Chapter 91: 1-7 How To Be A System (Dummy-Proof Edition)
Prologue. Once Upon A Time There Is A System
When I opened my eyes, what greeted me is a complete darkness. Trying to move my limbs, I am shocked by the response I received.
Instead of the usual feeling of moving my limbs, what I received is the feeling of floating without any tangible body at all.
Don't ask me how I know the feeling of floating without a tangible body. Anyway, I just know about it.
While trying to comprehend the new way to move my body. My memory slowly returned.
The last thing I could remember before entering this darkness is when I was lazing around in my living room, eating snacks while watching TV on my sofa. When suddenly a massive explosion sounded and I arrived here.
Returning from my memory, I can't help but unconsciously utter some words. Or at least I thought I uttered it. Not having a body is a novel experience for me, after all. "What the? Did I die? Am I going to reincarnate or transmigrate? If so, where am I right now, then?"
After a brief series of incoherent screaming and experiencing several mental roller coasters, I began fumbling around for some time, attempting to slowly explore the darkness using my new immaterial body.
Soon, I received several additional memories of something akin to a 'Skills'.
Although those memories are a bit confusing, using my experience as a novel junkie, I approximately understood how those skills work. And so, I separated those skills into seven categories.
[Storage] skill allow me to store information and energies that could be used. I can also create a space with some special characteristics using it.
[Transfer] skill seems related to space and information and might allow me to send items or information from one place to another.
[Calculate] skill as the name implies, allows me to calculate a lot of data.
[Absorb] could absorb things and transform them into energies. It cannot absorb something with a strong will to resist, though.
[Scan] could scan something and store the information in [Storage]. The smaller the range, the more detailed the information obtained.
[Create] Allows me to create something using energies. The more I understand something, the cheaper it will be to create.
And lastly, [Anchor] is used to anchor someone or something to me. I can also lend my skills to things anchored to me. And from what I can sense, the skill seems to be activated as I can feel something anchored to me. But that feeling is a bit blurry.
Those are the skills I got from the memories. If the memories don't lie, those skills can be upgraded by spending some energy.
After digesting that information, I tried to use the [Create] skill to make light or something. But the energies required to do it are enormous, as it seems I have no exact understanding of 'light' or perhaps caused by other reason.
And so I tried to use the [Scan] skill, in hope of understanding what the darkness surrounding me is.
The result from [Scan] surprised me, as the answer I get is that I am currently located in somewhere called consciousness space. Or at least that is the approximate translation, because the result from [Scan] just choose the most appropriate word according to my knowledge.
Next, I tried to play around with the [Storage] skills to look at memories from my previous life. I also tried to make some storage space using some energy, which is a success.
Hoping for that space to contain anything else except for pure darkness like my surrounding, I placed my attention on the interior of that space.
Once I saw the inside of that space, disappointment welled up inside me, as it is also a complete nothingness without anything at all. Exactly the same as the consciousness space I am in right now.
I even used [Scan] on that space several times to make sure if there was anything hidden. Except for informing me that space is 1 cubic meter in size, not affected by time, only capable of holding inanimate objects. [Scan] also told me there is nothing at all inside.
Without anything else to do, I tried to waste time by re-reading the novels from my past life stored in [Storage], but having good memories and knowing exactly how the plot progressed seems to be a disadvantage, as I couldn't find myself enjoying them.
Pushed into a corner, I just stared at the darkness while reviewing the skill I got. But the longer I see those cheat-like skills, the angrier I get. After all, I am still stuck in this utterly rubbish consciousness space filled with complete darkness!!
I already got the cheat skill, so when am I going to get transmigrated, reincarnated, or whatever?! Where are the promised adventures?! My journey to slap the face of others?! Anyway, just let me out of this place!!
"Arggggggalwkrghwuwjsbwgusoekwbdguwowbwsgu" Trying to decrease my depression, I keep on screaming nonsensical word for who knows how long.
After screaming for a long time, I turned silent and calmed down my emotion.
Using the [Calculate] skill I recently get, I tried to look for clues that may help me to leave this consciousness space.
That is when the darkness in front of me slowly blurred and I finally feel something new as the familiar feeling of having a body returned to me.
But, there is a minor problem.
I can't control this body and there is some kind of membrane separating my sense with it.
To say it in a comprehensible term, it is similar to the feeling of watching a film using ultra-realistic VR or at least that is how I think an ultra-realistic VR would feel. To be more specific, it is a VR movie where you can feel what the main character from those movies sensed.
While thinking about that whole VR movie nonsense, the 'I' finally opened 'my' eyes. What comes into 'my' eyes is a wooden room with stone tiles and a dressing table standing near the corner of my vision. After staring into the surrounding, a confused voice sounded from 'me'. "An unfamiliar room. Where am I? Was I kidnapped?"
Shocked by the word that comes from 'myself' without my command, I subconsciously thought about leaving this body.
When that thought come into my mind, I feel myself returning to the empty dark space called the consciousness space. But this time, there is a difference compared to before I entered that body. The difference comes from [Anchor] skill as now I could pinpoint that the one connected to my consciousness through [Anchor] is the owner of that body I previously entered.
Well, what a sad realization. I thought I have finally left that dark space.
Focusing my attention toward the body connected by [Anchor], I feel the surrounding darkness change into the view of that room I previously saw.
The owner of that body seems to just woke up from his bed, as slowly the view moved toward the dressing table. Looking into the bronze mirror, an unfamiliar person comes into my sight.
The mirror reflected a bruised teenage boy with shoulder-length hair wearing a complicated ancient Chinese clothing.
from the mirror, that boy touched his face in disbelief as he muttered something. "Did I transmigrate?"
Hearing that word, I feel like cursing someone. Why am I stuck in this darkness while others can easily transmigrate to another and have an adventure and whatnot. If this guy actually got a cheat, then my patience might sna- WAIT A MINUTE!!!
Once the thought about cheat arrived at my mind, a sudden realization struck me. Those amazing skill sets I have, this feeling of connecting my existence into another body while being unable to control the body, and someone who just transmigrated into said body. Furthermore, there is that description of [Anchor] that says I can lend my skill to things anchored to me.
DID I TURN INTO THE CHEAT?!
Calming myself from the shock brought by that inference, I slowly tried to regain my composure. Once I calmed down, I immediately entered serious mode and started to experiment with my skills.
First, I tried to use [Scan] through that boy which is connected to me by [Anchor]. Which actually worked and makes me a bit relieved, that means I could still affect the world even though I am stuck in this consciousness space.
Next, I started reading the result stored in [Storage]. When I used it previously, [Scan] detected many things like light, air, heat, etc. The information [Scan] give differs from what normal eyes receive, as it even includes its atomic composition and whatnot.
But that is not important. Currently, my attention is focused on an interesting information, [Scan] actually detected two souls in this transmigrator's body.
After a brief thought, I speculated the additional souls may either be related to me or come from the original owner of this body. And so, I spent some energy and upgraded [Scan] to let me scan memories in a soul. The price hurt me as I feel half of the energies in [Storage] disappear.
After purchasing that upgrade, I immediately focused [Scan] on the additional soul I sensed.
What comes from the scan is a new memory entirely different from mine. It shows a memory of someone which is most likely the original body's soul as I saw the same body previously seen in the bronze mirror inside a water reflection in the memories.
Meanwhile, it seems that the transmigrator has also slowly returned from his shock of being transmigrated to another person's body. After listening to that transmigrator's internal thought, which I could hear due to [Anchor]. I have concluded; it seems this transmigrator doesn't have any memory of the original body.
With my 10 years of experience reading transmigration novels, of course I understood the importance of the original body's memories for a transmigrator.
As I don't want this guy to die early, I decided to send the memories gained from the original body's soul to that transmigrator using [Transfer]'s ability to send information, which cost me yet another chunk of energy.
Because the feeling from [Anchor] only came from this guy. If he somehow died, I am afraid I might truly get imprisoned in that consciousness space forever without any chance to escape. Just the thought of spending eternity in nothingness makes me shudder.
While waiting for that transmigrator to digest the information, I continued to watch the memories gained by scanning that soul. At a certain point, I finally know the world that transmigrator located in differs from my original world. Because, based on the original body's memories, there are people capable of smashing boulders and doing long-range gliding without using any equipment.
After watching the memories until the end, I continued to crazily use [Scan] on everything within my surroundings to increase the information stored in [Storage]. Then, using the scanned information about light and the limited knowledge about soul that I have obtained from [Scan]. I started to tinker with my skills, trying to create a personalized illusory screen for that transmigrator and begin my debut as a cheat.
After some time passed and wasting some energy to make that screen, that transmigrator finally woke up from his daze as he finished watching the memories. He seems to be a bit stupefied, as I could hear him muttering about some nonsense repeatedly.
Anyway, that thing is not important.
While hoping for my novel reading experience to not let me down. I used [Transfer] and sent the screen I have just crafted into this confused transmigrator.
[Ding! Host detected. Do you wish to bind the World Devouring System?]
