Chapter 160: Number 160: Sub-system

"From now on, the Master is your Three Wives..."

Gasp! Once these words left Ning Mu's mouth, the entire scene fell silent.

Some were astonished.

Some cast their gazes toward Liu Qingmei, who had stopped and turned to look back.

Some looked at Tong Yuyue.

But most people still kept their eyes on Ning Mu and Liuli.

At this moment, Liuli clearly had not expected that this rascal Ning Mu would announce it to everyone so suddenly!

Even though she had already mentally prepared herself for this.

But after all, her status had not yet completely transformed; she was still the Ciyun Divine Nun, renowned throughout the Buddha Gate and feared across the martial arts world.

To have her cast off her Buddha Gate status, no longer concern herself with worldly affairs, and from then on focus with Single-mindedness, remaining constant and devoted to guarding Ning Mu's side as his concubine.

Such a drastic shift in status surely required a moment of psychological buffer and transition, did it not?

And now this.

This fellow had just announced it like this, while she was completely unprepared.

Anger surged in Liuli's heart, and she could not find a place to vent it.

She wished she could take a Wooden Fish Mallet and beat this fellow to death to satisfy her anger!

But for some reason, deep within her heart, she could not suppress a trace of heart-fluttering joy that welled up.

This fellow...

He was always like this; sometimes he would unexpectedly cause one annoyance, and other times he would unexpectedly bring one joy.

Liuli glanced sideways at Ning Mu, her cheeks flushed like the evening glow.

Then she frowned, feigning annoyance as she glared at him, gently pushed his shoulder, and said in bashful indignation: "Who is your Three Wives!"

"Shameless!"

Seeing that she could not push Ning Mu, Liuli shyly lowered her head, her beautiful eyes downcast, yet within them danced joy that could not be concealed.

"Why are you looking at me? Why don't you greet the Three Wives?"

At this moment.

Liu Qingmei, who had already walked away but was still in front of the hall.

Seeing Huang Yutang and the others all looking at her with strange and complex expressions, she could not help but raise an eyebrow.

Then, she smiled faintly.

Her tone was gentle, revealing a hint of joy, and she said solemnly: "That the Ciyun Divine Nun is willing to lower herself to the position of Three Wives truly moves me. You all should treat her with the same respect and sincerity as you do this Madam and the Second Madam!"

"Yes!"

Huang Yutang and the others immediately cupped their hands.

Then their gazes turned in unison toward Liuli, and they cupped their hands and bowed, saying sincerely: "Congratulations to the Three Wives on your good health. May the Stronghold Master and all the Madams have a long and lasting affection!"

"Haha, many thanks to you all. You may all disperse!"

Ning Mu cupped his hands.

Liuli also performed a light curtsy as a woman, taking it as a response to everyone's good intentions.

If it were before, when she performed greetings, she would always use the etiquette of the Buddha Gate, pressing her palms together and bowing in respect.

But at this moment.

It was clear she had truly placed herself in the position of Three Wives.

For the first time, she truly cast aside her identity as a Buddha Gate nun.

Instead, she acted as an ordinary woman in the mundane world, performing the etiquette of a woman.

At the same time, her gaze flickered as she looked at Liu Qingmei; her eyes still held a flash of gratitude, but beneath that gratitude, they still contained a hint of provocation.

And before Liu Qingmei.

Zhu Yaluan was once again inexplicably shocked; when she looked at Liuli, her eyes were filled with confusion.

So, this was that Long-tongued Nun, famous in the martial arts world for being a busybody...

Yet she had heard that the Ciyun Divine Nun was the closing-door Disciple of Puluo Zushi at the Bolu Ciyun Temple in Baisha Prefecture, north of the Han River in Great Qi.

She was even hailed as the pride of the Buddha Gate, the candidate with the most hope of succeeding Puluo Zushi in the future.

With such talent and prospects.

How could she be willing to give it all up to spend the rest of her life in this small Mountain Stronghold accompanying this youth, Ning Mu? First, there was the former Madam of Cangjian Villa, the True Person martial artist Liu Qingmei.

Then there was the Imperial Academy Libationer.

And now, another Ciyun Divine Nun with a resounding reputation in the martial arts world.

What kind of virtue or ability did this Ning Zhaozhu possess?

