Grandpa's system panel was broken, something Xiang Beifei had discovered on the first day he transmigrated back home.
During his transmigration, he had inherited the original owner's memories, but the original Xiang Beifei had never possessed the ability to see other people's system panels, so he wasn't clear about what Xiang Qingde's system was, let alone why his own grandfather had lost his system.
Over the past month, the more Xiang Beifei explored the rules of this system world, the more curious he felt.
He had seen various people on the streets, and as long as someone reached adulthood, they would awaken their own system, which meant that every adult, regardless of talent, had their own system.
Whether it was the "Tracking System" for law enforcement or the "Old Driver System" for those who drove, everyone chose their professions based on their systems.
Yet seeing an adult like his grandfather with a system panel turned into static was something Xiang Beifei had never encountered before.
But in this world, people couldn't see others' system attributes, so Xiang Beifei couldn't tell his grandfather that he was a transmigrator and could see other people's system attributes, nor could he openly ask his grandfather why he didn't have a system panel.
"What are you thinking about?"
Xiang Qingde had already prepared the meal and cheerfully brought it to the table.
"Nothing much, just thinking about my own system," Xiang Beifei replied casually as he sat at the dining table, staring at the broken system panel above his grandfather's head.
"By the way, I haven't asked yet, which aspect is your system awakened in? Physical strength, intelligence, or financial power? Does completing system tasks require money?" Xiang Qingde asked.
Before Xiang Beifei could answer, Xiang Qingde added, "Whatever the specifics of your system, you don't need to tell me. It's a secret, and even the closest people shouldn't reveal it! But if it requires financial resources, just let me know, and I'll find a way to gather the money."
There was a pension fund at home, which Xiang Qingde had always saved, not spending it, just waiting to use it for his grandson.
After a moment's thought, Xiang Beifei shook his head and said, "I don't need money for now, my system... um, it's related to intelligence."
He actually didn't have a system at all, just an all-white Xiaohei.
However, considering his unique circumstances, he decided to keep it a secret for now.
"Intelligence?"
Xiang Qingde suddenly realized and then said, "An intelligence-based system, that's good, being smart is better than being simply honest. Don't be discouraged, just strive hard. Although Grandpa may not be very capable, I will never let you suffer."
Xiang Qingde was an optimistic old man who always held hope for life. Even if his grandson had only awakened an N-level system, he believed his grandson could still carve out a future.
Xiang Beifei propped up his chin, deep in thought, and after a long while, he asked, "Grandpa, what type of system did you awaken?"
Xiang Qingde smiled gently and said, "Grandpa's system talent isn't great, just a vegetable-selling system, but telling you won't hurt. Although I'm also trying hard to make money, even the weakest system can still help us in life."
Xiang Beifei looked thoughtfully at Xiang Qingde, not asking further.
Days before, he had looked through books related to systems, learning about system principles.
The origin of systems was beyond verification. They seemed to integrate into each person's genes; after reaching adulthood, they possessed the ability to awaken.
Humans without an awakened system had long gone extinct in this world!
Everyone would awaken a system—even if that system was terribly flawed.
Ordinary means couldn't cause a system to fail.
Of course, low-level systems made the system tasks extremely arduous, but there was still a system interface.
But having a system screen turn into static and fail was something Xiang Beifei was hearing about for the first time.
So far, there had been no records of system failure in books.
Xiang Beifei felt that his grandfather seemed to be hiding something.
——
After dinner, Xiang Beifei returned to his own room and then began to contemplate Xiaohei's situation.
Xiaohei, white as a cotton ball, lay on Xiang Beifei's shoulder, yawning sleepily.
"Xiaohei, what can you do?"
Xiang Beifei placed Xiaohei in the palm of his hand and gently tapped Xiaohei's head with his finger.
"Woof woof!"
Xiaohei barked twice, blinked its small eyes a couple of times, and then shook the fur on its body.
The immaculate white fur suddenly turned pitch black as ink, like a lump of coal!
"Huh? You can transform?"
Xiang Beifei looked at Xiaohei in surprise.
Xiaohei proudly raised his head, wagging his tail.
"Try turning yellow?"
"Woof woof!"
Xiaohei shook his fur and turned into a white furball.
"So your ability is only to turn black and white?" Xiang Beifei asked.
Xiaohei barked twice, unclear what he was trying to express.
That's going to be a problem!
Xiang Beifei realized it was very difficult to communicate with Xiaohei; he was like a newly born, ignorant fellow who couldn't even speak, making communication tough.
But at least he had appeared during the Awakening System activation today.
Well, might as well treat him as a mascot.
Xiang Beifei took out today's Soul Condensing Pills and Qi-Controlling Pill, weighing them carefully.
In this world, there existed Spiritual Energy.
Draw the energy into the body, control the energy with your will.
The first realm for a cultivator, is called Qi-Controlling.
This Qi-Controlling Pill is a beginner's reward from the S-level system, a powerful system where just one pill can help you step into the realm of Qi-Controlling.
In the discipline of "System Integration," it's mentioned that normal S-level system Awakeners generally step into the realm of Qi-Controlling within five days.
An R-level system requires one to six months to reach the Qi-Controlling realm.
As for the N-level, it depends on the system type; the least takes a few months, while at most it takes a year, and there are even those taking several years. It is said that the longest record for an N-level system is ten years!
S-level system Awakeners have an advantage at the starting line, and it's not just a casual expression.
Xiang Beifei examined the Qi-Controlling Pill, a pill he had gotten from Zhuo Jing, wondering if it would also be effective for him?
Just as he was about to try the Qi-Controlling Pill, suddenly Xiaohei jumped over and snatched the pill away.
"Hey! That's my stuff!" Xiang Beifei said.
"Woof woof!"
Xiaohei pointed at the Qi-Controlling Pill and then at his mouth.
"You want to eat it?" Xiang Beifei asked, puzzled.
Xiaohei nodded his head.
Xiang Beifei remembered today during the activation of the Awakening System, Xiaohei was absorbing a thunderstone but was interrupted by him.
Could it be that this guy was running low on energy?
Maybe consider recharging him at the outlet?
But Xiaohei eagerly hugged the pill, continuously licking it.
"Fine, fine, just eat it," Xiang Beifei said helplessly.
Xiaohei happily swallowed the Qi-Controlling Pill.
An odd aroma spread from Xiaohei's body, his aura constantly transforming, faint but powerful fluctuations spreading.
Xiang Beifei watched Xiaohei in astonishment.
This mascot had seemingly transformed from his frail appearance just moments ago, and that somewhat imperceptible authoritative aura was very familiar because he had seen it in many of his teachers—
It was the aura of the Qi-Controlling realm!
Xiaohei had taken the step into the Qi-Controlling realm before him!