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

Deep inside the mine, the damp stone walls reflected a faint, cold light.

Zhou Yang leaned against the rock wall, the Blood Dragon Short Sword in his hand trembling slightly.

The system's voice suddenly sounded.

"Beast crystal energy detected."

"Will it be absorbed?"

Two options flashed on the screen.

The left side says "Absorb", and the right side says "Give up".

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow slightly.

A calculating glint flashed in his eyes.

"Absorb." He nodded softly.

Instantly, a burst of purple-blue light shot from the beast crystal into his body.

The blood boils, and the concentration of semen and blood increases.

The system popped up a notification:

"Absorption successful. Lifespan -1 year, essence and blood volume +15%."

Zhou Yang gritted his teeth.

He could feel the fire spreading in his chest.

Scale patterns appeared on the surface of the Blood Dragon Short Sword.

The soft, rustling sounds echoed in my ears.

Qin Shuang stood not far away, gently tapping the back of her long sword.

"There seems to be a change in the aura." Qin Shuang's eyes sharpened.

"It absorbed the beast crystal." Zhou Yang remained silent, his fingers lightly stroking the hilt of his sword.

The two looked at each other silently.

Qin Shuang frowned slightly.

"How do you plan to use this power?"

Zhou Yang looked up, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Let's stabilize here first; there are bigger goals ahead."

The system displays the data again.

"Middle stage of True Essence Realm."

"Spiritual power limit increased to 8,200 points."

"The upper limit for the early stage of True Essence Realm is 5,400 points."

The Blood Dragon Short Sword on Zhou Yang's chest suddenly trembled violently.

A thin crack appeared on the sword, and light burst forth.

The Blood Dragon Short Sword began to change shape.

The scales extend from the sword's edge to the blade, gradually covering the entire body.

Metal and scales intertwine to form a tight armor.

System prompt:

"Blood Dragon Scale Armor form complete. Defense +30%, attack mode switched to area slash."

Zhou Yang raised his hand, and a faint red light flashed on the surface of his scales.

He felt the true energy surging through his body like a tidal wave.

Qin Shuang glanced at her sideways, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

"This layer of armor can withstand almost all external impacts."

Zhou Yang nodded, his voice low.

"As long as I don't use up all my lifespan, it's worth it."

At that moment, a mournful chanting sounded from above the mine.

The incantation of the wolf priest penetrated the rock strata and echoed through the valley.

The sound was a mixture of wolf howls and drumbeats.

The cracks in the sealed stone tablet began to expand outwards.

A system alarm sounded urgently.

"Countdown to seal breaking: 5 minutes and 30 seconds."

Zhou Yang turned around instantly and looked at the stone tablet.

The cracks spread like bloodstains.

Qin Shuang gripped the long sword tightly, and fine drops of blood dripped from the tip.

She whispered, "We have to race against time."

Zhou Yang took a deep breath, and a surge of blood and energy welled up inside him.

He raised the blood dragon scale armor in his hand toward the stone tablet.

The red light emanating from the scales impacted the cracks, instantly extinguishing two of them.

System data shows:

"Crack suppression successful. 2 minutes and 15 seconds remaining."

Zhou Yang's brows relaxed slightly.

"Time is running out, let's keep going."

Qin Shuang nodded and stepped lightly onto the rock face.

The two moved deeper into the rock face.

The rocks beneath my feet trembled slightly with every step.

Suddenly, a huge rock slab appeared in front of them.

Ancient runes were carved on the rock slab, emitting a dim glow.

System prompt:

"Ancient rune array; if not broken, it will trigger a shower of rock fragments."

Zhou Yang raised his hand, and the scales of the Blood Dragon Scale Armor emitted a faint light.

He gathered the light from the scales in his palm, transforming it into a blazing flame.

Flames tore through the rock slab, and the runes instantly turned to ashes.

The rock slabs shattered, and the falling rock fragments were burned to ashes by the flames.

Qin Shuang glanced sideways, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Your Blood Dragon Scale Armor is truly powerful."

