[Meng Qi: "There are too many potential candidates! I feel like the group can't hold them all!"]

[Luo Feng: "Is this right? So many choices at once."]

[Shi Jian: "All in all, the Legacy in Zhang Xuan's world is quite rich... And Zhang Xuan himself is a cheat who can seemingly do everything related to teaching and techniques."]

[Inorin's Note: Zhang Xuan is the protagonist of Library of Heaven's Path. His cheat ability, the 'Library of Heaven's Path', allows him to see flaws in techniques, people, and objects, and compile perfect versions.]

[Shi Jian: "The general situation of the four people from my side is like this..."]

After Shi Jian finished introducing the potential members from his side who could be pulled into the group—Chen Beixuan, Zhang Xuan, Li Qiye, and another Xu Que—Fang Han also began to speak.

[Fang Han: "One thing is quite strange; among the people I can pull into the group, there's also actually Xu Que..."]

[Fang Han: "My group member candidates are Xu Que, Fang Ping, Lin Zhengying, and Zhang Sanfeng. This Xu Que should be the same person as your Xu Que, right? Also, what kind of background do these few people have?"]

The chat group fell silent for a beat as everyone processed this.

[Xiao Yan: "Xu Que must have paid for a premium membership, right? Why does he appear so frequently as a candidate? And he even brought out Uncle Ying and Zhang Sanfeng..."]

[Inorin's Note: 'Uncle Ying' (Ying Shu) is the common affectionate name for Lin Zhengying, the iconic Daoist priest actor from the Mr. Vampire Hong Kong movie series. Zhang Sanfeng is a legendary, semi-historical figure credited with founding Tai Chi and the Wudang Sect.]

[Meng Qi: "Uncle Ying, ah! My childhood idol... Fighting zombies with sticky rice and wooden swords!"]

[Li Changshou: "Good heavens, the Myriad Worlds Saint Master has finally appeared..."]

[Inorin's Note: 'Myriad Worlds Saint Master' is likely an exaggerated title given to Zhang Sanfeng due to his legendary status in Wuxia and sometimes Daoist lore, implying his influence spans many worlds.]

[Shi Jian: "Six..."]

[Inorin's Note: "Six" (六) or "666" is Chinese internet slang for 'awesome' or 'amazing', often used ironically here.]

Seeing Fang Han's list of group member candidates, the people in the group exclaimed, "Good heavens!"

The art style changed a bit too quickly.

Even figures like Lin Zhengying and Zhang Sanfeng were brought out?

However, considering even Tang San from Douluo Dalu had been a candidate before, these two being candidates seemed... plausible, if strange.

[Fang Han: "Uncle Ying? Are you talking about this Lin Zhengying? And Zhang Sanfeng? If Xiao Yan and the others know them, are these also figures from Earth's fiction or history?"]

[Xiao Yan: "That's right, but Uncle Ying and Zhang Sanfeng's strengths are a bit low. One is slightly involved in cultivation—Daoist exorcism—while the other is purely Wuxia, though a legendary one."]

Shi Jian quickly accessed his vast memory banks.

[Shi Jian uploaded "The Legend of Zhang Sanfeng (Various Versions)."]

[Shi Jian uploaded "Mr. Vampire Series Movies."]

[Shi Jian: "I've extracted the information about these two from my memory and uploaded it to the group. The world Rank of these two is relatively low, so inviting them to the group isn't very cost-effective in terms of power boost!"]

[Meng Qi: "But Uncle Ying carried my childhood, ah! And Zhang Sanfeng, he's also a childhood idol, a battle power ceiling in his world. While others practice martial arts, he cultivates Immortality... or close to it in some stories."]

[Li Changshou: "Do you understand the value of the Myriad Worlds Saint Master! His wisdom could be invaluable!"]

The people in the group looked at the information about these two that Shi Jian uploaded and gained some understanding of them.

They were undoubtedly good people, paragons of righteousness in their respective settings.

