Chapter 1: Transmigrated into a disciple of the Immortal Inquiry Sect, My Face Gets Slapped Right from the Start.

Tianxuan Continent, Southern Region, Luojia Mountain Range.

Below the main peak of Wenxian Sect's Third Pill Refinement Peak, the mountain peak soared into the clouds, enveloped in Immortal Qi, with cranes occasionally flying past.

Rows of houses belonging to Wenxian Sect's property were neatly scattered at the foot of the Pill Refinement Peak; this was where the Outer Sect Disciples of Wenxian Sect resided.

Surrounding the houses were endless medicinal fields. It was already winter, and the cold wind howled.

“Dong! Dong! Dong!”

An urgent knocking sound came, like bursts of thunder.

Zhou Chen suddenly woke up.

“Hiss, where is this? Oh no, I'm going to be late for work!”

His head was heavy, his limbs felt numb, and his face occasionally throbbed with pain. He struggled to get up.

Before Zhou Chen could react, a flood of fragmented memories rushed into his mind, causing his head to ache intensely.

A moment later, Zhou Chen quickly accepted the fact of his Transmigration.

The original owner was also named Zhou Chen, from the Luocheng Zhou Family.

At the age of ten, his Family tested him and found he possessed Earth-Grade Cultivation Aptitude, making him the most talented Disciple the Luocheng Zhou Family had ever seen.

Thus, the Family spent a large amount of resources to have Zhou Chen join the Wenxian Sect's Third Pill Refinement Peak, becoming a Utility Disciple.

Within half a year of joining the Sect, the original owner Cultivated from Body Refining First Heaven to Body Refining Ninth Heaven, and was promoted to Outer Sect Disciple.

Nine months after joining, he broke through to Qi Refining Third Layer, ranking first among the Outer Sect, astonishing the entire Outer Sect.

An Inner Sect Elder even declared that he would take him as a Personal Disciple once he entered the Inner Sect!

There were two ways for Wenxian Sect Outer Sect Disciples to be promoted to Inner Sect Disciples. One was to challenge any Inner Sect Disciple; a successful challenge would grant them Inner Sect Disciple status.

The second was to defeat other Outer Sect Disciples in the arena during the annual Outer Sect Disciple assessment and enter the top ten of the Wenxian Sect Outer Sect ranking.

Generally speaking, both promotion methods were very difficult. Not to mention that Inner Sect Disciples mostly had more Advanced Cultivation Techniques and combat skills, higher Cultivation, and even better Spirit Treasures.

It was extraordinarily difficult for an Outer Sect Disciple to challenge an Inner Sect Disciple across Ranks.

Given Zhou Chen's Realm and strength, all Outer Sect Disciples, including the original owner himself, believed his entry into the Inner Sect was a foregone conclusion.

However, he was too impatient, eager to enter the Inner Sect. The original owner challenged Ye Fan, an unknown Inner Sect Disciple.

As a result, he was defeated by Ye Chen, who was only at Qi Refining First Layer, a cross-Rank defeat.

And this guy, the original owner, refused to admit defeat. His originally extraordinary handsome face was slapped swollen by Ye Chen in front of everyone, until he lost consciousness and was thrown off the arena.

Not only did he miss the Opportunity to be promoted to the Inner Sect, but he also became the laughingstock of all Outer Sect Disciples.

The Inner Sect Elder who had previously expressed interest in taking the original owner as a Disciple completely forgot about Zhou Chen.

After three days in a coma, the original owner woke up to find that his Cultivation had inexplicably regressed to Body Refining First Heaven. No matter how he Cultivated, his progress was extremely slow, as if his talent had vanished.

The original owner requested the Sect Elder to preside over justice, but was mercilessly refused. In the end, Zhou Chen found a Li-named Outer Sect Elder whom the Zhou Family had previously honored. Out of past sentiment, he helped the original owner examine his body.

It was finally discovered that he had been poisoned with something called 'demon boiling powder'. This was a highly concealed poison specifically used to capture fierce Yao Beasts.

