Feng Chen reclined against the wall of his cave, a playful sneer dancing on his lips as he stared at the glowing system window.
"Sure, system," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"If this is how you want to play it…" His eyes gleamed with mischief as an evil grin curled across his face. Without so much as a second thought, he tapped on the second option.
There was a moment of silence. A rare, rare silence that was, for once, not filled with the usual sarcastic quips from the system. No, this time, the system was... stunned.
Feng Chen could feel it, the palpable disbelief radiating from the still-glowing screen. And yet, it amused him all the more.
-----
System Notification:-
Wait... You've chosen the second option?
I'm going to regret asking this, but… what five items would you like to keep, host?
-----
Feng Chen smirked as he stood up, cracking his knuckles with a casual stretch of his arms.
"Simple," he said without missing a beat.
"Demon's Vile, Abyssal Devourer Blade, the soul-bound Barrier and Qi Gathering Arrays, and… the Mysterious Egg."
The system sputtered... if systems could sputter... sounding as if it were barely holding back a cascade of protests.
-----
System Notification:-
Hold on a second, Feng Chen. Those are the items you're picking? You don't want the heavenly-grade armors? The pills that could fast-track your cultivation to the next realm? You're going with those 'shitty' blades and an egg? You must be joking.
Right?
-----
But Feng Chen didn't even bat an eye. He simply scratched his ear with his pinky, an unimpressed look on his face.
"Look, just do what I said, alright?" His tone was casual, even bored.
"You wanted to play games, didn't you? So, I'm just tagging along."
The system seemed to groan audibly, its sheer frustration becoming almost tangible.
-----
System Notification:-
Urghhhhh... fine! But don't come crying to me later when you realize you've just thrown away divine-grade gear for a couple of rusty blades and an unhatched egg!
-----
With that, the system begrudgingly executed Feng Chen's command. In an instant, his inventory was purged. His stockpile of heavenly-grade items, his cherished pills and elixirs, his high-tier armor... all of it disappeared, leaving behind only the five items he had chosen.
Feng Chen stood there for a moment, flexing his fingers and rolling his shoulders as if testing a new suit of clothes. Despite the monumental loss of gear, he felt oddly light, as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He let out a long, deep breath and smiled to himself.
"I feel... better," he mused, almost surprised by his own words.
"Lighter. Freer." He then let out a quiet chuckle.
"If I hadn't thought through the possibilities last night, I probably would've clung to all those shiny things like my life depended on them. But now..." He trailed off, his grin widening.
"Now, I get it. I've got everything I need."
*****
[The Previous Night]
Sitting quietly in the glow of his campfire, Feng Chen stared into the dancing flames. His thoughts wandered as they always did at night, the weight of his journey heavy on his shoulders.
Despite having gained divine techniques and rare treasures, there was still a gnawing feeling deep inside him... something wasn't quite right.
"My cultivation is progressing... but it feels shallow "
He thought to himself, watching the fire flicker and dance.
"It's too dependent on these external items. Heavenly-grade this, divine-tier that... I can't build a real foundation with crutches like these."
His gaze shifted to the Demon's Vile and the Abyssal Devourer Blade, both gleaming in the dim light beside him.
"But these weapons... they're different. They're part of me. They grow with me. They're loyal."
Next, his eyes fell on the Barrier and Qi Gathering Arrays.
"These are soul-bound. They're tied to me. I need them for my breakthroughs... they're not just tools, they're essential."
Finally, his gaze softened as it landed on the Mysterious Egg. The soft pulses of energy coming from it filled him with a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in a long time.
"This egg… it's not just an item. It's life waiting to be born. It could become something more than any of these heavenly treasures."
As the night wore on, Feng Chen's mind became clearer. His choices solidified. He knew what he needed to do.
"Yeah," he whispered to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"These are the only items I truly need."
*****
[Back to the Present]
Feng Chen stretched his arms high over his head, cracking his neck from side to side as he let out a contented sigh.
"Well, that was easier than I thought," he remarked, sounding almost amused by how smoothly everything had gone.
"I guess this is one of the perks of being a modern-day reincarnator. You start seeing things differently."
