The morning mist clung to the mountains surrounding the Azure Cloud Sect, brushing against the tall spires and training terraces like ghostly fingers. The air was crisp, tinged with spiritual energy, and the faint hum of cultivation resonated through the sect's courtyards.
Ethan Luo sat cross-legged atop the highest terrace, eyes closed, absorbing Qi. Not that he needed meditation like ordinary disciples. He already knew how the energy flowed, where it pooled, and how to manipulate it—thanks to the Dao Code system. But training was still necessary; the body, after all, belonged to Lu Wei, a weak outer disciple who had barely survived his first year.
"Weak body, weak shell… strong mind. Let's see how far we can push this," Ethan muttered under his breath.
His eyes opened, scanning the horizon. A faint flicker of light—something that didn't belong to the natural flow of energy—glimmered in the distant mountains. The Dao Code flagged it instantly:
Level 0 – Forbidden Technique
Anomaly Detected: High Priority
"Well, well… you can't hide forever," Ethan whispered. "Let's find out what secrets you're hiding."
The system within his vision glitched with warnings. "Warning: Unauthorized manipulation may trigger system defense." Ethan ignored it.
"System defense or not… I need to see this for myself," he thought.
He leaped down from the terrace, moving through the training grounds unnoticed. Most disciples were still practicing basic techniques. Jin Tao, humiliated after yesterday's duel, avoided eye contact entirely. Yuan Ling, the rival observing his progress, had already disappeared into her own meditation area, leaving a faint aura of curiosity and caution lingering in the air.
The mountain path beyond the sect walls was treacherous, lined with jagged rocks and patches of wild spiritual energy. But to Ethan, it was simple. Dao Code highlighted safe steps, energy nodes, and potential traps as if it were a terrain map in a game.
"This is basically an RPG dungeon with no respawn," he muttered, eyes scanning the glowing code lines.
The flickering signal of the forbidden technique grew stronger as he ascended. It was faintly visible, floating above a small plateau that seemed untouched by any disciple before.
As he approached, Ethan's eyes widened. The plateau contained the remains of an ancient piece , partially buried under centuries of moss and mountain stone. Broken pillars lined the perimeter, etched with unknown symbols. A low, humming energy radiated from the center, where a pedestal rested, surrounded by a faint aura of destruction.
Dao Code identified the anomaly instantly:
Pedestal Object – Unknown Technique
Energy Level: Extremely High
Security Systems: Ancient Locking Formation Detected
Ethan knelt, analyzing the formations. Lines of glowing code traced intricate patterns over the pedestal.
"Trap? Security? Ancient… game mechanics? Interesting," he murmured, adjusting his mental focus.
He examined the pattern sequence:
Outer energy shield absorbs direct attacks
Inner energy loops punish intruders with feedback Qi
Core lock requires matching the forbidden sequence
"Hah… basically a puzzle with a boss fight waiting for me," Ethan chuckled. "Alright, let's debug."
Ethan began with the simplest approach. He projected his Qi into the outer energy shield, adjusting the flow according to the Dao Code. The system highlighted inefficiencies in the shield: small gaps in the energy matrix that Lu Wei's weak body could exploit.
He altered the sequence, timing each step precisely: inhale, circulate, exhale, energy redirect. The shield responded, warping slightly, then stabilizing again. Each adjustment provided feedback success or failure like a skill check in an RPG.
After three tries, the outer shield was neutralized without triggering the inner loops. Ethan's grin widened.
"Step one complete. Let's move to step two."
The inner loop was designed to punish intruders by feeding back excess Qi. Any mistake could injure or even kill the user. Ethan's Dao Code interface highlighted the feedback paths: thin strands of energy that ran like circuits across the pedestal.
He ran simulations in his mind. If I redirect energy along these circuits while syncing with my own Qi flow… I can neutralize it before it reacts.
Ethan executed the plan. Energy surged around his body, lights flickered, and for a tense moment, the Dao Code system flashed a warning:
Critical Sequence Error – Risk of Injury 32%
"Not bad… risk level acceptable," he muttered, tweaking the flow. The warning disappeared.
The inner loop's feedback dissipated, leaving the pedestal's core exposed.
Finally, the core lock required a precise sequence of hand movements and energy focus. It was the ultimate puzzle a combination of martial gestures, Qi flow, and Dao Code manipulation.
Ethan hesitated briefly. This wasn't just about power; he could be permanently injured if he made a mistake.
"Lu Wei might have died trying this," he thought, feeling the weight of the previous owner's weaknesses. "But I have the system… I can do this."
He initiated the sequence, following the glowing code in his mind. Fingers moved like lightning, energy flowed like water, and every motion corrected itself in real-time.
The pedestal shuddered. Lines of ancient script glowed brightly, then dissolved into the air. A scroll appeared, hovering before Ethan, filled with faint, radiant energy.
Dao Code verified it:
Technique Name: Azure Dragon Pulse
Level: Forbidden / Prototype
Effect: Converts Qi into raw force, bypassing conventional cultivation limits
Ethan's eyes widened. This… this is insane. A single technique could outclass dozens of outer sect disciples.
A soft, deliberate clap echoed from behind. Ethan turned. Yuan Ling stood at the edge of the plateau, her arms folded, expression calm but intense.
"You've unlocked it faster than I expected," she said. Her eyes glinted with curiosity—and something else… caution, maybe even fear.
Ethan wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "You… watched me?"
She smiled faintly. "Not entirely. But I see potential in those who rewrite the Dao. Don't mistake my observation for kindness. You're on notice."
Dao Code flashed a new warning in Ethan's mind: Potential Rival Detected – Observation Active.
"Rival introduced… okay, noted," he thought, pocketing the scroll.
Descending back toward the Azure Cloud Sect, Ethan's mind raced. He had obtained the first forbidden technique, discovered ancient ruins, and survived without injury. But the Dao Code pulsed warnings constantly:
System Monitoring: High Attention
Unknown Entities Notified
Potential Intervention: Imminent
Ethan's lips curled into a grin. Bring it on. Let them watch. Let them try to stop me.
He returned to the courtyard as if nothing had happened. Outer disciples glanced at him, unsure how to read his expression. Yuan Ling's gaze lingered from a distance, sharp and calculating.
Ethan took a deep breath. Tomorrow… we test Azure Dragon Pulse in a controlled duel. And maybe… we see how many rules I can break before someone notices.
The sun set behind the mountains, shadows stretching long across the training grounds. A faint ripple of energy appeared in the distance, far beyond the sect's walls—an energy signature even more potent than the Forbidden Technique.
Dao Code pulsed a single line in Ethan's vision:
Administrator Detection Activated
Ethan's grin turned cold and sharp.
So the game isn't just the sect… it's the entire world. And now… the real boss is awake.