After another two weeks of relentless cultivation, I finally reached Immortal’s Sword Heart proficiency level 9/10. The incredible surge of power flowing through my meridians was exhirating, each strand of Qi sharper and more precise than before. Grateful for my patience and discipline, I remained safely secluded in my apartment, methodically growing stronger instead of impulsively chasing after trouble.

  I'd read enough stories in my previous life to know that power attracted trouble, and protagonists always jumped headfirst into chaos. Thankfully, I was different—I could focus purely on cultivating, getting stronger until I was ready to face any storm.

  [New Quest: Foil the assassination. Reward: Spirit Sense & (1) Roulette Ticket]

  Spirit Sense? Intrigued, but also annoyed that the system seemed intent on pulling me into trouble despite my best efforts to avoid it, I quickly checked the quest details.

  "Who am I supposed to save?" I asked the system, hoping for crity.

  [Protect the successor candidate to Frost International from assassination.]

  Frost International? That wasn't difficult to track down. A quick online search showed they were at a job fair downtown today, recruiting interns. That was my best shot at finding this successor candidate.

  I hurriedly changed into presentable clothing and headed out. I spent the entire day at the crowded convention center, scanning the Frost International booth and nearby areas, but nothing suspicious caught my attention. Maybe I misunderstood? Or maybe the assassin had changed their pn?

  Dispirited, I began to make my way back home as the sun dipped below the horizon. As I exited the subway, my instincts suddenly fred. Enhanced by my Qi, my vision sharpened, scanning my surroundings. Then I saw him—a shadowy figure standing atop a nearby rooftop, observing the street below with a focused, predatory gaze.

  Following his line of sight, I spotted a striking blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman stepping out of a building across the street, surrounded by vigint bodyguards. Arm bells rang in my head—the assassin's target.

  I enhanced my sight further, heart hammering as recognition dawned. Crossbones. A ruthless killer mercenary.

  Before I could fully formute my pn, Crossbones leaped off the roof, swiftly descending upon the guards like an unstoppable force. Within seconds, he had dispatched them, leaving the woman vulnerable and terrified.

  Determination surged within me, and I quickly molded my Qi into the familiar golden phantom sword, creating a half-mask to conceal my identity. I dashed forward, intercepting Crossbones just as he closed in on the woman.

  "Not today," I decred, voice steady and commanding despite the anxiety roiling inside me.

  Crossbones paused, eyes narrowing dangerously beneath his skull-themed mask. "Who the hell are you?"

  "Someone you shouldn't have crossed," I replied, feeling the energy of Immortal’s Sword Heart resonate within me. My Qi surged with readiness, each strand focused and sharp.

  He snarled and fired his weapon at me, bullets speeding with deadly intent. But I was faster, sharper. My phantom sword moved instinctively, deflecting his attacks and forcing him back. With each csh, my confidence grew.

  I pivoted sharply, deflecting another hail of bullets with my phantom sword, each bullet pinging harmlessly away into the street. Crossbones growled in frustration, holstering his gun and lunging toward me with vicious hand-to-hand combat. We engaged in a rapid flurry of strikes—his brutal, powerful blows against my swift and precise counters. Qi surged through me, heightening my senses and movements, each exchange a test of speed and skill.

  Finally spotting an opening as Crossbones threw a heavy punch, I sidestepped smoothly and channeled my Qi into a precise strike. My phantom sword Qi sliced toward his side, but Crossbones reacted swiftly, narrowly dodging to avoid a lethal blow, though the edge still drew blood. The impact knocked him off bance, causing him to stumble backward. Crossbones clutched his injury, eyes burning with anger and pain, clearly surprised at being wounded. With a final, frustrated snarl, he retreated hastily, disappearing into the shadows of a nearby alley.

  I exhaled deeply, my pulse still pounding. Turning, I faced the frightened woman who looked up at me with wide, grateful eyes.

  "Thank you," she whispered shakily. "Who are you?"

  I hesitated, then gave a small smile beneath my mask. "Just someone who wants to help."

  The system notification fshed in my vision:

  [Quest Completed: Spirit Sense acquired. Roulette ticket acquired]

  A sudden awareness exploded within me, stretching out into the world around me, revealing every minute detail within a five-mile radius. Momentarily overwhelmed, I stumbled briefly before steadying myself, exhiration quickly overtaking the initial shock. This new power would make my cultivation safer and smoother.

  The woman cleared her throat gently, pulling my attention back. "I'm Emma Frost, heiress to Frost International. I suppose I owe you more than just a thank you."

  "No need," I said, smiling beneath my mask. "I'm just gd you're safe."

  She looked thoughtfully at me, curiosity and intrigue flickering in her eyes, mixed with a subtle hint of suspicion—as if she was carefully weighing whether my sudden rescue might conceal other intentions. "Would you mind joining me for a quick coffee? My backup security will be here shortly, but I'd appreciate some company in the meantime."

  Surprised, but not unwilling, I nodded. "Alright."

  We walked to a small, nearby café, the tension easing slightly as we sat across from each other. Emma sipped her coffee elegantly, eyeing me over her cup.

  "You're quite skilled," she remarked. "I haven't seen someone handle themselves that effectively before."

  "I've had practice," I replied vaguely, careful to keep my identity hidden. "Do you often deal with such threats?"

  "More than I'd like," Emma admitted with a weary sigh. "Being the successor of Frost International comes with certain... risks."

  Before I could respond further, two SUVs pulled up outside, and a team of security personnel quickly entered, alert and professional.

  "Looks like my escort's here," Emma said, standing gracefully. She paused, her eyes sincere. "Thanks again. Perhaps we'll meet under better circumstances next time."

  "Hopefully," I agreed, smiling as I watched her leave with a small wave. As she exited the café, I realized my life had just grown even more complicated—and interesting.

  Returning home, I took a moment to digest today's unexpected events. First and foremost was that Emma Frost may not be a telepath yet or at all, given her protection detail.

  I sat cross-legged in my cultivation room, closing my eyes as I began to meditate, allowing the calm, steady rhythm of my breathing to restore bance to my turbulent thoughts. As I reflected, I felt relief and satisfaction knowing that my cultivation had advanced enough for me to deflect bullets—something I wouldn't have thought possible just a short while ago.