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

"Don't worry, Bull, once we have money, I'll buy you a little wooden cow sculpture."

"Moo~ Moo~"

Black Bull understood immediately and let out two happy moos.

Today is the end of the year, and by the river, lanterns akin to sky lanterns are rising slowly, carrying the people's wishes for a better next year, illuminating the whole Panning City.

This is a local custom in Panning City, known as the Wishing Lanterns.

Chen Xun looked up at the sky, a smile unconsciously forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Bull, shall we go all out and release one too?"

"Moo! Moo!"

Black Bull's eyes shone with excitement; only a fool wouldn't release one. It had many wishes in its heart.

The riverbank was crowded with people, possibly including cultivators. In a corner by the river, Chen Xun bought two Wishing Lanterns, and they, a man and a bull, decided not to squeeze into the crowd.

"Bull, what's your wish? Let's write it down, they say it's more effective that way."

Chen Xun held a piece of charcoal, looking at Black Bull, "Just bite it and write, haven't I taught you how to write?"

Moo!

Black Bull snatched the charcoal with its mouth, a contemplative look in its eyes, and began to move it across the Wishing Lantern.

"Heh heh, it's not about a little cow or something, is it?"

Chen Xun smirked lewdly, imagining the scene if the wish really was about a little cow taking a ride on a Wishing Lantern—that would be truly remarkable.

"Forever what?"

Chen Xun frowned, Black Bull's writing was all crooked, "Following... Chen."

His heart skipped a beat, and he took a deep look at Black Bull. The two Wishing Lanterns were slowly released, blending into the thousands of others and gradually disappearing from sight.

"Moo?" Black Bull nudged Chen Xun.

"If you say your wish out loud, it won't come true, get it?"

Chen Xun spoke mysteriously, and Black Bull looked shocked, believing him and stopped nudging.

The man and the bull resumed their night stroll around Panning City. Chen Xun was also looking for some work to do in the city; after all, he was now skilled in all eighteen martial arts.

After reaping the benefits of speed, Chen Xun continued to invest this year's longevity points into it, and did the same for Black Bull.

The next day, Chen Xun went to a blacksmith's shop in the city. As soon as he entered, he put on a grandiose air, startling the owner who thought he was there to cause trouble.

"Young man, we don't take in bulls."

"I was born strong, and I feel like your blacksmith shop is missing something without me."

We are ", find us on google.

"What do you mean?"

"Boss, are you hiring at the blacksmith shop?"

Chen Xun suddenly smiled widely, showing off his arms, "I'm worth two men, and I've got my ancestral Black Bull to help out. I guarantee your business will boom."

Bang!

Chen Xun was thrown out, and the blacksmith shop owner spat, "You think I just take in anyone with an unclear background?"

Moo!

Black Bull was furious; how dare the owner insult them? It spat back a mouthful of saliva in return.

Chen Xun quickly stopped Black Bull, speaking coldly, "If this place doesn't appreciate us, there will be others that do."

The owner crossed his arms, and several blacksmiths emerged from behind him, ready to fight if Chen Xun said another word.

Chen Xun silently took hold of the bull's rope, not saying another word, and led Black Bull away at a brisk pace.

"Tch!" The men hissed and waved their hands dismissively, returning to their ironwork.

On the road, Black Bull nudged Chen Xun, telling him not to be angry anymore.

"It's okay, I've heard there's another blacksmith shop on the next street that's not doing so well. Let's give that a try."

"Moo!" Black Bull nodded in agreement.

When they arrived at the other blacksmith shop, Chen Xun was shocked; it looked like it was on the verge of closing down, with an old man dozing off in a chair.

"Old sir." Chen Xun led Black Bull inside; there wasn't a single customer.

"Ah."

The Old Man shot up from his seat, his eyes cloudy, "What are you buying, young man?"

"Heh, I was born strong. Are you hiring at the blacksmith shop?" Chen Xun asked with a smile.

"Ha ha... yes."

The Old Man nodded vigorously, "It's just that all the blacksmiths have left, and there's not much pay to offer."

