Compared to when the doctor first witnessed it three days ago, the Xin Family Fortress, now fully transformed into a Yellow Spring ghost-land, was visibly more somber and eerie.
For example, the ghostly entities that had previously been lurking within the turbid yellow rivers had now climbed out of the water. They wandered through the vast, billowing mist, sobbing, wailing, shrieking, or roaring, sounds that would make anyone's blood run cold.
At the same time, above, beside, and below these ten thousand ghostly entities, several flickers of mysterious, eerie green ghost-fire drifted, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing, floating aimlessly between the darkened sky and earth.
Besides these, there were also jagged, grotesque trees, withered and twisted as if formed from ash, resembling bared-fanged demons as they swayed in the sinister wind. They continuously emitted a rustling, piteous wail that sounded like weeping.
The various elements combined to create a bizarre atmosphere that seemed to fill every inch of space within Xin Family Fortress.
And Mount Pasha, from which the mysterious green dragon had emerged according to the doctor, was no longer a range of soaring peaks.
It had transformed into a vast, inverted, conical abyss, plunging untold thousands of meters below the ground level, with mysterious, concentric layers spiraling downward into the depths.
Around and within this spiral abyss, there was a mist even denser and more sinister than elsewhere in Xin Family Fortress.
This mist, thick like cotton fibers, prevented even Sevrin's Grandmaster-rank perception from delving too deep. He could only roughly "see" that there were quite a few non-human ghostly entities within it.
"Mount Pasha has turned into this... Dashan and his family..." Sevrin's expression was cold. "It seems their chances are slim."
His intuition told him that there was likely no hope of Dashan's family surviving.
"That Green Dragon..." Sevrin murmured icily, "...deserves to die."
Just as he was about to fly into this ghostly abyss to conduct a search, a figure wearing a style of clothing very familiar to Sevrin entered his range of perception.
This was a woman, about twenty years old, with a cold face and a sharp, capable aura. She wore black boots and a double-breasted leather coat, and held a silver longbow. As she moved quickly, she continuously scanned her surroundings.
The moment he saw the girl clearly, her personal interface information appeared before Sevrin:
[ Character Name: Unknown
Level: Mainstream Martial Arts → Steel Tendons and Iron Bones, Occult Techniques → Soul-Restraining Spirit-Gathering, Bloodline Divinity → Mid
Mastered Skills: "Fire Crow Searing Palm""Chaos Archery""Heart-Piercing Arrow Arts""Rainstorm Arrow Technique""Aura of the Saintly Archer""Ghost and Monster Tracking""Primal Breath Yang-Refining Method""Heavenly Incision Yang-Guiding Art"
Special Traits: [Level 2 Robust Physique][Level 2 Stamina][Level 1 Intuition][Level 1 Yang-Absorption][Level 1 Spirit-Concentration][Level 1 Magical Power][Level 2 Precision][Level 2 Energy-Infusion]
Expert Shards: None ]
Clearly, this was another triple-system user like Lan Yuca.
Sevrin also discovered that aside from the steel-rank palm technique and the several archery-focused techniques...
This woman's Mid-Grade Bloodline Divinity, the "Aura of the Saintly Archer", granted two completely different and powerful traits: [Precision] and [Energy-Infusion].
The former, as the name suggested, enhanced the precision of both attacks and counterattacks.
The latter was even more interesting: it allowed her to imbue her arrows, fists, palms, blades, and even internal force with additional effects such as armor-piercing, explosion, vibration, or exorcism.
In other words, this trait could even add a layer of magical power effect to Sevrin's own fist force.
Essentially, he could use his bare fists or remote internal force to physically strike ethereal ghostly entities or disrupt occult techniques.
In summary, no matter what kind of ghost, demon, or evil sorcery he faced, he could break it with a single punch.
This was effectively a "Spell-Breaker" ability.
The world was truly mysterious like that: Mainstream Martial Arts, the Ghost Path, and Occult Techniques, three unrelated systems, seemed to find a point of convergence through this specific trait.
