The Strongest Cultivator Is a System Maker!

Hengsheng walked alongside his mother, escorted by servants, to the grand Lan Clan Hall. This time, he was truly in trouble. He hadn't anticipated that creating a Spirit Core would trigger the wrath of the Heavenly Dao. As he walked, he made a mental note: I need to create a system that will help me hide from the heavens' eyes in the future.

The Clan Hall, located at the heart of the Lan Clan's residential area, was not far from Hengsheng's chamber. It was a grand structure, serving as the seat of the Patriarch, Lan Tianyuan, the Flowering Bloom Sword Saint, and the venue for ceremonies and elder conferences.

Soon, Hengsheng stood before the towering doors of the hall. The servants bowed deeply, opening the heavy wooden doors. Inside, the vast space exuded authority and tradition. Elders from both sides of the clan were seated on either side of the hall, their expressions unreadable.

At the far end, on a golden throne adorned with intricate carvings of blooming flowers and swords, sat Patriarch Lan Tianyuan. Despite being 30,000 years old, he appeared youthful, his aura calm yet commanding.

An empty seat awaited Hengsheng in the center of the hall. He instantly recognized it—it was meant for him. His mother broke away to join the female elders on the right side of the hall, exchanging nods with a few familiar faces. Hengsheng, suppressing his nerves, walked forward, stopping in front of the Patriarch. Bowing deeply, he greeted, "Patriarch."

With a nod of acknowledgment, the Patriarch gestured for him to sit. Hengsheng took his place, acutely aware of the piercing gazes of the elders on both sides.

The elders exchanged glances, nodding slightly, though not a single word was spoken. Hengsheng immediately realized they were using divine sense to communicate—a method far beyond his mortal abilities. If he'd had divine sense, he might have sensed the Heavenly Dao's intent before the tribulation struck.

Once the room settled and the weight of silence grew palpable, the Patriarch's voice broke through, resonating with authority.

"Lan Hengsheng, what exactly have you done to anger the heavens?"

Hengsheng stood silently, bowing respectfully but maintaining his composure. Internally, he crafted his explanation, carefully planning his words. His silence seemed to irk the elders, particularly Elder Lan Xiang, a staunch supporter of Hengsheng's uncle, who sat close to the Patriarch and closed his eyes, Lan Xiang briefly before his sharp voice pierced the hall.

"The heavens do not strike without reason. Speak, boy! What demonic practice have you involved yourself in?"

Hengsheng, unfazed, denied the accusation with calm resolve.

"Elder Lan Xiang, I have done nothing against the heavens. My actions were rooted in exploration and self-improvement."

Lan Xiang smirked, dismissing Hengsheng's words. His tone grew sharper as he turned to the other elders.

"You must have practiced demonic techniques. That is the only explanation for invoking heaven's wrath. Confess now—what evil act have you done?"

Several elders nodded in agreement. The logic seemed reasonable to them.

Hengsheng, however, remained composed. He closed his eyes momentarily, retreating into his mind space. There, the supercomputer AI he had designed while bored processed his predicament. The answer it provided was infuriatingly simple: "Tell the truth."

With a resigned sigh, Hengsheng opened his eyes. Telling lies to high-ranking cultivators like the Patriarch and elders was futile; they would discern the truth immediately. Turning his focus to the Patriarch, he ignored Elder Lan Xiang entirely.

"I have not done anything forbidden, nor have I practiced any demonic art," Hengsheng declared confidently. "What I have done is exactly as I said earlier. Due to my lack of a Spirit Core, I—Lan Hengsheng—refused to give up on my path to immortality! Over the last nine years, I created a technique through persistence and creativity. This technique utilizes blood qi to form a Spirit Core. Today, it is complete, and I am no longer a mortal!"

The hall fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air. The elders exchanged incredulous looks. Creating a technique was a feat typically reserved for powerful cultivators or prodigies at the peak of their realm. To hear such a claim from a mere mortal boy was absurd.

Hengsheng's mother, however, was stunned. A surge of pride filled her heart despite the shock.

Lan Xiang and his allies burst into laughter, their disdain was evident.

"Hahahaha! Such nonsense! This is the most absurd thing I've ever heard! To think you'd try to spin such a ridiculous tale in front of us!"

then another elder said.

"Creating a technique? Does a mere child dare to claim such a thing? Techniques are not toys to be crafted on a whim!"

