Chapter 16 – System: Want to lower your rating? Dream on!

As a man of the martial world, Elder Mu had always had a poor opinion of these great clans of the Imperial Capital.

These clans, it was bad enough that their members acted high-handedly; worse still, they frequently monopolized resources and made huge profits, making it hard for ordinary people to set foot on the martial path.

Because of this, Elder Mu had clashed many times with the aristocratic families. When he later received an invitation from the Martial Academy, he gladly accepted and became a vice dean.

Originally, he thought that for the rest of his life he’d never have to deal with the scions of those great families again.

But unexpectedly, he met Chu Li—an exception.

Looking at the thin young man before him, Elder Mu couldn’t help but smile, taking a swig from his gourd.

What made him value Chu Li first, of course, was talent—but talent alone wouldn’t have changed his attitude.

What truly moved Elder Mu was Chu Li’s character and temperament.

In fact, the Imperial Capital Martial Academy didn’t forbid the sons of great clans from enrolling. On the contrary, it actively extended invitations—it was just that no one ever came. So, Chu Li’s identity was actually a scarce resource in the Academy.

He could easily have relied on his family background to become a favored guest of the Academy, receiving countless resources for free.

Yet he didn’t do that. Instead, he focused wholeheartedly on cultivation, competed fairly, and made friends through martial skill.

Over the years, he had built up quite a reputation in the Martial Academy—even the dean had taken notice of him.

“This boy’s future is limitless. But who would have thought the Chu family would go so far, being so cruel and cold-blooded, abandoning their own son while treating that adopted child like treasure!”

“Hmph! The head of the Chu family must truly be blind—utterly foolish!”

“Originally, I’d hoped once he obtained the Martial God Bone, his frail constitution might improve. But now… seems I’ll have to think of another way.”

Pretending to glance casually at Chu Li, Elder Mu began pondering silently. Then he looked up and scolded with a teasing smile:

“Brat, you came to see me for something again, didn’t you? Speak—what do you want to take from this old man this time?”

Hearing that, Chu Li could only give a wry smile.

Indeed, over these past few years, being able to train properly had a lot to do with the medicinal pills Elder Mu had provided.

Not to mention the tonics to strengthen his body—even the healing pills used during tournaments alone cost a considerable sum.

Thinking back, he truly owed Elder Mu quite a lot.

“Elder Mu, actually, I’m about to go out on a demon-slaying mission, and I wanted to get some Qi Condensing Pills to help stabilize my body. Would it be possible to exchange for them with merit points?”

“Possible? It is possible…” Elder Mu stroked his beard, frowning slightly. “But the problem is, I’ve run out of those Qi Condensing Pills.”

“Run out?”

Hearing this, Chu Li’s eyes widened in surprise—and the reason was simple.

The Qi Condensing Pill was actually quite an uncommon and niche medicine. Its effect was rather limited: even if the user was gravely injured, it could allow them to condense their Qi and keep fighting for another three minutes.

At a truly critical moment, this pill could prove useful, but most of the time it was practically useless—more like a burden than a benefit.

In this Martial Academy, where all pills had to be exchanged with merit points, very few people were willing to waste points on such a thing. On top of that, carrying it around felt unlucky, so hardly anyone wanted it at all.

Yet, for Chu Li, this seemingly worthless pill had a miraculous effect: it could help him hold on for three extra minutes.

For someone like Chu Li, who might collapse from his frail health at any moment, it was practically a divine medicine.

But then why, when hardly anyone ever redeemed this pill, had it suddenly run out?

“Elder Mu, hardly anyone ever exchanges for the Qi Condensing Pill—why is it gone this time?”

Chu Li asked in puzzlement. Elder Mu frowned and replied:

“The reason is actually quite simple. A few of the main herbs needed to make the Qi Condensing Pill are currently unavailable in the Academy. And if you think about it, this also has to do with your Chu family.”

