009 The Gift of Immortality
Zha Dong soared through the sky, his black robes fluttering in the wind as his flying sword carried him forward. His lips curled into a cruel smirk as he scanned the land below with his Spiritual Sense.
The province was quiet—too quiet.
Not that he minded. The silence only meant that no one would come to save the weaklings when he descended upon them.
His sect, the Bones Devouring Sect, had been in hiding for two centuries, biding its time in the shadows. But now, their master had emerged from his closed-door cultivation, stronger than ever, ready to unleash hell upon the world.
And Zha Dong?
He was simply fulfilling his duty.
Zha Dong’s Spiritual Sense stretched across the land, searching for threats—not that he expected to find any.
“Hmph. As a cultivator in the Spirit Mystery Realm, no one in this province can match me.”
His voice was prideful, filled with undisguised arrogance.
The Spirit Mystery Realm was the fourth major stage of cultivation. Few could fly using a spirit sword, but Zha Dong could. That alone made him a powerhouse in this pathetic, low-level province.
He relished in the power that set him apart.
He was a god among ants.
"Like I said, this place is filled with weaklings… Hehe…"
A sinister chuckle escaped his lips as he adjusted his flight path.
His destination was a village further south—another nameless settlement filled with insignificant lives waiting to be harvested.
His sect required materials for their demonic arts.
Human bones were the best.
Any bones could be used—mortal or cultivator, it mattered little. Bones could be refined into weapons, puppets, and undead minions.
That was why Zha Dong had been sent out.
His orders were clear:
Collect bones. By any means necessary.
With the Bones Devouring Sect’s Master returning after two centuries of seclusion, their sect was stronger than ever. Soon, they would sink their fangs into the Kingdom of Blood and Iron—commonly known as the Biron Kingdom.
A small, weak kingdom, located in the southern reaches of the continent.
Perfect prey.
No major experts ever came here.
The thin atmospheric qi meant that most cultivators here never surpassed the third stage—the Will Reinforcement Realm.
For a Spirit Mystery Realm cultivator like Zha Dong, it was heaven.
"In this place, I am invincible."
His grin widened.
"I might as well have some fun while I'm here!"
As he cruised through the sky, his Spiritual Sense suddenly twitched.
A turbulent ripple of qi spread through the air—a presence that stood out among the mundane energy of the land.
Zha Dong’s brows raised in interest.
“Hmm…?”
Judging by its fluctuations, this was at least the Martial Tempering Realm.
That was unusual.
He licked his lips.
"I'm feeling confident today. How about I check it out?"
His grin twisted into something hungry.
It wasn’t every day he found someone stronger than the common rabble.
"Maybe I’ll find a foolish cultivator to toy with… Heheheh…”
His eyes gleamed with greed.
The bones of cultivators were far more valuable than those of mortals. Admittedly, his Sect didn’t care about the difference. Personally, Zha Dong was just… bored.
And if this mysterious presence turned out to be weak—
Then it would become his next sacrifice.
With that wicked thought, Zha Dong altered his course, speeding toward the source of the qi disturbance.
RUUUMBLE!
The massive boar bellowed, its roar shaking the earth. The air was thick with tension as the two Martial Tempering Realm beasts clashed.
TANG!
TANG!
TING!
The sharp clang of metal echoed through the dense forest as the rabbit deftly parried the boar’s tusks. Its movements were precise, controlled—almost unnaturally skilled for a mere beast. It wielded its weapon—a fork-like spear—with the grace of a seasoned warrior.
Zha Dong hovered above, watching with amusement.
"A boar and a rabbit? How interesting."
His Spiritual Sense had led him here, guiding him to the sudden burst of qi turbulence. Now, he understood why. Two cultivating beasts locked in mortal combat—such a sight was rare in these parts.
If left alone, these creatures could one day evolve—either as sacred beasts or demonic beasts, depending on their nature.
But Zha Dong had no intention of leaving them alone.
"Oho… beasts with cultivation, huh? Not bad. They’re better than ordinary humans, at least. And easier to catch, too… Unlike human cultivators, they don't scheme or struggle as much."
His crimson eyes gleamed with predatory hunger. This was a lucky find.
Without hesitation, Zha Dong made his move.
SWUUUUNG!
