Swallowing the Stars: The cheat system only comes when I'm almost a god?

Uncle Nine watched coldly, inwardly sneering, "He's just slacking off again..."

He could almost foresee that the kid was about to make some really bad mistakes.

However, something strange happened.

Although Qian Chen memorized slowly and his attitude was extremely perfunctory, muttering as if he were complaining, he actually managed to "grind" out those difficult and obscure scriptures at a slow but unusually "stable" pace!

Although the other person still made many mistakes and their pronunciation was inaccurate, he actually managed to "smooth out" the overall flow and most of the key paragraphs!

This was something that his previous dullness and perfunctory attitude could not have accomplished! His efficiency was astonishing!

Uncle Nine's doubts deepened, even carrying a complex and indescribable emotion: "This feeling...it's too familiar..."

He seemed to see the shadows of some of his former apprentices.

"Alright!" Uncle Nine said, suppressing his anger. "You've memorized it like this, and you still have the nerve to slack off?"

Qian Chen thought he could finally rest, but he didn't expect that his master's test was not over yet.

"I think you just have too much energy!"

Uncle Nine walked to the courtyard and stopped. "Come here. Before you formally become an apprentice, I can't teach you the Qi cultivation method. Instead, I'll teach you some exercises to strengthen your body!"

He assumed a stance and performed a set of basic Baguazhang introductory movements, with steady footwork, sharp palm strikes, and smooth, fluid movements.

The movements of advancing and retreating clearly demonstrate the eight techniques of "supporting, lifting, covering, chopping, bumping, moving, intercepting, and seizing".

"Did you see that clearly? Practice it! Practice it a hundred times! If you dare to cut corners, you'll regret it!"

Qian Chen watched the complex footwork and palm techniques change, his face contorted in a grimace, and he wailed, "A hundred times? Master, my... my legs are too weak..."

"Practice!" Uncle Nine shouted, leaving no room for argument.

He moved a chair to sit in the shade of the corridor, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he kept a close eye on Qian Chen's every move.

Uncle Nine spared a sliver of thought to subtly observe the chat group interface in his mind: "If the other party truly possesses a system, perhaps this mysterious group chat can detect some unusual fluctuations?"

In the open space of the courtyard, Qian Chen was seen with a mournful face, his movements as perfunctory as could be.

Lifting his leg felt like it was weighed down with lead; his palm strikes were weak and powerless; his eyes were unfocused; and he kept muttering complaints like "I'm so tired" and "I want to sleep."

Qian Chen's movements were slow and his moves were distorted. He would stop every now and then to shake his hands and pound his waist, completely wasting his time. The goal of doing it a hundred times seemed unattainable.

Uncle Nine waited patiently, silently keeping track of time in his mind, his concentration running high.

A quarter of an hour... a quarter of an hour...

Just as he thought the kid was probably just wasting his time and was about to get up and scold him, something unexpected happened!

[Chat group notification (visible only to Lin Jiu): Abnormal energy fluctuations detected within the area of ​​the mortuary!]

In the fluctuation pattern analysis... it is preliminarily determined to conform to the characteristics of a 'passive growth-type auxiliary system'!

Energy source locked: Qian Chen!

Fluctuation intensity: Weak (Beginner stage/Hidden state).

The group notification sound exploded in his mind like a thunderclap!

Almost simultaneously!

In the arena, Qian Chen's lazy and perfunctory movements were still devoid of any power, but the direction of his feet, the trajectory of his palms, and the transitions of his body's rotations... had already replicated the "form" of Baguazhang with extreme precision!

Although it's still a long way from being "enthralled", the slow motion has actually managed to make the outline of the "form" in the movements look about 80-90% right!

This speed and the precision of the moves are beyond the reach of a beginner, especially since the opponent is of mediocre talent and was slacking off the whole time!

"As expected! It really is there!" Uncle Nine was shocked and suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes flashing with a sharp light!

The sight before him and the chat group notifications in his mind confirmed his doubts.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside me, a mixture of bitterness, understanding, and even a hint of...self-mockery.

The scene of Qian Chen's "cheat code" in front of him was so similar to the fragments of his hundreds of disciples deep in his memory!

Those apprentices...

Some were clueless when they first arrived, but once they got involved in slaying demons and monsters, they became incredibly enthusiastic, almost to the point of obsession. It was as if a force was pushing them forward, and their cultivation and magic skills improved by leaps and bounds in actual combat, so fast that even their master was shocked.

Some showed extraordinary interest and enthusiasm for the upcoming "Grandpa Ren's Grave Relocation" incident, as if they already knew what was going to happen and insisted on getting involved, and they couldn't be stopped.

Some of them, when they first started learning, treated their two good-for-nothing senior brothers, Qiusheng and Wencai, with brotherly affection and respect, which made him, their master, quite gratified.

But once they have mastered their skills or achieved a certain goal, they leave without hesitation, as if they had completed a task, and disappear without a trace, as if they had never existed.

……

Looking back now...

Their irrational obsession with slaying demons, their foresight and enthusiasm for participating in future events, their fleeting kindness towards their disciples... and most importantly, their bizarre growth rate... the root of it all lies here, isn't it?

"Those traitors never returned after leaving because deep down they believed that all their achievements stemmed from the so-called system?"

He was confused, but he gradually understood what Meng Qi and Ye Fan had said in the group chat: "To them, this master of mine is nothing more than an NPC to trigger quests, or a tool to provide skill points? He doesn't really offer any real help?"

This thought, like a cold needle, prompted the system to match you with a science fiction category. Click here.

He looked at Qian Chen, who was still languid in the arena, but whose Baguazhang moves were approaching the level of both form and spirit, and his eyes were complicated and hard to describe.

