《Facing an Ancient God for a Year》 Chapter 1 - 1 This Work Involves Some Risks_1 Chapter 1: This Work Involves Some Risks_1 Lincheng City, North Ancient Estate, Unit 7, Floor 6. A warehouse manager with an annual sry of ten million? Fu Qian looked at the letter on the table, expressionless. [Urgently Hiring Warehouse Manager for Daily Management Tasks] [If Mr. Fu is interested in epting this job, please sign the work badge and wear it to start working from home immediately] [Note, this job involves certain risks] After reading the contents of the letter, Fu Qian shook the envelope, and sure enough, a ck work badge fell out. Huh? Ten million a year, and I can do it from home? What kind of magical warehouse is this! Receiving this first thing in the morning made Fu Qian feel utterly annoyed. But then again, how great it would be if it was true. Being a warehouse manager shouldnt be too busy. Good pay, light work, close to homeits the ideal of ideals! Money isnt easy toe by these days, and with his poor financial situation, he was about to face the destiny of eating dirt. However, Fu Qian was always good at finding joy in suffering. Thinking that he had nothing better to do, he got an itchy hand and signed his name on the work badge, then hung it around his neck with exaggerated seriousness. The next moment, everything went dark before his eyes. When his vision returned, theputer desk in front of him was nowhere to be seen, and Fu Qian found himself standing in a ce resembling a warehouse. The colossal space, the dim lighting, and the absence of windows made it impossible to tell whether it was day or night. A row of tall shelves stretching to the ceiling extended neatly into the distance. The shelves were evenly spaced with variously sized silver-white boxes. This is actually an online job? Is the work badge some kind of VR device? Fu Qian felt his imagination was under attack as he tried his best to understand what was happening before his eyes. [Identity Verification Sessful] [Name: Fu Qian] [Age: 20] [Todays Work Begins] [Job Responsibility: Daily warehouse management and maintenance, ensure items are correctly contained] [Note: Due to the special nature of the stored items, if you see any illusions during work, including but not limited to tentacles, eyeballs, patterns, steles, etc., consider them as routine leaks, do not panic, follow the instructions to re-contain the items] A series of emotionless voices sounded beside his ear. Tentacles, eyeballs somethings not right with this picture! Fu Qian looked at the boxes on the shelves. What the hell is inside them? And no matter what, the packaging seems pretty tight, how could anything leak out? Beep It was as if his question had been heard. In the next moment, the space nearby twisted, and a giant blood-red eyeball slowly emerged. [Warning! Leak Incident] [Item Number: 3-2048; Name: Blood Haze] [Todays Work Updated: Enter the containment scene of 3-2048,plete re-containment] In the upper left corner of his field of view, a string of small text popped up continuously. Is this what they call a leak? Before Fu Qian had time toment, the blood-red eyeball slowly turned its direction and fixed its gaze on him. Almost instantly, Fu Qian felt his brain was hit by a tremendous shock, and his consciousness was rapidly pulled away. [Entering Containment Scene: Full Moon Garden] [Containment Achievement Condition: Survive for one hour] [Each entry into the containment scene will consume one SAN Point, current SAN Points: 20] [If SAN Points drop to zero, you will permanently lose your sanity] I knew ten million wouldnt be so easy to earn! Zero SAN Points means irreversibly losing my mind, so does that mean if I fail 20 times, I be an idiot? That seems like a rather severe work-rted injury! [1%5%50%98%100%Full Moon Garden loadplete] [For a long time, youve been tormented by an increasingly severe pain. Just as you made up your mind to travel to a distantnd in search of a cure, you found yourself trapped in an even more terrifying predicament.] [Identity: Patient] [Skill: None] [Weapon: None] Youre awake? As he regained control of his body, someone spoke nearby. Fu Qian tried to turn his head and found that he was lying in bed. At the bedside was a wizened old man, hunched over, with an inexplicably sleazy expression. Dont worry, youll be well soon After all, our medical skills here are unique, hehehehe If you hadnt added that string ofughter, it wouldve been more convincing! Fu Qian squinted his eyes and didnt speak. And what do you mean ill? Im perfectly fine and bouncyouch! Ouch! OUCH! The moment the thought arose, an indescribable pain swept over him, nearly rolling him off the bed. Is this the pain mentioned before? If the way toplete the task is to endure this pain for an hour, thats just inhuman! Barely resisting the urge to curl up into a ball, Fu Qian followed the old mans pointed direction and spotted a long infusion tube. The tube trailed down from a stand nearby, with the needle inserted in the back of his hand. Are they actually treating my disease? But isnt your equipment a bit too simple? What the hell is all that yellow stuff on the outside of the infusion bottle, human oil? Wait, the color inside isnt right either! The scary red couldnt possibly be blood, could it? So lets begin. Before he could say anything else, the old man turned the valve of the infusion tube on. Fu Qians vision instantly darkened. [Containment Failed, Survival Time: 1 minute] [Evaluation: Useless person, your performance fully illustrates what it means to hesitate and be defeated] [Reward: None] I died just like that? There was definitely something wrong with the stuff in the drip! Returning to the warehouse, Fu Qian was in a less than pleasant mood. That evaluation was a bit insulting. In front of him at that moment, a misty fog formed a portal in the shape of an eyeball, which he tried to touch. [Would you like to spend one SAN Point to attempt containment again? Current SAN Points: 19] So I only have 19 chances left? [Yes] Fu Qian was not someone who gave up easily. [SAN Points reduced by 1, entering containment scene] [Current Identity: Patient] [Skill: None] [Weapon: None] Are you awake? The kindly voice of the old man came again, sending a shiver through Fu Qian. Awake your head! Enduring the severe pain, Fu Qian leapt up from the bed with a carps strength and swiftly reached for the infusion tube. Crack! The carp only managed half a flip. An unimaginable force surged through him, and like a noodle, Fu Qian was pped back onto the bed from midair. Lying in bed, Fu Qian grunted twice, feeling as if his spine had shattered into pieces. Lie down nicely The old mans voice was unwavering, and Fu Qians sight darkened once more. [Containment Failed, Survival Time: 1 and a half minutes] [Evaluation: Useless person, it is well known that to hesitate is to be defeated, to act hastily is to fail outright.] [Reward: None] This old geezer is seriously unfair! He can barely stand straight, and yet hes so strong! Returning to the warehouse once again, Fu Qian expressed sincere admiration. [SAN Points reduced by 1, entering containment scene] Actually, I feel a lot better now. The third time entering, Fu Qian deeply realized he couldnt overpower the situation and decided to try reasoning instead. Oh? The old man paused his movements, scrutinizing Fu Qian carefully. Does it not hurt anymore on your body? It doesnt hurt anymore! Uttering this lie, Fu Qian felt his eyelids twitch. Ha! Ha! Half a minuteter, the old man shook his head, looking at Fu Qian with eyes full of care for the mentally challenged. Your expression has betrayed you Young man, do not hide your sickness. As the hand holding the valve moved, Fu Qians vision went dark once more. [Containment Failed] Chapter 2: Does this insurance hurt?_1 Chapter 2: Does this insurance hurt?_1 ` No way out? Having returned to the warehouse, Fu Qian realized he might have underestimated the difficulty of this job. In just a few minutes, his SAN Points had dwindled to 17, and at this rate, bing an idiot was just a matter of time. The key issue seemed to be that neither the hard approach nor the soft approach was working! Wait a second! Considering the old mans inscrutablebat strength, taking him on directly was certainly not going to work. But the soft approach judging by the old mansst reaction, there was at least some room formunication. As long asmunication was possible, convincing him with reason wasnt out of the question. Its just that the guys eyes were obviously keen. Even if he clenched his teeth and imed he wasnt in pain, his expression had already betrayed him. Expression expression Thats when an idea suddenly struck Fu Qian, and he yanked off his work badge from his chest. In a sh of his vision, he was back in his familiar home. Without any hesitation, he grabbed his cell phone and left the house. Sir, are you looking for someone? Half an hourter, someone at the reception desk of a maternity center carefully eyed Fu Qian. I heard you have a device here for experiencing the pain of childbirth? Yes, do you want to try it? The receptionists eyes lit up immediately, as if she was looking at a piece of meat on the chopping board. What a good man, whoever bes your wife is truly fortunate Is it guaranteed to hurt? Fu Qian interrupted her, asking the question he cared about most. Guaranteed hurt? His question obviously shocked the receptionist, causing her smile to stiffen. Of course, our device is the highest grade on the market right now, with top-notch simtion effects. Then lets get started. Fu Qian blinked. I cant wait. Soon enough, Fu Qian found himself lying on the instrumentor rather, the torture device. A few middle-aged women gathered around him, with one who looked like a director flipping through his paperwork. Mr. Fu, our devices pain levels go from one to ten. Well start from the lowest and increase gradually. If its too much for you, just say stop. If youre ready, well start from level one. No need, just crank it up to level ten. Fu Qian yawned. It was a joke, given that once inside, there would be no time for limatization. What mattered was the ability to adapt to sudden, intense shocks. Are you sure? What do you think? So arrogant! The women exchanged nces, their eyes filled with murderous intent, and the one speaking even gritted her teeth. Turn it on for him! Is this it? It seemed hardly different from being kicked in the groin! As the device was activated, an intense pain surged through him. Fu Qian focused intently on the electric currents painful stimuli, doing his utmost to keep his expression natural. A few minutester, the women staring at him wore big question marks on their faces, and couldnt help but check the device. Weird, is it broken? Sir, are you in pain? The lead director asked cautiously. Of course it hurts, cant you tell? Cant really tell Your face looks like someone enjoying a warm bath; how could anyone tell! The director frowned. It still didnt feel enough! Fu Qian also frowned secretly. In terms of pain levels, it still fell short of the ordeal in the containment scenario. Is ten the maximum level? Hearing Fu Qians question unexpectedly, the director was a bit stunned. The device itself does have up to level 12, but Lets go with level 12. Fu Qian didnt give her a chance to object. Way too arrogant! ` The director gritted his teeth and gave a signal with his eyes to someone beside him. Crank it up to level 12. But Its okay, the equipment might be broken, this is a good chance to test it. The directors face was expressionless. Ha ha This is somewhat interesting! Momentster, Fu Qian took a couple of deep breaths, using all the strength in his body to maintain a Mona Lisa smile. Mr. Fu, are you alright? This weird expression sent shivers down the spine of several women. Im fine, feeling absolutely fantastic! After much effort to turn Mona Lisas killer smile into the Mona Lisas smile, Fu Qian left the maternity clubhouse satisfied. A few minutes after his departure, the clubhouse erupted with screams like that of a ughtering pig. Wearing a solemn expression, Fu Qian went back into the warehouse with his work badge once again. [Would you like to spend one SAN Point to attempt containment again?] [Yes] Youre awake? Apanied by the familiar voice, agony flooded in like a tidal wave once more. Fu Qian controlled every muscle in his body, filling himself with benevolence, calmness, and purity. Yes, Im feeling much better today, I think I dont need any treatment anymore. Is that so? The old man scrutinized Fu Qian carefully for a long while before finally murmuring. Thats good. As he lifted his hand, a long syringe was withdrawn from the back of Fu Qians hand. The moon is exceptionally warm tonight, go out and take a look. Perseverance pays off! It was finally worth the agony of the knots in his intestines! Fu Qian sighed inwardly, yet his face remained expressionless. Cautiously controlling his body to rise from the bed, Fu Qian coldly greeted the old man and headed in the direction he pointed. Only now did he see the full view of the room. The wooden room, at a nce, resembled some abandoned hospital clinic. Strictly speaking, the space wasnt too small, but the problem was that most of it was crammed with clutter, with all sorts of messy things lying around. Walking on it even produced creaking sounds. This ramshackle ce looked as if a kick to the wall might allow one to gaze at the moon from inside the room. Despite hisints, Fu Qian quickly reached the door and found that it was not only in poor condition but also nearly half-blocked by clutter. Hurry up, the moon is about to set. Just as he thought to take a closer look outside, the old mans voice eerily came from behind. Is he threatening me? The IV had already been removed; if I dont go outside, are you going to chop me up? Fu Qian sniffed, and the next moment, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the old man standing up A scythe, absurdlyrge in the mans hands, was shining with a cold light that hurt the eyes. Getting goosebumps, Fu Qian stepped out without any hesitation. Beautiful beautiful! A cobalt canvas of stars unfurled overhead, deep and boundless, centered around arge, peerless bright moon. The old man hadnt lied to him. Fu Qian had never seen such an exaggeratedly full moon; it felt as if it filled half the sky. Someone with a fear ofrge objects would probably have copsed to the ground from this overwhelming sensation. Most importantly, as the snow-white moonlight shone upon him, Fu Qian felt the pain in his body rapidly dissipating. So this was the way to relieve pain! Praise the moon Fu Qian took two steps forward, unable to resist the urge to strike a pose. Sshh! A sharp gust of wind assaulted him, apanied by a spray of blood! Fu Qian felt a pain in his back as the scenery before him quickly faded away. In his final moments, Fu Qian exerted all his strength to turn his head, eager to see who had so dishonorably ambushed him There was nothing! [Containment failed, survival time: 5 minutes] [Evaluation: A glimpse into the dreamlike experience, agony can refine ones sensibility, the moon has left you enchanted] [Reward: Inspiration +1] [Inspiration: Increases your perceptual ability towards intangible things.] [Current SAN Points: 16] Chapter 3 - 3 The Useless Person_1 Chapter 3: The Useless Person_1 Great! At this rate, Ill soon be a mental patient with zero SAN Points. [SAN Points -1, enter containment scenario] Fu Qian didnt hesitate to choose to restart. The consecutive failures sessfully sparked his interest. Are you awake? The old mans familiar voice came through. Mm-hmm. Once again gritting his teeth to persuade with reason, Fu Qian climbed out of bed and came to the door, squinting as he looked outside. There was something new in the courtyarda human torso and limbs, an exaggeratedly long neck, and a head full of hair. At this moment, this odd creature, with two hollow eye sockets, gazed up at the starry sky, motionless. With such a demonic stance, could this be the legendary werewolf transformed under the full moon? The problem was that apart from its head, its body waspletely bare. One could even vaguely make out human facial features, it seemed more like a bearded zombie. What was most eye-catching were the strips of tattered cloth on its body. Had this thing been a human before, and discovered the beauty of wildness to return to nature here? Fu Qian made an irresponsible guess. Considering its position, I must have walked right onto its face, no wonder I was sent flying with a p. This monstrouslyrge w, probably bigger than my own head, must have been the weapon that finished me off. As for why it was invisible before, but now visible, Fu Qian felt he had guessed the reason. The issue was likely with that Inspiration +1; it allowed me to see more things. The moon is about to set. The old mans urging voice came from behind again. This time, Fu Qian didnt turn back, he crept low, sticking to the blind spot in the werewolfs field of vision and quietly walked out. The werewolf stayed in its ce, continuing to gaze at the stary sky, showing no reaction to Fu Qians actions. Quietly heaving a sigh of relief, Fu Qian carefully surveyed the surroundings and quickly found an exita stone double door. But the problem was that the door looked extremely heavy and was only a few meters away from the werewolf. Could this get any more annoying? You might as well just let it ride on top! Comints aside, Fu Qian didnt allow anger to cloud his judgment; instead, he seriously analyzed his current predicament. Regardless of the difficulty, one must analyze the situation calmly, confront it steadily, and ultimately, elegantly sever the BOSSs head. That is the romance of a man! And currently, it seemed I had two choices. One, y hide and seek here with the werewolf, betting that its eyes and nose and whatnot were all ineffectual, remain still if the enemy doesnt move, and just wait out the time until the end. After all, the condition to achieve containment was to survive one hour. Two, face the risk of being wed through the heart and open that door that seemed to weigh a ton, then run to the back where untold dangers might lurk. Fu Qian decisively decided to try the first option first. As everyone knows, if you want to survive long in the movies, the first rule is, if its not necessary, do not be rash. Fu Qian noted the prompt in the upper left corner of his vision, indicating he had already sessfully survived for 15 minutes this time. Being extremely cautious not to make a sound, Fu Qian slowly moved and finally, with his back to the werewolf, hid himself behind a tree. 16, 17 20! At the twentieth minute, the werewolf, which was gazing at the starry sky, suddenly howled and started to move. After abandoning its strange posture, the werewolf seemed exceedingly agitated. Moving with an incredible speed, it began to leap around the courtyard, almost instantly discovering Fu Qian behind the tree. Damn it! With no way to avoid it, Fu Qian was once again sent flying with a swipe. [Containment failed, survival time 20 minutes] [Assessment: A useless person, the most foolish thing is to expect a madman to follow the rules] [Reward: None] [Current SAN Points: 15] So hiding doesnt work, huh? Fu Qian exhaled deeply, keenly aware of the malice in this ce. No wonder they set a task to survive for an hour. It seems that the werewolf standardly starts freaking out after 20 minutes, so my n to hunker down in the yard until the end is unworkable. If I retreat, theres still the God of Death Old Man in the house. The only solution now, it seemed, was to open the stone door and run out. But not to mention how to avoid being detected first, was this even something a human could push? Fu Qian, once again entering the containment scene, looked at the heavy stone door with a face full of grief and anger. Either way, he had to try. Fu Qian quietly picked up a stone from the ground and threw it toward the distance. The stone hadnt even hit the ground when a ck sh darted by. The werewolf, which had been gazing up at the starry sky, sprang up at the sound of the wind. In an instant, it crossed several meters and swatted the stone away with a swipe of its paw. Before Fu Qian could swear, the werewolf in mid-air didnt hesitate to push off with its hind legs, change direction, and leap across half the field to crash into Fu Qians arms. Fu Qians n to create a diversion instantly fell through. [Containment failed, survival time: 10 minutes] [Rating: Useless person] [Current SAN Points: 14] What the hell is this precious thing! Again! [SAN Points decreased by 1, entering containment scene] To convince with reason, getting up, going out, hiding. Looking at the werewolf posing in the yard, Fu Qian began to seriously contemte the issue of resigning. At this rate, there was absolutely no way out for humans; surviving an hour was an impossible task! If he failed again, his SAN Points would be down to 13. He was getting closer to idiocy. It was clear that the werewolf had exceptionally keen hearing and would be alerted by any slight rustling. But if he didnt open the door, once the time was up and it stood up, hed certainly be heading down a dead end. He nced back at the cabin. The old man was eyeing him warily, scythe in hand gleaming brightly. An idea struck Fu Qian. What had he said to him earlier? Toe out and look at the moon. But he had been looking at the moon for so long, and it seemed there was no change! Could it be that he was gazing at it the wrong way? Fu Qian had always been known for his exceptional divergent thinking since childhood, even earning the reputation of having a broad mind like that of a mental patient. Observing the werewolf in the yard, he had an idea. Finding a spot, Fu Qian stretched out his hand, lifted his head, and mimicked the werewolfs actions, gazing intensely at the moon. No response? Fu Qian was not one to give up easily. One minute, two minutes Just as the werewolf began to shake its body, getting ready to walk around again, a change finally took ce. The heavy-looking stone door silently opened from the outside. Who wouldve thought it could work like that! Although his guess had been confirmed, Fu Qian couldnt feel happy. This ce was quite eerie! Who knew how many more things were waiting for him ahead. But with the way now open, Fu Qian quickly dropped his pose. Controlling himself to make no sound at all, he moved step by step to the position of the gate, avoiding the werewolfs line of sight. Here goes nothing. Darting out the door, his view suddenly brightened. Fu Qian finally understood why this ce was called Full Moon Garden. Across the undtingndscape, countless small flowers with white petals and yellow buds swayed in the wind. Each petal, like a little mirror, reflected the bright moonlight, resembling a flowing stream of mercury. Luckily, at least for the moment, he hadnt discovered anything else. Fu Qian breathed a sigh of relief. The very next moment, he pulled that breath right back in. Chapter 4 - 4 Seeking Advice_1 Chapter 4: Seeking Advice_1 Fu Qian had just caught his breath when he immediately realized something was wrong. Its so hot! His body felt like a candle in an oven, as if it could melt at any moment. No, it was already melting. In just a moment, every cell in his body had be restless, struggling to break free from its constraints. His muscles began uncontrobly wriggling, almost as if his body was about to fall apart. Fu Qian looked up at the flowers in front of him, the petals formed a silver river that seemed to have countless moons flowing in it. Countless bright res reflected onto his body. Is there something wrong with the moonlight? Previously unnoticeable, but now these petals concentrated the moonlight, amplified who knows how many times, onto him, and the effect was evident. Fu Qian made a swift judgment. At this moment, things began to emerge on his arm. Those were a few twitching flesh buds, rapidly twisting and expanding. Is this the beginning of a mutation? Fu Qian was not intimidated by the scene before him, but grabbed one and yanked with all his might. Agony shot through him as the flesh bud was torn off. But quickly, more flesh buds appeared, and before long, his entire arm had transformedpletely. Its hopeless! Fu Qian decisively gave up on clearing them and instead focused his mind on the ever-growing tentacles, finding he could even slightly control their wriggling. These things were rapidly burning through his life force; it wouldnt be long before he turned into a twisted mass of decayed flesh. He couldnt stay here! Fu Qian quickly scanned the area, but regrettably found no exit. He turned and ran back. However, even with such a quick response, before he could retreat into the stone door, both legs hadpletely melted and deformed, even starting to fuse with the ground. Making it back to the courtyard with difficulty, he could no longer maintain his bnce and copsed to the ground. This undoubtedly startled the Werewolf inside the door. With a howl, a dark shadow unhesitatingly pounced on him. [Containment failed, survival time 25 minutes] He had thought that after transforming into a slime-like state, the Werewolf might not be interested in him, but it seemed the creature was not picky at all. In the warehouse, Fu Qian remembered the scene of the Werewolf feasting on him, the crisp sounds of chewing echoing in his ears. The situation is dire! The flowers in the garden are clearly abnormal, and given the speed of the mutation, there is simply no time to destroy them. Unable to destroy them, and with staying in Full Moon Garden out of the question, even if he slowed down every step of the way to the extreme, it would be impossible tost an hour. Its a dead end everywhere! Whats the saying? All dead ends stem from insufficient strength. If I could knock down the old man with one kick and kill the Werewolf with two punches, then I would surely find salvation in every desperate situation! Fu Qian was still not discouraged; rather, he patted his head to free up his thoughts. Setting aside whether it was possible or not, if he really had to pick one to fight off, who would it be? The old man seemed inscrutable in cunning and strength, while the Werewolf seemed a bit easier, at least appearing to have average intelligence. So herees the question. For a creature a sizerger than his own, with overwhelming strength and speed, and exceptionally fast reflexes, what martial art could kill it? Fu Qian silently took off his work badge and returned to his home from the warehouse. He turned on theputer quickly; after thinking for a moment, Fu Qian made a search. [How to fight a grown tiger with bare hands?] He went through the search results one by one. Physical capabilities vary from person to person, I once in extreme anger Fighting a tiger by oneself, thats easy First, you have to be very strong Dont panic Dont turn your back to it Stare into the tigers eyes, and as it pounces, go for a sliding tackle after a few tackles, you will have overwhelmed the tiger. Facing a screen full of chaotic advice, one entry caught his eye and gave him a glimmer of hope. Slide tackle This ideaquite interesting! [SAN Points decrease by 1, entering containment scenario] Fu Qian entered the Full Moon Garden for the 8th time. Still consisted of convincing through reason, getting up, exiting the house, and hiding. Fu Qian still opened the garden door. But this time, he didnt step through the door; instead, he only stuck out both hands. The specks of light reflected by the petals instantly illuminated both hands, making them distinctly visible. Soon, tendrils of flesh bulged out. Excellent! Fu Qian retracted his arms and turned his head. Standing under the moonlight, the Werewolf Brother had already gotten up, staring straight this way, without making a sound. This damn oppressive feeling! Defeating this guy is the only possibility toplete the mission. Fu Qian looked at it coldly, not blinking. Not hesitating for long, the werewolf let out a piercing howl under the moonlight and leaped high, pouncing over like a ck bolt of lightning. Dont turn your back on it Keep your eyes on its eyes Fu Qian took a deep breath and instead of retreating, he advanced. He ran a couple of steps towards the werewolf and thenid down directly, sliding underneath the werewolfs belly. Secret moveTieba Secret TechniqueSlide tackle! Fu Qian pushed one grotesquely swollen arm, barely recognizable in shape, forcibly into the werewolfs mouth, past its white and sharply pointed teeth. Agony struck, and the werewolf almost immediately closed its sharp teeth, biting down so hard that Fu Qian felt his arm was nearly severed in two. Thats right! Fu Qian wrapped his other arm tightly around the werewolfs neck, preventing himself from falling off. And in the werewolfs mouth, every single tendril on his arm madly grew ording to his will. The tendrils extended through the werewolfs mouth and esophagus, Fu Qian controlling them to tear at everything they encountered, deeply entangling with the creatures organs. You trying tofuck with me?! The next moment, Fu Qian used all his strength, grabbing everything he could and frantically pulling outwards. A horrifically brutal howl emerged from the werewolfs mouth. Under such excruciating pain, the werewolf turnedpletely wild, savagely destroying everything around it. However, Fu Qian, with his deformed arm, clung tightly to its chest and neck, right in the blind spot of its w attacks. Eventually, when the entire courtyard was nearly ravaged into ruins, the werewolf finally copsed. Struggling out from under the werewolfs body, Fu Qian silently tore off the remaining bit of flesh on his left hand. A slide tackle, and then choke it to death. The brother from Tieba sure had a good idea. After pondering, Fu Qian sat down on the ground with a thud, taking deep breaths. The feeling of cells rebelling was creeping up his arm bit by bit. Thankfully, it wasnt fast, and he shouldst for an hour. Unless that individual made a move. Fu Qian looked up and noticed that the old man from inside the house had somehow made his way into the courtyard. The old man had put away his scythe and was looking at him with a peculiar expression. After a long while, the man nodded his head. Not bad at all! Your way of fighting is quite impressive! Facing such a monster, what made you think of confronting and even killing it? Its good if hes just here to talk nonsense. As time slowly approached the one-hour mark, Fu Qian finally breathed a sigh of relief. You really dont get it, do you To a true gamer, as long as it has a health bar, even if its a god, Ill kill it for you to see. Chapter 5: The Rewards of Not Being Human_1 Chapter 5: The Rewards of Not Being Human_1 [Survival duration of one hour achieved, containment of subject number 3-2048 sessful] [Assessment: Mad to the Marrow] [In a nightmare fraught with danger, your savage and bloody performance suited the scenario all too well, earning you the right to survive. Congrattions on achieving the aplishmentIm no longer human (after all, from your behavior, your attachment to humanity doesnt seem strong)] [Werewolf killed] [Reward: SAN Points +20; Inspiration +5; Skill: Air Bullet] [Special Achievement Reward: Visceral Critical Strike] [Would you like to rey the event recap?] When Fu Qian returned to the warehouse, a series of messages was rapidly scrolling on the screen. What do they mean my attachment to being human isnt strong? Fu Qian felt indignant about that assessment. He looked around and noticed that the Mist Gate he came through had disappeared. Finally, its done! Only then did Fu Qian let out a sigh of relief. Cant deny it, though, this job is really intense. But the rewards arent too shabby. After several trials and errors, his SAN Points had fallen to the teens, but with this boost of 20 points, he hadpensated for the loss. Otherwise, with the rate he had been going, he probably would have gone mad in a few days. The assessment was another story; it was a bit nuanced, hard to say if it was meant as praise or criticism. Theres also an event recap yback? Fu Qian didnt hesitate to choose the rey. Reliving the process, Fu Qian noticed even more details. When he saw himself under the moonlight, he understood why he was given the Mad to the Marrow assessment, as he watched himself extract the werewolfs internal organs and other messy bits with his transformed arms. Of course, understanding does not mean agreement. In fact, Fu Qian didnt think there was anything wrong with his actions at all. He believed that confronting a formidable enemy head-on, fearless and undeterred, using every method possible to smash the opponent beneath his feet, was a sort of manly romance. That was the beauty of bloodnothing to do with going mad. Additionally, he noticed that it was at this moment the old man in the house had put away his scythe, sizing him up as he left the room. Completely unconcerned about being affected by the fight, he certainly hadnt chosen the wrong opponent; this old man was likely much stronger than the werewolf. After watching the recap, Fu Qian started to tally up his gains. [Air Bullet: Compress air to form an invisible bullet, not very powerful but excels in stealth] This is pretty cool! Fu Qians eyes lit up as he rubbed his fingers together to test it out. An invisible bullet whizzed out instantly, shooting straight into the depths of the warehouse. Its range was decent, and it was activated quite swiftly. Even if it wasnt very powerful, its convenience was a plus. With just this one gain alone, most of Fu Qians resentment had dissipated. Having this skill on hand for future missions would definitely be a great asset. If he remembered correctly, there was also a special reward? Fu Qian quickly found the other item. [Visceral Critical Strike: Seize the opportunity to prate the wound and directly damage the opponents viscera, inflicting devastating damage.] [A cruel finishing move that elegantly relieves your prey of their burdens] This shes of himself extracting the werewolfs entrails with his mutated tentacles crossed Fu Qians mind. Awkward_amt. How could this reward not be rted to his own actions? Could there be some sort of misunderstanding? He really wasnt that fond of scooping out innards! Never mind, having an extra skill is never a bad thing. [Todays work isplete, thank you for your efforts] [You may now leave the warehouse, see you tomorrow] The prompt sounded just in time. No need to wait to clock out, thats a plus! Fu Qian took off his work ID from around his neck. His vision went dark, and he found himself back in his long-missed home. Commuting sure is convenient! After musing for a moment, something urred to Fu Qian. He picked up the phone on the desk and looked at it. [Your ount ending in 1269 haspleted a transfer transaction of 30,000 yuan, with a remaining bnce of 35,240] When Fu Qian found this message, he was still a bit startled. An annual sry of tens of millions, and its settled daily? True industry conscience indeed! All the fatigue seemed to vanish in an instant. Right, it seemed he had forgotten something. Fu Qian pped his forehead and quickly logged into the forum, finding thatment about sliding tackle killing a tiger. He first clicked like, then quietly replied below[Tested, it works!] That night, Fu Qiany in bed reflecting on his new job. It must be said, todays experiences really challenged his imagination, overturning much of his prior knowledge. But even with many inexplicably strange things, Fu Qian still found enjoyment in it. Challenges, thinking, fighting, these seemed to him much more interesting than a 996 work schedule. Fu Qian was beginning to psychologically ept this job. After resting for a night, Fu Qian had a quick breakfast the next morning and put on his work ID again. [Identity verification sessful, workday starts] The moment the warehouse appeared before him, Fu Qian noticed something was amiss. The entire warehouse was flickering with ck patterns, and clusters of ethereal bone spurs were floating midair, looking grotesque and eerie. I knew it! Fu Qian wasnt surprised in the slightest; it was bing all too normal for something to happen in this warehouse each day. No need to ask, there had certainly been another leak. [Warning, containment breach] [Code: 2-133; Name: Ritual Notes] [Todays work content has been updated: Enter 2-133s containment scene,plete re-containment] [You may choose the Skills you wish to carry] Finally not going in empty-handed! Fu Qian decisively picked Air Bullet and Visceral Critical Strike from the list of Skills, and selected confirm. [Entering 2-133 containment scene: Ancient City] [Containment Achievement Condition: Prevent the descent of the Evil Gods offspring] [Current SAN Points: 32, entering a containment scene will consume one SAN Point] Is this about ying gods? These missions are really getting more thrilling one after the other! Intuition told Fu Qian that todays work would be particrly tough. [1%5%50%98%100%, the Ancient City has finished loading] [An indescribable evil aura shrouds this once-thriving ce, righteous Night Watchmen are doing their utmost to eradicate the omnipresent corruption; sadly, they have yet to realize what they are about to face.] [Skills: Air Bullet, Visceral Critical Strike] [Weapon: None] Night Watchmen? Fu Qian was hearing this unfamiliar title for the first time, but even though he was unsure what exactly this group was, since they were described as righteous, he felt they might still be of some use. At this moment, Fu Qians vision slowly came back, and then he saw a pair of eyes. The eyes were so close that they filled Fu Qians entire field of vision. Amber pupils were motionless, staring straight at him. Fu Qian tried to move and found it hard to breathe; something was choking his neck. Can you hear me? The next moment, an ethereal, melodious voice sounded. Fu Qian frowned, quickly recalling experience from beforeuse verbalmunication more, physical gestures less. So even though he was nearly gasping for air, he still struggled to make a sound. Ca n The next moment, a bright sh of knife light passed by, and Fu Qian felt an icy chill in his chest, as blood gushed out. Im sorry The voice resounded once more, this time with a hint of sobbing. My sins have grown even deeper Within the long sigh, Fu Qians vision darkened. Chapter 6 - 6 Test_1 Chapter 6: Test_1 WTF! Having returned to the warehouse, Fu Qian was unusually taken aback for a moment. This is totally illogical! You ask questions, I respond, shouldnt we then exchange a few words back and forth? A simple apology and then you just send me off? [Entering containment scene 2-133: Old City] Can you hear me speaking? Re-entering, this time Fu Qian chose not to respond and instead leaned back first. This time he finally got a clear look at the person who had sent him awaya woman wearing a ck, narrow hat, carrying a slender Curved Sword in her hand. The lower half of her face was hidden by a high cor, and her full appearance couldnt be seen. From the part that was exposed, she should be a beauty, her skin white as snow, fine as porcinno, that was porcin! The womans face was distinctly different on both sides; the left half of her face had no skin but was made of a white substance simr to bone china. Fu Qian looked down at the hand that was grasping his cor, and it wasnt the shape of a normal human hand at all, but more like a dolls prosthetic limb. Night Watchman! That was the first thing that came to Fu Qians mind. Not to mention anything else, just her appearance alone made it clear she was no ordinary person. But why would she want to kill him without a word? Remembering what had happened before, Fu Qian didnt rush to make a move. From that one move that had sent him away, Fu Qian had already sensed that the strength of this porcin woman was even greater than the Werewolf he had encountered earlier, at least a level higher. Although he had obtained two Skills, his physical strength was still that of an average person. There was a difference between him and the weaponized human figure in front of him, who was armed to the teeth. Its not like he could slide tackle her as he did the Wrewolf, right? As long as this woman had normal intelligence, she probably wouldnt give him the chance to execute a slide tackle headshot. Seeing that Fu Qian was observing her, sadness appeared on the porcin womans face. She sighed, let go of Fu Qians cor, and bowed lightly to him. Im very sorry, theres no time left. I must clear all the contaminated ones within this area. So Im sorry She was about to take action again. The porcin woman bowed, and Fu Qians eyelids twitched, knowing things were about to get bad. As expected, in the next moment, the bright gleam of the de filled his view again, dazzling his eyes and causing them pain. Blood sttered. Realizing he absolutely couldnt dodge, Fu Qian resolutely controlled his bodys instinct to evade and took the hit head-on. Allowing the shockingly deep wound to spurt blood wildly, Fu Qian showed no fear, instead offering a grim smile. Fu Qian. ?! The porcin woman looked puzzled. My name is Fu Qian, what about you? I think I should know whose hand I am dying by. Fu Qian looked calmly at his murderer. She wanted to know his name. The porcin woman was taken aback again. Su Gao. Great! Fu Qian nodded and could no longer hold on. [Containment Failed] [Evaluation: Useless person] [Reward: None] [Current SAN Points: 30] Back in the warehouse, Fu Qian had basically made some judgments about the current situation. First of all, this woman named Su Gao was most likely a member of the Night Watchmen. And ording to the initial prompts, they were on a mission, which was to purge the pollution in this area. Her words and the fact that she chopped him down without saying anything were because they must have considered the situation out of control. They even had to start indiscriminate cleaning of people like him who were found in the contaminated area. [SAN Points reduced by 1, entering containment scene] Having cleared his thoughts, Fu Qian chose to enter again. Can you hear what Im saying Su Gao! Fu Qian didnt wait to see clearly this time and directly called out the name of the porcin woman. Dont waste time, we need to clean up all potential contaminants as soon as possible. The porcin womans hand, which was on the knife, froze there. One could almost imagine her confusion as Fu Qian nced at her. Theres no time to exin, I need you to cooperate with my actions from now on. How do you know my name? After hesitating for a long time, Su Gao finally put down the knife and voiced the question in her heart. Whats the situation like outside now? Fu Qian, as if he hadnt heard her, casually asked in return. Answering a question with another question, Fu Qian, who had mingled on the inte for many years, was very skilled at this maneuver. It was then that he realized the woman named Su Gao was almost as tall as he was. Not too good Indeed, the porcin womans attention was diverted, her tone immediately turning somber. Youll know if you go outside and see for yourself. Good! Fu Qian took two steps forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with her. ng! The next moment, he silently fired an Air Bullet. At such a close distance, it was nearly impossible for the porcin woman to avoid it; one side of her face was hit squarely, emitting a sound like shattering ss. You Su Gaos voice was a mixture of shock and anger. The power of the Air Bullet was a bit stronger than expected, though it might also be rted to her special form. Struck by the Air Bullet, one half of the porcin womans head was like tempered ss that had shattered, instantly covered in dense cracks, yet no blood came out. This woman really is abnormal! The next moment, the bright glint of a de reappeared, and Fu Qian was drenched in his own blood on the spot. So youve truly gonepletely mad at your core, havent you! The porcin womans sigh lingered for a long time. [Containment Failed] [Evaluation: Cold-blooded animal] [Stealth attacks are a valuable trait, the ultimate form of respect toward an enemy] [Reward: None] [Special Evaluation Reward: Cat School] [Current SAN Points: 29] Excellent! Back at the warehouse, Fu Qian showed no signs of dejection, silently analyzing his gains. First, his judgment was correct; this woman was not normal. For reasons unknown, parts of her body had transformed into that porcin quality, even to the extent of not bleeding when injured. What price is she paying for the power she wields? Or had she originally been an enchanted doll? Combining this with his current objective, to prevent the descent of the offspring of the Evil God. This world really is full of oddities! The good news is, as a Night Watchman, this woman should be considered part of the forces of Order and righteousness. Her strength is formidable; shes a reliable enforcer. And the fact that he could indeed injure beings of their level with strikes like the one he just dealt is also good news. Overall, the oue of this encounter was worth it. As for what would happen if the porcin woman was actually killed? Those who kill will be killed in turn; this woman had attempted to clean up Fu Qian more than once now, so he felt no psychological burden at the prospect of ending her. Right, it seemed there was also a skill reward? Recalling something, Fu Qian quickly reviewed his special rewards. [Cat School: Your steps are as light and unnoticeable as a cats, your hands are more dexterous, your movements more agile, making it much easier for you tounch stealth attacks any time, anywhere] Simply put, its an enhancement to agility. Upon attempting immediate activation, Fu Qing felt a lightnesse over him, as if his control over his body had improved significantly. This cut was truly not endured in vain. Chapter 7 - 7 Bluffing_1 Chapter 7 Bluffing_1 [SAN Points decreased by 1, entering containment scenario.] Fu Qian reached out and touched the Mist Gate, which had appeared in the warehouse once again. This time, Fu Qian didnt y any tricks, and honestly followed the porcin white Su Gao outside. As they walked out of the building, Fu Qian realized what Su Gaos unease actually meant. It seemed like it should have been a bustling street, but unfortunately, there was not a soul in sight. The most striking thing was above them. The originally blue sky was nowpletely covered by a turtle-shell-like mysterious pattern, as if a giant umbre had been put up. Has the True Evil God descended? In light of this situation, it was understandable why Su Gao and the others were so tense. As for why there was not a single person on the street, Fu Qian thought he had already guessed the answer. Have all the people been evacuated? Fu Qian turned and asked. Only the part that could be evacuated, Su Gao replied in a low tone. We received orders to investigate, but unfortunately, we arrived toote. In this area close to the source of pollution, the mutations have begun, and the cursed citizens are starting to transform into a deformed state. Considering the risk, my teammates and I are in the process of cleaning up. Your decision is not wrong, I would do the same, Fu Qian didnt me them, but expressed his agreement. The situation was quite clear now: Miss Su Gao and her teammates received orders to investigate and found a severe pollution curse here. After evacuating the outer crowd, they had no choice but to clean up the citizens who could not be saved. This could also exin his previous encounter when he was attacked without so much as a word. No wonder this woman had the expression of being toyed with; she had clearly be emotionally overwhelmed. They now defined the incident as a severe pollution curse, but probably still didnt know about the Godson of the Evil God. This was what was meant by they still dont know what they are dealing with at the beginning of the introduction. The good news was that, from what he could see, this beautiful woman and her teammates had roughly the same goal as him. But earning their trust was not going to be easy. Actually, I am the same! Before Su Gao could say anything else, Fu Qian hummed and looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle. I have also been contaminated. Upon hearing this, a glint of cold light shed in Su Gaos eyes. But in the end, the hand holding the knife did not move. Fu Qian seemed unaware of her action. I inadvertently discovered something unusual here and came to investigate, but the curse was unstoppable. I am now barely suppressing it from taking effect, but I wontst long, I will tell you when its time for you to use your knife. But before that, I need to fulfill my responsibility To get these people to listen to his arrangements, pretending to be a Transcendent was very necessary. But they were all professionals, and the strength he exuded could not fool them. Thats when he needed an excuse for not being in top condition. While Fu Qian was bluffing, he quickly saw several people running over from different directions. Leading them was a middle-aged man in his forties, tall, with sharp eyes shing on his lean, dark face. Whats going on? At the sight of Fu Qian, the middle-aged man furrowed his brow and couldnt help but question Su Gao. There is no room for mercy in this operation. Otherwise, it might result in the deaths of thousands or even millions of people. Captain! Su Gao nodded in salute to him and pointed at Fu Qian by her side. We found him over there; he ims he came to investigate the anomalies as well. He came to investigate? The middle-aged man looked at Fu Qian with a mix of shock and suspicion. Correct! Fu Qians expression was more natural than nature itself. Su Gao has already told me; the situation is worse than we imagined, we had better hurry up. What are you? There are four official Night Watchmen here, and by the look of your power, youre just an ordinary person. What gives you the right to bark orders? However, before the captain could even speak, a buzz-cut man from behind him had already rushed forward to take the lead. Fu Qian nced at him, noting that this man appeared much younger and was incredibly burly. His hair stood up spike by spike, and in the not-so-warm weather, he wore only a short-sleeved shirt. At the moment, like everyone else, he was covered in sttered blood, and his expression was fierce and vicious. It was obvious that he was in a killing frenzy, likely tosh out at the slightest provocation. Theres no time to dy, lets discuss as we move. Nheless, Fu Qian ignored him, still addressing the captain. Captain, this mans state is suspicious, and its highly likely he has been contaminated. I believe he should be dealt with immediately. The buzz-cut man, being ignored, had his eyes turn blood-red, ready to eliminate Fu Qian on the spot. Indeed, I have been cursed, Fu Qian responded, startling the few of them. You dont feel it because I am barely holding back the curse from acting out, at the cost of having almost nobat strength. Behold. Fu Qian gently lifted his hand, and an Air Bullet shot out from his fingertip, striking a streemp nearby. I can only offer a negligible amount of help. He was actually a Transcendent! The captain and others, including Su Gao, were taken aback. Regardless, such an ability was definitely not something an ordinary person could perform. The captains gaze drifted to Su Gao, hoping she could provide more information. However, Su Gao was visibly in a bad mood, just standing like a puppet on the spot, oblivious to the captains hopeful gaze. In the end, the captain hesitated for a moment before stopping the buzz-cut man who was itching for action. Since we all share the same goal, thats good news. May I ask your name? Lucky break! Upon being asked this, Fu Qian knew things were settled. Just call me Fu Qian, he replied, while maintaining an inscrutable expression. Since youve been investigating here beforehand, do you know the source of the contamination? One of the middle-aged members of the team, an old man who had been silent until now, suddenly asked. Its not easy, still on field duty with hair thats gone all white! Fu Qian nced at the older Night Watchman, who seemed more worn out than the others. Good question! Fu Qian exhaled. Thats why Im saying we dont have much time. We must prevent that thing from descending as soon as possible. Descending? That thing? The few of them were startled yet again. Indeed, Fu Qian affirmed with sincerity. The source of the contamination originates from an Evil presence of extremely high stature. What you see now is just a minute fraction of its leaked power. I can tell you with responsibility that should that thing truly descend, the consequences are unimaginable. Like having to restart my mission all over again! Fu Qian added silently to himself. After he finished speaking, the Night Watchmen looked at each other in dismay. Following a moment of silence, the captain coughed. Then I wont keep secrets either. We are the Night Watchman Squad of this district. Not long ago, we received a report of abnormal urrences here, along with arge-scale casualty event. Upon arrival, we realized the situation was far from simple. After urgently evacuating the crowds, we had to make some necessary arrangements Ipletely understand; I would have done the same, Fu Qian interrupted him, indicating that the captain shouldnt feel any psychological burden. I am well aware of the horror of this Curse. After fulfilling my responsibilities, Ill need your help to release me from it. What a brave soul! Even the captain was somewhat moved, finding Fu Qians figure more imposing than ever before. Chapter 8 - 8 Notes_1 Chapter 8: Notes_1 ` This stuff is getting thicker by the minute; we really shouldnt waste any time. Fu Qian pointed upwards with his hand. It was a wee surprise to sessfully recruit four enforcers so smoothly. Without further dy, his priority was to lead the team to the side of the Godson for delivery. And he wasnt just talking nonsense. Just a few minutes after exiting the house, the shadows overhead had be even denser, significantly reducing visibility. Even the wind felt unpleasantly thick, as if it wasced with invisible needles that numbed the skin. The perimeter should be almost clear by now. The team leader nodded and gave firm orders. Considering Fu Qians poor condition, he specifically instructed the porcin-skinned Su Gao to watch over him closely. As for whether it was to protect or to monitor him, that was hard to say. Fu Qian had no objections. After all, with his mysterious origins, it was impossible to dispel their wariness with just a few words. Not to mention that at the moment, they were all in a bloodthirsty frenzy. Soon, the group made their way through the long street, heading towards the center of the shadows. The atmosphere along the way was incredibly tense, and everyone remained silent. Indeed, aside from the naturally twisted, there were few who could maintain a good mood after ughtering their own kindeven if there were valid reasons. The area was an older residential district, with crowded buildings limiting visibility. Every member of the team proceeded with care, weapons at the ready, while Fu Qian, walking in the middle of the group, was the most rxed of all. As they neared the central area, Fu Qian suddenly became alert. A window on the brink swung open, and a grey blur whistled out, shooting straight for his face. The de from Su Gao and Fu Qians Air Bullet hit it almost simultaneously. Pop! The thing stumbled from the impact, then was swiftly sliced in two by Su Gao. Even so, it still managed to leave a deep gash on Fu Qians shoulder. And half its body crawled on the ground for several meters before stopping. Habituated to pain through rigorous training, Fu Qian paid little mind to the minor wound and immediately retreated to a safe distance. Only then did he get a clear look at what had attacked him. ck hair, a coat covered in grimeit must have been a person not long ago. Unfortunately, it was nowpletely deformed. Its body seemed as if it had been stretched tenfold before snapping back into ce, with most of its legs retracted into its torso, only the lower part visible. This is the first time Ive seen such a curse, The crew-cut man took a deep breath, his tone rxing ever so slightly. Fu Qian noticed that including the team leader, everyone else showed simr reactions. They had hypothesized that the curse contamination would turn people into monsters, and now that it was confirmed, the guilt in their hearts lessened a bit. Hows your wound? The team leader turned back to look at Fu Qian. Its nothing, lets keep going! Fu Qian acted as though he barely felt the wound on his shoulder, determined to maintain his tough image to the end. Um. The team leader nodded silently; he had observed Fu Qians reaction to the attack. Now he was even more convinced that Fu Qian was a Transcendent who was ustomed to life and death. Only such a person could have that kind of insight and courage. Impressed, the team leader resolved to find a way to lift Fu Qians curse after resolving the incident. Damn it, why are there so many! At that moment, they heard the crew-cut man curse in a low growl. In just a short while, Maggot Peopleemerging from windows, rooftops, and even the pipes overheadcrowded in toward the group of five. Move! The team leader ordered decisively. The group started moving quickly, aiming to carve out a path before being surroundedpletely. Fu Qian, for his part, was quite cheerful, rewarding anyone who attacked with an Air Bullet without exception. If he remembered correctly, the summary included a count of enemies killed, which might affect rewards or something. Collecting data was always right. It was also a good opportunity to practice and improve his proficiency. Very quickly, his Air Bullets reached a level where every shot was a headshot. With the Cat Schools bonuses, he could hit whatever he aimed at. By the time the five of them turned the corner of the long street, the scene before them opened up. In a spacious hall, nearly a hundred figures wrapped in human clothing were stooped over on the ground. ` Densely packed, they covered every field. Among them were no shortage of immactely dressed individuals. Bodies even swayed gently to some kind of rhythm. Damn! Even Fu Qian, who prided himself on being well-informed, felt nauseous at this sight. The captains face had turned as ck as charcoal, clearly he hadnt anticipated the situation to be this grave. Alright, thats enough! But before he could speak, the always-silent old man piped up. Seeing everyone looking at him, the old man harrumphed before continuing. I believe this incident has exceeded our jurisdiction, we should report it to the authorities and let them send someone. I think youve just chickened out! The buzz-cut man was the first to explode. Report for handling? Dont tell me you dont know how long itll take for them to get here! Thats right, Ive chickened out, admitted the old man, not the least bit ashamed. Im different from you, I only do whats within my responsibilities. The things weve done so far, we can still somehow exin. Now, with this scenario, what do you want to do? With so many people, if we really turn this ce into a living hell, are you really confident we wont be dealt with? If we all fall here, thats when the situation will truly spiral out of control. We dont even know what caused the contamination curse. Its all been said by this fellow with an unclear backgroundare you really trusting his words that much? Why is thising back on me? Seeing the old man pointing at him, Fu Qian calmly shook his head. Theres no need to trust everything Ive said; what Ive said isnt entirely true anyway. We cant just walk away like this, we wont be able to exin ourselves if we go back, said the captain with a cold face. Who says weve found nothing? The old man pulled out something and tossed it over. At least we found this. Fu Qian nced at it, a ragged ck notebook. Where did you find this? The captain looked startled. During the clean-up, the old man harrumphed, pointing at Fu Qian. I just didnt trust him, so I didnt show it until now. With this thing, we cant be considered to havee away empty-handed, right? Seeing the remaining three people fall into silence, seemingly persuaded, Fu Qian felt uneasy. Thats not right, this feels like disbanding the team before weve even seen the boss. Fu Qian pointed at the object in the captains hand. That, may I take a look at it? This is an important item. Before the captain could respond, the buzz-cut man got angry first. However, the captain ignored him and handed over the notebook. Theres no harm in letting you see it. This item is connected to another incident weve been investigating. Ive looked through it before, theres nothing unusual. The notebook was thin, with not much content. Fu Qian flipped through it with his fingertips, frowning. I cant understand this part below. What does it mean? What? Following where Fu Qian was pointing, everyone looked incredulous. Youre not joking? Why would I joke? This section here is all messed up; itspletely unreadable. The captain silently handed over a stick. Can you copy it down? Fu Qian: Why? Because to us, that section appears nk. Chapter 9: Exhausting Every Effort_1 Chapter 9: Exhausting Every Effort_1 Indeed, it was so! From the reactions of the crowd a moment before, Fu Qian had felt something amiss, and now he finally confirmed the reason. None of the four could see this part of the textit was only visible to him. Fu Qian didnt put much stock in exnations like being a Chosen One. After some thought, the only exnation would have to do with the Inspiration he had gained previously. Especially since he gained quite a bit of Inspiration after thest sessful containment. Inspiration was said to enhance ones perception of intangible things. It must be the reason he could see the special content in the notes. Fu Qian didnt waste words; amidst theplex looks from the others, he quickly sketched the content he saw on the ground. For him,pleting the mission against the clock was the most important thinghe couldnt afford to miss any clues. The passage wasnt long, and Fu Qian finished drawing it quickly. The group stared at what he had drawn, all of them exchanging confused nces. What is this? Cuneiform script? Seems like some kind of code? No clue whatsoever The captain was clearly just as baffled. Su Gao, what do you think? Unexpectedly, this girl turned out to be the tech expert of the team. Fu Qian nced at the porcin-skinned woman. It should be a type of special cipher. Su Gao pondered for a moment before giving her judgment. I have a few ideas about the direction to take, but deciphering it wont be easy. It requires ample time, which we absolutely dont have under the current circumstances. Isnt thatpletely pointless then? Just a waste of time. A wave of disappointment swept through the group. Let me give it a try. Fu Qian suddenly spoke up. You understand it? Everyone turned to look at Fu Qian in unison. I dont, but I can learn. Fu Qian said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world and turned to Su Gao. Tell me your guesses first. This Su Gao wasntpletely stunned and murmured a few ideas. Learn my ass! It was then that the crew-cut man couldnt hold back his anger and burst out yelling. He had found Fu Qian annoying for a long time now. Never mind the unexined origins, yet making everyone listen to him. To slow the spread of the curse, they had turned into butchers, willing to ughter their own kind. And this guy still had the mood to fool around here. Rage-fueled power gathered in his palms; the crew-cut man was now genuinely intent on killing. However, before he could step forward, a sharp sense of danger rose in his heart. Suddenly turning around, an Air Bullet grazed past his neck. At the same time, blood sttered as another Air Bullet obliterated his left eye. Everyone stood frozen on the spot. This bastard had attacked without warning, evidently with the intent to kill. Theyd been deceived; this guy really was trouble! Without concerning himself with what the others were thinking, Fu Qian didnt hesitate to target the captain after attacking the crew-cut man, firing three Air Bullets in rapid session. With such a short distance between them, the captain had no chance to avoid them. The next moment, a shrill scream echoed, and a vibrant burst of electricity exploded from the captains body, its brightness almost instantly blinding. This st of electricity hit Fu Qian squarely. Fu Qian felt as if his body had instantly be liquid. [Containment Failed] So powerful! He was indeed carrying a heavy weapon on him. Back in the warehouse, Fu Qian didnt hesitate to take off his work badge from around his neck. Just because Su Gao didnt have the time didnt mean he didnt. From the moment he asked her, he was determined to restart. So, when the crew-cut man wanted to act, he didnt hold back either. As for attacking the captain, it was simplymon sense. In such a dangerous situation, the captain still hesitated to order a retreat. Fu Qian intuitively felt he must be relying on something. Those three bullets were just a handy test. Now it appeared that he hadnt been wrong in his judgment; the captain did indeed have some kind of superweapon on him that had instantly killed him with a sh of lightning. This was definitely good news, as it would surelye in handy when facing the bosster. Fu Qian would never underestimate anything worthy of being called a descendant of the Evil God. When he got home, he immediately found some paper and a pen. After a long period of contemtion with his eyes closed, he began to write, drawing out the content he had just jotted down in his notebook again. Memorizing these meaningless characters by rote was incredibly difficult, especially ensuring that there were no errors or omissions. By the time he had written everything down, even Fu Qian, who ordinarily boasted of his exceptional memory, felt as though he was about to have a cerebral hemorrhage. Finally, he knew how Huang Yaoshis wife had died! As he sighed, Fu Qian began the arduous task of decryption. Thanks to his wide range of hobbies, he was half an enthusiast in this field on a regr basis. But he wasnt a professional, and without Su Gaos hints, decoding this would have been akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Now that he had a direction, the workload had greatly diminished. Even so, by the time he made any headway, several hours had passed. [amidst the grovelling multitude of followers, descending into the depths beneath the earth] A good whileter, as Fu Qian looked at what he held in his hand, he put his work badge back on. [Entering containment scene, current SAN Points: 27] The scene were faced with now has exceeded our understanding, he said. Lets stop here This time, when the group came to the hall, Fu Qian didnt even give the old man a chance to pull out his notes; he cut off the argument and looked seriously at the captain. Is there some deep space around here? he asked. Deep space? The captain frowned, not understanding Fu Qians intention. Amidst the multitude of followers, it descends into the depths beneath the earth, Fu Qian pointed forward, confident in his theory. This is part of a ritual, the two sentences I just recited are key steps in that ritual. An Evil presence will descend into the depths of the earth, we need to find it as soon as possible. In truth, Fu Qian wasnt certain those two sentences meant exactly that, but in order to get the others to follow his arrangements, he had to maintain a professional image. Im not familiar enough with this ce, so I need to confirm with you if theres such a ce here? he asked. This Everyone exchanged nces. Yes, said Su Gao, who until then had been silent. She pointed downwards with her hand. Beneath this building by several dozen meters lies a high-security underground vault. Lots of people store their valuables in there. You know that too! Fu Qian silently praised her. Such ces are generally not cheap, sister, you seem to be quite wealthy. Do you know how to get down there? he asked. I do. Su Gao was indeed a hero among women; she answered and instantly drew her sword with a swoosh. In the next instant, a sh of the de split the crowd of Maggot People, cleaving a path through them. Su Gao took the lead, striding forward. Of course, her fierce and peerless sh had inevitably disturbed the Maggot People swarming all around. Amidst the shrill buzzing that made ones teeth ache, the Maggot People began to turn in their direction, moving towards them with a firm yet slow convergence. Luckily, they were indeed slow enough. By the time the group led by Su Gao had opened a descending esctor, the entrance was already surrounded by a dense mass of twisted bodies. As the esctor door closed, Fu Qian noticed the old man quietly sighing. The steadfast brother must be hating himself right now, which waspletely understandable. To be honest, he would have liked it if the group had just gone berserk and started an unstoppable rampage above, potentially racking up a considerable number of kills in the process. But doing such a thing would inevitably have taken up a lot of time and might have dyed thepletion of the mission. Moreover, these four people clearly hadnt gone truly mad yet. The passage downwards was nearly pitch ck, and after an indeterminable amount of time, they finally saw some light ahead. Suddenly, an intense smell hit them. Get ready! Without needing the captain to give orders, everyone switched tobat readiness. It seemed they had found the right ce. Fu Qian followed behind Su Gao and sidestepped through a massive metal door Inside, the scene was something of a restricted nature. Chapter 10: Restricted Scene_1 Chapter 10: Restricted Scene_1 In the spacious hall, clothes were scattered all over the floor. Their owners had vanished. Only a group of pale, worm-like creatures remained, entangled like a knot of snakes, caressing each other. In the midst of the serpent ring, a woman, appearing to be a distinguisheddy, was dressed in a deep red gown, elegantly bringing a teacup to her lips. Although the teacup was only half-full, thedy still elegantly bit off a piece, chewing without showing her teeth, making a crunching sound. She seemed utterly indifferent to the bloody holes punctured in her cheeks. Oh, the evil deeds Ive done in my life, to witness such a scene! Fu Qian sighed silently and turned to look at his four teammates. Judging by their expressions, they were also deeply shocked. Action! The team leader, true to his title, was almost the first among them to recover hisposure. ncing at thedys swollen belly, he immediately issued the attackmand. Theres no way around it, her appearance practically screams boss. In this situation, no one would believe she was an innocent bystander. The four-person squad showed excellent teamwork; at the captainsmand, the crew-cut man was almost the first to rush forward. The old man seemed reluctant, but he followed closely behind. The crew-cut man, now wearing a pair of oddly-shaped gloves, threw a punch that faintly echoed with the sound of thunder. The old man had no weapon in hand, but a casual gesture from him exploded in a burst of mes. Under their swift attack, thedy didnt even have a chance to dodge; she was instantly overwhelmed. At this moment, the seemingly strongest team leader did not charge forward but stood still, taking something out of his bosom, targeting thedy from a distance. Su Gao, the woman with the porcin face, unsheathed her de, guarding by his side, preventing the distressed snakes from attacking him. This was the big move, decisive and resolute. Fu Qian knew what the team leader was nning. Having moved to the side earlier, he finally got a clear view of what the team leaders ultimate weapon was. Indeed, it was something hard to describe as a weapon, about the length of a forearm with a fist-sized globe at the end, attached to a long and slender handle. The curious shape, coupled with the countless currents of electricity swirling around it at the moment, almost made it seem like something broken off from a Maic Storm Coil. This was the thing that had taken him down earlier, the captains ultimate weapon. The captain was clearly catalyzing its power for some big strike; in just a few seconds, the umted force had far surpassed what had hit him before, the white-hot lightning making it almost unbearable to look at. Compared to this horrifying power, what had hit him before was nothing but a spark of electricity. However, just then, there was aplication on the side of the crew-cut man and the old man. A sharp cry rang out, and Fu Qian felt his head shake even from a distance, his nose almost bleeding. Apanied by a spray of blood, the crew-cut man was sent flying, crashing heavily against the wall. Before he could adjust his posture, a blood-drenched figure had already rushed towards him, impaling him to the wall with a sharp Bone de as if skeweringmb. Damn! The once gracefully poiseddy still kept her grace. One leg had lost all flesh, but it didnt affect her from confidently standing there. Four bone ws of different shapes pierced through the back of her gown, one of which had impaled the crew-cut man. The moment this image entered his sight, Fu Qian felt his head hammered, his consciousness blurring. [SAN Points deducted by 5] Huh? Fu Qian was somewhat startled. Just catching a glimpse of this creature, and directly 5 SAN Points were lost. Thats like five lives! The risk of this mission is too high! After a fatal strike, thedy did not linger; she pulled out the Bone de and shed to the side, slicing the old manwho had just gotten upand the floor beneath him in two. The movements in the blink of an eye were so swift her figure seemed weightless. A sudden explosive rebuke came from the side, and by then, the captain had finallypleted the guidance. A straight column of electricity,posed of innumerable bolts, instantly engulfed both the noblewoman and the old mans corpse on the ground. Lightning Railgun? Watching the endless stream of lightning beams, Fu Qian finally understood the true power of the captains ultimate weapon. However, under this world-shattering attack, countless ck threads rapidly wove into a cocoon in front of the noblewoman, blocking the lightning beams for a sliver of time. Thanks to this slight impediment, the noblewomans ghostly figure escaped the range of the lightning bolts. With a single sh, she was directly in front of the captain. A much sharper wailing sound arose again, causing the captains body to tremble; blood flowed from both his nose and mouth, and he stiffened on the spot. Under the attack of the Lightning Railgun, one of the four Bone des had already vaporized and vanished. But the remaining three simultaneously prated the captains body, lifting him into the air. The captains ultimate weapon was powerful indeed, but it was to no avail since the opponent had maxed out her evasion. The babys cries grew louder. Fu Qian, watching the noblewoman who was no longer in human form, fired a session of Air Bullets. The transformed noblewoman didnt even dodge; after a series of crisp sounds of bones clicking, her body didnt bear a single mark. Indeed, his own means of attack could almost never break through her defenses. [Evil Gods Offspring has arrived, containment failed] At that moment, an alert sounded in his ear and the scene before his eyes quickly blurred. Thest thing Fu Qian saw was Su Gao leaping up high and throwing a de of light at the noblewoman. Phew! Back in the storeroom, Fu Qian took a deep breath and vaguely felt his head was still aching. He hadnt expected to fail like this. Strictly speaking, there wasnt much of a problem with the squads tactical arrangement just now. Straight to the point without any fuss, some team members distracted, providing opportunity for the strongest weapon to strike. It seemed logical enough. One could only say that the attempted distraction by the two crew-cut men had unexpectedly alerted the Evil Gods Offspring, and then its mother was overwhelmingly powerful. After transforming, the womans speed was too fast, plus that strange shield, resulted in the captains ultimate weaponpletely missing its intended target. Decisiveness mistaken for rush! [Would you like to spend 1 SAN Point to attempt containment again?] After summarizing the situation, Fu Qian decisively pressed his hand to the Mist Gate that had appeared. Yes He already had a new idea. Once again, he returned to the grand hall that broadened his horizons. Prepare for action! Hold on! This time, just as the captain was about to give orders, Fu Qian directly stopped him. If you want the thing in your arms to be of any use, its best not to startle her. And these two should stay put as well. What right do you have to give orders! The two crew-cut men immediately became furious. How could he possibly know?! The captain was taken aback when his greatest secret was so unexpectedly revealed, and he held back his subordinates with his hand. Putting aside how the other man knew, Fu Qians performance all along had convinced him that this young man would not act without aim. Seeing the captains cooperative response, Fu Qian satisfactorily nodded at him. Carefully avoiding the stripy objects and unidentified liquids on the floor, he sat down opposite the noblewoman. Hello there, beautiful. Chapter 11: The Vitality of the Evil God_1 Chapter 11: The Vitality of the Evil God_1 Hello there, young man. Facing Fu Qians sudden flirtation, the elegantdy was clearly taken aback before letting out a titteringugh. Her eyes had a strange haziness to them, resembling a creeping beast. Since the moment the five of them entered, they had been under the watch of such predator-like gaze. Apanied by the gurgling of bloody saliva in her mouth, Fu Qian had no doubt she could pounce at any moment to take a bite out of someone. Fortunately, after responding to Fu Qian, her eyes became slightly clearer, as if she remembered her human identity. Still able to hold a conversation, theres a chance! Apparently, she hadntpletely lost her sanity. Fu Qian judged correctly and, growing more interested, decided to continue with his n to draw attention. Madam, youre so beautiful. Interested in some intimate contact? Worried that boring flirtatious words wouldnt catch her attention, he went straight to the point. Hehe! The beautiful woman covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes slowly rolling as she let out a series of delicateughs. Your question is quite rude, but its lively and you look quite delectable. But are you sure you will still like itlike this? Thedy leaned back slightly, exposing her swollen belly, gently caressing it with one hand, her gaze soft. No problem, I like children. Fu Qians expression remained unchanged. Really? Thats wonderful The beautiful womans smile grew increasingly syrupy. I like them too especially young children. Is this guy refusing to let us take action and going off to flirt instead? With some evil entity spouting from his mouth? The four people in the distance were stunned, their sanity and dignity were being violently assailed by what they saw. In this short while, the drips of blood that had fallen on thedys face had reddened a patch on her chest. Amidst the contrast of red and white, she appeared even more seductively demonic. However, Fu Qian remained oblivious to this, his eyes brimming with affection and hisnguage vulgar and distasteful. This child mustnt be allowed to remain! Witnessing this scene, the crew cut man couldnt help murmuring to himself, feeling his Qilin Arm getting restless. At such a young age, he was already this perverted; given time, hed surely be a scourge. This guy obviously came prepared, holding much information we are unaware of. By contrast, the captain was a bit more mature, understanding that Fu Qian was buying time for them, although he couldnt help but feel agitated. However agitated he was, the captain still promptly pulled out his ultimate weapon. Cover me! He whispered a shout, aiming at the target and began to gather power. With Fu Qians distraction present, locking on the target couldnt have been easier. Thedy was even led to turn her back towards them! If they couldnt handle this, might as well just bash their head in and be done with it. As streaks of lightning frantically converged and flickered, the captain became increasingly tense as well. Finally, under the protection of his threerades, the electricity in the captains hand swelled to its limit. The next moment, an endless surge of lightningpletely enveloped thedy. Just across the table, Fu Qian felt like he was going blind from that instant sh. Thedys body, like straw in a tempest, crumbled without a doubt upon contact. From skin to bone, turned to ash and annihted. And from where her belly was, a shadowy figure began to struggle fiercely. Barriers appeared and burst instantaneously, and finally, the shadow silently exploded into a cloud of ck mist, slowly dissipating. Is she dead? The resplendent Lightning Railgun ceased its fury. All four Night Watchmen let out a sigh of relief. The captain had already reached his limit, nearly copsing to the ground. It was evident that controlling this thing took a considerable toll on his strength. Check the surroundings Barely standing up, the captain had only spoken half his words when a hand pierced through his chest. Everyone froze on the spot, watching in disbelief as the old man stood behind the captain with a strange smile. The next moment, the withered hand revealed bone des thatpletely extinguished the captains life force. [The Godsons descent, containment failure] This thing doesnt even die? Upon returning to the warehouse, Fu Qian acutely realized the difficulty of contending with an Evil God. After thedy had been annihted, he had not received the missionpletion prompt, which had made him suspicious then. Unfortunately, the old man was too quick. Looking at it now, could it be that even if the host body for the descent was destroyed, the entity could still possess and take over anothers body toplete its descent? Impossible! If it truly were immortal and could simply possess anyone, this entity could have just ughtered everyone one by one. Why, then, would it have such a strong reaction to the Lightning Railgun? But the old man was indeed possessed. Was there something different about him? The ritual notebook! Fu Qians eyes lit up; he thought of something. He remembered the old man saying he found the notebook nearby, and the ritual cipher also came from it. In a sense, it was too normal for the notebook to be connected with the brother who wanted to descend. Considering that the old man always kept it close,pleting the embodiment through it was indeed possible. But if that were the case, the situation became even moreplex. [SAN Points decreased by 1, entering containment scene] Fu Qian, with a frown, chose to enter once again. Still in his avatar of an expert, he guided everyone underground, then moved to flirt with the girls, creating an opportunity for the captain to unleash his power. Only this time, after the captain had initiated the attack, Fu Qian did not stay to watch the Evil Gods obliteration but retreated immediately. The moment the ck shadow struggled and dissipated in the lightning, Fu Qian fired five Air Bullets at the captains weapon without hesitation. In the eyes of the astonished crowd, the ongoing lightning reacted instantly. After a violent tremble, the lightning exploded from its source, and blue-white sparks enveloped the entire hall in an instant. Under the terrible impact, Fu Qian was inevitably thrown back. Momentster, as the lightning receded, Fu Qian climbed up from the ground and saw several people also lying there. The old man, who was closest and weakest, had beenpletely charred. The captain and the man with the cropped haircut were also on theirst breath. The only one standing was the porcin-like woman, Su Gao. At that moment, leaning on her knife, she looked at himself withplex eyes. Her whole body was in a state of ss-like fissures, as if she could shatter at any moment. It was a brutal sight! Its not over yet? Fu Qian, equally battered, still hadnt received the containment sess prompt. Narrowing his eyes and scanning the area, Fu Qian noticed that not far from the old mans corpse, a notebook shone brilliantly, with pages flipping on their own. It fell out? Fu Qians heart stirred, and as he watched the crimson blood light on the notebook that appeared toe alive, he grabbed it in his hand. The next moment, he felt pain in his palm. Almost instantly, a chill and shadowy presence enveloped him. Fu Qian felt his mind swiftly being filled with an insatiable lust for killing, and his rationality rapidly dissipated. As expected, this thing wanted to possess him through the notebook. The Evil God surely had formidable vitality. While Fu Qian marveled, he lifted his right hand. Caressing under his ribcage, he found a wound. Chapter 12 - 12 Special Rewards_1 Chapter 12: Special Rewards_1 What was that move called again? Fu Qian looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, taking a long breath. That skill he had never had the chance to use. [Visceral Crit] [Seize the opportunity, pass through the wound and directly damage the opponents viscera, dealing devastating damage.] Without any hesitation, he extended his hand into the wound beneath the ribcage. The warm touch came through, his five fingers like bloodthirsty snakes, rapidly twisting and elongating. Countless tiny tentacles grew wildly, prating deep into the flesh and fusing tightly together. Die! For! Me! His right hand suddenly clenched, and the Visceral Critical Strike was unleashed. Amidst a sky of blood-light sttering, Fu Qian felt as if his flesh and soul were being hollowed out by this strike. [SAN Points decreased by 1] [SAN Points decreased by 1] [SAN Points decreased by 1] A series of fine whimpers filled his brain, tearing at his consciousness. A torrent of warnings about the decrease in SAN Points crazily shed, taking away 7 points before stopping. The whimpering also disappeared. Whew! That must really be the end of it, Fu Qian exhaled. Lifting his head, in the shocked and perplexed gazes of the captain and Su Gao, Fu Qian arched his eyebrows and stood with his hands behind his back, exuding the aura of a master. [Containment conditions met, number 2-133 sessfully contained] The notification of sessful containment came through, and the scene in front of him rapidly dissipated, returning Fu Qian to the warehouse. [Mission Complete] [Evaluation: God-blocking Demise] [Congrattions, you not only sessfully thwarted the advent of the Evil Gods offspring but even inflicted irreparable damage on it yourself. This is an incredible feat. You have taught Divine Beings a lesson with your mortal body, the title of a mad yet calm thug is rightfully yours. This incident caused severe casualties, leading to the fall of a Night Watchman member, and has drawn high attention within the Night Watchman, with relevant information being strictly ssified.] [Enemies in: Godson, Maggot People*22] [Rewards: SAN Points +31; Inspiration +5] [Special Kill Reward: Thug] [Would you like to rey the event recap?] Its finally over! In the warehouse, the previous anomalies had already disappeared. As Fu Qian let out a sigh of relief, his first instinct was to reach out and feel his stomach. That [Visceral Crit] really left quite the impression. After confirming all his internal parts were still there, Fu Qian finally began to inspect his rewards. [God-blocking Demise] This evaluation is quite something, mainly stemming from his feat of deicide, probably. As for the kills, it clearly included the count of Maggot People. Considering the increase in SAN Points, it seemed that his earlier spree of racking up kills inside did pay off. The losses in SAN Points this time were quite severe, so any extra supplement was wee; with this reward, he now had 43 SAN Points. Inspiration went up by another 5; who knows what he would see next time. However, beyond these, the main reward was only a single item. Wasnt that somewhat unreasonable? Fu Qian furrowed his brow, flipping to his special kill reward. [Thug: A Transcendent form, a consumable. Using it will upgrade you to this form, and the process is irreversible.] [A robust body, swift speed, allowing you topletely break free from human limitations, altering the very essence of life (Flesh is frail, flesh ascends)] This Fu Qian was rarely stupefied for a moment. Transcendent form? The name alone made it hard not to think of the Transcendents. Recalling his four Night Watchman teammates from before, Fu Qian had a deep impression of Su Gaos terrifying de light. That speed and killing power were not something any swordsmanship master could describe; it was a power unique to Transcendents. If he wasnt misunderstanding, could this item transform him to be like them? Without doing anything, just use it and be a superhuman? Are such good things really possible! But still, he needed to be cautious, after all, the process was irreversible. Fu Qian touched his chin, hesitating for perhaps two seconds. [Warning, the item will disappear after use, do you confirm to use it?] Confirm! This kind of opportunity was impossible to give up. After all, having worked so hard for so long, wouldnt it be a waste not to use it now? As Fu Qian confirmed, a warm current surged into his body. The next moment, it seemed as if all the blood in his body was boiling. His heart, like an overclocked motor, started to beat furiously, apanied by all his muscles rapidly contracting and expanding. After a while, Fu Qian opened his eyes, his heartbeat had returned to normal, and his body was filled with a power he had never felt before. Fu Qian tried clenching his fist and could feel the muscles on his arm twined like steel wires. He was no longer an ordinary person, and the feeling deep in his heart made Fu Qian acutely aware of this fact. What a great item, indeed a reward worthy of ying a god. The chances of seeding in future missions had just increased a lot. [Work for the day isplete, thank you for your efforts] [You may now leave the warehouse, see you tomorrow] As the reminder sounded, Fu Qian took off his work badge. Im really quite exhausted! The work today had been tougher than imagined and had taken quite a toll on him mentally. The scenery changed, and he was back in the familiar confines of his home. Fu Qian shook his head and quickly realized he hadnt eaten all day. Hesitating over whether to cook some simple noodles or order takeaway as a treat, Fu Qian suddenly felt a bit ufortable. He looked down and found that his normally well-fitting clothes were now bursting at the seams, the buttons as if they were about to give way. Realizing something, Fu Qian rushed into the bathroom. The person in the mirror was both familiar and strange. His body, formerly somewhat lean, now seemed inted like a balloon. Smooth lines, a perfect physique, every muscle sharply defined. His every move was filled with explosive power. The reward obtained from the scene could actually be brought out! What kind of job had he taken on exactly! Fu Qian washed his face, trying to calm himself down. Though his title was Thug, luckily he hadnt grown a scruffy beard, and his skin even seemed finer and smoother now. Is this whats trendy now, a thug in a suit? Exiting the bathroom, Fu Qian thought of something and pointed his finger towards a water bottle on the table. Pop! Water sshed everywhere. The bottle was punctured by an invisible Air Bullet, spilling water all over the table. All was silent. What would you do if you suddenly werent human anymore? Fu Qian had never really thought about this question before. If the thirty thousand a day that previously kept him from being dirt poor altered his perception of money, Then bing a Thug had changed his concept of life itself. This change was so significant that it took him the time it takes to eat a burger to digest this reality. Taking a big gulp of Coke, Fu Qian watched the men and women inside McDonalds, full of emotion. This was his habit, to eat junk food after every big bout of work. It was a satisfaction filled with indulgence and decadence, feeling fantastic! From childhood, Fu Qian had always been someone who didnt conform to norms; otherwise, he wouldnt have ended up in such a poor and distressed state. But no matter what, the pressure of survival was still there, and hed had to scurry around for a living. Now that suddenly the pressure to survive was gone, and he might not even be human anymore, When you really think about it, is the feeling of losing your lifes goals overnight a joyful one? Yes, it was absolutely thrilling. Fu Qian answered himself without hesitation. Although he was a frencer, he had nothing inmon with those mncholic, artistic youths. He was a pragmatic person and disliked such pretentious thinking. Given a million chances, he would give the same answer every time. Nothing was more valuable than having more choices. As he was contemting life, his phone on the table suddenly rang. Chapter 13 - 13 Shocking Young Master Qin_1 Chapter 13: Shocking Young Master Qin_1 Qin Mingze. Upon seeing the iing call number, Fu Qian cheerfully answered it. Are you not at home? The person on the other end of the phone obviously sounded a bit puzzled. Im eating downstairs. Rare sight, you actually went out to eat! Mr. Qins words were tinged with irony. Youre not standing at my door, are you? What do you think? Hurry up and roll back here, I went back home over the weekend and brought you some local products Forget it, Ille down to find you. Ive got things to doter, Ill just leave the stuff at your doorstep. Fu Qian couldnt have asked for more and immediately agreed before hanging up the phone. As a seasoned homebody, this brother Qin Mingze was one of the few friends Fu Qian had. He was several years older than Fu Qian and could be called a young talent. He came from a well-off family, was a sportsman, a social butterfly, fluent in fivenguages, and had graduated from a prestigious university at a young age. Now he was interning at argew firm, aspiring to be a professional litigant. Such a person, by all ounts, should have nothing to do with Fu Qian, yet they somehow became friends. In his words, without a professional keeping an eye on you, youd definitely be a societal hazard, and seeing you gives me an inexplicable sense of mission. Five minutester, a tall figure pushed open the door of McDonalds and strode towards Fu Qian. Cant you eat something healthier for once when you go out holy shit! Qin Mingze, dressed in a suit and shoes, stopped two steps away from Fu Qian. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. What the hell happened to you? Oh, Ive been working out recently. Facing Qin Mingzes baffled amazement, Fu Qian had his answer ready and wore an innocent face. He knew the changes in his body were somewhat exaggerated. He was not short to begin with, but rather thin, and standing in front of Qin Mingze, he used to look like a twig. But after his transformation into a thug, although still not as big as Qin Mingze, he was apletely different person with a robust sense of strength all over his body. You work out? And you got fit so fast! How long has it been since we saw each other? Qin Mingze, now sitting down, still couldnt believe the reality before him. Each to their own skill. Fu Qian continued to bullshit. But werent you about to go bankrupt? Thats why I need to invest in myself even more. Im nning to change tracks. Bing a kept man has officially been added to my career n. Right up until he left, Qin Mingze was still shaking his head in shock, looking at Fu Qians physique. Indeed, everyone has their own talents. I dont know how much suffering Id have to endure to get like this; Id rather trade it for threenguages. Youve got the natural makings of a kept man. Ill introduce you to some wealthy women in a few days; dont forget me when youre living the good life. Will do, Ill never forget your kindness. After a shocked Young Master Qin left, Fu Qian casually returned home, only to find tworge cardboard boxes waiting at his doorstep. Really afraid Id starve to death, huh? Fu Qian blinked and carried the boxes into his house. [Work begins today] [Warning, containment breach] [Name: Cocoon Room, Code: 2-292] [Todays work content has been updated: Enter the containment scene of 2-292,plete recontainment] Ha! The familiar style, the familiar scent! This warehouse just isntfortable without a breach each day! The next day, when Fu Qian entered the warehouse, he unsurprisingly encountered another breach incident. This time, the anomaly in the warehouse was even stranger. Shadows of strange cocoons roamed the air, eachposed of white and ck threads. The cocoons would flicker in and out of sight, asionally twisting as if something inside wanted toe to life. [Entering containment scene of 2-292] [1%3%10%50%98%100%, loadingplete] Emerging from the cocoon is a painful process, and humanitys thirst for power is endless. However, every step in exploring transcendental powers is filled with danger. Undeveloped younglings are exceedingly fragile, and danger coulde from anywhere.] [Condition for containment sess: Ensure Wen Li sessfully advances to the Sixth Phase.] Hiss! The moment the containment condition appeared, Fu Qian took a sharp breath. Putting aside who Wen Li was, this turned out to be a protection mission! As everyone knows, almost all games include protection, escort, and rescue missionsthey are always the most troublesome. They were also Fu Qians least favorite. Just thinking about those NPCs who liked to run around courting death made Fu Qian seriously consider throwing in the towel. [Choose the skills you wish to carry.] The familiar skill interface appeared again. Fu Qian checked and noticed that Thug was not an option this time. It seems that it had fully integrated with him and was no longer considered an additional skill. Without any hesitation, Fu Qian took all his skills with him. [Skills: Air Bullet, Visceral Critical Strike, Cat School] [Weapon: None] The scene blurred before him in the next moment, signaling a change of environment. Fu Qian immediately braced forbat. He couldnt help it; his previous encounters had left a deep impression. Each time he arrived, the situation was extremely perilous. However, this time it vastly exceeded his expectations. Blue skies and clear waters, grass and shady trees. A rare and beautiful scenery unfolded before his eyes. Underfooty a massive circr za, constructed entirely of stones simr to white marble. Looking ahead, a row of grand and imposing white vis came into view,vishly decorated without being ostentatious, exuding an air of exceptional dignity. In front of the vis, several servants in uniform busied themselves. This doesnt seem right! Fu Qian had an ominous premonition. Setting aside the fact that it waspletely different from the previous scenarios, he found it hard to rte this setting to the chrysalis illusion in the warehouse. When things are out of the norm, there must be demons at work; he had to proceed with caution. Dont look around! At that moment, someone behind him chided in a low voice. Fu Qian turned to see an enormous figure. The individual was a burly man nearly two meters tall, with rugged features and eyes asrge as cowbells. Bulging muscles, a sturdy body, all tightly enclosed in a ck uniformhe was a veritable Schwarzenegger plus. He pped Fu Qian on the shoulder with an arm thicker than Fu Qians waist, his expression grave. The Wen Family has paid a fortune for our services; we must exhibit professionalism. In the past month, they have experienced two assassination attempts, including one by a Transcendent. We must not take this lightly. Fu Qian looked down at himself, dressed in a uniform identical to the other mans. So, this time he was hired as a bodyguard. The Wen Family? The same Wen Family mentioned in Wen Lis introduction? Fu Qian blinked. How did the Wen Family get tangled up with a Transcendent? Isnt this mission too dangerous? How would I know? Part of the big sum the employer paid us is to keep us from asking too many questions, Schwarzenegger red at him. But Ive done some snooping on the side. On the surface, the Wen Family appears to be just ordinary tycoons, but in fact, Miss Wen of the Wen Family is a genuine Transcendent. It is said that she possesses an extremely rare mental type ability, and the Wen Family had kept it secret and nurtured her quietly. Only recently, word got out that Wen Li is likely to advance to the Sixth Phase. If she indeed seeds, the Wen Family will leap into the ranks of the real elite. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy to see this oue, and the Wen Family has offended many. Thus, thereve been quite a few individuals causing trouble. So that was the situation. Fu Qian gained a deeper understanding of the mission. Schwarzenegger being in this line of work meant the information was probably reliable. In that case, his mission this time was to ensure Miss Wen of the Wen Family sessfully advanced? A Sixth Phase Transcendenthow does that levelpare to his own, he wondered? Of course, what he found even more puzzling was that, at the end of the day, it was just about a Transcendents promotion. How could that possibly be rted to the containment item in the warehouse? Chapter 14 - 14 Our Slacking Off is Justified_1 Chapter 14: Our cking Off is Justified_1 ` Despite confusion, the task still had to be done. Just as I was about to learn more from Schwarzenegger, the doors of the vi suddenly opened. A man resembling a butler, leading a group of men and women, walked straight towards us. Thank you for your hard work, Captain Gu. Upon seeing Fu Qian and Schwarzenegger, the butler bowed politely. So, Schwarzeneggersst name was Gu. You tter me, its all part of the job. It was clear that, despite business-like courtesy, Captain Gu was quite pleased with the respect shown. The butler continued to exchange pleasantries with a beaming smile. At that moment, a car approached rapidly from a distance, and the butlers smile vanished as he hurriedly went to meet it. I thought as muchit wouldnt be for the mere purpose of extending courtesy to bodyguards. Seeing the neatly lined up group of butlers, I could surmise that the person arriving in the car must be of no ordinary status. The speeding car barely slowed down as it crossed the za, pulling up abruptly in front of the butlers. As the car door opened, several people poured out. The leader was a young man in his twenties, fairly good-looking. His hair was neatlybed, dressed in a white suit and white shoes, slick with hair gel and looking dapper. Ive brought reinforcements, wheres my sister Wen Li? As he faced the weing butler, the gentleman wore a jesting smile, gesturing towards the people who alighted with him. There were three others apanying him, two men and one woman, all quite young except for one middle-aged man. Young Master Ye, good to see you, the young miss is resting inside. The butler responded with a smile, his expression showing a hundred times more reverence than before. Are they all Transcendents? Fu Qian squinted. The presence of these few reminded him of the Night Watchman he had encountered before, possessing a sense of power far beyond that of ordinary people. It seemed like my role as a mere bodyguard was merely to take the bullets; these were the real guards. But for me, this might actually be a good thing. Perhaps the task would bepleted without me having to do anything? It didnt feel that simple. Of course, based on past experience, Fu Qian was pessimistic about this. Hisss! Schwarzenegger Gu also sucked in a breath at this point. Four Transcendents! He spoke rapidly in a lowered voice than before. To find such reinforcements, it seems the rumors are truethe trouble the Wen Family is facing is big indeed. No wonder they are spending so much money on hiring people. Dont forget what I said before we arrivedbe smart. Were getting paid to work, but if the opponent is a Transcendent, the priority is to sound the rm, not foolishly rush in. They wouldnt ce all their bets on us; at most, were just cannon fodder. Besides these few, there might even be Night Watchmen around. Uh-huh, got it. Fu Qian nodded. Although Captain Gus capabilities were average, one could tell he was an experienced hand, with good judgement. His thought process was clear and, quite admirably, he had no intention of letting his subordinates die in vain. However, Fu Qian still wanted to remind him of somethingthe hearing of Transcendents is generally quite good. Indeed, just as he was about to follow the butler inside to find the people, Young Master Ye suddenly stopped in his tracks. Slowly turning his head, he looked over with a mocking smile. Well, there goes any hope of cking off, caught in the act. Fu Qian sighed in sympathy; now the pressure was on Captain Gu. Realizing something was amiss, Captain Gu immediately linked it to what he had just said, his breath catching. To his surprise, though, Young Master Yes gaze swept around and settled on Fu Qian. Is this the bodyguard you hired? Why such a pretty boy? Is this guy nuts? Fu Qian frownedunexpectedly, the attention had fallen on him. ` So the pretty boy cant stand someone being prettier than him, huh? After all, even though the kid seems slick and powdered, hes really no match for me. Especially after transforming into a thug, his weak physique ispensated for, and now hes practically a walking hormone bomb. Otherwise, how would he dare to n a career as a kept man? In this critical period, in order to ensure safety, we must utilize all our resources. This is an elite team member brought by Captain Gu. For some reason, Young Master Ye suddenly targeted this bodyguard, but the butler still habitually tried to smooth things over. An elite team member? Young Master Ye let out a coldugh. How elite can he be, care to give me a demonstration? Is this guy ever going to give it a rest? As someone purely focused on the mission, Fu Qian had zero interest in the legendary rich second generation acting like a sheep in wolfs clothing. Is that okay, Captain Gu? Even though the butler also found it senseless, he obviously didnt want to go against Young Master Yes wishes and turned to look at Schwarzenegger Gu. This, hes still on a mission Captain Gus face changed color slightly as he nced at Fu Qian. Having mixed in the underworld for many years, he could naturally tell that this Young Master Ye was no ordinary person. Though his own men were strictly trained, at the end of the day, they were mere mortals, and shing with a Transcendent would be unwise. Demonstrating ones strength to reassure the employer is also part of the job description, right? Young Master Ye clearly was not nning to let Fu Qian off the hook easily. From the beginning until now, this puny bodyguard hadnt even deigned to nce at him, and such baseless arrogance really made ones blood boil. Oh, so how would you like to demonstrate? Seeing Captain Gu at a loss for words, Fu Qian spoke up directly. Show us whatever youre good at then. Finally willing to engage, Young Master Ye smiled contentedly. Theres too many to count, and its not convenient to show them all here. This conflict seemed inevitable, and Fu Qian was anything but polite. After bing a thug, he hadnt had a chance to fight with a Transcendent yet, so even beating up a dummy would be fine. If things got too bloody, he could just spend 1 SAN Point and start over, no big deal. As soon as these words were spoken, even the butlers face changed color. Captain Gu went so far as to pull him to the side. Haha! Young Master Ye was stunned for a moment before realizing the implication of Fu Qians words, and he couldnt help but burst outughing. Interesting, I didnt expect you guys could actually hire such an expert! How about this, since you dont know what to showcase, why dont you spar with our little girl? Young Master Ye pulled over a femalepanion. Now you cant say I bullied you, right? A little girl. Fu Qian nced at the one pushed forward. She was certainly young, but her style left much to be desired. Hair dyed in red and blue stripes, eyeshadow heavy enough to rival a pandas, her revealing dress a definitive clownish woman. Indeed, these days if you dont deck yourself out in strange attire, youre not considered a quirky character. Seeing Fu Qian sizing her up, the woman smiled seductively and tossed a flirtatious nce his way. Handsome, go easy on me. Dont worry, special talents are my thing. Thats good, thats good! The bad girlughed so hard she trembled and exaggeratedly patted her chest with her hand. The next moment, with a flick and an extension of her hands, her fingers held two shiny des. Chapter 15 - 15 Passive Go-Slow_1 Chapter 15: Passive Go-Slow_1 This little girl is quite vicious! Fu Qian looked expressionlessly at the woman who had transformed into a Wolverine. To deal with an ordinary bodyguard, she even brought out this kind of thing. Captain Gu beside him had already changed color abruptly and stealthily made a hand signal, telling him to concede as quickly as possible when the time came. Fu Qian waved his hand, indicating not to worry. These des looked intimidating, but they were not long enough. Unless they hit a vital spot, they couldnt cause much damage, at most a skinceration or flesh wound. Generally speaking, those who liked to y with such shy things often werent that strong in ability. At this time, the butler had already very thoughtfully arranged for people to clear the surroundings, cleaning up an open space. He didnt necessarily enjoy this kind of farce, but he wasnt going to stop it now that things had developed to this point. Dont blink, big brother, Im about to start! The Little Wolf Girl smiled charmingly and called out in a soft voice. She stuck out her bright red tongue and licked the de on her fingertip. The next moment, she transformed into a shadow and rushed in front of Fu Qian in an instant, swinging her hand towards his face. It wont do! Confronted with this malicious strike, Fu Qian just frowned. Am I too strong, or is she too weak? Theres absolutely none of that sensation of facing Miss Wens terrifying de light. Perhaps in the eyes of others, this woman moved as fast as lightning, unstoppable. But Fu Qian didnt even move his lower body. He simply turned his face and dodged the strike. More than that, he even turned his head back at the fastest speed. If someones eyesight werent good, they might think that the Little Wolf Girl had missed. Youve got some skills! The woman swiftly stepped back and sized him up, doubt and surprise in her gaze. Unfortunately, Fu Qian didnt pay her any attention and instead nced over at Young Master Yes side. The middle-aged man who had gotten out of the car with him seemed obviously stronger than the others to Fu Qian. If that man made a move, it would probably be more meaningful than the Little Wolf Girls attempts. At this moment, thetter had a serious expression, squinting and staring at him intently. To get him to take action, it might require a bit of provocation. Come on again! The Little Wolf Girl clenched her teeth. Not sure if it was rage fueled by feeling looked down upon, but this time her speed was even faster than before, with her de-tipped fingers producing a sharp whistling sound. However, the next moment, the Little Wolf Girl felt a pain in her wrist and was shocked to find her arm had been grabbed by the target with one hand. Even though her target was within an arms reach, she couldnt continue her attack. Turns out Ive be this strong. Fu Qian, holding her wrist, mused internally. Which tier of Transcendent are you? Eighth Phase Who on earth are you! Not understanding why he was asking this, even the not-so-smart Little Wolf Girl realized she had badly misjudged the situation. How could this guy possibly be just an ordinary bodyguard! Eighth Phase? Your senior brother is much stronger than you. Fu Qian snorted. Shes actually at the Eighth Phase? It feels like I could handle ten of her with no problem! The Thug Form seems to be more powerful than I thought. As for the Little Wolf Girl with the twisted expression, Fu Qian certainly had no sense of pity. She hadnt been polite at all in her approach. She pulled out her ws to deal with an ordinary person, aiming each move at his face. It was clear that she was keenly trying to anticipate Young Master Yes desires, perhaps aiming to disfigure him. How malicious of you; you just destroyed a childs dreams! Fu Qian took a breath and tightened his grip. The Little Wolf Girl screamed in agony as the des fell from her hands to the ground. Before her scream ended, a wild force hit her side, sending her flying like a cannonball. Amidst a loud crash, the Little Wolf Girl mmed into the car they had arrived in, struggling three times without managing to get up. Not bad, right? After kicking his opponent away, Fu Qian turned back. Young Master Yes face was a marvelous sight at this moment, his eyes glued to Fu Qians leg that had just kicked someone. Clearly, even he couldnt have managed such a dashing kick. Not just him, Captain Gus eyeballs were about to fall to the ground. Be careful. The middle-aged man beside Young Master Ye moved forward with a guarded face, shielding him behind his body. Good. Seeing the middle-aged man about to make a move, Fu Qian was not rmed but rather ted. The woman just now was really not enough of a challenge. Whats that old saying? If youre seeking thrills, then go all the way. Since they had started to fight, with these peoples approach, making peace was out of the question, so he might as well knock them all down as fast as possible [Wen Li has died, containment failed] [Evaluation: Negative, dereliction of duty] [Punishment: SAN Points decrease by 5, current SAN Points are 37] Just as a big fight was about to erupt, a prompt suddenly rang in his ears. Are you freaking kidding me? I knew this mission wouldnt be so simple, but to die just like this? Fu Qian, teleported back to the warehouse, was quite shocked. Without any noise, and certainly as a Transcendent of no low level, within the heavily guarded Wen Family Mansion, she just died without a sound? It seemed his premonition was not wrong; this mission was far more difficult than he had imagined. And to think it considered him negligent, reducing his SAN Points by 5 directly. That was equivalent to five lives, utterly infuriating. Fu Qian was incredibly saddened in that moment, the joy of leveling uppletely washed away. He decided to put all the me on Young Master Ye and his band of hooligans. [Event Rey] Instead of joining the fray again immediately, Fu Qian decisively chose to rey the process that had just urred. Five minutes and twelve seconds, Wen Li died, mission failed. [Consumed 1 SAN Point, attempting containment again] After confirming the time of Wen Lis death, Fu Qian touched the Mist Gate. The Wen Family Mansion appeared once more. This time, without waiting for Captain Gu to give any admonishment, Fu Qian took the initiative to approach him with his question. I heard Miss Wen is a genius Transcendent, currently at least at the Seventh Phase, does she really need our protection? Boy, youre quite informed! Captain Gu looked at Fu Qian with surprise. I just heard it through the grapevine. Its said that her abilities are of the psychic type, and before ascending to the Middle Tier, her physical constitution is very fragile, barely better than an ordinary person. This is also why so many assassins have recently appeared, all wanting to snuff her out in the cradle, because once she upgrades, shell be much more difficult to deal with. This was indeed an exnation; Captain Gus gossiping abilities were not bad. Fu Qian looked up to see the butler walking out of the vi, and soon Young Master Yes car would arrive. The next step was to figure out how Miss Wen had died. ording to the way things had unfolded just then, Miss Wen would die in 5 minutes and 12 seconds. He had at most 5 minutes now. But how to confirm it? After the previous physical exchange, Fu Qian had a full understanding of his ownbat capabilities. Around the square were a dozen tall white pirs, all carved out of solid stone. Seeing Young Master Yes car approaching, Fu Qian quietly neared one of the pirs and fiercely kicked the base of it. Half a minuteter, apanied by a muffled sound. The pir crashed to the ground with a loud thud. Screams erupted, and the piercing rm rang out instantly. Young Master Yes car hadnt evene to aplete stop when four people burst out of it like lightning. The weing team behind the butler instantly descended into chaos. Seizing the chaos, Fu Qian blended into the stream of people and sneaked into the vi. Chapter 16 - 16 Unpreventable_1 Chapter 16: Unpreventable_1 Three minutes left. Compared to the outside, the interior decoration of the vi was even more sumptuous. Inside, there was also arge group of bodyguards in matching suits, who had already received the signal and were now quickly surging outwards. Fu Qians appearance here undoubtedly left the group bewildered. Without a word, Fu Qian moved swiftly through the crowd, triggering countless rms along the way. Ignoring calls from others, when someone tried to stop him, he deftly dodged them. The vi instantly descended into chaos. The piercing sound of the rms grew more intense. Fu Qian clearly noticed arge number of bodyguards gathering at the door of a certain room. One minute left. It must be here. The bodyguards were so nervous about this area, the likelihood that Miss Wen was here was high. Fu Qian strode forward, casually picking up a stone table and hurling it out. Amidst the whistling sound, the table turned into a frisbee, its terrifying momentum forcing the bodyguards to retreat, creating a path forcefully cleared in front. Fu Qian followed closely, without hesitation, kicking the door open. There were two women in the room. One of them in her early twenties, with a pretty face and painted brows, had the demeanor of ady from a reputable family. At that moment, she was sitting at a table, holding a bowl of soup, probably about to drink it. It was very likely Wen Li. Fu Qian did not hesitate to fire an Air Bullet. Although it was still uncertain how she was going to die, one thing was certain, the action she was doing would lead to her death. So stop right there. After many days of practice, Fu Qians uracy had greatly improved. The Air Bullet blew the bowl in the womans hand to fragments, and amid shrieks, the steaming soup instantly drenched her, soaking her through. At this moment, footsteps sounded from behind, and a group of people rushed in, surrounding Fu Qian. Who are you? Who sent you? The one leading the charge, a middle-aged man, bore a slight resemnce to the soup-drinking woman. His face was ashen, and his eyes bore into Fu Qian as if he wanted to devour him. Fifty-one seconds, fifty-two seconds, fifty-three seconds Fu Qian ignored him, silently counting. Until fifty-two seconds past five minutes, the failure prompt for the mission did not appear. The soup-drinking woman was standing there just fine, protected by a circle of bodyguards. Good! Fu Qian was very satisfied with this oue and turned to nce at the middle-aged man. And you are? You dont know me? The middle-aged manughed furiously, staring intently at Fu Qian. I am Wen Xiuxian. Ill ask you onest time, who are you? Who sent you? Wen Xiuxian? I dont know him. Now that the other party had introduced himself. Fu Qian nodded and pointed to Captain Gu behind the crowd. Fu Qian, an elite team member of Captain Gus team. He is the one who sent me. Damn it! Schwarzenegger Gu, who was already doubting his life, nearly fell to the ground when he heard Fu Qians words. And then Fu Qian changed the subject and pointed at the soup-drinking woman. I just saved your daughters life! Huh? Wen Xiuxian was originally furious and about to order the two men to be captured, but he paused, somewhat stunned by Fu Qians words. What do you mean? Hard to understand? If youre confused, you can ask the esteemeddy behind your precious daughter. Fu Qian pointed at the young woman dressed as a maid behind Wen Li. He was now eighty percent sure that there was something wrong with this woman. Me? The young maid, noticing everyones gaze turn toward her, was momentarily flustered. I dont understand whats happening, I havent done anything! Seeing the other party desperately denying it, Fu Qian just watched without speaking. Wen Xiuxian seemed to sense that something was amiss as well, looking thoughtfully at the broken bowl on the ground. Then, with a signal from his eyes, two people quickly restrained the maid, while someone else collected the remnants of the soup from the broken bowl. The results came back quickly. Its really poisoned! Wen Xiuxian looked at the young maid, his eyes filled with murderous intent. Fang Ting, my Wen Family has treated you well, why did you do this? I I really didnt know The maid named Fang Ting had a stunned look in her eyes as she fervently shook her head in denial. You cooked the soup for Wen Li, and you say you didnt know? Tell me, who sent you? I truly didnt Watching the drama unfold before him, Fu Qian paid attention to Wen Li, the protagonist of the incident. The recently escaped geniussplexion was a bit pale, but she remained surprisingly calm, seemingly numb to such urrences. On the other side, Fang Ting kept repeating I dont know, and Wen Xiuxian appeared to have reached the limits of his patience. After asking a couple more times, he ordered his men to drag Fang Ting away, presumably to be harshly interrogated. Just then, Fang Tings pleas for innocence abruptly stopped, and she stood still on the spot. After a few seconds of silence, she let out a shrill scream from her mouth, the sound unspeakably crazed. The next moment, as if she were possessed by divine strength, she forcefully broke free from two bodyguards, hugged the still-dazed Wen Li, and bared her ghastly white teeth to bite down. Crack! The sound of ripping like a kraft paper bag emanated, and the frenzied Fang Ting was punched and sent flying before she could bite anyone. In face of Fang Tings sudden attack, Fu Qian did not step in to rescue but chose to observe quietly. In his view, such a surprise attack, although unexpected, would not pose any real threat. It was an opportunity to see if there was any exploitable strength. If the Wen Family couldnt handle even this, they should give up the idea of being a power yer. Considering the way her body twisted upon hitting the ground, it seemed certain she wouldnt survive. Fu Qian looked up and saw that the person who saved Wen Li was none other than the middle-aged man apanying Young Master Ye. It appeared that this group had already searched around outside and returned. She must have been hypnotized; it seems the other side has an expert in this field, the middle-aged man said, inspecting Fang Tings body and nodding to Wen Xiuxian. Thank you, Master Ji, Wen Xiuxian, still recovering from the shock, thanked the middle-aged man. Uncle Wen, youre too polite; it was just a helping hand, Young Master Ye finally found an opportunity to make his presence felt and stepped out with augh. With us here, nothing will happen to Wen Li Before he could finish speaking, one side of the rooms wall suddenly shattered. A huge white pir, with a thunderous wind sound tearing through the air, instantly engulfed Wen Lis figure. [Wen Li deceased, containment failed] In the midst of chaos, Fu Qian looked through the gap in the wall and saw a gigantic, oddly shaped figure. The monster was at least three meters tall, covered from head to toe with what appeared to be ayer of stone, with its head a simple sphere with several holes. At that moment, it stood before a broken pirprecisely the one Fu Qian had earlier kicked and broken. The severed pir had been hurled like a javelin, crossing tens of meters in the blink of an eye to execute a precise kill. The previous sudden madness and attack by the maid were not expected to seed; they served solely to locate for this creature. Amid Wen Xiuxians earth-shattering roar, the bodyguards finally reacted and started attacking, but all were thwarted by the monsters thick stone shell. After breaking through the resistance, the monster plunged into theke next to the vi and disappeared in an instant. Chapter 17 - 17 Eat My Gun_1 Chapter 17: Eat My Gun_1 Professional! Fu Qian, back at the warehouse, was still savoring the assassination he had just carried out. The n was clearly devised by professionals, each step interlocking seamlessly with the next. First was the hypnotizing of the maid beside the target, attempting to stealthily poison and dispose of the target. If that failed, there were Transcendent beings lying in ambush outside, ready to use the maid to pinpoint the location and deliver a fatal strike. Its truly not easy for Miss Wen to remain alive! [SAN Points decrease by 1, entering containment scenario] As Fu Qian marveled, he once again made contact with the Mist Gate. This time he repeated his trick, breaking a stone pir with a kick and blending into the crowd to infiltrate the vi. Bursting through the door once more, Wen Li was indeed still drinking soup. Stop right there! Fu Qian bellowed angrily, once again blowing up the bowl in Wen Lis hands with an Air Bullet, drenching Miss Wen from head to toe. As for the maid named Fang Ting, Fu Qian still chose not to eliminate her directly but let her be controlled again by Wen Xiuxians men. What if she died on the spot, and the person outside sneakily slipped away? He was still waiting for the attack from outside. To make the Stone Giant attack at the same time from the same direction, he even chose the same pir to kick. Now, everything was proceeding ording to the script. Fu Qian silently counted the time. Why? Who sent you? I dont know I really didnt Wen Xiuxian and the maid once again reached the death dialogue stage, and with a scream, as the maid lunged at Wen Li, Fu Qian sprang into action. He rushed forward ahead of the middle-aged man surnamed Ji, kicking Wen Li into a corner of the wall. How dare you! Wen Lis father was enraged, roaring as he rushed to the side of the fallen Wen Li. The middle-aged man surnamed Ji arrived at this moment, swinging a silent punch at Fu Qian. This was more like it, far better than any offbeat Little Wolf Girl. Even though it looked unremarkable, the force behind the middle-aged mans punch was much stronger than that from the person with de shards in their hand. Fu Qian didnt dodge or flinch, unhesitantly meeting the punch with one of his own. A surge of fierce power came through, shaking Fu Qian to the core, making his arm tingle with pain. Interesting, this was the first character that had managed to make him bleed. Of course, the middle-aged man surnamed Ji fared much worse. Propelled backward by the powerful punch, he staggered three steps, his face flushed red, obviously injured. Unable to hide his shocked expression, the middle-aged man was about to say something when suddenly a massive roar filled the air, and a white stone pir soared through the wall,nding right where Wen Li had been standing. Debris scattered everywhere, dust rising in clouds. Wen Xiuxian, who had been holding Wen Li and roaring, was suddenly quiet, staring nkly at the stone pir embedded in the floor. If he had been just a moment slower, Wen Li would have been reduced to dust and bones. This is Fu Qian paid no attention to the bewildered father, instead grabbing the stone pir. The quality was really not bad, not even a crack after such an impact. Praising it, he took a deep breath. In the next instant, Fu Qian exerted his full strength, ripping the stone pir out from the wall. Amidst the terrified gazes of those around, Fu Qian struck a cool pose, flinging the stone pir back the way it hade. The pir once again transformed into a javelin, instantly traversing dozens of meters through the air. Outside the vi, the Stone Giant was performing its insensitivity act when a violent wind sound came through, and to its horror, it saw the stone pir it had thrown returning. The rock-covered body was highly defensive butcked agility. Even as it tried its best to dodge, one of its right legs was hit solidly and smashed into two pieces. Among the flying debris, a symbol of blood finally sttered out: red. The Stone Giant copsed with a thunderous crash, hitting the ground hard. At the same time, following the thrown stone pir, Fu Qian also jumped through therge hole in the wall to the outside. It seemed to sense the danger. Although one leg was broken, the Stone Giant had not lost all its fighting strength. With a muffled roar, it grabbed a car and threw it hard at another stone pir. The pir instantly broke into several pieces, and the luxury car waspletely wrecked. It looks familiar! Upon closer look, that seems to be Young Master Yes car. That car does have a troubled fate, wasnt it trashedst time by Little Wolf Girl? Crackling. Pieces of rocks on the ground came to life, rapidly gathering at the Stone Giants legs. A strangely shaped new leg quickly formed, and the Stone Giant barely recovered its ability to move, struggling to stand up and run towards theke. Think you can escape? Fu Qian, who had followed, kicked another stone pir nearby and aimed as he threw it. Boom! The ensuing scene was nothing short of brutal. The Stone Giant was hit squarely in the back by the flying javelin, and under the immense impact, it was instantly smashed to the ground,pletely losing its ability to move. The sound of rocks breaking echoed, and stone bs peeled off the Stone Giant, revealing a naked man in only his underwear. The naked many on the ground, evidently unconscious. The closest bodyguards immediately surrounded him. Fu Qian didnt join themotion, and even put down another stone pir he was holding. His instincts told him it wouldnt be that simple. The next moment, a sudden boom erupted from the ground, and the group of bodyguards surrounding the naked man fell one after another, clutching their heads. The only person still standing helped the unconscious naked man to his feet and dove into the water. As expected, there was an aplice, already mixed in among the bodyguards. Who exactly are you, and what is going on? Wen Xiuxian and his party finally caught up at this moment. Being quite a figure himself, by this time he had lost his initial shock and said to Fu Qian with a stern voice. Fu Qian nced at the middle-aged man surnamed Ji behind him, who was shielding Wen Li, Young Master Ye, and the others behind him. He was smart enough to know that now was the time to stick together to avoid any distraction strategies. Aside from being pale, Miss Wen seemed to be alright. That kick just now might have looked vicious, but considering Miss Wens physical condition, Fu Qian had carefully controlled the force of his kick. identally killing her with a kick would certainly not happen, at worst it would break a leg. Is this the attitude you have towards the man who saved your daughters life? In response to Wen Xiuxians question, Fu Qian snorted and stood with his hands behind his back. It was an indisputable fact, and Wen Xiuxians expression went through several changes before he finally let out a sigh and formally expressed his thanks. No need for courtesy. I am merely fulfilling someones request; there is someone who doesnt wish for her to die, said Fu Qian with a longugh, adopting the air of a high-minded person. Fulfilling someones request? Wen Xiuxians eyebrows moved, and his eyes filled with doubt and surprise. May I ask who that is? There! Fu Qian pointed at Captain Gu. It was him. I am an elite member of Captain Gus team. Uncle Wen, this mans background is unknown; we cant just trust him blindly, Not only was Wen Xiuxian utterly dumbfounded, but Young Master Ye also couldnt hold back anymore,ing forward to urgently assert his presence. The attacker was down on the ground just now, but he let him go. They could be in cahoots and putting on an act. Heaven cherishes life; I simply did not wish tomit unnecessary killings, Fu Qian coldly said, spinning a tale. In reality, he hadnt been so eager to give chase just now. With an assassin around, someone like him, a high-minded individual, held value. If he had really killed the man, Wen Xiuxian, the old fox, would probably have many suspicions instantly. And why be so ruthless if he didnt intend to kill? That fellow was responsible for wasting one of his SAN Points, truly unforgivable. I believe him, a weak voice suddenly interjected, as the talented girl Wen Li spoke for the first time. Chapter 18 - 18 I鈥檝e Wanted to Do That for a Long Time_1 Chapter 18: Ive Wanted to Do That for a Long Time_1 I believe him. Wen Lis statement shocked everyone present. Little Li Wen Xiuxian looked worried as he watched Wen Li step forward. Dont worry, if Mr. Fu had wanted to kill me, I would have been dead more than once just now. Wen Li offered a weak smile and solemnly bowed to Fu Qian. Thank you for saving my life just now. If my father said something offensive, please forgive him. If possible, I would like to continue to rely on youter on Thats more like it! Miss Wen seemed to possess a certain grace, not tainted by the mean streakmon among the wealthy. Fu Qian nodded, feeling reassured. No problem. The situation is still tense, so I need everyone to follow my arrangements from now on. Who do you think you are, giving orders p! A crisp sound cut off Young Master Yes words mid-sentence, and he staggered, almost falling to the ground. As if nothing had happened, Fu Qian pped Young Master Ye, then blocked a punch and a kick from a middle-aged man surnamed Ji before lightly retreating. Following the sh, the middle-aged mans mouth was bleeding, but he still rushed to support Young Master Ye. He had already noticed Fu Qians movements, but the speed was too fast, and he still failed to protect him in time. Just what kind of monster was this guy? The middle-aged man stared at Fu Qian, full of guard. Old Ji Kill him for me. Young Master Ye struggled to stand, his left cheek burning and nearly numb. He had never suffered such humiliation in his life, driving him into a fury. However, the middle-aged man didnt move and even stopped the young master who wanted to rush forward. Setting aside the fact that this was the Wen Familys property, this guy was Wen Lis savior. His strength was terrifying; it was a mystery where he came from! In terms of power, in a fight to the death, the middle-aged man had no confidence in defeating him. He was concerned that the most endangered would be the enraged Young Master Ye should they engage. If the opponent was determined to kill, even if it meant getting injured, he likely couldnt protect him. Cough, cough! Seeing the situation getting out of hand, Wen Xiuxian coughed and stood up. He firstforted Young Master Ye, then arranged for someone to take him down to rest. Young Master Ye had calmed down slightly by now and gave Fu Qian a look filled with resentment, indicating this wasnt over, before finally leaving to rest, surrounded by others. The butler was organizing people to clean up the mess. At that moment, the entire Wen Family estate was a sorry sight, its former glory gone. Not to mention the gaping hole in the house, several of the grand pirs on the square had been broken after Fu Qian and the Stone Giants destructive fight. It was a sight of utter destion and sorrow. As one of the culprits responsible for the current situation, Fu Qian was deeply moved. Just a few days ago, he was just a homebody, not exactly feeble but with nothing more than average physical fitness. And now, in the blink of an eye, he had be a human weapon. Even after the series of battles, Fu Qian still didnt feel tired. The minor injuries he got from the fight with the middle-aged man surnamed Ji had already stopped bothering him. The Thug Form didnt just grant him strength and speed but also a recovery ability far beyond the norm. He really was no longer in the realm of regr humans. At this time, Wen Xiuxian finished arranging everything and approached Fu Qian with a smile. Mr. Fu, Captain Gu, pleasee with me. True to his role as a businessman, his emotional control was indeed at its peak. Captain Gu was still in a state of confusion, but followed Wen Xiuxian inside in a daze. Wen Lis original location had been crushed by the stone columns, now cordoned off. Fortunately, the Wen Family had plenty of space, and a room was quickly made avable. Mr. Fu, please take a seat. Wen Xiuxian first made sure Wen Li was settledfortably to rest, then invited Fu Qian and Captain Gu to sit down. Weve encountered a lottely, so were a bit sensitive. My apologies for any earlier offense. Your help with Little Lis safety is greatly appreciated. No need to worry, its my duty and responsibility, Fu Qian replied, straightening his uniform before continuing the idle chat. It looks like well have to trouble Captain Gu further. After probing for a long time and seeing no slips from Fu Qian, Wen Xiuxian had no other options and looked at Captain Gu with earnest sincerity. You are too polite. Captain Gu was pleasantly surprised and a little overwhelmed. The situation had developed so quickly that, although he was usually adept at handling various scenarios, he now found his mind struggling to keep up. He had been watching Fu Qian intently since earlier, feeling an unprecedented sense of unfamiliarity with his subordinate. He couldnt fathom how this man under hismand had suddenly transformed into a Transcendent and even twice saved his employers life in session. Mr. Fu, who do you think attacked us today? Wen Xiuxian turned his head to ask. This was indeed the right person to ask. I dont know! Fu Qian shook his head. But it should not be difficult to investigate. Have you encountered that big guy before? Responding to a question with another question is always a good strategy. Never seen him before. As expected, Wen Xiuxians attention was diverted, and he slowly shook his head. Weve been attacked twice before and never encountered someone like him. Todays attack revealed one thing, that the opponents are a very professional team, not mere rabble. Each one is adept at assassination, and their coordination is remarkably precisethis isnt something a makeshift group can achieve. So, although they left behind very little information, its not impossible to track them down. A Transcendent who can morph into a Stone Giant, someone proficient in hypnosis, a dedicated assassin squadusing these criteria to search, it wouldnt be difficult to determine who they are. Ill arrange it. Wen Xiuxian nodded, a glint of cold light in his eyes. Though amoner, having been a wealthy individual for so many years, he had his own pride. Actually, that big, foolish one wasnt the hardest to deal with, furthermented Fu Qian. The one who came to his aid obviously specializes in disguise and infiltration. With so many people in your house, its likely very easy for them to infiltrate like a sieve. This was indeed true! Sweat beaded on Wen Xiuxians forehead. Then what do you think would be safe? Simple, you must have a panic room here, right? Panic rooms are almost a standard feature for the rich and powerful. After all, life is incredibly precious to them. Uh, indeed there is one Let Wen Li hide in the panic room by herself, minimally reducing the number of people who cane into contact with her, and preferably, no one but me should be allowed in. Wen Xiuxian naturally couldnt ept this suggestion. Are you really in a position to make such a suggestion, given your unclear background? Wen Li still needs to be taken care of now Then theres no hope. Wait for death. Dad, go and rest. Let me have a chat with Mr. Fu. Seeing that the conversation hade to a halt, Wen Li suddenly spoke up. This Its okay Wen Li looked at her father and gently shook her head. Fine. After hesitating for a long time, Wen Xiuxian finally sighed, sending everyone away. Once everyone had left, Wen Li stared at Fu Qians face, her gaze lingering. Thank you. Youve already thanked me before. This time, its not for saving my life. Thanks for pping Ye Yang. Ive wanted to do that for a long time! Chapter 19 - 19 Mirror_1 Chapter 19: Mirror_1 Is the contradiction so significant? Wen Lis words sparked a trace of interest in Fu Qian. Appearance, demeanor, speech. From whichever angle one looked, she was the very model of a damsel from a distinguished family. It was hard to imagine she would speak of pping someone. Haha! Wen Li gave a weak smile and sighed. To speak of direct contradiction, it might not be so, but he indeed caused me significant trouble, and he himself is quite disagreeable. Trouble? Fu Qian probably guessed what the issue was. Arranged marriage? Mr. Fu is really intelligent, you guessed it right away. Wen Li looked at Fu Qian with surprise, her face showing admiration. If someone else had been praised like this by a beauty, chances are they wouldve been quite ttered. Unfortunately, Fu Qian was entirely unmoved by this. Having dealt with Young Master Qin for so many years, he was very clear that for such second-generation individuals,mercial expressions were practically a Skill, whether it was surprise or ttery, their credibility was doubtful. Yes, I know many people envy my background, but being born in such a family, really, a lot of things are out of my control, and sometimes I feel suffocated. Can you understand that, Mr. Fu? I can imagine. Fu Qian nodded. But I generally attribute such feelings to having eaten too much and feeling stuffed. Wen Lis face froze. You were born into a wealthy family, not a family of immortals; did you expect to have no troubles at all? On the bright side, at least you dont have to trade vast amounts of time, energy, or even your body, working yourself to death just for a bite to eat. Even with a full belly, you can asionally put on an act of being profound. Uh Only after a long silence did Wen Li speak. Mr. Fu, you really see things clearly, your free and easy nature is enviable. No need to envy, freedom is derived from power. Indeed, surviving today was totally thanks to you, and seeing someone not fall behind Master Ji in a fight is a first for me. Oh? Fu Qians interest was piqued. What Tier is that Master Ji? This shouldnt you know better than I would? Wen Li looked puzzled. As far as I know, Master Ji was a Sixth Phase Transcendent five years ago, and now his power is utterly unfathomable. That middle-aged Mr. Ji was already Sixth Phase? Fu Qian frowned. After a few exchanges, he was confident that Old Ji was no match for him, so by that reckoning, wasnt he at least a Sixth Phase Transcendent as well? Thugs are as terrifying as ever! After reflecting, Fu Qian turned to look at Wen Li. Speaking of which, I want to ask, youre at least supposed to be a Transcendent, and ording to outside rumors, youre even likely to be a Sixth Phase, so how can you be fragile to such an extent? Thats the frustrating part about the psychic system. Wen Li forced a bitter smile. The rumors are not wrong, Im indeed close to being Sixth Phase, butpared to you with your iron bones and copper heads of the physical system, we in the psychic system are just too vulnerable. Transcendents are divided into nine Phases, with seven, eight, and nine being the initial Tier; four, five, and six the Middle Tier; before advancing to Middle Tier, improvements to the psychic systems vitality are hardly noticeable. And my ability is rather special, almost the least aggressive type within the psychic system, so No need to envy, brainless warriors have always been a mans romance. By the way, what exactly is your Skill? Fu Qian was first hearing aplete description of this worlds Supernatural System, so naturally, he wouldnt miss this chance to learn more. A mirror, you may understand it like that. Wen Li did not conceal her secret. I can sense the emotions of those around me, joy, anger, sorrow, hatred, desire, etc. The emotions of the people around me are like mirrors reflecting onto me; the stronger and closer the emotions, the clearer the reflection. On one hand, it makes me quite perceptive, not easily deceived by others; but at the same time, for a long period, this ability caused me great trouble. I was forced to feel other peoples emotions all the time, almost pushing me to the brink of a mental breakdown. In fact, this is also why I detest Ye Yang. When Im slightly closer to him, what I sense is particrly displeasing! Mr. Fu is different, although your power is too strong for me to sense much, at least one thing I can confirm, that is you truly bear no malice. So thats how it is; it seems youve had a talk with your father just now? Fu Qian said, finding this ability somewhat novel. Of course, otherwise why would my father be at ease leaving. In fact, over the years as my ability has grown, my perception became more sensitive, and while I can slightly influence the emotions of others Wen Li revealed a yful smile. Now, going against my will has be a rather difficult affair. I see the big picture now. In a sense, the psychic systems abilities still have their unique advantages, providing far greater value in specific situations than the physical system could. However, based on what she could currently achieve, Wen Lis reputation as an imminent Sixth Phase seemed a bit empty. Sometimes, I truly wish I didnt have such a Talent; it invites trouble while failing to protect my own family. Wen Li sighed, again assuming the guise of a pampered youngdy. You always have to look on the bright side; if it werent for that ability, Young Master Ye might not have given you a second nce. Fu Qiansforting Skill was always at hellish levels. Surprise shed across Wen Lis face. You know about that! Indeed, before I became like this, although there were some business interactions, I was hardly given due respect, let alone such proactive help. But I fear they will be disappointed with my quasi-Sixth Phase status. Chapter 20 - 19 Mirror_2 Chapter 20: Chapter 19 Mirror_2 You shouldnt underestimate yourself, at least the proliferation gene of a Middle Tier Transcendent is quite valuable. Thank you for your affirmation. Unfortunately, Ive always not wanted to owe this favor, otherwise there would have been no room for maneuver, so Wen Lis expression was unprecedentedly serious. Regardless of whether your assistance was a spur of the moment or there are hidden matters, I sincerely beseech you once again, to lend a hand during the time to follow. Quite sincere, huh! But you might not know, someone has already asked me on your behalf, leaving me no choice but to do the kind of work I hate the most. Ive said it before, duty calls, and it cannot be shirked. Fu Qian spokenguidly, telling Miss Wen not to get excited. Speaking of which, the Wen Family might not be a prestigious noble family, but they sure have too much money to spend. Howe they dont have a single Transcendent bodyguard? There are assassins who take money, there must be bodyguards who offer their services for pay; Fu Qian didnt believe all Transcendents had such integrity. Youre right, theres some hidden affairs in this. Wen Lis expression was somewhat embarrassed. Indeed, we had previously hired a Transcendent bodyguard with a hefty sum, one whose strength was not much less than Master Jis, unfortunately, he met with an ident not long ago. What kind of ident? He was captured by the Night Watchman. Theres actually such a thing! As capitalists, didnt you do a background check when hiring people? It was urgent, and the strength was undoubtedly our top priority at that moment, although we knew he was always on the Night Watchmans wanted list. We didnt expect such an incident, and its very difficult to find another one in a short term Seems like your rtionship with the Night Watchman isnt that great. Our family business covers a wide range, with some in the gray areas, which might not be well-regarded by the Night Watchman. Wen Li honestly admitted. Its obvious, if the rtionship was a bit better, they wouldnt have done something so undermining. Fu Qian sighed deeply, finally understanding why the Wen Family was in such a sorry state. The old cynic Captain Gu had spected before that there might be the Night Watchman backing them up, thinking about it now seemed overly optimistic. So today, when you stepped in, I was truly unable to contain the joy in my heart. Thank you very much. Miss Wen thanked him gravely for the third time. Also, regarding the content of our conversation today, please keep it a secret. I dont want the Ye Family to have too much of a negative impression before I make my breakthrough. Dont worry, Ive always been tight-lipped. Fu Qian promised without hesitation, then lowered his voice. The problem is, have you thought about the fact that our conversation now has been overheard by your admirer? What! Wen Li was immediately shocked, raising her head and looking around abruptly. No need to look, theres someone clinging to the wall outside. Fu Qian continued in a hushed tone, then kicked the bench Wen Li was sitting on. Amidst a scream, Wen Li, along with the bench, flew out. Simultaneously, Fu Qian stood up abruptly and roared. Be careful, theres an assassin! Upon his words, the person clinging to the wall outside, akin to a gecko, paused, then began to move frantically. In fact, not long after sitting down, Fu Qian had noticed someone on the wall outside. It was possibly the effect of increased Inspiration, as his perception was now extremely keen. The eavesdropper had been quite careful, not to mention silent in movement, but even using special techniques to tten themselves against the wall. Even so, in Fu Qians perception, it was as apparent as an X-ray. He even knew who it wasthe Little Wolf Girl he had kicked away the first time he entered the ce. Speaking of which, the Wen Family was quite unfortunate, not only had their stronghold been infiltrated like a sieve, but they were also under the surveince of their prospective inws. Holding the intention to see what the visitor wanted to do, Fu Qian hadnt revealed them right away. Now was about the right time to rattle the snake through the grass! With a roar, the rm bells rang out, and Fu Qian grabbed something from the desk. It was a metal paperweight, exquisitely crafted and impressivelyrge, clearly not cheap at a nce. He held it in his hand, weighing it like a brick, and, in the next moment, Fu Qian hurled it toward the wall. Boom! The Wen Family mansion suffered again. Empowered by terrifying strength, the paperweight shot out like a cannonball, easily tearing through the opposite wall. Bricks and chunks of stone struck the swiftly moving figure behind it. Desperate screams echoed as a shadow was heavily thrown down from the wall. If he remembered correctly, wasnt this the fourth floor? By this time, Wen Xiuxian had rushed over, and seeing the hole in the wall and his daughter on the ground, his expression could only be described as splendid. Such a familiar scene! No mansion is grand enough to withstand this kind of damage! Rest assured, when you see the person on the ground, your face will look even worse. Now, Wen Li, the ever resilient kickee, had once again bravely stood up, her expressionplex as she quietlyforted her father. As several people descended the stairs together, the infiltrator on the ground was already surrounded. But it seemed irrelevant whether he was surrounded or not, for the person on the groundid there motionless, mangled. Struck unprotected in a vital spot and then having fallen from the fourth floor, this person was dead beyond doubt. Young Master Ye, who had gone to rest earlier, had long since arrived, and was now staring intently at the body on the ground with a face as dark as coal. The assassin has been in. Fu Qian, not caring about his darkened face, pointed solemnly at the corpse on the ground, iming credit. Just now, someone else infiltrated and attempted an ambush, but luckily, I discovered it. No matter what, it was best to firmly establish the identity of the assassin first. Wen Xiuxians expression was a kaleidoscope of emotions. He wasnt foolish, and he could certainly detect the anomaly in Ye Yangs reaction. And with a little attention, one could notice that one from his entourage was missing. Was there any need to say who the person on the ground was? But indeed, the person was struck from outside the wall,beling them an assassin posed no issue whatsoever. Wen Xiuxian felt irritated as well. He had just survived an assassination attempt in the daytime, and now, to his annoyance, someone was spying on his own turf. Even with his capacity to endure humiliations, it was difficult for him to maintain a pleasant demeanor at that moment. Thank you, Mr. Fu. Without you, Lil Li might have been in danger again. After mulling it over, Wen Xiuxian chose to express his gratitude earnestly. I didnt expect these people to be so patient, returning after being driven away; truly hard to guard against! After thanking Fu Qian, Wen Xiuxian let out a series of heavy sighs and turned towards Ye Yang and Master Ji. Because of this disturbance, Ye Yang and Master Ji were inconvenienced, please ept my apologies. Its alright Young Master Ye didnt respond immediately; it took a tug from Mr. Ji before he almost gritted his teeth and said a word. We heard the rm and were worried there might be trouble, so we came to see. Its good that everything is fine. Mr. Ji, obviously more seasoned, spoke to Wen Xiuxian with a serious face. No disturbance to speak of, as we are here to help and will do our utmost. Thank you for your efforts! Wen Xiuxian exchanged pleasantries with him, seemingly oblivious to the red and blue locks of hair at the head of the corpse. Fu Qian knew this person had died in vain. He didnt harbor any particr hatred toward Little Wolf Girl that warranted her death. Little Wolf Girl was undoubtedly sent by Ye Yang to eavesdrop, and given Ye Yangs character, the p from earlier was not something he could simply swallow. Coming to eavesdrop was very likely for Ye Yangs own sake, to understand Fu Qians background and to find opportunities for slow revengeter. That was a natural human response. But to carry out such tricks at the Wen Familys home indicated a fundamental distrust toward Wen Xiuxian and his family. If what Wen Li had said during the day reached their ears, it was difficult to predict their subsequent reactions. If he were toplete his mission, he needed to minimize any potential threats to Wen Li as much as possible. So, for various reasons, it was essential to intimidate them, to make sure they wouldnt dare pull any more stunts in the short term. Chapter 21 - 20 How did you get along with people_1 Chapter 21: Chapter 20 How did you get along with people_1 By the time the situation was dealt with, dusk had fallen, and the farce hade to an end. The tough day at the Wen Family Mansion had finally passed. In the lingering glow of the sunset, the luxurious abode was now riddled with scars, its battle damage coating at max. Fortunately, the ce wasrge enough that with some tidying up, it was still habitable, but even so, a couple more events like todays could justify razing it and starting anew. As the chief troublemaker, Fu Qian had sessfully earned everyones respect (fear) through his violent disy today. Mr. Fu, you have worked hard today. I have already arranged your amodation, said Wen Li, looking like she was on herst legs, but still mustering the energy to speak. She was one of the few willing to engage in conversation with Fu Qian. It was nothing. Fu Qian spoke nonchntly, then saw Young Master Ye shiver. Young people these days sure have a lot of spirit! After the extent of themotion, Fu Qian did not believe in burying the hatchet with a smile. Offend to death then so be it. Whether Young Master Ye wanted to y him alive, Fu Qian couldnt care less. Based on previous events, this young master seemed quite keen on preserving his life. Fu Qian believed that after the incident with the flying corpse from the fourth floor, Young Master Ye would calm down and not make any small moves until he figured out what Fu Qian was all about. That was all that was needed. The best part was that no matter how he investigated, hed only find out that Fu Qian was a regr bodyguard, which would surely leave him paranoid. With that time, Wen Li should have enough to level up. Hopefully, she wouldnt be too disappointing by then. A night without incident. When Fu Qian woke up from the luxurious bed, daylight was already shining brightly. Ever since bing a Transcendent, Fu Qian found himself constantly in a state of abundant energy, making sleep somewhat unnecessary for him. But as a sleep enthusiast, he still habitually rested in bed. The bedroom prepared for his rest, though makeshift, was evidentlyvish, not a mere guest room. It wasnt until Wen Li walked into the adjacent room yawning that Fu Qian finally confirmed he had been led to the master bedroom of the mansion. It seemed the Wen Family truly were frightened. A maid had been waiting outside early, calling Fu Qian over for a meal. As Fu Qian arrived at the dining room, Wen Li was gracefully having breakfast, appearing much more refreshed. It was unclear if she had taken his advice, but the number of servants today was noticeably smaller. Listen to advice and eat your fillWen Xiuxian was quite pragmatic. Good morning, Mr. Fu, feel free to ask the kitchen to prepare whatever youd like to eat. Wen Li greeted Fu Qian politely, smiling as she exined why Wen Xiuxian was absent. Father has some matters to take care of and left early in the morning. Rich people have their troubles, too! Fu Qian mused to himself, settling down to enjoy a few small dishes. The taste made the trouble worth it! Mr. Fu, regarding the security arrangements, do you see any areas that need improvement? I will have them fully cooperate with you, Wen Li showed the proper breeding of a well-borndy, only starting to inquire after finishing her breakfast. There certainly is a lot of room for improvement, so much so that theres no longer a need to improve. Fu Qian didnt even lift his head. He was telling the truth; Wen Familys current security might seem tight, but that was under the assumption the enemy was a regr assassin. To a non-human that excelled in stealth and infiltration, it was as if riddled with holes. So you still rmend that I hide in a safe house? Wen Li sighed. Due to some reasons, unless its absolutely necessary, Id rather not resort to that. Ill discuss it with my father when he returns. As it turned out, the trouble arrived faster than Wen Xiuxians return. Not long after, a servant rushed in with a tense expression to announce that a special guest had arrived, asking specifically for Fu Qian. Before Wen Li could say anything, the door was pushed open from the outside. A woman d in all ck with a poker face walked in. Though her attire was simple, her presence wasmanding, like a drawn mace whose path no one dared meet with their gaze. She marched up to the dining table, her sharp eyes scanning over everyones faces before they settled on Fu Qian. Mr. Fu? Thats possible. Group Leader Tan, what brings you here today? The moment he saw who it was, Wen Lis expression turned particrly ugly. Seeing her target Fu Qian directly, he couldnt help but speak out as the host. Just a matter I need to discuss with Mr. Fu here. The woman with the surname Tan did not even nce at Wen Li while staring down Fu Qian with obvious hostility, gesturing to the side. Mr. Fu, pleasee with me. The people here are so arrogant, one after another. Fu Qian could naturally tell that this woman was no ordinary persondefinitely a Transcendent, with quite impressive strength. Could it really be that too much muscle causes ones brain to degenerate? Group Leader Tan, what do you mean by this? Before Fu Qian could respond, Wen Li, who was beside him, was already panicking. Mr. Fu is currently working and it is not convenient for him to leave. This is the second time. Is Group Leader Tan targeting the Wen Family on purpose? The second time? Fu Qian realized something. The Night Watchman? Mmm. Wen Li nodded slightly, not forgetting to introduce her to Fu Qian. This is Ms. Tan Mingxue, the Group Leader of the second group of the citys Night Watchman team. We have had some interactions before. Indeed. When the woman entered, Fu Qian had already sensed it vaguely. Last night, before going to sleep, he had taken the trouble to learn a little about the organization with which he had several encounters. In this world, the Night Watchman was one of thergest organizations and a particrly special entity, with almost all things rted to transcendental powers under its control. With an exalted status and overwhelming strength, Night Watchman teams spread across various regions, maintaining the order of the entire Transcendent world. Almost no one wished to oppose them. In fact, it was because of their existence that ordinary people could survive the struggles of the non-humans and maintain a normal life. No wonder thisdy was so brazen. Anyone backed by such an organization could inadvertently develop the habit of being overbearing. As for the interactions mentioned by Wen Li, they must not have been pleasant experiences. Fu Qian recalled the incident Wen Li mentioned the day before. Having hired a powerful bodyguard, they unexpectedly had him taken away by the Night Watchman for being unclean. The second time must refer to that incident. How on earth does your family get along with people to deserve such undermining? While Fu Qian was contemting, Wen Li had already started toin. Group Leader Tan had a reason for herst visit, and after understanding it, we fully cooperated. Today, you should at least give us a reason, right? A reason? Tan Mingxue seemed to hear something amusing. Miss Wen is overthinking it; the Night Watchman isnt bored enough to target your family. As for Mr. Fu, surely you dont think you can kill someone here and act as if nothing happened? Chapter 22 - 21: How Many of You Can Fight Like This_1 Chapter 22: Chapter 21: How Many of You Can Fight Like This_1 When did I ever kill someone? Facing Tan Mingxues usation, Fu Qian asked as if it were nothing. Still ying dumb? Tan Mingxue let out a coldugh. The conflict here yesterday is alreadymon knowledge. You personally killed a Transcendent. Do you really want to deny it? Im sorry, but all matters rted to Transcendents are under our jurisdiction. Since it involves the death of a Transcendent, youll need toe with me. So youre talking about that? Fu Qians expression remained utterly calm. Indeed someone died here yesterday, but he fell to his death from the fourth floor. You can exin that slowly after youe back with me. Tan Mingxue spoke coldly, a fleeting murderous aura emanating from her. My patience has its limits. If you continue to be stubborn, dont me me for not being nice. Group Leader Tan! Wen Li was getting a bit anxious at this point. Mr. Fu is a bodyguard we legally hired. The conflict was entirely because an assassin tried to harm me, and Mr. Fu was just fulfilling his duties. How could you be so indiscriminate? Upon seeing Wen Lis reaction, Tan Mingxues face softened slightly. We are just asking Mr. Fu to assist with confirmation. If theres no problem, he will be back soon. After all, given the intense fight and the death of a Transcendent, we need to ensure everyones safety. Please understand. This woman seems determined not to leave without taking me today. Fu Qian thought to himself. ording to the data collected on the Night Watchman, they indeed had the right to inquire into any conflict involving Transcendents. But with the incident only happening yesterday, at the Wen Family Mansion, and now shes already here today, Fu Qian didnt believe there werent other factors involved. Thinking of Young Master Ye who hadnt shown up all day, Fu Qian had a hunch. So he still couldnt swallow his pride! It was very likely that after secretly investigating his background and finding nothing, he simply decided to stir trouble and let the Night Watchman bother him. Even if he couldnt use them to kill for him, the least he could do was to use the Night Watchman to probe for some of his secrets. Currently, it seemed he only had two choices. Choice one: Go with this Group Leader Tan, leaving Miss Wen here, to rely on a bunch of bodyguards and Young Master Yes people to protect her life for a while. Since the Ye Family had intentions of marriage, they would generally not want this future daughter-inw to die. Choice two: Refuse to cooperate, activate Shura Mode, take out this Group Leader Tan Mingxue directly, and then deal with the endlesslying Night Watchman one by one, until nobodyes to bother him anymore while hepletes his task. That feels a bit too Shura-like! Although Miss Wens life might not be safe if he left, the sess rate of choice two was obviously not high. The key point was that Wen Li would probably be scared out of her wits and do something unpredictable. In the end, Fu Qian decided to cooperate for the time being and get a feel for the strength of the Night Watchman in this region. After all, if he really had to take the Shura route, at least hed have an idea of the strength of his opponents. No problem, then Ille with you. Under Wen Lis worried gaze, Fu Qian followed Tan Mingxue out of the Wen Family Mansion. In the crowd, Fu Qian spotted Master Ji, who had shed with him twice yesterday, but Young Master Ye was nowhere to be seen. Fearing I would kill him in anger? Fu Qian instantly understood the reason. This person was obviously feeling guilty, worried that Fu Qian might guess it was his doing, and before following Tan Mingxue, out of fear, he mightsh out and take him down, so he simply opted to hide and not show up. Its possible that right now, hes watching from some window. He really is small-minded and overly cautious! The journey was rather long. After lots of twists and turns, just when Fu Qian was about to lose his patience, the car finally stopped. Please. Tan Mingxue got out of the car first, and Fu Qian followed, seeing the Night Watchmans base for the first time. This ce was much more down-to-earth than he had imagined. Contrasting with the scenic beauty of the Wen Familys private vi, the Night Watchmans base was actually located in the middle of a busy city area. From the outside, it looked quite ordinary although the area was not small. Only after following Tan Mingxue inside the base did he feel something extraordinary. The buildings interior was clearly meticulously arranged, with many areas made of special materials. There werent many peopleing and going, but each of them carried an air of authority and seemed to be of no ordinary strength. Some other relevant personnel will be here shortly. Tan Mingxue led Fu Qian into an office, gestured for him to sit down, and took out an exquisite notebook. ` Before we proceed, I need to confirm a few simple questions with you. Ask away. Fu Qian looked around as he answeredzily. Is Fu Qian your real name? Theoretically, all Transcendent information should be registered internally with the Night Watchman, but Ive checked all the records, and theres never been a record of you. Of course it is. As for why theres no record of me, it might be because I havent been a Transcendent for very long. Oh? Tan Mingxue rolled her eyes. Based on the current information, your strength is at least Sixth Phase. Are you trying to tell me that you went from an ordinary person to a Middle Tier Transcendent in just a few days? Cant I? The other night, I was observing the celestial phenomena when suddenly, I had a revtion that gave me insight. ng! Tan Mingxues notebook mmed onto the table. After calming down a bit, Tan Mingxue picked up the notebook again. Do you know who you killed yesterday? An assassin. And let me emphasize, I just injured him. It was his own fall that killed him. Moreover, as a professional bodyguard, I was merely fulfilling my duties. Professional bodyguard. Tan Mingxue was now so exasperated sheughed. A professional bodyguard with a monthly sry of twenty-five thousand, is that so? Your asking price really isnt high, is it! Slim profit, high turnover, what were building is reputation! Whats going on? Just as Tan Mingxue was about to go ballistic, the office door was pushed open with a creak, and a bespectacled man in his thirties came in. Hespletely unreasonable, your turn to ask. Tan Mingxue snorted as she stood up. Masters always have distinctive personalities! The bespectacled man chuckled as he flipped through the notes and extended a hand toward Fu Qian, introducing himself. Mr. Fu, right? I am Qi Xue. Please dont take it the wrong way. The only reason we bothered you today is strictly due to our duties. After all, the sudden appearance of a Middle Tier master in our jurisdiction is something we must get under control. As for the conflict, Transcendents have strong life force, and fights and killings are inevitable. We cant interfere in every single case. Look, were all colleagues here, and professional integrity is much better. Fu Qian nodded. You may proceed with your questions. We already have the basic information. The bespectacled man flipped through Tan Mingxues notes. So, Ill ask the most intriguing question first, how did a master like you end up working as a bodyguard for the Wen Family? Entrusted by someone. Who? The bespectacled man suddenly looked spirited. Noment. After asking a few more insignificant questions, the bespectacled man put the notebook aside. Thank you for your cooperation. You may leave now. Hey! Tan Mingxue panicked. How can you let him go? Based on the current data, Mr. Fus past is quite clean, and the conflict was indeed part of his duties. As for theck of previous records, now that we have them, its resolved. The bespectacled man waved his hand to indicate to Tan Mingxue not to say more. Turning his head toward Fu Qian: Mr. Fu, if you have any questions, you can ask us as well. Questions? Fu Qian thought for a moment, then pointed at both him and Tan Mingxue. Inside this base, how many of you are as capable as you two? ` Chapter 23 - 22: A Hundred Percent Knockback Constitution_1 Chapter 23: Chapter 22: A Hundred Percent Knockback Constitution_1 How many of us are there like this? What do you want to do? Tan Mingxue had a wary look on her face. In fact, it wasnt just her, Qi Xue was alsopletely astonished and couldnt figure out why Fu Qian would ask such a question. Got it, not many. Fu Qian nodded. Oh, why do you say that? Qi Xue became interested. Fu Qian pointed at Tan Mingxue. Given her personality, if there were many, her reaction wouldnt be like this, it would probably be more like I have enough numbers to st you into dust or something. Haha! Qi Xue was stunned for a moment, then burst intoughter, eventually pping his thighs in sheer mirth,pletely disregarding the person with an ashen face beside him. Youre not wrong, Qi Xue said after he finishedughing, pushing up his sses. Mingxue is the leader of the second group, and Im responsible for the affairs of the first group. There are quite a few Night Watchmen in this city, but to be honest, there are indeed not many at our level. But dont say I didnt warn you, our boss, Qi Xue said, pointing upwards. Shes on apletely different level than us, youd best not have any strange ideas. So thats how it is, plenty of minions, single digits of powerful minions, plus a big boss in charge. Fu Qian summarized the situation with gamingnguage, roughly estimating the scene he was facing in Shura Mode. Precious information, his trip here hadnt been in vain. Fu Qian nodded. If theres nothing else, Ill be leaving. It was time to go back, every second he wasted here increased the risk of having to start over. Dont you want to know why the Wen Family is in this situation? Qi Xue suddenly said when he saw Fu Qian really getting up to leave. There was indeed a problem, but it was very unfortunate that he really had no interest in knowing. Time was Miss Wens life, his money, and his mission. However, to avoid arousing unnecessary suspicion, Fu Qian still reluctantly stopped. Lets hear it, but if I remember correctly, Group Leader Tan just said that the Wen Family wasnt being specifically targeted. Actually, thats not wrong. Theres no targeting, but the Wen Family indeed hasnt received any special consideration. As long as we do our official duties by the book, thats enough to give them a headache, Qi Xue said, spreading his hands. Actually, we dont really have any prejudice against Wen Li, but the Wen Familys business ventures are too widespread, even delving into some gray areas. Theyre registered with us, and although we dont manage some borderline stuff, we do keep some of the ounts in mind. Only the first sentence of these crap words has any value, Fu Qian nced at Qi Xue. Is there even one clean aristocratic family out there? Could you guys really be bothered with such trivial matters? Go ahead and tell me, what kind of prejudice do you actually have against Wen Li? Uh Qi Xue was taken aback again, then began tough, turning his head to Tan Mingxue. Im liking this guy more and more, hes quite powerful, and hes smart too. Hes good enough to be recruited as a formal member of the team. Ruthless and mysterious origins, Tan Mingxue snorted, giving only a two-word evaluation. Youre right, Qi Xue said, taking out a cigarette from somewhere and taking a drag, immediately entering a pensive state. The problem indeed lies with Wen Li. Mental Transcendents are notmon, and weve actually been paying attention to her for a long time. Although her ability was quite weak in the early stage, this type of ability is still unprecedented and very valuable. As she continued to grow, we discovered more and more surprises, and even made her file a special focus, thinking that when the time was right, we could provide some proper guidance. However, its regrettable that, not long ago, we received notice that her files level was adjusted to observe and respond ordingly. Basically, that means to keep observation and not intervene, you understand? Understood. Fu Qian had felt something strange before, but he had not expected there to be such hidden circumstances. With the influence of the Night Watchman, they certainly wouldnt care about any benefits the Wen Family might gain because of Wen Li. From holding high hopes to observe and respond ordingly, it could only be due to her own reasons. It seems his guess was not wrong; having any connection to the objects stored in the warehouse was somewhat abnormal. Of course, abnormal or not, he still had to carry out his mission. By the time he returned to the Wen Family Mansion, it was already noon. Qi Xue and his group were decent enough to send Fu Qian back. Fu Qian had now be a person of great interest within the Wen Family Mansion, with various versions of the reason he was taken away by the Night Watchman already circting. Wen Li had been informed early on. She did not rashlye out to meet him but could still be felt sighing with relief through the inte. Mr. Fu, they didnt give you a hard time, did they? As he walked into the living room, Wen Li couldnt wait to greet him. No, Group Leader Tan and the others were very enthusiastic, and we had quite a pleasant conversation. Fu Qian sized up Wen Li, making sure she hadnt encountered any problems during his absence. He remembered what Qi Xue had said at the Night Watchmen Base. Reliable or not, his mission was to ensure that this youngdy sessfully advanced to the Sixth Phase. But ording to Qi Xue, she was quite unique, even the Night Watchman had adjusted their expectations, opting to observe and respond ordingly. If she never advanced, was he supposed to remain her bodyguard indefinitely? Quite a pleasant conversation? Thisment clearly shocked Wen Li. When Tan Mingxue came to take someone away, her attitude had been quite unfriendly. Fu Qians swift and safe return had already greatly surprised her, and with what he said, it was as if he had been invited as a guest. Well alright, do you want to rest for a bit? Wen Li didnt ask further. She was already very grateful that Fu Qian was able to hurry back so swiftly. Theres no need. Fu Qian waved his hand dismissively and looked at Wen Li, asking the question he cared about most. When do you estimate youllplete your advancement? When? Wen Lis expression changed. Does Mr. Fu have new arrangements? Dont worry, I have a feeling it wont be long now. I have been at the Seventh Phase for quite some time, I can feel that Im only one step away from a breakthrough. But mental series advancements often require a certain opportunity, so its hard to confirm the exact timing, but it will definitely be in the near future. Once I have advanced to the Sixth Phase, I will have the means to protect myself and wont dy you for too long As she was earnestly exining to Fu Qian, Wen Li suddenly got some information that made her face light up with surprise, and she rushed to open the door. Dad, howe youre back so soon? A weary Wen Xiuxian walked in. Things didnt go so well, so I decided toe back early. Wen Xiuxians mood was obviously down, but seeing his beloved daughter brought a faint smile to his face. Mr. Fu is here too. I heard about the morning incident. It seems they didnt trouble you, thank you for your efforts these past few days. No problem. Fu Qian silently stepped forward, politely talking to Wen Xiuxian while ncing at Wen Li. Thetters initial surprise had vanished, and she was now frowning at her father, her expression filled with perplexity. Something wasnt right. A chill shed in Fu Qians eyes, confirming a suspicion he had. The next moment, Miss Wen was kicked and sent flying again. Chapter 24 - 23 Thug 1/3_1 Chapter 24: Chapter 23 Thug 1/3_1 Almost the instant Wen Li was kicked away, a furious power engulfed exactly where she had stood moments before. Fu Qian watched with his own eyes as Wen Xiuxians head swelled like a balloon until his entire body burst into a cloud of red mist. Everything happened in the blink of an eye; after sending Wen Li flying, Fu Qian moved forward to block the angle, and collided solidly with this tornado of flesh and blood. A thunderous tremor erupted, the intense shock making every organ in his body tremble. Not only that, the storm seemed to be mixed with countless tiny spikes, which, fortified by the powerful kic energy, frenziedly tore everything around to shreds. Three secondster, the storm dispersed. Fu Qian lowered his head and lifted his left hand. Below his shoulder, the skin hadpletely vanished, exposing flesh riddled with countless holes, in some ces even revealing stark white bones. I never even took such severe damage in Mortal Kombat! This things destructive power is actually quite impressive! Within the range of the blood-flesh storm, there was nothing left intact, not even the half-wall affected, which had turned into honeb coal. These assassins really do have extensive capabilities, able to create something with such strong lethality! However, the injury, though serious, was not fatal. Fu Qian expressionlessly straightened out the exposed blood vessels. The next moment, he kicked through the teetering wall with one foot. Gathering strength and using the recoil of the furious power, he instantly passed through the gap, shing to the side of a person outside, and kicked out. Its you! It didnt matter whether it was Wen Xiuxian or not, the attack just now was not something a hypnotizedmoner could deliver. Fu Qian did not believe that the assassins were so dedicated to their job that they would sacrifice their lives toplete the mission; someone nearby must be controlling it remotely. So, while he was being showered by the blood-flesh storm, he had all his senses wide open, not missing any trace, and eventually he locked on to a particr aura. At this moment, the owner of that aura was blending in with the bodyguards who had rushed over, making his way outside. Boom! With a kick charged with furious power, it struck with lightning speed and terrifying momentum. The target could no longer pretend, his body twisted, and in an instant, grew longer by a good margin; then, with an odd pose, he dodged this lethal strike. However, what greeted him was a hand blurred with blood and flesh. St! Like a crushed tomato, Fu Qians nearly fleshless left hand scored a hit with a true Nine Sorcery White Bone w on his opponent. [Thug: Assimtion Progress 1/3] [With invasion like fire and momentum like thunder, congrattions on beginning to grasp the essence of Thug Form.] The moment his grip went ck and the target stopped struggling, Fu Qian heard a prompt beside his ear. At the same time, a warm current flowed through his body. The sensations from the first use of Thug Form returned, only far more potent than before. After a surge of violent qi and blood, the exposed bones faintly exhibited a metallic sheen. The next moment, flesh regrew, wounds healed swiftly, and soon the bones were covered once again. Assimtion progress one third? Fu Qian took a deep breath, absolutely certain that he had undergone a transformation. If another attack came, he was confident he could dispatch Master Ji within ten seconds. But by that logic, his Thug Form was just getting started, and even now, he had only assimted a part of it? Invasion like fire, momentum like thunder C was it referring to the way he just took out that assassin? It could also be a culmination of all his past performances. And these things that are referred to as the essence of a Thug. So, it seems, the way to assimte Thug Form is to be like a Thug himself. Interesting! 