Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 467 Goal Of The System

Isaac examined the hat's description.

'Untiring Toil... passive!

It was precisely what he needed.

His everyday schedule had already evolved into something most individuals would scarcely attempt. He was managing the farm in Cradle, overseeing numerous farms across the City, conducting botanical experiments, and on top of all that, he was constantly operating clones.

Qi had never been the genuine obstacle. His reserves were substantial enough, and with his current setup, regeneration was consistent.

However, mental exhaustion was a different matter. It didn't manifest immediately but accumulated gradually, layer by layer, until even straightforward decisions began to feel more burdensome than they ought to.

This passive ability would directly address that issue.

He would be able to persevere for longer durations without that subtle strain building in the back of his consciousness. His clones would maintain stability for extended periods, and more importantly, he wouldn't require frequent breaks simply to recuperate.

It was exactly what was necessary.

Isaac gave a slight nod to himself, already recalibrating his expectations for how much he could extend his schedule. If utilized effectively, his overall productivity would increase without subjecting himself to reckless overexertion.

Yet, as beneficial as the first passive was, it was the second one that caused him to halt completely.

'Immunity to Corruption...'

This time, he didn't even attempt to move past it. His gaze remained fixed, and his thoughts decelerated.

That particular line altered everything he believed he understood.

The Corruption stemming from the Red Rain had been universally regarded as an immutable force. It wasn't something people opposed. It was something they shielded against, evaded, or succumbed to. Even the most powerful entities—gods, demon lords, and ancient beings—had fallen victim to it.

An artifact capable of resisting the Red Rain?

Such a thing was not meant to exist.

This hat wasn't merely rare; it was an object that could fundamentally alter the balance of the Sector, possibly even the world, and incite devastating conflicts.

His eyes flickered momentarily, resting on Emily.

She was observing him, anticipating his response.

"To think that Emily obtained such an item..."

"This must be the good fortune bestowed by the Tree of Harmony."

The Tree of Harmony was no ordinary plant. Even among Tier 2 trees, it distinguished itself through its influence on probability and outcomes. It ensured favorable results by subtly guiding events in a positive direction.

He had planted it anticipating benefits, but this outcome far surpassed his wildest expectations.

Still, even as he accepted this, another question surfaced.

One that had been persistently bothering him.

'I can grasp obtaining something like this because I retrieved a legendary extinct plant from the past... but what about Alice and Emily?'

Emily's unique ability came to the forefront of his mind.

She possessed the capacity to pacify the spirits of corrupted monsters. While unusual, this wasn't entirely impossible, as certain rare classes and skills permitted interaction with spirits.

However, the perplexing aspect was what transpired afterward.

Upon taming them, the Corruption vanished entirely.

This was highly irregular.

Corruption didn't simply dissipate. Tamed spirits should retain residual traces of it. Yet, in Emily's case, it was purified as if it had never been present.

'I am aware that the item I provided her for taming originated from my System... making it special, but is that truly sufficient to account for this phenomenon?'

He doubted it.

Then there was Alice.

Isaac's gaze shifted once more, this time focusing on her.

She appeared relaxed, dining without any apparent worries, occasionally glancing at the others as if no significant events had transpired recently. Yet, he had witnessed her in the wild.

He had seen her take flight.

She had transformed into a Black Dragon and traversed the wilderness unshielded.

She had simply... done it.

At that moment, she likely sensed her newfound ability to endure the wilderness without protective measures, prompting her to fly without hesitation. But even Overlords typically avoided prolonged exposure without adequate preparation. The environment itself would impose its toll, regardless of their formidable strength.

And yet, Alice remained entirely unaffected.

'How could this be possible?'

Following that, there was Celia.

He still recalled the dream she had recounted, concerning the Crimson Sky Wyrm's assault on the city. This vision had enabled them to prepare for the attack, ultimately saving their City.

However, Celia's bloodline, class, or talent did not encompass any abilities related to precognition.

Therefore, how did she receive such a vision?

'Emily, Alice, Celia...'

'All of them exhibit abilities that defy conventional understanding.

