Translator: CinderTL
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NPC!
Why did he say those words back in his first year of high school?
Was it a sudden outburst of chūnibyō syndrome?
A hallucination?
None of the above!
It was because of a flag in his mind.
A flag inscribed with the words "Human Emperor".
This Human Emperor Flag had existed in his consciousness for as long as he could remember—almost like an innate treasure.
But what kind of mystical power did it have? How could he use it?
For over a decade, he had no clue.
Until that year in high school.
He became obsessed with the game "Blue Star Online."
Due to his deep immersion in the game, the Human Emperor Flag was influenced by it and began to manifest in a way he could understand—a game-like status panel.
That was when he finally understood how to use this supreme treasure.
Slaughter.
By killing higher-intelligence lifeforms, he could refine their souls and elevate his own life level.
Higher-intelligence lifeforms...
For example, humans.
At the time, the way he saw it, it was just like killing monsters to level up.
This bizarre transformation was the reason he jokingly referred to the people around him as NPCs.
Unfortunately, back then, he was just an ordinary high school student.
He had never even killed a chicken in his life—how could he dare to kill higher-intelligence beings that resembled humans?
So, despite possessing such a priceless treasure, he lived a completely ordinary life.
The only thing he made use of was the "display" function, which allowed him to excel in his studies.
Until today.
Today, he started killing.
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On the bus.
Li Chunjun sat by the window, his unfocused gaze watching the dazzling city lights blur past.
"NPC."
He silently repeated the term in his mind.
They were just NPCs.
With that mindset, he had forced himself to adapt to killing dozens of people.
Now, he was even calmer.
Not the slightest nausea, heart palpitations, or trembling.
He diverted a portion of his consciousness to the Human Emperor Flag.
Since the day it first displayed game-like stats, he had realized that its display functions adjusted according to his perception.
It translated souls into experience points.
It categorized killed targets as "creatures".
Just like now.
A ripple spread invisibly through the air.
The process of refining soul energy was clearly "displayed" before him.
"Eliminated Level 1 Creature. Experience +2."
"Eliminated Level 1 Creature. Experience +3."
"Eliminated Level 2 Creature. Experience +16."
"Eliminated Level 4 Creature. Experience +181."
...
"So, as long as I stop being human... it's fine."
Li Chunjun murmured to himself.
That way, killing wouldn't bring any discomfort.
He focused his mind on the Human Emperor Flag.
[Life Level: 5 (491/500)]
The experience gained from refining the soul essence of higher-intelligence beings was roughly proportional to their level.
According to his understanding, he classified External Refinement as Level 1–3, Internal Strengthening as Level 4–6, and Integration as Level 7–9.
The reason for dividing each stage into three levels wasn't arbitrary—it was directly related to experience gain.
Theoretically, killing a Level 4 creature should yield experience between 300 and 400 points.
However, there was a diminishing return effect when killing lower-leveled intelligent beings—each level below his own resulted in a 50% reduction in experience gain.
With this in mind, Li Chunjun established his own life-level system, separate from cultivation realms.
For example:
Lei Ting, a Level 4 creature, provided only 181 experience points.
Shen Zhengxian, a Level 2 creature, who should have theoretically given between 100 and 200 points, ended up giving only 16 experience—a mere 10% of the expected value.
Level 1 creatures, originally within a 0 to 100 range, only granted about 5% of their potential experience.
If his Life Level continued rising—to Level 6, Level 7, or Level 8—then the experience gained from Level 1 creatures would further drop to 2%, 1%, until eventually, they yielded nothing.
The decline was staggering.
Yet, after killing over thirty people, step by step...
He had undergone a complete transformation.
The nightlife of Guangzhou City was vibrant with neon lights at every corner.
Despite housing over a million residents, the city's economy wasn't particularly advanced.
Over the past decade, the local government had gradually delegated authority to the "property management class", allowing private security forces to govern the lower class. This shift not only shielded officials from direct accountability but also saved them from dealing with countless trivial matters.
However, such a system deepened conflicts between people, leading to worsening public security.
It was barely past 8 PM, yet the streets were already sparsely populated.
Even the bus had only a handful of passengers—Li Chunjun among them.
Before long, the bus stopped.
Li Chunjun got off.
Hengguang Garden, the most exclusive villa district in Guangzhou, lay ahead.
He took slow, deliberate steps toward it.
