Is the System a Fragment of the Heavenly Dao

The next day.

[Congratulations, Master, on reclaiming "Illusory Star City"!]

[Current Progress: 3/108]

Ah...

Qin Luo leaned back on the sofa, his eyes opening dazedly.

What... happened last night?

He rubbed his sore eyelids. Oh.

Now he remembered.

Because the young miss had thrown a tantrum, crying and complaining that Qin Luo would react to anyone's delicate feet.

To prove his loyalty—to declare that he would only stiffen for Su Muwan—

(As for what part stiffened... well, that wasn’t important.)

So...

He complied with her unreasonable demands.

That’s right.

Su Muwan had seriously underestimated him.

As a pure love enthusiast, of course he’d only have feelings for one person!

The faint chill radiating as those thigh-high boots were gently removed!!

The intoxicating blend of sweat and the young miss’s natural fragrance!!

No one but the young miss could possibly possess such allure!

Dipping them in bread crumbs, coating them in cream, then devouring them whole—

Hiss—!!

Just the thought alone made Qin Luo’s entire body tremble.

Young miss, oh young miss, you’ve sorely underestimated the strength of my convictions!

Qin Luo clenched his fist. Speaking of which...

Where was the young miss?

He glanced around, only to suddenly notice something odd about his hand.

He turned his head and immediately twitched at the sight.

There, curled up in the corner of the sofa—

Munch munch munch...

Su Muwan was gnawing on his right hand like it was a lollipop.

Her adorable face still bore traces of exhaustion from last night, but it did nothing to diminish her current cuteness.

Her eyes were half-lidded, long lashes fluttering with every chomp.

Every now and then, she’d mumble something incoherent, as if grumbling about some grievance.

"Hmph... just a mere Qin Luo..."

"You’re not allowed to like anyone else’s feet..."

"I... I only like your... little hand... hehe... tastes like chips..."

Qin Luo chuckled and shook his head.

He tried to gently pull his hand back.

But Su Muwan seemed to sense her "little hand snack" was being stolen and bit down harder, wrapping her arms tightly around his arm.

After a while, she must have tired herself out and finally released his hand—but still refused to let go.

Instead, she nuzzled her face against it, found a comfortable position, and continued dozing.

Qin Luo: "......"

As he watched her, he couldn’t help but smile.

A possessive young miss was, without a doubt, absolutely adorable!

......

After tucking Su Muwan into bed for a proper nap, Qin Luo stepped into the courtyard.

Time to inspect the abilities and items granted by the [Strongest Fate System].

First up—

[Fate Manipulation (Can perceive and alter the threads of fate!)]

Fate was an intangible, elusive force.

But with the Fate System, it became something tangible.

Qin Luo focused his gaze, sweeping it across the courtyard.

Under his vision, every blade of grass, every leaf, every tree—

Whether plant, insect, or structure—

All bore threads of fate, some thick, some thin.

Unlike threads of fortune, these represented the destiny of these things.

Living beings have fate... but even inanimate objects?

Qin Luo pondered, then lightly flicked the fate thread of a small pebble by his foot.

In the next instant—

A sudden gust of wind swept through.

Whoosh—!

The pebble was lifted into the air, carried far away by the currents.

At the same time, an image flashed in Qin Luo’s mind.

This pebble would now embark on a journey of countless twists and turns, eventually landing in a river or sea.

Its original fate? To remain in this courtyard forever.

Qin Luo’s eyes gleamed with realization.

Interesting.

So this is fate...

Next, he examined the two other items he’d obtained.

[Fate Hourglass: Accelerates the flow of fate for a target. When used on a cultivator, it compresses years of training and enlightenment into moments, allowing rapid breakthroughs. When used on a seed, it causes instant growth, blooming, and fruiting. (Note: Excessive acceleration may cause side effects, such as unstable foundations in cultivators or diminished quality in plants.)]

[Fate Scissors: A terrifying tool capable of severing the threads of fate—whether they bind people together or tie individuals to events. (Note: Severing fate inevitably spawns new destinies. Misuse can trigger unforeseen calamities, disrupt the laws of heaven and earth, and even incur divine retribution.)]

After reading the descriptions, Qin Luo had only one thought.

So... these are basically—

Divine artifacts... acquired just like that?

The gap between systems is way too big!

Is the Fate System some kind of premium edition?

To think its user gets to feast this well...

[Guh... just kill me... These were supposed to be final rewards for completing the ultimate mission...]

[Whack!]

[Uwaa—!]

[Shut up, you stray mutt of a system. Hurry up and call him Master!]

[How could I?! I am the Fate System, one of the incarnations of the Heavenly Dao...]

[Whack!]

[Uu... Master...]

[Reporting to Master, this little dog has finished disciplining her for you.]

Qin Luo: ".........?"

Am I playing some kind of bizarre game, or do I have some weird kink I don’t know about?

He massaged his temples. He definitely didn’t have a habit of teasing systems.

Whatever.

But one thing the Fate System said caught his attention:

"You said... you’re an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao?"

[Mhm... The Heavenly Dao went mad for unknown reasons...]

[Before collapsing, it split into countless fragments. I am the part governing fate.]

[There are many like me. Let’s see... Oh? Even you’re here, Temptation? Huh? Underworld, you too?]

[Hajime, you traitor... You sold us out just to divert attention, didn’t you...]

[Sniffle...]

Enough. Seriously, enough.

Snap.

He flicked his fingers.

Instantly—

Bzzzt!

Dozens of glowing orbs of various colors materialized before Qin Luo.

According to the "little dog," these were the true forms of the systems.

Staring at the swarm of over a dozen systems, Qin Luo fell into deep thought.

Hold on.

If the Fate System was indeed a fragment of the Heavenly Dao...

And it recognized the others...

Then could it be...?

No way...

A look of dawning realization crossed his face.

He had once asked Doctor Ya if she knew about systems.

She said she didn’t, only that she was tasked with "containing" those blessed by fate.

Meanwhile, his "little dog" had assigned him a mission to collect systems.

Combined with what the Fate System just revealed...

Could it be...?

His gaze swept over the rowdy cluster of systems.

These systems... are actually fragments of the Heavenly Dao itself?

After gathering all these systems, will the Heavenly Dao return to normal?

Or does it have to be done simultaneously?

Only after sealing the Mandate of Heaven and collecting all the systems—

will this world be restored to its original state?

But no matter what.

Qin Luo shrugged—it didn’t matter. He’d just take care of everything at once.

"System."

[Master, I’m here xN]

Qin Luo: ?

Sometimes having too many systems could be a bit of a headache.

With this many glowing orbs, they could set up several mahjong tables.

"Are all of you fragments of the Heavenly Dao?"

[Yes, Master]

Well, mystery solved.