"What?"
Without waiting for him to digest the information, I continued to send another message using the screen.
[Detected the host has responded. The World Devouring System has been bound!]
Chapter 1. Your Transmigrator Has Arrived
When I woke up, what came into my sight was a dim room that seemed to be lit with candles.
Waking up from the slightly hard bed, I realized the surrounding room was completely unfamiliar. Falling into a sudden panic, I instinctively muttered to myself, trying to gain some comfort. "An unfamiliar room. Where am I? Was I kidnapped?"
Seeing a dressing table with a huge bronze mirror on top, I stood up from the bed and slowly walked into it, trying to check my current condition. What comes into view is a completely different face from my memories.
The bronze mirror reflected a bruised boy with a swollen eye, either from crying or getting punched in the eye. The boy was around fifteen or sixteen years old with shoulder-length hair and wearing an ancient Chinese costume seemingly from a historical drama. "Did I transmigrate?"
Has my glorious time come?
I have always been an ordinary worker without any grand ambition. Working, resting, playing games, rinse and repeat perhaps until I die.
Although my Chuunibyou tendencies have gone away with time, experiencing something that should only exist in fiction. I couldn't help feeling excited.
Imagine becoming a magician, a cultivator, and whatnot. Gaining supernatural abilities beyond ordinary human capabilities. Just the thought of it makes me shake in excitement.
That is when I noticed I didn't even know what kind of world I was currently in. Is it a world of magic? A Xianxia world with cultivators? A Wuxia world with martial artists? A beast taming world where one could nurture many companion beasts? Or perhaps a historical world without any supernatural power.
As I started to think more about my current situation, I slowly panicked because I realized I didn't know how to act like the original body before I transmigrated into it.
That is when a huge amount of memories that caused me a slight headache flowed out of nowhere. Those memories seem to come from this body's original soul, as I could see the younger figure of the body I am in among those memories.
This body is part of the Ren family, the overlord of Burning Sky City. A first-rate city located in the hinterland of the Great Azure Empire.
Being one of the core members of the Ren family's younger generation, called Ren Qingquan. This body's father is the only son of the second elder of the Ren family and works as the person in charge of several businesses that the Ren family owns.
As for this body's mother, she went missing mysteriously not long after giving birth to Ren Qingquan. Leaving only the father and son alone. Which seriously sounds like some cliche plot.
As an only child, his father spent many resources to nurture the martial arts abilities of his current body. And it seems the resources don't go to waste, as Ren Qingquan is currently in the ninth stage of martial apprentice at fifteen years old. Which is considered a genius even compared to the whole great azure empire.
After watching the memory for this long, I finally found out that this world is actually a martial arts world where a human could train their body until they could smash boulders with their bare hands.
Just like in those novels, the martial arts real in this world are separated into several levels. From martial apprentice, martial master, martial grandmaster, martial saint, martial lord, until martial emperor who has power far beyond ordinary human.
Finally, I arrived at an extremely important part. The cause of my transmigration.
One day, I could see Ren Qingquan fighting in a martial arts arena surrounded by many important elders of the family against someone called Ren Qingchen, a child from the side branch of the Ren family.
During the fight, although Ren Qingchen is only in the sixth martial apprentice realm, his ingenious usage of martial arts and extremely high combat awareness actually make him suppress Ren Qingquan, who is in the ninth stage of martial apprentice, pretty easily.
After losing the fight and losing his consciousness right in front of many important elders, the family's physician cured Ren Qingquan's wound and left him to rest in his room. But, thinking about the disappointment his father and grandfather might have, and having the illusion of a genius broken right in front of him. He died from stress and shock while overthinking when trying to sleep.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Looking at the last part of the memories. I couldn't help being speechless. Slowly digesting the information I have just gained, I tried to adjust my mental state by repeatedly the word "I am Ren Qingquan" several times.
After all, I don't want to be suspected as some kind of body stealing demon.
Although that is the truth~
And so my new life as Ren Qingquan, a core member of the Ren family, has begun.
Immediately, I saw something glowing right in front of me.
[Ding! Host detected. Do you wish to bind the world devouring system?]
"What?" Is this perhaps the most famous cheat of transmigrators? A system?
[Detected, the host has responded. The world-devouring system has been bound.]
"System?" Darn, this thing seems pretty rogue. It doesn't even wait for me to answer before binding itself to me.
[The World Devouring System allows the host to collect points by devouring something in the world. Host may use points to upgrade system functions or purchase items in shops. The World Devouring System also contains auxiliary functions that will help the host in your attempt to devour everything.]
No matter how he looks at it, the system's name and its additional information definitely scream evil. What the heck is the world devouring system as a name and its goal to devour anything?
[The host could access the system panel by thinking about the system mentally.]
Looking at the new word written on the screen, Ren Qingquan tried to follow the guide and spoke in an internal monologue. System panel.
With that word, a new panel opened in front of him.
[Name: Ren Qingquan
Realm: Ninth-stage martial apprentice
Point: 0
Technique: Dragon dance (martial grandmaster)
Skills: Tiger Subduing Palm (middle), Feather Step (low), Iron Cloth (low).
System function: devour, shop (locked), scan, calculate, system storage (1 cubic meter).]
Looking at the panel, I could still understand the technique and skills part. The technique written is exactly the same as the technique Ren Qingquan practiced in memory, with the limit of said technique being in the martial grandmaster realm.
I could also understand the skills section. Tiger Subduing Palm is a martial arts skill that utilizes palm strike to deal significant damage toward a target. It is also the skill the original Ren Qingquan used most often. As for the feather step and iron cloth, one is a movement skill, and the other is a defense skill. Then, the middle and low written inside brackets probably mean my proficiency.
But for the system function, Ren Qingquan has no idea at all. So, rather than wasting time guessing about it, he just asked the system.
"System, what are those system functions written in the panel?" Saying that mentally, he waited for the system to reply.
[The system functions lists several function host may use on your journey to devour the world.
First, 'Devour' function allows the host to absorb anything you wish to by touching it. The target of devour must not have a strong will to resist. After consuming things worth a certain amount of points, the host may unlock the shop function.
'Scan' is used to detect an area, item, or person and understand its information. The results from the scan come from the system database. So please study more to increase the amount of information gained from 'Scan'.
'Calculate' is used to calculate data during battle and to create or strengthen techniques and skills.
'Storage' is used to store inanimate objects. Also, time doesn't pass for the objects stored inside.]
***
Consciousness space
As I see the transmigrator Ren Qingquan adapt quickly, I feel relieved, as it seems we could work together for a long time to survive in this new world.
The devouring system is something I just created based on my currently available skills. I used those system novels from my previous world as a template.
As for why I don't use the martial arts system or something as its name. It is because I will be embarrassed if somehow, like in those novels, cultivators actually exist but are just hidden from the world. Changing the system name multiple times will make me seems low-leveled.
Anyway, it will be impossible for Ren Qingquan to devour the world just by relying on martial arts, right? As I fell into thought, I also tried to open a panel I created for myself.
[Name: System
Skill: [Storage], [Transfer], [Calculate], [Absorb], [Scan], [Create], [Anchor]
Energy:17600]
I used the amount of energy required to transfer the panels to Ren Qingquan, which is the cheapest thing I have spent as 1 energy.
It cost me more than 20000 to add the soul reading function to the scan. Around 250 to create the space, and it cost 10 energy to create the panel for the World Devouring System and this panel I am using. Although changing the word in the panel doesn't cost anything anymore.
Looking at my current energy balance, I somehow feel a bit anxious. After all, I still don't understand how much energy there is and how difficult it is to collect it.
Seriously, I want to urge him to use the so-called devour function so I could collect sufficient information to understand whether the points i currently have are a lot or only a little.
By the way, the [Devour] function on his panel is only a renamed [Absorb]. Devour sounds much more domineering than absorb, after all.
Chapter 2. My Family's Missile Can't Be This Cute
Ren Qingquan's room
After reading the explanation about system functions, Ren Qingquan looked at his surroundings, searching for a target to use the [Devour] function. Several seconds later, he placed his attention on a pair of vases decorating his room.
Ren Qingquan grabbed one of them before he selected the water as his target. He then activated [Devour] and suddenly, the water inside the vase vanished by a third. Soon after, a system notification rang.
[Ding! Host used devour, 0 points gained. Note: points under 1 will be accumulated until it reaches at least 1 point before being shown.]
Looking at the notification, Ren Qingquan thought. 'So, just this much water is not enough to gather one point? Guess I need to [Devour] more of them, before I can accumulate one point's worth.'
Just when Ren Qingquan tried to place his hand on yet another innocent flower vase, a sudden knocking sound followed by a girl's voice stopped him. "Young master, have you woken up yet? Please excuse my rudeness."
Slowly, the door opened and a young girl around his age arrived inside. The girl, called Xiao Ling is a maid chosen to take care of Ren Qingquan by his father.
