BTTH: Auto Cultivation System

Time fades in cultivation and a year has passed since Xiao Hua awakened into this world. He has already integrated himself with the Xiao Family and this world. Now, he only focused on trying to get stronger, so no one can trample him like an ant.

“Huuu…”

Xiao Hua let out a huge breath as he felt his Qi circulating throughout his body. After a year passed, he finally reached 2-Star Dou Master. After consolidating his foundation and feeling satisfied with his new strength, he looked at his System.

A few months ago, when he started to cultivate his Qi Method, the Chaos Mantra, and use the Heavenly Lightning Bloodline (Xiao) as part of its condition, it directly caused him to reach 1-Star Dou Master and it hurts like hell.

However, it caused such a huge scene that the whole Wu Tan City knew about it. The younger generation in the Xiao Family even swore to never enter the back of the mountain for a while, until the elders and Patriarch confirmed that there is nothing in the back of the mountain other than a charred area.

They theorized that there might be an expert that breakthrough in the mountain and left after causing such a scene. Although there were few holes in that theory, they still agreed as they thought that nothing else could cause such a scene.

For that very reason, there have been countless of people trying to enter the back of the mountain, to see if there would be any chances to gain treasures belonging to the said expert. Initially, Xiao Clan refused since the mountain was under their territory, but after countless of people complain, they let the others in.

With full of frenzy, countless of people charge to search for it, but alas it was a useless effort. This frenzies event goes on for another two months, but no one found a single thing.

Naturally, they thought that Xiao Clan already took it, but stays quiet about it. However, after seen the charred area and the powerful and dangerous presence it gives, no one could say that Xiao Clan hide the treasures as it most likely be destroyed already.

The culprit, Xiao Hua, is hiding in Xiao Xun Er courtyard and feels guilty about it. He was trying to quietly leave so that no one could see him leaving her courtyard, however, fate seems to have other plans.

Xiao Ning, the boy that bullied Xiao Yan, when he temporarily lost his Dou Qi and became the trash of the Xiao Clan, saw Xiao Hua leaving her courtyard and told everybody. The elders and Patriarch heard about it and worried that Xiao Hua sneaked into Xiao Xun Er's courtyard.

Xiao Xun Er stepped forward to defend him. What truly captured everyone's attention was when she addressed him as ‘Brother Xiao Hua.’ They all knew she was indifferent to everyone and never got close to anyone, so the elders and the Patriarch realized they were either in a relationship or at least close enough for her to call him so intimately.

Recognizing the situation, the elders and the Patriarch apologized and dismissed the matter, resuming their affairs. However, Xiao Ning, who had spread the news without consulting the elders first, was harshly rebuked by his father and mother.

Even now, Xiao Hua shakes his head and sighs when he thinks about that situation. He is relieved that the whole thing didn't become a huge problem.

Afterwards he proceeds to look at the System, removing that part from his memory. He already upgraded his Auto-Cultivation two times, and he gained 10 ACP per 6 hours. Now, he has 7,300 ACP. Xiao Hua checked that in order to upgrade it next, he required 9,900ACP.

‘This is extortiooonnnnn!!! Goddamn it!! To upgrade it from 10 ACP per 12 hours to 6 hours is only a mere 800 ACP! Why does it suddenly become 9,900 ACP!?’

Xiao Hua got pissed at the cost to upgrade the next Auto-Cultivation Rate. Not surprising, as it was more than 12x times the previous cost. From the outside, he looks peaceful. However, inside he was barraging the System with curses.

After a while, he calms down and tries to remember the thing that System said to him some time ago.

‘If I remember correctly, every time I gained ACP per 1 hour, there would be a limit on how much I can store my ACP. Previously, when it was 5 ACP/hour, the limit was 4,000ACP. The next one seems to be 25,000 ACP…’

‘Additionally, if my ACP exceeds the specified limit when I upgrade the ACP rate to 1 hour, it will deduct the excess until it reaches that limit. This means there's no extra storage for my ACP points. Times like this make me miss the concept of Elden Ring's Golden Rune, where I could gain money just by crushing it...'

After some contemplation and a sentimental moment, Xiao Hua decided to hold off on upgrading the Auto-Cultivation Rate and looked at the shop instead.

For the past few months, he realized that reaching 1-Star Dou Master when they are still 5 years old is abnormal. So, he was searching in the store to help him to restrict, or at least hide his cultivation temporarily.

Then, he found something that may help him with his dilemma.

                                                                                                               

[Heavenly Suppression Band (Broken)]

 [Ability]

1. Suppressing and decreasing the Dou Qi within the body. The weight of the band increases depending on the amount of suppression.

2. The band can change into a gauntlet that can be used as offense and defense.

3. The band can also be used as a shield that protects the soul and mental attacks.

[Cost: 7,000ACP]

Xiao Hua was satisfied with its ability. Its suppression can be controlled, and he can lower his realm so that he is a 1-Star Practitioner. At the same time, he can also use its weight as training to improve his physical body and suppress the speed of the Dou Qi inside his body, which can be beneficial to his cultivation.

Not only that, but he can also use it as a weapon for offense and defense. With its protection against soul attack, it already exceeds Xiao Yan’s Heavy Xuan Ruler.

If there's one thing that bothered him the most was the fact that the System said it was broken. However, he knew the System wouldn't sell him something unusable and decided to bought it nonetheless.

After he bought it, the System instantly send it to his Storage Ring which he found it convenient as he was worried that if he bought something and it appeared in the mid-air out nowhere.

Nevertheless, he takes it out and checked for its design. He was worried that the design seems like a cursed object or too fancy. In this world, even a fancy design could get you killed and a cursed object may give people to judge you.

