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

The fireplace in the secret chamber had gone cold.

Zhou Yang sat on a wooden chair, holding a piece of paper in his hand. The paper was densely covered with records of his past years—not accounts of money, but accounts of his life.

"System, list them out."

A familiar voice echoed in his mind. It wasn't a cold, electronic tone, but more like a mirror, reflecting the path he had walked over the years.

Current remaining lifespan: 327 years

Zhou Yang was stunned when he saw the number. Three hundred and twenty-seven years—enough for an ordinary person to live four lifetimes. But he knew that he had burned nearly eighty years for this number.

[Cumulative combustion life: 79 years, 3 months and 7 days]

Seventy-nine years. How long has he lived in this world? Even including his memories from his previous life, it's only been a little over thirty years. In other words, more than half of his lifespan was prematurely taken.

"That's ruthless." He chuckled, a slightly bitter laugh.

[Details of resources redeemed:]

Dragon Spine Fragment Repair (Part 1): Consuming Forty Years of Lifespan

The leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect was beheaded: 15 years of his lifespan was lost.

Technique Derivation (Complete): Consumes 24 years of lifespan

Zhou Yang placed the paper on the table. Qin Shuang came in from outside, carrying two cups of tea. The tea had gone cold, but she made no move to brew it again.

"Finished calculating?" she asked.

"That's it." Zhou Yang handed over the paper. "Here you go. Use this if the imperial court needs it made public."

Qin Shuang took it and glanced at it. Her finger paused on the words "three hundred and twenty-seven years" without saying a word.

"That's enough to demand an explanation from the imperial court." Zhou Yang stood up and walked to the window. It was the third day after the destruction of the Heavenly Principle Sect. The corpses on the streets had been cleared away, but a burnt smell still lingered in the air. "I burned for seventy-nine years, only to end up with a completely wiped-out Heavenly Principle Sect, a fragment of a dragon's spine, and..."

He paused.

"What else?" Qin Shuang asked.

"And your life," Zhou Yang said bluntly. "If you hadn't stood in front of me that day, I'd be dead by now."

Qin Shuang fell silent. She recalled the events of that day; when the divine throne collapsed, Zhou Yang reacted faster than she had. In that instant, she didn't even have time to be afraid before he pushed her out of the crack.

"I don't need you to owe me anything," she said.

"It's not about owing," Zhou Yang shook his head. "It's about exchanging. You gave me silver notes, intelligence, and backing me up. I killed for you and risked my life for you. Now we're even."

Qin Shuang folded the paper and put it in her sleeve. "I'll speak to the court. Your merit in 'redeeming' someone is enough to earn you the title of Protector of the Nation."

"Protect the country?" Zhou Yang chuckled. "I'm not going to be an official. Being an official is too much trouble. You have to get up early every day to attend court, and then you have to report on your performance at the end of the month. I'd rather stay in a mountain valley."

"Who gave you the official position?" Qin Shuang glared at him. "It's a title. The title 'Peerless Evil God' has already spread outside. Rather than let you become a hidden danger, the court would rather turn you into a weapon."

"A knife?" Zhou Yang thought for a moment. "That works too. Doesn't the knife need to get up early for court, right?"

"Need not."

"Then it's settled." He turned around and looked at Qin Shuang. "What do you want from the imperial court? You can't just work for them for nothing."

Qin Shuang hesitated for a moment. She took out another piece of paper from her sleeve and placed it on the table.

"The Qin family's house is gone. I want to rebuild it. Also, the Qin family's wrongful conviction from back then needs an opportunity to be overturned."

Zhou Yang picked it up and looked it over. The paper contained Qin Shuang's conditions, only three: first, rebuild the Qin mansion; second, restore the Qin family's registration; and third...

"You want military power?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Only three thousand," Qin Shuang said. "I don't need the imperial court to support me. I'll support myself."

"Three thousand soldiers, the Qin family army," Zhou Yang read aloud. "You've thought very far ahead."

"Not far." Qin Shuang shook her head. "Although the Heavenly Principle Sect has been destroyed, there are still other forces in the martial world. The imperial court needs a knife, but it also needs a sword. I am the sword, and you are the knife. We each get what we need."

Zhou Yang handed the paper back to her. "I can help you. But there's a condition."

"What?"

"In the future, don't rush into things alone." His tone was calm. "I don't want to experience that situation again."

Qin Shuang was stunned. She hadn't expected Zhou Yang to make this request. In her mind, he was always a selfish person who constantly talked about "more money" and never cared about the lives of others.

"You..." She opened her mouth.

"Don't misunderstand," Zhou Yang interrupted her. "I'm not worried about you. I'm worried that if you die, no one will give me money."

Qin Shuang: "..."

She suddenly felt a lump in her throat, unable to escape.

"Fine," she said through gritted teeth, "I'll try my best not to die from now on."

"Not just as much as possible," Zhou Yang said, "it's certain."

Qin Shuang didn't say anything. She turned and walked out, stopping at the door.

"Zhou Yang".

"kindness?"

"Thank you."

Zhou Yang didn't respond. He watched Qin Shuang's figure disappear through the door before slowly sitting back down in his chair. The system was running in his mind, displaying a new line of text.

[System has entered low-consumption mode. Current consumption: 1 day per year]

This was a deal he made with himself. He traded 327 years of his lifespan for a relatively peaceful future. Burning away only one day of his lifespan each year was enough to maintain the system's basic operation and wouldn't affect his daily life.

"That's enough," he said softly.

The system didn't respond. Zhou Yang was used to this silence. From the beginning, the system wasn't a gentle entity. It was more like a mirror, reflecting all his choices and all the consequences.

He stood up and walked out of the secret chamber. The sunlight outside was bright, casting a desolate beauty on the ruins. In the distance, soldiers were shouting work chants as they cleared the site.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath. The smell of burning was still there, but it had faded considerably. Perhaps in a few days, this place would be completely different. Perhaps in a few months, new houses would be built and new trees planted.

Qin Shuang's team will set off within six months to find a suitable place to rebuild the Qin family. And he will go with them. Not because of any sentiment or responsibility, but purely because...

"Because you give me banknotes," he muttered to himself, then laughed at himself.

In the distance, Qin Shuang stood under an old tree, talking to several Imperial Guards. Her back was straight, like a sword drawn from its sheath.

Zhou Yang walked towards her. He walked slowly, but steadily.

The sunlight stretched the two people's shadows long, until they eventually merged together.

Peerless Evil God

The winter sun cast shadows on the bronze tiles of the imperial palace's high platform. The fireplace in the Qin family's secret chamber retained only a lingering warmth. Zhou Yang walked twice along the bluestone path, his steps light yet weighty. He unfurled a scroll; the ink still trembled. Today, he would personally transform the legend once called an "evil god" into the oath posted by the Qin family in the main hall.

Qin Shuang stood by the window, her sleeves rolled up, the veins on the back of her hands slightly bulging. She didn't say much, only handing him a silver-trimmed cloak and pulling her hat brim down. Beneath that brim, her eyes held a hint of weariness, but also a hint of certainty.

