High Martial Arts: Slay enemies to become stronger, forge invincibility from billions of corpses.

The other spaceships on the dock noticed the arrival of the black dagger-shaped spaceship and all moved closer.

They came to pay their respects. A dozen or so spaceships of varying sizes and shapes slowed down simultaneously after approaching to a certain distance, hovered in mid-air, and lowered their bows at the same time, performing a uniform sail-lowering salute.

The largest of the spaceships was estimated to be over ten kilometers long, with a long, spindle-shaped body and the silver sword emblem of the Department of Punishment painted on its outer shell.

As the bow sank, the shield generators on both sides of the hull automatically reduced their power, changing from blue to dark red.

This is one of the highest levels of respect in naval etiquette, signifying that "all weapon systems on this ship have been downgraded to indicate innocent passage."

"Mr. Song Chen, they are saluting this spaceship."

The driver spoke, his tone carrying a calmness that suggested he was used to such scenes.

"This is Lord Ral's private ship, which enjoys the highest priority right of passage in the Department of Punishment."

"In the eyes of the Punisher, this ship is of a higher status than most warships."

Song Chen nodded. In the signing hall, Arthas's expression when he saw Ral walk in, the collective lowering of the sails of the spaceships in the hall, and the pilot's casual explanation.

All of these factors combined gave him a more concrete understanding of Ral's position.

That's not just empty fame; it's real power and strength.

"Just what level is Lord Ral?" Song Chen asked the question that had been on his mind all along.

The pilot was recording the flight data when he turned around: "Lord Ral is the Senior Investment Director of the Galaxy Branch of the Investment Department, a peak Ninth-Order True Star Realm expert, and ranks among the top 100 in the Galaxy's combat power."

"Note that this refers to the top 100 in the entire Milky Way galaxy, not the top 100 in Flowing Light Star, nor the top 100 in the investment department."

"There are hundreds of billions of stars in the Milky Way, tens of millions of known civilizations, and countless seventh and eighth-order civilizations. Those that can be ranked in the top 100 are all overlords in their respective regions."

"The magistrate also holds a position in the Disciplinary Department. I don't know the specifics of his position, as that's classified information. But if you bring his Black Crystal Token into the Disciplinary Department, no one will dare to stop you."

"Moreover, this spaceship has already taken you to the docks of the Court of Judges, and everyone who was meant to see it has seen it."

"From now on, your file in the Disciplinary Department will be marked as 'Recommended by Ral.' This label is both a shield and a target; how you use it is up to you."

After the driver finished speaking, he stood up and walked to the cabin door, glancing at Song Chen one last time.

"One last piece of advice: when you get to the disciplinary department, don't embarrass Lord Ral."

"You're a good judge of character, but you've made mistakes before."

After saying that, he sat back in the driver's seat and closed the cabin door.

The black, dagger-shaped spaceship rose silently, turned in mid-air, and then disappeared into the channel outside the dock as a dark golden streak of light.

Song Chen stood alone on the dock, took the black crystal token out of his pocket and glanced at it.

He then carefully put the Black Crystal Token away, glanced up at the planetary shield spanning the sky above, and strode towards the headquarters of the Department of Punishment.

The entrance to the headquarters building is a huge bronze metal door, wide enough for two heavy mechs to pass side by side.

A huge image is embossed on the door: a hand holding a sword, the tip pointing downwards, stuck in a shattered planet.

Below the image was an ancient saying from Cangxing, which Song Chen recognized: "The Blade of Punishment, establishing order with the sword."

Behind the door was a spacious hall with a very high dome. A huge chandelier hung in the center of the dome. The main body of the chandelier was a prismatic crystal that floated in mid-air, emitting a soft, warm white light.

The ground is made of black stone, polished to a mirror shine, and each step makes a crisp echo.

The walls are holographic portraits of the past ministers of the Department of Punishment. Some are humanoid, some are non-humanoid, and they are all different in appearance, but the eyes in each portrait are looking precisely at the center of the hall.

Song Chen noticed that the eyes in the portrait would slightly move as the viewer moved. This technology was far more advanced than any holographic projection on Earth.

There weren't many people in the hall, but each one exuded an aura that made Song Chen instinctively wary—an aura that only comes from experiencing countless life-or-death battles.

A figure at least 2.5 meters tall walked past him. The figure was wearing the black combat uniform of the disciplinary department and carrying a giant sword that was taller than himself. The figure walked with light steps, but each step was placed in a position where it could exert force at any time.

As he passed by Song Chen, he glanced at Song Chen, his gaze lingering on the Tianjun Blade at Song Chen's waist for less than half a second before looking away. It was the indifference of a hunter after assessing his prey and deciding it wasn't worth the effort.

A young woman with regular features was sitting at the front desk.

"New employee reporting for duty?" The receptionist looked up at Song Chen, her tone neither warm nor cold.

"Who recommended you? Through what channel? Is there an appointment number?"

Song Chen placed the black crystal token on the sensor area of ​​the front desk.

The moment the stone touched the sensor area, the entire front desk lit up.

The desktop changed from its original wood grain color to deep red, then to gold, and finally to a dazzling, blazing white.

The female receptionist was stunned.

"A Black Crystal Token? The recommender is Ral Aurelion Castor, good heavens!"

She jumped up from her chair, almost knocking it over, then straightened her uniform collar and said in a much more respectful tone than before, "Please wait a moment, I will notify my superiors immediately."

She pressed a communication button on the table and whispered something.

Song Chen could hear what she was saying.

"The Black Crystal Token is alive and right here in front of the stage."

A series of hurried footsteps came from the other end of the communication line, and less than five seconds later, a door deep in the hall opened.

A tall, middle-aged man in a black disciplinary department uniform strode out.

He wore a silver sword insignia of the Department of Punishment on his chest, with a row of small gold characters embroidered below the insignia: Department of Punishment, Galaxy Headquarters, Personnel Allocation Division 68, Director.

"The holder of the Black Crystal Token?" The director walked to the front desk, his gaze sweeping over Song Chen from head to toe. Then he picked up the Black Crystal Token, flipped it over, and glanced at the four ancient Cangxing phrases on the back.

"The last time someone from the investment department was directly recommended to the disciplinary department was decades ago."

As he spoke, he returned the Black Crystal Token to Song Chen, then took out a transparent information board from his shirt pocket and scribbled a few times on it.

"The entry examination is a standard procedure, and no matter who recommends you, the rules of the Disciplinary Department cannot be broken."

He glanced at the black crystal token again, then sighed.

"However, holders of the Black Crystal Token can take a fast track, without needing a written test or qualification review, only needing to complete a practical test."

"Come with me."

The section chief led Song Chen through the hall and into a side door.

Behind the door is a long corridor with full-length transparent glass walls on both sides, through which you can see the training ground inside the building.

Song Chen walked around and observed that different types of training were taking place in each training field.