Night draped the Lin Estate in a heavy, silvery stillness. The moon hung low, pale and cold, casting long shadows across the stone courtyards. Every corner seemed to breathe with unseen danger, every roofline hid a possible threat. Lin Xuan moved through it all like a shadow among shadows, silent, precise, his steps measured and soundless. The Silent Sword Step hummed faintly within him, ready to erase his presence in an instant.
The Dao Comprehension System pulsed quietly in his mind, alert and calculating.
[Warning: Poison detected nearby]
[Source: Unknown]
[Probability of trap: 94%]
[Suggestion: Activate countermeasures]
He paused at the edge of the main courtyard. The air carried a faint chemical bitterness beneath the natural aroma of stone and grass. Blackroot. A signature of Lin Feng's malice.
A small smile touched Lin Xuan's lips. So Lin Feng was impatient, thinking he could strike first. Interesting.
Earlier that evening, Lin Feng had prepared meticulously. The poison was set—two drops of Blackroot in a cup of wine, a touch of heat to activate the toxin, and a thin layer of scentless powder laid along the corridor for added lethality. Every detail calculated to ensure Lin Xuan would be incapacitated before even reaching the courtyard. Lin Feng imagined him writhing under the poison, a moment of triumph shining in his eyes.
But Lin Xuan approached the first steps leading to the pavilion cautiously, his hand brushing the railing—not a single poisoned patch touched. The System whispered in his mind:
[Silent Sword Step: Ready]
[Dao Perception advised]
He closed his eyes briefly, sensing the flow of Qi around him. The poison was not just chemical—it was woven with intent, subtle manipulation meant to disrupt meridians and weaken resolve. Even without seeing it, the System's scan detected it all.
He opened his eyes, cold and focused. One step. Gone. The Silent Sword Step activated. Lin Xuan moved like water across the stone, bypassing every poisoned patch, slipping through the trap without a single sign of his presence.
Lin Feng's eyes widened as he watched from the shadows of his pavilion. "What…? How did he—" Before he could finish, Lin Xuan was already in the courtyard, standing directly in front of him.
Lin Feng stumbled back instinctively, horror spreading across his face. "You…! How did you get here?!"
Lin Xuan tilted his head slightly, calm, eyes sharp as blades. "You set a trap. I walked right into it."
Lin Feng froze. The pieces clicked into place. "You… what—"
Lin Xuan took a measured step closer. The System pulsed in his mind, analyzing Lin Feng's body, aura, and intentions.
[Target: Lin Feng]
[Body Condition: Minor fatigue from panic]
[Meridians: Stable]
[Poison Detection: Active toxins neutralized]
He raised a hand lightly. "You used poison. Blackroot. Weak dose, meant to incapacitate. Classic mistake."
Lin Feng's face paled, shock and fear twisting his features. "You… you… how do you know?!"
Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged. "I sensed it."
And with that, he moved.
The System guided every movement. Every shift of weight, every micro-adjustment of posture, each flick of the wrist was calculated to perfection by the Dao Comprehension System. Lin Feng didn't see a single motion. The poisoned wine in his hand, intended as intimidation, was neutralized in a second by the System. Lin Xuan's fingers touched the cup and disintegrated the toxin, rendering it harmless instantly.
Lin Feng's pupils contracted, terror and disbelief mingling. "You… neutralized it? That's impossible!"
Lin Xuan's lips curved faintly. "Nothing is impossible with proper comprehension."
He pressed forward. The Silent Sword Step activated fully, erasing sound, presence, and killing intent. Lin Feng's eyes darted frantically, searching for movement that wasn't there.
The System's alert pinged in Lin Xuan's mind:
[Critical Strike Opportunity Detected]
Lin Xuan's wooden sword appeared in his hand, flowing naturally as an extension of his will. A single step, barely noticeable. The wind brushed Lin Feng's neck, and he flinched, turning frantically—but there was nothing there.
Lin Xuan tapped his wooden sword lightly on Lin Feng's shoulder. Not hard. Not enough to wound. Just enough to assert control, precision striking the target with flawless intent. Lin Feng froze, every nerve screaming, every plan shattered in an instant.
"I… I can't… move…" he stammered, panic overtaking his mind.
"You will think before attempting this again," Lin Xuan said quietly, voice cold, unwavering. The message was clear. Strength alone was not enough. Comprehension, precision, and intent were sharper weapons, and now, augmented by the System, Lin Xuan held the advantage.
Lin Feng slumped to his knees, trembling. His trap, crafted with meticulous care, had turned against him.
Lin Xuan straightened, wooden sword resting casually. The System pulsed approvingly.
[Mission Complete: Walked into trap, survived, subdued target]
[Reward: +200 Dao Experience, Silent Sword Step evolves to Formed Stage]
[New Mission: Secure position within Sword Hall, Observe Core Disciples]
A faint, dark smile touched Lin Xuan's lips. Tonight, he had not only survived but had demonstrated the truth: the hunter could become prey, and a single miscalculation could tip the scales entirely.
From the shadows of the estate, the Abyss stirred quietly, its hunger awakened, watching Lin Xuan's every move.
Lin Xuan inhaled slowly. He had turned the first real threat into a lesson, and his System had grown stronger, sharper. The Silent Sword Step now allowed him to move with lethal grace, to slip through the world unseen, a weapon beyond conventional comprehension.
He glanced once at Lin Feng, kneeling in panic and humiliation. A predator in form but blinded by arrogance and fear. The thought pleased him only briefly. Tomorrow, tomorrow was another step. And every step forward now would be a measure of his strength against those who underestimated him.
"Come," Lin Xuan murmured to the empty courtyard. "The night is long, and the world is full of traps. Let's see who dares to follow."
The wind stirred, carrying with it the faintest echo of danger. Lin Xuan's eyes darkened, the System pulsing at the edge of his consciousness, hungry for Dao experience, ready to refine, to sharpen, to evolve.
The trap had failed. The target had survived. And the game had only just begun.