Hao stared at the floating screen in disbelief.
He thought it would take much longer. Maybe three months or even five.
But no. It was already done!
All thanks to a few very generous customers.
The emperor, two sect masters, and two elders with deep pockets. They only came once or twice a week, but when they did, they made sure to buy up all the products they could.
The Peach Oolong Tea became a clear favorite with the older generation.
According to them, the aftertaste was smooth and gentle. The kind of flavor that brought back old memories and distant youth. Never mind the effects – it was that taste alone that sealed its place as number one in their hearts.
Hao didn’t pry. If they liked it enough to clean out the shelves every visit, that was all he needed to know.
A new day had arrived.
The sun had barely risen, but Hao was already awake.
A screen hovered in front of his face, bright and glowing.
────────────────
[System has been successfully upgraded to Version 2.0!]
Personal Status Screen – Unlocked!
Meridian Awakening – Unlocked!
Host’s Personal Shop – Unlocked! ────────────────
Hao blinked.
’Oh that’s a lot. System, you’re spoiling me now.’
[Yes, host. Try not to cry from excitement.]
He stretched lazily, still lying in bed.
’Well, damn worth it after risking my balls since day one.’
’System, do I have enough crystals to unseal my meridians?’
[Yes, host. It will cost 50 crystals.]
Hao grinned. “Nice!”
Thankfully, the crystals had slowly piled up. Despite the 1:9 profit ratio, he hadn’t really spent on anything. The store covered his food and essentials, and he wasn’t the type to splurge.
“Start it now.” Hao said, raising his right arm dramatically in the air.
[Initiating the process now, host. You may experience intense pain. This is completely normal. Please refrain from screaming too loudly.]
“Wait – what do you mean intense pain?”
“Can’t you, I don’t know, knock me out first – ”
He didn’t even get to finish the sentence.
His body locked up.
He couldn’t move. Not even a twitch of his fingers. It was like his limbs didn’t belong to him anymore.
Then came the pain.
Not a stab. Not a burn.
But something deeper. Like lightning had wormed its way into his bones and exploded inside his blood.
His back arched on its own, breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t scream. Couldn’t speak.
His veins glowed beneath his skin, glowing with molten light, thin as threads of fire.
It felt as if invisible chains were breaking apart inside him, each snap sending a new wave of heat through his limbs.
His heart hammered against his chest. Muscles twitched and seized, his spine stiffening as though something were slithering up and down it.
It wasn’t just pain.
It was being torn apart and rebuilt from the inside out.
Time slowed to a crawl. Seconds felt like hours.
But deep inside his chest, something stirred.
A warmth. A rhythm.
Something ancient. Something human.
And when the final pulse hit, Hao let out a broken gasp.
A new screen popped up in front of him.
[Congratulations, host! All meridians have been successfully activated.]
He fell back onto the bed, drenched in sweat, hair stuck to his forehead.
“…System.” Hao croaked.
“Next time, add anesthesia. I don’t care if it costs extra crystals…”
[Not possible, host. Pain is part of the process. Anesthesia would only result in failure, and that would waste the crystals you have paid for.]
“Seriously? So I was doomed to suffer from the start…”
He let out a long sigh. At least it was over now.
He exhaled shakily, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
“Alright, whatever. Can I cultivate now, system?”
[Not quite yet, host. I recommend opening your personal status screen first to assess your current condition.]
’What? After all that pain, I still can’t cultivate?’
“Aaa…!”
Hao paused, closing his eyes for a brief second.
He shaked his head.
No. He wasn’t going to let this little setback ruin his day.
This was his chance to move forward, and nothing would stop him.
’System, bring up my status screen. Let’s see what I’m working with.’
────────────────
[Status]
Name: Hao
Body: Blank Canvas Constitution
Cultivation Rank: Mortal Realm
Cultivation Technique: NA
Martial Technique: NA
────────────────
Hao’s eyes immediately landed on his constitution. There was a plus symbol beside it.
’So that’s why I still can’t cultivate. It’s all because of this Blank Canvas Constitution, huh?’
He quickly tapped the button, and to his surprise, a long list of possible body constitutions appeared before him.
Hao tried scrolling up and down, his eyes wide as he scanned the endless list. Everything looked amazing. He couldn’t decide where to begin.
’What the heck? These all sound incredible!’
“System… is this a list of constitutions I could acquire if I choose one?”
[Yes, host. As of version 2.0 of the system, we can apply one to your Blank Canvas Constitution. Don’t worry about the cost – this first time is free.]
“Free?” Hao’s expression instantly changing.
“Hah, look at you, System! Always so kind to me. I must be your favorite, huh? You know how to treat your host well!”
But then, he caught the main point.
Hold on a second… If the system can apply a constitution now, does that mean as it upgrades, I could unlock even more? That’s insane! I could be unstoppable!
Hao felt a sudden surge of excitement.
Have I finally entered my overpowered MC arc.
Will I acquire a thousand wives now?!
He froze.
I haven’t even had my first kiss yet. Maybe I should take it slow.
’System, is there any constitution you would recommend for me?’
[All the constitutions in the list are top-tier, host. They are from different universes, dimensions, and worlds, each one at its peak. There is no wrong choice. It will all depend on your preference.]
Hao stared at the list, dumbfounded. He could pick any constitution he wanted – no wrong choice at all?
Although he knew he could choose anything, it still stressed him out. It was like when a teenage boy first found the discovery chann, feeling enlightened but having no idea which show to watch first.
After what felt like an eternity, Hao focused on two specific options that seemed to draw him in.