Master of the System

Chapter 57

Doesnt it count as divine intervention when you get Pravos to help your avatar grow? Karta asked, her tail occasionally twitching. Her paw was resting on Vremyas personal computer, transmitting her divine sense into it. After a bit of begging, Vremya eventually conceded to Kartas wishes and livestreamed his avatars progress. Sure, its not directly helping your avatar with rare treasures, but isnt it cheating if Pravos plants a system on someone else and directs them to help you?

Its fine, Vremya said. Think about it. Theres an innumerable number of gods granting people systems. When the god of masochism creates an avatar, you think it doesnt encounter any of those people? What if because of one god, a war is created, and the god of masochisms avatar takes part in the war, using it to grow stronger? Does that count as divine intervention? It doesnt.

Then cant you just have Pravos give someone lots of treasures and have them hand them to your avatar? Karta tilted her head. Why dont you just do that if Pravos users can intervene?

Vremya shook his head. Those items are tainted by the heavens. He reached into his fanny pack and pulled out a bag of apple chips. See the aura on this? If my avatar consumes some, he wont be able to develop his own divinity.

Are those apple chips? Old man, why do you have apple chips!?

They were in the bag, Vremya said and shrugged. He glanced at Pravos. She was hunched over, her face scrunched up in front of her screen. Even though her eyes were useless in the darkness created by Gravitat, she was still sitting as if they were working. Is the sect ready for my avatar?

You shouldve given me more time to work on fixing this sect, Pravos said and sighed. She clutched her head, her hair spilling through the gaps in her fingers. Theres just so many things wrong with it and the person running it. I think your avatar has a decent chance at entering the sect, but its not as strong as it used to be. I-its still the best sect around though!

Karta growled. I cant believe you have a bag of apple chips! I thought you loved me! Okay, I didnt think you loved me, but I thought you were on my side!

Vremya snorted and put away the bag of chips. You raised a good point, he said, ignoring the dogs comments about betrayal. I wonder if itll count as divine intervention if Pravos orders Rachel to gather rare treasures and pass them onto my avatar. Therell probably be divine contamination from the mission if she does that; its better not to take that chance.

***

Kid Vremya stood in the middle of the crowd with an impassive expression. Today was the day the Moon Lotus Sect recruiters arrived at the village. The whole village had woken up even earlier than usual, and the familiar sounds of work were nonexistent. Despite the fact the recruiters hadnt arrived yet, the atmosphere was tense, and the vague smell of soap filled the air. The recruiters were here to choose disciples based on talent, but it didnt hurt to look and smell presentable either.

Isnt it weird how the Moon Lotus Sect is recruiting members here? someone muttered. Theyve never done it before, so why would they start doing it now?

Maybe theyre an evil sect, and theyre actually gathering children to use in sacrifices or evil rituals.

Yeah, Ive heard theyve been declaring war a lot. The Sun Cactus Sect became a vassal, and even the Ten Faces Sect became a vassal too. Does that mean theyre walking a mix of evil and righteous?

Hush, a woman said. The recruiters are cultivators. Theyll be able to hear you from a mile away. Try not to think negative things about them either; its possible they can read minds.

Will you guys stop it? an old man asked. Youre scaring the children. They dont want to hear that the people coming for them are evil and might be killing them in sadistic rituals. No one wants to hear about how their eyes are going to be plucked out, or how their ears will be chopped off and worn as necklaces.

Bawling sounds filled the air as a child standing beside Kid Vremya opened her mouth wide and cried. Kid Vremya put a hand on the girls shoulder. Even though the old lady who had raised him had some shortcomings, there were some useful things he learned from her. Dont cry, Kid Vremya said. Youre absolutely talentless, and youll live a life of mediocrity. Theres no way youll be accepted by the Moon Lotus Sect even if they are taking kids as sacrifices because youll weaken the effectiveness of the ritual.

R-really? the girl asked and hiccoughed. I wont be taken away? My eyes and ears wont be cut out?

