Three days after the tribunal, Shen Yuan stood before the entrance to the Heaven-Grade Technique Vault.
The vault was located deep within the inner sect's core, protected by layers of formation arrays and guarded by two Core Formation elders who never left their posts. Only those with explicit authorization from the Sect Leader could enter, and even then, only once per decade.
Shen Yuan held the jade authorization token that granted him this singular opportunity—choose one Heaven-Grade technique from the sect's most precious collection.
"Shen Yuan," Elder Qing accompanied him, her expression serious. "Inside, you'll find techniques that took our ancestors lifetimes to develop or acquire. Choose wisely. This decision will shape your cultivation path for decades to come."
"I understand, Elder."
The massive vault doors opened with a grinding sound, revealing a circular chamber lined with jade pedestals. Each held a scroll, manual, or artifact glowing with protective formations. The qi density inside was overwhelming—these techniques contained such profound power that reality itself seemed to warp around them.
Elder Qing gestured to the chamber. "You have one hour. Touch nothing until you've made your final decision. Some techniques have resonance requirements—if your soul doesn't match, attempting to learn them will cause harm."
Shen Yuan entered alone, the doors closing behind him with ominous finality.
He activated Combat Analysis and began examining each technique systematically:
[TECHNIQUE SCAN INITIATED…]
[ANALYZING AVAILABLE OPTIONS…]
The first pedestal held Eternal Flame Body - a physique transformation technique that turned the cultivator's body into living fire. Powerful for combat, but incompatible with his Sword Intent focus.
The second: Ten Thousand Beast Soul Sutra - allowed the cultivator to absorb demon beast souls for power. Effective but morally questionable and would conflict with his current path.
Third: Void Step Footwork - a movement technique that let the user briefly step through spatial tears. Excellent mobility, but he already had sufficient speed.
Fourth: Heaven Devouring Sword Manual - a sword cultivation technique specifically designed for those with Sword Intent. This one made him pause.
[TECHNIQUE ANALYSIS: HEAVEN DEVOURING SWORD MANUAL]
[GRADE: HEAVEN (HIGH)]
[COMPATIBILITY: 89% - EXCELLENT MATCH]
[BENEFITS: SWORD INTENT ACCELERATION, QI CAPACITY INCREASE, SPECIALIZED SWORD TECHNIQUES (7 FORMS)]
[DRAWBACKS: REQUIRES IMMENSE QI CONSUMPTION, DIFFICULT TO MASTER, PROGRESS PLATEAUS WITHOUT RARE RESOURCES]
Strong option. But something told him to keep looking.
He continued through the vault. Each technique was remarkable, but none felt quite right. Either they conflicted with his existing path or required resources he didn't have access to.
Then he reached the final pedestal in the deepest part of the vault.
The scroll here was different. Older. The jade it rested on was cracked with age, and the protective formation around it seemed weaker than the others—not from neglect, but as if the technique itself had somehow eroded the barriers over centuries.
The title was barely legible: Primordial Chaos Sword Scripture
Shen Yuan reached out hesitantly, and the moment his fingers touched the scroll, the system erupted with notifications:
[WARNING: ANCIENT LEGACY DETECTED]
[TECHNIQUE ANALYSIS: PRIMORDIAL CHAOS SWORD SCRIPTURE]
[GRADE: HEAVEN (PEAK) - POSSIBLY TRANSCENDENT]
[AGE: ESTIMATED 10,000+ YEARS]
[COMPATIBILITY: 47% - MARGINAL… RECALCULATING…]
[SOUL STRENGTH FACTOR APPLIED: 15.7x NORMAL]
[REVISED COMPATIBILITY: 94% - EXCEPTIONAL MATCH]
[SPECIAL NOTE: THIS TECHNIQUE REQUIRES TRANS-DIMENSIONAL SOUL. NORMAL CULTIVATORS CANNOT LEARN IT.]
