Absolute Destiny Game.

Chapter 617 Immortal Disciple, Main Storyline Quest

Is that all?

Standing atop the clouds, Xiao Jie looked down at the scattered demon army below, and couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and doubt.

He had assumed that the "Master of the Demon Star Tower," the source of all this chaos, would surely appear in the final battle, either to turn the tide or to perish together with the enemy. But to his surprise, the other party never showed up from beginning to end, allowing his seven demon masters to be killed one by one, and his army of hundreds of thousands of demons to crumble.

This "savior" event, which affected the entire Canglin Prefecture and attracted the attention of the entire nation, has come to an end so "smoothly".

"So what exactly is its purpose?" Xiao Jie pondered to himself. "To mobilize such a large force, sending a massive army of demons to wreak havoc in the Canglin Forest, causing countless deaths and destruction, yet it remains holed up in hiding. Does it really naively believe that it can conquer the entire land of Kyushu with just a few demon masters and a huge number of miscellaneous soldiers? Or... does it sense that the four of us immortals are gathered here, and out of fear, it has hidden itself away to avoid battle?"

In Xiao Jie's view, the final battle seemed somewhat anticlimactic due to the absence of the final boss; the operation went too smoothly and even seemed a bit eerie. However, for the vast majority of ordinary players on the battlefield, this battle was undoubtedly a fierce victory.

According to a rough estimate, the number of players who died in this battle exceeded four figures.

The elite teams that participated in the siege of the demonic master, attempting to seize the final blow and the credit, suffered particularly heavy casualties.

The Demon Lord is, after all, a world boss, possessing formidable strength and a variety of overpowered skills with immense destructive power. Moreover, these skills are often AOE (area of ​​effect) attacks. However, the game lacks a stable aggro mechanism, causing battles to frequently spiral out of control. Often, the front-line NPC cannon fodder simply cannot withstand the onslaught. A sudden area-of-effect skill or a sudden turn by the boss can instantly kill the squishy back-line damage dealers or collateral damage to nearby melee players attempting to deal damage.

This was largely thanks to the massive number of NPC soldiers in the allied forces; countless regular troops absorbed tons of damage with their own flesh and blood. According to Long Xing Tian Xia's later revelations, the number of allied soldiers who died in this battle approached 100,000!

Moreover, almost the entire force consisted of troops from the Dragon's Reign, trained with a fortune. Fortunately, Canglin Prefecture chose to surrender afterward, so at least they didn't lose money.

In fact, Xiao Jie is largely to blame for the players' fervent participation in the event and their relentless pursuit of the world boss. As the "precedent-setter," he played a crucial role in stimulating the players' enthusiasm.

It is precisely because of his successful ascension to immortality that all high-level players have a great desire and imagination for the "ascension items" that may be dropped by the world boss.

Now, the fierce battle is finally over, and it's time to reward those who have contributed.

A group of people were all waiting eagerly down below.

Xiao Jie casually opened the [Salvation Merit Ranking]. His ID [Hidden Moon with the Wind] still held a commanding lead at the top, boasting over 39,000 merit points, far surpassing the second-place player. However, according to the event rules, any player ranking in the top ten in merit points was eligible to become a "Disciple of the Immortal," so no one paid much attention to the specific rankings.

He became somewhat curious—he himself was an immortal, so could those three fellow Daoists possibly accept him as a disciple? How could the logic of this system's settings possibly make sense? He was rather looking forward to seeing how they would handle this 'BUG'.

"The situation is settled, the dust has settled, let's go down." Su Zhiqing's voice pulled Xiao Jie back from his thoughts. As she spoke, she took the lead in descending from the clouds, and the four immortals landed together in the core area of ​​the allied forces, on a relatively intact open space.

As soon as they landed, the players who had been waiting for a long time swarmed around them like a tide. In particular, the players who were ranked in the top ten of the merit leaderboard were looking at the four immortals with eager eyes, waiting to be chosen as their disciples.

Other players, while unable to become disciples of the immortals, also gathered around, waiting to receive the basic rewards for the event. These merits for saving the world could be exchanged for event rewards.

Su Zhiqing stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the dark mass of people before her. Her voice clearly reached everyone's ears: "Fellow returnees, the restoration of Canglin Prefecture and the defeat of the demon army are all thanks to your great contributions. We have all witnessed your courageous fighting spirit. As immortals, you should follow the will of Heaven and be rewarded to recognize your merits."

As she spoke, Su Zhiqing casually made a hand seal and gently waved it towards the open space in front of her.

As a dazzling white light flashed by, countless golden points of light seemed to converge in the air, instantly summoning ten divine soldiers clad in golden armor! They stood twelve feet tall, like statues, their bodies radiating a golden aura.

