Chapter 2 - Sage's Dao Fruit, and I Have Principles
“Why does activating the system require detecting a slacker mindset? Does that mean the path of laziness is the right one? Does working hard and striving for cultivation hold no value in activating the system?” Several questions arose in Su Changsheng’s mind.
“System, what capabilities do you possess?” Su Changsheng asked. His heart was filled with countless grievances, ready to burst forth at any moment.
However, he suppressed them, maintaining a calm expression and speaking gently. This was a golden opportunity, and his future depended on the system’s guidance. He couldn’t risk cursing and potentially having the system refuse to guide him. Besides, who would want to slack off if he truly had the chance to succeed?
“Ding, the system has two primary functions,” responded the system.
“First, it involves finding a spouse and having children. By giving birth to offspring, the host will receive rewards. The higher the aptitude of the offspring, the greater the rewards!”
[Note: The mother’s overall evaluation score must be at least 90 points, and the minimum standard for aptitude is Divine Body or Peak Aptitude. [The stronger the physique or aptitude, the better!]“What the heck, Divine Body? Peak Aptitude?” Su Changsheng’s eyes widened in disbelief as if question marks were about to appear above his head. Was the system joking? He understood that the system referred to the female partner, but what did the term Divine Body signify?
In the fantasy world, the physical form was divided into several tiers: mortal body, spirit body, king body, divine body, holy body, and immortal body. Similarly, aptitude was classified as Inferior, Average, Above Average, Top-grade, Peak, Supreme, and more. Among these, the Divine Body possessed a superior physique, unmatched in quality.
Despite the vastness of the land, spanning billions of miles and teeming with countless living beings, the number of Divine Bodies could be counted on one hand. However, this scarcity was merely apparent. Such exceptional individuals possessed a top-notch physique and were destined to ascend as Saints in the future.
Upon maturation, a Divine Body reached the realm of a Saint, obtaining the title of Divine King and wielding awe-inspiring combat prowess. They stand invincible among their peers, even capable of subduing ordinary Saints. This rare gift became a coveted commodity sought after by major forces and sacred lands. Through arduous cultivation spanning thousands of years, one could hope to attain the rank of a Saint. A single divine being was capable of safeguarding a top-tier force, ensuring his prosperity for an astonishing fifty thousand years!
Su Changsheng found himself in a challenging situation. Despite the Great Sun Holy Son, who once looked down upon him, possessing only a Peak God Body, he now had to marry a woman with a Divine Body. This posed a significant difficulty for him.
Expressing his frustration, he turned to the System, seeking guidance on which faction would accept a marriage between a Divine Body and a six-thousand-year-old man like himself. Su Changsheng’s speechless expression conveyed his dilemma. Despite his timeless appearance and attractive long, snow-white hair, he knew that his age made it audacious for him to desire their extraordinary beauty in the eyes of top-tier families. If he dared to propose such a union, he would surely face the wrath of saints and ancestors from the other side.
The System was unwilling to offer direct assistance in finding a wife, leaving Su Changsheng to his own devices. This realization led him to consider the option of resorting to force. He frowned, contemplating the matter. Noting that the System’s conditions lacked a requirement for the woman’s consent, he understood that he could potentially marry her against her will. Although hesitant, Su Changsheng saw it as a means to achieve his aspirations and avoid a life of insignificance. He was determined not to let his opportunity for power slip away or let his life end in such a manner.
“The second function is to develop the family.”
“The stronger the family’s influence and the more geniuses and experts within the clan, the more resources will be rewarded, although it will be much less than having children!” the System revealed.
“Developing the family? That’s not a bad idea!” Su Changsheng’s eyes brightened. While this path’s rewards paled compared to marrying and having children, it still offered a way forward. Naturally, he would prioritize the pursuit of marriage and offspring.
“By the way, System, do I have a newbie starter pack?” Su Changsheng inquired.
The System remained silent.
