Qin Yi's lance whirled through the air like a golden arc of death, cleaving through a Hun cavalryman's skull. Blood sprayed like crimson rain, staining the battlefield. He gasped for breath, his chest heaving, ready to strike again—when suddenly, the lance trembled violently in his grip. A wave of dizziness crashed over him, his limbs turning leaden, nearly unseating him from his horse.
"General!" A young soldier beside him caught his faltering body just in time.
"I'm fine…" Qin Yi growled through gritted teeth, though the vigor in his voice had dulled to a faint rasp.
He turned his gaze toward the soldier propping him up. Memories surged into his mind—Zhang Han, a loyal follower from his hometown, who had pledged himself to Qin Yi's service. A bond of camaraderie and fate tied them together, a bond forged in blood and dreams.
"Zhang Han…" Qin Yi murmured, his expression complicated.
But there was no time to dwell on sentiment. The battlefield raged with chaos, the thundering hooves of Hun cavalry shaking the earth. Like a dark tide, they surged closer, hemming the Qin soldiers in from all sides.
Cursing inwardly, Qin Yi roared in frustration: "System! What kind of broken skill is this? I was fine just now, so why can't I lift my damn arm?!"
Ding! System Notice:The host is using the Primary Overlord's Power. Due to insufficient internal energy, prolonged combat has triggered severe physical exhaustion.*
"You're screwing me over!" Qin Yi's heart burned with rage, but his body betrayed him. Around him, Qin soldiers fought valiantly, forming a human wall to shield him from the enemy's advance. Swords clashed against flesh, cries of anguish pierced the air, and every fallen soldier weighed like a boulder on Qin Yi's soul.
"These men…" Qin Yi's voice was barely a whisper, his heart twisting with pain.
They were warriors, fully aware of their grim odds, yet they fought on—undaunted, unyielding, their blood staining the earth for the sake of duty and brotherhood. Qin Yi finally understood: this was why the original owner of this body had chosen to fight. This was not just war; it was a belief, a sacred trust engraved in their very bones.
"System! Isn't there another way? Anything! I don't care what it costs—just let me save them!"
The silence was suffocating, but then the system's cold voice returned.
Ding! New Option Unlocked:The host may activate the hidden skill—Blood Sacrifice. By burning qi and blood, the host can temporarily convert life force into overwhelming power. However, this ability comes at a grave cost and may lead to the host's death.
"Blood Sacrifice…" Qin Yi's heart quivered.
Warning:Blood Sacrifice poses extreme risk to the host's survival. Do you wish to proceed?
Death. The word echoed in his mind, cold and heavy. Qin Yi looked around at the bloodied battlefield—at the broken bodies of his soldiers, their faces frozen in defiance. They were giving their lives for him. How could he, their leader, do any less?
"Use it!" he barked, without a hint of hesitation.
Instantly, knowledge of the Blood Sacrifice technique poured into his mind. Qin Yi closed his eyes, feeling the searing heat ignite within him. His veins burned, his blood roared like a raging inferno, and an ancient, monstrous power awakened in the depths of his being.
Zhang Han watched in horror, tears glinting in his eyes. "The General… he's given up… He's closed his eyes to face death. It's over."
But the moment those words left his lips, Qin Yi's eyes snapped open.
A blinding **blood-red light** burst forth. The air trembled as a swirling vortex of crimson qi coalesced around Qin Yi, sending a howling gale across the battlefield. His figure seemed to transcend humanity, a divine specter clad in blood and fury.
Zhang Han froze, stunned. "The General… is alive?"
Qin Yi's once-ordinary pupils now blazed like molten suns—**heavy pupils**, dual orbs of power that seemed capable of piercing through heaven and earth.
The Hun cavalry halted mid-charge. Their warhorses reared up, eyes wide with terror, while their riders sat frozen. For the first time, *fear* spread like wildfire through their ranks.
**Above the City Walls**
On Fancheng's crumbling tower, two figures stood watching the battlefield unfold.
"Master!" The young girl's voice was sharp with disbelief. "Wasn't that Qin general on the brink of death just now? How… how is he standing?"
The woman frowned deeply, her gaze fixed on the crimson storm that was Qin Yi. "He was at death's door… but now…" Her voice trailed off, her expression shifting to one of stunned awe.
The blood-colored aura surrounding Qin Yi grew denser, darker, as if the heavens themselves bowed beneath its weight. And then—those eyes.
"Heavy Pupils…" the woman whispered, her face paling.
"Master, what are heavy pupils?" the girl asked urgently.
Taking a steadying breath, the woman spoke with grave solemnity. "Since ancient times, those born with heavy pupils have been hailed as Heaven's Chosen—a force destined to reign supreme on the battlefield. If this Qin Yi survives and grows stronger… he will become a lord, unmatched and unshakable."
Amidst the Blood and Carnage
Power surged through Qin Yi's veins, primal and unrelenting. He gripped his lance, now an extension of his fury, and swung it in a sweeping arc. A dozen Hun cavalrymen, horses and all, were sent hurtling through the air like ragdolls.
Step by step, he advanced. Wherever his feet fell, blood followed.
"Come!" Qin Yi's voice thundered across the battlefield, shaking the heavens themselves. "Who among you dares face me?!"
The Hun warriors faltered, their weapons trembling in their hands. Not a single one dared step forward.