With a single, swift motion, he vanished from the sky—reappearing at the boar’s side in an explosive burst of speed.
His blade flashed, and the boar’s massive frame was cleaved in two before it could even register his presence.
The beast let out a guttural groan, its body splitting apart as its lifeblood splattered across the forest floor.
Zha Dong grinned, his gaze shifting to the rabbit—the lone survivor.
It had frozen, its wide crimson eyes locked onto him, filled with shock and disbelief.
"That's a nice spiritual artifact you have there, rabbit…"
He licked his lips, his tone dripping with malicious glee.
"Hehehe… Try not to die too quickly."
And then—
STAB!
It was over.
His blade pierced clean through the rabbit’s skull, killing it instantly.
No struggle. No resistance. No fight left to give.
Pathetic.
Zha Dong wasted no time in looting his kills.
The boar’s bones came first—essential materials for his sect’s dark rituals. He even took the testicles, a rumored elixir ingredient in some particularly gruesome demonic recipes.
Then came the rabbit.
It was a rare white-furred specimen—though its fur was now stained red with its own blood.
Zha Dong kneeled beside it, his carving knife glinting under the dim sunlight.
"Now then…"
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He flexed his fingers, relishing the feeling of sharp steel in his grip.
And then, with unholy enthusiasm, he began to cut.
His blade slid through flesh and fur with disgusting ease.
He worked with unhealthy vigor, carving deep, jagged incisions into the rabbit’s body. Piece by piece, he separated the remains, humming a twisted tune under his breath.
This was the demonic path.
To embrace it was to abandon humanity itself.
To cultivate demonic arts was to let them consume your very soul.
Even among evil cultivators, there was a distinction.
Some were simply evil.
Others… had become monsters in human skin.
Zha Dong belonged to the latter.
He was just about to harvest the rabbit’s bones when—
FSSSHH!
The rabbit's entire body turned to ash.
The dark wind carried its remains away, scattering them like dust in the breeze.
A wave of pure, unnatural silence followed.
Zha Dong froze.
His fingers trembled as he gazed at the pile of ash left in his palm. He could feel it—a lingering energy, something ancient, something wrong.
And then—
SHHIIIINK!
He gasped.
Something inside his dimensional ring shifted.
He checked immediately, only to find that—
The fork-like weapon was gone.
No.
It hadn’t disappeared.
It had been taken.
Zha Dong’s heart pounded in his chest as he sensed the disturbance in space. It was a subtle tug, almost imperceptible—
But deliberately so.
Whoever was responsible had made sure he felt it.
It wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t subtle theft.
It was a warning.
Someone was watching.
And they wanted him to know.
Zha Dong staggered backward, his breath ragged.
"What the hell was that!?"
His mind raced, panic clawing at his thoughts.
He had been so arrogant. So reckless.
Had he just provoked someone he shouldn't have?
His instincts screamed at him—this was no ordinary cultivator’s trickery.
There was only one explanation.
A godly expert.
He had just slaughtered one of their people.
His blood ran cold.
"Did I just… fuck up big time?"
Fear gripped his heart. He didn’t know who they were, but he knew one thing for certain—
Whoever it was…
They were coming for him.
He couldn’t linger.
He had to leave immediately.
With a sharp gesture, Zha Dong leapt onto his spirit sword, its aura igniting as he soared into the sky.
His mission—he still had to finish his mission.
The nearest village was only a few kilometers away.
If he could finish his task quickly, then perhaps—
Perhaps he could still escape unscathed.
He gritted his teeth, forcing down the creeping dread in his chest.
Faster.
He had to be faster.
Because something—or someone—was coming.
And Zha Dong was not ready to meet them.
***
**
*
Bi Yuan felt terrible.
She had set out on this journey full of excitement, eager to advance her class and prove her worth. The forest was supposed to be her trial, her place to grow stronger.
Instead—
She had run into that ferocious, disgusting, obnoxious, dirty, bad, smelly, annoying ape!
Bi Yuan's little nose twitched in irritation even as the memories of her demise played in her mind.
That ape—that vile human—had killed her.
He had worn a black robe, his very presence reeked of death. His sword, drenched in a sickening evil aura, had glowed with corruption.
It was natural for Bi Yuan to despise him.