They wont, Kid Vremya said, taking his hand off the girls shoulder. He closed his eyes and focused on his body, exploring his meridians with his qi. In the past three months, he had successfully widened his meridians and officially became a cultivator. In fact, he had already reached the third stage of qi condensation. However, he hadnt learned any combat techniques; instead, he was pondering on the existence of gravity. What was gravity? How did it work? He didnt have to understand it completely. He only needed to understand enough to slightly weaken Gravitats blackhole to free his godly self.

Oh? a feminine voice asked. The crowd gasped and raised their heads. Standing above them, there was a woman wearing blue robes with a silver pin in her hair. She waved her hand, and the crowd was roughly split apart, leaving Kid Vremya standing alone in the center. The woman landed in front of Kid Vremya, and he opened his eyes. The woman squinted, meeting Kid Vremyas gaze. She squatted down to be on eye level with him. How old are you?

Kid Vremya was about to answer, but he paused. How old was he? No, the woman was referring to his avatars body, not his actual age. Im four and a half.

The woman stretched out her hand and smiled at Kid Vremya. And youve already reached the third stage of qi condensation. Her eyes narrowed. No wonder why the sect leader had been so insistent on sending people to the outer regions. The sect leader was a monster with foresight even greater than her cultivation talent. She mustve known about this childs appearance, or she wouldnt have pushed so strongly to implement her new policy. Would you like to come back with me to the Moon Lotus Sect?

E-excuse me, a man said from the crowd. My daughter

A sword made of ice appeared in front of the mans face, pointing right between his brows. The woman from the Moon Lotus Sect paused and retracted her sword. Someone was recording the event. She didnt think a backwater village would have a recording device, so she had acted a bit too hastily. My apologies, she said to the frightened man. I thought I sensed a hint of evil cultivation techniques coming from you, but it seems like I was mistaken. Her gaze swept over the crowd, and everyone took a step back from the pressure. The only one qualified to join the Moon Lotus Sect is this child here, she said, holding her hand out to Kid Vremya once more. Take my hand, child.

Kid Vremya was expressionless as he grabbed the womans hand. Even though she seemed a bit off her rocker, she was the only one who could get him into the sect. He needed the resources to fund his cultivation. Besides, it wouldnt be his first time cooperating with a crazy woman. When it came to levels of mental illness, no one could compare to Kosmos. In fact, Kid Vremya wasnt sure if he even knew any normal woman. Pravos was only filled with thoughts about justice, and Karta was a dog obsessed with money. In the first place, what did it even mean to be normal?

The woman grinned, and in a flash, Kid Vremya was standing on top of a large crane. Beside him, there was the woman, and behind him, there was the old lady who had raised him as a baby. Shell be coming with us, the woman said, gesturing towards the old lady while speaking to Kid Vremya. The Moon Lotus Sect is currently in a state of alertness, and were protecting our disciples family members just in case our enemies retaliate in a cowardly manner. The woman tapped on the back of the cranes head with her heel, and the bird flew forward. She smiled at Kid Vremya and released his hand. You can call me Elder Formation. Whats your name?

Vremya.

Vremya, Elder Formation said and nodded. A good name. Would you like to be my disciple? Im the elder in charge of the defensive and offensive formations at our sect. Everyone respects my position. In the future, no one will dare bully you if you become my disciple. In fact, I have a gift for you. Elder Formation took off her necklace and placed it around Kid Vremyas neck. This will protect you and help you cultivate at the same time. If she could get this genius to be her disciple, in the future, her faction would be the one to rise to power. She could guarantee there was no one else as monstrous as the child before her, and he would definitely become the sect leader even if the sect was accustomed to only having women around. If she became the master of the future sect leader, even Sect Leader Rachel would have to give her face!

Vremya, what are you doing? the old lady asked. Do you remember the story I told you about the horse and the gift? Quickly, become her disciple!

Alright, Kid Vremya said and nodded at Elder Formation. Ill be your disciple.

Elder Formation laughed upon hearing Kid Vremyas answer. Kids were so easy to trick! Excellent. When we arrive at the sect, well go through the ceremony and officially become master and disciple. Elder Formations eyes glittered as she stared at the horizon. The future seemed so bright! Who knew shed have a fortunate encounter after being forced to go on such a tedious mission? Fate worked in mysterious ways.