It was just that their world Rank was a bit low. The lower limit was too low.

They weren't very suitable to be pulled into the group, as the power difference between them and the current group members was simply too vast. They would struggle to contribute or even survive in group activities.

[Fang Han: "In that case, these two can basically be eliminated. What's the situation with this Fang Ping?"]

[Inorin's Note: Fang Ping is the protagonist of Global High Martial Arts (Quanqiu Gao Wu).]

[Shi Jian: "Fang Ping... should be from 'Global High Martial Arts,' right? I only read a synopsis of that book. The protagonist is named Fang Ping, but I haven't read the actual content... I wonder if Changshou has read it?"]

[Li Changshou: "I only read the beginning chapters. The early settings are a bit similar to Luo Feng's; he starts cultivating martial arts on a modern Earth facing threats... The early battle power performance leans towards Wuxia, but I don't know what happens later. Power levels might increase significantly."]

[Li Changshou: "However, since this book was written by a 'Great God' author, the world view shouldn't be too bad later on..."]

The people in the group were surprised to hear this.

This was the first time this had happened.

A protagonist candidate that neither Shi Jian nor Li Changshou fully understood.

[Fang Han: "If we don't know the specific situation, then it's not good to invite him. Could be weak, could be trouble. I think this Fang Ping can also be eliminated."]

[Fang Han: "So, from my side, I'll just pull Xu Que into the group, how about it? Just to see his System cheat... What do you all think?"]

[Inorin's Note: Xu Que is the protagonist of Ultimate Scheming System (Zui Qiang Fan Taolu Xitong). His system rewards him for 'acting tough' or 'pretending'.]

[Xiao Yan: "Damn it, getting stronger by showing off? I also want to see what this guy is capable of... I second that! The first time group members were selected, I wanted to vote for him!"]

[Meng Qi: "Xu Que... sounds fun! Can do!"]

[Li Changshou: "Pull Xu Que into the group? Then this group will certainly be... lively... from now on!"]

[Lin Dong: "I'm fine with it. Sounds interesting."]

The group members spoke one after another.

The first time new members were pulled into the group, Xu Que was an option.

At that time, Fang Han and Xiao Yan wanted to pull him into the group. They all wanted to see the famous System.

It was just that Luo Feng's world had the highest cost-effectiveness in the end, which is why Luo Feng joined the group.

Now that Xu Que reappeared, after weighing the pros and cons (low power level vs. interesting cheat and personality), everyone chose him again. It was not surprising.

Regarding this, Shi Jian didn't have many objections either. Xu Que's potential was high, and his methods were unique.

[Shi Jian: "Since that's the case, then let's pull Xu Que into the group..."]

Shi Jian also spoke, and while speaking, he was still pondering another matter.

Speaking of which, he mused, could my Library of Heaven's Path replicate Xu Que's showing-off System?

[Inorin's Note: Shi Jian possesses a version of Zhang Xuan's Library of Heaven's Path.]

His Library could even replicate the chat group itself.

Although the replication progress for that... was a bit touching... painfully slow.

[Shi Jian: "Fang Han has confirmed pulling Xu Que into the group, so what about my side? Between Chen Beixuan, Zhang Xuan, and Li Qiye... What are your thoughts?"]

[Inorin's Note: Chen Beixuan ('Northern Profound Celestial Lord') is the protagonist of Rebirth of the Urban Immortal Cultivator. Li Qiye is the protagonist of Emperor's Domination.]

[Fang Han: "How about you also pull Xu Que? See if these two Xu Ques are the same person from different timelines or universes..."]

[Li Changshou: "666! Trying to exploit a bug in the chat group, huh? Old Fang, you're asking for trouble."]

[Xiao Yan: "New account, don't mess around! Don't break the group!"]

[Luo Feng: "Can it be done like that? Invite the same person twice?"]

Seeing Fang Han's suggestion, Shi Jian was a bit dumbfounded.

