[You don't even have a spirit root. In your case, the system itself is functioning as your foundation — your core. Your 'spirit root' is a living construct bound to your soul. Completely different from a human's.]
"…Come again?"
[Yes, and your D-Class rank isn't a real rank. It's a temporary power the system gave you so your body wouldn't collapse. As you needed a stable frame to hold the system's functions.]
Ava's voice softened slightly.
[Once the system recovers enough and will upgrade, then those Earth ranks won't apply to you anymore. You'll walk a different path.]
Ariz swallowed. "So… the system really is my spirit root."
[Yes — an exhausted one, currently running on reserves. Until you feed it enough Resonance Energy, it can't return to its true form.]
His eyes drifted to Ayaka's back as she leaned over the stove — her slim waist, soft curves, the gentle arch of her.
"…And to recover it… I need to give it energy?"
[Yes. Resonance Energy, to be exact. Dual cultivation with women provides the richest amount. Devouring Heart Crystals works too, but… let's be honest, women give better results.]
.Ariz pinched his nose. "And what's the difference between Qi and resonance energy? And why is the system in this state anyway?"
[Resonance Energy is a higher-grade form of Qi—denser, purer, and far more potent. The system takes ordinary qi and refines it into RE.]
Ava's tone lowered.
[As for the system's condition… it used to be your spirit root in your past life. I don't know what happened back then, and what you did, but you reincarnated with it bound to your soul, along with me too. It exhausted itself out protecting you.]
[Now it's running on fumes. Once you feed it enough Resonance Energy and it recovers somewhat, it will upgrade—and everything will return to its true form.]
Ariz slumped into the chair, letting out a long breath.
"…So that's it. To become a proper cultivator, I actually need to stop being a damn virgin."
He chuckled under his breath. "Great. My destiny is apparently… women. Lots of women."
"And I love every part of it.."
His eyes drifted to Ayaka — the curve of her hips, her soft movements, the warmth she radiated without even trying. A slow, greedy heat flickered behind his gaze.
"Scan."
DING!
A blue panel flickered into existence.
[SCAN COMPLETE]
Name: Ayaka
Age: 36
Race: Human
Physique: None
Bloodline: None
Power Level: Unawakened (Mortal)
Spirit Root: Earth Grade (Locked)
Meridians: Earth Grade (Locked)
Stats:
• Strength: 6 — Mortal
• Qi: 0
• Intelligence: 50 — E
• Stamina: 7 — Mortal
• Agility: 4 — Mortal
Feelings for Ariz:
• Affection: 50/100
• Lust: 50/100
• Hate: 0
• Loyalty: High
Ariz raised a brow as he stared at the panel.
"She has an Earth Grade spirit root and meridians… huh? Ava, what's with all these grades?"
Ava responded with her usual calm, silky tone.
[Spirit roots follow a hierarchy, baby: Mortal Grade, Profound Grade, Earth Grade, Heaven Grade, Crimson Grade, Sky Grade, Celestial Grade, Primordial Grade, and at the very top… the Transcendent.]
She hummed.
[And trust me, even a Heaven Grade spirit root is something sects out there would fight over. The higher the grade, the rarer the talent. Now you understand why what's happening on Earth is basically a cosmic miracle.]
Ariz nodded slowly. "Alright… then what about me? You said my system used to be my spirit root. What grade was it?"
[Ahh, that…] Ava sighed dramatically.
[The exact grade? I don't know. But I can say for sure it was higher than Celestial Grade. What it is now… even I can't tell.]
Ariz's smirk grew. "So I was a badass in my previous life, huh?"
[Well… yes, but let's not inflate your ego too early. And more importantly—]
Her voice turned teasing.
[Look at Ayaka's lust level, baby. Seems you've stirred something in that lonely heart~]
Ariz snorted softly.
Right then, Vivi walked into the dining area.
Except… she wasn't her usual chirpy self.
She walked in slowly, dazed, cheeks faintly pink, eyes looking everywhere except at him.
The moment their gazes met, she jolted like a spooked cat and stood frozen, fidgeting in one spot.
Ayaka immediately noticed.
"Vivi, why are you standing there? Sit down, food is ready." she said, carrying bowls to the table.
Startled out of her trance, Vivi rushed to the seat opposite Ariz, practically slapping herself into it.
