Almost thirty minutes later, they passed through the manor gates, heading toward the main building when—
"Young master! Stop!"
A frantic voice rang from the distance.
Jin Yu looked up to see his servant, Haozi, sprinting toward him, his face stricken with panic.
By the time Haozi reached him, he was nearly out of breath. Still, he managed to whisper urgently, "Young master, you can't go home now! The Old Master is furious. He swore he'd beat you to death!"
Uncle Lin, who had overheard, chuckled. You think I’m deaf? He shook his head in amusement. Serves that old Wei right! He never disciplined this brat properly. And this servant… Who’s his master—Old Master or Young Master?
Without another word, Uncle Lin strode ahead, unconcerned.
Jin Yu paused briefly, then resumed walking. "Angry at me?"
"Yes, young master! You really shouldn't go back right now!" Haozi pleaded, nearly on the verge of tears.
Jin Yu scoffed. "What’s there to fear from an old man? Don’t be ridiculous. Let’s go."
Haozi was practically pulling his hair out. "Young master, please—"
"Hah! He dares to insult my good intentions? Does he think I’m easy to bully?" Jin Yu huffed. "Hmph! I’m not even afraid of the heavens, let alone one old man!"
Haozi fell into stunned silence. Who was the one hanging from a tree just the other day?!
Despite his bold words, Jin Yu wasn’t entirely without caution. No matter how angry my father is, what can he do? He wouldn’t actually bite my flesh off, right?
He only knows how to rage. But does he dare to kill me?
Hmph! If he kills his only heir, who will inherit the family? That vixen who’s still wet behind the ears? Tch!
…Still, better safe than sorry.
Without hesitation, he quickened his pace toward his courtyard, heading straight for his room.
Time to add some points.
---
Meanwhile, in the Kang Family…
Kang Li’s eyes narrowed as she stared at her father. "Father, didn’t you say Jin Yu was a wastrel? Then how is he suddenly so powerful?"
Her older brother, Kang Ming, sat beside her, arms crossed, awaiting an answer.
Kang Jun’s expression darkened, irritation flickering across his face. "Shut your mouth! You think I was lying? That old Wei must have given him something to eat!"
He waved his hand dismissively. "Hmph! Don’t question me again!"
The siblings exchanged glances before silently leaving the room.
---
Meanwhile, in the Zou Family…
At the dinner table, Zou Chen listened in silence as his parents discussed the latest news.
His father, usually a strict man, was now praising Jin Yu—of all people.
Zou Chen clenched his fists beneath the table, struggling to keep his expression neutral.
His two older brothers sat nearby, also listening intently.
How could that wastrel have suddenly jumped levels? Zou Chen thought, his mind spinning with disbelief. He was still at Human Realm One just a few days ago…
No. It had to be luck.
Just pure luck.
----
Jin Yu lay leisurely on his bed, stretching comfortably.
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"This is the young master's life suited for me. I can enjoy myself and still grow stronger so easily—what more could I ask for?"
It was time to add points. But first...
"Haozi, get me an apple!" he shouted lazily from his room.
A moment of silence. Then—
"An... apple, young master?" Haozi sounded confused. Apple? Is that some kind of cultivation manual? No, no... young master never asks for techniques. Is it a rare medicinal fruit? No, that's unlikely too. Then... what is it?
Jin Yu rubbed his temples. "This boy doesn’t know what an apple is? Just get me something crunchy, then!"
"Right away, young master!"
A minute later, Haozi returned with a large bowl of dried, nut-like things.
Jin Yu frowned. "What is this?"
"I don’t know, young master. I just asked for something crunchy."
Jin Yu sighed and waved him off. "Fine. Leave, and don’t disturb me."
"Yes, young master." Haozi quickly exited.
Jin Yu picked up one of the unfamiliar nuts and examined it. I’ve never seen anything like this before. Should I even eat it?
Then again, this world was strange in many ways—comparing it to Earth was pointless. With a shrug, he tossed a few into his mouth.
Crunch! Crunch!
He chewed slowly, then smirked.
"Hmmm… Not bad. Even the sound is annoying. This will definitely piss off that old man when he's lecturing me."
Dominion Protocol Interface]
Name: Jin Yu
Core Attribute: influence
Physique: 15
Internal Strength: 18
Spiritual Technique: Uninitialized
Qi Affinity: Holy Qi
Cultivation Technique: Uninitialized
Trait: Invading Qi immunity
Influence Points: 45,500
Jin Yu grinned at the floating numbers.
"Beautiful! Who knew today would be such a big harvest? Really beautiful!"
It was good to piss off martial artists—they gave far more Fury Points than ordinary people.
"I should visit the neighboring city next time. The harvest will be even bigger."
----
The moment Jin Yu activated his system, a surge of energy coursed through his body.
Physique, Raise!
-1000
-1000
Internal Strength, Raise!
-1000
-1000
His physique and internal strength both surged to level twenty.
At first, the changes were subtle. A wave of heat spread through his body, and he felt his skin tighten, as if it were being tempered like steel in a forge. Deep within, his energy swirled violently, raging like a storm trapped inside him, pushing against an invisible barrier. It wasn’t painful, nor did it feel dangerous—just an overwhelming pressure, like something waiting to be unleashed.
Then—Peng!
A crisp, shattering sound echoed through his body. In an instant, the searing heat was replaced by a refreshing coolness, like a tidal wave washing over scorched earth. His muscles felt stronger, his bones firmer, his very being… reborn.
But the real change came from within. The moment his Internal Strength broke through, a deeper transformation took place. It was similar to when he first practiced the Sanctum Sword Technique, but this time, it wasn’t just a technique—it was an awakening. A feeling of power he had never known before.
