Dragon Raja: Dragon Slaying Begins with System Hosting

Page 5

Fortunately, he has done most of what he was supposed to do in the past two days. Although he did some things poorly, he did not disrupt the plan set by the system.

"...The cold moonlight soaked through the gauze curtains. Ye Yan, pale and looking even more desolate, lay on his side on the bed, muttering to his little maid, 'Everyone says that catching He Zhaoyuan's three spears is enough to be listed on the Qingyang County's list of geniuses, but no one says that the force of the third spear will curve and chase after the person to bite...'"

With delicate hands, she gently lifted the torn opening in the clothes. The fabric, stained with blood-red plum blossoms, clung to the wound. Ye Yan was immediately in so much pain that he couldn't speak. He hissed and gasped for breath. Suddenly, he turned his head and saw, in the slanting light of the moon, a wound like a crimson python coiled around his waist and abdomen, with jade-colored bone fragments visible between the flesh.

Lin Qingruo's hand, which was lifting her clothes, suddenly froze. Then she gently and carefully treated her wounds: "Was that gun really that vicious?"

"He is a young leader who is famous throughout Qingyang County. Now the whole city is saying that another great talent has emerged in Qingyang County." Ye Yan smiled with a touch of unruliness, seemingly beaming with pride: "He withstood three shots from He Fengzi in the Cave Heaven Secret Realm and snatched the Dragon Transformation Fruit from the tiger's mouth to escape."

However, being with the little maid who had shared joys and sorrows with him for many years, Ye Yan felt no burden and spoke his mind: "Actually, I couldn't withstand the first shot, but I couldn't get away for a while, so I could only take two more shots..."

"Is this spiritual fruit very powerful?" Lin Qingruo gently treated her wounds, echoing his words. She had just come of age, born into a humble family, and was sold to the Ye family at the age of six to serve the young master. She was unaware of the vastness of Qingyang County and was merely an ordinary person, without the young master's opportunity to cultivate and attain enlightenment.

Hearing her question, Ye Yan paused, looked at the little maid who was focused on tending to his wounds, and said, "The Dragon Transformation Fruit can help cultivators cleanse their bones and marrow, and improve their aptitude. It can also help mortals open their meridians and embark on the path to immortality. This time in the secret realm, I managed to snatch three. One for me, one for me, oh? How come there's one extra?"

Lin Qingruo's hands trembled slightly as she looked up at him abruptly, but Ye Yan only grimaced, "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts..."

...

Looking at the latest chapter generated by the system, Lu Mingfei suspected that the system was keeping a copy of the manuscript to prevent him from "messing around" after he stopped managing the system.

The system provided an answer to his question: [...including but not limited to the host ceasing to create content after stopping hosting...]

The system really did have a backup plan! Lu Mingfei was inwardly amazed.

It's one thing to protect against backstabbers, but this system even protects against its own host!

You really, really, really caught me off guard.

The novel "My Struggle in the Immortal Cultivation World" is doing well. In just 10 days after its release, it has garnered over 7000 reads with more than 6 words. Part of the reason for this success is that its editor is also a loyal reader of the book and has given it all the recommended resources he has.

In the words of the editor, "Platinum-like!"

These days, authors struggle to write 4,000 words a day, but the system can produce 6,000 words a day during the free period, and the quality doesn't suffer, which really boosts the book's rating.

Chapter 8 Man, you have successfully caught my attention

The system, expressionless, walked into the school library and stood before the bookshelves in the history section.

Because the novel's theme was a bit too advanced, Lu Mingfei's brain couldn't keep up, so the system could only take some time to come to the library to supplement its knowledge.

He casually picked up a book on the history of the Song Dynasty and sat down to read it. He flipped through the pages quickly, not looking like he was reading attentively at all, but rather just killing time.

"You still like reading history? But can you even read the contents if you flip through it so fast?" A clear voice came from the side, and the system turned its head and saw Xia Mi holding a book.

“I read history to better understand what happened in the past, and I use some allusions in my writing.” The system replied to her two questions: “At this speed, you can still read it.”

The system also found out the reason why Xia Mi deliberately approached her by following the clues.

She also liked Chu Zihang! She just didn't show it clearly, but she was still very close to Chu Zihang.

Considering Chu Zihang's aloofness and Lu Mingfei's indifference under the system's control, the system could only analyze that she liked this type.

The main reason is that Lu Mingfei himself didn't have anything worth giving Xia Mitu.

Regarding the writing it mentioned, Xia Mi asked, "Writing essays? Relying solely on historical records is too narrow a scope. Are you not good at writing in this area?"

"No." The system shook its head. "My novel needs some material and prototypes."

