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

"Let's just live our lives peacefully and stay out of all that fighting and killing."

Chen Xun patted Black Bull affectionately, speaking earnestly, and the latter nodded in agreement; they were living quite comfortably now.

"Bull, let's go find some work in the village. How can one get by in this world without knowing a few tricks of the trade?"

Chen Xun got up with a smile, tucked his mountain-splitting axe into his belt, and now that they had rice, they no longer needed to mooch meals, nor be kicked out by others.

Moo~

***

The man and the bull began to apprentice in the village, mastering all manner of funeral services, from playing the suona to carrying the coffin; they did it all with great vigor.

Black Bull's coffin-carrying skills even surpassed Chen Xun's, earning thumbs up from the villagers.

Nowadays, for any wedding or funeral, the locals would personally invite Chen Xun out of his cave, in two words: pure professionalism!

Chen Xun was naturally optimistic, and with the prospect of eternal life, he was filled with hope for the future, living each day to the fullest.

A decade flew by in the blink of an eye, and Chen Xun's eyes now bore the faint traces of the years, while the village had welcomed many new babies.

"How lonely it is to be invincible."

Chen Xun stood in the cave, grinning and striking a boxing pose before a huge rock.

Boom!

With one punch, the rock shattered into countless pieces upon contact, his hand bones unscathed.

Black Bull sat on the ground, looking at Chen Xun with awe, astonished that there were no broken bones, such was the terror.

"Bull, how about that?"

"Moo!"

"Hahaha…"

Chen Xun laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming with a look of disdain for the world, "This is but a mere tenth or twentieth of my strength."

Black Bull actually believed him, its eyes shining with even greater admiration, much to Chen Xun's delight.

Over the past ten years, Chen Xun had put all his longevity points into strength. Lifting the Nine Cauldrons was no longer a challenge; his strength had surpassed that of ordinary men.

Even Little Black, the village boy, couldn't match him in arm wrestling; Chen Xun could easily overpower him with just three fingers.

***

"Chen Xun!"

"Chen Xun!"

Urgent shouts came from outside the cave, and Black Bull was jolted into action, sensing work to be done! It quickly nudged its gear into place with its horns, slightly lifting its head.

Now considered a divine bull in the village, even the village's big yellow dog had to address it as 'Brother Bull,' or so it liked to think.

"Folks, what's the matter?"

Chen Xun emerged from the cave to see dozens of people gathered, "Is it a wedding or a funeral? I need to dress appropriately."

"The Village Chief… has passed away," several villagers said somberly.

"What?"

Chen Xun was shocked; the Village Chief had always been kind to him and Bull, and he suddenly felt a void in his heart, "Let's go!"

The Spirit Hall was surrounded by villagers as Chen Xun played the suona, the autumn wind bleak, leaves fluttering down.

Support us at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

His eyes held a sigh; mortals could never escape the partings of life and death, a brief hundred years gone in a flash.

Black Bull carried bells that clanged, complementing Chen Xun's suona, like an autumnal funeral song, escorting the Village Chief to the beyond.

On the small village path, Chen Xun's expression was stoic as he personally carried the coffin, followed by a long procession, the air filled with flying yellow paper.

"Time for burial~~"

Chen Xun and others carefully placed the coffin into the earth, standing aside as all the villagers paid their respects.

Some prayed for blessings, some for wealth, some for immortality…@@novelbin@@

After everyone had left, Chen Xun bowed three times in silence, whispering with a smile, "Village Chief, thank you for your care, may you rest in peace."

Moo~ Black Bull, feeling downcast, also bowed its head three times, mimicking Chen Xun.

Back in the village, Little Black had grown up. Seeing Chen Xun, he said with a smile, "Brother Xun, you still look so young, not aged a bit."

"It's all about the mindset."

Chen Xun chuckled and patted Little Black, "You're a strong lad, with a third of my past strength."

"Hehe."

Little Black smiled sheepishly, "My dad once dug up some things in the mountains, gave me a good boost."

"Be careful when you go hunting in the mountains, your parents are getting on in years."

"I know, Brother Xun. Why don't you come over for dinner?"

"No need, I've got things to do."

Chen Xun quickly declined, worried his appetite might bankrupt Little Black's family.

"Alright then, Brother Xun, I'll be off." Little Black, holding a wild chicken, bid farewell to Chen Xun.

"Sure thing."

Chen Xun replied with a smile, as each household's smoke curled up, preparing for the feast.

Man and bull passed through the sea of lights and headed towards the cave outside the village, leaving behind only their lonely silhouettes and the cold gleam of the axe at Chen Xun's waist.

***

Seasons changed, and another decade hurried by. Little Black now had two children; one boy Chen Xun named Big Black, who often made the village kids cry, much to the amusement of Black Bull.

Chen Xun had become a respected figure in the village, yet he bore no signs of aging.

Strange looks and whispers spread among the villagers, some even suggesting he was impotent because of his bachelor status.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xun was furious, a man of stature with robust vitality, to be accused of such!

He confronted Wang Da Auntie in the village, engaging in a fierce debate, nearly revealing his 'treasure' to prove himself, but ultimately lost the argument due to Black Bull's lack of eloquence.

Back in the cave, Chen Xun fumed, still harping on Black Bull, who had been too timid to utter a word in his defense.

"Forget it, they outnumber us."

Chen Xun sighed deeply, having suffered such a humiliating slander, "Bull, it's not your fault, it's just that we've lived too long."

Moo!

Black Bull nodded vigorously; it had shown its 'treasure' only to be ridiculed by the group of aunties.

"Why can't I increase my strength beyond 20 points?"

Chen Xun wondered, feeling stuck at a bottleneck, and Black Bull seemed to agree.

There was no difference between 21 points and 20 points, so he reluctantly added longevity points to speed, and gave Black Bull a point too.

Their current longevity points: Strength, 21. Speed, 1.

They could clearly feel their walking speed had doubled, swift as the wind, making a quick getaway. After adding points, Chen Xun had an epiphany.

"Bull, it's time for us to leave."

Chen Xun sighed, his eyes filled with reluctance, "This village can no longer contain us."

More and more familiar faces in the village were disappearing, and their eternal youth was too terrifying for mortals, in a world without skincare or hormones.

And Black Bull looked too mystical; many villagers had their eyes on it, wanting to capture and slaughter it to nourish their children.

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan