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

Zhou Yang's footsteps echoed through the Zichen Palace.

The sound was very loud.

Every step felt like stepping on one's heart.

He didn't turn back to look at the emperor slumped on the dragon throne, nor at the kneeling ministers. He simply walked forward, the heavy command sword slung over his shoulder, its scabbard scraping against his shoulder armor with a dull thud.

The hall was deathly silent.

Only his footsteps and the sound of the scabbard could be heard.

Qin Shuang followed.

Her footsteps were very light. Almost inaudible.

"Go to the Imperial Study," she said.

There was no emotion in his voice.

"It's not over until there."

Zhou Yang hummed in agreement, without stopping.

He understood Qin Shuang's meaning. What was signed in the Zichen Palace was a humiliating treaty, a surrender. Only when it was in the Imperial Study, stamped with the national seal, would it become a legally binding transaction—a new contract.

They walked out of the Zichen Palace. It was still dark. The sound of the night watchman's clapper came from afar; it was the third watch of the night.

Palace lanterns flickered under the eaves, casting shimmering shadows. Several eunuchs huddled in a corner, trembling like leaves. They looked at Zhou Yang with pure terror in their eyes.

Zhou Yang ignored them. He and Qin Shuang walked one after the other on the empty palace path. Their footsteps mingled, one steady and the other light and quick, sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

The door to the Imperial Study was ajar.

A lamp was lit inside. The flame was small, casting a dim yellow light behind the huge table.

Zhou Yang pushed open the door.

A musty smell of ink and books wafted towards him. He frowned and went inside. Qin Shuang followed behind him, closing the door behind her.

The Imperial Study was large and messy. Memorials were piled up like small mountains, some dismantled and others still sealed. The writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the table were scattered haphazardly, as if the master had just been reviewing them here before hurriedly leaving.

Zhou Yang leaned his command sword against the edge of the table. The blade struck the corner of the table with a soft sound.

He laid the "Ding Yue" (a contract stained with the blood of three people) on the table. The paper was Chengxintang paper, thin yet tough. The bloodstains were half-dry, turning a dark red, like three eerie flowers blooming on Xuan paper.

Qin Shuang walked to the side and began grinding ink. Her movements were precise, her wrist steady, and the ink stick drew circles on the inkstone, gradually thickening the clear water.

The scent of ink overpowered the musty smell in the room.

Zhou Yang looked at the contract.

"Fang Tian, ​​Qin Shuang, Zhou Yang."

Three names, three blood oaths.

He looked very carefully.

Qin Shuang's blood-stained mark was a small frost flower. Exquisite, reflecting her personality. Fang Tian's blood-stained mark was a wildly cursive "方" (Fang), conveying an untamed spirit. His own was just a blurry bloodstain. He had signed quickly, without thinking much about it.

Now, he has to make up for it.

Zhou Yang put his index and middle fingers together and bit his lips.

Very straightforward.

Blood beads seeped out, round and bright red. He didn't use a pen, but instead used his finger, dipped in his own blood, to walk to the side of the two characters "Zhou Yang".

He lightly touched the blurry bloodstain.

Then, move your fingers like a brush.

Blood trickled from his fingertips, but didn't drip. Next to the name, he drew a small rune. The rune was simple, just a few strokes, and looked like some kind of ancient totem.

The moment the blood talisman was drawn, the previously somewhat dim blood mark suddenly lit up.

A faint red light flashed.

The blood-red talisman seemed to come alive, deeply imprinted into the fibers of the paper. It didn't spread; instead, it solidified as if etched there. A peculiar aura emanated from the paper. This aura was faint, yet carried an undeniable majesty.

Qin Shuang paused in grinding the ink. She looked up, her gaze falling on the bloodstain.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Insurance," Zhou Yang replied.

He withdrew his finger; the wound on his fingertip had healed, leaving only a faint red mark.

"This is a blood pact. As long as it exists, not a single word written on this paper can be changed or erased. If anyone tries to tamper with it, the blood pact will backfire. No matter where they hide, they cannot escape."

Zhou Yang's tone was very calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

But Qin Shuang understood the weight behind it.

She knew Zhou Yang had many secrets. But she never asked. Because she knew it would be pointless. This man before her was more unfathomable than all the books in the imperial study combined.

Zhou Yang picked up the freshly ground ink and turned to the last page of the "Ding Yue" (a set of imperial edicts). There was a blank space there, reserved for the emperor's imperial edicts and the imperial seal.

He wrote a line.

The handwriting is very ordinary, a standard official script, without any sharpness.

"Now that things have come to this, we hereby establish this agreement, so that the ruler and his subjects may learn from it and take it as a lasting lesson."

After he finished writing, he put down his pen.

"Go and ask Guo Xi for help," he said to Qin Shuang. "He should be very cooperative now."

Qin Shuang nodded, turned around and left.

Zhou Yang was the only one left in the room.

He sat on the dragon throne. The very same one the emperor usually sat on. The chair was very wide, with nine dragons carved on the backrest, their claws outstretched. He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.

He was very tired.

It wasn't because of the body. The effects of burning through one's lifespan had long since disappeared. It was because of the mind. That invisible mental struggle with the emperor was more exhausting than fighting a war.

He needs to rest.

Just then, a cold yet familiar voice echoed in his mind.

【Ding! 】

[Host detected to have completed S-level main quest: 'Conquering the World'.]

[Mission Description: Use swift and decisive action to force the supreme ruler of the Great Wei to sign a humiliating treaty and establish a new power order.]

Task completion rate: 100%.

[Mission Evaluation: Perfect. You achieved the greatest success with minimal cost. In this war without bloodshed, you are the sole victor.]

[Rewards being processed...]

[Reward: Lifespan +5000 years.]

Current remaining lifespan: 5821 year.

Zhou Yang's eyelashes trembled slightly.

His hand holding the sword was as steady as a rock.

Five thousand years.

The number flashed through his mind, leaving little impression. It was just a number. A number that allowed him to continue living, to continue trading.

In one night, with a confidential dossier and a meticulously prepared "Ding Yue," he not only humiliated the emperor but also won back the complete loyalty of Qin Shuang and the forces behind her, and secured five thousand years of peace.

This deal is a good one.

They even made a fortune.

Qin Shuang returned quickly. She was carrying a bright yellow brocade box, which was carved with dragon patterns.

The brocade box was empty.

She held the national seal in her hand, wrapped in another piece of bright yellow cloth. There was still a trace of red ink on that cloth.

