The deep, bronze toll of the Great Bell vibrated through the stone floor of the lab. Han Sen felt the hum in his teeth, a low frequency that rattled the glass vials on his workbench. It was the signal for a city-wide emergency or a royal summons.
Han Sen sat up, his back cracking as he moved. The green liquid of the life-essence pill had done its work: his chest no longer felt like it was filled with broken glass.
[HP: 6/10]
[Status: Recovering. Mana levels stabilized.]
A rhythmic, sharp clicking came from outside his door. It was the sound of metal greaves against stone. The [Dimensional Anchor] hummed as someone attempted to push the handle, but the door remained as solid as the mountain itself.
"Master Han Sen," a voice called out. It was a woman's voice, crisp and cold as a winter morning. "I am Commander Yan of the City Guard. Lord Zhao requests your presence at the Golden Pavilion."
Han Sen walked to the door and deactivated the skill. The air hissed as the space unsealed.
Commander Yan stood in the hallway, her silver armor polished to a mirror finish. She was Level 48, her aura sharp and disciplined. When she saw Han Sen, her eyes narrowed. She looked at his Level 1 status, then at the black iron badge on his tattered cloak.
Her gaze was heavy and predatory. She had heard the rumors of a Level 1 monster, but her eyes told her he was just a boy who looked like he had been dragged through a sewer.
"The City Lord does not like to wait," she said. She didn't bow. She simply turned and began to walk, expecting him to follow.
Han Sen followed her through the high-district. People moved out of the way for the Commander, but their gazes lingered on Han Sen. They were whispers of "the trash alchemist" and "the lucky beggar."
Han Sen ignored them. He was looking at his system. He needed a way to survive a direct hit. If he was going to walk among Level 50 and 70 powerhouses, his 10 HP was an insult to his own survival.
He looked at a passive skill: [Basic Toughness].
[Allocating Skill Points: 7,000,000]
[Basic Toughness has evolved into: Diamond Body Protocol (Passive).]
[Note: Your HP remains 10. However, the 'Density' of your life force has increased. Damage taken will be reduced by 99.9%.]
Han Sen felt his skin itch for a second. It didn't turn to stone or metal. It felt the same, but he knew that a sword would now bounce off his throat as if it had hit a mountain. He was still Level 1, but he was no longer made of glass.
They reached the Golden Pavilion, a massive structure of wood and gold leaf overlooking the city. Lord Zhao stood at the balcony, his iron-grey hair whipping in the wind. Beside him stood Zhao Ling.
She looked at Han Sen as he entered, her amber eyes shimmering with a hidden secret. She was the only one who knew the weight of his soul.
"The Heavenly Beast Sect has sent a formal envoy," Lord Zhao said, his voice a low thunder. He didn't turn around. "They are demanding the head of the person who killed Elder Fang. They claim we are harboring a demonic practitioner."
"And what did you tell them?" Han Sen asked.
Lord Zhao turned. His gaze was like a falling star, heavy and hot. "I told them that in Willow Creek, the law is my word. But they have appealed to the Great Sect Council. In seven days, they will challenge our city's champions in the Trial of Stone."
The Lord stepped closer, his shadow engulfing Han Sen. "If we lose, they have the right to search every house, every lab, and every soul in this city."
Han Sen looked at Nixi, who was shivering under the shroud. The Sect wasn't just looking for revenge. They were looking for the Phoenix.
"I'll take the challenge," Han Sen said.
Commander Yan let out a sharp, mocking bark of laughter. "You? A Level 1 alchemist in a combat trial? You would be dead before the first bell."
Han Sen looked at her. He didn't say a word, but the "Gaze" he returned was so cold that the Commander's laughter died in her throat. She felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to reach for her sword, her instincts screaming that the boy in front of her was more dangerous than a thousand soldiers.
"Seven days," Han Sen said, looking back at the City Lord. "I'll need the best metal you have. If I'm going to fight their champions, I need to build something that breaks the world."