Xiao Yuan blinked, his mind reeling as he stared at the panel in front of him. The sudden notifications felt like a storm, coming one after the other, leaving him too stunned to process them all at once.
Ding... The acquired titles:
"[Filthy Playboy]: Given by Xun'er. This title will increase your flirting skills, and a girl's favorability will also increase considerably."
"[One with Harem]: Given to you upon sharing a kiss with two girls intentionally. This title makes it much easier for girls to accept that you have a harem and makes them less possessive."
Xiao Yuan's eyes widened as he took in the words on the screen. He could hardly believe it. Filthy Playboy? One with Harem? He felt a twinge of embarrassment, his cheeks warming at the titles he'd acquired. He'd known Xun'er was fond of him, but this acknowledgment was still… unexpected. He frowned slightly, running a hand through his hair as he thought about the implications.
Then his mind raced to another possibility: Was Ling Ying present here? Did he see this? His emotions flipped from amused to slightly panicked. If Ling Ying had witnessed any of this, it could lead to complications, and yet, he tried to calm himself, reassured by Xun'er's understanding character. He figured the worst he'd get was a few bruises – her way of keeping him grounded.
But just as he began to settle, another notification popped up, jolting him back to attention.
Ding... Detected a bug: Host will have 6 years for sign-in panel, inventory panel, and status panel.
Xiao Yuan's face went blank as he read the message. He stared at the words for several long seconds, as if expecting them to change or disappear, but they stayed stubbornly in place. Panic crept into his chest, tightening his throat.
"Hey, system, wh-what? How is that a bug?" His voice trembled with unease.
The system responded in its usual mechanical tone, unbothered by his distress. Host will have 6 years for each panel.
Xiao Yuan felt the chill settle in his bones. If the system panels were restricted, then his power and progress would face serious limitations. The panic slowly boiled into frustration. His accomplishments, his reputation – everything had been built with the aid of the system. Without it, he'd be far more vulnerable than he wanted to admit.
But as he took a deep breath, he forced himself to consider the situation more rationally. Six years... that's still time. I can still work with this. Though there was worry lingering in his mind, he knew that dwelling on it wouldn't do him any good. He could only use the time wisely and make every second count.
"Alright, first things first," he muttered to himself, calming his racing heart. "Current sign-in should be at the Snake People Tribe."
He decided he would leave in about four or five years. That would give him enough time to grow stronger, gather resources, and ensure he was prepared for any future challenges. The Snake People Tribe wasn't a place he could waltz into lightly, after all.
"Status," he said aloud, summoning the familiar panel in front of him.
Name - Xiao Yuan
Age - 5
Qi Cultivation - Dou Zhe, 8-Star
Beneath that, he saw an additional message flash up:
Ding... Else is hidden. Click below to unhide it.
He didn't click right away, instead letting out a sigh. Only five years old, yet he was carrying responsibilities that would make an adult hesitate. In a world of cultivation where strength was everything, he couldn't afford any slip-ups, especially with the system putting him on a time limit.
With a casual swipe, he pulled up a few more panels, feeling a little more in control now that the shock was wearing off. In his mind, he began forming a checklist of what needed to be done. He knew he'd have to keep his cultivation on track, visit the Snake People Tribe, and perhaps even consider which allies could support him if his system panels failed him in the future. Six years wasn't exactly a short time, but in the cultivation world, it wasn't much either.
As he reviewed the details of his status, he found his earlier pride mixed with determination. This new twist meant he'd have to rely on his own strength and skill far more than he'd intended, but perhaps that was for the best. He knew that if he wanted to stand at the top of this world, he'd need to become powerful in his own right, not just depend on the system.
Grinning to himself, Xiao Yuan brushed off his earlier panic and began to look at the restrictions as a new challenge.
"Alright then, System. Let's see what we can accomplish in these six years," he murmured to himself, already feeling the gears turning in his mind. He'd always loved a good challenge, and now he had a time limit that would keep him on his toes. It was a reminder that even with all his advantages, he had to stay sharp and earn his place in this world.
With a quick stretch, Xiao Yuan dismissed the status panel. There was no time to waste. If he wanted to face the Snake People Tribe and emerge victorious, he had to start preparing immediately. Every minute counted, and he intended to make the most of it.
After all, a true cultivator never let limitations hold them back.
After walking for a few hours, he finally arrived at his courtyard. Upon opening the door, he spotted a lovely young girl with a serene look on her face as she vented her frustrations.
Xiao Yuan approached Xun'er and inquired innocently, "Why is my sister Xun'er feeling sad? Did someone upset you?" Xun'er replied, blaming Xiao Yuan for her anger, and he continued to act clueless, asking how he had upset her.
"I witnessed your kiss with Sister Xiao Yu," She said, causing Xiao Yuan to fall silent. After a moment of thought, he replied, "Sister Xun'er, it's because a Vixen somehow fused with Sister Xiao Yu. Her power was uncontrollable, so I had to share some of my dou qi with her."
With sweat on his forehead, he flashed a friendly smile.