Ding!
"The gears of fate have officially begun to turn. System loading complete. Host, please receive your wishes."
"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 voice echoed directly inside his soul. For two and a half agonizing years, he had endured the slow crawl of time, waiting for this single moment, and to his ears, that emotionless voice sounded sweeter than the celestial chimes of heaven.
He wasted no time on hesitation. He had rehearsed this moment a thousand times, and he began stating his desires in his mind with absolute clarity.
System, record my ten wishes.
First Wish
I want the system to create the Primordial Boundless Divine Body and give it to me, bound to the fundamental laws of heaven and earth. Therefore, grant me absolute control over the Ten Primordial Vein Laws: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Light, Darkness, Time, Space, and Devouring.
These ten veins shall become an inseparable part of my foundation, These ten veins shall become an inseparable part of my foundation. I am that which allows for complete control, absolute immunity, and increased affinity to the corresponding elements, the supreme sovereign of the Ten Laws.
Second Wish
Create a new Dragon Bloodline for me: the Primordial Dragon God Bloodline. It shall be born from the Primordial Chaos; it has supreme essence above all things, and it shall grant me the Primordial Dragon God Body, the Dragon God Marrow, and the Dragon God Soul. Because this inheritance is born from the Primordial Purple Qi, this Primordial Purple Gold Dragon God shall be known as the Primordial Purple Gold Dragon God.
The blood of the Dragon God strengthens the body: the meridians, the profound veins, the bones, the flesh, and the skin. It raises the body's toughness to the level of a True Dragon and grants the inheritor incredible regenerative power.
The Dragon God Marrow makes the bones like fine steel and the marrow like an impregnable fortress. Lost blood and strength are recovered endlessly, and even faster. The marrow continuously produces new, genuine dragon blood. It strengthens the owner's Dragon God Bloodline even while they sleep and drastically improves their True Dragon body.
The Dragon God Soul refines the spirit and the soul, granting mental strength far beyond that of ordinary humans. The soul also gains the attribute of the Dragon God and becomes as vast as the starry sky, so powerful that it completely surpasses the limits of mortals. The Dragon God Soul also allows the use of the Dragon Soul Domain.
The Dragon Soul Domain is an incomparably overbearing mental domain. Although it is a mental domain, it still requires a portion of one's profound energy to sustain. It affects its target by dragging them into a nightmare-like state in which they cannot use all, or perhaps any, of their profound strength to attack or defend. It is extremely taxing to use, yet so far no one has been able to resist it.
Third Wish
Grant me the supreme weapons.
The first is the Heaven-Slaying Ancestral Sword, the first sword of the Primordial Chaos and the progenitor of all weapons, born from the pure essence of Punishment and Destruction. It holds the power to destroy the universe itself. With it comes the Heaven-Slaying Ancestral Sword Scripture, the most powerful and ancient sword technique of the Primal Chaos. Through this sword, I may create and destroy worlds, holding authority over every law and order of the Primordial Universe.
The second is the Immortal-Slaying Sword. The Immortal-Slaying Sword is the supreme sword of the Great Thousand World, forged from the first light of creation. It possesses the power to cut through anything—flesh, energy, laws, and even immortality itself. Wounds inflicted by it cannot heal, making it a terror to gods and mortals alike.
I want the system to create an unbound Primordial Poison Pearl, restored to its absolute prime and merged perfectly with my body and soul.
This inheritance shall include Absolute Purification, the power to purify all things — any poison, curse, impurity, or corruption — and to refine materials, treasures, and even laws themselves.
It shall include Supreme Poison, the Pearl's original toxicity restored to its peak, capable of slaying gods and devils alike, never to deplete or weaken.
It shall include the Infinite Inner Space, a limitless green world within the Pearl where time and all reactions are frozen, serving as perfect storage and perfect sanctuary.
It shall include Treasure Sensing, the ability to perceive all nearby treasures, toxic herbs, and rare resources, guided by a flickering green light.
I shall have Complete Immunity to all poisons, toxins, and impurities — what would kill a god shall nourish me instead. There shall be no backlash, no curse, no splitting, no draining. The Pearl shall recognize me as its true master from the moment of its rebirth, merging with my left hand and leaving behind a green imprint I may summon or conceal at will.
Fifth Wish
Let it be that Elder Shennong never obtained the Heavenly Life Spirit Flame, so that it remains unclaimed — and then grant it to me. No one else in existence shall ever possess it.
Sixth Wish
Grant me the complete legacy of the Yellow Spring Demon Saint of the Dou Qi Continent, including his cultivation method, his storage ring, and the Yellow Spring Stone Tablet.
Seventh Wish
Create a separate world linked to my soul. Unlike the miniature realms created by Dou Emperors, this shall be a true, independent reality with its own laws and powers — a genuine parallel world that expands and grows stronger alongside me, under my absolute dominion.
Eighth Wish
Fuse me with the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning, currently slumbering in the depths of the Void Lightning Pool within the Void Dragon Clan's domain, and make me its master. Within my own world, create a second Void Lightning Pool, permanently bound to me, so that I may summon and command its power at will. Grant me also the Black Demon Lightning and the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning.
Ninth Wish
Grant me the Burning Heaven Spiritual Fire, second-ranked among the Divine Flames of the Great Thousand World.
Tenth Wish
Grant me the Chaos Saint Cauldron, the most powerful Divine Cauldron of the Great Thousand World.
