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

The night grew deeper.

The strange noises from the ruins grew more frequent. There were high-pitched hisses, low roars, and a scraping sound like metal rubbing together.

Zhou Yang stood motionless at the door, holding the knife.

His attention wasn't on the sounds outside, but rather on the two energy crystals in his arms.

The Faceless Man's crystal resembled a block of solidified black ink, with occasional glimpses of pale purple light within. The Void Hound's crystal, on the other hand, was an eerie silver-white, its surface etched with incomprehensible patterns.

"These crystals contain pure energy." Zhou Yang gently stroked the surface of the crystals with his fingers.

This energy is very special. It's neither primordial energy nor true energy. It's more like something from outside this world.

But it's very powerful.

During the battle just now, he witnessed the Faceless Man conjure those bone spears out of thin air. That power, if mastered, would definitely be an ace in the hole.

"Zhou Yang." Qin Shuang opened her eyes. Her complexion was much better, though still a little pale.

"How are you feeling?" Zhou Yang turned to look at her.

"The toxins have been mostly eliminated," Qin Shuang said, trying to circulate her qi. "But it will take a few more days to fully recover."

"Then let's rest for a few days." Zhou Yang took out the crystal and placed it on the stone ground.

Qin Shuang's gaze fell on the crystals: "What do you plan to do with these?"

"Refine them." Zhou Yang's answer was simple.

These energy crystals might be considered waste by others. Even if they could absorb the energy within, it would be very crude. Without purification, it could actually damage their meridians.

But Zhou Yang is different.

He has a system.

As long as one consumes their lifespan, they can deduce any cultivation technique, including those that require refining.

"What do you need me to do?" Qin Shuang asked. She knew Zhou Yang was about to burn through his lifespan again.

This feeling was strange. Even though Zhou Yang was clearly overdrawing his life force, she still worried about him habitually.

"Protect me." Zhou Yang sat cross-legged. "This might take quite a while."

He took out the small bottle containing the spring water. The water was crystal clear and emitted a faint, pleasant fragrance. This was the treasure he had found in the White Pagoda.

"Using the spring water as a guide..." Zhou Yang poured out a few drops of spring water and dripped them onto the two crystals.

The spring water made a hissing sound as soon as it touched the crystals, like boiling oil being poured onto cold water.

The inky black crystals began to melt, emitting a purple haze. The silvery-white crystals vibrated continuously, their surface patterns becoming increasingly bright.

Zhou Yang closed his eyes.

The system interface appeared in my mind.

Void energy crystals detected.

[Does it consume lifespan to advance the purification technique?]

Zhou Yang chose yes without hesitation.

[Consuming half a year's lifespan to deduce the "Purification Technique - Void Chapter"]

confirm.

A burning sensation rose from his chest. He was already used to that feeling of life force draining away. But the loss of half a year's lifespan still made his body sway.

A flood of information rushed into my mind.

This is a purification method specifically designed for void energy. The technique is very profound, as if it came from another world. It requires an extremely high level of self-control to cultivate.

It suits him perfectly.

Following the instructions of the technique, Zhou Yang formed hand seals. His ten fingers flew across the paper, leaving a trail of afterimages.

Guided by his gestures, the purple smoke and silver light slowly converged together.

Qin Shuang watched quietly.

She could feel the air around her vibrating. The power contained within the mist and light sent shivers down her spine. This power was beyond her comprehension.

But Zhou Yang seemed very relaxed.

His movements were fluid and seamless, without the slightest pause. Every gesture was perfectly timed. Under his control, the purple smoke and silver light swirled in the air like two obedient fish.

Time passed second by second.

Sweat beaded on Zhou Yang's forehead. Purifying the void energy was more difficult than he had imagined. That energy was very volatile and unruly.

It can get out of control if you're not careful.

He increased the output of his mental energy, continuing to guide the flow of energy.

The shouts outside grew clearer. Some of the sounds seemed to be right outside the door. But Qin Shuang gripped her knife, her face wary. With her there, nothing could disturb Zhou Yang.

Another hour passed.

The mist and light finally merged completely, forming a sphere of light the size of a fist.

The sphere of light is crystal clear, with iridescent light flowing across its surface. Its internal structure is extremely complex, resembling a miniature model of a galaxy.

"Success." Zhou Yang breathed a sigh of relief.

He reached out and pinched the ball of light. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, like the finest jade.

This is the essence of the void.

It is more than ten times purer than the original energy crystal. The energy it contains is also much more concentrated.

Qin Shuang leaned closer to look: "This is the essence of the void?"

"Hmm." Zhou Yang held it in his palm. "This thing is a treasure."

How do I use it?

"Swallow it directly." Zhou Yang broke the essence in half. "Half for you, half for me."

Qin Shuang was taken aback: "My injuries haven't healed yet..."

"This is perfect for recovery." Zhou Yang handed over half of it. "Don't worry, I've already purified it; there won't be any side effects."

Qin Shuang took the half-piece of essence. The feeling in her hand was wonderful, like holding a piece of living, warm jade. It seemed as if life was flowing within it.

"Then I'll try it first." Without hesitation, she swallowed it.

The essence melts in your mouth, transforming into a warm current that flows through your limbs and bones.

Qin Shuang immediately sat cross-legged and began to circulate her internal energy. The energy flowed through her meridians, repairing the damage caused by the previous battle. At the same time, her cultivation level also began to loosen.

The bottleneck of the early stage of the Hundred Battles Realm was easily broken through at this moment.

Her aura grew stronger and stronger until it stabilized at the mid-stage of the Hundred Battles Realm.

Zhou Yang smiled as he watched her break through.

Then swallow his half of the essence.

The essence entered his body, unleashing an even greater burst of energy. Zhou Yang's cultivation was already at the peak of the Hundred Battles Realm; this energy did not allow him to break through, but rather consolidated his realm.

