Seized by the System

On a highway that stretched far to the west, the traffic was heavily congested, likely due to an accident further down the road. Vehicles line the tarmac, trapped in a standstill.

“Second uncle? Second uncle, where are you? Quick, stop smoking and get in the car.”

“Don’t worry mom, we’ll arrive at the temporary refuge in another day or two. The journey there is really safe. The Dragon God Hero would fly above us from time to time, so there wouldn’t be any problems.”

“When will we even reach our destination with this persistent halting?”

The call and chatter between friends came in continuous streams, and the highway was filled with drivers that were anxiously looking around.

A huge migration from the east to the west was happening. Countless vehicles headed straight to the west, with families, bank savings, valuables, and some food in tow. The land that was deemed desolate in the past had now become a paradise.

The migration this time has posed a serious challenge to the transportation network within China. Fortunately, the relevant departments had accumulated years of experience due to the annual migration event that had involved hundreds of millions of people, and they had managed to avoid major issues by getting everything under control. ¹

Utilizing the capital constructing technique of spiritually-controlled mechs that had made remarkable progress with time, a large number of temporary refuge areas were rapidly set up within the western plateau. These areas can be used for one year.

Of course, according to the plan, only basic food and shelter would be provided on top of some basic community medical facilities and education amenities. Nothing more could be requested.

Suddenly, a white wolf appeared discreetly from the ground. Standing in the wilderness, it raised its head to look at the horrible traffic on the road with hateful and scornful eyes.

“Look how much they resemble ants that rush to higher ground before the storm! The so-called highly developed human beings that have evolved for millions of years have no other way but to make the same choice as the ants in the face of nature!”

Laughing, it looked at the traffic and spared a glance at the school of ants that were trampling over each other on the ground. Somehow, it felt like the insects seemed like they were arranging themselves into a formation.

It wasted no time. It swiftly moved after picking out a direction towards the East, its silhouette barely visible.

After the low-key white wolf left, a black tiger pompously descended from the sky, swaying its large black tail as it announced its presence.

Nowadays, it was authorized power by an establishment and was no longer how it used to be…

Among the vehicles that were stuck in traffic, numerous people quickly stretched their heads outside of their windows to worship the black tiger.

“Look, the Dragon God Hero’s mount is here once again. It looked so powerful and majestic, and very diligent in patrolling too.”

“That’s right, it seems much more hardworking than the two yellow and black dogs.”

“With them around, we can safely hurry along our way without worrying about any monsters and demons…”

“Stop using the ‘monsters and demons’. The term is no longer accurate. Nowadays, the devils and monsters are just humans that have undergone some sort of evolution. Those that are doing evil deeds are called wicked devils.”

“Yes, yes, the wicked devils.”

Tom the tiger barely paid attention to these exclamations and photos from the others. Instead, it looked around and ran towards a specific place in the wilderness. It was exactly the place where the white wolf had previously stood.

With its head bowed, it seemed to be talking about something with the gray ants.

Soon, it took off into the sky majestically and left.

Even though this was not a never-before-seen view for the people on the road, they were still amazed by the sight.

Cultivators were so rare that they were one-in-a-hundred, or even one-in-a-thousand. The odds were even lower if they were looking only at young cultivators.

Thankfully, a copy of the Nine Transformation Golden Core Technique was circulated online recently. Authored by none other than the Dragon God Hero himself, this technique seemed to have no age and talent requirement. Even those who were slow could cultivate it as long as they had the guidance from a great teacher.

However, the crisis was right around the corner that no one had the time to learn this technique to matter how interested they were. This issue could only be up for a discussion after they had safely settled down.

///

Large-scale migrations were happening within China, causing various problems occuring frequently across the land. On the other hand, it was much easier for their only human competitor located in the country across the ocean to migrate.

The fact stands that they were a country built on wheels, and they had a relatively small population than China. Their road network was greatly developed, and they also possessed massive swathes of inland space. Most importantly, they were well-equipped with survival skills in the wild.