"He handed it over," Qin Shuang said.

Zhou Yang opened his eyes and stood up from the dragon throne.

He accepted the imperial seal.

This imperial jade seal is icy to the touch. It was carved from remnants of the He Shi Bi jade, its surface warm yet exuding a chilling aura. Engraved on it are eight characters in bird-and-insect seal script: "Received the mandate of Heaven, may its longevity be everlasting."

He picked up the imperial seal and pressed it heavily into the cinnabar inkpad.

Then, aiming at the words he himself had written at the end of the "Dingyue" (a set of documents), he suddenly covered it up.

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound.

The red inkpad covered the ink stains.

A perfect mark was left on the paper.

Only then was this contract, titled "The Ding Agreement," truly written down.

Zhou Yang picked up "Ding Yue" and read it again from beginning to end.

He looked at it very slowly, as if he were admiring a work of art.

Then, he carefully rolled up the "Ding Yue" and put it into a pre-prepared iron box. The box was locked with three locks.

One of them was his own.

One of them belongs to Qin Shuang.

He handed one of the keys to Qin Shuang.

Qin Shuang accepted it.

"What about the other one?" she asked.

Zhou Yang's gaze turned towards the direction of the Zichen Palace.

"The key is with that cripple."

He smiled, a hint of slyness in his smile.

"Only when all three parties work together can it be considered fair."

The sunlight streaming in through the window was a pale, fish-belly white.

The night passed.

He pushed open the door to the imperial study.

The cool morning breeze swept in, carrying a hint of earth and dew.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath.

The air is nice. It's a good day.

Suitable for...a change of dynasty.

Chapter 710 Territorial Expansion (Foreshadowing - Closed Loop of Jianghu Rules - Foreshadowing)

Its daybreak.

Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang stepped out of the palace gates. The morning light shone on them, carrying a slight chill. The palace walls remained the same—vermilion in color, with golden glazed tiles. But the things inside had been changed.

The journey back to the Zhenfu Division was eerily quiet. Early-rising officials and eunuchs, upon seeing them from afar, avoided them as if they'd seen a ghost, barely daring to breathe.

The stone lions still squatted in front of the Zhenfu Division's gate. Zhou Yang stopped and looked up at the three powerful characters "Zhenfu Division" on the lintel.

He felt that this place would soon have to change its name.

"What's next?" Qin Shuang asked. Her voice still carried a hint of fatigue, but her eyes had regained their clarity.

"What for? To collect money, of course." Zhou Yang smiled, turned around and walked into the imperial edict room.

Inside the imperial edict room, the chief eunuch was already waiting. This usually arrogant old man was now bowing deeply, his face plastered with a fawning smile. When he saw Zhou Yang enter, he almost knelt down.

"Lord Zhou... Lord Zhou."

Zhou Yang ignored him and walked directly to the table. It was covered with fine hemp paper, and the ink was already ground.

"Draft an imperial edict." Zhou Yang sat down and picked up his pen.

The eunuchs quickly came over to prepare the ink.

Zhou Yang waved his hand, signaling him to step aside. He picked up his brush himself, dipped it in ink, and wrote. His handwriting wasn't particularly beautiful, but it was powerful; each stroke seemed to be etched into the paper.

The content is very simple.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Effective immediately, the Northern Desert is hereby designated as an autonomous region. All government affairs, taxation, and military defense shall be managed by Zhou Yang, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. So be it."

After he finished writing, he threw the pen down.

"Stamp it," he said casually.

The eunuch trembled as he took the imperial seal out of the box, as if it were his own life. He carefully stamped the end with bright red ink.

After doing all this, the eunuch collapsed to the ground, his inner shirt soaked with cold sweat.

Zhou Yang picked up the imperial edict, didn't even glance at him, and turned to leave.

This imperial edict was the proof of his power. It was the first concrete manifestation of the "Ding Yue" (a contract for the imperial empire) in the court of the Great Wei Dynasty.

He stepped out of the imperial edict room, the sunlight blinding him.

The capital city was in an uproar.

The imperial edict seemed to have grown wings, spreading throughout the entire court within an hour. The streets, alleys, teahouses, and taverns were all buzzing with discussion about it.

That barren, desolate land in the northern desert has actually become an independent territory?

They gave him a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? That Zhou Yang who's been making waves lately?

What is this? A high-ranking official in charge of a region? The Great Wei Dynasty has never seen anything like this since its founding!

But an imperial edict is an imperial edict. It bears the imperial seal and the emperor's signature. No one dares to say it's fake.

The ministers were in an uproar in the Wenhua Hall. Some said it was a chaotic order, while others cursed Zhou Yang as a treacherous minister. But despite the arguments, no one dared to actually stop it.

Because they knew that the person who could write such an imperial edict could also take their lives.

Zhou Yang had no time to pay attention to the buzzing noise in the capital. He went straight to Qin Shuang's residence.

The Golden Scales team is training.

One hundred men, each highly skilled and taciturn, moved in perfect unison. Their armor gleamed a dark golden light in the sunlight, like a pack of slumbering beasts. This was Qin Shuang's private army, her most precious possession.

Zhou Yang walked to Qin Shuang's side.

"I need to borrow one of your men," he said.

Qin Shuang looked at her team, a hint of reluctance in her eyes, but still nodded. "What do you want to do with them?"

"Go to the Northern Desert," Zhou Yang said succinctly. "To build a tax station."

Qin Shuang was taken aback. "Tax?"

"Yes, taxes." Zhou Yang's tone left no room for argument. "Passing caravans, miners, even someone who spits by has to pay me. That land is mine now. Every grain of sand can generate money for me."

That's his rule.

Qin Shuang didn't ask any more questions. She knew that Zhou Yang's decisions never required her understanding, only her execution. She drew the token from her waist and held it high.

"Golden Scales Team, Assemble!"

The sound was crisp and had a metallic quality.

On the training ground, a hundred elite soldiers instantly stopped, turned around, and knelt down. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, without the slightest hesitation.

"Your subordinate is here!" The voice was like muffled thunder.

"Lord Zhou has given the order." Qin Shuang handed the token to Zhou Yang, "From now on, you will be under his command."

Zhou Yang took the heavy token. He could feel the lingering warmth on it.

He walked up to the line and glanced at it.

"Select fifty people, and bring them dry rations and water. Set off within three days. To the Northern Desert."

He paused, then added, "Tell your leader that when we arrive, he should first establish three stations for me. One at the sandstorm mouth, one at the black stone mine, and one on the edge of the oasis. Each station must have my own rules."

