Du Xinghe fell into a prolonged silence.
【Host, please receive the newbie gift pack.】
The system reminded her again.
Holding onto a sliver of hope, she said, “Receive.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, a bundle dropped out of thin air in front of Du Xinghe.
She opened the bundle to find a complete set of pearl hair accessories, a full set of rouge and cosmetics, and a mysterious elixir pill.
Du Xinghe’s heart leaped with joy: “A Foundation Establishment Pill?”
The Foundation Establishment Pill was indispensable for the majority of cultivators during their foundation establishment. Due to scarce materials and the high cost of training alchemists, it was tightly controlled by the three major sects and the immortal dynasty, making it extremely precious for ordinary cultivators. However, her three former senior brothers had already successfully established their foundations. The last pill at Yuanming Zunzhe’s place was originally reserved for her, with the promise that it would be given to her once she broke through to the tenth level of Qi Refinement.
The Foundation Establishment Pill in the jade box had been the original owner’s motivation to cultivate diligently.
Unfortunately, just as she was about to reach the tenth level of Qi Refinement, Yuanming Zunzhe’s statement, “Priority for foundation establishment goes to the Heavenly Spirit Root,” resulted in that Foundation Establishment Pill being handed to Ming Zhi.
Du Xinghe reached out to take it, and item information immediately appeared beside the pill.
【Warm Passion Pill: Awakens the user’s primal instincts, igniting passion like thunder striking the earth, stimulating the body’s potential to do what one most desires, staying awake all night!】
Du Xinghe: …
What nonsense is this?
The system continued its introduction: 【Additionally, a monthly benefit, “Glimpse the Emperor’s Shadow,” is available, guaranteeing a sight of the imperial visage and giving you an intelligence advantage over the entire harem.】
“System, this is a cultivation world. People can ride swords and fly to the heavens, yet you’re still stuck scheming in the depths of the imperial harem? Is this the extent of your ambition?”
【…】
“Living in the harem, dependent on others’ whims, and you call that invincible? Is this some kind of psychological victory?”
【…】
“Speak!”
After a long period of lagging, the system finally made a sound again: 【After verification, the assigned plane is correct. Once bound, the host cannot be changed. Please be adaptable—you can also strive for favor and rise to the top in the cultivation world, surpassing all women in the realm of cultivation.】
Du Xinghe nearly laughed in frustration.
Even if she racked her brains, she never imagined there could be such a ridiculously terrible system!
It could revive the dead and allow her to possess another’s body, yet it was fixated on that tiny plot of land in the emperor’s backyard. She slumped to the ground, sweeping her hair back, and thought to herself that she had truly been duped this time: “I thought with the system’s help, opportunities would come easily. I even boasted to the chief steward about forming a Golden Core within ten years…”
She thought she was making a bold move, but the system had delivered a pile of garbage.
【Host will be conferred as a concubine in three years, become a noble consort in five, and contend for the empress’s position within ten years!】
Du Xinghe nearly suffered internal injuries from fury.
Clearly, this was a cultivation world, yet the system was obsessively stuck on imperial harem intrigue.
Pressing further only led the system to tell her to be adaptable.
Adaptable…
Du Xinghe’s fists clenched and then relaxed. In the end, her brows smoothed out:
“You’re right. I can rise to the top in the cultivation world too.”
“I will stand above everyone else.”
…
After making her bold declaration, she still needed to find a place to stay.
Below the Cliff of Inquiry lay a scattering of villages and towns.
The nearest cultivation market was mostly frequented by cultivators, with goods sold catering to their needs.
But Du Xinghe took a detour and went to Washing Stone Lane, where ordinary mortals gathered.
“This set of pearl hair accessories is of exceptional quality. Are you truly willing to part with it, Immortal?”
The jewelry shop owner asked in surprise.
“I no longer have any use for it. It’s better to exchange it for some travel funds.”
The shop was filled with a dazzling array of hairpins and hair ornaments. A bronze mirror reflected her figure—her long hair tied up without a single piece of jewelry adorning her. Sunlight streamed into the shop, casting an ethereal golden halo around her.
“Please take care of this, Immortal.”
After counting the items face-to-face, the shopkeeper handed Du Xinghe a bulging money pouch.
