radiating a temperament untainted by mortal concerns.

A bold girl with braided hair spoke up, "Senior Brother, who is that person?"

Xiao Ran smirked, casting a glance at Ning Lang, and revealed an ironic smile. "Him? He's Ning Lang, the seventh elder of our Haohui Sect."

"Wow," exclaimed the young men and women.

Despite appearing only in his mid-twenties, Ning Lang's position as an elder marked him as an exceptional individual.

Surprisingly, Xiao Ran chuckled and said, "Wow what? His role as an elder was merely a stroke of luck. Among the seven elders, his cultivation is the lowest. In a few years, you might surpass him."

Puzzlement rippled through the crowd.

"Ten years ago, he reached the Foundation Realm, but since then, his cultivation has stagnated. The younger generation may surpass him in a few years. The sect leader considered removing him from his elder position long ago, but pride held him back."

A youth quickly flattered, "Senior Brother, haven't you already reached the Qi Refining Realm? You should soon break through to the Foundation Realm."

"Yeah, soon," Xiao Ran affirmed, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

The soon-to-be junior disciples looked at him with admiration, providing Xiao Ran with a sense of satisfaction. However, the braided-haired girl gazed at Ning Lang and commented, "What a pity."

Xiao Ran admonished, "What's there to pity? Don't imitate him. In cultivation, take it step by step. People like him, relying on luck, can only shine briefly. In a few years, he'll be a complete joke."

"Senior Brother, I didn't mean that. I just think it's a pity that this seventh elder looks so handsome."

"Handsome?" Xiao Ran sneered, "What's the use of being handsome? It won't fill your stomach."

"Senior Brother, the sun is about to set."

"Yeah, everyone follow me closely, don't fall behind."

As the sun set, the group ascended the mountain road.

...

Ning Lang, seated on the cliff, heard Xiao Ran's conversation with the young disciples. However, he remained unbothered, showing no trace of anger. He had grown accustomed to such voices over the years.

In earlier years, such voices were fewer, but as extraordinary talents emerged among the younger generation, people no longer regarded him with respect. Mockery, ridicule, and even secret insults had become a tide he navigated over the past few years.

From initial anger, Ning Lang had transitioned to numbness.

People were fickle. When you stood high, they wanted you to step on their shoulders. When you fell, they sought to trample over you.

A decade had passed.

The system that appeared on the day of his rebirth, rewarding him with twenty years of cultivation, had not resurfaced in these ten years. Fate had played a cruel joke.

On that day, he had been hailed as an unparalleled genius, becoming the youngest elder in the history of the Haohui Sect. However, his ascent had been followed by a drastic fall.

Since that day, Ning Lang's cultivation had remained stagnant. Despite his persistent efforts, progress proved elusive, akin to having the length without the hardness.

Once celebrated as a prodigy, he had now become the laughingstock of the Haohui Sect.

As the sun set, Ning Lang stood and approached the cliff's edge, muttering to himself, "Let it end. Let everything end."

Upon finishing, a surprising development unfolded:

[Warning! Warning! Suspected suicidal tendency detected by the host!]

[System reactivating...]

[Loading successful...]

[Suspecting that the host suffered severe mental damage during the system's dormant period, activating the "Fresh Start" gift package, activating the "Starting Over" gift package, activating the "Turning Back" gift package. Would you like to proceed immediately?]

[Waiting for confirmation...]

Staring at the lines of text, Ning Lang was stunned. After ten years, the system had reappeared. Its sudden return left him bewildered.

Why now? Suicidal tendency? Absurd! He merely wished to resign from his position as the seventh elder.

Was the system trying to scare him away from jumping off the cliff?

Setting those thoughts aside, he affirmed, "Activate."

[Opening the gift package...]

[Congratulations to the host for receiving rewards: Five years of cultivation, Great Yellow Court Scripture (bound), seven character cards (special).]

The announcement echoed, and a warm stream flowed through Ning Lang. Blocked meridians and acupoints opened, spiritual energy connected, and the cave mansion near the dantian expanded.

"Foundation Realm Peak!"

After a decade of stagnation, Ning Lang felt the excitement of a breakthrough.

Redirecting his focus to the text, he pondered the significance of the Great Yellow Court Scripture and the seven character cards.

[The host can draw auxiliary characters through character cards. This character will form a bond with the host, allowing the host to stand more securely in this chaotic world.]

"Auxiliary character? Bond?" Ning Lang half-understood.

[Task function activated]

[Issuing System Task: First time drawing character cards, and taking the bond character as a direct disciple]

[Task deadline: One day]

[Task reward: Temporarily hidden]

Smiling, Ning Lang embraced the challenge. "Haha, thirty years in the east, thirty years... ah, forget it. Finally, I've turned things around."