Leaving the Orphanage

It was around midnight when Xiao Ying returned to his room in the orphanage.

Once he got in his room, he took off his armor, before grabbing a clean pair of clothes and taking a bath to get all of the blood off of his body.

Afterward, he cleaned his dagger as well so no one would suspect anything.

'I can't keep doing this. Maybe I should become… No, I finally have people I can call family. I will not leave them to go become a full-time assassin.' Xiao Ying was filled with inner turmoil.

After that, he had tried to sleep for a few hours at least, but he was haunted by the same old nightmares. Unable to sleep any longer, he woke up about an hour later.

'These nightmares are getting worse, it seems.'

'I still can't get any sleep. I had figured they'd have gone away by now. Well there's nothing I can do about it. I'll just go ahead and do the daily quest real quick before cultivating.'

Some time later, Xiao Ying had completed the daily quest. His status now showed:

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Name: Xiao Ying

Age: 16

Status: Alive

Level: 4 (260/400)

Stat Points Available: 30

Absorption: 20

Perception: 30

Strength: 30

Intelligence: 20

Agility: 30

Vitality: 30

Cultivation:

Mid Physique Tempering Phase of the Foundation Tempering Realm

Intents-

Slaughtering-Dagger Intent

Skill Points Available: 1

Skills:

Dagger Arts- level 3 (0/3)

Shadow of Nine Lives- level 2 (0/2)

Traceless Shadows- level 1 (0/1)

Illusion Arts- level 2 (0/2)

Undying Will- level 2 (0/2)

Quests: 1

Item Shop: Unavailable

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'When will I unlock the item shop?'

To his surprise, the system answered him.

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Host will unlock item shop at level 10. The reason for such a high level requirement is due to the items host can get from the item shop. At host's current strength, the items are too overpowered and would only lead to host's death. Only be getting stronger will host be strong enough to carry the burden these items bring.

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'That makes sense. I guess that's a good thing for the future; at least the item shop won't give me useless items.'

'It's about time to use some of those skill points. System, put 11 stat points into absorption, 1 stat point into perception, 1 stat point into strength, 11 stat points into intelligence, 1 stat point into agility, and 1 stat point into vitality.'

'That should leave me with four to use in case of an emergency.'

'Also, put that skill point into "Traceless Shadows". I'm sure once I reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, the techniques "Traceless Shadows" and "Shadow of Nine Lives" would be even stronger and even easier to use.'

His status refreshed:

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Name: Xiao Ying

Age: 16

Status: Alive

Level: 4 (260/400)

Stat Points Available: 4

Absorption: 31

Perception: 31

Strength: 31

Intelligence: 31

Agility: 31

Vitality: 31

Cultivation:

Mid Physique Tempering Phase of the Foundation Tempering Realm

Intents-

Slaughtering-Dagger Intent

Skill Points Available: 0

Skills:

Dagger Arts- level 3 (0/3)

Shadow of Nine Lives- level 2 (0/2)

Traceless Shadows- level 1 (0/2)

Illusion Arts- level 2 (0/2)

Undying Will- level 2 (0/2)

Quests: 1

Item Shop: Unavailable

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After finishing all of the matters concerning the system, Xiao Ying began to cultivate. The high absorption stat made absorbing the Qi even faster, elevating his cultivation speed by a lot.

A few hours passed by in a flash, and it was already breakfast time.

Without stopping his cultivation, Xiao Ying went downstairs into the dining room and sat down.

Out of the four teenagers, he was the first one down. Soon after, everyone else joined him at the table.

There were many conversations, but this time, Xiao Ying didn't speak in any of them. He was too busy thinking about his future plans; about what he'll do from now on, whether he'd leave the orphanage to focus solely on the sect, or what.

"I have an announcement to make," Xiao Ying stood up and spoke, causing everyone to quiet down.

"I have decided to go wander the world to temper myself and get stronger." He lied.

"Oh, that's fine, just promise to come back and not get yourself killed." Erica told him.

"Young man, you can always call this place your home." Daniel spoke.

Dan said, "I was wondering when this day was coming. With your fast growth, staying here would only shackle you down. You could go and join one of those famous sects with your talent."

Elizabeth nodded her head with what Dan said; it seemed like she agreed with every word he said.

It seemed that everyone did not try to hold him back and that they were expecting this day.

Out of everyone, though, Michael only gave him a look. He could see through him. He knew that Xiao Ying was lying.

"I'll be leaving after breakfast. I promise to come home in a year. At that time, I'll be at the Peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm."

"I hope we can go all out in a fight when you come back, " Dan laughed.

Everyone began giving him their goodbyes and farewells. Like Dan, Elizabeth and Michael also promise him a spar once he got back. In Xiao Ying's heart, a feeling of warmth flashed, but was replaced by coldness and determination soon after.

And true to his word, he put his armor in a sack along with a couple of other clothes, and grabbed his dagger before departing. He gave the 10 silver to Daniel and Erica before leaving as a thank-you for all the help they had given him.

Immediately after leaving, Xiao Ying set off toward the underground city, his destination: the Shadow Assassin City.

Within this year, he was going to become a full-time assassin and do his best to get stronger before returning to the orphanage.

Within this year, Xiao Ying had to become ruthless and cold in order to survive. After all, this world was a dog-eat-dog world.

Within this year, the name Crimson Shadow will become known to all as the Bringer of Death!