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Chapter 20 - A Trial Of Ash – the Unseen Sword Descends

⚔️ Vermillion Cloud Sect – Outer Region Testing Grounds

The Grand Ash Trial — an annual combat rite held beneath the scorched ruins of the Old Skyforge — had drawn hundreds of disciples from scattered sects, rogue cultivators, and hidden clan heirs.

But amidst all of them… one name didn't exist.

No sect. No clan. No origin.

> "Contestant No. 1749 — Name: Yē Chén."

A false name.

A cold gaze.

Jet-black robes. A plain, unmarked scabbard. And an aura... like still water.

No one paid attention to him — until the first duel began.

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🩸 Round One – The Blazing Talon Scion vs. 'Yē Chén'

> "Your cultivation is trash. Just surrender."

Said Guo Lang, heir of the Blazing Talon Clan. Mid-stage Nascent Soul. Spirit beast contract user. Popular. Loud. Arrogant.

Shěn Nìchén said nothing.

A signal flare fired.

Guo Lang's fire eagle shrieked toward him, claws ignited.

Shěn stepped once.

> Void Walk – Phase Two: Pulse Shift.

His form flickered.

The eagle struck nothing.

By the time Guo Lang turned—his arm dropped to the ground.

> CLANG!

Only then did the audience realize: he'd drawn his sword — and sheathed it — in a breath.

---

> "W-what just—!?"

"I didn't even see it—"

"The spiritual pressure… there wasn't any!"

> "DISQUALIFIED! GUO LANG IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE!"

---

🧊 Shěn's Thoughts – System Notification (Silent)

> 🔔 [System Notification]

🎁 System Reward: "Phantom Vein Qi Manual – Tier: Void Rank"

➤ Enhances energy flow during combat, fully conceals technique trace

🌑 Hidden Bonus Unlocked: "Void Memory Layer"

➤ Allows sword techniques to be stored in "zero-thought space"

➤ Usable even when unconscious or restrained

➤ Cannot be copied, observed, or recorded by divine senses

He returned to the waiting bench. Sat silently. Eyes closed.

Not a flicker of pride.

Not a ripple of intent.

---

🔥 High Balcony – Sect Observers

A silver-eyed elder narrowed her gaze.

> "That boy… he doesn't belong to any sect?"

An inner sect teacher replied, "No records. Possibly a rogue cultivator."

Another snorted. "Or a fraud using a borrowed treasure."

But one man — masked, silent — turned and left.

> "He has no presence. No cause. He is... void."

---

🕊️ Back in the Caveabode – Nightfall

After the trial, Shěn Nìchén returned without alerting a single soul. Not even the array master noticed his presence at the trial.

> He sat alone.

> Polished the blade.

> Reviewed the sword path etched in silence.

> Not for show.

Not for glory.

But for something no one would ever understand.

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