With a tent, some food and water, people could move from the coast to any inland area for temporary settlement with their families in just one or two days. Traffic congestions were not a common occurrence there.

Judging from the satellite map, numerous flows of traffic were all moving inland from the coast.

However, in a waterfront villa, there was a group of people that behaved differently from everyone else. They did not move, and seemed to be unbothered by the soon happening crisis of rising sea levels.

“Master has fallen back to the outpost areas to make arrangements. We must stay here and lurk around on Earth to be his backup,” said Black Robe as he faced a group of people to convey the Master’s instructions.

This group consisted of only three people; a young man, a little girl, and a charming Caucasian woman.

The young man’s eyes gleamed intelligently on his plain looks. After he heard Black Robe’s words, disdain flashed before his eyes.

What fall back was he talking about? The Master has obviously ran away after being defeated by Vigilante A.

From this point of view, the so-called Devil Lord of the Upper Realm was nothing but a great sounding fluke. In actuality, he was nothing compared to that old thing.

At least the old thing could remain composed and unaffected when Vigilante A came to their doorstep, and could still come up with a way to force the hero to do his bidding. The old thing’s actions had effectively restrained any rash moves that the hero might have did.

However, as a person living under someone else’s roof, he could do nothing but to bow down and nod. As a self-acclaimed intellectual, he would of course never show his true emotions foolishly.

“Besides, the Master had said that if the both of you ever face any problems in your cultivation of the Devillish Scriptures, you could refer to me for now. If I cannot answer your questions, I will report to the Master to provide you with the answers that you seek.” Black Robe continued.

Nie Yuan and Saki Yamanashi both nodded in unison.

Claudia, on the other hand, lowered her head, silently dwelling in sadness. She was just a lowly servant, and was not a disciples of the Devil Lord like this pair. They were basically set to be the members of the Nine Devil Generals.

She was not even qualified to glance at the three Devillish Scriptures that seemed to be taught arbitrarily by Devil Lord Zhi Nan.

“Nie Yuan, you are born intelligent. How is your progress with the Scripture of Great Wisdom?” Black Robe asked with concern.

He was still very much concerned when it came to the Master’s two disciples. After all, they made up the Master’s core strength, and were the cornerstone of the future dominion.

“Thank you for your concern, Brother Robe. I am grateful for the Devil Lord’s imparting of this Ultimate Devilish Ability. After a few months of devoting myself to it, I am glad to say that I have managed to gain some small successes. After my wisdom and enlightenment has been activated, I have made significant improvements. If I were given the chance to learn this Devilish Ability sooner that what I do now, I would’ve never lost control of my emotions, thus wasting this great opportunity to serve the Devil Lord,” declared Nie Yuan sincerely.

Black Robe nodded in approval. This young man was originally a senior executive member of the Greater Rat’s underground Kingdom, and was considered to be one of the most important think tanks. Unfortunately, his greed overpowered his rationality and has caused him to get into a conflict with Elder Ancestor Bai on the issue of heirs. This led to some problems between the two, resulting in him coming forward to the Heavenly Gate by himself. With that, he had given up on his great foundation.

If that did not happen, and Nie Yuan had already obtained some authority in his hands, he could devilize the Giant Rat Clan gradually, and that could provide the Master with a foundation out of thin air.

However, it was not too late for him to realise it now. He could achieve great heights in the future as he has came under the Devil Lord’s wings earlier than what could have been.

“Mm, it’s good that you can understand that. That Elder Ancestor Bai is just an underground parasite. Once you’ve mastered the Devilish Abilities, you can eliminate him with just a wave of your hand,” encouraged Black Robe.

“Understood. Thank you so much for your guidance, Brother Robe,” replied Nie Yuan respectfully.

“Well then. Saki, how are you with the Scripture of Great Ordeals? With your experience, you should’ve understood and mastered the first few parts of it, right?” Black Robe turned and directed his questions to the young girl.

