The same night, Jin Chi sat cross-legged on his bed, the glow of the system window illuminating his face. His eyes scanned the new notifications that had popped up.
Side Mission: Help Shen Yu complete his math syllabus
Rewards: 5× Mortal-Grade Qi Gathering Elixirs, 2× Profound-Grade Spiritual Roots Refining Elixers
Jin Chi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Math… really?" he muttered under his breath, a small frown forming. "I guess even cultivators need to know how to handle numbers."
He leaned back, stretching, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Well, at least I get some elixirs out of it. That's… motivating."
The system beeped softly, almost like it was chuckling.
"Don't underestimate side missions, Jin Chi. Even small rewards add up, and you might just learn something useful along the way," it said.
Chi's eyes sparkled with quiet determination. "Alright then… let's make sure Yu doesn't flunk math while we're at it. Together, we'll handle both cultivation and schoolwork."
And with that, he opened the side mission tab fully, ready to track every little progress — because in this world, every little advantage mattered.
Side Missions & Rewards System
1. Study/School-Based Missions
Mission Reward
Help Yu complete his math syllabus 5× Mortal Qi Gathering Elixirs, 1× intermediate water steps manual
Help Yu finish science syllabus: 3× Profound-tier Spiritual Roots Refining Elixirs, 1× Elemental Crystal (random)
Tutor Yu on history & literature :+1 temporary Intelligence Boost
Complete 600 sets of basic exercises: 10×SRRE(spirit grade spiritual roots refining elixers) , +1 Strength Point, 1×healing array formation scroll(basic)
Assist Yu in art/painting project 1× Spirit-tier SRFE, +1 Creativity stat, temporary aura glow for morale
2. Cultivation & Martial Arts Missions
Mission Reward
Help Yu spread Qi properly during meditation 3× Profound-tier Spiritual Roots Refining Elixirs, +5 Qi Points
Guide Yu through first basic martial arts technique 1× Technique Scroll (basic skill)
Train together for 1 hour without rest 1× rejuvenation pill(profound)
Complete daily laps around cultivation ground 5× Mortal-tier Qi Gathering Elixers, minor Qi regeneration boost
3. Household & Light "Adventures"
Mission Reward
Collect herbs for parents from the backyard 3× Mortal-tier Spirit Herbs
Cook a simple meal or help prepare dinner 1× Minor Healing Elixir.
....
"How long is it going to take?" Chi muttered, glancing at the faintly glowing system window hovering before him.
"Patience is the key," the system's calm, almost teasing voice replied.
Chi sighed. "Yeah, yeah… let's get started."
Just a few steps away, Yu lay sprawled on the ground, a comic spread open across his face.
"Come on, let's study now," Chi said firmly.
Yu groaned without even looking up. "Already? Jeez, give me a break!"
Before Chi could argue, a loud shout came from outside—
"Hoooo!"
The boys jumped.
"What was that?!" Chi blinked.
Yu peeked out the window. "Ah… Loch and Yuanhai. They're still here, remember? Probably sparring again."
Chi chuckled. "Of course they are. Those two never rest."
---
The next morning, the house was silent. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting soft lines across the floor. Chi was alone.
He opened his system inventory, eyes scanning the rows of shimmering bottles.
"Fifty Spiritual Roots Refining Elixirs," he murmured. "Let's see what you can do."
One by one, he uncorked the bottles, drinking at careful intervals. Warmth spread through his body each time — gentle at first, then fierce, like wind currents rushing through every vein.
Chi sat cross-legged, focusing on his breath. The air around him began to move — faint ripples of wind curling and twisting, resonating with the energy within him.
After a few hours, the lower-tier elixirs were done. He reached for the six profound-grade bottles next, each one glowing with a deeper, richer hue.
As he refined them, the pressure around him intensified. The air hummed, the curtains rustled, and faint streaks of azure light spiraled around his body.
Hours bled into night, night into day. Twenty-six hours later, his body felt weightless, his Qi flowing faster and cleaner than ever before.
He clenched his fists, excitement sparking in his chest.
"Just a little more… then I can tier up my wind spiritual roots to Heavenly Grade."
Suddenly, a soft voice broke his focus.
"Chi."
He froze. That voice—
He opened his eyes. His father and mother were sitting quietly at the edge of his bed, smiling.
"Wha—when did you—?"
