The morning air was sharp, carrying the acrid tang of ash from the battlefield. Lin Yuan's footsteps were silent, deliberate, each step a shadow among the remnants of scorched earth. The wyvern's corpse had long since been decomposed by the system, leaving only faint traces of energy.
Eight realms in Body Tempering. Dragon Physique integrated. Dragon bloodline but for now, it remained dormant. The system would only act once a target fell. Today, however, Lin Yuan had no intention of waiting. His goal was clear: kill the inner disciple who had stolen the treasure his gang had worked hard for.
[Active quest: Locate and eliminate inner disciple responsible for theft.]
The wind shifted, carrying movement. There a human figure cautiously approaching the remnants of the battlefield. The inner disciple, drawn by greed, hoped to harvest whatever remained of the wyvern's corpse, unaware that his previous theft had set him on a path of death.
[Target Detected: Inner disciple. Cultivation Level: Body Tempering Realm 7th Level.]
Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed. He had expected this. The disciple was skilled, with technique advantages over him. But Lin Yuan did not hesitate. Every strike, every maneuver, every step would be deadly. There would be no mercy.
The disciple's eyes widened as he noticed Lin Yuan. Recognition, fear, and defiance flashed across his face. "Lin Yuan…" he hissed. "I thought.."
"You thought wrong," Lin Yuan interrupted coldly. "Today, you die."
The disciple struck first, launching a series of precise, fluid attacks. Each strike was designed to exploit openings, pressure weak points, and outmaneuver an ordinary opponent. Lin Yuan blocked, dodged, and countered with lethal precision, his movements perfectly synchronized with his circulation technique.
The disciple pressed his advantage, using superior combat knowledge to force Lin Yuan into constant defense. Every strike and feint tested him, every motion a trap. Lin Yuan's eyes were cold, calculating. He did not falter. He did not hesitate. Each maneuver was a step toward the disciple's death.
The clash of blades erupted across the battlefield. Dust and stones flew, echoing the deadly rhythm of combat. The disciple's technique advantage allowed him to parry, dodge, and counter, but Lin Yuan's raw power and ruthless intent kept him in control.
A spinning strike, a feint to the left, a sudden thrust—the disciple staggered. Lin Yuan pressed the attack, forcing him into the corner. Every strike was measured, precise, and aimed for lethal openings.
The disciple gasped for breath. Sweat mixed with dirt on his face. His attacks became more desperate, more erratic. Lin Yuan's eyes gleamed with cruel intent. One fatal mistake would end this fight.
He feigned an opening, baiting the disciple to overcommit. When the moment came, Lin Yuan struck with unerring precision. A slash to the shoulder, a thrust to the side deadly, calculated, and unstoppable.
The disciple fell to the ground, bloodied and broken. His body twitched, fighting instinctively, but his fate was sealed. Lin Yuan stepped forward, his eyes dark with merciless intent.
[Target deceased. Devouring function now available.]
Lin Yuan knelt, placing a hand lightly on the disciple's chest. The Devouring System activated. Cultivation energy, residual potential, and essence from the deceased flowed into Lin Yuan—not to increase his bloodline, but to stabilize his Body Tempering Realm and reinforce his foundation. A subtle, vital hum ran through his veins as his muscles, bones, and meridians solidified further.
[Energy absorbed: Realm stabilization achieved. Foundation reinforced.]
Lin Yuan rose slowly, crimson staining his hands. The inner disciple's death was final, and yet he felt no rush of power beyond stabilization. This was merely a step—a necessary one.
The only thing left of the disciple now was the storage ring he had on him which Lin Yuan approached ready to awaken the bloodline.