Zhou Yang smiled faintly and said, "Every opportunity the system gives me is worth the effort."

The two continued forward, and the passage ahead began to widen.

The air was filled with a faint scent of grass and trees.

The system prompted again.

"Beast Crystal Energy Residue: 30%. Continue Absorption?"

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Don't inhale yet."

He turned his attention to the light ahead.

An old iron box was faintly visible in the light.

Qin Shuang stepped forward and asked softly, "What is that?"

Zhou Yang reached out and touched the metal box; the lid trembled slightly.

The inside of the box emitted a faint metallic sheen.

System prompt:

"The treasure box contains the 'Blood Dragon Soul Pearl,' which can increase the maximum lifespan of a True Essence Realm cultivator by 5%."

Zhou Yang quickly took out the Soul Pearl and placed it into the core slot of the Blood Dragon Scale Armor.

The scales immediately emitted a dazzling red light, and a beam of light shot into the sky.

System data shows:

"Lifespan limit increased by 5%, current lifespan increased by 2 years and 4 months."

Qin Shuang chuckled, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"This gain is enough to offset the losses from the last match."

Zhou Yang nodded, his gaze steady.

"As long as we can survive, we'll keep adding money."

At this moment, the sounds of the wolf sacrifice in the distance grew increasingly urgent.

The cracks in the stone tablet flashed red light again.

The system alarm sounded again.

"Countdown to the seal being completely broken: 1 minute 10 seconds."

Zhou Yang frowned.

He focused all his energy on the protective light of the Blood Dragon Scale Armor.

The light, like a red storm, swept across the entire stone tablet.

The stone tablet emitted a piercing cracking sound before finally collapsing with a deafening roar.

A strong smell of blood filled the air.

Qin Shuang stood beside the rubble, her long sword trembling slightly.

"We won," she said calmly.

Zhou Yang looked back at the collapsed stone tablet, secretly calculating in his mind.

"The profits from this are enough to support my cultivation for the next two months."

Qin Shuang nodded, her gaze fixed on the deeper passage ahead.

"Keep going," she said softly.

Zhou Yang took a step forward, and the Blood Dragon Scale Armor emitted a low hum on his body.

The echoes from the rock face accompanied their footsteps, like silent drumbeats.

Their figures gradually disappeared into the golden-red light.

Zhou Yang leaned against the rock wall, closing his eyes to rest.

Qin Shuang stood guard at the cave entrance, her long sword held horizontally across her knees.

Outside the cave, dawn was breaking. A mountain breeze blew through the forest, carrying the distant sound of horses' hooves.

"They're here," Qin Shuang said softly.

Zhou Yang opened his eyes and rolled over to sit up. Firelight appeared in the sky outside the cave.

The pursuers from the Canglang Kingdom returned.

wrong.

Zhou Yang listened intently. The sound of horses' hooves approached from three directions, numbering no fewer than five hundred. The light from the torches formed a long line, illuminating the entire valley.

"We've been discovered," he said in a deep voice.

Qin Shuang stood up, walked to the cave entrance, and looked out. On the hillside, the Azure Wolf cavalry were arrayed in formation. The leader wore a wolf-skin cloak and held a bone scepter with a blood-red gemstone inlaid at the top.

"The Wolf Priest." Qin Shuang recognized the person. "Tuoba Tao actually invited him."

"It seems Tuoba Tao has gone all out." Zhou Yang gripped the Blood Dragon Short Sword tightly.

Footsteps echoed on the mountainside. The soldiers of the Azure Wolf Clan climbed the mountain from both sides, forming an encirclement.

"Zhou Yang," the Wolf Priest spoke, his voice aged yet clear, "hand over what's in the mine, and I'll spare your life."

Zhou Yang sneered: "If you want it, come and take it yourself."

The wolf priest shook his head: "Stubborn and unyielding."

He raised the bone scepter, and the ruby ​​suddenly shone brightly. A crimson light shot straight into the sky, transforming into a pillar of light that crashed into the mountainside.

"boom--"

A deafening roar followed, and the mountainside collapsed. The entrance to the mine was completely shattered by the impact, sending debris tumbling down and raising clouds of dust.

