This was the first time a spell had dropped without needing synthesis.
Lu Ding contemplated its nature briefly.
So flashy, so badass!
When [Throne of Divine Embrace] activates,
A deity from hell gently lifts the throne from beneath Lu Ding's feet.
Cradling the throne, it carries him beneath the executioner's frosty sky.
Flaying skin, extracting tendons, dismantling bones.
Every word becomes law.
This is the Throne of Divine Embrace's companion effect, evolved from the Most Violent Victory's feeding habits and the ultimate torture methods of Festering Blood Hell.
The throne enables its wielder to command other prison spells like [Corpse-Roasting Execution], [Snake-Pit Toad Well], and [Silk-Suspended Jerky].
These spells can even be combined.
Those who perish within the Corpse-Shattering Black Prison leave behind their flesh, blood, bones, and willpower - offerings for the throne's 'she' to craft Lu Ding's personalized hell.
With each new victim, the prison's manifestation changes.
Lu Ding could already visualize it clearly.
Beneath the executioner's frosty sky,
Seated upon the Throne of Divine Embrace, his words becoming law, watching as tortured souls - driven by lingering obsessions - drag new victims into endless cycles of punishment.
Watching newcomers suffer as he once did.
Flaying, tendon extraction, bone dismantling, scorching execution, venomous pits, flesh carved into jerky...
The remnant wills would erupt in tidal waves of cheering.
The more who perish within,
The stronger the Corpse-Shattering Black Prison becomes.
Just one more spell needed...
Lu Ding could hardly wait.
Yet he also felt regret.
Holding the black petal, he mused: "Times make heroes, but how many heroes encounter their destined era?"
"Pity. Had you not killed so many - especially innocents -"
"Had you held out just one year until the border conflict,"
"Your ending might have differed."
Whether as an independent Qi Refiner or joining the 749 Bureau after controlling her urges, Fu Yun's fate needn't have been this way. Before exposure, she could have participated in the border war.
With her abilities deployed there,
The results would have been... interesting.
The Great Han Empire might have birthed a crimson Slaughter Star.
Lu Ding's hyperactive imagination instantly conjured an alternate timeline for Fu Yun.
But no regrets exist in this world.
He saw Wutian conducting rites for the deceased Qi Refiners.
After the ceremony, Lu Ding approached and clasped the monk's shoulder.
"Major contribution today. Without you, I'd still be hunting her."
Wutian pressed his palms together: "Amitabha. You flatter me, Benefactor Lu."
His tone carried resignation.
A full Buddhist master,
Having reached the Earth Observation realm,
Yet still stuck playing support roles.
Appraising treasures, scouting paths.
His fists itched for action.
Why couldn't someone challenge him properly?
As battle sounds faded,
Lu Ding's phone rang.
"Hello, this is Deputy Director Ren Heping from Green Vine 749. My personal biases previously hindered investigators and obstructed your work. My deepest apologies."
"All subsequent repairs, compensation, and victim assistance will be handled by Green Vine 749. Acceptable?"
Attitudes define everything.
Green Vine's earlier arrogance had infuriated him.
Deputy Director Ren's current humility soothed somewhat.
The offense had occurred.
Lu Ding wasn't the forgiving type.
Without Wutian's assistance,
This operation could have dragged on endlessly.
No point mincing words: "Understood, Deputy Ren. I'll report everything accurately."
Previous locations had made mistakes too, yet Lu Ding never reported them.
Not just because he'd been weaker then.
Even if weakness had been the reason, he could have filed reports later - he never claimed sainthood.
But unlike others who cooperated willingly,
Green Vine 749 had been obstructive.
Reciprocity works both ways - deny it initially, lose it permanently.
Deputy Director Ren stared at his phone and sighed: "Ah..."
Resignedly opening a drawer,
He began drafting his disciplinary self-criticism report.
A deputy director writing this nonsense!!
He was deputy director, not deputy idiot.
His brain preferred idling, but wasn't meant for hotpot seasoning.
Acknowledge faults, correct errors, accept punishment - all manageable.
But coercion indicated ideological corruption.
Every 749 leader could pass strict vetting.
Otherwise unfit for command.
His pen stopped scratching.
He added to the report:
[Special Investigator Lu Ding performed exceptionally, rectifying Green Vine 749's errors and preventing escalation...]
[In gratitude, Green Vine 749 requests superior approval to reward Special Investigator Lu Ding with five... eight... one thousand contribution points...]
Partly thanking Lu Ding for resolving the Most Violent Victory crisis, partly demonstrating personal accountability.
These points would come from his personal account, not bureau funds.
Deputy Ren nodded approvingly: "Not bad... Such exemplary accountability! What a man! Even I admire myself!"
Chuckling at his own cleverness, he gave himself a thumbs-up.
His writing momentum only grew stronger...
After Green Vine 749 personnel arrived to process the scene,
Lu Ding called Feifan with updates,
Then departed with Wutian.
On a nearby rooftop's edge,
A young man sat dangling his legs while observing the site,
His pen scratching across paper:
[Seeing these words is like meeting face-to-face - may reading them bring you joy]