She has a slightly above-average Asian face which, coupled with her age, makes her look a bit cute. Nevertheless, she only looked like a random extra from a palace drama my mother in the previous world usually watched.
Similar to Ren Qingquan, Xiao Ling also wore ancient historical costume like clothes. The only difference being hers is for females. Complete with a hairpin to tie her hair into a bun.
"Young master, are you feeling well yet? The master requested you to meet the elder and him once you started feeling well." Hearing what Xiao Ling said, Ren Qingquan could guess they were most likely concerned about his condition after that defeat.
"Please lead the way." Following how the original Ren Qingquan usually spoke, he answered.
Hearing his answer, Xiao Ling bowed and immediately moved outside.
Taking his first step outside of this room since his transmigration, Ren Qingquan followed Xiao Ling and passed many complicated corridors, courtyards, and several hundred people. Halfway through the journey, he started cursing internally about what a waste of space and a pain in the ass it was to have such a big clan house. 'Why must everyone live together in the same building complex, anyway? I can't understand rich people.'
Amidst internal cussing, he finally arrived at his grandfather's, the second elder's courtyard.
Upon their arrival, Xiao Ling send her greeting toward the door as she spoke. "Master, elder, I have brought the young master."
"Come in" Answering Xiao Ling's greeting is a heavy, middle-aged male voice from behind the door.
As Xiao Ling opened the door, Ren Qianquan finally met his new father and grandfather directly for the first time.
Inside, two middle-aged men sitting at a table while drinking a warm tea come into view. His grandfather Ren Wangzhen is a martial artist at peak Martial Saint realm. Because upon reaching the Martial Saint realm, one will gain the ability to retain his youth, it often resulted in this weird view of father and son that looks similar in age.
"How is your wound?" While blowing his tea, Ren Wangzhen asked him a question.
"After applying the medicine, my wound has started to heal." Once he answered his grandfather, silence suddenly descends into the room.
That is until Ren Qingquan's father talked. "That Ren Qingchen is just too much. He actually targeted our branch suddenly during the yearly tournament. Why couldn't he just target another branch? It's not like there is no new genius there. The third elder's sixth grandson is also at the ninth stage martial apprentice, although he achieved it at seventeen years old which is two years older than Ren Qingquan, but don't you think it is more appropriate to use him as a target to show off. After all, not only that kid often fights with random people in the city which could be counted as battle experience, our Qingquan has just achieved the ninth stage recently and has not been used to his strength. Not only that, I have even heard some news saying that the Ren Qingchen kid is a no good thing, he actually entered the city with the smell of human blood at midnight, if not for him to be our Ren family member ....."
As Ren Qingquan listens to his father, Ren Shiluo rambles on and on while slowly diverging from the topic. He feels like the wound on his body might get worse because of stress.
He can only hope that this meeting would quickly end. After all, he still needs to experiment with the system.
As he looked at his grandfather, Ren Qingquan saw him wearing a frown on his face and started to raise his hand while trying to massage his temple. "Alright! Stop your ramble. I will handle the matter about that kid Ren Qingchen."
"Dad, you should seriously handle this matter. Don't just shrug it off like you usually do. I want him to at least shed a layer of skin." Hearing what his father just said, Ren Qingquan couldn't help but think his father definitely sounds like some third rate villain trying to scheme a brain dead plan.
Now that he thinks about it, there is definitely something weird about that Ren Qingchen guy. Although his combat experience is low, he is still a core member of the Ren family. Which entails having a much better skill-set compared to someone from a side branch. But, Ren Qingchen actually achieved a leapfrog battle at a crucial competition. Everything clue lead to the fact that Ren Qingchen might be a main character.
While standing in a daze thinking about Ren Qingchen's suspicious point. His grandfather suddenly broke his thinking by throwing a question. "Then, Ren Qingquan. How do you think we should handle him?"
Uttering whatever come into his mind, Ren Qingquan spoke "Grandfather, I think it is better to let the past go. Instead, we need to throw an olive branch at him secretly. After all, he is a talented member of Ren's family. Of course, we still need to make some public show of targeting him. Otherwise, other people might think we are a pushover."
"Hahaha! Good. As expected of my grandson. This small setback wouldn't affect you much. You actually thought of a pretty good plan which might allow us to pull some people to our side by showing our generosity."
Actually, Ren Qingquan just doesn't want to handle someone suspected of having a main character template. He also could barely hold himself from telling Ren Wangzhen that this 'small setback' made his grandson cried himself to death. But being unable to say it, he could only keep a smile on his face.
(¬_¬)
"Alright then, you may return. I will follow your plan for now." With Ren Wangzhen's dismissal, Ren Qingquan finally leaves.
After walking a certain distance following Xiao Ling back to his room, Ren Qingquan realized he actually forgot to use [Scan] to scan his father and grandfather.
Suddenly remembering the [Scan] function, he tried to activate it at some random place. Like the floor in the hall, the wall, a painting depicting a mountainous landscape, and some plants in the courtyard. But the notification from the system made him speechless.
[Painting, devour for ? points. Please study more about art appreciation for further details.]
[Plant, devour for ? points. Please study more about herbology for further details.]
[Soil, devour for ? points. Please study more about pedology for further details.]
Looking at that half-hearted notification, Ren Qingquan just cussed but still continued to use [scan] on anything he passed while in a daze. That is until he accidentally used [scan] on Xiao Ling near his room.
[Human: Xiao Ling, unable to devour
Age: ?
Realm:Martial Lord (??? Stage) Technique: ???
Please study more about martial arts,anatomy, and other arts related to humans for further details.]
"???"
Ren Qingquan feels like being struck by thunder. How could Xiao Ling, a maid, have such high martial realm? confused, he asked some questions to the system.
"System, are you sure about her realm?"
[According to the data accumulated, Xiao Ling's realm is definitely above martial lords.]
With System's confirmation, a storm is happening in his brain. 'Do I actually have a super-hidden boss as a maid? Or is she a spy? But which crazy organization would place a Martial Lord as a spy? To spy on some random young master at that. She is probably not a spy, then. So what is her goal for hiding her cultivation? Father never told him about Xiao Ling's cultivation.'
While he stood in a daze, Xiao Ling suddenly talked to him with a concerned tone. "Young master, do you perhaps feel unwell?"
Realizing Xiao Ling's strength, Ren Qingquan could feel himself sweating bullets now.
Looking at his silence, Xiao Ling asked once again. "Young master?"
Trying to shift the blame to my wound, I replied to Xiao Ling. "My body just suddenly hurt a bit from the wound."
"Then I will bring the family physician to your room for a check."
Hearing Xiao Ling's word, I waved my hand quickly. "There is no need. I will just rest for a moment. Also, you may leave."
After opening the door for him, Xiao Ling bowed and walked away to another place, leaving the area.
Finally entering his room, Ren Qingquan slowly relaxed his tense body that resulted from realizing he had walked so long with the equivalent of a living missile.
Spending some time on his bed like a corpse, Ren Qingquan once again remembered the last thing he tried to do before being called. Reaching his hand into the flower vase, he tried to devour the water in it.
Looking at the flower, he remembered the gardens he passed while walking back to his room. Based on his memory, there is a garden where people rarely walk by. It is one of the places he often visits when he wants to be alone.
"I will just experiment on [Devour] in that garden."
Retracting his hand, he walked back into the door leaving the flower vase alone.
Count this as your lucky day, flower vase~
***
Consciousness space
While Ren Qingquan is shocked at the realization of walking near a living missile Xiao Ling, I have actually also scanned his grandfather and father already.
Comparing their data to the peoples Ren Qingquan passed while walking. His grandfather is exactly the same as what he knows, a martial artist at the peak of Martial Saint realm. But his father actually is not a Martial Grandmaster like the original Ren Qingquan's memories. He is actually at least a freaking Martial Lord. His energy is even far above that of Xiao Ling.
I suspect he might even be a Martial Emperor. But I still do not have enough data to reach a certain conclusion. So, if Xiao Ling is a missile, then his father is at the level of an intercontinental missile or even a nuclear bomb.
Anyway, Ren Qingquan. Please just devour and scan some books so I can fill in the data in [Storage] and start future planning.
(╥_╥)
Chapter 3. Shock! Someone Actually Do That Kind Of Thing To A Garden
Ren family garden
Upon arriving at a small garden full of flowers with a table and a pair of chairs made out of stone, Ren Qingquan immediately touched a plant and used [Devour] on it.
[Ding! Host used devour, 0 points gained. Note: points under 1 will be accumulated until they reach at least 1 point before being shown.]
Looking at the panel with exactly the same word as when he devoured the water, Ren Qingquan kept on using devour to target the surrounding plants.
Even when he keeps on using [Devour] until the garden has been filled with bald spots, just like a middle-aged man with huge pressure in life, the system still gives out the same notification.
[Ding! Host used devour, 0 points gained. Note: points under 1 will be accumulated until they reach at least 1 point before being shown.]