"We're ready," she whispered.

The main hall of the Qin family residence was filled with members of the Imperial Guards, imperial envoys, and representatives of various feudal lords. A plaque above read "Defending the City on Behalf of Heaven," and officials nodded frequently. Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang skillfully managed the proceedings, first preparing the documents to be submitted in a secret chamber: evidence of the Heavenly Principle Sect's destruction, lingering images of the Dragon Spine fragments, and a list of the Qin family's contributions to the city's defense. They left no openings for their opponents.

Outside the main hall, Qin family guards stood in formation, their swords pointing skyward. Officials lined up to enter the inner courtyard, their voices stern yet disciplined, the scent of incense ash scattered before the brocade robes wafting through the air. Qin Shuang sat on the edge of a grand chair, a hook in her hand sending a chill through her. She remained silent, simply straightening her outer robe to reveal the silver notes hidden in her sleeve to Zhou Yang.

He didn't move, only nodded, his gaze fleetingly passing over Qin Shuang.

On the high platform, the court officials were already in their positions. On the vermilion dragon throne, the flames of the lamps beside Zhou Yang and the palace guards flickered, seemingly rising and falling with the clouds and smoke of the imperial city.

On the main beam, the magistrate, holding his official tablet, solemnly read aloud the details of the Qin family's merit in defending the city the previous night and the destruction of the Heavenly Principle Sect. One by one, the crowd turned to look.

"For this merit, the Qin family is granted a title to guard the city, serving as the last line of defense for the inner and outer borders of the Eastern Capital." As soon as the magistrate finished speaking, applause resounded.

Zhou Yang stood up, sword hilt resting against his side. He used the most colloquial language to press the words "Peerless Evil God" down from the high platform:

"The altar of the Heavenly Principle Sect is broken, and the statue cannot be repaired. From today onward, what the Qin family protects is no longer the shadow of a 'god,' but the city wall that can be watched by others."

Several senior officials looked down at the ground. Once those words were spoken, the officials below the capital city couldn't avoid addressing them unless they resolved the issue.

The Qin family was now given the title of "city defenders." This title sounded like a hammer thrown onto an anvil in the noisy archives. Qin Shuang was silent at first, then lit a fire in front of the carved mirror. The firelight illuminated the depths of her eye sockets, and she turned to look at Zhou Yang.

"You mean 'Peerless Evil God'?" She took back half of her sentence, her tone slightly amused.

"Let's call it 'Peerless Evil God'." He stroked the hilt of the sword. "Let's use the name of the evil god to frighten those feudal lords who have forgotten the principles of Heaven and are laughing like ghosts."

"So how do we wrap this up?"

"Put the controversy on the monument."

On either side of the high platform, officials and feudal lords stood in order of rank. Each held a recorder's token marked with their territory and inlaid with red silk cords. The reassignment was about to take place at more than a dozen important locations both inside and outside the imperial city. The flags of the old forces were taken down one by one, and overnight, plaques were inscribed with "Abandoned."

"The central army has been transferred to Dongling, and the northern lands have been transferred to Luozhou." The clerk announced this while handing over new land deeds.

"Xuanming Fortress is ceded to the Marquis of Linhai." A feudal lord placed his hand on the talisman, his finger bones gleaming coldly.

"The fragments of the Dragon Spine Palace are under the control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard," another general whispered. Everyone knew that the fragments were the last trump card of the Heavenly Principle Sect.

With the new location in mind, old scores were settled on the monument.

The monument stands in the northwest of the imperial city, with a rusty passageway leading to it. The inscription begins with "Commemoration of the Demise of the Heavenly Principle Sect." The names of old enemies like Fang Tian and Chen Qianhu are engraved in rows.

Beside Fang Tian's name, there were still lingering traces of his talisman, as if it were still burning. Below Chen Qianhu's inscription was engraved "Head of the Northern Rebellion".

Qin Shuang took Zhou Yang to pay their respects. She stood before the monument, lifted the brim of her hat, and her lips tightened. "Fang Tian did not die in vain," she said.

Zhou Yang nodded, his finger tracing his own name on the monument. That inscription was his answer to "Fang Tian." He remembered that night, when Fang Tian said—even if he were gone, someone else would still walk the path. Now, the monument still bears the inscription, "Old grudges have been cleared."

"We wrote our past on this." He heard himself say this.

In the imperial court, the emperor nodded slightly. He then turned his gaze back to the edge of the high platform.

"Zhou Yang, Qin Shuang. Do you have any final words?"

Zhou Yang sheathed his sword, sat back in his chair, and said calmly, "After the destruction of the Heavenly Principle Sect, fragments of the Dragon Spine still roam. The outside world awaits its reactivation."

Just as I finished speaking, a system notification popped up in my mind: The outside world is still waiting for the Dragon Spine Artifact to restart.

The message felt like ice water leaking from the palm of your hand.

Qin Shuang frowned, her fingers tapping a fine rhythm on the table. She turned to him and said, "We're not stopping here."

The wind on the high platform of the imperial city subsided, and the morning breeze crept up from the palace walls, carrying the scent of earth and early-blooming flower buds. Zhou Yang took the dragon-patterned sword from its rack; its blade was cold and lifeless. The chain on the hilt twitched slightly, and light patterns danced on the edge. He placed the sword across his lap, his gaze sweeping across the imperial city to the distant, rolling mountains.

"What did you see?" Qin Shuang asked in a low voice.

"There will be new peaks after the fog clears," he said softly, pressing the dragon-patterned sword down on his shoulder and gripping it a little tighter.

Qin Shuang didn't speak again, but simply rested her head on his shoulder. The signal had already been sent to the silver note pouch in her hand, which contained the new contract that the Qin family had offered to the city's defenders.

"Once the Dragon Spine restarts, we might have to go all the way again." She raised her head and let out a soft breath.

The new territorial allocation created new patrol lines between the feudal lords and the imperial court. The Qin family became the nail in the wall, and Zhou Yang became the sharpest point guarding that nail.

They circled the main gate of the imperial city, where the guards of the Marquis's residence were already lined up.

"From now on, this place will be the Qin family's gate." Qin Shuang opened her cloak, and the armor beneath it gleamed in the sunlight.

"Defending the city is just a new title." Zhou Yang sheathed his dragon-patterned sword, the tip pointing to the ground. "The real finishing touch is to ensure these titles will also be useful in the future."

The whip marks on the monument were still warm. Zhou Yang turned to look at the distant figures in the imperial city.

"In a few years, perhaps new trees will grow here. Perhaps someone will write something we never imagined in front of this monument," he murmured.

Qin Shuang glanced at him, a slight smile playing on her lips. "We left 'Peerless Evil God' on the monument. From now on, when people see this name, they'll remember our faces."

Zhou Yang hung his sword at his waist and walked to the edge of the platform. Qin Shuang followed. The two of them stood on the city wall. The wind was no longer biting, but carried only the dry smell of looking down at the ground.

