Shen Yuan woke to the sound of chaos.
Shouts echoed across the outer sect compound, disciples running in every direction. He sat up slowly, his body still adjusting to the transformation from last night. The power flowing through his meridians felt foreign yet exhilarating—like wearing new skin that fit perfectly.
He activated the Veil of Forgotten Presence before stepping outside, ensuring his cultivation was completely hidden.
The training grounds were surrounded by disciples and several elders. Zhao Kun's headless body lay exactly where Shen Yuan had left it, now covered with a white cloth that was soaked through with dried blood. Elder Bronze Sword stood over the corpse, his face twisted with fury.
"Foundation Establishment cultivator, killed in a single strike," an elder muttered, examining the body. "The cut is perfect—no hesitation, no wasted movement. This was done by someone with profound sword mastery."
"Check every outer disciple!" Elder Bronze Sword barked. "Someone with this level of skill cannot hide among trash!"
Shen Yuan watched from the edge of the crowd, keeping his expression appropriately shocked and fearful. Other outer disciples whispered nervously, eyeing each other with suspicion.
Liu Feng stood nearby, his calculating gaze sweeping across the gathered disciples. For a brief moment, his eyes lingered on Shen Yuan, then moved on without reaction. Interesting. The man was observant, but even he saw nothing unusual.
"Disperse!" Elder Bronze Sword commanded. "Return to your duties. Anyone with information will be rewarded generously."
The crowd began to break up. Shen Yuan turned to leave when a voice called out.
"Shen Yuan."
He froze. Elder Bronze Sword was looking directly at him, eyes gleaming with malice.
"Yes, Elder?" Shen Yuan kept his voice steady, playing the role of nervous trash.
"You sleep in the outer sect. Did you hear anything last night? Any disturbance?"
"No, Elder. I… I slept deeply after the awakening ceremony." He let his voice crack slightly. "I was exhausted."
Elder Bronze Sword's eyes narrowed, searching for any sign of deception. Finding none, he waved dismissively. "Useless as always. Get out of my sight."
Shen Yuan bowed and retreated quickly, feeling the elder's gaze burning into his back.
[SYSTEM NOTICE: DECEPTION SUCCESSFUL. CONCEALMENT TECHNIQUE OPERATING AT PEAK EFFICIENCY.]
Back in his quarters, Shen Yuan finally allowed himself to relax. He pulled up his status screen to review his progress.
[STATUS SCREEN]
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
NAME: Shen Yuan (Chen Wei)
AGE: 16 (48 total)
CULTIVATION: Qi Condensation Realm - First Stage
PHYSIQUE: Shattered Meridians (Partially Repaired - 23%)
SPIRITUAL ROOT: Fractured Root (Low-Grade)
ATTRIBUTES:
• Strength: 3.2
• Agility: 3.5
• Constitution: 3.0
• Qi Capacity: 150/150 (Fully Recovered)
• Soul Strength: 15.7
SKILLS:
• Veil of Forgotten Presence (Divine-Grade) - MAX
• Fear Manipulation (Rare-Grade) - LV 1
• Leadership Aura (Rare-Grade) - LV 1
TECHNIQUES:
• Execution Sword Art: First Form - Severance (Heaven-Grade) - LV 1
COMBAT STATS:
• Killing Intent: Minor
• Kills: 1 (Foundation Establishment - Early Stage)
TITLES: Young Master Trash, Sect Leader's Shame, The Patient Shadow, First Blood
TIME REMAINING UNTIL EXPULSION: 29 Days
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Twenty-nine days. The clock was ticking, but Shen Yuan felt surprisingly calm. Last night had proven the system was real and powerful. Now he needed to plan his next moves carefully.
His immediate goals were clear: advance his cultivation, gather resources, and establish a foundation for long-term growth. The outer sect library would be his first target—knowledge was power, especially for someone with a modern education and a god-level system.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Yuan-er, are you there?" Shen Yuhan's voice carried worry.
He opened the door to find her looking distressed, her usually composed features tight with concern.
"Sister Yuhan. What's wrong?"
"Did you hear? Someone was killed in the training grounds last night!" She stepped inside, lowering her voice. "Father is furious. He's ordered a full investigation. Yuan-er, you need to be careful. There's a killer in the outer sect."
Shen Yuan maintained his expression of appropriate fear. "I'll be careful, Sister. I won't go out at night anymore."
