Chapter 63: Overlord Blade Breaks Through Again!

Half a cup of tea's time passed.

Clang clang……

On a patch of grass, a small hole suddenly burst open, and a white-clad man crawled out.

His body was covered in filthy dirt, yet it could not conceal his handsome visage.

It was Lu Zhangsheng who had dug his way up from the underground space.

Thanks to the sharpness of the Pig Slaughter Knife in his hand, he quickly dug through the underground stone slab and reached the surface without much effort.

When it comes to digging holes, he's a professional.

He had been controlling a pangolin to dig for nearly a year, so this distance was easily within his grasp.

Soon, Lu Zhangsheng tidied himself up a bit and then sprinted swiftly toward the county town.

………………

When Lu Zhangsheng returned to the main hall of the DemonSubduing Office, many had already returned.

A group stood in the hall, faces solemn, the atmosphere rather oppressive.

Lu Zhangsheng looked around and saw many figures missing, most of them Refining Skin martial artists.

Indeed, many martial artists never came back.

Five go out, one returns—such outcomes are not rare.

He found that many official DemonSubduing Office members shared his situation.

Lu Zhangsheng also felt regret about this, but he could do nothing.

When on missions, Refining Skin martial artists are often in the greatest danger.

Once one reaches Refining Meat, safety improves greatly.

At Bone-forging, with a bit of caution, falling is rare unless facing an oversized mission.

After leading this team on a mission, Lu Zhangsheng's resolve to cultivate martial arts grew stronger.

Only by advancing bravely can one survive well in this chaotic world.

Afterward, Lu Zhangsheng reported the mission situation and then returned to his own courtyard.

Over the next ten-plus days, DemonSubduing Office personnel frequently mobilized, sweeping the Wenxiang Sect strongholds near the county town and slaying many cultists, of course suffering losses themselves as well.

Many trainee DemonSubduing Officers fell during missions.

Lu Zhangsheng himself led the team on five missions.

Of those, only two times did all members return safely; the other missions resulted in casualties.

Other teams' situations were largely similar.

At the same time, due to Lu Zhangsheng's successive actions, he also gained considerable reputation within the DemonSubduing Office.

His overbearing blade technique left a deep impression and became a pursuit target for many civilian martial artists.

Of course, Lu Zhangsheng has only ever shown strength around the middle stage of Refining Meat; such ability is merely mid‑high among advancing DemonSubduing Officers, not particularly outstanding.

This is also the effect he wants to see.

It must not make people underestimate him too much, nor be too ostentatious, so as to conceal himself.

That day, late at night.

The bright moon hung high, stars scattered.

Tree shadows on the ground flickered in and out, the courtyard was utterly still.

Lu Zhangsheng held the Pig Slaughter Knife, standing still in the center of the courtyard.

He opened the panel.

Source Energy Points: 190.

These days his Exotic Beast Clone has not been idle, steadily advancing toward the volcano's mouth, while the cultivation of the Fire Ants has gotten on track and begun to swell dramatically.

Their numbers are already almost back to what they were when he first encountered them.

With the help of these Fire Ants, his speed of gathering Spiritual Creatures has greatly increased.

He has finally gathered enough again for a martial art.

He no longer hesitates, preparing to begin the enhancement immediately.

This time, he prioritized blade technique.

He wanted to see what changes would come after the Overlord Blade breakthrough.

As for why he chose to add blade technique first, he had his own reasoning.

Since he first began martial arts, he has remembered that saying: offense is the best defense.

As long as his attack power is strong enough, he can slay enemies and survive.

As for opponents he cannot beat, he will choose to flee.

So he plans to first add points to the Overlord Blade, then to movement technique, and finally to the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield.

This is also the upgrade route Lu Zhangsheng had long decided upon.

"Panel, give me points……"

Lu Zhangsheng no longer hesitates, clicking the plus sign after the Overlord Blade.

As the Source Energy Points decrease by one hundred sixty.

