Seized by the System

Concurrently, in the System Space.

Fang Ning was training in the lounge for a short while before he could not bear it any longer and came out for some fresh air.

He wandered between the alchemy lab, blacksmith’s forge, and the studies, inspecting the buildings as he walked on.

As he walked, he mumbled, “Bosom friends age, the Host can’t wed….”

At first, the System did not bother to be concerned. Half an hour later, it realized that Fang Ning could not snap out of it and was finally concerned about him.

“Mr. Rich Guy, what happened to you? You’re neither training nor playing. It seems like it’s time for another psych assessment…”

“Uh, mind your own business…” said Fang Ning sadly. “Let me ask you. Long ago, you mentioned that I could use these System Buildings as well. Similarly, those system life skills, master-level crafting skills, master-level alchemy skills, and master-level cooking skills, can I learn those?”

“Of course, you can. The game system settings meant for the players to master those skills anyway…” said the System confidently. “You’re just too lazy. You let me take control over you. You’re not learning. You’re wasting opportunities.”

“Uh, you even reiterated… I, I’ll learn now. I’ll still make it, right? Now, it’s just April of the third year of Shenyuan. The Era of Vitality has only officially started for nearly two years.” Fang Ning attempts at defending himself were weak.

“Eh, why are you suddenly so driven? Before this, if I ask you to help me craft or concoct anything, you’d push those tasks far away…” Even though the System was experienced, it was apparent that his intellects did not improve much.

He did not understand the truth that, heh, mens’ motivation mostly stemmed from women.

“Stop saying nonsense, are you teaching me or not?” Fang Ning said while pretending to be tough.

“Before this, my lessons are free. But now, I have ten Threading guys and I don’t need you much anymore. Hence, if you want to learn, you have to pay the fees.” The System relied on his experience to seize hold of Fang Ning’s weakness.

“We should cancel the payment, right? After all, we’ve known each other for so long…” asked Fang Ning meekly.

“Nope, the launching of the Era of Vitality is my birthday. You said so just now, if we count it this way, we haven’t actually known each other for two years. We’re friends, but not old friends.” The system rebutted immediately.

“…” Fang Ning took it all in for a while, then spoke through gritted teeth, “How much is the payment?”

“Well, considering the fact that your little treasury is empty, I assume that you won’t be able to afford the payment. Work for me. From now onward, we split the profit into ninety percent and ten percent. The ten percent includes your salary. Work for me for three years, and it’s free of charge,” said the System.

“Uh, you- why are you so smart? Are you still the same idiotic system?” Fang Ning was very surprised.

“What? I’ve always been an honest system. I adapted the method just now from your Internet. This is considered contracted training, isn’t it?” said the System confidently.

“Fine, contracted training it is.” Fang Ning agreed through gritted teeth. After all, once he learned the skills, it would not be as easy as now for him to laze off.

After that, he asked, “How do I learn cooking skills? I’ve never seen any traces of a kitchen or a canteen here?”

“Oh, that’s easy. You should go to the Alchemy Lab and use the alchemy furnace to train up your cooking skills,” said the System casually.

“Uh, what is this about?” Fang Ning was confused.

“The heavens and earth are the furnace; all beings are fuel, everything can be cooked. Of course, the alchemy furnace can be used to cook rice.” The System explained.

“I’ll admit I’m not I’m not very clear on this, but I think you’re just trying to save up on one system building,” said Fang Ning with a sudden realization.

“Hehe, the Rich Guy truly understands me. Let’s combine all of them if we can. Even the system base has no experience in this… Or, you can let the tattered book contribute a little, and I’ll make you a kitchen that allows you to cook for me every day- No, I mean, cook for yourself…” Defended the System.

“In your dreams…” Fang Ning rejected that immediately. “I’m lazy enough to cook for myself, why would I cook for you?”

“Uh, I’ve expected too much,” said the System sorrowfully.

“Alright, then you should hurry and teach me how to cook, then teach me alchemy… Just these two. I won’t be able to complete my training even if you teach me more.” Fang Ning urged.

“I can’t shake the feeling that you have some hidden intentions behind this. There, go and learn.” After the System ended its sentence, it threw two enormous and thick tomes in front of Fang Ning.

The Complete Encyclopedia of Cooking, Alchemy for Beginners…

“You, you, are you trying to irritate me to death?” Fang Ning said, dumbfounded by the sight.

In his mind, he expected the System to transfer the skills like when they were in the game, and then he would practice them.

“Who’s trying to irritate you? Before this, when you trained for Dragonization Ability and Atmospheric Morality Technique, did you not learn slowly through reading?” asked the System confusedly.

“Wasn’t it because you sacrificed some of your experience, and then the system indicated that I’ve learned beginner-level cooking skills and beginner-level alchemy?” Fang Ning reluctantly picked up the humongous tomes.

“Of course not.” The System retorted.

“No, no, that’s not it. You weren’t like this in the beginning…” Fang Ning begged. “Remember when I was demotivated while learning Dragonization Ability and you even utilized some of your experience so that I could learn some skills to cover up? How is it possible that you’ve deteriorated now?”

“Impossible. Nope, shoo.” The System returned Fang Ning’s words determinedly.

“You’re mean. We’ll see.” Fang Ning helplessly carried the tomes into the alchemy lab.

It was rather convenient to train two system life skills in the same system building.

Fang Ning clenched his teeth, crouched beside the burning alchemy furnace, and started to flip open one of the tomes.

“The path of cooking lies mainly in the heart. Only with sincerity can one reach the top…”

Fang Ning started reading quietly. He was once a top student that slowly ended up at the bottom.

…

However, at this moment, after sending away Ding Xiang with much difficulty, Butler Zheng wiped the sweat off his forehead vigorously.

Watching her departing silhouette in the distance, he heaved a long sigh.

May their hearts remain unchanging, yet life was often in disarray. (TN: )

After much thought, it seemed like everyone possessed a secret in the Venerable One’s house.

The yellow and black dogs wanted to please the Venerable One.

The white hamster seemed innocent, yet it had the most complicated background and was full of thoughts.

The Dragon Carp busied itself with its Cultivation Base recovery, although it was busier receiving gifts using the Venerable One’s name from everyone, thinking that no one knew about it…

The Sky Eagle was often outstation. While it was one of the most powerful beings, and also training the ways of God under the River God, it was hard to meet the Sky Eagle.

However, no one knew what difficulty the Venerable One faced right now.

Perhaps, the only difficulty faced by the Venerable One was that the world could never be truly peaceful?

While he indulged in romance, the Venerable One could only prioritize the people of the world, saving the day and maintaining peace wherever he traveled to. This was probably the difference between both of them.

Thinking about that, Butler Zheng hurried back to the studies and started working.

The forces in the world right now were in constant chaos. No one knew what forces were currently in wait to unleash their power.

When it concerned the coming and going of the Dragon God family, he must have a thorough plan.

After all, the Hero was constantly running about. He might not have too much time on his hand to discuss his marriage.

Although the Venerable One once subtly mentioned an alternative in the future, the world was changing too quickly. It was safer to have a contingency plan ready.