"Host detected as already perfect. This system has nothing left to teach. Disbanding now, bye~"
The mechanical voice made Li Nianfan stumble, leaving him utterly dumbfounded.
"Wait, wait! Don't disband! I'm not perfect at all! Teach me something else! At least teach me how to cultivate immortality! System? System!"
"Really gone?"
"Can you at least send me back first?"
"You brought me here and then just left? System!"
Li Nianfan screamed in his mind, but there was no response.
"Damn you, stupid system!" Li Nianfan cursed.
Five years ago, he had transmigrated to this world and bound himself to a "Sage System." The name sounded impressive, and Li Nianfan thought he was about to reach the peak of life.
However, the system taught him things like literature, math, chemistry, physics, poetry, and painting—basically useless stuff.
But he had no choice but to learn!
Li Nianfan endured until today, when he finally mastered everything and was granted titles like "Poetry Saint," "Painting Saint," "Chess Saint," and "Divine Farmer."
And then... the system disbanded!
Gone!
In his previous life, he could have made a name for himself with these skills, but now he was in another world—a cultivation world, no less!
Cultivators flew past in the sky from time to time.
There were even rumors of man-eating monsters.
This was a big problem!
What use were these skills? Was he supposed to reason with monsters?
Afraid for his life, he chose a secluded spot near the city to live a self-sufficient life, fearing that one day he might be caught in a battle between immortals and die without even knowing why.
Deep down, he had held onto hope because of his "cheat system."
He had endured for five years, waiting for the system to teach him cultivation so he could soar to the heavens and become an immortal.
But who would have thought that after teaching him a bunch of useless knowledge, the system would just disband?
What a scam!
He had also considered not relying on the system.
Right after transmigrating, he tried to join a cultivation sect, only to find out he had no spiritual roots and was doomed to be an ordinary mortal.
"Master, it's time for lunch."
A robot walked out of the room and gestured for Li Nianfan to follow.
"Oh."
Li Nianfan was in low spirits but didn't want to starve himself, so he went back inside.
The robot was a reward from the system after he mastered physics.
At first, he thought it was great to have a smart robot serving him, but now he wanted to cry. In a cultivation world, this robot was just a pile of scrap metal.
Li Nianfan lived in a courtyard house with pavilions, bridges, and flowing water, blending perfectly with the mountain scenery. It was a feng shui treasure.
The courtyard was also a reward from the system after he learned architecture.
In fact, all the daily necessities were rewards from completing various tasks. With his "Divine Farmer" title, farming was no issue, so even though he was isolated from the world, he could live self-sufficiently and even enjoy good meals.
"If all else fails, I'll just live as a mortal. At least the air and scenery here are much better than in my previous life. I don't have to struggle for survival, so it's not too bad."
Li Nianfan comforted himself.
The only thing missing now was a girlfriend. Cultivator women must be beautiful, but they'd never look at a mortal like me.
Li Nianfan shook his head, only able to fantasize in his mind.
He called out to the backyard, "Big Black, time to eat!"
A black mutt came running, tongue out, eagerly staring at Li Nianfan.
"What a glutton."
Li Nianfan smiled and prepared food for Big Black.
Big Black was a stray dog Li Nianfan had found on the mountain, nearly starved to death. He took it in, and since then, they had been companions.
Big Black was well-behaved, always quietly watching Li Nianfan write and paint, and especially loved listening to him play the qin.
Li Nianfan often thought Big Black was unusually intelligent, as expected of a dog in a cultivation world.
At the same time, two women were walking up the mountain.
One of them wore a white dress, her delicate face pouting in displeasure, enough to make anyone feel pity for her.
Who could have made such a beautiful girl so upset?
She stomped forward, muttering, "Stupid father, bad father, trying to make me marry that disgusting Duanmu Li. Unforgivable!"
The maid in a green dress behind her turned pale, trembling as she said, "Princess, you mustn't say such things! If someone hears, we're done for."
"I'm being forced to marry Duanmu Li. What's there to fear?" The white-dressed girl snorted. "If they keep pushing me, I'll just die!"
The maid quickly knelt, terrified. "Princess, you mustn't die! Please don't scare me like that."
"Relax, I was just joking. I don't want to die."
The princess's eyes sparkled mischievously. "But I can hide. If father keeps pushing me, I'll find a place to hide. This forest looks perfect. Let's find a hiding spot now!"
"You scared me to death, Princess. Please don't talk about dying anymore." The maid patted her chest and stood up.
She glanced around and shivered. "This forest is so desolate. There might be wild beasts. It's dangerous. Let's go back."
"I'm almost at the Foundation Establishment stage. Why would I fear wild beasts? Let's go find a hiding spot." The princess, now energized, ran up the mountain.
"Princess, wait for me..."
One ran, the other chased, and soon they reached the mountainside.
Amidst the floating clouds and green trees, a quaint, ancient-style building came into view.
The maid's eyes widened in surprise. "Someone lives here?"
"What a unique building. It's like it was plucked straight out of a painting." The princess examined the courtyard.
The architectural style was unlike anything she had seen before. It wasn't luxurious, but it exuded an extraordinary aura, blending seamlessly with the surroundings, making it irresistibly appealing.
For some reason, she felt it rivaled the imperial palace.
Could a reclusive expert be living here?
The princess's eyes lit up with hope as she ran forward. "Let's go take a look. Remember, if we meet anyone, don't call me Princess. Call me Miss."
The maid, however, was worried and called out, "Princess, be careful. It might be dangerous."
The princess soon arrived at the front yard, curiously observing everything.
A small vegetable garden, a wicker chair, a stone table with four stone stools...