"Good." She relaxed slightly, then hesitated. "Also, I spoke with Elder Qing about the library. She's agreed to let you work there as an assistant. It's not much, but at least it shows you have value to the sect."
His heart warmed slightly—genuine kindness was rare in this world. "Thank you, Sister. That means everything."
After she left, Shen Yuan considered the library position. Perfect. Access to cultivation manuals, historical records, and pill recipes—exactly what he needed. Elder Qing was known for being relatively fair, one of the few elders who didn't actively abuse their position.
He spent the rest of the morning cultivating in his room, circulating qi through his partially repaired meridians. The process was slow but steady. Each cycle strengthened the fragile pathways, building toward the next breakthrough.
[QI CULTIVATION IN PROGRESS…]
[PROGRESS TO NEXT STAGE: 3%]
Three percent from a single morning's cultivation. At this rate, he'd reach Qi Condensation Second Stage in about two weeks—incredibly fast by normal standards, but he needed to be faster.
A commotion outside drew his attention. Through his window, he saw a luxurious carriage rolling through the outer sect, flanked by inner disciples. The carriage stopped near the training grounds where Zhao Kun had died.
Feng Qian emerged, his face dark with rage.
"Where are the two I sent with Zhao Kun?" he demanded.
Two disciples were dragged forward—the same ones Shen Yuan had spared last night. They looked terrified, faces pale and drawn.
"Young Master Feng, we—we didn't see who did it!" one stammered. "It was too dark, too fast—"
"Useless!" Feng Qian backhanded him, sending the disciple sprawling. "Three of you against one cripple, and you come back empty-handed while Zhao Kun lies dead?"
"The cripple isn't a cripple!" the other blurted out. "He has cultivation! Qi Condensation realm at least! He moved like a ghost and killed Zhao Kun in one strike!"
The gathered disciples erupted in whispers. Feng Qian's expression shifted from rage to calculation.
"Shen Yuan… has cultivation?" He turned to Elder Bronze Sword. "Is this possible?"
The Elder's face was skeptical. "I examined him personally yesterday. The Monument showed nothing. These two are lying to cover their cowardice."
"We're not lying!" The first disciple kowtowed desperately. "He used some kind of concealment technique! His sword technique was profound—nothing like a beginner!"
[NEW CHOICE AVAILABLE]
The system's notification appeared, catching Shen Yuan by surprise.
[SITUATION DETECTED: YOUR IDENTITY AS ZHAO KUN'S KILLER IS BEING EXPOSED. WITNESSES HAVE PROVIDED TESTIMONY. FENG QIAN WILL INVESTIGATE FURTHER.]
[PRESENTING CHOICES…]
[CHOICE #1: IMMEDIATE FLIGHT]
Flee the sect now before investigation intensifies. Survive in the wilderness as a rogue cultivator.
REWARD: Survival Instinct (Passive), Wilderness Adaptation, Basic Alchemy Knowledge
[CHOICE #2: ELIMINATE WITNESSES]
Kill both witnesses tonight before they can provide more details. Remove all evidence.
REWARD: Shadow Step Technique, Silent Kill Mastery, Improved Stealth
[CHOICE #3: POLITICAL MANEUVERING]
Use Shen Yuhan's influence to discredit the witnesses. Paint them as cowards making excuses.
REWARD: Manipulation Mastery, Silver Tongue (Passive), Social Perception
[CHOICE #4: CALCULATED REVELATION]
Partially reveal your strength in a controlled manner. Demonstrate value while maintaining mystery.
REWARD: Qi Condensation Breakthrough (x2 Stages), Sword Intent Comprehension (Minor), Intimidation Boost
Shen Yuan's mind raced through the options. Flight was surrender—he'd be hunted and weak. Killing the witnesses would draw even more attention and escalate the situation. Using Yuhan would work temporarily but entangle her in his schemes.
The fourth option was risky but offered the most potential. If he was going to prove his value anyway, why not do it on his terms? Besides, the reward was substantial—jumping directly to Third Stage would put him ahead of most outer disciples.
But the timing had to be perfect.
"I choose the fourth option," he whispered. "Calculated Revelation."
[CHOICE REGISTERED: CALCULATED REVELATION]
[REWARD DISTRIBUTION: STAGED. BREAKTHROUGH WILL ACTIVATE WHEN HOST CHOOSES TO REVEAL STRENGTH.]
