The undead have descended upon the world? I possess a sword that can cleave the heavens once more!

When I got home, it was already past midnight.

The living room was dark, with only a small light on in the entryway. Wu You didn't turn on the main light, but took out her phone, turned on the flashlight, and tiptoed inside.

As usual, there was a glass of milk on the table, with a note underneath that read, "Heat it in the microwave."

He picked up the milk, didn't heat it up, and drank it directly.

After returning to his room, washing up, and lying in bed, Wu You stared at the ceiling and let out a long sigh.

Today was truly a fulfilling day.

I learned a new sword technique, killed a third-tier zombie, gained 800 experience points, and even successfully joined the Investigation Bureau. It was a perfect ending.

Next up is some fun time to add points!

With a thought, he opened the Sword Manual panel.

Allocable experience points: 800.

Wu You stared at the line of numbers.

Dark Blue, add some points!

No, it's the Sword Manual, allocate experience points!

He first turned his attention to the Phantom Flowing Cloud Sword Technique. This sword technique had already proven its value today; if it weren't for that last strike, that monster would have really escaped.

Allocable experience points: 800 → 460

Phantom Cloud Sword Technique (Beginner) (160/500) → Phantom Cloud Sword Technique (Beginner) (0/1000)

boom--

This influx is different from the previous ones.

It's no longer just about simple skills and insights, but a complete system—sword techniques, mental techniques, and even a set of matching movement techniques.

Nine Shadow Steps.

Stepping on nine shadows, his body transformed into a stream of light.

When you reach the highest level of mastery, every step you take will leave an afterimage in the same spot.

Nine steps were taken, leaving afterimages everywhere.

As a wealth of techniques and experiences flooded into his mind, a peculiar energy also emerged from within his body. It was as clear as the wind and as light as the clouds, intertwining and merging with coolness, surging and flowing through his meridians. It washed over his muscles, bones, and fascia, strengthening his body again and again.

Wu You could clearly feel himself getting stronger.

My strength is increasing, my five senses are becoming more acute, and even my mind is clearer. Those sword techniques that were previously a bit blurry are now crystal clear when I think about them.

He opened his eyes and glanced at the panel.

Rank: 2 → 3

Wu You clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within his body.

Is this the beginner's version of the Phantom Flowing Cloud Sword Technique...?

He had a strange feeling—he was now incredibly strong, and it felt like no one could withstand a single sword strike from him.

But the next second he shook his head.

It's an illusion, definitely an illusion.

He glanced at the remaining experience points: 460.

After a moment's thought, he turned his attention to basic sword techniques.

The basic swordsmanship had been with him for so long, from beginner to intermediate to advanced, and it had always been the foundation of his combat. Moreover, he wanted to see what realm lay beyond advanced.

Allocable experience points: 460 → 182

Basic Swordsmanship (Mastery) (22/300) → Basic Swordsmanship (Perfect) (Trait: Sword Mastery)

The line of proficiency after the basic swordsmanship skill on the panel disappeared.

Instead, a completely new entry was created.

Consummation.

Beginner, minor success, major success, perfection.

Wu You stared at that "characteristic" with some doubt.

Is perfection the highest level? And what are its characteristics?

A thought flashed through my mind, and a piece of information appeared:

Sword Mastery: Increases proficiency gained when studying any sword technique.

Wu You paused for a moment, then smiled.

nice one!

The higher the level of swordsmanship, the harder it is to learn and the harder it is to achieve proficiency.

This feature increases the acquisition of proficiency, which saves him experience points.

Another thought popped into his mind: Do all sword techniques have special characteristics after they are perfected? Or are they only found in the basic sword techniques?

If so, what kind of characteristic would the Phantom Cloud Sword Technique provide after it is perfected?

He glanced at the remaining 182 experience points, then at the (beginner) (0/1000) mark after the Phantom Cloud Sword Technique.

not enough.

It's far from good.

He thought for a moment and then bet all 182 points.

Phantom Cloud Sword Technique (Beginner) (0/1000) → Phantom Cloud Sword Technique (Beginner) (182/1000)

Another wave of information flooded in, but much less than before, since it only added 182 points, not enough for a breakthrough.

Wu You snapped out of his thoughts and turned off the control panel.

I have to go to the Investigation Bureau tomorrow.

He fell into a deep sleep, filled with anticipation for a better tomorrow.

. . . . . .

The next day, at six o'clock sharp.

