The moon hung high, casting a pale sheen across the Feng Clan's outer court. Everything was still—except for the small chamber where Liu Shen meditated, shrouded in cold black mist.
Within him, the second seal had shattered.
Power surged like a flood through his meridians, cold yet strangely intoxicating. His veins pulsed faintly with crimson light, and a foreign heartbeat echoed deep in his soul.
> So this is the Demon King's Blood Vein...
Power drawn from the ancient line of monarchs who once ruled the Abyssal Realms.
The transformation wasn't just physical. His senses sharpened. His Qi thickened, nearly tangible. Even his perception of spiritual flow twisted—it became instinctual, not learned.
> I could crush everyone in the outer court with a glance, he thought.
But power was not his end goal. It was merely a tool. A key.
---
Next Morning – Outer Court Hall
The announcement came early.
"All disciples are to gather at the Outer Court Plaza!" shouted a messenger. "Elder Mo is making a formal address!"
The square buzzed with speculation. News of Liu Shen's defeat of the Flame Howler had already spread like wildfire.
"Maybe he's being promoted again?"
"No way! He's just a servant!"
"He's not 'just' anything anymore…"
Liu Shen arrived late, calm as always, robes fluttering slightly in the breeze. As he stepped into the plaza, the noise died down—many turning to glance at him, others avoiding his gaze entirely.
At the center stood Elder Mo, flanked by several inner court elders and two unfamiliar figures clad in dark crimson robes.
"These two," Mo began, gesturing to the crimson-robed pair, "are representatives of the Feng Clan Main Branch from the capital."
Gasps.
"They are here to inspect the performance of the outer court and to assess candidates for the upcoming Spirit Ascension Trial."
Murmurs grew.
"The Spirit Ascension Trial? But that's for core disciples only!"
"Why send main branch officials to the outer court?"
"Something's not right…"
One of the crimson-robed men stepped forward. His gaze swept across the gathered disciples with a quiet pressure. He was young—perhaps only twenty—but the Qi around him was deep as the ocean.
"I am Feng Yulan, third son of the Clan Head," he said, voice sharp. "I have come to determine if this backwater branch still produces worthy cultivators—or if it's simply wasting the clan's resources."
Everyone stiffened. Even Elder Mo looked displeased but said nothing.
"Step forward if you believe you are qualified for the Spirit Ascension Trial," Feng Yulan commanded.
Several hesitated.
A few known talents stepped forward, chest out.
Then—
Liu Shen walked forward.
Instant silence.
Feng Yulan's eyes narrowed. "Name?"
"Liu Shen."
"Rank?"
"Recently promoted. Outer court disciple."
Several elders shifted uncomfortably. They clearly didn't want this confrontation.
Feng Yulan raised a brow. "A week ago you were a servant."
"Yes."
"And now you wish to stand among the clan's elite?"
Liu Shen met his gaze. "No."
Feng Yulan frowned. "Then why—?"
"I don't wish to stand among them," Liu Shen said, his voice cold and absolute. "I intend to surpass them."
Gasps spread like wildfire.
Feng Yulan's eyes turned sharp. "You're bold."
"I'm honest."
Yulan stepped down. "Then prove yourself. Here. Now."
The plaza widened as the crowd backed away, forming a battle ring.
"Feng Zhou, step forward."
A lean, sharp-eyed youth stepped into the arena, his robes edged in gold—signifying a peak Qi Condensation cultivator.
"Feng Zhou is a top ten outer court disciple," Yulan said. "If you can defeat him, you may enter the trial."
Feng Zhou smiled coldly. "I'll enjoy this."
---
Battle Ring – Outer Court Plaza
Feng Zhou struck first—his movement swift, blade slicing toward Liu Shen's neck.
But Liu Shen didn't even draw a weapon.
He tilted his head slightly.
Whoosh!
The blade missed.
Then he stepped forward.
Just one step.
Crack.
Liu Shen's palm met Feng Zhou's chest—and the cultivator flew backward like a broken kite, crashing into the wall behind them.
Silence.
Liu Shen turned toward Feng Yulan.
"Anyone else?"
Yulan's face was unreadable—but his eyes had sharpened.
> This one… he's dangerous.
---
Later – Quiet Pavilion
Feng Yulan spoke with Elder Mo in private.
"This boy... Liu Shen," Yulan said. "Where did he come from?"
"A servant boy," Mo replied. "Until recently believed to be crippled. We suspect someone sealed his cultivation at birth."
Yulan's gaze darkened. "He's hiding something. Maybe something… useful."
Mo frowned. "You think he could be… linked to the ancient bloodlines?"
Yulan's voice dropped low. "If he is… he'll either be a blade in the clan's hand—"
"Or a dagger in its back."