1/3 has already enhanced so much; I wonder what will happen when I achieve full assimtion at 3/3. Fu Qian silently looked forward to it. Throwing the corpse on the ground, he retreated back into the room the way he hade. He nced at Miss Wen Li, who was struggling to get up from the ground. The scope of the fleshstorm wasnt toorge, and with himself standing in front of her, thedy hadnt sustained much damage. However, there seemed to be blood on her foreheadcould it be from the impact when he had kicked her out? He couldnt expect too much after all. He wasnt a professional nanny; it was unreasonable to guarantee no harm every single time. It had to be said that the one who had died for their cause outside had been quite professional, and extremely discreet. He had felt something was odd about Wen Xiuxian just now, hence he had taken a second look at Wen Li. This girls ability allowed her to sense the emotions of the people around her. Being father and daughter for many years, she should have been able to pick up on any anomalies more easily. Sure enough, it might be even beyond Wen Lis own realization, but the perplexed expression on her face indicated that she also subconsciously felt something was not right with Wen Xiuxian. Are you okay? Wen Li managed to stand up with the support of the wall, her voice trembling as she asked Fu Qian. Was that It was probably an assassin. But he looked like father. Its not out of the question that it really was your father. Considering the opponents skills in hypnosis and disguise, it was indeed quite probable that Wen Xiuxian had been captured and dealt with by them on his way out this morning. Wen Li was no fool; there was no need tofort her with lies. He wouldnt havee back so soon Wen Li mumbled subconsciously, then suddenly froze on the spot, her body rigid as she bent down to pick up something. It was a watch, deformed by the explosion, with countless tiny, honeb-like holes on it. A wave of agonizing wails filled the air, and Fu Qian heard a familiar prompt sound in his ears. [Containment Failed] [Sanity shattered, Wen Li has lost the potential for advancement] This can actually happen! Back in the warehouse, Fu Qian looked up at the sky speechlessly for a minute, feeling the joy of leveling up slightly diluted. Even with Wen Li alive, the mission could fail? Realizing that the deceased was indeed Wen Xiuxian, her emotional breakdown was understandable. But her sanity shatteringhad she gonepletely mad? Silently choosing the yback of the event, Fu Qian quickly fast-forwarded through his journey thus far and came to a conclusion. Escort missions really shouldnt be undertaken! Thinking back, this mission may not have featured werewolves or evil gods like before, but it was no less perilous. The Wen family might appear glorious on the surface, yet danger lurked in every corner. Wen Li herself was as fragile as sssurvival was not an easy feat. Now, there was even the possibility of failing without dying. Protecting two people was definitely more challenging than protecting just one. And neither Wen Li nor her father were the type to easily be bossed around; getting them to obediently follow ns was no easy task. The situation wasplex. Fu Qian fixed his gaze on the cocoon patterns of ck and white on the Mist Gate. When faced with an issue so entangled and full of pitfalls at every turn, the best solution wasnt to stubbornly proceed but to change the approach. For example, Shura Mode. [1 SAN Point consumed, attempting containment again] [1%3%10%50%98%100%, containment scene loadingplete] Dont look around! Captain Gus familiar voice came through. Looking at the intact Wen Family Mansion, Fu Qian took a deep breath. Chapter 25 - 24 Mindset Determines the Way Out, Pattern Determines the Outcome_1 Chapter 25: Chapter 24 Mindset Determines the Way Out, Pattern Determines the Oue_1 This was a race against time. Fu Qian kicked down the stone columns to trigger the rms again, proceeding deftly and swiftly. This time, he arrived in front of Wen Lis room in less than five minutes. Kicking the door in, blowing up bowls, and rescuing the person all in one breath. However, this time he didnt kick Wen Li aside to face the javelin-like stone column. Taking a deep breath, a savage force converged in his right hand, and as the stone column flew towards him, Fu Qian punched out directly. In the deafening boom that followed, dust filled the air. The stone column, thicker than a mans embrace, was hammered into thousands of pieces, raining down like hail within the room. Fu Qian withdrew his right hand and turned to look at the ash-covered people in the room. Silence fell as everyone witnessed a scene akin to the descent of a god, their ability to think seemingly halted. Good, that was exactly the effect he wanted! May I ask Wen Xiuxian was the first to snap out of it, carefully observing Fu Qians face as if weighing his words. Sir whats going on here? Theres no time to exin. Fu Qian grunted, adopting the demeanor of a wise man with his hands behind his back, signaling Wen Xiuxian to look at the Stone Giant that had appeared in the courtyard. Its urgent, lead the way to the bunker, or your daughter is as good as dead. This Wen Xiuxians instinct was to deny, but recalling the terrifying scene of Fu Qians stone-shattering punch, he swallowed his words. Although he had seen opulent bunkers built by wealthy elites before, when Fu Qian saw the bunkers massive metal door, nearly two meters thick, slowly opening, he realized he had underestimated the extent of their fear of death. This is it. Wen Xiuxian pointed inside the metal door. Once activated, this door can only be opened from the inside, its impossible to open from the outside. The supplies inside are also sufficient tost a very long time, but After recovering from the initial shock, Wen Xiuxian started to hesitate again. Having a stranger suddenly appear in your house, insisting on ushering you into a bunker without a word of exnation, would make anyone suspicious. Whats more, the stranger was dressed in a standard security uniform, the words Guwei on his chest shining brightly. This had to be a Transcendent of at least Sixth Phase, right? Howe I wasnt aware that this securitypany was so formidable! Do we really need to hide in here? Who are these people after all? People capable enough to kill you all, and its not we. Fu Qian pointed behind Wen Xiuxian. Only Wen Li and I will enter, everyone else leave. Without mymand, no one is allowed to approach, or theyll face summary execution. Who the hell do you think you are, giving orders like that! As Wen Xiuxian stood dumbstruck, unable to speak, a voice roared from behind. Young Master Ye, who had rushed over upon hearing themotion, could not hold back any longer. He probably hadnt seen what Fu Qian did just moments earlier; Fu Qian spared him a nce. Compared to Wen Xiuxian and the others, the group apanying Young Master Ye looked a lot cleaner. They must have only just entered the Wen Family Mansion when he smashed the stone column. You dont want to die, do you? Fu Qian didnt pay him any mind and turned to Wen Li instead. Miss Wen had her head and face drenched with poison soup and then washed with lime; she looked quite pitiful at the moment. Even so, her beauty could not be concealed, and she now had an added touch of vulnerability that made her all the more appealing. No wonder Young Master Ye was quick to protest upon hearing Fu Qians suggestion. I Wen Li, having had a scare not long ago, also showed a different kind of hesitation in her eyes. Can we go somewhere else? No! Confirming that her will to live was strong and that she wasnt on the verge of a mental breakdown, Fu Qian unceremoniously kicked her into the bunker and immediately activated the switch. How dare you! A roar came from behind; Young Master Ye,pletely ignored,shed out. A fierce gust of wind raced towards Fu Qians back. Perfect! He stomped a deep pit into the alloy floor, using the recoil to meet the oing attack head-on. Be careful! A silhouetteunched itself forward, reaching ahead of Young Master Ye, attempting to intercept Fu Qian. Ive been waiting for you! Master Ji, who had been silently posing as an expert, finally couldnt help himself. Facing an attack many times more fierce than Young Master Yes, Fu Qian didnt hesitate to meet it head-on. Fists and feet collided, and energy surged in all directions. The power from his recent upgrade sent Master Ji flying several meters away. It wasnt until then that Young Master Yes bted attack arrived. Fu Qian didnt dodge or evade, pping Young Master Yes face directly, not only interrupting his attack but even sending him flying. Hes beyond what we can handle! Afternding and falling into a frenzy, Young Master Ye was grabbed by Master Ji. Hurry and call the Night Watchman! Thetter quickly spat out two sentences, then vomited a mouthful of blood with a wah. Undoubtedly, as the top expert present, his judgment was not off the mark. The metal door slowly closed, no one daring to block it any longer. Standing behind the door, Fu Qian looked at Young Master Ye, his face a mix of fear, resentment, confusion, and various other emotions, and felt a strange sense of what the husband just saw. Imagination indeed is the source of filth; Mr. Fu is entirely about healing and saving people, please refrain from conjecturing with such vulgar plotlines. Creak! With that final noise, the metal door finally shutpletely, and the safe room fell silent. Fu Qian turned around; the space inside was quite spacious, with the Wen Family clearly having invested a lot here. Wen Li had already gotten up, now leaning against the wall, sitting there. After his upgrade, he had more control over his strength, sure that his kick hadnt caused her any harm. As their eyes met, Fu Qian sensed something was off. This woman had even taken the time to wipe her face in the midst of everything! I can feel it, you bear me no ill will, Wen Lis voice trembled, but she still spoke while catching her breath. Can you tell me why you are doing this? To save your life, Ive told you before. If its with good intentions, cant wemunicate in a more gentle way? We cant. Fu Qians face was expressionless, in cycles youre unaware of, the gentle approach had already been tried. Of course, that was only rtively gentle. Then, may I ask how long we will stay here? Wen Li suddenly remembered another question. Fu Qian raised a finger. A week Its not going to be a month, is it? Wen Lis expression was quite resistant. No, Fu Qian shook his finger. One day. Just one day? Wen Lis eyes lit up, clearly surprised by the answer. Does that mean the assassins will give up after today? No, it means you have one day to break through. Fu Qian again gestured with his finger. From now, startprehending! If by this time tomorrow you havent reached the Sixth Phase, Ill strip you bare and throw you out. Crying counts against the time too! Chapter 26 - 25 There wasn鈥檛 much time left for her_1 Chapter 26: Chapter 25 There wasnt much time left for her_1 Nothing is greater than the liberation of the mind; contrary thinking is very important. After previous failures, Fu Qians approach this time was very simple. There is no such thing as a thief-proof strategy that canst a thousand days. He no longer thought about how to ensure Wen Lis survival but instead ced her in an absolutely safe spot to allow her toplete her promotion as quickly as possible. An old saying goes, grant time for tasks, rather than granting tasks time. Wen Li took a full ten minutes to adjust her emotions, but even though she stopped crying, it was clear that she was still resistant. I dont understand, she said in a hoarse voice. You dont need to understand; you just need to make a choice, Make use of every second toplete your promotion, or end up naked on tomorrows news headlines. Also, let me remind you that even if you die here, it wont change how I handle things tomorrow. Fu Qian reminded the beauty of the cruel reality she faced. A beauty who wouldnt forget to wipe her face even in a life-or-death situation. He believed her potential was limitless when faced with such a threat. Can you at least tell me why youre doing this? Wen Li obviously had sound logical thinking and quickly came to terms with her fate. Still, she couldnt help but ask the question in her mind. Yeah, why are you doing this? To save your own life? He had indeed saved her more than once. But why make such an excessive request? A pervert who enjoys ying with human nature? You might be overthinking it. I was just passing by and noticed your unique bones indicating youre a cultivation prodigy. I took a special interest to enlighten you a bit and grant you an opportunity, I dont want this opportunity, is that okay? What the heavens offer, you cant refuse. But my abilities are greatly affected by my emotions. I really dont have the confidence to ascend under these circumstances. Didnt I already p Young Master Ye to cheer you up? Why would I be happy about that Ah, how do you know that! In the end, Miss Wen was forced to ept her fate and gradually calmed down. Sitting upright, with eyes slightly closed, she adjusted her breathing. In the quiet space, her whole being seemed somewhat ethereal for a moment. Indeed, dealing with a smart person is simple! Fu Qian looked at Wen Li, who sat with her back to him, and felt reassured. A gem cannot be polished without friction; you being so ambitious puts me at ease, Wen Lis seated body visibly shivered. Just a friendly reminder, you have 23 hours and 35 minutes left, Seeing that Wen Lis shoulders twitched slightly as if she might be crying again, he nodded in satisfaction once he was sure she would not ck the slightest, then stood in ce and closed his eyes. He wasnt nning to sleep; on the contrary, he could be said to have all his senses heightened, covering every corner. Wen Xiuxian had dered this ce as secure as Fort Knox, but that was based on his ownmon sense. Fu Qian had witnessed the Lightning Railgun, and in his view, the defenses were merely sufficient to avoid some minor troubles. Like right now, for instance. All of a sudden, Fu Qian opened his eyes and blew a breath towards the space in front of him. An almost imperceptible distortion appeared in the air, a nearly transparent fment, which drifted aside with his breath. Without a sound, a deep gouge appeared on the wall. The original target of the thing had been his neck. The next instant, the air stirred again, and more than ten of the same thin threads wrapped towards him from all directions. Fu Qian, however, made no move this time, letting them wrap around him. The incredibly sharp threads swiftly enveloped him from head to toe, and in the next moment, they constricted inward, intending to grind him into pieces. Feeling the threads nearly cutting into his flesh, Fu Qian took a deep breath. In the next instant, the sound of snapping filled the air as the threads entwined around his body broke piece by piece, scattering into the atmosphere. Ive found you. At the same time, Fu Qian leaped high, tearing open the venttion duct overhead. More of those fine threads tried to wrap around his hand but were seized in his grasp and yanked out forcefully. Hmph! A figure leaped out from the venttion shaft, ring at Fu Qian. It was actually an acquaintance. Looking at the poker-faced middle-aged woman before him. Group Leader Tan, youve aged prematurely. Fu Qian blew at the broken threads in his hand toward her. With their power gone, the threads were no longer transparent but had turned into grey-white strands of hair. Looking at the noticeably shorter hair on Tan Mingxues head, if it wasnt for an ident with her hairdresser, it was quite clear where these came from. The Night Watchman arrived quite promptly. Recalling Mr. Jis recent impersonation of the Jade Emperor, Fu Qian couldnt help but admire their efficiency in summoning help. Who are you? The impact of age on a woman is truly terrifying, originally Tan Mingxues expression was a mix of three parts solemnity and two parts confusion. After Fu Qiansment, it almost entirely shifted to murderous intent. A tangible aura of killing intent crazily spilled out from her. Fu Qian remained unperturbed, judging from past interactions, this woman had a rather explosive temper. Given the current situation, no matter how one looked at it, it seemed like hed kidnapped Miss Wen of the Wen Family and injured innocent bystanders; the only possibility for a peaceful exchange would be to surrender and go with her willingly. And that was a condition he could not ept. Better to enrage this woman and in her state of infuriation, she might reveal more ws which could be useful. Group Leader Tan just tried to put me to death, and you still dont know who I am? Fu Qian blinked. Theres a problem with yourw enforcement attitude. Thats not for you to judge. Answer my question or leave yourst words, choose one, Tan Mingxue said with an icy gaze. Despite her fury, she was a seasoned Transcendent and did not lose herposure further, much to Fu Qians disappointment. Ah Fu Qian ignored her and stretched a lengthy yawn. I choose neither. Obstinate fool! Tan Mingxue didnt speak further, and in the next moment, her hair moved on its own without wind, spreading out in all directions. Standing straight as if charged with static electricity. The tips of her hair once again extended and turned into those transparent threads, almost enveloping the whole room. As the threads waved, they sliced and stirred the air time and again. The entire room became an invisible meat grinder; one wrong step would lead to being hacked to pieces. If youre going to y dirty, you cant me me. Fu Qian extended his arms in parallel, doing a chest-expanding exercise. Need to wrap things up quickly. Miss Wens attention had clearly been drawn by the arrival of reinforcements; although she still sat there, she was no longer concentrating and even sneakily nced backwards. He needed to help her focus solely on the task at hand. After all, she didnt have much time left. Chapter 27 - 26 Ying Jian_1 Chapter 27: Chapter 26 Ying Jian_1 Time is money. Having finished his stretching, Fu Qian grinned at Tan Mingxue. But dont worry, youll soon be freed from such tedious matters. Tan Mingxue responded simply, her hair quivered, and countless fine strands moved toward the center, cutting towards Fu Qian as the radius. The same move wouldnt work on a Saint Fighter. Fu Qian took another deep breath and lifted his right foot. Boom! A foot powered with furious strength stomped onto the ground, the exploding momentum raced outwards, blowing away the myriad of thin strands in the air. Tan Mingxues signature skill was naturally not that simple, the strands swirled and rolled back, but thissted only for a breath before gathering again. A single breath was enough. A grating metallic ripping noise sounded as Fu Qian forcefully tore off the tabletop next to him. Almost everything inside the safe house was made of special metal, and this tabletop was even more excessively solid metal, it was very heavy in hand. Seeing this, a fluctuation of emotion finally appeared on Poker Face Tan Mingxue. Its toote for regrets now. Fu Qian didnt give her the chance to show off her skills, lifting the heavy tabletop to his chest. He turned, then let go. The next moment, the tabletop became a flying shield, with unstoppable kic energy, it flew towards Tan Mingxues head. At the same time, Fu Qians left hand spread open, silently firing five Air Bullets. Tan Mingxues long white hair almost instinctively gathered in front of her in an instant, converging into a ball to attempt blocking the seemingly all-destroying tabletop. Fragments filled the air, the tearing sound was incessant. The sharpness of the threads was staggering, the seemingly indestructible metal tabletop was instantly split into quarters and forcefully cut into fragments. Sharp, but pointless. Fu Qian was right, even if reduced to smithereens, every metal fragment still followed its original trajectory, resolutely continuing towards Tan Mingxues head. They even turned into a spray of shrapnel due to the fragmentation. Tan Mingxue clearly knew this too, as she awkwardly moved several metersterally, narrowly dodging this storm of deadly needles. The metal shrapnel smashed directly into the wall behind her, creating a honeb pattern of deep pits. However, the next second, the pupils of Tan Mingxue, who just avoided a fatal shot to the head, suddenly erged, and her nearly unbnced body shiftedterally again. Even so, an invisible bullet still struck her waist, sttering blood. Not bad! To think she didnt fall. As expected of the Night Watchman Leader, she is much stronger than that Mr. Ji. Huff huff! Panting heavily, one hand covering the wound on her waist, Tan Mingxues face was extremely unsightly. When she first received the news, she had heard a general description, but she never expected this guy to be much more terrifying than imagined. What kind of monster is this?! Ambush, despicable and shameless! Someone who uses that thing as a weapon doesnt seem qualified to talk about me. Fu Qian pointed at her hair. Are you ready? Ready for what? Tan Mingxue had no interest in talking to this guy, but she didnt mind if she had a chance to catch her breath and tend to her wounds. Last words. Fu Qian slowly spoke two words, but his eyes werent on her, instead, he was staring at Wen Li in the corner. At that moment, Wen Li was turning her head away, her mouth wide open in an O shape, as if unable to ept what had just happened. As their eyes met, Wen Li, as if electrocuted, abruptly turned her head back, shutting her eyes tight, focusing inward. Who on earth are you? Tan Mingxue uttered the ssic line of impending doom. A hermit from beyond this world. As Fu Qian replied, he picked up an ashtray from the ground. This had just fallen from the table. Hold the line, Ill rescue him first. Just then, a dark shadow shed overhead, as someone actually leapt down. Around thirty years old, wearing a ck top, with gold-framed sses. Qi Xue! Seeing the neer, Tan Mingxue almost instantly regained her strength, her voice filling with momentum. The ferocity and power demonstrated by her opponent just moments earlier had nearly made her lose confidence. Although she felt it was unnecessary, as she watched Qi Xue charge toward Wen Li, she still bit her teeth and once again mobilized all her transparent fments to attack Fu Qian. ng! A loud noise echoed, and Qi Xues figure stopped abruptly, standing a few meters away from Wen Li. In front of him, the wall was deeply indented by an ashtray that Fu Qian had thrown. Youd better stay away from there. Fu Qian, dodging Tan Mingxues attacks with a leisurely stroll, held two table legs he had just pulled out and walked up to him. Turning his head towards Wen Li, who was almost standing up. Do you really think hes here to save you? What do you mean? Wen Li had been thrilled to see new reinforcements arrive, nearly standing up with a shudder. But now, Fu Qians words left her baffled once again. Fu Qian said nothing but pointed to her head. This is Realizing her own panic, Wen Li took a breath to calm her emotions. The next moment, she took a step back in horror, staring at Qi Xue, who was not far from her. Youre not Who are you! I am not. Qi Xue suddenly revealed a ferocious smile, his facial features quickly melting and morphing, and in the blink of an eye, he became another mans face. Ignoring Wen Li, he turned to look at Fu Qian. Im a bit curious, how did you know? Do I even need to ask? This one here was the one who took the job to kill you. Fu Qian replied to the dumbfounded Wen Li on the side. You really are popr, both those who want to kill you and those who want to save you are eager toe in. As for how I knew? Fu Qian then turned back to the fake Qi Xue. Guess, hehehe. Of course, Fu Qian wouldnt tell him that he could recognize him because he had killed him once before and had memorized his scent. Thats right, this guy was the one who had controlled Wen Xiuxianst time. My disguise was absolutely perfect. The man gritted his teeth. Indeed very simr, look at that brainless one over there, didnt shepletely fail to notice? Fu Qian pointed to Tan Mingxue, whose face turned a deep red in an instant. Whats your name? After mocking Tan Mingxue, Fu Qian shifted his attention back to Assassin Brother. If you want to keep it confidential out of professional ethics, thats fine too. Your characteristics are still quite clear, and Ill just look it up after I finish you off. This guy caused him to fail the missionst time due to Wen Lis shattered psyche; today he was certainly not going to get away. Ying Jian, I am indeed doing this for money. The man looked at Fu Qian and started tough. Youre strong, and I indeed have no confidence that I can beat you, but if you really want to kill me, I advise you not to be impulsive. Riip. He tore open the upper part of his shirt. Chapter 28 - 27 Scarlet Frenzy_1 Chapter 28: Chapter 27 Scarlet Frenzy_1 ` In a narrow room where a fight could break out at any moment, a man suddenly tore his shirt to shreds. The action of Ying Jian was undoubtedly horrifying, causing Fu Qian to frown. Even more horrifying was the body revealed underneath the torn clothes. A web of dark red blood lines covered his entire upper body, deeply etched into each piece of flesh. With every breath he took, the blood lines seemed to wriggle slightly, as if they coulde to life and take flight at any moment. Scarlet Fever! At this moment, Tan Mingxue behind him started shouting. As expected of Group Leader Tan, you recognized it at a nce. Ying Jian wore a look of pride, shing a provocative smile at Fu Qian. This should help cool you down, right? Mysterious master from parts unknown. It wont. Fu Qian coldly flexed his wrists. If you have nothing else to say, consider this yourst words. Wait a minute! This time it was Ying Jian and Tan Mingxue both shouting together. Seeing that Fu Qian was really preparing to kill, their reactions were remarkably in sync. The smile on Ying Jians face had frozen. Are you crazy? Youd rather die with me than let me go? Are you trying to get us all killed? Tan Mingxue was also a mix of shock and anger. If you kill him, once the Scarlet Fever spreads, well all be dead! Is this thing that powerful? Fu Qian frowned. You dont recognize Scarlet Fever? Tan Mingxues mouth hung open, incredulously staring at Fu Qian. I dont. I thought he was undressing to show me his scars, to tell me hes a wounded soldier fighting on, determined in spite of disabilities. Determined in spite of disabilities my ass! Tan Mingxue and Ying Jian both felt like spitting blood. Scarlet Fever, you can think of it as a type of poison, as well as a curse. Finally calming down, Tan Mingxue quickly exined. Once infected, the blood in the body gradually heats up until it boils. As the flesh throughout the body decays, blood vessels will gradually move to the surface, forming these blood-red webs. Its said that if the host is strong enough, these vessels canpletely separate from the body after death, bing independent entities, even possessing the characteristics of truly being alive. This thing is extremely infectious. If you kill him here, it will fill the space instantly, and none of us will be able to escape. However, its not without its benefits. After being infected, it significantly enhances speed, strength, and overallbat ability, to some extent acting like a stimnt. Taking a deep breath, Tan Mingxue looked at Ying Jian. Worthy of being the renowned Shadow of Obliteration, able to obtain such a thing! This thing is very expensive; it took a lot of effort to get, and I never nned to use it here. Finding a sympathetic ear in Tan Mingxues words, Ying Jian regained some confidence and snorted. Unfortunately, an unexpected variable has arisen, and Ive had to use it as insurance. Have you not considered the consequences of what youre doing? Tan Mingxue gritted his teeth. Dont worry, if I dared to use it, Id have made sure to take full measures. After I send her off, there will be plenty of time to deal with this trouble. Ying Jian gestured towards Wen Li, but his gaze was fixed on Fu Qian. Shadow of Obliteration, sounds like a group? Fu Qian ignored him, looking instead at Tan Mingxue. Thats right, a notorious group of assassins, three Transcendents in total. Theyre responsible for many bloodbaths and have always been on the Night Watchmans wanted list. Let me think, there is also a Stone Man who can erge his body, and a professional who is good at hypnosis and poisoning? Thats right, those three always act together, with Ying Jian being the absolute core. I see, that all lines up then. Fu Qian nodded, satisfied. You three brothers owe me too many SAN Points. Though I dont know where you came from you are undoubtedly very strong, and I admit Im no match for you, even with the addition of Scarlet Fever. ` Ying Jian looked at Fu Qian. But now, the power has returned to my hands. And I have to thank you for bringing people here, allowing the Scarlet Fever to maximize its effect. Now you only have two options, step aside and let me kill Wen Li, or kill me and well all die together, and Wen Li will still die. I think even a child would make this choice. Of course, we can also keep this standoff going, but in no more than an hour, the Scarlet Fever in my body will erupt, and the oue will still be the same. Do you hear me? After Ying Jian finished speaking at length, Fu Qian instead turned to Wen Li and shouted. Youre going to die, how does it feel? Wen Lis body shuddered again, barely managing to stand by leaning on the wall. Of course, her feelings were terrible. Today, far too much had happened. Since a while ago, a series of changes had urred in the blink of an eye, and her emotions were like a roller coaster. First, she was poisoned, then she was rescued, followed by being held hostage by her rescuer, and then informed she only had one day to live. Fortunately, the Night Watchman arrived in time to rescue her, but the person holding her hostage was too strong. Just as reinforcements arrived and hope appeared, another Night Watchman turned out to be an assassin in disguise. Now she was fully caught in a no-win situation, and for a moment she felt utterly hopeless and exhausted. What does waiting for death feel like? Tell me. Fear, and perhaps a hint of relief, Wen Li inhaled, her voice trembling. You can mock this weakness, but I am not one of you, ustomed to life and death, please forgive me for not being able to face it calmly. Very good, you are honest enough. Fu Qian didnt ridicule her as expected, instead, he praised her. Now, watch closely. The next moment, Fu Qians figure disappeared from where he was. You A strong sense of crisis hit Ying Jian, and even before he could dodge, his neck was grabbed by an iron pincer-like hand, and he was mmed against the wall behind him with a ng. Fu Qian, dont be rash. This scene made Tan Mingxue turn pale instantly, unconsciously stepping back several paces. Qi Xue will bring people over soon. Dont fool yourself. You cannot hear what is said inside from the outside; are you sure that after this Qi Xue arrives, they will still look for the Night Watchman? Now, would you like to hear my opinion? Fu Qian, holding Ying Jian by the neck, slowly lifted him into mid-air with a smile on his face. Using mutual destruction as a bargaining chip toplete your mission, it looks courageous. Unfortunately, your fearlessness is based on the belief that you will absolutely not die. That ispletely different from true bravery. Look at you now, even when you have fallen into my hands, you subconsciously dare not fight back, afraid that the thing on your body will explode. Hasnt this helped you recognize your true nature? Fu Qians grip tightened, and Ying Jians blood vessels visibly twitched as if they might burst open at any moment. We can talk talk With hisst ounce of strength, Ying Jian barely spat out a few words. Mutual destruction is unnecessary You still dont understand. Its very necessary, extremely necessary. Fu Qian shook his head as he looked at Wen Li. Do you understand now? I The fear of dying every second surged in Wen Lis heart. Yet seeing Ying Jian, who had been so arrogant just moments before, being held like a dog in someones hand, gave her an odd sense of relief. Feeling the violent shift in her emotions. The next moment, Wen Li fell into a strange peace. I seem to understand. Chapter 29 - 28 Swallowing_1 Chapter 29: Chapter 28 Swallowing_1 With Wen Lis words, a silent storm swept through the entire space before quickly dissipating into nothingness. In terms of intensity, the impact was no more than a breeze against the face, but Fu Qian felt that something was different. Before he could fully savor it, a non-human screech echoed through, causing his eardrums to ache. The Ying Jian he was choking in his hand began to struggle violently. Has it gone mad from fear? Fu Qian nced at it. The top-tier assassin who had just been suggesting a negotiation now had bloodshot eyes and a throaty growl like that of a beast, almost heedlessly twisting its body. A snapping sound was heard. The Ying Jian, which had all along been unable to break free, suddenly had its neck broken. What was more bizarre was that the break was already dry as kindling, without any blood flowing out. The now beheaded Ying Jian did not stop struggling; in fact, its movements became even more frenzied. As the sound of wind rang out, Fu Qian twisted his head, dodging a w aimed at his own skull. The missed w, under the force of its momentum, led to the already decaying arm breaking off as well. Just as before, no blood flowed out, but the dark red streaks of blood that had covered the surface of the arm detached all at once. Then came the shoulder, the chest, the upper body. Like a cicada shedding its shell, the dark red bloodlines pulled themselves out from the corpse of the Ying Jian, bit by bit, and quickly slid onto the wall, tightly clinging to it. With the Ying Jian dead beyond dead in his hand, Fu Qian threw the remains aside. At this very moment, his head felt as if a grenade had gone off inside it. An extremely violent urge to ughter filled his mind, stimting every nerve, and shaking his thoughts to the brink of copse. Every cell in his body became agitated, as if only the bloodiest of killings could quell it. Hiss! Taking a deep breath, Fu Qian looked back. Wen Li was standing still with her eyes tightly shut. Still pale and frail, but the aura she now gave off had visibly changed, enshrouded with a hint of mystery. Further away, Tan Mingxue hadpletely copsed, hugging herself tightly and trembling in a corner. Countless transparent strands formed from her hair were chaotically entwined around her body, preventing anything from approaching. Could that invisible storm amplify a persons emotions? Fu Qians mind stirred, trying to analyze the current situation with the remnants of his reason. Clearly, the Ying Jian had been affected; previously, it was only focused on escaping, so it had just now desperately tried to break free from his grip. Exponentially unexpected was that Tan Mingxue was the same; that woman was far less brave than she appeared. And to think shes a Night Watchman! As for Wen Li, the storm had obviously been released from her, which made her the source of the anomaly. From this perspective, his n to stimte Wen Li with the pressures of death and fear had seeded. Although the missions sess notification had not yete, Wen Li was clearly undergoing a transformation. As to whether this was the leveling up opportunity she mentioned, that remained to be tested. Crack! With a muffled sound, Fu Qians right hand was forcibly broken. There was no choice; had he not done it, he would have already pounded the people around him into mincemeat. However, within a matter of seconds, the broken hand firmly healed. Breaking Wen Li would make it stop. In the midst of cracking sounds, Fu Qian broke one hand after another, standing still and forcing himself to calm down. Breaking Wen Li was easy, but the difficulty was not to hurt her (physically). Just then, a wave of crimson turmoil rolled before his eyes. Amidst a bout of shaking, the thing that had detached itself from the body of Ying Jian on the wall had curled into a spiked ball. Not only that, but the ball was expanding wildly, countless blood-colored vessels twining together, corroding and devouring everything they encountered. The closest to it was Wen Li, who had remained unmoving. In ten seconds at most, this person would breathe theirst and the young genius would perish. Fu Qian quickly made a judgment. But if he smashed this thing, the Crimson fanaticism would disperse. He didnt care for himself, but the question remained whether Wen Li, even though she had leveled up, could survive was still an unknown. The moment the two choices appeared in his mind, Fu Qian felt his brain be a muddle, barely able to think. Indeed, the emotions of indecision had also been amplified. He watched as that thing grew wildly, expanding several times in the blink of an eye, now only a step away from Wen Li. To kill it without breaking it was a bitplicated. The more stringent the requirements, the broader the thought process had to be. Fu Qian took a step forward, and the next moment, hepletely released the suppression of his frenzied killing intent. Crackle! A burst of blood light, and his right hand, which had been restored, left a deep, unfathomable wound on his own chest. Driven by the frenzy of the killing intent, his bodys metabolism was activated to the extreme. Almost in an instant, the cells at the wound grew wildly, turning into sharp fangs. Inhaling deeply, the split in his chest rapidly tore open wider, and in half a second, it turned into a gaping maw full of sharp teeth. Fu Qian opened it towards the dark-red mass. The mass, now several timesrger, had no chance to avoid and was swallowed whole. The mouth snapped shut, and the mass began to struggle fiercely. However, no matter how much it lurched from side to side, it was still firmly suppressed by the frenzied state of the cells, finding no way out at all. After who knows how many collisions, the mass finally burst and disintegrated. A scorching red mist escaped, yet it was still locked tightly in Fu Qians chest, not a wisp getting out. Half a minuteter, Fu Qian stepped forward and kicked Wen Lis body. Ah! Wen Li let out a scream, opened her eyes, and jumped up from the ground. Seeing her get up so briskly, there was no need to ask; she had definitely reached the Sixth Phase. Fu Qian could feel the frenzy inside him dissipate in an instant; it was indeed because of her. Leveling up in the psychic domain is such a hassle! Mr. Fu, thank you for your help, Looking around, Wen Li seemed to understand what had happened. A look of surprise appeared on her face, and she bowed deeply to Fu Qian. But Fu Qian didnt engage in conversation. Instead, he stared at Wen Lis eyes, which were now much deeper than before, while a voice echoed in his ears. [Wen Lis death, containment failed] The next moment, the scene in front of him rapidly fell apart, and Fu Qian was back in the familiar warehouse. [Evaluation: Madness to the extreme] [Kill: Ying Jian x1] [Special Kill: Crimson Angel x1] [Special Kill Reward: Tyrants Fist] [Current SAN Points: 33] [Would you like to y the event recap?] To think this could also fail, his intuition wasnt wrong, this mission was much harder than it appeared on the surface. Fu Qian took a breath but didnt do anything like smashing the keyboard; instead, he stood in ce and directly chose to review the incident. He needed to confirm something. Wen Li was standing right in front of him, having sessfully advanced to the Sixth Phase, yet the prompt was death and containment failure. Unless she was not Wen Li! Skipping ahead all the way to the end, Fu Qian watched Wen Li bow and then stand up. The same face, the exact same expressions, butpared to before the upgrade, there was an extra hint of evil in the depths of her eyes. Chapter 30 - 29: It鈥檚 Impossible to Work Overtime_1 Chapter 30: Chapter 29: Its Impossible to Work Overtime_1 [Tyrants Fist: Weapon] [Effect: Can unleash the Scarlet Whip to ravage enemies, eachsh causing the target to lose their sanity] [The Tyrants fist, usually takes the form of a whip] Fu Qian looked at his special kill reward. It was the first time he had received a weapon after so long. But the appearance of this weapon really challenged ones imagination. With such a domineering name as the Tyrants Fist, it was actually a ring! This ring was clearly not made of metal, but rather of numerous lustrous fibers twisted together, its whole body a dark red, and even a bit warm to the touch. Crimson frenzy? It was really hard not to associate it with that thing. Fu Qian had never worn a ring in his life. He picked up the Tyrants Fist hesitantly, made a domineering gesture with his right hand, and slipped the ring onto it. His blood surged, and Fu Qian flicked his right hand, casting a whip made of twisted blood vessels and muscle that shed through the air and disappeared. The strength and speed were good, and the activation was quite concealed, almost as if his arm had extended. Not bad, it seemed to make up for hisck of mid-range attack methods. He had the Air Bullet for long-range before, and he feared no closebat, but with this thing, he could be flexible, long or short, firm and unyieldingbleh! As for the effect of losing ones sanity. Fu Qian thought for a moment, flicked his arm, and whipped himself on the back with the Scarlet Whip. Amidst the sttering of fresh blood, a burst of ferocious killing intent shed through his mind and vanished. Excellent! After eating such disgusting things, there was finally some constion! Fu Qian nodded in satisfaction and reached out to touch the Mist Gate before him. [Consuming 1 SAN Point to reattempt containment] [1%5%18%50%99.5%100%, containment scene loadingplete] Now it was time to do his job. Overtime was out of the question. [Skills: Air Bullet, Visceral Critical Strike, Cat School] [Weapon: Tyrants Fist] [Current SAN Points: 32] The glimmering waves, the Wen Familykeside mansion once again came into view. Dont look around! In the face of the serious Captain Gu, Fu Qian patted the shoulder of this ckers leader. I know. Sneaking in through broken columns, kicking in doors and smashing bowls. With one kick he sent Miss Wen flying, turned around to smash an iing stone pir, then picked up Wen Li and made his way to the underground safe house. The moment the safe house door closed, Fu Qian saw Young Master Ye, alerted and rushing over, being firmly held back by Master Ji. How long do we have to stay here? In the safe house, faced with Wen Lis question, Fu Qian once again held up a finger. A week? No, its an hour. Fu Qian shook his head. If youre not at Sixth Phase in an hour, I will peel off your skin! Im sorry, but this is an impossible task for me, maybe you could just get started. Wen Li stared nkly at Fu Qians face, then after a while, let out a bleak smile. This was never your mission. Fu Qian blinked. Come out! I dont understand what you mean Wen Lis eyes were full of confusion. Crackle! The heavy metal tabletop was yanked off once again by Fu Qian. The next moment, the tabletop was hurled overhead, directly shredding the mouth of the venttion duct and solidly blocking it. With a resounding boom, the entire safe house couldnt help but shake. You have 58 minutes left. Fu Qian continued to watch Wen Li with an expressionless face. Thetter stared straight back at Fu Qian, and after a long while, her face broke into a smile. I really cant deal with you! But is one hour really not enough? The previous pitiful hesitance had vanished, and Wen Li walked elegantly to the side and sat down. Just as I thought, I knew there was something strange about you. How should I address you? Wen Li is fine, isnt it? Essentially, I am the same person as her. Wen Li blinked, crossing her legs and propping them up. Even though I dont know why you insist on meing out, its quite nice to have someone to talk to. Many times, having a talent is not a fortunate thing. Over many years of growth, being forced to listen to countless peoples innermost thoughts, sensing their emotionsthose voices are so noisy that you might forget what your own original feelings were. Amidst endless troubles and hesitations, one day, I became we Nice storytelling, but unfortunately, I hate when my time is wasted. Before Wen Li could finish, an Air Bullet grazed her forehead, causing a stinging pain on her scalp as countless strands of hair fell. You can be anything, but you are definitely not Wen Li. Fu Qian withdrew his hand, sayingzily. Why would you say that? Wen Li sat up straight, her expression bing grave for the first time. Nonsense, if you were a split personality product of Wen Li, I wouldnt bother with you. No matter which one of you advances to the Sixth Phase, my mission isplete, and afterwards, you can do whatever you like. But the problem is,st time Wen Li clearly seeded in advancing to the Sixth Phase, yet the notification I received was that the Wen Lis Death mission failed. The only exnation is that even within the same body, this thing is apletely different entity from Wen Li. This is also the reason Fu Qian only gave an hour this time, and the threat changed from stripping and throwing out to killing directly. Last time, this entity never showed up in the face of the stripping threat, indicating she didnt care much about that. Sure enough, Wen Li was terrified by the threat of being stripped, but now she seemed resigned to her fate, and this entity clearly cared more about life and came out immediately. Of course, Fu Qian wouldnt divulge these thoughts, just snorted coldly. I have been wandering around for many years, seen countless women, and have long developed discerning eyesyour trivial tricks cant fool me! You are free to keep making things up, but just a friendly reminder, you only have 50 minutes left. You can call me Yvette. The fake Wen Lis expressionpletely cooled down. You are indeed somewhat unique! Thank you for thepliment, can you reveal your true origin? This was indeed something Fu Qian was curious about, intuitively it was the key to Wen Lis connection with the containment item. [2-292; Cocoon Chamber] You guessed right, I was born from her, but I am indeed not her. But what I said earlier, was not entirely false. The pain and confusion Wen Li encountered were real, and I was born from the intense emotional turbulence that couldnt be dissipated. Of course, she never knew about my existence. In a sense, I am the power of the Transcendent itself; Wen Li is just the soil in which I grew. For this reason, as long as she can advance to the Sixth Phase, I will be able to fully revive from inside her, and she will vanish forever. I believe the things Ive said have shown enough sincerity, right? Yvette fixed her gaze on Fu Qian. No matter what your goals are, I must tell you clearly that it is impossible to advance to the Sixth Phase within an hour. Now I havepletely taken over the body, and with the umtion having reached its limit, all you need to do is give me one more dayno, five hours, and I will be able to attempt to fulfill your request. Yvette broke into a sweet smile, grabbing Fu Qians hand and pressing it onto her dazzlingly white thigh. During this process, I dont need to be so quiet; you can use the extra time however you want. The touch was smooth as if touching condensed milk; Fu Qian looked carefully and, even with the most critical gaze, couldnt find a single w. Coincidentally, I happen to have some special skills for use. Chapter 31 - 30 Whipping Through the Glass_1 Chapter 31: Chapter 30 Whipping Through the ss_1 Special skill? Yvette looked at Fu Qian with puzzlement. Yes. Thetter flicked his wrist, and a Scarlet Whip appeared out of nowhere, creating a beautiful whip flower. Looking at the blood vessels and tendons on the whip, Yvettes expression instantly became as colorful as could be. You psychopath! Yvette could certainly tell that this whip was not a kinky toy but a bona fide weapon. Her heart sank as she looked at Fu Qian, unable to understand. What on earth do you want to do? How does this benefit you? Smack! In the face of her usation, Fu Qian didnt utter a word, answering her with his actions instead. Apanied by another crisp crack, a deep mark was left on Yvettes baster arm. Taken by surprise, the intense pain made Yvette scream miserably. However, the next moment, something even more terrifying happened. A chaotic and violent thought arose in her mind, causing her sanity to waver. Why would you do this? Yvettes voice became hoarsely unusual as she tried her best to dodge, but to no avail in front of the intangible and shadowless Scarlet Whip. Why? Fu Qian struck anothersh, stepped back, stood tall, and let out a cold scoff. Audacious evil creature, I knew at first nce that youre not human! Watch as I reveal your true form! Prepare to catch the demon! This bizarre line nearly froze Yvette on the spot, then she was, without a doubt,shed again. Why! Why must you force me! Amidst her severe pain, howls emerged from her throat. At the same time, a wildly violent aura emanated from her. Centered around the red whip marks on her body, Crystal Scales began to emerge, quickly spreading across her entire body. Each scale bore a blurry face that emitted waves of wailing. Soon, the Crystal Scales enveloped herpletely, turning her into a massive crystal with countless facets that would make any woman scream. In her movements, the collective wails from the scales formed a wave of sound that could drive ones psyche into chaos. Under the assault of the sound waves, even Fu Qian felt his head grow heavy as though he had been struck by a hammer. [SAN Points -1] This sound actually caused him to lose SAN Points? One cannot help but recall the scene of facing the offspring of an Evil God. This thing truly isnt human! Confirming his judgment, Fu Qians hands moved more decisively, repeatedly striking his target with Tyrants Fist. When he deduced that something might be lurking inside Wen Li, he thought of ways to coerce the entity into submission; however, none were as effective as this newly-gained weapon, a pleasant surprise. Why! Why! Yvettes upper body fell to the ground, her neck stretching to an incredible length, staring at Fu Qian on all fours, the sounds she made now almost resembling the howling of beasts. Under continuousshings, the negative buildup of Tyrants Fist was terrifying, and for someone like her with mental abilities, it was far more fearsome than physical damage. At this moment, the intense mental stimulus coupled with the desire to survive, made her transform her state at all costs. As long as she could advance to the Sixth Phase, everything would be different. Die! After taking anothersh without evasion, Yvette finally fought back. Her Crystal Scales seemed to possess an incredible strength; the Scarlet Whip could no longer leave any marks on them. She went down on all fours, like a charging beast, and after a brief sprint, she leaped high, her front ws tearing towards Fu Qians chest. The speed and strength were almost catching up with the physical type. Reaching the Middle Tier really was a qualitative change! Facing this terrifying strike, Fu Qian felt a wave of emotion. What he felt even more deeply, though, was that this creature really had lost its mind. You might be close to the physical type, but youre up against the real physical type. Easily dodging Yvettes attack, Fu Qian kicked her squarely in the waist, sending her flying. Considering his mission objective, he didnt put too much force into the kick. This thing shared a body with Wen Li; if he truly killed Wen Li, he would unquestionably fail his mission. One thing was now certain: Wen Li had not yet died, otherwise, his mission would have been a failure long ago. She was most likely in a nearatose state. Yvette, kicked away, rolled and then quickly steadied herself on all fours again, staring at Fu Qian with a fierce re. What strong nerves you have! So many strikes with the whip and still not insane. Fu Qian squinted his eyes. It must be the Scales neutralizing the effects of the subsequent strikes from Tyrants Fist; Yvettes condition actually seemed to be stabilizing. I might have to thank you, a hoarse voice came from Yvettes throat. Although this isnt the way I wanted,pleting the ascension in this form might bring me unimaginable benefits. Your weapon is interesting, but its a pity it still fell a little short of making me lose control, haha. Once Im done with all this, Ill let you experience what true agonizing madness is! No need to be so polite. Upon hearing Yvettes threat, Fu Qian was not the least bit worried. If it was just a little bit short, how about this? Blood sttered as he viciouslyshed the Scarlet Whip across his own back. Boom! A chaotic and violent murderous intent surged within him. Someone once told me that she is like a mirror, capable of clearly sensing and reflecting the emotions of those around her, so how about adding this to the mix? Is this enough now? No sooner had Fu Qian finished speaking than Yvette let out a mournful howl, her limbs trembling before she copsed to the ground, a look of uncontroble terror in her eyes. It seemed to work. p p p! Fu Qian, controlling the Tyrants Fist, repeatedly struck himself without pause. As the finalsh fell, Yvette let out an earth-shaking scream, the Crystal Scales on her body shattered to pieces, and she copsedpletely. Fu Qian stopped and walked over to her side. He could clearly sense that the part of the consciousness belonging to Yvette hadpletely disintegrated. Next was the test of willpower. Fu Qian squatted down, bringing his mouth close to her ear. Times up, Im sorry you didnt meet my requirements. But Ive changed my mind; Ive decided to strip Miss Wen naked and throw her out. After repeating it twice, Fu Qian felt an astonishing wave of emotion emanating from her. The beast on the ground began to breathe rapidly, with psychic storms radiating outwards. Once again, Fu Qian experienced the sensation of emotions being amplified. It seemed effective! Feeling an exaggerated sense of joy within, Fu Qian quietly observed the changes in Wen Li. With her breathing gradually bing stable, the twisted deformities on her body slowly reverted, and the numerous broken mirror fragments melded away, returning to soft skin. After a while, as Fu Qian could hear people clearing obstacles in the venttion ducts, Wen Li slowly opened her eyes. [Containment Complete] Chapter 32 - 31: The Essence of Upgrading is Giving Birth to Aliens?_1 Chapter 32: Chapter 31: The Essence of Upgrading is Giving Birth to Aliens?_1 Wen Li, who had just awakened, still looked a bit dazed. But Fu Qian could clearly sense that the aura emanating from her was much stronger than before. Rubbing her eyes and recognizing the high and mighty Fu Qian above her, Wen Li suddenly jolted awake, instinctively reaching to touch herself. Undoubtedly, a piercing scream that could split eardrums resounded. There was no helping it, having received so manyshes just now, even the best quality clothing couldnt withstand it. Add to that the tears from the twisting and deformation of her body, it was no exaggeration to describe Wen Lis current state as riddled with countless wounds. Tch, as if anyone was interested in looking! Congrattions on leveling up, Fu Qian said with a smile while looking at Wen Lis face, offering his congrattions. This was a joy that came from the heart. Ah! Wen Li shuddered and stared at Fu Qians face, so much so that she was unaware that she had even let down the arm covering her chest. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes to release her perception, only to feel a power within her that she had never experienced before surging intensely. Truly, Sixth Phase! She had really broken through the bottleneck and officially be a Middle Tier Transcendent! But I really dont remember anything, and I dont know what happened. Wen Li frowned and murmured subconsciously. This is destiny, the daughter of fate, nothing more than that! Fu Qian sighed deeply, thinking to himself that there is no need to be modestshe had indeed just slept, and others had taken the hardships for her. Of course, it was also true that she had taken quite a few kicks, and the title of kick receiver was truly befitting of her. As the noise above became closer, Fu Qian estimated that Tan Mingxue and the others would be able to break through the venttion shaft soon, and he posed onest question to Wen Li. Do you resist hiding in the safe house because its rted to your ability? If there are no people nearby for you to perceive emotions from, would your own emotions be reflected and amplified repeatedly? How do you know Wen Li suddenly looked up, but the person in front of her had already disappeared, leaving only a mess in the empty safe house. Nonsense, if this wasnt your issue, you couldve just found a ce to hide whenever you didnt want to hear others emotions, and there wouldnt have been any unbearable torment. The only exnation is that you suffer more when you are alone. Fu Qian mused internally upon his return to the warehouse. The anomaly that urred during Wen Lis upgrade had already made him suspect, and now he finally had confirmation. [Evaluation: Merciless Sacrificial de] [Emerging from a chrysalis is a painful process, especially when you are the chrysalis. You personally extinguished an underdeveloped creature and allowed transcendent powers to ascend in a seemingly normal fashion. No one will know this secret, including Wen Li herself, whom you saved, just like when life is nurtured within a chrysalis, nobody knows what happens inside.] [Kill count: Yvette x1] [Reward: SAN Points +25; Inspiration +5] [Do you wish to rey the event review?] Wrap up! Fu Qian was very satisfied with the results of hisst attempt. The Mist Gate and the anomalies in the warehouse had disappeared, indicating clearly that he could clock out. Looking back now, the ck and white worm chrysalis lying on the Mist Gate, in a sense, had already foreshadowed the rtionship between Wen Li and Yvette. You personally extinguished an underdeveloped creature and allowed transcendent powers to evolve in a seemingly normal fashion. Based on the literal meaning, the transcendent powers in the containment scenes world are quite peculiar indeed. ` When I first entered, the undeveloped juvenile mentioned in the prompt was naturally assumed to be Wen Li, who needed protection; now, it seems it actually referred to Yvette. She had been silently growing inside Wen Lis body, and under normal circumstances, the moment Wen Li advanced to the Sixth Phase, her consciousness would have beenpletely reced by Yvette. By then, no one would know the Middle Tier Transcendent Wen Li was no longer the person she used to be, and Yvette would have officiallypleted the process of emerging from her cocoon. This was also the reason for myst missions failure. Alien form, ah! Fu Qian inexplicably thought of a line. Letting Transcendent powers evolve in a seemingly normal way. This sentence suggests that in that world, this process is unknown to people. At least to most peoples eyes, no one would realize that Wen Lis advancement to the Sixth Phase was fundamentally such a change, but would instead regard it as a normal upgrade. At this point, the directive from the Night Watchman to watch and wait took on some significance. What did they know? Or did they sense something? Of course, none of that mattered now, it was time to go back and rest! I have to say, todays workload was a bit heavy, escort missions are indeed the most exhausting. Compared to that, the rewards for containing the situation seemed somewhat meager. Aside from the regr rewards, there was nothing else. But upon further reflection, although the containment scenario was fraught with traps, I did not encounter any powerful entities difficult to contend with. Moreover, in the previous attempts, I had already gained quite a lot of benefits. I wonder if the rewards might be upgraded if the sitting big boss of the Night Watchman made a move. As for the ident rey, Fu Qian did not check it out. Not to mention the process was so brief that it hardly required assisted memory, but Miss Wens exposed scenes were not few either; its better to respect the newly advanced Sixth Phase. Upon returning home, Fu Qian immediately looked at the clock and found it was the exact same time as when he had entered. Indeed, working in that job did not consume real-world time; no matter how long I stayed, when I emerged it was still the exact moment of entry. Outside it was still early sunrise, as if nothing had changed at all. Fu Qian shook his right hand a bit, and there on his middle finger, a dark red ring was strikingly visible. Under the sunlights reflection, it seemed as if blood was surging within it. Quite a few things had changed, after all. Recalling the scene of swallowing the dark blood clot, Fu Qian couldnt help but touch his chest again. Although the thought was a bit nauseating, that shape was really sharp, and thinking about it, theres a special kind of beauty to it. Speaking of which, since the rewards I gained could be brought back to reality, then, in theory, could I transform into that in the real world too? Stop! Fu Qian rubbed his face, interrupting his bold thoughts. Indeed, has the harsh working environment caused spiritual contamination? Now, it seems Ipletely deserve the million-dor sry. Speaking of which, I ran off to work as soon as I got out of bed today, and havent even had breakfast. Fu Qian went to the kitchen and whipped up a bowl of noodles for himself in a few minutes. As everyone knows, noodles are an indispensable magic weapon for people who live alone. This simple food, with just a pot of boiling water plus two leaves of vegetables, can soothe a ravenous stomach. As someone without family or close ties, Fu Qian had an abundant experience living alone and had mastered this skill long ago. Of course, most importantly, this one of the cheapest foods perfectly matched his near-bankrupt spending level before, so he had stocked up quite a lot at home. Looking at the steaming noodles on the table, Fu Qian was about to dig in when a timely knock on the door was heard. ` Chapter 33 - 32 Friends_1 Chapter 33: Chapter 32 Friends_1 Open up! Time to get up! Without waiting for Fu Qian to respond, the visitor was already shouting outside the doorit was Qin Mingzes voice. Fu Qian reluctantly nced at his noodles before getting up to open the door. Outside, in addition to Young Master Qin who had visited yesterday, there was a new, seemingly harmless young man in his twenties. Looking at Fu Qian, who had opened the door, the two silently exchanged nces. Has Young Master Qin been so freetely, unemployed? Fu Qian looked expressionlessly at Qin Mingze. Unemployed, my ass, its Saturday! Xiao Yu and I came to hang out at your ce. Qin Mingze nearly spat all over Fu Qian as he spoke and pushed his way into the room. Xiao Yu, the student in question, smiled helplessly, greeted Fu Qian, and followed him into the house. Xiao Yus full name was Wu Qingyu, a familiar face to Fu Qian, and a mutual friend with Qin Mingze. The twenty-four-year-old Wu Qingyu was a student at a prestigious medical college, currently doing his internship and rumored to be so overworked that he couldnt tell up from down. Fu Qian hadnt seen him in a month or two. Uh! Young Master Qin dashed into the living room and plopped down on the couch, letting out afortable groan. Theres nothing like these fabric couches, my neck pain was about to re up these past few days. Next to him, Wu Qingyu was even more dramatic, lying motionless on the couch as soon as he touched it. Out with itwhats up? You guys didnte over just to mooch off my couch. Fu Qian nced at his meal on the table. Hurry it up, I havent eaten yet. Youre just going to eat this? Young Master Qin looked at the table, his face a picture of horror. Forget it, Xiao Yu and I brought some stuff over; you can make do with that. Lying down, Wu Qingyu weakly handed over a bag upon hearing this. No real reason, Xiao Yu and I just happened to have the day off, and he mentioned we havent seen you in a while, so we decided to drop by. Our weekend get-togethers have been on hold for quite some time. Young Master Qin exined with a straight face. Qin Mingze and Wu Qingyu were among the few guests that woulde over to Fu Qians ce. Once upon a time, Fu Qian too was a bright young man, an excellent student. With his extraordinary intelligence, for a long time, he was the child everyone elses parents talked about, the nightmare of countless ssmates. However, after his parents died in an ident when he was ten, Fu Qian underwent a major personality shiftby his own ount, it was a profound realization. After months of contemting the meaning of life, he decisively kicked words like studies, social life, future, love, and career out of his vocabry, morphing into his current self. Naturally, very few friends remained. Nowadays, with Qin Mingze and Wu Qingyu included, that was basically his entire social circle. You off today? Fu Qian asked, looking at Wu Qingyu lying down in a sprawled pose, who hummed in affirmation. Didnt you say before that you were too busy to die, with absolutely no time to rest? Busy, for sure! Wu Qingyu covered his face with a pillow, his voice dreamy. Running errands, working night shifts, stickingbels, and whenever I get some rest, I freaking have to write papers. Now when I sleep, my head is filled with nothing but papers So I came here to rx a bit. Right, bring out your console, lets y. I havent touched it in ages and my hands are itching. Qin Mingze patted Fu Qian. It must be mentioned here that, although Fu Qian often struggled between meals, his home was indeed equipped with a full set of gaming gear, with regr updates. For instance, he went broke recently because he had just bought thetest gaming console. As for why, as a member of the lie-t tribe, Fu Qian really had lots of free time, and gaming was a great way to get a dopamine fix. Moreover, writing copy for some indie games was one of his sources of ie. As Fu Qian would say, creativity demands understanding the application context, so it was important to draw appropriate material when necessary. What do we y today? Young Master Qin rubbed his hands in excitement, the most thrilled among the three. In this day and age, gaming is an essential part of conversation for single young adults. The games they had yed together were countless, and Wu Qingyu, with his finger agility earned through his profession, was usually the dominant force. However, Fu Qian had long since changed. His physical control had reached an unimaginable level. Watching Fu Qians expressionless face as he soundly thrashed both of them, Young Master Qin eventually grew so frustrated that he kicked him off the console. Hows the progress on yourtest career nning? While teasing the half-asleep Wu Qingyu, Young Master Qin asked casually. Its only been one day, right? Fu Qian thought to himself, finally it hase. He had already noticed that the two of them had been observing him with utmost caution, and upon hearing this, he immediately pressed the power button on his console. Spill it, why did you twoe over today, exactly? Qin and Wu looked at each other, and finally, Wu Qingyu started speaking hesitantly. Yesterday, Brother Qin rushed to find me, saying you seemed a bit off and was worried about your health. He insisted on dragging me here to check on you. Xiao Qian. Qin Mingze was also very serious. I understand your urgent feeling, but fitness is something that should be approached step by step. Some quick-fix methods can be very harmful to the body. After finishing, he turned his head back. Is he really okay? I still have that much confidence. Wu Qingyu yawned. Although I dont know how Xiao Qian trains, he looks very healthy, and I bet he could take me down no problem. But isnt this progress too fast, I cant understand! Young Master Qin looked at Wu Qingyu with a sense of lifes futility, and thetter just spread his hands. Well, actually I hid some details yesterday. Touched by the two friends taking time out of their busy schedules to check on his health, Fu Qian decided toe clean with some information. There really was a hidden story! Qin and Wu both sat up straight, their eyes shining attentively. Actually, Ive recently taken on a part-time job that pays quite well, and working out justes with it. Pays quite well? Is it physicalbor? Qin and Wu were both surprised. Mostly, but it also asionally requires some brainpower, and mastery of certain skills is very important. Qin and Wus eyes were wide. Must be a lot of exercise required, right? Not always, but sometimes you have to repeat things many times, which can be annoying. You need to take care of your body. They had run out of things to say. Wait a minute. After a moment of silence, Qin Mingzes expression changed dramatically as he suddenly stood up and started taking off his clothes. Damn! This actionpletely dumbfounded Wu Qingyu, who rubbed his face subconsciously. Im not awake yet, Im not awake yet; Im in a nightmare, Im in a nightmare! After rubbing for a while, he suddenly let out a wail. Why is my thesis still not finished in my nightmare! Take off your clothes and put on mine. Qin Mingze tossed his clothes to Fu Qian. What for? Just put them on. After Fu Qian was dressed, Qin Mingze took out his phone and took several photos from different angles, then snapped his fingers after he was done. Its such a waste not to use those muscles of yours. We are nearly the same height, soter Ill photoshop your head away and rece it with mine. Ill be invincible when ites to picking up girls. Fu Qian turned to look at Wu Qingyu. If you had put this much shameless effort into your thesis, it would have already been done. better not. Chapter 34 - 33 Angel of Comfort_1 Chapter 34: Chapter 33 Angel of Comfort_1 [Identity verificationplete, work for the day begins.] After a pleasant gathering with his close friends, Fu Qian put on his work badge on time Sunday morning. To him, it was no longer just a job, but a rare pleasure. He couldnt think of any other work that would make him willingly work overtime on the weekend. [Warning, leak incident.] [Name: Angel of Comfort, Code: 1-003] [Todays work content has been updated: Enter the containment scene of 1-003 andplete re-containment.] Unsurprisingly, a new leak incident had urred. Fu Qian was ustomed to such incidents by now, but he still became vignt upon seeing the code number. This was the first time he had encountered a leaked item with a code number starting with 1. Fu Qian had always been guessing what the prefix of these item numbers truly represented. ording to simple logical deductions, the code numbers should at least follow some sort of pattern, like the smaller the number, the more dangerous it could be. If that were the case, the difficulty of this containment would likely be quite high; he needed to be fully alert. Besides the code number, the anomalous phenomena caused by the warehouse leak were also a bit strange this time. The illusory image caused by the leak was a white sphere about two meters in diameter. Fu Qian observed it repeatedly, confirming there was nothing special about it C it was just a sphere without even a pattern on it. [Entering the containment scene of 1-003] [1%5%10%55%75%100%, scene loadingplete.] [Eternity bringsfort. Transcendents enjoy exploring various forbidden domains, honing themselves, and seeking advancement. As a young Transcendent, during an excursion, you and many of your peers stepped into an unknown realm filled with fog and ancient structures, imbued with a mysterious aura. Unfortunately, the explorers were unaware that not all paths have a return journey.] [Skills: Air Bullet, Visceral Critical Strike, Cat School.] [Weapon: Tyrants Fist.] [Containment achievement condition: Escape the furnace.] [Current SAN Points: 56, current Inspiration: 16.] A series of exnatory texts shed by, and Fu Qian regained his perception. Strange, is this ce on the map? Someone was speaking ahead, and Fu Qian looked in the direction of the voice, finding himself amidst the ruins of some buildings. The sky was misty overhead, obscuring the sun, moon, and stars. At the moment, there was a team within the ruins that looked quite young, averaging about twenty years old. Though young, their strengths were not weak; they were all much stronger than Young Master Ye, Ye Yang, and theirpanions. There were even a few with exceptional spirit, probably around the Seventh Phase at least. More importantly, the group was fully equipped with various swords and weapons; they were armed to the teeth. Exploration Team, Fu Qian recalled the content from the introduction. The one who had just spoken was a young man at the forefront of the team. He was frowning and signaling for the others to stop. Theres no path again; theyout of this ce is too chaotic, he said. He was right, the path the group had been following was cut off; a broken wall was inserted at an angle, and the mottled marks on the stones looked very old. The wall could certainly be climbed over, but what was on the other side was uncertain. Not only the broken walls, but a careful look into the distance revealed that this ce was a hodgepodge of architecture. Spires, archways, stone columns, a jumble of chaotic elements squeezed togetherjust one nce was enough to induce a visceral disapproval. At this moment, all these structures were shrouded in ayer of greyish-white mist. The mist wasnt very dense, yet it carried an inexplicable obscuring effect that made it difficult to see whaty beyond. Liushuang, should we stop here? The young man surveyed the surroundings and looked at another person in the team, seemingly seeking an opinion. The one he called Liushuang was a girl around his age, walking right behind him. This girl had a beautiful face, with features as if painted, and even in simple clothes designed for ease of movement, her stunning beauty was undeniable, no less than Wen Li whom they had encountered earlier. Indeed, its a bit strange. The girl also furrowed her brow slightly. Ive never heard of such a ce here, and theres no mention of it on the map. Yet, looking at these architectural ruins, they seem rather ancient. There are too many forks in the road here, and weve indeed gone too deep. Lets stop and regroup. Theres no rush at this moment. Even though its a free exploration, wed better not get too far from the other teams; otherwise, it will be tough for Director Li to look after us. The two seemed to be the core members of the team, and at their suggestion, everyone agreed almost instantly; the group efficiently unloaded their gear to rest, and quickly a makeshift camp emerged in the wilderness. A group of young Transcendents, well-prepared for wilderness exploration under good guidance. Fu Qian made a swift judgment. This team was strong individually and coordinated well; they must have strayed into these ruins during some exploration. His mission was to escape from the Furnace were these architectural graveyards the Furnace? Just by getting out of here, could heplete the containment? Fu Qian nced around him; he didnt see anything that might hinder his escape, but moving through such a ce could easily lead to getting lost. Especially those structures that could serve asndmarks, with their bizarre angles and stacks, could very well create illusions. Young people are always full of vigor, and soon enough, from the conversations among the group, Fu Qian learned that Liushuangs full name was Ji Liushuang, and the first to speak was named Yuan Xin, the two strongest members of the team. The group all hailed from a ce called the Academy, an institution dedicated to the specialized training of Transcendents. Besides this team, there were two other teams, thirty people in totalelites of the Academy, led personally by the vice-principal, a veritable luxury Exploration Team. Regrettably, this luxury Exploration Team seemed utterly unaware that they had walked into a path of no return. Do you recognize what this is? At that moment, someone in the team pulled something out from their backpack to show to the others to identify. Along the way, theres hardly any life in these ruins, only this thing directly growing on the rocks. I casually collected some, and the deeper we go, the more there seems to be. The person tried to tear it with their hands. Its as fine as a hair but very tough. Seems like it would be a good material. Everyone shook their heads, and someone pointed to where Fu Qian was sitting and said with augh, You could ask Fu Qian; hes more into researching these strange things. Suddenly attracting attention out of nowhere. Fu Qian had realized earlier that he was on the fringe of the team, not very wee. Not only did he walk at the very end during the trek, but no one had spoken to him during the break either. But now, without a doubt, all eyes were on him. Seeing that person indeed approach with a smile, holding that thing in front of him. Fu Qian took a nce. Hair. Chapter 35 - 34: The True Wall of Sighs_1 Chapter 35: Chapter 34: The True Wall of Sighs_1 As soon as Fu Qian spoke, the man who had sought his appraisal trembled, nearly dropping the object in his hands to the ground. Hair? Have you ever seen hair that even a knife cant cut through? After steadying his emotions, the brother obviously became somewhat angry. Its special hair. Fu Qian remained expressionless. He had no intention of scaring this gentleman, but equally, he had no interest in making up some lie. Unfortunately, what this gentleman treasured was indeed a spool of hair. However, the surface of these strands of hair shimmered with a special luster, making them appear as though they were alive. As for why it was so clear that this gentleman couldnt see it, Fu Qian had already guessed the answer. Having encountered a simr incident when ying the progeny of the Evil God, he was the only one among all the people who could see the text in the notebook. It was most likely still rted to Inspiration, what others saw might not be the same as what he saw. However, the gentlemans words just now had given him a very useful piece of information. This kind of hair became more abundant the closer one got to the interior of the ruins, so by following these traces, one could easily determine the direction from which they hade. It was also the direction for leaving the ruins. Ji Liushuang had obviously been paying attention to the situation here the whole time, and Fu Qians answer naturally reached her ears. Although the mention of the hair made her frown as well, she didnt directly question it but instead subconsciously nced around her. She was quite perceptive. Fu Qian silentlymended her. The next moment, Ji Liushuangs expression changed, and she stood up swiftly, drawing her long sword as a fierce sword energy whistled out. A stream of hair-like ck, which no one knew when had meandered to their feet along the ground. At the closest point, it almost climbed onto the foot of a girl, but fortunately, Ji Liushuangs sword cut it off in time. Throw away whats in your hands. With a sessful strike, Ji Liushuang shouted towards them. The young man seeking Fu Qians appraisal was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening, somewhat reluctant subconsciously. But Ji Liushuangs words carried a Momentum that ultimately made him throw the object in his hands away. However, the moment the hair left his hand, each strand on it suddenly stood straight like needles, twining towards his hand. There was another sh of the sword, and Ji Liushuang, not known when, was already in front, chopping the strands of hair off. Even with such quick reflexes, the young mans hand was already deeply pierced by several strands of hair, turning his entire right hand bloodless in an instant. Fire. With a single word from Ji Liushuang, the young man snapped out of his daze, heat gathering in his hand instantly, as if mes were burning, and the hair that had pierced the flesh was burned away. Thank you! He was now ashen-faced, giving a heartfelt thanks. If Ji Liushuang had not been decisive in her actions, he feared his situation would now be far worse than just a limp, powerless right hand. Ji Liushuang simply nodded lightly, her eyes, however, were fixed on another direction. Somehow, Fu Qian, who had been sitting there, had vanished without a trace. At this moment, several screams rang out as a tide-like surge of ck hair swept in from several directions. These people really dont understand what caution is, knowing something was amiss and yet they still ventured this far in. Fu Qian navigated through the fog,menting to himself as he did so. He had noticed the disturbance behind the broken wall earlier than Ji Liushuang, but instead of taking action, he took advantage of the chaos to leave the group, In his view, while these hair strands were bizarre and bloodthirsty, the team should still be able to handle them. For him, the mission was the top priority. Most ideally, he would walk out the opposite direction, and the mission would bepleted. Although from previous experience, the likelihood was nearly zero. He didnt encounter any obstructions along the way, and without expending much effort, Fu Qian found himself at the edge of the ruins. At this location, the various broken walls and remnants were extremely sparse, and the mist had almostpletely dissipated. Still no sign of any substantive barriers. Is this it? Fu Qian frowned, an ominous feeling causing him to slow his pace. The next moment, his body hit some sort of barrier. Looking at the empty space before him, Fu Qian extended a hand to press against the hindered spot. What he felt was a smooth surface, as if there was a fully transparent shield in the air. It seemed this was the boundary of the Furnace. He thought about the strange sight in the warehouse, that huge sphere. Could this thing be a spherical barrier enveloping the entire ruins? Fu Qian quickly formted a guess. If that was indeed the case, although it might not be deadly, intuitively it seemed quite troublesome. Lets try the most simple method first. When dealing with the unknown, testing, summarizing, hypothesizing, and verifying is the most scientific approach to understanding. Although the existence of this thing wasnt exactly scientific. Flexing his fingers, Fu Qian adjusted his breathing and unleashed a punch towards the position of the barrier. The barrier didnt tremble in the slightest, nor did it make any sound. The force of the rebound nearly burst his blood vessels, feeling like he had hammered a mountain. As expected, brute force was in effective. Even though he had used at most seventy percent of his strength, from the feedback, it was clear that breaking this thing with his own power was impossible. Luckily, Fu Qian hadnt held much hope for this method, so he wasnt too disappointed. Next, with a try and see attitude, Fu Qian shot two Air Bullets towards the barrier. The Air Bullets whistled as they struck the barrier, failing to cause any ripples. This thing was unbelievably tough, almost beyond the category of being sturdy; it didnt even show a hint of reaction. Looking at the world outside, tantalizingly close, Fu Qian furrowed his brow. From the conversation they had heard from Ji Liushuang and the others, it was known that they found these ruins unintentionally while out exploring and training. Later on, entering here, they faced no hindrances at all, which suggested unless the barrier had just appeared, it should allow one-way passage, with no problems entering from the outside. Was it repelling specific objects? Organic life forms? Fu Qian picked up a stone and threw it at the barrier. The stone flew halfway, undoubtedly hitting the barrier and dropping straight down. It seemed that whether alive or inanimate, the effect was the same. One could only enter but not exit. Fu Qian seemed to understand how all the various strange and curious things inside the ruins came to be. This was quite the predicament! Especially since, from what had just happened, there clearly were hostile creatures inside; it was uncertain whether one could stay here and think of a solution. As Fu Qian pondered, he turned around and shouted in a certain direction. Come out. Five secondster, behind a half-broken stele, a middle-aged man slowly emerged. The man pped his hands as he looked at Fu Qian appreciatively, Not bad at all, you actually noticed my presence. Chapter 36 - 35 What Weapon Do You Use_1 Chapter 36: Chapter 35 What Weapon Do You Use_1 Fu Qian nced at the middle-aged man who came out after looking at the stele. He was slightly overweight, with an average appearance, and was wearing loose fitting clothes. His hair was a bit sparse in front, and he had a smile on his face that made him look, at first nce, like a twenty-five-year-old programmer. As soon as he had left the group, he had noticed someone following him. He hadnt paid any attention to it at first, but, to his surprise, that person had relentlessly pursued him all the way here. Although he seemed harmless, the man who just emerged moved without making a sound, and he was so light on his feet it was as if he had no masshe was clearly adept at skulking and stealth. Being targeted by such a character usually didnt bode well. I must say, youve surprised me quite a bit. The middle-aged man looked at Fu Qian, his eyes gleaming like a cat toying with a mouse. On the surface, you dont show off or stand out, but in reality, your level might be the highest in your team. Even I almost lost track of you. So unassuming and patient, youre bound to achieve great things given time. Of course, thats assuming you have any time left. You tter me. Fu Qian kept his eyes on the invisible barrier, dismissing the man with a nomittal remark, as if he hadnt heard thetters ominousst sentence. His reaction clearly wasnt what the middle-aged man had expected, and he narrowed his eyes. Im actually a bit curious, can you tell me why you left your group and came here all alone? What are you trying to do? Running away. Running away? This response clearly surprised the middle-aged man. Yeah, the atmosphere here is a bit oppressive. I need to go home and rest. Fu Qians tone was as matter-of-fact as if he needed to urinate urgently. An exploration mission led by President Li Weixuan himself, something countless people cant even beg for, and yet you want to go home? The smile on the middle-aged mans face turned cold. If thats really the case, you dont need to worry anymore, because soon I will be sending you on your way. You can, of course, try to run, or you could pull out your Arrow Bell to see if President Li Weixuan cane to save you in time. Arrow Bell? Fu Qian thought for a moment. He had overheard his team members chatting about it earlier; it was a survival tool provided by the Academy for each student venturing out, simr to a re gun used for signalling distress. Since many forbidden areas rendermunication devicespletely ineffective, in a life-or-death predicament, one can activate it to seek help and mutual support. No need, I dont have to call anyone for now. Fu Qian waved his hand dismissively and, frowning at the middle-aged man, asked the question that he was truly concerned about. What weapon are you nning to use to kill me? What weapon? The middle-aged man was visibly confused, his expression screaming, Are you insane? Arent you interested in why I want to kill you? Im not interested, and are you sure the one you want to kill is actually me? Getting no response, Fu Qian sighed. What do you mean? The middle-aged mans eyes hardened. Just guessing, but from the moment I left the group, youve followed me all the way here. There were countless opportunities to strike, yet you chose to follow me to this remote ce. Now you want to make your move, not through ambush but by boldly showing yourself, telling me Im about to die, almost as if youre intentionally creating pressure to make me run. You even reminded me that I could use the Arrow Bell to call for help. These actions dont seem like those of an assassin. Is your actual target still deeper within the ruins? Are you trying to create a diversion? You hope to drive me as far away as possible, then use the Arrow Bell to attract President Li Weixuan so hees to rescue me, and you take the opportunity to go back and eliminate your real target? Interesting then why dont you guess who my target is. The middle-aged mans voice was suppressed, seemingly acknowledging Fu Qians spection. Its not very difficult to guess. First of all, weve split into three teams. You targeted me so quickly, which suggests that its highly likely that my target is in the same team as you. When you noticed I had left the group, you thought it was a good opportunity and followed me. Apart from me, that team has another nine people. Judging by your performance, youre clearly very skilled at stealth and assassination. You followed without even President Li Weixuan noticing. Considering President Li Weixuan cant possibly keep an eye on us all the time, you could have easily found an opportunity to kill with a single blow and then escaped. It wouldnt have been much worse than the choice youre making now. But you didnt choose that, indicating that youck confidence in killing your target with a single strike and worry that escaping from Li Weixuan if he showed up would be difficult, so you need more time to ensure thepletion of your mission. With your strength, in our team, who could make you unsure of a one-hit kill? Ji Liushuang or Yuan Xin? Fu Qian looked at the middle-aged man. Thetters pupils clearly flickered the moment Ji Liushuangs name was mentioned. I understand now, Ji Liushuang. Ha ha. The middle-aged manughed loudly. If its really as you said, then why do you think I want to kill Ji Liushuang? That would be a bit difficult for me. That ssmate Ji looks very distinguished; probably this is yet another corporate family feud or something simr. Once it gets to these kinds of matters, the appearance of a dog-like assassin like you seems quite natural. Fu Qians face was expressionless. He really had no interest in these messed-up affairs, yet somehow they always found their way to him. Youre asking for death Under Fu Qians continuous mockery, the middle-aged man finally lost hisposure, uttering a typical line borne of embarrassed anger. Killing you myself and then triggering the Arrow Bell will do just as well. In the next moment, the middle-aged mans figure flickered like lightning, suddenly appearing beside Fu Qian, and noiselessly unleashed a palm strike. A terrifying aura of deadly intent instantly enveloped Fu Qian. Ah, after all that this guy also turns out to be a hand-to-hand fighter. Fu Qian sighed. Wasting my precious time! I was hoping one of these assassins would at least have a divine weapon that I could test against the barrier to see if it could inflict damage. Disappointing. Facing this terrifying strike, Fu Qian swiftly dodged to the side. Since this guy hadnt arrived during the barrier test earlier, he surely wasnt aware that there would be an invisible obstacle here; it would be a waste not to use that. This is also why I kept standing still. Fu Qians evasive speed clearly surprised the middle-aged man, who hadnt expected to be so cautious yet still misjudged the situation. With his strike missing its mark and just as he thought to change tactics, he ran headlong into some kind of barrier. What is this thing! Looking at the empty space beside him, the middle-aged man was momentarily confused. Before he could regain his senses, he felt a pain in his ribs. A red whip shed by, spraying a mist of blood. At the same time, a surge of irritability inexplicably rose in his heart. Theres something strange about this whip! The middle-aged man braced himself against the invisible barrier, evading the next twoshes, and the irritating feeling in his heart lessened slightly. The wound on his ribs was minor; he needed to be careful not to be hit by the whip and try to fight at close quarters as much as possible Just as this thought crossed his mind, he saw Fu Qians face close at hand. This guy actually gave up the advantage of rangedbat to engage in close quarters with me? The middle-aged man was momentarily unable to understand Fu Qians actions, but then he felt a sharp pain in his ribs as if something had prated the wound, branching into countless fine threads that intertwined deeply with his internal organs. The next moment, heat erupted violently, and amidst a sky filled with blood light, his body fell heavily to the ground. Chapter 37 - 36 Li Weixuan_1 Chapter 37: Chapter 36 Li Weixuan_1 This Visceral Critical Strike is really handy! Fu Qian looked at the body on the ground, then nced at his own right hand. Just now, he took the opportunity when the middle-aged man crashed into the barrier, decisively closed in, and used the Visceral Critical Strike through the wound created by the whip. The result was that this Transcendent of at least the Sixth Phase was killed with a single blow, his abdominal cavity was virtually turned into a grenade st, empty and barely left with anything inside. This skill can be called terrifying; in terms of power, its basically the strongest one I have. The only problem is the limitation on its activation; you must be up close. Plus, theres no guarantee that some Transcendents of a higher phase can still jump around happily even without their internal organs. Fu Qian shook his head and flicked his hand toward the position of the barrier. Several drops of Blood Bead shot out from his hand, hit the barrier, and sttered into mist, leaving not a single trace behind. Its impossible to leave any trace. Fu Qian picked up the middle-aged mans body, tidied up the scene, and erased all traces. Alright, now I can go shake people down. Theres not much else to do here, with so many people inside, theres no reason not to make use of them. After cleaning up the scene, Fu Qian quickly returned the way he came, and before long, he heard voices ahead. Looking into the distance, it was indeed Ji Liushuang and the others. Compared to when he left, this elite squad looked much more disheveled, with almost everyone carrying injuries. Apart from these nine people, there was one more person dressed in ck brocade, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, noble in appearance, and a sword hanging at his waist. This standard look of a master Could it be the legendary Fourth Phase pinnacle, the impulsive Transcendent with divine swordsmanship, Li Weixuan? During the recent break, most of the discussion in the group had been about this deputy dean leading the team. Fu Qian had passively heard quite a lot about his great deeds and could tell that he was the idol of many. Now seeing him in person, his reputation was indeed well-deserved. Li Weixuan looked to be only in his forties, with a calm demeanor and piercing gaze, like a heavy sword that had been refined a million times, sharp and heavy, blending hardness and softness. No wonder that Assassin Brother was so persistently trying to lure the tiger away from the mountain; there was no chance head-on. This must be the most formidable Transcendent I have encountered so far. A Fourth Phase pinnacle, terrifying as such. At this moment, the group on the other side was also uniformly staring at Fu Qian. Hes back. Among them, Yuan Xin frowned and pointed at Fu Qian, his expression somewhat unfriendly. Were they discussing me just now? Im back. Fu Qian ignored everyones strange expressions and greeted his teammates very naturally. Li Weixuan turned his head and gave Fu Qian a look. Where did you go just now? I was scouting the situation. You were scouting on the way here? Someone in the team already scoffed at that. With your scouting, did you find anything? Li Weixuan, however, didnt show much reaction and kept his eyes on Fu Qian. Yeah, I was just about to discuss it with everyone. Fu Qian remained calm. We cant get out. What do you mean? I mean just what I said. Fu Qian gestured with his hand. The way we came is now blocked by an invisible barrier; were like grasshoppers in a ss bottle. As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room was shocked. What nonsense are you talking about, make a serious excuse if youre going to make one Yuan Xins face was already filled with anger. It was one thing for this guy to flee in the midst of battle, but now he was spouting nonsense again. In fact, not just him, the others reacted the same way, especially the one whose arm had been pricked by hair. Just moments ago, the group narrowly escaped the encirclement, and their arms were still weak and limp. Reflecting on the previous scene, they felt like the butt of a joke. What was hateful was that this guy had known that it was hair all along, yet he stood there watching the fun, andter even abandoned his teammates to run away on his own, an act of utter despicability. Barrier Li Weixuan didnt burst out with criticism but stared thoughtfully at Fu Qian. Youve advanced to the Sixth Phase? Sixth Phase? Yuan Xin and hispanions almost couldnt believe their ears. When had this guy advanced? They all considered themselves among the best of their peers, but even the strongest, Ji Liushuang, had only just touched the threshold of the Sixth Phase. Yes. Fu Qian had not intended to conceal anything, so he didnt deliberately suppress his aura. It was no surprise that Li Weixuan could see this. Good. Li Weixuan took a deep look at Fu Qian. He didnt know much about this student, but he was aware of what had just happened. Although the monster was bizarre, a Sixth Phase Transcendent would not have fled due to the situation just now. But if what he said was true Take me to see it. The journey there was utterly silent, with Fu Qian leading the way and everyone looking at him withplex expressions. Young people arepetitive, and many had been determined to make an impression on Li Weixuan during this activity. Hearing Li Weixuans tone now, it seemed this unpleasant fellow was almost certainly a genuine Sixth Phase, which would make him even stronger than Ji Liushuang. Its right here. Arriving at the destination, Fu Qian gestured towards the front, signaling for everyone to observe for themselves. An invisible barrier here? I cant see anything at all! All were at a loss, looking at one another. Yuan Xin, with a furrowed brow, stepped forward and pushed against it, then showed a look of disbelief. There really is something! He couldnt help but turn back and shout. After hearing his words, every team member incredulously rushed forward, only to be blocked by the barrier. Some tried to pound it forcefully but to no effect. How could this be? There had been no impediment when they arrived. Li Weixuan did not rush forward immediately, but he could not help frowning at the scene before him. Use weapons. Ji Liushuang, at the front, nodded upon hearing this and drew her sword, aiming it towards the direction of the barrier. The rest quickly made room for her. Taking a deep breath, with a serene mind and steady breath, Ji Liushuangunched her attack in an instant. A sh of Qing light appeared, swift as a startled swan, her move now even more fierce than before, covering several steps in an instant, and thrusting her sword at the invisible barrier. Not bad. Li Weixuan showed an approving look, as the swordy, though somewhat immature, had its own conception. However, the attack, fierce as thunder, did not stir a ripple,ing to a halt the moment it touched the barrier, leaving only the vibrating de to hum. This All were stunned; the barrier was truly impregnable! Step aside. The voice of Li Weixuan came through, and everyones gaze hardened as they cleared a path. Finally, it was happening. Fu Qian watched the unfolding scene with satisfaction. He had not pinned his hopes on Ji Liushuang and the others from the start; he was waiting for Li Weixuan to make a move. At the peak of the Fourth Phase, with a Divine Weapon. This should be the strongest prative force that could be found in this ruin. If the barrier could be forcefully breached, then this was certainly one of the most likely options. Chapter 38 - 37 Aggregate_1 Chapter 38: Chapter 37 Aggregate_1 After everyone deftly cleared the way, Li Weixuan drew his sword from his waist. As a Fourth Phase pinnacle Swordsman, his actions were far from ordinary. The sword sang like a dragons cry as he unsheathed it. There wasnt a dazzling sword light, nor was it as fast as lightning as one might expect. The tip of Li Weixuans sword seemed to carry a heavy mountain, slowly extending towards the barrier. At that moment, everyone seemed to hear the roaring of the heavens and the earth. After the roar, sword energy surged everywhere, and those close by were even thrown off by the violent gusts. Everyone instinctively looked towards the tip of the sword. This On the invisible barrier, there still wasnt any crack, not even the slightest tremble. This indomitable strike still did not evoke any reaction. How could this be! Crack! A series of crisp sounds followed, and the long sword in Li Weixuans hand first showed a spiderweb of cracks, then shattered into fragments the size of fingernails. The might of a single sword was such that even the sword itself couldnt withstand it. Even such an attack wasnt enough to break the barrier? Are we going to be trapped here to die? Everyone exchanged nces, feeling an uncontroble sense of despair rising within them. Could it really be impossible! Fu Qian sighed on the side. Although he subconsciously felt that it shouldnt be so simple, the fact that such a terrifying blow left no trace was still shocking. It almost certainly meant that the barrier could not be force-broken, and another method needed to be found. Li Weixuan, however, stared at the broken sword in his hand, momentarily dazed. Since his debut, he had never encountered such a bizarre incident. Try the top. At this moment, someone in the team shouted. Right! There was still the top! This reminder awakened many, as the barrier might not cover every direction; perhaps they could bypass it from above. Someone in the team had a bow and arrows, and immediately took them out to fit the bowstring and draw an arrow, aiming it upwards. Fu Qian stood by, quietly observing the changes without telling them that he had already tried with Air Bullets. It never hurt to try more. Crack! As expected, after the pricey arrow was released, it flew upwards at an angle, only to crash into some invisible barrier and break into several pieces. The looks in everyones eyes quickly dimmed. The archer paused, then drew another arrow, trying a different direction. Still met with the same barrier. Another arrow Until the quiver was empty, finally someone stepped forward and held the archers trembling hands; the ground was littered with broken arrowheads. The only finding was that the barrier extended from the boundary upwards, growing higher, roughly dome-shaped like an arc. By this time, Li Weixuan had regained his senses. This exploration and training could not continue. He was about to give orders when suddenly a series of crisp bell sounds came from a distance. Follow up. Everyone was startled, and Li Weixuan brisklymanded, already the first to rush out. That was the Arrow Bell unique to the Academy, used by students in distress seeking help during outings. There were still two teams in the ruins! Watching Li Weixuans retreating figure, the students also hurriedly followed suit. Unable to get out, with strange monsters inside, following Director Li seemed like the safer bet. Thank you! As she passed by Fu Qian, Ji Liushuang tilted her head and softly expressed her gratitude. If it hadnt been for Fu Qians warning, perhaps no one would have realized that the team had already been ensnared in a hopeless situation. Though they were still clueless now, being prepared in advance was always good. Fu Qian nodded without speaking, genuinely feeling deserving of the thanks. After all, he had casually dealt with an assassin for her. The others werent as free and easy as Ji Liushuang, feeling some resentment towards Fu Qian from earlier encounters, genuinely finding it difficult to lower their pride to thank or apologize, especially for a bunch of twenty-somethings. Luckily, with Li Weixuans orders at hand, the group promptly got moving, straining to run forward, subconsciously wanting to distance themselves from Fu Qian. Regrettably, they soon despaired to find that no matter how fast they ran, Fu Qian was always right there, showing no signs of falling behind. They had forgotten that this guy was a Sixth Phase Transcendent! The spectacle before them finally made them realize this; Fu Qian was now a genuine Middle-Tier powerhouse, and they were foolish to think they could leave him behind that would have been absurd. Fortunately, the distance wasnt very far, and the awkward journey quickly came to an end. When the group arrived, they saw the almost divine Li Weixuan making sword gestures with his hand, sending dozens of sword energies in all directions toward a hand? Indeed, Li Weixuans target was an enormous palm, on which grew densely packed dozens of fingers. Surrounded by numerous fingers, the palm moved with lightning speed, each finger acting like a spear, extending and retracting, sending rocks flying in disarray. Li Weixuans invincible sword energies almost instantly severed a bunch of fingers, tearing open appalling wounds. Despite the severe damage, the palm trembled violently but no blood flowed. Sensing Li Weixuans prowess, the remaining fingers scurried across the ground, quickly hiding among the rocks and vanishing in the blink of an eye. So disgusting! The creatures form had a mental impact on everyone, and it was only when Li Weixuannded from the sky that they all snapped out of it. The endangered team was another group; sadly, their luck wasnt as good as the first teams, and by the time Li Weixuan arrived, two members had already been killed by that palm. Cease action, everyone regroup, send a signal for the remaining team toe over. In the face of this scene, Li Weixuans expression was as stern as iron as he swiftly issued the order. Things were getting more and more out of hand. A routine exploration had resulted in casualties. The finger monster was only severely injured, not yet dead. Of course, the most terrifying predicament was not this, but something outside. Li Weixuan immediately went to check on the wounded. In the short time while he did this, someone had already informed the attacked team about being trapped. The entire ruin was deadlocked by a barrier that couldnt be opened at all? The morale of the ambushed team, which had just improved, plummeted again. We were resting when that hand suddenly burst out. Senior Brother Wang was killed on the spot. We tried everything to hold it off and managed to send out the Arrow Bell A wounded girl quickly described the situation at the time. Its not just a hand, to be precise, it should be described as a collection of arms. Fu Qian threw something he was holding onto the ground. It was one of the fingers Li Weixuan had cut off. Some had rolled down the cliff, others were scattered on the ground. Fu Qian had immediately run over to investigate and had found something interesting. Here, take a close look at the tip. Youre twisted! The group was startled for a moment before realizing what he had thrown onto the ground, and they all jumped in shock. That disgusting thing, you almost threw it onto someone. This is an arm, not a finger. Ji Liushuangs expression severe, she spread apart the tangled mass, allowing everyone to clearly see the true nature of the object. What they had thought was a gigantic finger turned out to have another five fingers at the tip! These five fingers were the size of those of an ordinary person, only now shriveled like chicken ws. Bleh! Finally, someone couldnt hold back and vomited. Chapter 39 - 38: The Road to Survival_1 Chapter 39: Chapter 38: The Road to Survival_1 ` The first student to break couldnt hold back any longer, unleashing a chain reaction of retching sounds that filled the air. Fu Qian stood emotionlessly nearby, looking thoughtfully at the pointing hand on the ground. Last time, we encountered hair, Ji Liushuang whispered, approaching Fu Qian. Just moments ago, she had only heaved a few times without actually vomiting, but now herplexion was still pale. However, a beauty is still a beauty; even in such a state, she lost none of her charm and even seemed more pitifully adorable. Fu Qian nodded. Its very likely, he replied, knowing what Ji Liushuang was hinting at. Hair, limbsthey were all parts of a human body. In fact, Fu Qian had suspected from the beginning that these items were probably from a real human body. Considering the ruins around them, it was clear that this ce had existed for many years. Even if this area was seldom visited, it was unlikely that no one had stumbled upon it for such a long time. The characteristic of being able to enter but not to leave meant that the umtions inside would only grow over time. Yet, having entered the ruins for so long, they hadnt encountered a single living creature. While it could be exined that all who entered were trapped and perished, the absence of any corpses made it rather eerie. The appearance of these two types of monsters inevitably led to wild spections. Ji Liushuang realized this, and felt that they might be rted to people who had previously trespassed here. Actually, Fu Qian had already guessed something simr when he first saw that clump of hair. He remembered clearly, 1-003, the Angel of Comforts containment conditions were to escape the crucible. The crucible undoubtedly referred to the ruins within the entire barrier, but this nickname was quite intriguing. Like a crucible used in refining, except the subject wasnt minerals, but the living beings that wandered in? If this guess were true, it would exin some of the situations they had encountered so far. In fact, Fu Qian had already arranged a method to verify his theory. As he pondered with his head down, Fu Qian felt an unfriendly gaze directed at him. Looking up, he saw that it was Yuan Xin, who had always been quite proactive, staring at him with a hint of hostility. Ah! It took Fu Qian half a second to understand the reason. Even a blind man could see that Yuan Xin was very attentive to Ji Liushuang. As two of the teams main powerhouses, they had alwaysmunicated a lot, and many issues were nearly always decided by their discussion. This time, Ji Liushuang suddenly speaking to him seemed to have made Yuan Xin feel slighted or neglected? Especially since Fu Qian, originally a peripheral figure in the group, had just received an official Sixth Phase certification. It was understandable that he might have such a look. But understanding aside, Fu Qian had no interest in catering to the kind of hostility spurred by a mating season urge toward all potentialpetitors. Being influenced by hormones was one thing, but an ambitious young man should learn to self-regte, especially one who seemed older than Fu Qian himself. Hence, Fu Qian had no intention of keeping his distance, and continued to converse with Ji Liushuang, undisturbed. From a distance, Yuan Xins expression twisted gradually. Meanwhile, sounds came from not too far away, and a group of people rushed overit was the third team arriving. ` 1, 2, 3, 4 Fu Qian nced over and saw that the team was still intact and seemed unharmed; they must have been lucky not to have encountered any attacks. The person running at the front of the team was a long-haired young man who, at first nce, appeared extremely frail, as if a gust of wind might blow him over. However, his movements were agile as he wove through the rugged terrain effortlessly. Director Li! The neer halted and scanned the crowd. Upon spotting Li Weixuan, he promptly greeted him. But Fu Qian was quick to notice that this person had obviously hesitated for a moment when he saw Ji Liushuang. It looked like he was quite surprised to find Ji Liushuang here If he remembered correctly, the one who had sent the signal to the third team also used an Arrow Bell Could he have misunderstood something? Fu Qian seemed to have an idea of who had called upon the assassin. This guy, after seeing the signal, probably thought that the assassin had seeded and rushed over to confirm, only to find Ji Liushuang perfectly unharmed, hence his shocked reaction. If his guess was right, it was hard to imagine what kind of deep hatred could drive someone to directly attempt to kill a ssmate. Of course, this person would never expect that the assassin he had arranged was now missing and wondered why there had been no action. Women are usually keenly aware of other peoples gazes, and Ji Liushuang seemed to have also sensed that there was something unusual about the way the man looked at her. However, she definitely could not have figured out the reason. Director Li, the sudden session of Arrow Bells, has something happened? The long-haired young man looked at Li Weixuan with some confusion. The mission is canceled. From now on, no one is to act on their own. Li Weixuan addressed the gathered students. These were the Academys treasures, almostprised of all the elites of this phase. Theres potential danger inside these ruins. Two teams have already been attacked, and weve lost two students. And thats not even the worst news yet. As a shiver swept through the group, Li Weixuan added another line. Quickly, Li Weixuan exined the situation with the barrier to the members of the third team and proposed his n. Moving forward, I need you to split into two teams, He gestured with his hand. Currently, the outskirts of the ruins seem rtively safe. You will explore along the edge of the barrier in two directions to check for invisible gaps and to roughly figure out the overallyout of the ruins. If the barrier truly has no gaps, then we should eventually converge at a single point. Soon, the group, led by Li Weixuan, arrived at the edge of the barrier. All the injured will be in my team, and the rest of you will form another team. Signal immediately if you encounter threats that you cant deal with. After organizing, the long-haired young man approached with a sly smile. Youd better not get in the wayter. Yuan Xin, who clearly did not wee him and was already in a bad mood, was quite rude. Dont worry, I definitely wont get in your way when youre off to meet your demise, The young man named Huang Zhaoyan however was not afraid of him and simply scoffed. It was evident that the two of them did not get along well normally. Were at a critical moment for our lives, and I do not want any conflicts within the team. Regardless of your status outside, I wont be polite, Li Weixuan looked at Yuan Xin and the others with a cold expression, delivering a rather stern warning. The clearly upset director at the pinnacle of the Fourth Phase was already radiating a subtle murderous intent. No matter their differences, Yuan Xin and Huang Zhaoyan did not dare to act out in such a situation and nodded their agreement earnestly. Chapter 40 - 39 Bizarre Great Fissure_1 Chapter 40: Chapter 39 Bizarre Great Fissure_1 The area of the Furnace Ruins was evenrger than imagined. Fu Qian followed behind a line of people, casually surveying the surroundings as if nothing was amiss. He didnt hold much hope for finding a loophole to escape but understood why Li Weixuan arranged things this way. Firstly, even if the chances were slim in this desperate situation, one should not casually give up hope; one still had to try. Secondly, having everyone personally confirm the current predicament could save a lot of talking. Newly joined Huang Zhaoyan clearly did not get along with Yuan Xin and the others, and although he dared not start an open conflict under Li Weixuans warning, there was a continuous exchange of barbed words along the way. Unexpectedly, Ji Liushuang actually yed the role of a coordinator between the two. Yuan Xin, needless to say, and even Huang Zhaoyan put on an attitude of not wanting to stoop to the others level for Ji Liushuangs sake. It was hard to imagine that he would arrange to have Ji Liushuang killed behind the scenes. From the conversations of the three and those around them, Fu Qian roughly understood that they all came from powerful aristocratic families. Unlike the newly rich Wen Lis family, even Young Master Ye could not bepared; they were bona fide Transcendent families with a history of over a hundred years. The rtionships between them were also quite extensive, whether they were fateful or cursed was another matter. And people like Ji Liushuang were among the best of their generation, selected to be sent to the Academy as ssmates. Trulyplicated interpersonal rtionships! Fu Qian had no interest in the grievances among the three. For him, the only thing that mattered waspleting the mission and getting out of there. Their plotting and alliances were their business, but if it hindered his own, he wouldnt mind eliminating them together. At first, the group searched the barriers diligently for any weakness, afraid of missing any chance of escape. However, it wasnt long before they lost their enthusiasm, and a sense of despair began to spread, leaving only a mechanical tapping and pounding. After marching continuously for a while, everyone was both physically and mentally exhausted and decided to take a break. Fu Qian had no objection to the rest and, after the group sat down, indicated that he wasnt tired and would go ahead first. Director Li wants us to move together. Yuan Xin stared at Fu Qian with a stern face. I know, you can catch up. Everyone needs rest. So, its you who cant keep up? Why should we follow you? Maybe Fu Qian blinked. Because Im Sixth Phase? You can follow slowly behind; I dont mind you dragging me down. You Yuan Xin shook with anger, but the facts were as such, making it impossible to refute. You see, in a world where might makes right, a bigger fist crushes the opposition. Fu Qian turned around, satisfied, and set off on his own under everyonesplicated nces. If he remembered correctly, it wasnt far ahead to the burial site of Assassin Brother. He had something he needed to check out. However, not long after Fu Qian went out, he noticed someone following him. Huang Zhaoyan actually hadnt stopped to rest but followed him cautiously. Had this guy sensed something unusual, or had hee out to meet with Assassin Brother? Both were possible since, if they were truly trapped inside, they would eventually meet, and it would be quite awkward if anything was exposed. But no matter the reason, his arrival was timely! Fu Qian didnt mind the extra tail in the least and continued on his way, quickly finding the ce where he had dealt with the body. He didnt hesitate; he directly lifted the stele that was pressing down on the corpse. Hiss! Although he had anticipated it, the scene before him still felt incredibly surreal. The body of Assassin Brother, who had died just a short while ago, had already be a mummified corpse. It was shriveled up all over, without a single drop of blood in sight. Even more bizarre was the fact that the scant hair on the top of his head had, at this point,pletely vanished without a trace. Not only that, the entire withered body from head to toe resembled a melting wax figure, disying an eerie twisted posture, with some parts grotesquely elongated. For example, the skin at both shoulder areas had been stretched near transparent, as if the arms were about to detach from the body. It really is like a furnace here! Fu Qian silentlymented that this ce was indeed sinister to the extreme. His previous conjecture was correct after all; every creature that entered here and died was being disassembled by a special rule, then converging into the shapes of those monstrous hair and hands. If he were toe across a block of blood tofu or the liketer, Fu Qian wouldnt be surprised in the least. After meticulously observing the scene, Fu Qian immediately stepped away. This time he didnt cover the body with the stele again but instead tossed it aside, not minding if it would be discovered by someone. Fu Qian was quite aware that Huang Zhaoyan was secretly observing from behind a certain building not too far away, and he was curious to see how this brother would react to the corpse. As it turned out, once he left, Huang Zhaoyan quietly approached the body and stood there dumbfounded for several minutes. This guy is truly suspicious, Fu Qian thought to himself as he nodded secretly. What he had just done could not have been more obvious, practically rushing straight to the stele and flipping over the corpse; even a fool could guess that the death of the man was rted to him. And he had deliberately made the corpse visible to him. If Huang Zhaoyan felt like a guilty thief, then he would certainly think that Fu Qian knew something, and this disy was intentional. Later upon meeting Li Weixuan, if Huang Zhaoyan disclosed that it was Fu Qian who uncovered the body for all to see, it would be somewhat normal. But if he omitted that part and kept quiet, then there was a ny-nine percent chance that the assassin was sent by him. Of course, if Huang Zhaoyan was foolish enough to think that since the matter was exposed, he might as well kill someone to silence them, Fu Qian wouldnt mind finishing him off. After all, theoretically, his scheme had arranged for a Transcendent assassin to set his sights on Fu Qian, even aiming to put him to death. He who kills must be prepared to be killed. Fu Qian suddenly found himself looking forward to that scene. Unfortunately, after waiting for a while, Huang Zhaoyan was still standing there in a daze, which deeply disappointed Fu Qian, prompting him to leave. Not long after, Fu Qian encountered Li Weixuan and his group, whoseplexions were not looking good. The morale of this group had evidently almost bottomed out; without asking, it was clear they had found nothing. Where are the others? Li Weixuan, seeing Fu Qian alone, furrowed his brows. They needed to rest; I came ahead to scout the area. Fu Qian replied with an air of nonchnce. Li Weixuan was clearly in a bad mood and didnt have the energy to probe into Fu Qians slight breach of protocol. Did you find any ces for entry or exit? No. The somewhat hopeful looks in the groups eyes dimmed further. Li Weixuan clearly hadnt held much hope, nodded to Fu Qian to rejoin the group, and ordered everyone to rest on the spot. After waiting for a while, they saw arge group of people approaching from afar. The person in the lead had long hair fluttering and an elegant gait; he wasnt even close when he shouted out loud. Director Li, weve found something! Chapter 41 - 40 Yes, I Killed Him_1 Chapter 41: Chapter 40 Yes, I Killed Him_1 Huang Zhaoyans shout changed the way everyone looked at Fu Qian. Didnt you say you didnt find anything? You didnt just getzy and run over here, did you? I did indeed getzy and came straight here. That kind of futile work is best left to others. Facing the many questioning nces, Fu Qian was calm andposed, without the slightest sense of guilt. They watched as Huang Zhaoyan ran over amidst everyones expectant gazes. Where is it? Li Weixuan still possessed the bearing of a great leader, his tone only slightly excited. Over there, itll take about fifteen minutes, Huang Zhaoyan turned back and pointed. I found a body. A body? Including Li Weixuan, everyones eyes dimmed again, their morale dropping by 99. Huang Zhaoyan hadnt yet realized the misunderstanding his words had caused. A very strange body, I think you should take a look. Indeed, he didnt betray himself, and he didnt even nce at my face from beginning to end. Fu Qian sighed inwardly, Dont be so guilty! Then lets go take a look. Li Weixuan took a deep breath, hurrying the group that was sitting down. Having a discovery was always good news, at least there was a clue to follow. When the group arrived, they were dumbstruck by the sight of the killers body for quite a while. The reason was straightforward, it was just too strange. The killers body was now even more twisted than before, both arms nearly detached, hanging by a mere sinew. Ugh! Fu Qian heard someone retching again. Indeed strange, it must have died not long ago, but the state of this body is very unnatural. Could it be rted to the special environment here? Li Weixuan frowned, equally puzzled by the scene before him. Then he suddenly thought of something and turned to Fu Qian. Didnt youe across this body on your way here? Fu Qian nced at Huang Zhaoyan, who unconsciously averted his gaze. Of course, I did. He nodded, and everyone was shocked. Why didnt you mention it then? Whats there to mention? Fu Qian looked surprised, as if everyone was making a fuss over nothing. After all, the person was killed by me. Indeed, no matter how you put it, its just a strange body, and not a way outwait a minute, what did you just say! Everyone was startled, looking at Fu Qian in disbelief. You said you killed the person? This time even Li Weixuan let out an exmation, hisposure slipping. Yes, I was attacked by this guy while I was out scouting earlier, and I just took care of him. Fu Qians tone was casual, as if he was talking about tossing out trash on his way to buy soy sauce. Just to rify, that guy made the first move. I was acting entirely in self-defense. Do you know who he is? No. Fu Qian shook his head, noticing the relieved look on Huang Zhaoyans face. He just followed me for a while then suddenly jumped out and said he wanted to kill me, even told me to run fast. He told you he was going to kill you, and then told you to run fast? Yes! He even reminded me to release Arrow Bell to call for reinforcements. Li Weixuans gaze sharpened. To kill someone, yet to remind the target to seek help. The actions thus far could still be exined, but this one waspletely irrational. Li Weixuan nced subconsciously behind him, realizing the issue wasnt that simple. He wasnt the type of person oblivious to the ways of the world, absorbed only in martial arts; he almost instantly made numerous associations. The true target of this assassin was someone else; approaching Fu Qian was just a diversion tactic. The fact that someone dared to pull such a stunt during an exploration led by himit was as if they really thought he was too good-natured! This matter, once it was out, had to be rified, or where would the Academys authority stand? Check his possessions. Li Weixuan ordered, then looked deeply at Fu Qian. Dont worry, once were out of here, Ill give you an exnation. This student might have many secrets, but no one would tell such a pointless lie to bring trouble upon themselves. Its no trouble; this guy is very wet behind the ears. Fu Qians face was one of casual indifference. That being said, his time of death should be quite recent. Li Weixuans attention then returned to the corpse. Which makes his current condition quite strange. Indeed, very strange. I already have a hypothesis, which Miss Liushuang and I arrived at independently after sharing some ideas. Fu Qian spoke as if he had an unspoken understanding with Ji Liushuang. He definitely did not want all the ideas toe from him; that would be too suspicious. Having already conversed with Ji Liushuang, it seemed only appropriate for this favorite student of the Academy toe forward and confirm his words. Ji Liushuang was deep in thought, her brows furrowed, when she suddenly looked up in surprise as Fu Qian mentioned her name. Liushuang, do you have any thoughts on this? Fu Qians words took Li Weixuan by surprise. I do have some spection, which seems to be rted to this ce. Even though it was strange for Fu Qian to push her to the front, Ji Liushuang still nodded and shared her deduction. Think about it, ever since we entered here, weve hardly seen any living creatures, and the only corpse was that of an assassin who followed us. For a ce you can enter but cannot leave, isnt that a bit eerie? Since our entry, weve encountered two types of monsters: one with ck hair, and one made up of a conglomerate of arms, the Palm Monster, both rted to the human body. So Im wondering if there might be a possibility that, under the influence of some special power within the ruins, the bodies of all creatures that enter here converge after death into those creatures? This Ji Liushuangs words clearly struck a chord, creating significant unrest among the crowd. If thats true, could this ce actually be alive? Well be digested in some weird way after we die? Not only can we not get out, but well also turn into one of those Palm Monsters? Thats just disgusting! Seeing the chaos unfold, Li Weixuan raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down. With furrowed brows, if this were true, this ce was indeed sinister. I actually think this is good news. Good news? The entire group was shocked, with Ji Liushuang looking at Fu Qian with a face full of horror. How could this be good news? Was it merely to satisfy his morbid curiosity? Fu Qian pointed at the body on the ground. Have you considered what it means that hes missing so many parts? What could it mean? Apart from being eerie and bloody, what else could it indicate? Up to now, weve seen hair, arms, but we havent seen any blood Fu Qian counted on his fingers. This suggests He pointed toward the depths of the ruins. Inside the ruins, theres a special ce where these things go. Whether it exists in some form or not, it might be fraught with danger, but its still better than here where there are no clues to follow. Thats why I think we should take a look inside. Chapter 42 - 41 You Haven鈥檛 Realized the Severity of the Problem_1 Chapter 42: Chapter 41 You Havent Realized the Severity of the Problem_1 It sounds easy when you put it like that, but were talking about serious dangers herepeople can die, you know! Weve already had casualties just by encountering two monsters outside, and now youre suggesting we delve further in? Fu Qians words quickly stirred up a strong reaction, or rather a strong opposition. Heading deeper into the ruins Li Weixuan pondered for a moment before looking at Ji Liushuang and the others. What do you think? If we dont want to just sit around waiting for death, venturing further inside to find a way out is the only choice. Unexpectedly, Ji Liushuangs stance was surprisingly firm. And the sooner the better, while most people are still in good shape. If we dy, its just a slow march to death. This ones really decisive! Fu Qian secretly praised her in his mind. But isnt the risk too high! Right then, Yuan Xin suddenly chimed in. This ruin is full of weirdness everywhere. We have no idea what we might encounter inside; diving in headfirst is just reckless. Sticking to his guns, is he opposing the goddess on purpose? Fu Qian looked at Yuan Xin with interest, only to find thetter giving him a cold stare. I overestimated him; he probably just doesnt like that Ji Liushuang agrees with my suggestion. Were not at a dead end yet. Some of us are injured, and it might be wiser to rest and recover here for a bit. Huang Zhaoyan quickly agreed. Just because he had conflicts with Yuan Xin on a regr basis didnt mean he was reckless with his life. If we lose contact for a few days in a row, people outside will definitely notice something is wrong. If they send someone to investigate, we can coordinate from the inside and outside to find a solution. The situation is far from that dire yet. Staying here to wait for help in a ce where we could encounter any danger the next moment? What are you thinking? Do you have any idea how far the Academy is from here? Ji Liushuang scoffed coldly, retorting without the slightest politeness. Watching the group descend into an argument, Li Weixuan frowned deeply. With boldness born from talent, he was inclined to venture deeper for exploration. However, lives were at stake, and as a qualified leader, he couldnt ignore the opinions of the students and act unterally. Idiots. At this moment, Fu Qian shook his head. What do you mean by that? Huang Zhaoyan, who had hardly dared to look at Fu Qian until then, couldnt just stand by after being called an idiot. Have you guys considered one thing? Fu Qian looked around at the group. This ce has clearly been here a long time, so why dont you have any information about it? This Fu Qians words sessfully plunged everyone into deep thought. Indeed, thats strange. Although this ce is remote, its hard to believe that such a dangerous and special location has no rumors or stories attached to it after all these years. Could there be a possibility? Fu Qian looked satisfied with the reactions around him. The moment you entered this ce, your existence in the outside world was erased. What? A group of people were shocked, all at once. Is that hard to understand? Then let me ask you, has anyone heard of incidents where people went missing here? To my knowledge, there hasnt been any. Ji Liushuangs eyes were distant as she murmured to herself. How do we exin that pile of hair and arms we encountered? Judging by those two alone, there must have been numerous victims. So the truth is, once you enter here, all information about your existence in the outside world will be erasedno one will remember you or recognize your presence, whether family, friends, or lovers. Notice, its not death but erasure; they wont even retain memories of you. Even if theres a wedding photo by your bed, your closest person will still look through you in the photo and wonder why they bought two sets of utensils. Fu Qian blinked at Ji Liushuang. My deardy, theres a slight possibility that at this very moment, your parents have already forgotten that they ever had a daughter like you. Nonsense, how is that possible? Absolutely preposterous! rmist talk, Ive never heard of such a thing! Fu Qians gentle tone painted a picture so chilling that it prompted an instinctive rebuttal from the group. Could it really be so? Ji Liushuang bit her lip, now thinking that some things indeed did not make sense. In such a bizarre ce, everyone had done their homework before setting out but found no information rted to it. If it hadnt been deliberately concealed by someone But if what he said was true The thought ofpletely disappearing from her parents world, without leaving even a trace of memory, was suffocating, even for someone as strong-willed as her. So, give up any pointless fantasies. No one is going to rescue you. Fu Qian added another jab. Unless you run out on your own. Eventually, it was Li Weixuan who was the first to snap back to reality, seeing that the whole group had been silenced. He took a deep breath. This ce is indeed eerie. Its no use sitting around waiting for death. From now on, everyone follow me to explore the interior of the ruins. This time, no voices of protest emerged, or rather, no voices were heard at all. Done! Fu Qian snapped his fingers, very pleased with the current oue. After all, for the initial exploration of the interior of the ruins, Li Weixuan, the powerful fighter, was indispensable, so this group had toe. Of course, strictly speaking, what he had just said was still an unconfirmed conjecture. But often, when you provide an exnation for something, however far-fetched, people will inevitably ponder its possibility without any other answers. The more they thought about it, the more terrifying it became. Along the way, the team fell into a gloomy silence, everyone looking listlessmorale -99. Fu Qian had sessfully brought the teams morale to the brink of copse with his words alone. Li Weixuan wasnt asposed as he seemed on the surface, but as a seasoned expert, he fully leveraged his advantage, transforming his anxiety into rage. Wielding a longsword temporarilymandeered from a student, he led the way, and anything that moved was subjected to a deluge of sword strikes. The mysterious and venomous hair monster, the agile and ferocious palmscreatures that had caused huge trouble for the team before were crushed to pieces under the raging sword energy of a Fourth Phase peak master. The efficiency was so high that even Fu Qian abandoned the idea of stealing kills. The students behind him grew even more silent, already in a daze, and were now utterly intimidated by the divine might. Under the furious leadership of Li Weixuan, they were almost unstoppable, plunging deep into the interior of the ruins. The inside was even more bizarre than the exterior. Buildings of various types piled up inyers in an unfathomable manner, squeezed together, making it look as crowded as the spring rush, with barely a path to be found, and many ces only essible by rooftops. Besides the hair and hands previously encountered, there was now also a giant white centipede. Upon closer inspection, each segment of the centipedes body was made up of human skulls. The deformed skulls had their mouths wide open, biting down on the top of the next one, stacking and stretching endlessly like that. Chapter 43 - 42: Blood Puppet_1 Chapter 43: Chapter 42: Blood Puppet_1 ` Just after Li Weixuans fierce Sword Intent turned the skeleton centipede into bone dust, the groups eyes lit up as they realized they had reached the center of the ruins. A gap appeared amidst the crowded buildings here, forming a deep pit. The pit was currently filled with a viscous dark red liquid, resembling decayed and spoiled blood. More exaggerated was the fact that the blood pool was even moving. It pulsated as if alive, the entire blood pool contracting and expanding at a unique frequency, much like a giant slime. As it moved,rge and small bubbles continuously emerged, releasing a rotten smell that shot straight to the brain, making one feel as if their brain would rot with a single breath. Atst, they knew where all the blood had gone to! It seemed ones imagination still needed further refinement, this thing was far more bizarre than bloody tofu. And even more unexpected, there was actually a person in the middle of the blood pool. This person was extremely tall, but his hair and beard were all white, showing that he was of old age. At the moment he was with his eyes tightly closed, motionless. Surprisingly, not only was his body intact, but his upper body was also spotlessly clean, making a stark contrast with the foul stench below. In the old mans right hand was a long halberd with an exaggerated design. Just by looking at the luster flowing on it, one could tell it was definitely a divine weapon. However, looking closely, one could see that starting from the old mans lower legs, which were soaked in the blood, signs of corrosion had begun to appear, and a dark rust had crept up to his waist. You all wait here. Li Weixuan dropped the phrase coldly and immediately prepared to go down to investigate. Just at that moment, an anomaly abruptly urred. A bizarre pulsation appeared in the dark red fluid of the blood pool, and then a vortex formed around the old man. The stench instantly increased tenfold. The vortexs speed elerated from slow to fast, spinning wildly, and in the blink of an eye, it slithered up the old mans legs, swiftly enveloping his entire lower half. The next moment, the top of the fluid tightened into a cylindrical shape, then trembled like a snake, hoisting the old man high into the air. The old man raised his long halberd high, as if descending from the sky like an executioner about to deliver a death blow. ng! Apanied by a streak of fire tearing through the sky, the old man crossed a distance of dozens of meters, and his long halberd smashed hard onto the ground in front of the crowd. Across from him, Li Weixuan, who had remained uninjured thus far, finally had some bloodstains on his body. The old man, failing to make his strike count, once again stood in the air with the support of the blood column. Stay back. Li Weixuan signaled everyone to retreat. The next moment, Sword Intent surged and killing energy filled the air. This was the power of the Fourth Phase pinnacle. Fu Qian clicked his tongue in praise, yet his eyes were fixed on the old man opposite to him. The momentum behind that single halberd attack was truly terrifyingif it hadnt been for Li Weixuan blocking it, the Exploration Team would have either died or been injured. Unfortunately, the attacker, whounched that strike, still hadnt opened his eyes, his movements stiff, as if a dead man. Is that thing attached to his lower body the real entity after all? Fu Qian looked at the clump holding up the old man. Now that mass had entirely transformed into the shape of a snail, with most of the dark red fluid absorbed into its body, revealing a circr dome at the bottom of the pool. The old man must have been standing on that just before. While everyones attention was drawn to the battle, Fu Qian quietly walked to the edge of the pool. There was something he had wanted to do for a long time. He was sure of his deduction, having watched all the way up to now. ` The people who entered the crucible had their flesh and blood refined by special rules, then they were transformed into various twisted monsters. Clearly, this Blood Pond is one of those products. So the question arises, why was the old man unaffected? It seems he has been here for quite some time. When things are abnormal, there must be demons; only those not governed by the rules have a chance to get out. Looking at the dark red water of the pond, Fu Qian cut a wound on his arm, then inverted his palm, allowing his blood to flow into it. Logically speaking, once blood leaves the body, it bes lifeless and should be absorbed quickly. However, unexpectedly, the blood Fu Qian let into the pond not only didnt blend in but actually floated on the surface, like oil and water, refusing to mix. Does this mean I am also unaffected? Fu Qians eyes lit up. Do I have anything inmon with this elder? Other than us both being male. As Fu Qian was frowning in thought here, he suddenly noticed a change in the blood in the pond. As if drawn by some force, the blood floating on the surface of the Blood Pond began to move. Quickly, the pool of fresh blood stretched into a line, flowing towards the direction of the old man suspended in mid-air. It can also do this? Fu Qian watched with wide eyes as the bloodline followed the pir of blood from the lower half of the old mans body, eventually disappearing at the old mans waist. Because the color contrast was not obvious, no one else but him noticed this detail. At this time, the fight between the two reached its climax. Although the old man possessed immense strength and a divine weapon, he appeared to be just a puppet,cking flexibility in his movements. Under Li Weixuans relentless assault, the old man quickly fell into a disadvantage, now desperately holding on. Li Weixuan seemed to realize that the pir of blood beneath the old man was the real body, so he aimed every strike at the lower half, causing blood and viscera to ssh and flow everywhere. With one final rip through the lower blood pir of the old man, his entire body shuddered and he groaned, opening his eyes. He began to struggle fiercely, and, just before the blood pir could seal back up, he managed to break free, leaping to the shore. Thank you, for helping me escape from that Nightmare. Kneeling and gasping for air, the old mans eyes showed a humans light for the first time. I never imagined such a day woulde. The old man spoke slowly, his voice hoarse and unpleasant, as if he hadnt spoken for a long time. Seeing this, Li Weixuan also ceased attacking but still watched him warily, issuing the souls triple inquiry. Who exactly are you? Why are you here? What is this ce really? I am The old man, clutching the long halberd, slowly stood, frowning in contemtion, his face showing a pained expression. I cant remember, I only remember being trapped somewhere, unable to escape no matter what Monsters everywhere, my thoughts growing more and more chaotic, sometimes even feeling like I was already dead Hold on a second! All of a sudden, as if the old man had discovered something, he pointed at the Academy students chests, his face trembling. Are you from the Academy? You know about the Academy? Quite a few students had the Academys emblem on their chests; now it was their turn to be taken aback. Remember? I clearly know that I am the Fourth Headmaster of the Academy! I remember now Before the Academys people could express their shock, the old mans demeanor suddenly became solemn, his long halberd striking the ground. My name is Feng Yunhong! Chapter 44 - 43 They Realized the Severity of the Problem_1 Chapter 44: Chapter 43 They Realized the Severity of the Problem_1 Feng Yunhong! Li Weixuans expression grew solemn. Thats right, I believe you must have heard this name. The old man sighed with the vicissitudes of life, a face suggesting a false reputation was not worth mentioning. All illusory fame is like passing clouds and smoke. Sorry, never heard of it. Li Weixuan shook his head. Not just him, everyone made the same motion. What? Feng Yunhongs expression instantly became quite interesting. And I am quite sure that the Academys fourth-generation president did not bear that name. Nonsense, I was president when you probably werent even born yet, what do you know? Feng Yunhongs eyes filled with anger. That is true, seas change into mulberry fields, not knowing about things several decades ago is very normal. Li Weixuan spoke in an indifferent tone. But this one point I am very certain about because the fourth-generation president is my grandfather. I am very certain his surname is Li, and right now, he should be on vacation in the Southern Hemisphere. Li Weixuan observed Feng Yunhongs expression, which was clearly saying, Old man, you might want to get your brain checked out for staying here too long, you cant even remember your own name. Li? Your grandfather is named Li He? Feng Yunhongs eyes became unfocused as he stared nkly for a long while before suddenly asking Li Weixuan. How do you know Li Weixuan began, but stopped mid-sentence, subconsciously turning his head to look at Fu Qian. Not just him, all the students did the same, uniformly turning to look at Fu Qian standing in the distance. Finally realizing the seriousness of the issue? Fu Qian nodded at everyone, gesturing towards Feng Yunhong. There, for example. Whats called a genius intuition, you see? Although information was quite sparse when making hypotheses at the time, facts have proven that the most terrifying nightmare hase true. Whats wrong with you all? Feng Yunhong also noticed something was amiss. Feng old master. Li Weixuan swallowed. Do you know my grandfather? Need you even ask, when I was president he was always my assistant, that kid was exceptionally talented, especially with a stable and solid temperament, capable of achieving greatness. Feng Yunhong stroked his beard as he reminisced about the past. But to say he was the fourth-generation president is simply preposterous, he didnt even have a full beard at that time, how could we make him president! Li Weixuan took a deep breath and nced back. This wave of mental shock was terrifying, all the students had a look of confusion in their eyes, the light of hope dissipated. Its actually just like what that guy said! Once youe in here, all information from the outside world ispletely erased; no one would remember themselves. No reinforcements wille! Only Fu Qian stood there, still looking at Feng Yunhong with great interest. Old Master Feng, the reality I came to understand might be different from what you think. Li Weixuan gulped and chose his words carefully. My grandfather truly was the fourth-generation president of the Academy, but before him, there was a quite long period when the position was vacant. As for your name, I am sorry, but truly no information about it has been passed down. Seeing Feng Yunhongs expression copse again, Li Weixuan began to exin while gesturing to Fu Qian toe over. About why its like this, we have hypothesized a possible reason, let my student exin it to you in detail. After calling Fu Qian over, Li Weixuan quickly retreated to the side topose himself. Fu Qian floated up, greeted the elder, and repeated his hypothesis about the nature of these ruins. After he finished speaking, not only was the old Mr. Feng stunned there, but the team members who were forced to listen again were even more dispirited, with gray defeat on their faces. What in the world is this cursed ce! Mr. Feng, if you dont mind, may I ask a few questions? After giving Feng Yunhong half a minute to digest, Fu Qian spoke again. Go ahead and ask. Feng Yunhong responded in a deep voice, no longer as spirited as before. ording to what you said, have you been trapped here for a long time? Yes, it has been many years since that happened. Feng Yunhong lifted his head, his gaze lost. These years, the times Ive been lucid have be fewer and fewer. Its difficult to estimate the exact time, but seeing how big Li Hes grandson has grown, Im afraid its almost been a hundred years. At first, I couldnt understand why, after being missing for so long, no one ever came looking for me. I never imagined there would be such weirdness in between. So, when you entered here, your strength was already very high, wasnt it? What are you asking this for? Feng Yunhong frowned and nced at Fu Qian. Back then, I was only at the Fifth Phase, but after all these years, Ive managed to make some progress. It shows. Fu Qian nodded. Then, during this period, have others identally wandered in? Too many. Youve seen the monsters outside, havent you? Was anyone as formidable as you? What on earth is this guy trying to do? The surrounding crowd looked at Fu Qian with confusion. Asking a bunch of useless questions, what do you want? Do you expect someone to take you as a disciple or what? Lets not even talk about the issue of seniority. Everyones trapped here; what use are you if we cant get out? As for masters, there indeed were a few. Feng Yunhong pondered for a moment. However, they didntst. They were devoured by this ce. Understood, thank you for clearing up my confusion. Fu Qian said thanks with a mischievous smile. The next moment, he took a step back and, as he turned around, he took something out and swiftly threw it at Feng Yunhong. Are you insane? Thetters voice was filled with shock and anger. At such a close distance, by the time Feng Yunhong realized it, it was almost unavoidable; he was hit directly. Not just him, including Li Weixuan, everyone was taken aback, not understanding what Fu Qian was doing. Now, they saw clearly what Fu Qian had thrownit was actually a bloodied finger. It couldnt be his own finger, could it? Had he torn off his own finger to use as a hidden weapon? This guys mind really wasnt normal! However, in the next moment, everyone froze in ce. After the finger hit Feng Yunhong, instead of bouncing off, it pierced straight into his body. Was it really so fragile? Feng Yunhong looked down at the finger that had entered his body, his expression extremely strange. The next moment, the half of the finger still exposed outside melted like candle wax, merging into Feng Yunhongs body without leaving a trace. At the same time, Feng Yunhongs face twisted into an inhuman, distorted smile! This guy really had a problem! Fu Qian clenched the wound where his finger had been, feeling the pain was worth it. The next moment, Fu Qian raised his hands high and shouted a phrase that stuck in his memory. Silly kids, run for it! What? Most people were still immersed in the shocking scene that had just unfolded,pletely failing to grasp the meaning of what Fu Qian had shouted. Run where! Feng Yunhongs cold voice came. In the midst of the muffled booming sounds, his massive body exploded into a storm of blood and flesh. An indescribably Furious Power instantly swept over everything around. Chapter 45 - 44 Do you know what ambergris is?_1 Chapter 45: Chapter 44 Do you know what ambergris is?