Chapter 17: Mysterious System

System Integration - Success!

Ding!

[Status]

Cultivation - No cultivation

Name - Tang Jian

Title - Cunning Politician[F]

[Stats]

Physique - E rank

Power - F rank

Speed - F rank

Wisdom - D rank

Soul - C rank

[Shop] [Technique] [Mission]

A blue screen suddenly appears in front of Tang Jian, filled with incomprehensible words.

“What is this? I can't understand what's going on," Tang Jian is flabbergasted by this sudden situation.

While Tang Jian is still distracted by the blue screen, a loud voice resonates through the air of the meditation room. "Kyaa... Hall master, the soul jade is gone." The beautiful senior sister, who was playing the guzheng until now, screams in a panic as she notifies Hall Master Liu Mei about the disappearance of the soul jade placed near the Soul Calming Incense.

Hall Master Liu Mei rushes to the front to check the situation herself. It is indeed as the beautiful senior sister said, the soul jade has disappeared, leaving nothing but ashes in its place.

Hall Master Liu Mei is perplexed by the sudden disappearance of the soul jade. While the soul jade itself isn't of much use, it is still a relic left behind by the founder of the Empire. For such a relic to turn into ashes like this is something that should have been impossible.

Seeing that the students, who have been peacefully meditating until now, have broken their concentration, Hall Master Liu Mei addresses them. "Why are you getting distracted by such a small thing? Close your eyes and concentrate on your meditation. This is not something you should be concerned about. Tang Jian, you may leave since you have been distracted since earlier."

"I apologize, Hall Master. I have been feeling tired today, which led to my distraction. I will take my leave," Tang Jian apologizes with a guilty look and departs after receiving permission from Hall Master Liu Mei.

Shocked by the sudden situation, Tang Jian accepts Liu Mei's offer and leaves the meditation room to rest. While walking towards the dorm, Tang Jian is still preoccupied with the blue screen that appeared in front of him. Unable to comprehend it, Tang Jian keeps staring at the blue screen and unintentionally crashes into a senior, falling to the ground.

"Ah... Are you okay, junior? Where were you staring while walking? Were you distracted by the thought of enjoying a delicious meal after a long and tiring day?" A senior brother, who is overweight and emits a peculiar smell, offers his hand to help Tang Jian up. Despite his appearance, he seems like a good person, so Tang Jian accepts the senior brother's hand and gets back on his feet. Tang Jian realizes that the blue screen has vanished.

"My apologies, senior brother. I was just distracted by the thought of delving deeper into the boundless cultivation world. I am Tang Jian. May I ask for your name?" Tang Jian apologizes while smiling gently and inquires about the name of the chubby senior.

The chubby senior sits down on the nearby stairs, exhausted from standing up, attracting attention from passersby who start chattering. He wipes the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and addresses Tang Jian. "I am called Li Sheng, junior Tang. I understand the allure of thinking about the future, but be careful not to lose sight of your past and present. Well, don't take this advice too seriously. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to hurry to the canteen before I faint from hunger," Chubby senior says with a soft laugh and takes his leave.

Tang Jian's smile fades as soon as the chubby senior leaves. Moments later, Tang Jian arrives at his dorm room and finds that Li Bai isn't present. Paying it no mind, Tang Jian lies on his bed, contemplating his next steps.

Suddenly, an idea strikes him, and Tang Jian begins to shout, "Appear before me, system! Open, open sesame! Why isn't anything happening?" No matter what Tang Jian says, the blue screen doesn't appear. "Was it all just a mere illusion?" Tang Jian rubs his head in frustration.

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After a while, Tang Jian calms himself down and tries to recall the memory of when he first saw the blue screen. Miraculously, the blue screen reappears in front of him. As Tang Jian stares intently at the blue screen, he notices a peculiar thing—the options at the end of the screen. The options are: Shop, Technique, and Mission.

Filled with curiosity, Tang Jian clicks on the Shop option.

