BTTH: Auto Cultivation System

After Ming Cheng and the others advanced to the Dou Spirit class, they wasted no time in sending challenge letters to the seniors. Their streak of victories was swift and decisive, with none of them suffering defeat. This continued until those ranked in the 'Strong Ranking' finally decided to take notice and challenge them.

Though Mei Ling and Wei Jie narrowly secured their victories, Ming Cheng and the others triumphed effortlessly, without encountering any difficulties. Xiao Hua observed their progress and was shocked to discover they had already reached the 6-Star Dou Spirit level. He had never imagined such rapid advancement, but his heart swelled with pride and joy.

Unfortunately, Xiao Hua himself could not join them. His focus was elsewhere—managing the wealth of the Chaos Gate. The natural array that provided resources wouldn't last forever, and he knew it was essential to create new avenues of income to ensure the sect’s future prosperity.

What better way to begin than by establishing a trade route for selling medicinal pills? Once this chain of distribution was set in motion, the Chaos Gate would no longer need to worry about 'Fire Energy' for future generations.

Given the harsh and unpredictable environment of the Inner Academy, injuries and Qi depletion were inevitable. Moreover, students frequently faced the dangerous 'Fire Poison' while training in the 'Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.'

However, with Xiao Hua, Wei Jie, and Mei Ling’s exceptional skills in alchemy, these problems were mere trifles. Naturally, they wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip by. Ignoring it would not only waste their alchemical talents but also the precious time needed to refine their techniques.

A few weeks later, Xiao Hua's plan swiftly came to life. With no real obstacles, they easily conquered the marketplace, establishing a solid foothold for their medicinal pill trade.

Now that the medicinal pills were generating 'Fire Energy' for the faction, they sought to expand their endeavors. They aimed to create a place where they could train the members of Chaos Gate and hunt magical beasts. After all, they didn’t want the Chaos Gate to become solely an alchemy-focused faction, relying on one source of income.

In the world of cultivation, strength was paramount, whether within the Inner Academy or outside of it. The seven of them didn't want Chaos Gate to be known for weak and fragile alchemists alone. They desired practitioners capable of combat, warriors who could stand tall in the face of adversity.

Of course, an alchemist who was also a formidable cultivator would be ideal, but they knew not to get too greedy. What they valued most, however, was humility. While they respected pride, arrogance and entitlement had no place in their faction. They were acutely aware that such traits could lead to the downfall of Chaos Gate before they even realized it.

With their income streams solidified and strict regulations in place, the recruitment began. The lure of 'Fire Energy' and the undeniable strength of the seven founders attracted a flood of applicants, all eager to join the Chaos Gate and be part of its rising power.

Moreover, Xun Er had implemented a Task System that made it easier for members to earn more 'Fire Energy.' Yet, the seven founders and the faction executives rarely needed to rely on it. The spiritual energy and dense Qi in the center of the forest were far purer and more abundant than the tower's offerings, accelerating their cultivation more effectively.

Although the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, fueled by the Fallen Heart Flame, greatly accelerated Dou Qi cultivation by condensing and enhancing the scattered Dou Qi, it mainly benefited Dou Qi refinement. The central forest, on the other hand, provided broader advantages. Not only did it offer dense Dou Qi for physical cultivation, but its rich spiritual energy also nurtured their souls, giving them a holistic advantage in their cultivation.

This was further amplified by the spiritual array covering the central area, left behind by the Celestial Ancient Frost just before she entered her slumber. Xiao Hua and the other six only discovered this later, after Lady Azure had informed them this, which shocked them slightly. With this array in place, the central forest had become a haven for cultivation that rivaled, if not surpassed, the benefits of training in the tower.

Without the permission of Xiao Hua and the other six, no one belongs to the Chaos Gate could refine the energy that within the center of the forest.

Since then, the Chaos Gate had earned a reputation as one of the strongest, wealthiest, and largest factions within the Inner Academy. Their strict regulations and severe punishments ensured that none of their members grew arrogant or caused trouble for others. This discipline made the faction even more respected and admired by the rest of the student within the Inner Academy.

