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

Zhou Yang carried Qin Shuang on his back, his footsteps barely making a sound on the bluestone slabs.

The ancient temple was even more dilapidated than he had imagined. As he passed through the front hall, several clay Buddha statues lay askew, some headless, others split open, revealing blackened straw and rotten wood inside. Moonlight leaked through the broken roof, casting pale patches of light on the ground.

"Have we arrived yet?"

Qin Shuang's voice came from beside him, so weak that it seemed as if a gust of wind could blow it away.

Zhou Yang didn't answer, but simply lifted her up on his back.

He relied on that fragment of a map. The markings on the map pointed to a side hall in the northeast corner, which, according to the scale, should be not far ahead.

After passing a half-collapsed wall, the outline of the side hall came into view. It was much smaller than the main hall, and the plaque above the door was long gone, leaving only two rusty iron rings hanging forlornly on the door frame.

Zhou Yang stopped and held his breath.

The surroundings were eerily quiet.

Since Commander Li had set a trap here, he couldn't have only deployed one group of men. Those spies lying in ambush should have already discovered his whereabouts.

He doesn't have much time left.

He strode into the side hall, his eyes quickly scanning every corner.

The markings on the fragment are very clear—ancient Buddha lotus platform.

In the center of the side hall, there indeed stood a stone statue about half a person's height. It was not a Buddha, but a kneeling Arhat, holding a vajra in his hand, with a ferocious face and wide-open eyes. But Zhou Yang did not notice the Arhat statue itself, but rather the lotus pedestal at its feet.

The lotus pedestal has three tiers, each with eight lotus petals, and is carved with exquisite detail. However, due to its age, the surface is covered with moss and cobwebs.

Zhou Yang placed Qin Shuang on a tattered prayer mat in the corner and turned to walk towards the lotus platform.

He took the tattered map out of his pocket and examined it carefully in the moonlight. Besides the markings, there was a line of extremely small characters on the map, which he had previously overlooked.

"At the third quarter of midnight, the moon shines on the lotus heart."

Zhou Yang looked up at the sky. The moon was already setting in the west; it must be almost midnight.

Without further hesitation, he knelt down and began clearing the debris from the lotus platform. Layer by layer, he peeled away the moss, revealing the grayish-white stone beneath. As he continued cleaning, he discovered that each lotus petal was engraved with a strange rune. These runes didn't resemble the Sanskrit commonly used in Buddhism; rather, they seemed to be some kind of more ancient script.

Zhou Yang didn't recognize the characters, but he could sense a certain power flowing within them. It was as if something was sealed beneath the lotus platform.

The moonlight gradually shifted, and finally a beam of light pierced through the broken roof and fell on the center of the lotus platform.

Just as the moonlight touched the lotus platform, Zhou Yang felt the ground beneath his feet tremble slightly.

He immediately took a half step back and placed his right hand on the hilt of the Shadow Fiend Blade.

There was no sound. But the area in the very center of the lotus platform began to slowly sink, like a vertical shaft, driven by some kind of mechanism, revealing a pitch-black passage.

A chilling aura emanated from the passage, mixed with a faint smell of decay.

Zhou Yang frowned. He was all too familiar with this smell. The aura of death. But compared to those he had encountered before, this aura was purer and more intense.

He glanced back at Qin Shuang. She was leaning against the wall, seemingly asleep; her breathing was weak but steady.

Zhou Yang took out a luminous pearl from his pocket—it had been found on Li Qianhu's corpse earlier, and he hadn't expected it to come in handy.

A soft light shone down, and he walked down the stone steps one by one.

The passage was short, with only about twenty steps. At the end was a small, secret chamber with stone slabs on all four sides, completely undecorated. In the very center of the chamber stood a stone platform. On the platform lay a black wooden box.

The wooden box is covered with intricate patterns, resembling some kind of array, which securely locks the contents inside.

Zhou Yang walked to the stone platform but didn't reach out rashly. He first circled the wooden box, carefully observing the patterns on it. These patterns seemed alive, gleaming faintly under the light of the luminous pearl.

"System," he murmured to himself.

no respond.

Zhou Yang was already used to this situation. This so-called "golden finger" never paid any attention to him on its own initiative; it would only pop up when it came to lifespan transactions.

He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the wooden box.

It was icy cold. The moment he touched it, a chill spread from his fingertips, making his entire arm go numb. But other than that, there was no other reaction.

Zhou Yang applied a little force, and the wooden box made a soft "click" sound as the lid popped open.

The light from the luminous pearl shone into the box.

Zhou Yang's pupils suddenly contracted.

It was a piece of bone. To be precise, it was a piece of spine that shimmered with a faint golden light. The joints were only the length of a hand, the surface smooth as jade, with faint, intricate patterns visible on it, like some kind of naturally formed runes. The golden light shifted and flickered, like breathing, sometimes bright, sometimes dim.

Zhou Yang felt his breath catch for a moment.

This is the Dragon's Spine. A fragment of a legendary divine weapon.

He had heard rumors about the dragon's spine from various sources. It was said to be the spine left behind after the fall of an ancient dragon, containing incredible power. Whoever obtained it could gain supreme power and even immortality.

Of course, Zhou Yang didn't believe in such nonsense as immortality. But he believed in the system.

Just as he was staring at the dragon's spine, that familiar mechanical voice finally echoed in his mind:

[Core item detected: Dragon Spine Fragment.]

[Redeemable Options:]

[1. Directly devour, gaining 50 years of lifespan.]

[II. Used to evolve the Shadow Fiend Blade, opening the path to divine weapon advancement.]

[Third, repairing one's own hidden injuries consumes approximately 10 years of lifespan; the remaining amount can be disposed of at one's own discretion.]

