77: Server-wide announcement shakes

On the distant earthen platform, the woman raised her hand and pointed at Shen Xiaochuan's left foot.

He looked down, and his heart sank. The chain was tightening, its surface shimmering with eerie dark-gold patterns amidst the muddy water. He understood instantly—this wasn't an ordinary iron chain, but a Chain of Imprisonment left behind after Dian Wei's possession. Now tainted by lightning energy, it had begun to backfire on him.

“I have to break it! If I don't break free before the thunderclouds descend, we'll all die!” He growled through gritted teeth, kicking off the ground with his right leg and twisting his body violently, putting every ounce of strength into pulling his foot out of the chain.

Crack!

Flesh tore, and blood flowed down his calf into his boot. He ignored the pain. The thunderclouds above the Canglan Tiger's head had already neared the ground, lightning continuously striking the water's surface and blasting deep craters. One second later, and they would be reduced to ashes.

“Dian Wei! We have to gamble on this! Block it! Don't let it complete the detonation, or none of us will survive!” he screamed hoarsely.

Dian Wei's eyes were blood-red as he stomped the ground, charging straight into the heart of the lightning storm. He pushed his twin halberds forward in a cross, slamming them into the Canglan Tiger's chest. The massive force knocked the beast backward, its four claws leaving the ground, and cracks appeared in the thunderclouds.

The chance had come!

Shen Xiaochuan's right hand suddenly pressed down as faith points converged frantically in his palm. His skin grew scalding hot, his veins bulged, and all his energy surged toward his right arm. He knew the +3 faith points per second were being consumed at a blistering rate, but he didn't hesitate.

【Thunderous Overlord Slash · Advanced】 Activated.

This strike wasn't a downward cleave, but an upward thrust. He leaned forward, his right leg sliding along the ground as the sky-rending blade trailed behind him, carving a snow-white wake in the water. In the next instant, he shot forward like an arrow from a bow, the blade's edge accurately piercing the old wound on the Canglan Tiger's belly.

Puchi—

The blade tore through flesh and went deep into the internal organs, striking the connection point of the crystal core. In an instant, lightning backflowed, erupting from the wound and exploding into an electric net in the air.

The Canglan Tiger's pupils shrank suddenly.

It wanted to roar, but no sound came out. Its whole body convulsed violently, its limbs went stiff, and the crystal core on its forehead cracked in half with a 'pop,' its light rapidly extinguishing.

Dian Wei took the opportunity to retreat, stabbing his twin halberds into the ground to steady himself. He glanced back at Shen Xiaochuan, his lips twitching slightly.

“You're more like a fierce general than I am.”

As his voice fell, his figure gradually faded, the runes dissipating bit by bit until they finally turned into specks of light dust that drifted toward the sky.

Shen Xiaochuan knelt on one knee, panting incessantly. The sky-rending blade was still embedded in the Canglan Tiger's belly, its hilt vibrating slightly. He pressed his hand against his wound, blood seeping through his fingers. That last strike had exhausted almost all his strength; even standing had become difficult.

But he couldn't fall.

The air above distorted, and golden text appeared one after another, slowly descending.

【Server-Wide Announcement】

Congratulations to player 【Shen Xiaochuan】 for successfully slaying the rare-grade beast 'Canglan Tiger,' achieving the first over-tier hunt in the Beginner Zone!

The entire area went silent.

Even the wind seemed to stop flowing.

【Server-Wide Announcement】

Shen Xiaochuan's peak combat power has exceeded 590 points, refreshing the server's personal combat power rankings!

【Server-Wide Announcement】

Awarded the title 【Thunder Abyss Tiger Slayer】. All attributes +5, Lightning Resistance increased by 30%, and Lightning-type skill damage in the holder's area is increased by an additional 10%!

Three golden messages popped up in succession, lingering for ten seconds before slowly dissipating.

In the center of the wetlands, Shen Xiaochuan looked up at the sky, sweat mixed with blood running into his eyes. He blinked, his vision blurring and then clearing. The woman on the earthen platform was long gone, with only a wisp of light smoke floating in the air.

He had no time to worry about that.

The most important thing right now was to confirm if the monster was truly dead.

He gritted his teeth and pulled out the sky-rending blade, the blade bringing out a string of blood droplets. The Canglan Tiger's massive body swayed and then crashed to the ground, splashing up a large amount of muddy water. The crystal core on its forehead was completely shattered, its energy fully exhausted, with not a single ripple left.

Mission complete.

A System prompt immediately popped up:

【Slay rare-grade Beast · Canglan Tiger】 mission complete. Obtained King-grade Treasure Chest ×1, faith points +5000.

He let out a long breath and sat down on the muddy ground. His left ankle was still in searing pain, and his right arm muscles wouldn't stop twitching. This battle had been far more difficult than expected. If he hadn't broken free of the chain at the last moment and seized that split-second opening, he would be the one lying dead right now.