Even the Second Madam, Tong Yuyue of the original Tong Family Stronghold, seemed so insignificant in front of this group.

At this moment, the level of curiosity Zhu Yaluan felt toward Ning Mu had already surpassed her unwillingness at being held under house arrest in the Mountain Stronghold! She really wanted to see.

What other unexpected miracles would happen around this Ning Zhaozhu? Thinking this.

Zhu Yaluan followed Liu Qingmei to the backyard to be settled in.

As for the people of Yunxiao Stronghold, they had long since returned to Yunxiao Stronghold under the leadership of the Fifth Stronghold Master Zhao Pu, the Commander Sun Zhengqiang, and the Young Stronghold Master Wu Yuxiao.

Having learned that his mother was forcibly kept as a hostage in this tiny Ningyang Stronghold to exchange for the survival of Yunxiao Stronghold.

Wu Yuxiao, who had long cultivated a frivolous, arrogant, and insufferable personality, was extremely furious.

He had wanted to rush up and find that fellow named Ning Mu to have a fight and vent the resentment in his heart.

But thinking that there was a True Person expert sitting in this Mountain Stronghold, he could only swallow his anger, leaving with his face flushed red with rage.

He was not stupid.

A True Person powerhouse—that was a powerhouse he had never witnessed in his entire life.

Even his mother's strength was already awe-inspiring.

That True Person, who was even more formidable than a Grandmaster, was naturally even more powerful! ……

After finishing breakfast.

The second floor.

"Ning Lang, this nun tells you, having an illicit affair with a nun will shorten your life!"

In front of the railing.

Liuli leaned charmingly into Ning Mu's embrace; the two stood by the railing, seemingly looking at the people on the plaza cleaning up the training grounds after the battle.

In reality, however, they were flirting and pouring out their hearts to each other.

Even Tong Yuyue could not bear to watch and went downstairs to busy herself with other things.

Liu Xiaoya, Chunzhi, and the others were tidying up the rooms on the third floor.

Ning Mu smiled dashingly, looked down at the beauty in his arms, and said nonchalantly, "What is there to fear about a short life? Has the Reverend ever heard: 'When flowers bloom, one must pluck them, do not wait until there are no flowers and pluck an empty branch'?"

"When flowers bloom, one must pluck them..." Liuli blinked her eyes, recited it softly, and then her eyes brightened.

"A fine poem, and great insight!"

"Sigh!"

Liuli was just about to praise him, thinking that if Ning Lang had such insight, were he to enter the Buddha Gate, his achievements would surely not be inferior to her own.

But immediately, she could only sigh.

In a trance.

She suddenly remembered.

Originally, she had felt that this fellow Ning Mu had profound Buddha-nature and wanted to pull him out of the mud of this mortal world, letting him take refuge in the Buddha Gate with her.

But she had not expected.

Several months had passed.

Not only had she failed to shake his resolve.

She had instead been dragged into the water by this fellow...

Thinking about it carefully, Liuli suddenly felt it was absurd.

Yet all of this had happened so logically; for no reason at all, she had gained a system that was like the will of the Heavenly Dao.

In such a short time, it had taken her, a person of profound Buddha-nature and pure senses.

And transformed her into a woman greedy for pleasure.

Who was whose karmic obstacle! Liuli shook her head secretly, cast aside this thought, then tilted her head slightly to look at Ning Mu's handsome profile, her face flushed, her eyes flickering, and she said softly, "Ning Lang, do not call me Reverend in the future; since it has already come to this... would it not be too distant?"

"Furthermore, if this matter spreads, I fear I will have my ordination certificate revoked, be forced to return to secular life, and have to leave the Buddha Gate and my master, sigh..."

Speaking of this, Liuli could not help but let her gaze dim.

Decades of master-disciple affection, she feared it would all be severed in a single day! A mere few months had changed all of this, and even changed her life.

At this moment, Liuli could not describe the emotions in her heart.

"Ning Lang... I want to be alone for a while!"

Liuli shook her head and left Ning Mu's embrace.

Ning Mu understood that her heart must be finding it incredibly difficult to let go at this moment.

After all, twenty or thirty years of kindness.

