Liang Ze stepped beyond the ruins, leaving the Whispering Shadow behind. The forest surrounding Yunlai Village stretched endlessly, twisted trees and creeping mist obscuring the horizon. Every step he took was a promise—a promise to rise, to grow, and to avenge everything he had lost.
The Shadow Core pulsed in his palm, shadows writhing like living things. The system whispered softly, a constant guide.
"User level: 8. Current attributes: Vitality 52, Strength 45, Agility 56, Intelligence 68. Recommended next action: Locate allies and train against human opponents. Potential threat: rival cultivators."
Liang Ze inhaled, letting the mist fill his lungs. "Allies, huh? Fine… let's see who's worthy."
---
It wasn't long before he heard voices ahead. Human voices, arguing, their tone sharp, carrying the arrogance of youth and power. Liang Ze's instincts tensed.
"...I told you I'm the one who should lead this expedition," a tall youth said, dark hair tied back, eyes gleaming. His robes bore the mark of the Azure Fang Sect, a minor but notoriously skilled cultivation sect in the region.
"You? You almost got us killed in the last trial," another youth snapped back, shorter, stockier, energy rippling faintly around his fists. "If we die again because of you, I'm not saving you next time."
Liang Ze's lips curved into a smile. Human opponents. Finally, someone to test his new skills against.
He stepped out from the shadows, letting his presence be felt. The two youths froze, their gazes snapping toward him.
"You there," the tall one said sharply. "Who are you?"
Liang Ze squared his shoulders, Shadow Core pulsing in his hand. "I'm someone who doesn't like being underestimated. And judging by your aura… neither should you."
The stocky youth laughed. "Ha! Weakling talking big. Step aside, stranger, or we'll send you back to your village in pieces."
Liang Ze's eyes narrowed. "I'm no weakling. And I don't step aside for anyone."
The air between them thickened. Mist swirled, and a subtle vibration of energy hummed in the forest. Liang Ze felt it—the aura of cultivators, strong cultivators. But he also felt… excitement. This was the first real test since gaining the Shadow Core.
---
The tall youth struck first, a blur of speed and steel. Liang Ze vanished into shadows, teleporting behind a tree and striking with Shadow Strike Level 2, slicing a branch near his opponent's head.
"Not bad," the youth muttered, impressed. "You move fast… but speed alone won't win."
He lunged again, this time faster, stronger. Liang Ze teleported twice, narrowly evading a strike that would have split him in two. XP +25 flashed in his vision.
The stocky youth joined in, fists crackling with faint lightning energy. Liang Ze grinned, weaving shadows into armor around him, deflecting the attacks. XP +30. Level 9 achieved. Attribute points available: 5.
He felt his muscles respond instantly, faster and stronger than before. The Shadow Core pulsed warmly, feeding him energy, guiding him.
---
"You're not bad," the tall youth said again, breathing heavily. "I can feel… your potential. Who trained you?"
Liang Ze smirked. "No one. Just… me. And something I found." He gestured to the Shadow Core. "I call it a mentor."
The youths' expressions shifted—curiosity, suspicion, and a hint of respect.
"You've got courage," the stocky youth said. "But courage won't save you from skill."
Liang Ze's eyes glinted. "Then skill it is."
He vanished into shadows, teleporting around the youths, each strike precise. Shadow Manipulation Level 3 allowed him to create extensions of shadow from trees, rocks, and even the mist itself. Blades formed and struck from angles they couldn't anticipate.
The two youths were forced to coordinate, dodging and countering, but Liang Ze was relentless.
XP +50.
---
After several minutes of intense combat, Liang Ze paused, sweat mixing with mist. The youths were panting, bruised, but not defeated. He wiped blood from his lip.
"Enough?" he asked, voice calm but intense.
The tall youth laughed, rubbing his shoulder. "Enough for now… maybe. You're stronger than I expected. Name's Jian Hao, and this idiot is Lin Bo."
Liang Ze nodded. "Liang Ze. Pleasure."
Lin Bo smirked. "Pleasure's mine, if only because I get to watch you try to survive in the wilds here. It's dangerous… especially with those ruins you were coming from."
Liang Ze's eyes narrowed. "Danger is where I thrive."
---
The mist thickened around them as they continued walking deeper into the forest. Liang Ze felt the system pulsing, signaling multiple high-level threats nearby.