“Uncle Black Robe, I…” Saki hesitated, obviously lacking confidence when compared to Nie Yuan, “I did learn the rudiments of the Scripture long ago, and my progress was extremely quick before. However, recently it has been quite stagnant, and I haven’t manage to do much. This might be due to the lack of concentration from my side.”

“Oh…” Black Robe’s expression quickly chilled. Then, his face brightened with realisation, as if he had just recalled something. “The Master has expected this. Don’t worry, you will be able to make rapid progress again soon.”

Nie Yuan was a very observant person. He managed to capture Black Robe’s change in expression, and immediately understood the situation.

When he once again laid his eyes on the little girl beside him that had joined the ranks of the Devil Lord earlier than he did, he chuckled darkly in his heart.

Young lady, you probably have no idea what to devilize actually means!

Suddenly, a voice was heard from outside of the window.

“Hmph, so that Devil Lord of the Upper Realm has already escaped after being defeated by Vigilante A! How disappointing for him to not be present here.”

“Who’s talking?!” Black Robe barked, flicking his robe in a furious manner.

A white wolf suddenly appeared before them.

“Oh, it’s you, Cang Lang of the Upper Realm, the brave warrior among the Celestial Wolf Clan.” Black Robe’s extensive research shone through in moments like this. He knew all sorts of notable persons like the back of his hands.

“Hmph, you are quite knowledgable for a mere doll. I am Cang Lang. Where is your master? I wish to ask him to kill a person. Do not tell me that he dares not return because of his fear towards Vigilante A.” The white wolf did not sound happy.

“D*mn you, the Master is not a person that you could simply ask to do favours for! Leave immediately!” Black Robe was infuriated.

The white wolf was unaffected. Instead, it sneered, “Remember the issues that you were regretting just before this? Now is the time for you to recover that loss of yours.”

After hearing that, Nie Yuan’s heart leapt with interest. He quickly shot a look to Black Robe and stopped whatever the person was planning to do.

After he saw that Black Robe did not attack the white wolf, Nie Yuan began to speak. “I wonder what information will you impart for us, Sir Cang Lang. I am the second disciple of the Devil Lord, and I wish to listen to your guidance.”

“Hmph, I know you, you foolish kid. You gave up your great future and dived head first into the abyss with the Devils. You’re reckless and blind.” Cang Lang’s tone dripped with disdain. “However, there’s a chance for you to turn back and regain what you had before.”

“What chance do you speak of?” Nie Yuan instinctively asked a follow-up question.

Black Robe’s face grew cold immediately. This was really a rat that can never be tamed!

If it were not for the Master’s protection, this traitor would never have been able to live in hiding, no matter what found him first, be it the intelligence department of the Greater Rat Clan that permeated the entire world or the Elder Ancestor Bai himself.

After all, a traitor must be thoroughly eliminated in any organisation. Otherwise, others will rise and imitate the traitor’s actions.

Nie Yuan quickly realised that his phrasing was problematic. Immediately, he schooled his expression to speak sombrely, “Sir, you must be cautious of your words. I am highly regarded by the Devil Lord, and I am one of the Nine Devil Generals to be. My future now is truly vast and boundless. How could living underground with the Greater Rat compare to this?”

“Stop this nonsense. If you assist me in eliminating Elder Ancestor Bai, I will gift you the Greater Rat Clan.” The next words that came out of Cang Lang was truly surprising.

“Hmm? Are you speaking the truth?” Nie Yuan was very interested.

The reason behind his betrayal was exactly because that old thing wanted to pass his position to his son but not himself.

Now, he actually had the opportunity to regain what was supposed to be his. Of course he would be affected! He was no saint. In fact, he was the opposite of a saint, as he was just a local demon rat that has one year of intelligence.

He would neverer lose even an ounce of his natural greed. Relative to ordinary people, his greed was way stronger as it was natural for rats.