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

The starlight on the altar dimmed, leaving faint streaks of light on the pebbles. Zhou Yang collected the stardust into a small bag, the blue cloth cuffs of his sleeves slightly rolled up. Qin Shuang stood beside the altar, the scythe in her hand trembling slightly, its blade reflecting the remaining light.

From the northern mountain ridge, the faint sounds of drums and low growls drifted in. The drums were like the heartbeat of the mountains, the growls like a howl emanating from the depths of the rock walls. Qin Shuang looked up, her gaze fixed on the protruding cliffs. She murmured, "The footsteps of the Heavenly Principle Sect."

In the valley, a troop of cavalry charged out of the mountain pass, the dark patterns on their armor gleaming in the afterglow. Their hooves crushed dry branches, kicking up dust. Zhou Yang frowned slightly, silently calculating: if he didn't strike first, the altar would be overturned.

He placed his finger on the lifespan system marker at his waist and tapped it three times. The system emitted a low hum, and light patterns bloomed at his fingertips. The number three days of lifespan flashed, and the light condensed into a pale blue blade.

The blade arced through the air, transforming into a "Mystic Light Blade." Its blade was as thin as a cicada's wing, yet it emitted a chilling light. Zhou Yang held it in his palm, feeling a cool, blood-like energy flow through his fingertips.

"Let's give it a try," he muttered to himself, stepping forward to the cavalry in the front ranks. A flash of light touched his armor, instantly coating it with a thin layer of frost before shattering it into pieces. The cavalrymen gasped and stumbled back several steps.

A flicker of surprise crossed Qin Shuang's eyes, but she quickly composed herself. She walked slowly to Zhou Yang's side, her voice low but serious: "This knife can cut through iron, but it's also consuming your lifespan. We must have a plan."

Zhou Yang looked up, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Keep them calm first, then find an opportunity to exchange intelligence."

The three quickly formed a triangular defensive formation. Behind the altar, a stone roller had laid a gravel trap, with sharp pebbles hidden in tiny cracks. As the cavalry charged, the trap suddenly activated, tripping several men and causing them to fall to the ground.

Taking advantage of the moment, Qin Shuang swung her sickle and cut several horse reins. The tethered horses neighed in panic and charged towards the mountainside. Dust billowed, obscuring visibility.

Zhou Yang used the remaining star sand to draw star-shaped rune arrays on the ground. The arrays emitted faint light waves, forming a barrier at the cavalry's flanks. The light waves, like a thin mist, blocked the range of arrows.

The cavalry panicked, and the commander shouted, rallying the remaining troops to charge toward the center of the altar.

Qin Shuang raised her sickle high, the tip pointing to the sky: "We will not die for them, but only to preserve this place."

Zhou Yang gripped the Xuan Guang Blade with his left hand and lightly tapped the system marker with his right, causing the system to glow again. This time, two days of his lifespan had been consumed, resulting in a slight increase in the blade's temperature and a more concentrated sword aura.

The light blade traced an arc, slashing directly at the commander's breastplate. The armor screeched as the blade pierced through, spraying blood. The commander fell, the blood on his chest dissipating in the wind.

Seeing their leader fall, the cavalrymen collided with each other in panic. Taking advantage of the chaos, Qin Shuang rushed towards the altar, pulled out a dark red stone slab, on which was engraved the symbol of the Heavenly Principle Sect.

"This stone tablet contains their intelligence," Qin Shuang said in a low voice. "Give it to us, and we'll stop chasing them."

Zhou Yang sheathed his Xuan Guang Blade, a calculating glint in his eyes. The three of them stood still in the afterglow, the wind in the valley gradually subsiding.

Qin Shuang handed the stone slab to Zhou Yang: "We can use it to exchange for more valuable information, or we can destroy it to prevent them from attacking again."

Zhou Yang raised his hand and flipped open the stone slab, pale blue light flowing between his fingertips. System notification: If four days of lifespan are burned, the stone slab can be transformed into a "Star Pattern Record".

He raised an eyebrow: "The information gained in exchange for four days of lifespan is worth it."

Qin Shuang nodded: "As long as we can get the Heavenly Principle Sect's action plan from it, we can make arrangements in advance."

The three placed the stardust, the stone slab, and the Xuan Guang Blade on the altar, and the system automatically began to fuse them. The beam of light converged at the center of the altar, forming a crystalline star-patterned stone.

The beam of light suddenly contracted, and the star-patterned stone hovered in the air, emitting a low hum. Zhou Yang's eyes reflected light, and the lifespan number on his chest quietly decreased.

The stone landed in Qin Shuang's hand, and she examined it closely. The patterns flowed like blood vessels, and the dark red symbol at the center was the mark of the Heavenly Principle Sect.

Qin Shuang said softly, "We have their roadmap."

Zhou Yang withdrew his hand, and the chill on his back lessened slightly. He looked up at the mountains to the north, where dark red specks of light still flickered on the peaks.