Both of them pull Xu Que into the group?

Don't even mention it, don't even mention it.

Shi Jian really wanted to know what would happen if he did that. Would it create two Xu Ques? Would it merge them? Would the system crash?

However, he still gave up on that idea. It wouldn't be good if he created a bug in the chat group.

[Shi Jian: "It should be the same person... Don't invite twice and cause a bug!"]

[Fang Han: "Alright... Then let's choose between Chen Beixuan, Zhang Xuan, and Li Qiye."]

[Fang Han: "I personally lean towards Li Qiye. According to your descriptions, his strength and experience should be far stronger than ours at this stage. After he joins the group, he will be of greater help to us!"]

[Luo Feng: "I also vote for Li Qiye. His knowledge spanning eons sounds invaluable."]

[Xiao Yan: "I want to see what this Zhang Xuan is capable of, to have so many titles like 'Master Teacher'..."]

[Meng Qi: "I also want to vote for Zhang Xuan. The Library of Heaven's Path sounds incredibly useful for everyone."]

[Shi Hao: "Li Qiye, then. Sounds powerful."]

[Lin Dong: "Li Qiye. Experience matters."]

[Yang Qi: "Li Qiye. His aura sounds dominant."]

[Lin Feng: "Zhang Xuan. Perfecting techniques is appealing."]

[Li Changshou: "Li Qiye. Following the strongest is the safest."]

The people in the group spontaneously started a voting session.

Ultimately, Li Qiye received six votes (Fang Han, Luo Feng, Shi Hao, Lin Dong, Yang Qi, Li Changshou).

Zhang Xuan received three votes (Xiao Yan, Meng Qi, Lin Feng).

Chen Beixuan received zero votes. His arrogant personality likely didn't appeal to the group.

...

Everyone finalized the list of members to be invited to the group.

Xu Que.

Li Qiye!

Two notorious Kings of Pretension.

And they had two completely different styles of showing off. One loud and shameless, the other ancient and indifferent.

...

"The Five Elements merge into one! The Overlord Physique is naturally formed! The Physical Body is reshaped! Who can contend with me!"

Xu Que's Physical Body finished reshaping under the baptism of heavenly tribulation. He achieved a Breakthrough to the Earth Immortal Rank, and successfully condensed the Hell King Overlord Physique.

[Inorin's Note: Corrected 'Underworld King' to 'Hell King' (狱王) based on common translations. 'Earth Immortal Rank' (Di Xian) is a cultivation stage in Xu Que's system.]

He was in incredibly high spirits, feeling power course through his veins.

"At this moment, I only want to recite a poem..."

He brewed some emotion, striking a dramatic pose.

"Ah!"

"Snow-white snow child!"

"Looks white from afar..."

"Looks white up close too..."

"Soft and fluffy!"

"What a good poem! So... evocative!"

After finishing the poem, Xu Que was self-intoxicated by his own literary genius.

He somewhat missed the female sect master from that certain pavilion whom he met when his strength was low.

That female sect master... greatly appreciated his literary talent.

Moreover, that female sect master had a rare 'Poem Reciting Physique' that appeared only once in ten thousand years.

The Poem Reciting Physique.

As the name implied, she would get... excited... upon hearing someone recite a poem. Her body would react involuntarily, becoming flushed and... receptive.

Xu Que felt that if that female sect master were by his side now, his poem just now would definitely make her greatly appreciative! He could almost picture her blushing face, her trembling limbs...

"After Cultivating the Hell King Overlord Physique this time—no, the Pretension King Overlord Physique!—once I emerge from seclusion, it's time to make the entire Immortal Realm submit to the rule of my Exploding Heavens Gang!"

[Inorin's Note: The Exploding Heavens Gang (Zha Tian Bang) is Xu Que's infamous faction.]

After a period of seclusion and a Rank increase in his Cultivation, Xu Que was incredibly proud.

