"System, how do you work?" he asked mentally to the golden screen floating in front of him.
[I will help the host train the apprentices you choose.]
"That wasn't a good answer. It looks like I'll have to accept an apprentice. But before that, let's fuse some techniques. It's embarrassing to accept apprentices without having anything to teach!"
After deciding on his next step, he began to implement his plan.
"Dad, Mom." He waved his hands. "Bye." And he left the kitchen, heading toward the basement, which he had his father build to store his treasures.
With quick steps down the corridor, he reached a red door, decorated with the symbols of a blue dragon and an orange phoenix. It was one of the cool artifacts he bought. There was nothing particularly special about it, but it created an air of mystery.
And Lian Xi loved that. This guy was definitely not normal. If he were in the modern world, he would be considered a Chuunibyou.
And he knew that, but he didn't care. It was a way to have fun and dream about the world outside.
Placing his hand on the doorknob, he twisted it and pulled the door open.
The interior of the basement was organized: books were arranged on shelves, pills stored in large porcelain jars, swords neatly placed in a box called the "Box of Ten Thousand Swords." Nearby, there was a section for war weaponry, with various tools stored. In the corner, a large jar contained his most valuable treasures.
Walking over to the shelf, he asked the system, "Is it okay if the techniques are fake? Because if not, I'm screwed. The good ones are only available in big cities. This place is very poor in both Qi and cultivation knowledge."
[DING! Given the host's current conditions, fake techniques can be modeled into mortal techniques. Only these techniques can be fused. Don't bother making a bunch of fake techniques, master!]
"Got it." Lian Xi nodded, but upon reading the last part, he rolled his eyes. "Sym, what do you think of a pure guy like me? I'm kind, I would never trick you." Out of laziness to say "system," he nicknamed it "Sym."
[If you think so, master, I agree.]
Hearing that, Lian Xi noticed something curious: when it came to something important, a systematic voice would appear. But for more mundane matters, a female voice appeared...
"This is strange. But for now, I won't ask anything. The answer will surely be 'insufficient authority.' Since it's not harmful to me, let's focus on getting stronger, like the old monsters say."
"By gaining strength, the answers will come naturally. Focusing on things I can't solve will only delay my growth."
[That was philosophical.]
"I know. Let's begin the fusion." He walked over to the shelves, organized into five categories: Breathing Techniques, Sword Techniques, Body Techniques, Alchemy Techniques, and Fist Techniques.
Taking fifty books on breathing techniques and placing them on the floor, he asked, "What do I do now?"
[Just think about fusing them in your mind, and they will automatically fuse.
Note: 10 fake books > 1 mortal technique.
5 mortal techniques > 1 spiritual technique.
10 spiritual techniques > 1 martial technique.
And so on, from the mortal technique, the amount needed always doubles.]
Seeing this information, Lian Xi sighed. In his mind, he had hoped to get a powerful technique immediately, but he was mistaken.
"It looks like my ascension will have to be made in small steps to the top. But it's not bad; at least I'll enjoy every moment. And when I'm at the top, looking back, I'll remember my efforts."
[Master, I really like you.]
Hearing that, he laughed. He was starting to treat the system like someone, no longer as something systematic, but like a bored being... or maybe a woman?
"Bahh." Pushing those thoughts away, he focused on what really mattered. Picking up the fifty books, he organized them so they wouldn't form a random technique.
In the end, the rows looked like this: fire, water, ice, earth, and mental. These were the main elements of the fake techniques.
"Start the fusion." He shouted inwardly, and an image of a golden cauldron appeared in his mind.
[Touch what you wish to fuse, master.]
Lian Xi nodded and touched the fire row. The books disintegrated into golden lights, which floated toward his head, where a golden cauldron began to spin. As the ten books disappeared, information flooded Lian Xi's mind.
[You fused ten fake fire-type books. The mortal technique "Fire Breathing" has been formed.]
[New function: You can fuse techniques of different types to form new combinations. They will only evolve if you find the necessary books.]
"I like this function! So I can fuse an ice technique with a fire one? This is interesting and opens many possibilities."
Feeling motivated, he continued the fusion with the remaining rows: ice, water, earth, and mental.
When he finished, he reached the fun part.
[You fused:
Water Breathing + Ice = Snow Breathing.
Earth Breathing + Mental = Stone Breathing.
Fire Breathing + Stone = Volcano Breathing.
Snow Breathing + Volcano = Spiritual Storm Breathing.]
"Hahahaha! This is amazing! We turned fake techniques into a spiritual one!" Lian Xi laughed, euphoric.
"Sym, send this technique to my mind."
[Master, I'll try to send it without overloading your brain.]
The technique was divided into five parts. The first was simple:
"Sit in a cold or hot environment and imagine a storm. In the center of it, instead of feeling the cold, you will feel a hellish heat. When you manage to balance both, you will feel the Qi."
Trying to practice, he sat in a lotus position and stayed like that for ten minutes.
Without results, he gave up for now and began thinking about who to take as an apprentice. A doubt arose: what if he got betrayed? The system had specific functions for female apprentices, but he feared someone might reveal his techniques or the secrets of the system.
[Relax, master! Once someone becomes your apprentice, it's impossible for them to betray you or reveal any technique without your permission. This is part of the equality contract. Just as no one can do anything without your intention, you will never be able to force an apprentice. We are fair and professional on both sides.]
"Got it. That's good." He smiled, satisfied.
Forcing someone had never crossed his mind. He wasn't a despicable villain. He respected everyone, but if someone messed with his family, he wouldn't hesitate to become the devil himself.