Ding!
"The gears of fate have officially begun to turn. System loading complete. Host, please receive your wishes."
"This is the Wish-Fulfilling System. The Host may make exactly ten distinct wishes. Once all ten are fulfilled, the System will enter permanent dormancy."
Beneath the towering, sun-bleached stone of the testing platform, Xiao Tian stood perfectly still. The cold, mechanical voice echoed directly inside his soul. For two and a half agonizing years, he had endured the slow crawl of time, waiting for this single moment, and to his ears, that emotionless voice sounded sweeter than the celestial chimes of heaven.
He wasted no time on hesitation. He had rehearsed this moment a thousand times, and he began stating his desires in his mind with absolute clarity.
System, record my ten wishes.
First Wish
Let the System grant me the complete, unbroken inheritance of Mo E, the Heaven Punishing Divine Emperor from Against the Gods.
The Heaven Punishing Sword Art — the origin of all sword arts, the strongest sword art of the Primordial Era.
My authority as the Heaven Punishing Divine Emperor shall stand above the Ancestral Dragon, the Sacred God, and every other divine existence. Where they create or destroy, I shall judge. Where they rule, I shall punish. I am the sword that cuts the heavens themselves."
Second Wish
Let the System grant me the complete, unbound legacy of the Primordial Azure Dragon — the Dragon God — from Against the Gods, restored to its absolute prime and merged perfectly with my body and soul.
This inheritance shall include:
Primordial Azure Dragon Bloodline — the original bloodline of the Dragon God, the strongest divine beast after the Four Creation Gods. It shall course through my veins, strengthening my body, meridians, bones, flesh, and skin until they are comparable to a True Dragon.
Dragon God's Marrow — marrow like an impregnable fortress, continuously generating new Dragon God blood, increasing my bloodline even while I sleep, and granting endless regeneration.
Dragon God's Soul — a soul vast as the starry sky, far surpassing human limits, granting immense mental strength and the attribute of the Dragon God.
The Primordial Azure Dragon was the head of all Divine Beasts and the leader of the Dragon God Clan. His legacy shall elevate my body, soul, and bloodline to the pinnacle of the Divine Beast hierarchy.
Third Wish
As the most powerful god, I must command the fundamental laws of heaven and earth. Therefore, grant me absolute control over the Ten Primordial Vein Laws: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Life, Death, Time, Space, and Devouring.
These ten veins shall become an inseparable part of my foundation, and their power shall grow in perfect proportion to my cultivation and strength. No being in existence shall ever control these Ten Laws more deeply or more completely than I. I am the absolute keeper of order and the supreme sovereign of the Ten Laws.
Fourth Wish
Grant me the supreme weapons.
The first is the Heaven-Punishing Ancestral Sword, the first sword of the Primordial Universe and the progenitor of all weapons, born from the pure essence of Punishment and Destruction. It has the power to destroy the Primal Chaos itself. With it comes the Heaven-Punishing Ancestral Sword Art, the most powerful and ancient sword art of the Primal Chaos. Through this sword, I can create and destroy worlds and hold authority over all the laws and order of the Primordial Universe.
The second is the Heaven-Slaying Sword, a supreme killing sword ranked, carrying the most terrifying killing intent between heaven and earth. It was not as powerful as the Heaven Punishing Sword but still extremely powerful.
Grant me the complete, unbound Sky Poison Pearl from Against the Gods — restored to its absolute prime and merged perfectly with my body and soul. This inheritance shall include Absolute Purification, the power to purify all things: any poison, curse, impurity, or corruption, and to refine materials, treasures, and even laws. It shall include Supreme Poison, the original toxicity of the Pearl restored to its peak, capable of slaying gods and devils alike, and it shall never deplete or weaken. It shall include the Infinite Inner Space, a limitless green world within the Pearl where time and reactions are frozen, serving as perfect storage and perfect sanctuary. It shall include Treasure Sensing, the ability to sense all nearby treasures, toxic herbs, and rare resources, guiding me with a flashing green light. I shall have Complete Immunity to all poisons, toxins, and impurities — what would kill gods shall nourish me. There shall be no backlash, no curse, no splitting or draining. The Pearl shall recognize me as its true master from the moment of birth. It shall merge with my left hand, leaving a green imprint that I can summon or hide at will.
Fifth Wish
Make it so that Elder Shennong never obtained the Life Spirit Flame, so that the flame remains unclaimed, and then give it to me. No one else shall possess the Life Spirit Flame.
Sixth Wish
Give me the complete legacy of the Yellow Spring Demon Saint of the Dou Qi Continent, including his cultivation method, his storage ring, and the Yellow Spring Stone Tablet.
Seventh Wish
Create a separate world linked to my soul. Unlike the miniature realms created by the Dou Emperors, this world shall be a true, independent reality with its own laws and powers. It shall expand and grow stronger along with me, a genuine parallel world under my absolute dominion.
Eighth Wish
Fuse me with the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning, currently slumbering in the depths of the Void Lightning Pool of the Void Dragon Clan, and make me its master. Within my separate world, create another Void Lightning Pool, permanently bound to me, so that I can summon and command its power at will. I also want the Black Demon Lightning and the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning.
Ninth Wish
Give me the Burning Heaven Spiritual Fire, the second-ranked Divine Flame of the Great Thousand World.
Tenth Wish
Give me the Great Desolate Divine Cauldron, the most powerful Divine Cauldron of the Great Thousand World.
The System paused, then replied softly:
"Wishes acknowledged. Your rewards are stored and may be claimed individually at your command."
The mental pressure dissolved, and Xiao Tian's awareness snapped smoothly back into the waking world.
