The Cultivation Realms (Power Levels)
In this world, most cultivators take centuries to break through. Kaelen's System allows him to skip the meditation by simply "holding his post."
RealmDescriptionKaelen's ProgressMortal FleshBasic soldiers, no Qi.Completed in 1 hour.Qi RefiningSensing the energy of Heaven and Earth.Completed in 1 day.Foundation EstablishmentBuilding a "Pillar" of power within the soul.Completed in 1 week.Core FormationCondensing Qi into a solid gold pellet.Current Level (Hidden).Nascent SoulBirthing a spiritual avatar; near immortality.Locked (Requires 1 year of guard duty).Soul SeveringCutting ties with mortality to become a Demi-God.Locked.Dao SeekerUnderstanding the fundamental laws of the Universe.Locked.Immortal AscensionReaching the Heavens.The Ultimate
The three experts from the Blood-Scythe Sect didn't understand why their knees were shaking.
To them, the man in the dented iron armor was a non-entity. He didn't have a glowing sword, and he didn't radiate a colorful aura. He just... stood there. But as Kaelen took a single step toward them, the gravity around the Jade Palace entrance tripled.
"Who... what is this pressure?" the lead messenger wheezed. His Core Formation cultivation, usually a source of immense pride, felt like a flickering candle in a hurricane.
Empress Yue looked back, her eyes wide. She felt no pressure—only a strange, warm protection. She saw her silent guard standing behind her, his shadow stretching long across the marble floor, looking like a towering titan.
[System Prompt: Threat detected.]
Host's Passive Skill: [Domain of the Immovable] is reacting.
Effect: Enemies within 10 meters suffer 500% Gravity Increase.
"You... you dare resist the Blood-Scythe Sect?" the messenger roared, trying to draw his crimson blade. "I'll start by slaughtering this tin-can guard!"
He lunged. His blade was a blur of blood-red light, a strike fast enough to decapitate a bull from a hundred paces.
Clink.
Kaelen didn't parry. He didn't dodge. He simply lifted his left gauntlet. The red blade struck his palm and shattered into a thousand jagged glass shards.
The messenger's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "My... my Spirit Grade weapon... broken by a hand?"
Kaelen remained silent. He didn't feel like bragging. He just wanted to finish his shift. He reached out and gripped the messenger's throat.
[Active Skill Triggered: Bone-Crushing Grip]
Current Strength: 5,000 tons.
Cr-crack.
With a sickening pop, the expert's protective Qi shattered like cheap porcelain. Kaelen tossed the limp body aside as if it were a bag of trash. The other two intruders turned pale. They didn't even try to fight; they threw down smoke bombs and attempted to fly away on their sabers.
Kaelen didn't chase them. He simply looked at his halberd.
[Skill: Air-Piercing Throw]
He tossed the halberd. It didn't fly; it teleported. There was a sonic boom that shattered every window in the west wing of the palace. A second later, two explosions of red mist bloomed in the distant sky. The halberd, clean and bloodless, curved through the air like a boomerang and returned to Kaelen's hand.
He went back to his "Statue" pose.
Empress Yue rushed to his side. "Sentry! You... you killed Core Formation experts with your bare hands? Who taught you this? Which Ancient Sect sent you to protect me?"
Kaelen stared straight ahead.
[Warning: If you speak, the '10,000-Year Longevity' reward will be cancelled.]
He remained as silent as a grave.
"Answer me!" Yue demanded, her face inches from his visor. She was so close he could smell the lotus fragrance on her skin. She was breathtakingly beautiful, her eyes swirling with a mix of fear, wonder, and a hint of something else.
Kaelen slowly raised a finger and pointed at the "No Talking" sign posted near the palace gates—a rule meant for servants.
The Empress stared at him, stunned. "You... you're following the servant rules? After showing power that could level a city?"
A small, frustrated laugh escaped her lips. "Fine. Keep your secrets, Silent Guardian. But the Blood-Scythe Sect Leader is a Nascent Soul monster. He will come himself next time. Will you stand by me then?"
Kaelen didn't nod. He didn't bow. He just tightened his grip on the halberd.
Inside his mind, the System chimed:
[Quest Update: Defend the Empress during the Bathing Ritual.]
Reward: [Eyes of Truth - See through any disguise or clothing].
Penalty for Failure: Kingdom Annexation.
Kaelen's heart gave a rare thud. This System was getting dangerous.