"Warning: Rival cultivator detected. High threat. Potential combat unavoidable. Recommended preparation: Shadow Step, Shadow Manipulation, Shadow Strike combination."
Liang Ze grinned. "Bring it on."
From the shadows, a figure emerged—lean, agile, energy radiating like a storm. His hair was silver, eyes cold, and aura lethal. The system flagged him instantly: Rival Tier: High. Strength: Above average for current level.
"You," the figure said, voice sharp. "I've been tracking the Shadow Core. Thought I might find a weakling carrying it… but you… you survived the ruins?"
Liang Ze's hand tightened around the artifact. "I survived because I'm not weak. And I don't give up what's mine."
The silver-haired figure smirked. "Bold. Let's see if you can back it up."
Before Liang Ze could react, the figure launched forward, leaving streaks of silver energy in his wake. Jian Hao and Lin Bo scrambled, attempting to intercept, but the silver-haired cultivator moved like lightning, sidestepping them easily.
Liang Ze activated Shadow Step, vanishing into darkness, and reappeared behind him. Shadow blades extended, slashing at his back.
The figure dodged effortlessly. "Hmm… not bad. But you'll need more than shadows to beat me."
Liang Ze's pulse quickened. He realized immediately—this rival was far beyond Jian Hao and Lin Bo. A true cultivator. Every strike, every dodge had to be precise. One mistake, and he'd be dead.
---
The battle escalated. Silver energy clashed with shadows. Trees splintered, rocks shattered. Mist curled, twisting into sharp tendrils under Liang Ze's control. The system pulsed guidance relentlessly, calculating openings, timing attacks, predicting movements.
XP +70.
Liang Ze dodged, countered, and struck, feeling the Shadow Core resonate with every move. Shadows became extensions of his body, striking faster, deeper, and with more force than his physical strength could ever allow.
The silver-haired rival laughed, voice ringing with thrill. "Impressive. Most wouldn't survive five minutes. You… you might last ten."
Liang Ze smirked. "Then let's make it ten, shall we?"
---
Time blurred. Sweat, blood, and energy collided in a dance of destruction. Jian Hao and Lin Bo tried to assist, but Liang Ze knew they were outmatched. This fight—this rivalry—was his alone.
Finally, Liang Ze saw the opening. The rival overextended during a complex maneuver, leaving a brief gap near his side. Liang Ze concentrated, shadows coiling like serpents, and struck with Shadow Strike + Shadow Manipulation combo.
XP +100. Level 10 achieved. Attribute points available: 5. Shadow Manipulation Level 4 unlocked.
The rival stumbled, eyes wide in shock. Liang Ze didn't pause. Shadows flared, forcing him to retreat while Liang Ze remained on guard, ready to exploit any mistake.
The rival smirked, brushing dust off his robes. "Interesting… most would have attacked recklessly. You… you adapt. I'll remember your name."
Liang Ze nodded. "Liang Ze. And I'll remember yours too."
System notification: Rival engagement complete. XP +120. Level 11 achieved. Skill points available: 5. Main quest progress: 65%.
---
The mist began to lift as the sun dipped low. Liang Ze felt exhaustion creeping in, but he was alive, stronger, and more determined than ever. Jian Hao and Lin Bo approached cautiously, expressions a mix of awe and relief.
"You… survived," Jian Hao said quietly. "Barely. But you're… different. Stronger than any new disciple I've seen."
Lin Bo grinned. "Yeah. And that silver-haired guy… he didn't defeat you. Most would be dead already. You've got guts, Shadow Core or not."
Liang Ze's eyes hardened. "This is just the beginning. If I can survive this forest, these ruins, and that rival… nothing will stop me from growing stronger. Nothing."
---
As night fell over the misty forest, Liang Ze's Shadow Core pulsed brightly, shadows stretching around him, whispering promises of power. The rival would come again. More enemies would test him. But he was ready.
And somewhere, in the distance, the silver-haired cultivator watched, eyes narrowing. A smirk crossed his face.
"So, the orphan is not as weak as rumored… interesting. Let's see how far you can go before I finally crush you."
The game of shadows, rivals, and survival had only begun.
Liang Ze clenched his fists, shadows coiling around him like loyal soldiers.
"Bring it on."