Even more interestingly, after learning all the woman's skills in a single thought, Sevrin discovered that the Mid-Grade Bloodline Divinity, "Aura of the Saintly Archer", actually possessed Upper High-Grade potential.
In other words, she had failed to fully develop the true potential of this divinity.
"Since you don't have the capacity to develop it, I'll take it from here."
With that thought, Sevrin mastered all the woman's skills in a single thought and pushed every one of them to their absolute peak.
Naturally, the Bloodline Divinity named "Aura of the Saintly Archer" was elevated by him from Mid-Grade to Upper High-Grade.
Instantly, two new Level 4 traits appeared on Sevrin's personal interface: [Level 4 Precision] and [Level 4 Energy-Infusion].
From now on, any of Sevrin's physical strikes or remote internal force attacks would carry Level 4 magical power effects.
However, there was a slight awkwardness: Sevrin's own level in the esoteric sorcerer system, achieved by stepping over Lan Yuca, was only at the Level 3 trait stage, the Object Manifestation realm.
This realm was still a significant distance away from the fourth realm of the sorcerer system, the Seizing Capturing stage.
"Should I use shards to upgrade?" Sevrin thought for a moment before dismissing the idea. "Forget it, shards are hard to come by; no point wasting them. I'll just wait until I encounter a fourth-realm sorcerer and learn it from them."
He then turned his gaze back toward the bow-wielding woman advancing through the hazy mist in the distance. He murmured, "With that style of dress, is she another Demon-Slaying Lieutenant?"
With his eyes flashing, Sevrin's form shifted slightly, transforming into a Moonhaze blur that instantly crossed over 3,300 meters to appear before the girl.
"Who?!"
The stranger's sudden appearance made the female Lieutenant's body jolt, nearly drawing her bow to fire.
But upon seeing Sevrin's face clearly, she froze her movements and cried out in surprise, "Sevrin?"
"Hmm?" Sevrin's thick brows twitched. "You know me?"
"Not exactly," the female Lieutenant said. "But I know of you. To be more precise..."
She paused for a moment and added: "Every Demon-Slaying Lieutenant in the Mount Qing region knows you. Even the Graew Demon-Slaying Bureau headquarters learned of your existence after you forged your Lieutenant medallion."
"Strange, very strange."
Sevrin asked suspiciously, "Did you guys install a camera at the tea-stall?"
This was the only possibility he could think of.
"Camera?"
The female Lieutenant clearly hadn't heard the word before. She answered directly, "It wasn't a camera. It was a secret Shadow-Snaring Array. It can silently record designated sounds and images. Therefore, your conversation with the tea-stall manager and the process of you slaying that ghost, we saw it all."
After hearing the female Lieutenant's words, Sevrin finally understood the situation.
He clicked his tongue in wonder: "This Occult path is truly fascinating, to even have such peculiar and bizarre techniques."
With that, Sevrin looked at the female Lieutenant and asked:
"Right, I have yet to ask... what is your name?"
"My surname is Sok, my name is Rheta."
Rheta said in a gentle voice, "I am a Silver-Rank Lieutenant of the Mount Qing's Great Paxng Demon-Slaying Bureau outpost."
"Great Paxng? Is that the highest peak of Mount Qing, reaching 29,494 meters?"
Sevrin exclaimed, "Such a treacherous and wondrous place, yet it actually has a Demon-Slaying Bureau outpost; it's truly miraculous... Ah, wait."
He said with a strange expression: "Great Paxng stands on the border of Graew, over six thousand miles away from this Xin Family Fortress region. Lieutenant, why did you travel so far to get here?"
"Because this is an order from headquarters."
Rheta laughed, "Haha, from your words, it's clear you don't quite understand the distribution of the Demon-Slaying Bureau outposts throughout the Mount Qing region.
In fact, Great Paxng is the headquarters for all Demon-Slaying Bureau outposts in the entire Mount Qing area."
"Ah, so that's how it is. I really didn't know."
Sevrin smirked and then said, "Then, Lieutenant Sok..."