……

In the evening, Qian Chen had just finished performing a set of Baguazhang moves and stood still, not even having time to catch his breath, when he heard a low sigh from behind him.

Uncle Nine was already standing under the eaves, his back to him, tidying up several commonly used magical artifacts on the table.

He didn't turn around, his voice devoid of emotion, yet carrying an undeniable decisiveness: "Stop. Go pack your things, and take those... um, the apprenticeship gifts you brought before. Let's go."

Qian Chen's lazy expression froze instantly, turning into astonishment and confusion: "Master...Master?"

His voice trembled, completely bewildered by the sudden expulsion.

Uncle Nine did not turn around, his tone as calm as if he were talking about something very ordinary: "You have never formally entered the sect, so you cannot be considered a true disciple of my Maoshan sect."

Judging from your lazy attitude now, you're not really interested in this. There's no point in forcing you to stay; go back.

These words were like a bolt from the blue!

Qian Chen's mind went blank for a moment, and only one thought remained: I'm doomed! I'm going to be kicked out!

His greatest sense of security after transmigrating came from the powerful master in front of him.

Leaving the mortuary and Uncle Nine's protection, in the Republic of China town of Renjia, where demons and ghosts roam, isn't he, a rich young master with the "Salted Fish Turnaround System" but who hasn't truly turned his life around, just a walking piece of fat meat?

The family's vast wealth might end up benefiting some evil spirit or covetous relative!

A wave of panic overwhelmed him instantly.

Qian Chen knelt heavily on the hard stone slab with a "thud," crawled a few steps, and cried out, "Master! This disciple knows he was wrong! This disciple truly knows he was wrong!"

He kowtowed repeatedly, pleading, "Master, please have mercy and don't send me away! I will definitely practice diligently from now on and never dare to be lazy again! Please give me another chance!"

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open.

Wencai, who had gone to town to buy groceries, and Qiusheng, whom he had dragged along to do manual labor, walked in chatting and laughing, one carrying a vegetable basket and the other carrying a bag of rice.

The two looked up and saw Qian Chen kneeling in the courtyard, pleading with tears streaming down his face, while his master had his back to everyone, and the atmosphere was frighteningly heavy.

The smiles on their faces froze instantly.

Wen Cai's vegetable basket fell to the ground with a "clatter," and Qiu Sheng quickly put down his rice bag as well.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing panic in each other's eyes: Oh no! Junior Brother is going to be kicked out?!

Without exchanging a single word, the two knelt down beside Qian Chen with perfect understanding.

"Master! Please calm down!" Wen Cai spoke first, his voice ingratiating.

"Yes, Master, Junior Brother Qian Chen..." Qiu Sheng choked for a moment when he saw the other's face, which looked several years older than his own due to his laziness in taking care of himself.

But remembering his junior brother's promise to help him secure the position of deputy captain of the security team, Qiu Sheng reluctantly chimed in, "He's still young and doesn't understand things. Please, sir, forgive him this time!"

The three people kneeling in the middle were very close together.

Qian Chen was still sobbing, while Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng's eyes darted around rapidly, engaging in a silent exchange.

Wencai: (frantically winking and gesturing towards Qiusheng, his eyes frantically pointing in Qian Chen's direction) Think of something quick! We can't let him leave!

Qiu Sheng: (His eyelids blink rapidly, and his lips twitch slightly) Nonsense! Who's going to buy us new clothes and find us wives if he leaves?

Wen Cai: (His eyes darted to Qian Chen, then quickly glanced towards the kitchen, his throat bobbing slightly) Without him, we won't have any more fish and meat, or even snacks! Master will definitely be watching us practice every day!

Qiu Sheng: (His brows furrowed, his eyes revealing a look of "This is terrible!" followed by a look of "We must keep him here!") Yes, yes, yes!

He got scolded for slacking off, but at least he improved a little faster than the two of us.

If he leaves, Master's anger will be directed at the two of us. How can we live like that? Won't we be exhausted from practicing martial arts?

Wen Cai: (He nodded emphatically, nodding his chin toward Qian Chen) Quickly plead for mercy!

Uncle Nine finally turned around, his face expressionless, his gaze sweeping over his three disciples kneeling on the ground, lingering on Qian Chen for a moment.

He then slowly shook his head: "Your desire for the Way is like duckweed without roots, lacking any firmness!"

Your spiritual practice relies entirely on external forces; have you ever taken the initiative to make any progress yourself?

With such a mindset, even with some talent, it's difficult to achieve great things; in the end, one will only waste their time.

Master Qian never wanted you to enter this family. Now it's a good time for you to go back and inherit the family business, live a peaceful and comfortable life as a wealthy man, and enjoy a lifetime of happiness. Wouldn't that be better than wasting your time here?

"No! Master! This disciple doesn't want to go back!"

Upon hearing the words "rich old man," Qian Chen immediately thought of the possible ghosts in the mansion and the terrifying legends of the town, which terrified him.

He kowtowed repeatedly, his head hitting the ground loudly: "Master, this disciple truly desires to cultivate the Tao! This disciple will definitely change! I beg you, Master..."

"Master! Junior Brother Qian, he..." Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai were also anxious and wanted to speak up for him.

"Shut up!" Uncle Nine shouted in a low voice, like a muffled thunderclap in the courtyard, instantly silencing all other sounds.

His gaze was sharp as lightning, piercing Qian Chen: "I've said all I need to say. Young Master Qian, take your things and get out of here!"

He then looked sternly at Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai: "You two, mind your own business! Another word and you'll both be punished!"

Uncle Nine was a man of great prestige, and now he was truly enraged. Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai shrank back in fear and dared not utter another sound.