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

Noticing Zhou Yang's gaze, Fang Tian felt a little uneasy. This kid was staring straight at him, seemingly plotting something.

"My son, why are you looking at your father like that?"

Zhou Yang chuckled, "Godfather, I'd like to know what level of cultivation the leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect possesses."

"Hmph, the sect leader's strength is naturally—" Before the words could finish...

The chains on the prison door clanged together, making a harsh scraping sound.

Two jailers swaggered in, carrying trays.

This time, the tray was much more abundant than usual.

A roast chicken, a pot of fine wine, and two exquisite side dishes.

On the other tray was a lone, hard, dry steamed bun, accompanied by a dish of pickled vegetables.

The jailer placed the roast chicken and food in front of Fang Tian, ​​and threw the steamed bun to Zhou Yang.

"Master Fang, this was specially instructed by the centurions to ensure that our distinguished guests are well received."

"If you just reveal two more treasure locations, I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury from now on."

Fang Tian sat cross-legged, looking at the plate of roast chicken with a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

He didn't rush to pick up his chopsticks, but instead used his sinister eyes to scan the two jailers.

"Would these guys really be that kind?"

"Those lackeys of the Embroidered Uniform Guard are always ruthless and vicious. There must be something deadly added to this food and wine, something that can kill instantly," someone thought.

The jailer chuckled and waved his hands repeatedly.

"Master, you're overthinking it. My brother and I are counting on you to make us rich; how could we dare to poison you?"

"This food and wine were bought from an outside restaurant; they are absolutely clean."

Fang Tian remained noncommittal and turned to look at Zhou Yang beside him.

He pointed to the plate of roast chicken.

"My son, you have been cultivating hard these past few days and your body is weak."

"Take this roast chicken and eat it to nourish your body."

Zhou Yang looked at the plate of roast chicken, and without the slightest hesitation, reached out and grabbed a chicken leg to gnaw on.

"Thank you, godfather!"

"My godfather has been incredibly kind to me. Even if I die, I will repay your kindness."

Fang Tian watched Zhou Yang chew heartily, and only felt relieved when he saw that Zhou Yang did not show any unusual symptoms after a few bites.

He glanced at the hard, dry steamed bun.

Since the roast chicken wasn't poisonous, the steamed bun was naturally even less of a problem.

Fang Tian picked up the steamed bun and swallowed it in a few bites.

"This Jianghuai city is really getting boring."

"Once I regain my strength, I will raze this city to the ground."

He ate his steamed bun while casually responding to the two jailers.

Time passed by, bit by bit.

Half an hour later.

Fang Tian's originally rosy complexion began to turn deathly pale.

A tingling sensation quickly spread from his abdomen to his limbs and bones.

He tried to mobilize the true energy within his body, but found that it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, unable to circulate at all.

"Cartilage-softening powder!"

"You actually poisoned the steamed buns!"

Fang Tian's expression changed drastically as he looked at the two jailers.

The jailer stood outside the cell door, laughing uproariously as he watched Fang Tian collapse to the ground.

"Master, you are truly brilliant."

"We know we wouldn't dare poison the roast chicken, because it was prepared for you."

"But who says only roast chicken is poisonous?"

"These steamed buns were specially prepared for you."

Fang Tian struggled to stand up, but found himself powerless, even moving his fingers became difficult.

He cursed himself inwardly for being careless.

I never imagined that these idiots would put poison in the most inconspicuous steamed bun.

As he watched his true energy drain away, Fang Tian felt a strong sense of crisis.

If he doesn't replenish his true energy as soon as possible, he will surely die today.

He turned his gaze to Zhou Yang beside him.

Fang Tian's voice became weak and filled with pain.

"Quick...come here..."

Zhou Yang sneered inwardly.

The old man finally couldn't hold back anymore.

His face immediately showed extreme anxiety, and he rushed to the cell door.

"Godfather! What's wrong?"

"Godfather, hang in there!"

"It was those lackeys of the Imperial Guards! They poisoned you!"

Fang Tian coughed up a mouthful of black blood and nodded with difficulty.

"My son... your father... your father is failing."

"The Imperial Guard's 'Transformation Essence Powder' is too overpowered; my true essence can no longer protect my heart meridian."

His voice was weak and feeble, as if he were about to breathe his last.

"I have one last secret technique of the Holy Sect here... called the 'Initiation Technique'!"

"Yes... I can pass on all my life's skills to you!"

"You are my only hope. Only you... can avenge my father and bring glory to our Holy Church!"

Fang Tian's words were full of seduction, and his eyes were full of "compassion" and "expectation".

"Godfather! No!"

Zhou Yang cried out, tears streaming down his face.

"How could I possibly accept your power! Even if I die, I will die with you!"

"Foolish!"

Fang Tian roared angrily, which aggravated his injuries, causing him to cough violently.

"As long as the green hills remain, there's always firewood! Hurry up, or it'll be too late!"

"With my last breath, I will open this prison door for you!"

After saying that, Fang Tian raised his palm and shot out a wisp of true energy, which struck the lock on Zhou Yang's cell.

The specially made iron lock opened with a click.