He felt every cell in his body was strengthened. His strength, speed, and perception had all been significantly enhanced.

Moreover, his understanding of void energy has become much deeper. If he was a novice before, he has now entered the inner sanctum.

"The effect of this thing..." Qin Shuang opened her eyes, her face full of shock, "is better than what I've achieved in a year of training."

"Of course." Zhou Yang stood up and stretched his limbs. "I traded half a year of my life for this."

Upon hearing that she had only six months to live, Qin Shuang's excitement faded considerably: "Is it worth it?"

"Of course it's worth it." Zhou Yang walked to the door and looked outside. "Look at these ruins."

In the darkness, some glowing eyes were flashing. The sounds rose and fell, like a grand party.

"There are many creatures here, like Faceless Men and Void Hounds," Zhou Yang said calmly. "Kill them, and you'll get energy crystals."

Qin Shuang immediately understood.

Zhou Yang found a new way to acquire resources.

These creatures from the ruins are deadly dangers to others, but to Zhou Yang, they have become mobile life-sustaining stations.

"Do we really want to stay here any longer?" Qin Shuang hesitated. She was still somewhat wary of those unknown creatures.

"It doesn't necessarily have to be here," Zhou Yang said, "but we should continue with this model."

He pointed into the distance: "The entire ruins are worth exploring."

Qin Shuang followed his finger. The ruins stretched endlessly, resembling a colossal, dead beast under the moonlight. No one knew how many secrets lay hidden within.

"But you've just recovered from your injuries, so rest first." Zhou Yang withdrew his gaze. "We'll proceed again tomorrow during the day."

Now, with the foundation of the Vitality Spring and the enhancement of the Void Essence, their strength is vastly different from what it used to be.

The ruins are relatively safer during the day.

"Okay." Qin Shuang nodded.

She walked to the wall, sat down, closed her eyes, and continued to consolidate her cultivation. Her strength at the mid-stage of the Hundred Battles Realm gave her even more confidence.

Zhou Yang stood guard at the door.

The night was still long. The strange cries continued unabated. But nothing dared to approach the stone chamber.

They seemed to instinctively fear something.

Perhaps it's the aura emanating from Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang. Or perhaps the stone chamber itself holds some secret.

Zhou Yang didn't think much of it.

His attention was completely drawn to the ruins.

This place is like a vast treasure trove. Opportunities abound. With careful caution, even deadly dangers can be turned into resources.

This is his way.

Equivalent exchange.

Use life to gain strength, and use strength to gain more life.

The sky began to lighten.

The cries from the ruins gradually subsided. The glowing eyes also disappeared.

Zhou Yang stood all night, but he was in good spirits. The energy of the Void Essence was still working.

"It's dawn," he called to Qin Shuang.

Qin Shuang opened her eyes, her gaze brighter, and her aura had changed after her cultivation breakthrough. She was less cold and more dignified.

"Let's go." She stood up, flexing her wrists. "How are you feeling now?"

"Very good." Zhou Yang picked up the knife. "Today we'll find a bigger map."

He remembered seeing a map of the ruins inside the White Tower. Although incomplete, it marked several distinctive locations.

Perhaps there are even more powerful void creatures in those places.

There will also be better rewards.

The two stepped out of the stone chamber, and the morning sunlight shone on the ruins, bringing some life to this desolate place.

"Let's head east first," Zhou Yang said, pointing to a collapsed tower in the distance. "The map says that's the 'Bone Nest.'"

"It doesn't sound like a good place." Qin Shuang frowned.

"Places that yield good results rarely have pleasant names." Zhou Yang had already begun to move forward.

Qin Shuang followed in his footsteps.

The ruins were quiet in the early morning. The sounds of last night had vanished, leaving only traces of destruction. Strange claw marks and the remains of unknown creatures were scattered across the ground.

The two walked for half an hour and arrived at a ruin.

This may have once been a square. The ground is covered with broken stone slabs, and the bases of some statues still remain.

"Wait." Zhou Yang suddenly stopped.

Something is moving in the shadows not far ahead.

Not just one, but a whole group.

The creatures seemed to be made of shadows, without a fixed shape. They crawled on the ground, leaving sticky trails.

"Another new variety." Zhou Yang gripped the knife tightly.

These creatures gave him a strange feeling. They were neither purely evil like the Faceless Men, nor aggressive like the Void Hounds.

They just crawled there, as if aimlessly.

"Be careful." Qin Shuang also drew her sword.

The shadowy creatures seemed to have spotted them. They began to move in their direction. They weren't moving fast, but there were many of them.

Zhou Yang estimated that there were about twenty or thirty of them.

"Leave it to me." He stepped forward.

Dealing with a large number of enemies that are individually weak is a good opportunity to test out new forces.

He took a deep breath and activated the power of the Void Essence within his body.

A peculiar power surged from his palm. This power possessed properties unique to the void, capable of directly interfering with reality.

Zhou Yang raised his hand and waved.

An invisible ripple spread outwards.

The moment those shadow creatures came into contact with the ripples, their bodies began to contort, as if being grabbed and torn apart by an invisible hand.

A few seconds later, all the shadow creatures disappeared.

Not even a trace was left.

Qin Shuang was dumbfounded.

Is this the newly acquired power?

"Void fluctuations," Zhou Yang explained, "are particularly effective against things that have no physical form."

He picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at the spot where the shadowy creature had been.

The stone turned into powder the moment it touched that space.

It seems the attack from before hasn't completely dissipated.

"This power..." Qin Shuang was speechless.

"It's very powerful, but it also consumes a lot of energy." Zhou Yang felt a bit empty inside. That move just now almost exhausted the void energy he had just acquired.

More practice is needed to improve efficiency.

"Let's go, the bone nest shouldn't be far."

The two continued on their way.

Along the way, we encountered several more waves of ruin creatures. There were giant rats with bone armor, spiders that sprayed venom, and strange birds that could attack with sound waves.