"No matter how many 'redemptions' we have to make in the future, at least today, the Heavenly Principle Sect has completely closed its loop," Zhou Yang concluded.

He stroked the hilt of the dragon-patterned sword and said, "It's okay if it's not finished yet. We'll search again after we close the door."

Imperial Edict Summons Evil Gods

In the Qin family's secret chamber, the lamplight flickered. Behind a bamboo curtain lay a row of old case files. Zhou Yang pushed a bottle of wine onto the table, its faint aroma mingling with the dust. Qin Shuang sat sideways, her fingertips lightly tapping the edge of a scroll. Their eyes held only calculation.

"What is the value of the name 'Peerless Evil God' in the martial arts world?" Zhou Yang raised his eyes, his voice not loud.

Qin Shuang raised an eyebrow, her eyes like icy springs. "A title itself is worthless. What matters is the human heart, people's imagined fears."

Zhou Yang nodded, his finger lightly tracing a passage of text. "If we write it into the government register, making it recorded by all officials, who would dare to provoke us again?"

Qin Shuang's lips curled slightly: "Then it becomes an official deterrent. As long as we have this key."

The sound of horses' hooves suddenly arose outside the door. A swift horse brought a silk scroll, the red seal pressing slightly indenting the brush tip. The messenger, his face calm, handed it to Qin Shuang.

"The imperial edict summons Zhou Yang," he announced in a low voice.

Qin Shuang took it, a glint in her eyes. She quickly unfolded it, and between the lines it read: "The nation's foundation has been blessed, your merits surpass all under heaven. You are hereby granted the title of Demon Suppressor, and rewarded with ten million in gold."

Zhou Yang frowned and reached for the scroll. The messenger hadn't brought a warrant for his arrest, but a formal summons. A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

"I am pleased that the Emperor has given his approval." He turned to Qin Shuang, his voice tinged with sarcasm.

Qin Shuang remained seated and said calmly, "However, the imperial court still has conditions."

The envoy presented the emperor's handwritten words, the characters sharp as knives: "The Demon Suppression Envoy must hand over the Dragon Spine Fragment for deposit into the national treasury."

Zhou Yang lightly flicked the scroll's tip, a cold glint in his eyes. The Dragon Spine was the culmination of years of blood and sweat. To hand it over would be tantamount to giving up his future.

"Only by keeping the dragon's spine in my hands can this place be guarded." Zhou Yang stood up, his back silhouetted against the lamplight. His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable force.

Qin Shuang lightly touched her sleeve, her voice low: "We can keep the identity of 'Evil God' in effect, but there must be some reservations."

She turned to the messenger and added, "The Qin family's reputation has been tarnished for many years. If the old residence can be returned to Chang'an and the military camp in the west of the city can be allocated as the Qin family's residence, that would be our greatest concession."

The envoy frowned slightly and quickly took notes. The power struggles within the Prince's residence were never short of terms, but these two conditions were enough to make the court hesitate.

Zhou Yang placed his hand on the hilt of the dragon-patterned sword, feeling the chill of the blade. Then he looked up and whispered to Qin Shuang, "If His Majesty still insists on taking away the Dragon Spine within three days, then I will..."

He paused for a moment, his eyes flashing like sharp blades. "I will hang the name of 'Evil God' on the city gate, so that when the world sees this monument, they will know that I am unyielding."

Qin Shuang nodded, her smile lingering: "That's exactly right. We trade our reputation for survival, and our survival for our reputation."

The messenger closed the scroll and bowed deeply: "I will report back in three days as ordered."

He turned and left, the sound of his horse's hooves echoing in the corridor. The lamplight flickered, and the words on the scroll looked like bloodstains.

Zhou Yang walked to the window and gazed at the battle flags outside the city walls. A breeze carried the scent of distant cooking smoke. Qin Shuang stood behind him, gently placing her hand on his shoulder.

"This time, the real game is about to begin," Qin Shuang said in a low voice.

Zhou Yang turned around, a barely perceptible glint of fire igniting in his eyes. "When they come, I'll show them that the 'Evil God' isn't just a legend, but a sword he wields."

As night deepened, only the flickering light of the lamp illuminated the secret room. The two stood silently, contemplating the consequences of each step they would take.

The bells had already rung for three days. Zhou Yang gently placed the dragon-patterned sword on the table, rose, and walked towards the stone steps of the main hall. Qin Shuang followed closely behind, her steps steady.

The imperial edict awaits; the final chapter of power is about to unfold.

The night was deep, and the light in the secret room still flickered. Zhou Yang stood beside the scroll, his fingers lightly tracing the back of the paper. The ink was dry, yet it still carried the scent of blood. It was paper stained with blood from the last time he killed the leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect.

He muttered to himself, "Every time I burn my lifespan, I gain a moment of light. If I lose the Dragon Spine now, my future will be shrouded in darkness." He looked out the window; the stars were sparse, but a few were exceptionally bright.

Qin Shuang approached and offered him a dim lamp. The lamp oil glowed faintly, reflecting the resolute look in her eyes. She placed her hand on Zhou Yang's shoulder and whispered, "We've already turned the 'Evil God' into a bargaining chip. Now, all we need to do is arrange the pieces on that chip, and we can control the whole situation."

Zhou Yang nodded, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes. It wasn't arrogance, but rather the relaxed ease that came after careful consideration. He raised his hand and tapped the table three times, the sound crisp and clear.

"Let's go to the capital first and see the Emperor in person," he said. "Let him see the 'Dragon Mark' in our hands, and let him know that if we don't give in, the Dragon Spine will remain in our hands forever."

Qin Shuang pondered for a moment and replied, "His Majesty, though the ruler of the world, often employs both kindness and severity. If we use 'protection' as a pretext, we can put him in a dilemma."

Zhou Yang took out a gold-patterned token and gently tossed it onto the table. The token spun, and golden light traced a thin arc before landing on the paper.

"We bought this token in the Northern Wilderness mining area," he said. "The iron ore veins there are monopolized by the imperial court. If we send it there, it will make the emperor realize the value of 'cooperation'."

Qin Shuang raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly, "You want to exchange mining rights for the right to retain Dragon's Spine?"

Zhou Yang nodded, his voice low: "Not only that, it will also put pressure on the imperial court because of the loss of mining taxes. In this way, the emperor will not dare to easily touch our Dragon Spine."

He stood up and hung the dragon-patterned sword back at his waist. The scabbard clicked softly, and the cold glint of the metal flashed under the lamplight.

The two walked out of the secret chamber side by side, and the stone door at the end of the corridor slowly opened. Outside was the night view of the imperial city, brightly lit, with the low murmurs of patrolling sentries on the city walls.

They stepped onto the cobblestone path, their footsteps echoing in the night. Reaching the city gate, the imperial guards were already lined up. Qin Shuang raised her hand to signal, and the guards immediately made way.

Upon entering the imperial city, the spacious square was brightly lit by red lanterns. Several officials were already waiting before the central Golden Palace, their eyes fixed on Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang.