It would not be an exaggeration to say the kindness was greater than the heavens! Yet now, because of him, all of it would have to be severed in the near future; there must be much reluctance in her heart!

"Alright! If you need anything, call me anytime; I will be right here."

Ning Mu nodded and let her go.

Liuli's expression was complex; she glanced at Ning Mu, nodded gently, and then turned with a heavy heart to go up to the third floor.

After Liuli left.

Ning Mu could not help but sigh.

Then he shook his head, sat on a bamboo chair nearby, and closed his eyes to rest.

In reality.

He was opening the system to take a look.

Xia Lu Zhu Xitong

Name: Ning Mu

Age: 18 years old

Gender: Male Height: 181 Cultivation Points: Inner Profound Realm (892/5108) + Martial Arts: Earth-Tier · Ten Thousand Army Defending Spear Art (Entry 105/1000) +, Earth-Tier · Proud Frost Saber Technique (Minor Success 0/400) +, Earth-Tier Movement Technique · Floating Mystery Steps (Minor Success 21/400) +, Earth-Tier Spear Technique · Prajna Spear Technique (Minor Success 21/400) +, Secret Technique · Secret Technique: Hidden Mystery Hand (Beginner 155/500) +, Earth-Tier Supreme Internal Art · Blood Origin Demon Art: (Beginner 0/100) + Cultivation Points: 1500 Warehouse: Wind Snow Cold Crow (Wuji · Saber Type · Earth-Tier) X1, Premium Potato Seeds *2000 jin, Great Luo Dharma Mantra,

Xia Lu Black Market: Opened

He glanced at the historical notification messages.

Last night, while killing with the Wanjun Shendang Spear Art, the proficiency increased rapidly.

Practicing once only gave 1 point, or sometimes none.

But the bandits who actually died under his spear last night were only a few, yet it directly increased his proficiency by over a hundred!

This was also his first real combat. Experiencing the thrill of killing with his own hands, it could not be denied that there was a surge deep in his heart, and if not suppressed, he would even want to continue killing crazily.

Human nature is just like this.

When one's own strength surpasses the vast majority of people and one has the ability to dominate the life and death of others.

Killing is also a kind of pleasure! Ning Mu shook his head, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and opened the Black Market mall.

Black Obsidian Crystal: Price: 500 Cultivation Points, a crystal of pure yin and yang, can be ground into powder, and after filtering, refined to potentially yield miraculous effects.

This item is the very thing that can thoroughly cure the Demon Seed Blood Lotus within Ning Xiaoxiu's body.

Of course, according to the method given by Liuli Shitai.

Every time it is taken, one must also cooperate with one's own efforts.

After all.

It must be swallowed simultaneously with Yang essence to successfully suppress the Demon Seed Blood Lotus! Consuming 500 Cultivation Points to redeem it, Ning Mu added the remaining 1000 Cultivation Points entirely to his cultivation.

Cultivation: Inner Profound Realm (1892/5108)

From the Inner Profound Realm to the Sitting Reflection Realm Grandmaster, more than 3000 points are still needed.

Whew.

Ning Mu took a deep breath, pondering on continuing to issue tasks to increase his cultivation.

If it were before, his passion for cultivation would not have been so intense.

But after the first battle last night, he urgently wanted to become stronger! That thrill of battle formations, slaughter, and deciding the life and death of enemies.

Was much more joyful than clapping for love with the women by his side! However, it cannot be summed up in one word.

After all, these two kinds of joy are not mutually exclusive.

Next.

Ning Mu cast his gaze toward the Number Two Sub-System.

Binding Companion Number Two Sub-System Target: Liuli (Feng Xiangling)

Age: 30 years old

Gender: Female (Natural Charm Bone) Height: 168 Temperament: 96 Size: 36D Loyalty: 93% (Adoration) Cultivation: Sitting Reflection Realm · Desperate Situation 【Half-step Divine Origin】 (52999/51200) + Martial Arts: Heaven-Tier · Heavenly Drum Thunder Sound Mantra (Great Success) +, Heaven-Tier · Kasaya Demon Subduing Art (Great Success) +, Earth-Tier · Bodhidharma Martial Scroll (Consummation) +, Earth-Tier Movement Technique · Wind Catching Style (Consummation) +……

Current Task: Task One Binding Companion: Ning Mu

Cultivation Points: 55999 Heroic Couple Points: 3550 Warehouse: 【Nine-Turn Divine Origin Pill Fragment*0.5】*19, Phoenix Spirit Mysterious Quality Leather Whisk, Heaven-Tier Supreme Grade Secret Manual · Vajra Demon Art*1……

Xia Lu Black Market: Opened

Operation Record: At the beginning of the Mao hour, extracted "Heaven-Tier Supreme Grade Secret Manual · Zen Demon Heaven Mixing" and learned it……

Seeing the operation record, Ning Mu could not help but be stunned.

