Cultivating with Bragging System

Dominating and aloof, high and mighty, indifferent to everything, lord of all.

He matched everyone's image of a peerless expert.

Although Wang Xiu was also remarkable, he was overshadowed by the Divination Sect's reputation. Consequently, even after he had accomplished several significant feats, many of the young Chosen still saw him through a skeptical lens. They thought he was impressive, but not *that* impressive.

But now, no one dared to think that way any longer.

No one was a fool. How could someone treated with such deference by Ye Guhong be ordinary?

Thus, many of the Chosen finally began to realize, belatedly, that this amiable figure from the Sanqing was the true powerhouse in their midst.

"Senior Brother Wang Xiu, I've long heard of your great name. It is fate that we meet today. You truly are a dragon among men!" a young Chosen said with a laugh, stepping forward to curry favor.

The crowd smirked at the sight. This was the same person who had run over to Chu You's side when the two camps were at a heated standoff. He was part of the group that sided with the Holy Realm's Chosen. And now he had the nerve to shamelessly cozy up to them? Did he have no shame?

Yet Wang Xiu acted as if he hadn't noticed. Free of any pretense, he clasped his hands and returned the greeting. "Brother, you flatter me. You are the one with a prominent brow and a radiant crown, a sign of a truly noble destiny!"

The young Chosen touched his smooth forehead and thinning hair, his face beaming with pleasure. To be praised to his face by such a powerhouse was a great honor.

He quickly produced a Storage Bag filled with Spirit Stones and handed it over. "Senior Brother Wang Xiu, you're too kind. We've only just met, and I came in such a rush that I forgot to bring a gift. This is just a small local specialty from my home. Please accept this humble gift!"

[DING!]

[Detected someone bragging nearby. Congratulations, Host, for gaining +77 Mana!]

This person was clearly well-versed in the ways of the world, smiling as he presented his gift in the hopes of making amends for his past actions and turning over a new leaf.

Wang Xiu weighed it in his hand and exclaimed, "This is too precious! I can't just take it. How about this? I have something for you in return. Please, Brother, take it!"

He took out several sticks of Netherworld Incense and handed them over.

When the young Chosen saw them, his head swam. This Netherworld Incense was clearly no ordinary item; it was quite valuable, worth no less than the Spirit Stones he had just given away.

What did this mean? Did Wang Xiu want to settle things one by one, refusing to owe a favor and refusing to let the past go? This was terrifying!

He hurriedly took out a Space Ring and, with a pained expression, placed it in Wang Xiu's palm. "Senior Brother, I found this on the Ancient Road. It's quite remarkable, but I've never been able to refine it or figure out how. I felt a kinship with you the moment we met, so I'm giving this to you. Please, you must not refuse!"

[DING!]

[Detected someone bragging nearby. Congratulations, Host, for gaining +77 Mana!]

Wang Xiu scanned it with his Divine Sense. Inside was a Superior Grade Spiritual Artifact with complete runes and a fully intact spiritual imprint. It was clearly not some relic found on an Ancient Road. For a treasure of this level, even the young Chosen before him would have found it difficult to part with. It was one of his foundational treasures.

"So be it!" Wang Xiu sighed, accepting the item. "Brother, you are far too generous!"

"Not at all, not at all…" The young Chosen let out a sigh of relief, wiping away a cold sweat. His smile was more pained than a grimace.

At the same time, more of the Chosen surged forward. They all spoke at once, eager to give gifts to Wang Xiu. Wang Xiu put on no airs, giving a return gift to everyone who approached: a dozen sticks of Netherworld Incense.

Suddenly, the crowd parted.

Chu You approached with a group of the Holy Realm's Chosen, her expression complex.

"Wang Xiu… sir!" She was usually cold and rarely smiled. The smile she wore now felt strange.

"Hm?" Wang Xiu turned to look at them.

"We were wrong today," Chu You sighed, then waved her hand. "Bow!"

