š Deep in the Mistveil Ranges ā Caveabode
The cave's interior was silent, save for the flickering of an ethereal flame. ShÄn NƬchĆ©n sat cross-legged atop a blackstone altar, the [Silent Crown Pill] fully assimilated into his soul. Behind him, the Void Horizon Sword Scroll slowly disintegrated into light, its comprehension etched into his mind.
His aura was pure, condensed ā not radiating power, but swallowing all traces of it.
> "88% Sword Intent. Late Nascent Soul Realm."
"The void... deepens."
> š [System Notification]
š§ New Passive Feature Unlocked: Void Aura Compression
ā¤ Masks all breakthroughs and fluctuations even during battle.
ā¤ No heavenly tribulation shall descend.
ā¤ No divine sense will detect anomalies.
š Hidden State: Beyond Mortal Perception ā Your existence cannot be tracked, traced, or prophesied.
He stood, gaze cold and unreadable.
---
šļø Forest Below ā LĆ”n Xueyin's Arrival
A light breeze passed over the treetops. LĆ”n Xueyin's steps were silent, her breath as calm as still water. She was alone, carrying a single frost blossom in hand ā the rare Moonshade Petal.
> "I followed no qi trail. No spiritual markers. And yetā¦"
She arrived before a blank rock wall. To the ordinary eye ā just wilderness.
To her?
> "This placeā¦ it defies formation theory."
She took a step forward ā the ground distorted ā and she passed through the illusory veil.
Her vision shook.
---
š³ļø Inside the Caveabode ā First True Encounter
He was already waiting.
ShÄn NƬchĆ©n stood with his arms crossed, blade sheathed, eyes narrowed.
> "You shouldn't be here."
LƔn Xueyin didn't flinch.
His gaze sharpened.
She smiled faintly, extending the Moonshade Petal.
> "A gift. For one who walks outside Heaven's grasp."
> "I don't need pity."
"It's not pity," she replied. "It's... understanding."
Silence.
Thenā
> š [System Notification]
š New System Reward: "Twilight Lotus Essence" (Top Grade Cultivation Booster)
š Hidden Bonus Unlocked: "Void Walk ā Phase Two"
ā¤ Now usable during active battle
ā¤ Allows partial phasing into higher-dimensional space
ā¤ Immune to domain suppression, time freeze, and elemental lockdown
---
š«ļø Outside ā A Presence Watching
Far from the cave, a figure cloaked in brown robes stood atop a pine tree.
> "I felt nothingā¦ no rippleā¦ no life."
It was Xu Wuqian, Divine Investigator from the Skyburn Pavilion.
> "This forest has no anomalies. Yet my instincts burn."
He turned to leave.
> "If a monster sleeps beneath us, perhaps it is better it sleeps forever."
---
š§ Back Inside
ShÄn NƬchĆ©n turned his back on her.
> "This will be the last time."
"You find me againā¦ I will not let you leave."
LƔn Xueyin's lips curved slightly.
> "Then I hope I do find you again."
And like mist, she vanished through the veil once more.