---
The moon hung like a dying lantern in the sky, veiled by black clouds and ash drifting from distant battlefields.
On the edge of Blackroot Valley, Ling Tianran crouched behind a jagged stone, eyes locked on his prey — a Fanghide Lizard, a Wild-Tier beast with a bone-plated back and crimson eyes.
> "Target Identified: Fanghide Lizard — Low Wild-Tier."
"Estimated Core Value: 20%. Risk Level: Moderate."
His heart pounded.
This would be his first real fight.
His first step toward power.
He gripped the rusted short blade he'd scavenged from a fallen scavenger. The edge was chipped, but in his hands, it became a weapon of desperation.
The Fanghide hissed, sniffing the air. Intelligent enough to sense danger. Smart enough to hunt. But not smart enough to realize what Ling Tianran had become.
"Silence is strength," Tianran whispered — a phrase burned into his soul the moment the Sovereign's Silent System awakened.
He threw a stone.
The beast turned its head.
Tianran struck.
Fast. Silent. Precise.
The blade plunged into the beast's side. It screeched, whirling with deadly force, tail smashing into his ribs. He flew backward, coughing blood.
Pain blurred his vision — but he didn't stop.
Tianran dashed again, ducked the tail, slid under the beast's belly, and drove the blade upward into its heart.
With a final hiss, the beast collapsed.
---
> "Target eliminated. Beast Core Extracted."
"Absorbing core…"
"Cultivation Breakthrough: Initiated."
A surge of heat burned through Tianran's meridians. He clenched his jaw as his body convulsed.
> "Realm Progress: 100% — Breakthrough achieved."
"Current Realm: Mortal Tier — Early Awakening Stage."
Power.
For the first time in his life… he could feel it.
Not anger. Not hatred.
Pure, raw energy flooding his soul.
> "Reward: +1 Hidden Reputation, +1 Sovereign Token."
"Hidden Faction Slot: Unlocked — You may now initiate your first recruitment through Silent Channel."
---
System Panel Update:
Cultivation Realm: Awakening Stage – Early
Sovereign Tokens: 2
Hidden Reputation: 1
Faction Members: 0 (1 Invite Available)
Status: Unknown Entity
Network Permissions: Voice Transmission (Golden Token Required)
Symbol Activation: Golden Dragon Emblem: Available
---
Tianran looked at his wrist.
A glowing golden dragon-shaped mark shimmered faintly — the emblem of his yet-to-be-born faction.
His empire of silence.
> "This world forgot me."
"Now, I'll build a faction no one dares to forget."
He raised his hand — and the system responded.
> "Would you like to activate Silent Sovereign Recruitment?"
"Yes," Tianran said.
---
[Recruitment Channel – Activated]
> Searching potential candidates within 5-mile radius…
1 compatible individual found: Talent Grade — Intermediate; Loyalty Potential — High.
> Sending Silent Token anonymously…
In a distant ruin, a girl surrounded by wild wolves suddenly felt a warmth in her pocket — a golden token etched with a dragon.
The first spark had been lit.
[To Be Continued…]
---