Guardian Weapon (a creation of Su Zhiqing's immortal power): Level 54, HP: 8000.

As expected of a veteran immortal, he can summon a row of monsters over level 50 with a casual wave of his hand.

"Next, those of you whose names I have called, please come before us. The rest of you warriors whose names have not been called may proceed to these golden-armored warriors in turn to receive the corresponding event rewards based on your merits."

Upon hearing this, everyone held their breath and pricked up their ears. The entire scene fell silent instantly, with only the sound of flags fluttering in the wind remaining.

"Great Fortune, Supreme Emperor, Gentle Breeze, Unending Moon, One-Punch Man..." Su Zhiqing recited nine names in one breath. The players whose names were called had been waiting for a long time and hurriedly squeezed forward to stand in front of the four immortals.

Just as she was about to pronounce the tenth name, Lin Xuance suddenly laughed and said, "Speaking of which, although Fellow Daoist Suifeng has already ascended to the Immortal Rank, he is essentially a 'Returnee.' Moreover, looking at this battle, Fellow Daoist Suifeng first single-handedly killed two monstrous lords, and then used immortal techniques in the final battle to bestow powerful blessings upon many Returnees. He has made great contributions. If we are to reward merit, how can Fellow Daoist Suifeng be left out?"

Wu Qingyue also laughed loudly, "Yes, yes! Fellow Daoist Lin is absolutely right! I think we should include Fellow Daoist Suifeng as well, to make it a round number, perfect!"

Upon hearing this, Su Zhiqing smiled and shook her head. "While the intentions of you two fellow Daoists are good, there is something inappropriate about what you say. Fellow Daoist Suifeng and we are all immortals. We should address each other as fellow immortals and treat each other as equals. How can you address each other as disciples? This is against etiquette and would be unfair to Fellow Daoist Suifeng."

She changed the subject, looking at Xiao Jie, "However, Fellow Daoist Suifeng's contribution in this battle is indeed evident to all, and he is a model to be reckoned with. How about this, speaking of which, Fellow Daoist Suifeng, it has only been a few months since you ascended to immortality, and your foundation is just beginning to be established. Although we occasionally exchange ideas and answer your questions, we have not been able to provide you with much systematic help. Today, if Fellow Daoist Suifeng has any immortal techniques or supernatural abilities you would like to learn, or any difficulties in your cultivation, please feel free to speak up. We will certainly not hold back and will teach you everything we know."

[System notification: Based on your performance in this event, you have been awarded an opportunity to consult with three immortals.]

Xiao Jie couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Tsk tsk, they actually managed to include themselves! And the reason they gave... it doesn't feel out of place at all, not at all abrupt. This system is really impressive in terms of logical consistency!"

However, these three people in front of me have really become the system's puppets.

However, there's no reason to refuse a benefit, so Xiao Jie smiled and said, "Since you three fellow Daoists are so hospitable, then I won't stand on ceremony. I'm quite interested in Fellow Daoist Su's miraculous [Thousand-Mile Instant Travel Technique]. I wonder if you could teach me?"

Su Zhiqing smiled slightly, "Since Fellow Daoist Suifeng wants to learn, of course you can."

Xiao Jie thought to himself, "Not bad, not bad. With this long-distance teleportation spell, it will be much more convenient to travel to different places and explore secret realms in the future!"

Moreover, in reality, it will make it easier for me to travel around in the future.

In his view, the value of this [Thousand-Mile Instantaneous Travel Technique] far exceeded that of ordinary offensive or defensive immortal techniques. Although he could fly, it would always take some time; teleportation was much more convenient.

If we use scientific concepts as an analogy, flying is like a supersonic aircraft, while this teleportation technique is equivalent to "time warp" or "wormhole travel" in science fiction novels. They are completely different technologies!
Without wasting any words, Su Zhiqing took out a jade slip and handed it over.

Xiao Jie quickly took it.

[A Thousand Miles in an Instant (Immortal Jade Slip)]

Learning requires: Immortal Realm and 50 Comprehension.

Item Description: This jade slip records immortal techniques and skills. It is a special medium used by immortals to record written words and spiritual thoughts, and fragments of the recorder's memories can be directly accessed from it.

Wow, this is great! It can directly read memory fragments. This is much more convenient.

Besides the nine finalized "prospective disciples," Wentian Wuji, Anran, Haomie, and others also had considerable merit points. However, they had already been accepted as internal disciples by the three immortals and had special status, so they did not appear in this merit ranking list for all players.

However, they can still use the merits they gained from this battle to exchange for rare rewards from the golden-armored divine soldiers, which can be described as a great harvest.