"Next," he whispered, "let's find a safe place to study the details of the star-patterned stone."

Shi Gun nodded, picked up the bag full of stardust, and walked steadily.

The three stood before the altar as the last rays of sunlight slowly faded and night quietly descended. The distant mountain peaks still glowed with a dark red light, as if reminding them that the real storm was only just beginning to brew.

Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang encountered the pursuit of the Heavenly Principle Sect's Shadow Priest and Shadow Guards in the tomb. Zhou Yang burned his life force to unleash the "Blood Dragon Divine Weapon" and defeated the enemies.

The tomb was cold and damp, with ancient runes carved on the stone walls.

The faint light swayed in the wind, casting dappled shadows.

Zhou Yang leaned against a stone pillar, his back pressed against the cold stone surface.

Qin Shuang stood before the altar, holding a silver sickle, her gaze sharp.

"Don't move for a while," Qin Shuang said in a low voice, her voice particularly clear in the silence.

Zhou Yang nodded, his fingers gently stroking the back of the blade, causing the spine to tremble slightly.

A deep, resonant drumbeat came from afar, like drumbeats striking one's chest.

Several dark figures rushed into the tomb.

The shadow, draped in black gauze, moved with a light yet oppressive gait.

The leader was an old man dressed in a black robe, with sharp, piercing eyes; he was none other than the Shadowless High Priest of the Heavenly Principle Sect.

"We've finally waited for you." The high priest's voice was chilling, echoing between the rock walls.

Qin Shuang raised an eyebrow slightly, showing no surprise.

The shadow guards quickly surrounded them, their short swords flashing.

Each time the blade touched the ground, it sent a chill through the air.

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Yang's eyes. He knew that if he didn't act this time, he would have no way out.

"Ready," Zhou Yang whispered, his fingers tracing subtle lines along the spine of the blade.

Crimson light gathered on the blade, like liquid starlight.

Qin Shuang raised her hand, and her silver scythe drew an arc, severing the wrist of a shadow guard.

Blood splattered and instantly solidified into thin ice crystals.

Her eyes remained unwavering, and her movements were precise.

The high priest raised his staff, and runes ignited with ghostly blue flames at the tip.

The flames spread outwards, seemingly threatening to engulf the entire tomb.

The shadow guard accelerated with the flames, rushing towards the two.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath, feeling the lingering warmth of his life force within his body.

Life is like a trickle, dripping from your fingertips.

He closed his eyes, his thoughts cutting like a knife.

The soul of the Blood Dragon Divine Weapon awakens deep within the blade's back.

"Burn!" he whispered, his blood boiling instantly.

The lifespan within the body was devoured and transformed into red flames.

Flames leaped from his chest to the blade, covering the blade in a crimson glow.

The Blood Dragon Divine Weapon transformed into a giant dragon, coiling behind Zhou Yang.

The dragon scales shimmered with a blood-red glow, and its tail was as sharp as a blade.

Its eyes were fixed on the high priest, as if awaiting instructions.

The high priest took a step back in surprise, the blue flames on his staff being suppressed by the blood-red light.

The shadow guard's blade turned into water droplets in front of the dragon scales, splashing up tiny water droplets.

"Blood Dragon Rush!" Zhou Yang roared, and his dragon body soared into the air.

The dragon opened its mouth, and a stream of scorching crimson heat rushed forward.

The heat flow was like flames, yet it was viscous and bloody.

The heat surge struck the first Shadow Guard, instantly turning him into charred ashes.

The attack then spread to the remaining Shadow Guards, where flashes of blades and streams of blood intertwined, creating a blood-red storm.

In the storm, the Shadow Guard's body was torn apart, his flesh and blood turning into fragments.

The high priest quickly raised his staff, attempting to summon a stronger shadow shield.

Shadows gathered behind him, forming a semi-transparent black shield.

The shield was corroded by the heat wave from the blood dragon, and cracks appeared on its surface.

The cracks widened, the shield shattered, and shadow fragments scattered.

The fragments floated in space before being consumed by the fiery heat of the blood dragon.

The high priest frowned, his voice trembling.

"You shouldn't have come here!" he roared, slamming his cane down on Zhou Yang.

The staff tip crackled with blue lightning as it hurtled toward the blood dragon's back.

Blood Dragon took a deep breath, and its entire body emitted a low hiss.

The blood dragon's body instantly transformed into something as hard as steel.

The blue lightning was reflected and transformed into four streaks of purple light that scattered.

The purple light struck the wall, sending shards of stone flying.

The high priest was jolted by the shockwave and his staff slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Qin Shuang rushed forward and quickly cut the priest's ankle with her silver scythe.

The high priest cried out in pain and took a few steps back.

Zhou Yang felt his life slipping away, spreading through his blood, and his chest ached as if it were being cut by a knife.

The power of the Blood Dragon made him almost forget the pain.

The Blood Dragon's tail swung rapidly, sweeping towards the remaining Shadow Guards.

