Chapter 7: Silent Preparation Before the Storm
The next morning, golden rays filtered through the training yard of the outer sect.
Xiao Tian stood alone atop a quiet peak, breathing slowly as mist curled around him. His eyes were calm, yet his body radiated a subtle sharpness—like a sheathed sword ready to be drawn.
> System Notification:
Taichu Holy Land Internal Competition Approaches
[Top 10 will gain entry to: Evergreen Secret Realm]
[Rank 1 Reward: Quasi Holy Son Position, Personal Elder Guidance, One Heaven-Tier Treasure Token]
He exhaled deeply.
"The Evergreen Secret Realm…" he muttered.
That place was not only a sacred ground for talent, but also rich with fate entries. According to the system, there were at least two golden opportunities, and one of them was guarded by a beast on the verge of becoming a spiritual king.
---
Days passed quietly, but Xiao Tian trained with a level of obsession no one in the outer sect could match.
At dawn, he practiced the Sword Flame Heart Refining Technique.
At noon, he tempered his physical body using special ore weighted suits borrowed from the sect armory—quietly exchanged using contribution points earned through menial labor.
At night, he sparred with phantom sword intent using a crude wooden sword, exhausting his stamina until he collapsed.
> Progress:
[Nine-Star Sword Body – 2-Star: 88.4%]
[Sword Flame Technique – Basic Mastery]
[Body Refinement (Intermediate)]
[Sword Intent Comprehension: 6%]
Meanwhile, Ye Qingyu began her own transformation.
Though still low in cultivation, her spiritual flame had awakened.
> Ye Qingyu – Red Fate: 27.8%
Phoenix Soul Resonance: Minor Fire Manipulation Achieved
Every few nights, they sat beneath the starlight, sharing qi-rich fruits and fire-tempering herbs. They didn't speak much, but a silent bond was forming—like coals glowing slowly beneath the ash.
---
Two days before the competition, Xiao Tian visited the Life Script Pavilion.
Normally, only inner disciples and elders had access. But the Life Script System allowed him to simulate fate threads near the competition site.
There, he saw many script fragments:
Lin Chen – Purple Fate (Luck Child): "Near-death, sudden epiphany in the second round. Sword Qi breakthrough."
Mu Yuyan – Red Fate (Hidden Genius): "Loses to Lin Chen narrowly. Secret technique evolves."
Jiang He – Green Fate (Steady Rise): "Stabilizes rank 5, no injuries."
But then, Xiao Tian's eyes narrowed.
> Location Fate Fluctuation Detected – 'Broken Sword Trial Arena'
Golden Fate Opportunity: "Inheritance Fragment of Star Sword God" detected.
> [Requirement: Bloodline Baptism or Nine-Star Sword Body – 2-Star Minimum]
A slow smirk formed on Xiao Tian's face.
"So that's where it is," he whispered.
> Objective Locked: Steal the Star Sword God's Inheritance
[Chance to obtain: 9-Star Supreme Sword Grass]
[Weapon Ranked: High Spiritual Grade Sword – 'Starfall Edge']
---
As the sun set before the competition day, Xiao Tian returned to his quiet peak.
He closed his eyes and whispered a silent vow:
"I don't need to defeat them all. I only need to stand above them—once."
The wind stirred. His sword intent thickened.
Tomorrow, the sword would finally leave its sheath.