In the frigid snowstorm, black fog disseminated without dissipating.

After running for a distance, Gu Qing Shan suddenly noticed something was not right and called out: Wang Xiao Yi?

No answer.

Gu Qing Shans heart sank.

-Wang Xiao Yi was the name of the other scout.

After entering the black fog, he and Wang Xiao Yi briefly split up to widen the search distance, but they instantly lost sight of each other.

Wang Xiao Yi? he shouted again.

Still no answer.

In the borderless black fog, only the sound of howling cold wind could be heard.

Gu Qing Shan was a Sumeru Lord realm cultivator, his inner sight should be able to cover an area of several ten thousand miles, yet within this black fog, his inner sight could only observe a radius of 10 meters around himself, any further and he would be obstructed by the black fog.

Without any choices, Gu Qing Shan stopped.

The current situation was no longer suitable for him to enter the black fog any deeper.

Pondering briefly, he took off his metal gauntlets and replaced them with a pair of thin beast hide gloves.

this was the pair of beast hide gloves that Banishing Sword Saint Wang Shun gave him, a birthday present for Li Qiu Shan.

This pair of beast hide gloves were able to reinforce itself with fire, so it was much stronger compared to the standard metal gauntlets.

After putting the beast hide gloves on, Gu Qing Shan wore the metal gauntlets over that to avoid being seen.

Since something had most likely happened to Wang Xiao Yi, the best thing to do now is to follow his direction and see what exactly happened to him.

Gu Qing Shan slowly retreated, soon returning to where they split up.

He recalled the situation at the time, then followed Wang Xiao Yis direction and headed through the black fog.

After moving for around 200 meters, a tiny noise could be heard ahead.

A figure quickly emerged out of the frigid wind approaching Gu Qing Shan.

Wang Xiao Yi, whats the situation? Gu Qing Shan called out.

The figure stopped in front of him, sure enough, it was Wang Xiao Yi.

Lets return, I discovered some valuable information, we need to report to the sergeant quickly! Wang Xiao Yi said with a tense expression.

Alright Gu Qing Shan replied.

He turned around, quickly running ahead.

Wang Xiao Yi ran behind him, then suddenly grinned.

He took out a Blade and slashed towards Gu Qing Shan.

In an instant, Gu Qing Shan abruptly switched places with him.

The cold Blade cut through the air, hitting nothing.

Wang Xiao Yi felt his vision becoming blurred, Gu Qing Shan disappeared, then a scorching sensation on his back.

Bam!

Flames erupted.

Gu Qing Shan sent him flying with a single strike, bouncing several times on the ground before stopping a few dozen meters away.

Ku khuk

Wang Xiao Yi spat out some blood, his vision returning to normal.

Hurry, hurry and save me, some sort of monster had attached itself to my body! he shouted in horror.

Gu Qing Shan walked up to him and looked down.

Im here, dont worry. I need to knock you unconscious before I can be assured and carry you back is that fine? Gu Qing Shan asked.

Do it Wang Xiao Yi answered right away.

Gu Qing Shan nodded and held his hand straight forward, lightly chopping down on the other partys neck.

Wang Xiao Yi instantly fell unconscious.

Gu Qing Shan lightly sighed, then rolled Wang Xiao Yi around on his face.

He muttered: There, in this case, I wouldnt be conducting myself in a way that goes against my identity under the surveillance of native living beings'

Gu Qing Shan stepped on Wang Xiao Yis head, ensuring that he could not see anything no matter what, then grabbed the Devil King Warden Rod from the void of space, plunging it into Wang Xiao Yis body.

AAAarrggg! Li Qiu Shan, what are you doing!?

The intense pain caused Wang Xiao Yi to awaken, howling with a high-pitched scream.

Gu Qing Shan held the Devil King Warden Rod, but his expression became considerably more solemn.

there isnt a soul inside Wang Xiao Yis body.

What exactly is manipulating Wang Xiao Yis body?

Who are you? Gu Qing Shan asked.

Wang Xiao Yi paused.

He stopped his howling of pain, then spoke with a carefully examining voice: An artifact of Huang Quan so it was a mortal who obtained a Deific Authority of reincarnation, no wonder you discovered me

Gu Qing Shan uttered in a low voice: Wheres Wang Xiao Yi? If you dont want to die, give me back his soul

Wang Xiao Yi suddenly started laughing loudly and said: Soul? His soul had already entered the tomb, theres no way to give it back to you even if I wanted to!

Gu Qing Shan clenched his fist.

Sparks of flames started to surround his fist, eventually forming a cluster of flame.

I say it one last time, give me his soul, or I will kill you Gu Qing Shan threatened.