[WARNING: EXTREME DIFFICULTY. SUCCESS PROBABILITY: 23%]
[WARNING: FAILURE MAY CAUSE SOUL DAMAGE]
[POTENTIAL: IF MASTERED, TRANSCENDS CONVENTIONAL CULTIVATION LIMITS]
Shen Yuan's hands trembled slightly as he carefully unrolled the ancient scroll. The text was written in archaic characters he shouldn't be able to read, yet somehow understood perfectly—another gift of his trans-dimensional soul.
The technique's core philosophy was revolutionary: rather than following a single path, it taught the cultivator to embody chaos itself—constantly adapting, never settling into predictable patterns, turning weakness into strength through unpredictability.
It had seven major stages, each corresponding to a cultivation realm:
Stage One: Chaos Embryo (Qi Condensation) - Learn to circulate qi in chaotic patterns rather than fixed meridian routes
Stage Two: Formless Blade (Foundation Establishment) - Sword Intent becomes fluid, taking any form needed
Stage Three: Entropy Edge (Core Formation) - Attacks contain chaotic energy that disrupts opponent techniques
Stage Four: Void Genesis (Nascent Soul) - Create something from nothing through chaos manipulation
Stage Five: Reality Fracture (Spirit Severing) - Cut through the fabric of reality itself
Stage Six: Primordial Return (Void Transcendence) - Return to the origin state before order existed
Stage Seven: ??? (Unknown Realm) - Text damaged, unreadable
The risks were enormous. The technique's chaotic nature meant each cultivation session could yield different results. Progress would be unpredictable. And if he lost control during practice, the chaos could consume him from within.
But the potential…
[NEW CHOICE AVAILABLE]
[SITUATION: CRITICAL TECHNIQUE SELECTION. THIS CHOICE WILL FUNDAMENTALLY DEFINE YOUR CULTIVATION PATH.]
[PRESENTING CHOICES…]
[CHOICE #1: HEAVEN DEVOURING SWORD MANUAL]
Choose the safer, proven technique. Steady progression, clear path to power, compatible with your Sword Intent.
REWARD: Sword Intent Growth Rate +100%, 7 New Sword Techniques, Stable Cultivation Path
[CHOICE #2: PRIMORDIAL CHAOS SWORD SCRIPTURE]
Choose the ancient, dangerous legacy. Unpredictable progress, extreme difficulty, potential for transcendent power.
REWARD: Chaos Cultivation Method, Adaptive Combat System, Limitless Potential, High Risk of Failure
[CHOICE #3: DUAL CULTIVATION]
Attempt to learn both techniques simultaneously. Double the benefit, triple the difficulty, possible qi deviation.
REWARD: Both Techniques, Overload Risk 67%, Potential Unique Fusion Path if Successful
[CHOICE #4: NEGOTIATE FOR TIME]
Request extended access to study both techniques before deciding. Rare permission, requires convincing Sect Leader.
REWARD: Additional Week Access, Complete Information, Delayed Decision, Political Favor Owed
Shen Yuan stared at the choices. The safe path versus the dangerous path. The known versus the unknown.
In his first life, he'd always chosen safety. Played it careful. Died with regrets.
In this life, he'd already gambled repeatedly—and won every time because he committed fully to high-risk, high-reward choices.
The Primordial Chaos Sword Scripture was dangerous. Twenty-three percent success probability meant seventy-seven percent chance of failure, possibly catastrophic. But if he succeeded, he wouldn't just be powerful—he'd be unique. A cultivator following a path no one else could follow, wielding techniques no one could predict.
And his trans-dimensional soul gave him an advantage no native cultivator possessed.
"I choose the second option," he said aloud. "Primordial Chaos Sword Scripture."
[CHOICE REGISTERED: PRIMORDIAL CHAOS SWORD SCRIPTURE]
[WARNING ACKNOWLEDGED: EXTREME RISK ACCEPTED]
[INITIATING TECHNIQUE INTEGRATION…]
[ERROR: TECHNIQUE CANNOT BE LEARNED THROUGH NORMAL SYSTEM ENHANCEMENT]
[EXPLANATION: PRIMORDIAL CHAOS SWORD SCRIPTURE REQUIRES PERSONAL COMPREHENSION. SYSTEM CAN PROVIDE GUIDANCE BUT NOT MASTERY.]
