Ning An's Wild Wish System

As time passed, all his focus was drawn to the contents of the bamboo slip, and for a moment, the rumbling heat spiraled on his back.

"Interesting stuff."

Elder Zhang felt the changes in his body; indeed, his aged frame seemed a bit younger, but he understood this was merely a superficial effect.

If the pursuit of immortality were that simple, Qin Shi Huang would have long ruled for eternity!

There would have been no need for alchemists, let alone dispatching Xu Fu across the ocean to seek the so-called method of immortality, whose whereabouts remain unknown to this day.

So after a moment, he placed the bamboo slip aside, and with meaningful intent, said to Wang Ruoshui, "Sir, I think there’s no need for us to beat around the bush. What exactly is the method of immortality?"

Wang Ruoshui paused as he drank water, but steadied himself and emptied his cup of tea.

Then Wang Ruoshui looked up, and earnestly said:

"The ancients sought immortality by perceiving the truths of heaven, complying with destiny, and finding a slight chance between life and death. It is not a one-day achievement. Even I am just at the beginning."

"Compared to the true path to immortality, I am like a mayfly gazing at the sun and moon. If I truly walked this path, I fear I would mislead others and myself."

"However, immortality is not attainable by just this one path; another path can also lead to success!"

"What path?"

Upon hearing this, Elder Zhang’s spirit was invigorated, and he asked aloud.

Wang Ruoshui solemnly said, "In the past, during Marquis Wu’s Northern Expedition to restore the Han Dynasty, he was unfortunately hindered by the heavens, and the grand plan came to naught. Ultimately, he died with resignation at Wuzhangyuan."

"But, did you know, Elder Zhang, that back then, Marquis Wu once lit the legendary Seven-Star Lamp in his camp? If the main lamp didn’t go out for seven days, he could extend his life by twelve years. This cultivation technique can also extend life, even to achieve immortality!"

"..."

This time, it was Elder Zhang’s turn to be silent. After some time had passed, he finally said, "I have heard of this anecdote, but even if you, sir, know how to set up the Seven-Star Lamp, if someone as capable as Marquis Wu couldn’t keep the main lamp from going out, how can I ensure that the main lamp won’t go out in seven days?"

Elder Zhang lifted his head, looked at Wang Ruoshui, and said with a half-smile, "You know, sir, before I stepped down, I offended more than a few people. Now that I am retired in Nanyang, perhaps they can tolerate an old man living in seclusion."

"But those who do not wish for my prolonged life number more than just one Wei Yan."

...

After an unknown time had passed, the tea was completely cold, and the Eight Immortals table was left with only Elder Zhang.

A figure emerged from the shadows and, seeing Elder Zhang appear even older, said with some concern, "Dad."

"What do you think about the credibility of his words?"

Elder Zhang did not lift his eyelids, keeping his head bowed as if speaking to himself.

"I feel it’s half true and half false."

Elder Zhang began, "Where is the truth, and where is the falsehood?"

"The truth is that the anecdote is real; Marquis Wu indeed set up the Seven-Star Lamp, wishing the heavens would give him twelve more years to restore the Han."

The figure paused, then continued, "But similarly, the falsehood lies here too. Even the incredibly wise and strategic Marquis Wu did not succeed in extending his life with the Seven-Star Lamp. How could a mere Daoist speak with such exaggeration!"

At these words, Elder Zhang did not speak for a long time.

The candlelight flickered, and droplets of red wax dripped. After an indefinite time, he finally spoke with a sigh, "Son, I naturally understand what you mean, but now, we have no choice."

In the candlelight, the figure’s expression was obscured, but the air seemed to have frozen at that moment.

They... have no choice!

"My life chart is the most like his, almost indistinguishable, making it the most appropriate for an experiment."

Elder Zhang’s voice was weary, shaking his head. "I’ve known since the cosmic disturbance that this day would come, but I didn’t expect him to be so impatient, so soon."

The black figure kept his head down, silently.

Victors become kings, losers are bandits!

From the moment his father contended for power, the path backward had become a dead end!

