[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces":3,"chapter-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-56":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dragon of a Thousand Faces",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2269702,4431,"Chapter 56: Oath","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-56",56,"\u003Cp>In the cave’s deadly struggle, heaven and earth were inverted, and the warriors pinned beneath the ceiling endured gravitational pressure multiplied several times over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We can’t even stand still during this trial phase—how are we supposed to fight? That thing is just hovering over us, looking down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the excessive pressure across his body, especially along his spine, Li En gritted his teeth, braced his limbs against the ground, and tried to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, even now, Li En’s group was conducting a probing attack against a formidable foe, all while ensuring their own safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were testing the opponent’s combat style, probing their abilities, probing for possible weaknesses and flaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adjusting one’s own combat tactics based on intelligence gathered mid-battle is standard orthodox strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even just this “gravity authority” was pushing the knight squad beyond their limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their sense of up and down had been shattered; being crushed against the ceiling was unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If movement is this hard, how can we fight!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En’s condition was the best—he looked up and confirmed Maria still stood in place, then exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his vision, she hung upside-down, her body’s patterns glowing with eerie radiance, smiling calmly as she met his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That false smile seemed to mock: You’re not strong enough—you don’t even have the right to touch me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li En focused more on the fact that the inversion and multiplication of gravity centered on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense she couldn’t move freely after using this power—after all, she was the core of the gravity field. Given her habits, our massive opening should’ve already triggered her hunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaah!” A woman’s scream came from behind Li En.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talia had sunk into the ceiling; the excessive gravity pinned her—already wounded—and left her immobile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her wounds kept splitting open, muscles and bones groaning in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her, Dimon was far better off—he was even trying to stand and lift Talia up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why the hell is she treated differently!? No, this isn’t right. Even injured, Talia is far stronger than Dimon—she shouldn’t be in the worst condition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En sharply realized: the source of this disparity might be the key to overcoming this ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best condition was his own, then Dimon’s, then Talia’s suffering multiplied damage. But in raw physical stats, Talia was unquestionably the strongest—without added weight, she should’ve endured the least pressure, and her body should’ve been the most resilient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Resistance. All abilities depend on resistance. This isn’t a true world authority!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En understood: just as he’d once shouted down a spell, the Holy Knight’s greatest advantage was being a “universal tank”—a class inherently high in resistance to all manner of abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dimon was a Covenant Knight; Li En himself still carried residual echoes of the Suhl Covenant—they were among the most resistant Holy Knights, so resistant it bordered on absurd even within their own class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En rose first—his resistance was unquestionably the highest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, his heavy armor became a burden; the multiplied gravity crushed him with unbearable force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She won’t last long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of cracking bones came from behind; blood already soaked the floor. Talia’s wounds, on a naturally agile fighter, were rapidly worsening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She struggled to rise, but the result was even greater pressure on her spine—repeated cracking sounds made one wonder how she could still move at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spat blood profusely, now a crimson figure, yet still forcing herself to hold on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the normal power of this evil ability—don’t compare it to the resistance of Covenant Knights versus ordinary transcenders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t move! I’ll help you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His top priority remained preserving his companion’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment he moved, he again bore multiplied pressure—he glared furiously at Maria, still smiling, yet had no recourse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his throwing knives fell straight down onto the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crack.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every slight movement brought the sound of his own bones fracturing internally—it was an awful feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he use the Heroic Soul settlement to switch to another Heroic Soul? Li En had always felt this wasn’t a good idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stability and control were always the top priorities on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En couldn’t be sure he’d immediately draw another Heroic Soul after settlement, or that the one drawn would even be useful here. After all, even the strongest Heroic Soul still used his body—and some Heroic Souls were magic-focused or even unfit for combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In desperation, he had no choice but to gamble—but if other options remained, he wouldn’t resort to such a reckless bet. Li En didn’t want to become the next Heroine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life is only given once—it’s not worth gambling!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there any way to increase resistance? Even a little? Whether we can break through or not is the difference between heaven and earth—I feel I’m right at this threshold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With every step Li En took, he felt profound exhaustion deep in his bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when his gaze fell upon Dimon, helping Talia, he suddenly realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer had been beside him all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I swear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His calm words came from a heart fully awakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he held the rank of Covenant Knight, Li En was not a Covenant Knight—Suhl was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was part of his plan: after Heroic Soul settlement, he should gain Holy Knight power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had never intended to serve any deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Becoming a Covenant Knight and generating Holy Power was its only path—he’d already decided his covenant long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, he hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not over whether to take this step early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is my previous covenant still sufficient?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En had never planned to specialize in Holy Knight path, so he didn’t want a covenant too restrictive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The covenants he’d chosen were broad, lightly binding, with low cost—perfect for his personality’s acceptable self-restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But stronger covenants grant greater bonuses: Dimon’s (Life and Death) Covenant gave him the courage to fight above his rank; Lari’s covenant merely supplemented her power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither is superior—it depends on suitability, on whether one truly desires to devote everything to the covenant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What suits me is best.” That was Suhl’s knightly wisdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One cannot deceive oneself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not everyone is suited to asceticism—only a sincere, heartfelt “promise” can be upheld for a lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without this conviction, the covenant won’t even form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head and decided to stick with the covenant he’d already chosen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I swear: I will fight for those who love me, and those I love.