System Bestows me with Immortality, Living on to Eventually Become Invincible

The year passed by slowly to the sound of Chen Xun's pill furnace explosions. They had added longevity points to the World Soul, now totaling nineteen.

Goose-feather snow began to fall in the Cloud Mountains, blanketing the earth in silvery white. Heaven and earth seemed to merge into a single line, blurring the boundaries and the horizon.

This year, the Kingdom Qian seemed somewhat turbulent. Rumors spoke of war breaking out on the frontiers, with countless righteous warriors embarking on journeys to defend the nation's gates.

Amidst the heavy snowfall, their families bid them faint farewells, the ground filled with footprints and hearts full of concern.

The families of these warriors lingered, standing until dusk.

But the snow at dusk was deep and heavy, laden with a myriad of emotions, surging like the ocean, capable of engulfing everything.

Yet, no matter what happened in the mortal realm, it seemed nothing could halt the path of countless solitary cultivators in their quest for immortality.

The ascension conference commenced as usual. The cultivator who led the Bull had not returned, gradually fading from memory.

However, a significant event occurred in the valley. Hundreds of cultivators from various sects personally captured those selling pamphlets. While no lives were taken, their possessions were completely seized.

These pamphlets had severely impacted the interests of the ten great immortal sects. Competition had been fair until these 'guides' appeared, leading to a noticeable increase in solitary cultivators attempting the sect trials.

Promising talents were snatched away, their loss attributed to the misleading influence of these pamphlets.

The ten great immortal sects united against this threat, vowing to eradicate the troublemakers. Should such incidents recur, the involved would face death and obliteration.

In the outer reaches of the Cloud Mountains, inside a cave.

Their supply of spiritual herb seeds was now depleted, and their pill furnace had exploded. Chen Xun began contemplating their next move.

Black Bull sat grinding medicinal herbs, his hooves exerting immense force. These were the spices they used for their meals.

"Bull, let's use up the remaining Qi-Enhancing Pills first and save the other spiritual herbs."

"Moo."

Black Bull responded nonchalantly, bottling the powdered herbs with his hooves before resuming his grinding, his eyes filled with earnestness.

Chen Xun hoisted two water jars, still containing clothes, and chuckled, "Bull, fetching water, coming?"

"Moo moo~" Black Bull called out anxiously, quickly tidying up the stone mill. Wherever Chen Xun went, he followed.

Black Bull moved the giant rock blocking the cave entrance. Once Chen Xun stepped out, he covered it again, checking for any gaps.

Outside, snowflakes danced in the wind, and the cold was fierce. Chen Xun wore only a thin garment but felt no chill.

They reached a stream, chipping away at the ice. Chen Xun held a jar to collect water, while Black Bull, standing in the middle of the stream with another jar, was quite cheerful.

During their task, Black Bull's exuberance cracked the ice, and he fell in, only to be swiftly pulled out by Chen Xun.

After filling their jars, they sat together to wash clothes, a man and a bull chatting and laughing heartily.

The snowflakes continued to whirl in the sky, and there, amidst the deep snow, it seemed only the young man and the large Black Bull existed.

Time was peaceful, and they savored the moment.

Before long, the sound of snapping twigs and heavy footsteps in the snow reached them. Though distant, their keen hearing picked it up instantly.

Chen Xun and Black Bull looked towards the snow-covered woods, where a large group in tattered robes approached, leaning on wooden staffs.

Their faces were grimy, cheeks red from the cold, with at least a hundred people of all ages.

Shock was written on every face at the sight of laundry being done amidst the snowfall, and a large Black Bull sitting up, holding clothes and soap nuts with its hooves.

"Old folks, have you lost your way?"

Chen Xun casually inquired, sensing they were mere mortals and letting his guard down.

Black Bull glanced at them and, sensing no danger, continued scrubbing clothes, occasionally letting out a moo.

"Young Hero, we are refugees from Dansong City."

An elderly man approached with a faltering gait, recognizing the young man as a martial practitioner, strong and unafraid of the cold.

"Dansong City? That's quite far, on the other side of the Cloud Mountains."

Chen Xun exclaimed in surprise, having heard of Dansong City, a neighbor to Panning City, but quite a distance away, "Are you heading to Panning City?"

"Yes, yes," the elder nodded, relieved at the prospect of nearing their destination.

"Elder, what happened? The Cloud Mountains are so dangerous, yet you dare to cross them."

"Young Hero, you misunderstand. We took the outskirts, a longer but safer route."

The elder shook his head with a deep sigh, "The Kingdom Qian is in turmoil, with uprisings and bandits causing chaos. The lord of Dansong City has been slain."

"Ah?"

Chen Xun gasped, quickly understanding their plight. If it were him, he too would flee, "Panning City is to the southeast, you've taken a detour."

"Thank you, Young Hero," the elder bowed, his query for directions finally answered.

"It's nothing, be careful on the road. There are many wild beasts around here."

"Thank you, Young Hero."

"Thank you, Young Hero!"

"Thank you, big brother."

Voices of gratitude echoed from the crowd, including a young girl's crisp voice. Hope ignited in their eyes, Panning City was near—a large and secure city.

Chen Xun smiled faintly, watching the people depart. Black Bull also mooed at them.

"Bull, let me tell you, in any world with nations, there will always be endless strife, and the locals will suffer."

Chen Xun remarked thoughtfully, recalling the painful history of war ingrained in the blood of his previous life's countrymen.

"Moo? Moo moo moo!"

Black Bull became excited, halting his task and rubbing against Chen Xun, eager for the story.

"Then we must start from the Xia Dynasty..."@@novelbin@@

Chen Xun began solemnly, and Black Bull listened intently, eyes wide, even memorizing a few names.

Half an hour later, their laundry done, they sat admiring the snowscape. Chen Xun continued his historical tale, engrossed in the narrative.

"To find out what happens next, tune in to the following episode."

Chen Xun patted the still-engrossed Black Bull, looking at the frozen clothes, "Our clothes have turned into ice blocks!"

"Moo!" Black Bull suddenly snapped back to reality, indeed they had.

"Let's go, at least we have the Fireball Technique."

Chen Xun stood up, carrying the water jars and clothes, leading Black Bull back to the cave. With spells, drying was a breeze.

On the way, they sensed something amiss—the air carried a scent of blood through the snowstorm.

"Bull..."

Chen Xun whispered, pulling a hood over his head, "Be cautious."

"Moo."

Black Bull responded softly, alertness in its eyes, its sense of smell exceptionally sharp.

Ahead, beneath a tree, lay several bodies, their blood staining the snow, soon to be buried by the falling flakes.

Chen Xun's brow furrowed, his steps slowing. Every half-mile, there were bodies with knife wounds, recently deceased, their tracks muddled.

"Moo?"

Black Bull looked at Chen Xun, recognizing a few faces from the group that had asked for directions earlier.

Chen Xun moved closer, turning over the bodies. A woman lay protecting a little girl, both lifeless, their wounds already icing over.