Vaanavan continued with his usual training routine in temporal chamber it was already past one year mark of out side timing, aside from briefly angered the system he was completely integrated in to his routine he further improved his Starry Steps which now become heaven level techniques he also created a heaven level sword techniques 'blazing meter' and 'purple rain' there was also a defensive technique named 'aurora screen' which his idea based on the system ever present magic screen in the cave.
With that he was little relieved he also grasped more of an understanding towards the cultivation in general, although he was come to this world for whole year but he experience thirty three years of life with System's time magic. Vaanavan was confident he can one day successfully derive an suitable cultivation technique for him to cultivate for the future.
He finally understands what the system trying to tell him, all the while about his talent. He was quite astounded to find out he was able to develop his own pill refining method and crafting and forging methods although all of them are only in the embryonic level not well developed to impressive level; his development with his own creation far exceeds that of him than practice other top tier refining techniques.
This discovery made him quite curious about the hidden tag in his status panel as he expected the system hell bent on not telling him anything and simply claimed it was doing this only to protect him from external harm.
Vaanavan managed to witnessed the fight between Mystic Qi realm experts, to precise it was a fight between a human and ferocious beast they fought ferociously, but the human still managed to kill the beast the human energy was more powerful and refined than the beast, without it's powerful hide it could be an insta kill.
The system claimed the beasts of this level weren't that clever but very dumb so unless it was more than few beasts ganging up managed an ambush; a single human of this level enough to take care of them.
[The human was only in the early stage of Qi realm not the most powerful human, overall there was less than dozen peak Qi realm existence here]
Vaanavan was already come to conclusion while watching the fight, with his previous advanced knight cultivation he could barley fight the beast and wouldn't last much longer in the fight. So the both cultivation system can measured on similar level, unlike a advance knight who stimulate his life force to go through first qualitve change in life force, this Qi realm is all about cultivating the vital energy of heaven and earth.
What he felt so much smug about the whole situation is they can barely use profound technique even in Qi realm but he already started to play with heaven level techniques.
It's true there is huge gap between them but he didn't dare to underestimate them he was very much aware of how their daily life from system, it was practically most of the time filled with bitter struggles, struggles of survival with other races and among themselves, so the higher the level of one's cultivation: it means the stronger that person fighting skills managed to obtain more resources with his own effort.
Fortunately the humans as one of the overlord race of this part of world passed down their descendants about their history and their prosperity as a tribe. So whoever in the position of power among the tribes never went out of line to kill off small tribes for the sake of obtaining more resources but help them out from time to time showing constant support. system speculate the leaders seem to have this nagging suspicion that they, once again have to unite their race and face the calamity.
Although the system was stingy with details sometimes even when he fought to bitter end little to no information, the system on some odd intervals go out of it's way to provide some information mind that not all of them are useful; but he never neglect them even little bit. The system often praised his resourcefulness, dedication and effort he put in them, of course he, would not care about it's twisted hypocritical remarks.
The system often mentioned 'them' and 'they' to him and prohibid to call them or mention them even. Claiming 'they' can be attracted and easily notice him then system's disguise probably wouldn't work on 'them'.
The system managed to sneak into Norda before the allowed time and hiding in the Misty Mountain secretly in advance, this also great chance for him to interact with humans here. It was due to its special circumstances and there is high chance if they find out that they can expell both of them from the cave outside of Norda.
As a forefather and flag bearer of humanity, this thing not just had it's down side but it's sweet own upside as well for example; he can claim the protection from race extermination for a certain period into the future all he had to do was just to bring the human tribes and settle them down in the surrounding of Misty Mountain. Of course other races can also do the same but their ancestors are sealed of in the different dimensions so it was theoretically possible to get rid of other races but system said its not worth the risk had different plan for them.
So the task of making all the human acknowledging him as a ancestor and idolising him have immense reverence towards him has it perks this was also a crucial factor for his cultivation level rising it was also necessary for few other things, which the system didn't bother to explain.
Most Importantly he find out that the system quite indignant about 'them' for some reason hell bent on proving Itself better than 'them' in every possible way. Vaanavan could not help but found this amusing and quiet entertaining he felt like he somewhat able to understand the mysterious, unreasonable and twisted system to some extent.