----

Six months had passed since Chaos Gate rose to prominence. Xiao Hua sat in his room, deep in cultivation, when a familiar beeping sound interrupted the silence. Opening his eyes, he turned his gaze toward the System interface, knowing exactly what the notification was—it was time for his Weekly and Monthly Sign-In.

Over the past six months, Xiao Hua had consistently signed in, both weekly and monthly, accumulating ACP (Achievement Points) as rewards. He had upgraded his ACP Rate multiple times, now earning 50 ACP per hour. The next upgrade, however, came at a steep cost—100,000 ACP. Glancing at his current total of 95,600 ACP, he decided to hold off on spending, choosing to wait until next week to reach the required amount and upgrade his ACP Rate to the next level.

Moreover, Xiao Hua realized something important. The first manual sign-in was the only time he could trigger it himself. Every sign-in after that happened automatically, which could put him in a tricky position later on. The reason? The ACP Limitation.

Whenever his ACP rate reached a point where he could accumulate ACP within an hour, the System imposed a cap—an ACP Limitation. Any excess ACP he gained beyond the limit prior or after the upgrade would vanish into nothingness, erasing any surplus he had.

Thankfully, this only applied when the ACP was earned on an hourly basis. If not, Xiao Hua might’ve considered this System a curse rather than a blessing.

iao Hua glanced at the ACP Limitation: 120,000 ACP. Thankfully, his current balance was far below that threshold, sparing him from the frustration of losing excess points. In the past, he had tried to avoid hitting the limit by spending his surplus ACP on the Gacha Events, particularly on the 'Mortal Grade Draw.'

Because of this, his Storage Ring was now brimming with medicinal ingredients and pills of various grades, all from tiers eight and below. He had amassed an assortment of treasures, Dou Techniques, and Qi Methods, with some reaching as high as the Di Class. Additionally, his collection included numerous high-grade corpses and magical beast bloodlines.

Among these were two exceptional finds: a pure drop of bloodline from both the Ancient Heaven Demon Phoenix and the Ancient Void Dragon. Despite these rare treasures, Xiao Hua couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment—he had been hoping to earn ACP through the Gacha, as one of the rewards could have netted him a minimum of 30,000 ACP. That would have been enough for at least one more draw or to upgrade his ACP Rate further.

Still, there was one thing that kept him satisfied. He had accumulated a total of 80 draws, just two short of triggering the 'Pity Draw,' which guaranteed a high-level reward. However, for now, Xiao Hua chose to focus on upgrading his ACP Rate once more before diverting his attention to the 'Mortal Grade Draw'.

Xiao Hua closed the System, then stirred the presence of the lady who resided within his body. Moments later, she materialized before him, her expression one of curiosity. She seemed puzzled as to why he had summoned her so suddenly.

"Sister Azure," Xiao Hua began in a solemn tone, his voice carrying the weight of his confusion, "why have my Dou Qi affinities suddenly changed to encompass all elements?"

His question lingered in the air, heavy with uncertainty. Xiao Hua knew his original Dou Qi affinities had been three: Fire, Wood, and Lightning, all perfected at the Mortal Realm stage. This wasn't merely a reflection of talent, nor did it guarantee a path to Dou Di class—it was simply the nature of his Dou Qi, what elements he was aligned with. The AC System, however, had indicated that by focusing on affinities perfected in the Mortal Realm, one's journey to Dou Di class would be smoother.

But smoother didn’t mean easier. The road to the peak still required immense cultivation resources to solidify one’s foundation. No shortcuts existed for true power.

Xiao Hua had been born with the natural talents of Fire and Wood affinities. Later, after inheriting the Heavenly Lightning Bloodline, his Dou Qi gained an affinity for Lightning. Yet, six months ago, when he had checked his affinities, something shocking had happened—every element, except Blood and Time, had reached the Perfected Stage of the Mortal Realm.

"Naturally, it's because you’ve absorbed all three of us," Lady Azure responded, her voice calm yet carrying a hint of mystery. "When you refined our energies, your Dou Qi also inherited all the affinities we possess."

