(Please read the Top Author's Note. Thank you for reading. Oh, and sorry for the short chapter btw., just made it on the fly.)

Ling Bo's mind seesawed between moments of tantalizing lucidity and sombre unconsciousness, an astonishing tightrope act between life and death.

Whenever he could form a coherent thought he bemoaned the ambiguous words of his newly aquired attribute. He didn't expect the system to be so ruthless and not put any safety meassures into place, halting this vile investement from destroying his body.

Youth and their rashness, a folly that demanded many lives.

Woefully Ling Bo pined away the following days, spoonfed by Lan Xi and cared for by soft hands, he remained taciturn throughout, only giving succint words of thanks or a sharp nod.

In a way Ling Bo had nothing to complain. He was being cared for like he had never been cared for in all his life. His straw mattress may have been very uncomfortable, as well as the continous infestation of ticks and bedbugs, but at least he had Lan Xi's warm smile to look at whenever he was conscious.

It was then on a certain day, when his body finally broke free from its perpetual lethargy, that a certain well-groomed man patiently waited at his bedside.

A prominent chin draped in a whiskery wool, a straight nose and dark eyes. His eyebrows truly deserved the label: 'sword-like'; they had a certain flavor that made you wary, in combination with his ominous gaze you just couldn't help but shrink back.

His lips were pinned thogether, a minute frown -very fleeting- graced them shortly. His brows furrowed, eyes looking dour.

"How did this happen.", the man asked and sat on one edge of the bed. Lan Xi was prudent enough to leave these two alone.

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After a heavy silence Ling Bo answered, his voice coming out in whispers. "I don't know father.", he wheezed. "I really don't."

"Is that so...", Zhu Xiao gave a stale sigh, his countenance deflating to one of sadness and maybe even a bit of chagrin.

"Well, whatever happened, happened. There is nothing we can do.", he grumbled while standing up. Turning his back to Ling Bo he said in between strides: "Just focus on getting better.", and the door shut with these brief words of condolence.

Wow...

Ling Bo had no words, was their relationship always this awkward? This... cold?

He couldn't really tell. His father was always an ambitious man, one with high hopes for himself and his child, but after his mother's death certain friction between the two started surfacing. He couldn't remember the last moment they shared a good laugh together, that was already far into the past.

As of now, having himself over-estimated and grievously wounded, to the point of being bed-ridden, Ling Bo was cognizant of the fact that all his father's aspirations for him have come toppling down.

A testy man and his equally truculent son, none had the ability to comfort one another, they cold only go their seperate ways and hope, firmly believe in it, that someday all wrongs will be righted.

Ling Bo could only give an encumbered sigh. He just couldn't get a handle on the current situation, but there was a slight doubt budding in his heart.

It was not as if today was his first time of awakeness, so why did his father suddenly decide to pay him a visit? Urgent no less. As if... as if...

There were only few reasons. A very peculiar occasion triggered by his sudden misfortune, chance and probability rigged by his portentous Plot Armor to give this exact result.

The answer dawned onto him. And he couldn't help but feel giddy, even going as far as to shout an exalted cry into his pillow.

*BAM!*

Lan Xi suddenly stomped through the door, her face adorned with an adorable pout.

"M-Master... I-I heard from the others t-that Miss Qingya Xue and the Bright Moon sect master will be coming to our R-Red Feather Clan to screen talented disciples! T-this is bad news... I-in your condition... in your condition... Buwahhhaaaa!"

Ever since he had shown her the most basic acts of kindness Lan Xi had become very clingy -not that he didn't like it- but it made her prone to mood swings whenever it concerned him. She was a young and very easily perturbed child, and yet with great tenacity.

Even after all his abuse and mistreatement she developed a dependence on him and his heart couldn't help but swell with warmth as he saw her cry over him.

"Don't worry little Xi!", he affectionately patted her small head. "There is nothing I can't do!"

Ding! Ding!

Urgent Quest received! (Warning: Urgent Quests cannot be cancelled!)

Difficulty: F

Main Quest: Take first place in the 'Red Feather' ranking tournament!

* Success: +50 MC Points; +Secondary Dao Voucher

* Failure: -80 MC Points; -15% Plot Armor

Sub Quest: Leave a good first impression on Miss Qingya Xue, the Junior Sect Master of the Bright Moon Sect.

* Success: +5 MC Points

Well... This is new...