Next came the distribution of rewards by the three immortals to the nine "prospective disciples." Su Zhiqing, Lin Xuance, and Wu Qingyue bestowed different rewards upon each of the nine disciples based on their respective professions, cultivation paths, and performance in battle. Su Zhiqing said to Hong Fu Qitian, "Hong Fu Qitian, what you cultivate is divine magic, which is vastly different from the Taoist immortal arts we cultivate. As immortals of the Xuanmen sect, we can only offer you limited direct guidance on this path."

Moreover, judging from your aura, although your magical power is pure, your physical body already shows signs of aging, and your blood and energy are declining. It will be difficult for you to achieve much in cultivating immortal arts and Taoist techniques. I have a book here, *A Detailed Explanation of the Beginner's Guide to Supernatural Powers*, which I acquired during my early travels. It records some general methods of using supernatural powers and my insights, which may offer you some inspiration. Consider this a reward for you.”

This introductory guide to supernatural powers is a Taoist book of the same level as Xiao Jie's introductory book to immortal techniques. It belongs to the lower three levels of the library and can be borrowed without mortgaging karma points.

In the hands of an immortal, it would be considered a book for the general public, but for ordinary mortals, it would definitely be called a 'divine book'.

It contains a large number of low-level supernatural abilities, which is equivalent to exchanging a book for more than a dozen skills, making it quite a good deal.

Although Hong Fuqitian was a little depressed by the comments that he looked "old and frail" and that his "qi and blood were declining", he was still very excited to receive this book.

Lin Xuance said to the Supreme Emperor, "Supreme Emperor, your transformation into a divine dragon is mainly due to the ancient divine dragon bloodline awakened within you. This is an innate talent that cannot be forced. However, the martial arts and combat techniques you cultivate are those of mortals. I have here a manual called 'Eight Desolate Sword Diagram,' which condenses the insights of ancient martial artists, and a manual called 'Introduction to the Dragon Blood Secret Technique,' which records how to better guide and stimulate dragon blood. You can choose one as a reward according to your own situation."

The Eight Desolate Sword Diagram is an unparalleled divine skill, while the Dragon Blood Secret Technique: Initial Explanation is a 'secret technique' skill book.

After much hesitation, the Supreme Emperor still chose the Dragon Blood Secret Technique.

Wu Qingyue said to One-Punch Man, "One-Punch Man, I see that your fist techniques are fierce and powerful, and your foundation is solid. You follow the pure martial arts path of brute force, which suits my taste perfectly! I have a book here called 'The Mountain Collapse Fist Manual,' which is a summary of my many practical combat experiences and power generation techniques in the martial arts path when I was still a celestial being. I will give it to you. I hope you will study it diligently and not waste this good physique..."

Xiao Jie quietly observed the process of the three immortals distributing rewards and quickly discerned some patterns and rules.

For players like Hongfu Qitian and Zhizun Dihuang, who are over level 40 and whose class system is basically set and whose potential seems to have been fully explored, the three immortals mostly only gave them a decent skill book or manual as a reward, without mentioning "accepting apprentices" or even giving them the status of a nominal disciple.

Of course, this reward is absolutely generous; at the very least, it's a peerless divine skill. Moreover, a peerless divine skill bestowed by an immortal is definitely better than a peerless divine skill taught by an ordinary reclusive master.

For players whose level is between 30 and 40 and who still have room for growth, the three immortals expressed their willingness to provide some guidance in cultivation and to grant them the title of "disciple".

Only towards the three players who were only around level 20, the three immortals explicitly expressed their willingness to "accept them as disciples" and personally teach them. The reasons were quite consistent: "Judging from your young age and unsettled nature, you may have potential in terms of aptitude and spirituality. We wish to lead you into our immortal sect and hope that you will cultivate diligently and not waste this opportunity."

These three are a level 29 True Person, a level 28 Celestial Master, and a level 29 Five Elements Sorcerer. They are all mages who are stuck at their level, and they all have a large guild as their backer.

It's clear that the major guilds have researched how to maximize the benefits of their immortal disciples and how to increase their chances of becoming immortals, and they have all unanimously chosen the second-tier magic system.

It seems that in the eyes of these three immortals, those who are of higher rank and stronger are the least 'favored'.

Xiao Jie understood. For them, the original intention of this "acceptance of apprentices" was to select and cultivate promising "good seedlings" and train a group of top experts. Those "masters" who had already basically grown up had met the requirements and were naturally not worth further training.

On the contrary, magic-based players below the third job advancement still have some potential for growth.

I don't know if they can see the players' levels, or if it's the system playing tricks on them again.

Just as the rewards were being distributed and everyone was either delighted or filled with emotion, Master Xiaoyue, who had been observing coldly from the sidelines, strode over. Her expression remained stern, carrying a lingering worry.

