Xiaotian slowly opened his eyes, rubbed his head, and muttered to himself, "What the hell? What's going on? Why does my head hurt so much?"
His nose twitched as he caught the faint scent of medicine, which made him feel quite uncomfortable. The surrounding architecture left him completely dumbfounded; this was neither his home nor a friend's house, but rather looked somewhat like an ancient building.
"What the fuck, where on earth did they bring me?"
Just as Xiaotian finished speaking, someone nearby called out, "He's awake! The young master is awake!"
Xiaotian wanted to turn his head to look, but the movement sent a sharp ache through him, causing him to wince.
Someone held him down gently, saying, "Don't move yet, just rest for a moment."
Looking at the young girl before him, Xiaotian felt a strange sense of familiarity, yet he didn't recognize her at all. And that title the person had just used—"young master"—was that meant for him?
*Did I time-travel? And now I'm some young master? A soul transmigration? What about the system? Where's my system?*
All sorts of thoughts raced through Xiaotian's mind, but his gaze never left the girl, because she was simply too breathtaking. Even though her skin was exceptionally pale and her hair color was a bit unusual—a shade of bluish-white—he still found her immensely appealing.
With a face full of remorse, the girl said, "I'm sorry. If it weren't for my stubbornness, you wouldn't have fallen. How... how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, I'm definitely fine. But you are so pretty. What's your name?"
As soon as Xiaotian said this, the girl looked utterly shocked. "You... you don't remember me?"
"I... I feel like I've seen you before, but I honestly can't remember."
Xiaotian's voice grew soft and timid because he saw tears welling up in her eyes, and of all things, seeing a girl cry was his greatest weakness.
At that moment, the door pushed open and the Lord Ruler walked in, asking, "Kaguya, is Xiaotian alright?"
"Father, big brother doesn't remember me anymore!"
Kaguya burst into tears. The Lord Ruler froze for a moment. "What? He's lost his memories?"
"He lost his memories?"
As soon as Mother Tang stepped inside and heard this shocking news, her heart sank. Xiaotian losing his memories was no small matter.
As for Xiaotian himself, he didn't quite grasp the gravity of the situation, because in his mind, he had only just transmigrated here.
*Could it be that my soul transmigrated into the body of someone who was about to die?*
Xiaotian remembered reading novels with plots like that, where someone on the verge of death miraculously survives, and their soul is replaced by a modern transmigrator.
That theory certainly explained the current situation, but Xiaotian still had one nagging question: why did this body share his name, Xiaotian?
"Doctor, hurry and examine Xiaotian!"
The Lord Ruler quickly commanded the physicians, who stepped forward to examine Xiaotian thoroughly.
After a long while, the group of doctors concluded that Xiaotian had indeed lost his memories.
Xiaotian wasn't entirely sure if he had amnesia, but he was certain he had transmigrated.
After half a day of commotion, the others told Xiaotian to get some rest, and Kaguya left as well—though he really didn't want her to go.
Such a pretty young girl leaving just like that made Xiaotian wish he could pretend his memory hadn't vanished so she would stay.
That evening, just as Xiaotian was about to fall asleep, a voice echoed in his ear.
*"Ding! The system has finished loading. The host is now required to accumulate one hundred Stamina Value to activate it."*
"What the heck?"
Xiaotian opened his eyes as a light screen materialized before him. Stunned for a second, he trembled with excitement and thought, *The system! My golden finger has finally arrived! Huh? Why did I think 'finally'?*
The light screen was quite simple, with a progress bar right in the middle. Xiaotian frowned. "What is this thing? Oh right, I remember the system mentioned Stamina Value earlier, didn't it, system?"
*"Affirmative."*
Hearing the system reply made Xiaotian even more excited; it was truly his cheat code.
Xiaotian gave a light cough. "Ahem, so, system, what exactly is Stamina Value?"
The system replied: *"Stamina Value, which can also be referred to as Fatigue Value, represents the host's current physical energy. Given the host's current physical condition, you only have eight points. Would the host like to convert all of them?"*
Xiaotian understood. "I see. Then convert all of them right now."
As soon as the words left his mouth, a wave of exhaustion washed over him, causing Xiaotian to instantly drift off to sleep.
The next day...
*As it turns out, Stamina Value really is human energy. I shouldn't convert that much at once next time.*
With that thought in mind, Xiaotian found that his morning grooming and everything else were entirely handled by palace maids.
*"The evils of the old society are corrupting my soul."*
With a critical mindset, Xiaotian thoroughly enjoyed the pampering.
Since his headache hadn't completely cleared up, Xiaotian spent his days doing little more than eating and sleeping. His parents came to check on him, while Kaguya only watched from a distance without entering the room.
In the blink of an eye, a few days passed. After fully activating the system, Xiaotian beamed with excitement—his golden finger was finally complete.
"Holy crap, so expensive!"
Xiaotian gnashed his teeth in frustration, finding the system store utterly ruthless. Everything inside was terribly costly.
His system operated as a store system, meaning it could purchase a wide variety of items. As for the pricing... how should he put it? Even the cheapest item required one hundred Stamina Value.
Xiaotian really wanted to smash this broken system to pieces, because it didn't accept money—only Stamina Value. Since he could only generate twelve points of Stamina Value a day, converting all of them would require at least nine days just to buy something.
