The first rays of dawn pierced through the window, spilling across the purple sandalwood desk inside the study of Fulong Pavilion.
Zhao Chengyuan suddenly opened his eyes.
Gone was the splitting pain that usually ravaged his mind. Gone too were the demonic beast howls clawing at his ears. Even his breathing carried a faint sweetness, as though his meridians had been thoroughly cleansed.
His fingertips trembled slightly as they brushed the empty teacup on the desk.
Last night, Li Xuan had drunk from this very cup. Faint traces of the youth’s fresh herbal scent still seemed to linger around the rim.
“So this is Li Changgeng’s Returning Silence?”
Zhao Chengyuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, obsession surging through his eyes.
“To feel this refreshed… this medicine must be kept close.”
Before the morning mist had faded, the Thousand-Step Cloud Stairway remained shrouded in fog.
Li Xuan, along with Shen Qingci, A’Man, Yan Chiyu, and the other recruits, had already changed into Fulong Pavilion’s specially tailored dark cyan Shura uniforms. Silver-threaded cloud patterns adorned the collars, marking their rank as new recruits, as they gathered at the martial training grounds.
Leading them was Deputy Commander Lu Changfeng of Fulong Camp.
His face was stern as forged steel, a scar deep enough to reveal bone slashing across his right eye—a mark earned during the famous campaign to pacify Canglong Marsh.
“Now that you’ve entered Fulong Camp, we can skip the pleasantries.”
His voice thundered across the field.
“Here, only life and death matter—not your origins. Only strength earned through hardship will keep you alive.”
He stepped aside and introduced the four elders standing nearby.
“These four will be your instructors.”
Su Manqing, disciple of Grand Preceptor Bai Yanhua and deputy head of the Research Division, would teach supernatural theory.
Yao Buyi, chief physician of Spring Renewal Hall, would teach medicine and purification arts.
Yan Jiutie, director of Divine Mechanism Battalion, oversaw weapons development.
Yuwen Ce, ritual priest of the Formation Bureau, specialized in barrier arrays.
“As for me,” Lu Changfeng said, “I’ll handle your physical conditioning and combat training.”
Afterward, he led everyone before a massive stone monument behind the main pavilion.
The monument towered several stories high, its dark surface densely carved with countless names.
The Monument of Heroic Souls.
His voice grew heavier, though pride lingered beneath it.
“In the ninety-one dark years of the Great Fan Dynasty, dimensional rifts opened endlessly.”
“The former Prince Guang—Prince Yong—led the Zhao family’s hunters during the Battle of Huai River. With only three hundred elite hunters, they fought ten thousand Desolation-grade beasts and saved half the Central Plains.”
“Twelve support towers surround Fulong Camp. Their lightning-fire ballistae were personally overseen by Prince Guang himself and are capable of killing Desolation-grade beast kings.”
“And our Commander…”
Lu Changfeng’s eyes gleamed.
“At seventeen, he joined the army. In his first battle outside Lingqu Prefecture, he single-handedly slew a Calamity-grade River Ghoul King.”
“The former Zhenyue Division was renamed Fulong Camp precisely to continue this undefeated legend!”
Before he finished speaking, steady footsteps approached from the main pavilion.
Zhao Chengyuan arrived.
Dressed in black embroidered robes with a jade belt at his waist, his posture stood straight as a pine tree.
“Commander!” Lu Changfeng bowed respectfully.
Zhao Chengyuan’s gaze swept briefly over Li Xuan.
The silver-haired youth looked unexpectedly handsome in the dark uniform.
Something shifted in Zhao Chengyuan’s eyes.
Then he turned away.
“At ease. Continue leading them properly.”
He leaned closer to Lu Changfeng and whispered a few instructions.
“Yes, Commander!”
Before leaving, Zhao Chengyuan cast another glance toward Li Xuan.
There was unmistakable possessiveness in that look.
Like something precious finally returned to its rightful owner.
The entire morning passed touring the facilities of Fulong Pavilion:
Chengtian Hall, center of military affairs.
