As long as the elders are towering trees, there'll be shade wherever I go

System: "I..."

A flash of light, and the description of the characteristics appeared before Lu Changzhi's eyes:

[Abnormal Version of the Cultivation Simplification System)]: Bound to disciple Xiao Ye. As the master, disciple Xiao Ye simplifies cultivation techniques, martial arts, items, and cultivation methods, and the host will simultaneously gain corresponding experience points. Upon completing tasks, disciple Xiao Ye will receive opportunities to draw items of corresponding rank. Influenced by the talent [Master Not Inferior to Disciple], the host can currently optimize their own cultivation and talent...

After reading the system's introduction, Lu Changzhi's expression changed.

This is yet another way to earn extra rewards.

However, that wasn't what he was more concerned about.

"System, can the simplified martial arts techniques be made available to other users?"

In his view, this is the most important thing.

Just like that sacred technique, one can use it directly without any cultivation.

Even if we take a step back, simplifying some procedures and saving some training time would certainly be of great help to the Five Symbols Sect.

For example, if the sacred teachings could be optimized to the point that no barrier to entry is required, everyone could easily practice them.

This is undoubtedly a powerful realization of the four questions I asked myself in self-reflection.

With this thought in mind, Lu Changzhi couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

As long as the elders of the Five Symbols Sect are all towering trees, even if I don't take action, I can always find shade wherever I go.

Wonderful!

At this moment, the system responded:

"Reporting to Master, the simplified martial arts techniques created using the Dao Simplification Brush can be checked before simplification to see if they are applicable to others. A certain fee is required for others to use them."

Lu Changzhi's eyes lit up slightly.

He was quite satisfied with this answer.

Although it still takes experience, it's much better than making empty promises to yourself.

"However, I've already used up all the Powerful Simplification attempts with the Dao Simplification Brush."

Lu Changzhi pondered for a moment.

"We really need to get Xiao Ye to read more than ten thousand books quickly."

With a thought, Lu Changzhi's consciousness entered his clone.

In the darkness of night, Xiao Ye was still sitting cross-legged, cultivating.

"Never mind, I don't have any cultivation techniques or martial arts skills at the moment anyway."

Lu Changzhi changed his mind.

Regaining his composure, Lu Changzhi returned to the system and began checking his personal attributes.

[Name]: Lu Changzhi

[Experience Points]: 26325

[Realm]: Void Transformation Realm Fifth Layer (can be optimized)

[Qualification]: Saint Rank High Grade (Can be optimized)

[Constitution]: Five Elements Sacred Physique (0/5)

[Talents]: Master Not Inferior to Disciple, Conceal Essence and Return Breath, Extensive Learning and Knowledge (lv3), Aptitude of a Great Emperor, No Trace of Fate, Fortune Upon the Body, Impermanent Karma

[System Features]: Cracked Version of the Sign-In System (lv3), Premium Version of the Idle Cultivation System (lv3), Money Can Cause Ghosts to Turn the Millstone, the Honorable God of Food, Qin Jiuxiao's Benefactor, Abnormal Version of the Cultivation Simplification System

[Mall Level]: Level 2

Sure enough, Lu Changzhi noticed something different.

Originally, once a disciple was accepted, both their cultivation level and aptitude would become "potential for improvement."

However, it has now become "optimizable".

This should be the feature added to the Simplification System.

Lu Changzhi thought to himself, and then said:

"System, optimize realm and aptitude."

The sound faded.

A power surged from within.

Lu Changzhi felt a slight tremor in his dantian.

Immediately afterwards, spiritual energy surged wildly towards him from all directions.

Wherever its body was, spiritual energy surged wildly, transforming into an astonishing vortex of spiritual energy.

In an instant, spiritual energy began to fill his dantian at an astonishing speed.

As spiritual energy continued to flow into it, the original dantian expanded in size.

Boom boom boom!

Within his dantian, as spiritual energy circulated, it was as if muffled thunder was ringing out one after another.

The spiritual energy that had been beginning to condense was now condensing at an astonishing speed.

At the same time, Lu Changzhi clearly felt that his cultivation level was improving at a rapid pace.

This commotion lasted for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

When all of this came to a stop.

Lu Changzhi's aura had already reached the Peak Void Transformation Realm.

"Realm optimization complete."

A system voice then sounded.

At the same time, the content in the [Realm] section also changed to "Late Void Transformation Realm".

"Um?"

Lu Changzhi's expression shifted, and he asked:

"System, what's going on?"

"Reporting to Master."

The system explained in a voice:

"Based on the current simplified level system, you only need to break through three times to advance to the next major realm, saving two-thirds of the difficulty and time. The corresponding realm titles are also named early, middle, and late stages."

"Simply three steps?"

Lu Changzhi's eyes lit up slightly, and he asked again:

"With Xiao Ye's system upgrade, will it continue to be optimized?"

"Yes, Master."

"OK."

Lu Changzhi nodded in satisfaction.

I never expected that this apprenticeship would yield such a great result.

This directly reduces the difficulty of cultivation and solves the problem of slow cultivation at its root.

At the same time, the improvement of qualifications also began.

After everything is over, his aptitude will also become Saint Rank Peak Grade.

However, there wasn't such a significant change in realm; the four steps became three.

"Oh, right."

Lu Changzhi thought of something and asked:

When did the numbers following "Five Elements Sacred Physique" appear?

He doesn't check his personal profile page very often.

I hadn't noticed it before.

"When the master took out the Unsealing Key, Kun."

The system responded verbally, along with an explanation:

"A great era is about to begin, and various sources of power will reappear in the world. By subduing the source power corresponding to the five elements, the master can further enhance the Five Elements Sacred Physique."

"Is it related to this so-called great era?" Lu Changzhi pondered for a moment.

Suddenly, he thought of something and said:

"It's too much trouble to collect all that."

"Or, could you go and help me... no, borrow it?"

As soon as the sound ended, the system immediately spoke:

"Master, I am a legitimate system."

Do you even believe that yourself?

This time, the system remained silent for a long time:

"Well."

Lu Changzhi laughed and sat back down on the bed.

"He's reached the Peak Void Transformation Realm; breaking through to the Dao Comprehension Realm probably won't be long."

"Then we can upgrade to a level three shop."

Just then, Xiao Ye approached him from the other side.

"Master, where are we going? Are we going to some powerful force?"

Xiao Ye asked Lu Changzhi.

He was sitting cross-legged when he suddenly realized something.

I've already become an apprentice, so logically, the task should be complete by now.

Complete the task, receive a task rating, and you will receive a reward.

But now, there's been no movement.

Upon inquiring with the system, he discovered that it was because he didn't know which faction he had gone to.

"Five Symbols Sect."

Lu Changzhi replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Master. I won't disturb you any longer."

Xiao Ye thanked him and then left.

At the same time, Xiao Ye thought to himself:

"Tongtong, this time it should work, right?"

As the sound faded, a system notification sounded:

"Congratulations, host, on successfully completing the mission and joining a faction. The faction you have joined this time is the Five Symbols Sect. The mission rating is: eleven."

"Eleven?!"

Xiao Ye was stunned for a long time, looking like he'd seen a ghost.

"Tongtong, isn't the highest rating ten? This eleven..."

Before the words were finished, the system said:

"Congratulations, young master, on becoming the master's apprentice and exceeding expectations for this mission!"

"Task rewards are being distributed..."

PS: This is the update at 00:01 on December 30th. It is updated daily at 00:01.