The higher realm was no paradise.
It was crueler, colder, and utterly .indifferent
Li Xuan, blood-soaked and breathless, sat slumped against a tree carved by centuries of spiritual wind. His entire body ached, his soul fractured. The memories of his slaughtered legion—of the betrayal, the ambush by sect masters who once welcomed him—burned behind his eyes like a curse.
They'd tried to kill him for his cultivation technique. They failed.
Barely.
Thanks to Long Chen.
System Voice:
"You think you've seen betrayal, brat? Welcome to the real sect politics. Greed is always hungry—and you smell like the meal."
The emergency escape had flung him through space and spirit. He didn't even know where he was.
All he knew was that the Qi in the air was thick—twenty times thicker than home.
And every living thing here… could kill him.
But the System pulsed again.
System Notification:
—Emergency Mode: ACTIVE
—Vital Sign Stabilization Complete
—Next Step: SURVIVAL
—Designated Meeting Point Reached—
Li Xuan narrowed his eyes. "Meeting point?"
That's when he felt it—a sword intent slicing through the wind. Calm. Cold. Terrifying.
He turned—and saw a lone figure descending the cliffs. His robes were spotless. His long black hair flowed behind him like silk. A single sword hung at his waist.
His presence was like an unsheathed blade.
The man didn't speak until he stood mere feet from Li Xuan.
"You're the one he mentioned," the swordsman said, voice soft and emotionless.
Li Xuan's body tensed. "Who?"
"Long Chen," the man replied.
Li Xuan's breath hitched.
The man continued, "He left a message. If someone with your exact pressure and blood-mark appears at this location, I am to escort them to safety. I don't care who you are. I owe Long Chen one favor. Just one."
Li Xuan wanted to ask a dozen questions, but Long Chen's voice echoed in his head:
"If you ever find Yue Zifeng, don't ask him why. Just follow him."
Yue Zifeng raised one hand. A strange compass-like artifact shimmered in the air—a Realm Travel Portal. One-time use.
"Use it. It will take you to a lower sect in a high realm. Weak now or not… you'll survive long enough to start again."
"But—"
Yue Zifeng looked him in the eyes. "You ask too many questions."
The portal activated.
Li Xuan turned to look back at the fading horizon—his legion, his brothers, his rage.
"I'll come back," he muttered.
Then he stepped into the light.
Moments Later – Skycloud Ascension Sect Territory
Li Xuan dropped to his knees, coughing blood. His entire body screamed from teleportation backlash.
But he was alive.
The forest was quiet, and the land buzzed with terrifying energy. He could feel it in his marrow. Even a rabbit here had stronger Qi than him.
System Notification:
—Realm Designation: Boundary Sky Domain
—You Are in Proximity of Tier-3 Sect: Skycloud Ascension Sect
—System Syncing…
—New Identity Constructed
—New Path Available: Outer Disciple Trial Enrollment
System Voice (Long Chen):
"This ain't your old world, brat. Here, your pride means nothing. Start from the gutter and rise. Just like I did."
One Week Later – Outer Disciple Trial Grounds
Li Xuan stood before the gates of Skycloud Sect. His robes were torn but clean. His eyes? Fierce.
The examiner sneered. "Name?"
"Li Xuan."
The man waved his hand, summoning the evaluation array.
—Cultivation: Qi Condensation 5th Stage
—Bone Age: 17
—Dantian: Hidden
—Bloodline: None
—Affinity: Fire – High
—Combat Rating: Substandard
The examiner laughed. "Trash like you better hope for miracles."
Li Xuan didn't reply. His fist clenched quietly behind his back.
System Notification:
—New Mission Chain: "Foundation of the Second Rise"
• Complete Outer Disciple Ranking Duels
• Earn Monthly Resource Quotas
• Accept Sect Missions for LCP (Long Chen Points)
• Survival Requirement: Top 100 within 6 months
—Celestial Spiral Halo (Custom Cultivation Ring) Unlocked
—Cultivation Appearance Concealed by System until Rank Advancement
—Combat Boosts Active: Simulation Room and Skill Shop Functional
System Voice (Long Chen):
"Build a new legion, earn their loyalty, crush the rankings. Keep your head down until it's time to make them kneel."
Li Xuan walked through the gates.
The start was behind him. The storm was ahead.
He didn't smile. He didn't vow vengeance.
He just moved forward.
System Summary:
Cultivation: Qi Condensation 5th Stage
Long Chen Points: 160
Skills: Phantom Step, Face-Slapping Divine Art, Predator's Pressure
Weapon: Heaven-Shearing Executioner
Commander: None (Legion Rebuild Pending)
Status: Outer Disciple (Unranked)
Missions: Daily Tasks and Weekly Ranking Challenges Active
Next System Unlock: 200 LCP – Commander's Insight Lv.1