"What are the rules?" a man who appeared to be the leader asked in a hoarse voice.

"The rule is," Zhou Yang looked at him, "that I'm in charge."

The man remained silent for a moment, then kowtowed deeply. "Yes, sir."

Having made the arrangements, Zhou Yang didn't linger in the capital. He summoned Qin Shuang, and they rode at full speed straight to the Northern Desert.

Three days later, they set foot on the land of the northern desert.

This place is truly desolate. Yellow sand stretches as far as the eye can see, and when the wind blows, it carries sand that stings your face like countless tiny needles. Not a single bird can be seen in the sky.

Qin Shuang covered her mouth and nose with a veil, leaving only her eyes visible. Even so, she still coughed a few times from the choking sand.

Zhou Yang felt as if he had returned home. He took a deep breath, his chest filled with the smell of sand.

He chose a spot. It was the highest point, offering a wide view. He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

Qin Shuang watched him from the side, not daring to disturb him.

"System," Zhou Yang murmured to himself.

"Consuming lifespan".

"It has been confirmed that five hundred years have been spent to develop the Earth Dragon Scripture to perfection and to construct a three-layered defensive tower."

A cold, impersonal notification sounded in my mind.

Zhou Yang felt a sudden emptiness within him. It was as if an invisible hand had drawn something away from his body. His skin turned pale at a visible speed, and his eye sockets became slightly sunken.

But he didn't care.

He opened his eyes and placed his hands on the ground.

There was no earth-shattering noise, nor any dazzling light effects.

The earth trembled only slightly, like a sleeping person turning over.

Then, the yellow sand began to flow. It seemed to come alive, converging from all directions, coalescing upwards, taking shape. Bricks and tiles appeared out of thin air, fitting together perfectly. One layer, two layers, three layers.

A colossal, entirely black tower "grew" out of the desert.

The tower's rough surface, bearing the raw texture of the earth, exudes an indescribable sense of weight and solidity. At the top are three enormous openings, like the eyes of three colossal beasts, coldly gazing upon this barren land.

Qin Shuang stared in disbelief. She knew Zhou Yang was strong, but she had never seen anything like it. This wasn't martial arts; this was… a miracle.

Zhou Yang stood up and swayed. He felt a little dizzy.

He glanced at his hands; the skin was frighteningly white.

Five hundred years of lifespan, in exchange for a tower.

Worth it.

He walked to the foot of the tower and reached out to touch its surface. It was hard, cold, and possessed a power that came from the depths of the earth.

This is his territory. His fortress.

Zhou Yang returned to the tent, which had just been set up by the vanguard of the Golden Scale Team.

A map of the Great Wei territory was spread out on the table. He picked up a black chess piece. It represented his own piece.

He didn't put it in the capital.

Instead, it traveled across mountains and rivers and was gently placed in the center of the northern desert.

The chess piece fell to the ground with a soft thud.

The sound carried far across this desolate land.

Chapter 711 Tax Station Completed (Accumulating Power - Closed Loop of Jianghu Rules - Accumulating Power)

The wind in the northern desert feels like a knife on your face.

Beneath the Zhenbei Pagoda, a new wooden fortress has been erected. The fortress is small, and the materials used are ordinary—just some poplar wood commonly found in the desert. But it is built very sturdily, with sharpened fences and soldiers from the Golden Scales Guard standing guard on the corner towers.

A sign hangs at the entrance of the village. It's a wooden sign with five large characters written in ink.

Northern Desert Tax Station.

The sign was written by Zhou Yang himself. The handwriting wasn't particularly beautiful, but it was very powerful, each stroke looking as if it had been carved with a knife.

At noon that day, a caravan approached from afar.

Amidst the sandstorm, the sound of camel bells rang intermittently. The caravan was sizable, numbering in the dozens, with guards carrying swords and looking vigilant. They were clearly regulars on this road.

Upon seeing the wooden stockade and the sign, the entire caravan stopped.

The head of the guards was a one-eyed man with an old scar on his face. He squinted with his single eye, looked around for a long time, and then led two men to ride closer.

"Hey! What are you doing? Blocking the road?" He had a loud voice, exuding a gangster-like air.

On the corner tower, a soldier from the Golden Scales Guard leaned out. He was clad in black armor, his face covered with a veil, revealing only his eyes.

"Northern Desert Security Tax." The soldier's voice was flat, revealing no emotion. "It's 10% of the value of the goods."

The one-eyed man paused for a moment, then laughed.

"Security tax? I've been traveling the northern route for twenty years, and this is the first time I've heard of such a thing. Which mountain are you from, brothers? Give me your number, so we don't hurt our friendship." As he spoke, his hand unconsciously reached for the hilt of the knife at his waist.

This is the unwritten rule of the underworld: courtesy first, then force; find out who they've come from. If they're friends in the business, give them face and pay a toll. If they're not friends, then the knife will be drawn.

The soldier on the corner tower did not answer.

He simply raised his hand.

Behind them, two more soldiers peeked out. They carried short, powerful ballistae. The black arrowheads gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

That's not something people from the martial arts world would use.

The one-eyed man's smile froze on his face. He understood. These weren't highway robbers; this was an army. Or rather, an armed force even more unreasonable than an army.

The two guards behind him also turned pale.

"This..." One-Eyed Dragon Qian swallowed hard. "Brother, this...this tax, is it collected by the imperial court?"

"No," the soldier on the corner tower replied.

"Which hero established that rule?"

"Zhou Yang".

The one-eyed man shuddered.

This name is now more fearsome than the sandstorms in the Northern Desert. The members of the Heavenly Principle Sect are terrified of him, and his influence in the Northern Desert has been completely eradicated. Rumor has it that he single-handedly killed one of the sect's Dharma Kings.

One-Eyed Dragon felt his tongue was a bit too big.

He dared not utter another word, dismounted, and trotted back to the caravan. Soon, he returned to the village with his accountant and a heavy money bag in his hand.

"Sir, we...we're just doing a small business, what do you think..." the accountant said with a forced smile, his words tinged with a tentative tone.

The soldier in charge of collecting tolls emerged from the village. He too was clad in black armor, and his movements were clean and efficient.

He glanced at the invoice and then weighed the money bag in his hand.

"Three ounces short."

"Sir, please do me a favor, I'm in a hurry on the road..."

The soldier drew his short sword from his waist.

