His second choice was to become a servant disciple like Lao Jun, entering the outer court as a bottom feeder, relying on some meager resources to climb the cultivation ladder.
It was quite a rare position reserved for exceptional circumstances. Most of the time, the status was probationary too, leaving a future chance of being promoted to a regular outer court disciple.
"This choice allows us to keep an eye on you and protect you from disasters, and at the same time, you retain much of your freedom, unlike the regular disciples who must abide by strict rules.
"Your greatest advantage in this path is that you can leave our sect anytime you want, because a servant disciple will not be privy to any secrets of our sect, be it cultivation techniques, advanced teachings from the Elders, or valuable information."
Hearing Xuan Zi's explanation, Han Xuan asked, "Will Xuanyuan Zhou have this opportunity if I take her original slot?"
Xuan Zi shook his head.
"This position is a little risky for young women. A servant disciple's main duty is to serve a select number of regular disciples and Elders. Before I took over this sect, there were rumors that servant disciples were often abused.
"So I abolished the practice altogether. There hasn't been a new servant disciple in Crimson Snow Sect in many years."
"...I see," Han Xuhan remarked stiffly. In his mind, he couldn't help but curse at the cunning old fox.
If he hadn't brought out Xuanyuan Zhou's name, Xuan Zi would've probably skipped this major downside of the position! Who would willingly put themselves in a position where they're likely to be abused?
"What's the third choice?"
"It is the simplest one, lined up with your original intentions. You may leave this sect for good and lead a life as you feel like. We will not interfere directly since you're not a threat to public safety."
This time, Han Xuhan listened carefully enough to catch the trap.
"What do you mean you won't interfere... directly?"
Hearing his emphasis on the last word, Xuan Zi sneered, showing no shame at being caught scheming.
"We may act indirectly. Such as planting a tracker spell on your body and soul, sending agents to check up on you from time to time, designing alarm arrays around the places you frequent, and inviting you over to the sect for soul search sessions... You get the idea, no?"
He got an idea, alright. The idea was to tell Xuan Zi to go fuck himself.
He had been under the assumption that the second and the third choice would be better for him than the first one, which was to shun Xuanyuan Zhou and join Crimson Snow Sect's outer court.
But now it was clear that he had been too hopeful in a brutal world. Xuan Zi acted like he was giving him many choices, but the essence of all three paths was the same—he'd be turned into a puppet on long strings, free on the surface, a prisoner in truth.
"Sect Master..." One of the Elders tried to say something, but trailed off upon noticing Xuan Zi's severe gaze.
"So, young man, what will it be? The first choice, I presume?" Xuan Zi said, turning his focus back to Han Xuhan.
"To become a regular disciple..." Han Xuhan slowly considered his actual options, standing outside Xuan Zi's framework.
Inevitably, his thoughts returned to his golden finger.
Summoning it into his vision, he went through the current activities on the panels.
The personal data panel was devoid of any changes.
Moving on to the second panel, the one containing the golden book—Main Storyline, Han Xuhan noticed some minor changes.
[ Quest Name: Benevolent Beginning ]
[ Quest Description: As a unique existence to the main storyline, this is your opportunity to insert yourself into its framework under a positive light. Children of destiny are hidden all around you. Help them attain their current goal, and the benefits resulting therefrom may be unimaginable! ]
[ Quest Difficulty: Moderate ]
[ Quest Reward: 10 Survival Points for helping every Child of Destiny ]
[ Quest Progress: 99% ]
He didn't know how many 'children of destiny' he had assisted today by forcing Lao Jun to allow the duels. But regardless of that, a 99% progress rate meant that the quest was pretty much done. One more act was all that remained.
Speaking of 'children of destiny', Xuanyuan Zhou was labeled as one by the system too, just like old man Ming Zi. The quest focused on her was on the third panel, containing the silver book of Secondary Storylines.
[ Quest name: Xuanyuan Zhou's Debt ]
[ Quest Description: The easiest way to make a superior party bow down to you is to lend them what they need. You are not qualified right now to lend Xuanyuan Zhou anything. But you may come across hidden opportunities to make her indebted to you. ]
[ Quest Difficulty: Easy ]
[ Quest Reward: 10 Survival Points ]
[ Quest Progress: 99% ]
Han Xuhan stared at this second progress bar for a long time, weighing the implications in his mind.
Making Xuanyuan Zhou indebted to him? Now he knew how to accomplish this goal!
It was evident that if he helped Xuanyuan Zhou retain her slot, allowing her to become a disciple of the Crimson Snow Sect, both missions would reach a 100% completion rate!
But if he took the first choice given by Xuan Zi, and hogged her fate for himself, he would only end up completing the first quest properly.
Now it made sense why this quest was rated as [ Easy ] on the system. He didn't have to come up with some clever tactics and risk immediate harm. All he had to do was make a simple choice.
If he wanted to maximize his benefits from the system, he could only pick between the second and the third option Xuan Zi had given him.
So Han Xuhan took a deep breath, and raised his head, meeting the Sect Master's curious gaze.
"Sect Master, I have a suggestion for a fourth choice!"