Xiao Hua's brows furrowed in deeper confusion. "Absorbed? All of you? Since when have I absorbed the 'Celestial Ancient Frost' in my body?"

"You may not have fully absorbed it," Lady Azure explained, turning to sit gracefully at a nearby table. "But its energy is still within you, slowly releasing over time. Once it does, your body began refining it, without realizing it, its influence merged with your own Dou Qi. When all of us—myself, Celestial Ancient Frost, and Heavenly Lightning—reside in a single body, our energies resonate, causing your Dou Qi to adapt to all our affinities. Each of us carries multiple affinities, and once resonated, they naturally become yours. Poison, Shadow, Earth... all of them. The resonance of our energies was also what caused you to fall into that two-week slumber."

"I see..." Xiao Hua nodded thoughtfully, but a new question lingered in his mind. "However, how can I absorb the pure energy that was released by the Celestial Ancient Frost? Isn't different from the Dou qi energy I use and its in much more pure form?"

Lady Azure nodded, sensing the depth of Xiao Hua's curiosity. Without hesitation, she continued, "Before returning to her slumber, Celestial Ancient Frost set a formation within you. Her pure energy was altered into a form of Dou Qi energy, so that it could seamlessly integrate with your own cultivation. When it comes to formations and spiritual arrays, no one surpasses my sister, Celestial Ancient Frost."

Xiao Hua’s eyes widened in amazement. "To think she managed to place a spiritual array in such a short time..." His respect for Lady Azure's sister deepened. He knew that in the Great Thousand World, Spiritual Array Masters were among the most revered of all cultivators, yet he had never expected that one of the legendary figures within his body would be a master of such a profound art.

Xiao Hua scratched his head, offering an awkward smile. "By the way, Sister Azure, your sisters' names are a bit long... Is there a shorter version I could use? Calling them 'Celestial Ancient Frost' and 'Primordial Heaven Lightning' feels a bit... too much."

Lady Azure gave him a brief look of disdain, but it faded quickly as she realized he had a point. "Unfortunately, we don’t have proper names aside from the titles we use for ourselves, and that includes me. I call myself Azure, but when my sister Celestial Ancient Frost awakens, she refers to me as 'Heavenly Genesis Flame.'”

"I see..." Xiao Hua muttered, still unsure. His hesitation was clear as he asked, "Would they be upset if I gave them shorter names?"

"As long as the names aren't terrible," Lady Azure replied with a wave of her hand, her tone indifferent. With a graceful motion, she summoned a green flame, and from it emerged the forms of two beautiful women, each exuding a distinct and powerful aura.

"She is Sister Celestial Ancient Frost," Lady Azure introduced, her hand gesturing toward the image on the left.

A woman of ethereal beauty stood before them, her long, snow-white hair flowing like a cascade of silver silk, gently tied into a ponytail that swayed gracefully with the breeze. Upon her flawless forehead, three delicate marks bloomed like white petals, adding an air of mystique to her already otherworldly presence.

Crystal-blue eyes, clear as the most pristine of glaciers, reflected a chilling calm, their depths as distant and unreachable as the stars above. Clad in flowing robes of white and blue, her attire mirrored the heavens and oceans, both serene yet imbued with an icy majesty.

Her beauty was unparalleled, enough to topple empires and stir the hearts of both kings and gods. Yet, despite such allure, a cold and indifferent air surrounded her, like the biting frost of an eternal winter. To behold her was to witness a goddess descended from the heavens, untouchable and unyielding, leaving all who gazed upon her awestruck and distant.

Lady Azure moved her hand toward the image on the right. "And she is Primordial Heaven Lightning."

The lady stood as though crafted by the hands of gods themselves, her long raven hair flowing like a waterfall of midnight silk, a subtle hint of purple gleaming when kissed by the light. Her silver eyes sparkled like the stars in an endless sky, mysterious and distant, drawing gazes with an otherworldly allure. Her beauty was like flawless jade, untouched and untainted—so pure that one could only marvel from afar, fearing to desecrate such sacred elegance.

Draped in simple yellow and white robes, her attire was modest, yet it did nothing to dim the brilliance of her ethereal grace and elegant. Instead, it magnified her charm, each step she took as soft and flowing as the wind, her every movement carrying an elegance that seemed beyond this mortal realm.

Her aura was warm, like the gentle embrace of the first light of dawn, yet there lingered an unspoken distance. A quiet barrier, as if her presence belonged to the heavens, leaving those who dared to approach awestruck, but ever respectful of the sacred distance that shielded her from the mortal world.

Xiao Hua gazed at the ethereal images of the two ladies, his heart filled with astonishment. His eyes slowly shifted to Lady Azure, who sat silently on her chair, watching the scene unfold with an enigmatic calm.

Her long jade-colored hair cascaded down her back, flowing like a silken river under the stars, each strand shimmering with a mystical luster. Her emerald eyes, deep and enigmatic, mirrored the tranquil beauty of a blue moon hanging high in the night sky, entrancing all who dared meet her gaze.

Her beauty was akin to flawless jade, pure and ethereal, yet it ignited a fire in the hearts of all who beheld her. Whether man or woman, none could escape the smoldering passion her presence kindled deep within. Every glance, every slight motion she made seemed to weave a spell of irresistible allure. Clad in flowing robes of green and white, her attire wrapped gracefully around her delicate yet shapely figure, highlighting her natural elegance without a hint of immodesty. Her beauty was not meant to be hidden, but to be admired, as it radiated a seductive charm that transcended the boundaries of gender.

Yet, beneath that intoxicating allure was an unshakable air of regal coldness. She stood aloof, like an untouchable ice lotus blooming atop a lofty peak, distant and unapproachable. Her every movement was graceful, her presence commanding, as if she were a queen surveying her domain, indifferent to the emotions she stirred in those around her. Her cold, majestic aura only heightened her mystique, drawing others closer even as she kept them at bay, forever yearning, forever burning.

'Her coldness atmosphere is completely opposite to her nature as the hottest flame in the entire Great Thousand World...' Xiao Hua mused, a faint, wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

He already knew that Lady Azure's beauty surpassed even the legendary Xun Er, and the renowned Queen Medusa—now called Cai Lin. He had once confidently believed that no one could rival Lady Azure’s breathtaking allure. Yet here he stood, proven wrong, for the two ethereal figures before him were equally as captivating, each radiating a beauty that was on par with Lady Azure.

Lady Azure noticed Xiao Hua’s stunned expression and giggled softly, amused by the situation. She remembered how Xiao Hua had boldly claimed that no other beauty could match hers. And now, as the images of Celestial Ancient Frost and Primordial Heaven Lightning stood before him, his confidence was clearly shaken.

Despite his astonishment, Lady Azure could see there was no trace of lust or desire in his eyes, only pure astonishment. She had been by his side long enough to understand that Xiao Hua, though surrounded by extraordinary beauties, had long since grown accustomed to such appearances. He didn’t feel attraction merely because of a woman’s looks—beauty alone didn’t move him.

Lady Azure giggled softly, her amusement clear as she observed Xiao Hua's troubled expression. "So," she asked with a teasing lilt, "have you decided the names for them?"

Xiao Hua crossed his arms, lost in thought as he pondered suitable names. After a moment, he recalled the names of the fiancée of Yang Kai, the protagonist from Martial Peak. "For Sister Celestial Ancient Frost, her name would be Xue Yue. And for Sister Primordial Heaven Lightning, I’ll name her Yu Ru Meng..."

"I see..." Lady Azure nodded approvingly. She thoughtfully placed a hand on her chin. "'Xue Yue' evokes the imagery of snow and moon, symbols of nature, beauty, and serenity, often representing purity and tranquility. Meanwhile, 'Yu Ru Meng,' meaning 'Jade Like a Dream' or 'As Beautiful as a Dream of Jade,' conveys a poetic sense of elegance, purity, and dreamlike beauty."

Turning to Xiao Hua, Lady Azure smiled, her expression warm and captivating. With a graceful wave of her hand, the two images of her sisters faded into the ether. "Surprisingly, child, your naming sense is rather... amusing."

