At dawn, the outer sect was unusually quiet.
Birds perched on rooftops did not sing.Mist clung to the training fields like a shroud.Even the morning wind seemed to hesitate, as though unsure if it should disturb what was coming.
Because rumors had spread—
The masked killer had accepted the commission.
Lian Hong had four days left.
And every disciple knew what that meant.
1. Returning to Training Grounds
Lian Hong walked onto the elite plateau again.
Every head turned.
Every conversation stopped.
And then—
the disciples parted silently, making way for him.
Not out of obedience.Not out of fear.
Out of instinct.
Predators require space.And Lian Hong was now recognized as one.
Whispers followed behind him like shadows:
"He didn't die last night…""He fought three of Gu Xiang's killers alone…""Mu Yanting acknowledged him…""But now the masked killer is coming.""Four days… can he survive?"
Lian Hong ignored the whispers.
His steps were steady.
His gaze focused.
His bloodline—still faintly unstable—pulsed beneath his skin.
Zhou Shan followed behind him like a ghost experiencing cardiac arrest with every step.
"Bro, listen. I've been thinking. We can run away. We can hide in a cave. I can forge paperwork and rename us 'Lin Hong' and 'Zhou Shan 2'. Nobody will know—"
Lian Hong ignored him.
He reached the center of the training field.
And began.
2. Crisis Growth Acceleration Mode Activates
The system chimed:
[Crisis Growth Acceleration – Day 1][Effects Boosted]– Physical training efficiency: +200%– Bloodline adaptation speed: +140%– Footwork comprehension: +180%– Strike precision: +70%– Internal qi cycle: stabilized
Zhou Shan watched Lian Hong warm up by shattering a training boulder in one palm strike.
He died internally.
"BRO… ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE NOT THE FINAL BOSS OF THIS NOVEL…?!"
But Lian Hong felt no excitement.
Only the pressure.
No matter how fast he grew—no matter how strong he became—
the masked killer was not a normal man.
Not a normal assassin.Not even a normal genius.
He was a calamity disguised as a disciple.
And he was coming.
3. A Visitor Appears – Unexpected
As Lian Hong practiced footwork, a shadow appeared.
A calm voice followed.
"You're pushing your bloodline too fast."
Lian Hong paused.
Su Qingyue walked toward him, light footsteps barely disturbing the mist.
Her eyes contained something unfamiliar:
Concern.
She held a jade bottle.
"For your bruises."
Lian Hong nodded.
"You came early."
She hesitated.
"…I couldn't sleep."
That made Zhou Shan drop his jaw to the floor.
"BRO… IF YOU SURVIVE THE MASKED KILLER, YOU'RE GETTING A GIRLFRIEND. I'M SERIOUS. THIS IS HOW ROMANCE ARC STARTS—"
Lian Hong and Su Qingyue both ignored him.
Su Qingyue stepped closer.
"Gu Xiang won't stop.If the masked killer fails, he will send more."
Lian Hong answered quietly:
"Then I'll survive all of them."
She frowned slightly.
"You sound confident."
He shook his head.
"No.I'm determined."
Su Qingyue studied him, then whispered:
"Be careful, Lian Hong."
She turned to leave, but paused.
"…I want you to survive."
Then she walked away.
Zhou Shan nearly fainted again.
4. But another figure was watching
From the top of the distant cliff—
Xu Jian observed the entire exchange with cold eyes.
He rested his hand on the bamboo cane he rarely used.
"A woman approaches him…Mu Yanting acknowledges him…Gu Xiang targets him…"
He smiled faintly.
"Everyone is acting over one person."
His cane tapped the ground lightly.
"In three days, it will be my turn."
5. Deepening Shadows – Gu Xiang's Next Move
Meanwhile—
At a secluded part of the sect grounds, Gu Xiang sat in a small shrine filled with dark talismans.
The three assassins knelt in front of him—battered, injured, but alive.
Gu Xiang didn't look at them.
He held a small spirit lantern.
Inside it—
a single black flame flickered.
It pulsed with killing intent.
A message from the masked killer.
Gu Xiang whispered:
"He accepted the first payment."
His smile grew sharp.
"Three days from now…your deaths will be unnecessary."
He looked at the assassins coldly.
"But until then—keep pressure on him."
The assassins bowed.
"Yes, Master."
6. Noon – Lian Hong's Training Intensifies
Lian Hong moved through the training grounds like a phantom.
His afterimages multiplied.His footwork blurred.His fists cut through the air with sharp force.
Every strike cracked stone.
Every step cut wind.
Zhou Shan sat on a broken pillar, clutching his heart.
"Bro… I'm starting to think the masked killer should be afraid of YOU…"
But Lian Hong knew better.
No.
He was not ready.
Not yet.
He needed more.
He needed to push further.
He needed—
A teacher.
Or a catalyst.
Or a miracle.
But what he got—
was none of those.
Instead—
as the sun dipped behind the mountain ridge—
three shadows landed silently around him.
Not assassins.
Not Gu Xiang.
These shadows…
were wearing outer sect elite uniforms.
But their eyes were full of malice.
The leader stepped forward.
"We heard you think you're the strongest newcomer."
Another added:
"You think you can surpass us?"
The third sneered.
"You insulted the entire elite group by lasting that long against Rank 1."
Zhou Shan stood up, horrified.
"…bro… this is the 'jealous senior disciple gang beating' segment… run… RUN—"
Lian Hong didn't move.
He inhaled.
"You picked a bad day."
The three senior disciples drew their weapons.
"Then let us help you die faster."