"Sevrin, there's no need to be so formal."
Rheta smiled and said, "All of us Demon-Slaying Lieutenants are one family, like brothers and sisters. I am quite a bit older than you, so just call me Big Sis Rhe."
"Big Sis Rhe?" Sevrin said politely, "But you look like you're only twenty."
"No." Rheta shook her head, "I am forty-two years old this year, exactly two cycles older than you. It wouldn't be wrong if you called me Auntie."
"Forget about Auntie."
Sevrin shook his head, "I'll stick to Big Sister."
Then he smiled and said: "Big Sis Rhe is a Silver-Rank Lieutenant, while I am merely Wood-Rank. May I ask... does promotion require some kind of military merit, like slaying ghostly entities?"
"Rest assured, I believe you will rise quickly."
Rheta smiled warmly, "The Demon-Slaying Bureau never neglects talent. While ordinary people certainly need corresponding merits, such as slaying ghostly entities or evil spirits, for a young Valiarior-level martial artist like you, those rules likely don't apply."
Speaking to this point, she looked at the tall and imposing Sevrin, saying with some emotion:
"Sigh... An eighteen-year-old Valiarior-level martial artist... this has never happened in Graew before. Sevrin... your future will surely be boundless!"
Regarding Rheta's praise and her mistake in identifying him as merely Valiarior-level, Sevrin remained noncommittal and didn't explain much, only asking again:
"Big Sis Rhe, did you come to this Yellow Spring Domain to scout the situation here?"
"That is not the case."
Rheta explained, "The scouting that needed to be done over these past few days has already been completed. Now it is just a routine patrol. I need to record the daily changes of this ghost region and report them back."
Having said that, she added: "But because you appeared, I won't need to patrol today. I... want to take you to meet someone."
"Who?" Sevrin asked.
"Clover Holloway, Commander Clover."
Rheta explained, "All Demon-Slaying Lieutenants in the entire Mount Qing region, the Great Paxng headquarters, and all Demon-Slaying Bureau affairs fall under his sole command. He very much wishes to meet you."
"Alright, sounds good." Sevrin did not refuse. "I also happen to want to meet this Commander Clover."
"Then... let's go." Rheta gave a light laugh, then turned around to lead the way. "Keep up, I'll show you the way."
"Hmm?"
Sevrin asked doubtfully, "Is it that urgent? Are we going to Great Paxng right now? Big Sis Rhe, how about you go on your patrol first, and we'll meet up later? I want to find a few people in this Yellow Spring Domain first and then go with you after I find them."
"Hahaha, Sevrin, you've misunderstood."
Rheta turned around again to explain, "We aren't going to Great Paxng. Commander Clover isn't there right now; he is currently heading this way and will likely arrive soon."
After she finished, she added:
"After we sent the message to headquarters, it was decided that personnel would be dispatched to investigate and deal with that sudden demonic land. It was quite a coincidence; just as the dispatched personnel arrived, the Yellow Spring Domain erupted here. Thus, headquarters increased the number and strength of the dispatched staff, and even Commander Clover came in person."
"Ah, I see," Sevrin realized. "That Commander Clover and the other Demon-Slaying Lieutenants must be somewhere within this Yellow Spring Domain, then."
"No, they are outside this ghost land, though not far."
Rheta explained, "We have established a temporary base there."
...
Twenty miles away from the border of the Yellow Spring Domain stood a low mountain about 400 meters high.
It was called a mountain, but its extremely flat and broad summit made it look more like a square stone platform from a distance.
Because this rocky peak was full of stone and sparse in soil, devoid of any grass, the Demon-Slaying Bureau's temporary base was situated right on its top.
Since it was temporary, the base naturally had no grand architecture; there were only rows of giant tents.
Thus, after Sevrin followed Rheta out of the Yellow Spring Domain and dashed to this Demon-Slaying Bureau base, he was welcomed into a massive, towering tent that felt like a great hall.
However, although the tent was large, the number of people inside was small, including Sevrin and Rheta, there were only five people.
