After My Girlfriend Dumped Me, I Awakened the Dao System

Chapter 3 : The Heavenly System & Sarcastic Xiao Yu

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Adrian shouted, turning toward the small warehouse window that rattled against the wind.

His mother, Evelyn, trembled as she held onto Adrian's shoulders. "Who are you talking to, honey? There's no one out there but the rain."

Adrian didn't answer. He approached the window, his eyes scanning the darkness outside. There were only shadows of trees swaying in the strong wind. But the feeling of being watched was intensely real. The hairs on his arms were still on end.

"Mom, you should go upstairs first. I'm going to lock up the warehouse," Adrian said, forcing calmness into his voice.

"But that light, Adrian. What actually happened to you? Your body was glowing like..."

"I don't know either, Mom. Maybe it was just the dust or a light short-circuiting. Please, go inside first. I just need a moment to tidy up Dad's remaining things," Adrian cut in. He didn't want his mother getting more involved in the madness he was experiencing.

Evelyn looked at her son uncertainly. She touched Adrian's cheek, feeling the residual warmth still lingering there. "Don't take too long. I'll be waiting for you in the kitchen. We need to talk about your father tomorrow morning."

After his mother went upstairs, Adrian quickly locked the warehouse door. He sat on the old wooden chest, taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He looked at his palms. There were no scars, no signs of miracles, except for the powerful sensation flowing through his veins.

"Okay, if this is real, show yourself again," Adrian whispered into the quiet warehouse.

Suddenly, the air in front of him rippled. A point of blue light appeared, grew larger, and slowly formed a transparent figure floating in the air. The figure looked like a small girl wearing elaborate traditional Chinese clothes, but with a futuristic, digital touch.

"Your face is quite amusing when you're scared like that," the voice said again. It was cynical and distinctly human.

Adrian jumped back until his back hit an old shelf. "You... are you a ghost?"

The transparent girl rolled her eyes. She floated closer, circling Adrian as if inspecting merchandise. "A ghost? Your sense of humor is terrible. I am Xiao Yu, the manifestation of the Heavenly Dao Evolution System. And you, unfortunate Host, are the unluckiest person I've met in a thousand years."

"A system? Like in a game?" Adrian tried to make sense of the words.

"More or less, but this is far more real than the trash games you usually play. This system is an accumulation of ancient knowledge and high-level technology from dimensions that your tiny brain couldn't possibly comprehend," Xiao Yu replied, crossing her arms.

Adrian tried to touch the figure, but his hand simply passed through empty, cold air. "Why me? Why did Dad's pendant bring you here?"

"Because of your blood. Your lineage is the only one capable of activating that jade key. Although honestly, I had hoped for a Host with slightly bigger muscles or at least a bank account," Xiao Yu mocked.

Adrian clenched his fist. "I don't need your mockery. I just lost my girlfriend, was humiliated in public, and now I'm being called trash by a small hologram like you?"

Xiao Yu laughed. Her voice sounded like silver bells but was filled with disdain. "Look at that. A little anger. Good. At least you're not completely dead yet. Now, pay attention."

A transparent screen appeared before Adrian. The screen displayed his data in meticulous detail.

[Host: Adrian Blake]

[Cultivation Level: Initial Qi Refinement Stage (0%)]

[Karma Points: 0]

[Dao Points: 0]

[Status: Heartbroken Loser.]

"Heartbroken Loser? Are you kidding me?" Adrian pointed at the words furiously.

"The System never lies, Adrian. That is your current emotional status. Do you want to change it or keep moping in this stuffy warehouse?" Xiao Yu asked.

Adrian took a deep breath, trying to ignore the heartache that resurfaced when he remembered Sophia's face. "What are Karma Points and Dao Points?"

"Simple. Karma Points are gained from every action that has an impact on this world. Helping people, destroying evil, or building something beneficial. Karma is your currency to buy system functions," Xiao Yu explained.

"And Dao Points?"

"Those are your understanding of the nature of energy. The higher your Dao Points, the stronger your physical and spiritual abilities. You can fix broken objects just by touching them, you can see what ordinary humans can't, and you can even destroy a car with one punch if your level is high enough."

Adrian fell silent. His mind drifted to Lucas Han.

If he had that power last night, would Lucas still have dared to throw money in his face?

"How do I start?" Adrian asked softly.

Xiao Yu floated down until their eyes were level. "First, you need to stop thinking like a victim. The world doesn't owe you anything. You want Sophia to regret it? You want Lucas to kneel? You have to become stronger than all of them."

"I want a decent life, Xiao Yu. I want Mom to stop working so hard. I want to stop being insulted," Adrian's voice trembled with suppressed emotion.

"Then accept this responsibility. Becoming this system's Host means you will be hunted by those who want this power. That sound you heard at the window just now? That was just the beginning. They've already smelled the newly awakened energy," Xiao Yu said, his tone suddenly serious.

"You mean I'm in danger?"

"Absolutely. But the system gives you the tools to fight back. Now, take the old book from inside that chest."

Adrian reached for the leather-bound book he had found earlier. As his hand touched the cover, the book felt like it was vibrating.

"That's the Heavenly Breathing Manual. Without it, the energy in your body will only be a burden that damages your internal organs. Start meditating every night. If you fail to reach the synchronization stage within three days, your body will explode from a Qi overload," Xiao Yu said casually, as if talking about the weather forecast.

"Explode? Why are you just telling me now?" Adrian nearly dropped the book.

"High risk for extraordinary results. That's the law of nature. Now, stand up, Adrian. Stop sitting on the floor like a dog caught in the rain. Tomorrow morning, you need to start figuring out how to get your first Karma Points."

Adrian stood, brushing the dust off his pants. He looked at the book in his hand, then at Xiao Yu, who was beginning to fade. "Why are you helping me if you think I'm a loser?"

Xiao Yu smiled faintly, a smile that didn't look mocking this time. "Because I hate seeing potential go to waste. And honestly, I want to see the faces of those who insulted you when you reach the peak later."

Xiao Yu's figure disappeared, leaving Adrian alone in the warehouse, which now felt much quieter.

Adrian gripped the book tightly. He walked towards the door, but stopped when he saw a black shadow move quickly behind the warehouse window glass.

He immediately opened the door and ran outside. The rain was still falling, but not as heavily as before. On top of his house's wooden fence, he saw a small symbol that had just been carved. A symbol of an eye surrounded by black flames.

"They really are here," Adrian muttered.

Suddenly, the phone in his pocket vibrated. A message came in from a number he knew very well. Sophia.

["Adrian, please don't look for me anymore. Lucas just bought me an apartment downtown. We really come from different worlds. Wake up."]

Adrian squeezed his phone until the screen cracked. The pain now turned into a fire that burned his spirit. He no longer felt sad. He felt disgusted.

"Different worlds?" Adrian stared at the black flame symbol on his fence, then looked at his mother's bedroom window, which was still lit. "I'll make sure you all see how different my world will be later."

Just then, a low growl could be heard from behind the bushes in the corner of his yard. Two pairs of glowing red eyes stared at him from the darkness, waiting for the right moment to pounce.