Chapter 6: Threads of the Nine Secrets
Early Morning – Zhuo Estate Servant Quarters
Zhuo Fan stood beneath the rising sun, the faint scent of blood still clinging to the courtyard stones. The charred outline of last night's assassin had long since faded into ash. Yet his mind was far from at ease.
System Notification:
Soul-Forged Hollow Flame cooldown reset.
Quest Progress: "Break the Chain" – 63%
Hidden Faction Surveillance: +1
You are being watched.
Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes.
"Already stirring, are they…?"
Inner Manor – Zhuo Qin's Private Garden
Zhuo Qin sipped her tea calmly, her eyes trailing over the now-cleaned reports from her guards.
"So a Bloodshade Pavilion assassin infiltrated the estate," she murmured, her voice calm. "But who killed him?"
Her handmaid hesitated. "It's unclear, Young Miss. No one has claimed responsibility. However, the surveillance formation flickered—only one figure passed through unmarked."
She passed the scroll across the table.
A grainy silhouette—barely visible.
Zhuo Qin's fingers trembled ever so slightly as she recognized the figure's build.
"Zhuo Fan… just what are you hiding?"
Servant Quarters – Secret Chamber Beneath the Floorboards
Zhuo Fan had returned to the ravine cavern—but not for the Hollow Flame.
There was something beneath the earth. A faint hum. A buried presence that called to him every night since the memory synchronization.
Using the Bloodshade Dagger, he etched a circular rune around the center of the chamber. A low vibration pulsed through the rock.
System Interface Activated:
Soulbound Signature Recognized: "Nine Secrets – Page 2 Seal Location Confirmed"
Unlocking Seal…
CRACK!
The stone floor shattered, revealing a hidden staircase spiraling downward. Cold wind rose from the depths.
System Alert:
Sub-Domain Detected: Ancient Trial Hall of the Nine Secrets
Difficulty: Moderate
Status: Incomplete
Reward: Secret Page 2, Stat Crystal, Hidden Skill Scroll
Zhuo Fan descended.
The flames on the walls flickered to life as he entered the underground hall. At the center stood a floating obsidian mirror, cracked but humming with residual energy. Symbols from ancient times scrawled its surface—each one representing a locked pathway.
System Scan: Thousand-Eyed Obsidian Mirror
Function: Gateway to Trial Memory Fragments
Activating…
A blinding light engulfed him.
Mindscape Realm – The First Trial
Zhuo Fan opened his eyes in a field of corpses.
The sky was crimson. Mountains burned in the distance. Ten figures—cloaked in archaic robes, wielding demonic weapons—stood at the center of a battlefield. At their feet lay a broken world.
The first spoke: "You seek the Second Secret. Then show us: will you burn… or bend the world to your will?"
A pillar of flame erupted from beneath him.
Trial Objective: Survive the Demonic Soul Purge
Duration: 120 seconds
Restrictions: No Hollow Flame, No System Skills.
Bonus: Resist the Flame without screaming.
The fire hit him instantly—his skin peeled, bones cracked—but he did not cry out.
Instead, Zhuo Fan laughed.
A broken, insane sound.
"You think this is pain?" he spat through scorched lips. "I was betrayed… murdered by my own disciples. You think flames will stop me?"
He dug his fingers into the burning soil, drawing blood.
Trial Update: Willpower Check – Passed
Soul Stability: +2
Flame Resistance Unlocked
Trial Complete.
Reward: Secret Page 2: "Soul Compression Technique", +1 Stat Crystal
The mirror shattered.
Zhuo Estate – Later That Day
He emerged from the trial chamber hours later, his steps heavier, but his aura sharper. Flames no longer danced randomly—they curved to his will.
System Update:
Skill Gained: Soul Compression Technique (Passive)
Effect: Compresses Qi and Soul Power for bursts of overwhelming strength. Increases cultivation speed by +30% when meditating.
Stat Crystal Available: Choose One
• Strength +1
• Soul Power +1
• Agility +1
Zhuo Fan selected Soul Power.
Soul Power: 10 → 11
Total EXP: 1230 / 1600
HP: 400 / 400
Qi: 120 / 120
Side Quest Chain Updated: "The Mirror Sees You"
Objective: Locate the next fragment in the Imperial Capital's Forbidden Alchemy Vault
Imperial Capital – Bloodshade Pavilion's Outer Hall
A bloodied disciple crawled into the shadowed hall, gasping. "T-Target… survived. Activated… Hollow Flame. Killed Ren."
The elder in black robes sat unmoving—only his long fingernails tapped the bone table in front of him.
"So… the demon lives again."
He turned to the kneeling figure behind him.
"Send the Dream Eater. No more testing. I want his soul in chains."
Evening – Zhuo Fan's Courtyard
He sat beneath the moonlight, practicing the Soul Compression Technique, his breath smooth as silk, the flicker of Hollow Flame now completely silent and invisible to untrained eyes.
System Whisper (New Feature Unlocked):
Passive Detection Cloak Activated
• Conceals Qi fluctuations
• Hidden weapons undetectable
• Hollow Flame aura suppressed unless manually revealed
He opened his eyes and smiled coldly.
"Now… I hunt you."
His gaze turned eastward—toward the Imperial Capital.
Toward the next page.
Toward the past life debts yet to be collected.
End of Chapter 6