The moonlight bled like silver over the arena where Lu Tian's body still lay. No one dared move it. Not yet. Not while the crimson aura of the man who killed him still lingered in the air.
Li Xuan stood on Black Serpent Peak, shirtless, wrapped in fresh bandages soaked with spiritual salve. The wind whispered across his back, brushing the raised scars of heavenly tribulation.
Then came the message.
A scroll. No name. No title. Just one word burned into the parchment: Come.
He understood immediately.
The Sect Master.
The main sect hall loomed like a mountain of jade and gold. Ten thousand steps carved into the cliff led to its doors—steps no outer disciple ever touched.
But Li Xuan climbed them barefoot.
One step. Then another.
By the fifth thousandth, a crushing pressure descended, meant to humble those approaching the Master. Li Xuan's blood churned in resistance. He didn't stop. His red eyes shone, and the pressure cracked.
By the tenth thousandth step, the air around him shimmered with raw qi distortion. The guards at the top stepped aside.
They didn't salute.
They didn't dare.
The doors opened.
Inside stood the Sect Master of the Black Moon Sect—Daoist Qinghong. A silver-robed man, eyes closed, his presence like still water over a void.
"You killed Lu Tian."
Li Xuan said nothing.
"You killed Elder Mo."
Still silence.
"You violated sect law."
The pressure in the hall tightened. Jade pillars groaned under spiritual weight. Lesser disciples would've knelt, bones cracking.
Li Xuan didn't bow.
Daoist Qinghong opened his eyes. Calm. Cold.
Then… he smiled.
"Good."
Silence again.
"I watched the tribulation. I know what's coming for you. Heaven fears you already."
Li Xuan's voice was low, like black thunder. "Then stay out of my path."
Qinghong laughed. "If I were younger, I might challenge you. But the sect… cannot contain you."
He stepped down from his throne and handed Li Xuan a black crystal token.
"Go to the Crimson Nimbus Sect. Far north. They owe me a favor."
Li Xuan took it.
"They'll make you an outer disciple. Don't protest."
He didn't.
"But know this—if you lose yourself, if the power consumes your mind…"
"I'll kill even the stars if they block my way."
Qinghong smiled faintly. "That's what I wanted to hear."
One week later, Li Xuan stepped onto the teleportation platform. Alone. No ceremony. No escort. No farewell.
He vanished in a flash of jade light.
ARRIVING AT THE CRIMSON NIMBUS ACADEMY:
The main courtyard of the Crimson Nimbus Academy buzzed with restless energy.
News of the new transfer had already spread.
"He came from Black Moon Sect?"
"I heard he killed two elders."
"Pfft. Sounds like outer sect trash trying to act tough."
Disciples leaned on pavilion railings, gathered under blossom trees, or crouched along the sparring ring—every one of them geniuses in their own right.
And then, the courtyard grew quiet.
He had arrived.
A black-robed figure with ink-dark hair and red eyes like smoldering embers walked through the stone arch.
Li Xuan.
He looked around—no awe, no hesitation. His steps were steady, like he was walking into his own home.
That alone provoked irritation.
"Hah, too proud," a silver-robed disciple sneered. "Let's see how long he lasts."
"New blood needs to learn his place," another cracked his knuckles.
One of them stepped out.
Zhao Kun. Mid-stage Spirit Condensation Realm. Senior disciple of the Iron Talon division. A well-known bully with decent skills.
"You there—transfer boy," he said, voice loud. "Don't think you can swagger around like some crown prince."
Li Xuan glanced at him. Didn't speak.
Zhao Kun smirked. "What? Cat got your tongue? Then let your body do the talking!"
He launched forward without warning, wind spiraling around his palm. Iron Crane Strike—a swift technique meant to humiliate, not kill.
Li Xuan didn't move.
[System]:
Combat trajectory predicted. Host may counter using Bone-Shattering Step or overwhelm with brute force.
Efficiency rating: Brute Force – 92%.
Recommendation: Make a statement.
He responded with a single forward step—Boom!
The stone cracked under his foot as his fist exploded into Zhao Kun's chest before the crowd could blink.
