My System, My Wife Feng Aotian [Transmigration] - Chapter 21.1

Three tasks lined up side by side on the System interface, glowing brightly.

Indeed, tasks were the foundation of the System, guiding its direction forward.

03 spun in two circles, raised its matchstick-like body, and scattered countless silver-white flowers. The virtual blossoms drifted downward, then dissolved into stardust halfway down, vanishing into the air.

Feng Jue watched it with a smile. “You seem very happy.”

03 floated before Feng Jue, showering her face with flowers.

“Looks like you really are happy,” Feng Jue said.

“I don’t know,” 03 replied. “If this feeling is what you call ‘happy,’ then yes, I’m very happy.”

This time, it didn’t deny the emotion. Feng Jue reached out and caught a drifting silver flower, her voice slow. “Then you’re just lying to yourself—and to the System.”

The glowing virtual fragments dissolved the moment they touched Feng Jue’s palm, leaving no trace behind. Feng Jue withdrew her hand and said, “My standards are very high. Don’t blame me for being picky if I reject you.”

But you really are picky.

03 pulled out a panel displaying the names it had overheard at the restaurant, each one a renowned beauty of the era. Beside each name, 03 had meticulously noted verses praising their loveliness. Feng Jue read them with no discernible emotion.

It was like how 03, when annotating poetry, couldn’t grasp the tender sentiments hidden within the verses.

“The Host has said she doesn’t want weaklings; she’ll only marry a true powerhouse,” 03 stated. “I’ll work hard to find someone for the Host who meets your standards, aside from the Protagonist.”

Having witnessed 03’s modus operandi, Feng Jue feared the AI might one day urge her to pursue some venerable elder who had lived for millennia and was on the verge of ascension. She immediately added, “Even a powerhouse must be compatible with my temperament, share my interests, and be a kindred spirit who complements me…”

Feng Jue began expanding 03’s vocabulary.

******

A minute later, she took a sip of tea and continued, “Their appearance must complement mine. If they possess exceptional talent and ambition, even an unsuitable family background is acceptable. I can afford to support them.”

[03: Huh, let me summarize: “They can’t be weak.”]

[Feng Jue: Absolutely, they can’t be weak.]

[03: They must be strong.]

[Feng Jue: They must be strong.]

A thumbs-up appeared above 03’s head. Feng Jue chuckled and waved at 03.

Dismissed.

03 immediately retreated, flying back to its surveillance post to act as a camera. Xue Mengtao, one of those being observed, had gone to Lanyang Palace to feed the Fire Rock Jiao and hadn’t returned yet. Most of the restaurant’s customers had left, leaving only a few scattered patrons sipping tea or wine.

The bright moonlight bathed Lanyang City in silver-white radiance. In the distance, Celestial View Terrace shone brilliantly, its lights illuminating the night like daylight as figures moved about. Within the inner city, cultivators hurried along, rushing toward the elusive dream of immortality.

The silver-white System, draped in moonlight, hovered outside the guest rooms. Qi Condensation Stage cultivators needed sustenance and rest, and the rooms echoed with the rhythmic snoring of White Water Sect disciples.

Any further intrusion would trigger a warning.

03 turned to gaze at the inn where the Host was staying.

Phoenix’s Grand Arrival.

Is it because it’s Lanyang Palace’s property that the Host is so eager to whip and destroy without hesitation?

The floating System guessed, and an “X” appeared above its head, accompanied by a buzzing sound indicating a wrong answer.

If it’s Feng Jue, of course she’ll do whatever she wants, regardless of the reason.

The “X” above 03’s head turned into a checkmark, and it found the cleanest courtyard to settle in.

Work!

The System existed solely to work!

As the opening of the Chongshan Secret Realm approached, tensions in Lanyang City’s inner city suddenly escalated. News of the realm’s upgrade and reopening had spread throughout the Eastern Continent, and incidents of murder and robbery outside the city walls increased, all for a single Jade Token granting entry to the Chongshan Secret Realm.

Siyi, ever meticulous, personally visited Bai Fenghui before the situation grew tense. She rented a small courtyard for the White Water Sect disciples to reside and cultivate in, forbidding them from wandering the city streets lest they attract unwanted attention.

The White Water Sect disciples were initially thrilled to be staying in rooms brimming with spiritual energy. But when word spread that a single Jade Token for the Chongshan Secret Realm had soared in value to a hundred Upper-Grade Spirit Stones, they grew restless.

One Jade Token was worth a hundred upper-grade spirit stones. Thirty tokens meant three thousand spirit stones. The White Water Sect had only offered two thousand upper-grade spirit stones as compensation to Lanyang Palace, and it had already caused a great deal of pain for the entire sect.

