The Ironhide Wolf's corpse shimmered faintly before a portal of golden light opened in front of Long Wei.
He grabbed the carcass by its steel-like fur and casually tossed it inside.
[Item Received] [Quest Rewards Delivered] [+350 Spirit Stones] [+1 Random Skill]
[Congratulations! You have acquired a Peak Mortal Grade Sword Skill]
A new window unfolded.
[Skill Acquired: Thousand Phantom Blades] • Grade: Mortal – Peak • Mastery: 0 (0/100) • Effect: Summons countless swords to strike enemies. • Extra: Mastery increases 7% faster when summoning more than 10 swords. • Usage: Each sword consumes 100 Qi. • Current Qi: 3500 (Qi spent on skills does not affect cultivation base).
Long Wei's lips curled upward. "A technique that summons countless swords… in the hands of anyone else, it would be overwhelming. But in my hands? It's unstoppable."
Another notification chimed.
[Level-Up Reward: Random Movement Skill]
[Skill Acquired: Shadow Step] • Grade: Mortal – Mid • Mastery: 0 (0/100) • Effect: Increases speed by 20% for 5 seconds. • Extra: None • Usage: 50 Qi per activation.
"Oh?" Long Wei's eyes narrowed, excitement flashing in his gaze. "A movement skill. Combined with Phantom Blades, I'll be untouchable. Even cultivators above me will be caught off guard."
After deep within the forest, a faint fluctuation of qi pulsed ahead.
A young man dressed in fine silk robes embroidered with golden cloud patterns stood arrogantly in a clearing. His aura was unmistakable.
Zhou Feng toyed with a jade fan in his hand, smirking. "A Stage 6 dares to show himself? You're asking for humiliation."
Long Wei stepped forward, deliberately slow. "So this is the mighty Zhou Feng? Let me guess… your golden family taught you to smirk instead of fight?"
Zhou Feng's eyes narrowed, anger flickering across his face. "How dare you mock me! I'll make you kneel before me!"
He flicked his wrist, a palm of concentrated qi surging toward Long Wei.
But Long Wei didn't flinch. He lazily poked Zhou Feng's palm with his sword tip.
Shhhk!
The qi attack shattered, dispersing into thin air. A faint line of blood appeared on Zhou Feng's hand.
"You—!" Zhou Feng shouted, fury rising as he lunged forward with a flurry of sloppy but powerful strikes.
Long Wei remained calm. With a flick of his hand, countless sword shadows materialized around him.
[Skill Activated: Thousand Phantom Blades] Qi Consumed: 1000 (10 swords) Duration: Instantaneous
Ten gleaming blades shot forward. Zhou Feng barely formed a qi barrier. Most of the blades shattered, but three pierced through, cutting his shoulder and thigh.
"Arghhh! This… this is impossible! You're only Stage 6!"
Long Wei stepped closer. "Realm is meaningless if you don't know how to fight."
Zhou Feng gritted his teeth, summoning all his qi for a desperate strike.
[Skill Activated: Shadow Step] Qi Consumed: 50 • Speed increased by 20% for 5 seconds
Long Wei blurred, appearing behind Zhou Feng. Without hesitation, Darkhorn Edge pierced through his chest.
Thud!
Zhou Feng collapsed, blood soaking the ground, eyes wide with disbelief.
Long Wei withdrew his blade, indifferent.
[Enemy Defeated: Zhou Feng]
[Rewards Received: +700 Spirit Stones, +1 Rare Material (Zhou Clan Insignia Token)]
[Cultivation Manual Triggered]
• Killing a cultivator of the same realm grants +1% cultivation speed permanently
Long Wei glanced at Zhou Feng's fallen body. "My clan will not give up even after you run."
[Skill Mastery Update]
[Darkhorn Edge] Mastery: Level 2
• Weapon Bonus: All stats +1% while equipped
• Future Effects: Weapon grows stronger, new skills unlocked
[Character Status]
Name: Long Wei
Realm: Qi Condensing – Stage 6
Dao: Sword
Job: Alchemist
HP: 600/600
Attack: 120 (+1%)
Defense: 105 (+1%)
Speed: 115 (+1%)
Cultivation Speed: Base +1% (from manual)
Long Wei disappeared into the shadows of the forest, leaving behind only silence and the faint metallic scent of blood.