Chapter 34: A New Source for Skill Points  

Xu Ran yawned and looked at Xiao Wu in confusion. "Xiao Wu, what's the matter?" At that moment, Xiao Wu's eyes seemed dazed, and her cheeks flushed.

"Brother Xu Ran, could you please turn the other way?" Xiao Wu asked.

If Xu Ran fell asleep, it would be for several hours. Holding back for that long would be quite challenging for her.

"Alright," Xu Ran nodded. He turned his head and faced away from Xiao Wu. Though he often teased her, he acted like a gentleman this time. Xu Ran knew better; if he dared to say something inappropriate now, Xiao Wu would certainly be less comfortable with him in the future.

Besides, such behavior could strain their relationship. Sometimes teasing could bring them closer, but there's a limit. Crossing that line could adversely affect the bond between them.

Despite Xu Ran turning away, Xiao Wu's face remained flushed for quite some time. She reflected on her recent behavior, feeling so embarrassed that she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Her reaction must have given it away to Xu Ran; otherwise, why would he suddenly become so subdued?

"Hey, Xu Ran, did you figure something out?" Xiao Wu poked Xu Ran's back with her finger and asked, unable to hide her concern.

"Figure out what? I'm about to fall asleep. Wake me up when we arrive in Suotuo City," Xu Ran feigned ignorance and yawned again before falling asleep.

"Oh," Xiao Wu pouted and nodded, her face taking on a slightly bitter expression. She wasn't a child anymore and understood that Xu Ran was sparing her feelings by not saying anything.

After all, she was no longer a child and knew what she needed to know.

Gently caressing Xu Ran's face, Xiao Wu watched as he lay peacefully on her lap, looking as innocent as a child. Her mind wandered. Meanwhile, Xu Ran opened his system panel directly.

Host: Xu Ran 

Age: 12 years old 

Martial Spirit: God-Slaying Sword 

Skill Points: 500 

Level: 31 

Bloodline: Qilin (100 years) 

Harem: None (will have in the future) 

Mission: None currently 

System, how can I increase the age of my spirit beast? How many years can one skill point elevate? Xu Ran inquired.

One skill point can elevate by one year. After you become ten thousand years old, one skill point can elevate by ten years, the System explained.

Spirit beasts are different from humans. A ten-thousand-year-old Qilin spirit beast could be as powerful as an ordinary hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast. It can match the power of a 95th-level Titled Douluo in the human world. However, even if its cultivation reaches nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand years, its power will still fall between a Title Douluo and a god. Therefore, more skill points are needed to improve the age of a spirit beast below ten thousand years.

So, to become a million-year-old spirit beast, I would need nearly a hundred thousand skill points? Xu Ran couldn't help but swallow hard. His current 500 skill points were nothing in front of a hundred thousand; not even close to pocket change.

When will he earn enough skill points? He needs a hundred thousand skill points to make the System evolve, plus the years he needs to upgrade his soul rings.

Good heavens, won't he be exhausted in the future?

Don't worry, Host. As your strength increases, the number of skill points you'll earn from missions will also gradually increase. Moreover, the host will have other channels for gaining skill points. For instance, whenever the Host adds a goddess-level woman in his harem, the System will reward the Host with a varying number of skill points ranging from one thousand to ten thousand, the System reassured.

Whoa, this is like pushing me to establish a harem, Xu Ran's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but feel a little excited. He thought that working hard on missions was not as rewarding as pursuing romantic relationships.

Romance and leveling up at the same time? Isn't that just perfect? One goddess-level woman in his harem could mean several thousand skill points, or even as many as ten thousand.

But what does 'goddess-level' mean? Xu Ran couldn't resist asking.

'Goddess-level' is a special grade determined by a woman's appearance, figure, talents, and strength. This is to prevent the host from randomly seeking relationships with inappropriate partners just for the sake of earning skill points, the System explained.

So, someone like Cui Ha wouldn't bring any rewards even if she were to join my harem, but someone like Zhuqing would, right? Xu Ran immediately grasped the System's intent. The 'goddess-level' threshold was there to stop him from exploiting the System.

Correct, the System confirmed Xu Ran's understanding.

Then why is my harem still empty? I'm already engaged to Zhuqing; shouldn't she be in my harem? Xu Ran was suddenly irate. Are you withholding skill points from me?

Host, can't you read? The system interface has already clearly defined what constitutes a harem. Are you not seeing this? The system's virtual assistant shot Xu Ran a reproachful glance, feeling a bit wronged. I am a legitimate system. How could I unethically withhold skill points from the host?

She felt truly unjustly accused.

What does it say, exactly? Xu Ran was puzzled as he examined the interface. There was nothing on it except the phrase "Will be available in the future," which he interpreted as "It's not available now, but it will be in the future."

It's those six words. The system's virtual assistant whispered, her digital face flushed with embarrassment. I didn't set these parameters. I was born the moment the system was created.

Six words? Xu Ran was stunned before quickly realizing what she meant.

Yes, the reward points for such a feature will depend on the host's emotional connection with their love interests, as well as their qualifications and appearances. Also, if the host tries to create a harem without the consent of the women involved, there will be no skill point rewards, the system's virtual assistant explained softly after a moment of embarrassment.

T/N: I think he has to make them fall in love or shag them to get points, it was pretty vaguely explained in raw too

Understood, Xu Ran nodded, gaining some understanding of the system's rules. In summary, he couldn't cheat the system, and he couldn't go against the wishes of the women involved by forcibly creating a harem.

Even if the system didn't state these rules, he would never break them.

He came to the Douluo Continent to win the hearts of many beautiful women. Even if the system urged him to act, he would never be with women he didn't genuinely care for. The second thing—going against their will—was even more unthinkable for him.

While Xu Ran admitted to being a man of worldly desires, he believed that not every man who has such desires has to act dishonorably. He could not justify hurting others to satisfy his own cravings. Using forceful means because he was incapable of winning someone's heart was, in his view, utterly disgraceful. He was no devil.

"Then please use those 500 skill points to extend the years on my soul rings," Xu Ran said. "Add 3,000 years to the first soul ring, 1,000 years to the second, and 1,000 years to the third."

Ding. The original ages of the Host's first, second, and third soul rings were 300 years, 600 years, and 2,000 years, respectively. After using skill points, they have been updated to 3,300 years, 1,600 years, and 3,000 years.

As the System's voice rang out, Xu Ran distinctly felt a subtle stir deep within his soul, and his soul power noticeably increased. Clearly, the additional years to his soul rings had been successfully applied.

Three thousand-year soul rings—if I show these off, I might scare people silly, Xu Ran thought, unable to hold back a smile. He was somewhat excited about the day when he could elevate all his soul rings to a hundred thousand years or even a million years using skill points. At that time, nobody would be able to stand in his way.