The Ancient Gods' Whisper

"NO1. Tang Ling—Current accumulated merit: 4398."

"NO2. Gu Jianlin—Current accumulated merit: 4223."

"NO3. Yan Ye—Current accumulated merit: 3788."

"NO4. Yan Feng—Current accumulated merit: 3021."

"NO5. Mu Ziqing—Current accumulated merit: 2700."

When Taixu calculates merit, it does not count solely based on the number of enemies defeated.

Because that would be unfair to support-based paths.

The basis of merit calculation lies in overall performance.

When the results appeared, everyone was slightly stunned.

Especially Bai Simu and Yan Wu.

The former was slightly surprised because she found someone whose merit was unexpectedly close to her junior sister's.

The latter was furious because neither of his sons made it to the top two.

What was even more unacceptable was that the son of a Fallen had surpassed them!

"Not bad at all."

Lu Zijin narrowed her beautiful eyes in satisfaction and sipped half a cup of milk tea.

As expected of Professor Gu's son, his looks and talent were indeed flawless.

However, just then, a blinding red light suddenly swept across the entire office.

"Detected: B-level investigator Tang Ling, life critical."

"Detected: C-level investigator Yan Ye, life critical."

"Warning: Severe spiritual pollution detected, high-risk-level deformation! Approaching Fourth Rank! Requesting immediate support!"

Lu Zijin sprang to her feet, alarmed by the presence of such an entity within the Grave Digger Organization.

Yan Wu's face turned ashen as he spun around and left. "I'm heading to the scene immediately."

"I'll call the teacher."

Bai Simu pulled out her phone, her expression gravely serious.

Severe spiritual pollution, high-risk deformation, approaching Fourth Rank!

This was far beyond what the younger ones could handle.

Tang Ling in her usual state could have dealt with such entities.

But now, her condition was dire and extremely dangerous.

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Hasegawa Shinichi had yet to grasp the essence of true evolution when the humming vibrations of a sword's edge resonated through the silence.

His expression shifted as he quickly stepped back.

For Tang Ling had already leapt into action, her Extreme Thunder Great Sword unleashing a chilling wave of Sword Qi, slashing toward the Blood Crystal Stone in his hand.

Hasegawa Shinichi abruptly drew his blade, sending out a sharp arc of light!

Boom!

The crisscrossing Sword Qi forcibly tore through the encroaching blade light, a deafening roar echoing continuously.

Hasegawa Shinichi noticed how incredibly frail the girl seemed, a sinister smile creeping onto his face as he shifted into an offensive stance.

In the clash of blades and swords, Tang Ling desperately aimed to seize the Blood Crystal Stone.

But the relentless onslaught of grim blade lights forced her to block with her sword and evade with her footwork.

Admittedly, though Hasegawa Shinichi's Inheritance Path wasn't strong, the strength gained through advanced deformation made him formidable.

Tang Ling, in her white-haired state, suffered diminished offensive capabilities and battle instincts. Coupled with her severely depleted physical condition, she found herself retreating step by step, her face as pale as paper.

"Behind you!"

Hasegawa Shinichi shouted about an attack from behind, yet aimed a strike to her left side instead.

Clang!

This strike was blocked by the great sword she had swung behind her in defense.

The strands of hair on Tang Ling's forehead fluttered in the wind as her instincts screamed danger, sending chills down her spine.

The inconspicuous black-robed figure from earlier had already appeared before her.

His body was grotesquely shaped by proliferating bones, his muscles swelling severalfold, his form cloaked in crimson serpent scales, and a pair of horns had even sprouted from his head.

He seemed part snake, part dragon.

Ancient and ferocious blood coursed through his veins, granting him unfathomable strength.

"Such a cute little girl. What a pity you chose the wrong side."

His icy voice was drowned by the wind. "The ones I despise the most are the association's lapdogs!"

His punches came like a relentless storm!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Tang Ling twisted and dodged, unable to use her great sword to block in time. Instead, she used her fingers!

Delicate, pale fingertips erupted with razor-sharp Sword Qi.

The core ability of the Sword Sect Path was using the fluctuation of thought to interfere with matter!

Yet her opponent's brute strength far exceeded her expectations.

Though his punches were utterly devoid of technique, they tore through her Sword Qi with brute force.

The crushing pressure was as deep as the sea, and his final punch drove straight toward her chest.

At the critical moment, an overwhelming Sword Qi Barrier erupted in front of Tang Ling, attempting to hold him off.

Boom!

The black-robed man smashed through the Qi Barrier with his double fists, the explosive force violently sending the white-haired girl flying.

Already gravely injured, Tang Ling spat bright red blood, tracing an arc in the air before crashing down.

"Die!"

Hasegawa Shinichi gripped his blade, channeling terrifying Qi Force into its edge.

In the next moment, he prepared to decapitate the girl.

But just then, Tang Ling's indifferent eyes flicked toward him, and the case behind her opened.

A silver-white Iron Sword, surging with Sword Qi, shot forth!

Boom!

Hasegawa Shinichi's concentration broke as he stumbled backward.

Meanwhile, powerful spiritual fluctuations surged from behind.

Rumble!

Overhead, dark clouds converged, winds howled, hailstones cascaded, and flames roared.

"Fallen, this is the end for you."

Yan Ye stood with arms folded, speaking coldly. His white suit was marked with dust and blood, and at this moment, his spiritual fluctuations had crossed Second Rank, entering the domain of Third Rank.

The Heavenly Master Path spans First-tier Yin and Yang, Second-tier Four Symbols, and Third-tier Mind Master.

Upon reaching the Third Stage, Heavenly Masters gain access to psychic power.