High on the stone platform, the middle-aged examiner stared down at his register and called out across the testing ground with practiced indifference:
"Next: Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan let out a quiet, unsteady breath and stepped forward into the glaring morning sun. He reached out and pressed his palm flat against the chilled surface of the Magic Testing Stone Tablet. A faint, fragile light rippled through the black rock, barely illuminating the carved runes.
"Xiao Yan, Dou Qi, Three Segments! Rank: Low!"
A wave of smothered chuckles and subtle sneers flickered through the younger crowd below. Xiao Yan lowered his hand, and a self-mocking curl touched the corner of his lips. Yet when he turned and looked toward the shade of the ancient tree nearby, the bitter chill in his chest softened.
Xiao Tian stood there, leaning casually against the trunk, his golden eyes sharp as he swept his gaze across the crowd. Over the past three years, anyone who had dared to mock Xiao Yan too loudly had felt the bone-crushing weight of Xiao Tian's fists behind the training hall. Because of that unyielding shield, the whispers today were only hesitant mutters rather than open cruelty.
Xiao Yan stepped down with his head slightly lowered.
Xiao Tian caught his younger brother by the shoulder and gave it a firm, steadying squeeze. "Little Yan, lower your head to look at the road, not to hide your face. A true gem is not ruined by a little dust. Your three-year trial is almost over."
Xiao Yan met his brother's calm eyes and felt a spark of warmth in his chest. "I know, Brother Tian. Thank you."
"Next: Xiao Mei!"
A young girl with bright eyes and a sweet, charming face darted up the steps. She laid her small hand on the stone, and it lit up with a clear, vibrant glow.
"Xiao Mei, Dou Qi, Seven Segments! Rank: High!"
Xiao Mei skipped down the platform and went straight toward the trio beneath the tree. "Cousin Xiao Tian, Sister Xun'er, Cousin Xiao Yan!"
She gave Xiao Yan a genuine, encouraging smile before leaning in to chatter with Xun'er. In this life, thanks to Xiao Tian's watchful presence and stern warnings against snobbery, the younger generation of the clan had not abandoned Xiao Yan in his lowest days, and Xiao Mei was as affectionate toward him as she had been in childhood.
"Next: Xiao Xun'er!"
"Brother Xiao Tian, it is my turn," Xun'er murmured softly as she stepped out of the shade.
When her slender fingers touched the tablet, the black stone ignited. A brilliant, radiant glow burst outward and bathed the whole courtyard in golden light.
"Xiao Xun'er, Dou Qi, Nine Segments! Rank: High!"
Gasps of surprise rippled through the gathering. "Nine Segments at her age? Miss Xun'er's talent is simply frightening!"
Xun'er ignored the astonished stares and returned directly to Xiao Tian's side. He greeted her with a slow grin and a brief thumbs-up. "As expected of our Xun'er. Heaven blessed you with both beauty and unmatched talent."
A faint blush dusted Xun'er's cheeks, though a fond smile curved her lips.
"Next: Xiao Tian!"
Xiao Tian reached out and lightly brushed a stray strand of hair from Xun'er's forehead, then walked forward with unhurried grace. He climbed the stone steps and looked at the dark slate of the Magic Testing Stone Tablet with calm detachment.
He laid his hand flat against the cold surface.
Rumble!
The stone did not merely glow. It burst into a blinding, suffocating glare that forced the disciples in the front rows to shield their eyes. Four massive, sharp characters burned into its surface like molten gold:
Dou Practitioner: One Star!
Crack!
In the high pavilion, Clan Leader Xiao Zhan's hand tightened without his knowing and crushed his porcelain teacup into fine powder. Beside him, the three elders sprang from their seats, their eyes wide with shock as they stared at the stone in absolute disbelief.
The examiner swallowed hard, and his voice faltered as he announced, "Xiao... Xiao Tian... Dou Practitioner, One Star!"
The testing ground erupted into chaos.
"A real Dou Practitioner? He has not even reached fifteen!"
"He has already passed beyond the Dou Qi stages? What kind of monster is he?"
Xiao Ning stood frozen among the crowd, his knuckles white. "No way... this has to be a mistake..." he muttered.
Xiao Tian paid no attention to the uproar. He withdrew his hand, swept back his robe, and walked down the platform as casually as if he were taking a morning stroll. When he returned to Xun'er, he tilted his head with a slight smirk. "Surprised?"
Xun'er gave him a lingering look, her soft voice tinged with quiet awe. "Brother Xiao Tian... you hid it so well."
Nearby, Xiao Yan smiled warmly, proud of his brother, though a trace of melancholy remained in his eyes. He nodded quietly and turned toward the peaceful back hills to sort out his thoughts. Xiao Mei murmured a quick farewell and went off to practice, inspired by the high standard that had just been set before her.
Watching Xiao Yan's lonely back as he walked away, Xun'er whispered, "Brother Xiao Tian, Xiao Yan still seems heavy-hearted..."
"Let him be for a while," Xiao Tian said gently, taking her hand as they turned toward the quiet pathway of the estate. "Pain brews strength. It will not be long before his dragon spirit awakens once more."
They walked together in the shade of the willow trees, chatting softly until they reached the inner courtyard, where they parted ways toward their own quarters.
Back in his private courtyard, Xiao Tian shut the heavy wooden doors, slid the bolt into place, and sat cross-legged on his bed. He took a deep breath to settle his racing pulse and summoned the System interface in his mind.
Looking at the glowing icons that waited to be claimed, his eyes sparkled with sharp ambition.
"System... claim the First Wish and the Second Wish, and impart my cultivation method!"