"My lords, let us not be in such a hurry to celebrate our victory and bestow rewards. Although the demon army has been routed and the seven great lords have been slain, the true culprit—the 'Demon Star'—and its lair, the 'Demon Star Tower,' still stand intact in the south of Canglin Prefecture! If we do not seize this opportunity to completely eradicate it and eliminate any future threat, it will surely be able to gather its strength again and make a comeback in time. At that time, Canglin Prefecture and even the entire Nine Provinces will likely face another catastrophe and never have peace again!"

Upon hearing this, Su Zhiqing's expression returned to solemnity. "Sister Xiaoyue is right. We have been somewhat lax. Lord Long," she turned to Long Xingtianxia beside her, "you can lead the main force of the allied forces to continue to clear out and annihilate the scattered remnants of the demon army, recover all lost territories, and stabilize the situation in Canglin Prefecture. As for the demon star itself and its lair, the Demon Star Tower... we, the people of the Immortal Realm, will handle that."

Long Xing Tianxia had no objection to this arrangement and even welcomed it. Although the seven main world bosses were all dead, there were still many elite leaders and minor bosses who had fled after the defeat of the demons—they were all easy targets!
Especially since the entire demon army suffered a defeat, these fleeing bosses were all given a powerful "morale collapse" debuff by the system. Their fighting spirit was greatly weakened, and their attributes were also reduced. They often just ran away without fighting back. Such an excellent opportunity to beat a drowning dog and loot it is rare.

As the largest guild in the game, Longxiang Guild is not built by just one or two people. It needs to offer tangible benefits to its thousands of members in order to keep them loyal.

We must seize the opportunity.

"Please rest assured, esteemed immortals!" Long Xing Tianxia clasped his hands in a fist salute, his tone resolute. "To eradicate the remaining evil and restore a bright and clear world to Canglin Prefecture is the duty of our allied forces! I will lead my soldiers to exterminate these wicked demons and scoundrels, and never let them rise again!"

After saying that, he turned around decisively and began to mobilize troops and organize a large-scale cleanup operation.

Su Zhiqing watched Long Xingtianxia leave, then turned her gaze to the nine "prospective disciples" who had just received the reward, as well as the ten designated disciples including Wentian Wuji and Haomie.

"As for you... since you have already formed a karmic bond with us, you can go together with us to explore the origin of the demon star. Perhaps you can gain some insights and broaden your horizons. However, if you do not wish to participate, I can understand. You can decide for yourselves whether to participate in this operation."

As soon as she finished speaking, a quest prompt appeared in front of the nineteen disciple players.

[System Notification: Main story event triggered [The Mystery of the Demon Star]. As disciples of the immortals, you have been given the opportunity to accompany three immortals to the Demon Star Tower to uncover the true nature of the Demon Star. Do you accept? Yes/No.]

[Mission Objective: Follow the immortals Lin Xuance, Wu Qingyue, and Su Zhiqing to the Demon Star Tower in the southern border of Canglin Prefecture to investigate the mystery of the Demon Star.]

[Task Reward: ? ? ? ? ? ]

Everyone was both surprised and delighted by the sudden system notification—a main storyline event! This meant they were about to encounter the core and top-tier content of the entire "Old Land" game! And they would be teaming up with four immortals to defeat the final boss! How could they possibly miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

Without any hesitation, in a matter of moments, all nineteen people chose "Yes"!
Xiao Jie was somewhat speechless; his name wasn't even mentioned in the mission description... But well, as a player, one shouldn't expect too much.

"Uncle-Master, please allow us to go together," said Qingfeng and Mingyue in unison.

Master Longhua also bowed slightly, saying, "This humble Taoist is also willing to go along and do my part."

Master Xiaoyue also solemnly said, "Hmph, count me in too. That Demon Star Tower has been fighting with my Canglin Prefecture for so many years, it's time to settle things."

Su Zhiqing seemed to have anticipated this, and nodded slightly: "Yes, the cultivation of you all is quite good, so it's fine for you to come together. You might be able to lend me a hand at a crucial moment. However, that demon star is mysterious and unpredictable, and its strength is far beyond that of a demon master. At that time, you must not act rashly, but follow orders carefully and act according to the situation."

The four immortals naturally agreed.

After saying this, Su Zhiqing said no more. With a gentle wave of her hand, a powerful yet gentle immortal force spread out beneath everyone's feet.

In an instant, a huge and solid auspicious cloud appeared out of thin air, steadily supporting everyone present—the four immortals, the nineteen player disciples, and the four True Persons of the Nine Provinces.

The surrounding players could only watch enviously as the auspicious cloud slowly rose into the sky and then flew towards the Demon Star Tower.

Xiao Jie stood on the cloud, looking at the players around him, but he understood that there were only twenty players in total, including himself.

But behind that computer screen, who knows how many people are watching?

(End of this chapter)