At the Zhou Clan's main residence, rage filled the great hall like a storm.
A middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a crushing Golden Core aura slammed his hand down on the desk, splitting it into pieces.
"AAAAA!!" His furious roar shook the walls.
"Clan Leader, please calm down!" an elder begged.
"Calm down?!" the man's eyes turned bloodshot. "My son is dead! Zhou Feng's life crystal has shattered, and you dare tell me to calm down?!"
This man was Zhou Fang, the current leader of the Zhou Clan. His killing intent was so strong that even seasoned elders broke out in cold sweat.
Before anyone could respond, an ancient, heavy voice cut through the chaos.
"Silence."
The word carried such authority that the entire hall froze. Elders bowed their heads instantly, and even Zhou Fang clenched his jaw shut.
From the head seat of the hall, a withered figure opened his eyes. His mere presence suffocated the room, as if heaven and earth themselves bent to his will.
Zhou Yan.
The Zhou Clan's Ancestor.
Cultivation: Nascent Soul – Stage 5.
"Father—" Zhou Fang began, his voice trembling between rage and restraint.
But Zhou Yan's gaze fell upon him like a mountain. "Do you question my command, boy?"
Zhou Fang's teeth ground together. He wanted to shout, to unleash his fury, but under his father's crushing presence, words caught in his throat.
"…No, Ancestor."
Zhou Yan closed his eyes again, his voice deep and cold. "Your son is dead. So what? A weakling unfit to inherit the Zhou Clan. Long Wei killed him, that much is true—but losing composure over such a matter disgraces us more than his death."
The patriarch's fists trembled, but he swallowed his anger. "Then… what do you suggest, Father?"
"Send killers," Zhou Yan said flatly. "But not under the Zhou Clan's name. Let the shadows hunt him. Whether righteous, rogue, or demonic, death is death."
Zhou Fang finally allowed a thin, cruel smile to spread across his face. "Yes, Father. Long Wei's name shall be erased from this continent."
.
.
Long Wei, oblivious to the clan's plotting, continued carving his path in blood.
His sword flashed again and again, cutting down wandering cultivators who crossed his path.
.
.
.
[Killed an unknown cultivator]
Demonic Fame +70
[Killed an unknown cultivator]
Demonic Fame +50
[Killed an unknown cultivator]
Demonic Fame +80
[Killed an unknown cultivator]
Demonic Fame +60
.
.
.
The system chimed.
.
.
.
[Level Up!]
[Level increased: 2 → 3]
[Level Up Rewards]
• +900 Spirit Stones
• +100 Mastery to All Skills
• Random Buff Acquired
[Shadow Step Mastery Updated]
Shadow Step: 1 → 2
[Thousand Phantom Blades Mastery Updated]
Thousand Phantom Blades: 1 → 2
---
[Shadow Step]
• Grade: Mortal – Mid
• Mastery: 2 (100/300)
• Effect: Increases speed by 35% for 5 seconds
• Usage: 75 Qi per activation
[Thousand Phantom Blades]
• Grade: Mortal – Peak
• Mastery: 2 (207/450)
• Effect: Summons countless swords to strike enemies (Limit 1500)
• Extra: Mastery increases 15% faster when summoning more than 10 swords
• Usage: Each sword consumes 150 Qi
---
Long Wei sheathed his sword, eyes narrowing.
"These level-ups are already becoming harder… and my Demonic Fame keeps rising too quickly."
He knew what that meant.
The cultivation world was divided into three factions.
Righteous cultivators claimed to uphold virtue. They built great sects, issued decrees, and hunted anyone they labeled 'evil.' In truth, most were hypocrites hiding behind noble words.
Rogue cultivators walked alone. Wandering, taking risks others feared, seeking treasures in forgotten places. They cared only for themselves, neither righteous nor demonic. The free wolves of the cultivation world.
Demonic cultivators embraced bloodshed, practicing forbidden techniques and sacrificing lives for strength. They were feared, hated, and hunted—yet never truly disappeared.
Long Wei smirked. "I used to be a rogue cultivator… failed to enter sects, failed to find a home. But now… my Demonic Fame rises with every kill. Soon, they'll brand me as one of them."
He clenched his fists. "If I were a normal cultivator, this would mean the end. But I am not normal."
Back at his small residence, Long Wei summoned the system shop.
[Shop]
[Weapons] [Pills] [Armor] [Cultivation Manuals]
[Martial Techniques] [Materials] [Other]
His eyes lit up. The Materials tab had opened.
He tapped it—and countless names filled the page.
[Materials – Mortal Grade]
Fireroot Grass
Ironleaf Herb
Skydew Petals
Blood Orchid
Yellow Flame Vine
Earth Moss
Spirit Reed
Azure Dust Pollen
Frostbite Mushroom
Cloud Jade Powder
Venom Thorn Seed
Brightmoon Lily
Shadow Fern
Crimson Lotus Root
Silent Wind Flower
[And many more…]
Most of the names were familiar to him; these were common mortal-grade herbs. Yet among them, something rare caught his attention:
[Moonshadow Leaf – Mortal Peak]
Without hesitation, he purchased six common herbs and one Moonshadow Leaf. Together, they were enough to refine an Appearance Altering Pill.
After an hour, the cauldron released a fragrant, misty aura. Long Wei carefully pulled out a perfectly round pill, its surface glowing faintly.
[Appearance Altering Pill]
• Tier: 1
• Purity: 96%
• Time Limit: 25 Days
• Description: A pill capable of altering one's outward appearance. Its effect is limited—cannot fool cultivators above Golden Core realm. Best suited for disguises among low to mid-level cultivators.
"Haaa…" Long Wei let out a breath. "This should be good enough. Time to leave the village."
He packed his belongings, swallowed the pill, and watched as his reflection shifted. His cold features transformed into those of a handsome young man in his twenties.
As he approached the transportation array, posters fluttered on every wall.
[Wanted!]
Name: Long Wei
Crimes: Murder of Zhou Feng, slaughter of countless cultivators.
Declared Demonic Cultivator by: Zhou Clan, Five Elemental Sect, Three Spirit Sect.
Rewards:
Information: 5,000 Spirit Stones
Head: 100,000 Spirit Stones
Long Wei smirked. "So… I'm already a branded demonic cultivator. All thanks to the Zhou Clan."
He knew the truth—ordinary killers could slay hundreds without notice. But he, a nobody, killed one young master, and suddenly the world was hunting him.
It didn't matter.
At the transportation platform, a middle-aged operator bowed respectfully. Long Wei's disguised appearance radiated nobility.
"Young Master, where would you like to go?"
"Lotus City."
"The price is 2,000 spirit stones."
Long Wei handed over the pouch without hesitation.
Moments later, the formation lit up with dazzling light.
"Young Master, the array is ready. You have one minute before it deactivates."
Long Wei stepped onto the glowing formation, his new identity already in place.
The world blurred—
And he disappeared.