Unwilling to give up, he started to crazily touch plants, grass, soil, and even the stone table. Looking at the garden that has been turned into a pit without any sign of greenery at all, finally a new notification sounds.
[Ding! Host used devour, 1 point gained. The shop function has been unlocked.]
Seeing the notification, even the extremely hot afternoon couldn't stop Ren Qingquan's excitement. He immediately opened the system's [Shop] function, trying to check what kind of items he could purchase.
***
Consciousness space.
Looking at how Ren Qingquan finally used the [Devour] function and gained an increase in points, I am relieved. But I also feel speechless because energy seems to be harder to gather than I initially thought.
Thinking so, I opened my own panels.
[Name: System
Skill: [Storage], [Transfer], [Calculate], [Absorb], [Scan], [Create], [Anchor]
Energy:17603]
As could be seen by my current point of energy, indeed, I have taken a little bit of the energy devoured by Ren Qingquan. *Cough* 75% *Cough* Alright, that is a lot, but it is not the most important thing right now.
The most important thing to do right now is to add the item to the shop function. But thinking back to the list of items I could create, I secretly apologized to Ren Qingquan for his soon-to-be disappointment.
***
Ren family's bald garden
'Open system panel'
As Ren Qingquan thought so, a panel opened in front of him.
[Name: Ren Qingquan
Realm: Ninth-stage martial apprentice
Point: 1
Technique: dragon dance (martial grandmaster)
Skills: Tiger subduing palm (middle),Feather step (low), iron cloth (low).
System functions: devour, shop, scan, calculate, and system storage (1 cubic meter).]
Choosing to open the shop function brings a new display into view.
[Daily shop (refresh at 23:59:47)
Water, 1 point. description: normal drinkable water.
Soil, 1 point. description: normal soil. Might be fertile.
Air, 1 point. description: breathable air.
Sunlight, 1 point. description: blinding light, contains some heat.
Permanent shop:-
Note 1: Items sold in the daily shop will be randomly refreshed every 24 hours.
Note 2: Upon purchase, items in the daily shop could be repurchased in the permanent shop.
Note 3: Except for certain items. Purchased items will be sent to system storage.]
Looking at the list of items sold in [Shop], Ren Qingquan's expression full of excitement suddenly turned into the expression of someone who had accidentally eaten shit.
"What the hell, all that hard work just to buy some dirt?"
System, I demand an explanation!
Screaming in his head, Ren Qingquan's fantasy for a sudden strength gain using the system suddenly disappeared right in front of his eyes.
[Ding! The system may currently only sell something the host has come into contact with.]
Reading the system's explanation, Ren Qingquan's expression started to calm down, and he focused on the word 'currently'.
"System, what do you mean by currently you could only sell something I have come into contact with?"
[The system is currently at version 1.0, and with an increase in the host's strength and points, the system will slowly upgrade itself. As the system version increases, the items sold in the shop will also increase in quality and diversity.]
So the system could still level up?
Looking at the garden turned pit, Ren Qingquan started to continue his demolition work. After all he already destroyed the garden beyond recognition, devouring more of it shouldn't matter much.
With that mentality, the initially shallow pit slowly turned into a massive bowl-shaped pit several meters deep. Looking at his masterpiece, Ren Qingquan finally stopped.
Without realizing it, he has stayed in the garden for quite a while. Maybe an hour? Having no clock or timer is quite a pain.
Slowly moving from the garden to the pit, Ren Qingquan immediately tried to return to his room.
Escaping from the crime scene, he first cleaned his body, shoes, and clothes from any trace of dirt or plants. Then he started to walk stealthily. Walking through the place, he rarely passes people before finally arriving at the door of his room.
Finally arriving at his safe little nest, he opened the system panel.
[Name: Ren Qingquan]
Realm: Ninth-stage martial apprentice
Point: 3
Technique: dragon dance (martial grandmaster)
Skills: Tiger subduing palm (middle),Feather step (low), iron cloth (low).
System functions: devour, shop, scan, calculate, and system storage (1 cubic meter).]
"Is this perhaps how a farmer felt when he harvested his crops?"
Looking at the score increased from 1 to 3 from his hard work. Although he doesn't know what to spend his point on yet. And so, he asked the system another question. Ren Qingquan, as someone with brains, definitely doesn't want to buy those useless-looking items in the shop.
He doesn't know how, in the future, he will buy those items. But that is for later stories.
"System, except for the shop, are there other ways to spend those points?"
[Ding! The host may spend time using the calculate function to derive or upgrade techniques and skills. Points could also be used to upgrade system functions like system storage, calculation, and scanning.]
"Then system, help me to upgrade the Dragon Dance technique."
As his only martial arts technique, Dragon Dance is of course extremely important for him. Although currently Ren Qingquan is unable to train in martial arts due to his wound. The more powerful it is the better.
[Upgrading the dragon dance technique requires 500 points. Insufficient balance, upgrade canceled
Reminder: With more technique data, the cost of upgrades and derivations may decrease.]
What a rip-off! Ren Qingquan has removed a garden from the Ren family, and all he could get is 3 points, and it requires 500 points to upgrade dragon dance. Does the system want him to devour a mountain?
Remembering the system's name, the system might want him to devour a mountain.
Looking at the reminder, Ren Qingquan remembered. As a core member of the Ren family, he could browse the family's library and borrow martial arts-related books for free at any time. Of course, with his current status, he could only browse the most common kind of martial arts book for free.
For the more important martial arts book, he has permission to browse and create a copy once a year. Luckily, he still had the chance to copy it once.
Thinking until that point. Ren Qingquan quickly took his identity jade, something to identify himself, and also used to stamp on documents. Which is required to access the family library and use his once-a-year chance to access the important martial arts book part of the library.
Opening the door to his room and leaving the comfort of his small nest. Ren Qingquan moved to the Ren family's library, following the path in his memory.
After walking for several minutes, and passing through several unfamiliar places. Ren Qingquan must admit he went lost.
For the second time today, he cursed whoever built this place to be this huge.
"System, do you have a navigation function or something?"
[Ding! System has used scan to craft a map. From now on, the host may see the system map using the map function.]
Suddenly, the panel changed into a slightly blurry circular map with several dots of different colors. In the center, there is a white dot and some blue dots of different sizes dispersed randomly around.
[The white dot is the host's current location, and the blue dot is the location containing vitality. The size represents the amount of vitality the creature has. Currently, the system map only shows a 100-meter radius around the host.]
"System, could you mark the location of the family's library?"
[Ding! Host, please ask other people around as the system is not a miracle worker yet.]
Wait, system, did you just use sarcasm?
As he waited some time for an answer, Ren Qingquan finally just shrugged and walked to the nearest blue dots. There are three blue dots jumbled together near that location.
Arriving near the location, he finally found a group of servants cleaning the road and trimming some plants. After asking about the location of the library, a new landmark suddenly appeared on the system map. It is shaped like a book and located at the north-west of the system map's frame. It seems the library is outside of the system map's range.
Chapter 4. A Library That Is Inappropriate For Children
Arriving at the location marked on the system map, what comes into view is a 5-story pagoda. Although the first to fourth stories contain many marks of time that show their old age, the fifth storey is just that much older looking and contains much more fancy engraving, which doesn't fit at all to the floor under it. It seems just like someone just placed an additional story on top of the fourth floor.
Which, according to the memory of Ren Qingquan's childhood, is actually true. It is said the previous family head who went missing fancied the inheritance pagoda of an ancient martial arts sect ruins she explored. As the only thing left mostly intact is the top floor of said pagoda, she cut it off and placed it on top of the Ren family's pagoda. Although it angered a lot of elders initially, they finally relented to her willfulness, as that family head has contributed 20% of the Ren family's martial arts knowledge.
Anyway, Ren Qingquan felt he had regressed from his main reason for coming here. As he arrived on the first floor, what greeted him was an old man sitting at a counter while reading a book. Ren Qingquan took his identity jade and placed it respectfully on the table in front of the old man.
As for why he placed it respectfully, As the only person guarding the place where the Ren family's martial arts inheritance is located. Ren Qingquan already suspected the old man to be a hidden master, which has been acknowledged by the massive blue dot on the system map.
Looking at his identity jade, the old man placed some paper on it and stamped his identity jade on it.
"You may copy books from the first, second, and third floors as much as you want yourself. You have up to an hour to read and bring one of the books on the fourth floor here for me to transcribe it for you. The time starts upon reaching the fourth floor, so spend your time wisely. As for whether or not you have brought a book, once the time passed, I couldn't bother, and you will be immediately kicked off the fourth floor. Also, I must repeat this for everyone. You are not allowed to share the books in the library with others without permission."
After speaking a mouthful of words at once, the old man went silent.
"Thank you, sir."
After thanking the old man, Ren Qingquan started to browse the first floor. There are actually several people already sitting and reading the books here. Although Ren Qingqian has already gone to the library several times, he is mostly led by his father to immediately enter the second floor and above. Also, his father forbade him to read the book on the first floor. As an obedient child, the young Ren Qingquan followed his father's warning every time he entered the library.
