What would it feel like to be struggling out in the world, only to receive word from your family that you could return home to inherit a princely throne?
Hao Meng was facing precisely that situation.
"Meng, you have already been cultivating in the Qingyun Dao Sect for three years. I wonder how you have been…"
"A few days ago, your elder brother met with misfortune while competing for an opportunity on Zuohai Island. Shortly afterward, a beast tide erupted. Your father… also fell while resisting the beast tide."
"Your mother hopes that you will return as soon as possible to inherit the family's princely seat."
"..."
After reading the message sent from his family, Hao Meng fell into deep thought.
He had not expected that just after awakening the memories of his previous life, he would encounter something like this.
As the second young master of the Hao Prince's Manor, he originally had no chance to inherit the family's title. That was why, three years ago, he had left for the Qingyun Dao Sect to cultivate.
But now, he had unexpectedly gained the right of succession.
So… should he return home and inherit the princely throne?
[Ding! Detected that the host has awakened memories of a past life. Matching system in progress!]
A mechanical voice suddenly rang out, startling Hao Meng.
A system?
Hao Meng's eyes instantly lit up.
[Ding! Loading complete. Please make your selection.]
[Option One: Do not return home to inherit the princely throne. Remain in the Qingyun Dao Sect as an ordinary disciple. Reward: Max-level comprehension, Violet Yang Dao Body.]
[Option Two: Return home to inherit the family's princely throne. Lead the family to rise. Unlock the Strongest Family System. Reward: Heaven-Dominating Body.]
After reading the two options, Hao Meng chose the second one without the slightest hesitation.
Even hesitating for a single second would be disrespectful—to both the system and the Heaven-Dominating Body!
[Ding! Strongest Family System loading…]
Immediately afterward, a transparent panel appeared before Hao Meng's eyes.
[Name: Hao Meng]
[Cultivation: Fifth Star, Second Level]
[Aptitude: Foolish → Low → Average → High → Genius → Prodigy → Supreme → Great Emperor → Immortal]
[Comprehension: High]
[Physique: Mortal Body → Spirit Body → King Body → Divine Body → Sacred Body → Immortal Body]
[System Modules: Please inherit the position of Family Head as soon as possible to officially unlock all modules!]
[System Space: Heaven-Dominating Body]
"It looks like after fusing the Heaven-Dominating Body, I'll need to hurry back and inherit the throne," Hao Meng concluded after scanning the panel.
Otherwise, this system would be nothing more than a decorative ornament.
Without delay, he extracted the Heaven-Dominating Body and began the fusion.
In the next instant, Hao Meng's entire body radiated divine light as vast amounts of spiritual energy surged into his dantian.
An ocean of innate life essence washed over his flesh.
Every inch of his blood, muscles, and bones underwent a mysterious transformation. His skin gleamed like radiant purple jade.
When Hao Meng opened his eyes again, lightning-like brilliance flashed within them, overwhelming to behold.
Sensing his reborn body—and his cultivation having broken through to the sixth level of the Sixth Star Realm—Hao Meng's face was filled with joy.
Not only that, his aptitude and comprehension had both risen to the Great Emperor level.
This felt exceptionally good—a comprehensive enhancement in every aspect.
As long as he did not court disaster, his future achievements would be limitless.
"Next, I'll go handle the sect withdrawal procedures and return home as soon as possible to inherit the throne."
Having made his decision, Hao Meng immediately left his cave dwelling and headed toward the Sect Affairs Hall.
As an inner disciple, withdrawing from the sect was not easy.
Fortunately, Hao Meng possessed "financial capability," which made things considerably smoother.
After all, as the second young master of a princely manor, his wealth was nothing to scoff at.
Half an hour later, after spending half of his fortune, he finally completed the withdrawal procedures.
Without wasting any time, he packed his belongings and immediately rode a flying-boat artifact toward the Hao Prince's Manor.
The Hao Prince's Manor was a non-imperial princely estate of the Lingyun Dynasty, located in Beihan Prefecture.
Clad in gold and purple, its title was hereditary and eternal.
The manor was situated in Beiyuan County, at the northernmost edge of the Lingyun Dynasty. Its ancestral seat lay within Zhenhai City, whose northern gate directly bordered the vast Northern Sea.