[REWARD MODIFIED: CHAOS COMPREHENSION BOOST (TEMPORARY), LEARNING ASSISTANCE (ONGOING), PROTECTION FROM SOUL DAMAGE (PARTIAL)]
The scroll began to glow in his hands, ancient power recognizing a compatible soul after millennia of waiting. Knowledge flooded into his mind—not complete understanding, but the foundation. The first stage, Chaos Embryo, and how to begin.
He had to abandon everything he'd learned about orderly qi cultivation. Stop circulating through fixed meridian pathways. Let the energy flow chaotically, finding its own routes, constantly changing, never settling into predictable patterns.
It went against every instinct, every lesson, every principle of conventional cultivation.
And that was exactly the point.
[PRIMORDIAL CHAOS SWORD SCRIPTURE - STAGE ONE INITIATED]
[PROGRESS: 0.1%]
[WARNING: EACH CULTIVATION SESSION WILL PRODUCE UNPREDICTABLE RESULTS]
The hour passed. Elder Qing entered to find Shen Yuan holding the ancient scroll, his expression distant as he processed profound concepts.
"You've decided?" she asked.
"Yes, Elder. The Primordial Chaos Sword Scripture."
Her eyes widened. "That technique? Shen Yuan, that scroll is over ten thousand years old. Dozens of geniuses have attempted to learn it. All failed. The sect keeps it more as historical artifact than functional technique."
"Then I'll be the first to succeed," he said calmly.
Elder Qing studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "The Sect Leader warned me you'd choose the most difficult path available. Very well. The technique is yours. May you prove our ancestors' legacy is not dead."
One Week Later - Shen Yuan's Pavilion
The first attempts at Chaos Cultivation had been… chaotic.
Shen Yuan sat in his cultivation chamber, covered in sweat, minor qi burns marking his skin where chaotic energy had escaped control. His status screen told the story:
[STATUS SCREEN]
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
NAME: Shen Yuan (Chen Wei)
AGE: 16 (48 total)
CULTIVATION: Qi Condensation Realm - Fifth Stage (Transitioning to Chaos Cultivation)
PHYSIQUE: Shattered Meridians (61% Repaired → 58% Repaired - REGRESSION FROM CHAOS TRAINING)
ATTRIBUTES:
• Strength: 10.1 (-0.8 temporary penalty)
• Agility: 11.1 (unchanged)
• Constitution: 9.7 (-1.2 temporary penalty)
• Qi Capacity: 800/800 (fluctuates 600-1000)
• Soul Strength: 15.7
CHAOS CULTIVATION:
• Primordial Chaos Sword Scripture: Stage One - Chaos Embryo (2.3%)
• Qi Control: UNSTABLE
• Pattern Recognition: CHAOTIC
• Breakthrough Probability: UNPREDICTABLE
TECHNIQUES:
• Execution Sword Art (Being Integrated into Chaos Framework)
• Flowing River Sword (Being Dissolved into Chaos Base)
• Sword Intent: Intermediate (10% → 8% - REGRESSION TEMPORARY)
WARNING: Transitioning between cultivation methods causes temporary weakness. Estimated recovery: 2-4 weeks.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
The regression was expected but still concerning. His meridian repair had actually decreased as chaotic qi damaged the carefully reconstructed pathways. His techniques were destabilizing as they integrated into the new framework. Even his Sword Intent had temporarily weakened.
He was, paradoxically, weaker now than before choosing the Heaven-Grade technique.
But he could feel something deeper changing. His qi, when he managed to control it, had a quality it hadn't possessed before—unpredictable, adaptive, containing potential that conventional cultivation lacked.
A knock interrupted his meditation.
"Yuan-er? It's me."
Shen Yuhan. He'd barely seen her since the tribunal—she'd been maintaining public distance as planned, though she occasionally sent messages through trusted servants.