With the cooperation of Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang, they were all easily dealt with.

After each battle, Zhou Yang would collect their energy crystals. The quality of these crystals varied, but they added up over time.

Around noon, they finally arrived at the bone nest.

It was a massive architectural ruin. The entire structure was made of the skeleton of some kind of colossal beast. The bone-white building gleamed eerily in the sunlight.

"Let's go in and take a look." Zhou Yang said without hesitation.

He has now figured out the patterns in the ruins. The more dangerous the place, the greater the reward.

The entrance to the bone nest was two enormous ribs, with a dark and deep passage between them. A cold wind blew out from inside, carrying a strong, fishy smell.

"I'll walk in front," Zhou Yang said, gripping his knife.

Qin Shuang nodded and followed behind him.

Upon entering the bone nest, the space inside was much larger than expected. Various bones were embedded in the walls, some of which were still faintly glowing.

The passageway splits into three directions.

"The left one." Zhou Yang chose the left side.

His intuition told him that danger and opportunity lay there.

The passageway grew narrower. Strange symbols began to appear on the walls on both sides. They looked like some kind of writing, but none of them were understandable.

"These symbols..." Qin Shuang looked at the wall, "I feel a power flowing within them."

Zhou Yang noticed it too.

These symbols weren't carved on; they are natural patterns formed on the bone, arranged to create a certain design.

The entire bone nest was like a giant magic circle.

"Interesting." Zhou Yang touched the symbols on the wall. "This place is not simple."

They continued on their way.

After turning a corner, a large space appeared ahead.

This place resembles a nest. A thick layer of bone meal covers the ground, and pale green specks of light float in the air.

In the center of the nest, there is a huge bone cocoon.

The bone cocoon pulsated slightly, as if it were alive. With each pulsation, green light spots were released.

"This is..." Qin Shuang gripped her sword tightly.

"A great harvest!" Zhou Yang smiled.

He could sense the immense energy contained within that bone cocoon. If he could refine what was inside, it would definitely grant him a huge increase in lifespan.

However, the risks are also very high.

This bone cocoon felt dangerous. Even from this distance, he could sense a deadly aura.

"What should we do?" Qin Shuang asked.

Zhou Yang thought for a moment: "Let's see how things go first."

He found a secluded spot and carefully examined the bone cocoon.

The pulsation of the bone cocoon is very regular. It pulsates noticeably every fifteen minutes. With each pulsation, some of the surrounding light is absorbed.

It's like accumulating energy.

"It's growing," Zhou Yang concluded.

The substance within this cocoon is not yet fully mature. Now might be the best time to act.

If we wait any longer, until it emerges from its cocoon, who knows what it will face?

"I'll get ready." Zhou Yang sat cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing.

He needs to get himself into peak condition.

Qin Shuang was in charge of guarding the area. She could sense other movements deep within the bone nest. She couldn't afford to be disturbed at this crucial moment.

Time slowly passed.

The energy within Zhou Yang's body reached its peak. The power brought by the Void Essence and the Yuanqi Spring Water merged perfectly.

"We can begin." He opened his eyes.

He stood up and walked step by step toward the enormous bone cocoon.

The closer they got, the stronger the sense of danger became. The energy flow on the surface of the bone cocoon also became more intense.

It is on alert.

Zhou Yang did not stop.

He stopped when he was only three steps away from the bone cocoon.

"System," he murmured to himself.

[Advanced Void Creature Embryo Detected]

[Danger Level: Extremely High]

[Will it consume lifespan to derive a countermeasure?]

Zhou Yang chose yes.

[Consuming one year of lifespan to develop the "Void Rift Slash"]

This time, even more lifespan was consumed. In return, a sword technique specifically designed to counter void creatures was acquired.

The essence of knife skills lies in creating small spatial fissures, which can directly cut through the essence of the target.

While learning the sword technique, Zhou Yang had already raised his sword.

His eyes gleamed with a purple light, a sign that void energy was emanating from his body.

The bone cocoon seemed to sense a threat.

The pulsation suddenly accelerated. Green light burst forth from the bone cocoon like rain.

Each point of light carries a corrosive power.

Zhou Yang swung his knife.

The effect of Void Rift Slash is immediate.

A thin black crack appeared in front of the blade. All the points of light that came into contact with the crack were instantly torn apart and annihilated.

The blade struck the bone cocoon.

There was no resistance as expected.

Just like cutting tofu, the blade pierced into the bone cocoon.

The bone cocoon let out a piercing scream. It wasn't a sound, but a direct impact on the mind.

A tremendous force erupted from the bone cocoon, attempting to push Zhou Yang away.

Zhou Yang gritted his teeth and continued to apply pressure.

The blade cut downwards, splitting the bone cocoon in two.

Inside the bone cocoon was a writhing mass of flesh. Countless tentacles were flailing wildly, as if in rebellion.

Without hesitation, Zhou Yang swung his knife again.

This time, he used all his strength.

The black fissures widened within the flesh, engulfing the entire embryo.

There was no explosion.

There was no loud noise.

That powerful void creature embryo was thus easily destroyed.

A large amount of energy was released from the dissipated embryo.

Zhou Yang immediately used the Purification technique to guide these energies. They quickly coalesced, forming an energy crystal the size of a fist.

This crystal was purer than any of the previous ones. It shimmered with a pale golden light within.

"It's done." Zhou Yang put away the crystal, feeling somewhat weak.

A year's lifespan is significantly reduced.

"Are you alright?" Qin Shuang quickly came over to support him.

"It's nothing," Zhou Yang waved his hand. "I just need a rest."

The two found a corner to sit down. Zhou Yang began to recover his depleted energy.

The bone nest outside began to vibrate.

It seems the master of the bone nest discovered what had happened.

"We need to leave quickly," Qin Shuang said anxiously.