The Qingyun Dao Sect was far from Beiyuan County. Even at Hao Meng's speed, it would take several days to return home.
Three days later.
As Hao Meng entered Zhenhai City, a scene of devastation came into view.
Collapsed buildings were everywhere, and the streets were bleak and desolate.
Hao Meng knew this was the aftermath of Zhenhai City's resistance against the sea-beast tide—damage that had yet to be repaired or rebuilt.
Soon, he arrived at the center of the city. When he saw Sky-Piercing Island still floating in the void, completely unscathed, his heart finally relaxed.
Sky-Piercing Island was the ancestral land of the Hao Prince's Manor. Though it did not appear large, the entire treasure island spanned dozens of miles.
"The Second Young Master is back!"
"Quick—quickly report it!"
Before Hao Meng even reached Sky-Piercing Island, Hao family disciples recognized him and shouted in delight.
Moments later, his mother, Jiang Li, led several clan elders as they flew out from the island.
"Greetings, Mother. Greetings, Elders," Hao Meng said as he bowed respectfully.
"Good, good. Meng, it's good that you're back. Come—come inside the manor at once," Jiang Li said, a rare smile appearing on her face as she pulled him forward.
Over the following period, Jiang Li first brought Hao Meng to pay respects to his father and elder brother.
Then, under the witness of all Hao clan members, Hao Meng successfully ascended the throne of the Hao Prince's Manor.
Afterward, under the guidance of several core elders, he formally took over the manor's internal affairs.
It was not until well into the afternoon that Hao Meng finally returned to his room.
[Ding! Detected that the host has inherited the Hao Prince's Manor family position. Loading Strongest Family System modules…]
The system functions had finally arrived?
Hao Meng's eyes gleamed.
In the next moment, the system panel reloaded.
[Name: Hao Meng | Cultivation: Sixth Star, Sixth Level | Aptitude: Great Emperor | Comprehension: Great Emperor | Physique: Heaven-Dominating Body]
[Family Fortune Value: 3828]
[System Modules: Eye of True Sight, Investment Rebate, Many Children Bring Blessings, Family Development]
[Eye of True Sight: Allows the host to see any clan member's cultivation, aptitude, comprehension, fortune, and more.]
[Investment Rebate: According to system-triggered investment prompts, investing in clan members grants rebate returns of varying critical levels.]
[Investment Grades (Low to High): White, Blue, Green, Purple, Gold.]
[Many Children Bring Blessings: As long as the host marries and takes concubines, the more offspring produced, the greater the rewards. Higher offspring aptitude yields richer rewards.]
[Note 1: The female partner's overall rating must be no less than 90. Aptitude must be at least Great Emperor level, OR physique no lower than Sacred Body, OR fortune no lower than Gold.]
[Note 2: Children born from the same mother will experience diminishing aptitude and talent as their number increases. This system encourages quality over quantity.]
[Family Development: Increase family power level and complete system-issued family missions. The stronger the family becomes, the richer the rewards.]
[Warm Reminder: Family fortune is extremely important and is closely tied to the family's prosperity or decline. Once depleted, the family will face extinction. As family fortune increases, the fortune of individual members will also improve.]
The system's functions were clearly laid out. Hao Meng felt that this system contained a tremendous amount of depth.
However, the "Many Children Bring Blessings" function left him somewhat troubled.
Great Emperor aptitude? Sacred Body? Gold fortune?
Hao Meng was speechless. Where was he supposed to casually find women who met even one of those conditions?
For now, he did not place much hope in that particular function.
At present, the family was in ruins and needed him to lead its revival.
The function he was most eager to test was Investment Rebate.
With that in mind, he stepped out of his room and began strolling through the Hao Prince's Manor, hoping to trigger an investment prompt.
[Ding! Detected a Gold-tier investment clan member. The host may initiate an investment!]
As Hao Meng passed by the rear mountain, the system prompt finally rang out in his mind.
Gold-tier?
Hao Meng was surprised, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
Without hesitation, he followed the system's guidance toward the clan member in question.
PS: Cultivation Realms
Foundation Realm:
From 1st to 5th Star
Divine Ability Realm:
From 6th to 10th Star
Heaven-Ascent Realm:
Creation → Void Cave → Cycle Evolution → Life and Death → Heavenly Sun
…