The other party only laughed for a few moments before suddenly speaking: Mortal, the Deific Authority isnt suitable for you. Once the tomb starts spreading again, Ill be coming for you

As he said that, Wang Xiao Yi laid still on the ground, no longer moving.

Gu Qing Shan crouched down and pressed his finger against his neck.

Hes dead.

The snowstorm around him began to pick up, but there werent any other changes in the black fog.

Gu Qing Shan stayed silent for a while.

This monster isnt a soul, otherwise, I wouldnt have allowed it to escape with the Devil King Warden Rod in my hands.

In other words, this is a monster that can devour a living beings soul and directly replace it in their bodies. But it definitely cant devour a soul directly and must fulfil certain conditions first.

Otherwise, as soon as it saw me, it wouldnt have tried to ambush me with a Blade and instead directly devoured my soul.

No soul, this is going to be troublesome

Gu Qing Shan muttered.

He picked Wang Xiao Yis body up and quickly returned.

After a few moments, he exited the black fog.

The squad of guards were still holding their positions, waiting for information.

On the other hand, some of the powerhouses from the country had also arrived.

The officers expression changed as he saw Wang Xiao Yis body:

How did he die? What happened in there?

Gu Qing Shan put Wang Xiao Yis body down, saluted, then began to explain what occurred earlier.

When he finished, everyone fell silent.

A Combatant wearing a General-rank garb spoke up:

Alright, this matter isnt something gatekeepers like you can deal with, return to protect the gate

Sir, yes sir! the guards spoke up all at once.

Gu Qing Shan turned to the General.

Gu Qing Shan could sense a familiar presence from the other body.

That child.

This would most likely be the appearance of that child whose soul was replaced.

I didnt expect him to be given the identity of someone in power.

Gu Qing Shan felt a sense of danger.

A second later, the General glanced knowingly at Gu Qing Shan, then suddenly spoke up:

Li Qiu Shan, youre a very bright young man, your improvisation skills are also decent. I ask, do you want to be promoted to gatekeeper vice-captain, or part of my personal guard?

After declaring so, he spoke telepathically to Gu Qing Shan: Shaman, became my personal guard, this way it would be easier for us to act together

Gu Qing Shan nodded, then loudly responded: General sir, I want to be a gatekeeper vice-captain!

The Generals expression froze.

What are you trying to do!? he sent his voice.

Nothing, that black fog is too dangerous, Im not heading back in Gu Qing Shan replied.

-dont be ridiculous, your identity is that of a General while Im a soldier, whatever you order me to do, I would have to follow.

This is basically a position of a fish on a chopping board.

Theres no way Ill fall for that.

The General went silent briefly.

In front of everyone, the General grinned and laughed: A talented person like you wishes to continue being a gatekeeper? This old man thinks thats highly ridiculous

He turned to the captain of the gatekeepers, declaring: From this moment, Li Qiu Shan will become part of my cavalry troops, do you have any objections?

Not at all the gatekeeper captain naturally couldnt object so he hurriedly agreed.

He smiled and patted Gu Qing Shans shoulder, telling him: The General had taken quite an interest in you, make sure to do your job well, dont ruin our reputation

Sir, yes sir Gu Qing Shan had no choice but to reply this way.

As his superiors had given the orders, a gatekeeper soldier like him couldnt possibly object.

Following his reply, a new series of glowing text quickly appeared on the War God UI:

[Your identity had changed]

[You are now a member of the Generals cavalry troops]

[During this Apocalypse, you cannot conduct yourself in a way that goes against your identity under the surveillance of native living beings. Otherwise, you will be thrown directly into the center of the Apocalypse to be eradicated]

Gu Qing Shan looked at the General.

The General looked back at him.

The weak cooperation between them was directly shattered within this Apocalypse.

So you plan on having me die within this Apocalypse Gu Qing Shan sent his voice in return.

Shaman, take a look at yourself now, you cant even stand up to reveal me in front of everyone, because if you do, youll be thrown into the depths of the Apocalypse

The corner of the Generals mouth curled up, then continued: This is a one-in-a-lifetime-chance, so theres nothing for me to be worried about

He swung the weapon in his hand loudly declaring: Cavalry troops, forward!

Sir, yes sir! all the troops responded.

Limited by his identity, Gu Qing Shan could only respond as well.

He didnt even have a horse yet, having no choice but to temporarily remain at the edge of the formation.

The General then ordered:

March forth! Enter the black fog, if you see any monsters, kill them on sight

Furthermore

The Generals gaze fell onto Gu Qing Shan and slowly continued:

Without my orders, no one is to retreat

Violators shall be persecuted according to the military law!