The Skycloud Ascension Sect's outer disciple grounds were vast—thousands of young cultivators, each one a hungry wolf waiting for weakness. Li Xuan, clad in the system-customized black robes trimmed in crimson, looked like a shadow in a sea of pale white uniforms.
Whispers followed him.
"Who's that new guy?"
"Another lost soul with high affinity and low cultivation."
"He won't last the week."
He ignored them.
System Notification:
—Daily Mission (Accepted): Win 3 Sparring Matches – Reward: 30 LCP
—Optional Mission: End One Fight in a Single Strike – Bonus: +10 LCP
System Voice (Long Chen):
"They see a lamb. Remind them you bite."
Li Xuan stepped into the sparring arena and drew lots.
His first opponent, a bulky youth named Gao Fen, smirked as he stepped up.
"Step aside, newbie. You've got no place here."
Li Xuan's stance relaxed. He didn't even draw his saber.
"Try me."
The moment the referee signaled the start, Gao Fen lunged with a palm strike aiming to rupture his dantian.
Li Xuan moved.
Phantom Step.
He vanished—reappearing behind his opponent with fingers pressed against his neck.
A gentle tap. A violent explosion of force.
Gao Fen was launched from the ring, coughing blood.
One strike.
The arena went silent.
System Notification:
—Mission Progress: 1/3
—Bonus Objective Completed: +10 LCP
—Total LCP Earned: +40
System Voice:
"Not bad. Keep going."
By sundown, Li Xuan had defeated three more opponents. He wasn't undefeated because he was the strongest—but because he adapted. He observed. He learned.
Every move recalled the philosophy of Long Chen—never fight fair, always fight smart.
Later that Night – Mission Pavilion
Outer disciples could take sect missions to earn contribution points. But behind the main pavilion was a discreet terminal.
[Special Access: System Interface Active]
—Exclusive System Missions Available—
• Eliminate Rogue Beast Horde (Rank C) – Reward: 50 LCP
• Investigate Spirit Disruption near Fallen Cliff – Reward: 70 LCP
• Alchemical Ingredients Collection – Reward: 30 LCP + Herb Recognition Boost
Li Xuan selected the Spirit Disruption mission. Something about it felt strange—and strangely familiar.
The Next Day – Fallen Cliff
The wind was sharp, carrying whispers again. But this time, they weren't memories. They were real.
Spirits. Angry ones.
Li Xuan drew his saber and prepared. He sensed something watching him—intelligent and resentful.
System Voice (Long Chen):
"Try not to die. Spirits love chewing on idiots who don't respect the dead."
The battle was harsh—ghosts that phased through physical attacks, clawing at his soul.
He activated the Face-Slapping Divine Art mid-taunt and shattered a spirit before it could finish its monologue.
"System, I need a method to deal with spiritual attacks."
System Notification:
—New Item Available in Shop: Spirit Suppression Incense – 50 LCP
—New Skill Available: Soul-Forging Flame (Initial Mastery) – 120 LCP
Li Xuan gritted his teeth. He spent it all.
The Soul-Forging Flame burst from his palm like blue fire, searing through spiritual resistance and purging the ghosts. His saber followed through, tracing an arc of silver and soul flame.
The mission was complete—but more importantly, he gained something priceless: understanding. His spiritual sense began to twitch, alerting him to presences he hadn't been able to perceive before.
System Notification:
—Mission Completed: +70 LCP
—Soul-Forging Flame Integrated
—New Passive Ability Gained: Spiritual Awareness Lv.1
Back at the Sect – One Week Later
The ranking battle for outer disciples loomed.
The top 100 earned better cultivation quarters, pills, and battle techniques. Everyone else? Scraps.
Li Xuan stood outside the ranked arena.
System Voice:
"Let's see what you've learned. Crush one, scare ten. That's how wolves climb."
He didn't reply.
He stepped into the ring, saber on his back, fire in his eyes.
His name was still unknown, but not for long.
System Summary:
Cultivation: Qi Condensation – 6th Stage
Long Chen Points: 10 (Spent recently)
New Skill: Soul-Forging Flame (Initial Mastery)
Passive: Spiritual Awareness Lv.1
Rank Status: Unranked (Challenge in Progress)
Weekly Missions Active
Contribution Points: 40
System Shop: Updated
Simulation Room: Available