Programs and Honor

"Thud!"

The flying head smashed onto the lid of the trash can the black cat had just passed, the sound carrying clearly through the silent alley.

The Blood Vein Cord flying sword, now the size of a short sword, made a circuit of the area.

Only after confirming that no one else was lying in ambush nearby and that all the cameras had long since been destroyed did it return to Li Xijun's hand.

The young man looked calmly at the corpse before him, yet he could not help murmuring with emotion.

"The danger and swiftness of a life-and-death battle between martial artists before the Exterior Scenery realm really exceeded my expectations."

"At first, I'd even thought of relying on the Tendons and Bones Realm's copper skin and iron bones to withstand a few moves."

"I never expected this Blood God Cult member's Blood Essence to be far more abundant than that of a Blood Essence Level 9.0 Apprentice."

"His vigorous life force also gave his flesh powerful defenses, as well as immense strength when his Blood Essence erupted."

"In that instant of life-and-death combat, even a Blood Essence Level 9.0 martial artist without weapons would have had their head smashed apart by him."

"Luckily, luckily..."

Li Xijun was deeply relieved. If he had not possessed Spirit Solidification Realm cultivation and a Flying Sword Mystic Item, tonight would have gone badly.

Your Spirit Level has increased from Level 17.3 to Level 17.4.

Your Spirit-Refining System: Spirit Solidification Realm has increased from 83% to 84%.

Your "True Martial Thirty-Six Forms" mastery has increased from Proficient 97% to Master 5%.

Messages from the interface popped up one after another, making Li Xijun let out a long breath.

"It seems tempering oneself between life and death is also greatly beneficial to spiritual cultivation."

"Besides, my True Martial Killing Move Cloud Hand had just reached perfection."

"It looked like I could next cultivate the third killing move, Void Shock, and work toward raising my weapons training score to 360."

That Blood God Cult member had relied on his excessively abundant Blood Essence and life force to forcibly withstand Li Xijun's Drooping Cloud Hand, creating that life-and-death crisis.

If Li Xijun could master True Martial Killing Move - Void Shock, then no matter how much health his opponent had, a single palm strike would shatter his life force. There would never have been that desperate final palm strike.

"Still, I'll probably need to add sword training to my choice of weapons going forward."

Li Xijun looked at the Blood Vein Cord Flying Sword in his hand, now the size of a short sword, then at the clean decapitation mark on the corpse ahead. He spoke with perfect confidence.

"Who told me I'm actually a hidden Sword Dao genius? I taught myself swordsmanship in my spare time at home, then erupted in a life-and-death crisis today and killed a Blood God Cult member in return."

Even if he were exposed, it did not matter. At worst, he could say that the life-and-death crisis had stimulated his psychic power, allowing him to erupt and control the short sword to kill his enemy.

Blood Vein Cord was not some heaven-defying metal, anyway. The Mythical World produced countless materials like mithril and mystic refined iron, with metals too numerous to count. Unless someone understood the Spirit-Refining System and Spirit Solidification Realm methods and could refine it with soul power, they would not be able to tell anything.

Even if they could tell, he had picked it up on his way home during the Mythic Rift outbreak.

I'm a genius student from No.7 Middle School, a top prodigy on the verge of awakening Psychic Power. So what if I erupted and killed a cultist?

Push me too far, and I'll go cling to the thigh of Teacher Su, my Outer Scenery Expert who graduated from Clear Spring Dawn Palace, and complain!

Of course, none of that would most likely happen.

Before calling the Prevention Bureau, Li Xijun had already called Ye Liuyun and Zhang Haifeng to explain the situation.

Especially after confirming from Ye Liuyun that his father would be leading the team and that Zhang Haifeng was already on his way, Li Xijun had largely put his mind at ease.

A moment later,

A whistling sound came from the sky.

First came drones that flew in like a flock of birds, spreading out to seal off the entire area's aerial view.

Then came twelve figures wearing standard black-and-blue Nano Protective Suits, descending from more than ten meters above on flying boat-shaped aircraft.

The man in the lead wore a black protective mask. He leaped down from the air, landing with extraordinary steadiness without making the slightest sound against the ground.

The moment Li Xijun saw him, the middle-aged man was already standing before him.

"Student Li Xijun, please cooperate with our necessary inspection."

His words were stern and official, but as he spoke, he had already disengaged his protective mask and revealed his face.

It was Ye Liuyun's father, Ye Jianhua.

Li Xijun knew very well that Ye Jianhua was simply following the necessary procedure. He raised both hands and allowed the man to inspect him.

Meanwhile, the other eleven Prevention Bureau personnel had begun photographing and recording the scene, examining the corpse, confirming its identity, and carrying out other tasks.

