Burning sensation.
It felt like his groin was about to burn away at any moment.
Chen Fang opened his eyes abruptly.
The first thing that came into view was an antique sandalwood beam, and a faint, low-quality incense drifted through the air.
What the hell is going on? Did jerking off too much set my dick on fire?
That was what he thought while struggling to sit up and looking around. But instead of the familiar setting of his room, what he found was an archaic chamber with carved wooden windows and an oversized, somewhat comical white robe on his body.
This wasn't his so-called luxurious rental apartment.
'I knew it. Jerking off to that new model was going to be problematic.' Chen Fang rubbed his temples, recalling the friction that had suddenly made his dick feel like it was on fire. At the same time, memories that weren't his flooded into his mind like a broken dam.
With that flood came a sharp pain. Chen Fang groaned, nearly fainting.
Blue Cloud Realm, Southern Chaos Domain, Cloud Pearl Sect.
According to the memories, Chen Fang's current identity was one of the eight elders of the Cloud Pearl Sect—the Peak Master of Sword Cloud Peak.
It sounded grand. However, contrary to that impression, Chen Fang's predecessor had been nothing more than a laughingstock of the sect.
The only reason he had been accepted was because his father had maintained a close relationship with the sect leader. After the father's death, the sect leader had brought the young man back to repay that friendship.
The original Chen Fang had possessed no great talent whatsoever. His cultivation speed had been more mediocre than even that of an outer disciple, yet thanks to the sect master he had somehow managed to reach this position.
The Sword Cloud Peak he managed was the most desolate and unwanted peak in the Cloud Pearl Sect. Even servants, let alone disciples, showed no interest in coming here.
'What kind of beginning is this?' Chen Fang couldn't help but question.
After another few minutes of absorbing his predecessor's memories, he also realized that despite being a so-called Elder of the sect, his current strength was only at the peak of the Physical Enhancement Realm. That meant even a newbie inner-sect disciple could kick his ass if they wanted to, and there would be nothing he could do about it except rub his nose on the ground.
'Why did I have to transmigrate like this?' Chen Fang lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and began to think about his future.
Though living this life could be hard, he could simply stay put and enjoy all the perks an Elder received without having to do anything. Or he could descend the mountain and lead a safe life among mortals.
'Who am I kidding? With this level of strength, I too am just a mortal.' Chen Fang felt despair and could see his future crumbling right before his eyes.
Just as he was about to panic like a maniac, a crisp dinging sound rang in his ears.
[Ding… Congratulations, host. You have awakened the Harem Relationship System.]
Chen Fang sat up straight once again, his eyes widening instantly.
'System?' His heartbeat began to rise uncontrollably, because he knew what this notification implied.
No matter how trashy a system might be, it would at least ensure its host's survival. Moreover, if the system turned out to be good, he would become strong as hell in no time.
But looking at the system's name, he instantly realized that his system was a little strange.
[Harem Relationship System]
[Host: Chen Fang]
[Identity: Peak Master of Sword Cloud Peak]
[Cultivation: Peak Physical Enhancement Realm]
[Cultivation Technique: Basic Qi Breathing Manual (Mortal Rank)]
Harem: None
[The system aims to assist the host in becoming the Harem King of the Heavens and Myriad Realms, master of a heaven-defying harem, and builder of the strongest harem.]
[Function: For every harem member the host successfully obtains, you can randomly obtain one talent bonus from that harem member! The more harem members, the stronger the talents.]
[As the Host bestows gifts upon a harem member, the system will trigger a high-multiplier critical return mechanism! The minimum return multiplier is two times, with no upper limit! The more precious the bestowed items, the higher the return quality and the greater the multiplier.]
Ding!
[You have received a novice gift package. Do you wish to open it?]
'Holy hell!' As Chen Fang carefully read the system's notifications one by one, he couldn't help but feel shocked.
Instead of accepting disciples or something of that nature, this system was asking him to build a harem, copy their talents, and, moreover, give them rewards so he could earn enormous returns as well.
"What are you waiting for? Open the gift package." Chen Fang almost yelled with excitement.
Ding!
[Congratulations, host, for obtaining:]
[1. Heavenly Dao Insight: With this insight, the host can see through bone roots, physiques, fortune, and hidden information in the world.]
