(System.) Hinata called out silently in her heart.
[Ding! host, you actually still remember me? I thought you had drowned in your sister's sugar-coated bullets and had already been defeated by the kawaii little Hanabi.]
Hinata:...
What was wrong with her liking her cute younger sister?
[Speak, host, what do you want to do? As long as the points are sufficient, you can even shatter the Universe.]
Hinata's mouth twitched. It was still a Dongbei-style System. She went straight to the point.
(Is there any method in the shop to test for Spiritual Root, or something to implant a Spiritual Root?)
Hinata thought for a moment and added.
(I need a method that is safe, has no side effects, and provides relatively accurate results to see if Hanabi has the Aptitude to Cultivate. If not, help me see if there are ways to awaken a Spiritual Root or transplant one.)
[...] The System fell silent.
Hinata felt that if it had a face, it would definitely be staring at her with wide eyes right now.
[host...] The System's voice was somewhat uncertain.
[Are you saying you want to teach a native of this world? And a little one at that? Are you sure?? Did this System misunderstand? Aren't we here to correct the plot, earn points, and occasionally save someone to change the timeline? Why are you suddenly starting otherworldly Cultivation enlightenment education???]
Hinata rolled her eyes at the System internally.
(Why are you so rigid? Even in officialdom, there is the saying that when one person attains the Dao, their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. Besides, I am a Cultivator, not some young master from a certain novel. What's wrong with helping someone I care about? Could it be that your System level isn't high enough? Are you a trash-tier System? Are you incapable?)
Hinata unleashed a barrage of output at the System, throwing out three fatal questions to provoke it.
[...Hmph! Ridiculous! There is nothing this System cannot do! Tch, you are the host, so you make the calls. This System is just a small assistant; do whatever you want. However, a friendly reminder, host: cross-System teaching carries risks. Invest with caution! If you accidentally teach a Ninja with a completely different style, or create some kind of monster, and you can't beat it later, this System will not provide after-sales service!]
It grumbled while quickly filtering out the items Hinata needed.
[According to the host's requirements: safe, no side effects, young target age, Hyuga bloodline. The recommended options are as follows:]
[Clear Spirit Qi-Guiding Talisman (One-time consumable): Apply to the target's brow to gently guide the resonance of their potential energy, revealing the most basic energy affinity tendencies (vague indications of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, etc.), and provide a rough assessment of Soul strength and the initial state of Meridians.
Pros: Painless and imperceptible, like dreaming during a deep sleep.
Cons: Results are relatively vague; it can only determine whether there is an Aptitude for Cultivation and the general tendency, but cannot accurately determine the grade of the Spiritual Root. Exchange price: 800 points.]
[Innate Dao Essence Baptism: Not a direct test, but uses a gentle energy aura to wash over the target's body and Soul, continuously nourishing them. If the target has a Spiritual Root or extremely high potential for energy affinity, it will naturally manifest and be weakly stimulated during the baptism. If not, it can still strengthen the body, clarify the mind, and lay a good foundation.
Pros: No side effects, beneficial and harmless, with a side of testing.
Cons: The process is slow (requires several days of continuous effort), and it can only stimulate and manifest hidden Aptitudes, not bestow what wasn't originally there. Exchange price: 5000 points.]
[Artificial Spiritual Root: A black-tech product of the System, full of technology and hard work. After implantation, it can slowly integrate with the target's life energy and gradually guide them to perceive and absorb the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi of the corresponding attributes.
Pros: Can bestow Spiritual Root Aptitude post-natally, strong universality.
Cons: There may be slight rejection during the Fusion process, and the growth limit is restricted by the module quality.
Exchange price: 12000 points. Note: This is the lowest level five-element Spiritual Root, commonly known as a Pseudo-Spiritual Root or Impure Spiritual Root. If you want to exchange for higher-tier custom Spiritual Roots, Dao bodies, etc., the price increases exponentially and requires massive amounts of rare resources. It is not recommended to consider this at the current stage, as I am afraid of scaring you, so I will not display it here.]