The accountant shuddered in fright and quickly pulled out a few pieces of silver from his pocket and offered them to the accountant.

The soldier took the money, turned, and left. No receipt, no proof. Only a cold, indifferent silhouette.

The one-eyed man watched this scene with a bitter feeling in his heart. This wasn't tax collection; it was outright robbery. Yet he didn't dare utter a single word. He waved his hand, signaling the caravan to leave quickly.

As he passed the village gate, he couldn't help but glance at the wooden sign again.

Northern Desert Security Tax.

He seemed to understand a little. In this land, Zhou Yang was the rule. If he said there were taxes, then there would be taxes. If you didn't pay, you might lose your life.

On the top floor of the Zhenbei Pagoda in the distance, Zhou Yang was gazing into the distance from the railing.

He saw everything about the caravan clearly. He held a rough earthenware bowl in his hand, filled with scalding hot brick tea. The tea was bitter, but he liked the taste; it was invigorating.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Qin Shuang stepped forward. She had also changed her clothes, wearing simple leather armor, with her long hair tied back, making her look heroic and dashing.

"It seems we've closed our first deal," she said, a hint of relief in her voice.

Zhou Yang didn't turn around, but simply took a sip of tea.

"This isn't business," he said. "This is setting the rules."

Whether it's the martial world or the imperial court, ultimately, it all comes down to a set of rules. Whoever has the strongest power can set the rules. In the past, the rules of the Northern Desert were the Heavenly Principle Sect and those bandit gangs of varying sizes.

Now, it's his turn.

"Aren't they unhappy?" Qin Shuang asked.

"Of course they're not happy," Zhou Yang chuckled. "Nobody likes having their feathers plucked. But they'll get used to it. Just like they get used to the wind blowing in their eyes or sand getting in their eyes."

He finished the tea in the bowl and set it aside.

The first payment arrived, and a system notification sounded in his mind.

[Received 327 taels of security tax.]

[Northern Desert Defense Screen Energy +327.]

His gaze turned towards the outside of the tower. Centered on the Zhenbei Tower, a transparent light curtain, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, seemed to flicker and become more solid. He couldn't see it, but he could sense it. Like an invisible tortoise shell, it protected the entire area beneath the tower.

Upgrading this thing doesn't cost money, it costs silver. Or more accurately, it costs the value that silver represents.

In the following days, caravans continued to pass by.

Some dutifully paid their money, while others wanted to test the waters. A group of bandits, thinking Zhou Yang's forces were small, planned to rob him under cover of night. However, as soon as they approached the village, they were torn to shreds by the automatic attack mechanism on the defensive screen. Not a single person, man or horse, survived.

The incident spread quickly.

From then on, no one dared to play tricks near the tax station anymore. Taxes were paid faster and faster, and resentment diminished. People found that after paying their taxes, the journey was truly peaceful. Before, they might have been robbed three to five times, but now they hadn't been robbed even once.

In the end, it's more cost-effective than paying taxes.

This is Zhou Yang's "security tax." He provides protection and then charges a fee. Simple and crude, but effective.

A month later.

A squad leader from the Golden Scales team entered the room at the top of the tower to report to Zhou Yang.

"My lord, this month's taxes have been settled. The total is 8,362 taels of silver."

Zhou Yang nodded.

He walked to a black stone slab in the center of the room. This was the ledger he had redeemed from the system; it was very convenient. He reached out and poured a bag of silver onto it.

In an instant, the silver disappeared.

[Northern Desert Defense Screen Energy +8362.]

[Defense shield level upgraded to Lv.2. Defense +10%, Durability +20%. Warning range increased by one mile.]

Zhou Yang could clearly feel that the invisible barrier had become much thicker.

He looked out the window. In the twilight of the northern desert, the setting sun dyed the sand a golden-red. The wind blew, stirring up the fine sand like flowing silk.

Under his rule, this land is becoming orderly in a peculiar way.

He didn't think about building an everlasting dynasty, nor did he care about the hearts and minds of the people. He only cared about one thing: to survive, and to live better. And this silver, these rules, were his means of survival.

Just then, the cold system notification sounded in his mind once again.

But this time, the content is different.

[Cumulative tax revenue: 20000/20000.]

[Conditions met.]

The Northern Desert Dragon's Spine dungeon is now unlocked.

[Enter?]

Zhou Yang's pupils suddenly contracted.

Dragonspine Dungeon.

This word reminded him of his broken sword, which was still being repaired. That sword was called Dragon Spine.

He searched for many years, only managing to collect a small fragment. Unexpectedly, in this desolate northern desert, he found a relevant clue.

His breathing was slightly rapid.

Qin Shuang noticed his change and came over to ask, "What's wrong?"

Zhou Yang turned his head, a smile slowly appearing on his face. That smile contained excitement, greed, and a hint of the cold ruthlessness of a hunter spotting his prey.

"Looks like our next big deal is coming our way."

Chapter 712 Northern Desert Dragonspine Dungeon (Prelude - Dragonspine Fragment Collection Closed Loop - Prelude)

Zhou Yang's voice fell into the tent, carrying a burning heat.

The Imperial Guard soldier known as the Fourth Prince remained kneeling on one knee, not daring to raise his head. He could feel the adult's gaze fixed on him. That gaze was like a knife, as if it wanted to dissect him from head to toe.

"The Northern Desert Dragon's Spine dungeon..." Zhou Yang read it again, his fingers unconsciously stroking his chin, "Tell me in detail."

The fourth brother swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Reporting to you, sir, our men have investigated the seal beneath the Black Dragon Tower. It's not an array; it's more like a door. A stone door leading underground. The door is covered in strange characters that no one can decipher."

"The locals call this place 'the forbidden zone,'" the fourth brother continued. "They say that behind the door is the dwelling place of evil spirits, and no one who goes in ever comes out alive. The Northern Desert Royal Court, which had previously occupied this place, also discovered this door. They didn't dare to go in, but instead set up a checkpoint outside and collected a 'Northern Desert Security Tax' from passing caravans."

"Taxes?" Zhou Yang laughed, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. He looked at Qin Shuang, "Listen to this, the world is really interesting. No matter where you go, you'll always find someone asking for money."

Qin Shuang didn't reply. Her brow furrowed slightly, clearly deep in thought. "How did they open that door? It can't stay sealed forever."

