He staggered a few steps and almost fell to the ground.

"Are you alright?" Eagle quickly helped him up and asked with concern.

Lu Zhaoming shook his head and forced a smile: "It's nothing, I'm just a little exhausted."

“You’re too eager for quick success!” the eagle said, frowning. “This skill consumes a great deal of mental energy. You haven’t fully mastered it yet, and using it rashly could backfire.”

Lu Zhaoming nodded; he knew the eagle was right.

But he had no time left. The countdown to the trial system was still ongoing, and he had to master this power as soon as possible in order to meet the challenges ahead.

Just as Lu Zhaoming was about to leave the valley, a familiar voice suddenly called out: "Lu Zhaoming, wait a minute!"

Lu Zhaoming turned around and saw Qinglian standing not far away, her face showing a hint of hesitation and her eyes filled with complexity.

"How did you end up here?" Lu Zhaoming asked warily.

"I've come to pledge my allegiance to you!" Qinglian took a deep breath and mustered her courage to say, "I'm tired of Leng Feng's ruthless ways, and I don't want to risk my life for Chi Xiao anymore."

Lu Zhaoming narrowed his eyes and carefully examined Qinglian.

He knew this woman was no ordinary person; she must have extraordinary abilities to become Leng Feng's assistant.

He didn't know if Qinglian was telling the truth or not, but he did need a helper right now.

"Why did you choose to join me?" Lu Zhaoming asked.

“I know many of Crimson Owl’s secrets, and I can tell you about their latest experimental progress,” Qinglian said. “I know they are about to launch a large-scale attack, and the target is…”

"Enough!" Lu Zhaoming interrupted her. He didn't want to know too much. He only needed to know that Chi Xiao was his enemy and that he had to end this battle as soon as possible.

"Can I trust you?" Lu Zhaoming asked.

Qinglian shook her head: "I don't know, but I can prove it to you."

Lu Zhaoming was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, I accept your allegiance. But remember, if you dare to betray me, I will make you pay a heavy price."

Qinglian nodded, a relieved smile appearing on her face.

Lu Zhaoming turned around and looked at Eagle: "Senior, I have to go. Crimson Owl's men will be here soon. You should also leave as soon as possible."

The eagle nodded, took out an ancient-looking amulet from his pocket, and handed it to Lu Zhaoming: "Take this before you leave..."

The amulet handed to me by the eagle felt warm and smooth to the touch, like holding a piece of ancient jade, with a subtle energy fluctuation flowing through my palm.

He glanced at Eagle's face, which was etched with "underworld rules," and thought to himself that although the old man seemed aloof, he was reliable in a pinch.

"Thanks, old man." Lu Zhaoming didn't stand on ceremony and put the talisman in his pocket. This thing was his lifeline.

As soon as I stepped out of the valley, that familiar murderous aura hit me, carrying a metallic chill.

Lu Zhaoming smirked, a roguish smile spreading across his face: "Oh, isn't this Captain Leng? You're keeping a close eye on things!"

In the distance, Leng Feng's figure appeared like a ghost, the dagger in his hand gleaming eerily in the sunlight, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

"Lu Zhaoming, you can't escape!"

"Run? Do I look like the kind of guy who would desert in the face of battle?" Lu Zhaoming flexed his wrists, and the judgment system within his body began to issue frantic warnings, with various data pouring into his mind like a waterfall.

"Qinglian, you go first!" Lu Zhaoming shouted, and at the same time activated "Absolute Defense", a faint energy shield instantly enveloped him.

"Bang!"

Leng Feng's dagger slammed into the shield with a muffled thud. The energy shield trembled, but did not shatter.

"Interesting!" Leng Feng licked his lips.

Lu Zhaoming had no time to waste words with him and immediately activated "Berserk Mode," his strength and speed instantly surging as he pounced on Leng Feng.

"Today, I'll show you who the real god of death is in this wasteland!" Lu Zhaoming roared, throwing a punch at Leng Feng's face.

Leng Feng swayed and narrowly dodged the punch, but the force of the punch still stung his cheek.

"Pretty fast!" Leng Feng sneered, his body spinning like a top, the dagger in his hand turning into streaks of cold light, stabbing towards Lu Zhaoming's vital points.

With the support of "Absolute Defense" and "Berserk Mode", Lu Zhaoming barely managed to withstand Leng Feng's attacks, but he still inevitably had bloody marks left on his body.

"This won't do!" Lu Zhaoming thought to himself. Leng Feng's strength far exceeded his expectations. If they continued to fight head-on like this, he would definitely be the one to suffer.

His eyes darted around, and he suddenly shouted, "Leng Feng, your wife and children are in my hands!"

Leng Feng's movements paused for a moment.

"Hahaha, you fell for it!" Lu Zhaoming seized the opportunity and kicked Leng Feng in the chest, sending him flying.

Leng Feng collapsed to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his face turning as pale as paper.

"You...you tricked me!" Leng Feng roared.

Lu Zhaoming shrugged: "All's fair in war! Besides, would a heartless guy like you even have a wife and kids?"

Leng Feng struggled to stand up, but Lu Zhaoming wouldn't give him the chance. He rushed forward and stomped on Leng Feng's chest.

"Speak, who sent you?" Lu Zhaoming asked coldly.

Leng Feng gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Lu Zhaoming sneered, took out a black pill from his pocket, and stuffed it into Leng Feng's mouth.

"What is this?" Leng Feng asked in horror.

"A slow-acting poison. Without the antidote every day, you'll die from festering sores all over your body," Lu Zhaoming said calmly. "So, have you thought it through?"

Leng Feng's expression shifted, but he finally yielded: "Yes...it is Lord Chi Xiao."

"Red Owl?" Lu Zhaoming frowned; this was the first time he had ever heard of this name.

"Who is he?" Lu Zhaoming asked.

"Lord Chi Xiao is..." Before Leng Feng could finish speaking, his expression suddenly changed, blood flowed from his seven orifices, and he collapsed to the ground, dead.

"What the heck, are you serious?" Lu Zhaoming was startled and quickly took a few steps back. He hadn't done anything!

"It seems this Crimson Owl is no ordinary person..." Lu Zhaoming looked at Leng Feng's corpse.

Suddenly, he felt a strong sense of crisis coming from behind him. Without thinking, he lunged to the side.

A gunshot rang out, and a bullet grazed his scalp before hitting the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Who?!" Lu Zhaoming roared, turning around abruptly, only to see Su Li holding a gun and pointing it at him.

"What...what are you doing?!" Lu Zhaoming asked in shock and anger.

Su Li smiled alluringly and lightly licked her lips with her tongue: "Of course... I'll send you on your way..."