🌫️ Mistveil Valley – Midnight
The fog grew colder as night fell.
Most disciples had found caves, trees, or high ridges to rest—many shivering, some wounded, and a few already gone.
But Shěn Nìchén stood in silence at the edge of a cliff, deep in the third ring of the valley.
The full moon glowed above the swirling mist.
His katana lay across his lap, unsheathed, the blade reflecting silver light.
His eyes were closed.
He was meditating.
---
> [System Notification: Spirit Density in Zone – 62% higher than outer sect standard]
[Recommended: Immediate Cultivation. Conditions optimal.]
He exhaled slowly.
Around him, the air trembled—barely noticeable to the naked eye. But to those attuned to Qi…
It was like the entire mountain range held its breath.
> "No one will know," he whispered.
He made a single hand seal. The katana pulsed faintly, resonating with his meridians.
> [Sword Intent Threading: Active]
[Qi Cycle Initiated]
[System Modifier: Internal Flow Efficiency +20%]
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🌌 Inside His Mind – Cultivation Space
Darkness and flowing silver mist surrounded him.
Lines of Qi coursed through his meridians like ancient rivers—choked, irregular, scarred from his "Broken Vein" condition.
But now, something was different.
At the center of his dantian…
A faint glow bloomed.
> 🌙 Moonblood Vein Fragment – Sync Initiated (Stage 1)
🔁 Qi Regulation Enhanced. Cold Qi Affinity Awakening…
💠 System Trait: Spirit Conversion Rate increased by 32% during moonlight exposure
His entire body shivered.
But he kept focus.
> [System: Breakthrough Threshold Approaching]
⚡ Current Realm: Qi Gathering Stage 1 → Stage 2
🧬 Barrier Resistance: High (due to previous crippled meridians)
🎯 Suggested Strategy: Sword Intent Fusion Surge
Nìchén slowly gripped the katana.
He remembered the pain of being humiliated… crippled… forgotten.
His spiritual energy churned—not in rage, but in cold clarity.
---
CRACK.
A thunderous pulse echoed through the cliffside—but only for an instant.
Anyone nearby would think it was just the wind shaking the stones.
But inside his body…
His dantian had shattered its first internal wall.
The Qi Gathering Stage 2.
> ✅ Breakthrough Successful.
🎉 Rewards Applied:
Internal Flow Efficiency +15%
Energy Reserve Expanded
Sword Intent Stability Upgraded
Passive Cloaking Strengthened
He opened his eyes.
The mist parted slightly before him, as if in submission.
His katana vibrated quietly, harmonized with his Qi.
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🌙 System HUD (Private View)
──────────────
🧍 Name: Shěn Nìchén
🌿 Cultivation: Qi Gathering – Stage 2
⚔️ Sword Intent: Stable (Veiled Flow type)
💠 Bloodline Fragment: Moonblood Vein (Dormant Sync – 12%)
🧠 Passive Traits:
– Stealth Mode (Active)
– Qi Fluctuation Mask
– Cold Qi Affinity (Evolving)
🔐 Hidden Status: No one detects your true realm or intent.
──────────────
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🌫️ Back at the Edge of the Mist
Elira Snowveil leaned weakly against a tree nearby. Her wounds were bandaged, and she breathed easier now.
She stared into the dark valley where she'd seen that boy vanish hours ago.
> "Who are you really…?" she whispered.
But even her spiritual senses couldn't detect anything.
Not a single ripple.
As if… the one who saved her was just part of the fog.
---
To Be Continued…