In the quiet mountain cave at the far edge of the Azure Sky Sect's outer range, Li Xuan sat in meditation.
His breathing was long and deep, the rhythm of an immortal spring—slow, silent, and eternal. Around him, the world had quieted, and even the birds and beasts avoided the air where he cultivated. Within his mind, the Dao flowed like a mighty river, the spiritual veins in his body shining with a soft glow.
> [Opening Divine Seclusion System…]
[Current Realm: Core Formation (Mid Stage)]
[Cultivation Progress: 43.2% to Late Stage]
[Physique: Primordial Heaven-Born Body]
[Primary Cultivation Technique: Stellar Vein Art (3rd Layer Completed)]
[Treasures Owned: 6 (Concealed from mortal view)]
[Dao Field Status: Fully Active – Hidden from Great Dao, Fate, and Heaven's Eyes]
[Interference Report: 2 Minor Probes / 1 Spiritual Mark Detected (Removed)]
[Threat Assessment: Low]
[Passive Reward Pending: 3 Years in Concealment – Eligible for Claim]
Li Xuan narrowed his eyes.
> "Even with Dao concealment, the heavens still cast threads... But the system blocks all fate probing. Good."
He raised his hand. A small golden talisman appeared in his palm—a Heaven-Hiding Spirit Thread, rewarded by the system just last year. It allowed him to sever even prophecy attempts by major powers.
---
As the mist rolled in and the sky dimmed with evening light, Li Xuan stepped out of his cave for the first time in weeks. As always, he wore the plain outer disciple robes and kept his long hair tied simply.
But today, he decided to descend toward the sect plaza—not for cultivation or missions… but to observe.
And perhaps, for the first time in centuries, to speak.
---
Azure Sky Sect – Outer Sect Plaza
A crowd of younger disciples were gathered around the sparring platform, cheering for a match between a lightning-rooted youth and a girl in blood-red robes.
> "Senior Sister Zhen Rou is going to crush him again!"
> "No fair! She trained with Elder Han last month!"
> "She's ruthless... but beautiful. I'd let her beat me up too."
Li Xuan watched from a distance. Zhen Rou—one of his new disciples—displayed remarkable growth. Each strike she launched was fierce yet controlled. He silently nodded, then turned to leave.
"Wait—Senior Brother Li?"
He stopped.
It was Lan Yue again, this time standing beside two unfamiliar faces: a tall, sword-browed young man and a short, wide-eyed girl clutching a pill pouch.
"This is Senior Brother Xue Yuan and Junior Sister Lian Mei," Lan Yue said brightly. "They've heard stories about your alchemy notes. I thought maybe…"
Li Xuan blinked. "…Notes?"
Lian Mei stepped forward quickly. "Senior Li! They said you wrote a theory about dew-forged pill flame resonance—it helped me save five spirit herbs from exploding!"
Xue Yuan scratched his head. "I always thought you were just hiding to dodge chores, but… those notes were genius."
Li Xuan looked at them, then chuckled lightly.
> "I suppose… some of my habits were discovered."
---
The group walked down the slope together, chatting lightly. For the first time in what felt like lifetimes, Li Xuan allowed the conversation to flow.
Not every bond had to be calculated.
Not every person had to be used.
> "[System Notice: New Favorability Threads Formed – Non-Romantic. Monitoring Connection Stability.]"
He smiled softly.
> "In a world that worships strength… kindness is the rarest sword."