The sect grounds were quieter than usual.
Whispers passed like wind between peaks. Not about a breakthrough. Not about a fallen genius. But about him—Li Xuan, the demon of the outer circle. The youth who'd returned from the special realm radiating such killing intent that even peak outer disciples gave him a wide berth.
But inside the central hall of the sect, silence reigned for a different reason.
Li Xuan stood before the Sect Master and elders. His robe was black—deep as the abyss. Forbidden in the outer ranks. Only one other had ever dared to wear it before becoming inner disciple.
Long Chen.
An elder slammed the table. "Outrageous! Do you mock our traditions?"
Li Xuan's gaze was calm, his voice steady. "I don't kneel to tradition. I rise through it."
Before the elder could speak again, the Sect Master raised a hand. His aged eyes flickered with an unreadable light. "Enough."
He studied Li Xuan quietly for a moment, then spoke. "You remind me of a storm we once survived. Black robes or not, your worth will be judged in the upcoming inner disciple examination. Not your clothes."
Some elders looked displeased, but none objected. They had seen too many monsters rise to gamble blindly now.
As Li Xuan turned to leave, a voice echoed in his mind.
[Long Chen System Notification]
"You've chosen to defy the sect's robe rules. +50 Long Chen Points for rebellion."
"Historical Note: Last person to do this? Me. And they nearly exiled me. Fun times."
Li Xuan's mouth twitched into a half-smile.
Back at his training grounds, Li Xuan looked over his growing legion. They weren't elite. Not yet. But the last three days of war had burned fear from their bones. All that remained was hardened will.
With his new system access, he did what Long Chen once did: forge a legion worthy of battle.
From the shop, he purchased:
[Bloodline Resonance Pill Recipe] – 100 LCP
[Foundational Saber Art Manual] – 80 LCP
[Spiritual Focus Formation] – 60 LCP
Then he began.
He refined the pills with the precision granted by his Alchemy Warlord Memory. He trained them personally in saber footwork. He laid formations that boosted spiritual focus and recovery. All within a week.
His companions—once dismissed as rejects—were no longer nameless.
"Remember," he told them, "we don't fight to follow. We fight so others follow us."
And they did.
Inner Disciple Examination Countdown: 3 Days
The test would be brutal. Thousands would enter. Only a few would qualify. The strongest outer disciples, including those backed by the main halls, would challenge him.
Some wanted his place. Others wanted to break his legend.
But Li Xuan prepared the same way Long Chen once did—through blood, soul, and rebellion.
[Mission Assigned by Long Chen System]
Objective: Cause a scene.
Bonus: Land the final blow with flair.
Reward: Random Technique Unlock (Rating: Uncommon to Rare)
Failure Consequence: Sect-wide backlash and public rebuke.
"Go big or go home, brat."
System Status:
Cultivation: Foundation Establishment (Early Stage)
Long Chen Points: 273 / 1000
New Skills: Spiritual Focus Formation, Bloodline Resonance (Basic)
Mission Hub: Active
Simulation Realm: Available
Reputation: Demon of the Outer Circle / Black-Robed Defier
Legion Members: 8 (Outer Circle Rank, Reforged Willpower)
Status: Not an inner disciple… yet.