Isn't this right now? Ning Mu could not help but raise his head and glance at the staircase leading to the third floor.

This Liuli Shitai, perhaps until now, has not yet completely accepted the existence of the system.

Looking at her Cultivation Points and Heroic Couple Points, one can tell that they haven't moved at all.

With 1 more 【Nine-Turn Divine Origin Pill Fragment*0.5】 missing, Liuli can completely gather the fragments and step into the Divine Origin! But right now, Ning Mu is more urgent about.

The Sub-system No. 3 that is ownerless.

He has already determined the candidate for Sub-system No. 3.

Currently available for him to choose from.

There is the Chief of the Three Mountains and Four Ridges, Stronghold Master of Yunxiao Stronghold, Zhu Yaluan.

Disciple of Jixia Academy, daughter of the Prefect of Yonghang Prefecture, Pi Yalu.

And then there is that Instructor Libation in Jixia Academy, Disciple of the Master, Wei Youqing! After careful consideration.

Ning Mu finally decided to award this sub-system to Wei Youqing.

After all, this person has an extraordinary background; although her strength is relatively weaker, the power behind her is strong enough! As long as she is gathered in, or even subdued.

It can almost be said that Ningyang Stronghold will have a backer like Jixia Academy to rely on from now on.

The man of a Disciple of the Master.

Isn't this much more fun than going to be a student for the Master?

Although in the event of a major incident, Jixia Academy cannot truly come forward for him, but with Wei Youqing as a tiger skin to pull, some worldly riffraff and greenwood thieves should also weigh whether they have the strength to provoke Ningyang Stronghold! As for Zhu Yaluan, if Wei Youqing had not appeared, she would have been a suitable candidate for Sub-system No. 3.

But thinking about it carefully, her background and strength are, after all, quite a bit worse than Wei Youqing's.

Furthermore, he can issue tasks to Liu Qingmei to control her.

With sub-systems being so scarce right now, there is no need to waste one specifically for her.

【Prompt: Sub-system No. 3 (C) is in application, which person does the Host wish to bind?】

【Prompt: The Host only needs to imagine the voice and appearance of the target Xia Lu in their mind, and the system will issue a forced binding command.】

Still the exact same formula.

A curve appeared on the corner of Ning Mu's mouth, and then he imagined Wei Youqing's scholarly and elegant appearance in his mind.

Not long after.

The system sent back feedback.

【Prompt: Binding target detected, the system has visualized the binding target in 3D, does the Host confirm it is correct!】

Next.

Then he saw Wei Youqing's appearance appear on the system light screen.

【Correct!】

【Prompt: Binding in progress, please wait……】

Ning Mu waited patiently.

A moment later.

【Prompt: Sub-system No. 3 (C) binding successful, binding Xia Lu target: Wei Youqing, legitimate daughter of the Wei family of Xu Yang Prefecture, Disciple of the Master of Jixia Academy, the Host may issue tasks immediately!】

Ning Mu raised his eyebrows, stroking his chin as he thought.

Immediately, his eyes shining slightly, he issued the task.

……

At the same time.

Behind the mountain, in a solitary residential house.

Having just taken off her clothes to change into a clean set, Wei Youqing, who was reading a book while washing clothes in the courtyard, suddenly froze in her expression.

Reading was actually just a boring pastime while doing laundry.

It had been a habit cultivated for many years.

She had once asked her teacher, what is cultivation, and is reading a form of cultivation? How does one choose between freedom and cultivation? The teacher said: The answer is on the road, freedom is in the wind; read whichever page the wind blows to, and tear out whichever page is hard to understand.

Although she did not quite understand the teacher's artistic conception.

