The moon was weighty that night, pouring light like silver silk over red tile roofs and quiet courtyards. The bamboo groves outside murmured with the wind, but inside, walled off from the outside world by Azure Spirit Sect's walls, silence held sway—silence before carnage came.
Lin Xuan, holding the spear, walked from shadow to silver light. A veritable contract written against the dark where the icy tip glinted dimly.
Meng Zhao was waiting. The white robe immaculate, long hair held back by jade clasp. His pose was casual. Four others ranged behind him in a loose semicircle, empty eyes and weapons drawn.
"You hide quickly," Meng Zhao complimented like it was a normal subject. His smile, however, was venomous. Even rats, however, stumble into the open.
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. "Interesting metaphor. Are you the crackpot…or the rat?"
One of Meng Zhao's men laughed, but the good humor never left his features. Instead, his aura flared.
He was no match for the Foundation Establishment enforcer guarding the gates — but among Qi Gathering cultivators, Meng Zhao was fearsome. The power of his Qi was just like a running river, hot air filled the courtyard. The air itself changed.
[System Alert: Hostile Qi detected. Acquired cultivation technique: Qi Gathering — Barrier.]
Lin Xuan shouldered a shrug. That pressure was there — but it wasn't overwhelming. Not anymore.
Meng Zhao called out, a dignity in his voice that was as if this were a duel the highest heavens had bore witness. "You have dishonored my family, disgraced my cousin, and disrespected me by breathing the same sect air as I. You will bow and apologize… or you won't see the light of day tomorrow."
Lin Xuan leveled the pointed tip of his spear pole at them, then struck its end on the stone of the courtyard. "Strange. Someone so proud falls fast to assassins and poison. Tonight I kneel before no one but to sink my spear through your heart."
The followers bristled. A scar-faced kid growled, "You the arrogant dog!"
Meng Zhao raised a hand. "No. Let him speak. He will know the cost of being cheeky, soon."
The four attuned Kael'drak's surge and moved as one, blades rotating in a perfect circle intent on outnumbering him.
-[Skill: Twin Fang Saber Form – 3rd Low-grade Dual Strike Technique.]
"Yes.]
[Skill Found: HAWK TALON KICK—Middle-tier leg technique.]
"Yes.]
[Shadow Reed Step — Low-rank footwork detected.]
Yes.]
The System was already knowledge uncurling itself in the back of Mesosapia's mind, weaving through those motions and folding it into Lin Xuan with one move or creeping touch. His boot blurred around in a wide, arcing counter-kick that swept the first off their feet just after his spear snatched both Impact Sabers up and aside, coercing them off-target into an evading maneuver.
The second followed up with behind him light fast thrusts. Lin Xuan side-stepped, his body fading back only one footstep away, and a spear directly rushing out from the side swept across and struck down on the man's waist. Bone cracked audibly.
The two-man crowd still remaining looked at the glance of Meng Zhao, hesitant.
With a single, fluid movement, the sword slid from its scabbard in a flash of his dense Qi imbued blade. His aura surged, pressing against her, holding promise of a coming storm.
[Skill Found: Moonfall Sword Art — Low-Grade Sword Technique. Acquisition blocked: insufficient compatibility.]
Lin Xuan's lips tightened. Then the System was not omnipotent—some skills needed more than superficial affinity or Vena-mora talent.
[Alternate Recommendation: Adaptive Counterform synthesis is out there as far better] Skyfall Hand (more explanation as to why is required) Stone Piercing Lunge Silver Arc Slash
"Yes.]
The spear in his hands thrummed with a life of its own, as if it could not wait to drink more blood.
The first mover was Meng Zhao, and he struck like the aftermath of a falling star. Lin Xuan only managed to have it intercepted by his spear, causing the entire courtyard to tremble violently. Stone cracked beneath their feet.
On a nearby porch, the shadows stirred. Core disciples and a couple of elders that rushed over when they heard the raging Qi.
An outer disciple quietly said: "The wars of Mengzhao warriors are close to the peak level of outer disciples. That newcomer will be carved in a breath."
Another, sharper-eyed, murmured, "Look again. That was a spear work of his but it is not ordinary…"
In truth, Lin Xuan's actions were slightly out of place because he had practiced each move for several years instead of only days. The System gave no immediate present — but it guaranteed its after effects.
Meng Zhao spun around again, sword strikes coming even more forcefully than before. Lin Xuan's spear dance followed so his spinning, redirecting and precise counters. Each block wore out his arms, each counter sapped his wind.
And every time something changed.
The swirling Qi illuminated a touch of light blue along the spear tip, as it cut across in his direction. The projectile of the first strike resorted instead to just grazing along Meng Zhao's sleeve. Another split cut into one of his locks.
Meng Zhao smiled, his cold mask scuffled in the twilight of a darker release. "You dare draw my blood?"
He suddenly took a step backward, his left hand quickly formed a seal. Silvery light traced its depths, the sword in Albrik's right hand.
[System Alert: Qi Surge detected. Moonfall Execution: a deadly strike. TECHNIQUE]
Lin Xuan's chest tightened. Then came a single clean one from that, and down he went.
[System Prompt: Emergency Fusion available. Risk: Meridians may sustain damage.]
"Yes!"
Three techniques overlapped in a rush of instinct -- Flowing Water Counterform, Dragon Fang Thrust, and Skyfall Hand. His spear plunged, deflection proving impossible as it twisted with unerring accuracy borne of skill and frantic intent.
Sword met spear with a tremendous crash that sent their opponent smashing into the flagstones as the courtyard erupted in light.
By the time the dust began to settle, Lin Xuan was on one knee, leaning heavily against his spear that he had detonated into the ground for balance. There was a little blood dribbling from a gash on his cheek, but his eyes were bright.
Meng Zhao was ten steps away, his robe ripped apart through the chest and painted a file of dark red. Fury contorted his face.
"You—" he began.
Just then a thunderous voice cut across the courtyard before he could.
"Enough."
A wise man emerged, his being a mighty balm on the ruin.
"Azure Spirit Sect, not butcher alley. Reserve your blood feuds for the appropriate venues."
Meng Zhao's jaw tightened. With a stiff bow, he swirled his robes behind him and walked away. His followers chased after him, glaring at Lin Xuan.
After the silence, the elder's eyes turned to Lin Xuan. He did not say anything for a long time. Then, with a faint frown:
"You… are not simple."
There was no praise in the words, only warning.
The System echoed in Lin Xuan's mind.
[Hidden Quest Complete: Survive Direct Attempt on Core Disciple. Reward: Qi Circulation Technique (Mid-Grade) obtained.]
Lin Xuan climbed up with one hand, and he wiped the blood on his face. The first run-in with him in the sect was dealt with — yet, that was just the beginning of the fight for survival.