The Emperor of Cultivation Prediction

Chapter 2: The System Awakens

Dexa leaned his back against the cold cave wall. His breath was still ragged, but the warm sensation from the Marrow Cleansing Pill flowing through his veins provided a comfort he hadn't felt in the last three years. In front of him, the transparent screen was still flickering, as if waiting for the next command.

"System... Explain to me in detail. What exactly are you? And why did you choose me?" Dexa asked in a hoarse voice, his eyes staring sharply at the glowing text.

[Beep! Answering Host. I am the Cultivation Text Simulator System. My existence aims to make the Host an Architect of Fate. I did not choose you; your desire to survive on the brink of death triggered the synchronization with the fragment of the Cosmic Codex dormant in your soul.]

"Fragment of the Cosmic Codex? What is that?"

[Current information is locked. Host does not yet have a sufficient cultivation level to process this data. Current focus: Survival and power development.]

Dexa chuckled coldly. "Survival? I just killed the snake that was supposed to kill me. Isn't that enough?"

[Negative. Host's death in this cave was just one of thousands of failure scenarios. Does the Host want to see what happens if you leave this cave now without preparation?]

"Show me. Simulate it!"

[Starting Simulation...]

[Year 0, Hour 1: You exit the Poisonous Snake Cave with the snake's head as proof. You feel proud because you have reached the third layer of Qi Gathering.]

[Year 0, Hour 2: At the sect gate, you meet two of Lian Xing's lackeys. They are surprised to see you alive, then provoke you.]

[Year 0, Hour 2, Minute 10: Arrogant with your new power, you attack them. However, they turn out to be hiding a paralyzing talisman given by Elder Gao.]

[Year 0, Hour 3: You are dragged to Elder Gao's dungeon on charges of 'stealing sect treasures'—namely the spatial ring you are wearing now. Elder Gao tortures you to get the secret of your power.]

[Year 0, Hour 5: You die after all your bones are crushed. Result: A more painful death.]

Dexa clenched his fists until his nails dug into his palms. "Damn it! So even if I become stronger, they still have a way to bring me down?"

[Correct, Host. Physical strength without strategy is futility. That is my function. I am a compass in the middle of the storm of fate.]

"Then, what should I do? How many points are left?"

[Remaining points: 50. You can perform an in-depth simulation to find favorable variables.]

"Use 10 points. Simulate the most optimal way to destroy Elder Gao and Lian Xing's plans before I set foot in the sect."

[Starting Simulation...]

[Year 0: You stay inside the cave. You decide not to go out immediately.]

[Year 0, Minute 30: You explore deeper into the untouched area. Based on data analysis, there is an 85% chance of a concealment formation behind the cracked wall near where the cultivator's corpse was.]

[Year 0, Hour 1: You find the hidden 'Heavenly God Breathing Technique'. This technique allows you to hide your true cultivation level even from high-level Elders.]

[Year 0, Hour 2: You learn the technique through instant simulation.]

[Year 0, Hour 3: You exit the cave looking dying and wounded, hiding your third-layer strength behind a weak first-layer mask.]

[Simulation Ended. Result: Infiltration success probability increased to 90%.]

Dexa was stunned. "Wait... you said I could learn that technique through simulation? Without needing to practice for months?"

[Correct. That is the main advantage of the System. Any knowledge gained in the simulation can be extracted into the Host's memory and muscles instantly, as long as points are sufficient.]

"This... this is cheating. This is truly the power of a god," Dexa muttered, his eyes flashing with ambition. "Extract the location of that technique now!"

[Extraction complete. Coordinates have been implanted in the Host's mind. Please move.]

Dexa stood up. He walked towards the wall in question. With one Qi-reinforced hand strike, the wall collapsed, revealing a small room containing a dusty old scroll.

"Here it is... Heavenly God Breathing Technique," Dexa opened the scroll. "System, how many points to master this technique to the basic level?"

[Cost: 20 points. Do you agree?]

"Do it!"

Instantly, thousands of pieces of information flowed into Dexa's brain. His lungs felt like they were expanding, and the Qi flow in his body, which was previously wild, now became very calm, as if he had no cultivation at all.

