The damp scent of dawn carried whispers of fear across the scorched village square. Kel—still alive, whole, but uncomfortably aware of his mortality—surveyed the remains of Fei's body, now limp in the dirt. Mist curled around broken timber and cracked earth, lending the scene a chilling stillness.
As the villagers began to emerge—pale-faced, trembling—they dared not approach. They simply stared, mouths agape, at the man who had changed everything in the space of a single dawn.
They exchanged anxious glances.
"Who... who is he?" whispered one.
"He's either a protector or a curse," murmured another, hands trembling. A third, older woman, frowned, glancing toward the treeline: "The Cloudpiercer Sect will come for retribution."
Hidden beyond the high grass, a cloaked shape watched, its attention sharp and cold. A spiritual aura flickered around it—and beneath the concealed mask, curiosity gleamed, edged with ruthless calculation. It noted the strength of the collapse, the lack of injuries on Kel, and smiled—this was a ripple in the cultivation world that could become a tidal wave.
Kel's limbs felt leaden as the golden dawn haze drained away, revealing how little actual strength he had. The divine sensation had faded, leaving behind the weight of mortality. The system UI [User Interface] flickered and vanished—Invincible Dawn now dormant.
Yet the echoes lingered:
>You are mortal. Dawn only protects for a time—learn before you are hunted.
In Kel's mind, the system chimed once more, golden characters flowing like a celestial scripture:
[MISSION OBJECTIVE INITIALIZED]
• Survive the Cloudpiercer Sect's Judgment
• Time Limit: 10 Days
• Reward upon Success:
• Dawn Blessing Upgrade (Tier 2 Growth)
• Cultivation Manual: Dawnflow Scripture
• Bonus Objective:
• Reach Foundation Realm within Timeframe
• Bonus: "Dawn's Horizon" passive – Adds 15 min to dawn duration
Kel clenched his fist. Foundation Realm in ten days? In a world where cultivators train lifetimes to reach that level? He inhaled sharply, squaring his shoulders. He had no choice now.
Villagers slowly gathered, offering broken thanks. Their voices were shaky, but gratitude was there—tinged with awe, fear, maybe even worship.
Elder whispers only floated through the air: "He could protect us…" It felt surreal to Kel. In his old world he was nobody. Here, someone's savior—or nightmare.
Over the next days, Kel observed and learned. The world around him pulsed with spiritual qi. The forest glowed faintly at night. He practiced breathing techniques taught by a trembling villager healer, whose knowledge of qi was limited but invaluable. Every dawn, he tested his abilities again, watching the UI tally his efforts.
His status screen glowed softly:
Name: Kel Iriath
Realm: Mortal
Base Stats: Weak
Dawn Abilities (Active Only at Dawn):
• Invincible Dawn
• Dawnstrike
• Radiant Flow
• Solar Edge
• Aurora Veil
He tried to grow—day by day, minute by minute.
On the ninth night, torchlight flickered toward the village again. Not Fei's gang this time—but the Cloudpiercer Sect's scouts. Four figures emerged, robes flowing, eyes full of cold disdain.
A tall youth led the group—sharp cheekbones, slick black hair, eyes frozen as stone.
"To which of you… killed one of ours?" he called, voice like steel.
The villagers trembled. Someone whimpered. Another knelt in despair. Kel's chest clenched.
Kel Steps Forward… With a System Prompt
The youth sneered—"Stand up, mortal. Confess. Kneel."
Before he could finish, Kel heard it:
[Dawn Approaches In: 00:12:47]
Kel exhaled slowly. He would stand. He would not kneel. Not yet.
He met the youth's gaze. No fear. Only a faint smile—calm, electric with possibility.
"Let him kneel at dawn, if he must," the youth promised—then added, as Kel reached for dawnlight.
"But make NO mistake. At the first light, everything changes."
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