426: Lu Xuan, deputy commander of the Ninth Guard Regiment.

Chapter 418: Lu Xuan, Vice-Commander of the Ninth Guard Regiment.

The Xinglan Empire is the ultimate political entity that governs the entire world.

The brilliance of technology illuminates the land, ancient cities and skyscraper clusters interlace, forming a unique civilization that is both modern and preserves ancient traditions.

Despite its highly developed social structure, the highest power of the Empire is still held by the ancient Guyue Imperial Court.

The Sun-Moon Clan, as the imperial family, transmits its will through the Imperial Court as the highest political decree to every corner of the world.

However, the tranquility of a thousand years ago was quietly shattered.

Some indescribable “things” began to infiltrate this world; imperial scholars called them the Crimson Whispers.

The initial changes occurred in animals: they began to undergo bizarre mutations, their bodies swelled, their strength dramatically increased, their forms became grotesque, and they exhibited various supernatural abilities.

Even more terrifying, these mutated creatures—later collectively known as Crimson Aberrations—became extremely bloodthirsty, indiscriminately hunting both humans and unmutated organisms.

By the time the Guyue Imperial Court realized this was not a localized ecological disaster, but a global apocalypse, it was too late.

The entire world was unrecognizable.

Humans themselves were not spared; some, under the erosion of the “Crimson Whispers,” suffered mental breakdowns, their flesh twisted, ultimately degenerating into monsters that knew only destruction and consumption—the Crimson Fallen.

Under the dual stimulation of survival pressure and Crimson power, the genes within another portion of humanity were affected.

Instead of falling into depravity, they connected with the pure power from the ancient Star Domain, embarking on a new path of evolution, forming seven great Realms diametrically opposed to the Crimson.

Seven Star Orbit Realms: Dawnstar → Myriad Stars → Bright Moon → Blazing Sun → Star Domain → Stellar Vortex → Cosmic Light.

Under the ceaseless erosion of Crimson power, the human powerhouses of the Xinglan Empire, though forging a bulwark with their own brilliance, found all their efforts to be like a drop in the ocean.

This was more like a futile struggle with a known outcome, a desperate prolongation of existence.

Facing an irreversible defeat, the Empire's Supreme Council made a painful and resolute strategic choice: to implement the Wall-Break Plan.

The Xinglan Empire voluntarily abandoned more than two-thirds of its vast territory, concentrating all remaining forces and resources into a final defense perimeter centered around the “Radiant Imperial Capital.”

This last sanctuary was divided into ten major safe zones, which, like stars surrounding the moon, encircled the undying “Radiant Imperial Capital,” forming the last bastion of human civilization.

And located at the heart of the Imperial Capital, the floating Sun Moon Imperial Court, was the heart of this bastion.

At the same time, to defend this last frontier, the Sun Moon Imperial Court issued a supreme edict, establishing ten special guard regiments—elite units directly under the Imperial Court—in each of the ten major safe zones.

The Guard Regiments were designated by numbers, from First to Tenth, and each Guard Regiment bore the sacred duty of defending its corresponding safe zone and actively launching attacks to clear Crimson monsters approaching the defense line.

They were the Empire's sharpest spears and its strongest shields.

After absorbing the memories, Lu Xuan's consciousness refocused on the present.

He subtly introspected, feeling the “Blazing Sun outline” within him, as if substantial, constantly radiating boundless power.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Lu Xuan's lips, “Crimson monsters…”

“I wonder if this power, originating from Crimson defilement, can be refined into points by the System.

If so, this world-pervading calamity would no longer be a threat to him; instead, it would be a fertile field awaiting harvest.

Then, the time to Breakthrough the shackles of this Mortal World and return to the Tianwu World might be… much simpler than anticipated.

Just as Lu Xuan's thoughts were stirring, a pigeon's blood ruby embedded above the main hall door suddenly lit up, emitting an urgent and dazzling red light, illuminating the dim main hall in a blood-red hue.

Looking up, a subtle ripple flashed in Lu Xuan's eyes, and his brow furrowed slightly.

This was the highest-level Crimson Call to Arms from the Imperial Court Guard Regiment.

Upon seeing this signal, as if the Sun Moon Emperor himself were present, regardless of location or activity, one must immediately drop everything and rush to the Imperial Court at the fastest speed to meet the seven Grand Councilors of the Imperial Court.

These seven councilors collectively managed the daily operations and military decisions of the Empire.

Above them was the supreme Sun Moon Emperor, who governed the stars.

Ordinarily, His Majesty rarely appeared, residing deep within the Xinglan Imperial Palace, guarded by various powerhouses, recuperating, and only emerging for matters of national importance that threatened the foundation of the state.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan slowly rose, the starlight swirling around him receding into his body.

The next moment, he took a step, and his figure swiftly vanished from his original position.

