If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

As a light mist began to veil the sky, Zhou Yang stood on a stone platform deep within the ancient tomb. The platform was carved into an octagon, with five intersecting runes engraved in the center. Five fragments of dragon spines lay quietly within the runes, their silver light trembling slightly.

He looked down and examined the texture of each fragment. Each one carried a faint chill, and felt like a sharp blade.

"System, prepare for resonance." His voice was deep, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

The system's echo reverberated in the stone chamber: "Five fragments detected. Prerequisites for Dragon Pattern Harmony have been met. Please confirm activation."

Zhou Yang nodded, his fingers gently touching each fragment. The temperature at his fingertips instantly rose, as if igniting a spark.

"start up".

A deep hum came from underground, and the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth at the center of the rune lit up simultaneously. The golden light swept across the wood grain, the wood light passed through the water grain, the water light impacted the fire grain, the fire light reflected on the earth grain, and the earth light flowed back into the golden grain.

The beams of light intersected in the air, forming a winding, blue-purple dragon shadow. The dragon shadow's scales shimmered like stars, like the darkest stars in the night sky.

The system voice sounded again: "Energy flow in progress, lifespan consumption rate detected to have risen to 38%. Continue?"

Zhou Yang frowned slightly, a flash of bloodlust crossing his eyes. He remembered that every time he traded his lifespan for power, it left an irreversible mark.

"Continue," he replied softly, without hesitation.

The dragon suddenly opened its mouth and spewed out a pale blue shockwave. The shockwave broke through the highest wall of the stone chamber and blasted towards the Heavenly Principle Sect's forbidden array outside.

Outside the city, the main array of the Heavenly Principle Sect spread out like a giant net. When the shockwave touched the core of the array, the array patterns instantly cracked, and the originally suppressed dark energy was reversed, turning into fine dust that drifted away with the wind.

The torches on the city wall flickered, and ashes fell with the wind. The cult leader staggered amidst the shattered formation, the ruby ​​on his staff shattering into pieces, its light dimming.

Zhou Yang felt a sharp pain in his chest. The withering of his lifespan felt like a sharp blade slicing through his blood vessels. The system notification read: "Remaining lifespan has decreased to 62%."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, thinking to himself: This time, the price will be even heavier than before.

However, the dragon's shadow had already enveloped his entire body. The scales clung to his skin, emitting a slight trembling sound.

"Dragon Spine True Form has been activated," the system calmly reported.

Immediately, a pale golden light curtain unfolded around Zhou Yang. The light curtain, like scales blooming, instantly formed a hard protective barrier.

Zhou Yang extended his right fist, and crimson dragon flames ignited on its surface. His fist swept through the air, leaving a scorching trail.

"Peerless Evil God form unlocked," the system prompted again.

He chuckled softly, a hint of long-lost lightness in his voice.

Standing beside him at the edge of the stone platform, Qin Shuang raised an eyebrow. Her fingers lightly tapped the brocade robe on her chest, as if assessing his changes.

"It seems you're no longer a knife," she said calmly, a hint of relief in her eyes.

Zhou Yang smiled in response: "I just want to live a more enjoyable life."

The two looked at each other for a moment, and Qin Shuang nodded slightly.

"The next stop is the capital," she said. "That's where the foundations of the Heavenly Principle Sect are located."

Zhou Yang nodded, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains. The mountain peaks were bathed in the pale gold of the morning light, and clouds swirled around their waists.

He silently memorized every detail: the patterns on the fragments, the roar of the dragon's shadow, the reduction in lifespan, the system's prompts. Each step was like a piece on a chessboard, each move leaving a distinct mark.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

Qin Shuang raised her hand and placed it on his shoulder, a chill spreading throughout his body.

"It's ready." Her voice was as cold as iron.

Zhou Yang turned and stepped away from the stone platform. His footsteps echoed in the empty tomb passage, as if knocking on the door of his own heart.

He glanced back at the stone chamber; the fragments had merged together, transforming into a smooth dragon scale. The scale trembled gently in the dim light, like breathing.

The system's final notification rang in my ears: "Ultimate form achieved, follow-up instructions pending."

He said nothing more, but instead cast his gaze toward the distant horizon. A streak of blood-red light ripped through the clouds, as if foreshadowing an impending bloody battle.

Qin Shuang gripped his arm tightly, their shadows stretched long in the dawn light.

The wind howled from the valley, stirring up dust.

Zhou Yang's heart was beating faster, but he felt no fear.

He knew that the real gamble had begun.

All four directions were destroyed.

The light of dawn drew fine silver lines across the wasteland.

Zhou Yang stood on the back of the true form of the dragon's spine, his body surging with intense heat like a tidal wave.

His fists gripped the dragon scales tightly, his blood resonating with the heavens and earth.

"Charge!" he roared, and a blue and white light barrier shot out from his body, tearing through the ruins.

The first line of defense was the Cold Light Array of the Azure Peak Palace Master.

Its blade, as white as snow, slashed towards Zhou Yang's chest in an instant.

Zhou Yang turned to the side, the blade grazing the scales and leaving a trail of thin sparks.

His sword flashed like rain, shattering the cold light, and the array's core immediately collapsed.

The second line of defense is the Crimson Flame Palace Master's wall of flames.

The flames whipped up waves of heat, forcing Zhou Yang to furrow his brow.

He infused the chilling energy from the dragon's spine into the sword's blade; the cold and fire clashed, and the wall shattered instantly.

The Lord of Crimson Flame Palace collapsed to the ground, black smoke billowing from his chest.

The third line of defense is the Shadow Web of the Obsidian Lord.

Shadows spread across the ground, like a tide swallowing up the light.

Zhou Yang moved like a ghost, passing through the grid, his sword tip slicing a path of light.

The Obsidian Palace Master cried out in alarm as his body was torn apart by the beam of light, blood splattering everywhere.

The last line of defense is the Golden Light Palace Master's light shield.

The light shield flickered, like stars falling.

Zhou Yang embedded the fragment of the dragon spine into the tip of his sword, and the light shield instantly lost its luster.

The Lord of the Golden Light Palace fell, and the scepter in his hand shattered into pieces.

The four palace masters fell, the light from the array's core scattered, and a deep rumble remained between heaven and earth.

Zhou Yang felt the pressure in his chest drop sharply, and his breathing became smooth.

At this moment, Qin Shuang led the elite of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to charge in from the flank.

Her steps were steady, the blade slicing through the air, cutting open the remaining escape route.

"Hurry to the throne!" she whispered to the disciples behind her.

The outline of the divine throne was reflected in Zhou Yang's eyes. The ancient stone tablet was covered with runes, and its light flickered.

A system notification sounded in my ear: "The throne is out of balance and needs to be brought under control immediately."

