The sound of the system's prompt echoed in Qin Yi's ears, lifting his spirits instantly.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission. The rewards have been distributed!"
"Ding! You've received three Divine Gift Packs!"
"Ding! Would you like to open them now?"
Without hesitation, Qin Yi silently commanded in his mind, *"Open!"*
The system's voice resounded again, carrying an air of solemnity:
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on opening the Divine Gift Packs. You've obtained: a Supreme Cultivation Manual 'The Xuan Art,' a fragment of the Divine Manual 'The Overlord's Way,' and twenty Elite Death Guards!"
The announcement concluded, and Qin Yi's mind cleared as he emerged from his meditative state.
At that moment, a deep, resonant male voice suddenly cut through the silence.
"Subordinate Xuan Jian, reporting to the Master!"
Qin Yi turned his gaze and saw a man gripping a dark, lethal sword, kneeling on one knee, exuding an indomitable aura of lethality.
Though a sense of triumph swelled in Qin Yi's chest, he didn't let it show. Stepping forward quickly, he extended a hand to help Xuan Jian rise and spoke in a measured tone, "Xuan Jian, this is no place to linger. Let's return to Fan City and discuss the details further."
"Yes!" Xuan Jian's reply was crisp, and without another word, he followed Qin Yi towards Fan City.
Barely moments after the two departed, the battlefield was engulfed by an eerie silence. Suddenly, dozens of black-clad, masked figures emerged like phantoms, inspecting the scene littered with bodies.
The leader of the group strode forward, his sharp eyes narrowing as they scanned the corpses. His voice was like the crack of ice:
"What happened here?"
"Xuan Jian was severely injured. The elite assassins of the Web should have been more than enough to deal with him. How could this happen?" His gaze sharpened as he crouched to inspect the wounds of the fallen, noting the clean cuts on their bodies.
"These blade marks… precise and uniform. Clearly the work of Qin's military-standard weapons," he muttered, his eyes flickering with cold calculation.
Turning his gaze toward the direction of Fan City, a sinister glint flickered in his eyes. "So, Fan City harbors those opposing the Chancellor as well. This must be reported immediately."
With a decisive wave of his hand, the leader and his entourage of shadows vanished into the crimson hues of the setting sun.
In his quarters within Fan City, Qin Yi sat cross-legged, his eyes closed, delving into the details of the rewards he had just received.
**Supreme Cultivation Manual 'The Xuan Art'**: A legacy manual from ancient sages. Mastering it could transform one's mortal physique into an innate one, breaking through to the Grandmaster realm.
**Fragment of the Divine Manual 'The Overlord's Way'**: Said to have been created by an ancient overlord. Fully comprehending its teachings could grant the power to split mountains and shatter stones, slay gods, and defy the heavens. It even hinted at the possibility of eternal life.
The last phrase, *"eternal life,"* made Qin Yi's heart race.
**Immortality…**
The thought burned in his mind like an unquenchable flame. Who wouldn't yearn for such a thing? From emperors to commoners, countless had chased this elusive dream, often paying the ultimate price. Now, the chance to grasp it lay right before him.
After a moment's contemplation, Qin Yi made up his mind and chose to cultivate *The Overlord's Way.*
Instantly, an overwhelming torrent of knowledge surged into his mind, vivid and profound. Qin Yi focused intently, absorbing every intricate detail of the manual. After what felt like an eternity, he finally opened his eyes.
"This manual is extraordinary," he murmured. "It's divided into three sections: Heaven, Earth, and Man. What I have here is just the fragment of the Man section."
The remaining sections were shrouded in mystery, their acquisition left to fate—or the system's whim.
Yet, Qin Yi didn't dwell on disappointment. He trusted the system would not fail him in the future. With renewed determination, he turned his attention to the final reward.
**Elite Death Guards**: A creation of the system, these highly trained assassins excel at stealth and lethal precision. Fully loyal, their strength is formidable beyond compare.
With a single thought, a figure materialized before Qin Yi—a man clad in black from head to toe, his face obscured by a cold iron mask. A chilling aura radiated from him, sending an involuntary shiver down Qin Yi's spine despite his growing power.
The figure knelt on one knee, his voice raspy yet unwavering.
"Subordinate reporting to the Master!"
Even Qin Yi, with his vast experience, was struck by the sheer presence of this death guard. A satisfied grin spread across his face as he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Xuan Jian, Zhang Han, come in!"
Hearing the call, the two men waiting outside promptly entered. Their eyes flicked toward the mysterious figure standing in the room, betraying a trace of astonishment.
Qin Yi observed their reactions with a hint of amusement but wasted no time. "You two are my most trusted allies," he began. "I won't hold back—today, I'm granting you a path to greater strength."
From the table, Qin Yi retrieved two identical copies of *The Xuan Art,* which the system had conveniently replicated. He handed them over with solemnity.
"This is an ancient cultivation manual I've obtained by chance. Take it, study it well, and don't let me down," Qin Yi instructed.
Zhang Han accepted the manual without opening it. Dropping to one knee, he declared with steadfast resolve, "I will not fail you, General. I will dedicate myself to mastering this art and serving you with all my strength!"
Watching the unwavering loyalty in Zhang Han's eyes, Qin Yi felt a surge of confidence. His path was clear—step by step, he would build his empire and carve out his destiny.
The journey had only just begun.