11. My House!

Looking around, Noah Drake thought to himself.

'Is this my manor? Am I really starting here? Crossing into another world, and I become a landlord... Haha.'

He took a walk around the manor.

'The manor is completely empty. There isn't a single piece of furniture. In the courtyard, there's just one tree, resembling a banyan tree. It looks extraordinary—each leaf seems to hold an entire universe. Streams of energy, faintly visible, swirl rhythmically around it. It's both mysterious and pleasing to the eye.'

'This is the tree I got from the gacha... the Enlightenment Tree. Could it be…?'

"System, does this tree help with enlightenment?"

The system's calm voice responded.

The Bodhi Tree assists in enlightenment regarding the laws of heaven and earth. A legendary item.

"Bodhi Tree? It looks more like a banyan tree to me. Can it really aid in enlightenment? Are there many such trees outside?"

You currently lack the authority to investigate areas outside the manor. The system reminds you to increase your strength to unlock this function.

...

"System, where are the items I got from the gacha?"

They are all stored in the inventory. You may enter the inventory to begin organizing them.

...

Noah entered the inventory and muttered,

"Does it really have to feel like a game?"

The system replied.

Initialization is 3/5 complete. The user-friendly interface has been activated. Adjustments have been made based on the host's preferences.

...

After organizing, Noah looked at three lonely tables under the tree.

"Hmm," he murmured, feeling conflicted. "Tables but no chairs? No... It's only the first day. I shouldn't be too quick to complain... Let's not blame the system unjustly."

"System, how large is this manor?"

"The entire mountain is within the boundaries of the manor."

Crossing worlds, I now own a mountain... "Not bad."

"That's pretty impressive."

Following the paths, Noah observed,

"This manor seems quite ordinary. It's not completely empty, but it only has the bare essentials for living."

He passed through a garden filled with greenery and flowers.

"This must be the rear garden."

At the end of a corridor was a pathway leading to a grand, round arched door. It looked majestic, solid, and golden. The architecture was distinctly different from the rest of the manor.

Behind the door lay a mountain slope, a large stream, and simple houses spread along both banks. Further away were fields, orchards, and ponds—a picturesque, peaceful, and poetic scene.

"System, what is this place?"

"This area belongs to the Heavenly Dao."

"The Heavenly Dao? That's strange. What does that mean, System?"

"Retrieving report... The system has signed an agreement with the Heavenly Dao on behalf of the host, establishing a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Noah was stunned, confused.

"You signed an agreement with the Heavenly Dao on my behalf? What kind of agreement? When? Do you even have the right to sign for me?"

"The system operates transparently and within the regulations. All enhancements are lawful and align with the Heavenly Dao's standards. Thus, a formal agreement was necessary. The details are as follows:

1. Share 30% of the manor's area with the Heavenly Dao for unrestricted use.

2. Grant co-ownership rights to the Heavenly Dao, integrating the manor into its domain to train talents.

3. In exchange, the Heavenly Dao will protect the manor with Four Divine Guardians and grant the host immunity from karmic entanglements.

The agreement lasts for ten years, after which it may be renewed."

Noah's mind raced to process what he had just heard. After a moment of silence, he asked,

"Wait, is this the Heavenly Dao I'm thinking of?"

"The system is unaware of the host's interpretation. The Heavenly Dao mentioned refers to this world's Heavenly Dao. Simply put, it now owns 30% of the manor as a shareholder."

Hearing the words "shareholder" and "30%," Noah exclaimed,

"Seriously? How can this even work? Does this Heavenly Dao have consciousness to sign an agreement?"

"The system recommends that the host show respect to your partner."

Noah…

"What the hell is going on here?"

The system continued,

"During the agreement process, an incident occurred. The Void Realm intervened. The system resolved the issue by signing a secondary agreement:

1. Share another 30% of the manor's ownership and rights with the Void Realm.

2. Transform the manor into a resting place for champions for ten years.

In exchange, the Void Realm grants the host VIP status within its domain and invincible protection for the manor."

"As of now, the manor is 30% owned by the Heavenly Dao, 30% by the Void Realm, and 40% by you. As the manor lord, you hold supreme authority over your domain and second-tier authority over the other two portions."

...

"Why does the Heavenly Dao even need a part of this manor? And what exactly is the Void Realm?"

"Based on the system's analysis, the Heavenly Dao requires strong individuals to maintain its power. Meanwhile, the Void Realm seeks to eliminate those who create their own laws. Since neither side can act directly, they leverage the system to intervene. In short, it's mutually beneficial."

"If any party breaches the agreement, the penalty is forfeiture of their ownership shares to the remaining parties. Please keep this in mind, host."

Noah

"This is unbelievable... And they actually made it happen?"