" Well, I had to admit that was clever plan on your part" he commented offhandedly
[You also think so, they can act all arrogant but the final Victor is going to be me]
" Yes, well thought out plan, with the way you planned things out, it's not impossible to take a peg or two down of those existence" Vaanavan continued to complemented it.
[I'm glad host started to see things more clearly now, hearing Dao sermons on daily basis indeed did some good made yourself, more calm and collected]
'oh is that about annoying philosophy class! whatever' " Yeah? yeah, can you tell me little bit about them" he asked about them once again.
[Didn't I already told you, their perception is not simple, some of them can ignore my disguise and isolation barrior and easily found us where...it's better if we don't give them any advantage ]
"Hey come on! I just want some basic understanding of who are we going against? don't you think it ease my nerves; you can answer what you are comfortable with, feel free to decline me if you want I can tell they are quite powerful. I'm not forcing you though just think about it " he encouraged the system but also subtly implying something to trigger the system.
[Well let see what I can tell without compromising our location. Umm This will do!there is a chance their perception might lock on you because of karma, well! don't worry they might preparing their charges for the upcoming calamity anyway so this time the chances of them notice us are bare minimum]
"are you going to tell me?" he asked with hopeful expression.
[That's correct, listen carefully who we are and what we are :We Noble and greater existence, out there we independently born beyond time and space. They are like me, heavenly treasures with all kinds of power they are all lofty, have all born with sentinence ]
'Heavenly treasures' even in the system library he didn't saw anything like that also his expression quite serious. " That sounds intimidating.... very.....high and powerful " he struggles to put correct words about how his feelings.
[Of course, we are very powerful if we so wanted, forgot it I, could easily pinch the like of this low level world from existence completely]
Vaanavan frowned as he thinks this informations " Didn't you say you have forced to do something about this world situation? how come the world managed to force you all in to this situation" It was his first time hearing system derisive laugh.
[haha! How came it can force us, our situation has nothing to do with this world even we had to.... forgot about that I can't explain something to you yet]
Vaanavan nodded his head understandingly didn't press for further answer but his expression was still that of curiosity he slowly asked " So the rest are like you too"
[.....]
"I mean are 'they' same like you"
[Nothing like that, everyone is unique in their own way. You have to understand I'm very unique there is no one like me I had potential that surpassed everyone among us]
Vaanavan felt system practically radiating with pride and exhilaration from the voice, then gave him brief explanation for understanding. He calmly digested the news after a brief thought he couldn't help but put savage smile in his face.
" I found this whole affairs quite regrettable honestly!" Vaanavan sighed dramatically
[WHAT?]
He could feel the system confusion, he elaborated with smile " Did you see my situation here, I found whole situation quite unfair to me, if I got.... say a sword then at least that can be somewhat useful to me. don't you think? after all that was high-level sword didn't it. But you on the other hand had no use for me so far; since the beginning I remembered to have to do things on my own what use have you have for me again ? hmm? "
The system was silent, he managed to make it speechless for the first time since he get to know it, he was quite ruthless with his words as he thought about crushing the ego of the system thrilled him so much his body was shaking. There was a chilly voice echoed in his head with a dangerous vibe question him.
[Did you have a death wish?] the raw emotion in that voice made his skin crawl, he had admit the system seems never become this angry like this but still.
"What? are you suddenly getting angry with me? I was just being honest you know you could to-" he was interrupted
[Quite your excuses ungrateful mortal, how dare you to talk to me like that, you crossed the line there]
Seeing that system unusually worked up he panicked little continued to calm things down by questioning system " hey? hey! don't tell me you are going to go with another therapy session for me, what don't tell me I don't even voice out my opinions.... Aaarrgggghh" unfortunately for him all for naught, suddenly he fell to the floor screaming out loud.
___ ___ ___ ___
Vaanavan shifted uncomfortably in his rest a whole month after the Incident, after his daring comment he somewhat even expect daily therapy or some other awful things aside from first forty minutes intense therapy system didn't do single thing to hurt him or anything.
He quickly find that system didn't talk to him any longer, he continued to do his daily training as usual, but unusually his heart was heavy and was in constant nagging that, he had a feeling that his mean comment might have hurt the system.
