Li Cheng roused from his slumber.
He was greeted with the grey, clean ceiling.
*Yawn*
He furled up his legs that stuck out from the quilt and dived his head into the squishy pillow.
He peaked out to the top of his bookshelves where his candled spiritual clock was.
It was 2:30pm.
It appeared that he had slept for more than a day.
In general, Qi Condensation level cultivators only needed to sleep about once per week. However, the crazy events that occurred before put a large toll on his body.
Despite having a full day of pleasing sleep, Li Cheng was still sleepy. The fact that he doesn't remember what he dreamed about was testament to his tiredness.
Unfortunately for Li Cheng, he did not have the luxury to swim in the dreamland again. The expedition was probably still coming up, and the absolute chaos he somehow caused would mean there would be many unforeseeable factors that forced him to be vigilant.
The first thing that came to mind was Kuan Yin.
In response, his body went cold and shivered. Tucking in deeper into the warmth of the bed did not help him escape the aftereffects.
Thus, Li Cheng did his best to not recall those emerging memories and recollected his thoughts about that day.
*Flashback*
After suffering under Kuan Yin's divine punishment that was cut short, Li Cheng had to quickly speed through his thoughts due to time constraints.
Initially, Li Cheng was bewildered.
He had underestimated the System.
He did not expect that the System would also provide an interface for his fellow disciples. But apparently, after testing Kuan Yin and interrogating the System simultaneously, he found out that the System would only provide a mere facet of a System Interface to the disciples.
What Kuan Yin gained was just invisible prompts only able to be seen by the disciple and the Sect Master… at least for now.
There were certain minimum, hidden conditions that had to be met to be eligible to obtain this facet of a System Interface. For example, the Sect Master had to have a certain degree of trust with said disciple and there needed to be an achievement.
Those were the only things he was able to cough up from the System.
Li Cheng had to explore and infer with future disciples if he wanted to exploit this interface advantage.
However, Li Cheng also had a suspicion that the System itself had to have its own kind of criteria of acknowledgement with the disciple.
The biggest evidence was how it humiliatingly exposed his bullshit to Kuan Yin about his story of the Legendary Sect.
Fortunately, he was able to make it out alive by twisting the facts about his history with the sect by saying that he had a fortuitous, but tragic encounter with an inheritor of the sect's legacy.
He emphasised that the expert was just a remnant, mere strand of a soul, but had been still alive for millions of years, and was probably one of the last survivors of the biggest calamity of time. The expert had been preserving his soul through some unknown heaven-defying method, and had used a secret, unfathomable fate peering technique to find out the path for the sect's return to glory.
And that path was by waiting these millions of years for a suitable person to inherit the sect and had great faith under the Universal Laws.
Long story short, on the expert's last breath: "I leave the rest to you…" he passed down the ancient relic (The System), heaven-defying treasures, and his memories about the sect to Li Cheng.
But because of myriads of reasons like his low cultivation level and minuscule, pathetic knowledge, deteriorating powers due to the test of time, most of the information couldn't be transferred. Li Cheng only had some fragments of blurry memories and bits of pieces of information.
At the time, Li Cheng was like a criminal who desperately wanted to confess his sins and reform as a new person. Unfortunately, he had to silk deeper into the webs of lies because the matter had pertained to the System. That was a secret that he, like other protagonists from these novels, would keep only to himself.
Of course, this was to the best extent he could do so as the System existence seems to intend to show some of itself to future disciples.
Ding!
[The System offers you an opportunity.]
[The System can exempt all rewards to be given to Elder Kuan Yin in exchange for an unfathomable opportunity.]
'Hm?'
Li Cheng was surprised by this sudden prompt. It sounded peculiarly good, and he thought it may be wise to test it out.
'Why not? With how generous this System seems to be, it can be nothing but good for Kuan Yin. System I accep—'
DING!
[Do you DARE accept?]
The System solemn voice rumbled in his mind, tearing his words asunder.
Li Cheng became frozen.
What the hell was this?
The System's voice turned solemn, shredding off his words. The ominous diction, coupled with the daring proclamation now capitalised and emboldened, unmistakably hinted at danger. An uncanny feeling crept over him.
