276: Three artifacts

In the coastal area of Kyushu, at the Marine Quality Inspection Bureau.

Inside a room with a gray-white color scheme.

Several Professionals looked grim.

In front of them, a huge glass wall stood tall.

Behind the glass wall, the room was filled with murky seawater, and a terrifying figure wandered aimlessly within it.

It was a monster with a fish tail and a human body.

[Name]: Mermaid (Mutated).

At first glance, it resembled the beautiful and elegant mythical creature, the mermaid.

But upon closer inspection, it was hideously ugly, like a nightmare creature from the deep abyss of the sea.

The monster's upper body was that of a female, with a sickly bluish-gray skin covered in disgusting sores and festering wounds, constantly oozing foul pus that formed wisps of filth in the water.

Its hair was sparse and messy, like a clump of rotting seaweed, and its face was twisted and deformed, with bloodshot whites of its eyes but no pupils.

From the waist down, its fish tail's scales were stained with filth and blood, many places having fallen off to reveal the rotting flesh beneath, and its caudal fin was tattered, like decaying leaves, each sway pulling at its bloody and mangled tissues.

"A perfectly good mermaid, to think it would turn into such a state."

A Professional who looked like a researcher sighed, shaking his head.

Mermaids were originally creatures of the deep sea, occasionally appearing in coastal waters.

These creatures would not actively attack humans and possessed extremely beautiful appearances.

Professionals who went out to sea considered them a good omen; seeing one meant a smooth journey.

But now, it had mutated into a disgusting monster that was impossible to look at directly.

"These monsters all came from the Island Nation."

Another female researcher said, "We tested the seawater, and it contains a large amount of unknown elements. That should be the reason for the monsters' mutation."

"Moreover, according to previous records, the highest Rank of a mermaid was Rank 60, but the mutated individual before us has already reached Rank 70."

"These unknown elements should have the effect of increasing Rank."

The researcher frowned, "Do other types of mutated creatures also show this situation?"

"Yes," the female researcher replied, "All observed mutated creatures have mostly increased by 10 to 20 Ranks, and the highest, a mutated demon whale, even increased by 30 Ranks."

The researcher pondered for a moment before making a judgment.

He said to the female researcher, "Expedite the study of those unknown elements. I have a feeling... the Island Nation is conducting experiments with some kind of Rank-boosting potion."

Just then, red lights flashed in the laboratory, accompanied by an urgent alarm.

"What happened?" The researcher was startled.

The female researcher pressed her earpiece, listening to the information from her colleagues.

Suddenly, her face changed dramatically, and she exclaimed in horror, "This is bad! Mutated creatures have escaped! It's a Rank 90 Naga Siren!"

The researcher gasped and asked, "How many escaped?"

"All of them!" the female researcher replied in terror.

The researcher stood frozen on the spot.

Some time ago, the monitoring station captured 10 Naga Sirens.

At the time, these Naga Sirens were all severely injured, and their capture was very smooth.

But now, these Naga Sirens' injuries had recovered.

Their combined combat power was not something the monitoring station could stop!

"We need to evacuate!"

The researcher made a decisive decision and said to the female researcher, "Copy all research data, release toxins to destroy the mutated creatures, and evacuate all personnel from the monitoring station! I'll go write the report."

"Yes!" The female researcher nodded.

After the researcher left, a smile appeared at the corner of the female researcher's mouth.

She quickly walked to the computer, deleted all research data, then inserted a USB drive and copied the information from it.

After doing all this, she looked at the glass curtain wall and smiled, "Little mermaid, who turned you into this?"

After smiling, she took out a camera and meticulously photographed every detail of the entire laboratory.

In one photo, the computer desktop clearly displayed the cover of a document.

"Top Secret: Biochemical Weapon Research Report."

The female researcher looked at the camera and smiled, "Kyushu is too inhumane. They actually want to cultivate mermaids into biochemical weapons?"

After smiling, she pressed her earpiece and said, "Mission accomplished."

