> "Some blades make noise. Others reshape the world without a whisper."
---
🏯 Ashen Root Sect – Inner Court Trials: Day One
The sparring arena roared with energy.
Dozens of disciples lined up, eager to rise to the next stage.
Among them stood prodigies from across the continent—geniuses chosen by fate, family, and fortune.
---
🐉 Notable Candidates Introduced
1. Yue Lanyin – Frost Veil Swordmaiden
Cultivation: Core Formation Peak
Special Trait: Lunar Ice Veins
Her strikes freeze Qi itself
Famous Quote: "The world may burn. I remain still."
2. Ren Yuheng – Scarlet Flame Fist Prince
Cultivation: Nascent Soul (Suppressed)
Heir of the Fire Abyss Pavilion
Known for burning an entire dueling platform… with one finger
Personality: Arrogant, loud, feared
3. Wu Shentao – Heaven-Seer of Thousand Eyes
Cultivation: Core Formation (Mid)
Has one of the rarest eye techniques: Heaven Gaze
Can see weak points in a person's path, destiny, and spirit
Always smiles, never blinks
---
🧊 Shěn Nìchén – The Unseen Threat
In line at the farthest edge, wrapped in plain robes and shadows, stood Shěn Nìchén.
No spiritual fluctuations. No presence.
To everyone else—he was just another filler contestant.
But the system pulsed within him.
> 🔔 [System Notification]
🎯 Objective: Pass the first 3 rounds without revealing cultivation level
🎁 Reward: Silent Sword Pulse
🧩 Hidden Bonus: Activated – Observed by Wu Shentao
> "He sees more than most," the system warned, "but not enough."
---
⚔️ Round One: Sword Forms
The task: Replicate a profound sword technique etched into an illusion array.
Disciples took turns, struggling to grasp the movement. Many failed.
Yue Lanyin moved. Her blade sliced a perfect crescent of frost into the air. Applause echoed.
Ren Yuheng stepped up next—he didn't even bother using a sword. His flaming palm recreated the arc in pure fire. The crowd roared.
Then came… Contestant #98.
> "Next," the elder said, yawning.
Shěn stepped up.
He raised his unnamed black sword.
No stance. No aura. Just a motion—
Slice.
A clean line cut the illusion in perfect silence.
The crescent? Not recreated—corrected.
The elder blinked. The array flickered.
> "...Pass."
Silence spread. Then whispers.
> "Who was that?"
"Did he just… fix the technique?"
"How?"
---
🧠 Observation Tower – Wu Shentao
The Heaven-Seer narrowed his eyes from above.
> "Curious… his blade leaves no echoes. And yet…"
"That's not imitation. That's… comprehension."
He smiled faintly.
> "Fascinating."
---
🌑 System Notification
> 🎯 Round One Complete
🎁 Reward Unlocked: Silent Sword Pulse – Passive
– All sword movements now produce no Qi fluctuation
– Cannot be sensed through normal perception
✅ Hidden Bonus Progression: 21%
(You have gained interest from a Heaven-Seer)
---
🕯️ Later That Night – In the Hidden Caveabode
Shěn Nìchén sat before the glowing black altar, meditating on the fight.
His 86% Sword Intent surged around him like flowing shadows, invisible but razor-sharp.
The system spoke.
> 🔔 [New Mission: Duel a Genius Without Revealing Strength]
🎯 Objective: Win silently in Round Two
🎁 Reward: Void Movement – Shadow Phase Step
🧩 Hidden Bonus: ???
"Let them fight with light. You walk in darkness."
Shěn opened his eyes.
> "Let's begin the quiet slaughter."