Zhou Yang walked to the front of the hall and raised his hand to brush away a layer of dust. The dragon-patterned sword on his chest trembled slightly, as if sensing the change in aura.

Inside the hall, an imperial censor in a purple robe stood solemnly on a high platform. He raised his folding fan, flicked it gently, and the sound was as loud as a bell.

"Lord Zhou Yang, Lady Qin Shuang, the Emperor has summoned you," he said. "Please come in with me."

The two followed the imperial censor into the inner palace, where the air was filled with the faint fragrance of orchids, and ancient landscape paintings adorned the walls. The emperor sat upright on his dragon throne, his brows furrowed in scrutiny.

The emperor spoke calmly: "Zhou Yang, you rendered meritorious service as the 'Demon Suppressor,' wiping out the Heavenly Principle Sect. However, how do you explain the fact that the Dragon Spine became a treasure of the national treasury?"

Zhou Yang chuckled softly, his voice as clear as a cold spring: "Your Majesty, the Dragon Spine is an ancestral treasure of our clan. If we forcibly take it away, it may affect its original efficacy. Moreover, I have already left the title of 'Evil God' here. If we take it away, we may lose the foundation for suppressing the remaining evil forces."

The emperor raised an eyebrow, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. Qin Shuang stood beside him, calmly handing him a scroll. The scroll outlined the plan for the return of the Qin family's old residence and the allocation plan for the military camp in the west of the city.

The emperor read it carefully, then pointed at Zhou Yang: "If you refuse to hand over the Dragon Spine, you will no longer dare to act in the name of 'Demon Suppressor.' Otherwise, the emperor will revoke all rewards and punish you for treason."

Zhou Yang was silent for a moment, then answered in a low voice: "If the Emperor still insists on taking away the Dragon Spine within three days, I will erect the 'Evil God' monument in the capital, so that the whole world will know my name and my indomitable spirit."

The emperor pondered, his expression unchanged. An imperial censor stepped forward and presented a golden seal book, the cover of which was engraved with "Demon Suppression Envoy".

Qin Shuang added softly, "If His Majesty is willing to preserve the Dragon Ridge and grant us the old residence and military camp, we will forever be loyal to the court and guard the capital."

The emperor nodded, signaling the censor to take note. Then, he stood up and said to the two men, "The court will give its final decision within three days. If you can accept it, you will then be able to share the emperor's favor."

Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang exchanged a smile, but said nothing. The censor handed the golden seal to Zhou Yang, his fingers lightly touching it, and the golden light shimmered slightly.

As they left the Golden Palace, the night air was already cool. The two stood outside the palace walls, gazing at the brightly lit city.

Zhou Yang gently stroked the hilt of the dragon-patterned sword and said in a low voice, "This time, the game of power has officially begun. If they hesitate, we will write a new chapter in the name of 'Evil God'."

Qin Shuang nodded, the reflection of the city lights in her eyes: "We have already left the 'Evil God' on the stone of history. When they come, I will make them remember that true power comes from the courage to risk everything."

The stars were sparse, and the night was silent. The two turned and left, stepping into the dark alley. Behind them, the drums of the capital city began to sound, as if foreshadowing the prelude to a storm.

The bells tolled for three days, their sound piercing through the city gates. The final answer to the imperial edict would determine the fate of Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang, and would also leave an indelible mark on the "Peerless Evil God" between the martial world and the imperial court.

New house, old case

The emperor signed the edict before his desk in the North Pavilion. The paper was as sharp as cold iron, and the handwriting was steady and firm.

"Zhou Yang was able to maintain all the original conditions, and the title of 'Peerless Evil God' was added to the imperial register."

The imperial edict was immediately delivered to the capital's government offices by a palace attendant. The official holding the seal frowned, but dared not hesitate.

Qin Shuang stood on the sandalwood threshold, her eyes as cold as ice. Her entourage had already gathered in the west of the city, awaiting her orders.

"Take over the entire Qin family mansion to us," she commanded calmly. "No further disputes are allowed."

The ruins of the Qin Mansion outside the city were tightly chained, and dust swirled in the morning breeze.

A squad of Imperial Guards followed Qin Shuang inside, kicking open the dusty wooden door. The room was dimly lit, and bloodstains still lingered on the walls.

Zhou Yang's figure swayed as he walked from the tower of the military camp in the west of the city. The setting sun cast a long shadow over him.

"I'll leave this to you," Qin Shuang said, handing over the keys. "I'll keep an eye on every crack and crevice inside."

Zhou Yang took the key and tapped it lightly with his fingertips, as if testing the temperature of the iron.

The iron gates of the western military camp swung open with a roar, sending dust billowing out. Moonlight cast dappled patterns on the abandoned weapons.

He walked into the barracks, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.

The old case files were kept on the top shelf of the ancestral hall. Qin Shuang gently pushed the antique wooden drawer, sending dust flying.

A scroll was hidden in a secret compartment. She brushed away the dust with her sleeve; the scroll's paper had yellowed.

The scroll bears the inscription "Sacrifice to Heaven Ceremony" and is marked "Entrance to the Royal Treasury" next to it.

Qin Shuang frowned slightly and muttered to herself, "The massacre of the entire family back then was actually related to this."

She looked up at Zhou Yang, and their eyes met for a moment.

Zhou Yang tapped the stone wall lightly with his fingers and suddenly heard a soft sound.

There was a loose brickwork beneath the military camp, revealing the entrance to a secret passage.

He bent down and reached his hand inside; the coldness was bone-chilling, like a icy wind blowing from the abyss.

Qin Shuang had her attendants light torches, the light piercing the darkness.

The secret passage wound downwards, with ancient runes carved on the walls.

Every few squares there is a small pebble, seemingly marking the way ahead.

After walking several dozen steps, the entrance to the secret passage suddenly opened up.

Before me stood an abandoned altar, its stone pillars collapsed and ritual objects scattered all over the ground.

The stone slabs beneath the altar glowed faintly, as if they had been soaked in dampness for a long time.

Zhou Yang reached out and pressed his hand on the stone slab, feeling a slight vibration.

"This is the old altar beneath the imperial city," he whispered. "All the undercurrents flow from here."

Qin Shuang approached the altar, her fingers gently tracing the engravings.

Her heart was beating a little faster, but she remained calm.

The ritual recorded on the scroll required an offering from the emperor to open the secret treasury.

The Qin family was massacred because they refused to participate in this ceremony.

"So those people were pawns used by the royal family." Qin Shuang's voice carried a faint chill.

Zhou Yang nodded, his gaze shifting to the stone bench in the center of the altar.

There were faint red marks on the stone bench, as if blood had not yet dried.

He reached out and touched it, feeling a slight warmth at his fingertips.

"There were sacrifices here," he said. "The spirits of those sacrifices may still linger here."

Qin Shuang didn't say anything more, but simply put the scroll in her hand away and put it in her bosom.

The two quickly returned to the military camp in the west of the city.

In the command hall of the military camp, Zhou Yang drew a map of the secret passage he had discovered on a canvas.

Each route is marked with a short symbol for easy identification.

