The sudden rumble had shaken the entire Wen Clan Mountain. Birds scattered from the trees, and bamboo stalks bent under the force of the invisible energy. Junior disciples froze mid-strike, confused, but none could see what had caused the disturbance.
Only Wen Chen could sense it. His golden eyes narrowed, golden aura flickering around his body. He could feel a shadow of immense energy, moving faster than the eye could follow, invisible to everyone else.
Every instinct in his body screamed danger. He forced himself to breathe deeply, focusing. I need to know my limits… now.
With that thought, the Talent Panel appeared before his eyes, shimmering with golden light.
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Critical Alert]
Name: Wen Chen
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 2 (Partial)
Talent Grade: Intermediate Human Talent
Talent Progress: 40% → ?
Luck Points: 71
Warning: Unknown extreme energy detected. Risk level: Maximum. Physical strain imminent. Absorption may result in fatal injury.
New Function Activated:
Talent Observation: Detect nearby energy signatures invisible to others.
Luck Absorption Amplifier: Can absorb multiple orbs sequentially, but body fatigue increases exponentially.
---
Wen Chen's chest heaved, every heartbeat echoing in his ears. The shadow surged through the courtyard, stirring loose stones and debris—but no one else noticed. To them, everything appeared calm.
Golden energy flared around Wen Chen's hands, reacting instinctively to the shadow. His mind raced. This… this is unlike any orb I've encountered.
---
Analyzing the Shadow
He crouched low, eyes scanning. The shadow moved unpredictably, its chaotic energy twisting the air around it. His muscles coiled, ready to respond.
If I can survive this… my Talent will surpass everyone in the clan.
He clenched his fists. Sweat ran down his temples as he considered the risk. His body still bore fatigue from absorbing the previous extreme orb. He had to calculate every movement, every timing, every angle.
The Talent Panel flickered as he thought:
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Status Check]
Name: Wen Chen
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 2 (Partial)
Talent Grade: Intermediate Human Talent
Talent Progress: 40%
Luck Points: 71
Fatigue: Moderate
Alert: Extreme energy detected. Proceed with caution.
---
The Panel seemed almost alive, responding to his determination. He inhaled deeply, golden aura expanding slightly as he prepared to move.
---
The First Orb
Wen Chen darted forward, low to the ground, weaving between pillars and bamboo. His eyes caught a faint shimmer—a small golden Luck Orb floating near the eastern bamboo grove. Only he could see it.
Just one touch… it will help me stabilize against the shadow.
He reached out, fingers grazing the orb. Instantly, warmth surged through him. Pain lanced through his muscles, sweat stinging his eyes, but golden energy integrated with his Talent, accelerating comprehension.
The Talent Panel materialized automatically with a thought:
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Orb Absorption]
Luck Points Gained: 15 → 86
Talent Progress: 40% → 55%
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 2 (Partial)
Effect: Reflexes +50%, perception +40%, temporary fatigue moderate.
---
Wen Chen's chest heaved. This orb alone had amplified his abilities, but the shadow lurked close. He could feel its presence pressing against him, testing his limits.
I need more… I need to keep going.
---
The Shadow Lunges
The shadow surged violently. Wen Chen's golden aura flared as he braced against it. The invisible force struck the air around him, sending loose stones flying. His muscles screamed under the pressure. Sweat ran down his back, and his chest heaved.
This is it… one chance… one final push.
He focused his mind. Instantly, the Talent Panel appeared:
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Critical Thought Activation]
Name: Wen Chen
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 2 → Stage 2 (Full)
Talent Grade: Intermediate Human Talent → Advanced Human Talent
Talent Progress: 55% → 70%
Luck Points: 86 → 110
Fatigue Level: High
Warning: Maximum physical strain detected. Next extreme energy absorption may risk unconsciousness.
---
The golden light of the Panel reflected in his eyes. His body trembled under the pressure of the shadow's energy, but his determination surged. Every fiber of his being screamed to reach the next orb, to absorb its energy, and to survive.
---
Sequential Orb Absorption
Golden orbs appeared one by one, each materializing as he focused his thought. Only he could see them. His fingers closed around each orb, golden energy surging through his body, pain and growth colliding in perfect harmony.
With every absorption, his comprehension accelerated. Reflexes sharpened, muscles strengthened, and his body's endurance stretched further than ever before.
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Sequential Absorption Update]
Luck Points: 110 → 145
Talent Progress: 70% → 85%
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 2 (Full) → Stage 3 (Partial)
Effect: Combat insight +60%, movement speed +40%, perception +50%
Warning: Critical fatigue. Immediate rest recommended or risk permanent injury.
---
Sweat poured down his face, chest heaving violently. Golden aura flared like a small sun around him. Every movement was precise, calculated, responding instinctively to the invisible threat.
The shadow… it's testing me… I can feel it… but I won't lose.
---
Climactic Confrontation
The largest orb appeared directly above him. He leapt, extending his hand. Golden light and warmth surged through his body as he grasped it. Pain exploded, vision blurred, every nerve screaming—but the energy integrated, unlocking new potential within him.
The shadow paused, almost as if acknowledging his strength. Wen Chen felt it—the energy recognized him, preparing for the next stage.
The Talent Panel flickered violently as he thought:
---
[Floating Golden System Panel — Extreme Absorption Complete]
Name: Wen Chen
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering – Stage 3 (Partial)
Talent Grade: Peak Human Talent
Talent Progress: 85% → ?
Luck Points: 145 → 180
Fatigue Level: Critical
Warning: Survival depends on careful action. Overexertion may result in permanent injury or unconsciousness.
---
Cliffhanger
Wen Chen hovered mid-air, chest heaving, golden aura flickering violently. The shadow remained, circling the courtyard silently, invisible to everyone else.
He clenched his fists, teeth gritted. His body screamed, but golden energy pulsed with his heartbeat.
It's not gone… it's waiting…
The courtyard trembled slightly under the residual energy of the absorbed orbs. Luo Feng glanced around, frowning slightly. "Something's… off," he muttered, unaware of the invisible forces surrounding him.
Wen Chen's eyes narrowed. The shadow loomed closer, still unseen by all. Only he could feel it, only he could see the glowing orbs.
The next challenge… the real test… is coming.
And with that, a massive ripple of energy surged from the shadow, filling the entire courtyard. Wen Chen's body trembled, golden aura flaring to its maximum.
This… is just the beginning.