While that overwhelming spiritual pressure still lingered in the hall, Lin Youming's heart was already racing for an entirely different reason.
That aura.
There was no mistake anymore.
The way the spiritual energy moved, the faint resonance in the air, the subtle pressure that felt ancient rather than raw, all of it lined up perfectly with the memories he had skimmed from the drama.
Shangguan WanWan was not just strong.
After all, she was the reincarnation of an all powerful immortal goddess Yue Xuan.
The system says she's a terrifying figure who once shook the upper realms and vanished after betraying the heavens themselves. Indeed. I believe the system now.
And this… this is how her spiritual energy felt like… he thought, swallowing.
Before he could sink deeper into that realization, a familiar mechanical voice rang out inside his head, crisp and emotionless, audible to him alone.
Ding!
[ Congratulations to the host. ]
[ You have completed the upgraded mission: Prevent all three wives from divorcing you. ]
[ Granting rewards… ]
Lin Youming's breath caught.
Here it comes.
[ Special Title Acquired: Cripple Cultivator. ]
Cripple Cultivator?
It's here!?
He tried to read it again. To be sure, he read it again… and again… and again… and again… and again… repeatedly until he was satisfied and did not mistake what was written on the system screen.
Yeah!
I got it!
His brows shot up.
The system did not keep him waiting.
[ Cripple Cultivation Explanation Initializing… ]
A stream of information flooded his mind, and his expression slowly shifted from confusion to disbelief, then to barely restrained joy.
The so-called cripple cultivation was not what this world believed it to be.
Yes, his middle dantian was damaged in the eyes of heaven and earth. Yes, any ordinary cultivator who tried to circulate spiritual energy through it would suffer backlash, pain, and spiritual erosion.
That was the unbreakable rule of this cultivation world.
But the system had rewritten the rule for him alone.
Even with a crippled middle dantian, he could cultivate normally. He did not need to restart from scratch. He did not need to rebuild his foundation. His cultivation speed, absorption rate, and realm progression would not be affected in the slightest.
To the outside world, he was broken.
To the system, he was unique.
The only one.
Lin Youming nearly laughed out loud.
Inside, he was practically jumping.
So that's how it is! He thought gleefully. I'm crippled… but only on paper! Only in paper!!!!
Before he could savor it any further, the system chimed again.
Ding!
[ Second Random Reward Granted. ]
[ Ultimate Doting Harem Collector: Danger Sense. ]
Lin Youming blinked.
The explanation followed immediately.
He himself would not sense danger. His instincts would remain ordinary. But the moment any member of his harem encountered danger, whether physical, emotional, or life-threatening, the system would notify him instantly with precise location and threat level.
Lin Youming's lips curved upward.
Perfect.
So this… this system is really a doting system, huh? He thought. Really made to dote on the harem? Now, with this… every time one of them gets into trouble, I'll show up like a hero.
I'm sure the rewards would be more insane!
He felt oddly satisfied.
Then, the system spoke once more.
Ding!
[ Third Random Reward Granted. ]
[ Ultimate Cultivation Pack. ]
"Ultimate Cultivation Pack?" Lin Youming muttered internally. "What kind of cheat is that?"
A digital folder appeared in front of his inner vision, hovering like a translucent interface. Without hesitation, he reached out mentally and tapped the glowing OPEN icon.
The folder burst apart.
Ding!
[ Double Experience Spiritual Qi Cultivation Reward Activated. ]
Before he could even react, a surge of warmth exploded from his core. Spiritual energy rushed through his meridians like a roaring tide, clean and smooth, without the slightest hint of resistance or pain.
His bones hummed.
His blood seemed to sing.
Even his crippled middle dantian responded obediently, circulating energy as if it had never been damaged.
Lin Youming felt himself changing.
He quickly opened his status panel.
Name: Lin Youming
Age: 14
Title: Chosen Young Master of the Lin Family
Fate: Minor Villain
Cultivation Sect: Azure Cloud Sect
Cultivation: 12th Stage Spiritual Infusion Realm
"What the hell…" he thought, stunned.
He remembered clearly.
When he first transmigrated into this body, the original Lin Youming was barely at the fifth stage of the Qi Infusion Realm. Mediocre talent, inflated status.
For real!?
I reached this already?
Peak Spiritual Infusion?
One step away from Qi Condensation?
Lin Youming sounded surprised. Very much surprised.
It was absurd.
If the protagonist hadn't yet obtained the Azure Cloud Sect's orb, I, Lin Youming, could defeat him easily right now.
Yes! But I'm not sure how many treasures he possesses.
Whatever, it's best not to bother him until I'm certain I can handle him.
A laugh bubbled up from his chest.
Then another.
And another.
Soon, he was laughing openly, shoulders shaking, sounding almost unhinged.
That laughter echoed through the hall.
All three women turned to look at him.
Cai Cai Yun stared, still teary-eyed, confusion written all over her face.
Liu Mei Mei frowned slightly, unsettled.
Shangguan WanWan narrowed her eyes.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked, her voice sharp with curiosity. "This isn't funny."
She studied him closely, then added, "More importantly, I need to know where your subordinates fled to. Who will they report to? I need to prepare for whatever trouble comes next."
Lin Youming's laughter faded.
"Trouble?" he asked aloud, genuinely surprised. "What trouble?"
Shangguan WanWan glanced at him like he was an idiot. "Do you really think this will end quietly?"
She folded her arms. "The Lin Family is powerful. Too powerful. There are high-ranking elders, hidden experts, and people who benefit from your fall. I need to know who we might face."
Inside her mind, her thoughts raced.
There are Nascent Soul cultivators hiding within this family. This place is deeper than the Azure Cloud Sect. And their spiritual veins... they're abnormal. Something is being concealed here, and she's sure it's perfect for her cultivation to return to her peak. She needed to keep Lin Youming's status in check.
If he hadn't agreed and hadn't crippled himself earlier, she could have used the broken promise she anticipated to obtain whatever lay inside.
But now, she needed to deal with all of these…
Meanwhile, Lin Youming only stared at her like she's a statue that caught his attention.
So she thinks I'm helpless now… he realized.
She thinks I need protection.
That won't do.
That absolutely won't do.
My goal is pamper them.
Not me being pampered!
He straightened and shook his head.
"Wife," he said calmly, "you don't need to worry about me."
Shangguan WanWan's brows furrowed.
"As long as you didn't divorce me, that's enough," he continued. "I'm a man. I should be protecting you. Not the other way around."
Cai Cai Yun looked at him, eyes wide with worry. "But… you're already crippled," she said softly. "How can you—"
"Didn't I already say it?" Lin Youming replied with a confident smile. "Being crippled doesn't change anything for me."
Shangguan WanWan's patience snapped.
"Don't waste my time," she said coldly. "You are crippled. Your cultivation path is broken. You can't cultivate anymore. What are you—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Because at that moment—
BANNNG!!
A terrifying surge of spiritual energy erupted from Lin Youming's body, blasting outward like a storm unleashed.
The ground shook.
The air screamed.
The hall trembled violently.
Pure, dense spiritual Qi flooded the space, far stronger than before, far more refined.
Shangguan WanWan's eyes couldn't help but widened in shock.