System Granted Me Immortality; I Outlived Everyone

Chapter 21: The Recruitment Assembly and the Vanished Immortal

Chen Changsheng strolled casually down the bustling street, making small talk with the little white wolf tucked under his arm.

“You know, back when Night Moon Country and the Daqian Dynasty traded blows, most of our cultivators were routed pretty convincingly,” Changsheng remarked. “But I’ve heard rumors that Immortal Maiden Changsheng of the Linglong Sect and Zen Master Yixiu of the Heavenly Buddha Temple vanished into thin air within your borders. Did your people manage to kill them?”

The little white wolf let out a huff of disdain. “If we could have killed them, we would have done so ages ago. Those two are easily the most troublesome thorns in the Daqian Dynasty’s side. Who would have guessed that they actually—”

She cut herself off mid-sentence, snapping her head up to glare at Changsheng. “You’re fishing for intel.”

“Just a casual question. If you’re shy, forget I asked,” Changsheng replied, his voice flat and bored.

“Casual? Hardly.” The wolf narrowed her eyes. “That Blood Escape you used is a guarded secret of the Shangqing Temple, restricted to inner disciples. Between the Heavenly Buddha Temple, the Linglong Sect, and your Shangqing Temple, you three are the pillars of the Dynasty. You ask about them, and I’m supposed to believe it’s just small talk?”

Changsheng looked down at the bald, ink-stained creature. “You’re sharp. But your answer only makes me more curious. Blood Escape is a secret technique—half the human outer disciples don’t even know it exists, yet a demon princess knows it on sight. Care to explain how?”

The little white wolf adjusted herself into a more comfortable position in his arms and let out a long, theatrical yawn. “I’m a demon, you’re a human. Different flags, different blood. Do you honestly think I’d tell you? Though, I must say, I’m dying to know which of the ‘Four Pillars’ you are.

“The Shangqing Temple has nine true disciples, but four stand above the rest. Their names form a poem: ‘Clear Breeze and Bright Moon are priceless, Near Water and Distant Mountain hold all affection.’ Qingfeng and Mingyue are dead. Li Jinshui escaped with a shattered core—and you’re clearly not him. Given your talent for Formations, you must be the ninth disciple, Song Yuanshan?”

“You know my sect better than most human cultivators,” Changsheng noted. “It seems the Daqian Dynasty has a traitor in its midst.”

“Oh, a big one,” the wolf mocked. “Why don’t you try and guess who it is?”

“I don’t need to guess, and I don’t care to. The rise and fall of empires is above my pay grade. I just want to collect the bodies of my Master and brothers.”

The wolf’s tone turned smug. “Oh, is that all? I’m afraid you’re out of luck. The body of your Sect Master, Master Yuanshen, has already been processed by the Fox Clan. He’s a high-grade puppet now. The Fox Clan is a powerhouse in Night Moon; they’ve got a Soul Formation ancestor backing them. What can a tiny Golden Core like you do against that?”

She paused, offering a toothy grin. “Tell you what: let me go, and if I’m in a good mood, maybe I’ll find a way to get your Master’s corpse back for you.”

“Tempting offer. But until I’m back in safe territory, you’re staying right here. By the way… you don’t happen to have any tracking markers left by your elders, do you?”

“Guess!”

Changsheng gave her a long, lingering look. “I’ve checked a dozen times. Your meridians seem clean. But then again, there are always methods beyond my current pay grade. So, for my own peace of mind, I’m going to plant eighty-seven restrictions inside you. If anything goes sideways, you’ll be vaporized instantly.”

The wolf’s smugness vanished into pure panic. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“It’s not a matter of daring. I’ve been doing it for the last three blocks. Why else do you think I’ve been holding you so close?”

Changsheng tapped her forehead. Intricate, glowing Dao-patterns flared across her skin before sinking into her flesh. In an instant, her ability to speak human tongue was severed.

“Woof! Woof woof!”

Watching the princess bark like a common mutt, Changsheng felt a spark of professional satisfaction. He adjusted his grip on the “dog” and strode toward the royal plaza.

The Night Moon Marriage Recruitment Assembly was in full swing.

The Wolf King, Wanyan Aguduo, sat upon his towering throne, a mountain of silent authority. Standing beside him was Elder Turtle, a mysterious, white-bearded advisor whose origins were unknown to the public, but whose tactical genius during the invasion had made him the King’s shadow.

As the representatives of the major clans gathered, the Wolf King stood, his voice booming across the plaza.

“Citizens of Night Moon! Everyone knows I have but one daughter, Wanyan Yue. She has come of age, and today, I shall select the most exceptional talent from among the youths of this world to be her husband. If you believe you have the strength to stand beside her, step forward!”

The crowd erupted. To marry the princess was to effectively inherit the kingdom.

“Great King! I have long admired the Princess and wish to prove my worth!”

A massive youth with bronze skin and a frame like a temple pillar stepped forward. He released his aura, revealing a solid mid-stage Golden Core cultivation. This was Lin Hu, the young master of the Saber-toothed Tiger Clan.

“Hahaha! Brother Lin, your ‘admiration’ is about as subtle as a landslide. I think a fair competition is in order.”

Before Lin Hu could respond, an elegant youth holding a folding fan glided forward. His own Pressure clashed against the Tiger’s with sharp, needle-like precision.

Lin Hu narrowed his eyes. “Hu Zhan? Since when do you care about the Princess? Don’t lie to my face.”

“Brother Lin, you jest,” Hu Zhan laughed, his fan snapping shut. “My Fox Clan values refinement. Just because I don’t shout my affections from the rooftops doesn’t mean they aren’t real. We are a cultured people, after all.”

Lin Hu let out a cold snort. He knew better than to get into a shouting match with a Fox; they were born with silver tongues and black hearts.

With the two heavyweight contenders on the field, most of the smaller clans felt the wind leave their sails. To compete against the Tigers and Foxes was a fool’s errand. A few brave souls stepped out to save face for their tribes, but their auras were pebbles compared to the boulders of Lin Hu and Hu Zhan.

Satisfied that the primary players were in place, the Wolf King prepared to announce the first trial.

Suddenly, a voice piped up from the back of the commoner crowd.

“Wait! Count me in! I want to play too!”