“The Chu family?”

Hearing those words, Chu Li’s brows immediately furrowed. Elder Mu explained:

“One of the key herbs needed to refine the Qi Condensing Pill is the Purpleleaf, which comes from Yunlong Mountain. Recently, that mountain has been plagued by a demon outbreak, so the supply of Purpleleaf was cut off.”

“Then the Liuyue Trading Firm, which is under the Chu family, took advantage of the situation to hoard supplies and drive up prices, raising the cost of Purpleleaf by at least tenfold.”

“The Martial Academy has limited funds and certainly wouldn’t buy Purpleleaf at that price—so that’s why there’s no Qi Condensing Pill now.”

Liuyue Trading Firm?

So it really did come back to the Chu family!

As these words sank in, Chu Li’s mind conjured up an image of Chu Xiao’er.

The Chu family, as one of the great families behind the Martial God Temple, naturally needed enormous wealth to keep running. Managing that side of things were many businesses under the family’s name.

And the one overseeing all those businesses was the Chu family’s third daughter, Chu Xiao’er.

Using the Chu family’s intelligence network, Chu Xiao’er had turned the family’s enterprises into thriving ventures. Thanks to this, there was plenty of money to buy countless precious treasures for Chu Ming.

The irony, however, was that while she spent lavishly on Chu Ming, Chu Xiao’er wouldn’t spare even a single coin for Chu Li.

Even on his birthday, all she gave him was a few bottles of low-tier Qi Gathering Pills—and not a single word of blessing.

In the world of great clans, such a “gift” was barely above what you’d toss to a beggar—an outright insult.

Yet even so, Chu Li had never once shown anger toward Chu Xiao’er; instead, each time he personally thanked her face-to-face.

But what Chu Li didn’t expect was that his repeated patience and forbearance had ended up with Chu Xiao’er accusing him of being consumed by jealousy and coveting the Chu family’s wealth!

Thinking of this, Chu Li felt a chill in his heart. He shook his head with a self-mocking smile, then looked ahead and cupped his hands once more.

“Elder Mu, to tell the truth, this time I’m planning to go to Yunlong Mountain to hunt demons.”

“Oh? You’re going to Yunlong Mountain?”

Unexpectedly, Elder Mu’s brow furrowed when he heard that, and he spoke up:

“The demon beasts appearing in Yunlong Mountain this time aren’t ordinary ones. Are you sure you want to go?”

“Yes, I know it will be dangerous—that’s why I came to exchange for the Qi Condensing Pills. But since there aren’t any left, I’m afraid I’ll have to go as part of a team.”

As he said this, Chu Li silently considered.

Whether it was the Sacred Martial Academy or the Imperial Capital Martial Academy, both had demon-hunting missions, encouraging students to form teams to hunt demons in exchange for merit points—and that was what most people did.

But all along, because he feared exposing his identity, Chu Li had always hunted demons alone.

Not only was this dangerous, but it was also inefficient.

But now that he had cut ties with the Chu family, there was no need to be so cautious anymore. Forming a team to hunt one or two demon beasts didn’t seem like a bad idea.

Although it might lower his system evaluation, at least it would get the mission done.

Chu Li thought this way, planning to at least have a backup plan—but he didn’t expect that the system would reject it first.

【???】

【Lower your evaluation? Don’t even think about it!】

【Do you even understand how precious the title “Peerless Martial God” is?】

【Ding】

【You have received a new mission】

【Companion on the Road】

【An unexpected turn of events forces you to interrupt your usual solo demon hunting. With no Qi Condensing Pills left, you’re compelled to temporarily seek a companion to brave the danger together.

But Yunlong Mountain’s deadly reputation is well-known; hidden in its mists lurk unknown demons. You know that finding a reliable companion won’t be so easy…】

【Mission Level: ★☆☆ (one star)】

【Reward: Cloudwind Step (Introductory)!】

Chu Li: ???