"Mhmm…" Lao Xie hummed softly.
A thought stirred in his mind, dragging him back to a certain moment. Back then, he had casually directed his gaze toward Feng Zhan name, and the system had responded instantly.
A faint ripple of light had brushed across his vision, unfolding another layer of information.
[Observe Activated]
Target: Feng Zhan
Cultivation Stage: Body Tempering, 7th Stage
Age: 17
Affiliation: Crimson Gale Peak
Combat Style: Momentum-based spear techniques, aggressive opener, lacks stamina control.
The panel had been straightforward, almost dull. Yet he remembered how it lingered in his sight for a few breaths, outlining every weakness so plainly. He had thought at the time that the system's ability was worth more than it appeared—revealing not only strength, but flaws that could be exploited.
Lao Xie's gaze shifted ever so slightly toward Ling Ruxin. A small thought stirred in his mind.
Now that he thought about it, he had never once tried using Observe on her. He had used it on other disciples out of curiosity, even tested its limits on opponents, yet for some reason, he had never directed it toward her.
"System, can Observe be used on Ling Ruxin?"
"Yes. Observe can be used on any target within the system's recognition range. Would you like to activate it now?"
His lips curved faintly. "Then use Observe on her."
A crystalline ripple passed through his vision, clearer than the times before. The panel unfolded slowly, each line sharp as though etched onto glass.
[Observe Activated]
Name: Ling Ruxin
Race: Human
Cultivation Stage: Qi Refinement, 3rd Stage
Age: 17
Affiliation: Silver Crescent Sect, Flowing Note Peak
Spiritual Roots: Ethereal Harmony Root
Lao Xie narrowed his eyes at the floating panel.
"Tch. That's it?" He muttered under his breath, the corner of his lips pulling faintly. "Not much different from what's already in the affinity tab."
"This is Observe version 1.0," the system's voice chimed inside his mind with its usual tone. "The very first build. For now, only the most basic information is displayed. More functions and details will become available once system upgrades are triggered."
Lao Xie let out a low hum, tapping his finger against his sleeve. "Mhmm, fair enough. You've got a point." His gaze drifted back to the shimmering lines of text, but then paused on the last entry.
Spiritual Roots: Ethereal Harmony Root
His brow arched slightly. "Ethereal Harmony Root…?"
"You never explained anything about these roots," Lao Xie said in his mind, voice calm but edged with faint reproach.
"You never asked and i thought you know since you mentioned one of the roots name back then." the system answered, its tone light and without a hint of shame. "Spiritual roots are the foundation of cultivation talent. They determine affinity with qi, growth speed, and potential ceiling. Ranked from lowest to highest, they are — Withered Essence Root, Fledgling Spirit Root, Verdant Soul Root, Ethereal Harmony Root, Celestial Essence Root, and the pinnacle… Divine Phoenix Root."
"Divine Phoenix Root… Then my spiritual root, is it higher than the Divine Phoenix Root?" Lao Xie asked.
"Well, it could be. There's no record of it in my knowledge either. Perhaps it will be revealed once my version is upgraded." the system responded.
Hearing that, Lao Xie hummed slightly, "Mhmm."
"Ethereal Harmony Root… it's ranked fourth. But it's also the highest root recorded in the sect's archives." He muttered softly.
"And people with such talents usually receive deep treatment from the sect, considered precious treasures."
He fell silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Something is off??…"
"She doesn't seem to be treated that way. She's not overflowing with resources either… and there's no way the sect wouldn't know about her root." He dismissed the obvious possibilities one by one.
His mind swirled with questions he couldn't answer. "Then wh—"
"Actually, it might be possible," the system's voice cut him off. "Artifacts that conceal spiritual roots do exist… but I doubt she possesses one. They are exceedingly rare—almost impossible to come by."
"Almost impossible, mhmm…" He hummed faintly, but soon shook his head.
"There's no point dwelling on this now. I can't get the answer I want, and asking her directly would only make me look suspicious… that would ruin the plan."
His gaze returned to the glowing panel.
[AFFINITY]
Yao Yue
Interest: 2 Star
Relationship: Elder - Disciple
Age: 32
Cultivation Stage: Qi Refinement, 9th Stage (Weakened State)
Affiliation: Silver Crescent Mountain Peak, Elder.
"System, use Observe on Elder Yao."
In an instant, another panel slowly materialized before him.
[Observe Activated]
Name: Yao Yue
Race: Human
Cultivation Stage: Qi Refinement, 9th Stage (Weakened State)
Age: 32
Affiliation: Silver Crescent Sect, Flowing Note Peak
Spiritual Roots: Ethereal Harmony Root
Lao Xie's eyes widened.
"Again? Another Ethereal Harmony Root?" His voice dropped to a mutter.
"System, you said Ethereal Harmony is ranked fourth… then why are both of them still stuck at Qi Refinement?"
"Elder Yao's 'weakened state' is the only reason Observe shows her that way. Her true cultivation is much higher. As for Ling Ruxin, the only explanation lies in this continent itself—its world qi is exceedingly weak."
"The world qi here… is weak?" he repeated softly.
"Yes. I was surprised as well. By my calculations, for her to reach this realm in just two years despite such scarcity is already rather extraordinary."
Lao Xie narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze still fixed on the glowing panel. "Then, System… do you know her real cultivation base?"
"No." The system's reply came without hesitation. "Your 'Observe' can only read what currently exists. Since she is in a weakened state, her true cultivation is concealed. Even I cannot pierce through that layer. It lies far beyond the range of my current functions."
Lao Xie tapped his fingers lightly on the wooden armrest beside him, thoughtful but calm. He didn't complain or press further. Instead, he accepted the explanation in silence, his expression steady as if he had already expected such a limitation.
After a while, a faint curve touched his lips. "So even you have things you can't see. Interesting."
"As i said before, I'm not omniscient, host."
"Mhmm," He hummed slightly.
Lao Xie leaned back on the wooden bed, his gaze faint but steady. Two names now lingered at the back of his mind—Ling Ruxin and Elder Yao. Both carried roots that should have drawn the sect's full attention, yet both stood apart in strange circumstances.
He did not dwell on it for long. Answers would come eventually, and forcing them now would only stir unnecessary waves. What mattered more was the task in front of him.
Ling Ruxin. The system's mission, and a girl whose trust would open many doors. Step by step, he was already weaving himself into her life. That thread could not be cut.
As for Elder Yao… his lips curved faintly. Age was nothing before beauty, and beauty is still beauty. A woman of her caliber could not be ignored. If fate had placed her within reach, then there was no harm in claiming one more treasure.
Targets were set. All that remained was shaping the stage, bending each step so that both women walked exactly where he wanted them.