Zhou Yang was stunned for a moment.

Three options. If it were him in the past, he would undoubtedly choose the first one. Fifty years of life was more than enough for him to squander for a long time.

but now……

He looked down at his hands. In his battle with Commander Li, he had forced the Shadow Fiend Blade to its limit. Although he had ultimately succeeded in turning the tables, his body had accumulated considerable internal injuries. His meridians felt as if they had been burned; with each circulation, he could feel a dull, stinging pain.

These hidden injuries may not show up normally, but they could be fatal at a critical moment.

Not to mention, the Heavenly Principle Sect and the Zhenwu Guard are also eyeing him covetously. What he needs now is not just longevity, but also combat power.

Zhou Yang's gaze fell beside the wooden box. There lay a piece of parchment, densely covered with writing. He picked it up and glanced at it; it was a cultivation method called "The Dragon Transformation Technique."

"I see."

Zhou Yang quickly understood the connection. The Dragon Spine was not only the source of lifespan and power, but also the core of a complete cultivation technique. Only by cultivating in conjunction with the Dragon Spine could its maximum effect be achieved.

However, cultivating the "Dragon Transformation Technique" takes time, and time is what he lacks most right now.

The sounds of battle cries could be faintly heard outside, as if two forces were clashing. The ground of the ancient temple began to tremble, and dust fell in clumps.

Zhou Yang knew that he didn't have much time left to think.

He made a decision.

"System, I choose to repair the hidden damage first."

[Confirmed repair of hidden injuries? Estimated cost: Approximately one-fifth of Dragon Spine Fragments.]

"confirm."

The next moment, golden light rose from the wooden box, like a living thing, and entered Zhou Yang's body through his fingertips. A warm sensation instantly spread.

Zhou Yang closed his eyes and could clearly feel his meridians being repaired layer by layer. The torn wounds and burn marks were gradually healing under the golden light.

The whole process lasted about half a cup of tea's time.

As the light faded, Zhou Yang felt an unprecedented sense of ease in his body. His meridians were unobstructed, and the internal energy in his dantian was much purer than before. Although the lost lifespan wasn't directly replenished, at least those fatal hidden dangers had been completely eliminated.

He opened his eyes and looked at the remaining dragon spine in the wooden box.

There was still about four-fifths left. The golden light was dimmer than before, but it still flickered.

Zhou Yang didn't rush to make a next decision. He put the dragon spine back into the wooden box, and carefully tucked it, along with the parchment, into his pocket.

The tremors outside grew increasingly violent. Cracks began to appear in the ancient temple's floor, and the walls teetered on the brink of collapse. It seemed the battle outside had reached its climax. Neither the Heavenly Principle Sect nor the Zhenwu Guard were forces to be trifled with. If they discovered that the Dragon Spine was in their hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhou Yang turned and walked back. He went to Qin Shuang's side and helped her up.

"Wake up."

Qin Shuang slowly opened her eyes, her gaze still somewhat unfocused.

"Found it...?"

"Found it." Zhou Yang didn't say much, "but the situation is a bit complicated now. We need to leave quickly."

Qin Shuang nodded and struggled to stand up, but her body was still somewhat weak.

Zhou Yang sighed and carried her on his back once again.

"I really need to keep track of the expenses this time," he muttered as he walked out. "Interest will be calculated daily."

Qin Shuang's lips curled up slightly, but she didn't say anything.

The two retraced their steps. A corner of the side hall had collapsed, and a broken beam lay across the ground, blocking their path. Zhou Yang carefully stepped over the broken beam, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

The sounds outside grew clearer. The clashing of swords, roars, and screams mingled together.

"The Heavenly Principle Sect members are fighting with the Zhenwu Guards." Qin Shuang, perched on his back, spoke with a complex emotion. "Li Xuanji... he really is a master strategist."

"What do you mean?"

"He deliberately leaked the news, inducing a clash between the two forces here," Qin Shuang paused, "...all so that we would expose our whereabouts in the chaos."

Zhou Yang gave a cold laugh.

"Unfortunately, he didn't expect that he would die first."

He carried Qin Shuang on his back, went around a crumbling wall, and moved towards the back gate of the ancient temple.

Just as they were about to step out of the ancient temple's perimeter, a whooshing sound came from behind them.

Zhou Yang almost instinctively rolled to the side, dodging a flying projectile. It was an iron caltrop, deeply embedded in the spot where he had just been standing, penetrating three inches into the stone.

"who?"

He turned around, and the Shadow Blade was already drawn.

Under the moonlight, a dark figure stood atop the ruins. The person was dressed in night clothes and wore a half-silver mask, revealing only a pair of narrow eyes.

"Shen Wuzhou, Commander of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

The man spoke, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion, "I'm ordered to take Qin Shuang away. All bystanders, get out."

Zhou Yang frowned.

The Northern Garrison Command? That's the core force of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, responsible for handling confidential cases. How could Qin Shuang, a mere centurion, attract the attention of the Northern Garrison Command?

What if I don't?

Shen Wuzhou did not answer. He simply raised his hand, three iron caltrops between his fingertips, gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

You only have one chance.

Zhou Yang licked his lips. He could sense that this person's strength far surpassed that of Commander Li.

But behind him lay the severely injured Qin Shuang. And in his arms lay the priceless Dragon Spine.

Two forces surged within his body: the newly repaired meridians on one side, and the killing intent of the Shadow Fiend Blade on the other.

Zhou Yang narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Add more money."

He uttered two words.

Shen Wuzhou was stunned for a moment, clearly not understanding this inexplicable request.

But in the next instant, Zhou Yang had already moved.

His shadow stretched out at his feet, like a black snake, swimming towards Shen Wuzhou.

The night was darker.