Watching his surroundings, Niu Chang took in the sight of the slightly flat land, filled with random bushes. It wasn't quite a forest; rather, it resembled a gathering of useless plants in a disorganized fashion.
"This seems like a good spot," Niu Chang nodded in agreement.
He squatted down, placing his palm on the ground. Utilizing his Authority, he effortlessly dug the soil, creating a hole. He continued working diligently, gradually transforming the hole into a spacious underground cave.
Two hours later, Niu Chang examined his handiwork. The underground cave was roomy, with flat ground and boasting sturdy walls. However, several issues needed addressing: the absence of water supply and food, limited air circulation, and the lack of a light source.
Given that the cave lay two kilometers below the surface, encountering such problems was only natural.
Niu Chang had intentionally avoided selecting a random rocky side of a mountain to construct his cultivation cave, as it would have been too predictable for passersby.
'This way is better. I can address the food and water issue using my Verdant Will,' Niu Chang remarked.
"Light," Niu Chang commanded with his Authority. His body emitted a soft glow, illuminating every corner of the underground cave.
Realizing he couldn't remain a living light bulb indefinitely, Niu Chang acknowledged that finding a solution for this issue would be a task for the future.
Stretching his body, Niu Chang cleansed his dirtied physique using the power of his Authority. A gentle stream of qi washed over him, refreshing his body like a delicate morning dew.
"If you feel thirsty or hungry, just call me, Qiuyue," Niu Chang said without looking at her. Qiuyue stood there, puzzled, her gaze lost in the vast emptiness. She turned her head towards Niu Chang, only to find that he had already begun his training.
Numerous tasks awaited him: improving his skill proficiency, developing more diverse skills and techniques, and mentoring Qiuyue and Qin Qing.
'So much to do, yet my ability to think feels limited,' Niu Chang contemplated. 'It seems I need to create a new skill.'
Having read various stories that revolved around easy power-ups in the event of reincarnation or transmigration, Niu Chang realized they all hinged on one key aspect: knowledge itself, which many stories failed to depict accurately.
As a modern man, he appreciated the convenience of automation and machinery in his daily life. Thus, he encountered several tales where technology played a central role, such as the omnipotent AI chip.
That was what Niu Chang aspired to create—a skill that would grant him a virtual AI chip within his mind, capable of assisting him in nearly every task, allowing him to embody the epitome of sloth.
AI assistants do this.
AI assistants do that.
In the not-so-distant future, the main character was replaced by an AI assistant, handling everything.
'Well, it's not my problem if my story turns into a boring power trip. Who told the author to choose me as their victim?' Niu Chang mused.
He decided to fashion a skill that enabled instant saving and loading of data and memories, boasted swift computing and calculating capabilities, and imposed no burden on the user's mind.
This was Niu Chang's vision for his skill.
Initially, he considered creating a conventional AI chip since he had read a book about it. After all, plagiarism was easier than coming up with an original idea. However, he chose not to stoop so low and modified the concept.
'Directly using an AI chip seems rather dull. It's not an original concept either. Anyone can use it, but few can truly stand out and be accused of being copycats,' Niu Chang reasoned.
Having contemplated this extensively in his previous life, Niu Chang's current task was to make the system recognize and integrate his skill.
As an ordinary person lacking profound knowledge of martial arts in this world, Niu Chang saw only one solution to overcome this obstacle.
'The good old method of brute-forcing my thoughts until the system acknowledges my skill,' Niu Chang chuckled.
He pondered three potential skills: the Chaotic Mind, the Lazy Tree, and the Celestial Astrolabe. Each served as an auxiliary skill, assisting in learning and improving proficiency in various areas. The Celestial Astrolabe, in particular, focused on calculation and data management.
Since the underground cave lacked direct sunlight, it was challenging to determine the passage of time. However, Niu Chang eventually opened his eyes, greeted by the system window.
[Celestial Astrolabe]
[Grants the practitioner the abilities and capabilities of an AI without burdening the mind]
Without hesitation, Niu Chang instructed the system to enhance his newly created Celestial Astrolabe.
[Increasing the proficiency of the Celestial Astrolabe to a small success requires 2755 karma points]
'Accept,' Niu Chang promptly responded.
[Congratulations on increasing the proficiency of the Celestial Astrolabe to a small success]
Disregarding the system's shallow congratulations, Niu Chang delved into his mind.
Above his head floated an intricate and unique astrolabe, rotating gracefully. A surge of excitement washed over Niu Chang, a rare feeling in his heart.
'While the system has its limitations, this ability to enhance my skill proficiency is a massive advantage. It's like letting a wolf loose in a sheep pen,' Niu Chang remarked. Unlike a typical story character who obediently followed the unfolding events, enduring physical and mental torment to create an exciting narrative, Niu Chang was a real person with a past and free will. Naturally, he could think for himself and take care of his own interests.
Taking time to familiarize himself with the Celestial Astrolabe, Niu Chang realized that this skill primarily involved data and information management, unlike his other skill, which was plug and play.
The knowledge imparted by the system resembled a consumer handbook for operating a computer—easy to understand for a modern person but difficult to implement due to the sheer volume of information.
However, unlike self-training, the proficiency bestowed by the system remained unaffected, offering genuine mastery of the skill.
Before long, Niu Chang completed assimilating the information flow from the system and happily tested his second brain.
"Initiate synchronization," he instructed the Celestial Astrolabe before him.
The astrolabe emitted a buzzing sound and began rotating in various patterns.
Niu Chang sensed a sudden change in his mind, not in his physical surroundings but in how his thoughts were processed.
Once the astrolabe ceased its high-speed rotation, Niu Chang felt an enhanced access to all his accumulated knowledge.
Given his limited memories as a human, significant gaps existed between his recollections. Niu Chang proceeded to assign tasks to his second brain.
"Deduce the Chaotic Mind, the Lazy Tree, and the Massacre skill. Afterward, create a PowerPoint presentation detailing my current situation and a safe yet exciting development plan," Niu Chang commanded, utilizing the fruits of modern civilization to their fullest.
Finally, he could recline and become a proper salted fish.
Exiting his mental space, Niu Chang opened his eyes, feeling content and eager to provide Qiuyue with a good treatment and share his happiness.
To his surprise, he found the young girl sitting not far away, lost in her thoughts. "What could she be contemplating?" Niu Chang wondered.
Then, a crucial realization struck him. 'Wait... Qiuyue is akin to a newborn baby without any preprogrammed personality. If she grows up in this environment without proper education from me, she might develop significant psychological issues.'
'I need to address this,' Niu Chang resolved.
"Qiuyue, come here," he called softly to the girl, who abruptly snapped out of her reverie.
"What is it, savior?" she responded with a melodious yet sheepish voice.
Hearing her voice, which felt intimate and familiar, Niu Chang couldn't help but shudder. 'Oh no, she might already be on the path to becoming a psychopath with a twisted sense of affection!'
Maintaining his composure, Niu Chang waited for Qiuyue to approach. In the darkness, he noticed her facial expressions continuously changing, as if she were searching for the perfect mask to wear when facing him.
"I...," Niu Chang found himself speechless, finding the situation oddly intriguing. 'Should I allow her to develop into a yandere with multiple personas?'
Observing Qiuyue drawing closer, Niu Chang contemplated this question.
'Wait, as long as I keep her under control, it should be fine. With a leash, she won't be able to unleash any violent acts against me in a fit of rage. Yes, I should add another task to my second brain, creating a skill that governs the life and death of my followers!'