Within the depths of the Azure Sky Sect's forbidden rear mountain range, where mortals feared to step and beasts dared not enter, a secluded cave flickered with golden light.
Inside, sitting cross-legged within a lotus-shaped formation, Li Xuan exhaled slowly.
A wave of ancient qi trembled outward.
His body was cloaked in a faint halo, formed of layered runes, floating Dao patterns, and shadowy essence drawn from the world itself. The cliff above his cave had become a natural spirit vein due to his prolonged cultivation—purely through his presence alone.
---
[System Notification – Current Status Displayed]
Name: Li Xuan
Cultivation Realm: Nascent Soul – Peak
Lifespan: 3,400 Years
Dao Physique: Primordial Void Vessel Body
Primary Technique: Silent Origin Sutra
Dharma Treasure: Heavenfall Mirror, Eclipse Sword Seed, Nine-Eyed Void Lotus
Next Reward in: 2 Years, 11 Months, 13 Days
---
Li Xuan's eyes remained closed.
'Peak of Nascent Soul… I can already sense the next tribulation storm gathering in the Dao above.'
He focused inward.
Within his sea of consciousness, his Nascent Soul stood on an island of pure starlight, surrounded by concentric rings of black and white energy—yin and yang perfectly balanced. Floating beside the soul were three artifacts: his Dharma treasures, awaiting summoning.
But most peculiar was the Eclipse Sword Seed, which constantly emitted a low hum, as if craving to be drawn.
Li Xuan whispered internally, "You want battle, don't you… but not yet."
---
He activated his Silent Origin Sutra, a technique the system had granted him three decades ago. The technique devoured ambient spiritual qi and transmuted it into Origin Qi—refined, perfect, and untraceable. It made no sound. It left no trace. Even Heaven's Eye could not observe its flow.
As the technique revolved, his meridians trembled, strengthened, reshaped.
Li Xuan's body shone with deep golden light, flickering with black rune lines—proof of his Primordial Void Vessel Body, a Dao Physique that allowed him to store infinite qi and erase presence at will.
'At this pace, I will reach Soul Sea Expansion within five years… perhaps less if a breakthrough opportunity arrives.'
Suddenly, the cave rumbled faintly.
Not from danger—but from resonance.
Li Xuan opened his eyes.
A familiar presence had arrived.
---
Outside the cave, a young woman knelt in the grass, holding a bamboo basket of spirit fruits. Her eyes were like twin autumn lakes, and her robe bore the Azure Sky Sect's outer disciple insignia.
"Senior Brother Li… I brought you this week's harvest," she said shyly.
Her name was Mu Yilan, one of the recently accepted disciples. Though young and inexperienced, she was known in the sect for her gentle nature and astonishing potential.
Li Xuan smiled softly behind the shadow veil that masked his true aura.
"You may leave it there. Thank you."
Mu Yilan hesitated, her cheeks slightly red.
"Senior Brother… um… I heard there's a strange group of outer sect cultivators who arrived recently. Their auras feel off…"
Li Xuan's gaze deepened.
'The Shadow Envoys already slipped in…'
He nodded lightly. "Be careful who you speak with. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts."
Mu Yilan blinked in surprise—then nodded quickly.
As she left, Li Xuan turned back toward the interior.
"The Demon Sect moves, my cultivation approaches a threshold, and I sense the Heavenly Dao watching the region again…"
He reached forward and touched the Heavenfall Mirror, and a vision swirled across its surface—dim silhouettes of the Crimson Spirit Demon Sect.
A quiet sigh escaped his lips.
"Time to make preparations for the next realm. And if necessary… remove some pests before they reach the inner mountain."
---
[System Notification – New Function Unlocked: Destiny Veil (Passive)]
Effect: Automatically nullifies all fate-seeking or karma-divining abilities from enemies below Saint Realm.
---
Li Xuan closed his eyes once more, and the world fell silent. His aura vanished as though he never existed.
Yet beneath that veil, a storm quietly brewed.
The Hidden Sovereign was preparing to ascend once again.