Rewards And Punishments (Arc 1)

"System, I want to spend 100 points to see the rewards for completing your tasks," Feng Yongrui said resolutely.

"Host, are you sure?" The System asked.

Feng Yongrui pursed his lips. Every time the System said something like this, he got a very bad feeling. However, he really wanted to know this. What was the point of completing the System's tasks and go from one world to another? What would he get?

"I'm sure about this. Come on and show me," Feng Yongrui said.

"Understood, Host," The System replied. Immediately Feng Yongrui's points were deducted, leaving only 400 points in his profile, and then a blue screen filled with information appeared in front of him.

Feng Yongrui read the information closely. First, it explained that there were at least 3,000 worlds that exist in time and space. These worlds vary from one another.

However, there is always something similar about these worlds. In each world there will be a "protagonist" and a "villain". Similar to novels, these worlds had characters and people with certain roles.

There are certain rules that apply to those worlds. When a world breaks the rules, it will collapse. A world can break the rules because of various reasons.

For example, each world already had a set ending. If a villain suddenly defied the laws of the world and killed the protagonist, the world would collapse.

To prevent those worlds from collapsing, a System will bind with a capable Host and complete tasks in that world. As a Host, completing the main tasks are compulsory. If a Host fails their tasks in 10 consecutive worlds, they will get a warning.

A Host that gets 3 warnings will have his/her soul extinguished and cease to exist.

As for the rewards, there are 3 types of rewards, namely:

1. Attributes or Qualities -- This includes things like beauty, intelligence, strength, and so on. The price for these rewards were the cheapest compared to the other two types of rewards.

There were certain attributes that were quite interesting, like the "Excellent Eyesight" attribute and "Health Attribute", which would keep you healthy no matter what.

2. Skills -- These are skills that you can learn from the System, such as cooking skills, martial art skills, painting skills, and so on. You can also choose the difficulty of the skill (amateur level, intermediate level, professional level, or godly level).

3. Unique Rewards -- This section was filled with miscellaneous rewards that Feng Yongrui had to read one by one to understand.

For example, there was a reward called the "Elixir of Life". Feng Yongrui read the description and understood its purpose: it would allow the host to return to his/her original world and live again.

There was also a reward called "Chronos' Wheel of Time", which would let you turn back time. Another reward would allow you to choose any world you had visited before and return to that world.

There was even a reward that would make you die and reincarnate back into the circle of life, free from the system's tasks. Of course, it was very, very expensive, and Feng Yongrui didn't dare to count how many zeroes there were.

Naturally, the rewards in the third section was the most expensive.

Feng Yongrui continued reading the System's explanation.

Any skill, attribute, or reward that a Host has purchased will be permanent. This meant that if you chose to buy a cooking skill, then when you go from one world to another, no matter what, you will always be a cooking expert.

Hosts could buy and use the rewards accordingly. The Host could choose to buy the reward and keep it instead of using it straight away, or the Host could use two rewards simultaneously.

For example, a Host could use the Elixir of Life to go back to his/her world, and then use "Chronos' Wheel of Time" to turn back time to fix his/her mistakes or regrets.

However, there were certain rewards that had a one-time use only. For example, if a Host were to use the Elixir of Life, return to his/her own world, and live again, then when that person died for the second time, he/she couldn't use the Elixir of Life again.

After death, that person would be bound to the System again. If he/she wanted to live in their world once more, he/she would have to earn points again and buy the Elixir of Life again.

...Feng Yongrui felt like it was all so complicated and pursed his lips. Well, in his current state he was too poor to buy anything. Even the 200,000 points he needed to file a complaint on the System was still a long way off.

"Host, you can take your time looking at the rewards. Now that you have paid 100 points, you can view the rewards anytime you want and set a goal for yourself," The System said.

Feng Yongrui nodded in understanding. That's right, there were so many rewards and he had to read them one by one to fully understand and choose the right reward for himself. There were even some vague rewards like "Happiness" and "A Fulfilling Life", which he wanted to check later on.

The thing is, sometimes Feng Yongrui was confused with himself and didn't quite understand himself.

What did he want? To go back to his own world? Back to his world where only obligation and misery tied him down?

