The Late System Awakens

Six years passed in the blink of an eye.

By the time Jiang Yunzhou successfully graduated from the Junior Soul Master Academy, he was already a Soul Elder!

Yet in this world filled with powerful experts, a Soul Elder was still merely a weakling struggling at the bottom.

After graduation, his thoughts were clear and simple—keep lying low!

After all, he had no background to speak of.

To him, the academy had been a relatively safe haven amid the chaos.

Before he had enough strength to protect himself, he needed to pursue higher studies and improve himself.

A twelve-year-old Soul Elder caused quite a stir within the academy.

A bit of youthful ambition inevitably began to grow within Jiang Yunzhou.

He wanted to prove that even without a system, he could still carve out a place for himself!

His Soul Ring Configuration was the most common one: Yellow, Yellow, Purple.

Without a powerful background or the support of a sect or family, hunting higher-aged soul beasts to obtain Soul Rings was practically a fantasy.

Still, he had managed to reach the theoretical limit.

He followed the rules of this world and absorbed Soul Rings at the limit of what his body could bear.

His graduation also marked the imminent official beginning of the main storyline from the world he remembered.

It was not as if he had never entertained other thoughts.

That fleeting idea that had once crossed his mind.

He had considered going ahead of time to snatch away that Soft-Boned Charm Rabbit who had already taken human form... but the moment the thought surfaced, he immediately crushed it.

The reasons were very realistic. First, the continent was vast, and he had no way of knowing Xiao Wu's exact whereabouts.

The only certain clue was that she would appear at Nuoding Academy, but by then, she had likely already caught the attention of that old schemer lurking in the shadows.

Second, if he truly forced her away from Tang San's side?

That would be no different from courting death. What awaited him would surely be a thunderous interception and slaughter!

In that old schemer's eyes, what did it matter to him whether a soul beast that could not become involved with his son lived or died?

At the time, Jiang Yunzhou simply did not possess the strength to deal with a Titled Douluo.

Since she had chosen to integrate into human society, staying by the protagonist Tang San's side was actually safer for Xiao Wu.

At the very least, her life would not be in danger.

And himself? Of course, he would keep lying low! Build up his strength! Stay alive and develop! Wait patiently for the right opportunity!

Time flew by. Douluo Calendar, year 2643.

That year, Jiang Yunzhou turned eighteen.

That scrawny work-study student from the past had long since undergone a complete transformation.

The years had stripped away the immaturity of childhood and carefully carved out the sharply defined, handsome features of a young man.

Sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a high nose bridge—especially those peach blossom eyes. They held a cold edge when calm, yet seemed to carry countless swirling stars whenever he smiled.

Beneath his well-proportioned, upright frame were muscle lines tempered through countless trials: a standard eight-pack and a narrow waist. Even as he walked, he naturally exuded a steady, reserved bearing.

Twelve years were enough to let a boy grow and transform.

It had to be said, men really did hit their stride later!

That was displayed to the fullest in him!

The only thing that had not changed was that he still lived simply.

To put it simply, he was a little broke.

Given his circumstances, his cultivation actually progressed faster the further he advanced. He had remained at the Soul Elder stage for only a little over a year before reaching Soul Ancestor!

Over the years, he had devoted nearly all his time and energy to cultivation.

After reaching Soul Ancestor, Spirit Hall stopped issuing him subsidies.

He kept a portion for his own use and gave part of the rest back to the villagers who had helped him.

He had encountered no Immortal Herbs and received no divine favor. He relied entirely on the cultivation speed boost provided by Nine-Leaf Sword Grass.

At eighteen, he successfully cultivated to level seventy-nine, at the Soul Saint realm!

As a Soul Saint, he possessed seven times the combat strength of others at the same level. So, were you scared or not?

All he needed was an opportunity, and he would burst forth like stone shattering the sky, revealing his sharp edge!

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you do not lose it next time.

Outside Suotuo City, on a dusty official road.

Jiang Yunzhou walked forward alone at an unhurried pace, muttering under his breath as though arguing with someone:

"Damn system, you broke your word! Twelve whole years! Do you know how I spent those twelve years?"

Over the past two years, whenever he thought of the system, he would always complain about it.

Whether he needed it or not was one matter. Breaking its promise was another matter entirely.

But unlike before, this time he received a response.

A long-lost voice exploded directly in his mind:

Ding! Hello, Host! Your caring little darling has successfully restored its connection! (✧ω✧)

Jiang Yunzhou stopped short and froze completely, thinking he was hearing things.

The system had awakened?

No, he was practically a Soul Douluo already, okay?

What was the point of showing up now?

Just now, he had merely been bored out of his mind. Remembering that old promise of a "ten-year agreement," he had casually vented a few words without holding any hope at all.

Who would have thought he would actually "wake" this thing up?

All of a sudden, an urge to prove himself surged within him.

See? Haven't I been doing just fine without you, System? I'm almost level eighty already!

He had already grown accustomed to relying on his own martial soul and hard work. Whether the system returned or not, he no longer craved it as much as he had back then.

Still, regarding the system's broken promise—

He had an indescribable resentment bottled up inside, like a bitter woman who had been stood up for years.

He bent down and, as if in a fit of spite, pulled up a blade of grass from the roadside and clenched it tightly in his hand.

"Hey, System."

"Look at what I'm holding in my hand."

Holding grass.

The system fell silent, and a trace of awkwardness filled the air.

Jiang Yunzhou suddenly laughed. "You only show up now, but... it seems I don't really need you anymore."

You need me, Host! You still have enormous room for improvement. This system can provide you with unimaginable assistance.

For example: increasing the age limits of your existing Soul Rings!

Obtaining Peerless Martial Arts from high-martial worlds, supreme Profound Techniques from fantasy planes, and immortal cultivation methods from immortal civilization!

Jiang Yunzhou's pupils contracted slightly, and his mouth fell open unconsciously.

Martial arts? Profound Techniques? Immortal Methods?

These terms stirred towering waves in his heart!

He did not know whether this was an empty promise, but the temptation was fucking intoxicating!

Especially increasing Soul Ring Age Limits—it struck directly at his greatest current weakness!

His Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black Soul Ring Configuration was standard enough, but paired with the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass martial soul, it always felt like a pearl covered in dust.

Perhaps the system's appearance now could not be called entirely useless after all?

Icing on the cake?

No! If it could truly add that icing, it might bloom into an entire sea of flowers!

Jiang Yunzhou's attitude quietly softened, and his tone gained a hint of curiosity.

"Oh? Hurry up and explain in detail. What kind of system are you, exactly? What can you do?"

Host, this system's purpose is: impart knowledge and teach disciples, achieving the status of a supreme immortal master! Its core function is: taking disciples!

As for the broken promise, it was because this world's energy level is relatively low, so it took some additional time...

"Oh, I see. So how exactly does taking disciples work?"

Jiang Yunzhou raised an eyebrow. He could not be bothered to care why it had broken its promise now. There was no point dwelling on it.

Each of your Soul Ring Slots may be bound to one personal disciple you acknowledge! The final age limit of that Soul Ring will dynamically equal the total age limits of all Soul Rings possessed by your bound disciple!

After hearing this, Jiang Yunzhou felt as though thunder had exploded in his mind, leaving his head buzzing.

How was this merely heaven-defying? It was simply too useful for him.

It was unquestionably a cheat.

If you cannot find it by searching the book title, try searching the author instead. It may have simply been renamed!