Quests

Mei Li heard Sion's question and then spoke.

"Calm down a little."

"First, my name is Mei Li. You must have heard it before. I am an inner disciple of the Silent Mountain Sect, the largest sect in the Rhyne Kingdom. I was once a core disciple, but… they revoked my rights three years ago," Mei Li said with a slight regret.

"And you?"

"Sion."

…

"That's it?" Mei Li asked loudly.

"Yes, that's all I know about myself. In fact, I woke up in the middle of the forest behind this city with no memory. I don't remember almost anything, why I was there, or who I am exactly. So I walked in a random direction until I left the forest and arrived here…" Sion said, looking at her.

Sion knew was going to ask him many things that even a child would know, but memory loss was a great excuse for Mei Li not to find it strange or have to explain herself later.

"Really? Well, that's really awful. I don't know what I would do if something like that happened to me." Mei Li said sadly for Sion, who just remained silent.

'That must be why he left the frozen forest, he lost his memories, otherwise he would never have left the domain of his race like that, according to what the deacon said. They are very hostile towards humans, but Sion doesn't seem like that at all…'

Mei Li had many thoughts and remained silent.

Until. Mei Li got up from her chair, looking at Sion with a sincere smile.

"I've decided I'll help you. At least while I'm here, you can ask me anything you want to know. I'll answer with everything I know."

'Yes! That's really what I need. It seems I've been lucky,' Sion smiled in his mind.

"So, to start with, what is the relationship between humans and other races?"

"To tell you the truth, nowadays there are almost no known races on our continent other than humans and beasts. Ninety percent of the continent's territory is human domain. Other races are like myths to most people, and they will probably never see them in their lifetime."

"And the other ten percent?" Sion asked in surprise.

"Areas forbidden to humans where there may or may not be other races living... like the Frozen Forest behind the city."

"The Frozen Forest is known for its eternal snow that falls constantly. The Qi we use to cultivate is almost nonexistent in the forest, only the pure Qi of ice. This makes it impossible for humans to survive or even cultivate there for long. The deeper you go, the purer the ice Qi becomes, and consequently, the colder and more unsuitable for human life it is. Not even those who cultivate ice Qi can endure it for long."

"It is said that not even the Spiritual Lord can survive the freezing of the inner part of the frozen forest, let alone the central region… where it is said that your race, the Snow Spirits, lives, but I didn't know you really existed…" Mei Li explained.

Sion listened intently, surprised by the information.

"What is a Spiritual Lord?"

"Ah, right. You probably don't know anything about that. Unlike other races, we humans are born weak. We don't have any advantages like other races. But even so, there are those who are born with a spiritual root. These people can feel and absorb the Qi of the sky and the earth, becoming strong enough to break mountains and walk through the skies, and they say it's even possible to live forever when you're strong enough. But I don't know if that's true."

'So this energy I feel is what they call Qi?'

"Spiritual Lords can live up to five hundred years and fly through the skies. It is the pinnacle of strength in the Rhyne kingdom, and the only people known to have this strength are King Tian and the Master of the Silent Mountain sect." Sion listened to Mei Li speak with an expression of desire and respect for their strength.

'It seems that this world is much more complex than I thought…'

"Well, it's a lot to explain, so take this." Mei Li took the small bag from her waist and then took out a large book from it and threw it on the table in front of Sion.

'This bag must have some kind of larger space to fit a book this size… interesting,' Sion thought.

He read the cover of the brown book.

'Fundamentals of the Spiritual Path'

"This book explains pretty much everything one needs to know to cultivate or just understand how the basics of this world work. I got it from the sect's library."

"In addition, inside it there is a basic cultivation technique. It's the most basic, but it's enough for all those with a spiritual root to get started and see if they have any talent for cultivation."

Sion took the book and opened the first page. On it was a painting of a man in a long white robe, wearing a rainbow crown on his head and holding a red spear in his right hand.

Sion looked closely at the painting, finding it fascinating.

"This is the Divine Saint of humanity. It is said that he freed humans from the cruelty of other races in ancient times. And with only his power, he created a safe space for humans. In addition, he created countless techniques that are still passed down today, even though they are outdated and basic. They are available anywhere for a few mortal coins. He made it so that even the poorest humans have a chance, depending only on their talent."

