Chapter 2: A Glimmer of Hope

It was the night time at the misty peaks, in the Azure Cloud Sect, Yun Tian sat alone in his study. The flickering candlelight illuminated stacks of scrolls and reports spread across his desk, each one is a reminder of the responsibilities he has now. Today's events is very overwhelming for him—learning of an assassination attempt, and the meeting with the elders, and pretending to be someone else that he wasn't. he wished only if there was a way to make this thing easier, some kind of guide or assistance.

His thoughts went back to his previous life, to the countless hours he had spent reading cultivation novels. In those stories, protagonists often had the systems—mysterious cheat that provided them skills, items, and a clear path towards power. now he wished that he had something like that. A system could help him to understand this world, manage his sect, and protect himself from hidden dangers of this world.

Earlier in that evening, while walking through the sect's gardens, he had overheard a group of disciples discussing similar fantasies. One had exclaimed, "Imagine having a guide to help you every step of the way!" Another had laughed it off as mere fiction. Yun Tian had smiled very weirdly at that time, but now, alone in his study, the idea he really wished come true. If only it is possible.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. In the novels, systems were often activated by a specific phrase or mental command. Perhaps he could try that. "System, activate," he thought. Nothing happened. He tried again, more forcefully: "System, I summon you!" Still, silence.

this thing really makes him very frustrated. "Maybe it's voice-activated," he muttered. "System, start up! System, begin operation!" The room remained unchanged, the only sound is the flickering of the candles. He finally lost the hope. "I guess it's not possible, I have to work hard for regain my cultivation level."

Just as he reached for a scroll to begin studying, a sharp "ding" echoed in his mind. A translucent screen appeared in his vision. Text scrolled across it: "[Welcome, Host. The Dual Cultivation System is now online. To increase your strength, you must engage in dual cultivation with female partners.]"

Yun Tian blinked, disbelief washing over him. A system—it is real! But dual cultivation? He knew what that means from the novels read: a practice where cultivators merged their energies through intimate acts, often leading to rapid advancements in power. This could be the key to mastering his cultivation quickly, but it also complicated things. As sect master, he had to maintain a certain image, and engaging in dual cultivation could lead to rumors or political issues.

He wondered who he could approach for this. Lin Xue, the talented disciple he had met earlier, came to mind. She seemed dedicated and strong-willed, but he barely knew her. There were also the female elders and other disciples, but he needed to be cautious. He couldn't just use people for his own gain; he had to ensure mutual consent of female partners.

He decided to explore further. "System, show me the available functions."

The screen shifted, presenting a menu:

[Partner Selection

Cultivation Techniques

Progress Tracking ]

A comprehensive system, it seemed. He was particularly curious about the Partner Selection function. Selecting it, a list of names appeared, each with a portrait and a compatibility percentage. At the top was Lin Xue, with an 85% compatibility. Her description read: "Talented and determined, Lin Xue possesses a pure yin constitution, making her an ideal partner for dual cultivation."

Below her were other disciples, such as Zhao Min (78%), a fiery-tempered swordswoman, and Elder Wu (72%), a mature and wise cultivator. 

This is overwhelming. He had the power to choose, but he knew he had to do it carefully. Missteps could lead to tensions within the sect or even more assassination attempts. As he studied the list, he felt a mix of anticipation and responsibility. This system could be his ticket to power, but it also came with greater risks. He needed to learn more about dual cultivation and how to approach potential partners without causing offense or misunderstanding.

With a deep breath, he closed the interface. He needed time to think, to plan his next move. The night was still young, and the path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time since his reincarnation, he felt a glimmer of hope.