Lu Chen awoke at two in the afternoon.
After six hours of sleep, the wounds on his body had mostly healed; only a faint ache lingered deep within his organs. Such was the advantage of a martial artist's physique—so long as the foundation remained intact, recovery was several times faster than that of ordinary people.
He sat up, and the first thing he did was check the fragments of the Demon-Suppressing Stele.
The four shards lay assembled on the coffee table, forming an incomplete stone tablet. The edges were jagged, and the missing pieces left it resembling a torn, unfinished puzzle. Yet even in its damaged state, it exuded an ancient, awe-inspiring pressure far surpassing any Yellow- or even Profound-grade artifact.
He reached out and touched the stone surface.
The instant his fingertips made contact, a surge of information flooded into his mind:
"True Explanation of Demon Suppression · Fragment One"
Demon-Subduing Radiance: Activate the inscription with essence blood to unleash the power of suppression. Capable of repressing, purifying, and annihilating all evil, demonic, or foreign energies. Current potency: can suppress lower Earth-grade fiends, or gravely injure demonic cultivators one major realm above the user.
Demon-Suppressing Barrier: Using the stele as the core, form a barrier spanning ten zhang. Within it, demonic arts lose half their power and foreign energies become sluggish. Duration: one incense stick. Cost: a large amount of essence blood.
Stele Spirit Resonance: Gathering all nine fragments can awaken the stele spirit and unlock the full inheritance.
As the torrent of information concluded, a faint golden glow radiated from the stone, projecting a blurred map into the air.
At its center was Jiang City, with several glowing dots marked around it.
The closest dot lay northwest of Jiang City, roughly fifty kilometers away in the depths of the Yunling Mountains.
The second was along the southeastern coastline, over three hundred kilometers distant.
The third… hovered directly above him?
Lu Chen looked up. In the projection, that particular light point was indeed over Jiang City, annotated with the height "Thirty kilometers above ground."
The stratosphere?
No—this wasn't a physical altitude. A line of small characters appeared beside it: "Spatial Rift · Inactive."
"A spatial-type secret realm fragment," Li Xuan's voice sounded, tinged with astonishment. "When the Demon-Suppressing Stele shattered, its largest core fragment was cast into chaotic space. Looks like it drifted near the entrance of an unopened pocket world. Such places often contain tremendous opportunity… as well as tremendous danger."
Lu Chen memorized the locations. The projection faded.
He picked up the gray stone formed from the consumed energy entity.
Warm to the touch like jade, yet feather-light. Upon close inspection, faint white lines shimmered within—like threads of solidified light.
[Item: Devouring-Energy Core (Sealed)]
[Grade: Upper Earth-grade]
[Current Energy Level: 0]
[Unsealing Requirements: Gather all nine stele fragments OR inject energy beyond planetary scale]
[Use 1: Refine and absorb to gain the "Energy Devourer" physique (but inherit its hunger instinct; requires periodic consumption of high-energy materials)]
[Use 2: Weapon core for forging "energy erasure" armaments]
[Use 3: Analyze internal structure to reverse-engineer Ark Laboratory biotechnology]
Lu Chen set the stone aside.
Useless for now.
He opened his phone—dozens of unread messages.
Huang Mao had sent the most:
"Lin Shao, there's no public record on Ark Laboratory. But an old information broker said that more than twenty years ago, several top North American bio-labs collaborated on a 'Human Evolution Project,' codename: Ark. The project suddenly terminated, and all participants vanished."
"Also, the Ghost Organization made a major move at the docks last night—seven dead, with high-intensity energy residue. The Association sealed off the entire North Dock this morning."
"And, someone from the Chen family arrived. Chen Tianxiong's nephew, Chen Zhenghao, reached Jiang City at noon and went straight to the Association. Still hasn't come out."
Chen Zhenghao—the Chen family's eldest son, level 45, and heir apparent.
So fast.
Lu Chen replied: "Keep tracking the Chen family. Buy the Ark Laboratory data—offer top price, whatever it costs."
Then he opened the Association's app.
