The Black Rose Base at night had already closed, appearing particularly silent, yet there stood a person quietly in the hall.

Captain Simmons from the Hedan Saint Ze Canon Law School in Moncalleta Royal Capital.

Simmons had been waiting for a while, looking at the red moon outside the window, his mind in chaos. He thought a lot, suspecting if it was a mere illusion of his own.

But he quickly realized who he was facing. His little actions were most likely seen through, and the opponent's words carried hidden meanings. They mentioned that the Black Rose's night scenery was great and abrupt, possibly hinting for him to come to Black Rose Base at night. He hoped he was overthinking, but felt he wasn't. Simmons could move freely within the Secret Castle, even interacting with the Immortals, not because of talent, but because his mind was sharp.

Unknowingly, Li Xin appeared silently, with Simmons completely unaware of anyone approaching.

"Is the scenery nice, Simmons?" Li Xin asked.

Simmons' body instantly tensed up; the thing he feared most was here. He couldn't sense any killing intent, but there was an inexplicable pressure, like being back to the helplessness of the Secret Castle. But after all, Simmons was no longer the man he was before. He had obtained a Holy Relic, grown strong, and was now a captain, a leader at the Saint Grace Canon Law School!

"Brother Li called me here, may I ask for what guidance?" Simmons asked blandly.

Li Xin looked at Simmons with a half-smile, his gaze as sharp as a knife.

The atmosphere suddenly froze. Simmons could even hear his own heartbeat, but just seconds later, he felt a strange sensation like ants crawling on his body. He gritted his teeth, "Alright, I know, you're one of the legendary ones chosen by the Secret Castle. What do you want!"

The mark on his body was annoying. Li Xin didn't want tattoos, but couldn't remove it. Later, when nothing special happened over time, Li Xin didn't care much, but Simmons' attack still drew his attention.

It was too obvious. Since the opponent insisted on uncovering the past, he couldn't not charge a fee, hence the hint. This guy should understand it.

"How do you know the location of the mark?" Li Xin asked. Clearly, the opponent's act of pulling open his shirt was premeditated.

"Learned from the Immortals. Only a few people each generation supposedly has special significance, but I don't know," Simmons pointed at Li Xin's chest.

"You call those skeleton clips Immortals?" Li Xin showed some interest.

"Clips?"

"Yeah, don't you find their voices bizarre, like clamping?"

"...They call themselves that. I've been in the Secret Castle longer, and our family has had several generations selected," Simmons hated his obedient state but felt compelled.

Li Xin nodded, "Give me a reason not to do anything to you."

Upon hearing, Simmons' eyes suddenly ignited.

This is what he feared, getting silenced. How could Li Xin allow his intelligence to be exposed? He must have a massive conspiracy hidden in the Celestial Capital. People like him would do anything to acquire great hidden power.

But he held a glimmer of hope because if he ran, he'd certainly be hunted. He was unsure of escaping the hunt, whereas facing it, perhaps they could have a talk.

Now the negotiation broke down. He revered death but would absolutely not wait idly for it.

Simmons locked his gaze onto Li Xin, "That depends on whether you have the strength. What the Secret Castle can see is merely a rough potential, and over so many years, the victor is uncertain. Don't be too arrogant!"

Simmons spoke in a deep voice. Before coming, he had already mentally prepared, repeatedly warning himself that even against a mature chosen one, he mustn't refrain from resisting, let alone a juvenile. The number only indicated potential, and he wasn't weak, the hidden power's growth span could stretch for hundreds of years. Perhaps the opponent matured late!

Don't let naive expectations erase his efforts. He was already a standout among Moncalleta's young elite and extended his hand while speaking.

Whoosh...

Amidst the whistling sound, a heavy sword arrived in Simmons' hand. Before entering, he had placed his heavy sword at the door, now holding tightly to his long-fought partner. Simmons' battle intent continuously burned, his eyes turned blood-red instantly, the strongest Red Eye among the four-colored pupils, directing the heavy sword at Li Xin, aura escalating.

Where does confidence come from?

From continuous battle, from relentlessly achieving victory, confidence to defeat everything!

Born from death, kill~~~

With a thunderous shout, Simmons launched a swift attack. The heavy sword seemed weightless, like a hanging antelope, instantly slashing toward Li Xin, in that instant spiritual ability concentrated, and the sword's light blasted out.

In an instant, Li Xin's expression changed.

Damn, what are you yelling about late at night!

Simmons certainly knew the opponent was formidable. His strike condensed his heavy sword technique, the pursuit not for speed but the instant of striking combined spiritual ability and technique into a decision. The steps fully integrated, and when three meters from Li Xin, the heavy sword's aura descended.

Splat~~~

Li Xin's right hand gripped the greatsword, the blade light shattered, followed by a pull, and he punched forward. Simmons put his life on the line, neither dodging nor avoiding, taking the punch head-on. Boom...