"They can't open it." The fourth brother's answer was straightforward. "The leader of the Northern Desert Royal Court has a treasure called the 'Ten Thousand Keys.' It is said that it is a key-shaped object. As long as the gold, silver and jewels collected from the Northern Desert security tax, as well as the cattle and sheep offered by the herdsmen, are thrown into a pool, the 'Ten Thousand Keys' can absorb the luck in the pool and then open the seal once."

Qin Shuang's eyes turned cold. "Extorting the people's wealth just to open a door?"

"You bet," Zhou Yang chimed in, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "It sounds like a clumsy scam. But since it's called the 'Dragon Spine Dungeon,' there's probably something real behind that door."

He stood up and paced around the tent a couple of times.

"Is that thing called the 'Ten Thousand Keys' still around?" he asked.

The fourth brother lowered his head even further. "The Northern Desert Royal Court... has already been destroyed by us. That treasure should be in their royal tent. Our people haven't had time to inventory it yet."

Zhou Yang stopped in his tracks.

He doesn't need a key.

This level of seal is no different from a thin sheet of paper to him. He could easily find the core point by extrapolating his lifespan and break through it with a single finger. But that would be too wasteful.

He has a more convenient, and more... comfortable way.

"Lead the way," Zhou Yang said, uttering only two words.

The fourth brother was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening, immediately got up, and lifted the tent flap.

The sandstorm outside was even stronger, cutting like knives into my face. The Black Dragon Tower stood not far away, its gray-black body resembling a silent behemoth in the dim yellow dust.

Beneath the tower lay a massive depression. A smooth, mirror-like black stone slab covered the center of the depression. Engraved on the slab were countless twisted symbols, neither words nor pictures. Together, these symbols exuded an eerie aura.

Zhou Yang walked to the edge of the stone slab and squatted down.

He reached out and gently traced the engravings with his fingertips. A cold sensation came through, carrying a faint, lifeless energy fluctuation.

He raised his head and looked at Qin Shuang.

"Stand back."

Qin Shuang didn't ask why, but silently took several dozen steps back, her eyes filled with curiosity. She knew that Zhou Yang was about to use some methods she couldn't understand again.

Zhou Yang stood up and took a deep breath.

He didn't make any complicated preparations. He simply extended his right hand and gently touched his forehead with his index finger.

A drop of bright red blood seeped from between his eyebrows.

The blood droplet wasn't just any ordinary red. It seemed to possess a life of its own, leaping and dancing on Zhou Yang's fingertips, radiating a scorching and domineering aura.

"With my blood, I will pave my way."

He murmured softly, as if reciting an ancient incantation.

Immediately, he pressed the drop of blood forcefully onto the black stone slab beneath his feet.

"Buzz—"

A deep, muffled roar seemed to come from the depths of the earth.

Centered on that drop of blood, all the ancient symbols on the black stone slab lit up instantly! A bright red light shone forth, like a giant spider web, enveloping the entire depression.

A strong smell of blood, mixed with the odor of sulfur, filled the air.

Zhou Yang's figure began to blur.

He didn't retreat, but stepped forward, his entire body plunging straight into the blinding red light. His body seemed to step into a wall of water, without creating any ripples, he silently sank in and disappeared.

Qin Shuang's pupils suddenly contracted.

She saw that where Zhou Yang had disappeared, a narrow passage made of blood had appeared out of thin air. The passage twisted and turned, extending into the unknown depths of darkness, like a wound tearing through reality.

At the other end of the passage, a faint dark red light could be seen.

Without hesitation, she drew her embroidered spring knife from her waist and followed Zhou Yang's footsteps, stepping into the bloody path.

My feet sank, and then scorching waves crashed against my face.

Qin Shuang found herself standing in a completely unfamiliar place.

This is an incredibly vast underground cavern. The ceiling is so high that you can't see the top, and the surrounding stone walls are covered with spiderweb-like cracks. Deep within these cracks, dark red lava flows, casting a dim red glow over the entire space.

The air was filled with the smell of sulfur; inhaling it made my lungs burn.

Beneath our feet lies dark brown rock, hard and dry, making a soft "crunching" sound when stepped on. In the distance, occasionally a rock, unable to withstand the high temperature, collapses and falls into the lava river below, stirring up a ring of scalding waves.

This place is like hell's kitchen.

Qin Shuang gripped the knife tightly warily, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Zhou Yang stood not far in front of her, his back to her, seemingly observing something. The bloody path had disappeared after he entered, completely sealing off the entrance.

"Are you alright?" Qin Shuang walked over and asked softly. The temperature here was also a considerable burden for her.

"Very good." Zhou Yang turned around, his face flushed with excitement, whether from the heat or something else, it was hard to tell.

His eyes were frighteningly bright, like two burning will-o'-the-wisps, staring intently in a certain direction of the cave.

"Can you feel it?" he asked.

Qin Shuang followed his gaze. Aside from the churning lava and jagged rocks, she saw nothing. But she trusted Zhou Yang; he must have noticed something.

"What do you feel?"

"The aura of the dragon's spine." Zhou Yang's voice was a little hoarse, carrying an barely suppressed excitement. "Very faint, but definitely not wrong. It's in that direction."

He pointed his finger into the depths of the cave.

It seemed darker there than anywhere else, as if even the light of the lava couldn't penetrate.

Following his guidance, Qin Shuang focused her attention. This time, she seemed to see something different.

In the far distance, there was a faint, cold light, neither red nor gold. The light flashed and disappeared, like a shooting star in the night sky, yet it possessed a metallic quality.

"Is it it?" Qin Shuang's heart beat a little faster.

Repairing the broken Dragon Spine Blade is a shared and paramount goal for her and Zhou Yang. Over the years, they have traversed countless mountains and rivers in search of the remaining fragments.

"Probably." Zhou Yang grinned, his smile full of greed. "Looks like this dungeon wasn't a waste of time."

He took a step and was about to walk in that direction.

"Wait." Qin Shuang stopped him. "This place is too eerie. Since it's a 'dungeon,' it can't just be as simple as just letting us walk around. There must be something guarding it."

"That's what makes it business," Zhou Yang chuckled dismissively. "Business without risk won't have much profit. Let's go see which stray dog ​​dares to steal my stuff."

He shook off Qin Shuang's hand and strode forward.

His steps were steady, each one landing firmly on the solid rock, avoiding the loose patches of ground. It was as if he had walked this path a thousand times before.

Qin Shuang shook her head and quickly followed.

The two walked one after the other through this vast, desolate lava hell. Their footsteps echoed clearly in the empty cavern.

The further we went, the hotter the air became. Even the rocks began to turn a dark red, as if they might melt at any moment.

