Absolute Destiny Game

However, this thought just flashed by, and Xiao Jie immediately shook his head, abandoning the idea. Strictly speaking, this person was not a mortal enemy who could never rest until one is dead. At best, during their mortal days, there were some disagreements, mutual schemes, and that was it. Now that he has ascended to the Immortal Position, his vision and pursuits have long since changed, and those entanglements and grievances from mortal times seem to be no longer meaningful. Moreover, if personal grudges interfere with the ’system’s’ ’selection,’ it might bring unnecessary trouble.

Just then, the comments from the three Immortals sounded timely, pulling his thoughts back.

"Look at this Hong Fu Qitian," Lin Xuance pointed at the top name on the merit rankings, with a tone of admiration, "He has continuously led the recovery of several towns, his coordination is excellent. This person has quite some potential and fortune, worthy of attention."

Wu Qingyue also echoed loudly: "Yes, yes! And this Qingfeng Lanhuai, too, is very sharp and courageous, daring to seize opportunities first, his team-leading skills are impressive, worth nurturing."

Miao Fa Yuanjun Su Zhiqing’s gaze then fell on other screens: "I think these people are also good, especially this Divine Calculation Sky Demon. As a mere mortal, being able to apply Magic and seek opportunities amid chaos is quite remarkable. A talent fit for cultivation."

Xiao Jie initially didn’t pay much attention, only listened casually. But as he listened, while comparing the constantly changing rankings on the merit list, his expression gradually became peculiar, eyebrows slightly furrowed.

He discovered an extremely obvious pattern: whenever a player’s ranking entered the top ten, these three Immortals would immediately perceive it and comment, often with words of affirmation and expectation. And once a player’s name rushed into the top three, they would praise them as if they had long been paying attention, discovering an extraordinary gem.

However, once a player previously commented upon fell out of the top ten due to a lack of subsequent merit growth or other reasons, the three Immortals seemed collectively struck by an amnesia spell, their gaze would immediately shift away from the related scene, and they would no longer bother to glance at it, at most mentioning offhandedly: "This person seemed to have quite some strength, now seems rather normal, lacking stamina..."

Are these three Immortals, the system’s mouthpieces, manifestations of its will? Is the system’s control and influence over Immortals so direct, blatant, and without a trace? Is Shen Jizi, a Heavenly Immortal, also like this? Is his seemingly detached, actually passive attitude also a reflection of some system setting? 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Thinking of this, Xiao Jie suddenly felt a chill rise from his heart and spread along his spine. When he first met this group of Immortals in Gu Yun State, he just thought they were the pinnacle of this world, a supreme existence of strength, who controlled laws, transcended worldly pursuits, and lived a great life same as Heaven and Earth.

Joining them, naturally, he also became a part of it.

However, at this moment, he clearly felt that the power the Immortals had, compared to the invisible, intangible "system" that seemed to control everything, was somewhat insignificant.

As an Immortal, although Xiao Jie hasn’t spent too long with the Gu Yun Immortals, fighting side by side, discussing Dao and philosophy, has already given him a profound sense of belonging to this small group. Most importantly, compared to the humans or NPCs filled with interest disputes and mutual deception in reality and games, the kind of noble character Lin Xuance, Wu Qingyue, Su Zhiqing, and others have shown, their unreserved goodwill and support towards him, a "newly ascended Immortal," made him deeply feel a strong sense of belonging.

Now watching the system arbitrarily manipulate these three Immortals, Xiao Jie did feel somewhat displeased and resentful.

If... if the Immortals were made aware of the ’system’s’ existence, realizing their every word and deed might be guided or even controlled by some invisible force, how would they react? Would they be shocked, angry, resist, or... collapse? This thought grew like wild grass in Xiao Jie’s heart, making him instantly vigilant.

’Xiao Jie, oh Xiao Jie,’ he warned himself, ’You better be honest! Isn’t it good enough to be a Carefree Immortal peacefully? Why delve into truths that might bring danger? Since the system can shape and control them, can’t it control you too? Everything you have now might just be within the system’s "permissible" range.’

Yet, the innate desire for exploration and the instinctive unwillingness to be controlled as a player, made him unable to easily concede just like that.

’If... if there’s a way to make these Immortals "awaken," become aware of the system’s existence, perhaps their power could be leveraged to break some of the system’s limitations?

Xiao Jie naturally doesn’t dare, nor does he have the ability to directly oppose the system. But if he can make these powerful Immortals notice the clues, thereby developing a consciousness or behavior to oppose the system, then perhaps he can judge how strong this system’s power really is, and what its control mechanisms are.’

’If this system’s control over Immortals uses some sort of subtle power, similar to psychological suggestion, destiny guidance or the like, rather than absolute control, just like the methods of the Wuming Taoist, then he might not need to fear so much, and future operational space would be much larger.’