Feng Yongrui felt like he was riding a roller coaster. His insides felt like they were flying out of place and his head was heavy. The world seemed to be spinning and turning, and his brain seemed to turn mushy.
After a while, everything stopped and a serene stillness overcame him. Feng Yongrui took a few deep breaths before opening his eyes.
The sudden brightness made him flinch, but before he could utter a single sound of complaint, a stabbing pain appeared in his head and Feng Yongrui groaned.
"Information transfer~" The mechanical sound of the System grated his ears and made him want to puke.
System, don't think I don't know that you're happy to see me suffering!
When the pain ended, Feng Yongrui calmed down and read the information given by the system. He had arrived in a cultivation world where people could cultivate from the Qi Condensation Stage, Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Core Stage, and the Nascent Soul Stage.
The next step after that was the Soul Formation Stage and the Godly-Realm Stage, but very few people would ever reach that stage in their lifetime.
Feng Yongrui's current identity was the youngest elder of the Immortal Pathway Sect, one of the biggest sects in the world.
Feng Yongrui was in his mid-forties, but he had already reached the Nascent Soul Stage and was on the verge of breakthrough. This was an impressive feat.
"This seems pretty good, System. What should I do? Am I the protagonist? Oh, being a villain wouldn't be too bad either... Maybe when I was undergoing my Heavenly Tribulation, I accidentally fell into the Demonic Path and ended up being the main antagonist, going against the protagonist in every turn..."
Feng Yongrui began his mindless chatter, his imagination soaring high into the heavens.
"Host, please consider your own ability..." The System began speaking with disdain.
"Huh? What is that supposed to mean?" Feng Yongrui's eyebrows scrunched up.
"Oh, are you saying that, based on my awesome abilities, I should be the protagonist instead of the villain? I wouldn't mind that either... but shouldn't a protagonist suffer first before getting his happiness? I'm a little bit afraid of pain..." Feng Yongrui started to get ahead of himself.
"Host, the System has assessed the Host's abilities and innate talent. Based on the System's assessment, even if the Host becomes a Demonic Cultivator, it would only take one move from the protagonist to kill the Host. Host is not capable enough to be the main BOSS." The System snickered at him.
"Did you have to say it that way? You're really getting on my nerves, System. If I'm not the villain, you could just say it. You don't need to hurt my pride like this!" Feng Yongrui felt wronged and his heart held grievances.
"Host, do you really have pride?"
The System was met with silence for two seconds before Feng Yongrui roared.
"HEY! Do you want to be beaten up that badly??" If it weren't for those extra 5 points he got from the System, Feng Yongrui would've really fought to the death with it.
Forget it, Feng Yongrui decided to be the magnanimous one and let it go this time.
"Host, the protagonist of this world is called Ma Bo," The System ignored Feng Yongrui's silent complaints and explained.
"Currently he is still 10 years old and he will enter the sect tomorrow, during the Entrance Ceremony. Your task is to 'nurture the protagonist and turn him into the villain's best friend'. Host, please do your best."
Feng Yongrui processed the information for a bit before he frowned.
"Why should the protagonist become the villain's best friend, huh? Aren't they supposed to be mortal enemies who can't live under the same sky, fighting to the death? If they'll end up as best friends, shouldn't the villain become the supporting character instead of a villain?"
This setup seems a bit wrong...
"Also, which one is the villain? You didn't tell me clearly! How am I supposed to make the protagonist the villain's best friend? You should give me clearer requirements, alright?" Feng Yongrui really felt like cursing, but before he could, he was interrupted by the System.
"Host, as someone who will 'nurture the protagonist', Host has to be a good example for the protagonist, making sure his three views and morals are correct. As such, cursing is not allowed."
"Cursing in my head is okay, right? It's not like the protagonist can read minds?!" Feng Yongrui felt wronged.
"Host, you must become an excellent model in both body and mind."
...Okay, System, up to you.
"Which one is the villain? At least tell me his name, okay? What's the backstory of the protagonist and the villain? System, you should be telling me these things!" Feng Yongrui did not forget to glean information from the System.
