The great Immortal Flame bell tolled once—its deep chime echoing across the floating mountains.
It was a sound only heard when the sect recognized a rising star.
Jinhyuk stood in the main square, calm as always, as dozens of disciples murmured and stared. Whispers followed him like shadows.
"Did you hear? He beat Wen Zhiyang."
"And copied his technique on the spot!"
"Even Mu Yuelin's favoring him now…"
Mu Yuelin approached in full crimson armor, her silver hair tied back like a battle flag. In her hand was a letter sealed with golden wax—bearing the sect's core flame insignia.
"Lee Jinhyuk," she said formally. "The elders have summoned you. You are invited to join the Core Path."
Everyone went silent.
The Core Path was sacred.
Only ten disciples at a time could walk it—training personally under the ancient elders, receiving secret techniques, artifacts, and guidance to reach Foundation Establishment and beyond.
Jinhyuk took the letter.
"Understood."
---
Hours later, inside the Sect's inner sanctum, he stood before Elder Wu Yuan, a terrifying man whose presence alone could boil blood.
"You're different," Wu Yuan said, stroking his black beard. "You copy styles. Refine them. Improve them."
> [Danger Detected: Wu Yuan – Unknown Rank]
[Warning: Target cannot be scanned]
[System Inhibiting Function – Partial Lock]
Interesting.
Wu Yuan leaned forward. "Your rise is too fast. Too clean. That makes the old men nervous."
Jinhyuk met his gaze. "Should I slow down?"
The elder grinned. "No. I want you to go faster."
With a wave of his sleeve, a jade slip floated into Jinhyuk's hand.
"Take this. 'Void Flame Scripture'. A lost technique no one's been able to master in a century. If you can learn even the first layer, I'll make you my personal disciple."
Jinhyuk nodded slowly, eyes scanning the jade.
> [Skill Detected: Void Flame Scripture – Tier: Heaven Grade (Fragmented)]
[Copying...]
[Integration Failed – Requires Foundation Establishment Cultivation]
So he needed to level up again.
No problem.
---
Later that night, Jinhyuk stood alone on a cliffside platform, the wind tugging at his robes. The stars stretched above like cold flames.
He held the jade slip in one hand, his other clenching tightly.
> [Progress: 7/100 Techniques Copied]
[Foundation Breakthrough Path – 34% Synced]
[Hidden Quest Available: "Eclipse Blade – Founder's Trial"]
[Optional Path: Gain Recognition from All Three Core Elders]
Mu Yuelin approached silently.
"You accepted the jade," she said.
"I'm not afraid of burning my hands."
She leaned against the railing beside him, her eyes softer than usual.
"I asked around," she said. "There's no record of you in any lower sect. No history. No family name."
He didn't answer.
"...Are you from the other world?" she asked quietly.
He finally looked at her.
"Will you hate me if I am?"
She was silent.
Then she said, "Only if you lie to me again."
And for a moment, just a fleeting one—there was no sect, no system, no vengeance.
Just two people standing under the stars.