'Is this the reason the System exclusively selects women with compatibility ratings exceeding ninety-five? Because they must possess something extraordinary?' This hypothesis aligned perfectly with all his prior observations. The System was not arbitrary; it operated based on specific criteria. And these criteria appeared to extend far beyond

mere compatibility or raw power.

But...

'What is the objective of the System? Why does it want me to bond with such powerful women?'

That inquiry naturally arose, yet he didn't ponder it for an extended period.

He had posed that very question to himself before, and the resolution had invariably been the same.

It was of no consequence.

Whatever the System's aim might be, it was not something he could directly influence at this present moment. What he could govern was his own course.

'My goal is straightforward! To establish a secure and steadfast city. To safeguard those he held dear, and to bestow upon them a life filled with happiness. Everything else could wait.

With that thought taking root, his mind became clear, and his focus returned to the item at hand.

'Simple Living... a passive skill! He scrutinized the description.

It served to diminish hunger, thirst, and minor fatigue. While it appeared basic upon first inspection, Isaac instantly grasped its significance. He had already undergone Selene's Trial. Within that experience, there were periods where rest was scarce, and sustenance was not always assured (particularly during his journeys between the kingdoms). In such circumstances, even minor advantages could yield substantial benefits.

"This will prove invaluable in the upcoming Conqueror Candidate Trial! He was entirely confident in this assertion.

He, Alice, and Catherine were slated to participate in that Trial shortly. Should the conditions mirror those of the Trial he had already endured, this passive skill would empower him to sustain his effectiveness while others began to falter.

'This passive aids with minor exhaustion... He paused. For a fleeting moment, his countenance remained unchanged, but the trajectory of his thoughts had clearly veered.

...does that encompass... other kinds of exhaustion?'

He pondered if that might include... ahem, bedroom activities?

Isaac was reluctant to acknowledge it, but he invariably found himself outmatched by Catherine in the bedroom.

It was not a matter of stamina or skill.

She was simply of a higher cultivation rank than him, and consequently, possessed greater life force.

As a result, she could prolong their intimacy far longer than him.

More often than not, Isaac was compelled to employ the techniques he had acquired to pleasure her with his mouth or fingers, thereby avoiding personal embarrassment. Catherine, with her customary perceptiveness, would always discern his efforts and respond with a smug smile, a reaction that irked Isaac to his very core.

It was one of the primary reasons he was driven to advance his cultivation swiftly. Was it to confront more formidable monsters and acquire new abilities? Yes, that was indeed part of the objective, but his current paramount goal was to reassert dominance over Catherine. 'Actually, I doubt this will prove effective in the bedroom. The description specifically states it "reduces dependency on external resources," so it might not address the life force disparity, but hmm, it also mentions alleviated minor exhaustion, so perhaps it could?'

Isaac entertained such notions until the realization dawned that he could not possibly wear the hat in the bedroom. It would be, to put it mildly, quite absurd.

'Well, it's of no matter! 'Even without this acquisition, I already possess the means to handle sis!

Isaac had not spent six months immersed in the Trial simply idling away his time. He had, in fact, studied records pertaining to bedroom techniques, penned by esteemed figures of the Celestial Kitsune race, and had even engaged in conversations with succubi. He felt assured in his current ability to 'tame' Catherine. He was merely awaiting the opportune moment to make his move.

His gaze briefly shifted towards Catherine, who was currently dining. She met his gaze with her characteristic, playful smile. He reciprocated with a look laden with unspoken meaning. There was no trace of surprise or bewilderment on Catherine's face. Her experience was far too extensive for such a sentiment to be inadvertently revealed. Nevertheless, Isaac was certain she was pondering the reason behind his knowing smile.

He redirected his attention back to the item presented before him. One final ability remained. 'Cycle of Growth...'

'It enhances farmland and the quality of crops! This was precisely the sort of ability that resonated perfectly with his aspirations.

While its premise sounded uncomplicated at first glance, he fully comprehended its profound implications. Enhancing farmland extended beyond mere yield augmentation. It could influence soil vitality, nutrient retention capacity, the acceleration of growth cycles, resistance to environmental adversities, and even the intrinsic quality of the produce itself.

If this passive skill functioned as he surmised, its effects would synergize with all the cultivation practices he was already implementing.