"Wait," Zhou Yang said with his eyes closed, "I feel like there's something else."

While his mental energy was absorbing energy, he detected a faint signal deep within the nest.

It was as if something was calling to him.

"What?"

Zhou Yang did not answer, but stood up.

They headed deeper into the nest.

"Follow me."

Beyond the nest containing the bone cocoon, there is another passage. At the end of the passage is a wall.

Zhou Yang reached out and pressed his hand against the wall.

Various symbols appeared on the wall, very similar to those he had seen outside before.

As he touched it, the symbol began to glow.

Then, the walls slowly opened to both sides.

Behind it is a small, secret room.

On the stone platform in the center of the secret room lies a key.

It's a bone key. Its shape is strange, like the spine of some kind of creature.

"This is..." Qin Shuang looked at the key and sensed something unusual.

"Fragments of the dragon's spine." Zhou Yang's voice trembled slightly.

He finally found another one.

Three complete fragments of the dragon's spine lay before him. Each fragment emitted a faint glow.

If we could combine them...

Zhou Yang suppressed his excitement.

Now is not the time.

He resolved the energy crystal issue first.

That golden crystal was even more precious than he had imagined. The energy it contained was enough for him to deduce several cultivation techniques.

Moreover, crystallizations of this quality should fetch a very high price.

Of course, he wouldn't sell it.

"Let's go back first." Zhou Yang put away the key and the fragments.

As they stepped out of the secret chamber, the vibrations of the bone nest grew increasingly intense.

The entire building was shaking.

"It's going to collapse!" Qin Shuang shouted.

Zhou Yang nodded, took her hand, and ran outside.

Bone dust began to crumble from the walls on both sides of the passage, and bones kept falling from the ceiling.

The two ran very fast, but their path was still blocked by the bones from the landslide.

"This way!" Zhou Yang spotted a hole nearby.

Once inside the cave entrance, there is a downward slope.

They slid down the slope and eventually appeared at the bottom of the bone nest.

This is a vast underground space. Everywhere you look, there are skeletons, piled up like mountains.

"Where is this place?" Qin Shuang looked at the mountain of bones in front of her, her scalp tingling.

"The basement of the Bone Nest." Zhou Yang frowned.

He could sense that these skeletons contained a great deal of energy. If he refined it all...

"Look there," Qin Shuang said, pointing in a direction.

In the middle of the bone mountain, a light was flashing.

That's not crystallization.

It is a living thing.

Zhou Yang immediately became alert.

The ball of light seemed to have spotted them as well and began to move rapidly.

They arrived in front of them very quickly.

The sphere of light dispersed, revealing what was inside.

It is a humanoid creature only the size of a fist.

Its body is made of pure light, and it has a pair of small wings on its back.

Its face has no features, only a constantly shifting vortex.

"Hello," the creature spoke.

The voice resounded directly in my mind.

Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang were both stunned.

There are even talking creatures in these ruins?

"Who are you?" the man with the light asked.

"Just passing by," Zhou Yang replied cautiously.

"Just passing by?" Guangren laughed. "No one passes by this damned place. Unless you're all prisoners like me."

"prisoner?"

"That's right." The luminous figure circled them once. "You carry the aura of the outside world, but also traces of the void. A very peculiar combination."

Zhou Yang did not respond.

This luminous person gave off a strange feeling. He seemed neither like an enemy nor a friend.

"Don't be nervous." Hikaru seemed to have read his thoughts. "I mean no harm. I've just been here for a very, very long time."

"What are you?" Qin Shuang asked the crucial question.

"Me?" The man of light stopped. "You can call me 'Gatekeeper.' My task is to watch this place from being completely corrupted."

"Then your mission has failed." Zhou Yang looked around at the mountain of bones.

"Yes, we failed." Hikaru sighed, his voice weary. "But someone has to be here."

It flew closer: "You did a good deed by killing the embryo. But you also awakened the true master."

"The real master?"

"The master of the Bone Nest," the Lightman's voice was low, "will awaken soon. When that happens, the entire ruins will tremble."

"Why are you telling us this?" Zhou Yang asked.

"Because I need an assistant." The luminous man looked directly at Zhou Yang. "I can sense that you're special. You're not from this world, are you?"

Zhou Yang's heart skipped a beat.

This luminous person actually saw through his secret?

"What exactly are you?"

"I told you, I'm the gatekeeper." The man of light laughed. "An unlucky fellow from another world, just like you."

These words completely stunned Zhou Yang.

Are there other time travelers?

"Looks like I was right." The luminous figure flew in front of Zhou Yang. "Don't worry, I'm not interested in your secrets. I just want to make a deal with you."

"What kind of deal?"

"Help me get something. I'll help you get out of these ruins." The light being stretched out a hand made of light. "How about it?"

Zhou Yang stared at the hand, lost in thought.

Establish a defense line

Night fell, and only the afterglow of the white tower flickered across the ruins. A beam of light flashed, attracting vultures and dark currents in the distance. Zhou Yang stood at the foot of the tower, his brow furrowed.

"The light is too strong, and monsters will gather," he said in a low voice.

Qin Shuang looked up at the tower and nodded. Her fingers lightly traced a bloodstain on her shoulder armor.

"Block the entrance first." Zhou Yang turned around, his gaze falling on the scattered stones. The walls of the ruins had collapsed, and rubble was everywhere. He bent down, picked up a piece, and held it in his hand.

"Move the stones around the tower," he commanded.

Qin Shuang didn't speak, but went straight forward. The two had a clear division of labor: Zhou Yang was responsible for carrying the stones, and Qin Shuang was responsible for stacking them. The stones were heavy, but with their tacit understanding, their speed didn't slow down.

The stones were arranged in a semi-circle, forming the first line of defense. Gaps were left between each pile to facilitate the later deployment of the formation. Zhou Yang occasionally wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, his eyes fixed on the light at the top of the tower.