Lianhua smiled gently. "You've been at it for over a day, Chi. We couldn't help but check on you."
Haoran crossed his arms, half proud, half amused. "You're growing fast… but remember, balance is important. Power without rest will only break you."
Chi blinked, still dazed from cultivation, and then grinned sheepishly. "Hehe… guess I got carried away."
Haoran chuckled. "That's our son."
The air still shimmered faintly around Chi, as if the wind itself refused to leave him. His parents could feel it — the difference, the strength, the calm beneath the storm.
And they both knew: their boy was no longer just training.
He was stepping into a path that few dared to walk.
Haoran's calm voice broke the silence.
"Chi… you have a system, don't you?"
Jin Chi froze mid-breath.
"...H-how did you know that?" he stammered, sweat forming at his temples.
Lianhua crossed her arms, her eyes sharp but amused. "Oh, come on, Chi. There are Profound-grade Spiritual Root Refining Elixirs scattered in your drawer, and you're glowing like a lantern from all that Qi absorption. You think your parents wouldn't notice?"
Haoran chuckled, resting an elbow on the bedpost. "Even your mother wasn't this obvious when she awakened her system."
Chi blinked rapidly. "Wait—Mom had a system too?!"
Lianhua smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Not just me. Your father did as well. In fact…" she said, her tone turning teasing, "…we might've created a few of them back in our day."
Chi's jaw dropped. "You what?! You created systems?!"
Haoran just grinned, tapping Chi on the forehead. "There's a lot you still don't know about your family, son. That system of yours—" he paused, looking knowingly at the glowing icon hovering faintly behind Chi's head "—might just be one of ours."
The room went silent for a moment. Then—
"Ehem!" The system's voice chimed suddenly in Chi's head, sounding suspiciously nervous. "What a wild coincidence! Haha, fancy meeting your creators, huh? Totally not awkward at all…"
Chi's expression twisted. You've been listening this whole time?!
"W-well, yeah," the system replied, trying to sound casual. "I live in your brain, remember? Privacy is… uh… optional."
Haoran raised an eyebrow. "You're sentient, huh?"
"Sentient? Pfft—no, not at all! I'm a totally normal, emotionally stable, completely regular system who definitely wasn't designed by this nice couple!"
Lianhua giggled softly behind her hand. "Still dramatic as ever…"
Chi's eyes widened. "Wait—'as ever'? You know this system?!"
Haoran smirked. "Let's just say… we left a few personalities in our prototypes. Looks like you got the talkative one."
"Hey!" the system snapped, pretending to be offended. "I'll have you know I'm premium edition! Do you know how many boring systems exist out there? I have personality, charm, and an excellent mission distribution rate!"
Chi groaned, facepalming. "Oh great… my system is basically my older brother"
Haoran laughed heartily. "Then I suppose you'll be in good hands."
"Hands?!" the system exclaimed. "Excuse me, I guide destinies, thank you very much!"
The family burst out laughing. For a moment, the tension melted away, replaced by warmth, laughter, and a strange sense of connection — between cultivators, parents, and one very flustered system.
Jin thought that everything is possible in this world it's strange who knows maybe dead could be revived.
Time passed, and Jin Chi finally tiered up his Wind spiritual roots. A faint swirl of air circled around him whenever he moved now, a soft reminder of the power humming within him.
He leaned back against his bed, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… the school's been really boring lately. Should I advance to Grade 10 early? The final tests are still six months away…"
He let out a small sigh, smirking. "Nah… Grade 9 is fine. I've got time. Besides, I can whip Yu into shape before then too."
Just as he settled on his plan, the door swung open dramatically.
"Surprise!"
Jin Chi jumped slightly, spinning to see Lianhua and Haoran standing there, grinning from ear to ear.
"We have wonderful news for you!" Haoran announced, puffing his chest like a proud warrior.
Jin Chi raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Wonderful news? Should I be scared… or excited?"
Lianhua laughed softly, giving him a playful nudge. "Both! But mostly excited. Come on, you're going to want to hear this."
Jin Chi's curiosity spiked, and he pushed himself off the bed. "Alright… spill it already! What's so amazing?"
Haoran exchanged a meaningful glance with Lianhua before turning back to Jin Chi with a theatrical flourish, you are going to be a big brother!"
Next chapter: NEW SCHOOL AND ADVANCEMENT