Eastern Fantasy: My Twin Sugar Mommies and Cheats are 100 Years Late! Chapter 5.
Blissfully unaware that he had appeared in the prophetic vision of a certain nonhuman race's Empress, a gray-haired Yan Anle wiped the blood off his face with a napkin. Soon after, the results of the "rock-paper-scissors" system league were released.
The status window for the first-place contender appeared:
[Demon Sealer Tower]: [The 'demon' in this system's name does not explicitly refer to members of the Demon Race, but rather to those who commit evil deeds. Of course, no one in this world is a saint from birth; therefore, this system identifies 'evil' by how much an individual's negative karma exceeds their positive karma.
The system rewards the Host with Demon Sealer Merits for scheming against, capturing, torturing, or killing these evildoers. The higher the target's cultivation level and negative karma, the greater the reward. To prevent the nurturing of an irrational maniac, rewards are capped based on the target's specific sins; excessively punishing a sinner will result in penalties. Merits can be exchanged for innumerable rewards: Physiques, intelligence, cultivation techniques, divine abilities, Laws, Heavenly Materials, Earthly Treasures, companion beasts, and more. Note: Evil deeds committed by the Host will deduct Merits. If your balance falls below negative one million, the system will automatically unbind.]
"A righteous crusader theme, huh..." Yan Anle stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I'm not sure I want to spend the years I earn from cultivation solely on exacting justice. No matter how powerful I become, I cannot ensure everyone receives justice. I am no saint, and this path feels like an emotional bottomless pit. Next."
[Demon Sealer Tower]: [Ah! Host, do not be in such a hurry to dismiss me! I assure you that you will not be forced to save everyone. As long as you do not actively commit evil, and instead sow good deeds whenever you feel inclined, your rise will be assured!]
Yan Anle remained unmoved. "Sorry, but... no. Next."
The Demon Sealer Tower sighed. [What a pity. Alright then, I'll head back. Young hero, do not worry; you may keep the Enlightened Bodhisattva Transformation Saliva I gave you for healing.]
"Thank you," Yan Anle murmured as the window vanished and the name exited the group chat.
The next system arrived:
[Myriad Worlds Auction House]: [As the name implies, I reward the Host for successfully conducting auctions. Worried about finding bidders? The system automatically generates a guest list based on a radius around the Host, which expands as your cultivation level increases. You may invite, ban, or ignore anyone on the list.
Worried about sourcing precious items? Inventory can be redeemed directly from the System Shop using Myriad Worlds Auction Points. These points are generated through successful sales; the greater the profit margin between the purchase price and the final bid, the more points you earn. Additional features—such as reputation bonuses and subordinate forces—will unlock as you progress.]
"Items redeemed from the Shop can be used by me as well, right?" Yan Anle guessed.
[Myriad Worlds Auction House]: [Of course.]
"What about the venue? As broke as I am, I can't exactly build a palace. My pockets are cleaner than my aged face!"
[Myriad Worlds Auction House]: [Host, do not fret. You may take a zero-interest loan to create a mobile Secret Realm. Everything within—size, aesthetic, architecture, and inhabitants—can be upgraded with points. This will serve as your Headquarters, and invitees will be teleported directly inside. Within this Secret Realm, you remain invincible and will be able to punish anyone who breaks the laws you establish. These laws will be included in the invitations handed to the the invited guests.]
"Hmm..." Yan Anle mulled it over. "Be on standby for now."
[Hehe, it's my turn!] The third-place system chimed in.
[Joyous Union Emperor System]: [Host, do not let the name mislead you. Those rascals from the Lust Sky Palace tainted the term 'Joyous Union' by using my name to start dual-cultivation sects. In truth, I am a system of marriage!
Simply get married, and your rise is guaranteed. All the cultivation advancements and fortuitous encounters of your spouse will be returned to you manifold. You can attain Divinity while lying in your cave—just find a good wife! Of course, you and your spouse must fulfill certain duties of marital couples from time to time, proving that you are truly married. Alternatively, if you wish to remain single, you can reap benefits by bearing witness to the unions of others. Attend weddings, play matchmaker, or celebrate anniversaries and births to earn points. These paths are not mutually exclusive."
"Finding a greatly talented wife while I'm a mortal with one foot in the grave is a pipe dream," Yan Anle thought, shaking his head. "As for becoming a protagonist who attains the Dao by stalking married couples? Not interested."
He turned down the Joyous Union Emperor and several others in quick succession.
The [Guardian Sect System] was rejected because it required him to be tied to a single location forever. The [Uncrowned King's Armory] felt too focused on military conquest. The [Ancient Poison Star God Academy] felt too narrow in scope, despite its healing sub-class.
[Life God Divine Domain] was the other side of the coin for [Ancient Poison Star God Academy]. It was a system for healers, promising to make him capable of healing and curing all things that had life in them. As long as he continued to commit acts related to cherishing living beings, he would earn Life God Points that can be used to level up his skills and cultivation. Wasn't this just another 'justice for all' system? Pass!
Finally, he looked at the "Modern Warfare Catalog" option. "Missiles and grenades? Those might work in the early stages, but a Soul Transformation expert could probably juggle a nuke for fun. Sorry, sis. Hmm? You can offer powerful technology from beyond the twenty-first century? Cannons that can destroy continents? Ships that can transverse light years in an instant? Military warships that can obliterate stars? Damn! That's interesting… which is not a great thing. Such strange "artifacts" would attract too much attention in this immortal universe. I want to be low-key until I am strong enough. Besides, even if I was bold enough and decided to court death, the tasks required to afford the prices to redeem those weapons would not be simple, right? Say no more."
Had he been offered only one, he would have accepted it gladly. But with a multiple-choice menu, he had to be discerning. Eventually, he narrowed the field to two: [Myriad Worlds Auction House] and [Immortal Clan System].
As he stared at the remaining windows, contemplating, he was interrupted by hurried footsteps and a familiar voice: "Young Master, hurry! Show me your hand!"