The courtyard was quiet, but Bai Tian Long's heart was anything but.
After absorbing all the overwhelming system notifications, after experiencing the spiritual root awakening and his soul-avatar upgrade, he finally sat down cross-legged on the stone floor and let the stillness settle in his bones.
"So this is what transformation feels like…"
The system window floated before him. For the first time, his name, cultivation, talents, and techniques meant something in the grand scope of the world. He couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
"System, open the Function Upgrade Lottery. I want to use the draw."
The interface shifted instantly. A radiant roulette wheel appeared, its border inlaid with glowing runes. Each slot shimmered with possibilities—talent enhancement modules, function unlocks, training simulations, cultivation rooms, and more. Some icons were hazy, others blinking with strange symbols.
He pressed his finger into the air.
The wheel spun.
Faster. Faster. Faster.
Then—it slowed.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
**?
Ding!**
[Congratulations, Host! You have unlocked the "Hint Module."]
A notification followed immediately:
> Hint Module Integrated with Eye of Knowledge. Talent Level Increased!
This function can be used in two ways:
1. Active Query – The host may spend spirit stones or system points to ask the system intelligent questions regarding techniques, evolution paths, bloodline awakening, and more.
2. Smart Suggestions – The system may suggest optimal paths during cultivation, battles, beast evolution, or martial selection.
Bai Tian Long's eyes widened.
"Like a true AI assistant?"
He muttered as he read the next lines:
Example: Ask which evolution line suits White Fang best for sea exploration.
Example: Ask which martial art can best support your current root type.
"I can literally use resources to substitute for years of trial and error…!"
This function was powerful. Even if his talent or level was lower, he could now ask questions only a core formation elder would understand—if he could pay the price.
"This… is a true cheat."
---
But his attention shifted once more.
"System, I want to use the Cultivation Technique Lottery."
A new roulette emerged.
This one was different. It glowed with ancient light, and three glowing orbs circled within it like stars.
Roulette Spinning...
Clack. Clack. Clack.
The three glowing points stopped—and manifested in front of him like floating scrolls. Descriptions etched themselves into the void one after another.
---
1. Primordial Star River Scripture
> A supreme cosmic technique.
Absorbs and refines star essence.
Practitioners wield the Dao of the stars.
Later stages allow for transformation into starlight, planetary suppression, and cosmic consciousness.
---
2. Eternal Green Lotus Scripture
A mystical scripture.
Can analyze and learn from all techniques it encounters.
Based on the concept of "Reflection."
Forms a green lotus spirit base with each layer passed.
---
3. Heaven-Plundering, Dao-Devouring Cauldron Scripture
Supreme devouring scripture.
Uses the Three Energy Cauldron method to absorb Qi, Essence, and Spirit.
Grants ability to devour enemy techniques and talents through contact.
Can refine spiritual materials and enemies alike.
Can absorb remnants of heavenly inheritance and devour fragmentary laws.
---
Bai Tian Long's breath quickened.
"A scripture that lets me devour others' talents and techniques..."
It was savage. Unorthodox. And exactly what he needed.
"I choose… the third one."
---
The system did not stop there.
[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the Inheritance of the Heaven-Plundering Sage!]
You have also inherited the Half-Master / Half-Dao Protector Soul of the Heaven-Plundering Sage!
His entire courtyard trembled. A shadow descended. A spiritual pressure—dense and ancient—sank into the space like a falling mountain.
And then a voice echoed directly into his mind.
"Hmm. You're the one the system picked? Not even a true spiritual root until a day ago. Tch... I've seen worse."
A translucent old man with wild silver hair and deep violet eyes appeared above the system screen. His robes looked burnt, half destroyed, but the cauldron mark on his chest still pulsed with regal might.
"Heaven-Plundering Sage...!"
The system continued:
> The Sage's half-soul is currently at Peak Foundation Establishment.
Upon host reaching full Qi Condensation, the Sage will advance to Core Formation.
He will maintain a 2-realm distance from the host as your Dao Protector and Inheritance Master.
Once the host surpasses his peak state, the Sage will be released from his contract with the Mother System, he signed to revive"
(Mother System gives such contract to worthy beings, for the inheritance,knowledge and experience as well as protection for the system users)
"So I'm your way out of the system?"
The old sage snorted.
"Hmph. Don't get arrogant. I just want to see if you're worthy of carrying my Dao."
"I'll carry it... and surpass it."
The old sage's eyes gleamed for a moment.
Then he faded.
---
Bai Tian Long sat in silence, his heart pounding.
His hands clenched into fists.
He now had the Eye of Knowledge, the Hint Module, the Heaven-Plundering Scripture, and a Dao Protector who was once feared as the one who stole the heavens.
"From a boy with no spiritual root... to this."
He looked up at the sky and whispered to himself.
"This world better be ready. I'm not stopping now."
---
...Meanwhile, atop the Watching Cliff
In the distance above Bai Tian Long's courtyard, a group of cultivators from the Heavenly Beast-Shaming Academy watched silently. Among them were three disciples draped in layered robes marked with the sigil of the Eastern Sky Pavilion.
Jiang Chen stood at the front, arms folded, eyes squinting down at the courtyard far below.
The spiritual surge had shaken the very trees.
"Did… did a spirit just appear next to the boy?" one of the junior disciples asked in disbelief.
Jiang Chen's brow furrowed. His senses were sharp, honed from decades of cultivation—and what he saw had shaken even him. A spirit of some kind—faint but formidable—had manifested for a mere moment beside Bai Tian Long. Its pressure was too brief to be measured, but the echoes it left behind were undeniable.
"That wasn't a projection," he muttered. "That was… a soul body?"
Even the usually composed Orange, one of the more senior disciples in their group, seemed rattled.
"I don't understand," Orange said slowly. "How can a mortal who just awakened his spiritual root summon a presence that powerful? That wasn't a spirit beast… it felt ancient."
The group fell into uneasy silence.
But just then—a voice descended from the sky.
It came from nowhere. It echoed through the trees, the winds, the space itself—as if existence had parted to let it through. It wasn't loud, yet it thundered in every ear with absolute authority.
"Forget what you saw. Do not speak of it. Never question the child."
The disciples' eyes went wide.
"Master…?!"
They recognized it instantly.
It was Tian Long, their master. The 9th-Step Heaven-Shaming Elder, Bai Tian Long's grandfather.
None of them had seen him in years.
They knew he was watching over his bloodline from afar—he had even borrowed the Dimensional Mirror from the Universe Spirit to secretly observe the growth of his grandchildren in the mortal realm.
But this…
This was the first time he spoke.
And he intervened.
Not during Bai Tian Hao's combat trials.
Not during Bai Tian Wu's early tribulations.
But now—for Bai Tian Long.
Jiang Chen's gaze darkened.
"Master never interferes unless fate demands it."
Jiang Chen's lips were dry. He couldn't speak. The others looked to Jiang Chen, waiting for him to explain it away—but even he was shaken.
"Could it be…" he whispered under his breath, "...that this boy is the real storm?"
They all stared back at the now-quiet courtyard.
The wind blew gently.
The silence… was louder than thunder.
---