"The brighter the light, the more it attracts," he whispered a reminder.

Qin Shuang handed him the fragment in her hand. It was a broken piece of the dragon's spine taken from inside the tower. Zhou Yang placed the fragment in his palm and tapped it gently; the fragments glittered faintly.

"Use 1% of the energy," he muttered to himself. The system interface appeared before his eyes, numbers flashing. Zhou Yang quickly selected "Alarm Array." The fragment's power was activated, emitting pale blue light patterns.

Light patterns traced intricate symbols on the stone wall. Whenever a high-energy being approached, the symbols would tremble and emit a soft sound. Zhou Yang reached his hand towards the center of the symbols and whispered an incantation.

"Alarm array complete." His brow relaxed.

Qin Shuang looked up and gazed into the distance; the dark figures in the distance were already stirring. She drew her short sword, the blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"I'm going on patrol," she said.

Zhou Yang nodded, his eyes fixed on the light patterns on the fragment. The alarm array was ready to be activated at any moment. The two took their positions; the defensive line, though simple, already provided basic protection.

Qin Shuang walked slowly along the stone wall. With each step, the gravel under her feet made a soft sound. She listened carefully and heard a faint buzzing sound. It was the low-frequency fluctuation of an alarm, like a tiny heartbeat.

Suddenly, several small monsters emerged from the distant grass. They had dark skin, were the size of rats, and emitted a blinding light. Qin Shuang remained calm, swiftly drawing her short sword and striking with lightning speed. The blade flashed, and the monsters fell into pools of blood.

"The alarm didn't go off." She frowned.

Zhou Yang lightly tapped the fragment to check the formation's status. The interface showed no abnormalities. The two exchanged a glance, both having reached their own conclusions.

"Light will attract even more," Zhou Yang whispered a reminder.

"Then let's gather the light," Qin Shuang said.

He nodded and walked towards the base of the white tower. The tower was still trembling slightly, and the beam of light rose and fell like breathing. Zhou Yang placed his hand on the fragment, and the system prompted "Energy Allocation". He poured the remaining 1% of his lifespan energy into the fragment, causing the light patterns to converge towards the center of the tower.

The light patterns formed a thin film on the tower base, like a transparent barrier. After the light was absorbed, the brightness of the light pillar decreased significantly. Zhou Yang felt a sharp pain in his chest, and the passing of his life force rolled through his fingertips.

"Okay," he said softly in approval.

Qin Shuang stood at the outer edge of the defensive line, observing the changes in the light screen. The screen rippled slightly in the night wind, yet it firmly suppressed the beam of light. The monster in the shadows was forced to retreat, losing its guidance.

"It's safe for now," Qin Shuang said, her voice weary.

Zhou Yang stood beside the tower, his back to the lingering glow of the remaining fragments. His gaze swept over each stone, as if assessing every possible breakthrough. He silently memorized: each stone is a shield, each ray of light a warning bell.

Night deepened, and a cold wind swept through the ruins, carrying the stench of decay. Zhou Yang reached into his pocket, pulled out a black silver coin, and gently tossed it into the air. The coin traced delicate arcs under the lamplight before settling among the stones.

"I need to keep strengthening it," he muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the night.

Qin Shuang returned to the center of the defensive line, sat on a rock, and closed her eyes to regulate her breathing. Her breathing was even, and her figure appeared exceptionally resolute under the lamplight. Zhou Yang stood behind her, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

The distant white tower no longer emitted its dazzling light, but a faint pulse remained. The barrier of light trembled slightly in the dim light, as if reminding them that the crisis was not over.

The two exchanged a glance, a tacit understanding flowing between them. Zhou Yang nodded slightly, signaling them to remain vigilant. Qin Shuang nodded, her fingers lightly tapping the hilt of her short sword, producing a soft, metallic sound.

"We'll stay here and keep watch tonight," Zhou Yang said.

"Okay." Qin Shuang's voice was low, but full of determination.

In the darkness, the shadows of the stone wall were stretched long by the lamplight. The alarm array's light patterns still trembled slightly, like silent guards. The two stood side by side, their shadows cut into two distinct lines by the moonlight.

Time slowly passed amidst the ruins, and the pillar of light from the white tower was finally completely suppressed. The surrounding air thinned, and the stench of decay and dampness mingled into a suffocating odor. Zhou Yang gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, feeling the pain in his chest.

"We'll go look for even bigger fragments tomorrow," he said in a low voice.

Qin Shuang opened her eyes, a glint of light flashing within them. She reached out and gently grasped Zhou Yang's fist. A slight warmth emanated from their palms, like a promise between them.

"Let's hold this place first," she said.

Zhou Yang nodded, his gaze returning to the light patterns at the base of the tower. Though weak, the light patterns were still protecting it. The defense line was in place; the crisis remained, but it was no longer a passive, unprepared situation.

Moonlight spread across the ruins, casting dappled patterns on the stones. The two figures stood out sharply at the boundary between light and shadow.

As night deepened, the alarm lights flickered on softly, reminding them that any intrusion would be detected. Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang remained silent, safeguarding this temporary safety.

Fragment revived

Zhou Yang's blood dripped onto the fragments of the dragon's spine.

The dark metal instantly lit up.

It wasn't ordinary light. It was a blood-red glow emanating from within. The light was soft, yet carried an indescribable eeriness.

The fragment began to vibrate. A buzzing sound. The sound wasn't loud, but it could penetrate deep into a person's bones.

Qin Shuang took a half step back. Her hand was already on the hilt of the sword. Zhou Yang's blood continued to flow. The blood droplets followed the patterns on the shards, as if they were alive.

As it flows over a certain spot, the patterns become clearer.

Zhou Yang felt a sharp pain coming from his finger. It wasn't the pain from the wound. It was a deeper pain, as if someone was extracting something from his bone marrow.