But now, the old Ren Qingquan is no more, he couldn't hold his curiosity for the mysterious first floor. There are several large bookshelves with many old-looking thread-bound books placed haphazardly on the shelf. Reading some of the book titles made Ren Qingquan speechless.
Looking at the slightly familiar online novel style book titles like 'my domineering sect master's tender love vol. 4', 'The demonic master never stops pestering me vol. 7', and 'My black bellied sect brother dotes on me very much vol. 3'. And some suspicious book titles like 'Adventure of Demon Lin (illustration included)', 'My sexy master's secret', and whatnot. Seeing the aforesaid book makes Ren Qingquan understand why his father forbade him from reading the book on this floor.
Entering the second floor, the number of people here is much lower, and Ren Qingquan finally found many normal book titles.
The second floor is mostly filled with common knowledge about the world and esoteric knowledge like formation, pill refining, and some immortal cultivation-like knowledge. But it is actually useless, as a lot of people have tried it but are unable to do so.
Thinking up to this point, Ren Qingquan is reminded by the note he got from the system when he used [Scan]. Something that went like, Please study more about... For further details.
'System, should I read this and remember it slowly, or are there any magical means you could use to record this book faster?'
[Ding! The host may use the 'Scan' function to scan the books within the host's one-meter radius by saying'scan book' mentally.
The scanned book will enter the system's database.]
As expected of the system, the most used cheat is the transmigrator. Then, Ren Qingquan started to walk near those bookshelves one by one. Sometimes he stopped to read a book and then returned it to the shelf.
***
Consciousness space
Ren Qinquan finally arrived at a library where I could scan a lot of knowledge from those books!
Sensing the massive amount of bookshelf space, not including the floor above, I guess Ren Qingquan might require a lot of time to slowly scan them. And so, I choose to continue my experiment.
Before that, let's repeat the result of my experiment on my own personal skills. Because the memories regarding the usage of the skills I have are a bit confusing, and all I could get is their basic function and some possible upgrades. So, while previously watching Ren Qingquan demolish a garden and get lost, I have tried some experiments on [Scan] and [Anchor] that make me most concerned. I have finally come to several conclusions regarding both skills.
After slowly looking at the comprehensible part of the scan result stored in [Storage], My current scan seems to be a combination of x-ray, microscope, heat sensing, scanner, what I assume is energy sensing, and the soul memory reader I added. It could only read the memories from the remnant soul like the original Ren Qingquan, though. By the way, the original Ren Qingquan's soul somehow combined with the current host, which should be further studied.
Also, [Scan]'s area is shaped like a ball with my anchor as its center. The more range there is, the blurrier the result will be. It is also the main reason for the blurry map I gave to Rent Qingquan.
As for [Anchor], I have spent several precious points this afternoon on this experiment. I could spend 1 energy to bind something or someone using [Anchor]. It will allow the item or person bound to access one of my skills after I allow them to, and I could also make that skill start on its own.
For example, I have tried to bound [Scan] into two random stones that Ren Qingquan passed by. It allowed me to activate the scan by using those stones as a medium. I could also upgrade the anchor I already have and let them use one additional skill of mine.
I know that when I tried to add another skill to one of the stones, I bound using [Anchor]. It cost me an additional 10 energies instead of the initial 1 to add [storage] skills.
Next, I tried to add [Transfer] to the same stone, which cost me an additional 100 energies.
If we follow that formula, then Ren Qingquan, someone who could allow me to use all seven of my abilities, is worth a massive 1.111.111 Energies.
Of course, at first, I thought I could just use [Anchor] on seven items and let someone keep it with them to achieve an effect similar to what Ren Qingquan has. But sensing the area I could scan using the stone. I realized it was not that easy.
The area I could see without things getting blurry was barely one meter. Not only that, I am also unable to do scan reading just like what Ren Qingquan currently does.
Compared to Ren Qingquan, who allows me to scan things 20 meters in radius before things get blurry, the [Scan] I used with that stone is utter rubbish.
I also compared the scan between a 111-value small stone and a slightly bigger stone that has not been upgraded.As I switched my view to that big stone. The result is that, as I suspected, it actually became worse. The big stone is only capable of scanning things several centimeters in radius before getting blurry.
The most important thing is that I am unable to add [Anchor] skill to any of the stones! Perhaps I could attach [Anchor] after I added all six of my skills first, or maybe there is a certain requirement that hasn't been met. Like only capable of granting [Anchor] to humans? As long as it is possible to use anchors other than Ren Qingquan.
Otherwise, doesn't that mean I will lose my only source of outside information and return to darkness once Ren Qingquan dies?
As I stopped my experiment in frustration, I returned my focus to Rent Qingquan, seeing as he seemed to be done scanning the book on the second floor soon.
***
Ren family's library
As Ren Qingquan used [Scan] on the last book shelf, he finally returned to the stairs and began to head for the third floor. Unlike the first and second floors, there is no one here at all.
The third floor looks a lot more empty, as there is a lot of empty space. There are only several dozen bookshelves here. Every book shelf separates the martial arts manuals based on function and level.
Most of the books on the shelf here mostly contain martial arts skills and several Martial Apprentice and Martial Master Techniques. There might be some Martial Grandmaster technique, but it is incredibly difficult to master, which lowers its value. Ren Qingquan followed the already familiar step of using [Scan], browsing for a moment, and going to the next book shelf. After merely seven minutes, he has finished scanning every bookshelf on the third floor, as the amount of bookshelf is a lot less compared to the second floor.
Before entering the fourth floor, Ren Qingquan checked the system's daily shop refresh counter and used it as a timer for his one-hour visit to the fourth floor.
Entering the fourth floor, just like the third floor, is empty without any soul in sight. Similar to Ren Qingquan's memory, the fourth floor somehow contained a lot more books than the third floor.
Ren Qingquan stopped caring and started spamming [Scan] once again. The only difference was that he decreased the amount of time spent reading and walked a lot faster.
Similar to the third floor, the fourth floor contains martial arts skills that have been divided into sections based on function and also a lot of martial arts art techniques ranging from the Martial Apprentice realm up to the Martial Saint realm. Although similar to the Martial Grandmaster technique on the third floor, the Martial Saint technique on the fourth floor is incredibly hard to practice.
After he finished scanning the books on the fourth floor, Ren Qingquan checked the time he had left by looking at the system shop's refresh count.
Seeing as he only had around ten minutes left, Ren Qingquan just took a random martial arts technique before chatting with the system while seemingly reading the book.
'System, I want to check on the book I have scanned.'
[Ding! Additional library functions have been added. The host may check the library function to read the scanned books.]
Ren Ingquan immediately opened the system panel.
[Name: Ren Qingquan
Realm: Ninth-stage martial apprentice
Point: 3
Technique: dragon dance (martial grandmaster)
Skills: Tiger subduing palm (middle),Feather step (low), iron cloth (low).
System functions: devour, shop, scan, map, library, calculate, and system storage (1 cubic meter).]
Choosing the library function, Ren Qingquan searched for the book he was currently reading. After comparing the books and making sure they have the exact same content, Ren Qingquan nodded in satisfaction. Although he knows system skills are definitely amazing, there is no fault in rechecking.
'System, could you recommend a book from the fourth floor for me to copy? After all, if I used a technique I haven't borrowed, it might arouse suspicion.'
[The system recommended that the host choose 'Body Tempering Technique', a martial arts technique located on the third row of the eighth shelf. As the 'Body Tempering Technique' seems to have a specialness compared to other techniques.]
Returning to the book I currently read, I walked to the eighth shelf and picked up the 'Body Tempering Technique' as if by coincidence. Not long after, I could feel my body being pulled by a force toward the stairs.
Holding the book and standing still due to confusion on the third floor, he realized the time to browse the book had passed and the old man really had the ability to kick him.
Returning to the first floor, Ren Qingquan placed the 'Body Tempering Technique' on the old man's table.
After taking a brand new blank book from a shelf behind him, the old man started to copy the book using his blood qi, which is the energy generated when practicing martial arts technique and is required by martial artists to use martial arts skill.
Accompanied by a light burning smell and page fluttering noise, the initially blank books started to be filled with words and images exactly the same as the original 'Body Tempering Technique' Ren Qingquan had previously placed.
In less than ten minutes, the 'Body Tempering Technique' has been copied. It is indeed much slower than a photocopy machine. But damn, it is just that much more impressive.
After getting the books, Ren Qingquan realized he hadn't scanned the books on the first floor, and so he started to scan the books there.
While Ren Qingquan was scanning the books, he heard a familiar soft voice.
"Young master, I thought you were resting in your room. I have been looking for you for some time. It is time to replace the medicine in your body. The family physician is waiting in your room."
Looking at Xiao Ling, Ren Qingquan tried to answer, panicking for a moment before slowly relaxing. After all, even if Xiao Ling is a Martial Lord of unknown origin, she definitely would not do anything funny in the incredibly guarded family library.