WHOOSH!

All the Chosen of the Holy Realm bowed as one to Wang Xiu.

"This bow is an apology," Chu You said, waving her hand again. "Bow once more!"

With another swish, they bowed again in perfect unison.

"This bow is for gratitude! You saved all of our lives!" After she finished, Chu You gestured for a third bow.

"That's enough, that's enough…" Wang Xiu quickly stopped them, looking utterly exasperated. "Senior Sister Chu, there's no need for such ceremony. Please, just speak your mind."

Chu You stared at Wang Xiu, her expression unreadable. "We owe you our lives. Whenever you need anything, just say the word, and we will do everything in our power to help."

"Uh…" Wang Xiu touched his nose. "It's not that serious, is it? I think Senior Brother Ye is quite reasonable. He probably only said he would kill you to scare you…"

"Reasonable?"

For the first time, Chu You rolled her eyes, revealing an unexpected, enchanting charm.

"You don't know him. When he says he'll kill someone, he isn't just talking. As for being reasonable…" Her gaze became a bit distant as she said, "I've followed him for so many years, and I've only ever seen him speak to you that way. If I weren't certain you two had never met, I might even think you were old acquaintances!"

"If he's so cold-hearted, why are you all so loyal to him?" Luo Hongyi, who stood to the side with her arms crossed, her stunningly voluptuous figure on full display, interjected. "You'd be better off pledging your allegiance to Junior Brother Wang Xiu!"

Chu You's gaze did not waver from Wang Xiu. "If Young Master Wang requires it, I have no objection. The Young Master has already given his consent. If you want me, I am yours at any time. Whether as a concubine, a handmaiden, or a slave, I am willing…"

Wang Xiu's mouth twitched. "Let's discuss this another time. Another time!"

Deep down, he was still a very traditional man. He hadn't even taken a wife yet. How could he think about a concubine? It was against tradition. Better to shelve that thought for now.

Having stated her purpose, Chu You took a deep breath. "We are preparing to enter the God and Demon Murals. Young Master Wang, you should make your way there soon as well. The Young Master was right—this secret realm could disappear at any moment. If we miss this opportunity, we will regret it for the rest of our lives!"

Wang Xiu nodded. "Thank you for the warning."

Chu You and the others departed, walking into the mist-shrouded Stone Forest.

Huang Yunchong touched his nose and tsk-tsked. "I have to say, that Ye Guhong is surprisingly generous, isn't he? Handing out women right off the bat? And you, Junior Brother Wang Xiu, you shouldn't have refused. It's always nice to have someone else to wait on you…"

Ji Zidian wrinkled her nose and kicked him. "You think Senior Brother is a lecher like you? Stay away from him!"

Jiang Ling'er chimed in, "Exactly! Senior Brother doesn't need anyone to wait on him…"

As soon as she said this, everyone's expressions turned peculiar. They stared at Jiang Ling'er, then back at Wang Xiu, their gazes strange.

Wang Xiu was utterly exasperated. "Ling'er, what are you talking about? Don't you dare slander me!"

Jiang Ling'er whimpered softly and nodded, looking aggrieved.

…

「Meanwhile, deep within the Ancient Road, inside a deadly secret realm.」

Chaotic Qi filled the air. Ye Guhong sat alone in a passageway, surrounded by swirling runes. His aura was immense, making him seem like a deity from a bygone era, or perhaps a supreme monarch whose single word could rule over all of existence.

He slowly opened his eyes. Within those youthful pupils shimmered the color of Chaos, as if they had witnessed countless ages pass.

I can't find any trace of karma in the past or future… the threads of fate are completely obscured… Is my cultivation level in this life too shallow? No matter. I have finally found a fellow traveler! My path is not a lonely one—the Human Race still has hope!

He slowly rose to his feet. The entire passageway began to crumble as the Chaotic Qi churned violently, as if unable to bear the power contained within his body.