He opened the door to find her looking worried. "Sister Yuhan. Is something wrong?"
"May I come in? This concerns you directly."
Inside, she paced nervously before speaking. "Father has announced your betrothal to Zhao Liling, the Zhao Clan's second daughter. The ceremony is scheduled for three months from now."
Shen Yuan's expression didn't change, though his mind raced. Political marriage. The Zhao Clan was powerful, controlling three cities in the sect's territory. Allying with them would strengthen the Sect Leader's position considerably.
"There's more," Yuhan continued. "Zhao Liling is… difficult. She's twenty years old, Core Formation Realm Early Stage, and known for being extremely proud and dismissive of anyone she deems beneath her. She's already stated publicly that she considers this marriage beneath her station and only accepted because her father ordered it."
"Wonderful," Shen Yuan muttered.
"She arrives next week to 'inspect' her future husband. Yuan-er, she'll try to humiliate you publicly. And if she reports back that you're unsuitable, the Zhao Clan will demand compensation for the broken engagement—likely in the form of significant resources or territory."
[NEW CHOICE AVAILABLE]
[SITUATION DETECTED: POLITICAL MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT. DIFFICULT FIANCÉE ARRIVING IN 7 DAYS. CURRENT WEAKENED STATE FROM CHAOS CULTIVATION TRANSITION.]
[PRESENTING CHOICES…]
[CHOICE #1: FOCUS ON RECOVERY]
Abandon Chaos Cultivation temporarily. Return to stable methods. Meet Zhao Liling at full strength but with conventional power.
REWARD: Full Strength Recovery, Stable Status, Loss of Chaos Progress, Normal Marriage Dynamics
[CHOICE #2: CONTINUE CHAOS TRAINING]
Push through transition despite risks. Meet Zhao Liling in weakened state but with unique capabilities developing.
REWARD: Chaos Cultivation Progress x2, Unpredictable Encounter Results, Potential Humiliation or Surprise
[CHOICE #3: REJECT ENGAGEMENT]
Refuse the marriage publicly. Accept political consequences. Maintain independence.
REWARD: Freedom, Sect Leader's Displeasure, Loss of Political Protection, Zhao Clan Enmity
[CHOICE #4: TURN WEAKNESS TO ADVANTAGE]
Use weakened state strategically. Let Zhao Liling underestimate you completely. Long-term manipulation.
REWARD: Master Tactician Advancement, Perfect Deception Setup, Future Advantage, Short-term Humiliation
Shen Yuan considered carefully. Choice three was tempting—he had no desire for political marriage—but would cost him the Sect Leader's protection at a crucial time. Choice one was safe but abandoned progress. Choice two was honest but risky.
Choice four aligned with his patient shadow philosophy. Let them underestimate him. Again. It had worked before.
Besides, being underestimated by a proud Core Formation cultivator might create opportunities later.
"I choose the fourth option. Turn Weakness to Advantage."
[CHOICE REGISTERED: TURN WEAKNESS TO ADVANTAGE]
[COMPLEX STRATEGY INITIATED: STRATEGIC DECEPTION]
[MASTER TACTICIAN LEVEL: ADVANCED]
[NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED: PERCEIVED WEAKNESS (CAN DELIBERATELY APPEAR WEAKER THAN REALITY)]
Shen Yuan turned to Shen Yuhan. "Sister, when Zhao Liling arrives, I need you to do something for me. Act disappointed in the match. Let her see that even you think I'm beneath her. Make it convincing."
"Yuan-er, that's—"
"Trust me. I have a plan. But it requires everyone, including Zhao Liling, to believe I'm still the trash who got lucky in a tournament."
Yuhan looked uncertain but finally nodded. "I hope you know what you're doing."
"So do I," Shen Yuan admitted with a slight smile.
As she left, he returned to his cultivation chamber. Seven days to make enough progress in Chaos Cultivation to have something to show—even if only in secret.
The game was expanding beyond the sect, into clan politics and arranged marriages.
And he intended to play it perfectly.