Her very nature—her instincts—were aligned with righteousness. She had been born with a spirit that sought the light, a heart that rejected evil.
And yet, that wretched man had ended her life without a second thought.
It had happened so fast.
One moment, she had been standing—her muscles tensed, her mind racing, searching for a way to fight back.
The next—
STAB!
The cold steel pierced through her skull.
There was no pain. Just an overwhelming emptiness as her very life essence began to leak away.
She could feel it—her existence being denied, unraveling like thread coming loose.
It was beyond terrifying.
Even the crocodile she had once feared lurking under the creek—even its overwhelming presence—was nothing compared to this.
This was absolute.
This was the end.
Her thoughts fractured, her consciousness dimmed.
No…
No, no, no, NO!
Bi Yuan grimaced, but it was too late.
Her world was fading to black.
She was dying.
And there was nothing she could do.
In those final moments, a rush of memories flooded her mind.
The White Ape… her first hunt… the thrill of growing stronger…
Her master.
Master…
She had thought she was invincible.
She had thought she could do as she pleased.
She had underestimated the world.
I was too arrogant…
Her body felt cold—chilling, creeping death wrapped around her like a suffocating shroud.
I… I don’t want to die…
And then—
She did.
Everything was dark.
A chilling silence engulfed her.
She could see nothing. She could hear nothing.
It was maddening.
Was this what death was like?
A place where nothing existed?
Was she gone forever?
She didn’t know how long she drifted in this endless void.
It felt like moments.
It felt like eternity.
She wanted to cry out, but she had no voice.
She wanted to move, but she had no body.
She was nothing.
And then—
A light appeared.
A small, glowing orb, floating in the vast emptiness.
It was warm.
It was inviting.
It called to her.
Bi Yuan reached out—or at least, she thought she did.
The moment she touched the light—
A rush of warmth enveloped her.
Her soul pulled together—her senses sharpened—and suddenly—
She was alive again.
***
**
*
Life and death—was there truly a difference?
When I opened my eyes, I saw the system's familiar display floating before me.
[Name: Fu Shi]
[Quintessence: 84]
[Players: 0/1]
Zero.
The sight of it twisted a knife in my heart.
I exhaled slowly, willing my emotions to remain steady. I had felt it already—Bi Yuan’s presence fading, her very existence snuffed out. Through my Mind’s Eye, I had witnessed her death firsthand.
Her lifeless body, the stain of blood on her once-pristine fur, the empty dullness in her eyes.
She had been butchered.
And I had been too late.
I clenched my fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms. The pain was real, but it was nothing compared to the fury boiling inside me.
That filthy demonic cultivator had slaughtered her as if she were nothing more than a tool.
I knew this world was cruel. I knew the strong trampled the weak. But this? This was unacceptable.
Bi Yuan had been mine.
My first player.
My pride and joy.
And he had stolen her from me.
But… I wasn’t powerless.
I had the system.
I had the power to defy death itself.
With a thought, I activated my ability—my quintessence surged.
I had expected difficulty, maybe even some price too steep to pay—but no.
It was laughably simple.
Ping!
-1 Quintessence
One.
One single quintessence.
That was all it took.
I felt cheated.
Was life truly this cheap?
A laugh bubbled in my throat, though it held no humor. The irony of it was too much to bear.
Life was supposed to be precious. Life was supposed to be irreplaceable.
And yet—
For the system, life was just another commodity. Something to be bought and restored for a meager price.
But… I would be lying if I said I wasn’t grateful.
The moment my quintessence was spent, light began to gather.
It started as a single radiant beam, then another, until a dazzling rainbow of colors coalesced before me.
It shifted, twisted, and took shape—until a small, familiar figure stood where there had once been nothing.
White fur, as clean and pure as freshly fallen snow.
Red eyes, gleaming with life and awareness.
Her body was whole, her soul returned.
Bi Yuan.
She was alive again.
I exhaled, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease.
[Name: Fu Shi]
[Quintessence: 83]
[Players: 1/1]
Balance restored.
For now.
***
**
*
Bi Yuan was confused.
She blinked, ears twitching as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. The last thing she remembered was—
Death.
The sword.
The cold steel piercing her skull.
The darkness swallowing her whole.
The suffocating silence of oblivion.
And now—she was here.
Alive.
