Just as the four of them were deeply discussing the astonishing potential of the "returnees" and the terrifying secrets of the "Great Thousand Worlds," without any forewarning, a system announcement sounded in Xiao Jie’s ear.

[World Announcement: The Demon Star Tower rises again, with demons spreading across the land, plunging Canglin State into chaos! Immortals have descended, and the Old Land World is about to welcome a new game version—[Ancient Land 1.3.0: Mystery of the Demon Star]!]

[World Announcement: The world event ’Canglin Final Battle: Demon Star’s Fall’ will commence in 24 hours! All players Level 10 and above, please prepare accordingly. The main area for this event will be Canglin State, where players will have the chance to join the Nine Provinces Alliance Army. Under the leadership of Dragon Soaring Country Master Long Xingtianxia, Canglin State Governor Master Xiao Yue, and various Immortals, you will fight against the evil army of the Demon Star Tower, determining the fate of Canglin State!

All players participating in this event will earn "World-saving Merit" through slaying demons, completing tasks, and achieving specific goals during the event!]

[World Announcement: After the event ends, the top 10 players in the "World-saving Merit" rankings will have the opportunity to receive the favor of an Immortal and become Immortal disciples!]

[World Announcement: For more details on the new version, event rules, and new content, please visit the official game website.]

"Oh? Another new version is launched?" Xiao Jie felt a wave of surprise, as this system announcement came so timely, seemingly waiting for them to discuss a crucial point. "It seems that the game’s version activities and plot progression are entirely determined by the players’ actual game progress, especially my actions. I just facilitated the alliance, confirmed the final battle, and now the event is immediately online."

However, his attention was quickly drawn by another piece of information: becoming an Immortal disciple? Is it true? Can the system directly arrange for an Immortal to accept apprentices? Isn’t this authority a bit too high... what if these individuals around him don’t accept? Can the system forcibly impose it? 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

As he was pondering with confusion, it was as if to confirm that this announcement was not without basis, Lin Xuance suddenly stroked his beard and naturally steered the topic towards the matter of taking in disciples:

"However, having only the nine returning villagers as disciples is still too few, making it difficult to face the unpredictable major catastrophe in the future." Lin Xuance cast his gaze over the diligent practitioners like Hao Mie, speaking with consideration, "In my opinion, after the great battle begins tomorrow and returnees gather in Canglin, there will certainly be many people of justice and bravery participating. How about we select some outstanding individuals with a genuine desire to save the world and courage as the second batch of disciples to nurture? What do you three fellow Daoists think?"

Martial Arts Immortal Wu Qingyue immediately clapped in agreement, his voice like a bell: "This idea suits me well! Those who can stand up in such dire times and participate in such a world-saving battle must be individuals with noble intentions and a strong sense of duty and courage! Selecting the best talents from among them is most appropriate!"

Miao Fa Yuanjun Su Zhiqing also nodded slightly, "I too think this proposal is good. But the number of people... in my opinion, since the first batch was ten people, the second batch should also be limited to ten, so it remains consistent."

Lin Xuance appeared surprised: "Hmm? Wasn’t it nine?" Clearly referring to the nine players they were currently teaching.

Su Zhiqing smiled sweetly and turned her gaze to Xiao Jie: "Did Lin Dao You forget? Miss An Ran is also a close acquaintance of Sui Feng Dao You and has received guidance in her cultivation, right? This makes the first batch exactly ten people."

Lin Xuance came to a realization, patting his forehead: "So that’s it, I forgot about that, haha."

The three of them spoke casually and naturally, as if the matter of taking in disciples was a well-thought-out result, unrelated to the system announcement they had just heard.

However, as Xiao Jie listened, he was shocked within, a chill secretly creeping up his spine.

The reason for this feeling was that the system announcement came first, and only then did the conversation with the three Immortals follow! The timing was so precise, and the content so aligned, could it be that... these Immortals, who appeared as vivid and lifelike as real people, with their own thoughts, were actually puppets controlled by the system behind the scenes? Their every move and seemingly autonomous decisions were invisibly orchestrated by the system?

This thought made him feel an inexplicable horror. He recalled his interactions with Lin Xuance, Wu Qingyue, Su Zhiqing, as well as Shen Jizi, North Sea Giant Kuo, Ma Yuan, and other Immortals. They clearly possessed distinct personalities, independent thoughts, and rich emotions, indistinguishable from real people.

"Wait a minute... If they are truly NPCs, mere data, how could they be so real? But if they are ’living people,’ how could they be so coincidentally influenced by the ’system’ without realizing it?"

A bold idea emerged in Xiao Jie’s mind: "What if... I try to change their minds, disrupt the seemingly ’system-arranged’ course of ’accepting ten disciples’? What would happen then? Could this prove they have true free will, or would it touch some ’system’ setting’s boundary?"

Thinking this, he casually cleared his throat, showing a hint of reluctance on his face, and interjected: "Three fellow Daoists, regarding the number of disciples for this second batch, I have some different thoughts. I suggest... why not set it to nine?"

He paused for a moment and explained: "After all, I’ve just ascended to Immortal position, my knowledge is shallow, and I’m really not adept at teaching disciples, quite lacking in experience. Miss An Ran was guided merely because she is an old acquaintance, and her practice in the Ancient Qi Cultivation aligns somewhat with my path. I’ve only occasionally guided her a bit, hardly systematic teaching, and certainly lacking confidence in being a good mentor. If I forcefully take on disciples, it might lead to their misguidance."