Seized by the System

“Karma, karma. What exactly is it? I think those powerhouses might know something about it.” After pondering things for a moment, Fang Ning turned on his phone and started sending Wechat messages.

…

In the Alchemy Lab within the System Space, smoke filled the space and a mixture of fragrance and burning filled the air.

“Hmm, Richie, the dishes you practiced today have improved in quality. At least Chong Daqing no longer said you put too much salt…” assessed the System.

“Hm, then based on your opinion Sir System, do you think my culinary skills are at a primary level already?” asked Fang Ning giddily.

“Primary level? You’re in over your head. The primary levels assessed by my system module can only be achieved by talents among human beings; their technical skills have to be as accurate as machines, and it wouldn’t be possible without at least decades of effort.”

“What? You should’ve mentioned that it would decades, I’m not going to cultivate it anymore!” Fang Ning sat down onto the Alchemy Lab’s floor, expression downcast.

“Don’t do that. I’m talking about regular people, but are you a regular person?” scorned the System.

“Huh, I guess you’re right,” Fang Ning regained himself. “I’ve forgotten that I’m at least Pond-level soul, so a regular person can’t compare to me. However, how long will it take me to reach the system’s primary level of culinary skill?”

“At least another half a month or so… And that’s already the fastest. After all, I’ll be teaching you personally. If it were another Pond-level powerhouse, then it might not be possible,” comforted the System instantly.

“Yeah, but your so-called teaching me personally means throwing two thick books at me so I can self-study…” said Fang Ning as he patted the pair of books on the floor —”Culinary Encyclopedia” and “Introduction to Alchemy”.

“Hey, I’m doing this out of care and love for you. I’m helping you cultivate your self-learning skills. Besides, a wise sage once said give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. These two books are your fishing tools, and if I put them outside, I won’t be able to sell them at all as they’re priceless.” huffed the System.

“Oh, is that so? I still think that it would be better if you used your experience points to transform me slightly instead…” insisted Fang Ning.

“That’s impossible. Leave,” said the System simply.

“I, I’ll use the experience points that my precious book accumulated to change then,” gritted Fang Ning through his teeth.

“Ugh…” Once the System heard these words, it began to hesitate.

“Yeah, it’s no big deal. The worst that’ll happen is that I’ll use twice as much experience to exchange with you,” seethed Fang Ning.

“Hmm, that won’t do. The experience points of that old book of yours will belong to me sooner or later, so it’ll be a waste to use them on you. Besides, humans possess the ability to learn, so after learning the basic principles, you can just imitate others until you pick it up.” The System insisted on its refusal.

“Ah? How can that be? That isn’t how a System works at all…” exclaimed Fang Ning in shock and anger.

“Haha, but this is the reality of it all, so don’t even think about being lazy. Although you’re bound to me and your body is partially systematized, but the main body is still a human one in the end. You should use a method that uses experience points to improve skills less. After all, eating too much fast food isn’t good for your stomach.” instructed the System earnestly.

“Forget it, your logic isn’t wrong either.” One of Fang Ning’s strong points was that he was not ignorant.

Since the System had rejected him so many times, it was obvious that taking the shortcut was not a good idea.

It was still better for him to fully understand the basic principles and to practice according to the examples in the books so that he would be able to master the skill.

Fang Ning got up in a bid to practice some alchemy, no, to cook when the System suddenly reminded him, “Ren Ruofeng’s sent you a message. Go check it on your computer.”

“Oh, oh, I’ll go now.” Upon hearing the words, Fang Ning immediately ran out of the Alchemy Lab.

It was obvious just how much of a pull a computer had towards Fang Ning.

Once he entered the System Cyber Café, he immediately turned on the computer that was in Hibernation Mode. As he was told, the lower right corner of the screen flashed with a Wechat message notification.

“If I may ask, Venerable One, just what is this ‘karma’? I heard that many influential beings of the Upper Realm didn’t dare to act because they were afraid of karma, so they would always find indirect ways instead.” read Ren Ruofeng’s message.

“Uh, karma, karma. Isn’t that a Buddhist term?” Fang Ning was speechless. “Sir System, would you happen to know what karma is?”

“I don’t understand. Is it some kind of fruit? Is it delicious?” wondered the System. ¹

“Are you acting dumb again? Don’t you know to search for it?” scolded Fang Ning.

“Ah, I’ll ask Xiao An about it,” said the System giddily, “Searching isn’t reliable, I have plenty of painful experiences to back that up.”

“Huh, you actually realized that. It really is true that a scholar that has been away for three days must be looked at with new eyes,” expressed Fang Ning in awe.

“Don’t you see me every day? When have we been apart for three days when we haven’t even been apart for one second?” retorted the System.

“Gosh, just go ask quickly,” grumbled Fang Ning.

All the others that had gained immense power and influence were accompanied by beauties and friends every day.

Yet, here he was, arguing with a mentally-challenged System that was only a year and half old. They argued almost every day, and it was truly maddening.

“Alright, I’m leaving, I’m leaving.” The System quickly made its leave.

…

In the Draconic Penitentiary.

“Karma, in the eyes of the people of the Upper Realm, isn’t some empty concept that the people of this world think it is. I’ll provide two examples, and I believe you’ll understand, Venerable One.” explained Anderson seriously.

“I remember that there was a faction in the Upper Realm called Dongtian Faction that was destroyed by an almighty being because they had a certain treasure in their collection. However, this faction had done a lot of good deeds for the people, and there was one particularly talented person that had received their unintentional kindness.

“Their destruction was unknown to all at that time. Three thousand years later, the genius had grown up and had broken through the skill cap of his abilities. He uncovered the mysteries of the Heavens and the Earth, and discovered this karmic process, which caused him to feel responsible for avenging the faction.

“In the end, the almighty being suffered serious injuries and no longer had a future that they could progress to. As for the genius, he ended the karmic process and achieved a successful breakthrough.

“The second example may be similar, but the ending was very different. There was also a faction that had a treasure that was lusted after by an almighty being, however, this being did not take action directly and instead hired someone to do the job for him through a middle man. In the end, this almighty being was also found out by the other party, but he merely revealed the middle man and the hired hand, thus concluding the matter unscathed.

“The Upper Realm and the Lower Realm are very different. The almighty beings of the Upper Realm have lifespans of up to ten thousand years, some are even as old as the heavens itself. In such a long time, anything is possible. If they accumulate even a little karma today, it might become a great disaster in the future. As for people of the Lower Realm, they would be regarded as wisemen or deities if they managed to consider things a hundred years into the future. But, nobody cares for matters that are beyond that.

“The people of the Lower Realm have short lifespans, so they can only pay attention to what’s right before them. They also tend to be forgetful, but one can only blame it on the evolution of survival instincts. The faster a person forgets their painful history, the faster they are able to move on with their lives and to continue their legacy… Therefore, this has caused many to not only be afraid of nothing but to also be dismissive towards karma. Because even if they have created grudges, they would never be able to suffer from the consequences of karmic entanglement within their short lifetimes. A single lifetime would only allow them a few decades to be accounted for their karma.”

“Hmph, that was all before I was born though,” said the System discontentedly.

“Yes, yes. You’re a saint, and after you descended, all sinners have been unable to escape from karmic entanglement. As the saying goes, ‘Good and evil will always be rewarded, and reincarnation will occur endlessly. Raise your head if you’re a non-believer, and see that the heavens will forgive none.’ This was nothing more than a saying before, yet it is reality now,” Anderson quickly complimented.