[Supreme Lord System binding complete.]
Noel's eyes widened. A system? He tried to recall if any system like this had appeared in the novel he read, but nothing came to mind.
"So… System, can you hear me?" he asked hesitantly.
[Yes, host. Feel free to ask any questions.]
"Alright, how do you work?"
[Host, we will now directly transfer all basic knowledge about this world and the system into your mind.]
Before Noel could react, a surge of blinding light filled his mind. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he thought he was going to pass out. However, just as quickly as it came, the sensation vanished.
As his head cleared, a flood of knowledge settled in. Noel held his head, his expression shifting from confusion to understanding.
"Oh… so this world's cultivation system works like this..."
Cultivation Levels (Each Divided into Low, Middle, Top, and Perfect Stages):
Awakened – The first step, where cultivators sense energy for the first time.
Strengthened – The body starts adapting to energy, growing more resilient.
Focused – Cultivators can now control and direct energy with precision.
Empowered – Their mastery increases, allowing them to use advanced techniques.
Honed – Their power sharpens, and they can now fight stronger opponents.
Ascendant – They transcend basic skills, gaining dominance over weaker enemies.
Dominant – They become a major force, controlling both their surroundings and their energy with ease.
Legendary – Near-mythical beings with fearsome power.
Supreme – The pinnacle of cultivation, where they hold godlike authority over reality itself.
Each level was divided into Low, Middle, Top, and Perfect stages, making advancement even more difficult.
As Noel processed this information, another realization struck him—one that left him momentarily speechless.
Wait… my system works like THIS?!
The knowledge of his system's function was even more absurd than he imagined.
His system granted him strength and wealth, but only if people obeyed him. Whether they followed him willingly or by force, it didn't matter. The more people he controlled, the more power he gained.
"Holy… so I just need to become a lord. No, not just a lord… a Supreme Lord! Millions of people under me, all obeying my every command… This world is MINE for the taking!"
His heart pounded with excitement. But first, he needed to start small.
"The original owner of this body had only one friend… a fellow beggar. That means he's my first target."
Recruiting His First Follower
After wandering through the bustling marketplace, Noel finally spotted a familiar figure—Ming Han, a skinny beggar dressed in tattered clothes, sitting against a wall.
Noel smirked and called out, "Ming Han!"
Ming looked up, blinking in surprise. "Noel? Oh, it's you!"
"Come with me," Noel said with an unusually confident tone.
Ming hesitated. Why is Noel acting so strange today?
Noel led him to a secluded alley, away from the prying eyes of the crowd. Once there, he leaned in and whispered, "Ming, come closer. I have a secret to tell you."
Ming, though suspicious, leaned in.
And then—
BAM!
Noel punched Ming straight in the stomach.
stomach.
Ming doubled over, coughing violently as he spat out saliva. "W-What the hell?! Why did you hit me?!"
Here's your scene fully refined with better flow, grammar, and impact while keeping the humor and Noel's growing greed intact:
The Beating of a Lifetime
Just as Ming tried to catch his breath—
BAM!
Noel punched him again.
"W-Wait, Noel, stop!" Ming yelped, trying to block the next hit.
But it was useless.
Noel smirked as he continued his assault. "I may be a beggar in this world, with no spiritual power… but I have years of fighting experience from my past life!"
SMACK!
"There's no way I'd lose to a mere beggar who has never even thrown a proper punch!"
Ming stumbled, trying to defend himself, but his weak arms couldn't keep up. His eyes watered as he stammered, "Noel, w-why?! Why are you hitting me?!"
Noel glared at him. "Shut up. Do you submit to me?"
Ming coughed and weakly waved his hands. "O-Okay! Okay! I submit! Just stop hitting me!"
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host. A beggar has submitted to you.]
[Calculating rewards…]
[Status calculated… Power calculated… Wealth calculated…]
[Since the follower is from such a low status, your reward will be…]
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained a Spiritual Root and 100 silver coins.]
[Congratulations, Host! You have entered the Awakened Realm (Low Stage).]
Noel froze. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a grin.
"...Just for making a beggar my follower, I got this much?"
He clenched his fist, feeling a strange warmth coursing through his body. His previously empty meridians now buzzed with energy. He had gained a spiritual root!
And the 100 silver coins? That was the equivalent of three months' salary for a middle-class family in this city!
His grin widened. Then—
His eyes gleamed with greed.
Saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth as a single thought filled his mind—
"More… I need more followers…"
Ming, still lying on the ground, looked up and shuddered. "W-Why is he looking at me like that…?"
Ming groaned as he pushed himself up from the ground, his body still aching from the beating.
Noel tossed 10 silver coins into his hands. "Take this."
Ming blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
"Go and bring more beggars here," Noel ordered. "And if you do a good job, I'll give you even more."
Ming, barely able to stand, wobbled as he clutched his stomach. "B-Boss… I need to rest first… I can't even walk properly…"
Noel sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. Rest for a while. But after that, go get them."
Ming nodded weakly. "O-Okay…"
After some time, Ming returned, bringing another beggar with him.
"Hey, Lan, over here! My boss wants to see you!"
Lan, a scruffy-looking young man, squinted at him. "Boss? You mean that idiot Noel?"
Noel, sitting confidently with his arms crossed, smirked as Lan approached.
Lan scoffed. "Tch. So, you actually dared to call me? Did you forget how I taught you a lesson last time?"
At that moment, a faded memory surfaced in Noel's mind—the original owner of this body being beaten badly, bullied, and humiliated… by Lan.
Noel's smirk disappeared.
He stood up slowly, cracking his knuckles.
"Good," he muttered. "Now I have another reason to beat you."
Lan frowned. "Huh?"
Before he could react—
BAM!
Noel's fist was already flying towards him