Qin Shuang walked to the map, pointed to the entrance of the secret passage, and said, "We can infiltrate the heart of the imperial city from the military camp at any time."

Zhou Yang lit a few candles, their light flickering on the map.

"As long as the key to the altar is obtained, the secret treasury of the palace can be opened."

Qin Shuang reached into her robes and pulled out a gold key engraved with the royal crest.

She had been secretly collecting this key for many years, and only dared to take it out today.

"I already have many connections in the court," she said calmly. "With just one order, the city's defenses will be temporarily relaxed."

Zhou Yang smiled and said in a low voice, "Then let's push this game to its end."

Night had fallen, and the sentry lights outside the city walls were sparse.

Qin Shuang and Zhou Yang returned to their respective posts and assigned their subordinates to carry out the details.

Qin Shuang instructed her subordinates to inventory every relic from the Qin family's old residence to ensure nothing was missed.

She instructed her guards to reseal the gold and silver in the old house to prevent outsiders from stealing them.

Zhou Yang then gathered the veterans of the legion and explained how to use the secret passage.

The old men nodded after hearing this, a long-lost fighting spirit flashing in their eyes.

At the same time, a minister in the court quietly handed a secret letter to the emperor.

The secret letter reported on Qin Shuang and Zhou Yang's movements and advised the emperor to be vigilant against them.

The emperor stroked his beard, his brow furrowed slightly, but he did not immediately issue an order to pursue and arrest him.

He turned and had the eunuch copy the imperial edict into the "Records of the World," ensuring that the name "Peerless Evil God" would live on forever.

The eunuch whispered the good news: "This matter has been recorded in history."

Qin Shuang stood on the balcony of her new house, gazing at the distant city wall.

Her eyes held a starlight-like cold sharpness, yet also subtly concealed a hint of expectation.

Zhou Yang stood on a high platform in the military camp, holding a long sword, the blade reflecting the golden-red hues of the twilight.

He took a deep breath and felt an indescribable warmth in his chest.

Their eyes met under the same sky, and they made a silent promise: all old cases would be settled at this moment.

The night wind rustled the tiles, making a soft clanging sound.

The city lights gradually came on, as if lighting torches in preparation for the coming storm.

They knew that only by opening the imperial city's secret treasury could they completely break free from the shackles of the past.

So Qin Shuang and Zhou Yang returned to their respective camps and began their final preparations.

The scroll, the key, the secret passage, the altar—all the clues are in hand.

Their steps were firm and rapid, as if they wanted to compress time into a sharp knife.

A cold star streaked across the night sky, casting a brief trail of light on the bricks and tiles of the city wall.

The doors to the new house are tightly shut, and the truth of the old case will emerge at dawn tomorrow.

The truth of blood sacrifice

The stone door to the secret vault closed behind him, and Zhou Yang lit the fire tinder.

The fluorescent moss glowed green in the corner, and the air was filled with the dampness of old bamboo slips. He raised his hand to signal the two Imperial Guards behind him to disperse and search, and the three of them advanced into the depths of the warehouse in a triangular formation.

Royal possessions were indeed hidden in the shadows.

Zhou Yang stopped in front of a row of dusty scrolls, pulled one out, and opened it. The Record of the Heaven-Worshiping Ritual—exactly what he was looking for.

The writing on the scroll was faded and mottled. He leaned closer to look at it for a moment, and his brows gradually furrowed.

"On the seventh day of the third month, a group of 365 people from the Longevity Path entered the altar."

"On the ninth day of the third month, when the blood ran dry, at the quarter-hour of midnight, the celestial messenger descended to earth."

Zhou Yang turned to the next page, his breathing slightly labored.

"The celestial messengers do not consume mortal food; they only require the essence of living beings. The blood sacrifice is not to prolong Your Majesty's life, but rather to offer sacrifices to the celestial messengers. A grand sacrifice is held every thirty years."

He closed the scroll, his fingertips tracing the cover. The royal archives indeed held secrets that outsiders dared not even imagine.

"Master Zhou, we've made a discovery here."

A voice from a member of the Imperial Guard came from the right. Zhou Yang walked over and saw a mural carved on the stone wall—a dense array of figures kneeling in the center of the altar, while above the altar floated an indistinguishable black shadow.

The black image was writhing, or something that could not be described in words.

Zhou Yang stared at the dark figure for a few seconds, then suddenly felt a throbbing pain in his temples.

【warn.】

The system's voice exploded in my mind without warning.

[Same-source energy fluctuation detected.]

[Level: Incalculable.]

Zhou Yang's expression changed drastically. He quickly looked around; apart from the three of them, the secret vault was completely empty.

"What do you mean by 'shared origin'?" he wondered to himself.

The host was previously marked.

Those four words felt like a heavy hammer blow to my chest.

Zhou Yang suddenly looked down at his hands. Beneath his skin, something seemed to be slightly warm, or like some extremely subtle pulse, slowly awakening.

"What did you say?"

[The target of the blood sacrifice was not an ordinary human emperor, but a being from a higher realm attempting to cross over. The host had previously come into contact with the residual energy of the altar during the Yangzhou incident, and the power of the mark contained within it seeped into their body.]

This is precisely the real reason why the host can "revive"—the marker treats the host as potential "food," and automatically triggers a repair mechanism when the host is on the verge of death to ensure the "ingredients" remain intact.

Zhou Yang took a step back and his back hit the stone wall.

Two imperial guards turned to look at him: "Master Zhou?"

"It's nothing." He waved his hand, his voice calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

He always thought the system was his greatest asset. But he was just a pawn on someone else's chessboard.

Qin Shuang appeared at the entrance to the secret vault at some point. Seeing Zhou Yang's pale face, she quickly approached: "What did you find?"

"We'll talk about it when we get back." Zhou Yang stuffed the scroll into his sleeve and walked out first.

The three of them left the secret vault, passed through the hidden passage, and returned to the ground. By then, the sky was already beginning to lighten.

In the study of the new house, Qin Shuang listened to Zhou Yang's account and remained silent for a long time.

"An envoy from the upper realm..." she repeated the word slowly, "You mean, the royal family is working for something that doesn't belong here?"

"A blood sacrifice every thirty years, 365 lives, just to feed a monster that wants to cross over." Zhou Yang stood by the window, his back to her. "And I have a mark planted in my body, so in a way, I am that monster's reserve food."

Qin Shuang stood up and walked behind Zhou Yang: "What about the system's repair function—"

"It's also part of that mark," Zhou Yang replied, his voice eerily calm. "It keeps me alive, not because the system is helping me, but because that celestial envoy doesn't want me to die."

The room fell into dead silence.

"So what do we do now?" Qin Shuang asked.

Zhou Yang turned around, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Keep investigating," he said. "Since it requires a blood sacrifice to descend, it means crossing realms isn't so easy. Whether it's the path to immortality or a celestial messenger—if it wants to devour me, it'll have to see if its teeth are strong enough."

He walked to the desk and spread out a new sheet of paper.

