The next day.
Dawn crept across the Ashen Root Sect, casting golden rays over the stone courtyard. Disciples bustled about, unaware that the so-called "cripple" had already broken through to Qi Gathering Stage 1.
But Shěn Nìchén remained quiet.
He kept his head down. He didn't brag. Didn't celebrate. He knew the truth of this world—the moment he revealed strength, the moment he caught eyes… stronger wolves would tear him apart.
He stared at the system screen that only he could see.
> 🔒 Stealth Mode: Active
🔹 System presence undetectable to external spirit sense
🔹 Qi fluctuation suppressed to appear one realm lower
He grinned faintly.
> "Let them believe I'm still trash. That's my greatest weapon."
---
🌫️ A Sect Mission Appears
At midday, a sect bell chimed—dull and ancient.
A voice echoed from the Inner Pavilion.
> "Disciples below Foundation Realm: report for an Outer Trial Mission. Location: Mistveil Valley."
A group of outer disciples groaned.
"Another death trap…"
"Those who enter don't return."
Nìchén listened in silence.
A system prompt appeared.
> Optional Mission: Enter Mistveil Valley Trial
🎯 Objective: Survive 3 days
💰 Reward: Unlock System Trait – "Resource Scan"
---
Mistveil Valley. A haunted place shrouded in poisonous fog and spiritual beasts. But within it, spiritual herbs and legacy remnants still remained—valuable for low-level cultivators.
Dangerous… and perfect for someone like Nìchén to grow quietly.
He stepped forward.
> "I'll take the mission."
A few heads turned, stunned.
Wei Fan, still bruised from yesterday's loss, scoffed. "Trying to die for real this time?"
Nìchén didn't even look at him.
He took the jade token and walked toward the teleport formation.
---
🌫️ Mistveil Valley – Day 1
Wuuuuush…
The valley was exactly as rumored—gray mist choked every path. The trees bled black sap, and the air felt cold like a grave.
Most disciples stuck together, forming groups.
Nìchén?
He went alone.
> I'm not here to show off. I'm here to grow... faster than anyone.
The system glowed faintly.
> 🔍 Passive Scan Enabled…
🧬 Spirit Herb Detected – 17 meters, west
⚠️ Beast Signature: Low Rank Venomfang Viper
---
He crept through the fog—low and silent.
A rustle.
Hisssss…
A scaled serpent coiled in the underbrush, its fangs dripping black venom.
> "Let's see…" Nìchén narrowed his eyes.
His body couldn't overpower the beast—not yet.
But his mind?
That was a weapon forged on Earth.
He found loose stones, wrapped vines in his robes, and set a snare—primitive, but deadly.
Ten minutes later, the snake lunged.
SNAP.
Caught mid-strike.
Nìchén slammed a sharpened shard of bone into its head. The beast twitched, then fell still.
> ✅ Low Beast Core Acquired
✅ 2x Spiritgrass Collected
🎁 System Sync: Beast Core usable for temporary boost
He smirked.
> "Even beasts are resources if used right."
---
🌙 The Girl in White
Just as he turned to leave—he heard something.
A faint whisper. A scream?
He paused. His instincts screamed: stay away.
But his body moved anyway.
---
He followed the sound to a clearing.
There, under a moonlit tree surrounded by withered mist, stood a girl in white robes—her long silver hair stained with blood.
Four disciples had surrounded her.
> "Give us the ring!"
"Your clan's dead, you're just clinging to scraps."
She glared at them, eyes cold like a glacier. Her sword was chipped, her breathing ragged.
And yet…
She stood tall.
---
Nìchén stood behind a tree.
He weighed his options. This wasn't his problem. Helping her meant attention. Attention meant risk.
Then the system pinged.
> 🔓 Hidden Mission Triggered
🎯 Save the Destined Soul: Elira Snowveil
💠 Reward: Talent Fragment – "Moonblood Vein (Dormant)"
⚠️ Failure: Elira dies – destiny altered, chain reaction triggers loss of future questlines
His eyes widened slightly.
> "Elira Snowveil… a destined soul?"
He looked again.
One of the attackers raised his sword.
> "Then die—"
CRACK.
A stone flew through the air—striking the disciple's hand, sending his blade flying.
They all turned.
Nìchén stepped out of the fog, eyes calm.
> "Four-on-one. Pretty brave."
"Why not try four-on-me next?"
---
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: "The Moonblood Vein and the Hidden Fragment"