Chapter 4: The Mysterious Stranger

An icy wind swept through the valley.

The cheerful atmosphere from moments ago vanished completely.

Master Gyeltshen stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the eastern ridge. His wrinkled face, which had been full of smiles, became solemn.

Chimi resisted every instinct to turn her head.

Instead, she asked quietly,

"So... is this one of those moments where everyone pretends nothing is wrong?"

The system replied immediately.

Excellent observation.

Unfortunately, pretending will not improve your survival rate.

Chimi sighed inwardly.

"Worth asking."

Pema clung to Chimi's sleeve.

"Big Sister... why is Master Gyeltshen so serious?"

Before Chimi could answer, the old monk spoke.

"Go inside."

Pema nodded without question.

"But Big Sister—"

"I'll be fine," Chimi said with a reassuring smile.

"Lock the door and don't come out unless I call you."

After a moment of hesitation, Pema obeyed.

The wooden door closed softly.

Now only Chimi and Master Gyeltshen remained in the courtyard.

The old monk finally spoke.

"You may come out now."

Silence.

Nothing happened.

Chimi frowned.

"Was he talking to the mountain?"

Then...

A shadow dropped silently from the roof.

Not a single tile moved.

The figure landed lightly on the ground several meters away.

He wore dark blue robes embroidered with silver clouds.

Long black hair flowed behind him, tied loosely with a jade clasp.

His face was calm.

Too calm.

He looked to be no older than twenty-five.

Yet his eyes held the quiet depth of someone who had seen countless years pass.

The system suddenly chimed.

Scanning...

Scan failed.

Scan failed.

Scan failed.

Conclusion:

Very dangerous.

Chimi blinked.

"That is the least helpful scan you've ever done."

You're welcome.

The stranger glanced at Chimi.

Then at Master Gyeltshen.

"I sensed unusual karma."

His voice was smooth and unhurried.

"I didn't expect to find you here, Old Monk."

Master Gyeltshen smiled faintly.

"I could say the same to you."

The two men stared at each other.

Neither moved.

The air itself seemed heavier.

Chimi looked from one to the other.

"Are they about to fight?"

The system answered.

Probability:

62%.

Probability they ignore you completely while fighting:

99%.

"Comforting."

The stranger suddenly turned to Chimi.

"You are... interesting."

She smiled politely.

"My elementary school teacher said the same thing."

"..."

The stranger blinked once.

Master Gyeltshen coughed to hide a laugh.

The system displayed a notification.

Achievement Unlocked

Making Powerful People Confused.

Reward: 20 Fortune Points.

Chimi nearly laughed.

"Seriously?"

The stranger's lips curved ever so slightly.

"I have not heard anyone answer me like that before."

"I'm honored to be your first."

Master Gyeltshen chuckled openly now.

"You'll find this girl is unlike anyone else."

The stranger nodded once.

"I can see that."

He raised his hand.

A tiny crystal floated into the air.

It shone with soft silver light.

"Touch it."

Chimi frowned.

"What does it do?"

"It measures talent."

The system immediately warned her.

Unknown artifact detected.

No danger identified.

Recommendation:

Touch it.

Chimi reached out.

The moment her fingers brushed the crystal—

BOOM!

A pillar of golden light shot into the sky.

The crystal shattered.

A shockwave rippled through the valley.

Birds scattered into the air.

Even the clouds parted.

The stranger's calm expression finally cracked.

"...Impossible."

Master Gyeltshen closed his eyes.

"So..."

"It has begun."

The system exploded with notifications.

Congratulations!

Hidden Physique Discovered!

Fortune Dragon Soul

Status: Sealed.

Seal Strength:

99%.

Host currently unable to use this power.

Chimi stared at the endless stream of messages.

"So I have amazing talent..."

She smiled.

"...that I can't actually use."

Correct.

She sighed dramatically.

"Why am I not surprised?"

The stranger studied her carefully.

"What is your name?"

"Chimi."

He repeated it softly.

"Chimi..."

"I will remember it."

Master Gyeltshen raised an eyebrow.

"You rarely remember names."

"She is worth remembering."

For reasons Chimi couldn't explain, those words carried an unexpected weight.

The stranger turned to leave.

Just before disappearing, he paused.

"Our paths will cross again."

"Until then..."

He looked directly at Chimi.

"Stay alive."

With that, he vanished like mist beneath the morning sun.

Not a trace remained.

The courtyard was silent once more.

Chimi scratched her head.

"...That was dramatic."

Master Gyeltshen laughed.

"You'll get used to it."

"I sincerely hope not."

The old monk looked toward the distant mountains.

"The young man you just met..."

"He is called Norbu."

"He is the youngest elder of the Celestial Frost Sect."

"He has never taken interest in anyone."

"Until today."

Chimi blinked.

"So..."

"I made an impression?"

Master Gyeltshen smiled knowingly.

"You certainly did."

The system quietly added one final notification.

New Main Quest

Grow stronger.

Objective:

Meet Norbu again within one year.

Failure:

Unknown.

Chimi frowned.

"I don't like quests that hide the punishment."

Neither do I.

Unfortunately...

Fate rarely explains itself.

Chimi looked toward the towering peaks beyond the valley.

Somewhere out there, Norbu had disappeared into the endless mountains.

She had a feeling that their next meeting would change both of their lives forever.

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