Li Xuan knelt in the servant barracks, surrounded by rusted buckets and the stink of wet stone. To anyone passing by, he was just another broken laborer scrubbing floors. But within his soul, the system burned.
[System Update]
Qi Capacity: 14%
Host has successfully devoured target: Zhou Fan
Crimson Tiger Physique integrated: Muscle Density +5%, Agility +3%
Alert: Host must stabilize root or risk qi deviation.
He inhaled, drawing the thin spiritual energy that lingered in the cracks of the academy's foundations. It was pitiful compared to what the inner sect enjoyed, but even crumbs could feed the right flame.
He crossed his legs and sank into meditation.
The flame inside him flickered — no longer guttering, but still fragile. He imagined it coiling into his limbs, carving new pathways through his damaged meridians. His pulse slowed. The system hummed.
"Balance before ambition. Stabilize before hunger."
This was the part no one saw. No glory, no power surges. Just pain, discipline, and silence. The road back wasn't paved with slaughter alone.
Not yet.
By morning, he'd reinforced his first meridian and used the Crimson Tiger Physique to reforge the channels in his legs. He moved faster now. His footsteps made no sound. His grip could crack stone.
Still Qi Condensation, but now lethal within his realm.
He returned to scrubbing, for now.
Crimson Veil Academy: Inner Sect Pavilion
Xiao Yue sat cross-legged inside a frosted spirit array. Her robes clung to her damp skin, breath steady, pupils glowing faint blue. Her cultivation technique — Frozen Moon Lotus Scripture — was nearing a breakthrough.
Then she paused.
A pulse. A strange resonance deep in her dantian. Her yin qi had been disrupted slightly… ever since that servant entered her room.
"Li…" she murmured. "That voice."
She snapped her fingers. "Find that servant."
Back in the barracks, Li Xuan was already on the move. He sensed it — a shift in air, a growing heat.
[New Target Identified: Mei Lin – Cultivation: Qi Condensation (5th Layer)]
Yin-Rich Constitution Detected: Scarlet Moon Body
Potential: High
Status: Manipulable
She was beautiful — raven hair, ruby eyes, and soft, practiced steps. An alchemy student, often used by outer disciples to refine pills… or their cravings.
Li Xuan observed her from the shadows as she practiced brewing a Flame Orchid Elixir. Her technique was flawless. Her qi control? Even better.
"A useful pawn," the system noted. "Or a future essence source."
But not yet.
He stepped forward just as her cauldron cracked.
"You used too much fire essence," he said.
She turned, startled. "What? Who are—"
"I clean this hall. I've watched you fail three times." He knelt and adjusted the fire formation beneath the cauldron. "Balance the flow like this."
To her surprise, the brew stabilized. A fragrant glow filled the room.
"How…?"
"I read manuals while cleaning. Helps pass time."
She eyed him with new curiosity.
[Passive Skill: Infernal Allure activated]
Target's heart rate elevated. Curiosity increased.
"What's your name?"
"Li Xuan."
She smiled. "I'm Mei Lin. I owe you one."
He bowed. "Then I'll come collect."
That night, Li Xuan returned to the abandoned Bone Quarter — once home to discarded cultivators, now a ruin overrun by rats and silence. Here, no one watched. Here, he could cultivate without eyes.
He sat in the lotus position, qi circulating slowly.
"Stabilize the second meridian."
It took hours. Sweat rolled down his back. The pain was like swallowing fire while meditating on ice. But he endured.
[Qi Condensation – 2nd Layer stabilized]
Devour rate increased by 4%
Technique Slot: 1/3 filled
He stood. Still weak. But stronger than any outer disciple at his level.
Three days passed.
Word spread that Zhou Fan had died mysteriously. Rumors whispered of a shadow devourer, a soul parasite, a forbidden technique. But no one dared speak it aloud.
Meanwhile, Mei Lin sought Li Xuan more often, asking for help with formations and brew ratios. He guided her gently, never pushing. The system reported steady influence gains.
[Target Affection: 32%]
[Manipulation Access: Minor]
One evening, she laughed at something he said. Her shoulder brushed his.
"You're not like other servants," she whispered. "You feel… different."
He leaned close, lips nearly touching hers.
"Do you want to feel something else?"
Her breath hitched.
[System Alert: Merge Opportunity – Incomplete]
Warning: Host qi capacity too low for safe Dual Essence Merge.
He pulled away just before their lips touched.
"Not yet," he said. "But soon."
She bit her lip. "You're dangerous."
"I try."
That night, he returned to the Bone Quarter. A new quest awaited.
[Side Quest: Soul Echo]
Defeat or subdue a cultivator with a Heaven-ranked technique.
Reward: Unlock Technique Theft (Tier 1)
He reviewed the list of potential marks.
Candidate: Gu Fei
Cultivation: Qi Condensation (3rd Layer)
Technique: Jade Serpent Shadowstep (Heaven-rank)
Weakness: Overconfidence, poor defense
A fight he could win.
But only once.
He stalked Gu Fei through the bamboo forests at the southern cliff. The arrogant outer disciple was alone, practicing footwork under moonlight.
Li Xuan waited. Watched. Analyzed.
Then, when Gu Fei leapt over a ravine—
He struck.
A thrown shard of reinforced qi snapped Gu Fei's ankle mid-air. He crashed into the rocks below.
"Who—!?"
Before Gu Fei could rise, Li Xuan was there, fist glowing with internal flame.
"Bone-Penetrating Fist."
One hit to the ribs. Another to the throat.
Gu Fei tried to activate his movement technique, but Li Xuan had already mirrored it — his system recording every motion.
[Technique Theft Initiated]
Recording muscle memory… qi imprint… absorption complete.
Jade Serpent Shadowstep acquired.
Gu Fei gasped. "Y-You're… nothing… you're a…"
Li Xuan leaned close.
"Say it."
Gu Fei spat blood. "Trash."
Li Xuan smiled.
Then ended him.
He returned to the Bone Quarter covered in blood and glory.
[System Update]
Technique Slot: 2/3 filled
Jade Serpent Shadowstep (Heaven-rank) acquired
Qi Condensation – 3rd Layer unlocked
Flame stability: 92%
He sat, breathing slow, heart steady.
The academy didn't know it yet.
But a monster was blooming in its foundation.
End of Chapter 2