According to the editor, as long as the book written by the system doesn't fall apart, its future is truly promising. In any case, at this rate, earning several thousand or even tens of thousands a month is no problem at all.

This was one of his highlights that he could currently boast about, so the system immediately pulled it out in front of Xia Mi.

Because Xia Mi and Chu Zihang are getting too close! So the system prioritizes Xia Mi's conquest, inserting itself between the two to prevent them from moving on to the next step.

"Huh? You write novels?" Xia Mi was also a little surprised when she heard his words. "What kind of novels are they? Have they been published? Or are they being serialized in magazines or online?"

"It's an online novel, serialized on the Qidian Chinese website, called 'My Struggle in the Immortal Cultivation World.'" The system wasn't embarrassed at all about revealing its work to those around it.

"A time-travel cultivation novel? You didn't come up with a very good title." Xia Mi sat down next to him with interest and said, "I've read quite a few online novels, and they all seem to be from Qidian.com, such as 'Zhu Xian,' 'Sheng Long Dao,' 'Xie Du,' 'Fo Ben Shi Dao,' and 'Gui Chui Deng.'"

"I haven't read as much as you," the system said. "I mainly read Jin Yong and Gu Long novels before."

"How many words have you written? I'll find some time to check how it's going."

"Only 60,000 words have been published."

Is anyone watching?

"The editor said that several thousand people are following the book."

Wow, thousands of people! You're going to be a great writer in the future!

Xia Mi seemed very interested in Lu Mingfei's writing, and the system subtly probed a few times, discovering that this beautiful girl had indeed read online novels.

The bell rang, signaling the end of their PE class. Xia Mi stood up and said, "I'm going to return the books now."

The system also closed the book in its hand, preparing to borrow it and take it home to read later when it had time.

When it comes to reading, the system is serious; it's not just for show.

For example, it recorded the top scholar in the imperial examination of the second year of the Jiayou era of the Northern Song Dynasty—Zhang Heng.

Ordinary people may not have any impression of this name, but among the participants in the imperial examination in the second year of Jiayou in the Northern Song Dynasty were three of the Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song: Su Shi, Su Zhe, and Zeng Gong; Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao, the founders of Neo-Confucianism; and Zhang Zai, the great thinker who said the four sentences of Zhang Zai: "To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to open up peace for all generations."

However, even among these formidable individuals, none made it into the top three. Zhang Heng, on the other hand, triumphed over all others to claim the crown on this list of top contenders.

In officialdom, he confronted the Three Departments and scolded the prime minister. When he was sent as an envoy to the Liao Dynasty, he was ridiculed by the Liao people for being a civil official. However, he turned around and defeated the Liao military officer in an archery competition.

He was a true scholar and warrior, and was awarded the title of Shangguozhu (the highest honor for military officers) and the title of Founding Earl.

Why didn't such a brilliant person become prime minister? Because his uncle, Zhang Dun, was a fellow graduate of the imperial examination, but Zhang Dun ranked below his nephew. Zhang Dun chose to retake the exam, gained Wang Anshi's favor, joined the reform faction, and eventually rose to the position of prime minister…

The system collected these amazing anecdotes about extraordinary people and took note of them. Perhaps they would be useful material later. With some modifications, they could become original stories in his book.

The chance encounter with Xia Mi did not affect the system's methodical execution of its established plans. Lu Mingfei is still too weak; there is much room for improvement.

As a guy, he has no money, isn't particularly handsome, and doesn't have a great physique. As a student, his grades aren't good either... He has nothing to offer, so he can't keep anyone around. Wasting too much energy on women is just a waste of time.

Xia Mi took some time over the weekend to go to an internet cafe, opened the Zhongdian Chinese website, and searched for "My Struggle in the Immortal Cultivation World".

She glanced at the introduction and smiled. "...Even if I grow in the mud and sprout from the bones, I will change this world. And this name...tsk tsk, this is something."

As she read on, she felt that the author's writing was acceptable, with carefully crafted ups and downs and foreshadowing, while also depicting the lamentations of the lower classes in the cultivation world. Although somewhat somber, the pacing didn't seem to be Yu Hua's style. A book called "To Live" ended up with everyone dying.

"The novel he writes is alright, but how come the person is so weird?" Xia Mi recalled their chance encounter and conversation in the library a couple of days ago, and couldn't help but update her assessment of Lu Mingfei's indifference from their previous two meetings to "weird."

The two talked in the library for quite a while, about half a class period, but Lu Mingfei's expression and tone did not change at all during the entire time.

There was no sense of pride in writing a novel that was popular, no youthful exuberance, and no excitement in showing off one's success to pretty girls.

They didn't even glance at her, such a cute girl.

