*But there's something you need to know — due to the host's poor cultivation realm, I can access it without fully exposing myself. Keep this in mind: this cultivation manual is graded above Immortal Emperor.*
*That sounds powerful, I think. But why is it that I don't remember learning this manual at all?* Puzzled — how could the System have a record of something I'd never learned?
*Not your fault. I believe it was forcibly ingrained into your memory by the clan itself. And remember, this manual has a thousand wonderful uses, and it's efficient besides.* Full seriousness in its tone.
*I don't mind, so long as it's useful and powerful. I'm fine with it.* I lost interest in the conversation as I reached the small lake that served as my bathtub — indoors, somehow, on a scale that made no sense until I remembered I wasn't entirely human anymore. I was, on some level, a dragon. Scale apparently came standard.
*System, I believe I should be able to transform into a dragon form, since that's basically what I am,* I said, while Mei helped me out of my outer garments, leaving the inner layer on. I sent her out of the room to give myself some space; she bowed politely and closed the door behind her.
*Not yet. Due to the grade and uniqueness of your bloodline, you won't be able to transform until you reach Nascent Soul.*
"Fine. But I hope it'll be impressive when it happens, because it'll be a real embarrassment if I turn out to be some ugly dragon. I don't think my poor soul could survive that shame." I stepped into the lake-sized tub, and the water smelled expensive in a way I couldn't quite place — clean, faintly floral, refreshing against my skin.
*You'll find out whether you're ugly or not when you transform,* it said, with something like anticipation in its tone.
"Whatever," I said, closing my eyes and letting the water do its work.
After the bath and getting dressed — not worth detailing — I made my way to a small lake with Mei beside me, carrying a few plates of fruit that looked good enough not to question further. The lake sat past a stretch of manicured garden, the water so still it looked painted rather than real, koi and silverfin drifting beneath the surface in slow, unbothered loops. I settled into a chair near the bank with a fishing rod in hand, doing my best impression of the ancient, mysterious sages I remembered from novels back on Earth. Not every day you get transmigrated into another world — might as well look the part, even if I didn't miss my old one much.
"Mei," I said, eyes on the water, "tell me what's happening in the clan. And in the world, while you're at it."
"Well, Young Master, a lot's been going on. Like how Sister Chuo's been sneaking around after Chef Mang because she likes him, though it hasn't worked out for her, and also—"
"I didn't ask for servant gossip," I cut her off, watching her expression shift into something sheepish. This maid had more gossip in her than half the court, apparently. "I mean the real news. Rumors in the clan. Rumors in the world."
"Okay, Young Master." She hesitated, glancing at me sideways from a careful distance — my reputation for coldness clearly wasn't just a rumor anymore, even to her. "What's spreading in the clan right now is about Princess Xue of the Phoenix Empire, and you. Though I don't think you'll enjoy hearing it."
That got my attention. *What are these servants gossiping about now — and can immortal beings who live for thousands of years really have nothing better to do with all that time than talk? This is going to be a headache.* Keeping my face flat, I said, "What is it, exactly, that they're saying?"
"It's... nothing much." She was almost whispering now, eyes fixed somewhere near my shoulder rather than my face. "They're saying you're not man enough anymore. That your heart's gone cold — and so has everything else — and that you wouldn't even recognize a free pie if someone handed it to you on a plate."
My eyebrow twitched, hard enough that I felt it. The fishing rod in my hand dipped an inch toward the water before I caught it. For one full second I genuinely couldn't decide whether to laugh, be furious, or simply sink into the lake and let the koi finish me off. *A free pie. They're calling it a free pie. Out of everything they could have gossiped about — the bloodline, the Spine, the prophecy — this is what the entire clan has decided is worth whispering about.*
"So that's what they're saying." I kept my voice level through sheer force of will, though my jaw had gone tight enough to ache. "Do they understand the first thing about strategy? About restraint? About the fact that some of us are playing a longer game than 'free pie'?"
She giggled — actually giggled, hand half-raised to cover it, not quite succeeding.
"What's funny?" My tone came out sharper than I meant it to.
"Nothing, Young Master." Her mouth was still fighting a smile. "Though you should also know — some forces are now aware of your existence, and there are schemes being arranged to eliminate you before rivalries can even take shape. And Elder Chen's been saying this era is the Golden Age — which, if the old sayings hold, means an Era of Desolation isn't far behind. Though you shouldn't worry about that. Just focus on your training, Young Master. You're the best, after all — aren't you?"
"Well." I let the ego settle in, warm and satisfying. "I won't deny it. Where else would you find a young master this handsome and this wealthy?" *This,* I thought, *is exactly why I like having a personal maid.*
I stood, giving up on the fish before my ego could take any more hits it didn't need. "As for my training with Elder Mo Xuan — it'll be at Long Suchen Peak." I started for the door, Mei falling in two steps behind me. "Wake me before dawn. I want to make a good impression on him."
"Yes, Young Master. I'll see to it."