9: The system is giving you a free Daoist partner.

Honestly, the New Cultivation Technique was extremely tempting to Hong Yu; after all, it was a Technique practiced by Core Formation Cultivators!

In this world, Techniques generally covered all Realms from low to high, but different Techniques had different upper limits for cultivation.

The Body Tempering Art he practiced was a fairly common, low-grade Technique. Hong Yu's knowledge of immortal cultivation was quite shallow; besides bitterly practicing the Body Tempering Art, he spent his time desperately completing tasks to activate the System. Even so, he knew the upper limit of the Body Tempering Art was only the Peak of the Qi Refining Stage. Why not take this chance to switch to the New Cultivation Technique?

Moreover, in Hong Yu's understanding, cultivation during the Qi Refining Stage was mostly the same. Different Techniques only differed in the speed at which they attracted Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. The higher the Rank of the Technique, the faster it attracted Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and circulated the spiritual energy within the body.

With plenty of Medicinal Pills on hand, he might as well switch. At this thought, Hong Yu gritted his teeth and directly chose the New Cultivation Technique.

"System, choose 'Not Yet Named Technique', intelligent cultivation, start management!"

With Hong Yu's command, the System quickly began to operate.

"The fully automatic managed idle cultivation system is starting up... Startup complete. Entering Intelligent Idle Mode. Friendly reminder: During the idle period, the Host will temporarily lose control of the body. Please do not worry; leave everything to the System."

His body was once again taken over by the System. Hong Yu watched as the System manipulated his body, eventually settling into a posture completely different from when he practiced the Body Tempering Art. The spiritual energy in his body also began to flow rapidly in a brand-new way.

"Ding! Detected that the Host is injured and requires a purple jade pill for healing. purple jade pill detected; now consuming."

Controlling his body, the System once again pulled a handful of Medicinal Pills from the porcelain bottle in front of him and stuffed them into his mouth without even looking.

Seeing this, Hong Yu's mouth twitched. So the healing Medicinal Pill he just took was called a purple jade pill. But the System's way of eating was a bit too fierce, wasn't it? Even a Yao Beast wouldn't take such a dose. Could this be a veterinarian System?

As his internal injuries quickly improved, the System finally entered the cultivation state.

Hong Yu observed nervously. This time, surely, the System... probably... maybe wouldn't have any more problems, right?

While he was sensing the circulation path of the New Cultivation Technique, the mechanical voice of the System suddenly rang in his mind again.

"Ding-dong! Detected that 'Not Yet Named Technique' is a Dual Cultivation Technique. A Dao Companion is required to continue cultivation."

"Scanning for Host's Dao Companion..."

"Detected that the Host currently has no Dao Companion. Gifting one to the Host for free."

Fuck! A Dao Companion can be gifted too?

This damn System is screwing me over again!

Hong Yu was truly terrified now. If anyone could see Hong Yu's current mood, it would be nothing but regret—pure, unadulterated regret.

Why did he have to be so impulsive as to practice a New Cultivation Technique? No, why did he keep believing in this retarded System time and time again!

Hong Yu watched helplessly as he opened the Immortal Cave door with extreme familiarity, then ran forward at a speed far exceeding his full-power sprint.

As he ran, Hong Yu realized... why does the route the System chose look so familiar?

It couldn't be... "You absolute moron! Are you plucking wool from the same sheep? Why are you heading towards the Laiyi Courtyard again?"

Hong Yu was horrified. Dao Companion, Laiyi Courtyard.

He knew that only one woman, Xu Jing, was currently staying in the Laiyi Courtyard!

Could the target the damn System chose to 'gift' him be her?

At this thought, Hong Yu's heart turned to ash. He cried out in his mind, "I'm dead for sure!" He only hoped that when Xu Jing struck later, she would be quick and not make him suffer too much.

Soon, the System controlled his body to arrive in front of the Laiyi Courtyard. It bypassed the Formation with ease and headed straight for the wing where Xu Jing was staying.

At this moment, Xu Jing, who was healing, also sensed someone approaching. When she saw Hong Yu pushing the door open and entering, her face turned grim, and she said in an icy tone, "Didn't I say no one is allowed to enter? How dare you!"

Once Hong Yu clearly saw that the person in front of him was indeed Xu Jing, he gave up completely. At this moment, he seemed to see the ghostly image of his great-grandmother before his eyes.

Although Hong Yu had given up, the System had not!

Xu Jing watched as Hong Yu's eyes were hollow and dark, yet his face was incredibly calm. He completely ignored her words and simply walked forward, pushing her down with one hand.

She was both shocked and furious. She originally intended to kill this insolent person, but as soon as she used the spiritual energy in her body, a sharp pain shot through her main acupoints. The spiritual energy she had managed to gather with great difficulty dissipated just like that.

"You thief, how dare you! If you leave now, I might still spare your life. Otherwise, this seat will surely skin you alive and grind your bones, ensuring you never find peace even in death," Xu Jing said through gritted teeth.

The System ignored her completely. It immediately moved forward and tore off Xu Jing's veil.

Holy crap, what's going on?

Hong Yu, who thought he would be slapped to death instantly, also noticed that Xu Jing's current state was very wrong.

Her white clothes were stained with blood, and her aura was weak; she was clearly heavily injured.

When he finally saw Xu Jing's true face beneath the veil, Hong Yu felt as if time had stood still. His mind went completely blank, and his eyes were filled only with that peerlessly beautiful face.

Beautiful!

Heart-stoppingly beautiful!

Hands like soft sprouts, skin like congealed fat.

Especially the cold aura she radiated, like a Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady who didn't eat the food of mortals, or a Moon Palace Fairy—aloof, holy, and high above.

The white dress was stained with spots of blood, as striking as red plum blossoms. In her injured state, she had an air of vulnerability that made her seem less unapproachable and untouchable.

Her face was soul-stirring. Although stained with a bit of blood, it only served to highlight the flawless whiteness of her skin. Her eyebrows were curved, possessing both feminine softness and a hint of heroism. Her Phoenix eyes were wide, making her already large and bright eyes appear even more moving. Especially her long eyelashes, which curled slightly upward, and the beauty mark beneath them, which made her eyes even more alluring.

Her nose was elegant and high, her cherry lips naturally red and luscious. Chen Yu and Wild Goose Descending could hardly describe her matchless features; Shaming the Moon and Hiding the Flowers could hardly describe her peerless beauty.

Hong Yu swore he had never seen such a beautiful woman in his two lifetimes.

The System controlled Hong Yu's body, its movements never stopping for a second, and the mechanical voice rang in his head again.

"Ding! Dao Companion gifting complete. Automatic management will now continue."

Amidst the cries and angry curses of the woman beneath him, the room was filled with the atmosphere of spring.

Xu Jing's attitude slowly shifted from initial anger and madness to silence. She didn't understand where this kid at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining got the courage to do such a thing to her, but since it had already happened, what should she do next?

One small comfort was that as Hong Yu continued his actions, the spiritual energy circulation path in her body changed into a brand-new mode, and her injuries were actually healing rapidly.

Why did the Technique this person mastered feel strangely familiar?