"Ding! The gears of destiny have officially begun to turn. System loading complete. Host, please receive!"
"This is the Wish-Fulfilling System. The host may make exactly ten distinct wishes. Once all ten are fulfilled, the system will enter permanent dormancy."
Beneath the towering, sun-bleached stone of the testing platform, Xiao Tian stood perfectly still. The cold, mechanical cadence echoed directly within his soul. For two and a half agonizing years, he had endured the mundane crawl of time, waiting for this single moment. To his ears, that emotionless voice sounded sweeter than the celestial chimes of heaven.
He wasted no time on hesitation. Before the countdown could even register, he began articulating his desires with absolute clarity in his mind.
System, record my ten wishes:
First Wish:
Let the System create an entirely new God Inheritance—one that has never existed before in the Primal Chaos. In the beginning, the Primal Chaos gave birth to the Ancestral Dragon, and afterward the Saint God was created. Yet even then, there was no supreme existence to rule over Punishment. Therefore, I choose the inheritance of the God of Punishment. The God of Punishment shall stand above all other gods. My authority shall surpass the Ancestral Dragon, the Saint God, and every other divine existence.
Second Wish:
I wish for the Dragon to be the supreme Ruler of all things. Therefore, let the System create a new Dragon Bloodline: the Dragon God Bloodline, the Primordial Golden Dragon God Bloodline. It shall grant me the Primordial Dragon God Body.
The blood of the Dragon God strengthens the body—its meridians, profound veins, bones, flesh, and skin. It increases the body's toughness until it is comparable to that of a True Dragon, and it grants the inheritor incredible regenerative power.
Dragon God Marrow
The Dragon God Marrow makes the bones like fine steel and the marrow like an impregnable fortress. Blood and strength that are lost are recovered endlessly and inexhaustibly, and at an even faster rate. It also grants regenerative capabilities. The marrow continuously generates new genuine dragon blood. It increases the owner's Dragon God bloodline even while they sleep, and it drastically improves the owner's True Dragon body.
Dragon God Soul
The Dragon God Soul refines the spirit and soul, granting powerful mental strength far surpassing that of ordinary humans. The soul also gains the attribute of the Dragon God. The person's soul becomes as vast as the starry sky—so vast and powerful that it completely surpasses the limits of humans. The Dragon God Soul also allows the use of the Dragon Soul Domain.
Dragon Soul Domain
The Dragon Soul Domain is an incomparably overbearing mental domain. Though it is a mental domain, it still requires part of one's profound energy to support it. It affects the target by sending them into a nightmare-like state. They cannot use all—or perhaps any—of their profound strength to attack or defend. It is extremely taxing on the mind to use, yet no one so far has been able to counter the strength of this mental domain.
Third Wish:
As the most powerful god, I must command the fundamental laws of heaven and earth. Therefore, the System shall bestow upon me absolute control over the Ten Primordial Vein Laws: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Yin, Yang, Time, Space, and Devouring.
These ten veins shall become an inseparable part of my foundation. Their power shall continuously scale and grow stronger in perfect proportion to my cultivation and strength. No being in existence shall ever control these Ten Laws more deeply or more completely than I. I am the absolute maintainer of order and the supreme sovereign of these Ten Laws.
Fourth Wish:
Let the System grant me the supreme weapons. The first is the Heaven-Punishing Ancestral Sword, the first sword of the Primordial Universe and the progenitor of all weapons, born from the pure essence of Punishment and Destruction. It possesses the power to destroy the Primal Chaos itself, and with it comes the Heaven-Punishing Ancestral Sword Art—the most powerful and ancestral sword art of the Primal Chaos. Through this sword, I can create and destroy worlds, and gain authority over all laws and order of the Primordial Universe. The second is the Immortal-Slaying Sword, a supreme killing sword ranked just below the Heaven-Punishing Ancestral Sword, carrying the most terrifying killing intent between heaven and earth. The third is the Heaven-Slaying Sword, another peak sword ranked just below the Heaven-Punishing Ancestral Sword. It comes with the Heaven-Slaying Sword Scripture and possesses an extremely terrifying killing intent of heaven and earth.
Fifh Wish:
I want the system to make it so that Elder Shennong never obtained the Life Spirit Flame, that the flame remains unclaimed, and that the system gives it to me, so no one else has the Life Spirit Flame.
Sixth Wish:
The complete legacy of the Yellow Spring Demon Saint from the Dou Qi Continent, including his cultivation Qi Method, his storage ring, and the Yellow Spring Stone Tablet.
Seventh Wish:
I want the system to create a separate world linked to my soul. Unlike the miniature realms Dou Di created, this world will be a true, independent reality with its own laws and powers. It will expand and grow stronger along with me, existing as a genuine parallel world under my absolute dominion.
Eighth Wish:
I want the system to merge the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning, currently slumbering in the depths of the Void Lightning Pool of the Void Dragon Clan. It shall be fused with me, making me its master. Within my separated world, the system will create another Void Lightning Pool, permanently bound to me, allowing me to summon and control its power at will. And I also want the Black Demon Lightning along with Nine-Colored Pill Lightning.
Ninth Wish:
I want the Burning Heaven Spiritual Fire, the second-ranked Divine Flame of the Great Thousand World.
Tenth Wish:
I want the Great Desolate Divine Cauldron, the most powerful Divine Cauldron of the Great Thousand World.
The system paused before replying softly:
"Wish acknowledged. Your rewards are stored and may be claimed individually at your command."
The mental pressure dissolved, and Xiao Tian's awareness snapped seamlessly back into the waking world.
