Chapter 2: Clocking In to Obtain (Random)
The system notification sounded, and a translucent panel appeared before Lin Yuan's eyes.
[System: Congratulations to the host for successfully binding to the "Daily Clock-In System."]
[System: Current location detected: Qingyun Sect, Outer Sect, Disciple Dormitory Area, Room No. 7.]
[System: Today's clock-in location: Qingyun Sect, Outer Sect, Martial Arts Training Ground. Clock-in reward: Random.]
Lin Yuan stared blankly at the panel floating in midair. After a long while, he finally snapped back to reality.
"System? Daily clock-in?"
He tried to speak, but no sound came out. It was only then that he realized he was currently in a state of "soul," having yet to truly merge with this body.
Lin Yuan lowered his head to examine himself. His form was somewhat ethereal, as if he could dissipate at any moment. On the bed lay a young man of about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in coarse linen clothes, his face pale, clearly having just died.
"So this is the original owner of this body..."
A surge of information flooded into Lin Yuan's mind. He finally understood the situation.
This was a world called the Canglan Continent, where cultivators were revered and strength was paramount. The original owner was also named Lin Yuan, an outer disciple of the Qingyun Sect. He had mediocre talent and had been stuck at the second layer of Qi Refining for three years without progress. Today, during a sparring session with a fellow disciple, he was accidentally struck in a vital spot and died on the spot.
And then, Lin Yuan from Earth crossed over.
"Tsk, what a tragic fate."
Lin Yuan sighed softly. But then he thought of the system panel before him, and a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart.
"System, what exactly is the Daily Clock-In System?"
The panel flickered, and a line of text appeared.
[System: The host can clock in at designated locations every day to receive various rewards. Rewards include but are not limited to: cultivation techniques, martial skills, elixirs, spiritual artifacts, cultivation experience, attribute points, etc.]
[System: The higher the clock-in location's level of danger or difficulty, the better the rewards.]
[System: Special note — The host's current soul has not yet merged with the body. Please complete the merger as soon as possible, or the soul will dissipate within three hours.]
Lin Yuan's expression shifted. "How do I merge?"
[System: The host only needs to lie down on the body and relax their consciousness.]
Lin Yuan didn't hesitate. He controlled his soul form and lay down on the body on the bed. A warm current surged through him, and his consciousness gradually blurred.
When he opened his eyes again, a sharp pain came from his chest.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Lin Yuan sat up, clutching his chest, gasping for air. The pain from the fatal wound was still there, but it was gradually fading.
He looked down at his hands — young, slender, but covered in calluses. This was the mark of years of bitter cultivation.
"So this is what it feels like to have a physical body..."
Lin Yuan clenched his fist, feeling the weak spiritual power within him. The second layer of Qi Refining — in this world, that was practically at the bottom.
"System, can I go clock in now?"
[System: Yes. The current time is 7:30 AM. Today's clock-in location: Qingyun Sect, Outer Sect, Martial Arts Training Ground. Clock-in reward: Random.]
[System: Reminder — the host must clock in before midnight tonight, or the clock-in opportunity for the day will be forfeited.]
Lin Yuan climbed out of bed. His body was still somewhat weak, but he could barely move.
He pushed open the door and was greeted by a scene of ancient charm. Rows of wooden houses were arranged in an orderly fashion, with green mountains and clear waters in the distance, and spiritual energy swirling in the air. This was the outer sect of the Qingyun Sect.
"It really is a cultivation world..."
Lin Yuan took a deep breath and felt the spiritual energy in the air enter his body through his breath, slowly nourishing his meridians.
"Lin Yuan!"
A shout came from not far away. Lin Yuan looked up and saw a young man in a green robe striding over, his face full of mockery.
"Still alive? I thought you'd be dead for sure after that palm strike yesterday."
Lin Yuan narrowed his eyes. Information about this person surfaced in his mind.
Zhao Hu, also an outer disciple, at the third layer of Qi Refining. It was this guy who had struck the original owner's vital spot during yesterday's sparring match, causing his death.
"What, disappointed I'm not dead?" Lin Yuan said calmly.
Zhao Hu was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting the usually cowardly Lin Yuan to talk back. Then he sneered, "Hmph, even if you're not dead, you're still trash at the second layer of Qi Refining. I advise you to obediently hand over your monthly spirit stone, or else I'll make you wish you were dead every day in the outer sect."
Lin Yuan understood. This was extortion.
In the outer sect of the Qingyun Sect, each disciple received three low-grade spirit stones every month. The original owner had been weak and often bullied, with Zhao Hu being the worst offender.
"Spirit stones? Not a single one."
Lin Yuan's tone was calm, but his gaze was firm.
Zhao Hu's face darkened. "Looking for a beating, are you?"
He raised his hand to strike, but Lin Yuan had already turned and walked away.
"System, lead the way to the Martial Arts Training Ground."
[System: Route planned. Go straight ahead 200 meters, then turn left.]
Lin Yuan followed the system's directions and quickened his pace. Zhao Hu's angry shouts came from behind, but he paid them no mind.
Now, the most important thing was to clock in.
The Martial Arts Training Ground was very spacious, covering several acres. At this early hour, there were already many outer disciples practicing their skills. Sword lights flickered, fist winds howled, and the scene was lively.
Lin Yuan found a corner and stood still.
"System, clock in."
[System: Clocking in...]
[System: Clock-in successful!]
[System: Reward being generated...]
[System: Congratulations to the host for obtaining — Random Skill Scroll: Basic Movement Technique (Green).]
A warm current flowed through Lin Yuan's mind, and a complete set of movement technique knowledge was imprinted into his memory.
"Basic Movement Technique? Green grade?"
Lin Yuan was slightly surprised. In this world, skills were divided into four grades: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. Green grade was equivalent to Yellow grade high-rank, which was already considered a high-level skill among outer disciples.
What surprised him even more was that the system directly infused the skill's essence into his mind, as if he had already practiced it for years.
"Try it out."
Lin Yuan took a light step, and his figure suddenly turned ethereal, appearing ten meters away in an instant.
"So fast!"
He was secretly shocked. With this movement technique, even facing a cultivator at the fourth or fifth layer of Qi Refining, he would have no problem escaping.
"System, what does 'Random' mean in the reward?"
[System: Random rewards are divided into five levels: Mortal grade, Yellow grade, Mysterious grade, Earth grade, and Heaven grade. The host's first clock-in reward triggered the lowest probability of a random reward, obtaining a Green grade skill.]
Lin Yuan's eyes lit up. "So, the rewards can be even better?"
[System: Yes. The higher the difficulty of the clock-in location, the higher the probability of obtaining high-level rewards.]
[System: Tomorrow's clock-in location will be refreshed at midnight. Please stay tuned, host.]
Lin Yuan nodded, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.
The Daily Clock-In System — this was his golden finger in this world.
"Lin Yuan!"
Zhao Hu's voice came again. Lin Yuan turned around and saw him leading two followers, blocking the exit of the training ground.
"Hand over the spirit stones, and I'll let you go today. Otherwise, I'll cripple one of your arms."
Zhao Hu's face was fierce, and the two followers behind him also wore malicious smiles.
The surrounding disciples noticed the commotion and looked over, but no one stepped forward to help. In the outer sect, the weak were prey to the strong, and no one would meddle in someone else's business for a useless person.
Lin Yuan took a deep breath, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Want to fight? Then come."