Zhou Yang grabbed Qin Shuang and ran deeper into the mine.

"Over here!"

Inside the mine, there was another passage. This was a backup route they had discovered during their previous exploration, leading directly to the other side of the mountain.

Behind them, pursuers surged in.

The beams of light from the Azure Wolf priest continued to fall, blasting the mine tunnels into collapse. Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang traversed the collapsed passages, narrowly escaping being buried by rubble several times.

"No, he can't escape like this," Zhou Yang said. "We have to stop him."

Qin Shuang looked back. The Azure Wolf Priest had already entered the mine and was casting a spell not far away. The power of the national artifact was pouring out continuously, and the mine tunnel was collapsing rapidly.

"I'll do it." Qin Shuang released Zhou Yang's hand and rushed towards the sacrificial ceremony.

"Qin Shuang!" Zhou Yang's expression changed.

Instead of retreating, Qin Shuang advanced, drawing her longsword. The blade flashed like snow, slashing towards the wolf priest.

The priest sneered and swept his scepter across the room. A streak of blood met the flash of the blade.

"boom--"

The energy exploded. Qin Shuang groaned and staggered back several steps. But she didn't stop; she touched the ground with her toes and charged forward again.

"break!"

The longsword sliced ​​through a streak of blood. This strike was imbued with all her true energy.

The wolf priest's expression changed slightly, and he raised his scepter to defend himself.

"when--"

A metallic clang rang out. The priest was forced back by the blow, and a crack appeared in the ruby ​​on his scepter.

"The national treasure has been damaged." Zhou Yang's eyes flickered.

He saw an opportunity. He took out the explosives he was carrying, firearms he had brought from the mine, originally intended for clearing a path.

"Qin Shuang, get out of the way!"

Qin Shuang understood, feinted a strike, and withdrew.

"boom--"

An explosion rang out, and the mine tunnel collapsed. The Wolf Priest was engulfed in the smoke and dust, roaring furiously.

"Hurry!" Zhou Yang pulled Qin Shuang up and rushed towards the end of the passage.

A light appears ahead. We've reached the exit.

The two rushed out of the mine and found themselves in a ravine. The pursuers were still inside the mine and had not yet caught up.

"Head north," Zhou Yang said.

"The North?" Qin Shuang frowned.

"I sense the aura of the Dragon Spine fragment," Zhou Yang said in a low voice. "It's in the north."

Qin Shuang was taken aback, then nodded. The two used their lightness skills to run north.

The mountain path was difficult to traverse. The forest was filled with thorns and jagged rocks. But they dared not stop, for pursuers could catch up at any moment.

After galloping for about thirty miles, the sound of horses' hooves came from behind.

"They've caught up," Qin Shuang said.

Zhou Yang looked back. From where the dust rose, the Canglang cavalry reappeared. Leading them was Tuoba Tao, mounted on his warhorse, wielding a curved sword, his face cold and sinister.

"Zhou Yang, where do you think you're going!" Tuoba Tao shouted.

Zhou Yang didn't answer, but quickened his pace. However, the Canglang cavalry were in high spirits, and the distance between them was closing.

"You can't escape like this," Qin Shuang said.

"Find an opportunity to retaliate," Zhou Yang said.

A canyon appeared ahead, with steep cliffs on both sides. Zhou Yang's eyes lit up, and he pulled Qin Shuang into the shadows of the canyon.

The wolf cavalry pursued them to the entrance of the canyon.

"Search!" Tuoba Tao ordered.

The cavalry dispersed and entered the canyon to search for the two men.

In the shadows, Zhou Yang held his breath. He and Qin Shuang pressed themselves against the rock wall, concealing their presence.

A wolf rider rode by, less than three zhang away from them.

Zhou Yang gripped his short sword, about to strike. Qin Shuang pressed his hand down and gently shook her head.

The cavalrymen went past but did not find them.

Tuoba Tao's voice came from outside the canyon: "Come out, I know you're here."

no respond.

Tuoba Tao sneered: "If you don't come out, I'll set the mountain on fire."