His face began to turn pale.

"Zhou Yang." Qin Shuang's voice was somewhat urgent.

Zhou Yang shook his head, indicating that he was fine.

He tried to pull his hand back, but found he couldn't. The dragon spine fragment seemed to have a suction force, firmly gripping his fingers. Blood was flowing out of him at an accelerated rate.

"Something's not right," Zhou Yang said through gritted teeth.

Qin Shuang stepped forward, her sword already half an inch from its sheath. The tip of the sword was aimed at the broken piece. She dared not act rashly, for fear of hurting Zhou Yang.

The light from the fragment grew brighter and brighter. A crimson light enveloped Zhou Yang's hand, then began to spread upwards.

His palms, wrists, and arms. Wherever the blood gleamed, the skin became translucent. You could see the veins pulsating. The blood was flowing rapidly within them, as if it were being drained dry.

Zhou Yang's breathing became rapid.

This was beyond his comprehension. The Dragon Spine Fragment was indeed wondrous, but this had never happened before. He had only previously deduced the fragment's usage from its lifespan, knowing it was powerful.

But is it really that powerful?

The sky outside is changing color.

The sky, which had already darkened, was suddenly tinged with red. Not the orange-red of sunset, but a blood-red. The moon rose, and it too was blood-red.

A blood moon hangs in the sky.

This scene is considered a very ominous sign in ancient texts.

Qin Shuang looked up at the sky, her brows furrowed. She had seen many strange things, but this was the first time she had witnessed a blood moon.

"Think of something quickly," she urged.

Zhou Yang attempted to burn through his lifespan. He wanted to deduce the current situation and find a solution.

However, the system did not respond.

His lifespan is still intact, but the system seems to be asleep. This is the first time this has happened.

Zhou Yang's heart sank.

Without a system, he was just an ordinary person. Although he had learned some martial arts, he was completely powerless in the face of this supernatural phenomenon.

"I...I can't control it." Zhou Yang's voice trembled slightly.

The blood had spread to his shoulder. The feeling of being drained grew stronger. He began to feel dizzy, and his vision began to blur.

Qin Shuang no longer hesitated.

Her sword was fully drawn. A cold light gleamed from its blade. This was her natal sword, which had been with her for many years. Its sword aura was sharp and powerful enough to cut through metal and stone.

But she did not act immediately.

She was waiting for an opportunity. An opportunity that could save Zhou Yang without harming him.

The debris was still vibrating. The sound grew louder. The entire ruins trembled. The rubble on the ground began to jump, as if something was trying to emerge from underground.

Strange noises came from afar.

It sounded like many people were crying. The sound seemed to come from near and far, drifting and uncertain.

Qin Shuang glanced around, her expression grave. She gripped her sword tightly, ready to deal with any situation that might arise.

Zhou Yang's situation is even worse.

Blood-red light had already covered most of his body. He could feel his life force rapidly draining away. Not the kind that burns away one's lifespan, but the more primal source of life being drawn away.

His legs began to weaken, and he could barely stand.

"Qin Shuang..." he called out softly.

Qin Shuang immediately supported him. Her hands were cold, but Zhou Yang felt a sense of warmth from them.

"I'm here," Qin Shuang said.

She held the sword horizontally in front of her chest, supporting Zhou Yang with her other hand. Her expression was calm, but her eyes revealed determination.

If she had to choose, she would choose Zhou Yang.

Regardless of the cost.

Just then, the fragment suddenly emitted a sharp screech. The sound was so loud it hurt the ears.

Then, a sudden change occurred.

Countless tiny cracks appeared on the fragment. Not the kind of cracks caused by metal fatigue, but more like... space itself was tearing apart.

Yes, it's space.

Qin Shuang saw it clearly. The space around the fragment was indeed distorted. It was as if an invisible knife was cutting through the air. This distortion spread rapidly, quickly forming an irregular area.

In that area, the light is curved. Everything you see is distorted.

Zhou Yang felt a tremendous pulling force.

It didn't come from the fragments, but from that distorted space. It was as if it wanted to pull his soul in.

His consciousness began to fade.

Everything before her eyes was spinning. Qin Shuang's face, the scene of ruins, the blood-red sky. Everything was swirling, eventually merging into a chaotic mass.

He heard Qin Shuang's shouts, but the sound grew fainter and fainter.

Finally, it vanished completely into the darkness.

Qin Shuang watched helplessly as Zhou Yang collapsed.

But she couldn't catch him.

Because an equally powerful pulling force was also acting on her. She tried to resist, gathering all her strength, and planted her feet firmly on the ground.

But it didn't work.

That force was too powerful. It was beyond her comprehension.

Her body began to move forward uncontrollably. Her feet left two tracks on the ground. Gravel was sent flying by her power, but it couldn't stop her advance.

"No..."

Qin Shuang gritted her teeth, and the sword light surged. She tried to plunge the sword into the ground to stabilize herself, but the ground began to soften, as if turning into quicksand.

The sword went in and quickly sank in.

Useless.

Qin Shuang's heart sank to the bottom.

She watched the distorted space draw ever closer, watching the churning chaos within. It looked like the entrance to hell.

But she was not afraid.

If we have to go in with Zhou Yang, then let's go in.

She loosened her grip on the sword and reached out to grab Zhou Yang.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch Zhou Yang, the two of them were simultaneously pulled into a distorted space.

My vision went black.

The world has been completely changed.

When Qin Shuang opened her eyes, she found herself standing on a barren piece of land.

The sand beneath my feet was black and soft. The sky was gray; there was neither sun nor moon. In the distance were some strange mountain peaks, their shapes twisted, as if they had been kneaded by some enormous force.

This is not the original ruin.

She immediately checked herself. She was unharmed, her martial arts skills were still intact, but her sword... her sword was gone.

Qin Shuang's expression changed.

