🌫️ Somewhere Deep in Mistveil Valley
A jagged cliff wall loomed beneath the roots of a withered mountain. Hidden behind layers of illusory fog and natural spiritual interference was a space no one—man, beast, or god—could sense.
A silent cave.
No entrance visible. No spiritual fluctuations.
Just… absence.
Inside that hollow world, Shěn Nìchén sat cross-legged in complete silence.
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> [System Notification – Hidden Space Fully Formed]
🛡️ Location: Cave of Shadows – Grade: Supreme Concealment Realm
☯️ Effect: Undetectable by all mortal, celestial, and divine senses.
🌙 Time Ratio: 3:1 – Three days pass inside for every one outside.
The walls hummed faintly with spatial seals, all formed by the system. A natural cultivation furnace without risk.
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⚡ Breakthrough Begins
Shěn Nìchén's breath was steady, eyes closed, katana resting on his knees.
Qi coursed through his supreme body like liquid starlight, flowing with no resistance. The damaged meridians he was born with had long been overwritten.
Now… his foundation was awakening.
> [System Scan: Cultivation Bottleneck Reached]
🔓 Trigger: Void Supreme Immortal Body — Initiating Forced Compression Cycle
🎯 Current Realm: Qi Gathering Stage 2
⏫ Breakthrough Target: Foundation Establishment – Late Stage
⚠️ Estimated Pain Level: Extreme. Chance of Failure: 0%
Nìchén opened his eyes, expression blank.
> "Begin."
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💥 Inside His Dantian
The spiritual core within him expanded violently—shattering past early and mid stages of Foundation Establishment in mere moments.
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
Three distinct pulses echoed silently through his body.
Outside, the air didn't ripple.
Inside, his organs were reforged. His bones echoed like metal ringing. His soul itself stretched, stabilized, and compressed into a core of layered power.
No shouting. No thunder. No golden lights.
Just quiet.
Efficient. Ruthless. Controlled.
---
> ✅ Breakthrough Complete
📈 Realm Achieved: Foundation Establishment – Late Stage
💠 Supreme Body Sync Rate: 22% (Dormant)
🔒 No spiritual fluctuations leaked. Status remains hidden.
---
Shěn opened his eyes slowly.
Even now, his aura showed only Qi Gathering Stage 1. The concealment was absolute.
He stood, drew his katana half an inch—and sheathed it again.
> "I'll remain unseen."
His voice was low. Calm. Detached.
---
🗡️ System Prompt – New Mission Available
> 🔔 Hidden Mission: Step Beyond the Mortal Sword
🎯 Objective: Comprehend Sword Truth during battle with a Core Formation opponent
💠 Reward: Immortal Sword Intent (Incomplete Form)
🌫️ Bonus Feature: Eternal Edge Memory – Retain sword comprehension even if sealed or reincarnated
Nìchén studied the screen, then dismissed it.
> "Not yet. But soon."
He turned toward the deeper chambers of the cave—a meditation space, a spirit herb nursery, and even a hidden pool glowing with cold Qi.
All generated by the system. All undetectable.
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🕶️ Personality Note – Shěn Nìchén
Despite breaking realms in record time, Shěn showed no pride. No arrogance. No need for praise.
He cultivated for one reason: survival.
Power was just a tool.
And attention was a trap.
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🔚 Scene Shift – Outside Mistveil Valley
Disciples wandered, searching. Elders questioned. Rumors spread of a ghost slayer in the mist, of beasts killed with no trace.
But no one ever found a body.
No one saw the strikes.
And no one—no matter how high they reached—could sense what lay beneath the blackwood cliffs.
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To Be Continued…
📖 Next Chapter: "A Sword Without Name, A Fight Without Witness"