Chapter 4

In the courtyard, Xiao Ran practiced a basic set of boxing techniques over and over again. Large beads of sweat rolled down his face, making him look as if he had just emerged from water.

Suddenly, Xiao Ran stopped his practice and sat down on a nearby green stone, panting heavily. He looked down at his frail body and shook his head. This body was really not just weak; he was already out of breath after just a few moves.

After sighing for a while, Xiao Ran couldn't help but call out to Xiao Mi, "Xiao Mi, is there really no way to quickly strengthen my body?"

Xiao Mi's clear voice echoed in Xiao Ran's mind, "If it's about martial arts, definitely not. But there is a spell that can quickly strengthen the body."

"Spell?"

Xiao Ran was taken aback, "Isn't this a world of martial artists? Where did spells come from?"

Xiao Mi giggled, "This world indeed doesn't have spells, but after the owner successfully activated the first card, there were spells on that card."

Hearing this, Xiao Ran widened his eyes, "When did I activate the first card? I didn't even know about it!"

Xiao Mi giggled again, "According to the rules of the personal assistant, based on the owner's personal wishes, Xiao Mi has already successfully activated the first card and passed on the innate skills to the owner."

"What!"

Xiao Ran was thoroughly angry. He didn't expect the first card to be activated without his knowledge, and now even the innate skills had been passed on. He had to choose only one innate skill, and he didn't even know what the card looked like, so how could he choose?

"When was it activated?"

"When the owner woke up, due to the curse, he fell into a self-induced hibernation. Xiao Mi activated the card based on the owner's choice and passed on the innate skills. Now the card is activated and cannot be changed."

Xiao Ran was stunned. Could it be that he made the choice subconsciously? This was too bizarre.

Since it couldn't be changed, Xiao Ran didn't want to dwell on the issue and asked, "So, which card did I subconsciously activate?"

As soon as Xiao Ran finished speaking, a piece of information appeared in his mind.

Card: Mage

Skills that can be learned: Basic magic skills of all elements, basic alchemy, basic potion-making.

Innate skills already mastered: Level 1 True Sight, can be upgraded to a total of 10 levels, with the first level requiring a minimum of 50,000 fates of mental power, and each subsequent level requiring ten times the mental power.

Xiao Ran searched his memory and found that his mind was filled with knowledge about magic, alchemy, and potion-making.

Xiao Ran sighed helplessly. His dream was to become a martial artist or a swordsman, but why did he subconsciously choose to become a mage? Was his dream of becoming a swordsman not firm enough? Shaking his head, Xiao Ran felt that being a mage in a world of martial artists was too unconventional. He asked, "Can I activate the second card now?"

"Not now. To successfully activate the second card, two conditions must be met. First, the mental power must reach 500,000 fates, and the owner currently has only 200,000 fates, which is far from enough; second, the owner must cultivate his physical body to the realm of a先天武者 (Xian Tian martial artist)."

Xiao Ran was stunned for a while before accepting the reality, "Just tell me what spell can make my body stronger. The 500,000 fates and the realm of a Xian Tian martial artist are too far away for me."

Xiao Mi giggled, "The spell that can make the body stronger is called 'Body Strengthening Spell.' As long as you chant it, your body will become stronger."

Xiao Ran's eyes lit up, "Is it really that good? Just by chanting, my body can become stronger?"

Xiao Mi smiled, "Yes, the 'Body Strengthening Spell' is divided into ten levels. The first level is very simple and can be used as long as you have mental power. The second level requires a minimum of 50,000 fates of mental power, and each subsequent level requires ten times the mental power. The owner currently has 200,000 fates of mental power, so you can use the second level of the 'Body Strengthening Spell.'"

After explaining the 'Body Strengthening Spell,' the incantation appeared in Xiao Ran's mind. Just as he was about to try it, Xiao Mi said, "Owner, someone is coming."

Eh, someone?

Xiao Ran turned his head and saw a handsome boy around thirteen or fourteen years old walking towards him. The moment he saw the boy, Xiao Ran's memory churned, and his face darkened almost instantly.

Xiao Ran knew this boy; his name was Xuan Yu, the only son of Xuan Yangzi, the head of the Zhengyi Sect, who was known as the first swordsman in the world. The Zhengyi Sect was the first sect of the Heavenly Yuan Righteous Path, and being the head of the sect was an extremely prestigious position. Normally, Xiao Ran would have no connection with him, but fate had it that Xuan Yu had his eyes on Xiao Ran's personal maid, Xiao Cui.

Xiao Ran understood this; Xiao Cui was not just a pretty girl. If Xuan Yu had pursued her normally, Xiao Ran wouldn't have had much to say, as it was a matter of personal freedom. However, Xuan Yu, driven by lust, had used his position to demand Xiao Cui from him.

Xiao Ran wouldn't agree to this. Not to mention that Xiao Cui was only nominally his maid, and he had no say in her leaving, even if he did, he wouldn't give his personal maid to anyone.

