After being chosen by the Ice Queen

Chiba Rin's accommodation was located on the edge of Tsubakizaka. It was an old-fashioned detached house with a low wall, quiet and secluded, with distant neighbors.

After sealing the doors and windows, Gu Yan sat cross-legged in the center of the quiet room. He first examined the gains from the Canxue imitation incident.

The quest "Acquire and awaken the spirit within the remnant snow" has been marked as complete, and the Source Points have been credited to my account. Only the time limit requirement remains in the quest log. Meanwhile, the newly triggered Sword Seeking Pact quietly hangs in the balance as a long-term side quest.

But most importantly, there was the chaotic information churning in his mind about the afterimages of Yamata no Orochi, and the cold, slippery, and resentful alien power within his body.

It was like a venomous snake, coiled in the corners of his meridians, incompatible with his own aura, and even subtly trying to erode his will.

"We must deal with this as soon as possible." Gu Yan focused his mind and tried to contact and sort out this power according to the basic methods of the Traveler System.

The moment it was touched, that insidious power suddenly retaliated! Countless violent thoughts rushed into his mind.

The excruciating pain and rage of having his head severed, the craving for blood and destruction, the cold resentment of sinking into the filth of the stagnant energy... negative emotions surged like a tide, almost drowning Gu Yan's reason.

Just then, deep within his body, the dormant and obscure aura of Zhuyin was provoked by a lower-level ferocious creature and began to fluctuate clearly for the first time. An even more ancient and profound aura, originating from the end of time and the depths of the Nine Netherworlds, quietly permeated the air. It lacked the ferocity of the Eight-Headed Serpent's power, but carried an aura of majesty that disregarded all things.

[WARNING: Inheritance conflict detected! 'Breath of Candlelight (Newborn)' and 'Afterimage of Yamata no Orochi (Incomplete)' are incompatible!]

[Hint: A difference in authority rank has been detected... 'Breath of Candlelight' has a superior rank... Try guiding it to suppress and absorb...]

[Caution: This process carries risks and may cause mental shock or energy outbursts.]

Gu Yan had a flash of inspiration and stopped trying to forcefully merge with or control the power of Orochi. Instead, he carefully guided the faint breath of Zhuyin, as if drawing a wisp of ancient, cold wind towards the coiled snake shadow.

"Hiss—!" A silent shriek echoed in his mind. The power of the Orochi afterimage struggled and shrank violently the moment it came into contact with the Breath of Candlelight. The Breath of Candlelight flowed slowly and steadily, and wherever it passed, those violent and resentful thoughts were as if weathered by time, gradually peeling away and falling silent, leaving only the relatively pure essence of energy and some fragments of rules about the instinct of snakes, the use of poison, and the perception of danger, which were enveloped, decomposed, and absorbed by the Breath of Candlelight.

The entire process was slow and perilous. Gu Yan was drenched in cold sweat, his body sometimes feeling icy cold as if he were in an ice cave, and sometimes feeling hot and scalding like snake scales. He didn't know how much time had passed before the roars and chaotic images in his mind finally subsided.

[The conflict over inheritance is easing... Absorption is in progress...]

Based on the energy essence and rule fragments of the 'Afterimage of Yamata no Orochi', your physique has been strengthened...

System prompts appeared one after another:

[Gained: Moderate Constitution Enhancement (In Progress) - Significantly increases muscle density, bone strength, nerve reaction speed, and toxin resistance.]

[Gained: Skill 'Danger Sense (Enhanced)' - Increases the range and clarity of intuitive perception of malice, murderous intent, and danger.]

[Gained: Skill 'Shadow Erosion' (transformed from 'Serpent's Bite') - Attacks can inflict a chilling corrosive effect transformed from 'Breath of Candlelight,' causing continuous damage and slowing the target's recovery, while significantly reducing negative mental effects.]

[The "Breath of Candlelight" skill has gained a slight increase, deepening the understanding of the "Yin" and "Poison" attributes.]

[Warning: The core resentment imprint of 'Orochi's Afterimage' has not been completely purified and is temporarily sealed deep within 'The Breath of Candlelight'. Overuse of 'Shadow Erosion' or intense emotional fluctuations still pose a risk of backlash. A higher-level purification or complete inheritance is required for final reconciliation.]

Gu Yan exhaled a long breath of white air carrying a chilling aura, and slowly opened his eyes. The world before his eyes was clearer, his body was filled with an unprecedented sense of power, and his five senses were much sharper. He could hear faint footsteps in the distant alley, and could vaguely perceive subtle changes in the outside light through the paper window. He clenched his fist lightly, his knuckles making a crisp sound, containing power far greater than before.

Yet, a sense of unease lingered in his heart. Just moments before, during the final absorption, as the Breath of Candlelight enveloped and sealed the last fragment of Orochi's remnant core, he seemed to sense a subtle...satisfaction and desire emanating from the Breath of Candlelight. It seemed to be enjoying the process of devouring prey of a higher level. This restless activity, originating from his own fundamental power and resembling a nascent will, sent a chill down Gu Yan's spine.

