Wu Hao sat quietly, cradling his son in his arms. The room was silent, save for the occasional soft coo from the child. After a long pause, he finally whispered:
"Baby… I'm sorry. Right now, you only have me. But I promise you this—I will protect you, and I'll always make choices that are best for you."
The baby, Wu Rouling, who had been crying moments earlier, suddenly stopped. His tiny eyes blinked up at his father with innocent calm.
Wu Hao's heart softened as he smiled faintly. "That's my boy."
Just then, a sharp DING echoed in the air.
Startled, Wu Hao looked around. A holographic screen appeared before him, floating in midair. His eyes widened in shock, but deep inside, he immediately understood—
A system?
Then, a robotic voice rang out:
[DING! Descendant Investment System has arrived, at your service.]
Wu Hao stared at the screen, stunned. "A system…? I didn't ask for anything— I only ever wanted a small, happy family. Is that really such a big wish…? And even that… it shattered right in front of me."
[This system allows the host to invest in their descendant. All investments will yield a return a hundred times greater than normal. If the descendant has high innate talent, multiplier rates will increase further.]
His eyes lit up with curiosity and cautious hope.
"So, you're saying… if I invest in my son—if I give him resources, training, support—he'll grow stronger… and I'll grow stronger too?"
[Affirmative. With the right investment, the host and descendant will rise together.]
Wu Hao nodded slowly, thinking aloud. "If I just wait ten years… I can start helping him cultivate. But…" His brow furrowed. "Where would I even get the resources?"
He entered the house, lost in thought. As he passed the front desk, something caught his eye—an old ring lying atop a folded note.
He picked up the note and read:
"These are some cultivation resources for Rouling. When he's old enough, give them to him."
His hand trembled slightly. Just for a moment, he could almost see her standing there again—Yu Yan, smiling softly as she handed it over.
He closed his eyes, then shook his head gently and smiled through the ache in his chest.
"Thank you," he whispered.
That night, he cooked dinner and sat beside his son, dreaming of the future.
Ten Years Later
A lively boy raced toward a small house in the village, excitement radiating from his every step.
"Dad!" he called out, breathless. "Can I start cultivating now? I'm ten years old! You promised!"
Wu Hao, now thirty but still looking like a young man thanks to minor cultivation, looked up from the garden. He smiled warmly.
"So you finally reached ten, huh? Alright. But first—let's check your spiritual roots."
He placed his hand gently on Wu Rouling's arm.
System, he thought, analyze my son's spiritual roots.
[DING! Scanning first descendant… Scan complete.]
[Root Type: Ancient Stone Spiritual Root – Known for embodying stability and endurance. Cultivators with this root possess exceptional resilience and a natural affinity for withstanding the rigorous trials of the cultivation path.]
Wu Hao's eyes lit up.
This is an excellent root… With this, he'll become a powerhouse someday.
He stood and walked over to a small drawer. Inside was the old ring—the one Yu Yan had left behind a decade ago.
He knelt and handed it to Wu Rouling, his voice soft and full of warmth.
"Son, this ring… It was the last thing your mother left for you before she left. Today, I'm giving it to you. Use it to begin your cultivation."
Wu Rouling looked at the ring with wide, sparkling eyes, then back at his father.
"I'll make you proud, Dad!"
Wu Hao smiled, his heart full.
"I know you will."