No, Feng Yongrui was actually glad to be free of that place. Sure, he had lingering attachments and regrets. He hadn't traveled around the world. He hadn't dated anyone yet. And as a loyal fan of a certain celebrity, Feng Yongrui had yet to receive that celebrity's autograph...

But what did he want? What did he like? Feng Yongrui had no idea. His heart felt like a stone was pressing on his chest.

Hahaha, he had actually forgotten what he really wanted... He forgot how to wish for something... He forgot the meaning of desire...

Feng Yongrui shook his head and cleared his thoughts. System rewards were fine and good, but now, he had to focus on the task at hand.

Feng Yongrui closed the System interface and started thinking seriously.

"It's almost Xiao Shu and Bo'er's birthday! System, what should I do for them?" Feng Yongrui seriously pondered.

The System huffed in anger and replied with a childlike voice.

"Host, how can you think of your disciples only? What about me?!"

Feng Yongrui was stunned. "Well? What about you?"

The System didn't say anything so Feng Yongrui joked, "Don't tell me you want to celebrate your birthday as well?"

When he was met with silence, Feng Yongrui frowned.

"Wait, don't tell me I'm correct?! You want me to celebrate your birthday?!"

Do Systems even have birthdays? Feng Yongrui wanted to ask, but he swallowed the rest of his words. Why did he feel like the System was getting angry...?

The System ignored him coldly and Feng Yongrui racked his brains. "Uhm... I don't know when your birthday is, so... do you want to celebrate our one-year anniversary together?" Feng Yongrui asked tentatively.

Wait, that question didn't sound quite right.

Feng Yongrui heard the sound of sniffing and hiccuping. The System wouldn't... cry, right?

"T-that's the spirit, Host~~" The System's voice rang in his head. "I'm so glad you understand me~"

Feng Yongrui: "..."

Fine, he would celebrate his bond with the System too. But first, he had to focus on his disciples. This year he planned to give Little Prince to Ma Bo as his birthday present.

Speaking of Little Prince, this little puppy still hadn't gotten a proper name. Hou Renshu called it Xiao Gou. Ma Bo called it Xiao Hei, and Feng Yongrui referred to it as Little Prince.

At first, the puppy had been furious and barked at them nonstop, protesting the injustice. But over time, it had subjected itself to its fate. So now, the puppy was used to being called by three different names.

The puppy had also gotten closer to Ma Bo, who made a conscious effort to please the little guy. Ma Bo gave it treats, rubs, pets, and cuddles. The puppy was initially arrogant and didn't like him very much, but soon softened and let Ma Bo do as he pleased.

However, Feng Yongrui didn't want to just give a puppy to Ma Bo. Feng Yongrui thought of giving him a cultivation manual from the System, but he wondered if that would be too... businesslike.

"I should probably give him toys or something, right?" Feng Yongrui muttered. His two disciples were very mature, so he often forgot that they were actually ten years old. Feng Yongrui suddenly clapped his hands in excitement.

"We should have a cake! One for Xiao Shu and another one for Bo'er..." Feng Yongrui started pacing around the room.

"Argh, there's so many things I need to prepare and so little time! System, open the System Mall!" Feng Yongrui ordered.

A blue interface appeared in front of him and Feng Yongrui scrolled to the food section. A birthday cake with three layers might be too conspicuous; this was a cultivation world after all. So Feng Yongrui decided to choose some pastries instead...

Feng Yongrui browsed the System menu and found some elegant Chinese yam cakes and osmanthus jelly. He picked them and told the System to reserve them for the birthday day.

"I'm just choosing, okay? Don't deduct my points yet... These are for my disciples' birthday..."

Feng Yongrui picked a few other deserts and then frowned. Why did he feel like he forgot something?

"Longevity noodles!" Feng Yongrui cried. How could he forget that? They definitely had to eat longevity noodles and longevity buns...

Feng Yongrui busied himself and chose the best looking noodles. He couldn't help himself from smiling from ear to ear.

***

Feng Yongrui: We have to celebrate my disciples' birthday~

System: What about me?

Feng Yongrui: ╮⁠(⁠╯⁠_⁠╰⁠)⁠╭

System: (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)

***

Q: What do you wish for the most in this world? To turn back time and fix your mistakes? To be rich?

Author: I wish my novel can bring people happiness and enjoyment~

What about you? Comment below~