_1 Apart from Fu Qian, no one expected Feng Yunhong tounch a surprise attack, especially one that was self-destructive. Li Weixuan bore the brunt of it, unable to avoid it, and was almost immediately engulfed within it. The approaching blood and flesh storm, with its terrifying power that made one suffocate, far exceeded the oppressive force that Feng Yunhong had exerted, sweeping everything in its path with an invincible momentum. Li Weixuans body shook violently, and in an instant, countless wounds appeared. However, the next moment, an immense sword qi burst forth, shing with the storm. Knowing there was no hope of escaping, Li Weixuan chose to face the blow head-on. The wild force overflowed, the sword light shattered, and Li Weixuans body was instantly torn apart. Taking advantage of this slight reprieve, Ji Liushuang and others exerted all their strength to escape the reach of the storm. Apart from them, the entire Exploration Team was annihted in an instant, exploding into a mist of blood under the impact of the storm. The next moment, the storm receded, leaving a scene smeared with blood. All around the blood pool, a thick mixture of blood and flesh was smeared everywhere, and apart from Li Weixuan, it was nearly impossible to see any intact corpses. Soon, as the storm subsided, thick streams of blood converged and meandered into the nearby blood pool. Fu Qian stood to one side, quietly observing the scene before him, not missing any detail. The blood and flesh mixture flowing into the blood pool once again presented a clear-cut scene. Most of the blood and flesh quickly merged into that stinking clump, while Li Weixuans broken body was wrapped in fresh blood, slowly dissolving away, and a human-shaped blood shadow slowly took form. So it was! Fu Qian felt that he now understood the state of this furnace. First of all, Feng Yunhong hadnt told the whole truth. Right from the moment he dropped blood into the pool, Fu Qian had had his suspicions. Over the years, there surely must have been Transcendents of no low realm that fell into this trap. If their deaths were unaffected, then where did their bodies go? The answer was now quite clear. Among the blood mist that had exploded just now, apart from Feng Yunhongs head, there were faces, contorted faces, far more than one. The owners of those Blood Faces were those Transcendents of no low realm. They had indeed been devoured, but not by this furnaceit was by Feng Yunhong. They, just like Li Weixuan now, had all been eaten by this Feng Yunhong. Fu Qian had no doubt that soon, a Feng Yunhong would emerge from within, and Li Weixuan would be one of the many Blood Faces. As for why Feng Yunhong was capable of doing this, Fu Qian recalled a section about ambergris that he had learned in a fragrance and spice ss. It is said that giant squids have tough beaks and rad that are not easy to digest. When eaten by sperm whales, they umte in the gastrointestinal tract, stimting the intestines, and over time the intestines secrete a special waxy substance that encases the remnants, gradually forming ambergris. Every Transcendent of a certain strength was an impurity that this furnace could not digest. What they had just seen in Feng Yunhong was the ambergris formed over the years. He was not a person, but a conglomerate of all the remnant residues of those Transcendents. When they first encountered him, the clump of flesh beneath his waist was not controlling him but was enveloping him to prevent him from affecting the furnace. Therefore, his loss of sanity at that time waspletely an act. Why did this happen? From a distance, Ji Liushuang, with blood on her lips, looked dazedly at the bloody scene in front of her. Even the Academys head She was among the luckiest ones, originally at a distance. After hearing Fu Qians words, though she didnt quite understand, she subconsciously prepared herself mentally. So when Feng Yunhong blew himself up, she was almost the first to escape the range of the storm, only slightly shaken. Apart from her, only five others survived, including Yuan Xin and Huang Zhaoyan. They werent so lucky. Even though Li Weixuan had given his life for their chance to breathe, without exception, they were all affected by the storm, with the most seriously injured nearly turned into minced meat. The once-sizable team, in the blink of an eye, was reduced to a mere few individuals. How did you know? Struggling to get up from the ground, Yuan Xin did not rush to check his injuries. Instead, he stared intently at Fu Qian, word by word he asked. Know what? Fu Qian looked at the other persons face, covered in blood. I knew there was something wrong with him. Yuan Xin pointed toward the direction of the blood pool. From the beginning to the end, it was you who told us we were trapped told us we couldnt rest told us to search for an exit inside the ruins The whole team has been acting ording to your arrangements, and this is the result we have ended up with. Tell me, how did you know all of this? Yuan Xins words brought a momentary silence, then everyone stared at Fu Qians face, deep in thought. Indeed, on closer inspection, there were quite a few doubtful points; it seemed that this guy had been directing the teams actions all along. And there was his strange behavior just now. Fu Qians right hand now had only four fingers; he had just ripped off his little finger and thrown it onto Feng Yunhongs body. Now is not the time to dwell on these issues; we need to figure out a way to get out first. Ji Liushuang stepped forward, staring at Yuan Xin with a stern look, stopping him from continuing. Although she also felt that Fu Qian had many secrets, she didnt believe it was as Yuan Xin had described. Fu Qians actions were more akin to those of a wholly rational survivor, every move made solely to stay alive. Dont forget that it was Fu Qian who had just reminded everyone to run quickly. Being reprimanded by the goddess of his heart, Yuan Xin, with his eyes red with rage, was no longer respectful as before, but instead looked at her and sneered, unwilling to give in. Humans! Fu Qian sighed inwardly. Often, the only reason some people hate you is that you told them the truth. Even when they are powerless to confront the truth, they often subconsciously want to kill you, as if your disappearance would make the difficulties before their eyes vanish. Fortunately, dealing with such people, Fu Qian had specialmunication skills. The next moment, the air was filled with murderous intent. The fear of death gripped everyones hearts. Fu Qian smiled as he looked at Yuan Xin. Are you mistaken about something? Where did you get the idea that I need to answer your questions? At these words, Yuan Xin, who had just been uncontroble with anger, turned pale as paper. It wasnt just him; everyone had the same reaction, and the room fell silent. Indeed, in these circumstances, did Fu Qian have any obligation to answer any questions at all? Not to mention that aside from him, almost everyone was injured; even if all six people were uninjured, they might not be a match for a Sixth Phase Transcendent. Considering the nature of these ruins, anything that happened within would go unnoticed to the outside world. Having a powerful family was meaningless if you died here. Dead for real, leaving no trace behind, the outside world wouldnt even remember you existed, much less seek vengeance for you. Even the former head of the Academy, trapped here for decades, didnt cause the slightest ripple before ultimately turning into this neither alive nor dead state. To Fu Qian, the group was nothing more than meat on a chopping board. If he really wanted to kill, there was nothing that could threaten him. No, he had already killed one person. Remembering the dismembered assassin, the groups hearts sank further. Especially Huang Zhaoyans. Fu Qian, dont be rash. Ji Liushuang also lost color in her face, her voice trembling as she tried to persuade him, extremely worried that Fu Qian mightsh out in displeasure. Its okay, I never act rashly. Fu Qian, smiling, walked beside the blood pool, where a humanoid blood silhouette was slowly taking shape; he turned back to look at Ji Liushuang. Do you know what ambergris is? Chapter 46 - 45: The Struggle_1 Chapter 46: Chapter 45: The Struggle_1 What is ambergris? Fu Qians question made Ji Liushuang freeze on the spot. I of course know what ambergris is, but I dont understand what you mean Ji Liushuang muttered in reply. Fu Qian hadnt expected her to understand. Indigestible foreign substances that are encapsted are not yet true ambergris; its only after being expelled by the Whale and washed and soaked by the seawater for hundreds of years that it bes a true treasure. There is a very important point here, which is that the foreign substances will be expelled. If we cant break through the barrier of the furnace, then let it expel us as if we were foreign substances. Maybe this is a method to escape this desperate situation. But if the furnace ispared to a Whale, then to be expelled, one not only needs to be an indigestible foreign substance but alsorge enough. Fu Qian was highly suspicious that Feng Yunhong had been doing just this over the years. Gradually consuming the Transcendents who came after him, umting himself as a foreign substance, making the furnaces indigestion worse and worse. Until one day, breaking through that limit Not understanding is not a problem, as the ancient saying goes, Being weak and ignorant are not obstacles to survival, but arrogance is. Its best not to do what you dont understand. Fu Qian winked at Ji Liushuang. You will help us, wont you? Unable to grasp the meaning behind Fu Qians words, Ji Liushuang swallowed and spoke quickly. You may be somewhat of an outsider, but I know you are not a bad person. If there is a way to escape, please be sure to tell me; I am willing to pay any price. Fu Qian looked at Ji Liushuangs serious face, then at the other five people. Apart from Ji Liushuang, no one even dared to meet his gaze, although it was clear they were all ears. Sorry, you cant get out. Fu Qian mercilessly shattered the hopes of everyone. Because you are too weak. Also, I might not be a bad person, but I am a mission person. shing a smile at Ji Liushuang, Fu Qian leaped up, jumping right into the center of the blood pool, where Feng Yunhong had first stood. The blood at the center of the pool almost instantly closed around him. Fu Qian could clearly feel his body being violently washed by the blood, trying to prate his body and assimte him. What about this way? Fu Qian didnt hesitate to thrust his right hand into the blood pool. The wound where his pinky was missing instantly became a conduit, with blood rushing into his body like mad through here. You dare! A frenzied howl echoed throughout, and a person stood up in the blood pool. To call it a person was actually apliment; more precisely, it was a humanoid monster with limbs and a torso, even its facial features were a nk void. Do you know what youre doing? It was none other than Feng Yunhongs voice. Of course I know, otherwise why would I be doing it with such gusto? Fu Qian cheekily responded to him, and before the astonished eyes of Ji Liushuang and the others, he tore off his entire right arm. The flow of blood entering increased several times over in an instant. For a moment, he felt his body swell with surging blood and qi. Stop! Feng Yunhongs voice became more urgent. Do you have any idea how many years Ive prepared for this? Looks like youre quite aware of your situation, huh? Fu Qian confirmed his guess. This one had indeed thought of the same method. Turn himself into an indigestible, unbearable substance, and then have the furnace expel him voluntarily. I will never let you ruin my decades of effort! Seeing that Fu Qian not only didnt stop but intensified his attack, Feng Yunhong, out of desperation, also began to absorb faster. But the self-destruction had clearly caused him massive damage, and he was still in the midst of recovery. As soon as the absorption rate increased, his body immediately became unstable, almost unable to maintain human form, forcing him to slow down again. However, even so, relying on his years of umtion and familiarity, his absorption rate still far exceeded Fu Qians. His body began to take shape gradually, with organs, muscles, and various details appearing. After confirming that Fu Qian could not pose a real threat to him, Feng Yunhong breathed a sigh of relief. Stupid fool,st time I let you escape, I didnt expect you toe back and fall into your own trap. He red at Fu Qian. Soon I will personally send you on your way and let you experience what the most extreme pain is like. Hmm! Facing Feng Yunhongs threat, Fu Qian snorted and remainedpletely unmoved. Its reminded me, should I strike first to be strong? Fu Qian stepped forward, walking up to Feng Yunhong. Without any skin, the muscture all over his body was clearly visible, even the internal organs could be seen. The blood in the blood pool had already been mostly absorbed by him, making the figure of Feng Yunhong look even taller than before. You dare! In Feng Yunhongs roar of anger, Fu Qian took another step forward, letting the other grab his neck while he left a deep gash on Feng Yunhongs body with his fingers like a knife. However, the next moment, blood gushed out from the wound, healing at a visible rate. Dont waste your effort. Feng Yunhongughed crazily. Although its inconvenient for me to move now, as long as I stand in this blood pool, I will absolutely not die. No matter what injuries I receive, they will be rapidly repaired. Is that so? How about this? Fu Qian blinked, reached through the not yet fully healed wound, andunched a Visceral Critical Strike. The blood pool trembled violently beneath his feet, as Feng Yunhong let out a scream that echoed everywhere. As Fu Qian withdrew his hand, a surge of blood spurted from the wound on his body. Stop it! With no skin at all, theoretically his whole body was a wound, a perfect target for organ snatching! Ignoring Feng Yunhongs screams, Fu Qian reached in again for another grab. The six people on the shore were now stunned. When they saw Fu Qian jump directly into the blood pool, the group thought he had gone mad and was attempting suicide. But now it seemed he was well prepared and set to the rhythm of killing Feng Yunhong. Watching Fu Qian attack ferociously, causing Feng Yunhong to let out scream after scream, suddenly a figure rushed to the edge of the pool. Huang Zhaoyan! The group was shocked at the sudden advance of this person. Idiots. Huang Zhaoyan looked at the group with a cold sneer and, without hesitation, jumped in. This guy wants a share of the spoils! The group, chided as fools, instantly understood Huang Zhaoyans intentions. Clearly, absorbing the fresh blood in the center of the pool could enhance strength, and with Feng Yunhong and Fu Qian fighting intensely without any spare attention. Huang Zhaoyan was attempting to step in. Although dangerous, in such a ce, a bit more strength was a bit more assurance of survival, and upon reflection, it was worth it. The reason for calling the others fools was also simple. If they were allowed to continue, no matter who eventually won, those left would be likembs to the ughter. Suddenly, the crowd became restless, and shadows leaped forward, rushing towards the center of the blood pool. Chapter 47 - 46 I Only Fight for the Present Day_1 Chapter 47: Chapter 46 I Only Fight for the Present Day_1 This For a moment, even Ji Liushuang almost couldnt help charging forward. However, a voice that shed through her mind restrained her impulsive behavior. Do you know what ambergris is Its best not to do things you dont understand. The words Fu Qian had said hammered in Ji Liushuangs heart, causing her to hesitate for a moment, merely watching as the others rushed toward the blood pool. The next instant, she was immensely grateful for her moment of hesitation. Charging at the forefront were the strongest, Huang Zhaoyan and Yuan Xin, among whom Huang Zhaoyan, being the least injured, leaped high into the air almost like Fu Qian, aiming directly for the center of the pool. However, just as he was mid-leap, a spinning tentacle suddenly shot out from the surrounding putrid, foul-smelling liquid of the blood pool. Ah! Amidst screams, Huang Zhaoyan couldnt avoid it and was pierced through the calf by the tentacle. The next instant, as the tentacle retracted, Huang Zhaoyan was dragged down, buried into the putrid liquid. This scene left Yuan Xin, who was following close behind, utterly shocked. As he hesitated whether to advance or retreat, the next moment he discovered two tentacles shooting toward him. Despite dodging the tentacles attack with all his might, Yuan Xin lost his bnce, and half of his body toppled into the pool. The blood pool was not deep, and Yuan Xin tried to stand up by pushing against the ground with his hand, only to find that seemingly countless tendrils within the liquid were firmly gripping his body, rendering him immobile. The three who had originally waded through the water froze for a moment, and the next instant they frantically tried to retreat, only to find they too could no longer move. In an instant, all five were trapped. Save me! Yuan Xin, having fallen on the outskirts of the blood pool, desperately looked towards Ji Liushuang who was still onshore. He could already feel the sensation around his wounds rapidly fading, the fear of death swiftly enveloping his heart. In the corner of his eye, he saw Huang Zhaoyanpletely submerged by the liquid. Watching the tragic scene unfold before her, Ji Liushuang who had narrowly escaped death, felt weak in her hands and feet, her heart pounding wildly. She couldnt help but look back at Fu Qian in the blood pool. His words were hinting at me! He had everything nned out in advance, even anticipating this scenario! Everyones reactions were within his expectations! As the people in the pool began to fall one by one, listening to the wails of the crowd, Ji Liushuangs heart softened, intending to rescue them. If you dont understand something, you shouldnt do it. But the words of Fu Qian surged in her mind once more, leading her to ultimately turn her head away. In the blood pool, Fu Qian nced over only to shift his gaze away immediately. He had not the slightest sympathy for these people. Theres no cure for idiocy! Its true that humans have a survival instinct and its understandable to do whatever it takes to live, but that doesnt mean you can do so without thinking. Not understanding the true logic, blindly imitating is tantamount to gambling with your life. What makes you think that just because these things on the periphery didnt react to me, they would not strike at you? At this time, he had already used Visceral Critical Strike three times in quick session on Feng Yunhong, causing thetter to bleed profusely. Yet, this only served to dy Feng Yunhongs regeneration. As proven, he was right; as long as he was in here, his health was infinite. Go to hell! By now, Feng Yunhong had gradually regained his mobility, and his counterattack followed. Squeezing Fu Qians neck with insane force, Fu Qian felt a crunch sound as the bones in his neck turned to a mess. Then, in the blink of an eye, the surging qi and blood in his body repaired the bones. Its a pity, I seem to have infinite health as well. This feeling is truly magical! However, Feng Yunhongs absorption rate was obviously still far superior to his own, which definitely wouldnt work in the long run. Fu Qian thought for a moment, then the fourth Visceral Critical Strike changed direction, stabbing into his own body. Boom! It felt like his body was hollowed out. The indescribable agony hit him, and Fu Qians body paused momentarily. Feng Yunhong paused briefly, then beganughing heartily. You want to put an end to your suffering with suicide? Keep dreaming! Now, even death is not up to you! You dont know shit. Fu Qian snorted. This is called the Desperate Vengeance Strike The next moment, the massive wound on his body crazily tore through his surroundings, forming a true gaping maw of blood. This scene seemed all too familiar! Fu Qian let out a sigh and swallowed everything around him in one gulp. The fresh blood nearby was directly halved. Youre insane! Feng Yunhong was both shocked and furious. You cant digest it like this, youll only blow up and die, it wont be long before youre finished! No need to remind me, Im already feeling it. Fu Qian grimaced in agony. Unlike before, when he absorbed through the wound, this time he swallowed it whole, instantly filling his body with chaotic blood flow, and his head was bombarded with countless noise. But thats not important He squeezed out a smile at Feng Yunhong. To triumph as the underdog, one needs to be adept at using every advantage they have. For instance, the phrase before long It means nothing to me! I couldnt care less about whats going to happen to me then. But you cant afford that! Enduring the pain that felt like his body was about to burst, Fu Qian swallowed anotherrge mouthful of fresh blood under Feng Yunhongs horrified gaze. He was also busy with his hands, delivering another Visceral Critical Strike to him. As one waned, the other waxed, causing Feng Yunhongs condition to decline swiftly. You madman! In the end, amidst Feng Yunhongs desperate curses, Fu Qians final Visceral Critical Strike reverted him back to a blood form. No Feng Yunhong only managed to get halfway through his scream before being swallowed whole by Fu Qian. It was over. Fu Qian slumped to the ground, the remaining trickle of blood continuously entering his body, mending his wounds, and even reattaching his severed arm and fingers. Of course, that was just on the surface. Inside, his chaotic blood was almost out of control, forcefully surging in all directions by instinct, making him feel as if his body was swelling up and ready to explode any second. But that was enough. Even if internally he was a mess, Fu Qian could still feel his state more exaggerated than ever before, his life force stronger than Li Weixuans had been. He could even feel his very existence being rejected, the space around him bing viscous. Indeed, a strength built solely on blood energy had surpassed the limits of the crucible. Next, all he needed to do was to reach the barrier to verify if his thoughts were correct. With his body parts grossly out of sync, Fu Qian struggled to his feet. Hahaha! Just as he was about to set off, a voiceughed wildly in his ear. Yes, quite literally in his ear. Fu Qian could distinctly feel a mouth had formed under his left ear, emitting Feng Yunhongs voice. You maniac, youll never be able to eradicate me! All I need to do is wait for you to explode and restart the rebirthing process, while you will soonpletely perish, body and soul! Not just him, dozens of deranged voicesughed from all over his body. There were men and women, likely those Transcendents who had been devoured by Feng Yunhong. My rash swallowing act seemed to have improved their condition considerably. It seems residing in this form for too long does indeed affect ones mind! Alright, Ive got it, you dont need to repeat yourself so many times. Fu Qian said wearily. What if I make it out of the barrier in the meantime? Instantly, both Feng Yunhongs voice and the voices in his mind fell silent. So, we would all perish together, wouldnt we? Fu Qian walked on,ughing. That really would be wonderful! Chapter 48 - 47 Dark Night Liushuang_1 Chapter 48: Chapter 47 Dark Night Liushuang_1 Are you alright? As Fu Qian struggled to climb ashore, Ji Liushuang asked with trembling caution. Fu Qian understood this very well, anyones reaction would be far from calm upon seeing a fellow swollen to several times their size and covered in mouths. Great! His rxed tone provoked a barrage of curses. Making empty boasts, your death is near, youll be utterly destroyed haha Idiot, youre squandering ourst chance. Young man, dont be rash Who are they? Ji Liushuang instinctively stepped back, recognizing Feng Yunhongs voice among the others. You can collectively call them seniors, though its hard to say if they are esteemed. The cursing suddenly doubled. Can you save them? Seemingly gaining some understanding of Fu Qians situation, Ji Liushuang took another step back, then remembered the few people still trapped in the blood pool. Of the Arrogant Five, Huang Zhaoyan had vanished without a trace, and Yuan Xins face was only half-visible as he was on the verge of suffocating. I cant. Fu Qian refused outright, darkening the expressions of the three still standing, with Yuan Xin struggling in desperation. Are youing with me? Youre taking me out? Ji Liushuangs dim eyes lit up instantly. No. Fu Qian shook his head. Giving you the chance to watch me leave. The scenery shifted, and soon the edge of the ruins was clearly in sight. Ji Liushuang didnt know what she felt. After Fu Qian said that, she didnt even feel angry and actually followed him all the way out. Perhaps after being in a dire situation for too long, even if it wasnt herself, she wanted to witness something escaping from it. She gave herself a reason. The two of them, one in front of the other, continued on the same path they came in on, even encountering the Palm Monster that Li Weixuan had wounded and a few lush clumps of hair. But their reactions were odd, even though they saw the two humans, they just looked from a distance, not daring to approach. It felt like going to court! Fu Qian admired internally, knowing that these things were probably not just afraid of him. More likely, as beingspletely assimted by the Furnace, they didnt want to touch something that the Furnace itself had rejected. The barrier was now close at hand. The closer he got, the more Fu Qian felt the forces violently struggling inside him. Reversing blood flow was now the least of his concerns; his muscles and bones creaked, chaotic powers almost made walking a problem, and the howling in his head grew louder and louder. Stop, youre truly insane Young man, dont be too arrogant Brother, youre still young, dont go down the path of self-destruction Fu Qian made no reply, his face unchanged as he controlled his body, taking firm steps to the edge of the barrier and extending his right hand. Like touching ayer of thick jelly, the previously imprable invisible barrier was easily prated. It really works! Fu Qian blinked, turned back, and looked at Ji Liushuang. Thetter was staring intently at his hand that had extended outside, her gazeplex. Anyst words? Last words? Upon hearing this, Ji Liushuang first froze, then lowered her head. Doesnt seem to matter anymore, does it? If it really is as you say, even if I tell you somest words now, once I leave, all information rted to me will be erased. Youre not dumb! Theoretically, thats true, so the pressure is on you now. Fu Qian looked at her. If you dont want to waste this opportunity, youll need to think of somest words that I wont forget. Last words that wont be forgotten Ji Liushuang was stunned for a moment before her eyes suddenly lit up. Do you know about Silver Mist Manor? I do. Fu Qian nodded and frowned at the same time. Although it was unbelievable, he just knew. As soon as Ji Liushuang mentioned this ce, an image of a majestic building bathed in sunlight naturally emerged in Fu Qians mind. He was certain that this was the ce she was talking about. But the problem is, Ive never been there, not to mention Im not even from this world. Fu Qian thought for a moment and guessed a possibility. That is, his thoughts had already been contaminated by the consciousness of other Transcendents; these were their memories. In fact, from a while ago, his head had been filled with a variety of chaotic images, a collection of everything. Now it seems that his current form brings more than just physical instability! Not good, Fu Qian suddenly had an ominous premonition. At the far eastern side of Silver Mist Manor, theres a cedar forest. Seeing that Fu Qian actually knew about it, Ji Liushuang was ted and quickly continued. Beneath the cedars grows a kind of flower that only blooms at night. Under the moonlight, theyre as white as frost and form a beautiful expanse. When you have time, you can go have a look. Theres a woman named Ji Xue who likes to take walks there at night. If you see her, you can say hello. Understood, I will take a look if I have the chance. Looking at Ji Liushuangs earnest face, Fu Qian didnt ask what rtion this Ji Xue had with her but nodded in agreement. The next moment, his body leaned entirely against the barrier and squeezed out amidst numerous wails and curses. [Soul state iplete, containment failed] Almost the instant he regained his freedom, Fu Qian heard a prompt by his ear. As expected, it wasnt going to work! Although he had a faint feeling of something being amiss upon discovering the memory disorder, it was still a sigh-inducing reality when faced head-on. This clearly meant that his own approach of forcing a qualitative change through quantitative integration had allowed his physical body toe out but damaged his soul in the process, thus not considered a plete escape. This mission must have some sort ofpulsion. Intense pain coursed through him, and Fu Qian looked down at himself. Clusters of blood burst open all over his body, and his surface was packed with agonized faces as his body rapidly disintegrated. Amid the wails, the scene before his eyes quickly shattered. Back in the familiar warehouse, Fu Qian didnt rush to curse but closed his eyes, straining to remember Ji Liushuangs appearance. In just a few seconds, it had already bepletely blurry. At least this further proved his guess was correct. [Mission Failed] [Evaluation: Merciless Blood Wrist] [Kills: Zhao Ran] [Special Kills: Feng Yunhong, Li Weixuan, Chi Hesheng, Luo Binhai, Shui Jing, Grimwood, Belozov] [Special Kills Reward: Clear Dream Ring] [Special Kills Reward: Feast] [Current SAN Points: 55] [Would you like to y the event recap?] After going through the string of summary information, Fu Qian was stunned for quite a while before he remembered who Zhao Ran wasthe unlucky Assassin Brother! As for that list of special kills, Fu Qian made a point of counting them and found there were no fewer than twenty-seven people. No need to say, this group was the Transcendents who had been consumed by Feng Yunhong over the years, the ones who had been berating him madly just now. Feng Yunhong, this guy, only fought until the enemies were critically low without taking their heads, and ended up sending me two and a half godsends! Chapter 49 - 48 Feast_1 Chapter 49: Chapter 48 Feast_1 [Clear Dream Ring: After activation, it induces a brief shared dreamscape within a certain radius.] Fu Qian checked the rewards from the two super deities and to his surprise, the Clear Dream Ring turned out to be another ring! However, saying another might not be correct, since the Tyrants Fist, although shaped like a ring, is defined as a weapon. Compared to the Tyrants Fist, the appearance of the Clear Dream Ring is much more normal. The silver-white metallic ring is carved with intricate patterns, and its face is set with tiny gems, clustering into a spiral neb. With a gentle motion, ice-blue light flows around, dreamlike and illusory. Inducing people within a certain range into a dreamscape sounds a bit like hypnosis, but the special part must be this shared dreamscape. Making a group of people have the same dream? Inception, huh? That could be interesting. He couldnt think of any immediate use for it, but the design of the ring was quite beautiful, so Fu Qian immediately slipped it onto his other middle finger. Moving on to the next reward, Fu Qian shifted his attention to the [Feast]. [Feast: Substantially enhances life vitality and cannot be deactivated after activation.] [The form of the body is not important, only the joy of the soul constitutes the Feast.] By the name, I thought it was some kind of skill like regenerating health by eating corpses, but it seems like the target of the Feast is myself. Substantially increases life vitality? Fu Qian was puzzled, it seemed his current life vitality was already high enough, how could it increase further? And the part about it being irreversible once activated looked rather serious. Its another point of no return! Unfortunately, Fu Qian was a person with strong curiosity. After hesitating for a few seconds, he persuaded himself and chose to activate the skill. A soft glow lit up from the Feast, and then it disappeared into the void. At the same time, Fu Qian felt a series of vibrating ripples appear within his body, quickly sweeping through his entire form. Bones, muscles, tendonsall resonated with the ripples at every location, and finally ovepped on the skin, creating echo after echo. After a long while, the vibrations slowly ceased. Looks like theres no obvious change! Fu Qian clenched his fists, feeling that his strength hadnt increased noticeably. The next moment, he felt something, and swung out a punch into the void. The rush of wind howled, and at the end of the punch, his index finger suddenly stretched straight out. Apanied by a whooshing sound, the index finger extended a whole arms length, transforming into a finger spear. I think I understand what this enhanced life vitality is all about. Fu Qian retracted his finger and took a deep breath. With a tearing sound, a huge mouth opened at his chest, revealing numerous sharp fangs. Just as I thought! This transformation, which used to be quite strenuous, could now be achieved in an instant, even without first creating a wound. Fu Qian quickly returned to his original form, essentially confirming the change brought about by the [Feast]. If the Thug Form lifted the limits of strength as a human being, then the Feast lifted the traditional restrictions on physical form. He could now freely control any part of his body to transform, without worrying about his body copsing. Impressive! Just a bit freakish! But all in all, it was worth the effort. Overall, Fu Qian was quite satisfied with his gains. Having checked his rewards, he chose to rey the incident. Just then, he realized he had overlooked something. The notice of containment failure had only appeared after he exited the barrier, which was not in itself unreasonable. However, he distinctly remembered the scene when [2-292]leak urred previously. When Wen Li lost her chance for advancement due to Wen Xiuxian being killed, leading to her mental breakdown, hed received the mission failure notification immediately. Comparing the two, it actually suggested somethingthat up until he walked out of the barrier in a state of breakdown, there was still a chance toplete containment. That meant there must be a way inside the furnace to reverse his mental breakdown. Rushing through to the end, Fu Qian watched himself, who had already stepped outside the barrier, in a state of both physical and mental copse. His body was severely misshapen, covered in faces wanting to escape, so clear that even the expressions on the faces could be distinguished. Among the faces, men and women could be discerned, many corrting with the Blood Faces from after Feng Yunhongs self-detonation. But it seemed to be missing something! Frowning, Fu Qian rewound to the moment of Feng Yunhongs self-detonation and, upon close inspection, indeed spotted an anomaly. After Feng Yunhong exploded into a storm of flesh and blood, all the Blood Faces diffuse in the area had acquired a strange mark, shaped like four hands rotating counterclockwise. This Considering Feng Yunhongs condition the first time hed seen him, even Li Weixuan hadnt noticed anything off, which implied that hed suppressed the consciousness of these Blood Faces effectively. Feng Yunhong was clearly hiding something secret, utilizing a special method to suppress mental breakdown to a certain extent, allowing himself to avoid a state of confusion. This probably exined why he had angrily criticized his actions at that time as reckless. It seemed necessary to find a way to have a deep conversation with him. After reviewing the footage several times and confirming he hadnt missed anything, Fu Qian decisively touched the Mist Gate again. [1 SAN Point consumed for another containment attempt, current SAN Points: 54] [1%5%15%50%75%99%100%, containment scene loadingplete] Strange, is this ce on the map? Yuan Xins voice came from ahead as a half-copsed wall appeared, and the team began discussing a halt to regroup. Action had begun! Stretchingzily, Fu Qian walked from the back of the group to the front under the incredulous gazes of his teammates. Fu Qian, whats the matter? Dont change the formation without permission. Yuan Xin, who was discussing with Ji Liushuang, noticed his odd behavior and called out unhappily, but thetter turned a deaf ear. Im talking to you! Annoyed, Yuan Xin reached out to grab Fu Qians shoulder, but unexpectedly missed as Fu Qian had already moved several meters away from the team. Im going to scout ahead. Without looking back and not stopping, Fu Qian stepped over the barrier wall in his path. Without so much as a nce back from Fu Qian, Yuan Xin was first stunned, then a wave of annoyance washed over him. However, he wasnt about to lose hisposure over this, and after taking a deep breath, he looked at Ji Liushuang with a questioning nce. She hesitated before shaking her head. It seems Fu Qian doesnt want us to follow. To be safe, lets stick to the n and rest here for now. Well try to inform Director Liter Before Ji Liushuang could finish speaking, her gaze suddenly froze. From within the shadows, a cluster of ck spikes shot out from behind the wall, densely targeting Fu Qians back. Amidst gasps of rm, Fu Qians back seemed to grow eyes as he lightly stepped on the ground and leaped forward. He just managed to dodge the sneak attack, his body swiftly disappearing into the mist. The nine-person team stood dazed in ce. It took a while for them to react and jump away from the walls position. Chapter 50 - 49 You are the Legendary Dean Feng_1 Chapter 50: Chapter 49 You are the Legendary Dean Feng_1 Fu Qian didnt stop for a moment as he moved through the ruins. He was already familiar with this route hed taken twice before, and he was even clear about the locations where monsters would ambush him. He encountered almost no obstacles along the way, and he soon reached the blood pool at the center. From a distance, he could already see Feng Yunhong shaping something in the recess. Moving his facial muscles, Fu Qian quickly stepped forward, and the next moment, his pupils suddenly dted. Feng Director Yunhong? It took a full ten seconds before the wax-like Feng Yunhong finally showed some movement. Drawing a long breath, as if he had just woken from a dream, Feng Yunhong slowly opened his eyes and looked at Fu Qian. Who are you? This ce is very dangerous. Youre Director Feng, right? Fu Qian did not answer his question, but continued with a look of surprise. I knew you were alright! Ive finally found you! You know me? Feng Yunhong furrowed his brows. Of course! Fu Qian nodded vigorously. Ive seen your picture at the Academy, you havent changed a bit over the years, I recognized you right away. The Academy As if he had heard of something long past, Feng Yunhong paused before he reacted and shook his head. That was many years ago. Yes, the teachers at the Academy often mention the mysterious disappearance of the Fourth Director. It has been at least several decades by now. It is said that Director Liter was always looking for your whereabouts. Director Li, Li He? Hes be a director too, huh. Feng Yunhong sighed deeply, his face a mixture of aging and a trace of relief. Not bad acting, Fu Qian praised internally. Yes, but Director Li has retired for many years now, traveling everywhere, and he has always valued your strength highly. Feng Yunhong waved his hand and looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, the very picture of one who has seen through the vicissitudes of life. All this fleeting fame, like passing clouds and smoke. Speaking of which, you also are a hero among the young. He looked at Fu Qian appreciatively. So young and already at Sixth Phase, in our time, youd definitely be hailed as a young prodigy. You tter me too much, Director Feng. I am but standing on the shoulders of giants; without the many years of exploration by the predecessors, how could the path to cultivation be so smooth? While being modest, Fu Qian frowned looking at the miserable state of Feng Yunhongs lower body. What happened to you Who did this? It would be difficult to exin in a short time, its all because I was too careless back then. This ce is extremely ominous, you must be very careful. Feng Yunhong cautioned Fu Qian with the posture of an elder. I understand! Fu Qian nodded earnestly, continuing to look at Feng Yunhongs lower body with grief and indignation. I will call the others right away, and we will definitely find a way to rescue you. Are there other people? Hearing what Fu Qian said, Feng Yunhongs eyes lit up, then he chuckled resignedly, shaking his head. Its the thought that counts. At my age, I have long been indifferent to life or death, and living up to now has been nothing but a struggle to hang on. The dangers in here are countless; you dont need to risk your lives for me. Please dont say that. Fu Qian shook his head vigorously. Ill go call them now. Deputy Director Li Weixuan, who is with us, is at the peak of Fourth Phase and has the Sword Heart rity that specially ovees evil and filth. He will surely find a way to get you out, just wait Whileforting Feng Yunhong, Fu Qian pretended to leave; the next moment, however, he stopped suddenly, his brows deeply furrowed. Whats wrong? Feng Yunhongs eyes narrowed slightly as he sized up Fu Qian. Do you ever Fu Qian looked around incessantly, as if searching for something. Hear someone talking? Someone talking? How could that be; there are no other people here besides us two! Feng Yunhongs face was filled with confusion. Did you hear it wrong? But there really is! Fu Qian looked puzzled. Its a womans voice, incessantly saying to let her out, her name seems to be Shui Jing Wait, theres another mans voice Chi Hesheng, how can this be? Fu Qian casually named two individuals, noticing the sudden change in Feng Yunhongs expression. The Blood Pool area is rife with curses that sometimes cause hallucinations; you might be affected by them. Youd better leave quickly to avoid further harm. Feng Yunhong hurried Fu Qian along swiftly. Understood, Ill leave right now! Fu Qian nodded his head and bowed to Feng Yunhong. Take care, Ill be back soon. No need to rush, this old man has been here for so many years, theres no hurry for a moment. Feng Yunhongughed heartily, watching Fu Qian leave until hepletely vanished into the thin mist. After traveling some distance, Fu Qian turned and initially used a stone tower to block the view; then he quietly doubled back. Of course, he wouldnt really go and bring Li Weixuan and the others over. The reason he had said that before was to let Feng Yunhong know that more prey would being, so he wouldnt blow himself up just yet. Secondly, it was to put enough pressure on the old gentleman. He had emphasized that Li Weixuan was at the pinnacle of the Fourth Phase with exceptionally sharp senses, and then told him that he had heard cries for help. If even he could hear anomalies, Feng Yunhong would certainly worry about being exposed in front of Li Weixuan. If Feng truly had a way to suppress the swallowed Transcendents, he would definitely take action. Moving swiftly back to the side of the Blood Pool, Fu Qian found that Feng Yunhong had disappeared. And in his original spot, there was now an opening that continued downwards. This ce Fu Qian recalled the arched dome that had been revealed when Li Weixuan and Feng Yunhong had fought. There really was something below! Fu Qian jumped over the Blood Pool once again to the edge of the opening, discovering that below was a series of intecing stone beams. Without the slightest hesitation, Fu Qian jumped down. Speed is of the essence in war, and Feng Yunhongs actions wouldnt be too slow. Landing lightly on a massive arched stone beam, Fu Qian carefully observed the interior of the structure. The space was not veryrge, but the height was significant, and he was now standing on its beams. It was hard to imagine how such a structure could have sunk into the ground. By its overall appearance, this ce should have originally been a church or something simr, but now it was barely recognizable. The entire interior of the building presented an extremely bizarre scene, most parts were empty. Tables, chairs, roof tiles,mp fixtures, colored zeall the interior decorations had umted in the very center of the building. Not only that, these items seemed to be drawn by some force, distortedly forming into a huge four-pronged spiral shape. The symbol on Blood Faces head. A thought struck Fu Qian, confirming that he had found the right ce. In the center of the counterclockwise spiral was a rough stone chair. At this moment, the vanished Feng Yunhong was sitting on it, his body emitting waves of wailing. Hes so fast! Come to think of it, has this guy just been standing up there the whole time, swallowing people and then running down here to digest them? Thats really steady! Chapter 51 - 50 Crazy_1 Chapter 51: Chapter 50 Crazy_1 This ce was still at a great height above the ground, but for Fu Qian, that was no longer a problem. He jumped down silently from above and walked straight to the front of the stone throne. Feng Yunhong sat on the stone throne with his eyes tightly closed, motionless, showing no reaction to Fu Qians arrival. At this distance, the whimpers were already very clear, and one could even see the vague faces on Feng Yunhongs body. Each one had an expression of ferocious agony, as if enduring immense pain. Since Feng Yunhong had no reaction, Fu Qian quietly observed, not missing any detail. The scene, along with the mysterious patterns surrounding it, allowed one to infer that the stone throne was quite a special existence. It seemed that Feng Yunhong relied on it to suppress the consciousness of other Transcendents. Soon, Fu Qian noticed that the whimpers were growing fainter, the faces more blurred, until they disappeared one by one beneath the skin. Even Feng Yunhongs physique seemed to shrink a bit, not as exaggerated as before. The effect was quite remarkable! Fu Qian shook his hands and took a step forward. At the same time, Feng Yunhong suddenly opened his eyes and stared him down intently. What do you think youre doing? Good day to you, Elder Feng! Without a hint of embarrassment at being caught in the act, Fu Qian greeted him withposure. Feng Yunhong let out a coldugh. Fool, do you really think I have lost consciousness? From the moment you came down, I noticed you. I wouldnt know that? Fu Qian sighed. Based on prior experiences, it was clear that this person was extremely wary. Even if, after hearing his words, Feng Yunhong became anxious to deal with the hidden dangers, he wouldnty bare his secrets without a fallback in front of others. This guy had been mingling around here for many decades, his familiarity with the surroundings was beyond imagination; Fu Qian never thought he could deceive him, nor had he made any effort to hide his form. Watching Fu Qian, Feng Yunhong wore a cruel smile. With your suspicious words, you think I would believe you? Ive been busy just now and let you live a little longer. Had you made a move earlier, you might have caused me some trouble, but now, youre only facing one oue. Just like those things just now, right? Fu Qian repliedzily. May I be so bold as to ask what you were doing just now? You can guess. Feng Yunhong stood up from the stone throne. It doesnt matter if you cant guess, youll soon experience it. He picked up the long halberd beside him with one hand. Believe me, youll experience it for a long, long time Well, thats not bad. You really are ignorant of death! Feng Yunhong swung his long halberd with a glint of cold light, and Fu Qian narrowly dodged the attack by a hairs breadth. Pretty fast at running away. Feng Yunhong snorted, his long halberd in motion, unleashing endless streaks of cold light. The capability of this stranger who came out of nowhere was indeed not bad, and worst of all, he knew too much. He had already developed a killing intent; he absolutely could not let Fu Qian escape. Unexpectedly, the other party showed no intention of running away. Instead of retreating, he advanced, dodging the long halberd and engaging in closebat. Had this man gone mad? While somewhat perplexed by Fu Qians suicidal behavior, Feng Yunhong was merciless in his attacks, intent on a swift and decisive victory. Feng Yunhong wielded his halberd expertly, and the gap in their realms enabled him to dominate the confrontation. Quickly, unable to dodge, a bloodstain appeared on Fu Qians arm. Just as Feng Yunhong was about to press the attack, a sh of scarlet brilliance suddenly appeared in front of him. Crack! The Scarlet Whip that appeared out of the Voidnded solidly on Feng Yunhongs body. A hidden weapon? Feng Yunhong was startled, and seeing Fu Qian with empty hands, he couldnt determine the source of the attack. Before he could figure it out, the next moment, a strong sense of irritability surged in Feng Yunhongs heart, giving him an urge to tear everything around him to shreds. What is this? Shocked, Feng Yunhong swiftly increased the distance, pointing his long halberd at Fu Qian. Master Feng, youre so full of energy, let me help you liven up even more. Fu Qian chuckled and, without pause, charged forward to engage in closebat once again. From the start, he had never nned to run. At a nce, Feng Yunhong seemed to be in quite a good condition. With the influence of the stone seat, the discordance in his body was almostpletely suppressed, turning any engagement with him into suicidal behavior at this time. But Fu Qian was certain that the twenty-six blood-drained heads were still there and had not truly been annihted. If they were so easily digested, how could Feng Yunhong remain troubled by them for decades? He believed that with the right stimulus, they would be active once again. Under such circumstances, it was a perfect opportunity for Tyrants Fist toe into y. Chi Hesheng, Luo Binhai, Shui Jing, Grimwood all of you get fired up. What the hell is going on? As time went by, Feng Yunhong became more and more apprehensive as he fought, his long halberd glowing coldly in a continuous blur, leaving one wound after another on his opponent. Yet, this guy was obviously incredibly resilient; despite being covered in wounds, he never fell, not even slowing down appreciably. Meanwhile, Feng Yunhong had already beenshed by the Scarlet Whip more than a dozen times. With each strike, the mania in his heart intensified, and now his violent emotions were so elevated that they even began to affect his attacks. And that wasnt the worst part! The Transcendents consciousness, originally suppressed steadily, was showing signs of instability. The wails reemerged, clearly affected by the raging emotions, and the state became exceedingly unstable. I cant drag this out any longer! Feng Yunhong made up his mind and let out an ear-splitting roar. The massive wave of sound echoed inside the building, causing Fu Qian, who was rushing forward, to stagger. Simultaneously, the long halberd, moving even faster than before, tore through Fu Qians body. You have secrets, and I havent been fighting with all my strength just now. Looking at the neck that was nearly severedpletely, Feng Yunhong revealed a sinister smile. However, before he could catch his breath, a Scarlet Whip crashed down on his head,pletely igniting the frenzy in his heart. How is this possible! Seeing his opponent still standing, Feng Yunhong froze. Master, dont get distracted! A mouth had grown on the palm of Fu Qians right hand, speaking in a mocking tone. His original head rapidly shriveled until only ayer of skin remained. Trying Feast for the first time inbat, the effect is even better than I imagined! To some extent, I now have no vital spots at all. A new head quickly sprouted, and Fu Qian did not stop his hand movements for a moment as the Scarlet Whipshed furiously on Feng Yunhongs body. Under the effect of Tyrants Fist, the wails around thetter grew louder, and parts of his body even started to twist. Do you think youve won? Realizing that the chaos in his mind and body was irreparable, Feng Yunhong let out a harsh roar. The next moment, he actually threw away his long halberd and reached out to grab Fu Qians neck. Chapter 52 - 51: You鈥檙e Using This Thing as a Sedative?_1 Chapter 52: Chapter 51: Youre Using This Thing as a Sedative?_1 Close-quartersbat was exactly what Fu Qian had been hoping for, but seeing Feng Yunhongs actions at this moment, Fu Qian had no intention of confronting him; instead, he turned tail and ran. Thus, a bizarre scene emerged: previously it was Fu Qian pursuing the close-quarters Feng Yunhong, but now it hadpletely reversed, with Feng Yunhong, eyes bloodshot, chasing behind, and Fu Qian running a marathon in front, asionally looking back tosh out with his whip. Bastard! Apanied by a roar of despair, Feng Yunhongs figure staggered. The next moment, a muffled boom echoed as his body exploded from top to bottom, creating an indomitable storm. However, this terrifying strike was still a bit short and ultimately didnt reach Fu Qian up ahead. I knew you would use this move. Fu Qian snorted. It could only be said that youre thinking too much, big brotherI slipped away eight yards when you were probably still ying in the mud! A hairs breadth away, Feng Yunhongs self-detonation was full of grief and despair. As he disintegrated, the bloodstorm that had devoured Li Weixuan and the others appeared once again. Face after face full of rage screamed within it. When the storm subsided, the area around the stone seat was drenched in fresh blood. Quickly, the blood that covered the ground once again slowly converged. Your methods are impressive. Its just too bad that as long as I am here, I absolutely will not die. Feng Yunhongs voice came through, now without the previous frenzy. His self-detonation hadnt harmed Fu Qian, but with that strike, he had sessfully freed himself from an abnormal mental state. This line really has no creativity! Fu Qian shook his head, quite certain he had heard this phrase before. I will never let you destroy my decades of effort! This one, too! When I recover, I will let you experience what the ultimate pain is! Oh! Fu Qian was too exhausted to retort. Ignoring the recovering Feng Yunhong, he walked straight toward the stone seat. What do you think youre doing? Feng Yunhongs puzzled voice came through. He had thought this guy would desperately interfere with his rebirth, but he hadnt expected the other party to bepletely indifferent. A bit tired, just resting a while. Fu Qian looked at the stone seat in front of him and casually babbled. Extremely simple in design, the workmanship was quite rough, dark red bloodstains covered the back of the seat, and beyond that, there was nothing distinctive about it. Fu Qian sat down without hesitation. His mind thundered as if pounded by a heavy fist, His head truly splitting, his ears filled with indescribable noises. His head throbbed like his heart, expanding and contracting continuously. A massive influx of information washed over his consciousness, and Fu Qian felt his sanity shattering bit by bit, almost sumbing to unconsciousness. No wonder Feng Yunhong used this thing to suppress the consciousness of other Transcendents! It seems he would sit here every so often, whenever he found that the consciousness of other practitioners showed signs of awakening, just to plunge them back into slumber. With his guess confirmed, Fu Qian struggled to stand up from the stone seat, rubbing his head. Ha ha ha! Feng Yunhongs manicughter came from nearby. Surprised, arent you? Do you really think sitting up here grants some sort of divine blessing? Hahaha! Do you know that since the day I discovered this ce, I have endured this agony countless times over the decades? Thats why youll never beat me! I know. Fu Qian nced at the frenzied old man, whose body was starting to take shape. Even if I devour you and be the dominant consciousness, unless I can endure to the end every time I sit on this throne, the control of the body will still be taken back by you, wont it? How could you know Feng Yunhongs voice came to aplete halt, each item mentioned by Fu Qian was one of his most central secrets. I know far more than just that. In fact, this pain is nothing to speak of. Fu Qian smiled at Feng Yunhong and sat back down on the stone seat. Although this is my first time sitting here, I still cant understand why you would use this thing as a sedative? No wonder youve been a fool for decades, never escaping! Fu Qian had a faint feeling that the stone seat seemed to have a mysterious connection with the essence of the furnace. The spiritual torment that caused Feng Yunhong great pain was not the main point at all. All at once, pain descended again. Fu Qian remained motionless, letting the torrent of terrifying information wash over his mind. He tried to follow the fleeting, ethereal voice, no longer resisting. At a certain moment, Fu Qian felt as if he saw his own body disintegrating, his flesh and bones all separating from himself. The next moment, they reassembled,bining back together in a strange form. His spirit seemed to merge with the entire ruins, his perception covering all ces, able to look down on the whole domain from a high ce, even seeing Ji Liushuang and the others being attacked. In front of him still stood Feng Yunhong, with a solemn expression on his face. His body had taken shape, even the long halberd he had discarded was picked up again. Not only that, the discordant noise on his body also disappeared. It was just that his aura was somewhat weaker than before; clearly, self-destructing that thing took a toll on his vital energy. Feng Yunhong stared intently at Fu Qian sitting on the throne, suddenly bursting intoughter, the long halberd aiming at Fu Qian, tracing a streak of flowing light. Thank you for the reminder, letting me discover something new. Your will is admirable, and your intuition is quite sharp. Your only mistake was that you should have killed me before doing these things Watching the oing Feng Yunhong, Fu Qian was expressionless. Just as the long halberd struck Fu Qian, an invisible vortex appeared, firmly grasping it. Whats going on Feng Yunhongs words were only half-spoken when he found he could no longer move his body. The next moment, to his horror, he realized his body was disintegrating, clumps of Blood Face mixed with flesh escaping from within and swirling around the stone seat, forming a vortex. Thank you! Fu Qian blinked at Feng Yunhong. In fact, he had just reached his limit. Even if his willpower was as steadfast as a rock, his body inevitably had limits, having borne an unimaginable load. Under the potent effects of the stone seat, his mind was furiously battered, he even felt his brain boiling, ready to burst the confines of his skull at any moment. His realm was still too forced to interact with this thing. The only possibility to keep going was to involve Feng Yunhong, using the flesh of the many Transcendents he had amassed to offset the wear and tear from the stone seat. Luckily, his words from before had an effect; Feng Yunhong, seeing him unhurt after sitting on the stone seat for so long, was clearly worried he would gain some advantage and couldnt help but make a move. As the vortex swirled around, Fu Qian could feel thement of numerous Transcendent consciousnesses. But having established a mysterious connection with the furnace, he seemed to have a fundamental difference from them and was no longer affected by anything. Soon, the bloody vortex surrounding him replenished the physical depletion and withstood the devastation brought by the mental assault. This was the correct order! Chapter 53 - 52: Turn a Blind Eye (End of Angel of Comfort)_1 Chapter 53: Chapter 52: Turn a Blind Eye (End of Angel of Comfort)_1 ` When it was Feng Yunhongs turn, his voice was filled with despair. The original vortex of flesh and blood had faded until it was almost invisible, and the umtion of decades was exhausted by Fu Qian. And with it, the consciousness of each Transcendent contained within disappeared into smoke. Aplete and utterly opportunity-less Annihtion. What did you say just now? In the face of Feng Yunhongs unwilling roar, Fu Qian suddenly spoke. Youve suffered unimaginable pain for many years, so I could never beat you, right? Here, let me show you what real pain is. Following the connection with the flesh vortex, Fu Qian channeled an endless stream of psychic shock into Feng Yunhongs body. Ah! The beast-like roar resounded as Feng Yunhongs consciousness experienced intense fluctuations instantly. Half a minuteter, he let out a groan on the edge of copse. You who exactly are you? Fu Qian. In the face of the dying man, Fu Qian still maintained the posture of a victor, dering his name with intonation and pauses. With a surge of even more intense emotional fluctuation, Feng Yunhong could no longer hold on and dissipatedpletely, his words of unwillingness echoing for a long time. You charge for this, too? Indeed, the joys and sorrows of humanity do notmunicate! Fu Qian felt a moment of poignancy; the man seemed to have misunderstood something. However, he had absolutely no sympathy for Feng Yunhong. Not to mention this fellow was a ruthless being who had surpassed humanity more than a dozen times, having hunted down more than twenty lostmbs. Just to think that over the years, this fellow used this stone chair as a sedative every day, yet failed to realize the chairs true nature. One can only say, when you were given the opportunity, you was just useless! And as thest bit of noise disappeared, the vortex of fleshpletely merged into the body, Fu Qian opened his eyes and slowly rose from the stone chair. From the outside, he seemed no different from before, not even a noticeable increase in strength. But only he knew that he had changedpletely. Looking at his hand, he was sure that he was in a delicate state, like an invisible barrier of some sort. The specifics were hard to exin; to a certain extent, it was a bit like the philosophical concept of I think, therefore I am. That is, he existed here only when he was aware of himself. If he let go, his existence would spread and merge with the entire ruins. Fu Qian turned to look at the stone chair. If he guessed correctly, this thing was essentially the manifestation of the rules within the crucible, a high-tier embodiment of the Bizarre Great Fissure. The name crucible implies the refining and restructuring of life energy that enters it to achieve an elevation of life forms. The Palm Monsters and Skull Centipedes were merely the lowest forms of restructuring. He had underestimated it before; Transcendents like Feng Yunhong and himself, who couldnt be digested, were instinctively expelled by the crucible, treated like ambergris. On the other hand, the crucible still held the potential to digest them. The premise was to be willing to withstand the shockthat is, to sit there,pletely let go of ones consciousness, and ept the baptism of that terrifying stream of information. Just like he had done. At this moment, Fu Qian confirmed that he was on some level homogenous with the crucible. Now, it was time toplete the mission. Before leaving, something shiny caught Fu Qians attention. It was Feng Yunhongs long halberd. Fu Qian picked it up and weighed it in his hand, then casually nted it next to the stone chair. He had no interest in pole arms. Coming out of the underground chapel, no matter what kind of monsters were on the way, theypletely ignored him, showing no reaction and allowing him a smooth, unobstructed path. Borrowing the mysterious connection with the crucible, Fu Qian quickly found Ji Liushuang and her party. At that moment, this group was groping along the edge of the crucible, searching for an exit. ` Three teams had already gathered together, their numbers fewer thanst time, suggesting there had been more casualties. Broken arrows rained down from above as Archer Brother began testing for potential vulnerabilities higher up. However, most people clearly despaired, their eyes brimming with aimlessness. Fu Qian moved forward without stopping and realized that everyone seemed oblivious to his arrival, their gazes empty as they swept over him, as if they were looking at air. This condition was truly peculiar. The creatures being oblivious to him could be exined by his assimtion into the furnace, them mistaking him as one of their own. But the same behavior from the group before him was rather intriguing. Fu Qian remembered the furnaces effect of erasing external information and wondered if it was a simr property? The eyes clearly saw, but the mind didnt register the sight, so no reaction followed. To confirm his guess, Fu Qian chose to walk directly through the team. As he passed through the line of people, only Li Weixuan frowned slightly and looked around alertly. Indeed, unless the difference in realm was too vast, noticing an anomaly seemed very difficult. Now, the barrier stood right before him. Fu Qian reached out and touched it. Ifst time he was ejected, this time he was absorbed. Fu Qian felt as though he had be a part of the barrier itself, like a droplet joining the ocean, able to move through it with ease. It seemed he could clock out now. Director Li, I still think we should explore the interior of the ruins, Just then, Fu Qian heard Ji Liushuang quietly conversing with Li Weixuan. Although it was my idea to look along the edges for an opening, it seems like a wasted effort now. Moreover, Fu Qian is still inside; we should check on his situation no matter what. He acted on his own,pletely disregarding the safety of others; I dont think we are obligated to risk ourselves for him! The opposing voices emerged unsurprisingly. The girl had the right intentions, though she didnt know he had just passed right in front of her. Li Weixuan agreed with Ji Liushuangs opinion, but the dissenting voices in the team made him hesitant. After all, the current situation was too bizarre, and rash action was far too risky. Moreover, ording to Ji Liushuangs description, the behavior of the student called Fu Qian was also peculiar. Fu Qian had been ready to leave, but paused at the scene before him and decided to shout directly at Ji Liushuang. Ji Liushuang was in a heated debate with Yuan Xin and a few others when she suddenly felt something and looked up toward a particr spot. Although it was clearly empty, she couldnt shake the feeling that something was beckoning to her. Brushing aside the others, she walked forward as if guided by a phantom, touched something, and then turned around in disbelief. Theres a hole here? Even as she spoke, Ji Liushuang couldnt believe it herself. But on her hand, she really felt a smooth opening,rge enough for a person to crouch and pass through. At her words, the crowd was initially stunned, then swarmed over in an instant. A way out had indeed been found! After confirming that the passage was real, under the coordination of Li Weixuan and Ji Liushuang, the excited group proceeded through the passage, one after another, escaping the despairing prison. Ji Liushuang insisted on being thest to leave. As she passed through the passage, she quickly picked up several stones and piled them up as a marker, thinking of leaving a sign for Fu Qian, who had not yet emerged. However, secondster, she looked with some confusion at the markings on the ground, unable to recall why she had made them. At that moment, the escapees cheered thunderously, and Director Li called out, quickly leading them away in the opposite direction. After the group had gone far, Fu Qian floated down from the barrier. Using his connection with the barrier, he had just tried to create a path on it, and to his surprise, it worked. One could only say that Ji Liushuang had secured a chance for survival for the group. [Containment Sessful] At that time, the awaited prompt finally sounded. Chapter 54 - 53 Forced Rest_1 Chapter 54: Chapter 53 Forced Rest_1 ` [Taskpleted, containment of specimen number 1-003 sessful] The scenery before Fu Qians eyes rapidly dissipated, and he found himself back in the warehouse, leisurely listening to the task summary. [Assessment: Observer] [Imagination is the wellspring of wisdom; otherwise, even with the pathid before them, the blind cannot find their way. On the path of the Transcendent, there are threats that are beyondprehension, even their fear cannot be conveyed. Once one steps into these dark wells, return is nearly impossible. They dont even need to harbor malice; their mere existence is a threat. As one of the unfortunate ones, you sessfully recognized the incredible mystical information and saved some of the lostmbs, although thembs wont remember the Herders presence. This catastrophic incident existed in the victims minds for less than half an hour before it waspletely forgotten, with the dead and missing fading away from the outside world, leaving no trace, not even in memories. No information rted to this ident was recorded.] [Kills: None] [Reward: SAN Points +20; Inspiration +5; Thug 2/3] [Current SAN Points: 55] [Would you like to rey the event summary?] Why are there no kills? Shouldnt there be another 26 kills? Fu Qian looked at the task statistics, feeling indignant. Swindlers! Grumbling aside, Fu Qian could roughly guess the reason. Feng Yunhong and his group had already been counted once for kills, and he had received the corresponding benefits. It seems that kills wouldnt be counted repeatedly; otherwise, he could have simply dyedpleting the tasks to farm 100 kills back and forth, maybe even unlocking some achievement rewards. Speaking of which Fu Qian quickly reviewed his real rewards. [Thug: Digestion Progress 2/3] [Maintaining the calmest of thoughts amidst the wildest of ughters is an essential quality for confronting all powerful beings] As the information shed by, a mental wave pulsed from head to toe, coursing through his body. Unlike the previous violent rush of blood and qi, this pulsation brought about a rxed emotion, eased spirit, and a rity of thought like never before. The mental trauma caused by the hard resistance to the information flow was swiftly healed. Not only that, but his resistance to mental attacks also significantly strengthened. Finally, he had advanced another step! The Second Phase of the Thug seemed to focus on the mental aspect. The reason for the sessful digestion was likely rted to his resistance to the mental shock while sitting on the stone throne. He had worried that he might identally fall prey to a High Tier Transcendent with mental abilities, but now, with his increased mental resistance, there should be nothing to fear. This reward was unexpectedly suitable, justifying the mental torment he had endured. As Fu Qian recalled the experience of sitting on the stone throne, his temples involuntarily tensed. [Todays work ispleted, thank you for your hard work] [You have worked for four consecutive days. To ensure proper work-life bnce, you will enter mandatory leave for the next three days, during which you will not be able to log into the warehouse.] Work four days, rest three? At first, Fu Qian was taken aback, but then he was very pleased with this humane regtion. The intensity of the missions over thest few days had been escting; it was indeed time to rest and rx the nerves. ` As a frencer, Fu Qian always had plenty of time on his hands, but this feeling of being on holiday had been missing for a while. After leaving the warehouse and returning home, there was still plenty of time left in the day. Fu Qian fixed himself something simple to eat, then descended the stairs and went for a walk with the unhurried gait of a retired old man. Fu Qians home was in an old neighborhood, the kind without elevators. The majority of the residents in the neighborhood were retirees, couples whose children had grown and settled, many of them had been neighbors for years. At this hour, the morning sun was just rising, and the working crowd had yet to get out of bed, leaving only small groups of people exercising and walking their dogs. Speaking of which, Fu Qian did try to stick to an early morning exercise routine for his health, but he quickly had to give it up. The main reason was that the old folks really slept very little. Every day, when Fu Qian went out for his morning exercise, no matter how early it was, he would see them neatly lined up on the benches on the side of the road in the neighborhood, even segregating into two rows by gendera sight to behold. Any young person passing by would be followed by their gaze until they were out of sight, followed by a flurry of discussion. Even a dog passing through would have its ancestry traced back several generations. Fu Qian wasnt one to have social anxiety; the scene was certainly not enough to scare him off. Sadly, many of the elders were quite familiar with his family situation, and every time they saw him, they would show a great deal of sympathy and concern. People always offer sympathy to those who pose no threat to themselves. Fu Qian, as a child, was the childhood terror of other kids, but now as an unemployed drifter, the elders no longer held any reservations, encouraging him to work hard and not to let himself go. After numerous encounters like this, Fu Qian eventually gave up on his morning exercise regime. However, today, he strolled leisurely towards the neighborhood entrance and even found a spot to sit on the bench, basking in the warm embrace of the early morning sun. He finally understood why the elders enjoyed sunbathing in the morning. Just like cats, that early morning sunshine has aforting effect that fully releases onesziness. Theziness of the elderly is different from the indifference of the so-called nobility; thetter is indifference after having ones desires fully satisfied, while the former is contentment after letting go of desires. As for Fu Qian, he was the type who would go with the flow, though he described it as being adaptable and unconstrained by external things. Fu Qians appearance naturally caught the attention of the elders. However, considering his prolonged absence, no one approached him to talk just yet, but private whispers already began to swirl. Fu Qian didnt mind; he simply focused on enjoying his leisure time, not heading home until the sun became too harsh. The next day, as the sun shone down, Fu Qian was resting with closed eyes when he suddenly heard amotioning from the audience sitting by the bench. Fu Qian opened his eyes and looked over, noticing a dynamic red sports car cruising into the neighborhood. They might not have eaten pork before, but theyve seen pigs run; the elders knew quality when they saw it, and their gaze quickly locked onto the car. Fu Qian took a few looks himself. He wasnt particrly enthusiastic about cars, but he wouldnt mind appreciating the crystallization of human industrial civilization. As he observed the cars sleek lines, Fu Qian realized that he actually recognized it. If he remembered correctly, Young Master Qin had drooled over this car more than once,menting that it was so expensive he could only long for it from afar. The roads in the old neighborhood were narrow, but the sports car drove on considerately, wary of hitting any of the elders. The elders reciprocated with enthusiasm, eager as if they wanted to touch the car themselves. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the car stopped right in front of Fu Qian. Is it him? The drivers side window rolled down slowly, and ady in sunsses pointed at Fu Qian and turned to ask. Yes, Qin Mingze replied with aplex expression as he stuck his head out from the rear seat. Chapter 55 - 54: True Art Touches the Soul_1 Chapter 55: Chapter 54: True Art Touches the Soul_1 Even with sunsses covering most of her face, thedy still looked stunning with her fair nose, red lips, and long, enticing hair. After receiving Qin Mingzes affirmative response, thedy even took off her sunsses, revealing a bright and radiant face. She sized up Fu Qian twice from top to bottom and finally nodded in satisfaction, waving at Fu Qian. Get in the car! As soon as she said this, the old men and women around were all agog. Fu Qian didnt budge, looking to Qin Mingze for an exnation. Lets talk in the car! Thetter looked utterly disheartened. It was because of those two cases of local products. Fu Qian gave him a look and got into the passenger seat thedy had opened earlier. Not until the sports car drove off in the distance did the old men and women at the doore back to their senses, and they began to discuss animatedly. They couldnt understand how this young Fu could be unemployed and still have such a beautiful girl seeking him out with such eagerness. Talk to me! Fu Qian led the two uninvited guests to his ce and motioned for them to sit on the couch. Qin Mingze was no longer his usual overbearing self, his face full of obsequious smiles. Youre not busy these days, are you? Not busy. Fu Qian shook his head. I have the next three days off. Didnt you find a part-time job recently? Its precisely because the part-time job is tough that I work four days and rest three. Okay, heres the thing. Young Master Qin pointed to the long-haireddy and let out a long sigh. I have also found you a part-time job. Hmm? Fu Qian looked at the long-haired woman. Although she was deliberately wearing heavy makeup, she didnt look much older, at most one or two years older than himself, perhaps she was still in school. At that moment, she was eyeing him intently, making sounds of admiration, with a somewhat saucy look in her eyes. May we step aside to talk? Young Master Qin came over to embrace Fu Qians arm and dragged him aside. Do me a favor Exin it to me first. Well its nothing much, just need you to help as a life model. Life model? Yes. Young Master Qins face showed reluctance to speak. Remember the photo of you I tookst time? I photoshopped my head onto it. Oh! Fu Qian instantly understood. Was it exposed? Uh-huh Qin Mingze nodded helplessly, pointing at thedy behind him. Getting caught is nothing, we have the thick skin to withstand that. But to my surprise, she turned out to be this girls roommate. When I was bragging, she recognized me This girl is named Tan Ying. We grew up together in the same circles. Shes now studying at the nearby art school. She ckmailed me into finding the real owner of those muscles to model for her. Otherwise, she threatened to make me theughingstock of our circle. Qin Mingze finally rified the situation. All you need to do is model for her to draw you, and Ive confirmed that youll only need to bare your upper body at most. For the lower half, we can talk about additional payment. Unexpectedly, thedy named Tan Ying had sharp ears and chimed in at once. The art school is worried about finding life models? Fu Qian looked at her somewhat incredulously. Yes, but theyre all olderdies. Tan Ying sighed. Im not saying theres anything wrong with olderdies, but as an artist, when youe across such a perfect body, theres no way you can let it slip by. Is that so! Alright! Fu Qian furrowed his brows and agreed outright. Not expecting his decisiveness, not only did Young Master Qins face light up with joy, but Tan Ying was also pleasantly surprised, covering her mouth and giggling. Thank you for your cooperation! Sure, sure. While exchanging pleasantries, Fu Qian spread his fingers to reveal the Dream Ring and chose to activate it. The next moment, the gxy on the ring began to rotate, and an invisible veil spread outwards. Is this the dream created by the ring? Fu Qian looked around. If he hadnt known for certain he was in a dream, he would have seen no difference at all. He had no interest in being a model, so he had to use some special means. Considering that he couldnt just knock these two out and throw them out, he eventually decided to try this never-before-used Dream Ring to test its effects. Looking at it now, the dream seemed to bepletely based in reality, with the three of them still sitting in the living room. And both Tan Ying and Qin Mingze clearly hadnt realized they were in a dream. In that case, there was a high probability they would consider everything that happened here as reality once they woke up. Fu Qian observed his own state, feeling as if he could do whatever he wanted, seemingly able to alter the dreams logic at will. Is it really this amazing? Lets try this first. Actually, Im also somewhat of an artist. He approached Tan Ying first, beginning his mental onught. In my view, mere depiction cannot be considered within the realm of art. Fu Qian started with the lines he had prepared. True art should explore deeper things. Deeper things? Tan Ying asked subconsciously, her thoughts noticeably slowed by the dreams influence. Yes, like the sh and tear between the physical and the spiritual. Fu Qian looked into her eyes, speaking evenly and calmly. In this dream, he found his words to be particrly convincing. And the others were somewhat in a daze, having lost all their vignce and defenses. What do you mean? Wait a second, Ill be right back. Okay. Tan Ying agreed almost subconsciously. Fu Qian then turned to Qin Mingze. Theres an old saying, One who causes a problem should solve it. You caused this issue, right? Yes. So shouldnt you be the one to resolve the mess youve made? I should, but how am I supposed to do that? Its simple, put this on. With a wave of his arm, Fu Qian suddenly had a ck pleated skirt in his hand. This dream is really quite handy. Womens clothing Why do you have womens clothing here? Qin Mingze questioned subconsciously. A clients. Fu Qian blurted out a haphazard excuse, with no intention of dwelling on this issue. Alright then! Qin Mingze fell silent for a moment, then quickly agreed. After all, he had caused the problem himself, and while it was distasteful, a man had to take responsibility. Qin Mingze never doubted that this thought stemmed from his own mind, reflecting his most genuine feelings. Five minutester, in the dream. Whats this? Seeing Qin Mingze appear before her in a ck skirt, a long-waiting Tan Ying stood there stupefied. True art touches the soul. Fu Qian spoke softly. I believe that as an artist, you can sense the omnipresent conflict between spirit and body in this model. Tan Ying was quickly persuaded. Forcing herself to face Qin Mingze, she scrutinized him with the gaze of an artist, but her hand holding the paintbrush trembled, unable to make a mark. After a long while, she sighed deeply and tossed the brush aside. Ive discovered my artistic cultivation is stillcking, I need to go back and refine my skills. Thats really too bad, are you sure you dont want to draw? Fu Qian sounded genuinely regretful at her side. Im sure. Chapter 56 - 55 Evil Omen Must Die_1 Chapter 56: Chapter 55 Evil Omen Must Die_1 ` Amid the hustle and bustle of the road, a red sports car was crawling at a snails pace, with two soulless and dispirited faces reflected in the rearview mirror. Tan Ying was driving the car woodenly, the air inside feeling as if it had solidified. Then suddenly, she mmed on the brakes, bringing the car to aplete stop. Qin Mingzes head went straight into the back of the front seat, yet he seemed unfazed, merely giving the driver a sluggish look. Aaah! As their eyes met, Tan Ying, as if awakened from a dream, let out a piercing scream. What on earth did you make me look at just now! What the heck just happened? Wasnt I supposed to be here to study the human form and incidentally check out handsome guys? How did I end up being sweet-talked into watching a cross-dressing show! And it wasnt even slightly aesthetic! Tan Ying attacked her own face in a frenzy. Meanwhile, the target of her scolding, Young Master Qin, was closing his eyes and banging his head against the seat repeatedly. I dont know either, and I dont want to know whyits like my brain is rejecting any information that has to do with it. And if you hadnt gotten all horny and ckmailed me, none of this would have happened. I feel like Ive lost something important Didnt you say your buddy was super close to you and would definitely agree for the chance to make some money? Tan Ying gripped the steering wheel so tightly it squeaked. Although this guys bottom line is indeed unfathomably low, based on what I know about him, he wouldnt go as far as to sell his body for money. Posing as a nude model might be within the realm of possibility. His refusal only means he isnt that short on cash recently. Qin Mingze analysed expressionlessly. Xiao Ying, if you want to meet a handsome guy, you should try a more normal human method. Your brother Qin cant take ying this game anymore. And dont talk to anyone about todays incident. If you dare to bring up today again, Ill tten your head! Without turning her head, Tan Ying floored the gas pedal. After sending the two away, Fu Qian sat on the sofa, examining the Clear Dream Ring carefully. It was the first time he had used it, and the effect was better than expected. So far, it seemed that once the ring was activated, everyones consciousness would enter a shared dream reality, and upon awakening, they would deeply believe what had transpired in the dream. When Qin Mingze and Tan Ying woke up, they werepletely unaware of the earlier anomaly and quickly said their goodbyes. Considering their downtrodden mood, they clearly remembered what happened in the dream very well. In the dream, as the initiator, he clearly had considerable authority. He could freely enter and exit, and he could even set up some rules. In a sense, he was the director of the dream scenario. As long as the plot wasnt too outrageous, they wouldnt wake up. But people like Young Master Qin were just ordinary after all. If the ring was used in containment tasks, the oues might not be as favorable. Take Li Weixuan for example, someone like him would probably not be affected by this hypnotic-like effect and would likely destroy it with a single strike. No need to think too much about it now; Ill just give it a try when I have the chance. Looking outside now, Fu Qian noticed that there was still time to enjoy some more sunshine. [Identity verificationplete, work for the day begins] Vacations always pass by quickly. Following the three-day old man experience card, Fu Qian put on his work badge on time, and a familiar voice came through. [Warning, containment breach] [Name: Evil Omen Must Die, Code: 2-103] [Todays work content has been updated: Enter the containment scene for 2-103 andplete re-containment] That name is a bit odd! Fu Qian frowned. Although it wasnt a 1-beginning item and probably wouldnt be as disgusting as the Angel of Comfort, the name still felt abnormal. ` And then there were the illusions. Apanying the leak warning, a surreal image also appeared in the warehouse, this time of a huge tombstone. It was in and smooth, without a single word engraved upon it. If it is to be, so be it. One must always look on the bright side, its at least a kill task. Where to go, how many to kill, in all the games, these are the types Im most proficient with. [Entering containment scene 2-103: Xi Yuan City] [4%6%10%18%34%66%100%, containment scene loadingplete] [A dangerous Evil Omen is lurking, and Cmity gathers with it. Find him, kill him, before the terrible disaster strikes. No matter which way No matter if theres a way or not!] [Skills: Air Bullet, Visceral Critical Strike, Cat School, Feast (Locked)] [Weapon: Tyrants Fist] [Containment Achievement Condition: Find and kill the Evil Omen] [Current SAN Points 54, current Inspiration 21] A series of prompts shed quickly by. Sir, please enjoy your meal. As the voice rang out beside him, Fu Qian regained his senses and surveyed his surroundings. The light was dim, the atmosphere cozy, waiters shuttled back and forth in pairs and threes, and the sound of the piano was melodious and flowing. And then there were the men and women dressed to the nines, dining around him, clearly cing him inside a high-end restaurant. Fu Qian looked down at the dish that the waiter had just brought over. Although he couldnt determine what it originally was, the ting was exquisite, the colors appetizing, and the scent made his mouth water. Aside from beingughably inadequate in quantity, it had no other faults. Fu Qian unapologetically picked up a bite and tasted it, contentedly closing his eyes. This is what lifes about! Compared to where he had been before, what were those ces anyway! Just as he was about to take another bite, the piano music in the restaurant suddenly stopped. The next moment, a chill swept through, causing the dining men and women to scream. In the chaos, two individuals in ck uniforms stood in the center of the restaurant, scanning the surroundings. An emergency has urred, lunch is over, everyone stay put and dont move! Who are you? The diners present were obviously people of some status, and immediately someone wanted to m the table and rise, but was held down by the person next to them. No wonder Tan Mingxue and the others developed such bad tempers, these Night Watchmen really do carry an air of authority. Fu Qian observed the two in front. If he wasnt mistaken, the two fellows disturbing everyones meal were clearly wearing Night Watchmen uniforms. The diners, except for a blind few, seemed to recognize them as well. However, these two were much weakerpared to Tan Mingxue and Qi Xue. To the current him, they were at the level of foot soldiers. Hmph! The foot soldier with a Poker Face seemed somewhat satisfied with the reaction of the crowd. Ladies and gentlemen, please dont panic, we just need a little cooperation from you, this will be under control shortly, he said. Can you at least tell us what has happened? A middle-aged man mustered up the courage to ask. Youll know soon enough! The foot soldier made a gesture to his colleague, who quickly walked over to a corner of the restaurant. A woman in fine attire was dining alone there, her back graceful and enticing, showing no reaction to his approach. Foot soldier B also remained silent and simply ced his hand on thetters meticulously done hair and then gave a gentle tug. The next moment, the head of the well-dressed woman separated from her neck. Chapter 57 - 56: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 2)_1 Chapter 57: Chapter 56: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 2)_1 The young woman was d in a ck dress, seated with noble and elegant poise, her neck as pristine and elongated as a swans. The severed head still bore a sweet smile, while the bodyy prostrate on the table, blood trickling out and staining the high-quality printed tablecloth red. This scene, so full of shock, was etched deeply into everyones mind. After a deathly silence, a wave of terrified screams erupted in the dining room, as some people stood and ran for their lives. Hush! A grunt stepped forward and gestured for silence. Such a simple movement, yet it carried an overwhelming persuasive power; the screams ceased almost instantly, and everyone stopped in their tracks. This was merely to inform you all of the reason for your cooperation; please do not panic, and more importantly, do not move. I assure you that none of you are under any threat, the grunt said nonchntly, signaling his colleague to put the head back in ce. At his words, the diners in the restaurant fell silent as if chilled to the bone, daring not to have any objections, save for a few stifled sobs here and there. This was the authority of the Night Watchman! Fu Qian sighed, redirecting his attention to the delicacies before him. Although the incident was sudden, he had anticipated such events. After all, his mission this time was to prevent a catastrophe. Though he wasnt certain what the disaster would be, he never expected the ces he appeared to be peaceful. Moreover,pared to his recent experiences, the scene before him almost qualified as refreshing. Breathing in the faint scent of blood in the air, Fu Qian picked up another piece of food, savoring the taste as he chewed swiftly, his face content. One must not lose the joy of life for the sake of work. His movements might be considered stealthy, but under these circumstances, they were ringly discordant. Not only were the neighboring diners staring at him in disbelief, but even the grunt whomanded the rooms attention with his presence furrowed his brows. After exchanging a look with his colleague, the grunt walked over to Fu Qian and stared down at him from his superior position. However, thetter did not even lift his head, continuing to empty his te as if nothing else mattered. The grunt swallowed hard and then became inmed with anger, causing the temperature around them to plummet another ten degrees instantly. Name? Fu Qian. Age? 20. upation? Specialist. Feeling great after his meal, Fu Qian cooperated, answering each question in turn. Unfortunately, after stating his upation, he could clearly see the questioners eyelid twitch. Specialist Is that your job? Yep, a professional specialist. Fu Qian blinked. You stay put right here, dont move. The grunts face turned a shade of green as he turned to look at his colleague. I think this guy is highly suspect. In all my life, the thing I hate the most is specialists! Thetter, upon hearing this, hurried over, sizing up Fu Qian with an expression of suspicion and disbelief. Such was the disparity in power! Fu Qian reflected internally, realizing that the other party was assessing his strength, sadly a futile task due to the significant gap between them. In gaming terms, it was as if an identification spell resulted in nothing but question marks. From this perspective, Xi Yuan City likely wasnt veryrge, certainly not whenpared with the Transcendents Fu Qian had met at the Night Watchmen Base; in terms of strength, these two still passed as rather weak. If the field agents were of this caliber, the overall strength was likely worrisome. As the standoff continued, a grunt received a message. After a brief conversation, he pulled hisrade aside for a quiet discussion, stealing asional nces at Fu Qian. Fu Qian had little interest in eavesdropping, but unfortunately, the two grunts were speaking so loudly it was clear as day. The captain has asked us to keep the situation under control, leave everything as it is, dont do anything, and wait until Su Zhiyan arrives to discuss further. Dont do anything? We just stand here and watch? Themon soldier obviously wasnt pleased. Thats what the captain said, its Su Zhiyans request. Youd better not mess around, I certainly dont want to offend thatdy Fine. In the end, themon soldier agreed reluctantly, but his look at Fu Qian was quite resentful. Thatdy? Fu Qian suddenly became interested. He knew the configuration of the Night Watchmen in most areas. For more minor ces, the Night Watchmen team was usually small-scale, consisting of the captain and a few formal team members, with the captain being the highest authority in the area. So an unexpected guest had arrived who made the captain cooperate unconditionally? From the tone of the two men, they seemed quite wary of this individual. This abnormal situation might well be rted to his own mission. Fu Qian, who had been nning to leave, decided to wait a little longer. Time ticked away slowly, and in the silence, it seemed to move especially slowly. Yet, no oneined; everyone sat solemnly in their ce, disciplined as if they were elementary school students. Finally, after a long wait, someone came in through the door. Fu Qian looked up and was momentarily stunned. Dark narrow hood, long Curved Sword. Skin whiter than snow, delicate as porcin. Er That is porcin! Looking at that familiar half-face, Fu Qian recalled someone who had fiercely struck him three times. Was her name Su Gao? To be reasonable, it had only been a few days since hest saw her. But it felt like a long time ago. Compared to theirst encounter, she looked the same, her expression as nk as a puppets face. However, the porcin covering her face seemed to have spread even more, high cors couldnt hide it at all. But that wasnt the point, the point was that this was the first time he had seen someone he encountered in a previous containment mission! If he remembered correctly, at the end of containment mission 2-133, neither Su Gao nor the captain had sustained fatal injuries. Su Gao, with her tall and slim figure, stood there, and even though she didnt bring out any chill like before, a nameless killing intent made the restaurant quieter still. The pair ofmon soldiers approached her cautiously,pletely void of their earlierints. Without needing their reminder, Su Gao directly went over to the victimized young woman and observed carefully. After a long time, she finally looked up, as if deep in thought. Executioner Yan, besides the victim, weve found one suspicious person here. Themon soldiers had been holding their breath and focused, not daring to interrupt. At that moment, the firstmon soldier finally couldnt help but speak out. While speaking, he pointed towards Fu Qian. Hmm? Hearing the usation against him, Fu Qian kept silent. He was very curious about Su Gaos reaction upon seeing him. That represented the answer he cared about most. If she recognized him, wouldnt it to some extent indicate that his previous experiences hadnt been just a mere illusion, But had left tangible marks in this world? Ah! Following the direction pointed by themon soldier, Su Gao let out a cry of surprise. Fu Qian keenly noticed that her ordinarily still features became animated for a moment, and it seemed as if a dazzling gxy shed through her eyes. Fu Mr. Fu? Chapter 58 - 57: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 3)_1 Chapter 58: Chapter 57: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 3)_1 The Night Watchman stared at Fu Qian incredulously for a long time. After confirming that he wasnt seeing things, Su Gao bowed deeply to Fu Qian. And with Su Gaos bow, the restaurant fell silent once again. The self-proimed expert actually knew Executioner Yan! Moreover, judging by Executioner Yans demeanor, he seemed to hold him in high regard. This change left the two ordinary soldiers dumbfounded, with the elder ones mouth hanging open in shock. Fu Qian wasnt concerned about this at all. He actually still remembers me! This warehouse is really not simple at all! I havent had the chance to thank you for thest operation before you disappeared. Afterwards, I thought that if it werent for Mr. Fus guidance, the consequences would have been unimaginable. We tried to look for you afterward but never found any trace of you. We even thought that the injuries on you had red up Its really great to see that youre okay. Su Gao was visibly agitated, spewing words that she might have kept inside for a whole year. Thank you for your concern! So they all remember, huh? And from what he said, after Ipleted the mission, my teleportation seemed to them like a sudden disappearance? They didnt notice any special anomalies. A multitude of information shed through Fu Qians mind in an instant, but on the outside, he just nodded and casually greeted. And theres no need for such formality, just call me Fu Qian! I also thought I was a gonerst time; I didnt expect to be so fortunate to survive. My injuries have healed a long time ago, and I can only say that what goes aroundes around. Fu Qian unabashedly promoted himself as being on the side of justice without blushing. Uh-huh! In response to Fu Qians vague statements, Su Gao had no doubts, only nodding seriously in agreement. Then she suddenly thought of something, her eyes lighting up. You appearing here this time, you wouldnt havee to handle the Evil Omen, would you? Indeed! Just as he had expected, this would save him a lot of trouble, and Fu Qian nodded his head in extreme satisfaction. This persons goals were aligned with his own. A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Su Gaos face as a wave of certainty solidified in her heart. Thats fantastic! Her voice even had a tinge of excitement, but she quickly regained herposure, pointing in the direction of the beheaded woman. What do you think about this situation? I only came here to dine today, just keep doing what youre doing. Fu Qian had little interest in the bloodshed urring before him and intended only to be an observer, thus he enigmatically replied. Understood. Su Gao didnt mind Fu Qians evasion at all, again focusing her attention on the crime scene. Herst experience had given her an almost blind trust in Fu Qian. Mr. Fu? The two ordinary soldiers approached cautiously at this time. Su Gaos attitude towards Fu Qian had startled them. From the sound of it, this person even once gave substantial help to Executioner Yan? No wonder he exuded an aura of unfathomable depth. I am Lu Jun, an official member of the Night Watchman Squad of Xi Yuan City. I was a bit disrespectful just now, please dont take it to heart, After hesitating repeatedly, Soldier A finally apologized earnestly. In the High Martial World, the basicw of respect for the strong still prevails. Although as a member of the Night Watchman, Lu Jun was not necessarily afraid of Fu Qian, respect for the powerful was almost something etched into his bones. Its no problem. Fu Qian would not bother himself with this gentleman, for he always considered himself a reasonable person. He was very clear about how much hatred his previous self-absorbed attitude at the crime scene could draw, and it was only natural to arouse suspicion. If this gentleman had shown no reaction at all, that would have been an ipetence of its own. Seeing that Fu Qian was so easy to talk to, Brother Lu Jun visibly rxed, refocusing on the case at hand. The situation has been rified. The victims name was Geng Yue, a married woman. The lunch today had been reserved two weeks in advance, but the other person never showed up, and she had been waiting here for about half an hour. Based on the injuries, we confirm this is the work of a Transcendent, and its very likely to be the Evil Omen were searching for. Its indeed the method of a Transcendent, but we cannot be certain its the work of Evil Omen just yet. Su Gao nodded. Although killing in public ces to incite fear resembles the modus operandi of Evil Omen, we still should not jump to conclusions too soon. You guys proceed with the investigation as you would with a normal Transcendent murder case. Okay. Lu Jun hastened to agree, and it was evident that Su Gao exerted substantial pressure on the two Night Watchmen, as both of them spoke with extreme caution. The fact that the other reserved party never arrived is very abnormal. Weve decided to start from there, such as first finding her husband. What do you think? As Lu Jun asked this, Su Gaos demeanor naturally turned towards Fu Qian, seeming to seek his opinion. Dont look at me with that expression! Shes seeking your opinion, you know. Whats with that fanatic fan attitude? With a professional like me here, have you just given up on thinking? Fu Qian thought for a moment. Looking for the husband is always the correct move, but you should also investigate the individual who didnt show up. Perhaps there are more valuable clues there. Are you suggesting that the one who didnt show up isnt her husband? Lu Jun looked shocked. Youre not married, are you? Fu Qian looked at him as he shook his head. How did you know What do you mean? Its obvious from your naive way of thinking. Do you have some overly high expectations for marriage? Fu Qian sighed. A married woman, booking a restaurant half a month in advance, dressing up, arriving early to wait for her husband, and then waiting for half an hour without pulling out a knife to kill anyonewhat kind of dream do you think it takes to imagine that possibility? After sessfully enlightening a young man about the harsh realities of marriage, the group left the restaurant where the incident urred. As for the body of the victim, since she was an ordinary person and all the necessary information had been gathered, the local security officers would take care of the rest. The Night Watchmen had their own set of rules for such matters. After thest operation, I applied to join the Executioner Group, which specializes in capturing Transcendent criminals. Evil Omen is my first target. This guy is quite powerful, acting recklessly, killing people based on his whims, and his targets are not limited to Transcendents. His movements are mysterious, and to date, we still know very little about him. Since he quickly moves on aftermitting a massacre in one ce, we currently can only identify him by his method of operation. Ive been tracking Evil Omen all the way here. On the way back to the Night Watchmen Base, Su Gao briefly outlined the current situation. From the information she provided, it was clear that Evil Omen was not easy to handle. Even the Night Watchmen, who were renowned for their capabilities, did not know his name. It was bound to be difficult to find him. Furthermore, one thing that particrly concerned Fu Qian was that the purpose of his mission this time was clear, to eliminate Evil Omen before a disaster urred. This disaster surely did not refer to the killing sprees of Evil Omen, so what could it be? And what was its rtion to Evil Omen? Chapter 59 - 58: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 4)_1 Chapter 59: Chapter 58: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 4)_1 Su Gaos words were as sparse as ever, and seeing that Fu Qian was deep in thought, she maintained her silence and did not speak further. The two Night Watchmen had already stopped by the home of the decapitated woman for an investigation, leaving only the two of them in the car. Fu Qian took note of the scenery outside. It must be said that the ce was still quite picturesque, with ancient-style buildings, bustling crowds, and leisurely strolls in the warm sunshine. It was hard to imagine any disaster befalling them. They were on their way to the Night Watchmen Base in Xi Yuan City. Su Gao had just mentioned that the Night Watchmen Base here had some information about Evil Omens, and suggested that Fu Qian might want to take a look. Naturally, Fu Qian was more than eager to do so. As the worlds most deserving first organization, getting some information about targets from the Night Watchmen would be great for him. Unable toe up with any leads about the disaster, Fu Qian refocused his attention on Su Gao. Curved Sword resting on herp, Su Gao sat quietly, and one could hardly sense the presence of a living person in her. Less than a third of the flesh on her face was real, the rest was exposed bone as white as porcin, almost making her appear like a dpidated life-sized doll. But Fu Qian knew very well thatpared tost time, her strength had increased by more than just a little bit. It was difficult to imagine what had happened in between. Executioner Yan, such a title sounded murderous and suggested a high status within the Night Watchmen organization. It seemed to be the role of a Hunter, not limited by location, pursuing criminals everywhere. ording to Su Gao, she had applied to join this special division after thest incident. The impact of that incident on her was surely not as trivial as she had described. However, since she did not bring it up herself, Fu Qian would not ask. So now youre like a Hunter, specifically pursuing targets that are on the Night Watchmens list? Yes, Su Gao lowered her eyes and nodded lightly. It feels like I am more suited for this kind of work. This kind of work? Hunting? Then you truly are among the top experts! Fu Qian touched his chest, forgoing other aspects, the girls knife skills were remarkably ferocious. Of course, this was undoubtedly a good thing for him. A powerful teammate of at least Middle Tier, and even a member of a special operations department, was perfectly suited for the task at hand. During their conversation, they had already reached the Night Watchmen Base of Xi Yuan City. Unlike the grand and imposing building of Qi Xue and his team, this ce appeared much more modest. An old, dark-red, three-story building, which from the outside looked quite old. Executioner Yan, how is the situation? No sooner had they entered than someone came out to meet them. The man appeared to be in his forties, with slightly graying temples and very casual clothes. The neer seemed surprised to see Fu Qian, puzzled how an extra person hade back from the trip. Thus, his gaze turned to Su Gao, hoping she would exin. It was definitely done by a Transcendent, but we cant confirm yet if its the Evil Omen. Su Gao nodded. Captain Qiao, please help me get the information on the Evil Omen. The captain? So this person was the person in charge of Xi Yuan City? Fu Qian sized up this Captain Qiao before him, who indeed seemed a notch stronger than Lu Jun and the others, probably around Seventh Phase. Xi Yuan City was notrge, but no matter what, the staffing of the Night Watchmen here seemed excessively meager. Hearing that Su Gao wanted to see the Evil Omen files again, Captain Qiao clearly showed some confusion. After hesitating for a moment, he still mustered the courage to address Fu Qian. This is? This is Mr. Fu. Without waiting for Fu Qian to respond, Su Gao immediately said. And then what? Captain Qiao looked expectantly at Su Gao for a few seconds, hoping she would say more, but unfortunately, she seemed to be sparing with words, just looking at him. In the end, Captain Qiao could not withstand the pressure and went to fetch a file from the back. Thank you! Su Gao reached out and took it without hesitation, immediately handing it over to Fu Qian. Captain Qiaos eyes bulged in astonishment. This was all secret information! But remembering the rumors about this man who would attack without a word, he still held back and dared not speak. And it really was only a tiny bit of information! Fu Qian felt the thin stack of a few pages in his hand, the majority of which were the crime records of Evil Omen. As for his personal information, except for being a man, there was almost nothing. However, from these crime records, an obvious taste of savage killing could be made out. Most of the bodies were disfigured and mutted, some even missing internal organs, with the notes mentioning possible consumption. Why is this guy called Evil Omen? Fu Qian flipped through the information quickly and was reminded of a question. He imed that name himself, Su Gao exined softly on the side. The target once left a simr message aftermitting a crime and from then on, that name became the standard reference. It looks like his targets are still primarily Transcendents? He had just noticed that most of the victims were still Transcendents, with very few ordinary people involved. Yes, but there seems to be almost nomonality among the victims. At present, it seems he kills just for the sake of killing. In fact, if you include the recent incident, this is already the second time Evil Omen has acted in Xi Yuan City. The first victim was also a Transcendent. It feels like his frequency ofmitting crimes is getting higher. Mhm. Fu Qian turned his head towards Captain Qiao. Captain Qiao, may I see the list of Transcendents? The list of Transcendents? Fu Qians request made Captain Qiao blink. The list of all Transcendents within Xi Yuan City, I believe you definitely have it. We do, but Captain Qiao still wanted to struggle, but a nce from Su Gao made him instantly shut his mouth. Huang Lezhan, Huang Jianyuan, Huang Zhaoliu Fu Qian leafed through the roster in front of him, his frown deepening. Why are they all surnamed Huang? You dont know? Captain Qiao was equally surprised. The Huang Family is one of the top Transcendent families at present. Although Xi Yuans Huang Family is just a branch, their legacy has been around for over a hundred years; its normal for them to have some umtions. Moreover, Xi Yuan itself isnt veryrge, so indeed the vast majority of Transcendents are from their family. So thats how it is! Such local powers could easily monopolize the cultivation resources, and through bloodline inheritance, it wasnt surprising to see them dominating the roster. Looking at it, more than half of Xi Yuans Transcendents were from the Huang Family. They had been in operation for a hundred years; such a family was probably an all-powerful presence locally. Could it be this was why the Night Watchmen had such a poor lineup here? Some tacit understanding between the two sides? But this wasnt important. With such a family in existence, it was really too good! A Transcendent family that has been entrenched locally for a hundred years would definitely have very reliable information. With the right motive, they would certainly work very efficiently. Have you had contact with them? Fu Qian asked, looking at Su Gao, who shook his head. Ive only just arrived as well. In that case Fu Qian pondered for a moment. Make time for a visit. Unaware of Fu Qians background, Captain Qiao frowned and offered a reminder. Although we dont need to concern ourselves with these local forces, be careful when dealing with them. We can save a lot of effort if they are willing to cooperate. Dont worry, Fu Qian recalled his previous encounter with Ji Liushuang and others in the furnace. I have plenty of experience dealing with them. Chapter 60 - 59: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 5)_1 Chapter 60: Chapter 59: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 5)_1 By the way, are there anymon natural disasters around Xi Yuan? As he handed back the roll call to Captain Qiao, Fu Qian seemed to ask casually. How could there be! Captain Qiao was clearly puzzled by Fu Qians question. Although Xi Yuan City is not veryrge, it has existed for several hundred years and has always been known as a leisure destination. We dont even have severe weather, let alone natural disasters. If I had to mention something rted to natural disasters, there is a volcano crater located ten kilometers from the city area, but it has never erupted as far as records show. An extinct volcano erupting? That could be considered a disaster. However, Fu Qian always felt that it was not that simple. While he was thinking, someone came in from outsideit was Lu Jun and his colleague returning. How did it go? Captain Qiao had obviously been holding back for a while and hurriedly asked. So far, it seems theres no problem. Lu Jun shook his head. The deceaseds husband is named Ryu Xing, also a local, and childhood sweethearts with the deceased. Theyve just been married for two years and have always had a good rtionship. He was at home when the incident urred. Most importantly, the guy is an ordinary person. They had a good rtionship? Fu Qian looked at Lu Jun with a strange expression on his face. Yes Does he know about the lunch? He does not. Fu Qian sighed and suddenly stood up amidst the shocked gazes of those present. Lets go have a look. Look at what? Lu Jun clearly didnt grasp the meaning of Fu Qians words. A husband whose wife has died and yet you feel there are no suspicions about himI suddenly find that quite interesting Take me to see him. In the suburbs of Xi Yuan City. Is this the ce? Fu Qian looked at the uniquely styled vi in front of him. Yes. Lu Jun answered with a grave voice, still not understanding why Fu Qian insisted on looking again. As for the reason Fu Qian gave, in his view, it seemed to be a dark train of thought. It seems that this model couple has a fairly good economic situation? Fu Qian scanned the surroundings. Yes, Ryu Xing made his fortune in business abroad a few years ago and purchased the property here. Thats also when the two of them got married. Hmm. Fu Qian nodded and looked at the tightly closed gate. Call them out. Lu Jun pressed the doorbell somewhat reluctantly. However, after pressing it several times, there was still no response. Lu Juns expression began to change. But before he could do anything else, with a sh of a de, the gate opened on cue. Seeing the imposing Su Gao holding a knife, all the Night Watchmen felt a chill and not a single one dared to speak. Lu Jun was the first to rush into the house, quickly discovering that it waspletely empty. The mess on the ground indicated that the owner of the house had left in a hurry. Could it really be rted to him? But hes clearly just an ordinary person! Lu Jun was obviously beginning to doubt his life choices. Fu Qian didnt respond to him, but instead looked around the ce and finally stopped in front of a tightly closed door. Compared to other ces, this door had a distinctly different design and appeared to be much sturdier. Without a word from him, the de shed again, and the metal door opened in response. From this side, it looked like the space behind was some kind of workshop. These two! Seeing the two of them cooperating with such unspoken, overbearing actions, the three Night Watchmen were at a loss for words. Su Gao didnt seem to care about the Night Watchmens feelings at all and, after opening the door with a slice, he directly entered, rummaged around, and took out a string of items. It was a collection of various small pieces of jewelry, all uniquely crafted and characterized by patterns that were oddly shaped. This is Captain Qiao looked surprised, clearly recognizing the value. Jewelry inscribed with talismans, some still in the process of being made Theyre not much use to Transcendents, but some rich people like spending money on such items for a slight boost in vitality or physical enhancement. These could not possibly be made by an ordinary person! Hearing the captains words, Lu Jun and the other exchanged a look, utterly shocked. To make things like these, this Ryu Xing is an unregistered Transcendent! He must have used some method to conceal his presence before! Get me this persons information; we should check his recent activities. Listening to Su Gaos order, Lu Jun nodded with a defeated expression. Normally speaking, if a married woman is victimized, you would find a lot of suspicion on her husband, thats the usual scenario. Fu Qian patted him on the shoulder, speaking earnestly and tediously. Fu Qian turned to look at Captain Qiao again, whose expression had be much more serious. It was entirely understandable, as helping the Executioner Group catch a fugitive was one thing, but a fugitiveing from ones own jurisdiction was another matter entirely, serious enough to be considered negligence of duty. Captain Qiao, take us to meet Xi Yuans Huang Family. Captain Qiao was taken aback. Shouldnt we follow up on this Ryu Xing first? Its better to work on both fronts. For some reason, Fu Qian just wasnt interested in this Ryu Xing. ording to Lu Juns report, they hadnt found any information on the person who had stood up Geng Yue. There wasnt enough time for a slow investigation. Unraveling the mystery was fine, but when time was of the essence, startling the snake out of the grass was the right strategy. And as the local hegemon, Xi Yuan Citys Huang Family was the perfect tool for startling the grass. Of course, it would be even better if they were connected to the snake. Seeing Fu Qians firm stance, Captain Qiao turned his gaze to Su Gao, only to find that thetter was even more determined. Alright then! Captain Qiao agreed promptly, knowing the times. Soon, the manor of Xi Yuans Huang Family came into distant view. As an aristocratic family, their taste was indeed extraordinary. This seems to be the Extinct Volcano you mentioned earlier? Looking at the sprawling structures up the mountain, Fu Qian turned to Captain Qiao. They believe this ce has good feng shui They put in a lot of effort to quarry the mountain and reside here. The underlying message was that he better not make any inappropriatementster. Anything else youd like to remind me of? Uh To ensure the purity of their bloodline and maximize the proportion of offspring who are Transcendents, Xi Yuan Citys Huang Family has maintained intra-family marriages like their main family for many years, so their appearances tend to have some distinct features. Got it, easy to recognize but hard to distinguish. In fact, it was evident from the level of importance given to Wen Li earlierany potential for Transcendent powers to be passed on through bloodlines would surely bring back all these absurd practices. However, thanks to this, the proportion of Transcendents in the entire Huang Family is quite high. At least half of the young people have cultivation qualifications, with one-fourth able to practice the familys inherited Emperor Energy. Blood Lion Huang Zhixun hails from Xi Yuan Citys Huang Family. At just forty years old, he has already reached the pinnacle of the Fourth Phase and is hoped to be the youngest Transcendent to reach the High Tier in decades. He wont make it. Upon hearing this, Su Gao, who had been resting with eyes closed, interjected indifferently. Chapter 61 - 60: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 6)_1 Chapter 61: Chapter 60: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 6)_1 Su Gaos casual remark sent Captain Qiao into silent shock. So domineering! Fu Qian looked at Miss Su with admiration on his face. With such utter certainty in her tone, she must have encountered the legendary Blood Lion. Yet, daring to make such ament also proved his own feelings were right her strength had skyrocketed, probably not much less than Li Weixuans had been before. In the silence, the car drove up to the za in front of the hillside vi, where people were already waiting to receive them. This familiar scene brought back memories! Fu Qian remembered the stone pirs he had broken at the Wen Family Mansion. However,pared to the Wen Familys parvenu extravagance, the Huang Family, as an old and profound Transcendent family, was far superior. Though also featuring a za in front, it was nothing like the Wen Familys brand-new appearance. Pines and cypresses, shade-covered walkways, every brick and piece of wood seemed desperate to engrave the words ancient heritage on their face, emphasizing the point, We are not nouveau riche. The weing party on the za stood in orderly rows, led by a young man. But this man clearly did not look well, appearing gaunt and sallow-faced. Even though he was formally dressed, it couldnt hide the hollowness beneath his clothes. Fu Qian remembered Captain Qiaos description earlier, confirming without doubt that this was a legitimate member of the Huang Family. But this image tall and thin, skinny as a rake he really did resemble Huang Zhaoyan from the furnace encounter, obviously of the same n. Huang Jianyuan, the son of the current head of the family. Captain Qiao turned back to whisper, then stepped out of the car first. Huang Jianyuan and his entourage had alreadye over, and the two sides immediately engaged in an exchange of pleasantries, which seemed quite insincere. It was apparent from the outset that the two parties had previously gotten along quite well. Fu Qian wasnt surprised and followed behind Su Gao as he got out of the car. Huang Jianyuan was busy being courteous with Captain Qiao. When he saw Su Gao getting out of the car, he instinctively paused and turned to look at Captain Qiao. Captain Qiao, who are these two? This is Su Zhiyan. Captain Qiao began by cheerfully introducing Su Gao, to which Huang Jianyuans face lit up with excitement and he stepped forward with effusive praise and admiration. Unfortunately, thetter showed no interest in responding, leaving Huang Jianyuans expression to stiffen by the end. And this is Captain Qiao pointed at Fu Qian but suddenly hesitated. How should he introduce him? Apart from knowing hisst name was Fu, he had no other information. Expert Fu? He didnt even know what Fu was an expert in. Fu Qian, special operations consultant. Expert level. Fu Qian didnt wait for Captain Qiao to speak and introduced himself, then saw Huang Jianyuans expression grow even stiffer. A special operations consultant? Since when did the Night Watchman have such a position? Huang Jianyuans mind was filled with questions, but it was inappropriate to ask more, so he simply gave more praise. Pleasee in, unfortunately, my father is out and has not returned yet, so hes unable to wee you. After the formalities, Huang Jianyuan weed Fu Qian and the others into the hillside residence. Inside, the manor was filled with an antique charm, emanating an aura of understated luxury. Soon, fragrant tea was served, and it seemed like Huang Jianyuan had suddenly remembered something. Captain Qiao hasnt been here for a long time. Is there anything in particr bringing you this time? You cant ask me about it. Instinctively, Captain Qiaos gaze turned to Fu Qian. It was you who insisted oning here, so you might as well speak. Su Gao did the same, apparently not intending to speak at all. The reaction of these two startled Huang Jianyuan; his gaze lingered on Fu Qians face, unable to fathom just who this expert really was. Fu Qian suddenly became the center of attention. I dide here on a bit of business, As the crowd looked on expectantly, Fu Qian epted the lead unhesitatingly, speaking with a smile on his face. This noon, an innocent woman was killed while eating, a bloody scene. There were eyewitnesses who imed that the murderer fled into the Huang Family, so I am here to seek your assistance with the investigation. ? Captain Qiaos smile instantly dissipated from his face. What the hell, we havent even found the person yet, so howe when it gets to you, the murderer is already pinned down and even escaped into the Huang Family? Isnt your way of seeking assistance a bit too special? Bang! Nonsense! Who is spewing such nonsense! Huang Jianyuan was also momentarily stunned before erupting in fury, smashing a high-quality table with his palm, sending wood chips flying everywhere. Our Huang Family will absolutely not tolerate anyone wantonly ndering us! using us of harboring a murderer, where is the evidence? Emperor Energy? Facing Huang Jianyuans rage, arge part of Fu Qians attention was on the faint yellow glow emerging from him, feeling an inexplicable fear of sensing something. Jianyuan! Just as Huang Jianyuan was about to lose control, a person walked out from behind and halted him with a shout. The neer was clearly much older, looking just as withered and ill as Huang Jianyuan, but most importantly, their faces looked nearly identical as if cast from the same mold. It seemed this was Huang Leji, the Huang Family head who had not yet returned home. Truly deserving the title of the current family head, he was much stronger than his son indeed; by the looks of it, he was at least Sixth Phase and up, probably even stronger than the assassin Fu Qian had taken out in the furnace. After stopping his son, Huang Leji stepped forward, seriously looking at Su Gao. Executioner Yan Su, we just learned that youve pursued the Evil Omen all the way to Xi Yuan City. If theres any assistance you need, please speak freely. Furthermore, please believe that our Huang Family has absolutely no connection with the Evil Omen. Moments ago, they couldnt even recognize anyone, and now they are thoroughly aware of her whereabouts. We are also quite certain that no one fled to the Huang Family regarding the noon incident. Please do not let us suffer from a groundless usation. From beginning to end, Old Master Huang didnt spare a nce at Fu Qian; it seemed he had already decided that it was pointless to reason with him, and was set on Su Gao making a statement. Evidence. In the face of pressure from Old Master Huang, Su Gao remained expressionless, tersely uttering two words. If you believe youre innocent, we need your evidence. Were being wronged and yet still have to provide our evidence of being wronged? Even Old Master Huang almost lost his temper, his body also shing with a thick yellow glow. Without taking a step back, Su Gaos hand slowly moved to her waist. In that instant, the room was engulfed in a chilling killing intent so intense that it seemed the very air was filled with countless des whirling, stinging peoples skin. Thump thump, several people in the reception room copsed instantly. Both Huang Jianyuan and Huang Leji saw their Emperor Energy fade instantly, with the former nearly toppling over. How do you wish for us to prove it? Huang Leji, pressing down on the table, barely withstood the mountainous killing intent. Before noon tomorrow. Su Gao didnt answer him, instead turning to leave directly, leaving everyone in the room feeling lost and dejected. As the killing intent dissipated, Huang Jianyuan thumped to the ground with a slump. Brilliant! As the Chief Action Consultant, Fu Qian was highly satisfied with Su Gaos performance. Although there hadnt been specificmunication beforehand, Su Gao clearly understood his intentions, achieving the perfect effect of startling the snake by thrashing the grass. Captain Qiao, who had been rendered speechless, opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing, silently following behind the two and catching up. Chapter 62 - 61: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 7)_1 Chapter 62: Chapter 61: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 7)_1 What are we to do? Even the Night Watchman must not bully others too far! They desperately try to sully our reputation! Watching the three people leave and finally catching his breath, Huang Jianyuan couldnt help but lower his voice and growl. Father, you really should say something! Its obvious that having grown sorge, Huang Jianyuan has never been subject to such an indignity, thus his psychological resilience was perilously unstable. What to do Huang Leji, with a simrly ashen face, finally spoke after a long silence. Everyone out, dig three feet into the ground if you have to, until you find that murderer. If the Night Watchman wants proof, well give them proof! It was almost like biting into flesh as he finished the sentence, Huang Leji gestured with his hand, and a shadow shed out. Keep a close watch on him He was pointing at the back of Fu Qian. He may not belong to the Night Watchman but our Huang Family wont be extorted by just anyone. This truly is a remarkable ce blessed with outstanding people! As he left the Huang Family Estate, Fu Qian looked back at the gigantic mountain peak under the setting sun and let out a sigh of admiration. Captain Qiao offered a tight-lipped smile; the shock from earlier was too much, and at this moment, he couldnt even muster an awkward smile. Fu Qian gave him a look the fact that it was Huang Jianyuan and not his father who hade out to greet them implied that the informant of the Huang Family had not entirely divulged the situation here, which showed some restraint. The situation in Xi Yuan City must be such that the upper echelon of the Night Watchman had an unspoken agreement with the Huang Family. The deployment of someone like Captain Qiao to guard this ce evidenced this point. The usation was, of course, a concoction of his own, but regardless of whether the Huang Family was wronged today, he couldnt afford to waste time bickering with them; he needed to get them moving. Before himy not just a sadistic maniac, but also a potential disaster waiting to strike. As entities that thrived on the blood and flesh of others, these families bore their own responsibilities that couldnt be absolved with mere ims of innocence. It must be said, Su Gao was a smart man; even without prior coordination, the moment he spoke up, he immediately took a firm stance, sparing Fu Qian a lot of trouble. As for whether the Huang Family would act in desperation? Fu Qian had no concerns whatsoever. ording to the information he had gathered before, while these aristocratic ns possessed formidable strength, they were absolutely no match for the top Transcendent organization. In fact, Fu Qian wondered how such an organization could have been established in the first ce, as it seemingly contradicted all sociological principles. The Huang Family could have a hundred times the courage, and still, Fu Qian wouldnt believe theyd dare to cross the Night Watchman. Prior agreements between the Night Watchman and them likely existed, but that was merely out of respect for a local power, allowing them a bit more leeway. But that might not be the case with him. Before even leaving the Huang Family Estate, Fu Qian had noticed a different kind of attentive gaze and was sure he had been followed. Ah! The informal title of a consultant expert really doesntmand respect, huh! By the time the three of them returned to the Night Watchmen Base, it was already dark. Neither Lu Jun nor hispanion had returned; they were probably working overtime outside. The people from the Huang Family were likely in the same boat. As the mastermind behind it all, Fu Qian stretched leisurely. He had done what needed to be done; now it was time to wait and see. Although the base wasntrge, it still had guest rooms for transitory personnel. After settling into his room, arranged by Captain Qiao, Fu Qian found the amodations surprisingly good. The room size was unreasonablyrge, and it was fully equipped with all sorts of facilities. Even the walls were made of a special material, offering a safety factor off the charts; and if he wasnt mistaken, even the curtains seemed to have a noticeable sensory istion effect. As long as he pulled the curtains, no one from the outside would have a clue about the slightest movement inside. Really sly, erI mean, opulently ostentatious! With such a domineering organization, should I consider joining them for a position? Fu Qian thought to himself as he drew the curtains closed. I wonder if that tail whos been following me home is getting anxious? That very night, Fu Qian found out the answer. Waking up from his sleep, although he didnt turn on the light, he was quite certain something had slipped into his room. Sleeping had almost be a leisure activity for him, as he could now go days without sleep without any impact. But years of habit had given him a special fondness for his bed. This thing didnt seem to be a living creature. Fu Qian clearly sensed a pitch-ck bug creeping in along the corner of the wall. It was indeed shaped like a bug, but its body seemed to be made of formless smoke. Most likely, it was a special tactic of some Transcendent, created for the purpose of scouting. It seemed the person outside was truly impatient, daring to make a move within the Night Watchmen Base. The little bug crawled on the floor for a bit before it stopped, as though it was confirming whether he was in the room. Fu Qian held his breath and stilled his beating heart almost to a halt. Ever since he had activated the Feast, such feats had be effortless for him. As expected, the little bug seemed to hesitate, unsure whether to move closer to check. After a short pause, the little bug finally began to move, inching closer towards the bed. Fu Qian had wanted to y with it a little longer, but the next moment, there was a slicing sound. A sharp de of light prated the wall directly, cutting through the small bug with precision. The little bug was cleaved in two and then dissipated into a wisp of smoke. He could sense the consciousness connected to it shudder, and then swiftly retreat. Fu Qian sat up in bed, and then there was a knock at the door. He got up to open it and found Su Gao standing outside. Mr. Fu, someone has been surveilling you, said Su Gao with utmost respect. Do you want me to take care of it? This was too much respect, wasnt it? To check with him before deciding whether to deal with the threat. It seemed that if he said the word, Su Gao was ready to eliminate the voyeur on the spot. Theres no need, they might still be of use. Fu Qian blinked. Today at the Huang Family, he wasnt being arrogant without reason. The owner of the small bug, Ive memorized your aura. Hearing Fu Qians words, Su Gao nodded and left silently without asking what he intended to use them for. Fu Qian closed the door and looked at the long gash in the wall. Su Gao indeed lived in the room next door. He could sense that she had returned to her room, still not sleeping, standing stiff next to the window, motionless. For an instant, she seemed to have no sign of life, turning into an actual puppet. Her condition is indeed quite special! The hole in the wall obviously couldnt escape the notice of Captain Qiao and the others. The next day when Fu Qian saw them again, although they looked serious with prating gazes, the asional flicker in their eyes gave Fu Qian the feeling that they were burning with curiosity, probably spending half the time guessing about his rtionship with Su Gao. Before he could say anything, Captain Qiao received a message and stepped outside. Then, he came back with a strange expression on his face. The patriarch of the Huang Family would like to visit, saying he has information to discuss with us. Chapter 63 - 62: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 8)_1 Chapter 63: Chapter 62: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 8)_1 Old Master Huang is quite efficient! Now? And hesing directly to the base? The information brought by Captain Qiao stirred something in Fu Qians heart. The attitude of Old Master Huang seems excessively proactive! Could it be that the Huang Family has found something? Lu Jun couldnt help but say. Although he didnt follow them to the Huang Family yesterday, his reaction this morning made it clear that Captain Qiao must have filled him in on the situation. Otherwise, he wouldnt look at himself as if seeing a ghost. It should be! Captain Qiao was somewhat ted; he was the one most hopeful that the Huang Family would find some clue. Although the direction of the case had be somewhat out of control, any findings would make things easier to exin on Su Gaos side. If things were toe to a standstill, they wouldnt know how to handle what followed. Fu Qian made noment but exchanged a nce with Su Gao. Old Master Huang has worked hard, lets go greet him. As expected, Huang Lejis expression was grave when he alighted from the vehicle, and he managed only a faint smile upon seeing Fu Qian and the others. Executioner Yan, Mr. Fu, you both have had a hard time. Old Master Huang is well. Su Gao nodded his head lightly in greeting, while Fu Qian cheerily said hello and exchanged some pleasantries. Not at all. This curt not at all nearly made Huang Leji spit blood. From the news he had received, this guy indeed had not had a hard time; he had even gone straight to sleep upon his return. Because of his single remark, the entire Huang Family was up the whole night like a disturbed henhouse, with hardly anyone having the time to rest, while this bastard sleptfortably. Ha-ha! Relying on his many years of restraint as the family head, Huang Leji quickly adjusted his mood and, pretending not to hear, casually made a few perfunctory remarks. Patriarch Huang hase so early, have you found something? Once the group was seated in the base, Captain Qiao couldnt help but inquire. Phew! Huang Leji let out a breath of relief. After all that useless chitchat, he had wanted to y it cool, waiting for Fu Qian to ask him about his progress first. Who would have thought that the guy would just beat around the bush with nonsense and steadfastly avoid the main point, almost making him burst with frustration. To tell the truth we havent found anything yet. The look of disappointment on Captain Qiaos face was almost impossible to conceal. If youve found nothing, whye so early? However, Huang Leji shook his head and sighed deeply. Our entire family mobilized yesterday, using all our resources to investigate, but unfortunately, we barely found any clues. Ivee specially today to apologize to Executioner Yan. But please rest assured, Executioner Yan, as this involves the familys reputation, we will not give up on investigating this matter It is also to clear our own name. Huang Leji waved his hand, and a man walked out from the crowd behind him. From now on, Lezhan will lead our familys elite members in continuing the investigation. With the consecutive heinous crimes urring in Xi Yuan City, the Huang Family, as a local family, has an unshirkable responsibility. If Executioner Yan has any orders, please do not hesitate to give them, and we will cooperate fully. Huang Lezhan? Ive seen that name before. Fu Qian looked at the man who stepped forward, also thin as a reed, much younger than Huang Leji, with facial features that bore a resemnceit must be a brother or simr rtion. If memory serves me correct, from the list I saw before, this Huang Lezhan should currently be the leading figure of the Huang Family in Xi Yuan City. A Fifth Phase Transcendent, a gold-medal enforcer, a wielder of double-red clubs. Dispatching the number one enforcer for us tomand at will really does show a willingness to cooperate. The Huang Family certainly knew about Su Gaos tracking of the Evil Omen, but they adopted a wait-and-see approach. After being ndered by me yesterday, in a situation with no hope of proving their innocence, they took the initiative to mend fences, sending family resources to actively assist with the investigationits a normal human reaction. But is that really the case? Captain Qiao and his team clearly understood the meaning behind Huang Lejis words, basically admitting that they hadnt been proactive enough before, but now they would fully cooperate. To get the Huang Family to this extent, Advisor Fus actions yesterday, although unreasonable, now seem not to be a bad thing. Huang Leji finished speaking in one breath and stared straight at Su Gao, only to notice that thetter was looking at Fu Qian. Cough cough! Fu Qian cleared his throat. Old Master Huang is well-intentioned; having the elite members of the Huang Family assist with the investigation is indeed a great help. However, the situation has changed, and Im afraid we no longer need it! Huh! Howe its not needed anymore? Perplexity, shock, indignationthe moment these words came out, Fu Qian was instantly surrounded by an array of gazes. Before the crowd could figure it out, Fu Qians figure exploded into motion. Huang Lezhans body shed with light, almost instantaneously blocking in front of Huang Leji. Just when it seemed like Fu Qian had gone crazy and was about to start a fight, unexpectedly he leapt outwards, tearing through the sky in an instant. The next moment, a figure jumped up a hundred meters away, running away frantically into the distance like a madman. However, Fu Qians speed was as fast as lightning, and within a few breaths, he caught up, firing off several Air Bullets. His realm had improved tremendously, and so had the power of the Air Bullets. The figure in the air couldnt dodge in time, its body shook and suddenly became ethereal, turning into a mist-like form. The Air Bullets whistled through it, causing no substantial harm. Yet by this time, Fu Qian had already caught up to him, immediately stomping on the ground, sending a terrifying shockwave sweeping around in an instant. The ck mist that the figure had transformed into trembled, and the next moment the mist dissipated, revealing its true form. ng! Fu Qian pped away the pitch-ck dagger that was thrust at him and grabbed the attacker by the neck, lifting them up like a small chicken. Under the gaze of the crowd, Fu Qian carried the person all the way back to the base and threw them in front of Huang Leji. The blow just now had obviously inflicted heavy damage; the figure fell to the ground almost without reaction, hair scattering in disarray. It turned out to be a petite woman, quite young. The reason its no longer needed is that I have already identified a suspicious person. Fu Qian nonchntly took his seat again. I had spotted this person sneaking around following me yesterday, and even breaking into the base at night, exceedingly suspicious. By following this lead, we could surely find the trace of the Evil Omen. So there was such a thing! The Night Watchman trio heard this for the first time and were immediately taken aback. This was a serious matter! Huang Lejis face went through several changes, gazing at Fu Qian for a long time with aplex expression. I dont understand what youre talking about. The woman on the ground spoke up at this moment. I was just passing by from outside, I have no idea about any of the things you just mentioned. Is that so? Then why did you run when you saw me? Fu Qian nced at her. The woman was speechless for a moment. Advisor Fu! In the midst of the awkward silence, Huang Leji finally spoke. You may have misunderstood; Xiao Ying is a member of the Huang Familys protective staff, she would never do something so offensive. Besides He took a deep breath. I just received information on my end that someone rted to yesterdays case has been found. Ill have them brought over in a while. Chapter 64 - 63: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 9)_1 Chapter 64: Chapter 63: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 9)_1 What? Huang Leji suddenly changed his tune and discovered a clue, even going as far as to directly find the person, obviously shocking a group of people. If only he had done this earlier! Fu Qian shook his head. No matter what reasons Huang Leji found, he did not believe that the Huang Family, with all its power, would fail to find any clue. Failing to find the Evil Omen was one thing, but if they couldnt even find a third party who stood up a woman, then the Huang Family had truly hit rock bottom over the past hundred years. Besides, Huang Lejis behavior today was very abnormal. He showed up before the agreed time and directly admitted his mistake with a sincere attitude, even sending out his golden enforcers and elite team for dispatch. He was being far too humble! Combining these two things, there was only one exnationthey had found that person, and then, unfortunately, they discovered exactly what he had predicted, that the individual was indeed rted to the Huang Family. Considering that yesterday the patriarch of the Huang Family boasted that there was absolutely no connection to them, this was a direct p in the face. So, out of maintaining family honor, they prepared to show a proper attitude but stubbornly deny any wrongdoing. Unfortunately, there wasnt much time to y games with him. Then it seems I was mistaken, my apologies to this beautifuldy. Now that Huang Leji had finally caved in, Fu Qian expressed shock and remorse with a serious face, formally apologizing to the woman called Xiao Ying. Hmph! The woman known as Xiao Ying clearly wasnt in a good mood and responded with a snort. There was no need to look to know that this woman was the one who ced the bug in the roomst night. The reason Su Gao hadnt been instructed to take care of her immediately was to deal with this kind of non-cooperation from the Huang Family. Originally, the eyewitnesses and such were just casually mentioned to drag the Huang Family into the mess, and if things escted, Huang Leji could im defamation since there was no solid evidence. But this womans crime of spying on the Night Watchmans movements was undeniable, and Su Gao could fully prove it. Now the Huang Family was truly pinned down and unable to struggle. Huang Leji was clearly aware of this and gave up defiantly. It must be said that the efficiency of the Huang Family was not too shabby, as a crowd of people awkwardly waited for less than half an hour before a gentleman was brought in. This man was in his twenties, with a slick and powdered appearance, and the first thing he did upon entering the door was to rush to Huang Leji, crying bitterly. However, even before he reached him, he was restrained and pulled back. Advisor Fu, this person is Huang Jinyong, the suspicious individual we found, the one whom the victim invited out yesterday. Huang Leji introduced without a hint of embarrassment. Although he is a member of the Huang n, considering the severity of the situation, I had someone bring him over immediately. Oh? Fu Qian looked down at Huang Jinyong, who was half-kneeling, half-lying on the floor. Do you know the woman named Geng Yue? This Huang Jinyong instinctively looked up. Answer honestly to what youre asked. Huang Lejis tone was icy cold. Now the Huang Family had no face to speak of any longer, and covering up would only bring more embarrassment. Additionally, he had already carefully questioned this troublemaker and confirmed that he had no rtion to the Evil Omen. Otherwise, he wouldnt risk covering for him, giving that Mr. Fu the opportunity to ride roughshod over them. I I know her! Huang Jinyong was startled and answered honestly. Did she invite you to have lunch together yesterday? Yes Then why did you murder someone and flee? No, I really didnt! I didnt even go there, how could I possibly murder someone! Huang Jinyongs voice was already tinged with a sob. Someone invites you out, and you dont go. Such behavior itself is very abnormal, why should I believe you? Its true, its really true, I have been dodging her for half a month. Its her who keeps pestering me, insisting that we meet up and talk Dodging her? You might as well rify things a bit more. Fu Qian looked up and saw not just one gossipy gaze but several, so he might as well give these people a thrill. Its like this Huang Jinyong, terrified out of his wits, didnt dare conceal anything and quickly spilled the beans about his rtionship with Geng Yue. ording to him, Geng Yue was a woman he had hooked up with a year ago, and they had been carrying on secretly for over a year. In the interim, everything was as sweet as honey with good feelings between them, but recently, Geng Yue had be more ostentatious and wanted to ditch her husband for a life with just the two of them, so he started avoiding her. Ah, what a stirring tale of romance! I couldnt possibly be with her for real; Ive been lying to her all along. Huang Jinyong wore a mournful expression. The only reason I could start something with her in the first ce was that I told her I was a Transcendent, but Im not! And she believed you, just like that? I am a member of the Huang Family. That exined it. Fu Qian nodded in understanding. Did she ever tell you about her husbands situation? Not much, just that hes a small businessman, very boring and often away on business trips, whereas she longs for the world of the Transcendents Fu Qian looked up to see that Captain Qiao and the other two wore stiff expressions. This guy was clearly a pushover, and what he said was most likely true. However, if what he said was true, then Geng Yues husband was truly in a pitiable state. As a bona fide Transcendent who had renounced his superior status to marry his childhood sweetheart and live an ordinary life, to have his wife cheat on him with a faux Transcendent was tragic. What sort of torment-filled script was this! Its a great misfortune for the Huang Family to produce such a disgraceful descendant; it truly tarnishes our familys reputation. I apologize for this and for causingughter in front of you and Executioner Yan, said Huang Leji, suddenly speaking up with a righteous demeanor. Let this man stay here to assist in the investigation, as we are not yet certain whether what he says is true. Upon hearing this, Huang Jinyong burst into fresh wails. Old Master Huang is truly prudent. Fu Qian made a polite remark, not bringing up what the other had said the day before. Were not the kind to nitpick, as long as our aim was achieved. Huang Jinyong himself was entirely unimportant. Fu Qian wasnt interested in their sordid love life; he always felt that Geng Yues death wasnt likely to have much to do with the Evil Omen. This hubbub wasnt generated to fish for gossip. Fu Qians objective was always the Evil Omen. So far, it seemed that no valuable information had been gleaned, but often ack of results is a result in itself. As a family with a century of heritage, the Huang Family, pushed to this point, could only offer up such a poor specimen. This suggested a possibilitythe Evil Omen might be hiding within the Huang Family itself. Think about it, a foreign Transcendent would be exceedingly conspicuous, not to mention having to skulk aroundmitting murder. How could they remain untraceable under such searching? Unless it was a case of hiding in in sight, this individual lurking in everyones blind spot, and possibly even utilizing the familys protection to cover their tracks. Next, it might be worth narrowing down the search in this direction. Lets hope theres still time. Just then, someone moved up beside Huang Leji and whispered something in his ear. Thetters face changed instantly, and he addressed Fu Qian word by word. Someone in the Huang Family has just been murderedit might be the work of the Evil Omen! Chapter 65 - 64: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 10)_1 Chapter 65: Chapter 64: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 10)_1 Here theye! I knew there wouldnt be much time to search leisurely; the decision to push forward aggressively was indeed the right one! This is the intuition of a mission agent. Fu Qian nodded inwardly. At this moment, Huang Lejis words, filled with grief and indignation, shocked the entire room, visibly turning the atmosphere heavy. Especially for the members of the Huang Family, a prominent n and a family of Transcendents, it was likely the first time they had been so offended. They had thought that no matter how crazy that guy was, there would be a limit, and at most he would target some scattered fighters. Who would have thought he would actually dare to stir trouble right under the nose of Tai Sui! In an instant, the crowd was agitated, everyone bristling with murderous intent. Fu Qian understood their feelings very well and exchanged nces with Su Gao. We should waste no time, lets go take a look immediately, he said. Okay! Huang Leji clearly couldnt sit still any longer, and a group of people hustled on their way. Compared to the previous days visit, the atmosphere in the Huang Family Estate was much tenser. Following the path up the estate and almost reaching the top of the entire structure, the group finally arrived at the crime scene. It was a rtively secluded courtyard, with a group of people already waiting outside. Besides the visible grief, there seemed to be a trace of fear. Not far ahead, the door was wide open, revealing an extremely ferocious scene inside. On the white sheets, two bodies were ttened like tomatoes crushed by a hydraulic press, spread out thinly and smearing the bedding, with blood spattering all around, staining everything within sight. Not only that, but between the two bodies, hundreds of tangled sinews had grown, intertwined and wrapped around each other, inseparable. The entwined sinews not only adhered to the bed below but also stretched upwards, dense and overgrown like a dark red thicket. Bastard Witnessing the shocking scene, Huang Leji was first startled, then his eyes nearly burst with rage. Uncle Six has been out of public affairs for many years, yet someone dared to harm him this cruelly No wonder it was so hidden; it turned out to be a retired persons care home. The scene was well secured, and Su Gao entered the room without a word. After examining the hellish scene carefully, she nodded to the crowd. Its the handiwork of Evil Omen. The method of killing is not entirely the same as before, but somemonalities can be seen. Compared to the past, its more brutal and the scent of sacrifice is getting stronger, she said. As a Hunter who had been tracking this all the way, Su Gaos words carried a lot of weight. Evil Omen Huang Lejis eyes were bloodshot, the sound of his teeth gritting painfully clear, making one wonder if he regretted his previous stance as an observer. Advisor Fu As Fu Qian was sizing up the surroundings, Captain Qiao came over and quietly handed him a piece of paper. Weve verified it, this is Ryu Xings recent movements; I must say, its somewhat suspicious. He just returned from out of town not long ago, and the timeline coincides with Evil Omens. Could this really be such a coincidence? Fu Qian took the paper and nced at it without saying a word. Huang Leji, however, had very sharp ears and turned to look. Advisor Fu, do you have leads rted to Evil Omen? he asked. Fu Qian passed the file over without a word, and Old Master Huang snatched it, his face turning an iron shade of blue. The Night Watchman has such important information; why didnt you inform us earlier? Huang Leji stared at Fu Qian, his voice heavy with usation. Or is it that you dont trust the Huang Family? By the end, his tone was stern, it seemed he was truly infuriated. Hes merely a suspect at this point, far from confirmed, replied Fu Qian, unperturbed by the wrath of the Huang Family head, then turned to address a nearby servant. Did you discover the bodies? he asked. The servant was taken aback. No, Uncle Six does not like to be disturbed and always rests until close to noon before getting up. Then who found them? It was a junior member of the n who passed by and detected something abnormal, and he went directly to Jianyuan. Huang Lezhan, who was standing nearby, interjected. The top figure of the Huang Family also had a very grim expression on his face. Where is he? Fu Qians interest was piqued. He had previously narrowed the scope of suspects to the Huang Family, and as is widely known, the first person to discover a scene often bears great suspicion. Where is he now? What do you mean by that? Huang Lezhan looked at him with some displeasure. After the incident urred, he went out with Jianyuan to lead people in pursuit. Whats his name? Advisor Fu seems to have a deep prejudice against our Huang Family. Such a tragedy has urred here, yet you immediately suspect a member of the Huang Family? Old Master Huang huffed heavily, clearly at the end of his patience. However, before he could continue to express his dissatisfaction, someone rushed up in panic. In the next moment, Huang Leji was dumbstruck on the spot. Jianyuan Had Huang Jianyuan met his end? Or was the entire team gone? Fu Qian remembered Huang Lejis hot-tempered son, and a strong sense of foreboding surged in his heart. Instinctively, he looked up, and in the next moment, an incredibly eerie scene came into his view. Above the summit, a gigantic rust-colored tree slowly emerged. From the branches that soared into the sky directly from the volcanic crater, invisible tentacles extended and writhed, interweaving mouth-like flowers that blossomed and continuously tore and decayed. The moment this image entered his vision, Fu Qian felt as if his head had been struck by a heavy hammer, and his consciousness rippled. [SAN Points -1] [SAN Points -1] [SAN Points -1] In the midst of the terrifying warnings, Fu Qian seemed to hear whispers from the depths of his soul, tempting him to keep staring, to lose his consciousness in it. Finally, before his mindpletely copsed, Fu Qian forcibly resisted the impulsive call from the depths of his soul and turned his head away, pulling his gaze back. Phew! Was this the legendary Cmity? Fu Qian shook his head, which felt like it was about to explode, and nced around. In the line of people in front of him, at least half were looking in the direction of the mountaintop, including the Huang brothers. All these people stood there perfectly rigid, silent, motionless. This odd behavior naturally attracted the attention of others. The people who noticed something was off reacted by looking up to see if there was something in the sky. Thus, within the span of a breath, the rest were simrly afflicted. Whats going on outside? Su Gao, who was still inside the room, obviously sensed something was off. Dont look up! Fu Qian casually warned, and then pped Huang Lezhan on the back, who was looking up at the sky, making use of thest bit of time. Whats his name? Fu Qian looked at him and asked again. Who? Huang Lezhan, his eyes vacant, raised his head and muttered. The person who found the body. Huang Yuanchang His eyes were utterly devoid of life, his consciousness seemingly shattered. [Cmity has arrived, containment failed] [Current SAN Points: 42] The prompt in his ear sounded, and the scene before his eyes quickly blurred. Chapter 66 - 65: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 11)_1 Chapter 66: Chapter 65: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 11)_1 ` The legendary disaster actually looked like this. Back in the familiar warehouse, Fu Qian closed his eyes, recalling the scene he had just witnessed. Merely ncing at it caused his SAN Points to drop continuously; the Flesh Tree that appeared on the mountain top must be of a fairly high rank. In just that brief moment, he lost a full dozen or more SAN Points. Thest time he encountered a simr situation was with that spawn of the Evil God. If he hadnt upgraded to a 2/3 Thug, greatly increasing his mental resistance, his SAN Points would have been almost depleted just now. Was that tree the object of sacrifice behind the Evil Omen? Recalling how the members of the Huang Family stood rigidly, looking up at the skythe sight was truly bizarre and abnormal. And Xi Yuan City as a whole was probably no different. Perhaps some people didnt see it at first, but like just now, those who were affected couldnt warn others, and those unaffected always wanted to see what was going on. In the end, they would line up one by one to be idiots, leaving a city of walking corpses. Is this the true form of a Cmity? Its definitely more imaginative than a volcanic eruption! And much more terrifying! So, the Evil Omen continuously killed and sacrificed people just to bring this thing toe forth? No, not necessarily toe forth. Like that time with the spawn of the Evil God, creating such a big impact and still needing a carrier to have a chance of birth. How could such an existence, which seems much more terrifying, possibly descend upon us by killing a few Transcendents? Maybe its always been there, simply imperceptible, untouchable, and umunicable. And what the Evil Omen has been doing is not making it descend, but making it seen! By constantly torturing and sacrificing, the Evil Omen umted enough power after killing Huang Jianyuan and his group, removing some kind of barrier, making the tree appear before everyone. The dangerous Evil Omen is lurking, and with it, Cmity converges. Is this the true meaning of lurking? Regardless, losing a dozen or more SAN Points in one go means this trip could be considered a heavy loss. But it wasnt entirely without gain, at least he got a name. Huang Yuanchang. Fu Qian recalled the roster he had seen earlier, and the name was on it. If he remembered correctly, this person was also a Transcendent from the Huang Family, but with mediocre talent, unable to cultivate the familys inherited Emperor Energy and thus not considered a core member of the family. Given the current situation, his suspicions could be said to be extremely high. The mission timeline was much tighter than he had anticipated; there was no time to eliminate every possibility one by one. Next time, he would go straight for him as the target, kill him first and ask questionster. As long as he avoided looking up at the sky, he had enough chances to try and err. Speaking of which, Fu Qian always had a question in his mind. With this type of mission, the difficulty usually lies in finding the person. Once the target is locked, the rest is simply a matter of how to crush them. Even without thinking, just by repeating the process several times, using the process of elimination could easily lock down the target. Theoretically, it is still the simplest type of mission. So why does the introduction contain the phrase regardless of whether there is a way that sounds so desperate? Could it be that the Evil Omen is so strong that itspletely impossible to kill? Impossible! If it were indeed an invincible entity, they would have simply gone on a rampage; why bother being chased and forced to dodge and hide by the Night Watchman? As Fu Qian pondered, he once again touched the Mist Gate. [1 SAN Point consumed, attempting containment again, current SAN Points 41] [1%3%7%15%31%63%100%, containment scene loadingplete] Sir, please enjoy your meal. The familiar voice rang in his ears, Fu Qian opened his eyes, and the restaurant where the bloodshed had urred appeared before him again. Inhaling the aroma of the food deeply, Fu Qian did the same as he had donest time, picking up the work meal from the te and putting it into his mouth to soothe his wounded heart. While enjoying the food, he looked in the direction of the incident based on his memory. In the corner of the restaurant, a young and slender figure in a ck dress sat upright, her back elegantly poised, and the position opposite her was empty, just as he had seen before. ` And the next moment, as if growing impatient with the wait, the figure picked up the cup on the table and took a sip. Hmm? Hmm-hmm! He actually didnt die? Fu Qians eyes sharpened. Compared tost time, his actions hadnt changed at all, yet a person who was supposed to be dead was now alive! Something was off with this world line; it was his first time encountering such a situation. Fu Qian tried looking outside the restaurant, and soon noticed Lu Jun andpany passing by. However, these two showed no intention ofing in, instead hurrying away. Last time, they must have noticed something odd in the restaurant and thats why they entered, but this time, possibly because Geng Yue hadnt died, they didnte in. What could be the reason? Fu Qians mind began to race. Compared tost time, his behavior could be said to have no difference, and in theory, it shouldnt have any effect on the normal course of events. Moreover, based onst times experience, this woman should have died before he regained awareness; otherwise, it made no sense that he hadnt noticed the killing process at such a close range. But this time she definitely hadnt died; something must have caused this situation. Wait a minute, experience! An idea shed through Fu Qians mind. If there was any difference between himself now andst time, it was that in thest attempt, he had learned a few names. For instance, Huang Yuanchang, for instance, Ryu Xing. Just because he knew the names of the Evil Omen, this woman hadnt died? Su Gao had once mentioned that Evil Omens have an animal-like intuition for danger, which is how they repeatedly escaped from the Night Watchman. If these changes were due to that, then the gift of the Evil Omen might be more than just intuition. This mission was getting more and more interesting! Fu Qian thought for a moment, then stood up and walked straight towards the woman in the corner, pulling out the chair opposite her and sitting down. Im sorry, Im waiting for someone Geng Yue, clearly in a bad mood and about to impatiently shoo the person away, suddenly realized that the wine ss in her hand had somehow ended up in the hands of the man opposite her. Drinking before meals isnt good for your health. Fu Qian looked into the cup as if nothing was amiss. Miss, are you waiting for someone? This guy is no ordinary person! Geng Yues eyes lit up, and after three seconds, she sighed, shook her head, and appeared on the verge of tears. Yes, but Im afraid that person wont being. Thats really quite rude! Fu Qian nodded and scanned her from head to toe, not missing any detail. Feeling his piercing gaze, Geng Yue was secretly thrilled and quickly adjusted her emotions, doing her utmost to present herself in the most graceful manner possible. After observing for a while, Geng Yue felt smug, her lips curled slightly as she was about to speak, only to see the wine ss being pushed back towards her. Then you should drink a little more. ? Geng Yue was momentarily confused and had not realized what had happened before Fu Qian had already drifted away. Indeed, there was something special around her neck. Fu Qian, leaving the venue, recalled the scene he had just witnessed. On Geng Yues delicate and slender neck, there was a barely detectable ripple of energy. It originated from a transparent pattern beneath the ne, barely distinguishable from the skin; it wasnt noticeable at all without close inspection. The pattern encircled her neck, the texture somewhat simr to what he had seen in Ryu Xings small workshop before. Ny-nine point nine percent chance that it was drawn by her husband, Ryu Xing, unbeknownst to her. And this object imbued with Talismanic Power would activate at a certain time, neatly severing her head from her neck. Chapter 67 - 66: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 12)_1 Chapter 67: Chapter 66: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 12)_1 Why didnt the talisman activate on time this time? Fu Qian walked down the street, pondering this question. Now it was almost certain that Geng Yue had been killed by her husband. First of all, the talismanposed of patterns was quite distinctive, and Ryu Xing undeniably had such ability and sufficient motive. Moreover, apart from him, it was hard to imagine who else could have managed such a troublesome thing on the victims neck. However, this discovery left Fu Qian somewhat puzzled. He had never thought of Ryu Xing as an Evil Omen, but the fact that Ryu Xings original murderous behavior changed immediately after his own appearance was somewhat inexplicable. There must be some connection between Ryu Xing and the Evil Omen, but it was still impossible to confirm at the moment. But that wasnt a problem, if it was uncertain, just ask directly. Fu Qian had originally nned to go directly to Huang Yuanchang, but this small change made him change his mind at thest minute. Ryu Xing should still be at home now. Following the address in his memory, Fu Qian didnt take much effort to find the love nest of Ryu Geng. He pressed the doorbell, and soon the door opened from the inside. A young man under thirty, with a lean face, hid behind the door, frowning at Fu Qian. Who are you looking for? This must be the protagonist of the torture text. He was indeed a Transcendent, no doubt about it, although the guy used some means to conceal most of his aura, a trace scent that remained exposed him. Considering his current situation, he was unlikely to cooperate and answer questions obediently, so why not Is this Ryu Xings home? Watched by wary eyes, Fu Qian was neverthelessposed. I am Ryu Xing, but I dont know you. Ryu Xings eyes constantly scrutinized Fu Qian, clearly very vignt, with his hand covering the door to prevent Fu Qian from entering. Im not here to find you. Fu Qian shook his head, looking inside. Geng Yue arranged to meet with me here, where is she? Almost in an instant, Fu Qian noticed that Ryu Xings knuckles on the door had turned white from the pressure. Who are you? Ryu Xings features twisted, as he red at Fu Qian through clenched teeth. Thats wrong, she told me it would be this time. Fu Qian frowned in confusion, seeminglypletely oblivious to Ryu Xings gritted teeth. I am Qin Mingze, didnt Geng Yue mention I wasing over today? No, what do you want with her? Ryu Xing asked stiffly. Personal matters, may Ie in and wait? Sure,e in. Perhaps as a counter-effect of reaching the peak of anger, Ryu Xings tone had calmed down as he slowly opened the door. When will Geng Yue probably return? Fu Qian entered unceremoniously, sat down on the couch, and asked. I am not sure, you might want to wait a moment. Ryu Xings voice was cold from behind him. Whats your rtionship with Geng Yue? Rtionship? Well, thats a bitplicated! Fu Qian answered very honestly, while speaking, his hand reached out and grabbed something. When he opened his palm, there was a small crossbow bolt, its tip glinting with a strange cold light. This thing had just been aimed at his own back, shot out while using his voice as a cover, and it was quite tricky. Your way of treating guests is a bit special! Fu Qian turned to look at Ryu Xing. Indeed, youre not normal either. Ryu Xings calm demeanor had vanished, his eyes were bloodshot, and his expression was ferocious. I should have thought of this earlier; that bitch just cant stop being a scumbag! Ryu Xing let out a coldugh. Think youre safe just because you werent hit? Look at your hand. Fu Qian looked down and noticed that the gleaming arrowhead was covered withyers of intricate patterns. These ck patterns, alive like creatures, had somehow crawled onto his skin and were spreading exponentially in all directions. In that brief moment, they had covered his entire right hand. Wherever the patterns spread, the skin visibly lost its luster, turning into a cold, lifeless thing. Interesting, where did you learn this from? You care about that at this moment? Ryu Xing paused, then erupted into sharp, shrillughter. You guys, is the only thought in your mind how to be stronger? Have you lost all human cognition besides that? Too bad, Im not like you. These things are considered priceless treasures to you but for me, theyre a curse! Ever since I was a child, these patterns have appeared in every dream of mine, and every time I close my eyes, I see them. One day, on a whim, I drew these things down andbined them intuitively, only to discover some bizarre effects, making me more aware of my own difference. But this is not what I want. I just want to live a normal life; I dont want my lover to think of me as a monster! Oh, but unexpectedly, lovers like monsters, dont they? Fu Qians words almost made Ryu Xing choke. Still talk tough when death is upon you, let me tell you your fate. Your body will stiffen inch by inch, breath will be paralyzed, your body will rot from the outside in, and finally, you will turn to ashes in agony, understand? The whole process wont take long, just about ten minutes, but believe me, it will be the longest ten minutes of your life. Enjoy it, Qin Mingze! Understood. Fu Qian exhaled. Can you tell me roughly when Geng Yue will be back now? The ck patterns had already covered nearly half of Fu Qians body, yet he seemed oblivious, and instead asked in a slightly slurred voice. Ha ha ha! Fu Qians question left Ryu Xing stunned for a few seconds, then he burst outughing. You definitely wont make it, but dont worry, in half an hour, you will see that woman. If youre lucky, you might see someone else too. In half an hour Fu Qians brow furrowed. Undoubtedly, what Ryu Xing mentioned was the timing for the talisman around Geng Yues neck to activate. Didnt this mean that Geng Yue wasnt supposed to be dead when he entered? It wasnt that the talisman failed to activate on time, but rather it had activated prematurelyst time. Fu Qian nced at the clock on the wall; it had been only about twenty minutes since he had left the dining room. Ryu Xings original setting must have been for about an hour after his entrance into the dining room. This exined why Ryu Xing wasnt particrly panicked upon seeing him, a stranger. In Ryu Xings mind, Geng Yue definitely wouldnt be dead yet, so the thought of the Night Watchmaning to his door never crossed his mind. So, in the end, it was his previous entry into the containment scene that caused the talisman around Geng Yues neck to activate prematurely. Why did that change happen? To confuse him! An answer shed through Fu Qians mind. He hade in to kill the Evil Omen. The talisman, for some reason, had activated early, leading to a horrific bloodbath before him, which was certain to capture his attention. The crucial part was that the bloodbath pointed towards a person who, both in whereabouts and behavior, was extremely suspicious. This was the reaction of the Evil Omen to him. Chapter 68 - 67: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 13)_1 Chapter 68: Chapter 67: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 13)_1 This survival talent is a bit too much! Fu Qian looked at his lifeless arm, quickly analyzing the information he had just received. If the spection was true, it could be said that the Evil Omen had reacted the moment he entered, causing a slight malfunction in Ryu Xings arrangement to attract his attention. It could be called a full-automatic, three-dimensional survival system. As for how it was achieved, it might be rted to the tree he had seen. That thing was clearly of a high phase, and as its worshipper, it had provided him with a kind of special protection. Thus, the logic behind why the Evil Omen was hard to kill made sense. But if that was the case, he would need to adjust his action strategy. This was a kind of protection that could even sense the intent of danger and quickly respond with misleading actions. This would make any scheme difficult to execute, any action would be met with a tailored response, which was quite troublesome. While Fu Qian was lost in thought, Ryu Xing made a new move. He rubbed his fingers on his neck, finally finding something, pinching it with his fingertips, and with painful groans, pulled it out piece by piece. Blood slowly dripped down from the wound, but Ryu Xing seemed to feel nothing. Fu Qian looked at what was in his handa transparent strip about twenty centimeters long with faintly discernible, distinctly shaped patterns. And as the strip was pulled out, the aura emanating from Ryu Xings body quickly turned eerie, no longer maintaining his previous human-like form. That must have been what he was using to conceal his aura, and it seemed to work quite well, having sessfully deceived Lu Jun and another person. Oh! And his wife. I suddenly realize, killing really does bring pleasure. My previous thoughts might have been wrong. Ryu Xingughed wildly, looking like a maniac. I have to thank you, and that bitch Geng Yue, for helping me realize this. The curse I bear does have its meaning, at least it allows me to freely kill the trash I dislike. At this moment, his skin surface actually began to secrete patterns, adding a touch of malevolence to his appearance. Such a great viin transformation. But at most, youre only a Seventh Phase, so what kind of airs are you putting on here! Fu Qian shook his head and stood up, despite the horrified gaze of Ryu Xing. The next moment he shook his body, kes of skin with ck patterns fell from his body, turning to ash the instant they separated. I was just going along with you, and you got all serious. In the instant I was struck, that outeryer of skin had already detached from my body. Thanks for the hospitality, Im a bit busy so I wont disturb you further. If youre thinking of revenge, I, Qin Mingze from Lincheng, am always ready, he said. How could this be Ryu Xing uttered a standard disposable characters line. You clearly why That, I find it difficult to exin clearly to you, as there is quite a bit of difference in our levels. Fu Qian nced at him, turning around and heading outside. You didnte for Geng Yue. Ryu Xing seemed to suddenly understand something. Have you been toying with me all along? Ryu Xing said through clenched teeth, his eyes growing more ferocious as he grabbed the crossbow that was lying aside. The next moment, another sh of cold light shot out. Fu Qians back seemed to have eyes of its own, easily dodging the sneak attack. However, after releasing the arrow, Ryu Xing moved forward silently, donning a bizarrely shaped glove on his hand, reaching for Fu Qians back. Since youre so insistent. In Ryu Xings horrified gaze, Fu Qian turned into a blurry phantom. The next moment, his body was as if struck by an invisible cannonball, and he was sent flying backward. Before his body even hit the ground, Fu Qian was already there, stomping down with his left foot. Boom! The gusting wind howled, and shockwaves surged. Ryu Xings body shook tremendously, quivering like a torn piece of cloth. After a series of cracking sounds, he mmed heavily onto the ground. If this weakling is an Evil Omen, Ill eat my keyboard. Without so much as a nce at Ryu Xing, whoy on the ground gasping for breath, Fu Qian left through the door. Everyone has their beliefs. Aspiring to be a normal person, willing to live an ordinary life for the love in ones heartit might be difficult to judge right from wrong. But to immediately turn dark and deny ones past self after being betrayed by a loved one is definitely foolish. Last time, just the sacrifice of a newly Sixth Phase retired Transcendent and a party including Huang Jianyuan had brought about a Cmity. This meant that his current umtion was quite sufficient, and he was very close to sess. There wasnt much time left; I needed to act quickly, with no time to entangle with this guy. Facing the Huang Family Estate, Fu Qian rapidly sketched a map in his mind, recalling the route he tookst time. Fu Qian had an excellent memory, and it wasnt difficult for him to remember these things. If Huang Yuanchang was an Evil Omen, then that retired Transcendent who had died was still an excellent target. An independent living environment, with readily avable opportunities for stealth attacks. There was no reason not to take advantage of it. The grand entrance and square were strikingly visible; the Huang Family Estate still presented a scene of peace andfort. Without any hesitation, Fu Qian headed straight forward. With each step he took, the muscles and bones of his face adjusted slightly, swiftly transforming into another visage. By the time he reached the entrance, Fu Qian had already taken on the appearance of Huang Jianyuan. Open the gate! Fu Qian grunted, frowning, without sparing a nce at the Guards. The two Guards looked at each other in bewilderment, under unbearable pressure due to Fu Qians obviously foul mood. Youre returning so early today! Finally, one of them managed a smile and mustered the courage to speak. Fu Qian lifted his head, giving him a cold nce. Thetter silenced instantly, and the Guards hurriedly opened the gates. Indeed, choosing to take on the form of Huang Jianyuan was the right move. From our brief encounter, this man was clearly quick-tempered and probably not someone who greeted people with a smile. Simply keeping a stern face was enough; even if there were anomalies, no one would dare to question, and there was no need to exin anything. I easily entered the gate, and following the route etched in my mind, I moved swiftly forward without any obstructions, ignoring all greetings. The familiar courtyard soon came into view. As I took a step forward, I caught a whiff of blood in the air. Hm? Without a word, I stepped heavily on the ground, my body leaping high into the air, jumping straight into the courtyard. Inside the wide-open door, two blurry, bloody bodies were still writhing, with dark flesh tendrils snaking between them and extending in every direction. So fast! Last time, it wasnt until the next day when Huang Leji and his group went out that they made their move, but now theyve started killing right away. Is it because they knew I woulde looking for him? However, this situation was sure to be discovered quickly, also meaning it would be difficult for him to continue lurking within the Huang Family Estate. Huang Yuanchang must have already left. Fu Qian thought silently, and the next moment, a piercing rm sounded through the sky. It seemed someone had discovered the anomaly here, and arge number of people were rushing towards this location. