The forest was quiet.
Too quiet.
Ye Wuchen walked slowly along a moss-lined ridge. The Tech-Hound's fragments were long behind him, buried in shattered roots. His body still ached, but the Shadow Veil skill pulsed faintly within him—ready. Eager.
He was stronger now. But still hunted.
And now… he was being drawn.
---
An Unknown Pull
> [System Alert: Magnetic fluctuation detected. Spirit-compatible metal nearby.]
> "Metal? In the wild?"
> [Not ordinary. Refined. Resonating with Shadow-type martial spirit.]
His black ring shimmered faintly.
It pulled.
Wuchen followed.
Down a steep slope. Past a broken pillar, overgrown with vines. Into a shaded alcove where the trees bent unnaturally inward, like bowing guards.
There, embedded in the base of a ruined stone wall, was a blade.
Old. Rusted. But unmistakably humming.
A low whisper filled the air—wordless, but vibrating in his bones.
He stepped closer.
---
The Blade's Voice
His fingertips brushed the hilt.
Suddenly, a jolt shot through his arm.
Clink—!
Visions flashed across his eyes — blurred figures dueling in ancient robes, shadow techniques slicing through air, bloodless kills done in silence.
Then… silence.
He staggered back.
> "What was that…?"
> [System Response: Ancient Blade Echo Detected – Residual memory fragment stored within weapon.]
[Initiating compatibility test…]
The blade pulsed once.
The rust began to flake away.
Wuchen watched in awe as its shape redefined—slender, slightly curved, made of blackened silver. No sharp shine. Only matte darkness.
A sword meant not for light… but for killing unseen.
> [Compatibility: 89% – Martial Style Alignment Detected: Shadow Edge Path]
> "There's a path?" he whispered.
> [Confirmed. Branch school of Soul Land martial arts. Lost lineage. Focus: Speed, silence, and precision.]
> [Unlockable Skill Tree Available: Shadow Edge Lineage (Sealed)]
To unlock: Pass the Blade Whispering Trial.
---
The Whispering Trial
The forest faded.
He stood in a vast, dark chamber.
Before him—rows of blades floated in mid-air, whispering, turning slowly.
A voice echoed:
> "Many carry blades. Few listen to them."
"You who walk with shadows—do you wish to wield silence itself?"
> "I… do."
> "Then hear them. Three voices. One truth."
---
Trial 1 – The Blade of Rage
A massive red-tinted greatsword dropped in front of him.
Its voice thundered:
> "Strike down the world. Crush. Burn. Roar."
> "I'm not… rage," Wuchen muttered.
He reached for the blade.
But as his fingers neared, the weapon vibrated violently.
His hand was flung back, palm bleeding.
> "You lie."
---
Trial 2 – The Blade of Grief
A narrow, silver dagger floated forward.
Its whisper was thin… broken.
> "Protect… fall… kneel… die…"
> "I've lost," Wuchen said softly. "But I'm not grief."
He bowed slightly.
> "I carry my dead, but I walk for the living."
The blade pulsed, then faded.
---
Trial 3 – The Blade of Stillness
A black blade appeared.
Simple. Silent. Waiting.
It said nothing.
Ye Wuchen stepped forward.
He did not reach out.
He knelt.
> "You are like me," he said.
> "You wait. You strike only once. And never need to scream."
The blade floated down… and rested across his palms.
It accepted him.
---
Blade Chosen: Murkfang
> [Trial Complete.]
[Soul-Bound Weapon Gained: Murkfang – Shadow Edge Blade]
[Weapon Type: Lightcurve Daggerblade | Affinity: Shadow Element]
Base Skill:
• Phantom Draw – First slash made from concealment deals 150% bonus damage and stuns for 0.4 seconds. Cooldown: 15s
Passive:
• Silent Bond – Murkfang cannot be heard when unsheathed. Reduces detection risk from sound-based tracking.
Wuchen stood in the dark chamber, blade now secured at his waist.
The whispers ceased.
---
Back In Reality
He awoke kneeling before the stone wall.
But now, in his grip, was a real blade. Light. Cold. His.
> "Murkfang…"
> [Shadow Edge Path: Stage 0 of 5 unlocked.]
[New evolution route available – combine soul skills with weapon techniques.]
He smiled faintly.
> "No more bare hands."
> "Now… I cut back."
---
Far Away – Spirit Tower Black Ops
An elder in black robes stared at a soul trace projection.
> "A whisper signature just activated in Sector 9-C."
Another agent frowned. "That place is supposed to be dead."
> "Not anymore."
He narrowed his eyes.
> "Someone just awakened the Shadow Edge Lineage…"