5 0005 - System! Can You Automate Some Self-Esteem for Me too?

Yu Yunxia opened the bowls and poured congee into a smaller bowl. Lu Sheng gulped, smelling the aroma.

She picked up a small spoon and filled the spoon to the brim. She blew on it gently, cooling the hot congee a bit. Her fragrant breath filled the room and reached Lu Sheng.

She raised the spoon towards Lu Sheng, near his lips, however, Lu Sheng was in a trance, he had never been this near a female ever before, under the low light of the lamp her every movement was a mesmerizing spell on Lu Sheng.

"AAH?!" Yu Yunxia, seeing Lu Sheng was not opening his mouth, made the gesture of feeding.

Lu Sheng's trance broke and his face turned red with embarrassment. He wanted to hide his face under his blanket but he was tied with bandages, so he creeply smiled and gulped the spoonful of congee.

Yu Yunxia remained expressionless as if she didn't care about anything. Lu Sheng, however, was captivated by her beauty, her apathetic expression, even with her scars. In his mind, he was seeing something entirely different.

After feeding Lu Sheng the small bowl, Yu Yunxia stood up and said, "The night is getting late, Young Master. Please rest well." She put the small empty bowl back on her tray but instead of taking it with her, she pulled out a booklet.

"Physician Hong recommended this breathing technique for faster recovery, we are in the core of the clan where the concentration of the spirit essence is highest, with the help of this method you will be able to walk again in less than 3 months." She placed the booklet near his bed and bowed before leaving.

She left Lu Sheng to his own teenage first love syndrome, in his imagination, Lu Sheng is now certain that Yu Yunxia cares for him and deep down she likes Lu Sheng.

*Growl*

His stomach rumbled. One small bowl of congee was not enough for him to satiate his hunger. The tray, the big bowl still steaming with warm congee, was inviting him. But, how can he eat now?

"Um…" Now, he can only think of his Automated System help, but he does not want to admit that he needs help again, forgetting that a few moments ago he did ask for its help.

[Can I help you?]

"No… and stop talking to me." He grumbled but the smell of congee was enticing and he did not have the strength to move at all.

[Are you sure?]

He wanted to scold again but… "Fine. Yes, I need your help. Are you happy now? I am a useless Host, who can't even eat on its own."

[You are injured, not useless, Host.]

Feeling a little compassion in the System's words eased up his sour mood. "Please help me eat."

[Of Course, Automation Initiated.]

His right-hand fingers sprang up in the action as it moved like a spider and dragged the hand towards the tray. His other hand which was still less injured grabbed the right hand to support. The right hand grabbed the whole big bowl and pulled it towards Lu Sheng's face then his left hand picked up the spoon and started feeding it to Lu Sheng.

The System guided every action meticulously not making a single mess or pain.

Lu Sheng ate the whole bowl and did not even burp. 

[Still hungry?]

"Yes, but now I am feeling much better." his hands cleaned his mouth and returned him back to his comfort.

"I am sorry." He said out loud after a few moments of silence.

[Your anger is justified, we should have taken more caution. We are living in a lion's den and the reason we are alive is because as you said, they don't see us worth their effort.]

"No, you were right. Even if we stay hidden and act like we are not worth their effort, they can still snuff us out with random sneezes and nobody will mourn for us at all. Nobody cares about me."

[We? You are acknowledging me as an Individual?]

"Why? Are you not?" The System didn't answer Lu Sheng's question. "Do not worry about these things for now, let's heal up quickly first."

[Yes.]

"Let's check this out first." He pointed at the booklet.

[Yes.]

His fingers sprang up again like a spider and grabbed hold of the booklet gently and pulled it near his face.

"Hmm…" Lu Sheng started reading it under the low light of the lamp. "Eternal Life Core Elixir? Sounds awesome!" He resumed reading it.

However, after reading it he had a blank expression.

"What is this? It's just some breathing exercises and lots of philosophy bullshit. Did you get what it says?"

[Yes, Host. You are at Mortal Initiate, which can be considered level zero. According to your memories and the Eternal Life Core Elixir, the Spirit Breathing Realm is the first level. To simplify it for you I will divide it into 100 points. You also have two pores opened by birth out of 108 pores. You are at 002/108 by natural talent.]

"Natural Talent?"

[Yes, these are the basics taught to you when you were younger but it seems you have forgotten. I have pulled the memories for you to comprehend even more. Check these out.]

"Hmm...so everyone has 108 Meridians, and that 108 Meridians is linked to 108 Pores from which we breathe in the Spirit Essence, right?"