A surge of unseen fluctuation instantly descended deep into his mind, as if a blade master were training day and night in his mind for decades without cease.

【After fifty years of arduous cultivation, you have smelted the essences of countless blade techniques, finally grasping a thread of blade truth and forging your own path……】

【The Overlord Blade has been cultivated by you to a state of divine perfection, unable to advance further.】

Note: This skill has surpassed its creator, reaching a realm unmatched by ancients; the blade's might will rise with one's will……

Clear prompt sounds rang repeatedly in his mind.

Lu Zhangsheng finally raised his blade technique to the divine and marvelous level.

He felt as if the Pig Slaughter Knife in his hand was breathing, as if it had come to life.

The long blade hummed softly in his hand, it cheered, yearning for blood-soaked battle.

At that moment, a withered leaf drifted down slowly from midair.

"Shhh—"

A flash of bright cold light passed, and the Pig Slaughter Knife in his hand returned to its sheath, as if it had never moved.

The withered leaf in midair was cleanly split in half, without the slightest error, not even damaging the veins on it—truly terrifying.

If it struck an enemy, it could easily sever their meridians.

This is the Overlord Blade that has reached the divine and marvelous level.

It has already reached the state of returning to simplicity and truth.

And Lu Zhangsheng felt that the power of his blade technique had increased by about thirty percent again.

Don't underestimate this thirty percent; at his level, every increment is extremely terrifying, let alone a thirty percent boost in attack power.

If he were to fight Zheng Tu now, he could kill him without needing the Burning Blood Secret Technique.

This is the most obvious and direct change.

Among his several key techniques, only his movement and defensive techniques have not yet broken through.

He is not far from breaking through in Bone-forging.

Afterward, Lu Zhangsheng gathered his thoughts and walked slowly toward the bedroom.

Time flew, and another ten days passed.

These days, the County Office was in a frenzy, searching everywhere for Du Ling's traces.

The Demon Subduing Office also fully cooperated with them.

Both sides' intelligence systems also began operating at full speed, with enormous energy.

Finally, after more than ten days, the event seemed to have a new turning point.

That day, at dawn.

Lu Zhangsheng had just arrived at the ZhenYaosi office when he saw many figures standing inside.

Upon seeing Lu Zhangsheng arrive, many people nodded in acknowledgment.

Especially some civilian martial artists, who were full of goodwill.

Yue Shulan also gave Lu Zhangsheng a charming smile.

Lu Zhangsheng slightly nodded to his colleagues around him, then walked to Yue Shulan's side.

"Why have you summoned us today, Brother Lu?"

Yue Shulan spoke gently, her eyes flickering.

"I have been training at home these days, yet I am unaware."

Lu Zhangsheng did not hide anything, speaking directly.

"Brother Lu, you are diligent; no wonder you stand out among the civilian martial artists."

Yue Shulan gave a faint smile.

Then she said in a low tone: "Rumor has it that the location where Du Ling is imprisoned has been uncovered, though I don't know if it's true or a trap."

"Surely the Demon Subduing Office and the County Office have confirmed this already?"

Lu Zhangsheng's expression shifted slightly.

None of these high-ranking martial warriors are easy to deal with.

He does not believe they could fail to suspect it might be a trap.

"Who knows? For now no news has leaked, but some speculate that the three great FuduDianZhu-level experts will act, or perhaps the Xuanjia Army Commander will act..."

Yue Shulan glanced at Lu Zhangsheng.

"By then, Brother Lu, you must act cautiously, stay as far away from them as possible, lest you be caught in the clash of experts."

"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Yue."

Lu Zhangsheng gave a faint smile.

Regarding the Xuanjia Army Commander she mentioned, I have also seen him once at the execution ground; his strength is immensely formidable.

This person is Wei Shaoxuan, the Xuanjia Army Commander and County Guard, a man of righteous integrity, and moreover the protector deity in the people's mouths.

He used to be their colleague, but after sustaining an injury he withdrew.

(End of chapter)