Reaching a metal fence, he accelerated, leapt, and vaulted over in one fluid motion.
Seamless.
Thanks to cultivators' disdain for surveillance, the Great Shang Nation, along with most developed countries, had already removed 99% of security cameras.
Hengguang Garden was no exception.
However, the number of patrolling security guards had increased several times over.
For a high-end villa district, the level of security was beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
But in the end...
They were merely guards meant to deal with petty thieves.
Using shadows and blind spots, Li Chunjun moved silently through Hengguang Garden.
Within minutes, he arrived at a massive standalone villa spanning over 2,000 square meters, fortified with a strict security system.
The Jin Family Estate.
The estate was enclosed by pristine white walls, but there were scenic windows offering glimpses inside.
Through one of these windows, he saw a small garden where a graceful and dignified woman was entertaining two esteemed guests.
Beside her stood several bodyguards and assistants, men and women alike.
Meanwhile, servants continuously poured fine tea and served delicate refreshments to the trio.
Each of the three exuded an elegant aura, their posture and expressions meticulously refined—displaying an air of undeniable sophistication.
Even the attendants standing nearby were poised, full of energy, and radiated an elite aura.
In fact, the very fact that they could serve these distinguished figures—whether as bodyguards, assistants, or secretaries—was a testament to their exceptional abilities.
Even top graduates from the nation's prestigious universities would likely view them as lifelong role models to aspire to.
As Li Chunjun approached the grand estate, three highly alert security personnel inside immediately turned their sharp gazes toward him.
One of them swiftly recalled the identities of all the villa's residents and their relatives.
However, before they could analyze Li Chunjun's identity, he suddenly accelerated and leaped over the estate's white perimeter wall once again.
This action left no doubt—he was here with hostile intent.
Yet, the noblewoman and her two guests barely reacted.
Their secretaries and assistants also remained motionless.
Only one man, who appeared to be a bodyguard, spoke up: "Leave it to me."
However, the noblewoman stopped him: "Trust in Captain Sun's capabilities. The Jin family will not allow any of their guests to be startled or harmed in the slightest."
She smiled and raised her wine glass as she watched the head of security, Sun Yongxing, lead three guards to intercept the intruder.
"President Song, Madam Song, think of this as a live-action performance for your entertainment."
The man addressed as President Song nodded.
They had absolute confidence in the Jin family's security.
But as his gaze lingered on Li Chunjun for a moment, recognition flashed in his eyes.
"This is… the young man from a month ago? The one who caused that media stir… What was his name again? Li Chunjun?"
After all, it was their company, Xingju Media, that had worked hard to suppress that very controversy.
"I didn't expect President Song to personally take an interest in such a minor incident."
The noblewoman smiled.
"When Chairman Jin gives an order, we at Xingju must do our utmost," President Song replied.
Then, glancing at Li Chunjun once more, he sighed with some surprise.
"Young people these days… so reckless."
"What a pity. Carrying a weapon, trespassing, and premeditated assault—he has already broken the law, hasn't he? Our empire's legal system will soon teach him how to repent and become a law-abiding citizen."
The noblewoman took a sip of red wine.
A single sip of this Masatic Exclusive Edition was worth an average worker's annual salary.
As she drank, she glanced at her assistant.
Without needing any verbal instruction, the assistant immediately stepped forward.
"The master went to the Sword Appreciation Club not long ago. However, before leaving, he had already instructed Sanxing Property Management to handle this matter."
"Sanxing Property?"
The noblewoman's elegant demeanor remained unchanged, but a hint of displeasure flickered across her face.
"Is that how Shen Zhengxian operates? Allowing our Jin family to be embarrassed in front of our guests? Call him immediately. If he can handle this, fine. If not, he should never step foot in my house again."
Clearly, she did not care about Li Chunjun himself.
What she truly cared about was that the matter had not been dealt with cleanly, and now someone had barged into her home with a sword, tarnishing her family's reputation.
"Yes, madam," the assistant responded and quickly stepped aside to make the call.
"Now then, let's sit down and continue our conversation as we watch. Don't worry—Yongxing is meticulous. He won't make too much of a mess or ruin your evening."
The noblewoman—Jin Haoxuan and Jin Zhiya's mother—shifted her attention back to President Song and his wife.
President Song nodded slightly.
But just as he was about to settle into his seat—
In the next instant, he almost jumped out of his chair.
(End of the Chapter)
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