[SYSTEM ADVICE: OPTIMAL REVELATION TIMING - WHEN FACED WITH IMMEDIATE THREAT OR DURING FORMAL CHALLENGE.]
Interesting. The system was adapting, offering strategic guidance rather than just raw power. It truly was learning from his decisions.
Outside, Feng Qian was still interrogating the witnesses. "If what you say is true, then Shen Yuan has been hiding his cultivation. That's grounds for immediate arrest and interrogation."
"Wait." Liu Feng stepped forward from the crowd. "Young Master Feng, if I may speak?"
"What is it, Liu Feng?"
"These two claim Shen Yuan killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator in one strike using profound sword technique." Liu Feng's voice was measured, logical. "Yet yesterday at the awakening ceremony, he showed no cultivation whatsoever. Either they're lying, or…" He paused meaningfully. "Something extraordinary happened between yesterday and today."
The crowd fell silent, processing this logic.
"An awakening," someone whispered. "A late awakening?"
Elder Bronze Sword scoffed. "Impossible. Late awakenings occur before age sixteen, not after. And they certainly don't repair shattered meridians."
"Nevertheless," Liu Feng continued, "the truth can be easily verified. Simply test Shen Yuan again with the Monument. If he has cultivation, it will show. If not, these two are liars deserving punishment."
Feng Qian's eyes gleamed. "Excellent suggestion. Elder, have Shen Yuan brought to the Monument immediately."
Shen Yuan watched from his window as an inner disciple was dispatched toward the outer sect quarters. His heart rate remained steady—this was expected, even planned for. The system had given him the tools; now he just needed to execute properly.
The knock came moments later.
"Shen Yuan! Open up! You're summoned to the training grounds by Young Master Feng!"
He took a deep breath, checked his concealment one last time, and opened the door.
"What's this about?" he asked, injecting appropriate confusion into his voice.
"You'll find out. Come quietly or be dragged."
Shen Yuan allowed himself to be escorted through the outer sect. Disciples lined the path, watching with varying degrees of curiosity and schadenfreude. Word had spread fast—the trash was being tested again.
At the training grounds, Feng Qian waited with Elder Bronze Sword, the two witnesses, and a crowd of spectators that had grown considerably. Even some inner disciples had come to watch the entertainment.
"Shen Yuan." Feng Qian's voice dripped with false courtesy. "There's been an accusation. These disciples claim you have cultivation and were responsible for Zhao Kun's death. Naturally, such claims must be investigated."
"That's ridiculous," Shen Yuan said, playing his role. "I have shattered meridians. Everyone knows this."
"Then you won't mind being tested again." Elder Bronze Sword gestured to a smaller Spirit Testing Stone that had been brought from the sect's treasury. "Place your hand on the stone. If you're truly trash as claimed, it will show nothing."
This was the moment. Shen Yuan could continue his concealment and prove them wrong—but that would mean killing those witnesses later and drawing endless suspicion. Or he could reveal just enough to be valuable while maintaining mystery.
The system's staged reward was waiting. All he needed to do was commit.
He stepped forward toward the stone, and as he did, made his decision.
[INITIATING CALCULATED REVELATION…]
[BREAKTHROUGH COMMENCING…]
Power exploded through his meridians. The carefully controlled Qi Condensation First Stage cultivation surged upward, breaking through barriers that would normally take months to overcome. First Stage shattered. Second Stage crystallized and immediately fractured. Third Stage formed with perfect stability.
His body underwent rapid transformation—muscles densifying, bones strengthening, senses sharpening. The partial repair of his meridians accelerated, jumping from 23% to 45% in seconds.
And most importantly, a seed of understanding blossomed in his mind—Sword Intent. Not the full comprehension that would come with years of practice, but a spark of it. The recognition that a sword was more than metal, that intent could cut deeper than any blade.
[BREAKTHROUGH COMPLETE: QI CONDENSATION REALM - THIRD STAGE]
[SWORD INTENT COMPREHENSION: MINOR (0.1%)]
[STATUS UPDATED]
Shen Yuan's concealment technique dropped like a falling curtain. His cultivation aura blazed forth—Qi Condensation Third Stage, far beyond what any outer disciple should possess after a single day.
The crowd gasped collectively. The witnesses' eyes widened in vindication and terror. Elder Bronze Sword stumbled backward, face pale with shock.
