110: Promotion to senior management

"Attack!"

A sharp shout pierced the air!

Three streaks of deadly black light tore through the air, forming a triangular formation and shooting straight at Lin Jingyu's face, throat, and heart! The timing was insidious, precisely the moment he stepped out of the passage, the sunlight was dazzling, and his guard was slightly down!

An assassination! Long premeditated!

Outside the passage entrance was not the Demon Suppression Division's rendezvous point as expected, but a desolate valley filled with jagged rocks.

Three ghostly figures, clad in tight night-traveling clothes with masked faces, revealed only pairs of cold, bloodthirsty eyes. Their weapons gleamed with a cold light: one held a poisoned Zi-Wu Bone-Penetrating Nail, another wielded a chain dart wrapped in poisonous fire chains, and the last one actually held a bone flute emitting strange Soul fluctuations!

A chilling glint burst from Lin Jingyu's eyes! His killing intent instantly boiled! Without the slightest hesitation, he roared inwardly:

"System! Enhance Star Shattering Finger! Major Achievement!"

[Ding! Consumed 130,000 evolution points! Star Shattering Finger has been upgraded to Major Achievement! The power of the Star Annihilation Manifestation is condensed into substance! Penetration, destructive power, and speed greatly increased! Comes with Star Annihilation Aftermath!]

A torrent of information surged in!

The dark golden star-like glow on his fingertip suddenly contracted, becoming the size of a grain of rice, yet it was as dark and profound as a black hole, emitting an aura of annihilation that made the air wail!

Facing the three streaks of black light shooting towards him, Lin Jingyu neither dodged nor defended! He didn't even assume any defensive posture!

He merely raised his right hand.

His index finger pointed out!

The movement was simple, yet incredibly fast!

Chii! Chii! Chii!

Three faint, almost inaudible sounds of tearing air rang out!

Three dark golden finger rays, condensed into substance, arrived later but struck first! They precisely collided with the three deadly black lights!

There was no earth-shattering collision.

The Zi-Wu Bone-Penetrating Nail, upon contact with the dark golden finger ray, silently melted and annihilated like ice and snow under the scorching sun, without even a wisp of smoke!

The poisonous fire chain dart's head exploded, the poisonous fire wrapped around it instantly extinguished, and the fine steel chain body broke inch by inch, turning into dust!

The eerie bone flute let out a mournful Soul shriek, countless cracks appeared on its body, its Soul fluctuations were forcibly extinguished, and with a 'clatter,' it broke into two pieces, falling into the dust!

The three dark golden finger rays continued their momentum, instantly piercing the brows of the three black-clad assassins, who were utterly terrified and had no time to react!

Puff! Puff! Puff!

Three soft sounds.

The assassins' movements instantly froze, the bloodlust and coldness in their eyes replaced by boundless fear and bewilderment.

At the center of their brows, each had a smooth, rice-grain-sized blood hole. No fresh blood flowed out, only faint dark golden annihilation Qi lingered around the edges of the holes.

Immediately after, their heads exploded silently as if detonated from within!

A mixture of red and white matter, along with bone fragments, was instantly purified and vanished by the dark golden annihilation Qi!

Only three headless corpses remained, falling straight backward!

Instant kill! Absolute crushing!

From being ambushed to counter-killing, it took but a single breath!

Lin Jingyu slowly withdrew his finger, the heart-palpitating dark golden glow on its tip gradually receding.

He coldly swept his gaze over the three corpses, then looked at Tu Gang and the others, who had just rushed out of the passage, still shaken.

"Dispose of them." His cold voice carried no emotion.

"Yes... yes! Lord Lin!" Tu Gang shivered, his voice trembling, and quickly motioned for Chaplain Li and the others, who were equally stunned, to come forward.

Looking at the terrifying annihilation Qi lingering at the brows of the three headless corpses, their hands and feet turned cold. What kind of finger technique was this?! It was terrifying!

Lin Jingyu, meanwhile, walked to the side of the first fallen assassin, the one holding the flute, and bent down to pick up the broken bone flute.

It was cold to the touch, with a faint yet pure strand of sinister Mental Energy remaining.

"System, convert."

[Ding! Converted 3 remnants of Dharma Aspect Realm first-level evil cultivators, 1 special Mental Magical Artifact (damaged)! Obtained evolution points: 90,000 points!]

A white light flashed, and the corpses and broken flute disappeared.