She had gradually developed this habit of letting the wind blow the pages of her book.

Of course.

The classics of the Confucian Sect were precious, and she could not bear to tear them.

"What is this!"

Throwing the clothes into the basin, Wei Youqing's expression was grave and tense.

Suddenly.

She stood up with a start, her gaze, filled with gravity, looking toward the direction of the main hall.

Listening to the voice ringing in her mind, and seeing the blue light screen that had intruded into her vision, she could not help but knit her brows tightly.

【Congratulations to the Host for being chosen by the Heavens to become the host of this system. This Xia Lu System aims to promote the affection and strength of both Xia Lu, so that you may soar together and live carefree in this world!】

【Selecting Binding Companion target...】

【Selection complete! Your fated celestial couple is: Ning Mu!】

【Hint: Life and death, separation and meeting, I have made a vow with you. To hold your hand, and grow old with you.】

【Hint: Except for task requirements, you must not pose any threat to your Binding Companion target Ning Mu, including but not limited to physical harm, internal energy harm, Cultivation Points harm, mental harm, emotional pressure, etc.!】

A system?

Wei Youqing merely frowned.

What kind of thing is this, and why would it appear in her consciousness?

Could it be that she was too tired last night and had hallucinations? Wei Youqing could not help but shake her head, using her Cultivation Points to dispel the fatigue in her body, and then opened her eyes again.

This time.

She discovered that the light screen before her had changed.

Xia Lu System Binding Host: Wei Youqing Age: 18

Cultivation Points: Inner Profound Realm (31111/32000) + Martial Arts: Earth-Tier · Inner Contemplation Nourishing Qi Technique (Great Success) +, Earth-Tier · Shangyang Taiyin Finger (Great Success) +, Heaven-Tier Low-Grade · Flower-Folding Moon-Gazing Sword Formula (Great Success) +, Earth-Tier Movement Technique · Flying White Light Goose Movement Technique (Great Success) +, Earth-Tier · Golden House Manual (Minor Success) Current Task: Task One 【Please use mental control to click and view】 Binding Companion: Ning Mu

Strategy Value: 0 (After completing tasks, you can obtain varying amounts of Strategy Value. The level of Strategy Value affects the reward after task completion, determined by the favorability of the Xia Lu target Ning Mu toward the Host. Causing Ning Mu's aversion will lower the Strategy Value!)

Cultivation Points: 0 (After completing tasks, you obtain Cultivation Points, which can be added directly to increase your Cultivation Points!)

Heroic Couple Points: 0 (After completing tasks, you obtain Heroic Couple Points, which can be used to purchase various items in the Couple Black Market!)

Couple Black Market: Opened

Warehouse: No items yet

Hmm? Wei Youqing was stunned for a moment, and immediately after, her eyes were filled with shock and terror! Her various pieces of information, and even her Cultivation Points and the Martial Arts she had mastered, were all listed in detail on this interface, even quantified with numerical values!

What on earth is this?

Why is it so miraculous!

And after carefully reading the various information on the system's personal character interface, she had a rough understanding in her heart.

Although she did not know what this was.

But as someone who had always been quick to accept new things, she understood it at the first moment.

This so-called system had bound Ning Mu, the Stronghold Master Ning, as her Xia Lu.

And she only needed to complete various tasks to obtain Cultivation Points, Heroic Couple Points, and even Strategy Value.

And using the various points rewarded by tasks, she could increase her own cultivation strength! There is such a good thing? Wei Youqing's eyes lit up.

Immediately.

Following the system's operational guidance prompts, she used her mental control to click on "Task One" that appeared in the task list.

But after reading the details of Task One in its entirety, her brows immediately furrowed slightly.

In her eyes, a wisp of mist also unconsciously emerged.

She could no longer smile.

This system had bound Ning Mu, but the content of this task... was also aimed at the two of them, Ning Mu and herself, rather than anything else!

【Task One: Did you never anticipate that the person you are fated to hold hands with and grow old with would actually be the master of a small Mountain Stronghold? But life is just like this; coincidences and encounters are never shifted by personal willpower! Your meeting and your bond were already fated and unchangeable from the day you left the Academy and headed south to Yonghang! Since it is fated to be so, then go and face it bravely, or even welcome his arrival!】

(End of this chapter)