The Undying Transmigrator

Book 2: Chapter 32: System Upgrade

Vol 2 Chapter 32: System Upgrade

"Calamity ash?"

Wang Yunchang stared at the "snowflakes" gathered by Long Yunshui in the distance, struggling to restrain the urge to scoop up a handful and convert it into system points.

Even though the endless "snowflakes" weren't lacking for a handful, the numbers produced by a single pinch of calamity ash had already grown so large he could barely keep count.

The Chenyao Dynasty had already deciphered many of the pork trotter rice mysteries—the infinite-bullet AK47-type "talents"—and invented methods to convert spiritual energy into specific matter like the "food-creation technique," "AK47 summoning technique," and "ammunition summoning technique." They classified those as part of an incomplete great marvel called "Meddling with Creation." But his own ability to summon soldiers with the system had seen no breakthrough so far.

If he had no other choice, he would have used the system's power without hesitation. But now that there was someone even higher to take the brunt of disaster, he should instead seriously think about what the system actually was.

Why did he transmigrate? Why did he have a system? What purpose did those tasks serve? Where did the materials the system exchanged go, and how did they become soldiers…

"Ding, special condition detected. System upgrading."

"This upgrade is expected to take 72 hours."

"After the upgrade, the system will add an 'additional troop type function.' You will be able to collect calamity ash to increase troop types corresponding to the worlds from which the calamity ash originated."Wang Yunchang's fingers trembled. Nearby, Feng Chuming—who was also curious about the calamity ash but always attentive to his close friend—looked over at once. "Brother Yunchang, what's wrong?"

Looking at that curious, handsome face, the still-virginal Wang Yunchang had to tell himself once more: Feng Chuming, male, descendant of the Phoenix, was a good brother who had once saved the world and died together with him in their previous life.

Even though phoenix descendants, as nonhuman super-beings, lacked inherent biological sex—phoenix form being a bird-shaped flame while human form depended on their self-perception—still, if one treated a mistaken gender identity as a tomboy…

Wang Yunchang circulated spiritual energy to calm his mind and explained with a composed look, "My system upgraded after detecting that calamity ash. It also guided me to exchange for more of it."

Compared to twenty years ago, when he had hidden the system's existence behind innate talents, now that he was more familiar with others, he no longer needed to conceal it.

Feng Chuming said with concern, "Brother Yunchang, do not act rashly before the critical moment arrives."

"The Divine Martial Emperor suppressed the end-times calamity so easily; even if there are outsiders from beyond the realms, they are no match for him."

"Compared to borrowing such mysterious external power, cultivation-earned strength is the most genuine."

Wang Yunchang gave an embarrassed smile. "I know. I definitely won't become addicted to the system."

Just then, She Chengze—one of the former emperors of the Chenyao Dynasty, a man still respected in this special age for his research achievements—suddenly interjected, "Don't be so quick to refuse. Trying it won't hurt. Your system has run stably for so many years without incident, hasn't it?"

"If you can restore them, who knows how many technological breakthroughs might follow? If these new otherworldly troops, like the soldiers you summon, come with basic knowledge built in, that would be even better."

Wang Yunchang forced a smile. "Old She, don't test me."

She Chengze responded decisively, "This isn't a test this time. Times change. Ever since discovering those invaders, my heart has been pounding often."

"Even if His Majesty remains invincible, what if the enemy can separate him from us? That possibility cannot be ignored. If you hesitate now, you might lose your chance in the future."

"My restriction on you isn't harsh. If you agree, I'll convene a brief meeting to reaffirm experimental protocols—only a few minutes."

Feng Chuming opened his mouth but hesitated, showing a fleeting wavering. After that moment, though, he saw "General Xuande" in Wang Yunchang.

Maybe precognition was only a premonition, maybe it was merely a dream, but this man—who had failed to rampage the battlefield yet dominated the mines—still bore heroic bravado and could make his own choice.

Wang Yunchang looked toward the sky full of "snowflakes."

They kept falling with no sign of stopping, seeming not only to represent the destruction of other worlds but also to signal that the world he now lived in was about to enter a long winter.

Without the Divine Martial Emperor, would he become the protagonist, the hero?

Or would he fail, even becoming a pawn controlled by the system, pushing destruction forward?

"I..." he tried to make up his mind.

At that moment the sky split. A titanic Buddha draped in human skin suddenly appeared high above.

It had three faces: one with blue features and fangs, laughing uproariously; one compassionate, eyes half-closed; and one furious, eyes wide and ravenous, selecting and devouring people.

All three faces trembled constantly, shedding bloody tears as if the raucous chanting of a lamenting sutra issued from its lips. The human-skin robe fluttered, covered in countless faces that writhed, and the cries and wails of ten thousand souls became the most desperate curse.

"What the hell is that?" some cultivators cried, attempting to activate weaponry, but before they could, a figure shot into the sky.

It was Mo Wen.

That Buddha immediately slammed down with a giant palm. In the center of the palm, an inverted swastika symbol emitted a Buddha-light that devoured the surrounding space; even Mo Wen was swallowed into it.

Some cultivators were stunned. "His Majesty was right here—did I really get a chance at real combat? Quick, quick, prepare the cannon! We must strike before His Majesty kills it..."

The Buddha's fingertip shattered; blood-colored light leaked through, but the state lasted only a moment.

In the next instant, Mo Wen split open the top of its head and emerged, killing his way out. Its corpse turned into a skyful of Buddhist script, fluttering down like rain.

Mo Wen felt nothing special about killing yet another randomly spawned trash enemy; he just waved to the cultivators below, "New material."

Then he left casually, returning to his thoughts about how to build that patrolling leviathan.

Watching Mo Wen depart and the falling Buddhist script, the other cultivators were not astonished—they were already used to the Divine Martial Emperor's strength, and newly appearing enemies were something they would have to get used to.

Wang Yunchang watched the Buddhist script drift down, feeling the sudden terror that had climbed his heart a moment ago and the absolute relief he felt upon seeing that figure.

He asked Feng Chuming beside him with some melancholy, "Do you think we are toys protected in a giant's palm, or children being nurtured and growing strong?"

Feng Chuming answered confidently, "The latter. I can feel it, the dynasty is getting stronger and stronger; each person is a great warrior."

"Sooner or later, we will hunt those Heavenly Demons, instead of letting them invade us."