The System paused, then replied softly:
"Wishes acknowledged. Your rewards are stored and may be claimed individually at your command."
The mental pressure dissolved, and Xiao Tian's awareness snapped smoothly back into the waking world.
---
High on the stone platform, the middle-aged examiner stared down at his register and called out across the testing ground with practiced indifference.
"Next — Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan let out a quiet, unsteady breath and stepped forward into the glaring morning sun. He reached out and pressed his palm flat against the chilled surface of the Dou Qi Testing Stone Tablet. 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-mocking curl touching the corner of his lips. Yet when he turned and looked toward the shade of the ancient tree nearby, the bitter chill in his chest softened.
Xiao Tian stood there, leaning casually against the trunk, his golden eyes sharp as he swept his gaze across the crowd. Over the past three years, anyone who had dared mock Xiao Yan too loudly had felt the bone-crushing weight of Xiao Tian's fists behind the training hall. Because of that unyielding shield, today's whispers were only hesitant mutters rather than open cruelty.
Xiao Yan stepped down the platform with his head slightly lowered.
Xiao Tian caught his younger brother by the shoulder and gave it a firm, steadying squeeze. "Little Yan. Lower your head to look at the road, not to hide your face. A true gem is not ruined by a little dust. Your three-year trial is almost over."
Xiao Yan met his brother's calm eyes and felt a spark of warmth kindle in his chest. "I know, Brother Tian. Thank you."
"Next — Xiao Mei!"
A young girl with bright eyes and a sweet, charming face darted up the steps. She laid her small hand on the stone, and it lit up with a clear, vibrant glow.
"Xiao Mei — Dou Qi, Seven Segments! Rank: High!"
Xiao Mei skipped down the platform and went straight toward the trio beneath the tree. "Cousin Xiao Tian! Sister Xun'er! Cousin Xiao Yan!"
She gave Xiao Yan a genuine, encouraging smile before leaning in to chatter with Xun'er. In this life, thanks to Xiao Tian's watchful presence and his stern warnings against snobbery, the younger generation of the clan had never abandoned Xiao Yan in his lowest days — and Xiao Mei remained just as affectionate toward him as she had been in childhood.
"Next — Xiao Xun'er!"
"Brother Xiao Tian, it's my turn," Xun'er murmured softly as she stepped out from the shade.
The instant her slender fingers touched the tablet, the black stone ignited. A brilliant, radiant glow burst outward, bathing the whole courtyard in golden light.
"Xiao Xun'er — Dou Qi, Nine Segments! Rank: High!"
Gasps of surprise rippled through the gathering. "Nine Segments at her age? Miss Xun'er's talent is simply frightening!"
Xun'er ignored the astonished stares and returned directly to Xiao Tian's side. He greeted her with a slow grin and a brief thumbs-up. "As expected of our Xun'er. Heaven blessed you with both beauty and unmatched talent."
A faint blush dusted Xun'er's cheeks, though a fond smile curved her lips.
"Next — Xiao Tian!"
Xiao Tian reached out and lightly brushed a stray strand of hair from Xun'er's forehead, then walked forward with unhurried grace. He climbed the stone steps and looked at the dark slate of the Dou Qi Testing Stone Tablet with calm detachment.
He laid his hand flat against the cold surface.
Rumble!
The stone did not merely glow — it burst into a blinding, suffocating glare that forced the disciples in the front rows to shield their eyes. Four massive, sharp characters burned into its surface like molten gold:
Dou Zhe — One Star!
Crack!
In the high pavilion, Clan Leader Xiao Zhan's hand tightened without his knowing, crushing his porcelain teacup into fine powder. Beside him, the three elders sprang from their seats, 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 Zhe, One Star!"
The testing ground erupted into chaos.
"A real Dou Zhe? He hasn't even reached fifteen!"
"He's already passed beyond the Dou Qi stages entirely? What kind of monster is he?"
Xiao Ning stood frozen among the crowd, his knuckles white. "No way... this has to be a mistake..." he muttered.
Xiao Tian paid no attention to the uproar. He withdrew his hand, swept back his robe, and walked down the platform as casually as if he were taking a morning stroll. When he returned to Xun'er, he tilted his head with a slight smirk. "Surprised?"
Xun'er gave him a lingering look, her soft voice tinged with quiet awe. "Brother Xiao Tian... you hid it so well."
Nearby, Xiao Yan smiled warmly, proud of his brother, though a trace of melancholy still lingered in his eyes. He nodded quietly and turned toward the peaceful back hills to sort out his thoughts. Xiao Mei murmured a quick farewell and went off to practice, inspired by the impossibly high standard that had just been set before her.
Watching Xiao Yan's lonely figure retreat into the distance, Xun'er whispered, "Brother Xiao Tian... Xiao Yan still seems so heavy-hearted."
"Let him be, for now," Xiao Tian said gently, taking her hand 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 in the shade of the willow trees, chatting softly, until they reached the inner courtyard, where they parted ways toward their own quarters.
---
Back in his private courtyard, Xiao Tian shut the heavy wooden doors, slid the bolt into place, and sat cross-legged on his bed. He drew a deep breath to settle his racing pulse and summoned the System's interface within his mind.
Gazing at the glowing icons awaiting his command, his eyes sparkled with sharp, unrelenting ambition.
System — claim the First Wish and the Second Wish, and impart their cultivation methods to me now!