That night, beneath the soft flicker of firelight, Xiao Ranyu sat cross-legged in his room, the mask resting on a nearby table.
For once, it was quiet.
No gossip.
No giggling girls.
No maids passing out from his smile.
Only silence—and thought.
---
He stared at his palm, clenching it into a fist.
> "I'm already a 1-star Dou King… but I've never fought seriously."
His gaze turned sharp.
> "I don't even know what my full strength feels like. Can I fight across realms? Do I rely too much on my flames? What if I'm attacked and can't respond properly?"
It was a problem most cultivators could only dream of having—but to Xiao Ranyu, it was real. His strength had grown too fast. His foundation… was shaky.
> "I need to start from the beginning. Relearn everything. Control everything."
And for that, he needed help.
---
[System Interface: Open]
He navigated to the System Store, scrolling through categories until he found what he was looking for:
Combat Control Tools
After searching for a few minutes, something caught his eye.
> [Limiter Seal: Beginner Path]
Description: Seals cultivation realm at 1-star Dou Fighter. The user must master and refine strength manually to unlock the seal. Once unlocked, it disappears permanently. ONE-TIME USE ONLY.
> Cost: 9,500 Points
Ranyu's brows rose slightly.
> "Exactly what I need."
He purchased it instantly but didn't apply it yet. Tomorrow, when he went to train in the back mountain, he'd activate it.
With the deduction, his point balance dropped to 90,000.
Still plenty left to play with.
---
He flicked over to the "other" category and focused on a section labeled:
> Random Miraculous Crate
Cost: 10,000 Points each
> "Hm. I'll try three. Let's see if I get lucky."
He tapped the option three times, dropping 30,000 points and leaving 60,000 for tomorrow's sign-in with Xiao Yan.
---
He sat back and cracked his knuckles.
> "Alright, System. Don't disappoint me."
He opened the first crate.
> [ DING!No reward generated. Better luck next time.]
Ranyu's brow twitched.
Opened the second.
>[ DING!No reward generated. Better luck next time.]
His eyebrow twitched harder.
> "...Are you mocking me, System?"
Sighing, he opened the third crate.
A flash of blinding golden light exploded out from the screen, illuminating the room.
> [ DING!Congratulations! You have acquired: Divine Body — Spirit Empress Physique]
Special Grade. Giftable. One-of-a-kind.
Ranyu blinked.
> "...A body physique?"
He frowned.
> "I don't need this. I already have the Eternal Flame Vassal Body."
But just before tossing the reward aside, he noticed something in the description.
> [This physique is compatible with others.Can be gifted once. Recipient must have a naturally charm-oriented spiritual root.]
Ranyu froze.
Then smirked.
> "...Charm-oriented, huh?"
> "Ya Fei."
---
[ Spirit Empress Physique – Overview]
> A unique charm-centered physique born from the ancient noble courts of the Spirit Empress Dynasty. This body embodies supreme charisma, mental acuity, and social pressure. It transforms charm from superficial beauty into a suppressive, divine presence capable of influencing will, aura, and even spirit.
> Core Traits: – Peerless charm and elegance that intensify with cultivation
– Natural aura of leadership and dominance over weaker-willed individuals
– Absolute memory and intuition in social, political, and spiritual scenarios
– Resistance to illusion, temptation, and manipulation
– Gains power not through elemental strength—but through mastery of self, spirit, and presence
> Note: With proper cultivation, rivals ancient clan heiresses in talent, social and spiritual dominance.
Ranyu leaned back, a rare smile forming on his lips.
> "This is perfect for her."
Ya Fei had always stood tall despite lacking a divine background or heaven-sent bloodline. Now, with this… she'd walk among the strongest without ever losing her grace.
> "Tomorrow, I'll give it to her after the test."
Xiao Ranyu's gaze lingered on the glowing golden panel still hovering before him.
Just as he was about to close it, another notification appeared beneath the body physique description:
---
> BONUS REWARD: Cultivation Method Unlocked!
[Heaven Grade High Rank – Veil Seduction Scripture]
Type: Charm
Compatibility: Spirit Empress Physique
Status: Giftable with physique transfer
---
Xiao Ranyu's brows rose slightly.
> "A scripture too?"
He opened the details—and was greeted by lines of flowing flame-red text, gently pulsing like a living thing.
---
[ Veil Seduction Scripture]
> A cultivation art born from the ancient courts of the Spirit Empress Dynasty. This scripture allows the user to cultivate charm as a domain—suppressing foes not by force, but sheer presence.
> Core Abilities: – Charm Domain Manifestation: Natural charisma becomes spiritual suppression
– Burning Allure: The more enemies resist, the stronger the suppression
– Veiled Lotus Heart: Immune to charm-type attacks; can reflect mental temptations
– Crimson Silk Threads: Invisible spirit strands that control battlefield flow
– Twin Flame Bloom: Allows dual-cultivation resonance with compatible partners for rapid breakthroughs
> Note: Cultivators of this scripture gain elegance, composure, and mental clarity as strength rises—ideal for strategic prodigies.
---
Xiao Ranyu exhaled slowly.
This wasn't just a cultivation technique.
It was an identity—a legacy.
> "She won't just catch up to Xun'er," he muttered. "She'll walk side by side with her… "
He stored the reward with a thought, a rare look of pride flashing a
cross his face
He closed his eyes.
His world was accelerating, and he needed to move forward with control, precision…
And the right people by his side.
---
Tomorrow would be a turning point.
For him.
For Ya Fei.
And for Xiao Yan