The System Activates

[Welcome to Evil Tyrant System, hostage!]

Pure Yang Lord was stunned by this sudden intrusion in his mind.

"What? Hostage?" he blurted out.

The system replied with a strange voice in his head, accompanied by readable words on an invisible screen only he could see.

[You are currently being held hostage by the Evil Tyrant System.]

Pure Yang Lord narrowed his eyes upon hearing the reply.

"A system? How come I've never heard about it before? Tell me your origins—who created you? Who is your true master?"

[You are not qualified to know the origins of the system.]

He scowled, persisting with another question. "Then what exactly are you? A soul demon? A spirit? Some cursed entity?"

[The Evil Tyrant System is an ancient, sentient program designed to assist the hostage into becoming the ultimate embodiment of tyranny. Upon activation, the system binds itself with the hostage, providing them with a series of quests and challenges to shape their cruelty, manipulation, and domination skills. The system subtly influences the hostage's mentality, slowly pushing them towards increasingly evil actions.]

"What kind of messed up system is this!"

He felt deeply disturbed by the system openly declaring its intentions.

He fell into deep thoughts for a few moments.

"If you won't tell me who controls you and intended to hold me hostage, then at least tell me the secondary victim—the person you're aiming for by capturing me Or who am I meant to destroy?"

[This system doesn't know the answer.]

He assessed his current situation while processing the vague information obtained from the interaction with the system. It dawned on him that he might have fallen into a ploy with far-reaching consequences—his soul captured and manipulated to fulfill someone else's grand plan.

But he didn't know how much control they have over him right now.

The confidence and the unyielding nature of the Pure Yang Lord reappeared on his face as he stood up.

"You think you can keep me, the Pure Yang Lord, as the hostage. Do you think I won't dare commit suicide? I'd rather die than be used by another person."

With those words, he walked to the edge of the cliff, lifting one leg as if ready to jump.

[Hostage is free to commit suicide. However, be reminded: this system is a rare opportunity, offered only to a select few hostages due to its stringent requirements.]

Pure Yang Lord was deeply disappointed by the stiff reply of the system.

He was hoping to see some action from the system that would reveal its weaknesses or at least help him pinpoint its location in his body or his soul—but it remained cold and indifferent.

He thought of using the last of his soul power in a desperate struggle against the system, had failed.

Realizing the system really didn't care if he died, he traced his leg back.

Still, he asked with interest, "What are these 'stringent requirements'?"

[There are two major requirements for the selection of the hostage: One the hostage should have a tyrannical will—able to use his power and control to go against the wish of the whole world. Two, the hostage should possess an evil heart capable of destroying his own world.]

He clenched his fists.

"I admit that I went against the world when I spared the invaders who almost wiped out our world even though I don't consider it tyrannical. But what's this about an evil heart? Destroying the world? I didn't destroy my world! In fact, my world tried to destroy me," he said with a hint of anger.

The system reminded him,

[Not considering the world-destroying attack that you unleashed with the detonation, the number of peak experts you killed was enough to plunge your world into destruction in the next invasion.]

Pure Yang Lord wanted to retort but he realized the system was correct.

He took a deep breath and sighed.

Ironically, the Pure Yang Lord who dared to spare the invaders and their world was the one responsible for cruelly destroying his own world. The resentment he felt towards his own world has decreased by a lot. He even felt a bit of pity.

Shaking off his emotions, he questioned the system, still curious about it. "What is this 'rare opportunity' offered by the system?"

[The system can assist you in resolving the problematic condition of your body and guide you in ways to increase your cultivation and overall strength.]

He smirked with confidence. "Do you think I can't cultivate on my own and need your help to resolve this mortal poison?"

The system responded with a profile panel:

[ Name: Alister Maboric Grimshaw (Pure Yang Lord)

Age: 16

Race: Human (Mortal)

Cultivation Level: 1st level Body Refinement Realm

Cultivation Technique: Grimshaw's Shadow Embrace

Equipment: None

Spiritual Roots: Supreme roots (Dried)

Bloodline: (Purged) ???

Spirit Bone: (Dormant) ???

Body constitution: Impure Yang Physique ]

He nearly jumped in fright when he saw his body's constitution. "Why is my body constitution considered impure yang physique?"

[It's because the Pure Yang physique was tainted by the yin energy of thousands of pure maidens.]

His jaws nearly dropped to the ground. "Damn, what a leecher the original owner of this body was—to take on thousands at the age of 16, ruining my Pure Yang physique (facepalm). But how come there's no mention of it in his memories?"

[It was not caused by the previous owner. It was because of you…]

Pure Yang Lord became angry at the accusation and stomped his feet before the system could explain further.

"I, the Pure Yang Lord have preserved the purity of my body for thousands of years, never once allowing any female to sully my pristine aura!"

The system interrupted.

[…The physique got tainted by the Nine-Nine Extreme Yin Formation made up of the yin energy of thousands of pure maidens after your soul entered this body.]

"Damn you, system. You're definitely messing with me by giving information in bits and pieces," he snapped.

He didn't know what this Nine-Nine Extreme Yin Formation was or how to resolve it despite his vast knowledge as a Martial Emperor-level expert who roamed various worlds. The formation being able to affect his soul and even extending its effect to another body meant, it was definitely extraordinary.

"Can I regain the Pure Yang physique if I remove this formation?" he asked with hope.

[Even if you remove the formation and the yin energy, it will still be impossible to regain the Pure Yang physique. However, the system can guide you to get a physique even better than Pure Yang physique.]

He knew how powerful the Pure Yang physique was. He felt getting a physique even better than it would be very difficult even if the system could guide him considering his current situation.

His voice softened as he asked, "Can I still cultivate using this impure physique body, then? Or should I take another body?"

[You cannot cultivate using this impure physique. The yin formation restricts your cultivation to the Body Refinement Realm and prevents your body from absorbing any Qi. You might immediately die by the formation if you take on another body. The only reason your soul is alive is due to the Pure Yang Physique restraining the yin energy in the formation.]

Resigned, he sighed deeply. "So, what's this way to resolve this formation and cultivate?"

[You must extract the pure Yin energy from your body with the help of women possessing suitable cultivation talents and potential. This will slowly loosen the restrictions of the Yin formation on higher cultivation levels, allowing you to cultivate further.]

Caught off guard, he blurted, "What? I need women to cultivate?!"

Ironically, the man who avoided women to pursue cultivation now needs the support of women to cultivate.

Just as he said those words, the cliff stone beneath him crumbled and he directly fell into the raging river below. Despite his struggles, the strong currents dragged him deeper and deeper.

'Shit! I might be the most worthless Martial Emperor in history to accidentally die by drowning in the river.' This was the bleak thought going on in his head before he saw a silhouette floating above the river.

'An expert!' he thought before losing consciousness.