Far away from the bright imperial palace—
beyond the rivers surrounding Da Cang Empire—
beyond the civilized trade routes and spiritual cities—
there existed a cursed region.
A place where even wandering cultivators avoided staying for long.
Black Swamp City.
The city never truly saw sunlight.
Dark smoke constantly drifted through the sky like poisonous clouds.
The streets were wet with black mud.
Broken buildings leaned crookedly beneath endless fog.
Strange lanterns burned with green fire outside taverns filled with murderers, fugitives, assassins, and wandering cultivators.
This was not a city built by law.
It was a city built by fear.
And deep within its darkest district—
inside a ruined hall covered in dragon carvings—
a mysterious figure slowly opened his eyes.
The entire room was silent.
Black candles flickered softly around him.
The man sat cross-legged upon a stone platform.
His body was wrapped completely in black robes.
Dark dragon symbols were embroidered across the fabric like living creatures moving beneath shadow.
Even the surrounding spiritual energy seemed distorted around him.
Cold.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Then suddenly—
the shadows beside the hall began moving unnaturally.
A strange black liquid slowly rose upward from the floor.
It twisted.
Flowed.
Expanded.
And gradually—
a human figure emerged from it completely.
It was the same liquid-like shadow existence hidden outside the imperial palace the previous night.
The shadow warrior immediately kneeled.
"Leader…"
His voice sounded distorted.
As though several voices were speaking together.
"The targets will depart in the morning…"
Then suddenly—
he stopped speaking.
The black-robed leader slowly raised his eyes.
"And?"
The pressure inside the room instantly became heavier.
The liquid warrior lowered his head further.
"And…"
"That boy…"
"…Shuan Hao…"
A faint killing intent escaped his body.
"The one who killed Yan Lie…"
"…he resembles someone from the Lin Clan."
Silence filled the ruined hall.
The liquid warrior's fists slowly tightened.
A cold hatred appeared within his distorted voice.
"One who survived back then…"
"And now…"
"…he is killing our people."
His voice gradually became darker.
"If I had known back then…"
"…that he possessed such potential…"
"…I would have killed him immediately."
The black-robed leader became silent.
Very silent.
Only the flickering candle flames moved within the darkness.
Several moments passed.
Then finally—
the mysterious leader slowly smiled.
A small smile.
But one completely lacking warmth.
"Prepare them before dawn."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And kill him there."
The liquid warrior immediately bowed deeply.
"Yes, Leader."
The next moment—
his body collapsed into liquid darkness once more.
SHHHHH—
The black shadow flowed across the floor before disappearing completely.
Silence returned again.
Meanwhile—
the black-robed leader remained seated motionlessly.
But beneath the hood—
his faint smile deepened slightly.
As though he was already looking forward to something.
Something bloody.
---
Meanwhile—
inside the imperial palace—
peace still remained.
Lin Shuan quietly looked at the floating Heart Purification Jade one final time.
The white jade emitted soft spiritual mist continuously.
Ancient symbols faintly flickered deep within it.
Even now—
its existence still felt unreal.
A sacred relic from forgotten eras.
A treasure connected to Divine Hearts and ancient bloodlines.
Yet currently—
something he could not use.
Lin Shuan slowly exhaled.
Then carefully wrapped the jade within spiritual cloth before hiding it inside his sleeve.
Very carefully.
Even Tian Wuchen had warned him repeatedly.
Such a treasure could drive entire empires insane.
Afterward—
Lin Shuan closed his eyes once more.
And quietly entered cultivation.
The night passed peacefully.
---
Morning arrived slowly over Da Cang Empire.
Golden sunlight pierced through the clouds.
The cold moonlight gradually faded away.
Outside the palace—
birds sang softly among spirit trees.
Servants moved throughout the palace halls quietly.
And within the crimson chamber—
the doors slowly opened once again.
Creeeeak—
A beautiful figure entered silently.
Red robes fluttered softly around her graceful body.
Protector Yi.
Morning sunlight reflected against her crimson eyes beautifully.
Her expression remained calm as always.
Cold.
Elegant.
Untouchable.
Yet strangely—
a faint emotional softness still lingered deep within her gaze when she looked toward Lin Shuan.