Unable to make a decision, Li Cheng decided to seek the person herself. He looked at Kuan Yin who was deep in her contemplation.
"Young Miss."
"...Yes, Sect Master." Her pursed lips and somewhat low and delayed voice showed that she had yet to fully forgive him. But her attention was fully focused on him, respecting.
Cute and dignified.
Li Cheng put hands behind his back, clasped his hands, and then walked around her in a slow circular manner. "I shall grant you an opportunity."
"Opportunity?"
Li Cheng stopped.
After nodding his head, he said,
"By refraining from taking the rewards that should be rewarded, I can give an… opportunity to gain something that far-surpassed what I should reward you. But it may come with dangers that even threaten you, a Deity."
Li Cheng paused for a dramatic effect. Then, he walked to Kuan Yin with deliberate steps that appeared heavy.
"Do you DARE accept?"
Mimicking the System's way of speech, Li Cheng shamelessly threw the question to her.
"Um…"
Hearing Li Cheng's firm voice and noticing the seriousness of the air, she understood that Li Cheng wasn't messing around.
"Does this imply that the Sect Master is entrusting me with a sacred mission? Or perhaps, a trial fraught with dangers?
Li Cheng didn't say anything, but his mind was briefly rendered speechless. 'Right, that's what it sounded like, didn't it? But I have absolutely no idea either.'
Unfortunately, he couldn't show signs that the System was in control.
He didn't want to have any speculation unfavourable to him being the owner of this 'relic'. She knows that the System seems sentient, but she doesn't know that I'm not the one who is actually giving the rewards.
'Trial or mission… they're basically similar. In any case, whatever the System says, I can just shape my words to make it be like that.'
"You can take it like that." Li Cheng gambled.
Kuan Yin became resolute. "It is my first task bestowed by the Sect Master. I, Kuan Yin, shall endeavor not to disappoint."
She wondered if this task would involve helping him recruit disciples. After all, she was the only one besides him in the sect. Because of the solemnness in his voice, she figured that he wanted to recruit powerful figures like her.
'That would pose difficulty with the Sect Master's cultivation level. I presume he intends for me to explore and identify potential individuals, perhaps even taking on the responsibility of recruitment. This means I will acquire true junior brothers and sisters!' Excitement bubbled in Kuan Yin.
With a determined voice she cried, "Sect Master, this disciple accepts!"
'System, I dare accept!'
Ding!
[You have given your Elder disciple the opportunity to cultivate a Legendary Art. The sending function has yet to be unlocked. Please directly give this to her.]
[Legendary Bodhisattva Art: Thousand Salvations (Upgradeable)]
[Bestowed by the System, this Legendary Art is intricately woven through the threads of parallels, laws, fate, and karma. Accessible only to wholehearted Bodhisattvas who've weathered mind-destroying tragedies, their bodies shattered in the relentless pursuit of salvation for all who suffer in spite of knowing the futility of such idealism.
Upon activation, the wielder undergoes a majestic metamorphosis—expanding into an awe-inspiring stature, adorned with a thousand arms and eyes. Transcending the limitations of their godhood, they assume the mantle of an omnipresent maternal or paternal figure, possessing the ability to peer into every direction. Their heightened awareness allows them to discern the afflictions of humanity, and with infinite expressions of mercy, they extend myriad hands to alleviate the burdens of those in need.]
[Notice: The first line will not be seen for anyone but Sect Master Li Cheng.]
'Ah the Buddhist legends here it is, though…I expected her to already have something like this to transform into the "The Thousand-Arms, Thousand-Eyes Bodhisattva". So in this world she hasn't been able to do this? Well with its very unpleasant condition, it's a good thing for Kuan Yin.
It was a little underwhelming despite its majestic description, but at least it was upgradable. That's what Li Cheng thought. However, it should be known that Li Cheng has no idea how significant a Legendary Art is and is completely underestimating it.
'So uhh System. Where's the mission? Trial? Unless this was some kind of gacha opportunity?' If it was, this gave Li Cheng great relief. It was clearly exclusive to Kuan Yin, so it was not bad at all.
DING!