Wu You opened her eyes on time, rolled out of bed, and went into the bathroom.

While washing up, he stood in front of the mirror brushing his teeth, and as he brushed, he froze.

The person in the mirror... is that him?

My skin is much whiter than before, not in a sickly way, but with a luminous glow. My facial features also seem to have changed—they are still the same features, but the proportions seem more harmonious and the lines softer.

If Wu You could only be considered handsome in the past, now he's starting to look more like a dashing and elegant gentleman.

He stared at the mirror for two seconds.

Is it the change brought about by the Phantom Flowing Cloud Sword Technique?

In his previous life, if he found himself handsome, he would have been overjoyed. But now, he just shook his head.

It doesn't matter whether he's handsome or not.

He only wanted to practice swordsmanship.

Hmm, or killing zombies would also work.

After quickly tidying up, Wu You picked up his sword and went downstairs.

. . .

The neighborhood park, the usual spot.

But this time, they weren't practicing basic sword techniques; they were practicing the Phantom Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.

More than an hour later.

Wu You stopped wielding his sword and bent over, panting heavily.

He was covered in sweat, his hair was wet and stuck to his forehead, and his T-shirt was soaked and clung to his body, making him look like he had just been pulled out of the water.

He straightened up, wiped his sweat, and began to review the practice he had just done in his mind.

Two problems were discovered.

First, practicing the Phantom Cloud Sword Technique in isolation is too taxing.

Wu Youcai had been practicing for a little over an hour, and his stamina was almost completely exhausted.

However, Wu You also came up with a solution: practice the Phantom Cloud Sword Technique and the basic sword technique alternately. Practice the Phantom Cloud Sword Technique first, and when your stamina is almost depleted, practice the basic sword technique to restore your energy.

The first question has a solution.

But the second problem is something that's really giving him a headache.

Practicing the Phantom Flowing Cloud Sword Technique requires coordination with the Nine Shadow Steps and the peculiar energy within the body. But as soon as that energy is used—

Afterimage.

Afterimages were everywhere.

The afterimages of people and swords flickered incessantly.

As soon as the Phantom Cloud Sword Technique was unleashed, the surroundings were like having special effects activated, making even him dizzy.

This thing might not be anything special to people with special abilities, but it's a bit unscientific for ordinary people.

For the past hour or so, he had been suppressing the strange power within his body while practicing, not daring to let go.

Although there are no afterimages, the downsides are also obvious—not only does it feel awkward, but the effect of sword practice is greatly reduced, and energy is consumed faster, making one tired after practicing for a while.

Wu You sighed.

I need to find a more private place to practice my sword.

. . .

After I got home, washed up, and sat down to eat a couple of bites of breakfast, my phone rang.

He answered the phone, and it was Lin Yuan's voice on the other end.

"Xiao You, are you free now? Come to the station and finish the rest of the procedures?"

"Okay." Wu You glanced at the time. "I'll be right down."

After hanging up the phone, he said to Aunt Wu in the kitchen, "Mom, it's the weekend today, I'm going out with my classmates."

"be safe."

"understood."

. . .

Riding in Lin Yuan's car, we arrived at the Investigation Bureau building again.

"Today's procedure is simple," Lin Yuan said as he walked. "It's an ability strength test and an oath-taking ceremony. Although based on your performance last night, we're all certain that you have the strength of a third-tier expert, we still need to go through the proper procedures."

Wu You nodded.

After navigating several turns and passing through several doors, the two arrived at a spacious, enclosed space.

The space was large, at least two or three hundred square meters, and completely empty except for a mannequin standing in the very center. It was made of metal, silver-gray, and gleamed coldly under the lights.

Lin Yuan pointed at the dummy: "Attack it with your strongest power."

"Can I use a sword?" Wu You asked.

"Any form is acceptable."

Wu You nodded and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

He didn't go all out.

He simply drew his sword and swung it.

A streak of grayish-white sword light flashed past.

throat--

The sword struck the dummy, producing a dull metallic clang. Wu You frowned slightly—the dummy hadn't broken in two as he'd expected; the spot where it was hit had only caved in a little.

Although he didn't use his full strength in that sword strike, it still contained about 70% of his power.

"Goodness." Lin Yuan's voice came from the side, "You can even cut down this dummy made of third-tier dark gold. The strength of your ability is quite good even among third-tier beings."

Wu You sheathed his sword: "Third-tier Dark Gold?"

"A special material." Lin Yuan walked over, staring at the dent on the mannequin. "You'll find out later."

