ONE YEAR LATER
Max stretched lazily, cracking his neck as he walked through the Xiao Clan courtyard.
His system chimed beside him.
[ Host, one year has passed. ]
[ You have gotten lots of good cultiuvation techniques through Random trade, so what are you waiting for?]
[ Are you addicted to being normal now?]
"Damn right," Max muttered proudly. "I'm still a normal kid. No fancy Dou Qi, no flashy displays, no trouble."
He grinned.
But behind him, the elders whispered in relief:
"That Xiao Tian… he's not a genius after all."
"Good. I thought he would turn into some monstrous prodigy."
"Well, he is hardworking at least. Always running errands."
"Yes, yes. A diligent but untalented boy. Perfectly average."
Max smirked.
Perfect.
During this entire year, he had stayed at the very bottom, of course not on purpose.
He never cultivated.
He never circulated energy.
He never showed a hint of talent again.
Because he is waiting for an powerful Cultivation technique, in the Clan all are shit which he don't want to cultivate.
So, he is using the only System function availble to use in this world.
He used his Trade function three times every day.
Sometimes he traded a pebble for a wooden spoon.
Sometimes a leaf for a broken pot.
Sometimes a stick for a piece of chalk.
It was all junk.
But sometimes… sometimes…
He got weird things.
A shard of unknown crystal.
A metal piece humming with faint energy.
An ancient coin with a symbol no one recognized.
Each time, he just stored them in his inventory.
His sister scolded him daily.
"Why are you not cultivating, it is the reason you never enetered the Battle Disciple first stage"
The guards sighed every time he passed.
"Ah. The clan's problem child."
"At least he doesn't cause explosions anymore."
Max shrugged every time.
BUT TODAY… EVERYTHING CHANGED
As Max sat under a tree flicking a pebble into the air, his System suddenly flashed gold.
[ Ding! ]
[ Congratulations! Host has accumulated enough 'Trade Luck' and unlocked a rare result. ]
[ Host has obtained: Space and Time Battle Codex ]
[ Grade: Unknown ]
[ Allow the cultivation of Space and Time Dou Qi ]
Max froze mid-pebble toss.
"…Repeat that?"
[ Space and Time Battle Codex ]
[ A cultivation method said to be used by beings who stand above eras and rewrite history itself. ]
[ Capable of controlling: ]
– Space
– Time
– Causality
– Dimensional compression
– Temporal Dou Qi
[ Beginning the first level will instantly push the host beyond all local limitations. ]
Max stared at the glowing scroll in his hands.
"…So… I spent one year doing absolutely nothing…"
[ Correct. ]
"…Pretending to be weak…"
[ Correct. ]
"…Getting bullied by kids…"
[ Correct. ]
"…And trading leaves, sticks, rocks, and dead insects…"
[ Correct. ]
"…to finally get THIS?!"
[ Correct. ]
Max slowly, very slowly, stood up.
A grin spread across his face.
"Hehe… good. VERY good."
He looked around.
The courtyard was empty.
Quiet.
Perfect.
He took a deep breath.
"Alright… let's finally cultivate something."
The scroll dissolved into his body.
And instantly—
BOOM.
He learned everything written in the codex.
Sitting cross-legged, he began to cultivate. Thanks to the countless random items he had obtained over the year, his body's potential had become abnormally high. So the moment he started circulating energy…
Battle Disciple — First Stage…
Third Stage…
Ninth Stage…
Boom.
Battle Warrior — First Stage…
Second Stage…
Fifth Stage…
He finally stopped.
"Hahaha… it was worth it. In just one hour I reached this level. But now I can't rush, or my foundation will become shaky," he muttered.
He opened his inventory and pulled out another scroll.
"Heaven-Rank Technique: Nine Profound Mountain Refining," he read softly. "A method used to refine Dou Qi and create the strongest, most stable foundation — Like the nine profound mountains…"
"I really love how eastern worlds create such marvelous-sounding technique names," Max smiled as he began cultivating it.
—
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, his sister was searching for him yet again. She muttered under her breath, frustration clear in her voice:
"Why don't you understand, Xiao Tian… only by becoming stronger can you stay safe."
She climbed the familiar path toward the back forest, reaching the tall tree where he usually sat. She was just about to call out to him—when she stopped.
Her eyes widened.
She felt it. His aura.
"Impossible… Battle Warrior, Fifth Stage!?" she whispered, stunned.
She remembered clearly—just yesterday, her little brother was still stuck at the mortal stage, unable to break through even into 1st stage of the Battle Disciple.
"Was he hiding his strength?" she muttered, hand trembling slightly.
"At least… he isn't weak," she sighed with relief. "Good… good."
She turned around quickly, going back to her house to cook his favourite today.
She hurried through the courtyard, her steps faster than usual. A few clan members greeted her, but she barely heard them — her mind was still reeling.
How did he jump so far…? Overnight? No, even geniuses can't do that. Unless… unless he awakened something?
The thought made her chest tighten with a mix of excitement and worry.
If the elders find out… they'll push him even harder.
She shook her head.
"No," she muttered to herself, "I won't let them pressure him. Not until he's ready."
She pushed open the wooden door of their home and stepped into the small but warm kitchen. Sunlight filtered through the window, and she rolled up her sleeves with a determined sigh.
"Fine. I'll spoil him a little today."
She began preparing his favorite dish — a simple but hearty spicy beef stew. Vegetables chopped, broth simmering, steam rising.
As the aroma filled the kitchen, she smiled softly.
"He always eats this with that childish grin…"
—
Back in the forest, Max finally opened his eyes.
Golden light flashed behind them before fading away. His aura slowly calmed, sinking into his body like a quiet tide.
He exhaled long and slow.
"That… felt amazing."
His whole body hummed with power — steady, refined, and alive.
From near-zero cultivation to Battle Warrior Fifth Stage in an hour.
"Man," he grinned, stretching lazily, "BTTH cheats are the best."
The System chimed.
[ Congratulations host finally you are not useless ]
***
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