"Excavate all the strongholds of the Path of Immortality. The location of the altars, the specific procedures of the blood sacrifice, and—"

He paused for a moment.

"And the time they prepare for the next grand festival."

Qin Shuang nodded and didn't ask any more questions. She knew Zhou Yang's personality—if someone schemed against him, he would never sit idly by and wait to die.

Outside the window, the first rays of morning light pierced through the clouds and shone on the green tiles of the new house.

Zhou Yang picked up his pen and wrote the three characters "Chang Sheng Dao" on the paper, the ink still wet.

This game seems to be only just beginning to reveal its true form.

The Fairy Messenger's "Gift"

By the time the morning bell rang for the third time, seven broken stakes had already been erected on the outer fence of the military camp in the west of the city.

Zhou Yang stood in the center of the training ground, looking up at the sky. The sky was hazy and overcast, like a rag that could never be wrung dry. The scout's message had arrived an hour earlier—the emperor had personally issued the execution order in court, in front of all the civil and military officials.

"The traitor Zhou Yang has colluded with evil spirits and plotted a rebellion. The Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Imperial Guard, and all prefectures and counties are hereby ordered to jointly surround and suppress him, and kill him without hesitation."

Qin Shuang stood behind him, her hand on the embroidered spring knife, her knuckles white. Today she was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, her cuffs tightly wrapped with wrist guards, as if she were ready to fight at any moment.

"All seven outer array flags are destroyed," she said flatly. "The person who came here is highly skilled; at least they possess innate Qi Sensing."

Zhou Yang didn't speak. He was doing the accounting.

The emperor turned on him faster than he had anticipated. It seemed the "celestial messenger" had grown impatient to continue playing the game and had simply overturned the chessboard.

"Retreat to the inner camp first," he finally said. "Gather the rest of us; we still have the altar as our escape route."

Qin Shuang didn't move.

"It's too late," she said softly. "Look at the sky."

Zhou Yang looked up.

A beam of light suddenly appeared in the sky above the military camp.

The light was incredibly bright, abnormally bright, as if someone had ripped a piece of the sun out and hung it overhead. Within the light were human figures, their features blurred, yet their outlines distinct. The thing stood in mid-air, looking down upon everyone in the training ground.

It spoke, and its voice exploded in everyone's minds.

"So that's the layout."

Zhou Yang narrowed his eyes.

He couldn't discern the other party's style. Aura, internal energy, true qi—he couldn't sense any of it. It was as if that thing didn't exist in this dimension, merely a projection.

"So you're Zhou Yang?" the celestial envoy's avatar spoke. "An interesting system that trades lifespan for power. Staying in a small place for too long makes you think you can jump on any kind of bug."

Zhou Yang held down Qin Shuang, who was about to draw her sword.

He took a step forward.

"You come from the upper realm?" He tried to keep his voice steady. "I wonder where I have offended my friends from the upper realm?"

The celestial avatar did not answer.

It raised its hand and waved it casually.

That single wave of the sword made no sound, or rather, it captured the sound of the wind. Zhou Yang's seventh protective array—the Blood Pattern Array, forged at the cost of three lives—was torn to shreds like paper.

Seven or eight tents collapsed, and a dozen or so soldiers who were nearby were sent flying and died when they landed.

Zhou Yang's heart clenched.

He realized it. His opponent hadn't used any special techniques; it was pure power suppression. The difference in their levels was so vast that all his prized trump cards seemed like a joke.

"What other tricks do you have up your sleeve?" the celestial avatar asked. "Let me see. Don't you love trading your lifespan for power? Give it a try."

Zhou Yang gritted his teeth.

He knew what the other person wanted—to see him make a fool of himself in his death throes. He was all too familiar with this condescending, playful attitude. He used to have almost the same mindset when looking at ants.

But now he is that ant.

Qin Shuang suddenly stepped forward, blocking his path. Her embroidered spring knife was drawn three inches from its sheath, its cold light gleaming. She said nothing, but her actions spoke volumes.

The celestial envoy's avatar glanced at her.

"This woman," it said, "is interesting. There's a trace of spiritual energy remaining in her body. It seems you have quite a few secrets."

Zhou Yang grabbed Qin Shuang's shoulders and pulled her back.

He walked forward, facing the man of light.

"Okay," he said, his voice hoarse. "As you wish."

He activated his half-corpse form.

The corpse poison within his body finally erupted in full force, turning his blood black and causing his veins to bulge beneath his skin. His aura instantly surged to a terrifying level—power gained by burning five years of his lifespan, enough to instantly kill any acquired master.

He rushed forward and punched the celestial envoy's clone in the chest.

The celestial envoy's clone did not move.

The punch landed on the light screen, like a clay ox sinking into the sea. Zhou Yang felt as if he had hit a wall, a wall made of laws; his power was nothing more than an itch in the eyes of the opponent.

"That's it?" the celestial avatar said. "A half-baked method of corpse poison, an incomplete inheritance. You've made it this far with this?"

Zhou Yang wanted to fight again, but the celestial envoy's clone waved his hand once more.

The force rebounded, sending him flying backward, crashing into three tents before coming to a stop. His chest felt like it had been struck by lightning, and his internal organs seemed displaced. Qin Shuang ran over and helped him up.

He spat out a mouthful of blood, which was black.

"No..." he murmured, "This shouldn't be... System... System—"

The system did not respond.

To be precise, the system is there, but its prompts sound like they're being suppressed by something, just intermittent static.

[High-dimensional interference detected... Unable to...]

Zhou Yang understood.

That celestial messenger wasn't from this world. Or rather, its power level was simply beyond the system's comprehension capabilities. His cheat system failed for the first time.

The celestial messenger's avatar descended from mid-air, landing ten steps away from Zhou Yang.

It looked down at the chess piece that had once piqued its interest somewhat.

"Your soul fluctuations are very interesting," it said. "I've changed my mind. I won't kill you. I'll leave a mark inside you, and when you've completely fallen into a true vessel, I'll come back to take it."

Zhou Yang tried to speak, but blood came out of his mouth.

The celestial avatar extended a finger and touched his forehead.

In that instant, Zhou Yang saw many things—countless bizarre and fantastical scenes, enormous palaces, floating mountains, and endless armies from the upper realm. And there was an eye, an eye larger than the entire county town, staring at him from the depths of the clouds.

Then the pain stopped.

The celestial envoy's clone withdrew.

"An interesting specimen," it said. "Enjoy your last seven days. I'll come back to harvest you in seven days."

After saying those words, the light dissipated, and the celestial envoy's avatar vanished without a trace.

The training ground was in a complete mess.

The surviving soldiers looked at each other, many still unaware of what had happened. Zhou Yang knelt on the ground, the mark on his forehead burning hot, like a red-hot iron.

Qin Shuang held him, her hands trembling.

"Zhou Yang..." her voice was strained, "How are you?"

Zhou Yang did not answer.

He opened the system interface.

The mark of God has been implanted.

Current status: Under erosion.

[Countdown: 7 days]

[Warning: If a solution cannot be found within 7 days, the host will be completely erased.]

