Chapter 28: Falling Out

At this moment in the Ye household, Zhang Tiantian had just brought back Ye Kun, who had been struck and scorched by lightning. Following behind was Ye Qin, her eyes red and swollen with tears, afraid something terrible might happen to her brother. He was still smoking from the burns, looking utterly miserable.

Ye Ming and Dongmen Meng, upon seeing Ye Kun for the first time, were utterly stunned. How had their child ended up like this?

Dongmen Meng hurriedly checked her son’s injuries, her heart pounding with anxiety. Meanwhile, Ye Ming fixed Zhang Tiantian with a stern glare and demanded, “What happened? Didn’t I tell you to protect him? How did things turn out like this?”

Zhang Tiantian, terrified, dropped to his knees instantly. “Master, I didn’t even have time to save Young Master.”

“Didn’t have time? Was the assailant really so formidable? Even you couldn’t react in time?” Ye Ming’s face grew even graver. He knew the extent of Zhang Tiantian’s abilities—anyone who could catch him off guard must be a swordsman of the highest order.

Just then, Xiao Ling came in, carrying a basin of hot water, and nervously whispered, “Miss, is the young master alright?”

Dongmen Meng’s tightly drawn expression finally eased. “He’ll be fine. His breathing is just a little unstable, but after a few days of rest he’ll recover. Qin Qin, what exactly happened to your brother?”

“Mother, Father, Brother… he was struck by lightning…” Ye Qin, hearing that her brother would be alright, let out a huge sigh of relief. Thank heavens, he was safe. The gods were merciful.

Ye Ming and Dongmen Meng both twitched at the corners of their mouths. So the thunder that had roared just now had actually struck their child! That damned heaven, striking even a child. Luckily, Kun Kun was safe—otherwise, they wouldn’t know what to do.

Ye Ming had thought it was the work of a hidden master, but it turned out the child was injured this way. Thankfully, he’d taken plenty of spiritual pills and elixirs when he was young, absorbing most of the damage, or else he wouldn’t have survived in this state.

Dongmen Meng picked up Ye Kun and carried him toward the rear courtyard. “Xiao Ling, fetch more hot water. I’ll clean Kun Kun up.”

“Yes, madam.”

“Mother, let me help too.”

But what was Ye Kun himself doing at this time? His body was unconscious, but his mind was wide awake.

Something good had happened to him—well, what most reincarnators would consider good. But for Kun himself, this was no blessing. It was a temptation to make him fall. Kun had always wanted to rely on his own strength to reach the summit; he disdained shortcuts and tricks.

And so, just as he slipped into unconsciousness, a voice echoed in his mind.

“Greetings, I am the Academy System, here to safeguard your journey, help you win the hand of a fairy maiden, ascend the throne, and become the unrivaled master of the world. What are you waiting for? Bind yourself to me, and you will stand atop the world.”

Ye Kun thought, “...”

Wasn’t he just struck by lightning? How did that bring him a system? Then again, perhaps this was the special benefit given to reincarnators—the so-called ‘starter package’.

If this gift had been with him from birth, there’d be nothing to say. But now—

But now!

Kun despised getting something for nothing. Even his luck was so good that a bolt of lightning brought him a system.

“Host, why are you hesitating? I have powerful cultivation techniques, treasures beyond counting—just say yes, and they’ll all be yours.”

Ye Kun asked curiously, “Were you brought by that bolt of lightning?”

“Host, you’re truly sharp! I tried to be discreet, but you still saw through me. As expected from the chosen one!”

Heavens, do all systems nowadays flatter their hosts like this? Judging by its tone, it almost sounded like it was begging him.

“Hey, System, from your tone, it sounds like I have a choice?”

“Of course you do. We never force a host.”

Hearing this, Ye Kun let out a huge sigh of relief. He just wanted to work hard and earn everything by his own efforts, not be handed things on a silver platter.

Thinking for a moment, Ye Kun asked, “How about I introduce you to a more suitable host?”

The System fell silent, as if it had seen a ghost. Never before had it heard of a host introducing someone else instead.

“Host, why such a terrible thought? Don’t you want to stand at the top? Don’t you want to be revered by all, to be a true master of the world?”

Ye Kun sighed deeply. “You don’t understand. My circumstances are complicated. It’s not that you’re bad, but this sort of thing will only make a person lazy, robbing them of the drive to improve. I want to reach the top on my own strength—I swear, I’m not lying.”

“As a host with such a mindset, I feel ashamed. But it proves I chose the right person. Your brilliance will surely shine across this land, and your legend will be told for millennia.”

Ye Kun almost coughed up blood. Brother, I’m speaking from my heart, not being modest.

Besides, you’re laying it on so thick with the flattery, but I have my principles. If I accepted the system, I’d always be relying on it, never truly cultivating myself.

Only by relying on oneself can a person become truly powerful!

I, Kun, need neither luck nor systems. That’s the honest truth. Just look into my eyes and you’ll see—utterly sincere.

“System, I appreciate your kindness, but how about I introduce you to someone else? My younger brother is quite ruthless—you two could show off together. I, Kun, have no interest in grandstanding.”

The system was silent. This child actually claimed he didn’t like showing off!

That statement alone was the most boastful thing it had ever heard.

“So… have you made up your mind yet?”

“Host, you are truly the king of showing off.”

Ye Kun: “...”

“I genuinely dislike it. Why don’t you look for my younger brother? What do you think?”

“Host, I, too, am a system with principles. Since you don’t need me, I’ll self-destruct.” The system was indeed powerful—to even have such a move as self-destruction.

For a kind-hearted person, that move would be effective.

“What! Self-destruct? Is there no other way?” Ye Kun’s heart tightened. He couldn’t let someone self-destruct just because he didn’t like them.

The system replied solemnly, “There’s no other way. Take care of yourself, host…”

If I can’t even handle a kid, how can I face the other systems?

“Then you take care too. Thank you for coming to me,” Ye Kun said, forcing down the pain in his chest. He just felt like he was doing harm to others and himself—he almost wanted to die.

System: “???????”

This kid is ruthless. Even this move didn’t work.

“Brat! Don’t get too cocky! Believe me, I’ll deal with you right now!”

The system snapped. It had completely lost its composure.