When Ayaka returned with another dish, she blinked in confusion.
"Vivi, why aren't you sitting beside Ariz like you always do?"
She glanced back and forth. "Did you two fight?"
Ariz grinned. "Maybe she wants to look at this handsome guy directly from the front."
"Like hell I would want to look at your stupid face…" Vivi muttered, but her voice was tiny and flushed.
Both Ariz and Ayaka burst into laughter. Looking at Vivi flushed, he decided to scan her.
'Let's see what you've got, Vivi.' Ariz thought.
Scan
[SCAN COMPLETE]
Name: Vivi
Age: 18
Race: Human
Physique: Crescent Moon Vein Physique (Locked)
Bloodline: None
Spirit Root Grade: Mortal Grade
Meridians: Heaven Grade
Power Level: E-Rank
Stats:
• Strength: 28 — E
• Qi: 42 — E
• Intelligence: 40 — E
• Stamina: 35 — E
• Agility: 30 — E
Feelings for Ariz:
• Affection: 82/100
• Lust: 50/100
• Hate: 0
• Loyalty: High
Abilities:
— Basic Energy Sense
— Quickstep
— Beginner Combat Instinct
Ariz blinked at the scan.
"…Hold on. Crescent Moon Vein Physique?"
He leaned closer. "And—what? Heaven Grade meridians?"
Ava's voice came through, calm but clearly surprised.
[Well… that's not something you see every day. I knew she had decent potential… but not this.]
Ava sounded genuinely thoughtful.
[That physique alone is rare — moon-type physiques are elegant, agile, and extremely adaptable. But Heaven Grade meridians? On a Mortal Grade root? That's… unusual.]
"Unusual? How?"
[Her physique is good — moon-type physiques usually boost agility and qi flow — but Heaven Grade meridians are far beyond what her current spirit root should support.]
Ava's tone stayed composed.
[But if her spirit root evolves even once, those meridians will give her explosive growth. She'll easily outperform most people of her generation.]
Ariz hummed. "So Vivi is a sleeper genius, huh?"
[More like a quiet moon waiting to rise.] Ava said.
Then her voice curled into a mischievous purr.
[And speaking of rising moons…Ohoho~ looks like that kiss worked wonders. She's basically in love with you now… and look at that lust, baby. Someone's feeling spicy.]
'This is getting fun… my lonely-guy era is finally ending.' Ariz laughed wickedly in his mind.
As he was grinning like a fool, Ayaka placed the last bowl of food and removed her apron
"Enough joking, let me call Rachel" She said as she went out of the dinning area to call Rachel from upstairs. The moment she left, Ariz leaned toward Vivi.
Under the table, he brushed his leg against her calf.
"So," he whispered with a devilish grin, "whose face was stupid again? And who was the one calling me hot?"
Vivi instantly twitched like she'd been electrocuted, yanking her leg away with a squeak.
Memories of the kiss flashed across her face like a slideshow, and she flushed crimson.
"Yo-you… I-I never said that…! And what do you think you're doing—"
Her voice cracked halfway through. She looked adorable.
Ariz leaned closer, voice low and teasing.
"My dear Vivi… I know you've got a big crush on me."
"I-I-I-I—I DON'T!! W-who told you that—"
She stammered, meeting his eyes for a split second before combusting again.
Before he could push further, Ayaka returned — with Rachel behind her, hair damp, wearing a T-shirt and shorts.
Rachel blinked. "Hmm? Why isn't Vivi sitting beside Ariz today?"
"N-Nothing… I just wanted to sit here today," Vivi blurted out.
Rachel shrugged and sat beside her. Ayaka took the seat next to Ariz.
After everyone settled, Ayaka poured red wine into each glass.
She stood and smiled warmly.
"Before we begin… I want to congratulate Ariz on his awakening. After your parents disappeared, you were lost. As your mother's best friend, it was my responsibility to take care of you. Now that you've awakened… I'm truly happy for you, dear."
She raised her glass and drank.
"And Vivi, yes, you can drink too."
"Congratulations, Ariz!!" Vivi and Rachel echoed, lifting their glasses.
Everyone downed their wine.
Rachel leaned forward. "So… will you tell us what happened today?"
Ariz took a slow breath, glanced at all of them—
"It all started when I touched Professor Layla's boobs—"