Yet, through Rheta's explanation, Sevrin finally understood.
It turned out that these few people plus Rheta, a total of four, already served as the high-level leaders in charge of this Demon-Slaying Bureau outpost.
Similar to Rheta, those three were also Steel Tendons and Iron Bones level martial artists.
Their names were Zenom, Shaxe, and Xixun respectively.
It is worth mentioning that among these three, the Demon-Slaying Lieutenant named Zenom actually possessed a pair of... purely mechanical arms.
The overall structure of those metal arms was magnificent and heavy, covered entirely in fine crimson-gold scales, with fingertips that were incredibly sharp and keen.
At first glance, they looked like a pair of dragon claws grafted onto Zenom's left and right shoulders.
When he first saw this man, Sevrin naturally assumed the other was merely wearing a pair of fully enclosed gauntlet-type divine weapons.
But when Zenom's personal interface fully manifested before his eyes, he realized he was completely mistaken.
His personal interface was:
[Character Name: Zenom
Level: Mainstream Martial Arts → Steel Tendons and Iron Bones, Occult Techniques → Soul-Restraining Spirit-Gathering
Mastered Skills: "Iron-Stone Body Tempering""Thirty-Six Paths of Tablet-Hurling Palm""Life-Nourishing Stillness""Ghost and Monster Tracking""Primal Breath Yang-Refining Method""Heavenly Incision Yang-Guiding Art""Crimson Dragon Claws"
Special Traits: [Level 2 Robust Physique][Level 2 Stamina][Level 1 Intuition][Level 1 Yang-Absorption][Level 2 Spirit-Concentration][Level 1 Magical Power][Level 2 Mechanical]
Expert Shards: None]
Aside from the techniques that Sevrin considered ordinary, what caught his attention most was Zenom's final skill, "Crimson Dragon Claws".
After deep research, Sevrin discovered.
This obscure skill called "Crimson Dragon Claws" was actually the digitized manifestation of those mechanical arms on Zenom's personal interface.
Furthermore, these mechanical arms were not as they appeared at first glance, merely possessing sufficient sturdiness and sharp nails.
In truth, they unexpectedly possessed special functions such as retractable claw blades, expandable vambraces, elbow thrusters, high-pressure flamethrowers, and high-energy rapid-fire cannons... and so on.
Specifically, the so-called high-energy rapid-fire cannon hidden within the deep structures of the two mechanical arms could suddenly fire high-explosive warheads at a speed of over a thousand meters per second, enough to pose a threat to many Steel-level and even some Valiarior-level martial artists.
Truly, it was far too Cyber.
What was more interesting was that the skill corresponding to these arms, "Crimson Dragon Claws", clearly did not belong to any evolution system.
It belonged to... the extremely rare category of non-systemic skills.
Theoretically, Zenom, who possessed this skill, did not gain an additional cultivation system because of it, but only gained a Special Trait: [Level 2 Mechanical].
Indeed, this pair of mechanical arms, clearly artificial creations, could actually grant a person Special Traits.
This situation completely shattered Sevrin's conceptual understanding of skills, traits, and evolution.
Could mechanical modification also count as evolution?
What shattered his perception even more was that Zenom, the owner of these Crimson Dragon Claws, did not realize the things attached to his body were pure scientific mechanical creations, but instead believed them to be some kind of ancient divine weapon.
Right, according to Zenom, these arms were not actually created by people of the current era.
Instead, a department called the Divine Weapon Bureau from the Graew Dynasty had unearthed them from the mountains, and there was more than just a single pair.
This caused Sevrin to fall into deep contemplation.
He felt a strong sense of confusion regarding which era of civilization the feudal Graew Dynasty should be equated with.
He remembered that when he first transmigrated into this world, Sevrin naturally assumed it was just an ordinary ancient world.
But the appearance of flintlock guns made him feel this might be a world with a level of technical development similar to the early 18th century.