His body trembled violently, the unimaginable Spiritual Ability invaded instantly, blood gushing from his nose, ears, and the corners of his mouth. Even so, Simmons didn't step back, and the greatsword in his hand wasn't snatched away by Li Xin. He could feel death looming, knowing he couldn't retreat. Just as he was about to attack, another force, coming from who knows where, struck him. Bang~~

Simmons couldn't hold back anymore, spat out a mouthful of blood, and dropped the greatsword. Since leaving the Secret Castle, he had never felt such fear. At the brink of life and death, Simmons realized his mistake in judgement. His heart thundered, Spiritual Ability covering his entire body, forcibly suppressing all injuries, and at the same time, he fiercely grabbed Li Xin, bloodlust and ruthlessness in his eyes.

Fight to the end!

The frantically burning Spiritual Ability from Simmons' arms engulfed Li Xin, and the next second, Simmons felt his vision blur and lost consciousness.

Li Xin quickly picked up the heavy sword, carrying Simmons, and hid in the shadows. Within seconds, a head popped up—members of the Canon Law School's patrol, with a red armband on the left arm.

Since the theft of Hex-Tech, internal vigilance at the Canon Law School was heightened. The Black Rose Base was a key patrol area, and the patroller glanced around, "Hmm, I remember closing the door."

After carefully checking the surroundings and finding nothing unusual, the patroller sighed in relief. It seemed like he heard something roar earlier, probably just his imagination.

The patroller tilted his head to close the door properly and left with the sound of footsteps. At this moment, Li Xin was clinging to the ceiling like a gecko. Seeing the coast was clear, Li Xin descended to the ground, shook Simmons in his hand, and when he let go, Simmons' head drooped again.

...

Is it possible?

He placed his hand under Simmons' nostrils. Fortunately, there was breath; Li Xin hadn't hit him too hard. This place wasn't convenient, so Li Xin carried Simmons and his heavy sword to Luo Xue's floor, where the soundproofing was better.

Simmons felt immense pain all over his body, as if he had been repeatedly trampled by a Bigfoot. Slowly opening his eyes, it felt as if his soul was gradually returning to his body... What happened just now? Seeing Li Xin in front of him, Simmons was dumbfounded. Wasn't he supposed to be in a room?

How did he end up here?

His vision was a bit blurred, slightly shaking, and a voice seemed to reach his ears. A hand waved in front of him as if telling him to wake up.

Injured, attacked from behind... Just a few seconds of disorientation, and his memory returned suddenly. He came to find Li Xin, then fought, and then suddenly passed out. Using his Red Eye and Blood Burning abilities, he considered himself one of the elites in the Dao Yuan Canon Law School, yet his power had no effect.

Li Xin sat calmly in front of him. Simmons felt his spirit and energy drained in an instant.

He sighed lightly and closed his eyes.

"Simmons, which path did you choose?" Li Xin asked.

Simmons slowly opened his eyes, accepting his fate, a bitter smile on his lips, "Knight."

He knew it might be tough, but deep down, he still believed there was a chance of victory, hoping for a swift end soon.

"What kind of glory did you attain?" Li Xin continued to question, his approach crafty, not appearing ignorant as "glory" was surely more than simple.

Regarding the path, inquiries needed to be directed at those experienced nobles. Simmons knew quite a lot about the Secret Castle, suggesting his family wasn't weak. There might be useful information he could spill.

"Participate in battles with glory attributes and seize them. I am not at the level for major glory," Simmons replied. "I am aware of my capabilities. That's all I know. No need to humiliate me; just kill me already."

"Why would I kill you? You're strange," Li Xin remarked.

Simmons stared blankly at Li Xin, who was nearly closing his eyes, "You aren't going to kill me to silence me?"

"Silence you for what? But I'm not fond of trouble, so you'd better not speak of my matters," Li Xin said with a shrug, carrying a hint of warning.

"You really won't kill me?" Simmons was still somewhat skeptical, "Then why hit me so hard?"

Hearing that, Li Xin got irritated, "I just wanted to see your current level. Who would have thought you would scream like a ghost at night and be so weak? If you're going to die, find another place to do it." Li Xin stated, noting that this guy was a core member of the Saint Grace Canon Law School and also a noble from Moncalleta. His death in Celestial Capital would definitely lead to a diplomatic incident.

Simmons wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, realizing it had unknowingly begun to flow again. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry; it seemed he took this beating for nothing.

"Why did you come here? Do you have any other purpose?" Li Xin inquired, figuring things had come this far.

"I have some dealings with Zhao Qing," Simmons said, spreading his hands without concealment, as he didn't truly believe the other would let him go so easily.

Suddenly, a smile spread across Li Xin's face, "Come, come, get up. See? It's all my fault. Speaking of which, it's been years since we've met. Let's have a good chat."

...

(Dear comrades, five chapters delivered. Regular updates will move to 6 PM, and I'll strive to add more intermittently. A monthly ticket support is appreciated, thank you!)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.