“Oh, System, oh, System, I’ve been lonely and miserable in this strange world for six thousand years! A whole six thousand years—do you know how I’ve spent them? I’ve thought about you every single day!” Su Changsheng lamented, his face filled with tragedy and anguish, evoking a heart-wrenching and tear-inducing expression.
Six thousand years of cultivation and countless encounters with life and death had long caused Su Changsheng to abandon conventional principles. He knew that crying children get candy!
(ED Note: The phrase “crying children get candy” implies that those who make complaints often receive special rewards to appease them.)
[ ……】
[Ding, it appears that the host has an unclaimed beginner’s welcome package. Would you like to claim it?]Unable to tolerate Su Changsheng’s shameless attitude, the System finally spoke after a moment of silence. However, Su Changsheng faintly sensed a hint of disdain and contempt within the cold, mechanical voice.
“Of course, I want to claim it!” Su Changsheng remained unfazed and smiled.
What does mere disdain matter when I have a newbie starter pack? I wouldn’t mind the disdain if I could keep getting rewards. Even if the system were to treat me poorly, I wouldn’t have a problem with it, Su Changsheng thought.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving the following rewards: [One seventh-grade Transcendent Pill, 3,000 years of cultivation, one Saint’s Enlightenment Fruit, and the Nine Tribulations Secret Manual (Volume I)].“Wow! A Nurturing Pill? A Saint’s Dao Fruit? Three Thousand Years of Cultivation?” Su Changsheng gasped in shock upon hearing the rewards, adding to the fantastical atmosphere of the world. The System’s offerings were truly exceptional!
One seventh-grade Nurturing Pill could revive a dying saint and restore their vitality. With his injuries, one pill alone would be enough to heal him multiple times over.
But what about the Saint’s Dao Fruit? That was undoubtedly the pinnacle of a Saint’s cultivation. If he could refine and assimilate the Saint’s Enlightenment Fruit, it would be like inheriting a significant portion of a Saint’s power without any adverse effects.
Indeed, the appearance of the Saint’s Enlightenment Fruit was exceedingly rare and hard to obtain. It required slaying ten Saints and assimilating their cultivation and insights into the Great Dao to form the Enlightenment Fruit. Such a task demanded immense strength, at least that of a Great Saint.
Indeed, the Saint’s Enlightenment Fruit was an exceedingly rare treasure, often snatched away by others as soon as it appeared. With the fruit and the promise of three thousand years of cultivation, Su Changsheng believed he could become a saint. He was certain of his success.
Cultivate, breakthrough, and I will become a saint! Su Changsheng thought, and his eyes shimmered with excitement and determination.
Once he achieved sainthood, the standards for marrying divine-bodied women would no longer be beyond his reach. Being a six-thousand-year-old man was detestable, but becoming a six-thousand-year-old saint had an entirely different meaning. A lifespan of fifty thousand years was the prime of youth.
As long as he handled things carefully, marrying a woman with a divine body was not impossible. He could resort to covert actions and target weaker forces if all else failed. Su Changsheng, once known as the Starfall King who traversed the lands, cared little for the cleanliness of his methods.
Boom!
Without delay, Su Changsheng once again entered seclusion. Within his clan’s territory, dazzling divine lights erupted, enveloping the space and radiating thousands of auspicious beams. The overwhelming spiritual energy surged forth, resembling a brilliant sun accompanied by the resounding laws of the Great Dao.
In this resounding aura, Su Changsheng’s power continuously soared astonishingly. It was as if an unparalleled being was undergoing a constant transformation and evolution, on the verge of breaking free and shaking the world.
As Su Changsheng underwent this profound transformation, an atmosphere of sadness and gloom permeated the Su family outside. It felt as though a cataclysmic storm was looming on the horizon.
Three months later, inside the clan’s main hall, the Su family patriarch, accompanied by a group of elders and seniors, appeared with extremely solemn expressions.