# Chapter 1: You Cannot Leave Yuhui Town (Safe Zone)
The sky was a murky gray, as if a layer of dust had been smeared across it. The air carried the faint scent of burning wood and damp earth. In the distance, the outline of a small town could be seen, its buildings low and clustered together, surrounded by a faint, shimmering barrier that pulsed with a soft, translucent light.
Su Xiao stood at the edge of the town, his gaze fixed on the boundary ahead. Behind him, the streets were quiet, with only a few figures moving about—other contractors, perhaps, or residents of this place. The name of the town was displayed in his peripheral vision, etched into the interface of Reincarnation Paradise: Yuhui Town.
He took a step forward, his boot pressing against the ground. The barrier before him flickered, and a notification appeared in his mind, cold and mechanical.
[Warning: You are attempting to leave the safe zone. Current location: Yuhui Town. Action prohibited.]
Su Xiao paused, his expression unchanged. He had expected this. The system had made it clear from the start—this was a safe zone, a place where conflict was suppressed and survival was guaranteed. But that also meant he was trapped here, at least for now.
He turned and walked back toward the center of the town, his footsteps echoing on the cobblestone path. The buildings around him were old, their walls stained with age, but they were sturdy. A few vendors had set up stalls along the main street, selling basic supplies—food, water, and low-grade equipment. The prices were inflated, of course. That was the way of things in Reincarnation Paradise.
A figure approached him, a man in tattered robes with a scar running down his cheek. He was a contractor, likely from a lower rank, judging by the worn look of his gear.
"Hey, you new here?" the man asked, his voice rough. "Looking for a way out? Forget it. Everyone tries at first. The barrier won't let you through until you complete the quest."
Su Xiao glanced at him but said nothing. He had already checked his mission log. The task was simple: survive for three days within Yuhui Town. After that, the barrier would lower, and he could proceed to the next area.
The man shrugged at Su Xiao's silence. "Suit yourself. But if you need supplies, I know a guy. Cheaper than the stalls."
Su Xiao walked past him, heading toward a small inn at the end of the street. The building was two stories tall, with a wooden sign hanging above the door that read "Resting Hearth." He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The interior was dimly lit, with a few tables scattered around and a fireplace crackling in the corner. A woman behind the counter looked up as he entered, her eyes sharp and assessing.
"Room?" she asked, her tone businesslike.
"Yes," Su Xiao replied. He tossed a few Paradise Coins onto the counter—enough for a night's stay.
The woman caught the coins with practiced ease and slid a key across the wood. "Room 7, upstairs. Don't cause trouble."
Su Xiao took the key and climbed the creaking stairs. The hallway was narrow, with doors lining both sides. He found Room 7, unlocked it, and stepped inside. The room was small but clean, with a bed, a desk, and a single window that looked out onto the town square.
He sat down on the bed, closing his eyes for a moment. The familiar hum of his abilities pulsed within him—Cyan Steel Shadow Energy, Blade Path techniques, and the ever-present weight of his blade, Dragon-Slaying Flash, at his side.
Three days. He could wait that long. But he knew that in Reincarnation Paradise, waiting was rarely peaceful. Something would happen. It always did.
Outside, the gray sky darkened, and the first drops of rain began to fall.