His heart tightened; he knew time was running out.

He placed the fragment of the dragon's spine in his hand into the central groove of the throne, and the metal and stone patterns interacted to produce a dazzling light.

The beam of light spread outwards, instantly covering the entire altar.

Zhou Yang closed his eyes, and the life-giving spring in his body slowly flowed into the pillar of light, like the tide pushing the sea surface to its peak.

The crimson beam of light condensed into a disc in the air, and ancient dragon patterns appeared on the surface of the disc.

The dragon pattern trembled slightly, as if it were breathing.

The system's voice sounded again: "Form locked, subsequent instructions pending."

Qin Shuang stood beside the divine throne, the cold iron blade in her hand swirling with a chilling aura.

She looked at Zhou Yang, her eyes showing no hesitation.

"We have no way out," she whispered.

Zhou Yang nodded, his voice steady: "Only one gamble left."

He retrieved the fragment of the dragon's spine, the residual heat of the fragment lingering in his hand.

He then casually tossed the fragment into the air, where it transformed into tiny stardust within the beam of light, scattering in all directions.

As stardust touched the surrounding remnants of the array, the cracks in the array's base instantly closed, and the aftershocks stirred up a faint tremor on the ground.

The suppression by the Heavenly Principle Sect has been broken, and the cries of anguish from all sides have dissipated with the wind.

Zhou Yang turned around, his gaze passing through the ruins to see the cult leader's afterimage in the distance.

The cult leader's form was already fragmented, yet a trace of bloody aura still lingered.

He silently realized that the cult leader's will had not perished with his physical body.

The system indicator light flashed: "The core of the Divine Throne is locked. The next stage is about to begin."

Zhou Yang did not rush to respond. He turned his gaze to Qin Shuang and said softly, "First, stabilize this area."

Qin Shuang nodded, lowered the blade, and lightly touched the ground with her fingertips, a faint light spreading from her toes.

Her followers also began to set up defensive formations around the area to prevent the remaining cultists from launching a sudden attack.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath, his blood surging in his chest.

He felt the fleeting light of life trembling at his fingertips, as if reminding him that with each burning, he was approaching the end.

However, at this moment, he only needs to seize the opportunity before him.

He raised the true form of the dragon's spine in his hand, and the light from his chest shone even brighter.

A beam of light rose between heaven and earth, like a giant lighthouse, guiding everyone forward.

"We have broken through all four directions." Qin Shuang's voice came on the wind, carrying a barely perceptible smile.

Zhou Yang chuckled: "It's the right time."

At the top of the pillar of light, an ancient golden rune appeared, beneath which was a thin layer of mist.

The outline of a giant dragon could be vaguely seen in the mist, its scales shimmering in the light.

The system's final command came to mind: "Prepare to enter the ultimate ritual."

Zhou Yang placed his hand on the talisman, his fingertips touching the mist, and instantly felt a chill travel from his fingertips to his entire body.

Qin Shuang stood beside him, her hand tightly gripping his arm, her voice low: "Together."

The two figures tilted slightly within the pillar of light, as if they were about to pour the power of the entire altar into their bodies.

The radiance of the beam of light converged in front of his chest, forming a blue and white vortex.

Within the vortex, fragments of the dragon's spine intertwined with Zhou Yang's Fountain of Life, emitting a low rumble.

The vortex suddenly contracted, and a huge shock wave spread outwards.

The remaining cultists collapsed in the shockwave, their flesh and blood flying everywhere.

The surrounding ruins quieted down after the shockwave, with only dust swirling in the breeze.

Zhou Yang stood amidst the ruins, the pillar of light on his chest still pulsating.

He raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching the light spot on his chest, and the light spot trembled slightly.

Qin Shuang's hand remained on his arm, her fingertips lightly pressing against his back.

She whispered, "No matter how many dangers lie ahead, we will walk together."

Zhou Yang nodded, his voice calm: "As long as there's one more chance, I'll bet everything."

The beam of light drew an arc across the sky, as if heralding a new chapter.

At the end of the ruins, the distant mountains were stained dark red by the blood-red light.

A cold wind blew by, carrying away the smell of blood and the hustle and bustle of the past.

Zhou Yang turned around and strode towards the mountains.

Qin Shuang followed closely behind, the blade gleaming in the morning light.

Footsteps left clear marks on the wasteland, as if announcing that the final chapter of this gamble was about to begin.

God Throne Storm

No birdsong echoed in the stone abyss after dawn. The wind swirled and rolled on the high platform. The circular throne resembled a closed iron mask, its surface cracked and irregular. Zhou Yang stood on the steps, his hands gripping the hilt made of fragments from the dragon's spine. Qin Shuang stood behind him, her scabbard pressed against her waist, her gaze fixed ahead.

The stone cabinet beside them was open. Five fragments of a dragon's spine lay together, the bloodstains still visible. The air was thick with the smell of rust and soot. Priests were scattered around, kneeling on the rough stone surface, their knuckles stained with incantations. Blood-red lines stretched from their fingers to the ground, constantly merging with the cracks in the stone, as if pinning down some kind of vital energy.

The leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect sat high above, draped in black satin, with a string of sheep bone beads around his waist. His face was veiled, revealing only his piercing black eyes. Dark red lights rose from the tips of the stone staffs held by the priests, connecting them to the throne. The wind whistled among them, but the sound was swallowed by the array, leaving only a oppressive vibration.

The throne began to shrink. The originally upward-facing horns folded inward, and the central rune seemed to be gripped, tightening line by line. Shallow cracks appeared on the high platform, and wind surged out from them. The rune array around the throne formed a ring, looking like many hands tightening simultaneously. A tremor reverberated within his body, even making his battle bones slightly numb.

The priests' voices were cut off, their incantations swept away by the storm. The brazier atop the throne flickered, cinnabar powder falling with the tremors, each grain like an arrow. Beneath the cultist's veil, his aura suddenly turned cold; he gripped his stone staff, cracks appearing in the light beneath his feet, pressing down on the throne.

The shape of the storm was manipulated. He used the entire throne as a hostage, attempting to swallow Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang within it as it contracted. The light from the throne turned deep crimson, pressing down from above. In this oppressive atmosphere, the air became dry and thin, making it difficult to breathe.

Zhou Yang did not retreat. He transformed the dragon pattern into horizontal waves, creating broad surges along the fragment's lines amidst the light and mist. The waves swept across the bottom of the divine throne, erupting upon contact with the talisman's core. The talisman's core, like fragile porcelain, was shaken by his punch. Cracks in the light instantly spread.