And Feng Qian… Feng Qian's expression shifted through surprise, anger, and finally settled on something cold and calculating.
"Impossible," Elder Bronze Sword whispered. "Yesterday you were nothing. Today you're Third Stage Qi Condensation? This violates every law of cultivation!"
Shen Yuan placed his hand on the Spirit Testing Stone. It erupted with light—not the brilliant rainbow of Heaven-Grade roots, but a steady amber glow indicating Low-Grade Fractured Spiritual Root with active cultivation.
"It seems," Shen Yuan said quietly, his voice carrying across the silent training grounds, "that the heavens are more mysterious than we know. My meridians may be shattered, but they are not dead. Last night, something… awakened."
It was a calculated lie mixed with truth. Mysterious enough to explain the impossible, vague enough to avoid detailed scrutiny.
Liu Feng watched with narrowed eyes, clearly not buying the full story but unable to disprove it.
Feng Qian recovered his composure quickly. "And Zhao Kun? Did you kill him?"
"I defended myself," Shen Yuan said simply. "Three men attacked me with intent to cripple. One died. Two lived. I showed mercy where mercy was due."
"Mercy?" Feng Qian's voice rose. "You killed an outer sect disciple!"
"Who was attempting to cripple me on someone's orders." Shen Yuan met his gaze directly, no longer playing the role of trash. "The sect has laws, Young Master Feng. Self-defense is permitted. Would you prefer I had allowed them to succeed?"
The crowd murmured. Technically, Shen Yuan was correct—sect law allowed lethal force in self-defense. The problem was proving the attack happened, but with two witnesses who'd already confessed…
Elder Bronze Sword's face twisted with frustration. His prey had escaped the trap.
"This matter requires investigation," he finally said. "Shen Yuan, you are confined to your quarters pending the Sect Leader's judgment."
"Of course, Elder." Shen Yuan bowed respectfully, noting the shift in the elder's tone—no longer dismissive, but wary.
As disciples escorted him back to his quarters, Shen Yuan allowed himself a small smile. The game pieces were moving exactly as planned.
[CHOICE COMPLETE]
[ADDITIONAL REWARDS GRANTED: INTIMIDATION BOOST (ACTIVE), REPUTATION UPDATED]
[NEW TITLE ACQUIRED: MYSTERIOUS AWAKENING]
[SYSTEM NOTICE: HOST'S ACTIONS HAVE CREATED MULTIPLE BRANCHING POSSIBILITIES. FUTURE CHOICES WILL REFLECT INCREASED COMPLEXITY.]
Back in his room, alone once more, Shen Yuan pulled up his status screen:
[STATUS SCREEN]
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
NAME: Shen Yuan (Chen Wei)
AGE: 16 (48 total)
CULTIVATION: Qi Condensation Realm - Third Stage
PHYSIQUE: Shattered Meridians (Partially Repaired - 45%)
SPIRITUAL ROOT: Fractured Root (Low-Grade)
ATTRIBUTES:
• Strength: 5.8 (+2.6)
• Agility: 6.2 (+2.7)
• Constitution: 5.5 (+2.5)
• Qi Capacity: 450/450 (+300)
• Soul Strength: 15.7
SKILLS:
• Veil of Forgotten Presence (Divine-Grade) - MAX
• Fear Manipulation (Rare-Grade) - LV 1
• Leadership Aura (Rare-Grade) - LV 1
• Intimidation (Rare-Grade) - LV 2
TECHNIQUES:
• Execution Sword Art: First Form - Severance (Heaven-Grade) - LV 1
• Sword Intent Comprehension: Minor (0.1%)
COMBAT STATS:
• Killing Intent: Minor
• Kills: 1 (Foundation Establishment - Early Stage)
TITLES: Young Master Trash, Sect Leader's Shame, The Patient Shadow, First Blood, Mysterious Awakening
TIME REMAINING UNTIL EXPULSION: 29 Days
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
His attributes had nearly doubled. Qi capacity tripled. And he'd gained his first comprehension of Sword Intent—something most cultivators didn't achieve until Core Formation Realm.
The path ahead was dangerous, but for the first time in two lives, Shen Yuan felt truly alive.
Outside his window, the sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the Heavenly Sword Sect. In those shadows, a trash disciple had become something else entirely.
And the game was just beginning.