"I am feeling a bit bored, so I tried to visit the family library. Then, let's go back to my room."
Led by Xiao Ling, Ren Qingquan returned to his room, where an old man surrounded by a faint smell of medicine had been waiting. After the physician finished checking his wound and applied a new medicine to it, he said I could start training in martial arts again the day after tomorrow. Otherwise, it might lead to hidden injuries instead.
With everything done, Xiao Ling finally left with the old physician, and Ren Qingquan was left alone in his room.
Feeling tired, he finally called it a day and just took a rest.
Chapter 5. Fatty Zhang the Door Smasher
As morning comes, Ren Qingquan slowly wakes up. Looking at the room he is slowly becoming familiar with, Ren Qingquan sighed and opened his system panel.
[Name: Ren Qingquan
Realm: Ninth-stage martial apprentice
Point: 3
Technique: dragon dance (martial grandmaster)
Skills: Tiger subduing palm (middle),Feather step (low), iron cloth (low).
System functions: devour, shop, scan, library, map, calculate, and system storage (1 cubic meter).]
Looking at the system function, Ren Qingquan realized he forgot to experiment with the system storage.
'System, how does the system storage work?'
[Ding! The system could store items up to 1 cubic meter in size. The storage space could be distorted by the item's shape. The host could look inside the storage area by thinking about it.
To activate the function and store items, the host may say 'Storage' mentally while touching said item and willing it to enter.]
With the system's explanation, Ren Qingqian started to look at the item nearest to him. As he placed his arm on a pitiful flower vase, with a thought, the flower vase suddenly disappeared from sight.
As Ren Qingqian thought about looking inside the [Storage], his view slowly changed. What came into his sight was a small flower vase encased in a small bubble while surrounded by darkness.
Willing for the vase to reappear from his arm, the vase suddenly returned near his hand that had been placed on top of the table.
A sudden ruckus stopped Ren Qingquan from his little experiment.
"Qingquan, are you alright!?"
With a hurried footstep, Xiao Ling arrived accompanied by his father, Ren Shiluo, who asked him a sudden question.
"Yes? What is going on here?"
"Some thief has broken into the Ren family's house! Luckily, except for some unimportant thing, there is no other thing stolen by that thief. I am just here to check on your well-being."
"Then there is no need to worry, as I have been sleeping very well last night."
"Young master, here is your wash basin."
Xiao Ling chimed in from the side.
Ren Shiluo continued his story while Ren Qingquan washed his face. Ren Qingquan suddenly opened his eyes wide, not because of the cold water, but due to the news he heard.
"The thief actually stole a garden. A whole garden! It is the garden located near your residence. Which is why I immediately visited you to check on your well-being. Just what is that guy doing as the patriarch of the Ren family? He should start to increase the defense and the number of guards on duty. Won't it make the Ren family's house look like a public plaza if a random expert just comes in and out that easily?"
Remembering the masterpiece he created, Ren Qingquan feels regret.
'Sigh. Why couldn't I wait until I traveled outside the city to activate [Devour]? Guess I will be more low-key nowadays.'
While thinking in his mind about how he must be more careful in the future, Ren Shiluo finally finished with his story and left, leaving only Xiao Ling and Ren Qingquan in his room.
"Young master, I have prepared the bath for you."
Ren Qingquan followed Xiao Ling into his bathroom. He finally took a bath for the first time since his transmigration.
As Ren Qingquan finished bathing, Xiao Ling helped him to wear his robes and accessories.
Boom!
Suddenly, a loud explosive sound came from the door. Accompanied by a massive stepping sound an excited sweaty chubby boy arrived. Looking at Ren Qingquan, who had just finished wearing his clothes and accessories, the fatty started to talk with a massive voice.
"Brother Ren, have you rested enough? Let's drink at my Black Flame Tavern and forget all your sadness, it is just a battle, you could easily win against that Qingchen guy next time."
"Fatty Zhang, if you keep on slamming the Ren family's door, someday I will slam your head to the ground!"
What answered the so-called fatty Zhang's question was an uncharacteristic anger from Xiao Ling instead, and it seems Xiao Ling's threat is effective, as Ren Qingquan could see fatty Zhang's excited face quickly retract.
Zhang Jixiang, usually known as Fatty Zhang, is a core member of the Zhang family, one of the top three families comparable to the Imperial family of the Great Azure Empire.
The Zhang family mainly dabbles in medicine and medicinal herbs. Their stores are spread across the Great Azure Empire. As a core member, Fatty Zhang is chosen to be the manager of the Zhang family's store branch in Burning Sky City.
Compared to the bloody competition in the Zhang family's main house at the Imperial Capital that Ren Qingquan often heard about from Fatty Zhang, Fatty Zhang's life in Burning Sky City is extremely relaxing. Although his chance to fight for the position of patriarch of the Zhang family has been lost in exchange.
Remembering up to that part, Ren Qingquan couldn't help being happy to be transmigrated in this salted fish Ren family, where the most exciting event is an elder throwing some tantrum or the previous annual competition.
Returning to the topic, Ren Qingquan has been friends with Fatty Zhang since childhood, as their father is a life-and-death buddy with each other. Because during their youth, both of their fathers often went to travel and explore ruins or other unexamined areas together.
Different from Ren Qingquan's protective father, Fatty Zhang's father used the free-range method to raise his child, which caused Fatty Zhang to be a lot wilder and often visit bad places. And so Xiao Ling deemed Fatty Zhang a bad influence, and she always got angry whenever he came near Ren Qingquan.
Now that he thinks about it, Xiao Ling seems a bit too mature compared to her age. Perhaps Xiao Ling is actually much older than what she looks, afterall a Martial Saint could retain their youth. Also, Ren Qingquan has stopped worrying about Xiao Ling, a Martial Saint causing danger to him. She has been at his side for a long time. If she had ill will against him, the original Ren Qingquan would have died several times already.
Thinking up to this point, Ren Qingquan said to Xiao Ling
"Then, Xiao Ling, I will be going with my brother Zhang and traveling in the city."
"Young master, I will prepare your carriage and guards. My apologies, couldn't follow you as I still have some matters to attend to."
Ren Qingquan and Zhang Jixiang traveled through the carriage Xiao Ling prepared. While inside, Ren Qingquan looked at the scenery outside the carriage through the window.
As a city that is connected with the Imperial Capital by the same river, the prosperity of Burning Sky City could be felt easily. Especially on the main street, a lot of people and carriages could be seen on the street. There is only one extremely annoying thing. This place smells so bad, if not for the smell existing consistently, Ren Qingqian would have thought fatty Zhang farted.
While looking outside the window, Ren Qingqian accidentally saw someone who looked like Ren Qingchen outside, although Ren Qingquan lost sight of him after Ren Qingchen entered a dark alleyway.
Not long after, someone in black clothes who looked like a ninja or thief followed Ren Qingchen and went inside the alley.
'As expected of someone I suspect to have a main character template, He actually got chased the first thing in the morning.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Thinking so, Ren Qingquan continued his daze and looked at the scenery outside while half-heartedly answering Fatty Zhang.
After a journey that seems to span eternity, Ren Qingquan rubbed his hurt buttocks and walked down from the carriage. Although the roads in Burning Sky City are good, But, with every little bump, the carriage shook so badly that Ren Qingquan thought they had collided with something instead.
Arriving at Black Flame Tavern, what first comes to mind is their massive signboard, written using some calligraphy that looks beautiful.
Boom!
Using his trademarked door smash, Fatty Zhang opened the door to Black Flame Tavern.
What greeted us was a tavern lit with a lot of candles. There were many patrons eating, and some servers could be seen moving quickly between tables. That is when a middle-aged man with fancy clothing comes and greets both of them.
"Young Master Zhang, I just asked someone to repair the tavern door last week. We might enter a deficit if you keep on slamming and destroying doors like this."
"No worries, manager Yang. It's okay to enter a deficit occasionally. After all, I mainly built the tavern here to relax, eat my favorite food, and listen to gossip."
"Sigh, young master, shall I prepare a private room for both of you?"
"There is no need. I will just eat at the dining area. Also bring me the new dishes and drinks, and whatever brother Ren wants."
Fatty Zhang answered while waving his hand.
"I will just have some snacks to accompany my drink."
While waiting for the food to be served, Ren Qingquan talked about many things with Fatty Zhang when he realized he hadn't used [Scan] today.
And so, Ren Qingquan activated [Scan] and started to scan many things in the tavern, from furniture like chairs and tables, dishes and drinks, and also the patrons and servers inside.
Soon, the dishes and drinks were served, and Fatty Zhang finally shut up and started eating. Looking at fatty Zhang's exaggerated expressions as he ate, Ren Qingquan felt as if he were looking at a food commercial.
Ren Qingquan ate his snack while listening to the gossip from another diner. He finally understood why Fatty Zhang loved to eat here. After all, this world has almost no entertainment. Listening to gossip is one of the best ways to entertain yourself. Especially when the gossip is so darn interesting.
