As a transmigrator, the moment Charles Lynn arrived in this world, he felt its deep malice toward him.

　　Not only did he contract a terminal illness unique to this world, but he also lacked a prestigious family background. After four years of college, he was about to become just another corporate drone in this new world...

　　However, in the eyes of others, this squinty-eyed young man was seen in a completely different light...

　　Charles Lynn's classmates: This is a second-rate cripple with a chronic illness, destined to achieve nothing in life.

　　The new matriarch of the Mu family, on the other hand, said: This is an annoying guy—not only did he trick me out of my “breakup fee,” he was never even my boyfriend for a single day.

　　The sexy and wild imperial official Derek Sutton commented: This is a young man of outstanding talent. He excels in every aspect, whether as a security officer or as a man...

　　But as Charles Lynn's pet, Kitty Lane had a different view: I may not be a real cat, but my master is truly a cautious one!

Volume One: White Arrow, Bloody Shadow

Chapter 01: Codename · Ling

　　Blood is not nectar; the place watered by it is favored by the god of death...

　　At the entrance to Seth Canyon, where the east and west continents meet, this phrase is engraved on a monument. It was written two thousand years ago by the seventh emperor of the Xing'ao Empire, marking the end of a century-long continental war.

　　...

　　Year 3157 of the Alliance Calendar, June 21.

　　Night—11:25 PM.

　　Alliance Academy Virtual Platform—Virtual Warzone No. 52: Seth Canyon.

　　The blizzard raged like a wild beast, fiercely pouncing on Seth Canyon, shaking everything within. The ground was covered in a thick layer of ice, and the minus thirty degree temperature was enough to deter anyone.

　　Yet at the canyon entrance, people stood packed together, all wearing various types of soft armor that emitted a faint glow, shielding them from the biting cold.

　　“This is the Xing'ao Empire Grizzly Academy News Club. I am Rita, reporting live from the Seth Canyon test site.”

　　“I am Evelyn Finch from Pegasus Academy. Virtual Zone 52 will close in 35 minutes. Among this year’s graduates from the major academies, will anyone be able to pass the ninth-level difficulty test? Let’s wait and see!”

　　...

　　Among the crowd, more than a dozen beautiful women were opening light screens, live-streaming the situation in Virtual Zone 52 to viewers outside.

　　As for this dazzling scene, the outstanding students from the surrounding top academies seemed not to notice at all. Most of their eyes were fixed on the canyon entrance, nervously waiting for something.

　　Some others, however, had their gaze fixed on the center of the crowd, where several figures stood.

　　Instinctively, the crowd around them stepped back, keeping their distance from these few, making them the focus of everyone’s attention.

　　One of them, a blond man in pale blue soft armor with a jet-black revolver at his side, looked at the entrance to Seth Canyon and muttered, “Only Grace White from Nanluo Academy is still inside. If she fails too, then this year’s Xing'ao Empire graduates will have no hope of passing the ninth-level difficulty. April Wells, you’ve competed with Grace White for four years, you should know her well. Do you think she has a chance?”

　　Beside him, a stunning woman in teal soft armor with a graceful figure smiled and shook her head, saying, “Albert, among this year’s graduates, you are undoubtedly the strongest. Even you only passed the seventh-level difficulty. Grace White is a bit weaker than you in every aspect; passing the seventh level is already her limit.”

　　Albert's expression darkened slightly, his blue eyes deepening. At some point, the jet-black revolver was spinning in his hand, the crescent emblem on the grip glowing faintly, exuding a hint of danger.

　　April Wells's pretty face changed slightly. She took a small step back and smiled lightly, “Sorry, Albert. I meant no offense. In the rankings of this year’s Xing'ao Empire graduates, you are indeed number one. That’s a recognized fact.”

　　“Heh... Am I really the strongest this year...”

　　Albert pressed his lips together, his face indifferent, as if recalling something unpleasant.

　　At the canyon entrance, a figure appeared, gliding over the thick ice and arriving in an instant.

　　Many men in the crowd suddenly had heated gazes; even the cold and aloof Albert couldn’t hide the appreciation in his blue eyes.

　　It was a captivating woman, her scarlet soft armor flickering with faint flames, as if she were an elf bathed in firelight. Her face wore a gentle smile, making her seem approachable, yet she still exuded a subtle sense of distance.

　　A woman like this would stir any man’s desire to conquer.

　　April Wells's expression shifted slightly. She glanced at the entrance to Seth Canyon, saw no movement, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief before smiling, “Grace White, what level did you pass?”

　　The woman in scarlet soft armor shook her head and sighed, “After spending half the night and giving it my all, I only managed to reach the seventh-level difficulty. I can’t go any further.”

　　A wave of disappointed sighs rose from the crowd. This year’s Xing'ao Empire graduates were full of geniuses, and everyone had hoped someone would pass the ninth-level difficulty. No one expected the gap between hope and reality to be so great.