Plum Circulation evolved by 10x.

  (★★) (Common) Plum Circulation -> (★) ( Celestial) Omniscient Blossom Confluence: The profound, original cultivation technique that the Supreme Plum Blade spent an entire lifetime to uncover its secrets, only to fail.

  | Ability 1: Focus, gathering a ring of blossoms around you as the centre, you can detect anything that moves, and heal anyone inside.

  | Ability 2: While activated, strength and speed is increased.

  | Ability 3: Increases Qi regeneration, purity, and potency.

  | Ability 4: Create a defensive ring of frigid winter blossoms. Anything that enters the ring, will be attacked.

  | Current improvement: Improves effectiveness by 10%

  | Limited to the 3rd Evolution Tier.

  | Earn 1000 achievement credits to evolve.

  “Patriarch above–” Mordred mumbled excitedly, his hands trembling, ignoring the pained groans all around him.

  Wars had been waged spanning centuries over said technique. Rivers flowed with blood, cities were raised over millions of bones; all to get their hands on such a technique. And now he had it. Because of… a System? Mordred thought it was too good to be true, but as he circulated the skill, he took in a sharp, incredulous breath.

  He felt the might of the blossom swirl in his container like the winter’s blossom. It felt incredible. Everyone around him was swept up by gorgeous pink blossoms, their wounds healed naked to the very eye. They all looked at him incredulously.

  With a thought, Mordred commanded the blossoms to turn to ice. From a bright pink, to a frigid blue. They looked sharp as they swished powerfully through the air. The circumference of the ring was about 30 zhang.

  Achievements consumed.

  | Earn 100 achievement credits to activate the 10x System.

  Mordred was about to question what all of this meant when a man blinked into existence, in the middle of the corpses. It looked eerily similar to his patriarch’s mastery of the Plum Step. He just appeared.

  He had slicked back hair, budding horns, golden eyes, and wearing a strange set of attire that tied into his otherworldly, grand appearance.

  “Hello, everyone, my name is Bartholomew, and I’m the Administrator and welcome to the Nightmare tutorial, first zone.” he coughed awkwardly, his voice scratchy like a worn-out zither string that had seen too many battles in the celestial arenas of the sect. He seemed embarrassed as he gazed at the bloody carnage around him.

  ***

  If Bartholomew had known the current generation tutorial would decide to fritz itself on his watch, he’d have never become an administrator in the first damned place.

  But here he was, and there was nothing he could do about it. He had watched the fight with the goblin–a tier 1 creature–and it had cemented his decision. These people were doomed.

  What went wrong? He swore he didn’t touch anything, not this time, at least. This millennium, there were 4 designated Nightmare zones, 452 Challenger zones, and 4,582 Novice zones. The Nightmare zones were designed for noble children belonging to gods, demi-gods, and celestials. Not this rag tag bunch from a pathetic world named… Earth? No, there was also one person from a planet called Verdant Star.

  It had to because of those pesky Vironous rats again. It must be.

  Bartholomew nibbled his clawed fingers. Shit, the Lord is going to kill me, his limbs trembling at the thought.

  He was ready to turn tail and run, but he had a job to do. If he didn’t, then the Lord would definitely terminate him. He didn’t want that. He liked his life; this life, anyway.

  So, sighing, he had to atleast make an effort for these poor souls.

  “Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Nightmare tutorial, first zone.” he coughed awkwardly. They were all going to die. My bad, guys. “Per Birthright guidelines, you have been chosen to become part of the Birthright System that governs the multiverse. Everyone, every living organism is required by Supreme Law to have a chance at higher life. Everyone deserves a chance to become great.

  This is a place that will prepare you for the rest of your lives. And don’t worry, for as long as I am here, no monsters can attack you.”

  Silence reigned. Bartholomew counted 72 of them. There were more in other parts of the tutorial, but as the place was huge, he’d have to make lots of stops. It was a good thing he arrived when he did. Only members from this group died. Let’s see… 41 of them—by a single goblin.

  Truly, my bad, Bartholomew shook his head. No, not it isn’t. This isn’t my fault. It’s all the rats. Yes, the rats. Well, there was at least something he could do for them.

  “Ah, my apologies,” he said. “There are people from all different walks of life here. There’s even people from an ancient cultivation world, how exotic!”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  He continued, “Now, let’s help you with your current situation.”

  ***

  Mordred Pov.

  System Integration, skills are being added…

  Myriad Tongues of Babel: You can now converse with every language in the multiverse.

  System Storage: You can now store up to 10 items, the same item can be stacked up to 100 times. Can only be taken out one at a time.

  “Now,” the crazy horned man said. “Those from Earth may be quite familiar with how things are laid out here. Yes, it is similar to your ‘video games’. And yes, the Masters will find it very offensive if you happen to accuse them of plagiarism.

  “Anyway,” he continued his ramble. “For those unaware, the gist of it is if you kill enemies, and yes, you can kill your fellow tutorial participants, you gain experience towards Levels. These Levels will offer Stat Points that strengthen you beyond regular means. The higher the level the monster you kill, the more experience you will earn. You can also level through your profession, so for the pacifists, you’re in luck.

  “For this tutorial, you will defeat the grand boss, the Titan of Smoulders!” He said, almost unconvinced they could ever accomplish the task. “This here is a Nightmare Difficulty Zone, meaning that the monsters are… stronger than usual. Weaker variants that you may know about are entirely different, with various skills to make them terrifying opponents.”

  “How the hell is that fair,” One of the so-called Earthlings shouted, he had a deep gash gouged into his shoulder. He was the one with golden hair. Mordred understood him now. “How is this fair?”

  “He’s right,” another added. “Take us back!”