[Your actions have caused a tremble in the Universal Laws. Be wary Li Cheng, some terrifying existences that the world hasn't seen for hundreds of thousands of years have noticed the tremble.]
[Your Disciple Kuan Yin's fate has been changed.]
Li Cheng felt his heart sink.
The first thing he did was fling his head into the sky to see if there were any changes.
There was none.
Although it wasn't necessary, he briefly stopped his Three Realms Illusion.
Nothing.
Li Cheng should be rejoicing that he didn't cause the Heavens to stir again, but because he didn't piss them off, it only strengthened the feeling that something wasn't right. Questioning about the Heavens was the last of his priorities.
'Hey hey hey System, why did you address me by my name there? When a System does not refer to the host's name but suddenly addresses the host's name, isn't that usually a really ominous foreboding? Did I just raise potential big death flags? Universal Laws was actually a thing?!
'Also, it says her fate has changed. Could you tell me what that means?'
…
….
…..
[Don't worry.]
…
'#$%^&* System! What do you mean don't worry?! Can't you give me some better solace than that? Could you please give me more information?!'
[Think a little.]
Assuming the System was mocking him, Li Cheng got angry, but he didn't show it. He looked at the notice message that he received.
After a moment of pondering, a crazy thought struck to his mind.
'...Universal laws trembled… parallel, and the rest of the cryptic convoluted crap… don't tell me System that this art wasn't supposed to exist but you actually created it?' The words he said in his mind were filled with disbelief and awe.
…
…
[I can't answer. However, your thoughts are… worthy of attention. As for your disciple, it's your responsibility.]
The System said meaningfully.
Li Cheng remained silent.
But his mind was in deep contemplation.
There seemed to be some tacit understanding between Li Cheng and the System.
'Alright, System. I won't ask again.'
He was about to talk to Kuan Yin, but then he talked in his mind again to the System, '—I don't regret it.'
Li Cheng couldn't be sure if his eyes were playing tricks on him, but the System interface gave the impression of glowing a little for a second after his response.
"Young miss, I shall now pass this onto you."
He extended out his middle and index fingers to touch Kuan Yin's forehead.
KABOOM!
An insurmountable, blinding, golden force surged outwards from Kuan Yin before Li Cheng could touch her.
The earth quaked so hard that its magnitude appeared palpable.
Li Cheng felt the vibrations quake his entire being as he was hurricaned outwards into the air.
All thoughts nullified.
The Son of Heaven's sacred robe screamed.
It did not scream in fury because it was angered.
No, it screamed in terror because it was anguished.
He blasted into hundreds of trees, and before he knew it, his body had hit the floor.
"Bghrrr!"
He opened his mouth and…
didn't spout out blood?
His mind spinning in circles, his gaze a little dizzy?, he clawed the grassy floor deeply and pushed himself up.
Besides the muddled head, there was no pain.
When he came to as he tried to get his grip, he was astonished.
He was exactly in the same place as before.
Disbelieved, he looked behind him and saw that the terrain was completely normal.
The trees that he sensed he may have smashed into were still standing tall.
The earth was not moving.
And the place was serene and he could still hear the ambience of the forest; the birds fluttering, and the little critters chirping.
Li Cheng refused to believe that it was an illusion.
How could such a level of illusion exist?
Even the almighty Three Realms Illusion seemed pale despite Li Cheng never having experienced the receiving end.
'Was that even an illusion to begin with?' The fact that was Li Cheng's first thought instead of "Is this real?" was extremely terrifying.
When he returned to the front he saw Kuan Yin.
Kuan Yin was still shrouded in her Buddhist light, but the glow of it was incomparable to anything he had seen before.
It was so golden that even golden palaces were dull in comparison to its appearance. But oddly there was also some kind of pure, white holy light that intertwined with the golden shroud at the same time.
And that purity had the same priceless appearance of white that made white heavenly palaces appear dull.
Besides this, if it weren't for those indecipherable, unique eyes that appeared to have seen the vicissitudes since the beginning of time, Li Cheng would have thought that Kuan Yin had become an actual Buddha.
There was no question.
Li Cheng was standing before one of the absolute, supreme, godly existences of history,
The—
—Great Buddha.