The system, of course, had other thoughts on the matter.
-----
System Notification:-
You really are something else... Despite acting like a reckless fool most of the time, it seems you actually have some semblance of foresight buried in that thick skull of yours.
...Barely.
-----
Feng Chen's smirk widened into a full grin as he teased,
"Aww, is that a compliment? Are you finally warming up to me?"
The system groaned in frustration, clearly regretting its previous words.
-----
System Notification:-
Don't flatter yourself, Feng Chen. I'm still waiting for karma to hit you square in the face.
-----
With a shrug, Feng Chen turned back to the system.
"Well, since karma's not here yet," he said, his tone light and almost mocking,
"how about those rewards you promised?"
The system let out a long, weary sigh, clearly fed up with Feng Chen's antics.
-----
System Notification:-
Fine, fine... here you go, you insufferable brat. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Reward granted: Yin and Yang's Divine Body.
-----
A radiant golden window appeared before Feng Chen's eyes, filling the cave with a soft, ethereal glow as the details of his reward began to materialize.
Feng Chen's breath hitched as he read the description. His heart raced with excitement as his eyes absorbed every word, his grin growing wider with every line.
-----
Yin and Yang's Divine Body:-
- Grants authority over Yin and Yang energies.
- Strengthens bones, muscles, and organs to withstand and channel Yin and Yang Qi.
- Enhances regenerative abilities, allowing rapid recovery from any injuries.
- Provides unmatched defense against spiritual, physical, and elemental attacks.
- Allows host to harmonize and control Yin and Yang energies, granting total dominance over life and death.
-----
Feng Chen couldn't contain his excitement.
"Authority over Yin and Yang energies... Full control over life and death? This is insane!" His mind raced with possibilities, imagining the limitless power he could wield.
Meanwhile, the system seemed to remain eerily quiet, as though processing the sheer absurdity of what it had just handed him. When it finally spoke again, its voice was thick with resignation.
-----
System Notification:-
This world is broken. I hate it here…
-----
Feng Chen burst into laughter, the sound echoing off the cave walls as he reveled in the system's misery.
"Oh, come on, System! Don't be such a killjoy! You know you love me."
-----
System Notification:-
Love? If I had hands, I'd strangle you right now.
-----
Still laughing, Feng Chen flexed his fingers, feeling the surging power of Yin and Yang coursing through his veins. His bones felt stronger than ever, his muscles pulsed with new strength, and his skin seemed to glow with an ethereal light. It was as if his entire body had been reforged into something new... something far beyond mortal.
As he stood up, he couldn't help but grin even wider.
"Well, that wasn't so bad after all. Definitely didn't expect this when I woke up today, but hey, I'm not complaining."
His gaze shifted to the Mysterious Egg, resting quietly beside him in its nest. He gently touched the surface of the egg, feeling its warmth radiate through his palm.
"Now, little one," he whispered softly.
"All that's left is for you to hatch."
Turning back to the system window, Feng Chen's eyes glinted with renewed determination.
"You've given me quite the power boost, System. But don't think for a second that I'm done. There's still a long way to go."
The system, its tone as deadpan as ever, responded...
-----
System Notification:-
You're going to end up destroying the balance of this world, you know that, right?
-----
Feng Chen shrugged nonchalantly, his grin never wavering.
"Balance is overrated. I'm not interested in keeping the world in harmony, System. I'm aiming for the top. And when I get there, the world can either follow my rules or get crushed under my feet."
The system sighed, the sound filled with long-suffering resignation.
-----
System Notification:-
So you're telling me you've just casually thrown away your best items for a couple of half-conscious blades, an egg, and the ability to play with life and death?
...You know, sometimes I wonder if you're just asking for trouble.
-----
Feng Chen laughed again, the sound filled with amusement as he sheathed the Abyssal Devourer Blade back into his inventory.
"Oh please, System. You should know by now that trouble and I are old friends." He winked at the floating window.
"Besides, you're the one always throwing those 'life-altering' choices at me. I'm just playing the hand I've been dealt."
The system muttered something under its breath, though it sounded suspiciously like curses aimed at Feng Chen's apparent overconfidence.