Lu Chen reached out and gently touched the dark gold Jade Slip floating in the air with his fingertips.
The Jade Slip felt cool to the touch, yet it also carried a strange, warm sensation.
The moment he grasped the Jade Slip, a surge of powerful and refined information flowed down his arm and into his mind once again.
Unlike the previous system simulations which were characterized by their ferocity, this time the information flow was gentle and orderly.
[ Godslayer Slash ].
This is not a complete sword technique, not even a single move.
It was just one move, a starting stance.
Or rather, it is a method for controlling the will to kill, a supreme secret technique that merges one's own killing intent with the most ferocious and malevolent energy in the world, thereby unleashing a strike that surpasses one's own limits.
Its terrifying power and domineering philosophy have completely exceeded Lu Chen's understanding of martial arts.
He had no doubt that once he could truly master this starting move, even just the basics, it would be enough to give him the confidence to confront a master of the Xiantian Realm head-on.
This will be his strongest trump card.
"Is this just the beginning..." Lu Chen murmured to himself.
He understood that this Jade Slip had only opened a door to a higher level of power, and the path beyond that door still required him to walk it step by step.
He glanced at his attribute panel.
[ Demon Devil Lifespan: 600]
A thousand years of Demon Devil Lifespan in exchange for the entry qualification of this [ Godslayer Slash ] technique—this deal is a steal!
He didn't rush to leave, but instead sat down cross-legged, and with a thought, consumed 100 points of his Demon Devil Lifespan.
A warm current instantly enveloped his nearly shattered soul, and the countless tiny wounds that had been cut by the myriad sword intents healed rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye, nourished by the power of lifespan.
A moment later, the injuries to his soul were fully healed, and it was even more refined and resilient than before.
He closed his eyes again, carefully comprehending the secrets of the [ Godslayer Slash ] opening move in his mind, until every detail was firmly imprinted in the depths of his soul, before slowly getting up.
The corridor was still the same corridor, but the dark red light in the crystal walls on both sides had dimmed considerably, and the intense killing intent in the air had dissipated by more than half, as if all the essence had been condensed in that Jade Slip.
Lu Chen returned along the same route.
The journey there was fraught with difficulty, but the return journey was smooth sailing.
When he stood before that heavy stone wall again, it silently slid open to one side, revealing the dimly lit third floor of the Armory.
Clerk Chen remained seated in the same armchair as when Lu Chen left, in the exact same posture, as if he had never moved, as if time had stood still for him.
Hearing the noise, his cloudy eyes slowly moved, and he looked up at Lu Chen.
When his gaze fell upon Lu Chen, a barely perceptible hint of surprise flashed in his usually calm eyes.
Although Lu Chen's aura was still at the mid-stage of the Meridian Opening Realm, his entire demeanor had undergone a tremendous change.
If Lu Chen was a sharp blade hidden in its sheath before, then he is the blade itself now.
That restrained sharpness, even when just standing there, exudes a sense of oppression that comes from the soul.
However, that hint of surprise was fleeting; Clerk Chen quickly regained his composure, as if he were on his deathbed, and said slowly in his hoarse voice, "The path has been chosen. From now on, take care of yourself."
"Thank you for your kindness, senior." Lu Chen bowed again, this time with heartfelt gratitude.
Without asking any further questions, he turned and walked out of the gate on the third floor of the Armory.
Outside, the sunlight was a bit too bright.
Lu Chen subconsciously narrowed his eyes, preparing to go and report back to Captain Li, and also to report on the results of his "seclusion".
However, the imposing figure waiting outside the door was not the one he had expected.
Instead, it was a eunuch named Eunuch Li, dressed in magnificent brocade robes, with a fair complexion, no beard, and a somewhat effeminate air.
The two sides had already dealt with each other before because of the Blood God Child.
Behind him stood two imperial guards, dressed in dark gold standard armor and with long swords at their waists, like two iron towers.
These two Imperial Guard experts simply stood there quietly, yet they exuded a terrifying aura as deep as the ocean, making the surrounding air thick and oppressive.