"Strange… I don’t know what this feeling is, but it’s as if my understanding of the technique has deepened. I can exert more force now."
"But,I still don't know what my level is called, I'll just leave that for now "
He flexed his fingers, testing his strength.
"So, physique reduces strain on my body, while internal strength enhances my ability to circulate power. But... I still feel like I'm missing something. Something vital."
A vague unease settled in his chest. The technique seemed to be demanding something from him, though he couldn’t quite grasp what.
"Looks like I'll have to visit the old man."
With that, he got up and called for Haozi.
"I haven’t even checked his progress with the technique I gave him."
Wait—didn’t I give him the Sanctum Technique?!
If he actually manages to learn it… He’ll become a powerful subordinate for me.
Hehe. That’d be ideal. I wouldn’t even have to lift a finger anymore!
Haozi came running. "Here I am, young master!"
Jin Yu eyed him. "Have you started cultivating the technique I gave you?"
Haozi hesitated, lowering his head. "Uhmm… Young master… The Old Master took it. He said it was the family heirloom."
Jin Yu froze. "What?! Family heirloom?! And you didn’t tell me?!"
Family heirloom? Since when could a technique be a family heirloom?!
Haozi quickly pulled a book from his chest pocket and offered it to Jin Yu. "Old Master gave me another one instead. He said it’s more suitable for me."
Jin Yu flipped open the cover.
‘Successive Fists’
He stared at it for a few moments, then closed it, bored. "I see. Have you learned anything from it?"
Haozi’s eyes lit up. "Yes! I’ve learned the basics!"
"Show me."
Haozi eagerly rubbed his hands together, then walked up to a sturdy oak tree in the courtyard.
Peng!
A low thud rang out as his fist collided with the bark.
Peng! Peng! Peng! Peng! Peng!
His punches grew faster, turning into a blur. Bit by bit, the tree’s surface began chipping away. After a full minute, Haozi finally stopped, panting.
Jin Yu raised an eyebrow. Damn… That’s actually impressive.
The old man wasn’t stingy after all. He gave Haozi a technique that suited him perfectly.
He may look kind of cute, but he has the build of a brute. No wonder this technique fits him so well.
Jin Yu smirked. "Keep training. We’ll be leaving the city soon—don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret."
Haozi’s eyes widened, but he nodded seriously.
What Jin Yu didn’t say was that he wasn’t just after more influence Points.
He was also running away from Uncle Lin.
I can’t let that maniac kill me. I’m still young! I want to enjoy life.
And, honestly? Cultivation was boring.
"If not for the Dominion System, I’d just laze around all day and wait to die."
---
Jin Wei’s Study
Kacha!
Jin Yu pushed open the door grandly, stepping inside with a bowl in one hand, tossing nuts into his mouth with the other.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
An irritating sound filled the room.
Influence +100
(Emotion provoked: Irritation)
Jin Yu smirked. Get angry all you want. That’s my second reason for being here!
He plopped down in front of his father and continued chewing obnoxiously.
Crunch! "Old man, I gave you face and cultivated the technique. Crunch! Now I have some questions. Crunch!"
Influence +100
(Emotion provoked: Anger)
Jin Yu Wei narrowed his eyes. His patience was already wearing thin.
"Brat, you think you're impressive because of a single technique? Do you believe I won’t smack you down if you don’t speak with respect?!"
Jin Yu smirked. "Oh? I almost forgot you’re actually old. That young-looking face almost deceived me."
Influence +60
(Emotion provoked: Disdain)
Jin Yu frowned. Disdain?
This old man!
Jin Yu Wei scoffed. "Foolish brat. My face has looked like this since I reached the Deity Realm. You maintain your features from when you reach it. Not that I expect you to ever get there—you're too busy causing trouble instead of focusing on cultivation!"
Jin Wei clicked his tongue. "You even let some bastard call me a bastard! Should I increase your training with Lin?"
Jin Yu flinched. His father smirked.
Jin Yu glared at him. This old bastard!
"I won’t banter with an old man anymore. Just tell me about cultivation levels."
He purposely averted his gaze, showing his dissatisfaction for being scared earlier.
Jin Wei snorted. "Brat! It’s been a while since I last beat you, huh?"
Still, instead of losing his temper, he simply leaned back in his chair, studying his son with a rare glint of satisfaction.
For the first time in years, Jin Yu was taking cultivation seriously. That alone was enough for him to overlook his son’s antics.
Jin Wei smirked. "Alright, show me your progress in the technique I gave you."
Jin Yu crossed his arms and puffed out his chest. "Heh! I’m afraid if I show you, your old jaw will drop to the ground!"
Jin Yu Wei chuckled. "Brat, you really are a frog at the bottom of a well. Do you think mastering one technique makes you special? It took me less than a week to do the same when I was your age. There are countless prodigies who could do even better. How dare you act so pompous?"
Jin Yu’s smirk faltered.
He scowled in his mind. 'Tch. Liar. You think everyone has the Dominion System?'
Seeing his son’s doubtful expression, Jin Wei sighed. "You brat, you really don’t believe me? Let me tell you something. The number of so-called ‘geniuses’ who have died to my sword is no less than a thousand. They thought they were untouchable, blinded by their arrogance. But they all forgot one truth—there’s always a mountain beyond a mountain, and a sky beyond a sky."
His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable weight to his words.
Jin Yu fell silent.
Jin Wei’s gaze turned sharp. "If you become some prodigy’s stepping stone and get killed, I won’t even bother burying you. I’ll let your spirit wander forever."
Jin Yu shuddered.
His fingers, still holding the bowl of nuts, trembled slightly. Then, wordlessly, he set the bowl down.
For once, he had nothing to say.
'is this old man scaring me ?'