This isn't right. He needs to know more about the Breath of Candlelight and the true nature of the World Walker's power. Lin Xue might know something. Moreover, the core of Orochi's resentment sealed within him is ultimately a hidden danger.

He wanted to return immediately to seek answers. However, the task on the system's task panel, "Survive and establish a foothold in this world (requires a certain degree of recognition or fear from a specific power)," was not yet complete. There were still nearly two weeks left in the deadline, but the standard for establishing a foothold did not seem to be clearly met. Chiba Rin's recognition might be one, but it wasn't formal enough, and it might not fall within the power range determined by the system.

He needs to get involved more deeply and gain a clear identity and recognition more quickly.

The next day, Gu Yan came to Shuangyue Tea House again.

Chiba Rin seemed to have anticipated his arrival, and continued brewing tea in the tea room, dressed in a more practical black outfit.

"It seems you've almost finished dealing with your matter." Chiba Rin looked up at him, her gaze lingering on him for a moment, as if noticing a slight difference in his temperament and physique. "Your breathing is much more stable, and your eyesight is sharper."

"What you say is correct, Miss. That matter is temporarily resolved." Gu Yan sat down opposite her, this time without beating around the bush. "I want to help you handle the group's affairs more directly. Give me an identity, a position that allows me to work and operate within the Chiba Group."

Chiba Rin paused slightly as she poured tea, her dark eyes scrutinizing Gu Yan: "Oh? So soon. You'd better think carefully before getting involved in this mess. How much do you know about the situation in the group?"

"I know nothing about it," Gu Yan said frankly. "But I know you need people, and I need to establish myself right now. Our goals are aligned for the time being. I know the rules, I'll follow orders, and we'll solve problems."

Chiba Rin put down the teapot, leaned back, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound.

Gu Yan's clean background and significantly improved strength are advantages, but being completely unaware of these factors could also bring unforeseen changes.

"I can give you an identity." After a long pause, she spoke, "'Ruozhong' is too low, and 'Shedi' is too conspicuous. For now, you can be placed under the name of my direct advisor, nominally as an assistant to handle some special business matters for me. When needed, you can use this identity to mobilize some external resources, and someone will also give you the necessary support and information."

This is a flexible identity. It offers a degree of freedom while being directly linked to her. It gives Gu Yan room to maneuver, yet binds his actions to her.

"Okay." Gu Yan nodded.

"However," Chiba Rin's tone shifted, her gaze sharpening like a knife, "I have one request. As your pledge of loyalty for obtaining this identity, and also the first thing you must do to demonstrate your worth."

"Please speak."

Chiba Rin didn't speak immediately, but clapped her hands lightly instead.

A hidden door on one side of the tea room slid open silently, and a figure walked out quietly, as if blending into the shadows.

A girl not yet twenty years old. If it weren't for her overly serious expression, she could be described as beautiful.

"Her name is Ruri," Chiba Rin introduced calmly. "She's your partner; she'll help you complete this mission."

Liuli walked up behind Qianye Lin and stood still, nodding slightly to Gu Yan.

"Your mission is to eliminate one person with Ruri," Chiba Rin's voice turned cold. "'The Smiling Buddha,' Horita Masazo."

Gu Yan's eyes narrowed slightly: "Who is he?"

"The most trusted henchman of 'Ghost Head Hao,' one of the three troublesome bosses, and also his mentor. An old ghost who should have been buried long ago."

Chiba Rin's tone was chilling. "In his youth, he was a notorious assassin in Kansai, cunning, ruthless, and cruel. Later, he became lame and turned to being a strategist, but the number of people who died because of his schemes only increased. Recently, he has been very active and is secretly making connections to arrange a dignified retirement for my father."

"Removing this most insidious tooth will not only severely injure Ghost Head Hao, but also serve as a warning to the other two restless fellows to behave themselves."

Gu Yan understood that after this incident, he was now firmly bound to Chiba Rin's control.

"Target intelligence, time of operation, and location?"

"Ruri will tell you," Chiba Rin stood up. "She'll show you around and support you. Remember, what I want is for 'The Smiling Buddha' to never smile again. Once it's done, your identity will automatically take effect. Also, you'll need a weapon."

She walked to the side, took out a sheathed longsword. It wasn't a valuable item, but the blade gleamed coldly, clearly a well-forged and deadly weapon, far superior to the bamboo sword Gu Yan had used before.

"Use this first. Hopefully, you won't let it break easily."

Gu Yan took the sword; it felt heavy and cold in his hand.

Liuli bowed slightly, then gestured for Gu Yan to leave before heading out the door. Gu Yan gripped his newly acquired sword and followed closely behind.

The two left Frostmoon Tea House in silence, one after the other, disappearing into the hazy night outside.