C1 Odd Mirror

In the vast, icy expanse of the Arctic, where glaciers stretch for miles, an archaeological team had been stationed for weeks. Exhausted and battling the relentless cold, they pushed on. Five years ago, a mysterious light had illuminated the Arctic sky, sparking the interest of countless explorers and archaeologists. Many who ventured to uncover its secrets vanished without a trace, most perishing in this frozen fortress. A few who barely made it back were left with severe injuries, some physically disabled, others mentally shattered.

Yet, the allure of that strange light continued to draw more adventurers, eager to discover its source.

"Not good, a blizzard's coming!" a voice cried out, filled with fear of the Arctic's icy grip. The snowstorm descended from the mountains, a powerful force that enveloped everything in its path. Su Qianxun was suddenly shoved, swept away by the fierce blizzard. As her consciousness began to fade, she thought she glimpsed the source of the mysterious light—a red orb that seemed to pierce her forehead, knocking her into oblivion.

After what felt like an eternity, her awareness slowly returned, accompanied by a throbbing pain in her head. "Qianxun, don't die. What will I do if you die? Please, don't leave me..." a young voice sobbed softly beside her.

Qianxun... Where am I? And who is this person crying over me?

Su Qianxun struggled to open her eyes, managing only a narrow slit. She saw a girl, around fifteen or sixteen, dressed in simple clothes, looking both pretty and endearing.

"Who are you? And where am I?" Su Qianxun grasped the girl's arm tightly.

"Oh, Qianxun, you're awake! You're not dead, thank goodness, you're alive..." The girl excitedly held Su Qianxun's hand but didn't explain where they were. Exhausted, Su Qianxun fainted again.

Over a month had passed, and Su Qianxun understood her situation. This world was unlike her own; it was a place where cultivating immortality was possible, a world where the strong thrived and the weak perished. Everything revolved around power.

She now found herself in the Su family, a clan of cultivators in Fallen Mountain City, located in the South Domain. In this world, children of the Su family were tested for their Spirit Root at the age of five. Those with potential began their cultivation journey, a gradual and steadfast process with no shortcuts.

Those found lacking or with inferior Spirit Roots were relegated to servitude, managing various family enterprises, possibly never returning to the family fold.

Su Qianxun was one of those with an inferior Spirit Root. At ten, she was sent away to manage spiritual fields and cultivate mystical grains.

The original Su Qianxun sacrificed herself to save a crying young girl, taking a fatal blow from the manager of the spiritual fields. The girl had fallen in love with a young worker and wanted to elope with him. When the manager discovered their plan, he was furious and struck out in anger. With his power at the fifth level of the Qi Refining Stage, the blow was deadly.

Su Qianxun had a deep bond with the girl and a kind heart, so she took the hit for her. Normally, a death on the estate wouldn't cause much stir, but Su Qianxun's identity was extraordinary. Her maternal grandfather belonged to one of the top families in the Eastern Region. Although the Su family was prominent in the South, it couldn't compare to the Helan family.

Su Qianxun's mother was a renowned cultivator, celebrated for her beauty and talent across the regions. Even the Central Region recognized her as a prodigy, waiting for her to advance to the next stage and join the Central Academy. Sadly, her life was cut short.

Over time, people rarely mentioned this ill-fated woman. Although Su Qianxun's spirit root was considered inferior, as long as she was alive, it didn't matter. But if she died, her grandfather vowed to seek justice from the Su family. When Su Qianxun's mother passed away, the two families nearly broke ties. Given their past connection, it's inevitable that the death of their only granddaughter would spark a conflict.

When Su Qianxun arrived at the estate, the head of the Su family instructed the manager to do whatever he wanted, as long as Su Qianxun stayed alive. This was how the little girl's life was spared—no one dared to harm her when Su Qianxun was willing to risk everything to protect her.

Those at the Su family estate with a Spirit Root received a monthly allowance: a bottle of Qi Refining pills, a low-grade Spirit Stone, and about eleven pounds of spiritual rice.

Su Qianxun found a pearl during a snowstorm, which contained a legacy from a sect called Dan Zong. It included a cultivation method called "Wen Ba Huang" and teachings on talisman-making and alchemy. She began her training, which was divided into three stages. Su Qianxun had been stuck at the third stage for a long time, unable to advance.

After over a month of hard work—tending to the spiritual fields by day and training by night—she finally broke through, advancing to the first level of the Qi Refining Stage. She felt refreshed and rejuvenated as impurities were expelled from her body.

"Qianxun, Qianxun, something terrible has happened! The manager wants to kill Xiao Ai. What should we do? Qianxun, what should we do?" Qing'er rushed into my small room, tears streaming down her face.

Su Qianxun calmly looked up from her book. "Wasn't that matter already resolved?" she asked, her expression indifferent.

Qing'er was the girl whom Su Qianxun had risked his life to save. Seeing Su Qianxun's calm demeanor, she was a bit taken aback. She felt that ever since Qianxun woke up, he seemed like a completely different person.

"It's because Xiao Ai was accused of stealing Xiao Cui's belongings. Xiao Cui reported it to the manager, and theft is a capital offense in the family. But Xiao Ai definitely didn't steal anything, really. Qianxun, please save him, I'm begging you..." Qing'er pleaded, dropping to her knees in front of Su Qianxun.

"Wait here for me," Su Qianxun said, leaving immediately.

In the manager's room, chaos had already erupted. Xiao Ai was being pinned to the ground by two hefty women, his delicate face showing eyes as bright and clear as obsidian.

"Manager," Su Qianxun greeted with a bow.

The middle-aged woman in charge lifted the lid of her teacup, took a leisurely sip, and said, "Why are you here? Su Qianxun, I'm telling you, you'd better stay out of this." Her tone was harsh, and she briefly exerted the pressure of someone at the fifth level of Qi Refining, which felt like a mountain pressing down on Su Qianxun, causing his body to jolt.

Suppressing the blood rising in his throat, he calmly replied, "Manager, is this really necessary? As the saying goes, it's better to dismantle ten temples than to ruin a single marriage. Helping them is also helping yourself."

The manager squinted her small eyes, her gaze as fierce as a snake's, fixed on Su Qianxun. Su Qianxun stood confidently, meeting her stare without flinching.

It seems this girl has really changed. She used to be calm, but still just a kid. Now, she's different... the manager pondered silently.

"Manager, this brat stole from me. We can't let it slide. Stealing from the Su family is a grave offense, manager..." The woman beside the manager knelt down weakly, tears streaming down her face, putting on a pitiful show that made everyone uncomfortable.

"Manager, we're far out here at the estate. Who would know? It's just a thing, and it can be returned. Consider it borrowed, unless someone wants to disturb the peace of this place!" Su Qianxun's voice was heavy, her gaze piercing as she looked at the trembling Xiaocui.

"Su Qianxun, don't think you can act recklessly just because of your deceased mother. This estate isn't yours; it belongs to the manager," Xiaocui spat venomously, trying to stir trouble.

"Aunt Manager, sometimes it's better to let things go. You might gain something unexpected. After all, we're here to stay at this estate. I've said my piece. Goodbye." With that, she turned and left.

If the conversation has reached this point and the manager still refuses to let the person go, then there's really nothing more to say.