After Ye Jianhua had finished putting Li Xijun through the procedural inspection, Zhang Haifeng also arrived at the scene.

Ye Jianhua handed the Blood Vein Cord Flying Sword and the other items back to Li Xijun, reported the inspection results through the camera on his body, then went directly to discuss the situation with Zhang Haifeng, Li Xijun's schoolteacher.

"I don't think there's any need to go to the Prevention Bureau for testing and to make a statement."

As a martial arts teacher at a key Bocheng high school, Zhang Haifeng naturally knew Ye Jianhua. However, with so many people, cameras, and drones around, they spoke as if they both understood the situation perfectly.

"Student Li Xijun is a student of our No.7 Middle School. He's also a key cultivation target for the 'Ten-Year Cultivation Plan' and is working toward the 'Imperial Capital Two Heavens.' He met Teacher Su for guidance before school ended today. What is there to inspect?"

"On the contrary, Director Ye, since you've confirmed that the deceased was a Blood God Cult cultist and his strength exceeded Blood Essence Level 9.0, then he should be the Blood God Cult member behind the recent missing-person cases, right?"

"Putting everything else aside, the Prevention Bureau's bounty and an honor application for Student Li Xijun for eliminating such a major threat should both be in order, shouldn't they?"

Zhang Haifeng, an old hand at this sort of thing, shouted loudly enough for the citizens who had noticed the commotion and come over to watch, as well as the martial artists who had come to see what was happening, to hear him.

Discussion immediately became quite noticeable in the quiet alley.

"Did that student really kill a Blood God Cult cultist? Looks like he must have entered the third stage of martial skill training and begun practicing weapons."

"The culprit behind the missing-person cases was killed? Students nowadays are this fierce?"

"He's a genius from a key middle school aiming for the Imperial Capital Two Heavens, and he's apparently a rare practical combat genius too."

"I've only read about someone defeating a martial artist with a higher Blood Essence Level in novels before. This is my first time seeing it in real life."

Seeing more and more citizens gathering around, the Prevention Bureau personnel all looked toward Ye Jianhua.

Director Ye naturally nodded and said,

"The matter is already very clear. Student Li, go home and get a good rest. Don't let this affect tomorrow's martial arts training. Little Zhao, write a report. I'll submit it."

"Everyone, disperse. Also, have the logistics department come clean this place up."

With Ye Jianhua and Zhang Haifeng working together, every procedure was completed legally and properly in short order.

From beginning to end, none of Li Xijun's prepared explanations about swordsmanship, Blood Vein Cord, psychic power, and the like were needed. Without even taking a statement, they sent him directly back to the safest place possible: the school's private Martial Arts Classroom.

Late that night.

At Zhou Xinmin's home.

After finishing their cultivation and taking separate showers, the two brothers came to the living room.

A late-night nutritious meal and chilled Energy Drinks had already been set out on the table.

Zhou Xinmin, who had been eating braised snacks while watching a match, received a phone call, switched the television to Bocheng's official channel, and opened another bottle of beer.

Zhou Yibai, starving after cultivation, paid no attention to any of this and kept shoveling down food.

Zhou Shenghao, meanwhile, still seemed somewhat distracted, glancing at his cousin in front of him from time to time.

Until—

"Attention, citizens! We are now interrupting programming with breaking news."

The female host from the Mythic Rift outbreak suddenly appeared on the television again.

Zhou Yibai and Zhou Shenghao, both traumatized by the previous incident, shuddered in unison and turned to look nervously.

However, this time, the female host wore a poised, radiant smile and said,

"This evening, a major case occurred in our city. A Blood God Cult cultist who had been lurking for many days was shot dead on the spot by a senior martial arts student from Yan'an Seventh High School while attempting to commit a violent crime! It is understood that this cultist was the mastermind behind several recent missing-person cases. His Blood Essence Level exceeded 9.0, making him extremely dangerous!"

Zhou Shenghao abruptly turned his head, staring at the television screen in disbelief.

Zhou Yibai also widened his eyes as he watched the scrolling words on the screen, unable to stop himself from glancing at his cousin across from him.

"No wonder Old Zhou told me to watch tonight's news. To kill a Blood God Cult cultist with a Blood Essence Level above 9.0 in a life-and-death fight... Yan'an No. 7 High School has produced another genius!"

Zhou Xinmin could not help sighing in admiration, then took another huge gulp of beer.

The television switched to footage from the scene. Prevention Bureau personnel, cleanup crew logistics staff, and the bloodstains in the alley all drew many people's attention.

"It is understood that this student remained calm in the face of danger. Relying on exceptional practical combat talent and sound judgment, he successfully killed the criminal and protected the safety of innocent citizens. The Prevention Bureau has confirmed the student's heroic actions and decided to award him the title of 'City Guardian,' along with a reward of one million yuan as encouragement!"