After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, one could absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth as nourishment. But since she had yet to break through, she first needed to solve the problems of food and shelter. The jewelry was just right for exchanging into money. She settled into an upper room at an inn in the market district, washed up, changed into clean clothes, and swallowed the Warm Passion Pill!
The system issued a warning: 【The recommended time to take the Warm Passion Pill is when climbing into bed to serve the emperor, to awaken primal desires.】
Du Xinghe: “I don’t accept your suggestion.”
Sildenafil tablets were labeled as aphrodisiacs, but they were originally meant to accelerate blood circulation and treat cardiovascular diseases. So, if she ignored the alarming name “Warm Passion Pill” that set off censorship alarms, why couldn’t its miraculous effects be used for cultivation?
Moments after taking the pill, a wave of warmth swept through her body, igniting from her dantian.
She recited the Tranquil Heart Incantation, transforming this strange energy that urged her meridians into her own use. She adjusted her minor celestial cycle, circulating it throughout her body, as if a strict master were guiding her spiritual power, allowing not a moment of slack!
The system issued a second warning: 【Please find a way to make the emperor take the pill. It is not recommended for the host to take the Warm Passion Pill while single.】
Du Xinghe closed her eyes and chanted:
“If I don’t cultivate diligently, I’ll have to serve the emperor; if I don’t cultivate diligently, I’ll have to serve the emperor; if I don’t cultivate diligently, I’ll have to serve the emperor…”
Her meridians were opened by the power of the Warm Passion Pill, allowing spiritual energy to flow unimpeded to her limbs and bones.
It was said that cultivation was about seeking the Dao and understanding the heart.
But in a mature world of cultivation, countless elixir pills, magical treasures, and techniques had long evolved to aid in cultivation. Those direct disciples not only started far ahead of rogue cultivators but also put in no less effort. Now that Du Xinghe no longer had the support of the Nine Sun Sect, she would try any power she could utilize, even if it meant taking an unconventional or risky path, and she would not waste a single bit!
Fortunately, her gamble paid off.
She became like a vortex, drawing in the sparse spiritual energy around her and naturally integrating it into her internal qi circulation. The warm current repaired the hidden injuries in her body, cleansed her spiritual roots, and filled her qi sea to the brim.
Du Xinghe was secretly astonished.
Because, according to the original use of the Warm Passion Pill, it was meant for the emperor to take!
Wouldn’t all the benefits then fall to the emperor?
No wonder in some ancient romance novels, after the female lead served the emperor, he had endless energy and felt refreshed and invigorated.
But now, all the benefits were hers.
After exhausting the effective duration of the Warm Passion Pill, she had just completed her celestial cycle circulation. Du Xinghe let out a long sigh of relief.
“Taking one Warm Passion Pill for cultivation just now has already pushed me to the peak of Qi Refining.”
“If I’m not mistaken, as long as I take it again in a place abundant with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, it can help me achieve Foundation Establishment!”
With that, she stood up and asked the inn attendant for a bucket of hot water, washing away all the impurities expelled during her cultivation. Her already striking appearance became even more radiant, like a piece of jade nourished by spiritual energy, flawless and natural. At the edges of her pupils beneath her dark lashes, a golden light had formed.
When refining qi to its peak, the condensed spiritual energy would manifest in one’s appearance, a phenomenon known as the Unusual Appearance, which would disappear after Foundation Establishment.
The more pronounced the unusual color, the closer one was to the peak.
The golden patterns in Du Xinghe’s pupils at this moment were so vivid and bright, as if painted by an immortal’s brush.
…
After resting for two days at the inn in Washing Stone Town, Du Xinghe finally awaited the departure day of the Flying Ship.
Most secret realm entrances were controlled by sects, inaccessible to outsiders. Only the Glow-Grade secret realm in the Snow Mountain Polar Region remained open for free entry. However, traveling from Washing Stone Town to the Snow Mountain Polar Region by foot or carriage would take six to seven years—efficiency demanded taking the Flying Ship.
The massive Flying Ship, modeled after the legendary Kun Peng, was constructed through the intricate combination of hundreds of formations, metals, and woods. Even without the slightest leakage of spiritual energy, its divine nature was evident. Countless cultivators crowded into the ship’s belly, and Du Xinghe naturally made her way to the lower deck.
