Chapter 1: The Hermit in the Deep Mountains
"Chen Qing are you really not planning to go out to work this year? Er Gou from the neighboring village bought a car in the city!"
At the entrance of Peach Blossom Village, a man with a smoking pipe sighed while looking at the young man in front of him.
The young man was dressed in white linen clothes. He was tall with sword- eyebrows and starry eyes. His temperament was calm like water. He stood in contrast to the muddy village road.
"Uncle Li, I'm not going " Chen Qing smiled faintly. His voice was gentle. "The air in the mountains is good. I plan to stay for a while longer."
"You are wasting your college degree " Uncle Li said. He shook his head. Walked away with his hands behind his back.
Chen Qing watched the old man leave. Then he. Walked toward the bamboo forest at the back of the mountain.
Soon as he stepped onto the secluded path leading to his wooden house a cold mechanical voice rang in his mind.
"It has been detected that the Host has rejected the temptation to leave the village. Willpower +1. Daily Check-in is now available. Do you wish to check in?"
"Check in " Chen Qing said silently in his heart.
"Check-in successful. Reward: Grandmaster-Level Wood Carving Skills. Reward: One bag of Spirit Soil (Low Grade). System Note: Please persist. Long as the Host does not leave the range of Peach Blossom Village rewards will be distributed daily. If you leave the System will. Your lifespan will revert to that of a mortal."
Chen Qing shrugged. "Don't worry. Even if you beat me to death I won't leave."
It had been three years since he moved to this world. This world looked like Earth.
In his life he was a corporate slave. He died of overwork. In this life he obtained the "Deep Mountain Seclusion System."
The rules were simple. Stay in the village. Don't leave. The longer you stay the more rewards you get.
In these three years he got rewards.
* Year 1: He obtained the Body of the Nature God. He got immunity to all diseases and eternal youth.
* Year 2: He mastered zither, chess, calligraphy, painting and traditional martial arts.
* Year 3: The rewards began to turn supernatural.
He walked up the mountain path. The further he went, the mistier it became.
Finally he arrived at a courtyard halfway up the mountain. It was a wooden compound built entirely by hand.
"Woof!" A large black dog leaped out from the bushes. Its eyes gleamed with a light.
"Down Blackie " Chen Qing commanded softly.
The giant beast immediately. Rubbed its head against Chen Qing's leg.
"I got some Spirit Soil today " Chen Qing murmured. He walked to the vegetable garden in the corner of the yard.
He sprinkled the shimmering soil over a patch of radishes. The radishes became crystal clear. They emitted an emerald light.
" another peaceful day " Chen Qing stretched. He lay down on a bamboo rocking chair, in the yard.
However the peace was destined to be broken today.
"Warning. A large number of outsiders are approaching the village. Please maintain your status."
Chen Qing frowned slightly. "Outsiders?"
He closed his eyes. Expanded his senses. He could hear the roar of engines and the noise of a crowd coming from the village entrance kilometers away.