Their eyes were sharp as eagles, and their temples bulged high, clearly indicating that they were all top-notch internal martial arts experts, with strength far exceeding that of ordinary Meridian Opening Realm cultivators.
This kind of force is far beyond what the Demon Suppression Division of Nanling Prefecture could possibly possess.
When Eunuch Li saw Lu Chen emerge from the Armory, a formulaic, emotionless smile immediately appeared on his face, and he flicked his whisk lightly.
He unfurled the bright yellow scroll he had been holding and, in a high-pitched yet exceptionally clear voice, loud enough to carry throughout the entire Imperial Guard residence, proclaimed:
" Lu Chen, Banner Sergeant the Demon Suppression Division, receives the imperial decree—"
"Your meritorious service in eradicating the Blood Slave and slaying the demons of the Rebirth Hall in Nanling Prefecture is outstanding, greatly pleasing the Emperor. Therefore, you are hereby summoned... to depart immediately for the capital to meet the Emperor!"
Eunuch Li didn't offer much explanation, but merely glanced at the two heavily armored Imperial Guards behind Lu Chen out of the corner of his eye, and said calmly, "These two Imperial Guards and I are ordered to protect you. Banner Sergeant Lu, let's set off immediately."
Let's set off immediately!
These four words sent a jolt through the hearts of many quick-witted individuals present.
Deep within the crowd, the Ye Family patriarch, an old man with a sinister face, had his fury, which had surged due to Lu Chen's advancement, completely subside the moment the imperial edict appeared.
At this moment, his face was filled with a chilling stillness.
He stopped looking at Lu Chen and instead exchanged a very subtle glance with a trusted elder behind him whose aura was equally gloomy.
Just then, two figures strode out from the inner courtyard.
The person in the lead was Zhou Wei, the commander of the Demon Suppression Division of Nanling Prefecture.
Behind him was Captain Li, who had just awarded Lu Chen the token.
Zhou Wei remained expressionless, bowing respectfully to Eunuch Li from afar, his voice as steady as a mountain. "Since it is the Emperor's will, our South Mausoleum Demon Suppression Division will naturally comply."
Eunuch Li's smile remained unchanged, and he nodded slightly in return.
Captain Li strode to Lu Chen's side, reaching out seemingly to straighten his collar, which was wrinkled from the battle. But in reality, he spoke rapidly in a voice only the two of them could hear, " The Ye Family has gone mad. They've been pressuring us in the inner courtyard to find Ye Fan's killer. This journey will be anything but peaceful. The imperial decree came too suddenly; we haven't had time to make any arrangements."
His fingers pressed heavily on Lu Chen's collar, his tone unusually grave. "Those two Imperial Guards are from the Capital City; they only obey imperial decrees and won't risk their lives for you. Everything... depends on yourself."
Lu Chen's eyelids drooped almost imperceptibly, indicating that he understood.
" Lu Chen."
Just as Lu Chen was about to leave with the team, Zhou Wei, who had been silent all along, suddenly called out to him.
Zhou Wei took out an inconspicuous black iron token from his sleeve, handed it to Lu Chen, and said in a deep voice, "This is my personal token. If you encounter a life-or-death crisis that you cannot resolve outside of Southern Mausoleum territory, crush it."
His voice paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, piercing straight into Lu Chen's heart.
Remember, you only have one chance.
Lu Chen took the cold iron plaque; it was extremely heavy. He didn't ask any questions, but simply bowed deeply to Zhou Wei and Captain Li.
"Yes, sir."
Without further hesitation, he turned around and, escorted by two imperial guards, walked out of the Demon Suppression Division with Eunuch Li.
In the last moment before he turned around, his gaze met the cold, lifeless eyes of the Ye Family patriarch in the crowd.
Their eyes met, and murderous intent was immediately apparent.
Once Lu Chen's figure had completely disappeared around the street corner, the Ye Family patriarch slowly withdrew his gaze and issued a chilling command to the trusted elder beside him.
"Pass on my secret order: deploy the ' Shadow Guards '."
"I don't want to see him set foot on Capital soil alive."
"At any cost."