The path leading up Iron Spine Peak was steep, winding through jagged cliffs and ancient pine trees. Morning mist curled around the roots like ghostly fingers. Birds sang nervously, sensing the subtle pulse of power that vibrated through the mountain.
Lin Feng walked calmly, hands in his sleeves, Impact Domain faintly active around him. His Titan Core rotated quietly, adjusting to the ambient spiritual energy. Each step left a slight ripple in the compressed air around him.
SYSTEM ALERT
Host detected by hostile signatures: 3
Realm: Foundation Establishment — Mid Stage
Objective: Capture / Eliminate
Survival Probability: 62% (adjusted for Core Resonance)
Lin Feng smirked.
"Three against me? Cute."
The Ambush
A faint rustle.
A shadow dropped from the trees, moving faster than the eye could track.
Two more followed.
All three cloaked figures landed simultaneously on the path, forming a perfect triangle around Lin Feng.
Hostile aura detected: Poisoned blades, restraint suppressive Qi, sharp spiritual focus.
The leader stepped forward. A tall figure, aura cold as steel, eyes glowing faint green from cultivation energy.
"Titan Core bearer. You will come with us," he said evenly. No emotion. Just intent.
Lin Feng chuckled.
"I was actually going to ask the same… but I forgot where you live."
The leader's eyes narrowed. He gestured subtly, and the two other assassins flanked him, blades poised.
Chaos Instinct Engaged
Lin Feng's body flared with golden light. Chaos Instinct kicked in automatically. Every muscle, tendon, and nerve calculated precise timing:
Attack trajectory
Probability of lethal counter
Environmental factors: tree roots, cliff edges, wind
IMPACT DOMAIN ACTIVE
Radius: 3 meters
Force Multiplier: 220%
He inhaled deeply.
"System, let's have some fun."
Shock Pulse Level 1 ready
Core Resonance Output: 75%
First Clash
The leader struck first, a straight thrust aimed at Lin Feng's chest. His blade condensed spiritual energy into a sharp, narrow point.
Lin Feng stepped slightly to the side. The Impact Domain compressed the air. The blade slowed as it entered the field.
Golden shockwave erupted as Lin Feng's fist countered. He didn't hit the assassin's body directly — just the air around him.
The result: the leader was knocked back three meters, armor dented, aura disrupted.
The two flanking assassins lunged simultaneously. Lin Feng adjusted instantly, stepping forward, shock pulse compressing their force and sending them sliding across the stone path, narrowly avoiding a cliff drop.
XP +340
Fist Points +290
Reputation: Hostile Faction Awareness Escalated
Strategic Advantage
Lin Feng moved into the center of the triangle. Each step bent the air subtly, making approach angles misalign. Chaos Instinct highlighted weak points in the assassins' formation.
Recommendation: Isolate leader, neutralize flankers quickly.
He lunged at the nearest flanker with a straight punch. The Impact Domain amplified every ounce of force.
CRACK.
The assassin's sword shattered mid-strike, blade splintering violently. He tumbled backward into a tree, unconscious but alive.
The other flanker froze. Lin Feng's gaze shifted toward him.
"Don't move."
Domain pressure increased. Minor tremors in the surrounding earth.
The leader hissed, sensing the dangerous multiplier.
"Impossible…"
Lin Feng tilted his head.
"You'll get used to impossible eventually."
Core Resonance Pressure Test
The leader attacked with concentrated Qi slashes, weaving poison and speed into one lethal assault. Lin Feng countered with Shock Pulse, golden energy forming micro-impacts around him.
Each contact did not strike flesh but amplified air density. The leader's speed slowed subtly with each swing.
Impact Domain compressed further. Lin Feng advanced like a ghost.
Force Multiplier: 250%
Core Resonance Stability: 92%
Shock Pulse Output: Level 2
The leader tried a spinning slash, but the ground around him shifted under micro-compression. His foot slipped.
Lin Feng grinned.
"Oops."
A gentle punch forward. The leader flew backward, arms flailing, stopping inches from the cliff edge.
Cliffhanger Moment
The leader struggled to stand. Sweat dripped from his brow. His aura flickered.
He realized Lin Feng wasn't using full Core Resonance output. Not even close.
"Your Titan Core… you haven't even unleashed it fully."
Lin Feng smiled faintly.
"Correct."
SYSTEM ALERT
Hidden Ability Detected: Shock Pulse Lv3 ready for activation
Survival Probability (if activated): 54% for the host, near zero for enemy
The two flankers stirred again, poisonous blades ready. Lin Feng glanced at them.
"Shall we?"
Golden light flared. Impact Domain expanded to its limit, compressing the path, forcing all three assassins to react simultaneously.
The mountain path became a battlefield of precision, pressure, and overwhelming Core Resonance power.