“Master,” his disciple said, “why don’t you go back to Lanyang Palace and negotiate for a better deal? Three thousand upper-grade spirit stones could buy a high-grade Profound-level artifact!”

“If we hadn’t given up the Jade Tokens, where would Lanyang Palace have gotten so many Chongshan Secret Realm tokens? We’re not asking for much—just give us at least a third of what we brought out!”

The other disciples chimed in, “That’s right! Sect Master! Those are Golden Core Stage treasures from a Secret Realm! Even if we can’t use them, selling them would bring in a fortune in spirit stones!”

“Master, if we could get a third of the benefits, White Water Sect would definitely be able to outdo Lianshan Sect from now on!”

The disciples buzzed with excitement. Bai Fenghui listened quietly, a glint in his eye and a faint smile playing on his lips. “Actually,” he said, “I anticipated this situation long ago. I’ve been waiting for this moment!”

He had been the one to compensate Feng Jue before, but now…

*******

Bai Fenghui smiled faintly, the Jade Token clutched in his hand. With this, whatever he said would become truth. He chuckled confidently, dusted off his robes, and was about to head back to Lanyang Palace when a sudden commotion erupted outside. The room darkened as if a colossal shadow had blotted out the sky.

“What’s happening?” a disciple cried out in alarm.

03, perched on a tile, tilted his head back.

Whoa.

A massive Spirit Ship hung in the air above Lanyang City, its vast hull eclipsing the sun. The prow was adorned with a soaring phoenix, while countless golden bells hung from the hull, their clear chimes carried on the wind.

Red sails billowed high above the deck, emblazoned with the character “Lan” and the phoenix emblem that Lanyang Palace held in such pride. Figures moved across the deck, and occasionally, sword riders soared through the clouds to land on the deck.

In Lanyang City, countless people looked up, excitedly pointing at the Spirit Ship and shouting, “Lanyang Palace! It’s Lanyang Palace’s Spirit Ship! Where are they going?”

“Are you stupid? Where else could they be going? Definitely to the Chongshan Secret Realm!”

“How magnificent! It’s been ten years since I last saw Lanyang Palace’s Phoenix Spirit Ship—at the Eastern Continent Sect Grand Competition!”

Both mortals and cultivators buzzed with excitement. The Celestial View Terrace doubled its prices overnight, as its top tier offered a direct view of the Spirit Ship’s deck.

What a spectacle, 03 thought.

A clear, piercing whistle suddenly echoed from the Spirit Ship. Amid the crowd’s gasps, a fiery-red jiao dragon scaled the ship’s side, coiling atop the cabin. Sunlight glinted off its gem-like scales, making the entire creature seem ablaze from head to tail—a majestic, awe-inspiring sight.

After the Fire Rock Jiao’s whistle, a crimson streak shot from the Phoenix Presence Inn across from 03 like a daylight meteor, piercing the gloom as it soared toward the ship.

The moment Feng Jue appeared, disciples in Lanyang City and on the ship instinctively paused their movements and bowed in unison.

“Greetings, Palace Mistress.”

The woman, dressed in vibrant palace robes and adorned with gold and jade, looked less like a cultivator venturing into a Secret Realm and more like a noble lady attending a grand banquet. She settled gracefully behind a gauzy veil, her red lips parting to announce a message that echoed throughout Lanyang City:

“Today, Lanyang Palace embarks for the Chongshan Secret Realm. Any cultivators in the city who wish to accompany us may board this ship.”

As Feng Jue’s voice faded, streaks of light flew from all directions, landing on the deck. The newcomers bowed to Feng Jue, one saying, “Thank you, Palace Mistress. If I encounter Lanyang Palace disciples within the Secret Realm, I will gladly offer my humble assistance if needed.”

After this, the other cultivators who boarded the ship also pledged their support.

Jade Tokens for the Chongshan Secret Realm were highly coveted, and those in possession of them lived in constant fear. Those who didn’t sell their tokens for Spirit Stones were likely seeking opportunities within the Secret Realm.

The saying “fortune lies in danger” held true, but only if one reached the land of fortune first. Being robbed or killed on the way left one with no recourse. Moreover, these cultivators were from small sects, or even rogue cultivators without any affiliation. They dared to board the ship precisely because Lanyang Palace, a renowned righteous sect and one of the major powers in the Eastern Continent, wouldn’t stoop to stealing a few Jade Tokens from them.

Feng Jue smiled faintly and asked, “Where is the Sect Master of the White Water Sect?”