Qin Shuang's forehead was already covered in fine beads of sweat, and her breathing had become somewhat rapid. She had to circulate her internal energy to form a thin protective shield around her body to resist the omnipresent heat wave.

Zhou Yang acted as if nothing had happened.

His clothes weren't even soaked with sweat. The aura of blood emanating from between his brows seemed to form an invisible force field around him, keeping all the heat out.

All his attention was focused on the increasingly clear, cold light.

The light was atop a massive stalagmite, resembling an inverted mountain, in the distance. It hovered there silently, radiating a faint yet unwavering power.

Zhou Yang stopped in his tracks.

He squinted and finally made out the outline of the thing.

It was a palm-sized piece of metal. Its shape was irregular, and its edges were covered with jagged breaks. Ancient dragon scale patterns were faintly visible on the fragment.

The patterns on it were exactly the same as those on the broken sword in his hand.

"I've found you."

Zhou Yang stuck out his tongue and licked his slightly chapped lips. His voice was soft, but filled with barely suppressed ecstasy and possessiveness.

Chapter 713 Lava Behemoth (Charging Power - Dragon Spine Fragment Collection Closed Loop - Charging Power)

That fragment.

Like the only star in the darkness.

The outline of the metal was reflected in Zhou Yang's eyes. The ancient dragon scale patterns carried a sense of vicissitude, as if they had been torn apart by time. His Adam's apple bobbed.

too long.

For this Dragon Spine Sword, he traveled countless miles and killed countless people. The burning of his lifespan, if accumulated, could probably fill a river. Now, he has finally found another one.

"careful."

Qin Shuang's voice sounded behind him. Her hand was already on the hilt of the knife.

Zhou Yang didn't turn around. His gaze was fixed on the fragment. More accurately, it was fixed on the thing supporting the fragment.

That was a giant beast.

It lurks atop the stalagmite, its body resembling a moving mountain. Its skin is not flesh and blood, but solidified magma. Crimson red, covered with cracked patterns. Deep within these patterns, a dark golden light shines through.

It didn't move. It seemed to be asleep. But the scorching heat emanating from the depths of the earth caused the temperature in the entire cave to rise continuously. The air became distorted, and even breathing carried the smell of fire.

The fragment of the dragon's spine was embedded in its chest, like a heart, providing the monster with a continuous source of power.

Zhou Yang laughed. The laughter was soft, tinged with cruelty.

"I see," he murmured. "The fragments are its lifeblood."

No wonder. No wonder this monster could survive here. It wasn't a living thing at all, but a humanoid lava furnace powered by dragon spine fragments.

"How do I fight this thing?" Qin Shuang frowned. Her icy true energy was severely suppressed here. From a distance, the sensation was unclear. Up close, the intense heat almost dried out her meridians.

"Fight? Why fight?"

Zhou Yang turned his head and looked at Qin Shuang. His eyes were frighteningly bright, like two burning embers.

"We're here to do business," he said. "Now, it's time to take inventory."

Before he finished speaking, he moved.

His figure blurred, like a wisp of smoke, skimming the ground as he hurtled towards the massive stalagmite. He was so fast that the rock beneath his feet didn't even have time to melt from the heat.

The lava behemoth suddenly opened its eyes.

Those weren't eyes. They were two pools of burning lava. There were no pupils, only pure, destructive rage.

"roar--!"

A roar, devoid of any living sound, erupted more like a volcano. The sound waves materialized into a tangible shockwave, causing the air throughout the cave to tremble.

Countless pebbles fell from the cave ceiling.

Zhou Yang's figure froze in mid-air. He felt as if he had crashed into an invisible wall. The oppressive force contained in that roar actually made his movements stagnate.

Such formidable strength.

This cannot be measured simply by acquired or innate levels of cultivation. This monster is at least comparable to a Grandmaster, or even stronger.

Qin Shuang didn't stand idly by. The instant Zhou Yang moved, she struck as well. Her blade was faster and colder. A condensed, icy line of light silently slashed towards the giant beast's ankle.

She wanted to destroy its foundation.

"Clang!"

The blade struck the giant beast's ankle, exploding into a burst of blinding sparks. Only a shallow white mark remained on its magma-formed leg.

Qin Shuang let out a muffled groan as her body was thrown backward by a tremendous force. The tiger's mouth of her hand holding the knife went numb, and a chill rebounded onto her, causing her to cough involuntarily.

"It's useless," Zhou Yang's voice came. "Its core is that fragment. As long as the core isn't destroyed, it won't die."

He steadied himself and landed on a protruding rock, facing off against the giant beast from a distance.

The giant beast moved.

It raised its gigantic paw and slammed it down towards Zhou Yang's location. The paw blotted out the sky, accompanied by a whistling sound that tore through the air. Wherever it passed, the air itself seemed to ignite.

Zhou Yang advanced instead of retreating.

The Heavenly Radiance Sword in his hand emitted a clear, melodious sword cry. Blue lightning crackled along its blade. This was the lightning attribute transformation he had previously deduced.

"A flash of lightning!"

Man and sword became one, transforming into a dazzling bolt of lightning. He didn't choose to withstand the attack head-on, but instead narrowly avoided the giant beast's strike. The lightning grazed the magma giant's hand, leaving a charred mark.

The behemoth missed its target, its massive hand slamming into the ground. The entire cave shook violently. A huge crater collapsed into the ground, from which lava gushed forth.

The behemoth swept its other hand across. The movement was wide and sweeping, yet incredibly fast.

Zhou Yang's figure flashed through the air several times, narrowly avoiding the attack. He discovered that although this monster was enormous, it was incredibly fast. Every attack was precise and deadly.

What's more troublesome is the surrounding environment. The air is getting hotter and hotter, and he feels like his skin is being roasted. Breathing becomes difficult, and each inhale feels like swallowing burning coals.

Qin Shuang attempted to provide support again. Her sword energy transformed into a flurry of ice and snow, trying to slow the giant beast's movements. However, the snowflakes evaporated instantly upon landing on the beast, without even a wisp of white vapor escaping.

The environmental restraint is excessive.

"Zhou Yang!" Qin Shuang shouted, "If this drags on, we'll be worn down!"

Zhou Yang certainly knew.

His gaze returned to the fragment on the behemoth's chest. That was its only weakness, but also its strongest point of defense.

Getting close is harder than climbing to heaven.

Conventional martial arts are meaningless.