A warning notification popped up:
"Alert: Spatial anomaly detected at Jiang City North Dock. Suspected unauthorized secret-realm entrance opening. Area designated Level-3 Danger Zone. Martial artists below level 30 prohibited. Special Operations teams deployed to secure the perimeter."
A blurry photo accompanied it: distorted air above a warehouse district—like heat haze, but patterned, forming an unstable doorway.
The Ghost Organization's goal last night… might not have been him at all.
They might have been opening that entrance.
He opened the intel market and searched "spatial anomaly" and "secret-realm entrance."
The top listing cost 1000 credits:
"Jiang City Recent Spatial Anomaly Analysis Report (Internal Leak)"
He purchased it.
The report was meticulous:
Spacetime Coordinates: North Dock, longitude XXX, latitude XXX
Anomaly Type: Stable spatial fold, likely linked to an auxiliary dimension
Energy Level: Mid Earth-grade, periodic fluctuations (72-hour cycle)
Risk Assessment: Possible high-energy lifeforms or ancient restrictions; recommended team level 40+
History: Similar fluctuations recorded thirty and fifteen years ago, each brief. Current event stronger and stabilizing.
Notes: Three level-60+ Council Elders deployed. First exploration expected within three days.
Thirty years ago—exactly when the survey team incident occurred.
Fifteen years—likely the next minor cycle.
This time… it might fully open.
Lu Chen closed the report and sank into thought.
If the secret realm truly opened, there could be more stele fragments, or ancient artifacts. But the Association was already involved—plus the Ghost Organization circling like vultures.
At his current level—20—entering would mean certain death.
He needed to grow stronger. Quickly.
He glanced at the remaining Body-Tempering Pills—four left.
But consecutive use meant diminishing returns, and the system warned him to reinforce his foundation.
He opened the system shop, filtering items for rapid advancement.
[Intermediate Body-Tempering Pill]: +3–5 levels (below lvl 60) · 800 pts
[Marrow-Cleansing Pill]: Resets martial foundation, improves aptitude · 1200 pts
[Combat Insight Crystal]: Grants a virtual battle experience (opponent level selectable) · 500 pts
[Temporary Breakthrough Serum]: +1 major realm for one hour (max lvl 60); extreme weakness afterward · 1500 pts
He had 1300 points.
He purchased the Marrow-Cleansing Pill and one Combat Insight Crystal (lvl 30 opponent).
The pill was the size of a longan, golden and patterned with cloud motifs. The crystal pulsed with battle intent.
He swallowed the pill first.
It melted instantly, a warm yet unyielding current flowing into every corner of his body. This time there was no pain—only the sensation of countless tiny hands repairing, cleansing, and reforging him.
Meridians expanded, impurities expelled, bones gleamed faintly like polished jade.
In his dantian, the energy mist compressed, becoming denser.
An hour later, the effect dispersed.
Lu Chen exhaled a long turbid breath. A layer of gray residue coated his skin, carrying a faint metallic odor—impurities expelled by the reshaping.
A cold shower washed it away. In the mirror, his physique hadn't changed dramatically, but his musculature had grown smoother, and faint radiance flowed beneath his skin. More importantly, energy circulated thirty percent faster and with far greater precision.
[Marrow-Cleansing Complete]
[Aptitude: Mid Profound-grade (previously Low Yellow-grade)]
[Energy Control +40%, Cultivation Speed +30%]
[Current Level: 20 (foundation stabilized)]
Good.
He gripped the combat crystal, letting his consciousness sink in.
The world shifted.
He stood in an empty martial arena. Opposite him—an indistinct human figure, emanating the presence of a level-30 fighter.
The figure moved.
One simple straight punch.
Yet the speed and force were overwhelming. Before Lu Chen could react, the blow struck his chest and sent him flying.
Agony—simulated, but excruciatingly real.
He rose, only for the figure to appear again, delivering a sweeping kick.
He blocked; his arm went numb; he flew once more.
The next ten minutes were absolute domination.
A level-30 fighter surpassed him in every aspect—strength, speed, reaction, and elemental energy control. Even with his newly-mastered Piercing Force, he survived barely three strikes.
