System Virtual Space

Seeing Shi Feng's complexion unchanged after taking more than ten lashes, without the slightest hint of pain, Shi Lan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It made sense; Shi Feng was blessed with great fortune and showed no signs of an early demise. There was no way he would fall here halfway.

As Shi Lan watched Shi Feng being punished, a prompt sound echoed in her mind from the System.

[Novice mission transition period ended, main quest about to begin, please host select cultivation path.]
[Path One: The universally admired Female Emperor.]
[Path Two: The feared by all Devil Master.]
[Host's choice will greatly influence the System's quest issuance. Please consider carefully.]

"What kind of influence?" Shi Lan asked silently, a nascent unease stirring within her. She had a feeling this choice suddenly presented by the System wasn't as simple as it seemed.

[Please explore yourself.]

"Can I not choose?"

[The System can grant the host half an hour to consider. If time exceeds, the cultivation path will be randomly selected by the System.]

Shi Lan felt a bit conflicted. The System provided too little information. Making a decision that could affect her future for a long time based on such scant details felt rather uncertain.

By this time, Shi Feng had already received nearly two hundred lashes. The guards administering the punishment were exhausted and had been replaced twice. His back, apart from being slightly red, showed no other abnormalities, and his expression remained as calm as ever.

Shi Tianlu, standing by, understood. Shi Feng's cultivation must have advanced significantly again.

This speed of progress evoked a sense of the new replacing the old in Shi Tianlu's heart. At the same time, his resolve to send Shi Feng to the Holy Martial Immortal Sect strengthened. It was too much of a waste to let such talent be buried in Tenglong City.

Shi Tianlu's persistent dedication to cultivating Shi Feng stemmed from his own selfish motives. If Shi Feng could grow strong, he would undoubtedly become a powerful shield for the Shi Family and his descendants.

As for the matter between Shi Lan and Shi Feng, Shi Tianlu actually held an opposing view.

The gap between the two was simply too vast...

If Shi Feng were to truly enter the Holy Martial Immortal Sect in the future, his path would surely be smooth, and becoming a true martial arts powerhouse would be within reach. Shi Lan, on the other hand, would likely not go far in the martial arts.

If something were to truly develop between Shi Lan and Shi Feng, it might be fine for now, but as time passed, the distance between them would only grow.

This would be manageable for Shi Feng, but it would undoubtedly cause Shi Lan great pain, perhaps even a lifetime of suffering.

Shi Tianlu had no expectations for Shi Lan, only hoping she could live a stable and uneventful life under his protection.

As for Shi Feng, the path of a strong individual didn't require so much romantic entanglement.

"I choose one."

Less than half an hour had passed when Shi Lan made her choice. Being admired by the world sounded infinitely better than being feared by all.

[Cultivation path selection complete.]
[Main quest fully activated.]
[Main Quest Issued: Within one month, cultivate to the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm.]
[Quest Completion Reward: Two beginner lucky draw chances, Cleansing Dust Pill x1. Quest Failure: Host erasure, System enters self-destruct program.]

Shi Lan gasped. Her current cultivation was still some distance from the first level of the Body Tempering Realm. Reaching the fourth level within a month was akin to a hellish difficulty.

Before Shi Lan could recover from her shock, the System's cold voice sounded again.

[Side quest triggered: As the future Female Emperor, the host must always hold herself to strict standards. The Female Emperor's life must be free of any blemishes.]
[Shi Feng and others were punished due to the host's suggestion. Although they had their faults, the host should not absolve herself of responsibility. Partial, unavoidable responsibility rests with you and you should receive some punishment.]
[To prevent the Dao heart from being stained, please request punishment yourself.]
[Quest Completion Reward: Unlock System Virtual Space. Quest Failure Penalty: Permanent ban of System Virtual Space.]

After hearing the System's notification, Shi Lan couldn't help but frown.

"What is the System Virtual Space?"

[An important means to assist the host's growth. Please explore details yourself.]

This side quest, whether successful or failed, was related to the 'System Virtual Space' and was described as an important means to assist her growth. It was obvious this was something incredibly significant.

But asking for punishment? Was she out of her mind? She had asked someone to visit a brothel, and now she was asking for trouble? Although Shi Feng was indeed angered because of her...

She glanced at the iron whips whistling and falling, then at her own slender frame. Shi Lan trembled inwardly. Could she even stand after one of those lashes?

"Father, today's events were initiated by my momentary whim. I cannot escape responsibility. Please punish me as well."

Shi Lan gritted her teeth and spoke resolutely. She didn't want to give up an important means of assistance, and Shi Tianlu wouldn't actually beat her to death, would he?

"Of course, you can't escape. Visiting a brothel in broad daylight, what kind of behavior is that! I'll settle accounts with you later!" Shi Tianlu snorted, his expression grim.

In his impression, Shi Lan had always been a well-behaved child. But starting yesterday, her actions had become increasingly erratic. If she wasn't disciplined, what would become of her?

Shi Lan was speechless. So, Shi Tianlu had no intention of letting her off the hook at all.

"Patriarch, Eldest Young Master is physically weak and cannot withstand the punishment whips!" Shi Feng's expression shifted slightly, and he couldn't help but speak.

Shi Tianlu said nothing further, quietly waiting for Shi Feng to finish his three hundred lashes.

The punishment concluded. Shi Feng, seemingly unaffected, put on his clothes and was about to speak when Shi Tianlu preempted him, announcing Shi Lan's punishment.

"From today onwards, Shi Lan is confined to her residence for three months and is forbidden to leave the manor!" With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

Shi Lan, who had expected to be whipped, was momentarily stunned. Then, she breathed a sigh of relief. Three months without leaving the house was nothing.

[Side quest complete, System virtual space unlocked.]

Listening to the System's prompt, Shi Lan walked over to Shi Feng, asking with a hint of curiosity, "Shi Feng, can you tell me what level your strength is at?"

Those ordinary guards were in that state after taking twenty lashes. Shi Feng, however, had taken a full three hundred lashes and seemed completely unfazed. This gap in strength was obvious to anyone with eyes.

"Just a little stronger than ordinary guards," Shi Feng said, making a gesture.

Hearing this somewhat perfunctory answer, Shi Lan was not satisfied. However, she wasn't in the mood to banter with Shi Feng right now. She needed to go back and research this System virtual space.

Returning to her own quarters with a sense of excitement, Shi Lan summoned the panel for the Female Emperor Cultivation System. A new option, 'Virtual Space,' had appeared on the panel.

Shi Lan clicked on the virtual space. A pulling sensation, originating from the depths of her soul, swept over her. Her vision instantly went black. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a vast, white space.