⸻
The sect's sparring arenas were alive with bloodlust.
The monthly outer disciple rankings had begun. For most, it was a chance to climb a little, gain slightly better cultivation resources, and avoid being booted to menial labor squads.
But for Li Xuan?
It was a test of patience. And obedience.
System Mission Reminder:
—Objective: Win 2 battles without activating the Astral Vortex or star-ring
—Status: 0/2
—Time Remaining: 22 hours
—Penalty: Exposure to Inner Hall
Li Xuan stood calmly in the combat zone, face calm, eyes lazy, body loose.
His opponent roared, a burly cultivator three levels above him, veins bulging with brute strength. "You should surrender now. I don't like making kids bleed."
Li Xuan gave a slow blink. "Your voice is already annoying me."
The signal rang.
The battle began.
—
He didn't summon the star behind him.
He didn't tap into the Astral Vortex.
Instead, Li Xuan let his fists talk.
Boom!
His body flickered like shadowed lightning—Phantom Step activated, sharp and honed. His sabers remained sheathed. He danced around the brute's hammer strikes, every footstep perfect, every dodge predictive.
Long Chen's voice muttered inside the system.
["That's more like it. A blade doesn't always need to cut. Sometimes evasion is the sharper weapon."]
The brute cursed. "Stand still!"
Li Xuan chuckled—and struck.
Two pressure point jabs. A sweep. A palm strike that seemed too weak to matter—
Thud.
The brute collapsed.
Out cold.
System Notification:
—Victory Achieved (1/2)
—+20 LCP
—Current Rank: 54
—Star Energy Usage: 0% ✅
The crowd was silent again.
Not because of the violence.
But because of the elegance.
—
Later, as Li Xuan walked from the arena, disciples parted before him. Not in fear—yet—but with unease. He didn't look strong. He didn't brag.
But he was rising. And no one could explain how.
The second match came quickly.
This opponent was a girl.
Her weapon? A burning whip.
Fire affinity. Swift. Precise. Ruthless.
"You're pretty," she said. "Hate to burn that face."
Li Xuan smiled. "I've had worse."
They clashed.
Fire lashed through the arena, scorching the marble tiles.
Li Xuan's movements were close—too close. His sleeves caught flames more than once. His arms were blistered raw.
["Use the vortex, idiot!"]
"I can't," he muttered, dodging another lash.
Instead, he relied on the Face-Slapping Divine Art.
When she monologued mid-fight—about her "divine fire lineage"—his palm slammed into her ribs like a cannon.
She folded.
Li Xuan stood over her, breathing hard. "You talk too much."
System Notification:
—Victory Achieved (2/2)
—+30 LCP
—Reward Unlocked: Masked Cultivation Technique
—Item Gained: One-Time Forged Scroll (Star Path Variant – Fake)
—Cultivation Ring Disguise Activated
—
Back in his quarters, the changes began.
The plain silver cultivation ring around his wrist shimmered—then twisted.
It became a ring of forged black starstone, etched with streaks of violet-gold. Beautiful. Mysterious. Untraceable.
System Note:
"Your ring now mirrors no known cultivation system. No elder, master, or sect keeper will trace its origin unless you use advanced star techniques without masking. Use with care."
Li Xuan sat cross-legged and meditated. The new Masked Cultivation Technique slowed the outward appearance of his power—but didn't actually suppress his strength.
His aura now felt like a normal early-stage cultivator.
Perfect for hiding the truth.
—
Two hours later, a message was sent to his room.
Sect Mission Assigned:
"Beast Core Recovery – Burning Path Ravine."
—Participants: All outer disciples ranked 50–100
—Objective: Recover cores from fire-type beasts for alchemy purposes
—Danger Level: High
—Reward: Sect Contribution + 1 Spirit Pill / core
—Note: Deaths will not be compensated
Li Xuan smirked. "They want to kill us off?"
["Let them try,"] Long Chen said. ["Take this mission. You'll earn enough cores to feed your strength, and maybe… meet a few promising brothers for your new Legion."]
"…You want me to start again?"
["You think a war god walks alone?"]
—
System Status:
Cultivation: Nine Star Path (1st Star Flow – 23%)
Rank: 50 (Outer Disciple)
Star Energy: 18%
Masked Aura: Active
Long Chen Points: 398
New Skill: Masked Cultivation Technique (Passive)
Inventory: Forged Scroll – 1 use
New Mission: Burning Path Ravine Expedition