The winds howled across the Trial Plateau as crimson light dimmed from the Heaven's Ladder. Atop the sixteenth step, Kai Lin stood unmoving. Blood—not his—dripped from his fingers and pooled at his feet.
Li Shen groaned below, curled at the base of the stairs. His violet inner sect robes were torn through, dyed dark red. He clutched his side, eyes wide with disbelief. He had been the third-ranked prodigy of the inner sect—yet this nobody from the outer sect had struck him down in a single move.
The crowd that had gathered was silent. Not out of respect—but fear.
Ding—
Blood Trial Complete.
Optional Sign-In Path Unlocked: [Sovereign's Suppression]
Acquired: [Heaven-Severing Manual – Fragment II]
Heaven-Severing Progress: 0.7%
Hidden Trait Revealed: [Sovereign Will - Tier I]
(Opponents of lower realm suffer -10% combat ability in direct duels)
Kai Lin exhaled slowly, dark Qi retreating into his core.
The seal in his dantian pulsed. Faint golden patterns coiled around his meridians like serpents slithering beneath his skin. His cultivation, still at Meridian Awakening – Peak, was teetering at the edge. Just one push more…
System Warning: Breakthrough Available.
Do you wish to attempt advancement to Spirit Vein Realm (Early Stage)?
Not here. He descended the remaining steps and turned his back to the stunned sect disciples.
The Overseer cleared his throat, voice hoarse. "Kai Lin… has cleared the Heaven's Ladder. He is now recognized as a candidate for inner sect evaluation."
A pause.
"…And for defeating an inner sect ranked disciple in official trial conditions, his promotion is immediate. Effective now."
The sect stirred.
"Kai Lin… Inner Sect?"
"He was outer sect two days ago!"
"What kind of monster is he?"
"Did he really sever Li Shen's sword strike?"
Even among the elders, murmurs began. Two cloaked figures seated on jade thrones exchanged glances.
"He used a severing art," one elder whispered. "Not swordsmanship. Something ancient."
The other narrowed his eyes. "That boy's roots must be investigated."
Sect Master's Pavilion, Three Hours Later
The upper peaks of Cloudveil Sect rarely saw activity. Only the highest-ranking elders and direct disciples were allowed near the Pavilion.
Now, the quiet was broken.
Three projection mirrors floated in mid-air. On each hovered the image of a young man in black robes, face cold, eyes like dark stars.
"His name is Kai Lin," said the first elder. "Previously considered trash. No known background. His spiritual roots were crippled."
"Crippled?" the second scoffed. "He just defeated Li Shen."
The third elder, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"Place him under light surveillance. Do not interfere yet. Let's see what moves he makes once accepted into the inner sect."
Outer Sect – Kai Lin's Residence
That night, the stars above were veiled in thick clouds. Kai Lin sat cross-legged within his tiny bamboo residence, the flickering light of a single talisman-lantern illuminating the walls.
His breaths were steady. His Qi flowed like molten steel, washing through his meridians in disciplined loops. The Meridian Awakening Realm was never meant to hold this much Qi—he was bursting at the seams.
Ding—
Breakthrough Initiated.
Advancing to: Spirit Vein Realm (Early Stage)
Warning: Hidden Seal will begin to loosen. Unique Constitution Traits may awaken.
Boom—!
His dantian shook. A surge of spiritual force exploded within. Faint golden veins carved their way across his inner body like divine etchings on jade.
He clenched his teeth.
It felt like his bones were being reforged.
But more than that, something deep within—something ancient and cruel—was awakening.
System Alert: Cultivation Breakthrough Complete
Current Realm: Spirit Vein Realm – Early Stage
Reward Triggered: [First Blood Advancement]
Acquired: Cultivation Technique – [Heaven-Severing Manual: Root Severing]
Trait Awakened: [Sealed Sovereign Constitution – Stage I]
Effect: +15% cultivation speed, +10% resistance to spiritual suppression.
Kai Lin opened his eyes.
They were no longer calm.
Now, they gleamed with killing intent—and purpose.
The Next Morning
The sect bulletin wall, located in the central plaza, had been updated.
Inner Sect Announcement:
"Kai Lin, newly promoted. Assigned Residence: Wind Platform 17."
"Special Status: Trial Combatant. Observation Pending."
The words caused an uproar.
Some inner sect disciples were silent—calculating.
Others, like Liang Zhao and the Copper Fist Hall, were furious.
"That cripple is being coddled," Liang Zhao hissed, gripping his sword so tightly the hilt cracked.
But others were curious.
Lan Xue read the bulletin in silence.
Then smiled.
Wind Platform 17 – That Same Day
Kai Lin stood before his new quarters. Compared to his former bamboo shack, it was a palace.
Stone floors. A small courtyard. A Qi condensation formation embedded in the roof. Even a cultivation spring.
He stepped inside and felt the Qi density shift instantly.
Ding—
Location Bonus: Cultivation Efficiency +8%
You are now eligible to begin Inner Sect Missions.
He walked to the inner chamber and unfurled the mission scroll left at his door.
Available Missions (Ranked by Risk):
• Escort Elder disciple to Cloudpine Ridge – 200 merit
• Guard Alchemy Pavilion's resource caravan – 300 merit
• Eliminate rogue beast at Hollow Fang Valley – 500 merit
• Investigation: Cultivators Missing near Demonrift Forest – 800 merit
Kai Lin's eyes locked on the final mission.
Ding—
Special Sign-In Triggered: First Inner Sect Mission.
Recommended: Choose mission of danger rating C+ or higher.
Reward: Manual Fragment or Sealed Memory Unlock.
Kai Lin didn't hesitate.
He picked up the jade slip and carved his choice with a thin cut of Qi.
[Accepted: Investigation – Demonrift Forest]