Feng Chen let out a deep breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as he deactivated the Do Not Disturb mode. Bracing himself, he knew exactly what was about to happen.
Within moments, his vision was flooded with countless system notifications, the virtual windows popping up one after another, overwhelming his senses with their sheer volume.
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System Notification:-
HAHAHAHA! You? The former creator of the world? Pffffftttt! HAHAHAHAHA! Are you serious right now? That's the best joke I've heard in centuries.
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The system's laughter echoed obnoxiously, dripping with sarcasm, each mocking syllable an assault on Feng Chen's patience. If it had a face, Feng Chen was sure it would be red with tears of laughter by now.
But he didn't react; he wasn't going to give the system the satisfaction of seeing him ruffled. He glanced sideways at Yin and Yang, who were coiled comfortably around his shoulders.
Their tails wrapped around his arms, their curious gazes locked onto his face, clearly concerned by his silence.
Feng Chen glanced at his companions and noticed they couldn't see the barrage of windows that constantly plagued him, which was a small blessing in his chaotic life.
He mentally thanked whatever force was keeping them from being sucked into this mess. The last thing he needed was for his new companions to get tangled in the system's twisted games.
The thought of the system's true nature had been gnawing at him for some time. He had been piecing together clues, analyzing every interaction, every mission, every punishment.
This wasn't a normal system... it was like some kind of puppet master pulling the strings, guiding him toward a goal only it understood.
Every trial, every push into seclusion, every perilous hunt... it was all part of a bigger scheme. But why? What did the system stand to gain?
But why? He racked his brain, but the answer remained just beyond his grasp. It didn't feel like support or guidance anymore. It felt like he was being cultivated, molded, even weaponized for a purpose unknown to him. Feng Chen's brow furrowed as a familiar unease crept up his spine. This system wasn't a helper... it was a jailer.
Lost in his thoughts, Feng Chen barely noticed the worried glances from Yin and Yang. The snakes exchanged nervous looks, and Yin flicked her tail, gently brushing against his cheek, hoping to get his attention.
"Master?" Yin hissed softly, her voice tinged with concern.
Yang, not to be outdone, nudged his shoulder. "Master?" he repeated, his voice a bit louder.
Feng Chen blinked, snapping back to reality, shaking off the fog of his thoughts. He turned to his companions, his lips curling into an awkward smile.
"Sorry, sorry. I zoned out there for a bit. Guess I got lost in my own head," he chuckled, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"Forgot that this pact means I can actually understand you now."
He raised an eyebrow, still smirking.
"But hey, how did you two come up with calling me 'Master'?"
Yin and Yang exchanged looks before shrugging their little snake shoulders.
"It's from the master-servant pact. It felt... right," Yin explained, her voice as soft as silk.
Feng Chen laughed. "Smart little guys, aren't you?" he muttered, feeling a strange warmth in his chest. It felt good to have someone... no, some creatures... he could rely on. His grin widened as he turned his attention back to the barrage of notifications.
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System Notifications:-
Hidden Missions Completed:-
- Named pets.
- Educated pets about the world and the basics of cultivation.
- Assisted Yin and Yang in embarking on their path of cultivation.
- Helped Yin and Yang break through to the peak of the Body Forging Realm.
- Established a deep bond of trust with Yin and Yang.
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Rewards Received:-
- 20 Cultivation Pills: Boost cultivation efficiency by 30% for one day.
- 10 Qi Nourishing Pills: Temporarily enhances the absorption rate of Qi by 50%.
- 5 Revitalization Pills: Instantly restores stamina and Qi, useful during intense battles.
- 3 Soul Strengthening Elixirs: Enhances the spiritual strength of the user, boosting their mental fortitude.
- Sword Technique: Phantom Moon Slash: An advanced sword technique that creates swift, crescent-shaped energy slashes.
- Blade Technique: Shadow Reaper Dance: A vicious, fluid blade technique that allows the user to blend into shadows, making their attacks nearly undetectable.
- 3 Mystery Boxes: Contents unknown. Open with caution.
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"Three mystery boxes?" Feng Chen's eyes lit up, his heartbeat quickening. Mystery boxes were a gamble... they could contain anything from divine artifacts to a punchline for one of the system's sadistic jokes. Each one was a tantalizing blend of risk and reward, and that thrill was enough to pique his interest every time.
But, deciding to focus on more immediate matters, Feng Chen shifted his attention to the newly unlocked feature.
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System Notification:
New Function Unlocked: Favorability System
Description: View the favorability rating of those around you. Ratings range from 0 to 5 stars:
0 Stars: Hostility or complete indifference.
1 Star: Mild interest or curiosity.
2 Stars: Respect or a basic level of trust.
3 Stars: Strong interest or potential alliance.
4 Stars: Strong trust, bordering on friendship.
5 Stars: Complete loyalty and devotion.
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Feng Chen couldn't help but smirk.
"So now I can see how much people like or hate me? What a glorified social meter... straight out of a dating sim." He rolled his eyes, muttering sarcastically.
"What's next, system? A 'build your harem' function?"
A shiver ran through him as he realized just how much the system was pulling from his own memories.
"Oh crap," he whispered, suddenly struck by horror.
"If this thing can tap into my memories, I really hope it hasn't been poking around... in my private time... you know, those incognito mode moments..."
He coughed nervously, his cheeks burning as he tried to shake off the embarrassing thought.
Trying to distract himself, Feng Chen decided to check Yin and Yang's favorability.
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Yin's Favorability: 4 Stars – Strong Trust.
Yang's Favorability: 4 Stars – Strong Trust.
-----
Seeing their ratings brought a genuine smile to his face. He had earned their trust, and that was no small feat. For a moment, he let himself bask in the warm glow of companionship. It was a rare feeling... one he hadn't experienced since his exile.
But just as he began to relax, his newfound peace was shattered by an unexpected sound. A scream. High-pitched, desperate, and unmistakably human. The sound echoed through the forest, slicing through the quiet with a sharp edge that set Feng Chen's nerves on fire.
"What the hell was that?" Feng Chen muttered, his eyes darting towards the direction of the noise. The Grave of Immortals was supposed to be a forsaken place, devoid of human life. No one sane would wander in here, let alone a child.
The screams continued, frantic and filled with terror. Yin and Yang tightened their coils around his arms, their eyes narrowing as they sensed his unease. The forest felt different, heavier, as if the very air had thickened with tension.
"Why would a kid be here?" Feng Chen's voice was a low growl as he tried to make sense of it. The Grave of Immortals was sealed off from the outside world, surrounded by death and ancient curses. It was a place where only beasts and the dead dared to tread.
For a child to be here meant something was seriously wrong.
The system, surprisingly, remained silent for once, withholding its usual barrage of mocking comments. Even it seemed confused, or maybe just too amused, watching how things unfolded.
Feng Chen's mind raced as he weighed his options, but every instinct screamed that this was something he couldn't ignore.
Yin and Yang shifted nervously, sensing the shift in their master's mood. The snakes could feel the subtle change in the air, the ominous weight pressing down on them.
Feng Chen clenched his fists, feeling the familiar surge of determination flare up inside him. Whatever was going on, whatever had brought that scream to this place, he'd confront it. Because if there was one thing he knew, it was that nothing in his life was ever as simple as it seemed.
He tightened his grip on his swords, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead.
"Guess we've got another mess to clean up," he muttered, his voice tinged with equal parts annoyance and excitement.
With Yin and Yang coiled tightly around him, Feng Chen took a step forward, ready to face whatever twisted surprise this cursed forest had in store for him.