Zhou Shenghao had already formed a vague guess. Unable to control himself, he clenched the spoon in his hand until it twisted out of shape.

But what was coming would not be delayed in the slightest.

As the camera angle shifted, the television showed Li Xijun finishing the procedures and leaving under the escort of Ye Jianhua and Zhang Haifeng.

The female host's tone rose even higher as she said,

"Student Li Xijun's performance not only displayed extraordinary martial arts talent, but also demonstrated the responsibility and dedication of our city's younger generation! A Prevention Bureau spokesperson expressed hope that the general public, especially young people, would take him as an example, cultivate diligently, and courageously defend justice!"

"Pfft—cough, cough, cough!"

Zhou Xinmin sprayed out all the beer in his mouth and broke into a fit of coughing, making a complete mess of the braised snacks on the coffee table.

But he could no longer care about any of that. He stared wide-eyed at the young man's face on the television, repeatedly confirming his appearance.

Zhou Shenghao forcibly suppressed the emotions in his heart, turned around, hurried back to his room, and locked the door behind him.

He stared fixedly at the messages on his phone exchanged with Chang Ge. Fear, terror, rage, and jealousy kept surfacing in his heart before finally turning into absolute calm.

"Crack!"

He crushed the backup phone he had bought from the black market, tossed it into the trash can, and covered it with crumpled tissues.

"What does the Blood God Cult have to do with me, Zhou Shenghao?"

"I'm a genius who's going to enter the Nine Schools Alliance!"

"As long as I don't actively devour the Blood Essence and life force of living creatures, no one will come inspect me for no reason. Even if the Blood God Cult frames me, the inspection won't find anything!"

Zhou Shenghao drew a line between himself and them, intending to cleanse himself and return to the right path.

However,

Aside from Chang Ge, who was in one-way contact with him, someone else had long known his identity and had even used him as a pawn.

"Uncle, I'm going out for a walk too."

After Zhou Shenghao returned to his room, Zhou Yibai also forced out a smile and spoke.

Zhou Xinmin nodded in understanding.

After all, it was normal to feel upset when a friend he had cut ties with before was now doing so well. Going out for a walk was perfectly normal.

After changing into a new set of clothes in his room, Zhou Yibai walked out of the luxury residential area until he reached a secluded spot. He looked around, then whistled.

"Splash."

A leopard-sized Abyssal Blood Predator crawled out from a nearby sewer.

He took two Blood Essence Potions from his pocket, opened them, and poured them into the creature's split-open mouthparts.

"Sigh, it would be one thing if my cousin were useless, but why was his superior useless too?"

"Now even the scapegoat out in the open is gone. You'd better behave yourself for a while."

Zhou Yibai reached out and touched the creature's body, drawing in its Blood Essence like a leech.

Looking at the Abyssal Blood Predator rolling over like a puppy and exposing its belly, he could not help marveling at how surreal life was.

Earlier, when the two brothers had fled in separate directions, he saw that the Blood God Cult member had gone after his cousin. Worried that Zhou Shenghao would not last long, he had cleverly decided to pull a feint, intending to run back along their previous route in the opposite direction.

He had never expected that when he passed by that sewer on his way back, he would encounter something like this. He did not know whether it was good fortune or bad.

Li Xijun, who had originally planned to return to the Da Sheng World to search for dragon-related items,

honestly rested in his private Martial Arts Classroom that night.

Unable to travel through worlds here, he saw messages constantly @-ing him in the class group chat while resting.

"Brother Li, awesome!"

"No wonder you're the legendary tank of Class Six. You're freaking amazing!"

"If it weren't for the news report, I'd have thought I was reading a novel. Blood Essence Level 7.3 killing a Blood Essence Level 9.0 cultist in return? That's so cool!"

"I only knew Brother Li was a martial skill genius before. I never expected him to be this fierce in real combat. It feels like those legendary stories of the seven Martial Saints rising against the odds and killing stronger enemies back then."

"Martial arts are all about challenging those above you and killing the strong as the weak!"

"Brother Li was the man who could use Drooping Cloud Hand to strike Teacher Su's chest when he was at Blood Essence Level 6 and she was at Blood Essence Level 9! A combat genius!"

Li Xijun was enjoying himself until that last message nearly made him lose it.

Just as he was about to say something and salvage his increasingly distorted reputation,

Su Nianyi has requested to add you as a friend. Accept?

After Li Xijun accepted, the other party sent him a message before he could say anything.

Su Nianyi: "Sister said you performed excellently this time. Remember to meet at the entrance of Bocheng Zoo tomorrow."