⸻
The world was quiet… until it wasn't.
Li Xuan jolted awake, his entire body drenched in sweat. His chest burned, and his veins felt like they were trying to ignite from the inside. He didn't need the system to tell him something was awakening inside him.
[System Alert: Hidden Bloodline Resonance Detected…]
—Origin: Unknown
—Status: Dormant
—Trigger: Ancient Flame Altar proximity
—Recommendation: Investigate immediately. System cannot identify further without contact.
He sat up sharply.
"Flame altar? Where?"
[Location Pinged: South-West of Outer Sect, Trial Region – Restricted Zone]
Estimated Distance: 23 kilometers
He muttered, "Let me guess… Forbidden for all disciples under Inner Rank?"
[Correct.]
He grinned.
"…Perfect."
—
Twenty-three kilometers later…
Covered in dust, sweat, and dried beast blood, Li Xuan stood at the edge of a scorched basin. Black rocks cracked under his steps. Lava pulsed beneath stone veins. In the center stood an ancient altar, shaped like a blooming lotus made of volcanic obsidian.
[System Warning: Spiritual field density reaching critical levels. Host protection initiated.]
And yet, the moment he stepped forward, everything stilled.
The altar trembled.
It responded.
His chest burned again—and this time, the faint image of a fiery emblem appeared on his back. Not a tattoo. Not a seal.
Something older.
Primordial.
His blood pulsed with power… and with it, pain.
[System Update: Bloodline Attribute Identified – Phoenix Ash Vein (Fragmented)]
Trait: Rebirth Through Suffering
Trait: Passive Fire Affinity Amplification
Trait: ??? – Requires further awakening
Li Xuan collapsed to one knee as the altar ignited in blinding light.
The ground beneath him split.
And he fell—
—
Into fire.
A sealed trial space. Ancient. Forgotten.
Stone stands surrounded him—an arena, but far older than anything in the sect.
And at the center… was a single flame.
Burning.
Waiting.
[Initiating Trial: Arena of Fire]
Win: Bloodline Amplification + Reward
Lose: Incineration
System Override: ACTIVE
Long Chen Intervention Level: Partial
Long Chen's voice growled in the back of his mind.
"This trial doesn't care who your parents were or what pretty blood you have. Survive it, and maybe you're worth half a sentence from me."
Li Xuan stood.
The fire cracked.
From within it emerged an opponent—no, a creature. A humanoid golem forged of flame, with blazing eyes and fists that scorched the very air.
[Trial Opponent: Flame Golem – Tempered Body, Peak Qi Condensation, Limitless Heat Core]
Li Xuan's aura flared.
The star behind him rotated, shining like an eye.
He activated Phantom Step, dodging the first punch, which shattered the air with molten pressure.
He countered—but the golem didn't move. Its heat melted the edge of his saber.
His blade hissed.
Li Xuan cursed. "You bastard."
He dropped the saber.
And punched.
—
Flame met fist. He roared as skin burned, bones cracked—but he kept going. Every hit he took ignited the Phoenix Ash Vein, the pain transforming into raw strength.
He was bleeding. Crying. Laughing.
And finally, the golem cracked.
Then shattered.
Ash rained around him.
[Trial Passed: 61% Completion Rate]
Reward: Bloodline Amplification (Stage 1) – Passive Fire Resistance Increased, Rebirth Flame Activation Gained
+60 Long Chen Points
+Access Unlocked: Sect Arena Challenges (Monthly)
Hidden Reward Claimed: Incomplete Flame Manual – [Ash Rebirth Sutra, Vol. I]
The altar glowed once more.
Then sealed shut.
—
Back at the Sect
He returned looking like a walking corpse—burned, battered, exhausted.
But there was something new in his eyes.
Something wild. Something unbroken.
Outer Sect disciples stared as he passed, whispers following in his wake.
"The black-robed one again."
"His aura's changed…"
"Didn't he just come back from a mission?"
In his cave, Li Xuan collapsed on his knees.
"System… show me."
[Status Screen]
• Cultivation: Late Qi Condensation (Stable)
• Long Chen Points: 312
• Bloodline: Phoenix Ash Vein (Stage 1 – Fragmented)
• Skill Scrolls:
– Face-Slapping Divine Art
– Phantom Step
– Predator's Pressure (Passive)
– NEW: Ash Rebirth Sutra (Vol. I)
• New Access: Sect Arena (Outer Ring)
• Reputation: Known, Notorious
• Disciples Watching: 9
• Enemies Watching: 2
• System Controller: Long Chen
And finally…
Next Mission: Rank Up in Outer Sect Arena
Time Limit: 6 Days
Reward: Sect Resource Quota + 40 LCP
Penalty: Public Demotion + 3 Days Punishment Labor
Li Xuan sighed.
"…So no time to rest, huh?"
Long Chen's voice, full of disdain:
"Rest when you're a corpse. You've still got thousands of bastards to surpass."
He grinned.
"Then I better start climbing."