Chapter 58: New System Function
[Ding! New system function unlocked]
Surprise flickered across his face as he stared at the notification hovering in the air. What could this be? The Double Exp function was already absurdly powerful, allowing him to achieve what others would consider impossible cultivation speeds. Now there was something new?
His mental command acknowledged the notification, revealing:
[System Function: Double Exp (Cooldown: 24hrs); Fusion]
Knowledge flooded into his mind instantly, a comprehensive understanding of the new system function washing through his consciousness. Fusion would allow him to merge techniques and scriptures, combining their strengths to create something greater than the sum of its parts. However, there were limitationsâtechniques could only be merged if they had reached the perfect stage and were compatible with each other. Scriptures merely needed compatibility, without the perfection requirement.
A thought immediately sparked in Xiang Yuâs mind. The Mountain Heart Scripture and Sutra were described as two halves of the same whole. Wouldnât they be perfect candidates for fusion?
To his surprise, when he checked their compatibility, the system indicated they couldnât be merged. This puzzled him briefly before understanding dawned. Perhaps they were considered halves not because they originated from the same source technique, but because they complemented each otherâone cultivating the body, the other the mind. While slightly disappointed, he didnât dwell on it.
His attention shifted to his perfect techniquesâthe Basic Knife Technique and now-perfected Basic Sword Technique. The system showed they were compatible and could be merged immediately. A smile stretched across his face as he contemplated the power such a fusion might yield.
Then, a more ambitious idea took root. The system hadnât specified a limit on how many techniques could be merged at once. What ifâŠ
âWhat if I ask Martial Aunt for more weapon techniques?â he thought, excitement building. âIf theyâre compatible with sword and knife techniques, I could perfect them all and merge them together.â
The possibilities made his pulse quicken. Perhaps he could create something truly extraordinaryâsomething like an invincible weapon master technique that would elevate his combat potential exponentially. With his mid-level enlightenment, perfecting additional techniques would be far easier than before.
His mind made up, Xiang Yu sheathed his sword and turned to Li Yao.
âLetâs take a break,â he suggested, his tone casual despite the plans forming in his mind.
Li Yao tilted her head, confusion evident in her expression. âIsnât it too early?â Their training sessions typically lasted much longer.
âNo, itâs just the perfect time,â he replied with unusual enthusiasm. âWeâre going to prepare a feast.â
âA feast?â Li Yaoâs eyebrows rose in curiosity. âIs today a special day?â
She mentally reviewed the sect calendar, unable to recall any particular occasion worth celebrating today.
Xiang Yu nodded with apparent pride. âOf course. Today is the day I perfected two techniques.â
Li Yaoâs eyes sparkled with genuine appreciation. Perfecting even one technique was a monumental achievement for most cultivatorsâtwo was truly extraordinary.
âIâll go capture more wild boars!â she exclaimed, taking off with childlike excitement.
As she disappeared from sight, the smug smile on Xiang Yuâs face revealed his true intentions. He wasnât actually narcissistic enough to throw a celebration merely for perfecting techniques. His real motivation was far more pragmatic: this would be his first opportunity to prepare seventh-grade spiritual food.
Walking toward the kitchen, he couldnât suppress a satisfied chuckle. With food of this quality, convincingâor more accurately, bribingâhis martial aunt into sharing additional weapon techniques should be effortless. Given her obvious weakness for his cooking, sheâd likely agree to part with several techniques.
Once he gathered and perfected those techniques, he could combine them all into something truly invincible. The thought of such power at his fingertips made him laugh aloud, his usually cautious demeanor giving way to genuine anticipation.
âŠ
The kitchen hummed with focused energy as Xiang Yu channeled his newly acquired seventh-grade cooking mastery. Unlike his usual meal preparations, this feast demanded extraordinary attention to detail. His movements reflected the precision of his perfected techniquesâeach slice, dice, and julienne executed with flawless economy of motion.
The Abyssal Void Flame danced across his fingertips, responding to his will with newfound sensitivity. He adjusted its temperature with mere thoughts, controlling the black fireâs intensity with unprecedented precision.
Li Yao returned with two massive wild boars slung effortlessly over her shoulders. While she cleaned and prepared the game, Xiang Yu gathered rare herbs from Elder Guoâs personal garden. The elder wouldnât have parted with them before but after he realized Xiang Yuâs cooking skills, the elder encouraged him to use the herbs as well.
As preparation intensified, Xiang Yuâs creative vision expanded beyond individual dishes to encompass the feast as a whole. He orchestrated complementary flavors, balancing yang-heavy meats with yin-cooling vegetables, creating a symphony of tastes designed to nourish both body and soul. With seven different main dishes, twelve side plates, three soups, and a special dessert, this wasnât merely a mealâit was an event.
The kitchen transformed into a controlled battlefield. Multiple woks sizzled simultaneously as Xiang Yuâs hands moved with hypnotic speed. Li Yao could only watch in awe as he wielded cooking implements with the same mastery he showed with weapons.
The most remarkable element wasnât the quantity but the quality. Each dish glowed with subtle energyâactual visible qi emanating from perfectly prepared ingredients.
When the meals were finally complete, Xiang Yu and Li Yao exhaled deeply, the exhaustion of preparing such an extensive feast settling into their muscles. The sweet aroma of their efforts had already begun working its magic, drawing Elder Guo and Elder Huang as if summoned by an irresistible spell.
âWhy are you cooking so early? Is there a special occasion?â Elder Huang inquired, her eyes never leaving the tantalizing spread before them.
Li Yao answered with unbridled enthusiasm. âThatâs right! Weâre celebrating Senior Brother mastering two techniques to the perfect stage!â
âWhat?!â Both elders exclaimed in perfect unison, their shock palpable.
In the next instant, Elder Huang materialized beside Xiang Yu, moving with such speed he hadnât even registered her approach. She gripped his shoulders, shaking him with unexpected vigor.
âIs it true? Is it true?â Her voice rose with excitement as she continued shaking him. âQuick, show me, show me, show me!â she chanted.
Though surprised by her enthusiasm, Xiang Yu maintained his composure. This was precisely the reaction heâd hoped for, but he wouldnât reveal his techniques before playing his trump card.
âMartial Aunt, letâs eat first,â he suggested smoothly. âThe food is getting cold. I had a breakthrough in my cooking and decided to prepare this feast for Martial Aunt as thanks for giving me the spirit flame.â He finished with a respectful bow.
âWhat? For me?â Elder Huangâs eyes darted between Xiang Yu and the sumptuous feast, taking in the extraordinary colors, textures, and aromas. She couldnât suppress an audible gulp as her cultivation instincts recognized the unprecedented quality of spiritual energy emanating from the dishes.
Suddenly aware of her undignified behavior, Elder Huang stepped back and composed herself. âYouâre right,â she declared with forced dignity. âWe should eat first before it gets cold.â
Xiang Yu allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. His martial auntâs weakness for exceptional food was proving to be the perfect leverage. Once she tasted his seventh-grade spirit cuisine, her happiness would naturally transfer to him as the provider. By explicitly framing the feast as gratitude for her previous generosity, he was establishing a patternâhe rewarded those who helped him. The subliminal message was clear: more techniques shared would result in more extraordinary feasts.
His manipulation was subtle but effective. By linking his generosity directly to her previous gift, he was planting the seed for future exchanges, making her more inclined to share additional techniques that would accelerate his path to power.
âŠ
A/N â Iâm not a psychologist so idk if this is an actual thing, you guys can try and give feedback.
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