I felt sweat pour down my forehead as I attempted to train the One Hundred Jade Fist scripture. From the occasional laughs Qinglong threw my way, I knew I wasn't doing a very good job. With a frustrated grunt, I allowed myself to collapse onto the floor.

I was in the first realm of Qi Infusement. All I would have to do to propel myself into the third major realm was simply infuse Qi into my spirit and bind it to my body. Easier said than done, of course, which was why I was training techniques instead.

This specific technique... I simply wasn't talented enough. With a frustrated sigh, I debated whether or not I should just descend. I would be in the upper echelons of strength, even in just the second major realm.

Qinglong decided now would be a good time to grab my attention. "Kuan Yin, I believe there is a mortal below that you would wish to view." I hummed as I walked over to him as he peered into the floating globe.

A tiny child entered my sight. With a brief inspection from my Qi Sense, I was shocked. Immediately I opened up her system panel.

Name

Ming Yun

Race

Human(Wuxia)

Health

16/16

Qi

20/20

Strength

5

Stamina

7/7

Comprehension / Talent

35

Spirit Root

Heaven-defying

This newborn child... was a demon! What insane luck! I felt my jaw drop as I turned to Qinglong.

"You said before there was a way to absorb a persons talent and spirit root, right?" I spoke slowly. I didn't want to cut this child's story short, but I did need to guarantee my survival as the Keeper. Having someone so talented run wild was a recipe for disaster.

Qinglong frowned. It was clear he disapproved of it, but there was also understanding in his eyes. "Yes, Kuan Yin. Possessing the body of this child will transfer both the spirit root and talent to you."

I waited for him to continue, his hesitation fairly obvious.

"The reason being is that the soul of this child is the container of its talent and spirit root. Possessing its body, your two souls would merge and fight for dominance. In a cultivation world like yours, this essentially means that whichever person has the higher cultivation realm will win." I frowned and nodded.

"This child was born into the Jade Lotus Sect, however. A sudden disappearance from a child as talented as this... You would have to live out their life fully, unless you were truly in danger." I gave a sigh. That was not what I wanted to hear.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

But if it is truly what must be done... I stared at the body of the infant. Would it be better to take it over now, and avoid the troubles of infancy, or later when it was a true person? Something like that would basically be murder.

I pursed my lips. "Qinglong, are you yourself able to descend as well?" I could almost hear him think.

"Not until I have a divine Domain. You must assign that to me yourself, something in which I'd have absolute control over." I thought for a moment, before coming up with the perfect idea.

"How about you become something similar to the Heavenly Laws?" I saw him tilt his head in slight confusion.

"Control over tribulations and cultivation limitations. I would also hand over full control over the Sons of Heaven sub-system." Qinglong looked thoughtful before nodding.

"Yes, Kuan Yin. I would be honoured to server as the Heavenly Laws." I smiled as the Qi around us rippled from the confirmation.

I turned to the menu, my finger hovering over the possession key for a brief moment as I spoke. "Protect me until I'm able to protect myself. You can do that for me, right?"

Qinglong hummed in response. I felt great anxiety as I tapped the key resolutely.

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Lightning struck from the sky in great, calamitous bolts of energy. The entire Jade Lotus Sect seemed to be in Chaos, countless cultivators rushing to and fro as they secured formations and acted as guards. Sneaking down from the heavens amongst the powerful strikes of energy was Qinglong; his azure form hidden by the lightning.

His size greatly dwindled until he resembled a common blue snake. Slithering through the window of the room and towards the cradle of a child, he curled into a spiral around the hand of a baby Ming Yun. In front of her face opened a black panel with dragons made from white mist dancing along its edges.

Ming Yun's body trembled as the soul of another snuck its way in; she shook for several moments, convulsing, as Kuan Yin devoured her soul -- and with it, her talent and spirit root.

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Welcome, Ming Yun. The Heavenly Laws have chosen you as the owner of the Divine Cultivation System!

That wasn't exactly what I had expected to see as I opened my eyes for the first time, my small and chubby baby hands uselessly wiggling about. I suppose I couldn't complain though. I squeezed around Qinglong, who had curled up in my left hand.

It gave me comfort knowing he was here. Though I hadn't known he was able to manipulate his size at will, I guess I just hadn't thought about that. A massive dragon a dozen meters in diameter and hundreds more in length would likely... not be received well by the Jade Lotus Sect.

I blinked at the ceiling. It was dark.

I'm hungry.

Being a baby wasn't very interesting. I opened my mouth and tested my vocal cords, letting out an unholy scream.

I smiled and giggled.

Maybe this would be interesting. I tilted my head to look at the sect members who'd entered my room, noticing Qinglong tense in preparation. They cooed at me and asked me gently to hush, offering me a small vial of milk in return. I yawned and drank.

They left the room, and once more I was bored. I decided to check out my new system, seeing that I wasn't able to open most other menus that I would be able to as a Keeper.

Ming Yun

(Kuan Yin) Mortal Rebirthing, First Ascension

(Qi Infusement, Body Reconstruction) None

(Sun and Moon Celestial Body) Regional Rankings Identify Technique Gacha

I tried to open a gacha, but frowned after noticing I had no gacha tickets. I wasn't really sure how to get those, but I decided it could probably wait until I was at least able to talk to Qinglong again. The regional rankings were as expected. Mei Lei was in first place, and the other two named I didn't recognize. The rest of the list likely belonged entirely to Jade Lotus Sect Members, but their names were obscured.

I stretched lightly. Was there literally anything to do? I shivered as I felt Qinglong begin crawling up my arm. I looked curiously at him as his head poked out from under the blanket I had been covered by.

"Gain control over your Qi, Kua..." Qinglong paused for a second before continuing. "Ming Yun. Your realm will begin naturally progressing to where you left off after you've gotten ahold of it."

I let out a babble I hope he'd realized meant that I understood the message. With very little effort, I cleared my baby head of distractions and looked inwards. I'm not sure if it was just a coincidence or a skill issue, but the Qi was much easier to grab than the first time I had attempted it.

I guided it along my meridians as I began my first circulation in this body, this time attuning it to the Ying chakra in the environment immediately. I would be slowed down by having to keep a fairly accurate equilibrium between the two. But, I really did have all the time in the world at the moment.

I began breathing in the Qi, allowing it to pass into my pores. This process definitely felt easier. I felt like crying. I was doing this hundreds of times faster than I had been before! Talent was such a cheat!