Untalented.

In the kitchen, silence hung, all awaiting.

Luna hesitated, then spoke.

"Manor Lord, I… truly don't understand. It's strange.

I tested your constitution—it's extremely weak, a Mortal Constitution among Mortal Constitutions. Your meridians show no trace of cultivation, any form of it.

Yet, a bizarre force surrounds you. When I touched it, I felt… something terrifying, like being trapped in a pitch-black void with no escape. If I weren't obedient, it'd crush me…"

…

Noah sighed, eyes darting elsewhere.

"You've seen my shameful side. As you said, this body's never touched cultivation. It's a fragment of my main body, with independent consciousness. But the constitution… I recall setting my aptitude high during reconstruction. Check again."

Luna shook her head vigorously.

"No mistake. I checked thoroughly. You have a Mortal Constitution, no affinity. You can cultivate any technique, but the results will be mediocre."

In his eyes, Luna stood bare, speaking naturally, demeanor docile… Hold back, hold back. Don't turn beast, not now.

"Luna, stay still! In my era, a balanced constitution, able to absorb diverse cultivation, was supreme. Those bound to one type were weak. Seems times have changed…"

"Fine. Pei Xuan, trouble you to gather all techniques of every affinity for me to cultivate, plus supporting elixirs."

Pei Xuan, guilt-ridden, replied.

"Manor Lord, I don't have all techniques or elixirs… But rest assured, one trip down the mountain, and I'll find them."

Noah eyed him.

"Then go. You have my permission. Hurry."

Watching Pei Xuan grab that water cup before leaving… Such a greedy guy.

…

Now, just me and Luna in the kitchen. Her figure… truly stunning.

"Luna, uh… earlier was just defensive instinct. Don't take it to heart."

Luna, inwardly: Showing off your power, more like. Didn't you say past lives are forgiven? Holding a grudge? Outwardly, she smiled politely.

"No, Manor Lord, you're too kind. I succeeded in testing thanks to your help. I can't take all credit."

Noah, unsure if she meant it, thought: Is she mocking my Mortal Constitution? Looking down on me? Trying to distance herself?

"Luna, you know, in my era, Mortal Constitution was revered as a Sacred Constitution."

…

Luna, clueless what she'd done wrong, saw the Manor Lord's anger. Confusion flickered in her eyes. She nodded, replying.

"Yes, Sacred Constitution is very strong…"

Regretting her words instantly.

Noah pulled a chair, sat facing her. Hmph! Heaven let me see your body—you can't turn the tables.

Deep breath, stay calm.

"Seems you don't grasp the Mortal Constitution's might. Let me enlighten you.

The Heavenly Path takes from excess to fill the lacking; man's nature is inherently balanced. The Mortal Constitution, born balanced, favors no affinity. Unlike specialized constitutions, which start fast but slow at higher realms, Mortal Constitutions crawl early but accelerate later, nearly bottleneck-free. At critical qualitative leaps, they face no barriers. Only one other constitution matches this—the legendary Chaos Constitution, pinnacle of all. Thus, Mortal Constitution is its acquired counterpart.

Those who praise specialized constitutions as genius cling to twigs, ignoring roots. Cultivators seek the great Dao—don't sacrifice your goal for short-term gains, understand?"

Luna listened intently, feeling a new horizon unfold. She mirrored his passion—shock, admiration, agreement, disbelief, finally submission.

"Manor Lord, if the Heavenly Path favors Mortal Constitution so, the challenges must be immense. How did you overcome them?"

After unleashing a torrent of online-learned rhetoric, Noah felt drained. But her admiring gaze, hands clasped… Worth it.

"Want to know? Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Now, stand and spin for me."

Luna, confused why, met his resolute, no-nonsense eyes.

Stood, spun lightly.

"Like this, Manor Lord… Manor Lord?"

Noah nodded. …Gorgeous. Perfect waist, firm hips, dainty chest…

"Ahem. Prepare warm bathwater for me. Use the kitchen's wood. Get to it. I'll step out and return."