Zhou Yang smiled.

His smile was bitter.

"It seems..." he began with difficulty, his voice like a broken bellows, "that this time we've really gone too far."

Qin Shuang hugged him tightly.

The distant sound of bugles rang out. The imperial army was closing in. On their side, all seven outer battle flags were destroyed, and of the three hundred elite soldiers, less than a hundred remained, wounded or crippled.

Zhou Yang braced himself on his arms, trying to stand up. He tried twice, and only succeeded on the third try.

"Go into the city," he said, his voice low but clear. "Go to the altar. The answers we seek should be there."

Qin Shuang supported him.

"I'll carry you on my back."

"No need." He pushed her hand away. "I can walk by myself."

He took one last look at the sky.

The sky was dark and gray, but in his eyes, it was already filled with the shadow of the enormous palace in the upper realm.

The game isn't over yet.

Seven days.

He has seven days left.

The resonance of the dragon's spine

The morning mist hadn't yet dissipated, and the bluestone beside the altar still retained the coolness of the night rain. Zhou Yang's knees still ached, and the wound on his back felt like it had been cut with a knife. Qin Shuang turned to support him, feeling a faint warmth in her palm.

"Suppress the mark," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Zhou Yang nodded and closed his eyes. The divine imprint within his body surged through his blood, like an undercurrent. Qin Shuang's Profound Yin Body slowly flowed in, her aura carrying specks of ghostly blue light, gently covering Zhou Yang's wounds.

In that instant, the bloodstains seemed to be covered by an invisible silk, and the pain lessened by half. Zhou Yang's breathing stabilized, and the rise and fall of his chest ceased.

"Can you move now?" Qin Shuang's hand was still gently supporting his shoulder and back.

"I can still walk." Zhou Yang stood up, his steps unsteady, but he managed to steady himself.

The two stepped deeper into the altar, where ancient patterns were carved into the surrounding stone walls. The flickering lamplight cast irregular shadows.

At the center of the altar, the Dragon Spine Sword lay silently. Its blade resembled a starry river in the long night, with a faint, dark blue light flowing in the shadows. The scabbard was broken, and the blade was not yet fully revealed.

Zhou Yang reached out and touched the hilt of the sword, feeling a chill at his fingertips. The sword seemed to breathe, trembling slightly.

"This sword... is more than just a weapon," he muttered to himself.

He placed the back of his hand against the spine of the sword, attempting to channel the life-giving fire within his body. The flames surged within his chest, instantly transforming into a blazing stream of heat.

The sword emitted a low, mournful groan, like the sound of an ancient tree being torn apart by the wind. The sword patterns began to writhe, but abruptly stopped when they came into contact with the power of a Celestial Envoy.

"It can't take it." Zhou Yang frowned, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Just then, Qin Shuang's fingers inadvertently touched the hilt of the sword.

Her profound Yin energy instantly resonated with the dragon's spine, and the sword's dark blue light shone, like a spark being ignited.

As the light intensified, a complete dragon pattern emerged on the sword. The dragon's body coiled around the sword's spine, its scales as delicate as jade, its eyes bright and piercing.

Zhou Yang stared at the dragon pattern in astonishment, his heart pounding.

"These are no ordinary swords," he whispered.

Qin Shuang gently raised her hand, her fingertips tracing the dragon scales. Light patterns flowed from her fingertips, like ripples on the surface of water.

"The Yin-Yang body can resonate with the dragon's spine," she said, her voice softer than ever before. "It's a driving force of Yin-Yang harmony."

Zhou Yang pondered for a moment, then his eyes hardened.

"I always thought that exhausting one's lifespan would sharpen the sword." He recalled every burning in the past. "But now it seems that the sword needs more than just strength."

He turned to face Qin Shuang, his gaze calm.

"If we can integrate the method of yin and yang harmony with the dragon's spine, we might be able to open a passage to the heavens."

Qin Shuang nodded, her fingers lightly tapping the hilt of the sword. The light patterns flowed with her thoughts, forming a tiny vortex.

A faint purple aura appeared at the center of the vortex, as if it were seeping out from another layer of space.

"This aura..." Zhou Yang took a breath and felt a long-lost sense of clarity in his chest.

"It's the aftermath of the Heavenly Court's actions," Qin Shuang replied softly. "We've already touched its edge."

The two stood on either side of the altar in perfect harmony, their figures forming an invisible straight line with the sword.

Zhou Yang extended his left hand, palm facing up, and the air currents in his palm gathered in the air.

Qin Shuang lightly tapped the tip of the sword with her finger, and the purple energy swirled faster.

Instantly, the stone pillars around the altar all lit up with a faint silver light, like stars that had been ignited.

The dragon pattern on the sword unfolded in the light, and the dragon scales shimmered with golden light.

"What's needed to open the Heavenly Court's closed loop isn't more lifespan," Zhou Yang said softly. "It's to insert the key to yin-yang harmony into the gears of the dragon's spine."

Qin Shuang's gaze became intense, her fingers trembled slightly, yet she gripped the sword hilt firmly.

"I can be the core of the formation," she said, her voice filled with an undeniable determination.

Zhou Yang leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "If we stand together in the center of this sword, we can make it a passage."

Qin Shuang nodded, the reflection of the dragon pattern in her eyes.

The two simultaneously channeled their energy into the sword, causing the dragon-shaped blade within to begin rotating and forming a massive vortex.

A pale blue door appeared at the center of the vortex, with ancient runes engraved on its frame.

Zhou Yang reached out and touched the door, feeling a gentle vibration at his fingertips.

"This is the entrance to the Heavenly Court," Qin Shuang murmured in admiration.

However, a low humming sound came from behind the door, as if an invisible force was stirring.

Zhou Yang frowned, suddenly realizing that opening the door would consume a large amount of Yin and Yang energy.

"If we open it all at once, we might completely deplete our own balance," he warned.

Qin Shuang sighed softly, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.

"So what should we do?" she asked.

Zhou Yang raised his hand and pointed to the crack in the door, the light from his fingertip drawing a thin line.

"First stabilize the gap in the door, then gradually inject yin and yang energies," he said.

Qin Shuang nodded, and the sword in her hand flashed again, the dragon pattern spreading slowly like ripples on water.

The two people's auras resonated with the sword, and a faint passage appeared in the crack of the door.

Stars seemed to flow through the passage, light and shadow intertwined, like fragments of another world.

"We can enter from here and explore the layout of the Heavenly Court first," Zhou Yang suggested in a low voice.

Qin Shuang gently withdrew her hand, and the dragon pattern solidified on the sword, forming a stable pivot.

"This sword is now the core of our formation," she said, her voice filled with unprecedented determination.

Zhou Yang looked at the fading sunset in the distance, a clear thought flashing through his mind.

"Next, we need to find the remaining Dragon Spine fragments," he reminded us. "Only the complete set can truly withstand the power of the Heavenly Court."

Qin Shuang nodded slightly, a long-lost smile appearing in her eyes.