Of course he was ruthless with his words, said things that might potentially hurt system feelings, first and foremost he did that because it was quite ruthless with his matter and he find its motivation quite hilarious not only that he didn't quite comfortable learning he was pawn in their hands so he lashed out.
But what surprised him more was human like emotional outbursts and showing vulnerable side of the system made him feel awful, he was more than once tempted to apologize to the system but at the same time he was little suspicious, so he was in quite the dilemma, he was more than once went out of his way to strike up some conversation the system didn't bother to reply most of the time.
'I don't go too far right' he asked to himself, he didn't like system sudden cold shoulder or whatever it was ' what was the word again, yeah 'touchebag' is it, he felt like touchebag' he wasn't quite sure about the word but this was the perfect expression of how he felt(lol).
Now it was mostly an emotional struggle in his part because he couldn't completely get rid of the thought of that system might really trying to emotionaly manipulating him to more guilable or some other hidden motives for such a behavior.
Feeling suspicious he this time trying to call off system bluffing by straight out some wild accusations as he biting his lips think of something, there are many suspicious things remained unanswered he choose something that has to be addressed " So should I take it as you killed off the first host out of similar situation and going to do the same thing?" but expect nothing out of it. there was a annoyed sigh
[Why is that you always kept throwing accusations at me of this or that, I had yet to do anything against you didn't l? can't you leave me alone as well? ]
Vaanavan blinked in surprise, didn't know how to answer this question, " Well, it was me first asked you that question?" he put a serious look " You never properly answered that in the first place so? " his stance was clear go on and clear things up first then ask questions.
[As I answered for the last of the hundredth time, as my host I can't kill him off as you may think. As for how his character was, just like you an ungrateful and unreasonable, very mean mortal soul]
" Stop right there for a second, I'm never an ungrateful person as for your accusations.... why are you suddenly talking about something completely unrelated to the topic" he narrowed his eyes scowling at the sudden change of topic.
[I just did what was best for both of you, he was just like you not listening to what I had to say. Demanding me to go out and ask for more rewards and powers than he can get in his hands at that point]
[ kept this in mind I, can only do things according to the talent level of host, planning out best out come; so I fed up I took a different approach. Gave him a chance to quickly gaining his wishes for more power but there was a stake, his life is the wager, he still choose challenge for extrodinary rewards and lost his life in the end]
Vaanavan thought very hard on this topic, but did note few things the first host seems accused the system and often demand to go out of the cave. he didn't judge either side but continued to listen what the system had to say in this matter.
[Regardless of what host might be suspecting, I can't indefinitely changes the hosts or scheme against them. Hosts are not wild cabbages to pick up on my will please note that; I can change host first time because I know hundred percent, this is not the case for second or third time I would never risk it. ]
"..."
[You can think of it as a fail safe method for the first time, due to my innate nature and uniqueness I had to choose one partner compatible with me,there are risks included or rather flaws of my particular nature]
"What is that? I don't think I'm quite getting what does that mean never mind, so you are saying sealing me here because of truly what you claimed before it, has nothing to do with quickly dispose me fetch another host when you find more talented person " he asked outright waiting patiently for the reply.
[I never did lied to host, I'm called impartial system so I never take sides because my personal gains and use the humans for our uses and left them die I take my job quite seriously. Well I did personally select you for your exceptional quality as a knight with your talents you certainly have some redeeming qualities; you can see that I didn't act against you, just because of you have some ungrounded grudges against me]
"Nonsense l... when did I baselessly accused you" he sputtered, for the first time there was a crack in his guard, he was ever very careful with system he, was constantly in guard against any scheme against him, he took it more seriously when he found the system wasn't human but some kind of higher sentinent being with think in a way beyond common sense.
But this was quite some convincing argument he didn't immediately started let his guard down; but it was the result of year long process and some of system definition of impartiality and he was selected because not only because of his talent but his knight heart and quality appeased him.
What the system said stroked his ego, he wasn't a egoistic person but hearing compliment from a powerful being bring him to an unintentional roller coaster ride, he himself indeed sought some form of recognition like his scholar dream and then reputation as a rising star as a knight he still cherished the memories of academy principal prises towards him.