Jiang Xuan’s interest plummeted when he heard that the system’s hidden function was related to spiritual roots.
It’s just that the quality of spiritual roots is just the foundation for cultivation. Due to his incomplete spiritual root, Jiang Xuan had long missed the best time to cultivate.
His current level of cultivation was merely that of a Martial Apprentice, placing him at the very bottom of the martial world.
Even if he suddenly got a god-tier spiritual root, it would still be too late for him. His situation wouldn’t change; he still had to humbly serve those big shots.
If those rich patrons were unhappy, they’d use him for a good laugh, and he’d have to live a life of torment.
Just thinking about this made Jiang Xuan feel a bit drained, but his curiosity got the better of him as he asked the system, “System, how exactly do I use the spiritual root duplication function? Even if I get a great spiritual root, I can’t see any hope.”
“Ding! Host, you underestimate this system’s hidden features. This hidden function is called that because its effects are truly outrageous.
In this world, everyone basically only has one spiritual root, and only a few people have more than two.
However, the spiritual root duplication function can be used multiple times.
In other words, the more times the host uses it, the more spiritual roots you get, and the more roots you have, the faster you’ll cultivate!”
After the system’s explanation, Jiang Xuan was instantly filled with motivation.
“I see! System, I misjudged you! I’m going to duplicate a spiritual root right now—I’ll start with the spiritual root of our Deputy Pavilion Master.
Later, when I meet the people from the Xuantian Pavilion, I’ll duplicate all their spiritual roots too. Hahaha! If that’s the case, I’ll be invincible in no time!”
Just when Jiang Xuan was lost in his beautiful fantasies, the system interrupted, “Host, don’t be in such a hurry—the spiritual root duplication function has several prerequisites.
First, the target must have a favorability rating of 10,000 towards you.
A favorability of 10,000 means that person is absolutely loyal to you, and they must also have a high-quality spiritual root.
Ordinary people, even at the height of loyalty, usually only have a favorability rating between 100 and 1000.
Second, during the duplication process, the host must physically touch the target.
Third, the success probability for duplicating spiritual roots is 50%.
Fourth, each target can only be successfully duplicated once.
Fifth, the duplication function has a daily usage limit of once.”
After hearing the prerequisites for duplicating spiritual roots, Jiang Xuan felt like his mind just shut down.
Forget everything else—he only seemed to have seen that 10,000 favorability in Nangong Liu Yun’s case. The Deputy Pavilion Master beside him had only 9999; he was just a smidge short.
The only one who met the first requirement was Nangong Liu Yun—what was he supposed to do now?
Was he really supposed to go back and beg Nangong Liu Yun for forgiveness, then end up unable to get out of bed for three months?
That seemed like a huge loss; he couldn’t handle three months of that!
So it looked like the upgraded system was still completely useless!
In this treacherous world, the only things Jiang Xuan could rely on were his looks and max-level charm.
He didn’t want it to be that way, but the dream of wielding a sword and wandering the world had been sacrificed for a life of serving the powerful.
Just when Jiang Xuan was feeling melancholic, the system suddenly spoke up:
“If only the host had picked to max out his martial talent back then… it wouldn’t have to be like this now…”
“System, what are you talking about? I didn’t blame you for still being a useless system after the upgrade; now you’re blaming me, huh?
If you hadn’t mentioned that being good-looking means I could do whatever I wanted in this world, I wouldn’t have gotten sidetracked and maxed out my charm!”
Just as Jiang Xuan was about to reopen old wounds with the system, it cleverly ducked out of the conversation.
This left him with pent-up frustration. When Jiang Xuan’s thoughts returned to the present, he and Xiao Hong Xin had already taken a secret passage to a secluded, rundown courtyard.
This courtyard was located in a sparsely populated area of the Imperial City, a hidden gathering spot for the Xuantian Pavilion.
At this moment, Jiang Xuan had donned a silver mask, concealing his features completely.
Beside him, Xiao Hong Xin asked, “Pavilion Master, what do we plan to do now? We’ve left the Jiang Family; what’s next? Should we leave the Great Jiang Imperial City?”
“That… right! Deputy Pavilion Master, didn’t you say the core members of the Xuantian Pavilion are waiting for orders just outside the Imperial City?
Take me to meet everyone; I haven’t seen them in a long time.”
“Pavilion Master, the core members are indeed outside the Imperial City, but they’re scattered in different locations.
If you want to meet them, shouldn’t we gather them here?”
“That works; this gathering point is relatively safe for now.”
Just as Jiang Xuan finished speaking, Xiao Hong Xin removed the silver mask from his face, revealing a face more beautiful than the dawn.
“Before gathering the Xuantian Pavilion members, my dear Pavilion Master seems to have forgotten that we left some unfinished business back at the Jiang Family.”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!”
Seeing Xiao Hong Xin’s unabashed greed, Jiang Xuan realized that in his current situation, the most dangerous person was none other than her.
