Chapter 142: System Values
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
“You don’t understand the terrifying power of a Nascent Soul cultivator, System!” Ye Cong Xin’s voice was tinged with anxiety.
What truly worried Ye Cong Xin wasn’t the possibility of the system’s existence being discovered by others. No, her fear lay in the strange anomalies in her own behavior that might attract the attention of figures like Master Qing Yan or the sect leader. If they became suspicious of her, it wouldn’t matter if they had evidence or not—they would deal with her accordingly.
Ye Cong Xin cursed herself for being too impulsive. She shouldn’t have raised her affinity value so much all at once. Now, she had trapped herself in a situation where she was stuck, unable to move forward or retreat.
“System, you need to help me think of a way out. If I die, no one will be left to complete the missions,” she pleaded.
The system remained silent for a moment before offering a compromise.
[Ding! The system can open the store ahead of time for the host. You can exchange your luck points for a special skill—’Concealment.’ Once activated, this skill will allow you to adjust your aura according to your needs, making it easier to disguise yourself.]
A store? Ye Cong Xin’s eyes lit up with interest.
Closing her eyes, she silently summoned the system in her mind. A mysterious screen appeared within her consciousness. On the right side of the screen was her image, with a row of data displayed beneath it.
[Name: Ye Cong Xin]
[Spirit Roots: Metal, Water, Wood (Triple Spirit Roots)]
[Cultivation Level: Late Foundation Establishment]
[Appearance: 70]
[Comprehension: 40]
[Physique: 20]
[Affinity: 90]
[Unavailable…]
Ye Cong Xin’s eyes widened as she stared at the numbers. She had always completed transactions with the system through mental exchanges, but this was the first time she had seen her stats laid out so clearly. And then her gaze fell upon the number next to “Comprehension.”
“Forty points? Only forty points?” she muttered in disbelief.
And that was including the points she had gained by exchanging the luck she had absorbed from rogue cultivators with the system. Ye Cong Xin felt a surge of dissatisfaction.
“System, how can my comprehension be this low? What about Yu Zhao? How many points does Yu Zhao have in comprehension?”
[Ding! The system cannot access the attributes of unbound individuals. However, based on reasonable assumptions, Yu Zhao’s comprehension points are likely above sixty.]
The system’s tone was flat, devoid of any emotion, but Ye Cong Xin couldn’t help but feel as though she was being mocked. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within her.
“Open the store,” she ordered.
The screen flickered, revealing a dim, grayish image composed of countless small squares. Only the first square emitted a faint golden glow, while the rest remained dull, creating a stark contrast.
“What’s going on, System?” she asked, her brows furrowing.
[Ding! The host has not yet met the conditions to fully unlock the store. However, given your current predicament, special permission has been granted to purchase a specific skill.]
Ye Cong Xin looked closer, and sure enough, the first square was labeled “Special Skill—Concealment.” She continued scrolling through the list.
“Special Skill—Clone.”
“Special Skill—Feign Death.”
“Special Skill—Replication.”
Ye Cong Xin’s eyes sparkled as she read through the options, her excitement growing. If she could learn all these skills, she could become unstoppable in the cultivation world.
Sensing her change in attitude, the system chimed in with encouragement.
[Ding! The transactions between the system and the host are fair and just. The luck points you acquire will ultimately be returned to you, helping you ascend to the peak and become the number one cultivator.]
Ye Cong Xin instinctively felt that the system wasn’t telling her the whole truth, but she didn’t ask further questions. The relationship between her and the system was less of a partnership and more of a dependency. She was the one who needed the system to survive. Even if she suspected there were deeper secrets behind the system, she pretended not to know. Her goal had always been simple – to stay alive.
“Can I purchase the Concealment skill now?” she asked.
[Ding! Yes, but be aware that the transaction is irreversible. Your luck points will be completely depleted after the purchase, so please continue working hard to unlock the full store as soon as possible.]
Ye Cong Xin nodded. “Purchase the skill.”
As soon as she spoke, the golden square on the screen transformed into a beam of light that rushed into her dantian. Moments later, she opened her eyes in delight. Forming a hand seal, she summoned a water mirror to examine herself.
The face in the mirror was still hers, but there was something different about it. The lively, spirited expression she was known for had been replaced by something more subdued, almost lifeless, as if a veil had been placed over her, hiding her usual charm.
Ye Cong Xin was thrilled. The Concealment skill was even more effective than she had imagined. She began to grow curious about the other special skills, especially the cloning technique. If she could create a clone, wouldn’t that be like having an extra life?
Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she looked forward to the upcoming cultivation tournament.
At the Green Wood Sect…
“Didn’t I say not to disturb me while I’m refining pills?” Mu Ye snapped, her brows knitted in frustration as she emerged from the pill-refining chamber.
The disciple examination was less than a month away, and she needed to devote all her energy to alchemy, not allowing even the slightest distraction. She had specifically told her fellow sect members not to bother her unless it was an emergency. Yet here she was, being interrupted, and her irritation reached its peak.
Her junior brother, sensing her anger, hunched his shoulders in fear and stammered, “Senior Sister Mu, I didn’t mean to disturb you, but your old friend has come to visit. The elder asked me to inform you.”
“Old friend?” Mu Ye’s irritation was replaced with surprise. She rarely left the Green Wood Sect, spending most of her time refining pills. Who could this old friend be?
Just as she was about to suggest there might be a mistake, a thought crossed her mind. “Is it someone from the Five Elements Sect?”
Her junior brother nodded nervously. “Yes, it’s Senior Sister Yu Zhao from the Five Elements Sect.”
Mu Ye’s face lit up with a smile. “Ha! She finally decided to visit! Quick, take me to her!”
Excitement replaced all thoughts of alchemy as Mu Ye followed her junior brother eagerly, urging him to move faster.
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Meanwhile, Yu Zhao sat in the Green Wood Sect’s guest hall, sipping tea while an elder kept her company. The elder’s friendly demeanor towards Yu Zhao was partly due to her status as a Five Elements Sect disciple, but the generous gifts she had brought also played a significant role. The elder’s eyes were filled with affection as he looked at her.
When Mu Ye arrived, Yu Zhao was recounting her experiences in the swampy marshland, captivating the elder with her tales. The elder was so engrossed that he didn’t notice Mu Ye and her junior brother entering the room.
It was Yu Zhao who first spotted Mu Ye. Rising to her feet with a smile, she greeted her, “Mu Ye, it’s been a long time.”
“Yu Zhao! It really is you! You finally came to see me! I’m so happy!” Mu Ye exclaimed, her emotions overwhelming her. The pressure she had been under recently had weighed heavily on her, and seeing Yu Zhao was like a release valve. She clung to Yu Zhao’s hand, laughing and crying at the same time, unable to contain her excitement.
The elder, realizing the conversation was over for now, allowed Mu Ye some time to calm down. After giving her a few words of advice, mainly to take good care of her friend, he took his leave along with Mu Ye’s junior brother, leaving the two friends alone to catch up.