At that moment—
Lin Shuan remained seated cross-legged upon the bed.
Spiritual energy flowed around him continuously.
Silver lightning flickered across his meridians occasionally.
Then slowly—
his eyes opened.
The moment he saw Protector Yi—
his expression instantly brightened.
He immediately stood up excitedly.
"Is it time?!"
"To go to the imperial treasury realm?"
Protector Yi quietly nodded.
"Yes."
Lin Shuan's heartbeat instantly accelerated.
Finally.
The moment had arrived.
Protector Yi slowly raised one hand.
A spatial ring appeared between her fingers.
Then she tossed it toward him casually.
Lin Shuan immediately caught it.
The instant his spiritual senses entered the ring—
his eyes widened.
Inside—
there were precious cultivation medicines.
Rare spirit herbs.
Several high-grade weapons.
Ancient cultivation techniques.
And countless valuable materials.
Even ordinary noble clans would become jealous seeing such wealth.
Lin Shuan became stunned.
"…this is all mine?"
Protector Yi calmly nodded.
"The reward for winning the Empire Warriors Tournament."
Lin Shuan almost lost his breathing.
Even Tian Wuchen sounded surprised.
"Not bad."
"For a lower empire…"
"…this reward is already extremely generous."
But then—
Lin Shuan blinked slightly.
"…wait."
"This is the reward?"
"That's it?"
Protector Yi looked toward him quietly.
Then suddenly—
a faint smile appeared upon her lips.
A very small smile.
But enough to make the surrounding atmosphere softer instantly.
"This…"
"…is only the arena reward."
Her crimson eyes reflected his shocked face.
"As for what I promised you…"
"…you must come with me personally."
Lin Shuan immediately inhaled deeply.
That meant—
the true reward still had not arrived yet.
His excitement exploded instantly.
He quickly stored the ring away before following Protector Yi outside the chamber.
As the two walked through the palace corridors—
countless imperial guards secretly glanced toward them.
And almost every single one became stunned.
Because Lin Shuan had already recovered completely.
Completely.
This was absurd.
For normal cultivators—
injuries like his required at least thirty days to recover.
Sometimes even longer.
Yet Lin Shuan had fully healed in barely half that time.
It completely shattered common sense.
"How is that possible…"
"That monster recovered already?"
"Wasn't he almost dying before?"
"His body is terrifying…"
Several guards nearly wanted to smash their heads against the walls from disbelief.
Meanwhile—
one imperial soldier suddenly froze.
Because he remembered something terrifying.
The Empire Protector…
had not left the chamber for fifteen entire days.
And now—
Lin Shuan had recovered completely.
The soldier's eyes widened slowly.
"…no way…"
The terrifying Empire Protector—
the woman everyone believed only knew how to kill—
had personally healed someone?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Yet reality stood directly before them.
The soldier felt chills spread across his back instantly.
Meanwhile—
Lin Shuan and Protector Yi continued walking deeper into the palace.
Soon—
the surroundings changed.
The cold stone halls disappeared.
And before them—
an enormous imperial garden appeared.
Spirit flowers bloomed everywhere.
Ancient trees stretched toward the sky.
Streams of spiritual water flowed quietly beneath white bridges.
And within the center of the garden—
three figures sat cultivating peacefully.
The instant Lin Shuan and Protector Yi approached—
the three figures simultaneously opened their eyes.
Zu Lin.
Mo Xiao Lan.
Qin Yue.
All three had already recovered considerably from their previous injuries.
The moment Zu Lin saw Lin Shuan—
his face instantly brightened.
He quickly stood up and walked over excitedly.
"Brother Lin—"
Then suddenly—
his expression froze.
As though he remembered something dangerous.
"A-Ah…"
"…Shuan Hao."
"It's good to see you recovered!"
Protector Yi's crimson eyes narrowed slightly beside Lin Shuan.
Brother Lin?
A strange thought flashed through her mind instantly.
He knows Lin Shuan's true identity?
How?
Is he truly Lin Shuan's friend?
Meanwhile—
before anyone could continue speaking—
all three suddenly sensed Lin Shuan's aura clearly.