Fortunately, in this case, the design was not one of these two.

The Heavenly Suppression Band is a silvery-colored wristband. On the surface of the silvery band, there are some strange inscriptions with a chain-like pattern on them. Once he confirms its design, he puts it on.

Afterwards, he can feel his Dou Qi decreasing, as his body slowly getting heavy. He controlled it until it lowered to 1-Star Dou Practitioner and feels his body very heavy, yet still bearable. After a while, he was able to walk with it, albeit uncomfortably.

“Brother Xiao Hua~~!”

Xiao Hua went down the mountain and heard a voice calling for him. He faced towards the direction of the voice and saw a girl waving excitedly and running towards him with a bright smile.

He knew the girl that’s coming to him very well, as she is the main heroine and supposed beloved childhood friend of Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun’er. Although now she has some distant towards Xiao Yan because Xiao Hua interrupted his vulgar behavior that would put all men to shame.

However, Xiao Hua found out that this world has an element of novel and manhua. He remembered that a couple of months ago, a bear suddenly attacked Xiao Xun’er while she let her guard down and with Ling Ying not around.

As the bear was about to hurt her, Xiao Hua retaliated back and knocked the bear out. Seconds later, Xiao Yan appeared running after hearing Xun’er screams. Only then, he remembered that this should be where Xiao Yan protected Xiao Xun’er and gained her affection in the manhua.

‘Is it only that one time or is it because this is real life and some elements from novel and manhuas mixed in? What I’m more worried about is about Xiao Yi Xian, possessor of Woeful Poison Body.’

‘Depending on which one, the plot in the novel can be avoided, however, the past that she talked about in manhua is going to be impossible…’

Xiao Hua remembered that white-haired girl who had an unfortunate past in manhua or an unfortunate future in the novel. Xiao Hua shakes his head, clearing his thoughts as there is nothing he can do for her currently.

“Are you okay, Brother Xiao Hua?”

Xiao Xun’er noticed Xiao Hua condition was a little bit off and asked in concerns. Although Xiao Hua wanted to assure her by saying its nothing, he knew she won’t feel relieves and will just be even more worried.

“I just realized that I’m currently too weak and how much I need to get stronger, that’s all. So, you don't have to show me such a sad expression, Xun’er.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Xiao Hua. You’re already— Wait! What happened, Brother Xiao Hua!? Aren’t you supposed to be a 2-St—?!”

Xiao Xun Er tries to comfort Xiao Hua and mentioned about his cultivation realm, 2-Star Dou Master, when she realized that he is currently 1-Star Dou Practitioner. Concerned, she panicked and shouted out loud, gathering people’s attention.

Xiao Hua quickly closed her mouth before she could finish her questions to keep her quiet and turned around to apologize toward the crowds for making a racket.

Xiao Xun Er realizes her outburst has caught people’s attention, she also apologizes to the crowd. She knew that Xiao Hua was keeping a secret about his cultivation realm as he was worried that it will caught an unwarranted attention.

The crowds already know about their close intimacy and thought it was just cute little children worrying about their lover, so they showed a warm smile and nods before disperse and continuing with their activities.

“I’m fine so don’t worry about it, Xun’er. If it’s about my 2-Star Dou Master Realm, it’s because of these hand braces that my parent left me.”

“It can suppress and decrease my Dou Qi to 1-Star Practitioner. Depending on how much I let it suppress and decrease, it will make my body heavy. Which is good for training my willpower and beneficial for my cultivation.”

Xiao Hua shows Heavenly Suppression Band and explains to her with some mixed of lie and truth. After listening to his explanation, Xiao Xun Er calmed down and looked at the Heavenly Suppression Band.

“I see. So, you are using this to hide your true cultivation realm and for your training as well.”

“That’s right. By the way, it’s rare for you to come here alone without Old Ling ever since the bear nearly harmed you and Old Ling scolded you. Did something happened, Xun'er?"

“Ah! I forgot, Brother Xiao Hua! It’s about the Examination Day that Xiao Clan held every year! Are you going to display your cultivation there?”

“Yeah. As planned, I want to study at Jia Nan Academy. After all, this place has become a bit too small for me.”

Xiao Hua clenched his fist and desire to fly even higher than what Xiao Yan, Lin Don, Mu Chen, Zhou Yuan is. This desire of his was ignited by the System, showing that there are two talents that are for two higher realms than God Realm and Ruler Realm.

He could sense that the System provoked him by showing those two talents and wanted to see the reason for it. After all, even now, he wondered why and what exactly make him possessed this AC System.

For that very reason, he have to reached that highest realm, two realm higher than God Realm and Ruler Realm. For his sake and for his loved one.

"By the way, Xun'er, is there anyone else other than us two who would participate in the Examination Day? Will our Third Young Master join the fun as well?" Xiao Hua inquired. He was curious who else would participate in their age group and wondered if Xiao Yan would join in.

"No. If I remember correctly, because of a certain event caused by a certain boy, he decided to cultivate seriously, fearing for that thunder." Xiao Xun Er giggle beautifully as she said teasingly to Xiao Hua.

"..."

Xiao Hua pursed his lips as he knew which event she was talking about. However, he was relief that Xiao Yan didn't join in as this mean that he will not get embarrassed by Xiao Hua and Xiao Xun Er when they decided to participate as well.

---

Author Note:

I forgot to mention this, but the name changes to reflect the growing closeness between Xiao Hua and Xiao Xun Er. Initially, she is referred to as Gu Xun Er, but as their relationship deepens, she becomes Xiao Xun Er.