Chapter 37: Body Transformation!

Chapter 37: Body Transformation!

Numerous Legislators glared in their direction, clearly displeased by Jiang Zhe's audacious defiance of protocol.

Before they could voice their objections, Jiang Zhe dropped a bombshell:

"Golden Robe? Sounds nice, but isn't killing a Legislator enough to earn one? I recall my grandfather and uncle both claimed their Golden Robes after eliminating Legislators."

Jiang Lie and Master Jiang exchanged stunned glances, as if realizing for the first time their own untapped potential.

"Now that I've done the same, I naturally deserve my own Golden Robe."

With that, Jiang Zhe located Li Nansheng's vacant seat displaying the metal nameplate, crushed the plaque into a ball, and replaced it with his own.

Jia Yi and Mr. Zhou could only gape in disbelief.

You're serious?

Our Hanxia faction has so few Legislators, and you just erased one with a single sentence?

Suddenly, someone shouted, "Look! Who's that Legislator? And the Mentalist facing him!"

When had the conference hall acquired this massive screen? It now looped footage of a battle:

Black-armored Legislator vs. Brass-armored Mentalist!

The clip lasted less than a minute, yet its content left every Legislator and War God Rank official stunned.

The former had been decapitated mid-combat, then pierced through the heart by a forty-centimeter "Heartpiercer."

The screen split.

Left side continued looping the footage. Right side displayed Li Nansheng's corpse.

"Li Nansheng? But he's supposed to be tall and thin, wearing emerald armor!"

"Cracked me up! Didn't he look exactly like the Snow Emperor at first?"

"Bet this guy was out stealing secrets and got caught by the wrong person."

Jiang Zhe glanced at the Hanxia Legislators devouring popcorn beside him. Seriously? None of you noticed Jia Yi's face turning purple?

The room erupted into chaos as others regained their senses.

"Could it be Ister?"

"Unlikely. This one controls fifteen Annihilation Throwing Daggers—scarier than Ister!"

"Wait... isn't this Mentalist a Stronkaiser Tier?"

"Where's his Black God Suit? How could Li Nansheng get pierced through the chest by a blade?!"

"He was wearing it! He used the Black God Suit to disguise himself!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Elder Jiang and Master Jiang stared at Jiang Zhe like they'd seen a ghost.

They recognized that Heartpiercer—hadn't they personally removed it from the Eight-Treasure Alligator Dragon Lance as his secret weapon?

And the weapon on Jiang Zhe's back... wasn't that forged from pure blue gold?

Master Jiang opened his mouth to ask questions, but Elder Jiang clamped a hand over his shoulder, eyes warning: You really want to ask here? Now?

"Silence!"

The single command from the podium silenced the entire hall, Hong's voice alone enough to command Earth's most powerful beings.

"Li Nansheng coveted the Jiang Clan's ancestral weapon", Hong declared coldly. "He bribed Zheng Bo, deputy director of the HR Union Hanxia District flight system, to obtain Jiang Zhe's training coordinates in Australasia..."

"He got what he deserved!"

"I've explicitly forbidden Legislators from attacking War God Rank individuals without cause. Yet some among you still test their luck—two recently paid the ultimate price."

"While their deaths are losses for humanity, their continued existence would have caused even greater damage. The tragedies of Randolph and Li Nansheng should serve as warnings to all."

"We are not savages. With the Beast threat ever-present, we cannot afford complacency. We need unity, and Earth requires stable order!"

"Any who defy my decrees and abuse their power will face immediate execution!"

"Effective today, War God Palace establishes the Tribunal. Lei Shen and I will serve as Chief and Deputy Justices, with Jiang Zhe and Ister—the two strongest Mentalists—as Execution Enforcers."

"Any Legislator or War God Rank who dares break the law will be hunted down by the Tribunal!"

The Councilor-Class Champions found themselves powerless to resist Hong's authority.

In subsequent negotiations, the Tribunal added three more Execution Enforcers representing Americana, Sovire, and Indiga—maintaining balance while establishing order.

After the meeting, Jiang Zhe exchanged brief words with his grandfather and father before leaving War God Palace.

