I swear, one day my back will break in like ten different places
As Shen settled into his cultivation posture on the floor of his abode, he allowed the Qi to swirl around him, creating a subtle yet mesmerizing blood-red aura. The veins on his body pulsed with a crimson light, and his hair flowed as if caught in an unseen breeze. For several minutes, he immersed himself in this meditative state, each breath syncing with the ebb and flow of the surrounding energy.
The tranquility of cultivation, however, soon gave way to an unexpected emotion—boredom. Shen rose from his meditation, realizing the monotony that accompanied the otherwise refreshing practice. "I'm... bored. I should probably put on some clothes," he remarked, the initial joy of cultivation dissipating.
Approaching his wardrobe, a treasure trove of lavish garments, Shen perused through the choices. A suit caught his eye, and he quirked an eyebrow in bewilderment. "The hell do I need a suit for? Wait, system... you're not planning to send me to school or something equally stupid, right?" Shen inquired, his gaze shifting skeptically to the system.
[0-0]
[Demon Emperor, please think logically, what good would sending you to school do?]
Relieved that school wasn't part of the agenda, Shen opted for a black robe adorned with a red dragon coiling around it. A simple touch, and the garment seamlessly materialized on his body, trousers and shoes included. "I don't think I'll ever get used to this... perhaps it's ghosts?" Shen mused as he left his abode.
His casual stroll, however, was abruptly interrupted. An unseen force flung him off the ground, slamming him against a wall and causing a visible crack. Aura violently surged, pinning Shen to the wall with an overwhelming force that made it difficult for him to breathe.
Unable to endure the pressure, on the brink of passing out, Shen was saved by the timely appearance of Tigress. With a gentle wave of her hand, she dissipated the oppressive aura, allowing Shen to collapse to the ground, coughing blood and gasping for air.
Tigress crouched down, injecting Shen with her healing Qi. "Forgive me, Demon Emperor, for coming late. I was observing Lilith's breakthrough."
Groaning in pain, Shen slowly stood up, lamenting, "I swear, one day my back will break in like ten different places." As he straightened, a small crack echoed from his back, earning a tear from Shen's eye. Tigress noted, "There goes the first break."
Slowly, Shen made his way out of his abode, witnessing the colossal pillar of blood-red aura stretching towards the heavens. Tigress remarked, "Looks like she succeeded in breaking through to the Loose Immortal realm."
Shen, in pain and mesmerized, stared at the pillar of light. As his Qi moved around rapidly, he entered a state of enlightenment, his eyes turning fully red. The pillar vanished, and Lilith descended as a Loose Immortal. Attempting to voice her realization, Lilith was hushed by Tigress, who whispered, "The Demon Emperor is currently in enlightenment." Lilith observed Shen, now engulfed in a powerful demonic aura, undergoing breakthrough after breakthrough until he finally reached Foundation Establishment, his presence becoming more domineering with each milestone.
As Shen emerged from his state of enlightenment, he couldn't help but comment, "Well, that was weird." Sensing the newfound enhancements to his senses and perception, he observed the world around him with calm acceptance. Lilith and Tigress, recognizing the achievement, bowed before him, congratulating him on his breakthrough. Shen, attempting to downplay the experience, casually waved his hand and responded, "Oh, this... this is nothing. Anyway, congrats to you, Lilith. You did break through, right?"
Lilith rose and affirmed, "Of course, I broke through, my emperor. Now there's no way for you to stop me from coming into your bed at night." She flashed a lustful smile at Shen, who, inwardly pleased by the compliment, found himself thinking, 'Looks like my grandma was right every time she said I was getting more and more handsome. It's gonna be a problem.' A red pop-up from the system interrupted his thoughts.
[Mission]
[Information: Develop 'Dread Sovereignty Palace' by accepting 10 disciples of Trash Talent]
[Rewards]
[Reward 1: Pill Refining Pavilion (includes storage warehouse)]
[Reward 2: Worldsmith Pavilion (includes storage warehouse)]
[Reward 3: Demon Summon Ticket]
Shen scrutinized the system pop-up for a moment before voicing his confusion, "Why trash talent, though?" The abrupt shift from requiring a Peak Earth-grade talent to "trash" talent left Shen perplexed, suspecting a hidden catch.
[Explaining to Demon Emperor, even if one doesn't possess any talent, as long as they train hard enough anyone can reach the level of a supreme existence.]
Shen absorbed the explanation provided by the system, and a furrow appeared on his forehead as he questioned, "Why'd I have to find a Peak Earth Grade talent before, then?" A tinge of frustration tinged his gaze as he fixed his eyes on the system.
[There was no reason whatsoever]
Shen stared at the system in disbelief, his eyes wide with incredulity. Slowly turning to Lilith, he asked, "Do you believe this?" Lilith, with a puzzled expression, responded, "Believe what, my emperor?"
"Believe the audacity of this system of mine," Shen retorted with a hint of agitation. Lilith glanced at Shen, tilting her head in confusion, and whispered to Tigress, "Is my emperor having a mental breakdown?" Tigress, with a concerned tone, replied, "Maybe it started when he hit that wall."
Remaining composed, Shen calmly questioned, "Can you see this?" as he pointed towards the system. Lilith and Tigress followed his gaze, their eyes landing on the bathing house. Lilith, with a playful smile, teased, "My, my, if my emperor wanted to bathe with me, you could have just asked." Shen realized they couldn't perceive his system, realizing that all the times he shouted at it must have made him appear mentally challenged. Blushing from embarrassment, Shen followed Lilith as she led him to the bathing house.