Zhou Yang's face was full of "moved" and "hesitant", but his heart was very calm.

Keep performing.

He walked out of the cell, glancing back every few steps, and staggered to Fang Tian.

"Godfather!"

Zhou Yang knelt down and hugged Fang Tian's legs.

"My son... quickly help me up... prepare to receive the initiation..."

Fang Tian's voice carried a barely perceptible hint of urgency.

Zhou Yang did as he was told and helped Fang Tian up.

The moment he helped Fang Tian up, a terrifying glint flashed in Fang Tian's previously cloudy eyes.

His withered hand, like an iron clamp, grabbed Zhou Yang's shoulder.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Fang Tian's apparent weakness vanished, replaced by a ferocious, maniacal laugh.

"My dear child, you are so naive!"

"The Initiation Technique? Hahaha, that's called the 'Star Absorption Technique'!"

"Your innate Yang-cultivating skill, and all your vital energy, will nourish your father!"

"Become the resources for your father's breakthrough!"

A tremendous suction force emanated from Fang Tian's palm.

The internal energy within Zhou Yang's body surged uncontrollably into Fang Tian's body.

"Godfather...you..."

Zhou Yang's face showed an expression of "shock" and "disbelief".

Fang Tian felt incredibly pleased looking at Zhou Yang's expression.

A mere brat dares to challenge me?

However, the smile on his face froze the next second.

He discovered that although Zhou Yang's internal energy was surging into his body, it disappeared instantly, like a clay ox sinking into the sea.

On the contrary, the few remaining true essences within his own body began to stir restlessly, showing a tendency to leave his body.

"What's going on! How come it's even more powerful than mine after decades of training?"

Fang Tian was greatly alarmed.

"Godfather, why are you no longer smoking?"

Zhou Yang slowly raised his head, looking calmly at Fang Tian.

"In this cultivation method, whoever has the highest level of skill is the master."

Zhou Yang's innate Dingyang Gong was operating at full power.

That suction force was instantly reversed!

"No! Impossible!"

As Fang Tian felt the true energy within his body rapidly draining away, a look of horror finally appeared on his face.

"Your cultivation technique! Why is it complete?!"

"What I gave you was clearly a fragment!"

"Godfather, this is what they call the student surpassing the master."

"Stop! My son! I was wrong! I'll give you all my martial arts techniques!"

Fang Tian's true essence, qi and blood, and even life force transformed into the purest energy, surging wildly into Zhou Yang's body.

Fang Tian's body shriveled up at a visible speed, and within a few breaths, he became a skin and bones dried corpse.

His eyes were wide open, filled with resentment and regret.

[You have absorbed Fang Tian, ​​a martial artist at the True Essence Realm.]

Your cultivation level has increased to the peak of the Hundred Battles Realm.

[You have condensed a wisp of true essence, stepping into the half-step True Essence Realm.]

Your lifespan has increased by 150 years.

An unprecedentedly powerful force flowed through Zhou Yang's limbs and bones.

Within his dantian, the innate true qi had grown several times stronger, and at its center, a wisp of even purer and more powerful energy had been born.

That is true essence!

Name: Zhou Yang

[Current remaining lifespan: 176 years]

[Cultivation Level: Hundred Battles (Peak)]

[Techniques: Innate Yang-Boosting Skill (Rank 7), Mighty Bull Demon Fist (Rank 6), Chaotic Void Step (Rank 6), Golden Bell Cover (Rank 4), Soul-Severing Finger (Rank 4)]

Zhou Yang let out a long breath.

He released his grip, and Fang Tian's dried corpse slumped softly to the ground.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the prison.

Zhou Yang's eyes flickered, and he immediately suppressed his aura, his face returning to a look of utter shock as he slumped to the ground.

"Squeak."

The cell door was pushed open.

Qin, a centurion dressed in a flying fish robe, entered with two imperial guards.

She spotted Fang Tian's dried corpse on the ground at a glance, then looked at Zhou Yang, who was "trembling."

Her brows furrowed.

"What happened?"

Qin Baihu's voice was cold.

Zhou Yang scrambled over and grabbed Qin Baihu's leg.

"Sir! Help!"

"That old devil has suddenly gone mad and is trying to drain me dry!"

"I...I was just defending myself. I don't know what happened, he just turned out like this!"

Zhou Yang's performance, with snot and tears streaming down his face, was nothing short of phenomenal.

Qin Baihu looked down at Zhou Yang, who was clinging to his leg and crying like a child, his eyes full of suspicion.

"You killed him?"

"It wasn't me! It was him!"

Zhou Yang pointed at Fang Tian's dried corpse, looking completely innocent.

"He was sucking me halfway through when it suddenly exploded, and then it turned into this!"

"Sir, I am a law-abiding citizen!"

Qin Baihu's lips twitched slightly.

You call this a law-abiding citizen?

She crouched down and examined Fang Tian's body; her pupils contracted slightly.

My energy and spirit have been completely drained.

This is a demonic cultivation technique.

She raised her head, her gaze sharply fixed on Zhou Yang.

"You'd better give me a reasonable explanation."