In the outer hall of the Imperial Court, within the Ninth Guard Regiment's exclusive palace, minimalist modern lines intertwined with intricate classical decorations, creating a solemn and majestic space.

Brilliant crystal chandeliers coexisted with projected star maps, illuminating the six figures already standing in solemn attention within the hall.

Five of them, one woman and four men, wore sharp scarlet military uniforms.

Each of their faces bore the marks of hardship and gravity, and the Sun-Moon Star insignia on their epaulets displayed their elite status as core members of the Guard Regiment.

In front of the five, an elder stood silently, clad in a golden and white Sun-Moon ancient robe.

The robe was embroidered with ancient scrolls depicting the alternation of the sun and moon and the movement of stars using mithril threads; the exquisite decorations flowed with a warm and profound luster under the lights.

Though he was about sixty years old, with slightly frosted temples, his figure remained as straight as a pine, and deep within his calm eyes, two scorching Blazing Suns seemed to be contained, making it difficult to look directly at him.

The elder was Gao Zheng, the supreme commander of the Ninth Guard Regiment under the Sun Moon Imperial Court. He was a super powerhouse who had Cultivated the power of the Star Domain to the Major Achievement of the Blazing Sun Realm.

The next moment, Gao Zheng's voice, though not loud, exploded like a silent thunderclap throughout the entire hall.

“Red Mountain has fallen to the Crimson. He betrayed us, and he betrayed the Empire. Laibili and the other four… have been confirmed to have sacrificed themselves.”

This short sentence brought an unprecedented shock.

The few people present had rushed here, still guessing what kind of urgent mission it might be, never expecting that such cruel news awaited them.

As soon as the words fell, the twenty-seven-year-old young woman's pupils suddenly contracted, and the uncontrolled starlight around her instantly burst forth, immediately stirring up a chaotic current of Qi in the hall!

“Impossible!” she exclaimed in extreme shock, “Red Mountain… he hated the Crimson the most! His whole family died at the hands of those monsters, how could he…!”

Immediately after, a deeper fear gripped the woman, making her incoherent: “Sister Xin… how could Sister Xin die? She was smiling before she left, asking me to bring something for her daughter at the academy… I don't believe it! Commander… I…”

The woman was already incoherent, clearly plunged into immense grief and fear.

“Commander, are you mistaken? I don't believe this is true—!”

Beside her, the two-meter-tall giant's eyes instantly turned crimson, and scorching light erupted from his body. He was like a volcano about to erupt, his violent aura causing the air to twist.

He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles cracking, as if he would destroy everything in front of him the next moment.

The other male members, though not immediately losing control, also had faces filled with unbelievable shock and suppressed grief and indignation.

“That bastard Red Mountain… I'll tear him apart with my own hands!”

The entire hall of the Ninth Guard Regiment was enveloped by a heavy atmosphere mixed with sorrow, anger, and betrayal.

Gao Zheng quietly watched his subordinates' reactions. He could understand their anger and pain, but as the commander, he had to maintain a clear mind at all times.

“The Imperial Court… already knows about this.” His aged voice remained steady, “That's why there's this urgent summons. After meeting the councilors…”

At this point, Gao Zheng's slightly narrowed eyes, though seemingly calm, held a fleeting sharpness that sent a bone-chilling coldness through everyone present.

It was a nearly tangible killing intent, accumulated after countless slaughters.

“I will personally make that scoundrel Red Mountain… pay an unimaginable price.”

In his heart, every member of the Ninth Guard Regiment was not just a subordinate, but also a pillar of the Empire he had painstakingly nurtured, a comrade with whom he could entrust his life.

Now, with four dead and one betrayed, such a loss was tantamount to severing one's own arm, not only severely weakening the Imperial Court's Ninth Guard Regiment but also directly diminishing the Empire's strength.

Although Commander Gao Zheng's words did not completely heal the wounds in everyone's hearts, they successfully suppressed the almost uncontrollable outburst of emotions.

Inside the hall, the chaotic starlight gradually subsided, and the turbulent airflow returned to order.

Those present were all warriors who had climbed out of the abyss of blood and fire; they knew better than anyone that being consumed by anger and losing reason could not change what had happened.

At this moment, everyone wanted to find Red Mountain.

No matter where he hid, no matter what defiled power he had acquired, he had to be dragged out and, in the most thorough manner, made to pay this blood debt for their fallen comrades.

The air was so heavy it could almost be wrung out.

No one spoke again, only heavy breathing rose and fell.

The female team member, Xin Pulan, her eyes slightly less crimson, were now veiled with a thin film of moisture.

She bit her lower lip hard, not letting out a single sob, her tightly clenched fists had nails deeply embedded in her palms, leaving several crimson blood marks.

Now, they were just waiting for the arrival of the last member.

Only when the entire Ninth Guard Regiment was assembled could they, in their complete form, proceed to the supreme Imperial Court to meet the seven councilors who decided the fate of the Empire.