Footsteps approached.

He immediately looked up, his hand already reaching for his blade hilt.

It was the Personal Guard Squad returning.

The five of them ran down from the high slope. The Archer arrived first, aiming his bow at the corpse and only stowing his weapon after confirming there was no movement. The adjutant knelt to check the crystal core fragments, shaking his head to indicate they couldn't be repaired.

“My Lord, you're injured.” Anna wanted to step forward to bandage him.

“Don't touch me.” He raised a hand to stop her. “First, take photos to record the state of the corpse and upload them to the System for the record. I want to ensure this achievement won't be questioned.”

The adjutant immediately took out a recorder and circled the corpse to take photos. Shen Xiaochuan squinted when the flash went off. He knew exactly what this meant.

From now on, no one would dare call him 'Zero Combat Talent' again.

The name of Skydome City would spread throughout the Beginner Zone. The Dawn Group would be able to secure more resources. Aphrodite would also be safer.

He slowly stood up, leaning on the sky-rending blade. His legs were still trembling, but he forced himself to stand tall.

He couldn't fall.

Especially not now.

The sky vibrated once more.

New golden text slowly emerged:

【Special Notice】

Player 【Shen Xiaochuan】 has completed an over-tier kill through personal strength, triggering the hidden achievement 【Fate Defier】 and opening the exclusive growth path 【Path of the Divine General】. Every kill of a rare-grade target or higher will grant an additional Heroic Spirit Resonance boost!

This time there was only one message, but it was more dazzling than any before it.

Path of the Divine General?

He stared at those four words, his heart racing.

This wasn't an ordinary reward; it was a pass bestowed by the System upon top-tier experts. In the future, when he summoned Heroic Spirits, they would not only have higher combat power and last longer, but they might even unlock entirely new forms.

He gripped the blade hilt, his knuckles turning white.

Everything was only just beginning.

The Personal Guard Squad began clearing the battlefield. Someone brought over a stretcher, wanting him to lie down and rest, but he refused.

“Drag the tiger corpse to the clearing; I want to retrieve the crystal core fragments and fur samples,” he said. “Also, notify Lolia to prepare the Artifact Refining Room. I want to test new Materials tomorrow.”

The adjutant noted the orders and turned to make arrangements.

Shen Xiaochuan stood in place, looking around. The wetlands had returned to peace, the standing water reflecting the grey sky. He stepped on the ground with his left foot, every step feeling like walking on the edge of a knife.

But he didn't stop.

Walking to the corpse, he bent down and pulled out the sky-rending blade. The blade was covered in blood and bits of flesh, which he wiped clean on the tiger's hide.

“My Lord, you should tend to your wounds now.” Anna approached again.

“In a moment.” He stared at the tiger's head. “These eyes... keep them.”

“Huh?”

“Take them back to soak in medicinal fluid; I want to study its visual structure.” He stood up straight. “Also, record its claw mark distribution and muscle patterns. I want to know how it was still able to launch an ultimate skill while heavily injured.”

Anna bowed her head and took notes.

He knew many would think he was crazy. But in this world, details determined life and death. Winning once didn't mean you could win a second time.

Only by being more prepared could one go further.

The Personal Guard Squad used ropes to secure the corpse, preparing to drag it away. He stood to the side, watching. Suddenly, he heard a slight noise.

It wasn't the sound of the wind, nor the sound of water.

It was a faint scraping sound coming from beneath the corpse.

He crouched down and brushed away the wet mud.

A palm-sized scale was revealed, shimmering with a greenish-grey light. It wasn't part of the Canglan Tiger's hide, but looked more like a fragment from some kind of crustacean creature.

He picked it up to examine it.

On the back, a few small characters were engraved, covered by filth. He used the tip of his blade to gently scrape away the dirt.

“Year of Guiwei · Southeast Forbidden Land”.

His fingers paused.

This wasn't a current era name, but an ancient calendar System.

Moreover... he looked toward the southeast. There lay a swamp, marked on the map as a Level 4 Danger Zone that no one had cleared yet.

Why would this scale appear here?

“My Lord?” Seeing him motionless, the adjutant asked in a low voice.

He didn't answer.

He tucked the scale into his robe and stood up.

“Continue dragging the corpse,” he said. “I want everything I asked for, not a single piece missing.”

The Personal Guard Squad resumed their work. The ropes tightened, and the corpse slowly moved. He stood still, right hand pressing against the wound on his left foot, looking down at the muddy water beneath him.

In the reflection of the water, a flash of golden light crossed his eyes.

That was the reaction when faith points had accumulated too much.

It was also proof of becoming stronger.

In the distant sky, the last golden message quietly dissipated.