Demon Suppression Bureau, home to illusion simulations and sparring arenas.
Spirit Research Pavilion and Stargazing Platform, the heart of supernatural education.
Hundred Herbs Garden and Spirit Botanical Park, dedicated to cultivating demonic plants.
Pharmacology Chamber and Refinement Workshop, sites of delicate experimentation.
And Thousand Mechanisms Dock alongside the Forge, where military equipment was designed and manufactured.
After the tour, Lu Changfeng coughed awkwardly and turned toward Li Xuan.
“Li Changgeng, the Commander has ordered that, due to your unique ability, your future practical training will be personally supervised by him.”
“When he patrols the provinces, you’ll accompany him.”
“Report to Chengtian Hall this afternoon at the Hour of Si. Don’t be late.”
Li Xuan frowned.
“But… I’m just a half-baked healer.”
Inside, he was screaming.
Practical lessons? This is basically twenty-four-hour babysitting! Even with free housing and meals, this job is way too demanding!
“This is an opportunity others could only dream of,” Lu Changfeng advised.
Beside him, Shen Qingci chuckled quietly.
“Brother Changgeng’s been personally selected by the Commander. Better be careful.”
“You might end up becoming the Commander’s personal little housekeeper.”
At the appointed hour that afternoon, Li Xuan arrived at the inner study of Chengtian Hall.
Zhao Chengyuan sat by the window reading a military text.
Several wooden crates stood beside the desk, overflowing with damaged armor, broken crossbows, and ruined weapons.
“You’re here.”
He set down the scroll and gestured toward the crates.
“These are damaged. Restore them.”
Li Xuan stared at the mountain of broken gear and twitched visibly.
Dragging a crate over, he flicked his fingers lightly.
“Guiyuan: Perfect Restoration.”
White light burst forth.
Rust vanished.
Broken weapons mended themselves instantly, emerging as flawless as the day they were forged.
Internally, Li Xuan was screaming:
This workload deserves a raise! They’re treating me like a repair machine! Think of how much money I’m saving this place—can I get a salary increase or not?!
A flicker of delight crossed Zhao Chengyuan’s eyes, though his expression stayed calm.
“Acceptable.”
“Come with me.”
He led Li Xuan beneath the training grounds to a platform beside the riverbed.
A five-pointed formation was carved into the stone floor.
Inserting his military token into a groove beside a stone gate, Zhao Chengyuan twisted it halfway.
The ground split open, revealing a descending staircase.
“This is the Ruins Abyss Water Prison.”
“It houses failed beast tamers, crazed Shura, and demonic creatures awaiting judgment.”
He stepped downward.
“Follow me.”
The prison was cold and damp, heavy with the smell of rust and blood.
Deep inside stood a figure shackled by black iron chains.
Dense black mist wrapped around him.
His crimson eyes glowed with madness.
Low growls escaped his throat like a beast’s.
His body was covered in wounds deep enough to expose bone.
Judging from the clothing—
He was one of Zhao Chengyuan’s shadow guards.
“Who is this?” Li Xuan asked.
“This is Moying,” Zhao Chengyuan replied, standing with his hands clasped behind him, eagle-sharp eyes locked onto Li Xuan.
“My shadow scout.”
“A month ago, I sent him to investigate enemy territory. He was ambushed.”
“Poisoned. Internal power exhausted.”
“He’s nearing complete berserk corruption.”
“The cold of this prison is the only thing suppressing him.”
Zhao Chengyuan raised Li Xuan’s chin.
“Use your Returning Silence.”
“Save him.”
Like you saved me last night.”
Li Xuan’s palms instantly broke into sweat.
Oh no. This is a death question.
Moying knows military secrets. If I purify him, they’ll suspect I’m a Purifier. If I rewind him, he’ll lose his memories and all intelligence will be ruined. Zhao Chengyuan will absolutely suspect me!
I’m being roasted alive here!
In a split second—
Oscar-winning actor mode activated.