The four disciples froze.
The one with the shattered wrist snarled.
"Who the hell are you? You want to die too?"
Shěn Nìchén didn't answer. He stepped through the fog, katana still sheathed.
His presence was steady—too steady for someone at Qi Gathering Stage 1. But to their senses, he was weak.
> [Stealth Mode: Aura Masked – Appears: Qi Refinement Late Stage]
The leader spat on the ground. "Tch. Just another outer sect rat."
> "Kill him. Strip his body. Make it look like beast work."
They surged forward.
---
⚔️ Fog and Steel
The first attacker lunged—fast, but predictable.
Nìchén shifted his foot half a step. His hand touched the katana's hilt.
> Draw speed: Calculated. Strike angle: Optimal. Vital point: Exposed.
SHING—
In a single fluid motion, the katana left its sheath—just an inch.
Blood sprayed. A gash opened across the disciple's thigh as he collapsed, screaming.
> [System Alert – Sword Intent (Hidden Variant) Used – No external detection triggered.]
[+10 EXP | Talent Sync Progress: 12%]
The next two hesitated.
> "This guy's no outer trash…"
The last charged out of rage. Nìchén didn't move.
Instead, he let the attacker come within range—then struck the blade aside with the flat of his sword and drove a knee into the man's gut.
THUD.
The fog swallowed the grunt's wheezing cry.
---
The last attacker dropped his weapon. "W-We didn't know she was yours! S-spare—"
Nìchén's eyes narrowed.
> "You talk too much."
He flipped the katana in his hand—still sheathed—and slammed the hilt into the side of the man's jaw.
A clean knockout.
Silence returned to Mistveil.
---
🌙 Elira
He turned.
The girl in white still stood, blood trickling down her arm.
Her silver hair was tied loosely, stained and tangled. But her eyes—icy violet—remained sharp.
She looked at Nìchén for a long moment.
> "Why?"
He paused. Then shrugged.
> "Didn't like the odds."
He turned away.
> "Tend your wounds. Get to high ground before night."
She blinked. "Wait—"
But he was already fading into the fog.
---
🩸 System Activation
> [Hidden Mission Completed]
🎉 Reward Acquired: Talent Fragment – Moonblood Vein (Dormant)
🌕 Elira Snowveil – Favorability: +6
🔓 New Trait Unlocked: Lunar Vein Sync – (Dormant)
⚠️ Warning: Talent Sync Requires Further Proximity or Emotional Trigger
Shěn frowned.
> "So she's not just a noble brat… She's connected to something bigger."
He opened his system HUD in the corner of his vision.
---
📜 Talent Fragment Acquired – Moonblood Vein (Dormant)
❄️ Affiliation: Lunar Lineage
🔸 Traits: Cold Qi Affinity, Memory Retention, Moonlight Resilience
🔒 Dormant – requires bonding trigger
---
> "One step closer."
He clenched his fist.
> "I won't let this world bury me. I'll climb without anyone ever knowing."
Thunder rumbled in the distance. The mist grew thicker.
And somewhere behind him, Elira sat quietly, watching the blood on the grass dry beneath silver moonlight.
---
To Be Continued…