The fluctuations not only shattered the core of the rune but also reversed the concentrated storm. The wind first stopped, then flowed backward. His pupils contracted slightly, his gaze filled with unwavering determination. The dragon-patterned waves of energy, permeating every inch of the divine throne, surged towards the wind pressure unleashed by the sect leader.

The storm began to engulf the priests and the bloodlines of the four races. What dripped from the air were not raindrops, but blood-stained specks of light. Those bloodlines were seized by the wind, fluttering in the air like torn silk. The high priest, facing away from the wind, was instead consumed by it, becoming its center. The priest beside him screamed, his voice swallowed by the wind, leaving only a broken rhythm.

The wind, like a reversed blade, cleaved towards the cult leader. The cult leader raised his hands high until a blood-red mark appeared on his chest. He held his breath, his voice deep and resonant: "Blood Sacrifice Imperial Seal, Gate to Break!" His limbs began to swell slightly, and blood-red patterns rapidly spread from his fingertips, merging into the mark. The mark gradually took shape, composed of runes and bone carvings, radiating a cold light.

The appearance of the mark was like the erection of another divine throne. Light burst forth from the mark's core, attempting to regain control of the storm. It even summoned the priest to use blood sacrifice as a vortex to guide the storm back in its own direction. At that moment, he no longer concealed himself, revealing his true trump card.

The Blood Sacrifice Imperial Seal was intricate, its runes intertwined. Zhou Yang saw the short-lived lifespan lines within the seal gradually dissipate. He swung the dragon-patterned handle, and the dragon scales on the hilt instantly emitted a whooshing sound. The seal's core was sliced ​​by a horizontal wave, the runes breaking in half as if slicing away with a sharp blade.

As the blood sacrifice seal shattered, the storm lost its direction. The entire throne froze instantly. The oppressive atmosphere dissipated, and the wind dispersed from the crimson clouds, turning into sand. The priests fell to the ground, scattered like feathers in the wind. The bloodline left the wind's edge and fell back to earth.

The divine throne stood still. Cracks were clearly visible between the stones, and powdered talisman ink drifted down like sand. The light streak broke into several fragments, with pale red seeping from the breaks. The aura of the Heavenly Principle Sect had completely collapsed, and the priests' incantations had become mere echoes. The sect leader knelt in the center, rubbing the bloodstained fragments between his fingers. The wind was still blowing, but the oppressive force had vanished.

Zhou Yang turned to the side, his breathing gradually calming. He felt each contraction in his chest become more steady. Qin Shuang came to his side and pressed the hilt of her sword against the broken wall of the divine throne. She didn't speak, but gripped it tightly, as if verifying her presence.

"Is it over?" she asked in a low voice, like sand between stones.

Zhou Yang shook his head, his gaze drifting towards the fragment shelf. He gathered the five dragon spine fragments, their light dancing in the morning light. He remembered Fang Tian saying that this power needed time to recover. He carefully placed the fragments back into his talisman pouch, one by one.

"The shell must be reconfirmed," he explained, "and the throne will be restored."

Qin Shuang nodded again. The wind continued to blow, swirling the powder left behind by the divine throne high in the air. The lingering smell of blood in the air gradually faded, leaving only a cool, alkaline scent. She bent down and picked up a broken talisman.

"And..." She looked up, her gaze passing over the high platform to the distant sunrise. The vast network of the Heavenly Principle Sect couldn't be completely severed in this battle, but the cessation of the throne left it without a center. In the future, they could find ways to dismantle it piecemeal.

Zhou Yang reached out and held the broken talisman to his chest. The heat from the storm lingered on his fingertips; he carefully felt the residual vibrations. Then he withdrew his hand and looked resolutely at Qin Shuang.

Qin Shuang stepped onto the stairs and approached gently. Her movements were as quick as ever, but softer than usual. She didn't reach out, only meeting his gaze.

"Let's go," she said.

Zhou Yang withdrew his gaze, folding the dragon-patterned light wave at his waist. The two of them turned around, behind them the still, storm-ravaged throne. Cracked runes remained on the high platform, like a shattered sun and moon. Their footsteps landed clearly on the broken stone slabs. The wind blew, stirring up sand and morning mist. They didn't look at the throne again, only silently saying in their hearts, "Done."

The morning sun grew brighter and brighter. A line of light appeared in the sky, like a period at the end of a sentence.

Dragon Spine Wind

Morning light crept over from behind the mountain ridge, caressing the ruins. The wind still howled, carrying the dust and blood that had accumulated the night before. Zhou Yang didn't drink any water, but sat on a rubble, his fingers tracing shallow grooves on the back of the fragments. The warmth hadn't yet dissipated; five fragments of the dragon's spine were arranged in an arc before his knees. Light writhed between the cracks, faintly resembling the breath of a giant dragon.

The system notification rang in his ears again, the voice calm and cold: "Lifespan remaining 0.39%, Dragon Spine Wind Bearing state activated. Causal cost is nearing its limit."

He bent slightly, his gaze fixed on the numbers. Another line of data on his life card fluctuated wildly: 16.7% depleted in the previous round, projected at 66.3% this round, with the remaining 17% reserved for retreat. The system offered two scenarios: first, a temporary withdrawal to coordinate with Qin Shuang, stabilize the defenses, and await redemption; second, a desperate attempt to kill the sect leader and the imperial representative. In the current situation, there was no time for careful calculation.

He looked up at Qin Shuang. She stood on high, without a cloak, wearing only a tightly tailored brocade robe that accentuated her defined shoulders. Her gaze was fixed on him, unwavering. She loosened her arms, making room to hold her long whip, as if reminding him: any further delay would only wear you down.

"Where are the points?" He reached into his inner robe and lightly touched the system interface. A ring of lines appeared on the back of his hand, as fine as calluses. "I need one last calculation."

The system responded: "Zhou Yang's current physical condition allows for a maximum combustion rate of 99.01%, after which the remaining amount will be below 0.05%. The probability of a successful pursuit is 87.4%. If it fails, the exhaustion time is 0.8 seconds."

He bit his lip, no longer hesitating. Secondary attributes emerged as he calmly analyzed each piece of data, weighing the most direct path. He stood up, the dragon spine fragment merging in his palm, the light waves slowly expanding into half a dragon's head.

"Prepare. Cut off their counterattack chain." He said to Qin Shuang, his voice deep and resonant, like a hammer striking an anvil. She nodded, offering no further explanation, but simply took a step back, cracking her long whip, which flashed with a silver light.

He turned his back to the east, where the rising sun hung on the horizon. The wind persisted, blowing away any hesitation. Zhou Yang inhaled the cold air, his lungs contracting as he channeled a surge of strength from within. Beneath his feet, five fragments of the dragon's spine vibrated, raising a cloud of dust. System notification: "Dragon Spine Wind-Bearing State is currently gathering, consuming 29.8% of lifespan, with less than 0.1% remaining."