He stopped dodging and stood on a rock, letting the beast's attack whistle past him. The scorching wind made his robes flutter loudly.

He closed his eyes.

The system's interface appeared in my mind.

[Lifespan Burn: Current remaining lifespan XX years]

That number had always been on his mind. But now, he didn't hesitate at all.

"combustion."

He was silent.

"800!"

An indescribable emptiness instantly swept over him. He seemed to see the years of his life slipping away like sand through an hourglass. A few strands of silver frost appeared out of nowhere in his hair.

But this feeling of emptiness lasted only a moment.

Instead, there is an endless power.

His Heavenly Radiance Sword seemed to have been infused with a soul. Blue and gold light intertwined on the sword's surface, emitting a high-pitched hum. An aura of heat far exceeding that before emanated from the sword.

The surrounding air, centered on him, was instantly ignited, forming an invisible domain of flames.

The lava behemoth seemed to sense the threat. It stopped attacking, its two eyes, formed of magma, fixed intently on Zhou Yang, emitting low, wary roars.

Zhou Yang opened his eyes.

His pupils had turned a brilliant gold, as if the sun were burning within them.

He raised his sword.

The sword tip pointed straight to the sky. At the top of the cave, the hard rocks began to melt under the influence of the sword's energy, dripping drops of crimson lava.

"I have spent eight hundred years of my lifespan," he said, his voice calm yet carrying a power capable of scorching the entire world. "With this sword, you must die."

"Heavenly Radiance Sword Technique - Third Form"

He slowly read out the names of the moves.

"Blazing—Flame—Slash—!"

As he finished speaking, he swung his sword.

There was no earth-shattering noise.

There was only one extremely dazzling sword light.

That sword light was no longer a simple blade. It transformed into a colossal, fiery ribbon stretching across the heavens and earth. Its color was pure, unblemished white, as if the entire sun had been compressed into this single sword strike.

Everything inside the cave paled in comparison to the sword light.

The lava behemoth didn't even have time to roar. It simply instinctively raised its arms to protect its chest.

The sword light slashed down.

There were no obstacles encountered.

The behemoth's arms, along with its massive body, were neatly cleaved in two. The cuts were smooth as a mirror, without a trace of blood. Only magma, instantly melted by the extreme heat, remained.

The sword light continued its momentum, striking directly at the dragon spine fragment on the giant beast's chest.

"bite--!"

A crisp, clear sound echoed throughout the cave.

The seemingly indestructible fragment of the dragon's spine remained unbroken and unbroken under the Blazing Slash.

It... melted in an instant.

Then, it transformed into billions of scorching hot metallic powders. Like a golden firework, it exploded in the air. Each grain of powder emitted terrifyingly high temperatures, evaporating the surrounding magma completely.

Inside the cave, all was deathly silent.

Only the golden dust drifted slowly down from the sky, like a magnificent funeral.

In mid-air, Zhou Yang's figure appeared. He leaned on his sword, kneeling on one knee, panting heavily. That last sword strike had drained almost all of his strength.

His face was as pale as paper.

But he smiled.

He looked up at the falling golden dust.

"Found it."

He stretched out a hand, letting a grain of powder fall into his palm.

The powder, upon touching his skin, did not cause the expected burning pain. Instead, it felt like a warm current flowing through his meridians and into his body.

"Buzz—"

Behind him, the Dragon Spine Broken Blade, which had been silent all along, suddenly trembled slightly.

Qin Shuang rushed to his side and supported his swaying body. She could feel Zhou Yang's body trembling slightly. Not from fear, but from exhaustion.

"How are you?" she asked with concern.

Zhou Yang did not answer. He simply stared at the powder in his palm, his gaze complex.

Broken.

Although it was found, it was broken. This increased the difficulty of repairing it many times over.

However, he also gained something.

Those 800 years of life were not wasted.

Chapter 714 Fusion of Blazing Fragments (Outbreak - Dragonspine Fragment Collection Closed Loop - Outbreak)

The powder in my palm is still glowing.

The light was very hot.

It's not the kind of burning that comes from fire. It's a kind of burning that seeps into your very bones.

Zhou Yang's hands sizzled softly, like boiling oil being poured onto snow. He could even smell a faint burnt odor—the smell of his own flesh.

But he didn't let go.

His eyes were fixed on the pile of powder. His gaze was filled with barely suppressed ecstasy.

This thing is a treasure.

Qin Shuang grabbed his wrist. Her hand was icy cold, as if it had just been pulled from a river in winter. This coldness temporarily suppressed the burning pain in her palm.

"Are you crazy? Your hand is going to be ruined!"

Zhou Yang didn't look at her. His entire mind was immersed in this burning passion.

He could feel the broken sword behind him trembling. Not from fear. It was from longing. Like a starving wolf smelling blood.

"It won't be ruined." He grinned, his voice a little hoarse. "This stuff is for it to eat."

He reached behind his back with his other hand. The broken dragon spine blade flew out automatically and hovered in front of him.

At the notch of the broken blade, the dragon scale patterns flickered in and out of focus. It was as if it were responding, as if it were beckoning.

Zhou Yang flicked his wrist, scattering the powder from his palm toward the opening.

"Buzz—"

No powder fell.

As if they possessed a life of their own, they transformed into a fine, golden torrent, precisely flowing towards the gap in the broken blade. Then, they forcefully burrowed inside.

There was no sound, no explosion.

There was only a blindingly bright white light.

Qin Shuang subconsciously raised her arm to shield her eyes.

In the light, Zhou Yang's body swayed violently. He felt something within him being pulled away by the fragment. Not lifespan. It was a deeper connection, like the umbilical cord between mother and child, forcibly severed.

800-year lifespan.

This is the price we pay for this disconnection.

The light dissipated.

Zhou Yang's face was as white as paper. His forehead was covered in cold sweat. He staggered and fell to one knee. His chest felt like it had been trampled by an elephant; every breath was accompanied by a tearing pain.

Qin Shuang rushed over immediately and helped him up. "How are you?"

"I won't die." Zhou Yang gasped for breath, squeezing out the words through clenched teeth. He looked up at the broken sword.

The broken sword remained suspended in the air.

However, at that gruesome gap, there was a strange dark red color. It looked like bone that had just been dug out of a living person's body, still covered in warm blood.

The scorching heat subsided considerably.

But Zhou Yang knew it was only temporarily dormant, like a wild beast that had eaten its fill and was now taking a nap.