"Is... is that so?" he replied, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin, grateful that his choice of names hadn't been met with disapproval.

Xiao Hua smiled awkwardly, the corners of his lips twitching in a mix of relief and embarrassment. Deep in his heart, he silently thanked Momo, the author of Martial Peak. If not for those names, he doubted he could have come up with anything fitting. After all, he was well aware that his naming sense was far from refined.

“Brother Xiao Hua, are you free right now?”

Xiao Hua and Lady Azure were in the middle of a discussion when a familiar knock and voice broke the silence. Recognizing Xun Er's voice, they both sensed another presence accompanying her outside. Lady Azure swiftly retreated into his body, erasing any trace of her existence.

Xiao Hua smiled at the sound of Xun Er’s voice and opened the door. He was greeted by the sight of Xun Er standing alongside Elder Su, the one responsible for handling the 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition.' Elder Su looked at him with eyes filled with respect and admiration, a reflection of the prestigious reputation Xiao Hua had built over the past six months.

Ever since Xiao Hua had reached the rank of eighth-tier alchemist and his siblings, Wei Jie and Mei Ling, became seventh-tier alchemists, the academy’s elders had frequently approached them to refine medicinal pills, particularly Zong Breaking Pills. In return, they were offered cultivation resources and precious treasures.

Naturally, Xiao Hua and his siblings didn’t mind the requests, and they had refined numerous pills for the elders. With this, the strength of Jia Nan Academy had risen considerably. Su Qian, the First Elder, had reached the power of a 7-Star Dou Ancestor, and many other elders had just entered the Dou Ancestor class themselves.

Seeing the slight confusion in Xiao Hua’s expression, Elder Su offered a somewhat awkward smile before speaking. "Student Xiao Hua... We’re in need of the registration list for this year’s 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition.'"

Realizing what Elder Su was referring to, Xiao Hua let out a small, apologetic smile. Last year’s batch, which included Xiao Hua and his peers, had shown little interest in the competition. Instead, they had chosen to focus on cultivation and training, leaving a gap in participants for the current event.

Xiao Hua remembered the events following the establishment of Chaos Gate. Two weeks after the faction was founded, the Inner Academy had held another 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition' for the remaining 100 students, after filling the seven vacant spots through a Qualifying Competition in the Outer Academy.

The previous year's 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition' had been special, as it was intended to test the potential of Xiao Hua and the other six members of Chaos Gate. However, the subsequent competition followed the traditional rules, where last year's students fought against the current year’s batch. Without Xiao Hua and the six members of Chaos Gate participating, the new students were utterly annihilated.

The incoming students, bruised and battered from the competition, found life in the Inner Academy to be a living hell. The older students relentlessly bullied them, taking most of their 'Fire Energy' under the guise of "kindness." Unable to retaliate and desperate to avoid further torment, the new students began to investigate their options.

Through their inquiries, they soon discovered the reputation that Xiao Hua and the other six held within the academy. Learning about the Chaos Gate faction they had founded, the new students became the first to knock on their doors, seeking protection and guidance.

After hearing the rules and regulations of Chaos Gate, the newcomers had no objections. But before officially joining, Xiao Hua had emphasized one absolute, unbreakable rule that each member had to understand deeply, even if it wasn’t written in the formal regulations:

Never bully the weak!

This core value became ingrained in every member, shaping the identity of Chaos Gate. The faction never allowed its members to become arrogant or abuse their strength to harm those weaker than them. It was a principle that distinguished them and earned widespread respect.

However, this unwavering loyalty to Xiao Hua’s rules had now created an unforeseen issue. None of the members wanted to participate in the 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition,' as they viewed it as "bullying the weak," a direct violation of their principles. This had troubled the Elders, who hadn’t anticipated the depth of loyalty and commitment the Chaos Gate members had towards Xiao Hua and the others.

Now, faced with a lack of participants, the academy was at a loss. As a result, the burden of resolving this issue fell upon Xiao Hua.