"It is because of him that we humans, who were not born with any advantages, now rule this continent."

"And because of that, he became the greatest symbol of power. His image is engraved in many parts of the continent and in most teaching books like this one."

'How strong does one have to be to, with only his power… If I were that strong. Couldn't I do anything?' At that moment, Sion's eyes flashed.

'I'm no longer on Earth, here, one's own strength is what matters most. In this world, nothing can restrict me but myself. I've decided. I will become strong. Absolutely strong, until I can do absolutely anything.'

As Sion's thoughts emerged, a subtle change in his soul took place without anyone noticing.

And then.

'Ding!'

[The host has set a main objective. The hidden function of the 'Quests' System has been activated]

Sion was slightly startled, as he wasn't expecting this.

He wanted to see his status and the new system function immediately but decided to wait until he finished talking to Mei Li.

Sion then closed the book and looked at her.

"Thank you, this will really help me a lot!" Sion said with a sincere smile of gratitude.

Mei Li saw his smile and froze momentarily.

'He's really… beautiful,' she thought as her gaze once again fell on the snowflake on Sion's forehead.

At that moment, she felt her eyes sting again.

'Why are my eyes reacting to him?'

Sion, who was also looking at her, saw her eyes change color slightly again.

"Your eyes…"

As soon as Mei Li heard the voice, she snapped out of her trance. As soon as she looked away from Sion, her eyes returned to normal.

"What happened? I saw that happen at the entrance to the Golden Hall," Sion asked.

"I don't really know, but when I focus my eyes on the mark on your forehead, my eyes react… It's strange, it's been five years since I've had any signs of them awakening," Mei Li said, confused but happy deep down, because whatever the reason, it was a sign that they hadn't disappeared.

"Awaken? Are your eyes different?" Sion asked.

"Yes, you'll understand more after you read the book, but, rarely, there are people who are born with something special. I was born with eyes capable of seeing Qi and probably other things I have no idea about yet. But they only awakened once during the sect tournament five years ago."

"Because of that, I was promoted directly and became a core disciple… but after that, it was as if that power had disappeared. Gradually, the elders lost hope that I would ever be able to use my eyes again."

"So, in order not to waste the sect's resources on someone uncertain, they decided to make me just an internal disciple again. That way, the other core disciples with proven talent would receive more resources."

"All that matters in the sect, no, in absolutely anywhere in this world, is strength and talent. If you don't have any of those, you'll just be one more among countless others," Mei Li said as she held her hands tightly.

"Well, then you don't need to worry. If they're reacting, it means you still have it, since you helped me. If I know of any way to help you awaken them again, I'll let you know. You helped me a lot, and I don't like owing anyone." Sion said seriously.

Hearing his words, Mei Li calmed down, and a small smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you! If you really have a way, I'm willing to do anything."

"Hmm? Anything?" Sion asked with a crooked smile.

Hearing Sion's question, her face turned slightly red, but she still spoke.

"Absolutely anything…"

'Is she really serious?'

"All right, then it's a promise. If I hear of anything, I'll look for you." Sion said.

Mei Li then remembered something.

'Deacon Fei said that the elder might have some method to help me with my eyes…'

"AHH, right, I'm late! Sorry, Sion, I have to go now." Mei Li suddenly remembered that she had to return to the mansion in a few hours. And they had already passed.

"We can talk better another time, I'll be in town for a while. Then I'll look for you again. See you later," Mei Li said as she suddenly jumped out of the third-floor window.

Sion saw her jump and land safely on the street as she disappeared from view in a few seconds.

He stood there for a few seconds, remembering their conversation.

"She's fast, many times faster than me."

"I didn't even have time to say goodbye, she was really in a hurry… Hmm? What's this?"

On top of the book Mei Li left behind was a white card with her name written on it.

Sion didn't know what it was, but he put it in his pocket.

"I have to find a place to sleep. Ah, in the end, she didn't explain much about my race. Well, I'll ask her another time."

"System, what is this mark on my forehead? And why do those who look at it seem uncomfortable or react strangely?"

'Ding!'

[Mark from the host's title, 'Blessed by Snow'.]

[Remaining information blocked, host's strength insufficient]

[It is recommended that you advance your cultivation]

"Well, that's something I would do anyway, so I can wait."

"But more importantly."

'Status'