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 69 - 68: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 14)_1 Chapter 69: Chapter 68: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 14)_1 Amidst the sound of the rm, Fu Qian could sense people rushing over from all directions, swiftly sealing off the small courtyard without leaving any gaps. Under these circumstances, he was left without a usible exnation. But the good thing was that Fu Qian never liked to exin. So, without looking back, he stood with his hands behind his back, feigning an upward gaze at the starry sky. Who are you? Why would youmit such a heinous act? Behind him came the furious roar of Huang Leji, and one could almost imagine his face contorted with rage. Pretty impressive, the timing was impable. To kill the person before his own arrival and then flee before he got there; subsequently, the Huang Family would find the anomaly and encircle him, making him the scapegoat. If the timing had been off by even a slight bit, it would lead to a disastrous oue. A truly daring move, to snatch chestnuts out of the firewas this Evil Omen leaping out of its own skin? Given the current situation, the Huang Family was definitely not going to let things go so easily. The person who had just called out was Huang Leji; from the breath, he could distinguish that Huang Lezhan and Huang Jianyuan were also present. Moreover, being deep in the estate, fighting his way out would be quite difficult and also time-consuming. Regardless of whether he went on a killing spree or got caught up here, it was exactly what Evil Omen would want to see. The situation was highly unfavorable! Fortunately, he had a contingency n in ce. You ask me who I am? Fu Qian snorted and slowly turned around. In the short moment before, his facial features had already swiftly shifted back to his own. Fu Qian, Night Watchman Special Operations Consultant. Night Watchman? As he spoke, a crowd of people looked at him with both shock and doubt, scrutinizing his unfamiliar face. Howe I am not aware of this title of a Special Operations Consultant within the Night Watchmen? Of course, Huang Leji was not so easily fooled and immediately furrowed his brows to express his skepticism. And how did you get into the Huang Estate? Why do you think you should be aware of the affairs of the Night Watchmen? Fu Qian did not answer his question at all, not even ncing in his direction, instead turning his gaze back inside the house. Evil Omen Youre saying that Evil Omen did this? Huang Leji was taken aback, surveying the bloody scene inside the house. What else? Me? Fu Qian let out a coldugh. So the Huang Family is aware of Evil Omen? And here I thought Xi Yuans foremost n had be oblivious to matters beyond their windows! Huang Lejis old face turned red. We just became aware of the situation with Evil Omen, and there hasnt been time to contact the Night Watchmen. Dont trouble yourself with the journey; wevee to you instead. Fu Qian looked at the scene inside the house. I and Su Zhiyan split up to pursue Evil Omen. I received a message that your uncle was the next target and rushed over, but it seems I was a step toote Su Zhiyan After a moment of contemtion, Huang Leji signaled to someone beside him, then took a step forward. Mr. Fu, I never imagined that Evil Omen would be so vicious as to infiltrate our Huang Estate andmit such an atrocity Ive already sent someone to fetch Su Zhiyan. Perhaps we should wait for her to arrive? While speaking, Huang Leji observed Fu Qians reaction closely. Alright, lets wait for Su Gao toe and discuss further. Fu Qian nodded slightly and pointed inside the courtyard. Secure this area. Dont let anyone touch anything inside. Also,pile a report of all the recent movements over the past month of every Transcendent member of the Huang Family for me. What do you mean by this? Huang Lejis gaze sharpened, and before he could speak, Huang Jianyuan behind him couldnt hold back anymore. Why does Mr. Fu need to investigate this? Could it be that he suspects someone from the Huang Family? Its not suspicion, but confirmation. Fu Qian shot him a cold nce without saying a word. Provoked by Fu Qians stare, Huang Jianyuan instinctively stepped back; realizing his reaction, his face instantly reddened, and a hint of hatred shed in his eyes. Jianyuan! Prepare what Mr. Fu has requested. Huang Leji ced his hand on his sons shoulder, his gaze sternly stopping him. This guy cant run away. Give him whatever he wants! If the Night Watchman provester that this guy is just grandstanding, therell be plenty of opportunities to crush him to dust. Indeed, he had just returned to Xi Yuan! Fu Qian flipped through the documents handed over by Huang Jianyuan, which contained the recent travel records of every member of the Huang Family. And, as expected, upon reaching Huang Yuanchangs column, Fu Qian found he too had returned to Xi Yuan just in the past week. The suspicion grew. But why did he look so familiar? The itinerary had photographs attached next to each persons entry, as per his request. Fu Qian looked at Huang Yuanchangs face and faintly felt he had seen it somewhere before. It was a feeling both familiar and strange, as if it fell on some cognitive blind spot. There werent many Transcendents in Xi Yuan City, so he shouldnt have this feeling. Fu Qians brain raced, reying every scene in Xi Yuan City since his arrival. Wait a second, its here! Fu Qians memory suddenly froze on a particr scene. It was after he had disguised himself as Huang Jianyuan to enter the Huang Family Estate. In order not to be discovered, he had proceeded quickly with a superior air, not responding to anyone. In the process, he brushed past several people, and now the face of one of them seemed particrly vague in his memory. This wasnt normal. Could this also be an effect of survival instinct? Huang Yuanchang had indeed run off. Impressive, not overlooking any blind spot to seduce and mislead. But that didnt matter. Fu Qian strained his memory cells, gradually rifying that blurry moment. Good, he had memorized the scent. Su Gao arrived even faster than expected. Still in ck with a narrow cap, her sword was ever-present. Her expressionless face, paired with the fractured scars, resembled a broken doll. However, the moment she appeared, nearly everyones breathing grew faintly lighter. Indeed, its Evil Omens style. Stepping into the blood-soaked room, Su Gao made her judgment in just ten seconds, speaking to Huang Leji. The next moment, sensing something, she lifted her head to look at Fu Qian sitting to the side, and her body halted. That instant, dozens of gazes patrolled between the two of them. Fu Qian winked at her. Without asking, Su Gaos reaction clearly indicated that Huang Leji hadnt informed her about this colleague of hers. Unfortunately, Old Master Huang didnt understand that this didnt matter at all. Mr. Fu is also here. After locking eyes with Fu Qian for a few seconds, Su Gao gently bowed, her gaze fleetingly vivacious. Long time no see. Its really great that youre safe! Thank you for your concern, just call me Fu Qian. Yes. Su Gao nodded her head. Did youe to Xi Yuan this time for the Evil Omen matter? Yes. Thats great! Su Gaos lips curled up slightly, as if smiling. There was definitely a problem! From the sound of it, the two hadnt seen each other for a long time; that Mr. Fu was just spouting nonsense earlier. Executioner Yan, this Mr. Fu says he is the Night Watchman Special Operations Consultant Huang Lejis face turned ashen, interrupting the conversation between the two as if they were the only ones there. Mr. Fu said that, did he? Yes, and moreover, when we arrived just now, only Mr. Fu was present at the scene, which is highly suspicious Yes, Mr. Fu is the Night Watchman Special Operations Consultant. Su Gaos eyes still on Fu Qian, she stated tly. Chapter 70 - 69: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 15)_1 Chapter 70: Chapter 69: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 15)_1 This Su Gaos words had a group of people looking at each other in dismay, at a loss for words. Huang Leji was even more frustrated, as thetter half of his sentence was stifled before he could finish it, leaving him feeling aggrieved. He also said he had an agreement with you to act separately. Exactly, we are currently operating separately to chase down Evil Omen. Youre trying to fool ghosts! Even a fool could see that you havent seen each other for a long time, and you dont even seem to be very familiar with each other, how could there possibly be any joint chase n. This Mr. Fu clearly has a dubious identity, yet Su Gao had without a word appointed him a role. Mr. Fu even suspects that Evil Omen is hiding within our Huang Family! Huang Leji dered coldly. Really? Su Gaos eyes finally turned sharp, scanning around. If Mr. Fu feels this way, there must be a reason for it. Huang Leji no longer had anything to say. Although he didnt know why, it was clear that Su Gao decidedly protected the young man without conditions. It seemed that even if this Fu Qian imed to be Evil Omen, Executioner Yan would probably just cut him down directly. But to just let it go like this was something Huang Leji was not willing to stomach, so he redirected his spearhead toward Fu Qian. Mr. Fu, may I know how you had confirmed that Evil Omens target was a member of the Huang Family? Even to the extent of identifying my uncle? Professional skill, how else would I be an action consultant? Faced with Huang Lejis questioning, Fu Qian chuckled and said a sentence that made everyones hair stand on end. Whats more, I have also confirmed that Evil Omens next target is still a member of the Huang Family! Still a member of the Huang Family? The surrounding people were instantly horrified. As aristocratic families ustomed to peace, they had never thought that Evil Omen could pose any threat to them. Unfortunately, the scene before them had shattered this false sense of security, and Fu Qians words brought a fear that was almost tangible. Mr. Fu Huang Leji was also stunned for a long while, and had just taken a deep breath to speak when Its about time! To their surprise, Fu Qian stood up at this moment, nodded to Su Gao, and walked straight towards the door, ignoring the encirclement ahead of him. Su Gao followed him without a word. The people in front instinctively took a step back; no matter what, this was the Night Watchman, and they surely couldnt really stop them, right? What it meant toy hands on the Night Watchman was clear to everyonethe aristocratic families that had been destroyed in history for this reason were far from few. And so, the group almost automatically cleared a path, watching the two figures depart with their eyes wide. Father, what shall we do next? After a moment of lost contemtion, Huang Jianyuan approached, looking pale as he spoke to his father. Huang Lejis expression was undeniably very ugly; they definitely couldnt do anything to this man of unknown origin today. At the same time, he intuitively didnt want to believe what Fu Qian had said. But whether he was willing to believe it or not, the brutal scene before his eyes was very real. If left unchecked, and something simr happened again Send out a notice to have everyone return; reinforce the security of the estate. Without my approval, nobody is allowed to leave during this time. Huang Leji gritted his teeth and said. Ive not had the opportunity to thank you for thest incident. After leaving the Huang Family Estate, Su Gao stopped and looked at Fu Qian, speaking earnestly. In fact, youve already thanked me. Fu Qian chuckled inwardly, curbing Su Gaos urge to thank him again and handed her a piece of paper. It was one of the documents provided by the Huang Family, with Huang Yuanchangs information already marked by him. Exining would be quite cumbersome, but its preliminarily confirmed that he is the true identity behind Evil Omen. Oh? Su Gaos eyes lit up upon hearing this and she earnestly reviewed the material. Since she took on this task, she had been tracking Evil Omen and had several opportunities, but each time they slipped through her fingers, and up until now, the information she obtained was scanty. Mr. Fu had actually found the person! After this guy killed someone at the Huang Family, he has fled from there and should now be lurking in Xi Yuan City, looking for his next target. Another point that can be confirmed is that after he finished killing at the Huang Family, his series of brutal sacrificial acts has entered its final stage. With just a few sacrifices remaining, he can fulfill his goal, which is likely to be some kind of widespread disaster. In short, we dont have much time left. Fu Qian quickly briefed Su Gao on his findings while she listened silently with intense seriousness. But its not entirely without opportunity. Evil Omens whereabouts are indeed elusive, but one thing is clear, his targets are always Transcendents. I deliberately said that Evil Omens next target is still a member of the Huang Family just now to scare them a bit. There werent many Transcendents to begin with in Xi Yuan; after the Huang Family strengthens its vignce, Evil Omens choice of targets will be even more limited, so next well split up into two groups. Pulling from the memory in his mind, Fu Qian casually sketched a rough map. Two areas, we or each look for one line to pursue. ording to my estimate, for Transcendents below the Middle Tier, he still needs to sacrifice at least five more to ultimatelyplete the ceremony. If we can lock on to his location before that, well certainly have a chance. Understood. Su Gao readily agreed to the arrangement without any objections, not even asking how Fu Qian knew this. She wasnt one to trust others easily, but her previous experiences instilled in her a near-blind faith in Fu Qian. The mysterious expert who suddenly appeared with unbelievable intuition led the team to aplish an almost impossible task, giving meaning to her own killing spree. Otherwise, she might nevere to terms with those memories. Mr. Fu, please take care! Taking the route map sketched by Fu Qian, Su Gao gave a deep bow, then without hesitation, turned and left. It has begun! Watching Su Gao walk away, Fu Qian didnt waste any more time andmenced his own actions. Now, in the tiny Xi Yuan City, Evil Omen would have to deal with two Hunters. Truth be told, Fu Qian was almost certain Su Gao wouldnt find the person. If the spection that Evil Omen received shelter was correct, then Su Gao would undoubtedly pose a greater threat than himself. The protection Evil Omen got would indeed take Su Gao more seriously, leading him to avoid her search as much as possible. And the significance of sending Su Gao to search was to increase the chances of him, a slightly weaker threat, to find Evil Omen. Perhaps some might ask, why not tell the Huang Family people the truth and involve them in the manhunt, further suppressing Evil Omens activities? The reason is simple: Fu Qian didnt think they could pose a threat to Evil Omen; instead, it mightplicate matters. Better to scare them, make them hunker down at home on the defensive. You cant win a game if you keep feeding the enemy! Chapter 71 - 70: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 16)_1 Chapter 71: Chapter 70: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 16)_1 In the outskirts of Xi Yuan City, within a certain mansion. Boom! With a loud noise, Fu Qian abruptly stopped his body, dodging the iing shock wave. The next moment, a straight gorge appeared under his feet, deep enough to reach half a persons height. The high-grade wooden floor of the mansions living room had changed beyond recognition in the blink of an eye. Evil Omen! Ive been waiting for you for a long time! A roar full of vigor came from ahead. It wont be that easy to kill me! This one still had plenty of spirit! Fu Qian felt a sense of relief. This was the seventh target he had been searching for on his way, a certain Eighth Phase Transcendent. As he had expected, Evil Omen hadnt wasted any time. Since leaving the Huang Family, taking advantage of this brief time difference, Evil Omen had almost been on a relentless killing spree in Xi Yuan City, with a frighteningly high efficiency. Along the way, he had already encountered several corpses lying where they fell. Key point being that these Transcendents, like animals in the forest, had a tacit understanding to maintain distance from each other when choosing their residences. This resulted in them being scattered sporadically across all areas of Xi Yuan City. Following the nned route all the way here had indeed taken him quite a bit of time. Speed is essence in warfare. After confirming this person was okay, Fu Qian didnt even stop to speak and turned around to leave. However, the next moment, the heavy thud of somethingnding was heard, and all the doors and windows of the house were sealed by thick steel tes that had fallen. Boomingughter came from behind him. Now that youre here, it wont be so easy to leave. Your will to live is quite strong, huh! Fu Qian looked at the tightly sealed steel tes and silently praised in his mind. Obviously, such things could not be installed in a short period of time; it was likely that this fellow had prepared these security measures for himself, not specifically for Evil Omen. Admirable courage indeed, not only to be well-prepared in advance but even brave enough to defend and counterattack. At this moment, the roaring sound behind him started up again, the ground beneath his feet copsing like quicksand. After making another nting leap, Fu Qian looked back at the seventh Eighth Phase brother. The darkplexion, the exaggerated pectoral muscles, the deformed vest strained by his back. This must be the legendary figure with the height and waist both of eight feet! For a moment, he almost thought Captain Gu had ascended. Now that Eighth Phase brother had a ferocious smile on his face. In his right hand, he was holding a hammer that seemed extremely heavy, which greatlyplemented his build. Every time that hammer struck the ground, the tremendous force was transmitted into the earth, creating a long ravine. He looked dominating indeed, but buddy, better pray theres nothing like optical cables under your feet. Are you satisfied with this ce? Eighth Phase brother had a smug look on his face, continuously knocking the hammer on the floor, making the whole house tremble. I dont care if youre a Transcendent killer or not, this is my turf now. There was truth to his words; in such a confined environment, his strength-based abilities certainly had an advantage. The weapon in Eighth Phase brothers hand was obviously not ordinary and would likely pose a challenge even to standard Seventh Phases when used inbination. What number trap had Evil Omen set for himself this time? The survival instincts of this person were truly miraculous. Every time it felt like he was about to catch up, the traces left by him would lead to a ce like this. There would often be traps like these, originally intended for him, which would slightly dy the pursuer. Seeing that Fu Qian made no sound, Eighth Phase brother snorted coldly and stopped talking. He lifted the heavy hammer high above his head and then smashed it down forcefully, tearing open an evenrger gorge with the loud noise. Simultaneously, he charged along the split ravine, hammer in hand, aggressivelying toward him. Facing this fierce attack, Fu Qian showed no intention of dodging at all. As the Eighth Phase brothers cart was halfway there, and he was swinging the heavy hammer towards himself, his right arm burst forth,unching a punch. Mid-punch, his arm abruptly grew half a length and grabbed the opponents thick neck, then mmed them against the wall. The momentum of the Eighth Phase brother,bined with the force of his swing, shook the entire room, and he was mmed against the wall with substantial force. ng! The hammer crashed to the ground, creating a crater upon impact. Get it? Three secondster, Fu Qian looked into the Eighth Phase brothers bell-like eyes. I I get it. Under Fu Qians demonic grip, the Eighth Phase brothers neck was nearly crushed, his face turning beet red as he nodded frantically. The fact that the other party had caught but not killed him was proof enough that he wasnt the lunatic Evil Omen; he had mistaken his target. Open the door. Yes, of course. The Eighth Phase brother was quick to catch on, not daring to say an extra word. Struggling, he fumbled around himself and found the control switch. Amidst a rumbling noise, the steel te outside the house slowly lifted up. Fu Qian threw the man to the ground and leaped out in a single step. Before leaving, he gave the steel te a particr nce. That steel te must be two centimeters thick, how scared of dying are you! There was a slight dy, but it wasnt a big problem. Fu Qian determined his direction and quickly reviewed the map in his mind. Even with an animal-like instinct for danger, killing always requires time. Even with such minor disruptions, Fu Qian was still very sure that he was getting closer to Evil Omen. Most importantly, the Transcendents of Xi Yuan City were generally of average strength, mostly around the Eighth or Ninth Phase. Evil Omen would likely need several more people toplete the sacrifice. Following the trace, Fu Qian soon arrived at his next targets location. This person clearly did not have the crisis awareness of the Eighth Phase brother and was dead beyond any doubt. The bedclothes were drenched in blood, and not only was the body decapitated, but both eyeballs were also missing. From the traces at the scene, this person appeared to have been killed directly in their sleep. Speaking of which, Fu Qian found this rather strange. Almost every one of the Transcendents that had been killed before was like this person, engaged in various activities at the time of death. Sleeping, bathing, even applying a facial maskeach was caught off guard and killed with a single blow. Evil Omen seemed to have dispatched them as easily as harvesting vegetables, the whole process seemingly taking no more than a minute. Once or twice might be understandable, but after several incidents, its hard to exin away as coincidence. It appeared that Evil Omens divine protection extended beyond just the instinct for danger. While mulling this over, Fu Qian didnt stop moving. He felt Evil Omens presence growing clearer and clearer. Wait a second, Fu Qian furrowed his brow, recognizing the building not far away. A three-story building with a red facade, where he had slept not too long ago. Evil Omen really had some guts toe straight to the Night Watchmen Base, huh? But indeed, the Night Watchman team of Xi Yuan City truly was subpar. He hoped the three of them were together and hadnt sumbed too easily. Without hesitation, Fu Qian kicked open the front door, then saw a living room in disarray. Amidst the blood littering the floor, a figure sat in the middle of the hall, covered in wounds. Next to him stood a Flesh Tree, its swaying, broken limbs appearing to ount for three people. You here? The figure let out a raspyugh. Im here. Fu Qian nodded and stepped into the room. Chapter 72 - 71: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 17)_1 Chapter 72: Chapter 71: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 17)_1 It really is you, kid! Fu Qian looked at Huang Yuanchang, who sat on the ground. The distinctivenky figure of the Huang Family was unmistakable. However, it seemed he was still a step toote given the current situation. Who could have thought that three Night Watchmen, even inside the base, would be taken out so cleanly and efficiently? Even though Huang Yuanchang was covered in wounds, it was still recognizable that his aura wasnt that strong, at most it was of a Seventh Phase peak level. Yet it was such a person who not only ughtered his way from the Huang Family Estate to the Night Watchmen Base. But also in a short span managed to kill three Night Watchmen sopletely that they couldnt be deader, then even posed them. Who knows if Huang Jianyuan and his peoplest time were yed around with like this too. With Captain Qiao and his two men, Huang Yuanchangs sacrifice should now beplete. Fu Qian could distinctly feel that something was different. His intuition told him the failure notification for containment would appear very soon. He quickly decided to gather some more intel. Unfortunately for you, youre toote. Huang Yuanchang was sitting paralyzed in a pool of blood, staring at his work with an obsessed look, his expression manic. The final sacrifice has beenpleted, you shall witness my rebirth! After a swell of emotion, Huang Yuanchang turned to look at Fu Qian. You must be very curious about how I did all this, arent you? Do you want to know why I could kill those people? Actually, its quite simple, I can just see their deathing, thats all. Huang Yuanchang showed a fanatical smile. I am a Follower of God, you cant see Him, you cant even imagine His power. Sorry, but as a matter of fact, I have seen it, and quite clearly at that. Fu Qian thought to himself. Guided by His omnipresence, I just need to follow orders, leading these people to their destined demise! Thats why they cant fight against me, because they cant escape the premonition of death. This guys fanaticism is seriously off the charts, Fu Qian frowned. But this destined demise thing is somewhat interesting. Fu Qian thought about those Transcendents who died frustrated deaths. Whats that saying again? When people are killed, they die. Its not possible for someone to be on guard all the time, and ording to this theory, as long as there is a possibility of being killed, Huang Yuanchang can see it under the guidance of that great existence, appearing at their most vulnerable, most rxed moment, to reap their lives in any possible way. This logic is quite like a series of movies he had seen before. Even those three were no exception, it just required me to pay some price to present their destined demise. Huang Yuanchang caressed his wounds, grimacing in pain yetughing maniacally. Do you know? This is also why you could never catch me, because I can not only see others demise, but I can also see my own. You may be very strong, I cant even discern your level, but I just need to avoid those lines that would lead me to death, and then no one will ever be able to kill me. No matter what means you use, no matter what ns you make, do you understand? Huang Yuanchangs expression became even more delirious. Now that the final sacrifice isplete, you will have the honor of witnessing the great blessing He bestows upon His followers. I can feel it already! Hmm I can feel it too. Fu Qian nodded. This is no idle im; since just now he had felt something very special taking shape within Huang Yuanchangs body. However, he wasnt as optimistic as thetter; he thought that thing didnt quite seem like a blessing. Continue speaking, Im listening! Fu Qian had never really appreciated such verbose viins, but if they were on the opposite side from him, he was very much weing of it. In fact, He has been guiding me for many years. After his frenzied rant, Huang Yuanchang began to enter a phase of recalling the past. Before, I never understood what the voice I often heard was. Not until I attempted the first trial ording to His demands. Then I received a gift beyond imagination. Unlike my other brothers and sisters, I inherited this ghostly appearance but not the talent for cultivation. Yet, He showed me what was possible. As I made more offerings, I also received more revtions, and ultimately He guided me back to Xi Yuan, where I willplete the final step. And you will be the first witness! Huang Yuanchang once again raised his hands high, his voice excited to the point of shrillness, looking mad with fervor. Seeing this, Fu Qian quietly took a few steps back. The next moment, Huang Yuanchangs fervent expression froze, and his head swelled like a balloon and burst, raining down a mix of red and white. Strands of brilliant golden patterns dissipated outwards, interconnecting into a mysterious array that dazzled and bewildered anyone who glimpsed it. At the same time, Fu Qians head jolted, as if connecting with some special existence. This feeling was exactly the same as thest time. Fu Qian was almost certain that the tree must have appeared again in the sky above. And within Xi Yuan City, the number of idiots with copsing consciousness was increasing exponentially. I said it might not be a blessing. Watching Huang Yuanchangs headless body slowly fall to the ground, Fu Qian sighed. This time he was more cautious; even though he was inside a building, he still looked straight ahead without raising his head, minimizing the risk of losing SAN Points. Soon, a prompt sounded in his ear, and the scene before him rapidly blurred. [Cmity has descended, containment has failed.] [Current SAN Points: 41] [Do you want to y the event recap?] This is quite tricky! In the warehouse, Fu Qian frowned. The person had been found, but the situation still seemed difficult to handle. To start with, this preordained death was really stubborn; with it present, everything could change at any moment, and no prior experience could be applied to the next time. The simplest example was that the previous hunting route before the Evil Omen had no reference value. As long as he made targeted adjustments that threatened the others life, that person would also adjust his route in response. Based on his own actions, this thing would always calcte and generate an optimal solution. Not to mention his ability to foresee death, which almost allowed him to target anyone. Assume he intended to sacrifice ten people; with the nearly one hundred Transcendents in Xi Yuan City, thebinations that could be made were C100(10), which was astronomical. No, there was also the issue of order; it should be A100(10), even more astronomical! Doing tasks these days is really not easy, you even have to learn mathematics. In fact, Fu Qian didnt believe everything Huang Yuanchang said either. For one thing, judging from thetters end, he was merely cannon fodder that had been exploited, and might not know everything. Secondly, just the destiny of death alone could not exin why Geng Yues death was inconsistent twice. The situation is trulyplicated! Or perhaps a violent resolution can be attempted? For instance, changing C100 to C10? Chapter 73 - 72: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 18)_1 Chapter 73: Chapter 72: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 18)_1 ` There is no such thing as the most violent, only more violent. When dealing with targets that can prate everything and take advantage of any opportunity, if peeling thread from silk doesnt work, then it would be a better choice to cut off the enemys supply from the base. Without any hesitation, Fu Qian ced his hand on the Mist Gate in front of him. [Consumed 1 SAN Point to attempt containment again, current SAN Points: 40] [Skills: Air Bullet, Visceral Critical Strike, Cat School, Feast (Locked)] [Weapon: Tyrants Fist] [1%16%21%29%41%61%98%100%, containment scene loadingplete] Mr. Fu, your feast is ready. The familiar restaurant appeared before his eyes once more. In his perception, Geng Yue remained motionless in the corner, outside Lu Jun and another person stopped in their tracks, looking inside with confusion. Savoring the aroma of the food, Fu Qian stuffed a piece into his mouth, then immediately got up and walked out, brushing past Lu Jun and hispanion as they entered to investigate. Who goes there? At the entrance of the Huang Family Estate, two guards watched warily as a figure flew towards them, shouting out their challenge. However, the target ignored thempletely, sweeping past directly. The guards, shocked and pale, exchanged looks and quickly pressed a button, setting off a loud rm. Without a moments hesitation, Fu Qian charged straight in, heading directly for Old Master Huangs courtyard. And in his perception, the people summoned by the rm were rapidly converging behind him. ng! Fu Qian kicked the courtyard door open and was unsurprised to see the bloody scene inside. Indeed, the Evil Omen had acted even earlier this time. But that didnt matter, as he didnte here to catch him. With his back to the courtyard door, Fu Qian stood still. Soon, theing Huang Family members had caught up and surrounded the courtyardpletely. The horrific scene inside was so shocking that the group was filled with horror, and no one dared to advance. Who are you? Whymit such a heinous act? Atst, Huang Leji, anguished and with his hair standing in anger, cried out as he arrived on the scene. Fu Qian slowly turned around, his face hidden behind a smiling mask brought from the restaurant, causing Old Master Huang to start in astonishment. A vile miscreant, daring tomit murder but too cowardly to show your true face? My true face? Fu Qian let out a coldugh, slowly removing the mask to reveal Huang Yuanchangs face. Yuanchang! Its actually you! All were shocked, and Huang Leji was especially enraged. The Huang Family has treated you well, why would you do such a thing? You see, as long as one wears a mask, there are few who question the authenticity of the face beneath. Treated me well, ha ha ha ha! Fu Qian let out a string of desteughter. Are you referring to this deformed dignity, or even with this dignity, still having no Cultivation Talent? Should I be filled with gratitude? It is the Huang Family who has wronged me, Huang Leji. Fu Qian bellowed at the family head, addressing him by name. But all that is in the past, I have now received a gift you cannot evenprehend. Today is just the beginningwithin three days, I will make the entire Xi Yuan City Huang Family my sacrificial offering, each and every one of you Fu Qian looked around coldly. Will end up just like him. You dare to exterminate my Huang Family members, such bold words! Do you really think you can leave here today? Huang Lejiughed in furious disbelief. However, Fu Qian didnt pay him any heed. Having thrown down his harsh words, he burst into motion and took off running. The surrounding crowd was still in shock, and by the time they snapped out of it, it was toote to stop him. Stop right there! At that moment, a figure leaped over the crowd, chasing after him. Shrouded in bright yellow, it was none other than Huang Lezhan, the number one person of the Huang Family. ` Fifth Phase Transcendents are not to be trifled with, Huang Lezhan attacked with fury, his movements lightning-fast as he threw a punch at Fu Qians back, powerful as thunder. Fu Qian, still in mid-air, spun around as if his back had eyes, meeting Huang Lezhans fist with his right foot. At the same time, he rapidly tapped his fingers, releasing five whistling Air Bullets. Amidst the gusting wind and the heavy sound of their sh, Fu Qian used the rebounding force to leap up again. Huang Lezhan wanted to pursue, but his expression changed drastically the next moment as he twisted his body to dodge several Air Bullets. However, the distance was too short, and his left arm was hit. His body shuddered, and he nted downward. Im fine! Pushing away those who came to assist him, Huang Lezhan held his shoulder, looking at his elder brother. What do we do now? Thetters face was ashen, his brows furrowed deeply. This madman, our Huang Family has actually bred such a traitor! Although I dont know how he got so strong, he actually said he would ughter all of our Huang Family members within three days Our Huang Family has stood for a hundred years; no one, no matter who, has the right to make such grand ims! Huang Leji snorted coldly, his gaze sinister. Notify the Night Watchman, say that an Evil Omen has appeared at the Huang Family, hasmitted a bloodbath, and ns to kill everyone within three days Also, have everyone outside return to the highest alert, no one is allowed to leave without my order. If Huang Yuanchang is spotted in the estate, exterminate without mercy! Fu Qian didnt hesitate before assuming the mantle of the murderer, threatening to wipe out the entire Huang Family next, heading straight for the nearest Transcendents abode. Kicking the door in, amidst screams, Fu Qian pped the woman who jumped out of bed naked without a hint of politeness, sending her sprawling back onto the bed. Sleeping soundly in broad daylight. How can you sleep at a time like this? At your age, how can you be sleeping? And to top it off, sleeping naked! Dont you have the slightest sense of crisis? Looking at the woman bewildered by the p, Fu Qian stepped forward. The next moment, lethal intent surged, and the bright glint of a de filled his vision. So quick! Far from being rmed, Fu Qian was delighted, retreating half a step sideways, narrowly avoiding the attack. A figure d in ck, Su Gao,nded softly, her Curved Sword unsheathed, her gaze calm as water. Always so reliable! Fu Qian looked at Su Gao with satisfaction. Based on his knowledge of Huang Leji, he was sure Huang would consider seeking help from the Night Watchman. He had intentionally not concealed his tracks on the way there to lure Su Gao to follow him. The next moment, Fu Qian saw a glimmer of recognition in her eyes. You can recognize me even with a mask on? Su Gao remained silent, casting a nce at both Fu Qian and the woman on the bed. In thetters terrified eyes, she casually flung her scabbard, hitting the womans face solidly. The naked woman passed out without hesitation. Mr. Fu Su Gao bowed in respect. Im so relieved that youre unharmed! By sheer luck. Fu Qian removed his mask, admitting his identity as he had already adjusted his face back on the road. Seeing his face, Su Gaos perpetually unchanging expression momentarily became animated. Did youe here because of the Evil Omen? Yes. Fu Qian nodded. We dont have much time, I need your full cooperation for whats toe, or something far worse than before will happen here. An incident worse than thest Su Gaos eyes sharpened as she slowly nodded her head. Alright! Chapter 74 - 73: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 19)_1 Chapter 74: Chapter 73: The Evil Omen Must Die (Part 19)_1 First, I need you to take her to the Night Watchmen Base, Fu Qian could feel Su Gaos trust in him and didnt hesitate, pointing at the woman who had fainted. After that, we split up and move as quickly as possible to gather all the Transcendents not from the Huang Family to that ce. Fu Qian didnt stress whether they agreed or not, as he believed in Su Gaos style. Then Evil Omen will automaticallye to us. Understood. After carefully listening, Su Gao didnt ask any more questions and immediately wrapped the woman in a bedsheet, lifting her up. How important it was to have a reliable partner! Watching Su Gao disappear into the distance with the woman, Fu Qians face reflected satisfaction. The groundwork for undermining began. Theoretically, Evil Omens destined death was truly impregnable. No matter what strategy he employed, Evil Omen could always dodge all possibilities that could lead to its death. At the same time, it harvested the lives of other Transcendents toplete the sacrifice. It was like reaching a certain endpoint with countless nodes and forks in the path, yet the protection Evil Omen received always allowed it to choose a perfect route. Where to go, whom to kill, then where to go next It didnt even have to think; it simply moved on instinct. Truly untraceable, unrestrained as a wild horse. Like I said before, this thing is on the A100 (10) order of magnitude. So, what if all these forks were blocked, leaving just one road in the middle? Gather all the potential sacrifice targets in one ce, leaving only one node. The problem seems much simpler then! At the Huang Family, after his own deration of ughter, Huang Yuanchang could no longer return, and Fu Qian didnt think that he, a Seventh Phase, had the capability to forcefully break through the Huang Family Estate on alert. Gathering the remaining Transcendents at the Night Watchmen Base would leave himpletely without options. Then, they just had to wait for him to show up. Unless he could withstand the desire to kill within, but unfortunately, from theirst encounter, he was already half-mad and likely didnt have the patience. Of course, a more violent approach would be to simply clear out all the Transcendents in Xi Yuan City, which would undoubtedly be more effective. But for a preliminary attempt, there was no need to be so extreme, for the time being. On the other hand, if he chose to kill, Su Gao might not kill him, but it would be very difficult to get her help. He remembered vividly the scene where she had shattered hisposure. Of course, if it proves to still be insufficient, then fully activating Shura Mode will also be one of the next options. Boom! Evil Omen, Ive been waiting for you for a long Returning to the Eighth Phase brothers mansion, a fierce tremor interrupted the full-throated roar midway as Fu Qian cut him off. Gathering strength, turning, stomping down. Confronting the approaching shockwave, Fu Qian didnt dodge this time but chose to meet it head-on. Rubble flew, the two forces meeting, the impact under his feet abruptly stopped. Simultaneously, Fu Qian didnt stop moving and was already rushing towards the Eighth Phase brothers face. The man hadnt even had time to lift his heavy hammer from the ground, shock frozen on his swarthy face. Hisss! Fu Qians right forearm swelled by a few inches and he grabbed the giant mans neck again, hoisting him up and mming him against the wall. Bang! Thetters head jerked back, a crisp thud resounding; the Eighth Phase brothers eyes rolled back and he fainted on the spot. The wall behind this man turned out to be made entirely of metal. Works done. When Fu Qian carried in thest person to the Night Watchmen Base, the whole ce fell silent. In a corner of the hall, Su Gao stood with her sword, silent, coldly observing everyone. By her side were three Night Watchmen who didnt dare even to breathe loudly. Meanwhile, in the center of the room, various men and women wore faces of shock, unable to understand what had happened. Most of them bore injuries, clearly evidence that Su Gao also preferred tomunicate with physicalnguage. They had wanted to ask what exactly was going on, but Su Gaos gaze had scared them into silence, and their anxiety grew even more. Now, seeing Fu Qian enter, the woman wrapped in a bedsheet screamed out loud. Even though they were all, in the broadest sense, superheroes, theycked any dignity. Fu Qian, with a look of disdain, threw down the Eighth Phase brother, who rolled, protecting his head, nearly knocking himself out cold again. Thetter, whose constitution was still quite robust, had woken up on the way here and had been pretending to be unconscious. Now, he could no longer feign it. Ladies and gentlemen! Fu Qian counted the number of people present. Aside from the three who had been decapitated on arrival, all the Lincheng frencers were here. He was very satisfied with this oue. At least half of the experts present had already witnessed Su Gaos ferocity, and they shivered at his words. You all should recognize where you are, so I believe theres no need for any unnecessary worry. After all,ing here is like returning home. What everyone needs to do is very simple. From now on, all of you must stay here, not leaving this room until I give further notice. Fu Qian finished in one breath, and then looked around. Any questions? As soon as Fu Qian had finished speaking, a muscr arm trembled as it raised, and the voice of Eighth Phase brother shivered. Staying here and not eating is fine, but what if someone needs to use the restroom? Fu Qian gave him a cold nce. Ruminate. Mr. Fu. Seeing that all the Transcendents had reluctantly epted their fate, Su Gao quietly asked him. Are you sure the Evil Omen will definitelye? Dont worry, hell definitely show up! Fu Qian remembered Huang Yuanchangs maniacalughter; the man currently couldnt stop if he tried. The only thing he was curious about was the state in which this man would make his appearance. In fact, he was even a little excited about this. Of course, not about Huang Yuanchang, for this brother whorgely followed his instincts, he had no interest. What excited him was the entity behind Huang Yuanchang. What kind of response would this high-order existence, beyond anyones understanding, have to the situation at hand? Fu Qian quickly got his answer. Not even an hourter, the bases main gate was pushed open from the outside. Under the watchful eyes of many, Huang Yuanchang just walked in like that. At that moment, he was a far cry from his normally sleazy appearance, his whole body shrouded in mercury-colored mysterious symbols, exuding an indescribable majesty. Thiswas quite interesting. Fu Qian watched with interest the anomaly on Huang Yuanchangs body. Apart from the color, it looked somewhat simr to the thing that had appeared after that guys head had explodedst time. That thing had directly caused the Cmity to descend, and his mission to fail. What special effect might this one have? Facing a room full of Transcendents, Huang Yuanchang showed no fear, steadily making his way to the front. Today, all of you will die! Chapter 75 - 74: The Evil Omen Must Die (Final)_1 Chapter 75: Chapter 74: The Evil Omen Must Die (Final)_1 Huang Yuanchangs shy entrance sessfully ignited the Transcendents foul moods. Eating hotpot and singing at home, then suddenly being dragged here to be incarceratedeveryone was already simmering with rage. And now, an inexplicable fool emerges, turning incarceration into a death sentence? The Transcendents from Xi Yuan City, many of them recognize Huang Yuanchang and are aware of his murky background. Even if they dont recognize him, they have the basic discernment thates from being out in the world. Despite his bizarre appearance, the aura Huang Yuanchang emanated was at most at the Seventh Phase. This was far inferior to the two murderous gods beside him! If I cant defeat the Night Watchman, cant I defeat you? For a moment, the hall was flooded with approval. What the hell are you? Dare to spout such nonsense here! Has the Huang Family gone mad? Even if Huang Leji came, he wouldnt dare make such a grandiose im! Do you know where you are? Still so ignorant and unruly! Evil Omen was actually him? The three Night Watchmens expressions were extremelyplicated at this moment, especially Captain Qiao. He naturally recognized Huang Yuanchang and could not ept that the legendary Evil Omen actually came from Xi Yuan City. Hes really here! Su Gaos eyes, however, twinkled with light. Having pursued him all the way here, she was familiar with the aura of the Evil Omen. She almost instantly confirmed that Huang Yuanchang was the Evil Omen. Murderous intent surged within her, and Su Gaos hand instinctively reached for the hilt of her sword, but her arm was grabbed by Fu Qian. Wait a moment! As Fu Qian spoke, his gaze was fixed on Huang Yuanchang. Although puzzled, Su Gao subconsciously epted his suggestion. She suppressed the urge to act and smoothly withdrew her arm. Hehe! At this moment, Huang Yuanchang, the target of a thousand fingers, showed no fear; instead, he let out a string of mockingughter. Hisughter became the final straw that ignited the rage, causing several figures to spring into action impatiently. Leading the charge was a woman with delicate features, in her thirties, dressed elegantly without a hint of makeup. Fu Qian had some memory of her. If he remembered correctly, thest time he saw her, she had a facial mask on even in death. Sister Mask now moved as fast as lightning, her rapier striking like a venomous snake, aiming directly at the lower half of Huang Yuanchangs body. Her move was vicious, filled with the fury of being forced to go out without makeup. I am a Follower of God, protected by the sacredws. Facing this sharp attack, Huang Yuanchang stood his ground, hands raised, voicing something that sounded like a murmur in a dream. Just as Sister Masks rapier was about to strike Huang Yuanchang at his root. Any offender will be sentenced to beheading. As Huang Yuanchangs voice grew increasingly shrill, Sister Masks forward charge shook, and herplexion turned pale. A line of blood appeared on her neck. The next moment, Sister Masks delicate head slid off her neck without any obstruction, rolling to one side, the look of horror still etched on her face. Her headless body continued to charge forward due to inertia, narrowly missing Huang Yuanchangs body, and the rapier plunged deep into the floor. Thud! Thud! The two Transcendents whogged a step behind Sister Mask witnessed the scene with horror. It was toote to call off their attacks, and without exception, they met the same fate, and three headless bodies suddenlyy in the hall. A deathly silence. The Transcendents froze in ce, stunned by this inconceivable event. Interesting. I couldnt see how he did it at all! Fu Qian silently analyzed the scene he had just witnessed. He was certain that aside from ranting, Huang Yuanchang had made no other move and didnt even have a weapon in his hands. The wounds on the necks of the three who died looked as if they had grown there naturally. Perhaps it wasnt him who did it after all? The image of that sinister giant tree emerged in Fu Qians mind. Is this how you respond? All offenders will be sentenced to beheading? Does that mean anyone who approaches Huang Yuanchang will have their heads cut off by so-called divinews? If youre so incredible, why didnt I see it before? Watching the increasingly bright mercury-like patterns on Huang Yuanchangs body, Fu Qian guessed that the cost to achieve this was probably high. Right now, it might be that the high-tier existence believes that purely relying on a predestined death, Huang Yuanchang no longer has the possibility toplete the sacrifice in his current state, which is why he received such a blessing. You all must die! At this moment, Huang Yuanchangs expression became more ferocious as he stepped over the corpses on the ground. Die! Dodging several iing distant attacks with ease, Huang Yuanchang let out a low roar. The Transcendent closest to him instantly stiffened, then slumped to the ground, his head rolling to one side. Every person he killed was within a certain range of him; it seems the decapitation judgment is rted to distance. I have to say, this decapitation technique, coupled with the godlike dodging brought by predestined death, is really sharp. Fu Qians brain worked rapidly, and he had a n in mind. It was now that Su Gao finally realized why Fu Qian had asked her to wait. The eerie scene before her also exceeded her understanding. But seeing the approaching evil omen, her eyes revealed a look of resolute determination. However, before she could act, she noticed Fu Qian charging out by her side. The wind howled, and several Air Bullets opened the way; Fu Qians body turned into a shadow, heading straight for Huang Yuanchangs head. Facing this sharp attack, thetter revealed a grim smile, continuing to move without pause and swiftly dodging the range of the Air Bullets attack. At the same time, with Fu Qian now close at hand, blood sprayed from his neck, and his head tumbled through the air. Su Gao was shaken to the core, staring at this scene in disbelief; her face turned pale, devoid of any color. But in the next moment, something happened that shocked everyone. Fu Qians headless body not only didnt fall but instead moved even faster, closing the distance to Huang Yuanchang in an instant. He raised his right hand, which swelled into a w, and firmly grasped thetters head. You Huang Yuanchang cried out in shock, no longer disying his previous frenzy. Wondering why Im not dead, are you? Fu Qians voice came from his chest. For the execution of decapitation, you have to cut off my true head to work. Amidst the room full of stares as if looking at a monster, a new head slowly emerged from the severed neck of Fu Qian. Now, do you see predestined death? Crack! With a face full of despair, Huang Yuanchangs head was tightly mped by Fu Qians right hand, and blood sttered with white matter. Thetters body twitched, the mercury-like patterns on his body wildly distorted and shed; countless bizarre patterns appeared and vanished, ultimately settling down to silence. Done! Fu Qian was satisfied with his achievement. The head that just fell was, of course, not his! Although his vitality was remarkably resilient, if he really were decapitated, he would die as expected. So, after confirming the effect of the decapitationw, he had an ingenious idea to retract his real head into his chest cavity, leaving only a decoy in its original ce. As it turned out, thew was too rigid, unable to make such fine judgments. Feasts are just this handy! [Thug Digestion Progress 3/3] At that moment, Fu Qian felt a surge of ocean-like, surging power emerging within him. [Congrattions, you have perfectly digested the Thug Form] [In the face of violence, there is neither destiny norw] With each announcement, Fu Qian felt all parts of his body undergoing incredible enhancement, a raging power and killing intent infused in every cell, turning him into an embodiment of destruction. As his aura gradually stabilized, Fu Qian took a deep breath and confirmed his body had undergone a qualitative transformation. Not to mention anything else, just from the standpoint of life strength, he was at least Fourth Phase by now. This trip was not in vain. [Missionpleted, containment sessful] At the same time, the long-missed prompt sounded in his ear. Chapter 76 - 75 Accident_1 Chapter 76: Chapter 75 ident_1 Taskplete! Fu Qian nodded in satisfaction and nced back at Su Gao. This person was almost the only one in the room who dared to look up at him. When he had grabbed her arm just now, he could hardly feel a human body beneath the clothes. Realizing something, the corner of her mouth slightly curled up as she shed an awkward smile at Fu Qian. [Task aplished, Containment of No. 2-103 sessful] The scenery before his eyes dissolved swiftly, and Fu Qian found himself back in the warehouse, leisurely listening to the mission summary. [Evaluation: sphemer] [The evil omen dissipated, the crisis obfuscated. Mysterious beings require the power ofws to manifest in the world, and those responding to the seeds of thew are the evil omen. As an incredible force, thew grows with the nourishment of sacrifices. Of course, even in its infancy, it still possesses the power of a high status, safeguarding its own path to growth. Unfortunately, when all these paths were cut off, the seeds of thew no longer had time to wait. Ultimately, it had no choice but to make a desperate move, depleting its form and deeply integrating with the evil omen. Yet, even so, it fell to the despicable deceit. Congrattions on turning the impossible into possible and rescuing an ancient town. Although your method of killing was excessively shocking, Su Gao, the Executioner Yan, frightened everyone present and single-handedly wrote the ident report. You didnt draw much attention.] [Kills: None] [Special kills: Evil Omen (Mercury-Rule Form)] [Rewards: SAN Points +20; Inspiration +5] [Special kill reward: Decree Residue] [Current SAN Points: 60, current Inspiration: 26] [y event recap?] SAN Points have finally recovered a bit! Decree Residue, what is that? Fu Qian checked his gains from this trip, quickly turning to the rewards section. [Decree Residue: Skill, fragments forged from the patterns of wovenws, containing the remnants of a special form of power. Once activated, it allows the glory of thews to shine through you anew] [Chaotic fragments, the power barely remains save for the visual effects] Laws? Seeing this, Fu Qian regained some spirit, naturally thinking of those flying heads everywhere. But thest sentence Are you joking with me? Does it mean this skill only has visual effects now? Turn it on to appear impressive and cool? Fu Qians brows furrowed as he tried to activate the skill. A barely perceptible golden pattern shed away in an instant. Isnt this visual effect far too inferiorpared to what Huang Yuanchang had on him? Although a glint of gold shed just now, his was so bright it could nearly blind someone. Truly deserving of the name residue! Could it be that I struck too harshly in the end, pulverizing it too much? Indeed, having mercy makes sense. Oh well, if its a useless skill, then so be it. Todays aplishments are still quite good. Fu Qian has always been someone who takes things in stride. With residue in its own name, what more can one expect? [Current authority has been promoted] After reviewing his rewards, Fu Qian was preparing to clock off and rest when an unfamiliar prompt appeared out of nowhere. Authority promoted? It must refer to the warehouse privileges. Is this a promotion and a raise? [You can now ess all synchronized items at any time] Could all the items that had been synchronized be the ones he had contained before? Fu Qian thought for a moment but didnt rush to remove his work badge; instead, he continued along the shelves. He had already checked before, and each silver-white box on the shelves bore a number, the format of which was identical to those he had encountered during containment. However, these boxes were all tightly sealed and could not be opened. What was the number for Evil Omen Must Die again? Recalling the content from before, Fu Qian quickly found the box numbered[2-103]. Looking at the silver-white cube with not a single gap, Fu Qian thought for a moment and tried cing his hand on it. Without a sound, the cubes lid slowly opened to both sides, revealing its contents. Fu Qian saw the true face of Evil Omen Must Die for the first time. The box contained an irregr b of stone resembling a meteorite, which looked like a miniature stele. The stone b was covered in high-temperature melting traces, and its edges were overgrown with mysterious patterns like green moss, This is Drawing closer, Fu Qian discovered that the b was etched with dense text, some deep, some faint, most of it blurred, with only the bottom part remaining clear. Mystical Hunter Fu Qian appeared in the restaurant, searching for traces of the Evil Omen. At the same time, the talisman that Ryu Xing had drawn on his wife Geng Yues neck malfunctioned unexpectedly, a minor hidden w causing it to activate prematurely, resulting in Geng Yues death before her lover arrived, attracting the attention of a passing Night Watchman. Even after witnessing the homicide right before his eyes, Fu Qian showed no hesitation and chose to leave the restaurant immediately; the Night Watchman arrived a moment toote to stop him. Hidden in the Huang Family Estate, Huang Yuanchang suddenly couldnt contain his urge to kill and decided to advance his n. Huang Haoxin and his young lover were sound asleep,pletely unguarded against the intruder, Huang Yuanchang. Fu Qian headed straight for the Huang Family Estate, but he was a step toote and just missed Huang Yuanchang, who had left early. Given his mysterious origins, the Huang n would not believe Fu Qian, and the residence of Huang Haoxin was quite secluded, often taking the servants a long time to notice a bloodbath happening there. Fu Qian showed extreme hostility, bursting into the Huang Family Estate and heading straight for Huang Haoxins residence, where he found the bodies. Fortunately, the guards were very diligent and wasted no time in sounding the rm; Fu Qian, who had just discovered the bodies, was surrounded by the Huang n members, which inevitably dyed his pursuit. Unexpectedly, Fu Qian didnt attempt to exin and instead chose to transform into the likeness of Huang Yuanchang. Unfortunately, since he had only seen a photograph, his transformation wasnt perfect. Incredibly, the crude mask that Fu Qian casually put on his face had an unexpected effect; the Huang n members never suspected the face underneath was fake, and to avoid the threat of the madman, they decided to withdraw all n members back to the estate. Although unsure, Huang Leji still chose to report Fu Qian as the Evil Omen to the Night Watchmen, hoping to utilize their power to eliminate him. Executioner Yan, Su Gao, happened to be operating nearby and received Huangs notification immediately. Fu Qian wasnt careful when fleeing and was quickly located by Su Gao, who arrived just in time to witness Fu Qianmitting murder. Unbelievably, Su Gao showed an utterly nonsensical trust in Fu Qian and followed his orders exactly, significantly reducing Huang Yuanchangs freedom to move. Sensing danger, Huang Yuanchang abandoned his intention to go Sensing danger, Huang Yuanchang abandoned his intention to go Sensing danger, Huang Yuanchang went and seeded in killing Ryu Xing Aside from the heavily guarded Huang Family Estate, all Transcendents in Xi Yuan City were gathered at the Night Watchmen Base; the sacrifice was not yetplete, and Huang Yuanchang, despite trying hard to endure, still couldnt control his urge to kill. Faced with a no-win situation, the Seed of Law inside Huang Yuanchang was forced to degrade into form. A series of fine and mysterious mercury-colored patterns. But thats okay, as long as enough Transcendents are sacrificed, there is still hope for the Law to be reforged. Huang Yuanchang received protection from the Mercury-Rule, and any being within a five-meter radius of him would be decapitated. Incredibly, Fu Qian found a loophole in the Law at an unimaginable speed. With the death of Huang Yuanchang, the Law in his mindpletely shattered and dissipated, losing the possibility of taking form. A series of chaotic golden patterns, with the stone below covered in cracks. The Golden Law Living Beings May Gaze Upon Divine Beings failed to condense. Chapter 77 - 76 Smile_1 Chapter 77: Chapter 76 Smile_1 There really is a catch! After reading through everything on the stone, Fu Qian let out a long sigh of relief. Just as I thought, there was something very suspicious about Geng Yue dying anding back to life repeatedly. Indeed, there must be some secret entity behind it all, most likely the tree I saw. Many of the previous doubts now makeplete sense. Now that I think about it, Geng Yues first death was meant to distract me and lead me to suspect Ryu Xing. The second time, even though I was already suspecting Huang Yuanchang, Geng Yue acted against expectations by not dying, which sessfully captured my attention, and I didnt immediately go after Huang Yuanchang, wasting time on Ryu Xing again. The third time, when I was certain that Huang Yuanchang was the Evil Omen, Geng Yue died yet again. This time, the goal wasnt to confuse me but to attract the attention of Lu Jun and hispanion. If I hesitated even for half a second, the Night Watchman would have trapped me in the restaurant, and there was a high chance I would conflict with the Night Watchman. And step by step thereafter, it was a deliberate scheme against me. That tree indeed holds quite a high tier, its understanding is akin to omniscience, thankfully not omnipotence, only capable of causing interference within a reasonable limit. Huang Yuanchang really was a puppet, with only a little knowledge at his disposal. This must be the true nature of a fated death, Huang Yuanchangs so-called ability to foresee death and avoid danger was in fact all arranged by this entity in the shadows. And its sole purpose was to let the seed of decree in Huang Yuanchangs mind take shape and be whats called the Golden Decree. Living beings may gaze directly upon Divine Beings Judging from the content, the specific effect of this Golden Decree seems to be breaking a certain barrier, enabling people within a certain range to directly see the true form of that tree. This tree must have been attempting simr efforts, selecting suitable people to be the Evil Omen. Thinking back now, ording to Ryu Xings description, his dreams and the source of his abilities also seemed quite strange, which might also have something to do with this entity. Its just that Ryu Xing wasnt aspliant, not as active as Huang Yuanchang. Unfortunately for you, no matter how high your existence may be, the power of a task person added to infinite loading is beyond your imagination! Fu Qian hummed, silently giving himself a ten-second round of apuse in his heart. After feeling proud of himself, Fu Qian put the items back, and the silvery white box quickly closed again. [Todays task isplete, thank you for your effort.] [You may now leave the warehouse, see you tomorrow.] Fu Qian took off his work badge, and the scene in front of him shattered rapidly, bringing him back to his familiar home. Unexpectedly, I yed a game against a Divine-Level being today, making it quite a busy day of work. Of course, the rewards were plentiful. The perfect digestion of the thug propelled me officially into the Fourth Phase, putting me at the very top of the Middle Tier Transcendents. Fu Qian was confident that even in a head-to-head confrontation with Li Weixuan, he would not be at a disadvantage. Even though the final reward might be a bit meager, it was of little consequence. He tried moving his legs a bit, feeling an unprecedented surge of explosive power coursing through him. Thinking it over, Fu Qian decided not to rest and instead went straight out the door to g down a car. There was something he needed to do. Here we are, 18 yuan! Several minutester, the car stopped on a bustling street. Its been a while since Ive been here! Getting off the car, Fu Qian looked at the young men and women around him with a sense of nostalgia. This was a well-known street in Lincheng, always bustling with activity because it is situated between several universities. However, being a local, Fu Qian had onlye here frequently during his college days and hardly visited at other times. Of course, Fu Qian didnte here to reminisce about his youth. Looking around, he quickly found a familiar sign and stepped inside. Thats right, he came to eat. During his recent mission, the allure of delicious food had sessfully whetted his appetite three times in a row. Especially thest two times, he had barely had the chance to take a bite, leaving him longing for more. River-Looking Pavilion is the most famous restaurant on this street, known for its high-quality and expensive dishes, with the nickname Forget-Bed Pavilion. The reason for such a reputation is that its said that anyone, male or female, who shares a picture of their meal here on social media, is likely to not return home that night. Of course, Fu Qian never had such encounters. Being a person with a nasty personality and several years younger than his ssmates, he hardly participated in most of the activities that college students enjoyed. Today was a weekday, and it was still early, so there werent many diners in the restaurant. As soon as Fu Qian walked in, a beautiful waitress greeted him. Sir, how many in your party? Two, Fu Qian answered without any change in expression. He wasnt deliberately lying. On the way here, Fu Qian had assessed his appetite and decided to eat a meal for two. By saying this now, he could avoid extra exnationster. Guided by the waitress, Fu Qian chose a seat by the window and looked at the scenery outside. Behind this streety the Mi River, which cuts across Lincheng. It wasnt too big, but it was beautiful with its green trees and gentle waters. The service at this kind of restaurant is never quick, so Fu Qian, without any hesitation, picked up a piece from the first dish that arrived and started eating. Starting to eat straight away? Was he stood up by a girl? Seeing Fu Qians actions, the waitress, who had been paying attention, couldnt help but be surprised. Although Fu Qian was dressed casually, the university town was nearby, and it wasnt umon to see students skimping and saving to treat their girlfriends to avish meal here. The waitress had seen all sorts before. But for this customer, who ordered a meal for two and then started eating by himself, it was hard not to specte. Fu Qian, of course, could feel the waitresss peculiar gaze, but he didnt care at all. Fu Qians principle was simple: as long as no one disturbed him, imagination was a personal freedom. In the span of an hour, Fu Qian, with a calm and efficient demeanor, rapidly polished off one dish after another. In the end, Fu Qian pushed the tes away contentedly, stretched out in a long yawn, and signaled for the waitress toe over so he could pay the bill. Hello! Noticing his gesture, the waitress walked over with a smile and stood in front of him. How much is it? Fu Qian furrowed his brow C the waitresss smile was indeed sweet but somehow strangely off. Hello! Upon hearing his question, the waitress moved a step closer, her smile bing even purer and devoid of any impurities, yet she still didnt tell him the price. Something wasnt right! Fu Qian furrowed his brows and quickly looked around. The next moment, he was shocked to find that everyone in the restaurant, whether they were waitstaff or guests, even the chefs in the transparent kitchen, were all looking at him, with exactly the same manner of smile on their faces. Pure and brilliant, like that of saints. Fu Qian suddenly realized something and quickly checked the new skill he had acquired. Decree Residue, had he forgotten to turn it off? Chapter 78 - 77 No need for money_1 Chapter 78: Chapter 77 No need for money_1 This really is an unexpected situation! Fu Qian looked at the waitress in front of him. A standard oval face, pearly teeth and a cute nose, her long hair was pinned up, and a silk scarf was tied around her slender and fair neck. Even in the uniform red uniform, her curves were difficult to conceal, and her beauty was evident. But the eyes that were charming and lively just a moment ago were now blurred, as if intoxicated, as if in a daze. Was it caused by the Decree Residue skill? He had activated it earlier in the storage room, and because there was no effect, he truly forgot to turn it off manually. But to this extent, its a bit exaggerated, a group stupidity aura? The waitresss state was even simr to those people staring directly at that tree. Feeling the gazes of smiling faces all over the room, it was honestly a bit creepy. Yet, when he was on the taxiing here, the driver seemed to have no reaction. Time! Fu Qian quickly thought of something, he had only been in the taxi for just over ten minutes in total, and now he had been dining for more than an hour. It seems this thing needs enough time to be effective, short-term contact wont have too much impact. What is your name? Fu Qian stared at the waitresss face, changing the question. Pei Yanqing. The waitress responded subconsciously. Very good, Pei Yanqing, how much is my meal? Fu Qian called her by her name, slowly asking again. How much? Pei Yanqing repeated monotonously, then mumbled to herself. You dont need to pay! Her consciousness had indeed been influenced. Not having to pay for the meal? Decree Residue could be renamed to Dine-and-Dash Aura. The indistinct golden pattern shed across his body, and Fu Qian decisively turned off the skill. He looked up again to observe the waitresss reaction. Unexpectedly, Pei Yanqing was momentarily stunned, and not only did she note back to her senses, but her blurred eyes also appeared even more bewildered. After a few seconds of eye contact with Fu Qian, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Hello! Pei Yanqing stepped forward, almost pressing up against Fu Qian, her body trembling slightly, bending down as if she wanted to kiss the hand on Fu Qians table. Wait a minute. Fu Qian grabbed Pei Yanqings arm, preventing her from getting closer, then looked around the room. Pei Yanqings words and actions didnt seem to provoke any reaction. The other people in the restaurant still looked over with smiles on their faces. Thankfully, no one else came forward, and their expressions became somewhat restrained. The person furthest away was mechanically stuffing food into their mouth but couldnt seem to get it in. It seemed the other people werent as heavily influenced, distance indeed made a bigger impact. Pei Yanqing had been paying more attention to him just now, which could also be one of the reasons. Anyway, the biggest victim was her! Hello Naturally, Pei Yanqing couldnt resist Fu Qians control, she couldnt move under his hold. But upon seeing Fu Qian holding her hand, her smile grew even brighter, bing increasingly radiant, and despite it being in vain, she still struggled to lean forward. This couldnt continue! Look here! Fu Qian patted Pei Yanqing, directing her gaze to his left hand. At the same time, the Clear Dream Ring on his middle finger was activated. The gxy turned, an invisible curtain expanded, enveloping the entire restaurant within it. Using it for the second time still felt very marvelous. Catching Pei Yanqing as she slid down, Fu Qian helped her sit down in a seat to the side. Regardless, lets calm her down first. At this moment, everyone in the restaurant, just like her, was instantly drawn into a dream. As the initiator of the dream, Fu Qian found himself in a rather special state. His consciousness resided in the real world, but he could join the dream by simply inducing self-hypnosis. Leaning back in his seat, Fu Qian chose to self-hypnotize. In an instant, as if passing through ayer of water film, the restaurant bustled with activity once again. Pei Yanqing still stood by her seat, as if nothing had happened, while the others began to eat with sluggish movements. If not for the foreknowledge of being in a dream, it would be quite hard to distinguish the reality. How much is it? Fu Qian asked, looking at Pei Yanqing standing next to him. Hello! Pei Yanqings face was a picture of rapture. Its on the house. This isnt good, she hasnt snapped out of it yet? Could it be that her sanity has already crumbled? Fu Qian strangely recalled the scene of everyone in Xi Yuan City looking up at the sky. To his surprise, the ordeal was not yet over. Pei Yanqing, regaining her freedom, stretched out her arms the next moment, as if to embrace the sun, and uttered a heartfelt cry. Hello Its an honor Her face wore a bewildered expression, and even her features became saintly and translucent. More astonishingly, her clothes began to gradually turn transparent. What is this even! He had not expected that strong emotions in a dream could trigger such a transformation. Watching her uniform rapidly be more suggestive, Fu Qian decisively struck Pei Yanqings neck with a karate chop, causing her to copse. This action was a bit dramatic, and once again attracted the attention of everyone in the restaurant. She fainted from overwork. Fu Qian said nonchntly. The crowd, with their vacant gazes, did not question this exnation and resumed their activities. Phew! After confirming once more that the influence on the remaining individuals was slowly fading, Fu Qian quickly exited the dream. Pei Yanqingy on the table, unconscious, and without a word, Fu Qian picked her up, left the restaurant, and ended the dream the moment before stepping out. What to do now? He never expected that having a meal could lead to such an incident, is staying at home the safer option? Fu Qian frowned as he looked at Pei Yanqing. Though it was unintended, the trouble had started because of him, and he couldnt simply abandon an innocent bystander. He hadnt anticipated the free meal halo to be so oundish. Now it seemed that the description power so weak its almost purely visual was probably meant for Transcendents. For the average person, it still came across as a bit overpowering. Considering the fragile constitution of ordinary people, and with no better solution at hand, the only option was to see if some rest would lead to improvement. If she was to rest, odds were this girl was still a student; taken to a hotel by a strange man might not reflect well on her. Fu Qian hailed a taxi and decided to take her home directly. Luckily, it was midday, when most of themunitys elderly had gone back for lunch, so it didnt cause a sensation. Even so, when Fu Qian supported her out of the car, they still attracted quite a few wary nces. Especially considering Pei Yanqings privacy, Fu Qian had taken off his jacket to cover her face. Fu Qian! Finally, an elderly woman from the crowd of onlookers couldnt resist interjecting. Who is this youngdy? Is she not feeling well? Shes my fan. Fu Qian blinked. She fainted from excitement at seeing me. Chapter 79 - 78 Pei Yanqing_1 Chapter 79: Chapter 78 Pei Yanqing_1 In the increasingly peculiar gaze of the olddy, Fu Qian carried the person all the way home and carefullyid them on the sofa. What to do now? Looking at the unconscious Pei Yanqing on the sofa, Fu Qian fell into deep thought. If her mind had indeed been wiped clean, wouldnt that be akin to spiritual murder on my part? But how to save her? At the moment, my means for addressing this are really quite limited. Use the Tyrants Fist to whip her a few times in a fight poison with poison strategy? The high likelihood of making things worse aside, her delicate body certainly wouldnt withstand it. To persist with the mistake and shine the Idiots Halo on her for a few hours, making her into aplete fangirl, thenmanding her to live like a normal person? Such Matryoshka doll-like behavior, which exists only in theory, is even less eptable; besides, it is essentially like an ostrich burying its head in the sandnot my style at all. Fu Qian always considered himself a reasonable person. As hed describe it himself, Were all trying to get by in this world, and everyone has to take responsibility for their actions. If Ive truly ruined this girl because of my own mistake, no matter how hard it is, Id definitely have to figure out a way to make it right. After sleeping soundly for two hours, Pei Yanqings body twitched, and she drew in a deep breath. Shes waking up. Fu Qian remained silent, quietly observing her reaction. Pei Yanqings eyshes quivered, first opening her eyes in a daze, then subconsciously looking around, and furrowing her brows upon finding herself in a strange environment. Theres a change! Seeing that flicker of awareness in her eyes, Fu Qian breathed a sigh of reliefas long as theres hope, thats fine. The next moment, he moved the ring on his hand. The Clear Dream Ring activated once again, enveloping them both. Name? Pei Yanqing. Age? 21 years old. Where do you live? Lincheng University student apartments, number 9, room 207 Wait a second, who are you? Indeed a student! Fu Qian looked at the questioning Pei Yanqing with a contented face. This child seems to have been saved. You can call me Mr. No Money Needed. Recalling her earlier words, Fu Qian blurted out a casual remark. No Money Needed Pei Yanqing stared nkly at Fu Qian for a few seconds, then her gaze began to scatter once again. Shes still not fully recovered! Fu Qian got a scare, having not expected a jest to nearly drag her back in. Apparently, some mental imprints still havent beenpletely erased; this needed to be left to time. Fu Qian snapped his fingers to attract Pei Yanqings attention, preventing her from getting confused again. Where is this, and why am I here? As Pei Yanqing slowly came to her senses, she once again raised the question that hade to her earlier. Well asked! The events of these past few hours were indeed difficult to exin. Fortunately, I had already decided to attribute everything to a dream. Why is there a UFO in the sky? Fu Qian suddenly eximed, pointing out the window. A UFO Pei Yanqing instinctively turned her head to look. Fu Qian carefully controlled his strength and delivered another chop to the back of her neck. Not yet fully awake, Pei Yanqing once again fainted promptly and neatly. This time, Fu Qian learned his lesson and directly hailed a car, letting ite to the buildings entrance, and supported her into it. Brother, your girlfriends not feeling well? The driver nced at the senseless Pei Yanqing, unable to resist asking. Shes just a fan. Fu Qian said indifferently. Fans Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the taxi driver revealed an even more profound smile. Understood, understood. Your fan isnt feeling well, so youre helping with the treatment, right? Moral standards are declining, and peoples hearts are no longer like the old days! Looking at the driver whose imagination was too wild, Fu Qian huffed, and the legendary aura of chill instantly filled the entire car. The driver shivered and inexplicably felt short of breath and shaky in his limbs. He no longer dared to joke and concentrated on driving straight to the destination. Speaking of which, Pei Yanqings current appearance indeed wasnt suitable to be seen by others. After giving the driver a little fright, Fu Qian also realized this was a problem. It wasnt a big deal outside, but once at the university, arriving at the school in a work uniform brought by a stranger, even if exined as passing out during work, it would still be hard to avoid remarks. Seeing the task through to the end, the destination was quickly reached. Supporting Pei Yanqing as they got out of the car, Fu Qian took out his phone and made a call to Young Master Qin. What do you need from me? On the other end, Young Master Qins voice still sounded unnatural, indicating that the previous ck dress incident had left him with quite a shadow. Add to that the current situation, how had he, a fine young man, inexplicably be a source of trouble! Fu Qian couldnt help but shake his head. Give me Tan Yings number. Tan Ying? Qin Mingze paused before responding, his voice stumbling. That girl might have someints about you recently, are you sure you want to contact her? Uh-huh, need her help with something. Thats right, after thinking it over, Fu Qian realized he actually had no one else to ask for this kind of help. If he wasnt mistaken, Lincheng University College of Fine Arts was also in this campus, and Tan Ying, whom he had only met once, turned out to be the most suitable person. Alright. Qin Mingze was clearly busy and sent over Tan Yings contact information without further conversation. Fu Qian dialed the number listed and it rang four times before someone picked up, with Tan Yings voice, full of confusion,ing through. Who is this? Fu Qian. We just had an in-depth discussion about art not long ago. Theres a girl from your school who fainted, can you help bring her back to the dorm? Fainted, a girl? Finally, Tan Ying responded with a hint of panic in her voice. Did you cause her to faint? It was indeed me who caused it, though not in the way youre thinking. Fu Qian thought to himself. But of course, he couldnt say that; it didnt matter if he himself had no principles, but the victim did. What do you take me for? She fainted from exhaustion during part-time work; I just happened toe across her. Alright, wait there! Not long after hanging up, Fu Qian saw Tan Yings car pass through the school gate ande towards him, eventually stopping abruptly in front of him. And when Tan Ying saw Pei Yanqing next to Fu Qian, her eyes widened. Do you know who she is? Supposedly named Pei Yanqing. Why, is she famous? There arent many at Lincheng University who dont know her. Tan Ying snorted and scrutinized Pei Yanqing back and forth a few times, clearly not quite understanding the situation before her. You didnt do anything to her, did you? Would I do something to a girl and bring her to find you? Fu Qian asked while rubbing his head. Er! Tan Ying thought about it and realized the logic was indeed absurd, so she didnt dwell on it any further and immediately helped to escort the person onto her vehicle. As Tan Yings car drove away, this trouble was finally settled. When Pei Yanqing woke up in the dorm, the plot in her mind would basically consist of her fainting at work, being helped back by kind-hearted people and ssmates, with some hazy dreams mixed in between. Finally sorted out, staying at home really is simpler! Fu Qian felt this deeply once again. Chapter 80 - 79 King of the White Tower_1 Chapter 80: Chapter 79 King of the White Tower_1 [Identity verificationpleted, work for the day beginning] Until the next day when he entered the warehouse, Fu Qian still couldnt help but feel a bit astonished. Who would have thought that a skill with a name as straightforward as Decree Residue could brainwash someone to such an extent? Ordinary people now seemed far too vulnerable in front of him. He would have to be careful when dealing with Young Master Qin and his ilk in the future. Inparison, the worlds within the tasks seemed to allow for more freedom of action. Could it be that from now on, he would only be able to travel there? [Warning, leak ident] [Name: Scepter, Code: 2-088] [Todays work content has been updated: Enter the containment scene of 2-088,plete the re-containment] Another Level 2! The leak warning was not surprising, but the number made Fu Qian immediately think of his previous experiences. A Level 2 incident usually wasnt easy to handle. Couldnt they give me a Level 3 for once, so I could rx and take a break? Amidst his musings, the scene in front of him rapidly blurred. [Entering 2-088 containment scene] [2%4%10%28%82%100%, loadingplete] [This is a ce many yearn for, a whirl of riches and indulgence, a haven of unrestrained revelry. In a world of unfettered freedom, returning to ones animal instincts coexists with an audience before the divine, yet the corners outside the rules often rely on even stricter regtions to exist.] [Skills: Air Bullet, Visceral Critical Strike, Cat School, Feast (Locked), Decree Residue] [Weapon: Tyrants Fist] [Condition for containment achievement: Eliminate the King of the White Tower] [Current SAN Points: 59, current Inspiration: 26] As the string of exnatory text ended, Fu Qian regained his senses, and then there was a burst of light before his eyes. Sunshine, sandy beaches, crystalline blue waters, and the gentle warmth of a soothing breeze. It looked like an ind? Did they hear my wishes? Did I really get a leisurely side quest? Fu Qian looked down at himself, noting the shorts and beach shoes, with sunsses hanging off the cor, a perfect vacation look for the seaside. Sir, your drink is here. A soft, enticing voice sounded, and Fu Qian turned around to find a beautiful waitress dressed as a subus, holding out a tray to him. Blue-violet hair, delicately matching eyeshadow, and a dress so chic it exaggerated the even more exaggerated curves, with two small horns curving from her head. Professional! Fu Qian praised, taking the ss from the subus waitress. It contained a blood-red liquid. At that moment, a shadow passed over him, and Fu Qian looked up to see an airship slowly drifting overhead. Wee to the Ring Inds! A line of fiery red letters was painted on the bulging hull. Behind that line was a three-tiered tower emblem. Is this ce called the Ring Inds? That emblem looks kind of familiar! Fu Qian remembered something and looked back toward the sea. Sure enough, within the blue waters and sky, not even a nautical mile away from here, there stood a white tower reaching into the clouds, its shape somewhat simr to the emblem. If he wasnt mistaken, his task was to eliminate the King of the White Tower. If nothing unexpected happened, his target should be there, right? Thats way easier thanst time when he had to find Evil Omen. Is it really a leisurely side quest? But he needed to confirm that. Hey, gorgeous! Fu Qian waved at the subus waitress. Do you know who the King of the White Tower is? Hearing Fu Qians summon, the Subus sashayed over, then covered her mouth and giggled upon hearing his words. King of the White Tower, isnt that you, Sir? Now it was Fu Qians turn to be shocked. Was the task simpler than he had thought, just sunbathe for a while then sever his own meridians and thats it, taskplete? Although there are so many people on the beach today, theyre all here for tonightspetition! But let me tell you a secret The Subus Girl leaned in closer, lowering her voice. Out of all these people, I fancy your chances the most because She licked her lips. You look the most delicious! Do your best tonight! Youre sure to be the King of the White Tower! Seeing Fu Qians somewhat astonished expression, the Subus Girl seemed to realize something and paused before pointing out to the sea. You wouldnt be asking about the owner of that tower, would you? Bai Jinting, the CEO of White Tower Company, its rare not to know that name. Although he usually keeps a low profile and seldom shows his face, youll definitely see him tonight. After saying this, the Subus Girls gaze lingered on Fu Qian for a long time, giving him a flirtatious wink before leaving. Not only that, but she also deliberately turned around next to him, allowing Fu Qian to fully appreciate her exaggerated curves. As well as the strikingly small, dark red wings located on her shoulder des at the back. Those things dont seem to be just for show! Fu Qian took a deep breath. The roots of those two wings dug deep into the skin, and upon closer inspection, there were even faint scars on her back. If this was cosy, then it had to be said, it was extremelymitted. As he thought about it, the Subus Girl took a light leap forward, her petite wings instantly stretched out to about a meter wide bat wings, gliding smoothly for over ten meters with a few ps. They were indeed real! This must have been done through surgery, the origins unknown, but certainly not human. A bit crazy! Truly a ce of uninhibited indulgence. Fu Qian gained a deeper understanding of the introduction just given. After reflecting, Fu Qian remembered what the Subus Girl mentioned earlier. ording to her, he had signed up for apetition happening tonight. And the winner would be crowned King of the White Tower? And these people on the beach were all thepetitors tonight? Fu Qian looked around, and indeed, there was no shortage of people. Men and women, old and young, with themon feature being signs of physical training on their bodies, they seemed quite capablertive to the average person, that is. After all, some of them didnt seem like Transcendents at all, but more like ordinary people who happened to be strong. If thepetition wasnt split into different levels, then it was definitely going to be a real free-for-all. The people around all seemed quite normal, none of them bore the surgical marks like the Subus Girl. What are you looking at! As he pondered, Fu Qians scrutiny quickly provoked a reaction. A hulking brute standing over two meters tall got up, ring over this way with a fierce and ferocious expression. A body of bulging muscles that exuded an oppressive presence, emitting a Paramecium level of terrifying aura. Fu Qian didnt even bother with him, fumbling in the only pocket on his body and unsurprisingly pulled out a room card. He checked it against the picture, confirming he was staying in the hotel behind the beach. Im talking to you, pretty boy! Fu Qians attitude, as if dealing with thin air, clearly infuriated the angry giant even more. After a resolute affirmation of Fu Qians good looks, the brute embraced the principle of action over words and decisively made a move. A shadow crossed the ten odd meters between them like a javelin and flew over. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 81 - 80: King of the White Tower (Part 2)_1 Chapter 81: Chapter 80: King of the White Tower (Part 2)_1 ` Is everyone so hot-tempered these days? Fu Qian easily dodged the attack and looked down to see what it was. The object thrown by the burly man had buried itself deep in the sand, leaving only the tail sticking out. Quite a bit of strength, indeed. With such force, even hitting a low-tier Transcendent in a vital spot could be lethal. Very well then I need not be courteous anymore. Fu Qian stepped back using Instant Step, crossing a distance of over ten meters in the blink of an eye. Before Angry Man Brother could even make a frightened face, Fu Qian had reached out and grabbed him by the throat. The fear of death instantly gripped his heart. Stop! At that moment, someone shouted to halt the fight, and two individuals in special uniforms hurried over. Isnt fighting allowed? Fu Qian didnt loosen his grip, but blinked in question. Fighting is allowed, even murder is permissible! The two uniformed men exined sternly. But dirtying the beach is strictly forbidden, offenders will be fined. Huh? Fu Qian looked down to see. A warm liquid was running down the legs of Burly Man Brother, swiftly absorbed by the fine white sand beneath their feet. No wonder he had heard sounds earlier. Killing this guy would be easy, just a light squeeze would do. But since the human body is seventy percent water, keeping it entirely clean would be quite difficult, and if he died, the mess on the ground would be left unounted for and Fu Qian might have to pay for it himself. Thinking this, he tossed Burly Man Brother into the arms of the two men. You pollute, you clean it up. The two security officers reacted swiftly, both catching the man in their arms, one on each side. Burly Man Brothers face was now ashen. A hefty fine seemed to await him. Following the information on his room card, Fu Qian quickly found his amodation. The room was luxurious, equipped with all sorts of facilities, and Fu Qian quickly connected to thework to look up information about the Ring Inds. This ce truly waswless! The Ring Inds were famous, a simple search yielded various introductions and analyses. And indeed, ording to the data, this was a special ce. The Ring Inds consisted of seven inds arranged in a spiral, forming the shape of a ring, with the ind containing the White Tower at the very center. It was said that originally, there were only a few rocks protruding above the sea here. One day, a wealthy consortium with money to burn took an interest in the area and spent a fortune onnd remation, creating this ce out of thin air. Because it was located in a no mansnd and nearly immune to the legal restrictions of any country, all sorts of traditional industries thrived on the inds. In less than five years, the Ring Inds had be infamous worldwide, a byword for luxury, to the point where the consortium even renamed itself the White Tower Company. Of course, there were other ces in the world outside the reach of thew, but what made the Ring Inds special was that after the White Tower Company conjured up this ind from nothing, they somehow managed to sign a special agreement with the Night Watchman. Through this agreement, they obtained a considerable degree of exemption in the Supernatural realm, which was the true foundation of their prosperity. ording to the information obtained so far, the Night Watchman had a very low tolerance for certain sensitive activities involving Transcendent powers. No matter what kind of consortium or family, crossing a red line was futile; messy research institutions were smashed as soon as they were found. Thus, the Ring Inds rapidly became a haven for entrics; all sorts of talents who couldnt find a ce or fit in elsewhere gathered here, creating a dazzling spectacle. Though, to avoid bing a safe haven for Transcendent criminals, they stillplied with the agreement to extradite wanted individuals to the Night Watchman. Besides that, various activities banned elsewhere, such as body modification and taboo research, could all be found here. ` Among the most famous is the renowned Limb Attachment. As the name suggests, it involves using a special technique to attach the limbs of Transcendent beings to human bodies, indirectly granting some of their original abilities. It sounds somewhat perverse, but there are still those who flock to it, especially those who originally had no chance of possessing Transcendent powers. Of course, the effects are definitely discounted. As for those like the Subus Girl who go crazy with their cosy, purely in pursuit of visual effects, one can find quite a few of them here. Its for this reason the Ring Inds are also known as the Limb Attachment Inds. Its downright twisted! Fu Qian silently contemted this and continued reading. There are generally two ways to enter the Ring Indsspend money or receive an invitation. It goes without saying that spending money is incredibly expensive; just counting the zeros on the price can take a long time. As for the invitations, one way to get them is to sign up for the legendary King of the White Tower contest. Anyone who registers not only gets a chance to enter for free, but as long as they dont surrender and leave the match, they can obtain a permanent pass whether they win or lose. Those old guys on the beach must have alle this way. If one wins thepetition, the rewards are even more extravagant; its said that those ranking high are awarded a free Limb Attachment opportunity. Very generous, but theres a catch. If you cant surrender and leave, it means you fight to the death. Considering the mixed bag of participants and the varying strength levels, a considerable number of people are likely to die in the arena. Indeed, free things are often the most expensive. Of course, some people mighte here to indulge themselves and take a chance before they die. From the materials, it seems that the White Tower Company has spent no small amount of money creating such a marvel at sea. But its also the existence of Limb Attachment technology that has allowed it to grow into a powerful conglomerate with significant influence in just a few decades. Its founder, Bai Jinting, is likely the target of my trip. ording to the information, hes over seventy years old and now rarely leaves the inds, spending most of his time in his White Tower base. This is good news for me. There appears to be no time limit for this mission, so theres no need to rush; I can n carefully. This ce is full of remarkable people and beautiful scenery. Might as well treat it like a vacation. Of course, theres no reason to rush because, ording to the official information, this ce not only attracts Fourth Phase Transcendents looking to retire but even has a Demigod presiding over it. A High Tier Transcendent is a Demigod, meaning at least Third Phase or higher. Having just upgraded, its best for me to remain humble. In addition, at the bottom of many documents, theres a file named the White Tower Codex. It meticulously lists a wide variety of prohibited activities, nearly a thousand of them. With nothing better to do, Fu Qian, as an avid reader, actually read through each one without missing a word. And indeed, he found a regtion that prohibited dirtying the beach. If anyone thinks that nearly a thousand rules is too restricting, theyre thinking too much. After reading through them, Fu Qian concluded that most of these regtions, if you meet the scumbag criteria and are strong enough, are not much of a problem. And most importantly, after reviewing from beginning to end, Fu Qian confirmed there was no rule against killing Bai Jinting. After reviewing these regtions and roughly formting an execution strategy, the sky had gradually darkened. Someone came to knock on the door, reminding that thepetition was about to start. Bring your number te and follow us. Following the crowd, the towering White Tower was quickly in sight. As the gates slowly opened, a tidal wave of cheering burst forth. Chapter 82 - 81: King of the White Tower (Part 3)_1 Chapter 82: Chapter 81: King of the White Tower (Part 3)_1 Have these people eaten mouse bait or something? Looking at the scene inside the White Tower, Fu Qian was struck by a bout of reflection. In a suddenly expansive space, waves of noise rolled over one another. There were men and women, old and young, their cheers and screams intermingling. Some were simply meaningless howls, sounding like demonic donkeys. All of this echoing together oddly reminded one of a tune called Dance of the Swarming Bees, making it hard to keep from scratching ones ears. From the inside, the building looked even more magnificent than from the outside, though the architectural style left something to be desired. The vast space and spiraling white columns put one in mind of an unbelievably grand cathedral. However, at the base of the space was an area akin to the Roman Colosseum, surrounded by densely packed honeb-like stands. At the same time, the variety of bizarre screens above the tform and the chaotic light strips further up clearly dered that one was in the information age. Is this the legendary, invincible Ivory Tower Arena? One must say it fully reflected the builders deep pockets and appalling taste. The intense discord, if one had to describe it, was like a statue of the King of Hell, wearing a Bluetooth headset, fondly twirling a boomerang in its hand. Hello, pleasee this way. A young woman with auburn hair and robed like an ancient Greek Female Priestess, approached, timely interrupting Fu Qians reflections with an impable smile and urging him to enter through a side passage. Fu Qian looked around and indeed, everypeting diator was apanied by such a person. Considering the number of participants in past years, it was impressive they managed to find so many psychopomps. One could imagine that a good number of these Female Priestesses would soon be out of a job. Passing through a long corridor, the two rapidly arrived in a room resembling a preparation area. You can choose any weapon that suits you! The Female Priestess led Fu Qian to a weapons rack near the wall, pointing to it as she spoke. Can I use anything? Fu Qian scrutinized the rack; the variety of weapons was quite rich, ranging from the mostmon swords, knives, and spears to all kinds of unimaginable shapes. The most important aspect was the quality craftsmanship; they all seemed quite exceptional. Of course, they all shared onemon featurehe didnt know how to use any of them. Thats right, ever since bing a Thug, he hadnt had time to learn to use any type of weapon, always adhering to the principle of the best technique is no technique and swinging his fists recklessly. The key thing was that so far this seemed to work quite well, so Fu Qian wasnt nning to change his approach for the time being. Anything that is up there is fine, the Female Priestess replied. Also, any personal equipment is allowed as long as it passes the inspection. Understood. Quite amodating indeed. Fu Qian looked around; given therge number of participants, it was impossible for the preparation room to be a luxury of one room per person. Besides himself, there were three others in the room a young man who seemed quite nervous, a blonde young woman, anda pitch-ck tin can? Fu Qian observed thest contestant, fully decked out in extravagant ck te armor with intricate etched patterns. With sharp horns on the helmet, one might indeed mistake him for the ck Knight. This is allowed? Fu Qian pointed out. Yes, the Female Priestess nobly and coolly nodded, while also gesturing towards another set of racks on the opposite side of the room. In fact, there are some pieces of armor here as well, which you may choose at your discretion. Fu Qian looked around, and various forms of protective gear and shields were lined up all the way to the end. He was still being modest, though. While not as ostentatious as the ck Knight, he basically had all kinds of standard equipment. Unfortunately, it was still of no use to me. An attack that could harm myself could not simply be negated by a few pieces of iron. Fu Qian looked around and eventually chose to wear a white mask on his face. All set. The mask was very light, not even made of metal, so light that its weight was almost unnoticeable. Last time at the Huang Familys Mid-Levels Manor, I wore just such a mask. When the other items seemed useless, it made more sense to use this to maintain a sense of mystery befitting a master. Fu Qians choice obviously took the Female Priestess by surprise, and she paused for a moment before she could muster a smile fitting of a goddess and started to introduce the current situation with warmth. Due to therge number of participants, there will be three arenas operating simultaneously, so all you need to do is wait here. Fu Qian nodded, listening to the sounds of the crowd outside, curious how the King of the White Tower would make his appearance, when suddenly the shouting outside stopped. The next moment, various lights instantly focused on one spot, and an open elevator descended slowly from the sky. Uh! Fu Qians vision, much improved from before, immediately confirmed that the man in the elevator was his target for this trip, Bai Jinting, the King of the White Tower. Compared to the demons and monsters in the stands, this man looked quite normal, not having multiple heads at least. The problem is, old man, arent you over 70 by now? Putting aside any safety concerns, are you serious about this iron cage-designed elevator? Under the pursuit of the spotlights, Bai Jintings elevator came to a slow stop, finally resting at a position separate from the other stands. Wee to the Ring Inds! Bai Jinting, already in his seventies, looked much younger than his actual age and began his speech with a strong and clear voice. Wow! The cheers instantly doubled in volume. Wee to the Ivory Tower Arena Fu Qian squinted, observing his surroundings. This bizarrely shaped behemoth was equipped with extremely strict security measures that could drive one crazy. Beyond the various defensive methods, the biggest cornerstone here was the legendary Demigod, known as the Spirit of the Storm, Yibu. It was said that five years ago at the age of 68, he was honored with reaching the Third Phase, andter, due to his fondness for the sea climate, he epted the invitation of the White Tower Group to be a special advisor, since then rarely leaving the ce. ording to the information, Bai Jinting seldom showed himself, always hidden under such tight security. Only during the annual King of the White Tower tournament did he participate throughout the event and personally award the ultimate winner in the end. Theoretically, this presented a rather good opportunity. The information clearly stated that he was not a Transcendent, and the n to potentially kill the champion with one swift move during the award ceremony was a very reasonable approach toplete the mission. Even if the Demigod intervened, it would be toote by then. Moreover, this mission had no time limit, so it was indeed possible to spend some time to finish this tournament first. And in the process, to get to know this target of mine a little better. Even as a heartless mission doer, I have principles. Gather some charges, so when ites to execution, it will be entirely justified. In the end, Fu Qian inexplicably felt that this man in front of him might not be so easy to kill. Bai Jintings speech could be described as lengthy, and he even took over the hosts job, slowly reading through thepetition rules himself. This shameless waste of time sessfully added a bit more intent to kill in Fu Qian. Finally, with Bai Jinting contentedly seated, the host grabbed back the microphone and announced the start of thepetition. Chapter 83 - 82: King of the White Tower (Part 4)_1 Chapter 83: Chapter 82: King of the White Tower (Part 4)_1 When Fu Qian saw his first opponent, he momentarily thought the ck Knight had just changed his paint job. It was yet another fellow d in full armor! Even though he didnt look as ostentatious as the ck Knight did, he was still armed to the teeth. Fu Qian paid no attention to the referees drivel, instead looking up with interest at the stands. Above him, the stands were now a showcase of the Ring Inds craftsmanship, filled with a variety of forms. Three hands, four feet, scaly skins, long tailsconstructions that challenged the imagination left spectators in awe. Apanied by the asional howls, it almost felt like stepping into a Colosseum. The only difference was that the beasts had moved to the stands. Fu Qian wasnt an intolerant person, in fact, he was quite supportive of all kinds of body modifications. In his words, he respected an individuals freedom to perfect their body as they saw fit. The problem was, the aesthetics of these Limb Attachment masses in the stands reallycked any sense of beauty. y figures kneaded by kindergarteners with closed eyes would look more pleasing. An old saying goes, Looks arebat power, and whats not good-looking cant be strong. No matter the technology of the White Tower Company, their taste was seriously bad. In contrast, that Subus Girl on the beach was considered quite decent. 3, 2, 1, the match begins. It was at this moment the referee finally announced the start of the match, and almost immediately, the opponent quickly stepped forward. A howling gust of wind apanied a gleaming broadsword that came shing over. Protected by armor and forgoing defense, wielding arge sword to kill the opponent in a second even if there was a counterattack, it would at most result in a mutual wound. It has to be said, this is a pretty reasonable tacticprovided that both sides can be considered worthy opponents. As the cold gleam of the sh approached, Fu Qian stood his ground without dodging, nting his foot firmly. In the explosion-like sound, dust billowed, and bricks and stones flew. The arena, which seemed incredibly solid, was directly dented with a deep pit by this stomp. Under the ferocious impact, the opponent was sent flying, ttening to the ground with the sword, unable to get up. The whole process took less than five seconds. With two tentacles each ending in an eye extending from his arm, the referees four eyes stared at the deep pit on the ground for a long time beforeing back to his senses. Seeing that Fu Qian had no interest in delivering a finishing blow, the referee reluctantly dered the end of the round. When Fu Qian returned to the rest area, the other three were absent, and the four Female Priestesses looked his way almost in unison, their expressions somewhatplex. After searching around outside, Fu Qian soon found that spirited young man. He was currently standing in one of the arenas, facing an opponenta woman who believed that the less she wore, the higher her defenseand as she moved, flesh was fleetingly exposed. Since her skills mainly focused on close-quarters submission techniques, the whole scene was hardly fit for the eyes. However, the audience in the stands seemed to enjoy this spectacle, wailing and howling as they threw all sorts of messy things in the direction of the arena. The young man was clearly not a Transcendent, but it was evident that hed undergone thorough training. Agile and dodging, he managed to maintain a clear mind amid his opponents bodily onught and ultimately won the round, though not without difficulty. After the opponent copsed from exhaustion, he too graciously refrained from delivering a final strike, which drew boos from the stands. Upon returning to the rest room, the young man could hardly contain his excitement. Facing the gaze of the Female Priestesses that weed back a hero, he somewhat awkwardly epted a towel, not forgetting to cast a wary nce at Fu Qian. There was no need! Fu Qian shook his head internally. Though he didnt know what had bamboozled the man intoing here, he really didnt have to consider him a potential rival. Soon, the other two also returned in session, with all four managing to make it to the next round. There was no interval between the two rounds, and the spirited young man was quickly called out again. Unfortunately, his luck wasnt as good this time. His opponent was a bald muscleman with muscles bulging like Qiong knots, his face covered with crisscrossed scars, looking extremely fierce. Of course, these were not the main points; it was obvious that the man was a Transcendent. Almost the instant he stepped onto the stage, his fists burst forth with a me-like heat. In such a situation, the spirited young man knew he was not a match, but clearly, he didnt want to give up without a fight. So he braced himself with utmost attention, closely watching his opponents every move in an attempt to hold out a while longer. However, his opponent did not give him the chance to do so. Apanied by a streak of fire, the young man was sted away, rolling to the edge of the ring before finallying to a stop. By this point, his entire upper arm waspletely deformed and charred, and he had promptly passed out. This was the result of his quick reaction, raising his arm in front of his body at the first sign of attack. ording to the rules, losing consciousness like this didnt count as a surrender or defeat, and he could still enjoy the promised conditions, namely getting a permanent pass. Perhaps that was what he was thinking. Luckily for him, his opponent was equally disdainful of delivering a coup de grace; after just one punch he stood in ce, his gaze fixed on the referee, waiting for the announcement of the result. But the referee hesitated to act and instead stared at the fallen spirited young man. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Five secondster, a jolt ran through the young mans body, and a yellow-white me burst forth from his arm, swiftly engulfing his entire body, reducing him to a charred husk. Only then did the referee nonchntly dere the bald man victorious amidst a more fervent cheer from the stands, utterly satisfied. As expected! Fu Qian shook his head. What cannot be attained by force cannot be attained by reason either. Some loopholes exist precisely for you to exploit. This one was still na?ve. Fu Qian nced to the side, where the spirited young mans Female Priestess expressionlessly gathered their belongings, preparing to send them back along with his ashes. At this moment, Fu Qian heard someone calling his name; his second match was about to begin. As expected, once on the stage, Fu Qian saw the charred marks of the spirited young man in the corner. It was clear that the cleaners had been very diligent, but they still couldnt scrape it all away. By now, his second opponent had already taken the stage early, looking provocatively this way. 3, 2 Before the referee had finished counting down, a ck shadow, carrying a cold gleam, had already charged forth, moving as unpredictably as a ghost. Fu Qian looked up at the referee, who waspletely indifferent to the proceedings. I see, Fu Qian suddenly recalled the rules of the Ring Indsthe absence of prohibitions permits all actions. The referee indeed was counting down, but the rules announced earlier did not mandate that the round could only begin after the countdown ended. As his ferocious opponent charged at him, Fu Qian twisted his body, raised his foot, and charged his strength. Boom! In a deafening roar that shook the heavens and the earth, half of the ring copsed, a pit nearly ten timesrger than before appearing before everyones eyes. Within the pity two mangled corpses. If I remember correctly, the rules also did not state that one could not kill the referee. After a two-second silence, the stands erupted with a climax-like cheer. Chapter 84 - 83: King of the White Tower (Part 5)_1 Chapter 84: Chapter 83: King of the White Tower (Part 5)_1 Fu Qians violent demolition behavior sessfully stirred up a strong reaction. Amidst the hysterical cheers and screams, as a person with great empathetic capability, Fu Qian seemed to have felt the joy of the crowd and waved to the stands with ir. Another burst of adrenaline-pumping roars followed, and the rain of gifts nearly filled in therge pit on the arena. It has to be said, the security of White Tower is rather good, and quickly a team arrived at the arena, their faces almost dripping with sweat as they stared at the big pit. If the first rounds arena could be patched up and used, this one would basically need to be demolished and rebuilt. But true to the nature of a ce of unrestrained indulgence, after the team fished two bodies out of the pit, they simply said nothing and withdrew. This scene increased Fu Qians interest in this ce by a notch. From a certain perspective, this fallen ce even adheres to rules more than the outside world does. At this moment, a trembling referee took to the stage, announcing the winner from a distance of eight paces. When Fu Qian left the field, he was treated like a hero, with lights following him all the way to the preparation room, clearly having be a star of the arena. Wee back! The Female Priestess holding towels and other items stared dumbfounded at Fu Qians leg, barely daring to approach. In fact, not just her, but also the blonde female contestant beside her was staring at him with a grave expression. It has to be said that her strength is indeed not bad. Looking at the blonde woman staring at him, Fu Qian gave a positive appraisal. This young woman, dressed in a sharpbat suit, blonde hair, blue eyes, delicate features, her snow-white skin nearly blending indiscernibly with her simrly colored outfit. Though she appears fragile, she is far from the level of an ordinary spirited young man; judging by her aura, shes clearly a Transcendent, possibly even of the Seventh Phase. Veil. Unexpectedly, responding to Fu Qians gaze, the blonde woman took the initiative to step forward and introduce herself. Fu Qian. Fu Qian nodded. Mr. Fu, I must say, your strength is so overwhelming that it brings people to despair. Veils smile carried a hint of helplessness. You tter me. Fu Qian looked at her. So young and already a Seventh Phase its hard to imagine what drove her to participate in this. Limb Attachments rewards may be irresistible, particrly for ordinary people, but real Transcendents, unless they hit a bottleneck with no hope of promotion, are rarely willing to do such things. Let alone such a promising character. White Tower Company might be able to offer something to entice her, but if the rewards were too good and there were too many Transcendents, why would ordinary people like that spirited young man even sign up? After all, spectacles areprised of many elementsbullying the weak is also one. As it turned out, Fu Qians judgment was quite urate; in the second round, Veil encountered an opponent who was also a Transcendent. With a long and short rapier in hand, she finished the fight in less than two minutes. In the end, her opponent kneeled on the ground, riddled with wounds on both legs, while her snow-whitebat suit didnt even have a speck of dust on it. A beautiful fight, although due to theck of an explosive situation, the reaction it provoked was not even a tenth of his own. But judging from her disyed strength, as long as she didnt face him, she was likely to make it far. Well, scratch that thought! When Fu Qian stood in the arena for the third time, he shook his head as he looked at Veil opposite him. He didnt believe in such coincidences. With so many contestants, the two most dramatic performers meeting in the third roundthered be hell to pay if this wasnt a fix! Of course, Fu Qian wasnt going to waste his time questioning the fairness of the draw, as it made no difference to him who he faced. Besides, he had already anticipated the answer this bunch might give There was no rule saying backstage maniption was forbidden! Veil also looked helpless, but she seemed to want to struggle a bit more. After politely bowing, she positioned her rapiers one in front and one behind, watching Fu Qian with vignce. Begin! Apparently because Fu Qian was present, the referee skipped the countdown this time and simply announced the start before jumping to the corner. As he announced the start, the blonde made her attack. It must be said that her strength was quite good, and her swordsmanship even felt stunning. The gleaming rapier in her hands turned into flecks of cold light, a long and a short one covering each other, each move aimed at vital spots. Contrary to what many people thought, although they looked slender, most rapiers were not light, and those without training would find them hard to wield. The woman in front was obviously the type who had immersed herself in swordsmanship for a long time. Her delicate movements and reasonable way of applying force,bined with a Transcendents speed and strength, gave the impression that the two rapiers in her hands were utterly invincible. Her left and right motions provided an impable defense of her body. A very upright and honorable style of swordsmanship. Fu Qian nodded inwardly. Such true technique-oriented yers were rare, and she could be considered a valuable practice opponent. Although his style was to overpower with brute force, he always held a reverence for technique-oriented fighters. Therefore, Fu Qian did not choose an overpowering fighting style but tried to slow down his pace, matching her speed. It was only when their speeds were close that he could appreciate the terror of this technical style. At first, it was fraught with danger, and several times he almost got his head pierced by the sharp de. After narrowly avoiding these attacks, Fu Qian swiftly adjusted his body, trying not to rely purely on speed, but seeking to dodge in the most sensible way. Soon, the thugs excellent control over his body took effect, and the rapiers, with their whistling through the air, could no longer get close to him. A minuteter, Fu Qian simply closed his eyes, relying purely on his hearing to discern. Since bing a Transcendent, his senses had greatly enhanced, but he had never really taken the time to develop them. Trying this today, he felt a refreshing change. By now, Veil had gone from aggressive attacking to finally starting to run out of strength, slowing down her pace. However, just after her short sword was dodged by Fu Qian again, an ice-blue ray shot out from the tip of the de, instantly enveloping the surroundings with an icy chill. Indeed, she still had a trump card! With a vast gap in strength, she knew to feign weakness, conceal her trump card, and then strike when least expected, hoping for a miraculous effect. It had to be said that she was a master in both technique and psychology. But that was as far as she would go! With an extremely twisted movement, Fu Qian dodged this long-prepared killer move. The ice-blue beam hit a corner of the ring, exuding cold air and forming arge patch of white frost. I concede! Witnessing this scene, Veil finally stopped, face full of despair, and surrendered, panting heavily. Afraid that he would strike to kill? Well, that might be the case; he had left quite an impression on everyone during thest match. Before Fu Qian could make a move, the relieved referee promptly dered him the winner and ran off. The spectators who had been hoping for him to smash a second arena were greatly disappointed, and a buzz of disapproval filled the air. In that moment, Fu Qian snorted and looked up, ring at the loudest section of the crowd, his gaze icy cold. If he remembered correctly, killing spectators didnt break the rules here. Of course, he wasnt so cruel, but the audience didnt know that. Indeed, in the span of a breath, that part of the stands fell silent. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 85 - aChapter 85: Chapter 84: King of the White Tower (Part 6)_1 aChapter 85: Chapter 84: King of the White Tower (Part 6)_1 Having sessfully intimidated the audience, Fu Qian left the stage with satisfaction. Would you like to rest now? The Female Priestess approached him cautiously and asked. Can I go back now? Yes, your three rounds ofpetition for tonight have ended. You just need to go back and wait for tomorrows arrangements. Of course, you can also stay and watch the rest of the otherpetitors matches before leaving. It might be a bit of a trouble; the contestants on the stage were in the thick of the battle. Not many cherished their time as he did, and it would probably take a while to finish. Understood! Fu Qian looked up at the stands where Bai Jinting was and noticed that in addition to the King of the White Tower, there was an old man with red hair and a beard, wearing a fine robe. Even from this distance, he could still feel a strange oppressive force, as if there was a congealed thunderstorm sitting there. Was this the legendary Demigod Yibu? This was the first time Fu Qian had seen someone of this level. Indeed, as the information he had obtained said, High Tier Transcendents represented a fundamental change in the nature of life, and this one gave him a sensationpletely different from any previous opponent. It seemed that this individual was the biggest threat to his current mission. At this distance, in fact, if it werent for him, he might even consider charging straight at him. But there was no need to rush; after todayspetition, he had undoubtedly entered the targets field of vision, and he could slowly look for opportunitiester on. Taking todays exhaustion into ount, there was no need for rest. As Fu Qian stood by the window gazing out, there was a knock at the door. Fu Qian opened the door to find his defeated subordinate standing outside, her figure seductive. Her snow-white bathrobe was loosely tied, and her notpletely dried golden hair hung down her sides. Veilsplexion had already recovered. May Ie in? Her voice had a faintly weak softness to it. Yes. Fu Qian nodded, opening the door to signal for her toe in. Knocking on the door in a bathrobe, Veils demeanor was in stark contrast to her prior performance, full of dissonance. Hering to him after losing the match was unlikely due to Stockholm syndrome. Fu Qian was a bit curious about her purpose in visiting. With light steps, Veil walked into the room, found a seat, and sat down. She casually flicked the hem of her bathrobe, crossing and lifting her bare legs. You fought very well today! Hmm. I gave it my all, yet I still couldnt even touch the hem of your garment. Hmm. Ive never felt this kind of helplessness since I was little Hmm. As Veils smile started to waver upon receiving Fu Qians expressionless, dismissive responses, she gritted her teeth. Actually, Im having a bit of trouble sleeping. Hmm? Fu Qian raised an eyebrow. Could it be you want to sleep with me? Could I? Veils face flushed, her gaze fixed directly on Fu Qian. You could, but I charge a hefty fee. Veils expression froze in an instant, her face alternating between red and pale, and after a prolonged silence, Actually, there is something else I would like to ask of you Not only do you want to sleep with me, but youre also asking me to do something for you. Isnt it a bit much to make two requests at once? Fu Qian frowned as he looked at her. No thats not what I meant Veils voice started to stammer. Then what do you mean? Veil bit her lip, realizing that her attempt at seduction was ineffective, and promptly covered up her neckline. If possible, I hope you can help me find someone. She clearly had a special purpose for her visit. Fu Qian nodded. Who is it? My sister, shes somewhere in the archipgo. Then why dont you go find her yourself? Ive already been eliminated, now I can only stay in this ce. Veil gave a bitter smile. Once thepetition is over, Ill have to leave. And you, as the victor of the first day, have already been granted ess to the Inner Ind. Veil sighed deeply, her expression full of sorrow. Are you ming me? You have to own up when youre outyed. Did youe here just to find her? Yeah. Veil nodded. We had some disagreements, and she left home alone not long ago. Ive done a lot of investigating and confirmed that she should be here. Considering the situation here, Im a bit worried and want to find her as soon as possible. Concern is natural. Fu Qian recalled the crazed audience in the stands and expressed a great deal of understanding for Veils emotions. In some ways, shes really unlucky. Having strong abilities and being just one victory away from entering the Inner Ind to find her sister, she then ran into him. Indeed, behind-the-scenes maniption kills. But he had gained a lot today, and she had yed a part in his sparring practice. As someone reasonable, if he could lend a hand along the way, it wouldnt be a problem. Fu Qian nodded. I can keep an eye out. That would be great! Veils spirits lifted, and she took off a pendant from around her neck and handed it over. Im not sure if shell use her real name, but she looks a lot like me. This has her picture on it. If you see her, please pass it to her and tell her that I and everyone at home are really worried about her and hope shees back soon. What if I dont find her? How should I return this to you? Fu Qian received the pendant, still warm from her touch. Ill be here these next few days Veil sighed deeply. If by then you find Im not around, then never mind. Not long after Veil left, a knock came at the door again. Fu Qian opened the door, and this time there was a man outside, his face beaming with a smile. Your performance today was truly impressive. That praise sounds familiar! Fu Qian frowned, warily eyeing the man. If youe at me with I cant sleep, dont me me forshing out. I am Ji Ping, and I apologize for disturbing your rest, said the man named Ji Ping with a polite apology. Im here mainly to extend an invitation. As he spoke, he handed over an envelope. The Rebirth Club wees your presence any time! Fu Qian took the envelope, noticing the grey and white eyeball in Ji Pings palm rotating as his hand moveda likely indication of some special creatures body part here. Ji Ping did not stay long and quickly left after setting down the item. Fu Qian opened the envelope he held, taking out a serpent-shaped badge made of some special material that felt heavy and even warm to the touch. It seemed that todays highlight performance was effective; visitors were lining up at his door. This Rebirth Club, he wasnt sure what they were about, but since they came forward with friendly intentions, there was no reason not to use this opportunity to gather some information and prepare for the next move. Of course, the most ideal scenario would be if a third person knocked on his door soon, with Bai Jintinging to him themselves. Chapter 86 - 85: King of the White Tower (Part 7)_1 Chapter 86: Chapter 85: King of the White Tower (Part 7)_1 ` It turned out that overly ambitious wishes were unrealistic. Although someone dide knocking on the door the next morning, it wasnt the person he was hoping to see. Good morning, Mr. Fu. The female priestess who had guided him during thepetition bowed deeply at the door, dressed immactely. I am your guide for today. If youd like to take a tour around the ind, I can apany you throughout. It wasnt easy! Fu Qian looked at the face of the female priestess, which had returned to its divine grace. She had been terribly frightened towards the end of the previous day, but after a night of psychological rebuilding, she had surprisingly recovered. Thepetition was still scheduled for the evening, so he indeed had plenty of time during the day to wander around this so-called den of decadence. That would be great, thank you. Fu Qian nodded in agreement. Most of the time, Fu Qian was an easygoing person, to the extent that he had not even asked for the name of the priestess. Just as Veil had said, after winning the first dayspetition, all areas had been opened to him. And with the female priestess leading the way, they encountered no obstacles whatsoever. There are a total of seven inds here, and where we are now is considered the outskirts, mainly consisting of basic infrastructure. The female priestess walked ahead, assuming the role of a tour guide. On the way here, he had already seen several groups like theirs. Indeed basic. Fu Qian looked at a group of women striking poses in front of a sign and nodded approvingly. In just a few seconds, several coquettish nces were thrown his way, one even from a woman whose wings on her back were spread upwards. Along with her pale, slender neck, she looked like a goose poised for action. The White Tower where yesterdayspetition took ce is located on Central Ind, with tunnels from all six of the other inds leading there. The female priestess, pretending not to notice what Fu Qian was looking at, continued her introduction. There are mainly two core buildings on Central Ind, apart from the White Tower, theres also theboratory that serves as the heart of the ind. She pointed to a building next to the towering White Tower. Thats the one. I believe its also a big reason many peoplee to the Ring Inds. The Limb Attachment Laboratory? In this world, its certainly one of the top achievements in technology, albeit on an unconventional path! Following the direction she pointed, Fu Qian took a careful look. Compared to the White Tower, this building was much more low-key. It had a ring shape, upying the southeast corner of the ind, and was quiterge in size. But it seems that not many people have actually done so? Fu Qian pointed out, referring to her body. From his observations the previous day, at least she didnt have any additional parts attached to her body. Everyone has different objectives. My reason for working here is quite simple, she said with a smile, not minding the conversation shifting towards her. The White Tower Company offers so much! Just a few days of work can amount to a years ie for me, and I also get to stay on the legendary Ring Inds for a while. In fact, many people are in the same situation, but not everyone can take the money and leave. As she spoke, she gestured towards the direction of theboratory. Understood. Fu Qian nodded in realization. The Limb Attachment Laboratory was right there; even the possibility of acquiring various Transcendent abilities through it represented a huge temptation for the average person. On the Ring Inds, you earn, you spend, with no thought of taking any back home. Besides Central Ind, we can go wherever we want. Where would you like to go first? Unfortunately, the Central Ind executive office was what interested me the most. Fu Qian thought for a moment, then took out the badge he had received the previous day from his pocket. Do you know where to find them? This ` Upon seeing the item in Fu Qians hand, the female priestesss face immediately turned pale, and after carefully confirming it, This is the emblem of the Rebirth Club, on Ind No.5, not far from here. She said quickly and softly, with her head bowed. How do you have this? From what I know, such emblems are quite rare on the ind and not numerous. Someone gave it to me, but why do you look like youve seen something dirty? The Rebirth Club is quite notorious around here; their style The female priestess pondered her words for a moment. Is rather unrestrained. Are you really going to go there directly? Hmm. Fu Qian nodded, noticing her troubled expression. Forget it, just point me in the direction, and Ill go there myself. No need to trouble her further. Relieved, the female priestess pointed him in the right direction and then ran off with an apologetic face. It was clear that the Rebirth Club had a bad reputation here. However, as the saying goes, even bad publicity is still publicity; the instinctive repulsion it caused suggested that the club must have had some extraordinary aspects. Following the directions, Fu Qian quickly found his destination. In front of the heavy red wooden door stood a muscr man with his arms crossed, guarding the ce. After showing him the badge, the muscr man scrutinized it closely, then opened the wooden door and let Fu Qian in. Bang! Fu Qian had hardly entered when the door shut promptly behind him. Is this the club? Fu Qian frowned at the scene in front of him. It seemed that the ce was once a small bar. However, there was no music or decadent pleasure now. Instead, dry corpses were scattered everywhere, seated or lying, remaining in various postures as if they still continued theirst actions. Most conspicuous among them was a centaur in front of the counter. Yes, that kind of legendary creature with two arms and four legs. This one, though not particrly tall, was draped in a tattered cloth, which, despite being ragged and hole-ridden, still showed signs of its former splendor. All this was shrouded in an omnipresentyer of ck, white, and grey dust. What a picture of solitude! Fu Qian walked past the centaur disy, found a spot at the counter, and sat down, at the same time touching the surface of the counter. Theyer of ck and white dust on the table surface smeared directly onto his fingers, turning the skin pale. In less than ten seconds, his entire body was covered in that greyish-white color, and his skin looked as withered as a dry corpse, as if he had experienced a century of vicissitudes in an instant. But Fu Qian remained unfazed, leaning back in his chair and closely observing the centaur beside him. Arent the legs a bit too long, proportionally speaking? As he was observing intently, the spear that the centaurs right hand had been raising fell silently. ng! Fu Qian, without even looking up, extended his left index and middle fingers upward, deftly catching the sharp spear tip. In the past, he might have either pped such a stealth attack away or dodged in some direction. But as a yer who had justpleted special training yesterday, he tried the more impressive-looking Spiritual Acumen Finger. The results proved to be quite effective. Greater force came from the spear, as the centaur seemed to want to pull back its weapon. Unfortunately for it, Fu Qians fingers were like a vice, unyielding no matter how much force was applied. Two secondster, Fu Qian twisted his wrist. Even under such a strained lever action, the spear in the centaurs hand was forcibly pulled out, causing the creature to stagger back several steps in a twisted manner. Hmm! A womans moan sounded. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 87 - 86: King of the White Tower (Part 8)_1 Chapter 87: Chapter 86: King of the White Tower (Part 8)_1 p, p, p! Apuse sounded. It was like an old photograph being restored, colors slowly emerging in the space before me. And as the ck, white, and gray rapidly receded, all the mummified bodies it had covered quickly transformed back to their human appearances, one by one stirring to life. Among them, the one behind the bar, who was even pping enthusiastically, turned out to be Ji Ping, the one who had given me the badgest night. Wee, wee. I knew I wasnt wrong about you! Ji Ping apuded as he picked up a bottle of liquor and filled the ss in front of Fu Qian. A toast to our new friend. Fu Qian noticed that the grey eyeball in the palm of Ji Ping seemed different from thest time they had metit was tightly shut now. The recent illusion must have something to do with that. I cant drink while on duty. Fu Qian casually made an excuse, not taking the ss offered to him. Besides, your weing ceremony doesnt seem very friendly. Not friendly enough, when Jenny herself is weing you? Ji Ping responded with an exaggerated look of surprise, then snapped his fingers towards someone nearby. A trotting sound came from behind, and as Fu Qian turned around, he noticed the centaur had undergone a transformation. Her heaving chest, her swaying bodyunder the custom ck leather, her pale skin was exposed as she walked. Most importantly, beneath the dense brown hair was unexpectedly the face of a young woman. Fu Qian gave special attention to her back, where the broken fabric had been, now covered by a ck-golden cloak embroidered with an intricate pattern that fell behind her, covering her uplifted buttocks. The full and firm hind legs were likely her original ones, while the two front legs, equally pale and slender, unmistakably belonged to some equine creature. No wonder the centaur didnt appear veryrge to me earlier. Fu Qian nodded to thedy and handed her the spear he was holding. My apologies for any offense. Hmph! Lady Jenny did not seem pleased, took the spear without a word, went over to the bar, and drained a ss in one gulp. The drink had been half-consumed already, with lipstick marks still visibleclearly, these people had been indulging in revelry before I arrived. Ji Ping chuckled and topped up Jennys ss. I told you Mr. Fu is exceptional, now do you believe me? She just snorted again and turned her head away. What does Mr. Fu think of our Jenny? Ji Ping chuckled again and turned to Fu Qian. Graceful and charming, Fu Qianmented ndly. This was no lie. In fact, if one did not consider her previous form, solely based on her present shape, she could be described as having symmetrical limbs with graceful lines. The beauty of both forms blended at a remarkable angle, a piece of top craftmanship seen thus far. One should not have a narrow view of aesthetics, true art must touch the soulwhat Id told Tan Ying was certainly not baseless. However Fu Qian added another sentence. If memory serves, Limb Attachment has strict regtions regarding body proportions, thisdys condition looks quite dangerous. He wasnt talking nonsense; ever since he learned about Limb Attachment, he had researched quite a bit of information on this topic. Although the White Tower Company had obtained a permit from the Night Watchman, the Night Watchman had made extremely strict rules to prevent unlimited modifications and ethical issues. There was even a strict form for calctiongoing over by the slightest bit was not allowed. Uh Not only the person involved but also Ji Ping appeared deeply moved. Mr. Fu certainly has a good eye. After a few seconds of silence, Ji Ping praised with a click of his tongue. Jennys modifications just hit the upper limits of the design, rest assured there wasnt a single iota of excess! I see. Fu Qian looked at Jenny, who was wearing a look of anger. Its a pity. Whats a pity? Thetter, who had been ring at him, finally couldnt resist speaking up. If you added a tail, the effect would probably be even better. Fu Qian gestured behind her. Was this guy serious? Ji Ping looked surprised as he nced at Jennys back, then let out a chuckle. Perhaps, but now our Jenny is a superstar, with quite a high level of fame! Really? Fu Qian didnt particrly doubt Ji Pings words. ws or not, for those with special proclivities, her look was the epitome of deep dark fantasy; it was no surprise she had garnered numerous fans. You havent just invited me here today to judge her, have you? Can you now exin what this is all about? Fu Qian took out the badge hed been given and ced it on the table. Of course not, I believe youve already learned a bit about us. Ji Ping said with a grin. Actually, our purpose is quite simple. I wonder if youre interested in joining the club? Fu Qian frowned at him. I thought you had to be a member of the Archipgo to join you? Normally, thats the case, but thats not a problem for you, is it? That was true; so far, he hadnt seen many who could fight well, and winning would be a breeze. Unless the White Tower Company shamelessly inserted some of their own people at thest minute. Suddenly, Fu Qian felt that this possibility was quite likely. Actually, Im very curious. Seeing that Fu Qian hadnt spoken, Ji Ping spoke again. With your strength, why did youe to the Archipgo? Those rewards that others are moring for, I believe they hold no temptation for you. You may continue to be curious; meanwhile, tell me, what benefits are there to joining your club? Fu Qian snorted with the air of a master, choosing to answer the question with another question. To join us? Of course, there are excellent benefits. Ji Pings smile did not wane. Do you know why this ce is called the Rebirth Club? He showed the palm of his hand. I believe youve just experienced its effects. To be honest, I was once just an ordinary person, but now with its help, I am able to set up predicaments that even many Transcendents cannot solve. Our club isposed of a group of simple enthusiasts, with the shared belief that Limb Attachment is not just a simple patchwork; it should be a sublimation of life. Everyone can undergo rebirth as a new form of life by finding the part that fits them. Whether they are ordinary people or Transcendents. And by joining us, not only will you have an immensely wide range of choices, but you can also undergo this process an infinite number of times until you achieve a perfect state of fusion. This was full of pseudoscientific vibes! Watching the impassioned Ji Ping, Fu Qian sighed inwardly. He had no interest in the so-called sublimation that Ji Ping spoke of; however, from the information conveyed in Ji Pings words, his own judgement was correct. The Rebirth Club was backed by no simple entity. The freedom to choose at will plus unlimited attemptsif they werent bluffing, they must have considerable control over theboratory. Chapter 88 - 87: King of the White Tower (Part 9)_1 Chapter 88: Chapter 87: King of the White Tower (Part 9)_1 Unwarranted kindness is either deceitful or thieving. Fu Qian looked at Ji Pings fervent face and remained utterly unmoved. Consider this, as a suspectpetitor who has ughtered many, a strongly mystical organization approaches you directly, exuding an intense level of goodwill, and even extending an invitation to join them C what could their purpose be? 1. They believe you possess unparalleled talent, instantly falling for you, unable to control their admiration, and they decide to put the full weight of their organization behind you, making you an invincible force. 2. A test As high as Fu Qians self-love might be, he still considered the first possibility highly unlikely. So, the question arises again, as apetitor with ulterior motives, how should you respond when someone of unclear affiliations tests you? ording to Fu Qians life experience, its best to make those who test you wary of you. No matter the nature of their intentions, this was the maximally beneficial method. Thus, in the midst of all the focused attention, Fu Qian did not speak. He yed with the badge in his hand, wearing a smile that wasnt quite a smile as he watched Ji Ping until thetters expression turned fr?n fervent to stiff. ng! The atmosphere in the bar palpably tensed, and Jenny Ma once again raised her spear. With a snort, Fu Qian didnt even nce at her, merely flicking his finger. The badge nimbly flew out, whirling and spinning on the counter. By the time the spinning stopped, he had already left the bar, drifting away. Thud! Only when the sound of the badge hitting the ground rang out did the bare back to life. Whats with the attitude, so many people want to join but dont get the chance! Regaining herposure, Jenny exhaled, still quite indignant about the recent events. Heh! To everyones surprise, Ji Ping, looking in the direction Fu Qian had left, showed not the slightest bit of anger. Dont be mad. Believe me, hes one of us. Amidst a sea of astonished looks, Ji Ping gave a mysterious smile and left them behind, making his way to a room in the back. How did it go? An elderly voice asked. Our interactions havent been particrly pleasant for the time being, but I think someone as stubborn as Yibu will definitely dislike him even more, Ji Ping said confidently. Good, if he had epted outright, it would have been suspicious, replied the elderly voice with a hum. Since he isnt one of their kind, well find an opportunity to show him our sincerityter on. These people are really efficient! Thepetition that evening started on time the next day. In the prep room, Fu Qian noticed that not only had the arena he destroyed yesterday been rebuilt, but the ground had also undergone special reinforcement. At the moment, all three arenas were a hubbub of activity. Compared to the day before, the general level of the contestants had significantly improved. Of course, the proportion of non-Transcendents had decreased as well. The Female Priestess had had a rigid expression on her face since she entered, clearly indicating that her psychological buildup from the previous day had copsed. From this, one could tell that the Rebirth Clubs reputation must be quite poor! Fu Qian shook his head internally. However, this was not surprising C from that Jenny woman alone, it was evident that these people had, to some extent, be excessively fanatical. In such an unrestrained environment, it would be difficult not to be twisted. Of course, understanding did not mean approval. Fu Qian had no intention of joining such a perverse organization, but considering their influence, it would be a pity not to make use of them. Todays departure in full style was all about the art of catch-and-release. Lets see what their next move will be. Hasnt the wait today been a bit too long? The nking of Iron Armor sounded, and Fu Qian looked up to see the bloodstained ck Knight walking in from outside. If he remembered correctly, this was the second time the Knight had gone out. Yet there he was, still waiting, which was somewhat abnormal no matter how you looked at it. Ladies and gentlemen, I have good news! Right then, the hosts excited voice rang from outside. Two rounds of duels have passed, but we still have one Lucky Warrior who hasnt fought yet, and I believe you all know what this means Wow! A wave of cheers thundered through the audience. Thats right, next up, were fortunate to witness a special program weve not seen in a long time! Huh? Fu Qian frowned. That is, the Lucky Warriorversus the Forbidden Behemoth! In the midst of overwhelming cheers, Fu Qian saw his number appear on the central disy. Shameless, they really are shameless. The most eye-catchingpetitor from yesterday was now facing a boss after two rounds of byes. Isnt that a bit too obvious? However, the tant corruption of the organizers only sparked an intense response from the audience, creating an atmosphere as lively as New Years. Indeed, people love their entertainment! At that moment, following the hosts direction, the zing lights shone over. With the whole arena watching, Fu Qian walked out unruffled. All the tforms had now sunk into the ground, turning the empty space into a massive diator arena. So, who will our warrior be facing today? Who indeed is the enemy? The hosts voice came again. Lets have our Chief Executive Officer select the final opponent for him. The lights shifted, and Bai Jinting stood up in the stands, smiling as he took a tablet. After swiping a few times, he clicked confirm with a satisfied expression. Alright, the warriors opponent has been selected. Please give our staff a few minutes to prepare. In the meantime, the audience might like to guess what kind of behemoth will appear! The host continued to stir the crowd. Fu Qian, however, was indifferent to this, his attention wholly on the stands where Bai Jinting was. The red-haired, ck-robed Demigod Yibu was seated not far from Bai Jinting. Right after stepping out of the ready room, he had felt a peculiar sense of being watched. Following his gut, he saw it was that Demigod. Even though Yibu seemed to be resting with his eyes closed, Fu Qian could still feel that every move he made was being tracked. That Demigod was likely the biggest threat to him now, and a hurdle he must ovee. As a legendary Demigod, hiding his true strength under his observation seemed unlikely. No matter how he performed, he was bound to be a prime focus of attention. Why not try the opposite approach? Suddenly, after a few minutes had passed, a heavy thud sounded, and a gigantic box over four stories high was ced heavily onto the arena. A deep growl echoed as the box was rocked violently from the inside. Thats right, it isthe Forbidden! Behemoth! Crocodile Demon! As the host made the final announcement, the box burst open with a m. Its really a damn Crocodile Demon! Fu Qian scowled, eyeing the massive creature not far away. It was a crocodile-like monster with long hair on its back, its massive jaws over 5 meters long lined with fearsome sharp teeth that extended all the way down into its throat. At that moment, its mouth was almost at a 180-degree angle, letting out an enraged roar. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 89 - 88: King of the White Tower (Part 10)_1 Chapter 89: Chapter 88: King of the White Tower (Part 10)_1 ` Speaking of which, this was the first time he had encountered a Transcendent creature of this world. Whether it was the initial Werewolves and Maggot People, or the remnants aggregate in the furnace, they essentially still bore traces of humanity and werent of this pure beastly form. In summary, his PvE experience wasnt abundant. It must be said that the appearance of this creature was quite a challenge to the imagination, and the oppressive feeling brought on by its immense size was extremely strong. He wondered where White Tower Company had acquired such a ferocious beast. After a bout of furious roaring, the Crocodile Monster finally locked onto its target, its massive One-Eyed head staring intently over. Thump! Thump! The huge hind ws hit the ground, each step gouging deep indentations in the solid surface. The next moment, the upper body of the beast arched back high, roaring again with an unstoppable charge forward. Fu Qian dodged delicately to the side, evading the head-on assault, and with a flick of his fingers, he sent an Air Bullet flying. He didnt expect much damage, mainly just to test the strength of the creature. Indeed, the defense of the creature was shockingly high; the Air Bullet, which could blow through a human body, barely left any mark on it. The Crocodile Monster charged past him, sprinting over a hundred meters, leaving a long deep trench in its wake before eventually crashing into the perimeter of the arena. Boom! Half the stands shook, and people fell like dumplings, cries of distress merging into a chorus. However, such a dramatic impact only confused the Crocodile Monster for less than half a second. Its massive tail swiped, turning a few lucky spectators into mush, and then the Crocodile Monster turned around, again setting its sight on Fu Qian. This bloody scene elicited cheers from the stands, and amidst the screams, some were even thrown down. With toughened skin and exceptional vitality, this thing was very hardy; itd be difficult to inflict substantial damage without striking a vital area. Fu Qians mind raced. The problem was its size; its hind legs were even taller than his own head, and with it running around, hitting a weak spot was no easy task. Wait a minute, its veryrge. Fu Qian thought for a moment and took a deep breath. The next instant, the sound of shattering and cracking filled the air. As blood coursed through him, all the bones and muscles in his body began breaking and expanding recklessly, swelling in all directions at an rming rate, and his body quickly grew taller. When it all ended, Fu Qian had transformed into a giant twice his original height. Not only that, but his entire right arm, by his will, had turned into a sharp long w. Indeed, standing higher did provide a broader view; his visibility had improved greatly. The only regret was that even the best quality of clothing couldnt withstand such expansion, and they had burst and shredded during his transformation. As someone considerate of public decency, Fu Qian acutely noticed this and very civilly formed a set of Iron Man-shaped bone armor for himself. This state couldnt be maintained for long; he needed to make it quick. While both his size and strength had greatly increased, the tangible desire for ughter also kept hammering at his consciousness, and if too much time passed, he feared he might lose SAN Points. This wasnt a realm he should be touching upon at his current state. The intelligence of the Crocodile Monster obviously wasnt high; it ignored Fu Qians transformation. Now that it had regained its bnce, it charged at him once more. Bring it on! Facing the beast charging like a tank, Fu Qian didnt evade this time. Leaning forward, bending at the waist, he gathered momentum. As the Crocodile Monster closed in with its fierce winds and opened its enormous jaws to bite, Fu Qian extended his right-hand long w at the same time. Amid a world-shaking cry of agony, the Crocodile Monster ran wild for more than ten meters before it copsed thunderously to the ground. ` From its abdomen to its tail, a terror-inducing wound was shed open, from which dark blue blood gushed out, pouring into the trench. Fu Qian strode forward. [SAN Points decrease by 1] The notification sound by his ear caused him a pang of heartache. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear, my SAN Points really dropped! Hu! The sound of the wind arose, as the fallen Crocodile Monster swept over with its blood-stained tail, only to be kicked away by Fu Qians foot. Further ahead, sharp fangs formed within the wound on its belly, opening wide in an attempt to swallow Fu Qian whole. Youre using Saint Fighters Skill on yourself? Fu Qian dodged with ease once again, and firmly stepped on its lower jaw. At that moment, a dazzling golden bolt of lightning was gathering in the creatures gaping mouth, the proximity causing his skin to tingle with numbness. It seemed ready to unleash some sort of deadly final move. However, Fu Qian did not give it another chance, stepping on the lower jaw and prying open the upper jaw with both hands before exerting a sudden force. In the midst of a terribly ghastly roar, the tough hide crumbled to pieces. The Crocodile Monsters massive mouth was torn apart into two halves, its gathering electric light dissipating feebly. Cheers ten times more vigorous than its agonized screams erupted from the stands, having already forgotten the incident with the person who fell earlier. Having dealt with his opponent, Fu Qian did not rush to change back but instead raised his head, looking in the direction of Bai Jintings stands. In the next moment, he lifted half of the Crocodile Monsters head towards that direction. This provocative act left even the host at a loss for words momentarily. Bai Jinting, however, remained asposed as ever, still sitting immovably like Mount Tai, his smile undiminished. Fu Qians target was not him in the first ce. The Demigod Yibu beside Bai Jinting was already standing up at this time. Hmph! With a cold snort, a sun-like dazzling orb of lightning appeared in midair above the White Tower, its intense brilliance nearly blinding onlookers. In the next moment, hundreds, perhaps thousands of silver-white Electric Snakes erupted from the orb, striking down into the arena below, their terrifying thunder suppressing all other sounds. The Crocodile Monsters corpse instantly turned to ash, and the Lightning Cage enveloped the entire arena before quickly contracting inward,pressing until it was right in front of Fu Qian. In the face of this terrifying sight, Fu Qian remained unruffled, overflowing with a murderous aura, standing eye to eye with the legendary Demigod. Just as some thought a fight was about to break out, the immovable Bai Jinting finally reacted, nodding at Yibu and saying something. Thetter snorted again, and the entire sky of silver light dissipated in an instant, as he turned and sat back in his ce. Sorted! Fu Qians body also shrank back, reverting to his normal form. Of course, below the waist, he was still covered with the formed Bone Armor. This was the effect he wanted. Feeling a little weak for the first time, Fu Qian was extremely satisfied with how the situation had developed. Of course, he wasnt full to bursting with a show of protest against the behind-the-scenes maniption. Since hiding his abilities in front of a Demigod was impossible, why not just go big? A fierce fighting spirit, a thirst for victory, and a mockery of rigged endeavors. Portraying himself as someone who would stop at nothing for sess, might be better than shrouding himself in secrecy. Of course, there was also one more point, he had shown an intent and courage to confront a Demigod; if this entity had any sworn enemies, it was about time they paid a visit. Chapter 90 - 89: King of the White Tower (Part 11)_1 Chapter 90: Chapter 89: King of the White Tower (Part 11)_1 In fact, the visitor arrived even sooner than expected. After sessfully stealing the show and igniting the audiences passion to a boiling point, an uninvited guest knocked on the door that very night. Fu Qian went to open the door and found an elderly man in grey standing outside. Mr. Fu, hello. The visitor was shrouded head to toe in a voluminous cloak, without a single hair on his eyebrows or head, his face full of wrinkles and bearing a mysterious smile. I am Lu Ming, and I was wondering if you would be free to join me on a tour of the inds? Tour the inds? Fu Qian looked down at his right hand, covered by the wide sleeve. Although it was wrapped up tight, the shape was clearly offit was likely not factory original. Sure. Seeing Fu Qians straightforward response, Lu Ming chuckled and immediately headed out to lead the way. A boat had long been waiting by the ind, and Fu Qian followed Lu Ming onto it, one after the other. Mr. Fus disy of power today at the arena was truly impressive. Once seated, the boatman wordlessly began to row, and Lu Ming, smiling, spoke up first. Some of our people were a bit impolite yesterday, and Im mainly here to extend my apologies today. Your people? Fu Qian thought for a moment. Rebirth Club? Correct, I asked them to invite Mr. Fu, but I didnt expect things to be somewhat disagreeable. It wasnt disagreeable, just a bit boring. Boring? Lu Ming looked at Fu Qian. Does Mr. Fu also think that limb attachment is an evil practice? For a question that could fuel hundreds of debates, its hard to have a definitive answer. Fu Qian shook his head. As far as Im concerned, its quite an interesting concept, but it doesnt captivate me. I can understand, Mr. Fus strength is transcendent, and unlike us, you dont need to rely on external objects. Lu Ming nodded in understanding, then after a few seconds of silence, he cast off his cloak, revealing the right hand hed kept hidden all along. In truth, it could hardly be called a hand anymore, resembling more the head of some crawling creature. There was no palm and fingers, and everything below the elbow was covered with yellowish-brown scales, with a deformed beak at the end, even revealing sharp teeth within. Lu Ming extended his arm, aiming at the rippling water surfaces. The next moment, with a strange chirping sound, a sickly green me erupted, forming a spectacr fan of fire that covered arge area. After a few seconds, the spray ceased, and the residual mes floated on the water, enduring like will-o-the-wisps. Indeed, he was a leader; this disy seemed far stronger than Ji Pings abilities. Fu Qian silently made his assessment. At this time, after showing off his ability, Lu Ming let out a long sigh. People are born different, and in this world, especially so. Some are born with cultivation talents, others awaken special abilities as they grow, and the rest lead an utterly mediocre life. Inparison, I think the existence of limb attachment provides a more fair opportunity than bloodline or fate could ever offer The small boat swiftly approached Central Ind, and Lu Ming disembarked first, with Fu Qian and the boatman following. The three of them quickly went past the White Tower until they reached a circr building. This ce had just been introduced the day before, the legendary Limb Attachment Laboratory, the site of rebirth coveted by many. Even at night, the ce was brightly lit and bustling. Lu Ming led the way unimpeded through security doors, all the way to the depths of theboratory. This was a huge underground space, lined with transparent boxes of various sizes from top to bottom, looking like an underground museum. Except the items disyed were rather horrifying. Sundered hands, eyeballs, tails, wings a dazzling array of bizarre and peculiar body parts. This is theboratorys material storage. Lu Ming stood in front, arms spread wide. With our efforts, each item stored here will ultimately find its true owner. I get your point. Seeing his enraptured state, Fu Qian casually concurred. To the deserving go the spoils of fate, the original owners of these parts were merely the soil that nurtured them. Well said! Lu Ming looked at Fu Qian with a face full of admiration. Heroes think alike. This has nothing to do with seeing the same thing, Im just deducing based on your overbearing logic. Do you know what is the most idiotic rule? Fu Qians reply, however, piqued Lu Mings interest, prompting him to raise another question. The upper limit on Limb Attachment? Fu Qian thought for a moment before answering. The Limb Attachment advocate in front of him must despise that deeply. Exactly. Lu Mings face showed disgust. Rigid and stupid, it does nothing but shackle a great invention. Sometimes they do handle things in a rather inflexible manner. Fu Qian recalled his previous encounters with the Night Watchman. Actually, the main reason I asked Mr. Fu here today is for another matter. Seeing that Fu Qian had little interest in these matters, Lu Ming didnt digress any further and continued further inside, opening a uniquely designed box. Please look at this. This The content inside made Fu Qian frown. It was a number of tentacles entangled together, varying in length, all bathed in a ghostly blue hue, still slowly writhing and emitting an indescribable odor. We discovered this while collecting Transcendent limbs. After many experiments, and not just one person being devoured by it, we unanimously believe that only a Transcendent with formidable strength can possibly control it. You must understand, the more powerful the limb, the higher the requirement for the recipient; otherwise, the best-case scenario is ineffectiveness, and the worst, not being able to withstand the bacsh. From its current performance, we believe that if someone sessfully merges with this, it could elevate a Transcendent to a Demigod Would Mr. Fu be interested? Sounds like theres quite a bit of uncertainty? Fu Qian nced at him. To a certain extent, yes, but high risk, high reward, right? Lu Ming stared at Fu Qian, the temptation of ascending to Demigod status, something he believed no Transcendent could resist. High risk, high reward, is that what you told those volunteers who died as well? More than that, actually. Every single one. Lu Ming waved to someone behind him. We make it clear to all who undergo Limb Attachment, that everythinges at a price. Without that understanding, they shouldnt even dream of Transcendent power. The ferryman from before lowered his head and stepped forward, gently pulling up his sleeve to reveal his left arm. A slender arm was neatly amputated below the shoulder, attached to it was a hairless w, covered in dark red stripes, looking quite ferocious. Wait a second, Fu Qians attention was caught by something else. He hadnt noticed before, but now he looked at the mans golden short hair. Is your sister called Veil? Fu Qian took out the pendant of the golden-haired woman andpared it with the photo. How do you know The Beast w Girl suddenly looked up, incredulously staring at Fu Qian. Your sister asked me to help deliver this to you, she and your family miss you a lot and hope youe home soon. Fu Qian hung the item over her shoulder, ryed Veils message, and considered the task done. I dont need you guys to teach me how to live my life! Five secondster, the Beast w Girl came to her senses, snatched the pendant and fiercely threw it to the ground, her tone suddenly turned hostile. No matter what you say, Im not going back! ? I was just entrusted to deliver something; whether you go back or not doesnt concern me. Your decision doesnt concern me, but this impolite tone of yours Fu Qian looked at the rebellious girl, his expression a mix of a smile and not a smile. Did my act of delivering this create the false impression that I carry a friendly reputation? The Beast w Girl shuddered and quickly realized whom she was talking to, her face instantly turned pale. Chapter 91 - 90: King of the White Tower (Part 12)_1 Chapter 91: Chapter 90: King of the White Tower (Part 12)_1 It was clear that Fu Qians brutal behavior over two consecutive days had left a deep impression on everyone. As soon as he spoke, not only was the Beast w Girl taken aback, but Lu Ming next to her also had a look of rigidity on his face. All these reactions were noticed by Fu Qian, who immediately huffed in disdain. The local guilds reallycked manners! The one rowing for him happened to be the younger sister of the blonde woman. Fu Qian didnt believe in such coincidences. The most likely exnation was that the Rebirth Club really had long arms, monitoring his residence and keeping an eye on every movement of Veilsings and goings. So, they used her sister to test the waters, arranging this coincidence. On one hand, it served as a gesture of goodwill, on the other, it was to see if they could exert some control over him. As for Veils sister, she seemed not to be the sharpest tool in the shed and likely had no idea about any of this, having been summoned in a daze. She might have even been sold on some grand promises before leaving, like thepany was nning to groom her for a key role or something. Theres no cure for stupidity, one might say. At this moment, the Beast w Girlsplexion turned pale, and although she opened her mouth several times, no sounds came out. Fu Qian didnt bother with her and, after another huff, turned to give Lu Ming a nce. As someone who had just torn a giant beast apart with his bare hands, it would be rather weak-spirited not to react at all to being watched. This nce made Lu Mings breathing tighten, and goosebumps sprang up all over his body. The intention of bringing Veils sister here had been to discreetly curry favor; it backfired spectacrly. It was evident to Fu Qian that he was being watched, and he was understandably displeased. The previously harmonious atmosphere had vanished without a trace. Given his propensity for resorting to violence at the drop of a hat, predicting his next move was difficult. At this moment, Lu Ming truly regretted this misguided attempt at probing. Fu Qian stared intently for a while, until Lu Mings body tensed up, his right hand trembled, and he was on the verge of snapping. All of a sudden, Fu Qian nonchntly turned away and resumed examining the tentacles inside the box. Lu Ming silently let out a breath and nced at the Beast w Girl. In just under half a minute, she seemed almost unable to stand, her facepletely drained of color. You should leave first, Lu Ming said in a low voice, shooing her out. The Beast w Girl, feeling as if she had received a pardon, turned and left. A few stepster, remembering something, she bent down to pick up the pendant that had dropped on the floor, clutching it in her hand as she hurried out the door. Elder Lu, I have a question? No sooner had the Beast w Girl left than Fu Qian greeted Lu Ming without any sign of the recent tension, as if nothing had happened. You just said that the club could help me integrate this thing? Lu Ming was startled, thinking Fu Qian woulde seeking retribution, but instead, the topic suddenly reverted to the previous one. Lu Ming took a deep breath and nodded earnestly. Yes, weve already begun to grasp some of its characteristics. If Mr. Fu is interested, we will certainly provide our full cooperation. Given your strength, as long as you can integrate it, the probability of ascending to demigod status is quite high. There will certainly be a ce for you among the inds! Is that so! After Lu Ming finished speaking, Fu Qian turned back to look at him. Are you not on good terms with Demigod Yibu? No wonder I had a conflict with that demigod earlier, and then you came to see me in the evening. Can you tell me, what kind of conflict do you have with each other? This Lu Ming took a breath and gave a slight nod. Mr. Fu has a keen eye, so I have nothing to hide. Our rtionship with Yibu is indeed not very smooth. At first, we assisted Bai Jinting in establishing the inds. Theboratory is essentially the foundation for the inds development; you could say that without the clubs assistance, this ce wouldnt exist at all. It sounds like a time of great trials and tribtions. Fu Qian blinked. I suppose there were many sacrifices made during the exploratory process? If someone else asked me, I would definitely deny it, but honest people should be sincere with one another. I can only say that for some great advancements, the sacrifice of the ignorant masses is worthwhile. This is also their honor, Does Bai Jinting know about this? Of course, he provided us with a considerable amount of base material at the beginning. Understood, please continue. Fu Qian nodded in satisfaction. As the foundation of the inds establishment, the club and theboratory originally held a position above all, and everything developed very smoothly. Unfortunately, since Yibu came here, weve been targeted at every turn He doesnt like these things? Fu Qian gestured around him. Describing it as viewing them as enemies would be more apt. Lu Ming scoffed. This kind of Demigod, who ascended through lineage and a bit of effort, cant stand Limb Attachment, calling it heresy. The key is Bai Jintings unusual trust in him; weve been increasingly hamstrung over these five years. The once-envied Rebirth Club has now be something to be shunned. Actually, thats somewhat understandable. Fu Qian pointed to the tentacles in the box. Even I find this stuff to be pretty creepy! New things always need to be gradually epted! Lu Mings expression turned somewhat awkward. Makes sense. Fu Qian nodded. Can I touch and see? ? Lu Ming looked surprised. Your train of thought really leaps wildly! Fusion requires a lot of preliminary testing and preparation. It doesnt matter, I just want to look. All right After obtaining Lu Mings consent, Fu Qian extended a finger and reached into the box. The twisting, writhing tentacle seemed to sense something and suddenly stopped. The next moment, the tip of the tentacle curled up slightly and slowly approached Fu Qians finger. This thing has much higher activitypared to other limbs, As Fu Qian moved, Lu Ming exined in a grave tone beside him. Before his words wereplete, the tentacle had already climbed onto Fu Qians finger. A cold, slimy sensation was transmitted, and where the tentacle touched, the skin seemed to be painted with ayer of water-blue fluorescence. Just as the tentacle crawled across the palm, seeking to spread towards the wrist, Fu Qian suddenly withdrew his hand. He turned back to look at a puzzled Lu Ming. Lets leave it there for today. Declining Lu Mings offer to send him back, Fu Qian took a boat they provided and headed back, swaying leisurely. Once Lu Mings figure disappeared from his view, Fu Qian unfolded his right hand. Under the moonlight, star-like points of blue fluorescence covered most of his palm, resembling a gxy. This was where that thing had crawled. At this moment, it felt like countless tiny insects were trying to burrow into his flesh. He brought it close to his nose to smell. Furthermore, that distinctive odor had also been transferred. One had to admit Lu Ming and his colleagues had good taste, this thing truly was a bit miraculous, not as simple as an ordinary Transcendent creature. Almost simultaneously, Fu Qians sensation of being surveilled shed and then vanished. Hes definitely here! Fu Qian did not look back towards Central Ind, but he was ny percent sure that the Demigod Yibu was observing him from somewhere. It was just spection at first, until just now when the traces of touch caused a slight emotional fluctuation in that individual, briefly revealing his presence. This Demigod hated Limb Attachment to the core; he must have been monitoring his interaction with Lu Ming the entire time. This way was best; otherwise, touching that thing earlier would have been in vain. Chapter 92 - 91: King of the White Tower (Part 13)_1 Chapter 92: Chapter 91: King of the White Tower (Part 13)_1 Thepetition will start soon, Mr. Fu, we should be heading offAh, your hand! By the evening of the next day, the female priestess who came to escort Fu Qian to the arena had her mouth covered in shock once more. Fu Qian followed her gaze and understood why she was surprised. In just one night, the water-blue imprint had spread from his palm to his entire upper arm. The peculiar scent had be even stronger. Not only that, but every ce covered by the imprint felt as if countless tiny insects were nibbling away at the flesh. Fortunately, the erosion was not deep, at least for now. It wasnt difficult to deal with this thing, it just required shedding the affectedyer of skin. For Fu Qian as he was now, it was nothing short of easy. But he didnt want to do that. The reason was very simpletoday was the day of the finals. It would be his first attempt to take down Bai Jinting. The thing would soone in handy. You shouldnt need toe and fetch me in person, should you? Fu Qian gave the female priestess a nce. Today is the finals. The female priestess forced a smile. If you win the championship, Ill get a bonus too, so I must show some sincerity! So thats the case; I thought you had ced a bet on me. There are indeed bets, but your odds are the lowest I bet on everyone else, hoping to bring you some luck. Not bad, learning about risk hedging at a young age, you have an unlimited future. As it turned out, Demigod Yibu truly detested Limb Attachment. Almost the moment he entered the White Tower, Fu Qian could feel this intense aversion. After revealing the mark on his right hand, the hostility surged like a torrent. Yet Fu Qian made no attempt to hide it, adopting a nonchnt demeanor as he headed to the waiting room to rest. After two days of fierce battles, only a handful of contestants remained; just one more opponent to take down, and he would enter the final round. This time, no new underhanded tactics emerged, and Fu Qians number soon appeared on the screen overhead. Standing on the once again rejuvenated field, Fu Qian couldnt help but admire the advantages of wealth. And the contestant opposite him in the ring surprised him for a brief second. Dark ebony armor, a giant sword and shield, a helmet with two horns. The opponent in the semi-final was actually that ck Knight from the same preparation room! It had to be said, having made it this far, he must have some skill. His towering figure was extraordinary, and that heavy armor he wore was not something an ordinary person could handle. Fu Qian had seen one of his battles, and it was clear that hisbat experience was extremely rich and his style steady and unarrogant. He wielded a giant sword with ferocity, eventually ttening his opponent by ten centimeters. If there was a weakness, it might be that his realm was too low. Based on the intensity of the aura he disyed, at most he was at the Seventh Phase, making it hard to imagine how he could wield such a huge shield and sword in that manner. That armor must be no ordinary item. His courage was admirable too. Over the past two days, his own notoriety had grown fierce; one would think ordinary opponents, seeing him, might have already despaired. For this knight to stand earnestly in the arena was no small achievement. Once the referee announced the start, the ck Knight began with a silent salute with his sword, then positioned his dark, heavy shield in front of him. This stance suggested he was wary of Fu Qians killing power, aiming to y defensively and counterattack. It seemed reasonable at first nce, but one shouldnt be so narrow-minded as tobel an opponent a strength-based yer just because they possess great power. Ive always been leaning toward a technique-oriented approach. Confronted with a shell defense, Fu Qian charged forward, dodging an upward sh and then ced his palm on the shield. Thats right, he pressed it down. Fu Qian had no intention of sting both the shield and man to smithereens, instead he gently pressed his hand against it. The ck Knight clearly hadnt expected Fu Qian to act like that and couldnt help but be a little stunned. However, being an experienced warrior, he quickly pulled himself back from his distraction. His first reaction was to retract his shield, swinging out with his sword. But once again he missed the shield was so exaggeratedlyrge that Fu Qian was actually hiding behind it, following the shield forward, creating a blind spot for the attack. The shield had be his cover. The ck Knight, cool in the face of danger, pushed the shield out again, but was surprised to find that Fu Qian had disappeared. The next moment, a surging force came from behind him. The ck Knight stumbled nearly ten meters before stabilizing his form, spewing a mist of blood onto his chest, the dark iron armor stained even more ghastly. Fu Qian, who had taken cover behind the shield to get behind him, had just kicked him in the back. ng! Realizing the shield was only working against him, the warrior decisively took it off and threw it aside. From the sound of it hitting the ground, it was deceptively heavy. And the now free left hand slowly touched the broad hilt, releasing a murderous intent several times more intense than before. The sound of armor shing echoed, the ck Knight holding his warhammer, choosing to go on the offensive. The door-sized warhammer came shing down hard at Fu Qian. Thats more like it! A warhammer to the face is a mans true romance. Facing the ck Knights full form, Fu Qian also raised his right hand. The next moment, countless tentacles burst from his right arm, intertwining into a massive, exotic arm, and hammered fiercely onto the ck Knights body. Almost instantly, thetter flew backward like a baseball, together with his sword, crashing on the edge of the arena. The helmet fell aside, revealing half a face scorched like a corpse. This is! Amidst the audiences screams, Demigod Yibu stood up abruptly, his face ashen. At this moment, having defeated his opponent, Fu Qian stepped into the finals, yet he didnt stay to relish the cheers from the crowd and instead left the arena immediately. Cong congrattions! When Fu Qian returned to the preparation room, the Female Priestess, with a trembling voice, stepped forward to celebrate. Scared by the too brutal scene? Hardly. The fight with the Crocodile Monster yesterday was far bloodier than this. Fu Qian noticed that she was staring intently at his right hand. That exined it. For quite a few of the femalerades, thatst strike was a bit R-rated. But it also depends on who, as there were clearly female shouts from the audience earlier, excited to the point of nearly fainting. Dont be nervous, itll be over in a moment! Fu Qian patted the Female Priestess on the shoulder tofort her, and conveniently chopped her on the neck. How could it be so fast? At this time, the second match had already begun, but Yibu in the stands was frowning deeply. Fu Qians performance just now was baffling. He thought they had only initiallye into contactst night, but it turned out This was clearly a case of initial integration! Could it be they had an understanding all along? These reckless fools, not considering the consequences at all! Fortunately, the level of integration seemed not too high, and he must remain vignt going forward. Thinking this, Yibu nced towards Fu Qians preparation room. The next moment his pupils shrank suddenly. In the resting room, Fu Qians figure was no longer there. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 93 - 92: King of the White Tower (Part 14)_1 Chapter 93: Chapter 92: King of the White Tower (Part 14)_1 Indeed, it still seemed a bit forced to pull off such a stunt right now. Standing at theboratorys main entrance, Fu Qian could still feel the tearing sensation in his right hand. Just now, forcefully unleashing the Biochemical Demon Arm had ced an even heavier burden on his body than transforming the day before. Fortunately, this time it onlysted a moment, and had not reached the point of losing Sanity. Even so, such overdrawn damage was not something that could be solved by simply cutting it off and regrowing it. But as long as it achieved the desired effect, it was worth it. Transforming his arm into a tentacle, Fu Qian indeed did it for the sake of the show, but the intent was not to scare people. This terrifying method of attack,bined with the stains on his arm, should have been enough to mislead Yibu. The next opportunity woulde and go in a sh. Open the door, Fu Qian said, looking at the Guarding up to the door. It had to be said that taking on Lu Mings face was no easy feat, with some details hard to nail down. Fortunately, the Guard didnt dare to look too closely and quickly unlocked the door. Following the memories he had, Fu Qian moved swiftly through theboratory. It was probably due to thepetition that there were even fewer people around than when he hade the day before. Since he was not the real Lu Ming, the numerous security doors inside were not so easy to open. Fu Qian had prepared for this, with an Air Bullet arriving before him at every door. For a time, rms sounded everywhere he went. Amidst the hustle and bustle, he could confirm that arge number of Guards were rushing over. Fu Qian didnt care about that at all and passed through door after door expressionlessly, heading downward. Soon, the dazzling array of material storage appeared before him. Ignoring the plethora of surrounding items, Fu Qian walked straight in, finding the box from the day before. He pulled it open, and the pale blue tentacle reappeared in front of him, even seeming a bit agitated at the sight of Fu Qian. Fu Qian raised his hand, and the marks on his right hand had already spread to his shoulder, seemingly resonating faintly with the tentacle. Fu Qian closed the box again, and before he could make any other move, he suddenly heard the sound of shattering Crystal by his ear. Innumerable crystalline icicles rose from the ground, sweeping through the entire room in an instant, and began to grow wildly. In less than two seconds, Fu Qians lower body was encased by a mass of sharp ice spears. To be honest, I am very disappointed, a familiar voice came from behind. Lu Ming, wearing a wide gray robe, walked in. On his right hand, the sphemous Fire was already brewing, with the opened maw aimed in this direction. I thought we were like-minded individuals with a shared vision, but it turns out you have ulterior motives as well. Luckily, Ive had them keep a close watch on you the whole time. Where do you n to take the tentacle? Wouldnt it be better to continue our cooperation ording to the n we discussed? Why cant you wait even a little while longer? You can save that nonsense for the na?ve kids, Fu Qian retorted, looking back at Lu Ming. I stopped believing in pies falling from the sky when I was in elementary school. Did you really n to give me a chance to be a Demigod? Werent I just another tester in your n? p p p! Youre not stupid at all! Lu Ming apuded while making a face of admiration. Indeed, you are a perfect test subject, and also the final step in our experiment. In fact, just now, if you hadnt tried to take the thing away, but merely touched it, we would not have intervened at all, but rather watched to see what would happen. Us. Fu Qian turned around to look at the corner of the warehouse, the ce from where the Ice Crystal hade. There stood an emaciated old man with white hair and beard, his right hand a deformed beak simr to Lu Mings, only enveloped in ayer of frost. The object on the ground was his doing. Let me guess, hes also a member of the Rebirth Club? Yes, you can call him Kikuchi. After all, Im not confident about taking you on alone. Lu Ming smiled. Why talk nonsense with him? Kikuchi finally spoke from the corner, his voice neither old nor even a bit effeminate. Arent you afraid of damaging the thing with this ruckus? Fu Qian nced at the box. It wont be affected even if youre smashed to pieces. Kikuchi snickered coldly. But Ill try not to turn you into pieces. After all, such good experimental material is rare. Before he finished speaking, a frost-white stream of coldness burst forth from his right hand. At the same time, a sinister green me attacked from Lu Mings direction. For a moment, white and green shone together, instantly engulfing Fu Qians figure. Fu Qian didnt attempt to dodge. The space here was notrge, and dodging was pointless in the face of such a wide-range AOE attack. With a crackling sound, Fu Qians legs forcibly broke free, sliced by sharp Ice Crystals and drenched in blood. But this brief escape allowed him to charge straight at Lu Ming through the mes without hesitation. Almost instantly, Fu Qian felt the skin on his right hand burn away, the corrosive afterburn even spreading further inside. At the same time, the chill st from Kikuchi felt like a mountain of ice on his body, each step he took was incredibly heavy. His counter-charge clearly took Lu Ming by surprise, who instinctively tried to dodge backward, not expecting the sharp pain in his abdomen, blood spurting out. Under the cover of ice and fire, the Air Bullets Fu Qian fired hit Lu Ming. Lu Ming stumbled from the injury, and Fu Qian had already closed in. Once in closebat, Lu Ming stood no chance. Fu Qian didnt hesitate to use the Visceral Critical Strike on his wounded abdomen. Boom! With that strike, Lu Mings belly wound was further torn open. This was still Fu Qian showing restraint. The indescribable pain blurred Lu Mings vision. However, before he could react, Fu Qian reached out once more, his hand cradling a vague blue glow. Suddenly, his hollow abdomen felt full, as if something had been stuffed inside. He hadnt even had time to see what it was when the next moment, his neck tightened. Fu Qian grabbed Lu Ming and dragged him towards another target. A crystal-clear ice wall appeared, trying to block Fu Qians movement, but it shattered before it could fully form. Among the flying ice shards, several Air Bullets whistled out. Despite Lu Mings example, the distance was too short and, even with Kikuchis best effort to dodge, he still got hit in the ribs. Boom! The injured Kikuchi hadnt even managed to regain his bnce when he was mmed into the wall by the charging Fu Qian. A crisp sound of breaking bones followed, and he slumped into a heap. All the special effects in the room dissipated at that point. We can talk about this Looking at the god of death that was Fu Qian, Kikuchi quickly said, barely holding hisposure. Although we nned to use you for experiments, the fusion idea is real. If you cooperate,bined with our previous test results, we really can make you a Demigod Unfortunately for him, Fu Qians response was to throw Lu Ming at him. Dodging just enough to avoid the vitals, Kikuchi wanted to say more but suddenly noticed something writhing like a snake in Lu Mings abdominal cavity. Chapter 94 - 93: King of the White Tower (Part 15)_1 Chapter 94: Chapter 93: King of the White Tower (Part 15)_1 This Kikuchis face drained of color in an instant, and he instinctively looked back. The box containing the tentacles was, unbeknownst to him, open, and it was nowpletely empty. You stuffed it into Lu Mings belly? Are you insane? What on earth are you trying to do! However, before he could express his shock, he felt a pain beneath his ribs. A tentacle had unexpectedly emerged from Lu Mings belly and burrowed into his own wound. Agony engulfed him, and Kikuchi tried instinctively to push Lu Ming away, only to find himself powerless to do so. This should do it. Fu Qian watched the two people on the ground with an expressionless face. More and more pale blue tentacles pierced through the two men,pletely entangling them together. Their bodies rapidly deformed and rotted, copsing into an indistinct mass in the blink of an eye. That particr scent became progressively stronger. Fu Qian observed while simultaneously timing the process. He himself was covered in wounds and burns, but none were serious, and under the effect of Tyrants Fist, they were rapidly healing. About fifty secondster, Fu Qian moved swiftly as a tentacle shot out like a cannonball, striking where he had just been standing. In a certain sense I really should thank you. Upon the constantly writhing body, Lu Mings head opened its eyes and began to speak, gasping for air. The fusion is extremely dangerous, but the rewards are simply too great. I had been hesitant, but today you made the decision for me. Fortunately, I had already umted considerable experience in previous tests and knew some methods to handle the situation. As repayment Ive decided to let you experience a hundred times the pain Im undergoing now You talk too much! Before Lu Ming could finish, another rough voice interrupted him. Kikuchis head appeared on the other side of the mass of flesh. Hurry up and deal with him, we need to figure out how to separate our bodies quickly. You dont need to rush me. Lu Ming snorted, and the next moment, a mass of tentacles sprayed out, like a dozen blue bolts of lightning. Fu Qian narrowly dodged them, and the solid metal wall was smashed into arge crater. It seems like you two are getting along quite well. Fu Qian said with a smile, looking at the symmetrical heads. Why would you want to separate? As he spoke, he flicked his wrist, and a Scarlet Whip materialized out of nowhere, striking the body shared by the two men. Boom! Lu Ming, about to speak, felt as if a grenade had gone off inside his head. Thoughts and emotions flew chaotically, and his reason tottered on the brink. Somethings not right; kill him now! Kill him now! Kikuchis shrill scream came through, followed by another mass of tentaclesshing out. Fu Qian deftly evaded them, and several more whips struck out in response. Leveraging the power of Tyrants Fist, he rapidly broke down the sanity of the two men. No! The duo of Lu Ju only felt their minds plunge further into chaos, and they couldnt help but scream together, as countlessrge and small tentacles thrashed about, attempting to grasp Fu Qian. However, such blind attacks posed no threat. Fu Qian moved as if strolling through a leisurely garden amidst the tempest, dodging while relentlesslyshing out with the whip. Craash! Fragments flew in all directions as a box containing argepound eye was broken, and its contents tumbled out onto the floor. Under the deliberate guidance of Fu Qian, the three had retreated to the material storehouse outside. Crash! More boxes were smashed by the tentacles, scattering years of umted research throughout theb. All the items that fell out, upon touching the chaotic bodies of Lu Ju, rapidly merged into them. In the blink of an eye, the two became a meatball with hundreds of eyes, countless pairs of mismatched limbs, wings, and tentacles iling. Roar! The twopletely descended into madness, blindlyshing out everywhere, only bestial roars remaining where their heads were. Thats enough! Fu Qian didnt linger; he turned around and ran back the way he came, bursting out without any obstruction. Now that Lu Ju had sessfully transformed, there was no force left in theb to stop him; the ordinary guards couldnt even keep up with his speed. By this time, thebs rms were ring continuously; Lu Ju had already burst above ground and were rampaging, wildly destroying everything around them. Countless guards and researchers fled in all directions. Should be about time, right? Fu Qian hid to one side, his hand trembling, skin peeling off, the marks left by the tentacles fading, his scent vanishingpletely. Having done all this, he minimized his presence to the greatest extent and looked towards the direction of the White Tower. Half a minuteter, a terrifying murderous intent seeped out from the White Tower; it felt as if a fearsome thunderstorm was rushing over. Yibu couldnt sit still any longer. A sh of lightningnded in front of theb; the red-haired, ck-robed Yibu appeared, staring intently at the tentacles whipping around. The noise Lu Ming and the others made was too great, almost instantly drawing the demigods attention. Nows the time! Fu Qian rushed towards the White Tower without hesitating. Because of his performance earlier, Yibu was sure to think that the meatball was him. This would buy him a little bit of time. Enough! The finale that the audience has been waiting for is about to start, please wee the fighters to the stage! Just as Fu Qian arrived at the prep room, he heard the announcers excited voice. The Female Priestess was still unconscious but breathing steadily. Indeed, it was time to enter the stage. Fu Qian took a deep breath and stepped into the blinding spotlight. However, amid the crowds frenzied screams, he didnt head towards the duel arena but instead leapt straight up on the spot. At the highest point, he extended his arms swiftly, embedding them deeply into the wall; borrowing strength from the wall, he leapt again, rushing towards Bai Jintings stand in the White Tower. rms went off almost immediately, followed by strong gusts and mes, attempting to stop Fu Qians approach. As the King of the White Tower, Bai Jinting would not be protected by Yibu alone. Yet such attacks were hardly a threatpared to a demigod. Fu Qians body flickered swiftly, easily dodging the attempts to stop him; finally, with a fierce leap, he jumped onto the stand where Bai Jinting was located. This was his first close encounter with his target. From a distance, an angry roar could be heard, a fierce lightning bolt racing towards the White Tower. Truly a demigod, he had noticed even faster than expected! Bai Jinting on the stand showed little panic, just watching Fu Qian with a stern face. Why? Fu Qian didnt answer; he just stomped down hard. As flesh and blood flew, the scene in front of him twisted. Yet there was no indication of sess or failure. The finale that the audience has been waiting for is about to start, please wee the fighters to the stage! As his senses returned, Fu Qian found himself back in the prep room, the announcers voice excitedly ring outside again. The only difference was that the Female Priestess lying next to him was now breathing rapidly in her slumber. Chapter 95 - 94: King of the White Tower (16)_1 Chapter 95: Chapter 94: King of the White Tower (16)_1 This was truly a first for me. Fu Qian looked around and couldnt help but frown. A containment failure meant just going back to the warehouse to start over. But the current situation Fu Qian lifted his head to look at Bai Jintings position. He had been crushed to pieces under Fu Qians own feet, yet now, he was sitting there, intact. This was aplete reset, wasnt it? Could it be that we have to repeat what just happened? No, thats not right. Something had changed. For one, the hosts voice was different, as if tinged with an inexplicable madness. And if you listened carefully, the audiences cheering had turned almost into the howling of wild beasts. And there was her. Fu Qian looked down at the female priestess; her breathing was bing more and more hurried, and she even made unintelligible strange noises in her throat. Something was off! Without any hesitation, Fu Qian extended his hand and knocked on the back of her head. The female priestess shuddered, took a deep breath, and sat up sharply. How do you feel? Fu Qian, observing her reddened eyes, became even more certain of his judgement. I feel so ufortable! The female priestesss facial features contorted as she was trying to regain her senses, and she couldnt help but clutch her head tightly. At the same time, her other hand was scratching the table incessantly, producing a grating sound. But being made of flesh and blood, her nails soon splintered, and blood flowed vividly. Where does it hurt? Everywhere hurts. How does it hurt? Extremely ufortable. You should sleep some more. Fu Qian shook his head and struck her neck. She stopped struggling and slumped back down with a ng. Not only was her mind not sharp, but there was also something wrong with her spirit; it was impossible to get any valuable information out of her. Fu Qian turned around, ignoring the deafening roar from outside, and left the preparation room in the opposite direction. He had been crushed to pieces under his feet, yet now he was sitting there enjoying the chaos again. There had to be a problem somewhere. As expected, something had gone wrong! Leaving the White Tower, Fu Qian looked at the world outside. It was still night, butpletely different from before. A huge, peerless blood-red moon hung overhead. It felt so near that it seemed like it could fall down at any moment. This seems familiar! Fu Qian recalled the Full Moon Garden where he encountered the Werewolf. It wasparable in size to that moon, only a different color. At this moment, Central Ind was shrouded in a gray-white mist. With the omnipresent crimson moonlight adding to the setting, the surroundings were dyed like a demon realm. Boom! Before Fu Qian had a chance to observe closely, a loud noise came from the distance. Right above theboratory, a huge thundercloud appeared. Innumerable silver-white electric snakes struck down from it, lighting up the surroundings as if it were daylight, coupled with the deafening thunder, it radiated an apocalyptic aura. And within this Lightning Jungle, a giant creature swayed its tentacles, resisting the repeated strikes. Couldnt be, could it? Fu Qian looked at the figure, which he faintly remembered, yet its form was somewhat different now. Logically speaking, it should be Lu Ju and the others, but this ones head had swelled up too much, likely more than tenfold! No wonder it had forced Demigod Yibu to unleash his powers. The terrifying Lightning Storm, such is the Demigods Might. Before Fu Qian could finish his thoughts, a figure flew out in the chaos, their body sparking with electricity, barely stabilizing after considerable effort. Who else could it be but Demigod Yibu! This monster cant even defeat a demigod now? By its appearance, this thing somewhat resembles a seahorse with a head full of tentacles. The majority of its body sprawls across the building, causing the entireboratory to wobble as if on the verge of copse. On the surface of the monsters body, densely packed, sprouted hundreds of heads, all of which were closed-eyed emitting sharp cries at the moment. Fu Qian could roughly guess how it grew to such a gigantic size. Its likely that it has devoured all the people from theboratory. Fu Qian quickly scanned these heads and, indeed, spotted a certain head with golden short hair. Beast w Girl. This rebellious youngdy was unlucky and had be part of this enormous creature. However, to look on the bright side, at least her head was located on the top rather than the bottom. It wasnt the worst-case scenario. In the continually copsingb, people asionally ran out, shrieking. And those who got caught by the monsters tentacles were rapidly absorbed into its body, bing a part of it. The next moment, a dazzling ball of electric energy appeared,parable to a suns eruption, which then started to expand wildly. Demigod Yibu did not choose to leave. Soon after reaching its limit, the swelling electric ball shot forth, and the monster began to thrash wildly, sparks flickering all over its body. This one truly had a fiery temper, yet the monsters vitality was terrifyingly tenacious. After struggling for barely half a minute, it rose again from the ground. It seemed these two wouldnt be finishing anytime soon. Fu Qian turned and left. Approaching them now would definitely not be wise. Given Old Master Yibus temperament, exnations would probably be useless, and there was a high likelihood of getting dragged into the fray. It would be better to check out other ces. As expected, this ce had also fallen. Fu Qian narrowed his eyes at the street before him. An empty street was understandable, but what about the fresh bloodstains on the wall? Just as he was contemting following the bloodstains, several figures chased each other in haste from the distance. What are you doing here? The one running in the lead was Veil with rapiers in both hands. Her whitebat suit was already spattered with blood. Seeing Fu Qian, she hesitated. Shouldnt you be in the contest? The atmosphere was too intense, so I stepped out for a break, Fu Qian casually responded, gesturing towards her chasers. Whats going on here? I have no idea, Veil said between breaths, shaking her head. I was hoping to take advantage of the final contest when the guards were sparse to sneak in and look for my sister. It was going well until a while ago when I was spotted for some reason, and then these guards began chasing after me as if possessed. Are you sure theyre not actually possessed? By this time, Veils pursuers had closed in. Fu Qian let loose a series of Air Bullets, knocking down several people, then crouched to examine them closely. Not only were the eyes of the one in the lead blood-red, but his entire body was also covered in ck feathers! And even after falling, his ferocity remained unchanged, even attempting to bite. Was this some kind of beast transformation? The influence of a Transcendent limb? Fu Qian then carefully checked the other people. He found that, without exception, all had undergone mutations, especially apparent near the attached limbs. What in the world is going on? At that moment, Veil finally realized something was amiss, her voice trembling as she spoke. When did they discover you? Just a few minutes ago, almost around the time when those shes of lightning urred over there, Veil pointed in the direction of Central Ind. Did something go wrong with the contest? And whats with that monster? A few minutes earlier, that would have coincided with the time he showed up in the preparation room. Could the anomalies on the ind indeed be rted to his killing of Bai Jinting? Where were you nning to go originally? Fu Qian thought for a moment before asking. To the Rebirth Club, Chapter 96 - 95: King of the White Tower (17)_1 Chapter 96: Chapter 95: King of the White Tower (17)_1 Rebirth Club? So you know quite a lot about your sister, guessing she would get mixed up with that crowd. Fu Qian nced at Veil and gave her a thumbs up. Of course, Fu Qian didnt tell her that the sister she was longing for had already be a part of that monster. I know the ce well, follow me. Fu Qian gestured with his hand for her to keep up. Following the route in his memory, he led Veil quickly to the bar of the Rebirth Club. Under the moonlight, the bouncer with three arms at the door had turned into an animal walking on five legs. The moment he saw Fu Qian and hispanion, the creature growled and pounced with all its limbs. Its a pity that before it even touched the ground, it met an Air Bullet head-on and was sent flying backward. The ce where it had just been crouching was upied by two bodies, gnawed beyond recognition. The sight turned Veils face deathly pale. This is it. Fu Qian didnt hesitate and pushed the door open to enter. Whoosh! Almost instantly, a streak of cold light flew towards him. Fu Qian reached out with his right hand and once again caught a spear between two fingers. The next instant, a heart-wrenching roar echoed from inside the building, and a dark shadow charged at him. Fu Qian easily dodged to the side and got a clear look at the attacker. Although he had seen his fair share of sights, the creature before him still astounded him. A monster with a huge, top-heavy body had over twenty limbs like those of a sea urchin stretching in all directions, with several heads interspersed among them. The entity was supported at the bottom by a slender quadruped horses body. Judging by the number of limbs, it seemed that several of the people he had seen before were now part of it. Fu Qian sighed, quickly spotting a gray-white eyeball on one of the hands. That eyeball was already focused on him. Whoosh! Whoosh! The feeling of fadingsted less than half a second. Fu Qian didnt give it a chance to continue casting illusions,unching Air Bullet after Air Bullet at the sea urchin body, causing limbs to fly chaotically. Eventually, the sea urchin couldnt hold on any longer and crashed to the ground. Relief-like moans arose, as if five or six people were groaning at the same time. What in the world Veil, who had witnessed all this, only got halfway through her sentence before she covered her mouth and ran off to the side to vomit. This is the Rebirth Club you were looking for. After she had vomited enough, Fu Qian said. But it doesnt look like they can answer your questions anymore. Whew! Veil, returning from vomiting, was not as fragile as imagined. She forcibly suppressed her nausea and walked forward, identifying deformed heads one by one. After confirming Jennys brown hair through the bloodied mess, it was evident that she let out a sigh of relief. At the same time, she couldnt help it anymore and covered her mouth as she rushed back out. This one seemed to be handling it quite normally. Is it true that those who have gone through Limb Attachment are more heavily affected? Being a Transcendent with original limbs, Veil must be among those least affected. Ive already given your sister the pendant. I suggest you find a ce to hide for now, Fu Qian said to Veil on the side. Without waiting for her reaction, he pushed the door open and flew rapidly towards Central Ind. The thunder was dying down; it was time to finish it off. When Fu Qian arrived, Old Master Yibu was drawing back the Thunderbolt Bow, with electricity converging on the bowstring. The next instant, the only tentacle of the monster still moving was cleanly severed into two pieces, toppling to the ground lifeless. And Yibu, after releasing this shot, grew dim with electricity, revealing a weary state. In front of him, the entireboratory had been reduced to ruins. Ah, still a step toote! Fu Qian let out a long sigh and stepped forward. You are not The moment he saw Fu Qian, Yibu was obviously taken aback. He instinctively looked at the monsters corpse, then turned back to look at Fu Qian, his face filled with doubt about his life. Indeed, he had always thought that monster was me. From a certain perspective, Old Master Yibu was quite straightforward. I guessed there would be trouble here at theb, so as soon as I dealt with the hidden dangers on me, I rushed over, but it seems Im still a stepte. Fu Qian sighed as he raised his arm, revealing his arm that had fully recovered. Did you just go to deal with the contamination on you? Yibu stared coldly at Fu Qian, his face showing suspicion. Impressive! Even though the other party was in poor condition after the battle, being scrutinized by that sharp gaze made Fu Qian feel as if he had nowhere to hide. As expected of the Demigod of legend. Correct, Fu Qian nodded. Yesterday, Lu Ming led me here, purposely making me touch a strange tentacle. I felt something was wrong at that moment, and almost couldnt suppress it during thepetition. But Ive just found a ce to deal with it, and now Im fine. Whats happened here? And whats with the moon in the sky? This Im not sure either. After staring at Fu Qian for a long time, Yibu finally turned his head, shifting his gaze back to the giant monsters corpse. I originally thought Anyway, I sensed this thing and rushed over quickly, and then the blood moon appeared in the sky. I thought the anomaly in the sky was caused by this monster, but now Im very certain that its dead, and the blood moon is still not dispelled. Yibu shook his head. Very strange, I cant figure it out. As I thought, even the Demigod did not realize he had been reset. Before killing Bai Jinting, he had clearly found out about himself and turned back. But now his memory was stuck at the time when he was dealing with this monster. A method even a Demigod cant immunize against? Indeed peculiar! Ill go take a look at the White Tower side. Fu Qian said, and without waiting for a reply, he rushed toward the direction of the White Tower. Yibu was greatly weakened and had lost the ability to stop him. This also spared me from having to deal the final blow. Of course, had he tried to stop me, I would have had no choice but to im his head. Now that its confirmed the monster is unrted to the blood moon, its still the one who tied the bell who can untie it, so it might be worthwhile to have a chat with Bai Jinting. Once inside the White Tower again, it had turned into a hellish carnival. In the stands, all kinds of demons and monsters were hopping up and down, all undergoing beastial transformation. Sea urchin-like fusions were wreaking havoc all around, devouring targets or being devoured byrger fusions. Kicking away a monster lunging at him, Fu Qian didnt hesitate, repeated his previous tactics, and leapt toward the direction of the stands. This time he faced more obstacles. The mutated audience members became extremely aggressive, and almost every step he took, various monsters would lunge at him, while Fu Qian dodged and ascended using various movements. It was like ying some kind of ancient level-busting game. Eventually, after breaking through multiple obstructions, Fu Qian once again leapt onto Bai Jintings stand. On the stand, only Bai Jinting was there, delightfully watching the hellish scene. His expression sunk again when he saw Fu Qian. Why? Guess! This time Fu Qian did not rush to take action but instead dragged a chair over and sat down. Ah, I know! Bai Jinting first appeared contemtive, then suddenly eximed, his face showing an epiphany. Youvee to kill me again! Chapter 97 - 96: King of the White Tower (18)_1 Chapter 97: Chapter 96: King of the White Tower (18)_1 No rush, we have all the time in the world. Bai Jinting, whose words startled, neither called for backup nor attempted to escape, but instead stood up and walked to the edge of the stands. This ce has the best view in the entire White Tower. With his back to Fu Qian, he seemedpletely unconcerned about his own life, raising his hand to point down below. Want to take a look? Even in the Inds, such a spectacle is rare. Indeed, I have already experienced this enthusiasm just a moment ago. In the face of his abnormal behavior, Fu Qian also wasnt in a hurry to act, truly standing up and walking to the edge of the stands, his demeanor like that of old friends chatting leisurely. It had to be said that this angle indeed offered an excellent view, with the entire situation inside the White Tower visible at a nce. In just this short time, the scene below had grown even more chaotic and bloody. Paired with the strange structure of the building itself, it was almost a hellishposition. How does it feel? asked Bai Jinting. Full of life. Fu Qians response clearly took Bai Jinting aback, then he couldnt help but burst into loudughter. Well said! This scene can indeed be called the ultimate disy of the vitality of life. In a way, this is also the original intent behind establishing the Inds. Wasnt your original intent in establishing the Inds to y the game of human modification? Seeing how eager he was to express himself, Fu Qian decisively decided to find out more information. Thats just the goal of some people, its only a means to me. When you speak of some people, do you mean the Rebirth Club? Exactly. Ive heard youve had quite a few encounters with themtely. Did they tell you about their n to attach a special limb to me, thus granting me eternal life? No, but eternal life is indeed a tremendous temptation for an ordinary person. Exactly, I was already not young at that time, and the fear of death was unavoidable. In fact, I quickly agreed to them, and then came the n for these Inds. At that time, their technology was not mature enough, so I spent a great deal of manpower and material resources to build theboratory outside for them. And to attract more people here, I turned this ce into a paradise of decadence, and of no prohibitions through various means. Every person who enters the Inds is easily awakened to the restlessness deep in their hearts, thus providing a continuous supply of test subjects. So thats how it is. The origin of these Inds is not surprising to me; in fact, I have also perused your White Tower Codex. Fu Qian thought to himself. You mentioned once just now, it seems you ultimately did not ept the transformation, did you? Remembering Lu Mings grudge against Bai Jinting, their rtionship obviously became tenseter on. Yes, I did not ept in the end. Do you know why? Bai Jinting asked, looking forward with a questioning tone. Why, when everything seemed mature, did you stop at thest moment? Based on my life experience, Fu Qian said, adopting the stance of someone who has been through it all. Human ability to resist temptation is very poor, most of the time, the only thing that can make a person reject a temptation is a greater temptation. Is it that, in this process, you had already obtained what you wanted? Youre indeed a smart man. Bai Jinting looked at Fu Qian with an appreciative face. Much better than those old gents from the Rebirth Club. Up until now, they still dont understand why I refused to cooperate, even resorting to a lot of little tricks to test me. Bai Jinting sniffed disdainfully. It was all about mutual exploitation to begin with. They had already lost their greatest value to me. And then you found Demigod Yibu? Correct, I couldnt directly drive them away, so I paid a heavy price to invite Yibu here and gave him a substantial share of power. He did not disappoint me, helping me solve many troubles. As for the ridiculous title of demigod Bai Jinting let out a burst of coldughter. Mortals possess such impoverished imagination that a person capable of summoning the wind and rain dares to im the title of divine? The reason I rejected Lu Ming and their suggestions is because He spread his arms wide, embracing the sky. One day, I touched upon an incredible, great existenceIt allowed me to see the true nature of the world, as well as the crudeness of the so-called transcendent powers. This brimming chatans demeanor. Watching Bai Jinting grow increasingly immersed in his act, Fu Qian courteously did not interrupt him. The true divine beings arepletely devoid of all those mundane emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and delight. They wouldnt even care about your purposeit is merely your actions that draw their attention, and a response is given offhandedly. And on that day, standing atop the White Tower, I was observed by It and received Its protection. Now do you understand why I said again? Bai Jinting looked at Fu Qian. Because I clearly recall that, not long ago, you charged at me just like now and crushed me to smithereens. However, its a shame that here, you will never be able to kill me. Its best to be modest in life. Thest one who said these words to me ended up as a headless corpse. Fu Qianmented while analyzing. You used the phrase in here. It seems that although identical, this ce might not be the original archipgo. What could it be illusions, dreams? Why couldnt it have been the dream at first, and now the reality after waking up? Bai Jinting wore a mocking expression. Its not impossible, but I just ran a small test. Fu Qian extended a middle finger. This is a gadget that can pull people into dreams. A minute ago I tried it out, and before the dream could spread, it popped like a soap bubble. It was unusual, so if I had to guess, Id say we are currently in the dream. Ha-ha! Bai Jinting was momentarily stunned, then burst into heartyughter. You guessed it right; this is indeed a special dreamscape. Your action of killing me just now drew the entire archipgo into this ce. As I said earlier, I will not die here. Every attempt at killing me will bring you back to that moment; not only can you not kill me, you cannot even escape. You now have two choices: one is to try killing me, to confirm whether I am lying, or following the traditional experience, you can attempt to leave the dreamscape through suicide, but I cannot guarantee its effectiveness. I said it right at the beginning, you have all the time in the world, you can think for a while longer, no need to rush your decision. It wont take that long. Looking at the smug King of the White Tower, Fu Qian shook his head. I had already made up my mind the moment you said again. Fu Qians fingers moved rapidly, and Air Bullets whistled out. So you chose the most brainless approach, huh? Bai Jinting let out a contemptuous sneer, only to be shattered into pieces once again. Chapter 98 - 97: King of the White Tower (19)_1 Chapter 98: Chapter 97: King of the White Tower (19)_1 With Bai Jintings death once again, a sensation simr to waking up from a dream arose. The highly anticipated finals are about to begin, fighters please enter the arena! However, as Fu Qians consciousness was restored, the first thing he heard was still the hosts excited voice. Indeed, back again. It had felt like waking from a dream just moments ago; was this moving from one dream to another? Endless Nightmare Mode, huh? Bai Jintings mocking voice seemed to still linger in his ears. But Fu Qian was indifferent, heading straight out the door. Leaping, climbing, dodging, until he was once again atop the stand where Bai Jinting was. Proves I wasnt lying, doesnt it? Bai Jinting winked at Fu Qian, his tone dripping with heavy sarcasm. However, his eye only half-closed when the Air Bullet sted him into the sky. Two. Fu Qian counted, experiencing the sensation of a dream being pulled away again, as the familiar voice echoed in his ears. The highly anticipated finals are about to begin, fighters please enter the arena! Opening doors, leaping, climbing, evading, afterpleting this sequence for the third time, Fu Qian once again faced Bai Jinting. This time, thetter shook his head and sighed, his expression full of pity for the mentally challenged. What youre doing is meaningless Three. Fu Qian didnt respond; he just counted again, and Bai Jinting was shattered to pieces once more. Have youpletely lost your mind to ughter? Four. Futile struggle. Five. Yourepletely in vain, changing nothing. Six. Have youpletely given up on yourself? Seven. Fu Qian tirelessly exited the preparation room again and again, repeating the same sequence of actions, killing Bai Jinting in various ways. And atst, thetters demeanor began to change. From the initial mockery to speechless choking up. When the kill count reached forty, Bai Jinting finally broke down. As Fu Qian advanced for another kill, Bai Jinting tried to escape elsewhere. But against Fu Qian, who couldplete the kill with his eyes closed after loading dozens of times, there was simply no escape. What exactly are you trying to do Before being reduced to dust again, Bai Jinting looked at Fu Qian with a desperate gaze. I told you just now, the moment you said again, I had already made up my mind. If everything is an identical repetition, then this nightmare is truly unsolvable. Fu Qian smiled at him. But its different with you as the audience. As long as you remember each death, what Im doing isnt a meaningless repetition. From what I know, many peopleck patience to the extent that they love to abuse words like countless and forever. In fact, youll find its often used to describe a quantity that doesnt even reach triple digits. So I have to wonder, whether the protection you have can really withstand countless deaths and reset everything time and again. To verify this, Im prepared to try something, to set a small goal. Fu Qian winked. To kill you 999 times. Your attitude earlier, instead of generously offering me advice, seemed more like you were desperately painting a picture of despair to steer me towards suicide. Im not sure what would happen if Imitted suicide, but I have a hunch its not anything good. If I actually did that, the consequences would be heh heh! So, die. Youre simply unreasonable! You dont understand, please call me Son of Bai Jinting! Fu Qian had always been a selectively patient person. As long as something interested him, he didnt mind spending extra time on it, repeating the most boring attempts with astounding patience. Actually, if Bai Jinting had been cautious enough, he should have pretended nothing had changed the second time he saw himself. That would have made him waste more time looking for other variables. Unfortunately, in an attempt to boast his fashionability, he even blurted out that his death dream could reset, which now made him the only known variable in this dream cage. As long as it was a variable, even if it was just a change in statistical numbers, it was worth another run; thats the quality of a top-tier yer. Of course, it wasnt his fault, the degree of obsession (or rather, perversion) of some people might have exceeded his understanding. You lunatic! Facing Fu Qian who was closing in, Bai Jinting let out another cry of despair. You mean the Lunatic of the Dark Moon? Sorry, I still fall a bit shortpared to them. Forty-one. Fifty-nine. Sixty-nine. Ny-nine. When Bai Jinting shattered to pieces for the one hundred thirty-eighth time, his wail echoed in the White Tower for a long time. By now, Fu Qian could do all this with his eyes closed. And this time, the dream did not rewind. Fu Qian opened his eyes to find the broken body of Bai Jinting before him, the Divine Favored One now utterly devoid of life. Indeed, there was a limit. 138, his definition of forever was truly shallow. Although the rewind hadnt urred, the dream hadnt ended either. Fu Qian looked at the still chaotic crowd below. Almost at the same moment, Fu Qian felt the gaze of a special being upon him. The next instant, something heavy seemed to set upon him, linking his existence with the entire dream in a special way. What is this? Fu Qian clenched his fist, feeling the ripples his actions caused around him. After Bai Jintings death, had the gaze of that great being mentioned by him shifted to himself? Had he be the new King of the White Tower? Was he expected to kill himself next? No. It took only a second for Fu Qian to dismiss the idea. His vitality was far greater than that of Bai Jinting. If he killed himself now, the most likely oue would be triggering another rewind, and then he would have to repeat the process over and over until he copsedpletely. The number could very well be astronomical. Not to mention there was the possibility of dying for real and failing the mission. And there was an issue, judging by what had just happened, even if he died, it was hard to assure that the gaze of the being wouldnt just move on to someone else, creating a new King of the White Tower. Whatever the case, that was ast resort. Fu Qian shook his head, anyway, the notification of containment failure hadnt arrived, which meant there was still a way. One thing Bai Jinting said was quite true, the gaze of the great existence might not be a response to any devout prayers but merely attracted by something special. So the question was, why had Bai Jinting attracted the attention of the mysterious being behind it all? If it was because of the bizarre Limb Attachment technique, then Lu Ming and his peers should be morepetitive. What was special about Bai Jinting? Fu Qian thought for a moment, then looked towards the cage-like elevator at the side. At the beginning, the King of the White Tower had descended in that very elevator. Fu Qian stepped forward and stood on it, the elevator began to slowly ascend, climbing towards the top of the White Tower. Overlooking the crowd below, which resembled ants, he began to understand why Bai Jinting liked riding this thing. Chapter 99 - 98: King of the White Tower (End)_1 Chapter 99: Chapter 98: King of the White Tower (End)_1 No wonder its addictive to look down from above. Fu Qian relished the feeling of being above everyone else as the elevator slowly ascended, eventually reaching the top floor. The entire top floor of the White Tower was the private space of Bai Jinting, housing his extremely luxurious office. However, when Fu Qian stepped out of the elevator, there was constant noise inside, as if a group of goris were wrestling. Fu Qian kicked open the already deformed door with one foot, and a gust of wind arose, instantly a ck shadow rushed out. Fu Qian didnt dodge, but with a quicker response, he kicked the ck shadow back. A shrill scream rang out, and a white long snakey motionless on the ground. The head of the snake was that of a standard long-haired womans face. The tail of the snake connected to a huge ball of snakes, from which another dozen heads extended, rampaging around the office. The image of this beauty snake was a bit challenging to the imagination. Looking at the clothes scattered all over the ground, these were probably Bai Jintings secretaries. The rampaging ball of snakes was clearly attracted by the scream; they all stopped their movement and more than ten faces turned towards that direction. The next moment, more than a dozen snake heads bit towards him together. Fu Qian did not hold back at all, blowing them away with one Air Bullet, then started to observe the surrounding environment. Bai Jintings office was spacious and luxurious, but the ball of snakes had clearly been rampaging for a while and now it looked as if it had been swept by a level twelve tornado, with overturned tables and chairs, and utter disarray. At this moment, the most eye-catching thing was a ck Stone Screen ced in the middle. In the midst of the mess, this screen stood there intact, quiteplete. On the surface of the screen, dense text was written from top to bottom, glowing brightly at the moment, and seemed to have a mysterious connection with the surroundings. This is Fu Qian had a good memory, and recognized at a nce the contents on it, which were none other than the widely disseminated White Tower Codex. It was said that the Codex was a work Bai Jinting took great pride in, with every rule written personally by him, and everyone entering the Ring Inds had to strictly follow it, including himself. Putting this thing in his office, although somewhat like performance art, was understandable. However, while everything else was in disarray, this item stood so orderly, it was a bit too out of the ordinary. Fu Qian thought about it and tried firing an Air Bullet. Silently, the Air Bullet dissipated the moment it touched the screen, which showed no change whatsoever. No wonder it remained intact despite the rampage of the snakes; its existence was not normal. Freedom unconstrained, where beastliness meets divinity, yet the corners outside of the rules often rely on even stricter rules to exist. Fu Qian remembered the introduction he got when he first entered this ce, which seemed to emphasize rules. Speaking of which, if Bai Jinting had something that set him apart, it was that he was the creator of the Ring Inds. He built this ce and personally drafted the White Tower Codex as a code of conduct. It was these extremely broad rules that eventually made the Ring Inds what they are. Could this be the reason why Bai Jinting was under scrutiny? Just as when walking on the road, people dont pay attention to ants. But if the ants form a queue and make an Olympic five rings, then inevitably some would take interest, perhaps to take a photo or throw them a piece of candy. The wanton indulgence and the codex that everyone must obey formed such a unique symbol. So it didnt matter who the King of the White Tower was; as long as it stood, there would always be a King of the White Tower. Could it be that by destroying this thing, it might be possible to divert the attention of the entity behind it, allowing the dream to revert to reality? Although the idea was quite a leap, without any other leads, it was worth a try. Bold assumptions, careful verification, right? However, it had already been proven that this object couldnt be destroyeddirect obliteration was not an option. Was it possible to add new content and create some logical contradictions? Fu Qian quickly thought of an idea. He picked up a pen from the ground and tried writing on the screen, discovering that marks could be left. Thus, imitating the existing format, he tried adding a rule at the endits possible to dirty the beach. However, the instant he finished writing, it was as if an eraser from the Void wiped the line away, leaving it spotlessly clean. So, content that contradicted the existing rules was rejected, and couldnt be written down at all? This meant that the method of creating conflicts was also not feasible. Fu Qian thought for a moment and changed to a rule that was non-conflicting but irrelevant. This time the rule stayed on the surface, but the dream remained as stable as before. It seemed that such minor additions couldnt shake its essence at all. What could be done to change the essence of this thing? Fu Qians mind raced wildly, then suddenly, inspiration struck. Swiftly, he penned a new line at the bottomall interpretation rights of the above terms are reserved by White Tower Company. Almost instantaneously, Fu Qian felt something swiftly being stripped away from him. Soon after, the space began to violently shake, and secondster, everything before his eyes shattered with a loud crash. The scene shifted, and Fu Qian found himself back in the stands of Bai Jintings location, surrounded by severed limbs and remains that had lost all signs of life. [Task Completed, Number 2-088 containment sessful] The notification finally sounded in his ear. It really worked? As Fu Qian was marveling, a surge of thunderous lightning enveloped him. Demigod Yibu had finally arrived and, upon discovering Bai Jintings death, struck out in anger. Yet, the terrifying lightning ultimately did not fall upon Fu Qians head. The next moment, Fu Qian disappeared from inside the White Tower, and reappeared back in the warehouse. [Containment Sessful] [Task Evaluation: Unyielding] [In the annualpetitive festival, an assassin disguised as a participant murdered Bai Jinting, the CEO of White Tower Company, and Demigod Yibu temporarily took over the management of the Ring Inds. Under the deterrence of the Demigod, order on the Ring Inds was swiftly restored. However, he was much stricter than the former CEO, and no longer tolerated certain behaviors, which robbed the inds of some of their vitality, gradually bing mediocre. Indulgence under ironws formed a symbol of special significance, gaining the potential to attract certain special existences. Bai Jinting, the creator of all this, often received Inspiration in his dreams, which he used to continuously refine them. However, your act of desecration caused its fall from grace to the Abyss. The indestructible King of the White Tower has disappeared, leaving behind only a hollow title, without any special powers.] [Kills: Bai Jinting, Mutant x9, Referee, Mou Yong, Taboo Crocodile Demon] [Special Achievement: One-Life Clearance (containmentpleted in one attempt)] [Rewards: SAN Points +37; Inspiration +5; Mythical Form] [Special Achievement Reward: Transcendence] [Current SAN Points 95, current Inspiration 31] [Would you like to y the event recap?] Chapter 100 - 99 Mythical Form_1 Chapter 100: Chapter 99 Mythical Form_1 Done! After the task summary was finished, Fu Qian felt quite satisfied. Overall, aside from the monsters designs that could easily contaminate ones mind, the difficulty of this mission wasnt considered high. Even though the final dream sequence repeated over a hundred times, he didnt find it tiring at all. Compared to the past, this was the first time he felt the sensation of grinding monsters. The key was that the monsters were helping with reloading, without consuming any SAN Points. As a result, he achieved a feat ofpleting the mission on one life. As for reys, there was no need. He had no desire to watch some of the scenes from the recent task ever again. Being resistant doesnt mean having a unique taste. Besides that, the rewards were plentiful. Afterpleting the task, his SAN Points had reached 95, with triple digits just around the corner. Fu Qian first scrolled to the achievements reward. [Transcendence: Skill, upon casting, returns you to your original starting point, limited to one use per containment.] [Note: A technique sought after by perfectionists, but rumored to increase the chances of failure.] Return to the original starting point? That means restarting, right? You have to admit it fits well with the achievement of passing the game on one life. But this skill hard to say whether its good or bad! Fu Qian frowned in thought. Theoretically, this was definitely a strategic skill. On the one hand, each containment gave him another chance, almost doubling his SAN Points. At the same time, it made him more flexible, basically allowing for a restart without waiting for a containment failure. But there lies the problem. Based on past mission experiences, many things dont be apparent until a life-and-death situation arises. Having the option to restart might lead to missing clues due to misjudgment. Thats probably what the note was hinting at. Strategic skills shouldnt be over-relied on. Fu Qian quickly made his judgment and continued scrolling up to find another reward. [Mythical Form: Your next attack esctes into a Mythical Form, consuming 1 SAN Point per use.] [Note: Peering into mythology means paying a price in sanity.] This? Fu Qian was dumbfounded. 1 SAN Point for him was likeno, two lives! Might as well rename it Bound Together in Life and Death! Instantly, he felt like he didnt have enough SAN Points. And theres another issue, it only says the skill is upgraded to Mythical Form, with no rification on the actual effect. Considering the cost of testing it once, he could only look into itter. But its a high-stakes skill; the effect surely cant be too shabby, right? This skill is even more strategic than Transcendence. No matter how you look at it, besides the basic reward, gaining two skills meant a grand harvest from this mission. Worth enduring all those grotesque scenes. Before leaving the storage, Fu Qian specifically found the ce where object 2-088 was kept. Trying to open the box, he found a grotesque looking ck and red crown inside, with dried blood on its sharp spikes. Green beans, tomatoes, beef, king prawns Humming a tune, Fu Qian moved leisurely through the supermarket, continuously chucking food into his cart. Although his current physique meant he could survive without food, he never considered giving up this pleasure. Previously on the verge of eating dirt, he had only noodles and hot sauce forpany, seldom visiting the supermarket. Now, posing as someone with an annual sry of ten million, he had no issues affording the basic freedom of shopping. Of course, there was another important reason considering his work environment, Fu Qian thought it best to interact with human society now and then; otherwise, it would be all too easy to be abnormal without realizing it. Mr. Fu? The next moment, Fu Qian, who was wholly immersed in shopping, heard someone calling him from behind. It really is you! Turning around, there stood Pei Yanqing, with another girls arm entwined with hers. Both of them had their eyes wide open, one with excitement and the other with curiosity. Hello. Fu Qian nodded. I heard that it was you who took me home yesterday, thank you for the trouble! Pei Yanqing sincerely expressed her gratitude. It was nothing. Fu Qian casually returned the politeness. This one definitely didnt know that, in fact, she was the actual victim. However, if it werent for her reminder, he would have thought the incident took ce several days ago. Could it be that the workload was indeed too much? Fu Qian gauged Pei Yanqing for a moment C she seemed to have recoveredpletely. Are you feeling alright now? Im fine now, thank you for asking. Pei Yanqing smiled beautifully, her eyes not hiding her shock at Fu Qians filled shopping cart. Youve bought so much! Are you expecting guests? I have a rather good appetite. Fu Qian didnt feel inclined to exin further. Dont you have to work today? I only work there part-time. Pei Yanqing giggled. Its Friday today. We came out for some shopping to have hotpot tonight! Life at Lincheng University indeed seemed colorful! Fu Qian nodded without saying anything else. At this time, the girl beside Pei Yanqing pulled at her clothes, and Pei Yanqing suddenly remembered something. I forgot to introduce her. This is my dormmate. The other girl, named He Xian, also had a lovely appearance, her bright eyes sparkling with vitality. After a brief greeting, Pei Yanqing was quickly pulled away to continue shopping, and their conversation drifted over. You didnt exaggerate this time. Of course, I didnt. Someone as handsome as him stood you up? Seriously? Why would I lie to you? I saw with my own eyes how he finished an entire table of food by himself. I cant think of anyone who would be so heartless Wait, you didnt specificallye all this way to buy stuff hoping to run into him, did you? What do you think I am, a psychic? To predict that Id bump into him here. Watching the two walk away, Fu Qian posed in thought. This He Xian had thought of the same question as him. Lincheng University was neither close nor too far away from here, with several ces to buy groceries in between. There indeed was no need toe all this way specifically. Pei Yanqings response seemed very natural, with no trace of a guilty conscience, and that was precisely the concern. If she intended to find him to express gratitude, that would be normal. The fear was that she might not even be aware of the real issue, having subconsciously chosen this ce. Key is, she had also happened to run into him. It all seemed a bit too coincidental. Had his existence begun to exert some special influence over this world? Such matters held no interest for him. Nevertheless, since she was a victim of his own oversight, he might as well lend a hand. Shaking his head inwardly, Fu Qian grabbed a pack of c from the shelf and casually tossed it outward. Following a perfect parab, the c hit a young man passing by the two girls squarely, knocking him to the ground. Caughtpletely off guard, the young man rolled on the ground from the forceful impact. Pei Yanqing and He Xian were startled and instinctively moved to help, but the man swiftly got up and ran away. Chapter 101 - 100 Praise the Sun_1 Chapter 101: Chapter 100 Praise the Sun_1 Stealing phones nowadays, simply outrageous! The technique was so crude, obviously the work of an amateur. After throwing the c, Fu Qian had no interest in joining the fuss, he just kept shopping with his cart, keeping a low profile. In the past, even if he intended to stop it, he would probably choose other methods. But now, hed started to act first rather than waste words. A direct hit to the head could certainly knock someone down, but that would probably attract the police, and since the thief didnt seed, it wouldplicate things. After buying everything he needed, Fu Qian packed his haul into threerge bags, feeling satisfied as he left the supermarket. It was gettingte outside, and Fu Qian initially wanted to take a taxi home. Unfortunately, he noticed that as soon as he stepped out, a certain car started following him. Definitely not professionals, they didnt even understand the concept of cutting losses in time. Probably stole the phone just for kicks, much like what they were about to do now. Fu Qian gave up the idea of hailing a taxi and continued on his way. The car behind him maintained a leisurely pace, patiently following along. Looking for a ce without surveince cameras? Fu Qian totally understood the intentions of those in the car. After following him with astonishing patience for a full kilometer, they reached a stone bridge. This stone bridge had been there as long as Fu Qian could remember, once a main thoroughfare in Lincheng. But after the highway was rerouted, it saw little traffic and was practically abandoned, with only a few people taking it as a shortcut and grass even starting to grow on its surface. As expected, Fu Qian wasnt let down. As they reached the middle of the bridge, the pursuing car suddenly elerated, then screeched to a halt with a sharp turn and switched on its high beams, illuminating the area. Indeed one of the most annoying behaviors! As he looked around at the blinding whiteness, Fu Qian couldnt help but remark. At that moment, the car doors opened and five people, exuding momentum, got out and blocked the way. Fu Qian nced at them, they all looked quite young, almost like students. Furthermore, judging by their clothes and essories, they didnt look short on money, probably just enthusiasts. Easily, Fu Qian recognized one of them as the person who had attempted to steal the phone; his arm was still hanging somewhat limply, suggesting the can had hit him hard. Its him! Another one pointed at Fu Qian and said. The perpetrator surely didnt know who Fu Qian was, this must be the lookout. Fu Qian silently made his judgment. Lit up? One in a white coat, clearly the leader, looked Fu Qian up and down after hearing the question and asked a strange question. Not bad. Fu Qian nodded. Anyone else would probably be unable to open their eyes at this point. But such a stimulus was nothing to him now. Take a good look, you might not get the chance again. The man in the white coat smiled and gestured with his hand, and the others quickly surrounded him. Are you implying I wont live to see tomorrows sun? Fu Qian blinked and asked. Hard to say. The man in the white coat shook his head. It mostly depends on your constitution. Alright then. Fu Qian looked around to confirm there was no one else on the bridge. No need to look, theres no one around, this is a pretty good spot! The man in the white coat eximed with some satisfaction. Nonsense, could the ce I chose be unsuitable! Fu Qian thought to himself, and at that moment, he heard the wind from behind someone couldnt wait to take action. San value decreased by 1. Fu Qian didnt hesitate and immediately activated the new skill he had just acquired. Mythical Form was too costly to use, and he hadnt nned on testing it so soon. But having materials delivered to his door wasnt so bad either. Both Air Bullet and Visceral Critical Strike were too bloody in effect. After considering his few skills, Fu Qian eventually activated Decree Residue. After much thought, it seemed the gentlest, and with previous experience to draw on, it was easier topare the results. For an instant, it was as if the day had dawned. Fu Qian had never imagined the effect would be so exaggerated. The moment Decree Residue was activated, a brilliant torch descended upon the earth. The golden splendid light spread in all directions, unstoppable, prating everything. Fu Qian felt his body enter a special state, bright and translucent, as if ready to melt at any moment. Praise the sun! In view of the scene, Fu Qian couldnt help but raise his hands, forming a Y shape with his body, making a ssic pose. Two secondster, the glow faded. The five people before him stood there dumbly, with vacant expressions, seemingly their brains had gone nk. The effect was indeed impressive; was that the full manifestation of Decree Residue? He could distinctly feel he was enveloped by a divine and glorious aura, which even carried a hint of the higher-order transformational aura within it. Just like the tree atop the volcano crater. It appears that Mythical Form isnt just a simple amplification of power. Based on Pei Yanqings reaction before, these individuals likely wouldnt wake up for a while. Exactly how long it would take for them to recover depended on their constitution. Of course, it could also be forever. However, Fu Qian didnt feel any psychological burden about it. Everyone was out to fend for themselves; surely, they must have that much understanding. Picking the items back up from the ground, he made a detour and left the ce. Abnormal sh in the Eastern Suburbs of the city, suspected unidentified flying objectfive witnesses suffering mental stimuli, currently receiving treatment. The next day, Fu Qian saw such news in the push notifications. ording to the newspaper, those five had stayed on the bridge for most of the night, and when they were found, they were all muttering so bright! without exception. As for the cause of the incident, there were a myriad of theories: aliens, UFOs,ser weapons, Buddhas manifestation, and various other spections were endless. Nobody suspected it was man-made. After quickly reading through the news, Fu Qian ced his phone on the table and put on his work badge. [Identity verificationplete, work for the day begins] [Warning, containment breach] The warehouse did not disappoint him, disying what seemed like a sievelike storage capability. [Name: Messenger, Code: 3-0177] [Todays work content has been updated: Enter the containment scene of 3-0177,plete re-containment] Finally, a task starting with a 3! Fu Qian was greatly relieved for a moment. Based on his brief previous experience, items starting with a 3 should be rtively simple, and he shouldnt face particrly tricky situations; he could rx a bitright? [Entering containment scene of 3-0177: Shangjing] [4%6%10%18%34%66%100%, containment scene loadingplete] [As the biggest city on the West Coast, Shangjing is a gathering ce for numerous Transcendents, also one of the areas with the strictest oversight by the Night Watchman. But on this day, an item deeply hidden by the Night Watchman was incredibly stolen, triggering a series of reactions. Find the stolen Thorn Blood before the Night Watchman does.] Chapter 102 - 101 Hunters Thirst for Blood_1 Chapter 102: Chapter 101 Hunters Thirst for Blood_1 [Containment Achievement Condition: Find the stolen Thorn Blood] [Current Sanity: 93, Current Inspiration: 31] [Skills: Air Bullet, Visceral Critical Strike, Cat School, Feast (Locked), Decree Residue, Transcendence, Mythical Form] [Weapon: Tyrants Fist] With the addition of the two newly acquired skills, the total number of skills had now increased to seven, and Fu Qian naturally brought them all along without any reservations. So far, he had not encountered any situation that limited the number of skills he could carry, leading Fu Qian to specte that he had not yet reached the cap on the total number of skills. If one day he had too many skills, he might need to make some tough choices. As his spiritual consciousness slowly recovered, Fu Qian surveyed his surroundings. Is this a bookstore? It wasnt an offhand remarkbefore him was a modestly sized space with several brown bookshelves standing erect, lined with rows of books of various colors. Considering the direction of the sunlight, it must have just passed noon, with a few people strolling in the store in pairs and threes. At the moment, he was leaning against a sofa chair, a soft cushion supporting his neck, and before him was a small wooden counter. What a leisurely bookstore afternoonthis job setting wasnt too shabby! Fu Qian stretchedzily without letting his guard down. Just think about the time on the Ring Inds; it all started with sunny skies and soft sandwho would have thought it would get so bizarreter on? As an avid reader, Fu Qian had once entertained the idea of opening a bookstore himself, as it would provide a legitimate excuse to ck off and read books. But after some research, he found that being a bookstore owner wasnt as carefree as it seemed. Beyond sitting there collecting money, there were also tasks like shelving, inventory, bookkeeping, restocking, and a myriad of other chores. Even to keep the finances afloat, one would still need to set up areas for popr exam guides, which is why he ultimately abandoned the idea. Today, however, he could take the opportunity to experience the life of a bookstore owner for himself. How much is this? Just then, a customer approached with a book and asked Fu Qian. One dor. Fu Qian didnt even raise his head. Arent you going to check what book it is? No need. You have to be a little dashing in life. After all, the money earned here couldnt be taken back with him. Watching the customer hurry off after leaving the money, Fu Qian looked at the few people still milling about in the store. Is this a mistake? This is a High Martial World, and theyre using their precious time to read books? Go home and practice on the punching bag! Sorry everyone, the store is closed, Fu Qian dered, after giving it some thought and rapping on the counter. But its only half-past one The customersints were ineffectual; Fu Qian simply transformed into a willful owner and shooed everyone out. The bookstore regained its peace, and Fu Qian leaned back in his chair, savoring the expensive quiet time. However, the tranquil moment didntst long. About ten minutester, a breeze blew in. The door of the bookstore first opened silently, then closed again. As he looked up, there was already an additional person on the sofa in the store. From the side, one could see a middle-aged man about forty years old, with sharp facial features and piercing eyes. Of course, most importantly, this man was a Transcendent. The series of actions hed just demonstrated were not something an ordinary person could perform. The middle-aged man was at this moment leisurely flipping through a booklet, his back to him. Ding Yi, 30 years old, unemployed, your uncle passed away a month ago, and you came from out of town to inherit this bookstoreis this your information? he asked slowly, reciting a series of details. It could be, Fu Qian responded amiably. Hmph! The middle-aged man let out a cold snort, stood up, and walked over to the counter, mming the booklet down hard. When you forged this information, did you not put any heart into it, or do you think so little of the Night Watchmens professionalism? To make it easier for you to understand the current situation, let me introduce myself first, Qin Feng, captain of the First Squad of the Second Detachment of the Night Watchmen in Shangjing City. Qin Feng stared into Fu Qians eyes. I hope you answer the following questions truthfully. Believe me, its definitely for your own good. It was indeed the Night Watchman! Fu Qians mind stirred; from the recent task briefing, he knew the Night Watchmen had just lost something important. Logically, they would definitely take action. This one most likely came for that reason. First of all, yourst name isnt Ding; you arent 30 years old either. Seeing Fu Qian remain silent, Qin Feng let out a coldugh. Fang Xun, 25 years old, an Eighth Phase Transcendent, arrived in Shangjing 10 days ago. Am I right? You know all this! Fu Qianmented without much energy. Of course, we know! There are always some who hope to get lucky and think they can fool our sight. Let me tell you the truth, every Transcendent who enters Shangjing, even if you dont report voluntarily, will be recorded right away. We just normally cant be bothered to deal with you. Very high-end indeed! Fu Qian blinked, detecting anotheryer of meaning in these words. So, there is a situation right now? Can you tell me what happened? Enough with the nonsense; Im the one asking the questions here! Qin Feng pped the counter, making it squeak rmingly. Tell me, what is the real purpose of your visit to Shangjing? Havent you already seen? Fu Qian gestured around him. To open a shop, study, enjoy the life of a big city. Bullshit! You better not hold on to any hope for luck. If you dont cooperate, dont me me for not being polite! By the end of it, Qin Fengs voice was harsh with anger. Not being polite in what way? Drag me back for a harsh interrogation? That would actually be just perfect. ording to the tasks description, that Thorn Blood was stolen from the Night Watchmen Base. This would be a good opportunity to find out more about the situation. I need you to properly exin why you would do something abnormal like forging documents. What is your motive? Good question, Id like to know that myself. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of any prior information. The truth is, even Fu Qian didnt know as much about the current situation as this Night Watchman. Even the names Ding Yi and Fang Xun were informed to him. In the past, when carrying out containment missions, he always appeared under his real identity, and everyone around was familiar with his appearance. This time, however, it was a doubleyered pretense, truly puzzling. As Fu Qian furrowed his brow in thought, Qin Feng beside him lost his patience. Just as he was about to yell at this obstinate fellow again, his expression suddenly twisted in extreme pain. Simultaneously, Fu Qian sensed an unusual fluctuation and immediately retreated several steps. The next moment, Qin Fengs facial features twisted violently, his entire head swelled, and then exploded with a bang. Blood and brains scattered across the entire bookstore. So, the cooler ones entrance, the quicker one dies? Fu Qian looked around the mess, stunned for a long time. Had it not been for his quick reaction to escape the explosion, he would have been smothered in it. Speaking of being covered, Fu Qian suddenly remembered something. He quickly went to the restroom and found a mirror. Indeed, the face in the mirror wasnt his own! Chapter 103 - 102: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part 2)_1 Chapter 103: Chapter 102: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part 2)_1 He had felt something was wrong just now. The face in the mirror now looked a bit gaunt, appearing slightly older than his actual age. Fu Qian touched his own face and felt as if ayer of something covered it; it wasnt real skin. It must be some special kind of mask, but it fit so well that he couldnt find the seam anywhere he didnt even know how hed put it on. So, this time, was he acting under the identity of Fu Qian, wearing the mask of Fang Xun, and had forged Ding Yis file? Wasnt this a bit too much? However, given the current situation, there was no need to take it off now. ording to what Qin Feng had just said, the Night Watchmen should have records identifying him as the Transcendent Fang Xun, who had assumed the identity of Ding Yi to run this bookshop. While it was a minor infraction, Fang Xun was a reliable alias. Another point was that Qin Feng, who had died, never once doubted the realm of his power throughout the encounter. He hadnt noticed earlier, but now that he was paying attention, the aura he exhibited was indeed different from before, suppressed to around the Eighth Phase. Why was it so, could be rted to the mask on his face it was an excellent disguise. Now, from this moment onward, he was the bookshop owner, Fang Xun. Of course, these werent the most pressing matters at hand. There was still the decapitated corpse of a Night Watchman in his shop. Attacking a Night Watchman in Shangjing? Was that not overly audacious? The st just now would have left him a goner if he had only the power of a beginning Transcendent. Whoever had nned this must have meant to take him out as well. While thinking, Fu Qian tidied himself up a bit and washed his face. If the Night Watchmens influence in Shangjing was as strong as described, they should be arriving soon. He didnt n on running away, as that would practically be admitting guilt. Being targeted by the Night Watchmen would unnecessarilyplicate thepletion of his mission. Although he was suspected of forging documents, ording to Qin Feng, he wasnt the only one to have done so before; it wasnt considered a serious crime. The reason they hade to him today was likely because of the theft; the Night Watchmen were probably just making a routine check. A few minutester, Fu Qian sensed a sharp killing intent tearing through the sky, heading straight for his location. ng! With a loud crash, the bookshops door was smashed into pieces. The next moment, two figures, one after the other, charged in. As expected of the Night Watchmen Base, these two were at least at the Seventh Phase. Observing the neers, Fu Qian silently made his assessment. The visitors were a man and a woman, both seemingly in their thirties. Although their aura was slightly weaker than Qin Fengs, they were definitely at the Seventh Phase level. At that moment, the two who entered the room saw the chaotic scene and, especially upon noticing Qin Fengs headless corpse, their faces turned extremely grim. What happened here? The man demanded sharply as he looked at Fu Qian sitting to the side. Thats exactly what Id like to know, Fu Qian said with a puzzled face, pointing at Qin Fengs corpse. About ten minutes ago, this gentleman burst into my shop iming to be a Night Watchman and said he wanted to confirm some details with me. However, while we were having a pleasant conversation, he suddenly looked in pain, and then his head just exploded, ruining my shop, and almost injuring me too. Now youve broken my door as well, could you exin what exactly is going on? Are you trying to tell me that you two were talking normally, and then his head just exploded out of nowhere? The man looked coldly at Fu Qian, clearly not believing a word he said. Thats right, Fu Qian nodded. Then why are you unharmed? Im rtively agile and can run a bit faster. The man was staring at Fu Qian with a death grip on his fists, as if he might lose control and strike at any moment. Fang Xun, is it? At that moment, the woman pressed his shoulder, signaling him not to act rashly. She pulled out a booklet and flipped through it; it looked quite simr to the one Qin Feng had, except thetter had been blown to pieces. Thats right. Fu Qian nodded. You need toe with us. The woman closed the booklet and exchanged a nce with the man, saying coldly. Under the lethal gazes of the man and woman, Fu Qian was invited all the way to the Night Watchmen Base in Shangjing. It was evident that both of them were in bad tempers, but they didnt ask any other questions along the way, talking very little even to each other. No wonder it is one of the cities where the Night Watchmans power is strongest. Observing the building in front of him, Fu Qian nodded to himself. Within the tall walls was a vast expanse of grey buildings, and at the center of theplex stood an ancient-looking spire. Though it seemed old, the sharp design of the spire was still like a dagger thrusting into the sky. It truly deserved to be called a base. However, the atmosphere at the base was noticeably heavy. People were rushing around everywhere, and many had ashen faces. It seemed someone breaking into the Night Watchmen Base to steal something had made them quite angry. Escorted by two Night Watchmen into the base, Fu Qian received curious nces along the way. The two directly took Fu Qian to a room that looked like an interrogation chamber. After gesturing for Fu Qian to enter, the woman operated something on the wall, and the metal door slowly closed, fitting seamlessly into the wall. The inside became an enclosed space. The walls and the floor were all made of metal of the same color and had no windows at all. On the wall opposite the electronic door was a huge, long mirror, which was likely one-way ss. Besides that, in therge room, there was only a metal table and chair bolted to the floor. The two Night Watchmen didnt even take measures to bind Fu Qian. Presumably, they believed it to bepletely unnecessary. Who would be foolish enough to strike within the Night Watchmen Base, even without restraints? In fact, Fu Qian really hadnt nned to make a move. The mission was to find something, and there was no rush for time. Lacking information and not even knowing what Thorn Blood looked like, it was better to follow a path of cooperation and mutual benefit for the time being. In the enclosed space, time passed particrly slowly. After a while, the electronic door opened with a beep, and a person walked in from outside. She was a woman whose age was difficult to discern. Her curvaceous body was hidden beneath a white cloak, her features delicate. At first nce, she looked tender and timid, but upon closer inspection, there was an indescribable dignity about her. Her clear eyes looked down from above at everything in front of her, as if no secret could hide from her gaze. Just being nced at, Fu Qian felt his blood and energy subtly respond, sensing a threat. Hiss! Fu Qian took a soft breath. Another Demigod! Chapter 104 - 103: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part 3)_1 Chapter 104: Chapter 103: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part 3)_1 Is the Night Watchman force in Shangjing overly abundant with talent? Is it actually a Demigod who hase directly to question me? The previous Captain Qin Feng seemed to be only at the Seventh Phase. Could it be that he has discovered some issue with me and is preparing to destroy me humanely? Then my actions would really be akin to walking into a trap. In fact, ording to the mission description, I am in apetitive rtionship with the Night Watchmen. It is quite normal to take some risks when probing for information in the territory of apetitor. Fu Qian suppressed his bodys reaction, not showing any abnormality. However, he remained vignt in his heart. The effectiveness of the masks disguise was still uncertain. If I couldnt deceive this person, revealing a tripleyered identity, it would be extremely difficult to rify. Perhaps I might soon have intimate contact with a Demigod. Unparalleled challenges awaited at the Night Watchmen Base. Mr. Fang. Fortunately, the charming and alluring Demigod was quite polite upon entering. She greeted Fu Qian with a smile and addressed him with due respect. However, her eyes observed Fu Qians reactions throughout, not missing any detail. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? Please do. Of course, Fu Qian didnt mind; he was there to gather intelligence. Thank you. First, let me introduce myself. The female Demigod spoke gently, her demeanor calm. I am Yuan Shan, the person in charge of the Night Watchmen in the Shangjing area. The person in charge? So shes the boss of the Night Watchmen in Shangjing! Then her Demigod realm is understandable. Turns out she is the second Demigod I havee in close contact with. Compared to Yibu from the inds, she did not possess the same sharp momentum. The fact that she came to question me directly meant that the missing Thorn Blood was not a trivial matter. Fu Qian thought to himself while his face remained expressionless. I have long heard of you. Out of politeness, Fu Qian gave an insincere conventional response. Yuan Shan smiled unconcernedly. One of my colleagues had an ident while carrying out an investigation task in your shop today Could you describe the situation in detail? I have already gone over the situation with those two. Fu Qian frowned, as if recalling the events. I personally also didnt really understand what happened. That Captain Qin Feng came to me first, mentioning some of my vitions. About the current identity, Fu Qian still knew very little and could only speak vaguely in many areas. Fortunately, Yuan Shan did not seem to care about these details. I sincerely exined the situation, but unfortunately, Captain Qin did not seem to trust me much. As we spoke, he became somewhat emotional. And then? And then his head just exploded. It exploded just like that? Can you be more specific? To be more specific. Fu Qian appeared to organize his thoughts. His tone became a bit fierce, and after yelling at me a couple of times, before I could even respond, his expression suddenly became very painful, and then his head swelled up three or four times bigger, and right after that, it exploded. Are you sure his head swelled to three or four times its size? Yuan Shan asked earnestly. Absolutely sure. Yuan Shan did not speak, falling into a brief contemtion. But you were unharmed? After a few seconds of thought, Yuan Shan asked another question. Indeed, you are colleagues, asking the same questions. But Fu Qian keenly noticed that when Yuan Shan asked this question, her voice seemed to conceal a certain special rhythm. Listening to it was like basking in the spring breeze, or as if someone was whispering in ones ear, involuntarily plunging a person into its depths,pelling them to spill their deepest secrets. The psychic assaultmenced without a ripple, had the thug not reinforced his mental resistance, he might have carelessly fallen into her trap. The key had not been used until now, but suddenly employing it was incredibly natural and caught one off guard. This woman was quite a formidable character! Well, mainly because I dont quite trust that Captain Qin I am rather cautious by nature, somewhat suspicious of his identity, so I have been keeping an eye on his movements. If anything seems off, I just Fu Qian intentionally guided the reason he came to Shangjing to imply he had enemies in other ces. His nested identities were already a point of uncertainty, so evading enemies provided a more usible exnation. To enhance credibility, he remained thoughtful while speaking, following the other partys intonations, with a somewhat distant look in his eyes. Yuan Shan looked to be in a heavier mood after hearing Fu Qians response. She was about to speak after a moment of silence when someone knocked on the door. Yuan Shan gestured lightly with her hand, and the door opened at hermand. A man with a poker face stood outside, nodding at her. It was no surprise that it was a stronghold of the Night Watchmen, teeming with masters. This one was at least a Fourth Phase. Fu Qian figured the middle-aged man outside must hold a not insignificant position at the Shangjing base. Yuan Shan nced back and noticed thetter had an unusual expression. Ill step out for a moment. About half a minuteter, Yuan Shan re-entered the room, her look at Fu Qian somewhatplex. I apologize for my peoplesck of manners earlier. The unexpected incidents today caught us off guard, she said. No problem, he replied. Just now, she was clearly skeptic of him, but now Fu Qian keenly sensed a change in Yuan Shans tone. What new information had the man with the poker face brought? Please take a look, did Qin Feng react like this before his death? Mr. Poker Face stepped forward and activated the device he was holding. Fu Qian nced at it, recognizing the footage from a surveince camera, seemingly of average quality and somewhat blurry. Still, it was possible to distinguish a figure sprinting at high speed, its head suddenly swelling to several times its size, then bursting into a violent explosion, leaving a headless corpse on the ground. Indeed, there had been another incident. Yes, just like that, Fu Qian affirmed, blinking. Yuan Shan and Mr. Poker Face exchanged a look. Thank you for your assistance, you may go now. Without another word, Yuan Shan beckoned, and a spirited young girl entered. You escort Mr. Fang out. Yes! The young girl crisply acknowledged, then gestured to Fu Qian to follow her. Mr. Fang, pleasee with me. Apart from confirming yet another casualty, there was no other valuable information for the time being! Fu Qian rose slowly, walking out under the unwavering watch of the young girl. It looked like the Night Watchmen were indeed reacting strongly to the theft and were casting a wide in search of the culprit. In the description of his task, he was told to acquire Thorn Blood before they did. This meant he had to find the person first, or else the mission was likely to fail. Although he had washed off suspicion, Yuan Shan and the others remained on guard and unwilling to reveal any information in front of him. But not to worry. The role of a seemingly average alias was nowing into y. As Fu Qian maintained the motion of walking outwards, he opened all his senses to the fullest, sifting through the surrounding information. Soon, the conversation between Yuan Shan and Mr. Poker Face reached his ears. Just as expected. At this distance, the two had not considered the possibility of an Eighth Phase Transcendent overhearing their talk. Though not entirely clear, he heard a few ce names; Yuan Shan seemed to be instructing Mr. Poker Face to closely monitor these areas. The name that was whispered at the lowest volume was a ce called Houhai Manor. As a rule, the softer the speech, the more important the content generally is. Houhai Manor, noted. Chapter 105 - 104: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (Part Four)_1 Chapter 105: Chapter 104: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part Four)_1 Indeed, the best ce to gather intelligence always lies with onespetitors. Under strict surveince, Fu Qian was escorted all the way to the outskirts of the Night Watchmen Base. Valuing swift action, Fu Qian didnt waste any time. As soon as the Night Watchman girl left, he quickly hailed a car. You want to go to Houhai Manor? However, when the driver heard the address, his expression turned somewhat strange, sizing him up and down. Is there a problem? The drivers reaction was a bit puzzling. Fu Qians biggest concern was that this ce might be some secret code name, which wouldplicate things. No problem really, but not many people take cabs there. About an hourter, Fu Qian got out early some distance from his destination. From this spot, he could already see the majestic buildings connected in session in the distance. This Houhai Manor turned out to be a genuine luxury estate, its size perhaps several times greater than even Xi Yuans Huang Family ancestral home. No wonder the driver was surprised. Those who frequented such ces were likely to be famous and distinguished people, who would eat humble pie rather than take a taxi even in dire straits. Young people these days, too proud to admit hardship! Seeing Fu Qian get out of the car so far from his destination, the driver took the banknotes Fu Qian fumbled out of his pocket, all the while sighing and shaking his head. Unconcerned with the drivers misunderstanding, Fu Qian didnt rush towards the manor after getting out. Instead, he waited patiently on the side. Sure enough, about ten minutester, a roaring sound emerged, and an ostentatious luxury sports car came zooming towards the direction of the manor. Snap! Fu Qian kicked and broke a tree, which unhesitatingly fell into the middle of the road. The sharp screeching of brakes echoed far and wide as the car rushed madly towards the tree, finally stopping just a few meters away. This mountain I open, this tree I nt Seeking death. The driver inside the car didnt give Fu Qian a chance to finish his line. Almost beforeing to aplete stop, the car door swung open, and a white figure rushed out. The sound of raging wind began, and without any hesitation, the figure threw a punch at Fu Qian. He was indeed a Transcendent, and one with a hot temper at that. Watching the opponent swoop in like a white bird, aiming straight for the vitals, Fu Qian felt a wave of emotion. So overbearing! Standing still, Fu Qian let the other rush up to him. The next moment, raising his left hand, he struck out faster than the eye could follow,nding a p directly on the opponents face. Faced with this deeply powerful p, the figure could only show a half-formed expression of terror before being sent flying backward, unconscious before even hitting the ground. Fu Qian quickly followed, catching the man by the neck before hended and hoisting him up in the air. Good, his clothes were still clean. Fu Qian nodded in satisfaction. Half a minuteter, while furrowing his brows, Fu Qian changed into the head-to-toe white outfit and found a ce to tie up the unconscious figure. He had been quite heavy-handed just now, and the Transcendent would likely not regain consciousness any time soon. Still, to avoid any interference with the mission, an extra precaution was necessary. Of course, considering that the Transcendent was now dressed only in underwear, even if they woke up, they would probably not continue to the intended destination. After wrapping things up, Fu Qian lifted the fallen tree and tossed it aside, then drove away in the car with an air of nonchnce. After driving for a while, Fu Qian slowed down the car and began to rapidly alter his facial features in the rearview mirror. This process was far from easy. After putting on the mask, the difficulty of changing faces had increased by more than tenfold. Fortunately, the mask was tightly fitted to the skin, and it would still change with the adjustment of the muscles no matter what. Although the transformation wasnt as natural as before, which could result in the face of an ancient god if he wasnt careful. But no matter, take it slow, having a response was all that mattered. It took nearly ten minutes, but Fu Qian finally adjusted his new face, ensuring at least an eighty to ny percent resemnce to the original owner. The only problem was that the original owners face was clearly powdered, a true epitome of pomade and face powder. Fu Qian found this uneptable, so he gave up on that final touch. After resolving this issue, Fu Qian picked up an invitation from beside him. Mr. Cha Yingjun This name Fu Qian frowned for a moment as he read it. But having put so much effort into the disguise, he wasnt going to be picky. Come on, lets enjoy it! Fu Qian drove all the way to the front za of the manor, which was already thronged with luxury cars and bustling with excitement. ording to the content on the invitation, tonights banquet almost gathered all the celebrities of Shangjing, with each attendee being a member of the high society, or at least a young Transcendent like Cha Yingjun. Upon getting out of the car, a valet came over to park it. Everything seemed peacefully ordinary. A few minutester, Fu Qian stood in the banquet hall, observing every move around him. He didnt have much information from Yuan Shan, only knowing this ce was a suspected hiding spot; everything else was unknown. For now, he could only watch and wait. If anything did happen, he needed to ensure that whoever was stealing wouldnt fall into their hands. In fact, as the banquet began, Fu Qian had already noticed suspected Night Watchmen entering, searching intensely for their target. This ce was indeed under surveince. However, it seemed Yuan Shan had already notified the host. The owner of Houhai Manor, amidst the fawning crowd, didnt show any displeasure. Luckily, he had changed his appearance, and from the treatment he had received so far, the man he was impersonating was also a new face. Up to this point, almost no one hade up to greet him; most people just gave him scrutinizing looks. Thedies, however, nced over more, though their eyes mostly roamed around his figure. Brother Cha Yingjun must have been new to the social scene, hence the borate dress-up to expand hiswork. In contrast to his muscle-obsessed colleagues back home, this one was undoubtedly more savvy in the ways ofworking. Wait a second, why does that person look familiar? After anotherdys gaze swept past him, Fu Qian suddenly felt something was off. Raising his head, the person passing by him now, had features strikingly familiar. Wen Li? Fu Qian was taken aback. He had a deep impression of this ss-like person he needed to protect. Howe thisdy of fortune was here? It seemed she was being treated the same as him at the banquet, both on the outskirts. She looked like a neer. Perhaps due to her attractive appearance, she received a bit more attention. Recalling thest mission, she was assuredly a Sixth Phase Transcendent. Luckily, his disguise was still perfect, and she clearly hadnt recognized him, as her gaze swept over him without any particr reaction. As Fu Qian pondered, he suddenly detected an extremely subtle chirping sound. Could this be Immediately realizing what it was, Fu Qian kicked Wen Li in front of him, sending her flying. Chapter 106 - 105: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (Part 5)_1 Chapter 106: Chapter 105: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part 5)_1 ` It was evident that Wen Lis martial arts had improved after his upgrade. The kick he had just delivered forced Fu Qian to exert a bit more strength to dodge instinctively. In the end, Wen Li couldnt escape his fate and was sent flying several meters, crashing heavily to the ground in a move that seemed all too familiar. There were countless screams of shock in an instant. After kicking Wen Li, Fu Qian retreated diagonally in one swift movement under the horrified gazes of the crowd. Crack! A sound like crushing walnuts echoed ahead. Lights of red and white blossomed wildly, blood mist exploded into the air, continuing unceasingly. Yuan Shans guess was incredibly uratesomething really did happen here. Fu Qian thought to himself. By this time, the room had descended into chaos. Although the party had mostly Transcendents, the sheer number of people meant that there was also a significant ratio of regr high society present. Faced with an attack that could only be described as terrorism, screams erupted as people scattered in all directions, trying to escape. In the midst of the confusion, Fu Qian stood still, looking in the direction from which the sound hade from, quickly fixing his gaze on a middle-aged man. With a receding hairline, slightly overweight, and seemingly just an ordinary person, this man was hurrying along with the fleeing crowd. However, his expression seemed panicked, yet his steps were measurednot the gait of someone truly frightened. As for the fact that he appeared to be an ordinary person, Fu Qian was wearing a mask that could conceal his presence, so this was not necessarily evidence of innocence. Just as Fu Qian was considering how to follow him, he realized someone was standing in his way. This was a young man around thirty, handsome and dressed with distinction, though his expression was uncertain and suspicious. If Fu Qian remembered correctly, this man seemed to have rushed over after he kicked Wen Li. He probably came to seek justice but then got frightened by the sudden turn of events. Should Fu Qian take down this nuisance in the confusion? As Fu Qian was pondering, a clear grunt suddenly resounded. The next moment, the entire area was enveloped by a strange force field. Every movement felt as if they were trapped in thick syrup, facing immense resistance and moving exceedingly slow. Fu Qian looked up to see that everyone was affected the same way, with the fleeing crowd moving as if they were swimming through water. Including the dubious middle-aged man. You could see that he was trying hard to break free of the constraints, but before he could regain his mobility, a figure leaped high from the crowd, apanied by the sharp sound of slicing wind, stabbing straight into his back. Isnt that the host of Houhai Manor? Identifying him by the luxurious clothes, Fu Qian recognized the man as the center of attention earlier, whose name on the invitation seemed to be Chen Xing. The speed was fast, even if the move was a bit odd. Fu Qian noticed that Old Master Chen Xings movements were quite unnatural. It seemed he wasnt relying on muscr force, but some kind of invisible power was dragging his limbs into action. As Chen Xingunched his surprise attack, the slow-moving middle-aged man had no chance to evade and was hit squarely in the back, sttering blood. However, thetter seemed to break free from the constraints through the impact, his body dissolving into a mist in an instant and swiftly vanishing before reassembling several meters ahead. At the same time, his appearance changed, bing thinner,pletely bald, with a sinister-looking face. Another screech tore through the air, even more piercing than before. Old Master Chen Xing hesitated in his motion, unable to follow through with the next blow, and the bald middle-aged man crashed out through the window. Staring in the direction of the escaping mans escape, Chen Xing waved his hand with a grave expression, and the syrupy force quickly dissipated. Shadows emerged from various spots in the banquet hall, all pursuing in the same direction. They must be the Night Watchmen; among them, Fu Qian recognized the Poker Face he had seen at the base. Considering the number of them, Fu Qian decided against the idea of following. ` Lets just wait and see how things unfold, seeing as Ive already memorized their looks and aura. If this individual was so weak that he couldnt escape this pursuit, at worst the mission would be a failure and a redo. When that timees, I could simply find him in advance and take him out directly. Of course, even if I wanted to pursue, theres still an obstacle in front of me. Fu Qian looked at the young man before him, whose gaze continued to shift between himself and the blood-soaked ground. After Chen Xing stopped the chase, he quickly directed his subordinates to maintain order and count casualties. The crowd had quieted down by this time. Inside the banquet hall, several headless bodies were lying on the ground, their brains and blood forming a shocking straight line. The only part where it was interrupted was right where Fu Qian stood. To kill so many people in one hit, and all with crushed skulls, seems rather savage. Could it be an ability rted to the mind? Wen Li, now much improved, had already gotten up from the ground, looking at the gruesome scene with a somewhat pale face. She had almost been trampled underfoot when the crowd scattered in escape. Raising her head to give Fu Qian a nk stare, Wen Li approached and whispered her thanks. People around realized that Fu Qians kick had been to save someone. Who are you? The young man in front of him also snapped back to reality and asked Fu Qian with a serious tone. Cha Yingjun, Fu Qian recalled after a moment, remembering the name he was currently using. Cha Yingjun. The young man frowned, apparently clueless. Your reaction just now, do you know something? It was evident that the young man was suspicious; after all, for someone with an apparently low level like Fu Qian to anticipate danger was unusual. Got a cramp in my leg, Fu Qian couldnt be bothered with him and made up something on the spot. You better exin yourself more clearly, The young mans expression twisted, his tone growing more hostile. Mingfei, you are being too impolite, Seeing that the young man was relentless, another person pushed through the crowd and stepped forward. This person looked a bit older and had a simr appearance to the young man, probably his older brother. Having such an incident ur at our banquet and suspecting a guest who was merely saving himself first, if word of this were to get out, the Chen Family would lose all face, Chen Mingfeis brother spoke quite sternly. Mr. Cha even helped to save Miss Wen. We should, by all means, express our gratitude, Turning his head, the man apologized to Wen Li who was nearby. Miss Wen, I am very sorry you had to experience such an incident. We will provide an exnation as soon as possible. Wen Li was clearly very popr. Whether it was Chen Mingfei, who had rushed over first, or his brother who arrivedter, both were visibly concerned about Wen Li. But thinking about it, it made sense. A Sixth Phase Transcendent with psychic powers at such a young age wouldnt be plentiful even in Shangjing. Her appearance as a loner just now was probably because she was new, attracting much attention but still in the observing stage, with no one showing it openly just yet. Thank you for your concern, Im fine, Wen Li shook her head, her gaze distant and thoughtful. Just then, the front door opened and Poker Face, who had gone out to chase the suspect, walked back in. The guests turned their expectant gazes toward him. Unfortunately, he merely shook his head slightly at Chen Xing. Returned without sess? It seems that the person in question is somewhat capable. Its good news for me, after all. Chapter 107 - 106: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part Six)_1 Chapter 107: Chapter 106: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part Six)_1 The Night Watchman yielded no substantial results, and soon after Poker Face finishedmunicating, Chen Xing announced the end of the banquet, and everyone was free to go home. As the guests began to leave one by one, Fu Qian also drove away from the manor, pondering where to look up information about the middle-aged man, when suddenly he noticed a car persistently trailing behind him. Where had he slipped up and aroused suspicion? Fu Qian frowned in thought, inconspicuously slowing down his car. If there was indeed apse that had been detected, it was imperative to confirm and clean up as quickly as possible. As Fu Qian slowed down, the car behind rapidly caught up. The next moment, within Fu Qians perception, he detected a familiar presence. Wen Li? What was this girl up to? Fu Qian decided to simply pull over to the roadside, and soon the car behind followed suit and parked beside him. As the car door opened, it was indeed Wen Li who stepped out and quickly approached. Seeing Fu Qian frowning at her, Wen Li felt somewhat uneasy, ncing around to make sure no one else was present. Excuse me are you Mr. Fu? !!! This time, Fu Qian was truly shocked. With such a disguise, how did you recognize me? It really is you! Without waiting for his response, Wen Lis face lit up with a mixture of surprise and joy, her voice even lower. I havent had the chance to express my gratitude for your helpst time, and youve saved my life again. No need to be polite, just think of yourself as the chosen one. It made no sense to deny it any longer, so Fu Qian changed his voice back. How did you recognize me? Indeed, he was a bit puzzled by this, since his disguise wasyered uponyers. Your disguise was perfect, with no ws whatsoever. Wen Li shook her head, her face tinged with shyness. But earlier at the banquet, when you saw me, you seemed a bit surprised And then when I was kicked just now, it felt strangely familiar, so I took a chance. Who knew that was even possible! Are you gaining experience as a masochist now? Before her upgrade, Wen Li could already sense the emotions of the people around her, and after upgrading that ability must have been strengthened. It wasnt too strange that she could detect the changes in his emotions. This served as a reminder to be more cautious in the future, as this world possessed many strange abilities. Alright. Fu Qian shook his head, muscles in his face moving, and quickly reverted back to Fang Xuns appearance. You are? Now it was Wen Lis turn to be dumbfounded, instinctively stepping back. Double insurance. Fu Qian did not feel the need to exin too much. Oh. Wen Li tactfully did not ask further questions, and after a moment of silence, she seemed to remember something. Sost time, it was your true face? What else would you think? Do I look like a Matryoshka doll to you? Thats good then. Wen Li looked at Fu Qian gleefully. This face is not as handsome as the previous one. This kid really knows how to talk! In an instant, Fu Qian decided to forgive her bold probing. Seeing that Fu Qians mood was still good, Wen Lis features rxed. After the breakthroughst time with your help, I didnt have the chance to thank you before you left, which has been a matter of regret for both me and my father ever since. Thats quite the tall tale! I might understand your regret, but are you sure your dad wont be regretting he didnt thank me after seeing you disheveled from the safe house? I even went out of my way to find Captain Guter to ask about you earnestly, but unfortunately, Captain Gu told me you hadnt been on the team long and he knew very little about you, so I had no ce to start looking. Im someone who keeps work and personal life separate, I never reply to messages outside of work hours. When Father asked me toe to Shangjing, I hesitated, to never have expected to run into you so soon. Wen Lis excitement grew as she talked. Your current disguise is so meticulous; are you on some secret mission? First of all, this is a one-time thing, Fu Qian pointed at himself. Besides, your logic is a bit wed. If it were a secret mission, could I tell you? That makes sense, sorry for my presumption. Wen Li hurriedly apologized, then suddenly remembered something. Your actions, they dont have anything to do with the Night Watchmens warehouse being robbed, do they? The girl sure knows a lot! Fu Qian became interested all of a sudden. How do you know about the Night Watchmens warehouse being robbed? I heard it through the grapevine. Wen Liughed with a giggle. These past two days, Ive been visiting some elders, and I heard that an incident urred at the Night Watchmen Base. Apparently, an insider stole an item and fled, and now they are being hunted everywhere. I just thought it was news at first, but I didnt expect to run into such a thing tonight and nearly lost my life. Wen Li looked visibly shaken. Do you know the name of the person? I think its Henrik. Henrik So it seems, it indeed was an inside job after all, stealing the Thorn Blood. Although he had escaped tonight, he was injured. He hadnt escaped Shangjing before, and now its even less likely; hell have to hide. Presently, my real opponents are the same Night Watchmen who are also searching for him. Yuan Shan obviously knows something; she was able to pinpoint a ce like Houhai Manor. This is information I dont have since the people and the item belong to them; Im at a disadvantage there. Mr. Fu, where are you staying in Shangjing? Fu Qian didnt speak. Wen Li seemed to think of something and asked with gleaming eyes. Stay where? Fu Qian remembered his bookstore that was inplete disarray. That ce was definitely not an option to stay. Whenever you have the time, you cane to my ce for a visit, to let me express my gratitude. Wen Li handed over a business card. Fu Qian took it and nced at it; at such a young age, she was actually carrying the title of vice president of the Wen Group! Has she been sent here to break new ground? Fu Qian shook his head internally, Wen Li was a legitimate Middle Tier Transcendent, even if she was a business genius, Wen Xiuxian wouldnt let her waste her energy on something like making money. More likely, its for consideration of her future, right? After a sessful promotion, continuing to huddle in a small ce would undoubtedly be detrimental to her development. Throwing her into Shangjing, where Transcendents gather, ostensibly to develop business here, but essentially, its to give her more opportunities to interact with the Transcendent world. From the attitude of the two sons of the Chen Family today, although shes new here, shes already received a lot of attention. Wen Xiuxian is not having an easy time as a father! However, attention is something I could do with less of. As Fu Qian pondered, he drove the car back to where the tree had been broken. After turning off the engine, Fu Qian found Cha Yingjun, who was still unconscious, dragged him out, threw him into the car, closed the door, and left swiftly. Even though Imandeered your clothes and car momentarily, I did help you shine at the banquet,ying a good foundation for your futureworking. Youre not at a loss after all. Chapter 108 - 107: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part Seven)_1 Chapter 108: Chapter 107: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part Seven)_1 Working overtime, indeed! Fu Qian concealed his breath as he silently observed whaty ahead. Before him stood the Night Watchmen Base. After parting ways with Wen Li, he did not return to his bookstore but came back to this ce once again. It was already dark, yet the Night Watchmen Base was still brightly lit. People could be seen constantly entering and leaving, even more frantic than during the day. This indicated that the incident at the banquet had already reached here, setting this massive organization into motion. Fu Qian touched his face, his facial muscles swiftly adjusting. Of course, he was not there just to watch the fuss. The more the Night Watchman worked overtime, the closer he was to mission failure. Passive waiting had never been his style; taking the initiative was the right path. And he had a n for just that. As The Art of War states, create confusion to catch fish in muddy waters. When the environment was disadvantageous to oneself, one should stir up the waters. Right, he was going to infiltrate the material storage again. In the guise of Henrik. In the current situation,pared with the Night Watchmen, he had too little information, still being significantly at a disadvantage. The opponent could be a formidable machine, with abundant manpower and a clear division ofbor. To seize the initiative, merely following behind the opponent was not enough; he needed to uncover some intelligence that others were unaware of to create an advantage. For example, Henrik re-enters the Night Watchmen Base, seemingly searching for something. This piece of information would be puzzling for many. Including Henrik himself. At that time, only he would know the truth of the matter. After a few minutes of adjustment, Fu Qians features had once again changed. Of course, he had not transformed into the likeness of Henrik. From the encounter at the banquet, it was clear that Henrik possessed the ability to change his appearance. And as a wanted individual, he would surely disguise himself before entering the Night Watchmen Base; using his actual face would just arouse suspicion. As for whose face to use, Fu Qian had already solved that problem. During the time hey in wait just now, he had locked onto a Night Watchman who had stepped outside. This brother was not very strong, being only about Eighth Phase, which matched perfectly with Fu Qians state after putting on a mask. Moreover, this person was clearly among the most basic level within the Night Watchmen. Logically, as a base-level member, he would likely be running around untilte, with no need to worry about him returning too soon. After adjusting his features to match those of the Night Watchman, Fu Qian decisively stood up and walked toward the Night Watchmen Base. The guards at the door nced at the credentials in Fu Qians hand and let him through. As expected, the security check upon entering the base was not strict! This was actually quite understandable; setting aside the fact that many people wereing and going, no criminal would typically think of breaking into a ce like the Night Watchmen Base. As for the credentials, naturally, he had taken them from the Night Watchman he was impersonating. As a distinguished Fourth Phase Transcendent, if he were to be detected even with this, he might as well not bother trying to blend in. Once inside the base, Fu Qian confidently strode forward. In the afternoon, he had already observed theyout of the base roughly. Plus, during his recent observation, Fu Qian had generally categorized several areas and locked on to a few suspicious locations. In his opinion, these ces could potentially be where the material storage was located, but due to limited information, he could not make further judgments. And he did not need to! He was there to stir the pot, not actually to steal anything. If he delved too deeply and ended up trapped inside, it would be quite awkward. Then he might have to resort to more than just the method of Transcendence. Following the route he had nned, Fu Qian circumvented the area where he had been detained earlier, making his way to the other side of the ck Spire. Compared to the opposite side, this area was much more deserted. Fu Qians gaze swept around, quickly finding an entrance. Inside the entrance was a spacious hall where a girl dressed in the Night Watchmans uniform sat vigntly. Behind the hall was a corridor, at the end of which stood a dark, menacing door, with two guards stationed by it. One had to say, the setup looked reliable; if it wasnt a storage warehouse, it was definitely some ce of importance. As for himself, as long as he could stir things up, that was enough. Fu Qian stepped through the entrance without any hesitation. The girl noticed him immediately, her wary eyes tracking him all the way until he approached. Youre going down below? Fu Qian shed his identification, but to his surprise, not only did the girls gaze not rx, it grew even more vignt. Thats right. Special permission is required to enter the sealed area for anyone below the Middle Tier, where is your proof of permission? The youngdy sized up Fu Qian from head to toe for a long while. Not a warehouse? A sealed area, off-limits to those below the Middle Tier. Was there something remarkable below? Fu Qian thought to himself, yet his expression remained perfectly natural. Proof of permission, ah, I forgot where I put it, let me search for it. Fu Qian said casually, then covertly searched through his clothes. Of course, he had no such permission; he wasnt expecting to fool the other party with this ruse but to create a disturbance and lure the guards over. His movements undoubtedly made the girl more cautious, her hand quietly signaling under the table. The two distant guards had been watching all along and quickly approached upon receiving the signal. They were just too cooperative! Fu Qian silentlymended the girl. Without permission, you cannot enter. Register your information and then go back, said one of the guards, not nearly as polite as the girl, nking Fu Qian from both sides, their tone cold. Dont hurry, of course I have permission, ah, here it is! Before the guard could finish, Fu Qian eximed, pulling his hand out of his pocket. For a moment, all three pairs of eyes were fixed on his hand. But the next moment, Fu Qians palm opened to reveal nothing at all. The girls pupils suddenly constricted and she instinctively reached for the rm. However, halfway through her motion, an invisible mighty force struck her chest. A muffled thud resounded as the intense impact sent her flying several meters, knocking her out cold. Simultaneously, Fu Qians arms suddenly extended, his fists reaching the guards faces in an instant. Duang! Duang! The explosive force of the impact sent the two men flying, rendering them unconscious. Compared to the girl, these two were considerably stronger, almost at the Sixth Phase. But at such close range, they stood no chance against Fu Qians surprise attack. In the span of a second, three people went down; Fu Qian didnt waste any time and headed straight for the door at the end of the corridor. The ck door was made of metal, quite hefty, but it was not locked. Fu Qian slowly pushed the door open; inside was a spiraling staircase descending into the depths, appearing aged and worn. Amidst the creaking noise, Fu Qian descended while observing his surroundings, soon finding another metal door at the bottom. There wasnt even a guard in front of this door. Without any courtesy, Fu Qianid his hand on it and pushed slowly, the space in front of him suddenly expanding. Whats that smell? How foul! Chapter 109 - 108: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (Part Eight)_1 Chapter 109: Chapter 108: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part Eight)_1 This unrighteous sneak attack! The moment the door opened, Fu Qian felt his senses were slightly assaulted. Behind the door was a vast underground space, partitioned into different sections by numerous corridors. Above his head, there were lights ced about every ten meters or so, stretching into the distance. However, this huge space was currently filled with a dense red fog. This fog carried an indescribable stench, so intense and tricky, it couldpete with a skunkmitting suicide by swallowing feces. Ever since bing a Transcendent, Fu Qians sense of smell had also be unprecedentedly enhanced, and was quite heavily impacted at the moment. Immediately holding his breath, Fu Qian looked around and noticed beneath the red fog there were strands of yellow-white tendrils. Whether on the ground or the walls, it was all these strange things, some winding in threads, others coiling and intertwining, extending into the distance. At first nce, it looked as if the building hade to life. Quite sinister! In any case, this didnt look like a scene one would expect in a Night Watchmen Base. Was the fog emanating from the walls? Fu Qian frowned. It was clear to see that on one side of the corridor, there was a row of identical doors, likely leading to separate rooms within. Considering what the girl above had said, it seemed something was being contained inside. As for these tendrils Fu Qian squinted his eyes, closely observing their directions and found that their source appeared to be in the next corridor. Should I go take a look? On this way down, other than the three people he had dealt with above, he hadnt encountered any other guards. If he were to leave just like that, it seemed somewhat inappropriate. The effect of startling the snake by hitting the grass might not be good enough. Fu Qian quickly found a reason to justify his action, boldly satisfying his curiosity. Moving stealthily forward, Fu Qian followed the direction of the tendrils, walking towards another corridor. These things seemed to truly have the characteristic of being alive, Fu Qian observed the ground beneath his feet. With each step he took, it seemed he could induce a trembling in them. Before long, Fu Qian reached the corner. He maximized his stealth, quietly poking his head out. WTF? Down the corridor, there were a pair of eyes also looking at him. Fu Qian took a deep breath and recognized the owner of the eyes. Yuan Shan! Shouldnt you be outside capturing people? What are you doing crouching down here? Fu Qian had nned for many possibilities, but he hadnt expected to bump head-on into this boss. At the moment, Yuan Shan was standing in the middle of the corridor, in front of the door to one of the rooms. However, the door, which appeared very sturdy, now had arge hole in it. Thick, eye-catching tendrils extended from the breach, crawling over the walls and floor, spreading wantonly in every direction. Most of them, though, were tightly wrapped by a massive ck cocoon, writhing incessantly inside. The giant cocoon was ripped into exaggerated shapes, yet it never seemed to tear. Was Yuan Shan trying to contain this thing inside? Fu Qian instantly understood what this Demigod was up to. No wonder she hadnt gone out to capture anyone personally; it seemed she was dealing with an emergency here. But judging by the surroundings, it was only a temporary measure at best. Of course, now wasnt the time to think about that; Yuan Shan was still engaged in a deep gaze with him. Seeing that the Demigod was staring intently at him. In an instant, Fu Qian realized how he had been discovered. The vibrations of the tendrils under his feet as he walked had been sensed by her. Run! Fu Qian almost instinctively turned and bolted for the exit. Encountering Yuan Shan directly definitely made for a sufficient startle for the snake. And it wasnt just her; in the brief glimpse just now, he saw at least three other people standing by Yuan Shans side. Everyones strength seemed to be no less than Fourth Phase. If they were the guards here, the lineup was simply too luxurious! No wonder there were no guards outside, they werent needed at all! Fu Qian ran at full speed, racing along the path he hade. The moment he burst out from underground, he saw the lights flickering outside, and people were continuously rushing over. So he had indeed remotely notified his subordinates to intercept him. Fu Qian thought about charging straight out, but the next moment he felt a tightness around his lower leg, which had already been bound by two ck ribbon-like objects. Since youre already here, why the hurry to leave? Yuan Shans seductive voice rang out, and she emerged gracefully from one side, smiling at Fu Qian. This woman actually got ahead of him! Fu Qian looked at Yuan Shan, realizing that every Demigod had their extraordinary abilities. Your actions are truly iprehensible. Yuan Shan appraised Fu Qian while shaking her head. You have served at the Night Watchmen for many years, always diligent and responsible. Recently, however, you activated prohibitions on your own, stole materials, and caused a mess below. And now youve returned. What exactly is your purpose? So he had found the right ce after all! Had Henrik stolen the Thorn Blood from here? And did those muscle fibers with the foul smell also appear because of it? Fu Qian quickly extracted some information from Yuan Shans words. Not saying anything, huh? Seeing that Fu Qian was silent, Yuan Shan shook her head with a gesture of her right hand. Dont worry, we can chat slowly. As she flicked her fingers lightly, more ck ribbons kept appearing. They wove in and out, forming a dense that swooped down toward Fu Qian. nning to trap me in a cocoon like before? Seeing the cking over, Fu Qian shook his head. Sanity minus one. In Yuan Shans suddenly solemn gaze, the Mythical Form was activated. Practicing against a Demigod was a rare opportunity indeed. Fu Qian nced at his palm, sensing the changes in his body. The next moment, he leaned back, extending his arms. What was that move called again? A ck and red burst forth, countless vine-like tentacles shot out from Fu Qians limbs and torso. Boosted by the Mythical Form, each tentacle carried strengthparable to the previous Biochemical Demon Arm, indiscriminately bombarding everything around. Tendril Barrage Devastator!! Eclipsing the skies. Dodge! Under the terror of that one strike, Yuan Shan lost her calmposure. The myriad of ck ribbons suddenly tightened, trying to stop the ubiquitous tentacles. But the apparently impregnable ribbons held for only a second before they burst apart with a bang. Boom! Almost instantly, the tentacles, no longer obstructed, sted the entire hall into pieces, with countless fragments of stone and ss falling from above. The ck cocoon was forcibly split open, and even a strong being like Yuan Shan had her breath taken away. Fortunately, Yuan Shans obstruction had allowed the others to retreat in time, so there were no casualties. In the midst of the chaos, a tentacle grabbed a huge tree outside and then suddenly tightened. With that force, Fu Qians body shot out, speeding past everyone, and he ran wildly away without looking back. Dont chase him! Yuan Xian, catching her breath, shook her head and stretched out her hand to stop the others. Hes not Henrik! Beware of luring the tiger away from the mountain. Chapter 110 - 109: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (Part 9)_1 Chapter 110: Chapter 109: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (Part 9)_1 ` I have to say, Yuan Shan that woman is quite strong! At least, her skill with those ck stripes is pretty effective against someone like me who relies on physical abilities. If it hadnt been for the Mythical Form, breaking free would have been quite a challenge. Having escaped the encirclement, Fu Qian ran wildly, his mind racing. No matter how you look at it, todays n to stir up trouble exceeded expectations. Not only did I manage to infiltrate the restricted area, but I even had a direct confrontation with the boss of the Capital Night Watchman. The Mythical Form skill is simply terrifying, if it werent for its enhancement, the move I pulled off earlier would have had unimaginable consequences. Now, other than feeling a bit weakened from the overexertion, there are no other anomalies in my condition. Of course, that move might have exposed me as not the real Henrik, but thats not a problem at all. Just the fact that someone tried to secretly infiltrate the Night Watchmen Base is enough. It might even be better if they think Henrik has aplices because of the disturbance we caused. Now, its time to wait and see how things unfold, how everyone reacts. As it turned out, changes urred faster than I had anticipated. The next morning, Fu Qian received a visitor. Its not who I expected, why did this persone to find me? Looking at Wen Li knocking on the door downstairs, Fu Qian was puzzled. True, I did give Wen Li the bookstores address when we parted ways yesterday. But with her intellect, she should have understood that I was not weing visitors. So why show up the very next day? Fu Qian had a sneaking suspicion and got up to go downstairs. After getting away yesterday, considering that Fang Xuns name was already known to the Night Watchmen, he decided it would be best to return to the bookstore to avoid unnecessary suspicion. This building had a typicalyout with a store on the first floor and living quarters on the second; the previous incident had not had as much impact as one might think. And the Night Watchmens efficiency ismendable. By the time I returned yesterday, Qin Fengs body had already been removed, and the ce had been cleaned up. The site now, except for being empty, didnt present any restricted scenes. Mr. Fu! Seeing Fu Qianing downstairs, Wen Lis eyes lit up. I thought I got the wrong ce. You might as well say you doubted I gave you a fake address. With an impassive face, Fu Qian opened the door, gesturing her toe in and talk. Stepping inside, Wen Li looked around and her expression immediately turned odd. Your store Did it have a gas explosion? Youre overthinking it, yesterday a Night Watchman just had his head explode here, thats all. Fu Qian answered casually as he led her upstairs. !! Upon hearing this, Wen Li shuddered, her face turning pale. She looked up carefully at Fu Qian. You You killed a Night Watchman? Where did your thoughts go! Do I give off such a brutal impression? Fu Qian was quite displeased with Wen Li. No. Ah! Seeing Fu Qians expression, Wen Li instantly realized her mistake and covered her mouth in shock. Head explosion! I got it, just like at the banquet! You encountered that Henrik yesterday? No wonder you reacted so quickly! The actual situation is much moreplicated than that! You came to see me about something? Without further boration, Fu Qian led Wen Li upstairs and got straight to the point as soon as the door was closed. Its not actually anything particrly important. ` Wen Li hesitated slightly, then began to speak. I heard some rumors earlier that have something to do with the incident at the banquet yesterday Oh? Fu Qian instantly became spirited. Lets hear it. That Henrik, the reason he appeared at the banquet was because of a reason Its said that he was originally a warehouse guard for the Night Watchman, but over the years, he was influenced by the aura of Transcendent materials, and his mind gradually became twisted. In the end, he couldnt resist the temptation, stole a crucial material, and fled. Unexpectedly, he lost his sanity and became bloodthirsty, continuously hunting Transcendents, and his targets were invariably those with mental powers. So thats why he showed up at Houhai Manor, because the Chen Family is a rare family that cultivates mental-type skills. I see! Fu Qian recalled the feeling of restricted movement he had yesterday. To have a certain impact on him, that old gentlemans realm must be quite decent. Transcendents with mental powers are rtively few, so for Henrik, the Chen n youngsters are undoubtedly a group of perfect targets. It is understandable why he risked appearing there. Wen Li spoke in one breath, her expression bing forlorn. I actually find it hard to imagine, are Transcendent materials that dangerous? Enough to make a Night Watchman of not a low level lose his sanity. Its not necessarily the Transcendent materials. Fu Qian blinked, recalling the scene he had witnessed yesterday. Do you know theres a ce called the Sealed Area in the Night Watchmen Base? The Sealed Area! Wen Li was shocked upon hearing this, apparently having some knowledge of it. Besides, if I remember correctly, youre also of the mental type? Youre right, I am, she said with a wry smile. Actually, thats also why I came to bother you today. I think he might have set his sights on me What makes you say that? This morning when I was visiting an elder, I felt as if I was being followed on the way home, and it took a lot of effort to shake them off. Not surprising, leveling up like drinking water, being targeted as soon as you step out, you clearly have the treatment of a Son of Destiny. My ability tells me that the other party harbors clear malice, and I havent been in Shangjing for even a month, so by rights, I shouldnt have any enemies, so Your reasoning sounds usible, but why did youe to me? That Wen Li appeared bashful. Since its just my own feeling, I cant ask the Night Watchmen for help, so I was thinking ? Observing Wen Lis hesitant expression, Fu Qian suddenly understood what she meant. You want me to return to my old trade and cover for you? Your capitalist habit of exploiting people is hard to change, huh! It must be said, the information Wen Li brought was very valuable, adding some details for him. However, Fu Qian was interested not just in the content of the message, but also in the act itself by Wen Li. Just yesterday, he had stormed into the Night Watchmen Base, aiming to stir the snake in the grass. And then, Wen Li coincidentally ran into trouble and came looking for him. Although the entire cause and effect seemed very natural with no ws, when linked together, there always seemed to be an odd taste to it. The likelihood of Wen Li scheming against him wasnt high, but what if she was unaware? Of course, if what she said was true and she really was being targeted by Henrik, it would be like waiting for the rabbit by the tree stump. Just keeping an eye on her would bring Henrik straight to him, greatly simplifying the mission. No matter how you look at it, its worth a try. Fu Qian turned these thoughts over in his mind and finally nodded in response to Wen Lis expectant gaze. Wen Li hadnt expected Fu Qian to agree so readily; she was pleasantly surprised and immediately mentioned that her car was waiting downstairs. Wait a minute! Once he was in Wen Lis car, Fu Qian vaguely felt that he had forgotten something. Hadnt they talked aboutpensation yet? Chapter 111 - 110 Hunter Craves for Blood (10)_1 Chapter 111: Chapter 110 Hunter Craves for Blood (10)_1 Please rest assured, it wont be a bother for too long. the Night Watchmen should catch Henrik pretty soon. Additionally, you dont need to follow me all the time. Just make sure I have someone to ask for help when its crucial. Having sessfully moved to her reinforcements, Wen Li was clearly in a good mood, smiling brightly all the way and speaking very sincerely. Of course, if you could discuss sry issues with me, that would show even more sincerity. However, Wen Li, true to the capitalist lineage, was full of gratitude but never once mentionedpensation, as if she hadpletely forgotten that part. Lets just assume the kid was overly excited. At this moment, Wen Li was obviously more rxed than before, talking much more than usual. Of course, if she knew that Fu Qian was nning to use her as bait, who knows what mood shed be in. Confronted with the livelier youngdy, the driver in front kept his eyes forward, driving the car with the precision and regtion of a robot. That was also understandable, given Wen Lis ability to perceive emotions; ring wouldnt have escaped her notice. I should also be mindful of this moving forward. No matter how frail she may appear, she is now a genuine Middle Tier Transcendent. In conversing with Wen Li, Fu Qian confirmed that it had been two months since thest upgrade incident. It was clear that, like Su Gao, he was a mysterious figure whose movements were unpredictable to them. The rich do love to buy houses wherever they go. About half an hourter, the car stopped in front of a delicately crafted small manor. While it couldntpare with the Wen Familys mansion, it was obviously quite expensive. This was where Wen Li stayed in Shangjing. The ce is a bit cramped. Please dont mind. Wen Li giggled, pulling a direct Versailles on the spot. But for a world where martial strength speaks, her apology seemed somewhat sincere. Given the strength I had previously shown, it was not surprising that I would have some expectations for my quality of life, being a Middle Tier Transcendent myself. In this world, Transcendent powers greatly enhanced the earning potential for the poor. No sooner had the two stepped out of the car than someone came out to meet them. Youre back, and theres a guest who has been waiting for quite a while! Fu Qian nced over and felt like he had seen this person before. If he remembered correctly, this should be the former butler of the Wen Family. They sent him directly to take care of Wen Li? It seemed that while Wen Xiuxian was intent on cultivating his daughters abilities, he might also be considering shifting the family focus to Shangjing. A guest? Wen Li looked somewhat puzzled and nced back at Fu Qian. Mr. Fang, why dont you go and rest first? Good, very tactful. Wen Li was quite perceptive, addressing him by his current guise given that he had not removed his mask. In response to such cleverness, Fu Qian naturally reciprocated. No need. I might as well fulfill my duty. Waiting like a hunter, the value lies in persistence. To prevent empty vignce, one must never be distracted. Then Ill trouble you. Wen Li, obviously not expecting Fu Qian to be so dedicated to his job, thanked him heartily. Together, they entered the reception room where someone was already waiting inside. This person looked familiar. Upon a bit of reflection, Fu Qian remembered who this wasthe youth from the Chen n who had helped him out at the banquet the previous day. Earlier in the car, Wen Li had mentioned him. His name was Chen Mingda, right? Chen Mingda, who had obviously been waiting for a while, stood up and approached as soon as he saw Wen Li enter. Im really sorry about yesterday. I didnt expect such an incident to happen. I wanted to make sure you were all right. Thank you for your concern. Im perfectly fine. Faced with Chen Mingdas visit of concern, Wen Li responded with a fitting smile. Then the two exchanged pleasantries typical of business etiquette, which nearly put Fu Qian to sleep. This is Chen Mingda finished with the pleasantries and turned his gaze towards Fu Qian, a puzzled expression on his face. Mr. Fang. A little ident happened at home, so I came over to borrow a ce to stay from Wen Li. Without waiting for Wen Li to speak, Fu Qian directly said so and casually made up a reason. As a Night Watchman, he needed to hide as much personal information as possible. Pleasure to meet you! Chen Mingdas expression showed no peculiarities, and he greeted Fu Qian politely. It was evident that this man moved with a unique rhythm, and his actions seemed different from ordinary people. Wen Li had said that the Chen n Youngsters specialized in psychic techniques, and it truly seemed a bit special. However, judging by the intensity of his aura, Chen Mingda was only about the Seventh Phase. For someone around thirty, that wasnt weak. But relying on the backing of aristocratic families, ample resources, and added talents, he could only be considered mediocre. He was even weaker than that Chen Mingfei. Putting that aside, Chen Mingda fully demonstrated the upbringing of a major familys progeny, his conversation was refined, and every action showed cultivation. Actually, there is another matter I came for today. After the trio sat down and Chen Mingda exchanged some pleasantries, he got to the main topic. Miss Wen, have you heard? Last night, the Night Watchmen Base was intruded upon. That happened? It was clear that Wen Li was genuinely surprised. Indeed, I also found it hard to believe my ears when I first heard the news. Chen Mingda nodded. And its said that Demigod Yuan Shan, the person in charge of the Night Watchman in Shangjing, was also at the base at that time. And yet, they couldnt even retain the intruder, confirming this mysterious persons extraordinary strength. They couldnt hold down the person even with a Demigod in charge Wen Lis worldview seemed somewhat overturned. Could it be a High-Tier Transcendent? There arent that many High-Tier Transcendents, I cant think of anyone who would do such a thing, the key is we still dont know his purpose. We already have a madman outside, now the situation has suddenly be moreplex, you better reduce your outings recently. Thank you for the reminder! Wen Lis expression grew solemn as she nodded her head. In fact. Chen Mingda pondered for a moment. Considering youre very likely a target of Henrik, and now even the Night Watchmens side isnt safe, have you thought about moving to Houhai Manor for a while? Move to Houhai Manor? Wen Li was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head in refusal. No need. I will try to minimize going out recently and believe there wont be any problems. All right then. Chen Mingda seemed somewhat disappointed but gracefully did not insist. After some more small talk, he took his leave and returned to his residence. After seeing Chen Mingda off, Wen Li turned her head and looked at Fu Qian in the distance. For some reason, the moment she heard about someone breaking into the Night Watchmen Base, she had an inexplicable urge to look towards Fu Qian. But now she dismissed the strange thought. Fu Qian was strong; she knew that. Ever since thest time Fu Qian helped her level up in an unusual way, she had had an unreasonable confidence in this mysterious individual. Otherwise, she wouldnt have thought of him immediately when she was threatened. But the term Demigod was still something Wen Li could not associate with the man before her eyes. News of an event that just happened yesterday, was it spreading too fast? Now Fu Qian was also wondering. Although as a member of the Chen Family, Chen Mingda was well-informed, the rity of the details seemed suspicious. It was hard to believe it wasnt deliberate dissemination by Yuan Shan. Chapter 112 - 111: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (11)_1 Chapter 112: Chapter 111: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (11)_1 If Yuan Shan was intentionally not controlling the flow of information, then this action indicated she had some thoughts of her own. For example, she no longer saw this as a simple case of theft and defection. She must have believed that besides Henrik, other people were involved; otherwise, she wouldnt have made such a probe. After all, releasing any message to a mentally unstable madman would be meaningless. Whether her earlier attempt to startle the snake had been effective, or she had ideas from the start, remained unknown. After quickly reviewing the current information, Fu Qian looked up and saw Wen Li watching him with a somewhat solemn expression. Hmm? A thought crossed Fu Qians mind. This girl was extremely sensitive; he needed to be careful to control his emotional fluctuations. Of course, he could not bepletely without fluctuations, as being too deliberate could also raise suspicions. And he didnt know what new abilities she had gained after leveling up. Speaking of which, have there been any changes to your abilities since youve been promoted? Fu Qian blinked, asking directly when he didnt understandan unmistakably straightforward man. There was a bit. First off, my physique has greatly improved, Apparently not expecting Fu Qian to ask this, Wen Li smiled and clenched her fist. Almost all mental-type Transcendents fortify their bodies after reaching a certain stage, though the methods differ. The higher the realm, the more noticeable it bes. I feel that my strength has increased significantly now. Although its iparable to you, if were talking about melee ability, I am now no weaker than a low-tier physical Transcendent. Hmm! Fu Qian nodded. Like that Young Master Ye. Yes, like Young Master Ye, Wen Li repeated Fu Qians words; this change clearly put her in a good mood. After my promotion, I took a month to stabilize my condition and didnt really see him much during that time. Then I promptly came to Shangjing. My father mentioned that our families havent been in close contact recently. Completely understandable. The Ye Familys scheme for a marriage alliance was based on the expectation that Wen Li would put in a lot of effort in her promotion. The result was that they were of no help, and they had to watch as Wen Li was dragged into the safehouse. It might even have caused Young Master Ye significant psychological trauma. Given these circumstances, a shrewd man like Wen Xiuxian would never let himself be indebted, especially given his daughters boundless prospects. As for my abilities my perception of emotions is now much clearer, Wen Li pointed to her head. Before, I could only sense the strongest part of a targets emotions. Now, if I concentrate, I can perceive every subtle fluctuation of the targets emotions. However, the effect isnt as strong if theres a big difference in levels. Additionally, Ive acquired a new ability, which I callEmotional Amplification! I can target someone and amplify their current emotional state, whether its anger, fear, happiness any type. In my tests, if I put my full effort into it, I can amplify the strength of the emotions more than tenfold. Emotional Amplification? Fu Qian recalled the scene when Wen Li first leveled up, with simr power outbursts making Group Leader Tan shiver in fear. Speaking of which, he owed Wen Li thanks; it was her stimtion that opened the door to a new world for him, sessfullypleting one third of the Thugs path. Additionally, Ive gained an unexpected benefit, At this point, Wen Lis face wore a sincere smile. Im no longer afraid of being alone. Its hard to imagine that the nightmare that troubled me for so long has just disappeared. Now, even when Im alone in a room, my own emotions arent repeatedly amplified. That sense of relief when I realized it, I sat by theke for a whole day and night! If I had known, I should have worked harder to level up sooner! If she had leveled up sooner, Yvette would have been the one chatting with me here. Fu Qian thought to himself, with one less mirror, of course there wouldnt be repeated reflection and magnification. But I wont tell Wen Li that. As it seemed now, in terms of pure fighting strength, Wen Li still didnt have much. In short, she was still an auxiliary profession. However, whether it was perception or the amplification of emotions, both were abilities that asionally had surprising effects. Oftentimes they were much more useful than a simple musclehead. No wonder mental abilities are popr. Speaking of which Fu Qian pointed to where Chen Mingda was sitting. As a fellow practitioner of mental abilities, he seems quite different from you, doesnt he? You noticed? Wen Li giggled. Thats right, unlike those of us who awakenedter in life, the Chen Family has been passing down a secret technique known as the Opportunity-Attracting Spell. Any family member with a talent begins cultivating step by step from a young age. They dont awaken certain special abilities and slowly train them like I did, what they use those are all cultivation techniques. So its like tempering a martial artist or Swordsman all the way, only focusing on developing mental power? Yes, but I heard that Chen Mingda had mediocre talents since childhood and wasnt really suitable for cultivation. To have grown to where he is today, a massive amount of resources have already been spent. The eldest legitimate son? Fu Qian frowned. Yes, they wouldnt have invested so much if he werent the eldest legitimate son. However, because of his innate deficiencies, he should have reached his limit. Normally, such people are prone to psychological abnormalities! Fu Qian thought, lifting his head to look at Wen Li. Use your emotion amplification ability on me. The effect may not be obvious due to therge difference in our realms. Wen Li looked at Fu Qian somewhat hesitantly. No problem, you cant always bully the weak. Watching Fu Qian, who waszily leaning back in his chair, Wen Li took a deep breath. The next moment, Fu Qian felt an invisible surge brush through his heart. The various emotions inside his heart seemed like seeds encountering a spring breeze, quickly growing and sprouting. A distinct feeling of displeasure rose from the depths of his soul. It took Fu Qian a few seconds to figure out where this displeasure wasing fromhe was hungry. So, under Wen Lis cautious gaze, Fu Qian stood up. Are you okay? Im fine, wheres the dining room? Overall, Wen Lis abilities couldnt even be counted as a nuisance. As long as ones own emotions werent particrly intense, any slight stir could be easily suppressed. The only advantage was that when activated, it was silent and traceless. After eating, Wen Li had already arranged for someone to clean up the ce to stay. It was evident that Wen Li still held a considerable amount of respect for him, having arranged for him a quite secluded spot. The scenery was not only beautiful, but it was also not close to where she lived, very well honoring the promise to disturb as little as possible. Soon night fell, and Fu Qian watched the bamboo forest swaying in the wind outside the window. After a while, Fu Qian suddenly felt something was off. He turned to look at the door, it seemed like someone was standing there. Pleasee in. Fu Qian called out expressionlessly. The next moment, the door silently opened. A woman dressed as a maid stood rigidly outside the door, her mouth mechanically opening and closing. Hello, I want to y a game with you. Chapter 113 - 112 Hunter Longs for Blood (12)_1 Chapter 113: Chapter 112 Hunter Longs for Blood (12)_1 The situation in Shangjing is quite perilous! Id just settled in, and someone was already knocking on my door. Wen Lis movements have likely been under surveince for some time now. Fu Qian looked at the maid outside the door. She appeared to be in her twenties or thirties, with a pretty face, but at the moment her expression was dull and her eyes lifeless, clearly in an abnormal state. This intense sense of dj vu! Fu Qian couldnt help but reminisce about the time he had poisoned Wen Li, feeling a surge of emotion. Being a maid in the Wen family is truly a high-risk job! Next time, Ill suggest to Wen Li to raise their wages. Good, Ive always enjoyed ying games. Fu Qian responded calmly. As soon as he said this, the maid fell silent for a few seconds, then replied in that mechanical voice. Very well, I hope you can maintain this optimistic mood. After finishing her words, the maid walked stiffly into the room, making her way straight to Fu Qian. The next moment, she lifted the tray in her hand and removed the cloth covering it. Inside the tray were two transparent ss vials, each with a capsule of a different color at the bottom. Almost simultaneously, a red fog appeared out of thin air, enveloping Fu Qian within it. The next moment, a heavy sensation came, and Fu Qian felt as if he was encased in red concrete. One red, one green, you need to choose one of the two capsules. The maid looked straight at Fu Qian. One is poisonous, the other is not. The woman will ce the one you choose into your mouth, then consume the other one herself. If you choose the non-toxic one, the woman will die, the bondage will be broken, and you will be able to free yourself from the current predicament. Otherwise, in at most an hour, you will be a real piece of amber. Choose any one? Fu Qian looked at the maid before him. At this distance, he could clearly see strands of blood seeping from the pores of her body, quickly turning into red fog and constantly converging around both of them. The red fog was clearly using her blood as the source. Another reminder, the voices here cant be heard outside. So I suggest you give up some futile struggles and calmly make a choicered or green? By your ount, if I choose the non-toxic one, this woman will die and the confinement will end? Correct, the only way you can escape is by the death of this woman. Thats what makes this game interesting. Of course, you could also make no choice at all and sacrifice yourself to save this woman. But if you actually do that, I would have tomend you. It was such a game. Fu Qian looked at the two capsules for a while and finally sighed deeply, a look of disappointment on his face. Is that all? I thought there would be something more interesting. Do you think its too simple? But you should know that sometimes the simpler the game, the more fun it can be. You better hurry up, my patience is limited. The voice began urging action. You actually think youre so clever? Fu Qian looked at the maid, bleeding all over. I choose the blue pill. The maid was stunned for a few seconds. You seem not to take the game seriously enough. There are only red and green options here. No, there are blue ones. Fu Qian shook his shoulders, apanied by the sound of ice crystals shattering, and slowly lifted his right leg. I had intended to y along to see if this person had anything interesting to offer, but it turned out to be aplete waste of emotion. The only thing of any interest was this binding ability, which clearly targeted the physical type. If I were only at the Sixth Phase, it might indeed have been a bit troublesome to free myself. I wanted to interact with you as a Transcendent of the Eighth Phase, but all I got in return was perfunctory treatment. You might not know this, but when I y games, I hate those self-righteous designs the most. Its like shit-vored chocte and chocte-vored shit, serving no purpose other than to highlight the designers brain decay. In my opinion, such people should go back to kindergarten to see if they can salvage a bit of their pitiful imagination. Youre much stronger than you let on. What is your real purpose foring here? The maids face was still expressionless, but her voice clearly showed a fluctuation of emotion. Guess. Also, do you know what the blue pill means? Lets hear it. The popr exnation is, its like pping some self-righteous fool in the face through the screen. Dont say I didnt warn you, this woman is just an ordinary person. If you try to attack me by hurting her, it will only be futile, and an innocent person will die because of you, Fu Qian said without a warning. The maids mouth moved rapidly. Die because of you, huh? Alright, I got it. Fu Qian casually responded, his movements never ceasing. Lift foot, turn around, trample. The amber blood shattered with a bang. Fu Qians body didnt pause, shooting out like lightning. Almost simultaneously, the maids body bent like a shrimp, retching a mass of blood and flesh. The moment the bloody flesh hit the ground, it quickly twisted into a slender rabbit. This rabbit didnt have a single hair on its body, its crimson flesh exposed directly. Even so, its movements were very swift; as soon as it hit the ground, it bolted with a speed that was almostical. Fu Qian naturally didnt let it escape easily and gave chase without hesitation; the distance between them closed rapidly. Estimating the distance to the rabbit, Fu Qian suddenly raised his hand, his middle finger instantly elongating into a spear, piercing the air. The skinless rabbit instantly leaped, dodging this piercing strike. However, before it hit the ground again, a sh of blood light appeared on Fu Qians extended middle finger, which grew even longer. A Scarlet Whipshed out in mid-air, striking the rabbits body, flipping itpletely over and sending blood flying. The rabbit showed an astonishing vitality, flipping over and standing up again after hitting the ground. Just as it tried to flee once more, it suddenly convulsed, losing its bnce. The mental impairment effect of the Tyrants Fist had been activated. You what the hell are you! eximed a voice from within the swollen belly of the rabbit, raspy and filled with intense confusion. At the same time, its body rapidly twisted, unable to maintain the rabbits shape anymore. You can call mean agent, Fu Qian replied. Fu Qian stamped down with one foot, giving it no chance to escape. Amid the spray of flesh and blood, a cry as agonized as a bursting testicle echoed to the heavens. After doing all this, Fu Qian looked down at the flesh on the ground. It must have been something like a clone, controlling the womans actions by hiding in her belly and setting that trap earlier. Otherwise, it wouldnt have been so fragile in the face of the Tyrants Fist, nearly breaking apart with a single whip. As for the true mastermind behind all this, it was still unknown. In any case, it was good news. Since stirring the grass to startle the snake, movements from all directions had be increasingly frequent. Chapter 114 - 113: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (13)_1 Chapter 114: Chapter 113: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (13)_1 Mr. Fang, are you alright? What happened here? After the dust had settled, Wen Li finally rushed over upon hearing the news, only to be startled by the carnage strewn across the floor. Nothing much, someone came to me just now and said they wanted to y a game with me Fu Qian spoke casually. Then he lost. Also, theres a maid who fainted in my room, you might want to have someone check on her, and its best to take her for a gastroscopy. Wen Li, obviously confused by what she heard, instructed someone to go to Fu Qians room then pulled Fu Qian aside to talk privately. Fu Qian briefly recounted what had happened but concealed some details, merely noting someone had controlled the maid to attack him. In fact, from the very beginning, Fu Qian hadnt trusted what that person had said at all. Showing up so promptly to propose a game, ny-nine percent likely, was an attempt to test him. What could a game of choosing between a red and green capsule possibly reveal? Courage? Character? Or luck? It was utterly meaningless. Considering how the scene unfolded, Fu Qian even believed that both capsules likely had problems, randomly ingesting either one could have resulted in the same fate as that of the maid. The so-called choice was nothing but a misdirection. After listening to Fu Qians story, Wen Li turned pale, clearly stirring up some unpleasant memories. It seemed she had a vivid recollection of the incident with the soup too. Who knows if shell end up firing all the servants and taking matters into her own hands from now on. Well most likely not. Youre suspecting that monster has been lurking here for quite a while? After a moment, Wen Li finally regainedposure and asked. Not for too long, after all, youve been here for less than a month, right? Fu Qian blinked. He obviously wasnt very good at offeringfort, as Wen Lis face grew even paler. Since the game incident, Wen Li had be noticeably more anxious. Before, she might have only been aware of the hidden threat, not realizing her house had long been infiltrated like a sieve. So much so that by the next days breakfast, the dark circles under her eyes were quite pronounced. Mr. Fang, do you have time today? I n to make a trip out. Wen Li clearly had little appetite, taking only a few sips of clear soup before putting down her spoon and chopsticks. Youre going out? Its not very safe at the moment, Fu Qian asked while eating his breakfast. It must be said that wherever Wen Li went, she never skimped on her stomach; the chefs cooking was exceptionally good, turning a simple breakfast into a variety of tempting dishes. Yes. Wen Li nodded firmly. I know going out increases the risk, but today theres an important person I need to meet. Alright then. Seeing her determination, Fu Qian reluctantly nodded. Of course, what he felt inside was entirely the opposite of what he showed; he was wholeheartedly in favor of Wen Lis n. Although it meant waiting for the rabbit, staying at home all the time clearly wasnt very effective. The most efficient way was to move to where the rabbits were plentiful. Wen Li was decisive, quickly arranging the affairs of the house, and the two of them set off promptly. During the car ride, Fu Qian remembered the question Wen Li had mentioned before. Speaking of which, from yesterday afternoon until now, have you sensed that malice again? No, not anymore. Wen Li shook her head. Since I set out to visit you, that malice has disappeared. Speaking of which, I have you to thank for that. Wen Li managed a smile, though it still came off somewhat strained. Just as she was about to say something else, a ringtone suddenly broke the silence. It was Wen Xiuxian calling to check on the situation after hearing about the events here. Sitting to the side, Fu Qian could discern the gravity in the conversation. At this point, Wen Li calmed down, gently reassured her father with a couple of words, and mentioned how Uncle Deng had been taking care of her all along, deliberately omitting her own presence. It seemed Fu Qians previous guess wasnt wrong; Wen Xiuxian probably had quite an unfavorable opinion of him, and Wen Li did not want him to know that she had sought Fu Qian out again as a bodyguard. It was a natural human response, understandable. Fu Qian didnt mind at all, but he was rather curious about this Uncle Deng Wen Li mentioned. He sounded like an influential figure, and Wen Xiuxians words seemed full of entrustment, showing great trust in him. Uncle Dengs full name is Deng Feizhou, and hes the person were going to visitter, Wen Li said after hanging up the phone, volunteering the information to Fu Qian. Hes a very powerful Transcendent who has been an old acquaintance of my fathers for many years, andter on, he moved to Shangjing on his own. Before I left this time, my father specifically mentioned that I should pay him a visit. Mm-hmm. Fu Qian nodded in response. Now that Wen Li was a Sixth Phase Transcendent herself, the very powerful Transcendent she referred to surely wouldnt be of low caliber. The car twisted and turned before finally stopping in front of a house that radiated a sense of history. Wen Li got out and rang the doorbell, and soon the door was opened from the inside. Inside stood a tall, thin middle-aged man with hair that was starting to turn gray. Although his features were unremarkable, the asional spark of sharpness in his eyes seemed powerful enough to pierce into ones heart. Pretty impressive! Fu Qian silently appraised, finding that Wen Li hadnt exaggerated. Uncle Deng. Wen Li greeted him with a well-behaved demeanor. Deng Feizhou appeared rather stern, acknowledging her with a slight nod. This is Fang Xun, a friend of mine whos been staying at my ce recently. Ive brought him along to visit you, Wen Li introduced Fu Qian, conveniently sticking to the story of him staying over. Mm-hmm. Deng Feizhou looked Fu Qian up and down a few times, said nothing, and gestured for the two to enter the house. Compared to where Wen Li lived, this manor was undoubtedly more understated, yet a look at the interior decor suggested that its upant was wealthy or noble. Uncle Deng, Im sorry to disturb you again today, especially under such special circumstances, Wen Li apologized as she sat down, promptly revealing the purpose of their visit by recounting the events of the previous night and her own experience being followed as well. It was clear that she ced significant trust in Uncle Deng. After listening to Wen Li, Deng Feizhou was silent for a while before finally speaking. Has anyone from the Chen Family contacted you? Yesterday, Chen Mingda came to apologize for the ident at the banquet, andter he even suggested I stay at their manor, Wen Li responded. He suggested you stay at Houhai Manor? Thats considerate, but actually, its not very necessary, Deng Feizhou said with a slight frown. I just received news thatst night another youngster from the Chen n was murdered. Because of this, the entire Chen Family is extremely angry and cooperating fully with the Night Watchmen to track down Henriks whereabouts. I believe there will be results soon, so you neednt worry too much. As for the mysterious individual you mentioned residing inside the body, I have never heard of such a thing before. Speaking of which, I just remembered something, Fu Qian suddenly interjected. Remembered what? Wen Li looked at him in surprise, while Deng Feizhous gaze was as piercing as lightning. The day before yesterday, I was taken to Night Watchmen Base, where the person in charge, Yuan Shan, personally asked me a few questions. One of them was quite strange She asked me whether the Night Watchman who was killed at my shop had spat out anything, Fu Qian said with a serious expression, about to spin a story. Chapter 115 - 114: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (14)_1 Chapter 115: Chapter 114: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (14)_1 Yuan Shan asked if anything had been vomited up? After Fu Qian finished speaking, the room fell into a prolonged silence. Both Wen Li and Deng Feizhou were clearly shocked by the news. Seeing their reactions, Fu Qian was very satisfied. Lying is an art of mixing truth with falsehood, and the best part was that he really had had a private conversation with Yuan Shan. Any interested party that harbored doubts could easily verify this. Even though Yuan Shan hadnt asked that particr question, he believed no one would go to her in person to check. As for the purpose of saying this, it was actually quite simple. Whether the controlled maid from yesterday was indeed here on behalf of Thorn Blood hadnt been confirmed yet. Now, by outright stating that Yuan Shan was paying attention to simr matters, he was forcibly linking the two together. The man before him, Deng Feizhou, was undoubtedly well-informed, and Fu Qian trusted that his words would soon spread throughout Shangjing. If the people behind the scenes truly had something to do with Thorn Blood, he was really looking forward to their reaction after learning they were already under the Night Watchmens surveince. If not, then these kinds of minor actions were likely to quiet down for a while, eliminating some distractions for him. Of course, if the news didnt spread at all, that would be even better, indicating that Deng Feizhou was very likely to be problematic. Have you encountered simr situations before? After a long pause, Deng Feizhou finally spoke. No, the person was just shot in the head in front of me. Shot in the head If Yuan Shan is asking this, it seems the Night Watchmen have information we dont. If shes really that concerned, I think you should share the details of yesterday with her. I was thinking the same thing. Fu Qian smiled at thetter. I felt that going out was rather dangerous before, but now that Ivee outside, I will visit the Night Watchmen Baseter, hoping this clue will be significant for them. Lets hope so. Deng Feizhou sighed. Its been so many years since Shangjing was this restless, the pressure on Yuan Shan must be immense. Its right to be cautious about your safety, especially Wen Li, you are an easy target. Hmm, dont worry about me. Wen Li nodded seriously. Has something like this happened before? It sounds a bit incredible that a guardian would lose their sanity. Theplexity of the Supernatural World is far beyond your imagination, Deng Feizhou shook his head. In fact, I have received reliable information these past two days that Henrik didnt just watch over a regr materials warehouse, but an especially dangerous restricted area. Restricted area Fu Qian interjected. I seem to have heard of this term. Its said that someone broke into it the day before yesterday, but Ive always been unclear about what a restricted area is for? Its normal for you not to know; that ce has always been a secret of the Night Watchmen. As the name implies, the restricted area stores dangerous items. In the Supernatural World, not everything is good. For years, the Night Watchmen, as regtors of the Supernatural World, have collected numerous dangerous items. And the most harmful among them are the bodies of Transcendents. Bodies? Wen Li was surprised. Thats right, but not just any Transcendents. Usually, only those who are afflicted with an unresolvable corruption that prevents proper burial after death need to be sealed there. I see, this is why Henrik had an incident, because he was dealing with materials that werent ordinary every day. Wen Li realized. Indeed, most bodies, after being sealed and purified over many years, gradually lose their contamination. But there is always a special part, the contamination on the corpse not only doesnt weaken over the years, instead, it can breed something even more dangerous. Deng Feizhou took a deep breath. It is said that the item Henrik stole was something that grew out of a demigods body. Of course, what he ns to do with it remains unknown to this day. No wonder the forbidden area looked like that, it was essentially a lead coffin! Hearing Deng Feizhous exnation, Fu Qian thought to himself. So, it was something Henrik took from a demigods body that caused the remaining parts to mutate? That thing must be the Thorn Blood, no doubt about it. The item Im looking for actually grew out of a demigods body, which is somewhat horrifying. This must also be why Yuan Shan didnt go out to capture people and stayed at the base insteadshe needed to help suppress the veins that spread across the entire forbidden area. With that, the basic situation seemed to be clear. It could be said that today was quite fruitful. Are you going to the Night Watchmen Base? Ill go with you. Wen Li didnt bother her elder much, and after a short conversation, she took the initiative to say goodbye and head out, speaking immediately aftering out. Dont you want to go home? Home might not necessarily be safe now. Wen Li smiled helplessly. Ive got this feeling like a thorn in my side. I hardly sleptst night, I feel much safer by your side. I can understand that,e to think of it, this Uncle Deng of yours is quite strong. Hmm. Wen Li nodded. Since I can remember, Uncle Deng has already been a Middle Tier Transcendent. He, like me, is the kind that awakenedter and also possesses mental abilities. No wonder he keeps such a low profile, seems like he doesnt want to bump into that Henrik. Nobody wants to be targeted by a madman. But now Ive somewhat changed my mind. Why? Wen Li looked puzzled. I just had this hunch that this old Mr. Deng doesnt seem very supportive of me seeking out the Night Watchmen. You noticed too? Wen Li was surprised, then leaned in closer and whispered. I also suspect that Uncle Deng has other information that hes notfortable sharing with us. When you mentioned Yuan Shan earlier, I clearly felt that Uncle Dengs emotions fluctuated quite a bit, he seemed very surprised and puzzled, I didnt expect you to notice it as well. Thats right. Emotions that Fu Qian couldnt perceive right now, he wasnt Wen Li. The reason he talked nonsense just now was also to take advantage of her ability to perceive emotions. If Deng Feizhou really had no idea about the parasite, when I mentioned Yuan Shan, he would at most seem a bit strange, and his emotions shouldnt have changed too much from before. But now Wen Li confirmed that his emotions fluctuated visibly at that time. Such aparison made his behavior seem a bit deliberate. Even the suggestion he made for me to go find Yuan Shan had a hint of trying to wash his hands of the matter. Still need to keep an eye on this one. Shall we go straight back then? Wen Li, of course, had no idea she had been used again, and looked at Fu Qian as she asked. Sure. Miss Wen! Just as the two were about to leave, a shout suddenly came from far away, and upon looking up, they saw a familiar face. It was that Chen Mingfei they had seen at the banquet, rushing over with a group of people. Chapter 116 - 115: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (15)_1 Chapter 116: Chapter 115: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (15)_1 Wen Li, what are you doing here? Chen Mingfei hastened over and looked at Wen Li with a strange expression. Paying a visit to an elder. Wen Li exined with a smile. Paying a visit to an elder. Chen Mingfei nced behind Wen Li and then at Fu Qian beside her. And who might this be? Fang Xun, my friend. Seeing that Fu Qian had no intention of speaking, Wen Li took the initiative to introduce him, also without borating much. A friend? Chen Mingfei sized up Fu Qian, his expression somewhat unfriendly. Compared to Chen Mingda, this cousin of mine shows off quite a bit! Sensing the way Chen Mingfei looked at him, Fu Qian thought to himself. Its not very safe outside right now, best not to stay out too long. After watching Fu Qian for a while, Chen Mingfei turned back to Wen Li and said. Hmm, thank you for the reminder. Actually, we were just preparing to head back. Are you leading a team to capture the fugitive Night Watchman? You two? Could it be that you live together? Chen Mingfeis frown deepened, but he still answered patiently. Yes, another member of the Chen Family was victimized yesterday. The second uncle issued an order for everyone to mobilize and find that persons trail. We wont rest until hes caught. Then you should also be careful. Wen Li politely reminded. Dont worry. That guy is now a bloodthirsty beast, acting solely on instinct. He has the realm but is absolutely nothing to fear. This g is raised way too skillfully! Fu Qian, who had been disinterested in the conversation, couldnt help but inwardlyment. Maybe I should let Wen Li go home first, and then stealthily follow this guy? I have a feeling that after this conversation, the likelihood of him being targeted just rose by 80%. Chen Mingfei was obviously very attentive towards Wen Li, showing rare patience. He kept saying not to stay outdoors for too long, but was actually chatting with Wen Li on and off. Its not safe outside now. Miss Wen, would you like to stay at the manor until the crisis is over and then we can escort you home? Just like family, thinking almost exactly like Chen Mingda. No, that wont be necessary. Wen Lis reaction