[Total evolution points: 90,000 points]

'Not enough.' A thought flashed through Lin Jingyu's mind. 90,000 points were not enough to push the Archaic God-Demon Visualization Chart to Perfection. 'I'll save them for now.'

He no longer lingered, discerning the direction, his sturdy body enveloped in a faint Star Gangsha aura, and strode towards the Demon Suppression Division.

The sunlight fell on his muscular back, as if he were clad in a layer of dark silver divine iron armor.

Tu Gang and the others hurriedly cleaned up the scene, then, with the lingering fear of their narrow escape and an indescribable awe, jogged to catch up.

Demon Suppression Division, Black Prison Hall.

The atmosphere was as heavy as lead.

The main seat in the hall was empty.

On both sides sat several figures with profound auras, all true high-level members of the Demon Suppression Division, at least at the Dharma Aspect Realm cultivation level!

Among them were Elder Zhao, who had introduced Lin Jingyu, and the Director of the Ice Soul Division, Leng Yuexin, whose aura was like ten thousand years of cold ice.

In the center of the main hall stood Tu Gang and Chaplain Li, who had just finished their report.

Both had their heads bowed, their bodies trembling slightly, cold sweat soaking their backs.

They meticulously reported the events of their trip to the demon cave: encountering the Ghost King, the Ghost King being annihilated by Lin Jingyu with a single finger, the Demon General awakening, Lin Jingyu injuring the Demon General and seizing its remains, devouring the Nether Bone Demon, and finally, the assassination and counter-kill... Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking hard at the hearts of all the high-level officials in the hall!

"A single finger... annihilated a Peak Dharma Aspect Realm first-level Nine Nether Ghost King?" An ancient-faced old man, known within the Division for his swordsmanship as 'Wind-Slaying Director' Xiao Duanshan, spoke in a dry voice, filled with disbelief.

"Directly confronting a Peak Dharma Aspect Realm third-level Demon Kingdom General, who possessed nascent power of rules, injuring and forcing him to retreat?" Another burly man, 'Blazing Sun Director' Hong Lie, whose vital Qi was like a blazing furnace, widened his eyes, as if he had heard a tall tale.

"Devouring... the Nether Bone Demon's Soul Fire?" Even the usually cold Leng Yuexin, a hint of emotion flickered across her beautiful face.

"And those remains... containing vast vital Qi and Star Origin..." Elder Zhao stroked his beard, his eyes glinting with sharp light.

Finally, Tu Gang bit the bullet and added: "...When we exited the passage, we were ambushed by three Dharma Aspect Realm first-level assassins... who were... killed by Lord Lin with a single finger..."

Dead silence!

The entire Black Prison Hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard!

The expressions on the faces of all the Director-level powerhouses froze. Shock, horror, disbelief, and even... a deeply hidden trace of apprehension!

This Lin Jingyu... how long had he been with the Demon Suppression Division? How long had he been in the Dharma Aspect Realm? These achievements... he was simply a monster! No, a Vicious Beast in human skin!

"Where... is he now?" Xiao Duanshan took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice.

"Reporting to Director, Lord Lin has returned to the Guest Elder courtyard." Tu Gang quickly replied.

"Good! What a Lin Jingyu!"

Hong Lie slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, making the hall hum, and his eyes burst with fervent light, "Such combat power, such methods, he should be a sharp blade for our Demon Suppression Division! The mere position of Guest Elder insults him too much!"

Leng Yuexin's clear, cold voice rang out: "His strength is beyond doubt. However, his actions are too overbearing, and he possesses a great treasure, which may attract covetous eyes, or... he himself is a whirlpool."

She implied something, clearly thinking of the suspicious ambush.

"What if he is a whirlpool?" Hong Lie's voice was like a grand bell, "When has our Demon Suppression Division ever feared trouble? Such combat power, if lost due to suspicion, would be a huge loss! In my opinion, he should be promoted to 'Blood Fiend Division Master'! To command a division, specializing in hunting high-level demons and evil spirits!"

"Blood Fiend Division Master?" Xiao Duanshan frowned slightly, "The position of Director is no small matter; it requires seniority..."

"Seniority?"

Hong Lie scoffed, "In the face of absolute strength, what is seniority worth? His accomplishments alone are worth ten ordinary Directors! Slaying a Ghost King, repelling a Demon General, bringing back crucial intelligence about the Demon Kingdom entrance! Which of these isn't a monumental achievement? Elder Zhao, what do you say?"