Just from a few minutes of listening, Ren Qingquan has heard about many things, both important and not. For example, someone's wife found sleeping with his friend, some people found a place suspected to be an ancient martial sect ruins, someone talking big about his fight against a monster beast in an endless mountain, and other fantasy-sounding stories.
After he finished eating and drinking, Ren Qingquan chatted with Fatty Zhang and finally left when it was already noon.
As he traveled on the carriage, Ren Qingquan played around with [Storage] in boredom. When Ren Qingquan seemed bored from playing with [Storage], he opened the system shop, which was refreshed several minutes ago.
'Open the system shop.'
[Daily shop (refresh at 23:18:26)
Water, 1 point. description: normal drinkable water.
Food, 1 point. description: Random foods from Black Flame Tavern.
Steel, 1 point. description: solid, heavy, pure steel with a customized shape. (2000 kg)
Air, 1 point. description: breathable air.
Sunlight, 1 point. description: blinding light, contains some heat.
Permanent shop:-
Note 1: ... ]
Except for food and steel, everything is the same as before, except for soil that went missing from the daily shop. Looking at the description of steel, Ren Qingquan entered deep thought and asked the system some incomprehensible things.
'System, if I stored some steel in the storage, could you change its shape into something I want? And how much will it cost?'
[Yes, the system could transform items stored in 'Storage'. As for the cost, it will increase depending on size, complexity, and materials.]
'Then, how much would it cost to transform steel to the size of one or two cubic meters?'
[Less than one point. Unless it contains an extremely high level of detail.]
'Are there any limits to the size of things I could pull from [storage] at once?'
[The host may pull everything from 'Storage' at once.]
After getting his answer, Ren Qingquan smiled and called the coachman.
"Let's visit some blacksmith stores first before we go home."
***
Consciousness space
Listening to Rent Qingquan's request, I somehow got an incredibly bad feeling. Especially when he suddenly asked about [storage] after asking about modifying something. I just hope he doesn't do anything too weird and inappropriate for children to see.
Also, I could finally approximately calculate how much energy doing something might cost. As expected of this genius, me.
Chapter 6. Volatile Units of Measurement
Following Ren Qingquan's words, the coachman changed his path and entered a different path from what he used to visit Black Flame Tavern from the Ren family's house.
While on the way, Ren Qingquan opened the system map while using [Scan] on every item and person he could see. [Scan] is extremely important, and Ren Qigquan wants to have the good habit of scanning everything.
When staring at the system map, several blue dots caught his attention as they were moving at a pretty high speed. Based on their speed, they might soon arrive near the carriage.
With that in mind, Ren Qingquan looked outside the window and could see someone wearing a black robe being chased by several city guards.
As Ren Qingquan used [Scan] on the black-robed person and one of the city guards, the following panels appeared.
[Human: Ren Qingchen, unable to devour
Age: 15
Realm: Ninth Stage Martial Apprentice
Technique: ???
Please study more about martial arts, anatomy, and other arts related to humans for further details.]
[Human: ???, unable to devour
Age: 27
Realm: Fourth Stage Martial Master
Technique: Sword-Body Unity (Martial Master)
Please study more about martial arts,anatomy, and other arts related to humans for further details.]
Looking at the system panel, Ren Qingquan feels a mix of gloating, confusion, and shock.
'Just what does Ren Qingchen do to be chased by so many people? Well, I am not a nosy person, and it's not my problem, so I am too lazy to care.'
Looking at Ren Qingchen's Realm it basically solidified his position as a main character in Ren Qingquan's mind.
Increasing his martial arts realm by two levels in two days is wild. It requires a fortuitous encounter, a genius talent, or a mix of both.
Furthermore, Ren Qingchen seems to have a powerful movement technique, as he could escape from a group of guards in the martial master realm.
No matter from which angle, he is blessed with a huge amount of luck. The only mystery is what kind of main character Ren Qingchen is.
'Guess I will ask someone to check his past experience later.'
Soon, Ren Qingquan sent everything to the back of his mind as he finally arrived at a blacksmith store. It is a pretty large workshop with not-so fancy decor and many displays of weapons like swords, sabers, arrows, bows, and armor. There are also daily items like a pitchfork, plate, fork, and spoon.
When Ren Qingquan entered the door, a bulky man who looked like a blacksmith, wearing a blacksmith like cloth, with a blacksmith like facial hair, and was most likely a blacksmith arrived and asked him.
"Sir, how may I help you? Everything available for purchase is placed on the display shelf. We also accept custom orders, although the price may increase slightly."
"I will look around first."
Ren Qingquan ignored the blacksmith guy and just started to use [Scan] on the item from the shelf.
[Sword, devour for ? Point. Detail: made using steel and iron. Please study more about metallurgy and smithing for further details.]
The metal weapon on the shelf mostly weighs around one kilogram and doesn't meet the amount he wished for at all. And so Ren Qingquan asked the blacksmith guy who had been accompanying him.
"Do you have more metal? A mix of steel, iron, and bronze could do. I need a total of around 200 stones in total weight."
The stone Ren Qingquan just said is one of the units to measure weight in this world. It is approximately 55 to 60 kilograms each, as Ren Qingquan heard it differs from region to region. Remembering the weight system that could change depending on the user's mood, Ren Qingquan couldn't help but sigh.
'Should I introduce a weight system here? Never mind. I'm too lazy to do that.'
"My apologies, sir. We only have 5 stones of steel in storage. Even if iron and bronze were included, it would not weigh more than 10 stones."
"Then I will purchase everything you have. Also, load it into the carriage."
With those domineering words that Ren Qingquan has been waiting to say since his previous life, he asked for the price and paid the blacksmith in full using silver notes released recently by the Martial Spirit Sect, a force half a level higher than the three great empires.
Now that he thinks about it, is the cost of metal pretty low in this world, or is Ren Qingquan's pocket money from his dad incredibly huge? The amount of purchase today actually barely makes a dent in his savings. He calculated that even after purchasing all the metal at this price, it might only cost him slightly more than six months of pocket money.
Now, Ren Qingquan is a bit confused about how rich he is, as the old Ren Qingquan spent most of his time training. And at most, he will follow fatty Zhang to drink. Even then, fatty Zhang is the one who paid for his food. It resulted in Ren Qingquan having no idea how much money he actually has.
After purchasing those metals from this blacksmith, Ren Qingquan just went home and stopped purchasing metals. He doesn't want to cause chaos over the price of metal in the city. So, Ren Qingquang asked the coachman to immediately return to the Ren family.
Arriving at the Ren family's house, Ren Qingquan feels a bit disappointed as he doesn't get to see Ren Qingchen get chased by someone.
Asking for the coachman to bring the box of metal he purchased to his storage room first, Ren Qingquan followed the path in his memory. Actually, Ren Qingquan wanted to bring those metals himself, but looking as the coachman nearby started to pale and stopped him when he tried to do so, Ren Qingquan just let him bring them.
On his way to his room, Xiao Ling somehow arrived, as if she had a built-in radar to detect Ren Qingquan's presence.
'She arrived at the right time'
Before Xiao Ling could say anything, Ren Qingquan asked her.
"Could you ask my father where I could purchase several hundred stones worth of steel, iron, and bronze?"
Hearing the sudden request, Xiao Ling was dumbfounded but replied nevertheless.
"I will ask the master immediately."
As Xiao Ling went to report the news to Ren Shiluo, Ren Qingquan finally arrived at his room.
***
Ren Shiluo's study room
Xiao Ling arrived with a knock at the door and an answer from Ren Shiluo. She entered the room and reported to Rent Shiluo.
"Sir, young master Qingquan wished to purchase several hundred stones's worth of metal. I have asked the coachman, and he said the young master got that idea after he visited Black Flame Tavern. Should I ask his reason for purchasing those metals?"
Ren Shiluo stopped reading the documents and answered with a smile.
"There is no need, someone probably invited him to do some business. At most, he might get duped once or twice, which might be a good thing. Just tell him to be careful during his business endeavors."
Listening to that word, Xiao Ling left and went to Ren Qingquan's room.
***
Ren Qingquan's room
Xiao Ling finally returned with some good news.
"Master said he could help you use the family's connection to buy it. He also asked you to be careful so as not to get tricked in business."
Listening to Xiao Ling's words, Ren Qingquan guessed his father might be misunderstanding something, but he was too lazy to correct it. The misunderstanding is beneficial to him anyway.
"Alright"
Now, with material for his secret plan ready, Ren Qingquan went to visit the library to continue his work of scanning the books on the first floor, just in case there was some important secret hidden inside. He definitely doesn't store those novels to read. Especially not the one about demons with illustrations included.
In just two hours, Ren Qingquan finished his scanning work and returned to his room. Looking at the sky that is getting darker, after having a bath and changing the bandage on his wound, Ren Qingquan slept amidst excitement.
After all, tomorrow his wound will be healed, and he could practice martial arts!