He waved his hand, and the soldiers lit torches and threw them into the canyon.

The fire gradually grew, and thick smoke billowed out.

"Let's go!" Zhou Yang shouted in a low voice.

The two rushed out of their hiding place and headed straight for the canyon exit.

"There they are!" The wolf soldiers spotted them.

The pursuers closed in again. Tuoba Tao personally led his troops in pursuit, and the distance between them grew ever closer.

"Qin Shuang," Zhou Yang said.

"Um."

Qin Shuang understood and stopped. She turned around to face the pursuers.

"You go first."

Let's go together.

"Listen to me," Qin Shuang said. "I'll cover the rear."

Zhou Yang hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He knew Qin Shuang's abilities; in a one-on-one fight, Tuoba Tao was no match for her.

He continued heading north.

Qin Shuang stood in the middle of the road, her long sword drawn.

The pursuers were closing in. Tuoba Tao took the lead, his curved blade slashing towards Qin Shuang.

"when--"

Swords clashed, sparks flew.

Tuoba Tao was strong, but Qin Shuang was faster. Her swordsmanship was sharp and cunning, each strike aimed at the enemy's vitals.

After three moves, Tuoba Tao was at a disadvantage.

"Kill!" The Canglang soldiers swarmed forward.

Qin Shuang did not retreat, her longsword flashing like a curtain of blades. Blood and flesh flew everywhere, and screams filled the air.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Tuoba Tao launched a surprise attack from the flank, slashing at Qin Shuang's back with his curved blade.

Qin Shuang seemed to have anticipated this, shifting her body to the side to avoid the attack. At the same time, she swung her sword back at Tuoba Tao.

"puff--"

A flash of light, and Tuoba Tao was struck in the right arm. He groaned and fell from his horse.

"General!" the soldiers of the Azure Wolf Army exclaimed.

Qin Shuang gave him no chance, stepped forward, and slashed at Tuoba Tao's head with her long sword.

"puff--"

Blood splattered. Tuoba Tao, headless corpse, lay on the ground.

The soldiers of the Azure Wolf Army were thrown into chaos.

"Retreat!" someone shouted, and the remaining cavalrymen hastily retreated.

Qin Shuang sheathed her sword and wiped the blood from her face. She didn't give chase, but turned and headed north.

By the time they caught up with Zhouyang, it was already dusk.

The two found a secluded cave deep in the valley and went inside to rest.

"Are you alright?" Zhou Yang asked.

"It's nothing," Qin Shuang said.

She had injuries, but they weren't serious.

Zhou Yang took out the wound medicine and bandaged her wound.

"Tuoba Tao is dead," Qin Shuang said. "The Canglang Priest is seriously injured and won't be able to catch up with us in the short term."

"But," Zhou Yang looked north, "the real trouble is yet to come."

The scent of the dragon's spine fragment wafted from the north. That was the heartland of the Azure Wolf Kingdom.

"We have to go," Qin Shuang said.

"I know," Zhou Yang said, "but not now."

He needs to recover. Qin Shuang also needs to recuperate.

Night fell. Outside the cave, a campfire was lit.

Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang sat facing each other, with dry rations and a water bag between them.

"What are your plans for the future?" Qin Shuang asked.

"I'll rest for a few days, then head north," Zhou Yang said. "I'm determined to get the Dragon Spine Fragment."

"And the price?"

"A lot," Zhou Yang said, "but it's worth it."

Qin Shuang nodded. She knew Zhou Yang's secret and what he was willing to sacrifice to become stronger.

"This time, I'll go with you," she said.

Zhou Yang glanced at her: "Dangerous."

"I know."

Zhou Yang was silent for a moment, then nodded.

A night breeze blew through the valley, and the chirping of insects filled the air.

In the distance, the pursuers from the Canglang Kingdom temporarily retreated. But everyone knew that this was only the beginning.

Zhou Yang gripped the Blood Dragon Short Sword tightly, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Dragon Spine Fragment, North, Canglang Kingdom.

An even bigger storm is brewing.