The cold wind howled across the forested path leading toward the outskirts of the Vermillion Cloud Sect. The night was thick with fog, and the moon hung low like a dying eye in the sky.
Raizen moved like a wraith.
His bare feet left no trace on the muddy ground, his body newly reforged by the Abyss System — a vessel of something not quite human anymore.
> [Quest: First Blood – Target: Qi Gathering Cultivator]
Status: Incomplete | Progress: 0%
Reward: +1 Level | Trait Upgrade | Skill Enhancement
Raizen's crimson eyes scanned the terrain. He was still Level 1, his power at the lowest rung of cultivation. But the Abyssal Path was not built on fairness — it was built on corruption.
It consumed everything. Including fate.
Through the dark underbrush, he sensed a flicker of spiritual energy — weak, careless.
A patrol disciple.
---
The disciple strolled lazily with his sword sheathed, yawning, his outer sect robes stained with wine and arrogance.
"Damn cold," he muttered. "Why do I have to guard this route? No one even comes this far."
He had no idea death was watching.
Raizen crouched from the shadows. His breath slow, silent.
> Skill Activated: [Soul Inversion – Tier I]
Effect: Reverses target's inner flow of Qi for 3 seconds. Vulnerable state induced.
He struck.
Like a ghost, he appeared behind the disciple and placed a cold hand on his back. Abyssal energy surged in like a dagger of frost.
The disciple gasped, eyes widening as he collapsed to his knees. His Qi flared wildly — then shattered. He tried to scream, but his voice choked in his throat.
"No… please—"
Raizen didn't wait.
He grasped the man's head and snapped it sideways with a brutal twist. The neck cracked like dry twigs.
> [Target eliminated: Qi Gathering Cultivator]
+1 Level Gained | Skill Upgrade: Soul Inversion (Tier II)
Trait Evolution: Abyss Touch unlocked
Raizen exhaled slowly, feeling a rush of dark energy sink into his bones.
His body vibrated. Muscles tightened. His aura deepened.
The System spoke once more:
> Level: 1 → 2
New Ability Unlocked: [Abyss Touch – Corrupts spiritual energy on contact]
Raizen looked at his hand. It glowed faintly with a purple-black mist. This… was just the beginning.
---
He dragged the corpse into a nearby hollow, stripping it of its sect robe and badge. Not out of respect — but out of strategy.
He now wore the identity of a sect disciple once again. A perfect mask for the demon he had become.
---
Later that night…
Raizen stood at a cliff overlooking the sect's outer compound — its towers glowing faintly under moonlight, its banners fluttering proudly.
How many of those elders laughed when his core was shattered?
How many turned their backs on him like he was filth?
A thousand emotions surged in his chest — rage, sorrow, hatred — but he didn't let them drown him.
He channeled them into focus.
He would not rush in blindly. The Abyss had taught him patience.
A crow landed nearby, eyes glowing silver.
Raizen smiled slightly. "So… even the crows follow me now."
> Side Quest Unlocked: [Mark of Fear]
Objective: Cause panic within the outer sect ranks
Reward: Skill: [Terror Echo] | +1 Trait Upgrade
His crimson eyes narrowed.
He would not just kill them.
He would break them.
He would make them question their gods.
---
In the inner sect compound, miles away…
A young woman bathed in moonlight stood near a jade pavilion — her silk robes radiant, her spirit power refined.
Her name was Lian Fei. Once Raizen's betrothed. Now the Sect Master's favored disciple.
She held a crystal orb that pulsed faintly.
"Abyssal energy…? In the outer forest?" she murmured, frowning. "That should not be possible."
The orb glowed crimson. A low hum vibrated the air.
Her face paled.
"No... it can't be. He was supposed to be dead."
She turned, robes swirling. "Send a patrol. Now. Find the source."
But it was already too late.
Raizen was no
longer a boy they could send scouts to subdue.
He was the system's heir. And the system did not forgive.
---
[End of Chapter 2]