All the spirit stones saved by the original host had been spent on this Flying Ship ticket.
And it was a standing ticket only.
Though only at the peak of Qi Refining stage without having built a foundation, she was far stronger than any mortal—standing for several days would be effortless.
But Du Xinghe had no intention of standing for nothing.
She attempted to exploit the system once more, murmuring softly, “During my first greeting after entering the palace through the selection, I showed disrespect to the Empress and was punished by standing.”
Three days since her transmigration, she had been experimenting with the system’s functions.
The system mall was filled with dazzling treasures, yet she couldn’t afford a single one. The system didn’t force her to participate in imperial selections—it only repeatedly reminded her to actively engage in imperial harem intrigue. As long as she committed to the struggle, the system would provide corresponding assistance.
But how could she engage in harem intrigue without even entering the palace?
Two hours later, just as she was about to enter meditative trance, a mechanical voice echoed in her mind:
[Penalized by standing for two hours, points +5]
Du Xinghe’s eyes suddenly sparkled.
Just as she suspected—the system could be exploited through loopholes!
Now it appeared she could fully integrate “imperial harem intrigue” into her cultivation life!
No emperor, no empress, no imperial consorts.
She alone could constitute an entire imperial harem!
By reframing her own actions and surroundings as harem conflicts, she could earn corresponding reward points. Every single point would become her reliance for navigating the cultivation world.
During the journey to the Snow Mountain Polar Region, as the ship docked at successive stops, the lower deck gradually emptied, leaving vacant seats.
Most remaining cultivators gathered in groups of three to five, wearing similarly styled robes.
In this setting, Du Xinghe standing alone in the corner became particularly conspicuous.
“Look, isn’t that Senior Sister Du?”
A young male cultivator wearing robes embroidered with sun patterns noticed her and discussed with his companions.
“I’ve seen Senior Sister Du before—it’s definitely her!”
“Don’t call that waste ‘Senior Sister’ anymore! I thought her leaving the sect was just rumor, but it appears to be true. How foolish! If she hadn’t left the sect, why would she suffer like us, traveling all the way to the Snow Mountain Polar Region for a Glow-Grade secret realm?”
This world contained numerous naturally formed independent regions known as secret realms. These realms possessed denser spiritual energy than the outside world, making them ideal for cultivation while hosting countless Spirit Beasts and Spirit Herbs. They were categorized by danger level into Glow, Candle, Torch, Dawn, Radiance, Sunrise, and Zenith grades.
Among these, no mighty expert dared claim certainty in entering Zenith-Grade secret realms.
The Clear Heart Sect’s Transformation Spirit stage leader once entered a Zenith-Grade secret realm for fifteen minutes, emerging missing an arm. The severed stump was corrupted by dark energy—even after consuming a Saint-Grade Bone Regeneration Pill, the arm failed to regenerate, demonstrating the extreme peril of Zenith-Grade secret realms.
Interestingly, after breaking through to the Golden Core stage, one would be barred from entering the Glimmer-tier secret realms.
It was as if some mysterious force was screening trial-takers in the unseen workings of fate.
One could challenge realms above their level, but not bully the weak or farm low-level opponents.
On the Heart-Questioning Cliff of the Nine Sun Sect, there was a Glimmer-tier secret realm exclusively open to the sect’s inner disciples.
Now that Senior Sister Du had to abandon the near and seek the far, it confirmed her withdrawal from the sect.
Over the past six months, the original host had been ordered around by Junior Sister Ming Zhi using every means possible, with the master and senior brother abetting her tyranny. She had grown much thinner from the torment, her loose robes and wide sleeves making her figure appear even more frail. Seeing the once highly esteemed personal disciple of Yuanming Zunzhe reduced to such a state, the three of them couldn’t help but gloat.
“Meeting an old acquaintance, we should greet Fellow Daoist Xinghe.”
“Better not…”
“She’s already left the sect, why are you still afraid of her? Besides, before leaving, she was only at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Without her status as a fellow disciple, she should be the one showing respect to me!”
The leading male cultivator, Wei Yi, at the ninth level of Qi Refining, was particularly confident.
When he was three steps away from Du Xinghe, she coldly raised her eyes, her phoenix eyes sharp like golden hooks:
“Something the matter?”