"About that..." The System's voice grew softer at the end, sounding hesitant.
Feng Yongrui had a bad feeling in his stomach. ⊙﹏⊙
"The System has, unfortunately, misplaced the relevant information regarding this world..." The mechanical voice grew smaller and smaller, but Feng Yongrui's anger only grew more and more.
"Just what kind of System are you, huh? Should I report you to headquarters or something? I demand a refund!" Feng Yongrui's face was extremely bitter.
"Host, please don't be angry," The System's voice turned into a young child's voice again, sounding soft and milky.
"I will definitely work hard to find the information and transfer it to Host immediately!" The System had finally forgotten to speak in third person and instead pleaded with a cute voice.
"In the meantime, Host, you should just adapt to the circumstances and think of how to complete the task..." The System paused, and seeing that Feng Yongrui's face was still green, it decided to give him some compensation.
"Host, the System will give you an extra 10 points as compensation... Don't be angry, okay?" The System coaxed.
Hearing the word "10 points", Feng Yongrui's eyes lit up. Alright! Finally something worth it!
"Fine, I'll forgive you this time," Feng Yongrui sighed deeply. He had already died and was now given a chance to live again. Even though he was living to do tasks, wasn't it better than nothing? He shouldn't complain too much...
Feng Yongrui opened his eyes and found himself in a cave. The damp rocks and the moist ground gave Feng Yongrui a strange feeling. It seems that the original owner had been cultivating here.
Based on the (limited) information from the System, the original owner's name was also Feng Yongrui and his real home was on a Mountain Peak, but because he was on the verge of a breakthrough, he had gone into closed-door cultivation in this cave.
As the youngest elder in the sect, he did not have any disciples yet, and he had little to no responsibilities.
Feng Yongrui stood up and tidied up his white robe. He walked unsteadily outside the cave, blinking a few times to adjust to the bright light. The sound of chirping birds and the smell of earth assaulted his senses.
Feng Yongrui took a deep breath. He was alive. He was really alive!
Feng Yongrui walked again, his feet crunching the dead leaves and producing a crisp sound. As he walked, his mind churned. The System's task could be divided into two parts:
1. Nurture the protagonist, and
2. Make the protagonist into the villain's best friend.
Feng Yongrui had a slight idea of the first task. Nurturing the protagonist meant taking care of him, teaching him, and giving him a good example so that the protagonist turns into an outstanding young man.
It sounds pretty simple and straightforward, but Feng Yongrui had zero experience in teaching or raising children.
He lived his days eating, drinking, reading, playing, and sleeping. Yes, he really felt like he was a total waste...
Feng Yongrui's footsteps halted when he arrived in front of a stream. He looked down and saw a reflection in the clear water.
The figure had pointed eyebrows, a sharp chin, and phoenix eyes that glittered like stars. The facial features were cold and unyielding, giving people an intimidating feeling.
His long black hair was tied simply and danced with the wind behind him. Even though the original was in his mid-forties, he was a Nascent Soul Cultivator and he had stopped aging, so he looked like an adolescent in his mid-twenties.
Feng Yongrui sighed. The person in the reflection was... a more handsome version of him! That face was 90% similar to his face back on earth!
"Host..." The System sensed his pride and decided to shatter his confidence.
"Host's original face was, at most, 20% similar to this face. This handsome face is crafted by the System using the top-notch beautifying feature in the System. Otherwise, Host, you would not look this good."
Feng Yongrui clenched his fist.
"Host, please have some self-awareness." The System added a killing blow.
System, you are really cruel. Can't you let a man dream?
Feng Yongrui rolled his eyes but did not reply. He had just thought of the best way to nurture the protagonist.
He would take the protagonist as his disciple.
***
Feng Yongrui: I'll take the protagonist as my disciple!
System: Host, are you sure the protagonist wants to have you as his teacher/master?
Feng Yongrui: System, are you sure I want to have you as my system?
System: ...
***
If you could get closer to the protagonist, would you prefer to be...
a) the protagonist's friend,
b) a random cannon fodder,
c) the protagonist's master, or,
d) the protagonist's lifelong enemy?
Comment below~