He reached out, and the broken knife gently fell into his palm. The temperature upon touching it was even hotter than the powder from before. It felt like holding a branding iron just pulled from the earth's core.

"Let's go." Zhou Yang stood up, supporting Qin Shuang's shoulders. "Back to the blacksmith's shop."

The return journey was a hundred times more difficult than the way there.

Zhou Yang's body felt like an empty rice sack. His bones cracked with every step. He was only holding on by sheer willpower. Qin Shuang was practically half-dragging, half-carrying him.

The desert sun is as scorching as a will-o'-the-wisp. When it shines on you, your skin burns intensely.

The two walked very slowly, like two dying snails.

Zhou Yang's lips were already cracked and bleeding. He had only one thought in his mind.

synthesis.

It must be synthesized as soon as possible.

This third fragment seemed completely different from the previous two. It possessed a violent and domineering power. This power was constantly eroding the balance of the broken sword. He could feel the two forces within the broken sword fiercely battling this new force.

If this drags on any longer, the knife might just explode.

Finally, they saw the blacksmith shop, which had been eroded beyond recognition by the wind and sand.

Old Hu, the blacksmith, was shirtless, wiping a large cleaver by the door. His muscles were bulging, as if they were made of stacked iron. Seeing the two men's disheveled appearance, he didn't even raise an eyebrow.

"You're back?" His voice was rough and hoarse, like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.

"Old Hu, start the furnace." Zhou Yang's voice was weak, but his tone left no room for doubt. "Maximum heat."

Old Hu then raised his eyelids and glanced at Zhou Yang. His gaze lingered for a moment on the broken knife in Zhou Yang's hand.

"This knife... is strange."

"Enough talk. I'll add more money." Zhou Yang tossed over a money bag. The money bag drew a heavy arc in the air.

Old Hu reached out and caught it, then weighed it in his hand. The stiff muscles on his face seemed to loosen a little.

"OK."

He threw down the large machete in his hand and turned to walk towards the forge.

The fire in the stove glowed red-hot. The temperature inside the shop suddenly rose. The air itself seemed to distort.

Zhou Yang walked to the anvil and placed the broken knife flat on it.

He first regulated his breathing for a while. The newly gained 800 years of lifespan were like a clear spring, nourishing his parched body. Strength gradually returned to his limbs and bones.

His complexion improved.

"Old Hu, bring the other two fragments as well."

Old Hu rummaged through a wooden box in the corner and pulled out two other items wrapped in oilcloth. Those were the two fragments of the dragon's spine that Zhou Yang had found earlier.

Zhou Yang untied the oilcloth.

Two fragments of different sizes lay silently. They too shone with light. One was a deep, dark blue, like the deep sea. The other was a heavy, earthy yellow, like the earth itself.

The two lights echoed the dark red at the notch of the broken sword.

"Use a hammer to knock them in," Zhou Yang said, pointing to the broken knife on the anvil.

Old Hu picked up a giant hammer, the head of which was bigger than Zhou Yang's head.

He looked at Zhou Yang, his eyes filled with a question.

"Just knock it?" This method sounds simple and crude. But it's not a good thing for these precious items.

"Yes, just hit it." Zhou Yang's eyes were calm. "You just keep hitting it, I'll guide the power. If you hit it accurately, I'll double the money."

Money is always the best driving force.

Old Hu no longer hesitated. He took a deep breath and raised the giant hammer high.

"drink!"

The first hammer blow landed.

"when!"

A loud bang reverberated, making people's eardrums ache.

Sparks flew everywhere.

The dark blue fragment was forcefully smashed into the blade a third of the way down. The broken blade shuddered violently and let out an angry hiss.

The blue light surged instantly.

"Continue," Zhou Yang commanded in a low voice. His hands pressed firmly against the anvil. An invisible force surged from his palms, forcefully suppressing the raging energy within the broken blade.

Old Hu swung the hammer and struck again.

"when!"

Yellowish-brown fragments also crashed in.

A beam of yellow light shot into the sky.

The broken blade trembled even more violently. Blue, yellow, and red lights intertwined wildly on the blade, as if trying to tear the entire blade apart. The sparks on the anvil were no longer orange-red, but multicolored, dazzling yet dangerous.

Zhou Yang's face turned pale again. Veins bulged on his forehead, and sweat poured down like a stream.

Suppressing this power was more difficult than he had imagined. These three forces were like three venomous dragons that couldn't stand each other, fighting to the death in his blade.

"The final step!" Zhou Yang roared.

Old Hu raised the hammer, aiming it at the very center of the blade. That was where the three forces converged most intensely.

"when!!!"

This blow was heavier than any of the previous ones.

The entire blacksmith shop seemed to shake slightly.

Then, everything fell silent.

All the light, all the sound, all the tremors vanished in that instant.

The broken knife lay quietly on the anvil.

It was as if everything that had just happened was just an illusion.

Old Hu and Qin Shuang both held their breath, staring intently at the knife.

Take a breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

"Click..."

A soft sound.

The blade of the broken sword had a tiny crack.

Then, like an eggshell peeling off, the outer layer of dull metal peeled off piece by piece.

What's revealed is a brand new blade.

It was no longer iron gray.

Instead, it was a shimmering, dark gold, as if fragments of stars had been mixed into molten gold. The dragon scale patterns on the blade became incredibly clear, each scale appearing alive, as if it were breathing slowly.

Red lines extend from the hilt, like pulsating blood vessels, stretching from the hilt all the way to the tip of the blade.

The entire knife exuded an indescribable aura of power. It wasn't a cold, murderous intent, but rather a domineering, sun-like heat that seemed to radiate from above.

Zhou Yang reached out and gently grasped the knife handle.

The moment he touched it, a vast and powerful force surged through his arm and spread throughout his body.

That power was warm, fiery, and full of life.

He felt as if he were soaking in a hot spring, every pore opening up. All the fatigue and pain in his body vanished without a trace under the wash of this power.

He could even feel his lifespan increasing at a terrifying rate.

ten years.

a hundred years.

A thousand years...

two thousand……

At that moment, a voice that only he could hear rang in his mind.

[Dragon Spine Sword (Second Form) - Dragon Spine Blazing Sword detected. Synthesis complete.]

The Dragonspine Sword's power system has been significantly improved in terms of completeness.

Lifespan increased by 2,000 years.

Zhou Yang slowly opened his eyes.

Deep within his pupils, it seemed as if golden flames were burning.

He looked at the new sword in his hand, and a slow smile crept onto his lips.

This is just the beginning.