was also consistent as she smiled and shook her head. With Mr. Fang here, my safety isnt an issue. Intentional? Its like openly asking me to attract hate points. Fu Qian nced at Wen Li and noticed her looking at him with pleading eyes. Do you want me to help get rid of the nuisance? This time Ill let it slide, but next time youd better discuss it with me in advance. We should talk about the fees then. By this time, Chen Mingfei had already been bothered to look over again. Mr. Fang seems quite unfamiliar. Have you just arrived in Shangjing? The way these scions of noble families speak really goes round and round. What hes getting at probably trantes to who the hell are you,ing to Shangjing to beg? Fu Qian nced at Chen Mingfei, effectively treating him as thin air. Mr. Fang quite a personality you have. Chen Mingfei bit his teeth in a mixture of embarrassment and anger, a surge of murderous intent churning inside him. Something seems off. Fu Qian ignored himpletely, first looking up at the sky, then suddenly grabbed Wen Li and pulled her back one step. The next instant, a streak of light descended from the sky. Amid a series of screams, members of the Chen n youngsters fell in droves. This is Everyone looked at the figure that appeared in the center. Deformed limbs, tattered clothing. On a face covered with dark blood vessels were the crimson eyes of a wild beast. Henrik? Although his features were somewhat distorted, one could still make out the appearance of Henrik from the banquet. The fish has taken the bait. Todays catch is not just bountiful; its downright explosive. Only, this fish seems a bit toorge! Fu Qian sized up Henrik and could clearly feel thatpared to during the banquet, the former Night Watchmans aura had be exceedingly strong. If it werent for the chaotic and violent aura, one might almost feel like they were facing a demigod, such was the fierceness of the killing intent that it seemed almost tangible. Has he really gone into a berserk level-up? Henrik? Finally realizing what was happening, Wen Li cautiously approached, holding her breath and concealing her presence. It should be. No sooner had Fu Qian finished speaking than Henriks blood-red eyes looked over. Violent, crazy. There was a feeling of being targeted by a wild beast. The rumors are true; its highly likely that his mind is gone. At this moment, Henriks figure disappeared from its spot once again. So fast! Is the target Wen Li? As the only one who could catch the movements of this adversary, Fu Qian quickly made a judgment. Unfortunately, thetter was choking, her body stiff,pletely immobile. Locked in the murderous intent of Henrik, Wen Li, the support staff, had no capacity to resist, not even able to make a move to dodge. In this situation, without a second word, Fu Qian kicked out. Wen Li, in the end, couldnt escape being kicked away. But that very kick saved her life. A streak of light shed, and Henrik appeared where Wen Li had stood, with a deep trench beneath his feet. This was merely a regr swipe of his w. Looking at that terrifying trace. It must be said that although Yuan Shans skills seemed magical before, now the physical type is more appealing. Missing with his strike, Henrik hardly paused before his gaze shifted to Fu Qian. The next moment, a strangely shaped long de ripped through Fu Qians figure. However, it was only a figure after all. Fu Qian sidestepped, dodging the blow. The swords light whirled, mixed with roaring howls. Seemingly realizing only Fu Qian could pose a threat, Henrikunched a tempestuous assault. What a grudge! Fu Qian dodged all the while, feeling astonished. Thanks to the rigorous training on the Ring Inds, his body was now agile and seemed to stroll leisurely among the flurry of sword gleams and w shadows. Considering his prior performance at the Night Watchmen Base, he didnt n on revealing certain abilities here. Its time to switch to some other skills. Amidst continuous closebat, Fu Qian finally found an opening and swiftly made consecutive points with his finger. Five Air Bullets whistled out. Sure enough, facing this kind of attack, the frenzied Henrik did not dodge or evade, opting to tough it out and take damage for damage. With consecutive sounds, the five bullets all hit their mark, not causing substantial injury, yet the immense force momentarily staggered Henrik. Seizing that instant, Fu Qian shed to his back. Hendriks back was still a blur of flesh and blood. The wound left by Old Master Chen was still there. It was just too perfect. Fu Qian did not hesitate to reach out. Without triggering his Mythical Form, he directly executed a Visceral Critical Strike. The next moment, Henrik let out an earth-shattering roar, lunging violently forward. As his innards gushed out, his spine nearly disintegrated. Yet Henrik demonstrated an exaggeratedly strong life force, somehow still not falling. Instead, he raised his head and let out a terrifyingly mournful howl. At his feet, the trembling Chen Mingfei was desperately backing away. Chapter 117 - 116: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (16)_1 Chapter 117: Chapter 116: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (16)_1 Everything happened in the blink of an eye. This was the first time Henrik had made a sound since he appeared. Although the wound on his back was horrific, he still hadnt fallen. Clink! The longsword in his hand was thrown to the ground, and Henrik copsed into a pool of blood. Those were the remnants of the Chen n Youngsters he had ughtered upon his arrival. Positioning his limbs like an animal, he actually began to devour the limbs on the ground. The crunching sound of chewing rose. This shocking scene nearly scared Chen Mingfei out of his wits. Asrge chunks of flesh were consumed, Henriks body began to tremble, and needle-like hair started to grow all over his face and limbs. Not only that, but white bones protruded from the wound on his back, quickly forming two ghastly bone tes. Damn, even the spot of the Visceral Critical Strike is gone! Has hepletely turned into a beast? Fu Qian frowned at the sight. Lets set aside the transformation for a moment, but arent you a bit too obsessed? In his field of vision, the transformed Henrik had raised his head once again. His face smeared with blood, he was still fixated on him. Werent you only interested in the mental type? Logically, any of these people here should be more delicious than me, right? Why are you so fixated on me! Not to mention far away, theres a tender and chewy Wen Li right beside you! Despite hisints, seeing the crazed look in Henriks eyes, Fu Qian wasnt afraid. Though after transforming, Henrik exuded an aura that faintly resembled that of a demigod. However, trading intelligence for power had some obvious ws. The actions of animals are always easier to predict than those of humans. Like now, for example. The next moment, the four-legged Henrik became a blur of blood-red light, charging headfirst towards him. Its that predictable boar charge! When Henrik had been preparing the move, Fu Qian had already been reminded of the Crocodile Monster he had torn apart with his own hands. It turned out his guess was correct. But the strength of a Demigod Level is truly extraordinary. Even having anticipated the move, the terrifying speed almost left him unable to react in time. As Fu Qian dodged, Henriks pointed teeth almost mped down on his throat. Narrowly avoiding the strike, Fu Qian quickly put some distance between them. In theory, against such an opponent, he could simply replicate the strategy used to kill the Crocodile Monster by transforming his hand into a spear and engaging directly. At worst, hed sustain some injuries, but Fu Qian was confident he could exhaust Henrik to death. But on one hand, Fu Qian didnt want to reveal his ability to transform, and on the other, he didnt want to appear overly spectacr. Actually killing a Demigod Level creature by oneself would surely raise suspicions. Most importantly, even after confronting the prime subject, there was still no sign of any Thorn Blood. Just earlier, he had personally unleashed a Visceral Critical Strike, and Henriks blood could be seen sttered everywhere, yet there didnt seem to be anything special about it. All this gave Fu Qian a premonition that even if he killed Henrik here, he might not find any Thorn Blood. So, better not to reveal anything! Fu Qian quickly made up his mind, and right then, Henriks second charge arrived. This time the speed seemed a tad slower? Fu Qian easily dodged and nced to the side. Wen Li, who had risen to her feet, was standing to one side with pursed lips, her eyes fixed on Henrik. An emotional amplifier? Fu Qians thoughts stirred; the girl still had some courage, far better than the one who did nothing but scream. Even so, causing any interference to someone like Henrik would normally be close to impossible. But Henrik was already in a berserk state, his emotions extremely intense, so in the end there was a slight effect. Amplified by emotional augmentation, the once again thwarted Henrik let out a painful roar, repeatedly mming his head against the ground numerous times. However, what was exasperating was that after the head mming, an even more frenzied Henrik lifted his head, still staring intently over here. It proved that Wen Lis attack had not managed to pull aggro. Was his own taunt level really that high? Fu Qianmented once again. But it didnt matter, he had seen all sorts of situations before. Fu Qian snorted, and the next moment a crimson whip appeared, striking Henrik. Tyrants Fist, eachsh could cause the target to lose their mind. In fact, he wasnt very sure if it would work, especially against a target that had already lost their mind. But he was also a bit curious about what level Tyrants Fist could reach whenbined with Wen Lis emotional amplification. Continuously dodging attacks, Fu Qians whip keptshing out at Henrik. And as he was repeatedly struck, Henrik became even more crazed, his body beginning to sprout sharp bone spikes, his appearance bing even more hideous. However, Fu Qian had slowly caught up with his pace, making all attacks futile. It was only a matter of time before he went down. Ah! Once again dodging Henriks headlong rush, Fu Qian heard a scream from behind. Turning his head to look, he saw Chen Mingfei clutching his leg and screaming. The guy had just gotten up and moved to the side to hide, but unfortunately had bad luck, getting hit by the bricks and stones flung by Henriks charge, and was instantly wounded. Perhaps the screams piqued his interest, but Henrikspletely blood-red eyes finally moved off Fu Qian and fixed on Chen Mingfei. Thetter was utterly horrified, subconsciously wanting to flee. But being directly targeted by a demigod, his reaction was just like Wen Lis,pletely stiff and unable to move. Just as Chen Mingfei fell into a dire situation, the next moment an invisible force appeared. This force moved him sideways by several meters, allowing him to dodge Henriks lethal charge. I heard some noise over here. Deng Feizhou appeared at the side, his expression grave as he surveyed the surroundings and gave Fu Qian a deep look. Didnt expect him toe over here. Leave it to me, Deng Feizhou said as he gestured with his hand, pushing Chen Mingfei back another two steps. Bang bang! Simultaneously, a dull explosion sounded, and two red whirlwinds appeared beneath Henriks feet. The bodies of two Chen n Youngsters exploded almost at the same time. The sttered flesh and blood hit Henrik with such force that it nearly tipped him over. The power was considerable! Fu Qian nodded, showing no sign of stepping forward to finish the job, instead taking on the role of a spectator. Taken by surprise, Henrik roared again, flipping to his feet and locking his gaze on Deng Feizhou. The next moment, he bent his body, bent his knees and leaped high. Was that jump a bit too high? Fu Qian watched Henrik in the air. He leaped over the remnants, over the treetops, over Deng Feizhou, and finallynded directly on the rooftop behind. Hmm? Such a grand disy, and hes running away? Hmph, where do you think youre going? Deng Feizhou huffed, stretching his hand and grasping at the void. Henrik on the rooftop stiffened, as if held by an invisible hand. However, after only half a second, Henrik bellowed to the sky, a terrifying force erupting from him. Deng Feizhou grunted, his hand loosening. The constraints on Henrik shattered, and he quickly vanished from sight. Chapter 118 - 117: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (17)_1 Chapter 118: Chapter 117: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (17)_1 The scene was extremely awkward at one point. Everyone looked in the direction Henrik had escaped, all somewhat dazed. Deng Feizhou, who had been full of confidence, now had a serious expression on his face. This guy is even more troublesome than I imagined! With a light cough, he looked at Wen Li not far away. Wen Li, are you alright? Uncle Deng, Im fine, thank you foring to my rescue. I didnt help much. Deng Feizhou shook his head, turning his gaze towards Fu Qian. Your friend here really keeps his cards close to his chest! Mr. Fang is indeed a powerful Transcendent, he has saved me several times already. Wen Li looked at Fu Qian, knowing he didnt like disclosing information, so she didnt say too much. Of course, she didnt know much to begin with. Youre not bad yourself, dont sell yourself short. To face a creature of Demigod Level and still do your best to seize the opportunity to attack, its this courage alone that already surpasses many. As soon as Deng Feizhou said this, Chen Mingfei immediately felt awkward. As one of the outstanding members of his generation in the Chen Family, and already a genuine Sixth Phase Transcendent, his performance just now had been far from good. And all this had been witnessed by Wen Li Chen Mingfei felt rather frustrated, even somewhat relieved that almost all of the people he had brought with him were dead. As for Fu Qian, he didnt even dare to raise his head to look at this mysterious person, his heart full of fear. The guy seemed average in terms of strength, but who would have thought he could be so formidable. He could even hold his ground against the frenzied Henrik for so long. Fu Qiansposure when facing a Demigod, his ruthless and determined actions, reyed over and over in his mind. It was good that there had been no actual conflict just now, otherwise Although he had the entire Chen Family behind him, some madmen didnt care about consequences. Fu Qian was probably the calmest one amongst the group. He hadnt used his full strength just now, otherwise, a Visceral Critical Strike in Mythical Form could have possibly taken Henrik down immediately. His mission was to find Thorn Blood. Since there was no sign of it on Henrik, it was better to wait and see how things would unfold. Miss Wen! At that moment, a shout came from afar, and a group of people rushed over. The two leading them were none other than Chen Mingda and the Poker Face from the Night Watchmen. The neers were startled by the disarray as they approached. We heard fighting from over here and hurried over. Chen Mingda was rtivelyposed as he looked around, finally resting his gaze on Chen Mingfeis face. Mingfei, did you encounter the target? Are you alright? Otherwise what? Were ughtering each other for fun here? Chen Mingfei clearly did not appreciate his brothers concern and found a vent for the frustration he had been holding in. Chen Mingda frowned but didnt say anything, instead turning to Wen Li. Miss Wen, are you okay? Thank you for your concern, Im fine! Wen Li shook her head, her emotions mostly settled down by now. Mr. Deng is also here, what exactly happened here? Did Henrik kill all these people? Poker Face asked Deng Feizhou on the side, indicating they had known each other for some time. Yes. Deng Feizhou took a deep breath. The situation was extremely dangerous just now. Henrik suffered serious injuries, but he became even more frenzied, nearly reaching Demigod Level strength. Demigod Level Poker Face was taken aback. Yes, I was careless for a moment. Deng Feizhou shook his head. I thought we could hold him, but I didnt expect him to break free. Youre being too modest, if it werent for you, Mingfei might not have made it. Chen Mingda added from the side. I dont deserve such credit, their survival is mainly due to Mr. Fang holding Henrik off. Deng Feizhou pointed at Fu Qian. Him? Even Poker Face couldnt keep his expression steady now, sizing up Fu Qian with a gaze full of surprise and suspicion. He naturally remembered this manPoker Face had been present when Yuan Shan had interrogated Fu Qian. But no matter what, Fu Qian still looked like a low-level Transcendent, and it waspletely unimaginable that he could confront Henrik. Yes, if it hadnt been for Mr. Fang, we might have beenpletely wiped out just now. So it was like that. Poker Face took a deep look at Fu Qian before turning to walk to the side, and after a moment, he turned back. Mr. Fang, I have reported the situation here, and our leader would like to meet you. I wonder if you have the time? Yuan Shan wanted to see me? It was somewhat understandable; given the vast difference in the way I had acted before and now, I would definitely be considered highly suspicious. Someone with a more vtile temper might have arrested me on the spot. No problem. Fu Qian blinked. Theres no time to dy. Poker Face turned his head and gestured for two people toe over. Ill lead people to track Henriks whereabouts; you will escort Mr. Fang to the base. Just showing the way, and it takes two people! Are they afraid Ill run away? Fu Qian shook his head inwardly. Can I can Ie along? Just then, Wen Li beside him asked cautiously. Go together? Poker Face clearly wasnt familiar with Wen Li, and he found her request a bit odd, but naturally assumed she was Fu Qianspanion and immediately nodded. Of course, you can. This Mr. Fang was mysterious and unpredictable; it might actually be better to have someone who seemed more normal apany him. Are they that afraid? Fu Qian looked at Wen Li who had approached him, and she seemed visibly relieved. But thinking about it, it made sense; in the past few days, she really had encountered ghosts wherever she went, so such feelings were understandable. Its not easy being the Daughter of Destiny! Soon, the Night Watchmen Base was already in sight. Fu Qian wasnt taken to the interrogation room he was inst time but was escorted further up to an area that resembled an office. Wee. The Night Watchman leading the way knocked on the door, and unlikest time, Yuan Shan was already inside waiting. Hello, Mr. Fang. Wen Li obediently waited outside, while Fu Qian pushed the door and entered. Yuan Shan set down the documents in her hands and looked up with a charming and cheerful smile. A Transcendent had been killed in your territory, and your mood still seems quite good? Dont you have KPIs to assess? Mr. Fang is quite mysterious; I must admit that even I was deceivedst time. My apologies. Indicating for Fu Qian to sit down, Yuan Shan looked at him with a smile on her face. No problem, Im a very low-key person. Indeed low-key, in fact, I have an interesting piece of information here. Yuan Shan fluttered the documents in her hand. Not long ago, a Mr. Cha Yingjun approached us, stating that he had been carjacked and knocked unconscious. Interestingly, my people checked into it. And it turns out that during the time he was unconscious, he still managed to attend a banquet. Isnt that curious? That was me. Fu Qian said candidly. If Yuan Shan brought it up, it was better to just admit it openly. He didnt believe the Night Watchmen would trouble themselves over such a minor issue. Mr. Fang is truly honest. May I ask why you did it? Yuan Shan chuckled as she looked at him. Because I needed to attend the banquet, but I didnt have an invitation. That is a reason. Yuan Shan nodded, apparently quite epting of the exnation. Alright then, lets get down to business. Chapter 119 - 118: The Hunter Craves Blood (18)_1 Chapter 119: Chapter 118: The Hunter Craves Blood (18)_1 ` So were back on track now? As expected, rules are only for ordinary people. Although Fu Qian believed that as long as there was a necessary reason, the Night Watchman would not hesitate to take action against anyone. But the probability of them causing him trouble over such trivial matters was too slim. Moreover, other than possibly catching a cold, that Brother Cha Yingjun was hardly hurt at all. Its quite normal for Transcendents to have some minor frictions, we cant cover everything, Yuan Shan spoke as if it were a matter of course. Besides, didnt you save someone at the banquet? Now that you mention it, it does seem reasonable, Fu Qian nodded. However, theres one question that Im rather curious about. Yuan Shan abruptly changed the topic. And that iswhy? You said earlier that you needed to attend the banquet, but why was it necessary? I believe you must have a special reason. Of course, there was a reason, but he couldnt tell her. Fu Qian blinked; he had been prepared for this. He gestured towards the outside. I was once entrusted to ensure the safety of that person outside. Wen Li? Is she really that well-known? Most Transcendents have records within the Night Watchman, and Wen Li belongs to a rather special category. The Night Watchman has always been paying attention to her and is pleased with her smooth development. Attention or vignce? Fu Qian still remembered what the Night Watchman, Qi Xue, had said; the upper echelons of the Night Watchman obviously had an ambivalent attitude towards Wen Li. As for her advancement, they pretty much adopted a wait-and-see approach. You seem to know quite a bit, Yuan Shans smile faded, and she gave Fu Qian a deep look. For someone whos been entrusted, thats not too much. For instance, I only know that youre wary of her but not specifically why. If thats a question you truly want an answer to, Yuan Shan pressed a switch beside her. Thene with me. Silently, the wall on the side of the office moved. A Dark Gate opened, revealing a small elevator. So secretive, your private elevator? Yes, people in leadership should have some privileges, otherwise whats all the hard work for, Yuan Shan gestured, signaling Fu Qian to join her inside. The elevator descended steadily. Judging from its speed and the time psed, they must have reached the underground levels. As expected! When the elevator doors opened, a dark corridory before them, lit by a familiar flickering light. This scene, hed just seen it not too long ago! Fu Qian reflected inwardly. This passageway has been here for a hundred years, Yuan Shan walked lightly ahead, casually opening the door at the end of the corridor. The familiar stench hit them face-on. Despite being mentally prepared, Fu Qian still scrunched his brow in difort. Before them was the Banishment Zone he had visited before. Though it seemed there had been some mitigationpared to hisst visit, it was still quite unpleasant. This is the Banishment Zone, I believe youve heard of it. Yes, in some recent rumors. ` The rumors are mostly true, Henrik had been stationed here for many years. Yuan Shan walked ahead emotionlessly. Guarding the containment area is a dangerous job, and though Henrik wasnt the strongest, he was undoubtedly one of the most dedicated. I deeply regret what happened to him. When you saw him today, was his condition already very bad? Yuan Shan asked. It depends on how you look at it. His consciousness seemed almost shattered, to the point where he couldnt even remotely detonate heads anymore, and his method of killing reverted to pure melee. However, at the same time, his vitality had increased, almost to a demigod level. While responding, Fu Qian examined his surroundings. Compared to his previous visit, the veins on the wall were still there, but they seemed somewhat retracted, suggesting they had been temporarily suppressed. Not far away, an elderly man with white hair opened his eyes, examined Fu Qian, and then closed his eyes to rest. Another Fourth Phase. Fu Qian recognized him, one of the three people who were with Yuan Shan during hisst visit. So he really is a guard here! s! Yuan Shan sighed faintly. Do you know the origins of the containment area? I heard its used to store the bodies of contaminated Transcendents? Thats right. Do you know where the contaminationes from? I really dont know that. Fu Qian shook his head honestly. There are actually many types of contamination at the Transcendent level, like this one here. At this moment, the two had walked around the corner, and right in front of them was the damaged room. The contents inside were still not calm, and although wrapped inyers of ck cocoons, they continued to struggle slightly. With a wave of her hand, Yuan Shan summoned a ck ribbon out of thin air that reinforced the cocoon, further restraining its movements. This corpse is from a Transcendent of a bygone era. He had a very special ability, which was to enhance his strength by devouring other peoples flesh and blood, causing tremendous casualties at the time. Until the Night Watchman exterminated him, he had ascended to a demigod level. A cannibalistic demigod? How many heads had he devoured! The image of Henrik consuming people shed through Fu Qians mind. Let me guess, he didnt just specialize in consuming psychics, did he? That feels a bit discriminatory? Psychic, physical, these are just too crude a division, Yuan Shan shook her head. Transcendent abilities are ever-changing, how can they be so simply summarized? Anyway, this individuals ability brought him strength as well as contamination. After he was killed, his body was immediately sealed here. However, over the years, the contamination within the body not only didnt dissipate, it actually began to grow and evenbear fruit. Thorn Blood! When Yuan Shan spoke of bearing fruit, Fu Qian immediately thought of his mission target. The thing that grew from the corpse is ominously mysterious, and anyone whoes into prolonged contact with it will unintentionally be affected, bing bloodthirsty and craving fresh flesh. We take it very seriously and take all possible precautions. Unfortunately, Henrik still Yuan Shan let out a sigh. I understand the contamination part now, but if youre showing me all this, youre worried about Wen Li All the bodies stored here have various types of contamination. Although most arent as intense as this one, letting any of them loose could lead to all sorts of adverse effects. Its unfortunate that up to now, we still cannot determine the exact cause of the contamination; we can only be extra cautious of some special abilities. Wen Lis abilities are rather unique, hence she has been ced under observation, or rather, monitoring. So thats how it is! In fact, there have been many abnormalities here recently, not just Henrik getting contaminated and then stealing dangerous items. The day before yesterday, there was even someone who attempted to break in here and injured three Night Watchman members. As Yuan Shan said this, she nced at Fu Qian, intentionally or not. Oh, that was me too! Fu Qian nodded again, unflustered. Chapter 120 - 119: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (19)_1 Chapter 120: Chapter 119: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (19)_1 Within the sealed area, a killing intent emerged. You really dare to admit it! As soon as Fu Qian spoke, even Yuan Shan shuddered in disbelief, staring at him. Whats there not to dare? The Wrath of the Demigod was no small matter, and although Yuan Shan had yet to make a move, the air seemed to fill with invisible whirlpools that were oppressive to the point of suffocation. Moreover, within the sealed area were three guards of around the Fourth Phase, who could arrive at any moment. However, Fu Qian remained unfazed. It saves time on probing, isnt that a good thing? You brought me down here to confirm this point, didnt you? Since youve said so much Yuan Shans expression was icy, her gaze sharp. I hope you use the precious time youve saved to exin yourself well, otherwise, youre going to have a hard time leaving here today. I didnt need you to tell me, Id been aware of this the moment I arrived. Fu Qian thought to himself. When Poker Face said Yuan Shan wanted to meet him, he had already envisioned this scene. Nevertheless, Fu Qian had stille. The reason was simple: he hadnt found the Thorn Blood on Henriks body. If he had confirmed the Thorn Blood on Henriks body earlier, he would not have bothered with anyone and wouldve simply harvested it toplete the mission. However, not finding the Thorn Blood and confirming the presence of a person behind the scenes, it was necessary for him to make this trip; otherwise, he would simply be a decoy to divert attention. Next, it was time for a battle of wits. Actually, its very simple, because I, like you, believe that the entire incident was not an individual act by Henrik. Fu Qian said something shocking. What do you mean? Yuan Shan was initially shocked, her tone settling down, but her gaze remained cold. Dont tell me, youve been staying at the base all this time just to enjoy the privilege of leadership. I came to Shangjing intending only to live a leisurely life and incidentally look after an old friends daughter. But after learning about some of the circumstances, I couldnt help but be suspicious. Go on. I once dealt with a man named Lu Ming and witnessed some strange research. And some of the things I witnessed at the banquet led me to some bad associations, and I wanted to confirm what exactly had been stolen. Fu Qian chose to use the Rebirth Club as a shield. Lu Ming? Yuan Shan narrowed her eyes. Yes, an old man without a single hair on his head, always obsessed with experiments like stitching together bodies and limbs. Rebirth Club? You know about it too? Why wouldnt I know about it? Yuan Shan snorted. That bunch of lunatics caused havoc at sea, turning the area into a ce of chaos and darkness. Im very clear about these happenings. However, its said that an ident urred there three months ago, not only was Bai Jinting from the White Tower Group assassinated, but the Rebirth Club also suffered heavy losses, including the destruction of theirboratories. Your acquaintance should have also died in that ident. Unfortunately, due to the special nature of the Ring Inds and Yibus tight lockdown on information, we know very little about what exactly happened, only that the assassin hasnt been caught to this day. Actually, Im that person too. Fu Qian thought to himself. But based on such an unfounded guess, you rashly invaded the Night Watchmen Base and even went as far as to take lives? Yuan Shan red. First of all, I originally intended only to sneak in for a look, and secondly, I havent taken anyones life. Fu Qian waved his hand. ` At the time, the young girl and two guards I knocked out werent seriously hurt; I had purposely controlled the force of my attack to ensure it wouldnt be fatal. What Yuan Shan said about wounding three people just now confirmed that. As for the Tendril Barrage Devastator, I merely demolished a house, and with the Night Watchmans wealth and power, they shouldnt mind too much, right? The point isnt that, but rather after that incident I started being watched. For instance, I encountered a strange assassination attemptst night. This morning, I even ran into Henrik, and although Wen Li truly could be considered his prey, isnt the coincidence a bit too peculiar? An assassination attempt? Thats right. Fu Qian recounted the incident involving the maid and the rabbit. That talking rabbit, I believe, was not the work of Henrik? Yuan Shan fell into deep thought. Continue. So, Im increasingly convinced that Henriks defection isnt so straightforward, that someone else is behind it, manipting events. Because of my unusual actions, they noticed me and decided to eliminate me as an unpredictable factor. Although Im still not certain who they are or what their aim is, in my view, Henrik is nothing but a tool being used. After staring for a long while, Yuan Shan finally nodded, and the murderous intent about her eased somewhat. Have you heard of the Native Council? The Native Council? That was an unfamiliar term. Fu Qian shook his head. Its normal not to know. Unlike the Rebirth Club that is out in the open, the Native Council is a secret organization, heavily veiled. Compared to the Rebirth Club, the Native Council is even more unscrupulous in their actions. Many incidents involving corruption and curses are tied to them, and they have always been our top target for eradication. So you suspect that they are orchestrating this affair? Yuan Shan had indeed harbored suspicions all along. I never believed Henrik would do such a thing, but without proof, my hands were tied. The information youve brought, if true, could serve as corroboration. If thats the case, Henrik will probably be abandoned soon. Fu Qian silently made that deduction. Henrik had already almostpletely lost his sanity, rendering him incapable of divulging further information. If the Native Councils goal was solely the Thorn Blood, then they would likely dispose of him at an opportune moment. In fact, I think his current actions serve to draw attention for those behind the scenes. Is that also why youve been unwilling to leave the Night Watchmen Base, worrying about being lured away from the real target? Yes, one reason is Im unsure of their motives, and another is that this thing has been unstable. Yuan Shan pointed to the room that had been securely sealed off, then added a few more strips. After the object was taken, the remaining parts of the corpse underwent a severe mutation, not only transforming the vicinity into this state but even subtly affecting other sealed-off corpses. Because of this, Ive had to continuously deal with it, but now its mostly stabilized. We just have to wait for headquarters to dispatch someone to deal with thispletely. I see. Fu Qian nodded. But youre quite impressive. Suddenly a smile appeared on Yuan Shans face. I appreciate a man who acts without reservations. Are you interested in joining the Night Watchman? No. Fu Qian replied decisively. Im just a bookstore owner. You might want to hear about the benefits first before dismissing the idea so hastily. Yuan Shans eyes danced, about to say more, when her expression suddenly became serious as she walked to the side. After a moment, she came back and looked at Fu Qian. Theyve found Henrik. ` Chapter 121 - 120 Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (20)_1 Chapter 121: Chapter 120 Hunters Thirst for Blood (20)_1 So, bookstore owner, are you interested in joining me for some demon-hunting? Inside the sealed area, Yuan Shan wore a smile as she stared at Fu Qian. Can I say Im not interested? No, you cant. Fu Qian hadnt even finished asking when Yuan Shan directly responded. You muste with me. You think I would let you out of my sight while Im away from the base? I knew it. Fu Qian sighed. The previous conversation had only served to lower Yuan Shans guard a bit. It was essentially going from my olddy wants to p you to death to Ill spare your life to see how things go. After all, I am someone with a history of barging into the Night Watchmen Base. At such a sensitive time, how could Yuan Shan possibly let me out of her control! If the basecked a Demigod to oversee it, and I really had malicious intentions, it could still likely cause chaos. Dont be fooled by Yuan Shans seemingly approachable demeanor; shes the Night Watchman in charge in Shangjing, wielding the power of life and death over the Supernatural World. Yuan Shan would never take such a risk, and that was non-negotiable. However, the upside was that I had intended to go anyway; my question was merely a formality. After all, my current reputation is that of a lofty hermit, and being too eager would raise suspicions. Lets set off then. Actually, Im quite curious myself. Thats more like it. After reinforcing the seals again, Yuan Shan had an old man watch over them and, after briefly instructing him, she gestured for Fu Qian to leave. This time they didnt take the route they came by, but a narrow stone corridor instead. They moved upward, and when they emerged on the ground, Fu Qian found himself in a spacious hall, surrounded by ck stone structures. The ck Spire in the middle of the base! Fu Qians mind raced as he guessed their current location. Indeed, there were many passages below, far more than just one. Last time, Yuan Shan had likely taken a shortcut to intercept me. Keep an eye on him, but dont rush into action. Wait for me to get there before you do anything. Did I forget something? Hearing Yuan Shan givingmands on the other end, Fu Qian frowned slightly, remembering something. Wen Li was still waiting outside Yuan Shans office! Forget it. Its better to let her stay there. At this moment in Shangjing, there was no safer ce than there. The location provided by Poker Face was quite remote. They zipped along, and just as they were about to reach their destination, Yuan Shan, who had been all smiles, suddenly changed her expression. Is there a situation? Fu Qian frowned, then quickly heard the sound ofbat from afar. Yuan Shan rushed forward immediately, and Fu Qian, following behind, saw that a fight had already broken out up ahead. In addition to Poker Face, Fu Qian saw another familiar figurethe Old Master Chen Xing who had taken action at the banquet. A crowd was spectating, and the two of them were teaming up to grapple with Henrik. Chen Xing had not used his ability to slow others movements, perhaps out of concern for hitting allies. Henrik, covered in scars, was still as quick as lightning with extremely fierce attacks, managing to keep the two Fourth Phasers subdued. Apart from Poker Face and the team led by Chen Mingda, many others had gathered, likely brought by Chen Xing. The vitality of a Demigod is truly formidable! Fu Qian watched from the side, impressed. After sustaining such serious injuries earlier, he still retained such power. Step back! Facing the tangled battle between the three, Yuan Shan stepped forward two steps, expressionlessly raising her hand. In the next moment, a ck giant appeared out of nowhere, engulfing Henrik from all directions. Could it really be activated so quickly? Fu Qian admired with astonishment. From theirst encounter, he knew all too well how difficult Yuan Shans move was to handle. Witnessing this scene, the onlooking crowd first froze in unison, then burst into cheers. The arrival of Yuan Shan undoubtedly injected a strong dose of encouragement into everyone, significantly lightening the mood. And upon hearing Yuan Shans voice, Poker Face and Chen Xing retreated immediately. The ck ensnared Henrik at the center of the battle, then swiftly constricted. Ahhh! Unexpectedly, amidst the piercing screams, the intangible, shadow-like was forcibly torn open by Henrik, creating a huge hole. However, before he could escape the confines, another giant enveloped him. Yuan Shan, expressionless, didnt give Henrik another chance to tear through. One after another, the cks rapidly bound him, wrapping him up into a thick cocoon. Finally, he fell to the ground, leaving only his head exposed. Whats going on? Didnt I tell you not to act yet? Yuan Shan didnt rush forward to check but instead nced at Poker Face, who had already pulled back. We were indeed following at a distance. Thetters face turned awkward. Unexpectedly, he turned back and started attacking us, so we had no choice but to act early. Is that so? Yuan Shan said nothing more and simply nodded before turning to Chen Xing beside her. Patriarch Chen, you have worked hard. He has in many Chen n youngsters; I am duty-bound. Chen Xings tiger-like eyes glimmered with killing intent as he coldly watched the still struggling Henrik. For this, I express my deep apologies. Yuan Shan said nothing more and walked directly towards the bound Henrik. Seeing his twisted, deformed body and the dense, terrifying scars on it, Yuan Shan, who always seemed to bear a graceful smile, shed a touch of pain in her eyes. The struggling of thetter had already ceased, as he looked nkly at Yuan Shan, his body trembling uncontrobly. Henrik Yuan Shan softly called out, attempting tomunicate with him. Before she could continue, Henrik suddenly clutched his head and let out a tragic howl, then began to struggle wildly again. Be careful! Poker Face was the first to rush forward, preventing any abnormalities from urring with Henrik. In the midst of relentless struggling, Henriks body began to change drastically. His body elongated and deformed again, almost losing any resemnce to a human, as numerous sharp bone spikes emerged from within him. Amidst a desperate burst of strength, the demigod level constraints were shattered, revealing the peeling flesh beneath. Gaining his freedom, Henrik lunged backward with a body on the brink of copse, and screams erupted all around. The next moment, the entire area slowed down tremendously, as if sinking into sticky syrup. Chen Xing, who had been attentively watching him, stood in his way. The sudden activation of the ability unavoidably affected the devil-like Henrik, slowing him down for an instant. Though it was brief, it was enough. Chen Xing lunged forward with a strange movement, striking Henriks skull forcefully. A crisp cracking sound echoed, and Henrik, already at his limit, finally crashed to the ground. With sounds of joints bursting like bamboo all over his body, his form could no longer hold together and began to disintegrate piece by piece. Chapter 122 - 121: The Hunter Craves for Blood (21)_1 Chapter 122: Chapter 121: The Hunter Craves for Blood (21)_1 Demigods are indeed different! Despite having already disintegrated into mush, the flesh still struggled and writhed. Fu Qian couldnt help but sigh. This was the first time he had seen a transcendent of such a level die before him. Fu Qian began to understand why there were ces like the forbidden zones. Letting such abominable things scatter outside was simply too dangerous. But the situation before him finally confirmed his spection. Even though Henrik had been smashed to pieces, he still hadnt seen anything resembling Thorn Blood. He had been right not to kill him at the time. The Poker Faces were obviously well-trained, and they immediately signaled people to get Henriks remains under control. Yuan Shan looked up in the direction Henrik had charged, her face grimmer than ever, and she remained silent for a long time. The two Chen Mingda brothers were standing over there. Following their gaze, Fu Qian noticed Chen Mingda surveying between himself and Yuan Shan, looking rather odd. Chief Yuan, if theres no issue, Ill take my leave now, Chen Xing approached, coughed, his face showing a sense of relief after revenge had been obtained. However, thetter did not respond, still staring coldly at the two Chen Mingda brothers. You also find it suspicious? Henriksst outburst was indeed strange. Brother Mingda, are you alright? Fu Qian walked up to him and greeted Chen Mingda. Brother Fu, I didnt expect you to alsoe, replied Chen Mingda with a strained smile. Upon receiving the information, Chief Yuan and I rushed over immediately, said Fu Qian, deliberately phrasing his words to be easily misunderstood. Im pleased to see you here. What do you mean? Chen Mingda frowned, not understanding what Fu Qian was getting at. His question was answered by a whip that cameshing towards him. What are you doing! Chen Mingda, shocked and unable to dodge, took a hit square on his face, leaving a long red welt. Nothing in particr, replied Fu Qian as he stepped forward again andshed out with another whip. You dare! Chen Xing, witnessing this scene, couldnt help but let out an enraged roar. Just as he was about to step in, two intersecting ck bands blocked his path. Chief Yuan, what is the meaning of this? Who is this guy? demanded Chen Xing, not expecting Yuan Shan to stop him, his voice filled with indignation. As he saw Chen Mingda retreating step by step, powerless against Fu Qian. Even if he is the Night Watchman, he has no right to assault a member of the Chen n like this, he said. But before he could finish, an irate roar echoed through the air. Chen Mingda stopped retreating, his arms grotesquely swelling to several times their normal size, blocking Fu Qians next strike. This horrifying sight made Chen Mingfei scream out loud. Shut up! Chen Mingda lifted his head, his eyes a bloody red. With a voice filled with brutality, Chen Mingfeis head was sliced in half, revealing a trembling tongue in his mouth. Mingda, why why would you? Seeing Chen Mingfeis half-corpse, Chen Xings eyes burned with rage. Why? Chen Mingda, looking over his body, let out a hoarse cackle. The mutation was no longer confined to his arms; his entire body was unnaturally erging and distending. With numerous bumps forming, a multitude of blood vessels emerged on the surface of his skin. Ive worked harder than anyone, but I could never get over that hurdle, he said. And even this fool had the nerve to mock me. ` Chen Mingda shook the head of Chen Mingfei in his hand. What about this idiot could possiblypare with me, yet he dares to be arrogant in front of me every day, even considering himself as the sessor of the next generation. Theres definitely something wrong with Chen Mingda! At this moment, Fu Qian had already stopped and stepped aside. It seemed his own guess was not wrong, this persons psychology had be twisted after being suppressed for too long! Now it looked like he indeed had something to do with that rabbit. When visiting Wen Li, he was also taking the opportunity to test him. Just now, when Henrik seemed to briefly regain his senses, his desperate confrontation was aimed at him. Unfortunately, as the Chief Doctor of the Night Watchman, Yuan Shan couldnt take direct action without evidence even if she had suspicions. He himself was not burdened by such concerns. Just a moment ago, through his words, he had deliberately led him to misunderstand that he was in tacit agreement with Yuan Shan, and hinted that they were targeting him. If there were indeed ghosts in his heart, he would definitely think his secrets had been exposed at the first instance. The reason for using the whip was that from previous behavior, Chen Mingda was deep and calcting, and perhaps even mentally strong. In such circumstances, it was best to use a little technique to slightly lower his rationality. Only then would there be a chance for him to slip up. Moreover, a whip was rtively mild, so if there was a misunderstanding, it could possibly be exined as a practice match at the scene. The results proved to be very effective. After severalshes, Chen Mingda exposed himselfpletely. The Tyrants Fist was truly a divine artifact for coercion, in cases where the targets realm wasnt high, Fu Qian looked at the ring on his hand. I have struggled for too long, and when I was on the verge of despair, I was given an opportunity, and I ultimately epted the deal, said Chen Mingda, looking at Chen Xing. As long as it could help me ovee that hurdle, I didnt care about the cost, and if I was discovered, I would have no choice but to ept my fate. Fools who deal with them, I have seen too many already. Yuan Shan looked at him coldly. Everythinges at a price. Look at yourself now you dont even know what you have be. Ridiculous, do you think you are still yourself at this moment? Why not, I feel better than I ever have before, I have waited too long for this moment Before Chen Mingda could finish speaking, he suddenly let out a scream. His head, which had already swelled up, swelled again and exploded into a bloody mess. Strangely, the body was still standing. Chief Yuans assessment of us is somewhat biased, came a bizarre voice from the bloodied mess. Although our philosophies differ, the Native Council is not made up of frauds. If possible, I still hope toplete this transaction. Its a pity, though, that his mental fortitude is still too weak! Moreover The shattered head turned towards Fu Qian. That thing in your hand is interesting. Is it? Yuan Shan waved her hand, and ribbons enveloped the surroundings. Destroying me is meaningless. This is but one piece of flesh carrying consciousness. Even if pulverized, it would cause me no harm. Ive already taken what I came for; in your hands, itspletely wasted. You fundamentally dont understand its preciousness. How precious exactly? Fu Qian suddenly interjected. Are you interested? I might be. Ha ha ha! The voice paused for a moment and then broke into insaneughter. However, theughter stopped abruptly, as the deformed head was shattered by a punch, sttering into countless blood droplets. Chen Xing, who had thrown the punch, seemed to have aged ten years in an instant. ` Chapter 123 - 122 Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (22)_1 Chapter 123: Chapter 122 Hunters Thirst for Blood (22)_1 The surroundings fell into a silence as of death. Everyone stared at Chen Xing, sttered with blood. This man, once clothed in luxurious brocades, strong and imposing in appearance, was now forced to personally y his own son, his face had be ashen to the extreme, in an instant he seemed as frail as an old man at the end of his days. Chief Yuan, Ill take my leave with my people first, After a long while, Chen Xing slowly raised his head to look at Yuan Shan, his voice hoarse and somber. Mingdas body I will leave it here. Fine. Yuan Shan nodded but did not say much. Mingdas body was clearly contaminated, and though it was regrettable, it definitely could not be handed over for him to take away. One could say that Chen Xing at least still had a sense of proportion. After Chen Xing finished speaking, he bent down once more, casting one more look at the headless corpse next to him, his eyes filled with heavy sorrow. Just then, an abrupt change urred. Amidst cries of shock, a slender, blood-red tendril shot out lightning-fast from Mingdas swollen, severed neck. In almost an instant, the tendril wrapped itself around Chen Xings neck. Father. Mingdas voice sounded once again. Youre just going to leave me here like this! The flesh tendril tightly coiling around Chen Xings neck rapidly sprouted numerous delicate tentacles that wildly extended in all directions, trying to prate Chen Xings body. Suddenly attacked, Chen Xing was almost instantaneously entangledpletely. However, he did not show any panic, he did not even struggle, but just stared fixedly at Mingdas body, looking utterly disheartened. Hmm? From a distance, Yuan Shan was about to make a move when she suddenly noticed something and stopped. The next moment, a bizarre warping appeared around Chen Xings body. Everything seemed to freeze, and the blood-colored flesh tendril turned as rigid as stone, motionless. Hmm? Fu Qian narrowed his eyes from the side. Chen Xing, half-kneeling on the ground, emitted an indescribable eeriness as if he were a lifeless puppet. Yet, it was clear that the strength of the aura emanating from Chen Xing was insanely increasing. In the next instant, the myriad of tentacles that had wrapped around his head and face disintegrated into dust almost instantly. The disintegration didnt even end there; it continued to spread, traveling in reverse towards Mingdas body. Amidst piercing screams of agony, thetter began to gradually turn to ash. This is! Everyone watched the scene before them in disbelief. Chen Xing, standing up once more, with neither sorrow nor joy in his eyes, was filled with an indescribable, mysterious aura. Demigod? The thought rose in the minds of the onlookers. Had he ascended? Under the special state of mind brought on by the grief of losing a child, had Chen Xing actually broken through barriers and directly ascended to the legendary status of a demigod? As the initial shock subsided, the excited Chen n youngsters who hade to their senses could barely contain their excitement. It had been many years since a demigod had emerged from the Chen Family and no one understood the value of a demigod better than they did. For the Chen Family, this was an incredibly good fortune. Though the price was somewhat high. Interesting, Before Mingdas body hadpletely disintegrated, that voice uttered itsst remark, thenpletely dissipated. s! Fu Qian from not too far away shook his head. He had been watching Mingdas body the entire time, yet until it was reduced to dust, he still hadnt found what might be the Thorn Blood. Congrattions. At this time, Yuan Shan breathed a sigh of relief and said softly to Chen Xing. Chen Xing first looked at himself and then turned his gaze towards Chen Mingda, who hadpletely dissolved, his eyes filled withplexity. After a long while, he gave Yuan Shan a slight nod, not even bothering to greet the Chen n youngsters, and headed straight toward the distance. He left behind a group of people feeling lost and at a loss. Hesitating for a moment, the Chen n youngsters gradually followed suit. There was not much left of Chen Mingdas body, but Poker Face still ordered the area to be sealed off. Having looked at Henriks body for a long time, Yuan Shan surveyed the surroundings and walked over to Fu Qian. I need to thank you, our past grievances are now wiped clean, she said. It was evident that having Henrik proven innocent had eased her mind considerably. Just before, because of Henriks actions, Yuan Shan indeed had her suspicions about Chen Mingda, but sadly, there was no evidence. However, she had not expected Fu Qian to step forward so directly, without considering the consequences. From his previous actions, she knew this individual acted unusually, but she still hadnt expected him to be so audaciously reckless. Just now, she was even thinking about how to clean up the aftermath. Sometimes, having someone who breaks the rules to get things done isnt so bad. Thats good to hear, Fu Qian responded nonchntly, nodding his head. The grievances mentioned by Yuan Shan clearly referred to his own nighttime intrusion into their base. Who is this guy? Hearing the conversation between the two, the people around them began to look at the situation differently. Looking so young yet having a past conflict with a Demigod? And wasnt the posture of this dialogue a bit too superior? Everyones attention had been drawn to Chen Xing just now, but now they recalled Fu Qians madcap actions. Without any evidence, he had confidently thrown punches and used bizarre techniques to force Chen Mingda to reveal his true form. Moreover, it seemed like he had an unspoken understanding with Yuan Shan; as hemitted the assault, Yuan Shan helped him by blocking Chen Xing. Was this mysterious master who owed Yuan Shan a favor there to help, and was the act he just carried out under Yuan Shans direction? Combining their conversation, this was the subconscious judgment of most people. The crowds gaze towards Fu Qian became even more cautious. Have you really not considered joining the Night Watchman? Yuan Shan asked with a smile. No, if you need help another day, I can offer paid services, Fu Qian replied. Then are youing back to the base with us? No, youre surely going to be busy, I dont want to add to the crowd, he said. Yes, I have a pile of reports to write, and we must continue arranging the hunt for the Native Council members. Although, ording to their style, theyve likely already fled. But arent you going to pick up Wen Li? Why should I go pick up Wen Li? Fu Qian asked, perplexed. Im not her bodyguard and, furthermore, the crisis is over. In Shangjing, Im just a bookseller after all. Alright then! Seeing Fu Qians firm stance, Yuan Shan didnt linger, waving her hand to lead the majority away. Poker Face and his men cleaned up the remains on the ground, all departing with puzzled nces towards Fu Qian. They simply couldnt figure out when Fu Qian had reached a secret agreement with Yuan Shan. Very soon, only Fu Qian was left alone at the site. Alright! The rival had been dealt with, and the mission officially began. Fu Qian watched the direction the Night Watchman had left in, rubbing his hands together eagerly. This trip seemed unfruitful on the surface, yet in reality, he gained a lot. After proving Henriks innocence, Yuan Shan unquestionably shifted the me onto the Native Council. While they might investigate, it was highly likely that it would only add another charge to the organizations list of crimes, followed by routine operations. Moreover, it was clear that she wasnt particrly fixated on the lost Thorn Blood. Under these circumstances, he could finally take action freely. Chapter 124 - 123: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (23)_1 Chapter 124: Chapter 123: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (23)_1 Fu Qian made his way forward, rapidly sorting through the current information in his mind. He was now highly suspicious of a personDeng Feizhou. The entire incident had been characterized as a conspiracy by Chen Mingda and the Native Council. The epted storyline was that, in order topensate for innate deficiencies, Chen Mingda had no qualms about coborating with the Native Council to help them obtain Thorn Blood. In return, the Native Council helped Chen Mingda break through his bottlenecks. To achieve their goal, they targeted Henrik and eventually devised a scheme to control his mind, stealing the Thorn Blood out. Their original n, undoubtedly, was to make it appear that Henrik had been contaminated by a Demigod corpse and stole the Thorn Blood. Then to control him to go on a killing spree, bing a monster that ate human brains, and to be eliminated at the right moment, bringing the whole affair to an end. However, their n becameplicated by an unforeseen variable; they hadnt anticipated someone would break into the Night Watchmen Base while everything was proceeding ording to n. And a situation spiraling out of control was definitely not something they wished to see. So they quickly began investigating the matter, and because of his performance at the banquet, he entered their field of vision. This was also why Wen Li was being followed. Later, Chen Mingda, under the pretext of paying a visit, came to Wen Lis home to probe him. Then there was the strange game, an attempt to test and control him that failed, culminating in their loss of a puppet. The next day, Wen Li took him to Deng Feizhous house, and he deliberately fabricated the issue with Yuan Shan, only for Henrik to show up shortly after theyd left. The timing was too coincidental, giving every reason to believe that Henrik was there to silence him. And only Deng Feizhou knew that he was going to look for Yuan Shan. Afterwards, under the influence of the Tyrants Fist, Henrik seemed to regain some of his senses, and Deng appeared timely, seemingly to help, but ultimately let him go. In any case, this Mr. Deng was quite suspicious. Fu Qian quickly arrived at his destinationDeng Feizhous residence. He mimicked Wen Li and pressed the doorbell. After a minute, the door opened from the inside, Deng Feizhou looking at Fu Qian expressionlessly. Mr. Fang, why have youe alone? Where is Wen Li? Please dont worry, shes now in a safe ce. As for why I came, its simple Fu Qian blinked. I want to make a deal with you. I dont understand what you mean. Deng Feizhous tone didnt fluctuate, though his gaze inadvertently nced behind Fu Qian. Rx, there are no Night Watchmen behind me. Fu Qian squeezed directly through the open door. The next moment, the sound of wind came from behind. Without hesitation, Fu Qian raised his hand, and the tentacles forming the Biochemical Demon Armshed out fiercely. You The forces collided, and Deng Feizhou staggered back several steps, looking at Fu Qians arm in astonishment. There was indeed a problem. Having confirmed his suspicions, Fu Qian looked at Deng Feizhou, who had attempted to ambush him, with a smile. Why the hurry, why not listen to the terms of the deal first? As you can see, Im facing some difficulties. Fu Qian deliberately controlled his arm, allowing it to slowly revert to its original form. Ive tried many methods, but the results werent very satisfactory, so I want to make a deal with you. Deng Feizhou watched the tentacles on Fu Qians arm, saying nothing. A deal simr to the one with Chen Mingda. Fu Qian added another sentence. Can we sit down and talk about it now? I must say, youve brought me quite a few surprises. After staring at Fu Qian for a long time, Deng Feizhou finally spoke. Do young people nowadays enjoy hiding their strength so much? Its always better to stay low-key. Chen Mingda is but a low-phase Transcendent, while you are at least Fourth Phase. Dont tell me you want me to help you be a Demigod? Is that not possible? Im an outsider when ites to the affairs in Shangjing. Do you know the benefit of being an outsider? Its that one can analyze the situation more objectively andprehensively. For example, no matter the conspiracy, there always has to be a beneficiary. And right now, in the whole theft incident, Henrik is dead, Chen Mingda is dead, and the Night Watchmans items have been stolen. The Native Council is undoubtedly the biggest winner. And just now, I suddenly realized that there is actually another person who has gained a benefit. Fu Qian smiled. That would be Chen Xing. As soon as these words were spoken, Fu Qian keenly noticed a flicker in Deng Feizhous eyes. It seems Im not wrong, huh? For a man of great ambition, no sacrifice is too great. To rise to a Demigod, he even sacrificed his son. Go on. What a drama its been today. Fu Qian stroked his chin. An old Transcendent enduring the pain of losing his son, losing all hope, then experiencing an epiphany and breaking through years of shackles to be a Demigod. What an exciting script, so much so that even the Night Watchmen were convinced. Was this part of the n you devised with Chen Xing? Chen Mingda probably had no idea he was just a sacrificial pawn until he died, huh? Fu Qian said this while looking thoughtfully at Deng Feizhou. However, Im not interested in that. You just need to tell me what it would take to exchange for the method to be a Demigod. So you really want to ascend to a Demigod? The pursuit of ascension is every Transcendents duty, not a choice, its a duty. Ha ha ha! Deng Feizhou was taken aback by Fu Qians reply but then suddenly burst outughing. Youre quite impressive. Good strength, and the right temperament too. However, its a pity that youve got something wrong. Whats that? Fu Qians eyes lit up. The thing Henrik brought out is not the goal, but the means. So thats it I understand now! Fu Qians face showed his realization. So the item isnt what youre after, its something used to help Chen Xing ascend? Thats very strange then, even if you were willing to help for no reason, a trade that obviously has no benefit to you, Chen Xing would actually agree to it? Because he had no choice. The Chen Family needed a Demigod, and its not as if I wanted nothing in return. So, if you want to achieve the same goal, you need to offer something thats interesting enough to me. The Thorn Blood actually has been consumed! Fu Qianmented in his heart. But the fact that his mission was not yet a failure meant that there was still a chance. Fu Qian thought for a moment. So youre saying that now, not only do I need to propose a satisfactory offer to you, but I also have to find the material from a Demigods corpse at the Night Watchmen Base? Its not there anymore. Deng Feizhou shook his head. There was only that one portion in the Night Watchmen Base, so that method wont work anymore. Only one portion Then I have a question? Fu Qians brow furrowed slightly before he suddenly pped his forehead. Is it possible that I could kill Old Master Chen and take the item to have you help me ascend? Deng Feizhou was momentarily silent, clearly startled by Fu Qians off-the-wall thinking. Can I? Fu Qian looked forward expectantly. Ha ha ha! Deng Feizhouughed loudly again. Sure, if you have the ability to kill a true Demigod. The item will be released from his body again, and then you can bring it to me. This is the answer I was looking for. Fu Qian sighed heavenward. Chapter 125 - 124: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (24)_1 Chapter 125: Chapter 124: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (24)_1 Your condition is indeed very interesting. Did the whipe about in the same way? By now, Deng Feizhou had rxed and was carefully sizing up Fu Qian. No, Fu Qian shook his hand, showing off the Tyrants Fist. Actually, its the effect of this thing. Got it by a rather idental chance. A very interesting object, containing the power of a curse. Looking at the uniquely shaped ring, Deng Feizhous face showed no surprise. Instead, he nodded with a smile. This guy had already figured it out; he was testing me earlier. Fu Qian thought to himself. As expected, quite a handful! Lucky for me, Ive always maintained good virtueshonesty. Only lie when absolutely necessary. Moreover, from Deng Feizhous words, Fu Qian also discerned other implications. Do you know everything the puppet sees? Quick response, Deng Feizhou gave him an appreciative look. Thats right, anything experienced by the person I possess, I can share all of their perceptions, even when in a dormant state. Then Im really sorry for stepping on and crushing your body; it must have hurt a lot. Its okay, after all, I initiated the probe. Deng Feizhous smile didnt diminish. You dont have to test me. The death of a puppet does have a certain impact on me, but its far from severe. I misjudged the situation at the Wen Li residence; your ability to conceal your presence is quite impressive. Thank you for thepliment, just a habit of keeping a low profile, What about Chen Mingda? Does he know hes possessed by you? Chen Mingda, of course, has no idea. Although hes a bit extreme, he isnt stupid. Actually, I dont really like doing this kind of thing, as its like splitting a part of myself away. The sensation of tearing flesh and even soul is quite ufortable. As Deng Feizhou patiently exined, he lifted his right hand and spread his fingers. Soon, as if the bones inside were melting, the five fingers began to twist and wriggle. Like writhing pieces of flesh, the five fingers eventually pulled themselves off the palm bit by bit. After crawling around the bare edges of the palm for a fewps, the fingers fused back with the skin, eventually vanishing into the palm. At the front of the palm, five new fingers grew back. Why does this seem so eerily familiar! Witnessing the scene, Fu Qian couldnt help but exim internally. No wonder his attitude toward me changed so rapidly when I showed off the Biochemical Demon Arm; he saw me as one of his kind. Phew! Deng Feizhou let out a breath after finishing the demonstration, looking at Fu Qian. After so many years, it still feels slightly ufortable every time. The part of me in Chen Mingda is almost certainly impossible to recover. But in order to prevent him from spouting nonsense before he dies, I had to make a sacrifice. Its also to make Chen Xings promotion seem more natural, right? Exactly, In the face of Fu Qians question, Deng Feizhou candidly admitted. Chen Xing cant suppress his state forever. And a Demigods promotion is always a significant event at any time. As the head of a family, with countless eyes on him, suddenly breaking through after being stuck at a bottleneck for so long, to avoid suspicion, a suitable reason was needed. I see, thank you for sharing, Fu Qian nodded. Heh, do you know why Im telling you all this? Deng Feizhou looked at Fu Qian. Isnt it because Im your new client? Do you think just anyone has the qualifications to deal with me? Deng Feizhou huffed coldly, his eyes bing sharp in an instant. Actually, its very simple, because youre a genius, Deng Feizhou looked at Fu Qian. Youve somehow advanced to the Fourth Phase without clearly understanding the method. And there has been no sign of you losing control or copsing. Before I met you, I couldnt imagine such a thing. Do you know why our organization is called the Native Council? Why? Because what we do is the greatest feat in human history, an attempt topletely free humanity from its shackles. The greatest treasures are hidden within the body, yet humans sit on a gold mine without realizing it. For years, people have only acted ording to instinct, indulged in power and wealthnever to explore and think. Even when transcendent powers emerged, they were quickly attributed to the luck of a few. Most people still lead mediocre lives and fade away in their shackles. In fact,pared to the immense potential contained within the human body, cultivation, talent, and special abilities are nothing butughable conclusions drawn by a bunch of durds Your words remind me of an old friend. Fu Qian suddenly said, facing the impassioned Deng Feizhou. Oh? An old gentleman named Lu Ming, who likes to engage in limb attachment work; he also believes its a great invention for the liberation of humanity. You know Lu Ming? Deng Feizhou looked at Fu Qian with interest. Did he not invite you to be his limb attachment subject? He did, but I refused. I detest adding parts to my body. Fu Qian answered quickly. As ridiculous as your reason is, youre wise. The Rebirth Club may possess some exploratory spirit, but it is a pity that their concept ispletely outdated. They give up exploring human potential and instead chase after a hybrid with transcendent beings, an idea proven foolish long ago, yet they cannot bear to abandon it. Of course,pared to the Night Watchmans antiquated minds, they are much better Deng Feizhou seemed quite familiar with limb attachments. Alright, Ive understood your philosophy. In fact, Im not that concerned about this. Can you now tell me what is needed to exchange for the method to ascend to demigod status? Fu Qian said directly. Dont be so impatient, young man. Deng Feizhou looked at him. You will soon realize that our goal is far beyond what you call a demigod. But right now, my goal is to be a demigod. Without concrete facts before me, I wont believe anyone, and my patience is limited. Fu Qian watched Deng Feizhou coldly. It wont take long, just a few more minutes. Deng Feizhou pointed at the wall clock and let out a deep chuckle. Your troubles will soon disappear. What do you mean? Following Deng Feizhous directing gaze, Fu Qian looked up at the wall clock and caught on to something. Are you stalling for time? You caught me? Were waiting for a friend. Deng Feizhou sat down leisurely, with a smile on his face. What makes you think you can just barge in here and be in a position to make a deal with me? In fact, even Chen Xing doesnt know what the real price of his actions is. Whoo! Fu Qian looked at Deng Feizhou and let out a long breath. Is Chen Xing the oneing? Yes, we agreed to meet at eight oclock sharp, or else I would have left Shangjing by now. The Night Watchman will eventually track me down, Deng Feizhou blinked. Chen Xing is always punctual. Youll see him soon, or you could try running away. In other words, in less than ten minutes, he would face a Deng Feizhou plus a newly ascended demigod. Fu Qian nced around and noticed there seemed to be invisible walls surrounding him, trapping him in ce. Even a demigod cant break this in a short time, so Id advise you not to waste your energy. Also, I really meant what I said before, you are indeed good material. Ill have Chen Xing try not to damage it, as I n to make good use of it afterward. I see! So I only have a few minutes? Once Deng Feizhou was done boasting, Fu Qian finally spoke. Thats right. I see! Fu Qian suddenly blinked. How do you know Im not just stalling for time? Three minutes, and your ashes will be scattered. Chapter 126 - 125: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (25)_1 Chapter 126: Chapter 125: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (25)_1 Ha ha! Fu Qians words made Deng Feizhou stunned for a moment, then he couldnt help but burst intoughter. Well, I do want to see that He had spoken only half his words when he suddenly widened his eyes, staring at Fu Qian. Thetter actually stood up with an unfazed expression and even took a couple of steps. How is that possible! I clearly had him trapped! Deng Feizhou stared at Fu Qian in disbelief. The next moment, a brilliant torch appeared in his field of vision. The golden, resplendent light enveloped Fu Qians body, making him look like a deity for a moment,pelling one to almost bow down in worship. How can this be Almost instantly, Deng Feizhou felt his thoughts bing like rusty gears, only able to turn at a snails pace, his consciousness filled with that holy, dazzling light. How can this be? Dealing with someone like you, how could I not make some extra preparations. Fu Qian shook his head as he stepped forward, his finger gun erupted, directly piercing through thetters waist. From the moment he entered the door and countered Deng Feizhous probe, using the cover of the Biochemical Demon Arm, he had casually activated the Decree Residue. Under normal circumstances, this skill is undoubtedly a waste. Not only does it take effect extremely slowly, but the opponent is also a Transcendent, making the effect even weaker. But the advantage brought by it was that it was not easy to detect. Fu Qian merely thought there was no harm in trying, so he gave it a try on a whim. Actually, I didnt expect you to cooperate so much, so when I realized you were deliberately dragging out the time, I simply chatted with you a bit longer. As it turned out, Deng Feizhou had an extended conversation without any awareness. So, at such a close distance and over such a period of time, it finally had some effect. Originally, Fu Qian wasnt sure how much effect the Decree Residue would have. It wasnt until Deng Feizhou had just trapped him with a secretlyid trap, leaving a huge loophole without realization, that Fu Qian confirmed it had taken effect. Therefore, Fu Qian immediately initiated his Mythical Form after the other partyid out his cards. Praise the Sun1! With the umted effects from before, Chen Feizhous mental defenses were finally breached. However, Deng Feizhou was already in a confused state of consciousness and wouldnt understand even if he could hear; Fu Qian wasnt going to exin in detail to him anyway. This was an opportunity fought for with a point of SAN Points; how could he waste it on idle talk. Looking at Deng Feizhous pierced body, Fu Qian didnt even withdraw his hand, directly executing the Visceral Critical Strike. Blood sttered! Deng Feizhou slowly lowered his head, numbly looking at the terrifying wound on his body. Around the edge of the wound, numerous pink flesh buds wriggled, attempting to heal the severely damaged body. Only then did he finally feel a hint of pain. However, before he could say anything, an invisible Air Bullet shattered his head the next moment. Deng Feizhous body fell to the ground. In the pool of blood on the floor, pieces of flesh quickly gathered, trying to reassemble with unimaginable vitality. But in a state of dissipating consciousness, the more it attempted, the less human it became, eventually turning into a ball muddled with blood and flesh. Fu Qian didnt hesitate to perform another Visceral Critical Strike. After three consecutive strikes, the writhing flesh finally lost its vitality. This Native Council heavyweight finally melted into a puddle of colorless liquid, seeping into the floor. Done! Fu Qian took a nce at the wall clock and nodded in satisfaction. Only two and a half minutes had passed. He perfectly fulfilled his earlier promise. Speaking of which, this guy was also quite cunning. He spoke well, praising himself as a rare genius not seen in thousands of years. Behind the scenes, he was just trying to buy time, waiting to kill himself after Chen Xing arrived. In his eyes, I was nothing more than a prime specimen for experimentation. However, to draw my attention, he still revealed quite a bit of valuable information; there was indeed some gain. There was one minute left until eight oclock. Soon, the newly anointed Demigod, Chen Xing, would arrive here. Fu Qian thought about it and chose not to escape; instead, he walked forward to right the tables and chairs that had fallen over. Are you kidding me? How could I possibly walk away when the target was delivering himself to my doorstep? Although the previous skirmish was perilous, the movements werent extensive, and theyd caused almost no damage to the room; after some tidying up, it appeared unchanged. After doing all this, Fu Qian sat down in Deng Feizhous spot. He didnt even attempt to disguise himself as Deng Feizhou; Fu Qian leaned against the chair back, watching the doorwayzily, just waiting for Chen Xings arrival. At exactly eight oclock, the doorbell rang punctually. Fu Qian didnt stand up to open the door; instead, he extended a finger. The tip of his finger swiftly expanded into a tentacle-like extension, deftly opening the door. The newly anointed Demigod, Chen Xing, stood outside, looking serious as he gazed inside. Please,e in. Fu Qian deliberately didnt retract the tentacle immediately, allowing it to slowly curl back. Chen Xings gaze stayed almost entirely fixed on it until Fu Qians finger returned to normal, then he stepped inside the house. Hooked! Fu Qian was expressionless, but inwardly he was nodding in satisfaction. The reason he didnt try to disguise himself as Deng Feizhou was because the man before him was a Demigod. He didnt believe for a moment that a mere wall could block out the others senses, nor did he believe his disguise Skill, despite the interference provided by the mask, could fool him. If he had done that, Chen Xings immediate assumption upon detection would have been that Deng Feizhou had been killed. Then, the most likely oue would have been that Chen Xing turned tail and fled, leaving Fu Qian with little chance of stopping him. Once Chen Xing increased his vignce back home, finding an opportunity to strike at him would be geometrically more difficult. Therefore, Fu Qian chose to sit there as himself, purposely showcasing the tentacle. It was highly likely that Deng Feizhou had shown Chen Xing the trick of his detachable finger before. So, having witnessed this, Chen Xings first reaction would surely be that I had some connection with Deng Feizhou. Seeing no signs of a struggle in the room, and to understand what had happened, he was very likely toe in to verify the situation. Then, I could pose as another member of the Native Council. Sit. Fu Qian exhaled and gestured for the other to sit down in front of him. After staring at Fu Qian for a long while, Chen Xing finally sat down. Wheres Deng Feizhou? The Night Watchman has been a bit too activetely; to avoid any mishaps, he needed to leave first, Fu Qian said, keeping his face emotionless. Why didnt he tell me ahead of time? Old Master Chen was clearly on high alert, immediately questioning back. It was an emergency situation; we needed to minimize suspicious contact. Youre with the Native Council? Is that so surprising? If it werent for me stepping in just now, do you think you could have ayed Yuan Shans suspicions? Fu Qian snorted, implying that his earlier action of hitting Chen Mingda had been by Deng Feizhous instigation. Or are you nning on seeking revenge for me killing your son? Ha! Upon mentioning Chen Mingda, a flicker of pain crossed Chen Xings eyes, followed by a long, resigned sigh. Rest assured, I still have rity. For the family, some necessary sacrifices are worth it. The Chen Family has been without a Demigod for too long, so long that even our own people have started to doubt our bloodline and heritage Mingda will understand. Chapter 127 - 126: The Hunter鈥檚 Thirst for Blood (End)_1 Chapter 127: Chapter 126: The Hunters Thirst for Blood (End)_1 Chen Xings sighs were difficult to tell if they were genuine or not. After all, many people deceive even themselves in order to feel at ease. Fortunately, Chen Xing quickly finished his reflections and looked up at Fu Qian with a determined expression. Even so, your words still cant be verified, and I will only fulfill the subsequent agreement with Deng Feizhou. Thats between you and him; Im just entrusted to pass the message to you, Fu Qian replied with an indifferent tone. Very well. Chen Xing nodded, seemingly very satisfied with Fu Qians response. Try not toe here for the time being, Chen Feizhou will contact you when appropriate. Fu Qian stood up from his chair and started to walk outside. Ive delivered the message, and I have my own mission, so Ill take my leave nowWhos there! Mid-sentence, Fu Qian abruptly looked toward the direction of the door. Someone there? Fu Qians reaction startled Chen Xing as well, who immediately followed his gaze, but saw nothing. Not only that, his senses also detected nothing. Not right! Realizing something, Chen Xing swiftly turned around. And his chest and abdomen were already struck by a strong gust! Often, the simplest tricks are the most effective. For instance, the old look, theres a ne trick; with the right timing and performance, it can always fool someone. Fu Qian had first shown his form, then expressed disinterest in the cooperation, promptly passed the message, and decided to leaveall these actions lowered Chen Xings guard to the absolute minimum. Then, with the simplest of tricks, he shifted his attention. Facing this fleeting opportunity, Fu Qian didnt hesitate to initiate an attack. As of now, it seemed that directly killing this demigod was the only way toplete his mission. It was a formidable challenge, but not entirely impossible. From earlier tests, the effects of the Skill in Mythical Form basically allowed the next hit to possess demigod-level power and form. That is to say, he could certainly achieve a demigod level in attacking. If he could take the initiative, killing a demigod was not out of the question. Of course, the cost was also enormous. Using Mythical Form even once was equivalent to risking ones own life. In fact, now that he had his target locked on, restarting and going after Chen Xing directly, hoping to kill him before his promotion, was also a tactic to consider. Considering the cost was just 1 SAN Point, it was likely to be even more economical in terms of probability. But that wasnt his stylereal men face challenges head-on! Mythical Form! Air Bullet! Fu Qian made his move, clean and efficient. He chose the Air Bullet as his method of attack, the one with the smallest motion and most concealment. Because he had just stood up from his chair, the distance between the two was only about a meter. By the time Chen Xing reacted, the Air Bullet in demigod form was already sting in front of him. Overestimating yourself! In the face of the lethal move, Chen Xing showed no sign of panic. With a cold snort, a sense of immobilization much more intense than before at the banquet spread out. The surroundings seemed to freeze in an instant. Fu Qian found his movements bing incredibly sluggish, his body nearly petrified. Worthy of a demigod! Compared to his intervention at the banquet, this ability had improved significantly. The power of the Air Bullet would likely be affected to some extent. Almost instinctively, Fu Qian looked down and saw that Chen Xing did not appear to have been hit. However, his body was sttered with white frost, and a piercing cold spread out from there. The extreme cold was so intense, it seemed to solidify the surrounding air, with different colored ice crystals faintly visible. This is Fu Qian instantly realized what was happening. He had just found it odd that the Air Bullet, enhanced by the Mythical Form, had not turned into something like an air cannon. Now, it seemed, its nature might have changed entirely, adding an effect of extreme cold. Under the influence of Chen Xings ability, the power of the Air Bullet was diminished, but the effect of the extreme cold was indeed conveyed onto him. The next moment, under Chen Xings horrified gaze, Fu Qian felt the immobilizing sensation around him dissipate. Chen Xings waist, starting from the surface of his body, was slowly congealingclothes, skin, and flesh alike. Even the surface glinted with shimmering Ice Crystals! Fu Qian didnt hesitate to reach out his hand. His original n was to prepare for a Visceral Critical Strike, but now he changed his mind, and directly punched the part of Chen Xing that had frozen over. In almost an instant, the extreme low temperature cracked the skin on his arm. The next moment, a teeth-grindingly sickening sound of shattering urred. Amid the flurry of ice shards, affected by the recoil, Fu Qians entire forearm disintegrated. To ones relief, the same happened to Chen Xing; there was a ghastly,rge hole in his waist. With the strike seeding, before Fu Qian had time to take his next action, a bestial roar erupted, and Chen Xings body swelled instantaneously. The hollow space in front of him widened, spreading along the arm and wrapping around it. The next moment, Fu Qian realized he was in a ustrophobic space. From all sides, there were ferocious spikesit felt as if he had fallen into the mouth of amprey. Except, at this moment, each spike was crystal clear, emitting an extreme chill. This guys fighting instincts are not bad! These are clearly Air Bullets that hadnt beenpletely neutralized. Fu Qian quickly came to his senses. Using his own tactics against him? Could it be that your surname was Murong from Gusumu? Facing the encroaching spikes from all directions, Fu Qian snorted. Witness my Six Hundred Meridian Divine Sword! Lifting his head, arching back, extending his arm, bathed in extreme cold, Fu Qian once again activated his Mythical Form. Tendril Barrage Devastator! Countless tentacles shot out, confronting the advancing spikes. Ice shards flew everywhere, and for a moment, Fu Qian thought he saw eyeballs emerge deep within the spikes. [SAN Points decrease by 1] At the same time, a notification sounded in his ear. Damn, youre definitely not some proper Demigod! Fu Qian roared inwardly, mysteriously losing a point of SAN Points, on top of the four times he had used Mythical Form before. This transaction is a huge loss! The next moment, a silent wail rose in his heart. The world brightened before his eyes, and Fu Qian found that he was once again seeing daylight. Phew! Fu Qians first instinct was to quickly survey his surroundings. Everywhere were limbs and ice chunks he had just shattered, and a few meters awayy a massive, misshapen head. Thetter was about the size of a bathtub,cking facial features but having several enormous holes filled with dense spikes. It seems theres nothing else; it must be this. Fu Qian walked forward, and stomped down on the faintly twitching head. In an instant, juice sttered, and hundreds of glistening objects flew out. Those were a pile ofrge eyeballs! Each eyeball had a dark tendril at the end, stretching all the way back into the depths of the head. I knew it, something was off! If all Demigods are like this, then thats really quite disgusting. Recalling what Deng Feizhou had said before, could this be the price that even Chen Xing didnt know about? Fu Qian searched through the bloody mess and quickly found a dark red, radiating stone. Is this Thorn Blood? Fu Qian bent down to pick it up. The stone was crystal clear and still warm to the touch. As he handled it, the tendrils snapped one by one, the hundreds of eyeballs stopped wriggling, and quickly ruptured and dried up. The mission still isntplete? Without hearing a prompt, and while Fu Qian wondered, the stone in his palm turned into a cloud of blood mist and surged onto his face. The next moment, Fu Qian felt a pang in his heart. He reached up to touch his face and directly plucked off a white mask. On the left side of the mask, starkly, there was a patch of dark red stain. [Missionplete, containment of number 3-0177 sessful] Chapter 128 - 127 Synchronization_1 Chapter 128: Chapter 127 Synchronization_1 ` [Task Evaluation: Unpredictable Madman] [With efforts from many parties, the theft incident finally ended, and the Native Councils list of crimes has grown once more. The Night Watchman Henrik was proven innocent, but whether there was a trace of his true self in the ruthless killing spree before his death is unknown. The Native Council lost their leader in the Shangjing area. Most perplexingly, they didnt even know how they lost him, which has led them to pay close attention to this matter. Driven by an urgent desire for promotion, Chen Xing ultimately chose to coborate with criminals, devising a meticulous n and even willing to sacrifice his own son, but sadly, all was in vain. Thorn Blood grew from defiled bodies, a highly condensed form of pollution and error, yet fools mistook it for a high-tier form of life.] [Elimination: Deng Feizhou, Chen Xing] [Special Achievement: Completed the assembly of 3-0177] [Rewards: SAN Points +45; Inspiration +5] [Special Achievement Reward: Use-rights for 3-0177] [Current SAN Points 132, current Inspiration 36] [y event recap?] What? In the string of prompts that rang in his ear, Fu Qian keenly sensed something amiss. He quickly flipped back and found that particr special achievement reward. [3-0177, Messenger] [Effect: After activation, it will fully synchronize you with the anchored position] [Note: In this state, time will pass in sync, and if you are killed, you will truly die.] Fully synchronized, truly die? Fu Qian frowned, obtaining the use-rights for an item in the warehouse was a first for him. After some thought, Fu Qian followed the code and soon found the box for 3-0177. He ced his hand on it to open the box, and a bloodstained white masky inside prominently. Fu Qian tried picking it up, and as he held it in his hand, he felt apelling urge to put it on his face. After a brief hesitation, he ced it back in the box. There was no rush to research it, better to go home for a meal first. This time, although he had not repeated thebor, it had taken quite a bit of time. Fu Qian took off his work ID, the scene before his eyes shifted, and he was instantly back in his familiar living room. Taking out the prepared ingredients from the fridge, Fu Qian leisurely cooked himself a meal. These past few days he had been feasting at Wen Lis, almost forgetting the taste of home cooking. After eating his fill and having a short rest, Fu Qian returned to the warehouse and quickly found the box for 3-0177. This time, without any hesitation, he put it directly on his face. The moment he did, Fu Qian felt a strange sensation, as if his connection to the warehouse had be even tighter. When his senses returned, Fu Qian found himself lying on a bed. He nced around and immediately recognized this as the second floor of the bookstore. Subconsciously touching his face, there was no mask. He found the bathroom ording to his memory, and in the mirror was his own face. Fu Qian controlled his facial features, swiftly switching between his own and Fang Xuns faces. In this state, the mask no longer affected his ability to change his appearance. The effect of concealing his presence, however, was still there. As he was studying this, Fu Qian suddenly sensed someone downstairs. Walking down a few steps, he peeked over and took a look. Without knowing when, the bookstore had been repaired, including the front door, which had been reced anew. Wen Li, dressed casually, sat behind the counter, leisurely flipping through a book. The next moment, as if sensing something, Wen Li looked up. Invading someones home is hical. Fu Qian strolled downstairs and approached the counter under Wen Lis gaze. Mr. Fu? Wen Li looked surprised, her eyes fixated on Fu Qians face. Have you returned? Yes. Fu Qian nodded nonchntly and asked. Have I been away long? Over a month. Wen Li smiled, closed the book in her hand, and gestured around. And Im not breaking in, Im helping with some repairs. ` Ive received a lot of help from you and have no way to repay it, so I thought Id fix this ce up a bit as a small token of my appreciation. Take a look, are you satisfied? Fu Qian looked around. It was clear that Wen Li had put a lot of thought into it. While all the damaged areas werepletely repaired, the original appearance was preserved as much as possible. Thats more troublesome than building a new bookstore. Very nice, thank you! I waited at the Night Watchmen Base for a long time, butter Chief Yuan said you had something to do and wouldnt being back, and someone was sent to take me home. Seeing that Fu Qian wasnt disgusted, Wen Li showed joy and began to talk incessantly. I was worried that you might have had an ident, but since Chief Yuan seemed to be in a good mood, I felt a bit relieved. However, Uncle Deng seemed to have encountered some trouble. His residence got sealed off by the Night Watchmen, and I havent seen him since. What about Old Master Chen? Old Master Chen might have been ovee by grief. After returning, hepletely refused visitors andter issued a statement that he would go into seclusion to stabilize his state. He hasnt shown himself since then. Thats pretty reasonable. Fu Qian nodded. The Chen Family had finally produced a Demigod, but then he disappeared just like that. It must be hard for them to ept. Refusing visitors, going into seclusion, wanderingby going through the whole process, they could at least maintain the facade for a while. Mr. Fu, did youe here this time for another secret mission? At this point, Wen Li seemed to remember something and asked Fu Qian cautiously. Not this time. Fu Qian nced at her, it seems his every appearance tends to coincide with an incident, which left a shadow on this girl. No, just browsing around the store. Fu Qian shook his head. Is that so! Wen Li, delighted upon hearing this, chatted for a bit more and then left with a smile. Fu Qian looked around and casually picked up a book to flip through. Synchronized time, could it be that by entering in this manner, time in the real world also passes synchronously? Could I seamlessly switch to my bookstore owners life from now on? If thats the case, wouldnt staying in there for too long make me a missing person? But thats not really a problem. Given my social circle, being missing or not doesnt make much difference. At most, Qin Mingze and the others would not be able to find me, but I do asionally y at disappearing. He lounged around until sunset, and Fu Qian took off his mask before returning to the warehouse. After putting the mask away, Fu Qian was about to head home when he noticed something odd. Wait a second, where is my work badge? The work badge that was supposed to be around his neck was gone. This With a sense of something amiss, Fu Qian raised his left hand and discovered a sparkling pattern at his wrist. Had it fused with him? Fu Qian recalled the feeling of the connection deepening. Thats not too bad, more convenient than before. Fu Qian tried to focus his attention on it and issued amand to disengage. The next moment, he was back in his bedroom. The first thing Fu Qian did was look outside, only to find that the sun had already set. Indeed, time had passed synchronously in both worlds! While he was reflecting on his discovery, his phone on the table rang timely. Fu Qian picked it up to see it was a call from Qin Mingze. There were already several missed calls prior to this. Are you at home? Yeah. Wereing over to find you, well be there soon. Why are you running over here now? Fu Qian was a bit puzzled. Theres been a UFO sighting near your ce; Xiao Yu and I have agreed to go have a look. Chapter 129 - 128 How Did You Take My Place?_1 Chapter 129: Chapter 128 How Did You Take My ce?_1 Young people really are full of energy! Listening to Young Master Qins voice on the phone, Fu Qian couldnt help but feel a little emotional. No one hade looking for him since yesterday, and he thought the matter had ended, only to find that the anomaly back then had piqued the curiosity of the masses. But its better to look on the bright side. If a group of people interpreted it as a UFO rather than the light of Buddha shining on everyone, it at least showed they were more inclined to believe in science, which was quiteforting to him. Although they wouldnt be meeting any aliens. After hanging up the phone, Fu Qians attention quickly shifted back to the tasks at hand for the day. The process might have been a bit convoluted, but this mission wasnt too arduous and did match the level of a Third Phase object. As for the final confrontation with Chen Xing, to tell the truth, this demi-god didnt leave a very strong impression on him. At leastpared to Yibu and Yuan Shan, this one really didnt cut it. And then there was that bizarre transformation, those eyes spreading out like a peacocks tail feathers, it was hard not to think of the price mentioned by Deng Feizhou. Pity there wasnt an opportunity to learn more. Speaking of which, Chen Xing was really grasping at straws. The strength demonstrated by Deng Feizhou, at most, was that of a Fourth Phase peak; Chen Xing actually pinned his hopes on this guy to help him ascend to demi-god status? Or maybe he was putting his hopes on Thorn Blood. Fu Qian silently spected. Chen Xing wasnt stupid; he must have learned something about Thorn Blood and thus chosen this path. What he believed in was the stature of Thorn Blood, not Deng Feizhou. Unexpectedly, in the end, Thorn Blood had merged with the mask he was carrying, forming 3-0177. Regarding the description of 3-0177, from the effects after use, Fu Qian had a bold guess. All his previous containment tasks had taken ce in the past of that world. And under the Messenger status, he had reached the actual present. Confirming this was simple, he just needed to use the Messenger again in a couple of days. Then he would see if there had been any leap forward in time. However, safety must be a priority when using this. In the Messenger status, he would truly die. That is to say, he only had one life and needed to be more cautious in his actions. The upside was that he could remove the mask at any time to end the Messenger status. With his current strength, he had the power to fight even a demi-god. The effects of the Mythical Form had also been mostly tested. As long as he remained vignt and didnt encounter any twisted First or Second Phase beings, he should at least have the chance to flee. After quickly sorting through his thoughts, Fu Qian tidied up his things, and soon there was a knock at the door. You guys really are idle! Looking at Qin Mingze and Wu Qingyu outside the door, Fu Qian couldnt help shaking his head and sighing. You dont know jack! Qin Mingzes tone was very excited. As expected of young people, just a few days since thest incident, Young Master Qin had already stepped out of the shadow of the ck dress incident and was once again shining like a Litigant. This isnt some third-rate sci-fi story, many residents nearby said they saw the sh, not to mention those five are still lying in the hospital. If it wasnt for the area still being sealed off this morning, half of Linchengs sci-fi fans would probably run over there! This is a big event that happened right by us, arent you the slightest bit curious? Absolutely not. Fu Qian quietly thought to himself, then turned to look at Wu Qingyu beside him. Are you a sci-fi enthusiast as well? No. Wu Qingyu was still that same half-dead-looking figure, responding very sinctly. Im not interested in sci-fi stories, though I might be a bit curious if those five victims are willing to let me have a look. But Im insisting to my teacher that I am, so I can ck off and get a break to enjoy a real Saturday night Understood. Fu Qian patted thetters shoulder. Have you had dinner yet? Young Master Qin looked at Fu Qian. No. Thats just perfect. Xiao Yu and I have already eaten, so lets head out, The logic skills of a Litigation Trainee truly reached perfection. But Fu Qian didnt fuss about it. Not to mention skipping a meal, going without food for ten days or half a month wasnt a problem for him now. Despite the short distance, Young Master Qin insisted on driving no matter what. Ten minutester, the trio arrived near the Stone Bridge. By now, night had fallen, and from a distance, the five peoples car was no longer on the bridge. It must have been towed away. However, Young Master Qin wasnt lying. Normally deserted, the Stone Bridge still had a scattered crowd of dozens even at this hour. A quick nce revealed that apart from the professionals waiting with their cameras, the rest were young people around twenty years old, probably students from nearby schools who hade to join the excitement. Fu Qian even recognized two familiar faces among them. Pei Yanqing and He Xian were unmistakably among the crowd. Indeed, the curiosity of young girls is boundless! With just one look, Young Master Qin became quite sentimental. Suddenly, I miss my school days. Mr. Fu! At that moment, Pei Yanqing in the crowd had already spotted Fu Qian and was excitedly waving, attracting sideways nces from those around her. Mr. Fu is she calling you? Qin Mingze looked over incredulously. Yes. Fu Qian didnt intend to exin too much and casually walked onto the bridge, nodding to Pei and He. You can call me Fu Qian. After greeting the two women, Fu Qian briefly introduced Qin Mingze and hispanion. Your poprity with women seems a bit exaggeratedtely! Seizing the opportunity, Qin Mingze whispered to Fu Qian. Whats so strange about that! Fu Qian nced at him. Dont use your hobbies to challenge other peoples professions. Qin Mingze was left speechlessly raw by that retort. I didnt realize you were a sci-fi enthusiast. Looking at Pei Yanqing, Fu Qian slightly furrowed his brow. Honestly, he really didnt want her anywhere near him now. Im not, Pei Yanqing giggled, pointing to her best friend. He Xian dragged me here. Shes more interested in these kinds of things, but shes scared now that its dark. Scared? Yeah, they say five people went mad mentally, so the rumors are getting more and more mysterious. Even suggestions that theyve been subjected to some sort of secret experiment that fried their brains. Apparently, their condition is not optimistic now, with their intelligence basically regressed to infant level. You were nearly there once. Fu Qian nced at her, saying nothing. Theres no need to pity them. At this point, Young Master Qin snorted, his face filled with a cold sneer. Those five were never good people, causing trouble all the time. I certainly dont believe they came here to admire the moon. In a sense, even if it was aliens, it would be a public service. Although, I think its more likely they just drank too much fake booze. Young Master Qin, as someone in the business, clearly knew quite a bit of insider information! And his guess was pretty close to the truth. Is that so? Pei Yanqing and He Xian frowned upon hearing this. Obviously, they had no idea that the incident started because of them. Fu Qian didnt say anything and expressionlessly surveyed his surroundings. The next moment, his gaze sharpened, and he took a deep breath. He finally knew why something felt off! The spot where Pei Yanqing was standing was exactly where he had stood the night before, down to thest inch! Chapter 130 - 129: Evil Thing_1 Chapter 130: Chapter 129: Evil Thing_1 How long have you been here? Gazing at Pei Yanqings well-proportioned and straight long legs beneath her jeans, Fu Qian suddenly asked. Weve been here for quite a while. Pei Yanqing covered her mouth andughed. Although Im not interested in aliens, taking a walk is quite nice. Just standing here gives me a magical feeling, and I inexplicably feel at ease. I feel like tonights moon is especially bright. A magical feeling? Feeling at ease? Really? Fu Qian replied casually, looking up at the sky. Which of your eyes sees any difference with the moon tonight? However, as his nce swept by, he noticed that in the moonlight, everyone including Qin Mingze looked intoxicated with an indescribable enchantment. Even Wu Qingyu, who seemed on the verge of copse, now had a look of longing. Trouble! Fu Qian took a deep breath. Looking back at Pei Yanqing, he noticed her ethereal expression as she stared directly at the handrail beside her. The bridge was the old-fashioned arched type, with railings made of green stone on both sides, each pir carved with stone lions of various shapes. However, due to years of weathering, most were severely damaged. For instance, the one in front of them had only half a head remaining. Seemingly aware of Fu Qians gaze, Pei Yanqings lips curved in a secretive smile as she leaned in quietly. Dont you think She surveyed the surroundings, then pointed at the stone lion in front of them. This lion is so bright! I even felt like it was alive just now C do you think its my eyes or my brain that has an issue? Neither your brain nor your eyes have an issue. Fu Qian had already noticed the anomaly. At this moment, the surface of the stone lion indeed emitted a faint, almost imperceptible glow, which wasnt obvious under the naturally white moonlight. That Pei Yanqing could directly see this was probably rted to her past experiences. Because of the effects of the Decree Residue, she had be unusually sensitive to certain things. As for iting alive, the faint glow on its surface was subtly flickering, which gave it a translucent and eerie appearance. Fu Qian was certain that he had not seen this anomaly when he was here yesterday. The emergence of this phenomenon was likely rted to yesterdays events. He had released a Skill here oncethe Mythical Form Enhanced Commandment Residue. This anomaly was likely caused by that. Besides this stone lion, there were no other abnormalities in the vicinity. It must be because it was too close to him at the time, and thus the impact was strongest. Pei Yanqing, more sensitive than others, had instinctively found this spot even though she knew nothing about it. This thing couldnt stay; it might cause trouble if left for too long. Looking at the enraptured expressions around him, Fu Qian blinked and quietly lifted his foot, then stamped down without hesitation. The moss-covered bridge began to tremble faintly. Good! Havingpleted the test, Fu Qian stomped down with his second foot. Boom! This time everyone detected the abnormality. The crowd basking in the moonlight was finally startled awake, looking around in surprise, wondering what was happening. The bridge is copsing! The next moment, someone shouted and ran toward the end of the bridge. This action quickly caused a chain reaction, and everyone, including the enthusiasts, grabbed their equipment and took off running. Fu Qian followed them, and to urge these people to run faster, he stealthily stomped twice more. The shaking of the bridge became more pronounced. Amid the chaos, Fu Qian pressed his hand against the railing and applied slight force; the edge of the stone lion cracked and fell into the water below the bridge. A group of people quickly retreated to the outside of the bridge, and not until the shaking slowly ceased did anyone dare to step onto it again. Fu Qian observed the surroundings, almost everyones face showing a sense of lost perplexity. Among them, Pei Yanqing felt it the most. Fu Qian snapped his fingers, waking up a few people around him. Im going back to have dinner, are youing or not? Lets lets go. Young Master Qin agreed almost instantly. It was just a token gesture to begin with, few people truly expected to discover any unidentified flying objects here. Now that the excitement had ended and the bridge was still dangerous, there was no point in staying any longer. Fu ssmate, goodbye. Pei Yanqing finally regained herposure, greeted Fu Qian, and left with He Xian. Late at night, the returning Fu Qian stood on the bridge, now deserted. Leaning on the railing, he closed his eyes and silently sensed the anomalies around him. He quickly locked onto a target underneath the water. The next moment, a ck and red tentacle grew out of his hand and slowly reached into the water. When it emerged again, at its tip was a dripping wet stone lion, emitting a pearly radiance under the moonlight. Carrying his trophy, Fu Qian hurried back home, cing the stone lion on the table for a closer look. A peculiar aura emanated from the stone lion, faint but steady. Amidst the flickering dim light, it seemed to embody some kind of eternal rhythm. This thing is a dangerous item! Fu Qian picked it up with one hand, weighed it, and then squeezed tightly with his fingers. In a series of small, crisp sounds, crisscrossing cracks appeared on the surface of the stone lion. He ced the stone lion back down, and a surprising scene unfolded. The lion, which had been crushed, did not fall apart; instead, it seemed to maintain its shape under some unique linkage. Not only that, but the aura attached to it did not weaken at all. Interesting! Fu Qian toyed with the cracked lion. This likely urred because he had used power at the Demigod Level. With that being said, if he truly ascended to a demigod in the future, would every single move of his have this kind of impact? Has this world truly be incapable of amodating Fu anymore? Fu Qian looked up into the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, deeply contemting for twenty seconds. But speaking of which, what should he do with this thing? Forcibly crushing it was an option, but with the aura not dissipating, whos to say it wouldnt cause some sort of problem. Keep it at home? That didnt seem like a good idea either. Fu Qian thought for a moment, his gazending on his wrist. After the disappearance of his work ID, an imprint of the same shape had appeared on his wrist, bing his new pass. In fact, Fu Qian believed others probably couldnt see this mark. Come to think of it, when entering the containment scenario, there were restrictions on the items he could take with him, but there didnt seem to be any when entering the storage facility. Try it? Fu Qian held the stone lion in his hand, focused his attention on the work ID, and activated it with his consciousness. The familiar storage facility reappeared before his eyes. Fu Qian immediately looked at what was in his hand. The damaged stone lion was emitting a faint bluish glow. However, it onlysted a moment before the glow dissipated into the gloomy space. The next second, the sound of crashing was heard, and the stone lion crumbled into bits and fell to the ground. There was no more special aura on it. It can be done this way! Fu Qian shook the stone dust off his hands, looking deeper into the storage facility. This ce is truly amazing! Chapter 131 - 130 Disorder_1 Chapter 131: Chapter 130 Disorder_1 [Identity verificationplete, todays workmences] Miraculous as it was, after leveraging the warehouse to solve the stone lion issue, Fu Qian didnt dwell on it. The possible spections were far too numerous, and the current amount of information too scant; making rash conclusions was utterly meaningless. Early the next day, he entered the warehouse as usual. This time, however, he made the unprecedented discovery that there was hardly any activity within the warehouse. There have been quite a few abnormal events recently. Does this mean I can ck off for the day? Or perhaps knocking off work just after punching in? Fu Qian clicked his tongue in wonder while casually checking the spot where the stone lion had shattered the day before. Now there wasnt a trace on the ground, not even the dust was visible. [Warning, containment breach] Just as Fu Qian was considering the mostfortable position to ck off in, a familiar voice surfaced. [Name: Disorder, Code: 1-019] [Todays task updated: Enter the containment scene of 1-019,plete recontainment] Was it just a littlete? And talking about surprises, are you seriously sending a Level 1 item my way just as I was about to ck off? Fu Qian looked ahead as a mist gradually took shape; the sensation of his soul being drawn out washed over him. [Entering containment scene for 1-019] [ 4% 6% 10% 18% 34% 66% 100%, loading of containment sceneplete] [Current SAN Points: 131, current Inspiration: 36] Is that it? The voice at his ear abruptly halted, and Fu Qian couldnt help but furrow his brows. Something isnt right. Thats too little information! Theres apleteck of background introduction, but what about a task objective? Considering the difficulty level of previous Level 1 items, Fu Qian had a foreboding feeling. At this moment, the images before his eyes shifted, and his senses returned. Upon opening his eyes, Fu Qian found himself in a dimly lit room. The room was small, less than twenty square meters, and looked quite aged. At the moment, he was sitting in one corner, on a hard b of stone. To his right was a door that appeared to be very heavy and made of metal. The other three sides were covered with gray dusty walls, all devoid of windows. Could this task actually be a prison break? That was Fu Qians first thought. For no other reason than that the design of the room was just too ssical, looking every bit a prison cell. He first nced downward at himself and saw no handcuffs or shackles. However the next moment Fu Qian made an unexpected discovery. His bare arms and hands were unnaturally pale, nearly inhuman in their ghastliness. Is this? Fu Qian was a bit puzzled. This sort of phosphorescent white was almost beyond human, wasnt it? Had he already kicked the bucket? Thinking of something, Fu Qian rubbed his fingers against the ground. The Air Bullet did not appear. As expected! Earlier, not only did he not receive any task objectives, but there was also no prompt for choosing a Skill. The fact was that his Skills were currently inactive, meaning he was no different than an ordinary person now. And it wasnt just that. Fu Qian threw a punch and found that both his strength and speed were quite ordinary; he feared he might not even match up to an average person. This Level 1 item was really quite troublesome! It had been a long time since he had experienced this feeling of being back at level one. Both the walls and the floor seemed incredibly sturdy. Under these circumstances, the likelihood of breaking out through brute force was virtually nil. Fu Qian carefully observed his surroundings and discovered that at the center of the room, there was an enormous ck oilmp. The oilmp had an ancient design, covered with a yellowing giant ss shade that faintly disyed blotches of bloodstains. At this moment, it emitted a dim yellow glow; its faint light seemed as though it could extinguish at any moment. However, it was already the rooms only source of light. While he was sizing up the situation, noise came from the doorway, and the iron gate was slowly moved to one side. The next moment, an exaggerated figure appeared outside the iron gate. This person was extremely tall, not only d from head to toe in a ck robe, but also wearing an Iron ck Mask on his face. One hand held a strangely-shaped weapon,pletely barbed at its front, while the other hand held a brass-colored pot. A prison guard? Such an eerie appearance! Without making a single sound, the prison guard entered the room almost with a floating gait. Completely ignoring Fu Qian, the guard turned his back, extended his hand, and lifted the heavy ss shade. Subsequently, he raised the brass pot in his hand and slowly poured out a strand of pale green oil. The oilmp brightened up at a speed visible to the naked eye. In that instant, Fu Qian felt his skin turn even paler. It wasnt until the prison guard left that Fu Qian stood up from the ground and took two steps forward. Almost instantly, he felt the heat in his body elerate its departure, and at the same time, his consciousness also blurred. There was something strange about the oilmp! Fu Qian immediately realized this and swiftly retreated back into the corner. It seemed as if the object was elerating his death. No wonder he had woken up crouched in a corner; he must have been trying to avoid it. [Current task has been updated: Find a way to terminate the Discoloration State] Just then, a prompt sounded by his ear. Terminate the Discoloration State? Fu Qian nced over his body, and that seemed to be the situation he was in. The emphasis on current suggested that there would be new taskster on. Unlike before when there was a direct ultimate goal, this time there seemed to be a hint of a guided task chain. No matter, he would take it one step at a time. Fu Qian wasnt too troubled; having a goal was always better than not having one. After adding oil, themps effect obviously strengthened, and even in the corner, the sensation of heat dissipating still persisted. The exterior of the oilmp was extremely sturdy; with his current condition, smashing it with his bare hands seemed nearly impossible. Fu Qian looked around and went straight to another corner of the cell, sticking close to the wall. This room could be said to bepletely empty, with almost nothing in it. Apart from himself, the most noticeable thing was another corner where a skeleton sat huddled with its knees drawn up. The skeleton had clearly been dead for quite some time; even the surface of the bones had started to weather away. Fu Qian squatted down to examine it thoroughly. There was something in its hands! Soon he noticed that the skeletons hands were crossed and tightly clenched, with something sped between the gaunt phnges. Not wasting any time, Fu Qian reached out to try to pry the hands apart. Ah!!! Just at that moment, a heart-wrenching scream emanated from within the skeletons skull. The dark space, the sudden wailing. This ssic horror movie scenario, a perennially effective scare tactic. However, the scream was abruptly cut off halfway through as Fu Qian had already grabbed hold of the skeletons lower jaw. Too bad Im not the same as I used to be! Fu Qian silently reflected. Its not that he waspletely unscared, but since bing a humanoid weapon, his response to threats had increasingly shifted to attack rather than to run away. Even now, not in the best condition, that reaction was almost instinctive. Could this be what they call the heart of a warrior? Chapter 132 - 131 Disordered (Part 2)_1 Chapter 132: Chapter 131 Disordered (Part 2)_1 Having admired himself for just half a second, Fu Qian started examining the object he got from the Skeletons hand. His time was running out; under the scorching light of the oilmp, he could lose his ability to act at any moment, entering a state of awaiting death. It was a ckened, round iron piece, roughly the size of a watch dial, and it appeared to have a sense of antiquity. The iron piece was very thin, making it unlikely that it contained anything within. Fu Qian toyed with the iron piece in his hand, then suddenly remembered something. Turning back, he propped up the Skeletons head again, but this time, Fu Qian directly opened its jaw and reached inside. When the Skeleton had screamed earlier, it seemed like there was something inside. After fumbling around for a bit, Fu Qian pinched something out with two fingers. It was a hefty, spherical object. It seemed to be something the Skeleton had held in its mouth before death. With the search over, Fu Qian examined his findings, one in each hand. First was the stone from the throat. About the size of a thumb, the oval surface was covered in dark red patterns, with dozens of uneven spikes interwoven throughout the twisted pattern. If it wasnt clearly a stone, he might have thought it was some kind of mutated tonsil. As for the iron piece in his right hand, one side was nk, but the other, after wiping away the dirt, had a strange pattern outlined by crude lines. Beyond these two items, there seemed to be nothing else useful in the room. Could they be used to counteract the Discoloration State? That would require quite a bit of imagination. Fu Qian looked back at the Skeleton, envisioning its state before death. From its posture, it looked as though it had been holding the spiked ball in its mouth, its eyes fixated on the iron piece. But what use was that? After a moments thought, Fu Qian gripped the spiked ball tighter, and the skin of his palm was punctured by the spikes. In the light of themp, the liquid that flowed out was nearly transparent. Was this what they called Discoloration? Recalling his mission objective, Fu Qian took a quick nce at his body. All over, his flesh seemed to be turning transparent bit by bit, and he could even vaguely make out the bones beneath his skin. Continuing this way, he reckoned he would soon meet the same fate as the owner of the iron piece. At the same time, the pain in his palm made his consciousness clear. This thing Fu Qian tried scratching his arm with his fingernail. A cut appeared on his semi-transparent skin, but there was no sensation at all. Shouldnt sensation and reason both disappear in the Discoloration State? Yet this stone allowed him to feel pain, thus maintaining a degree of cognition? Fu Qian exhaled, forming a rough hypothesis of the stones function. It seemed the deceased had been using it to stay alert. What about the iron piece? Fu Qian thought for a moment, then pushed the Skeleton aside. He took its ce, sitting down and assuming the same posture he had envisioned. One hand holding the stone, the other holding the iron piece pattern-side facing him, he focused all his attention on it. Almost instantly, Fu Qian felt the pattern in his field of vision start to move. At the same time, something seemed to awaken inside him, as silent howls filled his consciousness. The sensation of life seeping away began to slow. From that moment until now, he had felt his heartbeat for the first time. After an indeterminable amount of time, Fu Qian slowly opened his eyes. The feeling of life draining away hadpletely stopped. After a long exhale, Fu Qian looked at the Skeleton beside him. This one seemed to know how tobat Discoloration and had even prepared the way, but unfortunately, it failed in the end. [Current mission has been updated.] [Find a way to escape the prison.] A new task notification had appeared, confirming that the previous one was alreadyplete. Find a way to escape from prison The first thing Fu Qian thought about was the prison guard who came in to refill themp; without a doubt, that was an excellent opportunity. The problem was that not only was the prison guards stature tall and big but he could even lift thempshade with one hand, indicating that his strength was clearly beyond that of an ordinary person. Bringing him down with his current condition seemed very unlikely. Thus, for the following time, Fu Qian barely moved at all and focused his attention entirely on the metal strip. Soon, his skin began to regain its color bit by bit, and he could even feel an increase in strength within his body, while the faint glow emanating from his skin gradually diminished. Not knowing how much time had passed, with an itching sensation, Fu Qians arms began to grow circles of fine scales. This scene was quite horrifying, but Fu Qian didnt stop there. After all, each increase in strength by a fraction meant a greater chance of getting free by a fraction. A little side effect was no problem. It wasnt until there were no more changes in his body that Fu Qian finally stopped. Feeling the power inside him, it almost felt like he was reborn. By previous standards, it was at least at the level of the Eighth Phase. Fu Qian made this judgment silently. It was difficult to tell time in the closed space but it probably hadnt been a full day. Fu Qian was fairly satisfied with this efficiency. He was just thinking of standing up when he suddenly swayed and fell over. Whats happening? He had clearly intended to stand up, but why had he moved his hand instead? Motor neuron disorder? Fu Qian remembered a skill called Disorder Charge. Was it a side effect of that thing? If that really was the case Fu Qians mind raced as he adjusted his body, slowly getting used to the new order. For example, using themand to lift his head to control his legs. However, just as he was barely getting used to it, the chaotic feeling suddenly disappeared. The abrupt contrast almost made him fall again. Coming without a trace and leaving without a shadow, this thing was a bit of a trap. It wouldnte back every so often, would it? While thinking, Fu Qian waited in silence. Sure enough, after a while, the chaotic feeling surged through him again. This time he was prepared and tried to apply the experience he had just gained. However, it turned out that the chaotic effects were random, and the n he had just made was already ineffective. This is such a nuisance! While feeling exasperated, Fu Qian didnt hesitate to continue experimenting. If this situation persisted, he would have to get used to it. Finally, after undergoing the chaotic impacts more than ten times, Fu Qian gradually adapted to these periodic disturbances and reduced the time it took to regain control of his actions to within one minute. As long as it didnt happen duringbat, there shouldnt be any problem. Fu Qian looked at the oilmp in the middle of the cell; there wasnt much oil left. The prison guard should being in soon, and his current condition was good enough to give it a try. Fu Qian began silently adjusting his body, preparing for the action toe. ng! The sound of the door opening came, and by then Fu Qian had returned to sitting in the corner of the cell. To avoid exposing his state, he buried his face down and covered as much of his exposed skin as possible. The fully wrapped prison guard appeared again, floating straight in without any hint of observing the prisoners condition, and directly lifting thempshade to refill the oil. Fu Qian slowly moved to the guards blind spot. Just as he was about to make his move, his nerves misfired, almost causing him to fall over once more. Chapter 133 - 132 Disarray (Part 3)_1 Chapter 133: Chapter 132 Disarray (Part 3)_1 Could it be true that what one worries about alwayses to pass? Feeling the chaos within, Fu Qian muttered to himself. Even after practicing for so long just now, it would take at least a minute to straighten out all the chaos. But with themp nearly filled, the prison guard might turn around and leave at any moment. If he missed this opportunity, it would probably be another days wait. Though he would have more time for adaptation exercises, the risk of being discovered also increased. However, if he didnt want to miss the chance, he needed to untangle the jumbled nerves within ten seconds. Unfortunately, that was impossible! Fu Qian was very aware that he was not sufficiently familiar with his own body. By then, the prison guard had already added oil, and was slowly lowering thempshade, turning to prepare to walk out. He couldnt wait any longer! Fu Qian struggled to stand, raising his head and throwing a punch. It seemed like a forced attack, but because of the chaos in controlling his body, he couldnt exert his strength normally. Not only did this punchck any power, his body even lost bnce slightly due to the exaggerated movement. But gritting his teeth and persevering, Fu Qian still managed tond his fist on the prison guards back by taking advantage of the element of surprise. Wait, this thing isnt human? The next moment, Fu Qian was startled. The feedback from his fist felt like he had smashed it into granite. Extremely hard with none of the suppleness of skin. If not for theck of force, he might have broken his wrist. This light and airy punch undoubtedly didnt cause any substantial harm; the prison guard turned around almost instantly. In the flickering cold light, he didnt hesitate to raise the weapon in his hand and thrust it straight toward the chest. The speed wasnt very fast, but still not something his current body could dodge. As the momentum reached him, Fu Qian barely twisted his body to avoid vital areas, taking the strike with his left shoulder. Crack! The force carried by the weapon was surprisingly strong; with a crisp sound, Fu Qians arm went limp and flopped down. Heavily injured in an instant, Fu Qian chose not to retreat but to press on, engaging in closebat. This suicidal behavior left him riddled with wounds in no time. Blood sprayed around, the sound of breaking bones was incessant, and within less than ten seconds, almost every part of his body except one arm ceased moving. Good, that would do! At that moment, Fu Qian took a deep breath. As it is well known, chaos usually stems from having too many variables. The confusion spreading through all the nerves was indeed difficult to adjust, but with only a few variables left, adaptation became much easier! The next moment, Fu Qian lifted up his only movable arm and threw a punch with full force. Unlike before, this punch sessfully unleashed real power. The paralysis of most body parts made it easier to focus the energy into one point. Boom! With the sudden eleration, Fu Qians serious punch smeared across the opponents chin. In that instant, Fu Qian felt his arm had also be useless. The opponents chin was as hard as the back, feeling like hitting stone. And with all the force of desperation behind the punch, the two collided, and Fu Qian instantly felt several fingers break. However, this injury seemed to be worth it. With a resounding boom, the sound of Crystal Stone shattering echoed through the air. The prison guards masked head actually flew straight off from the neck. The beheaded torso stood motionlessly for a moment before toppling over rigidly backwards. This thing indeed had hardness to spare, butcked flexibility. As long as one wasnt afraid of getting hurt, and had sufficient output force, killing it turned out to not be very difficult. Fu Qian sat on the ground, gasping for air, looking at the head not far away. The mask had already been thrown aside, revealing the true face underneath. It indeed had human facial features, but, unfortunately, was rigid like a sculpture. Moreover, the skin seemed to be covered with a fineyer of crystal, shining like diamonds under the light. Fu Qian looked at the severed neck and could see red flesh and white bone, but despite the major arteries being severed, not a single drop of blood flowed out. This ce really reeked of evil from every corner! After a brief observation, Fu Qian turned his attention back to himself. The fierce struggle had left his body riddled with wounds. The most severe injury turned out to be the result of his final burst, the extreme load on his body, plus the bacsh from punching a rock, which was quite painful to bear. Its easy to go from frugality to luxury! His currentbat style was, to a certain extent, a choice made after getting used to a physique with super high recovery power. Waiting silently for the effects of his neural disarray to end, Fu Qian stood up andboriously moved towards the door. This ce was way too big! Poking his head out, Fu Qian saw that the outside was still dimly lit, suggesting that it was located somewhere underground. And at a cursory nce, the area was staggeringly vast, at least the size of five football fields. Not just that, there were multiple levels both up and down, filled with simr cells. Giant stone pirs supported the structure, with rows of prison corridors connected to each other. No wonder no one hade for so long, such arge ce would require an immense number of prison guards. The cell door featured the most basic kind oftch structure, but because there wasnt even a small opening for delivering meals, the difficulty of escaping became tremendous, with no conceivable way to open it from the inside. This ce seemed to have never considered feeding the prisoners at all. After roughly assessing his current situation, Fu Qian slowly restored the gate to its ce, leaving a small crack as he withdrew. Calcting the angle carefully, he braced his arm against the wall to pop his dislocated joint back into ce, then began to slowly bandage his other wounds. Fortunately, his body was covered with circr scales in many ces, which offered some protection, otherwise his injuries would have been even more severe. Anotherforting fact was that, although iparable to his original body, this bodys healing power could also be considered astonishing. Sitting on the ground, Fu Qian could clearly feel his wounds healing rapidly, and his strength swiftly returning. At this rate, he would be able to move freely in at most an hour. After silently making this judgment, Fu Qian turned his head and continued to study the body on the ground. Whether due to the mutation or not, the headless corpse was still excessively heavy. With considerable effort, Fu Qian finally stripped the robe off the body and put it on himself. The skin underneath the robe was indeed in that diamond-like crystalline state, feeling like stone to the touch. Apart from the robe, Fu Qian managed to find two items on the body. A ck octagonal iron badge, plus an enormous rusty key. The key was rusty, clearly having not been used for a long time. Fu Qian packed away the two items, along with the iron shards and stone he had found earlier. Testing his strength, which had recovered quite a bit, Fu Qian dragged the body back to the corner where he had first awoken. After positioning it against the wall, he also picked up the head that had fallen to one side and ced it on the neck. Having done all this, he put on the prison guards mask, lifted his weapon and the oilmp, and slowly pulled open the door to the cell. Chapter 134 - 133 Disorder (Part 4)_1 Chapter 134: Chapter 133 Disorder (Part 4)_1 This underground prison was undoubtedly a very grand construction. Disguised as a prison guard, Fu Qian moved silently through the corridor. The robe was obviously a bit toorge, and the material was stiff and ufortable to wear. However, considering the condition of its former owner, he could understand why. With skin in such a state, its unlikely they would feel chafed. As he walked, he gathered information about his surroundings, and quickly constructed theyout of the prison in his mind. His current task was to get out of there. After identifying several possible exits, Fu Qian started moving towards them, adjusting his route and asionally taking detours as necessary. There were quite a few prison guards carrying teapots, all of them constantly on patrol. And with the corridors being rtively narrow, Fu Qian wasnt confident he could get close without being recognized. Luckily, the space wasrge enough to provide ample room to maneuver and avoid a direct encounter. Thisbyrinthine wandering went on for about an hour, during which Fu Qian also saw some new prisoners being escorted by the guards. As expected, each new prisoner reflected an unusual white light from their body, they were the so-called Discolored Ones. This ce wasnt a prison, but a burial pit. Linking this to the scenes he had witnessed in the cells, Fu Qian silently made his judgment. Although he didnt know what danger the Discolored Ones posed, someone was undeniably gathering them here, guarded en masse by these strange guards. And the guards duty was not only to monitor them but also to act as Expediters of Demise. For instance, they kept addingmp oil, ensuring the cellmps never went out. Fu Qian had tested it before; the light was quite lethal to the Discolored Ones. One by one, the Discolored Ones swiftly vanished within the prison. An hourter, this risky game of Pac-Man finally came to an end when Fu Qian located a ce that might be an exit, based on the route along which the Discolored Ones were taken. This must be it! In front of him was a spiral staircase leading upwards, too high to see the top. Fu Qian didnt immediately start climbing but stood still and waited. Soon, a sense of neural chaos washed over him; Fu Qian quickly adjusted, making sure not to show any signs of abnormality. About a minuteter, having adapted to the new disarray, he stepped forward and started ascending. The staircase was obviously very old, and Fu Qian moved onwards, apanied by creaking sounds. When the feeling of neural chaos subsided, he finally reached the top of the staircase. However, to his surprise, despite the door being ajar, he could already hear a noisy crowd outside. He peeked through the crack of the door and found that instead of the deste ce he had imagined, the area was bustling with peopleing and going. After a moments thought, Fu Qian took several items out, then quickly shed the oversized robe and hid it out of sight. Once done, he straightened himself out and pushed open the door in front of him. Almost instantly, the surrounding chatter stopped, and countless eyes focused on his face. However, Fu Qian didnt pay attention to this; he promptly looked up at the sky. At that moment, several beams of light of various colors and shapes hung against the azure sky, their brilliance shining. Aurora? It did resemble one, but it was clearly daytime. Fu Qian stared at this spectacle he had never seen before, genuinely astounded. He had counted a total of seven light beams just now, and more importantly, one of them had an outline that matched the pattern on the metal piece exactly. There was still such a thing! In this strange world, Fu Qian didnt believe there was no connection between the two. What on earth is this? The source of power? Constetion belief? The light of the Transcendent? However, before he had the chance to take a closer look, he heard someone scream. You how did you get out? A young man pointed at himself, stammering as he spoke. Why are you yelling so loudly? Do I know you? Fu Qian muttered to himself, but judging from the persons reaction in front of him, he undoubtedly should recognize him. The young mans eyes were darting about, sizing up Fu Qian with a mixture of shock and suspicion. The next moment, his gazended on the Scales on Fu Qians arm, and his expression became even more horrified and inexplicable. You what is this Fu Qian still ignored him and started surveying the surrounding environment instead. He was beside a building resembling a clock tower, with the door he just exited located on the side wall of the building. And the onlookers surrounding him, regardless of gender, age, or attire, were all quite distinctive. This ce is a bit odd! Why does it feel so different from the other task scenes? Linking this to the anomalies at the start of the task, Fu Qians foreboding grew stronger. At that moment, a gap opened up in the crowd of onlookers, and a team hurried over. This team of five people wore matching ck coats and weapons at their waists, all exuding a powerful presence. Compared to the onlookers, this small team certainly seemed exceptionally formidable. The leader of the team was a woman in her forties or fifties, looking quite intellectual. Thisdy came forward, examining Fu Qian intently for a while before finally speaking. Hello, could you exin the current situation, please? Two days ago, we received a report and, considering the signs of discoloration on you, we put you in the underground prison, but now Thedy looked at Fu Qian. Not only have you walked out, but it seems you have awakened? Yes, it was rather quiet down there, a perfect ce for contemting and understanding the Way. I discarded distracting thoughts, cleared my mind, and then I quickly awakened. Fu Qian spoke nonsense off the top of his head. A good ce for contemting and understanding the Way below? The woman also furrowed her brows, clearly not quite believing Fu Qians words. The next moment, she waved her hand, and several people rushed forward promptly, surrounding Fu Qian. These people clearly treated the Discolored Ones with the attitude reserved for fearsome beasts. Fu Qian looked around at the people and roughly understood why the Discolored Ones received such treatment. In this ce, it seemed this was analogous to a contagious disease, and he had even been reported and captured. From their reactions, Fu Qian could almost conclude that few of the Discolored Ones sent below ever returned. Now that he thought about it, his senior cellmate must have realized what fate awaited him and prepared in advance. Hoping to awaken by relying on the two items he brought in and thus escape the grim fate. Unfortunately, even though he swallowed the thorned stone to stay alert, he still hadnt seeded before the Expediters of Demise took him away. Amidst the standoff, another figure hurried over from a distance, clearly shocked before even arriving upon seeing Fu Qian. It really is the Dragon Feast! Chapter 135 - 134 Disorder (Part Five)_1 Chapter 135: Chapter 134 Disorder (Part Five)_1 Who are you, elder brother? Fu Qian looked at the excited man in front of him. A white cor, a shirt and trousers with a coffee-colored robeif he were holding a book, hed be the spitting image of a priest. From the reactions of the people around him, it was clear that this priest was quite prestigious here. With his recent exmation, Fu Qian felt the gazes on him turn fervently intense. Is it truly Dragon Feast? The Sequence that disappeared for decades? Thedy in the trench coat looked at the priest, her expression gravely serious. Trust me, Baroness, theres no mistakethe Blue Circr Fine Scales, starting from the limbs and torso The priests voice was trembling. After so many years, finally, a Sequence has returned! Hisss! The woman known as the Baroness took a deep breath. I think its best if we verify it first, so we dont end up empty-handed and happy for nothing. Mm-hmm! The priest nodded vigorously, his face brimming with enthusiasm as he beckoned Fu Qian with an indisputable tone. Please follow me. Dragon Feast? Sequence? Returned? Under the escort of the Baroness and her entourage, Fu Qian followed the priest onward while trying to piece together the proverb that the three-year period hase to an end. Although he had caught only fragments of the conversation, he could somehow piece together some of the content. Sequence probably referred to different types of power, and the one he awakened to was one of them, called Dragon Feast. And from what the priest implied, the Dragon Feast Sequence had not appeared for decades, making it a rare phenomenon. His awakening had marked the return of this lost Sequence, and they were exceedingly excited about it. The priest seemed to have a way to verify its authenticity and was now leading him there. For the moment, there seemed to be no danger, Fu Qian silently concluded. Of course, there was another pointhe was technically an escapee. Although nobody had cared about this since just now, it was hard to say what their reaction would be once discovered. Fu Qian decided to wait and see what unfolded. Amidst the watchful eyes of the crowd along the way, the group followed the priest to a building that resembled a church. Passing through a long colonnade to the interior, Fu Qian identified the shapes of several colorful clusters in the stained ss windows around the hall. It rted indeed to their faith. The rest of you wait here; the Baroness and I will go up. The priest brought them to a stairway on the side of the hall and gestured for the rest of the squad to wait there. The others promptly halted, while the Baroness, without a word, signaled with her eyes for Fu Qian to walk in front. A few minutester, the three of them reached the top of another tower and stopped in front of arge brown door. The priest first bowed in worship before pushing the doors open to either side. Behind the door was a spacious hall, with seven stone statues of various forms standing at intervals, forming a circle. Besides that, there was nothing else. This is the Hall of Glory. The priest gazed at each statue, his eyes filled with an inexplicable devotion and ecstasy. Come with me. At his bidding, Fu Qian approached one of the statues. The statues form was quite different from the aurora in the sky; it was mostly human in shape. However, one could see some peculiar mutations in parts of it. The statue before Fu Qian was distinctly covered in fine scales, extremely simr to those on his own arm. Of course,pared to the statue, his own condition was still mild, with only the scales being abnormal and the rest of him looking normal. The statue appeared far more ferocious, not only with a face like a lizard, but even something like wings sprouting from its back. Following the priests cue, Fu Qian ced his hand on the statue. Under their anxious gazes, the statue slowly radiated patterns of golden light, resplendent and lustrous. Almost instantly, Fu Qian heard two heavy breaths. It is the true Dragon Feast! Though the level is not high, its real! The priest looked at the Baroness, his face full of ecstasy. Thetter finally showed emotion. Seven Lights blessing, this is the hope of everyone! Yes, I will go announce this news immediately! Announcing the good news, I have no objection, but do you really not care about how I came out? Fu Qian looked at the two excited people. Sorry, could you exin a bit? Exin? The priest nced at him puzzled, then suddenly realized. Did the previous Discoloration State affect your memory? How much do you remember? Almost nothing. The priest had already found the reason, Fu Qian simply went along with it, answering very truthfully. You must at least know about Dragon Feast, right? The priest pointed at his body. Fu Qian shook his head. Ah The priest sized up Fu Qian, sighing deeply. Understandable, awakening while under the Discoloration Curse must havee at a great cost. But no matter, you have be one of the Sequence, you dont have to worry anymore. That is indeed good news. Lets walk and talk, Ill give you a brief introduction to the situation. The priest led Fu Qian outside. In this Hall of Glory, there are statues of the seven kings of Sequence; they represent the ultimate form of the Seven Sequences power. The Seven Sequences correspond to the eternal and undying Seven Lights, which are also the foundation of this worlds existence. Unfortunately, the legacy has been declining for many years, and some Sequences have not seen any Awakeners anymore, including Dragon Feast. Until now, we only have Awakeners from three Sequences left. The Baroness interjected from the side. So thats how it is. Thats why your awakening has uplifted everyone so much, the return of the ancient Sequence represents the greatest hope. The people outside have lived in fear for too long. I see. But what exactly is the Discoloration? You dont remember that either? This time, even the priest was shocked. I only remember a period of extreme pain, the sensory memories throughout my body slowly fading away, but I dont recall anything else. Yes, that is the Discoloration Curse. The Baroness spoke in a low voice. Everyone who has not yet entered a Sequence is under the threat of the Discoloration Curse. Once afflicted, life gradually dims until itpletely dissipates. In fact, there have not been any Awakeners for nearly a year. Meanwhile, the number of the Discolored Ones is steadily increasing, we are investigating the cause while we have no choice but to lock the Discolored Ones in prison. You are the only one known so far, who has survived with the curse still in you. In short, your outstanding performance has given everyone hope. The priest was on the brink of tears, barely able to contain his emotions. Endowed with unparalleled talent, saving the world from despair. What a sensation of being the Chosen One! Fu Qian sighed, understanding the general situation. Never thought Id have the day to be Long Aotian. [Current taskpleted, target updated] [Investigate the reason for the increase of the Discolored Ones] Fu Qian was still reflecting when the voice rang in his ear, the long-awaited task finally updated. Chapter 136 - 135: Disorder (Six)_1 Chapter 136: Chapter 135: Disorder (Six)_1 Indeed, as a young man with unconventional thinking, Fu Qian seldom indulged in fantasies of being the Chosen One. In his view, the idea of seeing oneself as the center of the world was boring and stupid. Everyone could at most be the center of their own universe, and even then, many failed to achieve that. The advantage of this mindset was that Fu Qian rarely expected something for nothing; if he encountered a pie falling from the sky, his first reaction would be to suspect a conspiracy. Take, for example, if a beautiful woman suddenly kissed him on the street, Fu Qians first thought would definitely not be that his charm was irresistible, but rather that she must have eaten something disgusting! Therefore, confronted with a situation that seemed tobel him a Chosen One, he became even more cautious. Of course, the Priest Baroness seemed extremely excited, practically dragging him out in a hurry. A crowd had already gathered outside. After the Priest announced the verification results with great enthusiasm, the scene instantly erupted. As an auspicious sign, Fu Qian saw undisguised envy in the eyes of the onlookers. If what the Priest said was true, indeed in this ce, only by bing a member of a Sequence could one gain a true sense of security. After all, no one wanted to wake up to face those Expediters of Demise! And here he was back at the same question. Fu Qian nced at the Priest and Baroness beside him. Did these people really not care how he got out? Though he was now seen as a beacon of hope and probably wouldnt face much trouble if discovered, theirck of questioning was still abnormal. At that moment, the sound of the clock tower chiming the hour reached them. Fu Qian noticed the Baroness momentarily froze before a strange look came over her as she looked at him, as if she had realized something. Finally noticing something was wrong? Fu Qian thought silently but then saw the Baroness bend down and whisper something in the Priests ear. Thetter also appeared momentarily stunned before giving a few words of encouragement to the crowd and then dispersing the enthusiastic onlookers. They took Fu Qian along to a small room, where the Priest hesitated as he looked at him. Is there anything wrong with you? What could possibly be wrong with me? Fu Qian had thought the two were going to confront him about the jailbreak, but instead, they seemed concerned about his well-being. The cost, the Baroness said, shaking her head and looking at Fu Qian with disbelief. Every blessed by light shall cast a shadow, every Sequence has its intrinsic cost. And the cost of the Dragon Feasting Sequence the Priest said, frowning. is intermittent control over chaos, which normally urs once every hour. Its been enough time for an hour since then, but youve shown no signs of disturbance, which in itself is an anomaly. The Priest and the Baroness went back and forth, finally rifying the situation. So that was the confusion. Fu Qian thought to himself. Of course, he was not without anomalies; in fact, he had just experienced one a while ago. But thanks to his practice during this period, he could now control his limbs to perform normal actions even when in a state of chaos. Although he could not exert much strength, he managed not to fall to the ground. However, Fu Qian did not rush to answer, instead looking at the two people in front of him and asking in return, I havent seen your costs, have I? Ours? The two exchanged nces, and the Priest shook his head with a sigh. You really dont remember anything. The costs of different Sequences manifest in various ways. Dragon Feast is the most offensive among all the Sequences, and its anomalies are the most conspicuous. My allegiance is to the Spire Sequence, whose anomaly is a constant presence. The specific manifestation is an overwhelming desire to kill, which must be constantly restrained. In fact, thats why Im here. And her? Fu Qian then looked at the Baroness. The Baroness belongs to the Celestial Sequence, her cost is somewhat simr to yours, the Priest mused. Simr? Excuse me for a moment, said the Baroness out of the blue, interrupting Fu Qians confusion as to what it was, and without waiting for a reply, she promptly turned and left the room. What is it? Fu Qian looked at the Priest. Periodic strong desires. Taking advantage of the other partys absence, the Priest quickly said. No wonder! Fu Qian remembered the Baronesss face was a bit odd before she left. The Baroness had delicate features, but her entire demeanor could be described as having an innate halo, the kind that absolutely wouldnt make someone think of lustful desires. Unexpectedly, that was the price to pay. At that moment, the Priest exhaled. Within the Sequence, the more one ascends in ability, the more severe the abnormalities be. In fact, many from the Celestial Sequence need to resort to self-harm to alleviate them. Understood. Fu Qian nodded. I remember you mentioned earlier there are three Sequences, what about the other one? Youve already met them before. Those prison guards! Fu Qian suddenly understood the Priests meaning. Correct, they are from the Luminous Stone Sequence. The benefit of the Luminous Stone Sequence is their extreme defensive capabilities and significant lifespan extension; the cost is sluggish reactions and a sensitivity to light. No wonder those people were wrapped up so tightly. Thats why they almost all live underground. I see now, my anomaly hasnt actually disappeared. Having rified the situation, Fu Qian spoke outright. Considering his own mission, he would inevitably have to deal with these peopleter on, so it was better to dispel any unnecessary suspicions. I still intermittently lose control, its just that through practice, Ive been able to handle it a bit better, otherwise I wouldnt have been able toe out of the prison. Having gotten out of prison The Priest seemed to realize something. How did you get out just now? Fought my way out. Fu Qian said nonchntly. Being the beacon of hope now, he was quite confident that the Priest wouldnt harm him, so there was no need to conceal anything. Actually, it wasnt necessary to resort to violence. If you hadmunicated with them and they confirmed that the Discoloration Curse was gone, they should have let you out. After a long gaze at Fu Qian, the Priest finally spoke. I dont think so. My strength at that time was basically like tapping on the shoulder, yet that guy immediately took up arms, showing no signs of friendliness. I didmunicate, but they seemed to prefer physicalnguage. Alright, you dont need to worry about this, Ill handle it when the timees. The Priest shook his head. Whats going on? After a while, the Baroness, now showing no trace on her face, returned and noticed something amiss in the expressions of the two. The Priest was not nning to hide anything from her and recounted both the cost and the prison escape. So thats how it was! The Baroness was visibly shocked after hearing. Dont worry about the prison Did you really manage to resist the anomaly purely through willpower? Barely. Thats already very impressive! The Baroness expressed rare praise. Going forward, we need you to make appearances as much as possible, which will have a very positive effect on morale. No problem, in fact, I have a better idea, such as joining your team. Fu Qian looked at the Baroness. Rather than being just a mascot, Id prefer to investigate the Discoloration Curse. Histest mission was to investigate the truth behind the increase of the Discolored Ones, which aligned perfectly with the Baronesss work, making joining her an ideal move. Join the team? The Baroness was clearly surprised by Fu Qians proposal, but after a few seconds of hesitation, she agreed. That would indeed be better. In fact, we have a target in mind right now. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 137 - 136 Disarray (Part 7)_1 Chapter 137: Chapter 136 Disarray (Part 7)_1 It was evident that the Baroness still had considerable sway here. Upon agreeing to Fu Qians suggestion, the Priest showed no sign of objection. And this formidable woman wasted no time, greeting the Priest before promptly leading Fu Qian out of the room. The two quickly found the team waiting outside, the other four members of the inspection squad. The squad wasposed of three men and one woman, none of whom were very old. Fu Qian took a moment to observe them and sensed that every one of them was stronger than himself, making up what could be considered an elite squad. I believe you all know this person by now, said the Baroness, indicating Fu Qian under the puzzled gazes of the team members. As a new member of the Sequence, Fu Qian will be joining us in our operation. This It was clear that the team members had some reservations about this decision. However, under the Baronesss impositional presence, they merely exchanged nces with one another, and no one voiced any objections. The Baroness went on to introduce the four individuals to Fu Qian in brief. Through these introductions, it came to be known that the sole female team member, like her, was also a member of the Celestial Sequence, while the other three belonged to the Spire. Is there a gender restriction for the Sequences? Fu Qian found an opportunity to quietly ask the Baroness. For some Sequences there is, such as the Celestial Sequence which only females can awaken to, confirmed the Baroness, validating his guess. At this moment, the group was standing at a murder scene, which was also the investigative target previously mentioned by the Baroness, suspected to be the work of a Discolored One. The small room was filled with a strong stench of blood. Blood was spattered everywhere, and a mutted corpsey on the ground. From the distinctive long-sleeved robe, it was clear that the deceased was a nun. The excessively brutal manner of death made almost everyone frown. She mustve been a church nun. Absolutely heinous! Amidst the teams indignation, the Baroness bent down without a word. After looking the body over, she tried to pry open the dead womans mouth and fished out a shiny object from within the blood. A brooch! An observant team member recognized it immediately. No wonder the mouth of the corpse is slightly deformed. Holding this in her mouth, she must have wanted to leave behind a clue, right? The style is obviously not for a woman. The team members discussed animatedly, each voicing their opinions. Fu Qian, whats your take? After the team had discussed for a bit, the Baroness turned to look at the silent Fu Qian. Fu Qian instantly felt a number of gazes drilling into him. Indeed, it was only too normal for his presence, acquired through stylish values, to be questioned! Me? Fu Qian thought for a moment, then, mimicking the Baroness, stepped forward to look over the body from top to bottom. Seeing how seriously Fu Qian took the matter, the team members felt a slight sense of approval. At least he had some courage; someone new might have been scared into wetting themselves at such a scene. After a minute, Fu Qian stood up and nodded at everyone. It must be a homicide. I Pretending not to notice the circle of exasperated expressions around him, Fu Qian nonchntly returned to the squad. He had long passed the age when he sought approval for everything C which, for him, was at the age of ten. With the body in such a destroyed state, except for the object in the Baronesss hand, there was hardly any evidence to discern! While the rest of them were analyzing fervently, hed been ready to just go through the motions. He hadnt expected the Baroness to suddenly ask for his opinion. His instinct told him that her motives were not quite pure, and it seemed she wanted to test whether he truly had amnesia. This is indeed a gentlemanspel pin, well start by checking the men she was involved with to see if any of them have signs of discoloration. A nun had a boyfriend? The church does not prohibit nuns from getting married. Seeing the question on Fu Qians face, the Baroness replied directly. In fact, due to the threat of the Discoloration Curse, many people marry at a rather young age. Understood. Fu Qian nodded, continuing to act the role of someone with amnesia. Indeed, the nun really did have a lover. Following the leads, the group quickly found the mans home. Unfortunately, the home was wide open with no one to be seen inside at the moment. It seems weve arrived toote, someone said immediately. The inside of the house was clearly disordered, showing that the owner must have left in a hurry. This person is now a major suspect. Its very likely that the nun discovered signs of discoloration on him, and in fear of being reported, he acted first by killing her and then fled in guilt. Such cases are all toomontely!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Wed better issue a warrant quickly, otherwise a Discolored One on the loose could be extremely dangerous. Everyone agreed in chorus. Not necessarily. Seeing that everyone had reached a consensus, and the Baroness did not object, Fu Qian cleared his throat. Hmm? When Fu Qian suddenly spoke, the group was taken aback, wondering what he was up to. They were highly impressed by his recent verdict on the homicide case. Who says theres nobody here? Fu Qian took a couple of steps forward. Its clear at a nce; where is there a ce to hide a person? Someone retorted right away. A look at your usual cultural life suggests its quite impoverished, never influenced by twisted thinking. Fu Qian nced at the others. But it was understandable. After all, they had only given the ce a cursory look. The level of industrial development seemed quite backward, and it was highly probable that these people hadnt been exposed to movies or television. The significance of a crime scene investigation was far beyond what you could imagine! Youre right, this ce could be described as obvious at a nce, and at first sight, there doesnt seem to be anywhere to hide a person. However, if we discard some preconceptions, such as the human bodys shape, we find that there are still some spaces. Normally, the human body has a density slightly greater than water, so an average adult, if bundled up, would roughly take up a space with the dimensions of several tens of centimeters in length, width, and height. And there are ces in the room like that. As professionals, dont we need to check those before dering theres no one? After saying this, Fu Qian walked over to a red wooden cab. It was a wardrobe, already opened, with only a few disheveled clothes inside. Such a chest often has a smallpartment for storing rtively valuable items. Fu Qian reached out and pulled it, exposing apactpartment beneath, which was now stuffed with something white, packed tightly. Fuck! Do you see it? Fu Qian gestured to the shocked crowd, then crouched down to examine it closely. It looked like a human body, but severely distorted, coiled up inside the chest like a snail. Even the shape of the skull was no longer discernible, and some parts had even been tied in knots to prevent body fluids from leaking out. The sight was shockingly grotesque, and a few team members nearby struggled to maintain theirposure. The youngdy had already run outside to throw up. Looks like it was a rush job. It wasnt convenient to take the body out to dispose of the evidence, so instead, they handled it by hiding it here, Fu Qian said, appearing to be the mostposed individual there, crouching beside the chest to observe, even going so far as to squeeze it. I cant feel any bones; they dont seem to be crushed because thered likely be wounds in such a case. It looks more like the bones inside the body have dissolved. Can the Discoloration Curse cause this kind of effecteh? Fu Qian, having asked halfway, suddenly eximed, pulling an oval stone from the cab. Whats this? Chapter 138 - 137: Disorder (Eight)_1 Chapter 138: Chapter 137: Disorder (Eight)_1 In an instant, the gaze of the entire team, including the Baroness, was drawn to the object in Fu Qians hand. Oval-shaped, with strange dark red patterns, its surface was covered with unevenly sized spikes. This was Most people were utterly perplexed, but a grave expression fleetingly crossed the Baronesss face. This scene did not escape Fu Qians notice. The stone, of course, hadnte from the box; it was the one Fu Qian had gotten from the Skeleton. When he had crouched down earlier to inspect, Fu Qian had quietly taken it out and held it in his hand. Ingeniously exploiting a blind spot in their vision, Fu Qian had pretended to retrieve it from the box. He had done this, naturally, with a purpose in mind. From its effects when he used it, this object seemed to be linked to the Discoloration Curse in some way, which was why Fu Qian had kept it all this time. But whether it was the Baroness or the other team members, it was clear they had anything but trust in him. Just like he had said before, he was nothing more than a mascot to boost morale. And information rted to the Discoloration Curse was undoubtedly a significant secret. Asking directly about it would hardly yield any answers, and might even arouse suspicion. Therefore, Fu Qian chose to try this method. To his relief, from the Baronesss reaction, it was clear she knew something. If its not the Discoloration Curse have you heard of any ability that could cause this effect? Fu Qian nonchntly set the stone aside and shifted his concern to why the corpses looked that way. The group still shook their heads, one bravely stepping forward to take a closer look. Ive never heard of any malicious ability that turns people into this, but there indeed are no signs of the Discoloration Curse on the body. So, the Nun wasnt killed for uncovering her lovers secret? Could it even be possible that the deaths of both people were by the same killer? The situation suddenly grew moreplicated! The expressions of the team members became serious, each deep in thought. However, due to his previous performance, their impressions of Fu Qian improved slightly. Being able to analyze and search through that mess with suchposure was something ordinary people couldnt do. While not very powerful, the psychological quality he disyed was indeed strong (and somewhat twisted). Speaking of which, theres a question Ive been meaning to ask you, the Baroness said, looking pensive after they emerged from the room. She suddenly turned to Fu Qian. Awakening the Dragon Feast while struck with the Discoloration Curse, how exactly did you manage that? This has never happened before; its nothing short of a miracle! You have to understand, in the dungeon below, you cant even pray to the Divine Seven. At the Baronesss words, the others also turned to look. Indeed, despite the legendary inspiration he provided, to this point it was still unclear how he had achieved that. Right, you cant see the Divine Seven and you have to use oilmps. Fu Qian smiled at the Baroness as he spoke. Hearing the word oilmp, her face visibly contorted with unease. It seemed that the Baroness knew exactly how the prison guards treated the Discolored Ones below. Fu Qian shook his head inwardly without meaning to pass judgment. He reached into his pocket, took out and shed a metal piece. Its quite simple, actually: just a devout heart plus this. This is the token of the covenant with the Divine Seven, usually carried for indoor prayers. The Dragon Feast Mark is rare but not unheard of. Upon ncing at it, the Baronesss reaction wasnt very unusual. You guys go and investigate separately. Seemingly recalling something, the Baroness dismissed the others, then beckoned Fu Qian to follow. Come with me, Hmm? The others looked at Fu Qian, then at the Baroness. Seeing thetters face flush unnaturally red, they seemed to understand something and scampered off without asking any questions. Is it happening again? If its an hours affair, the timing is about right. From the slightly odd expressions of his teammates, Fu Qian realized something. However, he wasnt too worried about it; based on his understanding of her, she wouldnt likely use him as a crucible. Deliberately not hiding the anomaly, and even risking misunderstandings, she must have something important to discuss. Huh! Without looking at Fu Qian, the Baroness led the way to a secluded spot before finally letting out a long sigh.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Sorry, please wait a moment. Take your time. Upon hearing this, Fu Qian took a step back. The Baroness produced an illusory whip in her hand, adorned with spikes twinkling with starlight. The next moment, she couldnt wait tosh it against her back. The whip pierced through her clothes, making a sound as it struck flesh. The Baroness let out a pained grunt through her nose, her breathing bing heavy in an instant, then she clenched her teeth and struck herself with several moreshes. Minutester, the Baroness slowly opened her eyes, her face returning to calm, and the ethereal light reactivated. Holding the stone that Fu Qian had given her in her palm, the Baroness looked at him seriously. This is a Pustule Stone! Its a cursed object, usually only found on the corpses of Awakeners. Being stabbed by it can cause indescribable pain. Is this thing also a relic? I dont know much about the Pustule Stone, but its presence here is very odd Along with the Discolored Ones despair that has been increasing for quite a while, I have a very bad feeling So theres something Id like to ask of you. Gazing into Fu Qians eyes, the Baroness spoke with unprecedented sincerity. Id like you to make another trip down to the prison. Hmm? Fu Qian looked at her silently, hoping she would provide an exnation. Theres someone in the prison familiar with the Pustule Stone. I hope you can go see her, to find out if shes still there, orif shes still alive. Understood, but if I may speak frankly, why dont you go yourself? Wouldnt you be more reliable than a junior Awakener like me? I know its a bit much, but you are the most suitable person for the job, The Baroness replied with a wry smile. Those in the prison dont have a good rtionship with those above. For many years now, we have not been permitted to enter down there, and correspondingly, they do note up. And you are the only one for years who hase out from down there. Of course, I wont let you take undue risks. Before you go, I will help you get promoted as much as possible to ensure you have enough strength. Of course, the increased side effects of the promotion will be for you to ovee. Understood, Ill take on the task. Fu Qian didnt dawdle and agreed immediately. Naturally, no matter how sincere the Baroness may appear, Fu Qian didnt fully trust her words. This woman was quite shrewd, having already probed several times before. Although she spoke in such a way now, it did not rule out the possibility of using him for other purposes. But that didnt matter. The clue rted to the prison was something he had to investigate regardless. Where is my target located? I dont know. You dont know? Yes, I havent been to the lower levels in too long. But I do know she must be locked up in the deepest parts. Chapter 139 - 138 Disordered (Nine)_1 Chapter 139: Chapter 138 Disordered (Nine)_1 The Baronesss intelligence work was undoubtedly quite ordinary. Besides one target located in the deepest part of the prison, there was simply no other information. Then how will I know who Im looking for when the timees? Dont worry, as soon as you see her, youll know what sets her apart. Is she that remarkable? The Baronesss response increased Fu Qians interest in the mission by another notch. For now, lets focus on your promotion, follow me. The Baroness said nothing more, leading Fu Qian onward. They arrived at a room that seemed quite secretive, where she asked Fu Qian to wait while she hurriedly left. Literally, Dragon Feast should mean eating a dragoncould she actually be off to y one? Watching her retreating figure, Fu Qian couldnt help but think. It wasnt long before the door was pushed open from the outside, and the Baroness returned with a paleplexion, handing over a crystal ss directly. Drink it. The Baroness seemed obviously weakened; she couldnt really have gone to y a dragon, could she? Fu Qian raised an eyebrow and took a look at the ss. Within the crystal clear vessel, a drop of transparent liquid tumbled. Its silver-white sheen glinted off the surface, dazzling onlookers with just a nce. What is this? Fu Qian looked at the Baroness. Dragon Blood. Do dragons really exist? They did a long time ago, but have gradually disappeared since then. The Baroness took a deep breath, her voice deep. With each promotion in the Dragon Feasting Sequence, one must consume and digest the flesh and blood of different dragons. Indeed, but if dragons are extinct, where does this Dragon Bloode from? An heirloom. The Baroness slowly lifted her other hand, which held an object resembling a pocket watch. However, the face of the watch was shattered, and light twinkled upon its surface. This was left by the first Dragon Feast, created with the powerful blood of dragons. Sadly, it has been damaged for a long time. Of course, if it werent for that, I wouldnt have been able to break it. I see. Fu Qian nodded his head. This is the only thing rted to dragons that can be found now. Although its from an era too remote to confirm its precise effects, rest assured Ill do my best to ensure your safety. What a pale and powerless assurance. Alright, but since its so old, why not use a little more of it? Fu Qian pointed to the pitiful drop in the ss.