And that member was the Vice-Commander of the Ninth Guard Regiment, the strongest combat force in the team—Lu Xuan.

This simple name was itself a legend within the Xinglan Empire.

He was neither of imperial lineage nor protected by an influential family, yet at the mere age of forty, he pushed his Cultivation to the terrifying height of Blazing Sun Realm Perfection.

Only that final step remained before he could enter the Star Domain Realm, becoming a peerless powerhouse truly governing a region's Dao and standing shoulder to shoulder with the councilors.

In the Empire, the chasm of the Star Domain Realm was like an unbridgeable gap.

Countless prodigies, brilliant beyond compare, were trapped at the Peak of the Blazing Sun Realm their entire lives, until their Lifespan ran out, never even glimpsing the threshold of the Star Domain.

Yet Lu Xuan, at such a young age, had touched this Realm; his talent was terrifying, his potential immense.

He was not only the undisputed core combat strength of the Ninth Guard Regiment but also one of the most dazzling morning stars in the entire Xinglan Empire.

A breeze swept across the front of the hall, and a figure silently appeared in mid-air, his golden and white Sun-Moon ancient robe gently fluttering in the airflow.

Lu Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his figure steadily suspended several meters off the ground—this was the hallmark ability of a Blazing Sun Realm powerhouse, “Soaring Through the Void.”

Only upon reaching this Realm could the concentrated Star Domain power within one's body be so vast, sufficient to resist the earth's gravitational pull and achieve flight.

His gaze swept over the people in the hall, Lu Xuan taking in their faces, which could not hide their sorrow and anger.

His expression remained calm as usual; he merely nodded slightly towards the crowd.

As Vice-Commander, Lu Xuan had naturally already received a message from Commander Gao Zheng—Red Mountain had betrayed the Empire, fallen to the Crimson, and four comrades had met a tragic end.

Fortunately, the original owner of the body had always been taciturn, maintaining the aloof demeanor expected of a Genius.

At this moment, Lu Xuan did not need to deliberately act; he only needed to maintain this detachment and calmness, and no one would notice that a different Soul now inhabited this body.

“Let's go.” These two simple words left no room for doubt from anyone present.

The seven councilors of the Guyue Imperial Court… in Lu Xuan's view, going to see those high and mighty figures at this moment was nothing short of a waste of time.

Compared to recounting tragedies in a solemn hall and listening to instructions that might offer no substantial help, he preferred to set off immediately.

To verify his conjecture about “System points” through the annihilation of those Crimson monsters.

That was the shortcut that would allow him to more quickly Breakthrough the shackles of this Mortal World and return to the Tianwu World.

However, reason firmly suppressed this impulse.

Lu Xuan knew that although this body had reached Blazing Sun Realm Perfection, and was considered a top powerhouse in the Empire, he was by no means invincible.

Within the Xinglan Empire, there were still forces that could threaten his life.

Before possessing overwhelming strength, prematurely exposing his “abnormality” or challenging the established order would undoubtedly be foolish.

The moment Lu Xuan appeared, Commander Gao Zheng's eyes flashed with an imperceptible glint—there was approval in it, and also a hint of indescribable complexity.

This Imperial Prodigy, after only half a month of seclusion, had an even deeper and more restrained aura, subtly showing signs of Perfection and flawlessness, touching the barrier of the next Realm.

Such dazzling brilliance, in the faction-ridden Xinglan Empire, was both an honor and a target.

Unless he could truly take that final step, achieve the Star Domain Realm, and crush everything with absolute strength.

Otherwise, this overly brilliant talent would inevitably attract countless covetous eyes and schemes hidden in the shadows.

The waters of the Empire were too deep.

Various forces were deeply entrenched, and the pattern of interests had long been solidified.

And those forces at the top of the interest chain were the least willing to see the emergence of “variables” like Lu Xuan, disrupting the monopoly they painstakingly maintained.

At this thought, a hint of despair and helplessness arose in Gao Zheng's heart.

Humans, even when facing the world-ending crisis of the Crimson, infighting, greed, and desire remained the unchanging theme song.

Unlike Gao Zheng's complex emotions, the other team members, upon seeing Lu Xuan, immediately showed excited smiles, as if they had found their backbone.

The female team member even stepped forward a few paces, her voice choked with sobs and uncontrollable anger: “Big Brother Xuan! Sister Xin… she was killed by that beast Red Mountain!

And Sister Xin used to take such good care of him… I must kill him with my own hands!”

“Hmm.”

“I will go find him myself.”

Just one sentence brought an end to all arguments and grief.

The hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone understood that when this immensely powerful Vice-Commander uttered the words “personally,” it meant there was no longer any room for maneuver, and the traitor's fate was sealed.

Commander Gao Zheng looked deeply at Lu Xuan, then scanned the room and spoke in a deep voice.

“Alright, everyone is here. Depart immediately for the Imperial Court to meet the seven councilors.”