Earlier, Jiang Xuan had deceived Xiao Hong Xin with Nangong Liu Yun’s cultivation, but sadly, it did not intimidate her. Instead, it seemed to ignite her competitive spirit.
At this moment, Xiao Hong Xin threw her arms around Jiang Xuan, leaning in to whisper like a devil.
“Pavilion Master, you really wouldn’t want your true identity exposed, would you?
You’re a legendary figure in the Xuantian Pavilion; the members believe you’re the peak of martial power.
Everyone knows about your legend—how you defeated all champions with a single sword, annihilated the sun, moon, and stars with one stroke, and ruled all ages, the masked white-clad sword immortal who’s intimidating to all.
If they knew you were just a mere Martial Apprentice, I wonder if they’d still admire you as much.”
Jiang Xuan: “…..”
“Deputy Pavilion Master, are you threatening me? You really think that with this, you can control me?
I am not relying on strength; if you expose me, I wouldn’t mind revealing my true appearance to the members of the Xuantian Pavilion.
Sigh, I only ever wanted you to know my real face.
But it seems the time has come to confront them as I really am. Do you think they’d want to stay in the Xuantian Pavilion afterwards?”
Xiao Hong Xin: “!!!!!!!!!!”
“No, Pavilion Master, you can’t do that! You can only expose your true face to me!
Pavilion Master, I’ve worked hard to help you expand the Xuantian Pavilion over the years. The rewards you promised me have yet to be fulfilled.
I’ve lost motivation to continue developing the Pavilion, unless… unless you agree to be with me. I promise to pamper you to the heavens!”
Jiang Xuan: “?????”
“Deputy Pavilion Master, you’re committing an act of rebellion here; this is blasphemy, so please keep your distance!”
“Sigh, I wanted to use my words to persuade you willingly, but now it seems I was too naive.
Continuing like this won’t yield any results. My mother once told me that if a man keeps saying no, he actually wants it but is just being coy.
I’ve tested many of my mother’s sayings, and I believe she wouldn’t lie to me!”
Hearing this, Jiang Xuan thought to himself:
“This makes some sense; this Deputy Pavilion Master seems a bit stubborn. The more I resist, the more she wants to push forward.
Alright, alright! I’ll act as if I can’t wait, and this should scare her off!”
With his resolve set, Jiang Xuan dropped his previous meekness, and instead, he tightened his grip on Xiao Hong Xin’s face in a rather domineering manner.
“In fact, I’ve long been infatuated with you, Deputy Pavilion Master. I’ve always considered you a treasure, and since you’ve come knocking, you can’t blame me for being impolite.”
As he said this, he licked his slightly thin lips, looking full of mischief.
Anyone who didn’t know might think he was some handsome big bad guy.
Jiang Xuan assumed that this would scare Xiao Hong Xin enough to back off.
To his surprise, her face lit up with joy as she exclaimed:
“Pavilion Master! My mother said that it’s extremely rare for a man to pursue a woman. If a man takes the initiative, it must be true love without reservation.
Oh dear, I didn’t realize Pavilion Master, you felt this way about me! Let’s get started; don’t hold back—if you’re the one initiating, I’ll love it!”
At this moment, Xiao Hong Xin was even more impatient than before. She lifted Jiang Xuan and headed toward the courtyard’s room.
Internally, Jiang Xuan shouted:
“Seriously, get your mother in here to see me! How can you have such double standards? This is leading me astray!”
Only then did Jiang Xuan realize that it didn’t matter what kind of person he was.
What mattered was that his looks and charm were maxed out, so no matter what he did, it was beautified.
This time, even if Jiang Xuan exhausted all his efforts to resist, in the end, it was still pointless.
Just as Xiao Hong Xin began to tear off Jiang Xuan’s clothes, she suddenly froze.
She noticed the crimson marks on his body and stood there in shock. The previous urgency in her demeanor evaporated like a splash of cold water.
Then, Xiao Hong Xin’s expression visibly darkened.
“So, my dear Pavilion Master has already been marked by someone else but still pretended to be aloof in front of me.”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
Noticing the change in Xiao Hong Xin’s demeanor, Jiang Xuan felt exhilarated. He hurriedly covered himself with clothes while feigning a gloomy expression.
“Deputy Pavilion Master, I’m sorry… I’ve ruined your ideal image of me. It’s only natural you wouldn’t look up to someone this dirty…”
As he talked, he quickly dressed himself, trying to appear downcast and ready to sneak away.
But the next moment, his hand was grabbed.
“Pavilion Master, would you rather let those bad women touch you than even spare me a glance? If you’re unwilling, then I’ll make it happen regardless!”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
In that moment, the utterly bewildered Jiang Xuan thought:
“What does this even mean? She’s dissatisfied with me but refuses to let me go? Great, I feel like the Deputy Pavilion Master has some serious issues!”
