The sun dipped behind the mountains, casting long shadows across the sprawling grounds of the Azure Spirit Sect.Disciples were returning to their quarters after witnessing the most shocking servant trial in years.
But for Lian Hong—
the night would not be a time of rest.
It would be a battlefield.
A quiet, hidden battlefield where a single mistake meant death.
The New Outer-Sect Quarters
Lian Hong approached the area designated for new outer disciples.
The buildings were simple but clean—a step far above the damp servant barracks he once lived in.
When he opened the wooden door of his assigned house, he instinctively swept his gaze across the room.
Empty.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
He stepped inside.
〈Predator's Intuition〉 activated.
A faint tingling crawled across the back of his neck—a warning.
Someone had entered this room earlier.Someone left traces of qi, too faint for normal senses to register.
Wei Changbai…or someone he sent.
Lian Hong's eyes narrowed.
The assassination mission wasn't a possibility anymore.
It was confirmed.
System Notification
[Ding!Imminent Threat Detected.]
[Recommended Actions:• Do not remain stationary• Do not sleep tonight• Strengthen your environment• Prepare counterattack strategies]
Lian Hong exhaled quietly.
The system wasn't exaggerating.
This threat was real.
And close.
Outside the Room
Two new disciples walked past, chatting loudly.
"Did you see that fight today?""That servant freak—Lian Hong—is insane.""He beat Rank 10! Impossible."
Their voices faded as they continued down the path.
Lian Hong closed his door.
He wasn't hiding.
But he also wouldn't pretend nothing was wrong.
He sat down on the floor, crossing his legs.
Then—
he activated his new reward.
〈Blood Surge Ignition〉〈Crimson Meridian Breathing〉〈Ironbone Frame – Level 2〉
And breathed.
Slow, deep, controlled breaths.
Qi surged in his meridians like molten iron.
His blood heated, energy expanding through his limbs.
Every strike he had taken in today's battles—every bruise, every fracture—was rapidly being healed or stabilized.
Good, he thought.When the assassin arrives, my body needs to be at peak readiness.
Meanwhile… deep in the inner sect
A figure knelt before Wei Changbai.
The assassin.
A man dressed in loose black cloth, face covered, aura sharp yet controlled.
"A servant," the assassin said with disdain."You want me to kill a servant?"
Wei Changbai's smile was thin and cruel.
"You saw the arena today?"
"…Yes. A bit impressive."
"Impressive?" Wei Changbai hissed."He humiliated my loyal men.He defied the path I set for him."
The assassin didn't respond.
Wei leaned forward, voice cold as winter steel.
"Break his ribs.Crush his dantian.Destroy his spirit root.Leave him alive—just barely."
The assassin bowed his head.
"As you command."
Wei Changbai's final words burned with venom.
"Make sure he can never cultivate again."
Back at the outer quarters
The night grew darker.
The moon hid behind clouds.A cold wind brushed through the bamboo grove nearby.
Lian Hong opened his eyes.
His wounds had stabilized.
His qi had thickened.
His senses were sharp.
He stood and extinguished the lone candle in the room.
Darkness swallowed the space.
Yet he felt no discomfort.
Instead, his vision sharpened.Shadows became outlines.The air felt alive, pressing against his skin.
Come, Lian Hong thought coldly.Let's see what you learned from Wei Changbai.
He walked to the corner of the room.
And waited.
Midnight
The bamboo outside swayed.Leaves rustled.Insects silenced themselves.
Then—
A faint sound.
Barely audible.
A whisper of movement on the roof.
Lian Hong's eyes snapped open.
Someone was here.
[Ding!Assassin Presence Detected – 12 meters above.]
The assassin dropped silently from the roof.
A shadow cutting through the darkness.
He landed soundlessly behind Lian Hong—blade already drawn.
Cold metal glinted faintly—
aiming straight for Lian Hong's spine.
Fast.Precise.Deadly.
The assassin's killing intent was suffocating.
Lian Hong didn't move.
He whispered:
"You're late."
The assassin froze.
He sensed me…? In the dark? From behind?
Too late.
Lian Hong turned—movement as fluid as water, as sharp as lightning.
His palm struck.
Not holding back.
Not testing.
A full-force blow.
The assassin barely blocked—and still slid back three steps, boots scraping across the floor.
His eyes widened behind the mask.
"You—You're not a servant…"
Lian Hong stepped forward.
"No."
He raised his fist.
"I'm the one who crawled out of hell."
His qi surged violently—
as the duel began.