Elder Zhao pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Little friend Lin's strength is unfathomable, and his potential is even more astonishing. While a special promotion may be controversial, for the Demon Suppression Division, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. As for those remains... since they are his spoils of war, they belong to him; this is the rule. The ambush must be thoroughly investigated! Our Demon Suppression Division absolutely tolerates no Woodworms!"

Seeing that Elder Zhao also expressed support, Leng Yuexin said no more, merely stating coolly, "Promotion is acceptable. However, his actions need to be slightly restrained to avoid making too many enemies and suffering for it."

"Haha, restrain? Director Leng, do you think that humanoid Vicious Beast can be restrained?" Hong Lie laughed heartily, "As long as he's killing demons and evil spirits, enemies of our Demon Suppression Division, let the heavens fall! I, Old Hong, will be the first to support him!"

Finally, under the strong push from Elder Zhao and Hong Lie, the resolution was quickly reached.

Guest Elder Courtyard, quiet room.

Lin Jingyu sat cross-legged, familiarizing himself with the explosive power after breaking through to Dharma Aspect Realm second-level, and the Star Gangsha brought by the Perfection of the Star Body Tempering Method. Dark silver light shimmered faintly on his body, his aura profound as an abyss.

Thump, thump, thump.

A knock on the door sounded, extremely respectful.

"Lord Lin, an order from the Division has arrived."

Lin Jingyu opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing and disappearing: "Enter."

A Demon Suppression Division steward, head bowed, holding a palm-sized, dark red token shaped like a dripping fanged tooth, and a neatly folded set of profound black Director robes embroidered with ferocious beast heads and blood-colored cloud patterns, walked in cautiously.

"Reporting to Lord Lin!" The steward's voice carried uncontrollable excitement and reverence, "By resolution of the various Directors in the Division, you have been promoted to the Director of the Demon Suppression Division's 'Blood Fiend Division'! You will command this division, specializing in eradicating high-level demons and evil spirits in the Imperial Capital and its surroundings! This is the Director's token and robes! Division resources, intelligence, and personnel can all be mobilized with this token!"

Blood Fiend Division Master?

Lin Jingyu's gaze swept over the token and robes, which exuded a sharp Evil Qi, his face showing little emotion. Power and status, to him, were merely tools to acquire evolution points.

"Understood." He calmly took the token and robes; they were heavy in his hand and made of extraordinary material.

The steward dared not linger and respectfully withdrew. Lin Jingyu weighed the cold blood fiend division master token in his hand, feeling a trace of the Demon Suppression Division's unique Evil Qi Restriction within it. 'Director's authority... perhaps I can access more core demon intelligence and the Imperial Family's secret vault?'

Just as his thoughts turned—

Buzz!

The yin prison token in his bosom once again vibrated violently without warning!

This time, the vibration was far stronger than any previous time!

A cold, dead, terrifying will, as if piercing through endless time and space, suddenly reached out from the token like an invisible tentacle, seemingly trying to seize something!

Lin Jingyu's eyes suddenly sharpened like knives! Star Gangsha erupted, forcibly suppressing the token's abnormal movement!

"yin prison token... Heavenly Prison... Demon Kingdom General..." These keywords flashed through his mind instantly.

The token's abnormal movements were becoming more frequent and dangerous! What kind of existence was the 'Heavenly Prison' it pointed to? What was hidden behind this token?

He must increase his strength as quickly as possible! The waters of this Imperial Capital were terrifyingly deep!

He turned his gaze to the System interface.

[ System Interface ]

[host]: Lin Jingyu

[Realm]: Dharma Aspect Realm second-level

[evolution points]: 90,000 points

[Cultivation Techniques]:

Chaos Heaven Opening Art (Major Achievement)

Star Body Tempering Method (Perfection) (Star Gangsha!)

Archaic God-Demon Visualization Chart (Major Achievement Peak)

Great Void Teleportation (Minor Achievement)

Star Shattering Finger (Major Achievement) (Power of Annihilation!)

[Dharma Aspect]: Star Annihilation Manifestation (Stable)

[Items]: yin prison token*1 (violent anomaly), blood fiend division master token*1, Demon Suppression Division Guest Elder token (invalid), gold notes, various Origin Stones

[Status]: Evil Qi Infused! Token Anomaly!

'90,000 points... should I use them to strengthen the Archaic God-Demon Visualization Chart to Perfection? Or save them for unexpected situations?'

Lin Jingyu unconsciously tapped the cold blood fiend division master token with his finger. 'Director's authority... perhaps I can access the Imperial Family's secret vault? There... should be what I need!'

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.