Chapter 180: A Belated System: Life Cheaper Than Grass

Early the next morning, sunlight broke through the clouds and bathed the land, bringing warmth and light to the world.

At the very peak of the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land stood a mysterious and majestic mountain—Divine Sword Mountain.

Towering up into the sky, shrouded in swirling mists, it looked as if it was cut off from the rest of the world.

From a distance it resembled a colossal golden sword stabbing straight into the clouds, a sight that filled people with awe.

Anyone who approached Divine Sword Mountain would feel a rush of spiritual energy washing over them.

That ethereal energy wrapped around the slopes like sheer veils, making it seem as if you’d stepped into a celestial realm.

Looking up at the peak from the mountain’s base, the hazy fog only added to the mystery, sparking an irresistible urge to explore.

If you climbed to the very summit, the whole Heavenly Martial Sacred Land would be laid out before your eyes.

The view was breathtaking—mountains, rivers, cities, and villages all seemed tiny from such heights.

That feeling of standing above everything else was both thrilling and beautiful, as if you held the pulse of the world in your hands.

Yet even amid this awe-inspiring grandeur, the mountain hid a scene unlike any other.

At the very top was a peaceful courtyard, calm and tranquil. Inside stood an enormous ancient tree, its canopy so lush and broad it shaded the whole yard like a giant green umbrella.

This was none other than the legendary—Enlightenment Tree itself!

Right now, a silver-haired, handsome man lay quietly on a rocking chair beneath the Enlightenment Tree.

Eyes closed, he basked in the embrace of the sun. A gentle breeze brushed his cheek, cool and refreshing.

He looked utterly at ease, completely relaxed as if every care and worry in the world had vanished.

This striking, silver-haired man with remarkable bearing was—Gu Qingyi!

He dreamed of turning Divine Sword Mountain into a warm courtyard filled with memories and comfort.

To make that dream real, he poured all his energy and heart into it. After a full day and night of relentless effort and meticulous planning, the mountain finally shone with the same glow he remembered from his past.

Just as he was lost in this moment of peace and sunlight,

a cold, mechanical voice suddenly echoed from overhead:

【Ding~ Host Gu Qingyi successfully bound!】

“Hmm?”

Gu Qingyi slowly opened his eyes—only to see a metal cube floating right in front of him.

He frowned. “What are you supposed to be? And how did you get here?”

【Hello, Host. Let me introduce myself. I’m the Invincible System. I’ve traveled across the river of time and space, here to help you become stronger!】

“Interesting.” Gu Qingyi’s eyes flashed cold as he looked at the system before him.

Without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed the Invincible System tightly in his hand.

【Host, what are you doing? Let go! I’m here to make you stronger!】

“Make me stronger? How ridiculous.” Gu Qingyi suddenly unleashed the crushing might of the Peerless Sword God.

The system instantly panicked. The arrogance in its eyes vanished, replaced with pure terror, and its body started trembling uncontrollably.

【Host, no—don’t! It was my mistake binding to you. Please, great one, just unbind me…】

Gu Qingyi gave a cold snort. “Too late! Regretting binding to me now? No chance!”

He stared harder at the struggling Invincible System in his grasp, his expression growing darker.

Who could have imagined—it had already been four years since he landed in this world.

Aside from that mysterious Sword God Domain, there wasn’t a realm or power he hadn’t dominated.

And yet… only now did a system finally show up, dragging its feet and arriving late?

But right now, there was no joy in him. He’d already reached the peak.

Those years spent proving his swordsmanship, fighting through storms and blood, all those scars and sacrifices—

What did any of it mean to him now?

Lost in thought, Gu Qingyi squeezed the system harder until it was nearly crushed in his grip.

“Invincible System? Hah! I’m already invincible. Why would I need you? Tell me your worth—or this is the end for you!”

His eyes flashed angrily as he glared at the helpless Invincible System.

【Host, please, don’t kill me! I swear, I’m useful. I’ll even be your dog if you want!】

“My dog? Maybe keeping a pet wouldn’t be so bad. Show me—turn into a big yellow dog. If I’m satisfied, maybe I’ll let you live.”

Gu Qingyi looked on with grinning interest, mischief in his eyes.

【Yes, Master! I’ll turn into a big yellow dog now and do whatever it takes to please you!】

“Pfft!”

In the blink of an eye, the system turned into a goofy-looking yellow dog.

“Woof woof!” The system licked Gu Qingyi’s arm in a shameless display of flattery.

Gu Qingyi looked down at the bootlicking dog and nodded with satisfaction.

“Fine, I’ll spare your life. From now on, your name is Dahuang. Any complaints?”

“Woof! No complaints at all, Master!” Dahuang pawed the ground and wagged his tail for all he was worth.

“Alright, Dahuang. Go play over there. Don’t disturb my nap.” Gu Qingyi glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, sounding almost bored.

“Woof! As you command, Master!” Dahuang trotted over to the Enlightenment Tree and flopped down.

Leaning back, Gu Qingyi gazed up at the blue sky, clear as a polished gem.

Stretching out his arms, he yawned long and slow.

Bathed in the gentle sunshine, he closed his eyes and surrendered to a rare moment of true rest.

Meanwhile, only the loyal Dahuang remained by his side, silently watching the towering clouds that loomed like pillars across the sky.

He let out a heavy sigh.

As a system once blessed with an invincible aura, Dahuang should have been free to roam countless worlds, matchless in every regard.

In the past, every host he’d chosen wound up dazzling the world, famous across all domains.

But four years ago, Dahuang arrived in this world, only to be blocked by a strange, unfathomable force he couldn’t break through.

He was trapped on the outside, unable to really enter…

Until today, when that mysterious barrier suddenly disappeared and the shackles at last fell away.

Unable to contain his excitement, Dahuang hurried over, eager to help his host reach new heights of power.

Yet fate had other plans—by the time he arrived, the ‘chosen one’ he’d painstakingly selected had already claimed the throne by his own strength, standing unmatched and supreme.

Even worse, Dahuang now found himself as the first system in history forced to become a pitiful yellow dog.

Right now, his mood was as bleak as weeds by the side of the road—unnoticed and unwanted. All he felt was bitter cold deep in his bones.