He relaxed his shoulders, focusing all his will on his breath. His body gradually lost its solidity. Dragon patterns spread across his skin, and a scale-like luster covered his chest, like paint splattered on steel. At this moment, he was not human; it was as if another energy resonated with him. System judgment: Advanced form complete, energy release pillar pointing straight to the sky.

"Start everything as planned," he whispered. A series of cracking sounds echoed around them. Zhou Yang lowered his head, his gaze piercing through the stone slabs, and saw himself standing as a spear in the light. Then—

A dragon-shaped current surged forth. His arms stretched into two segments, claws extending from his fingertips. A vast, radiant dragon of light coiled out from behind him, spreading out like a gigantic lightning serpent. He no longer needed the intention to attack; his body itself was destruction.

A dragon-shaped bolt of lightning enveloped the battleground between the leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect and the representative of imperial power. The sect leader was already covered in a zombie-like black mist, while the representative of imperial power, clad in court robes, wielded a judgment axe. Both felt the light pressing down on them, but had no time to dodge—Zhou Yang's dragon form crossed their defenses first, and the lightning swirled around them, engulfing them in a vortex.

In the instant of decapitation, the dragon-shaped beam split into dozens of tiny, precise bolts of lightning. They pierced through the black mist, penetrated the axe tip of the imperial representative, and aimed directly at vital organs. The cult leader's shout was abruptly cut off, his voice like an electric shock. His body instantly split apart, accompanied by the falling of purple runes. The imperial representative attempted to block with his axe shield, but the axe was cleaved by the light, and the remaining white robe was burned to ashes.

System log: Zhou Yang's life force has decreased by 98.17%, and he has successfully killed 2 targets. His remaining life force is 0.22%, not yet completely zero.

The dragon-shaped lightning continued its relentless pursuit and burning. Zhou Yang roared in the impact, spitting out blood. He felt an almost numb pain as the dragon-shaped beams spread, but it didn't subside. The lightning finally subsided, and his body returned to its tattered human form. He collapsed onto the stone slab, his body torn apart by the force of the impact from the shattered armor. His breathing was shallow and rapid, but he held on with sheer willpower.

Qin Shuang drew closer, the morning light illuminating her face. She didn't ask any questions, only placing her hand on his shoulder to confirm he was still alive. Zhou Yang coughed up a mouthful of white blood, his gaze still fixed on the distance.

The system adds a notification: "The percentage of lifespan consumed has been recorded in the database. The next stage of the redemption timeline will be based on 16364 minutes. You need to confirm the life recovery method before redeeming."

He looked up and saw the sun fully risen. The battlefield was eerily quiet, with only the wind whipping the tattered flags. Qin Shuang gestured for him to say, "Retreat first." He nodded and slowly stood up. The dragon pattern had faded, only a few marks on his chest still glowed.

Zhou Yang walked to the pile of fragments and gently stroked them with both hands. A faint light flickered, as if understanding his command. The system notification read: "Fragment status stable, awaiting further activation instructions."

He whispered, "Redemption comes later." Qin Shuang gripped his sleeve tightly, a long-lost sense of calm washing over her. Together, they looked back at the battlefield. The cult leader and the imperial representative had vanished completely, leaving only the collapsed ground and lingering heat. The wind blew dust, as if wiping the battlefield dry.

Zhou Yang stood still, listening quietly to the wind. He knew that the next step was the "redemption" that was forcibly pressed between his brows. He entrusted this life record to the system, and to himself, preparing for one last gamble afterward.

Near the end of the chapter, a white light emanated from a crack. They didn't look any longer, their figures receding into the distance, leaving behind a silent warmth in the ruins.

Lifespan liquidation

The aftershocks of the dragon-shaped energy lingered like a broken harp string. On the ruins of the divine throne, remnants of light tumbled among the shattered stone pillars, and several blood-red bands of light still clung to the high platform, like snakes swallowed by the wind yet unable to leave. Zhou Yang did not stand up again, but instead sank into the ground to feel the echo. He closed his eyes, slowed his breathing, and smoothed out the broken dragon energy.

The system stopped its urgent urging. The information panel floated quietly in his mind, its lines soft, as if tailor-made for this wasteland. Zhou Yang rested his hands on his knees, his knuckles slightly white. A gentle breeze blew by, carrying the sour smell of gray rock and bloodstains. He didn't look at Qin Shuang, but let his gaze drift to the thin clouds in the distance. The wind picked up again. The residual heat turned cold, and the ashes, like old papers blown by the wind, drifted down and stuck back to the ground.

The system began summarizing. Prompts flooded Zhou Yang's mind, both calm and somewhat mechanical. Exchangeable lifespan: 18 years, 3 months, and 10 days. Redemption price: Before the final energy burst in the final stage, all lifespan can be consumed; this is a cumulative settlement. Every stamped life log leaves its mark here, like a piece of iron inlaid in an account book. Looking at the numbers before him, he suddenly felt calm. Behind the numbers were every wound on his body, every grip on his sword—the fruits of his labor.

"There's still a source of remaining lifespan," the system added. "The Heavenly Principle Threads left behind by Fang Tian have resurfaced after this rampage, resulting in a one-time—" The sentence paused, and he heard the voice become slightly deeper. "The exchangeable lifespan includes an unmarked bonus of three years and four days, a reward from the Dragon Spine Fragment." The system then added: "The redemption price is still the base value. If there are additional lifespan bonuses later, you can choose whether to pay in segments." Zhou Yang did not respond. He closed this page and turned to the next.

Qin Shuang approached him from his right. She ascended the steps of the ruined shrine, her steps quick yet silent. She stood beside his knees, outstretched her hands, a thin piece of paper in her palms. The paper was etched with fine, intricate lines, yellowish-white, like old batik cloth. The air was filled with her unique, cool scent, like the lingering frost of a northern winter. She didn't hand it to him directly, but instead pushed the paper across the stone surface, letting its edge touch his fingertips.

"A secret technique of the Qin family," she said softly, her voice like sandpaper. "One of the methods to prolong life, called 'Frosty Cherry Blossom Residual Qi.' It consumes a small amount of inner core spiritual power in exchange for three years of lifespan." Zhou Yang looked up at her. Her eyes held the darkness of night, the cold light of Wolf Fang Mountain. They were close, and the ruins of the divine throne let out a breath of wind, which then stopped abruptly.

"What are the conditions?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. The system's prompts hadn't finished, but her appearance cooled them down.