Luna, cheeks puffed, glared as Noah left.

He returned, clutching herbs. Per the System, they'd aid cultivation.

Tossed them into the heating water, sat beside Luna.

…

Soaking in the tub… So warm, so good. Bathing with herbs—pure bliss.

Noah mused. Only six months until 18. Dad said, "After 18, do what you want." But this situation… can I wait?

Mom said, "When in Rome, do as Romans." Here, 16-year-olds are already going at it like crazy. At 18, I'm old…

This calls for Mom's advice.

Who first? Lalatina's 18, just a few months older.

But Luna… heaven's will binds us.

Liora's too young, pass.

So, who? Why choose? I'll take both. This world allows multiple wives.

First Lalatina, then Luna… Haha!

No, wait. Must boost strength first.

In novels, protagonists go days with heroines. Without cultivation, how'd I keep up?

If I don't satisfy them, what if they cheat?

Yes, strength first.

The sooner I cultivate, the sooner I'm a man…

In the tub, Noah cycled a heavenly circuit.

After half an hour, the herbs' potency faded, water darkening, faintly acrid.

Stood, dumped it, rinsed with cool water. Chilly… Just one more day.

Stepping out, Liora, face flushed, beamed.

"Manor Lord, you're done!"

Noah eyed her.

"What's got you so happy?"

She shook her head, expression sweet.

"Nothing… nothing."

Luna, unable to resist, chimed in.

"Manor Lord, Liora's being spoiled rotten by Sister Lalatina."

Noah, seeing Luna's cheerful smile, her curves swaying, felt a fire ignite. Wanted to grab, knead… but reason held. Not yet. Patience.

…

Trekking to the kitchen, a lavish feast awaited.

Lalatina, in an apron, smiled gently at the side.

Sitting, the dishes' aromas tantalized. The cozy, spotless kitchen—worlds apart from Zhao Yu's cooking days.

"Everyone, sit."

…

Luna, since the Mortal Constitution talk, noticed the Manor Lord's sneaky glances. Each time, an itch plagued her. Instinct screamed something happened. He's plotting… still hasn't forgiven me.

"Manor Lord, why keep staring?"

Noah, caught eyeing Luna, shook his head, deadpan.

"Not staring."

…

"Manor Lord, I swear I won't tell anyone about your constitution…"

Why'd I say that?

"No, I don't mind. You can tell… Ahem. I'm proud of my constitution. You're overthinking."

"Mortal Constitution isn't weak, got it? Just wait. This era's a bit outdated."

Luna, baffled, blurted.

"Yes, Mortal Constitution isn't weak, just born in the wrong time…"

…

Luna felt off today, every word provoking the Manor Lord. Better retreat. Stood, said.

"Manor Lord, I'm full. Everyone, keep eating."

Noah, watching her leave, stood, voice stern.

"Stop. Finish your plate, or you're not leaving. Try, and I'll follow you."

…

After the meal, Noah returned to his room alone. Must cultivate fast to become a man.

Sat, cycled a heavenly circuit.

Mortal Constitution… can cultivate all affinity techniques, but the catch is power. Compared to specialized constitutions, it's a fraction as potent. Cultivation's harder, needing double, triple the resources.

Weak, yes, but versatile—switching techniques is seamless.

Its fatal flaw: brutally slow early cultivation.

But my situation faces no such hurdle.

Martial cultivation's first step: a robust constitution. Veins, muscles, bones, organs—solid, harmonious, ready to absorb qi.

The martial path is open to all, differing only in strength. Unlike spiritual qi or enlightenment, it relies on acquired qi—killing intent, resentful qi, charm qi, righteous qi—forged into the body for power. Gifted ones absorb multiple qi types; compared to single-type cultivators, they're leagues ahead, even two major realms apart.

In the last simulation, took three years to forge inner force, using the commonest qi—battlefield killing intent.

Now, best forge inner force first.

With those herbs earlier…

In days, I'll form inner force.