"Five-element Impure Spiritual Root, huh..."
Hinata pondered silently.
That was fine too. As long as she could embark on the path of Cultivation, it was good. Moreover, the strength of a five-element Impure Spiritual Root depends on the situation. In some Cultivation worlds, a five-element Spiritual Root is considered Genius-level; as long as the environment and Cultivation Technique allow, it is also a top-tier Spiritual Root.
Seeing that Hinata was genuinely thinking about it, the System couldn't help but speak up.
[host, are you really going to do this? These points could be spent on pushing the main plot, or exchanging for items that might have a higher return on investment! Of course, if you insist on playing a younger sister raising game, this System can only tearfully earn these points from you! (╥﹏╥)]
Hinata ignored the System, having already made up her mind.
I want to play a younger sister raising game! I am the King of Galahad!
Having made up her mind, Hinata began to think, her gaze sweeping over these options.
Clear Spirit Qi-Guiding Talisman: Cheap, but the information is vague. Innate Dao Essence Baptism: Comprehensive effect but expensive and slow. Artificial Spiritual Root: Directly bestows Aptitude but is expensive, and an Impure Spiritual Root has a slightly slower cultivation speed.
She thought for a moment.
(Exchange for the 'Clear Spirit Qi-Guiding Talisman'.) Hinata made her decision. She would do a preliminary test first to confirm if Hanabi had any hidden Aptitude before deciding on the next step. Blindly implanting foreign objects was not the best strategy.
[Ding! Consumed 800 points, exchanged for Clear Spirit Qi-Guiding Talisman × 1]
The System's notification sound rang out with a subtle tone of "as expected, she still chose the cheap stuff."
[Does the host want this System to include the 'Common FAQs for Cultivation Beginners' as a gift? Friendly price, 999 points!]
(No need.) Hinata decisively rejected this profiteer. Even if guidance was needed, she, as an experienced person, would guide her personally; why would she need that stuff?
[Alright, alright.] The System seemed somewhat disappointed that it hadn't made a second deal.
[Then, I wish the host success in your Cultivation education career! If you need subsequent Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, Magic Treasures, Undergoing Tribulation services... remember to come to this System again! Large quantities get better prices, and bundles are discounted!]
The System's voice gradually faded.
[Oh, by the way, let me mention this: didn't the host notice that you didn't undergo the Lightning Tribulation for your Golden Core Stage? That was because this System helped you mask the heavenly secrets. However, the next time the host undergoes the Lightning Tribulation, the Lightning Tribulation will stack, oh~ This System has really taken great pains for the host's growth. Look, to repay this System, shouldn't you spend some more points? QAQ]
Hinata:...
She was wondering why something felt missing; it turned out she hadn't undergone the Lightning Tribulation and hadn't been struck by lightning.
(Didn't you fail to block it? It will just be added on when I undergo the Nascent Soul Tribulation. Maybe because of the Golden Core Lightning Tribulation you stacked, I might just get struck to death.)
Hinata replied calmly, not being morally blackmailed by it at all.
[...So?]
(So you should compensate me with points.)
System:...
[I have never seen such a shameless person!!]
(Well, today you have seen one~)
Hinata ignored the grumbling System and returned her attention to reality. The sunlight was still warm, the rocking chair swayed gently, and Hanabi was sleeping soundly in her arms.
In her hand appeared a Talisman made of a material that was neither gold nor jade, warm to the touch, with mysterious patterns outlined in pale silver runes.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked at Hanabi, who was lying on her chest.
(Let's try it when she wakes up.)
On her wrist, the little white phosphorus seemed to sense something, raised its little head to look, and then lazily lay back down.
Hinata adjusted her posture to let Hanabi sleep more securely, and then she closed her eyes again.
------------------------
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