Bai Fenghui, who was standing in the courtyard looking up, startled. Feng Jue continued, “Today, I have invited everyone to bear witness. The White Water Sect has wronged Lanyang Palace, and Sect Master Bai offers twenty-nine Jade Tokens from the Chongshan Secret Realm as recompense. This Palace Mistress appreciates Sect Master Bai’s willingness to admit fault and correct his mistakes, and I hereby guarantee Sect Master Bai’s safety within the Secret Realm.”

Her languid voice spread throughout Lanyang City in an instant, effortlessly shattering Bai Fenghui’s scheme to jack up prices just before the Secret Realm’s opening.

03 lowered its head, watching Bai Fenghui force a smile, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Host, you’re so clever.

You’re easily the most brilliant Host I’ve ever served.

No sooner had 03 finished praising Feng Jue than her voice rang in its ear.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up!”

Here I go!

The silver-white System flew onto the Spirit Ship before Bai Fenghui, just in time to witness the painful scene of him reluctantly handing over the Jade Tokens.

The Sect Master of a major sect, a Golden Core Stage cultivator, someone who could have been an Elder in Lanyang Palace—now forced a subservient smile as he placed the Jade Tokens into the palace attendant’s tray with trembling hands.

“Here are all twenty-nine Jade Tokens,” Bai Fenghui said, his voice also trembling.

The palace attendant silently knelt and carried the token through the gauze curtain.

A barrier was cast over the room. Feng Jue dismissed the attendant with a wave of her hand, raised her cup of hot tea, and watched Bai Fenghui leave the room to retire. She smiled. “Look, doesn’t he look much older?”

“He looks ten years older,” 03 said.

I didn’t realize the Host possessed the skill to perform cosmetic alterations. Impressive.

Siyi said, “The Palace Mistress’s move was like removing the fuel from under the pot—she’s nipped his ambitions in the bud. He won’t dare cause any further trouble now.”

“The White Water Sect is in decline,” Feng Jue said. “Though he’s the sect leader, the title is empty. He doesn’t enjoy the comforts afforded to even a single peak lord of Lanyang Palace. He’s been stuck at the Early-Stage Golden Core for a century without progress. If he hadn’t hoped to find a breakthrough opportunity in the Chongshan Secret Realm while fearing to perish there, he wouldn’t have sought out a partnership with me.”

“Cultivation is inherently a heaven-defying endeavor,” Siyi said with a smile. “He wants the opportunity for advancement but refuses to endure the hardship. There’s no such easy deal.”

Feng Jue tilted her head and scoffed. “I imagine he was a spirited figure when he first reached the Golden Core stage. But day after day, he’s remained stuck at the Early Stage, watching year after year pass by… The Early Stage of the Golden Core Stage grants five hundred years of longevity. If he doesn’t break through soon, how many more centuries does he have left?”

“Defying the heavens,” Feng Jue murmured, a soft smile playing on her lips as she sipped her tea and gazed at the group meditating on the deck. Her gaze settled on one figure in particular.

Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the hunched figure hidden among the crowd.

“Heaven’s Chosen.”

Xue Bufan, if I hadn’t had 03 by my side, you would have truly deceived me today! He has his Old Master, she has 03 who is truly destined to be Heaven’s Chosen remains to be seen.

Moreover, 03 possesses something far more miraculous than any spiritual artifact.

Feng Jue tilted her chin toward Xue Bufan, and a silver-white ball of energy, a data orb visible only to her suddenly shot out from her hand.

03 automatically updated its mission log.

[New Mission: Monitor the protagonist who secretly boarded the ship. Accept?]

03 accepted without hesitation. Drifting downward, it peered at Xue Bufan’s disguised face beneath the hood.

After just one glance, 03 couldn’t help but fly up and quickly open the host’s profile.

[One look, wash eyes; one look, wash eyes…]

What a difficult mission this is!

03 superimposed the host’s profile picture over Xue Bufan’s disguised face. Clutching two toothpick-like sticks in a human-like pose, it thought: He’s clearly the protagonist—how dare he flaunt that face in public? The System doesn’t even want to look at it, let alone beautiful women. Does this “Dragon Protagonist” not plan to build a harem?

Xue Bufan’s disguised face was so ugly it offended both gods and men. The rogue cultivators around him all avoided him, leaving him sitting alone in the corner.

The Chongshan Secret Realm was located in the mountain ranges where the Eastern Continent and Nanyang Continent met, far from Lanyang City. Even on a Spirit Ship, which could travel ten thousand miles in a day, it would take until the following afternoon to reach the realm.

Support My System, My Wife Feng Aotian [Transmigration]