Silence.
Not the silence of confusion.
The silence of a sect holding its breath.
Dust drifted down across the arena like settling ash.Stone cracks radiated from the point where two monstrous forces collided.Dozens of disciples stared, eyes wide, mouths trembling.
Because the impossible had happened—
Two figures still stood.
Chen Wuyou.Rank 10 of the outer sect.
And across from him—Lian Hong, the servant who should never have been here.
Blood ran down Lian Hong's arm.His breathing was heavy.His ribs screamed every time his chest expanded.
But he stood.
His eyes were sharp.Clear.Unbowed.
Chen Wuyou lowered his arm.
Then he did something no one expected:
He cupped his fist and bowed slightly.
A respectful warrior's bow.
"I acknowledge your strength," Chen Wuyou said, voice steady."You surpassed the limits of a servant.And more… you surpassed expectations of an outer disciple."
The courtyard erupted.
"W-What—what did he just—?!""Chen Wuyou bowed?! BOWED?!""That's impossible!""He recognized Lian Hong as an equal!"
Outer disciples were stunned.Inner disciples watching from the shadows frowned in disbelief.
Zhou Shan rolled on the floor crying.
"My friend… is actually being bowed to by Rank 10… I am witnessing history…"
Elder Lin's Reaction
On the raised platform, Elder Lin slowly exhaled.
"Amazing," he said."That last exchange—he altered the qi circulation mid-strike to reduce damage. That isn't luck.That's battle intuition… the kind usually seen in inner-sect prodigies."
Overseer Chen wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Should we… report him directly to the Sect Master?"
Elder Lin's eyes narrowed with profound interest.
"Not yet. A seedling that grows too fast attracts storms."
He looked at Lian Hong with a rare mixture of admiration and caution.
"Let us see how he develops.But one thing is certain—he must be protected."
System Prompt
Inside Lian Hong's mind, the system chimed.
[Ding!Major Achievement Unlocked:Defeated Outer Sect Ranked Disciple]
[Reward Granted:]• 〈Ironbone Frame〉 breakthrough → Level 2• Attribute Points +10• New Skill: Blood Surge Ignition (Passive)• Hidden Evaluation Increase• Special Mission Unlocked
A new window slid open.
[Blood Surge Ignition]When blood loss exceeds 8%→ Strength +10%→ Agility +12%→ Pain threshold reduced by 60%
A fierce passive.One that suited someone who fought stronger opponents.
But another prompt appeared—one that made Lian Hong's heartbeat tighten.
[Special Mission:Shadow of the Past]
Objective:• Survive an imminent assassination attempt.Reward:• Skill: Unknown• Talent: Fragment of Fate• Hidden Stat Awakening
Lian Hong's fingers curled slightly.
"So it's coming."
He had felt the hateful gaze from the shadows for hours.
Wei Changbai would not wait long.
He would strike soon.
The Overseer Steps Forward
Overseer Chen raised his voice, trying to restore order.
"Silence! Silence!"
It didn't work.The crowd was too shocked.
"Everyone be quiet!" he shouted again, voice cracking.
Eventually, the courtyard settled.
Chen cleared his throat loudly.
"Ahem!The final result of this year's servant trial is—"
He paused dramatically.
"—First place: Lian Hong!"
The disciples roared.
No one was surprised.
No one objected.
Even the outer disciples reluctantly nodded—because denying reality was pointless.
Chen continued:
"As first place…you will immediately receive:• Outer-sect robe• Outer-sect token• A month's worth of Qi Gathering Pills• Eligibility to choose a martial elder sponsor• Access to the inner training ground for new disciples"
Zhou Shan fainted again.
"Qi… Qi Gathering Pills…my friend is going to become unstoppable…"
Lian Hong accepted the robe and token without expression.
But inside—his resolve hardened.
Outer disciple.This time… I won't let anyone destroy my path.
Chen Wuyou Approaches
Chen Wuyou moved closer, stopping only a few steps away.
He studied Lian Hong carefully.
"Your foundation is unusual.If not for our difference in cultivation stage, this battle may have ended differently."
Lian Hong nodded once.
Chen Wuyou lowered his voice.
"Be careful."
Lian Hong's eyes narrowed a fraction.
"Of whom?"
Chen Wuyou didn't answer directly.
He simply said:
"Too much talent attracts envy.And envy becomes danger."
He stepped away, leaving those words hanging in the air.
Wei Changbai in the Shadows
Far from the arena, deep in the inner courtyard's shadows—
Wei Changbai watched with a twisted smile.
"Outer disciple…You actually climbed back up.You think this changes anything?"
His murderous intent was so dense it seemed to distort the air.
"Lian Hong…tonight, you die."
Lian Hong felt it
As the ceremony ended, he lifted his head slightly.
His eyes sharpened.
He's coming.
The system chimed again.
[Warning:The assassination attempt will occur within 12 hours.]
[Do not remain alone.Do not remain unprepared.]
Lian Hong calmly exhaled.
"Let him come."