Looked around. This is my manor? My starting point in this world… Transmigrated, and now I'm a landlord?
Toured the manor.
Empty, not a single furnishing. The courtyard held only a tree resembling a banyan, extraordinary in appearance. Each leaf seemed to contain a universe, surrounded by faint, rhythmic wisps of energy, both mystical and mesmerizing.
This is the tree from the gacha… Enlightenment Tree? Could it be…
"System, does this tree aid enlightenment?"
The System's calm voice replied.
"Bodhi Tree, aids enlightenment, governs heavenly laws. Legendary item."
"Bodhi Tree? Looks more like a banyan… Will it really help with enlightenment? Are these common outside?"
"Queries beyond the manor exceed your current authority."
"System, where are the gacha items?"
"All stored in the inventory. Host may enter inventory mode to arrange items."
Entered arrangement mode.
Does it have to be this game-like?
Finished arranging.
Stared at three lonely tables under the tree. Hmm… Tables but no chairs? No, it's just the first day. Don't rush.
"System, how large is the manor?"
"The entire mountain is the manor's domain."
Transmigrated and I own a mountain? Nice.
"Not bad…"
Followed a path. The manor wasn't completely barren—just minimally equipped for living. Passed a lush garden of trees and flowers, likely the rear courtyard. At the corridor's end, a grand, sturdy, golden-arched door stood, its architecture starkly different from the manor's.
Beyond the door lay a mountainside, a wide stream, and simple houses lining both banks. Farther off, fields, orchards, and ponds stretched out. A serene, poetic scene.
"System, where is this?"
"This area belongs to the Heavenly Dao."
"Heavenly Dao area? What's that mean, System?"
"Accessing report… The System established and signed a mutually beneficial agreement with the Heavenly Dao on your behalf."
Noah, stunned, questioned.
"Signed an agreement with the Heavenly Dao? What agreement? When? You have the right to sign for me?"
"The System operates with integrity and transparency. All enhancements are legal, compliant with Heavenly Dao standards, requiring mutual agreement, specifically:
Share 30% of manor authority, granting free use of 3/10 of the manor's area and co-ownership status, integrating the manor into the Heavenly Dao to train talents. In return, the Heavenly Dao protects the manor with the Four Symbols Guardians and grants you immunity from karmic entanglement.
The agreement lasts 10 years, renewable thereafter."
Brain racing, Noah processed the System's words.
Silence.
Realized something, asked.
"Wait, is this Heavenly Dao the one I'm thinking of?"
"The System doesn't know which Heavenly Dao you're imagining. The agreement is with this world's Heavenly Dao. Simply put, it holds a 30% stake in the manor."
"A stake? It works like that? Does this Heavenly Dao have consciousness to sign agreements?"
"The System advises respecting our partner."
Noah exclaimed, "What the hell…?"
The System continued.
"During the agreement, a minor issue arose. The Void interfered. The System resolved it by signing a secondary agreement, sharing 30% manor ownership and equivalent rights, integrating the manor into the Void for 10 years as a resting place for champions. In return, the Void grants you VIP status within its realm and invincible protection inside the manor.
Currently, the manor is partly owned by the Heavenly Dao, partly by the Void, with you holding 40%. As manor lord, you hold supreme authority over your territory and rank second in the shared portions."
"So… why does the Heavenly Dao need part of my manor? What's the point? And what's the Void?"
"Per System analysis, the Heavenly Dao seeks to nurture strong cultivators to bolster itself. The Void aims to eliminate those creating new laws. Neither can act directly, so partnering with the System allows indirect influence. Both sides benefit. If either violates the terms, the agreement voids, and the other claims their manor share. Please remember this, host."
"That's wild… They actually pulled it off."