Chapter 7. Martial Arts! Martial Arts!
Finally! When morning came, Ren Qingquan quickly woke up feeling refreshed and excited.
Not long after, Xiao Ling entered with a wash basin for Rent Qingquan to wash his face, immediately followed by a bath and wearing his pain in the ass clothes and accessories.
As there is no fatty Zhang to invite him for breakfast, just like the first day, Xiao Ling brought his breakfast into the dining room next to his bedroom, with the only difference from the first day being the food inside. As his wound has healed and he can practice martial arts once again, the meat used for breakfast today is a ferocious beast from Endless Mountain.
In this world, there exist ferocious beasts capable of rivaling martial artists of different levels. As a creature that rivals martial artists, the meat of the ferocious beast is actually an extremely good tonic for martial artists, but due to their strong bodies, the meat from the ferocious beast requires additional medicinal material before it can be eaten. Not only that, cooking ferocious beast meat requires a chef with special skills. All of that caused the price of cooked ferocious beast meat to be extremely expensive. Ren Qingquan doesn't know exactly how expensive it is, but the fact that important branch members of the Ren family only have one portion quota per month shows how rare it is.
As he ate the meat, Ren Qingquan could feel his blood and flesh energy or usually abbreviated as blood energy increased rapidly. It makes him realize that had he eaten this food while being wounded before, his body might not bear it and cause some veins to explode. After just several minutes, Ren Qingquan finished eating all of the meat.
As Xiao Ling left once again, Ren Qingquan ran into his private training ground. After arriving at the training ground, Ren Qingquan immediately followed the familiar step of the 'Dragon Dance Technique'.His body moved according to the move in the Dragon Dance Technique while also circulating the blood qi around his body, following a certain rhythm.
The Dragon Dance Technique contains six sets of movements that follow the movement of a dragon. Well, at least that's how the creator of this technique probably feels the movement of a dragon should be.
But, feeling the slithering-like movement he makes to practice, Ren Qingquan feels some suspicion. Perhaps the creator of this technique confused a snake for a dragon? Or perhaps they just want to have a domineering name.
As Ren Qingquan practiced all six sets of movements from the technique, the blood energy he stored from eating the ferocious beast meat decreased a little. In exchange, it is transformed into a small amount of vital energy, which strengthens the body.
Martial arts practice in the Martial Apprentice realm is done by accumulating a certain amount of vital energy and transforming it into a strand of vital energy. Upon generating a strand of vital energy, the martial apprentice's body will attain a leap in strength, speed, and reaction. Every leap is called an increase in the small realm.
The explanation might be a bit confusing, so in gaming terms, blood and flesh energy is MP and vital energy is EXP. Ren Qingquan could spend his MP by practicing martial technique to raise his EXP, which, upon reaching a certain amount, will cause him to level up and increase his stats.
Normal martial artists need to wait for their blood and flesh energy to recover naturally, which increases the amount of time they waste. Of course, for people who used the pay-to-win method like Ren Qingqian, they could just eat ferocious beast meat to recover faster, which made their blood energy regenerate faster.
As for how a martial apprentice increases their realm to that of a martial master, first, it requires a technique capable of generating vital energy of sufficient quality. Upon generating ten strands of vital energy, it will break a certain limit and seep into every flesh and bone of the martial artist, which will result in their flesh and blood regenerating faster and grant them another massive leap in strength.
Now that Ren Qingquan is soon going to break through, he is thinking about changing the technique he used into the one system recommended. After all, changing technique in the Martial Master realm is more complicated than in the Martial Apprentice realm. Because different techniques generate vital energy of different qualities and characteristics, changing a technique requires martial artists to also slowly turn their original vital energy into vital energy generated by the new technique. As Martial Master's vital energy has seeped into all of their flesh, it requires them to change the vital energy on those flesh too, which consumes a lot of time.
But before changing it, he must make sure what the system means by the specialness of 'Body Tempering Technique'.
[The Body Tempering Technique's specialness exists at a level above Martial Saint. Compared to other martial arts techniques that generate innate energy upon reaching martial saints and above, the 'Body Tempering Technique' generates something called spiritual qi, which, according to the book's description, is of a higher level compared to innate energies.]
Spiritual Qi? Is it the spiritual qi that always exists in most immortal cultivation novels? Isn't this place a martial arts world?
But, thinking back to the formation book and whatnot placed on the second floor of the library, Ren Qingquan came to a conclusion that perhaps immortal cultivators do exist, he is just unable to have any contact with them currently.
And so Ren Qingquan excitedly pulled the copy of 'Body Tempering Technique' and started reading the book. After trying several times to practice the technique, Ren Qingquan could only scratch his head in frustration.
'How come it is so hard to learn the body-tempering technique? According to my memory, I could learn Dragon Dance easily. At least there is some feeling of progress after half an hour of practice. But there isn't even any feeling of progress from trying to learn the body-tempering technique after more than two hours.'
[Ding! Host, based on data from the library, the Dragon Dance Technique requires lower than average attainment in energy control to learn. Compared to other techniques, the dragon dance technique has a much simpler blood energy circulation. Meanwhile, the 'Body Tempering Technique' has the most difficult requirement in energy control compared to other techniques in the system library.]
Now that he thinks about it, compared to the Dragon Dance Technique's blood energy circulation, which is just cycling from the heart into the head, then into the hand, followed by the foot, before entering the abdomen and reentering the heart, With exactly the same circulation for every move set, which truly doesn't require much control at all. The Body Tempering Technique not only contains a 32-move set, but every move follows a different blood energy circulation path.
Unwilling to give up, Ren Qingquan tried to check the page where notes about practice from elders should have been written.
Notes:
Ren Zhenhui: This book is a scam! Not only is it too difficult to learn, but it's also not worth the time. To generate the Spirit Qi talked about in this book, it requires five hundred strands of vital energy! Not only that, but this spirit Qi is actually consumable! Everyone should just learn other techniques.
Ren Chenli: Don't choose this book! It requires thirty-two moves for a cycle, and you need to do it more than five times for it to generate one strand of vital energy. An ultimate waste of time!
There are several comments talking about how terrible this book is just on this page alone. Looking at the comments, there is even one from his grandfather.
Ren Wangzhen: Utter rubbish! Not recommended. I spent my annual visit on this trash book just because it talked about spiritual qi.
As Ren Qingquan flipped the book, he arrived at the page writing about the source of this book.
Source: Meteorite Island. Salvaged together with other books about immortal cultivation.
The book source greatly increased Ren Qingquan's trust in this technique after all, it came as a set which either means this technique is legit or it comes from some crazy genius's illusion.
Thinking about how the practice notes from those elders don't help with anything, Ren Qingquan finally gave up and asked the system
'System, do you have any means to make me learn body-tempering techniques immediately?'
[Ding! The system could use the 'Calculate' function to help the host learn every skill and technique immediately. After usage, every skill and technique could be used,
just like an instinct.]
'Then, please activate it.'
[As it is the first purchase for learning skills, the price has been discounted to 1. Do you wish to spend 1 point to purchase understanding on 'Body Tempering Technique'?]
'Yes'
Accompanied by a decrease in his point, Ren Qingquan feels an influx of memories about 'Body Tempering Technique' as if he has been training the technique several thousand times. Just when Ren Qingquan wants to start practicing 'Body Tempering Technique', there is a knock from the door.
"Come in."
With an answer from Ren Qingquan, Xiao Ling entered the room. And without nonsense, Xiao Ling immediately gave her report about the metal he wanted to purchase.
"Young master, What kind of metal and how many of them do you want to purchase? Here is the list of their prices."
Looking at the list, Xiao Ling gave Ren Qingquan many different metal names. From something common like steel and bronze to fantasy-sounding metals like meteorite iron and ice-cold steel, there are also some long names which sound like a mix of random words like 'six drenches of white fume and seven turned holy metal'.
"Let's purchase 150 stones of steel and 50 stones of bronze. Wait a moment, I am going to take the money."
With that, Ren Qingquan went into his bedroom and opened the place where he put his money. As he calculated the price, Ren Qingquan felt it was weird, as there seemed to be a slight increase in price compared to the time he purchased metal from that backsmith. But Ren Qingquan just ignored it and took silver notes of approximately the same value. The amount of increase could barely be felt anyway.
Returning to his training room, Ren Qingquan gave the money to Xiao Ling. Upon taking the money, Xiao Ling left the room and Ren Qingquan could finally practice 'Body Tempering Technique'.
Thanks to the system's help, Ren Qingquan could feel his body and blood energy move like instinct. With one move set followed by another move set, Ren Qingquan finally finished one cycle of the 'Body Tempering Technique' in a trance. Looking at the dark sky from his training room, a sudden strike of fatigue arrived, and Ren Qingquan chose to take a rest for today.
***
Consciousness Space
Actually, to activate the [Calculate] function doesn't cost me any energy. But, I must teach Ren Qingquan that there is no free meal in this world, right?
I definitely don't add it because I am greedy for his point.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone