CP : 7 - Qian Xin

"Welcome to my precious store. How can I assist you?"

Did acting as if nothing had happened make the shop owner a professional? Just moments ago, he was clearly paying tribute and enduring insults and threats. Could a person get used to this?

Ignoring the shop owner, I used my Supervisor ability to check his profile information.

[Name: Qian Xin]

[Age: 78]

[Skills: Deep Breathing Technique, Tiger Claw Technique]

[Cultivation Realm: Master Core Realm, 3rd Plane (Crippled)]

[General Information: Pays a monthly ransom to a corrupt crime syndicate to protect his children. His wife, father, mother, and siblings were slaughtered because he couldn't afford their ransom.]

Despite being 78 years old, he looked surprisingly young. Without the system, I probably wouldn't have believed Xin was crippled.

-- Qian Xin's POV --

The strange masked man had arrived at just the right time. That's why I would give him a huge discount. He looked like a strong and ruthless cultivator. Did my store even have anything that would be useful to him?

What did he need? A wealthy and powerful cultivator...

"Qian Xin... Do you want revenge?" The masked cultivator's cold voice sent a shiver down my spine.

How did he know my family name? In the Feng Region, I was only known as Crippled Xin. Could he be an old family friend?

The masked figure lightly waved his hand, and a mask with metallic fangs appeared in his grasp. What kind of monstrous being would design something so terrifying?

At that moment, I felt the power radiating from the mysterious man's hand. That mask undoubtedly held incredible strength. Slowly, the air around us grew heavier. I swallowed hard... Had I encountered a demonic entity?

I had never heard of a humanoid demonic being before. Even though I was crippled, I could still sense energy and aura to some extent. The presence before me was powerful but not demonic.

"You don't need to hesitate... What if I told you we share similar stories? I will help you get revenge on your family's murderers, but in return, you will assist me."

It certainly sounded like a demonic deal. Had my previous rituals worked? Had I finally found the savior I had been searching for?

Stepping forward, I took the mask he handed to me. Once again, I noticed how terrifying those fangs were—two rows of razor-sharp teeth...

[Fusion with the Mask has been established!]

In that instant, a flood of knowledge surged through my mind. My cultivation realm had suddenly surpassed the GrandMaster Core Realm. My crippled body had been restored. At the same time, new techniques and skills surfaced within my consciousness.

["Fatal Step" Technique: The weak points of your opponents become visible to you. Additionally, any enemy you kill in a single strike will have their power slowly absorbed.]

I had merely worn the mask, yet my realm had advanced. I had also learned a new technique in mere seconds. Could he be one of the Exiled Ones? A fallen noble from the heavens...

Someone who possessed such a treasure could not be an ordinary person. I quickly dropped to my knees.

"I, Qian Xin, swear to walk with you in life and death!"

-- Jian's POV --

[Ding! Clan member Qian Xin has made a breakthrough. Clan Leader, choose a blessing for Qian Xin!]

[Master Rank Block Mastery] [Master Rank Step Technique]

The mask looked absolutely terrifying. The system had chosen this design specifically for Qian Xin. But I had to admit—it had a unique aura.

[Clan member Qian Xin has been taught the "Fatal Step" technique!]

*

*

*

I left the store. Qian Xin had given me 200 silver coins, which was an incredible amount all at once... A wealthy friend was definitely something everyone needed.

[Zhou, bring me all the high-grade cores you've collected. Meet me at sunset in Chunlii.]

I sent Zhou a telepathic message. Walking down the street, I soon arrived at the city square, where the chaotic arrangement of buildings once again became apparent.

I randomly entered an inn, reserving a room for three nights. Then, I headed to the administrative office in the square to register my place of stay.

At sunset, I would meet Zhou outside the city. Until then, I would rest in my reserved room and go through the system's features once again…