Astral Apostle

As the rumors of the chaos in Deep Rock City fermented, the capital city produced two voices. One was about praising the Imperial Hunters and the achievements of Jace, the "Savior of Deep Rock City." The other was to denounce the Mutant Blood Warriors. To be precise, it was a collective outbreak of fear for those with extraordinary powers.

Hunters resisted mutant beasts and had a high status in the hearts of the citizens. However, if Mutant Blood Warriors, other than hunters, did evil, the threat they created would not be small. The incident in Deep Rock City was an example, causing many citizens to feel uneasy.

In the past, only the elite warriors of the various tribes were strengthened. They were all experienced warriors who had the spirit of fighting and contributing to the tribe. They were united against the outside world. After the establishment of the Terra Empire, due to the increase in production capacity, changes in the system, and the implementation of the supernatural path, the composition of the people who used the blood potion became complicated. Moreover, there were more choices for the successful ones. This caused the frequency of vicious events to increase after the supernatural system was popularized.

After the establishment of the Terra Empire, they chose to expand the scope of the enhancement using Mutant Bloods and use the population base to produce more experts to protect the country. All of this inevitably loosened the control of the transmission of supernatural powers. Therefore, although the chaos in Deep Rock City was an accident, it seemed to be inevitable for the ordinary people to have a higher level of fear and prejudice against the Mutant Blood Warriors. Even if there was no incident in Deep Rock City, other incidents would have happened over time.

As times changed, people's thoughts and ideas often went from simple to complicated, and this was generally an irreversible process. As the first regime in the world, the Terra Empire had been established for 40 years. It was difficult to predict where the future would lead and what changes would happen to the entire world.

However, the subtle change in the world's perception was only a spark at the moment, and it did not have much impact on the hunters for the time being. Moreover, as a typical example of the empire's propaganda, Jace enjoyed the benefits of his reputation. The people basically were praising him to the high heavens.

Zhou Jing kept a low profile for this period of time. Soon, it was time for the public execution. Since King Becky·Tarn had agreed to his conditions, he invited Zhou Jing to serve as the executioner.

In the central square of the capital, an execution platform had been set up. Dorton's hands were tied, and his hair was disheveled as he knelt in front of the platform. He was wearing rough linen clothes, and his entire body was covered in wounds left behind by whips, cuts, and other interrogation methods.

Becky·Tarn, Roman, and the other ministers of the Empire sat on the stage. There was a circle of guards around the execution platform, blocking the citizens who were approaching to maintain order.

The audience below the stage was filled with the residents of the capital who had come to watch. The crowd was agitated. From time to time, someone would throw a stone at the dying Dorton, accompanied by curses.

"You're a butcher!"

"Look at his dirty and evil face. He was born bad. He should have been strangled to death by his parents when he was born!"

After the Empire's announcement, the residents of the capital already knew that the main culprit of the chaos in Deep Rock City was the bandit group "Sons of Mutant Blood." They hated the leader, Dorton, to the core.

Dorton lowered his head and remained silent. He did not dodge, allowing the weak stones to hit his tough body.

Becky·Tarn stood up and looked down at the people below the stage. He raised his hand to silence everyone before speaking in a clear voice,

"In order to protect the people from the mutant beasts, we established fortress cities one after another. To this day, we have protected countless people. However, this crazy villain wants to use despicable methods to rob a city that carries the safety of thousands of people for his selfish desires and malice. He even wants to kill a large number of civilians! Under the glorious rule of the Terra Empire and the royal family of Tarn, such an evil act is destined to fail. A thug who trampled on the law and the hearts of the people cannot be forgiven. Today, the Imperial Hunter, Jace, will personally execute him!"

"That's right! Kill him! Cut off his head!"

The people below the stage responded loudly and shouted in excitement.

Becky·Tarn nodded in satisfaction before turning back to look behind the execution platform. He signaled for the execution to begin.

Receiving the signal, Zhou Jing strode onto the execution platform.

The moment he appeared, it caused a commotion below the stage. The words "Deep Rock City's Savior" and "Dual Blade Jace" constantly sounded from the masses.

After the Empire's publicity, the process of Zhou Jing defeating Dorton was also revealed. The residents of the capital gradually gave him a new nickname, "Dual Blades."

Some famous Mutant Blood Warriors had different nicknames. For example, Keriber had titles like "Chief Hunter of the Empire" and "Dwarf." The captain of the royal guards, Irene·Tarn, had the title of "Royal Blade."

Although the third enhancement hunters were outstanding, they had yet to reach the level of the top combat power and were not conspicuous enough. They were generally not famous in a place like the capital. However, the Deep Rock City incident allowed Jason/Jace to become famous overnight, making him an exception.

Zhou Jing did not stop walking. He came behind Dorton and slowly pulled out the blade, placing it against the back of his neck.

In the eyes of the audience below the stage, Dorton, kneeling on the ground and bending his neck to be beheaded, was ugly and pathetic, while Jace, standing behind Dorton, was covered in light. It was the comparison between the winner and the loser.

Zhou Jing raised his saber.

The square fell silent. Everyone held their breaths as they waited for the bandit leader's head to fall to the ground.

At this moment, Dorton, who had his back to him, suddenly spoke in a low voice. It seemed to be mixed with indescribable madness and laughter.

"Look at their hateful expressions. I'm dead, but did I really lose?"

"A bandit who's justifying an atrocity? You're not worthy."

Zhou Jing was expressionless as he slashed down.

Splat!

Blood sprayed, and the head fell to the ground.

Hua la la ——

The people below the stage cheered excitedly.

"Hero! Hero!"

This form of address made Zhou Jing uncomfortable. However, he kept a straight face and retreated from the execution platform.