"After the upheaval in the imperial power, the Qin family is preparing to promote a new force." Her pupils narrowed slightly. "If you accept the secret technique, you must serve as the head of the guards for three years after the new force is established. The Qin family will provide half of your lifespan as a deposit, and the other half can be redeemed after your guarding period ends." She raised her hand to wipe a wisp of dust from her forehead, "in exchange for an obligation equal to your life."

Zhou Yang was somewhat taken aback. She pulled her hand out of her sleeve, revealing a piece of blue cloth charred by the fire. She placed the piece of paper in his hand, pressing it with her fingertips as if trying to infuse it with heat. She added, "With the new power under the control of the Qin family, and including the five fragments you possess, the Heavenly Principle Sect can no longer interfere. You'll be in charge of the guard position, and you can do whatever you want."

He watched as the runes on the paper glowed faintly in his palm. The dragon scales still twitched slightly beside him, but he no longer interfered. The runes trembled slightly, as if vying for favor with the system. He remembered how Fang Tian had given him a knife to help him survive within the Heavenly Principle Sect. Now Qin Shuang was offering him another knife, not to kill, but to exchange for his life.

"System." He timed it perfectly. His tone was calm. The wind around him stopped. He lowered his hand and looked up at the lingering red glow on the horizon. The air here was a bit cold, as if the heat that had accumulated over a long period of time had finally dissipated in the night.

"Set the final redemption trigger point," he said.

The system's feedback was like an echo. "Please select a time point. Locking in before the final energy burst in the endgame, or after all the Dragonspine Fragments have been collected, are two independent trigger points."

"The final attack in the endgame." He stared at Qin Shuang. She stood behind him, her eyes calm and collected. He glanced again at the five fragments at his feet. They were still in the stone box, like familiar faces asleep. "Set after that attack," he added, "I want to trade all my lifespan for a complete breakthrough."

The system accepted. He continued, "After redemption, your life will be reset to zero, and the system's life database will be closed. If any anomalies occur again, you can extract the remaining energy from the fragments and attempt to compensate."

He gritted his teeth. "Let's proceed according to this schedule. Before the redemption is completed, I'll add another entry to the lifespan account." The system agreed. Qin Shuang nodded slowly, her hand stroking her forehead, as if savoring the lingering warmth.

He stood up. A dragon-like aura awakened around him, like a ferocious beast being gently stroked. Qin Shuang stood beside him, her blade still dusty. He said to the wind, "Prepare to leave," and then turned to the distance. The wind carried more ash, like flags forgotten on the ground by the Heavenly Principle Sect during their retreat.

He reached out and pressed the Qin family's secret technique tightly against his chest. His left hand gripped the sword hilt. He glanced at the throne again; the cracks on the platform were cooling even more slowly. The two of them scanned the battlefield together, their eyes fixed on the crack that had just closed. A sliver of white light remained within the crack, like the last beat of a heart.

"I will extract a portion of the lifespan of the Qin family's secret technique before I redeem myself," he said softly. Qin Shuang nodded, her lips moved, but she did not speak again.

The rays of light on the horizon stretched longer and longer. They turned and headed towards the mountains. The sealed box, riddled with fragments, vibrated subtly behind them, as if counting down the remaining days in its own rhythm.

The destruction of the Heavenly Principle Sect

Zhou Yang stood atop the ruins of the divine throne, dragon-patterned light waves coalescing into a tangible barrier around him. Below lay a collapsed stone platform and scattered limbs and remains. The body of the Heavenly Principle Sect Leader had been crushed into dust, with only the scepter symbolizing religious authority lying forlornly in the center of the ruins.

Qin Shuang stood beside Zhou Yang, holding the Imperial Guard's command flag. With a wave of her hand, a hundred Imperial Guards behind her drew their swords in unison, the blades gleaming coldly in the morning light.

"The Heavenly Principle Sect has been destroyed, and any remaining followers shall be executed!" Her voice pierced through the valley and echoed among the mountains.

Zhou Yang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings. The barrier around the throne had shattered, and the followers hiding in the shadows could no longer conceal themselves. They scattered and fled like frightened birds.

"Leave no survivors." Zhou Yang spoke calmly, but his voice carried an undeniable authority. "Leave none."

The dragon-patterned light waves instantly spread, transforming into an invisible net that enveloped the entire valley. Those cult members attempting to escape felt their bodies tighten, instantly immobilized by this unseen force.

Imperial power shake-up

The light of dawn slid down the majestic city walls, illuminating the green tiles of the imperial palace. The Crown Prince led three thousand elite troops directly into the lair of the remnants of the Heavenly Principle forces. The drums beat rapidly before the battle, and the clatter of hooves fell like raindrops.

The Crown Prince, clad in a crimson-gold brocade robe, frowned deeply. He glanced sideways at the Censorate to the north and nodded in acknowledgment. The leading civil official of the Censorate then picked up his brush and wrote the "Order to Reclaim the Divine Throne." The order was unfurled in the main hall of the imperial city, the golden characters heavy as iron.

Qin Shuang stood to the left of the censor, holding a small jade pendant in her hand. Her voice was clear and cold, like a spring striking a stone.

"Fellow citizens," she said, "the remnants of the Heavenly Principle Sect are still stirring in the shadows. If they are not dealt with in time, their old evils will surely decay and rot again."

The echoing sounds in the hall made everyone feel a sense of oppression. She turned to the Crown Prince and added softly, "Your Highness will personally lead the expedition, which will surely deter the remaining forces. We, on the other hand, will weaken the old officials with the new laws."

The prince nodded, his eyes shining.

"Issue the edict immediately." He waved his hand, and the emperor's scribe handed over the "Edict to Weaken Old Officials."

The "Decree to Weaken the Old Official System" changed all previously hereditary high-ranking official positions to elective appointments, and all officials who had any connection with the White Lotus Religion were required to undergo investigation. If they failed the investigation, they would be immediately dismissed and their fiefdoms confiscated.

As dusk settled over the city streets, the city's construction workers paused their hammers, gazing up at the palace walls. Merchants packed up their stalls, discussing amongst themselves. In everyone's eyes, the shadow of the new laws was reflected.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yang stood atop the highest tower in the imperial city. His cloak fluttered in the wind, and his sword sheath tapped lightly against his chest.

The system's light screen flickered in front of him, displaying a line of cold text: "Upheaval after Redemption".

He reached out and tapped the screen. The system displayed a second line of text: "Lock down the chain of interests brought about by the upheaval in imperial power."

His gaze swept across the distant battlefield, where faint echoes of dragon patterns still lingered. The light rippled in the wind, resembling a dark river.

Qin Shuang walked to Zhou Yang's side and whispered, "Are you prepared for this upheaval?"

Zhou Yang smiled faintly, "I have already written the name 'Peerless Evil God' into the title of the new law. Anyone who dares to challenge me will face my sword."

His words were like knives, cleaving the silent air.