Her natal sword, the sword that had been with her for many years, was gone. She had a telepathic connection with that sword, but now she could feel no connection at all.

This means she is now very far from the sword, or... the sword is no longer in the original world.

"Zhou Yang!"

Qin Shuang suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called out.

The surroundings were empty, with only her echo.

She began to search. She ran across the desolate land. The black sand was difficult to run in; with each step, she sank a little deeper.

But she couldn't care less about any of that.

Where is Zhou Yang?

She ran and shouted, her voice hoarse from the rush. In this deathly silent world, her cries sounded especially lonely.

After running for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she finally discovered something.

There is a figure in the distance.

Lying motionless on the black sand.

Qin Shuang's heart was pounding. She quickened her pace and ran towards it, but the sand hindered her movement, causing her to stumble and fall.

But she doesn't care.

She just wanted to confirm as soon as possible whether that person was Zhou Yang.

The distance drew closer. The figure gradually became clearer. It was indeed Zhou Yang's build. Wearing the same clothes, lying in the same spot.

Qin Shuang breathed a sigh of relief.

But then I got nervous again.

Why is he not moving?

She finally ran to Zhou Yang's side and squatted down to examine him.

Zhou Yang was still breathing, but very weakly. His face was as pale as paper, and his lips were purple. His clothes were intact, and there were no external injuries.

But his condition was very bad.

Qin Shuang reached out and touched his forehead. It was very cold. As cold as a dead person's.

"Zhou Yang? Zhou Yang?"

She gently patted his cheek, but there was no reaction.

Qin Shuang frowned.

This situation is very dangerous. Although there are no visible injuries, the extremely weak vital signs indicate a serious internal problem.

She thought for a moment and decided to try some basic first aid methods first. She laid Zhou Yang flat, loosened his collar to make his breathing easier.

Then she began to circulate her internal energy, intending to use it to check Zhou Yang's physical condition.

But when she used her inner strength, she was shocked to discover...

The spiritual energy here... is very strange.

This wasn't the kind of spiritual energy she was familiar with. There was indeed energy in the air here, but its nature was completely different. It was more violent, more chaotic, and carried an aura of destruction.

Using this kind of energy to heal will only make things worse.

Qin Shuang stopped what she was doing, her brows furrowed.

Without the right energy, she couldn't heal Zhou Yang. And Zhou Yang's current condition clearly required immediate treatment.

She looked around.

This desolate land stretched as far as the eye could see. Under the gray sky, there was nothing but twisted mountain peaks.

There are no signs of life.

There are no medicinal herbs available to treat it.

There wasn't even a clean water source to be seen.

This is a desperate situation.

For the first time, a look of helplessness appeared on Qin Shuang's face. She clenched her fists, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

But she quickly calmed down.

Helplessness won't solve the problem. She has to find a way.

First, we need to find out where we are. Second, we need to find a way to save Zhou Yang. Finally, we need to find a way to leave.

She looked at Zhou Yang again.

His breathing became even weaker.

time is limited.

Qin Shuang stood up and looked into the distance. In those twisted mountain peaks, something seemed to be glimmering faintly.

It was very faint, like a candle flame in the wind.

But in this darkness, any light is a hope.

She made a decision.

Let's move Zhou Yang to that place first. Maybe there's something special there that can change the current situation.

She bent down, wanting to carry Zhou Yang on her back.

But Zhou Yang's body was heavier than she had imagined. Although he didn't look fat, in this strange place, he seemed to have gained several times his weight.

Qin Shuang gritted her teeth and used all her strength to finally lift Zhou Yang onto her back.

Her steps were heavy, each step sinking deep into the black sand. But she did not stop.

Step by step, we moved toward that faint light.

The wind started to blow.

It wasn't natural wind. It carried a strange smell, like rotting flesh mixed with rust. Where the wind blew, the black sand rippled.

Qin Shuang wrapped her clothes tighter and continued forward.

She had no idea how long she had been walking. In this place where time had no concept, a day and an hour made no difference.

All she knew was that the light was getting closer and closer.

It's becoming increasingly clear.

That wasn't flame. It was the light of some kind of crystal. A pale blue light, very pure, standing out starkly in the grayness.

The light came from the top of a small hill.

Qin Shuang finally reached the foot of the hill. She put Zhou Yang down and leaned against the hill, catching her breath.

Carrying an adult for such a long distance in this environment, her physical strength had reached its limit.

But she didn't rest for long.

Because Zhou Yang's breathing became even weaker. It was almost imperceptible.

Qin Shuang gritted her teeth, picked up Zhou Yang again, and began climbing the hill.

The hill was steep and covered with slippery black sand. She struggled to climb it and nearly slipped several times.

But she did not give up.

Finally, she reached the top of the mountain.

On the mountaintop, some blue crystals are growing.

The crystals were irregularly distributed and varied in size, the largest being as big as a human head and the smallest only the size of a fingernail.

They are all glowing.

A soft, pale blue light illuminated the entire mountaintop.

Qin Shuang curiously approached a crystal.

The crystal looked fragile, like glass. Its surface was smooth, and something was flowing inside.

She reached out and touched it gently.

The crystals were cool, but not the kind of chilling coolness. They carried a strange vitality.

The moment she touched the crystal, something miraculous happened.

The blue crystals suddenly became even brighter. The light was no longer scattered, but converged, forming streams of light.

The light streams converge in one direction.

Qin Shuang looked in the direction of the light stream.

There, there was the largest crystal. It was about half a person's height and had an irregular columnar shape. All the light flowed into this crystal.

Then, the large crystal emitted a buzzing sound.

It sounds similar to the Dragon Spine Fragment, but softer.

Qin Shuang sensed that her surroundings were changing.

The chaotic energy in the air softened. It was no longer an aura of destruction, but rather carried a healing power.

She was pleasantly surprised to find that she could absorb this energy.

