The narrative opens with the protagonist's brutal, self-orchestrated 'death' to escape crushing debt, only for a literal truck to end his mortal coil, catapulting him into a new life as five-year-old Xiao Hui in a xianxia world. His past memories are a blur of hardship, but his ingrained survival instincts remain sharp. During the sect's disciple selection, his cultivation potential barely registers, yet he is inexplicably chosen by the aloof, prideful Peak Lord Weiheng Wu, who admits to picking him solely for his "handsome face." This seemingly golden opportunity quickly sours as Master Wu, a self-proclaimed genius, abandons Hui on a desolate peak with no food, no cultivation manual, and only a barren hut. Forced to rely on his wits, Hui leverages his past life's ingenuity, fashioning makeshift tools and navigating perilous mountains to sneak spiritual food from the Starbound Peak cafeteria, aided by the kind-hearted elder sister Mei. His daily struggles culminate in a brutal confrontation with Chang Bolin, a jealous peer who relentlessly bullies him for his perceived lack of talent and undeserved status. During a vicious beating, Chang Bolin attempts to kill Hui, inadvertently triggering Hui's latent qi and pushing him to the brink of a breakthrough. Feigning death, a skill honed by a lifetime of hardship, Hui manipulates the situation, turning Chang Bolin's aggression into a trap that exposes his cruelty and inadvertently solidifies Hui's unique survival cheat.

Hui's near-death experience at Chang Bolin's hands serves as the catalyst for his true awakening. As Chang Bolin's kicks render him limp, Hui's qi finally coalesces, not in a gentle flow, but a wild, overwhelming torrent. Instinctively, he realizes he can "kill" his qi, making his body appear lifeless. He uses this unique ability to convince Chang Bolin's henchman to bury him, then dramatically resurrects himself, turning the tables on his tormentor. With a chilling grin, Hui employs "debt collector techniques" from his past life, hanging Chang Bolin by his ankle over a cliff, dislocating his hip, and forcing him into a qi deviation. This act of cunning retribution not only showcases Hui's unique abilities but also establishes his strategic, no-holds-barred approach to survival. His master, Weiheng Wu, makes a dramatic, if belated, appearance, easily dispelling the library's defensive array that incapacitates Lan Taijian and his disciples, and rescuing Hui. Master Wu's inexplicable power and casual disregard for consequences further cement Hui's position, even as it draws the ire of the entire Starbound Peak. Hui also discovers his unique capacity to cultivate both regular qi and death qi, a revelation that will prove pivotal in his future adventures.

Hui's burgeoning understanding of death qi leads him to a perilous secret realm, where he teams up with Bai Xue, the cursed Young Master of the Bai clan. Bai Xue, who can switch between yin and yang forms, is afflicted by a curse that turns him/her into a ghoul at midnight. Hui leverages his unique death qi affinity, studying Bai Xue's ghoul form and the realm's undead inhabitants. He develops a "ghoul-skin mask" to move undetected among the undead and, through a dangerous internal exploration of Bai Xue's dantian, discovers and breaks the demonic curse that has plagued Bai Xue for years. This act of profound healing and strategic genius not only frees Bai Xue but also reveals a deeper plot within the Bai clan. Bai Fenfeng, Bai Xue's ambitious aunt, is revealed to be cultivating a monstrous lotus, fed by lotus-pill-addicted cultivators and demonic energy, to usurp the clan's leadership. Hui, Bai Xue, and Li Xiang confront Bai Fenfeng and her demonic allies, including the powerful Zhang Zhou. Hui's quick thinking, tactical use of talismans, and ability to manipulate death qi, culminate in the destruction of the lotus and the defeat of Bai Fenfeng, saving Twin Elemental City from a devastating plague.

Returning to Starbound Sect, Hui faces the consequences of his actions: a million-spirit-stone debt to the Sect Master for eating his prized pet duck, "Fatty," and a hundred-year forced seclusion. However, Master Weiheng Wu, now a sixth-stage cultivator, intervenes, using Hui's mandatory participation in the Intersect Tournament as leverage to prevent his seclusion. Hui, a third-stage cultivator with formidable tactical skills but limited direct combat prowess, is thrust into a tournament against powerful, direct-fighting geniuses. He faces Shan Xe, a beast cultivator, and his panther Zhenmao. Hui, employing a mix of psychological warfare, feigned weakness, and Zhubi's unique poison, tricks Shan Xe into underestimating him. He uses a decoy, a feigned death, and Zhubi's venom to incapacitate Zhenmao, then extorts Shan Xe into forfeiting the match by offering the antidote. This unconventional victory solidifies Hui's reputation as a cunning, unpredictable force, capable of winning without brute strength. He navigates the complexities of sect politics, alliances, and personal grudges, further cementing his unique path in the cultivation world. The tournament becomes not just a test of strength, but a stage for Hui to showcase his unique brand of strategic, often theatrical, combat, forever changing how his peers perceive him.