The prince's army had approached the last line of defense of the remnants of the Heavenly Principle forces. Arrows rained down in the valley, and flashes of fire pierced the darkness of the night. The remaining followers, wielding tattered ritual implements, attempted to summon back the lingering effects of the dragon's markings.

With a deafening roar, the valley walls shattered, revealing a massive, bottomless crevice. The prince's vanguard charged in, their swords piercing the darkness.

The civil officials of the imperial city quickly signed the "Order to Reclaim the Divine Throne" in the main hall. Every stroke of the pen left a trace in the system's record.

Qin Shuang walked to the censor's desk and handed him a jade seal engraved with a dragon pattern. The censor took it, a strange glint in his eyes.

"This seal can serve as proof of the new law, and anyone who holds the seal can directly enforce it within the capital city," she said.

The system popped up another message: "After the new law is implemented, the power of the old officials will be weakened by 70%, and the concentration of imperial power will increase by 45%."

Zhou Yang looked up at the flag in the distance. The flag was embroidered with a golden dragon, whose eyes were bright and piercing.

"Everything is ready," he muttered to himself.

Outside the city walls, the Crown Prince's army had already sealed off the core stronghold of the remaining Heavenly Principle forces. The cult leader's body, tightly wrapped in silk, was sent back to the palace.

The Imperial Censor placed the body on the altar and lit three silver candles. The candlelight reflected in the bronze mirror, revealing a pale face.

The sound of the new law being read aloud echoed through the city.

"Anyone involved with the Heavenly Principle Sect shall be immediately investigated." The announcer's voice was loud and clear, echoing on the stone steps of the city gate.

Among the crowd, vendors whispered among themselves, "If the government really cracks down on this, won't the city be more peaceful?"

On the other side, the veterans frowned: "If the old officer is dismissed, who will take the helm?"

Qin Shuang gently patted the Crown Prince's shoulder: "The flow of power is inherently dynamic. As long as we hold the law in our hands, we can control the direction."

The Crown Prince nodded: "The new law is not a constraint, but a re-weaving of tradition."

Zhou Yang stood at the top of the tower, and the system interface flashed red numbers: "Lifespan Consumption +12".

Without hesitation, he pressed the consumption button. Light waves silently flowed from his body and shot towards the sky.

The light waves converged at the top of the city wall, forming a faint halo. Within the halo, a figure clad in black robes could be vaguely seen, holding a long sword with blood dripping from its tip.

"A peerless evil god has descended upon the world." Qin Shuang's voice was deep, yet carried an undeniable authority.

At that moment, the imperial city bells rang, the first chime echoing from the high tower, followed by a second and a third. Each chime seemed to be a reminder to the world: a new order was about to unfold.

Deep within the palace, the old emperor closed his eyes, his fingers gently stroking the jade pendant on his chest. Ancient patterns were engraved on the pendant, and within those patterns, a coiled dragon was faintly visible.

He murmured softly, "I've seen through it all."

The system's last line of text appeared: "The data on the dramatic changes after the redemption has been locked, and subsequent plot can be generated based on this."

Zhou Yang withdrew his gaze and looked towards the mountains outside the city. The morning light tore through the clouds on the mountain peaks, revealing a path leading to the unknown.

"Let's go," he said to Qin Shuang.

Qin Shuang nodded, and the two entered the palace gates. Outside, soldiers stood in neat formation, raising their spears to greet the new dawn.

The lights of the imperial city gradually came on, the light reflecting off the glazed tiles and creating golden patterns. On the streets, the eyes of the people began to light up with anticipation.

Immense changes are already brewing. The fading of the old forces and the implementation of the new laws are the void left by the destruction of the Heavenly Principle Sect.

Zhou Yang's system continued to operate behind the scenes, recording every transfer of power. He knew that the next step of "redemption" was already being scheduled.

At this moment, the upheaval in imperial power has become the most real news in the city.

Final Judgment

The mountain road was very quiet.

Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang walked one after the other. The gravel under their feet made a soft sound. The wind blew up from the valley, carrying the smell of earth and blood. The mixed smells smelled like the end of a war.

Zhou Yang's hand remained on his waist, where an inconspicuous wooden box hung. Inside were the fragments of the dragon's spine. The box had been quiet all this time, as quiet as an ordinary piece of wood.

But just now, it moved.

hum-

A deep, resonant sound emanated directly from the box. It wasn't loud, but it pierced through his bones and drilled into his brain. Zhou Yang stopped in his tracks. He looked down and saw the wood grain on the box's surface undulating slightly, as if something alive was breathing inside.

Qin Shuang stopped too. Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword. "What's wrong?"

"It can't wait any longer," Zhou Yang said calmly.

As soon as the words left his mouth, a crack appeared in the box. A blinding white light shot out, casting a small spot of light on the ground between the two. Within that spot of light, tiny dragon-shaped runes could be vaguely seen writhing and struggling. The surrounding air became scorching hot, as if being roasted over a fire.

The system notification sounded in Zhou Yang's mind. Cold, devoid of any emotion.

[WARNING: Dragon Spine energy leak.]

[Warning: Current lifespan is insufficient to complete the seal.]

[Recommendation: Evacuate immediately to avoid risks.]

Zhou Yang stared at the white light. The spot of light grew larger and larger, and the stones on the ground began to crack. He knew that retreating was useless. Once this energy fully erupted, the entire mountain range, and even further afield, would be razed to the ground, just like what happened with the Divine Throne.

He suddenly smiled. Not a loud laugh, just a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"Layman, let's do one last deal."

He silently repeated it to himself. It wasn't a request, nor a discussion. It was an order.

"System, activate the 'Redemption Strike' program."

[The "Redemption Strike" procedure consumes all of your health points. Upon execution, the host will be subjected to a torrent of energy. The probability of survival... is incalculable.]

"implement."

Zhou Yang uttered two words.

The next moment, the whole world disappeared before his eyes.

There was no light, no sound. Only a pure, boundless expanse of white. Like a blank canvas. Within this whiteness, a few lines of black writing slowly emerged, carrying a sense of judgment.

[Initiating the Final Judgment: Atonement.]

[Host of the liquidation process: Zhou Yang.]

Life Record:

...He killed Fang Tian and gained thirty-seven years of lifespan.

...After consuming the Corpse King Virus, his physique mutated, and he gained a lifespan of sixty years.

...Repairing the dragon spine fragments will consume ninety years of my lifespan.

...Kill the leader of the Heavenly Principles Sect and gain 120 years of lifespan.

...]

Lines of data flashed past his eyes, like a brief summary of his life. Every transaction, every brush with death, was remembered clearly.

Current remaining life expectancy: eleven years and three months.