On the eleventh fall, the simulation ended.
Lu Chen emerged drenched in sweat, eyes gleaming.
He had seen the gap—and the path forward.
Level-30 warriors could release energy externally, forming protective aura and augmenting attacks with elemental force.
More importantly—they possessed rudimentary Intent.
The phantom combatant's punches carried a "mountain-like heaviness," making every blow crushingly inescapable.
He regulated his breathing and swallowed a second Body-Tempering Pill.
The strengthened meridians absorbed it rapidly.
Half an hour later—
[Body-Tempering Pill Consumed]
[Current Level: 23]
A clean +3 levels.
And his foundation remained solid.
Lu Chen clenched his fist. If he fought Chen Feng now, he could defeat him within thirty moves even without the stele.
But still not enough.
Three pills remained. With diminishing returns, they might bring him only to level 26.
And overuse risked resistance. Better to wait a day.
His phone buzzed.
Huang Mao: "Lin Shao! Chen Zhenghao left the Association and went straight to Listening Rain Pavilion—seems he's meeting someone. Also, Association special teams are assembling—possibly heading to the North Dock."
"Keep tailing him. Record everyone he meets."
"Yes, sir!"
Lu Chen hung up and looked out the window.
Evening sunlight gilded the skyline in gold.
A storm was forming.
He needed more intelligence.
He opened an encrypted mailbox and messaged Night Owl's backup contact:
"Three pieces of intel:
Chen Zhenghao's true purpose in Jiang City.
The Association's secret-realm exploration roster.
The Ghost Organization's base locations in Jiang City."
Five minutes later:
"1st: 500k
2nd: 2M (top-secret)
3rd: 3M (high-risk)
Pay half up front."
Lu Chen wired 2.75 million—he still had over eight million remaining; the original host had wasted far more than this in mere indulgence.
Ten minutes later, three encrypted files arrived.
He decrypted them.
1. Chen Zhenghao's Purpose:
• Official reason: Investigate Chen Feng's crippling and pressure the Lin family.
• Real reason: Negotiate with the Association for exploration rights to the secret realm.
• Hidden motive: Search for "something" once carried by Chen Feng (suspected stele fragment).
Retinue: Two elders (lvl 55), six elite heirs (lvl 30–40), plus unknown dark assets.
2. Association Exploration Team (Draft):
Leader: Elder Wang (lvl 63, formation master)
Deputy: Li Zhenguo (lvl 38, vanguard)
Members: Chen Jing (lvl 25, scout), Liu Wu (lvl 32, defense), Zhang Feng (lvl 28, ranged), etc.—twelve total.
Note: Subject to change; internal controversy ongoing. Some elders request external reinforcements.
3. Ghost Organization Known Bases:
West City Old Shipyard underground (likely decoy)
North Dock Warehouse 3 (compromised; likely abandoned)
South City Changfeng Logistics Park, Warehouse 7 (highly probable real base; spatial shielding detected)
Suspicious site: Pearl Hotel Room 2408 (long-term rental, rarely entered)
Changfeng Logistics Park.
Lu Chen memorized the address.
Then he forwarded the third intel file anonymously to the Association's public report inbox.
If chaos was coming—he'd make the waters even murkier.
Afterward, he gathered his gear:
Black tactical suit
Pistol with armor-piercing rounds
Combat knife
Stele fragments
Energy-Devouring Core
Medical kit
Three Body-Tempering Pills
All packed into an unremarkable black hiking bag.
Then he sat on the sofa.
Waiting.
For nightfall.
And for the people he knew would come.
At six in the evening, the doorbell rang.
Through the peephole, three people stood outside.
A middle-aged man in a gray suit—elegant features, sharp eyes. To his left, a short-haired woman with a lethal aura. To his right, a silent, broad-shouldered man.
All three were level 30 or above.
"Mr. Lin Xiao, we're from the Association's Special Operations Division," the suited man said politely. "We have something to discuss—may we come in?"
Lu Chen opened the door.
