The lamps were dim, and most of the servants had already gone to sleep. The air was cold, and the stone floor held the chill of the evening.
Li Ren sat cross-legged in a corner near the wall, eyes half-closed.
He wasn’t meditating.
At least, not in the traditional sense.
Earlier, he had overheard two servants talking about cultivation.
“Outer disciples absorb qi from the air,” one said.
“They refine it in their dantian,” the other replied. “That’s how they grow stronger.”
Li Ren had listened quietly.
So that was how this world worked.
People sat around, breathed in invisible energy, and somehow became powerful.
He still found it strange.
“Back on Earth, we needed gyms, supplements, and years of training,” he muttered. “Here, you just sit and breathe.”
He opened his system.
Divine Debt Ledger
Host: Li Ren
Realm: Ledger Initiate (Stage 1)
Debt Qi: 35/100
“So instead of breathing,” he whispered, “I collect.”
He focused on the number.
Thirty-five.
Not enough to break through.
He needed at least sixty or seventy to feel safe confronting the steward.
His eyes drifted across the courtyard.
Most of the servants were asleep.
But one of them wasn’t.
Near the well, a tall servant was quietly eating from a hidden bowl. The food looked much better than the standard porridge.
Above his head, text appeared.
Target: Zhang Hu
Debt: Stole rations from three servants
Interest: +150%
Total: 9 spirit stones equivalent
Status: Collectible
Li Ren’s eyes narrowed.
So even food theft creates karmic debt.
He stood up quietly and walked over.
Zhang Hu looked up, annoyed.
Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.
“What do you want?”
“You’ve been stealing extra rations,” Li Ren said calmly.
Zhang Hu’s face stiffened.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Li Ren sighed.
“I’m not here to argue. You owe nine spirit stones’ worth of compensation.”
Zhang Hu snorted.
“You think I’ll pay you? Who do you think you are?”
Li Ren didn’t answer.
He simply focused on the system.
Debt Collection Initiated: Zhang Hu
Collateral Options:
-
Minor vitality
-
1 year lifespan
He chose minor vitality again.
A faint golden chain appeared between them.
Zhang Hu suddenly stiffened.
“What—what is this?”
His face turned pale.
“I feel… weak…”
Warm energy flowed into Li Ren’s body.
Stronger than before.
Cleaner.
Collection Successful
Debt Qi Gained: +10
Li Ren exhaled slowly.
Debt Qi: 45/100
Almost halfway.
Zhang Hu collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.
“My strength… what did you do to me?” he whispered.
Li Ren shrugged.
“You paid what you owed.”
He turned and walked away.
Back in his corner, Li Ren sat down again.
He opened the system.
Debt Qi: 45/100
Still not enough.
But then he remembered something.
Old debts.
He scanned the courtyard again.
Near the far wall, an elderly servant slept on a thin mat. Above his head, faint text hovered.
Target: Old Qin
Debt: Borrowed tools, never returned
Interest: +400% (8 years)
Total: 6 spirit stones equivalent
Li Ren hesitated.
The old man looked frail.
But the system had taught him something important.
Old debts carried heavy karmic weight.
He walked over quietly.
“Old Qin,” he whispered.
The man stirred.
“Hm… who is it?”
“You borrowed tools eight years ago and never returned them.”
Old Qin blinked.
“How did you—”
He stopped.
Then he sighed.
“…I did. The owner died soon after. I never got the chance to return them.”
Li Ren nodded.
“Then let’s settle it now.”
The old man didn’t resist.
“Take what you must,” he said. “I’m tired of carrying old debts.”
Li Ren checked the system.
Collateral Options:
-
Minor vitality
-
8 months lifespan
He chose minor vitality again.
The golden chain appeared.
A gentle glow flowed from Old Qin into Li Ren.
The old man didn’t collapse. He only looked relieved.
Collection Successful
Debt Qi Gained: +15
Interest Bonus Applied
Li Ren’s eyes widened.
Debt Qi: 60/100
Now that was significant.
A warm pressure built inside his body.
It felt like something was close to breaking through.
He quickly returned to his corner and sat down.
The energy inside him swirled.
Not like normal qi.
This was heavier.
Denser.
Like liquid gold flowing through his veins.
The system flickered.
Realm Breakthrough Available
Ledger Initiate → Interest Gatherer
Required Debt Qi: 60
Li Ren swallowed.
“So this is it.”
He closed his eyes.
“Break through.”
A wave of warmth surged through his body.
His muscles tightened. His bones felt lighter. His senses sharpened.
The fatigue that had lingered since his rebirth vanished completely.
After a few seconds, the system stabilized.
Breakthrough Complete
New Realm: Interest Gatherer (Stage 1)
Debt Qi: 0/200
Li Ren opened his eyes.
The world felt clearer.
Sharper.
Stronger.
He clenched his fists.
“So this is cultivation…” he whispered.
But instead of qi from the air…
His strength came from debts.
The system displayed another message.
New Ability Unlocked: Debt Sense
-
Host can feel major debts within short range
Li Ren smiled faintly.
“That’ll make hunting easier.”
His gaze drifted across the courtyard.
Almost instantly, a heavy, oppressive sensation filled his chest.
He didn’t even need to look.
He knew exactly where it was coming from.
Steward Han.
The man’s debt felt like a mountain pressing down on the entire courtyard.
Li Ren’s lips curved into a slow smile.
“Now,” he whispered,
“we’re getting closer.”