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Everything must progress in an orderly fashion. Youve just awakened, you cant handle too much power yet. Moreover, the digestion process of the Dragon Feast is extremely painful, with the strongest being the most painful. Its fine. When ites to endurance, Im already battle-hardened. Eventually, at Fu Qians insistent request, the Baroness reluctantly added another drop to the ss. Fu Qian didnt hesitate, tilting the Dragon Blood into his mouth in one go. It was like swallowing a mouthful of boiling iron water; almost instantaneously, he could no longer feel the existence of his mouth. The next moment, a scorching heat converged into his limbs and throughout every blood vessel, boiling within. The Baroness was right, it was indeed painful! But it was bearable! In the agony akin to being burned alive, Fu Qian exerted all his might to control every nerve, making his body not to tremble, and even keeping his breathing as steady as possible. As the pain subsided a bit, Fu Qian abruptly opened his eyes. Did it work? The Baroness looked a bit grave seeing Fu Qian regain his senses so quickly. Could it really have lost its effectiveness over such a long time? Fu Qian sighed and shook the ss in his hand. Another round. Another round? Just as you thought, too much of its effect has dissipated, and the oues are not ideal. Is that so? The Baroness finally epted the cup after sizing Fu Qian up and down. One drop, two drops, three drops Not until everyst drop of liquid from the pocket watch had been poured into the cup did Fu Qian reach out to take it. He swirled it like red wine and, after confirming there were no impurities, raised his cup. Cheers! The pain that struck was several times more intense than before, causing his limbs and body to tremble. This time, it felt especially long. When Fu Qian opened his eyes, he saw the Baroness gazing at him in a daze. Following her gaze, Fu Qian realized that the scales on his body had disappeared. In their ce were wave-like mysterious patterns that spread from his hands to his feet, covering his entire body. How do you feel? The Baroness fixed her stare on Fu Qian. Feeling the surging power within him, Fu Qian nodded. Strong and powerful! If you fully digest it, you might gain the corresponding draconic powers. Why dont you try it out yourself? The corresponding powers? Closing his eyes in contemtion for a moment, Fu Qian took a deep breath. The next instant, a phantom grey-white dragon head appeared before him. The Baroness instinctively took two steps back. A wave of transparent, invisible ripples sprayed out in the direction of the dragon head and mmed into the shelf in front of them. Only after the dragon head vanished did Fu Qian reach out to touch it. The wooden rack copsed instantaneously, turning into dust silently and without a trace. A corrosion effect? Fu Qian shook his head. It seemed more like elerated aging, causing this object to turn to dust under the ravages of time. Regardless, the effect was remarkable! The boost in physical strength alone was nearly on par with the previous Sixth Phase standard. This blood truly wasnt consumed in vain. Of course, the Dragon Blood hadnt lost its effect. Fu Qian had deliberately opened his eyes before it was fully digested, with the intent of swallowing the remainder. The Baroness must be worried about losing control over him and was deliberately restricting his advancement. In this bizarre world, enhancing ones own strength was of utmost importance, and such an opportunity had to be seized. Thats good, then. Gazing at the decayed wooden remains, the Baroness looked quite uneasy. But since things hade to this point, she didnt say anything more and steered the conversation back to the matter at hand. Your strength should be sufficient now. How do you n to find people next? Find a prison guard, exin my intentions, and have it show me the way? Fu Qian blinked. Youre crazy! You dont have the Discoloration Curse on you C if discovered, they wont allow you to go down at all, let alone show you the way! The Baroness looked somewhat dumbfounded. The target hasnt been hit by the Discoloration Curse, right? But shes down there. Thats because shes considered a heinous criminal. As an assassin of the prison guards, Im also a heinous criminal. Maybe Ill even end up locked up with them! No, thats still too reckless. The Baroness shook her head repeatedly,pletely disagreeing with Fu Qians aggressive n. Im joking. Actually, I have a set of prison guards clothes. Im nning to wear them to sneak in secretly, Fu Qian pointed to his temple. I have theyout of the ce all in my head. Thats more like it! The Baroness nodded, not questioning the origin of the clothes. Even so, you must be very careful. Getting caught could cause a lot of trouble. Its okay, if Im discovered, Ill just physically sneak in. The Baroness was speechless again, unable to suppress her doubts about whether her decision had been a mistake. Chapter 140 - 139: Disorder (10)_1 Chapter 140: Chapter 139: Disorder (10)_1 Speaking of which, where did you get this thing from? Fu Qian pointed to the object in the Baronesss hand. After all the Dragon Blood was drained out, it had now turned into an ordinary pocket watch. This is a Holy Relic from the church. The Baroness answered without any expression. Did you steal it from the church?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Fu Qian suddenly came to his senses; this person really was decisive in action. Making full use of it. The Baroness didnt say much more and directly tossed the Pustule Stone over. Youd better leave as soon as possible. The leader of those people below is named Collison; that guy is a sadist, remember to avoid him at all costs. Concerned that Fu Qian might desert at thest moment, the Baroness very thoughtfully escorted him all the way to the bell tower. It wasnt until Fu Qians figure disappeared behind the door that she finally rxed. In the darkness, Fu Qian descended stealthily, quickly finding the cloaked mask he had discarded before. Having dressed, Fu Qian swiftly recalled the prisonsyout. ording to the Priest, these prison guards, due to the side effects of awakening, inevitably reacted sluggishly. This could indeed exin how he was able to escape so easily. Now, having be much more than he once was, he should theoretically be even more rxed. The only problem was where to find his target. The deepest part of the prison, that definition was far too vague. By now, Fu Qian had once again reached the corridor. Repeating his previous tactics, he dodged the prison guards and quickly made his way to the lowest level of the prison. This level was still very spacious, and at its center, there was a massive pit. White bones were scattered everywhere inside the pit, some from humans, some from animals, probably many were those Deceased Discolored Ones. His old cellmate would likely have ended up being thrown here if he had been a bitter. What was strange, however, was that at this very moment, a huge group of prison guards were slowly circling the pit. Clothed in the same ck robes, they maintained a fixed distance from each other, walking silently, resembling a ck centipede eating its own tail. This bizarre scene had Fu Qian clicking his tongue in wonder. Wee. Just then, a hoarse voice suddenly rang out. Wee~ The next moment, the ring of guards stopped moving, and shiny ck masks turned to look in unison, emitting a murmuring sound like in a dream. To kill the watcher and escape from prison, and yet you dared toe back! After the coordinated greeting, the hoarse voice spoke again, its tone full of twisted cruelty. Unable to sleep at night, have youe to turn yourself in? Fu Qian said with a smile, not at all surprised. As soon as he arrived, he had found it oddthings were too normal, no different from when hed left. If it was possible that they hadnt immediately discovered the death of the prison guard due to his own actions, then on the rest of the way down, some prison guards even seemed to be avoiding him, which was suspicious indeed. It was hard not to assume it was a deliberate trap. Fu Qians choice was to y along with the ruse. Time was precious, otherwise how could he have reached the lower levels so efficiently? Well then, since youre back, theres no need to leave again. An individual now stepped out from the ranks of the guards, slowly approaching with a strangeugh. We have many things to discuss. Unlike the others, this persons mask was golden. Special attire often signified an elite enemy; there was a ny percent chance this person was Collison. Fu Qian shook his head and slowly took off his mask. The next moment, Collisons tone changed to one of suspicion. Dragon Feast? It seems your information is quite astute, The apparently taken aback figure must have known that the Dragon Feast had not appeared for many years. Hmph, even if the Dragon Feast has returned Collison hmphed. However, he had only spoken halfway when he saw a grey-white dragon head appear in his field of vision. A strong sense of crisis swept over him, and a blue-gray Mirror Shield materialized in front of Collison, its myriad facets twinkling. But it maintained only for an instant before the Mirror Shield suddenly shattered, and an invisible breath struck directly at his chest. The next moment, the sound of shattering ss filled the air as Collisons body violently copsed, with Crystal Shards flowing from underneath his cloak onto the ground. In just a few seconds, the prison guards had lost their leader. My prisoner is finished Fu Qian, looking at the bewildered group, extended both hands forward. You may take me into custody now. Eventually, Fu Qian, as a top-level dangerous individual, was taken to a corner of the prison amidst tight security. A prison guard stepped forward, opened a heavy stone door, and herded Fu Qian into a downward-leading corridor. If it were not for Collison giving his life away, this ce would not have been easy to find on his own! Fu Qian sighed inwardly as he walked down. The group of prison guards clearly didnt want toe down; as soon as Fu Qian entered, they locked the door from the outside. Belowy a vast, lightless space, where a huge monster skeleton glowed eerily, the only source of light in the darkness. Around the edges, other bones were faintly visible. If that big sister were still alive, she would probably be here, right? Wandering in this dark graveyard, Fu Qian observed his surroundings with the help of the bright bones. Just then, a pale ice-blue light rose from the darkness. The light grew from faint to strong, quickly overshadowing the phosphorescence of the bones. The next moment, a huge creeping shadow emerged from the pale light. That was a uniquely shaped creature. Its massive body faced away from him, the ice-blue skin seemed to twinkle with specks of starlight, while its tentacles covered with ring-shaped patterns trailed all the way to the ground. On its back were two coral-like immense wings. Sensing Fu Qians scrutiny, the figure gradually turned its head around. In fact, Fu Qian couldnt be sure if it was a head. A clump of oval protrusions, covered with swaying rootlike tubes. Within the wreath of roots, multiple eyes in an irregr arrangement looked at him. Serene and elegant, it instinctively gave one the impression of ady. Fu Qian earnestly appreciated the scene before him, trying tomit this bizarre form to memory. Time passed, and the giant figure in front suddenly disappeared; the ice-blue radiance slowly converged in the corner. A lean human figure appeared, atop his head arge ck pointed hat. You, you are quite peculiar! The figure spoke with a hint of perplexity. Did you find my earlier form pleasing? Of course, Fu Qian nodded. Such an odd shape, shouldnt most people be afraid? How can one let mundane aesthetics rece ones own judgment? The undting tentacles, the elegant wings, the beauty of consciousness and life were interpreted perfectly. How could such an existence be described as terrifying! In fact, I even think it could be called a Sprite! Oh? So, which form did you prefer, just now or the current one? The figure in the corner slowly lifted its head, revealing a pale yet captivating face. The extreme contrast in some sense gave Fu Qian serious pause for thought. Each has its own merits. Chapter 141 - 140: Disorder (11)_1 Chapter 141: Chapter 140: Disorder (11)_1 Although he often spouted nonsense in public, Fu Qian always considered himself to be an honest person. On many asions, he possessed a strange seriousness. For instance, the conclusion that each had its own merits, which he had just reached, was the result of repeated deliberation and impartialparison. It was certainly not a reckless remark. The marvelous image he had just seen was, in Fu Qians view, an ultimate embodiment of lifes aesthetic beauty. Yet thedy before him, though frail and slender, and tightly hidden within a voluminous cloak, still exuded an indescribable allure. It was a charm that skipped conventional standards of judgment and directly instilled the concept of beauty into ones consciousness. Moreover, even in this sunless underground, confined with countless deformed corpses, she still maintained a unique elegance. When she heard Fu Qians assessment, the pointed-hatdy showed clear surprise. You have a discerning eye, After gazing at him for a long while, shemented on Fu Qians appraisal. Clearly, herment also knew nothing of modesty. Thats what everyone says. Fu Qian nodded in confidence. Of course, the everyone he referred to barely included one or two people. In fact, even Young Master Qin and the others were often astonished by his unique aesthetic sense. Without asking what the earlier image represented, Fu Qian simply sat down beside her. The other party had no intention of standing up, her hat was sorge that speaking in that earlier posture was undoubtedly very awkward. What is your name? Seeing Fu Qians actions, the pointed-hatdy asked, resting her hand on her cheek. Fu Qian. Fu Qian? The pointed-hatdy repeated Fu Qians name, her eyebrows furrowing. This was the first time her expression changed. After much thought, she murmured to herself, looking down. Interesting! An interesting evaluation for his name? The pointed-hatdys reaction prompted something in Fu Qians heart. It sounded simr to what those girls who flirted with him would say. True, though he had a bad temperament and an otherworldly charisma. Benefiting from his not too shabby appearance, Fu Qian had indeed encountered a fair number of flirtations. Of course, those girls eventual reaction was unified I really must have been out of my mind! Fu Qian certainly wouldnt consider thisdy before him to be one of those naive girls unaware of the dangers of the world. So this made herment all the more intriguing. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om And you? Fu Qian considered for a moment and then asked in return. My name? The pointed-hatdyughed softly. Are you sure you want to know? Knowing my name is not a good thing. Especially for you, I am the absolute embodiment of defilement! If youre just looking for a nickname for conversation, you can call me Witch, which is indeed a fitting title. Witch? This self-assessment is not simple at all! Fu Qian did not dwell on whether it was her real name, but he noticed another detail the Witch had just said something: especially for you. Fu Qian thought for a moment and pointed to the designs on his body. Are you referring to this? Yes, The Witch looked dreamily into the darkness, smiling ambiguously. Your faith gives you power; it wouldnt be good for it to be desecrated by me. My power is bestowed by my appetite; it has nothing to do with faith. Fu Qian said offhandedly. Speaking such words is a grave act of sphemy! The Witch looked up at Fu Qian again. Actually, the power you hold isnt bad, the legendary Dragon of Time, huh, heh Without that chuckle, yourpliment might have been a bit more convincing. Fu Qian nced at her. It doesnt matter. A person like me, who deserves to go to hell, never counts on being sheltered Before he could finish, Fu Qian noticed that she had extended a hand. You have something very interesting on you. The next moment, Fu Qian saw the Pustule Stone in his pocket move on its own and slowly drifted over to her. The Baroness indeed knew something, which was why she had hime down here! Fu Qian didnt try to snatch the Pustule Stone back but quickly thought of something else. He had deliberately not taken out the Pustule Stone just now, partly because he found it novel and wanted to talk more with this mysterious entity. On the other hand, he wanted to see if she could sense the Pustule Stone on him. It turned out the Witch was quite sensitive to the presence of the Pustule Stone. Has ite to this extent? The Witch gazed at the Pustule Stone in her hand and then sighed deeply after a long while. Where did you find this? In a dungeon, in the mouth of a Skeleton. Fu Qian pointed upward. So you were imprisoned there before? That exins it There are faded traces on you. Shes talking about fading? Fu Qians eyebrows twitched. What exactly is this thing? What thing The Witch pondered for a moment and suddenly broke into a smile. The next moment, the solid Pustule Stone in her hand rapidly melted into a red-ck liquid mass. The iridescent liquid expanded into an ethereal dragons head. Unlike the dragons head that Fu Qian had summoned with his breath, this one was incredibly fierce, filled with a sense of decay and corruption. The next moment, the dragons head opened its maw and spewed forth a cone of purplish-brown mist. The stench of decay instantly filled the entire underground, and visibility plummeted. By the time the breath dissipated, the Pustule Stone in the Witchs hand had beenpletely consumed. Are you trying to tell me that this thing and my power are essentially the same thing? Realizing that it was inevitable, Fu Qian stood still and gave up struggling. Now that she had stopped, he simply asked directly. Not you, but you all. This is a shard of Pus of Man, the product of your faiths corruption. You can basically understand it as the opposite of fading. So be careful, it might seek you out. The Witch looked at Fu Qian with a half-smile, then seemed to think of something else and reached out again. Theres yet another interesting thing! The next moment, Fu Qian watched as his pocket opened again, and a rust-covered key flew outthe one he had found on the prison guard. Catching the key, the Witch examined it with interest, and soon, a cluster of sparkling starlight appeared at her fingertips. The next moment, the rust on the key vanished in an instant, and a crystal-clear starlight shrouded the surface, making it seem much more impressive all of a sudden. It carries the breath of the stars, seeming to open up a mysterious ce. You think Im a three-year-old child? Fu Qian looked at her expressionlessly as she spouted nonsense. The breath of the stars Even a fool could see that the key had changed only after you touched it! Alright. With a raise of her hand, the transformed key slowly flew back to Fu Qian. Take the Key of Starlight and fulfill your duty. sphemer. Chapter 142 - 141: Disorder (12)_1 Chapter 142: Chapter 141: Disorder (12)_1 This one really looks like a chatan no matter how you look at it! Fu Qian took the key, only to feel an icy chill at his touch. But no matter what, this time he had already reaped a full harvest. Being able to catalyze Corroded Dragons Breath effortlessly with Pustule Stone showed that he had a very deep understanding of the powers of this world; the Witchs words still had some credibility. About the Pustule Stone, or Pus of Man, although the Witch had spoken obscurely just now, there was no shortage of valuable information. First off, since this substance was the antithesis of the Discolored Ones, it was basically certain that the increasingly severe Discoloration Curse was rted to the appearance of this substance. She also mentioned that he should be careful of being infected, which indirectly indicated that it was contagious, and that even those who were awoken couldnt be immune. In addition, she referred to the Discolored as faded, which was quite an interesting term, though its underlying implication was uncertain for the time being. [Current taskpleted, objective has been updated] [Find and eliminate the Pus of Man] Just at that moment, Fu Qian heard a new prompt in his ear. Is itpleted just like that? Fu Qian was somewhat surprised for a moment. He had simplye up with a few conjectures, things that were still unconfirmed, and the task had already updated? However, this somehow confirmed all of his previous conjecturesthe Pus of Man was indeed the source of the intensifying Discoloration Curse. And judging by the content of the new task, it was highly likely that someone here was already infected. That was the very reason why the number of the Discolored Ones was growing. Time is of the essence, dont say I didnt warn you! Seeing that Fu Qian did not react, the Witch in the corner spoke leisurely and casually drew a circle in the air. Dots of starlight quickly gathered into a ring, and rapidly expanded to a size that could fit a person through. Through here, you can reach the surface directly. As expected, this one could leave at any time, and simply preferred to stay! Fu Qian silently thought. Thank you. Youre wee. May the starlight guide you to the answer. With a crypticment, the moment Fu Qian stepped into the Star Circle, the Witchs figure also slowly vanished into the darkness. Back already? The Baroness looked at Fu Qian standing before her, her face filled with surprise and doubt. This one really had no confidence in meing back! Seeing the expression of the Baroness, Fu Qian confirmed his judgment. She had sent him down earlier basically to act as a disposable pawn, just to bring the information about the appearance of the Pustule Stone to the Witch. As to whether hed live or what fate he would meet at the hands of the Witch, she probably had no sure guess. His mind racing, Fu Qians expression remained entirely unaffected, as he looked around with a smile. All of the group members were present, and the atmosphere was clearly somewhat tense. It seemed the investigation had yielded little fruit. Yes! Fu Qian nodded. What did she say? The Baroness asked nervously, even subconsciously looking behind Fu Qian. Shes resting. We had a very pleasant conversation, deeply discussing matters such as aesthetics, the prejudices of carbon-based lifeforms, and after that, she got a bit tired so I came back first. Fu Qians reply clearly exceeded the Baronesss understanding, throwing her into a state of mental short-circuit. Truth be told, with the information obtained from the Witch,pleting the task now seemed straightforward. He only needed to tell the Baroness about the rtionship between the Pus of Man and the Discoloration Curse, then concentrate all efforts on finding those infected with the Pus of Man. In the face of this crisis, the Baroness would definitely lend her full support and mobilize everyone. That would be the normal approach, but sadly, Fu Qian couldnt be considered a normal person in the conventional sense. Before he left, the Witchs words were clearly suggestive, and now he was more interested in the key. Oh, she also gave me this. Fu Qian directly pulled out the Key of Starlight. She told me that with this key, I could find a way to solve the Discoloration Curse. A way to solve the Discoloration Curse! The Baronesss reaction aside, the eyes of the quartet lit up when they heard this, and they turned their gazes toward the item in Fu Qians hand. Unfortunately, after an observation, they all shook their heads in the end. Ive never seen a key of this shape before. This luster and texture, along with the quaint and natural craftsmanship, give it a profound and mysterious feel. I have a premonition that whatever it opens must be an earth-shattering secret. So profound and mysterious, you brothers have quite the imagination. Could it be simply because this is something from an underground prison that youve never seen this kind of design before? Listening to everyonesments, Fu Qian silentlymented in his heart. I remember now, theres someone who might know! In the midst of their worries, the only girl who hadnt spoken suddenly jumped up. The Priest! n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Not only is he well-informed, but he also guards many things in the church; hes the most likely person to recognize this. That does make some sense As soon as she spoke, the Baronesssplexion seemed to be noticeably unnatural. Fu Qian knew exactly why her expression changedshe had just stolen something from there! Plus, with his own power greatly increased, standing right in front of them like this, it would be strange if the Priest didnt suspect anything. However, faced with her subordinates suggestion, it was clearly difficult for the Baroness to refuse. When the timees, just say that the one underground helped me improve. Fu Qian found an opportunity, caught up to the Baroness, and whispered beside her. This was indeed a n. The Baroness seemed to be somewhat tempted. If things still go south by then, you can just pin it on me. Its just to avoid unnecessary disputes. After thinking for a while, the Baroness still shook her head. If were exposed, Ill just admit it honestly; the Priest should understand. When the group arrived at the church, the Priest was clearly surprised. Have you found the target? We found it, but now theres a new problem. The Baroness didnt dilly-dally; she went straight up, recounted the whole story about the dead nun, and especially emphasized Fu Qians contribution. In any case, if it wasnt for Fu Qians discovery, we could have been misled; we can now be fairly certain that the nuns death has another cause. So its like that! After the Baroness finished speaking, the Priest murmured to himself. After a while, he lifted his head and looked at Fu Qian. I have to say, youve brought us one surprise after another; I have no doubts now about your working ability! d to hear it. Fu Qian responded without a hint of modesty. Additionally, we came to you this time with another matter. The Baroness interjected from the side. Oh? Whats the matter? The Baroness gave a signal, and Fu Qian took out the key and handed it over. Weve received a revtion that this key can open something that contains the method to solve the Discoloration Curse. A revtion Realizing something, the Priests brow furrowed, and then his face changed drastically. Youve been in contact with her? Thats too dangerous! Indeed dangerous, and its also thanks to Fu Qian! The Baroness pointed to Fu Qian once more. She seemed to get along with him better than the rest of us and even took the opportunity to promote him! Chapter 143 - 142 Disarray (13)_1 Chapter 143: Chapter 142 Disarray (13)_1 This After the baronesss statement, the look the priest gave Fu Qian was beyond shock; it was as if he was looking at an alien. He actually helped someone get promoted! Since when was he so kind-hearted? However unbelievable it was on a rational level, the change in Fu Qians strength was undeniable. Just a short while ago, he had just awakened, but now his abilities had far surpassed those of the other members of the oversight team. You go down there, Collison didnt make things difficult for you? The priest suddenly recalled something. Nope. Fu Qian shook his head. He even weed me. And that wasnt a lie; no matter the purpose or tone, that individual had indeed offered a wee. Not only was the priest at a loss for words, but the baronesss face was also full of disbelief. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Having seen Fu Qian return safely, she had naturally assumed that he had managed to deceive others and find the target all the way. Now, hearing this, he had actually met Collison face to face, and even exchanged greetings? The four members of the oversight team looked at one another, all familiar with Collisons style. That sadistic psycho weed you? The baroness inhaled sharply and asked with a frown. Yeah, very enthusiastically. He even organized a lot of people to line up and wee me. Finally unable to bear it any longer, the priest beside them decided to focus his attention on the key. The Starlight Key, processed by the witch, was undoubtedly very appealing, and his gaze was almost instantly captivated. Im sorry. But after a long time, the priest still shook his head. This key is indeed magical, containing an extremely pure force that does not belong to any of the seven lights of the Church. I am very certain, there is nothing corresponding to it on the Churchs end. The baroness included, faces fell in disappointment for a moment. The Church doesnt have it, does that mean other ces might still have it? Fu Qian, however, discerned a different implication. You could say that. The priest looked up and gazed intently at Fu Qian. Over in the old city, there might be some possibilities. Old city? The baronesss eyes sharpened upon hearing this. Yes, there might still be remnants of such power there But after all, the era is too far gone, and I cannot assert for certain. The priest sighed, his expression more serious than before. However, I would strongly advise against any ideas you might have; that ce is absolutely forbidden and off-limits. What is the old city? Fu Qian remained silent, but someone from the oversight team could not contain their curiosity any longer. Its normal that you dont know. The priest shook his head. In fact, everyone here has migrated from elsewhere. The old city is the earliest settlement nearby, where we used to live for a long time. It was only after the blizzards grew more severe that we abandoned it and moved here in entirety. Just because of blizzards, you moved? The questioner sounded puzzled. Those werent ordinary harsh weather conditions. The priests expression was stern. That was a catastrophe capable of eradicating everything, a cruelty beyond your imagination; any life that stepped into it would wither quickly. In fact, at the time, some people were unwilling to retreat to this ce and chose to stay put. Initially, there was still somemunication between the two sides, and a tunnel was even made specifically for this purpose, but sadly, it wasnt long before there was no more news from there. You dont need to be too disheartened, The priest looked at the once again silent crowd and handed the key back to Fu Qian. Since she gave this to us, she must have her profound reasons. You all go back and rest for now, Ill give the matter of the key some more thought. The priests talk of further consideration clearlycked convincing power. Leaving the church, the teams morale was obviously low. Fu Qian, however, looked around with an air of nonchnce. He had already decided to explore the old city mentioned by that person. The individual in the underground prison was clearly powerful to an exaggerated degree. The baroness asked him to find her, probably believing she had the capability to solve the current issues. Yet her attitude was quite intriguing, as she seemed disinterested even after discovering the problem with the Pustule Stone, preferring to remain imprisoned in such a ce. This existence gave him such a key, which sessfully piqued Fu Qians curiosity, and he finally decided to investigate this side mission first. The church, the belfry, and even the other nearby buildings all seemed to carry the weight of the ages, having stood for decades, if not centuries. If this ce had been moved hereter, the old city must be even more ancient. Its uncertain how much evidence remains. Hi! While looking around, he was met by a flirtatious look from a brte, her expression filled with ambiguity. Seeing Fu Qian look her way, she even deliberately inhaled, pushing her chest forward more prominently. Was she too enthusiastic? Fu Qian watched her with a hint of confusion. He had already encountered several of these overtly flirtatious greetings today. The key issue was that the flirty brte was warmly linking arms with a gentleman. And from their clothing and conversation, it was clear they were a couple. Despite Fu Qians quite self-loving nature, he still thought it a bit unreasonable. Just wave if youre interested, their other halves wont have anyints, Seeing Fu Qians confusion, the youngdy from the oversight team gave a mysterious smile. Being intimate with an Awakener, most people would not refuse, especially someone like you who is a godsend. After all, with the threat of the Discoloration Curse looming, any chance that could slightly increase the probability of Awakening is exceptionally precious. So thats it! The fear of the Discoloration Curse? Indeed, although Awakening to any Sequence had its side effects, it was still far better than an unpredictable death sentence. It was, after all, a logical move to seek benefits and avoid harm, no matter how questionable the effectiveness of fluid exchange was! Fu Qian nced at the gentleman, who was watching his wife with a wooden expression, showing no reaction. Dont feel embarrassed, there are even some who impersonate Awakeners for this, The youngdy winked at Fu Qian while licking her lips. Clearly, her style waspletely different from that of her leader. Out of the corner of his eye, Fu Qian caught a glimpse of the Baroness, whose lips were tightly pursed, clearly not approving of this behavior. Night fell, and as Fu Qian stepped out of the lodgings arranged by the Baroness, he looked up at the sky above him. At this moment, the seven radiations appeared even more brilliant, casting the entire world in an unusually magical glow. It was understandable why there was a Church of the Seven Lights. Before such a miracle, turning people into believers was all too easy. After determining his direction, Fu Qian quickly slipped into the shadows. He had nned to take advantage of the night to visit the old city. However, he hadnt gone far before he noticed a familiar figure. The baroness, dressed in ck, was standing quietly ahead. Where are you going? Chapter 144 - 143: Disorder (14)_1 Chapter 144: Chapter 143: Disorder (14)_1 Together? Facing the Baronesss interrogation, Fu Qian showed not a hint of embarrassment at being caught out and instead pointed off into the distance. Having appeared so timely, he must have been watching this spot all along, clearly aware of her intentionsthere was no need for pretense. The Baroness hadnt expected Fu Qian to be so forthright and was momentarily stunned. Didnt you hear what the Priest said? Its extremely dangerous! I know, but at times like these, shouldnt we grasp at every little hope? Fu Qian smiled at her. Dont you think so too? Or are you telling me youve abandoned everything else to stakeout here, just to catch me? Regardless, I am going, unless you want to lock me up down below again. Lets go. The Baroness was silent for a moment, seemingly hesitant to insist, but ultimately she sighed heavily. The tunnel has been blocked off for a long time. We need to find another way. I was born in the current town as well, so I have no memories of the old city. In the darkness, the Baroness led the way, speaking in a low voice. My knowledge of that ce is limited to some written records and the oral ounts from my elders. But even the limited information is enough to show that it is extremely dangerous. You must listen to meter on. Understood. The Baroness obviously came prepared, taking hardly any time to identify the direction. The two moved swiftly through the foliage, soon feeling a sharp drop in temperature. Frost could already be seen on the leaves and rocks around them. Fu Qian thought to himself, grateful for his earlier level up; otherwise, he might not have been able to withstand the cold. Just as he was contemting, the Baroness ahead suddenly signaled for him to stop. Be careful She surveyed the surroundings with caution, as if she had noticed something, then suddenly spoke out to warn him. Before her words could fade, Fu Qian also heard gusts of howling wind. The next moment, a vast expanse of white enveloped them, everything turned into a frozen tundra with visibility plummeting. Indeed, it was nothing short of a natural disaster! Fighting against the bone-chilling cold that seemed capable of freezing the soul, Fu Qian remembered the Priests words. A golden halo burst forth from the Baroness, engulfing both herself and Fu Qian within it. The cold and the blizzard were kept at bay, their body heat swiftly returning. How is this possible But the Baronesssplexion was visibly poor. Whats wrong? Fu Qian nced at her. We shouldnt even be in its range yet. It seems the blizzards affected area has expanded, which is not a good sign. The Baroness shook her head, her expression even graver. Are you sure you want to continue? It might be more dangerous ahead than we thought. As if youd stop if I said we should turn back. Without waiting for her to finish, Fu Qian responded directly. Lets keep going. All right then. With Fu Qian so resolute, the Baroness didnt dawdle and continued onwards. It was evident that the disasters expanding reach worried hershe no longer had the energy to probe him. They continued through the storm, and soon their surroundings turned into a world of snow and ice; all they could see was a uniform expanse of white, almost devoid of any other color. There was also not a hint of life! Above their heads, there was a faint trace of a spectrum, but it, too, was indescribably dim. Found it! The Baroness ahead suddenly cried out. Fu Qian heard this and took two steps forward, only to find that under his feet, there was no longer broken stones and white snow but something akin to ceramic tiles. And looming ahead, indistinct in the shadows, were several straight spires. Are we on the rooftops now? Fu Qian came to the realization and said to the Baroness. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om It seems this ce is almostpletely buried! Yes. The lifelessness before them darkened the Baronesss voice. After a brief observation of their surroundings, she took the lead and dashed straight for the tallest spire. Fu Qian had no choice but to struggle against the blizzard and follow her. Even though most of it was buried, one could still make out the scale of this ce. It was muchrger than the current town, and one could imagine its former glory. Hurry up. The Baroness stood beside the spire, already waving and calling out. By the time Fu Qian caught up, a dazzling orb of light had already gathered in her hand and mmed into the side of the spire. Crash! Shards of ice scattered everywhere, and the colored tiles burst into the air, revealing a gaprge enough for a person to pass through. The Baroness jumped down without saying a word, not even signaling to Fu Qian. She clearly was in a foul mood! Fu Qian sighed to himself and followed her down. Descending rapidly along the crossbeams, the Baroness constantly shot out specks of light from her hand, illuminating the surroundings. Fu Qian observed as he descended; the structure was clearly simr to the church in town, albeit evenrger. He quickly caught up to the Baroness and saw her looking down at her feet. There was no floor, just a thickyer of ice and snow; they must be standing midair inside the church. Even within the buildings interior, the majority was buried beneath the heavy snow and ice. Considering the church was the tallest structure from the outside and it was buried like this, you didnt even need to think about the state of the rest. Searching for anything in such a ce was virtually impossible. The Baroness, silent and head bowed, did not speak; Fu Qian continued his own observations, when the next moment he heard a faint, unusual noise. It sounded like the nking of metal tes,ing from above their heads. Above! Realizing what it meant, Fu Qian called out in warning. The distracted Baroness jerked to alertness, and as she looked up, she collided with a dark figure descending from the heavens. A resplendent glow rose to meet the dark figure just in time, as the Baroness took the opportunity to flip to one side. In the light, the true identity of the assant was revealed. It was actually a tall figurepletely shrouded in Armor. There were still Guards in a ce like this? Fu Qian was momentarily surprised. This Guard was clearly jumping down from somewhere above, probably startled by the Baroness and him. The Baroness appeared both shocked and puzzled, watching as the attacker raised his long sword again. The next moment, a phantom hammer forged of converging starlight struck hard upon the heavy Armor. The assant crashed to the ground, his helmet flying off to the side. However, to their astonishment, the inside was empty. Had the Armor be sentient? Fu Qian irresponsibly spected from the sidelines, as the headless Armor managed to stand up again. The next moment, a mass of pitch-ck, tar-like substance began to slowly emerge from the cor of the Armor. Ah! Witnessing the scene, the usuallyposed Baronesss face twisted in horror, and she let out a trembling shriek. Endless light burst forth from her, illuminating the entire structure. Chapter 145 - 144: Disorder (15)_1 Chapter 145: Chapter 144: Disorder (15)_1 Although she didnt know why the Baroness was so frightened, her hysterical outburst still exhibited immense power. Amidst the endless radiance, the overflowing light from all directions bombarded the headless Armor, producing a sound akin to a hammer striking iron. The headless Armor was bombarded into continual retreat, and even the seemingly imprable armor was forcibly smashed and deformed. Including the ck fluid within the Armor, which also twisted and struggled under the bombardment. Not knowing how long the bombardmentsted, the headless Armor was eventually smashed into a tangled heap, no longer showing the slightest movement. It was then that the Baroness copsed on the ground, gasping for air. Dont space out, there could be more! Fu Qian was coldly reminding her at that moment. Before his words had faded, the sounds of two morendings came, and two dark figures jumped down. I knew it, such a loud scream earlier, if there were other monsters, they would definitely be attracted. Among the two dark figures thatnded, one had the same Armor model, but holding a round hammer that seemed particrly heavy. The other wore a coat simr to that of a Bishop, but its body was now swollen into a ball. With a long Scepter in hand, it was very much like a Fatty. Not only that, but its body was wet all over and covered withrge ck areas. As soon as the new Armornded, it flung its hammer directly at the Baroness. Fortunately, with Fu Qians warning, the Baroness swiftly regained awareness, narrowly dodging the hammer. That hammer strike helped her fully regain her senses. Her arms waved continuously, trapping the opponent within circles of halos. Fu Qian no longer had time to pay attention to her because the Fatty was targeting him. The Fatty held the Scepter aloft, and thick shadows began to converge above it. Without a sound, a basin-sized ck sphere was hurled at Fu Qians face. Its best not to let it hit, that was Fu Qians first intuition. Luckily, it wasnt flying fast, and Fu Qian quickly dodged to the side. The sphere smashed into the stone wall nearby, corroding arge area instantly. Whew! The next moment, the Fatty, having missed its initial strike, ran straight toward Fu Qian, flinging its Scepter fiercely. Are all mages closebat fighters these days? Seeing that the Scepter was also covered with a ck shadow, Fu Qian once again dodged, refusing to take the blow head-on. The next moment, a pale dragons head appeared out of thin air. Taking hits passively was never our style. The Fatty missed its attack and paused for a moment, Fu Qian decisively unleashed his full power. The surging transparent breath instantly hit the Fatty. The Fatty stood still, and immediately after, its body had a violent reaction. Like being filled with boiled pitch, its body surface churned withrge bubbles, its figure swelling into various shapes, its skin turning almost transparent. Sensing something amiss, Fu Qian quickly picked up the shield of the Armor from before and held it in front of him. The next moment, the Fattys body expanded to its limit, then exploded like a balloon, with ink-like body fluid sttering in all directions. ng! As the impact subsided, Fu Qian tossed the shield aside. The gilded surface of the shield had been corroded with holes. Fortunately, due to the shieldsrge size, not a drop had sshed onto him. The other side was much more disheveled. The Baroness had naturally seen everything on Fu Qians side, but unfortunately, she was busy dealing with the Armor and was not so free to act. Eventually, sensing the bad situation, she barely enticed the Armor to turn its back towards the explosion, using its body to block the st. At that moment, another pale dragons head appeared, and the surging breath hit the Armors back. ng! The sound of a heavy hammer hitting the ground echoed, and thetter slowly stopped moving, then disintegrated and scattered on the ground. Watching the inside of the Armor warily, the Baroness found nothing elseing out. She took a long breath, herplexion extremely pale. The sessive unexpected battles had been greatly taxing on her. Is there a problem? Fu Qian stepped forward to ask. After seeing that reaction to the tar pit, even a fool could tell that she knew something. After taking several deep breaths, the Baroness looked up at Fu Qian with a voice that was nearly a sob. They havee! This was the first time he had seen this heroic woman show such a demeanor, and curiosity surged within Fu Qian as he pointed to the ground. What do you mean by they? That horde of monsters that destroys everything I never imagined they would finally find this ce. The Baroness murmured as she looked at the corroding pit on the ground. What kind of monsters are they, to be so exaggerated? Indescribable The despair in the Baronesss eyes seemed tangible. Do you know why the first group of people migrated here? I once heard that they were not fleeing war or gue, but monsters that could bring endless chaos and distortion. Each of these monsters was so powerful that it caused despair, capable of corroding and distorting everything, even inanimate objects. Its said that they could rend your soul by merely looking at you. Even their very names are a pollution, bringing misfortune to those who know them. A long time ago the outside world had already been destroyed. The Baronesss voice sounded like she was in a trance.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Now they have found this ce Even though the way in was destroyed immediately, they still came So this ce was like The Peach Blossom Spring? Learning this secret history for the first time, Fu Qian thought to himself. If what the Baroness said was true, then this world was essentially an apocalyptic wastnd. Now it seems that the reason this ce was abandoned might not have been solely due to rampant natural disasters. Perhaps they had already noticed the signs and decided to leave decisively. The Baroness slowly gathered her thoughts. When I saw the Pustule Stone, I had a very bad feeling, and it turns out that the worst situation has happened. Wait a minute! After muttering to herself for a while, the Baroness suddenly eximed and stood up quickly. The Pustule Stone appeared in the town, which would mean We must hurry back to tell the Priest about this! So this substance is the Pus of Man? Fu Qian looked around at the corroded pits and recalled his mission. If this substance was the Pus of Man, the volume of his work could far exceed expectations. Just in this vicinity alone, there were no fewer than three infected targets. And with most of this area covered in ice and snow, were there other infected ones within? This waspletely uncertainwas he expected to dig them out one by one to check? Was the true nature of this task akin to the Foolish Old Man Moving the Mountains!? Fu Qian felt thorough annoyance at this thought. Its time to set off! With a goal in mind, the Baroness quickly rallied her spirits. Just as she was about to move, she suddenly remembered the purpose of this visit. Right, is the key you carry reacting at all? Chapter 146 - 145: Disorder (16)_1 Chapter 146: Chapter 145: Disorder (16)_1 With the ice and snow burying everything in sight, it seems like theres no ce left to try this key. The Baroness looked around as she sighed. Indeed. Most likely more than ny percent of the old city was buried, and on their way down, they had hardly seen any ce where the key might be used. Fu Qian nodded and pulled out the Key of Starlight from his pocket. Even in the darkness, it was still crystal clear and sparkling, but it did not exhibit any unusual anomalies. Hmm, youd better keep it safe, The Baroness nced at it, but her face showed little disappointment. The problem were facing now is much more severe than the Discoloration Curse, we cant be concerned with this for the time being.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Hmm! Fu Qian discreetly put the key away. In truth, Fu Qian had no intention of using it to unlock anything. Having witnessed the entire creation of the Key of Starlight, he was pretty certain that it was not made for unlocking. ording to Fu Qians judgment, the Witch had probably used it as a vessel, leaving only a trace of her breath on it. He had checked earlier and was sure there was no change to the key; otherwise, he wouldnt have shown it to the Baroness. Of course, there was one thing he didnt tell the Baronessright at this moment, not far from the top of the church, a colored window was gleaming, emitting a quiet and far-reaching light. There was no light source inside the church; such a phenomenon should not ur. And judging by the Baronesss reaction, she obviously couldnt see it. He had experienced this before. Back when he first encountered Su Gao during that mission, there was a section of special cipher text in the Ritual Notes that others could not see, visible only to him. Now that a simr situation had arisen, Fu Qian roughly guessed it had something to do with his Inspiration. After a short rest, the two made their way back along the same path. The Baroness obviously couldnt wait to get back, leading the way in silence. Only when they were out of the blizzards reach, and the lights of the Seven Lights Church shone in the sky again, did she rx a little. It was clear that the consecutive battles had taken a toll on her. The town was still peaceful and serene, but after todays experiences, Fu Qian was well aware of the twisted reality behind this tranquility. Especially for ordinary people. He had intended to go straight back to rest, but the Baroness was not ready to let Fu Qian go and dragged him directly to the Seven Lights Church. When they reached the Priests quarters, they were told it was toote and that he had already gone to bed, but the Baroness unceremoniously had someone wake the Priest up. Why have youe sote, is there an emergency? It took a while for the Priest to open the door from the inside, looking at the two with some confusion. Lets talk inside. The Baroness pushed her way in without hesitation, sat down, and pointed to Fu Qian, speaking bluntly. We went to the old city. What! The color drained from the Priests face. Dont panic, I know its against the prohibition. The Baronesss face was stern, her tone unwavering. But weve discovered something far more terrifying than the prohibition. Those monsters theyvee. What are you saying? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! After a brief pause to grasp the Baronesss meaning, the Priests voice started to tremble unusually, and his eyes began to redden. You need to calm down first. The Baroness reminded him coldly, the Priests Spire Sequence came with the cost of uncontroble emotional impulses that had to be suppressed at all times. Clearly, this news was too shocking, causing him to be somewhat emotionally uncontrolled. The Priest also realized his own state was off and immediately closed his eyes to focus. After a long while, hisplexion slowly returned to normal, the first thing he did was look at the Baroness. What exactly did you see there? Severely contaminated corpses, self-aware Armor, and the ck fluid inside the Armor. The Baroness stared at the Priest, spitting out these terms one by one. Even though she had left that ce, her tone still could hardly conceal the shock. Ive read about this in some notes, these are very typical manifestations of certain monsters outside. Moreover, the old town is almost entirely buried in ice and snow. How could this How could this happen After hearing this information, the Priests reaction was just like the Baronesss at the time, looking as if he couldnt ept the reality. This ce is absolutely safe, its impossible for them to find us here Fretting over this now is pointless. And thats not the main issue. This isnt the main issue? The main issue is that we had discovered Pustule Stone in the town before; I think theres likely a connection between the two. You mean The Priest caught on instantly. Thats right, the contamination may have already spread to the town, only we havent realized it. So we came to find you first thing after we returned, we need to start responding as soon as possible. The Baroness took a deep breath andid out her n. We have to check everyone, including members of the Sequence, and also get ready to leave this ce to relocate somewhere far from the contamination. Absolutely not! After the Baroness finished speaking, the Priest was silent for a long while but ultimately shook his head firmly. That would cause unnecessary panic. The order is barely being maintained as it is due to the Discoloration Curse, and if the Awakeners start to cause chaos Then do you want this ce to be the next old town? Its not urgent right now, and where could we possibly move to? Think about it, a catastrophe could happen at any moment, and even though you might be immune to the Discoloration Curse, you cant be immune to the contamination that those monsters bring Anyway, I disagree! I think we should start with a secret investigation The two argued upromisingly while Fu Qian stood idly by, observing his surroundings with detached interest. It was apparent that the Priest had lived here for a long time. Although not ostentatiously decorated, the ce had everything one could need. In any case, you must keep this aplete secret, we cannot afford the consequences of this news leaking out. In the end, the Priest showed a rare firmness, looking sternly at the two of them. The others years of prestige were still in force, and this time the Baroness huffed and turned her head away, not objecting any further. You go back and rest for now, youve had a hard day, said the Baroness, clearly in a bad mood, to Fu Qian as they left the church. Regardless, his performance had been quite good today. Not to mention the repeated dangers, when she was somewhat distracted in the old town, had it not been for his warning, she might not have avoided a second ambush. Alright. On his way back to the living quarters, Fu Qians mind was still on the scene hed just witnessed. The Priests room was extremely tidy, everything arranged with meticulous orderit made him wonder if it was done intentionally to suppress emotions. Among the neatly arranged items were a series of clean suits. Where there are suits, there could also be a possibility of pins. Chapter 147 - 146 Disorder (17)_1 Chapter 147: Chapter 146 Disorder (17)_1 Because of their preconceived notions, the Baroness and her team members almost immediately attributed the Nuns death to the Discolored Ones without considering the possibility of a Sequence member being responsible. If the Nun was silenced for discovering the Discoloration Curse, then it was equally possible she was eliminated for uncovering the contamination of the Pus of Man. The brooch found in the Nuns mouth was indeed that of a mans, and most likely belonged to someone close to her, although her lover met the same fate, there wasnt a rule stating she could only have one lover. Given the current situation, as one of the most senior members within the Sequence, the Priests poprity was definitely not low. However, if it really was the Priest who had done it, then my own situation was a bit dangerous. The Baroness wasnt foolish; her mind was merely jumbled by the consecutive shocks today, and it was only a matter of time before she realized this. The Priest must have thought of this and was sure to take action. In such a situation, the most logical choice was to eliminate anyone who knewnamely, the Baroness and me. And the sooner the better, to prevent the matter of the Pus of Man from spreading too widely. Like right now. The next moment, Fu Qian looked up at the sky, feeling the chaotic sensation assault him once again. Since digesting the Dragon Blood, although his abilities had been upgraded, the negative effects had also intensified, and the impact now was far greater than before. Fu Qian put forth a great deal of effort and barely managed to adapt. Whew! Several minutester, Fu Qian took a deep breath and confirmed no one hade looking for him. This was when the importance of secrecy was truly appreciated. Owing to my strong adaptation to the adverse effects, I had never exposed the specific timing of my reactions in public. Otherwise, if someone really wanted to harm me, they would certainly choose this opportune moment. But as for him well, that was another story. Fu Qian thought for a moment, then got up and left. Although it was just spection, it was better to verify it. If something had indeed happened to the Baroness, then I was definitely the next target. The Baronesss residence was easy to find, not far from here, and was a substantial estate that stood out in the small town. It was already the middle of the night, but the estate was still brightly lit. Understandable, since the mistress had just returned, the help would undoubtedly be bustling about. Fu Qian didnt even consider going through the main entrance but instead leapt with ease, scaling the wall to enter. Having knocked out a few people along the way, Fu Qian sessfully infiltrated the interior of the estate. It didnt take long before he noticed something amiss in the silence. Following the noises, he made his way to a room with its door ajar, beside ity a senseless servant. I hadnt overthought it after all; there really was a situation! Standing outside, the noise inside wasnt too loud, but I could distinctly feel the fluctuations of power from within. The next moment, Fu Qian knocked on the door and, without waiting for a response, pushed it open and entered. The scene inside was intense. Amidst the chaos on the floor, a serpent-like ck fluidy coiled in front of him, its huge, glossy body taking up nearly half the room. Enveloped by the writhing snake body, the Baroness, radiating light all over, was trapped in the center, her expression fierce as she struggled to hold on, on the verge of sumbing. At the end of the ck Snakes tail was the Priest, who had lost half his body. Gone were his usual kind and gentle expression; startled by Fu Qians knock, he now red over with a ferocious face. I hope Im not interrupting? With that greeting, Fu Qian strolled in leisurely, picked a clean spot on the floor to stand, and took an interested look at the ck Giant Serpent. This creature was identical to the one attached to the Armor brother from the old city. Ill just look around, you continue. The priest certainly couldnt believe Fu Qians words. He tightened his stranglehold on the Baroness while vigntly watching Fu Qians every move. The ck Snakes body swelled and split off a ck serpent as thick as an arm, aiming it from afar at this side. When the Baroness caught sight of Fu Qian, a sh of surprise clearly crossed her eyes; her shield even brightened slightly. However, facing the ck Snakes intensified stranglehold, it quickly dimmed and lost its light. At first, Fu Qian was curious why she didnt speak. After a nce, he realized not only was the Baronesspletely surrounded, but her face even bore an unusual flush. Indeed, she was in the throes of a negative effectThe priests timing was impable! Kill him hes tainted It took the Baroness a great deal of effort to squeeze out a few words. As if I need you to tell me that; I can see it with my own eyes. But considering her current condition, Fu Qian didnt expect too much from her. So, the nuns lover met his end like this? n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Ignoring the snakes head aimed at him, Fu Qian pointed at the trapped Baroness. Pretty much. Clearly not expecting Fu Qians question, the priest was momentarily taken aback before responding with a coldugh. So, it was after the nun discovered this thing on you that the two of them met with deadly misfortune? Its her own curiosity thats to me. As I suspected. As a member of the Oversight Committee, I am obliged to administer justice. Fu Qian nodded, then took a deep breath. The next moment, an illusory grey-white dragons head appeared in midair, releasing a transparent and invisible ripple from its mouth. However, the priest had been watching Fu Qian closely and reacted almost the instant the dragons head appeared. The ck Snake moved with astounding agility, quickly slithering sideways to evade, rendering Fu Qians breath attack fruitless as it sted into the side of the room. Though he had missed his target, the attack did buy the Baroness an opportunity. With the sudden decrease in pressure, she flickered through the air and finally leapt out of the encirclement. But before she couldnd, her right leg tightened, ensnared by a thin snake. The priest hadid an ambush on the side early on, taking advantage of her momentaryxity to capture her. Crack! Before the Baroness could react, one leg was snapped into three pieces, and she copsed to the ground amidst a scream of agony. An interesting ability, does it stem from the blood within the Holy Relic? The priest nced at the Baroness only briefly before turning his attention to the wall hit by the dragons breath. It was rapidly deteriorating. No need to be shocked. Did you really think you could steal from the church and I wouldnt find out? You monster! I cant believe I never suspected it was you! the Baroness yelled from the side. With her broken leg tightly bound, she waspletely immobilized. However, the benefit was that the pain from her broken leg diluted the negative effect, allowing her to speak freely. Monster? The priest snorted. You understand nothing! Do you have any idea what the oue would be if your n had actually been carried out? What do you mean? What if I told you theres more than one monster like me in the town? Chapter 148 - 147 Disordered (18)_1 Chapter 148: Chapter 147 Disordered (18)_1 Impossible! The news in the priests words was obviously too explosive, and the baroness involuntarily voiced her objection. Why is it impossible? The priest huffed. I have been an awakener for much longer than you have, what makes you think your understanding of this ce is better than mine? I am very certain that among the towns awakeners, I am far from the only one experiencing this, its just a matter of degree. Under these circumstances, have you considered what the oue would be if you inspected everyone? Moreover, I can tell you very responsibly that I have never been to the old town, yet the mutation still urred. This unpredictable contamination, do you think by changing locations you could escape it? The baroness fell silent for a moment at the priests words. Moreover, theres something you probably dont know, since the mutation, the negative effects of my awakening have disappeared. The negative effects have really gone? Even the baronesss eyes lit up at this. Thats correct, ever since I found this thing on my body, Ive noticed that my emotional outbursts have been gradually weakening. In fact, in order to avoid suspicion, I even have to pretend to be swayed by emotions, which has be a tough act. From a certain perspective, this thing without negative effects, which could even be considered a divine blessing, does it truly deserve to be called a contamination? The priest turned back to look at Fu Qian. The reason Im telling you this is that I hope to reach a consensus with you. If we can agree, and youre willing to keep this a secret, then theres absolutely no need for us to ughter each other. Dont pretend to be so magnanimous and kind-hearted, the main reason is that today I came, and youre not confident you could kill both of us together, right? Fu Qian nced at him. So in your original n, were you going to kill her first and thene for me? After killing us, how were you nning to exin it to the outside world? Simple, you were seduced by power, stole and damaged the Holy Relic in order to ascend, and then killed the baroness when she discovered you, luckily I arrived just in time. The priest answered without hesitation, apparently having thought this through for a long time. Thats quite a good story, and there are no logical ws. Fu Qian nodded repeatedly as he listened and then looked towards the baroness. What do you think? Sorry, I cant agree. The baroness, after a prolonged silence, finally shook her head. You say this thing is akin to a blessing, but as the Discoloration Curse has gradually increased over time, and no new people have awakened, couldnt it really be affecting them? It cant be ruled out, but why should you care about that kind of thing? The priests voice was gentle and soothing. They are different from us, people who cant enter the Sequence, well, they are simply not under the protection of the seven lights. Sorry, but I see it as the same The baroness shook her head, her gaze turning resolute. So I dont agree with your suggestion. Ridiculous stubbornness, what about you? The priest turned to look at Fu Qian. As a young man, I hope your mind isnt so inflexible. Do you think Im stupid? As long as she disagrees, my opinion is meaningless. Fu Qian nced at him. The reason youre willing to talk is because youre not sure you can take care of both of us together. If she dies here today, you have no reason to leave me, a potential threat, atrge. Asking me that question earlier was nothing more than wanting me not to interfere so you could kill her, do I look that dumb? Youre not dumb. As Fu Qian spoke, the priests expression changed several times, until he finally burst intoughter. In that case, shouldnt you be trying harder to persuade her? I did try to persuade her, but unfortunately, she doesnt agree. Fu Qian looked at the Baroness. Wont you reconsider? My mind is made up. There was no room for maneuver in the Baronesss tone. I advise you not to have any illusions, his word ispletely unreliable. If we join forces against him, there might still be a glimmer of hope. If you dont want to do that, then let me hold him off while you run away and spread the news. He might not be able to catch you. Its really good that you are so aware! To the Baronesss surprise, Fu Qian didnt try to persuade her any further but instead kept agreeing with her before turning to the Priest. It looks like theres no room for negotiation, so we can only rely on our skills. Rely on our skills The Priest watched Fu Qian warily. The next moment, the Baroness let out a horrific scream as she was grabbed by a ck Snake, her leg broken, and her whole body flung between the two of them. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He was clearly still wary of Fu Qians recent attack. You see. Fu Qian spoke to the Baroness. I knew he would use you as a human shield. Thats why I said I was d you were resolved just now. Gracefully dodging another stealthy ck Snake attack, Fu Qians smile did not fade. Shall I send you both off together then? But although he said this, looking at the Baroness entangled by the ck Snake, he did not immediately release his breath. Kill him, dont worry about me! The Baroness was getting anxious. Seeing this, the Priestughed heartily. Hes much smarter than you. He knows that if he identally hurts you, he wont stand a chance of escaping alone. Turning to Fu Qian, I think we can still talk about this. Actually, Ive got a new idea. Oh, whats the new idea? Fu Qian stepped forward as he spoke. You leave now and nevere back, and I promise I wont hunt you down. The Priest stared at Fu Qian, still careful to keep the Baroness at his side. That is also a thought Heh, its really good you can have such mature consideration The Priest only got halfway through his sentence when he saw the grey-white dragon head appear before him and spit out an invisible breath at twice the speed of thest one,pletely ignoring the Baroness in front of him. With the distance too close to avoid, he could only use the ck fluid to shield himself. However, the conical breath was relentless, pounding against the fluids surface, rapidly destabilizing it. The next moment, the Pus of Man burst open with a roar. You, you really dared The Priest looked at the Baroness not far away. As a shield, she couldnt escape the st of the breath that hit her squarely. At this moment, she too was utterly stunned, half of her body rapidly withering and decaying. Since why didnt you attack just now? The Priest seemed to be at a loss, the destruction of the Pus of Man having caused him to nearly lose half of his body, leaving him on hisst breath. The wind-up for that thing is a bit long, if I had acted just now, I most likely wouldnt have hit you, Fu Qian said earnestly, his trials from before showing that the Priest was very agile. With him on guard, it would not be easy tond a hit. To make the Priest stand still and take the st, the best way was to make him believe that he was safe enough, for instance, having a hostage. It would be such a waste not to make use of her when shes willingly baiting herself. And I confirmed with her; shes ready to face death. Chapter 149 - 148 Disordered (19)_1 Chapter 149: Chapter 148 Disordered (19)_1 It was not just the Priest who was petrified; the Baroness was too, for a moment. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om She had thought this guy wouldnt want to identally kill her, but it turned out he had long since nned to take her down with him! He had even turned this to his advantage by setting a trap, sessfully causing the Priest to lower his guard and brazenly hide behind her, his hostage. Then heunched an indiscriminate attack. It was simply Though she had just resolved to face death, the Baroness couldnt help but feel off about it. Whats wrong? Youre not regretting it, are you? Fu Qian looked at her. Just now you told me not to care about you and just strike, you were quite upset when I didnt make a move. The Baroness was speechless, and the room fell into a brief silence. Ha ha ha! Ultimately, it was the Priest who broke the silence, beginning to speak with a bitterugh. Clever tactic! I misjudged I didnt expect you to be so insane! Youre lying on the ground, yet you stillment like this without feeling ashamed? Fu Qian looked down on the Priest with disdain. The Priest was in a worse state than the Baroness, his entire right half had been obliterated in the recent explosion. Speaking of which, my breath seems to have an especially good effect on the Pus of Man. Whether it was him or Fatty from the old town, they both entered an unstable state upon contact and then exploded. Speaking of which, I have a question. Fu Qian suddenly seemed to recall something, pointing to the ground. You said before that there were others in the town with the same thing, how did you know that? Could it be that you all have some kind of club? Ha cough, cough! Upon hearing Fu Qians question, the Priestughed only halfway before starting to cough violently, seeming like he could die at any moment. How could that be, we definitely dont know each other but I I just know His voice was also fading away, forcing Fu Qian to lean closer to him. Theres a subtle connection; the mutations in our bodies allow us to sense our own kind though we all keep it unspoken And I have detected it in too many people The next moment, a gust of wind arose. The dying Priest disyed terrifying speed, leaping up with his wounded body, curling his still-intact left hand into a w, and reaching for Fu Qians throat. This sudden sneak attack was truly unexpected. Who could have thought the Priest, in such a state, still had the strength to fight? The Baroness, who had been listening intently, let out a scream upon witnessing the scene. Just as the Priests desperate strike was about to hit, a fist rapidly erged in his field of vision. Amidst the dull sound of flesh being struck, the Priests leaping body was sent flying back, smashing heavily onto the ground. How could you Spitting out a mouthful of blood, the Priest looked incredulously at Fu Qian, his face nearly crushed by that punch. What were you thinking? Fu Qian looked at him with disdain. Bro, Ive been setting up people in corners long before you were liquid, and you copied my style of starting a sentence before attacking. Did you pay the royalties or what? You knew Then why didnt you just kill me earlier? If I had simply killed you, how would you have answered my questions? Fu Qian revealed a gentle smile. I believe the things you told me just now to gain my trust were fairly credible. The Priest spat out another mouthful of blood, his eyes losing their luster amidst a resigned sigh. This Witnessing the scene, the Baroness felt an inexplicable chill rise in her heart as she watched Fu Qian turn to face her. Knowing full well that the Priest was luring her toe closer with the intention of attacking, she had deliberately raised a question for him to answer. When he was full of hope for a sessful sneak attack, he discovered that he had already been calcted into the equation, and was directly pped to death. In some sense, his demeanor was the epitome of evil, no wonder the Priest died with his eyes wide open. How do you feel? Fu Qian walked beside the Baroness, looking down at her from above. A good half of her body was as withered as tree branches, with only her neck and above still appearing normal. Not too good My body is aging rapidly, strength disappearing. Im using all my power just to barely maintain consciousness. The Baroness instinctively avoided Fu Qians gaze and shook her head in response. But I wouldnt say Im afraid of dying; its just that if what he said is true Its truly terrifying it leaves no room for hope What about you? Me? As the Baroness posed the question, Fu Qian also nodded in agreement. I find it terrifying as well. How many targets do I need to take out before this task ispleted! You really dont look it, said the Baroness, eyeing Fu Qian, and ultimately shook her head with resignation. Actually, I owe you an apology. Sending you back to the prison was a particrly risky n; to be honest, I didnt really expect you toe back. I knew that already; it was a mutual use, right? Did you really think you could force me if I didnt want to go? Fu Qian thought to himself. Its alright, youre about to die now, arent you. The Baroness looked at Fu Qian. Your breath seems to be quite effective at restraining this contamination. I know its a lot to ask, but could you please try to save this ce? You want me to wipe out all the infected? Setting aside whether its even possible, if what the Priest said is true, then the number of people might be quite rming. If its necessary, then theres no helping it. Understood. Fu Qian nodded and suddenly bent down. The Baroness was immediately startled, almost instinctively trying to dodge. However, having exerted some effort, she realized she had be powerless and gave up resistance in resignation. The next moment, Fu Qians hand was on her broken leg, which had decayed to the point of revealing ghastly white bones. Crack! In the Baronesss terrified gaze, Fu Qian directly tore off the broken leg from the knee. What are you doing she began, but before she could finish, the Baroness was shocked to see something being pulled out from the severed leg. A ck Snake, thin as a pinky finger, struggled desperately in Fu Qians grasp. You really are an actor, arent you? On the surface, youre resigned to despair, but in reality, you still had a fallback n. In his hands, Fu Qian held the snake, ncing at the Priests corpse. This thing had undoubtedly taken the chance to hide inside the Baroness. Though it was unclear if the Priest could be revived through it, it was obviously a hidden threat. This Even though she couldnt feel her body anymore, the Baroness still felt sickened. Ill call someone to help you; you can spend yourst days here in peace. I still have some business to attend to. At that moment, the voice of Fu Qian came from beside her ear. Looking up, she saw he was already out the door. Is the ughter about to begin? The Baroness wanted to say something but ultimately didnt. Closing her eyes, she slowly shook her head. In the darkness, Fu Qian spread open his right hand, revealing a wound in the palm. Inside the wound, a ck fluid was coiling within the flesh. Indeed, he hadnt destroyed that thing but had intentionally made a cut, letting it infect him. Feeling it invade his body, Fu Qian pped the person outside awake and strode into the ck night. Chapter 150 - 149 Disordered (20)_1 Chapter 150: Chapter 149 Disordered (20)_1 ` The cold wind howled. Although Fu Qian had turned into a human radar, he did not go on a killing spree in the town. He chose to follow the path he had taken before, and made his way to the old town. Considering the speed of flesh transformation, there was still plenty of time. There was one thing he wanted to figure out. Feeling the key in his pocket, Fu Qian headed straight for the church spire in the snow. A few minutester, Fu Qian leapt down from the top of the church once again. In the darkness, the stained ss which he hadnt had the chance to inspectst time was still dazzling. After confirming there was no movement around, Fu Qian made his way down and soon arrived in front of the stained ss. Upon a closer look, the surface of the stained ss seemed to be covered by a transparent veil. Fu Qian reached out and felt as though he had touched a hidden boundary. Pushing harder with his hand, the stained ss slowly opened backward. After waiting two seconds without an attack, Fu Qian squeezed himself through. Indeed, there was something! The scene behind the stained ss made Fu Qian couldnt help but feel a bit awestruck. There was actually a separate space behind it. The area was not big, just about ten square meters. The furnishing inside was also simple, with a giant painting board that almost took up half of the wall space under the window. Next to the painting board was a bar stool with a few paintbrushes and a dried-up palette on it. Besides that, there was nothing else. Fu Qian walked up and saw that the painting on the board was alreadypleted. The content of the painting looked veryplex, of which the most striking feature was the seven colorful glows in the sky. It was exactly the same view from the window at this angle. Is this The next moment, Fu Qian sensed something unusual and took out the Key of Starlight from his pocket. The originally crystal-clear key was now even more radiant, emitting rings of light halos. Fu Qian only nced at it once before tossing the key onto the stool nearby and continued examining the painting on his own. This painting was obviously quite old. Not only had it faded overall, but there were also parts in the lower right corner that had started to rot and curl up, turning into an aged yellow-brown color. Some parts even began to peel off. Hiss! This ce looks a bit familiar; it seems to be exactly where Im standing now! Realizing this, Fu Qian involuntarily took a deep breath. After staring for a long time, he suddenly turned his head towards the key on the stool. No matter how you look at it, I honestly think its not well drawn. Especially the seven lights above, they seem to have been haphazardly smeared on, even kindergarten kids would do better The line work and brush strokes are also quite amateurish You took a bit long to find it! Just after Fu Qian was muttering his critique, a voice suddenly came from the key. The next moment, light converged above it, sketching out a pale figure. A witch with a pointed hat sat at the edge of the stool, looking at the painting with evident interest. Cant help it, after all, as a member of the investigative team, I still have cases to work on and a murderer to catch, Fu Qian said casually. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om By now, he had pretty much confirmed that this ce was what the witch wanted him to find. And the reason he did not notice it thest time was likely due to the veil-like shielding outside the stained ss that prevented the key from sensing what was inside. Thats why there was no reaction from the key at that time. But once inside, the shielding effect no longer worked. At this moment, after the witch scrutinized for a while, she too shook her head. I also think the painting isnt good. ` Although its made of my mothers blood. What? Fu Qian gave her a nce. Considering her true form, her mother must also be no ordinary being, to actually use her blood to paint? Speaking of which, do you understand now why I asked you to find this? Let me think. Fu Qian looked at the painting. Youre not going to tell me that those people outside have actually been living inside a painting? Made with your mothers blood. You guessed right! The Witchs tone was utterly t. However, it might differ from your inherent concepts, for us, the concept of mother more closely resembles a source or a seed, rather than directly giving birth. In fact, Ive never even met her. When I was born, the outside world had already been destroyed. Although the specifics are unclear, essentially this world encountered a disaster involving various powerful entities. And then, at the final moment, someone hunted down one of those powerful beings and used her blood to paint this world as humanitys final refuge. A magical power! Although he had already guessed some of it, Fu Qian couldnt help but exim sincerely. Indeed, its a pity that so many years have passed, and blood decays. Is that why cmities have begun to ur here? Fu Qian pointed towards the bottom right corner. Cmities are just one manifestation. One manifestation Fu Qian immediately thought of something and lifted his right hand toward the Witch. Is the Pus of Man another? Take that thing away from me! The Witch made a disgusted face. But yes, that is also an expression of decay. What about the Discoloration Curse then? I remember you saying before that the Pus of Man and the Discoloration Curse are opposites? Before answering that question, I have one for you. Why do you think that person, at the very end, decided to paint such ugly seven lights? Why specifically paint seven lights Fu Qian gazed at the several smears in the sky. To give people faith? So that they awaken and enter the Sequence? Correct answer! That is the purpose. Essentially, after all, this is a world created from a painting, which is fundamentally different from the real world. Ordinary people must truly be part of the painting to live here for a long time, otherwise, they are easily excluded. So, the Discoloration Curse is a manifestation of being excluded? Fu Qian immediately understood. Yes, those unfortunate enough to be excluded fade from existence in this world bit by bit. The seven lights exist to solve this problem. They are pathways to integrating into the World Within the Painting. As long as one can awaken based on the seven lights, regardless of which one, its equivalent to being fully synchronized with this world. From then on, one would not only avoid fading but also share a prolonged life and power. It was originally a pretty good design, but as I said earlier, over time, blood corrodes. Years passed, and not only did the powers essence increasingly dissipate, but entering the Sequence became more and more difficult. Even those who had already synced with the world were affected by its decay, the Pus of Man growing within them and, in turn, exacerbating the loss of power. So it was like this Fu Qian suddenly connected all the dots. Is this irreversible? Is there a solution? There is! The Witch stared at Fu Qian, her expression neither sad nor joyful. Paint another one. But the original world will be destroyed in this process, and all these people will die. Chapter 151 - 150: Chaos (End)_1 Chapter 151: Chapter 150: Chaos (End)_1 So thats how it is! Fu Qian understood why the Witch had reacted that way upon seeing the Pustule Stone. She had long known the fate of this world and had no desire to intervene. Speaking of which, why are you here? And imprisoned in the deepest part of the jail? Fu Qian recalled a question he had had before. Where else would I go? The Witch sighed silently. When I was born, the world was already a chaotic wastndthoroughly uninteresting. I wandered for many years and eventually found a trace of my mothers scent here, as well as a group of survivors. They were weak, but at least they couldmunicate. Of course, they were somewhat fearful of me. So, did you meet the creator of this painting? No. The Witch shook her head. Although some powerful people existed here back then, none possessed such ability. After some interaction, I realized they did not wee me, so I pretended to be captured and let them seal me below. Although this world is narrow and run-down, it is somewhat more interesting than the outside, so I stayed here, all the way until now. No wonder, there are definitely a few legends about you here, and theyre not exactly friendly. Fu Qian sighed, turning his gaze back to the painting. You just mentioned redoing a paintingis it really that simple to paint? Its not difficult to begin with; the key lies in the paint. Paintsurely youre not suggesting using your own blood? Fu Qian looked at the Witch somewhat surprised. As a power of the same origin, there is no essential difference. The Witch picked up the nearby palette and sniffed it carefully. However, it can only be used on this canvas, which is why it was said the old world would be destroyed. Are you ready? You will be both the creator and the destroyer. Why do you want me to paint it? n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Otherwise? You think I have any interest in painting with my own blood? The Witch looked at Fu Qian with a puzzled expression. Im not particrly interested either, but I have plenty of motivation. Fu Qian thought to himself. After all, his task is to eradicate all the Pus of Man. If what she said about destroying the world was true, it would be akin to indirectly aplishing his mission. Fu Qian considered this and reached out for the paintbrush beside him. Lets get this out of the wayIm not particrly skilled in art. It doesnt matter; feel free to try. I will give you some basic material to start with. The Witch waved her hand, and the next moment, the paint palette contained a bead of a crystal-clear liquid shimmering with countless dim ripples of light. Can I mix other things in it? You can mix in anything; you are now the creator. The Witch revealed a yful smile, seemingly very interested to see Fu Qians reaction. Anything Fu Qian pondered for a while then tossed the brush away, stretching out his right hand. Pus of Man in his palm wound had swollen much more than before and was continuously surging. Under the Witchs astonished gaze, Fu Qian pressed his right hand directly onto her blood. With a silentment, the originally crystal-clear blood began to grow turbid bit by bit. After a long while, Fu Qian lifted his hand, looking at the ck liquid stained on it, and then pressed it directly onto the canvas. In the sky of the World Within the Painting, a palm-shaped dark radiance instantly appeared, turning the seven lights into eight. You The Witchs yful expression vanished, and she turned to look at the window. A broad palm-shaped radiance slowly emerged, upying arge portion of the night sky. The radiance was dark red all over, with only a sliver of light seeping from the edges. It was hard to imagine what the reaction of those residents would be upon seeing this scene. Why do this? The Witch looked at Fu Qians hand. The world is ending anyway, might as well give it a tryits free. I was just thinking, since the Seven Lights are a conduit integrated into the essence of the world, is it possible to make corruption a part of that essence too? Fu Qian looked at her. Based on your description, I can understand how you feel about this world. Everything has its birth and demise, and I also think theres no need to intervene forcibly, so Ive decided not to redraw this world. If corruption could be part of the essence of the world instead of being rejected as an anomaly, I think the world would, at least, not be in such chaos during its decay. Look, its reacting already. Fu Qian let the Witch see the palm of his hand. The ck fluid had gradually calmed down, no longer giving off the sensation of a living thing. It began to slowly dissolve, turning into a faint shadowy aura and finally blendingpletely into his body. In just an instant, Fu Qian felt the ravages of time wash over him, his body aged rapidly by a few degrees. Fu Qian shook his arm. Actually, it feels pretty good; it seems like the negative effects of the Awakening have also disappeared. The inherent toll of each Sequence might have been the result of being overly synched with the world, right? A side effect of the desperate attempt to maintain Eternity? Thats an interesting thought, to treat decay as part of the world. The Witch didnt rush to answer his question. Imagination really is important. This way, the Pus of Man is neutralized, and the increase in the Discoloration Curse it causes will return to normal, and there may even be a new path to Awakening. The only price is that Awakeners will be like ordinary people, unable to escape aging, but I think thats more reasonable. Those people just need to avoid the blizzard after this. Only, the change from Seven to Eight Lights might shock our beliefs a bit. Fu Qians actions had clearly piqued the Witchs interest. Ive got it! The Witch suddenly pointed around her. I could establish a new Sect here, representing the faith of the Eighth Light. What should it be called I have to say, what you painted isnt very pretty, Blood Fingers, Dark Moon? Dark Moon sounds a bit better. Fu Qianmented earnestly from the side. I think so too, so from now on, this will be the Church of the Dark Moon, and I will be the first Pontiff. Are you interested in bing something like a Temple Knight? A Knight of the Dark Moon? That does sound rather nice. [Current missionpleted, Containment of 1-019 sessful] At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in his ears, announcing the sess of Fu Qians endeavour. In a short time, all of the Pus of Man had been transformed. Efficient and effortless! Fu Qian was very satisfied with this batch processing operation. Are you leaving? Seemingly sensing something, the Witch looked up at Fu Qian. Why do you say that? This time, it was Fu Qian who was surprised. Intuition. You seem to have many secrets. Indeed, with matters here concluded, I, Fu Qian, shall wander the four seas. This is farewell. Well then, okay. The Witch gave a faint smile, jumped down from the high stool with elegance, and curtsied gracefully. Goodbye, mysterious connoisseur of aesthetics. Goodbye, unnamed cosmic beauty. After the greeting, the scene before him shifted. The next moment, the Witch, her easel, everything vanished, and Fu Qian found himself back in the warehouse. Chapter 152 - 151 Suspicious Rewards_1 Chapter 152: Chapter 151 Suspicious Rewards_1 [Mission Evaluation: Hand of Filth] [Youpleted the mission in an almost sphemous manner, spreading decay throughout the entire world] [Kills: prison guard, Collison, Priest, Pus Armor, Priest] [Reward: SAN Points +33; Inspiration +5; To be determined] [Current SAN Points: 164, Current Inspiration: 41] [Would you like to y the event recap?] What does to be determined mean? In a series of prompts, Fu Qian discovered something he had never seen before. He quickly flipped back to the rewards section, and soon found the item named to be determined. [You can choose one of the following two rewards] After making his choice, two orbs of light suddenly appeared before his eyes, along with a prompt. Can I actually choose freely? Fu Qian tried to focus his attention on one of the light orbs. [Name: Completed Ritual] [Introduction: A perfectlypleted ascension ritual, capable of upgrading you to a corresponding Demigod form] [Remark: User must be below Demigod level, selection leads to automatic infusion, process is irreversible] Direct ascension to a Demigod, is it that exaggerated? This first option surprised Fu Qian. And it seems like theres nothing to do? If Old Master Chen in Shangjing saw this, he would cry to death! As Fu Qian thought this, he turned his gaze toward the second orb of light. [Name: sphemys Embrace] [Introduction: A special artifact, which temporarily seals the sun upon use, causing it to enter a state of shadow.] [Remark: This is an ominous and evil object filled with the force of filth. Every activation will induce the user into a 24-hour Discoloration State.] Arent these two rewards a bit too contrasting? When he saw the first reward, Fu Qian still had high expectations for the second one, but he didnt expect it would be like this. Sealing the sun sounds impressive, but its a pity he cant think of any use for it, let alone the side effects. The rewards are not in the same league, logically the choice should be more than simple. But then Fu Qians gaze turned towards the depths of the warehouse. The work today has been quite strange from the start. Theres a lot of missing information not to mention, his abilities werepletely sealed. The mission itself was also given bit by bit, somewhat intentionally guiding. And whether it was the Witch or the Priests, they clearly stated that their world was already in an apocalyptic state, which waspletely different from the ces he had been before. Under such circumstances, the iparable rewards were nothing but a tant lure. Something abnormal is surely afoot! Fu Qian didnt rush to make a decision but tried to close the options in front of him He wanted to check out box 1-019. However, after trying, Fu Qian found that he actually couldnt close it. A forced decision that must be made immediately, with no waiting? Thats quite an attitude you have! Fu Qian frowned slightly and directly chose the second option. A real man fears nothing, a mere Demigod ritual wants to coerce me? He was already at least of Fourth Phase caliber, andbined with Mythical Form, the urgency of being at Demigod Level wasnt that great. The next moment, the chosen orb flickered, and something that was almost weightless appeared in Fu Qians hand. A bow? Fu Qian looked down at the reward in his hand. This was a long bow, the material of which was indiscernible and nearly transparent. With its crystalline appearance and intricately delicate design, it was hard to believe it could actually seal the sunan extravagant im indeed. Carrying his reward, Fu Qian did not hesitate and immediately walked deeper into the warehouse. Just as expected! Fu Qian soonbed through the area where Level 1 items were stored and never found the boxbeled 1-019, further cementing his suspicions. Although he was unsure of the specific reason, there was definitely something fishy about todays work! n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om [Your work for the day isplete, thank you for your effort.] [Youve worked for four consecutive days. To ensure a bnce between work and rest, you will enter a mandatory three-day vacation. During this period, you will not be able to log into the warehouse.] As he pondered, the notification for the vacation had already arrived. It seemed he had been working for four days without noticecould interest truly be the greatest motivation? While reflecting, Fu Qian temporarily set his doubts aside and chose to leave the warehouse. Back in his room, Fu Qian stretchedzily and weighed the long bow in his hand. Regardless of its design or material, it was a bit conspicuous and needed to be covered up somehow. Otherwise, should Young Master Qin and his group identallye across it, an ident was bound to happen. Speaking of which, it was about time to make lunch, and the refrigerator was stocked with recently purchased ingredients. But for Fu Qian, cooking was entirely a matter of mood; it wasnt something he wanted to do every day. As he hesitated between simply boiling some noodles or eating out, a sudden knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. A census from the neighborhoodmittee? Surely not. The door couldnt block Fu Qians perception, and he clearly knew that it wasnt any of Young Master Qins group outside, but an elderlydy. Feeling somewhat puzzled, Fu Qian stood up, opened the door, and a gaunt, white-haired old woman stood outside. It was Grandma Liu from downstairs; Fu Qian recognized her immediately. This kindly aunt was in her sixties with a still-vigorous frame, and she was quite warm-hearted. Fu Qians parents had had some interaction with her when they were around. However, this upright woman had been somewhat disapproving of Fu Qians changed style and had not spoken much to him in a long time. Grandma Liu, are you looking for me for something? Fu Qian asked, somewhat puzzled, as thetter clutched a bunch of celery, obviously in the middle of preparing a meal. But her expression was notably serious, and she asionally nced behind her as if unintentionally. Little Qian, Grandma Liu spoke in a lowered voice as she looked at Fu Qian. Have you gotten yourself into some kind of trouble? Trouble? That was hard to avoid. Fu Qian thought to himself. He was well aware of his own ability to draw animosity. Just now, there were two people, clearly up to no good, holding your photograph and asking about you. Before Fu Qian could respond, Grandma Liu said in a low, hurried voice. I didnt tell them anything. Those two are probably still loitering outside. Grandma Liu cautiously peeked over her shoulder. I didnt like the look of them and thought I shoulde up and tell you. If youve really gotten into some trouble, youd better call the police right away. Dont suffer in silence, young man. I still have to cook, so Im heading back now. After quickly delivering her message, Grandma Liu hurried down the stairs with small, quick steps. It was apparent that she was a bit intimidated, yet not only had she covered for him, but she also made a point ofing upstairs to warn hima rare kindness. Two suspicious individuals, carrying his photograph and inquiring all around; the likelihood of it being a good thing was indeed slim. Grandma Lius assessment was not off the mark. With that thought in mind Recalling his recent indecisiveness, Fu Qian swiftly decided to go out for some McDonalds. Chapter 153 - 152 Little Trouble_1 Chapter 153: Chapter 152 Little Trouble_1 He didnt dy any further; after putting away the newly acquired rewards, Fu Qian directly stepped downstairs. He hadnt walked far when he spotted the two individuals Grandma Liu had mentioned. With buzz cuts and sunsses, dressed identically, two burly men with broad shoulders and stout waists were scanning the area within the residentialplex. Such figures inquiring about someone in themunity were truly conspicuous. Fu Qian didnt bother to hide himself, and the two men also noticed him. After a moments pause, they exchanged nces and quickly followed him. Fu Qian didnt care and continued towards his destination. Perhaps deeming the area too crowded, those two merely trailed from a distance, without rushing to approach him. This scene seemed familiarjust like something hed experienced the day before yesterday. Fu Qian reflected on it for a moment. In fact, he suspected these two were here because of that very incident. His social interactions were so straightforward; upon reflection, the only source of conflict he could think of were those five who abided by the principle of vengeance. Friend. Just as he was moving away from the residential area, the two men quickened their pace, and one of them stepped directly in front of him. Can I have a word? No! Fu Qians response clearly took the man by surprise. After a few seconds of stunned silence, the henchmans face grew cold, and he slowly rolled up his sleeve to reveal arge tattoo on his arm. Onlookers, who had been keen to watch the drama unfold, quickly stepped aside. Is it convenient for you now? The henchman undoubtedly relished this moment of intimidation. However, before he could finish his sentence, he noticed that his target had already walked away. Damn! The man hastened his steps and cut in front of Fu Qian again. The henchman following behind also caught up and reached out to grab Fu Qians arm. We dont want to cause a scene, so youd better cooperate. Before he could finish speaking, he felt a numb pain in his palm as if something had whipped it. Before he could realize what had just happened, his head thundered, and an uncontroble flurry of rage surged through him. In his vision, hispanion was standing across from him, looking equally stunned, while their target had once again walked away. Without thinking, he pped hispanion across the face. What are you doing, letting him get away again? Huh? The recipient of the p snapped out of his daze. Realizing what had happened, he too was overtaken by fury and swung his fist towards the others face. With fists flying and blood sprayed from their noses, they quickly became entangled in a fight. For the average person, Tyrants Fist had an immediate effect; just then, it was as if they had merely brushed against each other with whips. Fu Qian didnt even bother to look back at the intense scuffle behind him. Such scenes had be somewhat aesthetically exhausting for him. Even as theyy on the ground, the two men didnt forget to bite at each other, providing a spectacle for the onlookers. One must maintain a healthy body so that they can fully enjoy unhealthy food. Finding a seat, Fu Qian took a significant gulp of his cold soda and felt a moment of reflection. Those two were clearly justckeys; if things were as expected, their boss would likely show up soon. Sure enough, about ten minutester, someone pushed the door open and walked in. It was a middle-aged man in his forties, not very tall but exuding a strong presence, with a sharp look between his eyebrowsinstantly recognizable as someone used to giving orders. The middle-aged man walked straight over to where Fu Qian was sitting, pulled out a chair, sat down, and fixed a deathly gaze upon him. Compared to the two brothers earlier, he might have been smaller in stature, but his aura was much stronger. At that moment, with an aggressive air, he intimidated two girls at the next table to the point where they were burying their heads in their food. I am Xu Meng. After a long while, this individual finally spoke, his voice deep. Two days ago, my son had an ident. As Xu Meng spoke, he stared intently into Fu Qians eyes. Up to now, he cant speak, cantmunicate, he cant even feed himself, his self-care ability is even worse than a childs. I dont believe any of those nonsensical exnations, and I dont want to ask for reasons. I only know that if someone hurt him to end up this way, I will make them pay. As expected, he hade for revenge. This should be you, right? Xu Meng pulled out two photos and threw them in front of Fu Qian. Fu Qian nced at them, one captured him throwing a Coke can at someone, and the other showed him leaving the supermarket with some items. The images were somewhat blurry, but still recognizable. I want to know, where did you go after that? After buying stuff, naturally, I went home, Fu Qian said with a smile, in response to Xu Mengs questioning. This person obviously knew his son quite well and deduced from the interactions among the group of five that there could have been a conflict with himself. However, the fact that he only had these few pictures essentially meant he had nothing else. Thinking about it, those few deliberately chose to start a fight with him on the bridge, and most likely wouldnt have left any other records. Of course, having records wouldnt matter either. In between, did you happen to run into him? What did you do to him? You better tell the truth Xu Mengs face suddenly turned ferocious. You wouldnt want to experience my methods. If I were you, I wouldnt want to show off your methods, Fu Qian said, taking another sip of his Coke. The fierce light in his eyes almost pierced through the person before him, and for a moment, Xu Meng almost wanted tosh out physically. His son had suddenly be incapacitated overnight. This sudden ident filled him with anger, but even more so with frustration. Because it indeed didnt seem like something humans could do, and more than one person witnessed the strange sh of light. But to do nothing was absolutely uneptable to him. He needed a target to vent his anger, no matter what. Fu Qian saw Xu Mengs reaction and naturally understood his mindset very well. He also knew that it was pointless to argue at this moment. No matter whether he was innocent or not, it was highly unlikely that it would change this persons mind. Of course, there was no need to argue. Dealing with those who believe in thew of the jungle has the major advantage of not needing to waste effort reasoning. And this person had stumbled upon the right target, but clearly had no idea about the real bnce of power. Just then, Fu Qians phone suddenly rang. Tan Ying, what did she want with him? Fu Qian picked it up and connected the call; Tan Yings voice came through, urgent. Where are you? Eating, Pei Yanqing had a weird incident today, she just mentioned it to me. Earlier today, someone had a picture of you and asked her about it. She didnt say much at the time butter felt it was strange and told me, asking if I should warn you. Have you gotten yourself into some trouble? n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om From Tan Yings tone, the two were clearly quite familiar with each other. Thanks for the heads-up, its just a small matter. So, did any strange people give you trouble today? Yes, theres one sitting right across from me. Chapter 154 - 153 Forty-nine-level Pagoda_1 Chapter 154: Chapter 153 Forty-nine-level Pagoda_1 Tan Ying arrived earlier than expected. Although Fu Qian had said it was a trivial matter, this person clearly did not seem to think so. I mentioned it to Qin Mingze, but he couldnt get away, Tan Ying spoke as she walked, instantly drawing the attention of those around her, including Xu Meng in front of Fu Qian. Seeing Tan Ying, Xu Mengs expression instantly turned uncertain. His gaze darted back and forth between Fu Qian and her, unable to help but specte about their rtionship. Whats going on? Tan Ying nced at Xu Meng briefly before switching her gaze back to Fu Qians face. Nothing much, President Xu asked me to help find the murderer who harmed his son. Since when did you be a private detective? Tan Ying looked puzzled. I am the murderer. It was just an issue I needed to confirm with Mr. Fu. Xu Mengs face darkened as if it would drip water, and after a long while, he finally spoke. Now it seems it was all just a misunderstanding, I have other things to attend to, so Ill be leaving first. What exactly is going on? Watching Xu Meng leave, Tan Ying threw her bag onto the table and sat down next to Fu Qian. Overwhelmed with grief. Fu Qian recounted the situation briefly. So it was him, no wonder he looked a bit familiar! Tan Ying suddenly understood. You know him? Im aware of him, he has some influence in Lincheng, but I just couldnt match the face with the name. Uh-huh. Fu Qian nodded. He seemed to recognize you, though. Cant help it, some people just naturally be the center of attention. Tan Ying flicked her hair and cast a flirtatious look. This man has always had a bad reputation; its not surprising he wouldsh out like this when his son met with trouble out of the blue. It was clear that she never actually considered the possibility that Fu Qian might be responsible. But you dont have to worry about it, as long as you have me, your sister, to protect you, he wouldnt darey a finger on you. So confident? As Young Master Qin said, Tan Yings family background is indeed extraordinary. But speaking of which, do I count as saving a life today? Tan Ying realized something, propped her chin with her hand, and looked at Fu Qian with a sly expression. Thats not incorrect, Fu Qian nodded, counting on his fingers. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, so you have built n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He remembered the number of people Xu Meng brought with him. a Forty-nine-level Pagoda. What? Tan Ying frowned, obviously not quite understanding Fu Math, but she didnt delve deeper into it. In that case, may I ask you for a favor? Tan Ying revealed an ambiguous look in her eyes. Go ahead. Although he didnt owe Tan Ying any pagoda, Fu Qian was always clear about debts of gratitude. Once before, he had asked her to send Pei Yanqing back, so he did owe Miss Tan a favor. Are you free the day after tomorrow? Yes. Fu Qian thought about it; that would be hisst day off. Its my birthday, would you do me the honor ofing? Uh? Fu Qian gave Tan Ying a look, and she winked at him. Dont be doubtful, its just a clichd birthday party, so crowded its boring. Is she worried that Xu Meng wont let things go? Fu Qian suddenly understood her line of thinking. Xu Meng was clearly aware of Tan Yings background, and leaving upon seeing her, unsure of his rtionship with her, did not mean he hadpletely given up hope. Thisdy inviting him to take a round at her birthday banquet did have a bit of a protective gesture about it. All he could say was that she had been quite considerate. Sure! Fu Qian nodded in agreement. Such things were no more than a small effort. After all, he wasnt some kind of demon. He believed in being kind to others and not fond of disputes. Three dayster. As the sun set, Fu Qian arrived on time. Out of respect for the host, he had even made an effort to dress up. At that moment, despite his casual demeanor, the suit and shoes he donned gave him an air of evil elegance, which made Qin Mingze, his driver, green with envy. Just as he had predicted, Miss Tans family was well-off, and the mansion where the banquet was held was of the highest caliber, teeming with guests in the banquet hall. Obviously, Tan Yings parents had turned her birthday into a social event. Of course, as a male guest personally invited by Tan Ying, Fu Qian undoubtedly attracted quite a bit of attention. However, in such a setting, most people kept theirposure, merely ncing at him a few times, allowing Fu Qian to leisurely enjoy the food and drinks. He had intended to just blend in until the end, but it turned out he had thought too highly of Tan Ying. Hello, nude artist! Do you really go by Fu Qian? What an interesting name! You really are handsome, Xiao Ying didnt lie to us Before long, Fu Qian found himself surrounded by a group of Tan Yings ssmates. These lively young women in their twenties giggled as they looked at Fu Qian, openly passingments without any reservation. Not knowing how Tan Ying had introduced him, but judging from the conversation, it seemed they all knew about the Photoshopping incident. Tan Ying, the host of the banquet, seemedpletely entertained by the situation, watching from the sidelines. Seeing Fu Qian look her way, she even shed a provocative smile. She was clearly still harping on the ck dress incident! Fu Qian thought to himself. Having been outsmarted by himst time, she obviously couldnt swallow her pride. Although she had sought his help this time, she was more than happy to use the opportunity to ridicule him and Young Master Qin, getting revenge with one arrow. Poor Young Master Qin had been so excited on his way here, looking forward to mingling in the proverbial fish pond. Fu Qian even spotted Pei Yanqing not far off, covering her mouth to hide herughter. Tan Ying had indeed invited her! Dressed in a simple and elegant long gown, she did not look out of ce among the various distinguished and gentledies. Under such intense scrutiny, even the future Litigant Qin Mingze was a bit overwhelmed, managing to hold out for a while before he took off. Only Fu Qian, with skin as thick as a city wall, casually grabbed various delicacies, eating and responding with ease. Besides being an artist, what else do you do in your free time? a girl asked amid theughter. Oh, theres quite a lot, he said. Exorcising demons, burrizing, providing consultancy I do it all. Another bout of raucousughter followed. Do you have any hobbies then? Hobbies, huh Fu Qian reminisced about his recent experiences. Exploring the flesh? Anything else? She seemed persistent. Exploring human nature? Exploring the flesh and human nature? The girl, who appeared innocent, was taken aback for a moment and then asked in a soft voice, SM? All things considered, despite some misunderstandings, Fu Qians banquet experience was quite rxed and enjoyable. Tan Yings ssmates were generally older than Fu Qian but were at the prime of their lives. The natural confidence brought about by their youth and beauty made their every move spirited, making it not at all tiresome to socialize with them. The only one who felt let down was Tan Ying herself, as Fu Qians ease in handling the situation undeniably left Miss Tan a bit dissatisfied, with her aspirations unfulfilled. But no matter, life is full of disappointments, seven, eight, nine, tenfold, even on ones birthday. Chapter 155 - 154 Sword Hearts Legacy (Part 1)_1 Chapter 155: Chapter 154 Sword Hearts Legacy (Part 1)_1 [Identity verificationplete, todays work begins.] [Warning, leakage ident.] After the holiday, Fu Qians life once again returned to tranquility. At the same time, the warehouse performance remained stable, perfectly maintaining a daily appearance. [Name: Sword Hearts Legacy, Code: 2-010] [Todays work content has been updated: Enter the containment scene of 2-010,plete re-containment.] After breakfast, as soon as Fu Qian re-entered the warehouse, the prompt sounded almost instantaneously in his ear. Following the prompts that appeared before him, Fu Qian made the preparations with practiced ease. [Skill: Air Bullet, Visceral Critical Strike, Cat School, Feast (Locked), Decree Residue, Transcendence, Mythical Form] [Weapon: Tyrants Fist] [Current SAN Points: 163, Current Inspiration: 41] [Entering containment scene of 2-010: Academy] [4%6%10%18%34%66%100%, containment scene loadingplete.] [This is the Academy of Mysteries, a ce for the study of transcendent powers. In recent years, the Sword Dao has flourished, and the Swordsmanship Department, as the most prosperous branch of the Academy, has produced an endless stream of talent. And nowes a grand event, the annual open day of the Sword Pavilion is upon us. To forge a heaven-shaking sword of their own, many are eagerly prepared for the challenge. And with this, a crisis is born.] [Mission Objective: Destroy Sword Hearts Legacy.] The Academy? Upon hearing the mission briefing, the first thing Fu Qian noticed was a familiar word. If he remembered correctly, as early as in mission 1-003, he had already had dealings with the Academys Exploration Team. He hadnt expected to make a direct run to their turf this time. Considering Li Weixuans performancest time, there indeed seemed to be many skilled people at the Academy, so he must proceed with caution. Especially given this missions content, it appeared he was there to cause some destruction. However, looking on the bright side, at least this time the mission seemed normal. Why hasnt everyone gone in yet? Hurry up, dont waste time. As soon as his senses had recovered, Fu Qian heard someone shouting nearby. Looking over, he saw a middle-aged man with disheveled hair standing not far off, looking impatiently at him. He must be talking to him, but where exactly was he supposed to go? As a mission persona with no inherited memories, Fu Qian naturally had no clue. Without responding immediately, he first looked around and found he was standing in front of a rather ancient building. From the outside, the building had six stories, with its mottled exterior walls revealing its old age and an extremely solemn style. The going in the middle-aged man mentioned was undoubtedly this ce. Move quickly! By this time, the middle-aged man had already opened the door behind him, signaling for him to walk inside. Remember, your range of activity is limited to up three floors from here. If you trigger any prohibitions, you bear the consequences yourself. With such an eager invitation, Fu Qian no longer hesitated and stepped straight into the building. As soon as he stepped inside, he felt an invisible coldness. The interior space was quiterge, and the structure was extremely simple, with a multitude of weapons disyed in a rtively haphazard manner. Heavy Sword Xuan Tie, Autumn Water Cold Edge, these swords were ced inside in various poses. Some were even stuck directly into the ground, filled with an ominous and deadly air. Without a doubt, this was the Sword Pavilion mentioned in the introduction. Fu Qian counted briefly, and just on this floor alone, nearly a hundred swords were disyed. And with six floors in total, the ce could definitely be described as a rich collection. ording to the introduction, this ce opens once a year for disciples to observe and sharpen their skills, and it can be considered one of the Academys grand events. So, are the students from the Academy here again this time? I wonder if its the same identity asst time. Fu Qian thought to himself. My mission this time is to destroy Sword Hearts Legacy, surely it cant mean setting this ce on fire, right? By now, inside the Sword Pavilion, many students had already begun their diligent practice, with everyone tacitly agreeing not to make a single sound. Moving silently through the hall, asionally selecting a target to concentrate on feeling and understanding. Because the ce is spacious, there is enough room in front of each sword for a person to stop and ponder without interfering with each other. Fu Qian also looked very seriously, but what he took seriously differed from the others. With his hands behind his back, he strolled leisurely on the floor. Fu Qian was casually looking around as if he were visiting a museum, assessing the difficulty of destroying each one. He hasnt dealt much with the Sword Dao; to him, its just one category among the many methods of cultivation. However, considering Li Weixuans strength at the peak of the Fourth Phase at the age of forty, its undoubtedly an efficient path of cultivation. His rxed demeanor was somewhat distinctive, and for a moment, he garnered quite a few curious nces. But the students would only take a nce before turning back to continue their perception. Opportunities to ess the Sword Pavilion were rare, and no one wanted to waste precious time on gossip. However, among the many nces that came his way, Fu Qian spotted a familiar face. That person from the Exploration Teamst time, seems like his name was Yuan Xin? Fu Qian recalled the experience in 1-003; it should be this name. But it was obvious that the other party didnt recognize him, their gaze almost hollowly sweeping across his face. Either the timing of this mission was before 1-003, or due to the effects of 1-003, all information associated with that previous identity had been erasedpletely. Fu Qian quickly deduced two possibilities.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Regardless of which one it was, it indicated that the original identity information was no longer usable, which was not good news. After quickly making a round and ncing at the still industrious crowd, Fu Qian prepared to head upstairs to take a look. Just as he was about to move, he noticed the middle-aged man from before hurrying in. After scanning the area, the man quickly approached Fu Qian, lowering his voice. Show me your student card, you havent registered yet. Student card? Fu Qian thought for a moment and began to search his pockets. Eventually, under the impatient scrutiny of the middle-aged man, he fished out something resembling a dining card and handed it over. To his surprise, the middle-aged man didnt take it, instead ring at Fu Qian with an expression that read, Are you kidding me? Whats the matter? Is this your card? Is there a problem? Fu Qian couldnt help but feel a bit puzzled. Before he handed it out, he had checked; there were no names or photos on the card. How could this immortal tell there was an issue without even scanning it? Theres a huge problem! The middle-aged mans brows furrowed deeply as he pinched Fu Qians card between two fingers. First of all, this isnt a student card; its the style used by Academy Instructors. Secondly, judging from the color, this isnt even from the Swordsmanship Department; its a Heavens Commencement Institute identity card! For some reason, the middle-aged mans face showed an unmistakable distaste when mentioning the word Heavens Commencement. If this is yours, can you exin why youre wearing the uniform of the Swordsmanship Department? Chapter 156 - 155: Sword Hearts Legacy (Part 2)_1 Chapter 156: Chapter 155: Sword Hearts Legacy (Part 2)_1 Instructor card? Facing the middle-aged mans interrogation, Fu Qian was also puzzled in his heart. Was his identity not that of a student, but an instructor this time? That was indeed unexpected. However, it wasnt a bad thing; an instructors identity clearly allowed for more freedom of actionpared to a student. Lets go outside first. Seeing that quite a few students were looking over with confusion, the middle-aged man realized their conversation had already caused some disturbance and gestured for Fu Qian to follow him out. They made their way to the entrance, where the middle-aged mans gaze turned stern, signaling Fu Qian to wait in ce. Then he took Fu Qians card and swiped it on a device nearby. Fu Qian? Half a minuteter, as the middle-aged man looked at the information disyed, he sized Fu Qian up and down, his expressionplex. Thats right, its me. It seemed he hadnt changed his name this time. Fu Qian, in his position, could also see the content on the disy screen, confirming that not only his name but also his photograph matched. To actually be an instructor from Heavens Commencement Institute Arent you too young for that! The middle-aged man murmured to himself, somewhat incredulous at what he was seeing. The next moment, he seemed to suddenly think of something, and his face showed an even deeper disdain than before. Sorry, although you are an instructor of Heavens Commencement Institute, breaking into the Sword Pavilion without permission has vited the rules. I need to report this to the Academy and take disciplinary action against you. Holding Fu Qians identity card firmly, he said this curtly. Whats with that look as if youve just found your fathers killer all of a sudden? Fu Qian couldnt understand the middle-aged mans sudden change in emotion, but he immediately denied the usation of unauthorized entry. I didnt break in without permission. Think back, you were the one who invited me in. That seemed to be true The middle-aged man froze again, recalling the earlier scene. It indeed appeared to be him who had let Fu Qian in without checking his identification. Strictly speaking, this was indeed his own dereliction of duty. But who would have thought that an instructor from Heavens Commencement Institute would be squatting outside the Sword Pavilion at this time, even wearing the clothes of the Swordsmanship Department? Thats right, the clothes! Not to mention anything else, the clothes are something you put on yourself, right? Can you deny that you had other intentions? There indeed was a reason. Fu Qian replied with a smile, spinning tales. Although I dont study Sword Dao much, with the Sword Pavilion open and many students contemting, as a researcher of transcendent powers, I am quite interested in this grand event. So, I was just here observing the changes in the students auras before and after their contemtion. To not make them feel too out of ce, I merely borrowed this outfit. You keep bbering on! The middle-aged man looked at Fu Qian in disbelief. So youre here doing research as well? However, even though this was clearly a nonsensical exnation, he temporarily couldnt refute it.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Not right. Before the middle-aged man could say anything, Fu Qian frowned and looked at him skeptically. You first invited me in Then you found me to say I broke the rules Why do I feel like this smells a bit like entrapment You didnt do it on purpose, did you? Who do you think you are! I would purposely let you, just to entrap you, into the Academys forbidden grounds? The middle-aged man nearly spewed blood in Fu Qians face. This guy was shamelessly extreme, just like those lunatics from Heavens Commencement Institute. Nevertheless, considering the situation, he began to have his doubts about whether to continue entangling with Fu Qian. This guy is obviously a shameless rogue, but when it reallyes down to it, Ive made mistakes too. After all, I was only in there for a few minutes, so its not really a big problem. Fu Qian! Seeing some effect, Fu Qian was about to apply more pressure when a tall figure approached from the distance, shouting at Fu Qian before even arriving. I went to your ce and didnt find you, so I guessed youd be here! The person was a mature, radiant woman with brown hair and blue eyes who spoke to Fu Qian very naturally. Before she finished speaking, she noticed the card in the middle-aged mans hand, and then looked at Fu Qians attire, a hint of surprise inevitably rising on her face. Youre not thinking of going in, are you? This is a forbidden area of the Swordsmanship Department, so dont be too reckless! Professor Lanaya. Seeing the neer, the middle-aged mans expression finally eased a bit, and he greeted the woman. How could that be, I was just chatting with this man. He thinks Im too young and doesnt believe Im an instructor here. Here, can you give me back my card now? Fu Qian looked at the middle-aged man with a smiling face. Thetter was stunned for a moment, as if engaged in some intense internal struggle. After a long while, he finally nodded stiffly and handed Fu Qians card back to him. I need to talk to you about something. Lets walk and talk. Although it was clear there were some doubts, with the situation satisfactorily resolved, Professor Lanaya made no furtherment and took the lead, walking ahead. Whats the matter? Following behind Lanaya, Fu Qian asked, while observing the surrounding buildings. Theres an urgent task. Lanaya didnt look at him and exined quickly. Earlier today, the Yuan Financial Group contacted the Academy; one of their local secret warehouses was robbed, items were lost, and personnel were killed. They hope the Academy will help with the investigation. Shouldnt this be a case for the Night Watchman? Fu Qian was a bit puzzled. After so many tasks, he hade to understand some of the rules of this world. To put it simply, all incidents rted to Transcendent powers, indiscriminately, call for the Night Watchman. Indeed, that should be the case, so Im also a bit puzzled, sighed Lanaya. But themittee specifically asked me to attend to it, hoping that the Punishment Department would handle it properly. Given that there are few people free right now, I can only trouble you to apany me. As they spoke, Lanaya had already taken Fu Qian into a car, racing towards their destination. On the road, with indirect probing, Fu Qian had more or less cleared up the current situation. His identity this time was indeed that of an instructor at the Heavens Commencement Institute of the Academy, and he had just joined not long ago. Though his strength was decent, due to his shallow seniority, he was conventionally part-timing at the Punishment Department. And this Lanaya was, on one hand, an instructor at the Academy, and on the other, one of the heads of the Punishment Department. The matter was urgent and no one else was avable, so they directly grasped him as their strong man, which could also count as padding his KPI. An hourter, the two arrived at the scene of the incident. The area was already cordoned off, and practically as soon as they got out of the car, a group of people looked over at them warily. After Lanaya identified herself, the two were finally allowed to enter the scene, where someone was already waiting. It was a lean-faced middle-aged man with a straight chin and sharp eyes, who looked quite capable but had a rather unsightlyplexion. The man clearly recognized Lanaya and after greeting her, he sized up Fu Qian from top to bottom. Who is this? Fu Qian, an instructor at the Academy. Seeing that Lanaya didnt borate, Fu Qian merely nodded slightly, exuding poise. Chapter 157 - 156 Sword Hearts Legacy (3)_1 Chapter 157: Chapter 156 Sword Hearts Legacy (3)_1 As the head of Yuan Financial Group in this region, I have always held the Academy in high regard, Without further ado, Jia Yi, the person in charge, led Fu Qian and another person inside to a chaotic murder scene strewn with debris. So, when we rashly ask for the Academys assistance, please believe that we are not making an unreasonable fuss. As Jia Yi spoke, he unzipped a body bag. Hisss! Almost instantly, Fu Qian heard Lanaia in front of him gasp for air. Inside the body bag was a bloodied, unrecognizable corpse. From top to bottom, the body was covered in crisscrossing wounds, its original appearance almost indiscernible. Most of the bones were likely brokenwas the perpetrator making minced meat? After a quick nce at the wounds, Fu Qian understood why Lanaia reacted the way she did. Although there were countless gashes, they were clearly made by sharp des Sword wounds? Once Jia Yi confirmed that both of them had noticed the abnormality, he signaled his subordinates to open the other body bags as well. As expected, each corpse was torn apart by simr crisscrossing sword wounds. A total of six people died, including three guards, one supervisor, and two staff members. Jia Yis expression was as hard as iron, seemingly struggling to suppress his anger. All the transcendent materials in the warehouse have been lost. You have seen the wounds on their bodies, which is why I requested the Academys assistance immediately. If it can be resolved properly, we wouldnt want to escte it to the Night Watchman. What were the abilities of the deceased? Witnessing this scene, Lanaiasplexion was grave, aware of why themittee took the matter so seriously. In this world, not many who enter the transcendent realm through Sword Dao are left, and the vast majority of them are concentrated in the Swordsmanship Department of the Academy. And not far from here, a group of people died under fierce sword wounds, and transcendent materials were stolenindeed, the Academy found it hard to clear itself of suspicion. Looking at Jia Yi, it seemed he was on the verge of pointing fingers at the Academy and demanding they turn over the murderer. The three guards were between the Seventh and Eighth Phases, but the supervisor was just short of the Fifth Phase. Jia Yi straightforwardly said. Just short of the Fifth Phasethats a decent level of ability. Fu Qian thought to himself quietly. If someone could kill so many at once, if it was the work of a single individual, their ability must be quite formidable. There should be surveince footage here, right? After thinking to herself for a moment, Lanaia then asked. Yes. Jia Yi clearly had everything prepared in advance, and soon someone came forward to y a video. The time was probably at night, and a figure appeared on the camera, wearing a mask and fully concealed from head to toe. Facing the guards, who were on guard from the get-go, the figure didnt hesitate for a moment, their long sword creating a chilling killing intent, drenched in spurting blood in an instant. From the footage, it was evident that after taking out the nearly Fifth Phase supervisor first, who had the fastest reaction, the assant chopped off the camera with a single stroke, and the video came to an end. Even through the screen, one could almost feel the brutality in the sword swings. This After watching the video, Lanaia fell silent for a long while. Later, she exhaled and looked at Jia Yi. Ill contact the Academy about this. Shortly after, Lanaia returned. I have reported the situation, and the Academy will assist fully in the investigation. Until there are results, Fu Qian and I will stay here to prevent any further incidents. Shouldnt she have consulted me before making such a statement? When did I agree to stay here? Fu Qian thought to himself. However, he could understand Lanaias reaction. Although the video was short, it was enough to indicate that the deed was done by a master of Sword Dao. Looking at Brother Jia Yis expression, he seems to have already concluded it was someone from the Academy. As the regional head responsible for this area, the pressure on him due to such an incident is undoubtedly tremendous; naturally, he hopes to catch the murderer as soon as possible. Approaching the Academy directly and using the Night Watchman to spur them on is indeed the most efficient method. And the fact that the Academysmittee sent someone over so quickly clearly shows that they also hope to handle the matter properly. Lanaias initiative to offer to stay is essentially a gesture from the Academy itself. Thank you both for your hard work. Seeing Lanaia speak this way, Jia Yis expression also eased slightly. Then we will wait for news from the Academy. How soon do you estimate we will have results? In the rest area arranged by Jia Yi, Fu Qian looked at Lanaia, who was serious. It wont take long. Ive already applied to themittee to send someone to check the records of yesterdays movements, Lanaia replied confidently in response to Fu Qians question. While there are quite a few of such capable individuals in the Academy, the range narrows significantly once we focus on those practicing Sword Dao. It will be much easier to find. Although the Swordsmanship Department has grown rapidly in recent years, cultivation is a gradual process, and we dont have that many Middle Tier individuals yet. Additionally, with the Sword Pavilion open, most of the peoples movements are quite concentrated, so we should have results soon. We are waiting here now both to prevent another incident from urring and to guard against the Yuan n doing something rash that could escte the situation. At this point, Lanaia snorted. These years have been smooth sailing for them, and their temper has grown quite a bit.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The best oue would be to eliminate the suspicion on the Academys part, and then let them go cry to the Night Watchman. It was clear that she did not like being coerced. As Lanaia had said, considering the nature of the incident, the Academy was obviously very efficient. In less than an hour, Lanaia received an encrypted file. After quickly reading through it, her expression suddenly stiffened. Is there someone whose itinerary matches up? Seeing her unusual expression, Fu Qian curiously asked. No. Lanaia involuntarily shook her head, letting Fu Qian look over the information that was sent to her. Not only those capable of delivering that sword strike, but all individuals from the Swordsmanship Department above Middle Tier have been screened. Everyone on the list has been cleared of suspicion. So why do you still look so troubled? Isnt this what you wished for? Fu Qian casually flipped through the information, his eyes quickly scanning over each piece of data. Although nominally an instructor at the Academy, he didnt have much of a concept of it in his mind and was even less familiar with the Swordsmanship Department. However, after a brief perusal, Fu Qian seemed to realize a problem. Isnt someone missing? What about Li Weixuan? He uses a sword, doesnt he? Yes, Lanaia replied softly. Secluded for meditation, no response. He began his meditation a month ago, in preparation to break through to Demigod. Fu Qian understood why Lanaia looked so upset now. If he remembered correctly, this person was an influential figure within the Academy. If it turned out that he was involved with this incident, the problem would be significant. In the midst of this silence, a sudden and urgent knocking on the door rang out. Without waiting for a response, the door was pushed open from outside, and Jia Yi strode in with an expression so dark it looked like it could drip water. Another ce has been robbed! Chapter 158 - 157: Sword Hearts Legacy (Part 4)_1 Chapter 158: Chapter 157: Sword Hearts Legacy (Part 4)_1 So soon? And judging by Jia Yis tone, the scene must have been gruesome. The news brought by Jia Yi clearly took Lanaia by surprise. After exchanging a nce with Fu Qian, both tacitly chose not to mention the content of their previous conversation. Has there been any news from the Academy? Unfortunately, Jia Yi hadnt forgotten and directly stared at the two, asking. Not for the time being. Lanaia shook her head slightly, adding no further details. They couldnt entirely rule it out yet, but it was now even less possible to disclose the spections about Li Weixuan to the Yuan n. Take us to the scene. She didnt look at Jia Yi and spoke in an indisputable tone. One could tell that the Academy had an imposing reputation, and Jia Yi was clearly dissatisfied, but after hesitating, he didnt say anything more. Its the handiwork of the same person. In the cluttered warehouse, Lanaia whispered to Fu Qian. She was clearly quite professional, having quickly scanned the scene and immediately drawn this conclusion. No wonder she was the head of the Academy Disciplinary Department! Fu Qian had some understanding from before and knew that based on different focuses, the Academys instructors could be roughly divided into two categories C research andbat. Research-oriented ones primarily focused on the study of transcendent powers and the training of students, whilebat-oriented ones emphasized refining themselves and handling more fieldwork. Without a doubt, Lanaia was among the outstanding ones. Indeed. Fu Qian agreed with her assessment. The second warehouse at hand mirrored the scene he had encountered previously almost exactly. The perpetrator had obviously just left, as the bodies hadnt yet been collected. Under the crisscrossed wounds, the blood was still fresh and hadnt solidified. From the number of bodies, it was clear that the Yuan n had indeed added more people, but it was to no avail. At least Fifth Phase strength, the Sword Intent extremely fierce, Lanaia sighed softly. Its almost as if the killer was ughtering animals. Even within the Academy, there arent many with such strength, how could this From receiving the rm to losing contact, it was only a matter of minutes. Jia Yi, standing by, wore an extremely grim expression, finding it quite difficult to exin the consecutive incidents. The items are gone again? Fu Qian looked inside and noticed the emptiness. Yes, just like thest warehouse, most of it was transcendent materials. The Academy wouldntck cultivation resources Lanaia looked at Fu Qian, implying that if it were someone from the Academy, there should be no motive to kill for loot. Especially Li Weixuan! By now, almost everyone agreed that if he could ascend to a demigod, he would surely be the next Director of the Academy. Would he kill for loot for theck of cultivation materials? The very suggestion wasughable. But such terrifying strength inevitably made people think of him. Jia Yis subordinates had already retrieved the surveince footage by this time. However, the useful content this time was even shorter, having been destroyed almost immediately. The skill of the perpetrator was evidently bing more refined, leaving behind no traceable clues. With such tragedies urring in session, the situation is worse than anticipated. Havingpleted a full survey, Lanaias expression suddenly turned serious as she said to Fu Qian, You go back and find Director Li to report the situation here. Before Fu Qian could say anything, she patted his shoulder again. Dont worry, Ill keep tracking this all the way. You just hurry back as soon as you can, she added. Understood! Fu Qian nodded, without saying much. Obviously, there werent any valuable clues here; it made no sense for both of them to stay. Lanaia purposely mentioned going to report to Li Weixuan, clearly intending to have him confirm Lis whereabouts. If they could verify that Li Weixuan had been at the Academy all this time, then once everyone else had been cleared of suspicion, the rest would be easy to deal with, or they could even throw in the towel directly. And if, by chance, Li was involved, at least the Academy would be forewarned.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Seeing Fu Qian leave promptly and decisively, Jia Yi hesitated, worried that the Academy might be withholding some information. Unfortunately, Lanaias statement was watertight, and he really couldnt raise any objections. He made his way back to the Academy along the same route. Instead of heading straight to his target, Fu Qian, using the information on his identity card, first located the Heavens Commencement Institute. The reason was simple: he had no concept of the Academysyout. Even if he wanted to disturb Li Weixuan, at the very least he needed to know where Li was in seclusion. The core area of the Heavens Commencement Institute was an exceptionally grand three-story building. And almost the moment he entered, Fu Qian detected something abnormal. This smell! Fu Qian sniffed the thick, pungent odor in the air, somewhat surprised. For some reason, it even felt familiar. As he walked briskly, Fu Qian searched his memories. A few secondster, he finally remembered where he had encountered the smell beforethe underground storage area of the Shangjing Night Watchmen Base, that special corpse. Because the Thorn Blood had been removed, the corpse had mutated, stinking up the entire storage area and forcing Yuan Shan to personally supervise down there. The Night Watchman hadnt disposed of it, but had the Heavens Commencement Institute taken it for scientific research? Those people really had no taboos; no wonder their reputation was poor. Fu Qian recalled the earnest admonitions from Lanaia he had heard on the way. Though officially a unified institution, the Academy was actually a collective of several organizations with not so tight connections, each with its own philosophy and characteristics. Unlike the Swordsmanship Department, which advocated Sword Dao cultivation, the Heavens Commencement Institute, as the name suggests, was almost entirelyposed of individuals who had directly awakened their powers, much like Wen Li. As a result, the people of Heavens Commencement had little reverence for Transcendent powers, rather viewing the human body as a fascinating construct. They were not only keen on researching the origins of special abilities but even attempted to decode and replicate them. This philosophy waspletely different from that of the Swordsmanship Department, which ces great emphasis on spiritual and physical cultivation, hence the usual discord between them. Under such circumstances, was it not asking for trouble to mingle with the people of the Sword Pavilion? They regarded cultivation as akin to the heavenly path; would they tolerate you treating them like experimental subjects? Remembering Lanaias words, Fu Qian quickly located his office and went through the necessary documents. These included, but were not limited to, theyout of the Swordsmanship Department, the Sword Pavilions open schedule, and so on. It must be said, the task Lanaia had given him was somewhat troublesome. After all, the Academys investigation had officially concluded that Li Weixuan was in secluded cultivation and had not responded. Approaching him now, iming to clear his name required a look inside, was likely to be futile. However, both Lanaias request and his own mission warranted verification. Moreover, the sooner the better. Fortunately, on his way, Fu Qian had alreadye up with an idea. After confirming that the Sword Pavilion was still open, he made some quick preparations and set out. Chapter 159 - 158: Sword Hearts Legacy (Part 5)_1 Chapter 159: Chapter 158: Sword Hearts Legacy (Part 5)_1 In times of crisis, extraordinary measures must be employed. Lanaia explicitly mentioned that I should find Director Li to report, which clearly means that I must see him in person. Once the n was confirmed, Fu Qian wasted no time and headed straight for the Swordsmanship Departments territory. Although each department is a separate system, under normal circumstances they can stillmunicate with each other; thats why Fu Qian could run straight to the entrance of the Sword Pavilion. However, core areas like the interior of the Sword Pavilion are not open to the public. Even when he had obtained a set of clothes before, he only moved around on the periphery. At this moment, most of the students were still at the Sword Pavilion, meditating and contemting, so the inside of the Swordsmanship Department was quite quiet. I must say,pared to the vibe of Heavens Commencement Institute, this ce feelspletely different. I left in a hurryst time and didnt observe carefully. The Heavens Commencement Institute is basically like argeboratory, with a very modernyout. The Swordsmanship Department, on the other hand, has beautifully crafted buildings and is full of charm, inexplicably reminding one of the concept of swordsmanship and Enlightenment. Looking around as he walked, Fu Qian quickly found a secluded spot. Seeing no one around, Fu Qian first put on the clothes again, then closed his eyes. He recalled the students he had encountered before in the Sword Pavilion and chose the most inconspicuous one of them all. The next moment, his facial features started to change rapidly, and in less than half a minute, he had adopted apletely different appearance. After days of practice, Fu Qians skill in changing faces had be impable. As long as he had seen the person, he could generally imitate them to a high degree of uracy. ording to the data checked before, the Sword Pavilion opens once a year, each time for seven days, with five hours allowed for entry each day. Considering this rare opportunity and the fact that it wasnt over yet, very few students were willing toe out. So no matter who he became, the chances of running into the actual person were slim. All he had to do was take advantage of this time to sneak in quietly and find out where Li Weixuan was in retreat. Everything went very smoothly. After changing his appearance, Fu Qian quickly blended into the core area of the Swordsmanship Department, and began to search for Li Weixuans secluded spot. Having roughly confirmed his direction and seeing his destination right before his eyes, Fu Qian caught sight of an unexpected person. Ji Liushuang, why was she here? This former teammate was walking slowly ahead, appearing somewhat distracted. On such an important day when the Sword Pavilion is open, arent you, the diligent student, supposed to be immersed in deep contemtion and understanding? Instead, youre here cking off? Although it was odd to see Ji Liushuang here, Fu Qian wasnt interested in finding out why; he had serious business to tend to. Concealing his presence and maintaining an unhurried pace, Fu Qian casually walked forward, soon passing by Ji Liushuang. Hmm? However, just as he brushed past her, Fu Qian felt a surge of aura lock onto him. The previously distracted Ji Liushuang suddenly looked up, as if she had realized something. Stop, who are you? Ji Liushuangs icy voice came from behind. You have some exaggerated ability there, to recognize me like this? Fu Qian stopped, turned around slowly, and looked at Ji Liushuang. At this point, the uncertainty in her eyes had vanished, and she was staring at him with a severe gaze. Youre not Tong Minghui.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Who are you? Why are you impersonating a Swordsmanship Department student to sneak in here? Fu Qian saw that Ji Liushuang was already holding the Sword Bell in her hand, ready to activate it at a moments discord. From previous encounters, this sister could be described as resolute in her actions; this gesture was not just for intimidation. If he gave any suspicious answer, she would definitely call others over. And being discovered in this guise would undoubtedly lead to some trouble. Killing to silence her? No need for that! Fu Qian thought for a moment, then wiped his hand across his face, reverting to his original appearance. As expected, Ji Liushuangs gaze remained puzzled; this face waspletely unfamiliar to her. It seems that due to the Angel of Comfort, the identity of Fu Qian as a student had been thoroughly erased. Not recognizing him was good, it gave him plenty of room to improvise. s! Fu Qian didnt answer Ji Liushuangs question but instead let out a long, wistful sigh. I had only nned to take a nce before leaving. Liushuang, truly a beautiful name. He looked at Ji Liushuang with a gaze that was deeply affectionate yet filled with regret. Time flies so quickly, youve grown so much. Your mother is she doing well? Upon hearing Fu Qians words, Ji Liushuang was clearly confused, not expecting this man to inquire about her mother. Who who are you, exactly? Although Ji Liushuang still frowned, her tone had slowed down. Fu Qian still didnt answer her, instead, he looked her up and down, his face full of emotion. I never imagined she would actually name you Liushuang! She used to love that flower so much, always wandering off in the moonlight, impossible to call back. Back then, I joked about using it as a name for our child someday, but I never thought shed take it seriously. Its working! Observing the bewildered Ji Liushuang, Fu Qian silently nodded. Not long ago, when he used the Messenger mask to enter this world, he had spent an afternoon in a bookstore. During that time, he casually gathered information about this world and spotted the name of his former teammate in a piece of gossip news. Thergest financial conglomerate of the Federation, with Ji Xue as the eldest princess holding the first right of inheritance, had run away from home dissatisfied with the marriage arranged by her family and had returned yearster with a baby. Although the Ji Familyter acknowledged this child, they still saw it as a great humiliation and confined Ji Xue to the house ever since, with very few appearances. That baby was Ji Liushuang, and the identity of her father remained unknown to this day. These details, coupled with the wish she had mentioned in the Angel of Comfort, were enough to bluff her. I even made a special trip to the Sword Pavilion just now, but unfortunately, I was driven out before I could find you. Fu Qians face held a relieved smile. I wasnt convinced, so I snuck back in luckily I did! Ji Liushuang waspletely bewildered. With this narrative, was he implying that he was her father? He looked even younger than her, which was absurd! Yet he knew about her mothers liking for Frost Blooms and even her moonlit walks. Is it because of how I look? As if realizing something, Fu Qian gestured across his face. Its just a little sorcery that makes me appear younger than I actually am, especially to those from the Swordsmanship Department. Youre doing well now very well. Fu Qian gazed at Ji Liushuang with deep affection. For some reason, he felt that she had gained something extra since theirst meeting. Chapter 160 - 159 Sword Hearts Legacy (Six)_1 Chapter 160: Chapter 159 Sword Hearts Legacy (Six)_1 In fact, Fu Qian also found it strange. Compared to when they hadst met, the Ji Liushuang before him had clearly progressed, but strictly speaking, her strength had still not broken through the Sixth Phase, a major realms difference from his own. With his deliberate disguise, it was highly unlikely for her to notice. Not to mention in such a distracted state. In any case, this isnt a ce you should be. After being stunned by Fu Qians words for a long while, Ji Liushuang finally regained herposure a bit. Lets talk outside. Alright! Fu Qian did not refuse her suggestion.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om In his current state, continuing to Li Weixuan was impossible. And when Ji Liushuang spoke those words, she had not even put down the Sword Bell in her hand. Ji Liushuang wasnt foolish; her earlier words could only temporarily bamboozle her, any anomaly would be detected by her. However, it wasnt an entirely fruitless endeavor, Ji Liushuangs condition was rather unique, which could be studied opportunistically. Thus, Fu Qian, as if possessed by the spirit of an Academy Award-winning actor, followed Ji Liushuang outside with a gaze full of tender love. You should take off your clothes first, otherwise it would be troublesome if someone spotted us. Only at this moment did Ji Liushuang appear to rx slightly and stored away the Sword Bell. Its alright here. Fu Qian smiled, but still took out the items from his pocket as told and threw his clothes to the side. I am now an instructor at Heavens Commencement Institute, so its no problem for me toe here. He waved the card in his hand. An instructor at Heavens Commencement Institute Ji Liushuang was stunned again. This man, iming to be her father, was actually an instructor at the Academy? But if it was true, it did prove what he said C with the many methods of Heavens Commencement Institute, maintaining a youthful appearance was not difficult. Sometimes, life is just that mysterious. For example, you leave the house fine and well in the morning, and halfway there, you suddenly gain a father. Seeing Ji Liushuangsplex expression as she conversed, and her intentional avoidance of eye contact with him, Fu Qianughed and exined, deliberately making his motives sound vague. I havent been with the Academy for long, and today is undeniably the happiest day for me. I actually wasnt nning on speaking to you, I just wanted to take a nce You dont need to rush to say anything. That said, how did you recognize me? I am quite confident in my disguise. Fu Qian feigned curiosity, pretending to change the subject to avoid awkwardness. Actually, I dont know either. After a long silence, Ji Liushuang finally shook her head and spoke. The truth is, Im not really familiar with Tong Minghui; I also couldnt see through your disguise. But I just knew it wasnt him when I saw you. Is it really that mystical? Is there any logic left! After hearing Ji Liushuangs response, Fu Qian silently marveled in his heart and thought of another question. Isnt the Sword Pavilion open today? Why didnt you participate? I did participate, I just left early, thats all. Ji Liushuang sighed silently, speaking softly as if suddenly remembering something. You just said you went to the Sword Pavilion? Yes! Fu Qian nodded with a smile, not exining why. Its a pity I was only inside for a short while before I was kicked out. I didnt even ascend to the second floor. Upon hearing this, Ji Liushuang uttered a low oh, and after a moment of silence, Im on the fourth floor, you definitely wont be able to see me. Fourth floor? Hadnt that careless guard said only up to the third floor was allowed? Fu Qian thought for a moment, guessing that this was probably a privilege extended to this excellent student. Today, while meditating in the Sword Pavilion, I suddenly felt unwell. Whether she wanted to divert attention or was eager to confide, Ji Liushuang continued speaking. I felt indescribably tired all of a sudden, my head in a haze, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldnt concentrate on the sword anymore. I persisted for a while, but there was no improvement, so I decided to walk outside. Before I knew it, I ended up here, and then I saw you. Ji Liushuang nced at Fu Qian, her emotions unreadable. So when you asked me how I knew, the answer is I didnt know. In fact, because my mind was so foggy, I didnt even notice you, but when you walked past me, something just felt off. It was as if a voice was telling me theres something wrong with this person. A voice speaking? Ji Liushuangs description piqued Fu Qians interest. But if this is the so-called Sword Intent, it seems a bit too absurd. Ji Liushuang gave a somewhat mncholic smile. What exactly is Sword Intent? Seeing her enthusiasm for the topic, Fu Qian remembered his mission and wasnt too proud to ask. However, to Ji Liushuang, Fu Qians question seemed like he was just going along with the conversation, and she didnt point it out. Sword Intent is a concept in Sword Dao cultivation. From the first day, every instructor has told us, Sword in hand, but more importantly, sword in heart. Only by rifying ones heart and seeing ones true nature can one find their true meaning of Sword Dao, which is Sword Intent. Sword Intent isnt bound by ones cultivation level, it can beprehended and nurtured at any stage. Once its understood, it signifies finding the path to ones own Demigod Path. Although it sounded a bit esoteric, there didnt seem to be any major problems with the exnation. Sword Intent represents the Demigod Path, which now made the emphasis ced on ess to the Sword Pavilion understandable. As Fu Qian pondered, he observed Ji Liushuang. The feeling became clearerthat she indeed had something more about her, some change that affected her entire being. To put it more artistically, she inexplicably had an aura of the immortalor demonic. Sword Intent, Sword Heart? Considering his mission, could it be that Ji Liushuang was the actual target of his journey? Apart from a faint non-human aura, there was nothing obviously malevolent about her so far. If theres nothing else, you should go back first. Ji Liushuang looked up into the distance, her face suddenly turning cold as she turned back to squarely face Fu Qian for the first time. Ill regard what you said just now as unheard, and you shouldnt mention it to anyone either. Ill be leaving soon. Although Ji Liushuang spoke unkindly, Fu Qian did not show any displeasure. Following her gaze, Fu Qian immediately understood why she wanted him to leave. A long queue was approaching from afar, every individual dressed in the Swordsmanship Department uniform. The time hade, the Sword Pavilion was now closed, todays meditation had ended. Whether Ji Liushuang believed his earlier bluster or not, she certainly did not want others to witness the scene before them. From a distance, the students disyed varied expressions after a day of meditation. Silence, excitement, exhaustionthe emotionallyplex crowd quickly approached. The students immediately noticed Ji Liushuang and Fu Qian standing there and cast questioning looks. Liushuang, are you alright? What happened to you just now? At the forefront of the queue, Yuan Xin from earlier took the lead, looking at Ji Liushuang with concern. Chapter 161 - 160: Sword Heart鈥檚 Legacy (VII)_1 Chapter 161: Chapter 160: Sword Hearts Legacy (VII)_1 Im okay Facing Yuan Xin and the others greetings, Ji Liushuang slowly shook her head, indicating that she was fine. Just a bit tired, came out for a rest. She shot Fu Qian a stealthy nce, somewhat displeased with him for dallying and not leaving before the others arrived. Thats good then! With Ji Liushuang saying this, the others felt it wasnt right to probe further and simultaneously turned their gaze towards Fu Qian. Who is this person? Aplete stranger. They would never believe that the always diligent and hardworking Ji Liushuang woulde out to rest at this time. Ji Liushuang actually skipped the opening of the Sword Pavilion to meet this guy? And judging by Ji Liushuangs expression, it was clear the conversation wasnt too pleasant. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Who might this be? Yuan Xin scanned Fu Qians face a few times. He is Ji Liushuang looked at Fu Qian, momentarily unsure how to respond. She didnt want to believe a word of what Fu Qian had said earlier, but some of it she couldnt tly deny. I am who? Seeing Ji Liushuang hesitate, Fu Qian snorted, his expression suddenly haughty. And who are you? Cant you see that Liushuang and I are in the middle of a conversation? With Fu Qians familiar call, Yuan Xin frowned even more at this moment. Liushuang, its too bad you werent there just now, you missed an exciting moment! At this point another female student stepped forward to break the awkwardness, speaking to Ji Liushuang. An exciting moment Did youprehend Sword Intent? Ji Liushuang was initially taken aback and looked the girl up and down. How could it be me! The girlughed, covering her mouth, and pointed towards Yuan Xin. Just now, this person had an epiphany, a sessful insight. Really? Ji Liushuang looked at Yuan Xin and noticed something indeed different about him. Its just a seedling at this point, still far from true Sword Intent. Yuan Xin tried to maintain hisposure, but the sparkle in his eyes was hard to conceal. He had always trailed behind Ji Liushuang in talent and realm. Being a step ahead this time made him feel quite ted. This ones even more noteworthy! At this moment, Fu Qian was also observing the newly enlightened talent, internally clicking his tongue in admiration. Compared to the anomaly on Ji Liushuang, this one was much more obvious. Although his realm was even somewhat inferior, every move he made carried a hint of cold air. Is this Sword Intent? The malevolent energy seems a bit heavy! As an expert in transcending the flesh, Fu Qian was extremely sensitive to certain things. This persons Sword Intent, although it appeared to be of extreme cold and frost, was in essence closer to eradicating the vitality of life, quite malevolent in nature. Congrattions. Ji Liushuang struggled to contain her emotions, extending congrattions to Yuan Xin. Although the Sword Pavilion opened annually, out of the many students each year, very few truly understood Sword Intent. Being one of the most favored in this cohort, Ji Liushuang couldnt help feeling emotionallyplex. Ah! I think Ive seen you, werent you just at the Sword Pavilion? Someone suddenly remembered something and pointed at Fu Qian, surprised. Yes, thats right! I was looking for someone. Fu Qian casually admitted, ncing at Ji Liushuang in passing. Indeed This action, in the eyes of others, quickly offered an exnation for a few matters. This person had gone to look for Ji Liushuang, but was unfortunately turned away before he could find her. And knowing this, Ji Liushuang didnt even bother withprehending Sword Intent and came straight out to meet him. These two must have a more than ordinary rtionship! In an instant, the crowds gazes carried ambiguous and inexplicable meanings. Sword Intent, huh? Thats quite an interesting thing, Seeing Ji Liushuangs rigid expression, Fu Qian suddenly spoke to Yuan Xin. Could you thrust your sword at me, so I can have a look? Thrust your sword at you? Yuan Xin clearly hadnt expected Fu Qian to say that. But as a yer who had just acquired a new skill, having someone volunteer to test it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Dont worry, I wont fight back, Fu Qian said, while he casually ced his hands behind his back, appearing like a father standing up for his daughter. Now, not only the onlookers but also Ji Liushuangs gaze flickered. Of course, only Fu Qian knew that he genuinely wanted to confirm whether there was anything unusual about this Sword Intent. From the current situation, it was very likely that theprehension of this Sword Intent was rted to a task. Then I beg your pardon, Seeing Fu Qians attitude, Yuan Xin felt displeased and immediately snorted, his hand resting on his waist. He certainly wouldnt hurt anyone here, but showing off a bit was still eptable. The next moment, his body was enveloped in a chill aura, and the light around him seemed to darken. Ji Liushuang, already in a bad mood and intending to walk away, found that the two men started too quickly and reluctantly stopped to watch. Almost instantly, Yuan Xins sword reached in front of Fu Qian. The chilling aura attached to it almost turned the de ink-ck. The next moment, the swords edge was firmly mped between two fingers and could no longer move. This? The scene before them left not only Yuan Xin but also the surrounding crowd stunned. The power of this sword was definitely of the Middle Tier standard. Seeing Yuan Xin freeze before trying to withdraw his sword, Fu Qian thoughtfully released his fingers. Although the speed and strength were mediocre, the aura of withering and decline that came with it was quite intriguing. If it had been anyone else, those two fingers would likely be drained of flesh and blood by now. Not bad, Fu Qian first expressed his approval and then turned to Ji Liushuang. Why dont you just transfer to Heavens Commencement Institute? Ji Liushuang was rendered speechless by Fu Qians unexpected suggestion, ncing down at his hands. His fingers were unscathed, showing no signs of change. Without saying anything more, she turned and walked away. A confident strike, easily caught, followed by mockery. Add to that the exhaustion from that one sword move, Yuan Xins face was a mixture of blue and white. His high spirit was crushed by a harsh blow, and the feeling was certainly unpleasant. But Fu Qian hardly cared what he was thinking, leaving a thoroughly mockingment before walking away. After leaving the Swordsmanship Department, he quickly contacted Lanaia. How are things on your end? Lanaia asked directly, sounding displeased. Have you seen Li Weixuan? I know it will be difficult, but you must confirm it. As long as Li Weixuan is fine, Im out of here, and wont have to put up with this bullshit any longer. Things might not be that straightforward, Fu Qian finally spoke after she finished her rant. I think we need to widen the scope of our investigation. What? Lanaia was clearly stunned on the other end of the line. The students of this batch are extraordinarily talented, Fu Qian recounted his exchange with Yuan Xin. That sword move was indeed mediocre in power, but with further refinement, it may very well kill a Fifth Phase in one blow. Is that so Lanaia was silent for a long time before letting out a long sigh. Thisplicates things. Chapter 162 - 161: Sword Heart鈥檚 Legacy (8)_1 Chapter 162: Chapter 161: Sword Hearts Legacy (8)_1 You dont need toe over for now, wait over there until I notify you. The news brought by Fu Qian was clearly not good. Lanaias emotions became even heavier for a moment before she gave an instruction after a long silence. It seems theres no progress with the tracking over there! Fu Qian thought to himself silently. Investigating student information wouldnt face too much resistance, but given therge number of people, it was impossible to be too quick, so Fu Qian decided to go back and rest first. Speaking of which, this Sword Intent is simply a bug, just a basic understanding can enable a low-level Transcendent to possess strength transcending their tier, even clearing obstacles on the Demigod Path. The perfect Child of Destiny temte, Fu Qian now fully understood the reason for Swordsmanship Departments prosperity. Although by proportion the odds arent very high, no one hates winning the lottery, especially when routine cultivation isnt bad either. Two hourster, Fu Qian received notification from Lanaia. I asked someone from the Swordsmanship Department, and checked the information of all the students. The head of the Punishment Department spoke quickly from the other side. With so many people, its quite difficult to keep track of their movements. Considering that the Sword Pavilion is open, I had them check the entry and exit records of the Sword Pavilion. Now, it seems that a student named Ruan Shuo is somewhat suspicious, as he left the Sword Pavilion much earlier today. Next, I need you to confirm two things, one is whether he is currently at the Academy, and the second is to check if there are any suspicious Transcendent materials at his residence. Transcendent materials dont mean much, right? If I were him, I wouldnt possibly bring so much stuff back. It would work to just dig a hole nearby and bury it. Fu Qian said directly. Of course I know that but right now, the Swordsmanship Department has a lot ofints against us. It would be best if we could find some evidence. In fact, this time you cant even act alone. The Swordsmanship Department has requested to participate in the investigation, and someone should being to find you shortly. I understand. Fu Qian wasnt surprised by this at all. With the situation having developed to this point, no matter the reason, the Swordsmanship Department would definitely want to take control. Thats the basic situation, contact me anytime if you have questions. Lanaia sighed from the other end. I hope your suspicion is wrong As it turned out, the people from the Swordsmanship Department arrived very quickly. Less than half an hour after Lanaia finished exining, there was a knock on the door. Come in. Fu Qian answered, and the door was slowly pushed open, and a man walked in. The neer was about forty years old and not wearing the iconic uniform of the Swordsmanship Department. Instead, he wore a well-tailored smoke-gray overcoat,plemented by meticulously groomed hair, giving off a serene yet sharp vibe. Only, the overcoat brother seemed to wear a somewhat displeased expression. Professor Fu Qian? I am Jian Jingzheng from the Swordsmanship Department. The overcoat brother sized up Fu Qian from top to bottom. I heard that one of our students is suspected ofmitting a murder outside, and Ivee to assist in the investigation. Alright, just remember to follow mymandster. Fu Qian said nonchntly, unfazed by the mans attitude. Jian Jingzhengs eyelid twitched. Theres no time to lose, lets set off now. The air here at Heavens Commencement Institute is indeed rather refreshing. The man exaggeratedly took a deep breath. You dont understand, this is the stench of Demigod! Fu Qian nced at him, aware that the Swordsmanship Department had always looked down upon Heavens Commencement Institute. If he remembered correctly, the man had even disdainfully dusted off his clothes upon entering. Lead by Jian Jingzheng, Fu Qian returned to the Swordsmanship Department area and headed straight for the student residence area. Although the Sword Pavilion had closed, there were still not many people outside. Most of the students were either resting or digesting the insights gained from today. Better be quick, I do not wish to disturb the students rest, though it seems Professor Fu quite enjoys disturbances Thats quite a pointed remark, is it because of Ji Liushuangs affair? This is not surprising, with so many onlookers before, it wouldnt be odd for a gossipy instructor to be in the know. And clearly, this one holds a considerable bias against Heavens Commence Institute. Even on the way here, he spent most of the time eyeing my face. As everyone knows, many of the research fanatics at Heavens Commence Institute like to experiment on their own bodies, leading to arge number with unconventional appearances. And my excessively young face easily leads to spection about unconventional practices. Rest assured, I am very efficient. Fu Qian smiled mysteriously, indicating to Jian Jingzheng to go knock on the door. Jian Jingzheng clearly resented being ordered around by Fu Qian, but unfortunately, he had no reason to refuse and approached Ruan Shuos door with a poker face. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om The door opened almost immediately, and a sunny-looking young man poked his head out, surprised to see Jian Jingzheng. Professor Jian, do you need me for something? Not me, but Professor Fu does. Jian Jingzheng nced at Fu Qian and walked straight into the room. Ruan Shuo, looking puzzled, watched theme in, and Fu Qian also entered. Ruan, it seems you havent been very diligent today! After sitting down, Fu Qian watched Ruan Shuo with a smile. You mean Ruan Shuo was initially baffled, then suddenly understood. Youre referring to me leaving early, right? Speaking of that, Ive been feeling upset about it. This is my third year entering the Sword Pavilion, and I nned to give it my all, but I soon felt distracted and unable to concentrate. Forcing myself to settle down even caused some turmoil in my qi and blood, and eventually, I had no choice but to leave early. Ruan Shuo looked frustrated. I came back to rest for a while, and only then did I start to feel a bit better. Theres no need to be upset, what you did was right. After hearing Ruan Shuos exnation, Jian Jingzheng said directly. When immersing in the Sword Dao, one must avoid impatience and agitation, or youll harm both body and spirit. Its reasonable to take a break when necessary. After he finished speaking, he turned his head to look at Fu Qian, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. Professor Fu, would you like to search for Transcendent materials? The guy was obviously trying to tease him. Fu Qian nced around. Ruan Shuos room was notrge, and the arrangement was quite ordinary. At first nce, the chance of hiding two warehouses worth of materials was virtually zero. Sure, check carefully and dont overlook any corner. Fu Qian waved his hand, signaling Jian Jingzheng to take a look around. Seeing Fu Qian taking advantage of the situation to order him around again, Jian Jingzheng couldnt help feeling a surge of anger. Professor Jian, I dont understand Ruan Shuo looked innocently puzzled on the side. Whats there not to understand. Jian Jingzheng snorted coldly. Professor Fu suspects you of raiding two warehouses and killing the guards and hase to have you assist with the investigation. Ignoring Ruan Shuo, who was petrified after hearing this, he turned to look at Fu Qian again. Professor Fu, I think the situation is quite clear now? Should we go report to Lanaia? Its about time. Fu Qian looked at Ruan Shuo with a smile and pinched his fingers. Ruan, are you ready to die? What are you trying to do Completely unexpected by Jian Jingzheng, the palpable killing intent from Fu Qian made him stand up instinctively. However, before he could finish his query, his body shook and he was flung out of the room. Chapter 163 - 162 Sword Hearts Legacy (Nine)_1 Chapter 163: Chapter 162 Sword Hearts Legacy (Nine)_1 Fu Qians audacity toy his hands on me is beyondprehension. The subconscious attempt to dodge proved futile as Jian Jingzheng felt an overwhelming force propel him through the air, crashing straight into a wall. Instructor Jian. Ruan Shuo cried out in shock, watching as Fu Qian staggered back repeatedly. Are you insane? Insane? Fu Qian stepped forward, a sh of crimson vanishing from his hand as swiftly as it appeared. Youll soon find out whos insane. Crack! Facing the Tyrants Fist, Ruan Shuo exerted his full strength but still failed to dodge, getting grazed on the back of his hand. Fu Qian did not hesitate tosh out with another whip. Do you wish for death that badly? The next moment, Ruan Shuos body suddenly elerated, avoiding the strike and slowly lifting his head, his tonepletely altered. His face no longer exhibited any trace of panic, reced instead by a towering killing intent amidst madness. You see, its better to be honest. This time, Fu Qian did not pursue further. Talking like that a moment ago, it made you feel sick, didnt it? Yeah, honesty is the best policy. Ruan Shuo emitted a low, cold chuckle, a long sword appearing in his hand. For example all of you are going to die today! Not only that, his body began to crack audibly as his limbs stretched out unnaturally. Once the transformation wasplete, every part of him seemed to be a de, and at a nce, he resembled a bloodthirsty mantis. Interesting, the feeling of being an incarnation of pure ughter. Fu Qian stood still, letting Ruan Shuo stretch out his body, observing andmenting simultaneously. Looking at this, did you throw away all those supplies in the warehouse? Your true goal was to kill, wasnt it? Taking those supplies was just to divert attention, correct? Exactly! I live to serve the Sword Dao, why would I need that trash? Ruan Shuo gazed at the sword in his hand with an obsessive look. This is the true Sword Dao, and every act of ughter fuels my growth. You all are I see! Fu Qian pondered for a few seconds, then pointed to Jian Jingzheng standing by the wall. Thetter was staring nkly over here, with a life-questioning look on his face. As you wish, I wont stop you. This was no idle talk, Fu Qian truly wanted to witness the process of Sword Intents growth. Regrettably, Ruan Shuo was clearly not appreciative. Dont worry, none of you will escape! After a bout of maniacalughter, he still charged toward Fu Qian, sword in hand. Ruan Shuos strikes were sharper than those seen in the video, each one as fast as lightning and filled with a destructive, murderous aura. Just as he had said, killing was making him grow stronger. What a pity, still, it was far from enough. Fu Qian easily sidestepped an attack intended to disembowel him. To him, such strikes were merely capable of causing injury. Moreover, with his current vitality, even a couple of lethal strikes wouldnt be much of an issue. Undeterred by the miss, Ruan Shuos actions became even more frenzied. Unlike Yuan Xin, his Sword Intent had no strange powers attached; it simply increased speed and power. The mutations in his limbs allowed him to effortlessly perform all sorts of unthinkable movements andunch attacks from any angle. Fu Qian didnt rush to finish him off but instead opted for close-quartersbat. With each flicker of crimson, his Tyrants Fist activated repeatedly, whipping Ruan Shuo over and over. Die, die, die, die! As the strikes umted from the Tyrants Fist, Ruan Shuos voice grew almost beastly. `n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Yet even so, his attacks remained swift and methodical, adhering to the most efficient patterns of destruction. It was as if the one controlling his body wasnt him, but ughter itself. k! After Fu Qian dodged another frenzied sh, the moment they passed by each other, a gash suddenly opened under Ruan Shuos left rib. A gaunt long w shed out like lightning, holding a pitch-ck dagger and stabbing towards Fu Qians waist. A third hand? This sudden strike elicited a cry of rm even from Jian Jingzheng standing nearby. His strength was insufficient, and he had been injured; no matter how annoying it could be, if Fu Qian truly fell, his own survival would be extremely unlikely. Unfortunately for them, Fu Qian had never treated Ruan Shuo as a normal human from the start. Although the attack was hidden, it was far from a finishing move. However, Fu Qian did not dodge the sinister strike; instead, he let the dagger bury itself into his body. Blood sprayed. Fu Qian grunted and grabbed the gaunt long w, then yanked it fiercely. Ruan Shuo screamed as the w was brutally torn off. Without hesitation, Fu Qian exploited the wound left by the w to unleash a Visceral Critical Strike. His mission was to Destroy the Legacy of the Sword Heart. If Ruan Shuo was truly the target, then eliminating him outright was the only logical course of action; capturing him alive was out of the question. Killing someone on the grounds of the Swordsmanship Department and sustaining injuries made the act appear more natural. Boom! In a stter of blood, Ruan Shuos chest cavity was nearly hollowed out by the blow. Yet even with such a wound, Ruan Shuo did not fall. He even attempted to behead Fu Qian with a backsh of his longsword. Too bad for him, in the next moment his head was grasped by a hand. Amidst the crisp sound of breaking bones, brain matter and blood sttered. Ruan Shuo shuddered, and his body finally ceased moving, copsing limply into a heap. It seems that its not necessarily you who is growing. Fu Qian shook his head and sighed. He was now even more certain that there was something wrong with Sword Intent. On one hand, still being able to move despite fatal injuries was beyond human capacity. On the other, this individual, who had been struck by the Tyrants Fist no less than twenty times causing his consciousness to copse, still managed precise attacks, and even a sneak attack using a third handthis was definitely not normal. Ruan Shuo had died long ago; what Fu Qian was facing at the end was probably another entity. This coincidentally matched with the requirements of his mission. Regrettably, after waiting half a minute, the prompt forpletion of containment did not appear. It was proven that this was not his target. Ah, as expected! Fu Qian shook his head and nced at Jian Jingzheng, who was staring nkly at the bloody scene. The target has been eliminated, you can start writing the report now. I admit it. After a long silence, Jian Jingzheng swallowed hard, his voice hoarse. I misjudged this time, I didnt expect Ruan Shuo to have already lost himself to madness. Even though you noticed something was off, you should havemunicated with me instead of acting rashly. You should be grateful that your judgment was correct, or you would have faced serious trouble today. Who said I had figured it out? Fu Qian looked at him in confusion. This guys disguise was quite good, I was just bluffing just now. You didnt notice? Jian Jingzheng was dumbfounded, then almost spurted out blood. You didnt notice anything! You just attacked to scare off the snake! You directly attacked an Academy Instructor? Yeah. Fu Qian didnt even look at him. If you feel aggrieved, go cry to Li Weixuan and let him seek justice for you. Chapter 164 - 163: Sword Heart鈥檚 Legacy (10)_1 Chapter 164: Chapter 163: Sword Hearts Legacy (10)_1 Ignoring Jian Jingzheng who was shaking with unrestrained anger, Fu Qian wiped the bloodstains off his hands and pushed the door open to leave. What he said earlier was the truth; Ruan Shuo had hidden himself really well. Unlike Yuan Xin from before, Ruan Shuo didnt have any hint of a killing aura about him. Until his disguise was exposed, Fu Qian had only felt that there was something extra about him, something that didnt quite match the ferocious sword energy in the video. The only certainty at that time was that he hadnt left the Sword Pavilion empty-handed and had concealed that fact. However, Jian Jingzhengs attitude essentially represented the stance of the Swordsmanship Department on this matter, openly dissatisfied with having their student suspected, it was just a formality for him to show up. In such a situation, relying solely on this anomaly, expecting the Swordsmanship Department to thoroughly investigate was almost impossible. Given that no transcendent materials had been found, Ruan Shuo could probably dismiss it with any excuse he came up with. Although this mission hadnt set a time limit, based on past experiences, letting things drag on was never good. He didnt have the time to waste on these people; cutting the Gordian knot was the way to go, especially since Jian Jingzheng had been asking for a beating for a while now. If Li Weixuan really came out because of this to cause trouble for him, that would be just what he wished for; it provided him with an excellent opportunity to confirm whether this person was his target. By the time Fu Qian got outside, there were already many more people than before. Although the whole thing hadntsted more than a minute, Ruan Shuos cries had been quite loud, clearly attracting these students. Now a group of them looked at Fu Qian with both shock and suspicion, but none dared toe forward and interrogate him. Some had recognized him as the person who had spoken with Ji Liushuang. Gossip always spread quickly; by now, his identity as an instructor from Heavens Commencement Institute was well known. Problem solved. Without paying attention to the students, Fu Qian left straight away, finding a ce to contact Lanaia. To be honest, he was not in a good mood. Reality proved that although Ruan Shuo had caused quite a stir, he was not Fu Qians target. It was pretty much a futile effort. That quick! Lanaia was surprised by Fu Qians words. Hadnt it been less than an hour since theirst conversation? You confirmed its him? He admitted it himself. Its pretty much the story of a low-key genius practicing quietly, Fu Qian replied. Where is he now? Dead, he resisted desperately. Fu Qian briefly described what had happened. Youll have a detailed report from the Swordsmanship Department soon. Listening to Fu Qians description, Lanaia fell into a long silence, feeling an immense headache. Confirming the real culprit was good, but the fact that the culprit was an Academy student and now a corpse was problematic, especially considering the hassle that was now sure to ensue. Although Fu Qian made it sound easy, the process was probably anything but. Given the circumstances, I need you toe over here, Lanaia finally said after giving it some thought. Telling Jia Yi, simply that the person had been found but was now dead, wouldnt suffice. For an incident like this, it was better for Fu Qian, the eyewitness, toe and give an exnation. A trip over there? To be frank, Fu Qian didnt care how Lanaiamunicated with Jia Yi, but since she had asked Sure. When Fu Qian met Lanaia again, she had a rather strange expression on her face. Apparently, she had already received the report. You really went too far! Lanaia stared at Fu Qian as if he were an alien. Killing someone without any evidence, and you even injured Jian Jingzheng who tried to stop you? Do you know how many crimes that guy listed against you in the report? Cruel methods, brutal by nature I didnt mean to kill Ruan Shuo on purpose. Fu Qian pointed at his body. He must have mentioned I was stabbed, right? Though that guy is a bit petty, he hasnt got the guts to hide that. Lanaia nodded. How is your injury? Almost healed. Fu Qian patted near his wound, indicating there was no need to worry. In fact, with his constitution, had he not deliberately suppressed the speed of recovery, there probably wouldnt even be a scar visible by now. Even so, the wound was nearly healed. But that didnt mean Ruan Shuos sneak attack wasnt serious. The dagger was not only sharp, but it was also clearly poisonedanyone else would have been down long ago. Thats good then! Lanaia, seeing that Fu Qian didnt appear to be too seriously hurt, finally eased her mind. Still, try not to let things like this happen in the future, it makes you an easy target for criticism. Yeah, I tend to be impulsive, Im still regretting it now, Fu Qian said casually. Teacher Jian Jingzheng should be okay, right? Ill find a time to visit and apologize. Do you look the least bit regretful? Lanaia red at him unamusedly. Given Jian Jingzhengs personality, backstabbing through gossip was one thing, but whether he would dare to show his face if Fu Qian genuinely came to apologize was another unknown. Mr. Fu wants to tell me that a student of the Swordsmanship Department, not even Middle Tier, ughtered our two warehouse guards in a row? And the person died during the capture? I must say, I cannot exin such results to headquarters, and if this is the Academys attitude, then I have to consider involving the Night Watchman. In the meeting room, Jia Yi coldlyughed at Fu Qian, clearly dissatisfied with the investigation results. What are you implying? That the Academy would use a students life to gloss over things for you? Lanaia said, pping the table, clearly holding back a lot of anger. I didnt say that, Jia Yi retorted, unafraid of her. I just feel the investigation was rather hasty, with neither evidence nor testimony. Oh? At that moment, Fu Qian looked up at Jia Yi. Jia is right, being too hasty is indeed not good. Hey!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Lanaia stared at Fu Qian, wondering whose side he was on. So, for the sake of caution, shall I send you to personally question the student? What do you mean? Jia Yi was stunned for a moment before grasping Fu Qians implication, his face instantly turning pale. If anyone else had said this, he would have taken it as a threat. The problem was that he had just reviewed the Academys report, although it was a simplified version, and there wasnt much described about Fu Qians reprehensible actions. Still, he knew it was this person who had executed Ruan Shuo, even in front of the instructors from the Swordsmanship Department. This guy was definitely audacious and ruthless; predicting what he might do was difficult. Literal meaning. Watching Jia Yi silenced, Fu Qian no longer bothered with him. The fact was Jia thought a students life wasnt significant enough, and was worried about exining to the corporation. How important the truth was could be another story entirely. Frankly speaking, his concerns were not unreasonable. In Fu Qians view, no matter the oue of the investigation, the Yuan n wouldnt fall out with the Academy over something like this. But a less than perfect ident report might indeed lead to Jia Yi, the regional manager, being held ountable. Perhaps it was unfair, but when such a thing happened on your turf, the best move was to ept the bad luck. Bearing the brunt is part of the responsibility of a leader with no backing. Chapter 165 - 164 Sword Heart鈥檚 Legacy (11)_1 Chapter 165: Chapter 164 Sword Hearts Legacy (11)_1 This guy really is reckless! Lanaia wanted to say something but hesitated after hearing Fu Qian speak so directly. Indeed, Jia Yi was really annoying, but such a tant threat was definitely not good news if the Academy found out. Especially since they had already been reported by the Swordsmanship Department. But she had to admit, seeing Jia Yi, who had been snide for so long, unable to utter a word was oddly satisfying to her. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Mr. Jia, if theres no problem, then well head back to report. Lanaia stood up with a smile and didnt say much more. How exactly did you find out that Ruan Shuo was a problem? On the way back, Lanaia asked while driving. The report from Jian Jingzheng almost made you out to be a humanoid demon. Actually, it was just a guess, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Fu Qian exined the whole process in detail. A prolonged dispute with those people would probably be a lengthy process, so I chose a more efficient way of handling it. What if you guessed wrong, didnt you consider the consequences? If Im wrong, then Im wrong, Fu Qian said nonchntly. It was just a bluff, and I wouldnt really continue to make a move if there were no issues. Later I can just exin that Ive inhaled too many fumes from Heavens Commencement Institute and its made me a bit loopy. After all, Im working for the country; they cant arrest me, can they? Uh! Lanaia rubbed her forehead in silence. Alright, Ill try my best to coordinate things when I get back. But as far as I know, you might be called in for a talkter on. Youd better be prepared. Thanks. Speaking of which, I do have a question. Isnt this Sword Intent thing a bit too strong? Fu Qian clearly wasnt worried about the situation and voiced his main concern. That Ruan Shuo was only at the peak of Seventh Phase, yet after activating Sword Intent, his lethality was at least at a Fifth Phase level. Isnt this boost a bit unreasonable? I used to think the Swordsmanship Department was a bit bloated, but if they all have this kind of effect, there might not be enough people. Im not sure about that. Lanaia shook her head. After all, the rise of the Swordsmanship Department has been just in recent years. Sword Intent is indeed a marvelous thing, but it has always been elusive, and the number of people in the Swordsmanship Department who haveprehended it over the years hasnt exceeded double digits. That includes Li Weixuan, and I dont remember the power being so exaggerated at the time. Its only in the past few years that the number of people who have understood Sword Intent has started to increase. Something that was once elusive? Yet in just the past couple of days, he had encountered three instances himself, and the power was far greater than before. So did something special happen in thesest few years? How peculiar! As it turned out, Lanaias judgment was very urate. Fu Qian had not been back long when he received a notice asking him to go to a certain meeting room. When he arrived, he found a man and two women already seated on stage, one of them being a helpless-looking Lanaia. Jian Jingzheng sat off to the side looking dejected and red at him angrily. Professor Fu, we invited you here in rtion to recent events, said the woman with a serious face in the middle, gesturing for Fu Qian to take a seat before speaking directly. First, we want to thank you for your efforts in the investigation, but at the same time, you have been used of using violence and even assaulting other instructors. What we want to confirm is whether these descriptions are true? Hmm? Fu Qian nced at Jian Jingzheng, who instinctively averted his gaze. Yes, I did hit Mr. Jian, he admitted. The questioners expression cooled down. Since you admit it Its just that the process might not be the same as described by Mr. Jian. Fu Qian interrupted her. Im not sure what the usual style of the Swordsmanship Department is, but I acted against him because, knowing the student had issues, Teacher Jian tried to stop me from arresting the suspect, Nonsense! Are you using me of harboring a suspect? Upon hearing Fu Qian say this, Jian Jingzheng couldnt stay seated. Fu Qian snorted and didnt even nce at him. As someone who cant even use a sword, I was able to sense that something was off with Ruan Shuo. Do you mean to say that a man like Teacher Jian wouldnt notice it? No one would believe that if you said it, And would you deny, Teacher Jian, that when I asked you to confirm the traces of Transcendent materials, you didnt even bother to look and immediately dered there was no issue? Is that really what happened? The three on the stage looked at Jian Jingzheng almost simultaneously. Professor Jian, you didnt mention this in your report. I Jian Jingzhengs face turned white, then red. He hadnt checked at the time, that was true, but it wasnt because he was harboring anyone, as Fu Qian had suggested. In such a small ce, as long as one wasnt blind, it was clear at a nce; and moreover, he was not pleased with being ordered around by this person. He hadnt expected this oversight to be a handle for the other party to criticize him. Furthermore, has Professor Jian mentioned that when Ruan Shuo realized he was exposed, he didnt think about running away, but was ready to use both of us as a sacrifice for his sword? I dont know if allowing such a dangerous individual among the students was something Professor Jian wanted to see. The few people on the stage clearly had seen the footage provided by the Yuan n and knew of Ruan Shuos ferocity. Fu Qians actions might have been rash, but letting such a person mingle with students, the consequences were unimaginable. After exchanging looks, it was the woman in the middle who eventually spoke. Besides, you also violently threatened the person in charge of the Yuan n. As expected, Jia Yi hade toin. You could understand it as one of his few attempts at defying fate. Yes, I threatened him. Fu Qian admitted openly once again. CEO Jia was somewhat dragging his feet, and I believed that resolving theplication swiftly was in the Academys best interest. The three got the point directly. While the killer being one of the Academys own was a scenario nobody wanted to face, given the fact, the faster the oues were provided, the more the Academys attitude would be clear. The person in charges thought process wasnt hard to guess. By denying the Academys investigation results, essentially, he wanted to sacrifice the Academys credibility to vouch for himself. Alright, we understand this matter now. This topic was quickly closed. Lastly it seems someone mentioned you harassing a student? Ji Liushuang? Thats sheer nder! Fu Qian was indignant. She had doubts about her cultivation and sought my advice. Youre seeking advice from you, when youve just admitted you cant even wield a sword! What could Ji Liushuang possibly consult you on, beauty and skincare? Though based on the age listed in your data, you indeed seem to maintain yourself quite well. However, since the person involved hasntined, and nobody was injured, all they could do was give a reminder. Okay. After some discussion, the trio looked at Fu Qian. We understand the situation. Is there anything else youd like to say? Is it my turn now? Yes, there is. Fu Qians eyebrows twitched slightly. Could you possibly assign Ji Liushuang to be my student? Why? This indeed surprised everyone present. Shes wasting her talent at the Swordsmanship Department. Chapter 166 - 165: Sword Heart鈥檚 Legacy (12)_1 Chapter 166: Chapter 165: Sword Hearts Legacy (12)_1 You really dare to say that! As soon as Fu Qians words left his mouth, even Lanaia was staring at him, dumbfounded. You must have maxed out your talent points in mockery! You beat up a mentor and then turn around to poach their star pupil? Are you really trying to offend the Swordsmanship Department to death? As one of the most outstanding students of this cohort, Ji Liushuangs reputation extends beyond the Swordsmanship Department, and a considerable number of people are aware of her. Although she has not yetprehended Sword Intent as of now, its generally considered to be just a matter of time. And you actually went straight for such corner-cutting! We have no right to decide on a students personal development n, for that you can only coordinate with the Swordsmanship Department. The woman presiding over the meeting was also speechless for a long time. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Is that so? Fu Qian nced at Jian Jingzheng, whose face was ashen, his eyes bloodshot, showing faint signs of going berserk. You just said that Ji Liushuang staying in the Swordsmanship Department is a waste of talent? Jian Jingzheng asked, staring intently at Fu Qian. I did say that. Fu Qian clicked his tongue nonchntly. To be honest, my initial purpose foring to the Academy was twofold: first, to aspire to this holy ce of research into Transcendent powers, and second, to find a talented young person to inherit my mantle. During this time, Ive been picking and choosing, and finally discovered Ji Liushuang, this unpolished gem. Its just a pity shes chosen the wrong path, a bright pearl cast in shadow. A bright pearl cast in shadow. Jian Jingzheng repeated each word deliberately, a sneer on his face. It seems that to Professor Fu, our humble aplishments in the Swordsmanship Department arepletely beneath your notice! How could that be. Fu Qian waved his hand, his face serious. I have always held the Swordsmanship Department in high regard, but as the saying goes, theres only a fine line between good and excellent! A fine line Jian Jingzheng burst into a scornfulugh. Howe I heard that not too long ago, Professor Fu tried to sneak into the Sword Pavilion? You were even wearing the Swordsmanship Departments uniform. It seems you have a greater interest in our modest aplishments than I thought! In fact, as someone who was well-informed about the whole process, Jian Jingzheng guessed that Fu Qian was probably there to find Ji Liushuang. But it didnt matter; such things were indefensible. There was no need to talk about chivalry with such an Evil Demon. Actually, theres no need for all this trouble; our Swordsmanship Department has always been magnanimous. Jian Jingzheng looked at Fu Qian andughed coldly. Ill exin to them when I go back. During the Sword Pavilions open period, youre allowed free entry. I hope Professor Fu gains something from it and doesnt remain ignorant. Thats settled then! Fu Qian nodded expressionlessly, his heart blooming with joy. Jian Jingzheng was really being too cooperative! Initially, the random talk of transferring departments was just to avoid suspicion while getting in touch with Ji Liushuang to observe the changes in her Sword Intent. The current situation was still tricky; even if it was confirmed the problemy with Sword Intent, it wouldnt be right to simply kill everyone who had realized it. For now, the strategy of careful observation and detailed analysis to identify any anomalies was the most sensible. Ji Liushuang was clearly a special case, which was why she was targeted. Unexpectedly, for the sake of mockery, Jian Jingzheng directly granted one free ess to the Sword Pavilion. This would multiply the material for observation many times over! As for the transfer issue that Professor Fu mentioned, if we cant teach a talent, we wouldnt purposely suppress it. But it depends on Ji Liushuangs own wishes. If shes willing, we can discuss everything. Sure, Ill ask for her opinionter. Can you be a little more peaceful? Must you stir trouble to feelfortable? After the meeting ended, Lanaia intentionally stayed behind, looking at Fu Qian and sighing for a good while. Its a dispute over educational philosophies, and I didnt involve personal feelings. The Academy surely wont punish me for this, will it? Fu Qian, however, was unconcerned. And with Teacher Jians personality, do you think that apologizing to him would really thaw the ice between us? Jian Jingzheng does have a rather narrow mind, Lanaia sighed. Youre right, the Academy wont punish you for this, but Jian Jingzheng has some reputation at the Swordsmanship Department, so I guess youll have quite a bit more trouble. Forget it, looks like you dont care anyway! Lanaia hadnt been very familiar with Fu Qian before working on this case. Especially after witnessing Fu Qians mockery of Jia Yi, she now had a clear understanding of how recklessly he behaved. This guy didnt care about his own reputation at all, so how could he take Jian Jingzhengs hostility seriously? The next day, Fu Qian entered the Sword Pavilion right in front of the guards, bold as brass. Considering his role as a mentor, Fu Qian did have a sense of public duty and restrained his presence as much as possible, so as not to disturb others. Knowing Ji Liushuangs nature, the chances of her not being in the Sword Pavilion were virtually zero, so there was no need to look for her elsewhere. While casually observing his surroundings and walking upwards, it didnt take long for Fu Qian to spot a familiar faceYuan Xin, with whom he had sparred the day before. Yuan Xin was standing straight up, silently contemting, probably consolidating the gains from the previous day. What was amazing was that, in just one night, the chill emanating from him had be a bit more condensed. Though his emotions fluctuated slightly due to Fu Qians arrival, his momentum was still like a rainbow. On the other hand, Ji Liushuang stood expressionless in front of an oddly-shaped long sword, her vacant gaze a stark contrast to Yuan Xins focused demeanor. Clearly out of sorts if she couldprehend anything in that state, it would truly be miraculous. Yet at the same time, the hollow feeling from the previous day had be even more pronounced. It really had gotten worse! When Ji Liushuang noticed Fu Qian, her expression turnedplex, and she involuntarily turned her head away. Fu Qian didnt mind at all and just observed on his own. Are you here to see me? How did they let you in? It wasnt long before Ji Liushuang couldnt resist asking in a low voice, giving up on her contemtion. Sort of. Lets talk outside! Ji Liushuang frowned slightly and turned to go downstairs. How are you feeling? You dont seem to be in great shape, Fu Qian asked first as they stepped outside. Im fine, Ji Liushuang sighed. Just cant get into the right state of mind. Your look was a bit odd when you saw me just now Have you heard about Ruan Shuos incident? Yes, Ruan Shuo joined the academy earlier than I did. We were fairly familiar, and I never expected him to do something like that. Ji Liushuang spoke softly. What exactly do you want with me? Its rather dangeroustely, and its not good for you to be so absent-minded. As a swordsman, you need to be vignt at all times to deal with the unknown dangers, Fu Qian talked about his own concerns, not answering her question. What danger is there? Ruan Shuo is already dead, isnt he? Ji Liushuang looked puzzled. This danger. Fu Qian blinked, suddenly showing a cold smile. The next moment, he pressed his right index finger onto Ji Liushuangs forehead, and a chilling killing intent erupted from him. Chapter 167 - 166: Sword Heart鈥檚 Legacy (13)_1 Chapter 167: Chapter 166: Sword Hearts Legacy (13)_1 The killing intent of a Fourth Phase Transcendent is not to be underestimated. In such a situation, a mere flick of the finger, and Ji Liushuang would undoubtedly lie dead on the spot. However, to everyones surprise, faced with this sudden crisis, Ji Liushuang showed no fear at all, not even taking a single step back. Youre trying to scare me. Oh, how do you know? Fu Qian looked at her, his finger still not retracted. I dont know why, but I just do. Ji Liushuang answered naturally. What are you, spouting riddles? Fu Qian, looking into Ji Liushuangs somewhat hazy eyes, knew that it was very likely rted to her Sword Intent. Interesting! Just now, Fu Qian was indeed probing and had not nned to actually kill anyone. But as simple as it sounded, facing such a lethal threat, if there was even the slightest doubt that it was real, it would be impossible to remain unperturbed. As it turned out, that thing gave Ji Liushuang an unimaginable intuition, pure and clear in thought, possessing a natural ability to dispel falsehoods. Of course, the side effect was that her brain had been cleared too much, making her seem somewhat dazed. Just like just now, she was easily sidetracked,pletelycking her usual astuteness. This strange Sword Intent, it might be the target Im looking for. Fu Qian thought to himself. You havent answered my question. Are you looking for me for a reason? Ji Liushuang was silent for a while, as if suddenly recalling something. Actually, there is a matter. Finally, Fu Qian withdrew his finger, all smiles. I came today to ask you, do you want to leave the Swordsmanship Department and join the Heavens Commencement Institute? Why? Facing this extraordinary question, Ji Liushuang finally showed a hint of shock. Clearly unaware of this matter, it seemed Jian Jingzheng hadnt yet had the opportunity to speak with her. So certain was he spouting nonsense, that this distinguished disciple would never defect to another sect? This unfathomable confidence! Its obvious that youve encountered a bottleneck recently, why not consider zing a new trail? Fu Qian pointed at Ji Liushuangs head. Joining Heavens Commencement Institute can ze a new trail? Ji Liushuang looked at Fu Qian earnestly. Yes, whether you choose to be an invincible powerhouse or a dark heroine, whatever path you wish to take is possible, and advancing to Middle Tier would be within easy reach. Fu Qians words were full of the charm of a seasoned recruiter. Oh. Ji Liushuang only responded with a soft acknowledgment. A momentter, she slowly raised her head. Will that path allow me to be a Demigod? Youre thinking quite far ahead! Mhm, because Director Li has already be a Demigod. If I were to transfer to Heavens Commencement, I would need to prove that I can achieve that too. Ji Liushuang exined earnestly. Li Weixuan became a Demigod? Fu Qian suddenly became intrigued. How do you know? I just do. Ji Liushuang shook her head and turned to look into the distance. I should have expected that answer. Fu Qian followed Ji Liushuangs gaze and suddenly sensed something unusual. The next moment, from within the Sword Pavilion beside them, a sonorous ng of steel suddenly resounded. Before the reverberation faded, another ng followed. One ng after another, the ringing quickly became as dense as rain droplets, captivating the soul. Even the seemingly imperturbable Sword Pavilion began to tremble incessantly. Amidst cries of rm, swords of various shapes burst out from every floor of the pavilion, converging into a stream, densely filling the air as they flew towards the distance. At the end of this deluge of swords, a figure slowly emerged. He extended his right hand as if he were holding an invisible sword, yet it seemed as though he was supporting the weight of a thousand catties. When all the long swords reached his side, they formed a vortex around his empty right hand, the sound of air being torn apart was like the buzzing of bees. Li Weixuan! Every student who had chased out from the Sword Pavilion recognized who the person was. Director Demigod? The spectacr scene before them had everyone looking at each other, unable to help but start specting. Open! Carrying the Sword Mountain to a close distance, Li Weixuan let out augh and threw it out with one flick of his arm. The vortex exploded in all directions, and each sword, as if given life, shone with radiant light, disying a thousand different elegant postures. The next moment, these swords dispersed into a circle and simultaneously plunged into the ground surrounding the Sword Pavilion. Im d I didnt miss this day! Li Weixuans voice boomed withughter. The little insights Ive gathered these days, I share with you all. Witnessing the spectacr sight, the students erupted into cheers that shook the heavens. There was no need for guessing anymore; Director Li, who had been in closed-door cultivation for so long, had officially ascended to demigod status. No wonder so many people enjoyed swordsmanship; setting aside strength, just thismanding presence alone was off the charts! Fu Qian watched Li Weixuan, who seemed like a sword immortal descended to the mortal realm, feeling deeply moved for a long while. The situation was bing increasinglyplex! Li Weixuan, in his demigod state, now felt as sharp as an ancient sword. If this man was his target, he feared that it would take quite an effort to deal with him. Speaking of which, he turned his head once more to look at Ji Liushuang. She was equally astonishing! Given her realm, it was almost impossible for her to have detected Li Weixuans arrival through mere perception. But not only did she know that Li Weixuan wasing from that direction, she even confirmed his ascent to demigod status. How on earth did she manage that? It was truly intriguing. In the center of everyones attention, Li Weixuans steps seemed slow but were actually fast, and in a sh, he had arrived in front of the Sword Pavilion, enjoying the cheers of the students while greeting everyone. Of course, as the only one dressed in strange attire, Fu Qian immediately caught his attention. Who are you? Li Weixuan looked at the strangers face, his expression full of confusion. As soon as he spoke, everyone looked over. Almost all of them were watching with schadenfreude. Whether students or staff, it could be said that none of them had a favorable impression of Fu Qian. Now that the Director had ascended to demigod status, this fellow who brought trouble upon the Swordsmanship Department was finally hitting a snag. Congrattions, I am Fu Qian from Heavens Commencement Institute. Fu Qian sized up Li Weixuan with a smile on his face. Although there wasnt an aura of celestial grace about him, nothing seemed amisshe looked just like a normal demigod should. I came here today in hopes that a certain student would be my disciple. Fu Qian pointed at Ji Liushuang, who remained silent and expressionless. What? This guy came here just to make Ji Liushuang his student? The crowd was hearing of Fu Qians purpose for the first time. It was simply an epitome of utter disregard for others! Be your student, why? Li Weixuan was also shocked, he scrutinized Ji Liushuang and suddenly his eyes lit up, his face revealing a joyful expression. Well done! Liushuang, you truly are one of the most talented students in the Swordsmanship Department! You have grasped the Sword Intent so quickly! n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om What? Ji Liushuang has grasped the Sword Intent? Li Weixuans words clearly took the audience by surprise, disbelieving looks turned towards Ji Liushuang. It didnt seem likely; she obviously looked pale and unwell. Spirit clear and prating, the heart and sword in harmony, this is At this moment, Li Weixuan was still not done expressing his admiration. Sword Heart Enlightenment! Chapter 168 - 167: Sword Heart鈥檚 Legacy (14)_1 Chapter 168: Chapter 167: Sword Hearts Legacy (14)_1 Sword Heart Enlightenment? The Demigods two consecutive exmations instantly made Ji Liushuang the center of attention once again. Not only had sheprehended it early, but even the type of Sword Intent surprised the dean; truly deserving of the name genius! And her performance these past two days thinking about it now, it was too low profile! Many people subconsciously looked back at Yuan Xin. Inparison, the difference in level was immediately clear. Girl, the name of your move is pretty dangerous! Fu Qian also scrutinized Ji Liushuang, sighing inwardly. But it was also very fitting. Crystal clear and transparent, not susceptible to deception, she had seen through his disguise at a single nce before. One could only say that she was bing more and more like his own target. Of course, the one with the biggest suspicion was still Li Weixuan. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Fu Qian nced at this newly advanced Demigod. Advancing neither early norte, but just when he was on a mission; considering his past mission experiences, it would be difficult to say there wasnt a connection. However, even a mission person is a man of reason, and indiscriminate killing is not our style. For now, both Li Weixuan and Ji Liushuang dont seem to be the type of utterly ruthless viins, and there seems to be no need to detain them. On the contrary, it was the deceased Ruan Shuo who had created the most bloodshed. For now, he would quietly observe and be ready to deliver a deadly blow at any time. Fu Qian quickly formted his action strategy. Listen to me. At this moment, having finished his reflections, Li Weixuan turned to address everyone. In my absence, you have all done very well, better than I had expected. I am pleased to see the students of my Swordsmanship Department so eager to progress. Comprehending Sword Intent is something thates by chance and cannot be forced; it often depends on abination of understanding and opportunity, so those who haventprehended it should not be discouraged. I believe that everyone has learned something over these past few days, andter today, after I have assimted the gains from my advancement, I will share some insights here for everyones reference. Truly a good teacher, the first thing he does after advancing is to hold a public lecture. Fu Qian admired Li Weixuans professionalism and took a casual nce at Ji Liushuang. Teacher Li has gained a point, girl, you need to work harder. And as soon as Li Weixuan finished speaking, a wave of cheers and thunderous apuse erupted around him. Although it was a pity to interrupt their contemtion, the opportunity to listen to a Demigods sharing was well worth it! The news of Li Weixuans emergence from seclusion undoubtedly caused a strong reaction in the Academy. After a long period of meditation, he had advanced to a Demigod; his session as the next dean of the Academy was all but certain. And he was going to share his cultivation experiences publicly? Before nightfall, the area outside the Sword Pavilion was already bustling with people. This time Li Weixuan emphasized that it was not limited to the Swordsmanship Department; all members of the Academy could participate. Thus, people from nearly every department hurried over, and Fu Qian even saw the demons and ghosts from the Heavens Commencement Institute. Clearly, a living Demigod was more attractive than a Demigods corpse. Looks like you wont be able to take her as a student! Outside the Sword Pavilion, dressed in casual clothes, Lanaia teased Fu Qian with a smile. Given the current situation, youd best keep a low profile. Swordsmanship Department directly gained a newly advanced Demigod, and when Li Weixuan returns, its unlikely he hasnt heard about your actions. Even though the hearing ultimately deemed your behaviour appropriate, after all, you were fighting and killing in the Swordsmanship Department; it would be hard for him to hold a good impression of you. Humph! In response to Lanaias admonition, Fu Qian was nomittal, surveying the surroundings on his own ord. The circle of swords around the Sword Pavilion that Li Weixuan didnt rush to have removed were left where they were, creating a circr boundary around the Sword Pavilion. Although it hadnt started yet, the sword circle was already filled with students from the Swordsmanship Department. People from other academies had nothing to say about this and surrounded the sword circle from the outside. And above the Sword Pavilion, a tform had been temporarily set up for Li Weixuan to useter. Isnt that Professor Fu Qian? Just then, an uninvited guest sidled up. Jian Jingzheng had cast off his previous listlessness, his tone filled with a triumphant relief. All the people from the Swordsmanship Department were inside the sword formation; this one had obviouslye looking for him, it seemed he had been quite frustrated before. I thought you of all people wouldnt have time for this. If three walk together, one should be my teacher. Insights from a Demigods cultivation are indeed very precious. Facing Jian Jingzhengs mockery, Fu Qian responded casually. Not attend? What a joke! Li Weixuan sharing his insights publicly had gathered almost everyone who could be a target here. How could he not attend such a good opportunity to observe? Theoretically, if he released a massive killer weapon towards the sword formationter, his mission would be certain toplete. At this moment, the front erupted with cheers, and Li Weixuan had already appeared above the Sword Pavilion. The evening breeze was gentle, and Li Weixuan, seated casually, his robe fluttering as if he were an ethereal immortal. This man did not dawdle, gesturing for the students to quiet down before starting to share his recent closed-door cultivation achievements. The enlightenment of cultivation, the tempering of Sword Intent. Forsaking obsession, holding true to ones heart. Overall, this was indeed a very sophisticated method of cultivation that didnt have any extreme aspects. The students listened with rapt attention, whereas Fu Qian frowned throughout. How could this not look like some sort of heretical technique! At this moment, Li Weixuan, caught up in his lecture, casually gestured and a rusty longsword within the sword circle flew up, straight into his hand. The next moment, the ancient sword let out a sonorous hum, with lightning shing along its de. Although it wasnt his own native Sword Intent, Li Weixuan, as a Demigod, could easily capture the residual aura on the sword, which was what the students were trying toprehend, and he managed to bring it out vividly. This scene filled the students with surging emotions, leaving them excited and overjoyed. Carelessly setting the longsword aside, Li Weixuan gestured again, and another sword flew to him. As Sword Intent was evoked over and over, Fu Qian noticed that the people from the Swordsmanship Department were also undergoing constant changes. Those who hadprehended Sword Intent saw their auras rapidly purifying and condensing, including Ji Liushuang, who became even more ethereal. Even those students who had not yet grasped Sword Intent seemed to be swirling with thoughts around them. For a time, the entire sword formation was a spectacle of brilliance. Vibrant and united in spirit! Fu Qian felt a wave of emotion watching this. The effect of a Demigods encouragement was truly too strong! Wait a minute! The next moment, Fu Qian suddenly furrowed his brow, trying to catch a fleeting spark of inspirationan incredibly bizarre notion. Drawing a breath, Fu Qian looked up once more towards the students of the Swordsmanship Department. Was it possible That Sword Hearts Legacy was not Li Weixuan, not Ji Liushuang, nor any person who hadprehended Sword Intent. But rather, it referred to the scene before his eyes. Everyone was performing their own actions, each with their thoughts, yet they were one in spirit. Sword Hearts Legacy was something manifested by their collective presence. It was also the very concept of Sword Intent itself. Each person who had realized Sword Intent was like a bee; Sword Hearts Legacy was akin to the Swarm. It would expand, it would grow, but it was not any specific bee. So the death of any single individual would not affect its existence. The moment this thought entered his mind, Fu Qian saw Ji Liushuang in the crowd turning her head with a vacant look in her eyes. Chapter 169 - 168: Sword Heart鈥檚 Legacy (15)_1 Chapter 169: Chapter 168: Sword Hearts Legacy (15)_1 Ji Liushuangs scrutinysted only a few seconds before she turned her head away again. However, within the next few minutes, Fu Qian noticed that every member of the Swordsmanship Department who had grasped Sword Intent had nced back at him. Their movements were extremely natural, like casually looking around after listening to a lecture for a while, without any hint of abnormality. Even their expressions remained leisurely and at ease. Under normal circumstances, there wouldve been no hint of anything amiss. But at this moment, from Fu Qians point of view, the scene was tinged with a strong sense of eeriness. Had it discovered him? If his conjecture was correct and Sword Hearts Legacy was a special concept existence, then his behavior just now was tantamount to observing it. The moment he became aware of it, it too became aware of him. The scene just now suggested that it might possess the characteristics of being alive. Like a beast in the shadows, his observation had threatened it, and hence, he had been targeted. Your notoriety really isnt low. At that moment, Lanaias bright red lips approached Fu Qians ear, and she chuckled heartily. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Quite a few people are sneaking nces at you. With Lanaias keen perception, the behavior of the Swordsmanship Department members couldnt escape her notice. But in her view, these people were just secretively observing due to hearing about Fu Qians deeds and wouldnt think beyond that. Unspoken admiration begets a path of its own. Fu Qian casually responded while his thoughts whirled. In fact, Fu Qian couldnt detect much malice from these scrutinizing gazes. It felt to him that in these peoples self-perception, they were really just taking a casual nce. They remained themselves and had not had their minds Annihted by some greater existence. But precisely these individual actions, whenbined, felt distinctly ominous! Was it observing him this way? And if he made it impossible for it to observe him, then what? Suddenly, an idea crossed Fu Qians mind. He casually looked around and took a couple of steps, positioning himself behind the crowd to hide and, at the same time, reined in his aura as much as possible. There were many observers that day, and it wasnt difficult to find a spot where he could conceal himself. What are you doing? Lanaia was visibly perplexed by Fu Qians strange actions. She followed him instinctively to the back of the crowd and couldnt help but frown and ask. Shh! Fu Qian made a silence gesture, signaling for her to stop talking. Lanaia helplessly shook her head, dismissing his peculiar behavior and looked up to continue listening to the lecture. However, the next moment, she suddenly eximed in surprise. She wasnt the only one; many others had the same reaction. Within the sword formation, Ji Liushuang, who had been sitting in the middle, gracefully stood up, pushed through the crowd, and walked out. Her action undeniably drew the audiences attention, yet Ji Liushuang disregarded the greetings from others and refrained from making any eye contact. Under the watchful eyes of all, this talented youngdy walked out of the sword formation, through theyers of spectators, and amidst the onlookers, she found Fu Qian. Ive made up my mind. She took a breath, her tone resolute. Ill go with you to Heavens Commencement Institute. Her voice was soft, yet distinctly clear. Her very action had already captured everyones attention, and those around her held their breaths in anticipation of her next move. As soon as she spoke, the crowd could hardly believe their ears. Lanaia next to him was so shocked that she stood with her mouth agape. Is this a mistake! ` Youve grasped Sword Intent, a talent appointed by a Demigod. What are you doing at Heavens Commencement Institute for no reason? Oh? As another focal point, Fu Qian scrutinized Ji Liushuang, who had suddenly made up her mind. There was resentment and decisiveness, and even a deeply hidden glimmer of anticipation in her eyes at this moment. Could this be the look of abandonment from ones biological father? Fu Qian couldnt help but feel a headacheing on. Regarding the transfer to Heavens Commencement Institute, he had merely mentioned it offhandedly. Based on his understanding of Ji Liushuang, he hadnt anticipated she would agree. Yet now, she seemed to have convinced herself and truly regarded him as her father whom she had never met before. And to stay by his side, she was willing to give up everything at the Swordsmanship Department. Given this girls intelligence, she shouldnt have been fooled to this extent by his previous nonsense. Not to mention the possible resentment in her heart. Is it it? In order to constantly watch over herself, it had convinced Ji Liushuang to persuade herself and recognize him as her father? And without questioning if these were her true thoughts. Was this a reaction he had kept hidden from himself? Simple and brutal, indeed like an animal acting on instinct. Liushuang, whats the matter with you! Before Fu Qian could speak, the most significant reaction came from Jian Jingzheng. From the moment Ji Liushuang stood up, he had been fixated on her. After hearing what she said, he sprang up immediately. Striding forward, Jian Jingzheng positioned himself between Fu Qian and Ji Liushuang, his voice tinged with desperation. Have you lost your mind, running off to Heavens Commencement Institute? The next moment, he seemed to realize something and abruptly lifted his head to look at Fu Qian. Did you use some underhanded technique to threaten her? Im warning you, dont go too far! And what could you do if I did? Fu Qian didnt look at him but gazed at Ji Liushuang for a long while, then gently shook his head. I havent taught you well, you should continue practicing swordsmanship. Ji Liushuang shuddered, tears welling up in her eyes in an instant. Take her back. She might be too tired. Fu Qian didnt look at her again, speaking to the dumbfounded Jian Jingzheng. This No one could have expected that in the end, it would be the instigator who would reject her. Jian Jingzheng was emotionallyplex for a moment, subconsciously ncing at Ji Liushuang behind him. Thetter stood rigidly in ce, showing no intention of walking back. Sigh! It was at this moment that Lanaia finally snapped back to reality. Although she didnt know what had transpired between Fu Qian and Ji Liushuang, she knew the current situation needed to be addressed. She stepped forward, grabbed Ji Liushuangs arm, and after exerting a bit of strength, she helped her back into the circle of sword practitioners. Fu Qian silently watched the scene and turned around to vanish once more into the shadows. Noticing the unusual silence, Li Weixuans voice also halted, indicating for the students to take a brief rest. Watching Ji Liushuang being supported by Lanaia, Li Weixuan leapt down from the Sword Pavilion and walked up to check on her condition. She might be too tired. After a brief examination, Li Weixuan sighed. Ji Liushuangs abnormal condition might have been partly due to exhaustion, but it seemed more like it was caused by excessive emotional agitation. In the afternoon, he had heard quite a bit about issues rted to Fu Qian. This instructor, who had recently joined the Academy, had methods that could be described as tyrannical and aggressive, even going as far as to directly kill a student from the Swordsmanship Department. But it was precisely this decisive action that led to the quickest resolution of the situation. Experts often have their quirks, and Li Weixuan didnt have much of an issue with that. But at this moment, the bizarre interaction between him and Ji Liushuang was truly puzzling. Chapter 170 - 169: Sword Heart鈥檚 Legacy (16)_1 Chapter 170: Chapter 169: Sword Hearts Legacy (16)_1 Fu Qian watched the center of the sword array in silence. If his earlier guess wasnt just the expansive thinking of a madman, then it was not only sensitive to being observed but had also been spreading sword intent during this period. It was not merely hiding; it was growing! Fu Qian somewhat understood why he was tasked with containing this thing. But if that were truly the case, the situation could be said to be unimaginably dire. The condition forpleting the task was the destruction of the Sword Hearts Legacy. And for a conceptual existence without a physical form, even if all those present who hadprehended the sword intent were killed, it would still be hard to say that this would definitely destroy it! Professor Fu Qian. Within the sword array, Li Weixuan motioned to have Ji Liushuang moved aside. Then, under the gaze of all present, he directly addressed Fu Qian. I heard that you have many opinions on the cultivation philosophy of the Swordsmanship Department. Why dont youe forward? I would also like to hear your thoughts on the experience I just shared. So it was you, kid! Upon Li Weixuans words, a group of people all turned their gaze towards Fu Qian, hidden in the shadows. The name Fu Qian was already known by many. The scene just now and Li Weixuans words quickly helped them match the person with the name. You were very arrogant before, but now that a Demigod hase to find you, what do you n to do? The onlookers were brimming with curiosity, wondering how Fu Qian would respond. Ive benefited greatly, unable to offer any criticism, Faced with Li Weixuans invitation, Fu Qian replied with eight contradictory words, standing as steady as Mount Tai. Theres no need for that; I can hear quite clearly from here. Even more arrogant than the rumors! Not even giving a Demigod the time of day. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om In the midst of the crowds shock, Li Weixuans face took on a somber expression for the first time, and the students around him from the Swordsmanship Department also started to cause amotion. In this situation, even the gaze from Professor Lanaya carried a hint of helplessness, not understanding why Fu Qian was so averse to the Swordsmanship Department that he wouldnt evene over for a chat. Even if Li Weixuan had grievances against you, would he reallyy a hand on you in full public view? Thats not necessarily true! Looking at Lanayas gaze, Fu Qian was well aware of her thoughts. Yet he remained unmoved, squinting his eyes as he observed the reaction of every person in the sword array. On the surface, this scene appeared to be Li Weixuan having heard about a previous incident and seeking an exnation on behalf of the Swordsmanship Department, which seemed normal. But if one considered it from its point of view, it could also be seen as Fu Qians continuous observation causing it to feel increasingly unsettled. And after it failed to nt a tail beside him, it wanted to deceive him intoing over with ulterior motives. If he really went, he could instantly find himself trapped in the Immortal-ying Array! Raising his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, Li Weixuan had no intention of turning a good lesson into a farce. Barely suppressing his displeasure, he was about to return to the Sword Pavilion to continue teaching when a student stood up. The newly enlightened Yuan Xin, while staring at Fu Qian and sneering incessantly. Professor Fu, I dont know where this strange sense of superiority of yourses from! Do you know how I view Heavens Commencement Institute In my eyes, you people who awaken your powers directly will never understand the essence of power. Compared to you, every person in the Swordsmanship Department has achieved their progress through their own cultivation andprehension. Understanding the essence of power, continuously learning from mistakes, improving, and exploring their own paths to godhood. In my view, this is the true path. Compared to that, you are nothing but lottery-winning gamblers You tried to lure me into a trap and now youre using reverse psychology? Watching the impassioned Yuan Xin, Fu Qian didnt doubt the authenticity of his anger. However, it was precisely this that made it so terrifying. Li Weixuan, Yuan Xin, and Ji Liushuang, everyone involved, was unaware of their abnormal state, all doing what they wanted to do. First, your recent speech has offended at least half of the Academy, Fu Qian said unhurriedly. Besides, you, a disciple of the righteous path, seem to still be unable to beat my lottery ticket? Actually, there was another point. Looking at the speechless Yuan Xin, Fu Qian silently added in his heart. Its highly probable that your Sword Intent was notprehended by yourself. Combining his previous suspicions, Fu Qian had reason to believe that it was distributing Sword Intent generously in order to grow. Only this could exin why the number of people who had grasped Sword Intent had noticeably increased in thest two years, and why their power was so exaggeratedly strong that they could easily trigger attacks that surpassed their tier. Fu Qians reply made Yuan Xins blood boil with rage. Clenching his teeth, he nced at Ji Liushuang, his expression turning extremely contemptuous. Do you see? This shameless man is the one you wish to take as your teacher. He had always been courteous towards Ji Liushuang, whether due to concerns about her family background or his faint admiration for her. Now that he had finished mocking, despite being surprised by his own rudeness, there was also a sense of liberation. Unfortunately, at this moment, Ji Liushuang appeared dull-eyed and seemingly did not hear his words. Professor Lanaya frowned slightly, feeling a bit sorry for Ji Liushuangs state, but also thinking Yuan Xins words were too harsh. But considering the impulsiveness of youth, and given that Fu Qian was indeed very strong in mockery, she could understand. Why didnt Li Weixuan stop him? Professor Lanaya even turned her head to look back and saw that Li Weixuans face was as still as water, his gaze shuttling between her and Fu Qian. Professor Lanaya. The next moment, Li Weixuan suddenly seemed to remember something. What is it? Hearing Li Weixuan call her, Lanaya thought he had something to say and subconsciously leaned forward a bit. However, just then, she felt an extremely dangerous premonition. A massive surge of Sword Qi, carrying with it the momentum of crumbling mountains and rivers, roared towards her in an instant. Lanaya was shocked, having never expected Li Weixuan to strike at her. But after all, as a seasoned Middle Tier Transcendent with considerable umtion, she had been suddenly attacked. Various glows shed on Lanayas body as passive protective items were triggered, neutralizing multiple waves of Sword Qi. Utilizing this brief reprieve, she exerted all her strength to dodge backwards, trying to escape the range of the Sword Qi. But in the next instant, a cold and sinister aura suddenly appeared, blocking her path of retreat. This Sword Qi wasnt particrly strong; in normal circumstances, it wouldnt pose a threat to her at all. However, at that moment, it caused her to hesitate. Just being hindered for that brief moment, Lanaya was once again engulfed by Li Weixuans Sword Qi. Under the relentless Sword Qi, her body was shredded bit by bit. Why? In a haze of confusion, with blood in her eyes, Lanaya stared fixedly at Li Weixuan as her body slowly fell to the ground. Under the ambush of a Demigod Level, the life of the head of the Punishment Department was utterly extinguished. Chapter 171 - 170: Sword Hearts Legacy (17)_1 Chapter 171: Chapter 170: Sword Hearts Legacy (17)_1 You colluded with others to frame the students of the Swordsmanship Department while I was in seclusion; did you think I would not see through your scheme? In the stillness of death, Li Weixuan snorted, slowly raised his head, and looked towards Fu Qian. None of you shall live! I cant stand the heat! After repeated probing with no sess, are you just going to flip the table? This it really has the style of a bratty child! Fu Qian silently watched Lanaia on the ground. It was already toote. Even from such a distance, the ferocity of Li Weixuans attack could be felt. A sneak attack of Demigod Level was simply too terrifying in its lethality. And the only chance for survival had been perfectly cut off by Yuan Xin. It really was an Immortal-ying Array! Of course, its real target was himself. Killing Lanaia was merely to rationalize Li Weixuans beliefs. Although it is unclear how it was done, it obviously expended significant effort to make Li Weixuan conjure up the plot of Fu Qians collusion with Lanaia, and to have no doubt about his own judgment. Such a conclusion was undoubtedly full of holes and could only bewilder him temporarily. It seems that it is willing to sacrifice Li Weixuan just to ensure my own demise. Li Weixuan killed Lanaia? The onlookers outside the sword formation could hardly believe their eyes at this moment. How did a regr public lesson turn into this? Even though ording to Li Weixuan, he had uncovered a conspiracy between Lanaia and Fu Qian, most people were skeptical. But even so, facing Li Weixuan, who was approaching like a god of death, everyone instinctively moved aside. No matter the truth, the murderous aura was genuine, and no one wanted to face the wrath of a Demigod. Since the incident happened so suddenly, those who had the power to intervene probably couldnt rush over in time. An empty space suddenly appeared around Fu Qian. After I y you two evildoers, I will exin everything to the Academy, Li Weixuan stated, his eyes still firm and piercing, showing no hint of hesitation despite having just killed a colleague. Still some distance from Fu Qian, an endless surge of Sword Intent erupted once again, sting towards Fu Qian with even more exaggerated momentum than before. Thats too strong! Is a Sword Path Demigod this terrifying? Seeing this, almost everyone felt that Fu Qian would meet the same fate as Lanaia, and for a moment couldnt bear to watch. However, what happened next was beyond their expectations. SAN Points down by 1! In the eye of the storm, Fu Qian stood still, arms raised up high. The next moment, numerous ck and red tendrils burst forth, colliding head-on. The sound of countless bullets exploding could be heard as the formidable Sword Intent shattered, forcibly blocked. This What was that thing? How could it withstand a full-powered strike from a Demigod head-on? Everyone looked incredulously at the sea urchin-like sphere which was rapidly contracting. Wait, wheres the person? The crowd suddenly realized that amidst the crisscrossing tendrils, they couldnt locate Fu Qian at all. Li Weixuans brow was also tightly furrowed, his gaze sharpening as he looked towards the direction of the sword formation. Without anyone knowing when, Fu Qian had already positioned himself at the center of the sword formation. A tendril extending from his hand was holding Yuan Xin, who was just recently righteously indignant. Yuan Xins beloved sword had been reduced to just a hilt. Director Li sure has a passionate way of inviting people! Fu Qian said softly. Dont rush, didnt Ie as asked? I knew it Before Li Weixuan could speak, Yuan Xin, with his neck constrained, struggled desperately. youre just a monster. Really? Fu Qian looked down at him. Are you afraid, then? Just now, he had directly used Tendril Barrage Devastator, making use of the chaos to run inside and captured this person at the first opportunity. Haha, as a mighty student of the Swordsmanship Department, how could I be afraid of a monster like you I advise you to surrender now, or youll end up like her. So youre saying youre brave? Fu Qian drank a toast to that with an expressionless face. Under its influence, fear seemed to be suppressed! The next moment, the struggling Yuan Xin suddenly couldnt move at all. Looking down, he found his entire body was seized by numerous tendrils from different directions, and extreme fear swept over him. However, before he could even cry out, his body was torn apart. Unfortunately for you, Im not afraid either! Tossing Yuan Xins mutted corpse aside, Fu Qian carefully observed the terror on Yuan Xins face.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om It seemed that bravery had its limits. Disperse! At that moment, a furious roar sounded. Fu Qian raised his head to see Li Weixuan shing across the sky towards him. SAN Points decrease by 1. In the next moment, the dark red tendrils once again obscured the sky. After countless explosions, both the sword qi and tendrils dissipated. Within the sword array, Fu Qian and Li Weixuan stood opposite each other. Under Li Weixuansmand, almost everyone had retreated, leaving the battlefield to them. Except for one person Ji Liushuang sat silently in her original spot, cradling Lanaias body, with no intention of hiding. You must die Li Weixuan, looking at Yuan Xin who had been dismembered, locked his divine sense onto Fu Qian with utter determination in his tone. Ill take your well-wishes, but before that, I have a few questions SAN Points decrease by 1. As he spoke, Fu Qian once again activated Mythical Form, then raised his hand. Air Bullet. A beam of holy, dazzling light shot forth from his hand, instantly hitting in front of Li Weixuan. This time, under the enhancement of Mythical Form, the Air Bullet seemed to be imbued with a purifying effect. A muffled sound of impact rang out as Li Weixuans original attack was thwarted, forcing him to retract his move to respond; dazzling fireworks red up. Taking advantage of this, Fu Qian moved beside Ji Liushuang, looking down at her from a superior position. Couldnt you just pretend you saw nothing? You I dont understand Ji Liushuang finally reacted, looking at him in a daze. I wasnt talking to you. Fu Qian shook his head and fired another Air Bullet. This time a fire dragon roared forth. As for you, you have already done well; theres no need for any change. Is that so? But all I wanted, with my efforts was just to prove that your lineage is excellent too No need, I can do it myself. Fu Qians response left Ji Liushuang stunned once again; she eventually let out a sorrowful smile, her eyespletely void of spirit. Im sorry! Fu Qian shook his head, staring at Ji Liushuang, who was like a puppet, and continued to speak. If that doesnt work, what if I turn to the light? For instance, you directly impart me with seven or eight kinds of Sword Intent, and I be your chief disciple? sphemers have no chance. After a long while, Fu Qian had fired two more Air Bullets, and Ji Liushuang finally spoke again, her voice bing utterly unemotional. No matter how you beg, your voice will never be answered. I see, I understand. Fu Qian looked regretful and turned to face Li Weixuan. Then lets send you on your way first! Chapter 172 - 171: Sword Hearts Legacy (18)_1 Chapter 172: Chapter 171: Sword Hearts Legacy (18)_1 Whats he talking about? Having witnessed the peculiar exchange between Fu Qian and Ji Liushuang, the onlooking crowd jumped in shock at his words. Does this guy have a problem with his head? His conversation with Ji Liushuang was already kind of neurotic. Facing Li Weixuan, whose intent to kill was already decided, he actually didnt run but even imed hed take him down directly? Interesting, I didnt expect to meet an opponent of your level on my first day out, he said. People like you lurking in the Academy, your goal cant be just the Swordsmanship Department, right? Li Weixuan likewise didnt understand the conversation between Fu Qian and Ji Liushuang, but he wasnt scared by Fu Qian either. That move you used just now was quite interesting, but it seems it cannot be sustained? Did you incur some kind of cost to unleash it? Guess? Confronted with Li Weixuans question, Fu Qians eyebrows twitched, and he returned a mysterious smile. Indeed, you have no obligation to tell me. Li Weixuan huffed a breath and held out three fingers. Whatever it is, its all the same. I will finish you within three strikes! Then I shall wait and see. Fu Qians shoulders twitched and he took a deep breath. The next moment, a snapping sound emanated from his entire body. His blood surged, his muscles swelled, and his body quickly grew taller. In a sea of frightened stares, Fu Qian, just as when he faced the Crocodile Monster, transformed once again into a giant. In this form, his size and strength surged, but the cost was his rationality, which would be bombarded by an insane desire to kill. Over time, this could easily lead to a loss of SAN Points. But thats alright. Not to mention that his SAN Points were still in the triple digits, but he had also used up quite a bit in his Mythical Form just nowthis little bit wouldnt matter. The conversation with Ji Liushuang a moment ago, besides himself, was not understood by anyone, including Ji Liushuang herself. From the beginning to the end, his target was always that intangible it. While previous probes had all but confirmed its existence, as a conceptual entity, it remained elusive. That was why he approached Ji Liushuang for a dialogue, as among all individualsprising the Swarm, she was the most special. Enlightened in the Sword Heart, clear in spiritual perception. Upon reflection, if it wanted tomunicate directly with someone, Ji Liushuang would be the most likely link. So, Fu Qian was attempting to converse with it. As it turned out, when Ji Liushuangs spirit was provoked and her personal consciousness was weakened to the extreme, its will indeed manifested more prominently. Of course, from the only two responses, it could also be seen that observing its sacrilegious actions were already unforgivable sins, with no possibility of reconciliation. But thats fine. He had never intended to reconcile anyway. The most valuable aspect of the conversation was not just confirming its existence, but also its description ofprehending Sword Intentno matter how earnestly you entreat, your voice shall be forsaken. This was almost an admission that theprehension of Sword Intent was indeed under its control. And that was what Fu Qian wanted to confirm. Having ascertained what I needed to know, lets try a physical destruction next! Transformed, Fu Qian, with a smile on his face, now had Li Weixuan locked in his sights. Unlike the counterfeit that was Old Master Chen Xing, Li Weixuan was a bona fide Demigod! Theoretically speaking, although there was only a single realm between him and the Fourth Phase, there was a fundamental difference. So, how to dispatch him was something to think about. The next moment, Fu Qian slowly raised his right hand, and countless tendrils exploded from his arm, twisting into a ferocious Giant Dragon, thrusting towards Li Weixuan. His self-created, restriction-level Skill, Biochemical Demon Arm. In his giant form, the power of this strike was even greater by more than a notch. Humph! Facing this terrifying strike, Li Weixuan was not at all afraid. He unleashed fierce Sword Intent, and it collided violently with the others attack. Very strong, but still a grade below what we just saw, so it seems you have indeed reached your limit, havent you? After dozens of consecutive roars, Li Weixuan stood proudly, immacte from head to toe. Now face my first strike! Before his words fell, Li Weixuan raised his long sword horizontally, as if lifting an entire mountain, and slowly thrust out a strike. Fu Qian had seen this move before. When trying to break the barrier in the furnace, he had used it, leaving a deep impression with its power. And after bing a Demigod, it must have be even more terrifying. Alright then! SAN Points decrease by 1! In the face of Li Weixuans attack, Fu Qian once again activated his Mythical Form. Boom! A Biochemical Demon Arm, several times bigger than before, surged out with the boost from the Giant and Mythical Form. What! This sudden surge in attack power undoubtedly caught Li Weixuan off guard. Unable to maintain his leisurely demeanor for a moment, he decisively met the strike with his sword and quickly retreated. Even with such a swift response, a long gash was torn into his body, and blood scattered. Even injured, Li Weixuans movements didnt skip a beat, and uponnding, he dashed away, avoiding Fu Qians subsequent pursuit. How cunning! Seizing an opportunity to repel Fu Qian with a sword strike, Li Weixuan steadied himself and looked down at the wound on his waist. If this had been before my seclusion, I truly might not have been confident I could beat you. Unfortunately I am not the same now, for ascending to Demigod has brought more than just a change in strength. Li Weixuan revealed a smile. If Im not mistaken, you must have some kind of short-range measure up your sleeve, is that your killer move? On what basis do you assert that? Fu Qians expression remained unchanged. Because I can feel that you seem very eager to engage in closebat, Li Weixuan said, poised andposed. This is the battle intuition thates with Sword Dao Mastery. Your attack just now was indeed terrifying but not your ultimate reliance. You are indeed formidable, but I am not so rigid. In light of this situation, I have decided to abandon the three-strike limit. From now until your death, dont even think you can touch me.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om So this Demigod really was tough to kill, able to sense his desire to use the Visceral Critical Strike? Confronted by theposed Li Weixuan, Fu Qian blinked. Let me try. As expected of a Demigod, Li Weixuan really did follow through on his recent deration. No matter what attack Fu Qianunched, all were repelled by his sword energy, fighting while retreating, firmly suppressing his opponent at a certain distance. Even activating the Mythical Form only gave Fu Qian a Demigod Level capacity for destruction; facing a Demigod intent on kiting, capturing him quickly was nearly impossible. At the same time, his defense was a grade below Li Weixuans, and even asional counterattacks from thetter quickly left him with several wounds. It seemed like he was entering a rhythm of slow death, but Fu Qian showed no intention of giving up, continuing his methodical pursuit. The sword light wove into a, and as Li Weixuan forced Fu Qian to increase the distance for the fourth time, thetter raised his left hand, transforming it into several tendrils thatshed out like lightning. With a snort, sword energy crisscrossed the air. Li Weixuan maintained the distance while casually shredding several tendrils. Such harassing attacks, even if they hit, wouldnt cause much damage wait a minute! The next moment, Li Weixuan suddenly sensed something was amiss. He looked down to see a slender, strange-shaped arm resting on his waist. Chapter 173 - 172: Sword Hearts Legacy (19)_1 Chapter 173: Chapter 172: Sword Hearts Legacy (19)_1 Those werent tentacles, but actual hands! They were just strangely deformed and elongated at the moment, even the skin was ck and red, at first nce there was almost no difference from tentacles. And just now most of my attention was on Fu Qian, and I didnt specifically discern Feeling the odd sensation inside his body, Li Weixuans heart suddenly sank. SAN Points decrease by 1. Facing Li Weixuans sudden change inplexion, Fu Qian didnt hold back andunched a Visceral Critical Strike. A Visceral Critical Strike with a Mythical Form boost. He had waited for this moment for a long time. As his current strongest move, Visceral Critical Strike had immense power but extremely strict conditions for activation. The most important one was that the hand muste into contact with the woundFu Qian had tried before, even the most dexterous tentacles wouldnt work. And when facing a Demigod, creating such a condition wasnt easy. Especially since Li Weixuan had be aware of the danger and deliberately began to keep his distance from me. So after going all out to leave a wound on Li Weixuan, Fu Qian began to y a kite-flying tactic with Li Weixuan. After several rounds, only when Li Weixuan believed that keeping a certain distance meant I couldnt do anything to him, did Fu Qian finally begin to try his own n. Using the effect of the Feast, he quickly deformed his arm and disguised it as a tentacle. There was only one chance! If not sessful, not to mention Li Weixuan would be on guard next time, but the Academy wasnt limited to just one Demigod, and someone should arrive soon. Blood filled the skies! The Visceral Critical Strike, which required a great effort to execute, was finally worthy of the audience. Li Weixuan, being a Demigod, let out an earth-shattering scream under this blow. A Visceral Critical Strike in Mythical Form didnt just double the lethality. Fu Qian looked at his left hand as he pulled it out. Amid the fragments of various organs, thetter shone with a strange luster, as if every inch of skin was soaked in fresh blood. Warm currents pooled into his body from it, speeding up the healing of even the wounds. In contrast, Li Weixuans life force was rapidly fading. A vampiric effect, huh? SAN Points decrease by 1! Fu Qian didnt hesitate, Mythical Form activated again, and the Demigod Level Air Bullet whistled out. Li Weixuans head was hit by a ck ray, silently corroding away most of his skull. In violent convulsions, this newly risen Demigod, the future Academy head, slowly fell to the ground, his life force reduced to zero. Li Weixuan was really killed by this guy! In deathly silence, Fu Qian shook his hand and didnt pay attention to Li Weixuans body, but looked up into the distance. Several astonishing murderous auras were racing over. Theyreing really fast! Unfortunately, the prompt for missionpletion didnt appear. Fu Qian turned to nce at the people from the Swordsmanship Department again, to find that the feeling of a Swarm was nearly gone. Did they flee, or are they hiding? Physical destruction is unlikely to be effective, huh! Fu Qian shook his head, confirming his suspicion. Right now, he could feel an invisible barrier rising around him, undoubtedly the work of the Academy Demigods. Before they had even arrived, my escape routes had been sealed. The next moment, apanying the soul-freezing extreme cold, the invisible barrier rapidly shrank.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Do not attempt to resist, you have nowhere to escape. Amanding voice came. Good! Fu Qian said offhandedly, immediately activating Transcendence. ` This was still the first time he had used the skill since obtaining it. The moment the effect activated, Fu Qian felt the scene before his eyes twist, and his very existence was rapidly pulled away. Why is there still someone not in? Hurry up, dont waste time. Familiar lines rang in his ears. Fu Qian looked up to see a middle-aged man with messy hair, impatiently staring at him. This feeling of actively loading a save was not bad! Andpared to being wiped out by a swarm of Demigods, he at least saved 1 SAN Point. The only problem was that it seemed the rewards had been swallowed up. Although he hadntpleted the mission, he had fought tooth and nail to kill a Demigod! He hoped it was just dyed issuance, otherwise, it would be a huge loss! Just likest time, under the impatient urging of the middle-aged man, Fu Qian stepped into the Sword Pavilion. Now, he could basically confirm that physical elimination was not feasible. But that was just a trial, and he hadnt held out much hope from the start. Next up was n B time. In fact, Fu Qian had a crazy ideaif he couldnt do it physically, then hed do it mentally. Like trying toprehend Sword Intent and be a member of the Swarm, establishing a connection on a spiritual level with it. ording to its earlier words, there was no way for him toprehend Sword Intent because it recognized his voice and would reject him, the sphemer, immediately. Logically, there was no problemthat is, if it were during thest containment attempt. But at this moment, he was in a story that restarted after Transcendence. He indeed knew of its existence, but because he had not yet observed it, it might not be aware that he knew. Despite the convoluted expression, this represented an opportunity. To use the time difference to understand Sword Intent, to seize the chance to join the Swarm. Amid the asional strange nces thrown his way, Fu Qian quickly ascended the levels. ording to the Guards, ordinary disciples were only allowed to move around below the third floor; further up, there might be certain dangers, and only a few people were permitted to continue upwards, such as Ji Liushuang. Fu Qians understanding of this was that the higher he went, the more dangerous the residual Sword Intent on the swords might be. Ordinary disciples might not handle it and could get hurt. But that was for ordinary disciples. At the moment, he needed stronger stimtion. In Fu Qians opinion, the so-called Sword Intent might just be a collection of special intuition when using a sword. Being someone who had used a sword before, he theoretically shouldnt be able toprehend it. But considering that it was handing out Sword Intent generously, Fu Qian didnt believe it was strictly allocating based on insight. You just needed to get it to notice you, to realize your obsession with Sword Intent, and perhaps you might receive its gift and be incorporated as one of its members. Yuan Xin and that Ruan Shuo could have been in such a situation. Being a mission person, Fu Qian believed he had enough intense obsession. Because only in this way, could there be a chance to kill it andplete the mission. With enough obsession in ce and with some more intense stimtion, perhaps he could attract its attention. Once the gift was bestowed and he became part of the Swarm, even if it realized there was something off about him, it would be toote. The fourth floor was even more deserted than he had imagined. In fact, Fu Qian only saw Ji Liushuang alone. She was leaning against a wall, her gaze vacant. Indeed, at this moment, she had already achieved Sword Heart Enlightenment! Fu Qian didnt pay her any mind but scanned the surroundings, locking onto a ck greatsword that seemed to emanate the most murderous intent. Lets begin! Without wasting any effort, Fu Qian quickly approached, focusing all his attention on the sword, indulging in his desire. Chapter 174 - 173: The Secret Battle (Part 1)_1 Chapter 174: Chapter 173: The Secret Battle (Part 1)_1 Sword Pavilion, fourth floor. How did you get up here? Didnt I tell you that youre only allowed to roam the first three floors? After an indeterminate amount of time, Fu Qian opened his eyes and saw the middle-aged guard of the Sword Pavilion before him. Thetter was ring at him fiercely, his voice stern. Come down with me immediately, and take out your student card, you havent registered yet. Alright then! Fu Qian, familiar with the process, took out his card and handed it over, only to see the others expression visibly stiffen. Is this yours? Yes, it is! You are not from the Swordsmanship Department? I could be. This is a card from the Heavens Commencement Institute, and a mentors at that Why did youe here dressed in the Swordsmanship Departments attire? Could you exin that? Just like thest time, the middle-aged mans face turned cold. However, unlikest time, Fu Qian had already thought of an answer. Living in darkness but yearning for the light, I have juste to realize my true self. Fu Qian extended his right hand, his index and middle fingers together. Under the guards puzzled gaze, a mighty sword qi tore through the sky, bringing with it a chill of destion. Ive recently been sensing something in my heart I was only looking around outside, I didnt expect such a warm invitation. Now I am prepared to abandon the dark and join the Swordsmanship Department. Is thisSword Intent? Not only was the middle-aged man stunned, but Ji Liushuang, who was daydreaming beside him, was also dumbfounded. The Sword Intent that countless members of the Swordsmanship Department had dreamt of, hoped for, and pondered overhad this person grasped it after only a few minutes? How are the students below supposed to feel about their own efforts? To hear the Dao in the morning and to die in the evening would be enough! Fu Qian sighed wistfully. If it werent for your invitation, how could I have realized such truth? I truly cannot thank you enough! In any case lets go outside first. Seeing the ecstatic look on Fu Qians face, the middle-aged guards expression was a mix of awkwardness and perplexity, not sure how to respond. Alright then, lead the way. Fu Qian replied agreeably. Oh, right! Just as he was about to leave, he turned to look at Ji Liushuang. More haste, less speed; youd better go out and take a walk. Uh Okay. Ji Liushuang replied subconsciously, feeling as though there was a special convincing power in Fu Qians words. Regardless, the Sword Pavilion is only open to members of the Swordsmanship Department At the entrance, the middle-aged man looked at the information that popped up for Fu Qian, his face showing difficulty. No need to say more, I understand what you mean. Fu Qian was dead serious. Ill go back and take care of the paperwork right now. Thats not what I meant! The middle-aged guard didnt know what to say for a moment.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Dont worry, it will be quick; at the Heavens Commencement Institute, everyone knows my desire to leave the darkness for the light. What is all this gibberish youreing up with! Now it wasnt just the middle-aged guard, even Ji Liushuang, who hade down with him, was stunned by his words. Fu Qian! In the midst of an awkward silence, a call came from not far away, and the tall Lanaia arrived on time. I just went to look for you and didnt find you, so I guessed youd be here. Her lines were spot-on. Youre not thinking of going in there again Ive already been inside. Lanaias next sentence was only half spoken when Fu Qian ruthlessly interrupted her. What? Lanaia looked at Fu Qian with a baffled face, not understanding his meaning. This guy wouldnt really have gone to the forbidden area of the Swordsmanship Department, would he? I was just at the sword tform, enlightening myself on the Sword Dao, and Ive now put down the butchers knife to be a Buddha on the spot. Didnt you see I even changed clothes? Fu Qian continued to spout nonsense while his index and middle fingers came together once again. Unlike before, this time a blood-colored half-moon howled out. Two kinds of Sword Intent? The scene before them caused the middle-aged guard to swallow back the words he was about to say, feeling that his years of understanding had been overturned. No one had ever heard of someoneprehending two kinds of Sword Intent simultaneously, let alone within five minutes! Is this guy even human! What the guard didnt know was that the Sword Intent emanating from Fu Qian at this moment was far more than just two kinds. Shortly after sitting down, using his strong obsession and stimtion, Fu Qian quickly sensed something unusual and discovered a special kind of intent being infused into his mind. As it turned out, his guess was correctit really was giving out Sword Intent generously; there was no need for any understanding of the Sword Dao or the like. Less than a second after joining the swarm, Fu Qian was overwhelmed by countless surging Sword Intents. All kinds of Sword Intents, some evenpletely contradictory in nature, were madly infused into his mind without regard for whether he could digest them or not. Even now, the ceaseless onught of Sword Intents continued to cloud his thinking, as if thousands of steel needles were tearing through his nerves. It turned out that it was more sensitive than he imagined and detected him, the sphemer, in an instant. And its method of eliminating him was to infuse Sword Intents indiscriminately, trying to burn out his brain. This was why in just a few minutes, Fu Qians use of Sword Intent waspletely different each time. Sword Intent? Lanaia also knew her stuff. Although she did not witness the previous disy, the fact that Fu Qian, an instructor from Heavens Commencement Institute, could casually produce a signature move from the Swordsmanship Department, made her unconsciously rub her eyes to check if she was still dreaming. What do you need me for? After shocking the three people around him, Fu Qianposed himself and asked with a smile while resisting the onught. This whole thing had been a mad attempt, and Fu Qian had made several contingency ns for how it might react upon discovering him. The current situation was not too bad. What followed was a battle of wills. One must look on the bright side; its current behavior, though intended to burn his brain with the onught of information, was essentially still infusing him with the true essence of the Sword Dao. If he could withstand the assault and control the Sword Intent, wouldnt he be all-knowing and a reborn Sword God when the time came? Indeed, I need you for something. Come with me, and well talk on the way, Lanaia finally snapped out of her daze. Recalling the reason for her visit, she didnt waste any courtesy and started walking off, pulling Fu Qian with her. The middle-aged man still hadnt recovered from the shock, his mind a jumbled mess,pletely forgetting the issue of Fu Qians rule-breaking punishment. Quickly pulling Fu Qian into her vehicle, Lanaia led him straight out of the Academy while briefing him on the recent catastrophe. Does the Yuan n have other warehouses nearby? This time, Fu Qian didnt ask why the Night Watchman wasnt involved. ording to the timeline, Ruan Shuo should have left the Sword Pavilion well in advance and already be lying in ambush outside the second warehouse, ready to act before long. In other words, if the timing was right, he would almost run right into the scene. Stumbling upon the scene would make things much simpler to handle. Ruan Shuos issue needed to be resolved quickly as Fu Qian still had many things to do. The frenzied assault of Sword Intent was just an appetizer; the unseen struggle known only to himself and it had just begun. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 175 - 174: Covert Battle (Part 2)_1 Chapter 175: Chapter 174: Covert Battle (Part 2)_1 Essentially, my act of blending Sword Intent into the Swarm was akin to transforming myself into a virus to infect a host. And when it discovered me, it definitely tried everything in its power to eradicate the contamination and purify itself. This waspletely understandable, just like I was doing everything possible to kill it. Why do you ask this? Hearing Fu Qian ask if there was another warehouse, Lanaia couldnt help but frown. In the next moment, her expression turned stern, and she somewhat understood Fu Qians meaning. Are you suggesting that the killer might strike again continuously? While I cant rule out that possibility, how can you be so sure? She frowned, looking at Fu Qian. Not sure, its intuition. Fu Qian stretched his body recklessly. The intuition of a Swordsman. Getting winded just by talking about being fat? Although I dont know how you managed to involve Sword Intent in your cross-disciplinary work, isnt it a bit exaggerated to talk about a Swordsmans intuition? Focus on driving. Without looking, Fu Qian knew what was going through Lanaias mind at that moment. How did you feel about that move I made just now? It was fairly good, I guess. Expecting Fu Qian to boast, Lanaia responded somewhat casually. Even though I dont know how you did it, it was indeed true Sword Dao Essence, and it was full of murderous aura. In fact, more than just murderous aura, when I swung that sword, my intuition told me that indulging in wanton ughter would allow it to grow continuously. Are you trying to say Lanaia began to understand what Fu Qian meant. And after hearing your description of the scene just now, my first reaction was actually somewhat excited! Fu Qian made a shocked expression on his face. I even had the urge to replicate it verbatim, and thats why I say its a Swordsmans intuition. Then I thought about it, and if someone like me were to rush to the next site, I might encounter that person! Are you trying to say that you can fully empathize with the murderer? After Fu Qian finished speaking, Lanaia fell into a long silence. She hadnt interacted much with this temporarily recruited strong-arm and could not say she understood him well. But Fu Qians tone was so certain that it made her involuntarily consider the possibility of such a scenario. After a slight hesitation, she directly dialed Jia Yis number. From the other end, Jia Yi found her question a bit strange, but still reported the address of another warehouse. Lanaia immediately demanded, with an irrefutable tone, to rendezvous there directly. Although Jia Yi had a belly full of objections, he ultimately agreed to her decision. Its about time! Fu Qian overheard their entire conversation. Recalling the timing of thest warehouse attack, it should be just right. When the two arrived, Jia Yi was still on his way. Before the car even stopped, Lanaias expression changed as she heard screams from ahead. Unable to contain her surprise, she burst out of the car, sprinting toward the direction of the sounds. Fu Qian got out of the car behind her and didnt rush over. Instead, he surveyed the surroundings. Just then, a sword qi filled with the scent of ughter tore through the sky, shing straight towards his back. Unexpectedly attacked from behind, Fu Qian moved as if he had eyes in the back of his head, taking a seemingly slow but quick step to barely dodge the strike. Turning around, he saw a tall and skinny figure wrapped in a cloak, with a mask on the head, standing there, making a gurgling noise from its throat. My intuition was not wrong, the target is here! I can feel it My Sword Dao is thirsty for your blood! Ruan Shuos voice came from underneath the mask, sounding like a bloodthirsty beast. Thats what you think, but in fact, that may not be your intuition at all! Fu Qian silently criticized in his heart. The Ruan Shuo who should have been on a killing spree inside had actually yed a trick, drawing Lanaia away beforeunching a surprise attack on him. Fu Qian didnt believe that it wasnt behind this. He could only say his judgment just now was correct; the assault on the information flow was just the beginning, and the targeting was bing more frequent. Die! Ruan Shuo, clearly aware of the urgency of time, didnt waste words and charged at him directly, his killing intent exploding in an instant. The power was even more exaggerated thanst time! Faced with Ruan Shuos fierce onught, Fu Qian recalled the scenes of their encounters at the Academy. Compared to that time, this Sword Intent seemed to be even more brutal. Of course, it had also be less rational, as his mind was increasingly affected by the Sword Intent.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om The Sword Intent, already capable of ying a Fifth Phase Transcendent, was now showing its ferocity even more. Confronting this sharp sword qi, Fu Qian didnt dodge or evade but punched out. He didnt do anything fancy, and he even refrained from using the newlyprehended Ten Thousand Sword Intent. When his mind was in chaos, he had to fight in a more simplistic manner. Amidst the dense sounds of breaking bones, Ruan Shuo, transformed into the sword of ughter, was sent flying backwards, smashing heavily into the wall. His courage wasmendable, but courage alone was useless. After the failed sneak attack, he had no more chances. Although nearly mutted, Ruan Shuo still struggled to rise, but unfortunately, before he could seed, he was smashed down by a surge of energy. This time he never got up again, dying cleanly and neatly. Here shees. Fu Qian nodded to the approaching Lanaia, who was incredulously sizing him up, seemingly unable to believe that he had knocked out the target with a single punch. Seems my instincts were right, he dide this way. Fu Qian didnt care what she was thinking, wanting to get things done quickly as he still had a lot to do. Whats going on here? At this moment, Jia Yi hurried over with a few others. Seeing his face as dark as the bottom of a pot, he must have already received a report on the way. Whew! Lanaia exhaled and decided to stop pondering Fu Qians issue for the moment, stepping forward to lift Ruan Shuos mask. If things are as expected, he is the one who attacked your warehouse. Lanaia clearly didnt recognize Ruan Shuo. Now we just need to confirm his identity. This Looking at the body on the ground, Jia Yis expression was somewhat strange. How did you know he would attack here? Intuition! Fu Qians answer was concise. That reason wont convince anyone, Im afraid I wont be able to exin it when I get back. Jia Yi frowned, fully embracing a spirit of skepticism. Youe here without any reason, beat someone to death, and then im hes the culprit. How do I know this isnt all prearranged? What are you implying, Mr. Jia? Lanaia immediately got angry. Although Fu Qians reason was indeed far-fetched, Jia Yis usation was a bit too much. No other implications, just that things are odd and my suspicion is reasonable, right? Reasonable. Fu Qian, on the other hand, agreed. By the way, have you tallied the casualties? He then asked casually. The warehouse here? One dead, two injured. Jia Yi huffed. No! Its two dead. Fu Qian shook his head. Chapter 176 - 175: Secret Battle (Part 3)_1 Chapter 176: Chapter 175: Secret Battle (Part 3)_1 In the midst of silence, Jia Yi watched as Lanaia left with herpanion. Faced with Fu Qians tant personal threat, this regional head cowered once again. Though puzzled about why the Academy Instructor was behaving so badly, he was clearly not willing to risk his life on a gamble. After all, the murderers body was here, and with the Academys backing, once the identity was confirmed, all he had to do was think about how to report it properlyit wouldnt be hard to muddle through. As for reporting to the Academy, putting some pressure on them might be feasible, but he was skeptical about its effectiveness. Pleasant cooperation. Fu Qian took onest look at Ruan Shuos corpse and raised the car window. Speed is of the essence in war; there was no time to tangle with Jia Yi here. Unlike his own strategy shift from physical to mental, it clearly went from mental to physical. First, a massive influx of Sword Intent, then directly inducing Ruan Shuo to change targets and physically eliminate him. One could imagine that upon returning to the Academy, even more exciting events awaited. But precisely because of this, he had to hurry back. He couldnt give it time tofortably scheme. After all, Li Weixuan might emerge as a Demigod at any moment, and then it would have another top-notch enforcer. On the way back, Lanaia was also silent for a long time. Resolving matters with such efficiency was naturally good for her, but Fu Qians performance was a little over-the-top. He practically forced Jia Yi to retract his doubts, making the Academy seem like a criminal organization. However, she had to admit that seeing Jia Yis earlier demeanor was oddly satisfying.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om On the other hand, although the killers identity was not yet confirmed, it was clear he was a young practitioner of the Sword Dao. If it turned out he was from the Swordsmanship Department, that wouldnt be good news for the Academy. Do you think he could be Yes. Lanaia had only asked half the question when Fu Qian answered. How can you be so sure? Lanaia was surprised. A Swordsmans intuition! Damn it At that moment, Lanaia felt an urge to hit him. How had she not realized before how obnoxious this guy was! Fuming inside, Lanaia couldnt help but turn and give him a re. In the back seat, Fu Qian had already closed his eyes to rest. Instructor Lanaia, what on earth is going on? Lanaia, ever quick to act, returned to the Academy by the same route, dragging Fu Qian straight to the Swordsmanship Department without stopping. Elegantly dressed, Jian Jingzheng had been waiting and immediately questioned them upon their arrival. On the way, Lanaia had already informed the Swordsmanship Department. I need you to assist in confirming some information. Lanaia wasted no time, tossing the documents she had in her hand over to him. Jian Jingzheng undeniably recognized Ruan Shuo, expressing sternness after only a nce. Are you saying this person attacked the warehouse and killed the guards? You know him? Lanaias gaze was sharp, immediately noticing something off about Jian Jingzheng. Thetter gave her a peculiar look, pulling a paper from the documents. I know him, but ording to the information youve provided, among the killed guards were Fifth Phase Transcendents its utterly impossible. His name is Ruan Shuo, just a student. Although diligent, as far as I know, he hasnt been promoted to Middle Tier yet. For him to single-handedly kill those people, doesnt it seem a bit irrational? This When Lanaia arrived to deliver the coup de grace, Ruan Shuo was already stered against the wall, and she hadnt witnessed the specific actions, making this question difficult to answer momentarily. Reasonable. Seeing Lanaia seek help with her gaze, Fu Qian didnt refuse, stepping forward and lightly uttering two words. Hey, youre not going to cause trouble here too, are you? Lanaia looked at Fu Qian with some nervousness, genuinely worried that he might issue another death decree and make the situation uncontroble. Who is this? Fu Qians tone clearly displeased Jian Jingzheng. Fu Qian from Heavens Commencement Institute, with me to handle this incident. Lanaia hastily introduced from the side. Heavens Commencement Jian Jingzheng snorted disdainfully, making no attempt to hide the contempt on his face, and then suddenly remembered something. Fu Qian I received a report today that someone trespassed into the Sword Pavilion, and the name seems to match That was me. Fu Qian straightforwardly admitted it without hesitation. Such behavior is a definite vition of the rules, and if you cant provide a reasonable exnation, Im afraid I will have to file a report and request punishment. Jian Jingzheng narrowed his eyes, staring at Fu Qian as he spoke. I have a mystical connection with the Sword Dao. As I passed by the Sword Pavilion, I was moved by it and couldnt help but go up. Is this exnation eptable? Couldnt help it? Jian Jingzheng was astounded by Fu Qians reasoning, scoffing at it afterward. You im to have a connection just like that. Do you think anyone would believe your word? I believe it. However, before he could finish, a voice suddenly arose from outside. This voice? Jian Jingzheng first frowned and then realized something, abruptly looking up towards the person entering from the doorway. The Institute Head, youvee out of seclusion? Could it be that you have already Not yet. Li Weixuan waved his hand, looking a bit pale. Suddenly feeling restless, the Sword Intent in my heart was disrupted. Continuing to meditate would have been more harmful than beneficial, so I thought it best toe out and have a look. This is serious! To kill me more quickly, did they even drag Li Weixuan out of his imminent breakthrough? Fu Qian looked at Li Weixuan in front of him, noticing that, although his presence was still formidable, it was fundamentally different from the state of a Demigod. They must be in such a hurry that they cant even wait half a day! If things go as expected, Li Weixuan will certainly find a reason to kill me in a short while. In this person, I sense the presence of Sword Intent. Li Weixuan also scrutinized Fu Qian up and down, then spoke in a measured tone. Sword Intent? Jian Jingzheng looked at Fu Qian in disbelief, finding it hard to trust his own ears for a moment. This existence, which could be described as a divine opportunity, was so rare even within the Swordsmanship Department that few couldprehend it. Like myself, who, despite many years of arduous practice and having sessfully entered the Middle Tier, still hadnt caught even a glimpse of the Sword Intents enlightenment. Now youre telling me someone who ispletely foreign to our practices sat in the Sword Pavilion and grasped Sword Intent? This Thats impossible, right? He said it almost reflexively. But Li Weixuan did not answer his challenge; instead, he took two steps forward, his aura locking onto Fu Qian. The next moment, he ced his hand on his waist, and in an instant, the Sword Intent surged forcefully, overwhelming everything. Stimted by this, Fu Qian felt the Sword Intent within him burst to life, responding involuntarily. A breath filled with ruthless ughter emerged, and a chilling intent to kill instantly filled the whole room. It truly is Sword Intent Jian Jingzheng was momentarily shocked. He knew quality when he saw it, and despite his reluctance, he had to acknowledge the reality before him. Only, the killing nature was somewhat intense! This murderous Sword Intent felt achingly familiar! At this moment, Fu Qian shared his confusion. If he remembered correctly, he had encountered this killing Sword Intent not long ago on Ruan Shuo. It just so happened that during Li Weixuans attempt to test him, the infused Sword Intent turned into this. The plot reeked of conspiracy! Chapter 177 - 176: Secret Battle (Part 4)_1 Chapter 177: Chapter 176: Secret Battle (Part 4)_1n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om This is In that instant, even Lanaia couldnt help but be stunned. It is indeed Sword Intent, but the murderous aura is rather heavy. After provoking Fu Qians reaction, Li Weixuanmented without any expression on his face. Can you tell me which sword you areprehending? This has nothing to do with which sword it was. Fu Qian thought to himself while trying to calm the reaction in his body. Dean Before he could speak, Jian Jingzheng suddenly leaned in and whispered something into Li Weixuans ear. Almost instantly, thetters gaze grew sharper. Fu Qian could probably guess what Jian Jingzheng had said. Lanaia had already given him the relevant information, and he had naturally looked through it all. Anyone with a bit of imagination could link the Sword Intent from earlier with the massacre scene in the warehouse. And Ruan Shuo had been wearing a mask the entire time. The trap had apparently started even before they got to the Academy. The assault by Ruan Shuo was partly an attempt to kill him, but its main purpose was to use such abnormal behavior to make himself appear suspicious. Even his subsequent response was within its design, instantly doubling the level of suspicion. By this time, Li Weixuan had already taken the information handed over by Jian Jingzheng, and after flipping through it for a few moments, his brows furrowed as he looked towards Lanaia. A mere Seventh Phase student who has sessively killed nearly ten Transcendents, including some from the Middle Tier, isnt that a bit strange? The strength Ruan Shuo exhibited did indeed far exceed his own realm. Lanaia had no choice but to take Li Weixuans opinion seriously and immediately exined. However, we caught Ruan Shuo at the scene of the crime, where he had already wounded several people and even attempted to ambush Fu Qian, seeming somewhat insane. Insane Li Weixuan repeated softly, then turned to look at Fu Qian. So he didnt even try to flee but instead attempted to ambush you? Thats indeed irrationally crazy. Actually, I am also curious, how did Professor Fu know that Ruan Shuos next target was you? Jian Jingzheng chimed in from the side as well. This really is a problem, isnt it! Lanaia couldnt help but nce sideways, Fu Qians earlier exnation was the intuition of a swordsman, which obviously couldnt serve as a reason now. In my view, there are many doubts in this matter, and it is not suitable to jump to conclusions hastily. Li Weixuans expression looking at Fu Qian was already quite unfriendly. If possible, I would like to invite the two of you to apany me to themittee. This Lanaia looked up, her intuition still leaned toward Fu Qians side. It wasnt that they were close, but in the short time they had been in contact, Fu Qian had made an impressively deep impression. It made her feel that even if he wanted tomit murder, he wouldnt stoop to something soplicated. However, intuition couldnt serve as evidence, and the situation now was undoubtedly quite unfavorable for Fu Qian. Why did you have to go so hard! Lanaia sighed inwardly, although the final blow was delivered by her, Ruan Shuo had undoubtedly already been beyond saving at the time. What had been a very straightforward situationthe perpetrator caught at the scene of the crimejust needed them to hang on to theirst breath, and there were plenty of ways to confirm it. It really is all linked together! Watching Li Weixuan in front of him, with a hint of murderous intent, Fu Qian felt a sense of regret in his heart. It seemed he had still underestimated its caliber. Although it had previously given the impression of a wild beast, by leveraging the invisible control over the members of the Swarm, that thing undoubtedly possessed a high strategical capability, effortlessly setting perfect traps. With just a few simple actions of Li Weixuan and Ruan Shuo, he found himself almost unable to clear his suspicion. Last time I felt this way was when I was capturing Evil Omen in Xi Yuan City. In fact, this time might be even worse, since Ive already be a part of the Swarm. Making a move to kill Ruan Shuo without living witnesses, the influence of it might not have been absent in that action of mine. Looking at Li Weixuan in front of me, Fu Qian had no doubt about his determination. What just happened was less of a suggestion and more of amand. Under the current circumstances, being suspected as the mastermind behind the scenes would undoubtedly drastically limit ones actions. Especially because of the Sword Intent of ughter on my person, clearing my suspicion was almost impossible. What a headache! Alright! Fu Qian nodded in agreement. There were no other options under the circumstances, and not going with Li Weixuan likely meant he would take immediate action. Not to mention the multitude of experts at the Academy, it has already been proven that physical destruction is useless. Though this trap is poisonous, it has overlooked one thing. In its attempt to destroy my sanity earlier, it subjected me to a crazed Sword Intent assault, which, while exceedingly painful, also yielded some gains for me. For instance, each shift in Sword Intent represented a transition of old and new, and after thousands of such experiences, I, Fu Qian, had vaguely grasped something. As someone who has never used a sword, Sword Intent was forcibly instilled into me, and the integration wasnt so tight. If it can instill it in me, theres no reason I cant try to strip it away in reverse. Just need to get to the Academy, where once they cant find the Sword Intent of ughter on me, things will be much easier to handle. Then lets head over immediately. Seeing Fu Qians agreement, Li Weixuan did not hesitate and directly signaled for Lanaia to leave; even Jian Jingzheng followed suit. Walking in the middle, Fu Qian turned back and saw the look in Lanaias eyes, both worried and relieved. Are you worried that if I dont cooperate, well end up fighting? It seems my reputation has made a strong impression! Fu Qian chuckled inwardly and began trying to strip the Sword Intent from his body. Almost instantly, he felt the integration loosening. Wait a minute! Just as he was about to proceed further, Fu Qian stopped. Something isnt right! Theres a problem with myself! He looked at Lanaia again, realizing he had overlooked something. Her reaction just now was undoubtedly based on her knowledge of my personality. In her view, facing such usations, even if innocent, I might very well be uncooperative. This stereotype stemmed from my previous behavior, which, to be fair, is quite urate. But when I was being questioned just now, my first reaction was to clear the suspicion, which is out of character for me! Every event that had happened before shed quickly through my mind, and I realized the true purpose of it. The trap it designed wasnt to make me unable to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River, but to make me voluntarily detach from the Sword Intent! From what happened before, it can bombard me with a massive flow of Sword Intent, but it cant cut off the established connection. This connection is extremely solidunless I take the initiative. By forcing me into a corner by all means, then deliberately revealing a w, it gave me a way to detach from the Sword Intent. If Im not mistaken, with just a bit more effort just now, it wouldve dly withdrawn the Sword Intent that had been instilled into me. Once detached from the Swarm, I would no longer pose a threat to it. Then I would be faced directly with the situation as before, destined to die. Detaching from the Sword Intent would mean losing the threat, such an obvious issue and yet I had beenpletely unaware just moments ago. Indeed, it can warp the perception of every individual in the Swarm, including my own. Lucky for me, opting to be a real man has left a deep impression on Lanaia. Thats right, I killed the person. Fu Qian suddenly stopped in his tracks. Chapter 178 - 177: Covert Battle (Five)_1 Chapter 178: Chapter 177: Covert Battle (Five)_1 What? Youre admitting it just like that! Fu Qians abrupt statement caused a stir throughout the venue. Just saving everyone some effort, since were all so busy. Fu Qian lifted his head, revealing a somewhat neurotic smile. Thats right, I arranged everything, and I was the one who killed them. Ruan Shuo was merely under my control, a scapegoat I pushed forward. Its just a pity He sighed. Despite all my ns, I didnt anticipate Director Li leaving his retreat early. Its as if heaven itself is against me. Director Lis swordsmanship is divine, and I admit Im no match for him. You can carry out justice right here, and Ill offer no resistance. You why would you do this? After Fu Qian had finished speaking, Lanaia, who was by his side, waspletely dumbfounded and couldnt help but interject. Theres no point in talking further, take action! Fu Qian did not answer but simply watched Li Weixuan with a smile on his face. Just like how killing Li Weixuan would not cause it to die before, Fu Qian had strong suspicions that even if he were to perish now, he wouldnt truly cease to exist. He might even merge his consciousness into the Swarm, bing an existence like it, and ensure the contamination could never be eradicated. And the reasons were twofold. First, Sword Intent had been infused into him, and second, he was aware of the Swarms existence. Both were indispensable. Thats why it was so sensitive towards the sphemers; being aware of it was a form of contamination in itself. Otherwise, it wouldnt have needed to beat around the bush, guiding him to willingly detach himself it could have just waited for Li Weixuan, now a Demigod, to leave his retreat and repeat the same scenario fromst time. Unless killing him while still part of the Swarm would lead to an oue it could not ept. Of course, these were just spections, and for all he knew, it could be on the third floor, deliberately leading him into a trap by confessing to his crimes, thereby using someone elses hand to end him. But this guess waspletely worth gambling on. There might even be a chance to experience what its like to be a conceptual creature, which was worth far more than a few SAN Points. Youre confessing? Li Weixuans expression was frosty as he stared at Fu Qian, and Jian Jingzheng immediately assumed a defensive posture. Yes. Why? Youre asking that too? Fu Qian shook his head with a sense of resignation. Really, its nothing much, just a bit of research interest. Im quite curious about Sword Intent. Research, curiosity Lanaia and Jian Jingzheng both gasped, recalling Fu Qians previous infiltration of the Sword Pavilion.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Just to satisfy your own curiosity, you treat the lives of so many like a game? Li Weixuans hand once again moved to his waist, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense and deadly. Thats just how youmoners think, Fu Qian snorted. Who are you to say this is a game? Nothing is more noble than exploring the mysteries of life and power. He was the epitome of an incurable fanatic, racing down the path of provoking hostility at full throttle. Their sacrifices are the dazzling stars on the path of Transcendent power exploration, destined to shine brightly in the annals of history! They are the true Saints! Once Fu Qian decided to embrace his demise, he went all in, perfectly mimicking the tone of Elder Lu from the Rebirth Club with a face full of devout sanctity. Fool, our cause is just! This guys aplete and utter madman! After listening to Fu Qians rambling nonsense, Jian Jingzheng barely managed to collect himself and quickly made a judgment. I knew it, those madmen at Heavens Commencement Institute would eventually cause trouble, and the Academy has been indulging them all this while. This was what he thought indignantly while remaining fully alert. He always categorized the scientific fanatics of Heavens Commencement Institute as incurable and extremely dangerous! Their thoughts, which are umon among ordinary people, make them believe that there is nothing wrong with what they are doing. Usual morals and rules simply cant restrain them. In some ways, they dont even care about their own lives. Arent you going to make a move? If not, I can leave, Fu Qian said, fanning the mes as he saw that Li Weixuan, despite the maxed-out killing intent, had not taken any action. This guy really has no idea whatsing for him! Lanaia was amazed as she watched Li Weixuan, whose strength she was well aware of. He could be considered the top person below the rank of Demigod in the Academy. Although Fu Qian was strong, he would have no chance of surviving once Li Weixuan took action. As soon as this thought crossed her mind, Li Weixuan made his move. Sword Intent was mighty and invincible. The moment he acted, even Lanaia couldnt help but feel a sense of suffocation. On the other hand, his target, Fu Qian, was truly motionless, without any reaction. Just as Fu Qian seemed destined to be smashed to pieces under Li Weixuans attack, the fierce Sword Intent suddenly changed direction, sting towards the ground instead. Around the space where Fu Qian stood, the ground instantly tore apart, creating crisscrossed ravines that perfectly avoided his position, not harming him in the slightest. It seems I bet correctly! In the silent scene, Fu Qian wore a deeply meaningful smile. This risky move had validated his spection to a considerable extent. He could now almost confirm that it had orchestrated everything beforehand to induce him to voluntarily sever the connection with the Sword Intent and break away from the Swarm. Phew! Li Weixuan, who had spared Fu Qian a way out, also exhaled. I, Li Weixuan, am certainly not one to unjustly me others without good reason. I wont wrongly use the innocent. You have one more chance. The next strike wont be on the ground Li Weixuan had just looked like he was ready to pounce, but then he suddenly changed his tone? Lanaia couldnt help but feel that the scene before her was beyond her understanding. What she didnt expect even more was that Fu Qian didnt say a word, simply turning and walking away. Given the chance of survival by Li Weixuan, he actedpletely unappreciative, doing exactly as he had said. If you dont take action, I will leaveand he really did leave! Lanaia and Jian Jingzhengs eyes both converged on Li Weixuans face, but even as Fu Qians figure disappeared, Li Weixuan did not make another move. Fu Qian was in no rush at the moment. He understood very well that, after probing that it dared not kill him directly, it should be the other party that was anxious. It would definitely make a move soon. All he had to do was to watch out not to be subtly influenced and to wait and see how things unfold. For now, it had revealed a lot, but not enoughfor instance, it was still uncertain how to utterly destroy it. In fact, the other party acted faster than expected. Fu Qian returned to his office at Heavens Commencement Institute, but he had rested for less than half an hour before a knock sounded on the door. Come in! Fu Qian responded, and the door to the office was then pushed open from the outside. Ji Liushuang walked in, her expression nk and her head down, without a word, closing the door behind her. ng! In the next moment, without any hesitation, she drew her long sword and shed at Fu Qian. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 179 - 178: Secret Battle (Part 6)_1 Chapter 179: Chapter 178: Secret Battle (Part 6)_1 ` Your swordsmanship has improved since west parted. Facing Ji Liushuangs immediate strike, Fu Qian still did not make any move. He was very certain that this was not an attempt to kill him. The sword thrust straight forward, eventually stopping with the tip at Fu Qians forehead.N?v(el)B\\jnn An invisible ripple swiftly expanded. The next moment, Fu Qian felt a jolt in his spirit, and everything went ck. When his vision returned, Fu Qian found himself in a pure white space, with Ji Liushuang sitting opposite him with proper decorum. This is Xinjian Prison. Seeing that Fu Qian had regained his senses, Ji Liushuang slowly began to speak, still in that t tone. The Heart-Questioning Sword I just used allows our consciousnesses to converge here, so we canmunicate as pure entities of awareness. Pleased to meet you! Fu Qian was not at all surprised and greeted it who had personally taken action. The special thing about Xinjian Prison is that you cant lie while youre in it; thats why Ive decided to talk to you here. Ji Liushuang watched Fu Qian without blinking. So I have a proposition for you, given the current situation, and I hope you will consider it carefully. Sure, by the way, how should I address you? Is there any need for a special title? Ji Liushuang shook her head. Actually, I chose toe in this form because its the least effort, and also because you have a lower degree of rejection toward her. Its better to continue using the previous name. Alright. Fu Qian was not a stickler for details, so he nodded at once. You can tell me your proposition now. My proposition is simple be my believer. Believer and then? We would stop the pointless fighting, you would share my power and be granted eternal protection, a link that even I cannot sever. You would be the foremost person on the Sword Dao of all time and have an unobstructed path to godhood! Ji Liushuang pointed to herself. Furthermore, all whoprehend Sword Intent will unconsciously gravitate towards you as their core. You will be the invisible king in their lives. It does sound quite tempting. Fu Qian stroked his chin with his right hand as if pondering. These are the benefits. What about the downsides? There are no downsides; if what youre asking about are changes bing my believer means opening your mind to me, you will forget my existence. But thats not necessarily a bad thing. You just need to enjoy the protection, which can actually prevent the current situation. I think I understand. Fu Qian sighed. So what do you say? Ji Liushuang looked directly at Fu Qian. I need a little time to consider, and before I give you a formal answer, may I ask a few minor questions? Ask away. When did you merge with Sword Intent? I Apparently not expecting Fu Qian to ask this, Ji Liushuang hesitated to answer for a moment. As expected, you cant say here that you are the Sword Intent. Fu Qian had a look of I knew it on his face. It seems my guess is right; theres no fundamental difference between us; we are both contaminations of the concept of Sword Intent, except you took the lead. The Swordsmanship Department people really are unlucky, diligently practicing their cultivation only to have their spiritual totem turn into an Evil God! If not for me, most of them wouldnt stand a chance ofprehending Sword Intent in their lifetimes. Ji Liushuang snorted, implicitly acknowledging Fu Qians guess. You havent answered my question yet. ` ` Its been a long time, but Ipletely digested it a few years ago. Facing Fu Qians question, It also no longer concealed anything. Was it from that time that you began to actively respond to summons? Fu Qian remembered what Lanaia had mentioned about the great development of the Swordsmanship Department. Yes, but I was very restrained, no one could sense my presence, except you In fact, its not bad for everyone. They got what they had always dreamt of while I grew quietly. Believe me, after bing one of my followers, you would receive far more than them! Alright, Ive answered enough questions, now its your turn to give an answer. Hmm! Fu Qian nodded. Thank you very much, Ive basically got answers to all my doubts, and I also feel your sincerity. Innate Sword Deity, Son of Destiny, they do sound impressivebut I refuse! Why? That instant, Its tone became cold and gloomy. I am a person who pursues freedom. Fu Qian blinked. I dont like being dominated. How absurd, cognition and consciousness are all influenced by various factors. How can you be sure that your current thoughts have not been controlled by a higher existence? You should know that even an existence like me cannot determine if there is such a thing as fate. Considering my recent experiences, I really cant. In the face of Its counter-question, Fu Qian honestly replied. Then whats the meaning of your so-called pursuit of freedom? What impact does my intangible protection have on you? Youre not like those young humans, are you? Dering the whole world wrong at the slightest setback, iming to pursue absolute freedom, yet rebellion oftensts only until one achieves sess. No one has ever been able to control their destiny, let alone be certain of what fate is you cant be that foolish, can you? Discuss philosophy? Sure! Listening to Its increasingly eager voice, Fu Qians smile remained unfaded. Indeed, I am not one of those the whole world is wrong types of people. Of course, a long time ago, after certain things happened, I did briefly enter that state, for about a week. In fact, the difference between me and them lies in Fu Qians expression became serious. I dont care about the right and wrong of the world! Facing the silent Ji Liushuang, Fu Qian pointed a finger. Ie, I see, I think, I act, but I have only one demand of myself even if one day, waking from eons of time, I find that the universe is but a ss globe in the hands of divine beings, and my life is merely an illusory sh, I will have no regrets about each moment of thought and decision. I can be foolish and clumsy, but I must not deceive myself or others. Fu Qian gestured around. Look, I have spoken these words as well, proving that I am not lying. You really are mad It was silent for a long time before finally speaking. Mad? ording to your logic just now, who defines madness? Is someone mad just because they dont fit your ideas? Enough! Under Fu Qians relentless mental barrage, It finally couldnt take it anymore. Since you are so unreasonable, then it will be a fight to the death, lets see how long you can hold out! Ji Liushuang abruptly stood up, waved her hand attempting to dismiss the Sword Prison, but the next moment, she frozethe pure white Sword Prison was as stable as ever. Oops, no response, whats going on? Fu Qian made a mock surprised sound, his smile turning crazed. I was just thinking, since the essence is the same, theres no reason you can do something I cannot, this ce was formed by the union of our two consciousnesses and naturally, its influenced by two wills as well. So, now that wevee this far, no one can leave until theres an oue! Today, one of us must die! ` Chapter 180 - 179: Covert War (End)_1 Chapter 180: Chapter 179: Covert War (End)_1 Inside the Sword Prison, Fu Qian stared at Ji Liushuang, not knowing how long they had been sitting there. It had clearly not expected Fu Qian to be so brazen as to demand a fight to the death right there. However, the fact was, ever since it had unleashed the Heart-Questioning Sword, Fu Qian had been nning this. What Fu Qian had been desperately searching for was the true method to destroy the Sword Hearts Legacy. Unfortunately, it had already been proven that physical destruction was ineffective; it could even hide and transfer at will, truly like a ghost appearing and disappearing. So, after confirming it was eager to eradicate this contamination, Fu Qians strategy was to lure it into action. Now that this guy had finally taken the initiative toe out in spirit form, how could Fu Qian let this opportunity slip away. We are now purely spiritual bodies, unable to attack each other in here. Staring hard at Fu Qian, after a long time it finally spoke up. Do you n to just sit here until death? Is that not allowed? Fu Qian appeared much more rxed. Sure! Ji Liushuangughed heartily. Even as spirit forms, we indeed deteriorate over time, but it would take far longer than you imagine! The flow of time here is not consistent with the outside world, dont expect anyone to discover us! Are you really prepared to sit here with me for a hundred years? A hundred yearsthat does seem a bit long. Fu Qian blinked. So please maintain this appearance, at least its more pleasing to my eyes. Hehe! Ji Liushuang sneered repeatedly. In apletely void space, time particrly dragged on. Although as a seasoned homebody, Fu Qian was always good at passing time, unfortunately, there wasnt even a book to read here. The fact that he couldnt sleep as a spirit form also took away some of the fun.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om But thats alright, this in itself was the fun part. 1, 2, 3 99 999 9999 99999 999999 Fu Qian began to count, using it as a measure of his patience. Youre insane! No knowing how much time had passed, Ji Liushuang, who had been in a monk-like trance, suddenly jumped up. Getting anxious so soon? Wasnt this a supposed high-level existence? So impatient! Since you seem so eager to die. It was unclear if it was because of the prolonged trance, but his words were slightly slurred. Then I shall grant your wish! As if making some kind of decision, the next moment, Ji Liushuangs body exploded into a mass of multicolored light, filling the entire space. Lets y a game. Hey! Which way should we go? When his senses returned, Fu Qian found the pure white space had disappeared, and he was now in a ce resembling a shopping mall, with Ji Liushuang standing beside him, speaking. The mall was vast, with all kinds of facilities open, yet apart from the two of them, there was no one elseit was strangely eerie. So where is she? Did she run off after spouting such nonsense? Fu Qian wondered. Hurry up, that thing is going to catch up! Without reacting, Ji Liushuang grew anxious, restraining herself from reaching to pull on Fu Qians sleeve. Fu Qian realized that she was acting oddly, seeming anxious and scared, yet not wanting to look him in the eye, even appearing almost petntly. Fu Qian was about to ask what that thing was when suddenly a loud bang came from beneath his feet, as if something had broken through ss and run out. ncing back, Ji Liushuangs face was pale, her lips tightly clenched, trying hard not to shout. Were they avoiding something that was hunting them? The scene before him was obviously not real; it seemed this was to be the deathmatch between himself and it. Had it pulled him into Ji Liushuangs consciousness world and made it the final battleground? In that case, the thing below was very likely an incarnation of it. He couldnt let it catch him, otherwise, he would lose. Suddenly, a realization struck Fu Qian. This way. Fu Qian grabbed Ji Liushuangs hand and almost dragged her up the esctor quickly. The mall was obviously constructed by Ji Liushuangs imagination C who would have thought she was such a fan of shopping. Its floors were outrageously high, with every store wide open, making it hard to find a secure ce. Meanwhile, the sounds of pursuit were relentless. No matter which direction he moved, that thing was rapidly approaching, and nothing could hinder its steps. The sound of metal tearing apart echoed through the massive mall. This game is way too unfair! Fu Qian grumbled as he ran. He had already tried before and knew that he was nowpletely an ordinary person. Yet it could tear steel apart with its bare hands. However, he could understand, if it didnt have an advantage, it wouldnt have initiated the game with him. Just as Fu Qian was dragging Ji Liushuang up another floor, he caught a glimpse of the things true face. It was a humanoid creature over two meters tall, with grotesquely elongated limbs and not a single hair on its hairless grey-white skin exposed all over its body. Yet with such a flesh-and-blood body, Fu Qian watched it tear apart a rolling door with its bare hands as if it were ripping through tofu skin. Ah! Ji Liushuang couldnt help but scream out loud, her body trembling uncontrobly. But actually, whether or not she made a noise didnt make much of a difference, as Fu Qian noticed that the thing almost directly charged towards the two of them in a straight line, like it was using navigation, never taking any detours. So the chase went on, with Fu Qian dragging Ji Liushuang all the way to the top floor, where he could already feel his physical strength declining, and Ji Liushuang was nearly unable to walk. Without saying anything else, Fu Qian dragged Ji Liushuang and sprinted dozens of meters to find a row of straight elevators. He quickly pressed all of the elevator buttons, and as soon as the first one opened, he shoved Ji Liushuang into it. Im sorry! It was then that Ji Liushuang finally spoke, tears glistening in her eyes. I shouldnt have insisted on seeing that thing, you clearly warned me something was off, but I just had to oppose you Its okay. Fu Qian followed her into the elevator and quickly pressed the button to go down. The elevator doors were slowly closing, and Fu Qian silently stared ahead as the monsters footsteps grew closer and closer. Just at the moment before the doors shut, a grey-white w reached in. Shriek! The metal elevator cab, like cardboard, was torn open to both sides, and immediately the elevator came to a halt. A narrow head protruded in, the single One-Eyed in the middle staring dead at Fu Qian and Ji Liushuang. Caught you! Althoughcking human facial features, one could feel that it was smiling. In that instant, Fu Qian felt Ji Liushuangs grip on his arm painfully tight. Its all my fault actually, I was so happy that you came out with me! Ji Liushuangs face was covered in tears. So, girl, your obsession was just wanting your old father to apany you shopping? Thats really not much to ask for. I always wanted to call you It doesnt matter. Knowing what she intended to say, Fu Qian touched her head, pushing back the rest of her words. You are my pride. After saying this, Fu Qian looked up, as half of the monsters body had squeezed into the elevator, its long, sharp ws inching closer, like the footsteps of the Grim Reaper. The next moment, Fu Qian didnt back down but stepped forward, reaching out his hand. As their three eyes met, the atmosphere solidified. You The monster emitted a low, hoarse roar from its throat. You wonder why Im unharmed? Fu Qian tilted his head at a forty-degree angle, looking up at the giant colored balls hanging from the top of the mall. Ive been thinking, if our victory was determined only by willpower, then why should being caught count as a loss? If Im not mistaken, the lethal factor in this dream for me isnt being caught, but the fear of failure thates with being caught. This mental breach would directly project into the Sword Prison from before, symbolizing a true defeat in this battle of wills, followed byplete annihtion. Thats what youve been misleading me about, trying to make me believe from all angles that being caught is a loss, therefore triggering my fear. To think youd try to win a life-or-death battle through deceit Although in your eyes, you probably see your chances of winning as great. Unfortunately for you, a true man fears nothingnot even failure itself! The pinnacle of will, something youll never understand! Sword Intent is quite a remarkable thing, in my view, it represents unyielding resolve and insight pushed to the extreme, a true fusion of strength and intelligence. Fu Qian snorted disdainfully. Regardless of rank, Sword Hearts Legacy, you do not deserve such a title! As Fu Qian ranted, the entire dreamscape began to crumble, waves rippling across the body of the monster. In a game at this rule level, to introduce the possibility of annihting the opponent, you would most likely have to include yourself, otherwise, you wouldnt have waited until you were almost at your end to take a risky gamble. Now that I havent lost, someone should be facing the consequences, right? Before his words hadpletely faded, there seemed to be wails resonating from all around, making the entire space shudder. The next instant, the dream, the Sword Prison, shattered in session, and when Fu Qian came back to his senses, he found himself back in the office. Still pointing a sword at his brow was Ji Liushuang, but her expression was one of bewilderment,pletely dumbfounded. Not a bad sword! Fu Qianplimented without a change in his tone. [Missionpleted, containment of number 2-010 sessful] The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 181 - 180 Demigod_1 Chapter 181: Chapter 180 Demigod_1 In the office. Ji Liushuang, looking utterly bewildered, snapped back to reality and hastily withdrew her long sword, unable toprehend why she had drawn it on this Academy Instructor. Fu Qian, however, didnt seem to mind and merely greeted her with a cheery smile. The next moment, the scene before her eyes shifted, and the familiar warehouse appeared before her. Finally settled! Fu Qian stretched his limbs, just thinking about taking a breath, when suddenly, a strange feeling washed over him, as if an invisible force was tugging at his body. ncing down at his own arm, Fu Qian saw it had be incredibly thick in an instant, even sprouting ayer of grey-white fine scales. Before he had a chance to examine them closely, the scales vanished in the blink of an eye, reced by peculiar, oily feathers that seemed to burrow out from beneath his skin. His limbs, too, grew slender and nimble. Although invisible to him, Fu Qian could feel his face morph into a bony beak. He tried to pluck a feather to take a closer look, but the moment he touched it, the feather melded back into his skin, leaving him grasping at air. His skin then turned cold and slippery, covered with metallic-patterned textures. Fu Qian felt his beak melt away like wax, transforming into writhing tentacles. Even his vision grew dim, as if countless strange shapes were ovepping in front of his eyes Whew! Fu Qian exhaled slowly, trying to detach himself from the chaos and struggled to stabilize his condition. After what seemed like an eternity, Fu Qian felt the mutations on his body gradually subside, no longer feeling like he could melt and transform at any moment. Opening his eyes, he checked his body and found that everything had returned to normal, yet there was a subtle, indistinct change. [Mission Evaluation: Heart-Render] Atst, the mission summary appeared. [The renowned Academy recently witnessed a series of vicious incidents. Fortunately, with concerted efforts, the deranged student was killed on the spot, and the stolen materials were gradually recovered. The Yuan Financial Group expressed no objections to the handling by the Academy, and the regional head of the group highly praised the efforts of the Punishment Department. Despite this, to prevent simr incidents from recurring, the Academy has decided to further strengthen mental health infrastructure and guide students to establish the correct values. The annual Sword Pavilion open day has officially ended. Regrettably, this year, only one student from the Swordsmanship Department hasprehended the Sword Intent, the lowest addition in three years. Meanwhile, the retreat of Academy Head Li Weixuan was interrupted, and he failed to reach the Demigod realm. Additionally, a research mishap urred at Heavens Commencement Institute, with some professors infected by a Demigods remains, resulting in a foul stench that lingered for two weeks and attracted numerousints.] [Kills: Ruan Shuo, Corrupted Sword Heart] [Rewards: SAN Points +26; Inspiration +5] [Special Achievement: Ritual, Your distinctive action has inadvertently fulfilled the requirements of a promotion ritual] [Special Achievement Reward: Flesh Enters The Divine] [Current SAN Points: 183, Current Inspiration: 46] [Would you like to y the event recap?] Why does this mission summary seem a bit strange? Fu Qian suppressed the urge to make a snarkyment, recalled the recent mutations in his body, and quickly flipped to the special reward section. [Flesh Enters The Divine: You have undergone a fundamental sublimation and officially be a mythical creature. Since you havent solidified any traits, your condition is still unstable, easily drawing various attentions] [Find and absorb suitable traits to solidify your Demigod Form] Demigod? This was truly unexpected for Fu Qian. So, was that transformation just now the manifestation of ascending to a Demigod? And ording to the description, did one of his actions during the mission happen to fulfill the requirements of a promotion ritual?] This really leaves one unsure how to assess. Regarding the rituals description, Fu Qian was reminded of the suspicious reward he receivedst time. If he remembered correctly, the introduction of the Completed Demigod Ritual was A perfectlypleted ascension ritual that can elevate you to a corresponding Demigod form. Literally, the Completed Demigod Ritual could not only promote oneself to Demigod status but also determine the form. In contrast, his current Demigod form had not yet solidified and could roughly be understood as having the realm but not the profession. However, as long as he found the trait mentioned above, it would be likepleting the ritual. Although it wasnt an all-in-one step, the flexibility was a benefit, as there was some degree of choice. The decision he made before was the right one, not epting the infusement of that thing. In addition, the likely to attract various observations reminded Fu Qian of the various transformations on his body just now. If it was really due to that, just mere observation had caused him to mutate, what kind of beings were those guys? He would need to be more careful in the subsequent tasks. But no matter what, the reward for this mission was still quite good, even a surprise. Thinking this, Fu Qian stretched out his finger, aiming at the void of the warehouse. Whoosh! The next moment, an impact stronger than before shot out from his hand, whistling as it struck the ground. Without needing the Mythical Form, he could now unleash an Air Bullet of Demigod level. Of course, the warehouse was still unharmed. Fu Qian was very satisfied with this oue, he gave himself a thorough check again to confirm there wasnt anything extra on him, then he chose to leave the warehouse. The house was still in the state it was in after breakfast, with the rising sun shining through the windows into the living room. And outside, the uncles and aunties had already started a day that was both leisurely and busy. Slumping on the sofa for a nap, Fu Qian struggled to get up and fumbled to the bathroom. The task wasnt too perilous but it had drained quite a lot of his spirit, just resisting the massive Sword Intent onught was exhausting, and counting in the Sword Prison had also taken considerable effort. After washing his face, Fu Qian took a close look at himself in the mirror.N?v(el)B\\jnn For the moment everything seemed normal, no special changes. Perhaps it was because his form hadnt yet solidified, Fu Qian thought to himself. This was good, it allowed for a transitionwait, something seemed a bit off! Fu Qian ced his hands on the edge of the washstand and nced outside, seeing nothing unusual. For a moment just now, he seemed to faintly hear someone calling his name. Was his mind creating hallucinations due to the impact during ascension? That was Fu Qians subconscious reaction. The mysterious beings that were watching him calling out? That was also possible. Of course, the former was slightly more eptablepared to thetter. Fu Qian held his breath, trying to listen again, the voice from before was vague and indistinguishable. However, several minutes passed and no sound came. Shaking his head, Fu Qian decided to give up and go out for a walk. But just as he was dressed and about to move, something stirred in Fu Qians heartanother voice came into his ears. This time, it was noticeably clearer than before, ensuring that it was indeed his name being called. Wait a minute, even the voice seemed familiar! Chapter 182 - 181 Demigods Leisure Life_1 Chapter 182: Chapter 181 Demigods Leisure Life_1 In fact, if he hadnt heard the voice, Fu Qian might have already forgotten the existence of this personXu Meng, who had just recently sought to trouble him. Considering he had only met him once, and that was four days ago, most information about this person had almost been swept from his memory. It took Fu Qian quite an effort to recall it. However, it was clear that this was not Xu Meng; the hatred was palpable in the shouted voice, filled with resentment. Fu Qian, for his part, wasnt surprised by this; he never believed in the idea that a smile could erase deep-seated grudges. It was possible that because of Tan Ying, Xu Meng indeed abandoned the thought of taking out his frustration on Fu Qian. But after all, they were adults, and the spirit of victory through Annihtion of the Void was still a tacticmonly known. The only strange thing was, how did the voice of this vigorous man appear in his own mind? He didnt know him well, so auditory hallucinations shouldnt have affected him. Fu Qian held his breath and listened carefully to the voice he heard. Half a minute after the resent-filled shout subsided, the same voice resonated once again. Fu Qian instinctively focused his attention upwards.N?v(el)B\\jnn Swipe! The next moment, a dark curtain abruptly unfurled, and Fu Qian found the room suddenly be illusory and hazy. Around him, in the dimming light, clusters of flickering and vanishing orbs of light appeared. Xu Mengs voice, full of resentment, came from one of them. Fu Qian tried to reach out and touch it. The next instant his vision brightened, and a scene shed by. An angry Xu Meng sat there, with the table in front of him covered in scalding tea. A woman in professional attire, plump and round, was silent as if frozen, not far from the scattered fragments of tea cups. There was no conversation at all! The image ended quickly, and Fu Qian watched from beginning to end, until Xu Meng stood up and began to tear at the womans clothes, and she half-resisted as they tumbled together onto the sofanot once did he hear his own name mentioned. Could it be that what he had heard was a voice of internal resentment? As long as someone thought of him in their heart, was it possible for their voice to be heard by him? Although it seemed bizarre, this was the only exnation that felt right! As for why this was happening, Fu Qian already had a rough idea of the reason. The only change for him today, was his ascension to a Whiteboard Demigod. In the description of a demigod, it specifically mentioned obtaining a fundamental sublimation, officially bing a mythological creature. Well, being associated with the word god, it seemed reasonable to have some divine peculiarities. Having just interacted with a conceptual creature, Fu Qian was no longer finding such things difficult to ept. The major ount is already useless, so wishing President Xu to remain vigorous and unyielding with age, may you prosper like an old tree blossoming! Fu Qian did not pay further attention to Xu Meng and instead surveyed his surroundings. In just this short while, new orbs of light had emerged, while some that were already dim hadpletely dissipated. Fu Qian focused on one of the newly appeared orbs, where the voice emanating from it sounded equally indignant. The image expanded once again before his eyes. In a ssroom-like space, Tan Ying with her hair simply tied back tilted her head, her moist lips curved up, biting on a pencil and furrowing her brows in thought. Though she was in ss, her eyes were not on the ckboard at all. Just a little grudge, and yet so much resentment? Fu Qian was taken aback by her vengefulness. Without looking further, Fu Qian exited the current scene and proceeded to look through a few more. Qin Mingze, Wu Qingyu almost all familiar people, most of the images were very blurry, likely because they were from longer ago. Fu Qian felt somewhat relieved that his social circle was so small. ` If this were a celebrity, theyd probably be annoyed to death. Where there is thought, it is known. Looking back now, the side effect of ascending to demigod status seemed to allow any thought rted to oneself to turn into a voice that reached ones ears. And having listened for a while, the loudest of all the voices was unmistakably that of President Xu. Indeed, an enemy is the one who pays you the most attention! In a reflective mood, Fu Qian tried to pull his attention away from these voices, and the feeling of unreality around him dissipated. However, even so, new voices would still pop up every once in a while, though not as loudly as when he was focusing on them. He had to find a way to block it out, as he was no voyeur. Fu Qian frowned and looked around, the voices seemed to manifest directly in his consciousness, so wearing headphones probably wouldnt work. Wait a second! If headphones wont work Fu Qian suddenly remembered something and without another word, he activated the mark on his wrist. The scene shifted, and he entered the warehouse once again; without hesitation, Fu Qian swiftly found the Messengerbeled 3-0177. This mask allowed him to synchronize with another world, which should cut off this intangible connection. As soon as he put on the bloodstained mask, the scene before his eyes rapidly changed. When his senses returned, Fu Qian woke up once more on the second floor of the bookstore. Sitting up from the bed, Fu Qian didnt rush to do anything, but just stared ahead in silence, waiting. Neither Xu Mengs nor Tan Yings voice appeared againin fact, no voices appeared at all. But Fu Qian found this rather strange. Come to think of it,paratively, he had a wider social circle in this world, so it didnt make sense that he couldnt hear any voices. In Fu Qians estimation, after his arrival here, while he shouldnt hear the voices of Tan Ying and the others, there should be some voices from this world that would take their ce. However, after waiting for a full half hour, there was absolutely nothing. Did his demigod status not cause any change here? Was there something special about this world itself? It was also true that this world did not have a small number of demigods, but he had never heard of anything simr before, so there must be something special about it. Too bad, Fu Qian instantly felt his hopeful wishes falling through. Being disturbed was one thing, but if the effect he experienced earlier also worked in this world, his missions in the future would undoubtedly be much easier. This would be like owning a mind detector, and no one could scheme against him without being noticed. What a pity! Fu Qian shook his head. But every cloud has a silver lining, at least he gained a ce where he could enjoy peace and quiet. On days when things are too maddening over there, he could just run over here. As Fu Qian thought this, he looked around; judging from the dust on the windowsill, the situation was almost no different from when he first synchronized here. Indeed, the flow of time was synchronized between the two worlds. Of course, the most urate way would be to go outter and check the date. Speaking of which, he hadnt really spent much time walking around this ce. Fu Qian thought it over and, considering the harassment waiting for him when he returned, decided to take a temporary stroll here. In this perilous world, human civilization is still being cared for as much as possible! In some ways, the Night Watchman is truly doing a good job. Wandering near the bookshop in a mall, Fu Qian was reflecting on this when he suddenly paused. Not far ahead, Yuan Shan, her armsden with shopping bags, was turning her head back in confusion. Chapter 184 - 183: Porcelain Doll (Part 1)_1 Chapter 184: Chapter 183: Porcin Doll (Part 1)_1 The Seal of the Sunsted for about half an hour in total. Given that it was already evening, by the time the dark haze dissipated, the sun had almost set. And just as Fu Qian predicted, this strange phenomenon almost instantly went viral on the inte. Fu Qian even saw Young Master Qinsplete coverage on his social media feed. After a quick nce at the rted news, Fu Qian promptly confirmed the range of the seals impact, which essentially covered the entirety of Lincheng and then some. One could only say that sphemys Embrace was indeed quite powerful. And as Lincheng had witnessed a series of strange phenomena, the publics interest was notably piqued. Fu Qian even saw some television station had organized three experts who sat around a round table, passionately debating the cause of the unusual celestial event, their faces turning red and ears getting hot. Earthquake, fire, an omen of doom after dismissing many guesses and rebutting his opponents until they were nearly having a stroke, the youngest-looking expert adjusted his gold-rimmed sses, started citing broadly, and spoke eloquently. He naturally linked todays event with the abnormal sh of light from the previous days, speaking logically and coherently, leaving the heavily made-up host fascinated, without reaching any conclusion at the end. After watching for a while, once the experts ran out of arguments and began attacking one another personally, Fu Qian turned off the program. Experience proved that sphemys Embrace still had its domineering aspects, sticking to the promised side effects of twenty-four hours without a second of discount. And even though he was now ranked as a demigod, the feeling during Discoloration State was still far from pleasant. In response to this situation, Fu Qian chose to silently enjoy the twenty-four hours of peace, waiting until the state dissipated the next day before finally entering the warehouse. [Identity verificationplete, work for today begins] [Warning, leakage ident] The warehouse never disappointed, operating with its usual stability. [Name: Porcin Doll, Code: 2-090] [Todays work content updated: Enter the containment scene of 2-090,plete re-containment] [Current SAN Points 182, current Inspiration 46] With practiced ease in setting up his Skill, Fu Qian began his work for the day. [Entering containment scene of 2-090] [4%6%10%18%34%66%100%, containment scene loadingplete] [This is a mysterious forbiddennd, a ce where ordinary people dare not tread. As a member of the Exploration Team, you are hired and tasked with a special mission toe here. Your n is meticulous, your preparations thorough, and you are optimistic about the journeywhich was supposed to be an easy and pleasant one] The mission briefing abruptly ended, and Fu Qian regained his senses at the same time. After moving his limbs a bit, he found himself in the midst of a dense forest. Looking up, all around him were dark green nts, barely a glimpse of the ground to be seen, with the canopy overhead sealed tight by ovepping leaves. At the same time, there was an indescribable scent of corruption permeating the air. The next moment, an eerie cry sounded from behind him, almost reminiscent of a human wail, very close by. Fu Qian turned to look and saw an enormous creature of bizarre appearance. It resembled a giant spider at first nce, about the height of a building. Except the part that seemed to be the head did not have organs like mouths and eyes. Instead, there were numerous spiral-shaped holes, and legs numbering in the teens were situated haphazardly both in front and behind. At the same time, this creature was covered with a thick, gray carapace from its back to its legs.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Out of the gaps in the carapace, countless yellow-ck sharp ws stretched out, like sharp daggers aimed in all directions. However, the terrifying monster was now lying motionless on the ground. Fu Qian closely inspected it and found that most of the spiders legs were broken. It was intentionally ced here, but the purpose was unclear. Fu Qian quickly made a judgment. As he turned around, the creature seemed to sense something. Its face turned towards him, and its wailing became even more pitiful. What are you doing? Hurry back. A voice came from not far away. Fu Qian turned to see half a body emerging from behind a towering tree. The bodys owner was about forty years old, with thinning hair and a cold expression, dressed in clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Quick, or theyll be here. Seeing that Fu Qian was looking at him, the man coldly reminded him and motioned to hide over there. Or do you want to stay there and be live bait? So, he had been setting a trap just now, and this creature was the bait? Fu Qian instantly understood and gave the spider another nce before walking over. Several people were already hiding behind the tree, their ages varied, but their attire was remarkably consistent. At the same time, Fu Qian also noticed around this area, centering on the spider, more than a dozen presences were surrounding it, some of which were fairly strong. While Fu Qian was releasing his perception, a strange sensation came over him, sending a chill through his body. The next moment, his skin started to itch as if something was wriggling and trying to burrow out from beneath it. This was This feeling was not unfamiliar to Fu Qian in fact, he had just experienced it yesterday when he ascended to demigod status. Under an unseen influence, his body involuntarily underwent various transformations. He recalled something mentioned in the rewards before he was now a Whiteboard Demigod, prone to attracting attention. Although the reaction was still mild, it was clear that this ce was no simple matter! Inhaling the scent of decay in the air, Fu Qian had a vague feeling that in the dense forest before him, eyes seemed to be watching him. Gathering his thoughts, Fu Qian slowly stabilized his condition until the abnormal sensation on his body disappeared. The other people behind the tree were clearly focusing outside and did not notice his anomaly. Theyre here. Thats when the person who had called Fu Qian back suddenly spoke in a hushed voice. The spider in the middle seemed to sense something, its cries bing more piercing and pitiful as it tried to move its broken legs, attempting to support its body and retreat backwards, to no avail. The next moment, a strange sound arose all around, neither resembling insects nor beasts, quite crisp. At the same time, the spider let out a earth-shattering wail as its thick carapace was brutally torn open, sttering numerous dark red liquids and revealing the flesh beneath. And this was only the beginning. In less than a minute, whether it was the broken legs or the thorax, sprays of liquid erupted as the carapace was shredded piece by piece. And on the bloodied, indistinct body, dozens of palm-sized, luminescent, delicate things wriggled out. Fu Qian, with his excellent eyesight, could see from his vantage point that those were actually intricately designed dolls with lifelike features. Chapter 185 - 184 Porcelain Doll (Part 2)_1 Chapter 185: Chapter 184 Porcin Doll (Part 2)_1 ` [The quest has been updated, find the perfect Porcin Doll] It was at this moment that Fu Qian finally heard the quest prompt in his ear. This time, the quest target was to find this thing? Well, thats not bad! But with so many, I wonder what they mean by perfect. Fu Qian took an even closer look for a moment. If it hadnt been for seeing it here, Fu Qian would have thought it was a girls room decoration. Appearance-wise, each doll was different. The onemon feature was that they all looked extremely beautiful and adorable, with not a single w on their innocent faces. Unfortunately, at this moment, they were covered in blood and flesh, creating an extreme contrast. The movements of the Porcin Dolls were mechanical and stiff, but that didnt mean they were slow! On the contrary, these little fes were not only swift in action but also possessed exaggeratedly strong force. Fu Qian watched as one of them lifted up a Bone Armor that was a hundred times its own size and threw it out, snapping a nearby tree in half. Then it turned around to continue bathing in a pool of blood sma, tearing apart furiously with hands and feet, eliciting screams after screams. There were more than a dozen like it, each one seeming to revel in the activity. In less than a minute, the spider creature had been torn apart into an empty shell plus scattered fragments on the ground,pletely devoid of life. The scene was nothing short of a ughterhouse! Fu Qianmented to himself while he could hear the elerated heartbeats of the people beside him, who hardly dared to breathe too deeply, obviously intimidated by the scene before them. Including the one who had called him over, who was now pale as death, but at least somewhat calmer than the others. This tough-looking guy seemed to be called Delin, and Fu Qian heard others addressing him as the captain just now, obviously inmand of this operation. At this moment, the Porcin Dolls had turned the spiders remains into a bony cradle, jumping up and down in it, quite happy. Delin made no move, just stared dead at the scene. After a long while, the group of Porcin Dolls finally seemed to have had their fill of fun and began to disperse, until only one was left. Thetter was still engrossed in tearing apart without noticing that itspanions had already left. Now is the time! With a fierce wave of his hand, an invisible,rge descended silently from above, wrapping thest Porcin Doll and the spider remnants together. As the huge suddenly tightened, the engrossed Porcin Doll finally reacted, but it was toote. After realizing it was trapped, its reaction was extremely violent. The was almost transparent, and the scene inside could be seen clearly. The Porcin Doll, seemingly crazed, surged left and right, tearing the into various shapes. But the durability of the was undoubtedly excellent, and no matter how much it struggled, it never found a way to escape. Go! At Delinsmand, several people rushed forward. Seeing itself surrounded, the Porcin Dolls struggling became even more aggressive, making a noise like bubbles scraping on ss in its motions, brutally assaulting the nerves of the people. Those in the front immediately showed expressions of pain. Bearing the noise, one of them took out a ck iron box, carefully opened a hole in the, and ced the open box next to it. The Porcin Dolls intelligence wasnt high, and seeing an opening, it squeezed forward without hesitation and dove into the box. The moment it entered the box, its frenzied movements rusted, instantly bing sluggish. Click! The lid of the iron box nged shut, and Fu Qian heard Delin let out a heavy sigh of relief. Well done! Watching his team members return with the box, he nodded in satisfaction. Then, those hiding nearby began to emerge. Fu Qian observed briefly and realized they could mainly be divided into two groups. ` More than half of them were wearing the same uniform as himself, almost a dozen in total. It was clearly a team, with Delin taking the lead. At the same time, there was another group of seven or eight people, led by a young man in his thirties. At that moment, Delin took the metal box and handed it to the young man. Mr. Miyamoto, the first Porcin Doll has been captured, please inspect it. Captain Delin, youve worked hard. The young man praised with a smile, then turned to someone behind him. Mr. Luo, what do you think? The one known as Mr. Luo was the oldest-looking person present. His temples were already graying, and he was cloaked in a thick grey robe. Even the young man named Miyamoto spoke to him with considerable respect. Without uttering a word, Mr. Luo stepped forward and lifted the lid of the metal box halfway with one finger. The previously violent Porcin Doll nowy motionless inside,pletely unresponsive. It had to be said, the material of this doll was quite special. It was covered in blood just moments ago, yet after struggling, it left not a single mark and was pure white as jade. Mr. Luo bent down to size up the Porcin Doll from head to toe, showing a satisfied expression and nodded to Miyamoto. However, in that instant, before he could speak, the Porcin Doll inside the box suddenly moved. It leaped up, and though slightly slower in speed, its slender arms aimed straight for Mr. Luos eyes. Was it feigning immobility just now? This thing could actually deceive people? This sudden turn of events immediately provoked a chorus of exmations. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Crack! Delin, who was holding the box, reacted the fastest, closing the lid almost immediately, but it was still not soon enough. Amidst the surprise attack, Mr. Luo remainedpletelyposed. As the Porcin Doll flew towards his face, he calmly extended his right hand without flinching. The assault of the doll was abruptly halted, as he gently caught it in his hand. It appeared effortless, yet the immensely strong doll couldnt move at all, only continuing to shriek. Mr. Luo, holding the Porcin Doll, brought it up to his eyes as if nothing was unusual and scrutinized it closely. Crunch! After examining it for a moment, Mr. Luo applied pressure, and fine cracks appeared on the surface of the doll. The shrieking ceased abruptly. The next moment, the doll was crushed into fragments, which ttered to the ground. After sniffing his hand, Mr. Luo gave a nod to Miyamoto. Its suitable, meets our requirements. Thats great! Miyamoto was evidently very pleased with the result and turned to Captain Delin. Well be relying on you for the rest. As per our agreement, besides the base fee, theres an extra reward for each one, dead or alive. Good Delin nodded upon hearing this, handed over the metal box to someone behind him, and signaled him to pick up the fragments from the ground. Thetter wasnt as unrestrained as Mr. Luo, first putting on gloves, and then carefully collecting the scattered fragments into the box. Meanwhile, Delins gaze drifted unintentionally towards Mr. Luo. It was clear that Mr. Luos performance had taken him by surprise. Unfortunately, after the inspection wasplete, Mr. Luo returned to the team without giving Delin any attention. Chapter 186 - 185: Porcelain Doll (Part 3)_1 Chapter 186: Chapter 185: Porcin Doll (Part 3)_1 Boss, I have a bad feeling about this! While cleaning up after the job, with no one around, someone from the team approached Delin and whispered. It was a burly middle-aged man, who seemed to be just a bit younger than Delin, with golden hair that was beginning to thin on top. Lets talk about it when we get back. Delin gave him a nce, clearly understanding his concerns but signaling not to talk rashly. You could tell he held a position of respect normally because Mediterranean Brother immediately mmed up, though his expression still carried worry. After digging arge hole to bury the creatures remnants, the cleanup was pretty much done. Next, Fu Qian followed Delin and the rest of the group to a temporary camp not far away. The camp was quite new, making it obvious that this team had just arrived. Ive been feeling strange about this from the start, and now Im even more uneasy. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om As soon as he got back to the tent, Mediterranean Brother couldnt wait to speak up again. Those creatures were too freakish, Ive never seen monsters like them before. In a ce like this, affected by Transcendent powers, encountering any kind of monster isnt strange. This time Delin didnt stop hisints, and simply responded with a neutral tone. But those little creatures looked really savage! Mediterranean Brother pped the iron box beside him and lowered his voice. These people clearly know a lot about this ce, even prepared so many of these iron boxes, showing theyve put a lot of effort into this, and yet they hired us to do the job, I always feel theres something fishy! Theres no need to worry about that. However, Delins words were quite confident. Dont forget my habit, I did my homework before taking this job; its just a wealthy little enterprise, they dont have the capacity to have designs on us. The reason they hired us is probably that they have the information but not the strength to explore. Besides, their thorough preparations are good for us; theres no need to fret too much. Alright then Seeing Delins determined expression, Mediterranean Brother did not pursue it further. Come to think of it, whats the value of this stuff? Ive never heard about it before. At this point, the only woman in the team spoke up. I havent seen it either. Delin admitted honestly. All I know is they call this thing material.'' Material no wonder they dont care if its dead or alive, giving money so generously, the womans words trailed off, her implication clear. The price offered by our employer is already quite generous; we just need to do our job well. Delin nced at her. And if it werent for them, we wouldnt have gotten a permit for this region. Hmm. The woman acknowledged, then said nothing more. Seeing that there were no further objections from the team members, Delin smiled with satisfaction. Since the sample is up to standard, everything will proceed ording to n. Rest well today, and well start the operation tomorrow. That Mr. Luo is somewhat enigmatic, be a bit more attentive around him, said Delin atst, but after a moments hesitation, he couldnt help but add. Understood. The group answered in unison. After the meeting ended, Delin cast a look at Fu Qian and left without a word. It was clear that Fu Qian was not a core member of this team. And his performance today was undoubtedly mediocre. Of course, the person in question waspletely unconcerned about it. The only reason he had stayed was because his mission happened to align with theirs, otherwise he would have left them behind and acted alone long ago. Considering they had quite a bit of information, it was best to just wait and see how things would unfold for now. ording to the original n, they were not set to depart until tomorrow morning to capture the next bait, so the group ate and then rested on the spot. Having witnessed the capability of that bunch of dolls during the day, the groups nervousness had significantly increased. Those on watch during the night each stared wide-eyed at their surroundings, missing not the slightest rustle of wind or movement of grass, fearing being torn apart by some white little demon popping out from somewhereexcept for Fu Qian. When it was his turn, he did not widen his eyes; instead, he tried to limit his perception as much as possible, making it less sharp. He had already verified that this ce was quite strange. Every time Fu Qian extended his senses, he had a vague feeling of being watched in return, and his intuition told him that was definitely not a good thing. However, even with his head buried in the sand, Fu Qian was still far stronger than the rest of the team members. For instance, right now, amidst the shrouded mist, Fu Qian could still clearly sense someone watching from afar, in the direction he was facing away from. Fu Qian was certain it was a person, not the small Porcin Dolls they had encountered during the day. The fact was that not a single person was missing from the camp, and the only exnation was that there were other people in this ce, people the team did not know about. The mysterious individual was clearly very cautious, maintaining their distance, so they went unnoticed for quite some time. At that moment, a tent opened, and Mr. Luo slipped out soundlessly. After looking at Fu Qian, who was cking off, he did not say anything and looked towards the direction behind him. The next morning began with a scream. Fu Qian watched as Mediterranean Brother rushed out of his tent, frantically rubbing his head in horror. In just a single night, his head had sprouted a thick mass of messy new hair. In fact, it wasnt just himeveryone who emerged from their tents looked at each other to find each others hair had grown a considerable length, leading to universal astonishment. No need to worry, Mr. Luo said as he stepped forward to reassure everyone. This ce is simply teeming with the essence of life, remember what I mentioned before we set off? He looked at Delin. I remember, Delin nodded. Wrap your body as much as possible to minimize the area exposed, and at the same time avoid any physical contact. Seeing Delins quick response, Mr. Luo did not say anything, just turned his gaze toward a certain tent in the camp. The next moment, two agonizing screams came from inside. The only female team member sprinted out of the tent, clutching her chest. Behind her was a burly man. Their bare backs were fused tightly together, with no visible seam and no way to separate them. This Delin fell into deep silence as he looked at the two team members who had be conjoined twins. It seems not everyone remembered the warning, Mr. Luo said coldly, looking at the two. Can you save them? Delin asked. After giving Delin a nce, Mr. Luo finally nodded and lifted his right hand. This wont set a precedent, he said. The next moment, a dark glow shed in his hand, enveloping the two people joined together. Apanied by more screams, the two were suddenly forced apart and hurriedly donned their clothing. In this ce, not only is the essence of life thick, but the boundaries of life are also blurred, Mr. Luo said to everyone, emphasizing again. Distance is of utmost importance. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!