If an ordinary low-level Cultivator accidentally contracted it, their Cultivation would dissipate overnight. Once the toxins penetrated deep into the Meridians, Cultivation would become virtually impossible, unless a powerful being cleared the Meridians or Heaven Rank or higher Medicinal Pills were used to completely eradicate it.

Therefore, this kind of poison was strictly controlled by major Sects and strictly forbidden from being used on any low-level Cultivator.

So, this Outer Sect Elder ordered an investigation into the matter, causing chaos throughout the Outer Sect of the Third Pill Refinement Peak. After a few days of investigation, it was dropped, with no further developments.

After all, no one would go to great lengths for a useless person without backing. Because of the trouble caused by this incident, Zhou Chen was secretly resented by the Outer Sect Disciples of the Third Pill Refinement Peak.

When the original owner learned there were no further developments, he vomited blood directly and fell into a coma again. When he woke up, it was another Zhou Chen.

In his previous life, Zhou Chen was a corporate slave enjoying the blessing of 996. He didn't expect to still be at the bottom of his life after Transmigration.

“Hiss, this is a disastrous start.”

Touching the dried bloodstains on his face, Zhou Chen thought.

Before Zhou Chen could sort out his thoughts, the urgent knocking outside the door interrupted him again.

“Dong dong dong! Zhou Chen, if you're not dead, hurry up and open the door!”

Before Zhou Chen could respond, with a “bang,” the door was kicked open, and several people dressed in Outer Sect Disciple robes directly barged into the room.

A short, fierce young man with a fleshy face walked up to Zhou Chen, seeing him sitting up, preparing to rise.

The young man sneered.

“You're good at playing dead. You didn't open the door after I called for so long, making me think I had to collect a corpse.”

The Disciples behind him burst into laughter.

Then the young man put away his smile and said.

“Zhou Chen, Sect rules state that if your Cultivation doesn't exceed Body Refining Sixth Heaven within one year of joining, you'll be expelled from the Outer Sect and assigned to various Sect properties as a Utility Disciple.”

“There are still two months left. Don't bother Cultivating anymore. This is the best Outer Sect Disciple residence, and a waste like you isn't worthy of living here. You have until today to move to Outer Sect Residence number 444, the easternmost one.”

Zhou Chen looked at the fleshy-faced young man in front of him, and the original owner's impression of this person surfaced in his mind.

The person was named Zhang Xiaoxin, nicknamed “Zhang the Flayer” and “Small-minded.” He was at Body Refining Eighth Heaven and also an Outer Sect Disciple. When Zhou Chen was the number one Outer Sect Disciple, Zhang Xiaoxin was his lackey.

No matter where Zhou Chen went, he would call out “Brother Chen,” “Brother Chen,” with extreme deference, and the followers behind him had previously been extremely respectful to the original owner.

Outer Sect Residence 444 was the most rudimentary Outer Sect Disciple dwelling, located closest to the latrine, reeking of stench. Generally, no Outer Sect Disciple would live there.

The Sect would regularly distribute Cultivation resources to Outer Sect Disciples each month, including two Bone Strengthening Pills and two Spirit Stones.

Ever since learning that Zhou Chen's Realm had dropped to Body Refining First Layer and he could no longer Cultivate, Zhang Xiaoxin had changed his tune. Not only did he mock the original owner daily, but he also seized the Spirit Stones and Bone Strengthening Pills issued to Zhou Chen by the Sect.

After realizing that no one in the Sect would stand up for him, he became even more aggressive in bullying the original owner.

Trampling a Genius he once looked up to brought him unparalleled pleasure.

Zhang Xiaoxin, relying on his uncle being an Outer Sect Steward, gathered a few strong lackeys and constantly plundered other Disciples' Spirit Stones and Bone Strengthening Pills.

He was also quite cunning; he would not provoke Outer Sect Disciples with good talent or strong abilities, but instead curry favor with them. Therefore, many Outer Sect Disciples without backing mostly dared not speak out despite their anger.

Seeing Zhou Chen remain silent, a sinister glint flashed in Zhang Xiaoxin's eyes, then he said.

“Zhou Chen, are you deaf or do you not understand human speech? Did you hear what I said?”