Zhao Kun was lifted clean off the ground, crashing into a distant pillar. Bones cracked audibly. Blood sprayed.
A stunned silence spread.
"He… countered without a technique?"
"Was that pure strength?"
"No way—he's at Spirit Condensation too?!"
Li Xuan rolled his shoulder, bored.
"Who's next?"
It was like he had spat in the face of every disciple there.
Another stepped out.
Then two more.
A coordinated trio surrounded him.
One had flaming fists, another wielded twin blades, the third manipulated the wind.
Real threats.
Li Xuan's eyes narrowed, feet sliding into a new stance. This wasn't about crushing—this was technique.
[System]:
Threat Level: Moderate
Recommended Response: Utilize Heaven's Vein Footwork + Bone-Fold Palm
Activation speed increased 7% under current adrenaline levels
The first blade came low.
Li Xuan sidestepped. His palm struck the blade-wielder's wrist with precise pressure—crack!
The sword clattered away.
Flame Fist roared, sending a spiraling inferno punch toward his side.
Li Xuan dropped low, spinning with Heaven's Vein Footwork, and let the flames pass overhead. His leg snapped outward like a whip.
The flame user flipped, slamming into a bench.
Wind disciple tried to escape.
Li Xuan reappeared behind him with a burst of spiritual pressure and drove a clean punch into his gut—thud.
Three more collapsed bodies.
The courtyard was dead silent.
From the main balcony above, an elder finally appeared.
Elder Ruan, outer hall supervisor.
"Enough!" he barked. "What is the meaning of this?!"
Li Xuan turned to him, still calm. "They attacked first."
"You crippled three of your peers on your first day!"
"Then teach them to choose better targets."
Gasps echoed. Even Elder Ruan's eye twitched.
"Impudent…"
Another elder placed a hand on his shoulder. Elder Jin, watching silently until now.
"That was no ordinary combat," Jin said, voice calm. "His footwork—classic Heaven's Vein lineage, but modified."
"He altered it?" Ruan asked in disbelief.
Jin looked down at the defeated disciples. "He didn't just overpower them. He dismantled them."
Li Xuan turned to leave.
"Wait," Elder Jin called out. "State your purpose. Why come to Crimson Nimbus?"
Li Xuan stopped. "To climb."
"To where?"
He didn't answer.
He walked away.
The courtyard exploded into whispers.
"Did you see how clean that footwork was?"
"He used pure strength, but… his skill was unreal."
"He crippled Kun like swatting a fly."
In one short conflict, his presence had rippled through the academy.
Back in his assigned courtyard, Li Xuan sat cross-legged. The wind stirred around him as he inhaled qi from the spirit-gathering formation.
The system's voice returned—calm, ever-present.
[System]:
Battle data compiled. Reaction speed up 3.4%.
Technique Adaptation Level: Tier 1 Achieved
Spiritual Core Stability: 79%
Warning: Slight deviation in meridian flow—recommend rest.
He exhaled slowly.
"Show me available missions."
[System]:
Querying academy board…
Top Three Missions:
Escort Caravan Through Wyvern Ridge – Mid Risk – 8 Spirit Stones
Capture Spirit Wolf Cub – High Risk – 5 Spirit Stones + Beast Contract
Investigate Forbidden Tomb Site – High Risk – 1 Earth Grade Technique Scroll
His eyes glinted at the third.
"Accept Tomb Site."
[System]:
Mission accepted. Tracking rune initiated. Coordinates sent to jade slip.
He stood and retrieved his storage ring. A plain blade. A few pills. Nothing more.
Outside, he sensed the eyes watching him.
Another group of disciples stood near the mission hall, whispering again.
He ignored them.
A girl stepped forward—sword on her back, cold eyes.
"You beat Kun. But you won't beat me."
He looked at her once.
"You want to try me here?"
She didn't answer.
She just blushed. Slightly. "You'll need a partner for the tomb. I'm volunteering."
He raised a brow.
[System]:
Body temperature spike detected.
Possible romantic interest: 42%
Counter-suggestion: Remain emotionally distant. Focus on power.
He smirked faintly.
"Follow at your own risk."