........

The woman panicked, instinctively opening her mouth to scream: "Lu—"

She barely managed one syllable.

Lu Ding backhanded her with a casual swipe, as if swatting a fly. His already formidable strength, amplified by one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Methods - 'Mountain-Shaking Earth-Quaking' -

sent a shockwave through the air.

SMACK!!!!

The woman instantly disintegrated into a splatter of blood that sprayed outward,

drenching the other Tai Island Qi Refiners fiddling with the safe.

At this,

everyone froze mid-motion.

Their pupils rapidly dilated and contracted.

Bodies trembling uncontrollably, they wanted to look back but didn't dare.

Until Lu Ding spoke.

"How many lives do you have to dare steal from me?"

These words finally broke Kagami Gozo, who had led Lu Ding here.

"AHHH!!! BAKA!!!!"

"ALL OF YOU DIE NOW!!!!"

Gathering qi in his palms, he unleashed a frenzied barrage of strikes, blanketing the area ahead.

Kagami Gozo had completely lost it.

This was no joke.

These people were signing his death warrant!

If they hadn't been caught red-handed,

if they'd actually opened that safe, he would have deceived Lu Ding!

His chance of survival would be gone!!!

With these thoughts,

any camaraderie toward his fellow countrymen vanished from Kagami Gozo's eyes - only mortal enemies remained.

His current outburst

also let Lu Ding reassess:

This man... wasn't entirely weak after all.

Among the Tai Island Earth Observation realm Qi Refiners Lu Ding had killed earlier, Kagami Gozo might not be top-tier, but definitely high-tier.

Truly meek toward outsiders but ferocious toward allies.

"Enough, enough, you've already pulverized them."

Hearing Lu Ding's voice, Kagami Gozo stopped, panting heavily.

Not from exhaustion,

but terror!

He hurried forward, digging through the gory remains of his own making, cleaning up as best he could before bowing respectfully:

"Grand Duke Lu, please!!"

Lu Ding approached

the massive safe embedded in the wall.

Just as he began examining it, Kagami Gozo eagerly explained:

"Grand Duke Lu, this safe is constructed from our nation's specialty - abyssal cold iron - combined with memory metal imported from White Eagle, cast as a single unit."

"Its entire structure serves as the memory point."

"It can withstand attacks from average Heavenly Perception operatives without damage. Even top-tier Heavenly Perception experts would struggle to breach it."

"The memory properties are exceptional - any breach instantly reseals unless subjected to repeated threshold-exceeding assaults."

"My suggestion is to transport it back to Great Han and have your technicians unlock it."

The safe's quality spoke for itself.

Moving it? Impossible for Earth Observation realm cultivators.

Only Heavenly Perception experts could manage.

But having witnessed Lu Ding's earlier combat performance, Kagami Gozo privately rated his physical prowess as surpassing ordinary Heavenly Perception cultivators.

So...

transporting this shouldn't be an issue for him.

But where's the fun in that?

After briefly sizing up the safe,

Lu Ding didn't hesitate.

He stepped forward,

grasping one corner with one hand while bracing against the body with the other.

Just as Kagami Gozo thought he'd lift it—

BOOM!!!

Black energy erupted, outlining Lu Ding's form.

He gripped the corner and—

RIIIIP—!

A nails-on-chalkboard screech echoed.

Kagami Gozo's eyes bulged, jaw slack,

every facial muscle screaming shock and terror at Lu Ding's display!

This method of opening...

was something even top Heavenly Perception experts wouldn't dare contemplate.

Was... was he even human?

The question pounded in Kagami Gozo's skull.

Not even White Eagle's legendary angel and demon heralds could achieve this...

He...

Post-terror came revelation.

Kagami Gozo's cowardice, his fear of death, stemmed from his undisclosed background.

Death carried too high a cost.

Hence his lack of resistance, his obedience toward Lu Ding.

Initially, survival was his only goal.

Now, witnessing such power... perhaps he could afford some greed...

Before the safe,

Lu Ding tossed the torn metal plating into his red coffin for storage.

Quality material.

Might fetch some contribution points.

A harsh childhood taught Lu Ding to never waste anything - he'd even eat every last grain of rice.

Letting this safe go when even Heavenly Perception experts struggled with it?

He'd wake up in cold sweats at night!

Surveying the safe's compartments,

Lu Ding reached in—

"Grand Duke Lu!" Kagami Gozo interjected. "To your right - the safe's most valuable item."

Lu Ding changed targets,

retrieving a vibrantly colored deer antler.

Kagami Gozo explained with reverent tone:

"Grand Duke Lu, this is a five-colored deer's antler with absolute healing properties. From Qi Awakening to Heavenly Perception, no matter how severe the injury, instant recovery."

"Like an extra life in games."

"One of our national treasures, the most precious item in our base."

Hearing this,

Lu Ding's first thought: JACKPOT!!!

And a massive one at that!

Though slightly mismatched for his specialty—

he rarely got injured...

But perfect for the Crooked-Mouth Old Man's recovery and ascension plans.

A filial offering from Lu Ding.

His brief silence

made Kagami Gozo anxious. Quickly converting values, he added:

"Grand Duke Lu, converted to Great Han's contribution points, this antler is worth at least 15,000."

"Personally, I suggest portioning it - Earth Observation realm needs this much to save a life, Si Ming realm requires..."

He gestured measurements,

genuinely considering Lu Ding's interests.

Lu Ding side-eyed him:

"Initially, I took you for a clever coward. Seems I misjudged."

"I have a good brother somewhat like you - bullied into an insecure people-pleaser, always considering others."

"But you're different. Recognizing national treasures at a glance, calculating dosages... you've got pedigree, haven't you?"