He was already impatient to go out and show off.

However, as soon as his body moved, a voice suddenly came from his ear.

"[Ding, you are invited to join the Heavens Chat Group!]"

Xu Que was stunned when he heard the voice in his ear.

"System, are you playing some kind of cosplay with me now?"

"[Ding, Host, it's not me! Something else has entered your body! I can't snatch it away!]" the System's voice sounded slightly panicked.

"What?!"

Xu Que was greatly alarmed upon hearing this.

"Something else entered my jade body?"

He quickly pulled down his pants to check, performing a thorough inspection.

Then he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good thing my innocence is still intact..."

[Strongest Acting Tough, Face Slapping System: ...]

[Inorin's Note: The official English name for Xu Que's system is often translated as 'Strongest Acting Tough, Face Slapping System' or similar.]

Although Xu Que's actions were comical, his heart was incredibly solemn at this moment.

Something else had entered his body?

Even the System couldn't snatch this thing away?

Something the System couldn't snatch away...

This was a bit serious.

But a chat group?

After thinking about what he had just heard, Xu Que's expression became even more solemn.

His mind sank into his Sea of Consciousness.

Another System-like panel appeared before his eyes, distinct from his own system's interface.

"It really is a chat group?"

Looking at the somewhat familiar chat group interface, Xu Que was first stunned.

Then he was greatly surprised.

"Dog System, did you steal something from someone, and they came looking for it?"

He looked at the names in the group.

Xu Que was somewhat familiar with them.

Leaving others aside, just that one called Xiao Yan...

In the showing-off System's store space, there were still techniques like Three Thousand Lightning Movements, Flame Dividing Wave Splitting Ruler...

When he used to roam the Jianghu at lower levels, he directly used this person's skills and equipment to play alt accounts and act tough.

Exploding Heavens Gang!

Xiao Yan!

...

Aside from Xiao Yan, to be honest about the other group members...

A few of them looked familiar. Their techniques were also listed in the showing-off System's exchange list.

Seeing these people, Xu Que inexplicably felt guilty.

[Strongest Acting Tough, Face Slapping System: ??? What do you mean stolen? They didn't register copyright. Can System matters be called stealing?]

Although a bit confused, Xu Que's acceptance ability was very strong.

He roughly understood now.

It seemed he had... opened another cheat?

...

"Heavens Chat Group?"

Li Qiye felt the sudden influx of information in his mind and was utterly bewildered.

The power of this thing...

He, who had schemed through eternities, couldn't even see through it?

What exactly was this thing?

[Shi Jian: "Welcome new members to the group..."]

[Meng Qi: "Welcome new members @Xu Que @Li Qiye!"]

The people in the group first celebrated the new members joining.

Then, according to the old rules...

Shi Jian uploaded novels related to the two of them.

[Shi Jian uploaded "Ultimate Scheming System."]

[Shi Jian uploaded "Emperor's Domination."]

[Shi Jian: "Xu Que, I won't explain too much about you, you're also from Earth... I've read your novel and know your situation. This is the full text of your novel!"]

[Shi Jian: "With your ability to accept things, you should be able to handle it..."]

[Shi Jian: "As for Li Qiye, it's like this, and like that... detailing your past as the Dark Crow and your future goals. Can you understand and accept it?"]

Shi Jian roughly informed the two about the relevant matters of the chat group and their own "stories."

Xu Que gasped upon reading Shi Jian's words and opening the novel file.

He looked at the title "Ultimate Scheming System" and was utterly bewildered.

Damn it.

I'm actually the protagonist of a book too?

And... Shi Jian knows everything I did? Every scheme? Every shameless act?

Hiss...

Xu Que felt like he was socially dead. All his glorious (shameless) history, laid bare.

However, he then had another thought and gasped again!

So that's how it is.

So that's how it is!

No wonder it was like this!

If that's the case... then everything can be explained.

