Chapter 860: Chapter 18: Xuan Sovereign’s Seven-Chapter Secret Sutra
At the very moment when the entire city was fervently engaged in the "Xuanhuang Trial".
Qin Ershi, however, led a group of warriors who had passed the "Xuanhuang Trial" to a massive underground space beneath the Emperor Statue.
"You are soldiers who have gone through rigorous trials, reaching the human limits in all aspects."
"Even in the Empire’s most glorious era, you were qualified to become ’Xuanhuang Warriors’ feared by others."
As he wandered through the elongated corridor, Qin Ershi’s voice was notably low and deep.
And behind Qin Ershi, a dozen or so tall and sturdy warriors with resolute expressions silently followed with firm steps.
"But now is not the time of the Empire, but the apocalypse after the Great Cataclysm."
"Therefore, merely becoming a ’Xuanhuang Warrior’ is not enough to change this world."
"You need even more powerful strength, powerful enough to make the world fear!"
With each step forward, Qin Ershi’s voice grew more solemn.
When the group reached the end of this corridor, what appeared before them were seven enormous xuanhuang-colored stone slabs arranged in an array.
These seven xuanhuang-colored slabs stood like monoliths deep within the earth.
Misty Xuanhuang Qi continuously surfaced from them, creating a special xuanhuang-colored space.
Upon closer inspection, one would notice ancient Qin Seals inscribed on those seven slabs, constantly shifting and twisting like illusions.
Each person saw different Qin Seals on the slabs, corresponding to different physiological reactions.
Just a glance made some of these strong warriors feel the urge to retch, while others felt something crawling in their brains.
"This is the ’Profound Monarch Seven Chapters Secret Scripture’, the last strength left to us by His Majesty the Emperor."
"These seven stone slabs record seven different secret techniques..."
"They are the Immortal Sand Soul Revival Talisman, Ginseng Prolongevity Talisman, Demon Catching and Ghost Binding Talisman, Earth Spirit Examination and Summoning Talisman, Taiyin Corpse Dissolving and Shedding Form Talisman, Illusion Realm Spirit Ascension Talisman, Zhengyi Alliance of Saint-Subduing Power..."
"Each of you find the slab that evokes the strongest physiological reaction in you, then practice the corresponding ’Xuanhuang Secret Technique’ with its power."
Turning around slowly, Qin Ershi softly spoke to the dozen warriors before him.
"I do not know how many of you will survive in the end, but I hope you always remember why you have come this far."
"Because the success of each of you adds a chance for survival to our city."
"You are no longer carrying just your own life, but the fate of our entire city and even our entire civilization."
"May your martial fortune prosper."
Solemnly stepping aside, Qin Ershi finally gave a military salute to the warriors.
......................................................
Upon walking out of the underground base harboring the Profound Monarch Seven Chapters Secret Scripture.
An engineer with white hair and an aged face immediately approached, nervously asking.
"How is it? How well do they adapt?"
"I added a mental fortification procedure in this modification, allowing their bodies to secrete more adrenaline when they feel fear."
This is a surgery that is not required in the normal "Xuanhuang Trial".
Even the engineer does not know what impact such a procedure will have on the modified individuals.
However, under the current circumstances, he evidently could not care less about the side effects of the surgery.
"Much better than we imagined, at least they did not turn into hysterical monsters upon first seeing the slabs."
Qin Ershi’s words put the engineer at ease, though it also made him fall silent.
Because what Qin Ershi described was exactly what happened the first time those seven stone slabs were discovered.
As the strongest warriors of the Guardian Empire, Qin Ershi’s legion had once delved into a secret mechanism to investigate the reason for His Majesty the Emperor’s death before the Great Cataclysm.
As a result, of the legion of tens of thousands, only Qin Ershi returned alive.
He also brought back those seven xuanhuang-colored slabs that could not be approached or observed by the living.
After the Great Cataclysm descended and the Emperor Statue manifested, these seven slabs suppressed all evil and demons as "Magical Treasures".
In a way, Merak Island being able to maintain its current order is inseparably linked not only to the Emperor Statue but also to these seven xuanhuang-colored slabs.
Unfortunately, it’s unclear if it’s naturally so or affected by the Great Cataclysm.
Any being attempting to probe and observe these seven slabs must endure the dual test of Constitution and mind.
If it weren’t truly a matter of life and death this time,
Qin Ershi would never have allowed the engineer to employ such a crafty method, letting the reserve Xuanhuang Warriors face those seven slabs directly.
"All for the Empire!"
After a moment of silence, the engineer softly comforted.
He knew how difficult Qin Ershi’s decision must have been.
As the continuation of His Majesty the Emperor’s thoughts and will, Qin Ershi genuinely cared for the people of the Empire.
Otherwise, given the power he demonstrated during the Great Cataclysm, he could have easily left this world aboard the Emperor Statue like other Gods of this world.
"No, all for survival!"
Under the engineer’s astonished gaze, Qin Ershi replied.
"Although I inherited the Emperor’s will, I do not agree with his methods and choices."
"It’s not because of the Empire that the people exist, but it is because of the people that the Empire exists."
"He was willing to pay any price for the continuation of the Empire, even if it meant personally causing the Great Cataclysm..."
"But I am different, I have always believed that the Empire can perish..."
"As long as everyone can survive, forget about the Empire, even if the Emperor returns to life, he can die again."
Faced with Qin Ershi’s heretical remarks, the engineer’s expression instantly shifted from surprised to fearful.
"Your Majesty... mind your words! Mind your words!"
As one of the few humans who knew the truth, the engineer could scarcely imagine what type of uproar and turmoil Qin Ershi’s words could cause if spread.
His Majesty the Emperor was indeed dead, but his will had never ceased to exist.
That "Yellow Robed King", who personally triggered the Great Cataclysm and then watched the Gods and Evil Demons wreak havoc upon the living, might be watching the events unfolding here from some place.
"The Emperor we knew has long been dead, having died before he went completely insane."
Ignoring the engineer’s fear, an anger seemed to burn in Qin Ershi’s eyes.
"The one who brought about the ’Great Cataclysm’ under the Emperor’s name is nothing but an Evil God occupying His Majesty’s body!"
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