[Future life value percentage: 3%]

3%. A very low number. The system was telling him that the little bit of life he had left was worthless.

[Judgment Clause: At the cost of your entire current life, accept the torrent of energy from the Dragon Spine Throne. Success will result in the complete sealing of the energy and a revaluation of your life's worth. Failure will result in the annihilation of both soul and body.]

Are you satisfied with these terms?

Zhou Yang did not hesitate.

"accept."

He could almost see Qin Shuang rushing towards him at the edge of that pure white world, her face filled with terror. He wanted to say something to her, but found himself unable to utter a sound.

Then, destruction came.

An indescribable shock exploded from every cell in his body. It wasn't pain; it was a destruction more fundamental than pain. He felt his bones turning to dust inch by inch, his flesh evaporating in an instant, and his soul being repeatedly forged in a furnace. The entire world was enveloped by an enormous, dragon-shaped golden pillar of light.

A pillar of light shot skyward, piercing through the clouds. A massive rift was torn in the sky. In the distant imperial city, everyone saw this golden light that reached the heavens and the earth, like a god descending with his judgment.

Qin Shuang was thrown back by a massive blast of air. She rolled several times on the ground before finally stabilizing herself by planting her sword in the ground. Looking up, she saw only a golden expanse. Zhou Yang's figure had completely disappeared. He had been swallowed by the light.

"Zhou Yang!"

She screamed, her voice ripped apart by the gale. She tried to rush forward, but the space around the pillar of light was distorted; every step closer meant her body would be torn apart.

The beam of light lasted for a long time, yet it seemed to last only a moment.

When the golden light faded, the world returned to peace.

A burnt smell filled the air. The rocks had been burned into a glassy state. At the center of the beam of light, the ground collapsed, forming a bottomless crater.

In the center of the giant pit, a figure slowly emerged.

Zhou Yang knelt there, his body charred black, his clothes tattered, like a piece of burnt charcoal. He kept his head down, motionless.

Qin Shuang scrambled over to him. She was afraid he would shatter, afraid he would turn to ashes.

"Zhou Yang?" She reached out, her hand trembling, and touched his shoulder.

It is warm.

Zhou Yang slowly raised his head. His face was clean, without any wounds. Only his eyes revealed an extreme weariness. He looked at Qin Shuang, grinned, and revealed a smile that was more like a grimace.

"This deal... isn't a bad one."

His voice was as hoarse as a broken gong.

【Ding! 】

The judgment of atonement is complete.

The energy surge has been completely sealed within the host's body, forming a second barrier to life.

[Host's life value is being reassessed... Reassessment complete.]

[Remaining lifespan is steadily increasing... Current lifespan: 1372 years.]

[System Level Locked: Peerless Evil God.]

[The lifespan depletion system is permanently shut down.]

The last prompt was like a sigh.

Zhou Yang was stunned. Permanently shut down?

He tried calling out to the system in his mind. There was no response. The trading partner who had accompanied him all the way—cold, demanding, yet incredibly reliable—had simply vanished. It had completed its mission and taken its final reward.

He looked down at his hands. Beneath his skin, faint golden lines seemed to flow slowly—the sealed dragon spine energy. It was no longer a raging beast, but had become a part of his body, a protective barrier.

He stood up, his legs still a little weak. Qin Shuang immediately supported him.

Zhou Yang looked at her, seeing the worry and lingering fear in her eyes, and suddenly felt a sense of fulfillment fill his heart. He used to think that relationships were simply transactions. He risked his life for Qin Shuang, and Qin Shuang gave him money and protection. It was fair.

But now, he feels something is different.

"Let's go home," he said.

Qin Shuang nodded vigorously, and finally couldn't hold back her tears, which fell down her cheeks.

The sun had fully risen, its golden rays bathing the entire land, illuminating the ruins and the path ahead. The war was over, the Heavenly Principle Sect had been destroyed, and the threat of the divine throne hanging overhead had vanished.

The world seems to be really about to change.

Dragon's Spine Finale

The wind still swayed, dispelling the last layer of heat from the battlefield. Zhou Yang stood on the red earth, tiny grains of sand emerging from the small craters left by his iron boots, like veins pressed into rubble. He heard a muffled echo from the distant mountain ridge, the lingering sound of drums that had just ceased at night, leaving only the gunpowder-scented heat of the wind swirling around the broken tree roots.

Qin Shuang leaned against his left shoulder, her earlier coldness gone, replaced by a slight weariness in her eyes. She reached out and touched the bloodstains wrapped around her boxing gloves; the blood was no longer vibrant, like ashes scattered by the wind. Her voice trailed off in the wind: "How many of those fragments can be pieced together?"

Zhou Yang raised his eyes, his gaze passing over the collapsed throne and landing on the sealed box beneath the cracked stone platform. The cracks meandered along the stone's texture, seemingly still leaking heat. The sealed box consisted of five latches, each carved with a dragon scale pattern, all pulsating with heat. He had touched the surface with his aura last night, knowing that the fragments inside were merely temporarily stored energy.

The lid of the box slowly opened, and a beam of white and blue light shot out, shattering into tiny scales upon touching the air before quickly retreating. The light wasn't cold; rather, it was like ripples on water stirred by the wind, carrying a heavy, textured quality. Qin Shuang reached out and caught one of the scales, her knuckles pressing tightly against the pattern. Her fingers didn't flinch; instead, it was as if she sensed a familiar pattern.

Before them, five fragments each presented a different state. The first resembled the hard shell of cooled lava, with faint reddish veins remaining inside; the second was a thin layer of cyan light, with tiny cracks along its edges; the third was transparent, and when shaken, it resembled water droplets falling onto a copper surface, with frequently flickering points of light inside that seemed to prickly; the fourth was immersed in black ash, with the surrounding air currents very low; the fifth had inlaid gold threads on its outer edge, which, when spread out, resembled tides scattering in all directions. Zhou Yang gently reached his hand into the pillar of light, and the fragments swirled in the air. He forcefully gathered them together, as if kneading their scattered sparks into a ball.

Qin Shuang took a step back, a cloud of dust, reeking of gunpowder, rising low behind her. Her heel struck the stone slab with a soft thud, but it resonated precisely with the vibrations Zhou Yang made as he gathered the fragments. Her lips parted slightly: "Ready."

Zhou Yang nodded. He didn't look up at Qin Shuang, but slowly closed his eyes. Through his eyelids, the fragments blurred in his vision, transforming into a ripple of water bound by chains. He focused his attention on the outline of the sword—ever since the moment Fang Tian was killed, he had seen a certain line of this sword in his dream. The lingering warmth of Fang Tian was still behind him, actually just his hand. He knew that hand had been guiding him to complete an action: to put the fragments back together. Now, he completed that one finger.