[2. Basic Sword Technique, Basic Alchemy, and Basic Formation Explanation]
[3. Heavenly Dragon Size Increase with each realm advancement]
"Heavenly Dao Insight… isn't this the same technique I've read about in many novels?" Chen Fang muttered, then turned his attention around the room.
His gaze stopped on a potted plant placed in the corner.
[Item: Qi Condensing Grass (Mortal Level)]
[Age: 4 years]
[Status: Lacking in spiritual Qi condensation due to improper care]
'So this really is a passive technique, huh?' Chen Fang muttered. With this ability, more than half of his problems could be solved easily if things turned out that way.
Dismissing the panel, he looked around once more. Noticing a mirror in the room, he approached it and stopped right in front of it.
[Host: Chen Fang]
[Bone Root: Low Grade]
Chen Fang's mouth twitched in anger, but it wasn't as if he could do anything about it right now.
Moreover, with the system and the Heavenly Dao Insight skill, he was bound to overcome every ordeal that came his way.
By combining this skill with one of the system's harem functions, he was certain to receive great rewards. At the same time, he would obtain a good waifu who could fulfill all of his fantasies in this xianxia world where strength was everything.
"From today on, Chen Fang, instead of remaining a waste Elder or the laughingstock of the Cloud Pearl Sect, will rise again!" Chen Fang almost yelled.
Thud.
Chen Fang, who had been looking toward the ceiling while yelling, immediately looked down and noticed a young man sprawled on the ground.
For a second Chen Fang panicked. However, noticing that the young man was wearing the same style of robe as him, he calmed down and approached him. "You should watch your steps, disciple."
The disciple looked at Chen Fang as if he wanted to curse him, because the elder's sudden demonic laugh had been the reason he was on the ground.
But since he simply could not utter such words, he took a deep breath and finally got up. "Reporting to the Elder, my Master has invited the Elder to partake in the sect's grand competition in a month. All main peaks must send disciples to participate."
"Otherwise, according to the Sect Master's will, half of the monthly supply of resources of that peak will be cut."
"Sect Master's will?" Chen Fang asked, wondering whether that man wasn't supposed to be on his side.
At the same time, he realized that the Sect Master alone could not shield him forever and might have been pressured into doing this.
The disciple simply nodded while laughing inwardly, knowing that Sword Cloud Peak didn't have a single disciple. Partaking in the sect competition would therefore be quite a difficult task.
But Chen Fang's next outburst of laughter woke him from his thoughts.
"Disciple, which Cloud Peak do you belong to?" Chen Fang asked.
The time to choose his harem members had arrived earlier than he had expected.
"Lin Chen of Black Cloud Peak, Elder." The disciple replied.
"Alright then, Disciple Lin Chen. I want you to go to the mountain gate and spread a few words for me." Chen Fang said, placing his hand on Lin Chen's shoulder.
"Spread word? Exactly what kind of words are you talking about, Elder?" Lin Chen couldn't help but feel curious.
"Nothing much. Just spread the word that I, Chen Fang of Sword Cloud Peak, am accepting disciples today." Chen Fang said with a smile, then added, "Oh, and remember—if there are female disciples willing to accept, they are more than welcome."
Lin Chen, hearing every word, looked at Chen Fang with a bitter expression. "Elder, I do not wish to overstep my boundaries, but are you perhaps forgetting about Sword Cloud Peak's reputation? I'm afraid spreading the word alone might not do the trick."
"We'll see about that. Just spread the word that this Elder is willing to accept anyone who can cultivate. About their talent, this Elder does not care at all."
"In short, I want you to gather disciples who were ignored by others and called trash." Chen Fang said. Looking at Lin Chen's worried expression, he added, "Just do as I say," while putting slight pressure on his shoulder.
"Yes… Yes! Elder!" Lin Chen, though unable to comprehend the meaning behind the words, immediately left the hall, sneaking a look back every few steps and hoping the Elder would stop him upon realizing how stupid whatever he had just said sounded.
However, no such words were uttered by Chen Fang. With a smile, he returned to his bed, wondering what kind of beautiful harem members he was going to obtain.