【Command confirmed. Performing deep scan and analysis of target...】
【Analyzing...】
【Analysis complete.】
The system panel expanded in Su Wan’s consciousness, and lines of text emerged.
【Target: Shen Han】
【Rank: Level 4 Mid Stage】
【Ability Type: Unknown (Energy signature indicates a special mutation)】
【Special Finding: An abnormal energy core exists within the target’s body, showing significant structural differences from the energy cores of conventional Ability Users.】
【This energy core was not formed through the target’s own cultivation; it was externally implanted.】
【A “Rule Mark” has been detected inside the energy core.】
【Analyzing the specific nature of the “Rule Mark”...】
【Analyzing...】
【Analysis complete.】
【Rule Mark Analysis Report—】
【Mark Name: Absolute Obedience (Point-to-point binding type)】
【Mark Source: Unknown. Upon detection, this mark belongs to the same technical system as the “Slavery Collar” used by the Host, but the implementation method differs.】
Su Wan’s mind jolted. Unknown source?
In other words, even the system can't detect where this mark originated?
【Mark Principle: Carves the rule of “Absolute Obedience” directly into the target’s energy core, generating unshakable loyalty to a specific individual on a soul level.】
【Binding Object: Pei Su (Commander of the City Defense Force)】
【Binding Method: Single-directional point-to-point binding. Pei Su’s energy signature is embedded in Shen Han’s energy core; the mark is deeply bound to Pei Su’s own Ability Core and cannot be stripped or transferred.】
【Mark Effects—】
【1. Absolute Loyalty: The target develops unshakable loyalty toward the bound object. This loyalty does not stem from fear, profit, or emotion, but is a “Rule” acting directly upon the soul level.
Any thought attempting to challenge or violate the bound object’s will will trigger intense mental agony within the target’s consciousness until the thought is abandoned.】
【2. Incapable of Resistance: The target cannot inflict any form of attack or harm upon the bound object. If the bound object issues a command to the target, the target will execute it unconditionally, unable to refuse or delay.】
【3. Incapable of Betrayal: The target cannot reveal core information about the bound object to anyone, nor can they assist others in any way that would harm the bound object. Any attempt to reveal information will trigger the mark’s self-destruct mechanism, leading to the collapse of the target’s energy core and the annihilation of their consciousness.】
【Mark Weaknesses—】
【1. Point-to-Point Binding: This mark is a single-directional point-to-point binding and is only effective for Pei Su. The target possesses no abnormal loyalty or obedience toward anyone else.】
【2. Energy Core Dependency: The mark is carved into the energy core and deeply fused with the target’s Ability Core. If the energy core is destroyed or reshaped, the mark will vanish.】
【3. Physical Stripping Possible: Through external intervention, a “formatting” operation can be performed on the target’s energy core to clear the Rule Mark. However, this operation carries extreme risk and may lead to a drop in Ability Rank or even the total loss of abilities.】
As Su Wan read the lines of text on the system panel, her pupils constricted slightly.
So that was it!
No wonder Shen Han, a Level 4 Mid Stage Ability User, followed Pei Su like an ordinary bodyguard and allowed herself to be deployed like a mere pawn.
It was because she had no choice at all.
Su Wan took a deep breath, suppressing the churning thoughts in her heart.
“System, is there a way to clear the Rule Mark inside Shen Han?”
【Checking...】
【Calculating clearance plan...】
【Plan calculation in progress...】
【The “Rule Mark” within the target is deeply fused with the energy core; forced stripping will result in damage to parts of the energy core’s structure.】
【Estimated target status after clearance—】
【Ability Rank: Level 4 Mid Stage → Level 3 Late Stage (One rank drop)】
【Energy Core Integrity: Approximately 25% damage】
【Recovery Time: With Host assistance, recovery to original levels is estimated to take 1-3 months.】
【Points required for clearance: 150,000.】
【Do you wish to confirm?】
Su Wan hesitated for only a fraction of a second before choosing to confirm.
Exchanging one hundred and fifty thousand Points for a Level 3 seemed a bit inefficient, but Shen Han could recover, so it was worth it.
【Clearance initiated. Estimated time: 30 minutes. Please maintain a mental link with the target; the system will guide the clearance process throughout.】
Su Wan sat down opposite Shen Han and closed her eyes. Her mental power surged out like a tide, probing deep into Shen Han’s consciousness.
In her perception, Shen Han’s consciousness core was like a chaotic ocean—gray, silent, and without a single ripple.
At the deepest part of that ocean, a dark red mark floated quietly like a sealed demon, emitting a heart-palpitating aura.
That was the Rule Mark of “Absolute Obedience.”
Under the system’s guidance, Su Wan’s mental power transformed into countless energy tentacles as thin as hair, cautiously approaching the dark red mark.
The moment they made contact, a powerful repulsion force erupted from the mark, tearing at the approaching mental tentacles like a startled beast.
“Ngh—” Su Wan let out a muffled groan, her brow furrowing tightly.
That repulsion force was too strong.
Even without the host actively resisting, the instinctual defense mechanism of a Level 4 Mid Stage energy core remained formidable.
The system’s auxiliary power intervened at the right moment. A gentle yet stable energy surged from Su Wan’s mental power core, following those hair-thin tentacles deep into Shen Han’s consciousness.
That energy was like the warm spring sun, slowly melting the dark red shell on the surface of the Rule Mark.
Fine cracks began to appear on the mark’s surface, with a dark red glow flickering within them.
Shen Han’s body began to tremble violently.
Her head snapped up, and her hollow, unfocused eyes suddenly widened, her pupils churning with intense agony.
“Aaaaah!!!”
A sharp scream burst from her throat, echoing through the small cell.
Her body twisted frantically on the iron chair, her hands gripping the armrests so hard her knuckles turned white and the veins on her arms bulged!
Her consciousness was undergoing the most violent shock of her life.
That Rule Mark, which had been rooted in her energy core for an unknown number of years, was being stripped from the depths of her soul inch by inch!
That kind of agony was not physical pain, but the searing torment of one’s soul being torn apart.
Su Wan gritted her teeth, and her mental tentacles pushed deeper.
The system’s auxiliary energy flooded in like a tide, enveloping the dark red mark and stripping away its shell layer by layer.
“Crack—”
A crisp sound of shattering echoed in the depths of her consciousness.
A striking crack appeared on the surface of the mark.
Gray energy poured out from the crack—those were the consciousness fragments belonging to Shen Han herself that had been sealed away for years...
Rate on N.U.
