NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Raffle reward
Wei Jin's finger hovered over the flashing "Raffle" button as anticipation bubbled in his chest.
With a deep breath, he clicked it.
Immediately, a radiant screen appeared before him, displaying an array of twenty glowing abilities, each with a name that screamed power:
1. Celestial Blade of Eternal Light.
2. Divine Spirit Amplification.
3. Immortal Flame Lotus Technique.
4. Void Step Phantom Movement.
5. Heavenly Shadow Manipulation.
6. Chrono-Temporal Field.
7. Storm God's Wrath.
8. Moonlit Dream Swordplay.
9. Soul Breaker Eyes.
10. Eternal Frost Domain.
11. Thunderous Ascension Kick.
12. Primordial Essence Extraction.
13. Phoenix Rebirth Flame Shield.
14. Black Hole Palm.
15. Cosmic Dragon Ascension Strike.
16. Golden Lotus Body Refinement.
17. Seismic Earthquake Fist.
18. Wind Whisper Blades.
19. Heaven's Echo Technique.
20. Unknown Overpowered Hand-to-Hand Combat Ability.
Each name was accompanied by a dazzling animation of the skill in action. Wei Jin's excitement skyrocketed. "Any of these would make me invincible! I have to get one of them!"
As the display dissolved into a spinning wheel, a loud swoosh sound filled the air.
The wheel was divided into twenty equal sections, each corresponding to one of the abilities. Wei Jin grinned and slammed his palm onto the spin button.
Soon, the spin Begins!
The wheel spun violently, its colors blending into a radiant blur. Wei Jin clenched his fists, his heart pounding in rhythm with the spinning wheel. Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
As seconds ticked by, the wheel began to slow slightly, the names of the abilities flashing past his eyes.
"Void Step Phantom Movement" – "That would make me unstoppable!" Wei Jin thought, his breath catching.
"Celestial Blade of Eternal Light" – "Imagine the respect I'd get with that!"
"Soul Breaker Eyes" – "Too cool! Too deadly!"
"Primordial Essence Extraction" – "Overpowered, I NEED it!"
The wheel slowed further, the clicking sound of the segments growing louder and slower. Wei Jin leaned forward, sweat forming on his brow.
Click… click… click.
It passed "Thunderous Ascension Kick"—so close! Then it bypassed "Black Hole Palm", making him groan in frustration.
Click… click… click.
Now the pointer was nearing "Unknown Overpowered Hand-to-Hand Combat Ability." Wei Jin blinked, slightly confused. "Wait, hand-to-hand combat? Isn't that… useless in the world of long-range spiritual weapons?"
Click… click… click…
The wheel slowed to a crawl, the pointer hovering just over the edge of two sections. The tension was unbearable.
Click. Stop.
The pointer landed squarely on "Unknown Overpowered Hand-to-Hand Combat Ability."
Wei Jin froze, his face a mix of confusion and amusement.
Congratulations, host!
You have won: Random Overpowered Hand-to-Hand Combat Ability!
Wei Jin scratched his head. "Hand-to-hand combat? I mean… sure, it's overpowered, but… isn't melee outdated in this world of spiritual weapons?" He shrugged. "It's still overpowered, so who am I to complain?"
Suddenly, the system chimed again.
Alert:
The Random Overpowered Hand-to-Hand Combat Ability is evolving…
Evolution complete!
You have obtained: Invincible Slamming Soft Path Mortal Art.
Ability Details: Invincible Slamming Soft Path Mortal Art
Description: Instinctively capable of slamming anyone in the Mortal Realm who touches the host. The ability disregards race, species, or status as long as melee weapons or body-bound weapons are not used.
Effect:
Ensures dominance over any opponent engaging in hand-to-hand combat.
A single touch triggers an overwhelming counterattack.
Limitation: Only effective within the Mortal Realm.
Wei Jin's eyes widened as he read the description. Then he burst into laughter.
"Slamming anyone who touches me? This is ridiculous… but it's also amazing!"
The old soul, who had managed to float back into the area, tilted his head. "Why are you grinning like an idiot? What's so funny?"
Wei Jin ignored him, his mind racing with possibilities. "This system… it's just the beginning. If this is my first ability, what else does it have in store for me?"
The system's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Congratulations!
You have unlocked the potential of Invincible Slamming Soft Path Mortal Art.
Please slam anyone in the mortal cultivation realm, host!
Wei Jin smirked.
The old soul floated closer to Wei Jin, narrowing his spectral eyes. "Why are you smirking?"
Wei Jin shook his head and replied casually, "Nothing. Just thinking."
The old soul wasn't convinced. "Thinking? About what? You've got a death sentence hanging over your head, a family that's going to come after you, and a whole world ready to chew you up. What's the plan? To waste cultivation resources on maidens and grow stronger faster?"
Wei Jin chuckled dryly but didn't respond immediately.
The old soul pressed on. "Let's not forget, the Ru Family is the strongest in town. You've just asked for a divorce from their beloved daughter. Are you planning to show your face in public? You're playing with fire."
Wei Jin shook his head firmly this time. "The Ru Family isn't the problem."
The old soul cocked his head. "What? They aren't? They have every reason to come after you."
"No," Wei Jin said with confidence. "The Ru Family may be powerful, but they aren't evil. They value their reputation and won't act irrationally. My real problem is my own family."
The old soul's interest piqued. "Your family? What are you going to do about them? Reveal to the world that they're a demonic cultivation family?"
Wei Jin fell silent, his expression turning contemplative. He began to mumble to himself, pacing the room.
"Reveal them? Would that even work? They'd kill me before I could get a word out. Besides, who would believe me? The Wei Family has been seen as neutral for decades... No one would take my word, especially when I have no evidence."
He frowned, crossing his arms. "But staying quiet is just as dangerous. They're bound to retaliate sooner or later. If I don't act preemptively, they'll come for me. What's the best move?"
The old soul floated closer. "Well? What's the plan? You can't afford to hesitate. Every second you waste puts you closer to death."
Wei Jin clenched his fists. "I'm not sure yet. Exposing them outright feels reckless. I need leverage. I need... time."
The old soul snorted. "Time? Kid, time isn't something you've got. You've got to think fast and act faster."
Wei Jin muttered more to himself than the old soul. "First, I need to build my strength. But that won't happen overnight. And I'll need resources for that... a lot of resources. Money would help. If I can secure a steady income, I can start investing in my cultivation."
The old soul quipped, "Money, huh? You planning to open a shop in the middle of town? Maybe sell trinkets while your family hunts you down?"
Wei Jin ignored the sarcasm, his voice growing more resolute. "I'll figure something out. For now, I need to stay under the radar. If I'm seen as harmless, my family won't feel threatened. That'll buy me the time I need."
The old soul smirked. "A cunning plan. Still, you're weak, you're average, and you have no fame. Maybe that's why Ru Shaonian chose you—because you're safe. No women flock to you, even though you're a little handsome, because you're a loner."
Wei Jin froze for a moment at the mention of Ru Shaonian. He expected a pang of emotion, but there was nothing. It felt... strange. In the past, just hearing her name had sent a rush of excitement through him. Now, it was as if the connection had dulled, the feelings replaced by a calm indifference.
"Maybe that's why," Wei Jin said finally, his voice steady. Then, with a wry grin, he added, "But that's going to change. I'll get as many women as I can while I get stronger."
The old soul chuckled. "Oh, aiming high now, are we?"
Wei Jin nodded. "Yes, but first things first. I need money. Without it, everything else is just a dream. I'm leaving, old man."
As Wei Jin turned to leave, the old soul's voice rang out, sharp and urgent.
"Wait!"