Jun Qingcheng's voice was steady, her expression unreadable as she asked, "If we're to collaborate, you should introduce yourself first." Meanwhile, her mind raced to piece together the jumble of information he'd shared over the past three months. For one, this spectral figure wasn't a "human" in the traditional sense—he had his own thoughts and emotions, and his goal was to strike a deal where both parties gained what they needed. To maximize her leverage, she couldn't rush; instead, she needed to step back and mask her intentions. The more disadvantaged she seemed, the less she could afford to appear eager.

  "My name is Yan Ling," he began, "a system among thousands created by the Space-Time Sovereign, tasked with maintaining balance across countless realms. I resolve anomalies that disrupt order, purify lingering resentments, and repair damaged worlds." He paused, then added, "Resentments that refuse to dissipate usually stem from those who died with unfulfilled grievances. When they grow too powerful to vanish on their own, systems like me step in to fulfill their last wishes—seeking justice on their behalf. In return, the tasker gains soul energy, which strengthens them. Additionally, resolving such grudges yields pure spiritual power, and with enough, a tasker might even master time and space. Some legendary taskers have achieved this, and a few have even been reborn in their original worlds, where their souls truly belong."

  He listed the benefits, eyes bright with anticipation.

  "Sounds like I have nothing to lose," Jun Qingcheng mused, weighing the pros and cons. Her words were a deliberate nudge to coax more information.

  Yan Ling coughed awkwardly. "Well... it’s not all rewards. Great benefits come with risks. If you fail your first mission, your soul energy will be given to the next tasker. Lose all soul energy, and you’ll cease to exist." Yet he believed in her—someone as formidable as Jun Qingcheng would adapt quickly. Even without ideal conditions, she’d create them. "Still, different realms hold wonders. Your medical and poison skills could reach new heights, and you might learn profound secrets—like healing ghosts, demons, or monsters. In cultivation worlds, elixirs and treasures would surely pique your interest."

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "Will you betray me?" she asked, her gaze sharp.

  "Never!" he protested. "We’d be partners; harming you would harm myself." Though some systems cheated their taskers, he cared little for trivial points. His only goal was to become the Sovereign’s most powerful system, one day commanding the respect of all others. He’d give her all his points—he didn’t need them. His only hidden wish? To find his former master’s lingering soul, proof they still lived.

  Jun Qingcheng noticed his somber shift but cut him off. "Bind the system."

  A surge of joy filled Yan Ling. He’d waited patiently for her consent—unlike other systems, he’d never force a bond. Threatening someone as petty and vengeful as Jun Qingcheng would be suicidal.

  【System binding initiated! Three... two... one... Success!】

  A cold, mechanical voice echoed—familiar in tone, but devoid of emotion. "That’s my original voice," Yan Ling explained. Normally, he used a more human tone, but the core voice remained the same. Most systems took animal forms, but he preferred appearing human—he was destined for greatness, after all. Animals might lower a tasker’s guard, but they’d never be seen as equals.

  After binding, Jun Qingcheng found herself in a familiar room—her own, down to the last detail. A holographic screen hovered in the air, and she could touch the furniture, feel the warmth of tea, and smell its floral aroma.

  "This is your resting space," Yan Ling said. "It forms based on your subconscious, but you only get one chance to shape it. Adding new items later depends on luck—nothing from the outside can be brought in."

  Jun Qingcheng realized her thoughts had been scanned. She’d deliberately focused on her real-world room to avoid prying, never expecting it to manifest here.

  Yan Ling scanned her, and a screen displayed her stats:

  

  
• Name: Jun Qingcheng


  
• Gender: Female (variable)


  
• Height: 175 cm


  
• Intelligence: Off the charts


  
• Charisma: Off the charts


  
• Emotional Quotient: Off the charts


  
• Attributes: Medical/Poison


  
• Skills: None


  
• Tools: None


  
• Shop: Locked


  
• Titles: None


  
• Level: None


  
• Points: 0


  

  Yan Ling stared at the three "off the charts" labels. In all his years, he’d never seen this—stats were supposed to be capped at 100!

  Jun Qingcheng nodded in approval. Finally, a system that gets it.

  She sat at her vanity, gazing at her reflection. The poison’s toll was gone; her face was once