A Fateful Decision

The two figures materialized into the large room, seemingly out of thin air. On the bed lay a woman, her golden hair cascading perfectly over the pillow, framing her angelic features. But to Wen Ran, she was anything but heavenly. More like a devil than an angel, he thought bitterly, cursing his luck. Why does she have to be here right now? At least she hadn't witnessed his sudden arrival. That would've been a disaster. Explaining myself isn't exactly my strong suit.

He glanced at the rabbit beside him and cursed his fate again. Why does everything have to be so troublesome? Since my rebirth, it's been nothing but one problem after another. This is exhausting.

The rabbit, however, seemed to have its own opinions. It leapt onto the bed, sniffing curiously at Fang Jinyao. Its expression shifted oddly, almost as if it were… jealous? It stared at the girl with an unmistakable pout, clearly displeased by her presence on its master's bed.

Wen Ran ignored them both, quickly stashing the serpent's fang away. One day left, he thought grimly. He needed to extract the poison and raise his strength. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he had to be prepared.

His gaze flickered toward the sleeping Fang Jinyao, but not a trace of guilt crossed his face, even as he plotted her father's death. If the system asked me to kill her as well, I'd do it without hesitation. In this foreign world, nobody mattered to him—only himself. The only reason she was still alive was because she provided him with shelter.

As he turned, something caught his eye. On the small table by the corner sat a pot, the aroma wafting from it immediately drawing his attention. He approached and lifted the lid, revealing a beautifully prepared stew. His stomach growled, and he sighed softly as he glanced at Fang Jinyao. This girl is really foolish. But… maybe it's not so bad having her around from time to time.

Without another thought, he devoured the stew, leaving the pot spotless in mere moments. Feeling full for the first time in days, he returned to the study room, his movements purposeful. The room still bore traces of the mess he had caused earlier. He checked briefly to ensure Fang Jinyao was still asleep before settling down.

"Now then, system, or whatever you are, give me something I can actually use," he muttered under his breath, his voice low but firm. "I need something strong…"

He waited a moment, his sharp brows knitting together as his patience wore thin."I completed your stupid challenge, and all I get is a beast taming technique? Is this supposed to make me stronger or drag me down?" He cursed the empty air, irritation lacing every word. Yet, the silence in return only deepened the scowl on his face. His sharp eyebrows, as intimidating as blades, had no effect on the system.

"Hey, I'm talking to you! Are you just as deaf as those gods? Even a dog would be more honorable than you," Wen Ran cursed, his voice laced with frustration as he prepared to storm out of the room.

[If you need my help, you must choose your path]

The sudden message froze Wen Ran in his tracks, his eyes widening in surprise. To be honest, he didn't expect the system to respond, let alone in such a cryptic way. Turning back, he closed the door behind him and sat down, his curiosity piqued.

"Explain to me, what path can I choose?" he asked, his tone cautious.

The system responded almost instantly, its presence filling the room with an invisible weight.

[First, the user must choose a path between the righteous and the demonic path]

Wen Ran fell silent, his thoughts churning. Neither path appealed to him outright. In his past life, he had walked a delicate line between the two. He never stooped to truly evil means to grow stronger, but he also wasn't a saint. Choosing between the two now was a headache he didn't need. "Is there no middle path?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

[No]

The quick and definitive response made him rub his temples in frustration. This system… is it even worth the trouble? Sure, it had thrown him a few good things, like the pill, the Heaven Defier Manual, and the bracelet that boosted his cultivation speed. But nothing so far seemed like the game-changing advantage he needed. He was impatient, and his mind raced with thoughts of the gods finding him, sending someone to strike him down while he was still weak.

Time passed, the equivalent of a full meal being cooked, as Wen Ran mulled over the decision.

"Can I at least know the benefits of each path? After all, this is no joke. Once I choose, there's no going back," he said bitterly. Even if he didn't want to pick a side, the allure of the system's offerings tempted him. Greed was a weakness every cultivator harbored, whether it was for power, immortality, or wealth.

[Righteous Path: User gains access to a rapid cultivation manual and endless resources from the system, enabling swift ascension to the heavens. However, the user must not train in the arts of the body on this path, as Qi is deemed superior here and physical cultivation would hinder progress. Immortality awaits at the end of the path, should the user follow it unwaveringly]

[Demonic Path: User gains the power to grasp their own fate. The system will provide less assistance, but the user will acquire a unique skill that boosts cultivation through unorthodox methods while maintaining a stable foundation. The user has the freedom to choose between Qi cultivation, body cultivation, or even both simultaneously if they possess the talent. Immortality or destruction lies at the end of this path—a gamble only the daring can take]

Wen Ran's heart pounded as he read the descriptions. He knew the gravity of the decision before him. Both paths held their own appeal and dangers, but there was no room for hesitation.

"I choose…"