"Ding! Claim successful. Physique implantation beginning. There will be some pain during the process — please endure it, Host!"
The moment the system's voice faded, a violent current surged through Xiao Tian's body like lightning. Every nerve screamed as black, foul-smelling impurities were forcefully expelled from his pores. He gritted his teeth and refused to make a sound, enduring wave after wave of bone-deep agony.
Half an hour later, Xiao Tian lay on the floor, his entire body coated in a thick layer of sticky black sludge that emitted a nauseating stench.
Without hesitation, he jumped into the wooden bathtub in his room and scrubbed himself vigorously, changing the water five or six times until the last trace of filth was gone.
When he finally stepped out and looked at his reflection in the bronze mirror, even he was stunned.
His previously ordinary physique had transformed into something perfect — robust yet elegant, with smooth, flowing muscle lines that looked like they had been meticulously carved by the heavens themselves. Each fiber contained explosive power. His face had become even more handsome and sharp, exuding a natural noble aura that could only be described as a peerless young master.
"Is this the Eternal Dreamweaver Soul Body?" Xiao Tian muttered, clenching his fists. "My body feels so light… filled with endless power. And deep inside, there's a faint but violent force that seems capable of destroying everything."
"Ding! Physique implantation successful. Now transmitting the cultivation art and related techniques."
A vast stream of information flooded into Xiao Tian's mind. The Dream God Divine Heaven Harmony Art appeared as if he had practiced it for years. He immediately began examining it.
It was an incredibly profound dual-cultivation method that refined both Dou Qi and Soul Power simultaneously with perfect harmony.
Since his first Dou Qi conversion had happened not long ago, and thanks to the fixed attributes granted by the Eternal Dreamweaver Soul Body, the conversion only took one hour.
When Xiao Tian opened his eyes again, a faint silver Dou Qi flickered around him.
He sensed his cultivation and smiled. "Two-star Dou Practitioner… Not bad. The art is only Earth-tier low-grade for now, but it's more than enough. I didn't expect to advance one star just from converting the technique. My senses have also sharpened significantly."
Looking at the silver light swirling above his Qi cyclone, he sighed softly. "Still need nine more stars to fully unleash this art's true power…"
The next morning, after ending his night of cultivation, Xiao Tian slowly opened his eyes and murmured, "Condensing lightning is quite difficult… Only one wisp after a whole night? Still, the speed of Dou Qi accumulation is clearly much faster than before."
Just as he finished washing up, an old voice sounded from outside the courtyard:
"Third Young Master, Fourth Young Master, the Patriarch requests your presence in the main hall. Distinguished guests have arrived."
Xiao Tian's eyes flashed. Combining this with the original plot, he immediately understood — the Cloud Mist Sect had come, and Nalan Yanran was here to forcefully annul the engagement.
The engagement was still between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran; his own transmigration hadn't changed that detail.
"Understood," Xiao Tian replied casually. He changed into a refined water-blue and white robe, then stepped out to find Xiao Yan and Butler Mo already waiting.
"Let's go, Butler Mo."
Following the butler through the back garden, the three soon arrived at the grand reception hall. The moment they pushed open the doors, they saw the room was already packed.
Xiao Zhan and the three elders sat at the head. Below them were three unfamiliar figures — two men and one strikingly beautiful young woman wearing the Cloud Mist Sect's emblem with three golden stars on her chest.
After entering, Xiao Tian immediately spotted Xiao Xun'er sitting quietly in the corner. He walked over and sat on the stool beside her. Xiao Yan followed and sat next to him.
Once seated, Xiao Tian glanced playfully at his little brother, then shifted his gaze to the young woman. She was about the same age as him, with exceptional beauty that could almost rival Xun'er's.
"A three-star Dou Practitioner?" he noted internally.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his waist. Xiao Xun'er was pinching him with a sweet smile. "Xiao Tian Ge Ge… is she pretty?"
"Not as pretty as you," Xiao Tian replied with a wry smile, gently removing the small hand from his waist.
He then turned to Xiao Yan, who looked lost in thought, and asked with a smile, "Do you know who they are?"
"You know?" Xiao Yan asked, surprised.
"Of course. See the cloud and silver sword emblem on their sleeves? They're from the Cloud Mist Sect, one of the overlords of the Jia Ma Empire. And they're here for you."
"For me?" Xiao Yan's voice dropped, puzzled.
"Yes. That young woman is Nalan Yanran — granddaughter of Marshal Nalan Jie. Sound familiar?" Xiao Tian said with a strange expression.
"Nalan Yanran? My… fiancée?" Xiao Yan's face stiffened. He glanced at the girl again, finally sensing that this visit was far from friendly.
At that moment, the old man among the three guests lightly coughed and stood up.
Xiao Tian thought to himself with amusement, Here comes the classic scene.
'As expected… this little girl single-handedly ruined the entire Hun Clan and Hun Tiandi's countless years of planning. If Hun Tiandi knew, would he personally come to force the wedding and then detonate a few Dou Zongs as celebratory fireworks?'
When Ge Ye announced he was sent by the Cloud Mist Sect's leader to annul the engagement, Xiao Zhan's face darkened instantly. The teacup in his hand turned to powder as he prepared to unleash the Furious Lion's Roar.
Before he could act, Xiao Yan stood up, walked in front of his father, bowed respectfully, then looked straight at Nalan Yanran and spoke calmly:
"Nalan Yanran, you don't need to act so aggressively or use the Cloud Mist Sect's name to pressure us. You want to annul the engagement simply because you look down on me, this so-called good-for-nothing. But how can you be so sure that I won't rise again in the future?"
The hall fell silent.
Nalan Yanran narrowed her eyes. After a brief pause, she said coldly:
"Fine. Today, I'll temporarily set aside the annulment. I'll give you three years. After three years, both of us will have come of age. Even if you lose then, it won't embarrass Uncle Xiao too much. I will wait for you at the Cloud Mist Sect. If you have the ability, show me how high you can climb. If you defeat me in three years, I will be your slave or maid — you decide. But if after three years you are still this useless, then you will obediently hand over the marriage contract."
She stared at Xiao Yan with sharp eyes.
"Do you dare accept this challenge?"