He moved his palm away from the center, and the fragments spontaneously arranged themselves in the air, slowly falling to form a vertical beam of light. The light swirled, as if layering each dragon scale in rhythm with its breath. Qin Shuang reached out and gently touched one of the fragments, seeing a blurry vortex within the beam of light, the vortex spreading outwards. She gently rotated her finger, as if guiding the light towards herself.

The light became increasingly concentrated, finally solidifying into a sword before them. The sword was slender, yet enveloped in a watery aura. The hilt was engraved with patterns of a dragon coiled around its body, its mouth pointing downwards, while the tip resembled a blade straightened by flames. Zhou Yang's fingers approached the hilt, and the entire space seemed to await his arrival. He gently gripped it, and the hilt, warmed by his palm, revealed several veins. The sword seemed to come alive, its pulse synchronized with his heartbeat.

As soon as the sword took shape, the light within the fragment began to rotate, as if absorbing the sword's remaining breath. Qin Shuang carried the scale amulet to Zhou Yang's side; the amulet was heavier than any of the fragments. She placed the amulet in her palm; a faint, pulsating green light flickered within, like it was breathing. The amulet was engraved with the patterns of a jade dragon's back boulder, with tiny barbs along its edges. Zhou Yang reached out and touched the amulet; it emitted a slight vibration, as if responding to his pulling force.

"The remaining energy must be separated," Qin Shuang said. The last section of the Qin family's secret technique reads, "The dragon form is not yet complete, so it returns to the scales for protection," which she had already recited in her mind over and over again.

Following her instructions, Zhou Yang pressed the back-scale amulet back onto the scabbard of the dragon-patterned sword once more. The amulet didn't adhere directly; instead, it floated gently above the sword, like a transparent shield, rotating with the blade. In the light, the amulet gradually spread, forming a scale-like pattern that enveloped the entire sword. The energy lines of the sword and the amulet didn't resemble two separate objects, but rather intertwined veins, like two dragons kissing.

After the sword and talisman were completed, a system notification flickered in his mind like a slight radio wave. Zhou Yang remained silent, listening intently as the voice drew closer.

"The Dragon Spine Artifact is complete and can be recharged in future battles." The system's notification was devoid of any emotion, only a calm and resolute conclusion.

Zhou Yang lowered his head, the surrounding dust swirling with the vibrations of his shoes. Sunlight streamed down at an angle, illuminating the sword tip and the amulet, the refracted light carrying a faint green hue. He took a soft breath, hearing the air settle in his chest. He knew the system would calculate his lifespan in a timely manner. He whispered to Qin Shuang, "The slow increase in remaining lifespan has now become 'recoverable'." After speaking, they both looked at each other, the cold glint in their eyes replaced by a calm.

Qin Shuang nodded, saying nothing, but her shoulders drew closer together. She turned, her shoulders shielding the sword, as if enveloping it with her own shadow. The sword gleamed faintly behind her, as if connected by her body heat. She reached out and gently stroked the lines on the hilt, her fingertips sliding down the dragon pattern, feeling the metal within each curve respond to her faint pulse.

"Let's pack up," she said. She turned to face Zhou Yang, her eyes showing fine lines. Zhou Yang saw the dark lines under her eyes, like the iron chains falling in the night of a battlefield. He smiled at her, a brief smile, but one that pulled her back to reality.

They carried the dragon-patterned sword and the back-scale amulet, descending along the mountain path. Scattered Imperial Guards remained in the valley, standing beside the ruins, whips in hand, watching them leave. Zhou Yang nodded to each soldier, his gaze seemingly dispelling the lingering scent of battle. Qin Shuang, however, noticed the light outside the valley; there was no new movement, only the wind continuing to carry dust into the air.

Half an hour later, they returned to the Qin family home. The stone steps leading to the entrance were still cracked, and a wooden plaque hung above the door, engraved with the characters "Chang'an," its faded paint revealing Qin Shuang's fingerprints. They didn't rush into the main hall, but instead turned towards a secret passage on one side. The passage consisted of a few steps made of gray bricks, with silent mechanisms set up along the walls. Qin Shuang pushed open a stone door, revealing a long, narrow secret chamber.

The secret chamber was dimly lit, with only the glow of a fireplace by the door casting a faint red light. Several worn murals hung on the walls, the eyes of the figures blurred by the weathering. They went inside and placed the sword and talisman on the stone platform in the center. Zhou Yang placed his hand on the sword hilt, feeling the sword vibrate slightly, as if waiting for a breath.

Qin Shuang crouched down and placed the talisman on the base beside the sword sheath. Layers of runes were engraved on the base; she traced a few lines on the runes with her knuckles, and a faint light rose, the spiritual energy flowing along the runes. She looked towards the niche to her left, where several silver needles reflected the moonlight. She stretched out her hand, her fingertip touching the top of the niche, and several silver needles immediately flew out, swirling around the sword and talisman to form a fan-shaped array eye. The array eye flashed with blue light, constantly contracting and expanding, as if measuring every inch of the secret chamber.

"This protective array only emits a faint sound when it leaks out," Qin Shuang said, barely uttering a word. She removed her hand from the array, the light faded, but the array's core remained intact. She added, "As long as someone gets close, it will trigger a hidden chain." She pointed to a mechanism in the corner, where seven silver talismans, shaped like snake eggs, were already neatly arranged.

Zhou Yang smelled the incense burning in the stove. He not only found it fragrant, but also felt that the fragrance was a reminder that no matter how bustling it was outside, the secret chamber remained a solitary space. No one could enter; only the Qin family and he had the key. He walked to the stone platform and reached out to touch the sword. The moment his hand touched it, the blade seemed to respond with a slight warmth. He placed his hand back on it, not withdrawing it. He felt that the sword had reconnected with him, just like many years ago when he used his lifespan to unlock his first divine weapon.

"Does anyone else know where we put it?" he asked.

Qin Shuang shook her head, her face serious. "Only you and I know this. Once this sword appears on the battlefield, the storm will follow immediately."

Zhou Yang nodded slightly, his gaze lingering between the sword and the amulet, a subtle determination in his eyes. "Therefore, we should only bring it out when needed."

Qin Shuang stood up, raised her hand and gently waved it above the secret chamber. Several gusts of wind swept out from the stone slabs, as if carrying their body heat away from the ground. She turned to Zhou Yang and said, "Let's go back to our rooms and tidy up. We need to get a good night's sleep tonight."

Zhou Yang straightened up, sheathing his sword and pressing the talisman against his chest. They turned and left the secret chamber, their shadows elongated in the firelight. The door closed softly, but loud enough to shut the chamber shut. The firelight continued to lick at the murals, leaving a faint afterglow.