"What about a starter pack? Don't I get a starter pack?"
Xiaotian began demanding a newcomer's gift package. The system replied: *"Yes. Does the host want it?"*
"Yes!"
Xiaotian didn't care about anything else; if something was free, he would take it, even if he just kept it around to look at.
The next second, Xiaotian felt a warm sensation spread throughout his entire body, accompanied by a slight drowsiness. Just like that, he fell asleep.
Early the next morning, Xiaotian woke up in a daze, still feeling a bit bewildered. "Why did I fall asleep? System, are you still there? What did you give me?"
*"Ding! In response to the host's inquiry, the starter gift package includes an enhancement of the host's four primary attributes, the Ancestral Rinnegan, and the Yin-Yang True Formula. The host may review them at leisure."*
"Whoa, is it really that powerful? They even hooked me up with the Rinnegan! What is this Ancestral Rinnegan supposed to do, anyway?"
Xiaotian was thrilled. The Rinnegan! The legendary dōjutsu from Naruto, the ultimate evolution of the Mangekyo Sharingan. Yet he had no idea what special abilities this pair of eyes possessed.
*"The Ancestral Rinnegan grants the host the ability to use all Mangekyo abilities simply by possessing it."*
Upon hearing the system's explanation, Xiaotian nearly jumped straight out of bed, because the sheer value of that statement outweighed a skyscraper.
"Description, I need a description!"
Xiaotian reached out his hand, but instead of giving him a paper manual, the system directly transmitted the memories straight into his mind.
After absorbing the information, Xiaotian had to take a moment to calm his racing heart, because the Ancestral Rinnegan was entirely too overpowered. It possessed every single Mangekyo ability and could even bind directly to his soul.
The concept of soul-binding was simple: if Xiaotian were to die, as long as he was reborn, his eyes would be fully restored.
"Awesome! I have to try this out."
Xiaotian stared wide-eyed, only for the system to deliver a despairing blow.
*"The host does not possess any energy to support the operation of the Rinnegan, and therefore cannot use it."*
The system's words truly plunged Xiaotian into despair. "You really are a fine system, aren't you? I already took off my pants, and you show me this? Fine, what about the four primary attributes? Let me see those."
The system replied once more: *"The four primary attributes are the host's strength, agility, intelligence, and charm. However, since the host is a living human being rather than a video game character, the system has no way to display them visually to the host."*
"Strength, agility, intelligence? And charm? And I can't even see them? Wait a minute—charm!"
Xiaotian remembered what he looked like. While his current appearance was cute, he had looked just like that in his past life too. Once he grew up, however, he would become entirely average—neither ugly nor handsome.
*Could it be... am I going to turn into a handsome guy?*
Just as Xiaotian started daydreaming with anticipation, the system coldly added, *"Please cease all delusions. While charm value can be increased, the host will not become more handsome."*
Hearing this, Xiaotian punched the bed in anger. "Can't you comfort me even a little bit? Do you have any idea how miserable it is to be utterly mediocre? Do you know how popular handsome guys are? For a system, you really lack imagination. Remember, you're supposed to be a cheat; is plastic surgery really that hard for you?"
The system replied mercilessly: *"The system cannot alter the host's soul-derived appearance."*
"Ugh..."
Xiaotian wanted to curse, but he was afraid the system might make him suffer if he did.
"Whatever, let's go out for a walk."
Xiaotian got up, but the moment he stepped outside, he saw Kaguya standing right before him.
"Looks like you're recovering quite well?"
With that, Kaguya took hold of both of his hands and said, "Even though you've lost your memories, I'll make you get to know me all over again. My name is Otsutsuki Kaguya, and I'm your older sister, you know."
Xiaotian felt a bit awkward. "Well... mother told me all about it yesterday when she came by. She said you're my child bride, and that I picked you up."
Kaguya froze. "What..."
Xiaotian continued, "Besides, you're so tiny, how could I possibly call you 'older sister'? I'd definitely call you my little sis, right?"
"You knew that?"
Kaguya suspected that Xiaotian hadn't actually lost his memories and was just messing with her.
"Don't worry, though. Even if I've lost my memories, my personality hasn't changed. The moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the most important person in my life, because you're so adorable—and whenever you cry, my heart aches right along with you."
Xiaotian could guarantee that he wasn't exaggerating or lying in the slightest, because when Kaguya cried, his heart genuinely hurt for her.
"You... you're impossible..."
Kaguya's face flushed a deep, adorable red. Xiaotian pulled her into a hug and said, "No matter how many memories I've lost, even if I forgot who you were, the moment I saw you again, I fell in love with you all over again. So please, don't be sad anymore, okay?"
Right then, Kaguya snuggled against Xiaotian's chest, completely speechless.
After a long moment, Kaguya looked up at him and whispered, "You're still as gentle as ever."
"Gentle? I suppose so."
Xiaotian didn't feel particularly gentle. Kaguya rested her head against his shoulder. "Yeah, you really are gentle. You never ask where I came from, and you treat me so well. That's why I'm truly grateful to you, and why I'm willing to be your... child bride..."
Hearing those words, Xiaotian smiled. Capturing the heart of a little beauty like her—this was undoubtedly the greatest blessing of all.