She lifted her small paws and stared at them.
Her fur was clean, untouched by the blood that had once soaked it.
Her body was whole.
Her soul was intact.
This was impossible.
And yet—
"Yuan’er! You are alive! HA—! YOU ARE ALIVE!"
A familiar voice rang through the cave, filled with unmistakable joy.
Bi Yuan snapped her head up, eyes locking onto the towering figure before her.
The White Ape.
Her master.
He looked at her with something she couldn't quite describe. It was warm, yet there was a shadow in his gaze—a depth of emotion she couldn’t fully understand.
But he was happy.
Happy that she was alive.
Bi Yuan trembled.
Something stirred inside her chest—something unfamiliar yet comforting.
She had never felt this before.
It was...
Warm.
Did this mean—she had someone who truly cared for her?
Someone who would not abandon her?
Her small heart thumped.
She jumped forward, tiny paws colliding against the White Ape’s sturdy chest, burying herself in his arms.
She nuzzled against him, small chirps of affection escaping her mouth.
He did not push her away.
He simply held her close.
For the first time, Bi Yuan understood what it meant to have someone at her back.
It was nice.
It was safe.
She didn't want to lose this feeling.
But then—the reality of it all struck her.
Bi Yuan pulled back slightly, looking up at her master with wide, incredulous eyes.
How was this possible?
She had died.
Not almost died.
Not barely survived.
She had actually died!
And yet—
She was here.
"Kyu?" she squeaked.
She stared at her own reflection in her master's sharp golden eyes.
She was alive.
Truly alive.
Her breathing quickened. Her small body shuddered as realization set in.
"Ky-yu? KU-KYU!"
Impossible.
She was supposed to be dead!
How could she have returned?
How could she have defied the natural order?
She was but a mere rabbit. A lowly beast in the grand scheme of things.
This was not something that should be possible.
And yet—it had happened.
Was this… a divine gift?
Her eyes darted back to the White Ape.
He did this.
She didn't know how, but he was the reason she had returned.
He had brought her back.
Her master… had granted her a second life.
Was this—
A Gift of Immortality?
She didn't know how to thank him.
The words wouldn't come, even if she tried.
But that was fine.
Instead, she nuzzled against his chest once more, letting out soft chirps of gratitude.
Her master said nothing.
But she could tell—he understood.
Even if his aura was terrifying.
Even if his killing intent lingered, like a silent storm waiting to unleash its wrath.
He still held her gently.
"Ku~kuyuuu?" she murmured, tilting her head.
The White Ape's expression was unreadable, but his voice was soft when he finally spoke.
"It's fine," he said. "Stay here in the cave abode for the meantime, Yuan’er."
There was a promise in his words.
A promise that he would handle things.
A promise that vengeance would be delivered.
And Bi Yuan?
She had no doubt.
***
**
*
Bi Yuan trembled in my arms.
She was scared.
I didn’t know what was going through her mind, but I could feel it—her confusion, her fear, and her disbelief at having returned to the world of the living.
She didn’t understand.
She couldn’t.
How could she?
She had just died.
And now, she was here, breathing, alive once more.
Her small body shuddered against me, her tiny paws clutching at my fur as if afraid I would disappear too.
Seeing her like this—
It enraged me.
A burning sensation swelled within my chest, raw and uncontainable. My vision blurred at the edges, my nails digging into my palms so hard I nearly drew blood.
I swore—
I swore I would make the one responsible pay dearly.
I would rip them apart.
I would shatter their bones.
I would desecrate their very existence until not even their soul could escape my wrath!
A thousandfold—no, ten thousandfold of hurt!
They would suffer.
They would wish for death.
And I—
I would not grant it easily.
"I am going to deal with this personally."
My voice came out low, dangerous, a growl brimming with unrelenting killing intent.
Bi Yuan looked up at me, chirping softly. Perhaps she wanted to say something. Perhaps she wanted to stop me.
But I was already gone.
With one last glance at her, I turned and walked away, leaving the cave behind.
Every step I took felt heavier, my fury simmering just beneath my skin.
I didn’t bother to suppress it.
Let the world feel my rage.
Let them tremble at what was coming.
The one who dared lay a hand on my player—
I would find them.
And when I did—
Hell itself would not be enough to contain my wrath.
