Choosing the Path to Power

Qin Chen's golden eyes flickered as he opened the System Store once more.

The sect trial was in three days.

Three days to prepare. Three days to forge himself into someone capable of crushing any opponent that stood in his way.

His first step?

He needed a cultivation technique—one that perfectly suited his Fire Sovereign Dao Body and would allow him to lay the strongest possible foundation for his future path.

[System Store – Cultivation Techniques]

A massive list unfolded before him, categorized by grade and type.

-[Mortal-Tier] – Basic, worthless techniques.

-[Earth-Tier] – Decent for small sects, but ultimately mediocre.

-[Heaven-Tier] – Techniques used by top-tier sect geniuses.

-[Saint-Tier] – Reserved for inner disciples of supreme sects.

-[Divine-Tier] – The peak of all cultivation methods, crafted by legendary beings who once ruled the heavens.

His gaze immediately shifted to the top of the list, where the most overwhelming techniques resided.

[Nine Tribulations Celestial Scripture] – 1.2 Billion SP

A supreme cultivation method that refines the user's body into an indestructible celestial form.

[Eternal Void Dragon Arts] – 950 Million SP

Harness the flames of the void. Converts all forms of energy into destructive fire.

[Immortal Phoenix Rebirth] – 3.5 Billion SP

A technique that grants endless rebirth through fire. Upon death, the user is reborn stronger.

Qin Chen clenched his jaw.

If I had even a fraction of the points needed for these, I'd already be standing at the pinnacle.

But right now, he needed to focus on what he could afford.

He scrolled down, searching for something powerful but within his budget.

Then, one name caught his eye.

[Crimson Star Flame Manual] – 800 SP

A rare Heaven-Tier cultivation technique that refines internal energy into a blazing crimson star-like core. Fire affinity cultivators can rapidly increase Qi absorption rate, condense flames with greater intensity, and enhance body refinement through fire essence.

His eyes narrowed.

This… is what I need.

A technique that focused on condensing fire-based Qi into a powerful core, increasing his absorption rate and refining his body.

It wasn't the strongest technique in existence, but for his current stage, it was perfect.

[System Notification]

Ding!

Would you like to purchase [Crimson Star Flame Manual] for 800 SP?

(Note: Cultivation techniques can be replaced with a higher-tier technique in the future, but doing so will require rebuilding your foundation.)

"Bastard! Are you telling me that when I accumulate more points in the future for a better technique, I'll have to start all over again?!"

"What a piece of crap system!"

Ding!

Host is advised not to insult or look down on the system!

Before he could curse the system again a notification appeared on his interface.

He tapped and opened it and saw a strange looking item.

[Foundation Altering Talisman] - 100,000 SP

Effect: Allows the user to flawlessly change to a different cultivation technique without having to rebuild the foundation.

Qin Chen took a deep breath. He realized that looking down on this god-sent system was tantamount to stupidity.

Despite the hefty price tag, I'm confident in amassing enough points in the future.

Now, without any major scruples, he was ready.

This was his first major decision in this new world.

"Buy it."

Ding!

Purchase complete. [Crimson Star Flame Manual] has been acquired.

Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over him.

The air distorted, and a glowing interface expanded before his eyes—something he hadn't seen before.

[User Interface Activated]

Name: Qin Chen

Cultivation Realm: None

Physique: Fire Sovereign Dao Body

Cultivation Technique: Crimson Star Flame Manual

Battle Techniques: None

System Points Remaining: 200 SP

Qin Chen's entire body froze.

His golden eyes locked onto the cultivation realm section—

Cultivation Realm: None

A chill ran down his spine.

"Wait… what?"

His heart pounded.

"System, what the hell is this? Why does it say I have no cultivation?! My memories clearly show I was at Qi Refinement Stage 6 before!"

Ding!

Notice: Upon binding with the Supreme Ascension System, all previous cultivation progress was erased to allow the host to rebuild their foundation perfectly.

You are now starting from zero.

Qin Chen's breath hitched.

"…You mean to tell me I'm even weaker than I was before?"

The system remained silent.

He clenched his fists.

This… this was bad.

He had assumed he'd be starting at his previous cultivation level. With just a few techniques, he'd dominate the sect trial easily.

But now?

He was weaker than a mortal.

He had no Qi, no energy flow, nothing.

His jaw tightened.

"…You should have warned me before doing that, system."

Ding!

Host is advised to begin cultivating immediately. The Crimson Star Flame Manual will allow rapid progress to re-establish the foundation.

Qin Chen exhaled sharply.

The logical part of him knew this was actually better in the long run.

His previous cultivation had been from the old Qin Chen's efforts—it was not tailored for him.

Now?

Now he could build his cultivation from the ground up, refining it into something truly invincible.

But that didn't change the fact that he now had less than three days to reach an acceptable level.

"Dammit… this just made things ten times harder."

Yet—

Wasn't that exactly what he wanted?

A smirk spread across his lips.

"If I'm starting from nothing, then I'll make sure to surpass everyone from nothing."

His gaze sharpened.

He still needed one more thing—a battle skill.

[System Store – Battle Skills]

With 200 SP left, his options were severely limited, but he needed at least one technique to fight with.

After scanning through his choices, he found one within his price range.

[Hell Flame Fist] – 150 SP

A high-impact martial technique that allows the user to condense fire Qi into their fists, delivering explosive punches that can melt through steel.

His smirk widened.

"Buy it."

Ding!

Purchase complete. [Blazing Tyrant Fist] has been acquired.

With that, he had everything he needed—

A cultivation technique to rebuild his foundation.A battle skill to hold his own in combat.

The Clock Was Ticking

Closing the system interface, Qin Chen stretched his limbs, feeling the absence of Qi in his body.

He was weaker than a mortal right now.

If the trial were to happen today, he wouldn't even be able to fight back against an ordinary sect disciple.

He had no time to waste.

A fire burned in his chest as he stepped out of his room, heading toward the sect's training grounds.

There, he would begin.

Three days.

That was all the time he had to climb back to the top.

And he would make sure—

That when the trial came, no one would ever doubt his strength again.