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A seemingly plain statement—a resolute vow for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having sworn, he stepped forward, one slow step at a time, toward Talia, now lying helplessly in a pool of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En was no “saint” like Suhl—he could not swear to fight for all the weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for those beside him, for his family, for those he loved and who loved him—he could still fight to the death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The covenant had formed—he felt a slight easing, knew his path was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest easy. I’m here.” He lifted the woman, trying to carry her out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But pressure suddenly surged again—Talia spat blood violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En glared furiously at Maria behind him, gritted his teeth, and lifted his companion, using his own body to bear the crushing weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I swear.” A second covenant was activated—Li En needed greater resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his earlier considerations, this covenant had to align with his Earthling morals and bottom line, and ideally offer some benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will honor my promises, fulfill every vow I have made.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honesty was fundamental to Li En’s character—he despised those who broke their word. This was a covenant he could accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking ahead, “keeping one’s word” was a strong personal brand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In future interpersonal dealings, it could serve as a visible badge, earning trust more quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, even stepping back, keeping a covenant doesn’t mean one can’t deceive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quite the opposite: true deception often thrives on “keeping promises.” Deception doesn’t require breaking vows—those trusted are easier to lure into bottomless pits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En knelt on one knee—this second covenant had succeeded, but the pressure on him had grown heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second covenant was far too weak among Knight Covenants—the bonus was clearly insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third? Li En had no hope—but he couldn’t stop now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knight covenants had an unspoken rule: two chosen for oneself, one to make a grand vow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fight for justice, for the kingdom, for law, for fairness, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Broad, long-term ideals form enduring life paths—evolutionary covenants that grow and feed back over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early on, they’re weak; later, depending on one’s achievements, they may not be powerful at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many knights treat them as filler covenants—pick one they’re certain they’ll never break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For justice…” Li En shook his head—he couldn’t be sure all Heroic Souls were just.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he knew many among them were villains; breaking a covenant unexpectedly would be no laughing matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pre-planned third covenant was, in fact, something quite subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To fight for humanity.” It came from the final page of the Heroic Soul Codex: [Ultimate Mission: Find Humanity].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this was the Heroic Soul Codex’s ultimate goal, then this covenant must be right—in a world without true humans, fighting for humanity couldn’t be more abstract or harder to break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though likely granting zero bonus, as long as it imposed no constraint, it was acceptable to Li En, who had no intention of specializing in the Holy Knight path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After consideration, Li En still couldn’t think of a better covenant—and this step could no longer be halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Snap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the unconscious Talia, Li En moved closer to the cave entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I vow, for humanity.” As he spoke, the intensified gravity made each step agonizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sharply turned his head, staring at the thing that had long lost its humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this thing were the enemy, no matter which version of himself, as long as he was still “Li Ensu,” a normal man from Earth, he would swing his sword without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I vow, for humanity—and for the bottom line of humanity—I will fight to my death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His calm words were a vow to himself, a longing for change, a promise to the world and its history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought that even after this vow took effect, nothing would change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was too vague—even with the added declaration of fighting for humanity’s bottom line, it was less concrete than simply “punishing evildoers.” Many extreme criminals didn’t even cross the bottom line of humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps, to him, it seemed too light a vow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a vow comes from the heart—it cannot be faked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the limits of what he could pledge, the absolute boundaries of his lifelong commitments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when the light of the vow finally descended, he was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light poured directly from his flesh, flooding his body with endless power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This vow was not only accepted by his heart—it was recognized by the world itself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he, by accident, made an astonishingly great vow?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps only much later would he understand what “fighting for humanity” and “fighting for humanity’s bottom line” truly meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not even realize that his second vow, “I will absolutely keep my promise,” had further strengthened the source of his third vow, completing what was called a Double Vow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant greater rewards, greater constraints, and a far more cruel price for oathbreakers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, he rejoiced as his resistance surged dramatically; the power from within him allowed him to save his companion more effectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, one arm holding Talia, the other dragging Dimon, he stepped out of the gravity-reversed cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Li En stepped back into this hellish scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saint Knight Li En raised his sword once more against evil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he was a true Saint Knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die, soulless undead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bearing the crushing pressure that threatened to break his bones, Li En advanced step by step. This time, both sides stood once more on the same stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No flashy moves, no clever tricks—before the authority of the world, only the strong endure, only the victors survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This evil shall end here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holy sword, swinging wildly, tore through the constraints of the gravity field and slashed down upon Maria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2030,"2026-06-19T21:45:41.002Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2bd827129a833f51edb14bba28c450d65e9fa4488d7f308c6ca2b512e9ddf295","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-57","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-55",362,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-cover.jpg"]