And instantly—
their expressions collapsed completely.
"FOUR-STAR ENERGY CORE?!"
Zu Lin nearly screamed internally.
Mo Xiao Lan's mouth twitched violently.
Even calm Qin Yue looked completely stunned.
They almost stopped breathing.
This monster advanced again?!
How fast was this cultivation speed?!
Zu Lin stared at Lin Shuan like he was looking at some ancient beast wearing human skin.
"…you…"
"…you truly are a monster."
Lin Shuan scratched his head awkwardly.
"Hehe…"
Qin Yue sighed helplessly.
"Congratulations."
Mo Xiao Lan also smiled bitterly.
"At this rate…"
"…you'll surpass all of us soon."
Lin Shuan laughed awkwardly again.
Even he felt slightly embarrassed.
But then—
Zu Lin suddenly grinned.
"Ah right!"
"Shuan Hao…"
"Qin Yue and I are planning to travel for a while."
His eyes brightened.
"Do you want to come with us?"
Lin Shuan blinked slightly.
Travel?
For a brief moment—
he genuinely considered it.
But then—
he instinctively glanced toward Protector Yi beside him.
And strangely—
she was already looking directly at him.
Silently.
As though she also wanted to hear his answer.
Lin Shuan hesitated briefly.
Then smiled apologetically.
"I might need some more time first."
"If possible…"
"…could you wait a little?"
"But if you already planned everything…"
"…then I'm sorry."
Zu Lin immediately waved his hands.
"No problem!"
"If Shuan Hao wants to travel later…"
"…we'll wait."
Lin Shuan smiled warmly and nodded gratefully.
"Thanks."
Nearby—
Mo Xiao Lan respectfully bowed toward Protector Yi.
"Empire Protector."
"I should leave now."
Protector Yi calmly nodded.
"You may go."
Soon afterward—
the group began walking deeper into the palace together.
The imperial garden gradually became quieter.
More isolated.
Fewer guards appeared nearby.
Clearly—
ordinary people were forbidden from entering this region.
Meanwhile—
Zu Lin quietly glanced between Lin Shuan and Protector Yi repeatedly.
The more he looked—
the stranger things felt.
Shuan Hao…
was somehow walking beside the Empire Protector peacefully.
Not dead.
Not frozen.
Not screaming.
Alive.
Perfectly alive.
Finally—
Zu Lin could no longer suppress his curiosity.
He leaned closer toward Lin Shuan secretly.
"Brother Shuan Hao…"
"…you and the Empire Protector…"
Before he could finish—
Lin Shuan suddenly remembered the slap from last night.
SLAP!!
His cheek almost started hurting again psychologically.
Without hesitation—
Lin Shuan immediately covered Zu Lin's mouth.
"Do you want to stay alive?"
"Then stay quiet."
Zu Lin instantly froze.
His eyes widened.
Then slowly—
he gave Lin Shuan a look full of admiration.
As expected of a monster.
Even surviving beside Protector Yi required terrifying courage.
Meanwhile—
Protector Yi silently walked ahead.
But the faint redness appearing around her ears suggested…
she probably heard everything.
---
Soon—
the group finally arrived before the deepest region of the imperial palace.
And there—
everyone stopped.
Because before them—
stood an enormous dimensional gate.
Ancient formation symbols floated throughout the air continuously.
Golden spiritual lines stretched across the ground like rivers of light.
The gate itself looked like a massive circular mirror made from crystal.
Inside it—
space twisted unnaturally.
A terrifying ancient aura leaked faintly from within.
Lin Shuan's heartbeat accelerated instantly.
This…
was the entrance to the imperial treasury realm.
A hidden dimension.
A place storing the true foundations of Da Cang Empire.
Even Tian Wuchen became serious again inside the pendant.
"Oh…"
"This formation…"
"…interesting."
Meanwhile—
none of them noticed something else.
Far away—
hidden behind distant palace structures—
several figures silently observed everything.
Black robes concealed their bodies entirely.
Their faces remained hidden beneath shadows.
Cold killing intent flickered faintly around them.
And every single pair of hidden eyes…
was locked directly onto Lin Shuan.