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

Wang Qi broke the heavy atmosphere in the infirmary by speaking.

"But there's no need to be too nervous." He took out a cigarette from his pocket and twirled it between his fingers twice. "Not to mention whether those high-level zombie species will come to our small city of Lanhe, even if they do—"

He paused.

"Our new director is on his way."

Wu You paused for a moment and looked at Wang Qi.

A new director?

What happened to the former bureau chief?

Wang Qi noticed his expression, smiled, put a cigarette in his mouth, and said indistinctly, "You don't know yet, do you? The old director just stepped down last month."

Wu You shook his head.

"That's normal. You've only been here a few days, so it's understandable that you don't know." Wang Qi took his cigarette away, his tone becoming casual. "The old director has been stuck at the peak of the seventh rank for several years. Last month, he wanted to try for the eighth rank. And then…"

He shrugged.

"The backlash from failing to break through was quite severe, damaging the foundation. Now I need to rest and recuperate; I can no longer manage the affairs of the bureau."

Wu You's brows twitched.

Failed breakthrough?

He genuinely didn't know this before. The information on the survey only discussed the ranking of ability users, and it didn't mention anything about breakthroughs for higher-ranking ability users.

He always thought that as long as the energy level of a power user increased, they would naturally rise to the next level.

I only realized now that there are risks involved in high-level breakthroughs.

"Then the new director..." he asked.

"They were transferred from the General Administration," Wang Qi said. "They're supposedly also Gold Badge level, at least seventh rank or higher. I don't know if it's seventh or eighth rank specifically, but they're much stronger than us."

He glanced at Wu You and added another sentence.

"It should arrive in the next few days. Then you'll be able to see it."

Wu You nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

. . . . . .

Nothing much happened afterward.

After treating Peng Yong's wounds, Xiao Ju checked Xu Ji over and confirmed that neither of them was seriously injured. Peng Yong had injured internal organs and needed to be observed in the infirmary for two days, while Xu Ji's external injuries only needed some ointment.

Seeing that there was nothing more for him to do, Wu You got up to take his leave.

"Shall I give you a ride?" Wang Qi asked.

"No need," Wu You shook her head. "I can go back myself."

Wang Qi didn't insist and nodded.

Wu You walked out of the infirmary, through the corridor, and downstairs. Several black SUVs were parked in front of the Investigation Bureau building. There weren't many people around at night, and only the streetlights illuminated the ground.

He walked along the street toward Lanxing Residential Area. With his current physical condition, he estimated he could get home in about twenty minutes if he ran.

A night breeze blew by, carrying the coolness of early summer. There were hardly any people on the street, with only one or two taxis occasionally driving by, their headlights flashing in the distance before disappearing.

Wu You did not walk fast.

I was still thinking about what had just happened.

The look in the eyes of that lustful corpse before it died, the words Wang Qi spoke, the old director's failed breakthrough, and the impending arrival of the new director...

He looked up at the night sky.

The moon was bright, and there were hardly any clouds around.

He remembered the look in that corpse's eyes.

The resentment and mockery seem to be brewing a larger conspiracy.

That uneasy thought still lingered in my mind.

But he also understood one thing—no matter what happens next, there is only one thing he can do.

Become stronger.

Become stronger as soon as possible.

So strong that no matter what happens, you can protect yourself and those you want to protect.

He opened the Sword Manual panel.

Allocable experience points: 640

The total I saved up tonight, plus what that third-tier Lustful Corpse Species gave me, is 640.

No hesitation.

A thought arose.

Allocable experience points: 640 → Allocable experience points: 0

Phantom Cloud Sword Technique (Beginner) (501/1000) → Phantom Cloud Sword Technique (Minor Mastery) (141/2000)!

Level: 3 → 4!

boom--

This time is different from any other time.

It wasn't an influx of information, nor an increase in the chill, but rather a feeling of being thrown into a storm.

That power, as clear as the wind and as light as the clouds, surged forth from the depths of the body like a flood bursting its banks, instantly engulfing the entire body. It surged through the meridians, traversed the flesh and blood, and took root in the bones. Every inch of skin, every nerve, and every cell was being washed, reshaped, and strengthened by this power.

At the same time, countless insights into swordsmanship flooded into his mind.

Those previously blurry parts are now clear; those previously awkward parts are now harmonious. Every move and technique of the Phantom Cloud Swordplay, including the application of that peculiar energy, seems to be etched into my bones, becoming instinct.

It's not just about swordsmanship.

There is also a sword move.

Shadow Slash.

The afterimages created by the Nine Shadow Steps can also be used to wield a sword.

Even a sword with afterimages can cause damage!

Wu You opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

The power within his body was more than twice as strong as before. That gentle, misty power now flowed quietly through his body like rivers.

He clenched his fist.

They've become much stronger.

. . .

It was almost 11:30 when I got back to Lanxing Community.

Wu You did not go straight home.

He found a secluded corner outside the residential area—an old building slated for demolition, surrounded by corrugated iron sheets, and dark and deserted inside.

He drew his sword.

I took a deep breath, and the power within me surged.

A sword strike was unleashed.

A grayish-white sword flashed across the night sky, striking a crumbling wall opposite.

boom--

The half-meter-thick brick wall had a crack that ran from top to bottom through the entire wall. A few seconds later, with a loud crash, half of the brick wall collapsed.

Looking at the pile of ruins, Wu You understood what was going on.

The power of this sword strike was more than twice as strong as before. If that third-tier Lustful Corpse Species were standing in front of him now, he could kill it instantly with a single sword strike.

He sheathed his sword and then tried out Shadow Slash.

Nine Shadow Steps activated.

With a flash, he left three afterimages in place; with another flash, three more appeared.

In the blink of an eye, seven or eight afterimages appeared around him, each holding a sword and standing there lifelike.

Wu You had a sudden thought.

Those afterimages all brandished their swords.

It was clearly just an afterimage, but the sword light slicing through the air created a real whistling sound. The sword light landed on the sheet metal fence beside them, and with a few hissing sounds, several smooth cracks appeared on the sheet metal.

Wu You went over to take a look.

Its power is only about 30% of what he would use to wield a sword.

But that's enough.

Thirty percent is more than enough to deal with ordinary Tier 3 corpses. Even Tier 3 Class A corpses can cause considerable trouble if there are enough afterimages.

He sheathed his sword and nodded in satisfaction.

. . . . . .

And at the very moment he sheathed his sword.

Behind the wall next to it.

A figure wearing the uniform of No. 5 Middle School covered his mouth tightly.

Her long hair was disheveled, and her eyes were wide open, filled with terror and disbelief.

She was just passing by, trying to take a shortcut home, when she saw the light and heard the sound, and inexplicably walked over to take a look.

Then she saw it.

That person.

That silhouette.

The figure wielding a sword in the night.

The instant the sword flashed, she saw the wall collapse with a roar, and then the person moved—how could a person be that fast? So fast that they left an afterimage in place?

Those afterimages... Those afterimages can move too?

He can also wield a sword?

She covered her mouth to prevent herself from making any sound.

My body is shaking.

Only one thought was in my mind:

How can a person move so fast that they leave afterimages? ... Would that even be human?