"No problem, just give us a place to stay."

"That's fine."

The Old Man was pleased, "You can live in the back courtyard of the blacksmith shop."

The deal was struck, and Chen Xun, along with Black Bull, got their pots and pans in order, while Black Bull looked for places to hide rice.

"This world is really vast."

Chen Xun sighed, amazed at the size of the shop that even Black Bull could roam freely.

An hour later, he and Black Bull began to work together at the forge, the sounds of hammering echoing in the shop, causing the Old Man's eyelids to twitch at the sight of their great strength.

"Young man, have you done blacksmithing before?"

The Old Man's eyes sparkled, his hands behind his back, "Though your technique is a bit rough."

"Of course, old sir, not to hide it from you, I have five years of experience. Whoever hires me is sure to profit."

Chen Xun boasted. He enjoyed blacksmithing, a way to control strength, but he was not yet able to achieve a level of fine detail.

"The way you forge iron won't do."

The Old Man shook his head, indicating a waste of too much energy, "Let me show you how it's done."

Wow, a master indeed. Chen Xun watched the Old Man's blacksmithing technique, different from the village blacksmiths, but soon the Old Man was out of breath.

"I'm old, old. Young man, your turn."

The Old Man waved his hand, looking at Black Bull with admiration for its intelligence.

"Alright."

Chen Xun tried to mimic the Old Man's technique, and it really worked; he felt his control over his physical strength slowly increasing.

Over the next year, Chen Xun and Black Bull worked daily at the forge, with the Old Man giving pointers and even teaching Black Bull a few things.

Whether cultivators or mortals, everyone has their own brilliance and wisdom. Chen Xun benefited greatly from his time at the blacksmith shop.

"Old Sun, our blacksmith shop's business is getting better and better."

Chen Xun, shirtless, smiled as the shop began to make money, and both he and Black Bull had some savings hidden in the soil of the backyard.

The Old Man, named Sun Kaile, once had a son who died tragically while seeking immortality in the Cloud Mountains, and had been living alone ever since.

"Heh, very good."

Sun Kaile smiled, his face showing more smiles since Chen Xun arrived at the blacksmith shop.

Chen Xun's speed and quality of blacksmithing surpassed the other shops, and word spread. People often came to place orders for ironware, leaving satisfied.

"Chen Xun!"

A loud shout came from the street, as a burly man with two others approached, carrying a long saber.

"Brother Zhang is here."

Chen Xun greeted with a smile, "What do you need forged? I'll make sure it's done right for Brother Zhang."

Brother Zhang, named Zhang Jiang, was the senior disciple of a martial sect, a man of great spirit who often patronized the blacksmith shop and recommended it to his fellow disciples.

Zhang Jiang stepped forward, shouting, "A hundred sabers, can you take the order?"

A big order. Chen Xun's eyes lit up as he continued to work, "When do you need them by, Brother Zhang?"

"Within two months, but if you finish in one month, I'll pay extra," Zhang Jiang grinned.

"No need for extra, Brother Zhang, you're being too formal. I'll have it ready for you within a month."

Chen Xun gave Zhang Jiang a reproachful look, as if to say, we're brothers, aren't we? "Just come pick them up this time next month."

"Deal! You see, this brother Chen Xun knows how to do business."

Zhang Jiang bellowed, turning to the two men behind him who nodded in agreement. They, as people of the martial world, liked Chen Xun's style.

"Brother Chen Xun, don't you dare eat that Black Bull of yours; such a spirited old bull is rare these days."

"This is an heirloom of my family, not for eating," Chen Xun quickly waved his hands.

"Alright, I'll be off then. If anyone dares to cause trouble at the blacksmith shop, just let Brother Zhang know."@@novelbin@@

Zhang Jiang laughed heartily, his gaze falling on Black Bull, "Black Bull, take care, I'm off."

"Moo!" Black Bull turned its head and actually mooed in response.

"Ha ha ha..."

Zhang Jiang left with the two men, Chen Xun's farewell echoing behind them. Zhang Jiang raised his hand in a wave, disappearing down the street.