After his father’s defeat, according to logic, even if not eradicated, they should be under strict control. Why would they be allowed to retire to the countryside?

Even his father’s usual privileges were preserved, except for absence from the political scene; everything else remained unchanged.

Such treatment would obviously seem suspicious to anyone discerning enough!

But they hadn’t expected this potential danger to be left here!

"You heard it too; the emissary he sent made it clear and hinted for me to light that Seven-Star Lamp. Since that’s the case, I’ll follow his intention."

Looking at the candlelight, Elder Zhang suddenly laughed, "Hasn’t Changchun Temple been known for its spiritual effectiveness lately? Go there for me and make a wish."

"Alright."

The black figure accepted without any hesitation.

Then, after thinking for a moment, the black figure hesitated and said, "Dad, isn’t it too risky with just this one safety measure?"

"Do you know the main reason for Marquis Wu’s fall at Wuzhangyuan?"

The black figure did not hesitate and answered promptly, "Overwork leading to illness, exhaustion!"

"Wrong!"

Elder Zhang suddenly lifted his head, startling the candlelight into flickering waves, "The main reason was Wei Yan!"

"Marquis Wu’s Seven-Star Lamp could have extended his life if it weren’t for Wei Yan. Would he still have fallen at Wuzhangyuan?"

"Ah... no."

The black figure was stunned, not expecting this perspective.

"One learns from those who came before; it is a sin not to heed the lessons of the past."

Gazing at the candlelight, the elder fell silent again, and the atmosphere of the space froze once more.

...

Baiyun Temple.

Dressed in a Daoist robe, with white hair like a waterfall, sat cross-legged inside the Enlightenment Hall.

Behind him was a middle-aged man in an administrative jacket reporting the news.

"Seven-Star Lamp?"

After hearing the report, he was momentarily stunned.

This is indeed big news!

"When did this happen?" He opened his eyes and asked.

"Just half an hour ago," the man replied.

"Alright, noted."

He waved his sleeve, and the man in the administrative jacket quietly retreated.

After the man left, he stood up, hands behind his back, with a furrowed brow.

"Not avoiding attention at all anymore?"

...

Outside the Capital City.

In an underground military facility.

Several figures gathered here.

"I’d say there’s definitely something fishy. Even Marquis Wu failed with the Seven-Star Lamp, let alone with no secrecy, allowing us to know about it."

The leader first expressed his doubts.

The person standing nearby nodded slowly, "The Seven-Star Lamp is inherently against the natural order, with complex and intertwined factors. The fewer people know about it, the higher the success rate. So publicly, it indeed seems fishy."

"But the Seven-Star Lamp is indeed real!"

"We might as well seize this opportunity!" Another person voiced their opinion.

The rest stood nearby without speaking.

Everyone knows this matter is not that simple.

There must be something fishy!

In the end, they decided to wait for further developments.

After all, the news has already spread, presumably reaching various groups’ ears.

And with so many forces at odds with the one in Jinling City, it is not just them!

So surely, someone will act impulsively first!

That’s when their opportunity will come.

...

In the small house in Jinling City.

Gazing at the candlelight for who knows how long.

Elder Zhang’s lips curled up, suddenly asking, "Regarding the people I asked you to contact from the Daoist School previously, how did it go?"

The black figure scratched his head, awkwardly saying, "Dad, those Daoists are really too aloof. No matter what I offer them, they act pompous and don’t even acknowledge me."

"That’s because you’re stupid!"

Elder Zhang rudely glanced at him and scolded, "If you can’t present gifts that win their favor, you’ll have no relationship when it’s time to use them, fool!"

The black figure, ashamed, bowed his head.

"Take this, according to the purchase list above."

Elder Zhang sighed, took out a piece of paper from his pocket, and handed it over, "Since the Daoists can’t be relied upon, we’ll have to turn to science."

The black figure, puzzled, took the paper. When he opened it and saw what was written, he was stunned.

"Potassium chlorate mixed with magnesium powder as the wick, napalm as fuel, oxyacetylene as special wax to ignite this Seven-Star Lamp..."