Ashen moonlight bathed the foothills of the Murkbone Range.
Li Xuan moved like a wraith, cloak trailing behind him, Heaven-Shearing Executioner sheathed but humming faintly with restrained bloodlust. Behind him, six disciples—outcasts, failed talents, one former cripple—followed without question.
They didn't understand him. But they trusted him.
Not because he smiled. He never did.
Because he never lost.
—
System Notification:
—Mission Hub Update:
Target: Murkbone Cursed Nest
Objective: Slay three Bonewraith Specters (Qi Foundation)
Reward: 240 LCP
Penalty: Nearest legion member cursed with soul rot (7-day limit)
["Heads up, brat,"] Long Chen's voice rang. ["This one's not just a fight. It's a curse test. Let's see if your blade can cut fear."]
Li Xuan stopped at the mouth of a decayed temple where black bones lined the walls like grotesque roots. A freezing pressure rolled outward, gnawing at the will of the weak.
Behind him, Bai Hong shivered. "Boss… something's watching us."
"No," Li Xuan replied coldly. "It's hunting us."
—
The Bonewraiths came without warning—drifting spirits of rotted martial artists, draped in tattered robes and black Qi. Each strike from them didn't just hit flesh—it clawed at the soul.
His subordinates couldn't handle that.
Li Xuan stepped forward alone.
Phantom Step ignited.
He was a blur—fading, striking, reappearing behind each specter. His saber didn't cleave; it erased. Every motion carried killing intent honed from surviving trial after trial.
One specter vanished in smoke.
The second screamed before being beheaded.
The third lunged for his back—until Li Xuan turned without looking and punched it in the face with pure will Qi, his new alchemy-forged soul pressure breaking the specter apart.
—
System Notification:
—3 Bonewraiths Slain. Mission Complete—
—+240 LCP Earned—
—Optional Objective Met: No Subordinate Injured—
—Bonus Reward: Soul-Scented Lotus (Enhances spiritual resilience)—
—Current LCP: 473 / 1000
["Hmph."] Long Chen's voice returned. ["You're not flashy, but damn if you aren't effective. I'm starting to think you might not embarrass me after all."]
"I don't perform for your amusement," Li Xuan muttered.
["You think this is amusement? This is war prep. And you're not even ready for the real stage yet."]
—
Later that night, as the others rested, Li Xuan entered the simulation realm—a void carved from Long Chen's will and system data.
He activated a technique trial.
Skill Loaded: Split the Skies (Saber Art – Mid-Tier)
LCP Cost: 120 (Paid)
Simulation Speed: 3x
Inside the realm, a thousand phantom opponents came at him.
He did not retreat.
He endured every strike, bled, broke bones, learned the rhythm.
Hours passed in moments.
—
Back in the real world, he opened his eyes.
His saber pulsed with new intent.
—
System Update
• Cultivation: Late Qi Condensation – Peak (590/600 EXP)
• LCP: 353 / 1000
• New Skill Learned: Split the Skies (Saber Art)
• Simulation Room: Active Use Logged
• Mission Hub: Next Quest Available
• Legion Morale: High
• Consequences Avoided: For Now
• Alchemy Branch: Pill Craft Inactive
• Status: Hunter, Not Hunted