🌫️ Eastern Fractured Continent – Dustveil Outer Region
The wind whispered across a barren hill. Dustveil Village, a forgotten settlement on the edge of the vast cultivation world, sat under the shadow of broken mountains. Its people, poor and bitter, lived without hope—except for one.
Beneath a dried plum blossom tree stood a youth. Pale silver hair kissed his shoulders. His skin was fair, unmarred like jade, and his deep onyx eyes mirrored the void itself—cold, mysterious, detached.
He was seventeen.
His name was Shén Wúliáng (神无量).
Villagers called him a cripple, born with Sealed Meridians, unable to absorb even a wisp of spiritual qi. Many believed he wouldn't live past childhood. But now, he stood silent, his figure tall and proud, as if mocking fate itself.
Yet no one could see the flicker behind his eyes.
No one could see… the screen only he could view.
> 🔸 [Eternal Transcendence System Initializing…]
🔸 [Welcome, Host. You are the Sole System User in this Reality.]
🔸 [Binding Completed. Starting Hidden Mission Sequence.]
His lips barely moved.
"So… this is what you meant, father…"
He turned his gaze toward the clouds. His father had died mysteriously a year ago, leaving behind a jade pendant that had cracked last night—awakening the system sealed within his soul.
> 🔸 [Mission 1: Defy Fate]
Survive the upcoming selection trial of the Rainmist Outer Sect.
Reward: Unlock Meridian Reconstruction Pill (Heaven Rank)
Time Limit: 3 days
His slightly narrowed eyes flashed with killing intent for a second.
"Three days… So be it."
---
⛰️ Rainmist Outer Sect – Regional Selection Hall
Across the continent, thousands of outer sects scouted talent from villages. Only one or two in a hundred would be chosen. Most applicants were already in Qi Refinement Realm, while Shén Wúliáng was… nothing.
Among the gathered candidates, one stood out—a golden-eyed youth with burning red hair, the flame of arrogance in his stance.
🔥 Lián Huā (焰莲) – Known as the Crimson Flame Heir, born with the Blazing Lotus Physique. Already at 2nd Layer of Qi Refinement, his clan offered tributes to the sect just to guarantee his placement.
He sneered as his gaze fell upon Shén Wúliáng.
"Hah. Didn't know they allowed beggars here. Wait—oh right. You're that cripple from Dustveil. I heard even pigs gather more spiritual qi than you."
Others laughed. A girl among them frowned slightly.
👤 Yuè Lánxuē (月兰雪) – Daughter of the Moonchant Pavilion Lord, famed for her graceful swordsmanship and elegant beauty. She looked at Shén Wúliáng with curiosity.
"His eyes… are too calm for someone powerless."
She was no fool. True cultivators can sense danger… and something about this 'cripple' made her heart uneasy.
---
⚔️ Selection Test – Stone Platform of Spiritual Light
The cultivators stood before an ancient stone platform. When touched, the stone would glow, judging talent and spiritual roots.
When Lián Huā placed his hand on it, crimson light exploded, shocking the elders.
> "Blazing Lotus Physique—confirmed!" "A true prodigy! He will surely reach Foundation Establishment in three years!"
Cheers erupted.
Then came Shén Wúliáng's turn.
He walked slowly, each step light but resolute. The crowd whispered, mocking him. He raised his hand and touched the stone.
Nothing.
Then—suddenly—the stone cracked.
> "W-What?! The Spirit Testing Stone shattered?!"
"Impossible! That stone was forged by Immortal Flame Lord himself!"
But no light came. The elders frowned.
"No reaction… Still a cripple. Trash."
Lián Huā laughed. "Cracking the stone out of shame, huh? Coward!"
Wúliáng said nothing. But in his mind—
> 🔸 [Hidden Objective Achieved: Break the Spirit Testing Stone]
Reward Unlocked: Meridian Reconstruction Pill – Heaven Rank (Bound)
Status: Automatically consumed
Effect: All 12 Major Meridians Unsealed. Enhanced absorption rate ×12. Passive effect: Cultivation Concealment.]
His breath remained calm.
Inside, his body began to tremble as rivers of qi surged into his bones for the first time.
No one knew.
---
🌌 Later That Night – Silent Ridge
Sitting alone atop a cliff, Wúliáng's silver hair flowed like a celestial veil.
He stared at the moon.
> 🔸 [Congratulations. You have stepped into the 1st Layer of Qi Refinement.]
🔸 [Next Mission: "Crimson Duel" – Defeat Lián Huā in 7 days.]
Reward: Random Sword Art (Rare Grade or Higher)
His lips curled just slightly, almost imperceptibly.
"So... you want me to crush him?"
The moonlight shimmered. His hand hovered near a stick beside him.
He picked it up. A soft rustle.
He slashed.
A tree a hundred meters away was sliced in half.
> ⚔️ [Sword Intent: First Glimpse – Unlocked]
Even with just a stick, in his hand—it was a sword.