Wind stirred through the clearing.
Wuchen stood still, one hand resting lightly on Murkfang's hilt. The blade felt… alive. Not in the way of the system, not with words—but with waiting.
The forest no longer felt as empty.
> [Soul fluctuation detected nearby – non-hostile, high level. Distance: 240 meters.]
> "Someone's watching me," he whispered.
Then came the sound of footsteps that didn't break a single twig.
He turned.
A figure emerged from the fog.
---
The Man with the Whispering Blade
He was old. Not fragile—but aged like folded steel. His robes were charcoal gray, his hair tied in a warrior's knot. A thin scar ran down one eye, but both eyes remained intact—and sharp.
He wore no armor. Carried no visible weapon.
But Wuchen felt it.
Killing intent. Sharp. Controlled. Heavy.
The man stopped ten paces away.
"You draw your blade like a shadow… but your stance is still unbalanced," he said softly.
Wuchen didn't answer.
The man chuckled.
"You found Murkfang, didn't you?"
Wuchen blinked. "You know its name?"
"I gave it that name. A long time ago."
---
A Forgotten Name
> "Who are you?" Wuchen asked cautiously.
> "I was once called Yan Xi," he said. "Last known practitioner of the Shadow Edge School… until today."
> "I thought the school was lost."
Yan Xi shrugged. "Everything is lost until someone remembers."
He stepped forward.
Wuchen tensed. His fingers twitched toward his blade.
"Easy," Yan Xi murmured. "If I wanted you dead, you'd already be bleeding."
Wuchen frowned. "You're… not Spirit Tower?"
The man laughed. "Them? I trained some of their assassins. Then I cut ties. They don't like free blades."
> "Why are you here?"
> "Because something stirred in the blades of this forest. And the moment you awakened Murkfang, I heard it."
---
Teacher or Test?
Wuchen kept his eyes on the man.
"Why are you talking to me?" he asked. "Why not attack? Or run?"
Yan Xi nodded. "Good. Suspicion before trust. You might survive longer than most."
He pulled a small flask from his robe and took a sip.
Then tossed it to Wuchen.
Wuchen caught it. Sniffed. Herbal. Bitterness.
"Drink," Yan Xi said. "You're still leaking from your ribs. Fogroot won't be enough."
Wuchen drank.
Heat spread through his chest.
> [Minor Recovery Boost +1.5 HP | Pain reduced | Focus increased]
Yan Xi walked to a nearby stump and sat.
"Let's get to it," he said.
"You want to live?"
Wuchen nodded slowly.
"You want to kill when necessary?"
Wuchen clenched his jaw, then nodded again.
"Then listen. Blades are not tools. They are conversations."
---
Blade Philosophy – Lesson One
Yan Xi reached behind his back—and from thin air, pulled a blade.
It shimmered faintly. Unlike Murkfang, it was longer, with a jagged back edge and a dull gleam. Not beautiful. Just dangerous.
"This is Silentrip. She does not like talkers."
He stood.
"Show me how you draw Murkfang."
Wuchen hesitated.
Then in one clean motion, he unsheathed the blade and stepped into a low stance—knee bent, edge low.
Yan Xi's brow raised slightly.
"You have instinct," he said. "But instinct must be sharpened."
Suddenly—he moved.
A blur.
Wuchen barely blocked.
Metal met metal. A flash. He staggered back.
"You're not ready," Yan Xi said. "But you will be."
---
System Alert – Blade Skill Path Activated
> [New Lineage Tree Available: Shadow Edge Style – Tier 0]
Trainer detected: Yan Xi (Master Rank – Rogue Blade Arts)
> • Passive Unlock: Listening Cut – Gain +5% dodge chance when standing still for 2+ seconds
• Blade Technique: Ghost Step Draw – When activating movement with blade unsheathed, first step is silent and faster
> [Do you accept training path?]
Wuchen breathed heavily, arms shaking.
> "Yes," he said.
> [Training path accepted. Bonded trainer: Yan Xi – status: temporary.]
Yan Xi smirked. "Good. Lesson two begins tomorrow."
---
Elsewhere – Spirit Tower Dispatch
At a floating outpost near Qingye Sector, a new face stared at the updated scan report.
A girl.
Barely older than Wuchen.
Eyes cold. Silver uniform. Long black braid.
"Unregistered soul-user destroyed a Tech-Hound and awakened a legacy blade," the officer said.
She said nothing.
"He's dangerous. The old rogue might be with him."
Still silence.
Then she spoke, voice soft and deadly.
> "Send me."