High on the stone platform, the middle-aged examiner stared down at his register, his voice echoing across the training grounds with practiced indifference:
"Next: Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan exhaled a quiet, unsteady breath and stepped forward into the glaring afternoon sun. He reached out, pressing his palm flat against the chilled surface of the Magic Testing Stone. A faint, fragile light rippled through the black rock, barely illuminating the carved runes.
"Xiao Yan—Dou Qi, Three Segments! Rank: Low!"
A wave of smothered chuckles and subtle sneers flickered through the younger crowd below. Xiao Yan lowered his hand, a self-deprecating curl touching the corner of his lips. Yet, as he turned and looked toward the shade of an ancient oak tree nearby, the bitter chill in his chest softened.
There stood Xiao Tian, leaning casually against the trunk, his eyes dark and sharp as he casually swept his gaze across the crowd. Anyone who had dared to mock Xiao Yan too loudly over the past three years had felt the bone-crushing weight of Xiao Tian's fists behind the training hall. Because of that unyielding shield, the whispers today were merely hesitant mutters rather than open cruelties.
Xiao Yan stepped down, his head slightly lowered.
Xiao Tian caught his younger brother by the shoulder, giving it a firm, grounding squeeze. "Xiao Yan-zi, lower your head to look at the road, not to hide your face. A true gem isn't ruined by a bit of dust. Your three-year trial is almost at its end."
Xiao Yan met his brother's calm eyes, feeling a spark of warmth in his chest. "I know, Tian-ge. Thank you."
"Next: Xiao Mei!"
A young girl with bright eyes and a sweet, charming countenance darted up the steps. She laid her small hand on the stone, which lit up with a clear, vibrant glow.
"Xiao Mei—Dou Qi, Seven Segments! Rank: High!"
With a delighted step, Xiao Mei trotted down the platform, walking straight toward the trio beneath the tree. "Cousin Xiao Tian, Sister Xun'er, Cousin Xiao Yan!"
She offered Xiao Yan a genuine, encouraging smile before leaning in to chatter with Xun'er. In this life, under Xiao Tian's watchful presence and stern warnings against snobbery, the clan's younger generation had not abandoned Xiao Yan in his low point—and Xiao Mei remained as affectionate as she had been in childhood.
"Next: Xiao Xun'er!"
"Brother Xiao Tian, it's my turn," Xun'er murmured gently, stepping out from the shade.
As her slender fingers touched the tablet, the black stone ignited. A brilliant, radiant glow burst outward, painting the courtyard in golden light.
"Xiao Xun'er—Dou Qi, Nine Segments! Rank: High!"
Surprised gasps rippled through the gathering. "Nine Segments of Dou Zhi Qi at her age?! Miss Xun'er's talent is simply frightening!"
Xun'er ignored the astonished gazes, returning directly to Xiao Tian's side. He met her with a slow grin, giving her a brief thumbs-up. "As expected of our Xun'er. Blessed by heaven with both beauty and unparalleled talent."
A faint blush dusted Xun'er's cheeks, though a fond smile curved her lips.
"Next: Xiao Tian!"
Xiao Tian reached out, lightly brushing a stray strand of hair from Xun'er's forehead, before stepping forward with unhurried grace. He mounted the stone steps, looking at the dark slate of the Magic Testing Stone with calm detachment.
He placed his hand flat against the cold surface.
*Rumble—!*
The stone didn't merely glow; it burst into a blinding, suffocating glare that forced the front row of disciples to shield their eyes. Four massive, sharp characters burned into the surface like molten gold:
Dou Practitioner: One Star!
Crack!
In the high pavilion, Clan Leader Xiao Zhan's hand tightened instinctively, shattering his porcelain teacup into fine powder. Beside him, the three elders sprang from their seats, their eyes wide with shock as they stared at the stone in absolute disbelief.
The examiner swallowed hard, his voice faltering as he announced: "Xiao... Xiao Tian... Dou Practitioner, One Star!"
The training ground erupted into chaotic noise.
"A genuine Dou Practitioner?! He hasn't even reached fifteen yet!"
"He bypassed the condensation barrier entirely?! What kind of monster is he?!"
Xiao Ning stood frozen among the crowd, his knuckles white, muttering, "No way... this has to be a mistake..."
Xiao Tian paid no mind to the clamor. He retracted his hand, swept his robe back, and walked down the platform as casually as if he had merely taken a morning stroll. Returning to Xun'er, he tilted his head with a slight smirk. "Surprised?"
Xun'er offered him a lingering glance, her soft voice tinged with quiet awe. "Brother Xiao Tian... You really hid it well."
Nearby, Xiao Yan offered a warm smile of genuine pride for his brother, though a hint of melancholy remained in his eyes. Nodding quietly, he turned to head toward the quiet back hills to process his thoughts. Xiao Mei murmured a quick farewell to go practice, inspired by the high standards set before her.
Watching Xiao Yan's solitary back as he walked away, Xun'er whispered, "Brother Xiao Tian, Xiao Yan still seems heavy-hearted..."
"Let him be for a moment," Xiao Tian said gently, taking her hand in his as they turned toward the quiet pathway of the estate. "Pain brews strength. It won't be long before his dragon spirit awakens once more."
They walked together under the shade of the willow trees, chatting softly until they reached the inner court, where they parted ways toward their respective quarters.
Back inside his private courtyard, Xiao Tian shut the heavy wooden doors, slid the bolt in place, and sat cross-legged upon his bed. Taking a deep breath to settle his surging pulse, he summoned the system interface into his mind.
Looking at the glowing icons waiting to be claimed, his eyes sparkled with sharp ambition.
"System... claim the first, second, and tenth wishes, and impart my Qi Method!"