..."Five monitoring stations, four taken. Progress is very smooth."

In the Tenshukaku, the Shogun, seated at the head, chuckled, "This strategy of 'diverting the disaster to the east' not only resolves domestic public opinion but also puts Kyushu in a difficult position. It truly is a brilliant plan."

"General."

A strategist turned his body and bowed slightly, "When it comes to strategy, Kyushu is our teacher. The smooth progress of this matter is likely a trap."

"Bastard!"

As soon as the strategist finished speaking, two other retainers stood up and angrily said, "When did Kyushu become our teacher? Are you a spy for speaking on behalf of Kyushu!"

The strategist ignored them, only looking at the Shogun and saying, "Even if there's no trick, we are still the vanguard of this military operation. The General should still be fully prepared."

The Shogun nodded slightly and said to the strategist, "You don't need to worry too much. There's a saying, 'one force can conquer ten strategies.' No matter how many tricks Kyushu plays, without the Dao Sage and the Sword Emperor, they won't be able to withstand the Free Federation's sky carrier."

At this point, he again spoke to a retainer beside him, "Contact the Kusanagi, Yagami, and Kagura families and ask them to bring out the three divine artifacts."

"Hai." The retainer respectfully bowed his head.

"With the three divine artifacts assisting, there will be no problem."

The strategist smiled slightly and bowed in salute...

"The three divine artifacts are secured."

Outside Jingming City, the Emperor's dragon carriage had unfolded into a temporary palace.

Qin Yang lay on a Dragon-head rocking chair, listening to the Imperial Guards' report.

Legend has it that the Island Nation possesses three divine artifacts that protect the nation—

The Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the Yasakani no Magatama, and the Yata no Kagami.

These three divine artifacts each possess strange powers and together Seal a deity named "Yamata no Orochi."

Qin Yang's intention in luring the Shogun to bring out the three divine artifacts was to find an opportunity to release this Yamata no Orochi.

These guys were already struggling to protect themselves, yet they still cooperated with the Free Federation to harm Kyushu. How could Qin Yang let them off easy?

Since they revered Yamata no Orochi as a deity.

Then let the deity punish these scoundrels.

In short, next year's cherry blossoms would no longer bloom.

"Your Majesty."

Just as Qin Yang was thinking, Gu Yu's voice came.

She walked in front of Qin Yang, raised her hand slightly, and released a Treasure Chest from her inventory.

"Your Majesty, this is the crimson monks robe set you requested earlier. I have completed the gauntlets, boots, and other parts."

Gu Yu said respectfully. Since receiving her "title," her demeanor had changed a lot. In addition to being capable, she also carried a hint of mature charm.

Qin Yang directly opened the Treasure Chest and put the set inside into his inventory.

The crimson monks robe was still a Rank 18 set.

The reason Qin Yang wanted Gu Yu to forge it,

was to complete the emperor yangs sinful dragon robe set.

After Emperors Demeanor reached Rank 3, it could not only transform equipment but also transform the converted Emperor's equipment back into an Emperor's Treasure Trove.

This operation could permanently save a set affix.

Moreover, this equipment affix could also be loaded as a skill.

This way, Qin Yang wouldn't have to worry about obsolete equipment gathering dust.

The affixes of emperor yangs sinful dragon robe were ordinary; transforming it into a Treasure Trove was merely for collection.

But on the guangwu star robe, there was a great ultimate skill.

[Emperor's Treasure Trove obtained: Emperor Yang's Blood Drinker Sword, emperor yangs sinful dragon robe, Guangwu Overlord Star Sword, guangwu star robe.]

[Imperial Power recovery speed increased: 800 per hour.]

[Retained affixes: Sinful Dragon Sacrifice, Pluck Stars with a Raised Hand.]

[Loaded affix skill: Pluck Stars with a Raised Hand.]

After loading the affix skill, Qin Yang's lips curved into a smile, and he thought, "Tenshukaku, is it? This meteor is specifically reserved for you."