The twin suns dipped low behind the jagged peaks as Lin Chen and Yu Xueqing pressed deeper into the wilderness zone.
The air grew colder. The path narrowed until they arrived at a place whispered of in sect rumors: Blackmist Ravine.
A dark canyon where many elite disciples had vanished during past Hidden Trials.
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Lin Chen squinted, his sharpened senses picking up faint traces: broken branches, smeared footprints—too orderly to be wild beasts.
His lips curled into a familiar, cocky smirk.
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"So… the clowns are finally making their move."
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Yu Xueqing's eyes narrowed.
"You feel it too?"
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Lin Chen tapped the hilt of his newly crimson-tinged sword.
"Yup. Spies from the Crimson Shadow Sect. Probably hired by that fool Wei Zhong who swore he'd 'cripple me before I leave the trial grounds.'"
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Yu Xueqing sighed. "You provoke too many enemies, junior brother."
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Lin Chen chuckled darkly.
"Correction: they provoke me first. I just finish the job—with interest."
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Rustle. Crack.
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A shadow flitted across the ravine entrance.
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Yu Xueqing's hand shot to her waist, unsheathing her slender saber.
"Here they come."
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From the dark mists, eight figures emerged, clad in black robes marked with blood-red sigils.
All were late-stage Qi Condensation experts—killers trained by rival sects.
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Their leader, a tall man with sharp hawk-like features, stepped forward.
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"Lin Chen," he sneered.
"You've caused too much noise. Our employer wants your head. Hand over your treasures, and we'll let the woman go."
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Lin Chen's eyes gleamed like cold stars.
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"Eight against two? And you think you'll win?"
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The leader sneered.
"Nine against two."
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BOOM—
Another figure dropped from above—a heavily armored brute wielding a giant mace. A peak-stage Inner Sect disciple from the Blood Iron Faction, recruited to ensure Lin Chen's death.
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Yu Xueqing tensed.
"They're serious about killing you."
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Lin Chen's smirk deepened.
His hand slid over the hilt of his sword—a sleek, curved weapon now pulsing faintly with his blood essence.
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"Perfect."
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His qi surged, swirling like a coiled dragon inside his dantian.
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"Senior Sister," Lin Chen said casually, his voice calm even as the enemy closed in, "I'll handle this. Watch closely—this will be my sword's debut."
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Yu Xueqing's breath hitched.
"You… you're going to use sword arts now? Not just fists?"
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Lin Chen chuckled, his voice low and dangerous.
"They wanted blood… so let's give them blood."
---
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The ambush began.
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The eight assassins moved as one, unleashing qi attacks that streaked through the air like black serpents.
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Lin Chen's figure blurred.
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With a single step, he vanished from sight—reappearing mid-air like a phantom.
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His sword flashed.
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SWOOSH—
A crimson arc sliced outward.
It wasn't just sword qi. It was mixed with Blood Qi, the essence from his newly awakened body tempering art.
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The nearest assassin barely had time to scream before his torso split apart, blood spraying like a fountain.
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"First Blood." Lin Chen grinned, eyes gleaming.
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The remaining assassins staggered.
"What—he killed Bao Ming in one strike?!"
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The leader snarled.
"Form the death formation! Crush him!"
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Lin Chen landed lightly, his sword now humming with power.
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"Second slash: Bloodforged Severance!"
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He swung again, this time releasing a wave of crimson energy that tore through two more enemies—sending their mangled corpses crashing into the canyon walls.
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Yu Xueqing's pupils contracted.
"This sword… it's not normal. He's merging body tempering force into sword qi… that's forbidden level technique!"
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The armored brute roared and charged, mace swinging down like a meteor.
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BOOOM—
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The ground cracked as Lin Chen leapt sideways, his laughter echoing.
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"Too slow, fatty!"
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He dashed forward, blade slicing in a flickering pattern—each move sharper, faster.
---
---
Within ten breaths—
Five enemies were dead.
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Only the leader and the armored brute remained, both pale and drenched in fear.
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"Monster… he's a monster…" the leader gasped.
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Lin Chen licked the blood off his blade, smirking.
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"You came to kill me… but it's you who'll be paving my next breakthrough."
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His qi surged again—denser, darker. His blood vessels roared like rivers inside his body.
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"Third slash: Crimson Reaping!"
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He lunged, sword flashing.
The leader's head flew into the air, eyes still wide in disbelief.
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The armored brute fell to his knees, mace slipping from numb fingers.
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"Mercy… spare me…"
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Lin Chen walked forward, sword resting on his shoulder.
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"Mercy?" His smile was cold.
"Did you offer me mercy when you planned to cripple me?"
"Did you offer my Senior Sister mercy when you threatened her life?"
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The brute trembled. "I—"
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Lin Chen's sword fell.
SCHLK—
The man's head rolled across the rocky ground.
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Silence descended on Blackmist Ravine.
Only the scent of blood and death remained.
---
---
[System Prompt: Bloodforged Sovereign Art - Blood Essence Absorbed]
[Qi Flow Enhanced: +5%]
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Lin Chen exhaled slowly, sheathing his sword.
"Not bad for my first real sword dance."
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Yu Xueqing stepped forward, her face a mix of awe and wariness.
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"Junior Brother… you've changed."
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Lin Chen turned, grinning.
"Change is the only constant, Senior Sister. I warned you—I'm aiming for the apex."
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His sword gleamed under the dying sunlight.
Blood. Power. Ambition.