No wonder he, such a pure, handsome, dashing, charming, refined, and chivalrous young man...

Would do so many shameless, face-slapping things.

Turns out!

Everything was secretly manipulated by someone behind the scenes! The author!

Manipulating him to betray his integrity!

Manipulating him to do so many evil (awesome) things...

Xu Que instantly abandoned his sense of shame.

Everything... was forced upon me by the Supreme Commoner author!

This was not my intention! I am pure!

He began to carefully ponder the benefits the chat group could bring him.

...

After Li Qiye learned about the concept of the Myriad Heavens and Myriad Worlds, he was first bewildered, then intrigued, and finally excited.

"There are actually Myriad Heavens and Myriad Worlds in this existence?"

"Then my lost sheep... could it have run off to the Myriad Heavens and Myriad Worlds, which is why I haven't been able to find it after all these eons?"

[Inorin's Note: Li Qiye's search for his lost 'sheep' is a long-running, enigmatic plot point in Emperor's Domination.]

He thought so.

Then, after learning that he was the protagonist of a book...

He was again bewildered and surprised.

However, he quickly calmed down.

So what if he was the protagonist of a storybook?

These were all illusory.

But his invincibility was real.

A mere book could not shake his Dao Heart, which had been tempered across countless lifetimes.

He was a bit curious about one thing, though.

In this book... did he finally find his damned sheep?

...

Both of them were now highly cultivated individuals with incredible processing speeds.

In just a moment, they had both finished reading their own stories.

Their expressions were both somewhat complex.

Suddenly learning their future, every twist and turn, every success and failure...

Even with their Dao Hearts, it was difficult to maintain composure for a while.

However, they both quickly accepted this fact.

Li Qiye accepted it because his Dao Heart was stable as eternal bedrock. Whatever the future held, it didn't matter. Anyway, his attitude was always 'I'm invincible, you do as you please!'

Xu Que accepted it because... after learning the truth of many things about the future, many, many "good ideas" flashed through his mind!

Knowing the future.

For him... was a very good thing.

Anyway, it would make it much more convenient for him to act tough and pick up girls!

After the two of them accepted the fact of the chat group...

Shi Jian then introduced the functions of the chat group to them.

[Shi Jian: "The chat group has undergone multiple upgrades and now has many functions. It can store items, borrow power from group members, go online and offline within our original worlds, and also conduct Heavens Instances (dungeons) and Heavens Projections (live streams)..."]

Shi Jian roughly introduced the core functions of the chat group to the two of them.

Then he continued:

[Shi Jian: "Besides the functions of the chat group, there is another hidden benefit, which is Cultivation Techniques. Adhering to the principle of mutual help, group members share Cultivation Techniques with each other. You can see the specific Cultivation Techniques in the group files... Correspondingly, you also need to share your Cultivation Techniques!"]

Xu Que quickly looked at the chat group files upon hearing this.

The chat group files.

It was like another System store, but... everything was free?

Xu Que was bewildered.

So many Cultivation Techniques! Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength? Great Five Elements Technique? Flame Mantra? All free?

Then what were those techniques he had painstakingly exchanged for by acting tough in the System before? Were they just cheap knock-offs?

"System, you motherf****r!" Xu Que roared in his mind. "Can't you learn from others? Look at this group's generosity!"

Looking at everyone's messages, the sheer power radiating from the names alone... Xu Que felt a thrill. This was a whole new stage for him to act tough on!

[Inorin Note: If you wish to support me so I can continue to survive and afford proper food, you can join my membership on Patreon [patreon.com/InorinTL].

As a special offer, I've opened a few limited-time tiers at a discounted price! You will get all the benefits of "The Plot Uncoverer" (normally $25), but at a much cheaper rate.

These slots are extremely limited:

"The Dedicated Fan": $9.99 (Save 60% / $15.01) - Only 3 slots

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Grab your slot before they run out! Besides membership, you can also donate via Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/inorintl].

I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]