The forest surrounding the outer sect was thick with mist. Trees twisted like ancient bones, roots drenched in old blood. Outer disciples called this place Whispering Hollow—a death trap for most.
But Rui Yan was not most.
Wrapped in a stolen cloak and carrying a dull iron blade, he moved like a shadow between the trees. His goal lay deeper within: a withered cliff veined with pale blue light—Soulroot Ore, a rare spirit mineral used to stabilize damaged souls.
"With that, I can reinforce my Black Ember and accelerate recovery."
His current soul body was cracked—too fragile for even low-level combat spells. If he didn't mend it soon, he'd be an easy target for even foundation disciples.
After a few hours of travel, Rui reached the base of the cliff. The mist thickened, strange whispers tickling his ears.
"Who treads here with a cursed soul…?"
The whispers weren't hallucinations. The cliff was guarded.
He narrowed his eyes. There, hidden in the crevice—a Nightshade Lurker, a soul-eating beast. Its black carapace shimmered with a cold gleam, and eight jagged limbs dug into the stone like a spider nesting in ancient bone.
It hadn't noticed him yet.
"Perfect."
From his sleeve, Rui drew a soul-forged pebble—a leftover from the disciples he killed.
He infused it with the Black Ember's flame, then tossed it to the far right.
A soft hum.
The Nightshade jerked its head, eyes glowing violet, and pounced toward the sound.
That was all Rui needed.
He dashed toward the ore vein, drew his blade, and began slicing off the glowing crystal roots.
🜂 [Soulroot Ore x 3 acquired]
➤ Can be refined for soul stabilization.
The beast screeched. Too late.
Rui somersaulted backward, tossing a small Poison Fog Pellet he'd lifted from the same cave he woke in. The green mist enveloped the area. The Lurker flailed, choking and screaming as it fled into the forest.
"Still too weak to kill it outright."
But he had what he came for.
Rui returned to his cave by dawn. He sealed the entrance and ground the Soulroot into powder, mixing it with blood essence and ember flame. The concoction hissed, then turned into a black liquid that pulsed like a heart.
He drank it without hesitation.
Pain tore through his body.
🜂 [Black Ember Evolution: 27% → 39%]
➤ Soul cracks partially healed. Mental acuity restored.
➤ First stage technique unlocked: "Soul Grasp"
A wave of cold clarity swept through his mind.
"One more step forward."
Just then, footsteps approached his cave.
He stood, body tense.
A soft voice called out, hesitant. "Rui Yan?"
His eyes narrowed.
He recognized the voice. Lin Yu, the kind-hearted alchemist girl from the outer sect. In the original timeline, she'd died protecting someone else. A waste.
"What could she want from a discarded failure?"
He slid his sword behind his back and opened the cave door.
She stood there, clutching a small basket of herbs. Her expression was cautious. "I heard what happened... with Bo Shan. And the others. People say you're cursed now. That you absorbed their souls."
A pause.
"Did you… really?"
Rui's eyes met hers. Cold. Empty.
"What do you think?"
She said nothing, just handed him the basket. "These herbs can hide soul fluctuations for a few hours. I figured… if they come looking, you might need them."
He stared at her, unsure if she was stupid, brave, or both.
"In my past life, kindness got people killed. Let's see what it gets her in this one."
He took the herbs. "I won't forget this."
Lin Yu smiled faintly. "Just don't get caught."
Then she was gone.
As the sun rose over the sect, Rui turned to face the east—toward the Celestial Harmony Pavilion, his former home, and the Five Immortal Courts beyond.
"They think I am gone. That their sins are buried in karmic law."
"But I remember everything."