The remaining shadow guards were scattered, with only two still stubbornly resisting.

A ruthless glint flashed in Zhou Yang's eyes as he decided to end the pursuit once and for all.

"Ignite it once more," he whispered the incantation, his blood boiling again.

The remnants of its lifespan were reignited, and red flames erupted from the Blood Dragon's entire body.

Flames surged like waves, rushing straight towards the two shadow guards.

Flames engulfed their bodies, turning them into black smoke and dissipating.

The tomb fell silent once more, save for the low, echoing roar of the blood dragon.

Zhou Yang slowly withdrew the flames, and the blood dragon's form began to fade.

The dragon scales gradually turned into faint crimson dust, drifting into the air.

The light dust condensed in Zhou Yang's palm, transforming into a blood-red short knife.

The dagger lightly touched the ground, leaving a small bloodstain.

Qin Shuang put away her silver sickle and stood beside him, her eyes showing approval.

"How much lifespan does this knife have left?" Qin Shuang asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

Zhou Yang looked up at the short knife in his hand and smiled faintly, "It can help me live a few more years."

The high priest collapsed on the altar, blood spreading everywhere.

Qin Shuang walked over, gently wiped the bloodstains with her sleeve, and revealed a faint smile.

"We should leave here," she whispered, her voice tinged with wariness.

Zhou Yang nodded and turned to walk towards the exit of the tomb chamber.

The stone gate slowly opened behind them, revealing a deep night with sparse starlight.

The wind howled in the distance, bringing an unsettling atmosphere.

The two walked out of the tomb chamber with steady steps.

The Blood Dragon Short Sword swayed gently in the wind, emitting a faint hum.

Qin Shuang's gaze was fixed on the distant mountain peak. She knew that the Heavenly Principle Sect's pursuit would not stop there.

Zhou Yang looked back at the hidden door, secretly calculating in his mind: If it were to be ignited again, how long could his lifespan be extended?

A smile played at the corners of his lips, as if he were already planning the next exchange of equal value.

In the darkness of night, the blood-red dagger glowed faintly in the moonlight, like a blazing star.

The two figures gradually disappeared into the valley mist.

The wind outside carried the stench of blood. Qin Shuang whispered a reminder, her eyes catching a glimmer of light in the distance.

Zhou Yang looked up and saw several clusters of flames burning in the valley, as if someone was lying in ambush.

"Looks like they've been waiting for us," Zhou Yang said, his voice laced with disdain.

He tucked the dagger into his sleeve and walked at a leisurely pace.

The stone walls on both sides of the mountain road are covered with incomplete symbols, which cast shadows in the moonlight, like silent eyes.

Suddenly, a chill swept in from the left, and several black shadow beasts burst out from the cracks in the rocks.

The shadow beast was covered in dark scales, and its eyes gleamed with a fierce light.

Qin Shuang immediately drew her silver sickle, the blade slicing through the night sky with a crisp metallic sound.

The shadow beast's claws reached for her shoulder, but were sliced ​​open by the light of the silver scythe, spraying blood that instantly condensed into frost.

The frost shimmered in the moonlight, like tiny stardust.

Zhou Yang secretly calculated that the Blood Dragon Short Sword didn't have much life left.

If it were to burn again, it might only last for a few dozen seconds. He decided not to waste any more time.

"Blood Dragon Reignites!" he chanted softly, and crimson flames surged from his palms.

The lingering warmth of life ignited in his chest, the pain like needles, but it was masked by the fury of the blood dragon.

The blood dragon reappeared, its scales glowing a dark red under the moonlight.

It opened its massive maw, and a stream of scorching blood shot forward, striking the shadow beast directly.

Blood flowed like a river, washing over the skin of the Shadow Beast.

The shadow beast's roar was swallowed by the flow of blood, and then it turned into black smoke and dissipated.

The blood dragon's tail drew an arc in the air, severing several hanging rocks.

The rocks fell and crashed into the cliff behind.

The sound of rocks colliding echoed through the valley, and pebbles flew everywhere.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Qin Shuang rushed towards the firelight and discovered a young man dressed in a green robe sitting in the fire.

The young man looked up, his gaze calm and serene.

"Who are you? Why have you trespassed here?"

Qin Shuang remained calm and replied, "We were just passing by."

Zhou Yang withdrew the Blood Dragon Flame, and the Blood Dragon's form gradually faded away.

The glint of the dagger was gradually fading.

The young man nodded, stood up, and handed them a stone slab that glowed with a pale blue light.

Qin Shuang took the stone slab and examined it carefully. Ancient array patterns were engraved on the stone slab.

She whispered, "Perhaps this can buy us a part of our lives."

Zhou Yang put the stone fragment into his pocket, his eyes calm.

But he secretly memorized the cost of this transaction.

The three turned and left, the mountain path becoming even more rugged in the night.

The wind whistled in their ears, as if reminding them.

The Heavenly Principles Cult's pursuit continues to lurk in the distance.

This time, they did not look back.