"We've come this far; turning back is no longer an option."

The two stood side by side on the altar, the dragon patterns on their swords gleaming metallically in the morning light.

The wind blew from the valley, ruffling their clothes and carrying away the bloodshed of the previous night.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath and felt a long-lost sense of peace in his chest.

"Tonight, I will burn all the remaining years of my life to search for the last fragment," he murmured to himself.

Qin Shuang gently placed her hand on his shoulder, feeling a slight chill at her fingertips.

"I will be there to protect you," she said, her voice no longer sounding like a transaction, but like a vow.

Their eyes met, as if they had reached a silent consensus.

The light from the altar gradually dimmed, and the dragon pattern on the sword slowly receded, leaving a faint afterglow.

They turned and left, stepping onto the stone path leading to the valley.

The withered branches by the roadside swayed in the breeze, emitting a soft whimper.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the silent valley, like the clinking of two coins.

The clouds on the horizon began to thin, and the first rays of sunlight pierced through the mist, shining on their silhouettes.

Although the ray of light was short, it was enough to illuminate the way forward.

The two continued onward, with only one goal in mind—to collect the complete dragon spine and open the final closed loop of the Heavenly Court.

Their figures receded into the distance in the valley, leaving only a faint lingering scent of sword energy.

Twin God Array

The stone door to the secret chamber slowly closed behind them.

The last fragment of the dragon's spine fell into the hilt with a crisp clanging sound. The entire sword vibrated slightly, and ancient runes flowed across its surface, yet never fully illuminated.

Zhou Yang reached out and gently touched the spine of the sword with his fingertips.

"Almost there." He withdrew his hand, his gaze shifting to the scale amulet beside him. "There seems to be a lack of resonance between the amulet and the sword."

Qin Shuang stood beside him, the candlelight in the secret room casting flickering shadows on her face. She reached out and touched the patterns on the amulet; the fine engravings resembled some kind of ancient script.

"I've consulted the Qin family's ancient texts," she said softly. "The Dragon Spine Divine Weapon requires a true array core to be fully activated. And the purest array core requires one's own essence as a sacrifice."

Zhou Yang turned to look at her.

"What do you mean?"

"Transform yourself into a divine bridge, yin and yang unite as one." Qin Shuang's fingertips traced across the talisman. "This is the ultimate secret of the Qin family's technique. The user completely merges themselves into the artifact, becoming its permanent array core. Once activated, there is no turning back."

The room was quiet, with only the faint sound of a burning candle.

Zhou Yang looked at her but didn't speak immediately.

"No," he finally said, his voice calm. "This deal isn't worthwhile."

"Zhou Yang—"

"I never do business that loses money," he interrupted her. "If you die, who will help me fight against the Heavenly Court? I can't handle this situation alone."

A crack appeared in the determination in Qin Shuang's eyes.

"But……"

"No buts." Zhou Yang walked up to her, extending his hand. "Your Xuan Yin power is key, and my half-corpse origin is equally indispensable. Why choose a path that guarantees death?"

He raised the back-scale amulet in his hand.

"Half and half, that's fair."

Qin Shuang was stunned.

"you mean……"

"Yes." Zhou Yang placed the talisman on the hilt of the Dragon Spine Sword. "You contribute half of the Profound Yin Origin, and I'll contribute half of the Half-Corpse Origin. We'll become sword masters together and share the consequences."

His fingers tapped lightly on the amulet.

"This is the most cost-effective deal."

Qin Shuang looked at him, something changing in her eyes. She slowly reached out and placed her hand on the back of Zhou Yang's hand.

"You're always like this."

"What?"

"Treat everything as a transaction." A slight smile played on her lips. "But this time, I agree."

Both of them placed their hands on the sword and the amulet at the same time.

Zhou Yang closed his eyes and mobilized the half-corpse essence within his body. That cold, deathly power began to flow, slowly infusing the divine weapon along his arm. He could feel Qin Shuang's Xuan Yin power surging at the same time, the two completely different auras meeting on the sword.

There is no conflict, no exclusion.

They are like two rivers, converging at some mysterious point and then beginning to merge.

The candlelight in the secret chamber suddenly flickered violently, casting distorted shadows on the stone walls. The Dragon Spine Sword emitted a deep hum, and the runes on its blade lit up one by one, their golden light flowing endlessly.

The back scale amulet also changed, and the ancient engravings began to glow with a silvery light.

Zhou Yang felt his origins draining away, but at the same time, a new power flowed back into his body through the sword. It was a peculiar feeling, both cold and warm, both deathly still and full of life.

He opened his eyes and saw that Qin Shuang was also looking at him.

Her face was somewhat pale, but her eyes were unusually bright.

"Can you feel it?" she asked softly.

"Hmm." Zhou Yang nodded. "It's like another person has moved into my body."

The Dragon Spine Sword suddenly levitated, slowly rotating in mid-air. The sword and the amulet completely merged, golden and silver light intertwining to form a peculiar yin and yang energy. The entire sword's shape changed, becoming longer and thinner, with faint, shimmering patterns of light flowing along its blade.

"Bang."

With a soft sound, all the light on the sword suddenly receded, leaving only a faint interplay of two energies. It slowly fell and embedded itself in the stone slab between the two people.

Zhou Yang stepped forward and grasped the sword hilt.

A familiar sensation came, yet it was somewhat different. He could feel two completely different powers contained within the sword: Qin Shuang's profound Yin energy and his half-corpse origin were perfectly fused together.

This is no longer just a magical artifact, but a part of what they all share.

[System notification: The Sword of Divine Punishment has been activated. It can sever causality and slay false gods.]

[System notification: The countdown to the Mark of God has been paused.]

Zhou Yang breathed a sigh of relief.

The pause meant they gained more time.

"It's a success." Qin Shuang walked to his side, reaching out to touch the sword. "This is... the Twin Divine Array?"

"It should be." Zhou Yang carefully sensed the power within the sword. "We are now one entity. I can feel when you are injured. You will also sense when I expend power."

Qin Shuang nodded: "Like a community of shared destiny."

This word made Zhou Yang pause for a moment.

He recalled when they first met; their relationship was purely transactional. She needed a useful tool, and he needed a protector. Who could have imagined they would end up like this?

"Zhou Yang," Qin Shuang suddenly said, "If one day we really face the Heavenly Court..."

"Then let's face it together." He interrupted her, his voice calm. "We're already in the same boat anyway."

He raised the sword of divine retribution, the yin and yang energies on its blade flowing endlessly.

"Now, we need to test the true power of this sword."

Qin Shuang's gaze fell on the stone door of the secret chamber.

"The altar of the Path to Immortality is still there. Perhaps, we can find someone to test our skills on."

Zhou Yang smiled.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

He sheathed his sword and turned to walk towards the stone door. Qin Shuang followed behind him, their footsteps echoing in the empty secret chamber.

Outside the stone gate, the wind blew through the valley, carrying the scent of grass and trees.

The sky was beginning to brighten, and a new day was about to begin.

And they finally had real weapons.