After being rejected, Xuan Yu wouldn't have a good attitude towards Xiao Ran. If it weren't for the fact that the head of the Miaoyu Hall, Ren Qianyao, was his father's dream lover, and someone was always watching him due to his condition, he would definitely have killed Xiao Ran.

Although Xiao Ran was angry, he knew the huge gap in status and had no way to deal with the boy. Since he couldn't provoke him, Xiao Ran decided to avoid him and planned to leave.

However, just as Xiao Ran stood up, Xuan Yu's mocking voice came, "Oh! Isn't that the waste, Xiao Zhan? What are you doing here alone? Do you have some ulterior motive?"

Xiao Ran ignored him and walked towards his room without looking back.

Xuan Yu's eyes flashed with anger, and he quickly blocked Xiao Ran's path, looking down at him with disdain, "Look at you, a mere gust of wind could blow you away. Wanting to practice martial arts is just a dream. Save your strength; you're destined to be a waste all your life."

Xiao Ran clenched his fists and, after a moment, decided to walk around him.

Xuan Yu sneered and grabbed Xiao Ran again, crossing his arms and said arrogantly, "Boy, if you give Xiao Cui to this young master, not only will I leave you alone, but I'll also give you many benefits. Maybe I can even get you into the Zhengqi Academy and make you a formal student. Then you might be able to shed your waste label."

Xiao Ran was filled with anger and, unable to control it, he looked up at Xuan Yu and laughed angrily, "Dream on! I won't give Xiao Cui to anyone, and in the future, I'll make her my concubine."

Xuan Yu's handsome face turned murderous, and he shouted, "Boy, you're asking for it! You're looking for death!"

As he spoke, a powerful aura pressed down on Xiao Ran.

This aura was very strong, and Xiao Ran, with his powerful mental power, clearly felt it. Just as his face changed, Xiao Mi's voice sounded, "Owner, your mental power is several times stronger than his. As long as you don't fear him, this aura won't affect you at all."

Hearing Xiao Mi's words, Xiao Ran instantly calmed down. He kept repeating "I'm not afraid of him" in his mind and stared coldly at Xuan Yu. Xiao Ran soon realized that the pressure from Xuan Yu had no effect on him, and he was excited.

"Xiao Mi, is there a way for me to counterattack?"

"Not now. Only when the owner masters spells can you deal with this guy easily."

Despite his disappointment, Xiao Ran stared at Xuan Yu without backing down, saying, "Don't think I'm afraid of you. Who will be stronger in the future is yet to be seen."

Xuan Yu was extremely surprised. He didn't expect this weakling to be completely unafraid of his aura. However, hearing Xiao Ran's words, he laughed, "Ridiculous! Ridiculous! You, a waste, even dare to compare yourself with this young master. You have no idea how insignificant you are."

Xiao Ran snorted. He couldn't do anything to this guy now, but once he mastered spells, he would make up for all the humiliation he had suffered. With this thought, Xiao Ran decided to walk around again.

Xuan Yu blocked him again, looking at him with a sinister smile, "Want to leave? Today, this young master will teach you a lesson. You don't know your place."

Xiao Ran's face changed, "What do you want to do?"

Xuan Yu said viciously, "What else? Teach you a lesson, of course. I didn't dare to act before because my father forbade me from causing trouble here. Otherwise, I would have killed you long ago."

As he spoke, Xuan Yu was excited. His father was said to have been humiliated by a man named Ren Yao recently and had no time to manage him. If he didn't take this opportunity to get Xiao Cui, when would he?

Excited, Xuan Yu's murderous intent grew. With a sinister smile, he secretly gathered his inner energy, ready to strike.

Feeling the murderous intent, Xiao Ran's face changed drastically.

"Stop!"

A loud shout echoed, and Xuan Yu was struck as if by lightning. His face turned pale, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He turned around and saw Zhan Wan'er, who had suddenly appeared, and shouted, "You... You actually dared to hurt me. Do you know who I am?"

Zhan Wan'er suppressed her anger and glared at Xuan Yu. In an instant, Xuan Yu was thrown into the air and crashed to the ground. Zhan Wan'er ignored Xuan Yu and rushed to Xiao Ran, asking anxously, "Zhan'er, did he hurt you?"

Xiao Ran shook his head, still shaken. He looked at Xuan Yu, who was struggling to get up and glaring at them with hatred, and his brows furrowed.

Xuan Yu was furious. He, the son of the head of the Zhengyi Sect, had been taught a lesson. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He glared at Xiao Ran and his mother and said, "Unforgivable! Unforgivable! You two will pay for this. This isn't over!"

With these words, Xuan Yu stormed off.

Xiao Ran was very worried, "Mother, what about this..."

Zhan Wan'er laughed coldly, "Zhan'er, don't worry. This boy is just the son of the head of the Zhengyi Sect. He won't dare to cause trouble at the Miaoyu Hall."

Xiao Ran frowned, still confused.