The wind brushed softly against Qin Chen's robes, but it carried more than just air.
It carried a message.
Ding!
[Welcome to the Immortal Garden – Domain of Celestial Heritage] [This realm was born of a fallen Immortal's Dao.] [All things here are nourished by celestial law. All beings here are born to grow above mortals.]
Qin Chen's brow twitched.
Ding!
[Alert: You are currently the weakest creature in the Garden.] [Estimated survival probability: 3%.] [Recommended Actions: Flee. Hide. Grow.]
Qin Chen: "…"
He muttered, "Love the vote of confidence."
But the system wasn't finished.
Ding!
[Main Mission Unlocked: Immortal Garden Arc – Trial of Devouring Heaven] Objective: Survive for 30 Days within the Immortal Garden. Bonus Objective: Locate and conquer at least 3 "Trial Sites" left behind by the Celestial Immortal. Optional Objective: Devour the Dao Remnant of a Fallen Immortal Beast (0/1) Time Limit: 30 Days Reward: ??? (Dependent on performance) Warning: Death is permanent within the Garden. System recall is unavailable.
Qin Chen's eyes narrowed.
"No system backup?" he said softly. "So if I die here…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't have to.
He looked around once more—this otherworldly paradise suddenly felt… sharper.
Every petal. Every tree. Every piece of mist—was dangerous.
Something flickered across the distant sky.
Qin Chen turned his gaze toward the horizon.
A shadow moved between the stars.
No—it wasn't a shadow.
It was a creature, so massive that it blocked out celestial light as it soared.
It had wings made of flowing constellations, and where its eyes should've been, entire star systems spun in silence.
It passed overhead slowly, and the land below fell into silence—birds, insects, spirit beasts, even the chimes of the crystalline bamboo stopped completely.
A few seconds later, sound returned… but the message was clear.
This place… wasn't built for mortals.
Qin Chen's fingers curled tightly.
He could feel it—his Zenith Sword Soul trembled faintly inside him, sensing the sheer pressure of the Garden. Even his Sovereign Flames burned slightly weaker.
"I'm not even strong enough to rank here," he muttered, half in awe, half in irritation. "Perfect."
He sighed, but then—
He grinned.
"Good," he whispered. "Anything less would've been boring."
The thrill in his blood began to rise.
It wasn't arrogance. It was drive. This wasn't a place he could brute force his way through. Every step here was a chance to die—or a chance to grow stronger than he'd ever imagined.
Qin Chen took his first step toward the floating petal bridge leading into the depths of the garden.
His system interface shimmered again.
[Tracking Trial Site 1: Path of Thousand Bloom Illusions – 4.3 km east, within the Dreaming Lotus Forest.]
He nodded, and his eyes gleamed.
"Then let's start with that."
A gust of wind rustled the immortal flora as he walked forward, the petals parting slightly before him—as if the Garden, for all its danger, recognized the newcomer.
And just maybe…
It was curious to see if this little intruder could survive.
Or if he'd be devoured like all the others.
Qin Chen smiled, unsheathing his sword.
"Let's see what you've got."