Volume One: Storms in a Small Town Chapter Sixteen: The First Mission

Beep. Strictly speaking, I do not possess human emotions, so even if I know what you imagine, it has no effect on me. By the way, other systems usually come with a beginner’s gift pack. Don’t you have any welcome present for me?

Zhang Heng asked with anticipation. Now that he had a cheating tool, of course he wanted to make the most of it.

Beep. No.

Then what good are you? Zhang Heng replied disdainfully.

Beep. The primary function of this system is to help the host successfully attach himself to the great figures of this world.

Tch, isn’t it just about currying favor with the powerful? Even without you, I could manage. Do you have any other features? Zhang Heng’s tone grew more dismissive.

Beep. Relying on your own power, you could at most attach yourself to two or three big figures. However, the main function of this system is to help you befriend all the influential people in this world. As for other support features, you’ll discover them as you use the system.

Beep, beep, beep. Detecting insufficient spiritual energy in the host. Beep, beep, beep. System shutting down. Beep. This concludes the current service. Thank you for using the system. Beep.

Hey, hey, you broken system, are you still there?

After calling out twice, Zhang Heng finally confirmed—the "Super Patron System" had shut down...

Damn it, this lousy system can’t even assist with cultivation—it just tells me to cozy up to the powerful. What’s worse, it even shuts down on its own! None of the novels I’ve read ever mentioned such a setting.

Stuck with such an unreliable system, Zhang Heng felt utterly exhausted in spirit.

Thankfully, my cultivation speed is absolutely unprecedented, peerless in the world.

Thinking of his cultivation speed, Zhang Heng finally felt a bit balanced. Since coming to this world, nothing had gone smoothly.

But none of that mattered anymore.

With this outrageous cultivation speed, a standard for transmigrators, keeping a low profile was impossible.

It only took ten seconds to reach the first stage of Body Refinement. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before he became famous on the Immortal Cultivation Continent.

Reaching the pinnacle of life was just a matter of time.

After repeating the process several times, Zhang Heng stopped. He knew that haste makes waste.

At this moment, Zhang Heng felt his entire body brimming with strength—a force that needed to be released.

After washing up, he went to the courtyard and happened to see Xiao Hong practicing nearby.

This girl really is diligent, Zhang Heng thought to himself.

According to the standard setting, geniuses could always fight above their level, and since he was a genius among geniuses, defeating Xiao Hong shouldn’t be difficult.

So he called her over. When Xiao Hong learned that Zhang Heng had reached the first stage of Body Refinement, she was so shocked she could hardly speak. Ten seconds to reach Body Refinement? Young master’s talent is truly terrifying—worthy of being called the greatest in all ages, she thought. Heaven itself must be opening its eyes.

When Zhang Heng proposed a sparring match, Xiao Hong gladly accepted. To serve as a whetstone on the young master’s path to greatness made her genuinely happy.

Yet three seconds later, Zhang Heng lay flat on the ground, staring in bewilderment at Xiao Hong, who shook her head and looked at him innocently, as if to say she had no idea what had just happened.

Three seconds. Zhang Heng lasted only three seconds in Xiao Hong’s hands.

What kind of lousy setting is this? Am I not supposed to be a genius? Why can’t I challenge those above my level?

Beep. According to the system’s analysis, the host is not a genius.

Broken system, why are you back?

Beep. When the host possesses spiritual energy, the system will automatically activate.

You just said I’m not a genius. How do you explain my ten-second advancement to the first stage of Body Refinement? Zhang Heng argued.

Beep. The host had a ten-year foundation, which made it possible.

So, I didn’t reach Body Refinement in ten seconds—I spent ten years. I’m not a peerless genius, but a once-in-ten-thousand-years failure? Zhang Heng asked in disbelief.

Beep. Correct.

Can’t you be a bit less blunt? My fragile heart can’t withstand such blows.

Zhang Heng sighed helplessly. With such slow cultivation, it was best to focus on finding powerful patrons.

Beep. It is precisely because the system detected the host’s limited potential in cultivation that it was custom-designed for you.

So you do have some use after all, Zhang Heng thought, his mood brightening.

Are there any tasks or directions? I can’t just wander around blindly looking for big shots. Who would pay me any attention then?

Beep. First task: Gain the favor of Zhang Qincang, head of the Zhang family. Reward: None.

What? My uncle? I admit he’s a master in Liunan City, but on the Immortal Cultivation Continent, he’s just an eighth-stage Qi Sea nobody. He hardly qualifies as a big shot.

Beep. Compared to the host’s Body Refinement stage, eighth stage Qi Sea is already a super powerhouse, and counts as a "big shot."

Fine, let’s say he’s a big shot. But what’s with this no-reward nonsense? Zhang Heng was speechless.

Beep. Since the current task is too easy, the system will not provide a reward.

Can I skip it then? Zhang Heng asked.

Beep. You may.

Now Zhang Heng seriously doubted the reliability of this trashy system. What if it malfunctioned when he was trying to curry favor with some big shot? Wouldn’t that be the end for him?

Though Zhang Heng was talking to the system, in Xiao Hong’s eyes, her young master was lying on the ground, one moment worried, the next delighted—could it be he’d been struck too hard? If I’d known, I would’ve gone easier on him, she thought. Maybe next time I should let him win on purpose?

Xiao Hong quickly helped Zhang Heng up.

“Young master, are you alright? You’ve just started cultivating and haven’t learned any martial techniques. Lasting three seconds is already quite impressive—no need to feel discouraged.”

Hearing Xiao Hong’s words, Zhang Heng nearly choked. Can we please not mention the three seconds? If you can’t say something helpful, just don’t speak, alright?

Though embarrassed, Zhang Heng kept a straight face and said, “I’m fine. I just had a sudden insight and was practicing my skills on the ground.”

“Practicing?” the girl asked, puzzled.

“Yes,” he replied.

With that, Zhang Heng stood up and went outside. “I have things to do. You keep practicing.”

Since he couldn’t make progress in cultivation, he had to find a way to win Zhang Qincang’s favor.

Walking the paths of the Zhang estate, Zhang Heng had many thoughts.

First, after being filled with Qian Muyun’s energy, he could indeed cultivate.

Second, his talent for cultivation was abysmally poor, making progress nearly impossible.

Third, he’d activated a system that seemed rather unreliable.

Sigh. As a transmigrator, surely this special ability couldn’t be too bad. "Super Patron System," for now, I have no choice but to trust you.

For the time being, I should try to flatter Zhang Qincang while earnestly cultivating and hoping for improvement.

This accursed system defines "big shots" based on my own strength—so as I grow stronger, the number of big shots will decrease.

Zhang Heng surmised that the system wanted him to attach himself to every big shot there was.

The Immortal Cultivation Continent is vast beyond measure, with countless people and innumerable experts. If I have to curry favor with them all one by one, when will it ever end?