At this moment, a man in a black trench coat walked in and handed Lin Yuan a stamped piece of paper.

"Team Leader Lin, this is the test report."

Wu You tilted his head and glanced at it.

The paper had the words "Third-Order, Grade B" written on it.

Lin Yuan's eyes widened, and he gave Wu You a thumbs up: "Tsk tsk tsk, third-tier Class B, awesome!"

Wu You wasn't sure what level Tier 3B was either.

Before he could even speak...

"Alright, the aptitude test is over." Lin Yuan folded the report and stuffed it into his pocket, then said, "Only the oath-taking ceremony remains."

Wu You asked, somewhat puzzled, "Is that all?"

As Lin Yuan walked out, he explained, "There aren't so many twists and turns in the Investigation Bureau. Strength is always the most important thing, and the types of abilities possessed by people are incredibly diverse."

"Just like your ability, it has the characteristic of being completely free of excessive energy fluctuations."

"Other people's abilities also have their own unique aspects."

"Do we need to design a separate test for every skill? That would be too inefficient. Besides..."

He paused.

"In the Bureau of Investigation, any type of ability is considered a good ability as long as it can kill zombies."

"Moreover, as a special material, besides its extremely high density and exceptional strength, dark gold has another characteristic—" He looked at Wu You, "Do you know where dark gold comes from?"

Wu You shook his head.

"It is formed by the concentrated and aggregated outer skin of a certain type of corpse with amazing defensive capabilities."

what?

Wu You was stunned for a moment.

Don't the zombies turn into black smoke and dissipate when they're killed? How did they manage to obtain the outer skin and then concentrate it?

Lin Yuan noticed his confusion and smiled, "You'll understand later. In short, an attack that can damage Dark Gold also means it can damage most types of corpses, which is why we used Dark Gold for testing."

He continued walking forward.

"Let's go, to the last place."

. . .

The two passed through layers of checkpoints and finally stopped in front of a door.

Lin Yuan pushed open the door.

The room was empty except for a stone tablet about two meters high standing there. The tablet was dark gray with a smooth surface, and it was engraved with some flamboyant calligraphy.

Wu You approached and looked closely.

The Oath of the Torchbearer

The long night has come, but we, with torches in hand, will go forth, swearing to fight to the death.

I will not be attached to my homeland, nor will I avoid disaster or sacrifice.

I will not yearn for family harmony, nor seek fame or fortune, nor long for the journey home.

I will faithfully guard this place and be buried here.

I am the glimmer of light that dispels the darkness, the purifying fire that burns away all filth.

I am the starlight that pierces the long night, the horn that awakens the dawn, the bulwark that guards civilization, and the coffin that buries the decaying corpse.

I dedicate this body and this will to the torchbearer, now and forever.

Wu You read it word by word.

A feeling of grandeur and magnificence surged within me.

Lin Yuan stood beside him, his expression solemn.

"This is the final step, the oath-taking ceremony."

Wu You took a deep breath.

Then he began to take the oath.

The voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

The oath-taking ceremony has ended.

The two returned to the lounge on the third floor.

Lin Yuan took a box out of the cabinet and handed it to Wu You.

"This is our standard equipment."

Wu You took it and opened it.

The box contained only a few items: a black capsule, a pair of miniature earpieces, a pure black cell phone, and a pure black watch.

He understands headsets, cell phones, and watches. But this black capsule…

He looked at Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan didn't speak, but simply raised an eyebrow, indicating that he should figure it out himself.

Wu You picked up the capsule and rubbed it between his fingers.

The capsule disappeared the next second.

Instead, a black trench coat appeared in his hand.

Wu You was stunned for a moment.

Capsule turns into trench coat?

And that's not all—the weight of this trench coat is completely disproportionate to its size. Despite being a fairly heavy trench coat, it feels as light as if you're not carrying anything at all when you drape it over your arm.

He looked at Lin Yuan.

"Give it a try," Lin Yuan said with a smile. "This is a cutting-edge technology unique to our Investigation Bureau."

Wu You put on his trench coat.

Lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and the size automatically adjusts to fit his body perfectly.

He now understood why the investigators were still wearing black trench coats even though it was already summer.

Lin Yuan sized him up and nodded: "Not bad, young man, you're quite handsome, almost as handsome as I was back in school."

Wu You smiled.

Lin Yuan extended his hand.

"Although I've already said it, I'll say it again."

Welcome to our team.