Dao Heaven Sect, the largest sect in Qingzhou, with one hundred and eight main mountains, one of which is Cloud Dwelling Mountain.
"Forty years have passed!
Do you know how I've lived through these forty years?"
By the side of a lake on Cloud Dwelling Mountain, a handsome young man in a blue robe looked at the water with excitement.
The young man's name was Li Zhoujun.
He was one of the one hundred and eight Mountain Lords of Dao Heaven Sect.
At first glance, this might seem like an impressive identity.
But in reality, Li Zhoujun was a complete cultivation failure, still an ordinary person to this day.
He became the Mountain Lord of Cloud Dwelling Mountain only because, forty years ago, when his master passed away, he was the only disciple.
As a result, he often became the subject of Dao Heaven Sect's gossip, from the servants to the elders.
As for why such a failure could join Dao Heaven Sect and become a True Disciple, it had to do with Li Zhoujun being a transmigrator who pretended to be a prodigy.
Back then, he spoke at three months old, recognized characters at six months, walked at nine months, and was full of knowledge by one year old.
People called him a reincarnated immortal.
Thus, at one year old, he caught the eye of the previous Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord and was taken as a disciple.
Although the previous Mountain Lord eventually realized that Li Zhoujun was a complete cultivation failure, he didn't say much, and Li Zhoujun received all the benefits of a True Disciple.
The Mountain Lord was planning to train a new disciple, but before he could start, he fell in a great battle against the Demonic Cultivators.
Dao Heaven Sect, seeing that he had sacrificed himself for the sect, naturally took care of his only disciple, allowing the then six-year-old Li Zhoujun to inherit the position of Mountain Lord.
After all, Li Zhoujun couldn't cultivate, and in a hundred years, Cloud Dwelling Mountain would be without a master anyway.
By then, they could plan for Cloud Dwelling Mountain again.
This way, Dao Heaven Sect could gain a reputation for being loyal and righteous, attracting more prodigies to join.
Also, the fact that Li Zhoujun still looked like a young man in his forties was simply because he had taken a beauty-enhancing pill.
But all of this was about to undergo an epic change starting today!
Because Li Zhoujun's Golden Finger System, as a transmigrator, finally awakened today!
"System, it's been over forty years, if you had appeared any later, I would have been done for!" Li Zhoujun was in tears.
[Ding: Host, please don't be agitated. The system may be late, but it will never be absent.]
A mechanical-sounding voice echoed in Li Zhoujun's mind.
"Not being absent is good! But system, look at me, I'm over forty, old and worn out, can I still start cultivating?" Li Zhoujun asked eagerly.
[Ding: Cultivate?]
[Ding: Host, you're underestimating the system. With the system, why would you need to cultivate?]
[Ding: Rewarding the host with a Welcome Gift Pack!]
"Open it!" Li Zhoujun said without hesitation.
[Ding: Congratulations to the host for obtaining a special ability, 'Evenly Matched with All Things in the World!']
"Evenly Matched with All Things in the World, what does that mean?" Li Zhoujun was puzzled.
Damn it, what a weirdo name!
[Ding: Simply put, it means that no matter what or who the host faces, you can achieve an even match, meaning neither can defeat the other.]
"Uh, I think I get it..." Li Zhoujun blinked, then pulled out a dagger from his boot and asked the system, "Can I be evenly matched with this thing too?"
[Ding: Yes.]
Hearing the system's response, Li Zhoujun gritted his teeth, gripped the blade of the dagger, and pulled it across his hand.
Screech!
The sound of metal scraping rang out.
To his disbelief, Li Zhoujun found that his hand, which had been slashed by the dagger's blade, was completely unharmed, not even a white mark!
"This ability seems a bit overpowered..."
Li Zhoujun took a deep breath and asked the system, "If I encounter a True Immortal-level powerhouse, can I be evenly matched too?"
[Ding: Of course, all things in the world.]
"This is like a cow stepping on a power line, awesome and electrifying, I love it..."
At this moment, Li Zhoujun's eyes began to shine. With this ability to be evenly matched, wasn't he essentially invincible in this world?
[Ding: This is just the welcome gift. If the host completes system tasks, you will receive more unexpected rewards!]
"System, don't just be drawing me in with promises!" Li Zhoujun said, almost drooling.
[Ding: No deception.]
"That's good." Li Zhoujun nodded, then seemed to think of something and asked the system, "Is there an attribute panel?"
[Ding: Isn't that simple?]
[Ding: Host, please look at the big screen.]
As the system's voice fell.
A transparent panel appeared before Li Zhoujun.
[Host]: Li Zhoujun
[Identity]: Dao Heaven Sect, Cloud Dwelling Mountain Lord
[Age]: Forty-six years old (four years remaining)
[Cultivation]: None
[Ability]: Evenly Matched with All Things in the World
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"Wait, system, what's with the four years remaining?" Li Zhoujun looked at the age section and instantly had a bad feeling.
[Ding: It means you have four years left to live.]
Li Zhoujun: "I really appreciate it..."
So even if he could be evenly matched with all things, he was still a mortal, and not just that, a short-lived one, only living to fifty.
[Ding: Please rest assured, host. Completing system tasks can reward you with cultivation levels in this world, naturally extending your lifespan.]
"Uh, didn't you just say there's no need to cultivate? Then why reward me with cultivation?" Li Zhoujun retorted.
[Ding: How about checking out the idle ability?]
"Sure, sure!" Li Zhoujun's eyes lit up, "Can you give it to me now?"
[Ding: Hehe.]
[Ding: Detected that the host's sect will hold a Disciple Acceptance Ceremony in three days. The host is required to recruit a disciple, and success will bring unexpected rewards!]
"Recruit a disciple?" Li Zhoujun was instantly dumbfounded.
His reputation was well-known, nicknamed the Useless Mountain Lord, the Mooching Mountain Lord...
Simply put, only a fool would take him as a master!
"System, don't you think this task is a bit too difficult?" Li Zhoujun said, tears streaming down his face.
[Ding: The spirit of a grand hero should not be underestimated.]
"That makes sense, but system, I feel that even if I recruit a disciple, it would be misleading them, after all, I really have no knowledge of cultivation, taking someone as a disciple would only harm them, right?"
On this point, Li Zhoujun was self-aware.
[Ding: Host, don't worry, with the system, what are you panicking about?]
"Right, what am I panicking about?" Li Zhoujun stroked his chin, the system's abilities were indeed strong, after all, it could make him evenly matched with all things, teaching a disciple should be easy, right?
Next, just wait for the sect to start recruiting disciples in three days!
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan