Night fell upon the Azure Spirit Sect.
Lanterns flickered along stone paths, casting warm halos across the darkness.Most disciples had already returned to their quarters, exhausted from training.
But in the far eastern courtyard—
Lian Hong sat alone beneath an ancient pine tree.
Still.Silent.Breathing as if one with the night.
Zhou Shan sat nearby, curled up like a terrified squirrel, hugging his knees.
"Bro… tomorrow you're entering the elite training group," he whispered."That's where the monsters live. People who cultivate while sleeping. People who breathe qi like air. People who swallow rocks to strengthen their stomachs!"
Lian Hong didn't open his eyes.
"Rocks?"
Zhou Shan nodded gravely.
"I saw one do it once."
Lian Hong remained silent.
Zhou Shan sighed dramatically.
"I'm serious, bro… the elite group is dangerous. Some of them… treat newcomers like prey."
Lian Hong finally opened his eyes.
Calm.Sharp.Unmoved.
"Then I'll show them what happens when prey bites back."
Zhou Shan buried his face in his palms.
"You're going to make me die of heart problems…"
The System Stirs
A faint chime echoed in Lian Hong's mind.
[Side Mission Unlocked][Before Dawn Breaks]
Objectives:
Push your cultivation to the limit before joining the elite group.
Strengthen core meridians for high-speed combat.
Learn one new combat application of Shadowstep.
Rewards:
Movement Skill Upgrade
Qi Efficiency Boost (Minor)
Hidden Attribute Increase
Time limit:Until sunrise.
Lian Hong exhaled softly.
Another mission.Another push forward.
Good.
He needed every edge.
Meanwhile – In the Elite Training Grounds
The elite grounds occupied a massive plateau on the northern side of the outer sect—hidden behind tall training pillars and guarded by stone lion statues.
Inside a circular sparring arena, several young disciples cultivated intensely.
Qi pulsed like waves.Swords hummed.Fists cracked like thunder.
At the center sat a youth with long black hair tied in a silver clasp—his eyes closed, his breathing steady.
His presence was calm.But beneath that calmness lay a dangerous sharpness.
This was Xu Jian, Rank 2 of the elite group.
A disciple approached him and bowed respectfully.
"Senior Brother Xu, there is news."
Xu Jian didn't open his eyes.
"Speak."
"A new disciple will join our group tomorrow."
Xu Jian's brows twitched.
"Newcomers rarely survive," he said softly.
"This one is different," the disciple whispered."He defeated five new disciples alone. And… he killed assassins."
Xu Jian slowly opened his eyes.
A cold, focused gaze.
"What is his name?"
"Lian Hong. Former servant."
Silence.
Then—
Xu Jian stood.
His qi surged.
"Interesting."
Another youth approached, arms crossed, a smirk on his lips.
This was Chi Yao, Rank 7.
"A servant climbing the ranks?" he chuckled."He'll die on his first day."
Xu Jian shook his head.
"No.If Elder Lin and Elder Yu Qing accepted him…he won't be that simple."
Chi Yao scoffed.
"He'll be crushed by us anyway."
Xu Jian looked toward the moonlit sky.
"We shall see."
In the Inner Sect – A Shadow's Report
Far above the outer sect, on a mountain wreathed in swirling qi clouds, a masked figure knelt in front of a man dressed in luxurious azure robes.
The man held a jade flute.
Elegant.Beautiful.Deadly.
He didn't look at the kneeling shadow.
"Well?" he asked lazily.
The shadow bowed deeper.
"Reporting to Young Master Wei… the boy lived."
The flute paused.
"Continue."
"He killed both assassins. And… he was summoned by Elder Lin."
The figure in azure robes chuckled softly.
"Of course he was."
He set the flute against his lips.
A soft, cold note drifted through the air.
"He can climb as much as he wants…""Because the higher he rises—"
His eyes hardened.
"…the harder he'll fall."
The shadow bowed even lower.
"We await your orders."
The man waved his hand dismissively.
"No need.Let the outer sect wolves play with him for now."
His smile curved sharply.
"When it's my turn,I'll deal with him myself."
Back to Lian Hong – Midnight Breakthrough
Under the pine tree, Lian Hong exhaled slowly.
He activated his breathing technique.
〈Crimson Meridian Breathing〉
Qi surged through his veins—hotviolentalive.
His meridians trembled under the pressure.
Zhou Shan watched nervously.
"Bro… are you trying to break through again?"
Lian Hong remained silent.
His aura fluctuated.
Waves of qi pulsed through the courtyard.
Zhou Shan whispered:
"If you break through in one night again… the heavens might sue you for hacking."
Lian Hong ignored him.
He focused inward.
His system activated automatically.
[Status Enhancement in Progress…][Meridian Expansion +12%][Qi Control Efficiency +7%][Shadowstep Combat Application:Unlocked – Double Afterimage]
His breathing deepened.
Then—
BOOM.
A wave of invisible force erupted.
Zhou Shan was blown backward ten steps.
"BRO—YOU'RE BREAKING HEAVEN AGAIN—!!"
Lian Hong opened his eyes.
And for the first time—
a faint crimson glow flickered inside them.
He stood.
Sunrise was approaching.
The elite grounds awaited.
And so did enemies he had never met.
But Lian Hong's voice was steady.
"I'm ready."