After the meal, Long Yuxue led Tang Wulin and Bai Yuan to a barracks carved into the mountain's heart.
Stone cells lined the corridor—spartan interiors with only beds and basic furniture. Yet the temperature remained perfectly stable, evidence of hidden soul device climate systems.
"This is your temporary quarters," Long Yuxue stated flatly. "Blood God Legion's headquarters has stood within this mountain for centuries. Only stone endures the eternal cold and blizzards outside. It's also the safest place. Soul device facilities are maintained regularly. If damaged, repairs are covered—but deliberate destruction incurs military merit deductions."
With that, she turned and left, leaving them to settle in.
***
Inside a conference room lined with soul device screens, Blood God Legion's high command reviewed Tang Wulin and Bai Yuan's assessment footage.
On screen, Tang Wulin's blazing golden aura, peculiar bloodline soul ring, and his brutal clash with the Ba An drew approving nods.
"At his age—Level 66 Soul Emperor, Two-Word Battle Armor, and such extraordinary bloodline power… immense potential. He'll be invaluable." A colonel spoke gravely.
"From the Tang Sect. A Shrek survivor. His Tang Sect techniques are flawless."
After discussion, consensus formed: Tang Wulin would be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant—a rare honor for recruits.
But when attention turned to Bai Yuan, the room's mood shifted.
No dazzling golden rings surrounded him. Yet his raw physical power, lethal combat techniques, and the savage efficiency with which he'd crushed the Abyss Enchantress left deep impressions.
"Level 78 Soul Saint at twenty-two… mastery of Body Sect–style techniques. By merit alone, Second Lieutenant is warranted," argued one officer.
"I disagree." A stern-faced officer shook his head. "His strength is formidable, but he lacks Tang Wulin's definitive advantage—bloodline energy that inherently counters the Abyss."
"Moreover, his combat style… leans too heavily on pure violence and annihilation. It echoes Abyssal traits. Staff Sergeant is the highest I'd recommend. He requires observation."
At that moment, Blood Eight—the intelligence and security chief—rapped the table. His voice turned grave:
"Gentlemen, ignore the most critical detail at your peril: his martial soul's name is Abyss Devourer." He highlighted the words on Bai Yuan's file.
"Abyss." Blood Eight's gaze swept the room. "In the Blood God Legion, that word is poison."
"We guard this pass to block the Abyss's advance. Anything tied to 'Abyss' demands extreme caution."
"I propose: no high rank. Instead, place him under Level Two surveillance. Ban him from Abyss breach zones until proven harmless."
He lowered his voice, invoking a buried trauma:
"Remember the Yuanen Family catastrophe. That disciple with the Fallen Angel martial soul—how corruption consumed him. How she nearly tore open a gateway to hell, unleashing demons that shattered the Yuanen Family and slaughtered thousands. We cannot ignore such lessons!"
Silence fell. Every commander present knew fragments of that tragedy—how uncontrolled martial souls had birthed horror. Though details were buried in official secrecy, the warning remained etched in their bones.
Finally, Blood Three—the serene yet unyielding commander at the table's head—spoke:
"Bai Yuan's case is contentious. But denying a genius solely over martial soul names and conjecture contradicts our values." She paused, decisive. "Grant him Second Lieutenant rank—equal to Tang Wulin."
Her eyes locked with Blood Eight. "However, until the Commander returns to finalize his status, place him on Level Two observation. All movements require squad accompaniment. No solo access to Abyss breach perimeters. This balances opportunity with risk. Do you concur?"
The compromise wasn't perfect—but it contained the threat to acceptable levels. Nods of assent followed.
***
Days later, in a spare but solemn ceremony, Tang Wulin and Bai Yuan received their Second Lieutenant commissions.
As Tang Wulin pinned on his insignia, he felt warm gazes—approval, curiosity, even hope.
Bai Yuan's moment was different. He sensed the complex stares piercing him: scrutiny, wariness, a thread of icy distance. Senior officers assessed him like a weapon too sharp to trust.
"Troublesome…" Bai Yuan sighed inwardly.
He understood instantly: "Abyss Devourer" branded him a suspect the moment he stepped into this fortress.
'How do I explain? "My martial soul shares a name with the Abyss Plane but has no real connection—I actually want to devour it as nourishment"?'
He knew words would shatter against ingrained bias and historical trauma.
"Only one proof remains," he resolved, eyes lowering to hide their sharpness. "Kill Abyss monsters. Kill enough to silence every doubting tongue."
His fist tightened—not for glory, but for peace. Being watched like a traitor in waiting was no way to live.
And his true goal—devouring the Abyss Plane's energy to evolve his bloodline—required trust. Without it, progress would stall.
This trial began the moment he entered the Blood God Legion. He couldn't afford to wait centuries for another suitable "power source."
An entire plane's energy… Tang San and Tang Hao coveted it. Gu La craved it too. For himself and his avatars to refine their bloodlines further, they needed that energy as a catalyst.
Missing this opportunity is not an option.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)