"Incredible... If I don't want to, even Elder Gao won't be able to see that I've broken through to the third layer," Dexa smiled coldly. "Now, let's talk about their conspiracy. System, simulate what they are actually planning behind this mission."

[Starting Conspiracy Simulation...]

[Text appears: Lian Xing gave 500 spirit stones to Elder Gao to ensure you never return. Elder Gao has prepared a fake report that you died due to your own carelessness.]

[Furthermore: Elder Gao is actually eyeing the position of Vice Sect Leader, and he is using Lian Xing as a political pawn to gain support from the wealthy Lian family.]

[Additional Detail: There is a hidden treasure under the Main Hall of the Sky Sword Sect that is only known to Elder Gao through an ancient map he stole. That is the real reason he needs large funds from the Lian family.]

Dexa laughed low, a laugh that sounded cruel in the silent cave. "So, the 'honorable' Elder Gao is just a thief and a manipulator? Good. Very good."

"System, is there a way for me to get the treasure under that hall before him?"

[Searching for simulation path...]

[Found: An ancient ventilation path from the sect founder's era that connects to the old well behind the outer disciples' kitchen. The path is unguarded because it is considered to have collapsed.]

"Perfect. Simulate a scenario where I take that treasure tonight after returning."

[Starting Simulation...]

[Year 0, Night: You sneak into the old well. You use the 'Shadow Step' you learned from the corpse earlier to avoid patrols.]

[Year 0, 23:00: You reach the basement. You find the 'Fate Severing Sword' and the 'Earth Spirit Core'.]

[Year 0, 23:30: You return to your room undetected.]

[Result: You gain the foundation to surpass all elite disciples in one night.]

Dexa took a deep breath. This power... the ability to see every gap, every possibility, and every secret... he felt as if this world was just a chessboard and he was the only player who could see all the pieces.

"System, remaining points?"

[Remaining points: 20. It is recommended to save these points as an emergency reserve during the confrontation in the hall tomorrow.]

"I understand. So, the plan is ready. I will return as a wounded 'trash', bringing that flower, letting them feel victorious for a moment, then... I will destroy everything from the inside."

[Warning: Host is showing signs of drastic personality changes. Cruelty and efficiency levels increased by 40%. Do you want to perform mental stabilization?]

"Stabilization? For what?" Dexa stared at the screen with eyes that were now ice-cold. "This world gave me no mercy for three years. Why should I have mercy now?"

[Beep! Understood. Host's logic accepted. Indeed, an Architect of Fate must have a cold heart so as not to be swayed by unnecessary emotions.]

"Exactly. I am no longer the weak Dexa. I am the variable they didn't expect. I am the flaw in their perfect plan."

Dexa picked up the poisonous snake's head again, then intentionally tore his clothes further and smeared a little blood on his face to look miserable.

"How do I look, System?"

[Analysis: Your appearance is 99% convincing as a weak disciple who almost died. Perceived threat level by enemies: 0%.]

"Good. That's what I want. Let them laugh. Let them be arrogant."

Dexa walked towards the cave exit. Sunlight began to appear at the end of the hallway, but for him, that light was no longer a symbol of hope, but a stage for his revenge performance.

"System, if I succeed in humiliating Lian Xing tomorrow, will I get extra points?"

[Correct. Every time the Host significantly changes fate in the real world, or 'slaps' an important figure in the original fate narrative, you will receive large Fate Points.]

"Slapping an important figure? I like that term." Dexa smiled broadly, a smile his enemies would never want to see. "Tomorrow, I won't just slap his face. I will destroy his entire world."

[Short-term future simulation confirmed. Host is ready to carry out the 'First Slap' scenario.]

"Let's go. The Sky Sword Sect has been quiet for too long. It's time I give them a little storm."

Dexa stepped out of the cave. The mountain wind hit his face, but he no longer felt cold. Inside him, an unstoppable machine of fate had begun to turn. Every step he took now was the result of thousands of simulations he had filtered.

He was no longer a trash disciple. He was the Architect who would rewrite the history of this cultivation world with his own hands.

"Lian Xing, Elder Gao... your stage is ready. And I am the director who will end your careers with a grand finale."

Dexa walked down the mountain with shaky steps, a perfect act that would deceive the whole world, while inside his head, the System continued to whisper about millions of ways to rule the universe.