⸻
The Simulation Realm was silent.
Li Xuan sat cross-legged on the obsidian platform, surrounded by drifting starlight. He had completed the inner disciple trials, survived assassination attempts, and endured countless life-and-death battles. But today, he trembled.
Not from fear—but anticipation.
System Notification:
—[Long Chen Authorization: Granted]—
—First Path of the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art Available—
—Warning: Incompatible with existing cultivation system. Destruction of Dantian Required—
—Proceed? Y/N—
[ "Before you accept this path," ] Long Chen's voice rang through the simulation realm, sharp and cold, [ "know this—what you're about to do isn't bravery. It's madness. Once you take the first step, there's no turning back. The moment you shatter your dantian, you are declaring war on heaven itself." ]
Li Xuan's hand hovered over the confirmation rune.
He clenched his jaw. "Then let heaven hear my declaration."
He pressed Y.
System Notification:
—DANTIAN DESTRUCTION PROTOCOL INITIATED—
—WARNING: Severe pain imminent. System pain dampeners disabled by Long Chen.—
Long Chen chuckled.
[ "Pain dampeners? What kind of cultivator needs padding? Come on, brat. Show me you deserve this." ]
An invisible force surged through his meridians like wildfire. His dantian began to twist, rupture… disintegrate.
The pain was unholy.
It wasn't just physical. His very foundation shattered. His soul was being crushed and reformed, drawn toward a terrifying emptiness. His cultivation base, his lifeblood, everything that made him a cultivator—gone in an instant.
His body convulsed. Blood poured from his eyes, nose, ears. His bones cracked from within. His vision darkened.
But he didn't scream.
He bit down until his teeth shattered.
He remembered Long Chen's voice, echoing in his mind from the tomb.
[ "If you want to destroy me, do it! But I don't bend! Not to you. Not to heaven!" ]
And then—clarity.
A single point of light in the void of his shattered core.
Nine motes of blazing starlight appeared, orbiting where his dantian had once been.
System Notification:
—Nine Star Hegemon Body Art: First Path Activated—
—Nine Star Core Formation Stage Initialized—
—New Attributes Gained: Star-Driven Qi, Chaotic Meridian Expansion, Celestial Tempering (Passive)—
Li Xuan collapsed.
His body was torn apart and rebuilt over and over. His meridians bulged grotesquely, then stabilized. Every inch of him was reforged by cosmic energy. This wasn't cultivation—it was resurrection through torment.
Time lost meaning.
When he finally opened his eyes, they were starlit and cold. Not glowing—but containing something infinite. Something destructive.
Long Chen's voice returned, quieter this time.
[ "You did it. Not bad… Not bad at all. Now, let's see how far you're willing to go." ]
System Notification:
—Long Chen Points (LCP) Rewarded: +800 (Survived First Path Trial)—
Li Xuan sat there, soaked in his own blood, bones aching, body trembling…
But he smiled.
"…Heaven declared war on me the moment I was born. I'm just answering the call."
⸻
System Update
Cultivation Stage: Nine Star Core Formation (Stage 1)
LCP: 937 / ∞
Skills: Phantom Step, Predator's Pressure (Passive), Face-Slapping Divine Art, Nine Star Hegemon Body Art (Path 1)
Status: Dantian Destroyed / Nine Star Core Formed
System Controller: Long Chen
Simulation Realm: Active
Mission Hub: Active
Warning: Host is now on an irreversible path of rebellion. Expect divine retribution.