"There's hope..."

Qin Shuang immediately sat down, channeled her inner energy, and began to absorb this gentle energy.

Then she channeled the energy into Zhou Yang's body.

As energy flowed through Zhou Yang's body, his complexion began to improve. His breathing also gradually became steady.

Qin Shuang continued to supply energy, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Time passed little by little.

Zhou Yang's condition is slowly improving. Although he hasn't woken up yet, he's at least out of danger.

Qin Shuang breathed a sigh of relief.

She looked at the glowing blue crystals around her, her heart filled with gratitude.

If it weren't for these crystals, Zhou Yang might already be...

She dared not think any further.

The key now is to get Zhou Yang fully recovered as soon as possible. Then we need to find a way to leave this strange place.

She continued to channel energy while simultaneously restoring her own strength.

During this process, she noticed a detail.

The light from those blue crystals seemed to be weaker than before.

The flow within the large crystal became faster.

It's like...consuming these crystals.

Qin Shuang's heart stirred.

Is the energy of these crystals finite?

If that's the case, she can't waste it. It must be used where it's most crucial.

She stopped supplying energy and carefully observed Zhou Yang's condition.

His vital signs have stabilized, and although he is still very weak, he is out of danger.

What's needed now is time.

Qin Shuang decided to let Zhou Yang rest first, while she explored the place herself.

Perhaps a better way can be found.

She stood up and walked towards the largest crystal.

The closer you get, the more you can feel its strangeness. The fluid flowing inside is like liquid light.

Qin Shuang reached out her hand, wanting to touch it again.

But just as her hand was about to touch the crystal, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Don't touch it."

His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time.

Qin Shuang abruptly withdrew her hand and looked around warily.

There was no one else there besides her and Zhou Yang.

Where does sound come from?

"Who?" Qin Shuang asked, her hand already on her waist—although the sword was gone, the habit remained.

"I'm here," the voice rang out again.

Qin Shuang looked in the direction of the sound.

At the base of the large crystal, there is a shadow. It is very faint, almost blending into the background.

If it weren't for that voice, she wouldn't have noticed at all.

The shadow gradually became clearer.

It was a human-shaped outline, semi-transparent, as if formed from smoke. The features were indistinct; only the general shape was discernible.

"Who are you?" Qin Shuang asked, her tone wary.

"I am not human," the shadow replied. "I am the guardian of this place."

"Guardians? Guarding what?"

"Guard it," the shadow said, pointing to the large crystal. "And this place."

Qin Shuang frowned.

She didn't believe a single word the shadow said. Nothing that appeared in this awful place could be easily trusted.

"Why did you just say not to touch it?" Qin Shuang asked.

"Because your body can't handle it," the shadow said. "It's powerful, but also dangerous. It's not suitable for outsiders like you."

"Outsiders? You know we're outsiders?"

"Of course." The shadow smiled, its joy palpable even though its face was unseen. "This place rarely has guests. I remember each and every one of them."

Qin Shuang took a step back, keeping her distance from the shadow.

"Where exactly is this place?"

"A crevice," the shadow replied, "the crevice between all the worlds."

This statement confused Qin Shuang even more.

The cracks between all the worlds?

What does that mean?

"What did you do to Zhou Yang?" Qin Shuang suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked.

"Zhou Yang?" Shadow repeated the name. "Oh, you mean that man. I didn't do anything to him. He triggered the teleportation array here himself."

"Teleportation array?"

"It's the same thing you came here with," the shadow explained. "The Dragonspine Fragment is the key, and you are the guests. However, the guests have come at an inopportune time."

Qin Shuang was completely confused.

She couldn't understand much of what the shadow was saying. How could a fragment of the dragon's spine be a key? What did it mean to come at the wrong time?

"The most important thing now is to wake him up," the shadow continued, "but not with your methods. Your methods can only save him temporarily, not permanently."

"What do you mean?"

"A part of his soul has been taken from him," the shadow's voice turned serious. "If we don't get it back, he'll never wake up."

The soul was taken away?

Qin Shuang was shocked.

No wonder Zhou Yang was in such a bad state. So that's where the problem lay.

"How do we get it back?"

The shadow paused for a moment.

"It's difficult," it finally said. "That thing is cunning. It hides where you can't find it."

"What is that thing?"

"A hunter," the shadow replied, "who preys on outsiders like you."

Qin Shuang's expression changed completely.

This place not only has strange guardians, but also hunters? Hunters who specialize in hunting down outsiders?

She glanced at Zhou Yang, who was still unconscious, and a sense of helplessness welled up inside her.

This matter was completely beyond her capabilities.

"What can I do?" Qin Shuang asked.

"Wait," the shadow replied simply.

"wait?"

"Wait for your chance," Shadow said. "The hunter will always come out. When it does, that will be your opportunity."

Qin Shuang didn't understand.

But now, she seems to have no better option.

"How can I trust you?" Qin Shuang asked.

"You don't need to believe me," the shadow replied. "You only need to believe that you want to save him."

These words struck a nerve with Qin Shuang.

She truly wanted to save Zhou Yang, at any cost.

"Alright." Qin Shuang nodded. "I'll wait."

The shadow seemed quite satisfied with the answer.

"Smart," it said. "And protect these crystals. They are your only hope."

After he finished speaking, the shadow slowly faded and finally disappeared.

Qin Shuang stood there, her feelings complicated.

Is what this mysterious figure is saying true or false?

she does not know.

But she knew that now she had to believe.

Because this is Zhou Yang's only hope.

Qin Shuang returned to Zhou Yang's side and quietly guarded him.

She looked at the glowing blue crystals around her, at the gray sky, and at the twisted mountain peaks in the distance.

This unfamiliar place has now become the stronghold she must hold.

For Zhou Yang.

She clenched her fists, her eyes hardening.

No matter what dangers lie ahead, she will face them.