  “I can not take you back,” Bartholomew said, “nor can I move you to another zone. You have been chosen. This is your fate. You will either die here, like those lying lifeless on the ground right now, or you will ascend. It all depends on your efforts.”

  The golden haired man’s eyes fell to those around him, then he looked up, finding resolve. “Then, this is clearly the most difficult of the zones given the name. What do we receive as compensation?”

  I wonder if that 10x system is the compensation?

  “Good question.” Bartholomew clapped. “Experience gain in this zone has increased dramatically. Treasure and equipment will be legendary. Not only that, but there will be bonuses as well when you reach Level 5. That is when you will gain your Classes. Of course, the nightmare zone will make it so you bypass the more common Classes. There is more, but I can’t say anymore than that. I don’t wish to ruin the surprise.”

  Surprise? Mordred thought. But I already have it.

  Mordred concluded that the others would receive something else. But what could that be?

  “That will be all,” Bartholomew said with a wide smile. “There is a 5 year limit to complete the tutorial, but if I was you, I wouldn’t bide my time. Try and find the others. Maybe you can make it out alive if you find everyone and work together. Once I leave, you will experience my newly created extra-tutorial, where you will face waves of monsters. Starting from weak, to, well, weak? For children of demi-gods, anyway.” Bartholomew coughed awkwardly. “Fight, survive, and Level-up. The Birthright system demands it. Good luck, Nightmare Zone participants. You’ll need it.”

  With a click of his fingers, Bartholomew vanished.

  Time resumed. The grass swayed under the light breeze, the stench of metallic blood wafted across the grass plains.

  Extra tutorial has been activated - Monstrous Waves: Defeat 3 waves of monsters.

  | Time until arrival: 10 minutes.

  | Reward: Extra Stat points, creation of Safe Zone, Profession unlock.

  | Extra unique Reward for participant Mordred: 25 Achievement Credits.

  So more of those points to make me stronger? Mordred thought. Upon seeing the extra reward, Mordred couldn’t help but lick his lips. What would he upgrade next? He turned feverish at the thought.

  Numerous wooden boxes spawned where the dead bodies were not. Etched onto the front of them were the words ‘Birthright’.

  “Shit,” The golden haired young man spat. “What the fuck do we do? How can we handle waves of those things?” he looked around, and then his gaze focused on Mordred. He scanned the robes he was wearing, along with his long, wild hair.

  “You saved us back there,” he said. He was clearly terrified. His bones rattled, as did everyone else. They were in shock. Did they not experience battle? Live through death? Endure the hardships of sect life, the bullying, and stealing?

  He continued, extending his hand, “the name’s Alex. Yours?”

  Mordred tilted his head, ignored the handshake, and gave a slight bow instead. “Mordred.”

  “Mordred, huh?” Alex took back his hand. “Strange name. Even weirder clothes. You’re from that cultivation world?” Alex rambled.

  “I know you’re in no mood for small talk,” Mordred said. “We need to prepare ourselves. Two goblins like that and we won’t live to see the sun rise.”

  “Right,” he said. “Let’s check these boxes then. Might be something good.”

  Mordred claimed one for his own. Judging by how many of them there were, there was one for each person. Opening it revealed a bottomless pit of an assortment of various weapons; swords, maces, spears, clubs. Every weapon, from every branch was displayed. Mordred spotted a longsword that had a beautiful, large cross guard. He had never seen anything like it before. He wanted to pick them all just in case, but he was worried if he picked one, the others would disappear.

  Alex quickly turned to everyone, “Hey, guys, stop.” Everyone listened, Mordred glanced at him. “If we want to survive this, we need everyone to pick up spears. Shove the pointed tip forwards, easy. If we have a line of them, that will be great. Combine that with a shield and choose the heavy armour. If we want to survive this, we need to become a unit. Remember that movie, 300? Yeah, we wanna do that.”

  Everyone seemed to be on board with the idea. But Mordred had other thoughts. These earthlings may be untrained, but Mordred had the skills.

  He picked up the longsword, and all the other weapons vanished, only leaving behind an assortment of armours and shields. A surge of strength and dexterity flooded him.

  What was that?

  You have chosen an (Uncommon) weapon: Longsword.

  | Pick your armour to complete the selection process of the tutorial chest.

  Mordred unsheathed the blade and swung it. The air swished. The balance was perfect. He could tell the material used, and the forging process, was of the highest quality. The more he focused on it, words popped up in his vision, to his surprise.

  (Uncommon) Longsword

  | Added Stats: Dexterity +5, Strength +3

  So that is the reason for my body undergoing forging? This System is truly miraculous.

  He placed the sword back in its sheath. It was time to pick his armour.

  After a couple moments, Mordred decided on a white, hard leather set of armour. It covered his torso, lower legs, and forearms. It didn’t come with a helmet. It focused on manoeuvrability which was perfect for Mordred. Then, he picked a shield to go with it: a kiteshield. He tossed it to the floor the moment he received it. Other than that, there were bandages and food and water and everything they needed to survive the wilds.

  You have chosen an (Uncommon) set of armour: Kela Shelled Armour.

  You have chosen an (Uncommon) shield: Kiteshield.

  Mordred looked at the others. Alex had rounded up the others and were busy moving the dead bodies to one side. They were all wearing thick plated armour and spears. Mordred couldn’t help but praise his quick thinking.

  Maybe they’d survive this after all?

  Extra tutorial has been activated - Monstrous Waves: Defeat 3 waves of monsters.

  | Time until activation: 3 seconds.

  And then, from the border of the forest, 2 goblins arrived, javelins in hand. Even from a distance, Mordred could feel their overwhelming might, their savagery, their need for human flesh and the bloodthirst lingering in the air.

  Yeah, perhaps they wouldn't.