The moment the door opened—
Everything froze.
Three outer disciples stood at the entrance, their expressions shifting from confusion… to shock… to fear.
The metallic scent of blood hit them instantly.
Their eyes swept the room.
Three corpses.
Collapsed.
Cold.
And at the center—
Lin Ye.
Standing quietly, drenched in blood like a demon crawling out from hell.
"You…"
One of them pointed, voice trembling.
"W-what happened here?!"
Lin Ye didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he tilted his head slightly.
Observing them.
Measuring them.
Three enemies.
All stronger than the previous ones.
But not by much.
[Ding!]
[Target Scan Activated]
Target 1: Level 2
Target 2: Level 2
Target 3: Level 3
Lin Ye's lips curled faintly.
"Good."
His voice was low.
"More experience."
The three disciples stiffened.
"You're insane!"
"Kill him!"
"Report later!"
This time—
They didn't hesitate.
All three rushed forward at once.
⚔️ The First Real Battle
The room was small.
Too small for retreat.
Too small for escape.
But perfect…
For slaughter.
The first disciple lunged, fist aimed straight at Lin Ye's face.
Fast.
But in Lin Ye's eyes—
Too slow.
He stepped aside.
Effortlessly.
Then countered.
BAM!
His fist slammed into the attacker's ribs.
A crack echoed.
The disciple screamed, body twisting mid-air before crashing into the ground.
[Ding!]
[Skill Unlocked: Basic Combat Instinct]
Information flooded Lin Ye's mind.
Angles.
Timing.
Weak points.
"So this is… combat skill…"
His eyes sharpened further.
The second attacker came from behind.
A kick aimed at his spine.
But Lin Ye moved before it landed.
He ducked.
Spun.
And grabbed the attacker's leg mid-air.
"What—?!"
SLAM!
He smashed the man into the ground with brutal force.
Dust rose.
Bones cracked.
The third disciple—the strongest—hesitated.
Fear flickered in his eyes.
"This monster…"
Lin Ye stood slowly.
His movements now smoother.
More efficient.
Like a predator learning how to hunt.
"Your turn."
The Level 3 disciple gritted his teeth.
"I'm not like them!"
He drew a short blade.
Qi faintly gathered around it.
Lin Ye narrowed his eyes.
"A weapon…"
The disciple charged.
Faster than the others.
His blade slashed toward Lin Ye's throat.
Lin Ye stepped back—
But not enough.
Slash!
A thin line of blood appeared on his neck.
He touched it.
Looked at the blood on his fingers.
"…Interesting."
Instead of fear—
There was excitement.
The disciple roared.
"Die!"
He attacked again—faster, more desperate.
But Lin Ye had already adapted.
Step.
Dodge.
Step.
Avoid.
Each movement was precise.
Minimal.
Deadly.
Then—
He saw it.
An opening.
"Too wide…"
Lin Ye stepped forward instead of back.
The blade passed beside his shoulder—
And—
CRACK!
His fist slammed into the disciple's jaw.
Teeth shattered.
Blood sprayed.
Before the disciple could recover—
Lin Ye grabbed his head.
And smashed it into the wall.
BANG!
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The body went limp.
[Ding!]
[Kill Confirmed]
[+120 EXP]
The other two—
Were still alive.
Barely.
They crawled backward, terror in their eyes.
"M-monster…!"
"Please… don't kill me…"
Lin Ye walked toward them slowly.
Blood dripped from his fingers.
His breathing steady.
His expression calm.
"You attacked first."
"No! We were wrong! We'll never—"
CRACK!
He crushed one's throat without hesitation.
[Ding!]
[+70 EXP]
The last one screamed.
"AHHH—!"
He tried to crawl away—
But Lin Ye stepped on his back.
Silence fell.
"Mercy…"
The disciple whispered weakly.
Lin Ye looked down at him.
For a brief second—
He remembered his previous life.
A world where killing was wrong.
Where mercy existed.
Then—
He looked at the corpses around him.
At the reality of this world.
"…Wrong place for mercy."
THUD!
[Ding!]
[+80 EXP]
[Level Up: 3 → 4]
[All Stats Increased]
A powerful surge exploded within him.
Stronger.
Faster.
Sharper.
Blood energy once again rose from the corpses—
Flowing into his body.
[Blood Essence Absorbed]
[Body Strengthened]
Lin Ye closed his eyes briefly.
Enjoying it.
"…Addictive."
When he opened them again—
Something had changed.
Not just strength.
But presence.
If before he looked like a desperate survivor—
Now—
He looked like a killer.
🌙 Aftermath
The room was silent.
Six corpses.
Blood everywhere.
Lin Ye looked around.
"This won't stay hidden…"
He walked toward the door.
Then paused.
Footsteps.
Light.
Graceful.
Approaching.
Not like the others.
A figure appeared at the entrance.
White robes.
Cold aura.
Beautiful… yet distant.
Her eyes swept the room.
Paused on the corpses.
Then—
Landed on Lin Ye.
For the first time—
Lin Ye felt something different.
Not fear.
Not excitement.
Pressure.
"You did this?"
Her voice was calm.
Like ice.
Lin Ye met her gaze.
Unflinching.
"…Yes."
The woman studied him carefully.
As if trying to see through him.
Then she spoke—
"Interesting."
And just like that—
She turned.
And left.
No report.
No alarm.
Nothing.
Lin Ye frowned slightly.
"…Who was that?"
[Ding!]
[New Target Identified]
[Name: Su Qingyue]
[Status: Inner Sect Genius]
[Threat Level: Extremely High]
Lin Ye's eyes narrowed.
"Su Qingyue…"
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"This world just got more interesting."