Hengsheng remained unbothered by their mockery. His focus stayed on the Patriarch, who, though visibly shocked, bore a hint of disbelief in his gaze. Raising a hand, the Patriarch silenced the elders, restoring order to the hall.

"What you say—is it the truth?" the Patriarch asked, his voice calm but firm.

"Yes. I would not dare to lie," Hengsheng replied steadily.

The Patriarch turned to the First Elder seated to his right and nodded. The First Elder reached into his space ring and retrieved an orb-shaped artifact, its surface shimmering faintly with embedded runes.

"If what you say is true," the Patriarch continued, "then you must prove it."

Hengsheng nodded in understanding. He recognized the artifact—it was the Spirit Core Identification Orb, the very tool used to test for Spirit Cores during talent ceremonies.

Hengsheng bowed to the First Elder as a sign of respect before placing his hand on the orb. He felt a warm sensation flowing through him as the orb's energy scanned his body, reaching the newly formed Spirit Core within.

The once-translucent orb began to glow faintly, then brighter and brighter until it shone with a brilliant golden hue, streaks of lightning crackling within its core.

Gasps filled the hall as the elders leaned forward in disbelief, their shock evident. Even Lan Xiang, who had been mocking Hengsheng moments before, was rendered speechless.

Hengsheng withdrew his hand and stood tall. His voice, steady and composed, echoed through the silent hall.

"This is the fruit of my labor. I do not ask for your belief, only your acknowledgment of what is now undeniable."

Hengsheng smirked, satisfaction bubbling within him as he observed the stunned reactions of the elders who had mocked him moments earlier. The once-smug Elder Lan Xiang now sat slack-jawed, his earlier accusations forgotten. Hengsheng couldn't help but think, No wonder those Chinese protagonists in novels enjoy this face-slapping business. It feels incredible!

The Patriarch gestured for Hengsheng to sit, snapping him out of his self-satisfaction. Composing himself, Hengsheng took his seat, but his eyes continued to scan the room. The elders' reactions ranged from awe to begrudging respect. His uncle, sitting among them, had opened his eyes, his expression dark and unreadable. His clenched jaw betrayed his frustration as he compared his own son to Hengsheng. If this technique was genuine, it could elevate Hengsheng's status within the clan, overshadowing his rivals.

Lan Wangshu, another staunch rival of Hengsheng's father, stood abruptly and voiced his dissent.

"This boy has already provoked the wrath of the heavens once! His so-called technique could bring calamity upon us all!"

A ripple of murmurs filled the hall, but most ignored Wangshu's outburst, glancing at him with thinly veiled disdain. The potential benefits of Hengsheng's technique far outweighed vague fears of heavenly wrath. Besides, many believed Wangshu was simply grasping at straws to discredit Hengsheng.

The Patriarch, now fully recovered from his initial shock, raised his hand. A wave of qi radiated through the hall, silencing the dissenters. His voice carried a tone of authority, tinged with a hint of enthusiasm.

"Lan Hengsheng, your actions, though unconventional, have yielded remarkable results. However, the technique you've created must remain within the clan. You are forbidden to share it without the council's explicit approval."

The weight of the Patriarch's words was clear—this was not merely a suggestion but a decree. Hengsheng understood immediately; even his mother was not to know the full details of his so-called "technique."

The Patriarch's voice softened slightly, though his gaze remained sharp.

"As of now, I declare Lan Hengsheng to be included as a core disciple of the Lan Clan."

The hall buzzed with energy at the announcement. To be made a core disciple was a rare honor, one that symbolized the clan's acknowledgment of Hengsheng's potential.

The Patriarch continued his tone firm.

"Hengsheng, you are dismissed. Proceed to the Library Hall immediately. The First Elder will escort you."

Turning to the remaining elders, he added, "The rest of you stay. We have matters to discuss."

Hengsheng stood, bowing deeply to the Patriarch and the assembled elders. He turned and walked out of the hall, his steps steady despite the excitement surging within him. The First Elder followed close behind, his expression inscrutable.

As Hengsheng exited, he couldn't resist a final glance at the elders. The mix of envy, curiosity, and reluctant admiration on their faces filled him with a quiet sense of triumph. Let's see who dares to call me a mortal now, he thought, smirking as he stepped into the sunlight.