Becky·Tarn once again addressed the crowd, emphasizing the inevitable failure of any Mutant Blood Bandits. After warning others not to have such thoughts, he ended the public execution.

Dorton's body was not left where it was. It was collected by the guards and placed on the city wall with his head on a spear as a warning.

After the residents of the royal capital joined in the fun, they vented their emotions and dispersed.

After the crowd dispersed, Zhou Jing was stopped by Irene·Tarn to receive the reward promised by the king.

First, she passed over 5,000 silver coins in a small box.

Other than money, Irene also took out a long saber and handed it to Zhou Jing.

"This is a new weapon developed by the Empire Workshop. This saber is fused with the special parts of several mutant beasts that can ignite. During the swing and collision, it will slowly activate the fire core inside the handle. As the blade gradually warms, the heat is enough to ignite the fire core. The flames produced will be spat out through special grooves along the blade and attach to the specially treated blade. It can be used to slash out a Flame Aura…"

Zhou Jing's eyes widened in surprise.

He wouldn't find this kind of creation strange if he were in the main world. Enchantment, technology, blessings, and a series of other methods could achieve similar effects… However, there had never been any equipment in the Mutant World that used such special abilities.

What kind of principle was this? Could it be related to sorcery?

He carefully sized up this saber. The blade was flowing with a faint red color, like a piece of red crystal with a steel texture. It was quite beautiful. The blade and hilt were larger than ordinary weapons as if there was something stuffed inside.

Zhou Jing could not help but ask curiously, "When did the Empire Workshop develop such a weapon?"

"Not too long ago," Irene explained. "This weapon is called the Miraculous Armament. It hasn't been officially made public and isn't sold to outsiders. Because the production process is extremely difficult, even a master craftsman will find it difficult to replicate a successful product. The requirements for the materials are also quite harsh. As of now, the Imperial Workshop has only created less than ten Miraculous Armament. The king specially instructed me to give this 'Raging Inferno' to you."

So it was confidential technology… It seemed that King Becky appreciated him and specially used this novel thing to rope him in.

Zhou Jing casually waved the Raging Inferno a few times, finding it much heavier than an ordinary long saber.

"Why can this blade breathe fire?"

Irene replied casually, "I'm not a craftsman, so how would I know? In short, I heard that they used a special method to process fire sacs, fire essences, and other materials produced by mutant beasts to make a fire core and put it into the hilt… By the way, the fire core is not unlimited. It's said that it can spit fire 30 to 50 times at most. These three fire cores are for you to use as backup. After you use them up, you need to request for more from the workshop. You can replace the fire core after you remove the hilt."

As she spoke, she took out three thin black and red sticks. They were about the size of a palm. These were the fire cores.

After Zhou Jing heard this, he roughly knew that it was an improvement in processing the mutated beasts' equipment. This fire core was probably similar to solid fuel and had nothing to do with sorcery.

Although he had to "satisfy the pre-requisites" before he could release a fire attack, it was still a new attack method.

If this Miraculous Armament was difficult to create, it seemed like it would not become popular on a large scale in the future. Only powerful hunters would be able to equip it.

"The name sounds nice, but the effect isn't very strong… Perhaps the technology isn't mature enough yet."

Zhou Jing shook his head secretly. He accepted the Raging Inferno as well as the three spare fire cores and decided to change one of his current two sabers.

At this moment, Irene suddenly said, "Jace, are you interested in becoming my subordinate?"

"Oh?" Zhou Jing looked at her in confusion. "Even if I'm not a member of the royal family of Tarn, I can still be a royal guard?"

"Not all the royal guards are royal members. Your strength is not bad, and you meet all of our conditions."

"This is the King's will?"

"No, that's my intention." Irene raised her eyebrows.

"…What's going on? Has this female warrior taken a fancy to my muscular body?"

Zhou Jing was surprised but waved his hand in refusal, "I'm still used to being a hunter."

"Alright, if you ever change your mind, you can come look for me."

Irene didn't mind, turning straight to leave.

Zhou Jing watched her leave before opening the interface to check the achievements of killing Dorton.

[First Kill - Mutant Blood Warrior (Third Enhancement)]

[Obtained 1500 Astral Points, awarded 1x [Aptitude Enhancement - Physical Fitness (Small)], x1 [Aptitude Enhancement - Resistance (Small)] x1]

"A small profit." Zhou Jing was satisfied as he chuckled out loud.

After executing Dorton, Jason had nothing left to do for the time being. It wasn't time for him to agree to Lynen's request to find a new nature spirit. He still needed time to prepare. Besides, he wasn't working for nothing. Helping Lynen obtain the spirit of nature was ultimately a way for his apostle to step into the realm of Sorcery.

Jason was hopeless in this regard, so he could only see if Bill could become a Sorcerer.

At this moment, Bill was still in the closed-door development of the potion. The most important thing now was to wait for the results of Bill's research.

...

Jason's fame gradually spread throughout the country. During this time, Bill had been focused on developing the new blood potion.

Because there were too many people and there were no beginner materials for sorcery, when Zhou Jing switched to Bill, he did not try to cultivate sorcery for the time being.

Two months later, in a secret empire workshop.

Dozens of pharmacists surrounded a pharmaceutical table and stared intently at the medicinal liquid in the pot that was slowly undergoing a qualitative transformation.

The moment the potion changed, Zhou Jing, who had personally descended on Bill's body, took out the potion bottle that he had prepared and poured the potion into it.

He ignored the boiling heat and took a small sip of the potion. He narrowed his eyes, savoring the quality of the potion.

After a while, Zhou Jing turned around and spat out the medicine. Facing everyone's expectant and nervous gazes, he smiled.

"Everyone, the new blood potion has been successfully created!"