[Yes, Before Foundation Establishment it is advised to open as many pores as you can, everyone is born with 2-6 opened pores already on average. But, some geniuses are born with more than 10.]

"Hmm…and I have only two." Lu Sheng's voice got sad.

[Yes, and this Eternal Life Core Elixir is a very good method to heal internal wounds but it seems this method also indirectly helps in opening pores by cleaning the meridians with its healing process.]

"Then let's not waste time anymore, Automated Eternal Life Core Elixir Breathing Method. Wait? If you can automate this Spirit Breathing then what about normal breathing? Can you automate that too?"

[Acknowledged. Automation Initiated.] 

[000/100 Spirit Breathing Realm.]

[002/108 Opened Pores.]

All of a sudden, he experienced a sense of relief and calmness that he had never felt before. 

He felt like a part of his brain controlling the lungs, the breathing was now free, no longer needed to work hard to keep himself alive. 

The tension in his muscles also disappeared, and he felt completely relaxed. His mind was cleared of all the worries and negative thoughts that had been burdening him. 

It was as if a heavy load had been lifted off his chest and shoulders, allowing him to breathe more easily. It was a truly liberating experience that left him feeling refreshed and energized. 

He was amazed to realize how much of an impact it could have by letting his breathing be automated.

"Wow… I am feeling so much better and clearer. Does that mean you can automate other bodily functions too?"

[Well, I am already automating your Number 1 and 2 as part of the Daily Routine Task, so yes, I can automate other bodily functions too.]

"Then automate Blood Circulation, Digestion, Immune system and what else?... Yes, Nervous system."

[Automation Initiated.]

"Didn't you say you need proper instructions on how to do a task? Then how are you able to automate bodily functions?"

[Your Bodily functions may not be part of the conscious part of your brain but your unconscious mind knows all of it.]

"Impressive." 

[Now relax and rest, while I heal you.]

"Thanks." 

As he closed his eyes, he felt a deep sense of relaxation washed over him, and he felt more at peace than he had in a long time. 

He took a deep breath and allowed himself to sink deeper into his bed, feeling the softness of the sheets and the coolness of the pillow against his skin.

As he drifted off to sleep, he noticed a pleasant sensation spreading throughout his body. It was as if every pore in his skin was tingling, and a warm, soothing energy was filling him up from head to toe. 

He surrendered to the sensation and let it wash over him, feeling his automated slow and deep breaths as he sank into a state of pure relaxation.

For the first time in a long time, he felt completely at ease. All his worries and stresses melted away, and he knew that he was exactly where he needed to be. 

As he drifted deeper into sleep, he smiled to himself, grateful for this moment of peace and contentment.

[Wake up, Host. How long are you going to sleep?]

"Huh? What?" He noticed it was morning already. 

"Oh! Wow! What lovely sleep, I want to sleep more." He took a deep breath filling his lungs when he realized he was able to stretch without any pain. 

His eyes opened and he moved his shoulder not feeling any pain at all.

"What happened?"

[016/108 pores opened]

"SIXTEEN!!!" He exclaimed loudly. It was not only him but it was the mixture of his and previous Lu Sheng's childhood guilt & trauma related to him being the trash of his Clan.

He quickly sat up straight and felt no pain in any other part of his body along with his leg.

[Relax, your leg hasn't been fully healed yet.]

"Oh, but this is too fast!" He was not sure how to express his surprise, his happiness. "Didn't Yu Yunxia say something about three months?"

[Yes, but it is because of the Eternal Life Core Elixir method and of course, me, the Automated System.]

"Fine, you are indeed a cheat system." 

[Host, One more good news, 100/100 Spirit Breathing Realm.]

[We are now ready to 'Breakthrough' the Spirit Breathing Realm if you want.]

"Really? I am now no longer a Mortal Initiate Trash!" Another happiness filled his heart.

[Yes, I have opened all the major pores needed to be in a one-in-a-million genius.]

"One in a million GENIUS!!!!" He can't believe it at all. In one night he transformed from a Mortal Initiate Trash to potentially a once-in-a-lifetime genius. "Am I dreaming?" He pinched himself and the pain was real.

[No Host, you are not. Am I still a useless System?]

"NO! Not at all!" He felt ashamed and quickly corrected himself. "I am sorry, I was too selfish and narrow-minded."

[No worries, Host. I was just teasing you. I am a System, I do not feel hurt by words at all.]

Lu Sheng nodded but he still felt guilty, however, this increased his trust in the System.

"Breakthrough, right?"

[Yes, Host. we can Breakthrough anytime if you want.]