They entered, instinctively taking positions that blocked every exit.
"I'm Zhao Mingcheng, leader of Special Ops Team Three." He presented his badge. "These are my colleagues."
Lu Chen examined the badge. Genuine.
"Sit," he said mildly.
Zhao sat; the others remained standing behind him.
"Mr. Lin, something happened at the North Dock last night. Are you aware?"
"I saw the news."
"It's more than news." Zhao produced a photograph and placed it on the table. "We recovered this from peripheral surveillance."
The image was blurry, but it showed a figure bursting from the water, landing on the pier, and sprinting into the forest.
The silhouette resembled Lu Chen—about seventy percent similar.
"This is supposed to be me?" Lu Chen asked calmly.
"We're not certain. That's why we're here." Zhao leaned forward. "Where were you last night?"
"At home. Sleeping."
"Anyone who can verify that?"
"I live alone."
"I see…" Zhao fixed him with a steady gaze. "Then can you explain the injuries on your body?"
Lu Chen's shoulder, chest, and arm—though healed—still bore faint discolorations of new skin.
"Training accident."
"What sort of training puts a hole clean through your shoulder?" the short-haired woman interjected coldly.
Lu Chen looked at her.
She stepped forward and extended a hand. "I'm the division's forensic specialist. Let me examine your wounds—it'll tell us what weapon caused them."
Just before she touched him, Lu Chen raised his hand and blocked her.
"Since when does the Association have the right to forcibly examine civilians?"
"In major cases, we have temporary authority." Zhao's smile remained, but his eyes hardened. "Mr. Lin, cooperation benefits everyone. We've learned that you recently purchased professional diving gear, and there was underwater activity at the docks last night. Also, you transferred fifty thousand to purchase special metal linked to the Ghost Organization."
He paused.
"We have reason to suspect you're involved with—or at least knowledgeable about—the Ghost Organization."
Silence settled.
After a few seconds, Lu Chen chuckled.
"Team Leader Zhao… do you know who my grandfather is?"
Zhao's expression shifted subtly.
"Old Master Lin Zhengxiong. Level 65. Honorary Elder of the Jiang City Martial Association. Concurrent Major General in the military." Lu Chen's voice was calm. "My father, Lin Guodong—Colonel. My uncle, Lin Guoliang—Chairman of the Jiang City Commerce Guild."
He stood, walked up to Zhao, and looked down at him.
"And you, a level-35 team leader, dare question me without evidence? Who gave you courage? Li Zhenguo? Or… the Chen family?"
Sweat beaded on Zhao's brow.
He had received hints from Director Li—suggesting Lin Xiao "might" be involved and could be "pressed."
He hadn't expected the young man to invoke his lineage so directly.
"Mr. Lin, we're simply conducting routine investigation—"
"Then follow procedure." Lu Chen cut him off. "Do you have an arrest warrant? A search warrant? If not, get out."
The short-haired woman frowned, but Zhao raised a hand to stop her.
He stood, exhaling slowly. "Apologies for the disturbance. But if later evidence implicates you, we will return."
"Take your photo." Lu Chen flicked the image back at him.
The three left.
The door closed.
Lu Chen's expression cooled.
So internal faction conflict was already at play. Li Zhenguo might have ties to the Chen family—or simply accepted their benefit.
But this also revealed one thing:
the Association's control over the dock incident was weaker than advertised.
His phone buzzed.
A photo from Huang Mao: inside a private room at Listening Rain Pavilion, Chen Zhenghao was shaking hands with a uniformed Association official.
Li Zhenguo.
As expected.
Lu Chen replied: "Good work. Keep filming. Don't expose yourself."
He checked the time. Seven p.m.
Night had fallen.
He slung on his backpack and stepped out.
Destination: Changfeng Logistics Park.
He wanted to see with his own eyes what the Ghost Organization was hiding.
If fortune favored him—he might seize great opportunity.
If not—
He'd carve a path out.
As the elevator descended, he pulled a stele shard from his bag and held it.
Its cold weight steadied his mind.
Tonight… would be anything but peaceful.