After being chosen by the Ice Queen

Gu Yan's gaze swept across the list. Firearms were undeniably powerful, but limited by ammunition and the rules of different worlds. Martial arts were highly practical, but something felt missing… His gaze ultimately settled on swordsmanship specialization. Images of the agile figures from the Wuchao Kingdom flashed through his mind, along with a vague yearning deep within him for weapons and techniques. More importantly, they were cool!

Riding the wind on a sword, roaming the world with a sword in hand, that feeling stirred his heart. Moreover, he vaguely sensed that this might have some unknown connection with the obscure Zhuyin Qi within his body.

If you can't bite off more than you can chew, then choose this one.

"I choose to specialize in swordsmanship," Gu Yan said, raising his head to Lei Kun.

Lei Kun raised an eyebrow and grinned. "A sword? Not a bad choice. An inch longer, an inch stronger. In many worlds with low magic or strong rule suppression, a good sword is more reliable than an unstable ability. And..." He paused, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes, "Practicing swordsmanship is, in a way, also training the mind. Okay, that's it. Use your source points to buy it, go straight to level 39, and solidify your foundation first."

Gu Yan summoned the system interface and confirmed his selection. 1000 of his 1500 Source Essence points were instantly deducted, and a warm current, accompanied by a wealth of knowledge and muscle memory regarding basic sword grip, footwork, power generation techniques, and fundamental moves (slashing, thrusting, parrying, hooking, pointing, striking, intercepting, cutting), flooded his body and mind. A moment later, he felt as if a weight had been added to his hand, and his understanding of the sword had never been so clear and concrete. Although he was still far from being a true master, he had at least moved beyond the realm of a complete novice.

"How are you feeling?" Lei Kun asked.

"Very solid." Gu Yan clenched his fist, feeling that the dexterity of his fingers and the stability of his arm had improved.

"That's the key. Level 39 specialization is about honing your form and fundamentals to the point of near instinct. Beyond that, it depends on your comprehension and practical experience." Lei Kun stood up. "Once you've mastered your specialization, the next step is practical training. The system usually assigns guiding missions to newcomers in relatively safe worlds with valuable learning opportunities, giving you a chance to find clues to your inherited authority or path. Just wait, the missions will be here soon."

Sure enough, not long after, the Traveler's Mark on Gu Yan's chest warmed slightly, and a new system notification appeared in his field of vision:

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[Traveler Event Triggered: Low-Intensity Trial/Inheritance Exploration]

Time: 2012 AD

Location: World No. 7743 (dominated by the secular side, with low mystical remnants, and a technological level close to the baseline reality of the late 20th to early 21st century) · Japan · Kanto region

Background Summary:

The surface world is generally stable, but beneath the surface, traditional yakuza forces and modern commercial society have distortedly merged, forming a complex gray area. The lower echelons of the underworld fight endlessly for petty gains, and hidden within this area are some faded martial arts traditions and mysterious relics from bygone eras.

Your task is as follows:

1. Survive and establish a foothold in this world, and gain a certain degree of recognition or fear from specific local forces within a time limit (one month).

2. Find and obtain the [Fragmented Snow] (Fragment), and try to awaken the dormant [spirituality] within it.

(Please note that if spiritual awakening fails, the current task progress will be ignored, and you will be forced to return immediately.)

Additional note: This world has a slight suppression of extraordinary powers; please use your authority with caution.

"Lei Kun's Gift" is active: Gain additional purchase privileges (1/1) - Before entering the world, you can choose one one-time resource or low-level knowledge from the regular exchange list.

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[Current Personal Information]

Name: Gu Yan

Status: Healthy (in the process of mild physical enhancement and fusion)

Specialization: Swordsmanship Specialization (39/100 - Proficient)

Authority: Breath of Candlelight (Apprentice Walker Rank - Hidden Status)

Source Points: 500 remaining (depending on specialization cost)

Imprint space: 1 cubic meter (empty)

"Japan? Yakuza? Looking for a knife?" Gu Yan quickly scanned the mission details and looked at Lei Kun.

"Typical low-magic starting village quest." Lei Kun lit an unlit cigarette. "Note that the quest doesn't ask you to become a mafia superstar. Be discreet, observe, and use your swordsmanship and brains. 'Famous Snow Remnant - Imitation'... Sounds like a replica of a famous sword? Interesting. As for the extra purchase privileges, I suggest you choose something practical, like some local currency, or a set of inconspicuous but well-fitting casual clothes, or... a handy practice sword?"

After a moment's thought, Gu Yan chose to exchange a reasonable amount of Japanese yen in cash and a sturdy, detachable, and easily portable modified bamboo sword (the blade was specially treated to be strong enough to block ordinary metal clubs). These items appeared directly in his imprint space.

"Get ready and set off. Remember, survival comes first, mission second. Experiencing different worlds is a form of cultivation in itself." Lei Kun patted his shoulder, quite forcefully. "Come back alive, kid. I'll tell you more about the withered soil and those ethereal fragments later."

I'm back alive... It seems the system won't be able to save my life this time.

…If the awakening fails, it will force a return. Who cares? It's just a quest in the beginner village. I'll show my skills when the time comes.

Gu Yan nodded, took a deep breath, and activated the event teleportation.

After a brief period of weightlessness and sensory deprivation, the feeling of being grounded returned. At the same time, a complex aroma filled my nostrils: a damp, musty smell, a faint odor of urine, the lingering scent of cheap cigarettes, and the distant aroma of greasy food.

He opened his eyes.

Dim, flickering neon lights seeped in from the narrow alleyway, barely illuminating this corner swallowed by the shadows of tall buildings. Gu Yan leaned against a rusty trash can, somewhat lost in thought.

The identity information implanted by the system surfaced in his mind: an illegal immigrant, or an undocumented worker, recently evicted from the small workshop where he was staying, now stranded in this loosely controlled neighborhood, a melting pot of all sorts. He has no legal status, no stable place to live.

In the distance came the muffled sounds of commotion, the roar of motorcycle engines, and the rousing opera playing from a shop.

Gu Yan slowly stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes. How could he look so disheveled so soon after arriving? But…

"Trial, here I come."