However, a series of subsequent, seemingly familiar things, like the electric lights and electric kettles in the Xin Family compound, the large elevator at the Nina Town's Demon-Slaying Bureau outpost, the Lieutenant medallion molding machine, the strange mechanical facilities in certain corners of the Wolf's Nest fortress, and the entire power transmission network covering every level of the Wolf's Nest underground palace, made Sevrin's understanding of this world's technical era increasingly blurred.
Finally, after seeing this pair of mechanical arms, it became completely chaotic.
Just think about it: in a world where streetlights, radios, TVs, penicillin, and assault rifles either don't exist or aren't common, there are actually functional, safe, and worry-free mechanical arms... it was simply too absurd.
Fortunately, the mention of the Divine Weapon Bureau in Zenom's words, along with the information that the Crimson Dragon Claws were excavated from underground, quickly salvaged Sevrin's perception.
He instantly understood why this world was so bizarre.
Because the scientific and technological development of the Graew Dynasty, which ruled this Martial Lands world, relied not on scientists at all, but on... archaeological excavation.
Once he understood this, everything became clear.
Since this world had a vast number of prehistoric civilizations, it was quite normal for the Graew Dynasty to unearth prehistoric relics and use them as ancient divine weapons.
Even if they didn't understand the operating principles, as long as the quality of the relics from prehistoric scientific civilizations was durable enough, it wouldn't hinder people of the current era from using them.
Usage is usage, regardless of who is using it.
However, because of this, Sevrin couldn't help but wonder if his pair of steel whips, which could extend and contract freely... might be products of prehistoric nanotechnology.
"Nanotechnology..."
"Why am I thinking such nonsense?"
Suddenly shaking his head, Sevrin thought of another problem.
Since Zenom's personal interface and that "Crimson Dragon Claws" skill could be seen by him, it meant he could copy and learn them, and even consume Expert Shards to upgrade them.
So, if he raised this skill all the way to level ten or level twenty, wouldn't he turn into... a pure mechanical lifeform?
Sevrin pushed aside his scattered thoughts and, with a single thought, finished learning all of Zenom's skills. Then, he cast his perception toward the entire Demon-Slaying Bureau base outside this massive tent.
Immediately, he discovered that the dozens of other Demon-Slaying Lieutenants in this base were all just ordinary Vitality Circulation level martial artists.
It was just that these martial artists all practiced occult techniques, so they had more tricks than ordinary martial artists and were more difficult to deal with.
For ordinary people, a lineup of several Steel-level martial artists plus dozens of Vitality-level martial artists, all of whom also practiced occult techniques, might be considered magnificent.
But in Sevrin's eyes, this group seemed as weak as child's play.
Deeply puzzled by this, he couldn't help but mutter to himself:
"Excluding that Commander Clover, whose situation is unknown, for now, how can these Steel Tendons and Iron Bones level martial artists be the pillars of the Demon-Slaying Bureau?
Tsk... if it's really this much of a joke, then what should a Grandmaster-level like me be considered? Should I just be the top leader?"
This joke-like deduction was hard to believe for Sevrin, who had never been part of the high society in his previous or current life.
So he conjectured again:
"Could it be because Mount Qing is a remote border area with sparse population, leading to low top-tier combat power and a low average combat power?
Is that why the Demon-Slaying Bureau here can only pick the tallest among the midgets, letting mere Steel-level martial artists take charge of a region?"
"..."
Putting aside those wandering thoughts for a moment, Sevrin had to know.
Commander Clover Holloway, who governed all Demon-Slaying Lieutenants in the entire Mount Qing region, was still on his way here and had not yet arrived.
So during this interval, Sevrin exchanged pleasantries with the other Demon-Slaying Lieutenants.
And it was through this exchange that Sevrin finally realized, somewhat belatedly, where his own strength stood in this world.
It turned out that even in the northern Graew Dynasty, a Grandmaster-level martial artist like him belonged to a high-ranking expert class, not some little weakling anyone would dare offend.
In fact, never mind Grandmasters, even Valiarior-level martial artists, those who had reached the supersonic speed biological stage, were actually enough to dominate a region.
This was simply too un-fantasy!