“I heard you.”

Zhou Chen frowned. The current situation forced him to temporarily avoid confrontation, and he responded calmly.

Zhang Xiaoxin was momentarily stunned. This was the first time Zhou Chen had been so straightforward. Previously, every time he was bullied, he would resist fiercely. A sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.

“Consider yourself smart, kid. Don't forget next month's Spirit Stones and Bone Strengthening Pills. Hand them over on time, or you might not make it to the day you're expelled from the Outer Sect.”

Zhou Chen glanced at him indifferently and said.

“Alright.”

Zhang Xiaoxin sneered, then gestured to his subordinates and turned to leave.

Zhou Chen had considered refusing, but with his current strength, he temporarily could not bear the consequences of refusal.

He propped himself up, looking at Zhang Xiaoxin's retreating figure, and a panel suddenly appeared before his eyes.

【Name: Zhang Xiaoxin.】

【Realm: Body Refining Eighth Heaven.】

【Fate: Green Fate.】

【Destiny: Ultimately stops at Foundation Establishment Stage Third Layer, serves as Wenxian Sect Outer Sect Deacon. Five years later, he is ambushed and killed by villains during an outing.】

【Recent Opportunity: Three days later, he accepts a Sect mission to tend to a Spirit Field. While wandering, he accidentally discovers a small box in a tree stump near the Spirit Field, containing a Marrow Cleansing Pill.】

Zhou Chen narrowed his eyes, looking closely again, and found more detailed Fate information.

【Family Disciple: Green Fate. You were born into the Zhang Family of Tianfeng City. You soaked in medicinal baths since childhood, and your Family's Cultivation Technique tempered your Qi and blood. You never lacked money.】

【Sword Mastery: Green Fate. You have loved swords since childhood and possess some talent in the Dao of the sword.】

【Minor Luck: Blue Fate. Your luck is relatively good. Your Cultivation journey has been smooth sailing, and you occasionally pick up money.】

Good gracious, Zhou Chen sighed, finally he had a Golden Finger to rely on.

The color of the Fate represented a person's future achievements. Fates were divided from low to high into white, green, blue, cyan, red, purple, and gold.

Treasures on the Tianxuan Continent were divided from low to high into six Ranks: Yellow Rank, Profound Rank, Earth Rank, Heaven Rank, Saint Rank, and Imperial Rank. Each Rank was further divided into Low Grade, Medium Grade, High Grade, and Peak Grade.

It must be said that although Zhang Xiaoxin's character was terrible, his luck was indeed quite good.

The Marrow Cleansing Pill was an extremely rare Yellow Rank Peak Grade Medicinal Pill, incredibly difficult to refine.

Let alone Wenxian Sect, even in Sects within a ten-thousand-li radius, it would be hard to find such a special Medicinal Pill.

If low-level Cultivators consumed it, it could not only clear Meridians, remove stagnation, and detoxify, but also had the effect of cleansing marrow and refining bones.

If Zhou Chen obtained the Marrow Cleansing Pill, he could not only detoxify but also repair his Meridians, reshape his Foundation, and even use the medicinal power to recover some of his Cultivation.

When Zhou Chen looked at himself, he saw a panel.

【Name: Zhou Chen.】

【Realm: Body Refining First Heaven.】

【Fate: Family Disciple, Cultivation Genius, Alchemy Acumen, Envied by Heaven.】

【Destiny: Poisoned after the Outer Sect Disciple assessment, leading to inability to Cultivate. Expelled from the Outer Sect two months later, and dies of depression five years after becoming a Utility Disciple.】

【Recent Opportunity: None.】

【Family Disciple: Green Fate. You were born into a small but established Cultivation Family in Luo City. You have been well-fed and clothed since childhood.】

【Cultivation Genius: Cyan Fate. You possess Earth-Grade Cultivation talent. Your Cultivation speed is extraordinary.】

【Alchemy Genius: Cyan Fate. Your talent in Alchemy is outstanding. Refining Medicinal Pills is as easy as eating and drinking for you.】

【Envied by Heaven: White Fate. Your excellence easily attracts jealousy, leading to unforeseen disasters and an early demise.】

“This is too tragic. An 'Envied by Heaven' directly ruins everything. Thankfully, I have the System.”