It didn't seem like acting; no human could pull off this effect. It made Xia Mi feel like she was communicating with an emotionless robot.

This situation is definitely not normal. Xia Mi got off the plane and returned to school, pondering Lu Mingfei's situation.

Is Lu Mingfei a machine life form?

Impossible, absolutely impossible. Although she is relatively weak, it doesn't mean she's not smart. On the contrary, after paying the price of great power, she gained a very sharp mind.

In her opinion, Lu Mingfei being a mechanical life form is less likely than being an alien.

At the very least, mechanical life appearing on Earth would be extraterrestrial; it's impossible for such life to have originated on Earth itself.

To Xia Mi, Lu Mingfei is now like that classic line from a novel: "Man/Woman, you have successfully caught my attention."

Chapter 9 Optimization Patch

After finishing the September monthly exams, the National Day holiday arrived. On the first day, the system went to an internet cafe and frantically typed, because typing on the keyboard really gave out gold coins! From having only 9 cents to having a thousand or so, the system had suffered the bitterness of poverty for nearly half a month. It was powerless to do anything that required money.

The thousand or so yuan I have now is hardly enough to get by; it's gone in no time.

There are word count requirements for publishing a novel. If the editor hadn't advised him to publish slowly and accumulate recommendations gradually, the system would probably have required him to publish enough words in one day and then publish the novel the next day to start earning money.

However, regardless of whether it's released at the beginning or middle of the month, the author will be paid next month, so the system is relatively rational and is just preparing for a surge of updates after it's released at the end of the month.

On the morning of the second day of the National Day holiday, Auntie put on her beautiful clothes and called on Lu Mingze and Lu Gucheng to pack their luggage.

Lu Gucheng walked into the room and saw Lu Mingfei still sitting on the bed reading a book, so he came over and whispered to him, "Lu Mingfei, your aunt wants to take everyone to Beijing during the National Day holiday. Why don't you pack your things?"

The cold war lasted for more than half a month. Lu Mingfei and his aunt disliked each other, but fortunately, they did not have a direct confrontation. They ate and did what they were supposed to do. However, this had already seriously affected the atmosphere in his home, and neither of them showed any intention of backing down first.

Now Lu Mingfei has seen through his aunt's paper tiger nature. Faced with her growing up, he can only bluff. If intimidation fails, he will be powerless to do anything more.

We can't really force Lu Mingfei out, can we? At most, we'll just talk badly about him to the neighbors and ostracize him.

But the system didn't care much about these things, and everyone around knew where Lu Gucheng's family's money came from. His aunt talked about him behind his back, and some people talked about his aunt behind her back.

But there's not much that can be done. After all, it only takes a few words to discuss something, but it's complicated to seek justice for Lu Mingfei.

"I have things to do during the National Day holiday," the system said emotionlessly. "I won't go."

Even setting aside the writing, and disregarding other tasks, neither the system nor he could possibly go on a trip with his uncle's family and have to put up with their attitudes.

"What are you going to do? Tell your uncle first, okay?" Lu Gucheng asked him softly as he sat on the edge of the bed.

After some analysis, the system gave a rather weighty answer: "Go out and have fun with girls."

"You have a girlfriend?" Lu Gucheng was stunned, his tone somewhat incredulous.

Lu Gucheng's impatient aunt, who was waiting in the living room, was about to go in and call him when she heard Lu Gucheng's question as she approached the door.

She stopped in her tracks, not rushing in, and listened intently to the conversation inside the room.

"Just a close female friend," the system replied dismissively.

If Lu Gucheng had any conscience at all, he wouldn't have forced him to go to Mount Tai.

These days, students are indeed mainly focused on their studies, but Auntie is not the kind of person who is feudal. She also supports Lu Mingze in balancing his studies and love life. Lu Mingze's ability to have so much money at school is inseparable from the support of this special fund.

What's wrong with dating in high school? It's called childhood sweethearts! That's what Auntie thinks. Besides, the girls who can get into Shilan High School are either academically excellent or come from wealthy families, so Lu Mingze won't lose out by dating either of them.

While one factor was that she wanted Lu Mingze to completely crush Lu Mingfei—from grades and talents to social life and marriage, it was a comprehensive crushing—she still wanted Lu Mingze to completely overwhelm Lu Mingfei.

Lu Gucheng's eyes shifted, his expression becoming complex.

After a long while, having finished his internal struggle, he glanced back at the doorway, then took out some money from his pocket and whispered to Lu Mingfei, "You have to be generous when you go out with girls. Take this money."

Actually, it's only a few dozen yuan.

"No need, we're just going to the library."

"But..." Lu Gucheng hesitated, as if he wanted to say something more, but then his aunt's angry voice came from outside: "Lu Gucheng, where are you?"