⚔️ Ashen Root Sect – Inner Court Trials: Round Two
The dueling stage buzzed with tension.
The rules: No fatal blows. No treasures. One-on-one.
The goal: Force your opponent off the stage.
The opponents were drawn at random. Yet fate had its own ideas.
> "First Match… Ren Yuheng vs… Contestant #98."
The crowd went wild.
> "The Flame Prince versus that quiet guy?"
"He won't last a breath."
---
🔥 Ren Yuheng – Overconfident
Ren cracked his knuckles, stepping onto the platform.
> "I don't like weaklings wasting my time."
He summoned crimson flames, spiraling around his fists.
> "You. I'll break your legs and toss you off. No one will even care to remember your name."
Shěn Nìchén simply walked forward.
No aura. No stance. Just quiet, unreadable eyes.
---
👁 Observation Tower – Wu Shentao Watches
He narrowed his gaze, activating Heaven Gaze.
He saw threads. Weaknesses. Bloodlines. Potential.
But Shěn…?
Nothing.
> "Strange. It's like… he has no destiny."
He focused harder.
> "No presence. No flow. Just..."
Crack!
Suddenly, his vision burned. His pupils burst with silver light—then ruptured in silence.
Blood trickled from his eyes. He gasped.
> "Ugh…!"
"What… what did I just—?"
A voice echoed in his mind:
> "Those who gaze too deep into the void... are swallowed."
He collapsed. The tower attendants rushed to his side.
> "Senior Wu! Your eyes—!"
"Call the Sect Healer!"
---
⚔️ Back on the Arena
Ren charged in, flames roaring.
> "Die, you coward!"
He hurled a blazing fist.
Shěn Nìchén sidestepped without effort. His movements blurred—then reappeared behind Ren.
One gentle motion.
A tap of his blade on Ren's back.
Boom.
Ren was launched off the stage as if struck by a thunderclap. The flames died mid-air.
> "What—?! What just… happened?"
Gasps spread.
> "Was that a Qi technique?"
"No light. No fluctuation… nothing!"
The elder hesitated.
> "...Match over. Victory: Contestant #98."
---
🎯 System Notification (Only Shěn Can See)
> 🎯 Mission Complete
🏆 Reward: Void Movement – Shadow Phase Step
– Instantly teleport short distances without spatial fluctuation
– Cannot be tracked
✅ Hidden Bonus Progression: 37%
Wu Shentao attempted forbidden perception and was neutralized.
> 🛡 New System Feature: Perception Guard
– All divine senses and detection techniques will be forcefully rejected
– Repeated attempts may cause irreparable damage to the intruder
---
🕯 Later in the Hidden Caveabode
Shěn Nìchén sat beneath the glowing formation circle, sword across his lap.
His eyes reflected neither emotion nor mercy.
> "Those who try to see me… will never see again."
He closed his eyes. The Void pulsed around him.