[Shop] Faith Value - 0

Basic Fist Technique - 10 Faith Value

Eagle Eye Technique - 15 Faith Value

Dark Shadow Technique - 20 Faith Value

Recovery Elixir - 15 Faith Value

The shop section is filled with various techniques, weapons, and elixirs. However, what catches Tang Jian's attention the most isn't the techniques themselves but the currency called Faith Value. It appears that this Faith Value is required to purchase items from the shop, making it crucial for Tang Jian's future growth.

Moving on, Tang Jian opens the Technique option, only to find it empty. Disappointed, he closes it and proceeds to the last option—Mission.

[Mission]

[Main Mission]

[Side Mission]

Curiosity piqued, Tang Jian opens the Main Mission.

[Main Mission] Establish a religious organization in the Thousand Dao Realm. Develop the organization to reach the top of the Thousand Dao Realm. Form the strongest force under your organization to help you rule over the Thousand Dao Realm.

Time limit - 150 years

Reward - 100,000 Faith Value, ??? technique, and ??? artifact

Failure Penalty - Death and destruction of the Thousand Dao Realm

"How come the rewards aren't clear? Will I have to work hard to achieve this goal without knowing the rewards I will receive?" Seeds of doubt sprout in Tang Jian's mind as he contemplates the new task he has been given. "However, this isn't so bad since I was planning to conquer this realm anyway, and the time limit is quite generous. Although, it does seem strange to have over 150 years to complete this task. Perhaps taking over this realm is more challenging than I anticipated, despite my previous experience as a politician," Tang Jian ponders over the main mission and proceeds to check the side missions.

Unlike the main mission, the side mission section is completely empty. Assuming that the side missions have yet to be generated, Tang Jian closes this section, noticing the notification icon in the upper right corner.

Tang Jian starts to familiarize himself with the system. From what he understands so far, this system is undoubtedly created by a powerful entity who is observing him. There are only two possible reasons for such a powerful entity to create this system: either to play with Tang Jian for entertainment or to obtain something from Tang Jian in return for providing him with this system. If it's the former, Tang Jian will not hold back and confront the entity who created this system. However, if it's the latter, Tang Jian will assist the creator as a gesture of gratitude.

Regardless, Tang Jian is not angered by this sudden situation but rather excited. He now possesses another weapon in his journey to become the supreme ruler.

Another peculiar thing that strikes Tang Jian is the sudden disappearance of the soul jade in the meditation room. This disappearance suggests a connection between the Empire's founder and the system. If there truly is a connection between the founder and Tang Jian, he will likely discover it in the future, so there's no need to worry.

However, one thing is certain—Tang Jian must remain vigilant around this mysterious system. Who knows when he might become a slave to the system and be manipulated for the rest of his life.

While Tang Jian contemplates the system, the dorm room door suddenly opens. Tang Jian instinctively takes a defensive stance, but his worries are unfounded as it's only his roommate, Li Bai. Tang Jian's edginess stems from the events of the day.

"What are you doing, Tang Jian? Do I look that scary to you?" Li Bai asks, perplexed by Tang Jian's sudden actions.

Feeling embarrassed, Tang Jian replies, "Ahem! I was just practicing my stance. Don't take it seriously. It's good to practice sometimes, you know." Tang Jian tries to brush off his actions, feeling a bit awkward.

Li Bai raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by Tang Jian's explanation. "Well, as long as you're not plotting to take over the world with your stance practice, I suppose it's harmless," he chuckles. "But seriously, what's got you so on edge today?"

Tang Jian realizes that he must keep the existence of the system a secret. The power and opportunities it presents are too valuable to risk exposing to others. If word were to spread, it could attract unwanted attention and potentially lead to dangerous consequences.

“Its nothing special, you should go to your bed and sleep peacefully.” Tang Jian replies in a cold voice.

Tang Jian, overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation and the potential risks involved, decides that he cannot trust anyone, including Li Bai, with the secret of the system. He realizes that even the closest bonds can be compromised, and the allure of power can lead to betrayal or unintended leaks.

With a newfound sense of caution, Tang Jian decides to tread carefully. He understands that knowledge is power, and keeping the system's capabilities hidden will give him an advantage over others who may seek to exploit it for their own gain.