The Ultimate Pranker System

Chapter 5: Seeds of Chaos

The overseer's humiliation spread through the estate like wildfire. Whispers and chuckles followed him wherever he went, and while he couldn't prove who was behind the prank, Adam noticed that the man's glare lingered on him a second too long every time their paths crossed.

Adam didn't care. He had what he needed—a foothold in his new life, strength from cultivation, and most importantly, the system by his side.

Reward: [Basic Cultivation Elixir] and [Mission Tier Upgrade Unlocked].

Penalty for failure: Reduction in cultivation progress.

"Lu Mei, huh?" Adam leaned back against the wall of the slave quarters, considering the name.

Lu Mei was known across the estate for her icy demeanor and ruthless personality. She was a prodigy in cultivation, already at the Fifth Stage of Qi Gathering despite being only eighteen. Few dared to cross her path, and even fewer lived to tell the tale.

A wicked grin spread across Adam's face. "The bigger the fish, the sweeter the reward."

Later that day, Adam carefully positioned himself near Lu Mei's personal courtyard. The area was lavishly decorated, with flowering trees and a koi pond that shimmered under the afternoon sun. Lu Mei herself sat under a pavilion, sipping tea and reading from a scroll.

Her calm, elegant demeanor made Adam's fingers itch to cause some chaos.

From his hiding spot, he scanned the surroundings. A tray of delicate pastries sat on the table before her, untouched. A servant knelt nearby, waiting for her orders.

Adam's plan formed quickly. His hand brushed against the small pouch he had prepared earlier. Inside was a fine powder he had gathered from the estate's garden—a blend of itching herbs commonly used to ward off pests.

He moved silently, his improved cultivation making it easy to blend with the shadows. The servant stepped away momentarily to refill the tea kettle, giving Adam the opening he needed.

With a quick flick of his wrist, Adam scattered the powder over the pastries, ensuring an even coating. Then he slipped back into hiding, his heart pounding with excitement.

Moments later, the servant returned, pouring tea into Lu Mei's cup with trembling hands. She gestured for the tray of pastries, picking one up delicately.

Adam watched, anticipation building, as she took a small bite.

At first, there was no reaction. Lu Mei's expression remained calm, her focus still on the scroll. But then she paused, her brow furrowing slightly.

She shifted in her seat, her movements becoming less composed. Her hand moved to scratch her arm, then her neck. Within seconds, she was clawing at her skin, her calm exterior shattering.

"What is this?!" she hissed, her voice sharp enough to make the servant jump.

Lu Mei shot to her feet, knocking over the tray of pastries. Her once flawless skin now sported angry red marks as the itching powder took full effect.

The servant stammered, his face pale. "Y-young miss, I—"

"Call the physician! Now!" she snapped, her composure entirely gone.

Adam stifled a laugh, retreating deeper into the shadows. The sight of the noble prodigy reduced to a frenzied mess was more satisfying than he had imagined.

Reward: [Basic Cultivation Elixir] and [Mission Tier Upgrade Unlocked].

A small vial appeared in Adam's inventory, shimmering with golden liquid. He inspected it briefly before turning his attention to the system's newest addition.

[Mission Tier Upgrade Unlocked]

Tiered missions are now available, offering higher rewards for pranks on stronger or more influential targets.

"Now this is what I'm talking about," Adam muttered, his grin widening.

As chaos erupted in Lu Mei's courtyard, Adam slipped away unnoticed. The servants were in a frenzy, and he could hear Lu Mei's increasingly enraged shouts echoing through the estate.

Back in the relative safety of the slave quarters, Adam sat cross-legged and retrieved the Basic Cultivation Elixir. The golden liquid glowed faintly, exuding a potent spiritual energy.

"Bottoms up," he said, downing the elixir in one gulp.

A rush of energy surged through him, far more intense than the spirit stone he had used earlier. His Qi spiraled wildly, expanding and refining itself as it coursed through his body.

Adam exhaled deeply, feeling the newfound power radiating within him.

"The system delivers every time," he said, a note of satisfaction in his voice.

But his moment of triumph was short-lived. A faint commotion outside the slave quarters caught his attention—guards shouting, footsteps growing closer.

"Looks like Lu Mei isn't taking this lightly," Adam muttered, his grin returning. "Time for the next move."

He crouched near the window, watching as a group of heavily armed guards gathered at the courtyard entrance. Their leader barked orders, his voice stern and commanding.

Adam's mind raced. The stakes were higher now, but so were the rewards. He couldn't afford to back down.

"The chaos has only just begun," Adam whispered, his eyes gleaming with determination.

End of Chapter 5