Chapter 43: The System’s Scheme
Mark pounded his chest confidently. He shamelessly flattered the system with such a righteous expression that it sounded like he was stating an obvious fact, leaving the system extremely pleased. He even got so into it that he completely forgot he was naked and floating in the middle of the street.
[Very well said. Normally, you’d only have one chance to open a random spiritual root box, but since this is your first time, I’ll make a special exception and give you two chances. You can choose the spiritual root that suits you best.]
"I knew the great System Lord was incredibly generous. This kindness will be engraved into my heart forever, as your disciple."
Even though he didn’t know much about spiritual roots, Mark understood exactly what double the chances meant. So he immediately showered the system with thanks before it could change its mind.
Mark was smart enough to know he wasn’t getting special treatment because he was the first disciple, but because he had flattered the system.
And only an idiot would believe there was any randomness here. This damn system had more than enough power to give anyone the highest cultivation talent. Making it happy was the easiest and only way to obtain the highest cultivation talent.
Hearing the system mention random spiritual roots, even though it was a scam because the system would choose the most suitable spiritual root itself, Nexus was still a little interested. In his plane, spiritual roots originated from the soul, connecting the soul and the body, allowing mortals to cultivate.
Everyone had a spiritual root, but no one could change it. Changing a spiritual root meant changing the soul, and changing the soul meant certain death. There were no exceptions.
"Can spiritual roots really be changed so casually?"
The system had been enjoying all the flattery when Nexus interrupted with that question, making it very unhappy.
[Stupid master, is your brain just there for growing plants? You clearly know more about cultivation than anyone else in this universe, so what’s with these stupid questions? Spiritual roots are linked to the soul, so how could they possibly be changed?]
The system left one thing unsaid. In a plane that originally didn’t allow cultivation, spiritual roots were useless to begin with. A soul could attach as many spiritual roots as it wanted, but because they were tightly bound to the soul, removing one would cause irreversible damage to the soul.
On top of that, having multiple spiritual roots wasn’t a good thing. One spiritual root turned a person into a cultivator; two or more spiritual roots would make a cultivator explode while cultivating due to a severe imbalance.
"System Lord, why can’t they be changed?"
Listening to the two of them, Mark only understood bits and pieces. Since he was about to start cultivating, he wanted to understand this completely new field as clearly as possible.
[I’ve already explained it that much and you still don’t get it. Just like master, just like disciple. Both your brains are nothing but decoration. If you want to replace your soul with a new one, be my guest.]
Mark’s eyelids twitched nonstop when he heard the system’s arrogant tone. He had already flattered it, yet it still acted like this. If he hadn’t flattered it, the system would’ve definitely talked even worse.
Even though there was more insulting than useful information, at least the system did answer what Mark wanted to know. If changing a spiritual root meant changing his soul, only an idiot would agree to it.
Mark had already died twice in a short period of time. Experiencing the transition between his physical state and spiritual soul one after another made him realize that his soul was his true core.
Changing his soul was no different from committing suicide. Even if the new one had higher talent, it wouldn’t be him. If it wasn’t him, then there was no reason for it to fulfill the wish he still hadn’t completed.
Just then, three men walked out of the alley with their arms around each other’s shoulders. They were all big and muscular, but they were hugging and kissing each other all over the place. Their faces were flushed red, and bottles never left their hands. It wasn’t hard to tell that the three of them were completely drunk.
Their eyes glanced at Nexus for a moment, but for some reason, they eventually shifted toward Mark. Their gazes were filled with excitement and blatant lust that sent chills down his spine.
"Don’t come any closer!"
Mark shouted and immediately tried to fly away to avoid them, but something seemed to be restraining him in his soul form, leaving him unable to go anywhere.
Watching those perverts get closer and closer, Mark suddenly felt like going straight to heaven just to escape. Then, out of nowhere, loud barking rang out, startling all three of them and making them turn around and run away.
When Mark turned around, he only saw a dog sleeping inside a house. It felt strange, as if what had just happened had been an illusion.
"That scared me to death. Master! When are you finally going to let the great system help me?"
Only now did he notice that he was still naked. This time Mark was even more anxious than before because three people had actually seen his entire body, and they were three drunk perverts.
Want to get some clothes quickly? Keep dreaming. The barking just now had been secretly arranged by Nexus to create an opportunity to train Mark.
"Now is the time to cultivate. He should focus on studying instead of thinking about resting. System, don’t give him the spiritual root yet."
[Fine. Anyway, the spiritual root won’t disappear while it’s with me.]
The system had no idea what Nexus wanted, and naturally, neither did Mark. He stared at Nexus with anxious eyes.
"Master, I don’t want anyone else to see me naked. I can study after I get dressed properly. Or even better, restore my body first."
The system knew the opportunity had arrived and immediately seized it. It absolutely couldn’t let some worthless trash take the position of the second disciple.
[Master. This is the second time we’ve restored Mark’s body, so there has to be a price.]
"Spit it out."
A price? What nonsense. Whether it was the system’s power or Nexus’s, they could revive Mark as many times as they wanted if they felt like it.
Nexus knew perfectly well that the system’s scheme had just begun. It was definitely aiming for the position of the second disciple.
"It’ll consume energy, so I’ll have to temporarily lock the position of the second disciple. If you agree, I can restore Mark’s body."