Thinking of this, a slight smile appeared on Zhou Chen's lips.

“Sorry, Zhang the Flayer, your Opportunity is good, but now it's mine.”

So Zhou Chen no longer hesitated and immediately got up. To cover his tracks, he specifically went to the Third Pill Refinement Peak's Affairs Hall and accepted a task to irrigate a Spirit Field.

Upon reaching the Spirit Field, Zhou Chen did not immediately search for the tree stump near the Spirit Field. Instead, he systematically performed the Spirit Rain Art, controlling the intensity of the Spiritual Qi, carefully irrigating the Spirit Field. He only slowly stopped after two hours.

Not far from the Spirit Field, a figure was swiftly departing. By their build, it was one of Zhang Xiaoxin's followers.

He quickly found Zhang Xiaoxin's residence and walked up to him, head bowed.

“That kid seems to have accepted his fate. He took a mission to irrigate the Spirit Field and spent two hours this morning watering it. Nothing abnormal.”

Zhang Xiaoxin sneered.

“He's indeed a waste. Forget it, no need to pay attention to him anymore. You go about your business.”

“Alright, Brother Xin.”

Li Yong responded and left.

By the Spirit Field, after sensing the gaze monitoring him depart, Zhou Chen repeatedly scanned the surroundings of the Spirit Field.

After ruling out several locations, he finally found a tree stump at the very edge of the Spirit Field, near a mountain spring.

This tree stump was as large as two people embracing it. He quickly walked to the stump to investigate. Because he wasn't sure if Zhang Xiaoxin would send someone to monitor him again, a sense of urgency involuntarily arose in his heart.

The tree stump was covered in moss. He carefully observed it, finding nothing unusual from the outside.

It wasn't until he saw a squirrel burrow into a corner of the tree stump and disappear that he finally discovered a tree hole at the edge of the stump. It seemed there was something inside the tree hole.

Zhou Chen immediately reached his hand in. The little squirrel inside darted out and ran off, startling him.

So he quickly pulled out what was inside, which was indeed a decaying small wooden box.

Opening the wooden box, a jade bottle was revealed inside.

Zhou Chen unscrewed the jade bottle, and a thumb-sized blue Medicinal Pill came into view—it was precisely the Marrow Cleansing Pill!

Just as Zhou Chen re-covered the jade box and tucked it into his embrace, preparing to leave, a voice rang in his ear.

“Ding! Congratulations to Host for intercepting another's Opportunity, receiving a ten-thousand-fold return of Heaven Rank Low Grade Medicinal Pill [Dragon-Phoenix Marrow Cleansing Pill]! Would you like to claim it immediately?”

Holy cow! Zhou Chen was utterly stunned!

Not only did he intercept the Opportunity, but there was also a ten-thousand-fold critical return! The System is awesome!

Zhou Chen was ecstatic!

The Dragon-Phoenix Marrow Cleansing Pill, a Heaven Rank special Medicinal Pill, was rare not just in Wenxian Sect but throughout the entire Southern Region of the Tianxuan Continent.

It was Heaven Rank Low Grade because it was only effective for Cultivators below the Foundation Establishment Stage, yet its rarity was no less than a Heaven Rank Peak Grade Medicinal Pill.

The main ingredients for its refinement were the essence blood of the Dragon Clan and Phoenix Divine Beasts, combined with dozens of thousand-year-old Spirit Medicines.

Cleansing marrow and refining bones were just its basic functions. It could also reshape one's Foundation, strengthen a Cultivator's physique, and even enhance the Divine Soul, let alone a minor toxin.

Suppressing the fervor in his heart, Zhou Chen chose not to claim it for now. He put the Marrow Cleansing Pill into his embrace and continued irrigating the Spirit Field as if nothing had happened.

Soon, the sky darkened. Seeing that most of the surrounding Outer Sect Disciples had left, Zhou Chen quietly returned to Residence 444, the easternmost one.