As he removed his "Neuro-Sync Interface" helmet, a cold mechanical voice echoed from the ceiling speaker:

"Legislator Jiang, the Pavilion Head has a message for you."

"Go ahead."

"First, a King-Grade Fighter Jet has been prepared for you. Its AI will transport you anywhere on Earth—simply specify your destination. The jet will return automatically after delivery."

Jiang Zhe nearly whistled.

Thought Hong was just giving me a toy jet?

"Additionally, a small surprise awaits in the cabin."

"Finally, the Pavilion Head wishes you a swift promotion to Stellar-Level and success in compiling Earth's ultimate secret manual."

Jiang Zhe chuckled. So that's what this was leading to.

"Thank you for delivering the message."

"Safe travels, Legislator Jiang. Farewell!"

...

At the Limit Martial Arts Pavilion's global headquarters, Jiang Zhe exited the massive spaceship-like structure accompanied by a red-robed black man.

They crossed the tarmac toward a pitch-black triangular fighter jet.

Hiss!

The cockpit sealed shut, control panels lighting up as an electronic voice greeted: "Legislator Jiang, it's an honor to—"

The voice abruptly cut off.

Jiang Zhe settled into the luxurious seat. "Anna, systems under control?"

"Master, I've overridden the jet's AI and fabricated false logs. We're ready for takeoff."

"Not yet. Where's Hong's surprise?"

"Coming, Master."

A panel beneath the floor opened, lifting a silver metallic case upward before sealing shut again.

"Anna, what's inside?"

"This is your surprise, Master. I wouldn't dare spoil it."

"Learning fast. Even using idioms now."

Jiang Zhe teased as he pressed his thumb to the case, unlocking it with his fingerprint.

Click!

The lid sprang open, revealing a silver-gray spindle-shaped object.

81 centimeters long, 27 centimeters wide at its thickest—sleek, double-tapered, covered in intricate etchings.

Truthfully, Jiang Zhe had admired the Skyfaring Needle before but never expected Hong to actually gift it to him.

He lifted it with Mental Energy, placing it at his side.

Orianna's mental voice carried surprise: "Master, this is a third-tier Mental Strength Weapon. I glimpsed it in that AI's memory. You seem... unimpressed?"

"Perfectly satisfied. I'll make do with it." Jiang Zhe replied vaguely.

In truth, the needle still bore Luo Feng's distinct imprint—holding it felt oddly uncomfortable. He'd rather seek out Babata for the Arc-Blade Array.

"Anna, takeoff."

The jet roared to life.

Orianna asked, "Master, shall we head directly?"

"It's been restless lately, trying to expose that mist-shrouded island to draw you there."

Jiang Zhe's lips twitched. "It knows about me?"

"Yes. It's been watching you for some time. After you entered War God Palace, it decided you were its target. Your recent Australasia exploits thrilled it greatly."

"What about you?"

"It mistook you for a Bonded Metal Lifeform. Didn't pay much attention."

"Can we stop it? I don't want Mist Island exposed to humanity."

"It's monitoring us now. Knowing we're returning to Australasia, it's paused its actions."

Orianna added, "Master, our course is being subtly altered—we're being guided directly toward Mist Island."

"Fine. Let it be. I'll cultivate for a while."

Jiang Zhe leaned back, eyes closed, focusing on the crimson Banner Mark between his brows.

With a recent power surge, should he continue cultivating Life Blueprint?

No—he wanted to test the 【Conqueror】Innate Secret Art.

Would its physical transformation truly enhance his body's resonance as he suspected?

Following the technique's instructions, he refined the Primordial Essence Quanta within his Banner Mark nine times. The scattered light particles coalesced into wisps of mist.

As the crimson Banner Mark pulsed red, the flag-like symbol seemed to tremble.

The mist flowed from the mark, enveloping Jiang Zhe's entire body.

Secret Patterns crystallized from the mist, penetrating his combat suit to burrow beneath his skin.

"A little painful, but mostly tingling..."

After a brief grimace, Jiang Zhe focused entirely on guiding the 【Conqueror】 technique.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end