Two months passed in a haze of "training" or more accurately, eight hours a day of distractions cleverly disguised as cultivation. Meng Tao, ever the connoisseur of slothful enlightenment, maintained his unusual routine with unwavering dedication.
But today was different.
On this fated day, Meng Tao did the unthinkable: he requested a leave from the sect. To his surprise, and slight suspicion, it was granted without question. Without wasting a breath, he left the sect grounds and made his way to a barren mountain far from familiar eyes and nagging senior brothers.
He stood atop the silent peak, arms crossed and robes billowing in the wind. A rare seriousness painted his usually lazy expression.
"Finally" he muttered. "It's time for my Foundation Building."
His eyes narrowed with righteous indignation.
"Damn it. Because of that nosy Senior Brother and meddlesome Master, I couldn't break through for so long. Always interrupting at the worst moments"
He paused, then sighed, his gaze drifting skyward.
"Forget it. First, I'll build my foundation. Once I surpass Master, no one will stop me from fooling around ever again." He coughed lightly. "Ahem I mean, following my Dao."
As if answering his unspoken declaration, dark thunderclouds rolled across the sky. A single bolt of lightning cracked down from the heavens, slamming into Meng Tao's body.
His face twitched.
"This… this is fine," he muttered through gritted teeth.
Time slipped by. One hour passed.
The thunderclouds slowly began to scatter, and within Meng Tao's dantian, spiritual energy surged. His core trembled as energy poured in like an endless tide, expanding his inner world. The chaotic storm within finally calmed after two hours and then, in that moment of stillness, it happened.
He gave birth to his Divine Sense.
Meng Tao grinned.
"Finally! I'm no longer a Qi Gathering cannon fodder. I'm now a Foundation Building cultivator! My lifespan is now 200 years! Hahaha!"
He extended his consciousness. A ten-meter range not bad for a fresh breakthrough. With a flick of his hand, his flying sword appeared, and after a few wobbly moments, he managed to hover, then glide.
Floating on his sword, wind in his hair, he felt invincible.
But after a minute of celebratory soaring, he forced himself to stop and hover midair.
"No,I cannot become arrogant." He clenched his fists. "I am just a Foundation Building cultivator. I have a long way to go. I must become the Supreme Emperor the strongest of all time. I will attain eternal life!"
A fire lit in his eyes then quickly dimmed.
"And for that" he muttered solemnly, "I must continue to follow my Dao."
He took a deep breath.
"Yes, I must continue being lazy."
Just then, a mechanical chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
System has detected that Host has reached the Foundation Building realm. Please choose your path:
Option 1: Follow your Dao and cultivate cautiously until you become the strongest cultivator of all time.
Reward: 4th-grade Dharma Treasure – "Invisible Soul Robe" (Can block one attack from a Peak Nascent Soul cultivator).
Option 2: Host possesses a system and an Immortal Emperor-grade divine clone. You have the capital to be arrogant and domineering. Reveal your greatness to the world!
Reward: 4th-grade Dharma Sword.
Meng Tao blinked.
"System, aren't you supposed to be a lazy system? Since when did you become one of those annoying choice-based systems?" He sounded betrayed. "And what are these options? Do you want me to become one of those brainless protagonists who shout before every fight? Impossible! How can someone as handsome and cultured as me turn into one of them?"
He crossed his arms.
"Hmph. I choose Option 1."
[Ding!]
Host's system remains the Lazy Cultivation System.
Congratulations! You have chosen Option 1. Reward granted: 4th-grade Dharma Defensive Treasure "Invisible Soul Robe."
Item: Invisible Soul Robe
Effect: Can block one attack from a Peak Nascent Soul realm cultivator.
Before his eyes, a robe shimmering with ethereal patterns appeared and gently wrapped itself around him. The moment he wore it, its form flickered and vanished from sight.
"A stealthy robe that protects and hides," Meng Tao nodded in approval. "Now this is what I call following the Dao of Laziness."
Feeling very pleased, he began his journey back to the sect.
However, just as he was passing through a remote part of the forest, a strange sound reached his ears. Frowning, he descended and pushed through the thick underbrush. The moment he stepped into a clearing, his eyes widened.
"What in the?"
The scene before him left him utterly speechless.