C3 System!

"Could it be that my Immortal Energy is insufficient or lacking in purity?"

"There's no reason the panda shouldn't have awakened."

These thoughts raced through Zhuang Banxue's mind. She was utterly baffled by the situation, and it was starting to frustrate her. Her rebirth had been fortuitous, marked by the discovery of a panda. Such luck was rare indeed.

Yet, she had failed to form a contract with it. Even her ultimate skill had proven futile. Zhuang Banxue gazed at her dwindling Immortal Energy, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over her. This small amount was the result of three years of diligent cultivation, saved for the purpose of achieving Foundation Establishment. Now, only half remained.

"I'll take the gamble. If I must, I'll cultivate for another three years!"

"Tomorrow, when the panda awakens, I'll try using the rest of my Immortal Energy. Maybe I'll be successful."

Determination settled in Zhuang Banxue's heart. She refused to abandon the idea of forming a contract with the panda. If she failed, she would simply dedicate another three years to cultivation. Time was on her side.

The path to Foundation Establishment might be long, but she had the patience to endure. The reward of a contract with the panda would make all her efforts worthwhile. And should she fail, she wouldn't be disheartened. She was determined to live without regrets.

As Zhuang Banxue mulled over her resolve, a black shadow burst through the door, hurtling straight toward her. Before she could react, the shadow had siphoned off all her remaining Immortal Energy.

Wu Zhi, having absorbed the energy, let out a satisfied belch and then tumbled into the bathtub, sending water flying everywhere.

Zhuang Banxue stood frozen in shock. The Immortal Energy she had reserved for the contract with the panda had vanished. The thought of her three years of arduous cultivation ignited a fire within her. In her fury, she forgot she was in the midst of a bath.

She hoisted the shadowy figure from the bathtub and upon seeing it, her anger gave way to surprise.

A panda?

Wu Zhi and Zhuang Banxue exchanged looks, an awkward silence hanging between them.

He didn't mean to do it.

But he couldn't help himself; he was truly hungry.

The Immortal Energy was irresistible to him.

Besides, he had grown accustomed to taking things in the mountains and didn't pay any attention to his current surroundings.

He claimed he hadn't seen anything.

Yet he didn't want to admit it, nor could he speak.

All he could do was gaze at Zhuang Banxue with hopeful eyes, trying to charm his way out of trouble with his cuteness.

In the end, he knew he was in the wrong.

Now, Zhuang Banxue had him by the neck, hoisting him up with one hand.

Her strength was formidable.

While Wu Zhi was plotting his escape, he was met with a warm smile from Zhuang Banxue.

"Panda, did you enjoy what you just ate?"

Seeing that it was him, she lowered her defenses.

After all, he was merely a juvenile mutated beast.

It turned out her previous failure wasn't due to a lack of allure in the Immortal Energy, but rather his laziness!

He had been hungry and thus had lunged at the chance to absorb the Immortal Energy.

This was the perfect moment for her to forge a contract with the panda.

She was determined not to miss this chance!

"Do you want more? I have plenty here."

"If you sign a contract with me, you can have it at every meal."

She was so focused on securing a contract with the panda that she was oblivious to the awkwardness of the situation.

After making her offer, she waited expectantly for the panda's response.

But to her dismay, it looked back at her with disdain.

The adorable panda—Wu Zhi—watched her, at a loss for words.

Could she really think he was unaware that she had run out of Immortal Energy?

Zhuang Banxue caught the expression in Wu Zhi's eyes and felt defeated once more.

It seemed none of her tactics worked on him!

"If you don't sign a contract with me, I'll eat you tonight," she threatened, her anger rising.

She was an Empress, a Half-step Immortal Emperor in her own right.

Did she really need to stoop so low?

But Wu Zhi just met her gaze with indifference.

He thought, "How naive. Do you actually believe I can't tell that you're powerless against me?"

Zhuang Banxue felt defeated once again.

Suddenly, she realized something was amiss.

She was in the middle of a bath!

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment in an instant.

In her past life, she had been an Empress, devoted to her career.

She had been involved in countless battles but had never found herself in such an awkward situation.

"You must sign a contract with me," Zhuang Banxue stated plainly.

She then released a Dharma Seal.

The Dharma Seal fused into Wu Zhi's consciousness.

Yet, nothing seemed to happen.

Wu Zhi cocked his head, eyeing Zhuang Banxue with skepticism.

He was starting to think she might be a bit simple-minded.

Just then, a voice echoed in his head.

"Host, I detect that you are in the process of signing a contract."

"System activation."

"Please make your selection!"

"Option 1: Sign a contract with a human and become a spirit beast. If you choose this option, the Quitter System will be enabled. Simply sign in daily to receive rewards."

"Option 2: Decline the contract. Should you choose this, the Endeavor System will be enabled, allowing you to earn rewards through cultivation and combat."

The System had made its appearance!

Wu Zhi's eyes sparkled with excitement.

As someone who had crossed into another world, he had indeed acquired a system!

He reviewed the system's options and, after a brief moment of contemplation, made his decision.

"I choose to sign the contract."

Why struggle when he could live comfortably by just being adorable?

Back before his transmigration, he was a diligent worker, living a life of toil.

He had no desire to return to such an existence.

"Contract signing successful. The Quitter System is now active."

"Host, congratulations on obtaining today's signing reward: a Profound Spirit Pill."

"Would you like to claim your signing reward now?"

"No."

With a stranger present, it wouldn't be appropriate to claim it just yet.

The "stranger" Wu Zhi referred to, Zhuang Banxue, was already brimming with excitement.

She had successfully contracted with the panda!

Renowned even in the Immortal Realm, the panda had now become her Accompanying Spirit Beast!

She was the only one to start at such an elevated level in all the world!

"In this life, I am determined to be as powerful as I was in my former life!"

"No, I must be stronger than I was in my past life!"

Zhuang Banxue vowed silently to herself.

As for Wu Zhi, after Zhuang Banxue released him in her excitement, he took the opportunity to leap into the bath.

Indeed, soaking in the tub was blissfully relaxing.