Chapter 1: A Meeting in the Forgotten Village

Lin Yulan sat cross-legged beneath the ancient pine, its gnarled branches twisting like the roots of forgotten memories. The weight of years settled heavily on her shoulders, and the stillness of the village, long abandoned and empty, pressed in from all sides. The once-bustling streets were now swallowed by ivy, their lively echoes replaced by the growls of creatures lurking in the forest.

Her eyes traced the mist-veiled mountains in the distance, a silent reminder of her own stagnation. Ten years. A decade spent in this forsaken place, nurturing a meager cultivation that mocked her every effort. Her spiritual root was weak, unworthy in the eyes of sects that turned her away without a second glance. Without the resources or mentorship to advance, she had been forced to carve her path alone.

A roar cut through her thoughts, its deep timbre a stark reminder that the dangers of these mountains were never far. Lin Yulan's hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword, her grip tightening as the familiar unease returned. More monsters. The attacks were becoming more relentless, and she knew in her heart that staying here any longer would be suicide.

Before she could move, the ground beneath her feet trembled as the roar was followed by the distinct sound of heavy footfalls. Lin Yulan's sharp eyes narrowed as the shadows deepened around her. It was too close. She rose fluidly, drawing her sword with a practiced motion as the monstrous figure appeared through the mist.

A hulking, tiger-like creature emerged, its sleek black and crimson striped fur glistening with menace. The Tier 2 monster's eyes glowed a predatory amber, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its thick hide as it prowled toward her with a low growl. Lin Yulan had encountered this kind of beast before—a formidable foe, but one she knew how to handle.

It lunged without warning. Its claws slashed through the air, a blur of motion too fast for most to react. But Lin Yulan had anticipated its move. Her body twisted, her feet skimming over the ground with the grace of a seasoned fighter. Her sword cut through the air, the blade glinting as it met the beast's thick hide, leaving a trail of crimson in its wake.

The beast roared in fury, the blood from the wound sizzling as it met the air. It spun, its claws raking at Lin Yulan, who dodged with expert precision. She pressed the attack, moving with the deadly flow of someone who had long since stopped fearing death.

Each strike of her blade met its mark, the monster's growls growing louder with each passing second, but it was clear this was a battle it would lose. Lin Yulan had fought worse, endured worse. The tiger's movements slowed as it bled, its fierce determination faltering. In one final, decisive moment, Lin Yulan thrust her sword deep into the beast's chest, driving it through its heart.

The tiger's roar came to an abrupt halt as it collapsed at her feet, its massive body twitching once before going still. Lin Yulan stood over it, panting slightly, but there was no triumph in her eyes. It was just another day. Another fight survived. Another creature felled to ensure her continued existence.

As the beast's blood pooled around her, Lin Yulan wiped her blade clean and collected its core, her mind already shifting to the next task. But just as she was about to turn and leave, a voice broke through the stillness.

"Senior!"

Lin Yulan stiffened, her grip on the sword tightening. The voice was faint, but urgent. She looked up, her gaze sharp. A young man stumbled into the clearing, his fine silk robes torn and stained, his face pale but determined. He collapsed to his knees before her, his breathing labored as he bowed deeply.

"Please, take me as your disciple!" he implored, his words desperate yet earnest.

Lin Yulan blinked, her gaze flicking from the young man to the slain tiger. The sheer audacity of his request, coming on the heels of such a battle, made her pause. She studied him closely. His clothes were those of someone important—an emblem embroidered on the pouch at his side caught her eye. The Lian Clan. A name she had heard whispered in both reverence and fear in the past.

The young man raised his gaze, meeting hers with desperate, unyielding eyes. "I… I have been cast aside. My family has deemed me a failure, unworthy of their resources. My spiritual roots are weak, and my cultivation stunted, Senior. Please… Teach me."

Lin Yulan's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "I am no master, nor do I belong to any sect, young man."

But he did not flinch. His gaze only grew more intense, and without a word, he bowed again, this time lowering his forehead to the dirt. "Please, Senior. I have nowhere else to turn."

Her eyes narrowed, her heart giving a reluctant thud. He was persistent, yes. But there was something more in his resolve—something that stirred memories of her younger self, when she, too, had been desperate to prove herself.

Sighing, she finally spoke, her voice cold and measured. "Very well. I will teach you. But know this—the path of cultivation is fraught with danger. You will face trials that will break you. Fail, and there will be no mercy."

The young man's face broke into a smile, and tears welled in his eyes as he bowed again, his voice thick with gratitude. "Thank you, Master."

As the words left his lips, something unexpected stirred within Lin Yulan—something foreign and unfamiliar. Her heart skipped a beat as a rush of energy surged through her body.

A voice—cold and mechanical—echoed in her mind.

**[Martial Creation System Activated.]**

Her hand flew to her chest, her breath catching in her throat as she absorbed the meaning of the words.

**Create martial skills. Reward cultivation power based on disciple mastery.**

She stood frozen, her mind racing as the implications of the voice settled in. Was this real? Could it be?

Perhaps this disciple… this unexpected turn of events, was not the curse she had feared after all.

Perhaps it was the very opportunity she had been waiting for.